Oneness Godhead Theology by Apostolic Scholar Carrol

The basis of this biblical doctrine is an uncompromising belief in one God: monotheism. Simply stated, God is absolutely, and indivisible one. There are no essential distinctions or divisions in His eternal nature. All the names of and titles of Deity such as God, Jehovhah (LORD), Lord, Father, Word, and Holy Spirit refer to one and the same being. Any plurality associated with God is a plurality of attributes, titles, roles, manifestations, modes of activity, or relationships to humanity. This is the historic position of Judaism. Both Oneness and Jewish believers find classic expression of their belief in Deuteronomy 6:4. "The LORD our God is one LORD". God underscored the importance of this truth by commanding that His people it to teach their children constantly. Jesus also emphasized the importance of this teaching, calling it "the first of all commandments" (Mark 12:29) Many other Bible passages affirm strict monotheism and exclude any plurality in the Deity (Godhead). These include Isa 43:10-11, Isa 45:21, Isa 46:9, John 17:3, 1 Cor 8:4,6, Gal 3:20, 1 Tim 2:5, James 2:19 Trinitarians sometimes explain that the OT monotheistic passages meerly speak of perfect agreement and unity among the trinity, excluding a plurality of false deities but not a plurality of persons in the true God. This would allow outright polytheism, however, for many distinct deities could exist in perfect harmony. Neither testament uses the word trinity or associates the word three or the word persons with God in any significant way, but over fifty times the Bible calls God the Holy One. The only NT passage to use the word person in relationship to God is Heb 1:3. It says the Son is the image of God's own person (literally "substance") not a separate person. The only passage to use the word three in reference to God is 1 John 5:7 which speaks of three ways in which God has revealed Himself to man - as Father, Word, and Spirit. It does not imply a plurality of persons any more than when we speak of a man, his word, and his spirit, and it concludes by saying, "These three are one." The following truths are also essential, though I will only provide a statement concerning each one at the moment. All the names and titles of God apply to Jesus Jesus is Jehovah The Holy Spirit is literally the Spirit that was in Jesus Christ, i.e. the Spirit of Truth (John 14:17=18, 2 Cor 3:17) Jesus is the One depicted on the throne in Rev 1-22, and particularly ch 4. The essential identity of Jesus is the same as the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. The title of Father refers to His role as Father of all creation, Father of the only begotten Son, and Father of the born-again believer. The title Son refers to God's incarnation, in human flesh, for the man Christ was certainly conceived by the Spirit of God. The title of Holy Ghost describes the fundamental of God's moral attributes. It specifically refers to God in activity, where unlimited by fleshly incarnation. God particularly anoints, regenerates, and dwells in man by this means. The name of Jesus receives strong emphasis in scripture. In all scripture the name of God is an extension of His individual personality. In the OT Jehovah was the distinctive name of God whereby He distinguished himself from false gods. In the NT, God accompanied the revelation of Himself in the flesh with a new name. That name is Jesus which includes and supersedes Jehovah since it literally means Jehovah Savior. or Jehovah is salvation. Although others have born the name of Jesus, the Lord Jesus Christ is the only one who is actually what that name describes. Jesus is the redemptive name of God in the New Testament. It carries the power and the authority needed by the Church, as shown in: John 14:14, Acts 4:12, Acts 10:43, Phil 2:9-10, Col 3:17 Finally, in contrast to Trinitarianism, Oneness asserts that ... God is indivisible in number with no distinction of persons Jesus is the absolute fullness of the Godhead in the flesh He is God, Jehovah, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit The Son of God was begotten after the flesh and did not exist in eternity past - the term only refers to God's incarnation in Christ. The Word is not a separate person, but the mind, thought, plan, or expression of the Father God. Jesus is the revealed name of God, in the NT which represents power, authority and salvation from God Water baptism should be administered orally invoking the name of Jesus Christ. believers will definitely see only one divine being in heaven; Jesus Christ.