Does the Bible Implicitly teach the Trinity?

Question

A. The Bible clearly teaches that Jesus is God (cf. John 8:58, 10:38, 14:10; Col. 2:9).

B. The Bible clearly teaches that the Holy Spirit is God (cf. Acts 5:3–4, 28:25–28; 1 Cor. 2:10–13).

C. Everyone agrees that references of the Father in the Bible is a reference to God.

D. The Bible also clearly teaches that there is only one God (Mark 12:29, 1 Cor. 8:4–6, Jas. 2:19).

In the Bible, Jesus tells his apostles to baptize "in the name [notice, singular, not plural] of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" (Matt. 28:19). This is a proof-text: three distinct Persons united in the one divine name. In 2 Corinthians 13:14, Paul writes, "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all." We see this same unity of divine Persons in 1 Corinthians 12:4–11, Ephesians 4:4–6, and 1 Peter 1:2–3.

This is why the Early Church taught the doctrine of the Trinity, and why it is believed today.

CC - The language of the Trinity was developed by the Church Fathers. Around the year 181, Theophilus of Antioch expressly used the Greek word trias (trinitas in Latin, trinity in English): "the Trinity: God [the Father], his Word, and his Wisdom" [To Autolycus 2:15]. About twenty years later, Tertullian used the Latin trinitas: "The Unity is distributed in a Trinity. Placed in order, the three are Father, Son, and Spirit" [Against Praxes 2:4]. This is the late 2nd Century, not 325 AD.

P. June - James Akins makes a very good argument why the notion of the Holy Spirit as "God's active force" and not a Person is false. See http://www.catholic.com/thisrock/1999/9904chap.asp

Jesus no God? His own words claim it. John 8: 58: Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am." 59: So they took up stones to throw at him; but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple.

The reason the Jews picked up stones to throw at him is not because they were having a hissy fit, but because they did understand what he was claiming, but they rejected him and they sought to stone him for blasphemy.

Answer 1

The Bible says,
"For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one."
(1 John 5:7)

(Note; "the Word" refers to Jesus. See John 1)

Answer 2

John 8:58 only teaches the tinity if you use improper english.

The question is How old are you. Not what is your name?

In Greek you can mix tenses, In English you can not.

Tell any english teacher, "before you were, I am" and see what grade you get.

Since Jesus used the the Sept. bible, Ex 3:14 reads

" I am "The Being" sent me."

For Jesus to be quoted this verse he would have had to say

"Before Abraham was, The Being.

McKay said in his book "A New Syntax of the Verb in New Testament Greek,An Aspectual Approach";


"Tense...4.2.4. Extension from Past. When used with an expression of either past time or extent of time with past implications(but not in past narrative, for which see 4.2.5), the present tense signals an activity begun in the past and continuing to the present time: Luke 13:7...Lu 15:29....Jn 14:9 [Tosouton khronon meth muoon eimi]..have I been with you so long...? ; Ac 27:33...Jn 8:58 [prin Abraam ego eimi], I have been in existence since before Abraham was born...."

1 Pet 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

is very clear, No trinity here.

2 Cor 1:2 May YOU have undeserved kindness and peace from God our Father and [the] Lord Jesus Christ.

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,


No trinity here.

The early church did not teach a trinity.

The New Catholic Encyclopedia states: “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. But it is precisely this formulation that has first claim to the title the Trinitarian dogma. Among the Apostolic Fathers, there had been nothing even remotely approaching such a mentality or perspective.”—(1967), Vol. XIV, p. 299.

Answer 3

Do those verses say that God, Christ, and the holy spirit constitute a Trinitarian Godhead, that the three are equal in substance, power, and eternity? No, they do not, no more than listing three people, such as Tom, Dick, and Harry, means that they are three in one.
Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are mentioned together numerous times, but that does not make them one. Peter, James, and John are named together, but that does not make them one either. Furthermore, God’s spirit descended upon Jesus at his baptism, showing that Jesus was not anointed by spirit until that time. This being so, how could he be part of a Trinity where he had always been one with the holy spirit?

Answer 4

If Jesus were truly god then at some point and time there would have had to of been two gods. The question you have to ask yourself is, were there ever two gods? If you read Luke3:21,22 that question has to cross your mind (if you belive in the triune god) . Now if Jesus was God in the flesh who was speaking from heaven. Was it possibly another god? The bible gives us the answer and the answer is "No" it was his Father. God would have no reason to seperate from himself in order to sacrafice himself. If you say he is god in the flesh then you are also saying that at one point there were two gods.

You can reason however you like but this eliminates the trinity theory in my opinion. All scripture is to be in harmony and the trinity teaching isn't a harmonious teaching. If it is so clearly stated or taught then why is the word found nowhere in the bible? This teaching raises more questions than anything else.

Answer 5

Dear Carponone,

Yes! Please also see Genesis 1:26 and 1 John 5:7 where we read, "For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one."

Answer 6

The trinity concept was established formerly at the First coucil of Nicea, and generated the Nicean Creed around 325 AD.

Answer 7

None of the verses you site either "clearly" OR "implicitly" state what you say they do..

God (Jehovah, YHWH) is the Father.

Jesus is the son of God. The only begotten. Not equal.

The holy spirit is Gods active force. A power used to accomplish his purpose and NOT a person at all.

The trinity is a false doctrine.

Answer 8

NO. It teaches of the Godhead. Each member of the Godhead is a separate being. The concept of the Triniity was invented 300 years after the Bible.

Answer 9

¬St. Patrick described it this way: Take a shamrock. 3 seperate, individual leaves, all part of 1 plant. 3 seperate, individual sides/faces/persons, all part of 1 God

Answer 10

Yes. In fact, anyone who does not accept the diety of Christ will "die in their sins" according to John 8:24.