Oneness: Difference between revisions
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The movement took organizational form in 1917 following expulsion from the Assemblies of God. In 1916, the Trinitarian-Oneness controversy led to the formation of the General Assembly of Apostolic Assemblies, which merged with the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World in 1918. Originally called the “New Issue” or “Jesus Only,” the movement adopted the designations “Jesus Name,” “Apostolic,” or “Oneness” pentecostalism by 1930. | The movement took organizational form in 1917 following expulsion from the Assemblies of God. In 1916, the Trinitarian-Oneness controversy led to the formation of the General Assembly of Apostolic Assemblies, which merged with the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World in 1918. Originally called the “New Issue” or “Jesus Only,” the movement adopted the designations “Jesus Name,” “Apostolic,” or “Oneness” pentecostalism by 1930. | ||
Despite | Despite coming out of the Pentecostal movement, Oneness Pentecostalism remains relatively unknown among trinitarian Pentecostals. | ||
=What do Oneness Pentecostals believe?= | |||
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. | |||
==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. | |||
==Shared Pentecostal Beliefs== | |||
Beyond these distinctive doctrines, Oneness Pentecostals affirm core evangelical convictions including Scripture’s authority, Christ’s incarnation and atonement, salvation through faith in Jesus, and — like other Pentecostals — the baptism of the Holy Spirit with tongues as initial evidence, spiritual gifts for today, and divine healing. They also emphasize outward holiness in lifestyle and dress. | |||
=Is Oneness theology false doctrine?= | |||
Revision as of 20:44, 25 May 2026
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 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.
History of Oneness theology
Oneness Pentecostalism emerged in 1914 within the Assemblies of God, introducing a modalistic understanding of God and insisting on baptism in the name of Jesus Christ rather than the traditional Trinitarian formula. The movement traces its modern origins to April 15, 1914, when prominent leaders Frank Ewart and Glenn Cook publicly baptized themselves using the Jesus-name formula instead of the Trinitarian one. The theological seeds had been planted earlier through a baptismal sermon near Los Angeles in 1913, which Ewart then developed into systematic doctrine within a year.
The movement took organizational form in 1917 following expulsion from the Assemblies of God. In 1916, the Trinitarian-Oneness controversy led to the formation of the General Assembly of Apostolic Assemblies, which merged with the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World in 1918. Originally called the “New Issue” or “Jesus Only,” the movement adopted the designations “Jesus Name,” “Apostolic,” or “Oneness” pentecostalism by 1930.
Despite coming out of the Pentecostal movement, Oneness Pentecostalism remains relatively unknown among trinitarian Pentecostals.
What do Oneness Pentecostals believe?
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.
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.
Beyond these distinctive doctrines, Oneness Pentecostals affirm core evangelical convictions including Scripture’s authority, Christ’s incarnation and atonement, salvation through faith in Jesus, and — like other Pentecostals — the baptism of the Holy Spirit with tongues as initial evidence, spiritual gifts for today, and divine healing. They also emphasize outward holiness in lifestyle and dress.
Is Oneness theology false doctrine?
Footnotes