Trinity (Trinitarianism) vs Oneness Doctrine - Is the Holy Spirit a Person

This article will examine several false doctrines that have infiltrated the church in the past and continue to persist in our day. The enemy is attempting to muddy the pure streams of Orthodox Christian truth in the scriptures by introducing subtle heresies. Some may not consider these different doctrines to be a major issue and state things such as, “As long as we have common ground in believing in Jesus, then everything is alright”. The problem is that heresies actually cause a gangrene infection in the body of Christ. If left untreated, this gangrene will kill the body of Christ.

“and their teaching will spread like gangrene. So it is with Hymenaeus and Philetus, who have deviated from the truth. They claim that the resurrection has already taken place, and they undermine the faith of some.” (2 Timothy 2:17-18 AMP)

The above scripture shows how apostolic ministries address false doctrine. Paul did not say, “It doesn’t matter that they are teaching deception because we all love Jesus.” He said their heresy was like gangrene, which spreads and kills the body. Heresies have the potential to undermine faith through their confusion and deception.

The Godhead - Trinitarianism

A foundational understanding of God that has been taught since the first century church is a doctrine known as “Trinitarianism”. This word is not found in the Bible, but it is used to explain what the word of God reveals throughout numerous verses. Trinitarianism is the belief that there is only one God consisting of three distinct persons. The three persons are the Father, the Son (Jesus), and the Holy Spirit. They are coeternal, coequal, and untied into one being. The three persons that make up one God are known as the Godhead.

“For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily;” (Colossians 2:9 NKJV)

Our natural minds cannot comprehend the Godhead. How can there be three persons in one God? How can God have always been in existence? There are some questions that we do not have the capacity to understand in this life but we will be given knowledge of these things in the age to come. Sometimes the Lord requires us to trust Him and walk by faith when certain truths have not been fully revealed.

Most heresies started when men developed a doctrine from their own understanding instead of from the illumination of the Holy Spirit. Sometimes the Lord isn’t revealing the fullness of a truth, but man finds a way to explain a spiritual truth with human intellect or reasoning. Man-made doctrines or traditions of men are then birthed and spread through the body of Christ like gangrene.

Knowing God

Understanding God is very important to the heart of the Father. Can you imagine how it hurts His heart when believers only care about being saved and are not really concerned about knowing Him? The best thing about the spiritual journey with the Lord is to know Him and become like Him. We are not going to become like Him if we don’t come to know Him. Understanding and knowing the Godhead is not just a doctrinal issue; it’s a relationship issue.

If we are confused about who the Godhead is, then it’s an indication that we don’t really know Him. If we can be blown around by the teachings of men, then we are still spiritually immature. There are some believers who don’t believe the Holy Spirit is a person. Since the one God is made up of three persons, people who don’t believe the Holy Spirit is God are essentially only believing in two-thirds of God. These people actually disbelieve in a third of who God is. Can you see how this would hurt the heart of God? Wouldn’t it hurt your heart if people said they loved you but then didn’t really believe in a big portion of who you are?

Preachers who refuse to discuss their view of the Godhead for the sake of unity around the salvation message about Jesus should not be preaching or teaching. Teachers who are confusing on their view of the Godhead should not be teaching the body of Christ. The Christian faith is based on the belief in the Godhead—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. If preachers and teachers are not revealing who God is in fullness, what business do they have speaking for God? Again, this is not simply a doctrinal issue. It’s an issue of who God is, which is the foundation of the Christian faith. If the foundation is faulty, the whole house can collapse.

Oneness Doctrine (Nontrinitarianism)

The “Oneness Doctrine” denies that there are three persons in one God. This doctrine is also referred to as "nontrinitarianism." Essentially, people who adhere to this doctrine believe that God operates in different modes. For example, He sometimes is the Father and then manifests differently and functions as the Son. This theology was born out of the Pentecostal Movement and is also known as “Jesus Only” theology since followers only believe that a person can be baptized into the name of Jesus (despite the actual command of Jesus to His followers):

“And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” Matthew 28:18-19 NKJV

Macedonianism Doctrine (Pneumatomachian)

This doctrine denies the full personhood of the Holy Spirit, thus denying Him as God. This heresy started in the fourth century but has been modified and adapted for our time. There is a modification of this doctrine that basically states that the Holy Spirit is not a person and that He is only God’s Spirit.

The United Church of God teaches that the Holy Spirit is not a person but the nature, presence, and expression of God’s power. This is very similar to the doctrine of the Jehovah Witnesses, which states that the Holy Spirit is God’s “active force” rather than a person in the Godhead.

Trinity

There are a number of scriptures that reveal the Godhead as a Trinity (three persons in one God).

“And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” (Matthew 28:18-19 NKJV)

The above scripture is very clear. Jesus commands us to baptize converts in the names of the three persons of the Godhead. Jesus didn’t just say His own name or the name of His Father. It is extremely unwise to ignore direct commands from Jesus. Someone can only be baptized into God, so if the Holy Spirit were not God, why would Jesus say to be baptized in His name also? Jesus could have said, “Baptize in my name only.” If there were only two persons that made up God, Jesus wouldn’t have simply commanded his disciples to baptize in the name of the Father and the Son.

However, Jesus named all three persons of the Godhead. Jesus was instructing that new believers should be baptized into the fullness of who the Godhead is. He was revealing the Trinity. Jesus even used the word "name,” indicating that the Holy Spirit is named. This proves that He is a person and not just a force or the power of God. People have names.

The Three in Heaven

“For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one.” (I John 5:7 NKJV)

In the above scripture verse, we see the Godhead revealed as a Trinity of three persons yet again. John is inspired to list all three persons who are in Heaven as one God. John doesn’t list angels of any other created beings. He only speaks of God in Heaven. This is one of the most clear and convincing scriptures describing the Triune Godhead.

The Trinity is revealed by Paul:

“endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.” (Ephesians 4:3-6 NKJV)

“There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all.” (I Corinthians 12:4-6 NKJV)

In the above scriptures, we see that Paul is inspired to mention all three persons of the Godhead. He refers to the Holy Spirit as the Spirit, Jesus as the Lord, and the Father as God. Paul clearly believed and taught that the Godhead is a trinity. The early church was not confused about this doctrine. Some teachers had said the early church didn’t believe in the Trinity. The scriptures show otherwise.

Holy Spirit - Personhood and Godhood

“When all the people were baptized, it came to pass that Jesus also was baptized; and while He prayed, the heaven was opened. And the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon Him, and a voice came from heaven which said, “You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased.”” Luke 3:21-22 NKJV

The Holy Spirit is clearly a person because He descends in bodily form. People have bodies. If He were simply a powerful force, He wouldn’t have a body. But He does. We should note that the Holy Spirit was not taking on the form of a bird, as is commonly preached. This sentence is a “simile.” It is a simple comparison of how the Holy Spirit descended (like a dove would descend in a swooping motion). Clearly, He was in bodily form. We bear the form of the Godhead who created us:

“Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” (Genesis 1:26-27 NKJV)

It would be important to note that God said “Our” and “My,” indicating multiple persons within the Godhead. 

The person of the Holy Spirit came upon Jesus in bodily form, which was the form of a man. Thus, we see the Godhead functioning together as one:

“how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.” (Acts 10:38 NKJV)

The Father anointed Jesus with the Holy Spirit. Clearly, the Holy Spirit is not simply a force of power because the Father anointed Jesus with both the Holy Spirit and power. The following scripture also shows the Holy Spirit as a person:

“These things I have spoken to you while being present with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.” (John 14:25-26 NKJV)

The scripture does not say “it” will teach you all things. It says “He” will teach you. The Holy Spirit wants to teach us and reveal Christ to us. A person is someone who teaches. A “force” or an "it" cannot teach. The Spirit also prays and can pray through us. Only a person can pray for us. A "thing" or force cannot pray:

“Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.” (Romans 8:26 NKJV)

Holy Spirit is God

“But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.”” (Acts 5:3-4 NKJV)

These verses show that Ananias lied to God. Who did Peter say Ananias lied to? Jesus or the Father? No, he said Ananias lied to the Holy Spirit (God).

The Spirit’s Authority as God

“Then the Spirit told me to go with them, doubting nothing. Moreover these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered the man’s house.” (Acts 11:12 NKJV)

“Now in the church that was at Antioch there were certain prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away.” (Acts 13:1-3 NKJV)

The above scriptures show that the Holy Spirit gives orders and commands as God. He told the church overseers in Antioch to separate Saul and Barnabas for the work that He had called them to. The Holy Spirit was overseeing the church as God and commissioning leaders to do His work. The scriptures specifically reveal the Holy Spirit as God in authority here for a reason. Some teachers choose to ignore these vital truths, or they attempt to explain them away with their crafty reasonings that seem like wisdom to the immature.

Jesus and the Father

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.” (John 1:1-4 NKJV)

Jesus (the Word and the Son) is revealed as the eternal God along with God the Father. The scriptures state that Jesus is God and was with the Father (showing two distinct persons).

“But Jesus answered them, “My Father has been working until now, and I have been working.” Therefore the Jews sought all the more to kill Him, because He not only broke the Sabbath, but also said that God was His Father, making Himself equal with God.” (John 5:17-18 NKJV)

“Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works. Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves. “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.” (John 14:10-12 NKJV)

The above verses destroy the Oneness Doctrine. Jesus reveals that He is equal to the Father by being the Son. He also states that the Father is in Him, indicating that He is one God with the Father. In addition, Jesus says that He will go to the Father, which also shows that the Father’s person is in Heaven at a separate location from where Jesus is on earth.

I have heard a well-known preacher question whether or not we will actually see the one God revealed as three persons in Heaven. The following scripture shows the distinct persons of the Father and the Son in Heaven:

““I was watching in the night visions, And behold, One like the Son of Man, Coming with the clouds of heaven! He came to the Ancient of Days, And they brought Him near before Him. Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, That all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, Which shall not pass away, And His kingdom the one Which shall not be destroyed.” (Daniel 7:13-14 NKJV)

This scripture shows Jesus (Son of Man) coming before God the Father (Ancient of Days) in Heaven — two distinct persons. Jesus (God and Son of God) was then given all rule, power, and authority (Matthew 28:18, Revelation 2:26-27, 3:21, and 5:11-14). Clearly Jesus will sit next to the Father in Heaven:

“So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God.” (Mark‬ ‭16‬:‭19‬ ‭NKJV‬‬)

The Father Speaks

“While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!”” (Matthew 17:5 NKJV)

The Father was in Heaven speaking about Jesus, which demonstrates that the persons of the Father and the Son were in separate locations at the time (two distinct persons).

Antichrist Spirit

“Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist who denies the Father and the Son. Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father either; he who acknowledges the Son has the Father also.” (I John 2:22-23 NKJV)

Those who deny the distinct persons of the Father and the Son are actually operating in an antichrist spirit. One could argue the same is true for the Holy Spirit as well. This scripture obviously has multiple layers of revelation, but one layer reveals that the antichrist spirit is attempting to destroy the foundational doctrine of the Trinity. If this antichrist spirit can deny that the Father and Son are two distinct persons, it can veil who God really is and prevent us from knowing Him in a greater way. Satan’s priority is to keep us from knowing the Lord.

The antichrist spirit is currently blinding the Jewish people from acknowledging Jesus as part of the Godhead. It knows that if it can keep the Jewish people blinded from the truth regarding Jesus, then they will not have God the Father either. Whoever denies the Son, does not have Father God. Whoever does not have God, does not have eternal life. Jesus is the only way to the Father. The antichrist spirit's main attack is against the person's of the Godhead. 

Blasphemy Against the Holy Spirit

““Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men. Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come.” (Matthew 12:31-32 NKJV)

Why would the Father and the Son forgive evil speaking of themselves but not the Holy Spirit? It’s very interesting how the Father and the Son give preference to and protect the Holy Spirit. Would saying that the Holy Spirit is not God, be considered blaspheming Him? Would saying the Holy Spirit is not a person be considered blasphemy? Wouldn’t calling Him a thing, an it, or a force be disrespectful to Him? I think we need to be very careful about how we speak in relation to the Holy Spirit and what we call Him. We must treat Him with honor and hold Him in high esteem.

When Jesus was hanging on the cross, men spoke evil of Him:

“Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, “If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.”” (Luke‬ ‭23‬:‭39‬ ‭NKJV‬‬)

Do we see what the Lord is considering blasphemy in the scriptures? The men mocked Jesus in a disbelieving way about Him being God. They were denying that Jesus was God or a person of the Godhead. So if it is considered blasphemy to deny Jesus as God, then wouldn't it be considered blasphemy to deny the Holy Spirit as God? And blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is one of the only sins that will not be forgiven (along with taking the mark of the beast—Revelation 14:9-11).

If we tell God that He isn't God, then we are speaking evil of God and therefore blaspheming Him. This is a very serious subject. The triune God needs to be treated with the utmost respect, and that includes the Holy Spirit. The Father and the Son honor the Holy Spirit greatly and won't forgive blasphemy against Him.

May the false doctrines of men be crushed as we acknowledge the truth in God’s word and stand for His truth.

- Ty Unruh (October 2023)