1. What is Oneness Theology?
Oneness theology, or “Modalism”, “Sabellianism”, or “Jesus-Only Doctrine”, is a non-Trinitarian doctrine which holds that God is one person who expresses Himself in different “modes” or roles rather than three distinct persons (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit).
2. History and Background
- Early Church Heresy (Sabellianism/Modalism): The roots of Oneness theology can be traced back to Sabellius (3rd century), who taught that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit were not distinct persons but rather different manifestations of one God.
- Early Church Fathers, such as Tertullian, condemned this belief as heresy, affirming that Scripture reveals one God in three distinct persons (Trinity).
- The Council of Nicaea (325 AD) and the Council of Constantinople (381 AD) officially rejected Modalism as heresy.
- Modern Revival (20th Century): In the early 1900s, during the Pentecostal movement, some rejected the traditional understanding of the Trinity and revived Oneness teachings, particularly emphasizing baptism “in Jesus’ name” alone. This led to the formation of groups like the United Pentecostal Church International (UPCI) in 1945.
3. Common Teachings of Oneness Theology
a) Denial of the Trinity – God is not three persons but one person who manifests in different ways.
b) Jesus is the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – The Father, Son, and Spirit are not distinct persons but roles that Jesus fulfills.
c) Jesus-Only Baptism – Baptism must be done “in the name of Jesus” rather than in the Trinitarian formula (“in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit”).
d) Salvation Requires Baptism and Speaking in Tongues – Many Oneness groups teach that water baptism in Jesus’ name and speaking in tongues are required for salvation.
4. Why is Oneness Theology Heretical?
Oneness theology contradicts biblical teaching in several ways:
A. Denial of the Trinity Contradicts Scripture
* Matthew 28:19 – “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.” (Not just “Jesus’ name”)
* John 1:1, 14 – “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God… And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” (The Son is distinct from the Father)
* Matthew 3:16-17 – At Jesus’ baptism, the Father speaks from heaven, the Holy Spirit descends like a dove, and Jesus is baptized – showing three distinct persons.
B. Jesus is Distinct from the Father and the Holy Spirit
* John 17:5 – “And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.” (Jesus speaks of His pre-existence with the Father)
* 1 John 2:22-23 – “Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father either.” (If Jesus and the Father were the same person, this verse would make no sense.)
C. Oneness View of Baptism is Unbiblical
* The Trinitarian baptismal formula (Matthew 28:19) is directly commanded by Jesus.
* In Acts, baptism “in Jesus’ name” refers to Jesus’ authority, not a literal formula. The Greek word “in” (ἐν) means “by the authority of.”
5. How to Defend the Biblical Doctrine of the Trinity
1. God is One in Being but Three in Persons
* Deuteronomy 6:4 – “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.” (One God)
* Isaiah 48:16 – “And now the Lord God has sent Me, and His Spirit.” (Three persons in one verse)
* Matthew 28:19 – “Baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.” (Three distinct persons, yet one name)
2. Jesus is Not the Father
* John 1:1-2 – “The Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (Jesus is distinct from the Father)
* John 8:17-18 – “The testimony of two witnesses is true. I am one who bears witness of Myself, and the Father who sent Me bears witness of Me.” (Two distinct persons)
3. The Holy Spirit is Distinct from the Father and Son
* John 14:16 – “I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper.” (Jesus asks the Father to send the Spirit)
* Acts 5:3-4 – Lying to the Holy Spirit is lying to God, showing the Spirit is a distinct person.
4. Church History Supports the Trinity
* The early Church Fathers (Tertullian, Athanasius, Augustine) strongly affirmed the Trinity and condemned Modalism.
* Nicene Creed (325 AD) – Officially declared that the Father, Son, and Spirit are distinct but one in essence.
Extra Reading:
Only One God
Oneness Pentecostals declare that the Godhead consists of only one Person and deny the traditional doctrine of the Trinity. They maintain that the only real “person” in the Godhead is Jesus. Thus, they are often referred to as the “Jesus Only” Movement. They maintain that God exists in two modes, as the Father in heaven, and as Jesus the Son on earth. Nevertheless, they are the same person, not two separate persons. The Holy Spirit is not regarded as a person at all, merely a manifestation of Jesus’ power or a synonym for Him. 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. 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.
Jesus is said to have two natures: human and divine. Thus, when He died, only His human nature died. Also, when Jesus prayed, it was His human nature praying to His divine nature-not to a separate Father in heaven.
How to defend Oneness theology?
The Bible indeed teaches the existence of only one God (Deut. 6:4). Nonetheless, historic Christianity maintains that the doctrine of the Trinity (or tri-unity of God) is taught in Scripture. The Bible teaches that the one God exists eternally in three separate and distinct Persons of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Colossians 2:9 does not teach that the totality of the Godhead was in the body of Jesus, but rather that Jesus embodied the totality of the divine nature and God is totally revealed in Him. 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. 3:17; 17:5; John 3:35; 5:20; 2 Pet. 1:17), talk to each other (see John 11:41-42; 12:28; 17:1-26), and know each other (see Matt. 11:27; Luke 10:22; John 7:29).
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. 8:6; 12:4-6; 2 Cor. 1:21-22; 13:14; 1 Pet. 1:2). (See the following verses affirming the personality and deity of the Holy Spirit: Luke 12:12; John 15:26; Acts 5:3-10; 13:2-4; 1 Cor. 12:11; Eph. 4:30; Heb. 3:7.)
Witnessing to Oneness Pentecostals:
1. Have a clear understanding of your faith and the Bible.
2. Acquire a basic knowledge of Oneness Pentecostals’ beliefs and practices.
3. Seek to build a personal and respectful relationship with the Oneness Pentecostal.
4. Focus the discussion on the essential elements of the Christian faith. Do not get sidetracked defending your denomination.
5. 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.
6. Share your personal testimony of God’s grace and your faith in Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior.
7. Present the basic plan of salvation and encourage the Oneness Pentecostal to receive Jesus Christ as his or her personal Lord and Savior.
8. Pray and trust the Holy Spirit to lead you as you share.
Resources:
Beisner, E. Cal. “Jesus Only” Churches. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1998.
Bowman, Robert M., Jr. “Oneness Pentecostals and the Name of Jesus,” paper. Atlanta: Atlanta Christian Apologetics Project, 1994.
Melton, J. Gordon. Encyclopedia of American Religions. 6th ed. Detroit: Gale Research, 1999.Dictionary of Christianity in America. Edited by Daniel G. Reid. Downer’s Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press, 1990.
Scripture quotation marked NKJV is from The New King James Version. Copyright 1979, 1980, 1982, Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission.
