Oneness PentecostalismEdit
Oneness Pentecostalism is a distinct current within Protestant Christianity that emphasizes a strict monotheism, baptism in the name of Jesus Christ, and the belief that the Holy Spirit’s fullness is given to believers through a Pentecostal experience often evidenced by speaking in tongues. In contrast with Trinitarian traditions, which hold that God exists as three distinct persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—Oneness adherents teach that there is one God who reveals Himself in different modes or manifestations. The movement has produced a number of churches and denominations—most prominently the United Pentecostal Church International—and has had a substantial impact on Pentecostal and holiness-centered faith communities around the world. Its adherents typically place a high emphasis on personal conversion, holy living, and evangelistic outreach, and they tend to cultivate conservative positions on social and moral issues.
The Oneness movement grew out of the broader early 20th-century Pentecostal revival, a period marked by a revival of spiritual gifts such as healing, prophecy, and speaking in tongues. Within that revival, a stream of belief diverged from mainstream Pentecostalism over the nature of God and the formula used in baptism. Those who developed what would become characteristic Oneness theology argued that God is singular in essence and that Jesus Christ is the manifestation of that single God in human flesh. This led to distinctive practices, most notably baptism "in the name of Jesus Christ" rather than the Trinitarian formula "in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." Primary historical threads connect Oneness theology to various revivals and publications of the era, including early 20th-century movements that stressed the immediacy of experience, personal holiness, and missionary zeal. For much of its formal organization, the movement coalesced into denominations such as the United Pentecostal Church International and other Oneness groups, which articulate the core creed with a strong emphasis on the oneness of God, the singular personhood of Jesus, and the necessity of water baptism in Jesus’ name.
Doctrine
Godhead and Christology: Oneness theology rejects the traditional doctrine of the Trinity and instead asserts that God is one person who has revealed Himself in different modes. Jesus is understood as the one God manifested in human flesh, with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit understood as different roles or manifestations of the same divine person. This view is often labeled as modalistic or nontrinitarian, and it has been a central point of difference with Trinity-focused churches. For adherents, the identity of God as one keeps the emphasis on monotheism intact while attributing the biblical titles of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit to different functions of the same divine person.
Jesus Christ and salvation: The Incarnation is central—the Son of God became man in Jesus. Salvation is described as a response to repentance and faith, followed by baptism in the name of Jesus Christ and the reception of the Holy Spirit. The Pentecostal experience is often described as the baptism of the Holy Spirit, with the initial evidence of speaking in tongues as a sign of that baptism. These elements (repentance, baptism in Jesus’ name, and Spirit baptism) form a common sequence in many Oneness communities Baptism in the name of Jesus and Speaking in tongues.
Baptism and ecclesiology: The baptismal formula in Oneness churches is typically performed by immersion in the name of Jesus Christ, reflecting a theological emphasis on the authority of Jesus as the naming of the church. Ecclesial life tends to be shaped by a concern for personal holiness, faithfulness to doctrinal boundaries, and an emphasis on evangelistic outreach. The governance of Oneness churches often combines local church autonomy with regional and national fellowship structures, such as those maintained by the United Pentecostal Church International and related bodies.
Ethics and holiness: Many Oneness congregations maintain conservative standards of personal conduct, modest dress, temperance, and a distinct posture toward secular entertainment and cultural influences. This emphasis on holiness is rooted in a broader revivalist impulse that seeks to separate believers from secular patterns and align daily life with biblical norms. The exact expressions of these standards can vary by denomination and local context, but the emphasis on personal and communal discipline remains a hallmark of the movement.
Practice and organization
Worship and gifts: Oneness worship is often expressive, marked by energetic prayer, spontaneous exhortation, and the expectation of the Lord’s healing and miracles. Pentecostal gifts such as speaking in tongues, prophecy, and healing are commonly respected within these communities as contemporary signs of the Spirit’s activity. The emphasis on spiritual gifts aligns with a broader Pentecostal ethos found in Pentecostalism more generally.
Women and leadership: In many Oneness churches, leadership roles are defined by conservative interpretations of gender roles. Women may serve in certain ministries, but the pattern of leadership and authority is often shaped by denominational guidelines and local church governance. This aligns with a larger pattern within conservative evangelical movements that prioritize complementary roles and biblically grounded authority structures.
Education and outreach: Evangelism and church planting are prominent features of Oneness work, with missionary emphasis directed toward urban and rural communities alike. Parachurch ministries and revival campaigns have historically played a role in spreading Oneness theology beyond initial church communities, sometimes intersecting with broader evangelical networks.
Controversies and debates
Theological reception and ecumenical relations: Oneness theology is contentious within the broader Christian world. Mainstream Trinitarian churches have historically viewed Oneness beliefs as heterodox, contending that the Oneness understanding of the Godhead deviates from the historic doctrine of the Trinity articulated by the early ecumenical councils. This has shaped conversations about doctrinal boundaries, confessional identity, and the scope of ecumenical dialogue. Those who defend Oneness positions argue that their interpretation rests on a consistent reading of biblical revelation and a faithful adherence to early Pentecostal revivalism. Critics contend that the Oneness approach undermines essential elements of historic Christian orthodoxy.
Doctrine of baptism and authority: The distinctive baptismal formula and the emphasis on baptism in Jesus’ name have been focal points in debates with other Christian communities. Proponents argue that baptism in the name of Jesus aligns with a biblical pattern of salvation, while opponents emphasize the continuity of the Trinitarian baptismal formula as part of apostolic tradition. The dispute often extends into discussions about ecclesial authority, sacramental practice, and the interpretation of key New Testament passages.
Social and cultural implications: As with many conservative religious movements, Oneness churches have tended to uphold traditional views on family structure, gender roles, and moral conduct. Critics from broader secular and progressive corners sometimes challenge these stances as out of step with contemporary social norms. Supporters maintain that these practices reflect a coherent interpretation of biblical ethics and the aim of fostering stable, virtuous communities.
Relationship to broader Pentecostal and evangelical landscapes: The Oneness movement remains a distinct strand within Pentecostalism. It shares with other Pentecostal and evangelical groups a commitment to human transformation through faith in Christ and the continuing operation of spiritual gifts, but it diverges over the nature of God and baptismal practice. This divergence shapes internal unity, interdenominational cooperation, and how Oneness churches position themselves in relation to broader religious and political conversations.