The Heresy 'Oneness Pentecostals' and 'Jesus Only'

John 1v1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God.


The Sentence has three parts

1. In the beginning was the Word,

John first states that the Word (Christ) is from Eternity.

2. and the Word was with God,

Next John states that the Word in Eternity and for all time is 'With God'. Quite simply this means that the Word (Christ) is alongside God in a way whereby the Word and God are distinct persons. The Word With can have no other meaning than to be separate to and along side. The whole idea of WITH brings up the concept of the mutual fellowship of two people (or more as the case may be) Christ for example called the Disciples - 'that they might be WITH HIM'. So clearly John is saying that The Word - Christ is in fellowship with another person who is called - GOD. This is in the context of Eternity (the first phrase) So Christ is Co-Eternal With God.

3. and the Word was God.

Lastly John clarified what he means because he has just stated that the Word was With God. but now he states very emphatically that Christ IS GOD. Johns Gospel was written to show that 'Jesus is the Christ the Son of God' [1]. Ch 20v30-31. So in his prologue he states that the WORD WAS GOD. There can never be any doubt that Christ is God. John is saying that the Word (Christ) is eternally God.

So how can we reconcile the second and third phrases. Well in our limited human capacity we cannot. The two phrases are contrary to human understanding. We cannot be WITH some one and also BE that person at the same time. But clearly Christ can. And although we cannot comprehend it - both statements must be accepted as true even thought it is beyond us to rationalise them.

So John has established his thesis for his Gospel.

The Word, from eternity, is WITH God and IS God.


Now to Arians l would need to explain Christ’s deity and his eternal character.

But to Oneness Pentecostals [2] - Christ is WITH GOD. That is there is at least another person that is God apart from Christ. However scripture shows that three persons claim to be God. The Father, The Spirit and The Son.


[1] the phrase 'The Son of God'. Also proves the same 2 points of johns opening prologue. The phrase means firstly that the person to whom it is related is God. It is a statement of his Deity. But secondly it is a statement of relationship Christ is the Son of GOD. He is separate to the Father because the Father is his father and he is the Son. No-one can be son without the existence of another person who is the father. Therefore the Phrase Son of God brings out two points.

1. That Christ is God - he is Divine
2. That Christ is the Son of the Father - He is co-Divine.

[2] the Heresy called 'Oneness Pentecostals' believe that Christ is God but that the Father and the Holy Spirit are not God.

Steve