Questions Every Sincere Trinitarian/Binitarian Should Contemplate
Yahuwah is one. Yahushua, the Christ, is His only begotten human son. Contrary to popular belief, Scripture does not teach that Christ is the Creator, that the Father and Son are the same being, or that Yahushua existed prior to his birth in Bethlehem.
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Many beautiful and beloved brothers and sisters in the faith zealously teach that our loving Heavenly Father and His son are actually the same being. In this article, we will ask some very important questions pertaining to this teaching and will examine many of the passages frequently used to support it. This is intended to be thought-provoking, but not argumentative. Our aim here is to generate light, not heat.
It is our hope that, as you prayerfully contemplate these points/questions, you will lay aside all assumptions, pre-conceived ideas, and cherished traditions. It is our humble admonition that you allow the Bible alone to shape your understanding.
Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth... (John 16:13a)
Question #1: If the Father and son are literally the same being, how can the Father be beyond temptation, while the son is not?
Yahuwah cannot be tempted:
Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of Yahuwah: for Yahuwah cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man. (James 1:13)
Yahushua was tempted:
And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him. (Mark 1:13; See also Matt. 4:1 and Luke 4:2.)
Wherefore in all things it behoved him [Yahushua] to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to Yahuwah, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted. (Hebrews 2:17-18)
For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. (Hebrews 4:15)
Question #2: If the Father and son are literally the same being, how can the Father know the timing of Yahushua’s return, while Yahushua himself does not? Is it not nonsensical to suggest that the Father is keeping secrets from Himself?
"But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father." (Mark 13:32)
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But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. (Mark 13:32; See also Matt. 24:36)
Question #3: Yahuwah is immortal and cannot die. Yahushua, however, died; he willingly laid down his life for you and me. If the Father and son are literally the same being, how is this possible?
Yahuwah is immortal:
I give thee charge in the sight of Yahuwah, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Yahushua, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession; That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Yahushua Christ: Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen. (1 Tim. 6:13-16)
“Who only hath immortality - The word here - ἀθανασία athanasia - properly means ‘exemption from death,’ and seems to mean that God, in his own nature, enjoys a perfect and certain exemption from death.” – Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Yahushua died:
Yahushua, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. (Matt. 27:50)
But Yahuwah commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)
For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's. For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living. (Romans 14:8-9)
To suggest that the Father and son are, in actuality, one being makes a mockery of the crucifixion and reduces it to a charade. Clinging to the ideology that Yahushua is Yahuwah demands that you also believe Yahushua only feigned death because he was still alive in Heaven. Please pause for a moment to think about the ramifications of such a doctrine. This is irrefutably a denial of the gospel message.
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Question #4: If the Father and son are literally the same being, why does Yahushua say that Yahuwah created mankind? Why did he not say that he created mankind?
But from the beginning of the creation Yahuwah made them male and female. (Mark 10:6; See also Matt. 19:4.)
This was a remarkable opportunity for Yahushua to let everyone know that he was the Creator if he wished to do so. He doesn’t, though. He never made such a claim.
Question #5: If the Father and son are literally the same being, why does Yahushua continually refer to his Father as a separate being?
Wherefore, if Yahuwah so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? (Matt. 6:30)
He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living: ye therefore do greatly err. (Mark 12:27)
And shall not Yahuwah avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? (Luke 18:7)
Question #6: If the Father and son are literally the same being, why does Yahushua repeatedly refer to Yahuwah as his “God”? Does Yahuwah have a God?
". . . I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God." (John 20:17)
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And about the ninth hour Yahushua cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? (Matt. 27:46; See also Mar 15:34.)
Yahushua saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God. (John 20:17)
Yahushua refers to his Father as the “only true God” – separate and distinct from himself.
And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Yahushua Christ, whom thou hast sent. (John 17:3)
Question #7: If the Father and son are literally the same being, why does Yahushua pray to the Father? Is he praying to himself?
At that time Yahushua answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. (Matt. 11:25)
And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt. (Mark 14:36)
Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Yahushua lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me. (John 11:41-42)
These words spake Yashushua, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee: (John 17:1)
Question #8: If the Father and son are literally the same being, why does Scripture distinctly say that it is Yahushua that will judge humanity and not the Father? How can the same entity both judge and not judge at the same time?
Yahuwah "will judge the world in righteousness by that man [Yahushua] whom he hath ordained." (Acts 17:31)
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For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: (John 5:22)
Because he [Yahuwah] hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man [Yahushua] whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead. (Acts 17:31)
[See also: Matt. 25:31-32; John 5:26-27; Romans 2:16; 2 Tim. 4:1]
Question #9: If the Father and son are literally the same being, why does Yahushua repeatedly refer to Yahuwah as his “father”? Is Yahushua his own father?
Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. (Matt. 7:21)
And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me; (Luke 22:29)
But Yahushua answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work. (John 5:17)
Question #10: If the Father and son are literally the same being, why does Yahushua repeatedly refer to himself as the “son” of Yahuwah? Is Yahuwah His own son?
And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Yahushua answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. (Mat 16:16-17)
Pay special attention to the above passage.
- Peter confesses that Yahushua is “the Son of the living God.” (Peter does not say that Yahushua is the living God.)
- Yahushua confirms his confession and says that his “Father” was the source of Peter’s revelation.
Those who teach that Yahushua is God are accusing both Peter and Yahushua of being mistaken here. Yahuwah forbid that we entertain such a suggestion.
When/why was Yahushua called the “son of Yahuwah”? “And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of Yahuwah.” (Luke 1:35) Yahushua was called the “Son of Yahuwah” because he was conceived in Mary’s womb through the overshadowing power of the Holy Spirit. Yahuwah’s immutable word, conceived in the virgin’s womb, literally became flesh (John 1:14). It was this miraculous event that the psalmist prophesied about almost 1,000 years earlier. Yahushua, the promised Messiah, the descendent of David and heir to the throne, was to be literally begotten at a finite point in time. “I will declare the decree: Yahuwah hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee. Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession. Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.” (Psalm 2:7-9) Scripture does not teach that Yahushua preexisted in Heaven before condescending to become a human fetus.
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Understanding the Terms
How did the Hebrews understand “Christ”? Who or what is a “Messiah”?
In the west, we often misunderstand the true meaning of Messiah and Christ as penned by the Bible’s authors. Both of these terms simply mean “anointed.” They, in no way, imply divinity or deity. This is abundantly clear when you consider that Cyrus, a Persian king, was referred to as Yahuwah’s “messiah” in the Old Testament.
Thus saith Yahuwah to his anointed [H4899: mashiyach (messiah)], to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden, to subdue nations before him; . . . (Isa. 45:1a)
Messiah/Christ simply denotes an anointing for a special purpose.
Mashiyach means “anointed one.” (1) A word that is important both to Old Testament and New Testament understandings is the noun mashiyach, which gives us the term messiah. (2) As is true of the verb, mashiyach implies an anointing for a special office or function. (2a) Thus, David refused to harm Saul because Saul was “the Lord’s anointed” (1 Sa 24:6) . . . (4) The New Testament title of Christ is derived from the Greek Christos which is exactly equivalent to the Hebrew mashiyach, for it is also rooted in the idea of ‘to smear with oil.’ So the term Christ emphasizes the special anointing of Jesus of Nazareth for His role as God’s chosen one. (The New Strong’s Expanded Dictionary of Bible Words)
Is Yahushua “divine”?
This question has caused confusion among many because the meaning of “divine” has not been clearly delineated.
Webster’s Dictionary defines “divine” as:
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a: of, relating to, or proceeding directly from God or a god
b: being a deity
If the question is, “Did Yahushua proceed directly from Yahuwah?” (Definition 1a), then the answer is yes. He proceeded forth from Yahuwah; he is the word of Yahuwah made flesh. (He did not, however, have existence prior to his miraculous conception in Mary’s womb.)
And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. (John 1:14)
Yahushua said unto them, If Yahuwah were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from Yahuwah; neither came I of myself, but he sent me. (John 8:42)
If the question is, “Is Yahushua a deity?” (Definition 1b), then the answer is no. Yahushua was the promised descendant of David, a human being born of a virgin through the miraculous work of Yahuwah’s spirit.
"Of [David's] seed hath Yahuwah according to his promise raised unto Israel a Saviour, Yahushua" (Acts 13:23)
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And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of Yahuwah. (Luke 1:35)
"Concerning his Son Yahushua Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; And declared to be the Son of Yahuwah with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:" (Romans 1:3-4)
And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will. Of this man's seed hath Yahuwah according to his promise raised unto Israel a Saviour, Yahushua: (Acts 13:22-23)
What does Scripture mean when it says Yahushua was a “man”?
It means just what it says. Yahuwah, our Heavenly Father, is never referred to as a “man.” Many sincere Christians teach that Yahushua is 100% Yahuwah and 100% man. This is utterly nonsensical, though, and cannot be found anywhere in Scripture.
But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of Yahuwah, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Yahushua Christ, hath abounded unto many. (Romans 5:15)
For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Yahushua; (1 Tim. 2:5) [Note that "the man Christ Yahushua" is mentioned as being distinctly separate from the "one God."]
Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man [Yahushua] whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead. (Act 17:31)
Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Yahushua of Nazareth, a man approved of Yahuwah among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which Yahuwah did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: (Acts 2:22)
Note carefully Peter’s proclamation in the last passage. He says that Yahushua is “a man approved of Yahuwah.” He does not say that he is Yahuwah. This agrees with Paul’s declaration that Yahushua was a “man” whom Yahuwah had “ordained.” (Acts 17:31)
Are there two deities?
Many, in recognizing that Scripture makes a clear distinction between the Father and son admit they are separate beings, but still cling to the idea that Yahushua is the co-creator and preexisted in Heaven prior to his birth in Bethlehem. Such a notion, though, presents us with a clear contradiction.
Scripture makes plain that Yahuwah alone is the Creator and the only true God. Yahuwah is echad (one).
And one of the scribes came up and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, asked him, “Which commandment is the most important of all?” Yahushua answered, “The most important is, 'Hear, O Israel: Yahuwah our Elohim, Yahuwah is one. And you shall love Yahuwah your Elohim with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' (See Mark 12:28-30.)
Thus saith Yahuwah, thy redeemer, and he that formed thee from the womb, I am Yahuwah that maketh all things; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by myself; (Isa. 44:24)
The denial of this plainly stated truth is largely responsible for the rejection of the Gospel by both Jews and Muslims. Yahuwah is one. He alone is God. He alone is the Creator. The erroneous doctrine of Trinitarians and Binitarians immediately repulses sincere Jews and Muslims because both know that God is one. Consequently, their ears are closed to the life-giving truth as it is in Yahushua and they are unable to comprehend the glorious gospel of Yahuwah’s grace and mercy. |
A Closer Look at Some Frequently Misunderstood Passages
Below are some of the verses often used by many loving and sincere Trinitarians/Binitarians to prove that Yahushua and Yahuwah are actually the same being.
“I and my Father are one.” (John 10:30)
If we step back and examine this verse in context, it becomes immediately apparent that Yahushua was not claiming that he and the Father are literally the same being.
27My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 28And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. 30I and my Father are one. 31Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him. 32Yahushua answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me? 33The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God. . . . 36Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God? (John 10:27-36)
Note the following:
- Verse 29: Yahushua says that his Father is “greater than all.” (See also John 14:28: ". . . for my Father is greater than I.") Those who teach that Yahushua and his Father are literally the same being must interpret this to mean that Yahuwah is greater than Himself. This makes no sense.
- Verse 33, 36: The Jews accuse Yahushua of making himself “God.” Yahushua refutes their accusation by saying that his Father had sent him into the world and that he was claiming to be the “Son of God,” not the Father Himself. Read it again: “Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?” (John 10:27-33)
Further proof that Yahushua was not claiming that he and the Father are literally the same being can be found in his prayer in John 17:
"And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one." (John 17:22)
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And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are. (John 17:11)
And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: (John 17:22)
Yahushua, in the above passages, prays that his disciples would be one just as he and the Father are one. Was he praying that we would all become one literal being? No. He was praying that we would all be of one mind, one accord, and one spirit just as he and the Father are (John 10:30). Paul and Peter both echoed this same sentiment.
That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify Yahuwah, even the Father of our Lord Yahushua Christ. (Romans 15:6)
Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you. (2 Cor. 13:11)
Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; (Philippians 1:27)
Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. (Philippians 2:2)
Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: (1 Peter 3:8)
Another frequently misunderstood verse...
“And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.” (John 17:5)
This passage if frequently interpreted to mean that Yahushua preexisted with the Father before the world was created. That is not what he is saying, though. Yahushua, here, is referring to the glory that Yahuwah had foreordained for him before the world was created (before he was ever born). Peter makes this very clear.
Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, Who by him do believe in Yahuwah, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in Yahuwah. (1 Peter 1:18-21)
We see this idea of preordination communicated regularly throughout the New Testament. Yahuwah’s plan for salvation was established before the foundation of the world, but was not manifested until the birth, death, and resurrection of His Son, Yahushua our savior.
"But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you," (1 Peter 1:19-20)
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According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: (Eph. 1:4)
Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Yahushua before the world began, But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Yahushua Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel: (2 Tim. 1:9-10)
In hope of eternal life, which Yahuwah, that cannot lie, promised before the world began; But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour; (Titus 1:2-3)
If any are tempted to doubt this explanation of John 17:5, you need only to read Yahushua’s prayer in its entirety. After saying, “And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was,” Yahushua goes on to pray the following:
Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one. (John 17:20-22)
In the above passage, Yahushua says that he had given his gifted glory to those not even born yet - to “them also which shall believe on [him] through [the disciples’] word.” He was sharing his glory with us before we were even born – just as his Father did with him.
Remember, again, that Yahuwah’s plan was established even before the world was created. This is how it could be said that Yahushua was the “Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” (Rev. 13:8)
Conclusion
To be fair, there are many verses that, on the surface, appear to support the teaching of a pre-incarnate Christ. We must bear in mind, though, that the Bible’s translators were not unbiased in their work. They were fallible human beings like you and me, with preconceived notions and inherited traditions – and intentionally, or not, their bias shows up in their translations.
Much more could be said on these points, but it is our prayer that YOU (the reader), as an honest Bible student and sincere seeker of truth will prayerfully investigate these things on your own. Truth does not fear close investigation.
For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Yahushua. (1 Tim. 2:5)
Praise Yahuwah's matchless Name now and forever.
For an explanation of the verses most frequently used to support the pre-incarnate Christ doctrine, kindly refer to the following: https://www.worldslastchance.com/topical-biblical-studies/anti-trinitarian-studies
For more on the error of the Trinity doctrine: https://www.worldslastchance.com/directory#The-Trinity-(doctrinal-error)