What is Binitarianism?

Answer

Binitarianism is the belief that the one true God exists as two Persons (the Father and the Son). It is distinct from Trinitarianism (where God exists as three Persons) and Unitarianism (where God exists as only one Person). Furthermore, it differs from bitheism (the belief in two gods). Binitarianism has never gained widespread acceptance and is maintained by only a small number of groups today.

Binitarianism asserts that the Holy Spirit is essentially another designation for Jesus—specifically, that Jesus is the Spirit incarnate. This assertion is rooted in a misinterpretation of a passage in the non-canonical text “The Shepherd of Hermas” and in Romans 8:9, which states, “You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ” (cf: 1 Peter 1:10-11). In this context, the “Spirit of God” appears to be equated with the “Spirit of Christ”; if the “Spirit of Christ” is indeed just another term for Jesus, as Binitarianism argues, then there is no third Person in the Godhead.

A more accurate interpretation of Romans 8:9 is that the Holy Spirit is referred to as the “Spirit of Christ” because He is sent by Christ «But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: », (John 15:26). He bears witness to Christ «But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: », (John 15:26). He comes in the name of Christ «But the Comforter, which

Is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” , (John 14:26), and He seals believers in Christ “In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise.” , (Ephesians 1:13). The fact that the Son sends the Spirit from the Father shows that all three Persons of the Trinity are distinct.

The Trinity is a great mystery, and even the most learned Bible scholars cannot adequately explain it. However, the Bible, specifically the New Testament, teaches that the one true God exists as three Persons (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit). The Bible also teaches that it was the Son who became incarnate, not the Father or the Spirit. Thus, Binitarianism is not biblical.

Below is the best symbol for the Trinity we are aware of (click to expand):