Three in One

Genesis 1:1-3

The disciples were confused. They believed Jesus was the long-awaited Messiah, but then he died a brutal death on a cross. They went into hiding, fearing they would be the next to be executed. Later, Jesus “presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days” (Acts 1:3). They thought he was returning to establish his kingdom on earth, but then he left again. Jesus ascended into heaven, “a cloud took him out of their sight” (Acts 1:9). With a roller coaster of emotions, the disciples wondered what to do next. They gathered with a few other followers of Jesus and prayed. On the day of the Jewish celebration of Pentecost, a “mighty rushing wind” blew through. Pieces of fire “rested on each of them,” and they were all “filled with the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:4). As the song says, “And the church of Christ was born…Then the Spirit lit the flame.”[1]

We’ll consider the birth of the Church and the Spirit’s work in greater detail when we examine the book of Acts later in our study, but for now consider this: The disciples, along with that small group including Jesus’ mother and brothers, were the first to experience God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit in their fullness. They worshiped Yahweh Elohim, they walked with Jesus, and now, they were empowered by the Holy Spirit. 

But to be clear, God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit did not come into full existence at Pentecost. Let’s go back to the beginning. 

Genesis 1:1-3
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.

In the first three verses of the Bible, we are introduced to what we call the Trinity, God in three Persons. The word “Trinity” is not found in the Bible but is used throughout church history to explain the fullness of God in terms of his unity and diversity. Theologian R. C. Sproul explains it like this: 

The historical formulation of the Trinity is that God is one in essence and three in person. Though the formula is mysterious and even paradoxical, it is in no way contradictory. The unity of the Godhead is affirmed in terms of essence or being, while the diversity of the Godhead is expressed in terms of persons.[2]  

As Sproul rightly says, the Trinity is “mysterious and even paradoxical.” It falls under the category of God’s incomprehensibility, which we will consider throughout our study. But for today, let’s allow God to introduce us to the “Godhead three in one.” It’s no coincidence that he makes this introduction in the first three verses of the Bible. 

God the Father
What comes to our mind when we think about God is the most important thing about us.[3] And we want this to come to our mind: Yahweh Elohim—The LORD God. As we considered last time, Elohim describes the all-powerful Creator, and Yahweh describes the personal covenant-keeping God who stooped down to breathe into man the breath of life, who stooped down to interact with his people, and who stooped down to take on flesh and die for our sins on the cross. 

God the Son
We recognize God the Son in the words, “And God said” (Gen. 1:3). Some of you might see that as a stretch, and it’s true that Old Testament readers may not have seen Jesus in that phrase. But remember, Scripture is the best commentary on Scripture, and we have the privilege of observing God’s unfolding story. Check this out. 

John’s Gospel teaches us that the Word is Jesus. John takes us back to Genesis 1 when he begins his Gospel with, “In the beginning,” and continues, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1). In the Old Testament, the “word” of God is used as the instrument to carry out his will. Psalm 33:6 says, “By the word of the Lord the heavens were made….” John echoes the psalmist when he speaks of Jesus—the Word—saying, “All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made” (John 1:3). Then John moves to the incarnation: “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” In the Son, the Word, God became man and made his way to the cross to die as man’s substitute.

The Holy Spirit
In the opening verses of the Bible, we are introduced to God the Holy Spirit, who was “hovering over the face of the waters” (Gen. 1:2). The word “hover” means to “flutter,” like an eagle flutters over its young (Deut. 32:11). This is a beautiful image of God’s Spirit flying over the formlessness, emptiness, and darkness, preparing for a new beginning—the magnificent creation!

When Jesus walked on earth, he promised that the Holy Spirit would come (John 14:15-31). As he promised, the Holy Spirit came to the early church and lit the flame that continues to spread. The Holy Spirit transforms, convicts, indwells, gifts, guides, and empowers every believer. It was the Spirit who worked in the hearts of all the writers of the Bible to give us the unified story of God's work in his people. All the writers, “spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit” (2 Pet. 1:20-21).

What an incredible God we serve! God the Father loved us so much that he sent God the Son to pay the penalty for sin on the cross, and the Spirit of the Father and the Son—the Holy Spirit—indwells and empowers us!! So, we can sing, “God in three Persons, blessed Trinity.”[4]

PERSONAL TIME WITH GOD 
Time in the Word: Read Genesis 1:1-3— Contemplate the mystery and ministry of the Trinity.

Talking to God: Thank God for his great love, for becoming our Savior, and for empowering us to live for him.

Have questions? Please send your questions to our team. We're happy to assist as we explore God's Word together. Submit your question below, and we'll respond soon. If you're interested in learning more about a relationship with Jesus or seeking spiritual guidance, let us help you take the next step.

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