Sound doctrine is being attacked from within as well as from outside of the historic Biblical Christian faith. Orthodox biblical teachings are now being questioned, watered-down, compromised and dismissed by some ‘professed’ Christians. The basics of orthodox belief, as set forth in Scripture and affirmed in the ancient creeds, are now often ignored and dismissed by theologians, churches and some entire denominations. Heresy and apostasy abound within organized Christendom.

One of the major teachings that have been attacked through the centuries is the Trinity. The Bible teaches that there is one God who manifests Himself in Three distinct Persons. The so-called “Oneness” teaching is subtle, dangerous and divisive. The adherents of “Oneness” are often well meaning and sincere Christians, nevertheless they are denying an important truth that is basic to the Christian Faith. Unfortunately the majority of Christians accepting the doctrine of God’s tri-unity are unable to defend it when questioned.

This results in uninformed Trinitarians accepting the “Oneness teaching” as truth when in reality it is contrary to biblical teaching. Even the term “oneness” is a misnomer and misleading. All authentic Christians believe that there is but one God, “Hear, O Israel: the LORD [YHVH] our God, the LORD is one!” (Deut. 6:4).

Let me reiterate that some people who have accepted the “Oneness doctrine” are sincere earnest Christians. Holding a false doctrine such as “oneness” does not disqualify anyone who has received Christ from God’s kingdom. Orthodox doctrine does not save! Jesus Christ alone and only is Savior and Lord!

What is Heresy?
Heresy is a deviation from the truth of Scripture. Holding any heresy is contrary to God’s will and plan. Heresy is any belief that is not in full accord with Scripture, hence an aberration.

Some Christians ‘claim’ that “the Oneness” issue is simply a matter of semantics, but is this so? It is more than mere semantics. It is the difference between truth and error. The historic ancient creeds, through not infallible or equal to Scripture, nevertheless affirm biblical truths. The creeds were developed to combat heresy and especially “the Oneness teaching” in one form or another. Each of the major creeds, Apostles’, Nicene and Athanasian is Trinitarian. The basic tenets of each of the creeds is the tri-unity of the Godhead; three persons, yet one God. Orthodox Christians do not believe in three gods as is falsely charged by those who reject the doctrine of the Trinity. Biblical Christians believe in and worship the one, true, living and eternal God. The God revealed to the Children of Israel in the Hebrew Scriptures is the same God of authentic[1] Christians. The New Testament gives further insight and understanding into the Trinity. GOD has revealed Himself to humankind as:

	The Father is God!
	The Son is God!
	The Holy Spirit is God!

The Trinity [2] is an infinite concept that the finite mind cannot fully comprehend or understand. It is by faith that the believer accepts and believes this infinite concept. It is one of the many mysteries revealed in Scripture. Christians have held firmly to this teaching since the original apostles. Trinitarianism is apostolic teaching firmly held by Christians who are truly apostolic. In addition to the historic Trinitarian Creeds it should be noted that not one of the Early Church Fathers subscribed to the “oneness teaching.” Not one of the Reformers of the sixteenth-century held this erroneous teaching. Not one of the spiritual awakenings and revivals through the centuries has been promoted by non-Trinitarians. Why do I refer to “oneness” as a heresy? I refer to it in this manner because it is a false teaching that has no biblical basis nor historical foundation in New Testament Christianity.

It should also be noted that accepting the doctrine of the Trinity is a major test of orthodoxy. Every cult denies the Trinity. The Trinity is also rejected by a number of Pentecostal groups including the United Pentecostal Church (UPC), Pentecostal Assemblies of the World (PAW), the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ of the Apostolic Faith, in addition to a host of other smaller sects.

Many who promote the “Oneness” doctrine refer to themselves as apostolic Christians and apostolic churches. Unfortunately they do not seem to grasp the term ‘apostolic’. Biblical Christianity is the apostolic faith. The ancient creeds declare that “We believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic church.” The Church referred to in this creedal declaration is the Body of Christ, the Church of God, the Bride of Christ. It is neither sectarian nor refers to any particular denomination. It is Trinitarian, not Unitarian. It is that Church which was founded by the Lord Jesus Christ. It is being built upon the teachings of the original apostles. Jesus Christ is the only legitimate head of the Church and of local New Testament churches. These churches adhere to apostles’ doctrine, i.e. teaching.

On the coat-tails of the “Oneness heresy” is another teaching that at first seems harmless but is insidious and destructive. The “oneness sects” teach that people must be baptized in Jesus’ Name in order to be saved. This teaching insists that those who have been baptized “in the name of the Triune God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit” must be rebaptized in Jesus’ Name if they are to have eternal life. This is also a false teaching. It is a perversion of the doctrine of salvation by grace. Church history reveals that originally the first converts were Jews and God-fearers [Gentiles who accepted the God of the Hebrews - YHWH].

They accepted Jesus [Yeshua] of Nazareth as the Christ [Messiah]. They already believed in God the Father, but came to know Yeshua [Jesus], the Son, in a personal way as Messiah, Savior and Lord. They were baptized in Yeshua’s [Jesus’] Name as an outward witness that they now acknowledged Yeshua (Jesus) as the promised Messiah. In being baptized in His Name they were publicly declaring that they intended to be His disciples.

As the preaching of the Gospel reached the pagan Gentiles, these were people who did not believe in or worship the true God. The Gentiles worshiped many gods and goddesses. They had to be taught that there is only one God. Judaism and Christianity reject belief in many gods. The Gentiles also had to be taught that this one God is manifested as Father, as Son (Savior and Redeemer-Lord) and as Holy Spirit (who came to indwell all who accept the Gospel). These converts were baptized in the Name of the Triune God as commanded by Christ. See Mt. 28:18-20. These new believers were identifying with God in God’s fullness; Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Thus being baptized in the Name of the Triune God is proper. Let me affirm at this point that it matters not what formula or words are said when one is baptized; baptism does not save. It is faith in Jesus Christ along that saves. See – Romans 10:9-13.

In addition to the workshop/seminars we also have a number of booklets available.

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Strawberry, AZ 85544-9740

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