The question I want to tackle in this article is essential to the Christian faith: Is the Trinity biblical? The doctrine of the Trinity—God as one in essence yet three distinct persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—defines the Christian understanding of God. While the word “Trinity” does not appear in Scripture, the concept is woven throughout its pages, revealing God’s complex yet simple nature. As finite beings, we grapple with the mystery of an infinite God, but this doctrine is essential to knowing Him accurately and living out our faith.
The Trinity teaches that there is one God in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Each is fully and equally God, sharing the same essence, power, and glory, yet distinct in role and function. The Father is not the Son, the Son is not the Spirit, and the Spirit is not the Father. This “tri-unity” was first articulated by Tertullian in the second century and defended through early church councils, leading to creeds like the Nicene and Apostles’ Creeds. The Westminster Confession of 1646 affirms, “In the unity of the Godhead there be three Persons of one substance, power, and eternity: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost.”
Scripture provides clear evidence for the Trinity. For example, in John 15:26, Jesus says, “When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me.” Here, all three persons are present: the Son speaks, sending the Spirit from the Father, who testifies to the Son. Similarly, 2 Corinthians 13:14 invokes “the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit.” In Matthew 28:19, Jesus commands baptism “in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” affirming the divinity of each.
Three primary truths anchor the doctrine:
- There Is One God
Christianity is monotheistic, proclaiming one true God. Genesis 1:1 declares, “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” Deuteronomy 6:4 states, “The Lord our God, the Lord is one.” Isaiah 45:6 reinforces, “I am the Lord, and there is no other.” God is one in essence, being, and nature, distinct from polytheistic beliefs. - God Exists in Three Persons
Scripture reveals three distinct persons within the Godhead. At Jesus’ baptism (Mark 1:9-11), the Son is baptized, the Spirit descends like a dove, and the Father declares, “You are my beloved Son.” All three are present, distinct yet unified. Gregory of Nazianzus (4th century) captured this: “No sooner do I conceive of the One than I am illumined by the Splendor of the Three; no sooner do I distinguish Them than I am carried back to the One.” - Each Person Is Fully God with Distinct Roles
The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are equally divine. John 1:1-14 proclaims the Son as God: “The Word was with God, and the Word was God.” Jesus equates Himself with the Father (John 14:9), and Thomas calls Him “My Lord and my God” (John 20:28). The Spirit’s deity is evident in Acts 5:3-4, where lying to the Spirit is equated with lying to God. The Father plans salvation, the Son accomplishes it through His incarnation and sacrifice, and the Spirit applies it by indwelling believers.
There are also some common errors we must avoid:
- Unitarianism, which denies the deity of the Son and Spirit, diminishing them below the Father.
- Tritheism, which posits three separate gods, violating monotheism.
- Modalism, which claims God manifests as one person in different modes, failing to account for passages where all three persons are present simultaneously.
The Trinity is a tier-one doctrine, essential to salvation and Christian life. Jeremiah 9:23-24 urges us to boast in knowing God, who delights in love, justice, and righteousness. Jesus says in John 17:3, “This is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.” Knowing the Triune God is the highest treasure.
This doctrine shapes how we live out our faith:
- Prayer: We pray to the Father, through the Son, by the Spirit’s power (Ephesians 2:18).
- Worship: Our worship, communion, and ordinances like baptism reflect the Triune God.
- Salvation: The Father plans, the Son accomplishes, and the Spirit applies salvation, uniting us to God.
- Mission: Jesus prays in John 17:20-21 that believers’ unity reflects the Trinity’s oneness, drawing others to faith.
Do you know the Triune God? Have you trusted in Him for salvation? The gospel proclaims that the Father sent the Son to die and rise for sinners, and the Spirit empowers us to believe and live for Him. Repent, trust in the Triune God, and find eternal life in His fellowship.
Tethered to Truth 