Three-personed God
Scripture Reading — Matthew 3:13-17
The Spirit of God [descended] … on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son …”
Matthew 3:16-17
Christians confess their faith in God the Father. Other major religions such as Judaism and Islam do the same. But Christians go on to confess faith in God the Son. Then they go further to confess faith in God the Holy Spirit. Christians confess a three-personed God. This declaration of the triune God is where Christians part ways with Jews, Muslims, and people of other faiths.
Although some suggest that the Christian faith would be more attractive if it dropped the teaching of the Trinity, Christians have unflinchingly maintained their commitment to God as Father, Son, and Spirit. Why?
For one reason, it’s taught in Scripture. At Jesus’ baptism, all three persons are clearly present and active. The Son steps into the waters. The Spirit descends. And the Father speaks. To abandon the teaching of the Trinity is to abandon the honest truth God reveals about himself.
But there is also a very personal reason Christians hold to faith in a triune God. The truth of the Trinity connects with the way we experience salvation. We pray to the Father, who is above us. We confess the lordship of the Son, who has come to stand beside us. And we experience the life of the divine Spirit, who lives within us and sustains our Christian walk.
In Christ and by the power of the Spirit, give thanks today for the God who is beyond all human definitions.
Eternal God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—your mystery we cannot fathom. Yet you have come to us in all your fullness to fill us with your life. We offer you all praise. Amen.
About the author — Bob Heerspink
Dr. Robert Heerspink was director of Back to God Ministries International from 2006 until 2011, when he passed away. He had previously pastored several Christian Reformed churches. Bob loved to write and was a frequent contributor to the Today devotional.
Start your day with quick daily devotions.
See God's love, power, presence, and purpose in your life every day!