Further, in the Gospels, almost one hundred and eighty times, Jesus referred to the Father as the Father, my Father, or your Father- thus, as a distinct person from Himself. Nearly twenty years ago a bright-eyed, bushy-tailed Greg Boyd wrote a book defending the doctrine of the Trinity against the objections of Oneness Pentecostals. 5:13 et al. Example: in Isaiah 54:5, Maker is plural in Hebrew, lit., Makers; same with Psalm 149:2 where Maker is in the plural in Hebrew. John 17:5: Now, Father, glorify Me together with Yourself [para seaut] with the glory which I had/possessed [eichon] with You before the world was., John 19:25: Therefore the soldiers did these things. Details; Description; Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. So, what is Oneness Pentecostalism? 6. Against Oneness Pentecostalism: An Exegetical-Theological Critique Author Michael Burgos Publisher Church Militant Publications, 2016 ISBN 0692644067, 9780692644065 Length 246 pages Export. 2 Cor. also Walter Bauers, A Greek English Lexicon of the New Testament, 3rd ed. So Christians should strive to do the objective research, in order that they not provide bad untruthful arguments and appear unread. In 1906, the Pentecostal experience of speaking in tongues burst on the scene during a revival in an African-American Baptist church on Azuza Street in Los Angeles, Calif. This interpretation is not an attempt to understand the text. In conclusion, the Triquetra has been used historically by all kinds of groups to mean different things. Phil. The first two chapters of the text outline the basis for the Oneness Pentecostals' disbelief in the Holy Trinity - and their belief that the Father, Son and Holy Ghost are simply . Jesus and the Father are both God. He coyly answered that he believed in one God who manifests himself in three ways: the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost. (see above). Anyways, I would change that symbol. Following these beginnings, Pentecostal preachers and churches spread rapidly coalescing into various denominations and factions. Try again. Example, Theodotus (the first known dynamic monarchianist) was excommunicated by Victor, the bishop of Rome, around A.D. 190; Noetus (the first known modalist) was condemned by Hippolytus and by the presbyters around the same time; Praxeas was marked as a heretic by Tertullian; Paul of Samosata was condemned at the Third Council in Antioch (A.D. 268); Dionysius of Alexandria and Dionysius bishop of Rome along with many important church Fathers condemned Sabellius and his teachings as Christological heresy. How can tongues function as the sign of salvation if you do not even know the difference between tongues for edification and the gift of tongues? His knowledge of living water from the Old Testament (Jeremiah 2:13, Isaiah 12:3, 58:11, etc) should have informed him. In verse 17, he refers to the Holy Spirit as he and him. Is it really coherent to think that in the next verse, he would refer to the Holy Spirit as himself? These false doctrines can affect teachings about justification, sanctification, the role and work of the cross and an understanding of the nature of God. Be prepared to cite (in context) and explain specific biblical passages supporting Christian doctrines, particularly the biblical basis for the Trinity, the historic understanding of the nature and work of Christ, and salvation by grace through faith. (for in Oneness theology *only Jesus as the Father mode existed prior to Bethlehem). While this book may be helpful insofar as it rehearses typical Oneness Pentecostal views and arguments, it is far from providing a substantial treatment of Scripture or a meaningful interaction with trinitarianism. ; and there is a Japanese form, again with no religious significance. 12:11; Eph. A Concise Look at Oneness Theology | Department of Christian Defense, John 1:29: The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. I do not think so. Specifically, in John 1:3;1 Corinthians 8:6; Colossians 1:16; Hebrews 1:2 and 2:10, the Greek preposition dia (though) is followed by a pronoun (autou, Him)in the *genitive* case (or possessive case). 51: I am the living bread that came down ek tou ouranou, 58: This is the bread which came down ex ouranou; not as the fathers ate and died; he who eats this bread will live forever.. Texas Bible College-Houston, Texas. So they will use this proof-text that they think Noted Greek grammarian, A. T. Robertson says of the passage that This is not just ideal pre-existence, but actual and conscious existence at the Fathers side (para soi, with thee) which I had (h eichon, imperfect active of ech. "Michael Burgos has produced a brilliant blend of systematic theology and biblical exegesis with a detailed and thorough discussion of the main passages at the center of the dispute between. After all, in John 17:11, the text says that the disciples are one in the same way that Jesus and the Father are one. 4. Speaking in tongues is listed among several other practices, including casting out demons, resisting a snake bite and healing the sick. 5:18). How To Implement Apologetics into the Church, The Differences Between the Prosperity Gospel and the Biblical Gospel. Over fifty times, the Father, and Jesusare presented as explicitly distinct in the same passages (cf. Also, throughout chap 14 Jesus distinguishes Himself from the Father. Some Pentecostal denominations, often referred to as Apostolic Pentecostals, Oneness Pentecostals or Jesus-Only Pentecostals, take the . . including terms like Trinity, Unitarianism, Reviewed in the United States on March 13, 2017. Where in the Scripture does it say that God is unitarian? Further, the idiom in the name of does not always refer to a reciting of the name. That may be the case. Many trinitarians, unfortunately, have never heard of these arguments before. Additionally, the repetition of the preposition distinguishes the Father and the Son as two distinct self-aware Subjects (e.g., 1 John 1:3). 30:3; John 14:23]; Yahweh to Yahweh and Elohim (God) to Elohim correspondences in passages such as Gen. 19:24; Ps. Of course, this is a mischaracterization. And no time did He refer to my Son or anything of the sort as distinct from Himself! However, some advocates of Oneness Pentecostalism have responded to this point. But for a deeper understanding, please view my other posts on this important subject. More than 160 oneness ministers who were expelled from the AOG quickly formed their own alliances to promote their doctrines. God, according to United Pentecostals, is not three distinct persons, as in the Trinity doctrine, but three "manifestations" of the one God. John 14:18: I will not leave you as orphans. 3. Tate Reeves did in late August. Pentecostal Christianity has more than 700 denominations. John 10:30: I and the Father are one. Acquire a basic knowledge of Oneness Pentecostals' beliefs and practices. After all, it says that one must be born of water and Spirit. For example, many in UPCI consider the writings of Frank Ewart and John G. Scheppe as authoritative. Description: While most Pentecostals are orthodox, there is a segment within this movement of "Oneness" or "Jesus-Only" Pentecostals who are not. Oneness movements emphases on personal holiness and healthy lifestyles are commendable. In response, Oneness Pentecostals will tell us that there are different kinds of tongues. Why is snake-handling not a criteria for salvation? We dont share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we dont sell your information to others. 2 John 1:3- Jesus is the Son of the Father). Hence When Jesus said, He who has seen Me has seen the Father, the only thing His disciples literally saw was Jesus physical body. See what Christian leaders are saying about Against Oneness Pentecostalism: "Michael Burgos has produced a brilliant blend of systematic theology and biblical exegesis with a detailed and thorough discussion of the main passages at the center of the dispute between Oneness Pentecostalism and traditional trinitarianism. Sphere: in the sight of, before (someone), c. Association: with (someone/something) (BBGG). Brother Burgos carefully and respectfully dismantles the misguided half truths of Oneness doctrine. He has exgsato [lead out, unfold, declare, Thayer, 1996: 223] Him (the Father). Suppose that modalism is true about the Son. If God is unitarian, why are there so many plural descriptions in the OT (viz. At the 1986 Oneness Symposium, Robert Sabin addresses the charge of whether the UPCI is Christian group or a cult. Please try again. John 9:39) the invisible Father (cf. Jesus Only Churches. One could be baptized in the name of Jesus without actually reciting the words In the name of Jesus. For the Oneness Pentecostal to read a deep concern of baptismal formulas into the text is to retroject their situation onto the apostles. Contributing Writer 2022 13 Jun Of course, this is a mischaracterization. If the Son did not eternally exist with the Father as a distinct person why is it that the Son can say, Now, Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had [or shared, eichon] with You before the world was.? that that calendar in your office and/or house and/or in the rooms of your children, are filled with symbols of pagan gods (all days and names of months were named after pagan gods). Modalism is the belief that one God existed in time in three distinct modes of being: first as the Father in heaven; second, bodily as the Son on earth; and finally as the Holy Spirit. Well, this would be to ignore all of the prepositions of this passage. Salvation is entirely based on grace through faith in Christ. 50 This is the bread which comes down ek tou ouranou, so that one may eat of it and not die. However, there are only a few places throughout the book of Acts wherein people speak in tongues. No single translation or human interpretation can be regarded as infallible. They are one in being but distinct in person. The Contender for the Faith (COLJF) NOTE: the answers provided to the questions below are a simple and quick guide for the interested person wishing to compare Oneness theology with Trinitarian theology. So I want to provide a resource for understanding Oneness Pentecostalism, some of the arguments that they will use and how to respond to them. Great book with in depth analysis about the Oneneness movement faults both historically and biblically. Oneness Pentecostals are vehement anti-trinitarians who commonly maintain that the doctrine of the trinity states that there are three gods. Acquire a basic knowledge of Oneness Pentecostals beliefs and practices. Granville Sharps grammaticalrule #6: Specifically, the repetition of the article tou (the) before each noun and the conjunction kai (and) that connects the nouns clearly denote a distinction between all three persons named.4 Note Matthew 28:19: in the name of the [tou] Father and of the [kai tou] Son and of the [kai tou] Holy Spirit. Further, Paul clearly presents the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, not as three modes of a unipersonal deity, but rather as three distinct persons. Pentecostals are so certain of this logic that many consider it to be a key teaching of the Christian faith. [5] Beisner, Jesus Only Churches, 34. . The burden of proof is on the person making the claim. Sorry, there was a problem loading this page. The arguments can get a bit technical for people who do not know Greek, but Dalcour communicates so well that one is able to follow him. Be prepared to explain biblically why you do not believe these are necessary ingredients for salvation or eternal security. . Deuteronomy 6:4: Hear, O Israel! They will see that because he lives (he was raised from the dead), they too will live (be raised from the dead). Oneness Pentecostal churches are, therefore, cultic in nature and outside the theological parameters of historic Christianity. The above example is typical of Questions Oneness Pentecostals Don't ask. [2] Cf. : John 14:23: Jesus answered and said to him, If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and we will make Our abode with him [par aut]. If Oneness Pentecostalism is true, how do we avoid the absurd image of Jesus asking himself permission and then sending himself? The Oneness Pentecostal is making the claim that everybody who was filled with the Spirit also spoke in tongues. The classic statement of Trinitarian doctrine is that there is One God who exists eternally in three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. 6 The question that we need to ask is one what? The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all (2 Cor. Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them. Against Oneness Pentecostalism: An Exegetical-Theological Critique. . as well as found on early Germanic coins-with no religious significance at all. Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web. Now, I recognize that this may be vulnerable to the counter-strike that the author simply did not record them speaking in tongues, but they probably still did. Now revised, updated, and expanded. . It is an idiom for authority, like if I say in the name of the king. This is firmly established in Acts 4:4, which reads, By what power or what name did you do this? Power and name are parallel. Oneness theology rejects the personhood of the Holy Spirit. There are two basic strategies that Oneness Pentecostals use for arguing for the conclusion that Jesus is God and Father. (as seen above). Forty times in Johns Gospel, Jesus refers to himself as sent by the Father, but never does he refer to himself as the Father who sent the Son, Further, Isaiah 9:6, is no help for Oneness advocates trying to prove Jesus is the Father- See Isaiah 9:6: Oneness Refuted, 1. Revelation 2:13: I know where you dwell, where Satans throne is; and you hold fast My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days of Antipas, My witness, My faithful one, who was killed among you [par humin], where Satan dwells (cf. The term *with* is para in Greek. 4. : Trinitarian who is struggling with the Oneness doctrine. The Father is God, the Son is God, and the Holy Spirit is God. Lastly, There has never been a recognized biblical scholar, commentator, NT Greek grammar, nor Lexical source that has ever interpreted John 14:9 in a Oneness-unitarian way as you do.- because neither this text, nor Johns entire theology supports the Oneness idea that Jesus is the same person as the Father. He was making claims that no mere human could make. III. How would anybody understand what he is saying? The AmazonSmile Foundation will automatically donate 0.5% of the purchase price to your selected charitable organization. Concerning the baptismal view of the most rigid Oneness Pentecostals, he states, "It is on this issue, theologians say, that Oneness Pentecostals have drifted dangerously toward spiritual elitism and heresy." 14 Indeed, the Oneness view of baptism is lethally flawed. 42:8), which shows that the glory that the Son had was in together in the presence of the Father. First, that seems to be an ad hoc measure to circumvent the meaning of the text. If Oneness doctrine is biblically true, why then do the biblical authors use grammatical features that personally distinguish between the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit? People who have had negative encounters with Oneness Pentecostals usually complain about: Legalism. This new anti-trinitarian belief needs to be understood and addressed, and it must be done so differently than Unitarianism of a by-gone day. Also, only that the Son was God can He God make this request/command to the Father, not mere man. And you are pretexting the passage with no consideration of the context of chap. The Son is and has been eternally subsisting as the perfect and exact representation (charaktr) of the very nature (hupostases) of Him (autou, of Him, not as Him; Heb. Read the entire account. Oneness/Jesus-only proponents will often say that this is a new revelation that came sometime during or after the Azusa Street Revival of 1906, which is generally regarded to be the birth of modern Pentecostalism. Rather the Son is biblically (exegetically) presented as the Creator of all things Himself. These are great questions and wonderful references. Please try again. They could also cite many of the various declarations of monotheism throughout the Old Testament, thus establishing that there is only one God. Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 17, 2020. But the argument that Jesus Christ is the secret answer to the riddle, "What is the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy . If they do not do that, then they are probably not saved. Unless you are going to say that Jesus only had one disciple, I do not think this can be used as a proof-text for Oneness theology. Privacy Policy & Copyright Notice. And those (like yourself) who object (due to a mass of misinformation) to the Trinitarian symbol, since they do not have a problem with pagan-origins calendars in their homes, do they have a problem with the Apostle Pauls quotations of pagans writers to make a biblical pointnamely, Epimenides of Crete in Titus 1:12 and Acts 17:28 (referring to Zeus); Aratus of Cilicia in Acts 17:28 (also referring to Zeus); and Menander in 1 Cor. also John 4:40; 14:17, 25). The trinity is found even earlier especially the writings of Jesus being God as the son pof God.The trinity was udsed before Tertullian or Irenaeus debated with Oneness . In this article, I will be answering a few common Oneness Pentecostal arguments. 4200 North Point Pkwy, Alpharetta, GA 30022, Employment Media & Public Relations NAMB Store. Use Amazon Smile for all your purchases to support the Department of Christian Defense. Clarence L. Haynes Jr. This is an important reminder of the need to respond to contemporary . He argues throughout for . Note: In this beautiful passage (Jesus high priestly prayer) the Son (for Jesus says, Now, Father) says that He possessed or shared glory with the Father, before time. The name of the Holy Spirit is Jesus. . Significantly, there are two instances in which that pattern is broken. Indiana Bible College-Seymour, Ind. The doctrine of the trinity states that there is one God who is eternally present in three persons. If God is unitarian, how do you explain passages such as Genesis 19:24 where Yahweh (LORD), rained brimstone and fire from Yahweh out of heaven? , Language Note, that over two hundred times, the Father is referred to by Jesus or someone else as being clearly distinct from Jesus. How Can a Pastor Stay Engaged in Apologetics? In 1913, one popular teacher, R.E. Salvation is eternally assured for those who have accepted Christ as personal Lord and Savior (see John 1:12; 5:24; 1 John 5:13). Biblical Response: The Oneness Pentecostal view of God is similar to the ancient heresy of Modalism.