My fellow Muslim students often argued with me. On one hand, they claimed that Muslims and Christians worship the same God—whom they call Allah and we call God. On the other hand, they accused Christians of believing in three gods. While I appreciate their efforts to understand, I feel sad that they misunderstand the God of the Bible, and in doing so, may be speaking against Him unknowingly. Their confusion largely stems from a lack of knowledge about the Bible. The only way to truly know the God of heavens and earth is through the pages of Scriptures. Anything outside of the Bible is simply human assumption, shaped by our sinful nature and a fallen world.
Even in Europe, I had discussions with some Muslim and Jewish colleagues who tried to avoid deeper, logical exploration of our beliefs by stating that, despite our differences, we all serve the same God since we claim Abraham as our father. However, this oversimplification overlooks the fundamental distinctions in how God is understood and revealed in each faith. While Christians, Jews, and Muslims may share a historical connection to Abraham, the God of the Bible reveals Himself uniquely as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, a truth that sets Christianity apart from all other religions.
Though the word “Trinity” is not explicitly mentioned in the Bible, the concept is clearly revealed throughout Scripture. The Trinity does not mean we Christians believe in three different gods. Rather, it affirms that the one true God (Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 44:6) has chosen to reveal Himself in three distinct persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—each truly God, sharing the same divine essence.
The doctrine of the Trinity is central to Christianity, even though it remains a profound mystery that is difficult for human minds to fully grasp. God, in His sovereignty, has chosen not to reveal all the “secret things” that belong to Him, as Deuteronomy 29:29 says,
“The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever.”
Despite this, He has chosen, out of His love and mercy, to reveal Himself to us, even though He was not obligated to do so. Because of our sin, we deserved death and separation from Him (Romans 6:23), yet in His grace, He made Himself known to us through His Word (the Bible) and ultimately through Jesus Christ (John 1:14). This revelation, especially in the form of the Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—demonstrates His desire for us to know Him, even though the fullness of His nature surpasses human comprehension.
The Bible repeatedly emphasizes the oneness of God. Deuteronomy 6:4 declares,
“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.”
Isaiah 44:6 similarly affirms,
“I am the first and I am the last; besides me there is no God.”
At the same time, Scripture teaches that God exists as three persons. In 1 Corinthians 8:4-6, Paul writes, “There is no God but one,” while also distinguishing between the Father, from whom all things come, and Jesus Christ, through whom all things were made. This demonstrates that the Father and Son are distinct, yet fully united in essence and purpose.
Jesus Himself affirmed this unity, saying,
“I and My Father are one” (John 10:30),
and the Holy Spirit is presented as equal in divinity and work (Matthew 28:19; John 14:26). The presence of all three persons working together in perfect harmony is seen throughout the New Testament. For example, at Jesus’ baptism, the Father speaks from heaven, the Spirit descends like a dove, and the Son is baptized (Matthew 3:16-17). Jesus also commands His disciples to baptize in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19), showing the unity of the three persons. Paul’s benediction in 2 Corinthians 13:14 blesses the church in the name of the Triune God, further affirming this teaching.
Though the doctrine of the Trinity is beyond human comprehension, it is how God has chosen to reveal Himself in His Word. The three persons of the Trinity are not separate gods but one God in three persons, co-equal in power, glory, and majesty, all working together to fulfill the divine will (John 14:26, 1 Peter 1:2). As such, Christians must accept this truth, even though it stretches the limits of our understanding, because it is rooted in the revelation of Scripture.
God’s triune nature is a way of revealing Himself to humanity, who is limited by time, space, and understanding. While we were dead in our sins (Ephesians 2:1), God, in His grace, chose to reveal Himself to us as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This revelation not only shows His desire for us to know Him but also highlights the unity and love within the Trinity, as Jesus prayed in John 17:21 that His people would be one, just as He and the Father are one.
The purpose of God revealing Himself as three distinct persons in the Trinity becomes clearer when we study the role of each person of the Godhead. God the Father chose to manifest Himself in the person of God the Son, Jesus Christ, who is truly God and truly man (John 1:14, Philippians 2:6-8). Jesus came to accomplish the work of atonement for His people (John 10:11,15), fulfilling the Father’s will. Furthermore, after Jesus’ earthly ministry and ascension, God the Father and God the Son sent the Holy Spirit to dwell among believers, as promised (John 14:26), to glorify both the Father and the Son (John 16:14).
Each person of the Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—works in perfect unity, harmony and shares the same divine attributes by sharing the same divine essence, will, and purpose, without any contradiction or division. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are all eternal (Isaiah 44:6; Revelation 22:13; Hebrews 9:14) and all participated in creation (Genesis 1:1-2; John 1:3; Colossians 1:16-17). This is evident throughout Scripture, where the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit operate in different roles but are always in agreement, revealing the same infinite God. The Scriptures make it clear that what is true of one member of the Trinity is true of the others—they are equal in glory, majesty, and power.
In summary, the Bible reveals that there is one God who exists as three distinct persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This is how God has chosen to make Himself known, and it is essential for understanding the true nature of God as presented in the Scriptures for His glory.
