God the Father, God Most High
Messiah Yeshua, Son of God
Holy Spirit, Counselor, Comforter
Doctrine of the Trinity has been around for centuries. After searching for any scripture that would state unequivocally that ‘God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit’ are indeed three in one, it became apparent that this particular doctrine is based on interpretation of Scripture. I visited the website of the denomination which taught me this doctrine as a young child and found a very convoluted answer, although the explanation began by stating that the term ‘Trinity’ is not found in Scripture. I then searched the website of a church belonging to this denomination, and found a more concise answer: That God exists as three “co-equal” persons. As there is no definitive scripture regarding the ‘Trinity’, then I believe this tenet of religion requires further examination.
I agree that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit work in concert to carry out the will of God. “…when the Spirit of Truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own initiative but will say only what he hears…” (John 16:13, Complete Jewish Bible) This belies the notion that the Spirit is “co-equal” to God. Of note, there is no record of Jesus or the Holy Spirit giving their input or recommendations, but simply obeying God. “…I tell you that the Son cannot do anything on his own, but only what he sees the Father doing; whatever the Father does, the Son does too.” “I can’t do a thing on my own. As I hear, I judge; and my judgment is right; because I don’t seek my own desire, but the desire of the one who sent me.” (John 5:19, 30, Complete Jewish Bible)
“When the Counselor comes, whom I will send you from the Father – the Spirit of Truth, who keeps going out from the Father – he will testify on my behalf.” (John 15:26, Complete Jewish Bible) This scripture makes it clear that the Holy Spirit is sent by God. There is no scripture that advocates for worship of the Holy Spirit. If he is truly equal to God, he would deserve – even demand – our worship.
Jesus came introducing a new covenant by his sacrificial death on the cross. He was also an example of this new covenant. “For his [Yeshua’s] death was a unique event that need not be repeated; but his life, he keeps on living for God. In the same way, consider yourselves to be dead to sin but alive for God, by your union with the Messiah Yeshua.” (Romans 6:10-11, Complete Jewish Bible) Paul made the plan of salvation simple: dead to sin, alive in Christ. The new covenant is the Torah written on our hearts. In his salutations Paul consistently recognizes God the Father, his Son Yeshua, and the Holy Spirit, but not as a ‘trinity.’ (Romans 1:2-7, 16:27; I Corinthians 1:3, 16:23-24; II Corinthians 1:2-3, 13:14; Galatians 1:3-4, 6:18; Ephesians 1:2-6 (and others))
Now we can explore whether this doctrinal teaching is in harmony with Scripture. “…where a forerunner has entered on our behalf, namely, Yeshua [Jesus], who has become a cohen gadol [high priest] forever, to be compared with Melchizedek. This Melchizedek, king of Shalem, a cohen [priest] of God Ha’Elyon [Most High]…” “…You are a cohen FOREVER, to be compared to Melchizedek.” (Hebrews 6:20-7:1, 17, Complete Jewish Bible) Melchizedek is compared to Christ, although he is not considered God.
Jesus, praying to his Father, said; “…Holy Father, guard them by the power of your name, which you have given to me, so that they may be one, just as we are.” “I united with them and you with me, so that they may be completely one…” (John 17:11, 23, Complete Jewish Bible) If Jesus, united with his Father, is God, then does this infer that we too will become Gods? In another example Paul quotes from Genesis regarding marriage, “Therefore a man will leave his father and mother and remain with his wife, and the two will become one.” (Ephesians 5:31; Genesis 2:24) Does this mean that a woman, by becoming “one” with her husband, becomes a man? Of course not.
There is unity – being connected – without being co-equal. “My sheep listen to my voice, I recognize them, they follow me, and I give them eternal life. They will absolutely never be destroyed, and no one will snatch them from my hands. My Father, who gave them to me, is greater than all; and no one can snatch from the Father’s hands. I and the Father are one.” (John 10:27-30, Complete Jewish Bible) Salvation and eternal life are through Christ, and this verse makes it clear that Christ understands that his Father, God, is “greater than all.” I refer back to Romans 6:10; “…but his [Yeshua’s] life, he keeps on living for God.” After his death and resurrection, Christ continues to be obedient to God, his Father.
We are to worship both the Father and the Son; “…To the One sitting on the throne and to the Lamb belong praise, honor, glory and power forever and ever!” (Revelation 5:13, Complete Jewish Bible) Christ offered up his very life, taking the punishment for our sin, in order to reconcile us to God. He is worthy of all praise and glory, and by praising and worshiping Yeshua we are in no way slighting the Father as he placed everything under his rulership. “for “He put everything in subjection under his feet.” But when it says “everything” has been subjected, obviously the word does not include God, who is himself the one subjecting everything to the Messiah.” (I Corinthians 15:27, Complete Jewish Bible)
I believe, as was first prophesied in Psalms about Christ, that Jesus is a priest forever (Psalms 110:4). Jesus is “one” with his Father, God Most High, but not co-equal.
Why is this important? During the early days, following Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection, Paul continually addressed false doctrines and teaching that were being introduced into the newly formed Messianic Communities. God gave us his Word, refined to purity, and if we decide to interpret the Word with inferences, however slight and seemingly inconsequential, it does, without fail, lead to falsehoods. God admonishes us to read and adhere to the Word without adding to or taking away from his Holy Scripture. “Every word of God’s is pure; he shields those taking refuge in him. Don’t add anything to his words; or he will rebuke you, and you, found a liar.” (Proverbs 30:5-6, Complete Jewish Bible)