The Trinity is a key teaching in Christianity. It shows us who God is and how He works. But for someone new to the faith, the idea of “one God in three persons” can be hard to grasp. This guide offers a clear way to understand the Trinity with plenty of Scripture to support it.
God Is One, But Also Three
The Bible teaches that there is only one God.
Deuteronomy 6:4
“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.”
At the same time, the Bible shows that God exists as three distinct persons:
- God the Father
- God the Son (Jesus Christ)
- God the Holy Spirit
Isaiah 45:5
“I am the Lord, and there is no other; besides me there is no God.”
Bible Verses That Show the Trinity
Matthew 28:19
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”
2 Corinthians 13:14
“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.”
Matthew 3:16–17
“And when Jesus was baptized... he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove... and behold, a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my beloved Son...’”
John 14:26
“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name...”
Genesis 1:26
“Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image...’”
Simple Ways to Picture the Trinity
| Picture | How It Helps | Why It Falls Short |
|---|---|---|
| Water (ice, liquid, steam) | One substance in three forms | Suggests one person in three modes—not accurate |
| The Sun (light, heat, star) | One source with different effects | Doesn’t show the personal relationship between the three |
| One person with three roles | One man can be father, son, husband | Trinity is not one person in three roles—it’s three persons |
Why the Trinity Matters
The Trinity shows us that God is love. Before anything was made, God already had a perfect relationship within Himself—Father, Son, and Spirit. This love overflows into His creation and His plan to save us.
John 3:16
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son...”
Romans 8:11
“If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you...”
Galatians 4:6
“God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, ‘Abba! Father!’”
What to Tell a New Believer
- There is one God.
- God exists as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
- Each Person is fully and equally God.
- They are distinct but perfectly united in love and purpose.
More Verses That Show the Trinity
- John 10:30 – “I and the Father are one.”
- 1 Peter 1:2 – “According to the foreknowledge of God the Father... for obedience to Jesus Christ...”
- Titus 3:5–6 – “...renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out... through Jesus Christ...”
- Ephesians 4:4–6 – “One Spirit... one Lord... one God and Father of all...”
Final Thoughts
The Trinity is not a puzzle to solve. It’s a truth to trust. God the Father made you. God the Son died for you. God the Holy Spirit lives in you. All three persons of the Trinity are working to bring you closer to God.
Ephesians 2:18
“For through him [Jesus] we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.”
