The woman caught in adultery story is well known today among Christians, and even in popular Western culture, but there are questions about it’s authenticity.
“Yahweh’s promises are promises unalloyed; natural silver which comes from the earth seven times refined”—-Psalm 12:6 NJB
“Every word of God is flawless . . . Do not add to his words or he will rebuke you and prove you a liar”—Proverbs 30:5,6 NIV
“I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to that person the plagues described in this scroll. And if anyone takes words away from this scroll of prophecy, God will take away from that person any share in the tree of life and in the Holy City”—Revelation 22:18,19 NIVread more
“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 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
The Roman Catholic Church teaches that Jesus personally appointed Peter as the leader of the church, and the pope is Peter’s successor to that position. At the root of this doctrine is the claim that Jesus appointed Peter as leader when he called him a “rock.” But is this really what the Bible teaches?
Jesus Referred to Peter as a “Rock”
In Matthew 16, Jesus was speaking in front of a rather large cliff face near Caesarea Philippi. There is no doubt that this is historical, that is, it actually took place.
“You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church”—Matthew 16:18 NAB
The Greek word for Peter is “Petros”, which means “a small stone,” whereas the Greek word for
The Bible says God cannot die. Yet Trinitarians assert that Jesus must be God himself in order to die for the sins of mankind stands in stark contradiction to all scriptural evidence. It was Jesus, not God, that died.
It was Jesus – not God – who died for the sins of mankind
“LORD [Yahweh], are you not from everlasting? My God, my Holy One, you will never die” (Habakkuk 1:12 NIV)
From this scripture, we can see that it is impossible that Jesus could be the God who would die for the sins of mankind, since the prophecy of Habakkuk was written over 600 years prior to Jesus and clearly states that God will never die.
“For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. ” (1 Peter 1:18,19 NIV)
Again, contrary to the Trinitarian assertion that without Jesus being God, then his blood is “ordinary” and could not atone for the sins of but one person, we see clearly stated that Jesus’ blood is precious. Why? Because he is the only one who died as a human without ever committing a sin, not because he is God. the Bible says that Jesus was “fully human in every way” (Hebrews 2:17 NIV).
“Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned.” (Romans 5:12 NIV)
Using Trinitarian logic that Jesus has to be God to take away the sins of all mankind, then Adam would have to be God, since his one sin caused sin to spread to all mankind. But just like Adam is not God – Jesus is not God.
“For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.” (Romans 5:19 NIV)
We see here how Jesus the “one man” counterbalances what the “one man” Adam lost by making many righteous, rather than sinful.
“See my servant will act wisely; he will be raised and lifted up and highly exalted. But
Are God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit part of a Trinity? Is Jesus God? Let’s take a look at the Bible book of Titus to find some clues to answer these questions.
What does the Book of Titus say about God, Jesus, and the holy Spirit?
“Paul , a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ.” (Titus 1:1 NIV) If Jesus is God, why are God and Jesus are referred to separately? It’s because they are separate and distinct individuals, and not merged into a mysterious Trinity! Why does Paul not say that he is a servant of the Trinity? Because that idea is not found in the Bible. Why is Paul not a servant of the holy Spirit? Because the holy Spirit is not a person.
“Grace and peace from God the Father and from Christ Jesus our Savior.” (Titus 1:4 NIV) “God” is named as “the Father,” not the Son, or the holy Spirit, or the Trinity. Jesus is separate and distinct from God. “Grace and peace” are not said to come from the Trinity, because it is fictional, nor are they said to come from the holy Spirit, because it is not a person.
Many translations render Titus 2:13 as though Jesus and Almighty God are the same person, due to Trinitarian bias, like this: “the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13 ESV). More accurately, however, the verse is translated:
“the appearing of the glory, of the great God and of our savior, the Anointed One, Jesus” (Titus 2:13 Hart)
“As we await the blessed hope, the appearance of the glory of the great God and of our Savior Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13 NAB).
God and Jesus are thus spoken of as completely separate and distinct yet again. Notice, this refers to an appearance of both God and Jesus, but what about the Holy Spirit? There’s no reference to its appearing since it’s not a person. Why is the Trinity not said to appear? Because it doesn’t exist. Also, Jesus said that, “The Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father” (Matthew 16:27 ESV). So Jesus’ glory comes from his Father, and is not original with him.
Who is the ultimate authority? Most Churches believe, preach and teach the following:
“In this Trinity . . . None is greater, or less, than another. But the whole three Persons are . . . coequal”—Athanasian Creed
The Trinity is implied to be the ultimate authority in the famous creed quoted above. Not all Christians are in agreement about the roles of God the Father, Jesus, the holy Spirit and the Trinity. Some say God is the ultimate authority, some say Jesus is the ultimate authority, and some say the Trinity is the ultimate authority, and a few even say the holy Spirit is the ultimate authority . Some say they are equal. And some say Jesus is Almighty God. Red-letter Bibles put words the editors think were spoken by Jesus in red, which implies that Jesus’ words are more important than God’s words. But what does the Bible say? Let’s examine some scriptures to find the answer.
“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me…” – by whom?
“I am not here on my own authority but he who sent me is true.” (John 7:28) Jesus plainly states he didn’t come on his own authority, but God sent him.
“I do not speak on my own authority.” (John 14:10) Jesus does not even speak on his own authority.
“Father . . . glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him authority over all flesh” (John 17:2 ESV). Jesus’ authority and glory is granted, or given, by his Father.
“The times or dates the Father has set by his own authority.” (Acts 1:7) God the Father’s authority is not granted or given to him by anyone else. He is the ultimate authority himself.
“Just as I have received authority from my Father.” (Revelation 2:27) Jesus makes clear in the Bible’s final book that his authority comes from his Father.
“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” (Matthew 28:18) Even when stating that he had been given “all authority,” Jesus makes clear it had been “given” to him – that he is not the ultimate authority.
“One like a son of man… approached the Ancient of Days and… was given authority.” (Daniel 7:13-14) Daniel makes clear that Jesus’ authority comes from God.
“The Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” (Mark 2:10) When stating he has authority to forgive sins, Jesus makes clear his role as Son of Man, a title that belongs to him – not God. “The Ancient of days,” however, has
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.
Paul speaks of both God, Jesus, and the holy Spirit in 2 Thessalonians. But does he believe God is a Trinity?
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What Sincere Beliefs Must a Person Hold To Be a Christian?
Many people in the world today call themselves “Christian,” but there are so many conflicting beliefs and doctrines taught among these people. So what beliefs must a person hold in order to be a true Christian? In order to answer this question, we need to look to God’s Word. Let’s see what the Bible has to say.
Christians view the Bible as God’s revelation to humanity
“Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6) So the first point is that one must believe that God exists, and becomes the rewarder of those sincerely seeking him.
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17) The sincere Christian would believe the Bible (the 66 books from Genesis to Malachi) is the word of God.
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God chose you as firstfruits to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth.read more
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 1:9read more
Is the Trinity in 1 Thessalonians? In the Bible book of 1 Thessalonians, are God and Jesus and spoken of as separate and distinct? Is the holy Spirit a person? Let’s examine these questions in some of the verses in 1 Thessalonians.
Is the Trinity in 1 Thessalonians? God and Jesus are spoken of as separate and distinct in 1 Thessalonians
“In God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Thessalonians 1:1) Here, God and Jesus are referred to as two separate and distinct individuals. Why are they not “in” the holy Spirit, if it is a person?
“Before our God and Father… inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Thessalonians 1:3) God, the Father, is one person, and the Lord Jesus Christ is another person.
“Beloved by God . . . also in power and in the =&0=&The holy Spirit is twice qualified by “the,” which is indicative of the fact that it is not a person.
“They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead – Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 1:9-10) These verses are very instructive. Notice God is called “the living and true God,” while Jesus is called “his Son,” “whom he” [God] “raised from the dead.” Jesus “was dead” (Revelation 1:18). “God” was alive, because he “never dies” (Habakkuk 1:12 NJB), but had the power to bring him back to life.
“God’s churches in Judea, which are in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 2:14) Both God and Jesus are mentioned separately. Where is the holy Spirit, if it is a person?
“Who killed the Lord Jesus…. They displease God.” (1 Thessalonians 2:15) Both God and Jesus are mentioned here, but Jesus died. He cannot be God since God cannot die. (Habakkuk 1:12)
“Who is our brother and co-worker in God’s service in spreading the gospel of Christ.” (1 Thessalonians 3:2) God and Jesus are mentioned separately again here.
“Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you.” (1 Thessalonians 3:11) Once again, both are mentioned separately, as individuals, but the holy Spirit is conspicuously absent, which is strange, if it’s a person.
“In the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes.” (1 Thessalonians 3:13) Same point as above. Notice “God” is referred to as “the Father,” someone other than Jesus.
“Live in order to please God… and urge you in the Lord Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 4:1) Both God and Jesus are mentioned here again.
“God, who gives [also] gives his holy Spirit to you” (1 Thessalonians 4:8 NAB). The holy Spirit is described as “his,” that is, God’s holy Spirit. This is, yet again, another indication that the holy Spirit is not person.
“We believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.” (1 Thessalonians 4:14) God is obviously in control and is distinct from Jesus.
“God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Thessalonians 5:9) Again, God is in control, and he uses Christ to accomplish his purpose.
