One God, Three Persons (Deuteronomy 6:4)

One God, Three Persons (Deuteronomy 6:4)

You begin with a simple, powerful command: “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.” That is the cry of Deuteronomy 6:4, the Shema, the heartbeat of Israel’s faith, and the foundation for yours. When you study the Scripture, you discover that God reveals Himself as one God — and yet, in the pages of the Bible, He also reveals Himself as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This apparent tension is not a contradiction but a mystery: one God in three Persons. Read the verse for yourself: Deuteronomy 6:4.

You might ask how the Bible can say both that God is one and that three Persons are God. That question has driven faithful study for centuries. In the following study lessons, you’ll be guided through Scripture passages that clearly show the unity of God and the distinct personhood of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. You won’t be asked to solve the mystery by your intellect alone; you’ll be invited to trust the God who reveals Himself.

The Shema: The Foundation of Your Faith

When you read the Shema in its original context, you see that Israel was being called to exclusive loyalty. The command “Hear, O Israel” is a call to listen with your whole heart. The people were reminded that the LORD alone is God — a single, unique God who brought them out of Egypt and formed them as a covenant people (Deuteronomy 6:4). For your faith, the Shema anchors you in monotheism: you worship one God, and your life revolves around Him.

The Shema was not an abstract theological statement; it was a daily declaration. Israel was instructed to teach it to their children, speak of it at home and on the road, bind it as a sign, and write it on their doorframes (Deuteronomy 6:6-9). You are invited into that same devotion: God’s oneness calls for your allegiance, your love, and your obedience.

How Scripture Reveals One God in Three Persons

As you scan the Bible, you see a consistent monotheism from Genesis to Revelation. The Scripture opens with God as the Creator — “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1) — and closes with the affirmations of God’s reign. Yet the same pages show distinct persons acting, speaking, and relating to one another. The Father sends the Son; the Son prays to the Father; the Spirit descends and speaks. When you examine the texts carefully, the picture emerges: unity of being, diversity of persons.

You may be tempted to reduce the mystery to human categories. Resist that temptation. The Bible does not present a fully systematic doctrine in one place; instead, it unfolds revelation through historical events, prophetic words, and apostolic teaching. Your task is to let the whole counsel of God inform your understanding. Study the following passages with prayer, humility, and openness to the Holy Spirit.

The Unity of God: Monotheism Reaffirmed

Scripture repeatedly insists on the unity and uniqueness of God. The prophet Isaiah declares there is no other God beside Him: “I am the LORD, and there is no other; apart from me there is no God” (Isaiah 45:5-6). The New Testament echoes this truth: Paul reminds the Gentile world that “there is only one God, the Father” in certain contexts (1 Timothy 2:5). The Shema and these prophetic affirmations keep you grounded: you worship the one true God alone.

Yet this unity does not deny relational distinctions within the Godhead. The Bible uses plural forms in certain places, as in the creation account (“Let us make mankind in our image” Genesis 1:26), and it depicts interactions between Father, Son, and Spirit that demonstrate distinct persons. You are not asked to choose between unity and distinction; Scripture holds both together.

The Father: Creator, Source, and Sustainer

When you read the Bible, the Father stands out as the source of all things. He is the Creator who speaks the universe into being and sustains it by His power. “In the beginning God…” signals that everything begins with the Father’s sovereign will (Genesis 1:1). The Father is often portrayed as the one who initiates the plan of salvation, sending the Son out of love to redeem humanity (John 3:16).

You should see the Father as personal and relational. Jesus taught His disciples to address God as “Our Father” in the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9), inviting you into a family relationship with God. The Father’s fatherhood is not merely metaphor; it shapes your identity as a child of God, adopted by grace (Ephesians 1:5). In the life of faith, you draw near to the Father, expecting care, discipline, and love.

The Son: God Became Flesh

You cannot understand the Godhead without seeing the person and work of Jesus Christ. The Gospel of John opens with a profound declaration: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1). That Word became flesh and lived among you: “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us” (John 1:14). In Jesus, deity and humanity meet — God Himself entering creation to redeem it.

You are invited to behold Christ as Divine Lord and humble servant. Hebrews declares the Son as the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His being (Hebrews 1:3). Paul tells you that in Christ “all things hold together” (Colossians 1:17). The incarnation shows that the second Person of the Trinity shares the divine nature and authority.

The Son’s work is central to your salvation. Paul writes that Christ “gave himself as a ransom for all” (1 Timothy 2:6) and “died for our sins” according to the Scriptures (1 Corinthians 15:3). You experience the grace of God through Jesus — His atoning sacrifice, resurrection, and ongoing intercession before the Father (Romans 8:34).

The Holy Spirit: Presence, Power, and Guide

God did not leave you helpless after the Son’s ascension. The Father sent the Holy Spirit to be with you always, to indwell, guide, comfort, and empower. Jesus promised the Advocate: “I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever — the Spirit of truth” (John 14:16-17). The Spirit’s role is personal and active in your life.

You see the Spirit’s divinity in the way Scripture speaks of Him: He creates life, convicts of sin, bestows gifts, and distributes ministries. Romans describes the Spirit interceding for you with groans too deep for words (Romans 8:26-27), and Acts shows the Spirit making decisions, sending out workers, and speaking authoritatively (Acts 13:2). When you experience the Spirit’s presence, you are encountering God Himself, not a mere force.

The Spirit’s unity with the Father and Son is evident: He proceeds from the Father (and — as the church later confessed — is sent by the Son), and He glorifies Jesus by taking what is His and making it known to you (John 16:14). In your daily walk, you rely on the Spirit’s guidance and power.

Passages That Illustrate the Trinity Together

The Bible gives you scenes where Father, Son, and Spirit are present together, showing both their unity and distinction. One of the most vivid examples is Jesus’ baptism: as Jesus comes up from the water, the Spirit of God descends like a dove, and the Father’s voice from heaven declares, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:16-17). In that single event, you see three Persons acting in their distinct roles yet affirming one another.

Another clear text is the Great Commission, where Jesus tells the disciples to baptize “in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19). This formula places the three Persons together in a unified authority for mission and community life. Paul’s benediction in 2 Corinthians encapsulates relational blessing: “May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all” (2 Corinthians 13:14). These passages help you see how the three Persons relate and work as one God.

The Baptism of Jesus: A Window into the Trinity

When you meditate on the baptism scene, you encounter theology lived out in history. The Son humbles Himself by submitting to baptism; the Spirit descends visibly; the Father speaks audibly. This event is not staged to confuse you; it is God revealing Himself. The Triune God is present at the turning point of redemptive history, confirming Jesus’ identity and mission (Matthew 3:16-17).

As you picture the scene, notice how each Person plays a role: the Father affirms, the Son obeys, the Spirit empowers. For your life, this model shows that obedience, affirmation, and empowerment come together in Christian ministry and discipleship.

The Great Commission: Unity for Mission

In the Great Commission, the Trinity provides the foundation for your mission. Baptizing “in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19) is not merely ritual language; it expresses the full reality of salvation in the Triune God. The community you form in Christ is shaped by the Father’s love, the Son’s redemption, and the Spirit’s power. When you make disciples, you participate in the work of the whole Godhead.

Why the Trinity Matters for Your Life

Knowing the Trinity is not just academic; it changes how you pray, worship, and live. The Father’s fatherhood reassures you of belonging; the Son’s sacrifice secures your forgiveness; the Spirit’s presence empowers you for holy living. The Triune nature of God gives you a relational God who knows you intimately and acts on your behalf.

When you pray “in Jesus’ name,” you are invoking the Son’s mediating role. When you receive the Spirit, you receive God’s presence to guide and convict you. When you trust the Father, you rest in God’s sovereign care. This relational richness transforms your solitude, your suffering, and your service.

Assurance of Salvation in the Triune God

Your assurance rests in the coordinated work of Father, Son, and Spirit. The Father calls and elects you; the Son redeems you; the Spirit seals you. Paul writes that you are sealed with the promised Holy Spirit as a deposit guaranteeing your inheritance (Ephesians 1:13-14). The Triune God’s work assures you that salvation is not fragile or merely human; it is divine and secure.

When doubts come, turn to the texts: Christ intercedes for you before the Father (Romans 8:34), and the Spirit testifies with your spirit that you are God’s child (Romans 8:16). These scriptural realities give you confidence to stand firm in faith.

Spiritual Life and Growth

Your sanctification is the Spirit’s work, but involves the Son and Father as well. The Spirit convicts you of sin and enables repentance; the Son’s example and atonement provide the pattern and power for holy living; the Father’s discipline shapes you into Christlikeness (Hebrews 12:5-11). The Trinity is not an abstract doctrine but the very means by which you grow in grace.

You are invited to walk in the Spirit, to be filled with the Spirit, and to rely on the Spirit’s gifts for ministry (Galatians 5:16, Ephesians 5:18, 1 Corinthians 12:4-11). In doing so, you live out the relational dynamic of Father, Son, and Spirit in daily life.

Common Confusions and Objections Addressed

You might wrestle with questions: How can God be one and three? Does the Trinity mean three gods? Is it logical? These are fair questions. The Bible does not present the Trinity as a human invention but as a divine self-disclosure. Recognize two common errors: modalism (God is one Person who appears in three modes) and tri-theism (three separate gods). Scripture rejects both.

Modalism fails because the Bible portrays simultaneous activity among divine Persons — the Father, Son, and Spirit are distinct and interact (Matthew 3:16-17). Tri-theism fails because Scripture strongly affirms one God (Shema: Deuteronomy 6:4) and the unity of divine nature (Ephesians 4:4-6). The doctrine of the Trinity preserves both the oneness of God and the personal distinctions that Scripture shows.

Modalism Explained and Corrected

Modalism suggests that Father, Son, and Spirit are merely three roles played by one Person. Scripture counters this by showing personal relationships within the Godhead: Jesus prays to the Father (John 17), the Spirit speaks and is grieved (Ephesians 4:30), and the Father loves the Son. These interactions imply distinct personhood. You can see in the baptism of Jesus that the Father, Son, and Spirit are concurrently present as distinct persons (Matthew 3:16-17).

Tri-Theism Explained and Corrected

Tri-theism posits three gods and thus denies biblical monotheism. The Bible insists there is only one Lord. Paul calls converts to “one Lord, one faith, one baptism” (Ephesians 4:5). The Trinity doctrine holds that the Father, Son, and Spirit share one divine essence. They are not three independent gods but one God in three Persons. That’s the balance Scripture sets for you.

How the Early Church Articulated What Scripture Revealed

You should know that the church did not invent the Trinity out of philosophical curiosity. Faced with heresies and misunderstandings, early Christians sought to safeguard what Scripture taught by developing creedal language. The Nicene Creed, for example, affirms the Son as “true God from true God” and the Spirit as worshiped with the Father and the Son. These formulations are not additions to Scripture but efforts to protect the gospel revelation you find in the Bible.

When you read the creeds and council statements, appreciate that they grew from careful scriptural exegesis. They were responses to errors that threatened the church’s faithfulness to Christ. Your trust in the Trinity is rooted in both Scripture and the church’s faithful reflection on Scripture across centuries.

Living with Mystery: Faith, Not Fear

The doctrine of the Trinity invites you into mystery, and mystery can be a place of worship rather than frustration. You will never fully comprehend how God can be one and three, but you can know Him truly and personally. Faith accepts what Scripture reveals and rests in God’s self-disclosure. Like many great truths, the Trinity both humbles and comforts you: it shows God’s greatness and closeness.

As Billy Graham often urged, you are not called to be a theologian to be saved; you are called to trust the Savior. If the Trinity leads you to worship deeper and to rely more completely on the living God, then you are walking in truth. The doctrine should draw you nearer to Christ, not drive you into speculative circles.

Practical Exercises for Your Bible Study

If you want to grow in your understanding, read the Scripture passages slowly and repeatedly, asking the Spirit to teach you. Here are passages to study prayerfully (each linked for your convenience):

• Deuteronomy 6:4 — the Shema.
• Genesis 1:1, 1:26 — Creator and plural speech.
• Matthew 3:16-17 — baptism scene.
• Matthew 28:19 — commission.
• John 1:1-14 — Word made flesh.
• John 14-16 — Jesus on the Spirit and relationship.
• Acts 2:1-4 — Pentecost and Spirit.
• Romans 8:26-27 — Spirit’s intercession.
• 2 Corinthians 13:14 — benediction.

Work through these passages with prayer, and write down what you see about each Person and their work. Ask the Spirit to clarify and deepen your insight.

The Trinity and the Gospel: How the Three Persons Save You

The gospel is a Trinitarian gospel. The Father planned and loved, the Son accomplished redemption on the cross, and the Spirit applies the work of Christ to your heart. Look at redemption through a Trinitarian lens and you’ll see God’s full involvement in saving you. Paul’s letters overflow with this cooperative work: God chose you in love (Ephesians 1:4-5), Christ redeemed you by His blood (Ephesians 1:7), and the Spirit sealed you for the day of redemption (Ephesians 1:13-14). You are the object of the Triune God’s loving action.

When you repent and believe, the Father welcomes you, the Son justifies you, and the Spirit regenerates you. This cooperation assures you that your salvation is secure because it rests on God’s eternal purpose, Christ’s finished work, and the Spirit’s indwelling power.

Pastoral Implications: How You Should Respond

Knowing the Trinity affects how you worship, how you pray, and how you live in community. Worship becomes Trinitarian: you praise the Father for creation and providence, adore the Son for redemption and grace, and honor the Spirit for sanctification and power. Your prayers can address the Father through the Son by the power of the Spirit. This pattern enriches your devotional life beyond a mere formula.

In the community, the Trinity models perichoresis — mutual indwelling, self-giving love, and unity without erasing difference. Christian relationships should reflect that same love and humility. You and your brothers and sisters are called to live in unity while acknowledging different roles and gifts. The Trinity teaches you to value both unity and diversity.

A Humble Conclusion: Worship Before Explanation

You are invited to stand before the mystery of God with humility and devotion. The doctrine of the Trinity is not primarily a test of intellect; it is an invitation to worship. As you read the Scriptures, let your heart respond to the revelation of the Father’s love, the Son’s sacrifice, and the Spirit’s presence. Let the Shema shape your worship: one God, worthy of your whole heart (Deuteronomy 6:4).

If questions remain — and they will — hold them in prayer. Study faithfully. Let the church’s teaching guide you, but let Scripture be your final authority. Above all, let the Triune God draw you into deeper faith and obedience.

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