Does God love us unconditionally? There is no doubt that God loves us, as John 3:16, says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (NKJV). The principle expressed in John 3:16 means that God does love everyone, in a sense. In another sense, however, there are conditions relative to God’s love.
“If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love”—John 15:10 NAB
The Trinity is said to be the main doctrine of Christianity. Verses from Hebrews chapter 1 are often used to support the doctrine. However, there are some very valid and legitimate questions about what the verses in Hebrews actually say about the Trinity issue that need to be answered.
Hebrews 1:1 – “In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways” (NIV). Who is the “God” mentioned here?
Hebrews 1:2 – “in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things and through whom he made the universe” (NIV).
Some Scriptures from the gospel of John are often used in support of the Trinity doctrine. However, there are some important questions about scriptures in the gospel of John regarding the Trinity doctrine that need answers.
John 1:1 – Who is God here? The Father? Who is “the Word?” How is the first one called “God” different from the second one? Why is the first “God” qualified by the definite article “ho” in Greek, and the second God is not? Why does the REB say, “What God was, the Word was”? Why does AAT render it, “And the Word was divine”? Why is the verse rendered, “In the origin there was the Logos, and the Logos was present to God, and the Logos was god” (Hart)?
As the above article points out, Antartica had a rich ecosystem in the distant past, scientists have discovered. This is one of many evidences that there was a global flood.
“In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, on the seventeenth day of the second month–on that day all the springs of the great deep burst forth, and the floodgates of the heavens were opened. And rain fell on the earth forty days and forty nights”—Genesis 7:11,12 NIV
“For forty days the flood kept coming on the earth, and as the waters increased they lifted the ark high above the earth. The waters rose and increased greatly on the earth, and the ark floated on the surface of the water. They rose greatly on the earth, and all the high mountains under the entire heavens were covered. The waters rose and covered the mountains to a depth of more than fifteen cubits. Every living thing that moved on land perished—birds, livestock, wild animals, all the creatures that swarm over the earth, and all mankind. Everything on dry land that had the breath of life in its nostrils died. Every living thing on the face of the earth was wiped out; people and animals and the creatures that move along the ground and the birds were wiped from the earth. Only Noah was left, and those with him in the ark.” (Genesis 7:17-23 NIV)
Hebrews is a comprehensive treatise about Christian doctrine. The Trinity doctrine is said to be the main doctrine of Christianity, so we would expect Hebrews to include significant mention of the Trinity doctrine, if it is true.
In 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, we examine all the relevant scriptures of the particular book. In this article, we will examine the Letter to the Hebrews, and discover powerful testimony about whether or not the doctrine of the Trinity is in Hebrews.
Does the Trinity matter? It matters because the Bible says:
“No human wisdom or understanding or plan can stand against the LORD [Yahweh]”—Proverbs 21:30 NLT
“Now this is eternal life, that they should know you, the only true God, and the one whom you sent, Jesus Christ.” (John 17:3)
The Bible says our eternal life depends on knowing the only true God the Father, and His Son, whom he sent, Jesus Christ. “Knowing” would have to include knowing who they are.
This article is part of 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 Bible. This article examines whether the Trinity was taught or preached the book of Acts of the Apostles.
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, which records how Christianity was established throughout the Roman Empire.
As part of our series about what is stated in the Bible concerning whether God, Jesus and the holy Spirit are a Trinity in the various books of the New Testament, this article examines the book of Galatians.
Galatians 1:1 – “Through Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised him from the dead” (NAB). – God is shown to be the Father. Jesus is not referred to as God. God and Jesus are revealed to be two separate and distinct individuals – the superior, God, resurrects the lesser one, Jesus, from the dead. “Yahweh . . . God . . . never dies” (Habakkuk 1:12 NJB). Jesus “was dead” (Revelation 1:18). Therefore, Jesus cannot be Almighty God.
In our series about what is stated concerning Jesus in the various books of the New Testament, this article examines the book of 1 Corinthians. It is claimed by many preachers and denominations that Jesus is part of a Trinity, along with God the Father and the holy Spirit. If this is so, we surely should find evidence of it in a New Testament book such as 1 Corinthians, which covers Christian beliefs. Is the Trinity doctrine in 1 Corinthians?
1 Corinthians 1:1 – “An apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God.” – God and Jesus are separate and distinct.
We continue our series about what is stated concerning Jesus in the various books of the New Testament. Today, we will examine the book of Colossians.
Col 1:1 – “Apostle of Christ by the will of God.” – Christ subordinate
Col 1:2 – “Brothers in Christ… peace from God our Father.” – Notice the relationship these Christians have – they are brothers of Christ, but children of God.
Col 1:3 – “God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”