One of the most active religious groups in existence call themselves Jehovah’s Witnesses. They are a very zealous and active group of people. It is unlikely that anyone who reads this has not at one time or another been confronted with this particular religious group. Along with the zeal and activity of the Jehovah’s Witness organization comes also blatant and egregious doctrinal error. There are many things professed Christians can tolerate in others with whom they differ, but the doctrines taught by this particular group are diametrically opposite the teaching of God’s word. It is a duty of faithful Christians to expose and oppose such erroneous doctrines.
Jehovah’s Witnesses – Origins and Errors
A sect called “Jehovah’s Witnesses” represent a very large segment of the religious world. They will be found worldwide due to their extensive personal ministry efforts. Hardly a house in your area will escape a visit from these people. It is important that we know as much as possible about them.
In 1931 the name “Jehovah’s Witnesses” was taken by a group of zealous religionists, followers of a man named Charles Taze Russell. Russell preached there is no such thing as eternal punishment, or what the Bible calls “hell.” He was a prolific writer and published literally hundreds of pages of print spreading this doctrine as far as he could. His first publication was called Food for Thinking. This later became The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. In 1896 Russell incorporated his organization and it became known as “The Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, Inc.” Watchtower is a name these people have held to through various internal struggles and divisions and is the kernel of the Jehovah’s Witnesses today.
Pentecostalism – Consequences of Oneness Pentecostal Doctrine
Oneness Pentecostals affirm there is only one person of God, namely Jesus. They say God has never been but one person, first manifest in creation as “Father,” in redemption as “Son,” and by emanation or in the Church as “Holy Ghost.” If that is true, there are several serious consequences they face.
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Pentecostalism – The Formula for Water Baptism
Just before Jesus returned to the Father’s right hand, He left these orders with His disciples. “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world” (Matt. 28:19-20).
These instructions were directed to those who were to baptize others, not to the one who is baptized. The Lord told His disciples how they were to baptize others, viz., “in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.” That is precisely what they did as they went forth teaching and baptizing. The United Pentecostal Church and other “oneness” groups teach that there is a formula which the one doing the baptizing must recite in order to validate water baptism. A tract published by the United Pentecostal Publishing House, Hazelwood, Missouri says,
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Pentecostalism – God and Oneness
The United Pentecostal Creed Book tells us what their position is on “The One True God.” They believe God “has revealed Himself as Father, through His Son, in redemption; and as the Holy Spirit by emanation.”
They further explain, “The one true God, the Jehovah of the Old Testament, took upon Himself the form of man, and as the Son of man, was born of the virgin Mary.”
Further, “Unlike traditional trinitarianism, the UPCI (United Pentecostal Church International) affirms that God is absolutely one, with no distinction of persons. He has revealed Himself as Father (in parental relationship to humanity), in His Son Jesus Christ (in human flesh), and as the Holy Spirit (in spiritual action).”
Pentecostalism – Baptism in Jesus Name
“Baptized Into The Name Of …”
Among the last words uttered by Jesus prior to His ascension were, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen” (Matt. 28:19-20).
Baptism is a unique command. So far as revelation goes, it is the only act ever authorized to be done in the name of the Godhead, the three sacred deified Beings. Baptism in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost is without question important, else why would Deity be so uniquely linked with it? Why would the Lord have put the divine seal of the Holy Trinity upon this one act? There are obvious and clear scriptural grounds for it.
Pentecostalism – Historical Data on Pentecostals
One rather large group of Pentecostals is the United Pentecostal Church International (UPCI). They list around 1.2 million members and are represented in 118 nations. They claim an annual growth rate of about ten percent per year. They are largely known for two doctrinal tenets, The One Person of God, Jesus Only, and Water Baptism Only in the Name of Jesus. There are other erroneous views they hold, but these two distinguish them from other charismatic and Pentecostal groups.
The modern Pentecostal movement had its origin in Topeka, Kansas. It began in 1901. Charles Parham is the recognized founder of the Pentecostal movement. Please read: “Parham formulated classical Pentecostal theology in Topeka, Kansas, in 1901 and thus deserves recognition as founder of the Pentecostal movement.” Dictionary of Pentecostal and Charismatic Movements, page 660. One need no further information to recognize that such a church is not the one Jesus founded. If Charles Fox Parham founded the Pentecostal movement — Jesus didn’t.
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Pentecostalism – Miraculous Healing Then and Now
Many in the denominational world contend that God is still working miracles as He did in the time of the Old and New Testament periods. The “Healing Lines,” and “Healing Campaigns” are not only very popular, they have become a very lucrative enterprise for the modern day “Faith Healer.” Most of the miracles people believe in today do involve healing of physical maladies. In this lesson we will define miracles, notice what the Bible says about them, find out just what purpose they served, and why they are no longer available to Christians today.
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Pentecostalism – “Faith” or “Fake” Healing?
“Faith Healing” is the practice of curing diseases by nothing more than faith. Medicines, Doctors, Therapy, and other medical practices play no role in faith healing. A “Faith Healer” is an individual who allegedly possesses a great gift of healing from God Almighty. Whether the “healer” or the “healee” must possess faith differs on demand. If a “healer” processes a sick person through the “healing line” and no cure is effected, the “healee” lacked faith. If the individual is “cured” then the “healer” had great faith. One of the most often parroted lines in the “healers” spiel is, “I believe, in Jesus Name, be healed!” Now quite honestly, dear friends — I believe all of it is fakery. Want to know why — please read on.
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Pentecostalism – Historical Data on Tongue Speaking
Tongue speaking is nothing new — it has been around for a long time. Outside of the genuine tongues of the New Testament era, those who have sought to perpetuate the practice have left behind an interesting chronicle. Tongues were to “cease” according to divine information (1 Cor. 13:8). That cessation came when the perfect revelation was completed (1 Cor. 13:10; Jas. 1:25). At the time James wrote, the law of Christ was “perfect” or complete. That does not mean it was complete in written form, but it was absolutely perfect in its revealed form.
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