Index To All Nine Sections Part I - Historical Background. Is the orthodox version of one God in three persons an unassailable and inviolable doctrine straight from the pages of Scripture? Not exactly! This incomprehensible doctrine was formally adopted in 381 AD as a defense against charges that Christians worshipped more than one God. It prevailed because it satisfied a number of requirements and gave the church a nice tidy solution. Yet, although unknown to the Scriptures, it somehow evolved into a litmus test for true faith. Part II - ‘Proof Texts’. Passages that supposedly "prove" the trinity. Part III - The Grammar. Can the grammar legitimately be used to support the idea that the Holy Spirit is the third Person of the Trinity? Part IV - The Deity of Christ and the Holy Spirit. The Bible very clearly shows that Christ is God AND ascribes Divinity to the Holy Spirit which leads to the question... You Are Here  Part V - Can God be more than one? Part VI - What is The Holy Spirit? - A separate person, or the Divine presence and power of the Father Himself? Part VII - The Cappadocian Fathers. The doctrine of the trinity that has remained virtually unchanged to this day found its roots in paganism not the Bible. This largely due to the part played by the Cappadocian Fathers - three ancient Greek philosophers and mystics. Part VIII - Begotten Vs. Proceeds. The Son is "begotten" of the Father and the Spirit "proceeds" from the Father. Different? Certainly! But not what The Cappadocian Fathers made it out to be Part IX - Summary and Conclusion ON THIS PAGE
Elôahh and Elôhîm
Plural Pronouns
Elôhîym and Yahweh are Applied To Two Different Beings
God is "One" - The Shema Yisrael
The Hebrew Adjective Echâd
The Greek Adjective Heis
Is God One Or More Than One?
The Hebrew Scriptures do not necessarily eliminate the possibility of God existing as more than one Divine Person - some of the words used in the Old Testament can indicate a plurality.
Elôahh and Elôhîm
When referring to Yahweh, the singular form elôahh was used under 40 times in the Old Testament, largely in the book of Job but is also seen in the Psalms and once in Isaiah.
Behold, how happy is the man whom God (Heb. elôahh) reproves, So do not despise the discipline of the Almighty. (Job 5:17 NASB). [https://] HERE Tremble, O earth, before the Lord, Before the God (Heb. elôahh) of Jacob, (Psalms 114:7 NASB)
However, the plural noun was used well over 2000 times. If God is numerically singular, then one has to wonder why the Old Testament authors not only used a plural noun, but did so many more times than they used the singular. However, as said by David Guzik, Grammatically it (Elôhîym) is a plural word used as if it were singular. The verbs and pronouns used with Elôhîym should be in the plural but when Elôhîym refers to the Lord God the verbs and pronouns are in the singular. [02]
(Note: The word Elôhîym was used of other gods, mighty men, judges etc. But these are rare occurrences. The word most often refers to Yahweh)
Plural Pronouns
Additionally, when God spoke of himself He often used the plural pronoun. (All Emphasis Added)
Then God said, "Let Us make (Heb. na·‘a·seh) man in Our image, according to Our likeness ... (Genesis 1:26 NASB)
For reference - exactly the same form of the verb was used in Exodus 19:8, Jeremiah 42:5 and other verses HERE All the people answered together and said, "All that the Lord has spoken we will (Heb. na·‘a·seh) do!" And Moses brought back the words of the people to the Lord. (Exodus 19:8 NASB) Then they said to Jeremiah, "May the Lord be a true and faithful witness against us if we do not act in accordance with the whole message with which the Lord your God will send you to us. (Jeremiah 42:5 NASB)
A slightly different form of the plural was used in Genesis 11:7 and 1 Samuel 14:36 Come, let Us go down (Heb. nê·re·gah ) and there confuse their language, so that they will not understand one another's speech." (Genesis 11:7 NASB) nê·r?·?ah Then Saul said, "Let us go down (Heb. nê·re·gah ) after the Philistines by night and take spoil among them until the morning light, and let us not leave a man of them"... (1 Samuel 14:36 NASB) HERE
Note: Most trinitarians take the "our" and "us" in Genesis 1:26 to be referring to the persons of the Trinity, and the conversation in Genesis 11:7 as taking place between them. On the other hand, many non-trinitarians read the "our" and "us" as being between God and His angels or His 'council', the latter word was used about five times in the Old Testament with no clear clue as to who this council is made up of. However, neither explanation accounts for the fact that...
The Words Elôhîym and Yahweh are Applied To Two Different Beings
On more than one occasion the words Elôhîym and Yahweh are applied to two different Persons in the same verse. For example, Genesis 19:24 very clearly speaks about more than one Yahweh... One rains fire and brimstone from the Other who is in Heaven.
Then the Lord (Heb. Yahweh) rained on Sodom and Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the Lord (Heb. Yahweh) out of heaven, (Genesis 19:24 NASB)
As commentator Adam Clark wrote most people take this verse as implying that although the brimstone and fire was from Yahweh the Father, it was Yahweh the Son who rained it down on Sodom and Gomorrah. Zechariah 2:8 makes it clear that Lord (Heb. Yahweh) is speaking yet in the next verse He says Yahweh sent Him (8) For thus says the Lord (Heb. Yahweh) of hosts, "After glory He has sent me against the nations which plunder you, for he who touches you, touches the apple of His eye. (9) "For behold, I will wave My hand over them so that they will be plunder for their slaves. Then you will know that the Lord (Heb. Yahweh) of hosts has sent Me.
The case for plurality in the Godhead is made even stronger by the fact that in verse 12 of Isaiah 48, the speaker is obviously God, since He refers to Himself as the one who founded the heavens and the earth. In verse 15, the same speaker refers to Himself using the pronouns "I" and "Me" then in verse 16 distinguishes Himself from the Lord God (Yahweh) and from the Spirit of God. (12) "Listen to Me, O Jacob, even Israel whom I called; I am He, I am the first, I am also the last. (13) "Surely My hand founded the earth, And My right hand spread out the heavens; When I call to them, they stand together. (14) "Assemble, all of you, and listen! Who among them has declared these things? The Lord loves him; he will carry out His good pleasure on Babylon, And His arm will be against the Chaldeans. (15) "I, even I, have spoken; indeed I have called him, I have brought him, and He will make his ways successful. (16) "Come near to Me, listen to this: From the first I have not spoken in secret, From the time it took place, I was there. And now the Lord (Heb. adônây) God (Heb. Yahweh) has sent Me, and His Spirit (Heb. rûach)." (Isaiah 48:12-16 NASB)
(To make it simpler, just read verses 12 and 16 together). Listen to Me, O Jacob, even Israel whom I called; I am He, I am the first, I am also the last.... "Come near to Me, listen to this: From the first I have not spoken in secret, From the time it took place, I was there. And now the Lord (Heb. adônây) God (Heb. Yahweh) has sent Me, and His Spirit (Heb. rûach)."
But what about the verses that so explicitly state that ...
God is "One"
Shema Yisrael
Although there are several passages in the Old Testament that categorically state that God is One (Ex. Malachi 2:10) the earliest and most explicit of these declarations is the first verse of the Shema Yisrael (Hear, Israel) the Jewish affirmation of God's singularity. It is not only the oldest fixed daily prayer in Judaism but probably the best known as well. It is included in the liturgy for both morning and evening services fulfilling the commandment to recite it "when you lie down and when you rise up. "
( As My Jewish Learning points out "The passage that follows details the particular ways in which that faith should be lived: Love God with all of your being, teach it to your children, recite it when you wake and lie down, bind it as a symbol on your body." [03])
That Moses was speaking numerically is the most usual understanding of the opening words Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one (Heb. echâd)! (Deuteronomy 6:4)
However, the problem arises in the fact that the Bible tells us that Jesus the Son of God is also God. For example, In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (John 1:1 NASB) And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much better than the angels, as He has inherited a more excellent name than they. For to which of the angels did He ever say, You are My Son, today I have begotten You"? But of the Son He says, Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, and the righteous scepter is the scepter of His kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; therefore God, your God, has anointed You with the oil of gladness above your companions.” (Hebrews 1:3-5, 8-9 NASB)
The totally incomprehensible explanation about God being three in Person but "one in essence" gives us a nice, tidy solution to reconcile the New Testament telling us that Jesus is also God with the fact that God says He is one in the Old Testament. Except it seems that the problem did not exist in the first place.
The Hebrew Adjective Echâd (Strong's 259)
the word used in the Shema occurs innumerable times in the Old Testament and simply means 'one'. Here are a few examples
Now the whole earth used the same (Heb. echâd) language and the same words. (Genesis 11:1 NASB) He fell asleep and dreamed a second time; and behold, seven ears of grain came up on a single (Heb. echâd) stalk, plump and good. (Genesis 41:5 NASB) The same (Heb. echâd) law shall apply to the native as to the stranger who sojourns among you." (Exodus 12:49 NASB) The thing pleased me and I took twelve of your men, one (Heb. echâd) man for each tribe. (Deuteronomy 1:23 NASB) When a man takes a new wife, he shall not go out with the army nor be charged with any duty; he shall be free at home one (Heb. echâd) year and shall give happiness to his wife whom he has taken. (Deuteronomy 24:5 NASB) For seven women will take hold of one (Heb. echâd) man in that day, saying, "We will eat our own bread and wear our own clothes, only let us be called by your name; take away our reproach!" (Isaiah 4:1 NASB) So Jeremiah wrote in a single (Heb. echâd) scroll all the calamity which would come upon Babylon, that is, all these words which have been written concerning Babylon. (Jeremiah 51:60 NASB) And it will be, if ten men are left in one (Heb. echâd) house, they will die. (Amos 6:9 NASB) Note: (Yâchîyd which means 'only one' is used only about a dozen times in the Old Testament. See for example, Genesis 22:2 and Amos 8:10)
Although plurality is not implied in the word itself as is evident from the above examples, the single unit it represents can be made up of more than one thing in a unit, or more than one person united in some kind of a group or relationship. As said by Chaim Bentorah Ministries represents the fusion of diverse elements into a harmonious whole. The oneness of echad is not undermined by plurality; indeed, it employs plurality as the ingredients of unity. Thus, even within the most orthodox Jewish teachings the word echad carries the idea of plurality in unity. [04]
Here are some examples, Inanimate Objects 1.) God called the light day, and the darkness He called night. And there was evening and there was morning, one (Heb. echâd) day. (Genesis 1:5 NASB). A day is made up of an evening and a morning 2.) He made fifty clasps of gold and joined the curtains to one another with the clasps, so the tabernacle was a unit. (Heb. echâd) (Exodus 36:13 NASB) The single tabernacles was made up of ten linen curtains joined by fifty clasps. Similarly eleven curtains of goats' hair were joined by fifty clasps of bronze so that it would be a unit (Heb. echâd) (one tent) Verses 14-18 3.) And you, son of man, take for yourself one stick and write on it, 'For Judah and for the sons of Israel, his companions'; then take another stick and write on it, 'For Joseph, the stick of Ephraim and all the house of Israel, his companions.' "Then join them for yourself one to another into one stick, that they may become one (Heb. echâd) in your hand. (Ezekiel 37:16-17 NASB)
People
The groups of people in the following examples remained individuals, yet became one through their unity of purpose, belief etc. 1.) The man said, "This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh; She shall be called Woman, Because she was taken out of Man." For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one (Heb. ehad) flesh. (Genesis 2:23-24 NASB) 2.) The Lord came down to see the city and the tower which the sons of men had built. The Lord said, "Behold, they are one (Heb. echad) people, and they all have the same (Heb. echad) language. And this is what they began to do, and now nothing which they purpose to do will be impossible for them. (Genesis 11:5-6 NASB) Note how echad is used differently in each of the two occurrences. 3.) Only on this condition will the men consent to us to live with us, to become one (Heb. echad) people: that every male among us be circumcised as they are circumcised. (Genesis 34:22 NASB) 4.) He took a yoke of oxen and cut them in pieces, and sent them throughout the territory of Israel by the hand of messengers, saying, "Whoever does not come out after Saul and after Samuel, so shall it be done to his oxen." Then the dread of the Lord fell on the people, and they came out as one (Heb. echâd) man. (1 Samuel 11:7 NASB) 5.) Then the messenger who went to summon Micaiah spoke to him saying, "Behold now, the words of the prophets are uniformly (Heb. echâd) favorable to the king. Please let your word be like the word of one of them, and speak favorably." (1 Kings 22:13 NASB) The KJV says "with one (Heb. echâd) mouth:" 6.) And all the people gathered themselves together as one (Heb. echad) man into the street that was before the water gate; and they spake unto Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the Lord had commanded to Israel. (Nehemiah 8:1 KJV)
Simply put, Moses' use of the word echâd does not exclude a plurality in the Godhead. Nor, as you will see, does the Greek equivalent heis.
The Greek Adjective Heis (Strong's 1520)
The examples below use several forms of the adjective (under Strong's #1520) that all means the same thing. They are different simply because they reflect the gender and number of the noun they represent. For example, Heis is masculine singular thus was used several times in the New Testament to express God being "one". Mian and mia are feminine singular, hen is neuter singular.
When a scribe asked the Savior which the foremost commandment was Jesus, quoted Deuteronomy 6:4 using heis in place of echâd, The foremost is, 'Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is One (Gk. heis. Strong's 1520) Lord; And you shall love the Lord your god with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.' "The second is this, 'you shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these." The scribe said to Him, "Right, Teacher; You have truly stated that He is One (Gk. heis. Strong's 1520), and there is no one else besides Him; (Mark 12:29-32 NASB)
Also yet for us there is but one (Gk. heis) God, the Father, from whom are all things and we exist for Him; and one (Gk. heis) Lord, Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we exist through Him. (1 Corinthians 8:6 NASB) There is one (Gk. hen) body and one (Gk. hen.) Spirit, just as also you were called in one (Gk. mia.) hope of your calling; one (Gk. heis) Lord, one (Gk. heis) faith, one (Gk. hen) baptism, one (Gk. hen) God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all. (Ephesians 4:4-6 NASB) For there is one (Gk. heis) God, and one (Gk. heis) mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, (1 Timothy 2:5 NASB) You believe that God is one (Gk. heis). You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder. (James 2:19 NASB)
However, like the Hebrew echâd, the Greek heis is also used for group unity, as well as equality. Group Unity
When Jesus quoted Genesis 2:23-24 to express group unity, He used heis and said, 'for this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one (Gk. mian) flesh'. "So they are no longer two, but one (Gk. mia) flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate." (Matthew 19:5-6 NASB)
Similarly, he who is joined to a harlot is one body with her, but he who joins himself to the Lord is one spirit with Him. Or do you not know that the one who joins himself to a prostitute is one (Gk. hen) body with her? For He says, "the two shall become one (Gk. mian) flesh. But the one who joins himself to the Lord is one (Gk. hen) spirit with Him. (1 Corinthians 6:16-17 NASB)
Unity of Mind and Purpose
Jesus also used the word heis when He prayed that His followers would all be one (united), just as He and the Father were one. In this case "one" cannot mean equality, but has to mean a unity of mind and purpose that they may all be one (Gk. hen); even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me. "The glory which You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one (Gk. hen) just as We are one (Gk. hen); I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity (Gk. hen), so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me. (John 17:21-23 NASB)
Equality
In speaking of His and the Father's relationship, Jesus said He and the Father were one (Gk. hen) (John 10:30), which was not only expressing His oneness with the Father but, judging by the reaction of the Jews who took up stones to punish him for blasphemy, was also unquestionably a declaration of His equality with God. Jesus answered them, "I showed you many good works from the Father; for which of them are you stoning Me?" The Jews answered Him, "For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy; and because You, being a man, make Yourself out to be God." (John 10:32-33 NASB)
Continue On To Part VI - The Holy Spirit... A Separate Person Or The Divine Presence And Power Of The Father Himself. The New Testament authors consistently ignored the "third person of the Godhead". The third person of a supposedly triune God is missing from the opening salutation of most of the New Testament books, from the approximately eighteen doxologies found in these books, and curiously absent from Daniel's, Stephen's and John's visions of heaven. WHY? HERE
End Notes
[01] The Oxford Companion to the Bible. Editors Bruce M. Metzger and Michael David Coogan. Oxford University Press, USA; First Edition edition (October 14, 1993 Pg 782
[02] David Guzik: Study Guide for Genesis 1. https://www.blueletterbible.org/comm/guzik_david/study-guide/genesis/genesis-1.cfm [03] My Jewish Learning. The Shema. https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/the-shema/ [04] Chaim & Laura. Chaim Bentorah Ministries. Word Study – One, Echad Or Yachid.
https://www.chaimbentorah.com/2017/01/word-study-one-echad-or-yachid/ | 
