HOW IS ONE GOD THREE PERSONS?

KEY POINTS

  • God is a singular plurality and a compound unity.
  • Scripture speaks to the Trinity in both the Old and New Testament.
The Trinity can be a difficult thing to fully understand and a stumbling block for many. Yet, through scripture we can see the singular plurality of God when we know where and how to look. We can become aware of the idea of "one God in three persons, but no matter how much this topic is studied, we will never be able to fully comprehend this." We are made with “eternity in our hearts” (Eccl 3:11) We are aware of eternality (the nature of God). We can, thus, be aware of His nature as a Trinity. Since we are not eternal ourselves. (we will live forever, but we have not always existed) It is not possible for us to “find out the work which God has done from the beginning even to the end”. We cannot fully comprehend the nature of God as a Trinity. We can know what “one God in three persons” looks like by how He is described. Jn 1:11 describes; The Word is with God and is God. This “God is with Himself” idea is a description of the Trinity. Ps 110:1 tells us that; “The Lord says to my Lord: ‘Sit at My right hand.’ This “God sits next to Himself” idea is a description of the Trinity

We can also see how “one God is three persons” from a multitude of Scripture references to that idea. God speaks in the plural “Let US make” (Gen 1:26 and Gen 11:7). The Hebrew word for “God” is “Elohim” (Gen 1:31 etc.). The Hebrew word is in the plural form, yet it is always followed by a singular verb. God is a plurality yet He is one and acts in harmony within His plurality. There is a difference between the Hebrew words “echad” and “yachid”. The word “yachid” is translated as “one.”  It means “one” in the sense of a non‑diverse unity. The word “echad” is the word used in Deut 6:4 when the Bible says that God is “one” meaning “one” in the sense of a compound unity. For example, man and wife become “echad” (one). Day and night become “echad” (one). In Num 13:23 we read about an “echad” (one cluster) of grapes. The New Testament references the Trinity (for example, John 14:26; 15:26; 2 Corinthians 13:14; 1 Peter 1:2) using this same sort of singular plurality.

Given these examples, it actually makes the most sense that God is both plural and singular, and the trinity is the most complete fleshing out of this idea. This is also the conclusion that the early church fathers came to through rigorous study and debate.

BIBLICAL REFERENCES

He has also set eternity in the human heart.  Ecclesiastes 3:11 
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  John 1:1-11
The Lord says to my lord. Sit at my right hand. Psalm 110:1
Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness..." Genesis 1:26
Come, let us go down and confuse their language... Genesis 11:7
But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. John 14:26 
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. 2 Corinthians 13:14 
who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood... 1 Peter 1:2

TRUE NORTH
COLLEGE COURSES

World Religions | Practical Theology 267

An introduction to the major religions of the world including Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, Judaism, and Christianity.  Confucianism, Daoism, Shinto, Sikhism, and Jainism will also be considered. Special attention will be given to the idea of worldview and how it coincides with religion.

TOPICAL RESOURCES

What is the Trinity?
R.C. Sproul
Delighting in the Trinity
 Michael Reeves