The Jehovah's Witnesses reject any notion of the Trinity. Because the word “trinity” is found nowhere in the Bible, they argue the concept is a false one. They believe that Jesus is Michael the Archangel, and that the Holy Spirit is not a person, but “a force, like radar.” Where they get these ideas is anybody's guess, but it's unimportant in the end because I intend to prove them wrong (though I am not the first guy to come along since Charles Taze Russell invented his religion.)
I want to show the following:
- The Bible teaches that there is only one God.
- The Holy Spirit is, in fact, a person.
- God the Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit all possess the qualities of deity.
- Qualities and deeds attributed to one can also be attributed to another, or all three persons of the Trinity
- Each member of the Trinity is distinct and separate from the other two.
- I will give further proof that Jesus is God.
All verses that I will use here are taken from the King James Version of the Bible. The Watchtower Bible and Tract Society publishes their own copies of the King James Version in New York City, and so it is totally legitimate to use the King James when debating with a Jehovah's Witness.
The Bible teaches that there is only one God
Many religions that deny the Trinity, including the Jehovah's Witnesses and Islam, make the false claim that Trinitarians believe in three gods. This claim is not true. The doctrine of tritheism goes back to the early church, but is considered heresy by the mainline church.
One God in scripture:
- Old Testament:
- Unto thee it was shewed, that thou mightest know that the LORD he [is] God; [there is] none else beside him. – Deuteronomy 4:35
- Know therefore this day, and consider [it] in thine heart, that the LORD he [is] God in heaven above, and upon the earth beneath: [there is] none else. – Deuteronomy 4:39
- See now that I, [even] I, [am] he, and [there is] no god with me: I kill, and I make alive; I wound, and I heal: neither [is there any] that can deliver out of my hand. – Deuteronomy 32:39
- For who [is] God, save the LORD? and who [is] a rock, save our God? – 2 Samuel 22:32
- Now therefore, O LORD our God, save us from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that thou [art] the LORD, [even] thou only. – Isaiah 37:20
- Ye [are] my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I [am] he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me. – Isaiah 43:10
- [6]Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I [am] the first, and I [am] the last; and beside me [there is] no God. [7]And who, as I, shall call, and shall declare it, and set it in order for me, since I appointed the ancient people? and the things that are coming, and shall come, let them shew unto them. [8] Fear ye not, neither be afraid: have not I told thee from that time, and have declared [it]? ye [are] even my witnesses. Is there a God beside me? yea, [there is] no God; I know not [any]. – Isaiah 44:6-8
- I [am] the LORD, and [there is] none else, [there is] no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me – Isaiah 45:5
- [21] Tell ye, and bring [them] near; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath declared this from ancient time? [who] hath told it from that time? [have] not I the LORD? and [there is] no God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour; [there is] none beside me. [22] Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I [am] God, and [there is] none else. – Isaiah 45:21-22
- Remember the former things of old: for I [am] God, and [there is] none else; [I am] God, and [there is] none like me – Isaiah 46:9
- The New Testament:
- How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that [cometh] from God only? – John 5:44
- Seeing [it is] one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith. – Romans 3:30
- As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol [is] nothing in the world, and that [there is] none other God but one. – 1 Corinthians 8:4
- Now a mediator is not [a mediator] of one, but God is one. – Galatians 3:20
- One God and Father of all, who [is] above all, and through all, and in you all. – Ephesians 4:6
- Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, [be] honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen. – 1 Timothy 1:17
- For [there is] one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; – 1 Timothy 2:5
- Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. – James 2:19
- To the only wise God our Saviour, [be] glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen. – Jude 25
There are others that call themselves god, but the Bible teaches that there is one true God, and the rest are false gods.
- The True God:
- Now for a long season Israel [hath been] without the true God, and without a teaching priest, and without law. – 2 Chronicles 15:3
- But the LORD [is] the true God, he [is] the living God, and an everlasting king: at his wrath the earth shall tremble, and the nations shall not be able to abide his indignation. – Jeremiah 10:10
- And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. – John 17:3
- For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God – 1 Thessalonians 1:9
- And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, [even] in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life. – 1 John 5:20
- False gods:
- [20] And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, [even] in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life. [21] And turn ye not aside: for [then should ye go] after vain [things], which cannot profit nor deliver; for they [are] vain. – 1 John 12:20-21
- For all the gods of the nations [are] idols: but the LORD made the heavens. – Psalm 96:5
- And have cast their gods into the fire: for they [were] no gods, but the work of men's hands, wood and stone: therefore they have destroyed them. – Isaiah 37:19
- [23] Shew the things that are to come hereafter, that we may know that ye [are] gods: yea, do good, or do evil, that we may be dismayed, and behold [it] together. [24] Behold, ye [are] of nothing, and your work of nought: an abomination [is he that] chooseth you. – Isaiah 41:23-24
- Hath a nation changed [their] gods, which [are] yet no gods? but my people have changed their glory for [that which] doth not profit. – Jeremiah 2:11
- How shall I pardon thee for this? thy children have forsaken me, and sworn by [them that are] no gods: when I had fed them to the full, they then committed adultery, and assembled themselves by troops in the harlots' houses. – Jeremiah 5:7
- Shall a man make gods unto himself, and they [are] no gods? – Jeremiah 16:20
- As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol [is] nothing in the world, and that [there is] none other God but one. – 1 Corinthians 8:4
- [19] What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing? [20] But I [say], that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils. – 1 Corinthians 10:19-20