In my study of the Trinity over the past few years there seems to be an ancient error (or heresy) that is becoming more and more accepted in today’s Christianity – the error of Modalism. Modalism claims that there are not three distinct Persons of the Holy Trinity but rather only one who instead manifests Himself in three different forms or “modes”. This teaching seems to be especially prevalent in certain charismatic wings of the Church.
A classic example of Modalism is that of Sabellius (c. A.D. 215), a priest who taught that God is not three Persons but manifested Himself as the Father in the Old Testament, the Son in the Gospels and the Holy Spirit from Pentecost until present day. This is clearly not in line with Scripture and the orthodox teaching of the Church throughout the centuries.
It is not my intent to judge a Modalist’s salvation or intentions but rather point the Church to Scripture. Here are 5 thoughts on this ancient error.
#1 It Is Unbiblical ( A. Jesus’ Baptism)
The Bible, of course, is where we must start. It is the source and final authority on all of our knowledge of Christian truth. A clear example is the baptism of Jesus as described in Matthew 3:16-17:
“And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”
Unfortunately, Modalists try to say that this is an occasion where God suddenly decided to appear in all three forms at once. This goes against the clear context and logical interpretation of the text. There are many verses like this one See the Transfiguration in Matthew 17).
#2 It Is Unbiblical (B. The Father Speaks to the Son and Vice Versa)
However, if we need more evidence then it is crystal clear that the Father speaks directly to the Son, using the pronoun “You” (as in a separate person), and vice versa on several occasions. Consider just one in Luke 22:41-42
“And he (Jesus) withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.”
As D.A. Carson reminds us, “It was not long before the church roundly condemned modalism, not least because Scripture is replete with passages in which, for instance, the Father addresses the Son, and the Son the Father.”
In addition, we read with assurance that, “He (Jesus) is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high…” Hebrews 1:3. How can Jesus sit at the right hand of the Father if they are not distinct Persons?
We also note that the Father and the Son “send” the Holy Spirit:
“But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me.” John 15:26
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| The Shield of the Trinity |
#3 The Early Church Fathers Attested to the Trinity
The doctrine of the Trinity was not “invented” at the Council of Nicaea as some claim. As New Testament Scholar, Michael F. Bird, explains:
“In other words, (*the creeds of Nicaea and Constantinople) of the fourth century are not purely politically driven and radically innovative statements of faith. They are, instead, contextualized clarification of New Testament teaching.”
Justin Martyr and Hippolytus (of the 2nd century) both wrote against the early teachings of Modalism, defending the orthodox Trinity. Polycarp, the disciple of John the Apostle cried these Trinitarian words as he was burned at the stake for his faith:
“I glorify you, through the eternal and heavenly High Priest, Jesus Christ, your beloved Son, through whom to you, with him and the Holy Spirit, be glory both now and for the ages to come.”
#4 Accepting Mysteries in Scripture
There is a tendency of our human nature to want to explain everything to the last minute detail. When we run into mysteries or paradoxes in the Christian faith (such as the Trinity) we recoil and try to change the clear teaching of Scripture into something our finite minds can comprehend. This almost always leads to heresy. Theologian Louis Berkhof reminds us that:
“(The Church) has never tried to explain the mystery of the Trinity but only sought to formulate the doctrine of the Trinity in such a manner that the errors which endangered it were warded off.”
#5 An Over-emphasis on the Holy Spirit and His Gifts
While we heartily confess that the Holy Spirit is fully God, we also confess He is a distinct Person of a triune Godhead. If, as the Modalists claim, the Holy Spirit is the one and only manifestation of God in the present day it is not surprising that error can develop in that thinking. An Over-emphasis on the Holy Spirit and His Gifts not only causes errors about the Holy Spirit and His gifts but also takes us away from the Father and the Son. We must remember that the main mission of the Spirit is to glorify Christ (John 16:13-14). Charles Spurgeon has put it well:
“…the Holy Spirit is our Lord’s glorifier. I want you to keep this truth in your mind, and never forget it; that which does not glorify Christ is not of the Holy Spirit, and that which is of the Holy Spirit invariably glorifies our Lord Jesus Christ.”
In conclusion, D.A. Carson reminds us that the doctrine of the Trinity (and thus the refutation of Modalism) is so important because it deals with both the very nature of God and the very nature of the Gospel.
“If we are to worship God aright, we must worship him as he is, as he has disclosed himself to us. The only alternative is to worship a god who is progressively false as our understanding skews away from the truth… Various truths connected with the gospel itself become incoherent if one abandons robust Trinitarianism.”
It is clear from Scripture that God’s nature is of a Trinity. It is also clear that the Father purposed the work of redemption, the Son competed it and the Holy Spirit applies it to us personally. All had and continue to have a hand in the Gospel.
