Having established that Jesus is God, we now want to discuss who God is. The scriptures teach that there are three persons in the Godhead: Jehovah the Father, Jesus Christ the Son, and Holy Spirit. In this article we will show that each of these distinct persons and they are God.

The term Godhead means the state, dignity, condition, quality... of God (I.S.B.E.). The word is used only 3 times in the Bible (Ac. 17:29; Rom.1:20; Col.2:9). The three texts are different words derived from the Greek root word for deity. As such, the idea of the Godhead is everything that makes God God. (See our last article for some characteristics of God). One characteristic of God is its plurality. In Gen. 1:1, the word God is from a Hebrew word that is plural. Furthermore, in vs. 26 we read, "Then God said, ‘Let US make man in OUR image.’" From the very beginning, the scriptures identify that there are three persons who are God.

In the Bible Jehovah, the Father is referred to as God. 1 Cor. 8:6, "yet, for us there is one, God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him...". In addition to this, Jesus Christ is referred to as God. John 1:1,14, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word WAS God... and the Word became flesh and dwelt among us,..."; Phil.2:6 , of Jesus it is said, "who being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God..."; also 2 Pet.1:1, "...our God and Savior Jesus Christ." The Holy Spirit is called God. Ac. 5:3,4 records Peter rebuking Ananias and Sapphira for lying. In vs. 3 he asks, "Annanias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit...?" Then in verse 4 he says, "...Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God." Thus we can see that Jehovah God, Jesus Christ and Holy Spirit are all referred to as God.

The fact that these three are different persons are seen in the multitude of passages where more than one is referred to. For instance, 1 Pet. 1:3 says, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ...". This would make no sense if both God the Father and Jesus are the same person. Also John 1:1 states, "In the beginning was the Word, and the word was WITH God,..." Again, the context demands that it speaks of two different persons. While on the cross, Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do." (Luke 23:34) and "My God, My God, Why have You Forsaken Me?" (Matthhew 27:46). If God is only one person, then on the cross, Jesus was speaking meaningless drivel. He was speaking to Himself about Himself. MANY other examples could be given of this. As to the Holy Spirit, Jesus said in John 15:26, "But when the Helper (the Holy Spirit - TATJR) comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of Truth who proceeds FROM the Father..." In Matt. 12:31-32, Jesus speaks of blaspheming against the Holy Spirit being unforgivable, but to blaspheme against Him could be forgiven. Again, this is not logical if God is only one person.

Several texts refer to all 3 of the Godhead showing their individual persons. In John 14:26, Jesus assured His apostles, "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things...". At the Baptism of Jesus we read, "...Jesus came up immediately from the water:...and He saw the Spirit of God ascending like a dove...And suddenly a voice came from heaven saying, ‘This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.’". Perhaps the strongest verse indicating this is Jesus’ final saying to His apostles where He said, "Go therefore and make disciples, baptizing them in the mane of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." (Mt.28:19). Thus we can see that the Bible gives reference to 3 distinct beings all known as God.

What about texts that speak of one God? Often texts such as Jesus saying, "I and My Father are one" (John10:30) and "that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself,..." (2 Corinthians 5:19) and Colossians 2:9, "For in him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily;". But all of these passages and many others speak merely of the relationship God and Christ (and Holy Spirit) have with one another. They are united in purpose and actions. They work together perfectly, just as Christ wants us to work together and be one (John 17:20-21). Thus we can see that while Christ is God, He is a distinct and different person than God the Father and the Holy Spirit.

Copyright 2003[Rose Avenue church of Christ]. All rights reserved