Creation

Who are the three persons of the one true God?

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. All things were created through him, and apart from him not one thing was created that has been created. John 1:1-3

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness covered the surface of the watery depths, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters. Genesis 1:1-2

Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, according to our likeness. They will rule the fish of the sea, the birds of the sky, the livestock, the whole earth, and the creatures that crawl on the earth.”
So God created man in his own image;
he created him in the image of God;
he created them male and female. Genesis 1:26-27

Jesus came near and said to them, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-19

God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Each person is fully God, and they are equal in goodness, wisdom, and power.

Have you ever wondered, how on earth—or, actually, even in heaven—God can be one, but also three? Sometimes, it feels like the math just doesn’t add up!

Perhaps a musical analogy will help. Sometimes, in order to create a particular sound, a musician will not only use one note, but two or three. This combination of three notes together makes some of the most beautiful sounds. But, just because the musician has used three distinct notes, it doesn’t mean they’ve made three distinct sounds. It’s still just one chord producing one sound. The one chord consists of three, harmonious notes. This is just an analogy, but perhaps it will help. God is one God, but he exists in the loving, harmonious relationship of three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

So, what that also means is this: God is never alone. He is always in loving relationship. That’s who he is. That’s his nature.

Did you know that when God created us in his image and likeness he created us in the image and likeness of the trinity?

That means that we, too, are created for loving relationship. It’s not good for us to be alone. But, like God himself, we were designed to be in loving relationship with one another.

What does it mean to you today that there’s only one God, who’s never been alone, but who’s always existed in the loving relationship between three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit? 

Spend some time today reading through and meditating on the Apostles’ Creed:

We believe in God the Father almighty

Maker of heaven and earth;

and in Jesus Christ his only Son, our Lord,

who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,

born of the virgin Mary,

suffered under Pontius Pilate,

was crucified, dead, and buried.

He descended into hell.

The third day he rose again from the dead.

He ascended into heaven,

and is seated at the right hand of God

the Father almighty;

from there he will come to judge the living and the dead.

We believe in the Holy Spirit,

the holy catholic church,

the communion of saints,

the forgiveness of sins,

the resurrection of the body,

and the life everlasting.

Amen.