The Trinity (Godhead)

When discussing the Godhead with others, I have noticed that many Christians know only some of the fundamentals to God's triune identity. This, I believe, is a reflection of how little we study God's Word. In this essay, I would like to expand our understanding of the Trinity, so we can know Him better.

The Godhead is manifested in three modes of being (Mt 28:19). These three persons are the Father (Joh 3:34-35, 8:54), the Son (Tit 2:13,3:4-6), and the Holy Spirit (Ro 8:9,13:19). Each of the three modes has characteristics essential to the Trinity (Joh 5:19, Mt 3:14-15). If God could only manifest Himself in one of these personalities, He would not function. The Trinity is not made up of separate god-people. This is because the Godhead is one individual (Isa 43:10, 44:6).

Each person of the Trinity has various functions. The Holy Spirit's operations focus on five areas (Neh 9:20, Joh 14:26, Lu 4:18, Joh 4:7-15, Ac 1:8). Giving wisdom and understanding to the believer is one of these operations (Job 32:8, Ex 31:3). Also, in troubling times He offers comfort (Ac 9:31). For preaching, He gives power, boldness, and effectiveness (Ac 2:14-41, 4:8-31). He also gives the Christian the gift of everlasting water (Joh 4:7-14). This water springs up into eternal life (Jo 4:14). The Christian also receives the potent gift of miraculous power for healing, prophecy, etc. (Mk 16:17, Mt 17:20).

Jesus' functions in the Godhead are quite diversified. In the beginning, He was the Creator of life (Ge 1:1, Joh 1:3-10). It took him the space of six days to accomplish it. When He came to Earth, He was the Word manifested in the flesh (1 Ti 3:16). This is shown through His perfect obedience to the Father. In general, He is also the living Word of God (Joh 1:1). Jesus will be the Righteous Judge on the coming day of judgment, where He will judge both great and small (Ps 72:2-4, Mic 4:3). He is King of all the kings and Lord of lords (Ps 24:8). This is extensively covered in Revelation. While prophesying during His ministry, Christ also showed Himself as a prophet (Joh 2:18-20). As the Messiah, Savior, and High Priest, He saves His people from their sins (Ps 69:1-36). This salvation is the bases for the Christian's faith. During His Earthly ministry, Jesus displayed His role as a healer and teacher (Mt 4:23).

The Father's operations are divided into six different categories. One of the most evident is His fatherly role to others (1 Ch 28:6). He is the Father of Jesus (Joh 12:26-28). He was a father figure to the Jews (2 Sa 7:14). He is now the father figure to all Christians (Joh 10:15-30). Another is His function as leader, and molder of His servants (De 32:5-6). Throughout the Old and New Testament, we can see numerous examples of God being a Father to His people. The Father is a rewarder of good, and giver of life (Mt 6:4-9, 7:7-11). He gives Christians necessities and whatever else they ask for. He also reveals new knowledge and wisdom (Mt 11:25-27). Last, the Father makes the choices within the Godhead (Mt 18:10-19). This is why we see Jesus and the Holy Spirit following the Father's will (Joh 5:17-43, 14:26).

Above I briefly outlined the functions of the Trinity, now I will state some of the truths underlying the operations of the Godhead. The Trinity works in unity (Gen 1:26, 3:22, Joh 5:17-43, 10:30). The three titles of the Godhead are interchangeable (Isa 9:6, Joh 10:28 & 29, Rev 1:8 & 21:6). God the Father has sent forth His Holy Spirit to His Son and His servants (Mt 12:18, Ro 8:9-27). The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit raised Jesus from the dead (Ac 3:26, 1 Th 1:10, Joh 2:19-21). No person can say, "Jesus is Lord," but by the Holy Spirit (1 Co 12:3-6). Jesus first came to the Earth and fulfilled all things, then the Holy Spirit came (Gal 4:4-6). We have access to the Father by one Spirit, through Jesus Christ (1 Ti 2:5, Eph 2:14-18). The Kingdom of the Son is the Kingdom of the Father (Heb 1:4-14).






REFERENCES FOR DEFENDING TRINITY DOCTRINE:

God the Father(John 3:34-35, Galatians 1:1-3, 2 Corinthians 1:2-3, Ephesians 6:23, Philippians 2:11, 2 Timoty 1:2, Titus 1:4, 1 Peter 1:2-3, 2 John 1:3, Jude 1:1-10, John 8:54, John 4:23-24 & Luke 4:6-8, John 5:18, John 6:27, John 6:32-33, John 6:45, Romans 1:7, Romans 8:15-16, Romans 15:6, 1 Corinthians 1:3, 1 Corinthians 8:6, 2 Corinthians 11:31, Ephesians 1:2, Ephesians 1:3, Ephesians 1:17)

God the Son(Titus 3:4-6, John 1:1 & 14, Titus 2:13, Isaiah 9:6, Matthew 5:18, Acts 17:29 & Romans 1:4, Romans 1:20 & John 1:1-4, Romans 8:9, Matthew 1:23, 1 Timothy 3:16, Colossians 2:9, Exodus 3:13-14 & John 8:54-59, John 5:17-18, John 10:30-33, John 20:27-28, Hebrews 1:8-10, Genesis 1:1 & John 1:1-4, Colossians 1:14-17, Luke 4:6-8 & Matthew 9:18 & Matthew 28:9 & Hebrews 1:6 & Revelation 5:13-14, Isaiah 42:8 & Isaiah 48:11 & John 17:5, Isaiah 43:11 & Isaiah 45:21-22 & Titus 2:13 & Philippians 3:20, etc).

God the Holy Spirit(Romans 8:9, Romans 8:11 & Acts 3:26, 2 Corinthians 3:17-18 & Genesis 2:4 & Isaiah 42:8, Romans 8:14, John 15:26 & Galatians 1:1-3, Ephesians 4:30, 1 Corinthians 2:10-13, Romans 13:19, Genesis 1:2, Job 33:4, Genesis 2:4 & Psalm 139:1-10, Genesis 41:38, Exodus 31:3, Exodus 35:31, Numbers 24:2, 1 Samuel 10:10, etc).