“…baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” (Matthew 28:19)
The doctrine of the Trinity is among the most profound and mysterious truths revealed in Scripture. How God is one in essence yet three distinct Persons surpasses the grasp of human reason. Yet, by divine revelation we accept it by faith, knowing that the depths of God’s being can never be fully comprehended by finite minds.
Though the word Trinity does not appear in the Bible, the testimony of Scripture unmistakably proclaims that God exists eternally as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This truth is introduced in the very first verses of Genesis and progressively unveiled throughout redemptive history.
A powerful way to study Scripture is by comparing complementary passages, and Genesis 1:1-2 and John 1:1-3 provide a remarkable example:
“In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.” (Gen. 1:1-2)
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by Him; and without Him was not anything made that was made.” (John 1:1-3)
These passages reveal:
- The Word in John 1:1 refers to Christ, God’s Son (John 1:14).
- Christ is both God and distinct from God the Father.
- The Father, the Son, and the Spirit were all present and active in creation.
The triune nature of God is further affirmed in Genesis 1:26: “And God said, ‘Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness…’” God is not speaking to angels here but rather within the counsel of the other Persons of the Trinity (God the Son and God the Spirit).
Throughout the Old Testament, God is revealed as the Redeemer and Savior of His people (Job 19:25; Ps. 19:14; Isa. 43:3,11). And in the New Testament, the Son is given these same titles (Matt. 1:21; Luke 2:11; John 4:42). Scripture further declares that the Father sent the Son into the world (John 3:16), and both the Father and the Son sent the Spirit (John 14:26; 15:26).
Louis Berkhof notes, “The separate persons of the Trinity are made to stand out clearly before our minds. At the baptism of the Son, the Father speaks from heaven, and the Holy Spirit descends in the form of a dove (Matt. 3:16-17). In the great commission, Jesus mentions the three persons: ‘…baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit’ (Matt. 28:19).”[1]
God has graciously revealed His triune nature for our benefit, showing us that the foundation of salvation rests in the work of the Father, Son, and Spirit. As we contemplate this great truth, may our hearts be lifted to adore our great God who revealed Himself in the person of Jesus Christ!
Contemplations
- The Mystery of the Trinity. God is infinitely beyond my understanding, yet He has made Himself known as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Do I humbly submit to this truth, even when I cannot fully comprehend it?
- The Unity of the Godhead. The Father glorifies the Son, the Son glorifies the Father, and the Spirit glorifies both (John 16:14). I also see that Christ prayed for the restoration of the glory He had with the Father before the world was while He was on earth (John 17:5). Do I seek to glorify God in all that I do, as He glorifies Himself?
- The Work of Redemption. My salvation is not the work of one Person of the Trinity alone, but of the Father’s decree, the Son’s atonement, and the Spirit’s application. Help me fully worship You, God, in all Your fullness as my Redeemer.
Prayer: Worshiping the Triune God
O Lord, You are beyond all comprehension, infinite in majesty and glory. You are one God in three Persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—united in will, equal in power, and dwelling in eternal perfection. Who am I that I should lift my voice before You? Yet You have called me to know You, to worship You, and to find my life in the wonder of Your being.
Father, the fountain of all grace and the eternal source of life and love, before the foundation of the world You purposed my redemption, setting Your affection upon me in Christ. In Your sovereign wisdom, You sent forth Your Son to accomplish the salvation that I could never achieve. How great is Your love, that You gave Your only begotten Son for sinners like me!
Blessed Lord Jesus, the eternal Son of God, how marvelous is Your condescension! You left the glory of heaven to take upon Yourself the form of a servant. You veiled Your majesty, walking among men in humility, suffering in my place, bearing my sin, and rising victorious over death. You are the brightness of the Father’s glory, the exact representation of His nature (Heb. 1:3). You reign now in splendor, seated at the right hand of the Father, ever interceding for Your people. My heart bows before You in reverence and love.
Holy Spirit, divine Comforter, You proceed from the Father and the Son, applying the work of redemption to the souls of the redeemed. You convict of sin, You regenerate the heart, You illumine the mind, You sanctify the believer. Without Your work, I would remain in darkness, unable to see the glory of Christ. O Spirit of truth, fill me with greater understanding, lead me into deeper communion with the Father and the Son, and conform me ever more into the image of my Savior.
O Triune God, how often I have taken lightly the great mystery of who You are. How little I have adored You as I ought. Forgive my lack of reverence, my dullness in worship, my distracted thoughts, my cold affections. You alone are worthy of all love and devotion, for You alone are God. Let my life be consumed with the knowledge of You and my heart set upon the wonder of Your being. Let me worship You with my entire life, walking in obedience, delighting in Your Word, and proclaiming Your name to the nations.
Lord, I long for the day when my faith shall be made sight, when I will behold You in glory. Then, in the brightness of Your presence, I will see fully what I now only grasp in part. Until that day, keep me steadfast in faith, fervent in love, and ever growing in the grace and knowledge of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
To You, O Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, be all glory, now and forever. Amen.
Further References for Matthew 28:19
James 3:9; Gal. 4:6; Heb. 1:5; 1 John 4:14; 2 Cor. 13:14.
[1] L. Berkhof, Systematic Theology (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans publishing co., 1938), 86.
