5) Three Persons, One God

In the previous lessons, we saw that the Bible clearly teaches: there is one God only, and that one God exists in three persons — Father, Son and Holy Spirit. But how is this possible? In this lesson, we will examine the texts that reveal the Trinity in action and explore ways to understand this divine mystery.

The Trinity in Key Texts

Note that Jesus said “in the name” (singular), not “in the names” (plural). The three persons share one divine name, because they are one God.

This is one of the clearest texts on the Trinity: the three persons appear simultaneously in different places, proving they are distinct persons.

Paul naturally includes all three persons in his blessing, showing that for the first Christians the Trinity was a practical reality, not just a theological concept.

“There are three living persons of the heavenly Godhead; in the name of these three great powers — the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost — those are baptized who receive Christ by living faith.” — Ellen G. White, Evangelism, p. 615

The Trinity in the Old Testament

“Elohim” is the plural form of “El” (God). Although used with singular verbs (indicating one God), the plural form suggests a plurality within the Godhead, something that the New Testament reveals fully.

“Let Us make… Our image” — plural pronouns used by God for Himself. This is not the royal plural (Hebrew kings did not use this form); it is an indication of the plurality of persons in the Godhead.

Unity and Distinction

Jesus prays to the Father (two distinct persons). Jesus promises to send “another Comforter” (a third distinct person). They are not the same person, but they are one God.

The same word “one” (hen) is used to describe the unity Jesus desired for His disciples. Just as disciples are distinct persons yet can be “one,” so the Father and Son are distinct persons yet are “one” in divine essence.

Useful Analogies (and Their Limitations)

No analogy is perfect, but some can help:

The water analogy (H₂O) suggests that God is sometimes Father, sometimes Son, sometimes Spirit — which is heresy (modalism). But at Jesus’ baptism, all three persons appear simultaneously!

Better analogies:

• Sun, light and heat: Distinct but inseparable, emanating from the same source
• Mind, ideas and expression: One person with multiple dimensions
• Length, width and height: Three dimensions of a single spatial reality

All analogies fail at some point. The Trinity is unique; there is nothing in the created universe exactly like it.

“There are no human words which can define fully the Trinity, and therefore we must accept what Revelation teaches with humility, acknowledging the limitations of our finite mind.” — Seventh-day Adventist Theological Commentary

The Mystery Remains

The Trinity remains a mystery, not because it is irrational, but because it exceeds our capacity for comprehension. We can know enough to believe and love, but we will never know God exhaustively. And this is appropriate: a God who fit in our mind would not be worthy of worship.

And Now?

The doctrine of the Trinity has practical implications:

• Worship: We worship one God in three persons; Father, Son and Spirit deserve equal honor.
• Prayer: We can pray to the Father, in the name of the Son, by the power of the Spirit.
• Salvation: The Father planned, the Son executed, the Spirit applies — all three work together to save us.
• Communion: The triune God is relational in His own nature; we are created for relationships too.