Jesus Only - vs Trinity

ONENESS - JESUS ONLY

vs. THE TRINITY

www.crossbearer.net

“Jesus ONLY” or “Oneness” teachers say that Jesus Himself IS the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, making him a single person. Yet Jesus himself declared a plurality in the godhead by saying:

John 8:16-18 .... for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me. [17] It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two men is true. [18] I am one that bear witness of myself, and the Father that sent me beareth witness of me.

Jesus declared that, by law, it took the testimony of TWO men , the Oneness doctrine makes him a sole witness, and therefore, a false witness! But in truth, Jesus said "I am not alone" and that He and the Father were TWO who testifies, making the oneness doctrine the "false witness"!

John 16:32 Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.

Although I shall give many convincing proofs of the plurality of the godhead in the scriptures below, I might recommend that you take a moment and open the following page in a second window, and read my portion of study on Phil. chapter 2 describing the humiliation of Jesus where he emptied himself of his glory and became a man and his subsequent glorification by the Father. This may help you to understand the 2 persons of God the Father and God the Son!

More scriptural proof of the plurality of the godhead will follow below, but first I would like to give the origin of this false teaching, and what the pre-Roman Catholic, church fathers had to say about the plurality of the godhead.

Origin of the ONENESS doctrine

The ONENESS Doctrine, which is also called “Modalism” was an early church heresy of the 2nd and 3rd Centuries originated by the heretic “Sabellius”. He taught that the trinity was 3 manifestations, or modes (hence “modalism”), of a single divine being. He taught that the Father himself had come to earth and suffered and died under the appearance of the Son. Sabellius was excommunicated from the church for this heresy.

The “Jesus ONLY”, or “Oneness” doctrine of the Apostolic and UPC churches are simply a return to the false teaching of Sabellius!

As a point of fact, as a result of this heresy, another man named "Arius", took the doctrine to the other extreme in the 4th century and declared that Jesus had a beginning, that he was created BY God, and that he was not of divine nature! This heresy was overthrown by the Council of Nice in 325 A.D. in which over 300 Bishops of the Christian faith gathered together to research the scriptures and writings of the early church fathers (NO popes existed at this time). So then, as the "Jesus Only" doctrine is a modern day return to the heresy of "Sebellius", even so, the "Jehovah's Witnesses" are a modern day return to the heresy of "Arius" both being the extreme swing of the pendulum to the opposite end, missing the truth in it's extreme swing! You can read the whole story in “Eusebius' Ecclesiastical History” written in the 4th century.

Scriptures and the Early Church Fathers taught the Plurality of the Godhead!

In my review of the early church fathers of the Christian church, I found that they clearly taught the doctrine of the Trinity, as well as the baptism in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit as Jesus taught in Matthew 28:19. The scriptures themselves speak of the Father who has a Son, and the Holy Spirit, as seperate, but equal!

In my early years of Christian faith, I too had a struggle understanding the Godhead! But after much study, I conclude that there are 3 persons in ONE GOD!

I would like to point out that those who are in the Apostolic and UPC church's, I believe, are Christian brothers. I believe every Christian in his walk with Jesus Christ has had to question the understanding of the 3 persons of the godhead, and yet being monotheistic, how could there be ONE GOD? Trinitarians understand them as being 3 persons, who are in fact ONE GOD!

Those who hold to the Oneness doctrine, see Jesus as being the Father, who revealed Himself as the Son and the Holy Spirit! Oneness teachers falsely condemn the Trinitarians as worshipping 3 Gods, taking liberty to redifine the Trinitarian doctrine. They deny that Jesus has a Father! The end result of their doctrine leads the Pastors, and the misguided sheep in their churches, condemning the saints who worship in other churches who believe the fundamental doctrine of the Plurality of the Godhead. (Their condemnation extends further in the topic of Tongues, which I cover on another web page.)

An example of their condemnation towards those who believe the fundamental and scriptural doctrine of the 2 persons in the Godhead, the Father and the Son, is shown by this Oneness Pastor who wrote me in May 2006 after reading this web page. When I responded, he never wrote back! Although I have shown many scriptures on this page which prove the plurality of the Godhead, he never tried to discuss even one of them!

"May God have mercy on your soul for your lack of understanding of him and his Godhead. Obey Acts 2:38 today, right now...yes I mean now so you can first hand know what you are talking about and then if you want you can deny it like a reprobate thats going to hell. Oh but I seem to for get you don't believe in backslidding as you couldn't go to hell if you wanted to. utterly shocked? you should be...calling apostolic pentecostals heretics...just because we follow the biblical fundamental truth of oneness." Rev. Mason

I would like to point out that I too, am Pentecostal, Spirit filled, and do not believe in the Once Saved Always Saved doctrine as "Rev." Mason charges! My testimony is on the home page!

If you are Oneness, don't write me with condemning charges like "Rev." Mason without fairly dealing with each and every scripture noted on this web page, and the comments of the early church fathers who confirmed the plurality of the Godhead, and a willingness to discuss these with me. You might find that the Holy Spirit of the living God, might be convicting YOUR own heart as you try to explain away the truth of God's Word and make the Father of Jesus "disappear" into non-existence! I trust that the scriptures below prove the plurality of the Godhead, and that the early church fathers, not I, are the ones who identify the Oneness doctrine as "heresy!" (defined as "schismatic, a follower of a false doctrine" - Thayer's Greek Definitions)

If you are of the Oneness camp, I don't condemn you! But I do encourage you to study out the truth so that you may know the gospel "more perfectly!" In Acts 18-19, Apollos was fervent in spirit, teaching the things of God, but then Aquila and Priscilla came and taught him the way of God more perfectly. You may have a zeal for the Lord Jesus Christ, and this is good! May I encourage you to research this web page, and learn "the way of God more perfectly"

I would like to point out that BOTH the Oneness Christians, and those who believe in the plurality of the Godhead agree that salvation is only obtained through the name of Jesus Christ! We BOTH agree that we must confess the name of Jesus Christ as Lord at baptism! We BOTH agree that we must submit to Jesus Christ as Lord, receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, and be led by the Holy Spirit! And we BOTH agree that the scriptures clearly speak of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit!

My charge to the church, whether Trinitarian or Oneness, is this "is Christ divided?" 1 Cor. 1:13

WE as brothers in Christ, point to the other as being unsaved and condemned for their understanding of the Godhead! One says " I'm Baptist, I'm Pentacostal, I'm Methodist".... is Christ divided? Might I remind you that the Gospel message is "repentance and forgiveness" in the name of Jesus Christ, which we have all partaken?

(Luke 24:47 KJV) And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

So then, why do I write this study? Because I truly believe that the scriptures, and the early church Fathers, clearly taught the godhead of Jehovah as being 3 persons. Not to divide, nor to condemn, but to clarify. If you are Oneness, and this letter does NOT persuade you, then God Bless you! I love you and accept you as my brother in Christ.

I have the Early church Fathers writings that confirm the teaching of the trinity further in this study. To see them now, you can go to Early church Fathers.

SCRIPTURES CLEARLY TEACH THE PLURALITY OF THE GODHEAD!

You must come to the conclusion that the relationship that Jesus had with the Father, according to the “oneness only” doctrine, .... would have been deception. Jesus Loves the Father and the Father Loves the Son. Jesus prayed to the Father, He was sent BY the Father, He went BACK to the Father, He obeyed the Father and did everything the Father commanded Him, then He sat down at the right hand of the Father. ALL of these, are the interactions of two persons!

There ARE scriptures that show the manifestation of ALL 3 persons at a single place and time, such as:

Matt 3:16-17 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

(KJV)

Here we see ALL 3 persons of the Godhead. Whereas Oneness teachers would turn this scripture into a deceptive ploy by Jesus as though Jesus had preprogrammed these things to happen, like a recording of His own voice preprogrammed to speak to Jesus, or the Holy Spirit descending like a dove and lighting upon Him, as a deceptive trick, I contend that the scriptures are true and that it WAS, in fact, the Father speaking from heaven in all reality. I further contend that the Holy Spirit in all reality DID descend upon Jesus! Peter testifies that it was, in fact, God the Father, as a seperate person, who spoke to Jesus, not a preprogrammed event.

2 Peter 1:17 For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

If it really WAS a preprogrammed event, WHY didn't the scriptures tell us so? God has NOTHING to hide, and HIS WORD is perfectly true! Do you agree?

The Testiony of TWO!

Jesus claimed that He was NOT alone, but that BOTH he and the Father bore testimony about himself.

John 8:16-18

And yet if I judge, my judgment is true: for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me. [17] It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two men is true. [18] I am one that bear witness of myself, and the Father that sent me beareth witness of me.

Jesus identifies the "two men" as Jesus Himself being the first person, and the Father as the second person!

John 16:32 ... yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.

"alone" is defined in Strongs Concordance as -

monos, mon'-os; probably from Greek 3306 (meno); remaining, i.e. sole or single; by implication mere :- alone, only, by themselves.

Jesus said "I am NOT alone (sole, single, only, by myself)"! This scripture verse makes the "Jesus ONLY (monos)" doctrine a heresy by the mouth of the Lord Jesus Christ! Jesus testifies that He and the Father are "two" persons!

The Plurality of "ONE"

The KEY scripture for Oneness adeherents is Joh 10:30 I and my Father are one.

Can ONE equal a plurality? Yes!

The scripture clearly shows that “one” can also include a plurality!

Gen 2:24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

Joh 17:11 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.

In Gen. 2:24, the male and the female, when united in marriage, become “One” flesh! In John 17:11, the entire Christian body, is to be “one” even as the Father and Son are One!

Jesus, speaking TO the Father in John 17:11, prayed "that they may be one, as WE are"!

"We" ..... is plural!!!

So when Jesus claims that he is "NOT ALONE", and that the Father is "WITH" him, and when speaking to the Father, Jesus says "WE"....... it is clear that the term “one” is defining a “unity” even as is the "male and female" and the entire Christian body! This definition makes the following verse clear as Jesus claims that the Father is greater than himself and that Jesus will return to the Father.

Joh 14:28 Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I.

If Jesus IS the Father, then He certainly cannot "Go to the Father", nor is it possible for the Father (if there is no Father of Jesus) to be "Greater than" Jesus!

Deuteronomy 6:4, the unity of "one"

Although many of the Oneness teachers claim that those who hold to the Trinity doctrine are worshipping 3 God's, this is simply untrue. Deuteronomy defines the plurality of the godhead as being united together as ONE Lord!

Deut 6:4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:

The Hebrew word for LORD is "YHWH". It is singular and is defined as the proper name of God.

The following definitions come from the Strong's Hebrew and Greek Dictionaries!

God 430 'elohiym (el-o-heem'); plural of 433; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative: KJV-- angels, X exceeding, God (gods)- dess, -ly), X (very) great, judges, X mighty.

One 259 'echad (ekh-awd'); a numeral from 258; properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first: KJV-- a, alike, alone, altogether, and, any (-thing), apiece, a certain, [daily-], each (one), + eleven, every, few, first, + highway, a man, once, one, only, other, some, together,

The same exact word "echad" is used in Genesis 2:24:

Genesis 2:24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

The term "ONE" Flesh again is 'echad. Adam and Eve were TWO seperate persons, but the scripture says they are "ONE" Flesh!

The scripture in Deut. 6:4 is saying that YHWH (Jehovah), the 3 persons, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, are UNITED together, they are YHWH (Jehovah)!

John 8:16-18 .... for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me

John 16:32 .... I am not alone, because the Father is with me.

The Father Loves the Son and the Son Loves the Father

In the following verses, we see that the Father and Son share an emotional link with one another, LOVE! How can Jesus love a non-existant person and vice versa?

John 10:17

Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.

John 14:31

But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence.

John 15:9

As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.

John 8:16-18 .... for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me

John 16:32 .... I am not alone, because the Father is with me.

The Parables of the Father and Son!

The parables of Jesus are filled with stories about the Father and the Son. There are some VERY clear scriptures that cannot honestly be explained, if Jesus Himself is the Father!

In Mark 12:1-11, Jesus tells the parable about the Father sending His Son. If you read it carefully, you will find NO part of the parable explaining that the Father Himself became the Son or disguised Himself as the Son.

In Matthew 22:2-14, Jesus tells the parable about the Father preparing a wedding feast for His Son. Again, there is nothing to say that the Father himself became the Son or disguised himself as the Son.

John 8:16-18 .... for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me

John 16:32 .... I am not alone, because the Father is with me.

"With" means "being near"!

John 16:32 Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with 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. (KJV)

Jesus prayed TO the Father on several occasions, a rather vain action if Jesus Himself was the Father! The word "with" actually nullifies the Oneness doctrine as the proper definition of the word "with" is as follows:

“WITH” Greek 3844 para (par-ah'); a primary preposition; properly, near; i.e. (with genitive case) from beside (literally or figuratively), (with dative case) at (or in) the vicinity of (objectively or subjectively), (with accusative case) to the proximity with (local [especially beyond or opposed to] or causal [on account of]:

To teach that Jesus is alone, and is himself God the Father, is clearly destroying the truth of God's word!

Needless to say, Jesus spoke TO the Father and ABOUT the Father throughout the Gospels, as well as the many parables where Jesus spoke of the Father sending His Son. Jesus Himself spoke of the Father as “MY FATHER” 55 times in 53 verses. So my question to you is this, does Jesus have a Father, who is a person other than himself? Are you in fellowship with BOTH of them?

I Jn 1:3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is WITH the Father, and WITH his Son Jesus Christ.

(KJV)

Again, the word “with” clearly seperates the Father from the Son as separate persons! According to this verse alone, ONENESS adherants HAVE NO FELLOWSHIP WITH THE FATHER!

As Justin Martyr [A.D. 110-165] wrote “For they who affirm that the Son is the Father, are proved neither to have become acquainted with the Father, nor to know that the Father of the universe has a Son; who also, being the first-begotten Word of God, is even God.”

I Jn 4:15 Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the SON of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.

John 8:16-18 .... for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me

John 16:32 .... I am not alone, because the Father is with me.

THE FATHER HAS GIVEN THE SON ALL AUTHORITY. ONE DAY, THE SON WILL DELIVER THE KINGDOM TO THE FATHER, AND BE SUBMITTED TO THE FATHER!

Now the following scripture, if you will be honest and think it through, could make no sense at all if Jesus HIMSELF is the Father. For IF he HIMSELF is the Father, then he could NOT possibly deliver the kingdom TO the Father, and then submit himself TO the Father. It would make NO SENSE AT ALL!

1 Cor 15:23-28

23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.

24 Then cometh the end, when he (the Son) shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he (the Son) shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.

25 For he (the Son) must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.

26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.

27 For he (the Father) hath put all things under his (the Son) feet. But when he (the Father) saith, all things are put under him (the Son), it is manifest that he (the Father) is excepted, which did put all things under him (the Son).

28 And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him (the Father) that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.

(KJV)

Parenthesis added.

If you hold to the "ONENESS" doctrine, you MUST ask yourself some questions about the above scripture:

VERSE 24 AT THE END, WHO WILL DELIVER THE KINGDOM TO GOD, EVEN THE FATHER?

VERSE 25 WHO WILL REIGN UNTIL ALL ENEMIES ARE PUT UNDER WHO'S FEET?

VERSE 27 WHO PUT ALL THINGS UNDER WHO'S FEET, AND WHO IS EXEMPT FROM BEING PUT UNDER HIM?

VERSE 28 WHO WILL THE SON BECOME SUBJECT TO? WHO WILL BE ABOVE ALL THINGS, EVEN THE SON?

John 8:16-18 .... for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me

John 16:32 .... I am not alone, because the Father is with me.

THE SON RECEIVES THE SCROLL FROM THE HAND OF THE FATHER IN Revelation!

Rev 5:1 And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.

Rev 5:6-7 And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.

HOW could Jesus take the scroll out of the hand of Him who sat on the throne. This is a heavenly scene where Oneness teachers teach that there is ONLY Jesus.

John 8:16-18 .... for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me

John 16:32 .... I am not alone, because the Father is with me.

OLD TESTIMENT SCRIPTURE OF THE SON RECEIVING THE KINGDOM FROM THE FATHER!

Dan 7:9-10

I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire.

A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened.

Dan 7:13-14

I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him.

And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.

Daniel CLEARLY saw the SON receiving the Kingdom FROM the Ancient of Days (the Father). How could Jesus "receive" honor and glory from God the Father if God the Father is not a seperate person?

2 Peter 1:17 For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

John 8:16-18 .... for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me

John 16:32 .... I am not alone, because the Father is with me.

OLD TESTAMENT PLURALITY OF THE GODHEAD!

Gen 1:26-27

And God said, Let us make man in OUR image, after OUR likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

(KJV)

God says “OUR” image, “OUR” likeness. He was NOT speaking to angels. He was speaking to the Son and the Holy Spirit. Then it says man was created in “HIS OWN IMAGE.” If Jesus was the Father and the Holy Spirit as well, He would have said “I will make man in MY image, after MY likeness” not OUR ! And also notice that He created "him" and then "Them"! The singular is ALSO Plural ! Adam was created a "singular - plural" being, in the likeness of God, a "singular - plural" being !

1 Thes. 5:23

And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Again He speaks in the plural at the tower of Babel:

Gen 11:7

Go to, let US go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another's speech.

(KJV)

Gen 3:22

And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as ONE OF US, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever: (KJV)

John 8:16-18 .... for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me

John 16:32 .... I am not alone, because the Father is with me.

THE SON WAS SENT BY THE FATHER!

Isa 48:16

Come ye near unto me, hear ye this; I have not spoken in secret from the beginning; from the time that it was, there am I: and now the Lord GOD, and his Spirit, hath sent me.

(KJV)

The above is an Old Testament Scripture where Jesus proclaims that He was sent by the FATHER, and His SPIRIT! IN fact, if you will read Isaiah chapter 49, you will find, what appears to be, a conversation in which both the Father and the Son are speaking, about the birth and the work of Jesus!

In 33 verses in the New Testament, Jesus spoke of the Father as having "Sent" him!

You Cannot be sent without a SENDER! One who SENDS and the one who IS SENT are seperate entities.

Matthew 10:40, Mark 9:37, Luke 4:18, 9:48, 10:16, John 4:34, 5:24, 5:30, 5:36, 6:38, 6:44, 6:57, 7:16, 7:28, 7:33, 8:16, 8:18, 8:26, 8:29, 8:42, 9:4, 11:42, 12:44, 12:49, 13:20, 14:24, 15:21, 16:5, 17:18, 17:21, 17:23, 17:25, 20:21

John 8:42

Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.

Oneness teachers would have to declare that Jesus lied in the above verse, since Jesus proclaimed that he did NOT "come of myself, but HE sent me!" A oneness doctrine would have to declare that Jesus DID, in fact, send himself, making the above verse void of its true meaning!

Prov 30:4

Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended? who hath gathered the wind in his fists? who hath bound the waters in a garment? who hath established all the ends of the earth? what is his name, and what is HIS SON'S name, if thou canst tell?

John 8:16-18 .... for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me

John 16:32 .... I am not alone, because the Father is with me.

THE PRAYER AND OBEDIENCE OF JESUS TO THE FATHER!

The entire chapter 17 in the book of John, is a prayer in which Jesus is praying TO the FATHER:

John 17:1-5

These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee: [2] As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him. [3] And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do. [5] And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was....

The Oneness doctrine makes a mockery of this entire chapter, making the prayer of Jesus to the Father, a vain (empty, useless, manipulative) prayer since the Father would not exist to hear the prayer! WHO was at the other end to hear this prayer?

Hebrews 5:7-8

Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared; [8] Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;

May I ask you, WHO "was able to save him from death"? WHO heard him? And again, WHO was Jesus "obedient" to? Jesus prayed to the Father in the garden, just before he was arrested. In his anguish, may I ask, WHO was he talking to when he said "Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done". Luke 22:42

Certainly, these scriptures would be very confusing, senseless, or a trick if Jesus was alone as the Oneness teachers declare!

Then there are other prayers in which Jesus prayed to the Father. Matthew 11:25, 26:39 & 42, Mark 14:36, Luke 10:21, 22:42, 23:34, 23:46, John 11:41, 12:28! All of these are made null and void by the Oneness doctrine!

John 8:16-18 .... for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me

John 16:32 .... I am not alone, because the Father is with me.

THE SON SAT DOWN AT THE RIGHT HAND OF THE FATHER!

Heb 1:1-3

God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; 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;

(KJV)

The Father appointed His Son as heir, and Jesus sat down at the RIGHT HAND, of God the Father!

8 scriptures say that Jesus is NOW at the RIGHT HAND OF GOD! Impossible for Oneness teaching.

Mark 16:19, Acts 2:33, 7:55&56, Rom 8:34, Col. 3:1, Heb 10:12, 1 Peter 3:22

In fact, Stephen SAW Jesus standing at the right hand of God the Father:

Acts 7:55-56 But he, 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.

How did Stephen know Jesus was "standing on the right hand of God"? Because he SAW both Jesus AND God the Father! He DID NOT see Jesus ALONE!

John 8:16 .... "for I am not alone"

John 16:32 .... I am not alone, because the Father is with me.

WHO IS THE GOD OF JESUS?

The following verses could be very confusing for the "Oneness" student to read unless you read them with a proper understanding of the godhead! Realizing that Jesus is God the Son, and that the Father is God the Father, you will have a better understanding of reading these verses. By saying "My God" Jesus is NOT saying that God the Father is His "creator" as Micah 5:2 declares that Jesus has no beginning! But Jesus DOES call the Father "My God" even in Revelation after Jesus has been glorified!

John 20:17 Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.

Mark 15:34 And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?

Hebrews 1:8-9 But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom. [9] Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.

"Oneness" doctrine would have the student understand that, when Jesus accended to heaven, he would be alone as God the Father! But this is not shown to be true! Here, after Jesus had regained his glory in heaven, he is still speaking about "My Father" and "My God!"

Rev. 3:5, 12, 21

He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.

[12] Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.

[21] To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.

John 8:16 ..... "for I am not alone"

John 16:32 .... I am not alone, because the Father is with me.

Early church Fathers on the Trinity

You will notice that the dates of these early church fathers quotes shown below defining the godhead pre-existed the origin of the Roman Catholic church, (birthed in 300-400 AD) which is explained on another page. Even at that, the Roman Catholic church and its declination from gospel truth was a gradual, evolutionary decline.

THE TRINITY, PRE-ROMAN CATHOLIC FATHERS

THE EPISTLE OF IGNATIUS

TO THE PHILIPPIANS

(A.D. 30-107)

Ignatius was Bishop of the church of Antioch and a personal disciple of one or more of the apostles! Ignatius was a first generation disciple and learned his doctrine directly from the personal Apostles who followed Jesus Christ!

UNITY OF THE THREE DIVINE PERSONS

There is then one God and Father, and not two or three; One who is; and there is no other besides Him, the only true [God]. For “the Lord thy God,” saith [the Scripture], “is one Lord.” And again, “Hath not one God created us? Have we not all one Father? And there is also one Son, God the Word. For “the only-begotten Son,” saith [the Scripture], “who is in the bosom of the Father.” And again, “One Lord Jesus Christ.” And in another place, “What is His name, or what His Son's name, that we may know?” And there is also one Paraclete. For “there is also,” saith [the Scripture], “one Spirit,” since “we have been called in one hope of our calling.” And again, “We have drunk of one Spirit,” with what follows. And it is manifest that all these gifts [possessed by believers] “worketh one and the self-same Spirit.” There are not then either three Fathers, or three Sons, or three Paracletes, but one Father, and one Son, and one Paraclete. Wherefore also the Lord, when He sent forth the apostles to make disciples of all nations, commanded them to “baptize in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost,” not unto one [person] having three names, nor into three [persons] who became incarnate, but into three possessed of equal honor. (pg 223 Chapter 2 )

For there is but One that became incarnate, and that neither the Father nor the Paraclete, but the Son only, [who became so] not in appearance or imagination, but in reality. (pg 224 Chapter 3)

1st Apology of JUSTIN MARTYR

[A.D. 110-165.]

As many as are persuaded and believe that what we teach and say is true, and undertake to be able to live accordingly, are instructed to pray and to entreat God with fasting, for the remission of their sins that are past, we praying and fasting with them. Then they are brought by us where there is water, and are regenerated in the same manner in which we were ourselves regenerated. For, in the name of God, the Father and Lord of the universe, and of our Savior Jesus Christ, and of the Holy Spirit, they then receive the washing with water. For Christ also said, “Except ye be born again, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. (p 336 chapter 61)

p 339 (Chapter 63) For they who affirm that the Son is the Father, are proved neither to have become acquainted with the Father, nor to know that the Father of the universe has a Son; who also, being the first-begotten Word of God, is even God.

“When Scripture says, `The Lord rained fire from the Lord out of heaven,' the prophetic word indicates that there were two in number: One upon the earth, who, it says, descended to behold the cry of Sodom; Another in heaven, who also is Lord of the Lord on earth, as He is Father and God; the cause of His power and of His being Lord and God. Again, when the Scripture records that God said in the beginning, `Behold, Adam has become like one of Us,' this phrase, `like one of Us,' is also indicative of number; and the words do not admit of a figurative meaning, as the sophists endeavour to affix on them, who are able neither to tell nor to understand the truth. (Dialogue with Trypho, Chapter 129)

IRENAEUS

(120-202 AD)

Irenaeus was Bishop of the church in Lyons, France!

And this [text following] does declare the same truth: “Thy throne, O God; is for ever and ever; the scepter of Thy kingdom is a right scepter. Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity: therefore God, Thy God, hath anointed Thee.” For the Spirit designates both [of them] by the name, of God - both Him who is anointed as Son, and Him who does anoint, that is, the Father. (pg 832 BOOK 3 Chapter 6)

Christ Himself, therefore, together with the Father, is the God of the living, who spake to Moses, and who was also manifested to the fathers. (pg 928 BOOK 3 Chapter 5)

For with Him were always present the Word and Wisdom, the Son and the Spirit, by whom and in whom, freely and spontaneously, He made all things, to whom also He speaks, saying, `Let Us make man after Our image and likeness….'” (Against Heresies 4:20:1)

TERTULLIAN

230 A.D.

“Then there is the Paraclete or Comforter, also….`He shall receive of mine,' says Christ, just as Christ Himself received of the Father's. Thus the connection of the Father in the Son, and of the Son in the Paraclete, produces three coherent Persons, who are yet distinct One from Another. These Three are one essence, not one Person, as it is said, `I and my Father are One,' in respect of unity of substance not singularity of number.” (Against Praxeus, Chapter 25)

“…All are of One, by unity (that is) of substance; while the mystery of the dispensation is still guarded, which distributes the Unity into a Trinity, placing in their order the three Persons - the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost: three, however, not in condition, but in degree; not in substance, but in form; not in power, but in aspect; yet of one substance, and of one condition, and of one power, inasmuch as He is one God, from whom these degrees and forms and aspects are reckoned, under the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.” (Against Praxeus, Chapter 2)

CLEMENT OF ALEXANDRIA

215 A.D.

“And the address in the Timœus calls the creator, Father, speaking thus: `Ye gods of gods, of whom I am Father; and the Creator of your works.' So that when he says, `Around the king of all, all things are, and because of Him are all things; and he [or that] is the cause of all good things; and around the second are the things second in order; and around the third, the third,' I understand nothing else than the Holy Trinity to be meant; for the third is the Holy Spirit, and the Son is the second, by whom all things were made according to the will of the Father.” (The Stromata, Book 5, Chapter 14)

HIPPOLYTUS

235 A.D.

“A man, therefore, even though he will it not, is compelled to acknowledge God the Father Almighty, and Christ Jesus the Son of God, who, being God, became man, to whom also the Father made all things subject, Himself excepted, and the Holy Spirit; and that these, therefore, are three. But if he desires to learn how it is shown still that there is one God, let him know that His power is one. As far as regards the power, therefore, God is one. But as far as regards the economy there is a threefold manifestation, as shall be proved afterwards when we give account of the true doctrine. In these things, however, which are thus set forth by us, we are at one. For there is one God in whom we must believe, but unoriginated, impassible, immortal, doing all things as He wills, in the way He wills, and when He wills.” (Against the Heresy of One Noetus, Section 8)

“God, subsisting alone, and having nothing contemporaneous with Himself, determined to create the world. And conceiving the world in mind, and willing and uttering the word, He made it; and straightway it appeared, formed as it had pleased Him. For us, then, it is sufficient simply to know that there was nothing contemporaneous with God. Beside Him there was nothing; but He, while existing alone, yet existed in plurality.” (Against the Heresy of One Noetus, Sections 10-12)

If, then, the Word was with God, and was also God, what follows? Would one say that he speaks of two Gods? I shall not indeed speak of two Gods, but of one; of two Persons however, and of a third economy (disposition), viz., the grace of the Holy Ghost. For the Father indeed is One, but there are two Persons, because there is also the Son; and then there is the third, the Holy Spirit….The economy of harmony is led back to one God; for God is One. It is the Father who commands, and the Son who obeys, and the Holy Spirit who gives understanding: the Father who is above all, and the Son who is through all, and the Holy Spirit who is in all. And we cannot otherwise think of one God, but by believing in truth in Father and Son and Holy Spirit….The Father's Word, therefore, knowing the economy (disposition) and the will of the Father, to wit, that the Father seeks to be worshipped in none other way than this, gave this charge to the disciples after He rose from the dead: `Go ye and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.' And by this He showed, that whosoever omitted any one of these, failed in glorifying God perfectly. For it is through this Trinity that the Father is glorified. For the Father willed, the Son did, the Spirit manifested. The whole Scriptures, then, proclaim this truth.” (Against the Heresy of One Noetus, Section 14)

ORIGEN

250 A.D.

We worship, therefore, the Father of truth, and the Son, who is the truth; and these, while they are two, considered as persons or subsistences, are one in unity of thought, in harmony and in identity of will. So entirely are they one, that he who has seen the Son, `who is the brightness of God's glory, and the express image of His person,' has seen in Him, who is the image of God, God Himself.” (Against Celsus 8:12)

“Now, what the Holy Spirit is, we are taught in many passages of Scripture….From all which we learn that the person of the Holy Spirit was of such authority and dignity, that saving baptism was not complete except by the authority of the most excellent Trinity of them all, i.e., by the naming of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and by joining to the unbegotten God the Father, and to His only-begotten Son, the name also of the Holy Spirit. Who, then, is not amazed at the exceeding majesty of the Holy Spirit, when he hears that he who speaks a word against the Son of man may hope for forgiveness; but that he who is guilty of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit has not forgiveness, either in the present world or in that which is to come!” (De Principiis 1:3:2)

“…he who is regenerated by God unto salvation has to do both with Father and Son and Holy Spirit, and does not obtain salvation unless with the co-operation of the entire Trinity; and…it is impossible to become partaker of the Father or the Son without the Holy Spirit.” (De Principiis 1:3:5)

“Let no one indeed suppose that we…give a preference to the Holy Spirit over the Father and the Son, or assert that His dignity is greater, which certainly would be a very illogical conclusion….nothing in the Trinity can be called greater or less….there is no difference in the Trinity….” (De Principiis 1:3:7)

“…the divine benefits [are] bestowed upon us by Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, which Trinity is the fountain of all holiness….” (De Principiis 1:4:2)

MORE

You must agree, that if you are holding to the "Jesus Only" also called "Oneness" doctrine, and deny the plurality of the Trinity, that you are very much in disagreement with each and all of these Early Chruch Fathers and are trusting a different doctrine than what was taught to the early Christian church. Starting with Ignatius, a personal and direct disciple of the living Apostles of Christ, right on down to Origen who died in 250 A.D. the doctrine of the plurality of the Godhead has been preached! If you wish to read more Early Church Fathers quotes that clearly show the plurality of the Godhead, read the Trinity! This page will take you to my study against the Jehovah's Witnesses, who also deny the trinity and is the counter swing of this error. As the Jesus Only group denies the Father of Jesus, the Jehovah's Witnesses deny the Son of the Father! Interestingly, the Anti-Nicene Fathers writings clear up both heresies and is well worth reading for the student who is seeking a true understanding of the Godhead!

THE HOLY SPIRIT ONLY SPEAKS WHAT HE HEARS, NOT OF HIMSELF!

John 16:13-14

Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

(KJV)

If the Holy Spirit was Jesus Himself, WHY would Jesus say “he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak.” ?

Matt 12:31-32

Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.

(KJV)

If Jesus himself IS the Holy Spirit, then how is it that blasphemy against “the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall NOT be forgiven him” EVER!

John 14:16

And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;

(KJV)

If Jesus was the Father, and the Holy Spirit, this scripture would make no sense at all. Jesus said He will ASK the Father, and the FATHER will send the Comforter (Holy Spirit). Will Jesus ask Himself to send Himself?

Think a minute before you read on!

BAPTISM

I know Oneness teachers like to play on this one. But I might add, why, would Jesus have said it like this:

(Mat 28:19 KJV) Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

instead of like this:

(John 16:23 KJV) And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.

Why didn't Jesus say "baptizing them in my name" as he did in 20 other verses where he mentions "my name!"

To be perfectly honest with you, I believe a man whom has confessed "Jesus Christ is Lord" and was baptized in the name of Jesus Christ is just as saved as the man who confessed "Jesus Christ is Lord" and was baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Anyone who tends to want to argue this is contentious and does not have a complete understanding of the issue of a repentant heart that calls on the name of Jesus Christ. Formulas do not save a man, but a repentant heart calling on the name of Jesus Christ.

To be perfectly honest about Matthew 28:19, the ONENESS teachers forsake the words of Jesus Christ and make them of "no effect"! Jesus commanded the baptism to be done on the name of the 3 persons of the godhead!

John 8:16-18 .... for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me

John 16:32 .... I am not alone, because the Father is with me.

A further study on Baptism, in who's name!

To help balance your study on the person of Jesus Christ, I suggest that you read my page on Jesus as I counter the false doctrines of the Jehovah's Witnesses to prove the deity of Jesus Christ and His equality with the Father as God!

T.D. Jakes