Could the Trinity doctrine, a cornerstone of Christian belief, have been shaped more by political forces than divine revelation? We're peeling back the layers of historical context to reveal how this pivotal doctrine took shape, exploring the transitions from Hebrew roots to Greek philosophy. As we sift through 'The End Time Message Handbook', join us for an eye-opening journey that challenges long-held beliefs and calls into question the validity of doctrines marred by political influence. This isn't your average history lesson; it's a deep dive into the evolution of faith and a reflection on the spiritual expressions that resonate with believers worldwide.
Venture with us as we navigate the theological complexities surrounding the nature of the Godhead, illuminated by the clarifying teachings of Brother Branham. In striking the delicate balance between scripture and human reasoning, we uncover the transformative power of these end-time messages evident in the healings and personal transformations reported globally. Witness the impact of these teachings through the lived experiences of individuals across the world, offering a compelling testament to their authenticity. Prepare for a chapter of church history that's as much about the past as it is a living, breathing testament to the power of faith in the present.
Could the Trinity doctrine, a cornerstone of Christian belief, have been shaped more by political forces than divine revelation? We're peeling back the layers of historical context to reveal how this pivotal doctrine took shape, exploring the transitions from Hebrew roots to Greek philosophy. As we sift through 'The End Time Message Handbook', join us for an eye-opening journey that challenges long-held beliefs and calls into question the validity of doctrines marred by political influence. This isn't your average history lesson; it's a deep dive into the evolution of faith and a reflection on the spiritual expressions that resonate with believers worldwide.
Venture with us as we navigate the theological complexities surrounding the nature of the Godhead, illuminated by the clarifying teachings of Brother Branham. In striking the delicate balance between scripture and human reasoning, we uncover the transformative power of these end-time messages evident in the healings and personal transformations reported globally. Witness the impact of these teachings through the lived experiences of individuals across the world, offering a compelling testament to their authenticity. Prepare for a chapter of church history that's as much about the past as it is a living, breathing testament to the power of faith in the present.
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The End Time Message Handbook by Jason DeMars Preface. The End Time Message Handbook is a collection of articles I wrote over the course of four years for the monthly booklet, the PTM Contender. The birth of the publication began because of requests from brothers in Turkey and Pakistan desiring to have teachings published in a written format. I began writing three articles each month and had them translated and printed in Turkey and Pakistan. Later, I began printing them in English as well. In April 2020, I felt the Lord prompted me to end the publication of the PTM Contender on a monthly basis and began a daily live video teaching to equip and encourage believers around the world. However, I have continued to receive requests for the PTM Contender and, as a result, I have made all the articles available in one publication. What you now hold in your hand is the result of that effort.
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This is not intended to be a final answer on each and every topic. My hope is that this book will go forth for the glory of Jesus Christ to help establish every believer that reads it in the present truth. It is not an exhaustive book, written on every possible topic, expanding the message In the future and, as time allows, I will address further topics and assemble a book that covers every major subject that the message deals with. It will be a second revision of this book at some point in the future. With that said, this book does cover a broad range of subjects, both doctrinal and practical. My desire would be that you read it through from cover to cover and that you will find it invaluable as a reference guide. If you have a certain topic that you have a question about, you can refer to this work, which I pray helps you to begin your study. You might then go to the table to Esword or another Biblical source to launch your own prayerful study. May the Lord richly bless you, Brother Jason deMars.
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Chapter 1 the Godhead. The Godhead is a subject that can be very divisive, but with the proper scriptural balance in the message, taking everything Brother Branham said about it, we can find the truth. God is one person and he reveals Himself in different forms or masks personas throughout redemptive history. It is critical to note that we know God as he reveals Himself and not as we can reason out. We know God through the lens of the scriptures, as His Spirit makes truth known in our hearts. Church History, Development of the Trinity. The Bible never uses the terms trinity, one God in three persons, three persons in one substance, etc. It is curious why later church councils utilize these terms as necessary for salvation. The Athanasian Creed states and the Catholic faith is this that we worship one God in trinity and trinity in unity, neither confounding the persons nor dividing the substance.
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After the death of the apostles, church history is clear. There was a gradual shift away from Hebrew Biblical thought to Greek philosophical thought, 147-161 AD. Justin Martyr confesses that he believes the word of John 1 and 1 is a second God Circa 200. Tritulian was the first to use the word trinity, Latin trinitas. He borrowed the term from heathen teaching that spoke of a father, son, mother, trinity. At this time, no doctrine of three co-equal, co-eternal persons was in existence. Circa 230. Origin began teaching that the Son was eternal. Before this, all teachers confessed that the Logos came forth from God just prior to creation, 325. The Nicene Council recognizes that the Son was a second person, co-equal and co-eternal, 381.
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Constantinople Council the Church officially accepts that the Holy Spirit was the third person of the trinity. The person residing over the Council was an unbaptized city official. Which trinity doctrine is the right one? The various Orthodox Churches bear record to this development as well. Each of them hold to a varying version of the trinity. Each of them claims apostolic successions the doctrine that they can trace the line of bishops of their Church back to an apostle and each of them has their arguments for why their Trinitarian creed is most authentic.
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There are seven ecumenical councils that the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox both agree upon. An ecumenical council or general council is a conference of ecclesiastical dignitaries and theological experts convened to discuss and settle matters of Church doctrine and practice, in which those entitled to vote are convoked from the whole world. The Church of the East recognizes only two of them. The Church of the East, also known as the Nestorian Church, is a Christian church within the Syriac tradition of Eastern Christianity. It was the Christian Church of the Sassanian Empire and quickly spread widely through Asia Between the 9th and 14th centuries. It was the world's largest Christian church in terms of geographical extent, with dioceses stretching from the Mediterranean Sea to China and India. Several modern churches claim continuity with the horse historical Church of the East.
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One of these councils took away a decision from a previous council and the council after that restored the initial decision. Is this how God communicates his truth with his people? This is politics, not revelation. The first seven councils were all called by either the Western Roman Emperor or the Eastern Roman Emperor. This was found quite strange to most of us, but bear with me as I have a point. In their belief of the Trinity, the Roman Catholic Church confesses that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father through the Son, and the Eastern Orthodox Church confesses that the Holy Spirit proceeds only from the Father. The Church of the East rejects that the two natures of Jesus Christ are fused together into one, but that they remain separate.
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Each of these councils, which were key in the development of the doctrine of the Trinity, ended up establishing other doctrines that most Christians consider false. The Nicene Council established that the bishops of Rome, Antioch, Constantinople and Alexandria were considered patriarchs and had authority over their civil provinces and all other bishops. The first council of Ephesus declared that Mary was the mother of God. Other councils validated the worship, or they say veneration, of icons, that is, statues and other items of historical value connected to Christianity. Without question, the doctrine of the Trinity was developed over time and is not a biblical revelation. The Jewish faith demanded belief in the absolute oneness of God, while maintaining that God was unfolding himself in order to reveal himself to His creation.
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Church history proves that there is not an unbroken chain of belief in the Trinity.
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From the apostles down to today, it is very, very clear that the Apostolic Fathers the historical name for the leaders that followed the apostles did not believe in a trinity of persons, and the apologists, the leaders that followed the Apostolic Fathers, did not believe in a trinity of persons. The simple truth that Father, Son and Spirit are three manifestations of one person became a mess and a point of discord In the end time. God has restored this simple revelation to the Bride and we are so grateful to Him for it. The devil still seeks to bring confusion, but if we can go back to the simplicity and revelation of what Brother Branham taught, keeping all the quotes in balance and believing that they are alright, then we will stay on the right path. Conclusion the end time message is still going around the world and being preached in all nations. The Holy Spirit is moving and testimonies of healing and transformation are coming in from all around the world. The greatest vindication of the message is your life, making the Word live.