The Trinity
Trinity: The central doctrine of religions of Christendom according to the Athanasian Creed, there are three divine persons (the Father, the Son, the Holy Ghost), each said to be eternal, each said to be almighty, none greater or less than another, each said to be God, and yet together being but one God. Other statements of the dogma emphasize that these three persons are not separate and distinct individuals but are three modes in which the divine essense exists. Thus some Trinitarians emphasize their belief that Jesus Christ is God, or that Jesus and the Holy Ghost are Jehovah. (Not a bible teaching).
The new catholic encyclopedia states: " The formulation 'one God in three persons' was not solidly established, certainly not fully assimulated into Christian life and its profession of faith, prior to the end of the 4th century. But it is precisely this formulation that has first claim to the title the Trinitarian dogma. Among the Apostolic Fathers, there had been nothing even remotely approaching such a mentality or persective."--(1967) Vol. 9, p.299
Matthew 26:39: Going a little farther he [Jesus Christ] fell on his face and prayed, 'Mt farther, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt.'"
-If the farther and the Son were not distinct individuals , such a prayre would have been meaningless. Jesus would have been praying to himself, and his will would of necessity have been the fathers will.
John 8:17,18; "[Jesus answered the jewish pharisees:] In you law it is written that the testimony of two men is true; I bear witness to myself, and the Father who sent me bears witness to me." --So, Jesus definitely spoke of himself as being an individual seperate and distinct from the father.
Matthew 12:31,32; "Every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the spirit will not be forgiven. And whoever says a world against the son of man will be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come" If Jesus and the spirit were one and the same why would there be a difference against sinning against Jesus vs. the spirit?
John 14:28; "[Jesus said:]If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I go to the Father; for the Father is greater than I."
1 Cor. 11:3 "I want you to understand that the head of every man is the Christ, the head of the woman is her husband, and the head of Christ is God." --Clearly, Christ is not God and God is of superior rank to Christ. It should be noted that this was written about 55 CE, 22 years after Christ returned to heaven. So the truth here stated applies to the relationship between God and Christ in heaven.
The hebrew word Shaddai' and the Greek word Pantokra'tor are both words translated "Almighty" Both original-language words are repeatedly applied to Jehovah, the Father(Exodus 6:3; Revelation 19:6) Neither is ever applied to the Son or the holy spirit. |
