Trinity Bible Study

The one God we all believe in has revealed Himself in many ways, which has led to many opinions and divisions of thought in the Christian church. There is a poster in the Christian store that I go to that has a list of over 50 revelations of God. These range from Lord, King of Kings, YHWH, Prince of Peace, Almighty God, Rock, the Word, Jehovah, Holy Ghost, Everlasting Father, Father of lights, Emanuel, God, and the Lamb. At the top is one name “JESUS.”

Truth is revealed in God’s written word. Meaning does not change based on language. The Bible has examples to help us understand what is being said. Examples work in any language; “actions speak louder than words.” The Bible examples show us and tell us exactly what we need to know.

Language issues (limitations) of translation have to be confirmed by other scriptures or the actions recorded in God’s word. Consider this, in Revelation the English word “and” at times should be replaced with the Greek definition of either “even” or “indeed” to makes meanings consistent between the Old and New Testaments.

Language example using “you”…let us substitute the Greek meanings for the English word “and.” You are yourself and the child of your parents; you are yourself even the child of your parents; you are yourself indeed the child of your parents. You are one person with one legal name so the statements are true. You may be a father and a parent and a teacher (substitute even or indeed).

Many Christian creeds are written in various languages thus causing confusion. If they lead us to follow Bible examples then they are acceptable. If not, they are confusing. The writers of these extra-Biblical documents are not the Apostles, yet some Christians judge one another by whether they will sign or confess to a creed. My church has its own creed called “Articles of Faith.” I read it and then compare it to the Bible - the Bible being the ruling authority.

The Bible says that this God showed us in His word this truth, “…hear O Israel the LORD our God is one LORD…”

God does not change…

There is only one on the throne of God in heaven…

Language can be confusing. Our mutual goal should be that we will not let language divide the Christian church. The Bible meaning of one God is clear just like in Jude…the only Lord God, indeed our Lord Jesus Christ. This is in line with an example given in Acts chapter 9. The Apostle Paul, an unbeliever at the time, prayed to the only Lord he knew (Jehovah) saying, “…who art thou Lord?” The answer came back “…I am Jesus…” This shows consistently there is only one Lord.

The same meaning between the Old Testament and New Testament appears in Matthew 28:19. Avoid the language trap and use the Apostle’s good examples to understand baptism. All of the Apostles, Mary, the mother of Jesus, and all of the early church members were baptized by invoking the name of Jesus (Acts 2, 10, 19, etc...) – God’s name. Matthew 28:19 fits with the examples carried out by the Apostles when you select “even” or “indeed” versus “and” below.

The Apostles followed Mathew 28:19 by baptizing believers in the name of Jesus. They could not “deny the trinity” because the word was not used during their lifetime (the doctrine was created over many years - 170-325 A.D.). If you follow the Apostle’s example, it is impossible to deny the Trinity.

Pointing this out to others in a kind manner will help them to not be argumentative over creeds - words not found in the Bible. Read it for yourself, the Apostles believed the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost were completely one. We only need to pray to the one God in the name of Jesus. There is no Bible reason to divide the one infinite God and spend time praying to each one.

Witnessing to Jews and Muslims will be easier because they already have a belief and understanding of one God, albeit we do not accept Allah as a description of or an equal to the one God of the Christian Bible. They need the answer given to Paul, “…Who art thou Lord?...” (Jesus).

Follow the Apostle’s example and doctrine, do not get sidetracked by words or ideas that did not exist in Bible times, and you will have peace and understanding in your life.

Action Plan:

1. Become as a child – obey. Children are saved without a PhD’s level of understanding. Obey the Bible first, ask questions later.
   
   
2. Use only the Bible and Bible examples as a yardstick to judge yourself and others.
   
   
3. Repent of all actions and judgments not based on the Bible.
   
   
4. Get baptized just like the Apostles and the Mother of Jesus (read Acts 2:38).
   
   
5. Seek the Holy Spirit Baptism (read Acts).
   
   
6. Encourage, instead of dividing by condemning others.
   
   
7. Do not say that any Christian has denied God because they will not confess or sign a religious creed containing the word “Trinity” because neither the creed nor the word “Trinity” is in the inerrant word of God – the Bible. This could make you a “false accuser.”
   
   
8. Find a church that agrees to the above principles and attend regularly.
   
   

Go to www.nlac1.com for additional information and contacts.