The concept of a Godhead is a Biblical one. In fact, the word “Godhead” appears a few times in Scripture (in the KJV) including Acts 17:29, Romans 1:20, and Colossians 2:9. Sometimes referred to as the Trinity, the personality of the Godhead represents the three persons, or personalities, of Divinity, Diety – the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

How Scripture answers "Where do we see the personality of the Godhead?"

The personality of the Godhead may come forth most explicitly at Jesus’ baptism2. There we see the Father in heaven, the Son manifested in the flesh on earth, and the Holy Spirit anointing the Son like a dove. We also find statements about specific attributes of the personality of the Godhead with Jesus and the apostles in the upper room10 and in Peter’s opening6 and Paul’s closing5 of their epistles.

Maybe most poignant for the Christian today are the roles that the Godhead fulfills in the redemption of man3,4,7,8,11,14,15,16,17. What might be best summarized by Jesus when He confounded the leaders in the temple15, we also find discreet participation by each personage in sanctification3,7,8, selection6,7, fellowship5,11, suffering16, and love5,17. The Christian, by his/her obedience6 to the Son’s word8,15 and subsequent adoption as sons9,16, is established by the Father4, anointed by the Son’s blood4,6 in baptism3,13,14, and sealed/set apart in/by the Spirit3,4,6,7,8 for glory7,16 and membership in God’s household11, the unified12 church!

The passages in Genesis1 are interesting to consider in light of the personality of the Godhead. It is a popular interpretation of these Genesis passages that the “us” is the plurality of the Godhead. The understanding is that God the Father is conversing with Jesus the Son and the Holy Spirit.

However, this understanding could seem problematic in that nowhere else in Scripture do we see this sort of “discussion” going on among the personalities of the Godhead. Furthermore, this kind of “announcement” within and for the benefit of the Trinity might suggest a lack of harmony and unity. In other words, does taking this interpretation suggest that God the Father needed to announce His intention to the Son and the Holy Spirit? Does that not impune their ‘acting as one’?

Another, possibly better interpretation, for these Genesis passages could be the Godhead making these declarations to the heavenly council. This may fit better with the single-minded nature of the Godhead. It also is well supported in Scripture where we see the prophets coming before the council of God in multiple cases.

Answer built on scripture-blocks below

Genesis 1:26

Then God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.

Then God announced that they should make man in their image and likeness, letting him have dominion over all the sea and land – every animal on the earth.

The Creation account in the first chapter that culminates in God making man.  The next chapter retells and elaborates on the creation of man, and chapter three of their sin.
Scripture-block application to this question

This possibly applies since the “us” here could be God, the Father, Jesus, the Son and the Holy Spirit, but it might also be God making a declaration to His heavenly court or council. Also in Genesis – 3:22-23 and 11:7.

Mark 1:9-11

In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.

During this time, Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. When Jesus came up out of the water, He saw the heavens open and the Holy Spirit descended on Him like a dove while a voice came from heaven saying, “You are my beloved Son, with you I am well pleased.”

The early days of John the Baptist’s ministry to prepare the way for his cousin, Jesus. He was known for “baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance” (vs 4).

Parallel accounts of this appear in Matthew 3:16-17, Luke 3:21-22, John 1:32-34.

Scripture-block application to this question

Jesus’ baptism, where the Father speaks from Heaven to the Son (on earth) and the Holy Spirit as a dove.

1 Corinthians 6:11

And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

Some of you were engaged in these sinful practices, but you have been cleansed [of sin], set apart (e.g. made holy), and reconciled in the name of Jesus Christ and by the Holy Spirit.

Paul is addressing the brethren of Corinth that are relatively new to the faith and has just listed several sinful practices of the “unrighteous” (vss 9-10) that some in Corinth had been a part of but had turned from in their conversion.

Scripture-block application to this question

Paul calls out some specific roles of the Godhead in a Christian’s salvation.

2 Corinthians 1:21-22

And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.

God established a fellowship of the saints through Jesus and sealed it by the Holy Spirit, who was given in our hearts as a down payment.

Actually Paul’s third letter (13:1) to the church at Corinth, writing to them defending his apostleship and also rejoicing in their handling of the some of the issues/sin he dealt with in 1 Corinthians (his second letter).

Scripture-block application to this question

Paul identifies the Father, Son and Spirit in/by which the Christian is “established.”

2 Corinthians 13:14

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

Paul’s closing to his letter to the church in Corinth.
Scripture-block application to this question

Paul ascribes grace, love, and fellowship to the Son, Father, and Spirit respectively.

1 Peter 1:1-2

Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who are elect exiles of the dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you.

From Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ. To the Christians scattered throughout Asia Minor in accordance with the foreknowledge of God the Father, set apart by the Holy Spirit to be obedient to the word of Christ and to be sprinkled with His blood.  May you be granted abundant grace and peace.

The Apostle Peter’s first letter to Christians throughout the region.
Scripture-block application to this question

Peter calls out the foreknowledge of the Father and the sanctification of the Spirit in connection with a Christian’s obedience to the Son and sprinkling of His blood.

2 Thessalonians 2:13-14

But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth. To this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Give thanks to God, since He chose you to be saved through the setting apart by the Spirit and belief in the gospel – to this He called you by “our gospel” in order that you may obtain glory shared with our Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul’s second letter to the church in Thessalonica where he is warning them about coming destructive forces to the faithful – those that succumb even being helped by God who “sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false,” (vs 11).
Scripture-block application to this question

Paul gives thanks to God for His foreknowledge of their sanctification by the Spirit and for their ultimatly obtaining the glory of the Son.

Romans 15:15-16

But on some points I have written to you very boldly by way of reminder, because of the grace given me by God to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles in the priestly service of the gospel of God, so that the offering of the Gentiles may be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.

On some things I [Paul] have forcefully written in order to remind you – on account of God’s grace for me to be a preacher of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles regarding His gospel message – so that the spiritual service of the Gentiles might acceptable and they may be sanctified by the Holy Spirit.

Paul has made the case that the gospel is for all – Jew and Gentile – and that all are in Christ through the “obedience of faith,” a phrase that bookends his letter (1:5, 16:26).  Their “obedience of faith” explains Paul’s plea here regarding their “offering” being “acceptable.”

Scripture-block application to this question

Paul was a minister to the Gentiles by the grace of God, calling them to the Son’s gospel and their sanctification by the Holy Spirit.

Galatians 4:6

And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, Abba! Father!

Since you are sons of God, He has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, Abba! Father!

Paul’s letter to the churches of Galatia (1:2) in which he warns of “quickly deserting” (1:6) their call in Christ.  He continues this theme through chapter 2 and begins in chapter 3 to the end to connect the promise that God made to Abraham (3:8) with their present freedom in Christ (5:1).

Scripture-block application to this question

God gives the Spirit of His Son to His children.

John 14:16-17

And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.

I [Jesus] will ask the Father to give you [apostles] another Helper – the Spirit of truth – to remain with you.  Those in the world cannot receive Him since they neither see or know Him, but you know Him because He dwells with you and in you.

This entire section of Scripture (John 13-17) is Jesus in the upper room with the twelve apostles. He is speaking to them directly and giving them instruction about his coming death and what will follow.

Regarding the Helper (e.g. “Spirit of truth” or the Holy Spirit) specifically, Jesus later in this context defines more of how He will help them: (14:26) But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and will cause you to remember everything I said to you. (16:12-13) I have many more things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth.

Scripture-block application to this question

The Son tells the apostles that the Father will send the Spirit to be their Helper.

Ephesians 2:19-22

So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

You are no longer set apart, but now are fellow citizens with the saints of God’s household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets. Jesus, Himself is the chief cornerstone, in whom the entire building joins together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord.  In Christ, you also are adding together to form a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

Paul is pointing out to the Ephesians and Gentile Christians, that though they were at one time “called the uncircumcision by the circumcised” (vs 11), they are now part of the inheritance in Christ as a result of the “peace” that has been preached (vs 18).

Scripture-block application to this question

The church is God’s “household”, filled by the Holy Spirit and Christ Jesus is the cornerstone.

Ephesians 4:4-6

There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

There is one body and one Spirit.  Likewise, you were called to one hope that is your calling.  There’s one Lord, one faith, one baptism.  Finally, there is one God and Father of all who is over, through, and in all.

Paul is turning to urge the brethren to be unified and to “walk in a manner worthy of the calling”  to which they were called (vs 1).  He is encouraging them to do so humbly and in love (vs 2) while remembering the grace that has been given to each one (vs 7).

Scripture-block application to this question

There is one Spirit, one Lord, and one God and Father of all.

Matthew 28:19-20

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.

Go out and make followers of all the people, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit and teach them to abide by all that I [Jesus] have commanded.  Behold, I will remain with you to the end of this age.

The very close of Matthew’s account of Jesus’ life on earth.  This address was made to the eleven apostles (vs 16) and similar accounts are given at the end Mark (
Mk 16:15-16
) and Luke (
Lk 24:45-47
).
Scripture-block application to this question

A disciple is baptized into the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Titus 3:4-6

But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior,

God appeared in the form of Jesus and saved us, not based on our merit but by His mercy, by the “washing of regeneration” and by renewal of the Holy Spirit, poured out fully through Christ.

Paul’s letter of encouragement to a young preacher Titus. Much like his letters to Timothy, Paul instructs Titus regarding the different churches “in every town” (1:5) to which he was ministering. Also, like Timothy, he encourages Titus to “let no one [in the church] disregard” him (2:15).

Scripture-block application to this question

God’s goodness and loving-kindness appeared in the form of Jesus Christ to save mankind by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit.

Luke 4:18-19

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.

The Holy Spirit is upon me and has anointed me [Jesus] to preach the gospel message to the poor. He has sent me to preach freedom to the prisoners and sight to the blind, to free those that are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.

Jesus has just begun His public ministry and has returned to Nazareth where he was raised (vs 16). While in the synagogue on the Sabbath day, Jesus reads this from Isaiah 61:1-2 and tells them it has been fulfilled through Him (vs 21).
Scripture-block application to this question

Jesus was sent by God, the Father, whose Spirit rested upon Him to proclaim the gospel (e.g. His word).

Romans 8:15-17

For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, Abba! Father! The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.

For the Christian’s spirit isn’t one of slavery that returns us to a state of fear, but rather ours is the Spirit of an adopted son of God! Indeed, it’s His Holy Spirit who testifies on our behalf in that regard and together we cry out to the Father. As a result, we are heirs of God’s promises — joint heirs with Christ — if only we suffer with Him so that we are glorified with Him.

After rejoicing in his own salvation and freedom from “this body of death” (7:24) through Christ, Paul is calling on the Roman Christians to remember their own calling and the triumph they share in Christ (vss 1-2).  He implores them to “live according to the Spirit” (vs 5).

Scripture-block application to this question

The Holy Spirit bears witness with us to God the Father that we are indeed heirs of His promises, joint heirs with Jesus the Son provided we suffer and endure as He did.

Jude 1:19-21

It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit. But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life.

It is worldly people that do not have the Spirit that cause divisions. But you, brethern, keep yourselves in fellowship with God until the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ leading to eternal life by building yourselves up in faith and praying in the Holy Spirit.

Jude’s letter to Christians warning them of false teachers that have “crept in unnoticed” (vs 4).

Scripture-block application to this question

Christians are to keep themselves in the love of God the Father while they wait for the mercy of Jesus Christ by building their faith and praying in the Holy Spirit.

end of scripture-blocks; go back to the answer

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