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3.2 ACOP’s Response to the Schisms
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It kind of surprises me with the Oneness view. Its not like the like the Godhead is disunified in who they are. Jesus said I give glory to the Father and Holy Spirit glorifies the Son. They are all equally God each with a specific purpose to accomplish.
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2. considering some early Pentecostals believed strongly that baptism should be done “in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ” this could give reason for Pentecostals to adopt oneness theology for sake of the authority of Christ. Believing Christ to be God could be seen as a strong argument for the apostles to use that language, meaning the early Pentecostals should take that as literally as possible and make the character of Jesus as “God” as possible. There shouldn’t need to be any other character or part of God because Jesus is the reason for salvation.
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Some of the signs mentioned were healing of the sick, exorcism, poison proof, and tongues. They are important to the Pentecostal Movement, I think, because it proves the validity of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit described in the Scripture—baptism of the Holy Spirit was followed by supernatural manifestations. Anybody can claim that they got baptized of the Holy Spirit but apart from the signs, it is hard to confirm. Although, these things are more of a description (Mark 16/Acts 1) rather than a prescription.
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I think as they questioned the WHY of baptism, people felt that they needed to follow Jesus and baptise people in His name. Similarly with the Godhead, a oneness view seems to put more focus on God and less on Jesus, whereas a Trinity of distinct persons allows us to continue to worship God while still seeking Jesus specifically.
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