Triune God Flashcards
Trinity
The idea that God is one, but can be experienced in three different Persons,the father,the son and the holy spirit in the world / universe
Mission
The idea of missionary work, where Christians travel to an area to provide aid or education. Missionary work often includes an element of evangelism
Baptism
A Christian sacrament, where people are welcomed into the family of God
Triune God
The idea that God is one, but can be experienced in three different Persons,the father,the son and the holy spirit and how they relate to each other in Godhead
Evangelism
Preaching the gospel (the good news about God) to convert people to the Christian faith
Consubstantial
That Jesus is of the same nature as God the Father, the scripture records that Jesus is divine
What is the Magisterium?
The Magisterium is the Pope and all the bishops in the Church
What is the Magisteriums responsibility?
- To interpret the Word of God
- Ensure that the Church remains faithful to the teachings of Christ and the Apostles
- Helps the church grow in its understanding of the faith
What happens when bishops are annointed with the laying on of hands, what do they also pass on and what is it called?
When bishops are appointed the laying on of hands it also passes on the apostolic authority. This means that the bishops are appointed as successors to the apostles - hence ‘apostolic succession .’
What are official declarations of faith by the Pope accepted as?
Official declarations of faith by the Pope are accepted as infallible (without error) as catholics believe that it is the Holy Spirit guiding the Church
What are Magisterial teachings?
The decisions of the Magisterium that should be accepted by catholics
What is heresy?
A belief that goes against the accepted teaching of the Church
What does the Sacrament of Baptism symbolise
Being totally submerged under water - Symbolised joining Jesus in the tomb after he died
Rising up out of the water - Joining in with Jesus resurrection, to begin a new life as a Christian
Use of water - Symbolises the Holy Spirit. During baptism a person is filled with the Holy Spirit, who sustains the believer’s faith and commitment to God. This is the same Spirit that filled Jesus during his baptism
What is the importance of the sacrament of baptism?
- It shares the life of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit with the person
- It fills the person with the Holy Spirit, to give them the strength to resist evil
- For most Christians it is the sacrament or sign of initiation through which a person becomes a member of the Church, a child of God
- It is a pledge that the person will join God in heaven after they die
- It cleanses a person of all their sins
How does the Nicene Creed show the Father?
God the Father is the creator of all things - “I believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth”
How does the Nicene Creed show the Son?
Like God the Father, God the Son is eternal - “The Only Begotten Son of God, born of the Father before all ages”
There is no distinction in nature between the Father and the Son - “Consubstantial with the Father”
The Son took on the limitations of human nature to become Jesus
Jesus had a human mother but was conceived by the Holy Spirit - “By the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man”
The Son became human out of love for all people, to save them from being separated from God by sin
He suffered and died as a human being - “For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate, he suffered death and was buried, and rose again on the third day”
After he died, Jesus rose into heaven to take his place as the Son of God
Jesus did not become God at the resurrection; he had always been God, but had just limited himself to a human nature while on earth - “He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father”
How does the Nicene Creed show the Holy Spirit?
The Holy Spirit gives life to all things - “I believe in the Holy Spirit,the Lord,the giver of life”
The Holy Spirit comes from both the Father and the Son, uniting - “Who proceeds from the Father and the Son”
The Holy Spirit is equal in majesty and power to the Father and the Son - “Who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified”
The Holy Spirit inspires people to let them know the will of God - “Who has spoken through the prophets”
Where in the New Testament does it talk about the Trinity?
Genesis 1:1-3 and Deuteronomy 6:4-5
What happens in Genesis 1:1-3?
It tells how God created the universe. All three Persons shared in the act of creation
What is said in Genesis 1:1-3?
“In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters. Then God said, ‘Let there be light’; and there was light.” Genesis 1:1-3
What Genesis 1:1-3 show?
- The word ‘God’ here is referring to the Father; the Father created the universe.
- The phrase ‘wind from God’ can also be translated as ‘breath’ or ‘spirit. This shows that the Holy Spirit was involved in the creation of the universe.
- God created the universe with the power of his Word. Christians interpret this as a reference to the Son (or Word) of God
- So God the Father, through God the Son (the Word of God), created the universe with the power of the Holy Spirit.
Where in the New Testament does it mention the Trinity?
Mathew 3:16-17 and Galatians 4:6-7
What does Mathew 3:16-17 describe?
The baptism of Jesus
Mathew 3:16-17
“And when Jesus had been baptised, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.’”
What happens in Jesus’ Baptism? (Mathew 3:16-17)
When God reveals himself as the Trinity
What do Christians believe about Jesus Baptism in Mathew 3:16-17?
For Christians, it shows there really are three Persons who all coexist at the same time - not just one Person who sometimes appears as the Father and at other times as the Son or Holy Spirit
Galatians 4:6-7
“And because you are children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, ‘Abba! Father!’”
How does Galatians 4:6-7 help Christians?
- This verse helps to explain the relationship between the Trinity and a Christian
- Christians are God’s children and brothers or sisters to Jesus
- God the Father pours out the Holy Spirit into a Christian’s heart
- This is the love that unites the Father and the Son,and it fills the person with grace
What are the two councils of the Magisterium?
- Council of Nicea
- Council of Constantinople
When was the Council of Nicea founded?
325 CE
How did the Council of Nicea originate?
- At the start of the fourth century, a priest called Arius was teaching that only God the Father was eternal, not God the Son
- The bishops called a Council to discuss this idea
What did the Council of Nicea (325 CE) confirm?
• The Son is eternally begotten from the Father
• The Father and Son have always co-existed together
• They are both equal and of the same nature
When was the Council of Constantinople founded?
381 CE
What did the Council of Constantinople discuss?
Further disputes about the nature of the Trinity, including the nature of Jesus, led the bishops to call a second Council to reaffirm Catholic beliefs
What did the Council of Constantinople (381 CE) discuss?
• The Holy Spirit is the Third Person of the Trinity and fully God
• Jesus is both fully God and fully human
What two influencial Christians talk about the Trinity?
St Augustine and Catherine La Cugna