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Trinity

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TRINITY & OTHER DOCTRINES OF GOD:<br />

PROF. M. M. NINAN<br />

“Jesus answered: "Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among<br />

you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How<br />

can you say, 'Show us the Father'?”<br />

The Monarchians, in their concern for the divine monarchy (the absolute unity and<br />

indivisibility of God), denied that such distinctions were ultimate or permanent.<br />

Sabellius taught that:<br />

the Godhead is a monad,<br />

expressing itself in three operations:<br />

As Father, in creation (creator);<br />

As Son, in redemption (Sustainer);<br />

and<br />

As Holy Spirit, in sanctification (Renewer).<br />

Sabellianism has been rejected by the majority of Christian churches in favour of<br />

Trinitarianism, which was eventually defined as three distinct, co-equal, co-eternal<br />

persons by the Athanasian Creed, probably dating from the late 5th or early 6th century.<br />

Tertullian<br />

43

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