The One and Triune God

Based on Francis Turretin, Highlights

1. God is One

• The Bible teaches that God is one:
  There is only one true God. He is not divided into parts, nor is He one among many gods. This is the foundation of all our faith (Deuteronomy 6:4, Isaiah 45:5).

• God’s unity is perfect:
  Every attribute of God—His power, wisdom, holiness, and love—exists fully and completely in Him. There is no imperfection, no weakness, and no division in God.

• Why it matters:
  Knowing God is one protects us from worshiping false gods or imagining that God is divided or limited. True worship comes from acknowledging His oneness.

2. God is Triune

• God exists eternally as three persons:

  • Father – the source of all things, who plans and provides.

  • Son (Jesus Christ) – the eternal Word who reveals God and redeems us.

  • Holy Spirit – the presence of God in our hearts, guiding, teaching, and empowering us.

• Each person is fully God:
  Each of the three persons is fully divine. The Father is God, the Son is God, the Holy Spirit is God. They share the same divine nature.

• Yet there is still only one God:
  The three persons are not three separate gods; they are one in essence. This is the mystery of the Trinity (Matthew 28:19, John 1:1, 2 Corinthians 13:14).

3. How the Trinity Works

• Distinct roles, one purpose:

  • The Father plans salvation.

  • The Son accomplishes salvation.

  • The Holy Spirit applies salvation to our hearts.

• No confusion, no division:
  Though each person has distinct roles, they work perfectly together in harmony. This unity shows God’s infinite wisdom and power.

4. Why the Trinity is Important for Us

1. We see God’s love in action:
   The Father’s sending of the Son, and the Spirit’s work in us, shows God’s perfect plan to redeem us (John 3:16, Romans 5:5).

2. We are drawn into fellowship with God:
   Through Christ and the Spirit, we are united to God, enjoying His presence and guidance in our lives.

3. Our worship is rightly focused:
   Worship is due to the one God in three persons, not to one person alone, but in harmony with the Trinity (Revelation 4:11).

5. Key Scriptures

• Deuteronomy 6:4 – “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.”

• Isaiah 45:5 – “I am the Lord, and there is no other, besides me there is no God.”

• Matthew 28:19 – “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”

• John 1:1 – “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

• 2 Corinthians 13:14 – “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.”

6. Application

• Worship God rightly: Honor the Trinity as one God in three persons. Do not separate them in thought or practice.

• Trust in God’s plan: Remember that the Father, Son, and Spirit work together to save and guide you.

• Seek fellowship with God: Pray to the Father through the Son, guided by the Spirit, and experience the fullness of God’s presence in your life.