The trinity

[Arnold]

I have always been confused about this. I understand that the Father the Son and the Holy spirit are all one and have the same power, except God who is probably more powerful, but God is the trinity so its confusing see
I want to know who do i pray to, cos the holy spirit is what is supposed to be closest to me right? or the onlyu source of power i have on earth, so who do i pray to?

 

[Alternate Carpark]

Jesus' time on earth is our example.
He always prayed to the Father. So should we.
And He even stated the role of The Holy Spirit before He left.

Each individual of theTrinity has a role to perform.
Even though all three are God, each has a distinct title and role.
A study of the Scriptures will reveal how we are to interact with each one.

The trinity is not three beings merging into one being as we would envision in the natural realm. The 'three being one' is a spiritual concept, we cannot use a natural example to comprehend it fully.
God is a God of order, and He has stated in His word the order to which we are to interact with all three parts of Him.

Also read and study how the Apostles prayed because the Holy Spirit had not yet been sent to earth whilst Jesus was here.
We are still living in the time of Acts, so how the Apostles and the church lived is how we should also.

 

[tateziwin]

I use the "Lord's Prayer" as a guide as it teaches us how to pray and the first line is -"Our Father who art in heaven...."
so this means that I address my prayers to God the Father.

 

[Krystina661]

The trinity doctrine is not taught in the bible. You pray to your Father in Heaven, as Jesus Christ taught.

 

[Rafael]

The trinity doctrine is not taught in the bible.

That's an inaccurate statement that could cause doubt and confusion. The word "trinity" isn't said in the Bible, but describes the offices, characters, and roles of the Father, Holy Spirit and Jesus, and they are clearly defined in scripture.
The question would not have even been posed if the trinity didn't exist. God's character isn't limited to our dimensions and darkened understanding - looking through the glass darkly.

1 Corinthians 13:12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

 

[Krystina661]

[noco]

 

[Alternate Carpark]

Again, the is just my opinion, and I really don't care to start a debate about it

Too late ! you couldn't resist could you ?
But please do not continue with debating as this is the counselling section.

 

[Krystina661]

 

[Alternate Carpark]

 

[Trench777]

John 16:23-26 States that we pray TO The Father, IN the Name of Jesus Christ.

As far as the trinity goes...The Word tells us there is a Father, there is a Son, there is a Holy Spirit. How/Why/What/Where/Can they/Will they/ etc etc etc ad infinitum are mind candy. The things of G-D that are essential to our walk with G-D are written in His Word. Everything else is mind candy.

IMO.

T777

 

[HeatherJay]

How should you pray considering the Trinity? Try this :

Pray to the Father, through the Son, for the Holy Spirit.

This is the way our pastor explains it, anyway.

Love, Heather

 

[Rafael]

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Too late ! you couldn't resist could you ?
But please do not continue with debating as this is the counselling section.

Attacking the deity of Jesus Christ isn't good advice that should stand, and should be banned from giving Christian advice until fully understanding the importance of the essential doctrine of the Trinty and the deity of Jesus Christ who was both God and man. - IMHO
I'd be very glad to discuss the doctrine of the Trinity with her privately (PMs).

Joh 8:58 Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.

Ex 3:14 And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.

Genesis 1:26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

http://www.carm.org/questions_Jesus.htm

 

[Arnold]

I understand that we pray to the Father in the name of Jesus Christ, but in my prayers can i also speak or pray to the Holy spirit or Jesus?
I don't want to do anything wrong, cos once i was taught that the Holy spiritis like our relayer, so we pray to God and jesus but also the holy spirit to reveal to us the things that the Father wants for us, and for help and counselling. So can i pray to the holy spirit or Jesus? in the same prayer?

 

[Rafael]

I understand that we pray to the Father in the name of Jesus Christ, but in my prayers can i also speak or pray to the Holy spirit or Jesus?
I don't want to do anything wrong, cos once i was taught that the Holy spiritis like our relayer, so we pray to God and jesus but also the holy spirit to reveal to us the things that the Father wants for us, and for help and counselling. So can i pray to the holy spirit or Jesus? in the same prayer?

Prayer is communication with God, and I don't think God is so formal as to not let you address the Holy Spirit or Jesus. We have the example given to us by Jesus for praying to the Father, and when we pray to Him, Jesus knows and so does the Holy Spirit - for they are one, yet also seperate in office. How God is able to do this is the difference between God and us, and it is to our benefit that He has these abilities. When we limit God to our understanding, we make Him smaller, when He is greater and more wonderful than we can imagine in His powers over the dimensions we are incapable of controlling or have any power over.
The Holy Spirit is our comforter and the Spirit of truth, leading us into all truth. Jesus is now at the right hand of God and is our advocate to the Father.
God is very graceful towards us, and I'm sure you will not be condemned for addressing Jesus or the Holy Spirit while praying.

John 15:26 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:

John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

1 John 4:6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

Romans 8:34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

Acts 7:55 But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,

Colossians 3:1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

Peter 3:22 Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.

 

[Trench777]

God is very graceful towards us, and I'm sure you will not be condemned for addressing Jesus or the Holy Spirit while praying.

I agree 100%

 

[Alternate Carpark]

I remember, during the early years of my walk, people would be addressing the father and then Jesus.
At first I didn't see any problem with it, but later as I studied God's word, it bcame annoying.
I thought, this is confusing, make up your mind who you will address.
And then came the timely revelation that The Holy Spirit is also a person of the Godhead.
I had never considered Him to be a person.
People then started addressing The Holy Spirit as they prayed.

Okay, I thought, now this really is getting frustrating. Not only did I find it hard to pray all the time,
but now I had the added burden of speaking to three people and not one.
Argh...I have enough trouble praying to one , let alone three.

I felt as if I were ignoring Jesus and The Holy Spirit if I were not talking to them.
Would they not feel left out if I did not talk to them ?
Would I be orffending them if I did not speak to them ?
It was a very frustrating time, but also a wonderful time, because I was learning more about The Holy Spirit.

That was a long time ago. Now I never speak directly to Jesus or The Holy Spirit.
All my discussions are directed toward the Father and I always give thanks for all three. No one is offended or feels left out. It's all to do with how God has set up communication between Himself and His children.

Seek God, and as you study His word, ask Him to give you revelation ( to reveal )as to the correct way to communicate with Him.
You will find that a lot of our confusion regarding issues comes from a lack of knowledge about it.

And yes I agree too, God is not offended if you speak to all three.

But...
1 Cor. 14:33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.

 

[Rafael]

A.C. is correct, amen. As I grew closer to the Lord, I knew that if I prayed to the Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit automatically would know what they were to do. My experience is very similar to hers in this. God loves us as children, though, and as any good parent allows them to grow in His love and grace.

 

[Alternate Carpark]

My experience is very similar to hers in this

But I'm a guy !

It's because I am a single parent that I have to take on the role of father and mother.

 

[Rafael]

But I'm a guy !

It's because I am a single parent that I have to take on the role of father and mother.

Pardon me, sir I can't even read those male female signs Excuse me !!

 

[Alternate Carpark]

Same, I'm always rechecking to see if the post is written by a male or female and I have made the same mistake.

It happens Let's play some golf.--Bob Barker from Happy Gilmore.