WHAT THE AVERAGE CHURCH MEMBER BELIEVES

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.

MODESTY

We are living in a time of moral confusion, and our generation's immorality is reflected in many of today's styles. Today's fashion industry has little regard for modesty, and its products often project a look that is inappropriate for someone who wants to mirror Christ.

The marvelous grace of God in our hearts compels us to reflect His holiness in the part of our being that other people see. When a person becomes a Christian, his experience changes every facet of his life-not just the inward person but the outward person as well.

A Biblical Principle

The Bible instructs us to wear modest clothing, that is, clothing with a godly appearance. Of course, our outward appearance cannot substitute for inward holiness. Adam and Eve covered themselves with fig leaves after they sinned, but God found their efforts inadequate. By making clothing of animal skins for them, He confirmed that they indeed needed modest clothing, but He also revealed that holiness in appearance must be associated with God's provision for our sins. Only by the death of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, do we obtain the righteousness of God that we seek to reflect outwardly.

God instructed Israel's high priest to wear "holy garments," for he represented a holy God (Exodus 28:2). God also ordered the priests to wear clothing that covered their nakedness and forbade elevated altars upon which priests would walk and thereby expose their nakedness (Exodus 20:26; 28:42).

Deuteronomy 22:5 enunciates the moral principle of a clear distinction between male and female in outward appearance: one sex must not wear styles of clothing associated with the other.

Proverbs 7:10 speaks of a woman with the attire associated with sin and not suitable for godly people to wear. The principle that God wants His people to reflect His holiness applies to the New Testament church (I Peter 1:15-16). We are called to be living epistles read of all people, declaring to the world God's holy nature and His abiding presence (II

Corinthians 3:3). Our outward appearance is one way in which we are an unspoken witness of the transforming power of Christ.

I Timothy 2:9 admonishes "that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly

array." I Peter 3:3 gives similar instructions.

I Corinthians 11:1-16 teaches that a woman should have long hair, for it is her glory, and that a man should not have long hair. A person's hair serves as an important visible symbol of his or her submission to God's plan of authority and as a distinguishing mark between the sexes.

Revelation 16:15 uses clothing as a symbol to instruct the church to stay close to God: "Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame."

Clearly, God puts emphasis on the outward appearance of a person. To an extent, clothing reflects the condition of the heart, and it sends message to others about a person's values.

A Response to God's Grace

Advocating modesty of dress and outward dedication does not mean advocating salvation by works. Wearing godly dress is not a meritorious work to earn salvation; rather, it is a response to the saving grace of God. The blood of Jesus is our only righteousness. Our salvation comes from God, never from our good works. To think that we could earn His marvelous grace by adhering to dress codes would be a terrible mistake. But to accept the grace of God and then be indifferent to Christ's commandment for holy living would discredit His mercy. If the church preaches Christ and His saving grace without teaching biblical guidelines to live by, it leaves people open to confusion and failure. Deliberate and continuous disobedience to God's Word will lead to the loss of saving faith.

Who can view the Cross without wanting to conform to Christ? Who would want to continue his or her old sinful patterns of living when Jesus Christ died to bring deliverance from those sins? When people comprehend His holiness, they desire to become holy. While it is true that genuine love for Him restrains a person from presuming upon His marvelous grace.

In our success-oriented society, no one considers it odd if a corporation requires its employees to conform to a dress code. Why then should a church that teaches neatness and modesty for the purpose of honoring the holiness of God be considered narrow, restrictive, or legalistic?

If we are to honor God in our hearts, it is consistent to honor Him with an outward dedication. I John 2:15 instructs us, "Love not the world", surely, then, we would be foolish to mirror worldly values in our appearance.

The Protection of Modesty

Adhering to a modest, godly standard of dress and conduct offers protection from the surge of immorality that plagues our generation. Clothes and appearance transmit nonverbal signals. Christians who verbalize goodness and godliness but at the same time non verbally declare sensuality and ungodliness destroy the effectiveness of their gospel witness.

The primary purpose of many fashion designs is to exalt the ego, attract undue attention to the flesh, stir desires, and ignite passion in others, thereby appealing to the lust, of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, which the Bible condemns (I John 2:16). If we are in such styles and with such motives.

We must not naively ignore the complex causes of immorality and marital infidelity, but neither should we ignore the influence that sensual dress has on adultery and fornication. If a man looks with lust upon a women he commits adultery in his heart (Matthew 5:28). If people would dress in ways that do not provoke lust, the moral

fiber of our society would be strengthened.

The danger of overemphasizing any discipline in the Christian life is that some people allow the discipline to become a legalistic code. Some people who harbor unholy attitudes such as hatred, bitterness, envy, and strife falsely think they are spiritual because they wear modest clothes.

Such distortions are hypocritical and wrong. But we cannot dismiss the need for

modesty in dress because some distort it. The biblical alternative to legalism is not permissiveness or license but self-discipline motivated by grace, faith, love, the Word

of God, and the Holy Spirit. (See John 14:15; I Corinthians 9:24-27; II Timothy 2:4-5; I John 2:3-6.)

For the sake of our children, we must teach them to respect the holiness of God in all areas of life. Allowing or encouraging preteens and teenagers to dress in many of

today's fashions is an invitation to social and spiritual problems.

A dress code will not automatically remedy the decaying moral fiber among youth, but it does remind them of God's commandments. We must begin somewhere to teach children and youth moral responsibility, and standards of modesty in dress offer us this opportunity.

When we honor God and His Word in our hearts and in our outward appearance, He places an umbrella of protection over our families. While moral decay sweeps modern society and many modern churches, we are able to remain relatively untouched. The world may scoff at our modesty, but we dare not lay down our cloak of protection and our obedience to the Word of God

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60 QUESTIONS ON THE GODHEAD

1) Is the word trinity in the Bible? No

2) Does the Bible say that there are three persons in the Godhead? No

3) Does the Bible speak of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost? Yes

4) Do these titles as used in Matthew 28:19 mean that there are three separate and distinct persons in the Godhead? No, they refer to three offices, roles, or relationship to humanity.

5) Does the Bible use the word three in reference to God? Only one verse in the entire Bible does so-I John 5:7. It speaks of the Father, the Word (instead of Son), and the Holy Ghost, and it concludes by saying, "These three are one."

6) Does the Bible use the word one in reference to God? Yes, many times. For example, see Zechariah 14:9; Malachi 2:10; Matthew 23:9; Mark 12:29, 32; John 8:41; 10:30; Romans 3:30; I Corinthians 8:4; Galatians 3:20; I Timothy 2:5; James 2:19.

7) Can the mystery of the Godhead be understood? Yes. Romans 1:20; Colossians 2:9; I Timothy 3:16.

8) Has the Christian only one Heavenly Father? Yes. Matthew 23:9.

9) Then why did Jesus say to Philip, "He that hath seen me hath seen the Father" (John 14:39)? Because Jesus is the express image of God's person. Hebrews 1:3. The Greek word for person in this verse literally means "substance."

10) Does the Bible say that there are two persons in the Godhead? No.

11) Does the Bible say that all the Godhead is revealed in one person? Yes, in Jesus Christ. II Corinthians 4:4; Colossians 1:19; 2:9; Hebrews 1:3.

12) Is the mystery of the Deity hidden from some people? Yes. Luke 10:21-22.

13) Who is the Father? The Father is the one God, particularly as revealed in parental relationship to humanity. Deuteronomy 32:6; Malachi 2:10.

14) Where was God the Father while Jesus was on earth? The Father was in Christ. John 14:10; II Corinthians 5:19. He was also in heaven, for God is omnipresent.

15) Did the prophet Isaiah say that Jesus would be the Father? Yes. Isaiah 9:6; 63:16.

16) When God said, "Let us make man in our image" (Genesis 1:26), was He speaking to another person in the Godhead? No. Isaiah 44:24; Malachi 2:10.

17) How many of God's qualities were in Christ? All. Colossians 2:9.

18) How may we see the God who sent Jesus into the world? By seeing Jesus. John 12:44-45; 14:9.

19) Does the Bible say that Jesus is the Almighty? Yes. Revelation 1:8

20) Whom do some designate as the first person in the trinity? God the Father.

21) Whom do some designate as the last person in the trinity? The Holy Ghost. But Jesus said that He was the first and last. Revelation 1:17-18

22) How many persons did John see sitting on the throne in heaven? One. Revelation 4:2.

23) If Jesus is the first and the last, why did God say in Isaiah 44:6 that He was the first and the last? Because Jesus is the God of the Old Testament incarnate.

24) Did Jesus tell Satan that God alone should be worshiped? Yes. Matthew 4:10

25) Does the devil believe in more than one God? No. James 2:19.

26) Does the Bible say that God, who is the Word, was made flesh? Yes John

1:1, 14.

27) For what purpose was God manifested in the flesh? To save sinners. Hebrews 2:9, 14.

28) Was Jesus God manifested in the flesh? Yes. I Timothy 3:16.

29) Could Jesus have been on earth and in heaven at the same time? Yes. John 3:13.

30) Does the Bible say that there is but one Lord? Yes. Isaiah 45:18; Ephesians 4:5.

31) Does the Bible say that Christ is the Lord? Yes. Luke 2:11.

32) Does the Bible say that the Lord is God? Yes. I kings 18:39; Zechariah 14:5; Acts 2:39; Revelation 19:1.

33) How could the church belong to Jesus (Matthew 16:18) and yet be the church of God (I Corinthians 10:32)? Because Jesus is God in the flesh.

34) Will God give His glory to another? No. Isaiah 42:8.

35) Was there a God formed before Jehovah, or will there be one formed after? No. Isaiah 43:10.

36) What is one thing that God does not know? Another God. Isaiah 44:8.

37) What is one thing that God Cannot do? Lie. Titus 1:2.

38) How many Gods should we know? Only one. Hosea 13:4.

39) How many names has the Lord? One. Zechariah 14:9.

40) Is it good to think upon the name of the Lord? Yes. Malachi 3:16.

41) Does the Bible say that God alone treads upon the waves of the sea? Yes. Job 9:8

42) Why, then, was Jesus able to walk upon the Sea of Galilee (Matthew 14:25)? Because He is God the Creator. Colossians 1:16.

43) Is God the only one who can forgive sin? Yes. Isaiah 43:25; Mark 2:7.

44) Why, then, could Jesus forgive sin in Mark 2:5-11? Because He is God the Savior.

45) Is Jesus the true God? Yes. I John 5:20.

46) If God and the Holy Ghost are two separate persons, which was the Father of Christ? Matthew 1:20 says that the Holy Ghost was the Father, while Romans 15:6, II Corinthians 11:31, and Ephesians 1:3 say that God was the Father. There is no contradiction when we realize that God the Father and the Holy Ghost are one and the same Spirit. Matthew 10:20; Ephesians 4:4; I Corinthians 3:16.

47) When Paul asked the Lord who He was, what was the answer? "I am Jesus." Acts 9:5.

48) When Stephen was dying, did he call God Jesus? Yes. Acts 7:59.

49) Did Thomas ever call Jesus God? Yes. John 20:28.

50) How could Jesus be the Savior, when God the Father said in Isaiah 43:11, "Beside me there is no Savior?" Because "God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself." II Corinthians 5:19.

51) Does the Bible say that Jesus was God with us? Yes. Matthew 1:23.

52) Did Jesus ever say, "I and my Father are one?" Yes. John 10:30.

53) Can it be proved scripturally that Jesus and the Father are one in the same sense that husband and wife are one? No. The Godhead was never compared to the relationship of a husband and wife. Jesus identified Himself with the Father in a way that husband and wife cannot be identified with each other.

John 14:9-11.

54) Does the Bible say that there is only one wise God? Yes. Jude 25.

55) Does the Bible call the Holy Ghost a second or third person in the Godhead? No. The Holy Ghost is the one Spirit of God, the one God Himself at work in our lives. John 4:24; I Corinthians 3:16-17; 6:19; 12:13.

56) Can Trinitarians show that three divine persons were present when Jesus was baptized by John? Absolutely not. The one, omnipresent God used three simultaneous manifestations. Only one divine person was present--Jesus Christ

the Lord.

57) Then what were the other two of whom Trinitarians speak? One was a voice from heaven; the other was the Spirit of God in the form of a dove.

Matthew 3:16-17.

58) What did the voice say at Jesus' baptism? "Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." Mark 1:11. As the Son of God, Jesus was the one God incarnate.

59) Does the Bible say that God shed His blood and that God laid down His life for us? Yes. Acts 20:28; I John 3:16. God was able to do this because He had taken upon Himself a human body.

60) The Bible says that God is coming back with all his saints (Zechariah 14:5) and also that Jesus is coming back with all his saints (I Thessalonians 3:13). Are two coming back? No. Only one is coming back--our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. Titus 2:13.

What We Believe