The Watchtower Misrepresents the Trinity
WT July 1882, Page 369
Our readers are aware that while we believe in Jehovah and Jesus, and the holy Spirit, we reject as totally unscriptural, the teaching that these are three Gods in one person, or as some put it, one God in three persons. The doctrine of the Trinity had its rise in the third-century, and has a very close resemblance to the heathen doctrines prevalent at that time, particularly Hindooism.
WT 2/1/1899, Page 2434
The declaration that “the Son can do nothing of himself,” if it were not backed as it is by a score of other testimonies from the same interested and inspired Teacher, is a contradiction to the common thought of Trinitarians, that the Son is the Father: it is in direct conflict with the statement of the catechism, that they are “equal in power and in glory.”
Studies in the Scriptures, Vol. 5 Page 60
But, strange to say, this doctrine of three Gods in one God, which not only has no Scriptural support, but is opposed by the Scriptures from Genesis to Revelation,
Studies in the Scriptures, Vol. 5 Page 76
How strange that any should attempt to misuse and pervert these our Lord’s words, to make them support the unreasonable and unscriptural doctrine of a Trinity--three Gods in one person.
Studies in the Scriptures, Vol. 5 Page 244
The holy Spirit conceived of as a person, one of a trinity of Gods, equal with the Highest,
Studies in the Scriptures, Vol. 7 Page 11
“The declaration that ‘the Son can do nothing of Himself,’ if it were not backed up as it is by a score of other testimonies from the same interested and inspired Teacher, is a contradiction to the common thought of Trinitarians, that the Son is the Father.”
Riches, Page 185
Another lie made and told by Satan for the purpose of reproaching God’s name and turning men away from God is that of the “trinity”. That doctrine is taught by the religionists of Christendom” and is in substance this: ‘That there are three gods in one; God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost, all equal in power, substance and eternity.’
WT 2/15/1961, Page
A “Holy Trinity” of three Gods in one God is also worshiped by most Catholic and Protestant sects, this having first been adopted as Catholic doctrine at the Nicene Council of A.D. 325.
WT 4/15/1962, Page 235
Christendom has copied the heathen, pagan nations of Asia in teaching that God is a trinity, three Gods in one Person.
Our readers are aware that while we believe in Jehovah and Jesus, and the holy Spirit, we reject as totally unscriptural, the teaching that these are three Gods in one person, or as some put it, one God in three persons. The doctrine of the Trinity had its rise in the third-century, and has a very close resemblance to the heathen doctrines prevalent at that time, particularly Hindooism.
WT 2/1/1899, Page 2434
The declaration that “the Son can do nothing of himself,” if it were not backed as it is by a score of other testimonies from the same interested and inspired Teacher, is a contradiction to the common thought of Trinitarians, that the Son is the Father: it is in direct conflict with the statement of the catechism, that they are “equal in power and in glory.”
Studies in the Scriptures, Vol. 5 Page 60
But, strange to say, this doctrine of three Gods in one God, which not only has no Scriptural support, but is opposed by the Scriptures from Genesis to Revelation,
Studies in the Scriptures, Vol. 5 Page 76
How strange that any should attempt to misuse and pervert these our Lord’s words, to make them support the unreasonable and unscriptural doctrine of a Trinity--three Gods in one person.
Studies in the Scriptures, Vol. 5 Page 244
The holy Spirit conceived of as a person, one of a trinity of Gods, equal with the Highest,
Studies in the Scriptures, Vol. 7 Page 11
“The declaration that ‘the Son can do nothing of Himself,’ if it were not backed up as it is by a score of other testimonies from the same interested and inspired Teacher, is a contradiction to the common thought of Trinitarians, that the Son is the Father.”
Riches, Page 185
Another lie made and told by Satan for the purpose of reproaching God’s name and turning men away from God is that of the “trinity”. That doctrine is taught by the religionists of Christendom” and is in substance this: ‘That there are three gods in one; God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost, all equal in power, substance and eternity.’
WT 2/15/1961, Page
A “Holy Trinity” of three Gods in one God is also worshiped by most Catholic and Protestant sects, this having first been adopted as Catholic doctrine at the Nicene Council of A.D. 325.
WT 4/15/1962, Page 235
Christendom has copied the heathen, pagan nations of Asia in teaching that God is a trinity, three Gods in one Person.
Take note of the (WT’s) definition of the Trinity compared to the Catholic Encyclopedia’s definition
Let God be True, 1946, Revised 1952, Page 100
The Watchtower contradicts the Catholic Encyclopedia’s definition of the Trinity.
WT 8/1/1963, Page 461
Others hold that the Creator, Jesus and “the Holy Ghost” are a trinity of three Gods in one, and that Jesus was actually a God-man while on earth.
WT 8/15/1963, Page 488
What about the trinity doctrine of three gods in one, the immortality of the human soul, purgatory, a hell of torment for the wicked?
WT 8/15/1964, Page 509
It amazes the Mohammedans when we tell them we do not believe in the “trinity,” or three gods in one.
Awake 7/8/1973, Page 20
It was then a surprise to learn that the churches of Christendom worship a trinity of three gods in one, very similar to the Hindu triune god Tri-Murti.
WT 7/1/1979, Page 15
Yet for a century The Watchtower has urged readers to examine what God’s Word actually says on the matter, such as that Jesus repeatedly is shown to be, not equal to his Father, but a lesser one subject to Jehovah. (John 14:28; 17:3; 1 Cor. 11:3) As an example, this appeared, along with supporting texts, in 1882:
“We believe then in one God and Father, and also in one Lord Jesus Christ. . . . But these are two and not one being. . . . We reject as totally unscriptural, the teaching that [Jehovah, Jesus and God’s spirit or active force] are three Gods in one person, . . . The doctrine of the Trinity had its rise in the third century.”
WT 7/15/1981, Page 13
This has included the exposure of Christendom’s own god, the so-called Trinity, inexplainably made up of three gods in one and each of these deities being coexistent, coequal and coeternal. This triune deity is sometimes illustrated by a human body with three heads or a head with three faces.
WT 3/1/1984, Page 23
Their worship is not distributed to three gods in one, the so-called godhead of some mysterious Trinity, but they are united as the one people who worship the one God, Jehovah.
WT 4/1/1988, Page 19
Trinity Replaces the One Sovereign Lord Jehovah
The three-gods-in-one concept was widely held in the pagan world.
WT 3/15/1989, Page 18
Is God a Trinity?
Building on this foundation, way back in 1882 these dedicated Bible students clearly stated in the Watch Tower: “Our readers are aware that while we believe in Jehovah God and Jesus, and the holy Spirit, we reject as totally unscriptural, the teaching that these are three Gods in one person, or as some put it, one God in three persons.”
Reasoning from the Scriptures, 1989, Pages 406-407
Does the Bible agree with those who teach that the Father and the Son are not separate and distinct individuals?
Matt. 26:39, RS: “Going a little farther he [Jesus Christ] fell on his face and prayed, ‘My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt.’” (If the Father and the Son were not distinct individuals, such a prayer would have been meaningless. Jesus would have been praying to himself, and his will would of necessity have been the Father’s will.)
John 8:17, 18, RS: “[Jesus answered the Jewish Pharisees:] In your law it is written that the testimony of two men is true; I bear witness to myself, and the Father who sent me bears witness to me.” (So, Jesus definitely spoke of himself as being an individual separate and distinct from the Father.)
Awake 12/8/1998, Page 11
For instance, they do not teach Bible truth but teach their flocks unscriptural doctrines regarding eternal torment in a fiery hell, a trinity of three gods in one, and immortality of the soul—all of pagan origin.
What Does the Bible really Teach?, Page 203
But how can an individual be with someone and at the same time be that person?
God’s Kingdom Rule! CHAPTER 2 The Kingdom Is Born in Heaven Online
9. How did Zion’s Watch Tower expose as false the Trinity doctrine?
9 Likewise, the Bible Students exposed as false the widely revered Trinity doctrine. In 1887, Zion’s Watch Tower remarked: “The Scriptures are very clear concerning the distinct individuality and exact relationship of Jehovah and our Lord Jesus.” The article then noted how amazing it was that “the idea of a triune God—three Gods in one, and at the same time, one God in three—should ever have gained prominence and general acceptance. But the fact that it is so, only goes to show how soundly the church slept while the enemy bound her in the chains of error.”
Have Jehovah’s Witnesses Changed the Bible to Fit Their Beliefs? Online
What we believe: God is not a Trinity. The July 1882 issue of Zion’s Watch Tower said: “Our readers are aware that while we believe in Jehovah and Jesus, and the holy Spirit, we reject as totally unscriptural, the teaching that these are three Gods in one person or, as some put it, one God in three persons.”
Others hold that the Creator, Jesus and “the Holy Ghost” are a trinity of three Gods in one, and that Jesus was actually a God-man while on earth.
WT 8/15/1963, Page 488
What about the trinity doctrine of three gods in one, the immortality of the human soul, purgatory, a hell of torment for the wicked?
WT 8/15/1964, Page 509
It amazes the Mohammedans when we tell them we do not believe in the “trinity,” or three gods in one.
Awake 7/8/1973, Page 20
It was then a surprise to learn that the churches of Christendom worship a trinity of three gods in one, very similar to the Hindu triune god Tri-Murti.
WT 7/1/1979, Page 15
Yet for a century The Watchtower has urged readers to examine what God’s Word actually says on the matter, such as that Jesus repeatedly is shown to be, not equal to his Father, but a lesser one subject to Jehovah. (John 14:28; 17:3; 1 Cor. 11:3) As an example, this appeared, along with supporting texts, in 1882:
“We believe then in one God and Father, and also in one Lord Jesus Christ. . . . But these are two and not one being. . . . We reject as totally unscriptural, the teaching that [Jehovah, Jesus and God’s spirit or active force] are three Gods in one person, . . . The doctrine of the Trinity had its rise in the third century.”
WT 7/15/1981, Page 13
This has included the exposure of Christendom’s own god, the so-called Trinity, inexplainably made up of three gods in one and each of these deities being coexistent, coequal and coeternal. This triune deity is sometimes illustrated by a human body with three heads or a head with three faces.
WT 3/1/1984, Page 23
Their worship is not distributed to three gods in one, the so-called godhead of some mysterious Trinity, but they are united as the one people who worship the one God, Jehovah.
WT 4/1/1988, Page 19
Trinity Replaces the One Sovereign Lord Jehovah
The three-gods-in-one concept was widely held in the pagan world.
WT 3/15/1989, Page 18
Is God a Trinity?
Building on this foundation, way back in 1882 these dedicated Bible students clearly stated in the Watch Tower: “Our readers are aware that while we believe in Jehovah God and Jesus, and the holy Spirit, we reject as totally unscriptural, the teaching that these are three Gods in one person, or as some put it, one God in three persons.”
Reasoning from the Scriptures, 1989, Pages 406-407
Does the Bible agree with those who teach that the Father and the Son are not separate and distinct individuals?
Matt. 26:39, RS: “Going a little farther he [Jesus Christ] fell on his face and prayed, ‘My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt.’” (If the Father and the Son were not distinct individuals, such a prayer would have been meaningless. Jesus would have been praying to himself, and his will would of necessity have been the Father’s will.)
John 8:17, 18, RS: “[Jesus answered the Jewish Pharisees:] In your law it is written that the testimony of two men is true; I bear witness to myself, and the Father who sent me bears witness to me.” (So, Jesus definitely spoke of himself as being an individual separate and distinct from the Father.)
Awake 12/8/1998, Page 11
For instance, they do not teach Bible truth but teach their flocks unscriptural doctrines regarding eternal torment in a fiery hell, a trinity of three gods in one, and immortality of the soul—all of pagan origin.
What Does the Bible really Teach?, Page 203
But how can an individual be with someone and at the same time be that person?
God’s Kingdom Rule! CHAPTER 2 The Kingdom Is Born in Heaven Online
9. How did Zion’s Watch Tower expose as false the Trinity doctrine?
9 Likewise, the Bible Students exposed as false the widely revered Trinity doctrine. In 1887, Zion’s Watch Tower remarked: “The Scriptures are very clear concerning the distinct individuality and exact relationship of Jehovah and our Lord Jesus.” The article then noted how amazing it was that “the idea of a triune God—three Gods in one, and at the same time, one God in three—should ever have gained prominence and general acceptance. But the fact that it is so, only goes to show how soundly the church slept while the enemy bound her in the chains of error.”
Have Jehovah’s Witnesses Changed the Bible to Fit Their Beliefs? Online
What we believe: God is not a Trinity. The July 1882 issue of Zion’s Watch Tower said: “Our readers are aware that while we believe in Jehovah and Jesus, and the holy Spirit, we reject as totally unscriptural, the teaching that these are three Gods in one person or, as some put it, one God in three persons.”
The True Definition of the Trinity
"Trinity means that the Devine nature is a unity of three persons and that God is revealed as three distinct persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit." (1)
"The Doctrine of the Trinity means that within the being and activity of the one God there are three distinct persons: Father, Son and the Holy Spirit." (2)
"The Bible teaches that the Father is God, that Jesus is God, and that the Holy Spirit is God. The Bible also teaches that there is only one God." (3)
"The Trinity is one God existing in three Persons. Understand that this is not in any way suggesting three Gods." (4)
"The doctrine is essentially that God is one in being while existing as three co-equal, co-eternal Persons, namely, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit." (5)
"Moreover, the biblical writers go out of their way to affirm that all three Persons are distinct from each other (Matthew 28:19; Romans 15:30; 2 Corinthians 3:14). (6)
"Does the fact that there exist three divine Persons entail that there exist three separate gods? The answer is no." (7)
"The Trinity is the doctrine that there is only one God in all creation, all time, and all places. This one God exists as three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Each person is not the same person as the other, yet there are not three gods, but one." (8)
"The doctrine of the Trinity means that there is one God who eternally exists as three distinct Persons — the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Stated differently, God is one in essence and three in person. These definitions express three crucial truths: (1) The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are distinct Persons, (2) each Person is fully God, (3) there is only one God." (9)
"The fact that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are distinct Persons means, in other words, that the Father is not the Son, the Son is not the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Spirit is not the Father. Jesus is God, but He is not the Father or the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is God, but He is not the Son or the Father. They are different Persons, not three different ways of looking at God.: (10)
"Processions and Relations in God In Catholic theology, we understand the persons of the Blessed Trinity subsisting within the inner life of God to be truly distinct relationally, but not as a matter of essence, or nature. Each of the three persons in the godhead possesses the same eternal and infinite divine nature; thus, they are the one, true God in essence or nature, not “three Gods.” Yet, they are truly distinct in their relations to each other." (11)
"The Trinity is the term employed to signify the central doctrine of the Christian religion -- the truth that in the unity of the Godhead there are Three Persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, these Three Persons being truly distinct one from another. " (12)
"Thus, in the words of the Athanasian Creed : "the Father is God, the Son is God, and the Holy Spirit is God, and yet there are not three Gods but one God." In this Trinity of Persons the Son is begotten of the Father by an eternal generation, and the Holy Spirit proceeds by an eternal procession from the Father and the Son. Yet, notwithstanding this difference as to origin, the Persons are co-eternal and co-equal: all alike are uncreated and omnipotent. This, the Church teaches, is the revelation regarding God's nature which Jesus Christ, the Son of God, came upon earth to deliver to the world: and which she proposes to man as the foundation of her whole dogmatic system." (13)
As we can clearly see that the Watchtower has for 134 years defined the Trinity incorrectly. For scriptural support of the Trinity, please read the article entitled "BIBLE STUDY: WHY CHRISTIANS BELIEVE IN THE TRINITY."
1- Pocket Dictionary of Theological Terms, May 26, 1999, by Stanley J. Grenz and David Guretzki, Page 116
2- Nelson's Compact Bible Dictionary, R.K. Harrison Ronald F. Youn F.F. Bruce , Thomas Nelson, 2004, Page 624
3- What does the Bible teach about the Trinity? By GotQuestions.org
4- What does the Bible teach about the Trinity? By GotQuestions.org
5- How is the doctrine of the Trinity not tritheism? By GotQuestions.org
6- How is the doctrine of the Trinity not tritheism? By GotQuestions.org
7- How is the doctrine of the Trinity not tritheism? By GotQuestions.org
8- What is the Trinity? By Matt Slick from CARM.org
9- What is the doctrine of the Trinity? Article by Matt Perman from DesiringGod.org
10- What is the doctrine of the Trinity? Article by Matt Perman from DesiringGod.org
11- Explaining the Trinity, By Tim Staples, From Catholic.com, June 20, 2014
12- THE DOGMA OF THE TRINITY, By Catholic.org Online
13- THE DOGMA OF THE TRINITY, By Catholic.org Online
"The Doctrine of the Trinity means that within the being and activity of the one God there are three distinct persons: Father, Son and the Holy Spirit." (2)
"The Bible teaches that the Father is God, that Jesus is God, and that the Holy Spirit is God. The Bible also teaches that there is only one God." (3)
"The Trinity is one God existing in three Persons. Understand that this is not in any way suggesting three Gods." (4)
"The doctrine is essentially that God is one in being while existing as three co-equal, co-eternal Persons, namely, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit." (5)
"Moreover, the biblical writers go out of their way to affirm that all three Persons are distinct from each other (Matthew 28:19; Romans 15:30; 2 Corinthians 3:14). (6)
"Does the fact that there exist three divine Persons entail that there exist three separate gods? The answer is no." (7)
"The Trinity is the doctrine that there is only one God in all creation, all time, and all places. This one God exists as three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Each person is not the same person as the other, yet there are not three gods, but one." (8)
"The doctrine of the Trinity means that there is one God who eternally exists as three distinct Persons — the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Stated differently, God is one in essence and three in person. These definitions express three crucial truths: (1) The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are distinct Persons, (2) each Person is fully God, (3) there is only one God." (9)
"The fact that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are distinct Persons means, in other words, that the Father is not the Son, the Son is not the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Spirit is not the Father. Jesus is God, but He is not the Father or the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is God, but He is not the Son or the Father. They are different Persons, not three different ways of looking at God.: (10)
"Processions and Relations in God In Catholic theology, we understand the persons of the Blessed Trinity subsisting within the inner life of God to be truly distinct relationally, but not as a matter of essence, or nature. Each of the three persons in the godhead possesses the same eternal and infinite divine nature; thus, they are the one, true God in essence or nature, not “three Gods.” Yet, they are truly distinct in their relations to each other." (11)
"The Trinity is the term employed to signify the central doctrine of the Christian religion -- the truth that in the unity of the Godhead there are Three Persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, these Three Persons being truly distinct one from another. " (12)
"Thus, in the words of the Athanasian Creed : "the Father is God, the Son is God, and the Holy Spirit is God, and yet there are not three Gods but one God." In this Trinity of Persons the Son is begotten of the Father by an eternal generation, and the Holy Spirit proceeds by an eternal procession from the Father and the Son. Yet, notwithstanding this difference as to origin, the Persons are co-eternal and co-equal: all alike are uncreated and omnipotent. This, the Church teaches, is the revelation regarding God's nature which Jesus Christ, the Son of God, came upon earth to deliver to the world: and which she proposes to man as the foundation of her whole dogmatic system." (13)
As we can clearly see that the Watchtower has for 134 years defined the Trinity incorrectly. For scriptural support of the Trinity, please read the article entitled "BIBLE STUDY: WHY CHRISTIANS BELIEVE IN THE TRINITY."
1- Pocket Dictionary of Theological Terms, May 26, 1999, by Stanley J. Grenz and David Guretzki, Page 116
2- Nelson's Compact Bible Dictionary, R.K. Harrison Ronald F. Youn F.F. Bruce , Thomas Nelson, 2004, Page 624
3- What does the Bible teach about the Trinity? By GotQuestions.org
4- What does the Bible teach about the Trinity? By GotQuestions.org
5- How is the doctrine of the Trinity not tritheism? By GotQuestions.org
6- How is the doctrine of the Trinity not tritheism? By GotQuestions.org
7- How is the doctrine of the Trinity not tritheism? By GotQuestions.org
8- What is the Trinity? By Matt Slick from CARM.org
9- What is the doctrine of the Trinity? Article by Matt Perman from DesiringGod.org
10- What is the doctrine of the Trinity? Article by Matt Perman from DesiringGod.org
11- Explaining the Trinity, By Tim Staples, From Catholic.com, June 20, 2014
12- THE DOGMA OF THE TRINITY, By Catholic.org Online
13- THE DOGMA OF THE TRINITY, By Catholic.org Online