Godhead
Who is God and his Son Jesus Christ
The Biblical Use of the Word 'Godhead'
The term "Godhead" is only found three times in Scripture, and all three are from the apostle Paul. The word has been heavily misunderstood and misused to support the doctrine of a Trinity, yet a careful study reveals that Paul never used "Godhead" to describe a plurality of divine beings. Many think that by someone not believing in the trinity, automatically the person either denies The divinity of Christ or the existence of the Holy Spirt. This things are not true. The trinity doctrine did not exist in the time of the disciples and they believed in God the Father, His son Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. So what does Bible mean when we see the Spirit of God inspire men to say Godhead. Let us examine these three verses in light of their context and supporting Scriptures.
1. Acts 17:29 – Godhead Not a Man-Made Image
"Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device."
Paul, addressing the idolatrous Athenians, exposes their ignorance in worshiping an “UNKNOWN GOD” (v23). He points to the one true God who is the Father as it has been revealed by Jesus in John 17:3 and Paul reiterates on 1 Corinthians 8:6, This is God who raised Jesus from the dead (v31), not a collective group of divine beings. This Godhead is the one God who cannot be represented by idols or imagined forms.
“...Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you.” – v23 “God, that made the world... hath appointed a day... by that man whom he hath ordained...” – v31 “God the Father, who raised him from the dead.” – Galatians 1:1
2. Romans 1:20 – God's Eternal Power and Divine Nature
"For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen... even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse."
Paul continues to refer to God the Father as the source of all creation and power. The “invisible things of Him” are understood through creation. “Godhead” here refers to the Father's divine nature and power, not to a committee of beings.
3. Colossians 2:9 – The Fullness in Christ
"For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily."
Paul speaks of Jesus Christ. But what dwelt in Him? The Spirit and divine nature of the Father:
“To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself...” – 2 Corinthians 5:19
“For it pleased the Father that in him should all fullness dwell...” – Colossians 1:19 “For God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.” – John 3:34
The fullness of the Godhead = the Father's divine presence and power, fully dwelling in the Son by His Spirit, not another co-equal being. This also does not make Christ less, for he has everything his Father has given him, and his Father has not hold back on giving to Christ all power and authority, making him God in essence and infinite.
4. Godhead Always Refers to the Father
“To us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by Him.”
— 1 Corinthians 8:6
Paul plainly distinguishes between the one God (the Father) and one Lord (Jesus Christ). The Godhead, as Paul uses it, always refers back to the Father as the singular divine source.
“Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ...”
— 2 Corinthians 1:3
“Jesus saith unto her... I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.”
— John 20:17
In the Old Testament:
“Have we not all one father? Hath not one God created us?”
— Malachi 2:10
“Look unto Me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.”
— Isaiah 45:22
These verses all confirm that “God” (or “Godhead”) is singular, and in the New Testament, Paul clearly applies it to the Father alone.
5. No Mention of Plurality in the Word Itself
The Greek word translated as Godhead in each of Paul’s three usages is always singular, not plural. There is no indication of a collective or triune being.
Here are supporting verses showing singularity:
“I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me...”
— Isaiah 45:5
“The LORD our God is one LORD.”
— Deuteronomy 6:4
“I am the LORD, and there is none else.”
— Isaiah 45:6, 18, 21-22 (repeated emphatically)
Is “Elohim” in the Old Testament Plural? Does Deuteronomy 6:4 Support a Trinity?Deuteronomy 6:4 — “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD.”
The word “Elohim” is grammatically plural in form, but that does not mean it refers to multiple beings. Hebrew often uses plural forms to express majesty, greatness, or intensity, not quantity. This is known as the plural of majesty.
For example:
The word “chayim” (life) is plural, but refers to one life.
“Panim” (face) is plural, but speaks of a single face.
“Baalim” (lord/master) can refer to one lord, depending on the context.
In Deuteronomy 6:4, the verse clearly declares that the LORD is one (Hebrew: YHWH echad). The word “echad” means a single, united one, not a compound of multiple beings. If Moses wanted to teach three persons, he would have used the word “shlosha” (three) or another term of numerical plurality. Further more in Exodus 7:1 Moses is also called Elohim. Meaning that this word is not used for a unity of co equal beings, but a unity of characteristics.
Furthermore:
“I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me.” – Isaiah 45:5
So while Elohim appears in plural form, the context, verb usage, and the unwavering testimony of Scripture prove that it refers to one single divine Person who is Yahweh, the Father, not a trinity of beings. This same name is given to Christ for he is Son of God and is like God.
In all three verses where Godhead appears:
Acts 17:29 refers to “Him” (singular), who raised Christ.
Romans 1:20 describes “His” eternal power (singular possessive).
Colossians 2:9 refers to “the fullness of the Godhead bodily” in Christ, not multiple beings dwelling in Christ.
There is no linguistic or theological basis in the Bible for making Godhead a label for three beings.
6. The Holy Spirit Is Absent in All Three Verses
This is not just incidental, it is intentional. Here’s the evidence:
Acts 17 – Entire passage (vv. 16–34) mentions God, Jesus, and the resurrection. No mention of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 1 – Verses 1–25 detail God the Father and Jesus Christ, but when describing creation and “Godhead,” Paul makes no reference to the Holy Spirit.
Colossians 2 – Paul speaks of Christ having “all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.” He doesn’t say “three persons,” nor mention the Holy Spirit.
This silence is emphasized by the following:
“That which was conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.” – Matthew 1:20
(If the Spirit were a third being, this would contradict John 3:16.)
But Christ clarifies:
“The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.” – John 6:63
“I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.” – John 14:18
The Spirit is Christ’s presence, not a separate being. Thus, it makes perfect sense why Paul never mentions the Holy Spirit as part of the “Godhead.” It’s not a third person in the sense of being a separate being, but the Father’s Spirit dwelling in His Son and then in us thus this third person is Christ in us, which is our hope of Glory according to Colossians 1:27.
7. Scripture Defines God as the Father Alone
“But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things...” – 1 Corinthians 8:6
This was Paul’s consistent belief, and the belief of all the apostles. The Father is God. Jesus is His Son. The Spirit is the Spirit of God and of Christ.
8. This point is directly to Seventh Day Adventists who take the writings of Ellen White as inspired by God, she Confirms: Only the Father and Son Are Divine Beings
“The Father and the Son ALONE are to be exalted.” – Youth's Instructor, July 7, 1898
“God informed Satan that to his Son ALONE he would reveal his secret purposes...” – Signs of the Times, Jan. 9, 1879
“The ONLY Being who was one with God...” – Signs of the Times, Oct. 14, 1897
9. The Spirit Is the Presence of God and Christ
Nowhere in Scripture is the Holy Spirit called a third divine being equal to the Father and Son. The Spirit is the presence and power of the Father, dwelling in us through Christ.
“God was in Christ...” – 2 Corinthians 5:19 “The Spirit of truth... I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.” – John 14:17-18
10. Paul Warned of Human Philosophy Entering the Faith
“Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men... and not after Christ.” – Colossians 2:8
The Trinity is a man made tradition, not a biblical truth. Paul warned the church about these deceptive philosophies.
11. The Bible Consistently Reveals Two Divine Beings
Throughout the New Testament, from Matthew to Revelation, we see the Father and the Son working in harmony. Not once is a third divine being placed alongside them as equal. The Spirit is always shown as their presence, not a separate person.
“Grace be unto you... from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.” – Repeated throughout Paul's epistles.
12. Let Scripture Interpret Scripture—Not Tradition
Nowhere do the verses with the word “Godhead” support the idea of a Trinity. Instead, they exalt the Father and reveal His power in His Son.
So we must ask:
Why is the Holy Spirit absent from all three verses?
Why does Paul never define God as three?
Why do we allow tradition to replace Scripture?
Let the Word of God speak:
“And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” – John 17:3
Disciple of Christ
Jeser Alejo
