Oneness: Difference between revisions

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'''Oneness''' theology is a non-Trinitarian view of God that was rejected by the church in the third century AD. It is the fundamental belief of a minority of Pentecostal denominations and [[Did William Branham Teach Oneness?|most churches that follow William Branham]]. Prior to the 20th century, the Christian church referred to the Oneness doctrine as Sabellianism, Patripassianism, Modalism or modalistic monarchianism.

If you are a follower of Oneness theology or ~~are wanting to talk~~ to someone who follows Oneness doctrine, you should first read our article on [[Cognitive Dissonance]].

If you are a follower of Oneness theology or want to engage with someone who follows Oneness doctrine, you should first read our article on [[Cognitive Dissonance]].

=History of Oneness theology=

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Despite coming out of the Pentecostal movement, Oneness Pentecostalism remains relatively unknown among trinitarian Pentecostals.

=How Oneness followers misrepresent Trinitarian beliefs=

==The Nicene council misunderstood==

I have heard multiple times from "respected" Oneness ministers that the Nicene Council in 325 A.D. was where Sabellius and his modalist teachings were declared heretical. This is completely false and shows a complete lack of understanding of history.

Modalism arose in the latter part of the second century through the teaching of Noetus of Smyrna, who was active in the latter part of the second century; Praxeas (this may actually be a nickname meaning “busybody” for an unidentified churchman whom Tertullian combated early in the third century); and Sabellius, who wrote and taught early in the third century. It was Sabellius who developed this doctrinal conception in its most complete and sophisticated form.<ref>Millard J. Erickson, Christian Theology., 2nd ed. (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1998), 360.</ref> Sabellius’s views were rejected by a consensus of church leaders almost as soon as he started teaching the heresy of modalism - this was articulated by Basil and Theodoret. The opposition was particularly vigorous in Africa, where Tertullian vigorously opposed Sabellianism. Sabellius was excommunicated in 220 A.D., over a century before the Nicene Council.<ref>Thomas C. Oden, “A Libyan History Awaiting Discovery,” Bibliotheca Sacra 167 (2010): 12.</ref>

==Trinitarians DO NOT believe in three Gods==

Virtually every criticism from Oneness followers includes a statement that Trinitarians believe in three Gods. This is due to a fundamental misunderstanding of what Trinitarian theology actually claims. The core issue is how each group defines “personhood” in relation to the Godhead.

Oneness Pentecostals understand personhood to require corporeality, and for this reason they accuse Trinitarians of embracing tritheism. In other words, because Oneness theology equates “person” with “individual body,” three distinct persons appear to them as three separate beings, therefore, three gods. However, Trinitarian theology uses “person” in a different sense entirely. The Trinitarian creedal language about God existing in “three persons” does not literally mean that there are three “people” who are God. Rather, it is simply a shorthand way of saying that God eternally exists in three unique and distinct ways.<ref>Kirk Cameron and Ray Comfort, The School of Biblical Evangelism: 101 Lessons: How to Share Your Faith Simply, Effectively, Biblically—the Way Jesus Did (Gainesville, FL: Bridge-Logos Publishers, 2004), 613.</ref>

The Oneness concept of “mode-switching” makes it difficult for them to grasp how Trinitarians can affirm genuine distinction without numerical multiplication. From the Oneness perspective, if the Father, Son, and Spirit are truly distinct, they must be three separate entities—three gods.<ref>Kerry D. McRoberts, “The Holy Trinity,” in Systematic Theology: Revised Edition, ed. Stanley M. Horton (Springfield, MO: Logion Press, 2007), 172–173.</ref>

The disagreement ultimately reflects different philosophical frameworks for understanding divine personhood. Trinitarians emphasize that there is only one God, not three, and that Jesus Christ is the incarnation of this one God. But without similar definitions of what “person” and “distinct” mean, this can sound contradictory to Oneness followers.

=What do Oneness Pentecostals believe?=

==Oneness theology is modalsim==

The defining characteristic of Oneness Pentecostalism is its rejection of the Trinity in favor of a strictly unitarian conception of God. Rather than viewing the Trinity as three separate and equal members, Oneness Pentecostals believe Jesus constitutes the complete revelation of God, with Jehovah being identical to Jesus. The terms “Father,” “Son,” and “Spirit” function as manifestations of God for revelatory purposes rather than designating distinct members of the Godhead. Oneness followers are modalists, an ancient church heresy that God wore different “masks” depending on how He engaged with people — as Father, Son, or Spirit—meaning these three are not truly God’s own being but temporary appearances.

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==Salvation and Baptism==

A second major distinction involves how Oneness Pentecostals understand the mechanism of salvation. They teach a “one blessing” approach where salvation, sanctification, and baptism in the Holy Spirit with tongues all occur simultaneously through water baptism by immersion in Jesus’ name. Most Oneness groups emphasize baptism and speaking in tongues as absolutely necessary to salvation, and they reject baptizing in the traditional Trinitarian formula (Matthew 28:19), insisting instead that genuine baptism occurs only in Jesus’ name.

A second major distinction involves how Oneness Pentecostals understand the mechanism of salvation. They teach a “one blessing” approach where salvation, sanctification, and baptism in the Holy Spirit with tongues all occur simultaneously through water baptism by immersion in Jesus’ name. Most [[Is baptism necessary for salvation?|Oneness groups emphasize baptism]] and speaking in tongues as absolutely necessary to salvation, and they reject baptizing in the traditional Trinitarian formula (Matthew 28:19), insisting instead that genuine baptism occurs only in Jesus’ name.

==Shared Pentecostal Beliefs==

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:''Give at least two warnings to those who cause divisions, and then have nothing more to do with them. 11You know that such people are corrupt, and their sins prove that they are wrong.<ref>American Bible Society, The Holy Bible: The Good News Translation, 2nd ed. (New York: American Bible Society, 1992), Tt 3:10–11.</ref>

==~~Divergence~~ from ~~historic~~ Christian ~~teaching==~~

==Departure from the historical Christian faith==

~~=Discussion of scriptures used by Oneness followers against the Trinity doctrine=~~

~~Oneness proponents use these passages to prove their theology is correct.~~

~~==Isaiah 9:6==~~

~~One of the major proof texts for Oneness theology is Isaiah 9:6 which reads:~~

~~:''For a Child will be born to us, a Son will be given to us;~~

~~:''And the government will rest on His shoulders;~~

~~:''And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.<ref>New American Standard Bible (La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 2020), Is 9:6.</ref>~~

~~This is seen as proof that the Father's name is Jesus.~~

~~However, it is interesting when one looks at this same passage in the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Old Testament, that is quoted by Jesus and the majority of the New Testament writers:~~

:''Because a child was born to us; a son was given to us whose leadership came upon his shoulder; and his name is called “Messenger of the Great Council,” for I will bring peace upon the rulers and health to him.<ref>Rick Brannan et al., eds., The Lexham English Septuagint (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012), Is 9:6.<ref>

~~What this means is that we can't rely on the exact wording of Isaiah 9:6 for the foundation of any doctrines. The exact wording in the original Hebrew is in doubt.~~

=~~Scriptures which Oneness followers avoid~~=

=~~Logical problems with the~~ Oneness ~~position~~=

=Detailed analysis of Oneness doctrine =

~~==Strawman arguments==~~

David Bernard, the General Superintendent of the United Pentecostal Church International (the largest Oneness denomination), numerous books including the most widely used book on Oneness theology, ''The Oneness of God''.

If you are interested in going into Oneness theology in detail, please see our articles on:

#[[A critical response to Bernard's The Oneness of God]]

#[[Is baptism necessary for salvation?]]

#[[Speaking in tongues|Does speaking in tongues prove your saved?]]

[[Category: Oneness]]

[[Category: Pentecostalism]]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 {{Top of Page}}
+{{Template:Trinity}}
 '''Oneness''' theology is a non-Trinitarian view of God that was rejected by the church in the third century AD. It is the fundamental belief of a minority of Pentecostal denominations and [[Did William Branham Teach Oneness?|most churches that follow William Branham]]. Prior to the 20th century, the Christian church referred to the Oneness doctrine as Sabellianism, Patripassianism, Modalism or modalistic monarchianism.
-If you are a follower of Oneness theology or are wanting to talk to someone who follows Oneness doctrine, you should first read our article on [[Cognitive Dissonance]].
+If you are a follower of Oneness theology or want to engage with someone who follows Oneness doctrine, you should first read our article on [[Cognitive Dissonance]].
 =History of Oneness theology=
@@ Line 14: / Line 14: @@
 Despite coming out of the Pentecostal movement, Oneness Pentecostalism remains relatively unknown among trinitarian Pentecostals.
+=How Oneness followers misrepresent Trinitarian beliefs=
+==The Nicene council misunderstood==
+I have heard multiple times from "respected" Oneness ministers that the Nicene Council in 325 A.D. was where Sabellius and his modalist teachings were declared heretical. This is completely false and shows a complete lack of understanding of history.
+Modalism arose in the latter part of the second century through the teaching of Noetus of Smyrna, who was active in the latter part of the second century; Praxeas (this may actually be a nickname meaning “busybody” for an unidentified churchman whom Tertullian combated early in the third century); and Sabellius, who wrote and taught early in the third century. It was Sabellius who developed this doctrinal conception in its most complete and sophisticated form.<ref>Millard J. Erickson, Christian Theology., 2nd ed. (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1998), 360.</ref> Sabellius’s views were rejected by a consensus of church leaders almost as soon as he started teaching the heresy of modalism - this was articulated by Basil and Theodoret. The opposition was particularly vigorous in Africa, where Tertullian vigorously opposed Sabellianism. Sabellius was excommunicated in 220 A.D., over a century before the Nicene Council.<ref>Thomas C. Oden, “A Libyan History Awaiting Discovery,” Bibliotheca Sacra 167 (2010): 12.</ref>
+==Trinitarians DO NOT believe in three Gods==
+Virtually every criticism from Oneness followers includes a statement that Trinitarians believe in three Gods. This is due to a fundamental misunderstanding of what Trinitarian theology actually claims. The core issue is how each group defines “personhood” in relation to the Godhead.
+Oneness Pentecostals understand personhood to require corporeality, and for this reason they accuse Trinitarians of embracing tritheism. In other words, because Oneness theology equates “person” with “individual body,” three distinct persons appear to them as three separate beings, therefore, three gods. However, Trinitarian theology uses “person” in a different sense entirely. The Trinitarian creedal language about God existing in “three persons” does not literally mean that there are three “people” who are God. Rather, it is simply a shorthand way of saying that God eternally exists in three unique and distinct ways.<ref>Kirk Cameron and Ray Comfort, The School of Biblical Evangelism: 101 Lessons: How to Share Your Faith Simply, Effectively, Biblically—the Way Jesus Did (Gainesville, FL: Bridge-Logos Publishers, 2004), 613.</ref>
+The Oneness concept of “mode-switching” makes it difficult for them to grasp how Trinitarians can affirm genuine distinction without numerical multiplication. From the Oneness perspective, if the Father, Son, and Spirit are truly distinct, they must be three separate entities—three gods.<ref>Kerry D. McRoberts, “The Holy Trinity,” in Systematic Theology: Revised Edition, ed. Stanley M. Horton (Springfield, MO: Logion Press, 2007), 172–173.</ref>
+The disagreement ultimately reflects different philosophical frameworks for understanding divine personhood. Trinitarians emphasize that there is only one God, not three, and that Jesus Christ is the incarnation of this one God. But without similar definitions of what “person” and “distinct” mean, this can sound contradictory to Oneness followers.
 =What do Oneness Pentecostals believe?=
+==Oneness theology is modalsim==
 The defining characteristic of Oneness Pentecostalism is its rejection of the Trinity in favor of a strictly unitarian conception of God. Rather than viewing the Trinity as three separate and equal members, Oneness Pentecostals believe Jesus constitutes the complete revelation of God, with Jehovah being identical to Jesus. The terms “Father,” “Son,” and “Spirit” function as manifestations of God for revelatory purposes rather than designating distinct members of the Godhead. Oneness followers are modalists, an ancient church heresy that God wore different “masks” depending on how He engaged with people — as Father, Son, or Spirit—meaning these three are not truly God’s own being but temporary appearances.
@@ Line 21: / Line 41: @@
 ==Salvation and Baptism==
-A second major distinction involves how Oneness Pentecostals understand the mechanism of salvation. They teach a “one blessing” approach where salvation, sanctification, and baptism in the Holy Spirit with tongues all occur simultaneously through water baptism by immersion in Jesus’ name. Most Oneness groups emphasize baptism and speaking in tongues as absolutely necessary to salvation, and they reject baptizing in the traditional Trinitarian formula (Matthew 28:19), insisting instead that genuine baptism occurs only in Jesus’ name.
+A second major distinction involves how Oneness Pentecostals understand the mechanism of salvation. They teach a “one blessing” approach where salvation, sanctification, and baptism in the Holy Spirit with tongues all occur simultaneously through water baptism by immersion in Jesus’ name. Most [[Is baptism necessary for salvation?|Oneness groups emphasize baptism]] and speaking in tongues as absolutely necessary to salvation, and they reject baptizing in the traditional Trinitarian formula (Matthew 28:19), insisting instead that genuine baptism occurs only in Jesus’ name.
 ==Shared Pentecostal Beliefs==
@@ Line 65: / Line 85: @@
 :''Give at least two warnings to those who cause divisions, and then have nothing more to do with them. 11You know that such people are corrupt, and their sins prove that they are wrong.<ref>American Bible Society, The Holy Bible: The Good News Translation, 2nd ed. (New York: American Bible Society, 1992), Tt 3:10–11.</ref>
-==Divergence from historic Christian teaching==
+==Departure from the historical Christian faith==
-=Discussion of scriptures used by Oneness followers against the Trinity doctrine=
-Oneness proponents use these passages to prove their theology is correct.
-==Isaiah 9:6==
-One of the major proof texts for Oneness theology is Isaiah 9:6 which reads:
-:''For a Child will be born to us, a Son will be given to us;
-:''And the government will rest on His shoulders;
-:''And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.<ref>New American Standard Bible (La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 2020), Is 9:6.</ref>
-This is seen as proof that the Father's name is Jesus.
-However, it is interesting when one looks at this same passage in the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Old Testament, that is quoted by Jesus and the majority of the New Testament writers:
-:''Because a child was born to us; a son was given to us whose leadership came upon his shoulder; and his name is called “Messenger of the Great Council,” for I will bring peace upon the rulers and health to him.<ref>Rick Brannan et al., eds., The Lexham English Septuagint (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012), Is 9:6.<ref>
-What this means is that we can't rely on the exact wording of Isaiah 9:6 for the foundation of any doctrines. The exact wording in the original Hebrew is in doubt.
-=Scriptures which Oneness followers avoid=
-=Logical problems with the Oneness position=
+=Detailed analysis of Oneness doctrine =
-==Strawman arguments==
+David Bernard, the General Superintendent of the United Pentecostal Church International (the largest Oneness denomination), numerous books including the most widely used book on Oneness theology, ''The Oneness of God''.
+If you are interested in going into Oneness theology in detail, please see our articles on:
+#[[A critical response to Bernard's The Oneness of God]]
+#[[Is baptism necessary for salvation?]]
+#[[Speaking in tongues|Does speaking in tongues prove your saved?]]
 {{Bottom of Page}}
+[[Category: Oneness]]
+[[Category: Pentecostalism]]