A special lecture on the Trinity was given by Elim minister Pastor Martina Volanska.
Ministers were reminded that prayer is communication with God. It’s so important that we know the Word of God well so our prayers are based on God’s Word, His will, and are full of His power.
The lecture focused on the Trinity, which is important as it helps us understand who God truly is. We believe in one God, but this one God exists in three Persons: the Father, the Son (Jesus Christ), and the Holy Spirit. This is the core of our faith. The Trinity means three distinct Persons, but one nature – one God. In the early church, this belief was a foundational confession. But it was also challenged by false teachings like Gnosticism, which taught that only the spirit is good and the body is bad. Some Gnostics indulged in worldly pleasure, while others rejected everything physical. But this idea was wrong and dangerous. It still influences modern thinking and even enters the church in subtle ways. That’s why we must know the true nature of God – the Trinity. It’s not just intellectual knowledge; it’s the foundation of our relationship with God.
Some people believe in Modalism – that God is one Person who changes forms (like wearing different masks as Father, Son, and Spirit). But that’s not biblical. The Trinity means one God in three Persons, all existing at the same time, and all equal in nature. Understanding the Trinity is not always easy, and theology tries to explain it logically. But we must also understand it spiritually, with humble hearts. The Bible is where we find the truth.
A good example of the Trinity is found in 2 Corinthians 13:14. This blessing from Paul shows all three Persons – Jesus, the Father, and the Holy Spirit – working together in our lives. Interestingly, Paul starts with Jesus, not the Father. Why? Because Jesus is the way we come to know God.
The Bible teaches that God is above all and beyond our understanding. We are created beings – how can we truly understand the Creator unless He reveals Himself? That’s exactly what He did through Jesus. The people were waiting for a powerful Messiah, but Jesus came humbly. Philippians 2:6-8 tells us that although Jesus was God, He humbled Himself and became a servant, even dying on the cross. Many didn’t believe He could be the Messiah because He looked weak. But His death was actually the most powerful moment in history.
Jesus was not just a man – He is God the Son. He cried out on the cross, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Mark 15:34). This shows the pain and the real suffering He went through. The cross wasn’t just physical pain. It was spiritual separation – a moment when Jesus took all our sin, shame, and punishment. That’s the depth of His love.
Christianity isn’t an easy life. We don’t follow Jesus because it’s comfortable. We follow Him because, in a broken and merciless world, He gave His life for us. Romans 8:32 shows God’s deep love.
After Jesus rose from the dead, He promised to send the Holy Spirit (John 14:16-18). Jesus was forsaken so that we would never be forsaken. That’s why the Holy Spirit was sent to be with us. Just as we are justified (made right with God) through faith in Jesus, we are sanctified (made holy) through the work of the Holy Spirit.
We can’t live the Christian life by our own strength. We need the Holy Spirit to guide us, teach us, and remind us of Jesus’ love (John 14:26). The Holy Spirit convicts, comforts, and helps us grow. We are never alone. God is always with us – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
If we are to know God, first we must know Jesus. And if we want to know Jesus, we desperately need the help of the Holy Spirit. As we walk the path of sanctification, the Holy Spirit helps, comforts us, rebukes us and reminds us of the love of Christ. Ministers were encouraged to learn to rely more and more on the Holy Spirit and walk together with Him.
After the lecture, a powerful prayer meeting was held where the Holy Spirit poured out abundant grace, and everyone was encouraged to receive the power of the Holy Spirit and walk in unity through the love of Jesus Christ each day.