Understanding the Biblical Doctrine

of the Trinity (Godhead)

By Cooper P. Abrams, III

All Rights Reserved




[1] 1 John 5:7 says, "For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one." Some Bible critics have stated that this passage is not authentic because it is not found in some older manuscripts. This verse is found in mss, 61, 88mg, 629, 634mg, 636mg, omega 110, 429mg, 221, and 2318) along with two lectionaries (60, 173) and four fathers, Tertullian, Cyprian, Augustine, and Jerome mention it. However, the biblical doctrine of the Trinity does not rest on one verse of Scripture, but is found throughout the Old and New Testaments. This verse accurately states the doctrine of the Trinity that God is One God in three Persons. 

[2] The word “scripturegraphe is found fifty-three times in the Bible.

[3]  Arianism is the heretical teaching of Arius ( AD 250–336), a Christian presbyter from Alexandria, Egypt, that Jesus did not always exist, but was created by God the Father.

[4] This is the teaching of “monotheism” which means “one God.”

[5] R. Laird Harris; Gleason L. Archer; Jr; Bruce K Waltke, Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament, Chicago:Moody Press, 1980, p30.

[6] Henry Clarence Thiessen, Introductory Lectures in Systematic Theology, Eerdmans:Grand Rapids, 1949, p134.

[7] Renald E. Showers, Israel My Glory, God is Triune, Friends of Israel, January/February 2002, p37.

[8] The name "Elohim" the Bible calls God occurs only in Hebrew and in no other Semitic language.

[9] "Thou shalt have no other gods before me(insert period)" (Exodus 20:3)

[10] . John F. Walvoord, Matthew Thy Kingdom Come, Chicago:Moody Press, 1974, p20

[11] Thiessen, p134.

[12] But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.” (2 Timothy 2:23)

[13] David Cloud, Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible and Christianity, Computer Version 4.0, 2000. “Trinity.”

[14] For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:9)

[15] “But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26)

[16] J.B. Phillips, “Your God is Too Small”, New York:Touchstone, 1997.