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This Belief Bulletin presents basic Oneness Pentecostal history and doctrines and provides a biblical analysis and response. They believe that Jesus and the Father are one essential person, though operating as different modes. 4:4-5; Eph. I do not think so. 3:16-17; 2 Pet. : Biblical Response: Salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone (see Rom. Answering A Few Common Oneness Pentecostal Arguments In this episode I interact with " A Solution to Dale Tuggy's Argument against Oneness Pentecostal Christology " - a blog post by Skylar McManus. 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). Now, I recognize that this may be vulnerable to the counter-strike that the author simply did not record them speaking in tongues, but they probably still did. Rather the Son is biblically (exegetically) presented as the Creator of all things Himself. Note the context indicating that the Father sent the person of the Son. Charles R. Koester . an outline of some early heresies in the Church. So Christians should strive to do the objective research, in order that they not provide bad untruthful arguments and appear unread. In the book of Isaiah, he was targeting polytheists; pagan idolaters. . Still not understanding (i.e., by knowing Jesus they know and see the Father), Philip says to Jesus, Show us the Father (v. 8). The Global Witness (UPCI) 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. 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. [1] Glen Davidson, Questions Oneness Pentecostals Don . But in spite of where or when it first appeared, it has been associated to a vast number of meanings through time. 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. God is absolutely and unqualifiedly one. 1:6-7; etc.). Today scholars estimate there are between 1.5 and 5 million Oneness Pentecostals worldwide, and they make up . Also, only that the Son was God can He God make this request/command to the Father, not mere man. No Christian used it as a pagan symbol, in the same way no Christian uses a calendar today on their wall to exalt the pagan gods of the days and months it representsthus, calendars were factually derived from pagan in origins. For God does not share His glory with no one (cf. They accomplish this by adhering to modalism, more commonly referred to as oneness theology. For an expanded exegetical refutation of Oneness unitarian theology see Oneness Theology (Modalism). What does it mean, then? Over fifty times, the Father, and Jesusare presented as explicitly distinct in the same passages (cf. Acquire a basic knowledge of Oneness Pentecostals' beliefs and practices. . References of the Son coming down from the heavenappear eight times in John chapter 6 alone! 15-16), Jesus distinguishes Himself from His Father by using different prepositions. Following these beginnings, Pentecostal preachers and churches spread rapidly coalescing into various denominations and factions. The answers do not represent a *full exegetical presentationrather it simply and basically demonstrates (a) the fundamental Oneness unitarian assumptions (viz. This view of the Trinity is connected with Oneness Pentecostals' Christology. Any group or church that claims to be Christian yet deviates at any point from historical Christian faith is, by definition, a cult. This case of marked distinction is also evident when Jesus differentiates Himself from God the Holy Spirit: I will ask the Father, and He will give you another [allon]3 Helper, that He may be with you forever (John 14:16; also see 14:7, 10, 26). The context is obvious: by knowing and seeing Jesus (as the only way to the Father; cf. , Paperback All Rights Reserved. He said that God the Father was the One True God of the Old Testament. : But again Only by removing this passage from the document and immediate context can Oneness teachers posit a modalistic Oneness understanding. The doctrine of the trinity states that there is one God who is eternally present in three persons. Father) to glorify Him together with Him (para seaut, thus, a shared glorification, a glory that only God can have, Isa. 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. So they will use this proof-text that they think Leave a comment. The fact is, in the NT, Jesus is explicitly referred to as the Son over two hundred times in the NT and never as Father or Holy Spirit. [1] In Phil. Brother Burgos carefully and respectfully dismantles the misguided half truths of Oneness doctrine. Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required. Why is drinking poison not a criteria for salvation? 7. (as seen above). Grammatically, when dia is followed by the genitive (as in these passages), the preposition indicates agency (cf. At the 1986 Oneness Symposium, Robert Sabin addresses the charge of whether the UPCI is Christian group or a cult. As a former Oneness Pentecostal (OP), Boyd was especially equipped to accurately describe Oneness beliefs about God and their arguments against the Trinity, and as a trained philosopher/theologian he was especially equipped to refute such views. Seek to build a personal and respectful relationship with the Oneness Pentecostal. A better work to understand the balance between " oneness" and "trinitiarisism" is the works of Thomas Fudge. . Was the Trinity Conceived in the 4th Century? 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. . Wallace, GGBB, 368; Greenlee, A Concise Exegetical Grammar of New Testament Greek, 5th ed. 2:8-9; Titus 3:5). When it comes to implementing apologetics into the local church, it is important to know that Charles Spurgeon said, Discernment is not knowing the difference between right and wrong. 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. . They will see that because he lives (he was raised from the dead), they too will live (be raised from the dead). Pentecostalism or classical Pentecostalism is a Protestant Charismatic Christian movement that emphasizes direct personal experience of God through baptism with the Holy Spirit. Pentecostal Church of Apostolic Faith (PCAF)-25,000 But typically, God became a man. , Item Weight 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? That the Son of Man was in heaven prior to Bethlehem creates a theological problem for Oneness doctrine. Against the Oneness notion (and v. 9), Jesus specifically used two first person PLURAL indicative verbs (eleusometha, We will come and poisometha, We will make Our) abode with him. This is part of chap. Oneness Pentecostals will point to John 3:5 as evidence of that. He argues throughout for . The Bible Way News Voice (Bible Way) [5] Beisner, Jesus Only Churches, 34. Thus, those churches adhering to its basic doctrines cannot be regarded as authentically Christian. Before time. One possessed the gift of tongues and the other possessed tongues for edification. Today it is predominately African-American and is headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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) . So I want to provide a resource for understanding Oneness Pentecostalism, some of the arguments that they will use and how to respond to them. . a. Spatial: near, beside, b. 1 Tim. There was an error retrieving your Wish Lists. Author: Michael R. Burgos Jr., Burgos Jr., Michael R. Format: Paperback. Atlanta: Atlanta Christian Apologetics Project, 1994. How does He now say, I have come down ek tou ouranou?. 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 . 6:4). 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].. Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web. Preexistence of the Son - Is the Son pre-existing like the Father or did the Father become the Son. Further, how do you know that you do not merely possess the gift of tongues? 9. Further, the idiom in the name of does not always refer to a reciting of the name. What Michael Burgos Jr. has produced in Against Oneness Pentecostalism is a helpful book for pastors or churchmen needing a polemical approach against the anti-Trinitarians embedded in our communities and occasionally, our churches. John 6:38). Additionally, the repetition of the preposition distinguishes the Father and the Son as two distinct self-aware Subjects (e.g., 1 John 1:3). Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are roles in God's plan of redemption, not intrinsic distinctions or distinct persons. They do not know how to deal with the texts that are often cited. The Peoples Mouthpiece (AOHCG) Note that while Boyd offers sound arguments against Oneness Pentecostalism in this book, he elsewhere expresses belief in open theism, an unorthodox view. 10. After that time, a number of oneness sects formed, most of which were predominately African-American. However, this seems to be far too simplistic of a reading. Throughout time God manifested himself in three ways or "forms" (not persons), as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Bowman, Robert M., Jr. Oneness Pentecostals and the Name of Jesus, paper. 14 and Johns theology. John 14:9: He who has seen Me has seen the Father. Of course, this is a mischaracterization. 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. including terms like Trinity, Unitarianism, Reviewed in the United States on March 13, 2017. Oneness author W. L. Vincent writes "The argument against the "Son being his own Father" is a red herring. . Better books written by an ex UPC theologian, Reviewed in the United States on December 13, 2018. The same can be said in Ecclesiastes 12:1, where the Hebrew literally reads, Remember also your Creators (plural in Heb.). Second, when did the Son have this glory (which only God has, Isa, 42:8)? 2 Cor. Biblical Response: The Bible is the inspired, inerrant, and infallible Word of God (see 2 Tim. John 17:5: Now, Father, glorify Me together with Yourself [para seaut] with the glory which I had/possessed [eichon] with You before the world was., John 19:25: Therefore the soldiers did these things. In Acts 4:31 and 8:17, people are filled with the Spirit and tongues are simply not mentioned. Imagine that you heard two people speaking in tongues. United Pentecostals, also called Oneness Pentecostals, are known for their rejection of the Trinity, which is a hallmark doctrine in orthodox Christianity. So when a Oneness advocate says that the Son did not exist before time, remember, that assertion is not based on biblical exegesis, but rather on what he or she has been taught by Oneness pastors/teachers. 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. Well, this would be to ignore all of the prepositions of this passage. 6. Every time somebody is saved throughout the book of Acts, we will see them speaking in tongues. He disproves Oneness arguments and establishes Trinitarian truth. John 14:23: Jesus answered and said to him, If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and we will make Our abode with him [par aut]. If he and the Father are one, does that necessarily mean that he is the Father? In many debates and particularly in his book The Oneness of God, Dr. David K. Bernard argued that the declarations in the Old Testament are so powerful that they dismiss any conception of plurality within the Godhead. Oneness Pentecostals have a distorted notion of the Trinity and need someone to show them the scriptural teaching of the Trinity, David Kowalski writes. Pentecostal Christianity has more than 700 denominations. At the time Boyd was full of zeal and all sorts of emotion, which comes out on nearly every page of Oneness . Jesus Only Churches. They were strongly rejected by the denominations council that year, and the AOG adopted a strong trinitarian stance in its statement of faith. Witnessing to Oneness Pentecostals: 1. Paul, too, regularly uses different prepositions to clearly differentiate the Father from the Son. : In my opinion it is better than Burgos' Against Oneness Pentecostals, Boyd's Oneness Pentecostals and the Trinity. Thus, in spite of the arguments of Oneness advocates against the triune God and the the person of Christ, it is the gospel that must be proclaimed to them-, which the power and ordained means of God for setting them free from the darkness of Oneness theology and bringing them to the true Jesus Christ, as He wills. Research resources on religious movements, cults, sects, world religions and related issues . The LORD is our God, the LORD is one! In spite of the (unclear) origins, the Triquetra has a rich meaning that has been used by the early church to signify the Trinity. It would be to cherry-pick the verse that fits into ones doctrine. How did the Son have (literally, actively possessed) glory with (para) the Father before time if the Son did not exist before Bethlehem? 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. AGAINST ONENESS PENTECOSTALISM. , Language Christian Life College-Stockton, Calif. 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. The UPCI was organized in 1945 with the union of two predominately white groups started earlier in the century. 9. 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. And you are pretexting the passage with no consideration of the context of chap. The above example is typical of Questions Oneness Pentecostals Don't ask. 4200 North Point Pkwy, Alpharetta, GA 30022, Employment Media & Public Relations NAMB Store. You're listening to a sample of the Audible audio edition. Jesus then reiterates (as a corrective) that by seeing Him they can see, that is, know or recognize the invisible Father (v. 9). Lastly, There has never been a recognized biblical scholar, commentator, NT Greek grammar, nor Lexical source that has ever interpreted John 14:9 in a Oneness-unitarian way as you do.- because neither this text, nor Johns entire theology supports the Oneness idea that Jesus is the same person as the Father. . But you have the symbol!!! Oneness adherents (along with Muslims and Jehovahs Witnesses) wrongly assume that the concept or word one when referring to God (e.g., Deut. 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. Now I will switch gears from Oneness to their view of water baptism. This is from where most Christians derive their baptismal formula, actually reciting the words, In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. However, Oneness Pentecostals think that in reciting those words, they are not obeying the command. But in verse 5, he says that he wishes everybody spoke in tongues, indicating that everybody does not speak in tongues. They take this to indicate that Jesus is the Father. Before time, with the Father. 1:1-13; Jude 1:1; Rev. Apostolic Missionary Institute-Oshawa, Ont. 2:6-11). . This is clearly a reference to baptism in water and baptism of the Spirit, right? Some scholars believe it to be Celtic in origin, and it is sometimes called the Irish Trinity Knot. Because I live, you also will live. Here's what you should know about Pentecostal Oneness. After all, it says that one must be born of water and Spirit. Now revised, updated, and expanded. It is enough for the disciples to see Jesus because they share a divine essence. Speaking in tongues is listed among several other practices, including casting out demons, resisting a snake bite and healing the sick. 6. This is an excellent refutation of Oneness Pentecostals. 2 John 1:3- Jesus is the Son of the Father). to the one sittingthe Father]) and the Lamb (kai t arnithe Son) are grammatically differentiated by the repeated article t (the), which precedes both nouns and are connected by the one conjunction kai (and). His will is one with the will of the Father. 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. Church of Our Lord Jesus of the Apostolic Faith (COLJF)-30,000 It is certainly possible that various cultures developed the basic design arrangement independently. Further, the conversation that Jesus had with Nicodemus should not be overlooked. 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. These false doctrines can affect teachings about justification, sanctification, the role and work of the cross and an understanding of the nature of God. No amount of good works, moral living, or church membership guarantees salvation. Many, however, utilize only the King James Version to proof text their unique doctrines. There are some who are trained very well in Oneness theology and know how to maneuver through the various arguments and counter-arguments. They are Acts 2:4, 10:44-46, and 19:6. 4:30; Heb. Throughout the passage, it is clear that Jesus is speaking of someone else. 4:4). 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. United Church of Jesus Christ (Apostolic) (UCJC-A)-100,000 Please give me some verses that challenge this thought? Westminster Confession of Faith, 1:9. Many Oneness churches especially the UPCI rejects justification through faith alone by teaching that one must be water baptized (in the name of Jesus only) to be savedwith the evidence, as the UPCI teaches, of speaking in other tongues. $22.00. Let's look at the Foursquare Church and United Pentecostal Church International and see how hey differ. Assemblies of the Lord Jesus, Inc. (ALJI)-50,000 Oneness folks like yourself typically cherry-pick passages (esp. Answer: Before time. Biblical Response: The Oneness Pentecostal view of God is similar to the ancient heresy of Modalism. 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. 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 . Of course, this is a mischaracterization. First, that seems to be an ad hoc measure to circumvent the meaning of the text. He coyly answered that he believed in one God who manifests himself in three ways: the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost. In the Gospels, Jesus referred to the Father over two hundred times as someone other than Himself, thus, as a distinct person. The Contender for the Faith (COLJF) 2021 North American Mission Board, SBC. 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. There are tongues for edification (this one is necessary for salvation) and the gift of tongues (this one is not necessary for salvation). If they do not do that, then they are probably not saved. Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations. JWs, and unstudied Oneness advocates) chiefly utilize the pagan-triquetra arguments against it. Is this even a good argument that Jesus was God? 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. This doctrine is called Oneness of God or Jesus Only. The AmazonSmile Foundation will automatically donate 0.5% of the purchase price to your selected charitable organization. 4. Notice John 14:16: I will ask [kag erts, first person] the Father, and He will give [dsei, third person] you another Helper, that He may be with you forever (John 14:16; also cf. The Hidden Cult of Oneness Pentecostalism. Reviewed in the United States on February 6, 2021. That the Son was the Creator clearly disproves the Oneness position. Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press, 1990. They are not three distinct persons. (3rd Edition) is a thoroughly researched critique of Oneness Pentecostalism. I have a friend who is try to understand he trinity.