I have a red flag feeling when I see the word "trinity".
I find it can be traced back to Tertullian's vain philosophies and deceit that Paul warns about. Who knows where Tertullian got it but the trinity is not a new doctrine , it can be seen in Babylon with Baal, Ishtar and Tammuz. Christian theology was largely organized and nurtured in the schools of Alexandria, and Alexandria was not only the meeting place of East and West, it was also the place where the decrepit theology of Egypt was revivified by contact with the speculative philosophy of Greece. The library at Alexandria burned and the first person blamed for the destruction is none other than Julius Caesar himself. In 48 BC, Caesar was pursuing Pompey into Egypt when he was suddenly cut off by an Egyptian fleet at Alexandria.
This however is what I do believe about the Godhead..
Genesis 1 God created....
Exodus 3:4 I AM
Isaiah 43 :1-2, 10-15 Redeemer, no Savior beside me.
Isaiah 46:9-11 No other God , end from beginning
Isaiah 49:16 I have inscribed you on my palms.
John 1:1-14 In the beginning was the Word and the Word....
John 8:58 Before Abraham was , I AM.
John 14:9-11 He that has seen me has seen the Father.
John 1:18 in the bosom of the Father
Colossians 2:9 ALL the fullness of the Godhead bodily
1 Corinthians 8:6 For us there is ONE God, the FATHER.
Come on Chuck, let's me honest men. I think you very well know I don't intentionally avoid anything.
From your comment:
"Just so you know I know, you are STILL avoiding Isaiah 45:5"
My response was based on Isaiah 45, not just one verse.
- Just so you know, none of the books of the Bible were written with numbered verses. They were later added for reference and simplification. You need to read an entire section so it can be understood in a fuller context. Sometimes it's even helpful to cross-reference other scriptures throughout God's Word.
The scripture you shared, along with the one I shared, are part of the same message being shared.
If I was to explain to you what a hand was, and I only shared about the pinky finger, how well would you understand what a hand really is based on my explanation?
Thus saith the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, and his Maker: Ask Me of the things that are to come; concerning My sons, and concerning the work of My hands, command ye Me.
If Deut 6:4 or 45:5 doesn't trip your trigger here is Isaiah 43:10: (In the most up to date translation ESV)
"“You are my witnesses,” declares the LORD, “and my servant whom I have chosen, that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor shall there be any after me."
Lest we veer off track, let's remember context. These verses are in response to David who posited that monotheism was NOT explicitly taught in the Bible.
I disagreed and offered verses supporting my position.
These verses do not deny or confirm a Trinity or any other pluralistic nature of GOD. But they do show that monotheism IS explicitly taught in Scripture.
Chuckles: You apparently did not know that it is **ALWAYS** all right to post God's Word showing that Jesus is our **GREAT GOD** and **SAVIOR FROM SIN** and that he helped the Father creating the universe in a **CHRISTIAN FORUM**. You were probably confused and thought you were still on **SATAN'S FORUM**!!
Isaiah 9:6--7: For unto us a **CHILD** is born, to us a **SON** is given, and the government will be on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor ,**MIGHTY GOD**! and **PRINCE OF PEACE**. Of the greatness of His government **THERE WILL BE NO END**. He will reign on David's throne and over His Kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness **FROM THAT TIME ON AND ****FOREVER****.
John 1:1-3,18: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with Go, and the **WORD WAS GOD**. He was with God in the beginning. Through Him all things were made; without Him nothing was made that as been made...No one has ever seen God, but the One and only Son, who is **HIMSELF GOD** and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made Him known!
John 20:27-29: Jesus said to the doubting Thomas, "Put your finger here in My hands. Reach out your hand and put it into My side. Stop doubting and believe!" Thomas said to Him, My Lord and **MY GOD**!" Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen Me, you have believed, blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed!" {And so since Chuckles does not believe he is not blessed by Jesus!!}
Hebrews 1:1-3,6,8: In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days He has spoken to us **BY HIS SON**, whom he appointed **HEIR OF ALL THINGS**, and **THROUGH WHOM HE MADE THE UNIVERSE**. The Son is the radiance of God's glory **EXACT** representation of His being, sustaining al things by **HIS POWERFUL WORD! After He had provided purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven... When God brings His firstborn into the world He says, "Let all God's angels **WORSHIP HIM**.... About the Son He says, "Your throne, **O GOD**, will last for ever and ever, a scepter of justice will be the scepter of **YOUR KINGDOM**!"
Titus 2:13,14: We wait for the **BLESSED HOPE**--the glorious appearing of our **GREAT GOD AND SAVIOR**, Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify a people that are **HIS VERY OWN**, eager to do what is good!!
Philippians 2:5-10: In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus. Who being in very nature God, did not consider Equality with God something to be used to His own advantage; rather He made Himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance like a man, he humbled Himself by becoming obedient to death--even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted Him to the **HIGHEST PLACE** and gave Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus **EVERY KNEE SHOULD BOW**, in heaven and on earth!! {Including Chuckles!!}
Terms like "monotheism" have a generic meaning that can be applied to many belief systems.
To me there is "God", and when He is spoken of, I default to the Creator, who I believe existed unified, but with varying roles. I can imagine that there is zero conflict there, yet somehow people manage to create conflict. If someone says "a god" or "gods" then I assume "it" or "they" are of man made significance. Something can be a "god" to us if we choose it, but God is who I kneel to. Equally, I will kneel to "Lord" and assume the One being referenced is Jesus Christ.
As I've mentioned previously, I don't get offended by the term "Trinity", because I understand what people are trying to say. However, it's not a name I would normally use to identify God.
As far as Isaiah 45, here is my question to you:
Who is the "Lord" being mentioned? Who is the Maker?
**WE ARE NO LONGER UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF THE LAW** Galatians 3:25
In the Old Covenant Law in Exodus 20:2: God says, "You shall have no other gods before Me!" However, in the New Covenant our Lord and Savior is called **LORD** over 200 times and also **LORD OF LORDS* in Revelation 17:14. Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is also called **GOD** **SEVEN TIMES** in the inspired New Testament in the following Scriptures and the {*7*} times Jesus is called **GOD** will be numbered {*1*} thru {*7*}.
And God the Father Himself called our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ **GOD** in Hebrews 1:6 below!! It was also prophesied in the OT in Isaiah 9:6 that Jesus would be called **MIGHTY GOD** in the future!!
Isaiah 9:6--7: For unto us a **CHILD** is born, to us a **SON** is given, and the government will be on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor ,**MIGHTY GOD**! and **PRINCE OF PEACE**. Of the greatness of His government **THERE WILL BE NO END**. He will reign on David's throne and over His Kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness **FROM THAT TIME ON AND ****FOREVER****.
John 1:1-3,18: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the {*1*} **WORD WAS GOD**. He was with God in the beginning. Through Him all things were made; without Him nothing was made that as been made...No one has ever seen God, but the One and only Son, who is {*2*}**HIMSELF GOD** and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made Him known!
John 20:27-29: Jesus said to the doubting Thomas, "Put your finger here in My hands. Reach out your hand and put it into My side. Stop doubting and believe!" Thomas said to Him, My Lord and {*3*} **MY GOD**!" Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen Me, you have believed, blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed!" {And so since Chuckles does not believe he is not blessed by Jesus!!}
Hebrews 1:1-3,6,8: In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days He has spoken to us **BY HIS SON**, whom he appointed **HEIR OF ALL THINGS**, and **THROUGH WHOM HE MADE THE UNIVERSE**. The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the **EXACT** representation of His being, sustaining al things by **HIS POWERFUL WORD! After He had provided purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven... When God brings His firstborn into the world He says, "Let all God's angels **WORSHIP HIM**.... About the Son He says, "Your throne, {*4*}**O GOD**, will last for ever and ever, a scepter of justice will be the scepter of **YOUR KINGDOM**!"
Titus 2:13,14: We wait for the **BLESSED HOPE**--the glorious appearing of our **GREAT {*5*} GOD AND SAVIOR**, Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify a people that are **HIS VERY OWN**, eager to do what is good!!
Philippians 2:5-10: In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus. Who being in very nature {*6*} **GOD**, did not consider Equality with {*7*} **GOD** something to be used to His own advantage; rather He made Himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance like a man, he humbled Himself by becoming obedient to death--even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted Him to the **HIGHEST PLACE** and gave Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus **EVERY KNEE SHOULD BOW**, in heaven and on earth!! {Including Chuckles!!}
