In viewing the contrasts between Trinitarianism and Oneness, we may ask what does the
average person who calls himself a Christian really believe? Of course, most Christian
denominations officially accept Trinitarianism. However, most trinitarian scholars carefully
distance themselves from Tritheism and many use terminology that sounds almost like
Oneness.
Many church members do not really understand the doctrine of the Trinity and, as a
practical matter, are closer to Oneness belief. Some questions which if answered in the
affirmative indicate a leaning towards Oneness or a functional acceptance of it are:
Do you usually pray directly to Jesus?
When you pray to the Father, do you switch over into language indicating that actually you
are thinking about Jesus (for example, using "Lord," "in your name," or "Jesus")?
Do you expect to see only one God in heaven, namely Jesus Christ?
Is it correct to say that you seldom or never pray directly to the Holy Spirit as a separate
person?
Is the doctrine of the trinity confusing or a mystery to you?
Based on answers to these questions and others like them, we feel the majority of Bible
believers instinctively think in Oneness terms and not in trinitarian terms. Moreover, it
appears that when a person receives the baptism of the Holy Spirit he instinctively thinks in
terms of Oneness belief.
Most Catholics and Protestants do not have a well developed concept of the trinity, do not
know in detail what Trinitarianism teaches, and cannot explain Bible passages in
trinitarian terms. Today, we find a strong emphasis on Trinitarianism and extremely
Tritheistic forms of Trinitarianism primarily in some trinitarian Pentecostal groups.
A simple question will help the trinitarian church member clarify his own beliefs. The
question is: "When we see God in heaven, what will we see?"
If the answer is that we will see three persons with three bodies, then this indicates a pagan
tritheism, not the strong monotheism of the Bible.
If the answer is that we will see one God with one body, then that is close to Oneness. Given
this answer, it is easy to demonstrate from Revelation that the One we will see is actually
Jesus Christ, for in Him dwells all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. The Bible calls God
the Holy One (I John 2:20). There is one throne in heaven and One sits upon it
(Revelation 4:2).
Conclusion: The Bible does not teach the doctrine of the trinity, and trinitarianism actually
contradicts the Bible. It does not add any positive benefit to the Christian message. Without
the man-made doctrine of the trinity we can still affirm the deity of Jesus, the humanity of
Jesus, the virgin birth, the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ, the atonement,
justification by faith, the sole authority of Scripture, and any other doctrine that is essential
to true Christianity. In fact, we enhance these doctrines when we adhere strictly to the Bible
message that Jesus is the one God manifested in flesh. Adherence to Oneness does not mean
a denial that God came in flesh as the Son or a denial that God fulfills the roles of Father
and Holy Spirit. On the other hand, the doctrine of the trinity does detract from the
important biblical themes of the oneness of God and the absolute deity of Jesus Christ.
Therefore, Christianity should stop using trinitarian terminology and should go back to
emphasis of the basic Bible message. Most Bible believers do not think in strong trinitarian
terms, so a transition away from it would not be very difficult, at least on an individual level.
On the other side, strict adherence to Oneness belief brings many blessings. It places
emphasis where it should be - on the importance of biblical terminology, thought, and themes.
It establishes Christianity as the true heir of Judaism and as a truly monotheistic belief. It
reminds us that God our Father and Creator loved us so much He robed Himself in flesh to
come as our Redeemer. It reminds us that we can receive this same Creator and Redeemer
in our hearts through His Own Spirit.
Oneness magnifies Jesus Christ, exalts His name, recognizes who He really is, and
acknowledges His full deity. Exalting Jesus and His name in preaching and in worship
brings a mighty move of His power in blessings, deliverance, answered prayer, miracles,
healing, and salvation. Wonderful things happen when someone preaches a message on the
deity of Jesus, the name of Jesus, and the oneness of God, but rarely does one get inspired
over a message on the trinity. A strong belief in the oneness of God and the absolute deity of
Jesus Christ is a crucial element in restoring the church to true biblical belief and apostolic
power.
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