"16:27 For the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. 16:28 I came from the Father and entered into the world, but in turn, I am leaving the world and going back to the Father.” Footnote: "The statement I am leaving the world and going to the Father is a summary of the entire Gospel of John. It summarizes the earthly career of the Word made flesh, Jesus of Nazareth, on his mission from the Father to be the Savior of the world, beginning with his entry into the world as he came forth from God and concluding with his departure from the world as he returned to the Father."
Thus both Jesus and the NET Bible here equate God with Father. Thus Jesus came from the Father and God and will return to Him. But according to Trinitarian theology, the Father shares the impersonal godhead with the divine person of Jesus as well as the holy spirit. So why then didn't Jesus say he was a person of the impersonal Trinitarian godhead? Why did he lead us to believe that God is the Father and not a Trinity?
He was speaking plainly and had a perfect opportunity to explain the Trinity. Instead, he told us that the Father is God.
[Trinitarian]: You said: "2) Thus both Jesus and the NET Bible here equate God with Father.Actually it teaches that the Father is not alone in the impersonal Trinitarian godhead. So I'm afraid you misrepresented Trinitarian theology.
As does the doctrine of trinity, of course."
According to Trinitarianism, three people exist within the impersonal Trinitarian godhead, including the divine nature of Jesus.
So, why when Jesus switched from speaking in "figures of speech" (16:25) to speaking "plainly" did Jesus say that the Father is God and NOT describe the Trinity while speaking plainly?
@ TeeM, I like what you said: "According to these verses only the Father is God, because Jesus is the one sent by God, and is telling us that he is returning to God. … Jesus isn't speaking in riddles or figuratively, but 'plainly' so that we can understand Jesus' position with his God and Father." This is the crux of my question I wish Trinitarians would address.
Best Answer:
This scripture is teaching us how close God the Father is to his only begotten Son (3:16)
According to these verses only the Father is God, because Jesus is the one sent by God, and is telling us that he is returning to God.
Vs 13 tells us that the spirit can not speak a single thing of its own initiative.
NASB13 But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative,.
Again showing the submissive position of the holy spirit. (the spirit is always 'of God' or "God's" denoting ownership)
29 His disciples *said, “Lo, now You are speaking plainly and are not using a figure of speech. 30 Now we know that You know all things, and have no need for anyone to question You; by this we believe that You came from God.”
Jesus isn't speaking in riddles or figuratively, but 'plainly' so that we can understand Jesus' position with his God and Father. There is not mystery or 2 Jesus' one fleshly and one Godly.
32 and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me."
If Jesus and the Father are the same God, then Jesus would be alone, but he isn't because God is with him.
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The entire context of John 16 refutes the idea that the Father, Son and holy spirit are all one and equal.
