Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is said by many to be Almighty God, “God the Son,” the second person of the Trinity. However, Jesus Christ, the Messiah, is mentioned in the Bible as being God’s “servant.” In view of the claims that Jesus is Almighty God, how can he be God’s servant? First, let’s look at some of the claims about him:
“Peter’s sermon identifies Jesus with the ‘I Am’ of Israel’s history”—The Word In Life Study Bible, page 1928, citing Acts 3:11-26 as “proof.”read more
Ultimate Authority – Is it the Father, Jesus, holy Spirit, or Trinity?
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?
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.
This article is part of our series about what is stated concerning God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit, and whether they together comprise a Trinity, in the various books of the New Testament. We will examine the four chapter book of Philippians. Notice the distinctive relationship between God and Jesus throughout this book of Philippians, especially the superior role of God compared to Jesus. What does it say about the holy Spirit? Is the Trinity in Philippians?
Is the Trinity found in Philippians? The superior role of God compared to Jesus is evident from the Bible book of Philippians
“To all God’s holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi.” (Philippians 1:1) God is always the one in control, and using Christ to gather his people.
“Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:2) God and Jesus are separate and distinct. The holy Spirit, since it is not a person, does not give greetings. Neither does the Trinity, since it doesn’t exist.
“God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:8) God and Jesus are spoken of as separate and distinct individuals.
“Filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ – to the glory and praise of God.” (Philippians 1:11) Fruitage from God flows through Jesus and brings glory and praise to God.
“Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who although he existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped.” (Philippians 2:5-6 NASB) Being,”in the form of God”, means that Jesus is not God! Someone who already has something does not have to ‘grasp’ for it. Jesus would not even think about trying to be equal to God. Christians are to have the same attitude of humility. Obviously, Jesus is separate from, and inferior to, God.
“He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. For this reason also, God highly exalted him.” (Philippians 2:8-9 NASB) Jesus’ obedience bespeaks of his submission to his Father. His death means he is not God, and not eternal, since he was not in existence while he was dead. The makes clear that “Yahweh . . . God . . . never dies” (Habakkuk 1:12 NJB). God, the superior one, highly exalted Jesus, not the other way around.
“At the name of Jesus every knee should bow . . . and every tongue should acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord” (Philippians 2:10,11a NIV). Trinitarians often stop their quote of the scripture at this point, and use this to “prove” that Jesus is God. However, when we actually look at the rest of the scripture, we find that it is, “to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:11b NIV). By reading the full scripture, we find that the scripture actually proves that Jesus is inferior to God, contradicting the Trinity doctrine.
“It is we who are in the circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God, and boast in Christ Jesus and have no confidence in the flesh” (Philippians 3:3 NRSV). Christians serve God and worship him, not Christ. Notice, though, that they do it “in the Spirit of God.” “In the Spirit,” and “of God,” are evidences that the holy Spirit is not a person.
“But that which is through faith in Christ – the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.” (Philippians 3:9) “God” is shown to be someone other than “Christ”. The righteousness from God comes through faith in Christ. God and Christ are separate individuals, with God as superior.
“The prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:14) God calls Paul heavenward through Jesus. Same point as above.
“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:7) Same point as above.
“My God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19) “My God” is obviously the Father. His gift is “Christ Jesus.” Therefore, Jesus is not God!
Throughout the book of Philippians, we find the distinctive relationship between God and Jesus. The superior role of God compared to Jesus is evident upon examination of the above verses. The holy Spirit is shown to not be a person. From our analysis, we have found that the Trinity is not found in Philippians.
All scriptures quoted from New International Version (NIV) unless noted otherwise.
Why does the Trinity matter? – Is Jesus Christ Almighty God?
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
Does this picture make sense? It is confusing and contradictory!
“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.
The Athanasian Creed, which many denominations accept, says a person’s eternal life depends on acceptance of certain statements of belief about God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit (Ghost).
“Whosoever will be saved, before all things it is necessary that he hold the catholic faith. Which faith except every one do keep whole and undefiled; without doubt he shall perish everlastingly.”
“So that in all things, as aforesaid; the Unity in Trinity, and the Trinity in Unity, is to be worshipped. He therefore that will be saved, let him thus think of the Trinity.”
“Furthermore, it is necessary to everlasting salvation; that he also believe faithfully the Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ. For the right Faith is, that we believe and confess; that our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is God and Man; God, of the Substance [Essence] of the Father; begotten before the worlds; and Man, of the Substance [Essence] of his Mother, born in the world. Perfect God; and perfect Man, of a reasonable soul and human flesh subsisting.”
“And they that have done good shall go into life everlasting; and they that have done evil, into everlasting fire. This is the catholic faith; which except a man believe truly and firmly, he cannot be saved.”
