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It seems to me that the church is either unable or unwilling to confess the Trinity to an unbelieving world.  We are told by "mission minded" people not to even bring up the Trinity in "evangelistic" measures.  Yet, how can we confess the True Living God without articulating who He is and what He does in the incarnation.

Here is a quick guideline for confessing the Trinity using three C's.  The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are coessential, coeternal, and coequal.

 

Coessential

  • The Father is God, the Son is God, and the Holy Spirit is God.  Yet, there are not three gods, but One God.
  • All three persons of the Blessed Holy Trinity have the one undivided divine essence in common.

Coeternal

  • The Father is eternal, the Son is eternal, and the Holy Spirit is eternal.  Yet, there are not three eternals, but One Eternal God.
  • The Father is eternally unbegotten, the Son is eternally begotten, and the Holy Spirit eternally proceeds.
  • There never was a time in which the person of the Father did not exist, there never was a time in which the person of the Son did not exist, and there never was a time in which the person of the Holy Spirit did not exist.
  • In the beginning, all three persons were present and active, namely the person of the Father referred to as God, the person of the Son referred to as the Word of God, and the person of the Holy Spirit referred to as the Spirit of God.
  • All three persons of the Blessed Holy Trinity are eternal.

Coequal

  • The Holy Spirit is worshiped and glorified with the Father and the Son.  Yet, there are not three gods that are worshiped and glorified, but One Eternal God who is worshiped and glorified.
  • All three persons of the Blessed Holy Trinity are to be given equal divine praise and honor that can only rightfully be given to God.

Checkout more resources and lectures at http://redeemertheologicalacademy.org/

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Comment by Rev. Richard Mittelstadt on March 14, 2013 at 2:58pm

We rejoice at the growth of the Kingdom and thank you for your suggestions on days to use the Athanasian Creed.

Comment by Rev. Brian L. Kachelmeier on March 14, 2013 at 8:54am

Rev. Mittelstadt,

Since graduating from the seminary, two more children were born here in New Mexico bringing the total to four kids.  The oldest will be 16 next month and the youngest will be 4 this month.

Comment by Rev. Brian L. Kachelmeier on March 14, 2013 at 8:51am

James,

I suggest that we use the Athanasian Creed three times a year:

1.) Trinity Sunday

2.) The Baptism of Our Lord

3.) Reformation Sunday

Comment by James Robertson on March 14, 2013 at 7:48am

A timely reminder for Worship and Music committees. Trinity Sunday will be here soon. Will the Athanasian Creed be included in the liturgy? Thanks, Pastor.

Comment by Rev. Richard Mittelstadt on March 14, 2013 at 7:42am

Thank you Rev. Kachelmeier.  I pray that all is well with you and your family

 

 

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