22 Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know 23 this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. It was a time in which Jesus promised that the Father would answer all of their prayers for the growth of the church (John 14:13-14), people would instantaneously learn other human languages so that non-believers would be convinced (1 Corinthians 14:22), people would be able to handle snakes and drink poison (Mark 16:17-18), and perform many miraculous signs. Box 1353 |Nampa, ID 83653 USA1-800-803-8093, own will, but the will of Him who sent Me, 39 This is the will of Him who sent Me. As I hear, I judge, and my judgment is just, because I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me. The apostolic age, in addition to all of these signs and wonders, entails that there are apostles. Recently, certain Muslim apologists and YouTubers have been excited that former kickboxer and controversial internet by Matt Slick | Jan 2, 2023 | Islam, World Religions. 17 For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.. He has not left me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to him., 49 For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandmentwhat to say and what to speak. 3:17; 11:25, 27; 16:17; 24:36; Mark 13:32; 2 Pet. They are all each fully God, but they are the one God in the sense that they are united in one purpose. The Oneness Pentecostal would agree with Arius who said that "there was a time when the Son was not." Oneness Pentecostalism denies the Trinity and claims that instead of God being three persons, He is one person. Indeed, if you were to deny that there is one God, then you have effectively denied the doctrine of the trinity. Oneness Pentecostal theology affirms that there exists only one God in all the universe. This doesn't sound like a problem, until you realize the danger of questions. 43. One of the problems that many Oneness believers have when they hear the word "person" (as used by Trinitarians) is that . 5For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,6who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time. 3This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight ofGodour Savior,4who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 27 For you will not abandon my soul to Hades, or let your Holy One see corruption. He is absolutely divine, possessing an absolutely uncompromised divine nature. 1 The LORD says to my Lord: Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool. 2 The LORD sends forth from Zion your mighty scepter. They deny that the Father died on the cross. 25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. Jesus is spoken of as the image of the invisible God (Colossians 1:15) and the exact representation of His [Gods] nature. Is He a copy of Himself? 3 But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a wife is her husband, and the head of Christ is God. OnenessRefutation.com | The problems with Oneness doctrine (Modalism) Oneness Refutation Understanding Logos Understanding the true meaning of the Logos in the Prologue of John Read More I am Statements Who do you say that I am? Who poured out his wrath upon Jesus? Over such the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. To the best of my recollection, not a single oneness person has ever refuted how the doctrine of the Trinity is arrived at using the Scriptures. There are numerous scriptural references (13x) that refer to Jesus being at the right hand of God indicating a distinction of God and Jesus who is at his right hand. Oneness people have never refuted these facts found in the table below especially where the distinction of persons is clearly seen in Scripture when the persons speak to and about each other. Was he praying to himself? The most terrifying truth in all of Scripture is that God is good. 39 And we are witnesses of all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. 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. The one God and Father is the God and Father of Jesus. 38 For I[DIVINE NATURE] have come down from heaven, not to do My [HUMAN NATURE] own will, but the will of Him who sent Me [DIVINE NATURE]. 39 This is the will of Him who sent Me [HUMAN NATURE], that of all that He has given Me [HUMAN NATURE] I [HUMAN NATURE] lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day. Automated page speed optimizations for fast site performance, The problems with Oneness doctrine (Modalism), One Mediator - The essential humanity of the one mediator Jesus Christ, Biblical Agency - A Key Biblical Concept Pertaining to Christ, Jesus Is The Model - Understanding how Jesus is the model for us, I am Statements - Understanding how Jesus identifies himself in the Gospels, Understanding Logos - The true meaning of the Word in the prologue of John, One God One Lord - For us there is one God, the Father, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, Understanding the true meaning of the Logos in the Prologue of John, Who do you say that I am? God is not a man, but the Messiah of prophecy is necessarily a human servant of God his anointed as Jesus is the Son of Man of the messianic prophecies. 20 In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. It is the Father who said to the Son, In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth. But just so the reader will understand his theological meaning, the author of Hebrews adds the word, LORD (taken to indicate YHWH) into the sentence so as to underline the point. If so, why? We are left to say that nobodys wrath was poured out, because the Father was the one who was dying. Solomons name was Jedidiah (2 Samuel 12:25). If it was the fleshly side of Jesus speaking to the divine side of Jesus in heaven, then does this not deny the true incarnation of God in Christ and invalidate the atonement? When the apostles were on trial, the Jewish court asked them, by what power, or in what name do you do this? (Acts 4:7). Regarding the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. They deny the Trinity and teach that there is one person in the Godhead whom they call Jesus. 16 And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. How can this be if they are the same person? This paper briefly address three aspects of christological monotheism from a Oneness perspective. That is, a mediator is a third party. 22 Moses said, The Lord God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brothers. 18 The one who speaks on his own authority seeks his own glory; but the one who seeks the glory of him who sent him is true, and in him there is no falsehood. The Bible teaches there is only one God (Isaiah 43:10:44:6, 8; 45:5). Did the Father die on the cross? Why would Jesus need to be anointed by God with the Holy Spirit? 16 So Jesus answered them, My teaching is not mine, but his who sent me. The trinity declares that there is one being (God) and three persons (the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit). 30 I can do nothing on my own. 33 Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing. Does this make any sense if Jesus is Lord to begin with? I will be with you always, even to the end of the age, If you have any issues, please call the office at 385-246-1048 or email us at, The Christian Trinitarian God Examined In Depth, https://carm.org/oneness-pentecostal/the-distinction-of-persons-between-god-the-father-and-jesus, Responding to Andrew Tate on Islam and Christianity, Responding to Andrew Tate on the nature of God. CARM |P.O. Oneness Pentecostals often mistakenly think that this is what the doctrine of the trinity represents. The Hebrew term for an agent or legal emissary isShaliachwhich is comparable to the Greek worldApostolosand the English word Apostle. 22 To this day I have had the help that comes from God, and so I stand here testifying both to small and great, saying nothing but what the prophets and Moses said would come to pass: 23 that the Christ must suffer and that, by being the first to rise from the dead, he would proclaim light both to our people and to the Gentiles.. Oneness has a problem concerning the person of Jesus being the eternal God. Accordingly, it only the one God and Father who is literally God, and Jesus acts on behalf of God as Gods right-hand man. Jesus, our high priest mediates a better covenant with his own blood. Jesus had a totally human nature and a totally divine nature. It is based upon a faulty conception of the trinity. 6 Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Understanding how Jesus identifies himself in the Gospels Read More Jesus is the Model for Us 1 Tim 2:5-6is framed as the truth of the Gospel. In distinction to God, Jesus is referred to as a man who is the one mediator between God and men in 1 Tim 2:5-6. (John 8:28), If Jesus is God, he would have the Holy Spirit within himself. These "forms" are not three distinct persons, but one person who occupied consecutive modes. Thus, if you have been baptized in a trinitarian formula, you must be re-baptized into a oneness formula. That is why so many Catholics also consider themselves Apostolic. The eternal relationship between the Father and the Son. (Luke 4:18, Acts 4:26-27, Acts 10:38), Why does Jesus have no glory in himself if he is God? Thus Saith Putin: Christianity Invaded by the Religious Right, Church Is Not Seminary: Why Young Theologically-Informed 20-Somethings Should Manage Their Expectations of Their Pastors, Why Jesus looked and acted like me, not you, Minimizing The Maximally Great Argument For Arminianism, How apologetics bloggers caused the downfall of the United States, Why Christians should apologize for using apologetics, Why apologetics is not necessary to evangelism, Something Greater Than The Crucifixion Is Here: How Jesus Shocked The Pharisees, Social Issues, Politics & Biblical Ethics. Understanding how Jesus identifies himself in the Gospels, Understanding how Jesus is the model for us, The essential humanity of the one mediator Jesus Christ, Understanding The Law of Agency - A Key Biblical Concept Pertaining to Christ, Understanding the distinction between one God, the Father, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, Analysis of Philippians Chapter 2: Form of God is exaltation, not preexistence, Refuting erroneous conflations of Scripture used to infer Jesus is ontologically God, www.21stcr.org/subjects/oneness-pentecostalism/oneness-pentecostalism-articles/, www.21stcr.org/subjects/oneness-pentecostalism/oneness-pentecostalism-videos/, www.21stcr.org/subjects/oneness-pentecostalism/oneness-pentecostalism-audio/, www.21stcr.org/subjects/oneness-pentecostalism/oneness-pentecostalism-books/, There is one God (God is our Savior and desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth), There is one mediator between God and men, The mediator is Christ (the Messiah) Jesus, The mediator gave himself up as a ransom for all, The testimony of the Messiah was given at the proper time. Instead, it is one God, one divinely simple being who expresses himself to us in three distinct simultaneous persons. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Fathers commandments and abide in his love. It is simple. God is not and cannot become a man. What I say, therefore, I say as the Father has told me.. (John 8:54), If Jesus himself is the Father, what sense does it make to say that the Father loves Jesus because he lays down his life? If you would like to discuss this further, come join our Theology Discussion Group. There is only one God, so the mediator between God must have a separate ontological distinction from God. Jesus could be seen not as the Lord of Glory, but as an asinine individual with serious mental deficiencies, for if he is the Father, it comes unthinkable that he would say, The Father is greater than I.. Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. However when the Oneness Pentecostal see messianic statements in the Psalms that seem to regard the Son as existing presently, they are viewed as prophetic. 10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? I should begin by outlining or summarizing some of the corollary beliefs of Oneness Pentecostalism. It is summarized as follows: All the points above are critical to our understanding of the identity of God and Jesus and the distinction between the two. This is not a novel objection to the oneness view of God. 9 And they sang a new song, saying, Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, 10 and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth., 15 Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. Hence, there is just no contradiction when Peter baptizes in the name of Jesus because it is the same authority. 56 And he said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God., 6 And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. The trinitarian would object to that on the basis that sometimes the Father is talking, others the Son is talking, and others the Holy Spirit is talking. He is totally God. (John 20:17). These "forms" are not three distinct persons, but one person who occupied consecutive modes. 18 Behold, my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved with whom my soul is well pleased. When Jesus said, Father, into your hands, I commit my spirit, (Luke 23:46), what in the world was he talking about, if in fact, he is the Father? Then the Father speaks from Heaven, saying, This is my Son in whom I am well pleased. Amen. Bernard, The Oneness of God, pp . God is one substance, a triune substance. We have lost this link because in our culture, people just name their children whatever sounds good but they do not give any attention to what the name means. The table below shows the supporting scriptures. 21 For this reason the Jews seized me in the temple and tried to kill me. The mediator gave himself as a ransom for all. That is because he is totally divine. And the word that you hear is not mine but the Fathers who sent me. Rather, we see him as the human Messiah that God made both Lord and Christ. In Oneness Pentecostalism, there is no distinction between the Father, Son and. The conviction that this multitudinous world is illusory can also encourage. That is to say that they are telling future events. These references include Acts 2:23, Acts 2:32, Acts 3:15, Acts 4:10, Acts 5:30, Acts 10:40, Acts 13:30, Acts 13:37, Romans 6:4, Romans 10:9, 1 Corinthians 6:15, 1 Corinthians 15:15, Galatians 1:1, Colossians 2:12, and 1 Peter 1:21. The humanity of Christ is essential to the gospel, as shown at the link below. The main problem is the Oneness Pentecostal doctrine implicitly denies this absolutely fundamental truth. God is infinite, man is finite. The typical phrase used in Pauls greetings is, God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I am afraid that this emanates from a misunderstanding of trinitarian theology. Pay attention to my reasoning, because this is important. But, there are numerous problems with their position. I see five main problems with Oneness Theology as it relates to God as Father, Son, and Spirit. But the Trinity would solve this problem. This is problematic because the very nature of God is love (1 John 4:8). 17 If anyones will is to do Gods will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority. They have the wrong view of. Oneness theologians would argue that if the Father and the Son were separate, then the Godhead could not fully dwell in Christ. You will see the inconsistency and problems that arise from their position. But typically, God became a man. 34 For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says, The Lord said to my Lord, Sit at my right hand, 35 until I make your enemies your footstool. 36 Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.. First, trinitarians do not believe that in the Son resides 33% of God. God is dependent on nothing. Anybody reading the gospels will see that there is some sort of distinction between Jesus and the Father. 10:40; John 5:23; 6:38-39; 8:42; 12:44-45, 49; 13:20). Jesus said that the Father is greater than he is (John 14:28). Jesus is a servant of God who mediates for us. Contrary to the impression one might get from Atterton's essay . This known as patripassionism and it is the pervasive view among many Oneness Pentecostals. (Acts 2:36), If Jesus is God, why doesnt say that Jesus gave himself according to his will, rather than the will of our God and Father (Gal 1:3-4). (1 Cor 8:6) Correspondingly, numerous scriptural references (15x) use the term God in reference to the Father and the term Lord pertaining to Jesus. Trinity, Oneness, Oneness Of God, 52-week preaching calendar to help you plan your sermons, Customizable sermon manuscripts for verse-by-verse preaching, Preach with creativity and impact throughout the year, Help your church understand God's plan in pain, Call your people to experience a higher freedom, Proclaim the gospel to the ends of the earth. A person must have faith in Jesus Only. 19 And whoever will not listen to my words that he shall speak in my name, I myself will require it of him. They problem is that when the apostles did acted in the name of Jesus, it was not a formula. They think that the words that you recite over the baptismal tank make or break salvation. Baptism must be by immersion. But this raises the question, whose wrath was satisfied on the cross? Were all three of these distinct persons who do something Jesus? (John 10:17), Jesus said that Father is greater than all. The first premise of the trinity is that there is only one God. What is wrong with the oneness view of God? But, if God is one person from all eternity as Oneness teaches, then was it possible for him to experience fellowship or love if he was by himself from forever ago? 11 Comments. The threefold answer given by Peter to those who sought to know how to respond to the good news repent, be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit is interpreted within the multi-tiered "full gospel" theology inherited from the Wesleyan tradition. The Bible defines the Son of God as the child born of Mary, not as the eternal Spirit of God (Luke 1:35). One page 87, he says that it is the Son who died, but not the Father. While most parishioners are unaware of this, the leading Oneness Pentecostal organization, the United Pentecostal Church International, denies patripassionism. It seems problematic. They must be different considering that the Father sent the Son (Matt. ' The relationship and communication between the Father and the Son become incoherent if we say that Jesus is identical with the Father. This is exactly how the Trinity doctrine is arrived at. Regarding Revelation 5, If you say the Lamb (between the throne and the four living creatures) is Jesus and God (who sits on the throne) is also Jesus. This charge I have received from my Father.. This is because, in verse 17, Jesus referred to the Law stating that the testimony of two people is true. Jesus counts himself and his Father as two people when he says in verse 18, I am the one who bears witness about myself, and the Father who sent me bears witness about me., 16 Yet even if I do judge, my judgment is true, for it is not I alone who judge, but I and the Father who sent me. This is an impossible to solve problem for . In Hebrews 1:10, the author quotes Psalm 102:25, and says that this is an example of the Father talking to the Son. 10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me 20 In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. This problem, sometimes called the 'threeness-oneness problem' or the 'logical problem of the Trinity', is the focus of this interdisciplinary volume. They have realized that the doctrine is apparently supported by a handful of vague verses when interpreted in a particular way. 1:3). (https://carm.org/oneness-pentecostal/the-distinction-of-persons-between-god-the-father-and-jesus). If God is only one person, why did Jesus say in John 14:23, "If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him." There is no place at all. The Father in Heaven is one nature, and the Son on earth is another nature. The hypostatic union is the teaching that in the single person of Christ are two distinct natures: divine and human. Modalism erupts today in what is known as Oneness Pentecostalism. Oneness Pentecostalism teaches what is known as modalism. But they never, even once, indicate that everybody must do this. This group vociferously criticizes trinitarians, arguing that if one is to be saved, they cannot believe in the trinity. You must be indwelled by God himself and have a born again experience. The Father was tempted. If you think you are still in the apostolic age, you must also believe in the words of the Pope. This site is made by those who have also come from a oneness background. Instead, they ignore the facts of distinction and force scriptures into a oneness interpretation while ignoring the very nature of personhood. They argue that this was fulfilled in Acts 2:38, which says that Peter baptized in the name of Jesus. Enter your email address and we will send you a link to reset your password. 54 Jesus answered, If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. 7 And he went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne. In my discussions with oneness experts and laity, when discussing the two natures of Christ, they repeatedly support the idea that within the body of Christ are two distinct persons: God and man. (Phil 2:9, Eph 1:17-21), A high priest works on behalf of God in relation to men, so how is it that God designated himself a high priest? The author of Hebrews clearly applied this creation psalm intended for YHWH to the Son, and even added the word YHWH so that there would be no misunderstandings. 26 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers were gathered together, against the Lord and against his Anointed. How can you say, Show us the Father? Oneness theology denies the Trinity doctrine and claims that there is one person in the Godhead who has manifested himself in three different forms: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. This entails that the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit is Jesus. Personhood (i.e., self-awareness, awareness of others, rationality, the ability to love, speak, etc.) The main problem is the Oneness Pentecostal doctrine implicitly denies this absolutely fundamental truth. The Father is presented as on the throne and Heaven, and Jesus is presented as a lamb beside the throne. They each had a will, and Jesus submitted his will to the Father, whose will was different than His. 1:17). 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. When somebody is born again, they must speak in angelic tongues. 42 And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead. Jesus can be called God because he represents God. Fair use is use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Then the result is Jesus taking the scroll from the right hand of Jesus. 9 Jesus said to him, Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? 24 For Christ has entered, not into holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true things, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf. 26 God, having raised up his servant, sent him to you first, to bless you by turning every one of you from your wickedness.. Therefore, the Son created the universe and existed alongside the Father. The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works.