What Does The Bible Teach About The Trinity?

Many people have asked the question, "What does the Bible teach about the Trinity?"  The word Trinity is not found in the Bible, but the doctrine is.  The basic theology of the Trinity is that the Bible teaches there is one God by nature who has been revealed in three distinct persons known as the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Trinity in the Bible?

In determining if the Trinity is Biblical we must examine what the Bible reveals about the identity of who God is.  For people this is hard, but if we are going to be honest we must set aside our personal thoughts.

1. The Bible teaches that there is only one God. (Isaiah 43:10, Isaiah 44:6-8, Isaiah 45:22)

2. The Bibles teaches that there is one who is called the Father and is identified as being God. (1 Peter 1:2)

3. The Bible teaches that there is one who is called Jesus and is identified as being God. (John 1:1-3&14-18, John 20:28-29, 1 John 1:1-4&5:20, Philippians 2:5-8, Revelation 1:17-18, Revelation 22:12-20)

4. The Bible teaches that there is one who is called the Holy Spirit and is identified as being God. (John 14:16-17, John 15:26, John 16:7-15, Acts 5:3-4, Acts 13:2, 1 Corinthians 12:4-18, Hebrews 9:14, Hebrews 10:15-18)

The above points and Scriptures clearly point out that there is only one God from eternity who has been revealed as the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Some people have wrong assumptions or understandings of what the Trinity is, and those who come against the doctrine of the Trinity at times misrepresent the Trinity.  What are some of the wrong assumptions or misrepresentations of the Trinity?

Some Misrepresentations of the Trinity

1. The Trinity is false because it makes no sense.

2. The Trinity cannot be true since the word Trinity is found no where in the Bible.

3. The Trinity is three gods.

4. The Trinity is a man made doctrine and is not Scriptural.

Now this is just a small list of excuses or beliefs which people use to disbelieve in the doctrine of the Trinity.  The reasons above all have a Biblical response. 

1. The Trinity is not false and the Trinity makes logical sense.  Just because our minds or thoughts do not comprehend the eternal nature of God does not make it wrong or false.  For example, the Bible states God is from everlasting to everlasting, that God is all-knowing, etc, but does anyone fully comprehend those things?  I would submit to you, no, no one fully understands those things and at times for some people they don't make sense.  There are many things in the Bible that are true but we may not understand them, but that does not make it untrue. 

2. The excuse or reasoning that the word Trinity is not in the Bible is not reasonable.  The word Bible is not found in English Bibles either, but does that mean the truth of the Bible is not found in the Bible?  The word Monotheism is not in the Bible but the doctrine is.  We base our faith or beliefs in something that is taught in the Bible, not necessary a particular word.

3. The Trinity is not three gods and that is a misrepresentation of what Christians believe.  Christians believe that there is one God by nature revealed through three distinct persons.  No Christian believes in three gods and to state this is to give a false witness.

4. Those who say the Trinity is a man made doctrine do not understand the issues.  Any doctrine we have from the Bible came from revelation from God to man, therefore doctrines are taught from man.  Those who object the Trinity say the Trinity is not Biblical, but the problem is that they have not taken the time to examine the Trinity from what the Scriptures teach.

If you have questions or comments you wish to share with us than please email us.  May God give us guidance and understanding concerning these issues.  For more information visit our "Trinity Doctrine" section.