“DO NOT CLING TO ME, FOR I HAVE NOT YET ASCENDED TO MY FATHER, BUT GO TO MY BRETHREN AND SAY TO THEM, I AM ASCENDING TO MY FATHER AND YOUR FATHER, AND TO MY GOD AND YOUR GOD.”  JOHN 20:17

JESUS CHRIST IS THE SON OF GOD!

Would it surprise you to know that one of the most prominent doctrines in Christianity today has no basis in scripture? The doctrine of the “Holy Trinity” considered by many to be essential to one’s very salvation, is not found in Christianity until at least three hundred years after the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Even more shocking is the fact that the concept of a triune godhead likely comes from the traditions of paganisim!

 

AN ANCIENT STATUE OF THE HINDU TRINITY

Keep in mind that there are many sincere believers in the trinity doctrine and not all are just mindless followers of a tradition. While there are numerous scriptures that show Jesus to be just who he said he was, the SON of God, there are a handful of new testament scriptures that might, IF taken out of context, cause one to conclude that Jesus is himself God.

 

THE MAIN CAUSE OF THE CONFUSION

There seems to be a lack of attention paid to the things that the Bible says about Jesus in his pre-human existence. Scripture tells us that Jesus was the “Logos,” or in English, the “Word,” at the beginning of creation. It is the role that he possessed prior to his earthly ministry which causes many to falsely conclude that he is not only the Son of God, but indeed is God.

 

SCRIPTURE SHOWS JESUS WAS CREATED BY GOD

“THESE THINGS SAYS THE AMEN, THE FAITHFUL AND TRUE WITNESS, THE BEGINNING OF THE CREATION OF GOD.” – REVELATION 3:14

We are taught in the Bible that the Heavenly Father is without beginning and without end. Jesus Christ in his own words claims to be God’s first, or “chief” creation. According to the Apostle John, “God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten SON.” (John 3:16) If Jesus was “begotten” some other being must have “begotten” him. According to Webster’s Dictionary, “Begotten” means to be the “FATHER OR TO SIRE. To bring into being.” This being the case, a higher power must have created Jesus, and therefore, Jesus could not be co-eternal with God.

Revelation 3:14 has for centuries been an embarrassment to Trinitarian scholars because if you can prove that Jesus was created, he cannot be the God of the Universe. In some translations, there has been an attempt to replace Jesus’ beginning or creation with the thought that this is only saying that Jesus, as God, was the ruler of his creation. Fortunately, the vast majority of Biblical translations, even those published by trinitarians, give the proper thought, that Jesus was the first and only direct creation of the Heavenly Father.

 

“LET US MAKE MAN IN OUR IMAGE”

In examining the account of creation as written in the book of Genesis, it is clear that the Heavenly Father employed a helper in the creation process. “Let US make man in our image, according to our likeness, let them have dominion over the the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” (Genesis 1:26) It is our contention that Jesus Christ in his pre-human form was this very helper.

 

“THINGS WERE MADE THROUGH HIM”

The gospel of the Apostle John tells us that “All things were made THROUGH him, (Jesus) and without him nothing was made that was made.” (John 1:3) The majority of translations use the word “through,” which is wrongly translated in the original King James Bible as “all things were made by him.” If all things were made through him, this indicates that he was carrying out orders that had been delegated by a higher authority. Jesus acted as Jehovah’s agency and is the one who dealt directly with mankind in the old testament.

 

JESUS IS THE “ARM” OF JEHOVAH”

There are numerous scriptures that speak of Jehovah’s Holy “arm.” When one examines the context of these verses it becomes clear that this “arm” is Jesus Christ. In speaking of the coming redeemer, “therefore his own arm brought salvation FOR him.” (Isaiah 59:16) “The Lord has made bare his Holy arm in the eyes of all nations; And all the ends of the earth shall see his salvation.” (Isaiah 52:10) “Behold, the Lord God shall come with a strong hand, and his arm shall rule over them.” (Isaiah 40:10) “And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?” (John 12:38) and (Isaiah 53:1) Jesus serves as the General of Jehovah. He is the one who carries out the will of his Father.

 

PROVERBS 8TH CHAPTER SPEAKS OF THE ROLE OF THE “LOGOS”

To further comprehend the role of the “Logos,” turn your Bible to the book of Proverbs the 8th chapter verses 22-31.  These scriptures in the book of Proverbs are problematic for Trinitarians. They are clearly speaking of Jesus in His pre-human condition. Trinitarians in their effort to deflect this, absurdly claim this is simply talking about the virtue of wisdom. Anyone who reads these passages and still says this is not an individual speaking is lacking wisdom. Verse 30 says, “I was beside him as a master craftsman; and I was daily his delight.” Clearly we see here that Jesus was with the Father, but he was separate from the Heavenly Father. In addition, verse 22 validates the thought in Revelation 3:14 that our Lord Jesus is a created being. The following translations lend credence to this thought:

(ABP+)  The lord G2962 createdG2936 meG1473 the headG746 of his waysG3598 G1473 forG1519 his works.G2041 G1473
(AMP)  “The LORD created and possessed me at the beginning of His way, Before His works of old [were accomplished].
(AMP+)  “The LORD created and possessed me at the beginning of His way, Before His works of old [were accomplished].
(CJB)  “Adonai made me as the beginning of his way, the first of his ancient works.
(ERV)  “The LORD made me in the beginning, long before he did anything else.
(GNB)  “The LORD created me first of all, the first of his works, long ago.
(ISV)  “The LORD made me as he began his planning, before his ancient activity commenced.
(JPS)  The LORD made me as the beginning of His way, the first of His works of old.
(NIrV)  “The LORD created me as the first of his works, before his acts of long ago.
(NIV) “The LORD brought me forth as the first of his works, before his deeds of old;

Now, let’s go forward to Proverbs the 8th chapter verses 35 -36; (Pro 8:35 NIV) For those who find me find life and receive favor from the LORD. (Pro 8:36 NIV) But those who fail to find me harm themselves; all who hate me love death.” Since we know from scripture that Jesus is the only one by whom we obtain salvation, this cannot  simply be the  virtue of wisdom but, is Jesus in His pre-human state.

“THE WORD WAS GOD” – JOHN 1:1

For centuries, a poor translation of John 1:1, as well as a misunderstanding of biblical usage for the word “god,” has caused millions to wrongly believe in the trinity. In most Bibles, John 1:1 reads “In the beginning was the Word, and the word was with God, and the Word was God.” This scripture is the cornerstone of trinitarian creed.

The first argument in refuting this interpetation is an appeal to common sense. How could the Word be with God and be God at the same time? If the point here was to say that the Word was God, why bother saying that he was with him? Would not the passage more likely read (In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was in all things God?) The very word structure of this passage provides strong evidence for mistranslation.

 

HOW SHOULD JOHN 1:1 BE TRANSLATED?

In an effort to validate their own bias towards the trinity doctrine, it appears that the translators have ignored an obvious distinction between the Logos and the Heavenly Father in John 1:1. The greek word that is used for god in the passage is theos. In the two uses of the word “god” there is a difference in it’s usage. In the first use “the Word was with God” the word is ho theos meaning THE God.” In the second usage of this verse it is simply theos.Given this, the proper reading of John 1:1 should be “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with the God, and a god was the Word.” Verse 2 goes on to say, “He was in the beginning with the (ho theos) God.”

According to the Strongs Concordance, the greek word theos, which is numbered 2316 in the Greek dictionary found towards the back of the publication, means “a deity, especially with word (3588) the supreme Divinity.” Now let us examine word 3588. This word is the very “ho” placed before the name of God in the first usage in John 1:1.

Given this obvious distinction between theos and ho theos, by the Apostle John, can there be any doubt that Jesus Christ in his pre-human condition was an all together seperate being from the God of the universe?

 

THE HEBREW WORD “ELOHIM”

Numerous times in the Old Testament the Hebrew word Elohim is used for the word God. It is often used when refering to the Heavenly Father, but the meaning of Elohim is simply “mighty one” or one in authority. Given this, Elohim is applied to angels as in Psalm 8:5 “You have made him (the future Messiah) a little lower than the angels (Elohim) and have crowned him with glory and honor.”

In other instances in the old testament Elohim is used when speaking of powerful human beings. For instance in Exodus 7:1 Moses is called elohim “See I have made you as God to Pharaoh.” Psalm 82:6-7 refers to the saints as Elohim “I said you are gods, and all of you are children of the most high God.”

 

FRAUDULENT BIBLICAL PASSAGES IN 1ST JOHN 5:7-8

Further proof that the doctrine of the trinity is false lies in the book of 1st John. Trinitarians have used the words of 1st John 5:7-8 as a key argument for the trinity. “For there are three that bear witness in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit, and these three are one.” There is an enormous problem however in using these verses to bolster the trinity doctrine. The passage is not authentic! These words only appear in five later manuscripts and are not found in any of the earlier new testament texts. These verses are such an obvious forgery that even staunch trinitarian scholars have been forced to admit as much. Among them are the publishers of the New King James translation and various study bibles. A few quotes from these prominent Biblical scholars are: “The words are found in no Greek MS, before the 15th or 16th century, and in no early version.” Hudson’s Greek and English Concordance; “That this spurious addition should continue to be published is a part of the Epistle I regard as an impiety.” Dr. Constantine Tischendorf; “It is likely this verse is not genuine. It is wanting in every MS, of this epistle written before the invention of printing.” Dr. Adam Clarke; “Do not truth and honesty require that such a passage should be struck out of our English Bibles – a passage Luther would not express in his translation, and which not creep into the German Bible until nearly 50 years after his death?” Professor T.B. Wolsey

Let us now take a look at 1st John 5:7-8 in its true context without the spurious passage. “For there are three who bear witness, the spirit, the water, and the blood, and these things agree as one.” Upon seeing how these verses are intended to read, it is clear that in no way do they offer a credible argument for the trinity. Now examine verse nine “If we recieve the witness of men, the witness of God is greater; for this is the witness of God that he has testified in his SON Jesus Christ.” Clearly these passages are talking about two separate beings, the Heavenly Father and His only begotten SON Jesus Christ.

 

“I AND THE FATHER ARE ONE” – JOHN 10:30

Supporters of the trinity often quote the words of Jesus “I and the Father are one” as proof for Jesus’ being God in the flesh. Once again they take the words of Jesus competely out of context. If one examines Jesus’ own words later on in the very same gospel of John, he explains this oneness.

On the night of his arrest our Lord prayed in the garden of Gethsemane. He prayed earnestly for the well being of his Apostles. He asks God that “they all may be ONE, as you Father, are in me, and I in you; that they also may be ONE in us, that the world may believe that you sent me. And the glory which you gave me I have given them, and that they may be ONE just as we are ONE.” (John 17:21-22)

Clearly Jesus was not asking his Father to make his apostles one in the same person. He was requesting that they be one in thought, purpose, and deed. Jesus Christ and Jehovah, his God and our God, are indeed one, but it is a oneness in their mission. This oneness of purpose can be compared to having a President and a Vice President. They are not the same literal persons, but they are one in reprenting the office of the presidency.

 

“HE WHO HAS SEEN ME HAS SEEN THE FATHER” – JOHN 14:9

This passage is often used by trinity advocates as another proof that Jesus was claiming to be God. If we are to take this passage literally, there appears to be serious contradiction in Jesus’ words in other scriptures. How can Jesus say “he who has seen me has seen the Father” and in another place say “Not that anyone has seen the Father, except he who is from God; he has seen the Father.” (John 6:46) “And the Father himself who sent me, has testified of me. You have neither heard his voice at anytime, nor seen his form.” (John 5:37) Or what about the words of John “No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten son, who is in the bosom of the Father has declared him.” Then again in (1st John 4:12) “No one has seen God at any time.” Thankfully, the scriptures do not contradict themselves.

It appears that the true meaning of Jesus’ words are, if you have seen him, you have seen the works of the Father. The word “seen” is translated from the Greek word horao(Strongs 3708) which means “to discern clearly.”

 

“BEFORE ABRAHAM WAS I AM” – JOHN 8:58

One of the more seemingly credible arguments made by well meaning Trinitarians is the use of Jesus’ words in verse 58 of the 8th chapter of John. In this conversation with the Pharisee’s, the Lord was rebuking them for not knowing who he really was. He informed them that their father Abraham rejoiced to see his day and he saw it and he was glad. (John 8:57) In doubting him, the Jewish spokesman responded, “you are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?” Following this in verse 58 Jesus said “Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was I am.”

While on the surface one might conclude that Jesus was claiming to be God by declaring “I AM.” Consider the words in the previous verses, “If I honor myself my honor is nothing. It is my Father who honors me, of whom you say that he is your God.” verse 54. Biblical translators in their attempt to bolster their Trinitarian arguments have placed in caps places where Jesus uses the words “I am” without any basis to do so in order to prove he is God.

Jesus was NOT quoting from the book of Exodus when God appeared to Moses at the burning bush as claimed by Trinitarians. “I AM WHO I AM.” (Exodus 3:14) It is our contention that Jesus in his pre-human existence acted as the one carrying out Jehovah’s wishes. He was representing Jehovah, as his messenger before mankind. What Jesus told the Pharisees was that he knew God, his Father, personally, and that he was present in Abraham’s time acting upon the will of his Father. In simple terms, Jesus was saying before Abraham was, I (the Logos) existed.

In addition, this quote as used by Trinitarian translators comes from a Bible translation known as the Septuagint. This was a known Greek translation from Jesus’ time. Common sense begs the question, why would Jesus a Hebrew who was speaking to other Hebrews, the Pharisees,  be quoting a Greek translation? It’s possible but doesn’t seem likely.

DID GOD PURCHASE US WITH HIS LITERAL “OWN BLOOD”?  -ACTS 20:28

So many times, in the Holy Scriptures, the biases of the translators can greatly confuse actual context. One glaring example is found in Acts 20:28 which reads in most translations (Act 20:28 NIrV) “Keep watch over yourselves. Keep watch over all the believers. The Holy Spirit has made you leaders over them. Be shepherds of God’s church. He bought it with his own blood. Advocates of the trinity use this scripture to proclaim Jesus is the God of the Universe and part of the godhead.  While the language here might be interpreted this way it is wholly inconsistent with other passages. We know from scripture that a spirit being does not have flesh or blood.  (1Co 15:50 KJV)  Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.  Given this , the actual meaning of the scripture is along the lines of the relationship between a father and a son. If you have children it is proper to say they are of your own blood line. They are considered your own flesh and blood. God did not shed His own blood on the cross. The blood that was shed was from that of the human body of the man Christ Jesus, who at that time was fully and completely human who gave his perfect human body a ransom for all. 1 Timothy 2:6

 

DID THOMAS’ WORDS “MY LORD AND MY GOD” PROVE THE TRINITY?

Trinitarians use the words of the Apostle Thomas upon seeing Jesus following his resurrection “My Lord and my God.” (John (20:28) as proof that Jesus is God. Once again, we refer to the Greek word “theos” and the meaning of this word. While this word has been used in places referring to the Heavenly Father, it can also be applied to those in authority. Jesus in his resurrected condition was the head of the Christian church and was truly Thomas’ Lord and ruler.

 

JESUS NEVER ONCE CLAIMED TO BE GOD

If Jesus Christ was God in the flesh, why didn’t he just come out and say so? Why did he come up with such a confusing doctrine known as the trinity? In all cases Jesus Christ speaks of his Father being his superior. Here are just a few scriptures, “As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father.” (John 6:57) “My doctrine is not mine but his who sent me.” (John 7:16) “For the Father judges no one, but committed all judgement to the SON.” (John 5:22) “And I bestow upon you a kingdom, just as my Father bestowed one upon me.” (Luke 22:29) “All authority has been given to me in Heaven and on earth.” (Matthew 28:18) “All things have been delivered to me by my Father” (John 11:27) “In this love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his SON to be a propitiation for our sins.” (1st John 4:10)

 

“THE FATHER IS GREATER THAN I” – John 14:28

Throughout Jesus’ earthly ministry he claimed to be subjected to the will of his Father. When speaking to his apostles the night before he was put to death, he said, “You have heard me say to you, I am going away and coming back to you. If you loved me, you would rejoice because I said, I am going to the Father, for my FATHER IS GREATER THAN I.” (John 14:28)

 

“THE SON HIMSELF WILL BE SUBJECTED TO HIM” – 1st CORINTHIANS 15:28

The Apostle Paul in speaking of the time when God’s plan for mankind is complete, when death is destroyed and Christ’s earthly reign comes to an end, has this to say. “Now when all things are made subject to him, (The Father) then the SON HIMSELF WILL BE SUBJECTED TO HIM who put all things under him, that God may be all in all.” (1st Corinthians 15:28) Now we ask, if Jesus is part of some “godhead” why would he ever be “subjected” to another?

 

“BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD” – Matthew 23:39

What Trinitarians fail to recognize is Jesus’ role as Jehovah’s representative. When our Lord cast off the Jewish nation just prior to his arrest and execution, he declared to the Pharisees “for I say to you, you shall see me no more until you say, “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”” Given this, we ask, if he was God why didn’t he say blessed is he who comes as God? Instead, he said, in the NAME of the Lord. He came in his first advent as Jehovah’s representative. Upon his return he will still be representing the FATHER but he has full authority over all things until he hands it all back to the Father. 1st Corinthians 15:28.

“GOD OUR SAVIOR”

Those advocating the trinity have used the words of the Apostle where he calls God “our savior” (1st Timothy 1:1) as another proof for Christ’s diety. While Jesus Christ carried out the role of savior, his Father is ultimately our savior because he designed the plan that rescued the human race. All things are by the Father through the son. “We have seen and do testify that the Father sent the son to be the savior of the world.” (1st John 4:14)

 

OTHER SCRIPTURES DISPROVING THE TRINITY

There are numerous scriptures that disprove the trinity doctrine. Here are more words from Jesus on the subject. “Of that day and hour (when God’s kingdom is set up fully) knoweth no man, no not angels, neither the Son, but my Father only.” (Mark 13:32) “I send the promise of my Father upon you.” (Luke 24:49) “I am come in my Father’s name.” (John 5:43) “Whatsoever I speak, therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.” (John 12:50)

 

WHAT ABOUT THE THE HOLY SPIRIT?

In addition to proclaiming that Jesus Christ is God, there is a third being of the so called trinity. The Holy Spirit, wrongly translated “Holy Ghost” in the original King James Bible, who is also said to be God. Unfortunately for the trinitarian there is not one scripture in either the old or new testament that says that the holy spirit is part of the godhead.

When the Bible speaks of the Holy Spirit it is refering to the spirit of truth or the power and influence of God. This spirit is possessed by those who fully understand the plan of God, and that Jesus Christ died as a ransom for the entire world of mankind. Jesus, when being tempted by Satan in the wilderness quoted (Deuteronomy 6:13) “Man shall not live by bread alone, but every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” Clearly there cannot be a better description of the Holy Spirt than this. This spirit of truth can be best described as “every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.”

Another way in which to understand the holy spirit is to compare it to the context of school spirit or patriotic spirit. Someone with the holy spirit has within them the spirit of God.

 

THE “COMFORTER” PROMISED BY JESUS

In preparing the apostles for his departure, Jesus promised them that his Father would send a “comforter” that would teach them all things. (John 14:25-26) In most translations this comforter is referred to as “He” (John 16:7-12).  The “He” here is a word that can be gender neutral in the Greek language and is likely an angel, which were used as God’s messengers throughout the Bible. This angel carried the message of the “spirit of truth” to the apostles on the day of Pentecost after Jesus ascended into Heaven. Just as when speaking of himself, our Lord taught that this comforter came from the Father. (John 14:25)

 

JESUS RECIEVED A GREATER EXISTENCE UPON HIS RESURRECTION

“THEREFORE GOD HAS HIGHLY EXALTED HIM AND GIVEN HIM THE NAME WHICH IS ABOVE EVERY NAME.” – PHILIPIANS 2:9

We are taught in scripture that upon his obedience to the Heavenly Father, our Lord recieved a higher spiritual plane than he possessed in his pre-human existence. The Apostle Paul tells us that the “first man Adam became a living being. The last Adam (Jesus) BECAME A LIFE GIVING SPIRIT.” (1st Corinthians 15:45) Jesus upon his obedience to his Heavenly Father, was rewarded with a new nature, “the divine nature” as mentioned by the Apostle Peter in (2nd Peter 1:4). Jesus was the first, the HEAD of his symbolic BODY, which are the saints, they also are to recieve the reward of immortality, meaning that they cannot die. Over these the “second death has NO power.” (Revelation 20:6)

SUMMARY

  • John 1:1 says the Logos (Jesus in his pre-human condition) was with God. Therefore, Jesus can not be co-substantial (of the same substance as God).
  • Revelation 3:14 says that Jesus was created by God therefore, Jesus can not be co-eternal with God.
  • John 14:28 says that the Father is greater than Jesus therefore, Jesus cannot be co-equal with God.
  • 2 John 1:7 says that those who deny Jesus Christ came in the FLESH are a deceivers and antichrists. Those advocating the Trinity claim that Jesus while on the earth retained his “divine nature”, thus he would NOT be fully human.

CONCLUDING THOUGHTS

There is overwhelming scriptual evidence that reveals the trinity as a false doctrine. While we respect sincere students of the Bible who disagree with us, it is offensive to hear those advocating the trinity claiming one must believe in it as a basis for salvation. If this be the case we are confident that the God of the universe would have presented it in a far less confusing way! Some advocates of the trinity claim it to be a great “mystery,” one which is impossible to fully comprehend. Now wait a minute, didn’t the Apostle Paul instruct followers of Christ to “prove all things?” (1st Thesselonians 5:21)

This discussion of who Jesus was and his relationship to the Heavenly Father, goes far deeper than the issues presented in this article. There are many words used in describing God in the Bible. For a more detailed study of the issue click here to an e-book known as The Doctrine of Christ.