@ppm56,
First off, I want to thank you. I genuinely appreciate that you haven’t been as condescending in this last exchange as you can be at times. I especially thank you for not making comments like “you’re not a Christian” or mocking my walk with God. That level of respect is what I hope we can continue, even if we never agree on much of what is written. If we’re going to keep conversing, then at least let it be grounded in mutual respect.
That said, let me be equally clear: Just because some of what I believe happens to align with some Protestants doesn’t make me a Protestant. And just because Protestants sometimes align with Catholic beliefs doesn’t make you a Protestant either, does it? It goes both ways. So this constant attempt to label me—Millerite, SDA, Protestant, whatever—is simply not seeing the bigger picture. It’s not helpful, and it certainly doesn’t move us forward in rightly dividing the word.
What’s really going on is this: I quote Scripture—plainly, clearly—and when it cuts deep, people react. Some get convicted and change, others get offended and start attacking the messenger. I see this especially when quoting hard truths like those on homosexuality. The Scriptures are blunt: “Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God?” (1 Corinthians 6:9–10). That’s not my opinion—it’s what’s written. And yet, people lash out at me personally instead of responding to the truth.
And that’s exactly what you do when you accuse me of following the traditions of men. I’ve asked you repeatedly—and I’ll ask again: What tradition do I follow that is not in Scripture? You keep throwing that accusation out, but never once have you shown even one example. Meanwhile, I’ve shown you a documented list of 29 traditions your Church upholds that are not found anywhere in Scripture—and you haven’t refuted a single one.
You chose to celebrate Easter. You followed a tradition of men, built on a foundation of Christianized paganism. Meanwhile, Passover—the actual Scriptural observance Yeshua followed—came and went, and you didn’t observe it. That alone speaks volumes. Same with Christmas. Same with confession to a man you call “father.” And we both know what Yeshua said about that:
“Call no man on earth your father, for you have one Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 23:9)
Devout Catholics pray to saints and to Miriam (Mary), even though Scripture is clear:
“There must not be found among you anyone who... consults with the dead.” (Deuteronomy 18:10–11)
The saints are not in heaven right now. They await the resurrection. We’re told to pray to the Father in the name of Yeshua—nowhere are we told to pray to the dead.
Let’s talk about the Spirit. You seem to jump back and forth. On one hand, you agree the Holy Spirit is not a literal person with a throne. Yet you also say He has emotions and personhood, and speak as though He is some third being. But that is the traditional Trinity concept: three literal persons, often pictured sitting on three thrones—just like old Catholic artwork depicts.
Let me remind you what is written:
“But when the Helper comes—whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father—He will testify about Me.” (John 15:26)
This verse says plainly the Spirit “goes out from the Father.” Not from Himself. Not as a third divine throne-sitter. He proceeds from the Father. He is the presence of the Father, not a separate being.
Yeshua said:
“But now I am going to the One who sent Me... But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away—for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send Him to you.” (John 16:5, 7)
Who is the Helper? The Spirit of the Father.
And what does Yeshua say further?
“In that day, you will know that I am in My Father, you are in Me, and I am in you.” (John 14:20)
He speaks of unity—not three persons with thrones and titles, but one divine unity.
So again, I say this with seriousness: The doctrine of the Trinity as taught today is not found in the Bible. It was developed centuries later, shaped by councils and creeds—not by Yeshua’s teachings. In fact, no verse in the original manuscripts ever said God is “three co-equal persons.” The only verse close to that is 1 John 5:7, and even scholars admit it was added much later and is not found in early manuscripts.
What’s written is clear: the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of the Father, not a third God-being. Yeshua sits at the right hand of the Father. There is no third throne. There is no passage where Yeshua says the Spirit will come “of His own accord.”
You say I'm parroting Protestant tradition, but everything I say, I say because it is written. Scripture says:
“Howbeit in vain do they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men. Having left behind the commandment of God, you hold on to the tradition of men.” (Mark 7:7–8)
Brother, that applies to you. I’m not the one defending confession to priests, praying to the dead, or pagan holiday practices like Easter and Christmas.
As for your comment about heaven: No, I do not believe I will see a third divine being on a throne to whom I say, “Hi Holy Spirit.” That’s not Scriptural. That’s tradition—and not a good one. We are made in the image of God—yes. But the Father has form. Yeshua now has glorified flesh. The Spirit is their presence, their power, their life in us.
“You are flesh and blood. Yet you have a spirit. Does that make you two people?” No. So why do we make YHWH into three persons?
This is why I say to you, and I mean it sincerely—please, let go of the traditions of men. The devil prowls like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Don’t fall for the oldest trick in the book—twist the truth just enough, dress it in religion, and call it holy.
Let the Word speak for itself.
“He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”
