Trinity proof texts: John 17:3

Anti-Trinity Proof Texts Refuted

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John 17:3

And this is eternal life, that they may know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom Thou hast sent.

(John 17:3 represents the primary proof text that Anti-trinitarians use to teach Jesus is a creature and trash the trinity. John 17:3 is to a Jehovah's Witness, what John 3:16 is to a Christian!)

What John 17:3 is saying:

While Jesus walked the earth, he took off the outward robes of deity and put on the robes of a servant. (Phil 2:6-8 + John 13:3-20) Jesus on earth was still "very God" or the "only true God" but he took on a new role of a servant where all His efforts was to direct people to the Father as God and not to Himself. He humbled Himself, avoiding the glory of being God on earth and directing it to the Father alone. In the midst of Jesus' final prayer in the garden just prior to his arrest, we see that such submission was not merely a show while in the presence of man, but a true to the heart submission to the Father. Jesus was not denying he was the "only true God", but was praising the Father as such. the very next words after this verse are: "I glorified Thee on the earth ... now glorify me". Jesus would not sing his own praises! In very simple terms, if Jesus addressed someone else as "man", that does not mean Jesus himself was not a man. Jesus was not creating a point of distinction between Himself and the Father in the expression, "only true God", but between the Father and any other "so called god" like idols. Jesus had lived among the Romans with their many competing gods and Jesus was addressing the Father with these idols in mind.

What John 17:3 is not saying:

The quickest way to see the mistake in the Jehovah's Witness interpretation of John 17:3 is in Eph 4:4-6. ("there is one God and one Lord") If "One God" excludes Jesus from God, then "One Lord" excludes God from being Lord. Yet we know that they share these identical characteristics. Jehovah is not only called the Only true God (John 17:3), but the "Only Saviour" (Isa 43:11; 45:21; Hos 13:4; Jude 25) , "Only King" (Zech 14:9). If John 17:3 excludes Jesus from being "True God", then Jesus is also excluded from being a Saviour or King. Conversely, Jesus is called the "Only Teacher, (Matt 23:8,10, Mt 10:24 and Jn 13:13), "Only Master" (Jude 4, 2 Peter 2:1), and "Only Lord" (Jude 4, Eph 4:4, 1 Cor 8:4,6, Mt 6:24). If John 17:3 excludes Jesus from being "True God", then the Father is also excluded from being our Teacher, Master or Lord.

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False Arian argument stated:

It is obvious that Jesus and the Father are not the same person, but two distinct persons. Therefore Jesus is not God.

The fact that the Father is the "only true God", excludes Jesus as being the "only true God".

Our preliminary comments:

No verse in the Bible ever outright states that Jesus is not divine or God. John 17:3 does not say that Jesus is not the only true God. Jehovah's Witnesses use faulty inductive logic to incorrectly conclude that Jesus is excluded from God in John 17:3. Again, John 17:3 does not say: "Jesus is not God", anti-trinitarians read this into the verse without warrant.
Jesus is called true God in 1 John 5:20. This proves Jesus is not excluded from John 17:3. In addition to this, Jesus is called "true" dozens of times in scripture! (Rev 3:7)
We agree that Jesus and the Father are two distinct persons. Arians do not understand the difference between Trinity and Modalism. Modalists wrongly teach that Jesus is the same person as the Father. So such an argument is worthless and misplaced when arguing against trinity. Jehovah's Witnesses constantly apply anti-Modalist arguments to Trinitarians, not knowing that trinitarians equally reject Modalism.
The contrast of "only true God" in John 17:3, is against idols and false Gods. The same is true in EVERY OTHER PASSAGE that refers to God as true! If John 17:3 excludes Jesus, then according to Jehovah's Witnesses, since they teach Jesus is "a god", he must be included in false god's or idols, for that is the main contrast of the passage. Remember, that JW's believe that Jesus is "a true god", just not the almighty God. (Don't try to figure it out, like most of JW theology, it makes no sense.) Most damaging is the fact that John 17:3 is admitted by JW's as being directly parallel to 1 John 5:20 where the phrase, "guard yourselves from idols" is used right in the verse! This proves that the contrast in John 17:3 is between true God and Idols and that if Jesus is excluded, then he is an idol God.

"for many days Israel was without the true God [Israel was worshipping idols at this point] and without a teaching priest and without law" 2 Chron 14:12
"But the Lord is the true God; He is the living God and the everlasting King. ... "The gods that did not make the heavens and the earth shall perish from the earth and from under the heavens." Jer 10:10-11
"you turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God". 1 Thess 1:9
"And this is eternal life, that they may know Thee [as opposed to knowing false god's and idols], the only true God Jn 17:3
"This is the true God and eternal life. Little children, guard yourselves from idols." 1 Jn 5:20-21

This verse in no way excludes Jesus from the group of "only true God". The word God is used in the sense of class of being, not the name of the Father here and in many other places. John 1:1 actually says just this: "In the beginning was Eve. And Eve was with man and Eve was man." (we simply replaced Word for Eve and man for God to illustrate the point) Yet Arians will read John 1:1 like this: "In the beginning was Eve. And Eve was with Adam and Eve was Adam (or an Adam)." This second rendering is clearly wrong. Thus, when Jesus addressed the Father as the "only true deity" that clearly would not rule out others within that same class of "only true deity".
The quickest way to see the mistake in the Jehovah's Witness interpretation of John 17:3 is in Eph 4:4-6. ("there is one God and one Lord") If "One God" excludes Jesus from God, then "One Lord" excludes God from being Lord. Yet we know that they share these identical characteristics. Jehovah is not only called the Only true God (John 17:3), but the "Only Saviour" (Isa 43:11; 45:21; Hos 13:4; Jude 25) , "Only King" (Zech 14:9). If John 17:3 excludes Jesus from being "True God", then Jesus is also excluded from being a Saviour or King. Conversely, Jesus is called the "Only Teacher, (Matt 23:8,10, Mt 10:24 and Jn 13:13), "Only Master" (Jude 4, 2 Peter 2:1), and "Only Lord" (Jude 4, Eph 4:4, 1 Cor 8:4,6, Mt 6:24). If John 17:3 excludes Jesus from being "True God", then the Father is also excluded from being our Teacher, Master or Lord. See many other examples of this below. The "exclusivity" or "distinction" between the persons in these two sets of passages is equal.
Are we to assume that Jesus is not the God simply because this text doesn't specifically mention it? This passage is not exhaustive in its presentation of who Jesus is and what His nature is. The fact remains that Jehovah's Witness agree that many other passages outright call Jesus, "a God", "God" and "mighty God". (Jesus is called "mighty God" Isa 9:6; then one chapter later the Jehovah is called "mighty God" in Isa 10:21; Jer 32:18) So obviously the Jehovah's Witness interpretation on John 17:3 is wrong because the Bible interprets itself!
Since Jehovah's Witnesses agree that Jesus is called "a God", "God" and "mighty God", using Jehovah's Witness logic in John 17:3, Jesus must be a FALSE GOD. There is no escaping this conclusion except for the blind!
Jehovah's Witnesses argue that although Jesus is not "true God", that Jesus is "true" and "god" even a "true demi-god". This kind of interpretation of scripture is like driving a car with your foot on the brakes and the gas at the same time.
Jehovah's Witnesses chide trinitarians that they cannot explain what John 17:3 actually says. (a hollow claim after reading this article) JW's chide: "Trinitarians have no idea what to do with John 17:3. They cannot explain away the verse and have no idea what it is actually saying. They never tell us what John 17:3 teaches and quickly avoid it and move on to another verse." But Jehovah's Witnesses must go outside of John 17:3 to avoid the logical conclusion that if Jesus is not "true God" Jesus must be a "False God". When Jehovah's Witnesses go outside John 17:3 to prove Jesus is not "a False God" but "a true demi-god", we likewise go outside John 17:3 but correctly prove Jesus is "true God". So such chiding is bind hypocrisy! Jehovah's Witnesses cannot prove that Jesus is "a true demi-god" with John 17:3 by itself, just at Trinitarians cannot prove Jesus is "True God" with John 17:3 alone.
"True God" in John 17:3 no more lowers the rank of Jesus (who is never called true God), than "True light" in John 1:9 lowers the rank of the Father (who is never called true light.)

Anti-Trinitarian rebuttals:


Anti-Trinitarian faulty argument #1	Jehovah's Witnesses falsely argue that the Father is the top God, prime/source saviour and top king and Jesus is merely secondary as a derived god, saviour and king second to the Father. They appeal to the following verses to prove their point: 1. the only God (John 17:3) 2. the "only Saviour" (Isa 43:11; 45:21; Hos 13:4; Jude 25) 3. the "only King" (Zech 14:9).
Anti-Trinitarian argument #1 refuted	This argument is invalidated by the fact that, according to the same JW argument, Jesus is the top teacher, master and lord and the Father is secondary/derived! This is something that anti-Trinitarians cannot accept proving their initial argument proves more than they like. The Son is called: 1. the "only Teacher, (Matt 23:8,10, Mt 10:24 and Jn 13:13) 2. the "only Master" (Jude 4, 2 Peter 2:1), 3. the "only Lord" (Jude 4, Eph 4:4, 1 Cor 8:4,6, Mt 6:24). According to Jw logic, since Jesus is called the ONLY LORD, when the Father is called Lord, he is secondary in authority. Therefore, using the word "only" as a system to interpret top place in the scale of authority simply will not work. As usual, JW's create a false argument and then only apply it 1/2 the Bible data.

Anti-Trinitarian faulty argument #2	The fact that the Father is the "only true God", excludes Jesus as being the "only true God".
Anti-Trinitarian argument #2 refuted	According to Jehovah's Witness logic, if John 17:3 excludes Jesus from being called true God, then Isaiah 44:24 excludes Jesus from being called creator. (Yet Jesus is called the creator in John 1:1-3 and Col 1:16-17) Isa 44:8; Deut 32:4,12; Ps 62:2 excludes Jesus from being called a Rock. (Yet Jesus is called the Rock in 1 Corinthians 10:4) Isa 43:11; 45:21; Hos 13:4; Jude 25 excludes Jesus from being called our Saviour. (Yet Jesus is called Saviour in Titus 2:13) Zech 14:9 excludes Jesus from being called King. (Yet Jesus is called King in John 18:37 and 1 Tim 6:15) Rev 15:4 excludes Jesus from being called Holy One. (Yet Jesus is called Holy One in Mark 1:24; Acts 3:14; John 6:69) Mark 10:18 excludes Jesus from being called Good. (Yet Jesus is called Good in Matthew 23:8 and John 10:11) Matt 23:8,10, Mt 10:24 and Jn 13:13 excludes the Father from being called our Teacher. (Yet the Father is called our Teacher in Ps 119:12 and Isa 30:20) Jude 4, Acts 4:24, 2 Peter 2:1 excludes the Father from being called our Master. (Yet the Father is called our Master in 2 Tim 2:21, Neh 10:29, Ps 8:1, Isa 1:24) Jude 4, Eph 4:4, 1 Cor 8:4,6, Mt 6:24 excludes the Father from being called our Lord. (Yet the Father is called our Lord hundreds of times.) John 10:11,16 and Ezekiel 34:23 excludes the Father from being called our Shepherd. (Yet the Father is called our Shepherd in Isa. 40:11; Ps 23:1; 80:1.) 1 Tim 6:15-16 excludes the Father from being called Sovereign. (Yet the Father is called our Sovereign in 1 Cor 15:27.) 1 Tim 6:15-16 excludes the Father from being immortal. (Yet the Father is also immortal.)

Anti-Trinitarian faulty argument #3	It is wrong to argue that since Jesus is not the "only true God" that he must be a "false God". If A is "true" and B is "false", then the trinitarian (arguing against Jehovah's Witnesses) reasons: Whatever is not A is B. But that is not accurate in terms of John 17:3, for there are other options like C, D, E, etc. Trinitarians argue that the only viable option for non-A ("true") is B ("false"), while rejecting other options. This is known as a false dichotomy.
Anti-Trinitarian argument #3 refuted	First, we totally reject the notion that John 17:3 is an "either/or" statement. We reject the Jehovah's Witness view that the phrase, "the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom Thou hast sent" automatically excludes Jesus from the phrase, "only true God". It is Jehovah's Witnesses who argue this when they conclude that Jesus cannot be the "only true God" in John 17:3. If you ask a child, "If Jesus is a god, but is not True God, what kind of God is Jesus? Without going to any other passage than John 17:3, the child would always say, "Jesus is a false god". We are pointing out that just as Jehovah's Witnesses must add additional scripture to escape the conclusion that Jesus is not a "false God", trinitarians also add additional scripture to show that Jesus is in fact "True God". Second, in the discussion below, we are merely granting their point to show that if Jesus is excluded from being the "only true God", then it must logically follow that Jesus is a "false God". When JW's go outside John 17:3 to prove Jesus is not False God but "a true demi-god", we go outside John 17:3 to prove is "true God". Third, we observe that what Jehovah's Witnesses are forced into admitting is that Jesus is a God that is neither true or false. Such etymological mush is typical of the nonsense logic that runs rampant in the Kingdom Halls! We find it amazing that they would even try to defend such obviously ridiculous positions! Fourth, if John 17:3 merely read, "only God" (as opposed to "only true God"), it would be bad enough for Jehovah's Witnesses because they admit Jesus is still called God in scripture. But the way John 17:3 is worded represents a "worst case scenario" for it is states, "ONLY TRUE GOD". This forces Jehovah's Witnesses to admit that John 17:3 allows Jesus to be "TRUE" while denying he is "GOD". But the phrase "only true God" forces that Jesus is NEITHER "true" or "God" in any sense. In the end the way they want to read the verse is that Jesus is a neither A (TRUE GOD) or B (FALSE GOD) but C (a TRUE DEMI-GOD). This kind of interpretation of scripture is like driving a car with your foot on the brakes and the gas at the same time. (car spins in circles) They actually argue that while Jesus is not "true God" that will admit that Jesus is "true" and "god" even a "true demi-god". In fact they will even call Jesus Mighty God, but never True God or Almighty God... as if any of these terms mean anything different.

Anti-Trinitarian faulty argument #4	"Trinitarians have no idea what to do with John 17:3. They cannot explain away the verse and have no idea what it is actually saying. They never tell us what John 17:3 teaches and quickly avoid it and move on to another verse."
Anti-Trinitarian argument #4 refuted	A false charge, since we have clearly shown what this verse is saying. But Jehovah's Witnesses themselves must go outside of John 17:3 to avoid the logical conclusion that if Jesus is not "true God" Jesus must be a "False God". When Jehovah's Witnesses go outside John 17:3 to prove Jesus is not "a False God" but "a true demi-god", we likewise go outside John 17:3 to correctly prove Jesus is "true God". Jehovah's Witnesses cannot prove that Jesus is "a true demi-god" with John 17:3 by itself, just at Trinitarians cannot prove Jesus is "True God" with John 17:3 alone. At least Trinitarians are honest enough to first recognize this, then second, to openly admit it.

Anti-Trinitarian faulty argument #5	The Father is called "true God" in John 17:3. Jesus is never called "true God" because he is a created god of lessor rank than Jehovah. The fact that the Father is "true God" doesn't make Jesus a false God any more than manna is false bread because Jesus is called "the true bread" in John 6:32. The Father and son are both "Gods" just as Jesus and manna are both "breads". But one is the TRUE original and the other is a manufactured copy/image/antitype.
Anti-Trinitarian argument #5 refuted	Jehovah's Witnesses argue that since the Father alone is called "true God" (John 17:3) but the son is never called "anything higher" than mere "God" (John 1:1; Isa 9:6), this means that Jesus is a lesser god than the Father. JW's look for such meaningless anomalies and build an entire theological system upon it. Unfortunately, such logic is absolutely false as we will show: Since Jesus is called "the true light" (John 1:9; 8:12) and the Father is never called "anything higher" than mere "God is light" (1 Jn 1:5; Re 22:5) this must prove, (according to JW's Logic) that the Father is a lessor form of light than the Son. Yet we know that Jehovah's Witnesses teach (even this teaching of theirs is false) exactly the opposite in Hebrews 1:3, "Jesus is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of God's nature", where they argue that the Father is the true light and Jesus (being a creature) is nothing more than a precise reflection of God's true light. If the exclusive use of the term "TRUE" in John 17:3 is a roadmap for determining rank between the Father and the Son, then applying the same roadmap to John 1:9 would determine that the Father is a lessor rank than Jesus as far as light is concerned. So we have proven that Jesus can be "true God" even though He is never called such. In conclusion, "True God" in John 17:3 no more lowers the rank of Jesus, than "True light" in John 1:9 lowers the rank of the Father.

Anti-Trinitarian faulty argument #6	The word MONOS (only) must be exclusive in John 17:3. The logic that if John 17:3 excludes Jesus from deity, then Jude 4 excludes the Father from lordship, is false reasoning. This "so-called" logic cannot nullify the basic simple meaning of the word MONOS, which is always exclusive. This is because Godship includes Lordship, but Lordship does not necessarily include Godship.
Anti-Trinitarian argument #6 refuted	We draw your attention to the fact that this argument actually defeats itself! We need not go any further. They argue that "MONOS" (only) must be exclusive in John 17:3, THEN contradict themselves and admit that it is not exclusive in Jude 4. They even give us a reason WHY IT "MONOS" CANNOT BE EXCLUSIVE in Jude 4: "This is because Godship includes Lordship, but Lordship does not necessarily include Godship." But this line of reasoning completely breaks down because the Father is also called "the only Saviour" (Isa 43:11; 45:21; Hos 13:4; Jude 25) and "Only King" (Zech 14:9). That would exclude Jesus from being Saviour and King! So again we affirm that if John 17:3 excludes Jesus from being "True God", then Jesus is also excluded from being a Saviour or King and Lord. There is simply no way anti-trinitarians can escape this irrefutable logic, no matter how hard they try. John 17:3 does not exclude Jesus from God any more than Jude 4 excludes the Father from being Lord or Jude 25 excludes Jesus from being saviour. So anti-trinitarians decide when "MONOS" (only) is exclusive and when it is not based upon their own theological bias, not some definition of the word or rule of the Greek!

Summary documentation:

Qualities that only Jehovah is said to have:

Is Jehovah the Sole Creator to the exclusion of Jesus? No!	According to Jehovah's Witness logic, if John 17:3 excludes Jesus from being called true God, then Isaiah 44:24 excludes Jesus from being called creator. (Yet Jesus is called the creator in John 1:1-3 and Col 1:16-17)
Is Jehovah the Only Rock to the exclusion of Jesus? No!	According to Jehovah's Witness logic, if John 17:3 excludes Jesus from being called true God, then Isa 44:8; Deut 32:4,12; Ps 62:2 excludes Jesus from being called a Rock. (Yet Jesus is called the Rock in 1 Corinthians 10:4)
Is Jehovah the Only Saviour to the exclusion of Jesus? No!	According to Jehovah's Witness logic, if John 17:3 excludes Jesus from being called true God, then Isa 43:11; 45:21; Hos 13:4; Jude 25 excludes Jesus from being called our Saviour. (Yet Jesus is called Saviour in Titus 2:13)
Is Jehovah the Only King to the exclusion of Jesus? No!	According to Jehovah's Witness logic, if John 17:3 excludes Jesus from being called true God, then Zech 14:9 excludes Jesus from being called King. (Yet Jesus is called King in John 18:37 and 1 Tim 6:15)
Is Jehovah the Only Holy One to the exclusion of Jesus? No!	According to Jehovah's Witness logic, if John 17:3 excludes Jesus from being called true God, then Rev 15:4 excludes Jesus from being called Holy One. (Yet Jesus is called Holy One in Mark 1:24; Acts 3:14; John 6:69)
Is Jehovah the Only Good One to the exclusion of Jesus? No!	According to Jehovah's Witness logic, if John 17:3 excludes Jesus from being called true God, then Mark 10:18 excludes Jesus from being called Good. (Yet Jesus is called Good in Matthew 23:8 and John 10:11)
Conclusion:	Is Jehovah the Only True God to the exclusion of Jesus? No!

Qualities that only the Son is said to have:

Is Jesus the Only Master to the exclusion of Jehovah? No!	According to Jehovah's Witness logic, if John 17:3 excludes Jesus from being called true God, then Jude 4, Acts 4:24, 2 Peter 2:1 excludes the Father from being called our Master. (Yet the Father is called our Master in 2 Tim 2:21, Neh 10:29, Ps 8:1, Isa 1:24)
Is Jesus the Only Lord to the exclusion of Jehovah? No!	According to Jehovah's Witness logic, if John 17:3 excludes Jesus from being called true God, then Jude 4, Eph 4:4, 1 Cor 8:4,6, Mt 6:24 excludes the Father from being called our Lord. (Yet the Father is called our Lord hundreds of times.)
Is Jesus the Only Teacher to the exclusion of Jehovah? No!	According to Jehovah's Witness logic, if John 17:3 excludes Jesus from being called true God, then Matt 23:8,10, Mt 10:24 and Jn 13:13 excludes the Father from being called our Teacher. (Yet the Father is called our Teacher in Ps 119:12 and Isa 30:20)
Is Jesus the Only Shepherd to the exclusion of Jehovah? No!	According to Jehovah's Witness logic, if John 17:3 excludes Jesus from being called true God, then John 10:11,16 and Ezekiel 34:23 excludes the Father from being called our Shepherd. (Yet the Father is called our Shepherd in Isa. 40:11; Ps 23:1; 80:1.)
Is Jesus the Only Sovereign to the exclusion of Jehovah? No!	According to Jehovah's Witness logic, if John 17:3 excludes Jesus from being called true God, then 1 Tim 6:15-16 excludes the Father from being called Sovereign. (Yet the Father is called our Sovereign in 1 Cor 15:27.)
Is Jesus the Only Immortal to the exclusion of Jehovah? No!	According to Jehovah's Witness logic, if John 17:3 excludes Jesus from being true God, then 1 Tim 6:15-16 excludes the Father from being immortal. (Yet the Father is also immortal.)
Conclusion:	Is Jehovah the Only True God to the exclusion of Jesus? No!

Detailed documentation:

Qualities that only Jehovah is said to have:

Is Jehovah the Sole Creator to the exclusion of Jesus? No!


The Jehovah is said to be the ONE sole creator:	Isaiah 44:24 Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, and the one who formed you from the womb, "I, the Lord, am the maker of all things, Stretching out the heavens by Myself, And spreading out the earth all alone
Yet such language did not exclude Jesus Christ from also being the creator of all things:	John 1:1-3 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being by Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. Colossians 1:16,17 For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created by Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.
Conclusion:	If we excluded Jesus Christ from the function of creator because of the language of Isa 44:24, it would be the same bad logic that Jehovah's Witnesses use to exclude Jesus Christ from the phrase "only true God" in John 17:3. Although Isa 44:24 says that Jehovah created the earth all alone, John 1:1-3 and Col 1:16-17, clearly prove that Jesus was the actual workman of creation. Scripture interprets itself! According to Jehovah's Witness logic, if John 17:3 excludes Jesus from being called true God, then Isaiah 44:24 excludes Jesus from being called creator. (Yet Jesus is called the creator in John 1:1-3 and Col 1:16-17)

Is Jehovah the Only Rock to the exclusion of Jesus? No!

Only Rock
Jehovah is said to be the ONLY rock.	Deuteronomy 32:4,12 "The Rock! His work is perfect, For all His ways are just; A God of faithfulness and without injustice, Isaiah 44:8 'Do not tremble and do not be afraid; Have I not long since announced it to you and declared it? And you are My witnesses. Is there any God besides Me, Or is there any other Rock? I know of none.'" Psalm 62:2,6 He only is my rock and my salvation, My stronghold; I shall not be greatly shaken.
Yet such language did not exclude Jesus Christ from also being that Rock:	1 Corinthians 10:4 all drank the same spiritual drink, for they were drinking from a spiritual rock which followed them; and the rock was Christ. Jesus is the corner stone in the church!: 1 Pet 2:6ff
Conclusion:	If we excluded Jesus Christ from the function of ROCK because of the language of Isa 44:8; Deut 32:4,12; Ps 62:2, it would be the same bad logic that Jehovah's Witnesses use to exclude Jesus Christ from the phrase "only true God" in John 17:3. Although Isa 44:8; Deut 32:4,12; Ps 62:2 says that Jehovah was the only Rock, 1 Cor 10:4, clearly prove that Jesus was a rock like Jehovah. Scripture interprets itself! According to Jehovah's Witness logic, if John 17:3 excludes Jesus from being called true God, then Isa 44:8; Deut 32:4,12; Ps 62:2 excludes Jesus from being called a Rock. (Yet Jesus is called the Rock in 1 Corinthians 10:4)

Is Jehovah the Only Saviour to the exclusion of Jesus? No!

only Saviour
The Jehovah is said to be our only Saviour	Isaiah 43:11 "I, even I, am the Lord; And there is no savior besides Me. Isaiah 45:21 "Declare and set forth your case; Indeed, let them consult together. Who has announced this from of old? Who has long since declared it? Is it not I, the Lord? And there is no other God besides Me, A righteous God and a Savior; There is none except Me. Hos 13:4 And you were not to know any god except Me, For there is no savior besides Me. Jude 25 "to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord"
Yet such language did not exclude Jesus Christ from also being our saviour.	Titus 2:13 looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus.
Conclusion:	If we excluded Jesus Christ from the function of saviour because of the language of Isa 43:11; 45:21; Hos 13:4; Jude 25, it would be the same bad logic that Jehovah's Witnesses use to exclude Jesus Christ from the phrase "only true God" in John 17:3. Although Isa 43:11; 45:21; Hos 13:4; Jude 25 says that Jehovah was the only Saviour, Titus 2:13, clearly prove that Jesus was a Saviour like Jehovah. Scripture interprets itself! According to Jehovah's Witness logic, if John 17:3 excludes Jesus from being called true God, then Isa 43:11; 45:21; Hos 13:4; Jude 25 excludes Jesus from being called our Saviour. (Yet Jesus is called Saviour in Titus 2:13)

Is Jehovah the Only King to the exclusion of Jesus? No!


The Jehovah is said to be the only King:	Zech 14:9 And Jehovah will be king over all the earth; in that day Jehovah will be the only one, and His name the only one.
Yet such language did not exclude Jesus Christ from also being King	John 18:37 You are a king?" Jesus answered, "You say correctly that I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to bear witness to the truth. 1 Timothy 6:15 He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords; 16 who alone possesses immortality and dwells in unapproachable light; whom no man has seen or can see. To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen. (incredibly, the official position of the Watchtower magazine, is that this verse applies solely to Jesus, not the Father.)
Conclusion:	Notice that Zech 14:9 is a messianic prophecy of what will happen when Jesus comes "in that day". Obviously the language of Zech 14:9 does not exclude Jesus as being king. In fact, it should be quite obvious that Jesus being king, fulfills Zech 14:9, proving that Jesus is also called Jehovah. If we excluded Jesus Christ from the function of King because of the language of Zech 14:9, it would be the same bad logic that Jehovah's Witnesses use to exclude Jesus Christ from the phrase "only true God" in John 17:3. Although Zech 14:9 says that Jehovah was the only Saviour, John 18:37 and 1 Tim 6:15, clearly prove that Jesus was a King like Jehovah. Scripture interprets itself! According to Jehovah's Witness logic, if John 17:3 excludes Jesus from being called true God, then Zech 14:9 excludes Jesus from being called King. (Yet Jesus is called King in John 18:37 and 1 Tim 6:15)

Is Jehovah the Only Holy One to the exclusion of Jesus? No!


The Father is said to be the only holy one.	Revelation 15:4 Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.
Yet such language did not exclude Jesus Christ from also being holy:	Mark 1:24 Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God. Acts 3:14 "But you disowned the Holy and Righteous One John 6:69 "And we have believed and have come to know that You are the Holy One of God"
Conclusion:	If we excluded Jesus Christ from the function of being Holy because of the language of Rev 15:4, it would be the same bad logic that Jehovah's Witnesses use to exclude Jesus Christ from the phrase "only true God" in John 17:3. Although Rev 15:4 says that Jehovah was the only holy One, Mark 1:24; Acts 3:14; John 6:69, clearly prove that Jesus was a Holy One like Jehovah. Scripture interprets itself! According to Jehovah's Witness logic, if John 17:3 excludes Jesus from being called true God, then Rev 15:4 excludes Jesus from being called Holy One. (Yet Jesus is called Holy One in Mark 1:24; Acts 3:14; John 6:69)

Is Jehovah the Only Good One to the exclusion of Jesus? No!


Jesus said that the Father is said to be the only good one.	Mark 10:18 "Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" And Jesus said to him, And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God.
Yet such language did not exclude Jesus Christ from also being called good with the approval of the Holy Spirit:	Mt 23:8-10 "But do not be called Rabbi; for One is your Teacher, and you are all brothers. John 10:11 I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.
Conclusion:	First notice that Jesus responded to GOOD TEACHER. In Mt 23:8 Jesus is called the ONE RABBI. Rabbi means teacher!!! So obviously, Jesus could not be denying that he is the good teacher in Mk 10:18. Second, Jesus calls himself the good shepherd. According to Jehovah's Witness logic, Jesus denied he was the good teacher, but claims to be the good shepherd. If we excluded Jesus Christ from the function of being Good because of the language of Mk 10:18, it would be the same bad logic that Jehovah's Witnesses use to exclude Jesus Christ from the phrase "only true God" in John 17:3. Although Mark 10:18 says that Jehovah was the only good One, Matthew 23:8 and John 10:11, clearly prove that Jesus was good like Jehovah. Scripture interprets itself! According to Jehovah's Witness logic, if John 17:3 excludes Jesus from being called true God, then Mark 10:18 excludes Jesus from being called Good. (Yet Jesus is called Good in Matthew 23:8 and John 10:11)

Qualities that only the Son is said to have:

Is Jesus the Only Teacher to the exclusion of Jehovah? No!


Jesus is said to be our only Teacher Greek: "didaskalos"	Matthew 23:8,10 But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Teacher [didaskalos], even Christ; and all ye are brethren. ... Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Teacher [didaskalos], even Christ. "A disciple is not above his teacher [didaskalos] nor a slave above his master/lord [kurios]. Mt 10:24 "You call Me Teacher [didaskalos] and Lord [kurios]; and you are right, for so I am. Jn 13:13
Yet such language did not exclude the Father from also being our Teacher	Blessed art Thou, O Jehovah; Teach me Thy statutes. Ps 119:12 Although Jehovah has given you bread of privation and water of oppression, He, your Teacher will no longer hide Himself, but your eyes will behold your Teacher. Isa 30:20
Conclusion:	If we apply the same bad logic that Jehovah's Witnesses use to exclude Jesus Christ from the phrase "only true God" in John 17:3, we could also exclude the Father from being our Teacher based upon the language of Matthew 23:8,10. Although Matt 23:8,10, Mt 10:24 and Jn 13:13 says that Jesus is our only Teacher, Ps 119:12 and Isa 30:20 clearly prove that Jehovah is also our Teacher. According to Jehovah's Witness logic, if John 17:3 excludes Jesus from being called true God, then Matt 23:8,10, Mt 10:24 and Jn 13:13 excludes the Father from being called our Teacher. (Yet the Father is called our Teacher in Ps 119:12 and Isa 30:20)

Qualities that only the Son is said to have:

Is Jesus the Only Master to the exclusion of Jehovah? No!


Jesus is said to be our only Master Greek: "despotes"	Jude 4 "ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master [despotes] and Lord [kurios], Jesus Christ." "O Master, [despotes], it is Thou who didst make the heaven and the earth and the sea, and all that is in them" Acts 4:24 2 Peter 2:1 even denying the Master [despotes] who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves.
Yet such language did not exclude the Father from also being our Master	The common Greek word for Master in the New Testament: Let all who are under the yoke as slaves regard their own masters [despotes] as worthy of all honor 1 Tim 6:1 is also applied to the Father: "useful to the Master [despotes], prepared for every good work." 2 Tim 2:21 The common Hebrew word for master in the Old Testament "my master Abraham" Gen 24:12, is also applied to Jehovah frequently: Nehemiah 10:29; Ps 8:1 "Jehovah our Master"; Isa 1:24 "the Master Jehovah of hosts, The Mighty One of Israel declares" "No one can serve two masters [kurios]; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will hold to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon. Mt 6:24 Notice that Master/Lord is used interchangeable with God the Father who is in heaven when Jesus speaks. So the Father is also our Master/Lord. Yet Jesus said no man can serve two Masters! Does that mean we cannot serve the Father and the Son? Obviously not! But according to Jehovah's Witness logic in John 17:3 it would cause a problem.
Conclusion:	If we apply the same bad logic that Jehovah's Witnesses use to exclude Jesus Christ from the phrase "only true God" in John 17:3, we could also exclude the Father from being our Master based upon the language of Jude 4. Although Jude 4, Acts 4:24, 2 Peter 2:1 says that Jesus is our only Master, 2 Tim 2:21, Neh 10:29, Ps 8:1, Isa 1:24 clearly prove that God is also our Master. According to Jehovah's Witness logic, if John 17:3 excludes Jesus from being called true God, then Jude 4, Acts 4:24, 2 Peter 2:1 excludes the Father from being called our Master. (Yet the Father is called our Master in 2 Tim 2:21, Neh 10:29, Ps 8:1, Isa 1:24)

Is Jesus the Only Lord to the exclusion of Jehovah? No!


Jesus is said to be our only Lord [kurios]	Jude 4 "ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord [kurios], Jesus Christ." Ephesians 4:4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord [kurios], one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. 1 Corinthians 8:4,6 we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one. ... But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord [kurios] Jesus by whom are all things, and we exist through Him. "No one can serve two masters [kurios]; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will hold to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon. Mt 6:24 Notice that Master/Lord is used interchangeable with God the Father who is in heaven when Jesus speaks. So the Father is also our Master/Lord. Yet Jesus said no man can serve two Masters! Does that mean we cannot serve the Father and the Son? Obviously not! But according to Jehovah's Witness logic in John 17:3 it would cause a problem.
Yet such language did not exclude the Father from also being our Lord	The Father is referred to as Lord hundreds of times both in the Old and New Testaments.
Conclusion:	Jesus is said to be the "ONE Lord" and the ONLY Lord in Jude 4, Eph 4:4, 1 Cor 8:4,6, Mt 6:24. If ONE God rules out Jesus as being God, then ONE Lord rules out the father from being Lord. Eph 4:4-7 (If One God excludes Jesus as God, then one Lord excludes the God from being Lord) If we apply the same bad logic that Jehovah's Witnesses use to exclude Jesus Christ from the phrase "only true God" in John 17:3, we could also exclude the Father from being our Lord based upon the language of Jude 4, Eph 4:4, 1 Cor 8:4,6, Mt 6:24. Although these passages say that Jesus is our only Lord, hundreds of verses clearly prove that God is also our Lord. According to Jehovah's Witness logic, if John 17:3 excludes Jesus from being called true God, then Jude 4, Eph 4:4, 1 Cor 8:4,6, Mt 6:24 excludes the Father from being called our Lord. (Yet the Father is called our Lord hundreds of times.)

Is Jesus the Only Shepherd to the exclusion of Jehovah? No!


Jesus is said to be our one Shepherd	John 10:11,16 I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. ... And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. Ezekiel 34:23 "Then I will set over them one shepherd, My servant David, and he will feed them" (speaking prophetically of Jesus Christ)
Yet such language did not exclude the Father from also being our Shepherd.	Isa. 40:11 "Like a shepherd He will tend His flock" Ps 23:1 Jehovah is my shepherd, I shall not want. Psalm 80:1 Oh, give ear, Shepherd of Israel, Thou who dost lead Joseph like a flock
Conclusion:	If we apply the same bad logic that Jehovah's Witnesses use to exclude Jesus Christ from the phrase "only true God" in John 17:3, we could also exclude the Father from being our Shepherd based upon the language of John 10 and Ezek 34:23. Although John 10:11,16 and Ezekiel 34:23 says that Jesus is our only shepherd, Isa. 40:11; Ps 23:1; 80:1 clearly prove that God is also our Shepherd. The Father did not cease being a shepherd when Jesus walked the earth. According to Jehovah's Witness logic, if John 17:3 excludes Jesus from being called true God, then John 10:11,16 and Ezekiel 34:23 excludes the Father from being called our Shepherd. (Yet the Father is called our Shepherd in Isa. 40:11; Ps 23:1; 80:1.)

Is Jesus the Only Sovereign to the exclusion of Jehovah? No!


Jesus is said to be the only Sovereign.	1 Timothy 6:15-16 He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords; who alone possesses immortality and dwells in unapproachable light; whom no man has seen or can see. To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen. (Incredibly, the official position of the Watchtower magazine, is that this verse applies solely to Jesus, not the Father. They were forced to, because they teach that the terms "King of kings and Lord of lords" never applies to the Father. also applied to the Father, which proves the Jesus shares this same exclusive title of deity with the Father in the book of Revelation.)
Yet such language did not exclude the Father from also being sovereign.	1 Cor 15:27 But when He (Father) says, "All things are put in subjection," it is evident that He (Father) is excepted who put all things in subjection to Him (Jesus).
Conclusion:	If we apply the same bad logic that Jehovah's Witnesses use to exclude Jesus Christ from the phrase "only true God" in John 17:3, we could also exclude the Father from being Sovereign based upon the language of 1 Tim 6:15-16. Although 1 Timothy 6:15-16 says that Jesus is our only Sovereign, 1 Cor 15:27 clearly prove that God is also our Sovereign. According to Jehovah's Witness logic, if John 17:3 excludes Jesus from being called true God, then 1 Tim 6:15-16 excludes the Father from being called Sovereign. (Yet the Father is called our Sovereign in 1 Cor 15:27.)

Is Jesus the Only Immortal to the exclusion of Jehovah? No!


Jesus is said to alone possess immortality.	1 Timothy 6:15-16 He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords; who alone possesses immortality and dwells in unapproachable light; whom no man has seen or can see. To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen. (Incredibly, the official position of the Watchtower magazine, is that this verse applies solely to Jesus, not the Father.)
Yet such language did not exclude the Father, angels or men's bodies after resurrection from being immortal.	Obviously the Father is immortal. Angels are immortal now: Lk 20:36 "for neither can they die anymore, for they are like angels, and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection." And men's bodies will become immortal at the resurrection.
Conclusion:	If we apply the same bad logic that Jehovah's Witnesses use to exclude Jesus Christ from the phrase "only true God" in John 17:3, we could also exclude the Father from being immortal based upon the language of 1 Tim 6:15-16. Although 1 Timothy 6:15-16 says that Jesus alone possesses immortality, God is also possesses immortality. According to Jehovah's Witness logic, if John 17:3 excludes Jesus from being true God, then 1 Tim 6:15-16 excludes the Father from being immortal. (Yet the Father is also immortal.) Jehovah's Witnesses argue that 1 Tim 6:15-16 is teaching that Jesus is unique only in that he was given self-sustaining immortality, while we will have immortality that needs recharging from time to time, like eating from the tree of life. Of course such reasoning is unbiblical and wishful dreaming by JW's. The clincher is that Jesus is the only one, like the father, who possesses underived immortality.

Is Jehovah the Only True God to the exclusion of Jesus? No!


The Father is said to be the only true God	John 17:3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the *only* true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
Yet such language did not exclude Jesus Christ from also being true God.	Jesus is called God by John 1:1; Thomas Jn 20:28; Paul in Rom 9:5; Phil 2:6; Heb 1:8-10 Jesus is even called, "mighty God" in Isaiah 9:6. The fact remains that Jehovah's Witness agree that many other passages outright call Jesus, "a God", "God" and "mighty God". (Jesus is called "mighty God" Isa 9:6; then one chapter later the Jehovah is called "mighty God" in Isa 10:21; Jer 32:18)
Conclusion:	John 17:3 does not exclude Jesus from being true God, since Jesus is called Mighty God in many passages. To reject Jesus from the class of being known as True God, would make Jesus a false God. Such is non-sense and proves once and for all the error of all anti-trinitarians who use this verse to claim Jesus is a creature rather than the creator. (Rom 1:25) Jehovah's Witnesses will call Jesus "a God", "God" and "mighty God", but not "true God" or "Almighty God", then Jesus, by Jehovah's Witness logic, is a false God! To excluded Jesus Christ from the from the phrase "only true God" in John 17:3 is bad interpretation because the Bible calls Jesus God in many other places, clearly proving that Jesus was a true God. Scripture interprets itself!