Beware of oneness modalism error.

What is modalism?

“Modalism is an ancient Christian heresy that claims God is a single person who manifests in three different “modes” or “masks” (as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit), rather than eternally existing as three distinct, co-existing persons.”

Was the apostle John combatting this error? Seems so, in 1 John (1 John 2:23; 5:7-8).

One writer notes:

“I have heard that modalism is the belief that God enters different modes for different occasions or puts on different masks, but He can only act as one person at a time. I don’t understand where this idea comes from? If He is God, He can do whatever he wants. He can surely manifest Himself as 3 different Persons at a time, which would solve Jesus baptism.”

“Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that JESUS also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened, 22  And the HOLY GHOST descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven (the FATHER), which said, Thou art my beloved SON; in thee I am well pleased.” Luke 3:21-22

“The Father, Word/Son, and Holy Ghost are all have distinct personalities and they are all described as ‘He.'” Stacy Strother

“Godhead” appears 3 times in God’s Word.

The Bible is clear – there is a “Godhead” and it consists of “ the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.” (1 John 5:7)

Personally, I don’t use the word “trinity.” It is not a Bible word. “Godhead” is a Bible word, appearing 3 times (Acts 17:29; Romans 1:20; Colossians 2:9). “Triune Godhead”? – “there are THREE that bear record in heaven.” “Three” members of the one “Godhead”? Isn’t that what we read?

“For there are three that bear record in heaven, the FATHER, the WORD (Jesus), and the HOLY GHOST: and these THREE are ONE.” 1 John 5:7

“1 John 5:7: There are three that bear record – The Father, who bears testimony to his Son; the Word or Λογος, Logos, who bears testimony to the Father; and the Holy Ghost, which bears testimony to the Father and the Son. And these three are one in essence, and agree in the one testimony, that Jesus came to die for, and give life to, the world.” Adam Clarke

“[three are one] The only sense three can be one is in unity, as is clear in Jhn_17:11, Jhn_17:21-23. See other scriptural uses of the word one (Gen_2:24; Gen_11:6; 1Co_3:6-8; 1Co_12:13; Eph_2:14; Heb_2:11). Three persons cannot be one person in number in any sense, but the three can be one in unity.” Dake

The “Godhead” – Father, Son, and Holy Ghost – were integrally involved in the redemption of fallen mankind.

“For in him (Jesus Christ) dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.” Colossians 2:9

“2:9 It is marvelous to see how the Apostle Paul constantly brings his readers back to the Person of Christ. Here he gives one of the most sublime and unmistakable verses in the Bible on the deity of the Lord Jesus Christ. For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. Note the intended accumulation of evidence as to the fact that Christ is God. First of all, you have His deity: “For in Him dwells … the Godhead bodily.” Secondly, you have what someone has called the amplitude of deity: “For in Him dwells the fullness of the Godhead bodily.” Finally, you have what has been called the absolute completeness of deity: “For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.” (This is an effective answer to the various forms of Gnosticism that deny the deity of the Lord Jesus—Christian Science, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Unity, Theosophy, Christadelphianism, etc.)” Believer’s Bible Commentary

“Christ is the personal and bodily manifestation of all the fullness of Deity. He was God incarnate and the manifestation of all the fullness of God’s power and blessings to men (Isa_7:14; Isa_9:6; Mat_1:18-25; Luk_1:34-35). The fullness of the Holy Spirit rested upon Him and worked through His body (Isa_11:2; Isa_42:1-7; Isa_61:1-2; Jhn_3:34; Act_10:38). The fullness of redemption from the Deity came through His body (1Pe_2:24). This is why we become complete in Him and why He is the head of all principality and power (Col_2:10; Col_1:16-18; Eph_1:20-23; Php_2:9-11; 1Pe_3:22).” Dake

Chosen of the FATHER. Redeemed by the SON. Sealed with the HOLY SPIRIT.

Ephesians 1 informs us that we are “chosen” of the FATHER (v3-4), redeemed by the SON (v7), and sealed by the “HOLY SPIRIT” (v13). Yet some deny the Godhead, a word appearing 3 times in Scripture (Acts 17:29; Romans 1:20; Colossians 2:9).

“For there are three that bear record in heaven, the FATHER, the WORD, and the HOLY GHOST: and these three are one.” 1 John 5:7

The Father is not the Son and the Son is not the Holy Ghost. IF the “Word” is the “Father” and the “Holy Spirit” is the Father or the Son…. WHY O WHY did God give them 3 distinct names? WHY are there 3 distinct names of the Godhead if there aren’t 3 distinct members of the Godhead?

Jesus says: “I and my Father are one.” (John 10:30) COUNT the number of Persons in the above verse. 2 and there’s the Holy Ghost. WHO spoke from Heaven when Jesus was being baptized? The Father. Then the Holy Spirit descended upon Him. “Godhead” if the Bible word. “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.” (Luke 3:22).

Warning: Dare we be found liars in the eyes of God for denying either the Father or the Son? Are oneness heretics “antichrist”? Let’s see…

“Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father AND the Son. 23 Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.” 1 John 2:23

“How can one god be made up of three persons? Sounds confusing.”

This question alone proves that whoever thinks, whoever asks this question is operating out of a carnal mind, is not spiritually minded… to believe THEY can somehow figure out, wholly understand the infinite Almighty God. Instead, the true disciple must go only by what is in Scripture and not take away or add to it using mere human reasoning.

1 Cor 2
But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

1Co 2:10  But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.

1Co 2:11  For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.

1Co 2:12  Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.

1Co 2:13  Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

1Co 2:14  But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

Jason Frost writes:

“Modalism, Oneness, Sabellianism, Monarchian modalism, and Patripassianism is heresy. It’s so unbiblical and foundationally dangerous. It’s a salvational issue. I cannot stress how serious this is and why it saddens me to see so many deceived by this heresy. Why are we seeing distinctions between the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit if they are Jesus merely changing modes? (modalism) It’s insanity and heretical lies.