Lesson 4: Understanding the Godhead: The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit
One God, Three Persons, Perfect Unity
By Apostle Howard Tundu
Theme
One God, Three Persons, Perfect Unity
Scripture Reading
Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14; John 14:16–17; Deuteronomy 6:4
1. Introduction: The Mystery and the Majesty of God
The Bible reveals one God who exists eternally in three persons — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
This is called the Trinity (from Latin trinitas, meaning "three in one"). Not three gods, but one divine essence expressed in three distinct persons.
The divine essence refers to God's eternal being (He is self-existent and uncreated), God's attributes (omnipotence, omniscience, omnipresence, holiness, love, justice), and God's divine life (the fullness of what makes God, God).
The Father, Son, and Spirit share this one essence fully and equally. They are not one-third God each — each person is fully God.
Scripture Anchor
Deuteronomy 6:4 – "Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one."
Matthew 28:19 – "Baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." At Jesus Baptism God the Father spoke from heaven to the Son who was on earth, and the Holy Spirit was seen coming upon the Son in the form of a dove.
2. One God in Three Persons
The Father
Identity: Source of all creation and authority
Role: Creator, Provider, Planner
Relation: Sends the Son
Function in Salvation: Loved and sent
The Son (Jesus Christ)
Identity: Word made flesh; the visible image of God
Role: Redeemer, Mediator, Savior
Relation: Reveals the Father
Function in Salvation: Died and rose for our redemption
The Holy Spirit
Identity: The Spirit of God dwelling in believers
Role: Comforter, Empowerer, Teacher
Relation: Glorifies the Son
Function in Salvation: Applies salvation in our hearts
3. God the Father: The Source and Sustainer
His Nature and Role
- Creator of all things
- Source of life and love
- Planner of salvation
- Father to the redeemed — not just by creation, but by relationship through Christ
How We Relate to Him
- We approach Him in prayer as "Our Father"
- We trust His goodness and discipline
- We imitate His character in holiness and compassion
Scripture Anchor
James 1:17 – "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights."
4. God the Son: Jesus Christ, the Word Made Flesh
His Eternal Nature
- Jesus is God the Son, not a created being
- He existed with the Father from eternity
- He is co-equal and co-eternal with the Father
His Earthly Mission
- Incarnation – God became man
- Redemption – Died to save humanity
- Resurrection – Conquered death and sin
- Exaltation – Seated at God's right hand
- Intercession – Mediates for believers
His Divine Identity Confirmed
- Called "God"
- Received worship
- Possesses divine attributes
- Performs divine works — forgiving sin, raising the dead, calming nature
Scripture Anchor
John 1:1,14 – "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God… and the Word became flesh and dwelt among us."
5. God the Holy Spirit: God's Presence and Power in Us
His Personhood
The Holy Spirit is not an "it" or a force — He is a divine person. He is not an Angel as Angels are created beings.
- He has mind, will, and emotions
- He speaks, teaches, guides, comforts, and intercedes
His Divine Work
- Conviction – Brings awareness of sin and draws people to Christ
- Regeneration – Gives new birth
- Indwelling – Lives in every believer
- Empowerment – Fills believers for service
- Sanctification – Produces the fruit of Christ's nature
- Illumination – Reveals Scripture's truth
His Relationship to the Father and the Son
- Sent by the Father in the name of the Son
- Proceeds from both to reveal and glorify Christ
- Unites believers into one body
Scripture Anchor
John 14:16–17 – "I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever - the Spirit of truth."
6. Biblical Unity of the Godhead
The Bible shows all three persons working together harmoniously:
At Creation
The Father spoke, the Son (Word) created, the Spirit hovered.
At Jesus' Baptism
The Son was baptized, the Spirit descended, the Father spoke.
In Salvation
The Father planned, the Son accomplished, the Spirit applies redemption.
In Prayer and Worship
We pray to the Father, through the Son, by the Spirit.
7. Common Errors to Avoid
Modalism
Teaching that God is one person who appears in three forms (Father becomes Son becomes Spirit).
Polytheism
Teaching that there are three separate gods.
Subordinationism
Teaching that the Son or Spirit are lesser than the Father. The truth is they are equal in deity, though distinct in function.
8. Why Understanding the Trinity Matters
It defines the God we worship.
It shapes how we pray and relate to God.
It shows unity and love as the foundation of creation and redemption.
It helps us understand our relationship with God:
- Loved by the Father
- Redeemed by the Son
- Indwelt by the Spirit
Understanding God's unity and triune essence affects how we pray (to the Father, through the Son, by the Spirit), worship (worshipping Jesus is worshipping the same one God), fellowship (experiencing the fullness of God's life through the Spirit), and love (the relationship between Father, Son, and Spirit models perfect unity and love).
9. Practical Assignments
Bible Study:
Read John chapters 14-16 and note how Jesus describes the Father, Himself, and the Holy Spirit.
Reflection:
Write how understanding the Trinity changes your approach to prayer and ministry.
Worship Exercise:
Spend time worshipping each Person of the Trinity for their role in your life — the Father for love, the Son for salvation, the Spirit for empowerment.
Prayer:
"Father, thank You for revealing Yourself as One God in Three Persons. Help me to worship You in Spirit and in truth, understanding the distinct roles and the perfect unity of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen."