Sabellianism

In Christianity, Sabellianism is the second century belief that the three persons of the Trinity are merely different modes or aspects of God, rather than three distinct persons. It is also known as modalism, and is attributed to Sabellius, who taught a form of this doctrine in Rome in the second century. Another name for this doctrine is Patripassianism from the Latin words patris for "father", and passus for "to suffer". This name was given because the doctrine implies that God the Father came to earth and suffered in the form of God the Son.

Today, Sabellianism is rejected by most types of Christianity. It is accepted primarily by some Pentecostal groups, sometimes referred to as Oneness Pentecostals or "Jesus Only" Pentecostals.

Compare with:

• Trinity
• Heresy