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Colossians—Are Jesus Christ, Almighty God and the holy Spirit a Trinity?

October 4, 2019 BibleAuthenticity Comments 2 comments

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?

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. However, the verse is more accurately translated as:
“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.

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 the Only Almighty?

September 5, 2019 BibleAuthenticity Comments 16 comments

Revised January 18, 2023

“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“—-1 Corinthians 8:4-6 NIV.

One thing we can infer from this is that worship of anything other than God the Father is idolatry. This is confirmed by what Jesus himself said:

“The true worshippers will worship the Father in sprit and truth; that is the kind of worshipper the Father seeks. 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. More accurately, however, the verse is translated:

“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 =&0=&. God and Jesus are both referred to as saviors in Titus here, as well as elsewhere in the Bible, but being called Saviour doesn’t make Jesus God, anymore than men being called “saviors” makes them God (Obadiah 21 NKJV). God and Jesus are always completely separate and distinct individuals. By saying that ‘God poured over us the holy Spirit through Jesus Christ,’ it clearly proves that the holy Spirit cannot be a person since a person can’t be poured over others. Notice also that the holy Spirit is given by God “through” Jesus. God is the source of the holy Spirit, and he channels it through Jesus. Thus Almighty God is portrayed as superior in every respect to Jesus, and the holy Spirit is clearly not a person.

It is abundantly clear from the short Bible book of Titus that Jesus is not God, rather he is the powerful Son of God, and clear, unmistakable proof is shown that the holy Spirit cannot be a person. The Letter to Titus thus shatters the Trinity doctrine.

Are God, Jesus, and the holy Spirit a Trinity? – 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? Let’s examine some of the pertinent verses to find out.

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The Bible Completely Equips Us and Does Not Need to Be Supplemented

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?

“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.

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 Jn 4:1)

“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

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.

Holy Spirit greetings? — Where are the greetings from the Holy Spirit in the New Testament?

“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 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.

All Bible verses quoted from New International Version (NIV)

Notes on the Origin of the New Testament Canon

May 26, 2017 BibleAuthenticity Comments 0 Comment

The New Testament canon was established early, by Holy Spirit

The New Testament canon was established in the first century by Holy Spirit. Let’s examine some notes on the scriptures which confirm this fact:

2 Peter 1:16-21 – Peter affirms Old Testament prophets wrote God’s word. He puts himself and other apostles in the same category.

2 Peter 3:15-16 – Paul’s letters were on the same level as all the “rest of the scriptures.” That is, inspired of God. Early Greek manuscripts show Paul writing 14 letters.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 – The rest of the scriptures (the Old Testament) are inspired of God. We can broaden this now, and apply the principle to all 66 canonical books as shown below:

1 Timothy 5:18 – Paul quotes Luke 10:7 as scripture, placing it on an equal status with Deuteronomy 25:4.

Therefore, we can reason that if the book of Luke is scripture, then so is Luke’s second volume, Acts. Here’s how:

Luke 1:1-4 – He writes to Theophilus.

Acts 1:1-3 – “In my former book, Theophilus…” (NIV) So he implies Acts is the second volume.

Jude 17 – “But you, my dear friends, must remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ said.” Jude was apparently referring to Acts 20:29; 1 Timothy 4:1-2; 2 Timothy 3:1-5; 2 Peter 2:1-3; 2 John 7. Apostolic authority carried great weight. The apostles’ writings apparently were considered scripture.

Galatians 1:17-20 – Paul put his own apostleship in the same category as the original twelve apostles. Jesus’ brother James was considered an apostle by this time, and likely their brother Jude was also.

So books by Matthew, John, Paul, Peter, James (Jesus’ brother) and Jude were considered scripture. Mark wrote for Peter. Luke wrote for Paul and interviewed many eyewitnesses.

Increase in the knowledge of God

The Old Testament predicted an increase in the knowledge of God when Christ comes with the new covenant:

“They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain, for the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.” (Isaiah 11:9)

“I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the Lord. They will be my people, and I will be their God, for they will return to me with all their heart.” (Jeremiah 24:7)

“‘This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time,’ declares the Lord. ‘I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. No longer will they teach their neighbor, or say to one another, ‘Know the Lord,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest,’ declares the Lord. ‘For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.'” (Jeremiah 31:33-34)

“For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.” (Habakkuk 2:14)

March 29, 2017 BibleAuthenticity Comments 0 Comment

“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.”

“Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?” (Romans 11:33-34 NIV)

While the Trinity doctrine is unscriptural and demonstrably false, probably the vast majority who believe in it only do so because they were told it was true. Since the Trinity doctrine makes no sense, these simply assume they are supposed to believe it.

“For Yahweh your God is a merciful God.” (Deuteronomy 4:31 NJB)

“Will not the judge of all the earth do right?” (Genesis 18:25 NIV)

“With righteousness he will judge the needy.” (Isaiah 11:4 NIV)

God’s judgment of each person will be perfectly right and fair, without pettiness over trivialities.

“I, Yahweh, examine the mind, I test the heart to give to each according to his way, according to what his actions deserve.” (Jeremiah 17:10 CSB)

Please take note of the following scriptures which indicate that if one believes in Christ and is in Christ, that is a follower, a doer, then that person believes in, honors, and serves the Father also:

WHOEVER BELIEVES IN, KNOWS, AND HONORS GOD’S SON, HAS THE FATHER ALSO

“That all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him.” (John 5:23 NIV)

“Whoever believes in me does not believe in me only, but in the one who sent me.” (John 12:44 NIV)

“If you knew me, you would know my Father also.” (John 8:19 NIV)

“If you really know me, you will know my Father as well.” (John 14:7 NIV)

“Whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father also.” (1 John 2:23 NIV)

“If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God.” (1 John 4:15 NIV)

“Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves his child as well.” (1 John 5:1 NIV)

“We are in him who is true by being in his Son Jesus Christ.” (1 John 5:20 NIV)

“Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.” (2 John 9)

So while the Trinity doctrine is false, Christians whom God judges to be doing the best they can with what they have to work with, possibly may be able to have a relationship with God and Christ, although it would be weaker than would otherwise be possible through accurately ‘knowing the only true God and the one He sent, Jesus Christ’ (John 17:3). And we can be confident that God will do the right thing in his judgment.

CORRECT BELIEF IS IMPORTANT

Since the ‘road to eternal life is narrow, and only a few find it, whereas the road to destruction is wide, most people follow it’ (Matthew 7:13,14), and will not gain eternal life.

“They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved . . . all will be condemned who have not believed the truth” (2 Thessalonians 2:10,12 NIV). read more

Can God the Father Be the Only Almighty?

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)

According to Isaiah 40:25 and Isaiah 46:5, he has no equal. “Who will you compare Me to, or who is My equal?” asks the Holy One.” (Isaiah 40:25 HCSB) “Who will you compare Me or make Me equal to? Who will you measure Me with, so that we should be like each other?” (Isaiah 46:5 HCSB) The scriptures, as well as common sense, should tell us that the Almighty has no equal.

Jesus is called Mighty God (El Gibhor in Hebrew). “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6 ESV) Trinitarians point out that Yahweh is referred to as,

“The Mighty One, God, the LORD” (Psalm 50:1 NIV). read more

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