The Trinity
If you’ve been exposed to Christianity for any period of time, more than likely, you are familiar with the concept of the Trinity. You probably know that God is a triune being – three beings in one. You also are probably aware that they are God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. But what does this really mean? Why is knowing, understanding, and believing this important as believers?
Fun fact, the term ‘Trinity’ is not in Scripture. Rather, it is a man-made concept to help our finite minds understand God’s personhood as three distinct persons that make up one God. Now, it seems extremely hard to comprehend. I have justified this difficult concept by recognizing the fallen, finite minds of humans. How can something as finite as our brains comprehend the infinite nature of God? It is hardly foolish to say you believe in the Trinity when Scripture is littered with evidence throughout both the Old and New Testaments suggesting that God is indeed three-in-one.
From the very beginning, we see the plural nature of God. In Genesis 1:1, we see God creating the universe. English translations will say, “God,” implying oneness, but in the original Hebrew, the term is plural. The creation account doesn’t stop there. We see that the earth was formless and void and the “Spirit of God,” moved over the waters. If there is a singular aspect to God, why make the specific reference to His spirit? Without leaving Genesis 1, we see God decide to make man, saying, “Let us make man in our image…” The argument that God is referring to Himself is invalid as, throughout Scripture, we see that angels consider themselves far below the rank of God and it is clear that we are not made in the image of an angel. No, God is instead referring to his Triune nature right here in the beginning of His Word.
This is only one example of many. Scripture goes on to support evidence of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit as being one, yet three. An example that equates all three persons and actually states the name of all three is in Matthew 28:19, the Great Commission. In this, we see the command to baptize people “in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.” Another example of all three persons interacting in the same scene comes from Jesus’ baptism, seen in Matthew 3:16. In this, Jesus is baptized and immediately, the Spirit of God descends “like a dove,” and “a voice from Heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”” Again, we see the Triune nature of God.
The three-in-one concept equalizes all three parts. No one part is more or less than another. In John 1:1, we see that, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” If one continues on in John 1, it is made clear that this “Word,” is indeed Jesus, so Jesus is God. John goes on to write in John 14 that Jesus, whilst talking to his disciples, says this: “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.” Again, we see all three persons referenced here. Acts 5, with the unfortunate story of Ananias and Sapphira, dishonest landowners, we see that after the individuals lied in regards to how much they sold the land for, they are confronted. “But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back some of the price of the land? While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not under your control? Why is it that you have conceived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.” This final statement equates the Holy Spirit to God, thus we can see that God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit are one and equal.
Many, many other passages provide evidence in support to the Trinity, but so what? Why should you care that God is three-in-one? How is it going to change your life? The Trinitarian doctrine is crucial to Christianity as key gospel teachings are highlighted through the Trinity. As aforementioned, it is clear that God is Jesus, but those who deny the Trinity may be apt to deny Jesus’ divinity, which, as Paul says in Galatians 1:6-9, is a distorted manipulation of the Gospel. Not only that, but our worship and prayer life should address the Trinity. Jesus makes it clear that the Holy Spirit is in us, as believers, not Himself, nor the Father. The role of the Holy Spirit acts as a guide in our lives. Our prayers, as Jesus makes clear in Matthew 6, when he explains the ‘Lord’s Prayer,’ he calls for people to pray to the Father, not Himself, nor the Holy Spirit. Later, in John, he emphasizes this by noting that prayers to be to the Father, “in My name” (John 16:23).
Through the diversity of God’s personhood, we can see an example of a theme frequently mentioned in scripture: unity through diversity. The three beings of God are all individual, expressing will and emotion throughout Scripture. They are also different, each with different roles that have been played and continue to be played. As we consistently see through the New Testament, the church is to be unified in Christ.
I leave you with a quote from theologian A.W. Tozer, speaking on the unity of the church:
“Has it ever occurred to you that one hundred pianos all tuned to the same fork are automatically tuned to each other? They are of one accord by being tuned, not to each other, but to another standard to which each one must individually bow. So one hundred worshipers met together, each one looking away to Christ, are in heart nearer to each other than they could possibly be, were they to become 'unity' conscious and turn their eyes away from God to strive for closer fellowship.”
Trinitarian doctrine is an example of unity through diversity, a theme we as believers should be striving to live out. As Paul said in Philippians 2:1-2, “Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.” Essentially, what Paul is saying is that we, though everyone is different, can be reconciled together through Christ. If our focus is on God, then unity will follow.