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 minority of Pentecostal denominations and most churches that follow William Branham.  However, those message churches that follow the teachings of [[Vaylism|Lee Vayle]] have espoused a view of the Godhead that is a mixture of several heretical teachings that originated well over 1,000 year ago, namely [[Nestorianism]], [[Arianism]], and [[Dynamic Monarchianism|Adoptionism]].  Historically, the Oneness view has been referred to as Sabellianism, Patripassianism, Modalism or modalistic monarchianism.
 


=William Branham and Modalism=
=William Branham and Modalism=


William Branham was incredibly confused in his understanding of God.  He tried to hold himself out as believing something that was between Oneness and the Trinity.  At times, he sounded like a modalist and at other times, like a dynamic monarchianist or adoptionist.  As a result, some 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".
William Branham was incredibly confused in his understanding of God.  He tried to hold himself out as believing something that was between Oneness and the Trinity.  At times, he sounded like a modalist and at other times, like a Nestorian or Adoptionist.  As a result, some of his followers, in particular the followers of [[Vaylism|Lee vayle]], believe that Jesus was not God but a person with a dual nature (Nestorianism).  This doctrine is referred to in a derogatory manner by some message followers 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.  
Notwithstanding his statements to the contrary, the majority of the followers of William Branham believe 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.  
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 Oneness Pentecostals, such as 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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