I was once listening to a preacher listing things that were necessary for one to be a true Christian. One point was that they must believe that God is a Trinity. Other groups use that belief in ferreting out groups that could be considered cults, most notably Dr. Walter Martin's comment: "... not believing you would be wrong enough to lose your soul for all eternity".
Once I saw a paper that listed about a dozen things one must vow to before
they could be considered for baptism and belief in the Trinity was necessary.
Indeed this must be an important doctrine! Me being a stickler for proving
my beliefs, I turned to my trusty "Strong's Concordance," and to my
surprise, the word "Trinity" is not even in the Bible. I turned
to several of my commentaries, and also nothing was mentioned. Finally I did
find a rather lengthy treatise on the subject in "The International
Standard Bible Encyclopedia." Even though they were apparently positive in
the belief, they made some striking omissions: That it is not mentioned in the
Bible but rather "dissolved in scriptures", "triads of divinities
occur in nearly all pagan religions", "it is purely a revealed
doctrine", "it is indiscoverable by reason", "there are no
analogies in nature." The encyclopedia did a good job of describing the
doctrine, about how there are three distinct God's in one person; Father, Son,
and the Holy Spirit.
In checking with my handbook of denominations, I see that most Christian groups
do hold to that belief, but there are many others that do not. Some want
to say that it is a provable belief from the Bible, but even the "New
Catholic Encyclopedia" describes the belief as being formed over 3
centuries by the Roman Church - yet admit the idea would not stand up to the
Bible!
In my study, I find a revealed, God the Father, and God the Son, and describes them both as having a Spirit (John 4:24, Gal. 4:6). Jesus was with the Father for all eternity - until He was "made flesh" by being begotten by the Holy Spirit {which had to be the Spirit of the Father- or the Father would not have been the Father} (John 1:1-3, 14). At that point Jesus {the Word} took the title of "Son". I also find the Holy Spirit being described as the Power of God (Psalms 104:30).
Many sources claim we cannot understand the nature of God - yet I read in Romans 1:20 "His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made" What do we find in nature but- DUALITY - just as God is two Beings (Gen. 1:26). Also of note: the Apostle Paul brought to light many New Testament doctrines yet clearly omitted mention of a third person of the Godhead. All his letters contained the phrase -" Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ."
Careful readers of the Bible will find many personifications, like "the blood cries out", "trees rejoice" or "the earth sings", so it is acceptable for God's Spirit to also be personified (Gen. 4:10, Isa. 14:8, 1 Chr. 16:33, John 14:16-17). I have heard by some that it is like "the force" in Star Wars movies or electricity. It is all around and can do work for those who have command of it - presently, the Father and the Son (Gen. 1:2). Sacred art depicts the Father and Son in the form of men - yet oddly enough the Holy Spirit as a BIRD! It would be tough to worship such an image.
The Trinity doctrine does more than confuse people about the nature of God.
It cloaks the fact that true believers can actually be Sons of God, heirs of all
things (Heb. 1:14). Jesus is the firstborn of many brethren and believers shall
be the very children of God (Luke 20:36). We shall be like Him. Eye has
not seen nor ear heard what is in store for the saved. Our Father's
occupation is Creator. When I look to the heavens I see a field waiting to
be finished. As God said: "I plant the heavens." (Isa. 51:16). I
think I would like to be around to help my Father in that job.
Scriptures referenced in this article
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John 4:24, Gal. 4:6, John 1:1-3, 14, Psalms 104:30, Gen. 1:26, Gen. 4:10, Isa. 14:8, 1 Chr. 16:33, John 14:16-17, Gen. 1:2, Heb. 1:14, Luke 20:36, Isa. 51:16
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John 4:24, Gal. 4:6, John 1:1-3, 14, Psalms 104:30, Gen.
1:26, Gen. 4:10, Isa. 14:8, 1 Chr. 16:33, John 14:16-17, Gen. 1:2, Heb. 1:14,
Luke 20:36, Isa. 51:16
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(John 4:24 KJV) "God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship
him in spirit and in truth."
(Gal 4:6 KJV) "And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of
his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father."
(John 1:1-3 KJV) "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God. {2} The same was in the beginning with God. {3} All things
were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made."
(John 1:14 KJV) "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we
beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of
grace and truth."
(Psa 104:30 KJV) "Thou sendest forth thy spirit, they are created: and thou
renewest the face of the earth."
(Gen 1:26 KJV) "And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our
likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl
of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping
thing that creepeth upon the earth."
(Gen 4:10 KJV) "And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy
brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground."
(Isa 14:8 KJV) "Yea, the fir trees rejoice at thee, and the cedars of
Lebanon, saying, Since thou art laid down, no feller is come up against
us."
(1 Chr 16:33 KJV) "Then shall the trees of the wood sing out at the
presence of the LORD, because he cometh to judge the earth."
(John 14:16-17 KJV) "And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you
another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; {17} Even the Spirit of
truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth
him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you."
(Gen 1:2 KJV) "And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was
upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the
waters."
(Heb 1:14 KJV) "Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to
minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?"
(Luke 20:36 KJV) "Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto
the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the
resurrection."
(Isa 51:16 KJV) "And I have put my words in thy mouth, and I have covered
thee in the shadow of mine hand, that I may plant the heavens, and lay the
foundations of the earth, and say unto Zion, Thou art my people."