The Mystery of the Trinity – One God in Three Persons

Based on podcast episode 254: The Mystery of the Trinity: Understanding the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as One God

The Biblical Foundation of the Mystery of the Trinity

The Mystery of the Trinity stands at the heart of the Christian faith. Scripture reveals one God who exists eternally as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Though our finite understanding struggles to grasp this, the Bible provides all we need to believe. 1 John declares, “There are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one” (1 John 5:7).

From the opening words of Genesis—“In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth”—to John’s Gospel—“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God”—we see the triune God active in creation. The Spirit of God moved upon the waters (Genesis 1:2), and the Word spoke all things into existence (John 1:1-3). The Father, Son, and Spirit acted in perfect unity, demonstrating a divine oneness that is beyond human limitation.

H2: Jesus Christ, the Image of the Invisible God

The Word Made Flesh

The Mystery of the Trinity is further revealed in Jesus Christ. Colossians 1:15-17 calls Him “the image of the invisible God” and affirms that “by Him were all things created.” John 14:9 records Jesus saying, “He that hath seen me hath seen the Father.” Far from being a created being, Jesus is fully God, sharing the same essence with the Father and the Holy Spirit.

Hebrews 1:3 adds that Christ is “the express image of His person,” upholding all things by His power. Philippians 2:6-8 explains that Jesus “being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God,” yet He humbled Himself to take on human form for our salvation.

The Holy Spirit’s Presence and Power

The Spirit of God, present at creation, continues His work today. He regenerates and indwells believers (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24), guiding and strengthening the church. Romans 1:20 reminds us that the invisible things of God are clearly seen through His creation, pointing to the Spirit’s ongoing activity.

The Mystery of the Trinity assures us that while Christ sits at the Father’s right hand, He also dwells in us through the Spirit. This truth provides comfort and confidence: God is both transcendent and intimately present.

H2: Analogies to Help Us Understand

Body, Soul, and Spirit

Scripture teaches that man is made of body, soul, and spirit (1 Corinthians 11:7). These three distinct parts form one person, reflecting the divine pattern.

A Tire Illustration

A simple tire offers another picture. The outer tire represents the body, the inner tube, the soul, and the air within the spirit. Each has a different function, yet together they form one tire. These comparisons are limited, yet they remind us that three-in-one relationships exist even in creation, echoing the Mystery of the Trinity.

Faith to Accept the Mystery

The Mystery of the Trinity cannot be reduced to human reasoning. God invites us to believe what He reveals even when comprehension is incomplete. As Colossians 2:9 declares, “In Him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.” Our part is to trust His Word and allow understanding to deepen as He wills.

Faith acknowledges that Christ can be seated in heaven and present in our hearts at the same time. We need not fully grasp how the eternal God exists as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. What matters is believing the testimony of Scripture and living in the light of that truth.

Conclusion – Worship the Triune God

The Mystery of the Trinity calls every believer to worship the one true God who is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Three persons, yet one essence, working together in creation, redemption, and daily fellowship with His people. Rather than striving for complete intellectual mastery, we rest in the revelation He has given, rejoicing in His infinite wisdom and perfect unity.