Is it worth believing something just because you’ve been taught it for years? Or would you rather have what the Bible says?
Are you a Bible believing Christian? I believe most Christians THINK they are solely Bible believing, but many Christians will reject a biblically proved doctrine if it contradicts what they’ve been taught before. They’re not willing to budge, even for the Bible.
To be honest, most people will not even finish this article because they’ll be too offended part way through. Hopefully you’re different! Hopefully you care more about what the Bible says than what is traditionally taught!
Please do look carefully at all the scriptures we have here. We are not going to try to convince you of anything with diagrams and an egg analogy. We just want to show you what the Bible says solely.
Honest Question
Here’s a question that the Lord asked us years ago, which we would like to pose to you as well. “Where, in all of scripture, does it say that we serve a three-in-one God?” I’m not talking about the verses that say that the Father is God, Jesus is God, and the Holy Spirit is God in separate instances. I’m talking about a verse that explicitly says that all three of those people are ONE God — three people in one God. If the Trinity is an important doctrine, you would expect to see ample scripture to explain it in detail. But when the Lord asked us where in scripture it said that there is a three-in-one God, we didn’t have an answer.
We believe in the Father, the Son, and Holy Spirit. There’s no denying the existence of those three. Furthermore, all three of them are called God. There is no denying that either. We do not disagree with that one bit. The Bible clearly explains that. But where does it say that three people are one God (you probably have some verses in your head and I’m sure we will address them all)?
Suspicious
The first thing that the Lord began showing us, which made us suspicious of the typical Trinity teaching, was this: The vast majority of the time, the Holy Spirit is not even mentioned when the Father and Son are listed together. Most of the time, only the Father and Son are mentioned. The Holy Spirit isn’t mentioned at all.
Of course there is such a thing as the Holy Spirit, but we wondered, “If God is three people why would the Holy Spirit not be mentioned alongside them the vast majority of the time?“ If all three of them are equal parts in the same God, wouldn’t it be vitally important to name all three of them instead of just two of them?
(And we just don’t buy the “Holy Spirit doesn’t want to draw attention to Himself” excuse. That is nowhere in scripture. The church made that up. And if that’s the case, so much for the Holy Spirit leading us into all truth, if He’s leaving important details out due to modesty.)
Read these verses carefully and notice that only the Father and Son are mentioned together:
Revelation 7:10 (NKJV) “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”
Ephesians 6:23 (NKJV) Peace to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
1 John 2:22 (NKJV) Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist who denies the Father and the Son.
1 John 2:24 (NKJV) If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father.
2 John 1:9 (NKJV) He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son.
Revelation 21:22 (NKJV) But I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.
2 Peter 1:2 (NKJV) Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord…
And in just about every single greeting in the Apostles’ letters it says “Grace and peace from the Father and the Son”: 1 Cor. 1:3, 2 Cor. 1:2, Gal. 1:3, Eph. 1:2, Phil. 1:2, Col. 1:2, 1 Thes. 1:1, 2 Thes 1:2, 1 Tim. 1:2, 2 Tim. 1:2, Titus 1:2, Phm 1:3, 2 Pet. 1:2, 2 John 1:3, Jude 1:1.
Think about this for a second. And let’s be honest with ourselves. If I wrote frequent letters to you and said “Grace and peace to you from the Father and the Son!” and stopped there, don’t you think you would have a problem with that? You most certainly would. Almost every person in the church today would be up in arms. After all, “Why didn’t you mention the third person of the Trinity? You must be a false prophet!”
But this is all throughout the Bible. It’s not like this is once or twice. It’s all over! There are many, many more verses just like this. In many critical verses, like when praise is being given to God, only the Father and Son are mentioned. And in basically every single greeting from the Apostles, only the Father and the Son are mentioned as the source of grace and peace.
These verses are not the proof in and of itself, but it certainly makes one very suspicious of the typical trinity teaching. It makes you wonder why only the Father and Son are mentioned, completely omitting the Holy Spirit in all of these cases.
The Holy Spirit IS The Father And The Son
So why is the Holy Spirit almost never mentioned, when the Father and the Son are listed together? This is when it started becoming clearer.
John 14:16, 18 (KJV) And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever… I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
Did you see how Jesus referred to the Holy Spirit as HIMSELF? He referred to sending “another Comforter” (the Holy Spirit) and then said “I will come to you.” Like He IS the Holy Spirit.
Notice this in scripture: The Father will never be referred to as “the Son.“ And the Son will never be referred to as “the Father.“ They are not interchangeable. You could never say “the Son so loved the world that He sent the Father.“ This shows two distinct individuals (albeit exactly the same in nature). It was the Father that sent the Son. You could never say, “the Son sent the Father,” and be accurate. Those names are never used interchangeable. But you will notice that when Jesus spoke of sending the Holy Spirit, He literally said “I will come to you.“
The Holy Spirit is literally called “Christ” in the Bible. The Holy Spirit is also called “The Father” in the Bible. See here:
Galatians 2:20 (KJV) …Christ liveth in me…
Ephesians 4:6 (KJV) One God and Father of all, who is… and in you all.
These verses are talking about the Holy Spirit. He is referred to as “Christ” and as “the Father” in us.
The Bible will never call the Father “Christ.” That would be inaccurate. But the Bible DOES call the Holy Spirit “Christ.”
The Bible will also never call Jesus “the Father.” That would be inaccurate. But the Bible does call the Holy Spirit “The Father.”
So what do we have so far?
- The Bible most frequently only lists the Father and Son together, without mentioning of the Holy Spirit. Weird.
- When referring to the Holy Spirit, the Bible literally calls Him “Christ in us” and “the Father in us.”
Why is this? It started becoming clearer and clearer that we were not dealing with three separate people, but two people (the Father and Son) who shared the same Spirit
(Before you close this article, keep in mind that you’re a Bible believing Christian. There is more scripture coming.)
If it were two people with the same Spirit, that certainly would explain why only the Father and Son are mentioned in instances when praise is being given. It would also explain why the apostles almost universally greeted with “Grace and peace from Jesus and the Father.” So the Lord kept showing us.
Two People, One Spirit
Think about this for a second. You have a spirit, right? Is that a separate person from you? Of course not. It’s a part of you. It’s not a separate person. If I saw your spirit outside of your body somehow, (which has happened in the Bible) I would say that’s you! But I could also refer to it as separate from you because it’s not the whole of you, it’s a part of you. It’s not your body, it’s your spirit. Does that make sense?
I don’t think that’s very controversial. I think that’s what most Christians believe about their spirit. Why would that be controversial in reference to God?
This actually explains why only the Father and Son are so frequently mentioned together. Not because there’s no such thing as the Holy Spirit. Of course there is. But the Holy Spirit is not a third person. The Father has a Spirit. The Son has a Spirit. The Holy Spirit is THEIR spirit. It’s so simple and right under our noses. Look at this verse:
Romans 8:9 (KJV) But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
This verse says that God has a Spirit (Spirit OF God). And it says that Jesus has a Spirit (Spirit OF Christ). And it’s the same Spirit!
We wondered for a while why the Bible would only mention the Father and the Son so frequently, with no mention of the Holy Spirit. Why would the Bible completely omit the third person of the Trinity? But the Bible isn’t omitting anyone! It makes so much sense. The Holy Spirit is not a third SEPARATE person, He is merely the Spirit OF God and OF Christ! Just like you have a spirit!
And look here. Even when the Bible talks about the Holy Spirit making His home in us…
John 14:23 (KJV) Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
When the Holy Spirit comes to make His home in us, this verse says that it’s just Jesus and the Father (two people) coming to make their home in us!
The Holy Spirit is just the Spirit of the Father and the Son. The two of them have a Spirit (that’s indisputable – Rom. 8:9). And the two of them sent their Spirit to live in us now!
Think about this, even if you don’t believe it yet. Doesn’t what we’re showing you from scripture make total sense out of nearly ALL the apostles letters now (and all the other scripture where only the Father and Son are mentioned)?
1 Timothy 1:2 (NKJV) Grace, mercy, and peace from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.
Both Called God
But you may be thinking of this verse:
John 1:1 (KJV) In the beginning was the Word [Jesus], and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
First of all, I would like to point out that the Holy Spirit is omitted yet again in this verse. It only speaks about the Father and the Word. And as we saw from previous verses, God isn’t leaving anyone out. The Holy Spirit IS the Father and the Son.
But anyway, this is one of the main verses used for the Trinity (which is funny because only two of them are named). And people will point out that the Word (Jesus) is referred to as God. That’s absolutely true! Of course, we have no problem with that at all. Jesus is God. The Father is also God. The two of them are both God.
Here’s the thing, we see the word “God“ as a name. Like a name for the Father. It is not. The word “God“ is a title. It means to be in full authority over something. That’s why the devil is also called “god,” because he is god over all this world.
2 Corinthians 4:4 (KJV) In whom the god of this world [the Devil] hath blinded the minds of them which believe not…
(Please note that whether the “G” in “God” is capitalized or not in the Bible makes no difference. It’s the same word. The capital letter is put there by the translators only. There’s no distinction in original scripture between “god” and “God.)
So when the Bible says “god“ it is not a reference to the Father. Obviously that is true, because even the devil is called “god.” And the word “god“ is not a name. It is a title, a position of authority. We also are called gods in the Bible. For that matter, even unsaved Israel were called gods in the Old Testament:
Psalms 82:6 (KJV) I have said, Ye are gods…
So clearly, the Bible is not saying that the devil, ourselves, and Israel are all “the Father“. God is a position of authority.
John 1 says that “the Word was with God, and the Word was God.“ That clearly says that two people are both God. True! That doesn’t say they are the same God. That means they both have full authority over all things. As with everything, the Father and the Son are exactly the same. That goes for their authority also. They are both God. They both have full authority (don’t worry we’ll explain).
Nowhere in this verse does it say that they are a two-in-one, or even a three-in-one God. They are two people and they are both God.
“But WAIT!“ you say. “The Bible says that there is only ONE God over all things!“ Absolutely right.
Deuteronomy 6:4 (KJV) Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:
Yes, it is extremely clear that there is only one God over all things. We believe this wholeheartedly because it’s clearly written in scripture.
So how can we say that the Word and the Father are both God, yet there is only one God over all things? There is ample scripture for this, so hear us out all the way…
The Father is God over all things, including over Christ. Christ is God over all things with exception of the Father. Whether we like it or not, that is exactly what the Bible explains. There is no obscurity or ambiguity when it comes to this in scripture. Read these verses for yourself.
1 Corinthians 15:27 (KJV) For he [the Father] hath put all things under his [Jesus’] feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he [the Father] is EXCEPTED, which did put all things under him.
1 Corinthians 11:3 (KJV) …and the head of Christ is God.
Matthew 27:46 (KJV) …Jesus cried with a loud voice… My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?
John 20:17 (KJV) Jesus saith unto her… I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.
Let’s focus on that first verse we mentioned (1 Cor. 15:27). Paul clearly says that all authority has been given to Jesus over all things, But there is one exception to this — the Father. Jesus does not have authority over the Father, because it was the Father that gave Him His authority to begin with.
Let’s also be clear, we are not contradicting the fact that Jesus is the same as the Father. In their nature they are exactly the same and in their authority they are exactly the same as well, with one exception. Christ does not have authority over the Father Himself. Paul makes this extremely clear here. To deny this, is to deny the Bible itself.
Furthermore, the Bible will never say that Christ is the head over the Father, but that the Father is the head of Christ. This is not interchangeable. This clearly confirms what Paul was saying before.
The Father is God over all. Christ is God over all as well, with the exception of the Father. So when Deuteronomy says “the LORD our God is one LORD“ This is clearly referring to the Father. It could not be referring to Christ Himself because, even Christ calls the Father “His God.“ While the Father will never refer to Christ as “His God.“ The Father WILL certainly call Christ “God“ (Heb. 1:8). That is throughout scripture. But the Father will never call Christ “HIS God.“ Never.
So here’s what we have so far: The Father is the one true God over all (including Christ) and Christ is His Son (His equal), who has authority over all things, with exception of the Father. It’s amazing that this would sound like utter blasphemy to so many Christians, yet this is basically a quote straight from the book of John. See for yourself. Jesus prays it right here:
John 17:3 (NKJV) And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.
I really don’t need to say anymore. This verse lays it out entirely. Jesus says that the Father is the one true God over all (over Christ also). Jesus says that very clearly, here. Jesus is God’s equal in every way, but He still submits to the Father as His God. The Father does not submit to Him. Jesus has all authority over all things, WITH EXCEPTION to the Father (1 Cor. 15:27).
And while we’re at it, I’d like to point out that when Jesus describes how people receive eternal life in this verse, He says we get it by knowing the Father and the Son. He didn’t even mention the Holy Spirit, AGAIN.
But anyhow, let’s read just a tad further…
John 17:3, 22 (NKJV) And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. Verse 22 And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one:
First, Jesus only mentions Himself and the Father as the source of eternal life. Just the two of them are mentioned. But in verse 22, He says that He and the Father SHARE the same glory! It says they are one in this glory! And that now, we have been given this glory also! This glory is a reference to the Holy Spirit! The Holy Spirit is called “the glory of the Father” in the Bible:
Romans 6:4, 8:11 (NKJV) …just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father… 8:11 But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead…
Read those two verses in John 17 again! Jesus literally names only two people (Himself and the Father), and says that they share the same glory! Is this not what we’ve been saying? There are two distinct individuals who share the same Spirit! Which Spirit (glory) we now have as well!
The Son
As we begin to close this article, we need to mention this. When Jesus is referred to as God’s Son, some religions take that to mean that Jesus is lesser than the Father. This couldn’t be further from the truth.
If you’re not aware, the word “son“ in the Bible means “equal to, or like unto.”
John 5:18 (NKJV) …He [Jesus] …said that God was His Father, making Himself equal with God.
So if Jesus refers to Himself as God’s Son, He does not mean substandard. He actually means “equal or like unto.” Jesus is the exact representation of God.
Hebrews 1:3 (KJV) Who [Jesus] being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person…
Elohim and 1 John 5
Remember, we believe in the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. We have just realized that the Holy Spirit is not a third separate person, but the Spirit of the Father and of the Son.
In this article, we have given you verses every step of the way. But what verses does the church have that say three people are one God?
People say “But what about the word ‘Elohim’ in the book of Genesis? It’s a plural word for God!” Elohim is plural, but plural just means more than one. It does not mean three. Nowhere in the word Elohim does it refer to three people. It’s actually referring to two (just like John 1:1 says).
And lastly, people use this verse for the Trinity. But it is taken grossly out of context.
1 John 5:7-8 (MKJV) 7 For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit, and these three are one. 8 And there are three that bear witness on the earth: the Spirit, and the water, and the blood; and the three are into the one.
As you can see the Father, the Word, and the Spirit are all said to be one here. Well, how are they all one (united)? Well, in just the next verse it also says that “the water, the blood, and the Spirit“ are also in one. Does that mean there’s a second Trinity? When it says that “the water, the blood, and the Spirit are all in one” does that mean they are all one God? Of course not. He is clearly saying that they are one (united) in what they testify (It’s ok if you don’t understand the reference completely).
If you say that the word “one” here refers to the Father, Word, and Spirit being “one God,” then you have to apply it to “the water, the blood, and the Spirit” as well because it ALSO says that they are in one! Are there two Trinities then?
Clearly he is saying that both sets of three are merely one (united) in what they testify. This is a poor example (and the best people have) to substantiate the Trinity. We agree wholeheartedly that the Father, the Son, and the Spirit are all one and in agreement in what they testify. But that is all that this verse is saying. This verse does not say that they are a three-in-one God. Not in any way, shape, or form.
Twinity
We totally understand that this is extremely different from what you were taught before. We went through this too! But think about how many verses that say there is a three-in-one God. Can you think of any?
But did you see verses regarding the Father being the one true God? Did you see verses about Christ being His equal, but not having authority over the Father? Did you see verses calling the Holy Spirit “the Spirit of God and of Christ”? And did you not see an overabundance of verses that mention the Father and the Son alone, as objects of praise and sources of grace, peace and eternal life? Absolutely. We saw all of that.
We found that it’s more of a Twinity that we submit to, not a Trinity.
It’s quite amazing that you’ll be labeled a heretic just for pointing out that maybe what the Bible says is different than what you’ve heard.
We hope you’ve learned something from the Bible today. We hope you’re willing to ponder these things and let the Lord show you more. And we hope that you’ll choose the truth of scripture over man-made tradition every time.
Reform Church 