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Trinity and Oneness: Difference between revisions
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William Branham's doctrine is a bridge between the Oneness and Trinitarian doctrines, sometimes agreeing with and sometimes challenging the conclusions of these established doctrines. | William Branham's doctrine is a bridge between the Oneness and Trinitarian doctrines, sometimes agreeing with and sometimes challenging the conclusions of these established doctrines. | ||
In the sermon '''''[http://www.nathan.co.za/message.asp?sermonum=761 The Godhead Explained]''''' William Branham tells when he was confronted by the Assemblies of God (Trinitarian) and the United Pentecostal Church (Oneness) and forced to clearly define his doctrine. At the end of their discussion, William Branham had | In the sermon '''''[http://www.nathan.co.za/message.asp?sermonum=761 The Godhead Explained]''''' William Branham tells when he was confronted by the Assemblies of God (Trinitarian) and the United Pentecostal Church (Oneness) and forced to clearly define his doctrine. At the end of their discussion, William Branham had both representatives acknowledge that the other had the Holy Spirit. He then explained his method of baptism, which both representatives accepted. In this same sermon, William Branham tells of another confrontation with a UPC minister. This minister said ''"You know what we are going to do? We are drawing a little ring and drawing you right out of our circle."'' William Branham responded, ''"If you draw me out, I will draw you back in."'' | ||
<div style="border-bottom:1px #B87333 solid; text-align:center; font-size:140%; padding:1px; margin:1px;">The Godhead and Respect</div> | <div style="border-bottom:1px #B87333 solid; text-align:center; font-size:140%; padding:1px; margin:1px;">The Godhead and Respect</div> | ||
In the past, Christians in positions of power have | In the past, some Christians in positions of power have persecuted heretics (or anyone who disagrees with their own favourite doctrine). But persecuting heretics is as spiritual as stoning the good Samaritan. The treatment of the Cathars at the hands of the Catholics, most notably in the massacre in Beziers in 1209 A.D., is a historic example of this persecution. | ||
The Apostle Paul wrote about people who ''"hold the truth in unrighteousness"'' (Romans 1). He describes people who understand the Godhead correctly, but still choose to live a life of corruption. Paul’s final description of these individuals is ‘unmerciful’, which is an apt description of Arnaud-Amaury, the Catholic ambassador to the Cathars of Bezier, who declared “Kill them all, the Lord will recognise His own.” | The Apostle Paul wrote about people who ''"hold the truth in unrighteousness"'' (Romans 1). He describes people who understand the Godhead correctly, but still choose to live a life of corruption. Paul’s final description of these individuals is ‘unmerciful’, which is an apt description of Arnaud-Amaury, the Catholic ambassador to the Cathars of Bezier, who declared “Kill them all, the Lord will recognise His own.” | ||
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<div style="border-bottom:1px #B87333 solid; text-align:center; font-size:140%; padding:1px; margin:1px;">Problems with the doctrine of the Trinity</div> | <div style="border-bottom:1px #B87333 solid; text-align:center; font-size:140%; padding:1px; margin:1px;">Problems with the doctrine of the Trinity</div> | ||
[[Image:3people.jpg|thumb|150px| | [[Image:3people.jpg|thumb|150px|A misleading impression of the Trinity (by Fridolin Leiber) as "person" does not mean "individual".]] | ||
As evidence that the Catholic Church has not always believed the Trinity, the doctrine of Callixtus I, the Bishop of Rome (i.e., Pope) between 217 – 222 A.D. and a saint of the Roman Catholic Church, is recorded as follows: | As evidence that the Catholic Church has not always believed the Trinity, the doctrine of Callixtus I, the Bishop of Rome (i.e., Pope) between 217 – 222 A.D. and a saint of the Roman Catholic Church, is recorded as follows: | ||
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Oneness Christians maintain that there is no fundamental "threeness" to God, and consider it an injustice to speak of God as a "person". | Oneness Christians maintain that there is no fundamental "threeness" to God, and consider it an injustice to speak of God as a "person". | ||
In contrast to this, William Branham, taught that there is a three-fold person of God. This is why God made an individual when he created something in his image, and is why the temple has three separate parts (remember that Jesus also called | In contrast to this, William Branham, taught that there is a three-fold person of God. This is why God made an individual when he created something in his image, and is why the temple has three separate parts (remember that Jesus also called his body a "temple"). Commenting on the Apostle Paul's prayer that ''"your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ"'', (I Thess. 5:23)", Irenaeus of Lyons (d. 202 A.D.) said, | ||
:''Now what was his object in praying that these three--that is, soul, body, and spirit-- might be preserved to the coming of the Lord, unless he was aware of the future reintegration and union of the three, and that they should be heirs of one and the same salvation? For this cause also he declares that those are "the perfect" who present unto the Lord the three component parts without offence. Those, then, are the perfect who have had the Spirit of God remaining in them, and have preserved their souls and bodies blameless, holding fast the faith of God, that is, that faith which is directed towards God, and maintaining righteous dealings with respect to their neighbours.'' (Chapter VI, Book V, Irenaeus against Heresies, Ante-Nicene Fathers) | :''Now what was his object in praying that these three--that is, soul, body, and spirit-- might be preserved to the coming of the Lord, unless he was aware of the future reintegration and union of the three, and that they should be heirs of one and the same salvation? For this cause also he declares that those are "the perfect" who present unto the Lord the three component parts without offence. Those, then, are the perfect who have had the Spirit of God remaining in them, and have preserved their souls and bodies blameless, holding fast the faith of God, that is, that faith which is directed towards God, and maintaining righteous dealings with respect to their neighbours.'' (Chapter VI, Book V, Irenaeus against Heresies, Ante-Nicene Fathers) | ||
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 | 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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The biggest problem with saying “I believe God is in three persons” or “I believe in Oneness” is that these doctrines relate to significant denominations, and may change over time – just like the meaning of the word “person” has changed since the third century A.D. The Bible, will not change. As a result of this, the most essential elements in maintaining correct doctrine are access to an accurate translation of the Bible, prayer, and fellowship. | The biggest problem with saying “I believe God is in three persons” or “I believe in Oneness” is that these doctrines relate to significant denominations, and may change over time – just like the meaning of the word “person” has changed since the third century A.D. The Bible, however, will not change. As a result of this, the most essential elements in maintaining correct doctrine are access to an accurate translation of the Bible, prayer, and fellowship. | ||