The awesomeness of God is so great I believe most of us have a difficult time wrapping our puny minds around it all. In looking at who God is, there are two main views; one being that He is a trinity (three persons in one Godhead), and the other is referred to as “oneness” (believing He is one being).
The Webster’s Dictionary defines “trinity” as:
1. The cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one.
2. The union of the Father and Son and Holy Ghost in one Godhead.
3. Three people considered as a unit.
One might liken a trinity to a three part series; each being a part of one series but playing a different role. Some view the trinity as three separate parts of God within one God-family. The Bible clearly makes reference to three: The Father, the Word (Christ, the Son) and the Holy Spirit. I don’t believe the purpose of this is to divide God, but to clarify His roles.
- “For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three agree as one.” (1 John 5:7)
There has been some controversy with the above scripture though. Some debate how much of this was in the original text. Also, when the Bible was translated, the Greek language did not include commas at the time. These commas to some imply division of God into three parts. Oneness believers view the Father, Son and Holy Spirit as being One and the same as if saying “God, who is the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.”
- “But if I do, though you do not believe Me, believe the works, that you may know and believe that the Father is in Me, and I in Him.” (John 10:38)
- “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one!” (Deuteronomy 6:4)
- “For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6)
Some Oneness believers strictly adhere to the belief God is one contained in one being, while others claim, as I do, that God is omnipresent but that Jesus was not just a Son, but in Him dwelt the Father and the Holy Spirit. Those with this belief have been called heretics.
- “Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.” (Colossians 2:8-9)
In as much as I’ve studied this, I can not disprove either theory. My beliefs lie right in the middle. I believe God has shown Himself in three roles, He is omnipresent (can be in more than one place at a time), and that in Christ contains each part of the Trinity.
- “…He is not far from each one of us.” (Acts 17:27)
- “Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend into heaven, You are there; if I make my bed in hell (Sheol), behold You are there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there Your hand shall lead me, and Your right hand shall hold me.” (Psalm 139:7-10)
- “A little while longer and the world will see Me. Because I live, you will live also. At that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you.” (John 14:19-20)
Whether we believe God is one or three in one, what I think is most important is we understand who Jesus is and have accepted His free gift of salvation.
Please visit the three part series I’ve written on Jesus.
Who is Jesus? Examining the Book of John
Who is Jesus? Looking at the Trinity
Scripture references are quoted from the NKJV.