Jesus only / oneness Pentecostals are a branch of Pentecostalism that believe in the oneness doctrine – that there is only one God, not a trinity, and that Jesus Christ is the one God incarnate. Here is an overview of some of their key beliefs according to the Bible:
Oneness of God
Oneness Pentecostals reject the doctrine of the Trinity – that God exists as three co-equal and co-eternal persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Rather, they believe that there is only one God who manifests Himself in different modes or roles. God is absolutely one indivisible being (Deuteronomy 6:4).
Jesus Christ is believed to be the incarnation of the one God – the Father incarnate. Jesus is the manifestation of the Father, not a separate person from the Father (John 10:30, John 14:9). The Holy Spirit is considered to be the Spirit of Christ, not a separate person from Christ.
Oneness theology uses verses such as 1 Timothy 3:16, which refers to Jesus as “God manifested in the flesh”, to argue that Jesus is the human incarnation of the Father God. Overall, the emphasis is on strict monotheism in God’s essential nature.
Baptism in Jesus’ Name
Oneness Pentecostals practice baptism only in the name of Jesus Christ, based on passages like Acts 2:38. The formula Father, Son and Holy Spirit is never used for baptism. Baptism in Jesus’ name is essential for salvation – it opens the door for the recipient to be born again by infilling of the Holy Spirit.
They argue the apostles in the early church only baptized in Jesus’ name, understanding Jesus Christ to be the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Matthew 28:19 is believed to refer to the authority or reality of Jesus’ name, not a formula to be verbalized over a new convert.
Necessity of Spirit Baptism with Speaking in Tongues
Oneness Pentecostals teach that baptism of the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues is essential for every believer. This baptism is always subsequent to conversion and water baptism in Jesus’ name. It opens the believer up to the fullness of the Spirit in their life.
Speaking in tongues is considered the initial evidence of receiving the baptism of the Spirit (Acts 2:4, 10:46, 19:6). While it is not required for salvation, it is believed to be essential for empowerment in Christian life and ministry.
Holiness Standards
Oneness groups traditionally hold to high standards of holiness and holy living, in things like modest dress, entertainment choices, etc. Holiness is understood as part of the believer’s sanctification – being set apart from the world after coming to faith in Christ.
Practices like wearing expensive jewelry or makeup, gambling, secular music/dancing, alcohol consumption, smoking, watching certain movies/TV shows are normally avoided and seen as incompatible with Christian standards of holiness and godly living (1 Peter 1:14-16, 2 Corinthians 6:17).
High View of Divine Healing
In line with their Pentecostal roots, Oneness groups believe strongly in divine healing as a blessing provided in Christ’s atonement on the cross. Faith, prayer, laying on of hands are all practiced for receiving and ministering healing.
While medicine is not always prohibited, divine healing is seen as God’s ideal. Faith in the healing promises of God is encouraged, and medicine is considered a last resort (James 5:14-16, Isaiah 53:5, Matthew 8:16-17).
Premillennialism and Imminent Return of Christ
Most Oneness organizations hold to premillennial eschatology – the belief that Christ’s Second Coming will precede the millennium and millennium reign mentioned in Revelation 20. There is also emphasis on the imminent return of Christ.
Accordingly, they place strong emphasis on watchfulness and evangelistic fervor in light of Christ’s imminent return (Titus 2:13, Mark 13:33-37, Matthew 24:36-44). Works of evangelism and revival are prioritized in the present age before Christ’s return.
High Importance of Prophecy
Charismatic practices like speaking in tongues, interpretation of tongues, words of wisdom and knowledge, and prophecy are very important in Oneness churches. Prophecy is understood as a spontaneous message from God through an individual to the church.
Prophecy is mainly directed towards strengthening, encouragement and comfort, and convicting believers. It can also provide guidance for the church’s ministry. All prophecy is weighed and tested against Scripture (1 Corinthians 14:3-5, 29, 1 Thessalonians 5:19-21).
Legalism
One frequent criticism of Oneness groups is tendencies towards legalism – holding members to extra-biblical rules and standards, and judging spirituality based on external appearance and actions. For example, rules about clothing, hair lengths, makeup, entertainment choices, etc.
However, Oneness advocates argue rules on issues not directly addressed in Scripture are intended to promote modesty, simplicity and avoidance of worldliness. They are applications of biblical principles of modesty, worldliness and gender roles (1 Timothy 2:9-10, 1 John 2:15-17, Romans 12:2).
Exclusivist Views on Salvation
Most Oneness organizations teach that a person must hear the gospel message, believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, repent of sins, be water baptized in Jesus’ name, and receive the infilling of the Holy Spirit with evidence of speaking in tongues, in order to be saved.
This excludes those who do not follow this precise formula. Other Christian groups are often portrayed as unsaved because they have not followed the Oneness method of salvation. But Oneness groups argue they are simply following the biblical model.
Errors of Mainstream Christianity
Oneness theology rejects as unbiblical several mainstream Christian doctrines, such as: the Trinity, God as three co-equal persons; worship and prayer in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit; baptism using the Trinitarian formula.
Oneness groups argue that mainstream Christianity has veered away from biblical truth about God’s oneness and the nature of Jesus Christ as the incarnation of the one God. The Oneness view is claimed to be the original faith of the New Testament church.
Strong Leadership Structures
Most Oneness organizations have strong hierarchical leadership structures, with significant authority vested in superintendents, bishops and organizational heads. Considerable emphasis is placed on following and submitting to spiritual authority and the movement’s leadership.
Critics argue this can lead to authoritarianism, lack of accountability for leaders, and suppression of dissent. But Oneness advocates believe God has biblically mandated these leadership structures for proper church order and government (Hebrews 13:17, 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13).
In summary, Oneness Pentecostalism has several defining features – foremost being its rejection of the Trinity and emphasis on the oneness of God incarnate in Christ. It places great emphasis on the baptism of the Spirit, holiness, divine healing, prophecy, premillennialism and expectancy of Christ’s soon return. Its exclusivist soteriology and authoritarian leadership structures are often points of controversy and criticism.