Online Bible Study - Foundations of Faith

The Holy Spirit

Before a person can understand what the Bible teaches about the person and work of the Holy Spirit, it is first necessary to discuss what the Bible teaches about the Holy Trinity.

The Holy Trinity
The acceptance, by faith, of the Holy Trinity of God is the distinguishing mark of a Christian. All Christians, and only Christians, believe there is one God, who manifests, reveals or shows Himself to mankind as one God, in a unity of three distinct persons, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

The Trinity is not understood by human reason. It is simply accepted by faith. Although the word "Trinity" is not found in the Bible, the Bible does contain many references to the Trinity and to the three persons of the Trinity. As said, this whole teaching is beyond our comprehension. Logic does not lead us understand or accept how a "three-in-one" Godhead is possible.

Sometimes the symbol of a triangle or interwoven circles are used to describe the Trinity. At times these two symbols are combined to depict the unique relationship of the Three-in One. Many other illustrations have been tried, but there is no perfect way to explain or understand the Trinity. It is truly a matter of faith.

Here are a number of clear verses of the Bible that speak of the Trinity.

• Genesis 1:2 "The Spirit of God moved on the face of the water…"
• Genesis 1:27 "Let us make man in our image after our likeness."
• St. John 1:1 "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was God… "
• St. Matthew 28:19 "Go and preach the Gospel to every creature, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit."
• St. Matthew 3:16-17 (The Baptism of Jesus) "As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased."

By studying and searching the Bible with the eyes of faith, the teaching of the Holy Trinity becomes a natural and accepted part of the Christian belief. With such faith, the existence and person of the Holy Spirit is known without a doubt.

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