Published by We are created in the image of God. That is we reflect certain attributes of God much like a mirror reflects our image. If God is a triune being, then it follows that we are also triune beings. But here is an example from nature.
Objects: objects have three dimensions. Length, width and height. If you only examine one dimension at a time you are still looking at one object. The object does not change characteristics just because you change perspective. You may see different characteristics but they were always there. Three dimensions, one object.
God is Father (spirit), Son (physical), and Holy Ghost (spirit). Three dimensions, two of them spirit, and one of them physical. We also have three dimensions that consist of two spirit ones and one physical one. John Smith has a body. That body is John Smith. John Smith also has a soul/identity. That soul/identity is John Smith. John Smith has a life/energy force. That is, a force that enables him to be alive. That force is also John Smith. John Smith one being three dimensions.
Jesus gives us the best example of how this works during His Crucifixion and after. Jesus when His body died said, “And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, ‘Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit:’ and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.” Luke 23:46*
We know what happened to His body. “This man went unto Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. And he took it down, and wrapped it in linen,and laid it in a sepulchre that was hewn in stone, wherein never man before was laid.” Luke 23: 52-53.
As for His soul/identity, “For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison;” I Peter 3:19.
We know that His body was in the grave, we are told that His Spirit went to the Father, we are told that His soul/self/identity went and preached (proclaimed) in hell. They all came together again on Resurrection Day with an earthquake. One God, three persons. Three persons one God. Each person is God. And God is each person.
Each of our dimensions corresponds to one of God’s. Two non-physical and one physical. “And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground (physical), and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life (spirit); and man became a living soul (soul/identity/self).
Our soul/identity/self which does our thinking and planning matches to The Father which also made the plan. “And he was withdrawn from them about a stone’s cast and kneeled down, and prayed, Saying, “Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine be done.” Luke 22:41-42.
Our physical self which does all of our work, matches to Christ Jesus who created everything and by whom nothing was not made. “All things were made by him: and without him was not any thing made that was made.” John 1:3.
And our spirit matches with the Holy Ghost. Our spirit energy enables us to live and move. The Holy Ghost made the universe to move. “And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters,”
Does this explain the Trinity fully? No it does not. But it does serve to show how it is possible for there to be one God and three persons..
*All Biblical quotes from the King James Bible
Very interesting article. Thanks for sharing.
Well done- true to Scripture,easy to understand.
Very interesting article. Things to ponder on my eight hour drive home, today.
very well stated. i would have never approached it from the angle you did, yet i am glad to have seen the Trinity from your eyes.
Interesting article
excellent
I’d like to add that another proof of the trinity in the Bible is Jesus’ baptism, where God the Father declared His love for His Son as the Holy Spirit descended on Jesus’ physical body. This is the only time in the book where all three of them appear at the same time.
Very interesting viewpoint, and well stated. I believe in the trinity anyway, but this is a well thought example, thank you.
I am interested in your thoughts on I Peter 3:19 (also 4:5). It is a minute point, simply one of interest. I do not believe Christ descended into hell.
First, the Bible speaks of hell many times. I can\’t think of another place it is called \’prison\’. If He meant hell, I think He would have said hell.
Second, the Bible states that no decisions can be made concerning your salvation after death. You have your entire life to make that commitment, and then your time is gone. For Christ to preach in hell would seem to conflict with this, supposing spirits in hell could still choose the salvation of Christ.
Third, the example Peter gives as supporting evidence of the statement is of the folks in Noah\’s time. An awful lot of people – David, the friend of God, for one – died between Noah and Christ. So why this example?
I have always supposed there was, or is, another place – perhaps another heaven, Paul says there are several – that holds the souls of those who honestly never heard the Gospel and therefore could not act upon it, and/or the souls of those who loved God but lived before the time of Christ, therefore unable to claim Him; and that these are the souls He went to in \’prison\’. Any thoughts?
I am a Triond writer, you can find me there if you like.
This was one of the best explanations I have read of what it means to be made in God’s image.