The difficulty felt in connection with the doctrine of Trinity in Unity has led to attempts in ancient and modern times to show that those passages of Scripture in which it appears to be taught may be otherwise interpreted.  One explanation is, from the name of its first exponent, termed Sabellianism, or, the doctrine of a Modal Trinity.  The view which it presents of the Divine Being is that the same Person manifests Himself at one time and in one relation as Father, at another time and in another relation as Son, and at a different time and in another relation as Holy Ghost.  It attributes divinity to this One Divine Person in each of His manifestations, but denies that there are three Persons in the Godhead.  The facts of Scripture do not accord with such a view of the Divine Personality.  We find each Person addressing the Others and speaking of Himself and of Them as distinct Persons.  Each speaking of Himself says “I.”  The Father says “Thou” to the Son, the Son says “Thou” to the Father, and the Father and the Son use the pronouns “He” and “Him” with reference to the Spirit.  The Father loves the Son, the Son loves the Father, the Spirit testifies of the Son.[024]

In the Athanasian Creed we find the following statement of this doctrine:—­

“This is the Catholic Faith, that we worship one God in Trinity, and Trinity in Unity.  Neither confounding the Persons nor dividing the Substance.  For the Person of the Father is one, of the Son another, of the Holy Ghost another.  But the divinity of the Father and the Son and of the Holy Ghost is one, the glory equal, the majesty equal.  Such as is the Father, such also is the Son, and such the Holy Spirit.  The Father is uncreated, the Son is uncreated, the Holy Spirit is uncreated.  The Father is infinite, the Son is infinite, the Holy Ghost is infinite.  The Father is eternal, the Son is eternal, the Holy Ghost is eternal.  And yet these are not three eternal Beings but one eternal Being.  As also there are not three uncreated beings, nor three infinite beings, but one uncreated and one infinite Being.”

It is sometimes said that the doctrine of the Trinity is of little practical importance, but such a view of it is inconsistent with the teaching of Scripture, and with the atoning work of Christ.  It is the Divinity of the Son that gives efficacy to His sacrifice.  As sinners we need pardon.  Pardon must be preceded by propitiation, and if Christ is not Divine there is no propitiation.  The doctrines of Scripture are so linked together that the rejection of one invalidates the others.  If we deny the Trinity we deny the Gospel message of salvation, and we accordingly find that most of those who reject the doctrine of the Trinity do not believe in the reality and efficacy of Christ’s atonement.

SECTION 4.—­ALMIGHTY