What is Modalism?

This month, I want to examine churches which aren't exactly cults but have aberrant teachings which send people to hell. Though denominations differ on secondary doctrines, such as when Christ will return, the primary tenets are what determine somebody's eternal destiny.

Modalism is a doctrine held by assorted Pentecostal groups. Often called Oneness Pentecostals or Jesus Only, they deny the traditional understanding of the Holy Trinity. Adherents claim that God revealed himself as Jehovah in the Old Testament. Then he became Jesus in the gospels. Finally, he became the Holy Spirit after the resurrection. Some denominations don't believe that the Holy Spirit is a person but a force sent out from God.

This isn't a recently-discovered doctrine but an ancient heresy from the second century. Modalism, also called Sabellianism, was popular among Gnostic sects who felt that the flesh was evil and that only the spirit was pure.

Since the beginning of the twentieth century, Churches which began practicing speaking in tongues also became convinced that there was one God who manifested himself in three periods of time. Emphasis on repentance and following Christ became secondary as these people strove to get spiritual gifts and perform miracles.

Some denominations even believe that Christians weren't fully saved unless they spoke in tongues. This, they claimed, would happen to believers when they were baptized in Jesus' name. Saying "in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit," disqualified that baptism, according to the beliefs of certain charismatic sects.

In subsequent posts, I'll mention the scriptures these Oneness people twisted and why the doctrine of the Trinity is true. As I learned from being in a Pentecostal offshoot cult, these beliefs were accepted because of human pride and not because of any new revelation from God.

This subject and many others regarding eternity will be part of my next book called You Think You're Going to Heaven? This is thee most important decision each one needs to make. Will we obey God or will we decide we know better than him? That's what determines where we'll spend eternity.

Is the Holy Spirit Merely One Phase of God?

One huge mistake certain sects make is Modalism. According to the Christian Research Institute, this heresy began in the third century. Men such as Sabellius and Paul of Samosata claimed that God switched modes of being. First, he was God Almighty. Then he became Jesus Christ. After the resurrection, he became the Holy Spirit.

A sect called Oneness Pentecostals claims that God manifested himself in three phases by quoting Matthew 28:19 (Bible in Basic English) which reads, "Go then, and make disciples of all the nations, giving them baptism in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit:. "

They also claim this idea is expressed in Acts 2:38 (BBE) which says, "And Peter said, 'Let your hearts be changed, every one of you, and have baptism in the name of Jesus Christ, for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will have the Holy Spirit given to you.'"

If this is so, what about the other two members of the Trinity being present at Christ's baptism? Luke 3:22 (KJV) reads, "And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape  like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said,  'Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.'" How could God be in three modes at once?

And what about 1 Corinthians 15:27 -28 (KJV) which reads, "For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him. And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all."

Poof! There goes the Modalism argument. I intend on writing about this and other errant views of the Godhead in a book called You Think You're Going to Heaven? In order to be saved, people need to have a proper understanding about who they've rebelled against and the magnanimous gift Christ offers to wretched sinners like us.