Did pre-constantian era christianity christians believe in the trinity doctrine?

Question

I see posts about in order to be a christian you have to accept the trinity doctrine. I disagree. Am I nuts?

Answer 1

Please notice:

The New Encyclopædia Britannica says: “Neither the word Trinity, nor the explicit doctrine as such, appears in the New Testament, nor did Jesus and his followers intend to contradict the Shema in the Old Testament: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord’ (Deut. 6:4). . . . The doctrine developed gradually over several centuries and through many controversies. . . . By the end of the 4th century . . . the doctrine of the Trinity took substantially the form it has maintained ever since.”—(1976), Micropædia, Vol. X, p. 126.
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.

In The Encyclopedia Americana we read: “Christianity derived from Judaism and Judaism was strictly Unitarian [believing that God is one person]. The road which led from Jerusalem to Nicea was scarcely a straight one. Fourth century Trinitarianism did not reflect accurately early Christian teaching regarding the nature of God; it was, on the contrary, a deviation from this teaching.”—(1956), Vol. XXVII, p. 294L.

(Romans 15:3-6) . . .” 4 For all the things that were written aforetime were written for our instruction, that through our endurance and through the comfort from the Scriptures we might have hope. 5 Now may the God who supplies endurance and comfort grant YOU to have among yourselves the same mental attitude that Christ Jesus had, 6 that with one accord YOU may with one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.


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Answer 2

We are told to Baptize in the name of the Father Son and Holy Spirit in the New Testament. The Trinity did not "evolve" out of nowhere some 325 years later. The Doctrine was clarified around 325 because some people were denying the doctrine at that time. It is one of the things that define Christianity. Those that do not believe in the Trinity are not Christians. That's why Jehovah's Witnesses are not Christians. They don't believe in the Trinity or the Divinity of Jesus. If you persist in this belief you are no longer a Christian.

Answer 3

Early Christians believed all kinds of strange things. One of the biggest arguments was whether Jesus was a man or a god or both--'both' won out. Lots of early Christians didn't believe in the trinity. And I don't believe it's necessary to believe in it to call yourself a Christian.

To some Christians, being Christian is all about accepting obligatory doctrines. To other Christians, there are no obligatory doctrines! I say you should believe whatever seems most reasonable to you!

Answer 4

No, you're not nuts. We can't understand their relationship here on earth. Somehow they are one and separate. As long as you acknowledge that Jesus is God's Son, the same substance of God than you safe. Many say He is the Father yet He never claimed to be the Father even after He was ascended into Heaven. Read Revelations 2:27 and 3:5. Proof.

Answer 5

There is disagreement on the trinity doctrine and differences in how it is explained. What you need to do is have a relationship with God and accept Christ as your Savior. Beyond that, you should pray all the time and ask for wisdom and guidance. Your relationship with God will give you the answers you seek. God bless you.

Answer 6

If you disagee you are not nuts,but that is what the Bible teaches.I'd be here all day writing Bible quotes.Here's a few.
Genesis 1 ,God says "Let US create man.."
Read John1,Collosians1 and Hebrews 1 and you'll see God created everything through Jesus.Jesus was with God and was God.Peter in Acts 5 says to Annanias,"You have lied to the Holy Spirit..You have not lied to man but to God".
Peter says "God ,who raised Jesus from the dead.."
Paul says "The Spirit of God who raised Jesus from the dead"...
Jesus says "I have the power to lay down my life and the power to take it back up again".
All three raised Jesus yet Jesus is a separate being from the Father.It is like 1x1x1=1 God in 3 persons.Not 1+1+1=3 gods. Our brains use 10% of it's capacity,it is tough to understand.But God says it and I believe it.This was the extra short version.

Answer 7

It is my understanding that Constantine called the Council of Nicaea to settle the question of Trinity vs. Mono-God. The Emperor wanted to make Christianity more palatable to the non-Christians to consolidate his power and ordered the Mono folks to shut up or die.
To answer your question, some did and some didn't.

Answer 8

yes the pre-constantinian era christians believed in the Trinity. That is why when Arius argued against it, the Christians were able to find quotations from earlier writers to show that this was always the faith of the church.
that is not the same as your second question. It depends on what you mean 'to be a christian'. many people are very good people and are christian in that way.

Answer 9

In order to be a true Christian, you have to reject the Trinity.

Early Church Fathers did not believe in the trinity. BUT they did believe in the 2 in 1 God (the Father and the Son.) The deity of the Holy Spirit came many years later.

Ignatius Antioch (Disciple of John)

“the only true God, the unbegotten and unapproachable, the Lord of all, the Father and Begetter of the only-begotten Son,” "

“There is one God, the Almighty, who has manifested Himself by Jesus Christ His Son.”

“There is one God who manifested himself through Jesus Christ his Son, who is his Word which proceeded from silence and in every respect pleased him [God] who sent him. . . . Jesus Christ was subject to the Father.”

Clement of Rome
“We will beg with earnest prayer and supplication that the Creator of the universe will keep intact the precise number of his elect in the whole world, through his beloved Child Jesus Christ. . . . We realize you [God] alone are ‘highest among the highest’ . . . You alone are the guardian of spirits and the God of all flesh.”


Justin Martyr
"Now the Word of God is His Son, as we have before said. And He is called Angel and Apostle;"


Polycarp

“Nor when man wishes the spirit to speak does the Holy Spirit speak, but it speaks only when God wishes it to speak. . . . God planted the vineyard, that is to say, He created the people, and gave them to His Son; and the Son appointed His angels over them to keep them.”

--Notice how it says the only Spirit Speaks only when the God wishes it to. This proves that the Holy Spirit comes from God the Father, and not some "Other" Person.

Answer 10

I think the Trinity was created by the committee that formed the Roman catholic church.
Other sects of christianity don't necessarily believe in it.