Expert: Joe Norman - 4/29/2007

Question
QUESTION: I would like to know why you try to avoid using the word Trinity?  The word Christian is not found in the bible yet we use it.  The word bible is not found in the Bible and I don't believe the word rapture is in the bible either.  I'm sure we could find many more.  

Thank you
ANSWER: I thank you for allowing me the opportunity to answer your questions. I am not sure where you got the idea that I "try to avoid using the word Trinity." I am not afraid to use the term and sometimes I do. I try to use the term "Godhead" more frequently because that is the only term in the Bible that is used to describe the unity of the three persons of God. The word Christian is actually found in the Bible and so you are incorrect about that. Here are the places where it is used:

Acts 11:26  and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.

Acts 26:28  And Agrippa said to Paul, "In a short time would you persuade me to be a Christian?"

I Peter 4:16  Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name.

Yet, you are correct that the word Bible is not in the Word of God. The word Bible is defined thus:

Bible

Bible, the English form of the Greek name _Biblia_, meaning "books," the name which in the fifth century began to be given to the entire collection of sacred books, the "Library of Divine Revelation." The name Bible was adopted by Wickliffe, and came gradually into use in our English language. The Bible consists of sixty-six different books, composed by many different writers, in three different languages, under different circumstances; writers of almost every social rank, statesmen and peasants, kings, herdsmen, fishermen, priests, tax-gatherers, tentmakers; educated and uneducated, Jews and Gentiles; most of them unknown to each other, and writing at various periods during the space of about 1600 years: and yet, after all, it is only one book dealing with only one subject in its numberless aspects and relations, the subject of man's redemption. It is divided into the Old Testament, containing thirty-nine books, and the New Testament, containing twenty-seven books.

The word rapture is not found in the Bible either. You are again correct. I would sooner use the term "trinity" than I would use the word "rapture" simply because I do not even agree with what many teach regarding a "rapture." There are some terms that are not found in the Bible that I have no problem with at all. Some terms I do have a problem with. The problem comes in whether or not the meaning is even biblical. If the meaning is not biblical, I will definitely avoid using that term in a way that would be misleading. The only problem I have with the term trinity is that it causes some non-Christians who do not understand what we mean to think we believe in three Gods. You and I know that there is only ONE God. (Deut.6:4; Mark 12:20) There are three persons in ONE God. God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. I do hope that my answers have been sufficient for you. If you have more questions or need some clarification, please don't hesitate to ask either a follow-up question, or a new one all together. God bless us in our study of God's Word together.

         In Christ, Joe Norman

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you for answering my question.  I apologize for being incorrect about
the word Christian being found in the bible.  I stand corrected.  As far as my
original question, I asked because I read it in one of your answers to someone
else so I'm sorry if I seemed accusatory.  I did not mean it that way.  Thank
you for clarifying your reasons behind avoiding the use of the term trinity.
I am curious as to your thoughts on the rapture.  What are your beliefs on
this subject.
Thank you,
Susan

Answer
First let me apologize to you for taking so long to answer you. I have been in the process of moving to the north Dallas area and am still trying to get settled here. I had also forgotten about my earlier answer to someone else where I stated I tend to avoid the term "trinity". But I am happy to know that I was able to clarify my reasons for you.

 Now, to give you the shortest and easiest answer regarding my views of "the rapture", I simply do not believe anything will occur as many pre-millenninialists teach on the "end times" and the "rapture." I do believe that Jesus will return one day. I also believe that He will divide those of saving faith from the wicked and take his people to Heaven. I believe all this will occur in the blink of an eye and that all creation will be destroyed.

The term "rapture" mainly comes from a Latin word that is found in I Thessalonians.

I Thess.4:17,18
17  Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.18  Therefore encourage one another with these words.

The English translation is "caught up" which is all that the word "rapture" really means. The Greek is "harpazō". Here is the dictionary definition of Rapture: "Rapture" is a word of Latin origin ("raptus" = "having been seized").

 In order to fully explain my understanding of "the rapture" and the "end times", I would require  much more time and probably a long series of lessons to present to you evidence from God's Word that supports my understanding to be correct. If you would like to correspond with me to get a full understanding of what I believe and teach, you can email me directly at joetenor1066@gmail.com