The "ONENESS" Pentecostal Doctrine

[WISDOM]

There is a type of Pentecostal teaching that says GOD is not triune in nature, and anyone who believes so is really worshiping three separate gods.  It is also noted in this teaching that Baptism is a necessity for salvation, as is speaking in tongues to "truly" reflect a manifestion of the HOLY SPIRIT in a believer's life.  They also teach the possibility of one losing his/her salvation.  In addition, there is a very strong air of legalism involved in their teaching concerning what one wears (clothing, jewelry, makeup), or watches (television/movies), etc, just for examples, to determine whether or not one is actually a Christian.

I'm throwing this out here simply for discussion of the doctrine, not for personal attacks.  Let's keep it civil.  Now....what are some of YOUR thoughts?

[Timothy]

These things are specifically taught in the United Pentecostal Church (UPC).

[traveller]

I have not heard of UPC, but my great-grandmother was Pentecostal something. She truly loved the Lord, but she was not an outwardly happy person. She always said that she hoped that she would go to heaven to be with Jesus, but she was not assured of it. She was strict in her hair, clothing and demeanor. She rarely spoke and when she did it was in negative tones. She lived alone most all of her life. After the death of her husband in early life, she never remarried. She lived to her mid nineties! Alone! She was tied together by laws. I loved her dearly. I wish that she would have been told the whole truth, so that she could have spread her wings and flown!

sigh  

There is so much work to be done

[WISDOM]

That saddens my heart traveller.  HE came to give us life....abundantly, full of joy.  I'm sorry to read that about your grandmom.

[Dad Ernie]

Greetings Wisdom,

They also teach the possibility of one losing his/her salvation.

You did not state whether or not you agree with this. If you do not, then what do you make of these verses:

Matthew 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Luke 8:13 They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.

1 John 5:16 If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.

Revelation 3:5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.

Revelation 22:19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

Your thoughts?

Blessings,

Dad Ernie

[WISDOM]

Hi DE:

No.  I do not believe you can lose your salvation.  But then again, the issue isn't my belief....it's what is being taught in the "Oneness" doctrine....respectfully.

[Dad Ernie]

Greetings Wisdom,

Would you mind responding to the scriptures I proferred? I am what you might say a Calminian. Both doctrines have their good points and their bad and I lean more toward Arminianism, particularly where OSAS is concerned. You might ask then how can I have any assurance of my personal salvation. To which I would respond that I examine myself daily to see if I am in the faith. Jesus is forefront in my life and it is my hope and desire to honor Him and lift up His Name. When I see things become egocentric, I know that I'd better get back on the right track and place Jesus first.

I have had many discussions with UPC members and many of them are very godly people. I just don't happen to agree with some of their doctrine. I have more of a problem with the holiness crowd than I do with the UPC.

Blessings,

Dad Ernie

[Guest inhim]

regarding the upc "oneness" doctrine......early in church history, there were formative years for doctrine, especially with the addition of non-jewish believers who were not familiar with the advent of YESHUA as the fulfillment of BIBLE PROPHECY.  not being grounded in the TANAKH, some basic understanding  of GOD'S nature was missing, allowing for the importation of pagan concepts, or just leaving a vacuum for confusion to have a dwelling place.  in addition to this, there were early jewish converts who resisted the fact that YESHUA IS GOD, and were called "judaizers" by Paul, for this and other errors.  by the early 300's a.d., with the council of nicea, and it's follow up a few years later, the doctrine of the TRINITY and the co-equality of the GODHEAD was established through much thoughtful consideration and debate of scripture.  the error of "oneness" is easily dispelled by a look at the actual wording in an interlinear hebrew text of Isaiah 48:16.  also we see the TRINITY at work in the first few verses of Genesis with the presence of the FATHER, the WORD("...and GOD said...")and the HOLY SPIRIT.  that's enough.  amen

[byHisGrace]

Hi, I am a Pentecostal Christian but not of the "Oneness" variety.  My brother-in-law is a member of this sect and I would go so far as to say they have cult like tendencies.  Their are 3 major beliefs.  Number one-a person is saved by one verse-Acts 2:38.  They believe a person must be baptised in the name of Jesus, as opposed to the "name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  A person is not saved if they have not been baptised by the correct formula.  They also believe you must be bapitsed in the Holy Spirit-which is when you get your prayer tongue.  If you have not been baptised in this way, you are not saved.  They also believe in dressing very old fashioned.  They believe Jesus has manifested Himself in 3 ways, as opposed to the "trinity", which we believe.  Jesus cannot be three in one but is one with three manifestations.  This is hard to understand, but near as I can figure-they believe Jesus can only be the Father, Son or Holy Spirit  one at a time.  I believe my brother in law is truly a Christian, but he doesn't accept my salvation because I have not been baptised by the right formula.  We have done lots of emailing back and forth on this subject and his heart is closed.

[Timothy]

I'm sorry to hear that byHisGrace. I will pray for your brother.

Here is a passage that shows all 3 at one time;

Luke 3:21-22 Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened, And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.

1. The Father's voice from Heaven

2. The Son being baptized on Earth

3. The Holy Ghost descending as a dove