It is often stated by those in authority in churches that God is a Trinity, and evidence of this is found throughout the entire Bible. There are twelve Bible books that aren’t used as much as other Bible books, called the Minor Prophets. Is the Trinity doctrine found in the Twelve Minor Prophets?
“The Father eternal, the Son eternal, the Holy Spirit eternal. The Father is God, the Son is God, and the Holy Spirit is God. And yet, there are not three Gods, but one God”—Athanasian Creed
The statement quoted above is said to be the primary belief of most Christian groups. If this is true, then we should find some evidence of it throughout the Bible.
The 12 relatively short Bible Books called “the minor prophets”, from Hosea to Malachi, make many references to Almighty God “Yahweh”, but no references to Jesus Christ by name, and some references to God’s spirit, or the holy Spirit. Do the twelve Minor Prophets support the Trinity doctrine?
Hosea 8:5-6 – “I reject this calf . . . you worship . . . was created by your own hands. It is not God” (NLT). The text doesn’t directly mention the Christian Trinity, of course, because it wasn’t even “created” until the 4th and 5th centuries CE. However, it warns against any form of worship that isn’t directed solely to Yahweh God the Father (John 4:23), thus highlighting the folly and divine anger provoked by worshipping created things over the Creator (Romans 1:25). Worship of Jesus is like calf worship. Jesus himself said, ” . . . ‘YOU SHALL WORSHIP YAHWEH YOUR GOD AND SERVE HIM ONLY’ (Matthew 4:10 LSB margin). “The true worshippers will worship the Father” (John 4:24), and “pray” to “our Father” (Matthew 6:9). In contrast, Trinitarians mostly worship, and pray to, Jesus in actual practice. There are pictures of Jesus all over their churches, similar to calf worshippers with their visible idol. In contrast, “no one has ever seen God” (1 John 4:12 NIV), “no one has seen the Father” (John 6:46 NIV), because he’s “invisible” (1 Timothy 1:17 NIV), so no picture can be made of him. The Trinity doctrine miserably fails the scriptural “test” (1 Thessalonians 5:21; 1 John 4:1).
Hosea 10:12; 11:1 – “It is time to seek Yahweh . . . When Israel was a youth I loved him, And out of Egypt I called My Son” (LSB). It is often asserted that ‘the Son of God is Yahweh God’. But, what do the scriptures say? Hosea 11:1 is quoted in Matthew and applied to Jesus being called out of Egypt: “So Joseph got up and took the Child and His mother while it was night, and departed for Egypt. And he remained there until the death of Herod, in order that what had been spoken by Yahweh through the prophet would be fulfilled, saying ‘OUT OF EGYPT I CALLED MY SON'” (Matthew 2:15 LSB margin). Thus, the scriptures plainly indicate that Jesus is Yahweh’s Son, which means Jesus can’t be Yahweh. Without the Son being Yahweh God, ‘the Son of God is Yahweh God’ assertion collapses.
Hosea 11:9 – “I am God and not a man” (NIV). Jesus is commonly asserted to be a “God-man, fully man and fully God”. However, the scriptures contradict this unscriptural concept. How can we be absolutely sure that God cannot be a man? Jesus said: “God is a spirit” (John 4:23 GWT). In contrast, on earth, prior to his death, Jesus was “fully human in every way” (Hebrews 2:17 NIV). He was “put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit” (1 Peter 3:18 LSB).
Hosea 12:5 “Even Yahweh, the God of hosts, Yahweh is His name of =&0=&This verse and the following commentary highlight the uniqueness and importance of Yahweh and his name (reputation).
=&1=&This phrase emphasizes the sovereignty and supreme authority of God over all heavenly armies and earthly powers. The term “LORD” is the English representation of the Hebrew name Yahweh, which signifies God’s eternal and self-existent nature. “God of Hosts” (Hebrew: “Yahweh Sabaoth”) is a title that underscores God’s command over the angelic armies, reflecting His omnipotence and ability to execute His will throughout creation. This title is frequently used in the Old Testament, especially in prophetic literature, to remind Israel of God’s power and His ability to protect and deliver His people. It also serves as a warning to those who oppose Him, as seen in passages like Isaiah 1:24 and Jeremiah 11:20. =&2=&This phrase highlights the fame and reputation of God’s name, which is revered and respected throughout the earth. The repetition of “LORD” (Yahweh) emphasizes the importance of His covenant name, which was revealed to Moses in Exodus 3:14-15 as “I AM WHO I AM.” This name signifies God’s unchanging nature and His faithfulness to His promises. The concept of God’s name being renowned is echoed in passages like Psalm 8:1 and Malachi 1:11, where His glory and majesty are recognized by all nations. In the New Testament, the name of Jesus is also exalted, as seen in Philippians 2:9-11, where every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. This connection underscores the continuity of God’s revelation and the fulfillment of His promises through Christ.” (Bible Hub Study Bible).
While Yahweh God the Father operates through his Son, Jesus Christ, only “Yahweh” is referred to as “the God of hosts”. “Jesus is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:11). Those who assert that Jesus Christ is Almighty God gloss right over the latter part of Philippians 2:11. Yahweh reigns supreme over all, including Jesus.
Joel 2:27 – “Thus you will know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am Yahweh your God, and there is no other” (LSB). This scripture shows that ‘Yahweh is God and no other’, that is, he is incomparable, unique. Jesus himself said, “Yahweh our God is one Yahweh” (Mark 12:29 LSB margin; Deuteronomy 6:4 LSB margin), not 3-in-1.
Joel 2:28 – “It shall come to pass I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh” (NAB). The holy Spirit, which is featured in this prophecy is obviously not Yahweh God, as many assert. In fact, the wording is contrary to the idea that the holy Spirit could be a person. Even more so, when this scripture is quoted by the apostle Peter on the day the holy Spirit is poured out, notice the wording he is inspired to use: “This is what was spoken through through the prophet Joel: ‘It will come to pass in the last days,’ God says, ‘that I will pour out a portion of my spirit upon all flesh'” (
Acts 2:16,17 read more
