The document discusses the Trinity doctrine from historical and biblical perspectives. It summarizes the teachings of early creeds on the Trinity and examines how Greek philosophy and traditions of men may have influenced early Christian beliefs. The document asserts that the Bible presents God as one and Jesus as His human Son, while the Holy Spirit is God's power, not a person. It warns that traditions of men have led to corruption of Christian doctrine and urges holding fast to what is revealed in Scripture.

1. The Trinity – Fact or Fiction? 29 th June 2008 — Laindon

2. What is the Trinity? The Gospel records The Apostles’ writings The Apostles’ creed The Nicene creed The Athanasian creed The Trentine creed 0 100 300 600 1500

3. Athanasian Creed (1) Whosoever will be saved, before all things it is necessary that he hold the Catholic faith. Which faith except everyone do keep whole and undefiled, without doubt he shall perish everlasting. And the Catholic faith is this: that we worship one God in trinity, and trinity in unity, neither confounding the persons, nor dividing the substance. For there is one person of the father, another of the son, and another of the Holy Ghost [Spirit] but the godhead of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost [Spirit], is all one, the glory equal, the majesty co-eternal such as the father is, such is the son, and such is the Holy Ghost [Spirit]. The Father uncreate, the Son uncreate, and the Holy Ghost [Spirit] uncreate. The Father incomprehensible, the Son incomprehensible, and the Holy Ghost [Spirit] incomprehensible. The Father eternal, the Son eternal, and the Holy Ghost [Spirit] eternal and yet they are not three eternals, but one eternal. As also there are not three incomprehensibles, nor three uncreated, but one uncreated and one incomprehensible

4. Athanasian Creed (2) So likewise the Father is Almighty, the Son Almighty, and the Holy Ghost [Spirit] Almighty, and yet they are not three Almighties, but one Almighty. So the Father is God, the Son is God, and the Holy Ghost [Spirit] is God. And yet they are not three Gods, but one God so likewise the Father is Lord, the Son is Lord, and the Holy Ghost [Spirit] is Lord. And yet not three Lords, but one Lord. For like as we are compelled by the Christian verity to acknowledge every person by himself to be both God and Lord. So are we forbidden by the Catholic religion, to say, there be three Gods, or three Lords. The Father is made of none, neither created, nor begotten. The Son is of the Father alone, not made, not created, but begotten. The Holy Ghost [Spirit] is of the Father and of the Son, neither made, nor created, nor begotten, but proceeding. So there is one Father, not three Fathers; one Son, not three Sons; one Holy Ghost [Spirit], not three Holy Ghosts [Spirits]

5. Our Approach to the Subject How the religions of men and the gods men have worshipped have developed The Word of God and what He has actually revealed about himself The traditions of men and the roots of the doctrine of the trinity The real Truth revealed, the foundation of our beliefs

6. The Religions of Men religion [ ri ­ lij' ə n ], noun belief in, recognition of or an awakened sense of a higher unseen controlling power or powers, with the emotion and morality connected with such; rites or worship; any system of such belief or worship; devoted fidelity; monastic life; a monastic order; Protestantism ( obsolete ). The Chambers Dictionary.

7. The Religions of Men Rest of the World - Polytheism Babylonians Medo-Persians Greeks Jesus & Apostles Christianity Romans Concept of Trinity first appears in Christian beliefs 4000BC 2000BC 0AD 2000AD The God of the Hebrews Judaism “ Hear O Israel, the Lord your God is one Lord”

8. What God has Revealed… “ Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD :” Deuteronomy 6:4 “ And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord :” Mark 12:29

9. What God has Revealed… Luke 1:30-33 “ And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest : and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.” 1 2 3

10. What God has Revealed… “ Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by [through] him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: Acts 2:22 “ Filled with the Holy Spirit”

11. The Traditions of Men Divine Revelation v Traditions of Men

12. Three Greek Philosophers Zeno 336-264 BC Plotinus AD 204-270 Plato 429-347 BC

13. The Traditions of Men Greek Philosophy: 4 th Century BC the writings of Plato- philosophy of a supreme being, his Ideas and his Soul. Later developed into belief in the Threefold One Zeno, father of the Stoics, believed- a supreme God, divine reason (Nous or Logos) and individual reason (Spermatikos Logos) Plotinus, 3 rd century AD, believed in the tripartite god of the One, the nous and the psyche

14. The Traditions of Men “ As Rome expanded, its relations with the Greek communities of southern Italy and later with Greece itself became closer. As a result Greek cults made their appearance, being sometimes new importations, sometimes modifications of existing cults brought about by the identification of Greek with Roman deities.” Source: Encyclopaedia Britannica

15. The Traditions of Men Jesus teaches his disciples He sends out his apostles The apostles warn of corruption Rome persecutes the Christians Constantine makes Christianity the State religion He ‘pays’ the bishops to settle their disputes Christianity spreads Corruption spreads Constantine attributes his military success to Christianity

16. The Traditions of Men “ The sober evidence of history will not allow much weight to the personal authority of the Fathers of Constantinople. In an age when ecclesiastics had scandalously degenerated from the model of apostolic purity, the most worthless and corrupt were always the most eager to frequent and disturb the episcopal assemblies. The conflict and fermentation of so many opposite interests and tempers inflamed the bishops: and their ruling passions were, the love of gold and the love of dispute.” Gibbons: Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire

17. The Traditions of Men You better believe it (but we don’t)

18. The Truth Revealed “ For there is one God , and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;” 1 Timothy 2:5 “ For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham . Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren , that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.” Hebrews 2:16-17 “ Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.” 1 John 4:2-3

19. The Truth Revealed The Holy Spirit not a person: The salutations in Paul’s letters No worship of the Holy Spirit The counsellor/comforter God’s Spirit: “ And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD;” Isaiah 11:2

20. The Truth Revealed “ The Holy Spirit shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God .” Luke 1:35 “ Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit .” Matthew 1:18

21. The Truth Revealed The Scripture are plain: God is the One Eternal Father of all Jesus is His Son was born of Mary a man of flesh and blood but is now glorified as a spirit being seated at God’s right hand The Holy Spirit is God’s power used to accomplish His purpose

22. The Truth Revealed We have been warned by Paul that corruption would occur: “ For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.” Acts 20:29-31

23. The Truth Revealed “ Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.” 2 Timothy 1:13 “ Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering;” Hebrews 10:23 “ Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast,” Revelation 3:3

24. The Message is Clear: HOLD FAST