Is Jesus Christ Almighty God? Archives - Page 4 of 6

Is the Trinity in Colossians?

October 4, 2019 BibleAuthenticity Comments 2 comments

Is the Bible reliable? — Is the Trinity in the book of Colossians?

Is the Trinity doctrine in the book of Colossians? Let’s examine all the verses in this Bible book where God and Jesus are mentioned in relation to each other. Also. let’s look for any references to the holy Spirit, which is said to be the third person of the Trinity. Then, let’s see whether what Bible says agrees with Trinitarianism, or proves it to be false. Notice all the references in this letter to the superior position of Almighty God toward his Son, Jesus Christ, and the subordinate position of Jesus Christ in relation to his heavenly Father. read more

2 Peter—Is Jesus Christ Almighty God, or Part of a Trinity?

October 4, 2019 BibleAuthenticity Comments 0 Comment

Trinitarian bias influences translators to render the first verse of this short letter in a way that makes it appear as though Jesus is Almighty God. For example, “by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 1:1 ESV). However, the verse is more accurately translated as:

“Through the justice of our God and of our savior Jesus the Anointed” (2 Peter 1:1 Hart)
“Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ: To those to whom there has been allotted the same precious faith as that which is ours through the righteousness of our God and of our Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 1:1 Weymouth).
“Through the righteousness of our God and the savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 1:1 NAB ftn).

“Through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus =&0=&
“Through the righteousness of our God and the Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 1:1 NRSV ftn).
Almighty God and Jesus Christ are thus clearly presented as distinct and separate in these three accurate translations. Notice how this so in the very next verse:

“Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus Christ our Lord” (2 Peter 1:2 NIV).

“We told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power . . . He received honor and glory from God the Father . . . saying ‘This is my Son” (2 Peter 1:16,17 NIV) read more

How Can Jesus Be God If He Is the Mediator?

January 26, 2018 BibleAuthenticity Comments 2 comments

“There is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all”—1 Timothy 2:5,6 NIV

“Mediator. One who represents God to humans and humans to God–and who removes all alienation between them by offering himself as a ransom for ‘all'”—NIV Study Bible footnote

The Bible says that Jesus Christ is the mediator BETWEEN God and mankind. Trinitarians claim that Jesus is God, and their “God-man” also. How do they explain this apparent contradiction?

Jesus the Mediator — Jesus is the Mediator between God and mankind. Yet, Trinitarians claim Jesus is also God, and call him “God-man.”Trinitarians say: “Jesus MUST be God in order to be our mediator.”

This is the crux of their argument. Trinitarians equivocate by changing the meaning of mediator, since Jesus being the mediator BETWEEN humans and God (1 Timothy 2:5) presents a problem with their Trinity doctrine. (2 Corinthians 10:3-4)

By definition, a mediator is neither of the two parties for whom he mediates. The two parties discussed here are the “one God” and “mankind”. The

“one mediator” read more

Are God, Jesus, and the holy Spirit a Trinity in 2 Thessalonians?

September 27, 2017 BibleAuthenticity Comments 0 Comment

In the Bible book of 2 Thessalonians, the Apostle Paul speaks of God, Jesus Christ, and the holy Spirit. If Paul and/or the early Christians believed Jesus is God or part of a Trinity, we should be able to find evidence of this in the New Testament letters. But is this the case in 2 Thessalonians? Is the Trinity in 2 Thessalonians? Let’s examine some of the pertinent verses to find out.

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Is the Trinity in the Letter of 2 John?

September 25, 2017 BibleAuthenticity Comments 0 Comment

We’re going to take a look at the relationship between God and Jesus in this short article about the Bible book of 2 John. Is there any indication that Jesus is God, or is equal to God? What about the holy Spirit? Is it mentioned in this letter? Are God and Jesus the same person, or are they two separate and distinct individuals? Is the Trinity in the letter of 2 John? Let’s find out.

“Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Father’s Son.” (2 John 1:3) Notice the conjunction “and” separates “God the Father” and “the Father’s Son”. Obviously, they are separate and distinct, with Jesus identified, not as “God the Son,” an expression that occurs nowhere in the Bible, but as “the Father’s Son.”

“Many deceivers, who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh.” (2 John 1:7) Only Jesus came in the flesh, not God. “God is =&0=&and is “invisible” (1 Timothy 1:17), so “no one has ever seen God” (John 1:18). The fact is that “God is not a man” (Numbers 23:19 ESV; KJV;NKJV; NASB; HCSB), whereas Jesus referred to himself as “me, a man” (John 8:40).

“Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God.” (2 John 1:9 read more

Is the Trinity in Philippians? Is Jesus Christ Almighty God?

August 21, 2017 BibleAuthenticity Comments 0 Comment

This article is part of our series about what is stated concerning God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit, and whether they together comprise a Trinity, in the various books of the New Testament. We will examine the four chapter book of Philippians. Notice the distinctive relationship between God and Jesus throughout this book of Philippians, especially the superior role of God compared to Jesus. What does it say about the holy Spirit? Is the Trinity in Philippians?

“To all God’s holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi.” (Philippians 1:1) God is always the one in control, and is using Christ to gather his people.

“Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:2) God and Jesus are separate and distinct. The holy Spirit, since it is not a person, does not give greetings. Neither does the Trinity, since it doesn’t exist.

“God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:8) God and Jesus are spoken of as separate and distinct individuals.

“Filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ – to the glory and praise of God.” (Philippians 1:11) Fruitage from God flows through Jesus and brings glory and praise to God.

“Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who although he existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped.” (Philippians 2:5-6 NASB) read more

Holy Spirit & Trinity – Greetings & Praises From/To In Bible Letters?

August 14, 2017 BibleAuthenticity Comments 0 Comment

In the Bible, particularly the New Testament letters, greetings are given from God and Jesus in 20 of the 21 New Testament canonical letters. We know that God the Father and Jesus Christ are both persons, so we should expect to see their greetings, and we do in these 20 letters. (Third John does not have such a greeting or praises.) But what about the Holy Spirit and the Trinity? If the holy Spirit is a person, or if the Trinity is a real entity, we should expect to see some type of greetings from the holy Spirit, and/or the Trinity, and/or praises to the holy spirit, or Trinity, as well. But is this the case? Let’s examine the greetings in the letters to find out.

Greetings

“Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 1:7)

“Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 1:3)

“Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” (2 Corinthians 1:2)

“Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Galatians 1:3)

“Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Ephesians 1:2)

“Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:2)

“Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God… grace and peace to you from God our Father.” (Colossians 1:1-2)

“To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Thessalonians 1:1)

“Grace and peace to you from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” (2 Thessalonians 1:2)

“Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.” (1 Timother 1:2)

“Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.” (Titus 1:4)

“Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Philemon 1:3)

“In the past God spoke… through the prophets… but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son.” (Hebrews 1:1-2)

“James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.” (James 1:1)

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 1:3)

“Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.” (2 Peter 1:2)

“Our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ” (1 John 1:3)

“Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Father’s Son” (2 John 1:2)

“To those who have been called, who are loved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ” (Jude 1:1)

In the New Testament letters, greetings (and praises) are given from, and to, God and Jesus, but never from the holy Spirit or the Trinity. This is significant because if the Holy Spirit was actually a person, or the Trinity was a real entity, we would see greetings from it – or them – or him. Since we never see greetings from, or praises to, the holy Spirit or the Trinity, but we do from God the Father and his Son, Jesus Christ, this is a strong indication the holy Spirit is not a person, and the Trinity does not actually exist. How about praises in the New Testament?

Praises (other than greetings)

“Praise the LORD, all you Gentiles! Laud him, all you people” (Romans 15:11 NKJV). This verse is a quote from Psalm 117:1, which says, “praise Yahweh.” The holy Spirit is never called Yahweh in the Bible.

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord our Jesus Christ” (2 Corinthians 1:3) read more

Is Jesus Christ Almighty God, or Part of a Trinity? – Ephesians

August 11, 2017 BibleAuthenticity Comments 0 Comment

This article is one of a series about what is stated concerning Jesus in the various books of the New Testament, the book of Ephesians. Almighty God and the holy Spirit are also discussed to see if there is any evidence of a Trinity doctrine in this Biblical letter, which is all about doctrine. A key component of the Trinity doctrine is that the holy Spirit is a person. In this article, we’ll see what Ephesians indicates about that.

Ephesians 1:1,2 – “…apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God . . . from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ” God are Jesus are separate individuals. “To God’s holy people… in the Lord Jesus Christ.” Notice how many times in this letter God and Jesus are both mentioned, but as separate and distinct, with God being superior and Jesus as inferior. Why is Paul not also an apostle of the holy Spirit or the Trinity? Why is the letter not also from the holy Spirit or the Trinity? It’s because the holy Spirit is not a person, and the Trinity does not exist!

Ephesians 1:3 – “…to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” This verse clearly indicates that Jesus has a God over him. This God of Jesus is his Father.

Ephesians 1:5 – “God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ” (NLT). God is obviously calling the shots, operating through his Son Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 1:6,7 – “We praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son. He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins” (NLT). read more

Can One Who Believes in Trinity Have Relationship with God?

March 29, 2017 BibleAuthenticity Comments 0 Comment

Many churches and preachers teach that the Trinity doctrine is true Biblical. On this basis, therefore many sincere Christians believe in the Trinity doctrine. Can a person who who in the Trinity have a relationship with God?

“It is God who judges”—Psalm 75:7 NIV; “God is a righteous judge”—Psalm 7:11 NIV“He is a God of justice”—Psalm 50:6 NIV; “Why do you judge your brother or sister?”—Romans 14:10 NIV; “Be as wary as serpents, and as innocent as doves”—Matthew 10:16 NASB

Can someone who believes in the Trinity have a relationship with God and Christ?

GOD IS THE JUDGE

The short answer, based on the Bible, God is the judge of who has a relationship with God and Christ. Why? All human knowledge is partial, not total. God is the judge, not us humans. Still, we should be very “wary.”

“Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?” (Romans 11:33-34 NIV)

While the Trinity doctrine is unscriptural and demonstrably false, probably the vast majority who believe in it only do so because they were told it was true. Since the Trinity doctrine makes no sense, these simply assume they are supposed to believe it.

“For Yahweh your God is a merciful God.” (Deuteronomy 4:31 NJB)

“Will not the judge of all the earth do right?” (Genesis 18:25 NIV)

“With righteousness he will judge the needy.” (Isaiah 11:4 NIV)

God’s judgment of each person will be perfectly right and fair, without pettiness over trivialities.

“I, Yahweh, examine the mind, I test the heart to give to each according to his way, according to what his actions deserve.” (Jeremiah 17:10 CSB)

Please take note of the following scriptures which indicate that if one believes in Christ and is in Christ, that is a follower, a doer, then that person believes in, honors, and serves the Father also:

WHOEVER BELIEVES IN, KNOWS, AND HONORS GOD’S SON, HAS THE FATHER ALSO

“That all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him.” (John 5:23 NIV)

“Whoever believes in me does not believe in me only, but in the one who sent me.” (John 12:44 NIV)

“If you knew me, you would know my Father also.” (John 8:19 NIV)

“If you really know me, you will know my Father as well.” (John 14:7 NIV)

“Whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father also.” (1 John 2:23 NIV)

“If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God.” (1 John 4:15 NIV)

“Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves his child as well.” (1 John 5:1 NIV)

“We are in him who is true by being in his Son Jesus Christ.” (1 John 5:20 NIV)

“Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.” (2 John 9)

So while the Trinity doctrine is false, Christians whom God judges to be doing the best they can with what they have to work with, possibly may be able to have a relationship with God and Christ, although it would be weaker than would otherwise be possible through accurately ‘knowing the only true God and the one He sent, Jesus Christ’ (John 17:3). And we can be confident that God will do the right thing in his judgment.

CORRECT BELIEF IS IMPORTANT

Since the ‘road to eternal life is narrow, and only a few find it, whereas the road to destruction is wide, most people follow it’ (Matthew 7:13,14), and will not gain eternal life.

“They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved . . . all will be condemned who have not believed the truth” (2 Thessalonians 2:10,12 NIV). read more

Trinity Debate – Reply to a Trinitarian

March 13, 2017 BibleAuthenticity Comments 6 comments

Below are some excerpts from a debate with a Trinitarian on an online forum, with the Trinitarian’s comments quoted verbatim :

Trinitarian said…

“ONLY ONE DIVINE BEING who exists within himself eternally and simultaneously as three distinct Personal Self-Awarenesses, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit”

These type of statements are pure fiction, as this premise has no Biblical support. Actually, there are three problems with them:

No Biblical proof
Contradicts the Bible
Makes no sense – eternal life depends on knowing God – John 17:3. Something that is nonsensical, like the Trinity God, cannot be known.

Trinitarian said…

“And it is true, since the Almighty IS Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Yet not three Almighties, but only ONE Almighty…and he has NO equal. There is none like our God. And our God is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.”

This unscriptural assertion is contradicted by scriptures such as:

“Two witnesses… I am one; my other witness is the Father.” (John 8:17-18 NIV)

Jesus’ math (real math) is: 1+1=2.

Trinitarian said…

“This is a common JW tactic, “translation shopping”. Finding the only translation that renders it the way you like it and that’s one you use. By this tactic, you can “prove” almost anything you want, especially if you cherry pick renderings from a wide range of translations, many of which were done by individuals with specific theological biases.

“And it is an outlier. All other major translations render it “Mighty God”. The NAB translators made a huge interpretive leap in rendering it “God-Hero”. Especially since the actual Greek text of the passage actually reads “Mighty God”. It does NOT actually read “God-Hero”. It says “Mighty God”. They have to read INTO the text something that is NOT THERE in order to GET the rendering “God-Hero”. So, I’m sorry, but your argument is based upon a very questionable rendering which is based upon a very specific INTERPRETATION of the text, not on what the text itself actually SAYS.”

Actually, the JW’s use their own Bible, the New World Translation. You’re attempting to make Isaiah 9:6 a translation issue, which it is not. The vast majority of translations translate “El Gibhor” as “Mighty God.” And that’s the point. “Mighty” is less than “Almighty,” which is “El Shaddai.” Jesus (El Gibhor) is less than Yahweh (El Shaddai).

Trinitarian said…

“Yes, he can:

In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were created through him, and without him not one thing that was made came into being. John 1:1-3″

Your argument here is self-defeating since God had no beginning. John 1:1-3 does not say the Word, Jesus, had no beginning. It simply says he was with his Father at the beginning of the universe. This makes sense, since the Bible says God created Jesus first (Colossians 1:15; Revelation 3:14 ESV), which was before the universe was created.

Trinitarian said…

“Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, before Abraham was, I AM.“”

Similar point. Jesus existed prior to Abraham. Jesus is not, as Trinitarians claim, identifying himself as being “The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob” at Exodus 3:14,15 ( NIV). On the contrary, “The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob has glorified his servant Jesus” (Acts 3:13 NIV). Jesus is not only not “The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob”, he is not the “I am”, but is “his ervant”, meaning Jesus is not equal, but inferior to him.

Trinitarian said…

“So now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had in your presence before the world existed. John 17:5″

Ditto. Jesus was God’s first creation.

“And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s creation.'” (Revelation 3:14 ESV)

Trinitarian said…

“the exact imprint of God’s very being”

An imprint is not the same as the original. It looks like it, but it is inferior.

Trinitarian said…

“In the beginning, Lord, you founded the earth”

Jesus was there at the beginning of the earth and was used by God to make it. (Genesis 1:26)

Trinitarian said…

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13:8″

Yes, in the Bible, Jesus is always the “Son of God,” never “God the Son.” Twelve verses later in this same chapter, verse 20 refers to “the God of peace, who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus.” So who is more powerful? Obviously, “the God of peace,” who resurrected Jesus “from the dead.”

Trinitarian said…

“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.“….”I am the first and the last, and the living one. I was dead, and see, I am alive forever and ever.” Revelation 1:8, 18

You’re defeating your own argument by trying to merge the two speakers, God and Jesus, ten verses apart here, into one. Aren’t you the one who says there are three separate beings? If that is your position, why don’t you hold to it? The speaker in vs. 8 is “the Lord God… the Almighty.” The speaker in vs. 18 is the “Son of Man” (verse. 13), Jesus, who “died.”

Trinitarian said…

“And the one who was seated on the throne said, “See, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this, for these words are trustworthy and true.” Then he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end.” Revelation 21:5-6

Similar to the title Lord applying to God, Jesus and humans. But that does not make them equal. “Apostle” describes Jesus at Hebrews 3:1, but that doesn’t make him equal to human apostles, such as Peter, James, John and Paul, does it?

Trinitarian said…

“He was “the beginning of God’s Creation” because he was the SOURCE of God’s Creation! He CREATED IT ALL! (John 1:3, Colossians 1:16-17, Hebrews 1:2) All of creation has it’s origins (beginning) in him. It does not mean that HE was the first creation of God!”

Your statements here “twist” the scriptures you cite, claiming they say something that they do not say. (2 Pt 3:16 ESV)

”All things were created through him.” (John 1:3 CSB) Obviously, the Word, Jesus, is not the source of God’s creation. He, Jesus, is the conduit through which it is made.

“For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” (Colossians 1:16-17 ESV) “By him all things were created” – as God’s agent. “All things were created through him” – as God’s main conduit or channel.

“But in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe” (Hebrews 1:2 NIV)). God “appointed” Jesus. The one making the appointment is superior, is he not? “Through the Son he created the universe” (NLT)- This is the same unified account of Jesus as God’s agent.

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