The Oneness of God Four Articles
ARTICLE 1
THE ONE TRUE GOD
PAUL D. DUGAS
Much confusion exists in the minds of men as to who God is,because of His divers manifestation unto men.
The major false view is that:
God is a trinity of persons. He is a white haired eternal father and is at the same time a younger eternal son while He is also the eternal spirit manifest as a ray of light or a dove, but scripture no where states any of these false claims.
The word “trinity” is not found in scripture.
God is never mentioned as the eternal father.
Jesus is never mentioned as the eternal son.
But most important according to scripture God is not a person.
I. What is the scriptural description of God as to His appearance.
a. God is a spirit (not a person) John 4:24
b. If God is a spirit what is He like
1. He is invisible Col. 1:15 I Tim. 1:17 Heb. 11:27
2. Some have claimed to have seen God but the scripture states –
No man hath seen God Ex. 33:20 John 1:18 I John 4:12 Also the greatest witness John 5:37
3. He is incorporeal, without parts, without body and therefore free from all limitations.
a. He has not flesh and bones (for He is a spirit) Luke 24:39
b. He is a consuming fire Heb. 12:9
c. He is light I John 1:5
4. Some may say, “If God is invisible and cannot be seen what did Moses see as recorded in Exodus 24???”
God is a spirit, a consuming fire, when Moses came down from the presence of God he had seen the hinder parts or the after glow of Gods presence. The brightness caused Moses face to shine so brightly Israel could not stand to look upon him. Had he of actually seen God he would have been consumed by the fire of Gods full presence.
II. Is God divided in any way or is He just one God?
a. Scripture makes us to know there is just one God. He is an absolute, indivisible deity.
b. God has manifested Himself in three offices to bring redemption to man, but it is the one God undivided who worked out this plan by Himself.
There is no such thing as a co-eternal, co-existant, co-equal, trinity of persons in the Godhead.
1. Who counseled with-Him Isa. 40:13,14 46:9,10
2. Who is the Savior Isa. 43:3,11 45:15
3. Who is God beside him Isa. 45:5-6, 18
III. Jesus Christ was not a second person, He was the same one God revealing Himself in flesh unto men.
1. In Him dwelt all fullness of Godhead Col. 2:9 Col. 1:9
2. He revealed the father unto men John 14:7-9 John 1:18 Col.1:15
ARTICLE 2
GENERAL TRINITARIAN VIEW-ONESS VIEW
WATER BAPTISM
The recognized belief of the ecclesiastical realm of today, revelant to the Godhead, is the “Holy Trinity” as they call it. The word “Trinity” is not found once in the scriptures. Doctor Webster defines the word as follows: “The union of three persons or hypostases (the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost) in one Godhead, so that all the three are one God as to substance, but three persons or hypostases as to individuality.”
We know history tells us that the Roman Emperor Constantine evoked all the bishops of the Church for a general council at Nicea in the year 325 A.D. The principal work of this council was the settlement of a discrepancy which was concerning the nature of Christ. The Trinitarian view was brought forth by Athanasius of Alexandria. As a result, the council accepted and formed a creed known as the “Nicean Creed.” During the latter part of the forth century, Emperor Theodesius made Christianity the state religion which was given the name “Catholic.” It still embraces the dogma but hasn’t yet proved and confirmed it with the Bible as being the Apostles doctrine (Acts 2:42; Jude 3) which we are suppose to earnestly and diligently adhere. The following information has been taken from the “Creed of Athanasius.”–Vol. 7, pg. 366, Anti-Nicene Fathers.
These are derivatives from it, pertaining to what they define as the Godhead. Article 6 says, “But the Godhead of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost is all one: the glory equal, the majesty co-eternal. Article 25, and 26 reads as follows: “And in this trinity none is before or after another; none greater nor less than another. But the whole three persons are co-eternal together, and co-equal. He, therefore, that will be saved, must thus think of the trinity.
That the Trinitarian View is incomprehensible is acknowledged by Trinitarians but the Bible says it can be known. See Rom 1:20. Most people who hold the trinitarian view of the Godhead explain it as follows: God the Father, first person; Jesus, the Son, is the second person; and the Holy Spirit is the third person, all eternally co-equal in power, existence and eternal, without an end or beginning. I agree with the authentic statement Swisenburg said, “Confessing with their mouths one God but with their thoughts and heart believe in three distinct co-equal persons. Those who hold the “trinitarian view” encounter many difficulties in trying to extricate themselves but superfluously. Article 25 mentioned abovestate “none is greater, or less than another.” But Jesus plainly declared as the Son of God, “My Father is greater than I.” The trinitarians have always misconstrued the scriptures, “ever learning but never able to come to the knowledge of the truth” (II Tim. 3:7).
Since the Bible exhorts us to diligently and earnestly contend for the faith once delivered to the saints and apostles. We will now see what the Apostles and New Testament saints say of Jesus. John the Baptist said, “He that cometh from above is above all” (Jn. 3:31). Compare this with Paul’s statement in Rom. 9:5 “Christ who is over all, God blessed for ever.” See also I Chon. 29:11,12 and Psalm 83:18, where Jehovah is declared to be “above all” proving Jesus to be God and Father of all for there is only one according to Eph. 4:5-6. Let me remind you, this is the Oneness View of the Godhead which is the only view of the Godhead recorded in the Bible. Jeremiah 10:10 says, “Jehovah is the true and the living God” and protests against idolatry. Apostle John states that Jesus is “the true God and eternal life. Little children, keep yourselves from idols” (I Jn. 5:20-21). After having much doubt, Thomas arrived to the great truth and said, “my Lord and my God” to Jesus (Jn 20:28). Paul speaks of Jesus’ blood as the blood of God.
“Fee the church of God which he hath purchased with His own blood” (Acts 20:20). He states in Col. 2:9 that “in Christ dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily”, and in I Timothy 2:3 he speaks of “God our Saviour”. And in Titus 2:13 he said, “Looking for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ”.
Don’t forget that Jehovah said”. . . beside me there is no Saviour”. (Isa. 43:11). Jude speaks of “. . . the only wise God, our Saviour”. Jude 25.
The Israelites spoke against God bringing on themselves fiery serpents as a result. Paul tells us “they tempted Christ (I Cor. 10:4- 9) Ananias spoke of “. . . the Lord, even Jesus, who appeared to thee” (Acts 9:15) and Paul quotes him as saying, “The God of our fathers” (Acts 22:14). Jesus says, “He is a chosen vessel unto Me” and Ananias says, “God of our Fathers hath chosen thee.” (Acts 9:15). James speaks of “. . . the Lord of Saboth,” Who shall come (Jn 5:4,7) He who will come is Jesus (Acts 1:11) and the title of Lord Saboth is better translated in Hebrew as the Lord of Host which is given two-hundred and eighty-two times in the Hebrew Scriptures.
There are a numerous amount of scriptures which only prove and vindicate the “Oneness View.” Scriptures reiterates it; the true church believes it, and God Almighty sanctions it!
You can take any phrase of the Apostles doctrine and invariably confirm the, Oneness View of the Godhead. Let us tersely look into the Godhead from the standpoint of the water baptism. Now, the trinitarians believe in using the formula “Father, and the Son and the Holy Ghost,” which they interpret Matt. 28:19 to teach. Let us see just how well this formula can pass the tests. What about its frequency: Is the phrase “in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost” used elsewhere in scripture?- Not once. Did Jesus use the phrase “in the name” on other occasions? Yes-Ma. 18:20; Mk. 9:37; Jo. 14:14,26; 15:16; 16:23, etc. Is the trinitarian formula for baptism ever based on that argument? None whatever! But there has been on baptism in the name of Jesus. In Cor. 1:13 “. . . is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were ye baptized in the name of Paul?” Scrupulous analysis will elucidate an obscure mind that the one who was crucified for him is the name of whom he should use in water baptism. No one should ever be baptized in any other name, that displaces Christ from His position. For his name is the only name under heaven given to men whereby we must be saved.
(Acts 4:12). Another test is that of Practice. Did the disciples ever baptize in the 3 – fold name? No, they baptized in the name of Jesus Christ – Always! See Acts 2:38; 8:12-17; 10:44-48; 16:14-15, 25-34; 18:1-11; 19:1-7.
The Bible has laid down a principal which annulifys the trinitarian formula for baptism in water. Paul wrote saying, “Whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus” (Col. 3:17). Certainly the word “whatsoever” includes the water baptism which is a rite involving both word and deed.
The Encyclopedias confirm this formula of Oneness baptism in water. Refer to: Britannica Encyclopedia 11 Edition, Vol. 3, page 365- 366. Baptismal formula changed by Catholic Church; Catholic Encyclopedia Vol. 2, pag. 33, Athansian Creed; Americana Encyclopedia Vol. 20, pg. 311 Nicene Creed came from Catholic Church; New International Encyclopedia Vol 22, pags. 476-477 Trinity Doctrine.
In conclusion, truly we can say now that great is the mystery of godliness, God was manifest in the flesh; that He was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself; that the fullness of the Godhead dwelleth in Jesus bodily and thus confess from our hear, as Thomas, did to Jesus, “My Lord and my God.”
ARTICLE 3
O. F. FAUSS
First, let me remind you that the Book of Revelation is always to be remembered as a book of prophecy: a book of symbols setting forth in a prophetic manner God’s plan, and future events.
The first four verses of the passage picture a book in the hand of ONE who sat on the throne. The book with seven seals, of which we read in the sixth chapter, reveals world event in the time of the end. (Compare Daniel 12-1-4 with the events leading to the beginning of God’s wrath and judgments to come
upon the earth, beginning in Revelation 8:1-7.)
In Revelation 5:8-12 is shown the raptured church before God’s throne (Revelation 4:1-11). Revelation 5:6 symbolically pictures the plan of redemption with a “Lamb as it had been slain.” Revelation 13:8 also refers to “the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world” Here is pictured God’s plan of redemption from the beginning. He would veil Himself in a body of flesh (John 1:14), and be a spotless lamb, to be offered for the sins of all mankind (Hebrews 10:9-14).
Though this was in God’s plan “from the foundation of the world, it became real only when Jesus went to Calvary. In the mind of God. He was also begotten from the foundation of the world, but was actually born of a woman at Bethlehem. This was “God manifest in the flesh” (1 Timothy 3:16), and His death “. . for sin condemned sin in the flesh” (Romans 8:3).
In Revelation 5-4, 5, John heard that the “Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David,” had prevailed to open the book he saw in the right hand of Him that sat upon the throne.
When John turned to see the Lion (a symbol of the King of kings and Lord of lords), he saw a ” . . Lamb as it had been slain (a symbol of redemption-Emmanuel, or Jehovah-Saviour, called JESUS). John never saw two persons; he saw Jesus as both Lord and Saviour.
Now let us look into the question; Who was the one that sat on the throne? (Revelation 4;2; 5:1 ) The God who sat on the throne, and who is worshipped in Revelation 19:4, is the same ONE seen in Revelation 21:5, and the same one who shall “. . be their God, and shalt wipe away all tears from their eyes” (verses 3, 4). He is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end” (Revelation 21;6 22;13), and in verse 16 He tells us that his NAME is JESUS. Also, in Revelation 22:3 the throne is called “the throne of God and of the Lamb.” Verse 4 says, “And they shall see HIS face (not their faces).” Again, verse 3 says, “his servants shall serve him” (not them).
So when “the mystery of God shall be finished” (Revelation 10:4), when the work of redemption is completed, when the last enemy (death) is destroyed, when the need of a Mediator shall be no more, then we shall see Him as He is – the One who sits upon the throne, the Alpha and Omega, the FIRST and the LAST, the BEGINNING and the END, He that liveth and was dead, but who is alive forevermore-the Lord which is, and which was, and which is to come. The ALMIGHTY (Revelation 1:17, 18, 8).
Paul declared, “For in him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in Him, which is the head of all principality and power-” Colossians 2;9, 10). He also said, “For it pleased the Father that in him should all fullness dwell” Colossians 1:19).
Throughout eternity we shall behold the invisible God, made visible in that glorified body of the only begotten Son of God, the man Christ Jesus, born of a woman; the Lamb of God who alone sits on the throne, revealing the glory of the eternal God. “That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us (in redeeming us) through
Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:7).
Jude said, “To the ONLY wise God our SAVIOUR the Lord
Jesus Christ, our EVERLASTING FATHER) be glory and majesty,
dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen” (Jude 25).
ARTICLE 4
THE GODHEAD
I. The importance of studying the Godhead.
A. John 8:24-27…if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins…They understood not that he spake to them of the Father.
B. Romans 1:20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse.
C. Mark 12:29…The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord.
II. There is only one God.
A. Deut. 6:4…the Lord our God is one Lord.
B. Isaiah 9:6…I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God.
C. Isaiah 44:8…Is there a God beside me? yea, there is no God;
I know not any.
D. I Cor. 8:4…there is none other God but one.
E. Eph. 4:6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
F. I Tim. 2:5 For there is one God…
G. James 2:19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble
III. Jesus is God.
A. Isaiah 9:6…his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
B. John 8:58 Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.
C. John 14:8,9 Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us. Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip?…
D. Col. 2:9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
E. Rev. 1:8 I am….the Almighty.
IV. Jesus is the Holy Ghost
A. John 14:18,26 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you…the comforter, which is the Holy Ghost.
B. II Cor. 3:17 Now the Lord is that Spirit…
V. The dual nature of Christ
A. As a man he hungered, wept, suffered and died.
B. As God he fed the multitudes, wiped tears away, and raised himself from the dead (John 2:19-21)
C. Matt. 1:23…they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
D. II Cor. 5:19…God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself…
E. I Tim. 3:16…God was manifest in the flesh…
VI. Some trinitarian horsepills
A. Who was Jesus father-God the Father? That which was born of Mary was of the Holy Ghost? Jesus is the everlasting father???
B. Which one was spoken of in Rev. 15:4…thou only art holy…?
C. Which one was spoken of in Jude 1:25 To the only wise God…?
