The Holy Trinity is a central Christian doctrine that defines God as one being existing eternally as three distinct, coequal persons: God the Father, God the Son (Jesus Christ), and God the Holy Spirit. These three persons share the same divine essence or nature but are distinct in their personhood and roles
- God the Father is understood as the creator and sustainer of all things.
- God the Son refers to Jesus Christ, God incarnate who lived among humans, died, and was resurrected.
- God the Holy Spirit is the presence and power of God active in the world, guiding and sustaining believers.
This doctrine expresses that while God is one in essence, the three persons are distinct yet inseparable, coeternal, and consubstantial (of the same substance). The Trinity is not three gods but one God in three persons, each fully God but not three separate gods
. The concept is rooted in biblical passages such as Matthew 28:19 ("baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit") and 2 Corinthians 13:13, though the explicit formulation of the doctrine developed in the early centuries of Christianity, notably affirmed at the Council of Nicaea in 325 CE
. In summary, the Holy Trinity is the Christian belief that God is one being who exists simultaneously and eternally as three persons-Father, Son, and Holy Spirit-each fully divine but distinct, forming a unity in one Godhead
