The early Christian writer, Tertullian, coined the word "Trinity" around the year A.D. 200. Although he coined a new word, Tertullian introduced no new teachings about the Trinity. Rather, he explained and defended what the entire church had believed from the time of the apostles up through his day.

Other than perhaps the doctrine of salvation, no doctrine is discussed more often and more thoroughly by the pre-Nicene Christian writers than that of the Trinity. And what they taught about the Trinity is based solidly on Scripture. Yet, their understanding of the Trinity differed in certain important aspects from what is popularly taught in the West today as the doctrine of the Trinity. Our western understanding of the Trinity is based upon the teachings and misunderstandings of Augustine. It is not the historical understanding—”nor the Scriptural teaching—”of the Trinity.

As a ministry, we are offering below the teaching tape, What the Early Christians Believed about the Trinity, for only 49¢—”which is below our cost to make this tape. Our interest is in getting this information out. The same message is also offered below on audio CD. Or, read for yourself an extensive collection of representative quotations from the early Christians about the Trinity in the Dictionary of Early Christian Beliefs, which is also offered below.

CD: Trinity $4.95 What The Early Christians Believed About the Trinity. The Trinity is one of the central doctrines of Christianity. Probably most Christians have heard of the Nicene Creed, and they think they hold to its teachings on the Deity of Christ. However, as Bercot explains in this message, most Christians today hold to a view of the Trinity that is not in accordance with either the Nicene Creed or the early Christian doctrine of the Trinity. 70 min. CD. Quantity

Dictionary of Early Christian Beliefs $34.95 $19.95 On Sale! David W. Bercot, editor. This scholarly work collects together over 7000 quotations from the writings of the early Christians, arranged alphabetically by topic. Find out what the early Christians believed on various doctrines and lifestyle issues. Each quotation contains a citation back to the volume and page where the quotation can be found in the Ante-Nicene Fathers set. So this work also serves as an excellent index to the Ante-Nicene Fathrs. A must for every pastor and serious Bible student. 704 pp. hardback. Quantity