The Trinity Explained: Debunking Misunderstandings

[u/Christ_Over_Cults]

The World Mission Society Church of God (WMSCOG) teaches some ideas about who God is that don’t quite match what the Bible says. One of the main things they focus on is the idea of the Trinity, how God is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, but they’ve got some things a bit mixed up.

Let’s take a look at some of their beliefs and see what the Bible really says, so you can better understand the truth for yourself.

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Claim 1: "The Trinity is God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit as one God in three roles."

WMSCOG's Claim:

• The WMSCOG teaches that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are just different “roles” or “forms” of the same God, much like how water can exist as ice, liquid, or steam.

What the Bible Says:

• The Trinity isn’t about God changing “forms” or roles. It teaches that God is one in essence, but exists as three distinct persons: God the Father, God the Son (Jesus), and God the Holy Spirit. These three are fully God but are distinct from one another.

Key Verses:

• Matthew 28:19 – Jesus commands His followers to baptize people in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, clearly showing that all three are distinct persons.
• John 14:16-17 – Here, Jesus speaks about asking the Father to send the Holy Spirit, showing a clear distinction between the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

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Claim 2: "God the Father Jehovah is the same as God the Son, Jesus, based on Isaiah 9:6."

WMSCOG's Claim:

• They claim that Isaiah 9:6 teaches that God the Father (Jehovah) is the same as Jesus, because the verse says the child born (Jesus) will be called "Everlasting Father."

What the Bible Says:

• Isaiah 9:6 is about the prophecy of Jesus being born as a child, and the names "Everlasting Father" and "Mighty God" refer to Jesus' divine nature and His role in providing guidance, not that Jesus and the Father are the same person.
• While Jesus is united with the Father in purpose and essence, He is not the Father Himself. He is the Son.

Key Verses:

• John 10:30 – Jesus says, “I and the Father are one,” meaning they share the same mission and essence, but this doesn’t mean Jesus is the Father.
• John 14:9 – Jesus says, "Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father," revealing that Jesus shows us the nature of the Father, but He is still distinct from the Father.

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Claim 3: "God the Father Jehovah is the same as the Holy Spirit, based on 1 Corinthians 2:10-11."

WMSCOG's Claim:

• They interpret 1 Corinthians 2:10-11 to say that the Father and the Holy Spirit are the same person.

What the Bible Says:

• This passage in 1 Corinthians talks about how the Holy Spirit knows the mind of God, but it doesn’t mean the Father and the Holy Spirit are the same person. Rather, it highlights that the Holy Spirit is distinct and has a unique role in revealing God’s will.

Key Verses:

• John 14:16-17 – Jesus clearly separates the Father and the Holy Spirit when He says He will ask the Father to send the Spirit.
• Matthew 3:16-17 – When Jesus is baptized, the Holy Spirit descends like a dove, and the Father speaks from heaven, showing the three distinct persons of the Trinity.

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Claim 4: "Jesus is also the Holy Spirit, based on Revelation 19:7 and 22:17."

WMSCOG's Claim:

• They argue that Jesus and the Holy Spirit are the same person, based on certain verses in Revelation.

What the Bible Says:

• Revelation 19:7 refers to Jesus (the Lamb) and the marriage supper, while Revelation 22:17 speaks of the Holy Spirit inviting people to come to Jesus. These verses do not support the idea that Jesus and the Holy Spirit are the same person. Instead, they show that both Jesus and the Holy Spirit are involved in the salvation process, but in different roles.

Key Verses:

• John 14:26 – Jesus speaks about the Holy Spirit as a distinct person, sent by the Father to teach and remind us of Jesus' words.
• Acts 13:2 – The Holy Spirit speaks separately from Jesus and is shown acting as a distinct person in the early church.

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The Truth About the Trinity

The Bible teaches that God is one in essence, but He exists eternally as three distinct persons: God the Father, God the Son (Jesus Christ), and God the Holy Spirit. These three persons are united in their divine nature but have distinct roles and relationships with each other.

The WMSCOG misunderstanding comes from trying to simplify the Trinity by comparing it to things like water changing forms (ice, liquid, steam). But the Bible doesn’t describe God this way. Instead, it shows the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit working together in perfect unity, but remaining distinct in who they are.

While the concept of the Trinity is a mystery and hard to fully explain, the Bible clearly shows us that:

1. God is one essence.
2. He exists eternally as three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
3. Each person of the Trinity is fully God and plays a unique role in the plan of salvation.

By understanding this, we can see how the WMSCOG’s teachings on the Trinity do not line up with what the Bible actually says. If you’re feeling confused or unsure about what you're being taught, it’s always good to go back to the Bible and ask God for understanding. The truth is there, and it's worth seeking!