Page 4 - Countering Trinitarian Arguments With Historical Reference

Introduction
This small book and study has been compiled and written for all who would like authentic documentation and a quick reference on the subject of the Godhead and early Christian Baptism. Many have been tricked into believing the non-inspired creeds and writings of men and not the actual Word of God. Historical evidence is given in this book as a valuable tool for personal or group research, witnessing, teaching, and preaching or a debate. The impact of documentation that agrees with the teachings of the Holy Bible should not be underestimated. Many of our converts to Christ were astounded, when in a Bible study, to see so much historical data to back up our doctrinal stand. Not only does the Bible back up the real Acts 2:38 and Eph. 4:4-6 (“Apostles’ Doctrine”), but many Dictionaries, Encyclopedias and History books concur with the truth. This book is an aid to counter Trinitarian objections and arguments and give a more historical and Biblical view. We live in an enlightened era were humanity wants to see the facts and not just take a persons word. We cannot say that we blame them. We cannot only give them chapter and verse but historical references. I could say to someone, “the Trinity was not a belief of the early Church”. Alone, although this is a true statement, it sounds almost hollow, and many could respond and say, “Well that’s your opinion”. However, if we make the same statement and include Acts 2:38 & 4:12, James 2:19, 1 Tim. 3:16, Rev. 1:8, Col. 1:19 & 2:9 and the quotes below then it becomes a very hard statement to be argued with.
The American Peoples Encyclopedia 1975 “Trinity: The doctrine of the Trinity was made official by the (Catholic) Council of Nicea (AD 325) and was given its definitive statement by the (Catholic) Council of Constantinople (AD 381).” (Note: made official in 325 not 33 AD!)
The Encyclopedia Americana 1956, Vol. 27, page 294L: “Christianity derived from Judaism and Judaism was (and still is) strictly Unitarian (One God in its belief). The road that leads from Jerusalem to Nicea was scarcely a straight one. Fourth century Trinitiarianism did not reflect accurately early (Original) Christian teaching regarding the nature of God; it was on the contrary, a deviation from this teaching.” (Note: a “fourth century” teaching a deviation from the original first century Christian teachings!)
Origin and Evolution of Religion By Professor E. Washburn Hopkins, Ph.D. Yale University, 1924, page 339. “The (early) Church believed that “God” in the sense of an active creative power was the Holy Spirit of the Hebrews, [Gen. 1:2, Zec. 4:6, Job 33:4, John 4:24, Eph. 4:4-6]...while it also believed with the first simple Christians that Jesus Christ was God on earth.” (This agrees with Matthew 1:23, John 8:23-24, 1 Tim. 3:16, Col. 1:15, Col. 2:8, and 2 Cor. 5:19!)
Dr. John Gwyn Griffiths an Egyptologist and former Professor of Theology at the University of Wales. Quoting information about his 1992 book Triads and Trinity. “Was the idea of the Trinity—that One God exists in Three Persons and One Substance— influenced by pre-Christian [pagan] traditions? It is well known that the New Testament offers no such doctrine, and there is no evidence that Jesus of Nazareth regarded himself as a member of the Trinity. The doctrine was developed during the first four Christian
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