Why do Oneness Pentecostals not believe in the Trinity?

While most Christian denominations affirm the doctrine of the Trinity—one God in three distinct, coequal, and coeternal Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—there is a notable segment within the Pentecostal movement known as Oneness Pentecostals who reject this teaching. Instead, they adhere to a belief called “Oneness” or “Modalism.”

The Origins of Oneness Pentecostalism

Oneness Pentecostalism emerged in the early 20th century during the Pentecostal revival that swept North America. The movement began when some Pentecostal leaders began to question the traditional practice of baptizing converts “in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit” as found in Matthew 28:19.

They pointed to passages in the Book of Acts, where new believers were baptized “in the name of Jesus,” and began to advocate for Jesus’ name baptism. This theological shift led to a broader re-examination of the doctrine of God, resulting in the birth of the Oneness movement and, eventually, the formation of organizations such as the United Pentecostal Church International (UPCI).

What Is the Trinity?

To understand why Oneness Pentecostals reject the Trinity, it helps to briefly define it. The doctrine of the Trinity holds that there is one God who exists eternally as three distinct Persons: the Father, the Son (Jesus Christ), and the Holy Spirit. Each Person is fully God, yet there is only one God. This mystery, though not explicitly named “Trinity” in Scripture, is considered foundational by most Christian denominations, who see it reflected in passages such as Matthew 28:19 and 2 Corinthians 13:14.

The Oneness View of God

Oneness Pentecostals believe that God is absolutely and indivisibly one. They reject the idea of three distinct Persons in the Godhead. According to their theology, the titles "Father," "Son," and "Holy Spirit" do not refer to separate persons, but to different roles or manifestations of the one God. For example, God is the Father in creation, the Son in redemption (Jesus Christ), and the Holy Spirit in regeneration and action in the church. All of these titles refer to the same singular divine being, not to three persons.

Key Scriptural Arguments

Oneness Pentecostals base their beliefs on a number of biblical passages that emphasize the oneness of God. The Shema from Deuteronomy 6:4 states, “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.” They view this as a clear declaration of God’s absolute unity. They also cite Isaiah 9:6, where the coming Messiah is called “Everlasting Father” and “Mighty God,” and Colossians 2:9, which says, “For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form.”

For Oneness believers, these verses point to the idea that Jesus is the one God revealed in flesh, not a second person of a triune Godhead. They see the titles "Father," "Son," and "Holy Spirit" as different ways God has revealed Himself throughout history, not as distinct individuals within God’s being.

Rejection of the Trinity: Theological and Practical Reasons

Oneness Pentecostals reject the Trinity for both theological and practical reasons. Theologically, they argue that the doctrine of the Trinity is not explicitly found in the Bible and is instead a post-biblical development influenced by Greek philosophy. They believe the idea of three coequal, coeternal Persons compromises the biblical teaching of God’s absolute oneness. For them, the language of “Persons” suggests separate beings, which they see as incompatible with the monotheism of Scripture.

Practically, Oneness theology shapes their worship and practice. For example, they insist on baptizing only “in the name of Jesus” rather than using the Trinitarian formula, believing this practice is more faithful to the apostolic church of the New Testament. Their prayers, worship songs, and sermons typically focus on Jesus as the full revelation of God.

The Impact on Christian Fellowship

Because the doctrine of the Trinity is considered a non-negotiable by most Christians, the Oneness position is viewed as unorthodox or even heretical by mainstream Christianity. This has led to isolation and division at times between Oneness Pentecostals and other Christians. However, Oneness believers see themselves as faithfully adhering to the original apostolic teaching and defending biblical monotheism.

A Distinctive Identity

The rejection of the Trinity gives Oneness Pentecostals a distinctive identity within the broader Christian tradition. While they share many beliefs and practices with other Pentecostals—such as the emphasis on the Holy Spirit, speaking in tongues, and healing—they maintain their unique view of God’s nature as central.