Equipping the Saints Bible Study John 1 Part 4

Examining and Refuting Oneness Pentecostalism, UPCI on Who Jesus Christ Identity as Being the Word

This is another free edition of our Equipping the Saints Bible Study going through the Gospel of John.  In this weeks study we are examining and refuting Oneness Pentecostalism (UPCI known as the United Pentecostal Church International) doctrines and teachings concerning John 1:1 and Jesus being the Word.  Oneness Pentecostalism is a non-Christian Cult that many people are not very familiar with and their doctrines are quite confusing.  The official movement began in 1946 through the United Pentecostal Church International or the UPCI, and it was rejected by the Holiness Pentecostal Movement for teaching false doctrines on the Trinity or God and teaching another gospel message on how to be saved. 

Below will be some quotes from what Oneness Pentecostalism teaches concerning who Jesus is, the Trinity, and their beliefs on God being three manifestations not three distinct persons.  We firmly believe the Oneness Pentecostalism movement is not Christian and is teaching false doctrines concerning God and the gospel message.  Our intentions is not to attack Oneness Pentecostals but to give a Biblical response for those who are seeking truth.  If you have any questions or comments please contact us.

Quotes & References for Bible Study from David Benard & UPCI

"John 1 beautifully teaches the concept of God manifest in flesh. In the beginning was the Word (Greek, Logos). The Word was not a separate person or a separate god any more than a man's word is a separate person from him. Rather the Word was the thought, plan, or mind of God. The Word was with God in the beginning and actually was God Himself (John 1:1). The Incarnation existed in the mind of God before the world began." (David Benard, Oneness Pentecostal Pastor and Teacher, quote from book called "The Oneness of God", chapter 4) http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/pentecostal/One-Ch4.htm

"the UPCI reflect most of the beliefs of the Holiness-Pentecostal movement, with the exception of the "second work of grace," the historic doctrine of the Trinity, and the traditional Trinitarian formula in water baptism. It embraces the Pentecostal view that speaking in tongues is the initial sign of receiving the Holy Spirit...In distinction to the doctrine of the Trinity, the UPCI holds to a oneness view of God. It views the Trinitarian concept of God, that of God eternally existing as three distinctive persons, as inadequate and a departure from the consistent and emphatic biblical revelation of God being one...God is manifested as Father in creation and as the Father of the Son, in the Son for our redemption, and as the Holy Spirit in our regeneration." (From official site of the United Pentecostal Church International, UPCI) http://www.upci.org/about

"Do these terms identify three different persons or personalities in the Godhead? Or do they indicate three different roles, modes, functions, or offices through which the one God operates and reveals Himself...It is clear that the terms Father, Son, and Holy Ghost cannot imply three separate persons, personalities, wills, or beings. They can only denote different aspects or roles of one Spirit-being - the one God. They describe God's relationships to man, not persons in a Godhead. We use Father to emphasize God's roles as Creator, Father of spirits, Father of the born-again believers, and Father of the humanity of Jesus Christ. We use Son to mean both the humanity of Jesus Christ and God as He manifested Himself in the flesh for the purpose of man's salvation. We use Holy Ghost to emphasize God's active power in the world and among men, particularly His work in regeneration." (David Benard, Oneness Pentecostal Pastor and Teacher, quote from book called "The Oneness of God", chapter 6) http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/pentecostal/One-Ch6.htm