Is the Trinity Supported as the Oneness of God in John 17
John Chapter 17 speaks of the Oneness of God. I would like to explore how Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost are one.
In Chapter 17, Jesus addresses his Heavenly Father. This is a special prayer. This was Jesus’ last request to His Heavenly Father before they crucified Him.
1 These words spake Jesus, and lifted his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee:
If they are the same person (trinity), this would seem an odd request.
3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
It seems they were apart during Jesus’ time on Earth. If they were one essence (Trinity), how could that happen?
4 I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.
The Father gave instructions to the Son. The Son only did what the Father told Him to do. If they were the same being, why would one tell the other what to do?
6 I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word.
This verse says the disciples originally belonged to the Father. Then the Father gave them to Jesus to teach and mentor. Therefore, the Father gave Jesus something Jesus did not originally possess. That could only happen if Jesus and the Father were two separate beings.
8 For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me.
Assuming they are a single entity (trinity), how could one part be sent by the other? That would not make any sense.
What is Jesus is Asking for?
11 And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.
This is an important verse. Jesus asks Heavenly Father to help the disciples be one in the same way that He and the Father are one. What is the oneness of God that Jesus is asking for? Is it for His disciples to become part of a Great Spirit Essence (The Trinity), or is Jesus asking for his disciples to become unified? To become one in purpose.
20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;
21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.
If you had any doubt about the unity Jesus is speaking about, this verse should settle the question. Jesus now asks faithful Christians to be one in the same way that He and the Father are one. If Jesus were asking the Father to allow the faithful to join Him and the Father in the same Essence (the Trinity), then Christians would all join Heavenly Father, Jesus, and the Holy Ghost in some sort of Spirit Existence.
‌Jesus wants all the disciples and all those who believe in their word to be part of the same oneness as He and the Father. If the oneness of God is a Spirit Essence (Trinity), then that essence would include thousands of believers, not just the three members of the Godhead. That destroys the entire concept of the Trinity.
This type of oneness (trinity) would also imply there would be no resurrection.
The Oneness of God
The oneness Jesus is asking for is a oneness of purpose. A oneness of love and caring for each other. The same oneness that Jesus, Heavenly Father, and the Holy Ghost enjoy.
Many Bible verses depict Jesus and the Heavenly Father as separate and distinct individuals. They are one in title and purpose. The Trinitarian theology contradicts John 17 and many other verses in the Bible.
Christian Searcher
Look these up for yourself.
Acts: 7: 55-56
Exodus 24: 9-10
Mathew 3: 16-17
Luke 28:3-6
1 Corinthians 15
Acts 1: 10-11
