CHAPTER XXV
IS ONENESS A CULT?

 Joining the chorus of those who chant "cult," Dr. Boyd writes:
 

"...this performance orientation tends to carry over into the social structure of many oneness groups as well. This is what gives many Oneness churches a 'cultic quality' " (Boyd, 194).

Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will received you, and will be a father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and my daughters, saith the Lord Almighty (I Cor. 6:18).

The major cults in this country are Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormonism, Armstrongism, Seventh Day Adventists and Christian Science. All of them are characterized by the identifying "fingerprints" of a cult. These are five in number:
 

1. Extra Biblical Writings
2. Personality Orientation
3. Organizational Exclusiveness
4. Esoteric and dietary Holiness standards
5. Denial of Christ's deity or impecability.

Let us examine each category and see if any apply to the UPCI or the PAW.
 

 But where are the "extra Biblical" writings in the Oneness movement? Where is the "inspired" and "infallible" prophet and his "new Bible?" Nowhere! Oneness believes in the Bible and the Bible only! We have no additional "written guides," supposedly "sent down from heaven." All our doctrine is derived strictly from the Word of God, and no other source. The Catholic Church, whose "fathers" Dr. Boyd is so fond of recommending to us, is fraught with extra Biblical revelations. Every doctrine that the Pope decrees "ex cathedra'' is considered "infallible." By these means they have bound "the faithful" to believe in such fictions as the Immaculate Conception, the Blessed Assumption, and Papal Infallibility. Why does Dr. Boyd not class the Catholic Church as a "cult" based on these "extra Biblical" and "inspired" additions to the Word of God? And talk about "performance oriented," which Church is more so than the Roman Catholic? Even after death, the faithful have others working to get them out of purgatory! Why are no epitaphs of "Cult" hurled at them? Instead he quotes their "fathers", (Basil, Gregory, Augustine, Aquinas) and their "extra Biblical" revelations like the "Perichoresis" theory in support of his Trinitarianism!
 

 Now I ask, if Oneness is a cult, where is our Pope? Where is our "Founding Father" who could say no wrong? What inspired Prophet do we follow, who dispenses extra Biblical revelations to the "faithful"?   There is no such Personality cultus in Oneness. We follow Jesus Christ and him Only. For this we have even been ridiculed as "Jesus Onlys."   We have no Joe Smith or Ellen White; only Jesus Christ. Aquinas, whom Dr- Boyd cites for authority, was a firm defender of the Pope's Supremacy as the Successor of Peter and Vicar of Christ, even using forged documents to substantiate it! Augustine, another favorite of Dr. Boyd and other Trinitarians, summed up his confidence in the Pope in these words: "Rome has spoken, case closed." Oneness invests no one but Christ with such authority.
 

 Herbert Armstrong's group is the same way.  You either belong to the "Worldwide Church of God" or you are lost. Armstrong had planned to take the members of "his church" to the desert of Austrailia to escape the Great Tribulation he predicted for 1975. Needless to say neither arrived. And of course the Catholics always insist "Extra ecclesia, nulla salus," "outside the Church, none are saved." And they mean the Catholic heirarchy by that. They claim to be the only organization that has the "earmarks" of being the one Christ founded. They make much of "apostolic succession" to prove this. And all of these cults do not permit local congregations to own their own "property." All deeds are invested in the central organization. This is part of their control. You can leave, but they keep the property!

 How different and "uncultic" is the Oneness Movement in contrast to the aforementioned groups? Neither the UPCI nor the PAW claim their organization is the one true Church.  No oneness group claims that their "organization" is the only "organization" and that all must belong to it to be saved. Besides the UPCI and the PAW, there are many other Oneness groups worldwide, plus thousands of independent congregations. A11 of them are sovereign and for the most part enjoy good fellowship, one with the other.  -- None claim to be the "remnant Church" or the "only Organization" without which one cannot be saved. Neither does the UPCI or the PAW own the local church property. The property is always invested in the hands of the local congregation, unlike cults who wish to own and control everything.
 

 Seventh Day Adventists try to present an "evangelical image," but they are not.   Anyone found eating "swine's flesh" at the coming of the Lord will be destroyed. Anyone worshipping on Sunday will find out its "the mark of the beast." Their movement is laced with dietary "holiness" requirements. Ellen G. White would have everyone eating fruits, grains, and nuts. Meat is frowned upon as "unclean." I was in a Seventh Day Adventist Book Store in Orlando, Florida near Thanksgiving once when the "faithful" were placing their orders for "soy bean turkeys." What has this got to do with Christianity?

 This is salvation and Holiness among the "cults."   This contrasts sharply with the Oneness position. Our gospel is exactly that which the Apostles preached: repentance, water baptism in Jesus Name, and reception of the Sprit (Acts 2:38, Acts 10: 44-48, Acts 19:1-6). What part of our Gospel message is "cultic"? Absolutely none! We have no "temple rites," "magazine quotas" or "soy bean turkeys." All is in strict accordance with apostolic preaching.  Our Holiness Standards are also entirely based on the New Testament. Our hair standard was laid down under divine inspiration by the Apostle Paul (I Cor. 11:14-15). Our position concerning modest apparel, jewelry and adornment, was not "invented" by us, but decreed by the apostles in two places (both "didactic" if you please). Anyone can read them in the Bibles you don't need any other "holy" book (I Peter 3:3-4, I Tim. 2:9-10). Our stand against the body defiling use of tobacco and alcohol, which inevitably leads to untold misery and death, is likewise scripture based (I Cor 3:16-17, II; Cor. 7:1; Rom. 13:13; I Cor. 5:11). What does Dr. Boyd advocate that we should do to shed our "cultic" image? Should we equip our pews with ashtrays as one "modern" church in New York did? Or should we open up a "bar" in the basement as another one did in Washington? One "very liberal" Church in San Francisco even helped to host a "Prostitutes' convention"! Once you depart from Bible authorized Holiness and its enforcement, and start down the slippery slope of "cultural relativism," all manner of wickedness will find a roosting place in the church house. The Oneness believers have no intention of going that "route," regardless of who calls us a "cult." So be it!
 

 How different is the Oneness view of Christ.  We believe in his absolute deity, and his sinless manhood. We believe in his literal virgin birth and his bodily resurrection from the dead. We hopefully await his visible and glorious return. We fully accept his atoning work on the cross and his present intercession. Where do we have anything in common with the aforementioned abominations propagated by the real cults in America? We are totally Biblical respecting the Person of Christ.  Is it wrong and "cultic" to teach that in Christ "dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily"? If it is then Apostle Paul was a "cult master" for he taught it in Colossians.
 

"As has already been shown, however, its Anti-Trinitarianism is not an expression of bias against the deity of Christ. Ironically the opposite is true. A strong case is made for the absolute deity of Jesus as God. For this reason, some Oneness advocates are more willing to acknowledge Trinitarians as being true Christians then are most Trinitarians willing to return the favor" (Dictionary of Cults, p. 216).

 So under what possible justification are we listed in a "cult dictionary"? For not accepting "tradition" and the Creeds of the Fathers. Listen as they explain:
 

"Because Oneness rejects the traditional Christian doctrine of the Trinity, and invests the Sacrament of baptism with a theology unlike any believed, taught, or confessed within the ranks of orthodoxy throughout the centuries, it must in the last instance be regarded as being a heretical sect by all Christian Churches that uphold the Ecumenical Creeds'' (Dictionary of Cults, p. 216).

Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men... (Mark 7:7-8).

 But apparently our greatest crime that indicts us as heretics is that we do not "uphold the Ecumenical Creeds." It would be easier to pin jello to the wall than to make that charge stick. Since when is it heretical not to endorse "extra-biblical" writings? I thought one had to conform to the Bible and the Bible Only. None of these so called "Ecumenical Creeds" were written by the Apostles, not even the one which bears their name. They have been "tampered with" as in the case of the Nicene Creed, to which the Catholic Church added the "filogue" clause, and thereby split Christendom in half. The councils that produced these creeds were anything but pious. They were rife with fights, disorderly brawls, screaming sessions, and even murders. One was dubbed the "Council of Robbers" by the Pope himself! Nicea had its creedal statement dictated by an unbaptized Emperor who threatened with banishment all who would not sign. And then he reversed himself on the whole thing a short time later. The Creed of Chalcedon calls Mary "the Mother of God." Must we now "uphold the Ecumenical Creed" which contains that pagan blasphemy to avoid the stigma of heresy? We consider it an honor to be outside such creeds, and inside the Bible! The real heretics are the Neo-Trinitarians which presume to teach the evangelical world such ideas as: the virgin birth was not related to Christ's Sonship, that it isn't a necessary belief; that the Father and Son are not literal, that they are only "like" a father and son; that God suffered and died, that "cultural relativism" takes precedence over the Word; that behavior, no matter how wicked, is not related to salvation; that doctrine is only in didactic portions of the Bible, etc., etc. These doctrines of demons are the real heresies. We in Oneness are proud to reject and oppose such Hell-inspired notions. We condemn them, jot and tittle, in Jesus' Name.  We will hold to our apostolic heritage, regardless of what others wish to label it.
 

 Mine heritage is unto me as a speckled bird, the birds round about are against her...Many pastors have destroyed my vineyard, they have trodden my portion under foot (Jeremiah 12:9-10).

Every plant which my heavenly father hath not planted shall be rooted up (Matt. 13-15).

"Some years later, when several of American Pentecostalism's early leaders expressed disappointment about the Pentecostal movement's general course, they considered the Oneness segment with favor. In spite of their own rejection of the central Oneness doctrine, they found among Oneness people 'more genuine spirituality' than in any other segment of Pentecostalism: 'The mere fact of their emphasis of Jesus that the other divisions of the movement regard as extreme has tended to bless them in that it has brought them into close touch with the Lord's life and Spirit' " (Edith Blumhofer, The Assemblies of God, p. 228, quoting John G. Lake to Charles Fox Parham, 24 March 1927, 2-3, Assemblies of God Archives).

"Although its doctrinal distinctives distanced it from the mainstream of classical Pentecostalism, from another perspective its adherents must be understood as participants in a valid expression of Pentecostal experience. And the doctrinal departure aside, if one admits the strong restorationist component at the heart of the definition of Pentecostalism, Oneness proponents were more zealously restorationists, more doggedly congregational, and more Christ-centrically spiritual -- in short, in some important ways more essentially Pentecostal than the mainstream" (ibid, 238).

"Their view of the salvation process (which incorporated speaking in tongues) was based explicitly on their reading of the New Testament. Radical restorationists before them who had appealed only to Scripture as the source of truth (like Alexander Campbell, or Barton Stone) had also been uncomfortable with Trinitarian language... In a sense, those who left the General Council were accusing it of forsaking the apostolic faith" (ibid, 238).

 Jesus did not leave the honest seeker for truth in the dark concerning this matter. He gave definite identifying marks whereby we could locate His true body. He placed indelible prints on His true church that could not be removed, nor duplicated. Though there are many who claim to be the "true Church" only Oneness Pentecostals can produce the identifying marks. You may search your Bible from cover to cover, but you will find no other group of people that line up to the "ancient landmarks" as do Oneness Pentecostals. For this reason some have attempted to move the "landmarks" (Prv. 22:28). That is why you hear of groups claiming to be the rightful "Kingdom of God" because they keep the Saturday Sabbath, or go door to door, or have a Melchisedec priesthood, or honor the Virgin Mary, or have "Apostolic Succession." But Christ never said any of these things were the signs that identify the church. Let us examine the Bible marks and see what people they describe.
 

 What about Oneness Pentecostals? I would like to quote from the well known reference work "Handbook of Denominations in the United Stated" by Frank S. Mead, sixth edition, page 211- The article is entitled "Pentecostal Assemblies of the World," and deals with the first group of organized Oneness believers in this country. Mead who is not a Pentecostal, has this to say:
 

"Origin is traced directly back to Pentecost AD 33."

 The Minute Book of the P.A.W. substantiates this. The Preamble states:
 

"The 'Pentecostal Assemblies of the World' is a continuation of the great revival that began at Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost AD 33, and is founded upon the Apostles and Prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief Cornerstone (Acts 2:1-12, Eph. 2:19-20). Although the true followers have been little known yet from that time until now there have always been earnest contenders for the 'faith which was once delivered unto the saints' " (Minute Book of the P.A.W., Preamble).

".. on the day of Pentecost, while the disciples were in the upper room praying and worshipping God, '...suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them, and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them the utterance."  (Manual of the UPCI, foreword).

And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.

 The denominations in existence today did not have their origin at that time. The Baptists began in the 16th century as "Anabaptists" in Holland. The Methodists began in the 18th century. The Mormons and Church of Christ began in the early l9th century, as did also the Seventh Day Adventist Church. The late nineteenth century saw the emergence of Christian Science and Jehovah's Witness. Although the Catholic Church claims a "first century origin,'' history reveals that her peculiar doctrines and papal supremacy did not begin until the 5th century. Her sister, the Episcopal Church, split from her in the 16th century. It was in that century also that the Lutheran and Reformed Churches came into existence. First Century Origin cannot be attributed to any of them.

 Oneness roots go back to the first century, to 33 AD. As previously cited:
 

"Origin is traced directly back to Pentecost 33 AD" (Mead, Handbook of Denominations in the United States, 6th ed., p. 211).

"The Pentecostal Assemblies of the World is a continuation of that great revival that began at Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost, Ad 33..." (Minute Book of the P.A.W., Preamble).

"... approximately 36 years later, Jude noticed a falling away, and urged the people to '...earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.' Through the centuries which followed there were only a few who received this wonderful experience of the infilling of the Holy Ghost. Truly it was a day that was neither clear nor dark." (Read Zech. 14:6).

 "In the days of Tertullian (AD 207) Chrysostom (4th Century), Christians of the 13th Century, the early Quakers, Wesley, Whitefield and Irving, the gifts and manifestations of the Apostolic Church were much in evidence as the revival spirit swept over the country.

 "During the last 21 days of the l9th Century, a band of earnest, hungry-hearted ministers and Christian workers in Bethel Bible College, Topeka, Kansas, called a fast, praying earnestly for a great outpouring of the Holy Spirit, which to their joyful surprise, came upon them in the early hours of the morning, on January 1, 1901. The people were heard speaking in other languages as the Holy Spirit gave them utterance, just as happened on the Day of Pentecost..."  This is scripturally and historically the same revival that began at Pentecost 33 AD. (Manual of the UPCI, Foreword).

 The denominations were not founded by Christ, neither are they Apostolic in teaching. In fact most vigorously oppose and deny what the Apostles taught, especially as it pertains to water baptism, tongues, and Holiness. The Jehovah Witnesses were founded by Charles Taze Russell and hate the Apostolic teaching concerning water baptism in Jesus Name and Holy Spirit Baptism. Russel had been a haberdasher, and should have remained so! The Seventh Day Adventists were founded on the prophetic blunders William Miller and the false visions of Ellen G. White. A teenage boy named Joseph Smith founded the Mormon Church after some trips to the woods in which he "saw" Christ, John the Baptist, Elijah, golden books (which "disappeared"), God Himself and an assortment of various and sundry angels! What would you think if your kid came home with stories like that! Both Seventh day Adventists and Mormons "claim" to believe in the Apostolic teaching on tongues, but promptly disfellowship any one who does practice it! Sheer hypocrisy. They also fight against the Apostolic doctrine of Baptism in Jesus Name. Christian Science was founded by the much married Mary Baker Eddy, and is in "another world" as far as Apostolic teaching is concerned. Baptists were formed by Menno Simons, the Methodists by John Wesley, and the Episcopalians by Henry the Eighth, who was "six times wedded, two died, two divorced and two beheaded!").  All of these humanly founded groups claim to be "lined up with the Bible," but they too will have nothing to do with the Apostolic foundation of Jesus Name Baptism or true Holiness, outward or inward! Most of them also oppose the Apostolic message of the Baptism of the Holy Ghost, or if they do permit it, it must be on "off hours." The Catholic Church claims Christ as founder, but history doesn't bear them out. How could a church whose Pope is called "Holy Father" be founded by Christ who said: "Call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven" (Matt. 23:9)? Christ had nothing to do with the start of such a church as that.

 The Oneness Church has Jesus Christ for its founder, and the Apostles for its foundation. In fact, we are often called "Jesus Onlys" and "Apostolics." The Preamble to the P.A.W. Minute book says:
 

"The Pentecostal Assemblies of the World is the continuation of the great revival that began at Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost, AD 33, and is founded upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone" (PAW Manual, Preamble).

"With the coming of the Holy Spirit, the word of the Lord became a new book. Truths which had been hidden for many years were made clear. In the year 1914 came the revelation on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. The pivotal doctrines of the absolute deity of Jesus Christ and the baptism in His name became tenets of faith. God marvelously confirmed our message as the Gospel was preached in its fullness. The power which was hidden in the Name of Jesus began to be revealed. Literally thousands were rebaptized into the name of Jesus Christ, and multitudes received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit while in the waters" (Manual of the UPCI, Foreword).
 

And I say also unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church: and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it (Matt. 16:18).

And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven (Matt. 16:19).

 On the day of Pentecost Peter used the "Keys of the Kingdom" to open the door of salvation to the Jews when he declared,
 

Repent and be baptized everyone of you in the Name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sin, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost (Acts 2:38).

for as yet he was fallen on none of them, only they were baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus (Acts 8:15-16).

When they heard this they were baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus and when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.

But when they believed Phillip preaching the Kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized both men and women (Acts 8:12).

And now why tarriest thou? Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord (Acts 22:16).

 The Articles of Faith of the UPCI says the following under "Fundamental Doctrine ":
 

"The basic and fundamental doctrine of this organization shall be the Bible Standard of full salvation, which is repentance, baptism in water by immersion in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and the baptism of the Holy Ghost with the initial sign of speaking with other tongues as the Spirit give utterance" (Manual of the UPCI).

"As members of the Body of Christ, which is the true church (Eph. 1:22,23), the Word of God declares but one way of entrance therein and that is 'by one Spirit are we all baptized into One body' and that is a baptism of 'Water and Spirit' "(I Cor. 12:12-27; Gal. 3:26-28; Rom. 6:3-4; John 3:5; Acts 2:38) (Minute Book of the PAW).

Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.

That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things (Acts 15:17).

As many as have been baptized into Christ, have put on Christ. (Gal- 3:27).

in that night there shall be two in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left. Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken; the other shall be left. Two men shall be In the field, the one shall be taken, the other shall be left (Luke 17:34-37).

And there shall be no more curse; but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him; and they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads (Rev. 22:4).

But before all these they shall lay hands on you, and persecute you... (Luke 21:12).

And ye shall be betrayed... and some of you shall they cause to be put to death (Luke 21:16).

And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake (Luke 21:17)

I know thy works: behold I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it. (Rev- 3:8).

thou hast not denied my name (Rev. 3:8)

Because thou has kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth (Rev. 3:8,10).

and when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh... Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man (Luke l7:23,36).

"The deacon raised his hand, and Publius Decius stepped through the baptistery door. Standing waist-deep in the pool was Marcus Vasca the woodseller. He was smiling as Publius waded into the pool beside him. 'Credis?' he asked. 'Credo' responded Publius. 'I believe that my salvation comes from Jesus the Christ, who was crucified under Pontius Pilate. With Him I died that with Him I may have Eternal Life.' Then he felt strong arms supporting him as he let himself fall backward into the pool, and heard Marcus' voice in his ear, 'I baptize you in the Name of the Lord Jesus' as the cold water closed over him."

And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe, in my name shall they cast out devils, they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover (Mark 16:16-18).

 God also set certain gifts in the One true Church:
 

And God hat set some in the church, first Apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues (I Cor. 12:28).

 Outside the ranks of Pentecost there is a terrible dearth of spiritual gifts. They just don't exist in other churches. When you ask if they have any of the gifts, they always respond in the natural, not the supernatural. You hear things like: "Bro. So-and-So has the gift of administering, he runs the men's bowling team. And Sis.So-and-So has the gift of cleaning: she keeps the church spotless. And her son has the gift of transportation, he drives the church bus. Oh yes, old deacon What's-His-Name has the gift of information, he'll tell you anything you want to know about anyone in the church!" And so they too have their "gifts"'
 

 But God's true Church is not deceived by this false liberty, which is actually an enslavement to sin. The true church has separated itself from the world and its lusts:
 

And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? For ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Almighty (II Cor. 6:16-18).

Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting Holiness in the fear of God (II Cor. 7:1).

 The Oneness Faith is defying all religious history by maintaining high Holiness standards in every succeding generation. The Methodists used to disfellowship people for posessing a deck of cards in their homes. Now they endorse abortion, gay rights, and "goddess" worship. What next? While they do that,we will continue "to follow peace with all men and Holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord" (Heb. 12:14).

 Christ is coming back for his true church, and she is known by her high standards of Holiness, and will be so known throughout eternity:
 

Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of the saints (Rev. 19:8).