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Is Jesus Christ God, or Part of a Trinity, in Philemon?

December 8, 2023 BibleAuthenticity Comments 1 comment

Is the Trinity in the book of Philemon?

“For love’s sake I prefer to appeal to you–I, Paul, an old man and now a prisoner also for Christ Jesus”—Philemon 1:9 ESV

In this very

Is the Bible reliable? — Is the Trinity in the book of Philemon?

short New Testament book of only 25 verses, Jesus Christ is specifically mentioned eight times, God two times, and the holy Spirit is not mentioned at all. In such a brief letter, only so much can be discussed, of course, so the holy Spirit’s omission is not surprising. This is especially so when we consider that the letter’s subject matter is not primarily doctrinal, but, instead, focuses on the relationship of the wealthy Christian Philemon with his runaway slave Onesimus, whom the apostle Paul in Rome has recently converted to Christianity, and is sending him back to Philemon in Colossae with this letter, appealing to Philemon to do the right thing (Philemon 1:10-21). read more

Does the Mention of God, Jesus, & the holy Spirit Prove the Trinity?

March 24, 2023 BibleAuthenticity Comments 4 comments

Trinitarians say that places in the Bible in which God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, are mentioned together prove the doctrine of the Trinity Trinitarians symbol is true. However, the Trinity doctrine goes far beyond acknowledging the existence of God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. What exactly is the Trinity doctrine? A very good, concise, definition by a devoted Trinitarian expert is:

“Within the One Being that is God, there exists eternally three coequal and coeternal persons, namely, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit”—The Forgotten Trinity, page 23 read more

WHO IS “THE MAJESTY IN HEAVEN”?

January 30, 2023 BibleAuthenticity Comments 0 Comment

Who is the “Majesty in heaven,” according to the Bible, God or Jesus?

“To the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority through Jesus Christ our Lord”—Jude 25 NIV

There is a popular song that is frequently sung in evangelical churches and groups called “Majesty” that calls Jesus Christ “Majesty”. There are two scriptures in the Bible that refer to “the Majesty in heaven”. Let’s look at them:

“The Son . . . After he had provided purification for our sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven”—Hebrews 1:3 NIV read more

IS THERE ANY EVIDENCE OF A TRINITY IN REVELATION 17-22?

August 6, 2022 BibleAuthenticity Comments 0 Comment

Let’s look at the evidence to see if the Trinity doctrine is in Revelation chapters 17-22. The word “trinity” is never mentioned, just as it is never mentioned anywhere else in the Bible, and God, Jesus, and the holy Spirit are never mentioned in the same verse or even in the same context, in these chapters. So, let’s examine the evidence that we do find in these chapters, and see where it leads us!

“The Lamb will triumph over them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings”—Revelation 17:14 NIV . Trinitarians claim that Jesus’ titles here, “Lord of lords and King of kings,” mean that he is Almighty God, because Almighty God also has these same titles. However, their claim is undercut by scriptural evidence from Ezra 7:12 where “Artaxerxes” is identified as “king of kings” (NIV), and by Daniel 2:37 where “Nebuchadnezzar” (Daniel 2:1),is also identified as “the king of kings” (NIV). Even more powerfully, “the Lamb”, who is Jesus Christ, is identified as “the Lord of lords and King of kings”(NIV). The “Lamb” was “slain” (Revelation 5:6 NIV), and Jesus said he “was dead” (Revelation 1:18 NIV). Since the Scriptures tell us that “God . . . will never die” (Habakkuk 1:12 NIV), Jesus Christ cannot be Almighty God! read more

IS EASTER A BIBLICAL CELEBRATION?

April 17, 2022 BibleAuthenticity Comments 23 comments

“‘This do in remembrance of me . . . This cup,’ He said, ‘is the new Covenant ratified by my blood which is to be poured out on your behalf'”—Weymouth New Testament

Jesus commanded one celebration, called “the Lord’s Supper” (1 Corinthians 11:20 NIV).

No, Easter is not a Biblical celebration. It is nowhere mentioned in the Koine’ Greek text that the New Testament was originally written in. The 17th century King James Version mistranslates the Greek word for “Passover” as “Easter” at Acts 12:4, but even the New King James Version accurately translates this Greek word as “Passover” at Acts 12:4. Additionally, it is historically well documented in numerous reference works that many of the customs associated with Easter are drawn from paganism, with Christ’s name and resurrection tacked onto them. Ancient pagans often worshipped earth’s star, the sun, in various ways. Easter is built upon many such customs, as well as pagan early spring fertility rites, with modern-day sunrise services, being one result. Rabbits and eggs were often viewed as symbols of fertility by pagans. Other customs, such as Easter baskets and bonnets, and hot cross buns, had their origins in paganism. We can draw a principle to apply from something Jesus said on a different subject: “the pagan world runs after all such things” (Luke 12:30 NIV). read more

IS THE TRINITY DOCTRINE TAUGHT IN JUDE?

October 4, 2021 BibleAuthenticity Comments 0 Comment

The book of Jude was written by Jesus’ half brother Jude some three decades after the start of Christianity. At this stage, we would expects to find some mention of the doctrine of the Trinity, if it is true. But, just like the rest of the scriptures, there is no mention of a Trinity in Jude.

Jude 1—“To those who have been called, who are loved in God the Father and kept for Christ Jesus” (NIV). “God the Father” is obviously a completely separate and distinct person from “Christ Jesus”. If the Trinity doctrine were true, we would expect there to be some mention of it, or the holy Spirit (which is real), at this point, but there isn’t.

Jude 3 – “Fight hard for the faith, which has been once and for all entrusted to God’s holy people” (Jude 3 NJB). read more

“Is ‘Eternal Security’ a Biblical Teaching? – John 15:6

April 18, 2021 BibleAuthenticity Comments 0 Comment

Is the doctrine of “Eternal Security,” also known as “Once Saved, Always Saved,” a Biblical teaching? Being “saved” is a Biblical teaching. For example, “For in this hope we were saved” (Romans 8:24 NIV). But, is it true that this is a “one and done” experience?

“I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me, with me in him, bears fruit in plenty; for cut off from me you can do nothing. Anyone who who does not remain is thrown away like a branch—and withers; these branches are collected and thrown on the fire and are burnt”—John 15:5,6 NJB read more

Do the Twelve Minor Prophets Support Trinity Doctrine?

March 6, 2020 BibleAuthenticity Comments 0 Comment

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?

There is one famous reference to Jesus, in a verse which predicts his birthplace, and mentions something very significant about his existence in doing so:

“But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah, who are one of the little clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to rule in Israel, whose origin is from of old, from ancient days” read more

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 h=&0=& 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).

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