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Does 2 Timothy Support the Trinity?

October 6, 2019 BibleAuthenticity Comments 0 Comment

In Paul’s final canonical letter, and now facing certain execution at the hands of the Romans, we would expect Paul to at least make some mention of the Trinity, if it was true, since it is purportedly the “primary doctrine of Christianity”.
“Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, in keeping with the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 1:1 NIV). There is no mention in this opening greeting of the holy Spirit. God, not Jesus, obviously is the one who is supreme, since Paul is “an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God”. There is no mention, nor is there any evidence of, any personhood of holy Spirit, or any equality between God and Jesus.
“Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord” (2 Timothy 1:2 NIV). In this verse, we again do not find any reference to a Trinity, nor of the holy spirit, but we do have “God the Father and Christ Jesus” named as separate and distinct individuals. If the holy spirit was a person, or the Trinity was real, we would expect that there would be greetings from them, but there are not any. These facts provide no evidence of the Trinity doctrine.
“Guard this rich trust with the help of the holy Spirit that dwells within us” (2 Timothy 1:14 NAB). “The holy Spirit” is referenced by the definite article “the.” The holy Spirit is real. It is God’s power (Luke 1:15-17; Acts 1:8) and no name is ever given to “the holy Spirit”, both of which are evidences that the holy Spirit is not a person.
“Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead” (2 Timothy 2:8 NIV). Since “God . . . will never die” (Habakkuk 1:12 NIV), but Jesus “was dead” (Revelation 1:18), Jesus cannot be Almighty God. “God has resurrected this Jesus” (Acts 2:32 HCSB), which is strong evidence that God the Father is superior to Jesus, and, thus, there is no equality.
“In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead” (2 Timothy 4:1 NIV). Here we again see a clear distinction between Almighty God and Jesus Christ. This verse also reminds us that “the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son” (John 5:22 NIV), which is powerful evidence of the Father’s superiority over the Son. Also notable by absence is any reference to the holy Spirit, or the Trinity, at 2 Timothy 4:1 regarding the matter of judging. The Trinity is never mentioned, in 2 Timothy, or anywhere else, in the Bible.
The Letter of 2 Timothy gives us very good evidence that the Trinity doctrine is not only false, but is one of the “myths” that many Christians unfortunately were foretold would “turn aside to” (2 Timothy 4:4 NAB; NIV; NJB). read more

DOES THE LETTER OF JAMES SUPPORT THE TRINITY?

October 5, 2019 BibleAuthenticity Comments 5 comments

False Doctrines — “Do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. ” (1 John 4:1 NIV) Is the Trinity in James?

Is the Trinity in James? James’ short general letter to early Christians doesn’t have a plethora of references to God, Jesus, and the holy Spirit, but what it does have is more than enough to figure out whether the Trinity doctrine is in the book of James. First of all, notice who James is a servant of:

“James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ” (James 1:1 NIV). James identifies himself as serving two distinct personages, namely Almighty God and Jesus Christ. These two are not mysteriously merged together, as Trinitarians assert. Their distinctive separateness is maintained. Notable by absence are references to the Trinity and the holy Spirit. If these are real, why isn’t James serving them?—Perhaps because the Trinity is fictional. He’s not serving the holy Spirit because it is not a person, even though it is real. “The holy Spirit” is called “it” at John 1:32 (ESV); 14:17 (NAB, REB), Acts 2:33; 8:16; 11:15 NAB, and Romans 8:16,26,27 (NAB;REB). Persons are not called “it”. The holy Spirit is God’s “power” (Acts 1:8), not a person. read more

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). Jesus “received honor and glory from God the Father”, and Jesus is called “my Son” by “God the Father”. You can’t receive something from yourself, and, by definition, “Son” and “Father” cannot be the same person.

“Human beings moved by the holy Spirit spoke under the influence of God” (2 Peter 1:21 NAB). Trinitarians assert that the holy Spirit is a person. However, the definite article “the” is not the way a person is described. Without the holy Spirit being a person, the Trinity doctrine collapses.

In 2 Peter, where God and Jesus are mentioned together, they are clearly separate and distinct, which ‘demolishes’ the Trinity ‘stronghold’ (2 Corinthians 10:4 NIV).

Is God the Father Exclusively the Almighty?

September 5, 2019 BibleAuthenticity Comments 16 comments

Can God the Father of the Bible be the only Almighty?

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

Trinitarians assert, in probably their main creed, above, that ‘God is the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,’ all rolled into one Almighty God, but three entities at the same time. Of course, this makes no sense, but let’s see what the Bible says:

“We know that, ‘An idol is nothing at all in the world’ and that ‘There is no God but one’. For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as indeed there are many ‘gods’ and many ‘lords’), yet for us

there is one God, the Father . . . and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ read more

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

September 29, 2017 BibleAuthenticity Comments 0 Comment

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.

“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.

“When the 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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The Bible Completely Equips Us & Doesn’t Need Supplements

September 26, 2017 BibleAuthenticity Comments 0 Comment

Many people professing to be Christians today believe the Bible is useful but incomplete and needs to be supplemented by their own teachings and writings. But is this the case? Is it possible that the Bible completely equips us?

“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 Tim 3:16-17) The Bible completely equips Christians because it is the only divinely inspired writing.

“Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Do not add to his words, or he will rebuke you and prove you a liar.” (Prov 30:5-6) The Bible is perfect because it is God’s Word and does not need to be supplemented.

“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, which are described in this scroll.” (Rev 22:18-19) Adding to or subtracting anything from the Bible is condemned by God.

“Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.” (Jn 17:17)The Bible is God’s Word.

“Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt compelled to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God’s holy people. ” (Jude 3) This body of truth, or faith, contained in the Bible was delivered once for all time, being completed by around 100 CE.

“Remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold.” (Jude 17) The word of the apostles was authoritative. The New Testament was written by four apostles directly chosen by Jesus, namely, Matthew, John, Peter and Paul. Four other close associates of the apostles also wrote the New Testament.

1 Cor 15:7 – “Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles.” Jesus appeared to James.

Acts 15:13 – “James spoke…”

Acts 15:19 – “It is my judgment…”

Acts 15:22 – “Then the apostles and elders… decided….” James was the spokesman.

Acts 21:18 – “Paul and the rest of us went to see James, and all the elders were present.” James was the leader of the important Jerusalem church.

Gal 1:19 – “I saw none of the other apostles – only James, the Lord’s brother.”

Gal 2:9 – “James, Cephas and John, those esteemed as pillars.”

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). Almighty God the Father, who is the one in control, gave Jesus as redeemer of sinful humans.

Ephesians 1:9 – “He [God] made known to us the mystery… which he purposed in Christ.” God is the one who decided in advance what was going to happen, in Christ.

Ephesians 1:12 –

“God’s purpose was that we Jews who were the first to trust in Christ would bring praise and glory to God” (NLT). read more

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