I'm a Oneness Pentecostal who used to be Trinitarian

11/12/2015

updated 2022 March 11th

I became a Christian in 2005. I was Trinitarian as I was taught this is who God is. In 2011 I became a Oneness Pentecostal. This blog is about my personal journey in coming to view the godhead differently. Before we get started, I do want to clarify that I am not here to argue or attack. I know there are debates out there on this topic and people dedicated to trying to disprove each other. That’s not how I do things. I’m going to share why my views changed. If you are also Oneness, you are welcome here. If you are Trinitarian, you are welcome here. We have the same God. We simply have different perspectives on how he can be the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

What is the Trinity?
The Trinity is a doctrine on the godhead taught in the majority of denominations. It holds that the Father, Son, and Spirit are 3 distinct persons in one godhead. A 3-leaf clover is often used as an example. Each person is fully God. It’s also described as 3 distinct persons in 1 divine essence. Though it is difficult to grasp, Trinitarians accept this as a mystery to be embraced as none of us can fully comprehend the greatness of God.

What is the Oneness doctrine?
Oneness believes that God is one. He is the Father and the Son Jesus and the Holy Spirit. God reveals himself in different modes. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are his titles. For an earthly example, a man is a son and husband and father yet it is the same man who fills all those roles. Oneness Pentecostals take the bible at its word that God is one. They reject the doctrine of the Trinity because it is not found in the bible.

Alright. Now that we’ve got the basics out of the way, let’s dive in.

I was atheist.

I became Christian.

I was taught the Trinity to explain who God is. I was not educated on other doctrines. I was also taught that most Christians consider any churches who are not Trinitarian to not be real Christians. I never really bought into the idea that non-Trinitarians weren’t Christian, but I was leery.

I didn’t question that. I never felt like the Trinity made sense, but I accepted it as something divine my human limitations couldn’t wrap my head around.

In 2011 I started going to an Apostolic Pentecostal church. When I found out they weren’t Trinitarian, I became cautious. That made me hesitate. However, you can’t be in their church services and think these people aren’t Christian. The way they worship? The way they pray? The miracles I see? The healings? The presence of the Holy Ghost? The move of God in the church and in their lives? No, you absolutely could not convince me that they didn’t know God.

I learned more about their views on the godhead in a bible study and in Sunday school. I had never questioned the Trinity. I had also never realized it was not mentioned in the bible. Nor did I realize that the bible says nothing about God being triune or 3 in 1 or “God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit”. When I noticed that is when I started to question. As I searched for answers, I found that the Trinity seemed to me to be logical. It was logical in the sense that the 3 persons in 1 godhead was the way to make sense of things. “Man’s logic is not God’s logic” is a reoccurring thought I had. One of the big things for me that led to my doubt was finding out the doctrine of the Trinity became accepted in 381AD at the First Council of Constantinople.

The apostles didn't teach it. The early church didn't teach it. Jesus didn't teach it. The bible does not use the word Trinity nor does it say anything about "God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit" with a triune teaching. The Trinity is using man's logic to explain how God can be in 3 roles. It is not in scripture nor is it a direct interpretation of scripture. Coming to that revelation and studying the bible verses on the godhead was sufficient for me to stop following the Trinitarian view.

At that point, I wasn’t Trinitarian anymore but I also didn’t want to immediately jump on the Oneness wagon without studying more. This was something that I thought over with much prayer and bible study. I’d like to share here the bible verses that spoke to me.

Deuteronomy 6:4 “Hear, Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one!
Isaiah 9:6 For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.
Mark 12:28-34 One of the scribes came up and heard them arguing, and recognizing that He had answered them well, asked Him, “What commandment is the foremost of all?” Jesus answered, “The foremost is, ‘Hear, Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one; and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” And the scribe said to Him, “Well said, Teacher; You have truly stated that He is One, and there is no other besides Him; and to love Him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the strength, and to love one’s neighbor as oneself, is much more than all the burnt offerings and sacrifices.” When Jesus saw that he had answered intelligently, He said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And then, no one dared any longer to question Him.
John 1:14 And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Colossians 2:9 For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form,
Colossians 1:15-20 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything. For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven.
2 Corinthians 4:4 in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
1 Timothy 3:16 By common confession, great is the mystery of godliness: He who was revealed in the flesh, Was vindicated in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Proclaimed among the nations, Believed on in the world, Taken up in glory
1 Timothy 1:17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
Hebrews 1:3 And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,
James 2:19 You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder.

(All scripture taken from the New American Standard Bible)

God . . .

The prince of peace, the eternal father, the king

revealed in the flesh (1 Timothy 3:16)

the image of the invisible God (Colossians 1:15, 2 Corinthians 4:4)
an exact representation of His nature (Hebrews 1:3)
radiance of His glory (Hebrews 1:3)
the fullness of the Deity in bodily form (Colossians 2:9)

I see one God in the bible.
Jesus

A couple other verses to consider:

Jesus says he has come in his Father's name (John 5:43)
John 14:7 If you had known me, you would have known my Father also; from now on you know Him, and have seen him.
John 14:26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.

How can God be the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit?
God is omnipresent. He is everywhere all the time. He can be in numerous places at once; he can be in heaven and in spirit form and in bodily form all at the same time. He is that powerful. He is that big. He has no limits. He is not restricted the way that mankind is. He is able to manifest himself in multiple ways. He is not divided or weakened. He is one.

A man can be a couple's child, a woman's husband, and a child's father all at the same time. One man can be in those 3 roles without being divided. Surely God can be in 3 roles without division or restriction.

God said in his word that he is one. I believe it. I believe that God is One. Jesus is God. This is what I follow.

12 Comments

Keyonma Robinson

8/7/2019 23:50:24

I have enjoyed this! I myself am a oneness Apostolic pentecostal who use to be trinitarian. The strange part is that, i was actuly raised in a oneness church from the time i was born. But i never knew the church i went to was Oneness..lol But when i discovered the truth i was amazed, exxited and mind blown! Ive been fully oneness for 4 years now and was a trinitarian for 7 years..(16-23) was baptized in Jesus ne at age 21 and 2years later converted my belief in doctrine at age 23. And till this day, ive made a promise toy heavenly Father, Jesus Christ that ill nwver return to the trinity! Thank you for your story!

Mondel cabague

6/12/2021 06:13:41

The bible itself old and new testament details that there is really a father co existence with the son as verses that follows proverbs 8.22to30,proverbs 30.4.and in the new testament Jesus himself mention that He is came and sent by the father as a matter of fact john 14..Jesus said trust in God and trust also in me. John 16...explains that Jesus is came from God and send by the father as what the 12 discple understood after He speak not in a view of figurative statement about the father and Jesus.. And clearly admit that He came not of his own but to the father. The onness insist that there is no father only Jesus while the scripture detailed that a father is exist with the son Jesus.

Just a Man link

26/5/2021 23:53:30

I am drawn to Apostolic Churches because of it’s practice and teaching of holiness (a lot of Churches are comprised) however, I can’t wrap my head around Mark 1:9-11 as it relates to the Oneness doctrine.

Mark 1:9-11 KJV
[9] And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan. [10] And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him: [11] And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

You’d have to infer a lot to interpret this scripture as one God operating in 3 different modes.

If Jesus was with John, while seeing a dove (in the form of the Holy Spirit) descending from heaven and also hearing a voice saying saying to Jesus “my beloved son in whom I am well pleased”.

Was this Jesus speaking to himself from heaven while descending upon himself as the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove or three distinct members interacting at the same time?

Ultimately, I believe truly saved and Holy Ghost filled Oneness and Trinitarian believers will see God, I don’t think either view is heresy, but I’m just a believer not a theologian or preacher. I love Jesus Christ and have brought my life under his subjection. I just want to go to heaven.

Jackson Turner

18/10/2021 10:39:49

This video explains your question quite well: https://youtu.be/CU0P3awcikw. It is with Dr. David K. Bernard, who has a Doctorate in Theology from South Africa University.

Shannon Murdock link

15/4/2022 05:52:39

I believe both doctrine has points I do not know the answer but I do believe in holy ghost filled and that we must be truly saved and repent and surrender daily to Jesus to build are relationship.

John Alexander link

8/6/2021 16:56:02

Its shameful to me that Christians actually BATTLE one another over such a ridiculous topic as the Trinity.
With so many other pressing issues that the church is confronted with in a rapidly changing world you'd think our house would be cleaned up enough not to put thee doctrinal stumbling blocks in front of so many central american migrants seeking Jesus.
The growing harvest of ex Muslims seeking Jesus who are already suspicious of the trinity and other complicated issues yet here we Christians stand divides as ever.

Each denomination claiming unity in the body yet can't properly define the classical definition of the trinity they claim to abhor as traditions of men.

No counting the number of steps one made on the sabbath was a tradition of men Jesus warned of. Filtering gnat's from drinking vessels traditions of men., failing to his observe the laws call for mercy were traditions of men.
The Triune God may embarrass some folks who avoid all the negative baggage associated with it. But the further we get away from the biblical ( inference ) of Gods relational nature.
Then we Christians will continue.to make a mockery of the love true disciples of Jesus are supposed to reflect.
God bless you all

Jeff Burroughs link

12/6/2021 21:03:44

I am goin thru situation now I've been a beleiver in Jesus as savior for 20 years or so but was always shown how God reveals himself as trinity but almost 2 years ago I was homeless I met a guy who said he was Christian and I told him I was believe r but he asked me if I ever was baptized I said yes a couple times he asked under what name I told him father son holy spirit but he explained acts 2 38 formula invited me to a bible study at a pentecostals church in jonesboro I went he eventually helps me off street I was rebaptized in Jesus name but introduced me to the oneness doctrine never heard it till then I've been goin for long while I started sharing gospel videos from there but I could never come to truly accept that oneness doctrine I've had lots convicted when I started sharing messages there I see both sides oneness but I also see trinity view my freind try in convince me it's only oneness but I still see in many verses both sides but I see more verses that support triune view than the other one I told my freind it's not opinion im look in for truth and I know only truth sets us free I beleive 100 percent Jesus is God manifested in flesh as son of God I accepted his salvation but now I'm struggling try in accept this oneness doctrine maybe u can help me in this area cause it's been troubling me

Cameron

10/11/2021 18:28:04

WOW! I was a baptist who believed in the trinity as well. I was always taught to avoid pentecostals because they had bad theology. I was excelling in my gifts and in my doctrine to the point that I was preaching every friday night to the youth at the bapstist church. I was also a guest speaker at many events. I preached my first sermon when I was 19 years old to the whole congregation one sunday morning in the baptist church because of my knowledge of the word. But I looked in depth to this Oneness doctrine and a light went off. It is like the more I learn the crazier I become about God. I study doctrine and read the word every single day no joke. So at 21 years old me and my wife both got re-baptized in Jesus name and we both have the Holy Ghost speaking in other tongues. I am going through a battle right now that gets very discouraging. Every pastor or brother I ever built a relationship with in the trinitarian community is challenging me and trying to re convert me and debunk the doctrine. I am standing tall and only letting the word of God speak for itself. They can not answer many things I present. Just like you I find it harder to debate Oneness than I do to debate trinity. God bless you and thank you for your testimony!!!

Felicia Johnson

21/1/2022 19:43:21

Hi Sister,

Came across your website today, very insightful. Same here. I was a staunch Trinitarian, and would argue anyone down who spoke otherwise, but over time the Lord begin to open my eyes and reveal His true nature to me. God bless you!

Ryan Poole

8/4/2022 02:38:48

Hello my name is Ryan Poole I Was a trinity for a long time I left the churchs to be with Jews an was in the process of conversion to join the Jewish community the jews belive in one G-d Deut 6:4 I prayed long and hard in tears wondering were should I go and christ led me to a apostolic oneness pentecostal church. What I love is I'm no longer starving emotionally and spiritually I'm closer to christ then I ever was in my life I found your article because it's been breaking my heart to see how much church gate us the trinity is not even A salvation issue I dont understand it may the Lord bless you

Amanda Bernard

2/5/2022 00:51:48

Just simply powerful. I am an apostolic and trust me when i say this has been a huge stumbling block for many people. I always encourage those struggling to Read the Word of God prayerfully. Jesus is not far from us and if we seek him diligently he will reveal himself.

Armando

3/6/2022 18:24:44

One question.
When Jesus prays to the father. Who exactly is he praying to?
To himself?
When he says, Father forgive them they don't know what they are doing. Or when he prays in John 17.
Just wondering.

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I'm a Oneness Pentecostal who used to be Trinitarian

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