Bible Question: Is the Trinity equal even though they have different roles?

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Bible Question:I believe that God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit are co-equal, co-eternal, three distinct persons, yet one God. I'm confused about God the Father being the head of Christ. Do they have separate roles? Are they equal, yet their roles in general vary? I'm the head of my wife, but we are equal. Does this apply to the Trinity? I'm a little bit afraid to say, chain of command? I don't want to take away credit where credit is due!

Bible Answer: God is a trinity. The word trinity is used to refer to the uniqueness of God. Scripture reveals that God exists in three persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Some of the best passages in scripture that reveal this truth are Isaiah 48:16; Matthew 28:19; John 10:33, 36; and Acts 5:1-4. The scriptures show that God is one (in essence), eternally existing in three persons - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. You may be interested in a Solid Roots study at this site entitled, "Who Is God?" It provides scriptures which show that God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit are equal. The Athanasian Creed of A.D. 325 provides a great summary of the Trinity.


	Athanasian Creed (A.D. 325 )
	We worship one God in Trinity, and Trinity in Unity; neither confounding the Person: nor divided in the Substance [Essence]. For there is one Person of the Father: another of the Son: and another of the Holy Spirit. But the Godhead of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, is all one: the Glory equal, the Majesty coeternal. Such as the Father is: such is the Son: and such is the Holy Spirit. The Father uncreate [uncreated]: the Son uncreate [uncreated]: and the Holy Spirit uncreate [uncreated]. The Father incomprehensible [unlimited]: the Son incomprehensible [unlimited]: and the Holy Spirit incomprehensible [unlimited, or infinite]. The Father eternal: the Son eternal: and the Holy Spirit eternal. And yet they are not three eternals: but one eternal. As also there are not three uncreated: nor three incomprehensibles [infinites]: but one uncreated: and one incomprehensible. So likewise the Father is Almighty: the Son Almighty: and the Holy Spirit Almighty. And yet they are not three Almighties: but one Almighty. So the Father is God: the Son is God: and the Holy Spirit is God. And yet they are not three Gods: but one God. So likewise the Father is Lord: the Son is Lord: and the Holy Spirit is Lord. And yet not three Lords: but one Lord. . . . And in this Trinity none is afore, or after another: none is greater, or less than another. But the whole three Persons are coeternal, and coequal. So that in all things, as aforesaid: the Unity in Trinity, and the Trinity in Unity, is to be worshipped . . .

God The Father. God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit are God. They are all equal yet have different responsibilities. The following verses just scratch the surface of this subject. Ephesians 1:3-5 tells us that God the Father is the master planner.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. (NASB) Eph. 1:3-5

. . . giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. For He delivered us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. (NASB) Col. 1:12-14

But to which of the angels has He ever said, “SIT AT MY RIGHT HAND, UNTIL I MAKE THINE ENEMIES A FOOTSTOOL FOR THY FEET”? (NASB) Hebrews 1:13

God the Father is in control. Scripture says He is in charge. He planned our salvation. He has approved of our salvation because of Jesus' death and resurrection and has transferred (past, completed event) us into the kingdom of His Son.

God The Son. God the Son does the will of God the Father. His role is to serve God the Father. He is the Savior of the world, Lord of lords and King of Kings, who will reign forever. What a lesson for us as citizens, employees, and children.

For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. (NASB) John 6:38

But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that being justified by His grace we might be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. (NASB) Titus 3:4-7

. . . by the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ . . . (NASB) 2 Peter 1:1

. . . the Lamb will overcome them, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings . . . (NASB) Rev. 17:14

Did you notice who God the Savior is? Our Savior is both the Father and the Son, Jesus Christ. At first the Father is pictured as showing His love, saving us, and blessing with His Holy Spirit. Then we see that Jesus is also our Savior since He died for our sins. Jesus obeys. Jesus is our Savior and our merciful, faithful High Priest (Heb. 2:17). God the Father has also made Him our Lord of lords and King of kings.

God The Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit does the will of the Father and Jesus.

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you . . . When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, that is the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, He will bear witness of Me. (NASB) John 14:26; 15:26

Therefore having been exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He has poured forth this which you both see and hear. (NASB) Acts 2:33

The Holy Spirit's role is to minister to Christians while we are here on this earth. He ministers to us in an extensive number of ways such as making us Christians (spiritual baptism into Christ's body), sealing, indwelling, changing our character and giving us spiritual gifts.

Conclusion:God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit are equal with different roles. This has been an overview of their roles and much more could be said. May the Holy Spirit bless you in your desire to know Him more.