First off, this is a topic I have a lot of time for. I know that Trinitarians love to go to John 14 to support for their belief. So let us do an in-depth look at the verses in John 14 which are usually presented as supporting props for the trinity doctrine.
John 13 ended in a very depressing tone, very gloomy. Jesus had spoken of his betrayal, denial, and death. The disciples were heartbroken and sad. In Chapter 14, Jesus affirmed them, that despite what is going to happen, they will not be forsaken. Actually, these are his exact words, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. 2 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”. Look at this opening statement of Jesus, “You believe in God; believe also in me”, Does that sound like he is teaching a trinity? Check how he proceeded. “My Father’s house has many rooms,” Throughout the book of john Jesus refers to God as his Father, no wonder in chapter 17:3 he said when praying to his Father “Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God,”
Now back to chapter 14. Trinitarians Grab hold of verses 7-11, So let us not rush it. In verse 5 Thomas said, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” To This Jesus answered “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you really know me, you will know[b] my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.” At this time Every trinitarian in the house must be jumping. “But Phillip goes deeper into the question. “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.”
9 Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? Wow! Brother Figurh, it looks like they are correct. Jesus did teach that the two are one. Or did He? Well, it is always correct to check around to see where else he talked about being in the Father. So again I will jump ahead to the prayer in John 17. Verse 20 – 23 “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— 23 I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity.” BOOM! That should take care of that. Just plain scripture but profound when understood in context.
Now we come to the promise of the Holy Spirit. Verse 15 and onward. By the way, verse 15 is one of the most abused texts by SDA. 15 “If you love me, keep my commands” This is not saying to keep the ten commandments. This text can be best translated as” If you love me, keep my sayings/teachings. Jesus continues, (Please pay attention and read this slowly, purposefully, and carefully)
“I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. BUT YOU KNOW HIM,” — NOTICE that Jesus is saying the disciples know the advocate that will come. But how do they know him? What are you talking about Jesus? Listen as Jesus continues. This is the part that ALL Trinitarians miss.
“FOR HE LIVES WITH YOU, AND WILL BE IN YOU. 18 I WILL NOT LEAVE YOU AS ORPHANS; I WILL COME TO YOU.
Isn’t this assuring? Jesus himself will come to them.
19Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 20 On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you.”
Now to this last part. John is so sweet. I love it.
Jesus says, “21 Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”
Now check Judas’ Question.
22 Then Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said, “But, Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?”
Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, AND WE WILL COME TO THEM AND MAKE OUR HOME WITH THEM”
This last part is also a greatly misunderstood part.
5 “All this I have spoken while still with you. 26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you”
So who is this Advocate, Jesus said that it is the Holy Spirit who the Father will send in my Name. What does Paul say about the advocate? “For there is one God, and one mediator (Advocate) between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” 1 Timothy 2:5
And who does Paul say is the Holy Spirit? “Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 2 Corinthians 3:17 (Note Paul always refers to Jesus as Lord.)
Here is why I cannot accept the doctrine of the Trinity. My two Witnesses that there is one God.
“Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.” John 17:3
”yet for us, there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live.” 1 Corinthians 8:6
Just testing this page