Frequently Misinterpreted Scriptures
Introduction (Misinterpreted Scriptures)
Sunday, October 21st, 2007There are many Scriptures that are misinterpreted by Oneness Pentecostals. I have decided to create a list of the most common ones on this page. Some of these Scriptures are misinterpreted by most, if not all, Christians, but most of the Scriptures on this page are misinterpreted mostly by Oneness Pentecostals.
My breakdown of these Scriptures [...]
2 Samuel 6:14 (Misinterpreted Scriptures)
Sunday, October 21st, 2007And David danced before the LORD with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod.
Misinterpretation: This Scripture is often used to tell people that there is something wrong with their spiritual life (usually pride) if they do not dance during worship.
Facts: There is nothing wrong with dancing in worship. As a matter [...]
2 Chronicles 7:14 (Misinterpreted Scriptures)
Sunday, October 21st, 2007If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
Misinterpretation: Some in the UPC say that the people "called by God’s Name" are Oneness Pentecostals [...]
Isaiah 47:2 (Misinterpreted Scriptures)
Sunday, October 21st, 2007Take the millstones, and grind meal: uncover thy locks, make bare the leg, uncover the thigh, pass over the rivers.
Misinterpretation: The UPC often uses this Scripture to try to prove that it is wrong for men to wear shorts or for women to wear skirts above the knee.
Facts: If this Scripture is teaching that men [...]
Malachi 3:8-10 (Misinterpreted Scriptures)
Sunday, October 21st, 2007Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove [...]
Matthew 5:36 (Misinterpreted Scriptures)
Sunday, October 21st, 2007Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black.
Misinterpretation: This Scripture is used by some UPC pastors to teach that people are not allowed to dye their hair.
Facts: This Scripture is obviously not talking about a person dying their hair. I have written more about this Scripture [...]
Matthew 28:19 (Misinterpreted Scriptures)
Sunday, October 21st, 2007Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost…
Misinterpretation: The UPC points out that this Scripture says to baptize in the Name (singular). They go on to say that the Name is Jesus, and they quote Acts 2:38 as proof [...]
Mark 16:16 (Misinterpreted Scriptures)
Sunday, October 21st, 2007He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
Misinterpretation: The UPC and some other groups often use this Scripture to say that a person must be baptized to be saved.
Facts: The purpose of this discussion is not to talk about whether or not baptism is necessary, but [...]
Mark 16:17-18 (Misinterpreted Scriptures)
Sunday, October 21st, 2007And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
Misinterpretation: This Scripture is often used [...]
John 3:16 (Misinterpreted Scriptures)
Sunday, October 21st, 2007For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Misinterpretation: I have heard several UPC preachers say that this Scripture does not say that people will be saved if they believe on Christ, it only says that they should be [...]
Acts 2:37-38 (Misinterpreted Scriptures)
Sunday, October 21st, 2007Now when [the Jews present at the Upper Room on the Day of Pentecost] heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the [...]
Acts 4:12 (Misinterpreted Scriptures)
Sunday, October 21st, 2007Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
Misinterpretation: This Scripture is often quoted by Oneness Pentecostals as a proof for the importance of baptism in Jesus’ Name. Their reasoning is that no one will be saved except by the Name [...]
Colossians 3:17 (Misinterpreted Scriptures)
Sunday, October 21st, 2007And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
Misinterpretation: This Scripture is used to teach that baptism in the Name of Jesus is necessary. The logic is that we are supposed to do everything in the Name of [...]
1 Timothy 3:16 (Misinterpreted Scriptures)
Sunday, October 21st, 2007And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
Misinterpretation: The UPC uses this Scripture as one of their major proofs for the doctrine of the Oneness of God. They [...]
Romans 12:1-2 (Misinterpreted Scriptures)
Sunday, October 21st, 2007I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and [...]
2 Peter 1:20 (Misinterpreted Scriptures)
Sunday, October 21st, 2007Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
Misinterpretation: Used to say that there is only one proper interpretation of Scripture, because no [...]
James 2:19 (Misinterpreted Scriptures)
Sunday, October 21st, 2007Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
Misinterpretation: Used to say 1) that Trinitiarian doctrine is wrong, because there is only one God, and 2) that belief is not sufficient for salvation, because if it were then the devils would be saved.
Facts: Trinitarianism (belief in One Being—God–Who [...]