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Holy Spirit & the Trinity – Greetings & Praises From/To in the New Testament Letters?

August 14, 2017 BibleAuthenticity Comments 0 Comment

Revised May 26, 2023

In the New Testament letters, greetings are given from God and Jesus. We know that God the Father and Jesus Christ are both persons, so we should expect to see their greetings, and we do. 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 greetings from the holy spirit, or the Trinity, and praises to the holy spirit, or Trinity, as well. But is this the case? Let’s examine these greetings in the letters to find out. read more

Can Someone Who Believes in the Trinity Have a Relationship with God?

March 29, 2017 BibleAuthenticity Comments 0 Comment

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.” 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.” read more

False Prophets/Prophecies – How to Identify Them

February 22, 2017 BibleAuthenticity Comments 0 Comment

All verses from the New Living Translation (NLT), unless otherwise noted.

The Bible tells us to discern the origin of prophecies. “Do not stifle the Holy Spirit. Do not scoff at prophecies, but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good. Stay away from every kind of evil.” (1 Thessalonians 5:19-22)

Real prophecy strengthens the church. “Let love be your highest goal! But you should also desire the special abilities the Spirit gives—especially the ability to prophesy. For if you have the ability to speak in tongues, you will be talking only to God, since people won’t be able to understand you. You will be speaking by the power of the Spirit, but it will all be mysterious. But one who prophesies strengthens others, encourages them, and comforts them. A person who speaks in tongues is strengthened personally, but one who speaks a word of prophecy strengthens the entire church.” (1 Corinthians 14:1-4)

Let the others evaluate what is said to access whether it is indeed a word from God. “Let two or three people prophesy, and let the others evaluate what is said.” (1 Corinthians 14:29)

Don’t be easily excited or alarmed by purported prophecy. “Don’t be so easily shaken or alarmed by those who say that the day of the Lord has already begun. Don’t believe them, even if they claim to have had a spiritual vision, a revelation, or a letter supposedly from us.” (2 Thessalonians 2:2)

Test prophecies against Bible teachings. “Do not believe everyone who claims to speak by the Spirit. You must test them to see if the spirit they have comes from God. For there are many false prophets in the world. This is how we know if they have the Spirit of God: If a person claiming to be a prophet acknowledges that Jesus Christ came in a real body, that person has the Spirit of God. But if someone claims to be a prophet and does not acknowledge the truth about Jesus, that person is not from God. Such a person has the spirit of the Antichrist, which you heard is coming into the world and indeed is already here.” (1 John 4:1-3)

Gauge the character of “prophets.” “Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves. You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act. Can you pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? A good tree produces good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit. A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit. So every tree that does not produce good fruit is chopped down and thrown into the fire. Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions.” (Matthew 7:15-20)

Christian discipleship is not confirmed by prophecy. “On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.'” (Matthew 7:22-23) Rather, Christian discipleship is confirmed by obedience. “Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter.” (Matthew 7:21b)

Reject those who say the day of the Lord has already begun. “Let us clarify some things about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and how we will be gathered to meet him. Don’t be so easily shaken or alarmed by those who say that the day of the Lord has already begun. Don’t believe them, even if they claim to have had a spiritual vision, a revelation, or a letter supposedly from us.” (2 Thessalonians 2:1-2) “And you will hear of wars and threats of wars, but don’t panic. Yes, these things must take place, but the end won’t follow immediately.” (Matthew 24:6) “Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming . . . ‘The end is near.’ Do not follow them” (Luke 21:8 NIV).

Remember Jesus’ warnings of deceit and false prophecy. “Jesus told them, ‘Don’t let anyone mislead you, for many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah.’ They will deceive many.'” (Mt 24:4-5) “And many false prophets will appear and will deceive many people.” (Mt 24:11) “Then if anyone tells you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah,’ or ‘There he is,’ don’t believe it. For false messiahs and false prophets will rise up and perform great signs and wonders so as to deceive, if possible, even God’s chosen ones. See, I have warned you about this ahead of time. ‘So if someone tells you, ‘Look, the Messiah is out in the desert,’ don’t bother to go and look. Or, ‘Look, he is hiding here,’ don’t believe it!” (Mt 24:23-26)

Any prophet whose prediction fails must be branded as false, even if he claims to speak for God. “But any prophet who falsely claims to speak in my name or who speaks in the name of another god must die. But you may wonder, ‘How will we know whether or not a prophecy is from the Lord?’ If the prophet speaks in the Lord’s name but his prediction does not happen or come true, you will know that the Lord did not give that message. That prophet has spoken without my authority and need not be feared.” (Deuteronomy 18:20-22) The mere claim is false if it goes unfulfilled. Check any prophecy against the Bible. “Dear friends, do not believe everyone who claims to speak by the Spirit. You must test them to see if the spirit they have comes from God. For there are many false prophets in the world.” (1 John 4:1) God never contradicts Himself. “Suppose there are prophets among you or those who dream dreams about the future, and they promise you signs or miracles, and the predicted signs or miracles occur. If they then say, ‘Come, let us worship other gods’—gods you have not known before—do not listen to them. The Lord your God is testing you to see if you truly love him with all your heart and soul. Serve only the Lord your God and fear him alone. Obey his commands, listen to his voice, and cling to him. The false prophets or visionaries who try to lead you astray must be put to death, for they encourage rebellion against the Lord your God, who redeemed you from slavery and brought you out of the land of Egypt. Since they try to lead you astray from the way the Lord your God commanded you to live, you must put them to death. In this way you will purge the evil from among you. Suppose someone secretly entices you—even your brother, your son or daughter, your beloved wife, or your closest friend—and says, ‘Let us go worship other gods’—gods that neither you nor your ancestors have known. They might suggest that you worship the gods of peoples who live nearby or who come from the ends of the earth. But do not give in or listen. Have no pity, and do not spare or protect them. You must put them to death! Strike the first blow yourself, and then all the people must join in. Stone the guilty ones to death because they have tried to draw you away from the Lord your God.” (Deuteronomy 13:1-10) False prophets discovered among the God’s people of the Old Covenant were to be executed. Under the New Covenant, Christians are to reject false prophets (Luke 21:8).

False prophets will try to hide who they really are. They disclaim the responsibility for accuracy that goes with the office. “On that day people will be ashamed to claim the prophetic gift. No one will pretend to be a prophet by wearing prophet’s clothes. He will say, ‘I’m no prophet; I’m a farmer. I began working for a farmer as a boy.’ And if someone asks, ‘Then what about those wounds on your chest?’ he will say, ‘I was wounded at my friends’ house!'” (Zechariah 13:4-6)

God’s Holy Spirit could never be the source of error. “The Helper, the Holy Spirit which the Father will send in my place, will teach you everything and remind you of everything that I have taught you” (John 14:26 AAT). “I write you these things about those who would deceive you. As for you, the anointing that you received from him remains in you, so that you do not need anyone to teach you. But his anointing teaches you about everything and is true and not false, just as it taught you, remain in him” (1 John 2:26,27 NAB).

False prophets invent their own prophesies from their own imaginations. “Then this message came to me from the Lord: ‘Son of man, prophesy against the false prophets of Israel who are inventing their own prophecies. Say to them, ‘Listen to the word of the Lord. This is what the Sovereign Lord says: What sorrow awaits the false prophets who are following their own imaginations and have seen nothing at all!'” (Ezek 13:1-3) “Now, son of man, speak out against the women who prophesy from their own imaginations.” (Ezek 13:17)

The Bible predicts that there will be false prophets and what will happen to them. “But there were also false prophets in Israel, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will cleverly teach destructive heresies and even deny the Master who bought them. In this way, they will bring sudden destruction on themselves.” (2 Peter 2:1) In fact, it speaks of “many false prophets.” (1 John 4:1)

False prophets are like straw, but God’s word is like grain. God’s word is like a hammer that pulverizes rock. (Jer 23:25-32)

February 11, 2017 BibleAuthenticity Comments 1 comment

“The Father is Almighty, the Son Almighty, and the Holy Spirit Almighty. And yet there are not three Almighties, but one Almighty”—Athanasian Creed

The Trinity doctrine asserts that the three Trinitarian beings “are co-equal and co-eternal.” Let’s examine what the Bible says about Almighty God.

The Bible uses the term Almighty many times to describe Yahweh, the Creator, and Father of Jesus, beginning at Genesis 17:1: “When Abram was ninety-nine years old Yahweh appeared to him and said, ‘I am El Shaddai [God Almighty]. Live in my presence, be perfect.'” (NJB) read more

Does the Letter to the Hebrews Teach the Trinity?

December 20, 2016 BibleAuthenticity Comments 0 Comment

Our series about what is stated concerning God the Father, his Son Jesus, and the holy Spirit in the various books of the New Testament, and, in this article, we will examine the Letter to the Hebrews. This Bible book provides powerful testimony against the doctrine of the Trinity.

All quotes from NIV, unless noted otherwise.

Hebrews 1:1,2 – “In the past God spoke through our ancestors the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoke to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe”. “God” is the subject of this sentence. God has now spoken to people by using his Son, similar to the fact that he formerly spoke by others such as prophets. – Who is the superior one who is in control? Obviously God! Certainly not Jesus. No equality! read more

Is the Trinity Doctrine Taught in Acts?

November 14, 2016 BibleAuthenticity Comments 2 comments

This article continues our series about what is stated concerning God, Jesus and the holy Spirit, and whether they comprise a Trinity, in the various books of the New Testament. This article examines the book of Acts.

Jesus had foretold that, “the Helper, the Holy Spirit which the Father will send in my place, will teach you everything and remind you of everything that I have told you (John 14:26 AAT). “The Helper, the Holy Spirit” would “guide [them] into all the truth” (John 16:13 NIV). Acts records for us how this was done, by documenting the spread of Christianity during its first three decades, including its beginning, when the holy Spirit was “poured out” (Acts 2:33). If the Trinity doctrine is true, then it should be evident in the book of Acts. read more

Are God, Jesus, and the holy Spirit a Trinity? – Luke

November 8, 2016 BibleAuthenticity Comments 0 Comment

We continue our series about what is stated concerning Jesus in the various books of the New Testament, by examining the Gospel of Luke.

Luke 1:31 – “Name him Jesus,” (not God)

Luke 1:32 – “called the Son of the Most High, the Lord God will give him the throne of David” – The greater gives to the lesser. He will be called, not God, but “the Son of the Most High” who is “the Lord God.”

Luke 1:35 – “The holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God” (NAB) (not God). The holy Spirit is “the power” of God, not a person. The angel once again emphasizes the fact that the child will be called “the Son of God,” not God. read more

Introduction – Where is the Trinity?

November 7, 2016 BibleAuthenticity Comments 0 Comment

In the 27 books of the New Testament (NT), this core doctrine (the Trinity) of most Protestant, Catholic, and non-denominational churches should be prolific, and abundantly clear. Is it?

Each New Testament Bible book has certain statements of its main points, its core ideas. Church leaders generally assert that the Father is God, Jesus, the Son, is God, and the holy Spirit is God, and yet, they are just one God, not three Gods. They are said to be each eternal and equal in this “Godhead,” as they call it. If these ideas are true, we should see this clearly in the NT. Do we? read more

Does the Gospel of John Teach the Trinity Doctrine?

October 14, 2016 BibleAuthenticity Comments 6 comments

Revised January 9, 2023

The Bible itself is completely reliable and trustworthy (2 Timothy 3:16,17). It “actually is, the word of God” (1 Thessalonians 2:13 NIV). However, there are some “false doctrines” (1 Timothy 1:3,4 NIV) taught by many religions, churches, and preachers as though they were “the truth” (John 17:17). We need to know whether the Trinity doctrine is one of these, or whether it is what these Bible scholars say it is:

“No doctrine is more fundamental to the Faith than the Trinity”—Dr Norman L Geisler read more

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