What is the Trinity?
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Understanding the Meaning
When people refer to the Trinity, understand that the word Trinity is not found in the Bible. But the thrice-holy God is (Isaiah 6:3). He is God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit—distinct and separate persons of the Trinity. Do not be alarmed, the word “Bible” is not in the Bible either. The biblical word for Trinity is the Godhead (Acts 17:29, Romans 1:20, Colossians 2:9). The word Trinity simply means “tri-unity” or the “union of three.”
We see this truth taught repeatedly throughout Scripture. The Father is the Sender. The Son is the Sent One. And the Father and the Son together send the Spirit of God to abide in His children forever (John 14).
The Godhead is found throughout Scripture. If you study Ephesians, you will find it full of the doctrine of the Trinity. Again—not three gods, but one God expressed in three persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. They are co-equal, co-existent, and co-eternal. You must remember that God is outside of time and space (Genesis 1, John 1:1, 1 Timothy 1:15-17, Hebrews 9:14). He is not bound by our laws or understanding; He is the Author of nature’s laws and the source of all wisdom and understanding (Proverbs 2:6).
A wonderful summary passage can be found in Ephesians 2:
“But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us…For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.” (verses 13–14, 18)
Visit our Gospel page to learn more about coming in to the family of God!
The Trinity: In the Old Testament
Let’s start at the beginning.
In Genesis 1:1, we read that “God created the heaven and the earth.” Then we discover in verse 2 that “the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.” Compare this to Colossians 1:
“For by him [Jesus] were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist…For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell” (verses 16–18, 19).
You may wonder, “Who created the world—the Father, the Son, or the Spirit?” The answer is: Yes. Our great God, in His perfect triune nature, created all that exists.
In Genesis 1:26, God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness…” Who is speaking? The Father, the Son, and the Spirit, who have been in perfect communion from eternity past. We see His nature even in the plurality of the pronouns used. Notice also “The Lord God” in Genesis 2:7–8. This demonstrates the unity of the Godhead—one perfect God, actively at work in the world.
Now let’s move forward to Isaiah 48:16–17:
“Come ye near unto me, hear ye this; I have not spoken in secret from the beginning; from the time that it was, there am I: and now the Lord God, and his Spirit, hath sent me. Thus saith the Lord, thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; I am the Lord thy God which teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest go.”
Do you see all three persons of the Godhead?
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“The Lord God” – God the Father (Jehovah, Yahweh)
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“The Redeemer” – God the Son, the Lord Jesus Christ
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“His Spirit” – God the Holy Spirit
Do not be confused—the God of the Old Testament is the same God revealed in the New Testament. He is the same God we can know and serve today (Malachi 3:6).
(For more on the Spirit and the Son in the Old Testament, see “Who is the Holy Spirit?” and “Who is Jesus?” on this page.)
The Trinity: In the New Testament
The Godhead is clearly seen in Matthew 3:16–17, during the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist:
“And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
Here we see:
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The Son standing in the water
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The Father speaking from Heaven
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The Spirit descending like a dove
Father, Son, and Spirit—working in perfect unity.
In the Great Commission
At the end of Matthew’s Gospel, we find The Great Commission in Matthew 28:18–20:
“And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”
Why are new believers baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit? Because they are co-equal, coexistent, and co-eternal. One God in three persons. Although distinct, they are inseparable.
In the Words of Jesus
Don’t miss the greatest application of this truth! Those who have repented of their sin and placed their faith in Jesus are brought into the family of God. As believers, we now have access to the Father, the Son, and the Spirit.
In John 14, Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father…” Jesus replied:
“He that hath seen me hath seen the Father… Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me?… the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.”
If you want to know the Father, you must come through the Son (John 14:6). Later, Jesus promises:
“But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things…”
Consider the Apostolic Benediction in 2 Corinthians 13:14:
“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.”
This beautiful prayer opens all of Heaven to us:
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“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ” – Our greatest need; grace comes through Christ.
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“The love of God” – Once you receive grace, you experience God’s love.
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“The communion of the Holy Ghost” – Through the Spirit, you enjoy fellowship with God Himself.
Applying the Reality of the Trinity
Did you know you are also three-in-one? You are spirit (how you relate to God), soul (how you relate to the world—your mind, will, and emotions), and body. At salvation, God’s Spirit gives life to your spirit and enters into your life to make you more like Christ (John 3; Romans 6:11; 8:11–23; 1 Corinthians 6:19–20; Galatians 4:6). The Spirit of God takes up permanent residence in every child of God. (Click HERE to learn more about the Holy Spirit.) He then begins His sanctifying work in our souls and promises us one day the final redemption of the body (1 Corinthians 15:50-57).
This overview barely scratches the surface of the many places in Scripture that teach the Trinity—the three-in-one nature of God—but His presence is seen from Genesis to Revelation. Best of all, this same all-powerful Creator desires a relationship with YOU. All three persons of the Godhead worked to provide what you need for salvation!
Have you accepted the grace of God through repentance and faith? (See Luke 24:47; John 3; Romans 10:9–11.) Take Christ as your Savior today. When you do, you will begin to experience daily:
“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost.”
Further Study:
Key Scriptures: Matthew 3:16–17, John 1, John 14, Romans 8:8–17, 1 Corinthians 6, Ephesians 1–2, Colossians 1, Hebrews 9, 1 John 5
Additional Studies: “What Does the Bible Say” audio series below (or LISTEN HERE).
Click the image to study the Holy Spirit through the Bible with Scott Pauley!
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