3 in 1 – The Holy Trinity

Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Deuteronomy 6:4

Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,   Matthew 28:19

I can remember so vividly one Sunday when I was in second grade coming out of the Church service, grabbing a donut, visiting with friends as we headed down to Sunday School.  I can remember thinking I don’t understand the Holy Trinity, three in one. How can one be three parts?  How can three incredibly important people be just one person? How can the Father and the Son be one? To be honest I just believed it because our Pastor and church said to believe it.  As a parent, now I needed to explain it to our very curious kiddos. How do I do that? In our adult education class, I was introduced to the book, A Picture of God 3 in 1.  It’s a children’s picture book that uses an apple to explain the Triune God. The peel, flesh, and core have three parts but are one apple, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are three persons and are one God. 

The book describes the apple as:

The peel protects the apple.

The flesh is good to eat.

The core contains the seeds, which apple trees grow from.

God the Father is our protector.

“… Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 1:7

God the Son takes the punishment for our sins.

“…And we are in him who is true by being in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.”  1 John 5:20

God the Holy Spirit makes us believe.

“Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst?” 1Corinthians 3:16

“Although it has three parts, you know you do not have three apples. Just one apple.  If you have faith in the true God, you believe in God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit. There are three Persons. But there is only one true God.” A Picture of God 3 in 1 written by Joanne Marxhausen

Kelsey Wilbern, New Member/Adult Class Coordinator