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Have You Ever Wondered About Oneness?
Oneness Pentecostals are among the most dedicated people of faith. These are Christians who have dared to differ from the religious mainstream and who hold the banner high – proclaiming that God is one – not two or three “Persons.” Their faith – and the understanding that God is one individual – are commendable.
Often known as “apostolics,” oneness believers have held to the understanding that the church today should be modeled upon the teachings and practices of the apostles of Jesus – particularly as we find them in the Book of Acts. This too is a worthy understanding.
Nevertheless, with love and respect, we are convinced that Oneness believers still have further to go to be truly apostolic. In arriving at the understanding that God is only one, they concluded that the one “Person” who is God – is Jesus. They determined that Jesus and the Father are one and the same. Said to be “a mystery,” this idea is actually inconsistent with the teachings of the apostles in the Book of Acts.
What is True Apostolic Faith?
A review of Acts chapters 2, 8, 10, 19 and on, clearly shows that the apostles were proclaiming “Jesus,” not as the Father, but rather as the Christ.
At the beginning of his message on the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2:22, Peter declared – not that Jesus was the God of the Jews come down to them – but rather that he was “Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as you yourselves also know.” Likewise, when Peter concludes his message in Acts 2:36, he does not say that Jesus was their God, but rather that he was the one whom God has “made Lord and Christ.” And, the entire message is consistent with Peter’s beginning and ending declarations about Jesus.
Perhaps the single most pivotal point in the apostles’ doctrine is found from the words “God has made him to be Lord and Christ” in Acts 2:36 to Peter’s command to be baptized in the name of Jesus “Christ” in Acts 2:38. The Greek word translated as Christ is “Christos” and refers to one who has been anointed. Peter declares in Acts 10:38 that God has “anointed” Jesus of Nazareth. To the apostles, Jesus is not God, but rather the Christ, God’s anointed one.
True apostolic teaching in the second chapter of Acts, as well as in the balance of Acts, finds not a single instance in which the apostles were teaching the people that Jesus was in fact the Father or God in the flesh.
So, let us be truly apostolic! Let us preach to the nations the true and complete apostolic message – not that Jesus is God Almighty – but rather that he is the one who has been made “Lord and Christ” by God. “Jesus” is the Messiah!
Questions Answered
Dr. Dustin Smith & J. Dan Gill discuss Jesus’ words in John 2:18-21. Jesus tells the people that if they destroy “this temple” he will raise it up again in three days.
Anthony Buzzard and J. Dan Gill consider Jn. 8:58 & the matter of Jesus and “I am” passages in the New Testament.
“I and the Father are One” – by Sean Finnegan & J. Dan Gill consider Jesus’ declaration of his relationship to the Father and they tell us that it is neither a Trinitarian nor a Oneness statement by Jesus.
Dustin Smith and J. Dan Gill discuss Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 10:4. There they find that Paul is speaking in “types” and “examples.” Christ was not literally a rock which was following the children of Israel around in the wilderness. The rock in the wilderness was rather a fore-shadowing of the real Messiah who came into existence in Mary and whom the Corinthians served as lord.
Joel Hemphill and J. Dan Gill consider “Eph. 4:5” in its scriptural context. What does it mean that Jesus is the “One Lord” of this scripture?
Paul says many great things about Jesus in these verses. Does Paul mean that Jesus is God or a heavenly “super-being” or neither one? Dustin Smith & J. Dan tell Gill us that Paul is saying that Jesus as the true human son of God is the image of God; the firstborn from the dead & co-creator of the “new” creation.
Carey Clark & J. Dan Gill consider Colossians 2:9. Carey talks about how this verse played a role in his coming to the understanding that Jesus is not God – but that he is the Christ of God – God’s son. Carey tells us that the deity in Christ was the Father – but that doesn’t make Jesus himself the Father.
Joel Hemphill and J. Dan Gill consider “1 Timothy 3:16.”
Joel Hemphill and J. Dan Gill consider the “Comma Johanneum” and why the three heavenly witnesses are missing from many translations.
Joel Hemphill and J. Dan Gill consider “Rev. 1:8.” Who is speaking in Rev. 1:8? What does it mean?
Most Recent Videos
EDITOR’S CHOICES
Did Peter Believe Jesus Was God?
Jesus privately asked his apostles, “‘who do you say that I am?’ And Simon Peter answered, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God’” (Matthew 16.15-16). So, Peter acknowledged that what was most important to believe about Jesus is that he was the promised Messiah of Israel, the Son of God, not that he was God.
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FEATURES
LaBreeska Hemphill – About the One God Message
LaBreeska Hemphill, author and gospel music great, shares with her audience some very personal thoughts on faith and the One God Message for which she and Joel Hemphill have become so well known. LaBreeska is the author of three books, is a singer, songwriter and an icon in Southern Gospel Music.
Carey and Jenny Clark: Biography, Articles & Videos
The story of Carey and Jenny Clark spans decades. It is a story of faith, sacrifice and triumph. The Clarks have given their lives in the service of God and people, and in the process have made transitions between countries on three continents. They have also made amazing transitions from their original Trinitarian understanding of God to Oneness Pentecostalism and ultimately to their One God faith today. Click to continue reading the Clark's amazing story and to see videos and articles by Carey Clark.
