International Bible Teaching Ministries
The Godhead
Since man has known God, there has been some confusion about who God is? The confusion basically comes from false teachings about God and His nature! When we read the Bible as a whole, we can clearly see who God is and what He consists of.
Who is God? In the very first verse of God’s Word, the Bible, we see who God is. Genesis 1:1 says, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” Here we see that God is the Creator. This gives us an idea of how powerful and magnificent God is.
Let’s consider a few other important facts about God. He is eternal, which means without beginning or end (Psalm 90:2). He is all powerful, so powerful that He even created the world and us! He is all knowing; nothing can be hid from God (Proverbs 5:21); (1 John 3:20). He is everywhere, at all times (Psalm 139:7-10); (2 Chronicles 16:9). He is perfect, and does not sin (1 John 1:5). He is unchanging, and will always remain the same (Malachi 3:6); (Hebrews 13:8). He is a Spirit, not flesh (John 4:24); (Luke 24:39). This is the God you and I serve!
It is also important to realize that God is one! (Isaiah 44:6) says, "Thus says the LORD, the King of Israel, and his Redeemer, the LORD of hosts: 'I am the First and I am the Last; Besides Me there is no God.’” (Galatians 3:20) says, “God is one!” (Mark 12:32) says, “So the scribe said to Him, ‘Well said, Teacher. You have spoken the truth, for there is one God, and there is no other but He.’” The Bible clearly teaches there is only one God ((bible James 2:19]); (Romans 3:30).
If God is one, why do we read about the Father, Son and Holy Spirit in reference to God in the Bible? This is where one must begin to understand the Godhead or Trinity, as this is often referred to. Trinity comes from a Latin word which means, “three-one.” This gives us the clear Biblical idea of three-in-one! How can God be three in one?
As followers of God, we must understand that the same Bible which teaches us that God is one also teaches us that God has different personalities. In (Genesis 1:26), God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness....” Notice the inspired Word of God here quotes God referring to Himself by using “Us,” and “Our.” This verse, as well as others, shows that although God is one, He has three distinct persons. These personalities are separate in function, yet one in thought and purpose. They are unified as one, perfect, complete God!
Let’s notice the distinct personalities in the following verses. In (Ephesians 4:6), Paul said, “one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.” Paul refers here to the one God, known as the “Father.” (Matthew 1:23) says, “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel, which is translated, ‘God with us.’" Here we see a reference to God, the “Son” (John 3:16). Finally in (Acts 5:3-4), we see the final personality of God: “But Peter said, ‘Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.’" Here Peter told Ananias that he had not lied to men but to God, the “Holy Spirit!” These three personalities make up the one Godhead!
For example, let’s again look at Genesis, chapter one, where we read about God creating the heavens and the earth. We have already mentioned verse 26 where God said, “Let Us make man.” Let’s see how the Godhead (Trinity) was present at this creation. In verse 2, we read, “The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.” Notice the Spirit of God moved over the waters. In (Colossians 1:14-17), we read, “in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.” Here we read that all things were created by Christ, God’s Son (also see (John 1:1-4), (John 1:14).
Is it so difficult to believe that God’s Son is also called God and that His Spirit is also called God? As humans, are we not given a family name? If one’s father is called John Smith, then the son can also be called Smith, even though the son’s first name may be different. They are both Smith, but they are separate beings, unique, yet one in name. They are together as a unified family.
The reason we have such a difficult time understanding the Godhead is because we try to understand it from a physical standpoint! Remember that God is not physical but spiritual. He created all that was created. Thus before He created the heavens and the earth, there was nothing. In (Isaiah 55:8-9), we read, “’For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways MY ways,’ says the Lord. ‘For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.’” We are not God, so it is difficult for us to think like Him. Why question a Being with such power and magnificence? Let’s have the faith to accept God in the way He has taught us through His Word (Hebrews 11:6); (John 8:24); (Mark 16:16).