The doctrine of the trinity states that there is one God who is eternally present in three persons. Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club thats right for you for free. 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. . Focus the discussion on the essential elements of the Christian faith. Over fifty times, the Father, and Jesusare presented as explicitly distinct in the same passages (cf. 9. 2021 North American Mission Board, SBC. , Publisher 32 Jesus then said to them, Truly, truly, I say to you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread ek tou ouranou, but it is My Father who gives you the true bread ek tou ouranou. However, this seems to be far too simplistic of a reading. [4] This grammatical rule is also know as Granville Sharp rule #6: when multiple personal nouns in a clause are each preceded by the article ho (the) and linked by kai (and) each personal noun denotes a distinct person as in Matthew 28:19 (esp. Pentecostals are Christians who believe that God is still doing the same things he did on the first Day of Pentecost after Jesus rose from his grave. There are four exegetical features, which provide a cogent refutation to the Oneness handling of this passage. 10. 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. 1. Pentecostalism or classical Pentecostalism is a Protestant Charismatic Christian movement that emphasizes direct personal experience of God through baptism with the Holy Spirit. If they do not do that, then they are probably not saved. Note the context indicating that the Father sent the person of the Son. It would be to cherry-pick the verse that fits into ones doctrine. He said that he and the Father are one. Against Oneness Pentecostalism: An Exegetical-Theological Critique. 1:17), talk to each other (see John 11:41-42; 12:28; 17:1-26), and know each other (see Matt. Wallace, BBGG, 630). Before time. Well, there are a number of reasons that I think that interpretation is implausible. Biblical Response: Salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone (see Rom. I found this web page, looked promising to refute Oneness theology. Oneness theology rejects the eternality of the Person of the Son. In Ephesians 2:18, Paul teaches that by the agency of the Son, Christians have access to the Father by means of the Spirit: For through Him [di autouthe Son] we both have our access in [en] one Spirit to the Father [pros ton patera] (Eph. Jesus is said to have two natures: human and divine. 15-16), Jesus distinguishes Himself from His Father by using different prepositions. The largest oneness movements today are the United Pentecostal Church International (UPCI) and the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World (PAW). In the Incarnation, God in his divine nature is the Father; the Son is the perfect man in whom God was incarnate; Jesus is the one God manifested in the flesh. Thus, when He died, only His human nature died. John 1:14). Reviewed in the United States on February 6, 2021. Christian Life College-Stockton, Calif. asserting that God is one person) and (b) the basic theological errors of Oneness theology (e.g., denying the deity of the Son). . (BDAG, 46). 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? Nowhere in the New Testament, however, is it said that Jesus sent the Son. Read the entire account. Of course, this is a mischaracterization. Oneness movements emphases on personal holiness and healthy lifestyles are commendable. So they will use this proof-text that they think Nonetheless, historic Christianity maintains that the doctrine of the Trinity (or tri-unity of God) is taught in Scripture. "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. He says in verse 14 that he will ask the Father, and the Father will send the Holy Spirit. Oneness Pentecostal churches are, therefore, cultic in nature and outside the theological parameters of historic Christianity. Melton, J. Gordon. Why did I do this? Behind this question lay a criticism of the commonly-held Trinitarian Pentecostal argument that the name of Jesus in baptismal texts from . There are many other passages where this construction applies clearly denoting distinction between the persons in the Trinity (e.g., 1 Thess. It is very well organized. In sum, John 17:5 the Son first commands/asks (doxason, aorist impart.) Oneness theology distorts and thus rejects the biblical concept of the Son being Mediator (Intercessor) between the Father and men (cf. I do not think so. Michael R. Burgos is an American theologian, author, and pastor. Also, John 1:3; Colossians 1:16-17; and Hebrews 1:10-12 teach exegetically that the Son was God, the agent of creation, the Creator, thus preexisting with the Father. 4:4-5; Eph. The term *with* is para in Greek. 31 They justify their actions by referring to the rejection of the doctrine of the Trinity by Oneness believers. 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. Skylar McManus shares about being raised Oneness Pentecostal and moving from Oneness to Orthodoxy. Moreover, when it found its way in the twentieth century, departing from the Trinitarian Pentecostals, it was again rejected by the church. It may be that is the name under which we are baptized. That God the Father and Jesus are inseperably the same person/being/entity/substance/everything. 15:33? 2. It may also be that Father, Son, and Spirit is the name by which we know God. It is an attempt to get around what the text is saying so that their doctrine will prevail. sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven" (Matthew 26:64). Wallace, BBGG, 350-51; Robert Reymond, Systematic Theology, 263. But for a deeper understanding, please view my other posts on this important subject. Against Oneness Pentecostalism: An Exegetical-Theological Critique Paperback - March 17, 2020 by Michael R. Burgos (Author) 15 ratings Hardcover $35.00 1 New from $35.00 Paperback $24.99 1 Used from $19.04 2 New from $22.99 Oneness Pentecostalism constitutes one of the world's largest non-trinitarian expressions of Christianity. He said that God the Father was the One True God of the Old Testament. SeeWas the Trinity Conceived in the 4th Century? Grammatically, when the preposition para (with) is followed by the dative case (as in this verse: para seaut, para soi), especially in reference to persons, it indicates near, beside, or in the presence of.. Notice John 14:16: I will ask [kag erts, first person] the Father, and He will give [dsei, third person] you another Helper, that He may be with you forever (John 14:16; also cf. 2:18). These arguments against Acts 2:38 demonstrate a holistic ignorance of how the OT is fulfilled in Jesus and the NT death, burial and resurrection is performed in repentance . Seek to build a personal and respectful relationship with the Oneness Pentecostal. For example, the Assemblies of God, the largest Pentecostal denomination in the world, has 16 Fundamental Truths. Though, this would also be too simplistic of a reading. Note also that in 14:10, Jesus clearly differentiates Himself from the Father when He declares: The words that I say to you I do not speak on My own initiative, but the Father abiding in Me does His works. To reiterate, the undisputable fact is this: not one time in the New Testament does Jesus (or any other person) state that He Himself is the Father. Hence, exegetically these passages do not indicate that the Son was a mere instrument of creation (as Jehovahs Witnesses and Mormons believe), nor, as Oneness teachers argue, these passages indicate that the Son was only a thought or plan in the Fathers mind when the Father (Jesus divine nature) created all things. Deuteronomy 6:4: Hear, O Israel! He also has a good section on . Exegetically, it cannot refer to the Father thinking of the Son or having the Son in view or in His mind, for Jesus uses the imperfect tense [eichon, *had*), which shows that the Son had or possessed it, not in the Fathers mind. If Jesus were the Father, as Oneness believers contend, one would expect to find a clear example of thisat least one passage (cf. : 5. Author: Michael R. Burgos Jr., Burgos Jr., Michael R. Format: Paperback. 3. This is an important reminder of the need to respond to contemporary . As a former Oneness Pentecostal (OP), Boyd was especially equipped to accurately describe Oneness beliefs about God and their arguments against the Trinity, and as a trained philosopher/theologian he was especially equipped to refute such views. 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. Official Names and Membership (estimates): Apostolic Overcoming Holy Church of God (AOHCG)-13,000 One possessed the gift of tongues and the other possessed tongues for edification. Boyd's arguments are dependant mainly on Scripture but he does take some time to delve into the writings of the early Church Fathers (chapter 7) in order to show that the early church was far . The answers do not represent a *full exegetical presentationrather it simply and basically demonstrates (a) the fundamental Oneness unitarian assumptions (viz. In response, Oneness Pentecostals will tell us that there are different kinds of tongues. Read the entire account. Pentecostalism is a Spirit-emphasizing movement that is characterized by several unique doctrines and practices, including baptism in the Spirit for Christians after conversion, speaking in tongues as evidence of that Spirit-baptism, and the exercise of all the spiritual gifts. Bishop Thomas Dexter "T.D." Jakes (born in 1957) is a popular black preacher and evangelist who is the main pastor of The Potter's House church in Dallas, Texas (founded in 1996), with a congregation of over thirty thousand members. Learn more. If you have a friend who is trying to understand the Trinity, first the worst thing you can you is to confuse him with unclear and erroneous information. 3:11; 1 John 1:3; 2:22-23; Rev. 31; A. T. Robertson, Word Pictures, 4:478-79; and cf. We dont share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we dont sell your information to others. John 3:5 does not explicitly say that one must be water baptized before entering the kingdom. [1] In Phil. This argument can be deflected simply by explaining that the trinity is strictly monotheistic, claiming that there is one God who is eternally present in three persons. If the Son did not eternally exist with the Father as a distinct person why is it that the Son is said to be sent from the Father out of heaven? Throughout the passage, it is clear that Jesus is speaking of someone else. They believe that God is ONE and not one in three persons. Further, turning to 1 John 1:3, not only does John show that believers have fellowship with both the Father and the Son, but the Father and the Son are clearly distinguished as two persons by the repeated article tou (the) and the repeated preposition meta (with): We proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with [meta] us; and indeed our fellowship is with the [meta tou] Father and with [kai meta] His Son [tou huiou], Jesus Christ (see esp. I always say at the onset to one like yourself, who make the incorrect uninformed assertion regarding the triquetra symbol being derived from Wicca, paganism, etc. 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). Virtually all of the great biblical scholars, theologians, and Greek grammarians, historically have been and presently are Trinitarian, not Onenessfor obvious reasons. Second, in 1 Corinthians 14:4-5, Paul speaks about tongues for edification. Note that the emptying did not involve His deity, for Paul safeguards against such an assertion in verse 6: hos en morph theou huparchn (who [Christ] always and continually subsisting in the very nature and substance God; authors translation). But typically, God became a man. Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them. Zen is the ultimate self-help because it helps you see that the self does not exist. Matthew 28:19 also affirms their views that Jesus commanded His disciples to baptize in the name (singular) of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. So there are good reasons to think that the disciples were not concerned with the words that were recited but with the power and authority of the Trinity. Of course, this is a mischaracterization. : (3rd Edition) is a thoroughly researched critique of Oneness Pentecostalism. Recall what I said regarding what Oneness Pentecostals believe about being born again. They place much emphasis on the name of God. If we were in the Court of Law, it would be dismissed as evidence. Before time, with the Father. 14:7, 10, 16; etc.). including terms like Trinity, Unitarianism, Reviewed in the United States on March 13, 2017. There was an error retrieving your Wish Lists. But they gain the "Spirit baptism" in order to be used powerfully in ministry. 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.? Well, Oneness Pentecostalism has a lot of subtleties. 2:5). The assumption that Jesus is never referred to as the Father is incorrect. Does the long ending of Mark vindicate the Oneness Pentecostal position about speaking in tongues? According to the Scriptures, apologetics is Download the Quick Takes with Kevin Podcast to hear NAMB president Kevin Ezell talk with pastors across the country about how to navigate diverse ministry challenges. The Trinitarians won the majority and a "Statement of Fundamental Truths" was adopted that affirmed the Trinity. There was a problem loading your book clubs. Thus, in spite of the arguments of Oneness advocates against the triune God and the the person of Christ, it is the gospel that must be proclaimed to them-, which the power and ordained means of God for setting them free from the darkness of Oneness theology and bringing them to the true Jesus Christ, as He wills. So, he establishes that he is speaking of tongues for edification. John 10:30: I and the Father are one. Scripture presents in plain and normal language that the preexistent person of the Son was sent from the Father (e.g., John 3:13; 16-17; 6:33, 38, 44, 46, 50-51; 62; 8:23, 38, 42, 57-58; 16:28; Gal. Contributing Writer 2022 13 Jun So when a Oneness advocate says that the Son did not exist before time, remember, that assertion is not based on biblical exegesis, but rather on what he or she has been taught by Oneness pastors/teachers. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness. 6:4). Oneness Pentecostals brand themselves apostolic. They will suggest that they are following the model of the earliest apostles. Does this not seem to vindicate Oneness theology? 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). Reviewed in the United States on October 24, 2018. How is that clear at all? McAlister of Toronto, Ont., began teaching that the Trinity doctrine was untrue and that baptism should be done correctly in Jesus name only-not in the traditional trinitarian formula. I will come to you. If an individual believes that there are three gods, then they have, in effect, denied the doctrine of the trinity. This item can be returned in its original condition for a full refund or replacement within 30 days of receipt. Several verses are quoted to establish this view, such as Colossians 2:9 (NKJV), For in Him (Jesus) dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. Oneness theologians would argue that if the Father and the Son were separate, then the Godhead could not fully dwell in Christ. UCJC: Institute of Biblical Studies-Baltimore, Md. Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app. [hereafter BDAG], 225). Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press, 1990. Please try again. In many debates and particularly in his book The Oneness of God, Dr. David K. Bernard argued that the declarations in the Old Testament are so powerful that they dismiss any conception of plurality within the Godhead. Jesus was claiming absolute unity with the Father. After that time, a number of oneness sects formed, most of which were predominately African-American. The term Pentecostal is derived from Pentecost, an event that commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and other followers of Jesus Christ while they were in Jerusalem celebrating the Feast of . , ISBN-13 Modern Oneness Pentecostals garner support for their modalistic view by interpreting Matthew28:19 in conjunction with Acts2:38. . Westminster Confession of Faith, 1:9. He was making claims that no mere human could make. 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. There Are Different Kinds of Tongues Both Oneness believers and Trinitarians agree that the Father is invisible and does not have a physical body. The Global Witness (UPCI) And you are pretexting the passage with no consideration of the context of chap. Biblical Response: The Oneness Pentecostal view of God is similar to the ancient heresy of Modalism. This movement first emerged in America around 1914 as the result of doctrinal disputes within the nascent Pentecostal movement and claims . 1:2). Further, the triquetra has been found on Indian heritage sites that are over 5,000 years old; found on carved stones in Northern Europe dating from A.D. 8th cent. But they would simply amend their argument by saying, But this is clearly what early Christians believed because it is here. So I am willing to grant the long ending of Mark for the same of argument. If an individual believes that there are three gods, then they have, in effect, denied the doctrine of the trinity. . Tate Reeves did in late August. Where in the Scripture does it say that God is unitarian? Mark 16:17: These signs will accompany those who have believed: in My name they will speak with new tongues 4200 North Point Pkwy, Alpharetta, GA 30022, Employment Media & Public Relations NAMB Store. They take this to indicate that Jesus is the Father. distinguished fr. 1:8; Lu. But if Jesus expected him to understand his reference to living water, it follows that he was not teaching the doctrine that water baptism is necessary for salvation. Christian Outlook (PAW), AOHCG: Berean Christian Bible College-Birmingham, Ala. Answering A Few Common Oneness Pentecostal Arguments. 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. 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. It is a symbol of ones identification with the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. 1 Tim. 1:6-7; etc.). I also recommend that you read the series that I linked to at the beginning of this article. If Oneness doctrine (or Modalism) is the so-called doctrine of the apostles, then, why was it universally condemned as *heretical* by the early church Fathers (some of who were disciples of the original apostles) and condemned by all the important church councils and creeds? For God does not share His glory with no one (cf. 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. He disproves Oneness arguments and establishes Trinitarian truth. It is knowing The Bible endorses slavery and oppression. Has anyone ever heard this before? 6. And no time did He refer to my Son or anything of the sort as distinct from Himself! Rather the Son is biblically (exegetically) presented as the Creator of all things Himself. Modalism rips the heart out of Christianityit denies Christ by misrepresenting Him. What's the best argument against oneness Pentecostals, people who believe Jesus is the father, son and Holy Spirit? Against Oneness Pentecostalism: An Exegetical-Theological Critique Michael R. Burgos 16 Paperback 1 offer from $24.99 Christianity without the Cross: A History of Salvation in Oneness Pentecostalism Thomas A. Fudge 51 Paperback 16 offers from $22.99 The name of the Holy Spirit is Jesus. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. How To Implement Apologetics into the Church, The Differences Between the Prosperity Gospel and the Biblical Gospel. On that first day, something looking like split tongues of fire fell from the sky onto the followers of Jesus. But you have the symbol!!! Thus, because God is tri-personal He can be described as both Maker and Makers and as Creator and Creators. He is one Being, not one persona point that is repeatedly brought to bear by the OT authors. This seems to draw support from John 14:18. He was making claims that no mere human could make. The following chapters are spent systematically refuting the Oneness doctrine of God as well as their arguments against the doctrine of the Trinity. They are one in being but distinct in person. That is why he went on to say in verses 19 and 20, Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 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. The Holy Spirit is God applying Third, it may be that Father, Son and Holy Spirit is the one name under which we are baptized. 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.