Did the early Church teach the Trinity?

Answer 1

Roman Catholic AnswerYes, beginning with the Gospels, the Church has consistently taught the Trinity throughout Her history.

In the Gospel, we find the Trinity mentioned in Luke 1, 35, Mt. 3, 16 et seq.; John 1, 32; John 14, 16, St. John 14, 26 and 15, 26; and, of course, Mt. 28, 19.

The doctrine is very clear in the Apostolic Epistles and from the ancient Christian Church beginning with the Didache baptismal formula. Also see St. Justin, Apologia, I 61; St. Irenaeus, Adv. haer., III 17, I; Tertullian, De baptismo, 13; Origen, In ep. ad Rom. 5, 8; St. Cyprian, 73, 18.

The Apostles Creed, the ante-Nicene Fathers, and the Post-Nicene Fathers, for an exhaustive coverage of all the sources please see:

Fundamentals of Catholic Dogma by Ludwig Ott, Tan Books and Publishers, Inc. 1974, Part 2, The Doctrine of the Triune God, Section I The Dogmatic Formulation and Positive Foundation of the Dogma of the Trinity.

Ott also covers the various heresies which have arisen concerning this doctrine, over the centuries.

Second AnswerThe doctrine of the Trinity was established during the Council of Nicea (325 AD). Historically speaking as far as the Catholic Church is concerned, the Church did not espouse the Trinity until that point, as the Council was necessary to determine what the Church would believe. There were many who did not agree with the doctrine of the Trinity, but the Council ruled in favor of it.

The Bible does not specifically mention the Trinity, and certain passages (mentioned above) that are quoted in support of it could be taken to mean that the Father and Son are one in purpose, not actual form, as a husband and wife are one, yet are still two separate persons. Other scriptures (Matthew 3:16-17, John 17:20-24, John 20:17, Acts 7:55-56) suggest that the Father and Son are two separate and distinct individuals, yet still one God along with the Holy Ghost (the three of them together being one Godhead).

We do not have solid documentation concerning what the primitive Church believed (as in the Church that Christ Himself set up, headed by the Twelve Apostles after His death). The Catholic Church claims to be the same that Christ established, but other individuals suggest that the true Church of Christ must have the same foundation that it did in the beginning (namely, one of prophets and apostles, with Jesus Christ being the center [Ephesians 2:19-20]). Therefore, the Catholic claim to determining original Church doctrine is debatable.

Answer 2

A:It's up to you to believe in the trinity or not but not even a single bible verse teaches the trinity. It's just a church which teaches the trinity. And it is proved that an ancient church started the trinity after Jesus. Jesus worshipped God..!! B:The Trinity was not formally defined until the third or fourth century, but the doctrine that Jesus Christ is divine was taught by the Apostles. The doctrine of the Trinity follows from this.

The Trinity is encapsulated in the baptismal formula in Matt.28:19, where the disciples were commanded to baptise in the name of Father and the Son and Holy Spirit.

The prologue to the Gospel of John (John 1:1-14) is an emphatic statement of Jesus' divinity. Also the "I am" statements in John 8:12-30, are an emphatic statement by Jesus himself of his divinity. In addition, scholars have found many indications in Paul's letters of Jesus being described in terms that reflect the Old Testament terminology used for God.