The New Testament does not have any explicit statement on the Trinity—apart from 1 John 5:7, which has been rejected as a medieval addition to the text—but the Trinitarian evidence is overwhelming.

Furthermore, there are two factors we must all come to grips:

• First, the term, "Trinity" is NOT found in Scripture.
• Second, the Trinity is a hard concept to understand to our modern, analytical, and mathematical minds. How can three equal one or one equal three?

If we are willing to accept the two above points, please, CD Posters/readers and anti-trinitarian, we do find in Scripture many references to three persons in God. For many people, this truth adds to the confusion in people’s minds. Although the Old Testament emphasizes

• The exclusive unity of God (Deut 6:4; 5:7–11).
• Also its alluion to the plurality of God (Gen 1:2, 26; 11:7; 18:1–33; Exod 23:23).

Of all allusions to this plurality of God in the Old Testament, (e.g. Isa 42:1 and 48:16), they come very close to a Trinitarian formulation. Don't you agree with the points stated above?

Now, let's settle down and mine the Scriptures on an important subject and stop acting like screaming cats on a "hot tin roof". End this biblical Guerrilla warfare, while taking sideswipes at one another's name and character. Jesus is clearly described as divine in the gospel of John (John 1:1–3; 20:28). Jesus, himself, proclaims his own divinity (John 8:58).

In the New Testament we also find clear references to the three persons of the Godhead.

• All three are mentioned at the baptism of Jesus (Matt 3:16–17).
• During the Lord’s Supper Jesus comforts his disciples with the thought that he and the Father would send the Holy Spirit to guide them after his departure (John 14:16–17).
• All three persons are part of the baptismal formula found in Jesus’ great commission to his disciples (Matt 28:19)
  • Paul readily refers to all three persons in many of his epistles (Rom 8:9–11; 2 Cor 13:14; 2 Tim 1:3–14; Eph 1:13–14; 3:14–19).
  • Peter acknowledges the work of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in the salvation of people (1 Pet 1:2).
  • John is a witness of the Spirit’s testimony regarding Jesus, the Son of God (1 John 5:5–9).
  • The book of Revelation -- presents three persons involved in the final events of this world (Rev 1:4–5; 22:16–18).

Despite these biblical evidences to the triune God, it becomes somewhat ambivalent for some people because the Holy Spirit is often referred to with metaphors of objects:

• A dove (Matt 3:16)
• The wind (John 3:8)
• Fire (Isa 6:6, 7)
• Water (John 7:37–39)
• Oil (Matt 25:1–4).

Moreover, adding to this ambivalence are some New Testament statements that appear to refer to Jesus as having had a beginning when he is referred to as “begotten” (monogenes) or “firstborn of all creation” (prototokos) (John 3:16; Col 1:15).

The doctrine of the Trinity brings up some issues:

Historically, the doctrine of the Trinity is closely connected with the Christological disputes the early church struggled with. The early church through a series of councils:

• Confirmed the eternal divinity of Jesus.
• Opened the way for a clarification of the relationship between God the Father and Jesus.

In addition, the the early church needed to clarify the relationship between Father, Son and Holy Spirit and involved acceptance of Jesus as Savior and Lord. This meant that the Trinity found its way into the creeds of the church. The Niceo-Constantinopolitan creed confesses in part that:

Any student of history knows that the later western versions of the Nicene Creed added the clause: “who proceeds from the Father .” The addition of this clause was one of the issues that led to the great schism between east and west in 1054.

Until next time, let's search the Scriptures with an opened mind and little more humility. Let's allow the spotlight of truth to shine and reveal the organic roots, stems, growth and development of the one God self-revealed in Scripture as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This important subject must not be bannered about like a common-debate for self-agrandizement. CM

SOURCE:

• G. W. Bromiley, “Trinity,” in Walter A. Elwell, ed., Evangelical Dictionary of Theology (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1984), 1112.
• Alister E. McGrath, Historical Theology: An Introduction to the History of Christian Thought (Malden: Blackwell, 1998), 61.
• Roger E. Olson, The Story of Christian Theology: Twenty Centuries of Tradition & Reform (Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 1999), 195–196.

There are several threads in CD on the Holy Spirit. However, is there a consensus to its nature, intelligence, and Being? Let's settle it. Let the Bible speak its truth as God reveals and "Holy men" wrote under inspiration.

Make your case for truth and enlighten darkened minds. There is much power to be had, wisdom, knowledge, and support for all in their Christian journey.

Yes, @Keep_Smiling_4_Jesus, your long quotes and resources are welcome! They add value to the conversation, even if they are not my preference. Truth must take her rightful place in all forms like a shining star in the darkened skies and as diamond sparkles in the light.

The Bible remains the standard or the primary source for any knowledge of God in dealing with issues of divinity. CM

Let's look with new eyes at the Holy Spirit. Much has been said and written, yet foolishness prevails. From a biblical view, let's settle it and help me answer the questions below:

1. Is the Holy Spirit mere energy, power, or a thing?
2. Is the Holy Spirit God?
3. Is the Holy Spirit wind or an influence?
4. What is the relationship between Christ and the Holy Spirit?
5. What references are there to the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament?
6. How is the Holy Spirit addressed in the Bible?
7. What are the attributes of the Holy Spirit?
8. Is the Holy Spirit a metaphor or a Divine Being?
9. What are the actions of the Holy Spirit from Scripture?
10. Are the actions of God and of the Spirit interchangeable? If so, what are they?

These and other questions on the Holy Spirit can be asked to bring clarity to the subject matter. The average Christian wants and needs to know how the Holy Spirit dwells in me if the biblical evidence shows the Holy Spirit is an intelligent Divine Being? Mine your Bibles the answers? CM

The scripture at Matthew 28:19 today doesn’t read as it did in the first century. Matthew who was born of the Levi tribe, first wrote his book in his native tongue, (Hebrew). So let’s visit the Actual Scripture. “Go, therefore, and make disciples of people of all the nations in MY Name,” (Shem Tov Hebrew Matthew 28:19)  Note: Scripture is under scrutiny and research for possible correction due to new findings from sources familiar with the deception.

The trinity doctrine never acknowledges Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. “For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those not acknowledging Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the antichrist.” (2 John 7) The foreign doctrine removes Jesus Christ by omission and teaches a different Jesus as it promotes a false baptism by replacing Christ with its own doctrine.

Notice this admission. The Catholic Encyclopedia, II, page 263: “The baptismal formula was changed from the name of Jesus Christ to the words Father, Son, and Holy Spirit by the Catholic Church in the second century.”

Catholic Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger: 

• He makes this confession as to the origin of the chief Trinity text of Matthew 28:19. “The basic form of our (Matthew 28:19 Trinitarian) profession of faith took shape during the course of the second and third centuries in connection with the ceremony of baptism. So far as its place of origin is concerned, the text (Matthew 28:19) came from the city of Rome.” — Joseph Ratzinger (Pope Benedict XVI) Introduction to Christianity: 1968 edition, pp. 82, 83.

That's right, an admission that the baptism text came from the Pagan City of Rome. None of the Apostles baptized anyone in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy spirit in the first century. NONE!

Scripture also says that by the authority of Jesus, people would be told to turn to God and change the way they think and act so that their sins will be forgiven. This would be told to people from all nations, beginning in the city of Jerusalem. ‘…and on the basis of his Name, repentance for forgiveness of sins would be preached in all the nations—starting out from Jerusalem.’ (Luke 24:46-47)

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