On the Verge, or afraid to Merge?

On the Verge, or afraid to Merge?

(1 Peter 2:9) But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light:

Each morning I drive to work, and along my journey two highways intersect, and we the driver, are channeled through what is known as a “merge lane”. Now, this sounds as simple as it’s aptly named, all one must do is merge. However, invariably there in the lane made for the “merge” is someone STOPPED, yes that’s right someone is STOPPED IN THE MERGE LANE, their blinker is racing treating the merge lane, like a stop sign or a point in which to yield …

Don’t they get it? They’re not supposed to be stopped, waiting, or yielding!!! They are supposed to MERGE!!!

“PUNCH THE GAS LADY, AND MERGE!” I think to myself or vocalize in the privacy of my automobile…

What keeps people from merging?

Are the insecure?

Do they not feel it’s safe?

Do they not feel ready to do so?

Well there’s a lesson here for sure! I think in some ways it is what keeps us from victory, destiny and purpose… For we are either on the verge, or we’re afraid to merge.

What keeps us from traveling roads that we so desire to travel, from taking land that we want to take…

What keeps us from victory? What keeps us from a breakthrough, from a revival, from a real move of God? What holds us back?

Well, one thing I am certain of is it cannot be God. For through the ages since the dawn of creation it is easy to see from all the work the Lord has invested in us, His creation that God wants to move!

1) God desires to perform His work with us, not without us!

From the Tabernacle, to the cross, from the resurrection to the ascension, from Pentecost to the living Word! We have witnessed a God, who desires to move among us, His people. He desires to interact, and empower you and me, so that we can do great things!

The Baptism of the Holy Spirit, prophesied in Joel, poured out in the upper room, manifest in millions of believers all over the world since the day of Pentecost is proof that God desires to work through us, and has made the provision to do so!

In fact Jesus stated the same anointing that was on Him is going to be on you and I, and as many as the Lord our God shall call. That is proof that God desires to work among us

From the men such as Abraham, Moses, Noah, to men like Peter, Paul and Silas, it is clear and evident that the desire of God is to empower His people for service.

Remember God said you shall be endued with power from on high and you shall be witnesses unto me… to the uttermost parts of the earth!

It was God who said

(Jeremiah 29:11) For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD , "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Why however do we still seem to be in such lack, regarding a move of God?

Why are our altars not overwhelmed?

Why are our pews not crowded?

Why are we not making more noise in our city?

Well Consider the apprehension of humanity.

2) Because the typical first response of the prophet is to run from the call of God.

In every move of God, God had to deal with “apprehension” and that in one of two forms:

1) laziness or 2) insecurity..

I am sure there’s a more eloquent way of wording this, but by and by, these two road blocks are the biggest obstacles.

Consider the all great bible hero’s!

Gideon, the valiant warrior who fought with great faith!

Moses, the deliver escorting the Israelites from the clutches of Egypt the tyrannical enslavers!

Peter of whom the first church was lead!

Jonah, the fiery evangelist to Nineveh!

All of them were men of meager means, and lives, all of them ran, before God made them giants.

For seldom does God choose the noblemen of this world to be the leaders of His battalions, it is those of seemingly little consequence that He plucks from the vineyard of normalcy and then ripens them to greatness!

He has used men and woman worse than, less talented than, and more fearful than you and I…

And through them He has

Split seas

Slain armies

Raised the dead

Through them He has done mighty acts, moved heaven and earth, changed nations and called out a church of every people and tongue! What mighty things God can do through His people!

Christian apprehension for the most part, is due to our lack of confidence in who we are, or what we can be? This is a grave error, one that God often has to correct first, before He can use us, and before he could use the men I just mentioned

We must be forced to see, what God is capable of doing in spite of faults, and shortcomings! A critical lesson is learned.

The weakness of men, platforms the power of God!

(2 Corinthians 12:10) …. for when I am weak, then am I strong.

It is when we are most weak that God can show the greatness of His strength!

It is in that, that we are most inept that sets the stage for the anointing! That platforms a real move of God!

The struggle God had with Moses, Gideon and others is training them not to look to themselves as the answer, the power, or the solution.

We have never been the solution…

We have never been the answer

Jesus is the answer!

Why is that so hard to learn?

Finally

3) We all have that within us that desires to do something great, something special, something noteworthy.

We have falsely labeled that desire as “ambition” and unfortunately, many times, it becomes little more than that.

How sad some settle for mere stardom, fame and fortune. They spend their lives chasing lights, and sound stages… When what waited for them was the real purpose God designed for them. The fire of doing His will.

Some have wasted away, famine’d by the chasing of stardom, and magazine covers… Certainly this sheds new light on why some, who seem to have it all…

Fame

Money

Success

And having attained the dream they become such a mess, doped up, drugged up, depressed, lost and suicidal!

Why?

Because they sought to fulfill the God impregnated desire within them to be something special… by means of worldly treasures.

Their failure to interpret that as worldly gain instead of Godly purpose produced within them despair, feeling unfulfilled, and lost, and many times suicidal…

I promise you God has a plan, and that plan for you was designated before your conception… and nothing will fill that void. Not money, not fame, not notoriety…

So go ahead… man, woman, whomever you are…PUNCH THE GAS AND MERGE!…. Move into the flow of God, get on destiny’s road. There’s a highway or purpose ready for your wheels man, so get the pedal to the metal and start livin the life the Lord has designed!

There Is a Killer On The Loose! Legalism

A famous Oneness Pentecostal preacher once stated about Holiness Dress Standards:

“Standards are designed to be your guard rails – to be your barriers”

His thoughts here have unfortunately found their way into many sermons, stories and counseling sessions… Now, legalism is not singular to elements of the apostolic movement. It can be found just about anywhere, and any church, however this statement best serves my purpose of teaching today, so lets use it as a springboard.

Legalism is: Imposed or implied extra biblical rules – the commandments of men, mandated in an attempt to earn: salvation, anointing and/or favor with GOD. To attain higher levels of holiness by the adherence conditions/ ordinances and/or standards not biblically based, and the disdain or disfavor of those who do not follow said conditions, ordinances, and standards.

In a nutshell these definitions are definitive of legalism….

Legalism, definition number one: "2 Theology. The doctrine that salvation is gained through good works

(Random House College Dictionary, pg. 765).

Legalism, definition number two: "2. The doctrine of salvation by works, as distinguished from that by grace"

(New Illustrated Webster's Dictionary of the English Language, pg. 559).

Legalism is a killer. Legalism seeks to destroy joy, love, peace, righteousness and relationship with and through Jesus Christ. Legalism is the dagger of death in the body of life, and Holy Spirit liberty, it is truly loathsome: scripturally and to the Lord Jesus. It seeks to instill a sense of righteousness or the appearance of righteousness, without really being righteous, and unfortunately it diminishes the potency of the cross. In this manner: legalism is very dangerous.

With great veracity legalism seeks and destroys. It shows no mercy (for legalism knows no mercy) on its victims. It gains its stranglehold on its prey and squeezes till all life is gone….

In defining Legalism and what it is or to further illustrate legalism. The shining example of Legalism is the Pharisees. Let’s take a look.

The Pharisee’s existed in the days of JESUS CHRIST. They were or at least considered themselves to be, the elite in the spiritual horizon of that day. They were the original hard liners, and rule keepers, and makers. They remain the picture of legalism.

They were known for insisting that the law of GOD be observed as the scribes interpreted it and more or at least equally important was their additions to the law, the keeping of their own traditions and time honored customs. They equated these customs and traditions to be as sacred and as powerful as the WORDS OF GOD…

This is one form of legalism

Legalism is imposed or implied extra biblical rules – the commandments of men, mandated in an attempt to earn: salvation, anointing and/or favor with GOD.

To attain higher levels of holiness by the adherence of conditions/ordinances/standards that are not biblically based, and the disdain or disfavor of those who do not follow said conditions, ordinances, and standards.

The Pharisee’s had made the traditions surrounding the law as important as the law itself!

(Matthew 15:8) This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.

(Matthew 15:9) But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

What the Pharisee’s decided to do was to construct a protective wall around the law, the commandments. The reason was to decree greater separation. This wall consisted of many, many additional man made laws. The thinking was that by applying these “guard rails” as they were. They formed a protective covering ,“guardrails”, a help that would prevent one from falling into real sin, or breaking the law.

The problem was that as time went on these “guard rails” became just as sacred and pure, and sometimes of more esteem than the actual commandments of GOD.

The warning of Jesus Christ about the tradition of men that makes the WORD OF GOD of none effect (Mark 7:1-13), is in fact, a direct reference to these “guard rails” They are know as the Talmud, or more specifically, the earliest rendition, and the short version was called the Mishnah, which existed in Christ’s time.

These traditions, these thoughts of men became as sacred as the law themselves, and they in essence made the cross of non effect. Why? Because they relied on their rules for righteousness instead of God.

. Josephus (famed historian of the time of JESUS CHRIST) tells us that the Pharisees had an obsession with "regulations handed down by former generations and not recorded in the Laws of Moses" (Josephus, Antiq. XIII. x. 6)

Jesus continually referred to the Mishnah as the "tradition of the elders" or the "tradition of men" (Matt 15:1-9; Mark 7:1-23; also see Josephus, Antiq. XIII. xvi. 2). And he condemned the practice strongly…. Perhaps this was the strongest admonition and rebuke that JESUS CHRIST made.

Nelson Illustrated Bible Dictionary states:

At some points during Jewish history traditions and the Talmud had been considered equal to or better than the scripture itself. Jesus encountered such an attitude among the Pharisees. Christians must be careful not to make the same mistake in refard to our own traditions(end quote)

Wow! Truer words have not been uttered in regards to Legalism, and the mandate of extra biblical rules to bring about righteousness. It is a false assumption that the WORD OF GOD is not complete and capable for instruction in righteousness.

In fact the bible records these words

(2 Timothy 3:16) All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

(2 Timothy 3:17) That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

Legalism Thinks It Can Earn It’s Own righteousness

Luk 18:9 And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:

Nelson Illustrated Bible Dictionary states:

The Pharisee’s thought they could match GOD’s standards by keeping all the outward rules….. This can easily happen when people think GOD’S will is the same thing as their list of what they can and can’t do…

People who are ensnared in the deception of legalism have the false concept that righteousness is something that is earned. That they can trust in their good works to solidify their relationship with GOD, to become more right in the sight of GOD.

Legalism attests favor with GOD, power with GOD on the basis of personal sacrifices, the bible calls those “dead works.”

One such assumption is “If obedience to the WORD is good, extra sacrifices must be better.”

This however is not true, and it is the same concept held by the Pharisee’s, and we know how JESUS felt about them.

“Why is legalism so dangerous? I mean isn’t it better to be, more, safe? Isn’t it better to be more conservative?” You know “to steer as far away from the line as possible.”

These questions and comments have often been asked to me when discussing legalism, and dead works. They seem harmless enough, almost sensible, but let’s look at why these thought processes are dangerous …

One translation records Galatians in this manner

Galatians 5:4 When you attempt to live by your own religious plans and projects, you are cut off from Christ, you fall out of grace.

Another example

(Romans 10:3) For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.

Herein lays the snare – Those who hold a works mentality or a legalistic approach to GOD, have failed to submit themselves, to the righteousness of GOD. That is the cross of Jesus Christ! They have not REALLY trusted in the saving and transforming power of HIS spirit. That is an important statement. I’d like to say it again:

“Those who hold a works mentality or a legalistic approach to GOD, have failed to submit themselves, to the righteousness of GOD. That is the cross of Jesus Christ! They have not REALLY trusted in the saving and transforming power of HIS spirit.”

This literally means that those in legalism have sought to establish their own kind of righteousness, despite the clear and present teachings of salvation, and the righteousness of GOD in CHRIST JESUS.

They have discarded the righteousness of CHRIST, in exchange for the righteousness they can attain by their own performance. At the very least they have in a non-verbal manner assumed the righteousness and instruction of the bible not quite sufficient, thereby in their mind reasonably adding to His work, as they assume and see fit.

They have not submitted, no they have not SURRENDERED to the CROSS, the righteousness of GOD, and have sought to pursue and maintain their own version of righteousness, which in truth is not righteousness at all! They have sought their own means of anointing.

(Isaiah 64:6) all our righteous nesses are as filthy rags……

Anointing, salvation and other blessings of GOD are solely based on faith in the gospel and the giver of that Gospel. The WORD OF GOD clearly defines what true salvation is and where it comes from, anointing and the entrance into God’s presence, favor and grace, are all applied the same way. They come by faith in Jesus Christ and His finished work on the cross. We must therefore pursue it HIS way, put away the ideas and doctrines of men, and attain it by HIS WORD, and by His way...

Excel08

Sooner or later someone was going to, and probably already has, coined the phrase “life will be great in 2008”, or “Things are great in 2008” or something of that nature. So remember you heard it here first! Honestly though why shouldn’t it be, and why shouldn’t 08 be great?

For this reason I am starting my EXCEL08'd series of posts. Ideas and suggestions for accelerating your life towards your goals... Each week I will blog a new concept to accelerate your life in 08! Let me know what you think!

I think it's time to get up and get going, and "New Years" are good for that; they instill within us the positive springboard of a new beginning. This is a new year, and we can deem it as a new beginning for us, and as we forge ahead, I’d like to make the challenge to you, that you make this the best year you have ever had!

You have 1 year, that’s 12 months, or 365 days, to make this the best year you have ever had! A year of accomplishments, a year of laughter, a year of healing, a year of true joy, whatever the case may. Why can’t this be YOUR YEAR?

A year of leading someone to Jesus Christ, a year of receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit, helping someone have a better life, or perhaps getting involved in children's ministries, or some form of Church outreach, or letting go of those things that have held you back.

What needs to be changed for your life to be excel08’d?

Make a good solid list of things you want to see changed.

Let me make a suggestion; Concept #1 What are some of the biggest regrets you have? Take those regrets, those items, write them down and resolve to change them.

Make your regrets, your resolutions!

What has been holding you back? Perhaps you feel you are to easily angered, or you let others push you around, maybe you’re fat, or perhaps you don’t have a solid prayer life. Whatever the case may be I challenge you to make a list of regrets and then make your regrets your resolutions!

By the power of the Holy Spirit, those changes can come to pass, by the work of the Holy Spirit you can change!

What do you regret about your life, what is that thing that has been keeping you down?

Make the decision, that you can be changed, that God is able, that no mountain is so heavy, He can't move it, no problem so ingrained that He can't change it!

So it’s time to get excel08’d and implement this first concept into your life!

Remember Jesus teaches us:

(Matthew 17:20) .... If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.

Here is what I suggest, get together in a quiet place with the Holy Spirit ask Him; "What are my faults, what is holding me back?" think about your regrets, go make that list of potential changes, that list of dreams you desire, and bring them to the Lord, let the Spirit of God shape and mold you, and then reach by the power of the Holy Spirit KNOW things have changed...

Act in accordance to that change, live it, feel it, imagine yourself in your mind as you, without that hindrance.

When we view the bible and see the list of impossibilities that God conquered and the great things He has done through average men and women, and we realize that He can do anything, not just with them, but with us too! With His power, guess what, we can do ALL THINGS

(Philippians 4:13) I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Okay it's time to Xcel08 your life! Get up, get going, and get er done!

CONTENDING WITH ONENESS THEOLOGY By Bob Beeman

CONTENDING WITH ONENESS THEOLOGY

Pastor Bob Beeman

1. DEFINITION
Those who observe oneness theology are known by several different names. They commonly refer to themselves as "Apostolic" or "Jesus' name" churches. Most outsiders refer to them as "oneness," "Jesus-onlys," "modalists," "monarchianists," "Sabellians," etc. By far, the largest oneness group is the United Pentecostal Church International (UPC, or UPCI) which boasts of over 700,000 members in the United States.

Perhaps the easiest way to define oneness theology would be to make some comparisons. First let's compare it to Mormonism.

Mormons teach a polytheistic view of God in which the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are each three different Gods. That is three persons in three Gods, one person for each God or what is known as tritheism (a form of polytheism). On the other hand, the oneness pentecostals teach only one person in one God. They believe the Father and the Holy Spirit are merely different "manifestations" or "modes" of the one God, Jesus. This is what is formally called modalism. Next, let's compare what the Bible teaches. As will be shown later, the Bible teaches a Trinity of persons in the one Godhead. That is three persons but only one God. This view is called monotheism, because it holds to the view of only One True God.

The modern day version of oneness theology got its start at a pentecostal camp meeting in April 1913 with one man's "revelation" that baptism "in the name of Jesus Christ" (Acts 2:38) was the only correct way to adhere to Jesus' command to baptize "in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost" (Matthew 28:19). This error concerning water baptism led others to a conclusion that Jesus Christ is the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Out of this they developed the notion that the trinitarian view of the Godhead was a pagan invention of the early church councils.

As stated above, oneness pentecostals see the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit as mere "modes" or "manifestations" of God in various activities. During the creation, they see God as being in the "Father" mode; during the incarnation, they see God as being in the "Son" mode; and when working in people, they see God as being in the "Holy Spirit" mode. Any relationship between the Father and the Son is explained as a relationship between the "dual natures" of Jesus, that is between Jesus' divine "nature" and Jesus' human "nature." In other words, when Jesus prays His human "nature" is supposedly speaking to His Divine "nature." They fail to understand that this would mean He was merely talking to Himself. They claim that because "God is one"; any personal relationship between the "modes" of God is not real, but only apparent. As I will show later, this understanding of the Godhead creates a multitude of problems

Oneness pentecostalism has grown to over 17 million adherents worldwide making it perhaps the largest anti-trinitarian movement in the world. (I believe the Mormon church is second with 10 million adherents.) What sets oneness pentecostalism apart from other anti-trinitarian groups is its seeming orthodoxy. Unlike Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses oneness pentecostals teach both that there is one God and that Jesus is fully God. For this reason, many Christians have difficulty seeing the subtle heresies of oneness pentecostalism.

2. PECULIARITIES
Oneness pentecostals have other peculiar doctrines besides their view of the Godhead. For instance, they also teach the doctrine of baptismal regeneration. Furthermore, they teach their own peculiar version of baptismal regeneration. They teach that one must not only be baptized to be saved but one must be baptized only "in the name of Jesus" alone in order to be saved. That is, they deny the salvation of anyone who has been baptized with the Trinitarian formula of "the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost" (Matt.28:19). Oneness pentecostals, further believe that after water baptism one must receive "the gift of the Holy Ghost," evidenced by "speaking in tongues" in order to be truly saved. Oneness theology is further accompanied in most cases by a legalism regarding attire and hygiene. These rules may deviate slightly from church to church but overall they are held as the "standard of holiness" by oneness pentecostals. In most cases, women are required to wear skirts or dresses, but never pants or slacks. Women are not allowed to cut their hair. Women are not allowed to wear jewelry or makeup. Men are not allowed to have either long hair or facial hair. No one is allowed to wear shorts, or anything that would expose the legs. There is also the issue of sleeve length. Most teach that a sleeveless shirt would be wrong to wear, without mandating how long the sleeve should be. Another church may mandate that sleeves be no shorter than the elbow, with others stipulating that they must be all the way to the wrist. Some will teach that your salvation is at stake if you do not abide by these rules.

3. THE DOCTRINE OF THE TRINITY

A. THE TRINITY IN A/G DOCTRINE

The following is quoted from the Assembly of God Statement of Fundamental Truths :

THE ONE TRUE GOD
The one true God has revealed Himself as the eternally self-existent "I AM," the Creator
of heaven and earth and the Redeemer of mankind. He has further revealed Himself as
embodying the principles of relationship and association as Father, Son, and Holy Ghost
(Deut. 6:4; Isa. 43:10, 11; Matt. 28:19; Luke 3:22).

THE ADORABLE GODHEAD

(a) Terms Defined

The terms "Trinity" and "persons" as related to the Godhead, while not found in the Scriptures, are words in harmony with Scripture, whereby we may convey to others our immediate understanding of the doctrine of Christ respecting the Being of God, as distinguished from "gods many and lords many." We therefore may speak with propriety of the Lord our God, who is One Lord, as a trinity or as one Being of three persons, and still be absolutely scriptural (examples, Matt. 28:19; 2 Cor. 13:14; John
14:16, 17).

(b) Distinction and Relationship in the Godhead

Christ taught a distinction of Persons in the Godhead which He expressed in specific terms of relationship, as Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, but that this distinction and relationship, as to its mode is inscrutable and incomprehensible, because unexplained.
Luke 1:35; 1 Cor 1:24; Matt. 11:25-27; 28:19; 2 Cor. 13:14; 1 John 1:3,4.

(c) Unity of the One Being of Father, Son and Holy Ghost

Accordingly, therefore, there is that in the Son which constitutes Him the Son and not the Father; and there is that in the Holy Ghost which constitutes Him the Holy Ghost and not either the Father or the Son. Wherefore the Father is the Begetter, the Son is the Begotten, and the Holy Ghost is the one proceeding from the Father and the Son. Therefore, because these three persons in the Godhead are in a state of unity, there is but one Lord God Almighty and His name one.

John 1:18; 15:26; 17:11, 21; Zech !4:9.

(d) Identity and Cooperation in the Godhead

The Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost are never identical as to Person; nor confused as to relation; nor divided in respect to the Godhead; nor opposed as to cooperation.
The Son is in the Father and the Father is in the Son as to relationship. The Son is with the Father and the Father is with the Son, as to fellowship. The Father is not from the Son, but the Son is from the Father, as to authority. The Holy Ghost is from the Father and the Son proceeding, as to nature, relationship, cooperation and authority. Hence, neither Person in the Godhead either exists or works separately or independently of the
others. John 5:17-30, 32, 37; John 8:17, 18

(e) The Title, Lord Jesus Christ

The appellation, "Lord Jesus Christ," is a proper name. It is never applied, in the New Testament, either to the Father or to the Holy Ghost. It therefore belongs exclusively to the Son of God Rom 1:1-3, 7; 2 John 3

(f) The Lord Jesus Christ, God with Us

The Lord Jesus Christ, as to His divine and eternal nature, is the proper and only Begotten of the Father, but as to His human nature, He is the proper Son of Man. He is, therefore, acknowledged to be both God and man; who because He is God and man, is "Immanuel," God with us. Matt. 1:23; 1 John 4:2, 10, 14; Rev. 1:13, 17.

(g) The Title, Son of God

Since the name "Immanuel" embraces both God and man in the one Person, our Lord Jesus Christ, it follows that the title, Son of God, describes His proper deity, and the title Son of Man, His proper humanity. Therefore, the title, Son of God, belongs to the
order of eternity, and the title, Son of Man, to the order of time. Matt. 1:21-23; 2 John 3; 1 John 3:8; Heb. 7:3; 1:1-13.

(h) Transgression of the Doctrine of Christ

Wherefore, it is a transgression of the Doctrine of Christ to say that Jesus Christ derived the title, Son of God, solely from the fact of the incarnation, or because of His relation to the economy of redemption. Therefore, to deny that the Father is a real and eternal Father, and that the Son is a real and eternal Son, is a denial of the distinction and relationship in the Being of God; a denial of the Father, and the Son; and a displacement of the truth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. 2 John 1:9; John 1:1; John 1:2; John 1:14; John 1:18; John 1:29; John 1:49; 1 John 2:22,23; 1 John 4:1-5 Heb. 12:2.

(i) Exaltation of Jesus Christ as Lord

The Son of God, our Lord Jesus Christ, having by Himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; angels and principalities and powers having been made subject unto Him. And having been made both Lord and Christ, He sent the Holy Ghost that we, in the name of Jesus, might bow our knees and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father until the end, when the Son shall become subject to the Father that God may be all in all.

Heb. 1:3; 1 Peter 3:22; Acts 2:32-36; Rom. 14:11; 1 Cor 15:24-28.

(j) Equal Honor to the Father and to the Son

Wherefore, since the Father has delivered all judgment unto the Son, it is not only the express duty of all in heaven and on earth to bow the knee, but it is an unspeakable joy in the Holy Ghost to ascribe unto the Son all the attributes of Deity, and to give Him all
the honor and the glory contained in all the names and titles of the Godhead except those which express relationship (see paragraphs b, c, and d), and thus honor the Son even as we honor the Father.

John 5:22, 23; 1 Peter 1:8; Rev. 5:6-14; Phil. 2:8, 9; Rev. 7:9, 10; 4:8-11

B. THE TRINITY IN THE ATHANASIAN CREED

*************** ****************
ATHANASIAN CREED

1. Whosoever will be saved, before all things is necessary to hold the universal Christian faith.

2. Which faith except everyone do keep whole and undefiled, without doubt he shall perish everlastingly.

3. But this is the universal Christian faith: That we worship one God in trinity, and trinity in unity;

4. Neither confounding the persons; nor dividing the substance.

5. For there is one person of the Father, another of the Son; another of the Holy Ghost.

6. But the Godhead of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost is all one: the glory equal, the majesty co-eternal.

7. Such as the Father is, such is the Son, such is the Holy Ghost.

8. The Father is uncreated; the Son is uncreated; the Holy Ghost is uncreated.

9. The Father is incomprehensible; the Son is incomprehensible; the Holy Ghost is incomprehensible.

10. The Father is eternal; the Son is eternal; the Holy Ghost is eternal.

11. And yet there are not three eternals; but one eternal.

12. And also there are not three uncreated; nor three incomprehensible; but one uncreated, and one incomprehensible.

13. So likewise the Father is almighty; the Son is almighty; and the Holy Ghost is almighty.

14. And yet there are not three almighties, but one almighty.

15. So the Father is God, the Son is God, and the Holy Ghost is God.

16. And yet there are not three Gods, but one God.

17. So the Father is Lord, the Son is Lord, and the Holy Ghost is Lord.

18. And yet there are not three Lords, but one Lord.

19. For like as we are compelled by the Christian verity to acknowledge every person by Himself to be God and Lord;

20. So are we forbidden by the Catholic religion to say: there are three Gods, or three Lords.

21. The Father is made of none; neither created nor begotten.

22. The Son is of the Father alone; not made; nor created; but begotten.

23. The Holy Ghost is of the Father and the Son not made; neither created; nor begotten, but proceeding.

24. Thus there is one Father, not three Fathers; one Son, not three Sons: one Holy Ghost, not three Holy Ghosts.

25. And in this trinity none is before or after another, none greater nor less than another.

26. But the whole three persons are co-eternal together, and co-equal.

27. So that in all things, as aforesaid, the unity in trinity, and the trinity in unity is to be worshipped.

28. He, therefore, that will be saved, must thus think of the trinity.

Athanasius (A.D. 297?-373)

cf."The Creed of Athanasius" -- Vol.7, page 366, Anti-Nicene Fathers.

C. THE TRINITY REVEALED IN THE BIBLE

THE TRINITY IS REVEALED IN THE OLD TESTAMENT
Gen.1:26
"And God said, Let US make man in our image, after our likeness..."
Gen.3:22
"And the Lord God said, Behold the man is become as one of US, to know good and evil:..."
Gen.11:7
"...let US go down, and there confound their language..."

THE TRINITY IS REVEALED IN WATER BAPTISM
Mark 1:9-11
"And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan. And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him: and there came a voice from heaven, saying, thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased"
(The above verses show the Father speaking, the Son being baptized, and the Spirit descending. That is three persons all manifest at the same time.)
Matthew 28:19
"Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost."
(From the Greek text of Matthew 28:19, one can see that "onoma" (name) is singular and that definite articles "tou" (the) are placed in front of "patros" (Father), "huiou" (Son), and "hagiou pneumatos" (Holy Spirit) indicating plurality within unity or three in one.)

THE TRINITY IS REVEALED IN SALUTATIONS
1Pet.1:2
"Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ:..."
2Cor.13:14
"The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen."

THE TRINITY IS REVEALED IN RELATIONSHIPS
Gal.1:1,3
"Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;)...Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ."
2Cor.1:2-3
"Grace be to you and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort."
Eph.6:23
"Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ."
Philippians 2:11
"And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
2Tim.1:2
"To Timothy, my dearly beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord."
Titus 1:4
"...Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour."
1Pet.1:2-3
"Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father,...Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ..."
2John 3
"Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love."
(The above verses show that the Father and the Son are not two different manifestations of one person but are actually two distinct and different persons who interact and relate to one another.)

THE TRINITY IS REVEALED IN CREATION
John 1:1-4,14
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him (Jesus); and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men....And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us."
Notice in the above verses it says "All things were made by him (Jesus); and without him was not any thing made that was made." This shows that the Lord Jesus created ALL the things that were created. The Lord Jesus is the Creator of all things! This proves that He is God. Next, notice that the Word (Jesus) was not only God, but He "was WITH God." This speaks of a relation between two different persons (God the Father and God the Son). Some might argue that the "Word" was merely the human nature of Jesus and that this relation between the Word and God is merely the dual nature of the humanity of Jesus being "WITH" the Divinity of Christ. However, this passage plainly states that the Word was "with" God before Jesus became flesh and dwelt on earth. The Word "WAS" God and was "WITH" God "IN THE BEGINNING" before creation "…and without him was not any thing made that was made."
John 17:5
"And now, glorify Me, O Father, with yourself, with the glory which I had with you before the world existed."
The Greek word 'para' ("with") is almost always used in regards to a personal relationship, and is obviously meant as such in this context, which uses the relational pronouns "I" and "You" in relation to the "Father." This verse confirms the relationship before creation between the Father and the Son which is spoken of in John 1:1 thus confirming the doctrine of the Trinity.

ONE TRUE GOD
Lest I be misunderstood, let me plainly state again, "There is only ONE TRUE GOD, in the Bible. All the rest are false gods and no gods at all. When one relegates Jesus to being a lesser God than Jehovah, then he has in essence made Jesus a false god and no god at all. The Jews that God used to write the Bible were monotheists, believing in the existence of only one God. Monotheism is the only understanding which is true to the whole revelation of God. Monotheism is what the Bible teaches. Polytheism is a pagan belief, and is the exact opposite of what the Jews believed. I say this to plainly refute the idea that Trinitarians believe in three Gods. We are NOT tritheists! We do not believe in three Gods. We believe in ONE GOD in three Persons. Isaiah 43:10 states: "Ye are my witnesses, saith Jehovah, and my servant whom I have chosen; that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me." (ASV) Was there ANY god formed BEFORE Jehovah? The text says NO. Is there ANY god AFTER Jehovah? The text says NO. This means that the only God that exists is Jehovah. Any time a true and living God is mentioned in the Bible it must be Jehovah that is referred to because Isaiah 43:10 (quoted above) is very plain that the only God that exists is Jehovah. Since John 1:1 states that Jesus is God, Jesus must be Jehovah. The next verse in Isaiah chapter 43 is further proof that Jesus is Jehovah. Isaiah 43:11 states: "I, even I, am Jehovah; and besides me there is no saviour." (ASV) This verse states very simply that Jehovah is the ONLY SAVIOR. Since all agree that Jesus is a saviour, Jesus is further proven to be Jehovah.

In the Old Testament, there are terms referring to God (such as Elohim) which speak of plurality and could be translated as "gods" if taken out of context, but in the context of the full counsel of God (the Bible as a whole) we must interpret them as saying there is only one God. (Det.6:4-9, Mark 12:28-34, Mal. 1:6, Mal.2:10, Isa.44:6-8, Isa.45:2-6&23, Isa.46:8-9, 1 Cor.8:4-6, Eph.4:5-6, 1 Tim.2:5, James 2:19, and Rev.4:2-3). This plurality helps us to understand certain things about God's nature when THE FATHER IS CALLED GOD (John 6:27 and John 17:3), JESUS IS CALLED GOD (John 1:1 and Isa.9:6, Isa.10:21, and Phil.2:10-11), and THE HOLY SPIRIT IS CALLED GOD (Acts 5, 1Cor.3:16, ICor.6:19, 2Cor.3:17, and Eph. 2:22). Since we know that there is only one God, this leads us to the conclusion that there are three persons in the one Godhead. Jehovah is Triune. Jehovah is the name for the Trinity.

4. RESPONDING TO ONENESS

1. Oneness apologists claim that Deut.6:4 denies the Trinity.
Deut.6:4
4 "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:"

Duet. 6:4 does not deny the Trinity, but rather affirms one of the tenets of the doctrine of the Trinity (see above). The doctrine of the Trinity affirms that there is "one God." Quite often, those who argue against the Trinity don't understand the doctrine of the Trinity well enough to explain it, much less refute it. They exaggerate and distort the doctrine of the Trinity into something that can be easily dispelled. That is known as the straw man fallacy. The name of the straw man fallacy comes from the idea that if you set up a straw man, he is easier to knock down than a real man. That is exactly the way the fallacy works, set up a distorted view and knock it down. In dealing with Deut.6:4, the oneness apologists set up a distorted straw man view of the Trinity and then knock it down. They claim that the Trinity is a belief in three Gods in order to make the doctrine contradict the Bible.

2. Oneness apologists claim that Isa.9:6 proves that Jesus is God the Father.
Isaiah 9:6
6 "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace."

The Darby Bible and Young's Literal Translation both render this passage as "Father of Eternity.’
Isa.9:6 (Darby Bible)
6 "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder; and his name is called Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Father of Eternity, Prince of Peace."
Isa.9:6 (Young's Literal Translation)
6 "For a Child hath been born to us, A Son hath been given to us, And the princely power is on his shoulder, And He doth call his name Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Father of Eternity, Prince of Peace."
Dr. Robert Bowman points out that Abiethon - literally "father of strength" (2 Sam. 23:31) means "strong"; Abiaseph - literally "father of gathering" (Ex.6:24) means "gatherer"; and Abigail - literally "father of exultation" (1 Chron.2:16) is a woman's name meaning "exulting." Therefore, "Father of eternity" in Isaiah 9:6 means that Jesus is "eternal." According to Matthew Henry's Commentary this implies that Jesus is the creator of the ages (Heb.1:2; 11:3). It does not mean that He is "the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ" (2Cor.1:3).

3. Oneness apologists claim that John 5:43 shows that "Jesus" is the Father's name and thus that Jesus is the Father.
John 5:43
43 "I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive."

Notice that the second part of this verse insinuates that one who comes "in his own name" is not to be "received." If Jesus was actually the Father which would literally make His name Jesus, then He would have been coming "in His own name" and it would have been wrong to receive Him. This contrast between "My Father's name" and "his own name" proves that Jesus did not come "in his own name." Therefore, "Jesus" is not the Father's name, and Jesus is not the Father. This turns out to be a proof text against oneness theology.

4. Oneness apologists claim that John 10:30 proves the Father and the Son are one person.
John 10:30
30 "I and my Father are one."

Any first year Greek student will notice that a one-person interpretation of this verse is precluded by the first person plural in the Greek New Testament. A literal translation of this verse would be: "I and the Father we are one." If Jesus was the Father, He would have used the first person singular and said, "I am the Father." Furthermore, the Greek word for "one" is in the neuter gender which points to the idea of one in "unity or one essence" (Margin of NASV Bible). The masculine form would have been used to signify one in contrast to many.

5. Oneness pentecostals claim that John 14:6-11 proves that Jesus is God the Father
John 14:6-11.
6 "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."
7 "If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him."
8 "Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us."
9 "Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?"
10 "Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works."
11 "Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works’ sake."

Notice in the passage that Jesus begins by stating, "No man cometh unto the Father but by Me"(v.6) and later states, "He who has seen Me has seen the Father" (v.9). Dr. Robert Bowman points out that "the natural sense of these words is that Jesus is, not the Father, but a mediator between us and the Father." It would be ridiculous for Jesus to claim that no man could come "to" the Father except "through" Him if Jesus and the Father were one and the same person. The words "to" and "through" only make sense if Jesus and the Father are distinct persons, with Jesus being the Mediator between man and the Father. In verse 7, Jesus states, "If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also." Bowman points out that "this is true, not because Jesus is the Father, but because those who know Jesus are led by Him to know the Father as they see Him imaged perfectly in Jesus. Thus, says Jesus, 'from now on you know Him, and have seen Him' (v.7b). Existing with the Father as the one indivisible Divine Being, Jesus can say, "He who has seen Me has seen the Father' (v.9). Nevertheless, Jesus does not say, 'I am the Father,' but rather, 'I am in the Father and the Father is in Me' (v.10, repeated in v.11; and 10:38)." oneness believers frequently cite the second part of this last statement, "the Father is in Me," to mean that the deity ("Father") dwells in the humanity ("Son") of Jesus. This view, however, is clearly faulty in light of the first part of the sentence, "I am in the Father," which in oneness terms would mean that the human nature of Jesus dwells in His deity. No oneness pentecostal believes the humanity of Jesus dwelt in the divinity of Jesus. Moreover, it fails to account for the fact that in this same context, as well as elsewhere, Jesus uses this sort of expression to denote His unity with believers: "In that day you shall know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you" (v.20; and 17:21-23).

6. Oneness apologists interpret John 17:6,11-12 as proof that "Jesus" is the Father's name and therefore that Jesus is the Father.
John 17:6,11-12
6 "I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word."
11 "And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are."
12 "While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled."

Oneness writers point to the words "manifested" and "gave" in order to claim that Jesus was the Father's name, and that the Father "gave" His name to Jesus, as evidence that Jesus is the Father. They overlook the fact that a human father can give his name to his son, without the father and son being the same person! Furthermore, it should be noted from this passage that Jesus said twice that His disciples were "in Thy (the Father's) name." If oneness believers interpret this phrase in a consistent manner with the way they interpret it in John 5:43, they are left with the ridiculous conclusion that the disciples are the Father! The oneness interpretation simply does not work because it is not logically consistent.

7. Oneness writers claim that Col.2:9 proves that Jesus is God the Father and Holy Spirit.
Colossians 2:9
9 "For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily."

Since Colossians 2:9 says that the fulness of "the Godhead" dwells in Jesus, Oneness writers have argued that the Godhead is in Jesus, not Jesus in the Godhead. This either/or approach, however, causes the oneness interpretation of Colossians 2:9 to contradict their interpretation of John 10:38 where Jesus states, "the Father is in Me, and I am in the Father." Since "the Father" in oneness theology is "the Godhead," John 10:38 in their terms would mean that the Godhead is in Jesus, and Jesus is in the Godhead. When Oneness believers deny that "Jesus is in the Godhead," what they mean to deny is that Jesus is one person in a triune Godhead. Colossians 2:9, though, does not rule out that possibility. What it affirms is that Jesus is no less than the full and complete revelation of God's nature ('theotetos', "deity") in the flesh. While not all three persons of God are incarnate in Jesus, all of God's essence is incarnate in Jesus.

Trinitarians Believe In One God!

I was driving not to long ago to fulfill the privilege and opportunity to minister at Pinckneyville Assembly of God. Being a bit of a drive, I turned on the radio, to hear a local minister as he began his sermon, shortly into his program I realized I was in for an earful!

He chose as his topic the discussion of pure religion, being sure to litter the message with several comments about his view of those who were "three God believers" and "them that follow three Gods" and the "three headed monster God"! Well, with a chuckle, and prayer I suppressed the desire to catch this brothers name, and call him to discuss the truth he had so eloquently butchered... In the spirit of things, I popped in a Third Day CD, and worshiped my way to church!

Perhaps you have heard this talk before, some well meaning, and others not so well meaning proclaim trinitarians believe in three Gods! In the case of this radio commentator, he hailed from the doctrinal position of Oneness Pentecostalism.

For those unfamiliar with Oneness theology, it is important to note that not only does the Oneness movement reject the Trinity, they feel it is a condemnable abomination, resulting in ones eternal position in hell. A few examples:

The most problematic aspect of my theology when
I was a Oneness Pentecostal was thebelief that
no one other than us Oneness Pentecostals was
going  to heaven. Trinitarian Christians simply
were not saved!

Gregory A. Boyd a former oneness pastor

Secondly they insist the doctrine itself to be “pagan” in its origin. Please see this excerpt from United Pentecostal Church Inc. leader Pastor David Bernard, found in his book

“The Oneness of God”

"The Scriptures do not teach the doctrine of the trinity, but trinitarianism has its roots in paganism"

(David Bernard/ Oneness of God)

In Oneness theology – it is assumed that the GODHEAD is easily understood, and little argument remains, some also must receive “the revelation” many times if you do not understand the GOD HEAD – you have not received what is termed as “the revelation”, and this failure in their mind, disqualifies one for salvation.

If you’ll explore my teachings on the Trinity in lessons 1 and 2, comparing the two views one can safely be assured the Trinitarians have apprehended the truth, and quite soundly! With grace and persuasive words the Godhead is scripturally defined by knowledgeable trinitarians. This being true the GODHEAD is difficult to apprehend fully.

Nonetheless this propaganda floating around that Trinitarians believe in Three Gods.

Is simply is NOT true!

To add the validity to the point I think someone else’s words other than my own are a suitable avenue to travel, I think starting with the Assemblies of God's, the largest Trinitarian Pentecostal organization in the world, statement of faith is a very solid first step!

The One True God

The one true God has revealed himself as the eternally self-existent “I AM,” the Creator of heaven and earth and the Redeemer of mankind. He has further revealed himself as embodying the principles of relationship and association as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 43:10,11; Matthew 28:19; Luke 3:22).

Key phrases to note here are:

· one true God

· revealed himself

· embodying the principles of relationship and association as

This statement is fundamental truth #2, in the document “Sixteen Fundamentals Truths” for the Assemblies of GOD

Now lets reference a very well know Trinitarian document called the Anthanasian Creed most likely formulated around 373 A.D and one of the most notable Trinitarian creeds around!

I wont include the entire creed, but you can easily find it online! Here are some highlighted segments of the Anthanasian Creed read in this manner:

· there are not three Lords, but one Lord.

· there are not three Gods, but one God.

· there are not three almighties, but one almighty.

· there are not three uncreated; nor three incomprehensible; but one uncreated, and one incomprehensible.

· there are not three eternals; but one eternal.

By simply quoting two valid Christian documents one must assess this “three GOD” business is mere propaganda, and that Trinitarians adamantly state there is “ONE GOD” !

Again from the Assemblies of GOD

(a) Terms Defined

The terms trinity and persons, as related to the godhead, while not found in the Scriptures, are words in harmony with Scripture, whereby we may convey to others our immediate understanding of the doctrine of Christ respecting

the Being of God, as distinguished from “gods many and lords many.” We therefore may speak with propriety of the Lord our God, who is One Lord, as a Trinity or as one Being of three persons, and still be absolutely

scriptural (examples, Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14; John 14:16,17).

(b) Distinction and Relationship in the Godhead

Christ taught a distinction of persons in the godhead which He expressed in specific terms of relationship, as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, but that this distinction and relationship, as to its mode is inscrutable and incomprehensible,

because unexplained (Luke 1:35; 1 Corinthians 1:24; Matthew 11:25-27; 28:19; 2 Corinthians13:14; 1 John 1:3,4).

The Trinitarian doctrine does some things differently than the oneness adherents and that mindset pervades their discussion and their basis of belief. We note the distinctions in the Godhead… JUST LIKE THE BIBLE DOES!

(b) Distinction and Relationship in the Godhead

Christ taught a distinction of persons in the godhead which He expressed in specific terms of relationship, as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, but that this distinction and relationship, as to its mode is inscrutable and incomprehensible,

because unexplained (Luke 1:35; 1 Corinthians 1:24; Matthew 11:25-27; 28:19; 2 Corinthians13:14; 1 John 1:3,4).

Notice the terms:

distinction of persons

terms of relationship

its mode is inscrutable and incomprehensible, because unexplained

First the trinity is a concept whose mode or distinction is inscrutable and incomprehensible – because the details of it are never fully explained – Because of this the statement avoids being a complete absolute – but it is instead a concept of the Godhead.

Here are a few Biblical texts to consider regarding this distinction

1Co 15:24 Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.

1Co 15:25 For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.

1Co 15:26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.

1Co 15:27 For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him.

1Co 15:28 And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.

Here the Son will subject Himself to the Father – these are distinctive roles on more than a incarnational(human) role! If we fail to recognize certain distinction present here just to preserve a doctrinal view, we do ourselves a disservice –

(Luk 3:21) Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened,

(Luk 3:22) 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.

Here we see GOD acting in three persons – revealing HIMSELF to humanity. I know what some of you are saying, “Only John saw this” So what? Is God a puppeteer? If so which role, was really God?

(Luk 23:34) Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.

Here we again see JESUS – who is GOD – pray to His Father – “forgive them” Listen to me from the moment of HIS birth to this day JESUS was always GOD! Even on the cross it was JESUS! The distinction of persons existed - even though we don’t completely understand it. This is not trinitarianism, Catholicism, or anything other than the Word of God! It simply notes the distinctions found in the one true GOD!

The article here is just a tidbit of what can be found in Lessons 1 and 2… I encourage you to peruse those, study them, tear them up, and be loosed to their truth!

There are some great men and women in the Oneness Pentecostal faith, who love God, and their faith. I consider them to by my Brothers and Sisters in Jesus Christ, and I love them dearly! I hope someday pentecostals can unite around the cross, and the Christ who overcame it, and leave some of these arguments behind!

God Bless you!

Pastor Craig Hostetler