The Trinity, 3 of 3

In those days Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized in the Jordan by John. As soon as He came up out of the water, He saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending to Him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: You are My beloved Son; I take delight in You! - Mark 1:9-11 HCSB

[1]There are many verses in which the Trinity may be demonstrated. For example, at one time a false doctrine was introduced to the Church that was called Sabellianism. Sabellians taught that the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are different modes or aspects of one God that appear consecutively, rather than three distinct persons that exist concurrently. However, that false doctrine is clearly repudiated by the Gospel descriptions of the Lord Jesus’ baptism where we see the Son being baptized and the Father speaking from heaven while the Spirit descends in the aspect of a dove simultaneously.[2]

The idea of the Trinity pervades the New Covenant. We are to go and proclaim the gospel, convert souls, baptize them and disciple them in the name of all three.[3]

Jesus said that He would ask the Father to give the disciples the Spirit to act as their counselor which makes it abundantly clear that all three members are intimately involved in the continued spiritual well-being of the believer.[4]

Paul told the Corinthians that there are different gifts, but the same Spirit; different ministries but the same Lord; different activities but it is the same God who is active in everyone and everything.[5]

The Ephesians were told that there is one Spirit, one Lord, one God and Father. Just as many Christians form one body of Christ, so the three Persons of the Trinity form one God.[6]

The Thessalonicans had been chosen through the Spirit to not only be saved and sanctified but to obtain the glory of the Son.[7] While explaining the same process of salvation, the apostle told Titus that the Father saved us through the washing and regeneration of the Spirit who was poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior.[8] He told the Galatians that the Father sent the Son to redeem us, so that the Spirit could enter our hearts, allowing us to be adopted into God’s family and cry out “Abba! Father!”[9]

If we are to ever achieve d’vekut[10], it will be because that relationship is built through Holy Spirit empowered prayer, focus on the love of the Father, and an appreciation for the mercy demonstrated by our Savior Jesus Christ.[11]

It would take a lifetime and an entire library of books to truly explore the ramifications of the concept of the Trinity. I must unfortunately close this brief, surface examination. However, I would like to close with a blessing Paul gave to the Corinthian church. May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with all of you.[12]


[1] The Trinity; by Lucas Cranach the Elder; Oil on wood; Museum der Bildenden Kunste at Leipzig, Germany
[2] Matthew 3:16; Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:21-22
[3] Matthew 28:19
[4] John 14:16; 15:26; 16:13-15
[5] 1 Corinthians 12:3-6
[6] Ephesians 4:4-6
[7] 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14
[8] Titus 3:4-6
[9] Galatians 4:4-6
[10] a deep, passionate and intimate relationship that is only possible with God
[11] Jude 1:20-21
[12] 2 Corinthians 13:14 HCSB