The Trinity
The primacy of the trinity.
The Trinity is a defining theological doctrine of Christianity. It is not stated outright in Scripture, but is generated by deduction. It reconciles God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, and states that God is one being, yet three, distinct, co-equal persons.
The mystery of the trinity.
There is an element of the trinity that is not entirely explainable. But this is true about God in other ways as well. Many things about God are not entirely understood, and are taken by faith to be true. (Isaiah 55:8–9, Romans 11:33-34) Charles Ryrie says, "Even with all the discussion and delineation that we attempt in relation to the Trinity; we must acknowledge that it is, in the final analysis, a mystery. We accept all the data as truth, even though they go beyond our understanding."1
The oneness of the trinity.
Both the Old Testament (Deuteronomy 6:4 NIV) and New Testament (1 Corinthians 8:6; Ephesians 4:6; James 2:19) reference the unity of the godhead.
The plurality of the trinity.
The Bible uses the plural form for the word God in Genesis 1:1. Thus creating room for the eventual triune expression of God. The concept of the trinity is further developed in the Old Testament by use of the plural pronouns our and us with reference to God. (Genesis 1:26, 3:22, Genesis 11:7 NIV; Isaiah 6:8) The trinity is expressed in the New Testament with the singular word name in reference to the Father, Son and Spirit. Matthew 28:19
The work of the trinity.
Our salvation fully expresses the trinity. We are saved to the Father, through the Son, by the Spirit. Ephesians 2:18
The persons of the trinity.
The Trinity is a defining theological doctrine of Christianity. It is not stated outright in Scripture, but is generated by deduction. It reconciles God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, and states that God is one being, yet three, distinct, co-equal persons.
The mystery of the trinity.
There is an element of the trinity that is not entirely explainable. But this is true about God in other ways as well. Many things about God are not entirely understood, and are taken by faith to be true. (Isaiah 55:8–9, Romans 11:33-34) Charles Ryrie says, "Even with all the discussion and delineation that we attempt in relation to the Trinity; we must acknowledge that it is, in the final analysis, a mystery. We accept all the data as truth, even though they go beyond our understanding."1
The oneness of the trinity.
Both the Old Testament (Deuteronomy 6:4 NIV) and New Testament (1 Corinthians 8:6; Ephesians 4:6; James 2:19) reference the unity of the godhead.
The plurality of the trinity.
The Bible uses the plural form for the word God in Genesis 1:1. Thus creating room for the eventual triune expression of God. The concept of the trinity is further developed in the Old Testament by use of the plural pronouns our and us with reference to God. (Genesis 1:26, 3:22, Genesis 11:7 NIV; Isaiah 6:8) The trinity is expressed in the New Testament with the singular word name in reference to the Father, Son and Spirit. Matthew 28:19
The work of the trinity.
Our salvation fully expresses the trinity. We are saved to the Father, through the Son, by the Spirit. Ephesians 2:18
The persons of the trinity.
A. The Father is God. (1 Peter 1:2; John 6:27; 1 Corinthians 15:24; Galatians 1:1,3; Ephesians 5:20). God the Father is...
- The guiding authority over the Son. Romans 15:6
- Approves the Son's words and actions. John 6:27
- The Creator of all things. 1 Corinthians 8:6
- The Owner of all things. 1 Corinthians 15:24
- The source of mercy and comfort. 2 Corinthians 1:3
- Worthy of everlasting praise. 2 Corinthians 11:31
- The one who raised Jesus from the dead. Galatians 1:1
- The source of all our blessings. Ephesians 1:3
- The object of all our thanks. Ephesians 5:20
- The one who enables us to love faithfully. Ephesians 6:23
- The initial source and ultimate purpose of all things. Philippians 2:11
- The rightful owner of our souls. 1 Thessalonians 1:1
- Pleased with the care of widows and orphans, and personal purity. James 1:27
- The one who bestows honor and glory to the Son. 2 Peter 1:16-18
- The one who calls, loves and keeps believers to Himself. Jude 1:1
B. The Son is God. (Titus 2:13; John 1:1, 5:18, 10:33; Philippians 2:6). The Son does things only God can do:
- He radiates His glory, reveals His nature, enables everything to function, accomplished atonement, reigns supremely. Hebrews 1:3
- He forgives sins. Mark 2:5-7
- He raises the dead. John 12:9
- He is eternally preexistent. Exercises authority over all things. Is the source of all things. Sustains all things. Colossians 1:15-17; John 1:1; Hebrews 1:3
- He created all that exists. John 1:3
- He is the future judge John 5:27
- He is the human expression of God Colossians 1:15, 1:19, 2:9; 2 Corinthians 4:4; Hebrews 1:3
- He has power over everything. Matthew 11:4–5
C. The Holy Spirit is God. (Acts 5:3-4, Genesis 1:2; 1 Corinthians 3:16; 2 Peter 1:21) As God, the Spirit does the following:
- Authors revelation. 2 Peter 1:20-21
- Gives people eternal life John 3:6
- Enabled people to speak in different languages at Pentecost Acts 2:4
- Raised Jesus from the dead Romans 1:4
- Is the foretaste of future glory. Romans 8:23
- Convinces people of sin, the righteousness of Jesus Christ, and reality of judgment. John 16:8
- Converts people. Titus 3:5
- Transforms people. 1 Corinthians 6:11
- Guides and empowers us. Galatians 5:16
- Affirms the truthfulness of Scripture 1 Thessalonians 1:5
Theologian Lewis Sperry Chafer states, “The Father is presented as electing, loving, and bestowing. The Son is presented as suffering, redeeming, and upholding the universe. The Holy Spirit is presented as regenerating, indwelling, baptizing, energizing, and sanctifying.”2
The Trinity Diagram
Resources
- Read: What Does the Bible Teach About the Trinity? Got Questions
- Charles C. Ryrie, Ryrie Study Bible (Chicago: Moody, 1995), 62.
- Lewis Sperry Chafer, Major Bible Themes: 52 Vital Doctrines of the Scripture Simplified and Explained (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1974), 45.