Previously we were discussing the distinct personalities of the Godhead. We had pointed out the fact that all three (Father, Son, and Holy Ghost) possess the characteristics of Divinity. In this article, we want to further pursue this thought.

In the Scriptures, the distinct personalities of these three are manifest. First of all the Father has a Will (Mt. 7:21), has Knowledge (Mk. 13:32), Works (John 5:17), Loves (John 3:16), Speaks (Mt. 3:17), and Sees (hit. 6:6).

The Son has a Will (Mt. 8:3), Authority (Mt. 28:18), Suffered (1 Pet. 2:21), Loves (Eph. 5:23), Works (John 5:17), and Commands (John 15:17).

The Holy Spirit Speaks (1 Tim. 4:1), Reminds (John 14:26), Testifies (John 15: 26), Reproves (John 18:8), Grieves (Eph. 4:30), Guides (John 16:13), and Forbids (Acts 16:6). Many more things could be said about the different personalities and the characteristics they possess, but I believe this is sufficient to show that the things that are revealed about each of these shows that they are distinct personalities.

Now, I want to give some indisputable proof from the Scriptures that they are distinct beings -- personalities. First of all, let us note that the Son is distinct from the Father. Jesus said, "No man hath seen God at anytime ..." (John 1:18). The Son is speaking here of the Father. However, the entire fifteenth chapter of 1 Corinthians is an argument showing that the resurrection is based on the premise that not only did the apostles and Paul see Jesus after his resurrection, but he was seen of about five hundred brethren (1 Cor. 15:3-h). Thus, they could not be the same if none hath seen the Father, and over 500 have seen the Son. If the Father and the Son were one and the same, when they saw Jesus they would have been looking at the Father. When they saw Jesus, they saw everything that the Father stood for.

Secondly, we want to note that the Son is distinct from the Holy Spirit. Jesus said in Matt. 12:32 that blasphemy against the Son would be forgiven, but blasphemy against the Holy Spirit would NOT be forgiven. Hence, the Son and the Holy Spirit are not the same person r and to say they are is to deny a plain statement of Jesus.

Furthermore, the Spirit is distinct from the Father. The Spirit was to be SENT by the Father. Jesus mentioned all three, Father, Son, Holy Spirit, in John 14:2h when he said, "But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my (Christ's) name . . ." Now, even though you may believe, as I believe, that we have made a pretty good case up to this point of showing the distinction in personalities, and showing that all three are called God, this means nothing to the "oneness people." For as Mr. J. T. Payne further stated, "God was the Father in creation -- manifest himself as the Son in redemption -- and as the Holy Spirit in the church today." He cited I John 5:7-8 to prove his point. So they believe that all these personalities existed, but they do not believe they are three separate beings. However, the very passage that Mr. Payne used to try to prove his case DISPROVES it. I would like to meet Mr. Payne in a public discussion or any other Pentecostal preacher that would be a representative man, on the "Oneness position.'' But, more nest month on why the "Oneness position" is not so.

TRUTH MAGAZINE XIII: 2, p. 4
November 1968