How should I understand Matthew 28:19? Is God three persons?

Question

Matt 28:19
John 10:30

Answer 1

Matt. 28:19 does refer to the three persona that constitute God. Gen. 1:26; Gen. 3:22. He is three persons, but they have different roles. There are many verses that relate to this question:

There is only one God, the Father, 1 Cor. 8:6, and he is spirit. John 4:24.

Jesus said that he and the Father are "one", John 10:30, and even referred to himself as "I Am", John 8:58, which is another name for God. Exodus 3:14. Jesus was with God in the Beginning and "was God." John 1:1-2.

The Spirit is truth, 1 John 5:6, and Jesus said that he was the way, the truth and the life. John 14:6. Although Jesus is called the "Word" in John 1:1-14, the Holy Spirit spoke through Isaiah the prophet, Acts 28:25, and then quoted the book of Isaiah, which is part of God's Word. Acts 28:26-27. Elsewhere, God's Word is called the sword of the Spirit. Ephesians 6:17.

The Spirit is referred to as God's spirit in Isaiah 48:16. Jesus is called the Lord, Luke 4:12; Matt. 7:21-22, and the Lord is the same as the Spirit. 2 Cor. 3:17.

There are many more. The statement is true, but hard for us to comprehend.

Answer 2

Yes. One God in three persons. Other scriptures that verify this are John 1:1, John 1:14, 1 John 5:7.

Answer 3

This scripture has been so misapplied to prove the trinity that it has almost lost its true meaning.

One who is baptized in the name of the Father must recognize the great Creator, Jehovah, as the only living and true God, the Father and Life-giver, the rewarder of those who show faith in him. He is the one to whom the individual’s life must be dedicated as the highest power, the one to whom every creature must be subject and obedient.

It must be “in the name of the Son” in that it must include a recognition of the fact that we come to the Father only through the Son’s merit. We must recognize Christ’s great station in Jehovah’s organization, his position as anointed King and Ruler of Jehovah’s kingdom. This also includes following Jesus’ example, trusting him for salvation, accepting him as the “leader and commander to the people.”—Isa. 55:4.

The baptized one must recognize his need “of the holy spirit,” without which the dedication cannot be maintained. The holy spirit must be recognized as the active force of Jehovah, the force that accomplishes his will. The baptized one must have determined to act in harmony with that spirit of Jehovah, not going contrary to it, not blaspheming against it. He should pray that he will be filled with more of that spirit and be led by it, rather than following his own will or that of any man.

There is nothing in this verse to support the trinity. It does not say that the Father, Son, and holy spirit are co-equal, co-eternal, AND that they make God.

How can John 10:30 prove the trinity when it does not even mention three persons? It only mentions two persons.

Answer 4

It makes perfect sense if you think of it this way:

There is only ONE god (ignore the part where Yahweh says "Us" - Genesis 1:26)

However, God has a son who is also God, and then there is this Dove, or fire, called the Holy Spirit, that is also God, except they are all the same God.

And God knows everything, except the "Jesus" part of God, who doesn't know when the "Father" part of God is going to end the world.

And sometimes the "Jesus" God asked the "Father" God to change his mind, like in the Garden of Gethsemane (except don't forget they are the SAME ONE GOD.)

Also, the "Holy Spirit" part of God is responsible for getting you to accept the "Jesus" part of God that will allow the "Father" part of God to let you into heaven, where all three, I mean one, of them are.

See? Doesn't that make perfect sense?

Damn...I need an aspirin.

Answer 5

One God, Three Persons. Another way to understand it is "One What, Three Whos".

Perhaps the Three Ecumenical Creeds will help you to understand better: http://www.lcms.org/pages/internal.asp?NavID=582

Looking up Athanasian Creed in Wikipedia will yield a visual that may help you as well.

Answer 6

Three whos in one what...Father Son and Holy Spirit = Trinity

Poor example but an example non the less -

One whole apple pie cut into three slices...

Answer 7

So he lifted his eyes and looked, and behold, THREE MEN WERE STANDING BY HIM; and when he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them, and bowed himself to the ground, AND SAID, “MY LORD, if I have now found favor in Your sight, do not pass on by Your servant. Gen. 18:2-3

For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word(JESUS), and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one. 1 Jn. 5:7

For in Him(JESUS) dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. Col. 2:9

And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness:
God was manifested in the flesh,
Justified in the Spirit,
Seen by angels,
Preached among the Gentiles,
Believed on in the world,
Received up in glory. 1 Tim. 3:16

And the Word became flesh(JESUS) and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. Jn. 1:14

Answer 8

God the Father, God the Son (Jesus is God in the flesh)God the Holy Spirit =Jesus Christ God Almighty

Answer 9

Just look at it as 3 in 1 oil.

Answer 10

Matthew has a bad dream when he came with that ridiculous verse.