This book is well researched and more than enough to satisfy any challenges to the Trinitarian position. Reviewed in the United States on February 6, 2021. 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. Check out John 14:8-9, Philip said, Show us the Father and that will be enough. Jesus said to him, Have I been with you such a long time, and yet you have not known Me Philip? Assemblies of the Lord Jesus, Inc. (ALJI)-50,000 There is no grammatical way to disconnect tongues from the rest of the elements of that list. Regardless, handling snakes or drinking poison is a misuse of that Scripture and has resulted in the deaths of many practitioners. Oneness theology is the doctrine that the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are not distinct persons. John 14:9 Oneness people routinely quote this passage (usually in the same breath with John 10:30), as though it was part of the passage. Indiana Bible College-Seymour, Ind. Jesus is a perfect representation of the person of the Father. So, you appeal to v. 9, to assume Jesus is the person of the Father, but a verses later (v. 23), Jesus clearly affirms His deity as Son in distinction from the Father: Jesus answered and said to him, If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and MY FATHER will love him, and pros auton eleusometha [to him WE will come] and monn par autw poisometha [at home with him, WE will Make].. Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations. John 3:13; 6:38, 46, 62; 8:23, 38, 42; 16:28). 9. How would you be able to tell the difference? So Christians should strive to do the objective research, in order that they not provide bad untruthful arguments and appear unread. Pray and trust the Holy Spirit to lead you as you share. Oneness Pentecostalism constitutes one of the world's largest non-trinitarian expressions of Christianity. Further, the idiom in the name of does not always refer to a reciting of the name. Hence When Jesus said, He who has seen Me has seen the Father, the only thing His disciples literally saw was Jesus physical body. 2:6-11). Phil. The triquetra symbol is also found in Norse Viking artifacts such as combs and saddles; found on a Norwegian coin from around the 11th cent. asserting that God is one person) and (b) the basic theological errors of Oneness theology (e.g., denying the deity of the Son). Salvation is entirely based on grace through faith in Christ. Texas Bible College-Houston, Texas. 4. Today it is predominately African-American and is headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana. Paul said these things are spiritually discerned. 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 . The proper mode is immersion in the triune name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Oneness Pentecostalism (also known as Apostolic or Jesus' Name Pentecostalism [citation needed]) refers to a grouping of denominations and believers within Pentecostal Christianity, all of whom subscribe to the nontrinitarian theological doctrine of Oneness. Oneness theology rejects that the Son was the actual Creator. The Nicene Creed has defined historical orthodoxy for centuries. . [hereafter BDAG], 225). 42:8). This movement denies the Trinity, arguing instead that Jesus is himself the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. 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. 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. That specific doctrine was foreign to the Old Testament. Hence, the Son emptied Himself by means of His incarnation (cf. 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. 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? v. 6), they could really see (i.e., know/recognize, cf. Nicodemus was perplexed by what Jesus said to him. a. Spatial: near, beside, b. Hence, it is God the Son who is the very image of the invisible Father (cf. Thus, any objection to the triquetra as use by Christians would be inconsistent and historically ignorant lacking any meaningful basic research on the triquetra and its origins in religious and non-religious usage. There are two basic strategies that Oneness Pentecostals use for arguing for the conclusion that Jesus is God and Father. ' Note the first person plural verbs (eleusometha, We will come, and poisometha, We will make). Oneness Pentecostal churches are, therefore, cultic in nature and outside the theological parameters of historic Christianity. 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. The same grammatical distinctions are observed in 2 Corinthians 13:14:The grace of the [tou] Lord Jesus Christ, and [kai] the love of God [tou theou (lit. Nevertheless, they are the same person, not two separate persons. 2021 North American Mission Board, SBC. The participle describes the means or manner of the emptying. also Walter Bauers, A Greek English Lexicon of the New Testament, 3rd ed. , Language : Paper. There are many other passages where this construction applies clearly denoting distinction between the persons in the Trinity (e.g., 1 Thess. Is this even a good argument that Jesus was God? Tate Reeves did in late August. Significantly, there are two instances in which that pattern is broken. 8. 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. 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. John 3:5: Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. with v. 9) out and then pretext into them a modalistic understandingwe call this eisegesis. , Paperback Matthew 28:19 clearly reflects the trinitarian concept that the name (authority and characteristics) of the one God is incorporated in the three Persons of the Godhead: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (see 1 Cor. If an individual believes that there are three gods, then they have, in effect, denied the doctrine of the trinity. "Against Oneness Pentecostalism -- An Exegetical-Theological Critique," by Michael Burgos, is a must-read for any serious-minded Christian who wants to be better informed and better equipped to sanctify Christ as Lord whenever the opportunity is presented to defend the biblical doctrine of Trinitarianism. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. When they see Jesus raised from the dead, they will realize that he is in the Father and the Father is in him. Oneness Pentecostals take issue with the Trinity doctrine chiefly for its use of the term "person." ), we embrace the Christian significancenot its origin. Recall what I said regarding what Oneness Pentecostals believe about being born again. . He disproves Oneness arguments and establishes Trinitarian truth. . Yadon: and the Vanishing Theological Past in Oneness Pentecostalism, Our God is Triune: Essays in Biblical Theology. Disagreement over the Trinity vs. Oneness of God and water baptism caused the original split of Oneness Pentecostals from the Assemblies of God in 1916. The Son said that He *HAD* glory *before* timewith (para) the Father. The Holy Spirit is God applying 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. Many trinitarians, unfortunately, have never heard of these arguments before. Oneness Pentecostals brand themselves apostolic. They will suggest that they are following the model of the earliest apostles. Oneness adherents (along with Muslims and Jehovahs Witnesses) wrongly assume that the concept or word one when referring to God (e.g., Deut. Michael Burgos Jr., Against Oneness Pentecostalism: An Exegetical-Theological Critique (Winchester, CT: Church Militant, 2016). Jesus asked in verse 11, Are you the teacher of Israel and do not understand these things? Nicodemus should have understood as the teacher of Israel. 2:8-9; Titus 3:5). And hey, while we're doing that, let's look at Southe. Oneness Pentecostals believe that the trinity is ONLY one entity. : Brother Burgos carefully and respectfully dismantles the misguided half truths of Oneness doctrine. Use Amazon Smile for all your purchases to support the Department of Christian Defense. There is no indication that it, or any other spiritual gift, is required to receive Gods gift of salvation by grace or to be filled with His Holy Spirit (see Eph. For example, many in UPCI consider the writings of Frank Ewart and John G. Scheppe as authoritative. 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. In verse 4, he writes that the person who speaks in tongues edifies himself. 3:7.). Sphere: in the sight of, before (someone), c. Association: with (someone/something) (BBGG). Here's what you should know about Pentecostal Oneness. They maintain that the only real person in the Godhead is Jesus. The Pentecostal arguments defending this special blessing are interesting and important. Oneness Pentecostal Sources of Authority: Oneness Pentecostals of all branches affirm the authority of the Bible for doctrine. 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. Well, in verse 18, Jesus is talking about the resurrection. When somebody is born again, they will show the evidence of speaking with new tongues. Thus, those churches adhering to its basic doctrines cannot be regarded as authentically Christian. Oneness Pentecostals are vehement anti-trinitarians who commonly maintain that the doctrine of the trinity states that there are three gods. In John 1:18, John wrote, No one has seen God at any time; the only begotten God who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him. Jesus is the only begotten God and he is at the Fathers side, and he explains him. Rather the Son is biblically (exegetically) presented as the Creator of all things Himself. 14:7, 10, 16; etc.). 1. Against Oneness Pentecostalism: An Exegetical-Theological Critique Author Michael Burgos Publisher Church Militant Publications, 2016 ISBN 0692644067, 9780692644065 Length 246 pages Export. 32 To illustrate their arguments against Oneness groups, the following quotes from a book on cults by Bruce Tucker, an evangelical author, are Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability Accredited. Against Oneness Pentecostalism: An Exegetical-Theological Critique. The Oneness Pentecostal is making the claim that everybody who was filled with the Spirit also spoke in tongues. John 14:9: He who has seen Me has seen the Father. . Though, this would also be too simplistic of a reading. If the Son has not eternally existed with (personally distinct from) the Father why then is the Son presented as the agent of creation, that is, the Creator Himself? Note: there are many places in the OT where God is presented as multi-personal (e.g., plural nouns, verbs, nouns, prepositions, and plural adjectives were used of God, i.e., Us, Our, in Gen. 1:26-27; 3:22; 11:7-9; Isa. 15:33? Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. The Bible Way News Voice (Bible Way) Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. Mark 16:18 is part of a disputed portion of Marks text. If an individual believes that there are three gods, then they have, in effect, denied the doctrine of the trinity. 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? The Paradox of Sonship: Christology in the Epistle to the Hebrews (Studies in Chris We Become What We Worship: A Biblical Theology of Idolatry, Neo-Calvinism: A Theological Introduction, Why We're Catholic: Our Reasons for Faith, Hope, and Love, Oneless Oneness: Tao as an Existential Remedy (Unlock Tao), Bridges Between US: A Pathway to Unity Through Faith, Empathy & Mutual Understanding, Your recently viewed items and featured recommendations, $28.30 Shipping & Import Fees Deposit to India. 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. John 10:30: I and the Father are one. There are some who are trained very well in Oneness theology and know how to maneuver through the various arguments and counter-arguments. The Bible teaches that the one God exists eternally in three separate and distinct Persons of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. 2. Reviewed in the United States on November 22, 2016. This is because in Acts 2:38, we see a manifestation of this command. Jesus and the Father are both God. This interpretation is not an attempt to understand the text. For this reason, many Christians have difficulty seeing anything wrong with the Oneness position. asserting that God is one person) and (b) the basic theological errors of Oneness theology (e.g., denying the deity of the Son). . 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. Have a clear understanding of your faith and the Bible. One of the key verses to which they will appeal is Mark 16:17, which tells us that those who have believed will speak in tongues. The block of Oneness ministers present urged against such a move but was overruled. If the Father and the Son are the same person, then the Oneness teachers have a difficult job explaining how the Father and the Son can love each other (See Matt. One possessed the gift of tongues and the other possessed tongues for edification. It would be to cherry-pick the verse that fits into ones doctrine. Oneness Pentecostal churches are, therefore, cultic in nature and outside the theological parameters of historic Christianity. "When you believe in eternal life. In addition, many Oneness advocates rely on the unbiblical revelations received by various Oneness leaders whom they regard as divinely inspired or anointed interpreters of the Bible. For an expanded exegetical refutation of Oneness unitarian theology see Oneness Theology (Modalism). He who has seen Me has seen the Father. If you read on, however Jesus goes on to say, The Father is greater than I. clearly establishing the Trinitarian concept. Matthew 28:19 includes the marching orders for Christians. In point of fact, The triquetra is a very old symbol and dates back perhaps to around 500 BC. 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 Oneness author W. L. Vincent writes "The argument against the "Son being his own Father" is a red herring. Further, almost one hundred and eighty times, Jesus is presented as referring to the Father, My Father, or your Father in the Gospels as distinct from Himself, and at no time does Jesus refer to my Son. Forty times, in the Gospel of John, Jesus refers to Himself as Sent by the Father, but never does Jesus refer to Himself as the Father who sent the Son (cf. This item can be returned in its original condition for a full refund or replacement within 30 days of receipt. 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. Jesus then reiterates (as a corrective) that by seeing Him they can see, that is, know or recognize the invisible Father (v. 9). 3. You're listening to a sample of the Audible audio edition. Official Names and Membership (estimates): Apostolic Overcoming Holy Church of God (AOHCG)-13,000 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. It may be that is the name under which we are baptized. 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. Please try again. The Oneness Pentecostal movements generally teach that to receive and maintain salvation, a person must adhere to four essential requirements. United Pentecostal Church International (UPCI)-500,000 (1.5 million worldwide), Other Designations: Jesus Only churches; Apostolic Pentecostals; The Oneness Movement; The Jesus Name Movement, Pentecostal Herald (UPCI) He also has a good section on . Michael R. Burgos is an American theologian, author, and pastor. They believe that Jesus and the Father are one essential person, though operating as different modes. 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. 2022 Department of Christian Defense There is not a single case in which the prophets repudiated anything like the doctrine of the trinity, nor is there any case in which rebellious Israel believed it and convoked the wrath of God. 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. 1986 Oneness Symposium Tape 7- "UPCI: Christian or a Cult?" Robert Sabin Watch on Many small Oneness groups formed after 1916, though many have remained independent. PAW: Aenon Bible School-Indianapolis, Ind. It is very well organized. 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. . While pastors generally understand apologetics, we often misunderstand the apologist. Deuteronomy 6:4: Hear, O Israel! It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness. Now revised, updated, and expanded. an outline of some early heresies in the Church. [1] In Phil. III. I will come to you. No Christian used it as a pagan symbol, in the same way no Christian uses a calendar today on their wall to exalt the pagan gods of the days and months it representsthus, calendars were factually derived from pagan in origins. Why did I do this? His knowledge of living water from the Old Testament (Jeremiah 2:13, Isaiah 12:3, 58:11, etc) should have informed him. 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. Historically, for Christians, the Triquetra represents the Trinity, not its supposedly pagan origins. In 1918, Oneness adherents, needing to develop their own organization after effectively being ousted from Pentecostalism, founded the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, headed by African . . How do you know that your family members or your friends do not merely possess the gift of tongues? 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. They had come to love their Messiah over the years. As with other Christian symbols and Christian holidays (e.g., Christmas, Easter, cross, etc. Is there an argument that you would like to see addressed? 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). 8. When it comes to implementing apologetics into the local church, it is important to know that Charles Spurgeon said, Discernment is not knowing the difference between right and wrong. . But standing by the cross [para t staur] of Jesus were His mother, and His mothers sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.. Unable to add item to List. Oneness Pentecostals believe that there is one God and God is one. 5:18). In 1913, one popular teacher, R.E. (3rd Edition) is a thoroughly researched critique of Oneness Pentecostalism. : Clarence L. Haynes Jr. But in spite of where or when it first appeared, it has been associated to a vast number of meanings through time. 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? Nevertheless, the requirements for outward adherence to a strict moral code in order to maintain salvation inevitably leads to legalism and a lack of assurance of eternal life. In this piece he critically interacts with the following argument of mine ( from this blog post ). Throughout time God manifested himself in three ways or "forms" (not persons), as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. He says in verse 14 that he will ask the Father, and the Father will send the Holy Spirit. While many studies have been written to provide a critique of other heterodox Christian groups (e.g., Jehovah's Witnesses, the LDS Church), there is a general lack of careful scholarship examining the theological claims of Oneness Pentecostals. Its pagan, with pagan origins. Praxeus taught a doctrine know as patripassionisma belief that says that the Father died on the cross. They take this to indicate that Jesus is the Father. Also, throughout chap 14 Jesus distinguishes Himself from the Father. 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. "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. 3. Anyways, I would change that symbol. What arguments do they use to support this proposition? Other preachers, such as Frank J. Ewart and John G. Scheppe, joined McAlister in his non-trinitarian perspective. [1] Glen Davidson, Questions Oneness Pentecostals Don . The context is obvious: by knowing and seeing Jesus (as the only way to the Father; cf. 6:4) has the strict denotative meaning of absolute solitude. 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. Therefore, we may conclude that Deuteronomy 6:4 and the multiple proof-texts for monotheism do not represent a good argument against the trinity. However, like John 10:30, this verse also does not record Jesus as saying, I am the Father. It merely says, He who has seen Me has seen the Father. What is the best way to understand this verse? They do not know how to deal with the texts that are often cited. But that is not quite the point of the argument that I am making. 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 .