The Biblical Doctrine of the Godhead

This was written by Wayne Jackson. It is reprinted from the November, 1980 edition of the Christian Courier. The paper was published by the East Main Street Church of Christ in Stockton, California and was edited by Jackson.

Since the late 2nd century, there has been controversy concerning the nature of the Godhead. Is God a solitary person, perhaps simply manifested in three forms? Or, do three separate personalities exist, each of whom possesses the nature of deity? Is the so-called "doctrine of the Trinity" true or is it false? Though the word "Trinity" is not explicitly found in the Bible, the teaching that there are three individual personalities of divine nature (known in the New Testament as the Father, Son and Holy Spirit) is thoroughly scriptural and has been generally acknowledged by the writers of "Christendom" since the apostolic age.

Around 190 A.D., Theodotus of Byzantium advocated the absolute unipersonality of God. Asserting that the Father, Son and Holy Spirit were one person, he sought to propagate his views in the church at Rome. He is said to be, "the first representative of Dynamistic monarchianism whose views have been recorded" (A.H. Newman, Manuel of Church History, Vol. 1, p. 198). Later however, the "oneness" heresy found its fullest expression in Sabellius of Libya, who commenced the publication of his errors about 260 A.D. "Sabellius denied the doctrine of the Trinity, maintaining that God is unipersonal and that the names Father, Son and Holy Ghost merely designate the same person in different capacities. As the Father, God created the world; as the Son, He redeemed it; as the Holy Ghost, He sanctifies the elect. These three, he said, are no more different persons than the body, soul and spirit of man are three persons" (A Concise Cyclopedia of Religious Knowledge, E.B. Sanford, Ed., p. 827).

In modern times this doctrine has been taught by the United Pentecostal Church and other religious groups. It is however, false to the core. In a series of articles to follow, a study will be made of this important Bible teaching. In this survey it will be shown that: (a) The Scriptures do teach the concept of monotheism, i.e., there is but one God; there is but one, unified divine nature. (b) But that the divine nature , the nature or quality which identifies one as deity (as opposed for example, to the angelic or human natures) is shared by three distinct personalities and that these personalities are characterized in the New Testament as the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. (c) Each of the three divine personalities of the Godhead is eternal and equal in essence though they may assume individual roles in their respective work (which may entail subordination).

This will be a rewarding study and you will want to follow it closely.