person
The three of the Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; “a subsisting relation, distinguished from another person by his eternal relations of origin alone (paternity, filiation, spiration). A divine person ‘is nothing but the divine essense subsisting in an especial manner’ (John Owen).” 1
- From the Belgic Confession, Article 8, The Trinity:
In keeping with this truth and Word of God we believe in one God, who is one single essence, in whom there are three persons, really, truly, and eternally distinct according to their incommunicable properties— namely, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The Father is the cause, origin, and source of all things, visible as well as invisible. The Son is the Word, the Wisdom, and the image of the Father. The Holy Spirit is the eternal power and might, proceeding from the Father and the Son. Nevertheless, this distinction does not divide God into three, since Scripture teaches us that the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit each has his own subsistence distinguished by characteristics—yet in such a way that these three persons are only one God. It is evident then that the Father is not the Son and that the Son is not the Father, and that likewise the Holy Spirit is neither the Father nor the Son.
- From Systematic Theology by Robert Letham, page 945:
There has been much debate about whether person is an appropriate or adequate term for the three, in view of its modern usage, which entails separate individuals. However, no proposed alternatives have succeeded in establishing themselves, for they invariably yield a less-than-personal view of God.
Learn more:
- Ligonier Ministries: Three Distinct Persons
- Sinclair Ferguson: What does it mean that the Trinity is three in person but one in essence? (video)
Related terms:
1 Simply Trinity by Matthew Barrett, page 323.
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