February 22 – LD 8, Day 4: All that We Believe Involves the Trinity
by Rev J. Kortering

Matt. 28:19, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.”

The catechism expressed that it is necessary for us to believe everything that is included in the gospel. The Apostle’s Creed summarizes for us this faith and reduces it to twelve short statements of faith. We call these the Twelve Articles of Faith. Now we learn that everyone of these articles is an expression of the trinity. The question is raised, How are these articles divided? The Answer is, into three parts: the first is of God the Father and our creation, the second, of God the Son and our redemption, and the third, of God the Holy Ghost and our sanctification.” The expression of our faith in God the Father is Article 1. This is followed by our faith in God the Son which includes articles 2-7. Finally faith in God the Holy Spirit includes articles 8-12.

No wonder then that Jesus instructed his church to baptize new converts in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. These three Persons are the Ones Who bring about our salvation.

Because our faith is in a Personal God, it is expressed as having all three Persons as the object of faith.

The first is of God the Father and our creation. The Son is involved in creation as John expressed it, “All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made,” John 1:4. The Holy Spirit was involved in creation, “And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters,” Gen. 1:2. The Father obviously spoke, “Let there be light”, Gen. 1:3. His role is the leading role in creation.

The second is of God the Son and our redemption. Again, the Father is involved, “God (as Father) so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son,” John 3:16. The Son came into this world, Matt. 1:21, and the Holy Spirit came upon the Virgin Mary, Luke 1:35. The Son assumes the key role in redemption.

The third is of God the Holy Ghost and our sanctification. This Spirit is sent from the Father, by Jesus into this world, John 14:16,17. The Spirit is the key person in making us holy.

Thus we believe in the trinity, God, Three Persons in One Divine Being.