Three

The belief in the Trinity – that God is one in essence and three in person – is foundational to our faith. God is one God (see Deuteronomy 6:4), but God exists eternally in three Persons: the Father, the Son (Jesus) and the Holy Spirit. We see this referenced in verses like Matthew 28:19, or Galatians 4:6, even though the Bible does not use the terms “Trinity” or “Triune God.”

It is, admittedly, difficult to grasp this idea. We may look to analogies, like water, which is always water but can exist as ice, liquid, or vapor. But in this case water cannot exist as all three at the same time. Analogies always fail, because we can’t see the whole picture. “For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.” (1 Corinthians 13:12)

The relationship between the three Persons of the Godhead is what I find most interesting, because it informs our worship.

Worship is only possible by the mystery of the Trinity. We read about this in Hebrews. Hebrews 9:15 says that Jesus is the mediator of the new covenant. He is also the eternal high priest, interceding to God the Father on our behalf (7:25). Without Jesus going to the Father for us, we would have no access to God.

Further, God gave us the Holy Spirit, who helps us pray (Jude 1:20), distributes gifts of worship (Hebrews 2:4) and brings about renewal and rebirth (Titus 3:5). Each Person of the Trinity is evident in our worship.

The Persons of the Trinity also exalt or praise one another. The Father exalted Christ (Philippians 2:9), Jesus praised his Father (Matthew 11:25), and the Spirit testifies of Christ (John 15:26). We should worship and praise all three Persons. We tend to sing a lot of songs to/about Jesus, and fewer to/about God the Father, but we have very few opportunities to sing to/about the Holy Spirit.

Though it may be difficult to fully comprehend, the doctrine of the Trinity has so much to say to us as we learn to be disciples of Christ. May we dig deeper into the mystery, knowing that we might not totally understand it until we see Him face to face.