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Did William Branham Teach Oneness?: Difference between revisions
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The '''Oneness''' doctrine is a non-[[Trinity|Trinitarian]] view of the [[The Godhead]] that is a fundamental belief of a number of Pentecostal denominations and most churches that follow William Branham. However, those message churches that follow the teachings of [[Vaylism|Lee Vayle]] have espoused an [[Dynamic Monarchianism|adoptionist view of the Godhead]]. Historically, the oneness view has been referred to as modalistic monarchianism or modalism. | The '''Oneness''' doctrine is a non-[[Trinity|Trinitarian]] view of the [[The Godhead]] that is a fundamental belief of a number of Pentecostal denominations and most churches that follow William Branham. However, those message churches that follow the teachings of [[Vaylism|Lee Vayle]] have espoused an [[Dynamic Monarchianism|adoptionist view of the Godhead]]. Historically, the oneness view has been referred to as modalistic monarchianism or modalism. | ||
=William Branham and Modalism= | |||
William Branham tried to hold himself out as believing something that was between Oneness and the Trinity. As a result, a significant group of his followers, in particular the followers of [[Vaylism|Lee vayle]], believe that God is two and not one. This doctrine is referred to in a derogatory manner by some as the doctrine of the "Twinity". | |||
Notwithstanding his statements to the contrary, many followers of William Branham believed that he fundamentally taught modalism and would therefore be considered adherents to Oneness theology. | |||
William Branham often said statements such as, “God is not one like your finger” (Sermon: Lord, Show us the Father, Sept 7, 1953). This appears to be directed at doctrines he was hearing among the people at the time, even though this is not the current doctrine of the United Pentecostal Church. Websites such as FatherJesus.com are evidence of this extreme Oneness view that Jesus is God the Father. In contrast, William Branham taught that there is a threefold being to God, but God is not three individuals nor so singular that the Son of God is God the Father. | |||
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|''I do not believe that Jesus could be His own father. I believe that Jesus had a Father, and that was God. But God dwelled and tabernacled in this body called Jesus, and He was Emmanuel: God with us. And there's no other God besides this God. He is Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. And the Name of the Father, Son, Holy Ghost... Father: the Lord, Son: Jesus, Holy Ghost: Logos, Spirit of God. Father, Son, Holy Ghost, Lord Jesus Christ; that's Him. And in Him dwelled the Fullness of the Godhead bodily.'' (William Branham, Sermon: Q&A, June 28, 1959) | |||
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William Branham referred to "Lord Jesus Christ" as the name of God, and to the "Father, Son and Holy Spirit" as titles of God. But this isn't right. For example, "Christ" is a title. It means "Messaiah" or "anointed one", while "Holy Spirit" is the best name form the Spirit of God that can be found. "Lord" also reflects the authority of Jesus. But referring to "Lord" as "Father" both removes authority from Jesus, and removes his identity as the Son of God. | |||
Jesus is the Son of God. Jesus is the Christ. Jesus is Lord, and Jesus is God. The basis for those statements can all be found in scripture. Saying that Holy Spirit is a title and that Christ is the Name is not scriptural. And saying that "Abba" is impersonal is like telling a child that she must call her father by his given name. William Branham's doctrine of the Godhead sacrifices the relationship that God has with man. | |||
= Unitarianism verses Oneness = | |||
There are many who confuse the terms unitarian and Oneness. This is because both essentially believe that God can only exist as a single "unit," or monad. He cannot be divided into separate parts, or a plurality of "persons" and still exist as a whole deity. Although unitarians and Oneness are similar in the belief that there is not a plurality of persons in the Godhead, unitarians believe that Jesus was only a moral authority whereas the deity and humanity of Jesus Christ is essential to Oneness doctrine. | |||
In Oneness theology there is an existential distinction, where God in the incarnation comes to exist in Christ in complete human existence and continues to exist as God eternally as Spirit ("Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us" (Matthew 1:23). | |||
=Monarchianism= | =Monarchianism= | ||
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Why is it that they never refer to ''God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ''? Could it be that their understanding of the Godhead is incorrect? could it be an antichrist spirit that ''denies the Father and the Son''? | Why is it that they never refer to ''God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ''? Could it be that their understanding of the Godhead is incorrect? could it be an antichrist spirit that ''denies the Father and the Son''? | ||
== Organizations == | == Organizations == | ||
Besides the majority of message believers, there are many Oneness Pentecostal organizations, although their numbers are not significant. Here are a few of the larger ones: | |||
*[http://www.pawinc.org Pentecostal Assemblies of the World] | *[http://www.pawinc.org Pentecostal Assemblies of the World] | ||
*[http://www.upci.org United Pentecostal Church] | *[http://www.upci.org United Pentecostal Church] | ||
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===Opposing Oneness view=== | ===Opposing Oneness view=== | ||
* [http://www.carm.org/oneness.htm Oneness Pentecostal theology, also known as Jesus Only theology] What is Oneness Pentecostal Theology? | * [http://www.carm.org/oneness.htm Oneness Pentecostal theology, also known as Jesus Only theology] What is Oneness Pentecostal Theology? | ||
*[http://christiandefense.org/oneness.htm A Definitive Look at Oneness Theology] Defending the Tri-Unity of God | * [http://christiandefense.org/oneness.htm A Definitive Look at Oneness Theology] Defending the Tri-Unity of God | ||
===Oneness organizations=== | ===Oneness organizations=== | ||
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* [http://www.apostolicchurch.com The Apostolic Church of Barberton] Barberton, OH, USA | * [http://www.apostolicchurch.com The Apostolic Church of Barberton] Barberton, OH, USA | ||
* [http://www.upci.org United Pentecostal Church International] | * [http://www.upci.org United Pentecostal Church International] | ||
*[http://www.abundantlifecares.com Abundant Life Tabernacle (Fort Wayne, IN)] | * [http://www.abundantlifecares.com Abundant Life Tabernacle (Fort Wayne, IN)] | ||
*[http://www.firstapostolicrome.com First Apostolic Church of Rome] Rome, GA, USA | * [http://www.firstapostolicrome.com First Apostolic Church of Rome] Rome, GA, USA | ||
*[http://www.apostolicsoftaylor.com Apostolics of Taylor Website] Taylor, MI | * [http://www.apostolicsoftaylor.com Apostolics of Taylor Website] Taylor, MI | ||
{{Wikipedia Reference}} | {{Wikipedia Reference}} | ||