Christian Understanding of Trinity3

TRINITY : M. M. NINAN
9. Trinity through History
97 This may be the same Hermes whom Paul Greets in Rom
16;14. He says ,
“The Son of God is older than all his creation, so that he
became the Father’s adviser in his creation. Therefore, also he
is ancient” (The Shepherd, Ninth Similitude).
Polycarp bishop of Smyrna (c. A.D. 130-156):
Eusebius dates his martyrdom to the
reign of Marcus Aurelius, c. AD 166-
167. However, The Martyrdom of
Polycarp dates his death in the
proconsulship of Statius Quadratus, c.
AD 155-156. Tradition associates him
with Ignatius and the Apostle John.
“O Lord God Almighty, the Father of
thy beloved and blessed Son Jesus
Christ, by whom we have received the
knowledge of Thee . . . I give Thee
thanks that Thou hast counted me,
worthy of this day and this hour, that I
should have a part in the number of Thy martyrs, in the cup of
thy Christ, to the resurrection of eternal life, both of soul and
body, through the incorruption [imparted] by the Holy Ghost. . . .
Wherefore also I praise Thee for all things, I bless Thee, I glorify
Thee, along with the everlasting and heavenly Jesus Christ,
Thy beloved Son, with whom, to Thee, and the Holy Spirit,
be glory both now and to all coming ages. Amen (Martyrdom of
Polycarp, 14)
Mathetes (c. A.D. 130):
“For which reason He [the Father] sent the Word, that He
might be manifested to the world. . . . This is He who was from
the beginning, who appeared as if new, and was found old, and
yet who is ever born afresh in the hearts of the saints. This is He
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