The doctrine of the Trinity is not just some fancy theological idea—it’s foundational. It tells us who God is. It’s a doctrine that has been misunderstood, twisted, and often poorly explained. I'm going to break this down plainly, biblically, and call out some of those terrible heresies that misrepresent God.
There Is Only One God.
The Bible teaches monotheism, not polytheism and tritheism.
Isaiah 44:6- Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God.
God Exists as Three Distinct Persons.
The Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost aren't parts of God, forms of God, or roles that God plays. They are three co-equal, co-eternal Persons, yet one God.
I John 5:7- For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.
Heretical Views on the Trinity.
Heresies we reject:
Modalism: heresy that says God just switches modes or forms.
God doesn't morph from the Father to Son to Spirit. They exist at the same time. They are three distinct persons.
Matthew 3:16-17 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
Partialism: heresy that denies God's full unity.
The Father is not part of God. He is fully God.
The Son is not part of God. He is fully God.
The Spirit is not part of God. He is fully God.
Colossians 2:9- For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
Tritheism: heresy that says that the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are three separate gods rather than one God in three persons.
The Bible clearly states that there is only one God, not three separate gods.
Deuteronomy 6:4- Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:
Arianism: heresy that says Jesus Christ is not co-eternal or co-equal with the Father but is instead a created being, subordinate to the Father.
This doctrine denies the full deity of Christ.
John 1:1- In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
Jesus existed in the beginning, showing his eternal nature. Jesus was with God, indicating his distinct personhood within the Trinity. Jesus was God, affirming his full deity, equal with the Father.
Subordinationism: heresy that implies inequality within the Trinity.
In the Bible we see the Son is submissive unto the Father.
I Corinthians 11:3- But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.
But the Son is not lesser in essence than the Father. He is not a lower god.
Philippians 2:6- Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God.
Conclusion:
Explaining the Trinity is like trying to explain the color blue to a blind person. I don’t think we will fully understand God until we get to heaven. We just take what we see as clear statements from the Bible and believe them by faith.
Don’t try to figure everything out with human reasoning. The Trinity isn’t some puzzle we solve with cheap analogies. It’s the very nature of God revealed in Scripture. One God, three Persons. Don’t water it down, don’t overthink it.
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