.Jeremiah.
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How did the Lord give me the understanding of the Trinity?
Well, it was a long time ago in a place far far away from where I live now. I am not sure exactly the first point in my life when I believed the Trinity. If my memory serves me correctly: My first memory of the Trinity was hearing it at church. But I also knew about the Trinity through Chick Publications because of their tracts, as well. For I was saved by a one of their tracts called, “This Was Your Life” back in 1992. I later came to discuss the Trinity in depth on various Christian forums over the past 10 years and my study of the truth of the Trinity only strengthened when I dug deeper into God’s Word (defending it). So I did not just follow blindly follow the crowd what I was originally taught, but I confirmed such a truth with the Word like a good Berean should do.
What is my understanding of the Trinity?
My understanding of the Trinity (i.e. Godhead - KJB) is that the Lord our God is one God and yet He also exists as three distinct persons (i.e. the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost). Basically God is one being or entity and yet He is three persons. He is three and yet one (Which is what 1 John 5:7 says in my Bible). Yes, I am aware of the doubters on 1 John 5:7. But I believe it by faith like I believe John 3:16 by faith.
1 John 5:7 KJB says,
“For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.”
But there is a trail of historical evidence for 1 John 5:7, though.
Here it is:
200 AD Tertullian wrote "which three are one" based on the verse in his Against Praxeas, chapter 25.
250 AD Cyprian of Carthage, wrote, "And again, of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost it is written: "And the three are One" in his On The Lapsed, On the Novatians, (see note for Old Latin)
350 AD Priscillian referred to it [Corpus Scriptorum Ecclesiasticorum Latinorum, Academia Litterarum Vindobonensis, vol. xviii, p. 6.]
350 AD Idacius Clarus referred to it [Patrilogiae Cursus Completus, Series Latina by Migne, vol. 62, col. 359.]
350 AD Athanasius referred to it in his De Incarnatione
398 AD Aurelius Augustine used it to defend Trinitarianism in De Trinitate against the heresy of Sabellianism
415 AD Council of Carthage appealed to 1 John 5:7 when debating the Arian belief (Arians didn't believe in the deity of Jesus Christ)
450-530 AD Several orthodox African writers quoted the verse when defending the doctrine of the Trinity against the gainsaying of the Vandals. These writers are:
A) Vigilius Tapensis in "Three Witnesses in Heaven"
B) Victor Vitensis in his Historia persecutionis [Corpus Scriptorum Ecclesiasticorum Latinorum, Academia Litterarum Vindobonensis, vol. vii, p. 60.]
C) Fulgentius in "The Three Heavenly Witnesses" [Patrilogiae Cursus Completus, Series Latina by Migne, vol. 65, col. 500.]
500 AD Cassiodorus cited it [Patrilogiae Cursus Completus, Series Latina by Migne, vol. 70, col. 1373.]
550 AD Old Latin ms r has it
550 AD The "Speculum" has it [The Speculum is a treatise that contains some good Old Latin scriptures.]
750 AD Wianburgensis referred to it
800 AD Jerome's Vulgate has it [It was not in Jerome's original Vulgate, but was brought in about 800 AD from good Old Latin manuscripts.]
1000s AD miniscule 635 has it
1150 AD minuscule ms 88 in the margin
1300s AD miniscule 629 has it
157-1400 AD Waldensian (that is, Vaudois) Bibles have the verse
1500 AD ms 61 has the verse
Even Nestle's 26th edition Greek New Testament, based upon the corrupt Alexandrian text, admits that these and other important manuscripts have the verse: 221 v.l.; 2318 Vulgate [Claromontanus]; 629; 61; 88; 429 v.l.; 636 v.l.; 918; l; r.
Source:
D. W. Daniels.
The Trinity
The Bible teaches that there is one God (Deuteronomy 6:4) (1 Timothy 2:5) (Isaiah 45:5).
Yet, the Bible also teaches that there are distinctions within the Godhead or that there is a plural nature to God.
Here are a couple of quick points:
#1. The word Elohim (אֱלֹהִ֔ים) is both a singular and a plural noun.
#2. God refers to Himself in plural form (Genesis 1:26) (Genesis 3:22) (Genesis 11:7) (Isaiah 6:8).
#3. Plurality of God in New Testament (Matthew 28:19) (2 Corinthians 13:14) (John 14:16-20).
#4. Introductions to both the Son & Holy Spirit (Daniel 7:9,10,13,14) (John 14:16)
#5. Different persons of Godhead appear at one time (Luke 3:21-22)
#6. Distinctions of Wills (Luke 22:42).
#7. Conversations Between the Godhead (Psalm 2:1-12) (Psalm 45:6-7) (Psalm 110:1) (Matthew 11:27) (John 17:24).
The Trinity is told to us in one verse in the King James Bible.
“For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.” (1 John 5:7 KJB).
While I use Modern Translations to update the 1600’s English in the King James Bible, you have to be careful with Modern Translations because they also teach a lot of false doctrine.
See this CF thread here to learn more.
Anyways, 1 John 5:7 is removed in most Modern Translations. Just Google “the origin of Arianism” (Anti-Trinitarianism) and you will see that it originates from Alexandria, Egypt. Yet, scholars testify that the Critical Text of where most Modern Translations come from is from Alexandria, Egypt. So surely it is not a coincidence that this verse was removed so as to attack the Trinity because the gnostics did not believe in it in Alexandria, Egypt.
If you know anything about Egypt in the Bible, it is generally regarded in a negative way within the Scriptures.
Romans 1:20 also says,
"For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:"
Meaning, even nature itself declares the Godhead (or the Trinity).
Atoms = Nucleus, Protons, Electrons.
Water Molecules = Hydrogen Atom, Hydrogen Atom, Oxygen Atom.
Man Made in God's Image = Physical Body, Spirit Body, Soul.
Although the word "Trinity" is not found within the Scriptures, the word "Godhead" is used instead (Acts of the Apostles 17:29) (Romans 1:20) (Colossians 2:9).
Again, Modern Translations attempt to change the word “Godhead” in the King James Bible to mean something else like “divine nature” etc.; But Godhead is the correct translation and it synonymous with Trinity.
Trinity | Definition, Theology, & History
If you are interested, I could keep going if you like.
May God bless you this fine evening.
Wow, Bible Highlighter, you were EXTREMELY thoughtful and helpful with your response. It was very helpful and I thank you very much for your effort. I was not expecting such a thorough answer, but was delighted to read it.
May God bless you my friend.
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