Many verses in the Bible talk about God having a Son, sending His Son, or being pleased with His Son. Does that mean God has a wife somewhere? No. God uses family language to reveal something very intimate and personal about Himself. Let’s explore a fascinating and ancient idea from the Bible called the Trinity. It’s a belief that has shaped Christian worship and actions since the very beginning, and we’re going to break it down in a clear way for you, even if you’re new to this. Get ready to learn about how God is described in the Bible as one God in three persons, and why this matters.
The Trinity is the belief that God is one being but exists as three distinct persons: God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Each person is fully God, yet there is only one God, not three separate gods. This idea can be tricky, but it’s central to how Christians have historically understood God. The Bible doesn’t use the word “Trinity.” Instead the word was used by early Christians to describe this teaching, and in the Bible, several passages point to this concept.
At Jesus’ baptism, the Bible describes a moment where all three persons are present:
“As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased’” (Matthew 3:16-17, NIV).
Here, Jesus (the Son) is baptized, the Holy Spirit appears as a dove, and God the Father speaks from heaven. This shows the three persons of the Trinity acting together, yet as one God.
Another key verse comes from Jesus’ instructions to his followers:
“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).
Notice that Jesus says “name,” not “names,” which suggests that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit share one divine essence.
The Bible also highlights the unity of the Trinity in other places. For example, in John’s Gospel, Jesus says, “I and the Father are one” (John 10:30, NLT), showing his unity with God the Father. The Holy Spirit is described as God’s active presence, guiding and empowering people. In Acts, when Ananias lies to the Holy Spirit, Peter says, “You have not lied just to human beings but to God” (Acts 5:4, NIV), confirming that the Holy Spirit is God.
CHRISTIAN HISTORY:
Historically, early Christians wrestled with how to explain the Trinity. It is wrong to split God into three gods or blend the persons into one. Around 325 AD, church leaders at the Council of Nicaea made a public statement affirming what the churches already believed. They believed that Jesus is fully God, equal to the Father, and later councils affirmed the Holy Spirit’s divinity too. The Trinity isn’t like three people on a team or three parts of an object; each person is fully God, yet they are one in essence, sharing the same divine nature. This balance avoids errors like thinking the Father, Son, and Spirit are just different “modes” of God or that they’re separate gods altogether.
The Trinity matters because it shapes how Christians see God’s love and work. The Father creates and rules, the Son saves through his life and death, and the Spirit guides and strengthens believers. For example, Paul writes, “May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all” (2 Corinthians 13:14, NIV), showing how all three persons bless people together. This belief sets Christianity apart and invites us to see God as a unity of love and relationship.
Does this change how you see God? What can we learn about God when we learn more of His nature? Don’t worry if it’s difficult to understand or confusing. Pray today and ask God to teach you more about Himself and His love. Ask Him to help you show that love to others.
Recommended Reading: Delighting in the Trinity by Michael Reeves