A. Genesis chapters 18-19 is a powerful proof text for Trinitarians for these reasons:

1. First, is clearly shows Yahweh walking around on the earth in human form with two angels. They are called "three men". If Jehovah's Witnesses argue that they are called men, the fact remains that just as angels are not men, neither is God a man. Yahweh and the two angels are called men, because they appeared as men.
2. Second: God taking human appearance on earth is called a "Theophanies". There are several other examples of Theophanies in scripture.
3. Third, you have Genesis 19:24 that has two distinct Yahweh's: One on earth and one in heaven. "Then Yahweh [on earth in human form] rained on Sodom and Gomorrah brimstone and fire from Yahweh [in spirit form in heaven] out of heaven. Genesis 19:24. Although the unanimous opinion of the apostolic Fathers was that this was Jesus talking to Abraham, such is a guess and not specifically known by scripture.
4. The unanimous opinion of the apostolic Fathers was that this was Jesus talking to Abraham, in Genesis 18. In this story, Abraham meets God (Jesus) and the two angels.
5. Jesus came right out and said He was the one who talked to Abraham. This is what Jesus meant when He said, "Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad." (John 8:56) God appearing to Abraham is an example of a Theophanies. Elijah is also said to have seen Jesus in heaven in Isa 6 + John 12:41. Jesus appearing to Elijah is not be an example of a "Theophanies" because Jesus was seen in heaven.
6. For Unitarians, Gen 19:24 + Amos 4:11 is a like getting struck by lightening twice in the same place! Amazingly, Amos 4:10-11 has two Yahweh's just like Gen 19:24 when talking about the exact same event!: "Yet you have not returned to Me, [Father]" declares Yahweh [Father]. "I [Father] overthrew you, as God [Son] overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah, And you were like a firebrand snatched from a blaze; Yet you have not returned to Me [Father]" declares Yahweh [Father]." (Amos 4:10-11)

B. These points are absolutely devastating to Jehovah's Witnesses, Unitarians and Christadelphians. They have no answers.

A. We begin with an expository examination of the texts with commentary to prove that Yahweh was walking on the earth in person in human form.

A. "Then Yahweh [on earth in human form] rained on Sodom and Gomorrah brimstone and fire from Yahweh [in spirit form in heaven] out of heaven." Genesis 19:24

1. "Three men" (Gen 18:2) visit Abraham.
2. One of them is identified as Yahweh (18:13) talks to Abraham about the birth of Isaac and the destruction of Sodom.
3. Yahweh says he will go down in person to Sodom (18:20).
4. The two angels leave and Yahweh continues talking to Abraham. (18:22)
5. From this point on the two angels are never called Yahweh, only lord (adonai). The two angels are almost assaulted by the homosexuals and they leave the city with Lot (19:15)
6. Then same Yahweh who talked to Abraham in human form, commands that Sodom be destroyed while standing on earth and the second Yahweh in heaven sends fire and brimstone. (Genesis 19:24)

B. There simply is no way to escape the clear context that there were two Yahweh's: One on earth that talked to Abraham and commanded Sodom be destroyed. And a second Yahweh in heaven who actually sent the fire.

"Let US make man in OUR image". (Gen 1:26)

A. Anti-Trinitarians falsely argue that God was speaking to the angels in Gen 1:26. Click here for a full discussion of this passage.

B. The very best example of God actually speaking to angels, is in Gen 18 where Yahweh and two angels visit Abraham.

1. Here is a case where God is consulting with two angels and does not use US. Three went down to do joint work, but God uses the singular "I" over and over again when actually talking to the two angels!
2. If ever there should be a precedent for US/WE/OUR including God and angels, this would be it. But Anti-Trinitarians are most disappointed that the singular "I" is used.
3. The power of this example proves the other US/WE/OUR do not include angels: "Then the [three] men rose up from there, and looked down toward Sodom; and Abraham was walking with them to send them off. Yahweh said, "Shall I [not we] hide from Abraham what I am about to do, " Genesis 18:16-17

C. Anti-Trinitarians wish to God, that this passage used "us", because then they would have at least one precedent in scripture, where God spoke to angels and used US/WE/OUR. Click here for a detailed outline on plural pro-nouns used of God.

More trinity quotes from the apostolic Fathers

A. The unanimous opinion of the apostolic Fathers was that this was Jesus talking to Abraham, in Genesis 18. In this story, Abraham meets God and the two angels. This is what Jesus meant when He said, "Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad." (John 8:56)

B. What the apostolic Fathers said about Genesis 19:24:

1. 150 AD Justin Martyr: In this text, Justin the Christian is trying to convince Trypho the Jew that Jesus is God, by showing one of the three men who appeared to Abraham, was Yahweh himself: " I [Justin] inquired. And Trypho said, "Certainly; but you have not proved from this that there is another God besides Him who appeared to Abraham, and who also appeared to the other patriarchs and prophets. You have proved, however, that we [the Jews] were wrong in believing that the three who were in the tent with Abraham were all angels." I [Justin] replied again, "If I could not have proved to you from the Scriptures that one of those three is God, because, as I already said, He brings messages to those to whom God the Maker of all things wishes [messages to be brought], then in regard to Him who appeared to Abraham on earth in human form in like manner as the two angels who came with Him, and who was God even before the creation of the world, it were reasonable for you to entertain the same belief as is entertained by the whole of your nation." "Assuredly," he said, "for up to this moment this has been our [the Jews] belief." ... "And now have you not perceived, my friends, that one of the three, who is both God and Lord, and ministers to Him who is in the heavens, is Lord of the two angels? For when [the angels] proceeded to Sodom, He remained behind, and communed with Abraham in the words recorded by Moses; and when He departed after the conversation, Abraham went back to his place. And when he came [to Sodom], the two angels no longer conversed with Lot, but Himself, as the Scripture makes evident; and He is the Lord who received commission from the Lord who [remains] in the heavens, i.e., the Maker of all things, to inflict upon Sodom and Gomorrah the [judgments] which the Scripture describes in these terms: 'The Lord rained down upon Sodom and Gomorrah sulphur and fire from the Lord out of heaven.' "(Dialogue of Justin Martyr, with Trypho, a Jew, Chapter LVI.—God Who Appeared to Moses is Distinguished from God the Father.)
2. 180 AD Irenaeus "Therefore neither would the Lord, nor the Holy Spirit, nor the apostles, have ever named as God, definitely and absolutely, him who was not God, unless he were truly God; nor would they have named any one in his own person Lord, except God the Father ruling over all, and His Son who has received dominion from His Father over all creation, as this passage has it: "The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit Thou at my right hand, until I make Thine enemies Thy footstool." Here the [Scripture] represents to us the Father addressing the Son; He who gave Him the inheritance of the heathen, and subjected to Him all His enemies. Since, therefore, the Father is truly Lord, and the Son truly Lord, the Holy Spirit has fitly designated them by the title of Lord. And again, referring to the destruction of the Sodomites, the Scripture says, "Then the LORD rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah fire and brimstone from the LORD out of heaven." For it here points out that the Son, who had also been talking with Abraham, had received power to judge the Sodomites for their wickedness. And this [text following] does declare the same truth: "Thy throne, O God; is for ever and ever; the scepter of Thy kingdom is a right scepter. Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity: therefore God, Thy God, hath anointed Thee." For the Spirit designates both [of them] by the name, of God — both Him who is anointed as Son, and Him who does anoint, that is, the Father." (Irenaeus, Book 3, ch 6)
3. 200 AD Tertullian "That is a still grander statement [of Christ's deity] which you will find expressly made in the Gospel: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." There was One "who was," and there was another "with whom" He was. But I find in Scripture the name Lord also applied to them Both: "The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit Thou on my right hand." And Isaiah says this: "Lord, who hath believed our report, and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed? " Now he would most certainly have said Thine Arm, if he had not wished us to understand that the Father is Lord, and the Son also is Lord. A much more ancient testimony [of Christ's deity] we have also in Genesis: "Then the Lord rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the Lord out of heaven." Now, either deny that this is Scripture; or else (let me ask) what sort of man you are, that you do not think words ought to be taken and understood in the sense in which they are written, especially when they are not expressed in allegories and parables, but in determinate and simple declarations?" (Tertullian, Against Praxeas, [In which he defends, in all essential points, the doctrine of the holy trinity.] Chapter XIII.—The Force of Sundry Passages of Scripture Illustrated in Relation to the Plurality of Persons and Unity of Substance. There is No Polytheism Here, Since the Unity is Insisted on as a Remedy Against Polytheism.)
4. 250 AD Ignatius "For Moses, the faithful servant of God, when he said, "The Lord thy God is one Lord," and thus proclaimed that there was only one God, did yet forthwith confess also our Lord [Jesus] when he said, "The Lord [Jesus] rained upon Sodom and Gomorrah fire and brimstone from the Lord." And again [he confessed a second time our Lord Jesus by saying], "And God said, Let Us make man after our image: and so God made man, after the image of God made He him."" (The Epistle of Ignatius to the Antiochians, Chapter II.—The True Doctrine Respecting God and Christ.)
5. 253 AD Cyprian "In the Gospel according to John: "The Father judgeth nothing, but hath given all judgment unto the Son, that all may honour the Son as they honour the Father. He who honoureth not the Son, honoureth not the Father who hath sent Him." Also in the seventy-first Psalm: "O God, give the king Thy judgment, and Thy righteousness to the king's son, to judge Thy people in righteousness." Also in Genesis: "And the Lord rained upon Sodom and Gomorrah sulphur, and fire from heaven from the Lord."" (The Treatises of Cyprian, Treatise XII. Three Books of Testimonies Against the Jews. Third Book., Testimonies., 33. That the Father judgeth nothing, but the Son; and that the Father is not glorified by him by whom the Son is not glorified.)
6. Novatian: "For who does not acknowledge that the person of the Son is second after the Father, when he reads that it was said by the Father, consequently to the Son, "Let us make man in our image and our likeness; " and that after this it was related, "And God made man, in the image of God made He him? "Or when he holds in his hands: "The Lord rained upon Sodom and Gomorrah fire and brimstone from the Lord from heaven? " (A Treatise of Novatian Concerning the Trinity, Chapter XXVI. Argument.—Moreover, Against the Sabellians He Proves that the Father is One, the Son Another.)
7. Novatian "Therefore the Lord overturned Sodom, that is, God overturned Sodom; but in the overturning of Sodom, the Lord rained fire from the Lord. And this Lord was the God seen by Abraham; and this God was the guest of Abraham, certainly seen because He was also touched. But although the Father, being invisible, was assuredly not at that time seen, He who was accustomed to be touched and seen was seen and received to hospitality. But this the Son of God, "The Lord rained from the Lord upon Sodom and Gomorrha brimstone and fire." And this is the Word of God. And the Word of God was made flesh, and dwelt among us; and this is Christ. It was not the Father, then, who was a guest with Abraham, but Christ. Nor was it the Father who was seen then, but the Son; and Christ was seen. Rightly, therefore, Christ is both Lord and God, who was not otherwise seen by Abraham, except that as God the Word He was begotten of God the Father before Abraham himself." (A Treatise of Novatian Concerning the Trinity, Chapter XVIII. Argument.—Moreover Also, from the Fact that He Who Was Seen of Abraham is Called God; Which Cannot Be Understood of the Father, Whom No Man Hath Seen at Any Time; But of the Son in the Likeness of an Angel.)
8. Constitutions of the Holy Apostles: "To Him did Moses bear witness, and said: "The Lord received fire from the Lord, and rained it down." Him did Jacob see as a man, and said: "I have seen God face to face, and my soul is preserved." Him did Abraham entertain, and acknowledge to be the Judge, and his Lord." (Constitutions of the Holy Apostles, Book V. XX. A Prophetic Prediction Concerning Christ Jesus.)

 V. Anti-Trinitarians try to dismiss this most devastating text with three different arguments:

1. But Trinitarians don't teach this!
2. What Trinitarians do teach is that Yahweh, in human form and two angels appeared as three men in the passage.

B. Second: Anti-Trinitarians create a false dilemma by misusing John 1:18: "No man has seen God at any time". They then go on to argue that Yahweh could not be actually talking to Abraham in person. But this, as we will see, is indeed the case.

1. Yet Elijah saw God "For my eyes have seen the King, Yahweh of hosts." Moses saw the "form of Yahweh" Numbers 12:6-8: "Hear now My words: If there is a prophet among you, I, Yahweh, shall make Myself known to him in a vision. I shall speak with him in a dream. "Not so, with My servant Moses, He is faithful in all My household; With him I speak mouth to mouth, Even openly, and not in dark sayings, And he [Moses] beholds the form of Yahweh. Why then were you not afraid To speak against My servant, against Moses?""
2. To utterly silence all Jehovah's Witnesses on this point, merely quote 1 Timothy 6:16, "who alone possesses immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see.". The official interpretation of the Watchtower book company, is that this passage speaks solely of Christ. Yet it says, "whom no man has seen or can see".
3. Obviously then, no man has ever seen either Christ or God, in heaven, as they really are, but have seen representations of what God looks like.

C. Third: Anti-Trinitarians claim this is a case of God speaking in the third person.

1. This is wrong because it is Moses who is speaking not God, so it cannot be an example of speaking in the third person. Genesis 19:24 is narrated by Moses, not God himself, so this cannot be an example of God speaking in the third party!
2. Jonathan speaks in the third person:
   "Then Jonathan said to David, "Yahweh, the God of Israel, be witness! When I [first person] have sounded out my father about this time tomorrow, or the third day, behold, if there is good feeling toward David, shall I not then send to you and make it known to you? "If it please my father to do you harm, may Yahweh do so to Jonathan [third person] and more also, if I [first person] do not make it known to you and send you away, that you may go in safety. And may Yahweh be with you as He has been with my father. " 1 Samuel 20:12-13
3. Jesus speaks in the third person:
   "For whoever is ashamed of Me and My [first person] words, the Son of Man [third person] will be ashamed of him when He comes [third person] in His glory, and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels." Luke 9:26
4. This is not God speaking in the third person, but Moses (or whoever wrote Genesis) speaking: "Then Yahweh rained on Sodom and Gomorrah brimstone and fire from Yahweh out of heaven." (Genesis 19:24)
5. But even if these Unitarians could find similar examples of Genesis 19:24 in the Bible, it still would not make any difference. This is because the context irrefutably proves beyond question that Yahweh (or Jehovah if you adopt the spelling of that famous 13th century Roman Catholic monk.) was walking around on the earth with two angels.

D. Now that we have dismissed the only arguments Anti-Trinitarians have to explain this passage to their liking, we have proven that Yahweh was indeed walking around on the earth in human form with two angels. This is why Genesis 19:24 says, "Then Yahweh [on earth in human form] rained on Sodom and Gomorrah brimstone and fire from Yahweh [in spirit form in heaven] out of heaven.

E. Note to Jehovah's Witnesses: Click here to find a new church that doesn't teach false doctrine like they do at the Kingdom Hall.

By Steve Rudd
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