People often point out that the trinity is not in the Bible. What they really mean by this is that the word ‘trinity’ is not in the Bible. The basic concept of the trinity is in the New Testament though. Here are three passages where the idea of the trinity is beginning to emerge.
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them inthe name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” (Matthew 28:19 ESV)
“Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone.” (1 Corinthians 12:4–6 ESV)
“Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who are elect exiles of the dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you.” (1 Peter 1:1–2 ESV)
The first thing that I have to say is that in the New Testament, Lord normally refers to Jesus and God normally refers to God the Father. What we find in these three passages are descriptions of the Father, Son and Spirit where they are in parallel. There is no sense that one is superior to the other. In fact, the Father is not always first. These passages do not make sense unless all three are on the same level. Why would we need to be baptized in the name of God and two lesser beings? While these passage do not have the intricacies of the church father’s description of the trinity, they are at least beginning to point in that description.
- 1 Corinthians
- 1 Peter
- Father
- Matthew
- Son
- Spirit
