Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability Accredited. While they may be anti-trinitarians, they are committed to the truth that Jesus is God. Michael Burgos, is a modern Pharisee. , Dimensions Biblical Response: The Oneness Pentecostal view of God is similar to the ancient heresy of Modalism. 7:9-14; John 1:1, 18; 6:37-39, 44; 14:23; 17:5; 2 John 1:3; 2:22; Heb. Dan. The Father is God, the Son is God, and the Holy Spirit is God. The church has branded Oneness theology as heretical since the days of Noetus at the end of the second century. The doctrine of the trinity states that there is one God who is eternally present in three persons. Official Names and Membership (estimates): Apostolic Overcoming Holy Church of God (AOHCG)-13,000 7. Well, there are a number of reasons that I think that interpretation is implausible. 1. The modern Pentecostal movement is generally regarded to have begun in 1901 in a chapel prayer meeting in Topeka, Kan., led by Charles Parham, a teacher at Bethel Bible College. Pray and trust the Holy Spirit to lead you as you share. If we were in the Court of Law, it would be dismissed as evidence. Further, the conversation that Jesus had with Nicodemus should not be overlooked. . Now revised, updated, and expanded. Boyd's arguments are dependant mainly on Scripture but he does take some time to delve into the writings of the early Church Fathers (chapter 7) in order to show that the early church was far . This doctrine is called Oneness of God or Jesus Only. When somebody is born again, they will show the evidence of speaking with new tongues. Why is snake-handling not a criteria for salvation? There are many other passages where this construction applies clearly denoting distinction between the persons in the Trinity (e.g., 1 Thess. Does The Old Testament Favor Oneness Pentecostalism? 1. Full content visible, double tap to read brief content. 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 . The answers do not represent a *full exegetical presentationrather it simply and basically demonstrates (a) the fundamental Oneness unitarian assumptions (viz. However, to early Christians (and many today), the triquetra symbolized the Trinity (one God, three persons). Therefore, we may conclude that Deuteronomy 6:4 and the multiple proof-texts for monotheism do not represent a good argument against the trinity. God, according to United Pentecostals, is not three distinct persons, as in the Trinity doctrine, but three "manifestations" of the one God. Further, how do you know that you do not merely possess the gift of tongues? Indiana Bible College-Seymour, Ind. Nonetheless, historic Christianity maintains that the doctrine of the Trinity (or tri-unity of God) is taught in Scripture. By promoting the Son as a temporary mode or a role of the unitarian deity whose life started in Bethlehem, denies the Son, as well as the Father. They are one in being but distinct in person. Hence, the Son emptied Himself by means of His incarnation (cf. 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). 4200 North Point Pkwy, Alpharetta, GA 30022, Employment Media & Public Relations NAMB Store. Description: While most Pentecostals are orthodox, there is a segment within this movement of "Oneness" or "Jesus-Only" Pentecostals who are not. The Son is speaking of something that He had, that He shared with the Father; the Son is not speaking of something that the Father had (in view). The following chapters are spent systematically refuting the Oneness doctrine of God as well as their arguments against the doctrine of the Trinity. Michael Burgos is a Bible teacher at Northwest Hills Community Church in Torrington, CT, and has a Master of Theological Studies from Andersonville Theological Seminary. 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.. There is only one true God. Every time somebody is saved throughout the book of Acts, we will see them speaking in tongues. Further, the Father is spirit. The Oneness Pentecostal may try to convince you that you need to speak in tongues, be baptized in Jesus name, and live according to their strict moral code. PAW: Aenon Bible School-Indianapolis, Ind. SeeWas the Trinity Conceived in the 4th Century? Acquire a basic knowledge of Oneness Pentecostals beliefs and practices. Atlanta: Atlanta Christian Apologetics Project, 1994. Please try again. John 1:18; Col. 1:15; 1 Tim. The Nicene Creed has defined historical orthodoxy for centuries. The first two chapters of the text outline the basis for the Oneness Pentecostals' disbelief in the Holy Trinity - and their belief that the Father, Son and Holy Ghost are simply . For example, the Assemblies of God, the largest Pentecostal denomination in the world, has 16 Fundamental Truths. This item can be returned in its original condition for a full refund or replacement within 30 days of receipt. 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. This is an important reminder of the need to respond to contemporary . After viewing product detail pages, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages you are interested in. There are some who are trained very well in Oneness theology and know how to maneuver through the various arguments and counter-arguments. Oneness theology distorts and thus rejects the biblical concept of the Son being Mediator (Intercessor) between the Father and men (cf. For God does not share His glory with no one (cf. 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. One could be baptized in the name of Jesus without actually reciting the words In the name of Jesus. For the Oneness Pentecostal to read a deep concern of baptismal formulas into the text is to retroject their situation onto the apostles. 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. Oneness theology rejects that the Son was the actual Creator. Thus, when He died, only His human nature died. With thanks to Baker Academic for this review copy! a. Spatial: near, beside, b. Note also that in 14:10, Jesus clearly differentiates Himself from the Father when He declares: The words that I say to you I do not speak on My own initiative, but the Father abiding in Me does His works. To reiterate, the undisputable fact is this: not one time in the New Testament does Jesus (or any other person) state that He Himself is the Father. 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. The Oneness Pentecostal view of God is similar to the ancient heresy of Modalism. There Are Different Kinds of Tongues United Pentecostals, also called Oneness Pentecostals, are known for their rejection of the Trinity, which is a hallmark doctrine in orthodox Christianity. Try again. Oneness Pentecostals are vehement anti-trinitarians who commonly maintain that the doctrine of the trinity states that there are three gods. Matthew 28:19 also affirms their views that Jesus commanded His disciples to baptize in the name (singular) of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. so thre argument of development for the trinity is weak if it is already being defemnded in the church in different locations. 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. [4] This grammatical rule is also know as Granville Sharp rule #6: when multiple personal nouns in a clause are each preceded by the article ho (the) and linked by kai (and) each personal noun denotes a distinct person as in Matthew 28:19 (esp. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. While many studies have been written to provide a critique of other heterodox Christian groups (e.g., Jehovah's Witnesses, the LDS Church), there is a general lack of careful scholarship examining the theological claims of Oneness Pentecostals. 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].. Please give me some verses that challenge this thought? The *Son* said that He possessed (note the imperfect of ech) the glory WITH (para, in the presence of) the Father (not in the Fathers mind, for eh Son had it). The assumption that Jesus is never referred to as the Father is incorrect. ", ASIN "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. Brief content visible, double tap to read full content. Oneness Pentecostalism constitutes one of the world's largest non-trinitarian expressions of Christianity. 14. 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 . Isa. . I also recommend that you read the series that I linked to at the beginning of this article. One of the key verses to which they will appeal is Mark 16:17, which tells us that those who have believed will speak in tongues. . I also could see many of the arguments used against Praxeas by Tertullian . There is no grammatical way to disconnect tongues from the rest of the elements of that list. In sum, John 17:5 the Son first commands/asks (doxason, aorist impart.) 2. 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. 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. It is enough for the disciples to see Jesus because they share a divine essence. 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. 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. Nearly twenty years ago a bright-eyed, bushy-tailed Greg Boyd wrote a book defending the doctrine of the Trinity against the objections of Oneness Pentecostals. Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press, 1990. What's the best argument against oneness Pentecostals, people who believe Jesus is the father, son and Holy Spirit? 6. 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. I wont give him this web page..too bad. What does it mean, then? John 3:5: Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. Thus, they are often referred to as the Jesus Only Movement. Because I live, you also will live. 3:11; 1 John 1:3; 2:22-23; Rev. 36: But I said to you that you have seen Me, and yet do not believe., 38: For I have come down apo tou ouranou, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me, 41: Therefore the Jews were grumbling about Him, because He said, I am the bread that came down ek tou ouranou, 42: They were saying, Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? Shipping cost, delivery date, and order total (including tax) shown at checkout. However, there are only a few places throughout the book of Acts wherein people speak in tongues. comments sorted by Best Top New Controversial Q&A Add a Comment . 9. 2. 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. The PAW formed in 1918, but split along racial lines in 1924. Modalism rips the heart out of Christianityit denies Christ by misrepresenting Him. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. Speaking in tongues, like all other gifts, is distributed sovereignly by the Holy Spirit to those He wills for the equipping and edification of the whole body of Christ (see 1 Cor. Nowhere in the New Testament, however, is it said that Jesus sent the Son. Melton, J. Gordon. Oneness movements emphases on personal holiness and healthy lifestyles are commendable. 1:8; Lu. It is a symbol of ones identification with the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. 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. But you have the symbol!!! Oneness theology rejects the personhood of the Holy Spirit. Father) to glorify Him together with Him (para seaut, thus, a shared glorification, a glory that only God can have, Isa. 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.. 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. 1 Thess. Answer: Before time. 5. Moreover, when it found its way in the twentieth century, departing from the Trinitarian Pentecostals, it was again rejected by the church. He who has seen Me has seen the Father. If you read on, however Jesus goes on to say, The Father is greater than I. clearly establishing the Trinitarian concept. No single translation or human interpretation can be regarded as infallible. I. Help others learn more about this product by uploading a video! The block of Oneness ministers present urged against such a move but was overruled. See what Christian leaders are saying about Against Oneness Pentecostalism: "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. Against Oneness Pentecostalism: An Exegetical-Theological Critique. They will see that because he lives (he was raised from the dead), they too will live (be raised from the dead). To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we dont use a simple average. Second, when did the Son have this glory (which only God has, Isa, 42:8)? 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. 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. Charles R. Koester . 3:16-17; 2 Pet. Oneness Pentecostals believe that the trinity is ONLY one entity. 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. The largest oneness movements today are the United Pentecostal Church International (UPCI) and the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World (PAW). Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club thats right for you for free. 2:10). Though, this would also be too simplistic of a reading. He argues throughout for . First and third person personal pronouns and verb references: Throughout John 14 and 16 Jesus clearly differentiates Himself from the Father. Oneness Pentecostals declare that the Godhead consists of only one Person and deny the traditional doctrine of the Trinity. At the 1986 Oneness Symposium, Robert Sabin addresses the charge of whether the UPCI is Christian group or a cult. For this reason, many Christians have difficulty seeing anything wrong with the Oneness position. And no time did He refer to my Son or anything of the sort as distinct from Himself! Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them. 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). There are three problems with this worth pointing out. It is certainly possible that various cultures developed the basic design arrangement independently. 2021 North American Mission Board, SBC. . Please try again. The Bible teaches that the one God exists eternally in three separate and distinct Persons of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. 2 Cor. There is no indication that it, or any other spiritual gift, is required to receive Gods gift of salvation by grace or to be filled with His Holy Spirit (see Eph. . Beisner, E. Cal. John 6:38). 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). Primarily, KJV Onlyists and anti-Trinitarian groups (esp. After all, in John 17:11, the text says that the disciples are one in the same way that Jesus and the Father are one. How is that clear at all? 2 John 1:3- Jesus is the Son of the Father). 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. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are roles in God's plan of redemption, not intrinsic distinctions or distinct persons. 8. Edited by Daniel G. Reid. [2] Cf. 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. 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.. By 1916, oneness views were being expounded by some ministers in the Assemblies of God (AOG) denomination. Virtually all of the great biblical scholars, theologians, and Greek grammarians, historically have been and presently are Trinitarian, not Onenessfor obvious reasons. Biblically, only Jesus, God the Son, can rightfully represent the Father (because He is God a distinct person from the the Father), and represent man because He is fully man. : 11:27; Luke 10:22; John 7:29). Many trinitarians, unfortunately, have never heard of these arguments before. 2022 Department of Christian Defense That specific doctrine was foreign to the Old Testament. Second, they argue that what is said about God the Father is also said of Jesus Christ. Jesus is a perfect representation of the person of the Father. Yes, the Jesus of Oneness theology is a false Jesus. Leave a comment. Note the context indicating that the Father sent the person of the Son. Apostolic Missionary Institute-Oshawa, Ont. Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 17, 2020. They are Acts 2:4, 10:44-46, and 19:6. Note that the emptying did not involve His deity, for Paul safeguards against such an assertion in verse 6: hos en morph theou huparchn (who [Christ] always and continually subsisting in the very nature and substance God; authors translation). Pentecostal Church of Apostolic Faith (PCAF)-25,000 7. After all, he did not say, I am the Father, in this verse. Scripture presents in plain and normal language that the preexistent person of the Son was sent from the Father (e.g., John 3:13; 16-17; 6:33, 38, 44, 46, 50-51; 62; 8:23, 38, 42, 57-58; 16:28; Gal. Any group or church that claims to be Christian yet deviates at any point from historical Christian faith is, by definition, a cult. The Global Witness (UPCI) 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. As Hebrews 1:3 tells us, The Son is the radiance of Gods glory and the exact representation of his being If we want to know who God is, then we need to look to Jesus Christ. Oneness Pentecostals have a distorted notion of the Trinity and need someone to show them the scriptural teaching of the Trinity, David Kowalski writes. 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 . Imagine that you heard two people speaking in tongues. The question that we need to ask is one what? This Belief Bulletin presents basic Oneness Pentecostal history and doctrines and provides a biblical analysis and response. Oneness Pentecostals honestly believe that their view of the Godhead is the true doctrine . Other preachers, such as Frank J. Ewart and John G. Scheppe, joined McAlister in his non-trinitarian perspective. [3] BDAG defines allos here as pert[aining] to that which is other than some other entity, other . , Publisher In my opinion it is better than Burgos' Against Oneness Pentecostals, Boyd's Oneness Pentecostals and the Trinity. [1] Glen Davidson, Questions Oneness Pentecostals Don . 1:21-22; 13:14; 1 Pet. But I thought that it would be useful to assimilate many of the arguments into one post so that you may have a quick reference. 7. He said that he and the Father are one. Skylar McManus shares about being raised Oneness Pentecostal and moving from Oneness to Orthodoxy. And you are pretexting the passage with no consideration of the context of chap. : He disproves Oneness arguments and establishes Trinitarian truth. 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. The North American Mission Board is not affiliated with SEND International or its SEND events. Example: in Isaiah 54:5, Maker is plural in Hebrew, lit., Makers; same with Psalm 149:2 where Maker is in the plural in Hebrew. dual nature of Christ," but my heart sank when I found nothing which properly explained these things against a Trinitarian argument. In this article, I will be answering a few common Oneness Pentecostal arguments. How did the Son have (literally, actively possessed) glory with (para) the Father before time if the Son did not exist before Bethlehem? For the Son of Man in Oneness theology was not the Father, but the human Son who emerged not until Bethlehem, but here, the Son of Man came from heaven, that is, the Son (cf. Concerning the baptismal view of the most rigid Oneness Pentecostals, he states, "It is on this issue, theologians say, that Oneness Pentecostals have drifted dangerously toward spiritual elitism and heresy." 14 Indeed, the Oneness view of baptism is lethally flawed. 2:5). Since Oneness Pentecostalism maintains that the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are all different manifestations of the same person, it follows that Jesus is the Holy Spirit. They take this to indicate that Jesus is the Father. 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.