THE
TRINITY
These resources have been compiled to answer questions about the triune nature of God, which we refer to as the Trinity. The mystery of one God with a Triune Nature but not three Gods or three "modes of being" is a doctrine that requires exploration. If you have any questions, please contact us! Feel free to share this page or download/print the PDF below.
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“Trinity” is a word (not in the Bible) used to describe a biblical truth that God is three divine Persons—the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—yet one God.
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The divine Persons act as a perfect unity and they are indivisible. (The word for “one” in Deuteronomy 6:4 is a compound unity.)
Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. - Deuteronomy 6:4 (NIV)
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The divine Persons share one divine Nature and will. They are co-equal, distinguishable, but inseparable.
The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.
- Hebrews 1:3 (NIV)
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He has a divine name (“Lord,” 2 Cor. 3:18), divine attributes (“eternal,” Heb. 9:14; and “holy,” Eph. 4:30), emotion (“grief” Eph. 4:30) and can be mistreated as a sacred Person (“blasphemed,” Luke 12:10).
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In Genesis 1:26-27, God speaks of Himself in the plural.
Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”
- Genesis 1:26-27 (NIV)
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Matthew 28:19-20 expresses the Trinity as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
“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.” - Matthew 28:19-20 (NIV)
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The Trinity is seen at Jesus’ water baptism in Lk 3:21-22.
When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” - Revelation 2:7 (NIV)
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The Father is called God.
But you are our Father, though Abraham does not know us or Israel acknowledge us; you, O LORD, are our Father, our Redeemer from of old is your name. - Isaiah 63:16 (NIV)
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“Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.” - John 6:27 (NIV)
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You are doing the things your own father does.” “We are not illegitimate children,” they protested. “The only Father we have is God himself.” - John 8:41 (NIV)
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Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under his wings. Day and night they never stop saying: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come.” Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne, and worship him who lives forever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say: “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.” - Revelation 4:8-10 (NIV)
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…and sang the song of Moses the servant of God and the song of the Lamb: “Great and marvelous are your deeds, Lord God Almighty. Just and true are your ways, King of the ages. Who will not fear you, O Lord, and bring glory to your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before you, for your righteous acts have been revealed.” - Revelation 15:3-4 (NIV)
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Jesus is called God or deity. (See Bible Truths and Quicklinks – The Deity of Christ.)
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The Holy Spirit is called God. (See Bible Truths and Quicklinks – The Holy Spirit.)
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The doctrine of the Trinity distinguishes Christianity from all other cults and world religions. Because God is a Trinity, He values:
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Loving relationship and community.
As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit—just as it has taught you, remain in him. - Deuteronomy 6:4-9 (NIV)
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…yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live. - 1 Corinthians 8:6 (NIV)
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There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. - 1 Corinthians 12:4-7 (NIV)
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Unity and diversity.
“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” - John 17:20-21 (NIV)
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See also 1 Corinthians 12:12-31 (NIV)
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Missions.
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… - Matthew 28:19 (NIV)
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The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. - John 1:14 (NIV)
How can I learn more?
Below are some video resources on the Trinity:
The Christian View of God's Nature: The Trinity
Dr. Randy Colver
Run Time: 1 hour, 35 minutes and 51 seconds
Sermon begins: 1:02:26
The Christian View of God's Nature: The Diety of Christ
Run Time: 1 hour, 54 minutes and 44 seconds
Sermon begins: 59:59
The Christian View of the Holy Spirit
Run Time: 1 hour, 51 minutes and 31 seconds
Sermon begins: 58:35