Examine the Verse
JOHN 1:1
This verse is claimed
to provide the basis of the Trinitarian belief
that God is the Triune God, existing as
three persons―God
the Father,
God the Son and God the Holy Spirit, but one being.
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In the beginning was the Word,
and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
(John 1:1 King James Version) |
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In the beginning was the Word, and the
Word was with God, and the Word was God.
(John 1:1New King James Version) |
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THE Logos existed in the very beginning, the Logos was with
God, the Logos was divine.
(John 1:1, Moffatt Translation) |
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Trinitarian Belief in
God and Jesus Christ:
Trinitarians believe in the Trinity, that God is the "Triune God"
existing as
three persons―
God the Father,
God the Son and God the Holy Spirit, but one being.
All three are
eternal
with no beginning.
Members of the Trinity are
co-equal and co-eternal,
one in
essence, nature, power, action, and will.
Trinitarians believe that Jesus Christ is the eternal second person
"God the Son",
who took on a human body and nature and became
both man and God.
Thus is Jesus is fully man
and fully God simultaneously. |
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Apostle's admonition, warning and
unique way of teaching:
1.
No prophecy of scripture is a matter of personal
interpretation. (II Pt. 1:20, NAB)
2. Do not go beyond what
is written. (I
Cor. 4:6, NIV)
3.
We do not use words of human wisdom. We speak words given to
us by the Spirit,
using the Spirit's words to explain spiritual truths. (1
Cor. 2:13, NLT) |
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Points to Consider: |
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1. Notice
that the above verse John 1:1 is the opening of the Gospel
of John. Apostle John was talking about the "Logos" which is
the original Greek for "Word" in English.
2. If Trinitarians insist that the "Word" in the verse
refer to Jesus pre-existing as God in the beginning. Please
take note what will result if Jesus is the "Logos or
Word": "In the
beginning was Jesus, and Jesus was with God, and Jesus was
God". Then,
how would Trinitarians explain the resulting contradictions:
| Resulting
Contradictions |
Verses contradicted |
(A) If Jesus
is both "was with God" and "was God" at the same time,
then,
there would be two Gods, which is contradictory to
the clear teachings of Jesus himself that "the Lord
our God , the Lord is one" (Mark 12:29); And Jesus
himself introduces that there is only one true
God--the Father in heaven (John 17:1,3), whom He
recognizes as His Father and His God (John 20:17).
And moreover, there will be many verses that will be
contradicted such as Isaiah 43:10; Isaiah 44:6;
Isaiah 46:9;
1 Cor. 8:6; Eph. 4:6 which clearly teaches the
absolute oneness of God in the person of the Father. |
Jesus answered him,
"The
first of all the commandments is: `Hear, O Israel,
the Lord our God, the Lord is one. (Mark
12:29, also Deuteronomy 6:4; and 32:6)
After Jesus
finished saying this, he looked up to heaven and
said, "Father, the
hour has come. . . . . And eternal life means to
know you, the only true God,
and to know Jesus Christ, whom you sent. (John 17:1
,3, TEV)
Jesus said to her, “Do not cling
to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but
go to My brethren and say to them, ‘I am ascending
to My Father and your Father, and to My God
and your God.’” (John 29:17, NKJV)
That you may know and
believe Me,
And understand that I
am He.
Before Me there was no
God formed,
Nor shall there be
after Me. (Isaiah 43:10, NKJV)
Remember the former things of old,
For I am God, and
there is no other;
I am God, and
there is none like Me, (Isaiah 46:9, NKJV)
“Thus says the
Lord, the King of Israel,
And his Redeemer, the
Lord of hosts:
‘I am the First
and I am the Last;
Besides Me there is
no God. (Isaiah 44:6, NKJV)
yet
for us there is one God, the Father, of whom
are all things, and we for Him; ......... (1
Cor. 8:6, NKJV)
one
God and Father of all, who is above all, and
through all, and in you all. (Eph. 4:6, NKJV)
And
many more verses. |
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(B) If in the beginning Jesus "was
God", then, Jesus is God with a beginning, whereas,
the Bible teaches that "God is without beginning or
end" (Ps. 90:20). |
Before the mountains were
created, before you made the earth and the world,
you are God, without beginning or end. (Ps.
90:20,NLT) |
3. How can
the the above verse John 1:1 provide the basis of the Trinity doctrine when.
. . . .
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(A).
it dors not even mention the third person of the
Trinity―God the Holy
Spirit? |
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(B)
it does not even mention any of the
Trinitarian elements that the three persons are
co-equal, co-eternal; one in essence, action, power
and will? |
4. Is the above verse really about the Trinity
doctrine or is it about God's plan for Jesus Christ?
5. For a comparative verse study on John 1:1 and 14:
Please click link to
Comparative Verse Study of John 1:1
(a new window will be opened)
6. For
an
interesting question about John 1:1 and 14:
Please click link to
interesting question #31 |
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John 1:1 in other versions of
the Bible: |
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Before the world began, the Word
was there. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. (Easy to
Read Version)
IN THE beginning [before all time] was
the Word (Christ), and the Word was with God, and the Word
was God Himself.
(Amplified Bible)
In the beginning was the Word, and the
Word was with God, and the Word was God.
(New International Version)
You may use other versions or translations of the Bible.
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___________________
| Bible Study
Suggestion: |
- Search the internet for the
Trinitarian explanation of the above verse.
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Examine
- consider in detail and subject to an analysis in order to discover
essential features or meaning;
Source:
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/examine
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