The above example is typical of Questions Oneness Pentecostals Don't ask. The term *with* is para in Greek. Unlike Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses, for example, Oneness Pentecostals teach both that there is one God and that Jesus is fully God. 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. Oneness Pentecostals honestly believe that their view of the Godhead is the true doctrine . (or that God exist as one person?). Number eight is this: "The baptism of believers in the Holy Spirit is witnessed by the initial physical sign of speaking . Further, how do you know that you do not merely possess the gift of tongues? After viewing product detail pages, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages you are interested in. If Oneness doctrine is biblically true, why then do the biblical authors use grammatical features that personally distinguish between the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit? This argument can be deflected simply by explaining that the trinity is strictly monotheistic, claiming that there is one God who is eternally present in three persons. Assemblies of the Lord Jesus, Inc. (ALJI)-50,000 It may also be that Father, Son, and Spirit is the name by which we know God. The arguments can get a bit technical for people who do not know Greek, but Dalcour communicates so well that one is able to follow him. , ISBN-13 Zen is the ultimate self-help because it helps you see that the self does not exist. If an individual believes that there are three gods, then they have, in effect, denied the doctrine of the trinity. He had never heard anything of being born of water. 2 Cor. When we hear a Oneness Pentecostal claiming that everybody speaks in tongues throughout the Bible, we immediately go to 1 Corinthians 12:29-31, for Paul recognizes that not everybody possesses all of the spiritual gifts, and tongues are listed among them. Second, they argue that what is said about God the Father is also said of Jesus Christ. Use Amazon Smile for all your purchases to support the Department of Christian Defense. The only thing that keeps me from fully accepting Oneness at this point is Christology. 2021 North American Mission Board, SBC. Jesus then reiterates (as a corrective) that by seeing Him they can see, that is, know or recognize the invisible Father (v. 9). Any group or church that claims to be Christian yet deviates at any point from historical Christian faith is, by definition, a cult. No single translation or human interpretation can be regarded as infallible. Phil. The church has branded Oneness theology as heretical since the days of Noetus at the end of the second century. [{"displayPrice":"$24.99","priceAmount":24.99,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"24","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"99","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"MxOZDAU1BM3oO3G4F%2BCtYP9qq0KgtF35LSLxTDj%2FZkLKjLEWTC2zoYxG%2BjsG5GdXQmEMn%2FvxuhpKGOvcBcFOdka0PXEu6xoyQMfBfOKUEILpCC90qFvRcgkCAwt3TFW6ij0eD4l%2BfdSw6ayv8kPjlg%3D%3D","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"NEW"}]. . Some Pentecostal denominations, often referred to as Apostolic Pentecostals, Oneness Pentecostals or Jesus-Only Pentecostals, take the . 15-16), Jesus distinguishes Himself from His Father by using different prepositions. 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). Previous page of related Sponsored Products. "Michael Burgos has produced a brilliant blend of systematic theology and biblical exegesis with a detailed and thorough discussion of the main passages at the center of the dispute between. 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. 4:4-5; Eph. Beisner, E. Cal. . [2] Cf. Modalism is the belief that one God existed in time in three distinct modes of being: first as the Father in heaven; second, bodily as the Son on earth; and finally as the Holy Spirit. 14 and Johns theology. I always say at the onset to one like yourself, who make the incorrect uninformed assertion regarding the triquetra symbol being derived from Wicca, paganism, etc. For example, many in UPCI consider the writings of Frank Ewart and John G. Scheppe as authoritative. A Concise Look at Oneness Theology | Department of Christian Defense, John 1:29: The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. You're listening to a sample of the Audible audio edition. Historically, for Christians, the Triquetra represents the Trinity, not its supposedly pagan origins. 4:4). If you have a friend who is trying to understand the Trinity, first the worst thing you can you is to confuse him with unclear and erroneous information. "Michael Burgos has produced a brilliant blend of systematic theology and biblical exegesis with a detailed and thorough discussion of the main passages at the center of the dispute between Oneness Pentecostalism and traditional trinitarianism. Also, only that the Son was God can He God make this request/command to the Father, not mere man. Sorry, there was a problem loading this page. The same can be said in Ecclesiastes 12:1, where the Hebrew literally reads, Remember also your Creators (plural in Heb.). 1. The LORD is our God, the LORD is one! Is this even a good argument that Jesus was God? 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. The term Pentecostal is derived from Pentecost, an event that commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and other followers of Jesus Christ while they were in Jerusalem celebrating the Feast of . I am going to [pros] the Father (v. 12; cf. Please try again. However, to early Christians (and many today), the triquetra symbolized the Trinity (one God, three persons). Description: While most Pentecostals are orthodox, there is a segment within this movement of "Oneness" or "Jesus-Only" Pentecostals who are not. dual nature of Christ," but my heart sank when I found nothing which properly explained these things against a Trinitarian argument. Note: In this beautiful passage (Jesus high priestly prayer) the Son (for Jesus says, Now, Father) says that He possessed or shared glory with the Father, before time. John 1:18; Col. 1:15; 1 Tim. is a must-read for any serious-minded Christian who wants to be better informed and better equipped to sanctify Christ as Lord . And you are pretexting the passage with no consideration of the context of chap. AGAINST ONENESS PENTECOSTALISM. In this theology, the Father embodies the divine attributes of the Godhead and the Son embodies the human aspects. Try again. If an individual believes that there are three gods, then they have, in effect, denied the doctrine of the trinity. Note the Context: In verse 6 Jesus says, I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. In verse 7, He explains to His disciples that if they had known Him they would have known the Father also. Further, almost one hundred and eighty times, Jesus is presented as referring to the Father, My Father, or your Father in the Gospels as distinct from Himself, and at no time does Jesus refer to my Son. Forty times, in the Gospel of John, Jesus refers to Himself as Sent by the Father, but never does Jesus refer to Himself as the Father who sent the Son (cf. His will is one with the will of the Father. II. He has exgsato [lead out, unfold, declare, Thayer, 1996: 223] Him (the Father). It may be that is the name under which we are baptized. Oneness Pentecostals will point to John 3:5 as evidence of that. 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 . 27 Do not work for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you, for on Him the Father, God, has set His seal.. If he and the Father are one, does that necessarily mean that he is the Father? For if Jesus is the Father, then, between whom would He Mediate since by definition a mediator/intercessor represents two distinct parties, other than Himself. (3rd Edition) is a thoroughly researched critique of Oneness Pentecostalism. In terms of the triquetra (Trinitarian symbol), you should not base an argument on ignorance, and unaccredited internet articles. The proper mode is immersion in the triune name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Arguing unipersonalism (unitarianism) assumes a conclusion that is meant to be proved. 6:4) has the strict denotative meaning of absolute solitude. Note: in passages such as John 1:3, 1 Corinthians 8:6; Colossians 1:16-17, Hebrews 1:2, 10-12, the Son is clearly presented as agent of creation, the Creator Himself. Copyright 1979, 1980, 1982, Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. John 3:13; 6:38, 46, 62; 8:23, 38, 42; 16:28). How To Implement Apologetics into the Church, The Differences Between the Prosperity Gospel and the Biblical Gospel. 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. 9. I have a friend who is try to understand he trinity. I wont give him this web page..too bad. Many trinitarians, unfortunately, have never heard of these arguments before. There is not a single case in which the prophets repudiated anything like the doctrine of the trinity, nor is there any case in which rebellious Israel believed it and convoked the wrath of God. Also, throughout chap 14 Jesus distinguishes Himself from the Father. All Rights Reserved. : But you have the symbol!!! [1] Glen Davidson, Questions Oneness Pentecostals Don . 5. 14:7, 10, 16; etc.). Recently a well-known pastor, television preacher, and best-selling author was asked about his beliefs about God. Now revised, updated, and expanded. That the Son of Man was in heaven prior to Bethlehem creates a theological problem for Oneness doctrine. Please give me some verses that challenge this thought? Thus, they are often referred to as the Jesus Only Movement. Westminster Confession of Faith, 1:9. What does it mean, then? Note that while Boyd offers sound arguments against Oneness Pentecostalism in this book, he elsewhere expresses belief in open theism, an unorthodox view. Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press, 1990. ' Note the first person plural verbs (eleusometha, We will come, and poisometha, We will make). Still not understanding (i.e., by knowing Jesus they know and see the Father), Philip says to Jesus, Show us the Father (v. 8). Indiana Bible College-Seymour, Ind. If the Son has not eternally existed with (personally distinct from) the Father why then is the Son presented as the agent of creation, that is, the Creator Himself? Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability Accredited. Melton, J. Gordon. 7. Salvation is entirely based on grace through faith in Christ. In 1918, Oneness adherents, needing to develop their own organization after effectively being ousted from Pentecostalism, founded the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, headed by African . They had come to love their Messiah over the years. Texas Bible College-Houston, Texas. As with other Christian symbols and Christian holidays (e.g., Christmas, Easter, cross, etc. Is that the case? While this is not a good argument that Jesus is the Father, it is a good argument that Jesus is God. How can they ask him to Show us the Father when he is the Father? III. JWs, and unstudied Oneness advocates) chiefly utilize the pagan-triquetra arguments against it. the God)], and [kai] the fellowship of the [tou] Holy Spirit be with you all. . In the book of Isaiah, he was targeting polytheists; pagan idolaters. Pentecostals are Christians who believe that God is still doing the same things he did on the first Day of Pentecost after Jesus rose from his grave. No one has ascended into heaven but He who descended from [the] heaven [ek tou ouranou]: the Son of Man (John 3:13). Oneness Pentecostals believe that the title "Son" only applied to Christ when he became flesh on earth, but that Christ was the Logos or Mind of the Father prior to his being made human, and not a separate person. The argument isn't against modesty, but that the descriptions the New Testament gives are examples from the first century and aren't universal prohibitions for every time and culture . The Pentecostalism Controversy This study was published by the Central Bureau Press, 3835 Westminster Place, St. Louis, MO 63108, in 1973 with the Imprimatur of the Most Rev. In the Gospels, Jesus referred to the Father over two hundred times as someone other than Himself, thus, as a distinct person. Yes, the Jesus of Oneness theology is a false Jesus. Bishop Thomas Dexter "T.D." Jakes (born in 1957) is a popular black preacher and evangelist who is the main pastor of The Potter's House church in Dallas, Texas (founded in 1996), with a congregation of over thirty thousand members. Against Oneness Pentecostalism: An Exegetical-Theological Critique. This seems to draw support from John 14:18. In 1913, one popular teacher, R.E. In this article, I will be answering a few common Oneness Pentecostal arguments. Oneness Pentecostals believe that the trinity is ONLY one entity. 5. Check out John 14:8-9, Philip said, Show us the Father and that will be enough. Jesus said to him, Have I been with you such a long time, and yet you have not known Me Philip? , Paperback Book of Kells was an exemplified manuscript book in Latin containing all four Gospels together with various prefatory texts contained also figures of triquetras. The triquetra symbol has been found in Norwegian churches dating to the 11th century. Matthew 28:19 clearly reflects the trinitarian concept that the name (authority and characteristics) of the one God is incorporated in the three Persons of the Godhead: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (see 1 Cor. A Definitive Look at Oneness Theology: In the Light of Biblical Trinitarianism, Christianity without the Cross: A History of Salvation in Oneness Pentecostalism, In Jesus Name - The History and Beliefs of Oneness Penecostals, C.H. . John 14:18: I will not leave you as orphans. There are many other passages where this construction applies clearly denoting distinction between the persons in the Trinity (e.g., 1 Thess. After all, he did not say, I am the Father, in this verse. How would you be able to tell the difference? Customize your subscription to get the latest of what matters most to you! Also, John 1:3; Colossians 1:16-17; and Hebrews 1:10-12 teach exegetically that the Son was God, the agent of creation, the Creator, thus preexisting with the Father.