What is the basic understanding of the Trinity?

'Basic' understanding of the Trinity is that (Pre-existent, Everpresent & Everlasting/Eternal; Alpha & Omega/Beginning & End: having created & presently continuing to sustain all that IS etc) GOD:

• Is a PERSONAL & SPIRITUAL BEING, who has perfect relationship within HIMSELF in the mysterious form of three distinct PERSONHOODS:

1. God, THE FATHER
2. God, THE SON
3. God, THE HOLY SPIRIT

The words 'trinity' & 'triune' do not appear in the Old Testament, nor in the New Testament, although the word 'three' appears exactly 360 times in the Old Testament & 76 times in the New Testament. The trinity is not discussed, rather, it is implied. The number three appears to be significant in many ways 1 John 5:7 & 8 (MOST POIGNANT); e.g.:

1. O.T.: Jonah 1:17; Amos 1:3,6,9,11 & 13; Amos 2:1,4 & 6; Amos 4:4; Daniel 6:10; Ezekiel 48:31; Isaiah 16:14; Ecclesiastes 4:12 (this one is quite poignant indeed); Esther 4:16; Genesis 11:13 & 15
2. N.T.: Matthew 12:40 makes reference to Jonah 1:17; Matthew 18:16 & 20; Matthew 26:34; Matthew 26:61 (where Jesus refers to his own body as a temple, prophesying his own crucifiction & clearly implying He would be ,at least, vicariously responsible for his own death); Matthew 27:40 (where Jesus is mocked whilst on the cross, by those who heard His prophetic words, yet had not understood His reference to destroying & rebuilding the temple) ;Matthew 27:63 (where a hostile witness <names Jesus as "a deceiver"> confirms Jesus' own claims of His ability to resurrect himself); Luke 13:7; Acts 9:9; 1Corinthians 13:13; Revelation 9:18; 16:13 & 19; 21:13
   

On the basis the idea of THREE PERSONS in ONE being very difficult to get one's 'head around' (granted: if GOD could be put in a 'box' of sorts GOD wouldn't essentially BE GOD...The LORD GOD's rebuke of Job in Job Chapter 38 puts a clear perspective on this)...I like to describe the trinity in this rather 'crude' fashion:
On earth H2O is present in 3 disctinct & very different forms:

1. Liquid (water)
   
2. Gas (steam/vapour)
   
3. Solid (ice)
   

I hope this is of some help

First answer by Akshidevi69. Last edit by Akshidevi69. Contributor trust: 1 [recommend contributor]. Question popularity: 1 [recommend question]