The idea that God is three in one is confusing to many people. God exists as three persons, yet he is one being. Each person of the Trinity—the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—has a separate identity while yet possessing the full nature of God.
Jesus is the divine Son of God. This does not mean that Jesus was created by God. We know this because Scripture states that Jesus has always co-existed with God (John 1:1-3). And while on earth, Jesus himself declared the same. Colossians 1:15-17 says, “Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before God made anything at all and is supreme over all creation. Christ is the one through whom God created everything in heaven and earth…He existed before everything else began, and he holds all creation together.”
God the Holy Spirit is also deity. The Spirit has eternally co-existed with the Father and the Son and was present at creation (see Genesis 1:2). Jesus said of him, “I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate…He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth…When the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything I have told you” (John 14: 16, 26).
Jesus called the co-existing Spirit holy because he is the Spirit of the Holy God, the third person of the triune Godhead. Rest assured that as you seek to know God, you will feel the presence and promptings of the Holy Spirit.
Question: In your own worlds, how would you explain the Trinity to a non-believer?
Question: Do you approach God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit with different requests?
Content adapted from Josh and Sean McDowell’s book, 77 FAQs about God and the Bible.
