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Oneness Pentecostalism

Nontrinitarian religious movement From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Oneness Pentecostalism (also known as Apostolic, Jesus' Name Pentecostalism, or the Jesus Only movement) is a nontrinitarian religious movement within the Protestant Christian family of churches known as Pentecostalism.[1][2][3] It derives its name from its teaching on the Godhead, a form of Modalistic Monarchianism commonly referred to as the Oneness doctrine.[4][5][6] The doctrine states that there is one God―a singular divine spirit with no distinction of persons―who manifests himself in many ways, including as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.[7][8] This stands in sharp contrast to the mainstream doctrine of three distinct, eternal persons posited by Trinitarian theology.[9][10][11][12]

Oneness Pentecostals differ from most other Pentecostals and Evangelicals in their views on soteriology, believing that true saving faith is demonstrated by repentance, full-submersion water baptism, and baptism in the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in other tongues.[13] Oneness believers also solely baptize in the name of Jesus Christ,[14] rejecting the Trinitarian formulas.[15]

Many Oneness Pentecostal groups―especially the United Pentecostal Church International―tend to emphasize strict holiness standards in dress, grooming, and other areas of personal conduct.[16] This teaching is shared with traditional Holiness Pentecostals, but not with other Finished Work Pentecostal groups―or at least not to the degree that is generally found in some Oneness Pentecostal (and Holiness Pentecostal) churches that say holiness is to be set apart to God.[17]

The Oneness Pentecostal movement first emerged in North America around 1914 as the result of a schism following the doctrinal disputes within the nascent Finished Work Pentecostal movement (which itself had broken from Holiness Pentecostalism)[18]—specifically within the Assemblies of God.[3] The movement claims an estimated 30 million adherents worldwide.[19] It was often referred to as the Jesus Only movement in its early days—referring to its baptismal formula—which may be misleading as it does not deny the existence of the Father or Holy Spirit.[20]

History

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Perspective

The first Pentecostals were Holiness Pentecostals, teaching three works of grace: the new birth, receipt of entire sanctification, and baptism with the Holy Spirit accompanied by glossolalia. Finished Work Pentecostals broke away from the Holiness Pentecostals before further partitioning into Trinitarian and nontrinitarian branches, with the latter forming Oneness Pentecostalism.[18][21] Finished Work Pentecostals rejected the Wesleyan doctrines of outward holiness and Christian perfection, which Holiness Pentecostals teach is an instantaneous, definitive second work of grace in which the baptized person's soul is cleansed of its original sin and perfected.[22][23] The Oneness Pentecostal movement began in 1913 as the result of doctrinal disputes within the nascent Pentecostal movement,[7][24] specifically within the Assemblies of God, the first Finished Work Pentecostal denomination.[3][21]

Beginnings of the Oneness movement

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Andrew D. Urshan, an early leader in the Oneness Pentecostal movement

In April 1913, at the Apostolic Faith Worldwide Camp Meeting held in Arroyo Seco, California, conducted by Maria Woodworth-Etter, organizers promised that God would "deal with them, giving them a unity and power that we have not yet known."[25][26] Canadian R.E. McAlister preached a "new revelation" that a baptismal formula in "the name of Jesus" only was to be preferred over the three-part Trinitarian formula formula "Father, Son, and Holy Ghost" found in Matthew 28:19, pointing rather to Acts 2:38.[27][28] The revelation immediately caused controversy, with Frank Denny, a Pentecostal missionary to China, jumping on the platform and trying to censor McAlister.[29]

McAlister's revelation inspired a young minister named John G. Schaepe. After all-night prayer and bible study, he proclaimed the following day that he had also received a private revelation against Trinitarian baptism.[30][31][32][33] His judgment was accepted by several others in the camp and given further theological development by a minister named Frank Ewart.[34] On April 15, 1914, Ewart and Glenn Cook publicly baptized each other specifically in "the name of the Lord Jesus Christ" in a tank set up in Ewart's crusade tent.[35][36] This is considered to be the historical point when Oneness Pentecostalism emerged as a distinct movement.[4]

A number of ministers claimed they were baptized in Jesus' name before 1914, including Frank Small and Andrew D. Urshan. Urshan claimed to have baptized others in Jesus' name as early as 1910.[37][38][39][40] In addition, Charles Parham was recorded baptizing using a similar formula during the Azusa Street revival;[41] until 1914, both Parham and William J. Seymour baptized using this Christological formula but repudiated the new movement's nontrinitarian teachings amidst the controversy as they baptized as Christocentric Trinitarians.[42]

In the Assemblies of God, the re-baptisms in only Jesus' name caused a backlash from many Trinitarians. The issue finally came to a head in October 1916 at the Fourth General Council: the mostly Trinitarian leadership, fearing that the new movement might overtake their organization, drew up a doctrinal statement affirming the truth of Trinitarianism. When the resulting Assemblies of God Statement of Fundamental Truths was adopted, a third of the Assemblies' ministers left to form Oneness congregations.[43] After this separation, most Oneness believers became relatively isolated from other Pentecostals and Nicene Christianity more broadly.[4]

Forming Oneness organizations

Main article: Pentecostalism § Early controversies

Several small Oneness ministerial groups formed after 1914. Many of these ultimately merged into the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World (PAW), while others remained independent (e.g., the Apostolic Faith Mission Church of God). Divisions occurred within the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World over the role of women in ministry, usage of wine or grape juice in communion observance, divorce and remarriage, and the proper mode of water baptism. There were also reports of racial tension in the organization. Many African Americans were joining the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World and held significant leadership positions.[44] In particular, the African American pastor G. T. Haywood served as the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World's general secretary and signed all ministerial credentials. Three new organizations were formed in 1925: the Apostolic Churches of Jesus Christ, Emmanuel's Church in Jesus Christ, and the Pentecostal Ministerial Alliance.[45] The former two later merged to become the Apostolic Church of Jesus Christ,[46] and the latter became the Pentecostal Church, Inc.

In 1945, a merger of two predominantly-white Oneness groups—the Pentecostal Church, Inc. and the Pentecostal Assemblies of Jesus Christ—resulted in the formation of the United Pentecostal Church International (UPCI).[47] Starting with 521 member-churches, it became the largest and most influential Oneness Pentecostal organization, reporting a membership of over 5.75 million in 2024.[48]

Oneness theology has also influenced independent Oneness Pentecostal movements that, while not officially affiliated with major denominations, embrace Jesus' name baptism and the infilling of the Holy Ghost as central to salvation.[49]

Oneness theology

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Perspective

Oneness Pentecostalism has a historical precedent in the Modalistic Monarchianism of the fourth century.[50] The early movement affirmed two central aspects of later Oneness belief:

  1. There is one indivisible God with no distinction of persons or components within God's eternal essence.
  2. Jesus was the manifestation, human personification, and/or incarnation of the same singular God.[51]

Oneness Pentecostals contend, based on Colossians 2:9, that the concept of God's personhood is reserved for the immanent and incarnate presence of Jesus only.[52]

Characteristics of God

Oneness theology maintains that God is a singular spirit who is absolutely and indivisibly unitary, not three persons, individuals, or minds.[53][54][55] They contend that the terms "Father", "Son", and "Holy Ghost" (or "Holy Spirit") are mere titles reflecting the different personal manifestations of God in the universe.[56] To Oneness believers, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are three manifestations of one personal God.[57]

Oneness theologians often quote a phrase used by early pioneers of the movement: "God was manifested as the Father in creation, the Son in redemption, and the Holy Ghost in emanation."[58] However, Oneness theologian David Norris points out that this does not mean that Oneness Pentecostals believe that God can only be one of those manifestations at a time, which may be suggested by the quote.[59]

According to Oneness theology, the Father and the Holy Spirit are the same personal God. It teaches that the term "Holy Spirit" is a descriptive title for God manifesting himself through the broader Christian Church.[8][60] These two titles—as well as others—do not reflect divisible persons within the Godhead, but rather two different ways in which the one God reveals himself to his creatures. Thus, when the Old Testament (Hebrew Bible) speaks of "the Lord God and his Spirit" in Isaiah 48:16, it does not indicate two distinct persons, according to Oneness theology. Instead, "the Lord" means God in all his glory and transcendence, while "his Spirit" refers to his Holy Spirit that moved upon and spoke to the Hebrew prophets. Oneness theologian David K. Bernard states that this passage does not imply two persons any more than the numerous scriptural references to a man and his spirit or soul (such as in Luke 12:19) imply two "persons" existing within one body.[61]

Bernard asserts that it is unbiblical to describe God as a plurality of persons in any sense of the word, "regardless of what persons meant in ancient church history."[62]

Son of God

According to Oneness theology, the Son of God did not exist (in any substantial sense) before the incarnation of Jesus of Nazareth except as the logos (or word) of God. They believe that the humanity of Jesus did not exist before the Incarnation, but that Jesus pre-existed in his deity (not his humanity) as the eternal God. This belief is supported by the lack of Jesus' incarnate presence anywhere in the Old Testament (Hebrew Bible).[63] Thus, Oneness Pentecostals believe that the title "Son" only applied to the Christ when he became flesh on earth. The Father in this theology embodies the divine attributes of the Godhead, and the Son embodies the human aspects. Oneness Pentecostals believe that Jesus and the Father are one essential person, though operating in different modes.[7]

Oneness author W. L. Vincent writes, "The argument against the 'Son being his own Father' is a red herring. It should be evident that Oneness theology acknowledges a clear distinction between the Father and Son–in fact this has never been disputed by any Christological view that I am aware of."[8]

The Word

Oneness theology holds that "the Word" in John 1:1 was God's mind or plan. Oneness Pentecostals believe that the Word was not a separate person from God but that it was the plan of God and God itself. Bernard writes in his book The Oneness View of Jesus Christ,

In the Old Testament, God's Word (dabar) was not a distinct person but was God speaking, or God disclosing Himself (Psalm 107:20; Isaiah 55:11). To the Greeks, the Word (logos) was not a distinct divine person, but reason as the controlling principle of the universe. The noun logos could mean thought (unexpressed word) as well as speech or action (expressed word). In John 1, the Word is God's self-revelation or self-disclosure. Before the Incarnation, the Word was the unexpressed thought, plan, reason, or mind of God.[64]

Bernard additionally claims that the Greek word pros (translated as "with" in John 1:1) could also be translated as "pertaining to", meaning that John 1:1 could also be translated as (in his view) "The Word pertained to God and the Word was God."[65]

In the incarnation, Oneness believers hold that God put the Word (which was his divine plan) into action by manifesting himself in the form of the man Jesus, and thus "the Word became flesh".[66] As an extension, Oneness Pentecostalism argues that the incarnation was a singular event unlike anything God has done prior or will ever do again.[67] Oneness Pentecostals believe that the Word of John 1:1 does not imply a second pre-existent, divine person but that the Word is simply the plan of God, which was put into action through the incarnation.[65]

The dual nature of Christ

Main article: Hypostatic union

When discussing the Incarnation, Oneness theologians and authors often refer to a concept known as the dual nature of Christ, which is understood as the union of human and divine natures in the man Jesus. Bernard describes this concept in his book The Oneness of God, stating that Jesus "is both Spirit and flesh, God and man, Father and Son. On his human side, He is the Son of man; on his divine side, He is the Son of God and is the Father dwelling in the flesh."[68] Oneness Pentecostals see this not as two persons in one body but instead as two natures united in one person: Jesus.[69] Oneness believers see the mystery referred to in 1 Timothy 3:16 as referencing this concept of two natures being united in the one person of Jesus.[70]

Although the Oneness belief in the union of the divine and human into one person in Jesus is similar to the Chalcedonian formula, Chalcedonians disagree sharply with them over their opposition to Trinitarian dogma. Chalcedonians see Jesus as a single person uniting God the Son—the eternal second person of the Trinity—with human nature.[71][72] Oneness believers, on the other hand, see Jesus as one single person uniting the one God himself with human nature as the Son of God.

Scripture

Oneness Pentecostalism subscribes to the doctrine of sola scriptura in common with mainstream Pentecostals and other Protestants.[73] They view the Bible as the inspired Word of God, and as absolutely inerrant in its contents (though not necessarily in every translation). They specifically reject the conclusions of church councils such as the First Council of Nicaea and the Nicene Creed. They believe that mainstream Christians have been misled by long-held and unchallenged "traditions of men".[74]

The name of Jesus

The overwhelming emphasis on the person of Jesus shapes the content of a theology based on experience among both Oneness and Trinitarian Pentecostals. In principle, the doctrinal emphasis on Jesus attributes all divine qualities and functions to the Christ. What might, therefore, be called a 'Christological maximalism' in the Pentecostal doctrine of God among Oneness Pentecostals leads to a factual substitution of the three divine persons with the single person of Jesus. At the same time, Trinitarian Pentecostals typically elevate Jesus from the second person of the Trinity to the central figure of Christian faith and worship.[75]

Critics of Oneness theology commonly refer to its adherents as "Jesus Only", implying that they deny the existence of the Father and Holy Spirit.[4] Most Oneness Pentecostals consider that term to be pejorative and a misrepresentation of their true beliefs on the issue.[76][77] Oneness believers insist that while they do indeed believe in baptism only in the name of Jesus Christ, to describe them as "Jesus Only Pentecostals" implies a denial of the Father and Holy Spirit.[76]

View of the Trinity

Oneness Pentecostals believe that the Trinitarian doctrine is a "tradition of men" and is neither scriptural nor a teaching of God, citing the absence of the word "Trinity" from the Bible as one evidence of this. They—alongside the nontrinitarian Jehovah's Witnesses—generally believe the doctrine was gradually developed over the first four centuries AD, culminating with the Council of Nicaea and later councils which made the doctrine as believed today orthodox.[78][79][80][81] Most mainstream Christian scholars have rejected these assertions, and some have rebutted alleged misinterpretations of Trinitarians seeming to support those assertions.[82][83][84]

Oneness Pentecostals insist that their conception of the Godhead is reflective of early Christianity's allegedly strict monotheism, contrasting their views not only with Trinitarianism but equally with the theology espoused by the Latter-day Saints (who believe that Christ was a separate god from the Father and the Spirit) and Jehovah's Witnesses (who see him as the first-begotten Son of God, and as a subordinate deity to the Father). Oneness theology is similar to historical Modalism or Sabellianism, although it cannot be strictly characterized as such.[6][85]

The Oneness position as nontrinitarians places them at odds with the members of most Christian denominations, some of whom have accused Oneness Pentecostals of being Modalists and derided them as cultists.[86][87][88][89] Oneness clergy consecrated into the Joint College of Bishops are also at odds on the grounds of their claims to apostolic succession (being that documented consecrators in succession were Trinitarian from the Roman Catholic, Anglican, and Eastern churches, alongside contradicting records).[90]

Accusations of Modalism and Arianism

Oneness believers are often accused of being Modalistic.[91] They have also occasionally been accused of Arianism or Semi-Arianism, usually by isolated individuals rather than church organizations.[92] While Bernard indicates that Modalistic Monarchianism and Oneness are essentially the same, and that Sabellius was basically correct (so long as one does not understand Modalism to be the same as patripassianism),[6] and while Arius also believed that God is a singular person, Bernard vehemently denies any connection to Arianism or Subordinationism in Oneness teaching.[91]

Oneness views on the early church

Scholars within the movement differ in their views on church history. Some church historians, such as Dr. Curtis Ward, Marvin Arnold, and William Chalfant, hold to a Successionist view, arguing that their movement has existed in every generation from the original day of Pentecost to the present day.[93][94][95] Ward has proposed a theory of an unbroken Pentecostal church lineage, claiming to have chronologically traced its perpetuity throughout the church's history.[96]

Others hold to a Restorationist view, believing that while the apostles and their church clearly taught Oneness doctrine and the Pentecostal experience, the early apostolic church went into apostasy and ultimately evolved into the Roman Catholic Church. For them, the contemporary Oneness Pentecostal movement began in America in the early 20th century during the latter days of the Azusa Street Revival. Restorationists such as Bernard and Norris deny any direct link between the church of the Apostolic Age and the current Oneness movement, believing that modern Oneness Pentecostalism is a total restoration originating from a step-by-step separation within Protestantism culminating in the final restoration of the early apostolic church.[97][98]

Both Successionists and Restorationists among Oneness Pentecostals assert that the early apostolic church believed in the Oneness and Jesus name baptism doctrines. Oneness theologian David K. Bernard claims to trace Oneness adherents back to the first converted Jews of the Apostolic Age. He asserts that there is no evidence of these converts having any difficulty comprehending the Christian Church's teachings and integrating them with their existing Judaic beliefs; however, in the post-Apostolic Age, Bernard claims that Hermas, Clement of Rome, Polycarp, Polycrates, Ignatius (who lived between 90 and 140 AD), and Irenaeus (who died about 200 AD) were either Oneness, modalist, or at most a follower of an "economic Trinity", that is, a temporary Trinity and not an eternal one.[6] He also asserts that Trinitarianism's origin was pagan, quoting anti-Catholic Alexander Hislop, a Presbyterian minister;[99] however, Hislop's arguments have been rejected by historians in contemporary scholarship.[100][101][102]

Bernard theorizes that the majority of all believers were Oneness adherents until the time of Tertullian,[99] whom he and many mainstream Christian scholars believe was the first prominent exponent of Trinitarianism (though Theophilus of Antioch was the first to use the term).[103][104][105] In support of his allegation, Bernard quotes Tertullian as writing against Praxeas:

The simple, indeed (I will not call them unwise or unlearned), who always constitute the majority of believers, are startled at the dispensation (of the Three in One), on the very ground that their very Rule of Faith withdraws them from the world's plurality of gods to the one only true God; not understanding that, although He is the one only God, He must yet be believed in with His own economy. The numerical order and distribution of the Trinity, they assume to be a division of the Unity.[106]

In contrast to Bernard's theory, mainstream Christian scholars suggest the writings of Ignatius and Irenaeus teach an eternal Trinity,[9][107] though Norris disagrees with them in his book I AM: A Oneness Pentecostal Theology, writing, "While Ignatius can on occasion utilize the language of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, he does not have three persons in mind."[108]

Oneness soteriology

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Perspective

In common with most Protestant denominations, Oneness Pentecostal soteriology maintains that all people are born with a sinful nature, sin at a young age, and remain lost without hope of salvation unless they embrace the Gospel that Jesus made complete atonement for the sins of all people, which is the sole means of human redemption; and that salvation comes solely by grace through faith in Jesus.[4][109] Oneness doctrine also teaches that true faith results in obedience, and that salvation is not only to profess faith but to demonstrate it as well in action.[110] Oneness churches, while exhibiting variations, generally teach the following as the foundation of Christian conversion:[4]

Oneness Pentecostals generally accept that these are the minimal requirements of conversion.[113]

Grace and faith

Oneness Pentecostals maintain that no good works or obedience to the law can save anyone apart from God's grace. Furthermore, salvation comes solely through faith in Jesus; there is no salvation through any name or work other than his (Acts 4:12). Oneness teaching rejects interpretations that hold that salvation is given automatically to the elect; they believe that all humans are called to salvation, and "whosoever will, may come" (Revelation 22:17).[14][114]

While salvation is indeed a gift in Oneness belief, it must be received.[13] This reception of salvation is generally considered conversion and is accepted in most evangelical Protestant churches. The first mandate is true faith in Jesus, demonstrated by obedience to God's commands and a determination to submit to his will in every aspect of life. Oneness adherents reject the notion that one may be saved through what they call mental faith: mere belief in Jesus without life-changing repentance or obedience. Thus, they emphatically reject the idea that one is saved through praying the Sinner's prayer, but rather the true saving faith and change of life declared in scripture. Oneness Pentecostals have no issue with the prayer itself but deny that it alone represents saving faith, believing the Bible accordingly mandates repentance, baptism by water and spirit with receipt of the Holy Spirit as a manifestation of the spirit part of the rebirth experience and the actual, godly faith obeyed and done by the early Church's believers. Thus, one who has truly been saved will gladly submit to the biblical conditions for conversion. According to these believers, Jesus and the apostles taught that the new birth experience includes repentance and baptism in both water and God's Spirit.[115]

Repentance

Oneness Pentecostals maintain that salvation is not possible without repentance. While repentance is, in part, godly sorrow for sin, it is as much a complete change of heart and mind toward God and his word. This is why Oneness churches expect a complete reformation of life in those who have become Christians.[116]

Water baptism

Oneness Pentecostals believe that water baptism is an essential component of salvation, not merely a symbolic act.[117] They cite Acts 2:38, where Peter says to "be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins" as evidence that baptism is necessary for the forgiveness of sins.[118] They also appeal to passages such as Mark 16:16 ("He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved") and John 3:5, where Jesus states, "Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God," interpreting "born of water" as a direct reference to baptism.[119] Oneness Pentecostals reject the idea that baptism is a mere public declaration of faith, arguing that it plays an active role in salvation by uniting believers with Christ and applying his atoning blood.[120] They cite Romans 6:3-4, which states that believers are "baptized into Christ" and "buried with him by baptism into death," as evidence that baptism is the moment when one is spiritually united with Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. Similarly, they reference 1 Peter 3:21, which states that "baptism doth also now save us," reinforcing their belief that baptism is not optional but an integral part of the salvation process.[121] Oneness Pentecostals also insist that baptism must be preceded by faith and repentance, rejecting infant baptism and baptisms performed by compulsion.[122][123][113]

This doctrinal emphasis on baptism as a salvific act is one of the key distinctions between Oneness Pentecostals and many other Protestant groups, which often view baptism as an outward testimony of an already completed salvation rather than an essential step in the process of being saved.[120]

Baptismal mode

Main article: Immersion baptism

Oneness Pentecostal theology maintains the literal definition of baptism as being completely immersed in water. They believe that other modes have no biblical basis or are based upon inexact Old Testament rituals and that their mode is the only one described in the New Testament.[124] The Articles of Faith of the UPCI state that "the scriptural mode of baptism is immersion and is only for those who have fully repented."[125]

Baptismal formula

Main article: Baptism in the name of Jesus

Oneness adherents believe that for water baptism to be valid, one must be baptized "in the name of Jesus Christ",[126] rather than the Trinitarian baptismal formula "in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."[15] This is referred to as the "Jesus' name doctrine". "Jesus' name" is a description used to refer to Oneness Pentecostals and their baptismal beliefs.[4]

Oneness Pentecostals mainly center their belief around the baptismal formula found in Acts 2:38: "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." Other passages cited include:[127]

  • Acts 8:16 – Samaritans were baptized "in the name of the Lord Jesus."
  • Acts 10:48 – Cornelius and his household were commanded to be baptized "in the name of the Lord."
  • Acts 19:5 – Disciples of John the Baptist were re-baptized "in the name of the Lord Jesus."
  • Acts 22:16 – Paul was baptized "calling on the name of the Lord"

Oneness Pentecostals assert that these five mentions of baptism in the Book of Acts were performed in the name of Jesus and that no Trinitarian formula is ever referred to therein.[128] In addition, 1 Corinthians 1:13 is taken by Oneness Pentecostals to indicate baptism in Jesus' name as well;[127][129] Oneness author William Arnold III explains their reasoning: "If we follow Paul's train of thought, his obvious implication is 'No, Christ was the one crucified for you and so you were baptized in the name of Christ.' So the believers at Corinth as well as those in Rome were baptized in Jesus' name."[130] Hence, Oneness believers claim that this constitutes proof that the Jesus name formula was the original one and that the Trinitarian invocation was erroneously substituted for it later. As additional support for their claim, Oneness Pentecostals also cite editions of Britannica, the Catholic Encyclopedia, Interpreter's Bible, and various scholars to justify this claim;[131][132] Norris teaches that "there is a strong scholarly consensus that the earliest Christian baptism was practiced in Jesus' name."[133]

In contrast, the Didache—a Jewish Christian text generally dated to the first century AD—cites the Trinitarian formula.[134][135][136] In response, some Oneness Pentecostals deride the text and support the now less common assertion of it being a second-century text;[137] they also consider it untrustworthy, citing one manuscript existing (though a Latin manuscript was discovered in 1900).[138]

Mainstream Trinitarian Christians exegete "in the name of Jesus Christ" as by the "authority of Jesus," which denotes baptism in the name of the three persons of the Trinity.[139][140] In response, Oneness Pentecostals have claimed that the wording of Acts 22:16 requires an oral invocation of the name of Jesus during baptism (calling on the name of the Lord). They also assert that the way one exercises the authority of Jesus is by using his name, pointing to the healing of the lame man at the Gate Beautiful in Acts 3 as an example of this.[141][142]

View of Matthew 28:19

Oneness Pentecostals insist that there are no New Testament references to baptism by any other formula—save in Matthew 28:19, which most hold to be another reference to baptism in the name of Jesus.[60] Although Matthew 28:19 seems to mandate a Trinitarian formula for baptism, Oneness theology avows that since the word "name" in the verse is singular, it must refer to Jesus, whose name they believe to be that of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.[129][143] Oneness believers insist that all Bible's texts on the subject must be in complete agreement with each other; thus, they say that either the apostles disobeyed the command they had been given in Matthew 28:19 or they correctly fulfilled it by using the name of Jesus.

Some Oneness believers consider that the text of Matthew 28:19 is not original, quoting various scholars and the early Church historian Eusebius, who referred to this passage at least eighteen times in his works.[144][145][146] Eusebius' text reads: "go and make disciples of all nations in my name, teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I commanded you."[147] However, most Oneness believers accept the full Matthew 28:19 as an authentic part of the original text.[148]

Baptism of the Holy Spirit

Oneness Pentecostals believe that the baptism of the Holy Spirit is a free gift commanded for all.[149] They believe that the baptism of the Holy Spirit is an essential component of salvation, asserting that receiving the Holy Spirit evidenced by speaking in tongues directly fulfills the New Testament mandate.[150] This distinguishes their theology from classical Trinitarian Pentecostalism: while Oneness and Trinitarian Pentecostals emphasize the importance of Spirit baptism, they diverge on its role in salvation. Trinitarian Pentecostals, such as those in the Assemblies of God, teach that the baptism of the Holy Spirit is a subsequent experience meant for empowerment, not necessarily required for salvation.[151] In contrast, Oneness Pentecostals maintain that one must be baptized in the Holy Spirit with the initial sign of speaking in tongues to be truly born again.[149] Oneness Pentecostals cite biblical passages such as John 3:5 ("Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God") and Romans 8:9 ("Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his") to support their belief that Spirit baptism is a requirement for salvation.[13]

Pentecostals—both Oneness and Trinitarian—maintain that the Holy Spirit experience denotes the genuine Christian Church and empowers the believer to accomplish God's will. Like most Pentecostals, Oneness believers maintain that the initial sign of the infilling Holy Spirit is speaking in tongues and that the New Testament mandates this as a minimal requirement. They equally recognize that speaking in tongues is a sign to unbelievers of the Holy Spirit's power and is to be actively sought after and utilized, especially in prayer. However, this initial manifestation of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:7) is seen as distinct from the gift of divers kinds of tongues mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12:10, which is given to selected spirit-filled believers as the Holy Spirit desires. Oneness adherents assert that receipt of the Holy Spirit (manifested by speaking in tongues) is necessary for salvation.[149]

Practices

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Perspective

Worship

In common with other Pentecostals, Oneness believers are known for their charismatic style of worship. Oneness Pentecostal worship is characterized by expressive congregational participation, including verbal praises, prayers, singing accompanied by musical instruments, and energetic preaching.[152] They believe that the spiritual gifts found in the New Testament are still active in the church; hence, services are often spontaneous, being punctuated at times with acts of speaking in tongues, interpretation of tongues, prophetic messages, and the laying on of hands for the purposes of healing.[153] Oneness believers, like all Pentecostals, are characterized by their practice of speaking in other tongues.[87][154] In such ecstatic experiences a Oneness believer may vocalize fluent unintelligible utterances (glossolalia), or articulate a natural language previously unknown to them (xenoglossy).[155]

Some Oneness Pentecostals practice foot washing, often in conjunction with their celebration of communion, as Jesus Christ did with his disciples at the Last Supper.[156]

Holiness standards

Many Oneness Pentecostal groups emphasize holiness standards in dress, grooming, and conduct. This is a teaching similar to traditional Holiness Pentecostals but distinct from other Finished Work Pentecostals.[17]

Historical development

Main article: Outward holiness § History

The doctrine of outward holiness originated in Methodism. The early Methodists wore plain dress, with Methodist clergy condemning "high headdresses, ruffles, laces, gold, and 'costly apparel' in general".[157] John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist movement, recommended that Methodists read his thoughts On Dress, in which he detailed acceptable types and colors of fabrics, in addition to "shapes and sizes of hats, coats, sleeves, and hairstyles".[158] In that sermon, John Wesley expressed his desire for Methodists: "Let me see, before I die, a Methodist congregation, full as plain dressed as a Quaker congregation."[159] He also taught, with respect to Christian headcovering, that women, "especially in a religious assembly", should "keep on her veil".[160][161]

This Methodist doctrine continues to be taught (in varying degrees) in conservative Methodist denominations aligned with the holiness movement, such as the Fellowship of Independent Methodist Churches and the Allegheny Wesleyan Methodist Connection. The 1858 Wesleyan Methodist Book of Discipline stated,

We would not only enjoin on all who fear God plain dress, but we would recommend to our preachers and people, according to Mr. Wesley's views expressed in his sermon on the inefficiency of Christianity, published but a few years before his death, and containing his matured judgment, distinguishing plainness—Plainness which will publicly comment them to the maintenance of their Christian profession wherever they may be.[162]

The teaching of Methodists aligned with that the holiness movement, where outward holiness is a testimony of a Christian believer's regeneration, done in obedience to God.[163] This teaching was inherited by Holiness Pentecostalism at its inception, incorporating this Wesleyan theology alongside Holiness Pentecostal's insistence on a third work of grace.[164][165]

Though Oneness Pentecostals emerged from the Finished Work Pentecostalism movement that rejected the Wesleyan and Holiness Pentecostal doctrine of entire sanctification as an instantaneous, definite second work of grace, Oneness Pentecostals did retain the original Holiness Pentecostal practice of holiness standards.[18][22][23]

Oneness teachings

Oneness Pentecostals believe that a Christian's lifestyle should be characterized by holiness.[4] In their view, this holiness begins at baptism, when the blood of Christ washes away all sin and a person stands before God truly holy for the first time in his or her life.[166] After this, a separation from the world in both practical and moral areas is essential to spiritual life.[167] Moral or inward holiness consists of righteous living, guided and powered by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Practical or outward holiness for many Oneness believers involves certain holiness standards that dictate, among other things, modest apparel and gender distinction.[168]

Oneness Pentecostals believe wholeheartedly in dressing modestly. They believe there is a distinct deference to God's commands in living modestly (shunning indecency) and in moderation (avoiding excesses and extremes).[169] They justify this belief by using 1 Timothy 2:9 ("In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel") and Philippians 4:5 ("Let your moderation be known unto all men").[170] Some Oneness organizations, considering current social trends in fashion and dress to be immoral, have established dress codes for their members. These guidelines are similar to those used by all Pentecostal denominations for much of the first half of the 20th century.[4] According to UPCI standards, women are generally expected not to wear pants, make-up, form fitting clothing, jewelry, or to cut their hair; while men are expected to be clean-shaven, short-haired, and are expected to wear long sleeve shirts (women are also expected to wear long sleeve dresses or blouses) and long-legged pants, as opposed to shorts.[16] Additionally, some Oneness organizations strongly admonish their members not to watch secular movies or television.[171] However, the precise degree to which these standards are enforced varies from church to church and even from individual to individual within the movement.

Due to the comparative strictness of their standards, Oneness Pentecostals are often accused of legalism by some Christians.[172] Oneness denominations respond by saying that holiness is commanded by God and that it follows salvation, rather than causes it.[167] They say holiness proceeds from love rather than duty and is motivated by the holy nature imparted by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.[173] While the Christian life is indeed one of liberty from rules and laws, that liberty does not negate one's responsibility to follow scriptural teachings on moral issues, many of which were established by Jesus and the apostles themselves.[174]

Notable adherents

See also

References

Further reading

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