Bro. Giunta, tell us a little about yourself and your family.
I am a full-time evangelist for the United Pentecostal Church International. Previously, I pastored CrossPoint Apostolic Church in Inglis, Florida. My wife, Jessica, and I now live in Detroit, Michigan.
Many Trinitarians will immediately go to Matthew 28:19 to support their view of the Trinity; how do you answer them regarding that scripture?
First, there are too many flaws in using this portion of scripture to support the trinity; too many to name in this article.
To address the scripture at hand, we must analyze what Jesus said. He told the disciples to go and teach, baptizing converts in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. You will notice that He didn’t say “in the NAMES,” but “in the NAME.” He told them of the fact that He would come back to them and even be in them as the Holy Ghost. Now He tells them to baptize, using one name.
The word of is also of much importance. In this text, it means “belongs to” or “belonging to.” Therefore, when we apply obedience to the words of Christ instead of just repeating them verbatim, we understand that what He is actually telling His disciples to do is to baptize converts in the ONE name that belongs to the Father, and belongs to the Son, and belongs to the Holy Ghost. That one name is Jesus!
Many Trinitarians want to know that if Jesus is indeed God, who did He pray to in the Garden, and if He is God, why did He need to pray?
This stance does not present a problem to Oneness believers. It does, however, present major problems for supporters of the trinity. My question to them is, “If Jesus is the second EQUAL person of the godhead, having the same will, power and presence as the Father, why does He need to pray to Him for help? Can’t He just do it Himself?”
We, as believers in Oneness, understand that Jesus was just as perfectly human as He was God. We know that in His humanity He needed strength from the Spirit just as any other human would in a time of need. This does not take away from the fact that He is God manifest in flesh. Just because He prayed to God who dwelt in Him as His Spirit and divine nature does not take away from Him being God Almighty. Jesus on earth was God manifest in flesh.
How would you explain Isaiah 6:8 to someone who supported the Trinitarian viewpoint?
We see in Isaiah 6:8 that the Lord, in Isaiah’s vision of the throne, asks the Seraphim, “Whom shall I send, who will go for us?” God is speaking and including His angels in that He is sending a representative for the kingdom as a whole. This is another scripture that they will use to try to show multiple persons. The problem is the first part of God’s question. It is “Whom shall I send?” not “Whom shall WE send?” He is speaking to His angels because they were included in His kingdom, but did not give them the authority to do the sending. This is where Genesis 1:26 comes in.
Many Trinitarians quickly go to Matthew 3:17 to make their case. What’s your response?
The thing Trinitarians are trying to get us to see at Jesus’ baptism is the fact that “all three divine persons” are present. The problem is that no matter how we look at it, there is only one “divine person” present.
The voice that speaks from heaven is supposed to show us how the Father is a different person from Jesus. However, we see many times in scripture where God speaks from unusual places. Once He spoke from a bush, another time from a donkey. In fact, He even speaks through you and me. Does that make us God? I hope not. We are talking about God here. If He wants to, He can speak from the mouth of Jesus or from the throne in heaven. Remember He is God.
The dove was not actually a dove. It was the Spirit descending “like a dove.” The dove wasn’t a third person. It was a sign to John showing who the messianic anointment was upon. This was not three persons, but three manifestations of the same God, each with divine purpose as to showing Himself through Jesus. Jesus again is being shown as God manifest in flesh.
Many Trinitarians are quick to say, “The trinity is a great mystery, and we can’t really understand it.” Briefly, clear up that thought.
Usually, when Trinitarians are all out of questions and answers, they will resort to this statement. However, when we look at scripture, we see that God is not the author of confusion. He made His identity known repeatedly in a clear and understandable way. In fact, being a God who wants a personal and intimate relationship with us, He almost has to. How can we have an intimate and personal relationship with someone when we can’t even understand who they are?
It is God’s will for us all to know Jesus in a close and personal way. If we are to do that, He will always make it plain to us who we are having that relationship with. If we study the Word and seek God for a deeper and more perfect understanding, putting away the traditional teaching of mainstream Christianity, we will all come to find Jesus as the mighty God in Christ.
What is the title of your book and where can it be purchased?
The title of my book is Anymore Questions, and is available at Pentecostal Publishing House or www.anymorequestionsbook.com.