<P> Tertullian , a Latin theologian who wrote in the early 3rd century , is credited as being the first to use the Latin words `` Trinity '' , `` person '' and `` substance '' to explain that the Father , Son , and Holy Spirit are `` tres personae , una substantia '' . While `` personae '' is often translated as `` persons , '' the Latin word personae is better understood as referring to roles as opposed to individual centers of consciousness . </P>
<P> Tertullian , a Latin theologian who wrote in the early 3rd century , is credited as being the first to use the Latin words `` Trinity '' , `` person '' and `` substance '' to explain that the Father , Son , and Holy Spirit are `` tres personae , una substantia '' . While `` personae '' is often translated as `` persons , '' the Latin word personae is better understood as referring to roles as opposed to individual centers of consciousness . </P>
who came up with the doctrine of the trinity
who came up with the doctrine of the trinity
Tertullian
Tertullian