We work hard to protect your security and privacy. Oneness Pentecostals are vehement anti-trinitarians who commonly maintain that the doctrine of the trinity states that there are three gods. Atlanta: Atlanta Christian Apologetics Project, 1994. In this article, I will be answering a few common Oneness Pentecostal arguments. This new anti-trinitarian belief needs to be understood and addressed, and it must be done so differently than Unitarianism of a by-gone day. The classic statement of Trinitarian doctrine is that there is One God who exists eternally in three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. [1] Glen Davidson, Questions Oneness Pentecostals Don . John 9:39) the invisible Father (cf. So, you appeal to v. 9, to assume Jesus is the person of the Father, but a verses later (v. 23), Jesus clearly affirms His deity as Son in distinction from the Father: Jesus answered and said to him, If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and MY FATHER will love him, and pros auton eleusometha [to him WE will come] and monn par autw poisometha [at home with him, WE will Make].. While pastors generally understand apologetics, we often misunderstand the apologist. Note the context indicating that the Father sent the person of the Son. Encyclopedia of American Religions. In doing so, they will think that they have mounted a proper argument against trinitarian theology because they believe that the doctrine of the trinity states that there are three gods. . Well, there are a number of reasons that I think that interpretation is implausible. However, some advocates of Oneness Pentecostalism have responded to this point. Anyways, I would change that symbol. Thus, when He died, only His human nature died. 31 They justify their actions by referring to the rejection of the doctrine of the Trinity by Oneness believers. One cannot have the Father except through the Son, Jesus Christ: Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father; the one who confesses the Son has the Father also (1 John 2:23; see also John 17:3). What does it mean that Jesus explains the Father? They are not three distinct persons. It says that one must be born of water. But what does it mean to be born of water? Historically, for Christians, the Triquetra represents the Trinity, not its supposedly pagan origins. Consider this, Trinitarians, not Oneness believers, conducted all of the major revivals worldwide. The proper mode is immersion in the triune name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. dual nature of Christ," but my heart sank when I found nothing which properly explained these things against a Trinitarian argument. Your confusing Jesus perfectly representing the Father with His identity. For this reason, many Christians have difficulty seeing anything wrong with the Oneness position. But typically, God became a man. 6. Publish Date: Jul 20, 2016. Thus, because God is tri-personal He can be described as both Maker and Makers and as Creator and Creators. He is one Being, not one persona point that is repeatedly brought to bear by the OT authors. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness. Zen is the ultimate self-help because it helps you see that the self does not exist. He does so by using first person personal pronouns (I, Me, Mine) and verb references to refer to Himself and third person personal pronouns (He, Him, His) and verb references to refer to His Father. Before time. How can you use Mark 16:17 to establish tongues as a criteria for salvation without using an absolute double-standard? Of course, this is a mischaracterization. Oneness Pentecostalism (also known as Apostolic or Jesus' Name Pentecostalism [citation needed]) refers to a grouping of denominations and believers within Pentecostal Christianity, all of whom subscribe to the nontrinitarian theological doctrine of Oneness. Detroit: Gale Research, 1999.Dictionary of Christianity in America. If there is anyone out there in a Oneness church who has questions in their mind about the truthfulness of Oneness doctrine and what the Scriptures actually teach, this is the book for them. They believe that God is ONE and not one in three persons. The term *with* is para in Greek. 6:4) has the strict denotative meaning of absolute solitude. John 14:9: He who has seen Me has seen the Father. United Pentecostals, also called Oneness Pentecostals, are known for their rejection of the Trinity, which is a hallmark doctrine in orthodox Christianity. In this theology, the Father embodies the divine attributes of the godhead and the Son embodies the human aspects. Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press, 1990. But its actual origins are unknown. It is enough for the disciples to see Jesus because they share a divine essence. 7. There Are Different Kinds of Tongues The above example is typical of Questions Oneness Pentecostals Don't ask. Pentecostalism or classical Pentecostalism is a Protestant Charismatic Christian movement that emphasizes direct personal experience of God through baptism with the Holy Spirit. Deuteronomy 6:4: Hear, O Israel! including terms like Trinity, Unitarianism, Reviewed in the United States on March 13, 2017. It is a symbol of ones identification with the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Different prepositions: Throughout John chapter 14 (and chaps. The Oneness Pentecostal movements generally teach that to receive and maintain salvation, a person must adhere to four essential requirements. Paul said these things are spiritually discerned. He also has a good section on . What sets Oneness Pentecostalism apart from other anti-Trinitarian heresies is its seeming orthodoxy. How would anybody understand what he is saying? However, this doesn't fit with this passage, because these still hadn't received the Spirit at all. But in spite of where or when it first appeared, it has been associated to a vast number of meanings through time. Now, I want to use an argument that the Oneness Pentecostals use all the time in this vein of thought, who will often counter the argument opposing Acts 2:38 (Salvation) . Witnessing to Oneness Pentecostals: 1. 2021 North American Mission Board, SBC. Revelation 2:13: I know where you dwell, where Satans throne is; and you hold fast My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days of Antipas, My witness, My faithful one, who was killed among you [par humin], where Satan dwells (cf. Why is snake-handling not a criteria for salvation? Oneness Pentecostals brand themselves apostolic. They will suggest that they are following the model of the earliest apostles. 1. . Jesus is said to have two natures: human and divine. Example, Paul says in 2 Corinthians 13:14, The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Also see passages such as Matthew 3:17-17; 28:19;Luke 10:21-22; Galatians 4:6; Ephesians 2:18; 1 Thessalonians 1:3-6; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; Titus 3:5-7; 1 Peter 1:2-3; and Jude 1:20-21 where all three persons of the Trinity are referredin the same verse or context. [3] BDAG defines allos here as pert[aining] to that which is other than some other entity, other . If you were to join a Oneness Pentecostal church, what would your experience be? 5. Oneness theology rejects the eternality of the Person of the Son. The triquetra symbol is also found in Norse Viking artifacts such as combs and saddles; found on a Norwegian coin from around the 11th cent. But if Jesus expected him to understand his reference to living water, it follows that he was not teaching the doctrine that water baptism is necessary for salvation. I. Here's what you should know about Pentecostal Oneness. Salvation is eternally assured for those who have accepted Christ as personal Lord and Savior (see John 1:12; 5:24; 1 John 5:13). Oneness Pentecostals have an anti-trinitarian view of God, an unbiblical doctrine of Jesus Christ, and unbiblical requirements for salvation (speaking in tongues, water baptism in Jesus name, and a legalistic moral code). : The following chapters are spent systematically refuting the Oneness doctrine of God as well as their arguments against the doctrine of the Trinity. . century, by a man named Praxeus, who is known from Tertullian's Against Praxeus. The argument over whether God is three-in-one or one-in-three is a moot point for the average layman, who tends to view the doctrine of the Trinity as an unexplainable mystery. a. Spatial: near, beside, b. However, like John 10:30, this verse also does not record Jesus as saying, I am the Father. It merely says, He who has seen Me has seen the Father. What is the best way to understand this verse? 1986 Oneness Symposium Tape 7- "UPCI: Christian or a Cult?" Robert Sabin Watch on Preexistence of the Son - Is the Son pre-existing like the Father or did the Father become the Son. 30:3; John 14:23]; Yahweh to Yahweh and Elohim (God) to Elohim correspondences in passages such as Gen. 19:24; Ps. In Isaiah 9:6, the text says, His name shall be mighty God, everlasting father, prince of peace, wonderful counselor. This is his name, despite that Oneness Pentecostals would identify them as titles. However, this seems to be far too simplistic of a reading. 7. And those (like yourself) who object (due to a mass of misinformation) to the Trinitarian symbol, since they do not have a problem with pagan-origins calendars in their homes, do they have a problem with the Apostle Pauls quotations of pagans writers to make a biblical pointnamely, Epimenides of Crete in Titus 1:12 and Acts 17:28 (referring to Zeus); Aratus of Cilicia in Acts 17:28 (also referring to Zeus); and Menander in 1 Cor. Moreover, significant Christian church councils affirmed the Trinity and explicitly rejected Oneness doctrine: e.g., Council of Nicaea (325); Chalcedon Creed (A.D. 451); Council of Constantinople (A.D. 381); etc. They are just continuing that long tradition. an outline of some early heresies in the Church. No amount of good works, moral living, or church membership guarantees salvation. . How does He now say, I have come down ek tou ouranou?. Against Oneness Pentecostalism: An Exegetical-Theological Critique by Michael Burgos Jr. - A second book by the author addressing Oneness beliefs, released in July 2016. He coyly answered that he believed in one God who manifests himself in three ways: the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost. Oneness Pentecostals believe that the trinity is ONLY one entity. Further, the triquetra has been found on Indian heritage sites that are over 5,000 years old; found on carved stones in Northern Europe dating from A.D. 8th cent. Why is drinking poison not a criteria for salvation? Nevertheless, they are the same person, not two separate persons. Seek to build a personal and respectful relationship with the Oneness Pentecostal. Research resources on religious movements, cults, sects, world religions and related issues . The AmazonSmile Foundation will automatically donate 0.5% of the purchase price to your selected charitable organization. . Help others learn more about this product by uploading a video! PAW: Aenon Bible School-Indianapolis, Ind. 1. In John 1:18, we read: No one has seen God [the Father] at any time; the only begotten God who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him (lit. Assemblies of the Lord Jesus, Inc. (ALJI)-50,000 Against Oneness Pentecostalism: An Exegetical-Theological Critique. 1:20-21). It is very well organized. with v. 9) out and then pretext into them a modalistic understandingwe call this eisegesis. 15-16), Jesus distinguishes Himself from His Father by using different prepositions. But they would simply amend their argument by saying, But this is clearly what early Christians believed because it is here. So I am willing to grant the long ending of Mark for the same of argument. 2 John 1:3- Jesus is the Son of the Father). The Son said that He *HAD* glory *before* timewith (para) the Father. The reason that I am doing that is because Oneness Pentecostalism is often not understood by trinitarian Christians. Primarily, KJV Onlyists and anti-Trinitarian groups (esp. 4. Oneness Pentecostal Sources of Authority: Oneness Pentecostals of all branches affirm the authority of the Bible for doctrine. In this piece he critically interacts with the following argument of mine ( from this blog post ). 32 To illustrate their arguments against Oneness groups, the following quotes from a book on cults by Bruce Tucker, an evangelical author, are Learn more. That may be the case. There are tongues for edification (this one is necessary for salvation) and the gift of tongues (this one is not necessary for salvation). Other preachers, such as Frank J. Ewart and John G. Scheppe, joined McAlister in his non-trinitarian perspective. It is an idiom for authority, like if I say in the name of the king. This is firmly established in Acts 4:4, which reads, By what power or what name did you do this? Power and name are parallel. No single translation or human interpretation can be regarded as infallible. Oneness Pentecostals believe that there is one God and God is one. 3:17; 17:5; John 3:35; 5:20; 2 Pet. Any group or church that claims to be Christian yet deviates at any point from historical Christian faith is, by definition, a cult. Well, this would be to ignore all of the prepositions of this passage. This use of different prepositions shows a relationship between them,5 and clearly denotes essential distinction, e.g., no one comes to [pros] the Father but through [dia] Me (John 14:6); he who believes in [eis] Me . In this theology, the Father embodies the divine attributes of the Godhead and the Son embodies the human aspects. There are four exegetical features, which provide a cogent refutation to the Oneness handling of this passage. Also, only that the Son was God can He God make this request/command to the Father, not mere man. How did the Son have (literally, actively possessed) glory with (para) the Father before time if the Son did not exist before Bethlehem? At the time Boyd was full of zeal and all sorts of emotion, which comes out on nearly every page of Oneness . This view of the Trinity is connected with Oneness Pentecostals' Christology. This Belief Bulletin presents basic Oneness Pentecostal history and doctrines and provides a biblical analysis and response. . Share your personal testimony of Gods grace and your faith in Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior. PO Box 2128 Winnetka, CA 91396 | 818-377-5272 | edward@christiandefense.org, Site Prepared and Built by ChurchWebPresence. ", ASIN NOTE: the answers provided to the questions below are a simple and quick guide for the interested person wishing to compare Oneness theology with Trinitarian theology. Pentecostal Christianity has more than 700 denominations. What arguments do they use to support this proposition? It is never used apart from God's incarnation, however; it never refers to deity That God the Father and Jesus are inseperably the same person/being/entity/substance/everything. If the Son did not eternally exist with the Father as a distinct person why is it that the Son is said to be sent from the Father out of heaven? And when did the Son have this glory? In spite of the (unclear) origins, the Triquetra has a rich meaning that has been used by the early church to signify the Trinity. Some Pentecostal denominations, often referred to as Apostolic Pentecostals, Oneness Pentecostals or Jesus-Only Pentecostals, take the . In verse 4, he writes that the person who speaks in tongues edifies himself. Today it is predominately African-American and is headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana. Oneness adherents (along with Muslims and Jehovahs Witnesses) wrongly assume that the concept or word one when referring to God (e.g., Deut. Something went wrong. Skylar McManus shares about being raised Oneness Pentecostal and moving from Oneness to Orthodoxy. He claims the symbol used by trinitarians is demonic. Bible Way Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ World Wide, Inc. (Bible Way)-250,000 On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. When they see Jesus raised from the dead, they will realize that he is in the Father and the Father is in him. 14 and Johns theology. Oneness/Jesus-only proponents will often say that this is a new revelation that came sometime during or after the Azusa Street Revival of 1906, which is generally regarded to be the birth of modern Pentecostalism. Previous page of related Sponsored Products. Jesus then says to His disciples, From now on you know Him, and have seen Him. Thus, by knowing Him they have known and have seen the Father (note the parallel: have known, have seen). Second, in 1 Corinthians 14:4-5, Paul speaks about tongues for edification. But for a deeper understanding, please view my other posts on this important subject. 31; A. T. Robertson, Word Pictures, 4:478-79; and cf. Example, Theodotus (the first known dynamic monarchianist) was excommunicated by Victor, the bishop of Rome, around A.D. 190; Noetus (the first known modalist) was condemned by Hippolytus and by the presbyters around the same time; Praxeas was marked as a heretic by Tertullian; Paul of Samosata was condemned at the Third Council in Antioch (A.D. 268); Dionysius of Alexandria and Dionysius bishop of Rome along with many important church Fathers condemned Sabellius and his teachings as Christological heresy. A better work to understand the balance between " oneness" and "trinitiarisism" is the works of Thomas Fudge. [5] Beisner, Jesus Only Churches, 34. Answer: Before time. The nature of the Trinity can be better understood The UPCI was organized in 1945 with the union of two predominately white groups started earlier in the century. 42:8), which shows that the glory that the Son had was in together in the presence of the Father. Still not understanding (i.e., by knowing Jesus they know and see the Father), Philip says to Jesus, Show us the Father (v. 8). That the Son of Man was in heaven prior to Bethlehem creates a theological problem for Oneness doctrine. Oneness Pentecostals honestly believe that their view of the Godhead is the true doctrine . He comes from a United Pentecostal, or Oneness Pentecostal, background. Pentecostal Oneness, also known as the Jesus Only movement, is a particular charismatic Christian movement that combines some sound doctrines with ideas that are close to right but create problems. 1 Thess. That specific doctrine was foreign to the Old Testament. Thus, they are often referred to as the Jesus Only Movement. There is no doubt that there is some form of tongues in the Bible. Further, in the Gospels, almost one hundred and eighty times, Jesus referred to the Father as the Father, my Father, or your Father- thus, as a distinct person from Himself. The Holy Spirit is not regarded as a person at all, merely a manifestation of Jesus power or a synonym for Him. He holds a BS in Bible and Theology from Lee University, an MA in Theology from the University of Chester (UK), an MA in Biblical and Theological Studies from Belhaven University, and a PhD in Polemical Theology from Forge Theological Seminary. Further, how do you know that you do not merely possess the gift of tongues? Oneness Pentecostal churches are, therefore, cultic in nature and outside the theological parameters of historic Christianity. Further, the conversation that Jesus had with Nicodemus should not be overlooked. Number eight is this: "The baptism of believers in the Holy Spirit is witnessed by the initial physical sign of speaking . Mark 16:18 is part of a disputed portion of Marks text. The block of Oneness ministers present urged against such a move but was overruled. . Add to Wish List Link to this Book Add to Bookbag Sell this Book Buy it at Amazon Compare Prices. Of course, this is a mischaracterization. Noted Greek scholar Daniel Wallace provides the precise meaning of the preposition para followed by the dative: In general, the dative uses suggest proximity or nearness. Nicodemus was perplexed by what Jesus said to him. Good works and holy living are the natural responses of salvation already received-not its cause (see Eph. Against Oneness Pentecostalism: An Exegetical-Theological Critique Author Michael Burgos Publisher Church Militant Publications, 2016 ISBN 0692644067, 9780692644065 Length 246 pages Export. Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability Accredited. There was a problem loading your book clubs. John 14:9 Oneness people routinely quote this passage (usually in the same breath with John 10:30), as though it was part of the passage. The Pattern In The Book of Acts Establishes Our Doctrine . Grammatically, when the preposition para (with) is followed by the dative case (as in this verse: para seaut, para soi), especially in reference to persons, it indicates near, beside, or in the presence of.. Also, throughout chap 14 Jesus distinguishes Himself from the Father. 6th ed. All of the arguments both for and against Oneness beliefs seem valid and to me come down to se It is extremely well written, but wasn't the best choice for my needs. Today, however, the strongest anti-trinitarian movement known as the Oneness Pentecostals exists as self-proclaimed Evangelicals. v. 6), they could really see (i.e., know/recognize, cf. Well, Oneness Pentecostalism has a lot of subtleties. How is that clear at all? But standing by the cross [para t staur] of Jesus were His mother, and His mothers sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.. 33 For the bread of God is that which comes down ek tou ouranou, and gives life to the world. 34 Then they said to Him, Lord, always give us this bread., 35: Jesus said to them, I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst. Have a clear understanding of your faith and the Bible. Jesus asked in verse 11, Are you the teacher of Israel and do not understand these things? Nicodemus should have understood as the teacher of Israel. The Contender for the Faith (COLJF) Pentecostal Church of Apostolic Faith (PCAF)-25,000 While this book may be helpful insofar as it rehearses typical Oneness Pentecostal views and arguments, it is far from providing a substantial treatment of Scripture or a meaningful interaction with trinitarianism. Phillip asked him, Show us the Father, Lord, and it will be enough for us. Jesus replied that Phillip should not need to ask this question, because, He who has seen me has seen the Father. Oneness Pentecostals will argue that Jesus was saying that he is the Father. , Language Reviewed in the United States on November 22, 2016. Official Names and Membership (estimates): Apostolic Overcoming Holy Church of God (AOHCG)-13,000 Oneness theology rejects the doctrine of the Trinity, for they are unitarian (i.e., believes that God exists as one personunipersonal). Wallace, BBGG, 350-51; Robert Reymond, Systematic Theology, 263. If God is unitarian, how do you explain passages such as Genesis 19:24 where Yahweh (LORD), rained brimstone and fire from Yahweh out of heaven? Pentecostalism is a Spirit-emphasizing movement that is characterized by several unique doctrines and practices, including baptism in the Spirit for Christians after conversion, speaking in tongues as evidence of that Spirit-baptism, and the exercise of all the spiritual gifts. If the Son did not eternally exist with the Father as a distinct person why is it that the Son can say, Now, Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had [or shared, eichon] with You before the world was.? Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required. We dont share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we dont sell your information to others. His knowledge of living water from the Old Testament (Jeremiah 2:13, Isaiah 12:3, 58:11, etc) should have informed him. United Church of Jesus Christ (Apostolic) (UCJC-A)-100,000 According to the Scriptures, apologetics is Download the Quick Takes with Kevin Podcast to hear NAMB president Kevin Ezell talk with pastors across the country about how to navigate diverse ministry challenges. Because I live, you also will live. 1:2). These arguments against Acts 2:38 demonstrate a holistic ignorance of how the OT is fulfilled in Jesus and the NT death, burial and resurrection is performed in repentance . So there are good reasons to think that the disciples were not concerned with the words that were recited but with the power and authority of the Trinity. So, he establishes that he is speaking of tongues for edification. Hence, Jesus could not have meant that by seeing Him they were literally seeing the Father. Isa. 15:33? That the Son was the Creator clearly disproves the Oneness position. Thus, any objection to the triquetra as use by Christians would be inconsistent and historically ignorant lacking any meaningful basic research on the triquetra and its origins in religious and non-religious usage. In verse 17, he refers to the Holy Spirit as he and him. Is it really coherent to think that in the next verse, he would refer to the Holy Spirit as himself? 5. In Revelation 5:13, the Lamb and the Father are presented as two distinct objects of divine worship, as they are clearly differentiated by the repetition of the article t: To Him who sits (t kathmen [lit. But the Son, they say, was not really there with the Father before the world was. However, consider the following: First, note that the glory that the *Son* said that He possessed or shared (eichon) was when? (see above). 3. 51: I am the living bread that came down ek tou ouranou, 58: This is the bread which came down ex ouranou; not as the fathers ate and died; he who eats this bread will live forever.. God is absolutely and unqualifiedly one. Additionally, the repetition of the preposition distinguishes the Father and the Son as two distinct self-aware Subjects (e.g., 1 John 1:3). Further, turning to 1 John 1:3, not only does John show that believers have fellowship with both the Father and the Son, but the Father and the Son are clearly distinguished as two persons by the repeated article tou (the) and the repeated preposition meta (with): We proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with [meta] us; and indeed our fellowship is with the [meta tou] Father and with [kai meta] His Son [tou huiou], Jesus Christ (see esp. AGAINST ONENESS PENTECOSTALISM. Apostolic Missionary Institute-Oshawa, Ont. Col. 1:15) who brings out, that is, exegetes the Father: He [Jesus] has made known or brought news of (the invisible God) (Bauer, 2000: 349). The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all (2 Cor. Author: Michael R. Burgos Jr., Burgos Jr., Michael R. Format: Paperback.