The Trinity

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Would it surprise you to know that one of the most prominent doctrines in Christianity today has no basis in scripture? The doctrine of the “Holy Trinity” considered by many to be essential to one’s very salvation, is not found in Christianity until at least three hundred years after the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Even more shocking is the fact that the concept of a triune godhead likely comes from the traditions of paganisim!

What is the Trinity?

Christians believe that God is a Trinity of Persons, each omnipotent, omniscient and wholly benevolent, co-equal and fully divine.

Why the Trinity is a False Teaching

The Trinity belief came about because of the Council of Nicea and Constantine the Emperor’s decision to side with the belief that the Father, Jesus, and the Holy Ghost were one being. Constantine then used force and/or threats to make sure this was the established belief

• “Arius emphasized the supremacy and uniqueness of God the Father, meaning that the Father alone is almighty and infinite, and that therefore the Father's divinity must be greater than the Son's. …The contra-Arian argument thus stated that the Logos was "eternally begotten", therefore with no beginning. Those in opposition to Arius believed that to follow the Arian view destroyed the unity of the Godhead, and made the Son unequal to the Father. …The Emperor carried out his earlier statement: everybody who refused to endorse the Creed would be exiled. Arius, Theonas, and Secundus refused to adhere to the creed, and were thus exiled to Illyria, in addition to being excommunicated. The works of Arius were ordered to be confiscated and consigned to the flames, while his supporters considered as "enemies of Christianity."

The teaching of the Trinity went back and forth:

• “Athanasius and other trinitarian Church leaders crusaded against the theology, and Arius was again anathemised [excommunicated] and pronounced a heretic. …In 355 Constantius became the sole Emperor and extended his pro-Arian policy toward the western provinces, frequently using force to push through his creed, even exiling Pope Liberius and installing Antipope Felix II. …Constantine's son Constantius II, who had become Emperor of the eastern part of the Empire, actually encouraged the Arians and set out to reverse the Nicene Creed. …It was not until the co-reigns of Gratian and Theodosius that Arianism was effectively wiped out among the ruling class and elite of the Eastern Empire. Theodosius' wife St Flacilla was instrumental in his campaign to end Arianism. Valens died in the Battle of Adrianople in 378 and Page 4 of 4 was succeeded by Theodosius I, who adhered to the Nicene Creed. This allowed for settling the dispute.”

There is a Father in Heaven who is a separate being from Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. Jesus taught us we should pray to our Father in Jesus’ name (John 16:23 -24). We should worship God the Father through his Son, Jesus Christ. Our Father who is in Heaven loves us greatly and does not want us to be confused about his existence. Jesus, before his death, confirmed these teachings with this great truth:

For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God. I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father (John 16:27-28 27 )

False Arguments

“I AND THE FATHER ARE ONE” – JOHN 10:30

Supporters of the trinity often quote the words of Jesus “I and the Father are one” as proof for Jesus’ being God in the flesh. Once again they take the words of Jesus competely out of context. If one examines Jesus’ own words later on in the very same gospel of John, he explains this oneness.

On the night of his arrest the Saviour prayed in the garden of Gethsemane. He prayed earnestly for the well being of his Apostles. He asks God that “they all may be ONE, as you Father, are in me, and I in you; that they also may be ONE in us, that the world may believe that you sent me. And the glory which you gave me I have given them, and that they may be ONE just as we are ONE.” (John 17:21-22)

Clearly Jesus was not asking his Father to make his apostles one in the same person. He was requesting that they be one in thought, purpose, and deed. Jesus Christ and Yahweh, his God and our God, are indeed one, but it is a oneness in their mission.

“HE WHO HAS SEEN ME HAS SEEN THE FATHER” – JOHN 14:9

This passage is often used by trinity advocates as another proof that Jesus was claiming to be God. If we are to take this passage literally, there appears to be serious contradiction in Jesus’ words in other scriptures. How can Jesus say “he who has seen me has seen the Father” and in another place say “Not that anyone has seen the Father, except he who is from God; he has seen the Father.” (John 6:46) “And the Father himself who sent me, has testified of me. You have neither heard his voice at anytime, nor seen his form.” (John 5:37) Or what about the words of John “No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten son, who is in the bosom of the Father has declared him.” Then again in (1st John 4:12) “No one has seen God at any time.” Thankfully, the scriptures do not contradict themselves.

It appears that the true meaning of Jesus’ words are, if you have seen him, you have seen the works of the Father. The word “seen” is translated from the Greek word horao(Strongs 3708) which means “to discern clearly.”

JESUS NEVER ONCE CLAIMED TO BE GOD

If Jesus Christ was God in the flesh, why didn’t he just come out and say so? Why did he come up with such a confusing doctrine known as the trinity? In all cases Jesus Christ speaks of his Father being his superior. Here are just a few scriptures, “As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father.” (John 6:57) “My doctrine is not mine but his who sent me.” (John 7:16) “For the Father judges no one, but committed all judgement to the SON.” (John 5:22) “And I bestow upon you a kingdom, just as my Father bestowed one upon me.” (Luke 22:29) “All authority has been given to me in Heaven and on earth.” (Matthew 28:18) “All things have been delivered to me by my Father” (John 11:27) “In this love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his SON to be a propitiation for our sins.” (1st John 4:10)

“THE FATHER IS GREATER THAN I” – John 14:28

Throughout Jesus’ earthly ministry he claimed to be subjected to the will of his Father. When speaking to his apostles the night before he was put to death, he said, “You have heard me say to you, I am going away and coming back to you. If you loved me, you would rejoice because I said, I am going to the Father, for my FATHER IS GREATER THAN I.” (John 14:28)

SUMMARY

• John 1:1 says the Logos (Jesus in his pre-human condition) was with God. Therefore, Jesus can not be co-substantial (of the same substance as God).

• Revelation 3:14 says that Jesus was created by God therefore, Jesus can not be co-eternal with God.

• John 14:28 says that the Father is greater than Jesus therefore, Jesus cannot be co-equal with God.

• 2 John 1:7 says that those who deny Jesus Christ came in the FLESH are a deceivers and antichrists. Those advocating the Trinity claim that Jesus while on the earth retained his “divine nature”, thus he would NOT be fully human.