Oneness or as it is sometimes referred to Jesus Only
is a false doctrine
People who believe in Oneness are very strong in their belief. However, Oneness is a spiritually dangerous belief! Believing in only One member of the Godhead means that you in essence reject the other Two members. I John 2:22: Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son. If you do not recognize all Three members (the Father, the Son [Word], and the Holy Ghost) then how can you really know Jesus. Revelation 19:13: And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: [and his name is called The Word of God.] Because Oneness religion believes in Jesus only they baptize in the name of Jesus only – instead of baptizing in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, as Jesus himself says to do in the following scripture. 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. The scripture Oneness teachers like to use when teaching about baptism is Acts 2:38: Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. The explanation for this scripture is simple, as stated in I Corinthians 1:11-15: For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul? I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius; Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name. By telling them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ (Acts 2:38) it is clear in this scripture that some of them believed they were baptized in the name of the mere man who baptized them.
Whenever I get into a debate with a person who believes in Oneness I show them the following scriptural references. Mark 16:19: So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. Hebrews 1:3: Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high. Acts 7:55-56: But he (Stephen), being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God. Then I ask any person believing in Oneness this question? If both God and Jesus Christ are the same being (as oneness believes) then who’s right hand did Jesus sit down next to after He was taken up into heaven? The scripture above tells us that after He (Jesus) was received up He sat at the right hand of God. If Jesus and God are both One Being then how can He sit at the right hand of himself? Who is Jesus sitting or standing next to? It is not the Holy Spirit because the Bible says it is God! No one believing in Oneness has been able to answer this question and they usually do not want to debate any more whenever I ask it. Each member of the Godhead (Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit) bears record of one another – and will not allow one another to be left out. I John 5:7: For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. I John 2:22-24: Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son. Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also. Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, Ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father. When speaking to someone who believes in Oneness unless you know scripture very well it is better to just tell them what you believe and love them anyway. Oneness belief is not scriptural. God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit are what scripture calls the Godhead (God’s divine nature). They are a tri-part God, all members have their own distinct part, but all three do belong to One Godhead. We cannot acknowledge one member of the Godhead if we do not acknowledge all three. I John 5:7: For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. It has already been established, through scripture, that Jesus Christ is the Word. John 1:14: And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. Revelation 19:13: And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: [and his name is called The Word of God.] They are all part of one Godhead but are three separate entities. A preacher explained it one time like this. He said it is like a three leaf clover, each part of the leaf has its own individual leaf but they are all still the same leaf.
The Bible tells us that it was the God that is Jesus (the Word), not the God that is Father, who came down from heaven and was placed inside of Mary’s womb. Then after the crucifixion and resurrection Jesus went back to heaven again to be with the Father. John 17:5: And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was. Matthew 26:64: Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven. Jesus (the Word) is now sitting at God’s right hand, and He is also the one who was with God before He came here to die on the cross. After the resurrection Jesus went back up to heaven again to sit at God’s right hand. (Jesus himself said in scripture.) John 6:38: For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. John 17:5: And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was. Matthew 26:64: Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven. Hebrews 4:14: Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. The reason Jesus came and died is because He is the Only way that we can ever make it into heaven. John 14:6: Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. Acts 4:12: Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, wherby we must be saved. Jesus Christ is and has always been. They (God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit) have always been here – and all three are members of the Godhead. There are all types of false beliefs in the world today, but, when people try to mess with the Godhead it can really confuse a person who does not know scripture. For instance, if a person does not know the truth of God’s Word and they meet a Jehovah’s Witness they will be easily deceived. Note: If a Jehovah’s Witness ever tries to debate scripture with you then use the Old King James Version of the Bible, do not use the NIV or other newer versions of the Bible. The NIV for example has changed or left out verses pertaining to Christ’s deity. These newer versions of the Bible are not scripturally accurate. Jehovah’s Witness do not believe that Jesus Christ came down from heaven they believe He began (or was created) at birth – but Jesus was not created. He has always been. Their argument is that they believe Jesus is actually Michael the arch angel who turned into (or was created as Jesus) at Jesus’ birth. But, how can Michael (an arch angel) be Jesus as the Jehovah Witnesses believe when the scriptures are clear. God did not at any time call angels his sons or tell them to sit at his right hand! Hebrews 1:5, 13: For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son? But to which of the angels said he at any time, sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool?
Jehovah’s Witness also believe they have the ability to be a god. That is why their Bible (New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures) says in John 1:1: “In [the] beginning the Word was, and the Word was with God, and the Word was a god”. Instead of (OKJV) John 1:1: IN the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. Why would people fall for the deception of the Jehovah’s Witness or any other false religion? Because they do not know what God’s Word says about Jesus being part of the Godhead (Trinity). Acts 17:29-30: Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man’s device. And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent. Colossians 2:8-9: Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For in him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. Romans 1:20-32: For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools. Confusion over the Godhead is why people believe the lies of false religion. False belief about the Godhead is exactly how cults get started!
One final comment concerning ‘Oneness belief’: Jesus prayed for his disciples and asked God to help them be one. John 17:18-22: As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth. Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word. That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one. Jesus Christ asked that we all be one as He and the Father are one. But, does this mean we all share one body? Of course not! Scripture tells us that as Christians we are all members of the body of Christ – but this does not mean that we all turn into Christ. That is ridiculous! I Corinthians 12:27: Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. Scripture means what it says (Jesus himself speaking) “That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me”. God’s people are separate human beings but are united through Christ Jesus. Just as the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are separate beings but are One Godhead united!
