Q. Why do some Christians believe in a Trinity? I never read where Jesus or Paul spoke of such a doctrine.
A. Although the word "Trinity" is not in the Bible, the concept of the three-in-one is there:
John the Baptist spoke of the Trinity (the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit):
John 3:34-36 "For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure [unto him].
The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand. He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him."
Jesus spoke of the Trinity (the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit):
John 20:21, 22 "Then said Jesus to them again, Peace [be] unto you: as [my]
Father hath sent me, even so send I you.
And when he had said this, he breathed on [them], and saith unto them, Receive ye
the Holy Ghost:"
Paul spoke of the Trinity (the Father, Son and Holy Spirit):
Act 20:20-23 "I ... have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house,
testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our
Lord Jesus Christ.
And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there:
Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me."
Peter spoke of the Trinity (the Father, Son and Holy Spirit):
Act 11:12-17 "And the Spirit bade me go with them, nothing doubting. Moreover these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered into the man's house:
...Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved. And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost
fell on them, as on us at the beginning. Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost. Forasmuch then as
God gave them the like gift as [he did] unto us, who believed on
the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God?
John spoke of the Trinity (the Father, Son and Holy Spirit):
1 John 4:13, 14 "Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of
his Spirit. And we have seen and do testify that the
Father sent the Son [to be] the Saviour of the world."
1 John 5:5-8 "Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that
Jesus is the Son of God? This is he that came by water and blood, [even] Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth. For there are three that bear record in heaven,
the Father, the Word, and the Holy
Ghost: and these three are one. And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one."
1 John 4:1-3 "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that
Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:
And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that [spirit] of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world."
For additional verses and teaching on The Trinity (Godhead), go to http://www.dianedew.com/godhead.htm