A Different God
Although Jehovah Witnesses would agree with historic Christianity on some of the attributes of God they only apply these
attributes to God the Father. Jehovah Witnesses constantly misrepresent and attack the doctrine of the Trinity. I find it
interesting that the Watchtower Society on numerous times defines the Trinity correctly and often defines the Trinity incorrectly
as well. One can only wonder do they from time to time forget how to define it, or do they purposely misrepresent the Trinity to
suite their own purpose? Following is a quote by the Watchtower on one of the occasions that they misrepresented the doctrine
of the Trinity.
The Watchtower, April 1,1970, pg.210 (JW)
It may be necessary for us to teach those with whom we study the Bible how to reason on Scripture texts. For example, Mark
12:29 might be read: "Hear, O Israel, Jehovah our God is one Jehovah." Ask the student, "How many Jehovah's are there?" Let
him answer. The answer is obvious that there is only one Jehovah. When he discerns this, you have caused him to register an
important fact in his mind that he might otherwise have missed. Help him to appreciate further what this means to him. Reason
with him, perhaps in this way: "If he is one Jehovah, then could he be three gods, God the Father, God the Son and God the
Holy Ghost, as the Trinitarians teach?" Again, let him answer. "No, Jehovah could not be three gods, for the Bible plainly says
he is one God." Now, you have caused the student to think on a basic Scriptural truth and to understand that Jehovah is but one
God. You have also exposed a basic false doctrine-the doctrine of the Trinity.
The Watchtower on this occasion gave a false definition of the Trinity and then argued that the false definition was not biblical.
Of course the false definition is un-biblical there is indeed only one God Is.44:8. The Trinity however is not shown to be
un-biblical here rather the false definition was shown to be un-biblical instead. Next the Watchtower declared that this exposed
the false doctrine of the Trinity. Trinitarians do not teach that Jehovah is three gods as the Watchtower suggested.
Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary defines the TRINITY as follows:
"The coexistence of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit in the unity of the Godhead (divine nature or essence). The doctrine
of the trinity means that within the being and activity of the one God there are three distinct persons: Father, Son, and Holy
Spirit."
One could Just as easily turn this around and ask the Jehovah Witness how many Gods are there? Of course they will say only
one. Then ask them: "are all other gods false gods?" They should say yes. Then if Jehovah is the Almighty God who is Jesus?
(The New Worlds Translation says Jesus is a god. John 1:1.) The bible clearly teaches there is only one God Is. 44:8. Some
Jehovah Witnesses could be confused at this point because Jesus must be the true God or a false god otherwise you have 2
Gods. However the Jehovah Witness that is well informed by Watchtower literature will declare that Jesus only has the title of
god or lord, but he is not really a true God like Jehovah. Watchtower literature declares there is only one Almighty God and any
other god is merely a title.
Following are 3 quotes from the Watchtower Society concerning the Trinity.
Knowledge 1995 page 30-31, (JW)
"JEHOVAH OUR GOD IS ONE"
The ancient Egyptians worshiped many gods, but Jehovah is "a God exacting exclusive devotion." (Exodus 20:5) Moses
reminded the Israelites that "Jehovah our God is one Jehovah." (Deuteronomy 6:4) Jesus Christ repeated those words. (Mark
12:28, 29) Therefore, those who accept the Bible as God's Word do not worship a Trinity consisting of three persons or gods
in one. In fact, the word "Trinity" does not even appear in the Bible. The true God is one Person, separate from Jesus Christ.
(John 14:28; 1 Corinthians 15:28) God's holy spirit is not a person. It is Jehovah's active force, used by the Almighty to
accomplish his purposes.-Genesis 1:2; Acts 2:1-4, 32, 33; 2 Peter 1:20, 21.
The Watchtower, Feb. 1,1974, pg.75
Does Christianity Require Belief in a Trinity?
ALL major religions of Christendom accept the Trinity doctrine as an article of faith. The more than 250 churches belonging to the World
Council of Churches confess "the Lord Jesus Christ as God and Savior according to the Scriptures and therefore seek to fulfill together
their common calling to the glory of the one God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit."
While the views of the various religious bodies belonging to this fellowship vary radically, all are required to be in agreement that the
"Father, Son and Holy Spirit" are but "one God." Hence, rejection of the Trinity doctrine is, in effect, regarded as a rejection of
Christianity....................................
So, then, can the Trinity doctrine be viewed as Christian? No, for it denies the clear Biblical statements that Jesus Christ is the
"Son of God," the "firstborn of all creation" and the "beginning of the creation by God." (John 20:31; Col. 1:15; Rev. 3:14) It
falsely claims that he is coequal and coeternal with the Father. True Christianity, therefore, requires that we reject the Trinity
doctrine as false, as an "invention" of sinful men. We should worship the Father as the only true God, and do so through his
firstborn Son Jesus Christ, the One who occupies the first place among all of God's intelligent creatures.-Col. 3:17.
Let God Be True, 1946, page 82 (JW)
"The obvious conclusion, therefore is that Satan is the originator of the "trinity" doctrine."
The Watchtower puts out a 32 page pamphlet to argue against the Trinity. The next 3 quotes are from that pamphlet.
Should You Believe in the Trinity?, 1989, page 5 (JW)
However, contending that since the Trinity is such a confusing mystery, it must have come from divine revelation creates
another major problem. Why? Because divine revelation itself does not allow for such a view of God: "God is not a God of
confusion."-1 Corinthians 14:33, Revised Standard Version (RS).
Should You Believe in the Trinity?, 1989, page 6 (JW)
Similarly, in his book The Triune God, Jesuit Edmund Fortman admits: "The Old Testament . . . tells us nothing explicitly or by
necessary implication of a Triune God who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit. . . . There is no evidence that any sacred writer even
suspected the existence of a [Trinity] within the Godhead. . . . Even to see in [the "Old Testament"] suggestions or
foreshadowings or 'veiled signs' of the trinity of persons, is to go beyond the words and intent of the sacred writers."-Italics ours
Should You Believe in the Trinity?, 1989, page 7 (JW)
"The formulation 'one God in three Persons' was not solidly established, certainly not fully assimilated into Christian life and its
profession of faith, prior to the end of the 4th century. . . .
Summing up the historical evidence, Alvan Lamson says in The Church of the First Three Centuries: "The modern popular
doctrine of the Trinity . . . derives no support from the language of Justin [Martyr]: and this observation may be extended to all
the ante-Nicene Fathers; that is, to all Christian writers for three centuries after the birth of Christ. It is true, they speak of the
Father, Son, and . . . holy Spirit, but not as co-equal, not as one numerical essence, not as Three in One, in any sense now
admitted by Trinitarians. The very reverse is the fact."
Thus, the testimony of the Bible and of history makes clear that the Trinity was unknown throughout Biblical times and for
several centuries thereafter.
In the quotes so far by the Watchtower Society we have seen the following:
(1) The doctrine of the Trinity has been misrepresented by declaring it to be a belief in 3 gods and with this false definition the
trinity is declared to be untrue.
(2) Those that believe the bible do not worship a trinity
(3) The word "Trinity" does not even appear in the Bible.
(4) The true God is one Person, separate from Jesus Christ.
(5) God's holy spirit is not a person, but rather it is Jehovah's active force
(6) The doctrine of the Trinity cannot be viewed as Christian
(7) True Christianity, therefore, requires that we reject the Trinity doctrine as false, as an "invention" of sinful men
(8) Satan is the originator of the "trinity" doctrine
(9) The Trinity is confusing therefore God cannot be the author because He is not a God of confusion
(10) The Trinity is not in the Old Testament
(11) The Trinity was not developed until the 4th century AD
(12) THE ante-Nicene Fathers before the 4th century did not teach or believe in the Trinity.
To answer these statements we will show in the following pages:
(1) The Trinity is taught in the bible in both the Old and New Testament
(2) Jesus is God.
(3) God the Holy Spirit is a person, not just an active force.
(4) The Trinity was taught and believed by the early church before the 4th century.
Although Jehovah Witnesses would agree with historic Christianity on some of the attributes of God they only apply these
attributes to God the Father. Jehovah Witnesses constantly misrepresent and attack the doctrine of the Trinity. I find it
interesting that the Watchtower Society on numerous times defines the Trinity correctly and often defines the Trinity incorrectly
as well. One can only wonder do they from time to time forget how to define it, or do they purposely misrepresent the Trinity to
suite their own purpose? Following is a quote by the Watchtower on one of the occasions that they misrepresented the doctrine
of the Trinity.
The Watchtower, April 1,1970, pg.210 (JW)
It may be necessary for us to teach those with whom we study the Bible how to reason on Scripture texts. For example, Mark
12:29 might be read: "Hear, O Israel, Jehovah our God is one Jehovah." Ask the student, "How many Jehovah's are there?" Let
him answer. The answer is obvious that there is only one Jehovah. When he discerns this, you have caused him to register an
important fact in his mind that he might otherwise have missed. Help him to appreciate further what this means to him. Reason
with him, perhaps in this way: "If he is one Jehovah, then could he be three gods, God the Father, God the Son and God the
Holy Ghost, as the Trinitarians teach?" Again, let him answer. "No, Jehovah could not be three gods, for the Bible plainly says
he is one God." Now, you have caused the student to think on a basic Scriptural truth and to understand that Jehovah is but one
God. You have also exposed a basic false doctrine-the doctrine of the Trinity.
The Watchtower on this occasion gave a false definition of the Trinity and then argued that the false definition was not biblical.
Of course the false definition is un-biblical there is indeed only one God Is.44:8. The Trinity however is not shown to be
un-biblical here rather the false definition was shown to be un-biblical instead. Next the Watchtower declared that this exposed
the false doctrine of the Trinity. Trinitarians do not teach that Jehovah is three gods as the Watchtower suggested.
Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary defines the TRINITY as follows:
"The coexistence of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit in the unity of the Godhead (divine nature or essence). The doctrine
of the trinity means that within the being and activity of the one God there are three distinct persons: Father, Son, and Holy
Spirit."
One could Just as easily turn this around and ask the Jehovah Witness how many Gods are there? Of course they will say only
one. Then ask them: "are all other gods false gods?" They should say yes. Then if Jehovah is the Almighty God who is Jesus?
(The New Worlds Translation says Jesus is a god. John 1:1.) The bible clearly teaches there is only one God Is. 44:8. Some
Jehovah Witnesses could be confused at this point because Jesus must be the true God or a false god otherwise you have 2
Gods. However the Jehovah Witness that is well informed by Watchtower literature will declare that Jesus only has the title of
god or lord, but he is not really a true God like Jehovah. Watchtower literature declares there is only one Almighty God and any
other god is merely a title.
Following are 3 quotes from the Watchtower Society concerning the Trinity.
Knowledge 1995 page 30-31, (JW)
"JEHOVAH OUR GOD IS ONE"
The ancient Egyptians worshiped many gods, but Jehovah is "a God exacting exclusive devotion." (Exodus 20:5) Moses
reminded the Israelites that "Jehovah our God is one Jehovah." (Deuteronomy 6:4) Jesus Christ repeated those words. (Mark
12:28, 29) Therefore, those who accept the Bible as God's Word do not worship a Trinity consisting of three persons or gods
in one. In fact, the word "Trinity" does not even appear in the Bible. The true God is one Person, separate from Jesus Christ.
(John 14:28; 1 Corinthians 15:28) God's holy spirit is not a person. It is Jehovah's active force, used by the Almighty to
accomplish his purposes.-Genesis 1:2; Acts 2:1-4, 32, 33; 2 Peter 1:20, 21.
The Watchtower, Feb. 1,1974, pg.75
Does Christianity Require Belief in a Trinity?
ALL major religions of Christendom accept the Trinity doctrine as an article of faith. The more than 250 churches belonging to the World
Council of Churches confess "the Lord Jesus Christ as God and Savior according to the Scriptures and therefore seek to fulfill together
their common calling to the glory of the one God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit."
While the views of the various religious bodies belonging to this fellowship vary radically, all are required to be in agreement that the
"Father, Son and Holy Spirit" are but "one God." Hence, rejection of the Trinity doctrine is, in effect, regarded as a rejection of
Christianity....................................
So, then, can the Trinity doctrine be viewed as Christian? No, for it denies the clear Biblical statements that Jesus Christ is the
"Son of God," the "firstborn of all creation" and the "beginning of the creation by God." (John 20:31; Col. 1:15; Rev. 3:14) It
falsely claims that he is coequal and coeternal with the Father. True Christianity, therefore, requires that we reject the Trinity
doctrine as false, as an "invention" of sinful men. We should worship the Father as the only true God, and do so through his
firstborn Son Jesus Christ, the One who occupies the first place among all of God's intelligent creatures.-Col. 3:17.
Let God Be True, 1946, page 82 (JW)
"The obvious conclusion, therefore is that Satan is the originator of the "trinity" doctrine."
The Watchtower puts out a 32 page pamphlet to argue against the Trinity. The next 3 quotes are from that pamphlet.
Should You Believe in the Trinity?, 1989, page 5 (JW)
However, contending that since the Trinity is such a confusing mystery, it must have come from divine revelation creates
another major problem. Why? Because divine revelation itself does not allow for such a view of God: "God is not a God of
confusion."-1 Corinthians 14:33, Revised Standard Version (RS).
Should You Believe in the Trinity?, 1989, page 6 (JW)
Similarly, in his book The Triune God, Jesuit Edmund Fortman admits: "The Old Testament . . . tells us nothing explicitly or by
necessary implication of a Triune God who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit. . . . There is no evidence that any sacred writer even
suspected the existence of a [Trinity] within the Godhead. . . . Even to see in [the "Old Testament"] suggestions or
foreshadowings or 'veiled signs' of the trinity of persons, is to go beyond the words and intent of the sacred writers."-Italics ours
Should You Believe in the Trinity?, 1989, page 7 (JW)
"The formulation 'one God in three Persons' was not solidly established, certainly not fully assimilated into Christian life and its
profession of faith, prior to the end of the 4th century. . . .
Summing up the historical evidence, Alvan Lamson says in The Church of the First Three Centuries: "The modern popular
doctrine of the Trinity . . . derives no support from the language of Justin [Martyr]: and this observation may be extended to all
the ante-Nicene Fathers; that is, to all Christian writers for three centuries after the birth of Christ. It is true, they speak of the
Father, Son, and . . . holy Spirit, but not as co-equal, not as one numerical essence, not as Three in One, in any sense now
admitted by Trinitarians. The very reverse is the fact."
Thus, the testimony of the Bible and of history makes clear that the Trinity was unknown throughout Biblical times and for
several centuries thereafter.
In the quotes so far by the Watchtower Society we have seen the following:
(1) The doctrine of the Trinity has been misrepresented by declaring it to be a belief in 3 gods and with this false definition the
trinity is declared to be untrue.
(2) Those that believe the bible do not worship a trinity
(3) The word "Trinity" does not even appear in the Bible.
(4) The true God is one Person, separate from Jesus Christ.
(5) God's holy spirit is not a person, but rather it is Jehovah's active force
(6) The doctrine of the Trinity cannot be viewed as Christian
(7) True Christianity, therefore, requires that we reject the Trinity doctrine as false, as an "invention" of sinful men
(8) Satan is the originator of the "trinity" doctrine
(9) The Trinity is confusing therefore God cannot be the author because He is not a God of confusion
(10) The Trinity is not in the Old Testament
(11) The Trinity was not developed until the 4th century AD
(12) THE ante-Nicene Fathers before the 4th century did not teach or believe in the Trinity.
To answer these statements we will show in the following pages:
(1) The Trinity is taught in the bible in both the Old and New Testament
(2) Jesus is God.
(3) God the Holy Spirit is a person, not just an active force.
(4) The Trinity was taught and believed by the early church before the 4th century.
Major Christian Doctrines
Explained & Defended
Explained & Defended
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