One God in Three Persons

One of the hardest things to biblically understand is the doctrine of the Trinity. Many have written books, articles, and journals to explain and teach of the concept of the Trinity. To best understand, the word “Trinity” is used by believers to describe God as “one God in three Persons.” It is used to describe the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit.  To truly understand God is to believe in the Trinity. Bruce Ware states, “Seeing God as both one and three is important because through this e can understand better the ways in which the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit relate to one another and do their work…[The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit] has very important work to do, and yet as they all do their work, they relate to each other and to us in the process.”  

The Trinity in The Bible

The word “Trinity” is not in the Bible; however, the concept of God in three Persons is evident. For example, Matthew 28:19-20 says, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” In this particular passage, Jesus uses the word “name” in a singular sense that connotes a specific name for each Person. Bruce Ware writes, “There aren’t many gods with different names, but only one God with one name. But interestingly, this is the one God’s name has three parts: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. So there is one God, but the Father is God, and the Son is God, and the Holy Spirit is God.” Theologians are known to say, “One God in Three Persons.” 

Another great biblical example of the Trinity is in 2 Corinthians 13:14. The apostle Paul writes, “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God [Father] and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” Paul makes yet another reference to the Trinity in Ephesians 2:18. He says, “For through him [Christ] we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.” Those who have trusted in Jesus, whether Jew or Gentile, have a relationship with God; therefore, each Person of the Trinity. “Both Jews and Gentiles who have trusted Christ are able to come to the Father because of the work of Christ and through the Spirit who now lives within them by faith.” (Ware)  

It cannot be overstated that there is none like our God (Exodus 8:10, 9:14; Deuteronomy 33:26, 34:11; Jeremiah 10:6-7).  “He is one God, but that one God lives and is expressed through the three Persons of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Each person is fully God, yet each Person is also distinct from other Persons.” (Ware)  Even though we may not fully understand the doctrine of the Trinity, it beckons us to marvel at how wonderful and great our God is. 

Questions for Reflection 

1. Why should we take the doctrine of the Trinity seriously? Is it important that we understand that we serve one God in Three Persons?
2. Should it surprise us if we do not fully understand the doctrine of the Trinity?
3. How are we communicating to our kids and students the importance of the Trinity?

Memory Verse 

Ephesians 2:18 – “For through him [Christ] we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.” 

 References

Big Truths for Young Hearts: Teaching and Learning the Greatness of God by Bruce Ware

All references and quotes come from Big Truths for Young Hearts.