Pentecostal Oneness: Testing the Claims by Scripture

Pentecostal Oneness: Testing the Claims by Scripture

Pentecostal Oneness teaching, sometimes called “Jesus Only,” rejects the historic Christian doctrine of the Trinity. Instead, it insists that God exists only as Jesus, and that true baptism must be “in the name of Jesus” rather than in the triune formula of Matthew 28:19. Oneness teachers often claim that unless someone is baptized specifically in Jesus’ name and speaks in tongues, they have not truly received salvation. This movement has gained traction in some Pentecostal circles, but its claims cannot withstand the witness of Scripture.

The Baptism Formula in Matthew 28

Jesus gave His disciples a clear command in Matthew 28:19 (NASB): “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.”

Oneness groups argue that “name” is singular, and therefore refers only to Jesus. But the text says “in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.” The conjunction kai (“and”) in Greek is explicit. Jesus did not collapse the three Persons into one; He listed them together as sharing one divine authority.

Matthew 28:19 in Greek: Note kai = and

Why Acts Emphasizes “In the Name of Jesus”

Several passages in Acts describe baptism “in the name of Jesus Christ” (Acts 2:38; 8:16; 10:48; 19:5). Oneness teachers take this as proof that the triune formula is wrong. But in context, these descriptions are not replacement formulas—they highlight that baptism identified the believer with Jesus, the crucified and risen Messiah.

Acts 8 provides one of the clearest demonstrations that being baptized “in the name of Jesus” was never meant as a stand-alone formula for salvation. Luke records: “The Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they began laying their hands on them, and they were receiving the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 8:16–17, NASB). The Greek word μόνον (monon, pronounced MOH-non) means “only, alone, nothing more.” Luke is emphatic: they had indeed been baptized in Jesus’ name, but that baptism in Jesus' name alone was not enough. The Holy Spirit had not yet come upon them, showing that baptism—even specifically in Jesus’ name—did not automatically confer the Spirit. This passage dismantles the idea that water baptism equals Spirit baptism and demonstrates that the fullness of salvation comes not through ritual alone but through the sovereign gift of the Spirit.

This shows that baptism in Jesus’ name alone was not sufficient—the Spirit had not yet come until the apostles laid their hands on the Samaritans. If “in the name of Jesus” were the magical key that Oneness teachers claim, then these believers should already have had the Spirit. Instead, Scripture reveals that baptismal language in Acts emphasizes allegiance to Christ, but the Spirit’s indwelling is God’s sovereign gift. “In the name of Jesus” is not a formula to manipulate salvation; it is the declaration that He is Lord.

Remember: in the first century, confessing Jesus as Lord was radical. To be baptized “in the name of Jesus” was to take a public stand that He—not Caesar, not the synagogue—was Savior. This emphasis was not meant to contradict Jesus’ own command in Matthew 28, but to proclaim and emphasize Christ as the new covenant fulfillment.

Baptized but No Tongues: The Full Witness of Acts

Oneness Pentecostal teaching insists that tongues always follow true baptism. But the book of Acts presents several occasions where people were baptized, believed, or received the Spirit—and tongues are never mentioned.

• Acts 2 (Pentecost): Tongues are present, but this is the inaugural outpouring, unique in salvation history. It cannot be treated as the normative pattern for every believer.

• Acts 8 (Samaria): The Samaritans “had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus” (Acts 8:16, NASB). The Spirit had not yet fallen until Peter and John prayed and laid hands on them. No tongues are mentioned here at all.

• Acts 9 (Saul’s conversion): Saul is baptized after meeting Christ on the Damascus road and regaining his sight (Acts 9:18). Luke says nothing about tongues at baptism, though later Paul will note that he does speak in tongues (1 Corinthians 14:18). Clearly, it was not an immediate or necessary sign of his salvation.

• Acts 16 (Philippian jailer): Paul tells the jailer, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” (Acts 16:31, NASB). He and his household are baptized that very night, but there is no record of tongues.

• Acts 19 (Ephesus disciples): These men had received only John’s baptism. When baptized in Jesus’ name and prayed over by Paul, they received the Spirit and spoke in tongues—but here the emphasis is correction of incomplete teaching, not a universal rule.

Taken together, the evidence shows that tongues may accompany Spirit baptism, but they are not always present and never mandated as the universal proof of salvation. Luke is careful: when tongues occur, he records them; when they don’t, he says nothing. If tongues were required for salvation, their absence would be noted as a crisis. Instead, Scripture shows diversity—sometimes tongues, sometimes prophecy, sometimes simple faith and joy.

Paul’s later teaching makes this crystal clear: “All do not speak with tongues, do they?” (1 Corinthians 12:30, NASB). The answer is obvious—no. To require tongues for salvation contradicts both the narrative of Acts and the teaching of the apostles.

Misconceptions in Oneness Teaching

1. “The Trinity is pagan.” Scripture consistently testifies to Father, Son, and Spirit together (Matthew 3:16–17; John 14:16–17; 2 Corinthians 13:14). This is not paganism but the revelation of God Himself.

2. “Only Jesus’ name baptism saves.” The New Testament never pits the triune formula against Jesus’ name baptism. Acts highlights identification with Christ, while Matthew preserves the baptismal command of Jesus Himself.

3. “Speaking in tongues proves salvation.” While tongues are a gift, Paul says not all believers speak in tongues (1 Corinthians 12:30). Salvation is by grace through faith, not by ecstatic experience.

Theological Reflection

The heart of Oneness theology is a confusion of categories. The New Testament presents a God who is one in essence yet revealed in three Persons. Jesus is fully God, but He prays to the Father and promises the Spirit. To collapse these into one Person is to deny the plain witness of Scripture.

Baptism, likewise, is not magic words—it is the outward sign of inward faith, identification with Christ, and obedience to His command. The Spirit comes by God’s initiative, not by a formula.

Christ-Centered Conclusion

Pentecostal Oneness offers certainty through formulas and experiences, but Scripture offers something better: the living God who reveals Himself as Father, Son, and Spirit. Baptism in the triune name proclaims allegiance to the one true God, while baptism “in Jesus’ name” in Acts proclaimed Christ as Lord in a hostile world. Both harmonize, not contradict.

The gospel is not about chanting the right phrase or proving yourself with tongues—it is about trusting the crucified and risen Christ, who gives His Spirit freely to those who believe. Where Oneness demands formulas, the Bible points us to faith in Christ and the glory of the triune God.