| **These posts are to encourage everyone to read the Bible, and get a deeper understanding of Gods Word. |
While the exact words – “the Holy Trinity”, is no where written in the Bible, the concept behind this idea is displayed throughout the Bible.
Human intelligence tells us that, if someone is with someone, the two cannot become one. Yet the first verse in John tells us,
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1
The Word was with God and the Word was God?
Revelation 19:13, shows us that the Word is Jesus.
Yes, this is a detailed post, but if you study the bible verses on the Holy Trinity, more understanding will be revealed to you to share it with others.
*Note: The following Bible verses are taken from the ESV translation.
What is the Holy Trinity?
Three different persons, yet One Holy God.
The Three persons being, God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.
First question to think about:
- If the God in Heaven was the only God, and Jesus was not considered as God, then why would there be a distinction between God the Father and the Son?
➡ Why would the concept of “The Father” be introduced?
Could it be because Jesus (His only Son) and the Holy Spirit also share in the Father’s same divine nature, and yet function as One?
The aim of this post on the Holy Trinity, is to highlight bible verses that are often overlooked regarding this topic. However, it is for everyone to study these verses and to understand the deeper meaning of these scriptures.
Why Do We Need to Consider the Holy Trinity?
Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Deuteronomy 6:4 (ESV)
Again we circle back to the very first of the Ten Commandments in Exodus 20 which states, that there is only one God.
With this in mind, let us revisit some facts from the bible
We know that God is divine and superior above all creation including the angels.
This means only God can be worshipped.
Angels refused any form of worship – Revelation 19:10
Disciples refused being worshiped – Acts 10:24-26
Unlike any of the previous prophets, Jesus never stopped anyone from worshipping Him – John 20:28, Matthew 2:11, Luke 4:8, Matthew 14:33, Matthew 28:9.
➡ We see here that Jesus is different from humans, angels and prophets in His nature.
Next, in Hebrews 1:6-7 and 13 we read that the angels were lower in status than the Father and Jesus Christ. With this in mind let us head over to the book of Genesis.
In Genesis 1:26 we read:
Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.”
| Bible Study Lesson #1: If angels are not considered the same level as God, then who is the us that God is referring to in this verse? |
Here is another one: Take a look at Psalm 45:6-7 of the Old Testament
Your throne, O God, is forever and ever. The scepter of your kingdom is a scepter of uprightness; you have loved righteousness and hated wickedness. Therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions.
| Bible Study Lesson #2: Who are these “two Gods” mentioned here? And this verse is again explained in greater detail in Hebrews 1. |
The first problem we see is that as human beings, we begin to analyse the who God is, in the level of a human being. We are unlike God who is a Creator and a Healer. We cannot compare to His soveriegn nature in anyway, which is why the Trinitarian concept can be difficult to follow.
The attributes of God are different to us humans.
➡ God is omniscient, omnipotent, omnipresent and so much more.
➡ Humans are none of that.
This is why it can be hard to comprehend how God works.
Three statements of Jesus that are unique and related to this type of reasoning:
- He who has ears to hear, let him hear. (Matthew 11:15; Mark 4:9)
- My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. (John 10:27)
- For to the one who has, more will be given, and he will have an abundance, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. (Matthew 13:12)
Jesus often conducted His teachings in parables, so that those who were open to hear His message and keen on following Him were given more understanding – like His disciples (Matthew 13:10-13).
The Bible is not written like a novel or a storybook in a straight-forward way. Instead, it is a book where revelation and understanding is gradually given as we begin to grasp the nature of God.
| ➡ Jesus spoke in parables (Matthew 13:34) and figures of speech (John 10:6) |
And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. John 10:16
Although Jesus speaks in a manner that is not easily understood, it is Jesus’ desire that all who are eager to learn, may be given understanding to hear the truth and follow the truth (Jesus).
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6
Evidence of the Holy Trinity in the Bible
If we are still unsure and believe that there is only one God in Heaven, then we are to closely study what the following scriptures mean in relation to the Holy Trinity.
1. The Father, Jesus (The Word) and the Holy Spirit
1 John 5:7 (KJV) – For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.
2. The Holy Trinity – Three Separate Persons
Luke 3:22 – And the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form, like a dove; and a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”
3. The Holy Spirit Comes from The Father
John 15:26 – But 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.
4. Jesus Asks Us to Also Believe in Him
John 14:1 – Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.
5. Jesus Tells us that He is In the Father and the Father in Him
John 14:10-11 – Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else believe on account of the works themselves.
6. Holy Spirit as God
Acts 5:3-4 – But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God.”
7. To God on the Throne and to the Lamb
Revelation 5:13 – And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!”
8. The Holy Trinity Working Together
Revelation 7:17 – For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.
9. Holy Spirit is the Living Fountain or River of Water
John 7:38-39 – Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.
10. The Holy Trinity Seated at the Throne
Revelation 22:1 – Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb.
11. The Creator
Genesis 1:1 – In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.
About Jesus, Paul writes in Colossians 1:16 – For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.
John 1:3, also tells us, All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.
| Free PDF of the Gospels of the Bible Study Pack: Learn about the life of Jesus and His teachings throughout the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John along with study notes and key verses to memorize |
