What Is the Trinity, and Is It Biblical?
The doctrine of the Trinity is one of the foundational beliefs of Christianity. It teaches that there is one God who exists eternally as three distinct persons: the Father, the Son (Jesus Christ), and the Holy Spirit. While the word “Trinity” is not explicitly found in the Bible, the concept is undeniably biblical. The word ‘Tawhid” is not found in the Quran, yet it is the foundation of Islamic belief about Allah. The term “monotheism” is absent from both the Bible and the Quran. This does not mean that Muslims do not subscribe to monotheism. In the same way, Christians are monotheists and believe in one God, even though the terms “monotheism” or “Trinity” are not found in the Bible.
This post explores how the Trinity is deeply rooted in the Bible, addressing common questions and objections, and providing clear examples from Scripture.
Is The Trinity A Human Invention?
The Trinity was not “invented” by church councils. Rather, it was recognized and articulated based on the teachings of Scripture. Much like Isaac Newton didn’t invent gravity but merely defined it, the early church councils clarified the doctrine of the Trinity from what was already present in the Bible.
Here’s the case for the Trinity, based on three biblical truths:
- The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, each identified as God.
- They are distinct persons.
- Yet, they are one God, not three gods.
The Father Is God
The Bible consistently refers to the Father as God. For instance:
- Old Testament: “But you are our Father, though Abraham does not know us or Israel acknowledge us; you, LORD, are our Father, our Redeemer from of old is your name.” (Isaiah 63:16)
- New Testament: “Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 1:3).
These passages clearly affirm the Father’s divinity.
The Son (Jesus Christ) Is God
Some debate whether Jesus is God, but the Bible provides overwhelming evidence:
- Titus 2:13: “While we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ…”
- Hebrews 1:8: The Father refers to the Son as God: “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever.”
- Thomas’ Confession: After Jesus’ resurrection, Thomas declared, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28). This would have been blaspehemy if Jesus was mere man and not God. But we see that Jesus did not rebuke him but affirmed his faith.
- Jesus already existed BEFORE creation itself. (see John 17:5, Proverbs 30:4, John 1:1-3)
Additionally, Jesus claimed divine authority and identity throughout His ministry. In John 8:58, He declared, “Before Abraham was, I am,” invoking the divine name God used in the burning bush (Exodus 3:14). His audience understood this claim clearly, as evidenced by their attempt to stone Him for blasphemy (John 10:33).
The Holy Spirit Is God
The Bible also reveals the divinity of the Holy Spirit:
- Acts 5: When Ananias lied about his donation, Peter confronted him, saying, “You have not lied to man but to God” (Acts 5:4), equating lying to the Holy Spirit with lying to God.
- Personhood of the Spirit: The Holy Spirit speaks, grieves, and can be lied to—traits that only a person, not an impersonal force, can exhibit (Ephesians 4:30; Acts 13:2).
These examples demonstrate that the Holy Spirit is the third person of the Godhead, fully divine and distinct from the Father and the Son.
One God, Not Three Gods
Christianity is a monotheistic faith, firmly rooted in the belief that there is only one God. The Bible is explicit about this:
- Isaiah 45:5: “I am the Lord, and there is no other; besides me, there is no God.”
The doctrine of the Trinity reconciles this belief with the divinity of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The three persons share the same divine essence or substance, making them one God. This is why Jesus instructed His disciples to baptize “in the name [singular] of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19). The singular “name” reflects their unity as one God, while the three distinct persons are clearly identified.
The Persons of the Trinity Are Distinct
The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are distinct from one another, as seen in various parts of Scripture:
- Jesus’ Baptism: All three persons are present simultaneously—Jesus is baptized, the Spirit descends like a dove, and the Father’s voice declares, “This is my beloved Son” (Matthew 3:16-17).
- The Great Commission: Jesus’ command in Matthew 28:19 distinguishes the three persons while affirming their unity.
This distinction also counters the heresy of modalism (the idea that God merely takes on different “modes” as Father, Son, or Spirit), which is inconsistent with the Bible’s teachings.
Common Objections to the Trinity
Some argue against the Trinity on various grounds, but these objections fall short under scrutiny:
- “The word ‘Trinity’ isn’t in the Bible”: True, but neither is “monotheism,” yet the Bible clearly teaches one God. The term “Trinity” is simply a label to describe the biblical revelation of God’s nature.
- “The Holy Spirit is just a force”: The Bible ascribes personal traits to the Holy Spirit, such as speaking and being grieved, which are incompatible with the idea of an impersonal force.
- “Three persons mean three gods”: Not so. The Trinity affirms one divine essence, maintaining monotheism.
Muslims object to the concept of the Trinity based on the fallacious claims of the Quran. Verses like 5:73, 5:75 and 5:116 teach Muslims that Christians believe in 3 gods i.e. Allah, Isa and Mariam. This isn’t our beliefs and represent a poor Islamic strawman created out of ignorance to attack Christian beliefs.
Read more about this in my article: Why Did Allah Get It So Wrong?
Conclusion
The Trinity is not a man-made doctrine but a thoroughly biblical truth. While it is a mystery that transcends full human understanding, it is not contradictory. The Bible provides ample evidence for one God in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This doctrine underscores the richness of God’s nature and His relationship with humanity.
Credit: Ryan of NeedGod.net
Further Reading:
Is The Trinity Taught In The Bible?
Is The Trinity Three Gods?
Holy, Holy, Holy Is The Lord
Are There Three Allahs?