What does the Bible say about the Trinity?
The concept of the Trinity is one of the most important and unique beliefs in Christianity. However the word “trinity” is not used in the Bible anywhere. The Bible does describe that there is one God who exists in three distinct persons: the Father, the Son (Jesus Christ), and the Holy Spirit. Called the Godhead. They each have their own roles. While this doctrine can be difficult to understand, the Bible provides ample evidence to support this truth, such as Matthew 28:19.
Let’s explore it further.
What do we mean when we say the Trinity is three persons in one God?
The Bible affirms that there is only one God, as stated in Deuteronomy 6:4, “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one!” This truth is repeated throughout the Old and New Testaments, affirming the belief in the oneness of God.
However, the Bible also reveals that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are each distinct persons with their own attributes and roles. For example, at Jesus’ baptism, all three persons of the Trinity were present: the Father spoke from heaven, the Son was being baptized, and the Holy Spirit descended like a dove (Matthew 3:16-17).
In addition, there are verses that refer to each person of the Trinity as God. For instance, Jesus is called “God” in John 1:1-2, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.” The Holy Spirit is also called “God” in Acts 5:3-4, “But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.”
Furthermore, there are verses that indicate the three persons of the Godhead are one in essence or nature. For instance, Jesus declared, “I and My Father are one” (John 10:30). Not that they are the same person, or one person with two forms, but they are like minded, in agreement, with the same power and authority.
In John 14:26, Jesus also spoke of the Holy Spirit as “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 things that I said to you.” Here, Jesus is describing the Holy Spirit as a distinct person who will be sent by the Father, but who will also be intimately involved in the life of believers.
To help explain this concept further, we can use the example of water. Water can exist in three different forms: solid (ice), liquid (water), and gas (steam). While each form is distinct, they all share the same essence or nature. In the same way, God exists in three distinct persons, but they share the same essence or nature. They are all even in praise and worship called holy holy holy (Isaiah 6:3, Revelation 4:8).
In conclusion, the Bible affirms the belief in a Godhead that is described as the Trinity – one God in three distinct persons – through numerous verses and examples. While how exactly there is one God but three in the Godhead is confusing, it is essential to our understanding of who God is and how He has revealed Himself to us.
Where does it talk about the Trinity in the Bible?
As we said already, the word “Trinity” is not found in the Bible, the concept is clearly taught through various passages. Here are some examples:
- Matthew 28:19 – “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” This verse presents all three persons of the Trinity and implies that they are of equal authority.
- 2 Corinthians 13:14 – “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.” This verse mentions all three persons of the Trinity and implies their unity in blessing believers.
- John 1:1-2 – “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.” This verse establishes the deity of Jesus, who is identified as “the Word” and is said to be with God and also to be God.
- John 14:16-17 – “And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever – the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.” This verse shows the Holy Spirit as a distinct person who is sent by the Father and is also intimately involved in the life of believers.
- John 10:30 – “I and the Father are one.” This verse shows the unity and oneness of Jesus and the Father, suggesting their equality as members of the Godhead.
- 1 Corinthians 12:4-6 – “There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all.” This passage refers to the Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ, and God the Father, respectively, indicating their distinct roles in the work of the Trinity.
- Ephesians 4:4-6 – “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.” This verse highlights the unity and oneness of God in three persons, with the Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ, and God the Father each having a unique role.
In the Old Testament, the concept of the Trinity is not explicitly mentioned, but there are indications that point towards the existence of God as a plurality of persons. Such as a careful study of a word-for-word Bible translation, using an Interlinear Bible, lexicon, or a concordance or parallel verses, shows the use of plural and “Elohim” and other references are used in Hebrew and Green to refer to God.
- Genesis 1:26 – “Then God said, ‘Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness…'” Here, God speaks in the plural form, suggesting that there is more than one person involved in the creation of man.
- Isaiah 9:6 – “For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” This verse prophesies about the coming of Jesus Christ and identifies Him as “Mighty God” and “Everlasting Father,” suggesting that Jesus and the Father are one.
- Psalm 45:6-7 – “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom. You love righteousness and hate wickedness; therefore God, Your God, has anointed You with the oil of gladness more than Your companions.” This passage speaks of the divine nature of the Messiah, who is identified as “God” and also has a God.
These are just a few examples that indicate the existence of God as three persons in the Old Testament. While the full revelation of the Trinity is not fully developed until the New Testament, these indications are important for understanding the continuity of God’s revelation throughout the entire Bible.
Common Issues with the Concept of a Trinity
There are four common issues people have with accepting a “Trinity” from the Bible.
Is the Trinity Pagan?
First, some think the Trinity is a corrupt doctrine that came from pagan religions. The reason is that there are many tri-gods in ancient pagan and satanic religions, such as in Greek, Roman, and Egyptian gods. For example Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva, or Osiris, Isis, and Horus.
But you have to consider the context and relationship between the God of the Bible and other ancient gods.
If you believe the Bible, then the Living God existed always and before the earth was created. Then God created humans, and we fell and created false gods that do not really exist. And also that fallen angels are on earth as well as Lucifer, seeking power and to influence humans. Lucifer wanted to be like God and worshipped. So he created false religions that are based on God and heaven. And like all counterfeits, they mimic the real thing.
The first pagan triad is found in the Bible, of (Genesis 10:9), Semiramis, and Tammuz. The other religion “trinities” are actually triads and usually consist of completely separate gods with separate realms, aspects, or identities. Such as a father, mother, and son, over the sky, sun, and moon. So triads do not have the same makeup as a trinity with there only being one God of three persons best described as co-equal, co-eternal, and co-existent. Triads are three separate gods.
- co-equal – Matthew 28:19, John 10:30, Philippians 2:5-6, Colossians 2:9
- co-eternal – John 1:1-3, Hebrews 9:14, John 17:24, Revelation 1:8, Hebrews 13:8
- co-existent – 2 Corinthians 13:14, John 17:5, Hebrews 1:2-3
The word Trinity is not in the Bible
Secondly, the word “trinity” is not in the Bible. Trinity the term being pagan or unBiblical. And so, it is reasonable to not want to call the Godhead by this manmade label. You can believe in the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit of the Godhead without calling them the Trinity. Instead, some may prefer to refer to the Godhead as three persons, as it is in the Bible.
- Colossians 2:9 – “For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead .”
- Acts 17:29 – “Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man’s device.”
- Romans 1:20 – “For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:”
Two not Three?
Third, some think that there are only two persons in the Godhead. The Father and Son only. Thinking that the Holy Spirit is only God’s power or Jesus’ power. This is because of verses referring to the “Spirit of Christ” or of the Holy Ghost like a power.
- Romans 8:9 – “But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.”
- 1 Peter 1:11 – “Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.”
- Philippians 1:19 – “For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,”
It is true the Bible talks about the Spirit of Christ, but this makes sense in that Jesus is the Son of the Father, and they are all spiritual in nature. After all, Jesus had to take on human flesh to save us. But is this instead a type of description about one of the characteristics of the Son of God that all three share. As they are similar, related, but distinct.
Also, consider that it wouldn’t make sense for someone to be able to grieve the Holy Spirit away if it was just a power. Nor can a power have feelings, make decisions, or communicate with its own will. And why would in many other verses would three be given instead of two? And why would a power be referred to by pronouns as a person if He wasn’t a He?
Monotheistic or Polytheistic?
The last big issue people struggle with, especially Muslims, is that by definition then does this make Christianity and the God of the Bible actually the gods of the Bible? Making Christianity polytheistic, not monotheistic? And God Himself gives the commandment to only worship Him, the one and only true Living God. And we are to have one God and no other.
So it can seem all confusing and contradictory.
The terms and definitions of monotheistic and polytheistic are not found in the Bible. And in ancient Hebrew those terms did not yet exist until the mid-17th century, based on the two Greek words monos + theos. It was understood as concepts in ancient times but not as the labels we have today. And the problem with labels is sometimes it isn’t that easy to define something as complex as God.
But if we were to use modern labels. A triad like Osiris, Isis, and Horus, would be polytheistic. Believing and worshipping in more than one god. But the trinity is trying to name and explain the complex relationship between three co-equal beings sharing one Godhead as one God.
Christianity also isn’t henotheism, or “the devotion to a single primary god while accepting the existence or possible existence of other deities” (source: https://www2.nau.edu/~gaud/bio301/content/heno.htm). Because the Bible is clear, all other gods are false and fake, because there are no other gods (Isaiah 45:21-22). There is only the Living God, and the three are co-equal, having the same authority even if Jesus does the will of His Father.
As you consider all of this… remember we will never fully understand God’s existence as humans in a fallen and limited state. We also do not need to fully understand the Godhead to love and have a fulfilling relationship with God. As it is a bit arrogant to think we can fully understand the nature of God.
"For 30 years I've been gaming. I lived it, grew up in it, and for most of my life I thought I could live in the world and live in Christ too. I was WRONG. After years of unknowingly running FROM God, I finally surrendered and trusted fully in him instead of myself. He then in 2018 pulled me out of the world and showed me his truth, showed me what it means to truly follow Jesus. Now I bring the gospel message directly to other gamers, I won't be able to pull them out of the world, but we can plant seeds from God to water! This channel is dedicated to preaching the Three Angels Message across the internet broadcasting community and preaching the gospel for all who are willing to hear, and teaching people what it means to "Forsake the World". Edward came from a Baptist and Catholic family background. Very familiar with scripture, but not fully understanding it until 5 years ago. Now he is on fire for the Truth and the Bible. A Christian and Seventh-day Adventist. A layman just wanting to help spread the Gospel to gamers. - Read more about Edward Preach.
