Index To All Nine Sections Part I - Historical Background. Is the orthodox version of one God in three persons an unassailable and inviolable doctrine straight from the pages of Scripture? Not exactly! This incomprehensible doctrine was formally adopted in 381 AD as a defense against charges that Christians worshipped more than one God. It prevailed because it satisfied a number of requirements and gave the church a nice tidy solution. Yet, although unknown to the Scriptures, it somehow evolved into a litmus test for true faith. Part II - ‘Proof Texts’. Passages that supposedly "prove" the trinity. Part III - The Grammar. Can the grammar legitimately be used to support the idea that the Holy Spirit is the third Person of the Trinity? You Are Here  Part IV - The Deity of Christ and the Holy Spirit. The Bible very clearly shows that Christ is God AND ascribes Divinity to the Holy Spirit which leads to the question... Part V - Can God be more than one? Part VI - What is The Holy Spirit? - A separate person, or the Divine presence and power of the Father Himself? Part VII - The Cappadocian Fathers. The doctrine of the trinity that has remained virtually unchanged to this day found its roots in paganism not the Bible. This largely due to the part played by the Cappadocian Fathers - three ancient Greek philosophers and mystics. Part VIII - Begotten Vs. Proceeds. The Son is "begotten" of the Father and the Spirit "proceeds" from the Father. Different? Certainly! But not what The Cappadocian Fathers made it out to be Part IX - Summary and Conclusion
ON THIS PAGE
The Deity of Christ
The 'Second Person' of The Trinity or God Himself?
"Came Forth From" Vs. 'Sent By'
The Deity of The Holy Spirit
The Deity of Christ
It is possible that many of those who emphatically declare that a person cannot be saved without a belief in the Trinity may actually have the Deity of Christ in mind. As said by Michael Gleghorn of Probe Ministries...
Although the doctrine of the Trinity is a fundamental doctrine of the Christian faith, I do not personally think that a person needs to have an orthodox understanding of this doctrine in order to be saved. Indeed, when you think about it, many of the people in Christian churches today have an inadequate and unorthodox understanding of this doctrine (but this doesn't necessarily mean that they aren't saved). He or she can still be saved through genuine faith in Christ. Of course, if one were to deny the deity of Christ, that would be another issue! [01]
There is no question that the Incarnation of Christ is an essential component of the Gospel. To deny the Incarnation is to deny that God Himself took human form in order to pay the price for the sins of those who would follow Him. Therefore, there can be no salvation without believing in the Deity of Christ. Although not a single Scriptural passage exists that unambiguously says "Jesus is God", nor did Jesus ever utter a single unequivocal "I am God" statement the New Testament abounds with so much proof of the deity of Jesus Christ that it is puzzling that so many who claim to believe in the Bible repudiate it. It is equally bewildering that it took a battle royal in the church and a council convened by an emperor to come to a conclusion that was already glaringly obvious. The fact is, that anyone who is willing to do just a little digging will find that the Deity of Christ quite literally screams at them from innumerable pages in the Scriptures especially when it comes to the many strikingly significant parallels between Yahweh in the Old Testament, and Jesus in the New. In fact, the case for the Deity of Christ is pretty much established by a single verse. Using the term elôhîym Genesis 1:1 tells us "In the beginning God (Heb. elôhîym) created the heavens and the earth". Psalm 45 uses the term elôhîym in verse 6. Note that only God's throne will last forever, as verse 6 says. Your throne, O God (Heb. elôhîym), is forever and ever; A scepter of uprightness is the scepter of Your kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; Therefore God (Heb. elôhîym), Your God (Heb. elôhîym), has anointed You With the oil of joy above Your fellows. (Psalms 45:6-7 NASB)
However, the author of Hebrews applied the Psalm to the Messiah. When he quoted this verse, he made it very clear that it is Jesus who is being spoken to, and addressed as God (theos). (08) But of the Son He says, "Your throne, O God (Gr. theos), Is forever and ever, and the righteous scepter is the scepter of His kingdom. (09) "You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; therefore God (Gr. theos), your God (Gr. theos), has anointed You with the oil of gladness above Your companions." (Hebrews 1:8 NASB)
The next verse says that His (Christ's) God has anointed Him with the oil of gladness. In other words, God's God anointed Him. (09) "You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; therefore God (Gr. theos), your God (Gr. theos), has anointed You with the oil of gladness above Your companions." (Vs. 9)
The 'Second Person' of The Trinity or God Himself?
Although there is ample evidence for the Divinity of Christ, the question remains whether He (Christ) is, as the church claims, the "second Person" of the Trinity but God Himself - a view that also finds Scriptural support. Whether we can explain it or not, understand it or not, the inescapable fact is that when Jesus said He and the Father were one (Gk. heis), and that He was in the Father and the Father was in Him (John 10:30, 14:7-10)
He was not just saying that they had the same mindset, nature, and attributes, although they do. He was not simply saying that they were united in purpose, although they are. He was not just saying that He was Divine, although He is.
Jesus went much further than that... He literally meant that He and the Father were one. However, He used the Greek word heis that, like the Hebrew echâd, can be used for group unity as well as equality. (More about this Hebrew word in The Next Chapter - Can God Be More Than One? On the other hand ... I AM
Using the term I Am Jesus told the Jews... "Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I am He, you will die in your sins." (John 8:24 NASB)
Note: The word "He" has been italicized because it was not in the original text (https://biblehub.com/interlinear/john/8-24.htm). I am not sure why it was added but it obscures the fact that when Jesus used the words "I Am" He was not only claiming existence prior to Abraham but was using the same appellation God gave Himself when asked by Moses what he should say were the Israelites to ask who sent him. The Father told Moses that he was to tell the sons of Israel that "'I AM has sent me to you". (Exodus 3:14)
By using the exact words, Jesus was claiming to be the "I AM' "of the Old Testament Scriptures. That Jesus and The Father are one is the only thing that explains why some of the same events were applied to the Father in the Old Testament AND to Jesus in the New. For example... Isaiah's Vision
Compare the statements made by two inspired Biblical authors. Although it is very clear that the prophet Isaiah saw the glory of God the Father (Yahweh), John expressly applies Isaiah's vision to Christ. Unless we are willing to believe that one of them was mistaken or lying through their teeth, we have to accept that they were both right when each of them wrote, In the year of King Uzziah's death I saw the Lord (adônây) sitting on a throne, lofty and exalted, with the train of His robe filling the temple... Then I said, "Woe is me, for I am ruined! Because I am a man of unclean lips, And I live among a people of unclean lips; For my eyes have seen the King, the Lord (Yahweh) of hosts." (Isaiah 6:1, 5 NASB) But though He had performed so many signs before them, yet they were not believing in Him. This was to fulfill the word of Isaiah the prophet which he spoke: "Lord, who has believed our report? and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?" For this reason they could not believe, for Isaiah said again, "He has blinded their eyes and he hardened their heart, so that they would not see with their eyes and perceive with their heart, and be converted and I heal them."These things Isaiah said because he saw His glory, and he spoke of Him. (John 12:37-41 NASB)
The Prophecies
Also, we need to pay attention to the fact that many statements and prophecies made by Yahweh about Himself in the Old Testament were exactly fulfilled by Jesus in the New. Isaiah 8:13-14 refers to Yahweh as the one who would become a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense, yet the New Testament applies these very same terms to Jesus. "It is the Lord (Yahweh) of hosts whom you should regard as holy. And He shall be your fear, And He shall be your dread. "Then He shall become a sanctuary; But to both the houses of Israel, a stone to strike and a rock to stumble over, And a snare and a trap for the inhabitants of Jerusalem. (Isaiah 8:13-14 NASB) you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For this is contained in Scripture: "Behold , I lay in Zion a choice stone, a precious corner stone, and he who believes in Him will not be disappointed." This precious value, then, is for you who believe; but for those who disbelieve, "The stone which the builders rejected, this became the very corner stone," and, "A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence "; for they stumble because they are disobedient to the word, and to this doom they were also appointed. (1 Peter 2:5-8 NASB)
The following two Old Testament verses speak of the messenger who would prepare the way of the Lord. Behold, I send my messenger (Heb. mal'âk), and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord (Heb. âdôn), whom ye seek, will suddenly come to his temple; and the messenger of the covenant, whom ye desire, behold, he cometh, saith the Lord (Yahweh) of hosts. (Malachi 3:1) The voice of one that crieth, Prepare ye in the wilderness the way of the Lord (Yahweh); make level in the desert a highway for our God (Gr. elohym). (Isaiah 40:3)
Strikingly, both prophecies found fulfillment in the coming of John the Baptist, who heralded Jesus' public ministry. Matthew was very evidently quoting Malachi. Yea and thou, child (John The Baptist), shalt be called the prophet of the Most High: For thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to make ready his ways; (Luke 1:76) This is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, Who shall prepare thy way before thee. (Matthew 11:10)
See Many More Parallels on THIS Page Although the following is well beyond our ability to completely comprehend, it explains how Jesus could claim to be the "I AM" and how prophecies God made about Himself in the Old Testament were fulfilled by Jesus in the new.
"Came Forth From" Vs. 'Sent By'
Note the words Jesus used when He said...
for the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me and have believed that I came forth (Gk. exelthon) from the Father. "I came forth (Gk. exelthon) from the Father and have come into the world; I am leaving the world again and going to the Father." His disciples *said, "Lo, now You are speaking plainly and are not using a figure of speech. "Now we know that You know all things, and have no need for anyone to question You; by this we believe that You came from (Gk. exelthes) God." (John 16:27-30 NASB)
If the intended meaning of the verses above was solely that Jesus was dispatched on a mission by the Father, John would probably have used the word apostello that literally or figuratively means to send on a mission (and from which we get the word 'apostle'). As the following two examples show, there is no question that Jesus was sent on a mission by the Father. Note exapostello is a combination of apostello and the preposition ek which denotes origin. "This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent (Gk. apostello). (John 17:3 NASB) But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth (Gk. exapostello) His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. Because you are sons, God has sent forth (Gk. exapostello) the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!" (Galatians 4:4-6 NASB)
However, the Greek verb exerchomai that John used three times in 16:27-30 (above), is a compound word, composed of ek (origin) and the verb erchomai (to come). In other words, it means to, literally or figuratively, issue from. The word is used overwhelmingly of emerging, or coming out of something. Different forms of exerchomai have been used in the examples below Prison: Truly I say to you, you will not come out (Gk. exelthes) of there until you have paid up the last cent. (Matthew 5:26 NASB) A City: And as for those who do not receive you, as you go out (Gr. exerchomenoi) from that city, shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them." (Luke 9:5 NASB) Sodom: but on the day that Lot went out (Gr. exelthen) from Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all. (Luke 17:29 NASB) People: And He said to her, "Because of this answer go; the demon has gone out (Gr. exelelythen) of your daughter." And going back to her home, she found the child lying on the bed, the demon having left (Gr. exelelythos). (Mark 7:29-30 NASB)
There is at least one verse in which Jesus using both words said He 'came forth from' and was 'sent by' the Father. Jesus said to them, "If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth (Gk. exelthon) and have come from God, for I have not even come on My own initiative, but He sent (Gr. apostello) Me. (John 8:42 NASB)
Jesus was not "created" by the Father but in His words He literally "came out" of the Father. So the fact that the Father and the Son spoke to each other either shows they are distinct Persons or and behold, a voice out of the heavens said, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased." (Matthew 3:17 NASB) Jesus spoke these things; and lifting up His eyes to heaven, He said, "Father, the hour has come; glorify Your Son, that the Son may glorify You, (John 17:1 NASB) And He went a little beyond them, and fell on His face and prayed, saying, "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will." (Matthew 26:39 NASB)
Please note that a very similar word is used in the New Testament to show that the Holy Spirit also came forth from the Father. This is covered in detail in a later section.
The Deity of The Holy Spirit
is a far simpler matter. Note Peter's words in Acts 5:3-4...
"Then Peter said, 'Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? Didn't it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn't the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied to men but to God.'” (Emphasis added)
Since lying to the Holy Spirit is lying to God, this short passage is more than enough to attribute Divinity to the Holy Spirit. However, that does not necessarily mean that there are three coequal Persons in one Divine Being. However, perhaps we should first see if our belief that God is more than one contradicts the Hebrew Scriptures especially the Shema Yisrael (Hear Israel) - an ancient and well known Jewish declaration of faith that clearly states that "God is one". The Shema begins the commandments and statutes that the Lord's required them to keep. Jesus quoted the first line of the Shema in Mark 12:28-30 when He was asked by a scribe which of the commandments was the foremost of all.
Continue On To Part V - Can God Be More Than One? The Hebrew word used in the well known 'God is one' declaration in the opening words of the 'Shema' in Deuteronomy 6:4 does not necessarily eliminate the possibility of God existing as more than one Divine Person. Besides which some of the Hebrew words used in the Old Testament can indicate a plurality.
However, theologians oversimplify the matter when they state that the Biblical evidence permits only one of two conclusions a) Jesus and the Holy Spirit are not Divine, or b) God is a Tri-unity. There are no other choices - it's either this or that, take it or leave it. HERE
End Notes
[01] Michael Gleghorn. © 2010 Probe Ministries.
http://www.probe.org/site/c.fdKEIMNsEoG/b.6467479/k.E47A/Does_One_Have_to_Believe_in_the_Trinity_to_be_Saved.htm
[02] Charles C. Ryrie Basic Theology: A Popular Systematic Guide to Understanding Biblical Truth Hardcover. Moody Publishers; New Edition edition (January 11, 1999) Pg 89- 90. | 
