The first tenet of the Christian faith is probably the most debated doctrine in The Bible, and it's also the most difficult for the human mind to understand. So it's entirely reasonable for you to say that you have some difficulty with it. After all, how can 3 = 1? With our earthly human understanding, it doesn't make any sense. But when The Bible clearly says something, whether we understand it or not, we are to have faith that it is true.
Although the word "Trinity" is not literally mentioned anywhere in The Bible, it does show that the 3 persons of the Trinity are all described as being God, but they are also listed separately and each called a different name.
3 entities, separate and distinct, yet one God.
There are couple places where the Bible mentions plurality in the "Godhead", and when read in the context of the Trinity, they make perfect sense. Otherwise, without the doctrine of the Trinity, they appear to teach polytheism.
This first example equates "us" with "he", which is to say: plural = one. Proving that the Trinity is not un-Biblical.
Also, the baptizing reference means they all have the same authority. ('elowahh); gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God."
With all of that information, how can anyone still deny that the Trinity isn't a real Biblical doctrine?
In case you still aren't convinced, let's go through each person of the Trinity (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) and examine each one in regards to their divinity:
GOD THE FATHER
When discussing whether each member of The Trinity is actually God or not, there is only one name who's divinity is never questioned. And that is the first person of The Trinity - God the Father. It doesn't matter how much people disagree about Jesus or The Holy Spirit, they all understand, agree, and are comfortable with the concept of God being our heavenly father.
Even the Jews knew of this reference to God, because in the Old Testament there are a few places where it shows God as being a Father:
With those verses as common knowledge among the Jews, it was easy for the disciples to understand Jesus when he made mention of fathers and sons in parables and places like the Sermon On The Mount.
It must have been very comforting to them when Jesus told them to addresses God as "Father" when they prayed.
He is talking about God almighty, the alpha and the omega, the first and the last, the great I AM.
If he is a father, then most assuredly he must have child.
GOD THE SON
The office of the 2nd person of the Trinity will be discussed in this section. In regards to Jesus Christ fulfilling that role, that will be looked at in depth in the next section - The Deity of Jesus Christ.
There are many times when God Almighty has become incarnate, that is to say when he has taken on the form of a man and walked on the Earth prior to the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem.
How can we say that? Well, the Bible tells us how to interpret itself. The Apostle John tell us since God (the Father) is a spirit, the only way we can see him with our eyes is via the Son:
Abraham saw him:
Sarah's maid, Hagar, saw him:
This also happened to Abraham. And in this example we are shown the Biblical proof that the angel of the Lord is God:
After all:
GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT
And finally we come to the 3rd person of the Trinity: the one who holds it all together by being the "force", the "internet" and "super glue" of the Godhead. He is known by the names of Holy Ghost, Counselor and Spirit of the Lord. And he is our seal of redemption while we wait for the return of Jesus.
He has all the attributes of God, and so rightly belongs with the Father and Son in the Trinity.
He is Omnipresent:
SUMMARY
In closing I would like to state again that 3 = 1. All 3 members are described as being God, yet all 3 are different persons, at the same time God remains "one". It is profound and amazing. But it should unite us in the faith, despite it being the mystery of God as the Apostle Paul describes it:
Although the word "Trinity" is not literally mentioned anywhere in The Bible, it does show that the 3 persons of the Trinity are all described as being God, but they are also listed separately and each called a different name.
3 entities, separate and distinct, yet one God.
There are couple places where the Bible mentions plurality in the "Godhead", and when read in the context of the Trinity, they make perfect sense. Otherwise, without the doctrine of the Trinity, they appear to teach polytheism.
This first example equates "us" with "he", which is to say: plural = one. Proving that the Trinity is not un-Biblical.
(Genesis 1:26,27)And the same thing in this next example, Jesus says the one God = 3 individuals. The word "name" is singular, meaning the 3 individuals named are one. If they were not united in one Godhead, then the word "name" would be plural ie: "names".
26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
Also, the baptizing reference means they all have the same authority.
(Matthew 28:19)In fact, the Hebrew word for "God" in Genesis 1:1 is a plural word.
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost
(Genesis 1:1)That word is Elohim. Strong's Concordance defines that word (#H430) as meaning "plural of
In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
With all of that information, how can anyone still deny that the Trinity isn't a real Biblical doctrine?
In case you still aren't convinced, let's go through each person of the Trinity (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) and examine each one in regards to their divinity:
GOD THE FATHERWhen discussing whether each member of The Trinity is actually God or not, there is only one name who's divinity is never questioned. And that is the first person of The Trinity - God the Father. It doesn't matter how much people disagree about Jesus or The Holy Spirit, they all understand, agree, and are comfortable with the concept of God being our heavenly father.
Even the Jews knew of this reference to God, because in the Old Testament there are a few places where it shows God as being a Father:
(Jeremiah 31:9)
They shall come with weeping, and with supplications will I lead them: I will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters in a straight way, wherein they shall not stumble: for I am a Father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn.
(Psalm 103:13)
Like as a Father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.
With those verses as common knowledge among the Jews, it was easy for the disciples to understand Jesus when he made mention of fathers and sons in parables and places like the Sermon On The Mount.It must have been very comforting to them when Jesus told them to addresses God as "Father" when they prayed.
(Matthew 6:9,14-15)Jesus is most assuredly talking about Jehovah God in this prayer, and the disciples had no questions about who this "Father" was. So we should have no confusion either.
9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
He is talking about God almighty, the alpha and the omega, the first and the last, the great I AM.
If he is a father, then most assuredly he must have child.
GOD THE SONThe office of the 2nd person of the Trinity will be discussed in this section. In regards to Jesus Christ fulfilling that role, that will be looked at in depth in the next section - The Deity of Jesus Christ.
There are many times when God Almighty has become incarnate, that is to say when he has taken on the form of a man and walked on the Earth prior to the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem.
How can we say that? Well, the Bible tells us how to interpret itself. The Apostle John tell us since God (the Father) is a spirit, the only way we can see him with our eyes is via the Son:
(John 1:18)And Jesus himself pointed out the same principle in regards to himself:
No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.
(John 14:7-9)The first time it happened was at the very beginning, back in the Garden of Eden. God walked and talked with Adam and Eve, but since God the Father is a spirit and can't be seen, there can be no doubt that this is the Son:
7 If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.
8 Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us.
9 Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?
(Genesis 3:8)Throughout the rest of the Old Testament "The Lord" or "The Angel of The Lord" appeared to men and women. In each case it was the Son who appeared as a man to them.
And they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God amongst the trees of the garden.
Abraham saw him:
(Genesis 18:1,2&8)Notice above how The Lord appeared as a man, and Abraham was sure it was not a spirit because he offered him food and refreshment, and they did eat of it. This is a clear proof that not only can God appear as a man whenever he wants to, but angels can as well.
1 And the Lord appeared unto him in the plains of Mamre: and he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day;
2 And he lift up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men stood by him: and when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself toward the ground,
8 And he took butter, and milk, and the calf which he had dressed, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree, and they did eat.
(Hebrews 13:2)
Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.
Sarah's maid, Hagar, saw him:
(Genesis 16:7-10,13)She believed she was actually talking with God Almighty face to face. Also notice that The Angel of The Lord mentions to her that "I will multiply thy seed". An angel cannot do that, only God can do that.
7 And the angel of the LORD found her by a fountain of water in the wilderness, by the fountain in the way to Shur.
8 And he said, Hagar, Sarai's maid, whence camest thou? and whither wilt thou go? And she said, I flee from the face of my mistress Sarai.
9 And the angel of the LORD said unto her, Return to thy mistress, and submit thyself under her hands.
10 And the angel of the Lord said unto her, I will multiply thy seed exceedingly, that it shall not be numbered for multitude.
13 And she called the name of the LORD that spake unto her, Thou God seest me: for she said, Have I also here looked after him that seeth me?
This also happened to Abraham. And in this example we are shown the Biblical proof that the angel of the Lord is God:
(Genesis 22:1,2,15-18)The Bible removes all doubt on this subject in the example with Jacob. If you might be thinking that these appearances of the angel of the Lord are just apparitions who looked like men and appeared to actually eat food, this one shows a true physical incarnation:
1 And it came to pass after these things, that God, did test Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am.
2 And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.
15 And the angel of the LORD called unto Abraham out of heaven the second time,
16 And said, By myself have I sworn, saith the LORD, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son:
17 That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies;
18 And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.
(Genesis 32:24-30)In all of the examples above we can see that despite being a spirit that no man can see, God can appear to men at will as the 2nd person of the Trinity whom we now call "the Son" in light of the New Testament. He can appear from heaven and he can walk on the Earth in a human body.
24 And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day.
25 And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob's thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him.
26 And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me.
27 And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob.
28 And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.
29 And Jacob asked him, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, thy name. And he said, Wherefore is it that thou dost ask after my name? And he blessed him there.
30 And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.
After all:
(Jeremiah 32:27)
Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?
GOD THE HOLY SPIRITAnd finally we come to the 3rd person of the Trinity: the one who holds it all together by being the "force", the "internet" and "super glue" of the Godhead. He is known by the names of Holy Ghost, Counselor and Spirit of the Lord. And he is our seal of redemption while we wait for the return of Jesus.
He has all the attributes of God, and so rightly belongs with the Father and Son in the Trinity.
He is Omnipresent:
(Psalms 139:7)He is Omniscient:
Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?
(1Corinthians 2:10,11)He is Omnipotent:
10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.
(Genesis 1:2)He is Eternal:
And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
(Hebrews 9:14)And he is God:
How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
(Acts 5:3,4)
3 But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?
4 Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.
SUMMARYIn closing I would like to state again that 3 = 1. All 3 members are described as being God, yet all 3 are different persons, at the same time God remains "one". It is profound and amazing. But it should unite us in the faith, despite it being the mystery of God as the Apostle Paul describes it:
(Colossians 2:2)Therefore:
That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ.
(Matthew 28:19)
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost
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