The Trinity (WJEC Eduqas GCSE Religious Studies): Revision Note
Exam code: C120
The oneness of God
Christians do not believe that there are three Gods; the oneness of God is central to Christian belief
The oneness of God is referred to in the Old Testament, and Jesus also reminds his followers of the importance of believing in only one God
“For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 2:5)
“Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble” (James 2:19)
The oneness of God is a central Christian belief, as it reflects the oneness of the universe God created
Christian belief in the Trinity
What is the Trinity?
The Holy Trinity is the belief that God is Three-in-One or Trinity
However, Christianity is a monotheistic religion; this means Christians believe that there are three equal and yet distinct persons in one God
God as the Creator and Father
Jesus as the Son of God
Holy Spirit as the Spirit of God at work in the world
All are both worshipped and acknowledged as separate persons of the one God
The Trinity is not explicitly stated in the New Testament, but it has become something that marks Christianity apart from other monotheistic religions, such as Islam and Judaism, which reject the idea that God can be three
What is the Nicene Creed?
The Nicene Creed is a key source of authority for believing in the Trinity
Christians of many denominations recite the statement in their regular acts of worship
“We believe in one God, the Father the Almighty … We believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only Son of God … We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and giver of life”
(The Nicene Creed)
This statement of belief about the Trinity explains each role of the Trinity and the characteristics of those roles
The Father is the powerful creator of everything
“The maker of Heaven and Earth, of all that is seen and unseen” (Nicene Creed)
The Son is Jesus Christ, who came to earth as God incarnate and was crucified to redeem humanity’s sins
“For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven” (Nicene Creed)
The Holy Spirit, which is the invisible power of God that works within the world today to inspire and guide us
“The giver of life who proceeds from the Father and the Son” (Nicene Creed)
This Creed was drawn up in 325 CE by the Council of Nicaea (a gathering of all bishops from across the world)
The Creed affirms:
The unity of the Church
Baptism and repentance for the forgiveness of sins
The resurrection of the dead
The final judgement
Everlasting life
The Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost
The Trinity helps Christians understand the three ways that God can be understood as Father, Son and Holy Ghost/Spirit
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The influence of the Trinity on Christians
Christians believe that it is easier to understand God by relating to these three aspects
As the Father, God is loving
Christians may feel loved and demonstrate love for others; for example, by giving to charity
As the Son, God was incarnate
He lived and died among humans, so Christians know that God can understand them
He felt pain, so Christians know they can pray to God for help when in suffering
As the Spirit, God is a source of spiritual strength
Christians can feel the Spirit at work in their lives, and this strengthens and supports them
The Trinity is a mystery, which means Christians can accept that there are things that they cannot know about God
The Apostles’ Creed
What is the Apostles’ Creed, and how is it related to the Trinity?
The Apostles’ Creed is a summary of Christian belief that is structured around the Trinity
I believe in God,
the Father almighty,
Creator 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, died and was buried;
he descended into hell;
on 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.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and life everlasting
Amen.
The Apostles’ Creed has three main sections
Each section is about one person of the Trinity
God the Father:
Creator of heaven and earth
Source of all life and power
God the Son (Jesus Christ)
Conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary
Suffered, died, buried, rose again, ascended to heaven
Will return to judge the living and the dead
God the Holy Spirit
Brings life to the Church
Gives forgiveness of sins
Promises resurrection of the body and eternal life
The Creed shows that Christians believe in one God but experience Him as Father, Son and Holy Spirit
It is often used in worship (for example, baptism) as a way of stating faith in God
By confessing the Creed, Christians affirm the oneness of God while recognising the distinct roles of each person of the Trinity
Worked Example
What do Christians mean by the Trinity?
(2 marks)
Answer:
The Trinity is the Christian belief that there is one God in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit (2 marks)
Examiner Tips and Tricks
Remember that Christianity is a monotheistic religion and that the Trinity does not mean Christians think there are three Gods. The Trinity means that one God is made up of three distinct persons
Think of the analogy of ice, water and steam. They are all distinct but are different aspects of the same thing
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