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Triune is an adjective which describes God as three in one, setting forth the idea of the Trinity. It is sad to acknowledge that some oppose
this glorious doctrine of the Trinity. Perhaps God has allowed such errors to exist so that we may be provoked to a deeper study of the
Word of God. The Trinity does exist, declared to be one God with three persons in the Godhead. They are Father, Son, and Holy Ghost
or Holy Spirit. The doctrine of the Trinity acknowledges the constant existence of the three persons, not one in the past, another in the
present, and the third at still another time. John declared that all three Persons co-exist, when he said, "For there are three that bear
record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one" (l John 5:7).
The Law of God required testimony by the mouth of two or three witnesses; thus the Trinity constitutes full legal testimony (Deut. 17:6,
19:15; Mt. 18:16 and 2 Cor. 13:1).The testimony of all three agrees as one, for they are One. Their testimony is unanimous with no
contradiction or discrepancies in their evidence. The voice of the Trinity is one voice, even as there is unanimity of will.
In this study we shall consider scriptural evidence that God is Triune. Though the doctrine of the Trinity is not revealed in the Old
Testament with the same clarity as in the New Testament, still the light of this truth does shine throughout the Old Testament
dispensation. Therefore, we shall begin our explanation of this important doctrine by going back to the beginning of the Old
Testament.
The Bible begins with the words "In the beginning God .... " The word for God is Elohim, which strongly indicates plurality, for
Elohim is the plural form of Eloah. It denotes not a plurality of Gods as some have thought, for it is often used with singular verbs and
adjectives. It reveals one God (singular) with a plurality of persons (Trinity) in the Godhead. This plural word for God denotes the Triune
God and occurs more than two thousand times in the Old Testament. Elohim is often found in its shortened form - El as in Gen. 35:7.
Genesis 1:26 says, "And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness...." This suggests the fullness of the divine personality
and foreshadowed the doctrine of the Trinity. There is only a slight distinction that can be made between the words image and likeness.
Both denote the shadow outline of a figure and the likeness of the shadow to the figure. One obvious point of similarity is that God
has three persons and man has three parts - body, soul, and spirit (1 Thes. 5:23).
The seraphims are regarded as typical of the Trinity. A seraphim has six wings, two covering the face, two covering the feet, and two
for flying. Certainly three different works were manifested even as there are three distinct works of the Trinity (Is. 6:2).
In Numbers 6:24-26a threefold blessing was pronounced which said, "...The Lord bless thee, and keep thee: the Lord make his face to
shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace." There is also a threefold
blessing pronounced in 2 Cor. 13:14, and it is clearly ascribed to the Trinity. Comparing these passages, I find no difficulty in believing
that the Old Testament passage also described the works of the Triune God.
Now let us move into the New Testament for further verification of the Trinity. At the baptism of our Lord, the three persons of the
blessed Trinity were present and can be accounted for. The voice of the eternal Father came ringing down out of heaven, the Holy Spirit
in dove-like form descended, and John baptized the beloved Son in the river (Mt. 3:13-17).Thus the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit impart
the grace and bestow the blessing of this dispensation, and they will share the glory at its close. Therefore we are baptized in the name
of all three persons of the Godhead (Mt. 28:19).
We not only recognize the Trinity in Christian baptism, but we also ascribe all the blessings of this dispensation to the Triune God.
We believe and acknowledge that the blessings received in answer to prayer all come through the combined work of the Trinity. The
New Testament unquestionably reveals that God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost all have a vital role in successful prayers. We are
taught to pray to our Heavenly Father (Mt. 6:9), in the name of Jesus Christ John 15:16), and through the intercession of the Holy Spirit
(Rom. 8:26). Paul expressed it this way, "For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father" (Eph. 2:18). Every time
we pray, let us be reminded of the truth of the Trinity.
Not only do we receive blessings from the Trinity through prayer, but because of the work of this Triune God we have received the
greatest of all gifts - eternal life. All three persons of the Trinity are unquestionably and essentially active in salvation from sin. Jude
referred "...to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Christ Jesus, and called..." Jude 1). We are sanctified
or set apart by God the Father in election (Eph. 1:4),we are preserved by the redemption that is in Christ Jesus the Lord (Eph. 1:7), and
we are called with an effectual call by the Holy Spirit in the work of regeneration or the new birth John 3:8). The work of the Trinity
in these three great acts of grace establishes for us an eternal hope and gives all glory to God.
Having considered the Trinity in the light of both Old and New Testament Scripture, let us conclude our study by looking at lessons
from nature. As you remember that God divinely created nature, then perhaps you may see Him glorified by His creation (Ps. 19:1). First
of all, let us view the Trinity as revealed by light. John said, 'This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto
you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all" (l John 1:5).The existence of God as a Trinity of unity is strongly suggested
as God is declared to be light. Light is made up of three primary colors, red, green, and violet; by various combinations of these three colors
all other colors are produced. The combination of these three colors in equal proportions gives white light which cannot be seen unless
it strikes an object and is reflected by it. The three primary colors represent the three persons of the Godhead. God is invisible to us
until He shines upon a life, and then we see His glorious presence. As light fills this world, allowing us to see its beauty and giving us
warmth, so does the Triune God.
As light reveals the Trinity, so does water, for it consists of three parts, one part of hydrogen and two parts of oxygen. He may also
be seen in a tree with its foliage, trunk, and roots. Even the apple serves to remind us of the Triune God. The peel covers, the meat
is for eating, and the seeds are planted in the ground to grow another tree. The list in nature is endless and yet it is all useless unless you
believe the preceding scriptural references. If you disregard the scriptural evidences, these simple illustrations certainly cannot convince
you; but if you do believe, then perhaps they will serve as reminders to help you rejoice in the Triune God.
I hope that you have been able to accept the truth about the Trinity, although none of us can comprehend it fully. Our God is far too great
for us to understand, but through the Scriptures and faith which is imparted by the Holy Spirit, we are able to believe what we cannot
rationalize. The doctrine of the Triune God is admittedly a subject which is difficult to understand and often misunderstood; therefore,
it must be accepted by faith (2 Cor. 5:7). If you are able to believe with some small measure of understanding, then rejoice and share
your knowledge with others. Our God is three persons in one. Let us acknowledge Him, serve Him daily, and love Him with all our heart,
soul, and mind (Mt. 22:37).
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