IV. OF THE DIVINE PERSONS
(A)
By this is meant that each of these three persons is the self-same spirit, who is God, with all the attributes of divinity (XXX. 2).
What are the names of the three persons?
They are called the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.
Who is God the Father?
God the Father is He who, without principle Himself, begets the Son, and from whom proceeds the Holy Ghost.
Who is God the Son?
God the Son is He who is begotten of the Father, and from whom (with the Father as co-principle) proceeds the Holy Ghost.
Who is God the Holy Ghost?
The Holy Ghost is He who proceeds from the Father and the Son.
Are these three divine persons distinct from God Himself?
No.
Are they distinct from each other?
Yes.
What is understood by saying that the divine persons are distinct from each other?
By this is understood that the Father is not the Son nor the Holy Ghost; that the Son is not the Father nor the Holy Ghost; and that the Holy Ghost is not the Father nor the Son.
Can these three persons be separated from each other?
No.
Were they together from all eternity?
Yes.
Has the Father, in relation to the Son, all that we have affirmed of God?
Yes.
And have the Son in relation to the Father, and the Father and Son in relation to the Holy Ghost, all that we have affirmed of God?
Yes.
And in relation to the Father and the Son, has the Holy Ghost likewise all we have affirmed of God?
Yes.
Are these three, thus related to each other from all eternity, three Gods?
No. They are not three Gods, but three persons, each of whom is identified with the self-same God, and yet withal remain distinct from each other.
Do these three persons form a veritable society?
Yes, they form a veritable society, and such as is the most perfect of all societies (XXXI., Obj. 1).
Why is this society the most perfect of all societies?
The reason is because each of these three is alike infinite in perfection, in duration, in knowledge, in love, in power, and in happiness; and hence their joy in each other is infinitely rapturous.
Next - IV. OF THE DIVINE PERSONS (B)
Pegues OP, R P Thomas. Catechism of the "Summa Theologica" of Saint Thomas Aquinas for the Use of the Faithful (pp. 38-39). Veritatis Splendor Publications. Kindle Edition.
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