Part 2
Why do many Christians believe Yeshua to be not only equal to God but, to be God Himself?
So after considering the pros and cons of belief in Yeshua as only the Son and separate from The Father in part one, it is only fair to now consider the other side. Where did that come from if not based solely on the acceptance of the decided result of the ancient Roman empire? Well, yes, but not much earlier, between 260-270 a.d about 50 years prior, there were writings of a Trinity concept but that’s not really evidence of a collective acceptance, it’s just one guy (Gregory Thanumatrurgus). I watched a video on YouTube where this very question was the driving force behind the exposed research.
Did early Christians accept a trinity doctrine?
The greatest research I found was a video found on One God Over All 21st Century Reformation by Sean Finnegan called The Trinity Before Nicea. Check it out Https://www.21stcr.org/trinity-videos/the-trinity-before-nicea/
Sean Finnegan mentions the most prominent source of trinitarian historical reference on the internet today, Matt Slick and CARM.org. He goes over every possible reliable source of early Christian record which consists of authors work produced prior to 325 a.d or the meeting of the council of Nicea. These authors are Polycarp, Justin Martyr, Ignatius of Antioch, Irenaeus, Tertullian and Origen. In my research I came across the same information source. This is a wealth of information on the subject because he even goes on to explain the different types of Trinitarian structure beliefs which was news to me prior to writing this blog. All of which were proven not to be actual trinitarians. Please watch. I will be posting the video on my social media platforms. Another source of research was a book called The Church of the first three centuries. Found on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Church-First-Three-Centuries/dp/0559930690
With regards to the Trinity it was the determination of Alvan Lamson, that there was found no evidence of the Trinity in letters, art, usage, theology, worship, creed, hymn, chant, doxology, ascription, commemorative rite, and festive observance, so far as any remains or any record being preserved. So I am going to just say it, there is no indisputable evidence known that supports a notion of early christians belief in the trinity. What is evident is that it evolved slowly over the first four hundred years after Christ until it was official in 381 a.d with the language of the Constantinopolitan Creed of 381, Augustines On the Trinity in 415, and the Athanasian Creed of 500 a.d.
Now hold on Jehovah’s Witnesses and Mormons put down your confetti, although I was surprised by those findings as well. This in itself does not mean that the Trinity Doctrine is wrong. Those that believe the Trinity essentially believe that All three exist but that they are one. Consider the scriptural evidence they quote to support the belief in the Trinity.
- The number one scripture I hear quoted constantly is not the strongest in my opinion. Yohanan (John) 1:1 which reads, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with Elohim, and the Word was Elohim”.
- Second top scripture I heard is Yeshayahu (Isaiah) 9:6 which personally was the only scripture at the time that made me not completely reject the Trinity. This is one of the prophecies of the coming messiah that helped to authenticate that Yeshua was in fact the messiah. It reads from my direct hebrew translation, “For a child shall be born unto us, and the rule is on His shoulder. And His Name is called Wonder, counsellor, strong, El (Master), Father of continuity, Prince of Peace”. In the King James and NASB, NIV, NKJV etc it states, “Mighty God, everlasting Father” in place of EL and Father of continuity.
The next few scriptures are what actually convinced me that the Trinity may be correct.
- It was the word directly from Yeshua Himself in the book of Yohanan (John). The entire book screams in support of the Trinity but read it for yourself, you must not rely on my opinion or anyone else. Specifically I read Chapter 8:53-59 where Yeshua responded to the Yahudim (Jews),“Truly, Truly, I say to you before Abraham came to be, I AM”. He had to flee for His life after saying this, but I still wasn’t convinced.
- I also read Chapter 10:24-28 Yeshua is confronted by the jews and they ask plainly, are you the messiah? Yeshua gives them all a severe tongue lashing but, focus on verse 29-30 where He states, ““My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all. And no one is able to snatch them out of My Fathers hand, I and My Father are one.” The Jews tried to kill Him again for this statement.
This is where my perception began to change because I recognized something I didn’t in prior readings. The Jews interpreted Yeshua’s statement as a confirmation He was claiming to be God Himself, they did not see it as metaphoric back then. Yes, admittedly they would have tried to stone him over simply claiming to be His Son as well. So let’s read on:
- Chapter 12:43 Yeshua has raised his friend Lazarus from the dead, and because of this, the Jews once again seek to kill Him. His response is gold, “for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of Elohim (Almighty God). He did it again, He referred to Himself as Elohim. But surely one could state He was referring to the act being that of the Father.
- Ok well then explain 12:45? He states, “And he who sees Me, sees Him who sent Me”. You may counter saying, once again He is referring to His behavior.
- Then try 14:7. He states, “if you had known Me, you would have known My Father too. From now on you know Him, and HAVE SEEN”. Come on now.
- That’s not all, try the next verse (8) where his disciple Philippos said to Him, “Adonai (Master) show us the Father and it is enough for us.” Yeshua then says, You have been with me so long that you have not known me? HE WHO HAS SEEN ME HAS SEEN THE FATHER. It doesn’t stop there, He says, Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me? Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, otherwise believe what I did.
Conclusion
I will be honest, I myself actually read the bible with very fresh unbiased eyes and when I did I did not conclude that there was any reason to assume any of the beliefs of those that support the Trinity…..That is until I prayed and begged for insight and re read and it should be obvious what I concluded. Does this mean I am correct? Does it matter?
Look this is supposed to be a standard 1000 to 1500 word Blog, I can’t go on. If you don’t see it the same way your brother does, that’s ok. You simply must agree that Yeshua was and is the prophesied Messiah and rose from the dead to be saved. Call on the name of the Father and you will be saved. Can you do that? You all believe in the same thing if you think about it. Who amongst you does not acknowledge the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit? Yeshua stated no one can reach the Father without going through Him. The bible also goes on to state all will bow on that coming day. If understanding the structural or physical makeup of our Elohim was necessary or important, don’t you think He would have been a bit more specific about it in the bible? I am positive we would understand none of it if He did. Don’t miss the point of Yeshua and His visit to earth. Don’t miss the point of His sacrifice with trivial bickering. Who do you think is behind it all? It is a tool of division.
Believing one way or the other is not the heresy, or the blasphemy or anything deserving of the harsh tongue I hear and see online amongst fellow believers. We are commanded to Love one another. If you do not, you are the one failing to guard the commands of the Father not, the one you accuse of being deceived.
Be blessed. Love one another. Be kind. I would like to see you able to enter God’s Kingdom.