The doctrine of the Trinity is a major theological point of disagreement among the Abrahamic religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, but does this divergence reflect a departure from the Bible’s original emphasis on the oneness of God?
In the Bible, Matthew 28:19 states:
“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.”
This is often understood as describing God as three distinct persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. However, a consistent theme throughout the Old Testament emphasizes God’s oneness and the undivided nature of His name.
Old Testament Emphasis on God’s Singular Name
Psalm 20:7 emphasizes trust in God’s singular name:
“Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the Lord our God.”
Isaiah 42:8 reinforces God’s singular glory:
“I am the Lord: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.”
Psalm 124:8 and Micah 4:5 also affirm that God’s people are saved and walk in His one name forever:
- Psalm 124:8: “Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.”
- Micah 4:5: “For all people will walk every one in the name of his god, and we will walk in the name of the Lord our God for ever and ever.“
Isaiah 26:8 reflects Israel’s longing for God’s name, showing its unmatched power:
“Yea, in the way of thy judgments, O Lord, have we waited for thee; the desire of our soul is to thy name, and to the remembrance of thee.”
God’s Oneness in Zechariah and Revelation
While Matthew 28:19 refers to baptizing in the name (singular) of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, this can be interpreted as representing different revelations of God rather than separate divine beings. The Old Testament’s emphasis on God’s oneness is further highlighted in Zechariah 14:9:
“And the Lord shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one Lord, and his name one.”
This reflects a unified, indivisible God. The same idea is echoed in Revelation 11:15:
“The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.”
Zechariah 14:9 focuses on one Lord and one name, pointing to the unity of God’s kingship. In this context, the phrase “our Lord” and “His Christ” in Revelation 11:15 can be understood as highlighting the inseparable relationship between God and His Word, Jesus Christ, with Christ being the Word made flesh (John 1:1, 14), revealing God’s nature and authority on earth. Therefore, Christ represents the tangible expression of God’s kingship, embodying His divine presence. Christ’s reign expresses and fulfills God’s singular, eternal kingship, aligning with the theme of God’s oneness in Zechariah.
God’s Sovereignty: The Fulfillment of His Eternal Reign
The consistent biblical theme of God’s singular name and authority challenges the traditional Trinitarian view of Matthew 28:19. Rather than dividing God into three distinct persons, Scripture emphasizes the oneness and indivisibility of God’s nature, revealing Him as one eternal being. This aligns with Zechariah 14:9 and Revelation 11:15, where God’s kingship and Christ’s reign fulfill His sole, eternal plan.
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