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Dave01

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No it is not a fair read at all. Here is a short history of the author of that article.

David K. Bernard is the founding pastor of New Life United Pentecostal Church of Austin, Texas, and the associate editor in the Editorial Division of the United Pentecostal Church International.

United Pentecostal Church International is the apostolic church or oneness pentecostals.

Here are the rules for the section of this forum,..

 
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Mathetes the kerux

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To make my question extremely short, isnt pentacostal 'oneness' saying the same thing as other christians that claim the 'trinity'? if not whats the difference if so then why not just say the same thing ?
Oneness see the distinction in the Godhead as modes verses actual persons (as Trinitarians do).

The problem is how they solve their theology . . . the father is actually the deity side of Christ while the Son is actually the human side of Christ . . . so the Son is really not God at all . . . He is only God inso much as He has the Father present in Him but the Son is not God at all.

Other historic names for this view has been Modalism, Modalistic Monarchianism (vs. Dynamic Monarchainism), and Sabellianism.

To the Oneness adherant . . . the Son doesn't exist until the incarnation . . .

There are other GREAT flaws as well that are in addition to a heretical view of the ontology of the Godhead.

Jesus name only for baptism . . . or your not saved

Tongues essential for salvation

Many UPCI are also VERY legalistic in their pursuit of holiness as well . . . women cannot cut their hair . . . they cannot wear pants . . . neither men or women can wear jewelry . . . not even wedding bands . . . etc. etc. etc.


pax
 
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fields316_2000

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Now im confused. on one hand i have read the arguements regarding 'oneness' which use alot of scripture and it's quite convincing, especially since the word trinity doenst appear in the bible. however the other side effects of being in a UPC church is the legalism and silly over bearing rules. does this mean that the UPC is almost if not a cult ?
 
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Gyorg

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Oneness see the distinction in the Godhead as modes verses actual persons (as Trinitarians do).
Trinitarians do not see the Trinity as three distinct personas?

John 12:45; Colossians 2:9; 1 Timothy 3:16.

Other historic names for this view has been Modalism, Modalistic Monarchianism (vs. Dynamic Monarchainism), and Sabellianism.
e-yep.

To the Oneness adherant . . . the Son doesn't exist until the incarnation . . .
It is noted he is "begotten," Acts 13:33; 1 John 4:9.

On the flip side, 1 Peter 1:18-20; Revelation 13:8 tell Jesus was before the world.
As Colossians 1:12-17; Hebrews 1:3 similarly meet.
Where to draw the line, I'm not completely certain >_<.

There are other GREAT flaws as well that are in addition to a heretical view of the ontology of the Godhead.
*le shrug*

Jesus name only for baptism . . . or your not saved
Ephesians 2:20; Acts 4:11, 12.

Tongues essential for salvation
Wrong perspective.
Oneness, at least the Pentecostal circle I'm in, views the Holy Ghost [receiving/ continuing therein] coupled with tongues.
Act 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
I'm still delving into this subject, though >_<.
And quoting David K. Bernard apparently is taboo >_>.

Many UPCI are also VERY legalistic in their pursuit of holiness as well . . . women cannot cut their hair . . . they cannot wear pants . . . neither men or women can wear jewelry . . . not even wedding bands . . . etc. etc. etc.
I've heard of some churches regarding the jewelry as well wedding bands; but not so much concerning churches around where I live.

About the hair, the better part of 1 Corinthians 11 touches on this.
Pants? Hm. I've heard 'this' and 'that,' but at the moment you got me thar @_@.


pax[/quote]
 
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fields316_2000

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questions

Also with the UPC why is it that it's called 'United' when not all churches are united with their 'standards'? i was told that women in pants they bought in the female section are going to hell. i was told that if a female cuts the end of her hair she is rebellous, even though the bible never says to grow it forever it just says a womans hair is her covering..thats it..
i witnessed a church tell people to take off their rings and buy watches, then after church the ministry guys compare rolex's..

what the heck is going on? im confused
 
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Dave01

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The rules are the rules and it is better that way. They have their own section under the unorthodox theology section of the boards.
 
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Mathetes the kerux

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[/QUOTE]
What up Gyorg?

What happened to our other conversation? Been waiting for you . . .

The Trinitarians DO see a distinction in the Godhead and describe it as PERSONS. My statement wasn't clear. It was supposed to be a contrast and not a equivative.

C'mon bro . . . you can post Scripture citations and have them point to one thing . . . when you know that is not all there is to it . . . there are also other passages that need to be reconciled with your quotes. BTW please give your arguements for the passages that you dropped.

As for the tongues thing . . . the emphasis is that one needs to receive the Spirit for salvation . . . and this is evidenced to Oneness by the manifestation of speaking in tongues . . . this is the evidence that one has indeed recieved the Spirit . . . so if one does not speak in tongues, one does not have the Spirit . . . one is NOT saved . . . hence one must speak in tongues as an evidence that the Spirit has really entered into one in the salvation act. Classical Oneness soteriology. This leads to many filling the altars seeking for tongues so that they can feel assured that they have the Spirit.
 
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Mathetes the kerux

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The rules are the rules and it is better that way. They have their own section under the unorthodox theology section of the boards.
They are not refering to the rules here Dave . . . the OP is refering to the theological arguements of the two positions.
 
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Dave01

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You can ask them under their forum section. Here you will find Assemblies of GOD, Foursquare, Church of GOD, etc, and most of the churches under these denominations do not adhere to such things.
 
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Mathetes the kerux

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Just because the word "Trinity" doesn't occur in the Bible doesn't really mean anything. It is true that a developed Trinitarian doctrine wasn't the goal of the early church . . . their most immediate threat was Docetic Gnosticism . . . the development of the doctrine of Trinity wasn't really solidified until 325-400 AD . . . as the church had to meet the heresies of Modalism (a century before) and Arianism (of much wider acceptance than Modalism).

But that doesn't mean that one cannot catch solid glimpses of the effect of the triune nature of the Godhead upon the authors of Scripture. You will not really find them speaking directly to the issue . . . but you can see in between the lines . . . much more in the realm of systematic theology.

To me . . . the arguement really is settled in two concrete ways:
1. There is a distinction in wills in the Godhead (seen by Jesus High Priestly prayer in John 17) where Jesus prays "not My will but Your's be done." Unless the Oneness allow for schizophrenia in the Godhead . . . there really is NO getting around this one.

2. The mention of the Spirit as "allos/allon" ANOTHER comforter in John 14. Greek has two words for "another" (at least two anyway) . . . allos and heteros. Heteros is another, numerically distinct, and OF A DIFFERENT TYPE . . . hence a man and a woman attracted to each other called HETEROsexual. The two are different. Allos is often used as refering to another, numerically distinct, that IS OF THE SAME TYPE. Determined by context the two are nuanced in this way. John calls the Spirit another NUMERICALLY DISTINCT yet ONTOLOGICALLY (essentially) the SAME. There is no getting around this one either.

The problem is how to reconcile our fierce monotheistic convictions with the apparent distinction in the Godhead. Oneness adherants have chosen some sort of elaborate dance of Scripture citation (without reconciling other portions of Scripture that CLEARLY contradict their conclusions) and weird metaphysical explanations of the nature of the Godhead that really aren't biblical. Where as Trinitarians, with the same goal of reconciling the tension, have chosen a much better hermeneutical and exegetical solution that reconciles ALL the passages without problem and fancy dancing.
 
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Gyorg

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What up Gyorg?
'This' and 'that ^^.' Nearing the end of this first year; specifically the one so dear to my heart *cough.*

Yourself Mathetes the kerux ^-^?

What happened to our other conversation? Been waiting for you . . .
To be honest: I've become scared of the subject. Though, ignorance is no excuse .

Hm. I've thought of some things. Per se, one can believe 'on' whilst not being saved; and the question of what attribute this has to play: within the two works you identify the Spirit enacts.



The Trinitarians DO see a distinction in the Godhead and describe it as PERSONS. My statement wasn't clear. It was supposed to be a contrast and not a equivative.
Understood.

How do you interpret the verses I dropped by the subject they were given under?
True; there is an array of scripture one needs consider before understanding any certain subject (though each verse contributes, and as no one contradicts another: each point according to each verse is important). But to start somewhere I listed such verses.

e-yep. But the mistake many make is seeking the hand of God rather than his face (tongues rather than the Spirit. the Spirit being God's indwelling rather than some language. tongues is not held in some grand regard though, even those of the devil can speak in another language (tongues); though within this subject context is integral. as before I've referenced Mathew 12:29; James 3:1-8; while not specific to tongues, it is a correlation of sorts, I admit).
 
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Mathetes the kerux

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Dear Gyorg . . . God is leading you . . . nothing to be scared of there. Truth is the domian of the Spirit.

Post the arguements per verse.
 
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Brucea

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To make my question extremely short, isnt pentacostal 'oneness' saying the same thing as other christians that claim the 'trinity'? if not whats the difference if so then why not just say the same thing ?
I grew up in an oneness church. I begin to seek God for myself! Oh, the trouble and upheaval of my life. I was kicked out of some churches and black balled by others. I have been separated from my own family members as an outsider.

It was worth every bit of rejection and pain, that I might know God intimately.

No the oneness are not saying the same thing! They deny the truth of 1 John 5:7
For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one.


I'm not convinced that everything a trinitarian says about the Godhead is is true. However, I'm am certain that the oneness have denied the truth about the Godhead.

The Father has life in Himself and has also given to the Son to have life in Himself. John 5:24

You may speak against the Son of God and it will be forgiven you. You speak against the Holy Ghost it will not be forgiven you in this life or in the life to come. Matthew 12:32

Jesus went back to the Father and received the Holy Ghost from Him. This was done so Jesus could baptize us with the Holy Ghost. Acts 2:32-33

In the future Jesus will hand all authority back over to the Father. 1 Corinthians 15:24-28

In the future Jesus will sing the praise of the Father to us and then present us to the Father. Hebrews 2:11-13.

With all of this being said, this is not here most diabolical doctrine! Most oneness have left the confession of faith as the point of salvation. They generally teach that a person is not saved until they have been baptized in the Holy Ghost and have spoken in other tongues. This is most definitely the worst of their doctrine! Jesus said He was building His church upon the confession that Jesus is Messiah. Most oneness pentecostal reject this and call it easy believism.

If you are interested in knowing more PM me.
 
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Simon_Templar

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The difference between oneness and trinity is as follows...

Trinity teaches that God is three distinct persons who are at once, one being.

Oneness teaches that God is one person who has appeared to be three persons at different times in order to fulfill different roles.

In the trinity teaching, God the Father and God the Son co-exist eternally, they are one being, but they are also distinct personalities which are capable of conversing with each other etc etc.

In the oneness teaching God the Father and God the Son are the same person revealing himself in different roles but there is no distinction in personality.

Some classic examples are...

The trinity is like a flame where God the Father is the flame, God the Son is like the light, and God the Holy Spirit is like the heat.

Oneness is like water, where God the Father would be like Ice (solid form) God the Son would be like water (liquid form) and God the Holy Spirit would be like steam (gas form).


The trinity is problematic in any analogy because it is an idea which can't truly be concieved of by the human mind, nothing within the observable world exactly parallels it.

Oneness can be analogized precisely because the doctrine was formed to try and reconcile the portrayal of God in scripture to human understanding.

Oneness is not a new idea by any means, it was well known in history under the name "modalism".
 
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bithiah2

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i was saved in an Apostolic church, (not UPC), the church i belonged to was PAW (Pentecostal Assemblies of the World). actually when the UPC saints came to our church they looked down on us because we did not wear doilies on our heads, and we watched TV and went to Theme Parks, had picnics, went to the beach, swimming etc. some of us wore earrings, none of them did. we did believe many of the same doctrines they did but they were much stricter than we. there were also Bibleway churches who were very strict also. we were probably considered very liberal compared to them.
that being said, i don't think that any of us will fully ever understand the mysteries of God until we see Him in heaven. we try to interpret Him in our limited understandings, and even as correct as we think we are, it's still not enough. i still don't understand it and don't try to. i have since left the PAW because i had learned everything i could learn from them at the time. i don't perceive God as "3", but i know that i am saved and i believe that Christ is the Son of the Living God, and the Holy Spirit is the one who reveals who Christ is.
all of the arguing and debating about God will not change anything...they spent a lot of time doing that and i often wonder if any of them ever grew from it.
well, that is what i have to say,
bithiah2
blessings
 
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Oneness believe that the Father was the only one revealed in the Old Testament.
1. It's NOT possible that someone sees YAHVEH and not die.
2.Exo. 6:2-3, "And God spake unto Moses, and said unto him, I am the LORD: 3And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty, but by my name YAHVEH was I not known to them."

God was seen, it was NOT the Father they saw. It was the son YAHSHUA! God Almighty!
 
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bann917

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This is a subject very dear to my heart. I grew up going to many different churchs. What ever bus came by first is where I went for sunday school that day. My mother was always behind me with her foot in my back to get me out of her hair.
At 14 years old I attended a oneness Pentecostal church. Something was so awe inspiring about it at the time that I kept going back. It was like I could feel love pouring out the doors when I came to church. I've been oneness ever since.
 
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