THE UNITY OF THE TRINITY
And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory (1 Timothy 3:16).
Someone once asked, “Didn’t Jesus say over and over that God is His Father, and that He (Jesus) is not God; how come many Christians still refer to Jesus as God?” Well, Jesus never said He wasn’t God, but He did say that He had a Father! He talked about His heavenly Father. In John 16:10 for example, He said “…I go to my Father….” Also, in John 14:28 He said, “…If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father….” However, it’s important that you understand the mystery and unity of the trinity: the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
The Bible says, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1). Jesus is Himself God. The fullness of the Godhead dwells in Him bodily. When you see Jesus, you wouldn’t need to look out for the Holy Spirit or the Father; He’s the complete embodiment of Deity. When Philip asked Him “Lord, show us the Father” (John 14:8), His response was unequivocal; He said, “Anyone who has seen me, has seen the Father” (John 14:9).
Jesus is the outward expression or image of the unseen or the invisible God. The Holy Spirit is the one who proceeds from the Father; He’s the doer, maker, or creator of God’s works, which He does in the Name of Jesus. If you were to see God, He’ll appear as Jesus. If you were to see the Holy Spirit, He’ll appear as Jesus. Remember, in John 14:16, Jesus called the Holy Spirit “Allos Parakletos” (Greek), which means “another of the same kind”; “another that’s exactly like me.” Moreover, the book of Revelation shows us that it’s Jesus that’s on the great throne of God.
So, “Why then does He call “God” His Father?” You might want to ask. The reason is that Jesus is the Father’s Word made flesh. You can’t separate a man from His word; a man and his word are one, because his word comes out of him. Likewise, you can’t separate God from His Word, which is the reason Jesus said, “I and my Father are one” (John 10:30); emphasizing the unity or oneness of the Deity. Jesus stands in the place of the Father, and in the place of the Holy Spirit! It’s a mystery to the ordinary mind, but it’s clearly understood with spiritual understanding.
Further Study:
Revelation 1:8;
John 1:1-3