26 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers were gathered together, against the Lord and against his Anointed 27 for truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, 28 to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place. They think that the words that you recite over the baptismal tank make or break salvation. Oneness teachers would agree that salvation requires putting one's full faith in the Jesus of Oneness doctrine. Yet they are clearly titles. 1. I see five main problems with Oneness Theology as it relates to God as Father, Son, and Spirit. Pay attention to my reasoning, because this is important. (John 8:16-18), Did Jesus learn obedience? Within Orthodoxy There is only one God in all existence. Any time God says something, it is Jesus speaking. Adam was a type of the one who was to come, and Jesus is the last Adam. The problem should be obvious. We are left to say that nobodys wrath was poured out, because the Father was the one who was dying. Don't get me wrong, I love questions. If god is one person, then how does that affect his ability to contemplate? The mediator is a man. Shaliach); The main point of the Jewish law of agency is expressed in the dictum, a persons agent is regarded as the person himself (Ned. 43. Automated page speed optimizations for fast site performance, The problems with Oneness doctrine (Modalism), One Mediator - The essential humanity of the one mediator Jesus Christ, Biblical Agency - A Key Biblical Concept Pertaining to Christ, Jesus Is The Model - Understanding how Jesus is the model for us, I am Statements - Understanding how Jesus identifies himself in the Gospels, Understanding Logos - The true meaning of the Word in the prologue of John, One God One Lord - For us there is one God, the Father, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, Understanding the true meaning of the Logos in the Prologue of John, Who do you say that I am? Jesus came from the Father (John 6:38; 17:1-5); the Father did not come from Jesus. The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit do not represent different persons within the Godhead, but rather, there are different modes that God takes. This means that the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, rather than being three distinct persons, are just manifestations of one person, in the same way that a man can be a father, a son, and an employee. Therefore, the Son created the universe and existed alongside the Father. This seems to me to be more peer pressure than the work of the Holy Spirit. Regarding Revelation 5, If you say the Lamb (between the throne and the four living creatures) is Jesus and God (who sits on the throne) is also Jesus. Oneness Pentecostalism: Heresy, Not Hairsplitting 11 Comments. We greatly appreciate your consideration! Examples of verses for examination if you have discussions with Oneness adherents, you might consider referencing the verses below and asking them which nature is speaking a different times. Problems with "A God Problem" | Psychology Today To start saving items to a SermonFolder, please create an account. (Luke 22:42-43), God has no need to anoint himself. The trinitarian would object to that on the basis that sometimes the Father is talking, others the Son is talking, and others the Holy Spirit is talking. It includes a selection of recent philosophical work on this topic, accompanied by a variety of essays by philosophers and theologians to further the discussion. God cannot give himself as a ransom, as God is immutable and cannot die. 22 Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know 23 this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. How so? Trinity, Oneness, Oneness Of God, 52-week preaching calendar to help you plan your sermons, Customizable sermon manuscripts for verse-by-verse preaching, Preach with creativity and impact throughout the year, Help your church understand God's plan in pain, Call your people to experience a higher freedom, Proclaim the gospel to the ends of the earth. Bernard, Essentials in Oneness Theology, p. 21. That is how the trinitarian will understand these passages. Jesus came into existence 2000 years ago when He was born. Were all three of these distinct persons who do something Jesus? What are the beliefs of Jesus only / oneness Pentecostals? The most terrifying truth in all of Scripture is that God is good. When I ask them for an analysis of John 6:37-39, I get some very interesting responses. 24 they lifted their voices together to God and said, Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them, 25 who through the mouth of our father David, your servant, said by the Holy Spirit, Why did the Gentiles rage, and the peoples plot in vain? Thank you for your interest in supporting CARM. (Acts 2:36), If Jesus is God, why doesnt say that Jesus gave himself according to his will, rather than the will of our God and Father (Gal 1:3-4). In my discussions with oneness experts and laity, when discussing the two natures of Christ, they repeatedly support the idea that within the body of Christ are two distinct persons: God and man. This would mean that there was no relationship between the Father and the Son from eternity, for there was a time when the Son was not. 11 Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities. The human nature is the Son, and the divine nature is the Father. To save items to a SermonFolder, please sign in to your account. They think that since the Bible clearly teaches that there is only one God, this would be a challenge to the doctrine of the trinity. If there is only one person in the godhead, and Jesus is God, does this not mean that He is His own Father? It would mean that God was eternally knowing and experiencing the mutual contemplation of the three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. 36 As for the word that he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace through Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all), 37 you yourselves know what happened throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism that John proclaimed: 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. God the Trinity is the only God worthy of worship.