Holy Trinity refers to the Christian concept of belief on ‘One God in three Divine Persons’ namely God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. Bible does not refer to this term ‘Trinity’ but this is important in understanding God in Trinitarian terminology. We have Bible verses telling us there is Only One God, at same time we have reference to Father, Son and Holy Spirit all three are one yet are treated as three different personalities. Each person has equal authority and no one lesser important because they are One.
Greek Theologian – Tertullian, in 3rd century is credited the first person to use the Latin word ‘Trinity’ ‘Person’ and ‘substance’ for explaining that Father, Son and Holy Spirit are ‘one is essence – not one in Person’. Even today Holy Trinity is widely used to understand the nature of God.
The concept of Trinity is often very difficult to grasp as well as challenging to explain. There are many ways in which this can be understood, but here I will use the Bible references to tell firstly all three existed from the very beginning, secondly they are different and lastly though they are separate personalities yet they are one and we serve and worship only One God.
Existence of Triune God
In the very beginning of Bible we see that existence of all three personalities of God is defined.
God the Father is referred to as ‘God’ throughout Old testament, and in new Testament Jesus referred to Him as Father, and Jesus told us we are also children of God since we believe in Christ Jesus whom God send and hence we have a inheritance to be called Children of God, so we call him our Heavenly Father.
Genesis 1:1
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
God the Holy Spirit existed from the very beginning, even if in New Testament we find Jesus promises that when He will ascend into heaven the Father will send a helper ‘Holy Spirit’ to help, teach and guide us. In Old Testament as well Holy Spirit existed and came on Prophets of God when the prophesied and worshiped God.
Genesis 1:2
Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.
God the Son – Jesus Christ, though from Historical point of view was born in 1 A. D. But Jesus himself told us that He is one with the Father and existed before the creation of Universe. He calls himself as the ‘WORD’ of God and God created the heavens and the earth through Jesus i.e. the Word.
Genesis 1:3
And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.
In 1 A. D. this Word of God total form of Flesh and came on earth to give His life as sacrifice for our Sins. In Gospel of John we find a beautiful way of explaining the correlation between ‘Word’ and ‘Jesus’.
John 1:1-3 & 14
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; without him nothing was made that has been made.
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
God in Three Person
One might say what is the necessity for this concept, when God is one why complicate things with three personalities. John the beloved disciple of Jesus, beautifully describes and answers our doubts. Importance of Trinity is that it explains, even though Jesus is referred to as Son of God, Father and Son are One as Jesus was conceived by Holy Spirit, so all three are one in being.
1 John 5:6-12
This is the one who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ. He did not come by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. For there are three that testify: the Spirit, the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement. We accept human testimony, but God’s testimony is greater because it is the testimony of God, which he has given about his Son. Whoever believes in the Son of God accepts this testimony. Whoever does not believe God has made him out to be a liar, because they have not believed the testimony God has given about his Son. And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.
In Gospel of John this beautiful verse tells us the oneness of Father, Son and Holy Spirit in Jesus’ own word that he told to his disciples in the night he was caught to be sentenced to death.
John 16:15
All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will receive from me what he will make known to you.
Three Person United as One God
After we understand that Father, Son and Holy Spirit are three different persons, then a second though comes to our mind why Theologians emphasize on concept of One God so much. Well it’s not the philosophers or theologians or Bible scholars but, in Bible itself God claims that He is One.
Isaiah 44:6
This is what the Lord says—
Israel’s King and Redeemer, the Lord Almighty:
I am the first and I am the last;
apart from me there is no God.
For those who are still wondering and finding it difficult to digest this new concept, thinking it is way too much complicated and difficult. I hope you’ll understand Trinity better by reading this verse where Jesus himself in his own words tell us that He and Father and Holy Spirit are one.
John 17:11
I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one as we are one.
I hope now it you are now comfortable with the term Trinity, as Jesus himself explained in previous verse “We are one”. Leaving no doubt or any scope for further debate. Well even Jews at time of Jesus did not understand how Jesus is the Son of God and God himself at same time. Jesus testified to them with proof, but they were reluctant to believe Him.
John 10:34-38
Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your Law, ‘I have said you are “gods”’? If he called them ‘gods,’ to whom the word of God came—and Scripture cannot be set aside— what about the one whom the Father set apart as his very own and sent into the world? Why then do you accuse me of blasphemy because I said, ‘I am God’s Son’? Do not believe me unless I do the works of my Father. But if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me, and I in the Father.”
Baptism is important for forgiveness of Sins and accepting Jesus as personal Savior since Jesus Himself instructed us to be baptized. Here Jesus told his disciples the manner in which a person must be baptized. This verse clearly explains the need to understand Trinity before you get baptism and accept Jesus as your Savior and God. Jesus asked them to Baptize in the name of Father, Son and Holy Spirit whereby clearly indicating Trinity.
Matthew 28:18-20
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Paul ends his second letter of Corinthians in a beautiful way referring to all three persons of Trinity. This Blessing is often used in benediction at the end of Church Services across the world. This tell us the importance of understanding the concept of Trinity.
2 Corinthians 13:14
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.