There comes a profound moment in every believer’s journey when we must ask: what does the Word truly reveal about God, Yeshua, and the Spirit? Matthew 28:19 is often cited as the foundational Scripture for the doctrine of the Trinity: “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.” In Greek, it reads: πορευθέντες οὖν μαθητεύσατε πάντα τὰ ἔθνη, βαπτίζοντες αὐτοὺς εἰς τὸ ὄνομα τοῦ Πατρὸς καὶ τοῦ Υἱοῦ καὶ τοῦ Ἁγίου Πνεύματος. Literally is translates at: “baptizing them into the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” Notice the singular name (ὄνομα), which emphasizes unity of essence rather than three co-equal “persons,” a distinction later formalized at Nicaea. Manuscripts affirm this formula consistently, yet the interpretation as a triune Godhead emerged centuries later under significant cultural, philosophical, and political influences, rather than from a direct biblical mandate.
Understanding this verse in its original language sheds important light. The word βαπτίζοντες (baptizontes) is a present participle, meaning “immersing” or “immersing repeatedly,” highlighting ongoing spiritual formation. Εἰς τὸ ὄνομα (“into the name”) indicates authority and identity, not a mere ritual formula. It is into the authority of the Father, the Son, and the Spirit, not necessarily into three co-equal persons in a mystical triad. The Word’s focus is relational and covenantal: God works in Christ through the Spirit to accomplish His will in us and through us.
Yeshua is consistently identified as the Son of the Father. He never claims to be the Holy Spirit, nor is the Spirit Himself. John 14:28 reminds us, “The Father is greater than I.” Yet, through the incarnation, Yeshua embodies God’s authority and essence, fully revealing the Father in human form. The Holy Spirit, or רוּחַ קָדְשׁ (ruach kodesh), is God’s presence and power in action—teaching, guiding, and empowering believers. Acts 1:8 says, “You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you.” The Spirit is not a separate “person” in some abstract triad, but God actively present and working. This aligns perfectly with the Word’s recurring theme: God is dwelling in Christ and in His people, not divided into three co-equal entities. It is God in Christ in us, flowing through the Son and Spirit, revealing His nature, His power, and His covenantal love.
The historical unfolding of the Trinity doctrine provides sobering perspective. Constantine, the Roman emperor, was devoted to Sol Invictus, the sun god. His convening of the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD was motivated largely by political necessity: to unify the empire under a single religious framework. The Nicene Creed introduced language such as “of one substance with the Father” (ὁμοούσιος τῷ Πατρί), formalizing the idea of three co-equal “persons.” This language mirrored pagan triads, including sun, moon, and sky “gods”, and other triple “deities” common in surrounding cultures. Constantine’s influence introduced symbolic solar imagery even into Christian rites and art, with coins bearing sun motifs, subtly merging imperial ideology with church teaching. While the Creed sought to resolve doctrinal debates over Christ’s nature, it layered political expediency and pagan symbolism over Scripture, producing a theological formulation that Scripture itself never mandates. Many pagan religions had triune gods long before; the Word, however, consistently emphasizes a relational, covenantal God (singlular), fully revealed in Yeshua and active through the Spirit, not a three-person formula imposed from outside.
Even symbols tied to Israel have been subject to human reinterpretation. The Star of David, or hexagram, predates King David by centuries, appearing in Babylonian seals, Hindu yantras, and Kabbalistic diagrams. Historically, it represented the union of male and female forces—sometimes depicted as copulation or mystical power—and had no connection to the God of Israel. Its modern adoption as a Jewish emblem or on Israel’s flag is cultural and national, not biblical. Scripture never commands its use, nor does it confer holiness or covenantal authority. While many assume it is inherently sacred, historical and archaeological study shows it is a human invention co-opted from Babylonian and later occult traditions. By contrast, Scripture provides true symbols that reveal God’s character, covenant, and presence, most powerfully, the menorah.
The menorah, the seven-branched lampstand, is deeply rooted in the Word. Exodus 25:31‑40 gives precise instructions for its construction: pure gold, hammered work, with cups, knobs, and blossoms. The menorah was not ornamental but prophetic and symbolic. The oil, שֶׁמֶן זַיִת טָהוֹר (shemen zayit tahor), pure olive oil, signifies God’s anointing, His Holy Spirit. The menorah’s light shone in the Tabernacle, representing God’s presence and holiness illuminating His people. It is a picture of divine illumination flowing outward, sustaining the covenant community and foreshadowing Yeshua, the Light of the World.
In Zechariah 4:2‑6, the golden lampstand is supplied with oil from two olive trees, interpreted as the Spirit sustaining God’s mission. Each branch flows from a single source, representing the continuous outpouring of God’s life and power through His Spirit. John 8:12 says, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” Here, the menorah foreshadows the Light of Yeshua, the Spirit at work in the believer, and the covenantal relationship of God with His people.
This theme continues into the Brit Chadashah. In Revelation 1:12‑13, John sees seven golden lampstands representing the assemblies. Christ walks among them, demonstrating that the Light of God dwells in the midst of His people. The branches of the menorah flow from one source, reminding us that God is one in essence. His power flows through the Son and Spirit into believers, illuminating the world with truth and covenantal light. This is God in Christ in us, shining in darkness, giving clarity and life where confusion and falsehood abound.
The spiritual application is profound. While pagan or occult symbols, such as the hexagram, carry the imprint of human invention and idolatry, the menorah communicates God’s eternal light. Every believer carries a flame of that light; every act of faith, obedience, and love becomes a branch of the eternal menorah. The Word, the Spirit, and the living presence of Yeshua together form a divine lampstand, a shining testimony that the Light of YHWH endures forever, untainted by human alteration or legend.
The menorah also teaches a dynamic truth: God’s light is not static. Just as each branch is fed from a single source, so the Spirit flows from God through Christ into the believer’s life, illuminating our thoughts, decisions, and actions. Through this light, we discern truth, expose darkness, and testify to God’s covenant faithfulness. The menorah reminds us that holiness, power, and life flow from God alone. It is a continual call to walk in obedience, allowing His light to shine through every area of our lives.
Even in a world filled with confusion, political manipulation, and misappropriated symbols, the menorah shows that God’s presence is pure, steady, and covenantal. Yeshua is our Light, the Spirit is His empowering fire, and together they dwell within us, shining through us to illuminate the world with truth, love, and life eternal. Unlike any human-invented symbol or theological overlay, the Word’s menorah reveals God’s glory, His covenant, and His promise to dwell with His people.
Every believer who walks in Yeshua carries this Light into the world. It is relational, active, and covenantal. God’s essence is not divided into three co-equal “persons”; it flows seamlessly from Father to Son to Spirit, dwelling in His people and manifesting through obedience, love, and faith. The menorah stands as the eternal symbol of this reality, prefiguring the Light of Yeshua, sustained by the Spirit, illuminating hearts, families, and nations.
In closing, let this be our meditation and declaration: the true Light never goes out. God in Christ in us is living, breathing, and shining, bringing truth to the darkened world, life to the weary, and hope to the lost. Every flame on the eternal menorah is a reflection of covenantal faithfulness, divine presence, and the Spirit’s empowerment. Amidst false doctrines, pagan symbols, and human distortion, God’s Word and His light remain steadfast, unwavering, and eternal.