Understanding the Trinity is foundational to our Christian faith but can be confusing. Scripture clearly states that God is one (Mark 12:29; Galatians 3:20; James 2:19). However, there are three manifestations of God revealed in the scriptures: God the Father, Jesus Christ the Son, and the Holy Spirit (the Godhead). They are all one essence as God, but each member of the godhead has their own distinct will and role.
Adding to the confusion, the term Trinity is not in Bible. Scripture itself does not represent the unity of the three members of the godhead by a single term, but describes the concept by association, actions and description.
The purpose of this blog is to describe the three members of the godhead to provide a basis of our belief in the trinity and explain the reason it is critical to Christians.
The existence of the Trinity can be clearly ascertained in scripture for each member of the godhead on several levels. Let us consider the Bible references below.
- Ascribed as God
- God the Father – God Himself, as the head of the godhead, is mentioned thousands of times in scripture by the Greek word θεός (theos), the general word for God in Greek, and by primary names for God in the Old Testament, especially אֱלֹהִים (‘ĕlôhı̂ym) and יְהֹוָה (yehôvâh).
- Jesus Christ – He is attested to as God Himself in the following verses: Psalms 45:6; 110:1; Romans 9:5;Titus 2:13; 2 Peter 1:1; 1 John 5:20; and John 20:28.
- The Holy Spirit – The Holy Spirit is testified to as God in: 2 Corinthians 3:17 and Acts 5:3-4.
- By titles signifying deity
- God the Father – Stated in His name, God (theos)
- Jesus Christ – Son of God and identifying God as His Father (signifying equality with God, John 5:18)
- The Holy Spirit – Called Lord and God in 2 Corinthians 3:18; Acts 5:3-4
- By character
- God the Father
- Righteous – John 17:25
- Omnipotent – Ephesians 3:20
- Eternal – Psalm 90:2
- Immutable – Romans 8:35-39
- Omnipresent – Jeremiah 23:23-24
- Jesus Christ
- Eternal – John 1:1; Colossians 1:17
- Omnipotent, authoritative – Colossians 2:9-10
- Equal with God – Philippians 2:6-11
- Eternal ruler – Hebrews 1:8
- Holy Spirit
- Equated with God – Matthew 28:19, Acts 5:3-4
- Omnipresent – Psalm 139:7-10, 1 Corinthians 2:10-11
- Omnipotent – Luke 1:35
- By actions only God could do
- God the Father
- Created everything – Psalm 33:6
- Grants salvation – Ephesians 2:8
- Sent the Son – 1 John 4:9
- Jesus Christ
- Came from the Father – John 1:14
- Controlled nature (calmed a storm) – Matthew 14:32-33
- Healed physical infirmities, forgave sins – Mark 2:5-10
- Resurrected – Romans 1:4
- Raised the dead – Matt 9:23-26
- Creator and sustainer of the world - Colossians 1:16-17
- Holy Spirit
- Provided salvation – 1 Corinthians 6:11; Hebrews 9:14
- Moved people to prophesy – 2 Peter 1:21
- Sealed our salvation – Ephesians 1:13-14
- Eternal – Hebrews 9:14
- In the life of Christ on earth, each member of the godhead:
- Contributed to Christ’s resurrection – 1 Peter 3:18; Romans 8:9; Ephesians 1:20
- Participated in His miracles – Matthew 12:28
- Attested that Jesus is the Christ – Matthew 3:1-16; 17:1-7; 27:11; John 17:3
- Their association together as distinct parts of the godhead: the Bible references activities with each member of the godhead participating together such as:
- Salvation
- Christ’s sacrifice – Hebrews 9:14; 1 Peter 3:18
- Act of preaching the gospel and making disciples – Matthew 28:19
- Making believers into Christians – Romans 8:9
- Salvation – 1 Peter 1:2
- Paul’s ministry – Romans 15:19
- Prayers for Paul – Romans 15:30
- Christian life
- Knowledge for Christians – Ephesians 1:17
- Christian service – Philippians 3:3
- Comfort in time of trials – 1 Peter 4:14
- Recognizing Godliness in others – 1 John 4:2
- Witness of Christ on earth – 1 John 5:6-8
- Christian life – 2 Corinthians 3:3
- Believers’ blessings in God – 2 Corinthians 13:14
- Eternity
- Preserving salvation – 1 Thessalonians 5:23
In summary, God is one, yet there are three distinct manifestations of the one God described in scripture, have names of deity, possess characteristics as well as perform actions that only can be of God and are associated together to accomplish the Father’s purposes. These three members together are known as the ”godhead” which is known as the doctrine of the trinity; accepted by the ecclesiastical fathers from the earliest time the church could legally organize (313 AD).
Thank you for joining me this time. Please join us for my next blog when we discuss the role of the various members of the godhead at different sections in the Bible.
William C. Stewart, MD
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