The concept of the Trinity

The term Godhead is used three times in the Bible[1] to denote the divine essence of God, which comprises three Persons; God the Father, God the Son and God the Spirit, also known as the Trinity. God the Father is God, Jesus is God and the Holy Spirit is God and yet the Bible makes clear that there is only one God, so the Godhead comprises one God existing in three persons. The term Godhead stresses monotheism and the unity of the three persons of the Trinity. The Old Testament clearly states; The Lord our God is one Lord[2] and Christ declared; I and my Father are one.[3]

Although the term trinity is not mentioned in the Bible, it is clearly implied.

God is referred to 250 times in the Old Testament by the Hebrew word “El” (singular) and 2,500 times as “Elohim” (plural; explicitly more than two).

The Trinity is foundational to the understanding of who God is and is well supported by scripture. Three examples of the many are given. Matthew (3:16) shows the trinity very clearly at Jesus’ baptism:

As soon as Jesus was baptisted, 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 lighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”

Further in Matthews’ gospel (28:19), Jesus gives His Disciples what has become known as The Great Commission:

Therefore go make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

Paul’s benediction of 2 Corinthians 13:13:

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.

For seventeen more scriptures that show the trinity, go to Jeffrey Kranz’s website: http://overviewbible.com/verses-that-mention-the-trinity/

A full understanding of the nature of the Godhead is beyond human comprehension as it is impossible for the created to have full knowledge of the Creator. However, this pictorial illustration may help.

The most abundant substance on earth; water can also help in our understanding. It can exist in three forms; ice, liquid and steam, but in each case it is still water and each form can co-exist with the other two at what is known as the eutectic point. Again, no illustration can accurately show the fullness of the Godhead.

For a comprehensive yet concise explanation of the Trinity, go to: S. Michael Houdman’s Summary of the Trinitarian Doctrine: http://www.gotquestions.org/Trinity-Bible.html.

The Trinity of Creation

The apostle Paul states that God’s eternal power and Godhead are clearly evident in creation; to such an extent that mankind is without excuse for not believing.[4] The Godhead is the trinity as has been stated. Consequently, we would expect to see the number three appearing many times in creation, since Paul; writing under the influence of the Holy Spirit, asserted that the Godhead is clearly seen in creation.

It is significant then, that all creation actually consists of three parts, with each of its distinct components of time, space and matter comprising and pervading the whole universe. And each of these components consists of three parts. Time has past, present and future. Space has the three dimensions of length, breadth and width; and matter can exist in three forms; solid, liquid and gas. As well, the basic unit of matter, the atom, is composed of three main parts; protons, neutrons and electrons. The whole electromagnetic spectrum (gamma rays, x-rays, ultraviolet, visible light, infrared, microwaves and radio waves) is comprised of three components; an electric field, a magnetic field, and motion. Clearly, God has left His signature on His creation.

The God of the Bible

Clearly the God of the Bible is not the God of the Koran on which the Muslim faith is based. The two books are completely different; the Bible was written over a period of 1,600 years by about 40 writers. It is one story and it is a historical account. The Koran is a compilation of separate and diverse revelations to one man over a period of 22 years. It was accumulated after his death and about 400 years after the Bible was completed.

The God of the Bible is a triune God who is all knowing (omniscient), all powerful (omnipotent) and everywhere at the same time (omnipresent). The doctrine of abrogation[5] used in the Koran means that the God of the Koran does not know everything because he has changed his mind.

The God the Jews worship is not the triune God of the Christian Bible even though the Torah provides much evidence for the plural nature of God.

[1] Acts 17:29; Romans 1:20; Colossians 2:9.

[2] Deuteronomy 6:4.

[3] John 10:30.

[4] Romans 1:20.

[5] Abrogation basically means that the new replaces the old (Koran 2:106 and 13:19). So that the early revelations that Muhammad received were replaced by the newer ones. See my booklet; The Bible or the Koran; only one can be true; adefenceofthebible.com/2015/07/17/the-bible-or-the-koran-only-one-can-be-true/