ChristadelphianBooksOnline
Rick O'Connor
The Things Of The Kingdom And The Things Of The Name
God In Manifestation

THE TRINITY UNSCRIPTURAL

The Only True God The Father

John 17:3:

“This in life eternal, that they know thee (Father) the only true God and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent” (RSV)

“Only”:	Denies Godhead to any but the Father
“True”:	Categorises claims of Godhead for any beside the Father as being false
“And”:	Implies Jesus is a distinct and separate being from God
“Sent”:	Identifies Jesus Christ as servant (Isaiah 49:1-9) and son (2 Samuel 7:14), subordinate to God (1 Corinthians 15:24-28)

1 Corinthians 8:4-6:

“There is no God but one...

“For us (Christians) there is one God, the Father...

“And one Lord, Jesus Christ...” (RSV)

“No God but one”:	There is only one God, “The Father”, in the Universe
“And”:	Implies Jesus in a distinct and separate being from God
“One Lord”:	Declares Jesus Christ to be the only master, beside God, whom Christians acknowledge

Jesus is “Lord”: Because -

God, His Father, raised him from death and made him “Lord” - Acts 2:31-36

This “Lord”, Master, Ruler:

Was crucified - 1 Corinthians 2:8
Died - 1 Corinthians 11:26
Was raised by God - 1 Peter 1:3

Because of those things -

He is “Lord” both of dead and living - Romans 14:9

Therefore:

Jesus’ bearing the Father’s name is NOT evidence that he, the son, is God

Consequently:

The Father remains God to Jesus - Ephesians 1:3
Jesus received his Father’s name as his reward for obedience and sacrifice Philippians 2:8-9

So that:

Worship addressed to Jesus glorifies the Father - Philippians 2: 10-11
The Father’s name is to Jesus a new name - Revelation 3:12

Therefore:

Jesus’ bearing the Father’s name is NOT evidence that he, the son, is God

Consequently:

The Father always remains God to Jesus - 2 Corinthians 11:31
Jesus came in his Father’s name - John 5:43
Jesus revealed his Father’s name - John 17:6,26
Jesus did his works in his Father’s name - John 10:25
Jesus kept his disciples in his Fathers name - John 17:12

And Because:

All the Father’s family is named from him - Ephesians 3:14-15

Therefore:

Jesus’ bearing his Father’s name is NOT evidence that he, the son, is God

Consequently:

The Father always remains God to Jesus - John 20:17
All God’s family is named from him - Ephesians 3:14-15
All believers are called to bear the Father’s name - Acts 15:14-17
All believers do bear the Father’s name - Revelation 14:1
Jesus keeps them in the Father’s name - John 17:12

Then:

Jesus shares the Father’s name in common with many who are not God

Therefore:

Jesus’ bearing the Father’s name is NOT evidence that he, the son, is God

Consequently:

The Father always remains God to Jesus - Romans 15:5-7

The Word was God - What Word?

The word “WORD” is a general term.

Yet, without introduction or explanation, John opens his book by using it as a particular term, “THE WORD”.

This is only valid communication if the recipients of the book already knew the precise sense John intended for the term, and if subsequent users also have the information available to them which enables them to reach the same certainty. The NEW TESTAMENT makes clear that they did, and we also do.

Constant usage from Pentecost A.D. 33 onward settles what the apostles taught as the particular meaning of “THE WORD”.

“Many of those who heard THE WORD (of the gospel) believed” - Acts 4:4

“Give ourselves... to the ministry of THE WORD (of the gospel)” - Acts 6:4

“Those... went everywhere preaching THE WORD (of the gospel)” - Acts 8:4

“THE WORD (of the gospel) which God sent preaching peace” - Acts 10:36

“When they had preached THE WORD (of the gospel) in Perga” - Acts 14:25

“The gentiles should hear THE WORD OF THE GOSPEL and believe” - Acts 15:7

“If you hold fast THAT WORD (of the gospel) which I preached” - 1 Corinthians 15:1-2

“By THE WORD of the truth (of the gospel)” - 2 Corinthians 6:7

“You heard THE WORD of truth, THE GOSPEL of your salvation” - Ephesians 1:13

“Furtherance of THE GOSPEL... to speak THE WORD without fear” - Philippians 1:12,14

“You heard before in THE WORD of the truth of THE GOSPEL” - Colossians 1:5

“Having received THE WORD (of the gospel) and doctrine” - 1 Thessalonians 1:6

“Those who labour in THE WORD (of the gospel) and doctrine” - 1 Timothy 5:17

“Preach THE WORD (of the gospel) be ready” - 2 Timothy 4:2

“In due time manifested HIS WORD (the gospel) through preaching” - Titus 1:3

“He brought us forth by THE WORD of the truth (the gospel)” - James 1:18

“In the beginning was THE WORD (of the gospel)... with God” - John 1:1

Philippians Chapter 2 - The Vital Terms

“Morphe” Philippians 2:6 “the FORM of God”; Philippians 2:7 “the FORM of a slave”

Liddell & Scott, Greek-English lexicon:

“Form, shape... fine form, beautiful form or shape... figure... a person... fashion, appearance... the outward form or semblance, as opposed to the “Eidos” or true form... kind, sort... gesture... the mere form, outline”

The Bible itself:

Mark 16:12:

“After that he appeared in another form (Morphe) unto two of them, as they walked and went into the country”

Luke 24:15-16, 31:

“Jesus himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were kept from recognising him... and their eyes were opened and they recognised him” (RSV)

Morphe has to do with the external features perceived by an observer, not with “inner reality” or the like.

In Philippians 2, Morphe refers to Jesus’ conduct and way of life, which were seen to be like God’s as regards holiness, love and such virtues, and like a slave’s in humility.

The Trinitarian definitions of “Morphe”: “Essence, true nature, inner reality” are not sustained by the evidence.
“Huparcho” Philippians 2:6 “BEING in the form of God”
Liddell & Scott, Greek-English lexicon:

“To begin, start, to make a beginning of... to begin to be, come into being, arise, spring up... to be there, be at hand, be ready... (simply) to be, to be (of a good natural disposition), there is, the fact, is that, to exist really (opposed to semblance - PHAINOMAI), to exist now (opposed to being or existing before PROGENESTHAI)... to be such, to be so and so... to be possible, to lie under, to be taken for granted... to belong to, be property of, to be on (one or other) side... (participle) (one’s) property, all that is at one’s command, present advantages, one’s means, the circumstances, natural parts, talents... to belong... to rule in subordination to another, be lieutenant (to someone)”.

From this comprehensive survey by Liddell & Scott, it is evident that the Trinitarian claim that “HUPARCHO” means “BEING ORIGINALLY (before birth, before the incarnation)”, is special reading.

The Biblical usage that follows confirms this.

“Schema” Philippians 2:8 “being found in FASHION as a man”

Liddell & Scott, Greek-English lexicon:

“Like Latin “HABITUS”, the form, shape, frame, outward appearance, the figure, person... form, figure (as opposed to the reality), a mere outside, a mere show, pretence... bearing, look, air, mein, stateliness, dignity, pomp, gestures... manner, way, conformation, posture, position... a character (assumed (Latin) “PERSONA”, “PARTES”)... the state, nature, constitution (of a thing)... species, kinds (of diseases)... (dancing) steps, a dance (in logic) the figure (of a syllogism)... sketch, outline, plan, scheme (a mathematical) form, diagram.”

The Bible itself:

1 Corinthians 7:31 - “For the form of this world is passing away”.

Where the “SCHEMA” is that “found” by an observer, it has to do with external features discernible by the senses. Here it refers to birth, development, wants and their satisfaction, experience of weariness and sickness, ageing and the like, which are characteristic of man, as distinct from God.

An Outline of the Bible’s Answer to the Doctrine of the Trinity

PROPOSITION:	JESUS IS NOT GOD

PROOF:

SUPPOSE:	Jesus is God

THERFORE:	Attributes of God = Attributes of Jesus

AND SINCE:	God in immortal (never dying) - 1 Timothy 6:16

THEREFORE:	Jesus is immortal (never dying)

BUT:	Jesus DID die - 1 Corinthians 15:3; Acts 2:23-24 Then received immortality - Acts 13:30, 34, 37; Revelation 1:18; John 5:26

HENCE:	The supposition is INCORRECT

THEREFORE:	JESUS IS NOT GOD

PROPOSITION:	JESUS IS NOT GOD

PROOF:

SUPPOSE:	Jesus is God

THEREFORE:	Attributes of God = Attributes of Jesus

AND SINCE:	God is supreme, subject to none

THEREFORE:	Jesus in supreme, equal with God

BUT:	Jesus is subordinate to God In the past - John 14:28; 5:19,30 Now - 1 Corinthians 11:3 In the future - 1 Corinthians 15:28 i.e. - Jesus is NEVER equal with God

HENCE:	The supposition is INCORRECT

THEREFORE:	JESUS IS NOT GOD

PROPOSITION:	JESUS IS NOT GOD

PROOF:

SUPPOSE:	Jesus is God

THEREFORE:	Attributes of God = Attributes of Jesus

AND SINCE:	God cannot be tempted - James 1:13

THEREFORE:	Jesus cannot be tempted

BUT:	Jesus was tempted - Hebrews 4:14-15

HENCE:	The supposition is INCORRECT

THEREFORE:	JESUS IS NOT GOD

PROPOSITION:	JESUS IS NOT GOD

PROOF:

SUPPOSE:	Jesus is God

THEREFORE:	Attributes of God = Attributes of Jesus

AND SINCE:	God is omniscient - Romans 11:33-35

THEREFORE:	Jesus is omniscient (all-knowing)

BUT:	Jesus is not omniscient:
	* Born:	a baby
	* Growing up:	developed wisdom - Luke 2:52
	* Adult:	Mark 13:32
	* Dead:	dead 3 days - 1 Corinthians 15:3-4
		without knowledge - Ecclesiastes 9:10
	* Resurrected:	lacking knowledge - Acts 1:7
	* Ascended:	lacking knowledge - Revelation1:1
	i.e. - Jesus is NEVER omniscient

HENCE:	The supposition is INCORRECT

THEREFORE:	JESUS IS NOT GOD

PROPOSITION:	JESUS IS NOT GOD

PROOF:

SUPPOSE:	Jesus is God

THEREFORE:	Attributes of God = Attributed of Jesus

AND SINCE:	God cannot be seen of men - 1 Timothy 6:16; John 1:18

THEREFORE:	Jesus cannot be seen by men

BUT:	Jesus was seen and will be seen by men Mortal life - Mark 9:14, 15, et cetera Resurrected - John 21:14; 1 Corinthians 15:5,7 Ascended - Acts 9:17,27 Returned - Revelation 1:7

HENCE:	The supposition is INCORRECT

THEREFORE:	JESUS IS NOT GOD

The Triune God Unscriptural

The unscriptural triune God is one of the Roman Catholic Church’s mysteries (see Revelation 17:5; 2 Thessalonians 2:7) which Catholic and Protestant Churches of almost all denominations have blindly adopted.
Unknown to the Bible, the trinity was formulated in the 4^th and 5^th centuries after Christ. Its final form, the Athanasian Creed, dated from the 5^th century A.D. It is in fact a revival of a pagan doctrine originated in Babylon, and grafted onto Catholic doctrine as a result of acceptance into that Church of pagan philosophical reasoning.
The triune God is said to consist of three persons, each of which is in all respects coequal, and coeternal to the other two persons.

Trinitarian Concepts

The ETERNAL GENERATION of the Son
The ETERNAL PROCESSION of the Holy Ghost

To be born is an event completed at a particular instant in time. It cannot be eternal.
To proceed forth is an act begun at a particular instant of time. It cannot be eternal.

The “Athanasian” Creed

3) But the Catholic faith is this, that we worship on God in trinity: and trinity in unity

4) Neither confounding the persons nor dividing the substance.

5) There is one person of the Father: another of the Son, another of the Holy Spirit.

6) But Father, Son and Holy Spirit are one godhead: equal in glory coeternal in majesty.

7) Such as the Father is, so is the Son; such is the Holy Spirit.

8) The Father increate, the Son increate; the Holy Spirit increate.

Clauses 9 to 19 pronounce each of the 3 persons: “infinite”, “eternal”, “omnipotent”, “God”, “Lord”, but prohibit concluding that therefore there are three infinites, eternals, omnipotents, Gods or Lords.

20) The Father is made from nothing: neither created nor born.

21) The Son is from the Father alone: not made nor created but born.

22) The Holy Spirit is from the Father and the Son: not made, nor created, nor born, but proceeding.

23) There is therefore one Father not three Fathers; one Son not three Sons, one Holy Spirit not three Holy Spirits.

24) And in this trinity none is before or after: none greater or less. But all three persons are coeternal and coequal to each other.

25) Thus as everywhere so now it is affirmed above: both unity in trinity and trinity in unity is to be worshipped.

26) Whoever therefore wishes to be saved: this should think of the trinity.

The error of “the trinity” is nowhere taught in the Bible. It is the lowest point of the apostasy predicted by Paul - 2 Thessalonians 2:3. Its laboured confusion and contradiction contrast totally with the simple clarity of Christ.

“This is life eternal, that they might know Thee (the Father) the only true God...”

John 17:3