The Bible and the Trinity

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The Bible clearly teaches that there is only one God (Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 43:11; 44:6; Mark 12:29; 1 Corinthians 8:4; Ephesians 4:6; 1 Timothy 2:5). At the same time, the Bible plainly indicates a plurality within God's nature, consisting of three eternal and coequal persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, each the same in basic nature, but distinct in existence.

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Although the word Trinity does not appear in the Bible, the doctrine of the Trinity is a factual conclusion.

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One of the Bible's Great Mysteries.

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The Trinity is one of the great mysteries of the Bible that cannot be fathomed by the finite mind. If God were small enough to figure out, He wouldn't be big enough to worship. The Bible tells us that God's thoughts are not our thoughts, nor are His ways our ways (Isaiah 55:89). Though we will never fully understand the doctrine of the Trinity, there is no reasonable doubt that the Bible clearly teaches its truth.

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The Father Is God
The Bible teaches that God is all-knowing (Job 37:16; Romans 11:33); all-powerful (Genesis 1:1 3; Job 42:2); all-present (Psalm 139:7 12); eternal (Exodus 3:4; Revelation 1:8); unchangeable (Malachi 3:6; James 1:17); holy (Isaiah 57:15; 1 Peter 1:15 16); righteous and just (Psalm 116:5); merciful and gracious (Psalm 103:8); and able to forgive sin (Exodus 34:6 7; Mark 2:7). The Bible ascribes these characteristics to God alone.

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The Son, Jesus Christ, Is God
The Bible ascribes the same attributes of God to His Son, Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:21 23; 28:18; Luke 5:20 24; John 1:1, 14; 8:58; 16:30; 17:5; Hebrews 13:8). Jesus Christ is worshiped (Matthew 14:31 33; 28:9; Hebrews 1:6); He is called God (Isaiah 9:6; Matthew 1:21 23; John 1:1,14; 20:28); and He can forgive sins (Luke 5:20 24; John 10:30 33). The Bible ascribes these attributes to God alone.

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The Holy Spirit Is God
The activities and characteristics of God are attributed to the Holy Spirit (Psalm 139:7 10; Luke 1:35; 11:13; John 14:26; Hebrews 9:14). The Holy Spirit is a person (John 16:13 15; Romans 8:27; 1 Corinthians 2:10 13; 12:11); He is Creator (Genesis 1:2; Job 33:4); and He is called God (Acts 5:1 11).

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Some might ask why the Old Testament's teaching of God as Father was veiled. One answer is that God sought to embed the idea of His oneness in the minds of His people, as He said in Isaiah, "I am the LORD, and there is no other; there is no God besides Me" (45:5; see also Deuteronomy 6:4). This way God's people were ready to properly understand the oneness of the Trinity. But the simplest answer is that God waited to reveal His triune nature at the proper time, namely at the incarnation of Jesus Christ, who came in the fullness of time.