The Trinity
1. The Doctrine of the Trinity: One God in Three Persons
Core Belief:
Christianity teaches that there is only one God, but this God exists eternally as three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
These persons are distinct in their roles and relations but united in their divine nature.
Supporting Scriptures:
Deuteronomy 6:4* — *”Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.”
Emphasizes the monotheistic nature of God.
Matthew 28:19* — *”Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”
Shows the three persons of the Trinity are equally named and involved in the divine mission.
2 Corinthians 13:14* — *”May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.”
Highlights the distinct persons but unified blessing.
John 1:1-3, 14* — *”In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God… The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.”
Identifies Jesus (the Word) as both God and distinct from the Father.
Further Detail:
The Trinity is a mystery rooted in Scripture, revealed through various passages that show the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit working together and being worshiped as one God.
2. Experiencing the Fullness of God in Heaven
Core Belief:
In heaven, believers will have a direct, face-to-face encounter with God.
This encounter will reveal the fullness of God’s divine nature, which includes all three persons of the Trinity—yet they will see only one God.
Supporting Scriptures:
Revelation 22:3-4* — *”No longer will there be any curse… They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads.”
Indicates believers will see God directly, with no barrier, in the fullness of His presence.
John 14:9-10* — *”Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.”
Jesus reveals that seeing Him is equivalent to seeing the Father, emphasizing unity in divine nature.
Colossians 1:15* — *”The Son is the image of the invisible God.”
Jesus reveals God’s nature and makes it accessible to us.
Hebrews 1:3* — *”The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being.”
The Son perfectly reflects the Father’s nature.
Further Explanation:
The Bible suggests that in heaven, believers will behold the full glory of God in the person of Jesus Christ, and through Him, the Father and the Holy Spirit, reflecting the unity of the divine nature.
3. The Unity of the Divine Nature in Heaven
Core Belief:
The persons of the Trinity are inseparably united in essence; believers will see one God, not three gods.
The divine unity is central to Christian faith, and the Trinity is a perfect community of love and unity.
Supporting Scriptures:
John 17:21-23* — *”That all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you… I in them and you in me.”
Jesus prays for believers to be united in the same way the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are united.
Ephesians 4:4-6* — *”There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all.”
Emphasizes the unity of God and the believers’ unity with Him.
John 10:30* — *”I and the Father are one.”
Jesus affirms His unity with the Father, highlighting the divine oneness.
Further Explanation:
The Bible describes the divine persons as distinct (e.g., Jesus praying to the Father in John 17) but united in purpose, essence, and divine nature.
In heaven, believers will experience this divine unity fully, seeing the one God in His fullness, which includes the persons of the Trinity.
Summary:
In heaven, believers will see one God**—not three separate beings—because the Bible teaches that God is one in essence but exists as three persons.
The Trinity is revealed through various scriptures, showing their distinct roles yet inseparable unity.
Face-to-face encounter** with God (Revelation 22:4) means believers will behold the divine glory and fullness of God’s nature as revealed through Jesus Christ, who is both fully God and fully man.
Ultimately, the mystery of the Trinity affirms that in eternity, believers will experience the complete and perfect unity of God’s divine personhood.