Q & A

How can I explain the Trinity to my children?

The word Trinity is not found in the Bible. But, by the late second century the church was using it to describe a biblical concept — literally, tri-unity, or “three in one.”

This does not mean three Gods. Instead, Christians have a unique view of God, one that comes about because they believe both the Old and New Testaments.

There are six basic biblical steps to understanding the Trinity:

1. There is one God (Deuteronomy 6:4). The Hebrew language has two words that are translated “one” — Yachid and Echad. Yachid means an absolute one. Echad refers to a united one. Echad is the word used of God in the Old Testament — God is a united One.

2. The Father is God (2 Peter 1:17).

3. The Son is God (John 8:58).

4. The Holy Spirit is God (Acts 5:3,4).

5. Father, Son and Holy Spirit are distinct individuals (John 14:26).

6. Therefore, there are three Persons in the one Godhead.

Since the Trinity is completely unique, no analogy really fits. But attempts have been made, such as the egg, which is comprised of an eggshell, egg white and yolk.

The best illustration I have seen comes from C.S. Lewis: The three dimensions of space: Length, width and height. All coincide in the same place, yet are distinct.

— KEN HORN is the editor of Today’s Pentecostal Evangel.

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