Where Does Jesus Teach the Trinity?

It is a common misconception that Jesus explicitly teaches the doctrine of the Trinity. In fact, nowhere in the Bible does Jesus acknowledge the trinitarian concept. Instead, he affirms the Jewish concept of unitarianism.

According to Mark 12:29 (Amplified Bible), Jesus declares: 'The first and most important one is: “Hear O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord.”’ This verse clearly upholds the Jewish unity of God, and it is significant that Jesus explicitly confirms this view while conversing with Jewish scribes. Notably, he does not alter the phrase nor attempt to correct their perspectives. This further solidifies the understanding that Jesus adhered to the unitarian belief of his Jewish heritage.

The Jewish Background of Jesus and the Apostles

Given that both Jesus and the apostles were practicing Jews, it is evident that their theological beliefs were deeply rooted in the understanding of a single, monotheistic God. The early Christian community, primarily composed of Jewish converts, initially maintained a unitarian perspective. As Scripture in Galatians 1:8 (Amplified Bible) states, if anyone or an angel should preach an opposing gospel, such a doctrine would be considered false. The apostle Paul emphasizes the importance of a consistent message and warns against the introduction of any other gospel that contradicts the original teaching.

'But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to that which we [originally] preached to you, let him be condemned to destruction!' This quote underscores the apostles' dedication to preserving the core truth of Jesus as the one Lord.

The Origin and Evolution of the Trinity Doctrine

It is during the second century that the idea of the trinity began to take shape. This development was driven by the need to support the doctrine of the deity of Christ, which required a significant alteration of the nature of both Christ and God Himself. This theological shift facilitated the transformation of Jesus into a demigod more aligned with Greek religious conceptions.

The rapid expansion of the early Christian churches led to a diverse set of beliefs, often diverging from the original teachings. By the third century, the Roman authorities recognized the necessity to reconcile and unify these differing beliefs, which eventually resulted in the suppression of the authentic, Messianic Jesus in favor of a more palatable version to their own cultural context.

The Controversial Figure of Arius

A key figure in this theological debate was Arius, who argued that 'there was a time when Jesus did not exist.' While his arguments were largely unfounded, the controversy against him was blatantly rigged, leading to his exile. Some years later, Arius attempted to amend his views to align more closely with the Athanasian position but was ultimately poisoned, dying from a sudden and extensive hemorrhage. This tragic end highlights the intense conflict within the early Christian community.

Both Arius and Athanasius were partially correct; however, critical components of their arguments were flawed. Despite agreeing that Jesus had a beginning, Arius still upheld the concept of the pre-existence of Christ, a notion well-established within Christian thought. The Gospels provide clear evidence of Jesus' human origins, indicating the beginning of his life even though he was promised for millennia.

In conclusion, the doctrine of the trinity represents a significant deviation from the original teachings of Jesus Christ and the apostles. Instead, both afforded a clear unitarian perspective, emphasizing the monotheistic nature of God as affirmed by Jesus himself in his many teachings and conversations with his Jewish contemporaries.