Discover God's Character E-Devotionals

God's Triune Personhood

“The Father and I are one” (John 10:30).

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Theologians have called God's triune nature the Trinity. The members of the Trinity are involved with everything together, yet they also have distinct roles. This is hinted at in the first chapter in the Bible. Genesis 1:26 reads, "Let usmake people in our image" (emphasis added). The plural pronouns "us" and "our" mean that more than one person was involved. Who else but God was present during creation? No one. Therefore, the Trinity in its simplest terms means one God manifested in three persons with three distinctive roles.

God the Father is first in the Trinity. In general, He orchestrates action. For example, He sent to earth God the Son, Jesus, and bestowed His authority upon Him.

God the Son is the second person of the Trinity. Jesus Christ is fully God and fully human. He is the cornerstone and head of the worldwide Church. Jesus now sits at the right hand of God the Father interceding for His Church.

God the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity, is our Comforter. As the "active arm" of God on earth, He lives within believers and guides us into all truth. He convicts us of sin and helps us know God and His will.

Yet God is still one. It is difficult for us, with our limited comprehension, to understand how God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit are distinct personalities, co-equal, yet one at the same time. Because we are finite our best efforts to understand this relationship fall far short.

Your View of God Really Matters ...

Describe one way you personally relate to each Person of the triune Godhead.


Because God is personal Spirit,
I will seek intimate fellowship with Him.

Learn more about God’s character at Discover God, a ministry of Campus Crusade.

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