TESTS

1. The Watchtower Test: “We need to examine, not only what we

personally believe, but also what is taught by any religious
organization with which we may be associated. Are its teachings
in full harmony with God’s Word, or are they based on the
traditions of men? If we are lovers of the truth, there is nothing to
fear from such as examination.” (The Truth that Leads to Eternal
Life, Brooklyn: The WTBS of Pennsylvania, 1968, p.13)
2. The Bible Test: 2 Cor 13:5; Eph 3:17
3. The Jesus Identity Test: Mtt 16:15; Mr 8:29; Lk 9:20; Jn 5:39-40
4. The First & Last Test: Rev 1:8,11, 17-18, 22:12-13
5. The Thomas Test: Jn 20:28
6. The Bodily Resurrection Test: Acts 3:26; Jn 2:18-22, 20:24-29, 24:39-40
7. The Name of Salvation Test: Acts 2:21; Rom 10:12; Joel 2:32; Acts 4:12;
1 Cor 1:2
8. The Salvation Assurance Test: 1 Jn 2:25, 5:13; Rom 8:35-39, 10:12
9. The Test of Who Raised Christ’s Body: Acts 3:26; Jn 2:18-22, 20:24-29,
24:39-40
10. The Witness Test: Is 43:10; Acts 1:8; Jn 14:26; Mtt 18:20; Lk 21:8
11. The Gospel Test: Gal 1:1-10; 1 Cor 15:1-11
12. The Test of Whose Blood was Shed for the Church: Acts 20:28
13. The Jesus-Michael Test: Angels are not men, Jesus was a man. Jesus
cannot be an angel and He can never change (1 Jn 4:2, 3; 2 Jn 1:7; 1 Tim
3:16; Heb 13:8). Angels could not have created because they themselves
are creations.
14. The Zeal Test: Rom 10:1-4, 9; Jn 5:39-40; 2 Cor 11:3-4. It’s not good
enough just to be zealous – you must be zealous about the correct cause

WARNING TO TEST FOR TRUTH AND HERESY

Jude 4 Denying our only Lord

2 Cor 11:3-4 Corrupted from simple Gospel to another gospel
Gal 1:6-12 Any other gospel
2 Thes 3:14 Not obey words of Paul
2 Tim 3:15 Scriptures – salvation in Christ
2 Cor 4:2 Handling Bible deceitfully
1 Thes 5:21; Acts 17:11 Examine everything; Bereans
Rom 16:17 Contrary doctrine
Deut 18:18-20; 2 Pet 2:1 Falsely claiming to be a prophet (1914, etc.)

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1. ARGUMENTS FOR THE DEITY OF JESUS CHRIST

A. SAME TITLES & FUNCTIONS

Saviour
Father: Is 43:3, 11, 45:21-22, 49:26, 63:8; Hos 13:4; Acts 2:21; Rom
10:9, 13 (cf Acts 4:11-12); Lk 1:47; 1 Tim 2:3; 4:10; Tit 1:3-4
Son: Tit 1:4, 2:13 (3:4); Phil 3:20; Lk 1:46; 2:11; Jn 1:1, 29, 4:42; Acts
4:10-12, 13:23, 2 Tim 1:10, 2:10, 2 Pet 1:1, 2:20, 3:18; Heb 1:8, 3:6,
5:9; 1 Jn 4 :14

Creator
Father: Gen 1:1; Is 40:28, 43:1, 44:24-25, 45:7-18; Ps 33:9, 6, 95:5,
6, 102:24-25; Jer 32:17-18; Mal 2:10; Job 33:4; Mt 19:4-6; Lk 2:22; Acts
4:24; Rev 4:11
Son: Col 1:15-16; Jn 1:2, 3, 10 (cf. Ps 33:6; Heb 11:3); 1 Cor 8:6; Heb
1:3, 10 (Ps 102:24-26); Acts 3:15 (killed author of life); Eph 3:9 (God
created through Son); Rev 3:14; Job 33:4 (Spirit created us); Gen 1:2
(Spirit hovered); Heb 1:3 (upholds universe)

I AM
Father: Ex 3:14; Deut 32:39; Is 43:10, 44:4
Son: Jn 8:24, 58, 18:4-6; note that NWT translates all other “ego emi”
as “I am” except Jn 8:58 (e.g., Jn 6:35, 41, 8:24; 13:19; 15:5) –
invented ‘past perfect’ fictitious Greek tense; 1 Tim 6:16; Rev 7:14,
9:16; “have been” only acceptable in context- not here.

God
Father: Deut 4:39, 6:4; Ex 15:11; Is 43:10-11, 44:6-8, 45:5-6, 21-22,
26; 1 Ki 8:60; 1 Tim 1:17, 2:5; Rom 3:30; 1 Cor 8:4-6; Jas 2:19; Ps 96:4-
6
Son: Is 9:6 (Is 10:21; Jer 32:18; Lk 22:69); 7:14 - Immanuel (Mtt 1:23);
Lk 2:11; Jn 20:28; Acts 4:10-12; Heb 1:8 (cf Is 45:6); Tit 2:13 (3:4-6); 2
Pet 1:1, 2:20, 3:18; Jn 8:58; 1 Cor 4:4; 8:4-6; Phil 2:6; Col 1:17, 2:9; Rev
4:11; Rom 8:9 (Spirit of God / Spirit of Christ interchangeable), 9:5

King of Kings; Lord of Lords

Father: Deut 10:17; Ps 136:3; 1 Tim 6:15; Dan 2:37 (1 Tim 6:15-16)
Son: Rev 17:14, 19:16; 1 Tim 6:15-16

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Immanuel (‘God with us’)
Father: Is 9:6 (cf. Is 10:21, 43:10)
Son: Is 7:14; Mt 1:23

A. SAME TITLES & FUNCTIONS - CONTINUED

Stone
Father: Deut 32:3-4; 2 Sam 22:32; Ps 89:26; Is 44:8
Son: Rom 9:33; 1 Cor 10:3-4; 1 Pet 2:4-8

Our Righteousness
Father: Is 54:5; Jer 23:5-6
Son: 1 Cor 1:30; Rom 2:21-22

Lord our Healer

Father: Ex 15:26
Son: Acts 9:34

Redeemer
Father: Ps 130:7-8; Is 43:1, 48:17, 49:26, 54:5
Son: Acts 20:28; Eph 1:7; Heb 9:12

Husband
Father: Is 54:5, Hos 2:16
Son: Mt 25:1; Mk 2:18-19; 2 Cor 11:2; Eph 5:25-32; Rev 21:2, 9

Alpha and Omega

Father: Is 41:4, 44:6, 48:12-13; Rev 1:8, 17-18, 2:8; in v.11, Alpha and
Omega is speaking to the 7 churches; following this to v.17, it’s Jesus!
Son: Rev 1:7-8, 11, 17, 22:12-13, 20 (A&O is pierced, coming, Jesus)

Our Salvation
Father: Is 12:2; Jer 3:23; Ps 18:14
Son: Lk 2:30; Rom 1:16; 1 Tim 3:16

Holy One
Father: Ps 16:10; Hos 11:9
Son: Acts 2:27; 3:14

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Almighty / Mighty God
Father: Almighty- TNTC - Gen 17:1; Ez 10:5; Rev 19:5; Mighty- Is
10:21; Jer 32:18
Son: Almighty- Rev 1:8, 17-18; 22:12, 20; Mighty- Is 9:6; Heb 1:3; Mtt
28:18
A. SAME TITLES & FUNCTIONS - CONTINUED

Shepherd
Father: Gen 49:24; Ps 18:31, 23:1, 80:1
Son: Jn 10:11, 16; Heb 13:20; 1 Pet 2:25, 5:4; 1 Cor 10:4

King of Glory - Lord of Glory

Father: Ps 24:8-10
Son: 1 Cor 2:8

One Foundation
Father: Is 28:16
Son: 1 Cor 3:11

King
Father: Ps 95:3; Is 43:15; 1 Tim 6:14-16
Son: Rev 17:14, 19:16

Light
Father: 2 Sam 22:29; Ps 27:1
Son: Jn 1:4, 9, 3:19, 8:12, 9:5

Giver of Physical and Eternal Life

Father: Gen 2:7; Deut 32:39; 1 Sam 2:6
Son: Jn 5:21, 10:28, 11:25

Tries the Reigns of the Heart

Father: Jer 11:20; 17:10
Son: Rev 2:23

Forgiver of Sin
Father: Ex 34:6-7; Neh 9:17; Dan 9:9; Jon 4:2; Ps 103:2-3; Is 43:25;
Num 14:18; Jer 31:34; Mk 2:7

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Son: Mt 9:2; Mk 2:1-12; Lk 24:47, 5:20; Jn1:29; Acts 10:43, 26:18; Col
2:13, 3 :13

A. SAME TITLES & FUNCTIONS - CONTINUED

Who Raised Jesus from the Dead?

Father: Acts 2:24, 32; 1 Cor 6:14; Rom 8:11 (Spirit)
Son: Jn 2:19-22, 10-17-18; Mt 27:40

Transformation of Bodies
Father: Rom 8:23
Son: Phil 3:21; 2 Tim 4:1

Come Like a Thief in the Night

Father: 1 Thes 5:2
Son: 2 Pet 3:10

Day of the Lord

Father: Is 2:12, 13:6, 9; Jer 46:10; Ez 30:3; Amos 5:18; Mal 4:5; 1 Thes
5:2; 2 Pet 3:10
Son: Phil 1:6, 10; Rev 6:16-17

Stilled the Storm

Father: Ps 107:29
Son: Lk 8:24

I am With You
Father: Is 41:10
Son: Mt 28:20

Searches the Heart

Father: Jer 17:10
Son: Rev 2:23

Disciplines
Father: Pr 3:12

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Son: Rev 3:19

No one can Snatch Them

Father: Is 43:13
Son: Jn 10:28-30

A. SAME TITLES & FUNCTIONS - CONTINUED

Will Judge the World in Righteousness

Father: Gen 18:25; Ps 94:2, 96:13, 98:9
Son: Jn 5:22-23; Acts 17:31; 2 Cor 5:10; 2 Tim 4:1

Whose Name we Call upon for our Salvation

Father: Gen 4:26, 13:4, 12:8, 26:25;1 Kings 18:24; Ps 116:4; Joel 2:32;
Zep 3:10; Jn 3:18; Acts 2:21, 22:16; Rom 10:13,17
Son: Jn 10:28, 17:1-2; Acts 4:12; 1 Cor 1:2

Hears and Answers Prayers

Father: Ps 86:5-8; Is 55:6-7; Jer 33:3; Joel 2:32
Son: Jn 14:14; Rom 10:12-13; 1 Cor 1:2; 2 Cor 12:8-9

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B. WORTHY OF SAME HONOUR

Receiver of Glory, Honour and Power

Father: Is 42:8, 11; 48:11; Rev 4:9-11, 5:13, 7:12; 1 Tim 1:17, 6:16
Son: Heb 13:21; Jn 5:23, 17:5; Rev 5:12-13; 2 Pet 1:17
Honour Son like the Father: Jn 5:23; Rev 5:8-13; Heb 1:6; Mt 14:33,
28:9; Lk 24:52; Acts 10:25-26; Rev 22:8-9

Every Knee Will Bow

Father: Isaiah 45:22-23; Rom 14:10-12
Son: Phil 2:10-11

Who is Served?
Father: Jos 24:24
Son: Col 3:24

We are His Witnesses

Father: Is 43:10
Son: Acts 1:8

Not to be Tempted
Father/Son: Mt 4:7; Lk 4:12; Jas 1:13
Multitudes in Heaven Worship Him
Father: Neh 9:6
Son: Heb 1:6

Receiver of Worship
Father: Mt 4:9-10, 9:18, 14:33, 15:25, 28:9; Jn 4:24; Lk 4:8, 24:52,
19:4, 10; Acts 12:20-23, 14:8-18; Ps 97:7; NWT replaces proskuneo (Gr.
worship) with “do obescience”; ONLY when used for Christ; God (Rev
5:14; 7:11; 11:16,); Jesus (Mtt 14:33, 28:9, 17)
Worship God only: Mtt 4:9-10; Not man: Acts 10:25-26; Not
angels: Rev 19:10; Son: Mt 2:8, 11; 14:33; 28:9; Lk 24:52; Jn 9:38;
Phil 2:10-11; Heb 1:6; Rev 5:13-14, 22:9

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C. SAME NATURE & ATTRIBUTES

Omnipresent (‘all present’)

Father: Ps 139:7; Pr 15:3
Son: Mt 18:20, 28:20; Jn 14:20; 2 Cor 13:5; Eph 1:23; Col 2:13, 3:13

Omniscient (‘all knowing’)

Father: Is 40:10-31; 45:5-13; Rev 19:6
Son: Mt 28:18; Mk 1:29-30; Eph 1:20-23; Heb 1:3; Jn 3:13, 10:18,
11:43

Pre-Existent
Father: Gen 1:1; Ps 90:2
Son: John 1:1,15, 20, 30, 3:13, 31, 32, 6:62, 16:28, 17:5, 8:58; Heb
13:8; Is 9:6; Mic 5:2; Col 1:17

Eternal
Father: Ps 102:26-27; Hab 3:6
Son: Is 9:6; Mic 5:2; Jn 8:58; Heb 13:8

Unchanging
Father: Mal 3:6; Jas 1:17; Ps 90:2, 102:26-27
Son: Rom 13:8; Heb 1:11-12, 13:8; Jn 8:58; Col 1:17

Speaks with Divine Authority

Father: “Thus saith the Lord” hundreds of times in OT
Son: Mt 23:34-37; Jn 3:5, 7:46; “Truly, truly, I say…”

Unsearchable
Father: Rom 11:33
Son: Eph 3:8

Trust God, Not Man

Father: Jer 17:5

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Son: Jn 14:1 (many references)

Righteous
Father: Ps 116:5
Son: 1 Jn 2:1 (Christ called the ‘righteous One’)

C. SAME NATURE & ATTRIBUTES - CONTINUED

True and Faithful Witness

Father: Jer 42:5
Son: Rev 3:14

Our Refuge and Strength

Father: Ps 46:1
Son: Phil 4:13

Our Light and Salvation

Father: Ps 27:1
Son: Jn 8:12

Hope
Father: Jer 17:7; Ps 71:5
Son: 1Tim 1:1

Spring of Living Water

Father: Jer 17:3
Son: Jn 4:14

Will Give Drink to Thirsty

Father: Rev 21:6
Son: Jn 7:37

Redeems a People for His Own Possession

Father: Ex 19:5; Ps 130:7-8; Ez 37:23
Son: Tit 2:14

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D. MIRROR PASSAGES: OT LORD & NT JESUS

Dan 7:13 Mr 14:62-64

Is 40:3 Mt 3:3
Ps 45:6-7 Heb 1:8
Ps 102:25-27 Heb 1:10-12
Is 43:13 Jn 10:28-30
Joel 2:32; Gen 4:26; Ps 116:13,17; Rom 10:9, 13; Acts 2:21; 4:21
Zep 3:9

E. DONE IN JESUS’ NAME

Mt 18:20; 1 Cor 5:4 Meet together

Lk 10:17; Acts 16:18 Demons subject to
Lk 24:47 Repentance and forgiveness
preached
Jn 1:12, 3:16; Acts 10:43; 1 Jn To believe and receive forgiveness
3:23; 5:13 of sin
Acts 2:21, 4:12 To obtain salvation
Jn 14:13-14, 15:16: 16:23-24 When we bring petitions to God
Jn 14:26 Is the Holy Spirit sent
Acts 3:16, 4:7-10, 30 Healing the sick and lame
1 Cor 1:2 Did Paul call upon
Eph 1:20-21; Phil 2:9-11 Above every name

F. JESUS’ DEATH, BURIAL AND RESURRECTION

Acts 2:31; 13:34-37 Not allow flesh to see

corruption
Acts 13:34 God raised Jesus
John 2:19, 1 Thes 1:10 Jesus raised Himself
Jn 2:21-22, 20:27; Lk 24:39 Jesus rose with his own crucified
body; not as a spirit creature

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G. JESUS IS NOT AN ANGEL

Col 1:16; Jn 1:3 Created angels

Heb 1:5; 2:16 No angel called God’s Son
Heb 2:16 Christ does not have angel’s
nature
Dan 10:13 Michael part of a group
Jn 3:16; Heb 1:6-7, 14; Phil 2:6-7 Unique; angels servants / Christ
not servant until after incarnation
Heb 2:5,8; 2 Sam 7:16; Lk 1:32; World not subject to angels but is
Rev 19:16; subject to Christ; Christ will rule
Kingdom
Jude 1:9; Mt 4:10-11, 16:23 (if Michael no authority to rebuke
Michael created the universe Satan; Jesus had no problem
including Lucifer, he should have rebuking Satan
been able to rebuke him)
Heb 1:6; Rev 19:10; Phil 2:10; Mt Angels not receive worship
28:9
Dan 10:13, 21, 12:1; Jude 9; Rev Nothing to do with Jesus; Dan
12:7 10:13 who is another chief prince
with Jesus?

H. CLEAR NT STATEMENTS OF CHRIST’S DEITY

Jn 1:1 “Word (logos - theos) became

flesh”
1 Tim 3:15-16 “God (He) was manifest in the
flesh”
Col 2:9 “Fullness of the Godhead bodily”
Jn 20:28 “My Lord and my God”
2 Pet 1:1 “Our God and Saviour”
Heb 1:8 (Ps 45:6) “Thy throne, O God”
Heb 1:10 (Ps 102:25) “Lord, in the beginning… you laid
the foundation…”
Titus 2:13 (3:4,6) “The great God and our Saviour…”
1 Jn 5:20 “This is the true God”
Heb 1:3 “The express image of His person”

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Jn 16:27-28 “I came out from God”
Jn 14:1 “Believe in God, believe in me.”
Jn 6:46; 14:9 “Seen the Father, seen the Son”
Acts 20:28 “He purchased with his own blood”
Rom 9:5 “God over all” “God blessed
forever”
1 Cor 2:9 “Crucified the Lord of glory”

I. JESUS’ STATEMENTS OF DEITY CONSIDERED BLASPHEMY

• Mt 9:2-3, 26 :64-66
• Mk 2:5-7, 14:62-64 (cf. Dan 7:13-14)
• Jn 5:17-18, 8:56-59 (“ego emi”; cf Ex 3:14), 10:29-39, 14:1, 8-13,
23, 19:6-7

J. OT ALLUSIONS TO CHRIST WHICH ARE DESCRIBING GOD

Ps 45:6-7 Heb 1:8-9

Ps 102:25-27 Heb 1:10-12
Zech 12:10 “Look on me, who they pierced”
Dan 7:13 Mk 14:62-64; Rev 1:13; 14:14
Is 7:14 Matt 1.23
Is 9:6 “Mighty God”
Is 44:6 The LORD the King of Israel and his
redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am
the first and the last and no other
gods besides me
Jer 23:6 Descendant of David would be
called ‘THE LORD OUR
RIGHTEOUSNESS’
Mic 5:2 “from the days of eternity”
Is 40:3; Mal 3:1; Mtt 3:3, 11-17, Prophecy about John the Baptist:
11:10; Mk 1:1-3; Jn1:23 Prepare the way for the LORD –
revealed in the NT as Jesus

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2. ARGUMENTS FOR THE TRINITY

A. OT REFERENCES TO THE PLURALITY OF THE GODHEAD

“Certainly the word ‘Trinity’ does not occur in the New

Testament, but the doctrine could hardly be plainer”.
Robert S. Crossley, The Trinity 1987 – IVP; p.30
Ps 110:1 The Lord said to my Lord
Mt 22:41-46
Zech 2:10-12 Jehovah of armies sends Jehovah to earth
Gen 18:1-2 Yahweh appears to Abram as three
persons
Ps 45:6-7 “Your throne, O God… God, your God”
Gen 16:13 God appears in human form
Gen 1:26 “Let us”
Gen 3:22 “One of us”
Gen 11:7 “Let us”
Is 6:8 “Go for us?”
Ps 45:6-7 “Throne O God”
Ps 110:1 “Lord said to my Lord”
Mal 3:1-2 “Lord shall come… saith Lord”
Is 48:13-16 “LORD God and Spirit sent me”
Hos 1:7 “I will save them by the Lord”
Jn 14:15-17, 25-26 “I pray to Father… sends comforter”
Dan 7:13 “Son of man came with clouds”

B. COORDINATE FORMULA FOR TRINITY IN THE NT

Mt 3:16-17, 28:19; Lk 1:30-35, 3:22; Jn 3:34, 8:18, 14:16-17, 23-26,
15:26, 16:7, 13; Acts 1:2, 4, 2:32-33, 5:29-32, 10:36, 38, 20:21-24;
Rom 1:3, 18, 3:20-21, 8:2-30, 9-11; 1 Cor 12:3-6; 2 Cor 1:21; 13:14;

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Gal. 3:13-14, 4:4, 6, 5:5-6, 22-24; Eph 2:18; 4:4-6; 2 Thes 2:13, 16; Tit
3:4-6; Heb 9:14; 1 Pet 1:2, 3:18; 1 Jn 5:6; Jude 20-21; Rev 1:4-5, 4:8

C. HOLY SPIRIT IS A PERSON, NOT AN ENERGY FORCE

He is a ‘He’ Jn 16:13
Took form of a dove Lk 3:22
He speaks Acts 8:29, 13:2,4; 1 Tim 4:1
He bears witness Jn 15:26, Rom 8:16
He feels hurt Is 63:10
Injured by our sin Mk 3:29; Acts 5:3-4
He knows; searches the depths of 1 Cor 2:10-13
God
Dwells in believers Acts 5:24; Eph 5:18
Will lead believers Gal 5:8
A will; distributes gifts accordingly 1 Cor 12:11
Intellect/mind Rom 8:2; Acts 15:28
He can be insulted Heb 10:29
Sensibility Is 63:1-; Eph 4:30
Descended on Jesus Mk 1:10
He intercedes for us Rom 8:26-27
Drove Christ in wilderness Mk 1:12
He fills many people like Jesus Acts 2:4; Eph 1:23
He can be lied to Acts 5:3-4
He forbids Acts 16:6-7
He teaches Jn 14:26
Will rest on you Is 11:2; 42:1;
He gives prophetic messages Acts 11:28
He can be grieved Eph 4:30; Is 63:10
He can be sent Is 48:16; Jn 15:26, 16:7
Jesus – Spirit is upon me Lk 4:18 (Is 61:1-2)
Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit Lk 10:21-22
and Father
Jesus acting through HS Mt 12:28; Lk 11:20
Jesus commissions disciples with Lk 24:49; Acts 1:5-8
Father and HS

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D. HOLY SPIRIT IS GOD

Lied to God, lied to Holy Spirit Acts 5:3-4

The Lord Jehovah is that Spirit 2 Cor 3:17
Savior Jn 3:1-8, 14:16-17, 16:8-11
1 Cor 6:19
Eph 2:18
Ez 36:25-28
2 Thes 3:13
1 Pet 1:2
We are God’s temple where He 1 Cor 3:16
(Spirit) dwells
Omnipresent Ps 139:7-8
Eternal Heb 9:14
Lord 2 Cor 3:16-18 (cf. Ex 34:29-35)
Omnipotent Mic 3:8
Acts 1:8
Rom 8:11, 15:13,19
Zech 4:6
Omniscient 1 Cor 2:10-11
Is 40:13-14
Born of Spirit but only God can do Jn 3:5-7; 1 Jn 3:1
that
Giver of life Job 33:4
Resurrects the dead 1 Pet 3:18
Holy Ps 51:11
Is 57:15, 63:10
Lk 11:13
Eph 4:30
1 Thes 4:8
Truth Jn 14:17, 15:26, 16:13
Grace Heb 10:29
Glory 1 Pet 4:14
Righteous Is 59:17-19
Good Neh 9:20 (cf. Mk 10:18)
Sovereign Ps 51:12; Jn 3:8

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THE DOCTRINE OF THE TRINITY BY SCOTT A. HANSON

Many from other religions argue that Christians

worship three Gods. They also have trouble
acknowledging that Jesus is God. This paper, complete
with scripture references, argues for the existence of
God in three persons.
Christians believe in one Lord, God, Saviour and Creator, but that He
has eternally existed in three distinct persons, each one playing a vital
role in creation and our salvation. We call this the Trinity, or Tri-unity of
the Godhead. This unfathomable mystery is clearly elaborated in
scripture.
“Certainly the word ‘Trinity’ does not occur in the New
Testament, but the doctrine could hardly be plainer” (Robert
S. Crossley, The Trinity 1987 – IVP; p.30).

The Trinity is undoubtedly the most distinctive doctrine of Christianity.

Most religions are pantheistic (Buddhism) or polytheistic (Hinduism).
Two other religions are monotheistic (Judaism, Islam), but only
Christianity recognizes the one true God in three persons. The sacred
book of the Muslims, The Koran, regards Jesus as only a prophet, and
repeatedly denounces as infidels all those who would dare believe in
the Trinity. The Jews largely consider Jesus to have been a great
teacher, perhaps a prophet, but nothing more. So what is the weight of
scriptural evidence for this Trinity?

PARTIAL REVELATION IN THE OLD TESTAMENT

There are many occasions in the Old Testament where Jehovah God
manifested Himself in a plural form (Ps 110:1; Mtt 22:41-46; Gen 18:1-
2, 16:13; Ps 45:6-7). Ps 110:1 says, “The LORD says to my Lord: "Sit at
My right hand until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet." At
the onset of Creation, Elohim says, “Let us make man in our image”
(Gen 1:26). This was not a “plural of majesty” that a king would use
about himself. This clearly indicated plurality within the Godhead. In
many other passages, God is spoken of in the plural (Gen 3:22, 11:7, Is
6:8, 48:16; Ps 45:6-7, 110:1; Hos 1:7; Mal:1-2; Jn 14:15-17, 25-26).
Zech 2:10-12 speaks of Jehovah of armies has sent Jehovah who is
coming. In Isaiah 48:16, the Son, the divine Word who is speaking, is
being sent into the world by the Father and the Spirit:

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 Come near to Me, listen to this: From the first I have not
spoken in secret, From the time it took place, I was there.
And now the Lord GOD has sent Me, and His Spirit."

MORE COMPLETE REVELATION IN THE NEW TESTAMENT

The New Testament provides us with a formula, in which all three
persons are listed together. Some call this the coordinate relationship
of the Trinity, which is involved in every aspect of our salvation and
sanctification. Before salvation, every member of the Godhead was
involved in our election (1 Peter 1:2). The actual event of salvation is
accomplished by the working of God the Father, the Son and the Holy
Spirit (Gal 4:4-6). The believer is baptized into the name (note the
singular use of name in scripture when referring to the Trinity) of the
Father, Son and Holy Spirit (Matt 18:19). The Trinity is involved in
purging us of dead works and serving the living God (Heb 9:14).

An extremely important part of our Christian walks is prayer. This is

also accomplished with each person of the Trinity participating (Eph
2:18). We are empowered (Eph 3:16-19; Jn 16:16-17) and taught (Jn
14:26, 15:26) by all three persons of the Trinity.

WHAT SCRIPTURE TEACHES ABOUT GOD

From scripture, we can know that there is one God; that God exists as
three distinct persons; and that each person is fully God. Let’s break
this down and look at the evidence.

A. There is one God

Christianity is a monotheistic religion, as is Judaism and Islam.
Scripture is clear on this point. There is one God (Is 43:10, 45:5-6; 21-
22;1 Cor 8:6), one Lord (Deut 6:4); one Saviour (Is 43:11); one
Creator (Is 44:24).

"You are My witnesses," declares the LORD, "And My

servant whom I have chosen, So that you may know and
believe Me And understand that I am He. Before Me there
was no God formed, And there will be none after Me. (Is
43:10)

There are literally dozens of Old and New Testament passages that
clearly affirm one God. The first two Commandments make it clear that
there are no other gods.
Then God spoke all these words, saying, "I am the LORD
your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of
the house of slavery.” You shall have no other gods before

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 Me. "You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness
of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in
the water under the earth. (Ex 20:1-4). See also Jeremiah
2:11,28.

B. God exists as three distinct unchanging persons

The Hebrew Elohim (“Almighty God’) is a plural word, alluding to the
Trinity. Furthermore, Deuteronomy says, Hear, O Israel: The LORD our
God is one Lord. However, the Hebrew echad (“one”) means united or
unity, not singularity. It is the same word used in Gen 2:24, when God
creates Even from Adam and says, “…they shall become one flesh.”
Obviously a husband and wife remain two persons although they are
united in one flesh through marriage. One of the clearest passages on
unity and diversity of God, as well as the deity of Jesus Christ, is John
1:1-2:

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with
God, and the Word was God.
He was in the beginning with God.

We also know from scripture that the three persons have existed
eternally. When Jesus prays to the Father in John 17:5, He asks that He
would be glorified by the Father with the glory He had with the Father
before the world was. Also, in Hebrews 13:8 we read, Jesus Christ is the
same yesterday, today and forever. Finally, God chose us “in” the Son
before the foundation (creation) of the world (Eph 1:3-4). The
previously given examples of the plurality of the Godhead in the Old
Testament and the coordinate relationship of the Father, Son and Holy
Spirit in the New Testament are strong evidence of the Trinity.

C. Each person is fully God

The Holy Trinity is a mystery and proves that our human minds cannot
comprehend all that God is. That revelation remains for our future
glorification as believers. This is not the only difficult doctrine.
However, it is wrong to think that we can’t understand the Trinity at all.

All three persons of the Godhead are identical in nature, or “being” but
different in roles and how they relate to each other: one undivided
being. This is not a contradiction. Each person of the Godhead shares
identical natures as holy, eternal, omnipresent, omnipotent,
omniscient, creator, sanctifier, and so on. God’s being is so much
greater than ours that within His one undivided being there can be, as
Grudem puts it, “an unfolding into interpersonal relationships, so that
there can be three distinct persons.” (Grudem, Systematic Theology,
p.254). This unity and diversity is reflected in the earthly relationships

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of family and marriage that God has established for us. In these roles,
we see separate persons as part of a whole, in which the separate
members relate to each other through various roles of authority and
submission. However, unlike the human examples, each person of the
Godhead is fully God, not just one-third of Him. This is why most
analogies of the trinity fall short and in fact give an erroneous view of
the Trinity. Each person has the whole fullness of God’s being Himself.

Father is God
It is evident throughout the Old and New Testaments that God the
Father is the sovereign Lord over all and that Jesus prays to the Father
in heaven.

Jesus is God
The deity of the Son of God is thoroughly laid out in scripture:
i. The Son and the Father share the same titles (I AM, God, Lord,
Saviour, salvation, shepherd, King of kings, Lord of Lords, Rock,
first and the last, etc).
ii. They share the same attributes (receiver of worship, every
knee will bow, receiver of glory and honour, to be obeyed).
iii. They share the same qualities (unchanging, holy, unsearchable,
righteous, eternal, omniscient, omnipotent, true and faithful
witness, light, hope, living water, etc.).
iv. They share the same acts (created the universe, redeems us
from our sins, forgives, hears our prayer, stilled the storm, He is
with us, disciplines those He loves, no one can snatch them from
out of His hands, He will judge the world).
v. Many Old Testament prophecies allude to the Saviour Messiah
being Jehovah Himself, with attributes and titles of God alone (Is
9:6, Zech 12:10; Mic 5:2).
vi. Jesus’ proclamation of His Godhead regarding the Father being
in Him, forgiving sins, being the “I AM”, etc. (Mtt 9:2-3, Mk 2:5-7,
14:62-64; Jn 5:17-18, 8:56-59, 10:29-39, 14:8-13). These
statements blasphemous to the Pharisees.
vii. New Testament statements of Christ’s deity: God (Jn 1:1);
God manifest in the flesh (1 Tim 3:16); Godhead dwells in Christ
bodily (Col 2:9); Thomas proclaims Christ is God (Jn 20:28); “Our
God and Saviour” (1 Pet 1:1; Tit 2:13); Father calls the Son “God”
(Heb 1:8); the true God (1 Jn 5:20); exact imprint of God (Heb
1:3); Jesus came out of God (Jn 16:27); if you believe in God you
believe in Christ (Jn 14:1); first and last, alpha and omega (Rev
1:17, 22:13-14).

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Holy Spirit is God
Admittedly, the deity of the Father and the Son are more thoroughly
laid out in scripture than for the Holy Spirit. However, the Bible is clear
that the Holy Spirit owns many of the same names, titles, attributes
and functions, and is thus not just some vague “energy force”. Once
we understand that the Father and the Son are both fully God, we more
clearly see how those verses of coordinate relationship (e.g., Mtt
28:19) prove the deity of the Holy Spirit. In Acts 5:3-4, Peter accuses
Ananias of lying to God by lying to the Holy Spirit. Ps 139:7-8 talks
about God’s Spirit. Paul says that the Spirit teaches the depths of God
(1 Cor 2:10-11). In fact, we know that that God is spirit (Jn 4:24).

THE ROLES OF THE PERSONS OF THE TRINITY

Regarding the way that God relates to the world through creation and
redemption, the three persons of the Trinity are known to have
different functions or roles. Grudem refers to this as the “economy of
the Trinity.” The different functions for the Father, Son and Holy Spirit
are simply outworkings of an eternal relationship between the three
persons, one that has always existed and always will. Considering
creation, although God the Father spoke creation into existence, it was
God the Son who carried out those commands (John 1:3, Col 1:16, Heb
1:10). The Holy Spirit had an active role of “energizing” the early
creation – the manifestation of God’s immediate presence in His
creation (Gen 1:2). The same applies to redemption. God the Father
planned it and sent His Son to accomplish it (John 3:16, Gal 4:4). The
Son, in obedience to the Father, accomplished it (John 6:38, Heb 10:5-
7). When Jesus ascended into heaven, the Holy Spirit was
commissioned by the Father and Son to apply redemption to us (John
14:26).

Thus we can say that the persons of the trinity always have and always
will relate to each other according to their relationship to each other.
They are equal in nature (ontogeny) but different in role (economy).

ANALOGIES FALL SHORT

“It is best to conclude that no analogy adequately teaches

about the Trinity, and all are misleading in significant ways.”
(Grudem, Systematic Theology, p. 241).
The excellent teaching curriculum, Firm Foundations: Creation to
Christ, (New Tribes Missions) strongly warns against using any analogy
for the Trinity:
“Do not try to explain the Trinity. It is impossible, and all
illustrations (e.g., water, egg, triangle) fall far short of the
truth. It is better to admit that we cannot understand the

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 Trinity.” (Trevor McIlwain, Firm Foundations: Creation to Christ,
Children’s Ed; Book Two, p. 20).

The main reason that these analogies fail is that the Father, Son and
Holy Spirit are each fully God, and God exists as all three at the same
time. A final reason why we should not use analogy is because
scripture never does. Although many characteristics of God and His
nature are given in scripture through figurative speech or parable,
nowhere does the Bible illustrate the Trinity, except by identifying the
three persons of the Godhead.

The creation itself is seemingly a model of the tri-unity of the Godhead

(Rom 1:20). There are many aspects of the physical universe (space,
time, matter) and humans (body, soul, spirit) that point to the true
God, who is diverse in nature, although these models fall short as well.
The best analogy might be the “space” of God’s created universe.
Space is comprised of three dimensions, each of which permeates and
fills ALL space. However, space can only exist within all three
dimensions. Each dimension is a different but equal function to the
other dimensions.

Thus, although no man could ever model the Godhead, God has clearly
told us about His nature in Scripture. There are no real differences
between the persons of the Trinity in deity, attributes, or nature. Each
person is fully God with all the attributes of God. As Grudem says,
“The only distinctions between the members of the Trinity are
in the ways they relate to each other and to creation
(Grudem, Systematic Theology, p. 251).

THE IMPORTANCE OF THE DOCTRINE OF THE TRINITY

“…Christianity stands or falls with the confession of the deity
of Christ and of the Trinity… In the confession of the Trinity
throbs the heart of the Christian religion: every error results
from, or upon deeper reflection may be traced to, a wrong
view of this doctrine (Grudem, p. 248 quoting from Herman
Bavinck, The Doctrine of God, 1977, pp. 255-334).

The Trinity is essential to Christianity. Only God could bear the full
wrath of God against all our sins, not some creature. Furthermore, how
can we trust that Christ can make us fully justified by faith in Christ if
he in turn is not fully God? Also, if Jesus is not God, why are we
instructed to pray to and worship Him and that all creation will bow
down before Him one day? Only God is worthy of worship. If He is not

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God then it is idolatry to worship Him. Considering salvation, if Christ is
merely a creature, then we are relying on one of God’s creations to
save us as opposed to God.

Finally, why should we think that there could be any ultimate unity
within the universe if it is being held together by many gods as
opposed to one God with perfect unity within Himself?

CONCLUSION
Scripture teaches one God in a tri-unity, each person being fully God
and bearing the same nature but with diverse roles. This is reflected in
the human family relationships (husband-wife, father-child, Christ-
church) that God has established for us. These diverse roles within the
Trinity are essential for creation and redemption and distinguish
Christianity from every other religion. It is a mystery only because of
our finite minds. One day we will see face to face and better
understand this and other difficult doctrines of God.

The Tri-Universe (#204)

by Henry Morris, Ph.D.
Abstract
"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

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eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse" (Romans
1:20).
In a previous Back to Genesis article, "The Wonderful Truth of the
Trinity" (Acts & Facts, November 2005), the Biblical doctrine of the tri-
une God (or Trinity) was briefly expounded in terms of some of the key
verses of Scripture teaching it. A comprehensive treatment was
obviously impossible in three pages (entire books have been written on
this subject), but at least the essential truth was presented, namely
that the God of Creation is one God, in three Persons—Father, Son, and
Holy Spirit.

This is arguably the most important doctrine of Christianity—certainly

the most distinctive. This does not mean that there are three Gods;
there is only one God who created Heaven and Earth and everything in
them. The term "God" as used in the Bible most commonly refers to
the Father, but the Son and the Holy Spirit are each also recognized as
God. This concept is so difficult for many to accept that some have
argued that the three divine Persons are not really three distinct
individuals but merely three modes in which the one God can express
Himself as occasion demands.

But this also is a false invention. There are many accounts of the
Father and Son and Holy Spirit speaking to each other, for example.
The doctrine of the Trinity is admittedly difficult (in fact impossible) to
comprehend fully with our minds, but it is taught so definitely in God's
Word that we believe it with our hearts.

Skeptics can deride the Trinity doctrine as mathematically impossible.

One plus One plus One does not equal One, but three. Nevertheless,
the Bible reveals God to be a Trinity—one God in three Persons. Are we
naïve and credulous to believe such a thing?

Well, not really. It is also a remarkable fact that the divine Trinity, the
tri-une God, has created a great universe which is itself a trinity, with
each of its three components also structured as trinities. This would not
necessarily prove that God is a Trinity, but it is a fact that needs
explanation. Could God have created it as a model (or type, or
analogy) that would help people understand His own Nature, at least in
some degree?

Consider: The created universe is actually a tri-universe of Space,

Matter, and Time, each permeating and representing the whole.
However, the universe is not partly composed of space, partly of
matter, and partly of time (like, for example, the three sides of a
triangle). A trinity is not a trio or a triad, but a tri-unity, with each part
comprising the whole, yet all three required to make the whole. Thus,

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the universe is all Space, all Time, and all Matter (including energy as a
form of matter); in fact, many scientists speak of it as a Space-Matter-
Time continuum.

Furthermore, note the parallels between the divine trinity and the tri-
universe in terms of the logical order of its three components. Space is
the invisible, omnipresent background of everything in the universe.
Matter-and-Energy reveal the reality of the universe. Time makes the
universe understandable in the events occurring in it. Note that exactly
the same sentence will apply if the words Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
replace the words, Space, Matter, and Time.

Space itself is also a tri-unity, comprised of three dimensions, with

each dimension permeating all space. The reality of any portion of
space is obtained by multiplying the three dimensions together (the
"mathematics of the Trinity" is not 1+1+1=1, but rather 1x1x1=1).
Further, Space is identified in the first dimension seen in the second
dimension, experienced in the third dimension. The same sentence
could be used with Father, Son, and Spirit replacing first, second, and
third dimensions.

Similarly, Time is future, present, and past. The future is the unseen
source of time, manifest moment-by-moment in the present and
understood in the past. Again substitute Father, Son, and Spirit.

Finally, Matter is unseen, omnipresent Energy, manifesting itself in

various forms of measurable motion, then experienced in
corresponding phenomena. For example, light energy generates light
waves, which are experienced in the seeing of light. Sound energy
generates sound waves which we experience when we hear sound.

Thus, the physical universe is a great "trinity of trinities," with the inner
relationships of each element modeling the relationships of Father,
Son, and Holy Spirit. All of this (as cautioned above) does not prove
that God is a Trinity, but it certainly is a remarkable fact. It is an
amazing effect, which can at least seemingly be explained on the
assumption that God is a tri-une God, and has made His creation to
reflect Himself. In fact it is very hard to explain any other way.

The above several paragraphs have been quoted mostly from the
footnotes supporting Romans 1:20 in The Defender's Study Bible. So
far as I know, however, this striking analogy was first recognized by Dr.
Nathan H. Wood, former president of Gordon College in his book The
Secret of the Universe (Warwick Press, 1932), which included a very
laudatory Foreword by Dr. G. Campbell Morgan, one of the greatest

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British Bible teachers of the early twentieth century. This book was also
reprinted by Kregel in 1978, under the title The Trinity in the Universe.

It is therefore a fact that the physical universe is a great trinity of

trinities. But how about the universe of life? Many expositors have
called attention to the fact that each person is a trinity of body, soul,
and spirit. Each of these entities is real and distinct, yet each involves
the whole person. The prayer of Paul, in one of his first epistles was
this: "And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God
your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the
coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is He that calleth you, who
also will do it" (I Thessalonians 5:23-24).

The "soul" is that part of the person that is the actual "life" that
energizes the "body," which then is the material component that
others can see and hear and touch. The classic Old Testament verse
relating these two is Leviticus 17:11: ". . . the life of the flesh is in the
blood." The Hebrew word for "life" in this verse is the same word as for
"soul," and scientists have known for many years that it is the blood's
circulation throughout the body that maintains life in the body.

The body's "spirit," on the other hand, is the body's "breath," and this
also is essential for maintaining its life (the Hebrew word for "breath"
and its New Testament Greek equivalent are each used also for
"spirit"). It is sometimes hard to differentiate between soul and spirit
for this reason, but the fact that they are different is confirmed
especially in Hebrews 4:12, which says that "the word of God is quick,
[that is, alive] and powerful [that is, energizing], and sharper than any
two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and
spirit, . . ."

The "spirit" is more than merely the "breath" of the body, however, for
the person's spirit somehow is also that entity which partakes of the
very image of God. When the first man was yet an inert body formed of
the dust of the ground, God "breathed into his nostrils the breath of
life; and man became a living soul" (Genesis 2:7). Thus "God created
man in His own image" (Genesis 1:27). The breath of God thereby
became the image of God implanted in man's body of dust and his
living soul.

The analogy with the tri-unity of God is fairly obvious. The soul is the
life of the body, unseen and intangible but nevertheless the very basis
of the person's existence and actions; the body then is the visible and
tangible manifestation of the soul. Furthermore the spirit of the person
is (like the soul) invisible and intangible but very real in its capacity to

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interact intelligibly with others, especially with God, including also the
ability to make moral and esthetic judgments.

Now animals also possess soul (that is life), body, and spirit (in the
sense of breath). They also in a very limited sense seem able to
interact with other animals and even human beings on more than a
mere instinctive level; however, they cannot, so far as we know,
comprehend moral, or spiritual concepts.

To what extent, if any, this animal tri-unity correlated with that of

humans in the beginning we do not know. In any case, the entrance of
sin and death into the world made drastic changes. Now there is a vast
difference. Death comes to both men and animals, and "all turn to dust
again." But then it is "the spirit of the beast that goeth downward to
the earth" while the spirit of man and "shall return unto God who gave
it" (Eccle-siastes 3:20-21; 12:7), consistently with Paul's prayer noted
above.

In any case, we can infer that both human life and animal life are
actually trinities (three components in the logical trinitarian order with
each also pervading the whole). However, the human tri-unity will be
restored to live forever whereas animals (body, life, breath) will not.
Only men and women are in the image of the eternal God.

Thus, there is a remarkable tri-unity pervading the physical universe,

and also one throughout the biological creation. Neither one is perfect,
of course. No model can ever be perfect when the original is God
Himself. But they are each real trinities. Each unit is distinctive with its
own function, and yet all three are necessary components of the
whole, and each pervades the whole.

These trinities pervading the creation may not be perfect reflections of

the Creator. But they are good and realistic models of the tri-une God
who made them.

It would seem there must be some good explanation for this

remarkable fact other than coincidence. A plausible explanation would
surely seem to be that they were deliberately created by God to help
us understand, in at least some small degree, His own tri-une nature.

*Dr. Henry Morris is Founder and President Emeritus of ICR.

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3. ARGUMENTS FOR SALVATION BY FAITH ALONE

Rom 6:10; Heb 7:27, 9:12, 26, Died once for all
10:2, 10; 1 Pet 3:18
Eph 2:8-9 Grace, not works
Tit 3:5 Mercy
Jn 20:31 Believing gives you life
Rom 3:20 Not observing the law
Gal 2:16 Faith alone
1 Jn 1:9;12 Confess for salvation
Rom11:6 By faith, not works
2 Cor 6:10 Christ died for all
Jn 3:15-18, 36 Believe on the Son
Jn 6:47 Eternal life from believing
Jn 10:10 Life more abundantly
Jn 11:25 Believe in Christ
Jn 12:46 Believe in Christ
Jn 14:6 Way, truth and life
1 Jn 5:5 The one who overcomes is the one
who believes that Jesus is Son of
God
Mr 16:16 Believe and be baptized
Acts 16:31 Believe upon Jesus to be saved
Acts 4:12 No other name under heaven
Heb 9:12 His blood, eternal redemption
Rom 10:9 Confess Jesus as Lord
Rom 6:23 Eternal life through Jesus

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4. ARGUMENTS AGAINST OTHER WTBTS VIEWS

A. 144,000, GREAT CROWD, OTHER SHEEP

Rev 7:4-8 Jews; 12 tribes

1 Jn 5:1 All Christians born of God – not just
144,000
WTBTS Where is the 1935 cut off in the Bible?
Key If tribes symbolic then 144K is also
symbolic
Jn 10:16 Other sheep will be brought into the “one
flock”
Eph 2:11-16 Other sheep are converted Gentiles who
would become “one body” with converted
Jews
Lk 12:32 Jesus speaking to Jews; nothing to do with
144,000
Heb 3:1 Holy brothers partakers of heavenly calling
Mk 3:35 Whoever does God’s will is Jesus’ brother
Heb 11:6 Past OT saints have heavenly home
Eph 4:4 No two classes – all have the same hope
Jn 10:16 Other sheep brought into one fold
Rev 7:4 144,000 out of 12 tribes of Israel
Rev 5:9 Kings and priests out of every tribe and
nation; not 144,000

B. GREAT CROWD IN HEAVEN, NOT EARTH

Rev 7:9 Great Crowd in heaven before the

throne

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Rev 7:15 Great Crowd in His temple
Rev 7:9-10 Great Crowd has salvation from their God!
Rev 19:5-6 Voice of a great crowd responding to God
Jn 17:20-24 Jesus prayed that all believers be with Him

C. REFUTE SECOND CLASS GROUP OF BELIEVERS

1 Cor 12:27 Not members of Christ’s body

Jn 3:3 Can’t be born again
2 Tim 4:18 Can’t share in Christ’s heavenly kingdom
1 Cor 12:13 Can’t receive baptism of Holy Spirit
1 Cor 10:16-17 Can’t participate in communion
Heb 12:24 Not in the New Covenant
Rom 3:26 Can’t be fully justified by faith in Christ
D. HELL IS REAL

Lk 12:46-48 Bad servant will go to weeping and

gnashing
Lk 13:27-28 Depart to where there is weeping and
gnashing
Lk 16:22-28 Beggar and rich man
Mat 13:41-42 Evildoers thrown into the furnace of fire
Mat 13:49-50 Evil into furnace of fire
Mat 22:13 King cast them out to where weep and
gnash
Mat 24:50-51 Bad servant will go to weeping and
gnashing
Mat 25:30 Bad slave to weep and gnash
Mat 26:40 Better for Judas not to be born – hell
Mk 9:47-48 Better no eyes than hell
Lk 6:23-25 Woe to rich who will mourn and weep
Lk 12:4-5 God throws into hell
Rev 14:9-11 Worshipers of the beast will be forever
tormented

E. CONSCIENCE EXISTENCE AFTER DEATH

Phil 1:21 To live is Christ, to die is gain

2 Cor 5:8 Away from body, at home with the Lord

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Lk 23:43 Truly, today in paradise
This phrase used by Jesus 6X in Luke; 71 times
in all 4 Gospels; NWT only puts the comma
after today in this verse – highly biased to get
away from teaching that thief immediately
went to heaven
Lk 12:4-5 Fear Him who can throw you into Hell
Rev 6:9-11 Dead saints with Jesus around throne
Acts 7:59-60 Stephen – receive my spirit
Heb 9:27 Appointed once to die then judgment
Lk 16:22-28 Beggar immediately went to Abraham’s
bosom and rich man went immediately to
Hades

5. ARGUMENTS AGAINST WT EISAGESIS

Mistranslation of Firstborn (prototokos)

• Physical: the first of a mother's offspring <Ex 12:12
• Figurative: the expression "firstborn" stands for that which is
most excellent. Thus Jesus Christ is head of the "church of the
first-born" (Heb. 12:23). "The firstborn of the poor" (Is 14:30)
means the poorest of the poor. "The first-born of death" (Job
18:13) is the most terrible disease. Christ is firstborn from the
dead (Col 1:18). Firstborn among many brethren (Rom 8:29).
Israel God’s firstborn son (Ex 4:22); Ephraim (Jer 31:9; cf Gen
41:51-52); David called firstborn although he was the lastborn
(Ps 89:20, 27).
• Col 1:15 does not refer to “first from his mother’s womb”. It is
referring to his excellence and pre-eminence over all of creation
(clarified in v.19 as supremacy). He obviously created everything
so it would be impossible for him to be created (“He is firstborn
over creation because He created…”). Jesus has dominion over
everything just like the firstborn in a family is heir and lord all
(Heb 1:2). Church of the firstborn (Heb 12:23); v.16 explains why
Jesus is firstborn over creation – because He was the creator of it.

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 • V.16 explains why Christ is firstborn… For (because) by Him all
things were created. Which works better: He was first
created (v.15) because he created all things (v.16) OR He
is supreme over all (v.15) because He created all things
(v.16)?
• Even in the NWT, the firstborn is clearly defined. Firstly, it says
in v.18 that he is the firstborn from among the dead. Clearly
firstborn in this context could not mean “first one born among
the dead”! Secondly, it explains why He is firstborn: “so that in
everything He might have supremacy. Finally, v.19 says that God
was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Christ.
• Firstborn inferred birthright - David was called “firstborn” even
though we know he was the youngest, not the physical firstborn
among Jesse’s children (Heb 12:16; c.f. Ps 89:20-27).
• Manasseh was firstborn to Jacob (Gen 41:51-52) although God
calls Ephraim His firstborn.
• The NWT translates Col 1:16-17 with [other] 4 times in order to
get away from the clear statement that Jesus is the uncreated
Creator. They have no excuse for this addition. They do this
throughout the NT in order to strip Christ of His deity. See also
Acts 20:28 where [Son] is inserted in order to get away from the
clear statement that Jehovah God shed His own blood.

Mistranslation of John 1:1

• 283 anarthrous ‘theos’ in NT; why only ‘a god’ when associated
with Jesus (try 2 Cor 5:19 or Jn 6:45 [cf. Is 54:13])
• ‘theos’ comes first in statement and is therefore emphatic;
• ‘ho theos en ho logos’ would mean that logos is all of God or
interchangeable (Sabellianism), thus denying the Godhead
• Colwell’s rule (JW’s agree with) states that if predicate noun
precedes verb, it is written anarthrous (without definite article)
and is definite with few exceptions.
• How else could John have said it?
• It tears phrase from immediately preceding ones- can the
eternal, creator who was with God be ‘a god’?
• Could John, a devout Jew, write about a god other than Jehovah
when he was strongly monotheistic?
• Is 43:10 – no god formed; only Jehovah; retranslating Jn 1:1
forces JW’s into polytheism

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 • No respected scholar would agree with the ‘a god’ rendering
(Metzger, Mantey)
• Show how NWT doesn’t translate all other anarthrous theos in Jn
1 as ‘a god’.
• Is Jesus then a true god or a false god?

NWT translates anarthrous ‘theos’ in John 1:1 as ‘a god’

This is how John 1 would read if the NWT consistently substituted “a
god” everywhere theos does not have the definite article:

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the
Word was a God.
2 He was in the beginning with God.
3 All things came into being by Him, and apart from Him nothing
came into being that has come into being.
4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.
5 And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not
comprehend it.
6 There came a man, sent from a god, whose name was John.
7 He came for a witness, that he might bear witness of the light,
that all might believe through him.
8 He was not the light, but {came} that he might bear witness of
the light.
9 There was the true light which, coming into the world, enlightens
every man.
10 He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and
the world did not know Him.
11 He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive
Him.
12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to
become children of a god, {even} to those who believe in His name,
13 who were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the
will of man, but of a god.

Mistranslation of Begotten (monogenes)

• A New Testament word that describes Christ as the only, or
unique, Son of His heavenly Father (John 3:16-18; Heb. 11:17; 1
John 4:9). The Greek word expresses the idea of
distinctiveness--" one of a kind." As the unique, sinless Son, Jesus
accomplished our salvation through His death on the cross.)
• Isaac referred to as only begotten but he wasn’t only born to
Abraham because of Ishmael (Heb 11:17-18).
• Only begotten of the dead (Rev 1:5)

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Wisdom Personified (Pr 8:22-31)
• Wisdom personified could be Christ, however brought forth (Heb.
qanah) does not mean created but possessed or brought forth, in
agreement with Heb 1:5-6 (brought forth or begotten)

Misapplication of Matthew 24:45-47

JW’s believe the WT to be the “faithful and wise slave” (God’s channel
or mouthpiece) because they are the only organization on Earth
teaching the truth because they accept everything that the Society
tells them (circular argument).

Verses JW’s misapply to making H.S. into a force

Lk 4:44; Rom 15:13; 1 Cor 2:4

Explaining the Possibility of the Trinity

God can be everywhere at the same time and answer prayers and
speak to people. Is it not possible that God could visit the Earth while
still remaining in heaven to run the universe? E.g., 3 dimensions of
space

Example from Adam and Eve

‘One” (Heb. Echad) means Composite unity, not singularity. Gen 2:24 –
the two shall become one (Echad) flesh (two personalities but one
unified); this is “one” used in Isaiah 43:10; Deut 6:4.

Verses of Christ’s Subordination

These passages show that Jesus “gave up” some of his entitlements as
God to become a man. However, he never relinquished His nature.
Cults and skeptics use these verses to “prove” that Jesus wasn’t God.
But then they have to ignore the vast weight of biblical evidence (e.g.,
John 1:1) that He is God: Jn 14:28; Phil 2:7; Lk 23:34, 46; Jn 11:41,
17:1; Heb 2:9; 5:7; Mk 13:32; Gal 4:4-5

“Jesus never said ‘I am God’”

Jn 8:58 (“ego emi”) – NWT changes to “I have been” for no reason;
furthermore there is no past perfect Gr. tense. No Greek scholar agrees
with this rendering.
Jn 14:9

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It would have been nonsense to a Hebrew if Jesus said that He was
JHWH because JHWH is spirit and has no physical form (Jn 4:24).
Furthermore, they would think of God as the Father, which the Son
isn’t.
The Father called the Son “O God” in Heb 1:10 – it doesn’t get any
clearer

The ‘Invisible’ return of Christ is not so invisible

Mt 24:30-31; Acts 1:10-11; Mt 24:36; Rev 1:7

Artificially separating God and Jesus in a passage

Jn 17:3; 1 Pet 1:1; Jas 1:1; 1 Cor 8:6; Tit 2:13 (3:4, 6); Jude 4.

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