The Unity of Three

 

It is interesting, to say the least, to see how the plurality of God is interwoven throughout His Word.

We see it from the very beginning when we read Genesis 1:26 (AMPC),

God said, Let Us [Father, Son, and Holy Spirit] make mankind in Our image, after Our likeness

The Hebrew word here is “Elohim”, which is not only plural but an expression of all-encompassing power, showing that there is strength in unity.

Then in Deuteronomy 6:4 (AMPC), Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God is one Lord [the only Lord], “Shma Yisrael Adonai Elohenu Adonai Ekhad”, “Elohenu” which means “our God” is derived from the word “Elohim”.

How can our one God be divided into three? But yet He is, revealing His tri-unity since Creation, and to man, in His many manifestations, as He interacted with His creation, even before the incarnation of Christ.

This mysteriously fascinating unity of three nature of God can be seen, particularly in the Old Testament but is most startling in Isaiah 48:12 & 16 (NASB),

Listen to Me, Jacob, Israel whom I called; I am He, I am the first, I am also the last.
Come near to Me, listen to this:
From the beginning I have not spoken in secret, From the time it took place, I was there. And now the Lord God has sent Me, and His Spirit

God is speaking of Himself as the Messiah, being sent by the Lord God and His Spirit. What powerful proof of the existence of the three-in-one God.

There is perhaps no reasonable explanation of how or why God is One and Three simultaneously. The unity of Three may be a stumbling block to unbelievers and even some believers but it is an essential foundation block in the believers’ faith.

The unity of Three is strange and shrouded in mystery, for the Father cannot be seen but was revealed in the Son.

Jesus *said to him, “Have I been with you for so long a time, and yet you have not come to know Me, Philip? The one who has seen Me has seen the Father; how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? (John 14:9 NASB)

The unity of Three is strange and shrouded in mystery, for like the Father, the Spirit cannot be seen, yet, is a very real Person and though always invisible, the effects of the Spirit are witnessed in people’s lives.

Suddenly a noise came from heaven. It sounded like a strong wind blowing. This noise filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw something that looked like flames of fire. The flames were separated and stood over each person there. (Acts 2:2-3 ERV)

Beloved, God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit are three Persons relating as One – the unity of Three.

And now, May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

 

Amen †

Shelley Johnson “The Unity of Three” © 2026 August 7, 2026