. . I also recommend that you read the series that I linked to at the beginning of this article. The Bible indeed teaches the existence of only one God (Deut. Hence, the Son emptied Himself by means of His incarnation (cf. The Holy Spirit is God applying Speaking in tongues is listed among several other practices, including casting out demons, resisting a snake bite and healing the sick. Because I live, you also will live. Witnessing to Oneness Pentecostals: 1. 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. Phil. 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. For God does not share His glory with no one (cf. They are just continuing that long tradition. This is an important reminder of the need to respond to contemporary . Most of them encourage their members to dress and live modestly, but do not have specific teachings about hair and skirts. Primarily, KJV Onlyists and anti-Trinitarian groups (esp. Be prepared to cite (in context) and explain specific biblical passages supporting Christian doctrines, particularly the biblical basis for the Trinity, the historic understanding of the nature and work of Christ, and salvation by grace through faith. The Father is God, the Son is God, and the Holy Spirit is God. 14:7, 10, 16; etc.). , ISBN-13 How would anybody understand what he is saying? 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. Jesus then reiterates (as a corrective) that by seeing Him they can see, that is, know or recognize the invisible Father (v. 9). Why did I do this? The context is obvious: by knowing and seeing Jesus (as the only way to the Father; cf. "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. 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 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. 32 Jesus then said to them, Truly, truly, I say to you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread ek tou ouranou, but it is My Father who gives you the true bread ek tou ouranou. Oneness Pentecostals are vehement anti-trinitarians who commonly maintain that the doctrine of the trinity states that there are three gods. 11:27; Luke 10:22; John 7:29). And hey, while we're doing that, let's look at Southe. Disagreement over the Trinity vs. Oneness of God and water baptism caused the original split of Oneness Pentecostals from the Assemblies of God in 1916. Virtually all Oneness churches reject that water baptism should be done in the *triune* formal as instructed by Jesus in Matthew 28:19, rather, as they insist, it should be dome in the name of Jesus only. The Bible Way News Voice (Bible Way) Copyright 1979, 1980, 1982, Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. The Pentecostal arguments defending this special blessing are interesting and important. Michael Burgos Jr., Against Oneness Pentecostalism: An Exegetical-Theological Critique (Winchester, CT: Church Militant, 2016). 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. 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. 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. They maintain that God exists in two modes, as the Father in heaven, and as Jesus the Son on earth. That God the Father and Jesus are inseperably the same person/being/entity/substance/everything. The answers do not represent a *full exegetical presentationrather it simply and basically demonstrates (a) the fundamental Oneness unitarian assumptions (viz. He claims the symbol used by trinitarians is demonic. 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? 15-16), Jesus distinguishes Himself from His Father by using different prepositions. Biblical Response: The Oneness Pentecostal view of God is similar to the ancient heresy of Modalism. Westminster Confession of Faith, 1:9. Trinitarian who is struggling with the Oneness doctrine. Better books written by an ex UPC theologian, Reviewed in the United States on December 13, 2018. Also, throughout chap 14 Jesus distinguishes Himself from the Father. Clarence L. Haynes Jr. Number eight is this: "The baptism of believers in the Holy Spirit is witnessed by the initial physical sign of speaking . Different prepositions: Throughout John chapter 14 (and chaps. Third, it may be that Father, Son and Holy Spirit is the one name under which we are baptized. For example in the late 8th cent. But in verse 5, he says that he wishes everybody spoke in tongues, indicating that everybody does not speak in tongues. 9. The answers do not represent a *full exegetical presentationrather it simply and basically demonstrates (a) the fundamental Oneness unitarian assumptions (viz. Skylar McManus shares about being raised Oneness Pentecostal and moving from Oneness to Orthodoxy. Oneness adherents (along with Muslims and Jehovahs Witnesses) wrongly assume that the concept or word one when referring to God (e.g., Deut. Oneness View Seriously Flawed AGAINST ONENESS PENTECOSTALISM. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness. 5. Oneness Pentecostalism constitutes one of the world's largest non-trinitarian expressions of Christianity. 2 John 1:3- Jesus is the Son of the Father). ' Note the first person plural verbs (eleusometha, We will come, and poisometha, We will make). (as seen above). This Belief Bulletin presents basic Oneness Pentecostal history and doctrines and provides a biblical analysis and response. The Son said that He *HAD* glory *before* timewith (para) the Father. John 9:39) the invisible Father (cf. Christian Life College-Stockton, Calif. In response, Oneness Pentecostals will tell us that there are different kinds of tongues. 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. John 3:13; 6:38, 46, 62; 8:23, 38, 42; 16:28). In speaking of the coming of the Holy Spirit, Jesus tells them, I will come to you. Is this not a clear identification of the Holy Spirit with himself? Oneness Pentecostals will point to John 3:5 as evidence of that. Well, Oneness Pentecostalism has a lot of subtleties. There is no doubt that there is some form of tongues in the Bible. Today, however, the strongest anti-trinitarian movement known as the Oneness Pentecostals exists as self-proclaimed Evangelicals. Against Oneness Pentecostalism: An Exegetical-Theological Critique Michael R. Burgos 16 Paperback 1 offer from $24.99 Christianity without the Cross: A History of Salvation in Oneness Pentecostalism Thomas A. Fudge 51 Paperback 16 offers from $22.99 But typically, God became a man. 6th ed. When Peter obeyed the command of Matthew 28:19, he recited the words, In the name of Jesus. From this cross-reference, it will follow that the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit is Jesus. Wallace, BBGG, 630). Oneness Pentecostal Sources of Authority: Oneness Pentecostals of all branches affirm the authority of the Bible for doctrine. 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. 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. John 3:5 should not be read in a vacuum. John 1:14). Book of Kells was an exemplified manuscript book in Latin containing all four Gospels together with various prefatory texts contained also figures of triquetras. (See the following verses affirming the personality and deity of the Holy Spirit: Luke 12:12; John 15:26; Acts 5:3-10; 13:2-4; 1 Cor. After all, he did not say, I am the Father, in this verse. 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. Nevertheless, the requirements for outward adherence to a strict moral code in order to maintain salvation inevitably leads to legalism and a lack of assurance of eternal life. The Nicene Creed has defined historical orthodoxy for centuries. We dont share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we dont sell your information to others. 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. Arguing unipersonalism (unitarianism) assumes a conclusion that is meant to be proved. Against Oneness Pentecostalism: An Exegetical-Theological Critique Author Michael Burgos Publisher Church Militant Publications, 2016 ISBN 0692644067, 9780692644065 Length 246 pages Export. It is never used apart from God's incarnation, however; it never refers to deity This doctrine is called Oneness of God or Jesus Only. 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. I have a friend who is try to understand he trinity. In this article, I will be answering a few common Oneness Pentecostal arguments. Both Oneness believers and Trinitarians agree that the Father is invisible and does not have a physical body. Does this not seem to vindicate Oneness theology? Pentecostal Church of Apostolic Faith (PCAF)-25,000 I wont give him this web page..too bad. Share your personal testimony of Gods grace and your faith in Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior. 10. Charles R. Koester . In 1913, one popular teacher, R.E. For example, many in UPCI consider the writings of Frank Ewart and John G. Scheppe as authoritative. In this theology, the Father embodies the divine attributes of the Godhead and the Son embodies the human aspects. 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. Hence, exegetically these passages do not indicate that the Son was a mere instrument of creation (as Jehovahs Witnesses and Mormons believe), nor, as Oneness teachers argue, these passages indicate that the Son was only a thought or plan in the Fathers mind when the Father (Jesus divine nature) created all things. 32, 33, 41, 42, 50, 51-ek tou ouranou;verse 38 apo tou ouranou;and verse 58 came downex ouranou). 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. But the argument that Jesus Christ is the secret answer to the riddle, "What is the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy . 7. 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? 2. Mark 16:18 is part of a disputed portion of Marks text. Behind this question lay a criticism of the commonly-held Trinitarian Pentecostal argument that the name of Jesus in baptismal texts from . 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. . 3:11; 2 Thess. Rather the Son is biblically (exegetically) presented as the Creator of all things Himself. 6:4) has the strict denotative meaning of absolute solitude. It would be to cherry-pick the verse that fits into ones doctrine. As a former Oneness Pentecostal Church member, Home Missionary, Assistant Pastor, Youth Director, and District Youth Board Member, I want to thank Pastor Michael Burgos for writing this fine book. He doesnt fully understand the Christology or 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. After viewing product detail pages, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages you are interested in. His knowledge of living water from the Old Testament (Jeremiah 2:13, Isaiah 12:3, 58:11, etc) should have informed him. 13:14; also cf. is a must-read for any serious-minded Christian who wants to be better informed and better equipped to sanctify Christ as Lord . Oneness Pentecostal churches are, therefore, cultic in nature and outside the theological parameters of historic Christianity. that that calendar in your office and/or house and/or in the rooms of your children, are filled with symbols of pagan gods (all days and names of months were named after pagan gods). asserting that God is one person) and (b) the basic theological errors of Oneness theology (e.g., denying the deity of the Son). 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 . In my opinion it is better than Burgos' Against Oneness Pentecostals, Boyd's Oneness Pentecostals and the Trinity. No amount of good works, moral living, or church membership guarantees salvation. Mark 16:17: These signs will accompany those who have believed: in My name they will speak with new tongues Texas Bible College-Houston, Texas. The proper mode is immersion in the triune name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. , Language By 1916, oneness views were being expounded by some ministers in the Assemblies of God (AOG) denomination. [3] BDAG defines allos here as pert[aining] to that which is other than some other entity, other . Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1998. Sphere: in the sight of, before (someone), c. Association: with (someone/something) (BBGG). 1 Tim. 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. In the Gospels, Jesus referred to the Father over two hundred times as someone other than Himself, thus, as a distinct person. Please try again. Pray and trust the Holy Spirit to lead you as you share. : Some scholars believe it to be Celtic in origin, and it is sometimes called the Irish Trinity Knot. UPCI: Apostolic Bible Institute-St. Paul, Minn. One possessed the gift of tongues and the other possessed tongues for edification. 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. If Oneness Pentecostalism is true, how do we avoid the absurd image of Jesus asking himself permission and then sending himself? Indiana Bible College-Seymour, Ind. Is this even a good argument that Jesus was God? How Can a Pastor Stay Engaged in Apologetics? There Are Different Kinds of Tongues 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 . 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 book of Isaiah, he was targeting polytheists; pagan idolaters. ISBN-10: 0692644067. The Contender for the Faith (COLJF) including terms like Trinity, Unitarianism, Reviewed in the United States on March 13, 2017. However, to early Christians (and many today), the triquetra symbolized the Trinity (one God, three persons). And no time did He refer to my Son or anything of the sort as distinct from Himself! There are some who are trained very well in Oneness theology and know how to maneuver through the various arguments and counter-arguments. 31 They justify their actions by referring to the rejection of the doctrine of the Trinity by Oneness believers. How can you use Mark 16:17 to establish tongues as a criteria for salvation without using an absolute double-standard? Jesus and the Father are both God. : The Oneness Pentecostal view of God is similar to the ancient heresy of Modalism. Against Oneness Pentecostalism: An Exegetical-Theological Critique by Michael Burgos Jr. - A second book by the author addressing Oneness beliefs, released in July 2016. 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. Many trinitarians, unfortunately, have never heard of these arguments before. But Jesus said, that flesh and blood didnt reveal this, but My Father which is in heaven. With scholarly precision, Michael Burgos has provided an incisive evaluation of Oneness exegesis and theology while accurately representing the teachings of Oneness Pentecostals. 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. Something went wrong. In Ephesians 2:18, Paul teaches that by the agency of the Son, Christians have access to the Father by means of the Spirit: For through Him [di autouthe Son] we both have our access in [en] one Spirit to the Father [pros ton patera] (Eph. Seek to build a personal and respectful relationship with the Oneness Pentecostal. also John 4:40; 14:17, 25). It is enough for the disciples to see Jesus because they share a divine essence. To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we dont use a simple average. PO Box 2128 Winnetka, CA 91396 | 818-377-5272 | edward@christiandefense.org, Site Prepared and Built by ChurchWebPresence. But for a deeper understanding, please view my other posts on this important subject. 1:6-7; etc.). 9. The participle describes the means or manner of the emptying. Let's look at the Foursquare Church and United Pentecostal Church International and see how hey differ. 2022 Department of Christian Defense the God)], and [kai] the fellowship of the [tou] Holy Spirit be with you all. . Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 17, 2020. After that time, a number of oneness sects formed, most of which were predominately African-American. 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.. Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web. 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? Oneness Pentecostals believe that there is one God and God is one. The Trinitarians won the majority and a "Statement of Fundamental Truths" was adopted that affirmed the Trinity. 5:13 et al. Edited by Daniel G. Reid. It is noticeably absent. 3. 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. 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. 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). 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. Leave a comment. So Christians should strive to do the objective research, in order that they not provide bad untruthful arguments and appear unread. John 14:18: I will not leave you as orphans. Throughout the passage, it is clear that Jesus is speaking of someone else. Important Question: If Jesus is the Father, why is there not a single passage that states this in the NT or the OT? (Robertson, Word Pictures, 5:275-76). If God is unitarian, why is it that there are so many places in the Bible where the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are clearly distinguished from each other in the same verse? There are many other passages where this construction applies clearly denoting distinction between the persons in the Trinity (e.g., 1 Thess. (vv. Thus, when He died, only His human nature died. There is one God who is eternally present in three persons, and his name is YHWH. (see above). In John 4:14, talking to the woman at the well, Jesus said, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life. In John 7:38, Jesus referred to Rivers of living water. This is a theme throughout the book of John. In Acts 4:31 and 8:17, people are filled with the Spirit and tongues are simply not mentioned. 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.