Questions about God: 5 What is meant by ‘the Trinity’?
What is meant by ‘the Trinity’?
Some try to make this logo suggest the Trinity
There is only one God. That is very clear throughout the Bible. Here are just two examples: in the first part of the Bible, the Old Testament, we read, ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is one,’[i] Later, in the New Testament, we read, ‘For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.’[ii]
Whilst being one God, there is personality and multiplicity within the Godhead. Father, Son and Holy Spirit are equal, and each is God, yet they have distinct works. The Authorised version of the Bible says, ‘For there are three who bear witness in heaven, the Father, the Word and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one.’[iii]
God is far greater than anything human beings can ever understand. Nevertheless we have tried to explain and illustrate this concept of a ‘three-in-one’ God.
Some have used H2O (water) as an illustration. It is one compound, but can be found in the form of ice, water or vapour. Some have used human beings, who were created in the image of God, to illustrate God Himself – each individual is one, but comprises body, soul and spirit. St Patrick is supposed to have used the shamrock to illustrate the unity and yet three-fold aspect of one God. All these are helpful, but inadequate because God is infinite. God has revealed Himself in the Bible as one God, and also as the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Each Person of the Trinity is described as having the qualities and attributes which only God has. In every great work of God, from the creation of the world to the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and to the conversion of an individual, each Person of the Trinity is seen to be at work within that particular situation.
Christian people throughout the centuries have accepted this Bible teaching that there is one God who is triune in character.
Today, there are religions and new sects, which argue against this basic Bible belief. Muslims, Mormons and Jehovah’s Witnesses, for example, detest the doctrine. But this is such a vital subject that listed below are some Bible verses which teach the doctrine of the triune nature of God, or deity of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit:
Genesis 1:26 (note the word ‘our’ and ‘us’)
Genesis 3:22 (note the word ‘us’)
Isaiah 9:6-7
Luke 4:18
Matthew 12:28
Matthew 28:18-19 (note the singular word ‘name’)
Luke 1:35
Luke 3:22
John 15:26
1 Corinthians 8:6
2 Corinthians 3:17 and 13:14
1 Timothy 3:16
Hebrews 9:14
1 Peter 3:18
1 John 5:6-7
[i] Deuteronomy 6 v. 4
[ii] 1 Timothy 2 v. 5
[iii] 1 John 5 v. 7
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