Trinity in the Bible

Question 1

What is Apostolic tradition?

Answer 1

The wisdom inspired by the Holy Spirit which influences the words and practices of the Church

Question 2

What is doctrine?

Answer 2

A belief held by the church

Question 3

What is an ecumenical council?

Answer 3

A worldwide gathering of all bishops of the world with the pope, or his approval

Question 4

What does doctrine help to do?

Answer 4

Doctrines passed in the CC help people better understand God, themselves and life. Help correct mistakes and poor advice and replace it with more accurate knowledge

Question 5

What is a creed?

Answer 5

A formal expression of what the Catholic Church believes and teaches - a summary of some of its main doctrines

Question 6

What are creed’s used for?

Answer 6

They are written to correct a mistake (heresy) that was believed and being taught in the Church

Question 7

Where did the doctrine about the Trinity come from?

Answer 7

It came from reflecting on the traditions and beliefs used over that time (Apostolic Tradition). Used this to work out how God could be one yet be three persons

Question 8

How was the baptism of Jesus important to the doctrine of the trinity?

Answer 8

Parts of scripture were discussed as the Church tried to come to a conclusion. Such as the baptism recorded in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke. It is important as God revealed himself as the trinity and used to develop the doctrine

Question 9

SOWA for the baptism of Jesus

Answer 9

'’the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and alighting on him; and lo, a voice from heaven, saying, ‘‘This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased’’
Matthew 3:16-17

Question 10

Why were there disagreements within the early Church?

Answer 10

Due to the Jewish origin of the Church some could not accept Jesus as anything ore than a prophet.

Question 11

Who was a key figure who believed that Jesus was a prophet?

Answer 11

Egyptian priest called Arius (250-366ce)

Question 12

Who opposed the idea that Jesus was a prophet?

Answer 12

Alexander, the Bishop of Alexandria and Athanasius who was his successor

Question 13

What happened between the key figures?

Answer 13

Alexander excommunicated Arius in 321ce yet the Roman Emperor Constantine wasn’t happy that the Church was divided so ordered them both to sort out their differences.

Question 14

What happened when the differences weren’t sorted/

Answer 14

Constantine called the Council of Nicaea (325ce)

Question 15

What was the first council of Nicaea?

Answer 15

Church’s first ecumenical council

Question 16

What happened at the first council of Nicaea?

Answer 16

The bishops agreed with Alexander and produced the Creed of Nicaea to clear up any doubts on beliefs where The Father and Son are ‘consubstantial’ both are truly eternal no beginning both truly God.

Question 17

Why did the first council of Constaninople happen?

Answer 17

360CE = Same questions were being raised with the Holy Spirit

Question 18

Who were some influential people involved with the doctrine?

Answer 18

St Basil the Great, Gregory of Nyssa and St Gregory of Nazianzus were very influential in sorting this problem

Question 19

What did St Basil put foward?

Answer 19

That there was one God in the three persons

Question 20

What did St Gregory teach?

Answer 20

That there were two natures of Christ - Fully divine and human in his one person

Question 21

What did the First Council of Constantinople do?

Answer 21

381ce/ Met to resolve the disputes and reaffirmed the Creed of Nicaea but expanded it to the Holy Spirit. The new creed is now the Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed and is the best expression of the doctrine of the trinity