ONENESS VS. TRINITY
The United Pentecostal Church (UPC) teaches that God is one, manifesting himself in three ways. They believe that Jesus is not only the Son, but also the Father and the Holy Spirit. This belief has been referred to as 'oneness' or 'Jesus only'. In contrast, the majority of so-called 'Christian' churches teach a trinitarian concept.
So, many oneness believers consider those who believe in the trinity doctrine to be in danger of losing eternal life. And most trinitarians believe the same about oneness believers. And they both believe that those relatively few others who believe that God is and always has been YHWH, the Father alone, and that Jesus has never been equally God with the Father (or as the Father) are doomed to eternal destruction.
And yet, Scripturally, God has always existed as YHWH who was, is and always will be the same: the Father.
Historically, it wasn't until 381 A.D. that the trinity idea was fully developed and enforced as essential knowledge for the world church at that time. It officially began in 325 A.D. when a minority of bishops (with the overwhelming support and power of the non-Christian Roman Emperor) declared the one God to be TWO equal persons: God the Son and God the Father. And any who disagreed were to be cursed (and persecuted severely).
But that emperor later decided he didn't agree with the trinitarians and expelled them from Rome and brought back those who believed God was the Father alone. These non-trinitarian Bishops were in charge of the church for about 50 years and the emperor was even baptized by one of them on his deathbed.
But after Theodosius (a strong trinitarian supporter) became Emperor of Rome, he convened another Council in 381 and declared that the one God was THREE equal, always-existent persons: The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. This has been the stated belief of the Roman Church (the largest and most powerful 'Christian' church in the world) for over 1600 years. It is also the stated belief of the vast majority of other 'daughter' churches, including Orthodox, Anglican, and most Protestant and independent churches (most of which accept the first Councils of the Roman Church - 325 and 381 A.D.).
Strangely, the 'oneness' idea was examined by early Church Councils and pronounced to be as 'heretical' as the original God is one person (the Father alone) teaching.
So, even though the vast majority of professed Christians condemn those who believe God is and always has been Jehovah (YHWH in Hebrew), the Father alone, it is they who are in danger (John 17:1, 3 ['eternal life' - NRSV]; 2 Thess. 1:7, 8 ['eternal destruction' - NRSV]).
And, because of the danger to them because of their Scriptural ignorance of the only true God and the one whom he has sent, it is a necessary Christian act to attempt to reveal the essential Scriptural knowledge of God and Jesus to them.
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The United Pentecostal Church (UPC) teaches that God is one, manifesting himself in three ways. They believe that Jesus is not only the Son, but also the Father and the Holy Spirit. This belief has been referred to as 'oneness' or 'Jesus only'. In contrast, the majority of so-called 'Christian' churches teach a trinitarian concept.
So, many oneness believers consider those who believe in the trinity doctrine to be in danger of losing eternal life. And most trinitarians believe the same about oneness believers. And they both believe that those relatively few others who believe that God is and always has been YHWH, the Father alone, and that Jesus has never been equally God with the Father (or as the Father) are doomed to eternal destruction.
And yet, Scripturally, God has always existed as YHWH who was, is and always will be the same: the Father.
Historically, it wasn't until 381 A.D. that the trinity idea was fully developed and enforced as essential knowledge for the world church at that time. It officially began in 325 A.D. when a minority of bishops (with the overwhelming support and power of the non-Christian Roman Emperor) declared the one God to be TWO equal persons: God the Son and God the Father. And any who disagreed were to be cursed (and persecuted severely).
But that emperor later decided he didn't agree with the trinitarians and expelled them from Rome and brought back those who believed God was the Father alone. These non-trinitarian Bishops were in charge of the church for about 50 years and the emperor was even baptized by one of them on his deathbed.
But after Theodosius (a strong trinitarian supporter) became Emperor of Rome, he convened another Council in 381 and declared that the one God was THREE equal, always-existent persons: The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. This has been the stated belief of the Roman Church (the largest and most powerful 'Christian' church in the world) for over 1600 years. It is also the stated belief of the vast majority of other 'daughter' churches, including Orthodox, Anglican, and most Protestant and independent churches (most of which accept the first Councils of the Roman Church - 325 and 381 A.D.).
Strangely, the 'oneness' idea was examined by early Church Councils and pronounced to be as 'heretical' as the original God is one person (the Father alone) teaching.
So, even though the vast majority of professed Christians condemn those who believe God is and always has been Jehovah (YHWH in Hebrew), the Father alone, it is they who are in danger (John 17:1, 3 ['eternal life' - NRSV]; 2 Thess. 1:7, 8 ['eternal destruction' - NRSV]).
And, because of the danger to them because of their Scriptural ignorance of the only true God and the one whom he has sent, it is a necessary Christian act to attempt to reveal the essential Scriptural knowledge of God and Jesus to them.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BACK TO HOME PAGE INDEX