What is God Like? – God in Three Persons
As Christians, we firmly believe that there is only one God (Deuteronomy 6:4).
However, throughout the Bible we see at various times that Jesus is God, and the Holy Spirit is God. So some people have incorrectly concluded that there are three Gods – not just one.
To be honest, the idea of one God in three Persons is a very difficult concept, and nearly impossible for us to truly understand. Others have objected to the idea of a Triune God because the word “Trinity” does not appear in the Bible (which is true – the word is not found). However, there can be no doubt that although the word is not there, the idea of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit each called God is clear to anyone who reads the Bible carefully.
This is what Dr. John Ankerberg and Dr. John Weldon said in their book, Knowing the Truth about the Trinity:
- There is only one true God: “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men” (1 Timothy 2:5; cf. Deuteronomy 4:35, 6:4; Is. 43:10).
- The Father is God: “There is actually to us one God the Father” (1 Corinthians 8:6; cf. John 17:1–3; 2 Corinthians 1:3; Philippians 2:11; Colossians 1:3; 1 Peter 1:2).
- Jesus Christ, the Son, is God: “but he [Jesus] was also calling God his own Father, making himself equal to God”: (John 5:18); “In answer, Thomas said to him [Jesus]: ‘My Lord and my God!’” (John 20:28, cf. Isaiah 9:6; John. 1:1 Romans 9:5; Titus 2:13; 2 Peter 1:1).
- The Holy Spirit is a Person, is eternal, and is therefore God: “However, when that one arrives, the spirit of the truth, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak of his own impulse, but what things he hears he will speak and he will declare to you the things coming” (John 14:13, emphasis added). The Holy Spirit is also eternal: “the Father will give you another helper to be with you forever, the spirit of the truth” (Jn. 14:16‑17) “How much more will the blood of the Christ, who through an everlasting spirit offered himself without blemish to God” (Hebrews 9:14). The Holy Spirit is therefore God: “But Peter said: ‘Ananias, why has Satan emboldened you to play false to the Holy Spirit.’ You have played false, not to men, but to God” (Acts 5:3, 4, emphasis added).
So, should we ignore or deny the Trinity simply because it is a difficult idea? Of course not! God Himself tells us that “His ways are higher than our ways,” and it is little wonder that we human beings would, with our finite minds, have difficulty understanding the Infinite One!
hsFirst of all i was educated in our Mennonite theology first the a BA in biblical lit at Oral Roberts than post grad studied in the Mennonite seminary and on into a PhD in the History of Christian doctrine. I am now a member of the Southern Baptist church. The view of three persons is verified to be 4th and 5th century addition to Christianity. It is not historical first century or even second century teaching so say all historians including FF Bruce. Oneness teaching is the biblical view and historic and now i see that it is confirmed that A T Robertson and Criswell who were leading Baptist plus Barth hold the correct interpretation which does not use the false phrase three persons. The HS is as Oral taught us, Jesus other self. Jesus is the physical of the Godhead the only one we will ever see. There is one who sits on the Throne in Revelation. Those who teach the three person view are now seen to be out of date and out of touch with the Bible and reality. I have written on this if someone wishes to as. See my youtube channel timothy sauder Mennonite