In this account of Jesus’ baptism, you will notice once again the members of the Godhead manifest as three distinct Persons. First, Jesus was baptized by John, then the Spirit of God descended on Him, and finally God the Father declared from heaven, “This is My beloved Son in whom I’m well pleased.” Again, all three members working together for the same purpose.

Let me offer a basic example that will help illustrate this truth. Water (H2O) can manifest as three different forms. Temperature determines whether H2O will appear as a solid, liquid, or gas. Water’s substance—its molecular structure—never changes one iota, but its expression will change based on its environment (the temperature). In the same way, God’s central makeup doesn’t change. When you see the Son, you see the Father; and the Spirit was sent to reveal the Son to us (see John 17:21; Ephesians 1:17-18). God is one in purpose, and yet He has three expressions (Persons) who perform unique functions. Though there are three Persons, there is only one God. Deuteronomy 6:4 says, “Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one!” Romans 3:30 says, “There is one God who will justify.” James 2:19 likewise says, “You believe that there is one God. You do well.” This truth is a cornerstone for the rest of the book: there are three distinct divine Persons, but only one God.

Day 3

The First Person

The Holy Spirit is actually the first member of the Godhead who appears in the Bible. Genesis chapter one reads, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (verse 1). Now, let’s look at verse two: “The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.” The Spirit shows up right here in Genesis 1:2; He is the first member of the Godhead to be mentioned by name.

The question could be asked, “But John, in verse one it says, ‘In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.’ How can you say the Holy Spirit is the first member of the Godhead mentioned in Scripture if the first verse mentions God the Father?” That’s an excellent question. But remember, God said, “Let Us create man in Our image.” The reference to God in verse one refers to the Godhead, not to a specific member of the Godhead. Therefore, the first member of the Godhead identified by function is actually the Holy Spirit. In verse two we read that “the Spirit of God [the Holy Spirit] was hovering over the face of the waters.”

Again, let’s go back to our original question: who is the Holy Spirit? I can attest that He is the most amazing, wonderful, kind, tender, sensitive, mighty Person on the face of the earth. You may reply, “John, on the face of the earth?” Oh yes, on the face of the earth. What we have to understand is that the Father is not here on the earth; He’s on His throne in heaven. Likewise, Jesus is not here on the earth. I hear people say all the time, “Jesus is in my heart,” yet Scripture makes it very clear that He is seated at the right hand of God (see Mark 16:19). In Acts 1:9-11 we read: