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The Nicene Creed

Prehuman Existence. The person who became known as Jesus Christ did not begin life here on earth. He himself spoke of his prehuman heavenly life. (Joh 3:13; 6:38, 62; 8:23, 42, 58) John 1:1, 2 gives the heavenly name of the one who became Jesus, saying: “In the beginning the Word [Gr., Loʹgos] was, and the Word was with God, and the Word was a god [“was divine,” AT; Mo; or “of divine being,” Böhmer; Stage (both German)]. This one was in the beginning with God.” Since Jehovah is eternal and had no beginning (Ps 90:2; Re 15:3), the Word’s being with God from “the beginning” must here refer to the beginning of Jehovah’s creative works. This is confirmed by other texts identifying Jesus as “the firstborn of all creation,” “the beginning of the creation by God.” (Col 1:15; Re 1:1; 3:14
https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1200002451

“I Am”

AT JOHN 8:58 a number of translations, for instance The Jerusalem Bible, have Jesus saying: “Before Abraham ever was, I Am.” Was Jesus there teaching, as Trinitarians assert, that he was known by the title “I Am”? And, as they claim, does this mean that he was Jehovah of the Hebrew Scriptures, since the King James Version at Exodus 3:14 states: “God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM”?

At Exodus 3:14 (KJ) the phrase “I AM” is used as a title for God to indicate that he really existed and would do what he promised. The Pentateuch and Haftorahs, edited by Dr. J. H. Hertz, says of the phrase: “To the Israelites in bondage, the meaning would be, ‘Although He has not yet displayed His power towards you, He will do so; He is eternal and will certainly redeem you.’ Most moderns follow Rashi [a French Bible and Talmud commentator] in rendering [Exodus 3:14] ‘I will be what I will be.’”

The expression at John 8:58 is quite different from the one used at Exodus 3:14. Jesus did not use it as a name or a title but as a means of explaining his prehuman existence. Hence, note how some other Bible versions render John 8:58:

1869: “From before Abraham was, I have been.” The New Testament, by G. R. Noyes.

1935: “I existed before Abraham was born!” The Bible—An American Translation, by J. M. P. Smith and E. J. Goodspeed.

1965: “Before Abraham was born, I was already the one that I am.” Das Neue Testament, by Jörg Zink.

1981: “I was alive before Abraham was born!” The Simple English Bible.

1984: “Before Abraham came into existence, I have been.”
New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures.

Thus, the real thought of the Greek used here is that God’s created “firstborn,” Jesus, had existed long before Abraham was born.—Colossians 1:15; Proverbs 8:22, 23, 30; Revelation 3:14.

Again, the context shows this to be the correct understanding. This time the Jews wanted to stone Jesus for claiming to “have seen Abraham” although, as they said, he was not yet 50 years old. (Joh 8 Verse 57) Jesus’ natural response was to tell the truth about his age. So he naturally told them that he “was alive before Abraham was born!”—The Simple English Bible.
https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1101989307?q=trinity+texts&p=sen
 
JESUS CHRIST is the EVERLASTING FATHER, the PRINCE of PEACE. And it is suitable to refer to the MESSIAH as our EVERLASTING FATHER because the Bible expresses that point.
 
“Equal With God”?

AT PHILIPPIANS 2:6 the Catholic Douay Version (Dy) of 1609 says of Jesus: “Who being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God.” The King James Version (KJ) of 1611 reads much the same. A number of such versions are still used by some to support the idea that Jesus was equal to God. But note how other translations render this verse:

1869: “who, being in the form of God, did not regard it as a thing to be grasped at to be on an equality with God.” The New Testament, by G. R. Noyes.

1965: “He—truly of divine nature!—never self-confidently made himself equal to God.” Das Neue Testament, revised edition, by Friedrich Pfäfflin.

1968: “who, although being in the form of God, did not consider being equal to God a thing to greedily make his own.” La Bibbia Concordata.

1976: “He always had the nature of God, but he did not think that by force he should try to become equal with God.” Today’s English Version.

1984: “who, although he was existing in God’s form, gave no consideration to a seizure, namely, that he should be equal to God.” New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures.

1985: “Who, being in the form of God, did not count equality with God something to be grasped.”
The New Jerusalem Bible.

Some claim, however, that even these more accurate renderings imply that (1) Jesus already had equality but did not want to hold on to it or that (2) he did not need to grasp at equality because he already had it.

In this regard, Ralph Martin, in The Epistle of Paul to the Philippians, says of the original Greek: “It is questionable, however, whether the sense of the verb can glide from its real meaning of ‘to seize’, ‘to snatch violently’ to that of ‘to hold fast.’” The Expositor’s Greek Testament also says: “We cannot find any passage where ἁρπάζω [har·paʹzo] or any of its derivatives has the sense of ‘holding in possession,’ ‘retaining’. It seems invariably to mean ‘seize,’ ‘snatch violently’. Thus it is not permissible to glide from the true sense ‘grasp at’ into one which is totally different, ‘hold fast.’”

From the foregoing it is apparent that the translators of versions such as the Douay and the King James are bending the rules to support Trinitarian ends. Far from saying that Jesus thought it was appropriate to be equal to God, the Greek of Philippians 2:6, when read objectively, shows just the opposite, that Jesus did not think it was appropriate.

The context of the surrounding verses (Php 2:3-5, 7, 8, Dy) makes it clear how Php 2 verse 6 is to be understood. The Philippians were urged: “In humility, let each esteem others better than themselves.” Then Paul uses Christ as the outstanding example of this attitude: “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” What “mind”? To ‘think it not robbery to be equal with God’? No, that would be just the opposite of the point being made! Rather, Jesus, who ‘esteemed God as better than himself,’ would never ‘grasp for equality with God,’ but instead he “humbled himself, becoming obedient unto death.”

Surely, that cannot be talking about any part of Almighty God. It was talking about Jesus Christ, who perfectly illustrated Paul’s point here—namely the importance of humility and obedience to one’s Superior and Creator, Jehovah God.
https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1101989307?q=trinity+texts&p=sen
 
“Equal With God”?

AT PHILIPPIANS 2:6 the Catholic Douay Version (Dy) of 1609 says of Jesus: “Who being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God.” The King James Version (KJ) of 1611 reads much the same. A number of such versions are still used by some to support the idea that Jesus was equal to God. But note how other translations render this verse:

1869: “who, being in the form of God, did not regard it as a thing to be grasped at to be on an equality with God.” The New Testament, by G. R. Noyes.

1965: “He—truly of divine nature!—never self-confidently made himself equal to God.” Das Neue Testament, revised edition, by Friedrich Pfäfflin.

1968: “who, although being in the form of God, did not consider being equal to God a thing to greedily make his own.” La Bibbia Concordata.

1976: “He always had the nature of God, but he did not think that by force he should try to become equal with God.” Today’s English Version.

1984: “who, although he was existing in God’s form, gave no consideration to a seizure, namely, that he should be equal to God.” New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures.

1985: “Who, being in the form of God, did not count equality with God something to be grasped.”
The New Jerusalem Bible.

Some claim, however, that even these more accurate renderings imply that (1) Jesus already had equality but did not want to hold on to it or that (2) he did not need to grasp at equality because he already had it.

In this regard, Ralph Martin, in The Epistle of Paul to the Philippians, says of the original Greek: “It is questionable, however, whether the sense of the verb can glide from its real meaning of ‘to seize’, ‘to snatch violently’ to that of ‘to hold fast.’” The Expositor’s Greek Testament also says: “We cannot find any passage where ἁρπάζω [har·paʹzo] or any of its derivatives has the sense of ‘holding in possession,’ ‘retaining’. It seems invariably to mean ‘seize,’ ‘snatch violently’. Thus it is not permissible to glide from the true sense ‘grasp at’ into one which is totally different, ‘hold fast.’”

From the foregoing it is apparent that the translators of versions such as the Douay and the King James are bending the rules to support Trinitarian ends. Far from saying that Jesus thought it was appropriate to be equal to God, the Greek of Philippians 2:6, when read objectively, shows just the opposite, that Jesus did not think it was appropriate.

The context of the surrounding verses (Php 2:3-5, 7, 8, Dy) makes it clear how Php 2 verse 6 is to be understood. The Philippians were urged: “In humility, let each esteem others better than themselves.” Then Paul uses Christ as the outstanding example of this attitude: “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” What “mind”? To ‘think it not robbery to be equal with God’? No, that would be just the opposite of the point being made! Rather, Jesus, who ‘esteemed God as better than himself,’ would never ‘grasp for equality with God,’ but instead he “humbled himself, becoming obedient unto death.”

Surely, that cannot be talking about any part of Almighty God. It was talking about Jesus Christ, who perfectly illustrated Paul’s point here—namely the importance of humility and obedience to one’s Superior and Creator, Jehovah God.
https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1101989307?q=trinity+texts&p=sen
I'm sorry but you sound like you are making excuses not to regard CHRIST as equated with GOD the FATHER. I know there are many individuals who spend years in the study of both Hebrew and Greek to come up with the correct understanding. I know of no such "Jehovah's" Witnesses School/college/University/seminary, Though they do have the Watchtower Bible School of Gilead to widen their missionary efforts. However all their curriculum is based primarily on their NEW WORLD TRANSLATION of the original Bible text --- so such student abilities would seem limited at best. At the very least it is completely under the manipulation of the Witness Organization. Witnesses are not trained to think for themselves it would seem.
 
It's still important to know the God we worship. Which is why the Nicene Creed was a necessary statement of faith by the Church.

I think 'just follow Jesus' will make you a good person. But won't save if you don't believe he's truly God.

Many think the most original Christianity, in the era of the apostles, is practiced in Ethiopia. A lot Judaism as a base and Jesus added on.

I think the mystism in Catholicism developed to sell the message of Jesus. The Christians were up against Greek, Roman and every other cultures Gods and religion.
 
Must Harmonize With the Bible

IT IS claimed that several other scriptures support the Trinity. But these are similar to those discussed above in that, when carefully examined, they offer no actual support. Such texts only illustrate that when considering any claimed support for the Trinity, one must ask: Does the interpretation harmonize with the consistent teaching of the entire Bible—that Jehovah God alone is Supreme? If not, then the interpretation must be in error.

We also need to keep in mind that not even so much as one “proof text” says that God, Jesus, and the holy spirit are one in some mysterious Godhead. Not one scripture anywhere in the Bible says that all three are the same in substance, power, and eternity. The Bible is consistent in revealing Almighty God, Jehovah, as alone Supreme, Jesus as his created Son, and the holy spirit as God’s active force.

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1101989307?q=trinity+texts&p=sen
 
Must Harmonize With the Bible

IT IS claimed that several other scriptures support the Trinity. But these are similar to those discussed above in that, when carefully examined, they offer no actual support. Such texts only illustrate that when considering any claimed support for the Trinity, one must ask: Does the interpretation harmonize with the consistent teaching of the entire Bible—that Jehovah God alone is Supreme? If not, then the interpretation must be in error.

We also need to keep in mind that not even so much as one “proof text” says that God, Jesus, and the holy spirit are one in some mysterious Godhead. Not one scripture anywhere in the Bible says that all three are the same in substance, power, and eternity. The Bible is consistent in revealing Almighty God, Jehovah, as alone Supreme, Jesus as his created Son, and the holy spirit as God’s active force.

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1101989307?q=trinity+texts&p=sen
You are almost right; however, The FATHER, SON, and HOLY SPIRIT ALL share the name JEHOVAH or YAHWEH. JEHOVAH isn't exclusively the FATHER, and a well studied understanding of the Bible will reveal the truth.
 
Like many politicians, the emperor Constantine understood how religion could be exploited for political purposes. He was ruling over an empire with many different religions, sects, and creeds- and it was disunified, fragmented, and crumbling. He needed a new state religion to try to keep the empire unified- and in Christianity he saw potential.

But to be able to use it in that way, he needed it to have some sort of coherent and unified set of beliefs, and these early church fathers were not giving it to him. They were just spouting a bunch of wildly differing, warring, feuding, and disunified ideologies. So he told them they had to meet and finally agree to a common set of beliefs. He told him they could not leave the meeting until they did, and he personally showed up himself and breathed down their necks until they did.

And that’s how the Nicean Creed was born.
interesting!
 
The followers of Jesus believed he was God. It was taught by the Apostles and early Church Fathers. Belief that Jesus is God that is what it means to be Christian.

The author's who wrote the New Testament all believed Jesus is God. It's silly to try and say you know what their verses mean better than they do. Or better than the early Christians who understood ancient Greek language. Somehow your understanding is superior to there's. And I say this to all cults that deny Christ is God.
 
“Equal With God”?

AT PHILIPPIANS 2:6 the Catholic Douay Version (Dy) of 1609 says of Jesus: “Who being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God.” The King James Version (KJ) of 1611 reads much the same. A number of such versions are still used by some to support the idea that Jesus was equal to God. But note how other translations render this verse:

1869: “who, being in the form of God, did not regard it as a thing to be grasped at to be on an equality with God.” The New Testament, by G. R. Noyes.

1965: “He—truly of divine nature!—never self-confidently made himself equal to God.” Das Neue Testament, revised edition, by Friedrich Pfäfflin.

1968: “who, although being in the form of God, did not consider being equal to God a thing to greedily make his own.” La Bibbia Concordata.

1976: “He always had the nature of God, but he did not think that by force he should try to become equal with God.” Today’s English Version.

1984: “who, although he was existing in God’s form, gave no consideration to a seizure, namely, that he should be equal to God.” New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures.

1985: “Who, being in the form of God, did not count equality with God something to be grasped.”
The New Jerusalem Bible.

Some claim, however, that even these more accurate renderings imply that (1) Jesus already had equality but did not want to hold on to it or that (2) he did not need to grasp at equality because he already had it.

In this regard, Ralph Martin, in The Epistle of Paul to the Philippians, says of the original Greek: “It is questionable, however, whether the sense of the verb can glide from its real meaning of ‘to seize’, ‘to snatch violently’ to that of ‘to hold fast.’” The Expositor’s Greek Testament also says: “We cannot find any passage where ἁρπάζω [har·paʹzo] or any of its derivatives has the sense of ‘holding in possession,’ ‘retaining’. It seems invariably to mean ‘seize,’ ‘snatch violently’. Thus it is not permissible to glide from the true sense ‘grasp at’ into one which is totally different, ‘hold fast.’”

From the foregoing it is apparent that the translators of versions such as the Douay and the King James are bending the rules to support Trinitarian ends. Far from saying that Jesus thought it was appropriate to be equal to God, the Greek of Philippians 2:6, when read objectively, shows just the opposite, that Jesus did not think it was appropriate.

The context of the surrounding verses (Php 2:3-5, 7, 8, Dy) makes it clear how Php 2 verse 6 is to be understood. The Philippians were urged: “In humility, let each esteem others better than themselves.” Then Paul uses Christ as the outstanding example of this attitude: “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” What “mind”? To ‘think it not robbery to be equal with God’? No, that would be just the opposite of the point being made! Rather, Jesus, who ‘esteemed God as better than himself,’ would never ‘grasp for equality with God,’ but instead he “humbled himself, becoming obedient unto death.”

Surely, that cannot be talking about any part of Almighty God. It was talking about Jesus Christ, who perfectly illustrated Paul’s point here—namely the importance of humility and obedience to one’s Superior and Creator, Jehovah God.
https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1101989307?q=trinity+texts&p=sen
First off, Phillipians 2:5-8
5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:

6 Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
7 rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
8 And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death—
even death on a cross!

Is saying: In your relationship with your fellow Christian, be like GOD by way of CHRIST JESUS regarding HIS relationship with the FATHER. JESUS willingly placed HIMSELF at a disadvantage, to die on the cross, so that mankind might be redeemed.
 
Actually, when JESUS went to HIS CROSS, I firmly believe that the FATHER and the HOLY SPIRIT experienced as much suffering as did CHRIST.
 
Actually, when JESUS went to HIS CROSS, I firmly believe that the FATHER and the HOLY SPIRIT experienced as much suffering as did CHRIST.

Yes…..to come to earth a part of God had to be sacrificed….and that part was Christ. One thing that makes sense to me is tzimtzum of the Kaballah. The precepts are this:

God is infinite and nothing can exist outside of God
In Heaven only God’s will is done….there is no free will
To create the world God had to create a void within Himself
Because this was within God it meant that it was a finite world
Finite means that life was also finite…life and death
Free will exits in this world ….thus good and evil…negative and positive….duality as opposed to nonduality in heaven
Life and death is a codependent cycle…..something must die so that you can live(plants, animals, other men,electricity etc)
Something must live so, essentially, it must die to feed the cycle of life

Our escape valve from this mad cycle was demonstrated by the death and resurrection of Jesus……it is our opportunity to stop the world and get off….first step is to surrender our ego….our ego was necessary for life in this world but as long as it remains we cannot cross over…..we move from duality to nonduality….we are given access to the Tree of Life which was guarded for a reason….we cannot reach out and grab the fruit of that tree….it can only be given to us when the guards(God) approve our credentials…..
 
The followers of Jesus believed he was God. It was taught by the Apostles and early Church Fathers. Belief that Jesus is God that is what it means to be Christian.

The author's who wrote the New Testament all believed Jesus is God. It's silly to try and say you know what their verses mean better than they do. Or better than the early Christians who understood ancient Greek language. Somehow your understanding is superior to there's. And I say this to all cults that deny Christ is God.

Actually, none of that is true. The apostles and first Christians knew Jesus to be the Christ, the Son of God.....they all had the same God as Jesus, namely the Father. There is no rule or commandment that we must believe Jesus is God to be Christian......this is made up by man.

The NT from beginning to end states clearly that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God.......and this Christ came declaring to us that His Father is the only true God......they all followed suit, having Jesus as our Lord and the Father as our God.

Trinitarians ultimately have followed pagan ideology mixed with Christianity forcing others to follow suit, else they cannot become a Christian......this is their commandment and it's not from God nor His Christ.
 
In this video, we uncover the truth about God’s identity according to the Bible — and why the Trinity doctrine is not biblical. We’ll examine key scriptures, the words of Jesus himself, and the historical origins of the Trinity teaching. It’s time to return to the true worship of the One and Only God: the Father.

 
In this video, we uncover the truth about God’s identity according to the Bible — and why the Trinity doctrine is not biblical. We’ll examine key scriptures, the words of Jesus himself, and the historical origins of the Trinity teaching. It’s time to return to the true worship of the One and Only God: the Father.



Great video and scripturally spot on.....tks for sharing.
 
Great video and scripturally spot on.....tks for sharing.
You're welcome...a great, reasonable/logical explanation but those who should listen, won't...
 
You're welcome...a great, reasonable/logical explanation but those who should listen, won't...

Oh no, diehard trinitarians will not click on the video, lol. They have their "Godman" and they're sticking to it....
 
The council of Nicaea was formed to resolve a theological dispute over whether or not Jesus was created by God or existed since the dawn of time as a coequal part of a triune God.

The question is of no importance to anyone's every day life in any way and never has been.
 
Does it matter?

“Look out that no one takes you captive by means of the philosophy and empty deception according to human tradition.” Colossians 2:8

Satan blurs people’s view of Jehovah. After the death of Jesus’ apostles, some who claimed to be Christians began to spread false teachings. (Acts 20:29, 30; 2 Thess. 2:3) These apostates started to blur the identity of the only true God. For example, they stopped using the divine name in their copies of the Bible and preferred such expressions as “Lord.” By removing God’s personal name and replacing it with “Lord,” they made it difficult for a Bible reader to see how Jehovah is different from the other “lords” mentioned in the Scriptures. (1 Cor. 8:5) They used the same term, “Lord,” for Jehovah and for Jesus, making it difficult to understand that Jehovah and his Son are different individuals with distinct positions. (John 17:3) This confusion contributed to the development of the doctrine of the Trinity—a doctrine not taught in God’s Word. As a result, many see God as mysterious and believe that we cannot know him. What a lie!—Acts 17:27.
https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2019440?q=the+trinity&p=sen
 
Does it matter?

“Look out that no one takes you captive by means of the philosophy and empty deception according to human tradition.” Colossians 2:8

Satan blurs people’s view of Jehovah. After the death of Jesus’ apostles, some who claimed to be Christians began to spread false teachings. (Acts 20:29, 30; 2 Thess. 2:3) These apostates started to blur the identity of the only true God. For example, they stopped using the divine name in their copies of the Bible and preferred such expressions as “Lord.” By removing God’s personal name and replacing it with “Lord,” they made it difficult for a Bible reader to see how Jehovah is different from the other “lords” mentioned in the Scriptures. (1 Cor. 8:5) They used the same term, “Lord,” for Jehovah and for Jesus, making it difficult to understand that Jehovah and his Son are different individuals with distinct positions. (John 17:3) This confusion contributed to the development of the doctrine of the Trinity—a doctrine not taught in God’s Word. As a result, many see God as mysterious and believe that we cannot know him. What a lie!—Acts 17:27.
https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2019440?q=the+trinity&p=sen

Yes, very important to know God the Father through Christ, His Son, our Lord now, today, before you die. It's not a mystery to those yearning to know.

(Eph 1:2) Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.


This is stated numerous times throughout the NT....for a reason.


Our Father:

G2316
θεός
theos
theh'-os
Of uncertain affinity; a deity, especially (with G3588) the supreme Divinity; figuratively a magistrate; by Hebraism very: - X exceeding, God, god [-ly, -ward].
Total KJV occurrences: 1343


Our Lord Jesus:

G2962
κύριος
kurios
koo'-ree-os
From κῦρος kuros (supremacy); supreme in authority, that is, (as noun) controller; by implication Mr. (as a respectful title): - God, Lord, master, Sir.
Total KJV occurrences: 748


This is foundational to Original Christianity, not what came hundreds of years later.
 
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