The Sabellianism of Wilson Thompson

1788 - 1866

Recently I wrote an entry titled "The "Ablest Primitive Baptist Minister"?" (here). In that post I cited the words of Sylvester Hassell who said that Wilson Thompson was considered the "ablest Primitive Baptist minister" that ever existed up to that time (end of the 19th century). I then showed how this is astounding considering all the serious errors that Thompson believed and advocated. One of those errors was in his denial of the Trinity, that God was three persons, and affirming that the Father is the Son and vice versa. In other words, he was a Sabellian. 

Sabellianism, or Modalism, teaches that a unipersonal God reveals himself in three modes or manifestations, as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Therefore the Father is the Son and the Son is the Father. 

The following is from Wilson Thompson's book "Simple Truth" published in 1821. It can be downloaded and read (here). It is a composite of several of his sermons. In DISCOURSE #2, "On The Divinity of Christ," Thompson writes the following (emphasis mine).

"First, We shall attempt to prove that the divine nature of Christ is very God. Secondly, That he is not distinct from the Father, but he is the Father. Thirdly, Show that there is no other God worthy to be worshiped but the God in Christ."

That is classic Sabellianism. No, the Bible does not teach that the Son is the Father. 

My Hardshell brothers, do you think that Thompson was one of your ablest ministers? Do you deny the Trinity as he did? Would you fellowship him today if he were here?

I have written much on Sabellianism and Modalism through the years. One Baptist group I was once associated with were Modalists. I have also written about Thompson's Sabellianism, and about Samuel Trott's Sabellianism. (See these postings here, here, here, here, here, here) Also, in my Baptist Gadfly blog I have also written many articles on this heresy. This page (here) gives many of those postings.