Could you explain the Trinity if someone asked? Most Christians know the word but struggle to describe what it means. This post will give you a clear, simple framework for understanding the Trinity—and help you grow in your love for our Triune God.
Prefer video? I’ve got you.
I walk through all of this in a short video, complete with diagrams and Scripture. You can watch it right here:
What Is the Trinity?
The Trinity is the foundational Christian belief that the one true God eternally exists as three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Christians are monotheists—we believe in one God, not three. But this one God exists in a way no human does: as three distinct persons who are each fully God.
Dr. Scott Horrell defines it this way:
“The one true God who eternally exists as three persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—one in nature, equal in glory, and distinct in relations.”
One God, Not Three
Deuteronomy 6:4–5 says:
“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.”
Some claim this rules out the Trinity. But the Hebrew word for “one” (echad) allows for a composite unity—like a husband and wife becoming “one flesh” in Genesis 2:24. The Old Testament leaves the door wide open for a Triune understanding of God—and in fact, gives us clues pointing to it.
God Eternally Exists
Psalm 90:2 says:
“Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.”
God has always been and will always be. He doesn’t change or grow. And He didn’t become Father, Son, and Spirit at some point—He has always been Triune.
Three Persons, One Essence
The Trinity isn’t three gods. It’s one God in three persons:
– The Father is God
– The Son is God
– The Holy Spirit is God
Yet:
– The Father is not the Son
– The Son is not the Spirit
– The Spirit is not the Father
This is best visualized in the historic Shield of the Trinity, a diagram that helps us hold the tension between unity and distinction.
What the Trinity Is NOT
The Trinity is not one person acting in different roles. That idea is called modalism, and it’s a heresy.
For example:
“I’m one woman, but I’m a mom at home, a lawyer at work, and a student at school. God’s like that—one person with different roles.”
Sounds clever. But it’s incorrect.
Matthew 3:16–17 describes Jesus’ baptism:
“And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; and behold, a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.’”
All three persons are present at the same time. This is not one person wearing different hats. This is one God in three persons.
Why the Trinity Matters
The Trinity isn’t just abstract doctrine. It matters deeply.
Love and relationship require more than one person. God has always been love—because the Father, Son, and Spirit have always existed in perfect relationship.
And your salvation depends on the Trinity:
– The Father sends
– The Son saves
– The Spirit sanctifies
Want to Go Deeper?
Download this free resource:
Finding the Trinity in Scripture – Free PDF
You can also watch the video version of this post here:
Watch on YouTube
This post is the first in a three-part series on the Trinity. Remember to subscribe or check back next week for Part 2: Who Are the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit?
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