Tertullian (born 145 A.D.), first used the word "Trinity," but the doctrine was accepted by all the early Church fathers including Irenaeus (died 190 A.D.) and Cyprian (250 A.D.). At the Council of Nicaea in 325 A.D., 318 church leaders, along with over 1500 other bishops, elders, and deacons, met to discuss the Trinity and the deity of Christ. Of the 318 bishops, all but two agreed with the doctrine of the Trinity.

In Genesis God speaks in "plural": "Let us make", "to our image", "to our likeness"... it does not say, "I make", "to my image"... (Gen.1:26)... and continues, "God created man in the image of himself, in the image of God he created him, male and female he created them" (Gen.1:27).

God is like the "sun": The sun is the Father; the light is the Son; the heat is the Holy Spirit, only one sun, only one God. In the "creation" of Gen.1, the Father gives the "order"; this order is made by the Word, the Son; but the Son does not need engineers nor architects, nor workers... he does everything with the power of the Holy Spirit... and, in fact, the Spirit is the first person of God mentioned in the Bible, in Gen.1:2.

In Gen.2:24 God created "marriage" in the image of God, "the two of them become one flesh"... and the actual beautiful plan of God for marriage is "three persons in one flesh", "husband, wife, and God", like the Trinity, and marriage would be like "a piece of heaven on earth".

The Son exists from eternity, as the Father, because if at any moment the Son would have not existed, the Father would not have been a Father at that moment, and that's an impossible, because one of the characteristics of God is that he is immutable, unchangeable, the same today, yesterday, and tomorrow... and the Holy Spirit has also the same eternity, because he is the mutual love of the Father and the Son, eternally, immutable.

The Holy Spirit comes to our lives as a "dove", very humble, wanting to nest in our hearts, but with the hurricane power of Pentecost of Acts 2, able to fill our lives with the love of Christ, for the glory of the Father, and of his Church, and for our own good.

The Trinity can also be described in terms of manifestations of God. Anything associated with God, including humanity and all of God's creation, is a manifestation of God. The Father, Son and Holy Spirit can be identified in the Bible as manifestations of God that were never created. They are part of the nature of God and have always existed. If you take the view that anything uncreated is God, and you can find only three of them, then you have the Trinity. If you find more than three, then you have something more than a Trinity, but Christian theologians seem to be content with the idea that there are only three.

The word "Trinity" does not exist anywhere in the Bible. Instead it is a term that has been invented by the Church to describe their observation that there is one God who exists as three separate personalities.At every synagogue service the Jews recite the Sh'ma, which is from Deut. 6:4 and begins Sh'ma Yisrael, Adonai Elohenu, Adonai echad which is translated "Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord." Jesus quoted the Sh'ma in Mark 12:29, in response to a question about which was the greatest commandment of the Torah. The Sh'ma continues to say that we should love God with all our heart, and our neighbour as ourself. However, the Sh'ma does not claim that God is only one exclusively. The Hebrew word "echad" means a compound unity, such as a bunch of grapes. The alternative word "yichad" means only one.

References to plurality occur throughout the Torah, as God is referred to as "Adonai Elohim". The word "Elohim" means "Gods", "Lords" or "Masters" and is plural. It is derived from the singular root word "Elah" (Aleph, Lamed, He).

Muslims do not accept the plural nature of God, and use the root word, pronouncing it "Allah". Anyone who wants to strip away the plural nature of God should consider the result. You end up with the most hostile anti-semitic religion the world has ever known, dedicated to the destruction of the Jews first and then the Protestant Christians.When the Lord appeared to Moses in the burning bush He identified Himself in Exodus 3:14, according to the Masoretic Hebrew text, as ahyah asher ahyah which means, I will be what I will be. In the King James version, and most other modern translations, it has been translated in the present tense as I am that I am. This is an impossible phrase in Hebrew because there is no first person singular present tense conjugation of the verb "haya" which means "to be". You can't conjugate it to say "I am". The change of tense probably occurred by reference to the Septuagint Greek which says ego eimi o On , which is literally translated - I am The Being

The Septuagint is a Greek translation of the Hebrew Tanakh, made in Alexandria during the third century BC. It was widely used throughout the Greek-speaking world and was the standard Bible of the early church. Jesus appears to be using the Divine Name in John 8:58 when he says "Before Abraham was, I am". Again, this is a difficult phrase in Hebrew and it is possible that John was looking at Exodus 3:14 in the Septuagint when he wrote it. A modern Hebrew translation of the New Testament, produced by the Bible Society in Israel, changes it to the past tense so it becomes "Before Abraham was, I was". You can say what you are in Hebrew using "ani" which means "I" and then you put an object after it. For example Jesus says, in John 8:12, "ani or ha'olam" which literally means "I, Light of the World".

Jesus again invokes the Divine Name in John 18:5-8 where he says "I am" (Greek "ego eimi) and the soldiers fell backwards. Nobody knows how he might have said it in Hebrew, but it could have been "ani hu" which means "I am he". In this case there is an object, but does it matter? The power of the words was in their meaning, and in the person who spoke them. Can you imagine it? A band of soldiers, fully armed and ready to arrest Jesus, were all knocked over when he spoke the Divine Name and revealed his Divine Nature just for a brief moment. While they were forced on the ground by the mere sound of His voice. Jesus taunted them with the question "Whom do you seek?" . They replied " Jesus the Nazarene", and he demanded that they let his disciples go. Jesus was always fully in control of the situation. Nobody could take his life away from him. He laid it down voluntarily because it was necessary for our salvation.Returning to John 8:58 where Jesus says "Before Abraham was, I am [or I was]", there is another curious meaning which compares Jesus to Malki-Tzedek (King of Righteousness), an eternal priest without beginning or end who ministered to Abraham. This is discussed in detail in Hebrews 5 and 7. Jesus himself made an indirect reference to Malki-Tzedek in Matt. 22:44 "`The Lord said to my Lord: "Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies under your feet."' John 17:5 And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.

John 17:24

"Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.

The Greek "kosmos" is used, which means "world" indicating that in the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:1-3&14)

Since nothing was created without him, it follows that Messiah himself could not have been created. He always existed, just as God the Father has always existed. Here is another verse that does not directly reference the pre-existence of Messiah, but says he was "foreordained". Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you. (1 Peter 1:20)

Proverbs 8:1-31

Does not wisdom [chokmah] call out? Does not understanding [tebunah] raise her voice? On the heights along the way, where the paths meet, she takes her stand; beside the gates leading into the city, at the entrances, she cries aloud: "To you, O men, I call out; I raise my voice to all mankind. You who are simple, gain prudence; you who are foolish, gain understanding. Listen, for I have worthy things to say; I open my lips to speak what is right. My mouth speaks what is true, for my lips detest wickedness. All the words of my mouth are just; none of them is crooked or perverse. To the discerning all of them are right; they are faultless to those who have knowledge. Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold, for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her. "I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence; I possess knowledge and discretion. To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech. Counsel and sound judgment are mine; I have understanding and power. By me kings reign and rulers make laws that are just; by me princes govern, and all nobles who rule on earth. I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me. With me are riches and honor, enduring wealth and prosperity. My fruit is better than fine gold; what I yield surpasses choice silver. I walk in the way of righteousness, along the paths of justice, bestowing wealth on those who love me and making their treasuries full. "The LORD brought me forth as the first of his works, before his deeds of old; I was appointed from eternity, from the beginning, before the world began. When there were no oceans, I was given birth, when there were no springs abounding with water; before the mountains were settled in place, before the hills, I was given birth, before he made the earth or its fields or any of the dust of the world. I was there when he set the heavens in place, when he marked out the horizon on the face of the deep, when he established the clouds above and fixed securely the fountains of the deep, when he gave the sea its boundary so the waters would not overstep his command, and when he marked out the foundations of the earth. Then I was the craftsman at his side. I was filled with delight day after day, rejoicing always in his presence, rejoicing in his whole world and delighting in mankind.

The words "chokmah" and "tebunah" mean wisdom and understanding and have no direct association with the word "Torah". However, since the Torah is considered to be the source of all wisdom and understanding, this passage supports the widely held Jewish belief that the Torah has always existed. The passage is also Messianic and John 1:1-3 builds upon it with the phrase "In the beginning was the Word". Without John chapter 1 we might be inclined to believe that there are four uncreated manifestations of God, known as the Father, Messiah, Torah and Holy Spirit. However, since we are told that the Torah is the written Word and Messiah is the living Word, they are both the same and we are back to three.

Isaiah 48:12-16

"Listen to me, O Jacob, Israel, whom I have called: I am he; I am the first and I am the last. My own hand laid the foundations of the earth, and my right hand spread out the heavens; when I summon them, they all stand up together. "Come together, all of you, and listen: Which of [the idols] has foretold these things? The LORD's chosen ally will carry out his purpose against Babylon; his arm will be against the Babylonians. I, even I, have spoken; yes, I have called him. I will bring him, and he will succeed in his mission. "Come near me and listen to this: "From the first announcement I have not spoken in secret; at the time it happens, I am there." And now the Sovereign LORD has sent me, with his Spirit.

The role of Messiah as the Creator is also given in Colossians and Hebrews.

Colossians 1:14-18

In whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.

The term "firstborn of every creature" does not mean "first to be created". It is the same as "firstborn from the dead" and refers to the bodily resurrection of Jesus. He was born on earth in a created, mortal body but he was eternal and rose from the dead, and because of him we will also rise. (I Cor. 15:20-23). The term "firstborn" is also a reference to his authority, since the firstborn son of a Jewish family is the one who is given authority.

Hebrews 1:1-2

In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. In this case the Greek word "aionas" is translated "worlds", although literally it means "ages". It makes little difference, considering that we have already seen that Messiah creates the "kosmos", and in any case both of these words are approximate Greek equivalents of the Hebrew word "olam" which means "age, world or universe".

The Jews believe that there are two worlds or ages, known as the "olam hazeh" which means this world from creation until the final judgement, and the "olam haba" which means the world to come, after the final judgement. The two worlds are mentioned in Matthew 12:32 where Jesus says that those who sin against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven, neither in the "olam hazeh", nor in the "olam haba". Not only is Yeshua the creator of the "olam hazeh", he is also the creator of the "olam haba".

Revelation 21:5-6

He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!" Then he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true." He said to me: "It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life.

Revelation 22:12-16

"Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. "Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city. Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood. "I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star."

The concept of "God the Father" is a manifestation of God, just the same as the other uncreated manifestations. The first appearance of the Father is in Deut. 32:6 (Is he not your Father, your Creator, who made you and formed you? This was after God had taken the Israelites out of Egypt and given them the Torah. First God did all the things that a father is supposed to do, and then introduced himself as the Father. What does a father do for his children? He provides for them, keeps them safe, rescues them from danger, and then gives them the law.

According to Matt 6:9 we are supposed to address God as Father when we pray. Jesus told us to say " Our Father in heaven". In that case, how did they pray before the Torah was given? Did they know about God the Father? Probably they did, but it wasn't written down until after the Torah had been given, about 2,500 years after Creation. As far as Biblical chronology is concerned, Messiah pre-dates even God the Father because he appears in Genesis 49:10 - The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler's staff from between his feet, until he comes to whom it belongs and the obedience of the nations is his.

The Holy Spirit pre-dates both the Father and the Messiah, because he appears in Genesis 1:2 - Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.

There is an argument about whether the Holy Spirit exists separately from God the Father, or is simply a characteristic of God. The first mention of the Holy Spirit is during the Creation.

Genesis 1:1-2

In the beginning God [Elohim] created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God [Ruach Elohim] was hovering over the waters.

The Hebrew word "Ruach" means "Spirit" or "Breath". At first sight it would appear that the Holy Spirit is merely a characteristic of God, such as the "Breath of God" or the "Spirit of the Holy One". However, the plural Elohim suggests that there is more than one person involved in creation. We have already seen that everything is created through the Messiah, the Son of God, and now we see the Holy Spirit involved in creation. If the Holy Spirit is separate from God the Father, how was he created? The answer is that he wasn't. He was there in the beginning, in the second verse of Genesis, and is co-equal with both the Father and the Son. All three together are one. How can one be three, and how can three be one? Should we also worship Jesus? Yes, although Jesus himself never gave any direct instructions that we should do so. He encouraged us to worship and pray to the Father, but if people wanted to worship the Son, he accepted their worship whenever it was offered. He had a right to do so because he was God manifested in the flesh, and he demonstrated his deity by accepting their worship.

In the New Testament, there are many examples of people worshipping Jesus, and they seem to occur at key points in his life and ministry, or when someone had made a discovery about him.

Matthew 2:11

On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh.

Matthew 14:33

Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God."

Matthew 28:9-10

Suddenly Jesus met them. "Greetings," he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me."

Luke 24:51-52

While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy.

John 20:27-29

Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe." Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!" Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."

Thomas' confession "My Lord and my God" is one of the strongest affirmations of the deity of Jesus.

When Stephen was stoned, he looked into heaven and saw Jesus and worshipped him.

Acts 7:55-59

But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. "Look," he said, "I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God." At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul. While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit

Just as God created us in His image we are also a triune being God the Father, the Son and Holy Spirit. When God created the Earth He said, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness;" (Genesis 1:26)

God's image does not mean He looks like us for God in essence is Spirit (John 4:24) I believe there is a distinct parallel between the Trinity and that the Holy Spirit is an obvious parallel between the spirit of man. The body must parallel the Son of God, the member of the Godhead who assumed human flesh. (John 1:1-14). This leaves the Father to parallel the body assuming the comparison is valid.

The Spirit has the same double meaning from the Hebrew word ruah and the Greek pnuema both mean wind or spirit explaining Jesus' play on words in John 3. The Spirit is the part that differentiates us from animals. The transformation that takes place spiritually when we confess with our mouth Jesus as Lord and believe in or heart that God raised him from the dead, is that our spirit, which is at carnal enmity with God , is crucified with Christ and the Spirit of God regenerates and renews our spirit through the washing and renewing of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 10: 9-10, Romans 8:7, Titus 3:5). Jesus said, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God" then Nicodemus said to Him, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mothers womb and be born?" Jesus answered. "Most assuredly, I say unto you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of flesh is flesh, and that which is Spirit is spirit" (John 3:3-5)

The Greek work psyche has spawned many English derivative beginning with psycho as prefix. The main usage of psyche are soul, in its many meanings including person and life. When Jesus asked, "What shall a man give in exchange for his (psyche)? (Matthew 16:26) He could have referred to a man's soul or to his life here on Earth. Many are so used to using the word "saved" for eternal salvation and "soul" for the personality that will last forever that we miss the meaning. The closest to our English concept of soul comes from the Hebrew word Nephesh. Nephesh probably comes from the concept of breathing. "And the Lord God formed the man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being." (Genesis 2:7) The word being is translated from the word Nephesh which is related to our inner, immaterial part of our humanity (psyche) and is distinguished from the body.

Nephesh also relates to the life that is in the blood for both people and animals. (Leviticus 17:11). Therefore, Israel was not to drink blood, blood had a sacrificial value, and purposeful bloodshed of another human being was punishable by death.

Nephesh was also used as a personal pronoun especially in poetry. In Psalms, "my soul" (naphshi) is a very common expression, not always meaning much more than "I" or "me".

The best analogy I have that I can relate to the complexity of comprehending the body, soul, spirit issue as a triune being created in the image of God is H2O. H2O (water) can be in three forms, a solid, liquid or gas but it is still H2O.