The One God in Three Persons
Bible Readings
- Matthew 28:19 - "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:"
- Mark 14:36 - "And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt."
- John 5:17 - "But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work."
- John 5:18 - "Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God."
- John 1:1 - "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."
- Hebrews 1:8 - "But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom."
- John 10:30 - "I and my Father are one."
- Matthew 28:18 - "And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth."
- John 9:38 - "And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him."
- 1 Corinthians 2:11 - "For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God."
- Psalm 139:7 - "Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?"
The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, while one in essence and purpose, possess unique roles.
Matthew 28:19: "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:"
Some people—including some long-standing Christians—perceive the Trinity as a hierarchy, but this is not biblical. Scripture shows that all three members of the Trinity are fully God:
• Father — There are many places in the Gospels where Jesus refers to God as His Father (Mark 14:36; John 5:17-18).
• Son — John 1:1 refers to Jesus as divine. While Christ never called Himself "God," His Father applied this title to Him (Hebrews 1:8). Furthermore, Jesus claimed His unity with the Father (John 10:30) and confessed that He possessed infinite authority, an attribute of the divine Creator (Matthew 28:18). He also accepted worship directed to Him (John 9:38).
• Holy Spirit — Like God the Father, Scripture presents the Holy Spirit as omniscient (1 Corinthians 2:11) and omnipresent (Psalm 139:7). The idea of the Spirit's divinity is further reinforced when Jesus commanded His disciples to baptize new believers in the name of all three members of God (Matthew 28:19).
The Bible affirms that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are equally God. They operate as a unified whole—none more important or less significant than the others. All three are focused on Their plans for humanity—the salvation, transformation of people, and glorification of God.
🤔 Reflection
Reflect on how the unity and equality of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit impact your faith and how this is reflected in your life. What steps does Their shared plan for humanity inspire you to take?
Photo by Image by Picsum Photos