“Monogenēsmay be used as an adjective. For example, monogenēs pais means only child, only legitimate child or special child. Monogenēs may also be used on its own as a noun. For example, o monogenēs means “the only one”, or “the only legitimate child” . . . Some interpretations of the word “unique” attempt to preclude birth, yet the full Greek meaning is always in the context of a child (genes). A unique child is also a born child, hence the full meaning of the word “begotten” as found in John 3:16 (KJV), for example”—Wikipediaread more
Many Christians have been taught and believe that Jesus Christ is Almighty God because he actually forgave sins while he was on earth. Does forgiving sins mean that Jesus is God? Let’s analyze the scriptures objectively, and see for ourselves.
Mark 2:5-7 – “When Jesus saw their faith, he saw to the paralytic, ‘Child, your sins are forgiven.’ Now some of the scribes were sitting there asking themselves, ‘ Why does this man speak that way? He is blaspheming. Who but God alone can forgive sins?” (NAB). Does this assertion by Jesus’ enemies that, ‘only God can forgive sins’, mean that Jesus is God? Notice next what term Jesus uses to describe himself:read more
Jesus is the Son of God. But is he “God the Son”?
A discussion with a Trinitarian about whether Jesus Christ is “God the Son” follows. “
T” stands for the Trinitarian and “BA” stands for us at Bible Authenticity.
T—The author of BA believes the Word was a created being, not a man or angel, but some being not identified.
BA—He is Biblically identified. “Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God” (John 20:31 NASB). T- We are talking about the pre-incarnate Jesus Christ. You said the Word was created by God before creation.
BA—Since the Bible says he is “the firstborn of every creature” (Col 1:15 KJV), “whose origin is from of old, from ancient days” (Micah 5:2 NRSV).
T—I say and John 1:1 says He was God, therefore not a created being.
BA—The Bible says Jesus is “the only begotten God was is in the bosom of his Father”, but is not the “God” that “no one has seen” (John 1:T18 NASB). Being “begotten” means his life had a beginning, therefore he was created.read more
Can Jesus Christ, the Son of God, Be God’s Servant?
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?
“He has given him authority to judge because he is the Son of Man” (John 5:27). “I am not here on my own authority but he who sent me is true.” (John 7:28) Jesus plainly states his authority came from his Father, and that he didn’t come on his own authority, but God sent him.
“If anyone’s will is to do God’s will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority.” (John 7:17 ESV).”I do not speak on my own authority.” (John 14:10)read more
Are God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit a Trinity in 2 Thessalonians?
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? Why aren’t they in the Trinity?
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) Notice they are God’s, not Christ’s, holy people. God is always the one in control, and is using Christ to gather his people, which shows his superiority over Christ, and eliminates the equality aspect of the Trinity doctrine (John 14:28).
“Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ . . . God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:2,8) God and Jesus are presented as separate and distinct, not of the same “being”, “substance”, or “essence”. The holy Spirit, since it is not a person, does not give greetings. Neither does the Trinity, since it doesn’t exist.
“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. God is presented is someone other than Jesus, and superior to Jesus (John 14:28), which doesn’t support the Trinity doctrine.
“I thank my God . . . always offering prayer . . . that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus . . . in the defense and confirmation of the gospel” (Philippians 1:3-6 LSB). The apostle Paul offers prayer to God, who began a good work in the Philippians, and will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. This phraseology gives us good evidence that God is someone other than Christ Jesus. Just as Paul was determined to defend and confirm this truth of the gospel, so are we at this website. We will always defend the truth that God the Father is the God of Jesus Christ, proving that Jesus is neither God, nor equal to God.
“the provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:19 LSB). Although it takes quite an imaginative stretch, some have read into Philippians 1:19 that the holy Spirit is God. Renderings such as the NAB, personify the holy Spirit: “This will result in deliverance for me through your prayers and support from the Spirit of Jesus Christ”. Trinitarians equivocate this personification, ‘twisting the scripture’ (2 Peter 3:16), claiming “the spirit” is a person, in their attempt to prop up their dogma. However, in the Bible there are many personifications used. While “spirit” is equivocated into a person, no one equivocates “water and blood” (1 John 5:8) into persons. The NIV rendering makes it even clearer that the holy Spirit can’t be God: “God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ”. However, since Jesus was “exalted at the right hand of God, he received the promise of the holy Spirit from the Father and poured it forth” (Acts 2:33 NAB). The holy Spirit is described as “it”, which is indicative that it’s not a person. The scriptures describe it as “the holy Spirit that God has given to those who obey him” (Acts 5:32 NAB), indicating that Almighty God is in ultimate control of the holy Spirit. Since God the Father distributes the holy Spirit through Jesus, the terms, “the Spirit of God”, and “the Spirit of Christ”, describe the same thing, and are interchangeable.
“Participation in the Spirit” (Philippians 2:1 ESV). Since some versions render this as, “fellowship of the Spirit”, Trinitarians have claimed this means the holy Spirit is a person. However, the rendering “participation in the Spirit” is more accurate. We can’t participate in a person. But we can “have a share in his Spirit” (1 John 4:13 NJB). All this gives evidence that the holy Spirit isn’t a person. Without the holy Spirit being a person, the Trinity doctrine collapses.
“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 2:6 LSB; NASB).
“Who, although he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped. Rather he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness, and found human in appearance”—Philippians 2:6,7 NAB
If Jesus was God, it would make no sense to say that he was “in the form of God.” Thus, being,”in the form of God”, means that Jesus is not God!
“He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to death — even death on a cross. Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name.” (Philippians 2:8,9 NIV) God is clearly shown to be someone other than Christ. Notice the even more clarified rendering, “Therefore God exalted him even more highly and gave him the name that is above every other name” (Philippians 2:9 NRSVUE). “This clearly excludes God, since God put everything under Christ’s authority” (1 Corinthians 15:27 GWT). Christ’s name “is above every other name” except Yahweh.“Yahweh” is “the Most High over all the earth” (Psalm 83:19 LSB).
Jesus’ obedience bespeaks of his submission to his Father. Indeed, “He learned obedience from the things He suffered” (Hebrews 5:8 LSB). His death means he is not God, and not eternal, since he was not in existence while he “was dead” (Revelation 1:18). The scriptures make clear that “Yahweh . . . God . . . never dies” (Habakkuk 1:12 NJB). “God,” the superior one, “highly exalted” Jesus, “and gave him the name that is above every name.” not the other way around. Thus, three Trinitarian pillars of Jesus being God, eternal, and equal, are eliminated by these scriptures, which glides right over the heads of Trinitarians!
Trinitarians claim “Jesus has been God, equal to the Father, from eternity.” If that was true, then his getting a name above every name, would mean he’s greater than the Father, which contradicts their own dogma. What is the ‘name Jesus was given, above every name’? The scriptures foretold it, “His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6 LSB).
Philippians 2:10,11a – “At the name of Jesus every knee should bow . . . and every tongue should acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord” (NIV). Trinitarians often stop their quote of the scripture at this point, and use this to “prove” that Jesus is God. Here is a typical example of a Trinitarian claim:
“God the Father stated, “To me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear” (Isaiah 45:23). The same exact description is also applied to Jesus (Philippians 2:10-11). This means that both the Father and the Son are Yahweh.”
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) that ‘every knee shall bend down to Jesus’. By reading the full scripture, we find that the scripture actually proves that Jesus is inferior to God the Father, contradicting the equality claim of the Trinity doctrine. Trinitarians also claim that because Jesus is called “Lord” — that makes him God. But here we see that is not the case. Let’s look at the scripture and see who is called God — “The Father” is the one who is “God”, not “the Lord Jesus Christ.”
“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 Jesus (John 4:23). Notice, though, that they do it “in the Spirit of God.” “In the Spirit,” and “the Spirit of God,” are evidences that the holy Spirit is not a person. “For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh” (Philippians 3:3World English Bible). From this translation, we notice even more clearly that “God” is the one to be properly worshipped, not Jesus.
“But that which is through faith in Christ – the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. I want to know Christ — yes, to know the power of his resurrection . . . becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow attaining to the resurrection from the dead. The prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:9-11,14 NIV). “God” is shown to be someone other than “Christ”. The righteousness from God comes through faith in Christ. God calls Paul heavenward through Jesus. God and Christ are separate individuals, with God the Father as superior, which eliminates the equality aspect of the Trinity doctrine. Also, the text shows that “Christ died” (1 Corinthians 15:3), and “God resurrected this Jesus” (Acts 2:32 HCSB), so Christ can’t be God, because “God . . . will never die” (Habakkuk 1:12 NIV). This eliminates the “eternal” aspect of the Trinity doctrine.
“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:7NIV)“Then God’s peace, which goes far beyond anything we can imagine, will guard your hearts and minds in union with the Messiah Jesus” (Philippians 4:7 GNB). “My God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19) God the Father is superior, and he uses Christ Jesus as his “representative” (John 5:43 Williams) agent to help humans. “My God” is obviously the Father. His gift is “Christ Jesus,” as his “representative” (John 5:43 Williams). Therefore, Jesus cannot be God!
CONCLUSION
In Philippians, we find the distinctive relationship between God and Jesus. They are not equals (John 14:28). The superior role of God compared to Jesus is evident upon examination of the verse. The holy spirit is clearly shown not to be person in Philippians, so for that reason alone, there is no Trinity in Philippians.
All scriptures quoted from New International Version (NIV) unless noted otherwise.
For more information related to this subject, please also see the following article on this website:
The Trinity is said to be the main doctrine of Christianity. Verses from Hebrews 1 are often used to support the doctrine. However, there are some very valid and legitimate Trinity questions about what the verses in Hebrews actually say about God, Jesus, and the holy Spirit 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).
·Who is “his Son” that God has spoken by?
·Who appointed Jesus to be “heir”?
·What does it mean that God made the universe through Jesus?
Hebrews 1:3 – How does being “the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being” make Jesus equal to God?
Hebrews 1:5 – Who made the Father-Son declaration? Who decided this relationship? Explain how this makes the Father and Jesus equal?
Hebrews 1:8 – Does “about the Son he says, ‘Your throne, God'” make Jesus equal to the Father? If so, then what does it make the human king about which it was originally said at
Jesus is the Son of God. But is he “God the Son”?
A discussion with a Trinitarian about whether Jesus Christ is “God the Son” follows. “
T” stands for the Trinitarian and “BA” stands for us at Bible Authenticity.
T—The author of BA believes the Word was a created being, not a man or angel, but some being not identified.
The Trinity is said to be the main doctrine of Christianity. Verses from