Trinity

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Trinity

• Fact or Fiction?

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Introduction

• The goal is not to prove or disprove the Trinity
  model but to simply examine scripture and adopt
  what is taught, nothing more or less.
• This is often considered one of the most complex
  topics in all of scripture, but it really does
  not have to be.
• Hopefully at minimum we not only appreciate this
  subject more, but also gain better understanding

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Introduction

• What we might find is that some aspects of the
  Trinity model pass the scripture test, where as
  other aspects of the Trinity model (as defined
  today) could use improvement.

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Introduction

• Is believing the Trinity doctrine a salvation
  issue?
• No, regardless if one does or does not believe
  regarding the Trinity, it has no eternal impact.
• Many incorrectly force the matter into a
  salvational issue or a matter to divide over.
• Some teach that it is nearly the most important
  doctrine of the Christian faith

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Introduction

• This presentation is only intended to bring
  structure and efficiency to a topic that is
  massive in scope
• If something said does not seem right, lets stop
  and discuss (it very well might not be right!)
• The presentation will be available in the
  newsletter. Make sure you are signed up.

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Why Discuss It?

• Many in mainstream Christianity limit their
  understanding of Gods nature by subscribing to a
  strict understanding of the Trinity model.
• Hebrew Roots is often accused of attacking or
  not believing the Trinity which frankly, scares
  some people.
• There is benefit to removing the confusion
  surrounding this topic.

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Defining the Trinity Doctrine

• The doctrine of the Trinity is often simply
  defined in the following terms "The holy trinity
  is one supreme being existing in three persons,
  all equal in rank and in eternity and having the
  same substance, all united in one Godhead."
• If you do not understand this, then it is a
  mystery.

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Defining the Trinity Doctrine

• The Trinity is the Christian doctrine that deals
  with and describes the nature of God. The
  doctrine asserts the following
• There is one and only one God.
• God eternally exists in three distinct persons.
• The Father is God, the Son is
  God, and the Holy Spirit is God.
• The Father is not the Son,
  the Son is not the Father,
  the Father
  is not the Spirit, etc.
• http//www.theopedia.com/Trinity

?
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Defining a Person

• "By 'person' we mean one who has his own identity
  or individuality as a rational being, conscious
  of his own existence." In other words, a person
  is a particular being with generally one center
  of consciousness. In the Being of God there are
  three Centers of consciousness. A person is
  unique among beings in having capacities to
  reason and exercise the will.
• http//www.theopedia.com/Person

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Discussing Persons

• On the surface, 3 persons in 1 Person seems to
  create a logical paradox
• Persons is actually a poor translation of the
  original doctrine in Latin that more accurately
  uses the understanding of essence
• Thus 3 Persons in 1 essence is more accurate

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Origins

• Where did the term and concept of Trinity
  originate?
• Jay P. Greens Classic Bible Dictionary says
  about the word trinity, "This is not itself a
  Biblical term, but was a term coined by
  Tertullian to refer to this whole concept under
  one word" (p. 483). The Cyclopedia of Biblical,
  Theological, and Ecclesiastical Literature says
  forthrightly, "Respecting the manner in which the
  Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit make one
  God, the Scripture teaches nothing, since the
  subject is of such a nature as not to admit of
  its being explained to us" ("Trinity," p. 553).

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Origins

• Trinitarians Roger Olson and Christopher Hall say
  of the doctrine in their book, "The Trinity"
• "It is understandable that the importance placed
  on this doctrine is perplexing to many lay
  Christians and students. Nowhere is it clearly
  and unequivocally stated in Scripture. How can it
  be so important if it is not explicitly stated in
  Scripture?" (p. 1). "The doctrine of the Trinity
  developed gradually after the completion of the
  N.T. in the heat of controversy. The full-blown
  doctrine of the Trinity was spelled out in the
  fourth century at two great ecumenical councils
  Nicea (325 A.D.) and Constantinople (381 A.D.)."
  (p. 1-2)

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Origins

• Both secular historians and Bible scholars
  readily admit that the doctrine of the Trinity
  was not official church teaching until the
  council of Nicaea in the year 325 of our common
  era. The New Catholic Encyclopedia, 1967, Vol.
  14, concedes, "The formulation one God in three
  Persons was not solidly established, certainly
  not fully assimilated into Christian life and its
  profession of faith, prior to the end of the 4th
  century Among the Apostolic Fathers, there had
  been nothing even remotely approaching such a
  mentality or perspective."

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Trinity in Art

• Pagan (sun god) Trinity influence in art. Note
  the emphasis on the sun, originating from sun god
  worship (Nimrod, Tammuz, Baal, Ishtar(Easter)
  etc.)

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Origins

• "The doctrine developed gradually over several
  centuries and through many controversies The
  council of Nicaea in 325 stated the crucial
  formula for that doctrine in its confession that
  the Son is of the same substanceas the Father,
  even though it said very little about the Holy
  SpiritBy the end of the 4th centurythe doctrine
  of the Trinity took substantially the form it has
  maintained ever since" (Encyclopaedia Britannica,
  Trinity).

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Common Denominator

• What is the essence or substance?

Word
Teaches us all things...Word
Word made flesh
Father
Holy Spirit
Son
All perfect instruction
Gods power manifesting into the physical
Word
Word
Word
Into creation
Exampled in flesh
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The Model is the Same for Us!

• The Word made flesh is our example to follow...

Conforming to the same image
Us
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Conforming to the Image (Word)

• Do not lie to one another, since you have put off
  the old man with his deeds, and have put on the
  new man who is renewed in knowledge according to
  the image of Him who created him (Col. 39-10)
• For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be
  conformed to the image of His Son, that He might
  be the firstborn among many brethren. (Romans
  829)
• Follow my example, as I follow the example of
  Christ. (1 Corinthians 111)

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Evidence for the Trinity Mat 2819

• There are two New Testament passages popularly
  used to support the distinct persons doctrine
  of the Trinity. The first is Matthew 2819 and
  the second is 1 John 57-8
• Matthew 2819
• "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations,
  baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of
  the Son, and of the Holy Spirit" (KJV).

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Evidence for the Trinity Mat 2819

• The Jerusalem Bible questions whether the formula
  given for baptism here is inspired or liturgical
  (added later by the church). The Aramaic text
  of Matthew omits the verse entirely. And although
  the passage is found in the three earliest known
  Greek New Testament manuscripts, without any
  original New Testament manuscripts in existence
  we have no evidence to substantiate that the
  present form of Matthew 2819 is accurate.

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Evidence for the Trinity Mat 2819

• One reason Biblical scholars question the
  originality of this passage is that it conflicts
  with the other formulas given for baptism in the
  New Testament. In all other instances baptism is
  done into the singular name of Yhshua (see Acts
  238 816 1048 195 2216 Rom. 63 Gal.
  327).
• The Companion Bible makes special note of this
  "To some, perplexity, and even distress, is
  caused by the apparent neglect of the disciples
  to carry out the Masters command in Matthew
  2819, 20, with regard to the formula for
  baptism. Turning to Acts and onwards, they find
  no single instance of, or reference to, baptism
  in which the Triune name of the Father, Son, and
  Holy Spirit is employed. On the contrary, from
  the very first, only ten days after the
  injunction had been given, Peter is found (Acts
  238) commanding all his hearers including those
  of the dispersion to be baptized in the name of
  Yeshua the Messiah" (p. 206, Appendix 185).

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Evidence for the Trinity Mat 2819

• Eusebius (270 CE and 340 CE) directly omitted
  this verse in his quote of Matthew
• "The facts are, in summary, that Eusebius quotes
  Matthew 2819, 21 times, either omitting
  everything between nations and teaching, or
  in the form make disciples of all nations in my
  name, the latter form being the more frequent"
  (Encyclopedia of Religion and Ethics).
• The Jewish New Testament Commentary says,
  "Although nearly all ancient manuscripts have the
  trinitarian formula, Eusebius, the Church
  historian, who may have been a non-trinitarian,
  in his writings preceding the Council of Nicea in
  325 C.E., quotes the verse without it. Most
  scholars believe the formula is original, but
  papers by Hans Kosmala (The Conclusion of
  Matthew, Annual of the Swedish Theological
  Institute, 4 (1965), (pp. 132-147) and David
  Flusser (The Conclusion of Matthew in a New
  Jewish Christian Source, ibid., 5 (1966-7), pp.
  110-119) take the opposite view" (note on Matt.
  2819, p. 86).

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Evidence for the Trinity Mat 2819

• The Encyclopedia of Religion and Ethics, p. 380,
  further reveals that Justin Martyr was also
  possibly ignorant of the present form of Matthew
  2819. "Justin Martyr quotes a saying of Yshua
  as a proof of the necessity of regeneration, but
  falls back upon the use of Isaiah and apostolic
  tradition to justify the practice of baptism and
  the use of the triune formula. This certainly
  suggests that Justin did not know the traditional
  text of Matthew 2819."

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Has Scripture Been Manipulated to Support a
Strict Trinity Doctrine?

• Alarminglyyes
• NIV 1 John 57-8
• For there are three that testify the Spirit, the
  water and the blood and the three are in
  agreement. (Earlier Greek manuscripts)
• KJV 1 John 57-8
• For there are three that bear record in heaven,
  the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost and
  these three are one. (Later Latin manuscripts and
  late Greek)

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Evidence for the Trinity 1 John 57

• Note the following on 1John 57
• "During the controversy of the 4th cent. over the
  doctrine of the Trinity the text was expanded -
  first in Spain ca. 380, and then taken in the
  Vulg. - by the insertion There are three that
  bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and
  the Holy Spirit and these three are one. A few
  late Greek manuscripts contain the addition.
  Hence it is passed into the KJV. But all modern
  critical editions and translations of the NT,
  including RSV, omit the interpolation, as it has
  no warrant in the best and most ancient
  manuscripts or in the early church fathers" (The
  Interpreters One-Volume Commentary on the Bible,
  note on 1John 54-12).

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Evidence for the Trinity 1 John 57

• The Jerusalem Bible note on 1John 57-8 says,
  "Vulgate vv. 7-8 read as follows "There are three
  witnesses in heaven the Father the Word and the
  Spirit, and these three are one there are three
  witnesses on earth the Spirit the water and the
  blood. The words in italics (not in any of the
  early Greek MSS, or any of the early
  translations, or in the best MSS of the Vulgate
  itself) are probably a gloss that has crept into
  the text."

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What do Trinitarians State About Their Own
Doctrine?

• "This doctrine in many ways presents strange
  paradoxes... It is a widely disputed doctrine,
  which has provoked discussion throughout all the
  centuries of the church's existence. It is held
  by many with great vehemence and vigor. These
  advocates are certain they believe the doctrine,
  and consider it crucial to the Christian faith.
  Yet many are unsure of the exact meaning of their
  belief. It was the very first doctrine dealt with
  systematically by the church, yet is still one of
  the most misunderstood and disputed doctrines.
  Further, it is not clearly or explicitly taught
  anywhere in Scripture , yet it is widely regarded
  as a central doctrine, indispensable to the
  Christian faith. In this regard, it goes contrary
  to what is virtually an axiom (a self evident
  truth) of biblical doctrine, namely, that there
  is a direct correlation between the Scriptural
  clarity of a doctrine and its cruciality to the
  faith and life of the church" (p. 11-12).
• Trinitarians Roger Olson and Christopher
  Hall speaking the doctrine in their book, "The
  Trinity"

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Origin Conclusion

• It is freely admitted through historical and
  present scholarship that the Trinity was not
  established during the time of the Apostles, but
  took an additional three hundred years to become
  firmly established in the church. This occurred
  at a time when the church was assimilating many
  people of pagan beliefs, most of whom held to a
  Trinity teaching in their heathen background.
  Like so many beliefs practiced by mankind, the
  Trinity was developed through syncretized
  theology, and not by the inspired Word.
• YHWHs Word admonishes us to prove all things
  (1Thess. 521, Acts 1711). It is critical that
  we study our beliefs and understand whether they
  are inspired of YHWH or are man-made ideas
  developed through tradition.

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What Scripture Teaches

• Word in the flesh (Son) is not as great as the
  Word (Father)
• "You have heard how I said unto you, I go away,
  and come again unto you. If you loved me, you
  would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the
  Father for my Father is greater than I" (John
  1428).
• But we see Yshua, who was made a little lower
  than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor
  because he suffered death, so that by the grace
  of God he might taste death for everyone.(John
  1428).

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What Scripture Teaches

• Don't you believe that I am in the Father, and
  that the Father is in me? The words I say to you
  are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father,
  living in me, who is doing his work. (John 1410)
• The Word was in a body of human flesh with a
  distinct mind and will (Yshua), which means
  Yshua was exposed to the desires and sinful
  nature of the flesh but Yshua always submitted
  to the Word that was in Him.

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What Scripture Teaches

• Was Paul a Trinitarian?
• But I want you to understand that Christ is the
  head of every man, and the man is the head of a
  woman, and God is the head of Christ. (1
  Corinthians 113)
• I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus
  Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the
  Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may
  know him better.
• Answer Not in the sense that Yehsua God

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What Scripture Teaches

• Yeshua is the image of God
• The god of this age has blinded the minds of
  unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of
  the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who
  is the image of God. (2 Cor. 44)
• The Son is the image of the invisible God, the
  firstborn over all creation. (Col. 115) (eikon
  likeness, statue, image, reflection,
  representation) Like a mirror
• Yeshua has a will separate and different from God
• i.e.- saying, "Father, if You are willing, remove
  this cup from Me yet not My will, but Yours be
  done." (Luke 2242)

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What Scripture Teaches

• So what is the purpose of the Holy Spirit in the
  New Covenant?
• 1. The Holy Spirit is a witness that the Newer
  Covenant Law written upon our heart (Jeremiah
  3131, 33, Hebrews 1015-16)
• 2. The Holy Spirit was sent into the earth to
  teach us the Truth of God John 1416-17, 26,
  1526, John 1613)
• 3. What is the Truth? God's Law/Word of God is
  Truth? (not WAS truth) (Psalm 119142, John
  1717)

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What Scripture Teaches

• So what is the purpose of the Holy Spirit in the
  New Covenant? (cont.)
• 4. God wanted to write His law (all, not some)
  upon our heart and teach us His law which is
  called "TRUTH" (Psalm 119142) through His Holy
  Spirit who is called "THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH" (John
  1416-17,26, 1526, 1613)
• 5. We need God's Spirit WITHIN us for the
  following reasons
• a) Have the power to overcome the sin nature
  inherited by Adam b) To bear spiritual fruit in
  our lives (Galatians 522-25) c) To understand,
  grow, and have a revelation of God's Torah/Word

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What Scripture Teaches

• How does this play out in a practical sense?

And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled
himself, and became obedient unto death, even the
death of the cross. (Phl 28)
Submit/Humble
For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in
bodily form, (Col 29)
The Son is the image of the invisible God, the
firstborn over all creation. (Col 115)
Law is Spiritual Rom. 714
Obedience
Word
Full image of Word/Light
Holy Spirit Teaching
Word
Word moving into creation
Yeshua
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What Scripture Teaches

• Yeshua spoke only what the Father told Him to
  speak through His Word.
• Dont you believe that I am in the Father, and
  that the Father is in me? The words I say to you
  I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is
  the Father, living in me, who is doing his work.
  (John 1410)
• Then Jesus, still teaching in the temple courts,
  cried out, Yes, you know me, and you know where
  I am from. I am not here on my own authority, but
  he who sent me is true. You do not know him,

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What Scripture Teaches

• Yshua is given all authority (didnt have it
  before)
• Then Jesus came to them and said, All authority
  in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
  (Matthew 2818)
• Yshua hands back the Kingdom (has it no longer)
• Then the end will come, when he hands over the
  kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed
  all dominion, authority and power. (1 Corinthians
  1524)
• Note Pattern God the Father and Son of God
  not God the Son

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What Scripture Teaches

• Because Yeshua was perfectly obedient to the
  Father He received full authority from the
  Father. The Father exercises authority through
  the vessel of Yeshua.
• to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty,
  power and authority, through Jesus Christ our
  Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.
  (Jude 125)
• The same applies to ussame model
• To the one who is victorious and does my will to
  the end, I will give authority over the nations
  that one will rule them with an iron scepter and
  will dash them to pieces like potteryjust as I
  have received authority from my Father. I will
  also give that one the morning star. (Rev.
  226-28)

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What Scripture Teaches

• Right arm of power Sitting at His right hand
• What does it mean that Yeshua is at the Fathers
  right hand?
• Who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand
  of God, angels and authorities and powers having
  made subject to him" (1 Peter 322)

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What Scripture Teaches

• Yeshua at the right hand of God
• Exodus 156 Deuteronomy 332 Psalm 168 Psalm
  177 Psalm 1835 Psalm 206 Psalm 218 Psalm
  443 Psalm 454 Psalm 605 Psalm 638 Psalm
  7323 Psalm 7411 Psalm 7710 Psalm 7854
  Psalm 8015 Psalm 8913 Psalm 1086 Psalm
  1096 Psalm 1101 Psalm 1105 Psalm 11816
  Psalm 1387 Psalm 13910 Ecclesiastes 102
  Isaiah 4813 Isaiah 628 Isaiah 6312 Matthew
  2023 Matthew 2244 Matthew 2533 Matthew
  2534 Matthew 2664 Mark 1040 Acts 233 Acts
  234 Acts 755 Acts 756 Romans 834
  Colossians 31 Hebrews 81 Hebrews 1012
  Hebrews 122 1 Peter 322 Revelation 116
  Revelation 51
• It simply means authority in Hebraic language.
  As Yeshua said
• And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, All
  authority has been given to Me in heaven and on
  earth (Matthew 2818)

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What is the Truth?

• What about all of the verses that prove the
  Trinity model?
• There are at least 100 pieces of scripture
  commonly discussed related to the subject of the
  Father/Son relationship of the Trinity
• Handout and discussion