Bible References on the Nature of God
Bible origins
Trinitarian verses?
- Genesis 1:2. The phrase "Spirit of God" found in this verse is generally understood by trinitarians to mean the Third Person of the Trinity. However, a careful study of the usage of ruach ("spirit") here and in the Hebrew Bible itself tells a different story.
- Genesis 1:26. See Trinity doctrine - Genesis 1:26.
- Deuteronomy 6:4. See The Shema.
- Isaiah 9:6. See REV commentary on Isaiah 9:6 where the phrases "Mighty God" and "Everlasting Father" are discussed in detail. It should be noted that both Martin Luther and James Moffatt translated "Mighty God" as "divine hero" in their Bibles. The Hebrew for "Mighty God" is el gibbor which is used elsewhere in the Old Testament as "heroes" or mighty men when found in the plural. Also, trinitarians deny that Jesus is the "Everlasting Father," since that would "confound the Persons" as stipulated in their creed. Obviously then, this is not the correct translation.
- Matthew 1:18-20. Discusses the reference to [the] holy spirit at Jesus' birth.
- Matthew 3:16-17. See Answer
to the question: How many Beings were present at Christ's baptism?
- Matthew 28:18-20. See Matthew 28:18-20 - The
Great Commission.
- Mark 12:28-34. : “Right, Teacher,” the scribe replied. “You have stated correctly that God is One and there is no other but Him.
- Luke 1:35. Discusses the reference to [the] holy spirit at Jesus' birth.
- John 1:1-18. The first part of John's prologue (John 1:1-18) in which the logos is introduced is generally considered to be referring to the Son. However, when the logos is interpreted from a historical perspective, the meaning of both the prologue and the entire gospel itself changes.
- John 1:18. No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him.
- John 4:24. The KJV has "God is a spirit" while most modern translations have "God is spirit." The correct reading is "God is spirit." Pulpit Commentary: God is Spirit (Πνεῦμα ὁ Θεός; cf. John 1:1, Θεὸς η΅ν ὁ Λόγος, - the article indicates the subject, and the predicate is here generic, and not an indefinite; therefore we do not render it, "God is a Spirit"). Also, Vincent's Word Studies: God is spirit. Spirit is the emphatic word; Spirit is God [literally in Greek]. The phrase describes the nature, not the personality of God. Compare the expressions, God is light; God is love (1 John 1:5; 1 John 4:8).
- John 8:58. Used by trinitarians to defend the idea that Jesus is co-eternal with the Father.
- John 10:30, "I and the Father are one." Trinitarians will read, "I and the Father are one {God or essence/nature}." The truth is that Jesus is saying that he and the Father are one in purpose and will and in the works Jesus was doing in the name of the Father. Just as Jesus and the Father are one, so we are to be one with them. John 17:20-23, "that they may all be one just as You Father are in me and I in You.... that, they may be one, just as we also are one, I in them and You in me, that they may be perfected in one." Also, see the context of this verse. In context, John 10:27-30 speaks of Jesus' protective care for his sheep as well as the Father's protective care for them. In this regard, they are one.
- John 18:6: When Jesus said to them, "I am he," they drew back and fell to the ground.
- John 20:28: Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!”
- Acts 5:3-4. Discusses Ananias and Sapphira lying to the holy spirit.
- Romans 10:13. For "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." In this prayer formula, Paul here is quoting Joel 2:32 where Joel is clearly referring to Yahweh, but in Romans 10:13 Paul is referring to Jesus Christ. Some use this verse to prove that Jesus is Yahweh, or Jesus is God. However, the possibility exists that both are true. Namely, that we can pray to both Yahweh and Jesus. We have examples of this in Acts 7:59 where Stephen called on the name of the Lord as he was being stoned to death and Acts 9:14 and 1 Corinthians 1:2. See Can We Pray to Jesus?
- 2 Corinthians 13:14. See Trinity doctrine - 2 Corinthians 13:14. See also: An Examination of 2 Corinthians 13:14
- Hebrews 1:8. Discusses "Your throne, O God is forever and ever."
- Hebrews 2:11. Discusses "all have one source."
- 1 John 5:7. See: Is
1 John 5:7 Trinitarian?
- 2 John 1:9. Discusses the "doctrine of Christ."
- Revelation 1:8. Discusses "Alpha and Omega."
|
