Recently, a friend of mine commented on the fact that a character in one of my stories referred to God in the plural. My friend said some people would consider such a reference as blasphemy, because it implied polytheism, the worship of many gods. As Christians, we believe in one God who exists as three unified, but distinct persons each of whom equally possesses all the qualities of Godhood. This is one of several truths in Christianity that are mysterious and difficult to understand. We believe it not because we can explain it, but because there are many Bible passages that teach about the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit each being God. I will present a few here.
John 1:1-3
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.
John 1:14
14 And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. NASU
Genesis 1:1-2
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters. NASU
John chapter one states that at creation the Word was God and the Word was with God. How could this be possible, except that from the beginning there were two together who were God? John 1:14 makes it clear that the Word is Jesus, because Jesus is the one who became a flesh. Genesis 1:1-2 describes creation and refers to the Spirit of God. Together these passages show the three persons of the Godhead being involved in creation.
Next, we will examine two passages that pertain to Jesus’ sacrificial death. The first says Jesus existed as equal to God, but that Jesus gave up his status as God to become a human being so he could die on the cross. The second passage doesn’t mention Jesus’ deity; instead, helps us see that Jesus is not the Father in another form. This is evident, because Jesus is praying to his heavenly Father.
Philippians 2:5-8
5 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. 8 Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. NASU
Matthew 26:36-39
36 Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to His disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” 37 And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be grieved and distressed. 38 Then He said to them, “My soul is deeply grieved, to the point of death; remain here and keep watch with Me.” 39 And He went a little beyond them, and fell on His face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will.” NASU
The Philippians passage provides an example and challenge for us, since it calls on us to consider not just our own interests, but also the interests of other people. The passage goes on to explain that Jesus did not cling to the status of being God, but accepted the lowly role of suffering death as a common criminal. The passage from Matthew is shortly before Jesus’ arrest, trial, and crucifixion. This shows that the Father and the Son are two different persons, because there are two different wills involved. This is evident at the end of verse 39 when Jesus says, “yet not as I will, but as You will.”
Jesus provides a great example for us when he submits his will to the will of his heavenly Father. Jesus had the power to save himself from death and he had the desire to save himself, yet he died. We need to learn to trust God and submit ourselves to God’s will. Jesus also teaches us an important lesson about submission. There are times when following God’s will means submitting ourselves to the authority of another person. This submission does not mean the other person is superior to us. Jesus was equal to God even as he submitted to death on the cross.
The final two passages of scripture pertain to the Holy Spirit. The first involves when Ananias lied about the price he received from the sale of a piece of property. The apostle Peter shows that the Holy Spirit is a person that can be lied to and that lying to the Holy Spirit is lying to God. The second passage shows that the God-inspired writers of scripture were in fact directed by the Holy Spirit, showing the Holy Spirit is God.
Acts 5:3-4
3 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back some of the price of the land? 4 “While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not under your control? Why is it that you have conceived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.” NASU
2 Peter 1:20-21
20 But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, 21 for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God. NASU
There are many other scriptures that show the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit are three separate persons who are each fully God. Not three gods, three persons, one God.