Scripture Reading: For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word [Jesus], and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. —1 John 5:7

Summary: There is one and only one God, eternally existent in the union of three persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. While these persons are distinct from one another in individuality and function, they are one in essence and nature.

Definition: The Trinity, formed from the words “tri” and “unity,” describes the state of being threefold and yet one. It is the theological term employed to signify the doctrine of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit being three coexistent, coeternal persons and yet one God.

I. One God

A. Deuteronomy 6:4 The LORD our God is one LORD. (Mark 12:29)
B. 1 Corinthians 8:4-6 There is none other God but one.
C. Galatians 3:20 God is one.
D. 1 Timothy 2:5 There is one God.

II. God the Father

A. 2 Peter 1:17 He received from God the Father.
B. Ephesians 5:20 Giving thanks unto God and the Father.
C. John 6:27 For him hath God the Father sealed.
D. Romans 1:7 Grace & peace from God our Father.
E. 1 Peter 1:2 Foreknowledge of God the Father.

III. God the Son

A. John 20:28 My Lord and my God.
B. Hebrews 1:8 Unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever.
C. John 1:1, 14 The Word [Jesus] was God.
D. 1 Timothy 3:16 God was manifest in the flesh.
E. Philippians 2:5-6 Christ Jesus in the nature of God.
F. Matthew 1:23 Jesus the son is Emmanuel or “God with us.”
G. Isaiah 9:6 The son is called “The mighty God.”
H. Colossians 2:9 In him dwells the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
I. Colossians 1:15, 16 Christ is the image of God. All things are created by him.

IV. God the Holy Spirit

A. Genesis 1:1-2 The Holy Spirit was a creator.
B. Acts 5:3-4 A lie to the Holy Ghost is a lie unto God.
C. 1 Corinthians 3:16 The Spirit of God dwells in the temple of God.
D. Romans 8:14 Those led by the Spirit are the sons of God.

V. The Trinity Revealed

A. Matthew 3:16-17 Father, Son, and Holy Spirit were all distinctly present at Christ’s baptism.
B. Matthew 28:19 Baptize in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
C. Luke 1:30-35 Three personalities of God in view at Christ’s conception.
D. Acts 7:54-56 Stephen, full of the Holy Ghost, saw Jesus standing by God.
E. John 14:26 Three-fold God demonstrated. (John 15:26)
F. 1 Corinthians 12:4-6 Same Spirit, Lord, and God.
G. 2 Corinthians 13:14 The three aspects of God explicitly mentioned.
H. Ephesians 4:4-6 One Spirit, Lord, and Father.

VI. Oneness of the Trinity

A. Genesis 1:26-27 Man was made in the image & likeness of the triune God. (Genesis 3:22)
B. 1 John 5:7 The Father, the Word [Jesus], and the Holy Ghost are one.
C. John 10:30; 17:11, 22 Jesus and the Father are one.
D. John 10:38 The Father is in Jesus and Jesus is in the Father.
E. John 12:44 Believing in Jesus is believing in the Father.
F. John 14:8-11 Seeing Christ is seeing the Father.

Conclusion: And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord. —Mark 12:29