This is one of the most mysterious questions in Christianity—and yet, one of the most foundational. It sounds like three separate beings. But Christians believe in only one true God. So what’s going on? Let’s explore.
The Mystery of the Trinity
Christians believe that God is one in essence, but three in person:
God the Father
Jesus the Son
The Holy Spirit
This is called the Trinity. It’s not three gods. It’s one God expressed in three persons, each fully divine, yet distinct in role.
Think of it like light:
Light has a source (the sun)
It has rays (the way it touches the world)
And it has warmth (the effect it has on our lives)
Each part is different, but it’s all the same light. In a similar way, God is Father, Son, and Spirit—one in being, different in how He relates to us.
God the Father
The Father is often described as the Creator, the One who made all things, who rules over time and eternity. He is unseen, holy, and full of mercy. In the Bible, Jesus often prays to the Father, pointing to His intimate relationship with Him.
"Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name..." (Matthew 6:9)
Jesus the Son
Christians believe that Jesus is God made visible.
He is the right hand of God, depicting that the Father does all things through Jesus. He is the eternal Word who became flesh and walked among us. He taught, healed, suffered, died, and rose again. Jesus is the one who appears to fulfill the will of God. Through Jesus, God revealed His heart to the world in a human form.
“Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father.” (John 14:9)
Jesus is called the Son of God, not because He was created, but because He was sent from the Father—sharing His divine nature, yet choosing to enter our world in human form. He is the Savior, the Rescuer, and the Bridge between God and humanity. Nothing in creation is equal to Jesus because He is above all.
The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is the invisible, powerful presence of God that dwells with believers.
After Jesus rose from the dead and returned to heaven, He promised the Spirit would come to guide, comfort, convict, and empower His followers in place of Jesus. But, said if He (Jesus) did not go, then the Spirit would not come (John 16:7). The Spirit is personal and divine, helping believers live the way Jesus taught. The Holy Spirit appears as a dove, fire and the literal Hebrew word for Him is the ruach hakodesh (wind or breath). It is not a metaphor. Christians believe the Holy Spirit has a presence that comes upon people empowering them to do great feats or receive spiritual gifts from God.
"The Spirit of truth... will guide you into all truth." (John 16:13)
One God, Three Expressions of Love
The Trinity may feel confusing—and that’s okay. Christians don’t claim to fully understand it. But they believe this mystery reveals something beautiful:
A God beyond human invention
A God in relationship within Himself
A God who reaches us in multiple ways
The Father loves us. The Son walks with us. The Spirit lives in us.
One God. One love. Three ways of being close.
This isn’t a puzzle to solve. It’s a truth to explore.
And it just might open your heart to the vastness of God’s mystery—and His nearness to you.