Question: Concerning the Trinity – In the phrase - one in essence, - what does it mean? What is God’s essence? And in God as three persons – what is meant by person?

Answer: The doctrine of the Trinity, which has been accepted and believed by the historic and orthodox Christian church for well over 1500 years states that God – that is the Godhead – is a relationship of three persons, not of three gods.

The doctrine is stated in that way because the Bible clearly teaches that God is one, but yet he is three persons. The Trinity teaches the one-ness of God (monotheism) while affirming his unity in diversity. God therefore, is said to be one in essence, three in person.

Essence refers to being – the fact/reality of being very God. Persons refers to diversity. Persons does not make a distinction in essence (only one God) but it refers to individual personality of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Each person in the godhead had a distinct work or operation. Person, of course, is not used in the sense that humans use it of each other – that is of humanity, limited and confined to time and space, subject to death.

Big topic, Paul – and a brief answer. If you would like more information, please let me know!

In Christ,

Greg Albrecht