Oneness Pentecostalism is a movement of Pentecostal Christianity that believes in the atoning death of Jesus Christ, His resurrection, His soon return, and the inerrancy of the Word of God as contained in the Bible. Oneness Pentecostalism teaches a literal interpretation of the biblical teaching of salvation with emphasis on the teaching of Jesus Christ & His Apostles Citing "John 3:1-12&"Acts 2:38 experience" as necessary for salvation and places special emphasis on the direct personal experience of God through the baptism of the Holy Spirit, as shown in the Biblical account of the Day of Pentecost. It teaches that personal conversion is to be followed by holy living and exhibiting the fruit of the Spirit"Galatians 5:22. Oneness Pentecostalism differs from the mainstream Pentecostal movement by following the doctrine of Oneness. The Pentecostal movement within Protestant Christianity places special emphasis on the gifts of the Holy Spirit. ... Topics in Christianity Movements · Denominations · Other religions Ecumenism · Preaching · Prayer Music · Liturgy · Calendar Symbols · Art · Criticism Important figures Apostle Paul · Church Fathers Constantine · Athanasius · Augustine Anselm · Aquinas · Palamas · Luther Calvin · Wesley Arius · Marcion of Sinope Archbishop of Canterbury · Catholic Pope Coptic Pope · Ecumenical Patriarch Christianity Portal This box:      Christianity is... Wikipedia does not yet have an article with this exact name. ... The resurrection of Jesus is an event in the New Testament in which God raised him from the dead[1] after his death by crucifixion. ... The Second Coming refers to the Christian belief in the return of Jesus Christ, an event that will fulfill aspects of Messianic prophecy such as the resurrection of the dead, last judgment and full establishment of the Kingdom of God on earth (also called the Reign of God), including the... ‹The template below has been proposed for deletion. ... This article discusses the term God in the context of monotheism and henotheism. ... This Gutenberg Bible is displayed by the United States Library. ... This list of basic Oneness Pentecostal doctrines is an overview. ... In Christian Pentecostal theology, Baptism with the Holy Spirit is a second baptism, in fire, spoken of by Jesus in the Gospels. ... The Descent of the Holy Spirit in a 15th century illuminated manuscript. ... The Holiness movement is composed of people who believe and propagate the belief that the carnal nature of man can be cleansed through faith and by the power of the Holy Spirit if one has had his sins forgiven through faith in Jesus. ... The Catechism of the Catholic Church has this to say about the Fruits of the Holy Spirit: The fruits of the Spirit are perfections that the Holy Spirit forms in us as the first fruits of eternal glory. ... This list of basic Oneness Pentecostal doctrines is an overview. ...

Overview

Although both Oneness and Trinitarian denominations acknowledge the God of the Bible as the only God in existence, and that Jesus was born, died, and resurrected, Oneness doctrine differs from mainstream Christian denominations in that the traditional concept of the Trinity is rejected as an inadequate and inaccurate description of God. According to the United Pentecostal Church International, the largest Oneness Pentecostal body in the United States, Oneness Pentecostals identify Jesus essentially as the human manifestation of God (Jehovah), i.e. God incarnate. [2]. Oneness (concept) is related to Enlightenment and is referring to the experience of oneness and nonduality. ... The adjective trinitarian is used in several senses: Ideas or things pertaining to the Holy Trinity A person or group adhering to the doctrine of Trinitarianism, which holds God to subsist in the form of the Holy Trinity The Trinitarian Order is a Catholic monastic order founded in 1198 by... This Gutenberg Bible is displayed by the United States Library. ... This article is about the Christian Trinity. ... This article is about a reading of the name of God in Hebrew scripture. ...

Citing 1Timothy 2:5, the Oneness doctrine affirms that God is indivisibly one in number, and sees the biblical distinction between God the Father and the man Jesus, as being a proper, observable father-son distinction, except between an incorporeal, transcendent, eternal God as Father, and a human, begotten man as Son, in whom God manifested Himself for the purpose of salvation. Oneness doctrine affirms the full deity of Jesus, by holding that God incarnate manifested Himself to humanity in the man Jesus. It refutes the Trinitarian proposal that the one, true God is comprised of three co-divine, co-equal, co-eternal, co-powerful persons. In the sense that the one God and one man of 1Timothy 2:5 co-exist simultaneously, they teach that Jesus exists simultaneously both as man Jesus and as God (God the Father an invisible, transcendent, Spirit) inseparably united (see John 10:30) as the Son of God. Citing John 4:24 (God is a Spirit), Oneness doctrine uses the terms God the Father and Holy Spirit as references to the same one God, who is Spirit. It affirms that the Holy Spirit and God the Father are one in the same Godhead, but only as separate manifestations or relationships of the one person or being that is God. In many religions, the supreme God is given the title and attributions of Father. ... This article is about Jesus of Nazareth. ... This article is about Jesus of Nazareth. ... This article is about Jesus of Nazareth. ... This article is about Jesus of Nazareth. ... In many religions, the supreme God is given the title and attributions of Father. ... Topics in Christianity Movements · Denominations · Other religions Ecumenism · Preaching · Prayer Music · Liturgy · Calendar Symbols · Art · Criticism Important figures Apostle Paul · Church Fathers Constantine · Athanasius · Augustine Anselm · Aquinas · Palamas · Luther Calvin · Wesley Arius · Marcion of Sinope Archbishop of Canterbury · Catholic Pope Coptic Pope · Ecumenical Patriarch Christianity Portal This box:      Son of... In many religions, the supreme God is given the title and attributions of Father. ... Topics in Christianity Movements · Denominations · Other religions Ecumenism · Preaching · Prayer Music · Liturgy · Calendar Symbols · Art · Criticism Important figures Apostle Paul · Church Fathers Constantine · Athanasius · Augustine Anselm · Aquinas · Palamas · Luther Calvin · Wesley Arius · Marcion of Sinope Archbishop of Canterbury · Catholic Pope Coptic Pope · Ecumenical Patriarch Christianity Portal This box:      In mainstream... Topics in Christianity Movements · Denominations · Other religions Ecumenism · Preaching · Prayer Music · Liturgy · Calendar Symbols · Art · Criticism Important figures Apostle Paul · Church Fathers Constantine · Athanasius · Augustine Anselm · Aquinas · Palamas · Luther Calvin · Wesley Arius · Marcion of Sinope Archbishop of Canterbury · Catholic Pope Coptic Pope · Ecumenical Patriarch Christianity Portal This box:      In mainstream... In many religions, the supreme God is given the title and attributions of Father. ...

"Oneness", "Apostolic" and "Jesus' Name" are adherents' preferred self-designations.^[1]. Jesus-Name doctrine is a slang term used to describe the Oneness doctrine, i. ...

Oneness Pentecostals have also been identified as "Holy Rollers" for their lively style of worship, which can include running church aisles, known as victory marches, as well as jumping, dancing, shouting, and clapping. This label is generally used as a negative term by critics. The church services are also punctuated at times with acts of speaking in tongues (glossalalia), interpretations of tongues, prophetical messages, and the laying of hands for the purposes of healing. These events can happen spontaneously during normal service with no forewarning or direct guidance by the leader of the service, or more often at massive altar calls where the entire congregation is encouraged to come and pray together for various purposes at the altar. Glossolalia comprises the utterance of what appears (to the casual listener) either as an unknown foreign language, or as simply nonsense syllables; the utterances sometimes occur as part of religious worship (religious glossolalia). ...

Oneness Pentecostals commonly refer to all saved Christians as saints and often refer to the men as brothers and the women as sisters, often as a title (i.e. Bro. Smith or Sis. Henderson), in their normal day-to-day speech both in and outside of church.

While the UPCI, PAW, and other Oneness Pentecostal churches do allow women to serve as pastors and evangelize, some Oneness Pentecostals hold the belief that women ministers are unscriptual. Ministers at all levels are allowed to marry and have children. Homosexual marriages are forbidden under all circumstances. A Pentecostal church in Salem, Oregon The United Pentecostal Church International (UPCI) is a Pentecostal denomination formed by a 1945 merger of the Pentecostal Church, Incorporated, and the Pentecostal Assemblies of Jesus Christ. ... The Pentecostal Assemblies of The World, Inc. ...

History

Many people believe that the Oneness doctrine came into existence only in the early 20th century during the latter days of the Azusa Street Revival. Oneness historians, however, such as Dr. Curtis Ward, William Chalfant, Dr. Bernie Wade, Dr. Gary Reckart, Sr., Dr. David Bernard, Dr. Marvin Arnold, and Thomas Weisser in their research and writings prove there were Oneness believers long before the Azusa Street Revival that lead all the way to the beginning of the first century Christian church. Dr. Ward, Dr. Gary Reckart, Sr., and Rev. Talmadge French in particular have proposed the view of an unbroken Church lineage in which the Apostolic/Pentecostal Church has succeeded in continual perpetuity throughout history (see Matthew 16:18). Others teach the Apostolic church went into apostasy and became the Catholic Church. They believe modern Pentecostalism is a total restoration culminating after a step by step separation within Protestantism until the early Apostolic Church was fully restored (Acts 2:38 baptism and Oneness being the final restorations). The Azusa Street Revival was a Pentecostal revival meeting that took place in Los Angeles, California and was led by William J. Seymour, an African American preacher. ... The Azusa Street Revival was a Pentecostal revival meeting that took place in Los Angeles, California and was led by William J. Seymour, an African American preacher. ...

There are indications that the pioneering Oneness Pentecostal figures in the early twentieth century were guided and inspired by prior restorations within Protestantism. Yet none of them had any influence upon them by the ancient Modalists such as Sabellius, Noetus or Praxeas. Modern Oneness people respect the prior restorations within Protestantism but still stress dependence solely upon God and the Bible for the formation of their doctrines, seeking guidance not from ante and post-Nicene writings of men, but from illumination by the Holy Spirit upon the Scriptures. Pre and ante Nicene church history is deemed by Oneness people to be of great interest, but the neo-platoism, dogmas, creeds, and private interpretations are not binding upon them for their faith or doctrinal views. Thus, they are unorthodox in the literal sense of the word.^[2] Protestantism encompasses the forms of Christian faith and practice that originated with the doctrines of the Reformation. ... In Christianity, Sabellianism (also known as modalism or modal monarchism) is the nontrinitarian belief that the Heavenly Father, Resurrected Son and Holy Spirit are different modes or aspects of one God (for us only), rather than three distinct persons (in Himself). ... Sabellius was a third century priest and theologian. ... Noetus, a presbyter of the church of Asia Minor about AD 230, was a native of Smyrna, where (or perhaps in Ephesus) he became a prominent representative of the particular type of Christology now called modalistic monarchianism or patripassianism. ... Praxeas was a Monarchian from Asia Minor who lived in the end of the second/beginning of the third century c. ... This article discusses the term God in the context of monotheism and henotheism. ... This Gutenberg Bible is displayed by the United States Library. ... For other uses, see Plato (disambiguation). ... This article is about statements of belief; Creed is also the name of a rock band, and a village in Cornwall A creed is a statement of belief—usually religious belief—or faith. ... This page is a candidate to be moved to Wiktionary. ...

In the New Testament, Jews are described as rejecting Jesus' claims to divinity, accusing him of blasphemy. In the Gospel of Mark, for instance, Jesus forgives a man's sins and some Jewish teachers thought to themselves: "Why does this fellow talk like that? He's blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?" In the Gospel of John, some Jews began to stone Jesus, explaining that they did so "for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God." This is the origin of dynamic monarchianism (Jesus is not God only a man). (see Unitarianism, Iglesia Ni Cristo, To God Be The Glory by Joel Hemphill, and Islam. Topics in Christianity Movements · Denominations Ecumenism · Preaching · Prayer Music · Liturgy · Calendar Symbols · Art · Criticism Important figures Apostle Paul · Church Fathers Constantine · Athanasius · Augustine Anselm · Aquinas · Palamas · Luther Calvin · Wesley Arius · Marcion of Sinope Archbishop of Canterbury · Catholic Pope Coptic Pope · Ecumenical Patriarch Christianity Portal This box:      Unitarianism is the belief... The Iglesia ni Cristo (IPA: ) (also known as INC or Iglesya ni Kristo ; literally Tagalog for Church of Christ) is a non-Trinitarian Christian church that originated in the Philippines[1] The INC was incorporated in the Philippines by Felix Y. Manalo on July 27, 1914;[2] The church professes... For people named Islam, see Islam (name). ...

The early Church

Citing various sources, Oneness theologian David K. Bernard traces Oneness adherents back^[3] to the first converted Jews of the Apostolic Age, citing no evidence of Jews having any issues comprehending the new teachings and integrating them with their existing strict Judaistic monotheistic beliefs. In the Post-apostolic Age, he claims that Hermas, Clement of Rome, Polycarp, Polycrates and Ignatius from 90 to 140 A.D., and Irenaeus who died about 200 A.D, were either Oneness, modalist, or at most a follower of an "economic Trinity" (temporary Trinity, not eternal). The Shepherd of Hermas (sometimes just called The Shepherd) is a Christian work of the second century, considered a valuable book by many Christians, and occasionally considered canonical by some of the early Church fathers. ... ... For other uses, see Polycarp (disambiguation). ... For the bishop, see Polycrates of Ephesus. ... Ignatius of Antioch (probably died AD 107) was the third patriarch of Antioch, after Saint Peter and Euodius, who died around AD 68. ... Irenaeus (Greek: Εἰρηναῖος), (b. ...

In support of the theory that the majority of all believers up until Tertullian (died c. 225; first to use introduce the term "Trinity" to describe God) were Oneness adherents, Bernard quotes Tertullian as writing, "The simple, indeed (I will not call them unwise or unlearned), who always constitute the majority of believers, are startled at the dispensation (of the Three in One), on the very ground that their very Rule of Faith withdraws them from the world's plurality of gods to the one only true God; not understanding that, although He is the one only God, He must yet be believed in with His own economy. The numerical order and distribution of the Trinity, they assume to be a division of the Unity."^[4] Quintus Septimius Florens Tertullianus, anglicised as Tertullian, (ca. ...

Later Oneness, or closely similar to Oneness, teachers have been pointed out through history include the following: Abelard (1079-1142) who was accused of Sabellianism and forced into refuge in a monastery in France; Michael Servetus (1511-1553) eminent physician from Spain, sometimes cited as a motivating force of Unitarianism, who wrote, "There is no other person of God but Christ... the entire Godhead of the Father is in him,"^[5] was burned at the stake for heresy in October 27, 1553 for his anti-trinitarian doctrine, with the approval of John Calvin (for whom of Calvinism was named), though Calvin preferred Servetus be beheaded; Emanuel Swedenborg (1688-1772); Presbyterian minister John Miller, author of Is God a Trinity? (1876), John Clowes, pastor of St. John's Church in Manchester, reportedly wrote a book in 1828 that taught Oneness^[6]. Pierre Abélard (in English, Peter Abelard) or Abailard (1079 - April 21, 1142) was a French scholastic philosopher. ... In Christianity, Sabellianism (also known as modalism) is the belief that the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are different modes or aspects of one God, rather than three distinct persons. ... Monastery of St. ... Michael Servetus. ... Topics in Christianity Movements · Denominations Ecumenism · Preaching · Prayer Music · Liturgy · Calendar Symbols · Art · Criticism Important figures Apostle Paul · Church Fathers Constantine · Athanasius · Augustine Anselm · Aquinas · Palamas · Luther Calvin · Wesley Arius · Marcion of Sinope Archbishop of Canterbury · Catholic Pope Coptic Pope · Ecumenical Patriarch Christianity Portal This box:      Unitarianism is the belief... Burning of two sodomites at the stake (execution of individuals by fire. ... For other uses, see Heresy (disambiguation). ... // Events June 26 - Christs Hospital in London gets a Royal Charter July 6 - Edward VI of England dies July 10 - Lady Jane Grey is proclaimed Queen of England - for the next nine days July 18 - Lord Mayor of London proclaims Queen Mary as the rightful Queen - Lady Jane Grey... John Calvin (July 10, 1509 – May 27, 1564) was a French Protestant theologian during the Protestant Reformation and was a central developer of the system of Christian theology called Calvinism or Reformed theology. ... Topics in Christianity Movements · Denominations Ecumenism · Relation to other religions Preaching · Prayer Music · Liturgy · Calendar Symbols · Art · Criticism Important figures Apostle Paul · Church Fathers Constantine · Athanasius · Augustine Anselm · Aquinas · Palamas Luther · Calvin · Wesley Arius · Marcion of Sinope Archbishop of Canterbury · Pope Coptic Pope · Ecumenical Patriarch Christianity Portal This box:      Calvinism... John Calvin (July 10, 1509 – May 27, 1564) was a French Protestant theologian during the Protestant Reformation and was a central developer of the system of Christian theology called Calvinism or Reformed theology. ... Emanuel Swedenborg, 75, holding the manuscript of Apocalypsis Revelata (1766). ... Presbyterianism is part of the Reformed churches family of denominations of Christian Protestantism based on the teachings of John Calvin which traces its institutional roots to the Scottish Reformation, especially as led by John Knox. ... John Miller, Jr (bassoonist), An American bassoonist, principal of the Minnesota Orchestra John Miller (artist) (1931-2001), an English artist specializing in beach scenes John Miller (artist, writer, critic), An American artist dealing with abject art John Miller (Australian politician), was a member of the New South Wales Parliament John... This article is about the City of Manchester in England. ... Year 1828 (MDCCCXXVIII) was a leap year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian Calendar (or a leap year starting on Thursday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ...

Bernard, as well as other Oneness historians and theologians, deny any direct link from earlier Oneness believers to the current Oneness Pentecostal movement. They teach the seven church dispensation doctrine that it existed in apostasy under different identities (Catholicism, Protestantism), until restoration in the early 1900s when a separation occurred. Topics in Christianity Movements · Denominations · Other religions Ecumenism · Preaching · Prayer Music · Liturgy · Calendar Symbols · Art · Criticism Important figures Apostle Paul · Church Fathers Constantine · Athanasius · Augustine Anselm · Aquinas · Palamas · Luther Calvin · Wesley Arius · Marcion of Sinope Archbishop of Canterbury · Catholic Pope Coptic Pope · Ecumenical Patriarch Christianity Portal This box:      As a... Protestantism encompasses the forms of Christian faith and practice that originated with the doctrines of the Reformation. ...

Modern history

Oneness historial Morris Golder, cites PAW Bishop G. T. Haywood in an article from 1915 in The Voice in the Wilderness, as dating Oneness Pentecostalism to at least 1906 with the formation of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World - PAW. But the founders were the incorporators were E. W. Doak (White), G. T. Haywood (Black), and D. C. Opperman (white) in 1919. According to Dr. David Bundy, a Pentecostal historian at the Christian Theological Seminary, as early as 1907, a white Baptist minister in Los Angeles, was preaching non-Trinitarian water baptism in the Name of Jesus. According to Dr. Deborah Sims LeBlanc, William and Maggie Bowden, the parents of former Assistant Presiding Bishop Frank Bowden, were baptized in the Name of Jesus after the Azusa Street Mission Revival (1906-1909). The Pentecostal Assemblies of The World, Inc. ... A dogs paw resting on a hard concrete surface. ...

However, the beginning for many was in April 1913 at The World-Wide Apostolic Camp Meeting held in Arroyo Seco, California and conducted by Maria Woodworth-Etter, organizers promised that God would "deal with them, giving them a unity and power that we have not yet known." ^[7] Canadian R. E. McAlister preached a message about water baptism "just prior to a baptismal service to be conducted". His message defended the "single immersion" method and "noted that apostolic baptism was administered as a single immersion in a single name, Jesus Christ," saying "'The words Father, Son, and Holy Ghost were never used in Christian baptism.'" This caused a controversy to erupt immediately when Frank Denny, missionary to China, jumped on the platform and tried to censor McAlister. Arroyo Seco refers to Arroyo Seco (Los Angeles County), a watercourse in Los Angeles County, California, United States. ... Maria Woodworth-Etter (1844–1924) was a famous evangelist in the founding years of the Assemblies of God. ...

Oneness Pentecostals mark this occasion as the initial "spark" in the Oneness revival movement. "John G. Schaepe, a young minister, was so moved by McAlister's revelation, that after praying and reading the Bible all night, he ran through the camp the following morning shouting that he'd received a 'revelation' on baptism that the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost was Lord Jesus Christ." ^[8] Ironically, Frank Denny himself, along with G. T. Haywood, Harry Morse, John G. Schaepe, R. J. Scott, George Studd, R. E. McAlister, Andrew D. Urshan, and Homer L. Falkner embraced Lord Jesus Christ as the three-in-one name of the trinity for baptism as the "exclusive apostolic formula." ^[9] When other Oneness objected to this trinitarian baptism and said Lord Jesus Christ was the full name only of Jesus (began Jesus-Only new issue), trinitarians such as John Schaepe, Robert McAlister, and E. N. Bell bolted and returned to the use of the titles "Father, Son, and Holy Ghost in Matthew 28:19.^[9] George Brown Studd (20 October 1859 – 13 February 1945, Pasadena, California, USA) - cricketer and missionary. ...

Schaepe (whose name is often misspelled Scheppe in a number of sources) claimed that the revelation he'd received during the camp meeting revival was that the baptismal command posited by Peter in Acts 2:38 - i.e., baptism "in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ" - was the fulfillment and counterpart of the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19 - i.e., baptism "in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." This conclusion was accepted by several others in the camp and developed further theologically by a minister named Frank J. Ewart. By 1914, Frank Ewart and Glenn Cook publicly baptized each other in "the name of the Lord Jesus Christ but as the one name of Jesus not as a trinitarian formula." Thus, in 1913 Oneness Pentecostalism was again "revealed and restored" to a group of Holy Spirit filled individuals. In 1914 it was again publicly practiced as was done in the Apostles time in Acts 2:38. A number of ministers claimed they were baptized "in the Name of Jesus Christ" before 1914, including Frank Small and Andrew D. Urshan. Urshan claims to have baptized in Jesus Christ name as early as 1910. ^[10] Even Charles Parham himself baptized using a Christological baptismal formula prior to Azusa Street (Dr. Charles Wilson, Our Heritage, p. 12). However it was not their baptismal formula which was the issue, but rather the rejection of the Trinity that was the bigger issue to other Pentecostal ministers. In Christian tradition, the Great Commission is the instruction of the resurrected Jesus Christ to his disciples, that they spread the faith to all the world. ... Frank Small, Jr. ... Charles Fox Parham (4 June 1873 - c. ... The Azusa Street Revival was a Pentecostal revival meeting that took place in Los Angeles, California and was led by William J. Seymour, an African American preacher. ...

Schaepe's revelation caused a great stir within Pentecostalism. During the next year, Frank J. Ewart, another Pentecostal minister, struggled between his Trinitarian teachings and the new issue. He often spent hours debating with R. E. McAlister, attempting to bring the two doctrines together. (R.E. McAlister, the man who had fired the shot heard around the world at Arroyo Seco, defected. He formally renounced the Oneness doctrine in 1919 ^[9]. Thereafter, he became one of the Canadian teachers of orthodox Trinitarianism among Pentecostals in Canada as well as a propagator of the 'finished work of Calvary' doctrine^[11]. The camp ground in Arroyo Seco, California, just outside Los Angeles, where the revelation occurred was also owned by Seymour's Mission. (The following sentence is proof that this page was written by an Assembly of God theologian. The many that were re-baptized in JESUS name, including E.N.Bell, did so out of conviction for obedience to scripture. E.N. Bell recanted after undergoing severe pressure from J.Roswell Flowers.) Many were rebaptized in the new formula in an attempt to bring unity within the new Assemblies of God. However the re-baptisms also had the opposite effect on the Assemblies causing a backlash from many Trinitarians who feared the direction their organization might be heading. (The fear was within J. Roswell Flowers, who initiated a resolution designed to cause the Jesus name baptizers to withdraw from the organization. He was successful and is now considerered the "father" of the AOG). By October 1916 the issue finally came to a head at the Fourth General Council of the Assemblies of God. The mostly Trinitarian leadership, fearing the new issue might overtake their organization, drew up a doctrinal statement affirming the Trinity among other issues. When the final votes were tallied the "Statement of Fundamental Truths" was adopted. More than one quarter of their ministerial and assembly membership left to form their own Oneness fellowships.^{[citation needed]} Los Angeles and L.A. redirect here. ... For other uses, see Assemblies of God (disambiguation). ...

According to PAW historians, "From 1913 to 1914, for one year, the battle raged within the Association regarding the God-head and the "new issue."^{[citation needed]} Consequently, in 1914, the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World experienced its first split. Essentially, there were two questions around which the debate was centered: (1) "Is there one God, or are there three distinct persons in the God-head? and (2) How then, should an individual be baptized? Should one be baptized in the Name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, or should one be baptized in the Name of Jesus? In 1914, after one year of this intense and bitter debate throughout the Association, those leaders and individuals who embraced the Trinitarian concept (Father, Son and Holy Ghost) pulled out from the Association. Many of the whites who left the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World at this time would eventually form the Assemblies of God organization. During the transition period about one year, they received their ministerial credentials from the Church of God in Christ group. In 1915 the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World was reorganized in Indianapolis, Indiana, at the Christ Temple Assembly of the Apostolic Faith, where Bishop G. T. Haywood was the pastor. Bishop Haywood became the organization's first Presiding Bishop at that meeting. During that meeting, the organization's headquarters were established in Portland, Oregon. In 1919, the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World headquarters were moved from Portland to Indianapolis, and was incorporated in the state of Indiana. The incorporators were E. W. Doak, G. T. Haywood, and D. C. Opperman". ^[12]

Several small Oneness ministerial groups formed after the 1914 restorations. Many of these merged into the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World (PAW) and some remained independent. Division occurred within the PAW over women preachers, wine or grape juice for Communion, divorce and remarriage, and proper mode of water baptism. It appears according to some reports that some Whites were racist and did not want Blacks in their groups. This is hard to confirm because no one has documented the names of any one alleged to be involved. After the alleged White departures over doctrine there were several Black Ministers who departed from the PAW over doctrine. Charges of racism was hurled at the Whites but no one can document this charge with names to prove it. It is alleged that tensions between the UPCI and African American groups were not doctrinal but racial. But UPCI officials would object to the charge of racism and point to doctrine and standards of holiness as the dividing principles. While the UPCI has been predominately white this is due to many Blacks desiring to be members of the PAW.

In 1932, the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World was reorganized and elected Elder Samuel Grimes of New York, as the new Presiding Bishop. Bishop Grimes served as the Presiding Bishop fro 35 years (1932-1967).

In 1945, a merger of two predominantly White Oneness Pentecostal organizations (the Pentecostal Church Incorporated and the Pentecostal Assemblies of Jesus Christ) resulted in the formation of the United Pentecostal Church ^[13] Presently they are called United Pentecostal Church, International (UPCI), adding the word "International" in 1972. In recent decades the organization claims to have stressed multicultural ministries and racial integration, however many Hispanics have not seen the changes as enough.

The U.P.C.I. has suffered several splinters since its inception in 1945. (note: this section was written by opponents of the UPCI and is factually, most incorrect. See the errors noted below).

• In 1955, a group of ministers led by Bishop C. B. Gillespie (Fairmont, WV), Bishop Ray Cornell (Cleveland, OH), and Bishop Carl Angle (Nashville, TN) rechartered the PAJC using the original charter.^{[citation needed]}

• 1968 a number of ministers organized the Apostolic Ministerial Fellowship - AMF, citing the UPCI as 'too liberal'. Central issues were holiness and local church government.

• In 1986, Pastor L. H. Hardwick, a UPCI pastor in Nashville, Tennessee, broke away from what he called "legalists" (referring to the issue of dress code and standards), took his church (Christ Church) and formed Global Christian Ministries (now Global Network of Christian Ministries). (Legalism correctly defined and in common vernacular is the church placing too much emphasis on rules of modesty and conduct. However, the phrase 'legalism' or 'legalist' is more often than not used very broadly by anyone not wishing to adhere to even basic standards of Christian modesty and behavior. Hardwick's departure was not a split as it involved only himself and the church he pastored.) ^{[citation needed]}

• In 2001, Bishop Teklemarim Gezahagne took his one million followers and became an independent group, the Apostolic Church of Ethiopia. This was after high ranking envoys from the UPC traveled to Ethiopia to persuade Bishop Teklemariam his Christology was error. His refusal to accept correction let to disagreements and a resolution passed by the UPCI against the Bishop's teachings that the flesh of Jesus was God and not human. His teachings denied Jesus had come in the flesh ^[14] and by flesh it is meant the seed of David ^[15] via Mary his mother^[16]. A group led by Pastor Yared Araya ^[17] formed the One God Church of Ethiopia (OGCOE) and departed from the ACOE. The One God Church of Ethiopia holds the teaching of Brother and Sister Freeman, UPCI missionaries to Africa, who taught Jesus was both divine and human (two natures in Christ). This new group is Pentecostal and Apostolic Messianic.

• The Apostolic Assembly of the Faith in Christ Jesus (AAFCJ) and it's sister church the Apostolic Church of the Faith in Christ Jesus (IAFCJ), split from the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World out of concern that the predominantly black denomination did not appropriately serve the surging Hispanic community in the United States and the nations of Latin America.^{[citation needed]} The Apostolic Assembly claims to be the largest Oneness Pentecostal group of primarily Spanish-speaking denomination, and it is also the oldest primarily Hispanic denomination in the World. ^{[citation needed]} It is to be noted that the United Pentecostal Church of Columbia is probably the largest Spanish speaking Oneness group in the world.^{[citation needed]}

The Pentecostal Assemblies of the World has never left their original vision of a racially integrated body of believers. To this day, although predominantly black, they continue to reach out and work toward racial unity in worship and organization. There have been both white and black presiding bishops in this group. The United Pentecostal Church International in its world-wide ministry has accomplished a racially integrated body and this can be witnessed at the annual general convention. The same may be said of other Jesus Name groups who are not only integrated, they hold no racist policies and engage in missionary work in many nations. “Nashville” redirects here. ... Apostolic Messianic is a restoration of the early Christian faith in its Jewish identity. ... The Apostolic Assembly of the Faith in Christ Jesus (Apostolic Assembly) is the oldest Spanish-speaking Oneness Pentecostal denomination in the United States. ... The Apostolic Assembly of the Faith in Christ Jesus (Apostolic Assembly) is the oldest Spanish-speaking Oneness Pentecostal denomination in the United States. ... The Pentecostal Assemblies of The World, Inc. ...

The Pentecostal Assemblies of the World is the oldest Oneness Pentecostal organization in existence.^{[citation needed]} As a result of the Azusa Street Revival, a number of independent Pentecostal churches and their leaders, in an effort to stabilize these new works, felt the need to come together and form an Association of Churches of "like precious faith," thus forming the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World. Its goal was to further spread the Gospel and to give support to each other. It should be noted, that after 1914 and the Hot Springs meeting, G.T.Haywood was baptized by Glen Cook, a white man, who had been the treasurer at Azusa street mission in Los Angeles.^{[citation needed]}

The substantial number of Pentecostal congregations formed in the years immediately following the Azusa Street Revival inevitably caused the new movement to be faced with the problem of formal organization. The independent churches and missions of the first type were somewhat remedied by the recognition of lay boards and elected pastors.

For the next few years, the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World focused upon general meetings and the development of its organizational structure.^{[citation needed]} The late Bishop Morris E. Golder wrote: "The original organization bearing the name of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World came into existence in the year of 1906 in the city of Los Angeles, State of California.^{[citation needed]} The late Bishop G. T. Haywood concurs with this fact, writing in the Voice In The Wilderness in 1921: "It (The Pentecostal Assemblies of the World) was started in 1906 in Los Angeles, California."^{[citation needed]}

This was also the position asserted by Bishop Ross Paddock, the former Presiding Bishop of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World. He declared that after one year of being organized, the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World had its first annual business meeting and that, at the same time, it was Trinitarian in its doctrine and liturgy of water baptism.^{[citation needed]}

It was in this context of varying ideas, personal differences, doctrinal and other conflicting elements that not only was the need of organization seen, but the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World in its original state (1906) came into existence.^{[citation needed]} However, it was not until 1919 that it became incorporated and took on the identity of being an Apostolic "Oneness" body of ministers and believers.^{[citation needed]}

According to Dr. David Bundy, a Pentecostal historian at the Christian Theological Seminary, as early as 1907, a white Baptist minister in Los Angeles, was preaching non-Trinitarian water baptism in the Name of Jesus. According to Dr. Deborah Sims LeBlanc, William and Maggie Bowden, the parents of former Assistant Presiding Bishop Frank Bowden, were baptized in the Name of Jesus after the Azusa Street Mission Revival (1906-1909).</ref> It began in 1906, the same year the Azusa Street Revival began, making it older than even most of the Trinitarian Pentecostal organizations.^{[citation needed]} It was never a part of the Assemblies of God and therefore never came out from it.^{[citation needed]} "A few in the group which was ousted by the Assemblies of God later joined the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, but then demerged later ^[18]. The Azusa Street Revival was a Pentecostal revival meeting that took place in Los Angeles, California and was led by William J. Seymour, an African American preacher. ...

Doctrine and theology

God

Oneness Pentecostalism holds to a conservative Jewish monotheistic view of God and stress Jesus Christ is the visible manifestation of God in the New Testament (the Father in the Son). God was known by several names and titles in the Old Testament, but with the New Covenant He has revealed His name as Jesus. It rejects all concepts of a polytheism, trinity, or other doctrines they see as representing multiple and separate Gods. As such it rejects three separate persons in the trinity who are each separately God. All concepts of Jesus Christ are explained as either the Father or the Son, the divine Spirit or the man Christ in two different modes. Jesus is fully God and fully human. As to his humanity Christ is the only begotten Son of God. They reject Jesus being seen as only one of three Gods. They believe Jesus as the Son is the only present high priest and at the same time God. Attempts to put into the mouth of Oneness that they believe the Son was only human (Unitarianism) have failed. Topics in Christianity Movements · Denominations Ecumenism · Preaching · Prayer Music · Liturgy · Calendar Symbols · Art · Criticism Important figures Apostle Paul · Church Fathers Constantine · Athanasius · Augustine Anselm · Aquinas · Palamas · Luther Calvin · Wesley Arius · Marcion of Sinope Archbishop of Canterbury · Catholic Pope Coptic Pope · Ecumenical Patriarch Christianity Portal This box:      Unitarianism is the belief...

Salvation

Oneness Pentecostal doctrine and theology typically maintains that salvation comes by faith through grace. The acts of faith and subsequent grace is by obedience to specific commands and requirements that are found in the New Testament. These requirements necessary for salvation are: faith in Jesus Christ, repentance by faith, water baptism by faith in the name of Jesus Christ, and the gift of Holy Ghost baptism by faith with the evidence of speaking in tongues. The view of Oneness Pentecostals is that scripture either records the commandment of these acts of faith for salvation and explains that the lack of them would result in not having salvation. However, it should also be noted that not all Pentecostals who are Oneness regarding their view of the nature of God hold to this type of soteriology (the doctrine of salvation) and believe that water baptism and the baptism of the Holy Spirit are subsequent to salvation. One of the predecessor organizations of the UPCI, the Pentecostal Church, Inc. (PCI), which was trinitarian in 1899 brought this view over into the Oneness merger in 1945. These were called "one steppers" whereas those of the Pentecostal Assemblies of Jesus Christ (PAJC) following strictly Acts 2:38 were called "three steppers.

Holiness

Oneness Pentecostals believe that a Christian's lifestyle should be one characterized by holiness. This holiness begins at baptism where the blood of Jesus washes away sin and a person stands before God holy for the first time in their life. Subsequent to this sanctification, they hold separation from the world in both practical and moral areas will keep converts from lapsing back into the sins of their baptism. Moral or inward holiness is righteous living guided and powered by the indwelling Holy Spirit. Practical or outward holiness involves modest apparel and gender distinction. For some Oneness Pentecostal organizations, because of the amoral conduct of society in dress and nakedness, this involves establishing dress codes for its members (also known as "holiness standards").

For a more in-depth review, see Oneness Pentecostalism (doctrine) This list of basic Oneness Pentecostal doctrines is an overview. ...

For a contrast and comparison of Oneness and Trinity, see Oneness vs Trinity. This article is not written in the formal tone expected of an encyclopedia article. ...

Common misunderstandings

Jesus Name vs. Jesus Only

Jesus-Name doctrine is often misunderstood as is the pejorative "Jesus Only". These terms are even misunderstood and applied by Oneness themselves. Critics of the Oneness people refer to them as Jesus-Only, meaning they deny the Father and the Holy Spirit of the trinity. Most Oneness Pentecostals consider that term to be a misreprentation of their true beliefs on the issue. Oneness do not deny the Father or the Son; they just describe them different then trinitarianism. Oneness historians claim the usage of the term "Jesus-Only" is misleading many to believe they reject the Father and the Holy Spirit. Rejection and different interpretation are two different things. Oneness prefer the phrase Jesus-Name when referring to their baptism beliefs or themselves as believers who were baptized in the name of Jesus Christ only (no reference to the Father or Holy Spirit). Jesus Name, to Oneness Pentecostals refers to the revealed name of God for the present Church age. Jesus inherited his name from the eternal name of the Godhead. I am come in my Father's name. Oneness Pentecostals place "essential" emphasis on use of the name of Jesus, and regard it as the "Name above all names". They invoke it in word or deed in all things. Jesus-Name doctrine is a slang term used to describe the Oneness doctrine, i. ...

Oneness Pentecostals generally see the use of the term "Jesus Only" by trinitarians as being an attempt to mislead and/or confuse those interested in study of the Oneness doctrine. The label arose early on in reference to their insistence on baptizing only in the name of Jesus, but it tends to be used only by the movement's critics. The Oneness position is that do indeed believe in baptism into the name of Jesus only, but that to describe them as "Jesus Only" Pentecostals implies a denial of the Father and Holy Spirit -- a contention they vigorously reject as false.

Oneness believers generally consider the term "Jesus Only" to be inflammatory, because the speaker is generally a trinitarian critic trying to lead interested persons away from the Oneness doctrine. True, Oneness do not believe in three separate persons in the Godhead who each have a separate Spirit, Body, Mind, and Being. To Oneness this makes three Gods. They see Jesus as the true personality of God manifest in the flesh (1Tim 3:16). Trinitarians infer by this that Oneness Pentecostals deny the separate being of Father and the separate being of the Holy Spirit. Oneness in fact deny the entire concept of a Trinity including the use of the term "God the Son", since this is never found in the New Testament. Jesus Only as explained by trinitarians is an incorrect use of the term because Oneness Pentecostals actually affirms the Father and the Holy Spirit, but asserts that the Father is the Holy Spirit, and vice versa. Oneness believe there is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit: one God.

Unitarianism is not Oneness

Some confuse the terms Unitarian and Oneness. Although Unitarians and Oneness people are similar in the belief that there is not a plurality of persons in the Godhead, Unitarians believe that Jesus was only a moral authority whereas the Deity and humanity of Jesus Christ are essential to Oneness doctrine. Historic Unitarianism believed in the oneness of God as opposed to traditional Christian belief in the Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit). ...

Followers of Oneness Pentecostalism

Some of the better-known persons associated, or said to be associated, with Oneness Pentecostals are

• T.D. Jakes (though he has denied this). ^[19]
• Noel Jones
• Gaddi Vasquez
• Dr. Bernie L. Wade
• Tommy Tenney
• Dr. Gary Reckart, Sr.^[20]

Bishop T.D. (Thomas Dexter) Jakes is an American televangelist. ... Noel Andrew Stephen Jones (December 22, 1940 - November 21, 1995) was an Indian-born British diplomat, British ambassador to Kazakhstan from 1993 to 1995. ... Gaddi H. Vasquez was the most recent Director of the United States Peace Corps. ... Tommy Tenney (b. ...

Gospel and Contemporary Christian artists

• The Katinas
• Phillips, Craig and Dean
• Tonéx
• Lee Greenwood
• Elvis Presley, the well known entertainer of early rock and roll, frequented Oneness Pentecostal Churches as well as Trinitarian Assemblies of God Churches and it is claimed that from these sources he picked up the rhythm and lively antics he incorporated into his performances. It is reported that Presley was baptized in the AOG church, but was later rebaptized in the name of Jesus Christ by Bishop Joseph Rex Dyson a Oneness Pentecostal with the Church of Jesus Christ in Tennessee. (http://www.calvaryslighthouse.com/Memphis,TN.htm) ^[21]
• Jonny Lang, Grammy award winning singer and guitar player. Attends a UPCI church in Los Angeles.

The Katinas are a Contemporary Christian music group. ... Phillips, Craig & Dean Phillips, Craig and Dean is a Contemporary Christian Music trio comprised by Randy Phillips, Shawn Craig, and Dan Dean. ... Tonéx (pronounced toe-nay) (born May 16, 1975 in San Diego, California) is an American contemporary gospel singer and preacher. ... Lee Greenwood (born October 27, 1942 in South Gate, California) is an American Country-Pop Singer and Songwriter. ... Elvis redirects here. ... Jonny Lang (born Jon Gordon Langseth, Jr. ... Grammy Award statuette The Grammy Awards, presented by the Recording Academy (an association of Americans professionally involved in the recorded music industry) for outstanding achievements in the recording industry, is one of four major music awards shows held annually in the United States (the Billboard Music Awards, the American Music... A Pentecostal church in Salem, Oregon The United Pentecostal Church International (UPCI) is a Pentecostal denomination formed by a 1945 merger of the Pentecostal Church, Incorporated, and the Pentecostal Assemblies of Jesus Christ. ... Flag Seal Nickname: City of Angels Location Location within Los Angeles County in the state of California Coordinates , Government State County California Los Angeles County Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa (D) Geographical characteristics Area     City 1,290. ...

References

See also

• Acts 2:38 salvation by grace through faith
• Jesus-Name baptism doctrine
• Sabellianism belief in one God, i.e. Modalism
• Oneness Doctrine, Jewish belief in one God, Jesus is God

The Apostolic Assembly of the Faith in Christ Jesus (Apostolic Assembly) is the oldest Spanish-speaking Oneness Pentecostal denomination in the United States. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Apostolic Messianic is a restoration of the early Christian faith in its Jewish identity. ... The Bible Way Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ World-Wide, Inc. ... For other uses, see Church of Jesus Christ. ... The Church of the Lord Jesus Christ of the Apostolic Faith is a predominantly African-American Pentecostal body of churches organized in 1930. ... The Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ of the Apostolic Faith is an African-American Pentecostal organization organized in 1919. ... The Pentecostal Assemblies of The World, Inc. ... The True Jesus Church General Assembly which is located in Taichung, Taiwan. ... The United Pentecostal Church International (UPCI) is a multi cultural United States based Christian organization and is headquartered in the St. ... This list of basic Oneness Pentecostal doctrines is an overview. ... Apostolic Messianic is a restoration of the early Christian faith in its Jewish identity. ... This article is not written in the formal tone expected of an encyclopedia article. ... Jesus-Name doctrine is a slang term used to describe the Oneness doctrine, i. ...

External links

Articles, indexes, & other resources

Favoring views

• Institute for Biblical Studies (Index of Oneness Pentecostal theological articles)
• The Oneness of God (Book by Oneness scholar David K. Bernard, J.D., part of Series in Pentecostal Theology, Volume 1, freely available online)
• Testimonies of Jesus Christ by Oneness Pentecostals
• The Voice of the Pastor Study And The Word Became Flesh
• Understanding Pentecostal Theology (Blog about Oneness Pentecostal Theology with articles)
• Center for Oneness Research and Education (Blog by Oneness scholar Dr. Daniel Segraves with articles)
• Portal to several theological studies on the Apostolic doctrine, faith, practice, conduct, and order (many historical documents commented upon by Dr. Gary Reckart, Sr.)
• Pentecostales del Nombre de Jesucristo page in Spanish
• Spanish Web Site Apostolic Studies in Spanish

Comparative articles

• Oneness Versus Trinity Links to various writings concerning Oneness vs. Trinity. Link is an opposing view site.

Other

• My Views on the Godhead - Christianity Today Magazine Bishop T. D. Jakes responds to Christianity Today article, "Apologetics Journal Criticizes Jakes."
• Apostolic Archives International Web Site dedicated to preserve the history of organizational leaders of various Oneness Pentecostal Denominations

Oneness Pentecostal Groups

Here are major and historical Oneness Pentecostal organizations. Not all Oneness Pentecostal churches affiliate with an organization. See Category:Oneness Pentecostalism for individual churches and organizations that may not be listed here.

North America

This is a list of Oneness Pentecostal organizations headquartered in North America.

• Apostolic Assembly of the Faith in Christ Jesus
• Assemblies of the Lord Jesus Christ
• Bible Way Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ
• Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ of the Apostolic Faith
• International Circle of Faith
• Pentecostal Assemblies of the World
• Pentecostal Assemblies of Jesus Christ
• United Pentecostal Church International
• Apostolic Messianic^[22]
• Apostolic Church of the Faith in Christ Jesus - Mexico
• Church of the Lord Jesus Christ
• Jesus Christ Apostolic Ministries
• Churches of Jesus Christ International

The Apostolic Assembly of the Faith in Christ Jesus (Apostolic Assembly) is the oldest Spanish-speaking Oneness Pentecostal denomination in the United States. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... The Bible Way Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ World-Wide, Inc. ... The Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ of the Apostolic Faith is an African-American Pentecostal organization organized in 1919. ... The Pentecostal Assemblies of The World, Inc. ... The United Pentecostal Church International (UPCI) is a multi cultural United States based Christian organization and is headquartered in the St. ... Apostolic Messianic is a restoration of the early Christian faith in its Jewish identity. ... The Church of the Lord Jesus Christ of the Apostolic Faith is a predominantly African-American Pentecostal body of churches organized in 1930. ... For other uses, see Church of Jesus Christ. ...

Other countries

This is a list of Oneness Pentecostal organizations headquartered outside North America.

• United Pentecostal Church of Australia
• True Jesus Church - China/Taiwan
• United Pentecostal Church of Colombia - Colombia[3]
• Assemblies Lord Jesus Christ - Canada
• Apostolic Church International - Ethiopia
• International Circle of Faith of Togo
• Jesus Messieh Fellowship International Philippines, Malawi, Ethiopia, South Africa