But before the words and spirit even exist, there is the mind that generates them. Does this mean that the Father existed before Christ and the Spirit, and that the Father created them?
But I am curious as to your idea of The Trinity, and, indeed, the duality of Christ's nature (divine and human), so maybe you can share with us your belief in that regard. I want to know how does someone form the idea and even belief in The Trinity by just reaidng the Bible, and what that idea is.
Sure, here is what the London Baptist Confession says about it, with footnotes:
In this divine and infinite Being there are three subsistences, (d) the Father the Word (or Son) and Holy Spirit, of one substance, power, and Eternity, each having the whole Divine Essence, (e) yet the Essence undivided, the Father is of none neither begotten nor proceeding, the Son is (f) Eternally begotten of the Father, the holy Spirit (g) proceeding from the Father and the Son, all infinite, without beginning, therefore but one God, who is not to be divided in nature and Being; but distinguished by several peculiar, relative properties, and personal relations; which doctrine of the Trinity is the foundation of all our Communion with God, and comfortable dependance on him. (emphasis added).
d 1 Joh. 5.7. Mat. 28.19. 2 Cor. 13.14.
e Exod. 3.14. Joh. 14.11. 1 Cor. 8.6.
f Joh. 1.14.18.
g Joh. 15.26. Gal. 4.6.
It seems to me that the idea is clearly in the scripture. I was focusing in on the part that was bolded. While the body of the man called Jesus was certainly created, I always thought of the being of the person (Christ) as being just as infinite as that of the Father. I see Jesus Christ as being both 100% God and 100% man, as opposed to 50-50. Here is more from the Confession:
The Son of God, the second Person in the Holy Trinity, being very and eternal God, the brightness of the Fathers glory, of one substance and equal with him: who made the World, who upholdeth and governeth all things he hath made: did when the fullness of time was come take unto him (f) mans nature, with all the Essential properties, and common infirmities thereof, (g) yet without sin: being conceived by the Holy Spirit in the Womb of the Virgin Mary, the Holy Spirit coming down upon her, and the power of the most High overshadowing her, (h) and so was made of a Woman, of the Tribe of Judah, of the Seed of Abraham, and David according to the Scriptures: So that two whole, perfect, and distinct natures, were inseparably joined together in one Person: without conversion, composition, or confusion: which Person is very God, and very Man; yet one (i) Christ, the only Mediator between God and Man.
f Joh. 1.1.14. Gal. 4.4.
g Rom. 8.3. Heb. 2.14.16,17. ch. 4.15.
h Luk. 1.27,31.35.
i Rom. 9.5. 1 Tim. 2.5.
The Lord Jesus in his humane nature thus united to the divine, in the Person of the Son, was sanctified, & anointed (k) with the Holy Spirit, above measure; having in him (l) all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge; in whom it pleased the Father that (m) all fullness should dwell: To the end that being (n) holy, harmless, undefiled, and full (o) of Grace, and Truth, he might be throughly furnished to execute the office of a Mediator, and (p) Surety; which office he took not upon himself, but was thereunto (q) called by his Father; who also put (r) all power and judgement in his hand, and gave him Commandement to execute the same.
k Ps. 45.7. Act. 10.38 Joh. 3.34.
l Col. 2.3.
m Col. 1.19.
n Heb. 7.26.
o Joh. 1.14.
p Heb. 7.22.
q Heb. 5.5.
r Joh. 5.22.27. Mat. 28.18. Act. 2.36.
They are not creatures, FK. Let's make that clear. As regards the Son and the Spirit, the Father is the source and cause of everything and all, including the divinity, but in the case of the divinity we cannot speak in terms of time.
That being the limitation, we know that if something is begotten, it must have a source and cause. If something proceeds from something, it must have a source and cause. God the Father has neither the source nor cause. He is Existence, and everything that exists is from Him, including the Son and the Spirit.
So, now you are using some church as the source of your beliefs? I asked for your idea of Trinity, not some institution's. Isn't that what Protestants are all about -- rejecting any and all "church authority" and relying only on their individual interpretation of the Scripture?
BTW, the London Baptist Confession is pretty much what the Apostolic Churches teach, so I have personally no problem with it (as far as I read -- that is most of it).
I see Jesus Christ as being both 100% God and 100% man, as opposed to 50-50
We never believed He was 50:50 anything; He is fully divine and fully human, a 100:100 ratio.