Something we have believed for many years

Here's a web page DH found recently that I thought I would share here. This is something we have believed for many years now.

************

Who is Jesus Christ ~ what about the trinity?

by Douglas Tong

If you have ever asked this or a similar question, you are not alone. You need not be concerned that you do not understand the concept of trinity as no one else in the world understands it either.

First of all let me say that neither the word 'trinity' nor its concept is ever taught in the Bible. Trinity is a 3rd century invention by so called 'church fathers' who were converted Greek philosophers steeped in Greek (pagan) philosophy and worldview prior to their conversion. Any trinitarian scholar attempting to explain the trinity will always resort to quoting from these men instead of from the Bible as the concept is unknown in the Bible. The best answer they can manage when hard pressed is 'We can never understand the trinity because it is a mystery' or some variation.

John 1:1 says "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." and John 1:14 "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us..." God and His Word are one just as a man and his word are one. We cannot separate a man from his word and say that they are separate persons. God's Word is God expressing Himself. In the Old Testament God spoke through the mouth of His prophets but when the fullness of time came God expressed Himself in flesh in order to make Himself known like never before. If we want to know how God is like we need only to look at Jesus through the things that He said and did. Jesus is the image of the invisible God (Col 1:15). Jesus was fully God and fully man. As man He hungered, thirsted, slept, prayed, bled and died. As God He healed, raised the dead, had control over the elements, forgave sin.

Trinity is not a mystery as some may have us believe. The only great mystery mentioned in the Bible is found in 1Ti 3:16 ~ And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

To end his piece Dr. Tong wrote these thoughts:

The Creator became the creature but never stopped being the Creator ! - The God of eternity became a man of time but never stopped being the God of eternity ! - The High Priest became the Lamb but never ceased being the High Priest ! - He was all powerful who had no power but yet always had all power ! - The virgin Mary's God who became her son yet was still her only God ! - The Good Shepherd became the sheep but never stopped being the Good Shepherd ! - The bright and morning star became the lily of the valley but never ceased being the bright and morning star ! - He was the root of David who became David's offspring but never stopped being the root of David ! - He is the Father of all creation who became the Son in redemption who never ceased being the Father of all creation ! - Our God became a Man and never stopped being our God !

For any of you interested, the whole article can be found here. It is really good reading.

FlowerLady