The Trinity Revealed

January 23, 2025

"God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. I and my Father are one. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come." (John 4:24, 13:10, 16:13)

When we hear the word Trinity, we might initially think of a complicated math problem—how can three persons be one God? This way of thinking often shapes how we discuss and try to understand the Trinity, as though it were a formula to piece together from Scripture. We quote verses that affirm God is one,[1] that Jesus is God,[2] and that the Holy Spirit is divine,[3] but this approach can sometimes leave us wondering why God didn’t simply reveal his triune nature outright. Why did he choose to unveil such an essential truth over thousands of years? Was it too confusing, or perhaps not important enough?

If we think about it, God is often a patient teacher, leading his people step by step toward deeper understanding. Consider our understanding of justification. Even in the Old Testament, faith was a critical element of man’s relationship to God. Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.[4] Yet Abraham and the other saints of old did not fully understand how God would accomplish their salvation. They trusted God to fulfill his promises, even when they could not see the full picture.[5]

Another example is the Old Testament sacrificial system. God provided a way for his people to approach him through sacrifices that cleansed the temple and enabled the forgiveness of sins. But these sacrifices were never sufficient in themselves. They pointed to something greater – a perfect and final sacrifice that would deal with sin once and for all.[6] Just as justification and the sacrificial system became clearer in the light of Christ’s coming, so too does God’s triune nature become fully revealed in the New Testament.

Shadows of the Trinity in the Old Testament

The Old Testament does not explicitly teach about the Trinity, but it offers shadows and glimpses that point to this truth. The very first chapter of Scripture introduces us to a God who is both one and yet relational. God created the world by his Word: “And God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light.” The Spirit of God hovered over the waters, and when God created humanity, he says, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.” These moments reveal that God’s nature involves both unity and plurality.

Throughout the Old Testament, God’s triune nature appears in further shadows. The Word of God acts as his agent, accomplishing his purposes.[7] The Spirit of the Lord empowers prophets, kings, and judges, revealing God’s will and presence.[8] A being described as the “Angel of the Lord” often appears as a divine figure, speaking with God’s authority and even receiving worship.[9]

The Heart of the Gospel

The full revelation of the Trinity comes in the New Testament, where we see God’s plan of salvation accomplished through the work of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Galatians 4:4-7 beautifully summarizes this truth.

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“But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.”

This passage brings the whole gospel into focus under the doctrine of the Trinity. At just the right time – after generations of preparation, after the Old Testament shadows and promises – God sent his Son. The horror of sin could not be remedied by another prophet, angel, or mere human. Only God could deal with the guilt and effects of sin. And so, the eternal Son of God took on flesh, entering the world as one of us. Jesus bore our sins on the cross as the perfect sacrifice, more than able to fully atone for the rebellion of humanity.[10]

Yet the work of salvation does not stop at the cross. Through the resurrection and ascension, Jesus secured eternal life for all who believe in him. To make this salvation tangible (not just a label), God sends his very Spirit into our hearts. The Holy Spirit is not an impersonal force but the mighty third person of the Trinity, who dwells within us, regenerating our hearts and empowering us to love as he does, enabling us to call God our Father. As Paul says, “And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.”[11]

This is the glory of the gospel: the triune God works in perfect unity to save us. The Father, out of his love and patience, sends the Son. The Son accomplishes our salvation through his life, death, and resurrection, and the Spirit brings this salvation to life, drawing us into the very righteousness and love of God. Just as Jesus is the Son of God by nature, we become sons and daughters of God by grace. Through the Spirit’s work in us, we share in Christ’s power over sin and relationship with the Father, crying out to him in intimacy and trust.

When we hear the word “Trinity,” we should not first think of abstract complexity that does not affect our everyday life. Instead, we should by default think of the love of the Father, the sacrifice of the Son, and the powerful presence of the Spirit. The Trinity is right at the heart of the gospel. It is the truth that God himself has come to rescue and restore us, drawing us into eternal fellowship with him so that, as Jesus says, “That the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.”[12]

[1] Deuteronomy 6:4; 1 Corinthians 8:6

[2] John 1:1; John 20:28

[3] Acts 5:3-4

[4] Genesis 15:6

[5] Hebrews 11:13-16

[6] Hebrews 10:1-4

[7] Psalm 33:6; Isaiah 55:11

[8] Judges 6:34; Ezekiel 2:2

[9] Exodus 3:2-6; Judges 6:11-24

[10] 1 Peter 2:24

[11] Galatians 4:6

[12] John 17:26

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Always thankful

October 21, 2026

As we approach the end of fall and the harvest season, we often focus our attention on Thanksgiving Day. We are fortunate to live in a land that recognizes the need to pause and give thanks to our great God for the many blessings he bestows upon us. However, the Bible calls us to be thankful in all times and circumstances – not just once a year. “O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good.” [i] “In every thing give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” [ii] These two verses are similar and yet can be interpreted differently if quoted in isolation. Thanking God for his goodness seems an easy commandment to obey; however, some circumstances are more difficult to appreciate. Giving thanks or being thankful is referenced over one hundred times in scripture. And naturally it can seem easier to give thanks when circumstances are pleasing. It is easier to thank God when a loved one repents. It is easier to thank him when we are sitting in church, listening to his Word, worshipping in song, surrounded by faithful believers. It is easier to recite 1 Thess. 5:18 when the trials of life are light and well-spaced. But what happens when life is not going well, circumstances seem impossible, or difficulties seem to pile up? Can we have thankful posture in dire situations or through sad experiences? It is clear in the Bible that by God’s grace and with intentional effort, we can have a thankful spirit and respect toward God even when the load is heavy. Scriptures in Job provide an excellent Old Testament example. After hearing a series of devastating reports about his family and possessions, Job was able to say “The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” [iii] After being struck with sore boils from the sole of his foot to his crown and having been ridiculed by his wife for retaining his integrity, Job said “Shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil?” [iv] Job did not minimize the pain of the evil he was experiencing, but in the midst of the devastation he focused his attention on the goodness and faithfulness of God. Likewise, the disciples in the New Testament were often faced with seemingly insurmountable obstacles as they spread the Word of God. Yet they looked upon their afflictions as a privilege. After being beaten and commanded to not speak in the name of Jesus, “They departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.” [v] At the same time, when Stephen was stoned, they grieved deeply at the devastating loss, yet trusted in God’s grace and goodness to see them through and somehow redeem the worst of circumstances. -----------------CONTINUED PORTION BELOW-------------------- Remembering the Lord's graciousness and track record of bringing good out of evil can help us maintain a thankful heart despite the challenges we face. Whether amidst hard circumstances or easy, we can focus on the goodness and faithfulness of God. Without intentional focus, we can tend to overlook gratitude when life is good because the very simple and basic needs of life are so easily realized. An abundance of material blessings can lead us to take basic needs for granted. However, being grounded in a thankful spirit can help carry us when sometimes things do not seem abundant. Simple disciplines or practices can help us foster this thankful spirit. Taking the time to pause and write a list of all we have received from God, giving him thanks for his goodness can help us turn from an entitled mindset toward a thankful mindset. Remembering God's goodness can be especially helpful when life is hard. The practice of gratitude journaling helps us remain focused on God above all during these overwhelming times. Beyond the physical needs that can be so easy to count, he also provides many spiritual blessings. In time of need, he provides us with an abundance of grace that gives us love we do not deserve and helps us serve him in ways far beyond what we could do of our own ability. God’s wisdom and his compassion assure us that he will provide for all our needs, and yet he will also withhold what is harmful if we will allow him to do so. He knows our needs and in his infinite wisdom he will supply all our needs. A practice of worshipping God can also help grow our spiritual life and encourage grateful hearts. God’s truths can be engraved into our minds as we sing and praise him, no matter the circumstances. In addition, our church body encourages us to connect, travel, and grow together as believers, helping one another during both joyous and hard times in life. This spiritual connection with others is a spiritual blessing that can easily be forgotten. Finally, many of us have been born into families where we were taught the truth of God’s Word, being exposed since we were young to the promise of salvation through Jesus Christ and the knowledge of our great and loving God whom we can call Father. This thankful spirit is often born out of knowing the Father, whose image we carry. Having a clear vision and understanding of God’s character and attributes can help us develop a thankful spirit. Among the many reasons to thank God are his power, his grace, and his mercy. We thank him for the love he showed when he sent his only begotten son, allowing us to have forgiveness of our sins and victory over death through repentance, confession, and faith in his name. He provides his Word, giving us a perfect source of wisdom and direction for our lives. His Holy Spirit provides believers with comfort, conviction, and guidance toward all truth. In addition, there are many other attributes of God to consider such as his goodness, presence, sustenance, protection, and many more. The implications for our lives of the many attributes in this list, which could be much longer, are beyond human comprehension but worth contemplating more deeply as we practice a life of gratitude. Whether you are in a joyous time of life or a time when life is difficult, may the remembrance of these many truths provide a new understanding to the Scripture’s challenge to, “In every thing, give thanks.” [vi] May this Thanksgiving holiday remind you of our great and good God, the loving sacrifice of Jesus, and the faithful presence of the Holy Spirit who has come to guide us not only in the good, but also in the difficult of life. And may this testimony of thankfulness greatly affect our own lives and the lives of those around us. [i] Psalm 107:1 [ii] I Thess. 5:18 [iii] Job 1:21 [iv] Job 2:10 [v] Acts 5:41 [vi] I Thess. 5:18