The Identity of God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit

To understand the identity of God is to begin grasping the most foundational truth of all existence. God is not an abstract force, nor is He unknowable. He has revealed Himself through His Word as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—three distinct expressions of one divine being. The Hebrew name used for God, 'Elohim,' is plural in form but often used with singular verbs, pointing to the unity and multiplicity within God's identity. God is one (Deuteronomy 6:4), yet He reveals Himself in the work of creation, redemption, and judgment through the Father, the Son (Yeshua the Messiah), and the Holy Spirit.

God the Father is the eternal source, Creator, and sustainer of all that exists. Yeshua referred to Him as Father and taught His disciples to address Him as such in prayer (Matthew 6:9). The Father planned redemption and sent the Son to accomplish it (John 3:16–17). He is glorified through the Son, and the Son glorifies the Father in return (John 17:1–5). In calling God 'Father,' Jesus established a new relational understanding between humanity and God—one of intimacy, authority, and love.

God the Son, Yeshua the Messiah, is the eternal Word (Logos) who was with God and was God (John 1:1). He became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:14). He is the image of the invisible God (Colossians 1:15) and emptied Himself to become obedient unto death (Philippians 2:5–11). He fulfilled the mission of salvation through His death and resurrection, and He is coming again to reign (Revelation 20:4–6).

The Holy Spirit is the personal presence and power of God who convicts the world, regenerates the believer, and empowers the Church (John 16:7–13). He proceeds from the Father and the Son (John 15:26) and indwells all who believe, sealing them for the day of redemption (Ephesians 1:13–14). The Spirit searches the deep things of God and reveals them to believers (1 Corinthians 2:10–12).

The divine name of God—YHWH (יהוה), vocalized as Yahweh—is revealed in the Old Testament as the sacred, covenant name. When God said, 'I AM WHO I AM' (Exodus 3:14), He expressed His eternal, self-existent nature. Yahweh is unchanging (Malachi 3:6), holy (Isaiah 6:3), just (Deuteronomy 32:4), loving (1 John 4:8), and righteous (Exodus 34:6; Psalm 103:8–13). He invites relationship and delights in being known (Jeremiah 9:24).

Though the term 'Trinity' is not used in the Scriptures, the unified identity of Elohim as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is revealed throughout. Each is called God (John 6:27; Hebrews 1:8; Acts 5:3–4), yet there is only one Yahweh (Isaiah 45:5). This is not contradiction but a divine mystery: three Persons, one God. This unity in distinction is a testimony of God's greatness and the richness of His nature. Jesus brought God’s fatherhood into the center of redemptive relationship, drawing believers near through His sacrifice and resurrection.

In conclusion, God is revealed in Scripture as Yahweh—eternal and holy—expressed in the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Each bears the fullness of divinity and participates in the redemption and sanctification of God’s people. He is not distant, but knowable. He is Elohim—unified, powerful, and relational—inviting His people to worship Him in spirit and truth (John 4:24).

Glory to God

“Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” (2 Corinthians 9:15, LSB)

Referenced Scriptures (LSB):

Deuteronomy 6:4, “Hear, O Israel! Yahweh is our God, Yahweh is one!”

Matthew 28:19, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,”

Matthew 6:9, “Pray, then, in this way: ‘Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.”

John 3:16–17, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but so that the world might be saved through Him.”

John 17:1–5, “Jesus spoke these things; and raising His eyes to heaven, He said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify Your Son, that the Son may glorify You—just as You gave Him authority over all flesh, that to all whom You have given Him, He may give eternal life...”

John 1:1, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

John 1:14, “And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

Philippians 2:5–11, “Have this way of thinking in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus...”

Colossians 1:15, “Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.”

Revelation 20:4–6, “...They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.”

John 16:7–13, “...when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth...”

John 15:26, “When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will bear witness about Me,”

Ephesians 1:13–14, “In Him, you also, after listening to the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise...”

1 Corinthians 2:10–12, “...For the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God...”

Exodus 3:14, “And God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM”; and He said, “Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’”

Malachi 3:6, “For I, Yahweh, do not change; therefore you, O sons of Jacob, are not consumed.”

Exodus 6:2–3, “God spoke further to Moses and said to him, “I am Yahweh; and I appeared to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, as God Almighty, but by My name, Yahweh, I was not known to them.”

Isaiah 6:3, “And one called out to another and said, “Holy, Holy, Holy, is Yahweh of hosts, The whole earth is full of His glory.”

1 Peter 1:16,”Because it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”

1 John 4:8,”The one who does not love does not know God, because God is love.”

Psalm 103:8–13, “Yahweh is compassionate and gracious, Slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness...”

Exodus 34:6, “Then Yahweh passed by in front of him and called out, “Yahweh, Yahweh God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth...”

Deuteronomy 32:4, ”The Rock! His work is perfect, For all His ways are just; A God of faithfulness and without injustice, Righteous and upright is He.”

Titus 1:2, “In the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised before the ages began...”

Isaiah 40:28, “Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, Yahweh, the Creator of the ends of the earth does not become weary or tired...”

Psalm 139:7–10, “Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence?...”

Jeremiah 32:17, “Ah Lord Yahweh! Behold, You Yourself have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and by Your outstretched arm! Nothing is too difficult for You...”

Jeremiah 9:24, “But let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am Yahweh who shows lovingkindness, justice, and righteousness on earth...”

Exodus 34:14, “For you shall not worship any other god, for Yahweh, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.”

Lamentations 3:22, “The lovingkindnesses of Yahweh indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail.”

Romans 1:18, “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men...”

John 6:27, “...for on Him the Father, God, set His seal.”

Hebrews 1:8, “But of the Son He says, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever...”

Acts 5:3–4, “...You have not lied to men but to God.”

Isaiah 45:5, “I am Yahweh, and there is no other; Besides Me there is no God...”

John 4:24, “God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”

Deuteronomy 6:4–9, “Hear, O Israel! Yahweh is our God, Yahweh is one! ...You shall love Yahweh your God with all your heart...”