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    In Context

    How Can God Be Three Persons in One — In Biblical Context

    The Trinity — one God in three persons (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) — is revealed throughout Scripture, though the concept transcends full human comprehension. It is not three gods, but one God in three co-equal, co-eternal persons.

    Quick Answer

    The Trinity — one God in three persons (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) — is revealed throughout Scripture, though the concept transcends full human comprehension. It is not three gods, but one God in three co-equal, co-eternal persons.

    "Baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost." — Matthew 28:19 (KJV)

    The Biblical Context

    The word 'Trinity' doesn't appear in Scripture, but the concept permeates it. At Jesus' baptism, all three persons appear: Jesus is baptized, the Spirit descends as a dove, and the Father speaks from heaven (Matthew 3:16-17). Jesus commissioned baptism 'in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost' (Matthew 28:19) — one name, three persons. The Old Testament hints at plurality: 'Let us make man in our image' (Genesis 1:26). Isaiah heard, 'Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?' (Isaiah 6:8). Each person is fully God: The Father is God (1 Peter 1:2). The Son is God — 'In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God' (John 1:1). The Spirit is God — when Ananias lied to the Holy Spirit, Peter said, 'Thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God' (Acts 5:3-4). Yet there is only one God: 'Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD' (Deuteronomy 6:4). Analogies (water/ice/steam, egg shell/white/yolk) all break down because nothing in creation perfectly mirrors the Creator. The Trinity reveals that God is inherently relational — love existed within the Godhead before creation.

    Where It Sits in Scripture

    The core passage for this question, Matthew 28:19, sits inside Matthew 28. To grasp the full meaning, read the surrounding paragraph — the verses before set up the thought, the verses after carry it forward.

    "Baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost."
    — Matthew 28:19 (KJV)

    Supporting Passages

    John 1:1
    "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."
    Deuteronomy 6:4
    "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD."

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    Word Meaning

    Trinity (Trinitas (Latin theological term))

    One God existing eternally in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit

    Dream Meaning

    Biblical Meaning of the Number 3 in a Dream (KJV)

    Divine fullness, resurrection, and confirmation.

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