How Do the Three Work?

This “three in one” concept can be very difficult to grasp because it defies our human understanding. First Corinthians 12:5-7 offers some insight into how the Three work together as One.

And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. (1 Corinthians 12:5-7 KJV)

As we read this passage, we discover that the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit all serve different roles. The Father operates or initiates (verse 6), the Son administrates (verse 5), and the Holy Spirit manifests (verse 7); yet all of them work together for the same purpose.

If you and I were going to build a house, what would we need to do? Well, we would need to hire an architect, a foreman, and workers (subcontractors) to actually build the house. In this illustration, God the Father is the architect, Jesus is the foreman, and the Holy Spirit is represented by the workers who build the house—He’s the “manifester” of creation. All three roles are essential to the construction of any house.

The Finger of God

Let’s take a look at two different scriptural accounts of the same incident. Jesus has just healed a demon-possessed man. The people are astonished, but the Pharisees think to themselves, He is only casting out demons by the devil himself (see Matthew 12:23-24). In verse 28 we read Jesus’ response to their thoughts: “If I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you” (KJV).

Luke also provides a record of this declaration, but his account differs slightly from Matthew’s. Luke 11:20 states, “But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you” (KJV). Both Luke and Matthew are referring to the Holy Spirit. As writers often do, Luke is describing the Holy Spirit’s function as opposed to His Person. Therefore we can deduce that the Holy Spirit can be described as the “finger of God.”

Not only is the Holy Spirit’s function identified as the finger of God, but also the hand of God, and the arm of God. Scripture states that God delivered His people “with a strong hand and an outstretched arm” (Psalm 136:12 NASB). Psalm 8:3 declares, “When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have ordained...” Most believers don’t realize that the Holy Spirit is the One who actually put the stars and the planets in the heavens; He’s the One who manifested all of creation. Remember, in Genesis 1:2 we read, “…the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.” He was waiting for the Father to initiate. The Son then had to administrate by saying, “Light be,” because Jesus is the Word of God. When “light be” was spoken, the Son administered the Father’s will and the Holy Spirit created that which was spoken.