When one examines the serious errors of this breakaway group…

When one examines the serious errors of this breakaway group of Pentecostals, it seems that they are actually a cult, like the Jehovah’s Witnesses. Some have actually described them as a “hidden cult”. And there are probably over 2.5 million people who have been deceived into following this cult.

There are several groups who hold to the doctrines of Oneness Pentecostals: United Pentecostal Church International, Apostolic World Christian Federation, Assemblies of the Lord Jesus Christ, Church of the Lord Jesus Christ of the Apostolic Faith, Pentecostal Assemblies of the World.

SERIOUS DOCTRINAL ERRORS

According to Pentecostals – Statistics and Denominations:

‘There are 80 Pentecostal denominations that are classified as Jesus’ Name or Oneness Pentecostalism (often self identifying as “Apostolic Pentecostals”). These differ from the rest of Pentecostalism in several significant ways.

[1] Oneness Pentecostals reject the doctrine of the Trinity. They do not describe God as three persons but rather as three manifestations of the one living God. [Note: This is the heresy of Modalism or Sabellianism] [2] Oneness Pentecostals practice Jesus’ Name Baptism—water baptisms performed in the name of Jesus Christ, rather than that of the Trinity. [Note: This is a rejection of the very words of Christ regarding baptism in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost] [3] Oneness Pentecostal adherents believe repentance, baptism in Jesus’ name, and Spirit baptism are all essential elements of the conversion experience. [Note: This is a rejection of the Bible doctrine of justification (salvation) by grace through faith in Christ and His finished work of redemption apart from any works of righteousness] [4] Oneness Pentecostals hold that repentance is necessary before baptism to make the ordinance valid, and receipt of the Holy Spirit manifested by speaking in other tongues is necessary afterwards, to complete the work of baptism. [Note: This is a rejection of the Bible truth that not all Christians will speak in tongues, and also the meaning of the genuine gift of tongues]

This differs from other Pentecostals, along with evangelical Christians in general, who see only repentance and faith in Christ as essential to salvation. This has resulted in Oneness believers being accused by some (including other Pentecostals) of a “works-salvation” soteriology, a charge they vehemently deny. [Note: All cults deny that they are a cult].

Oneness Pentecostals insist that salvation comes by grace through faith in Christ, coupled with obedience to his command to be “born of water and of the Spirit”; hence, no good works or obedience to laws or rules can save anyone. For them, baptism is not seen as a “work” but rather the indispensable means that Jesus himself provided to come into his kingdom. The major Oneness churches include the United Pentecostal Church International and the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World.