I think you believe in One God but where does the three come in?

Can the trinity be explained without using the word persons ?

"First, let me say that understanding what is called the trinity is difficult or it would not have been discussed and debated for the past 2000 years or so. Can I help you understand it? I honestly don't know. I like many others have gone to the Bible and developed what I believe about the trinity. If you compare what I believe with traditional dogma, you won't find agreement. There are many who will disagree with me that also would not be found in agreement with traditional dogma. So with all that said, I'll offer my beliefs and why I believe as I do. Genesis 1:26 records God as saying, ""Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness." The question to answer is, "Who is "Us?" Adam Clarke, 19th century Bible Scholar and writer, says in his commentary notes on Genesis 1:26

Were even the word of God silent on this subject, we could not infer less from the lights held out to us by reason and common sense. The text tells us he (man) was the work of ELOHIM, the Divine Plurality, marked here more distinctly by the plural pronouns US and OUR.

Sometimes, I think the whole discussion should be left at the concept of "Divine Plurality." But then I always ask, "Who are the Us?" Using the word persons to describe this "Divine Plurality" is probably not necessary. I don't usually use "Divine Plurality" either. But it is used here only as a convenient way of expressing God in the plural sense that He ascribes to Himself. But then do "He" and "Himself" imply a person? Maybe using "persons" is just a way of expressing "He." How else could it be said? It's interesting that "trinity" is not in the Bible. I'm not saying the term is wrong; it simply means "three." But for something to have been discussed so much, one would think that it would at least have a title that could be found in the sacred writings. The three are: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. I don't personally know of any one who would deny the divinity of either of these three. Elohim is the plural form of the word translated "God." Some would translate the term as simply "Deity." My concept of God is probably found more in purpose or function and not in personification. The Father gave his Son to die for us. The Holy Spirit, is the force and motivation to achieve God's plan for man's salvation. God then, from this concept of purpose or function, is the Divine Being who provides all that is needed for our existence and salvation. He is Heavenly Father, Ruling King, Sacrificial Lamb, Revealer of all truth, Giver of Life and many other attributes that are easily seen to be accomplished by either Father, Son or Holy Spirit. God is also "One." Deuteronomy 6:4 says using this plural term of God:

Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one!

We might ask, "Is trinity the correct term to use?" I must give a cautious answer that it can be if we understand the concept. However, if by "trinity" we refer to a definable dogma established over years of tradition and human thought, then it is not an acceptable term.

Can the trinity be explained without using the term person? Yes, absolutely, at least to my own satisfaction, I can do this. Is the Heavenly Father a person? Not by human standards, He is not. He (There's that little "personal pronoun" again.) is a Divine Entity that performs the functions of a Father, at a Divine level. The Son is a Divine Entity that functions as a son on a Divine Level. The Holy Spirit is of both and is the Divine expression of the Divine Plurality. Together, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are One God and cannot be separated from being One. This absolute unity is such that the Father is God, the Son is God, and the Holy Spirit is God. This plural concept is necessary because how else could the Father send the Son to die for the beings created by God as revealed by the Holy Spirit? I sincerely hope this helps.

The traditional "Trinity Doctrine" was probably begun to help man understand the Divine concepts of God. Man, however, in his conceit and arrogance has botched it all up and made it something that is not easily understood. Read your Bible. Believe what it says about God and nothing else. Let me urge you to believe and obey the teaching of the Son so that you are added to His Church to forever rest in God's eternal kingdom.