TRINITY---FROM NICE OR HEAVEN? INTRODUCTION The most incomprehensible concept man ever contemplates is "God." This stands to reason since, how can a created being understand the nature and essence of the Creator? The thought of God is so far beyond man that he must, with honest humility, simply stand in awe. One of the most intriguing facets of God's unique nature concerns what has come to be known as the trinity. Some religious groups credit the first general council at Nice (A.D. 325) with the origin of this doctrine. But, is this teaching from Nice, or heaven? If its genesis is to be found among mere men, then it should be dismissed immediately by all sincere followers of God. However, if this doctrine is found upon the pages of Holy Scripture, its dismissal is a fatal error. The Council at Nice It is a matter of historical record that the 4th century church experienced a clash over the nature of Jesus Christ. Constantine, emperor of the Roman Empire and leader of the apostate church, summoned a council to the city of Nice. The council formulated a creed which stated, plainly, that Jesus Christ is of the same nature as God. The creed also affirmed belief in the Holy Spirit. To some, this "Nicene Creed" is the source of the trinity doctrine. Their assessment is incorrect and dangerous. THE BIBLICAL VIEW Monotheism The foundational theology of the Bible is monotheism (i.e., there is but one God). Consider these references: "Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one!" (Deuteronomy 6:4); "To you it was shown, that you might know that the Lord Himself is God; there is none other besides Him" (Deuteronomy 4:35; see also Jeremiah 10:10, etc.); "You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe--- and tremble!" (James 2:19); "There is...one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all" (Ephesians 4:6; I Thessalonians 1:9, etc.). Plurality This truth does not, however, exhaust the biblical description of God. In fact, it is only the beginning point. The Bible begins revealing, in its opening pages, that this monotheistic concept has an inherent plurality. For example: "Then God said, `Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness...'" (Genesis 1:26a). God spoke to someone, but to whom? Later, Jehovah affirms that He made the world all by Himself: "...I am the Lord, who makes all things, Who stretches out the heavens all alone, Who spreads abroad the earth by Myself" (Isaiah 44:24). So, if God worked alone, to whom was He speaking before creating man? He could not have been speaking to angels or any other created beings---created beings do not participate in creating. This question is answered satisfactorily only in light of the plurality conveyed in the trinity doctrine. Trinity in the Bible The word "trinity" does not occur in the Bible. For some critics, this implies that the doctrine itself is unscriptural. Such arguments are impotent, since the Bible often discusses the triune nature of the godhead. The word "God" is used in conjunction with three terms---Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. First, the phrase "God our Father" is common in New Testament literature (e.g., Romans 1:7; Galatians 1:1; Ephesians 1:2; etc.). Second, the deity of Jesus Christ is affirmed many times by implication (e.g., John 5:18), as well as by explicit statements of Scripture (Philippians 2:5-8, etc.). One clear example is found in Hebrews 1:8, where the Father directly addresses Jesus as God: "But to the Son He says: `Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your Kingdom.'" Third, when Ananias perpetrated a deception, Peter said that he had lied, "to the Holy Spirit" (Acts 5:3). He then reminded Ananias that in so doing, he had "not lied unto men, but unto God" (vs. 4). Hence, it is scripturally correct to speak of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. This is the Trinity! When Jesus commissioned His apostles to carry the saving message into all the world, He required that they baptize, "in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" (Matthew 28:19). Since the phrase "in the name of" indicates "by the authority, and into the possession, of," then Jesus considered the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as having the same nature. CONCLUSION Is the trinity doctrine from Nice, or heaven? Clearly, it is from heaven. Bible doctrine is not determined by human councils; the men who assembled in Nice merely agreed upon an existing biblical truth. Although there is much about the nature of God which man will never know, he may be sure that all the information he needs has been provided (II Peter 1:3). Man's inability to comprehend completely the triune nature of God is not a valid reason to dismiss the doctrine as untrue or impossible. What the Bible teaches is, by definition, both true and possible. (C) 1991 Apologetics Press, Inc All Rights Reserved This file may be copied, but is distributed on the understanding that it will not be modified or edited, and will not be used for commercial purposes. Further, it may not be copied without due reference to the original publication source, author, year, and name and address of the publisher. Apologetics Press 230 Landmark Drive Montgomery, AL 36117-2752 Downloaded from: The Christian Connection of Palm Beach 300/1200/2400 bps 407/533/5216