How did the Trinity doctrine develop in the early church?

[The Learner]

Understanding that the trinity is not a Bible teaching that Jesus ever mentioned, is the first cause for questioning this belief. If Jesus did not teach it, then neither did the apostles. If it was a stated Bible truth, we would not be here debating its authenticity.

If you understand the Greek rendering of John 1:1, as opposed to Christendom’s interpretation of it, you will believe the English translation (a work of men), whilst ignoring what was originally stated by the apostle John, who was especially close to Jesus..... If anyone knew who Jesus was, it was John.

All the apostles collectively acknowledged who their God was......
“for us there is one God, the Father, from whom all things are and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things are and through whom we exist.” (1 Cor 8:6 NCB)

That is a clear and unambiguous statement....all of the apostles were Jewish, as was Jesus, who all knew what Deut 6:4 proclaimed....it was their Shema.

“Hear, O Israel, the Lord, our God, is Lord alone.” (NCB)

In Hebrew it is worded differently.....

4 Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God; the Lord is one.

דשְׁמַ֖ע יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל יְהֹוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֵ֖ינוּ יְהֹוָ֥ה | אֶחָֽד:

You can see in the Hebrew text that “the Lord” is mentioned there twice.....and “the Lord” is “יְהֹוָ֥ה” YAHWEH. But the Jews refused to say it, even though it was still there in their Scripture. Even in the English translation God’s name is missing. Do you see what human traditions can do to God’s word? Who authorised the Jews to stop speaking God’s name? It wasn’t God!

Exodus 3:15...

15 “And God said further to Moses, "So shall you say to the children of Israel, 'The Lord God of your forefathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.' This is My name forever, and this is how I should be mentioned in every generation.”

טווַיֹּ֩אמֶר֩ ע֨וֹד אֱלֹהִ֜ים אֶל־משֶׁ֗ה כֹּ֣ה תֹאמַר֘ אֶל־בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵל֒ יְהֹוָ֞ה אֱלֹהֵ֣י אֲבֹֽתֵיכֶ֗ם אֱלֹהֵ֨י אַבְרָהָ֜ם אֱלֹהֵ֥י יִצְחָ֛ק וֵֽאלֹהֵ֥י יַֽעֲקֹ֖ב שְׁלָחַ֣נִי אֲלֵיכֶ֑ם זֶה־שְּׁמִ֣י לְעֹלָ֔ם וְזֶ֥ה זִכְרִ֖י לְדֹ֥ר דֹּֽר:

God’s name is there in Hebrew, but not in English, rendering that translation invalid because they disobeyed their God and refused to speak his name....something God wanted to be “mentioned in every generation”.

Nowhere in any verse of Scripture is Jesus called “Yahweh”....and if the divine name was still in use when the Greek Scriptures were written, then there would be no trinity since “Lord” is a title, not a name. This title was common in Bible times, but came to be exclusively used as a substitute for YAHWEH. (“God” with a capital “G”)

The use of the definite article in Greek is so often ignored by translators who want to promote a doctrine that simply does not exist in Scripture.
These are the facts that the Bible teaches, but is missing from church theology.


Sorry, but one has only to look at the confusion and divided “mess” that is Christendom’s church system, to understand the dilemma of the “poor readers”.

The truth shines like a beacon outside of that “mess”.....and many are “streaming” to it, as Isaiah foretold for “the final part of the days”. (Isa 2:2-4) These ones are identified by the fact that they will “not learn war anymore”....unlike Christendom who are up to their necks in it....actively supporting the bloodshed of their nations.....true Christians are “no part of this world” as Jesus said they would be....and hated because of it....(John 17:16; John 18:36; John 15:18-21)

The Scriptural facts show us a very different picture to what is presented as “Christianity” today.

The Biblical Basis of the Doctrine of the Trinity by Robert Bowman, Jr.

Robert Bowman, Jr. :: The Biblical Basis of the Doctrine of the Trinity

www.blueletterbible.org

 

[The Learner]

made it to here, wife is dragging me out of the bookroom with chain attached to car . lol

Ouch shoulderssss

 

[walter]

Did the development of theology end with the death of the last Apostle?

I feel the most important words are the ancient words of Jesus and the Apostles in agreement.

Now someone today could even write an article that says: The most important fundamental theology would come from the words in the first century by Jesus and the Apostles in agreement, in this way we can ensure we are not coming up with any new theology, especially when it is explained in detail by Jesus and the Apostles, in this way we are using the earliest words available.

Please advise me am I totally off base?

 

[walter]

I feel the most important words are the ancient words of Jesus and the Apostles in agreement.

Now someone today could even write an article that says: The most important fundamental theology would come from the words in the first century by Jesus and the Apostles in agreement, in this way we can ensure we are not coming up with any new theology, especially when it is explained in detail by Jesus and the Apostles, in this way we are using the earliest words available so we can get the original gospel in mind.

Please advise me am I totally off base?

How can we ever find the original gospel of the first century, if we are not using the actual words from Jesus and the Apostles?

 

[Aunty Jane]

Thus says the WatchTower!

I just quoted Scripture Jack....I never mentioned the Watchtower because it’s the name of a printing facility used by Jehovah’s Witnesses to provide printed, Bible based material to people at no cost.

Does your minister get paid, Jack? Our elders do not.
Does he charge for the services he is supposed to provide? Weddings?...funerals?...baptisms? Our elders don’t.
Is he provided with a house, a car, and all utilities paid for by the congregation? Our elders don’t.
Does he rely on the collection plate (or it’s electronic equivalent) to fund his lifestyle? Our elders don’t because they are self supporting.

Jesus said...”you received free, give free”....should a person expect payment to do the Lord’s work?

I guess you don’t like it when Scripture fails to support your arguments....perhaps you should study the Bible and see for yourself what it teaches...instead of relying on a broken church system that gives its members nothing but repetition and ritual....when people today need so much more....especially spiritually.

Can your church answer all the difficult questions, Jack?....and give people a reason to hope that things will get better here on earth .......or do they have to wait till they die and go to heaven?

 

[walter]

#1. I support my beliefs with only the Bible to ensure I get ancient original theology. 2 Timothy 3:16-17; John 17:17; Luke 8:21; Romans 15:4;
Hebrews 4:12; Matthew 4:4; Acts 17:11
#2. When the Bible does not explicitly address a specific topic, Jehovah's Witnesses are taught to pray and search for related scriptures and guiding principles from within the Bible.

I am not perfect I make mistakes frequently but these are the two main ways we determine anything.

 

[MonoBiblical]

On the other hand One god having three aspects is a common Pagan motif.

Prove it.

 

[MonoBiblical]

In Koine Greek μία is the feminine form of the cardinal “one.” It agrees with feminine nouns in case, number, and gender, and can function adjectivally (“one coin”) or substantivally (“the one”). When paired with the article (ἡ) it often forms a sharp contrast with “the other” (ἡ ἑτέρα). In idiomatic constructions it may carry an ordinal sense (“first”) or mark qualitative exclusivity.

Semantic Range and Illustrative Passages

• Singular enumeration: “one small coin” (Luke 21:2), “one denarius” (Luke 20:24).
• Exclusive emphasis: “one daughter” (Mark 5:42).
• Temporal idiom: “the first day of the week” (literally “day one of the Sabbaths,” Matthew 28:1; Mark 16:2; Luke 24:1; John 20:1).
• Sacrificial uniqueness: “after He had offered for sins one sacrifice for all time” (Hebrews 10:12).
• Covenant unity: “the two will become one flesh” (Genesis 2:24 quoted in Matthew 19:5–6; Ephesians 5:31).

Redemptive-Historical Significance

Scripture’s strategic use of μία highlights the singular events and realities through which God accomplishes salvation: one resurrection day, one efficacious sacrifice, one new humanity. The numeral therefore serves as a linguistic witness to the exclusivity and sufficiency of Christ’s work.

Narrative and Pastoral Usage

Parables and narratives frequently focus on a solitary object or person—“one sheep,” “one coin,” “one pearl”—to reveal the Shepherd-like character of God (Luke 15:4-10; Matthew 13:45-46). Pastoral application follows naturally: every individual soul is precious, warranting deliberate pursuit and care.

Ecclesiological Emphasis

Meeting on “day one,” the early believers proclaimed the unity of the risen Lord’s community. Though other grammatical forms supply “one body” or “one hope” (Ephesians 4:4), μία still undergirds many feminine expressions of oneness, reminding churches to preserve doctrinal harmony and shared mission.

Eschatological Nuances

Revelation underscores the decisiveness of divine judgment with phrases such as “in one day” (Revelation 18:8). The same numeral that marks the dawning of new-creation life in the resurrection also marks the finality of God’s climactic acts.

Christological Focus

Hebrews builds its argument for the finality of the cross on μία: “He sacrificed for sins once for all when He offered Himself” (Hebrews 7:27; cf. 9:12; 10:10). Christ’s singular priestly act eliminates any notion of repeated atonement and grounds the believer’s assurance.

Historical Reception

Early church fathers quickly absorbed the biblical cadence of “one”: one church, one faith, one Eucharist. Their testimony shows how μία shaped ecclesial identity and doctrinal confession from the outset.

Strong's Greek: 3391. μία (mia) -- one

Overkill.

 

[Grailhunter]

Prove it.

You prove it to yourself.....study ancient mythology.

 

[rvmb]

You prove it to yourself.....study ancient mythology.

Hey Grail, I don't get or understand the hate for the Trinity description.
I believe that PRIOR to Gen 1:1 & John 1:1 that The Father, The Word, The HS existed.
How and why They did is beyond my feeble mind to understand and I suspect trying to describe the nuts and bolts of Them is what causes the arguments .

 

[Grailhunter]

Hey Grail, I don't get or understand the hate for the Trinity description.
I believe that PRIOR to Gen 1:1 & John 1:1 that The Father, The Word, The HS existed.
How and why They did is beyond my feeble mind to understand and I suspect trying to describe the nuts and bolts of Them is what causes the arguments .

The term Trinity is not in the scriptures, but it is a good term. Up to the 4th century the Trinity did not have the 3 in 1 definition.....that was done by the Roman Catholic Church and forced on Christians under penalty of death.

Part of the reason that this topic is confusing and the 3 in 1 false belief has lasted so long is because Yahweh's name was taken out of the Old Testament around 6,800 times and replaced with Lord or God.....So the term God became a name. Several times Yahweh said He was the only God and there was no other like Him and He created everything. And over all I agree with Yahweh on this. But the New Testament seems to say that Yeshua was in the Old Testament and created everything. Again I agree with Yahweh.

But I do agree with Albert Einstein's theory on Gods and time. It is complex but essentially Gods relate to time as in to some extent they exist past, present, and future. In that Yeshua and the Holy Spirit existed in the Old Testament but more as awareness not actually named in the Old Testament or part of events. But with the Holy Spirit not having a name and Father and Son having spirits that are holy, it can get confusing.

Posts 156-162 not counting 159 for details.

 

[HealthyShape]

But of the Son he says:
“Your throne, O God, is forever and ever...

And:
“You, Lord, laid the foundation of the earth in the beginning,
and the heavens are the work of your hands...

Heb 1

Jesus is God the Son whose throne is forever and ever and who created the universe. Arianism or "He has begun to exist when He was born of Mary" is obviously a nonsense.

 

[rvmb]

The term Trinity is not in the scriptures, but it is a good term. Up to the 4th century the Trinity did not have the 3 in 1 definition.....that was done by the Roman Catholic Church and forced on Christians under penalty of death.

Part of the reason that this topic is confusing and the 3 in 1 false belief has lasted so long is because Yahweh's name was taken out of the Old Testament around 6,800 times and replaced with Lord or God.....So the term God became a name. Several times Yahweh said He was the only God and there was no other like Him and He created everything. And over all I agree with Yahweh on this. But the New Testament seems to say that Yeshua was in the Old Testament and created everything. Again I agree with Yahweh.

But I do agree with Albert Einstein's theory on Gods and time. It is complex but essentially Gods relate to time as in to some extent they exist past, present, and future. In that Yeshua and the Holy Spirit existed in the Old Testament but more as awareness not actually named in the Old Testament or part of events. But with the Holy Spirit not having a name and Father and Son having spirits that are holy, it can get confusing.

Posts 156-162 not counting 159 for details.

""But with the Holy Spirit not having a name and Father and Son having spirits that are holy, it can get confusing.""
That's why I'm comfortable believing and accepting that in a form we don't clearly understand The 3 existed before creation.
We'll get correctly taught in Eternity so for now be happy just to get there and share the Eph 1:13, 1 Cor 15:1-4 Gospel with those who'll listen.
ps, I'm aligned with the Bible and not a denomination :)

 

[Grailhunter]

""But with the Holy Spirit not having a name and Father and Son having spirits that are holy, it can get confusing.""
That's why I'm comfortable believing and accepting that in a form we don't clearly understand The 3 existed before creation.
We'll get correctly taught in Eternity so for now be happy just to get there and share the Eph 1:13, 1 Cor 15:1-4 Gospel with those who'll listen.
ps, I'm aligned with the Bible and not a denomination :)

That is the good thing about this topic, it is not a salvation thing or belief dependant on being a Christian thing. The Apostles outlined basic Christian beliefs in the oldest creed the Old Roman Creed.

 

[HealthyShape]

That is the good thing about this topic, it is not a salvation thing or belief dependant on being a Christian thing. The Apostles outlined basic Christian beliefs in the oldest creed the Old Roman Creed.

The first citation of the Old Roman Creed we have is from the 8th century.

 

[Jack]

I just quoted Scripture Jack....I never mentioned the Watchtower because it’s the name of a printing facility used by Jehovah’s Witnesses to provide printed, Bible based material to people at no cost.

Or because they told you to not mention Watchtower?

Does your minister get paid, Jack?

Jesus is my 'minister'.

Our elders do not.

How do they have a place to live? To eat? To buy gas? They don't accept donations?

Does he charge for the services he is supposed to provide? Weddings?...funerals?...baptisms? Our elders don’t.
Is he provided with a house, a car, and all utilities paid for by the congregation? Our elders don’t.
Does he rely on the collection plate (or it’s electronic equivalent) to fund his lifestyle? Our elders don’t because they are self supporting.

What are the GB's net worth? Hmmm?

Jesus said...”you received free, give free”....should a person expect payment to do the Lord’s work?

I guess you don’t like it when Scripture fails to support your arguments....

I don't like it when JW's twist the Hell out of Scripture and lead MILLIONS to Hell Fire.

perhaps you should study the Bible and see for yourself what it teaches...instead of relying on a broken church system that gives its members nothing but repetition and ritual....when people today need so much more....especially spiritually.

Can your church answer all the difficult questions, Jack?....and give people a reason to hope that things will get better here on earth .......or do they have to wait till they die and go to heaven?

What would you like to know about the Bible? Jesus is God? Hell Fire is FOREVER? Satan LOVES it when his messengers convince people there is no eternal Hell Fire?

Yeah, I remember when you declared the CYB Statement of Faith and Jesus Satanic! And so will Jesus remember what you said about Him.

 

[Grailhunter]

The first citation of the Old Roman Creed we have is from the 8th century.

Depending on the source......

Old Roman Creed​

I believe in God the Father almighty;
and in Christ Jesus His only Son, our Lord,
Who was born from the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary,
Who under Pontius Pilate was crucified and buried,
on the third day rose again from the dead,
ascended to heaven,
sits at the right hand of the Father,
whence He will come to judge the living and the dead,
and in the Holy Spirit,
the holy Church,
the remission of sins,
the resurrection of the flesh
(the life everlasting). [1]

Origin and Significance in the Churches​

The Old Roman Creed (Romanum) is one of the first known statements of faith of Christianity, based on which later the Apostles' Creed developed. It was originally written in the Greek language, and was translated into Latin by Rufinus of Aquileia.
Whether the Romanum came into existence between the years 125 and 135 is contended. Instead of being the statement of faith at baptism in the city of Rome it is claimed to be, the text may be the the personal statement of faith of Marcellus of Ancyra, that became widely used in the West as Symbolicum Apostolicum after its reception in the church in Rome in the 4th century.

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

An early version of what later became the Apostles’ Creed, called the “Old Roman Creed,” was in use as early as the second century (Kelly, Creeds, 101). The earliest written form of this creed is found in a letter that Marcellus of Ancyra wrote in Greek to Julius, the bishop of Rome, about AD 341. About 50 years later, Tyrannius Rufinus wrote a commentary on this creed in Latin (Commentarius in symbolum apostolorum). In it, he recounted the viewpoint that the apostles wrote the creed together after Pentecost, before leaving Jerusalem to preach (Symb. 2). The title “Apostles’ Creed” is also mentioned about 390 by Ambrose, where he refers to “the creed of the Apostles which the Church of Rome keeps and guards in its entirety”

 

[HealthyShape]

Depending on the source......

Old Roman Creed​

I believe in God the Father almighty;
and in Christ Jesus His only Son, our Lord,
Who was born from the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary,
Who under Pontius Pilate was crucified and buried,
on the third day rose again from the dead,
ascended to heaven,
sits at the right hand of the Father,
whence He will come to judge the living and the dead,
and in the Holy Spirit,
the holy Church,
the remission of sins,
the resurrection of the flesh
(the life everlasting). [1]

Origin and Significance in the Churches​

The Old Roman Creed (Romanum) is one of the first known statements of faith of Christianity, based on which later the Apostles' Creed developed. It was originally written in the Greek language, and was translated into Latin by Rufinus of Aquileia.
Whether the Romanum came into existence between the years 125 and 135 is contended. Instead of being the statement of faith at baptism in the city of Rome it is claimed to be, the text may be the the personal statement of faith of Marcellus of Ancyra, that became widely used in the West as Symbolicum Apostolicum after its reception in the church in Rome in the 4th century.

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

An early version of what later became the Apostles’ Creed, called the “Old Roman Creed,” was in use as early as the second century (Kelly, Creeds, 101). The earliest written form of this creed is found in a letter that Marcellus of Ancyra wrote in Greek to Julius, the bishop of Rome, about AD 341. About 50 years later, Tyrannius Rufinus wrote a commentary on this creed in Latin (Commentarius in symbolum apostolorum). In it, he recounted the viewpoint that the apostles wrote the creed together after Pentecost, before leaving Jerusalem to preach (Symb. 2). The title “Apostles’ Creed” is also mentioned about 390 by Ambrose, where he refers to “the creed of the Apostles which the Church of Rome keeps and guards in its entirety”

The Nicene Creed was adopted in 325 AD, so it seems even older than the supposed first citation of the Old Roman Creed about 341 AD...

 

[walter]

In the 4th Century there Is literally volumes of words that explained the Trinity, where is "any of the scriptures" in the Bible that says the Father the Son and the Holy Spirit are one God, co-equal and co-eternal?

Why is something that is said to be so fundamental, explained fully in the 4th Century but not in the first century?
If it is such a fundamental teaching what did Moses, king David, king Solomon, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob say about it?

 

[rvmb]

In the 4th Century there Is literally volumes of words that explained the Trinity, where is "any of the scriptures" in the Bible that says the Father the Son and the Holy Spirit are one God, co-equal and co-eternal?

Why is something that is said to be so fundamental, explained fully in the 4th Century but not in the first century?
If it is such a fundamental teaching what did Moses, king David, king Solomon, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob say about it?

""If it is such a fundamental teaching what did Moses, king David, king Solomon, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob say about it?""
John 1:1 wasn't written then :)