The Godhead refers to the divine nature and essence of God. It encompasses the three persons of the Trinity – God the Father, God the Son (Jesus Christ), and God the Holy Spirit. Together, these three make up the one true God. The Bible teaches that there is only one God, yet He exists in three co-equal, co-eternal persons. This is a divine mystery that is difficult for humans to fully comprehend.
The term “Godhead” appears three times in the King James Version of the Bible (Acts 17:29, Romans 1:20, Colossians 2:9), but it simply means “deity” or “divine nature.” The more common biblical terms used to refer to the Trinity are “God,” “Father,” “Son,” and “Spirit.” Let’s take a closer look at what the Bible teaches about each member of the Godhead:
God the Father
God the Father is the first person of the Trinity. He is the eternal, omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent Creator of all things (Genesis 1:1, Isaiah 40:28, Acts 17:24). The Father is invisible, incorporeal Spirit (John 4:24, Colossians 1:15), perfect in goodness, wisdom, justice, power, and love. He relates to the world as its sovereign Lord and upholds all things by the word of His power (Hebrews 1:3). The Father sent the Son into the world and raised Him from the dead (John 6:44, Acts 13:30-33). He hears and answers prayer (Matthew 6:9, John 15:16).
Jesus Christ, the Son
Jesus Christ is the second person of the Trinity. He is the eternal Son of God, begotten of the Father before all ages (John 1:1-3, 14, 18, 3:16, Colossians 1:15-17). The Son is fully God, sharing the divine nature and attributes with the Father and the Spirit (John 10:30, Philippians 2:6). The Son took on human flesh, being conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary (Luke 1:35). Jesus lived a sinless life on earth, taught divine truth, and demonstrated His deity through miracles and spiritual authority (Matthew 4:23, John 3:2, Acts 2:22). Christ died on the cross as an atoning sacrifice for sinners, rose bodily from the grave, and ascended to heaven where He intercedes for believers (Romans 4:25, 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, Hebrews 7:25). He will come again in power and glory to judge the world (Acts 1:11, Revelation 22:12-13).
The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity. He proceeds from the Father and the Son (John 15:26). The Spirit is fully God, possessing the attributes of deity along with the Father and Son (Acts 5:3-4, 1 Corinthians 2:10-11). The Holy Spirit was involved in creation and inspired the writing of Scripture (Genesis 1:2, 2 Peter 1:21). His ongoing works include conviction of sin, assurance of salvation, guiding believers into truth, and empowering them for godly living and service (John 16:8, Romans 8:16, John 16:13, Acts 1:8). The Spirit indwells all believers at conversion (Romans 8:9). He produces spiritual fruit in their lives (Galatians 5:22-23) and gives gifts for ministry in the church (1 Corinthians 12:4-11).
While each member of the Trinity has distinct roles and activities, they are one in essence, nature, and divinity. There are not three gods, but only one true God in three persons. At times, one member of the Trinity is emphasized more prominently in Scripture, but they always work in perfect harmony together. Their oneness is seen in Jesus’ baptism, where the Son comes up from the water, the Spirit descends, and the Father speaks from heaven (Matthew 3:16-17). Complete deity and perfect unity exist in the Trinity.
The Oneness and Distinctions Within the Godhead
The Bible makes clear there is only one true God (Deuteronomy 6:4, Isaiah 44:6, 1 Corinthians 8:4-6). This God has revealed Himself as Father, Son, and Spirit. How can God be three yet one? This tri-unity is hard for our finite minds to fully grasp, but we can understand some important truths:
- The members of the Trinity are distinguished from one another (Matthew 3:16-17, John 14:16-17). The Father is not the same person as the Son or the Spirit.
- Each member of the Trinity relates to the others personally with knowledge and will (Matthew 11:27, John 15:26).
- Each has distinct roles in relation to creation and redemption (1 Corinthians 8:6, Ephesians 1:3-14).
- But there is only one divine nature, essence, and being (Deuteronomy 6:4, Isaiah 44:6, John 10:30).
Wayne Grudem summarizes it helpfully: “God eternally exists as three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and each person is fully God, and there is one God.” The three persons share equally and fully in the one undivided divine nature.
The technical term used to describe God’s triune nature is the “Trinity.” While not explicitly stated in Scripture, thisdoctrine was formulated by early church fathers as they pondered the biblical data. The New Testament has names and distinctions between the Father, Son, and Spirit, yet affirms there is only one God. The Trinity explains this tension. God is three in person, yet one in being and essence.
Evidence for the Trinity in Scripture
Though the word “Trinity” is never used in the Bible, it aptly summarizes the clear teaching throughout Scripture that God is three-in-one. Here is some of the biblical evidence:
- The Father, Son, and Spirit are distinct persons: Jesus prays to the Father (Matthew 26:39), the Father speaks about the Son (Matthew 3:17), Jesus promises the Spirit (John 14:16). These personal interactions reveal they are not the same person.
- Each is fully God: The Father (Romans 1:7), the Son (John 1:1-3, Hebrews 1:8), and the Spirit (Acts 5:3-4) possess the divine name, attributes, works, and worship.
- There is only one God: “The Lord our God, the Lord is one” (Deuteronomy 6:4, Isaiah 44:6). Scripture is uncompromising in declaring there is only one true God.
- The three are linked together: In Jesus’ baptism (Matthew 3:16-17) and benediction (2 Corinthians 13:14), all three are present and working together.
This pattern of God being three-in-one emerges organically from Scripture and is not imposed on the text. Belief in the Trinity is essential Christian orthodoxy derived directly from God’s revelation of Himself.
The Roles of the Trinity in Redemption
The roles each member of the Godhead play in the redemptive plan reveals both their distinction of persons and unity of purpose:
- The Father chooses and predestines believers for salvation (Ephesians 1:4-6)
- The Son is the only Savior who provides redemption through His sacrifice (John 14:6, Hebrews 9:12)
- The Spirit awakens hearts, convicts of sin, and applies salvation (John 3:5-8, Titus 3:5-6)
This demonstrates the unified saving action of the whole Trinity – the Father plans redemption, the Son accomplishes it, and the Spirit applies it. Each has a vital yet distinct part in saving sinners.
The Deity of the Persons Proved from Scripture
Here is explicit biblical evidence that each member of the Trinity possesses full divinity:
The Father
- Called “God” over 1000 times in the Bible
- Has names of God like Yahweh and Lord Almighty (Exodus 6:3, Revelation 4:8)
- Attributes of God like eternality (Psalm 90:2), omniscience (1 John 3:20), and omnipotence (Jeremiah 32:17)
- Does works only God can do like creation (Genesis 1:1) and forgiveness of sins (Mark 2:7)
- Receives worship from men (Nehemiah 8:6) and angels (Revelation 7:11-12)
The Son, Jesus Christ
- Explicitly called “God” (John 1:1, John 20:28, Hebrews 1:8)
- Has divine names like “the first and the last” (Revelation 1:17, 22:13 cf. Isaiah 44:6)
- Possesses attributes of God like immutability (Hebrews 13:8), omniscience (John 2:24-25), and omnipresence (Matthew 18:20)
- Performs divine works like creating (John 1:3, Colossians 1:16), forgiving sins (Mark 2:5-12), and raising the dead (John 5:28-29)
- Receives honor and worship reserved for God alone (John 5:23, Philippians 2:10-11)
The Holy Spirit
- Called “God” (Acts 5:3-4)
- Attributes of deity like eternality (Hebrews 9:14), omniscience (1 Corinthians 2:10-11), and omnipresence (Psalm 139:7-10)
- Involved in divine activities like creation (Genesis 1:2, Job 33:4), inspiration of Scripture (2 Peter 1:21), and the virgin birth (Matthew 1:18,20)
- Linked with the Father and Son in the baptismal formula (Matthew 28:19) and apostolic benediction (2 Corinthians 13:14)
The totality of Scripture reveals the Father, Son, and Spirit as fully divine yet personally distinct. This is the mystery and beauty of the Trinity.
Implications of the Doctrine of the Trinity
This doctrine impacts how we understand God and ourselves:
- God’s nature is relational. As three persons with interpersonal communion, God has never been lonely.
- Salvation is Trinitarian. Each member of the Godhead plays a role in redemption.
- Humanity’s purpose is relational. As those made in God’s image, we reflect His triune nature in relationships.
- The Trinity displays God’s greatness. The one God exists as a diversity of persons and roles.
- It heightens God’s mysteriousness. Finite minds cannot fully grasp His triune nature.
This profound doctrine should lead us to worship, wonder, and renewed thinking about God, ourselves, salvation, and the church. The Trinity is essential to the Christian faith.
Common Questions About the Trinity
Is the doctrine of the Trinity taught in the Old Testament?
The Old Testament does not contain a fully developed doctrine of the Trinity, but it has hints and foundations for this teaching. God speaking as the divine “us” or “our” (Genesis 1:26, 3:22) suggests plurality in unity. The Angel of the Lord exhibits deity yet is distinct from Yahweh (Genesis 16:7-13, 22:11-18). The Spirit of God is portrayed as active and personal (Isaiah 63:10). The Messiah is distinct from Yahweh yet called “Mighty God” (Isaiah 9:6). While the Old Testament does not explicitly teach the Nicene doctrine of the Trinity, it contains the raw data to build this doctrine.
Are there hierarchies within the Trinity?
The members of the Trinity are co-equal in nature yet functionally subordinate in role. The Father directs and sends while the Son obeys and goes (John 8:42). The Spirit proceeds from and glorifies the Son (John 15:26, 16:14). This voluntary subordination of roles does not diminish the equality of their divine nature. Wayne Grudem states, “The only distinctions between the persons of the Trinity are in the ways they relate to each other and to the creation.”
Why is the Trinity important to Christian theology?
Belief in the Trinity is foundational to sound Christian doctrine. It distinguishes orthodox Christianity from cults. It demonstrates that God saves (Father elects, Son redeems, Spirit applies salvation) and that the Christ of Scripture is fully divine. It explains the deity of Jesus and the Holy Spirit. A non-Trinitarian God could not be truly loving if He were unilaterally self-sufficient for all eternity. The doctrine of three divine persons in one God assures us that God is essentially loving, relational, and communal.
Is the doctrine of the Trinity illogical?
The Trinity may seem illogical by the rules of finite human reason and normal logic which demand that something cannot be both three and one at once. Yet God’s nature far transcends human mental capacity. Just as it is not illogical to say an apple has skin, pulp, and seeds yet is one fruit, so Scripture presents God as three in person and one in essence. God is higher than our logic. The Trinity is a divine mystery that human minds struggle to fully comprehend, yet it is clearly taught in Scripture.
The Trinity is not illogical, but supra-logical. Natural logic governs entities inside the universe, but God’s triune nature is unique and above the created order. Our inability to fully understand it should increase our humility before God and appreciation of His surpassing greatness.
Do Christians worship three gods?
Absolutely not. Christians are monotheists, worshipping only one God. The unity between Father, Son, and Spirit means together they constitute the one God revealed in Scripture. Each member of the Trinity is fully divine yet God is one in essence. One doctrine all major Christian denominations have affirmed throughout history is that there is no plurality of gods, only the one true God revealed in three persons – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
If Jesus is God, who was He praying to?
As a member of the Trinity, Jesus prays to the Father. This does not deny His deity but instead affirms the Trinitarian persons. Jesus said, “I and the Father are one” (John 10:30) yet He also regularly prayed to His Father, especially as He approached the cross (Matthew 26:39). The Father-Son relationship in the Trinity involves both divine unity (one in essence) and personal communication (speaking and listening to each other). Jesus’ prayers reveal this Trinitarian communion.
Praying to the Father does not make Jesus any less God. He did not cease being divine while petitioning His Father. The three persons are co-equal in nature though distinct in person and role. So Jesus could fully participate in divine triune relationship as the Son even while praying to His Father.
Is the Trinity truly monotheistic?
Yes, the doctrine of the Trinity upholds monotheism by affirming only one God in essence. The unity between the Father, Son, and Spirit in one divine nature preserves monotheism. Three divine persons exist in relationship, but these do not constitute three separate gods. There are not three independent divine beings who are simply in agreement.
Rather, the three share the same substance or essential nature. One God in three persons is an apt summary. The divine essence linking the three grounds God’s unity, while their personal distinctions allow genuine relationship. God is three in person, yet one in nature. This preserves monotheism while explaining the scriptural treatment of the Father, Son, and Spirit as fully divine.