Trinity means ‘Triunity’—the quality or state of being triune (three in one). Only one true God exists in three persons: God, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. They are all Coeternal and co-equal, with the same attributes, such as Omnipresent, omnipotent, omniscient, infinitely wise, infinitely holy, infinitely loving, etc. All three persons possess all these attributes because they are all fully God.
The trinity is important for a successful Christian life – understanding what God is like, how he relates to us, and how we should relate to him. Through this study, we aim to answer questions that have baffled a lot of Christians in the past and currently, no doubt, even in the future.
Now that we have established the Trinity, there are other beliefs to be aware of. Not every Christian denomination holds the same view of the Trinity. There are three distinct beliefs: We have already discussed the Trinitarian view, which is the doctrine of the Trinity.
Monotheism is the belief in one God or deity. It is the idea that only one supreme being who created and governed the universe is worthy of worship and obedience. Those who hold this belief believe in one God who is all-powerful, all-knowing, and all-loving.
We also have Tritheism (the closest interpretation to the Trinity) – the doctrine of or belief in the three persons of the Trinity as three distinct **gods**. Each has unique characteristics, attributes, an independent centre of consciousness, and determination. Some people believe the Seventh-day Adventist Church has adopted a tritheistic belief about God the Father, Jesus Christ (the Son), and the Holy Spirit. This means that instead of seeing them as one being, they view them as three separate beings in the same group. This differs from the traditional idea that the three are united as Godhead.
The Doctrine of the Trinity in the Old Testament
Discussion Question – Where might you find the Trinity in the Old Testament?
The Trinity is not explicitly found in the Old Testament. However, there are several instances where the Trinity can be inferred or alluded to. Here are a few examples:
1. The Plural Name of God – ‘Elohim’ – God of Isreal, though the name can sometimes be used for other deities, such as the Moabite god, and other majestic beings such as angels, kings, and judges. More importantly, it was used as the Messiah—usually used in the Old Testament for the only God of Israel, whose personal name was revealed to Moses as YHWH, or Yahweh. This plural name for God suggests a complexity in God’s nature consistent with the Trinity.
2. God Says “Let Us” – Then God said, “Let us make humankind in our image, according to our likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the air, and the cattle, and all the wild animals of the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth” (Genesis 1:26). The word ‘let us’ indicates plurality. Some might say he was referring to angels when He made the statement. Well, this couldn’t be as angels do not create. There were other places in the bible where God referred to ‘let us’ – such as Genesis 3:22, Genesis 11:7, and Isaiah 6:8.
3. The word ‘Maker’ – is plural in Hebrew. For your Maker is your husband, the LORD of hosts is his name; the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer, the God of the whole earth he is called (Isaiah 54:5).
4. The clearest verses in the OT – that indicates the Trinity are found in Isaiah 48:16,17
Come near me and listen to this: “From the first announcement, I have not spoken in secret; when it happens, I am there. “And now the Sovereign LORD has sent me, with his Spirit. This is what the LORD says – your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go (Isaiah 48:16,17).
Verse sixteen features God the Son speaking, identifying the Father (the Sovereign Lord) and the Spirit as the one who sent Him. In verse 17, the Son is unmistakably referred to as the Lord. As a result, these verses establish the existence of three distinct Persons who are all God without contradicting the truth that there is only one God.
5. The Three Visitors to Abraham – In Genesis 18, three visitors appear to Abraham, and he addresses them as “My Lord.” While they are initially described as men, it becomes clear that they are not ordinary humans as they predict the birth of Isaac and discuss the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. Many Christians see this passage as a foreshadowing of the Trinity, with the three visitors representing the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
The Doctrine of the Trinity in the New Testament
Discussion Question – *Where might you find the Trinity in the new testament?*
It is expected to find the teaching about the trinitarian nature of God in this dispensation – the church age. Here are some instances where the Trinity can be inferred:
1. The first book of the new testament presents us with the first idea of the Trinity in *Matthew 3:16-17 As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment, heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him, I am well pleased.”
Here, we see the Trinity at work. God the Father was speaking, and God, the Holy Spirit, descended onto God the Son to empower his ministry.
1. Matthew 28:19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Many Christians have interpreted this verse as an affirmation of the doctrine of the Trinity. Baptism is a symbol of a believer’s identification with Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection, and by baptising in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Christians acknowledge the role of each person of the Trinity in their salvation.
Therefore, this verse is a clear reference to the doctrine of the Trinity and serves as a reminder of the unity and equality of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit in the work of salvation.
1. 1 Corinthians 12:4-6 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and everyone, it is the same God at work.*
The expression of the Trinity is evident in this passage, as it is the same Spirit who bestows gifts upon the children of God. Despite the diversity of services, they all originate from the Lord. We rely on God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit when serving the Kingdom. Our accomplishments are solely for God’s glory and can never be achieved apart from the Trinity.
1. Another verse we can look at is 2 Corinthians 12:14: May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
Again, this is self-explanatory in that Paul expresses the Trinity in this prayer.
1. Ephesians 4:4-6 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
This verse emphasises the unity of believers in Christ. The mention of “one Spirit” refers to the Holy Spirit, who is a part of the Trinity.
“one Lord” refers to Jesus Christ, and the verse also speaks of “one God and Father of all,” which refers to God the Father.
The verse affirms the unity of the Trinity and its importance in the Christian faith. In essence, this verse highlights the oneness of God and His people through the work of the Trinity.
Also, read 1 Peter 1:2, who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance.
AND
Jude 20-21
But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.
Discussion Question – How can God be three persons?
God is Three persons
This question has baffled and still baffles Christians. You see, we may never fully understand this doctrine until we get to heaven, but let us use the word of God to understand.
To explore the truth of the Trinity further, It is important to understand that:
1. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are distinct Persons
One essence exists eternally as three distinct persons – the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. They are three distinct persons, which means they are not each other – The Father is not the Son, the Son is not the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Spirit is not the Father.
Reading the scriptures below, some may think that the three persons of the Trinity are separate Gods or merely three different ways of looking at God.
– The Father as God – *Philippians 1:2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
– Jesus as God – while we wait for the blessed hope – the appearing of the glory of our great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
– The Holy Spirit as God – Then Peter said, ‘Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God.’
This is incorrect because, as you will learn, the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit are distinct persons. It is important to explain what we mean by distinct persons. When we say that the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are distinct persons, we mean that they are not the same person but are unique within the Godhead. As mentioned previously, the Father is not the same as the Son, the Son is not the same as the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Spirit is not the same as the Father. Each person has a distinct role and function within the Trinity. However, it is important to note that this does not mean there are three separate Gods. Rather, there is one God who exists in three distinct persons.
Discussion questions – What does distinct role and function mean concerning the Trinity
So, let’s explore this further when we say each person has a distinct role and function. An example of this is:
God the Father is the creator of the universe and everything in it. The Bible opens with the statement, “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1), establishing God as the originator of all that exists.
God the Son is the saviour of humanity, who came to reconcile humanity with God by offering himself as a sacrifice for sin. John 1:1-2 tells us that the ‘Word’ became flesh. Therefore, through faith in Jesus Christ, they can be forgiven and restored to a right relationship with God.
God, the Holy Spirit, is God’s personal presence in believers’ lives. The Holy Spirit is the “Helper” or “Comforter” who comes alongside believers to guide, comfort, and empower. John 15:26
One example that can be used to define the concept of “one God, three persons” is that of a musical trio. A musical trio consists of three individual musicians who play different instruments and sing different parts, but they work together in perfect harmony to create a beautiful piece of music.
In the same way, the Trinity consists of three distinct persons – God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit – who are distinct in their roles and relationships with each other. Yet, they are one in essence and work together in perfect harmony to accomplish the will of God.
Just as each musician in a trio contributes to the music’s overall sound, each person of the Trinity plays a distinct role in the work of salvation, with the Father creating, the Son redeeming, and the Holy Spirit sanctifying. Yet, they are all united in their love and purpose, working together to accomplish the divine plan for humanity.
Of course, this analogy is imperfect. It has limitations and cannot fully capture the mystery of the Trinity. Acknowledging that an infinite God cannot be completely portrayed through a finite illustration is important.
1. Each Person is fully God.
Discussion Question – How can all three persons of the Trinity be fully God? Have they shared parts of God?
It is clear through the scriptures that all three persons are one hundred per cent fully God; they are not divisible by three. *Colossians 2:9 tells us – For in Christ, all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form.*
God the Father as fully God-It can be stated with confidence that the Father is fully God, given that He is the creator of the universe, as mentioned in the opening verse of Genesis 1:1, “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” Moreover, additional evidence supports this claim, such as when Jesus prayed to the Father – John 17:1. He is the source of all life and sustains the universe. The Bible also clearly affirms the deity of the Father, as seen in the following passages: John 1:1-3, John 10:30, and Colossians 1:15-20.
God the Son as fully God – Jesus is affirmed to be fully God because, according to the word of God, He is the second person of the Holy Trinity. He possesses all the essential attributes of Godhead, including being eternal, omniscient, omnipotent, and omnipresent. The Bible affirms Jesus’ deity in many passages, such as John 1:1-3, where it says, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him, all things were made.” In John 10:30, Jesus Himself also declares, “I and the Father are one.”
Moreover, Jesus’ divine nature is further confirmed by His sinless life, numerous miracles, and resurrection from the dead. His role as the saviour of the world, as stated in John 3:16, further affirms His divine nature. Therefore, Jesus is fully God and fully human, united in one person, the Son of God.
God, the Holy Spirit as fully God -The Holy Spirit can be described as fully God because, like the Father and the Son, He possesses all the essential attributes of the Godhead. He is eternal, as affirmed in *Hebrews 9:14, which states, “Christ, through the eternal Spirit, offered himself unblemished to God.” The Holy Spirit is omnipotent, as evidenced by His ability to perform miracles, such as healing the sick and raising the dead, as recorded in the Bible.
Moreover, the Holy Spirit is omniscient, as demonstrated by His ability to know the deep things of God, as stated in 1 Corinthians 2:10-11. He also guides believers into all truth, as affirmed in John 16:13.
The Holy Spirit is also omnipresent, as affirmed in Psalm 139:7-8: “Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.” As stated in 1 Corinthians 3:16, he is present with believers and indwells them.
Furthermore, the Holy Spirit is immutable, meaning He does not change, as affirmed in Hebrews 9:14, which states that Christ “through the eternal Spirit, offered himself unblemished to God.”His divinity is further affirmed by the fact that blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is considered a sin against God, as stated in Matthew 12:31-32.
1. There is only one God
Firstly, we must clarify that there is only one divine God whose essence cannot be divided and who exists only as a spirit—He is eternal and infinite—one being. Deuteronomy 6:4-5 Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.
Here is another passage affirming that only one God exists:
Isaiah 45:21–22. Declare what is to be, present it, and let them take counsel together. Who foretold this long ago? Who declared it in the distant past? Was it not I, the Lord? And there is no God apart from me, a righteous God and a Saviour; there is none but me. ‘Turn to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other.
As we have studied that there are three persons in the Godhead, we must also conclude that they are one God.
If one passage most clearly brings all of this together, it is Matthew 28:19: “Make disciples of all the nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.” First, notice that the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are distinct Persons. We baptise in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Second, notice that each Person must be a deity because they are all placed on the same level. In fact, would Jesus have us baptise in the name of a mere creature? Surely not. Therefore, each of the Persons into whose name we are to be baptized must be a deity. Third, notice that although the three divine Persons are distinct, we are baptized into their name (singular), not names (plural). The three Persons are distinct yet only constitute one name. This can only be if they share one essence. Wrote Matt Perman
The Importance of the Doctrine of the Trinity
The importance of the doctrine of the Trinity can be seen in its impact on the fundamental beliefs of Christianity. For example, without the Trinity, the concept of salvation would be incomplete because only God, in the person of Jesus Christ, could bear the weight of our sins and provide a way for us to be reconciled with God.
In addition, the doctrine of the Trinity is necessary for justification by faith because it affirms that Jesus is not merely a human but also fully God. This means that His sacrifice on the cross is sufficient to pay the penalty for our sins and reconcile us with God.
Furthermore, the Bible, the foundation of the Christian faith, explicitly teaches the doctrine of the Trinity. For instance, 2 Peter 1:20-21 states, “No prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as the Holy Spirit moved them.” This passage affirms the inspiration of Scripture by the Holy Spirit, one of Trinity’s three persons.
Moreover, the Holy Spirit, who is also fully God, is crucial in revealing God’s truth to humanity. Without the doctrine of the Trinity, it would be impossible to understand how God’s truth is revealed to us through the Holy Spirit.
Finally, the doctrine of the Trinity assures us of our salvation because it affirms that the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are all involved in saving us. This means that our salvation is secure because it is based on the work of all three persons of the Trinity.
In conclusion, the doctrine of the Trinity is essential to the Christian faith because it provides a complete understanding of the nature of God and its impact on our salvation. For a Christian to live a successful existence, the Trinity must play a role in our lives. We need God the Father to govern us, God the Son to redeem us, and the Holy Spirit to help us. Furthermore, without the Trinity, there can not be salvation, and without that, the earth will cease to exist as we know it. Also, without the Trinity, Christianity would lose its foundational beliefs and become incomplete.
Application – What Does the Trinity Teach You About Relationships?