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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

REVELATION 4-5–GOD ALMIGHTY, JESUS SUBMISSIVE, HOLY SPIRIT NOT A PERSON

October 6, 2021 BibleAuthenticity Comments 0 Comment

Trinitarians claim that God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit are all three equals persons within a supposed “Godhead”. But, the scriptures prove otherwise.

“Instantly, I came under the Spirit’s power. I saw a throne in heaven and someone was sitting on it”—Revelation 4:2 GWT

This verse shows us that the Holy Spirit is not a person, but God’s power, as John comes under its influence. As will be shown in this vision, God is sitting on the throne.

“In front of the throne, seven lamps [“the sevenfold Spirit”–margin] were blazing. These are the seven spirits [“the sevenfold Spirit”–margin] of God”—Revelation 4:5 NIV

The NIV marginal readings, in brackets here, are very helpful in identifying “the seven spirits” as “the sevenfold Spirit”, that is, the Holy Spirit. “Sevenfold” helps us to understand that the spirit is perfectly complete, fully equipped for its work of accomplishing God’s work. However, there is no indication of personhood.

“Around the throne, there were four living creatures . . . Day and night they never stop saying: ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty . . . ‘ Whenever the four living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne . . . the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever . . . and say: ‘You are worthy, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created'”—Revelation 4:6,8-11 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 Jesus the “I AM” In Both Exodus 3:14 and John 8:58?

April 18, 2021 BibleAuthenticity Comments 8 comments

Jesus, not God — Is Jesus the “I Am” of both Exodus 3:14 and John 8:58?

“God replied to Moses: I am who I am. Then he added: This is what you are to tell the Israelites: I AM has sent me to you”—Exodus 3:14 NAB

“Truly I say to you, before Abraham was born, I am”—John 8:58 NASB. Many translations of John 8:58 capitalize “I Am” so as to convey the idea of a title. As a prominent Bible study guide says,“The ‘I am’ denotes absolute eternal existence, not simply existence prior to Abraham. It is a claim to be Yahweh of the OT” (Ryrie Study Bible note on John 8:58).` read more

Important Trinity Questions

April 9, 2021 BibleAuthenticity Comments 3 comments

“For us there is only one God, the Father” (1 Corinthians 8:6 NJB). There are some important Trinity questions that need to be answered.

If the Trinity doctrine is truly Biblical, as Trinitarians claim, then they should not have any problems with answering simple questions about their doctrine, without any resorting to evasion, or denial. Here is the question:
Are both of the following statements true?—YES, or NO

A. For Christians, there is one God, the Triune God.
B. For Christians, there is one God, the Father.

1. If YES, then please explain how the “one God” of Christians is both a three person being and a one person being.
2. If NO, then please identify which of the two above statements is true.

If the doctrine of the Trinity is true, Trinitarians should be able to answer these questions Biblically.

DOES BEING “SAVIOR” MEAN THAT JESUS IS GOD?

March 28, 2020 BibleAuthenticity Comments 0 Comment

Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching — Does being called “Savior” mean Jesus that is God?

Trinitarians often use the following scripture to “prove” that Jesus is God. Does being called “savior” mean that Jesus is God?

“I, even I, am the LORD, and apart from me there is no savior” (=&0=&

=&1=&there is no other Saviour but me” (Isaiah 43:11 NJB)

Trinitarians will then point out that Jesus Christ is referred to as “Savior” many times in the New Testament, as if there are no other saviors. However, this assertion is easily debunked by the Scriptures themselves. One very good example of this scriptural proof is:

“Through the preaching entrusted to me by the command of God our Savior, To Titus, my true son in our common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ read more

DOES REVELATION TEACH THE TRINITY?

March 12, 2020 BibleAuthenticity Comments 5 comments

The Bible’s final book, Revelation, predicts the future for the Church and humankind. The Trinity doctrine is said to be the main doctrine of Christianity, so we would expect to find the Trinity in Revelation, if the doctrine is true. The very first verse of the Book of Revelation gives us a clue as to the answer to the question of whether the Trinity doctrine is in Revelation:

“The revelation from Jesus Christ, WHICH GOD GAVE HIM to show his servants what must soon take place” (Revelation 1:1 NIV). [Emphasis ours]. 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. 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”

(Micah 5:2 NRSV). read more

Is the Trinity Doctrine Taught in 1 Peter, or Contradicted?

November 4, 2019 BibleAuthenticity Comments 2 comments

The book 1 Peter opens up with a statement that has been that has been used to support the Trinity doctrine. The question for us to consider is, “Do we find the Trinity in 1 Peter?” Trinitarians point to the naming of the three who are said to be in the Trinity as proof of its existence. For example:
“Who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood” (1 Peter 1:2 NIV). Yes, the three are mentioned. Trinitarians count 1,2,3, and say, ‘There’s the Trinity!” The mention of three does not tell us anything about their supposed equality, nor the “personhood” of the Spirit, nor their supposed “oneness” of substance. In fact, only one of the three is identified as God, something Trinitarians overlook. Rather, “God the Father” is shown to be in control with his “foreknowledge”. In fact, only “the Father” is said to have such “foreknowledge”, meaning that he knows things that “Jesus Christ” doesn’t know, which is a very clear indication of their separateness and distinction. The holy Spirit is always described by “the”, indicating that it is not a person, and therefore cannot know anything. Being “sprinkled with” “Jesus” Christ’s “blood” indicates that he died, which also means that he cannot be Almighty God, since God cannot die (Habakkuk 1:12).
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ . . . he has given us new birth . . . through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (1 Peter 1:3 NIV). “The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ” indicates that “God the Father” is the God of, or over, Jesus Christ, thus denoting his superiority. “The resurrection of Jesus Christ” implies his Father’s superiority because he brought his Son back from death. “From the dead” implies that Jesus was dead, which means he cannot be God, since God cannot die (Habakkuk 1:12). Jesus admits that, “I was dead” (Revelation 1:18), meaning that his entire person was “dead,” not just the Trinitarian imagined “human part” of him. The “God-man” dogma of Trinitarianism is contradicted by 1 Peter.

“Investigating the time and circumstances that the Spirit of Christ within them indicated when it testified in advance to the sufferings destined for Christ” (1 Peter 1:11 NAB). Trinitarians claim that “the Spirit of Christ” indicating things means it is a person. Many translation use “he” rather than “it.” However, “it” is the more accurate translation, as also rendered in the NRSV, and KJV. Additionally, Trinitarians overlook the very next verse, which talks about “the good news” which was “preached to you [through] the holy Spirit sent from heaven” (1 Peter 1:12 NAB). “The holy Spirit” was “sent from heaven,” by God.

“No slave is greater than his master nor any messenger greater than the one who sent him” (John 13:16 NAB). read more

Are Jesus, God, and the holy Spirit a Trinity in 1 Timothy?

October 15, 2019 BibleAuthenticity Comments 68 comments

Is the Bible reliable? — Is the Trinity in 1 Timothy?

It is frequently asserted by Bible preachers and teachers that Jesus Christ Is Almighty God, along with God the Father, and ‘God the Holy Spirit,’ they are part of a Trinity. If this is so, then we should find plenty of scriptural evidence to support it. Do we find the Trinity in 1 Timothy? Since 1 Timothy was written by Bible scholar and teacher, the apostle Paul, to counter false teachers and false teachings, let’s see what it says.
“Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope” (1 Timothy 1:1 NIV). God and Christ are here clearly portrayed as two separate and distinct individuals. As if this is not enough, it is further emphasized in verse 2:
“Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord” (1 Timothy 1:2 NIV). “Grace, mercy and peace” are said to come from both God and Christ, with no mention of the Holy Spirit. This omission of the Holy Spirit would be surprising and confusing if the Trinity were true, but since the Holy Spirit is not a person, this statement makes perfect sense.

“Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever” (1 Timothy 1:17 NIV). This sets Almighty God totally apart as being “eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God”, since Christ was created, died, and was visible while on earth.

“There is one God and one mediator between God and Christ, the man Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 2:5 NIV). By definition, the mediator cannot be either of the two parties that he mediates “between”. Therefore, it is obvious that Christ cannot be either”God” or “mankind”. No, Christ is “the man”, the “one mediator”. This one scripture is enough to obliterate Trinitarian notions.

“Who gave himself as a ransom for all people” (1 Timothy 2:6 NIV). “Sacrificed himself” (REB). Jesus died as a ransom sacrifice. Almighty God “Yahweh . . . never dies” (Habakkuk 1:12 NJB), therefore Jesus cannot be Almighty God. This one fact also obliterates the Trinity.

“He appeared in the flesh” (1 Timothy 3:16 NIV). KJV and NKJV have “God was manifest in the flesh”, however, footnoted editions admit that the Greek did not originally read this way. Notice the following footnotes to 1 Timothy 3:16:

“Many later (eighth/ninth century on), predominantly Byzantine manuscripts read ‘God,’ possibly for theological reasons”—NAB note

“NU-Text reads Who”—NKJV note. [NU-Text means the Nestle-Aland Greek Text (N-A) and the United Bible Societies Greek Text (UBS). By the 26th edition of N-A and the 3rd edition of UBS, the two Greek texts were identical.]

John 1:14 says “The Word [Christ] became flesh” (NASB). Numbers 23:19 says that “God is not human” (NIV), and John 1:18 says that “No one has seen God at any time” (NASB). God has never been on earth, nor “in the flesh”, nor “human”, but the Bible says Christ was seen by a lot of people on earth (John 1:14; 1 John 1:1-3), and was “fully human in every way” (Hebrews 2:17 NIV), obviously Christ cannot be Almighty God.

“In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of the elect angels, I warn you” (1 Timothy 5:21 NRSV). God and Jesus are just as separate and distinct from each other as they are from the angels.

“Until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which God will bring about in his own time—-God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see” (1 Timothy 6:14-16 NIV). Here, we plainly see that Almighty God is set apart from Jesus Christ, and God is the only one who has eternally been immortal (compare Revelation 1:18), and whom no one has ever seen (John 1:18).

In each of the eight times that God and Jesus are mentioned in 1 Timothy, their being distinct and separate is made very clear. Also, the Holy Spirit is only mentioned twice, and each time it is called “the Spirit” (1 Timothy 3:16; 4:1), which is not something that a person is called. These eight simple Biblical statements of God and Jesus together devastate the Trinity dogma. In fact, the Trinity doctrine confuses pure Biblical truth, because it fits the description of one of the “false doctrines” that Christians are commanded in this letter “not to teach” (1 Timothy 1:3,4 NIV).

Based on the textual evidence, the Trinity doctrine is not found in 1 Timothy.