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Today we continued our in-depth look at the Shema - specifically, how the Shema shows that there is one God. Here are a few highlights from class today:
Deuteronomy 6:5-9 “Hear (Shema), O Israel: Yahweh our God is one Yah: And thou shalt love Yahweh thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.”
Today in class, we addressed the following reasons why theologians teach a trinity doctrine, which we have seen is entirely pagan... The first question we addressed in our study today is:
Question: But, doesn't the Bible teach that God is more than one Being, since Elohim is a plural word?
Jews, and believers until the 2nd Century AD, all
understood that the Shema meant there is only One God. Today,
theologians and teachers claim that the meaning of echad allows
for a trinity, because it also means “united”. But, Scripture repeatedly states
that there is only one God – numerically and in supremacy. Consider the
following, which are in addition to the Shema:
· Deuteronomy 4:35,39 — Unto thee it was shown, that thou
mightest know that Yahweh He is God; there is none else beside Him.
Know therefore this day, and consider it in thine heart, that Yahweh
He is God in Heaven above, and upon the earth beneath: there is none else.
The
idea that Yahweh is a part of a trinity is also “supported” by the
Hebrew word “Elohim”. But Elohim is not a name.
When Yahweh created people and angels, He appointed them to have
authority – dominions (Genesis 1:26-28). All beings with a dominion are classed
as “elohim”. Because Yahweh has the supreme
dominion and is Ruler over all, He is the Elohim, with a
capital E.
The reason Elohim is a
plural word, is that Yahweh has appointed beings He created to
positions of authority. An elohim is someone who holds a position
or authority, or an area of dominion. Biblically this applies to human rulers
and magistrates, angels, and ultimately to Yahweh Himself, for
His is the supreme Dominion.
- Romans 13:1-2
“Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no
authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.
Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those
who resist will bring judgment on themselves.”
- Colossians 1:16 (NKJ)
For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth,
visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or
powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. All thrones,
dominions, principalities and powers were created for Yahshua, through Him
and by Him - to serve Him and His purposes.”
The "plurality" of Yah is "supported" in Genesis 1:26 because of the word "Elohim", translated as God, refers to the Supreme Being. But because elohim indicates someone who holds a position of authority, "elohim" means two things:
1) it can refer to the Supreme Authority, in which case it is Elohim with a capital E - God;
2) it can refer to the authority of angels or human magistrates, which should be dominions held in subjection to Yahweh's Supreme Authority. When elohim refers to authorities under Yahweh, it is plural, because there many leaders, appointed by Yahweh.
Ephesians 1:19-23 (NKJ) “And what is the
exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the
working of His mighty power, which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from
the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far
above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is
named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. And He
put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the
church, which is His Body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.”
Ephesians 6:12 (NKJ) For we do not wrestle
against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against
the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness
in the heavenly places.
When a leader rejects the supreme Authority of Yahweh and becomes rebellious against His Highest dominion, they are called "no gods".
Since Yahweh-appointed dominions become invalid when
they are held in rebellion to His ultimate Authority, all elohim of
rebellion are called “no gods” (Galatians 4:8).
Because Genesis 1:26 used the term "Elohim" to refer to Yahweh, and because the Bible translators believed in a trinity doctrine, they ignored the fact that Elohim can refer to God, singular, when it refers to Yahweh. And they translated it as plural, adding plural pronouns "us" and "our", which are not present in the original text.
With this understanding, let us revisit Genesis 1:26, to get
a better understanding of what was originally being said (crossed out words are
missing from the original Hebrew, for there are no pronouns in the original Hebrew.... Note: words present in the original text all have Strong's Concordance numbers after them):
Genesis 1:26 And God H430 (Elohim-the highest Authority, under whom all righteous
dominions are submitted) said, H559 (proclaimed) Let us make H6213 (“to do” or “make) manH120 in our image, H6754 after our
likeness: H1823 and
let them have dominion H7287…”
In direct translation, it says, “God proclaimed to make mankind in
resemblance to and modeled after Himself…”
· Genesis 1:26 "And
God said, Let us (added) make man in our (added) image, after our
likeness: and let them have dominion…"
The
justification for a plurality of God is not in the original Hebrew of Genesis
1:26, as the pronouns were added – and elohim, while plural is a
title for a member of Yahweh’s Command Chain. When it refers to
the Supreme Authority, it is singular.
Question:
But doesn’t the Bible mention the Trinity, by listing the Father, Son and Holy Spirit?
There have
been changes made to the King James (and subsequent versions) Bible version to support
a Trinity doctrine. But these changes were not in the original. Specifically,
the names of the Trinity was added to 1 John 5:7-8 and Matthew 28:19.
1 1 John 5:7-8 – Trinity was Added
"Out of one hundred and thirteen copies of the New Testament manuscripts,
the text listing "Father, Son and Holy Spirit" (1 John 5:7-8) is wanting (missing) in one hundred and twelve. It
occurs in no manuscript before the 10th century. And the first place
the text occurs in Greek, is in the Greek translation of the acts of the
Council of Lateran, held in AD 1215.” Bible Commentary on 1 John 5
Matthew
28:19, aka the Gospel Commission – Trinity was Added
•
As it reads today in the KJV: Matthew 28:19 – “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy
Ghost.”
But we have
strong evidence to show that this verse didn’t originally mention Three in both
the Scriptures and in the writings of the early believers, who quoted this
verse as it originally appeared.
•
Eusebius quoted Matthew 28:19 eighteen times in his work, always quoting
it without mentioning the Three, as follows:
“Go ye and make disciples of all nations in My Name, teaching
them to observe all things, whatsoever I commanded you.” Eusebius, Article
in Beauties of the Truth, January 1991 edition.
•
Eusebius
was the Church historian and Bishop of Caesarea (275-339 AD). He quoted (18x)
the early book of Matthew that he had in his library in Caesarea. According to
this eyewitness of an unaltered Book of Matthew that could have been the
original book or the first copy of the original of Matthew, Eusebius informs us
of Yahshua‘s actual words to His disciples in the original text
of Matthew 28:19:
•
"With
one word and voice He said to His disciples: "Go, and make disciples of
all nations in My Name, teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have
commanded you." That "Name" is Yahshua. The Demonstratio
Evangelica by Eusebius, p 152
•
Additionally,
the Baptism Name is also mentioned in Acts 2:38, where it appears without a
trinity:
•
Acts 2:38 “Then
Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the Name of
Yahshua Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the
Holy Ghost.” (See also Acts 8:16, 10:48, 19:5)
Question: So, if
the Baptismal Command was originally written without referencing a Trinity, how
did the Father, Son and Holy Spirit part get added to it?
"The
baptismal formula (in Matthew 28:19) was changed from the name of Jesus Christ
to the words ‘Father, Son, and Holy Spirit’ by the Catholic Church in the
second century." The Catholic Encyclopedia, II, page 263.
•
Catholic
Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger (aka Pope Benedict) made this confession about the
origin of the chief Trinity text of Matthew 28:19. "The basic
form of our (Matthew 28:19 Trinitarian) profession of faith took shape during
the course of the second and third centuries in connection with the ceremony of
baptism. So far as its place of origin is concerned, the text (Matthew 28:19)
came from the city of Rome."
•
“The
mystery of the Trinity is the central doctrine of the Catholic Faith.
Upon it are based all other teachings of the Church.” Handbook for
Today’s Catholic, p 12 (March 1994)
Question:
But don’t the Father and Son have different Roles?
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Who Holds the Role as Creator?
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Yahshua
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Yahweh
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John
1:1-3, 14 “In
the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was
God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were
made by Him; and without Him was not anything made that was
made… And the Word was made
flesh, and dwelt among us…”
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Genesis 1:1 “In the beginning God created the heaven and the
earth.”
Revelation 4:8-11 “Holy, holy, holy, Yahweh God
Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come… thanks to Him that sat
on the Throne, who liveth for ever and ever…Thou Art worthy, O Yahweh, to
receive glory and honour and power: for Thou hast created all things...”
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Who Holds the Role as Redeemer and Saviour?
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Yahshua
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Yahweh
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John 4:42 “…This is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world.”
Philippians 3:20 “For our conversation is in Heaven;
from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Yahshua Christ.”
Isaiah 12:2
“Behold,H2009 GodH410 is my salvation;H3444 I will trust,H982 and notH3808
be afraid:H6342 forH3588 the LORDH3050 JEHOVAHH3068 is my strengthH5797
and my song;H2176 He also is becomeH1961 my salvation.H3444”
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Psalm 78:35 “And they remembered that God was their rock, and
the high God their Redeemer.”
Isaiah 44:24 “Thus saith the LORD, thy redeemer, and He
that formed thee from the womb, I am the LORD that maketh all things… by
Myself.”
Luke 1:46-47 “And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my
Saviour.”
|
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Who Holds the Role as Shepherd?
|
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Yahshua
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Yahweh
|
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John 10:7-11 “Then said Yahshua unto them again, Verily, verily,
I say unto you… I am the Good Shepherd: the Good Shepherd
giveth His Life for the sheep.”
1 Peter 5:4 “And when the chief Shepherd shall appear,
ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.”
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Psalm 23:1 “Yahweh is my Shepherd; I shall not want.”
Psalm 100:3 “Know ye that Yahweh He is God: it is He that
hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people, and the sheep of
His pasture.”
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Who Holds the Role as King?
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Yahshua
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Yahweh
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Revelation
19:11, 13 & 16 “And I saw Heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and He that sat
upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He doth judge and
make war… And His Name is called The Word of God... And He hath on His
vesture and on His thigh a Name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.”
|
Zechariah 14:9 “And Yahweh shall be King over all the earth: in
that day shall there be one Yahweh, and His Name one.”
Jeremiah 10:10 “But Yahweh is the true God, He is the
living God, and an everlasting King: at His wrath the earth shall tremble,
and the nations shall not be able to abide His indignation.”
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Who Holds the Role as the “I AM”?
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Yahshua
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Yahweh
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John 8:58-59
“Yahshua said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before
Abraham was, I Am. Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Yahshua
hid Himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and
so passed by.”
Revelation
1:17-18 “And
when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. And He laid His right hand upon
me, saying unto me, Fear not; I AM the first and the last: I AM He that liveth, and was dead; and,
behold, I AM alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.”
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Exodus 3:13-14 “And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto
the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath
sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is His Name?... And God said
unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM…”
Isaiah 43:11 “I, even I AM Yahweh; and beside Me
there is no Saviour.”
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Who Holds the
Role as the First and Last – (aka Alpha & Omega)?
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Yahshua
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Yahweh
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Revelation 22:13 “I AM Alpha and Omega, the
beginning and the end, the first and the last.”
Revelation 1:17 “And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. And
He laid His right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I AM the first and
the last: I AM He that liveth, and was
dead…”
|
Isaiah 41:4 “Who hath wrought and done it, calling the
generations from the beginning? I Yahweh, the first, and with the
last; I AM He.”
Isaiah 44:6-8 “Thus saith Yahweh the King of Israel, and
his redeemer Yahweh of hosts; I AM the first, and I AM the last; and beside
Me there is no God… Is there a God beside Me? Yea, there is no God; I know
not any.”
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Thus we find that the Trinity Doctrine is failing the "Light-test" for the following critical reasons:
1) The Trinity doctrine is against the Shema, which is the heart of the Bible.
2) The Trinity doctrine is of pagan origin.
3) The Catholic Church - Bible translators added "trinity-supporting" pronouns ("us", or "our") or the words "Father, Son and Holy Spirit" to verses, which were not present in the original texts.
4) The Father and Son do not have separate "Roles", as is commonly thought. Every "Role" held by the Father is also held by the Son and vice versa.
We will continue our thorough study of this topic on Wednesday...
Completed worksheets from this class (previous year, as no worksheet for this year is completed yet) are viewable and printable at the following link:
TORAH CLASS 24-25:
As we all know, the hour is late. As a result, none of us knows how long internet classes can be continued... But, bearing this reality in mind, the following is our schedule for this year:
From the start of September, 2024 to the end of May, 2025, we are scheduled to meet online from 10-11 AM (PST) on Mondays and Wednesdays.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
The following is our upcoming class schedule for September, 2024:
Monday, September 9 - Torah Class will meet, as scheduled, live on Zoom.
Wednesday, September 11 - Torah Class will meet, as scheduled, live on Zoom.
Monday, September 16 - Torah Class will meet, as scheduled, live on Zoom.
Wednesday, September 18 - Torah Class will meet, as scheduled, live on Zoom.
Monday, September 23 - No Class -There will not be a Torah class on this day, as announced in class. We will seek to make up this class at a later time.
Wednesday, September 25 - No Class -There will not be a Torah class on this day, as announced in class. We will seek to make up this class at a later time.
Monday, September 30 - Torah Class will meet, as scheduled, live on Zoom.
Wednesday, October 2 - Torah Class will meet, as scheduled, live on Zoom.
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