What Is The Trinity?

Read

Matthew 28:19 “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…”

Think

Understanding the Trinity can feel like grasping the ungraspable, yet it’s foundational to our faith. The Trinity teaches us that God is one being who exists in three distinct persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. This isn’t just abstract theology; it’s a truth that shapes how we relate to God and understand his work in our lives. Gregory Thaumaturgus, an evangelist in the mid-200s in what is now Turkey, beautifully expressed this when he said, "The divine being of God is undivided and single. The Son is never divided from the Father, nor the Holy Spirit again from the latter." This highlights that while God is one, his threefold nature is inseparable and essential.

When we think of the Trinity, it’s not about dividing God into parts or imagining three separate gods. As theologian Wayne Grudem explains, "The being of each Person is equal to the whole being of God." This means the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are fully and equally God—each one fully possessing all of God’s divine nature. For example, when we look at Jesus, we see all the fullness of God in him, not just a portion. This understanding allows us to see how God’s work in the world is unified yet diverse, with each Person of the Trinity playing a unique role. The Father is often seen as the Creator, the Son as the Redeemer, and the Holy Spirit as the Sustainer. Yet, all three are involved in every divine action, from creation to salvation to sanctification.

This idea might raise some questions. For instance, if Jesus is God, why did Jesus pray to the Father? The answer lies in the relational nature of the Trinity. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are distinct persons, each with a personal consciousness, allowing them to relate to one another in a real and dynamic way. Jesus, as the Son, prayed to the Father because they are distinct persons within the one Godhead. This distinction doesn’t make them separate beings; rather, it showcases the depth of God’s relational nature within himself and with us. Additionally, the Holy Spirit is often misunderstood as an impersonal force, but Scripture affirms that the Holy Spirit is a person who speaks, feels, and acts with intention and will.

As we study the Trinity, it’s important to remember that this doctrine isn’t just a theological puzzle, but a profound mystery that reveals who God is. The unity and diversity within the Trinity demonstrate how God is both infinitely complex and perfectly unified. It reminds us that God’s love, power, and presence are not abstract concepts, but realities we experience through the distinct yet united work of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The Trinity also underscores the eternal nature of God—he has always been and always will be Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. There’s no division within God—just a beautiful harmony that invites us to know and worship him more.

Apply

This week, try something new in your prayer life. Spend time talking to each person of the Trinity: thank the Father for his creation and how he provides for you, praise Jesus for what he did on the cross, and ask the Holy Spirit to guide and strengthen you in your daily decisions. By focusing on each one individually, you'll start to see how they work together in your life and deepen your connection with God as a whole. It's a simple way to make the mystery of the Trinity more real and personal.

Pray

Father, I come with a heart full of gratitude for all the ways you care for me and provide for my needs. Jesus, I thank you for the incredible sacrifice you made on the cross, for taking my place and offering me the gift of salvation. Holy Spirit, I invite you into every part of my life—guide my thoughts, my decisions, and my actions so that I can walk in step with your will. Help me to grow in my understanding of who you are, and grow in your power, and presence each day.  In Jesus’ name. Amen.