Reformed Covenanter
Cancelled Commissioner
And although the text in 1 John v. 7, has been disputed, on plausible grounds, and the testimony of existing manuscripts is unfavourable to its authenticity, yet there being positive evidence that ancient manuscripts which contained it, have been destroyed or lost, I think it should not be omitted in a summary of the evidence of the doctrine of the Trinity, as I have a strong persuasion that it is really a precious part of inspired Scripture, which we are not at liberty to abandon, but which was probably insidiously dropped out of the copies, in the days of Arian ascendency. What confirms me in this opinion is, that it is evidently referred to both by Tertullian and Cyprian, who lived long before our oldest extant manuscripts were written. The words are, "There are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost, and these three are one." Here we have our whole doctrine expressed, as clearly as it could be done in words.
Archibald Alexander, A Brief Compend of Bible Truth (Philadelphia: Presbyterian Board of Publication, 1846), p. 42.
P.S. I do not buy this argument myself, so do not shoot the messenger. I post it because I consider it important to know such information.
Archibald Alexander, A Brief Compend of Bible Truth (Philadelphia: Presbyterian Board of Publication, 1846), p. 42.
P.S. I do not buy this argument myself, so do not shoot the messenger. I post it because I consider it important to know such information.