To be saved you must:
My Righteous Links
Apostolic Pentecostal beliefs are the most unique in History. We believe, as do many other Christions, that Jesus Christ of Galilee is the son of God and he died on the cross for our sins so that we may go to Heaven.
| ARTICLES OF FAITH OF THE UNITED |
| PENTECOSTAL
CHURCH INTERNATIONAL |
| PREAMBLE |
WE BELIEVE the Bible to be inspired of God; the
infallible Word of God. "All scripture is given by
inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof,
for correction, for instruction in righteousness" (2 Timothy
3:16).
The Bible is the only God-given authority which man possesses;
therefore, all doctrine, faith, hope, and all instruction for the
church must be based upon, and harmonize with, the Bible. It is
to be read and studied by all men everywhere, and can only be
clearly understood by those who are anointed by the Holy Spirit
(1 John 2:27)."... 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" (2 Peter 1:20, 21).
| ARTICLES OF FAITH |
THE ONE TRUE GOD
We believe in the one ever-living, eternal God: infinite in
power, Holy in nature, attributes and purpose; and possessing
absolute, indivisible deity. This one true God has revealed
Himself as Father, through His Son, in redemption; and as the
Holy Spirit, by emanation. (1 Cor. 8:6; Eph. 4:6; 2 Cor. 5:19;
Joel 2:28).
The Scripture does more than attempt to prove the existence of
God; it asserts, assumes and declares that the knowledge of God
is universal. (Romans 1:19, 21, 28, 32; 2:15). God is invisible,
incorporeal, without parts, without body, and therefore free from
all limitations. He is Spirit (John 4:24), and a spirit hath not
flesh and bones. (Luke 24:39).
The first of all the commandments is, hear, 0 Israel; the Lord
our God is one Lord" (Mark 12:29; Deut. 6:4). "One God
and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you
all" (Eph. 4:6).
This one true God manifested Himself in the Old Testament in
divers ways; in the Son while He walked among men; as the Holy
Spirit after the ascension.
THE SON OF GOD
The one true God, the Jehovah of the Old Testament, took upon
Himself the form of man, and as the Son of man, was born of the
virgin Mary. As Paul says "and 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"
(1 Timothy 3:16).
"He came unto His own, and His own received Him not"
(John 1:11). This one true God was manifest in the flesh, that
is, in His Son Jesus Christ. ". . God was in Christ,
reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses
unto them. . ." (2 Cor. 5:19).
We believe that, ". . in Him (Jesus) dwelleth all the
fulness of the Godhead bodily" (Col. 2:9). "For it
pleased the Father that in Him should all fulness dwell"
(Col. 1:19). Therefore, Jesus in His humanity was man; in His
deity was and is God. His flesh was the lamb, or the sacrifice of
God. He is the only mediator between God and man. "For there
is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ
Jesus" (1 Timothy 2:5).
Jesus on His Father's side was divine, on His mother's side,
human; Thus, He was known as the Son of God and also the son of
man, or the God-man.
"For He hath put all things under His feet. But when He
saith all things are put under Him, it is manifest that He is
excepted, which did put all things under Him" (1 Cor.
15:27). "And when all things shall be subdued unto Him, then
shall the Son also Himself be subject unto Him that put all
things under Him, that God may be all in all" (1 Cor.
15:28).
"I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith
the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the
Almighty" (Rev. 1:8).
THE NAME
God used different titles, such as "God Elohim",
"El Shaddai", "Jehovah", and especially
"Jehovah Lord", the redemptive name in the Old
Testament.
"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: ...
and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, the Mighty
God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace" (Isaiah
9:6). This prophecy of Isaiah was fulfilled when the Son of God
was named, "And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt
call His name Jesus: for He shall save His People from their
sins" (Matt. 1:21).
"Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none
other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be
saved" (Acts 4:12).
CREATION OF MAN AND HIS FALL
In the beginning God created man innocent, pure and holy; but
through the sin of disobedience, Adam and Eve, the first of the
human race, fell from their holy state, and God banished them
from Eden. Hence by one man's disobedience, sin entered into the
world. (Gen. 1:27; Rom. 3:23, 5:12).
REPENTANCE AND CONVERSION
Pardon and forgiveness of sins is obtained by genuine repentance,
a confessing and forsaking of sins. We are justified by faith in
the Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1). John the Baptist preached
repentance, Jesus proclaimed it, and the Apostles emphasized it
to both Jews and Gentiles. (Acts 2:38, 11:18, 17:30).
The word "repentance" comes from several Greek words
which mean, change of views and purpose, change of heart, change
of mind, change of life, to transform, etc.
Jesus said, -except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish"
(Luke 13:3).
Luke 24:47 says, "And that repentance and remission of sins
should be preached in His name among all nations, beginning at
Jerusalem."
WATER BAPTISM
The scriptural mode of baptism is immersion, and is only for
those who have fully repented, having turned from their sins and
a love of the world. It should be administered by a duly
authorized minister of the Gospel, in obedience to the Word of
God, and in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, according to the
Acts of the Apostles 2:38, 8:16, 10:48, 19:5; thus obeying and
fulfilling Matthew 28:19.
THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
John the Baptist, in Matthew 3:11, said, "...He shall
baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire."
Jesus, in Acts 1:5, said, "...ye shall be baptized with the
Holy Ghost not many days hence."
Luke tells us in Acts 2:4, they were all filled with the Holy
Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues (languages), as the
Spirit gave them utterance."
The terms "baptize with the Holy Ghost and fire,"
"filled with the Holy Spirit," and the "gift of
the Holy Ghost" are synonymous terms used interchangeably in
the Bible.
It is scriptural to expect all who receive the gift, filling, or
baptism of the Holy Spirit to receive the same physical, initial
sign of speaking with other tongues.
The speaking with other tongues, as recorded in Acts 2:4, 10:46,
and 19:6, and the gift of tongues, as explained in 1 Corinthians,
chapters 12 and 14, are the same in essence, but different in use
and purpose.
The Lord, through the Prophet Joel, said, I will pour out my
Spirit upon all flesh; ..." (Joel 2:28).
Peter, in explaining this phenomenal experience, said, having
received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, He (Jesus)
hath shed forth this which ye now see and hear." (Acts
2:33).
Further, "...The promise is unto you, and to your children,
and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God
shall call." (Acts 2:39).
FUNDAMENTAL DOCTRINE
The basic and fundamental doctrine of this organization shall be
the Bible standard of full salvation, which is repentance,
baptism in water by immersion in the name of the Lord Jesus
Christ for the remission of sins, and the baptism of the Holy
Ghost with the initial sign of speaking with other tongues as the
Spirit gives utterance.
We shall endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit until we all
come into the unity of the faith, at the same time admonishing
all brethren that they shall not contend for their different
views to the disunity of the body.
DIVINE HEALING
The first covenant that the Lord (Jehovah) made with the children
of Israel after they were brought out of Egypt was a covenant of
healing. The Lord said, ". . if thou wilt diligently hearken
to the voice of the Lord (Jehovah-Rapha, the Lord that healeth)
thy God, and wilt do that which is right in His sight, and wilt
give ear to His commandments, and keep all His statutes, I will
put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon
the Egyptians; for I am the Lord that healeth thee." (Exodus
15:26).
Some translations read: "For I am Jehovah, thy
physician," He being our physician or doctor, we have the
most capable in the whole world. Our Lord Jesus Christ went about
Galilee, preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom, and healing all
manner of sickness and disease among the people. (Matthew 4:23,
24).
"Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and
forever" (Hebrews 13:8).
The vicarious suffering of the Lord Jesus Christ paid for the
healing of our bodies, the same as for the salvation of our
souls, for with His stripes we are healed" (Isaiah 53:5).
Matthew 8:17 reads, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our
sicknesses" (See also I Peter 2:24).
We see from this that divine healing for the body is in the
atonement. That being true, then it is for all who believe. Jesus
said of believers, ". . they shall lay hands on the sick,
and they shall recover." Later, James wrote in his Epistle
to all the churches: "Is any sick among you? Let him call
for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him,
anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: and the prayer of
faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and
if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. Confess
your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may
be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man
availeth much." (James 5:14-16).
All of these promises are for the church today.
SACRAMENT OR COMMUNION
On the night of our Lord's betrayal, He ate the Passover supper
with His Apostles, after which He instituted the sacrament.
"And He took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave
unto them, saying, this is my body which is given for you: this
do in remembrance of me. Likewise also the cup after supper
saying, this cup is the New Testament in my blood, which is shed
for you." (Luke 22:19-20).
Paul instructed the church how to observe it (I Cor. 11:23-34).
Thus was instituted the use of literal bread and the fruit of the
vine, which are partaken of literally, as emblems of His broken
body and shed blood. There is also a spiritual significance and
blessing in partaking of the sacrament.
FOOT WASHING
When the Passover supper was ended, we read in John 13:4-5,
"He riseth from supper, and laid aside His garments; and
took a towel, and girded Himself. After that He poureth water
into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe
them with the towel wherewith He was girded."
Jesus said, "If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed
your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have
given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to
you" (John 13:14-15).
This first example was given by our Lord, and it is a divine
institution. It is well to follow His example and wash one
another's feet; thus manifesting the spirit of humility.
HOLINESS
Godly living should characterize the life of every child of the
Lord, and we should live according to the pattern and example
given in the Word of God. "For the grace of God that
bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that,
denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly,
righteously, and Godly, in this present world" (Titus
2:11,12). "For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ
also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should
follow His steps: who did no sin, neither was 'guile found in His
mouth: who, when He was reviled, reviled not again; when He
suffered, He threatened not; but committed himself to Him that
judgeth righteously" (1 Peter 2:21-23).
"Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no
man shall see the Lord" (Heb. 12:14).
"But as He which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in
all manner of conversation; because it is written, be ye holy;
for I am holy. And if ye call on the Father, who without respect
of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time
of your sojourning here in fear: forasmuch as ye know that ye
were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold,
from your vain conversation received by tradition from your
fathers; but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb
without blemish and without spot" (1 Peter 1:15-19).
We wholeheartedly disapprove of our people indulging in any
activities which are not conducive to good Christianity and Godly
living, such as theaters, dances, mixed bathing, women cutting
their hair, make-up, any apparel that immodestly exposes the
body, all worldly sports and amusements, and unwholesome radio
programs and music. Furthermore, because of the display of all
these evils on television, we disapprove of any of our people
having television sets in their homes. We admonish all of our
people to refrain from any of these practices in the interest of
spiritual progress and the soon coming of the Lord for His
church.
THE GRACE OF GOD
"For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared
to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly
lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and Godly, in this
present world" (Titus 2:11,12).
"For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by
Jesus Christ" (John 1:17).
A Christian, to keep saved, must walk with God and keep himself
in the love of God (Jude 21) and in the grace of God. The word
"grace" means "favor." When a person
transgresses and sins against God, he loses his favor. If he
continues to commit sin and does not repent, he will eventually
be lost and cast into the lake of fire. (Read John 15:2, 6; 2
Peter 2:20-21). Jude speaks of the backsliders of his day, and
their reward. (Also, read Hebrews 6:4-6).
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of
yourselves; it is the gift of God" (Eph. 2:8).
RESTITUTION OF ALL THINGS
We understand the scripture to teach the restitution of all
things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all His holy
prophets since the world began. (Acts 3:21). But we cannot find
where the devil, his angels, and all sinners are included. (See
Rev. 20:10).
CONSCIENTIOUS SCRUPLES
We recognize the institution of human government as being of
divine ordination, and, in so doing, affirm unswerving loyalty to
our Government; however, we take a definite position regarding
the bearing of arms or the taking of human life.
As followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, we
believe in implicit obedience to His commandments and precepts
which instruct us as follows: ".. that ye resist not evil. .
." (Matt. 5:39): "Follow peace with all men..."
(Heb. 12:14). (See also Matt. 26:52; Rom. 12:19; James 5:6;
Revelation 13:10). These we believe and interpret to mean
Christians shall not shed blood nor take human life.
Therefore, we propose to fulfill all the obligations of loyal
citizens, but are constrained to declare against participating in
combatant service in war, armed insurrection, property
destruction, aiding or abetting in or the actual destruction of
human life.
Furthermore, we cannot conscientiously affiliate with any union,
boycott, or organization which will force or bind any of its
members to belong to any organization, perform any duties
contrary to our conscience, or receive any mark, without our
right to affirm or reject same (1930).
However, we regret the false impression created by some groups or
so-called "conscientious objectors" that to obey the
Bible is to have a contempt for law or magistrates, to be
disloyal to our Government and in sympathy with our enemies, or
to be unwilling to sacrifice for the preservation of our
commonwealth. This attitude would be as contemptible to us as to
any patriot. The Word of God commands us to do violence to no
man. It also commands us that first of all we are to pray for
rulers of our country. We, therefore, exhort our members to
freely and willingly respond to the call of our Government except
in the matter of bearing arms. When we say service, we mean
service-no matter how hard or dangerous. The true church has no
more place for cowards than has the nation. First of all,
however, let us earnestly pray that we will with honor be kept
out of war.
We believe that we can be consistent in serving our Government in
certain noncombatant capacities, but not in the bearing of arms.
(1940).
We further believe that our military personnel must live in a
manner consistent with the Articles of Faith.
SECRET SOCIETIES, ETC.
According to the Word of God, we firmly believe and hold that the
people of God should have no connection whatever with secret
societies or any other organization or body wherein there is a
fellowship with unbelievers, bound by an oath. (James 5:12;
2 Cor. 6:14-18).
TRANSLATION OF SAINTS
We believe that the time is drawing near when our Lord shall
appear; then the dead in Christ shall arise, and we who are alive
and remain shall be caught up with them to meet our Lord in the
air.
(1 Thess. 4:13-17; 1 Cor. 15:51-54; Phil. 3:20-21).
MARRIAGE AND DIVORCE
"Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for
fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery:"
(Matt. 19:9). (Matt. 5:32), When this sin has been committed, the
innocent party may be free to remarry only in the Lord. Our
desire being to raise a higher standard for the ministry, we
recommend that ministers do not marry again.
Judgment begins at the House of God. See instructions for the
ministry under Article VII, Sec. 8.
TITHING
We believe tithing is God's financial plan to provide for His
work, and has been since the days of Abraham. Tithing came with
faith under Abraham, Moses' law enjoined it, and Israel practiced
it when she was right with God; Jesus indorsed it (Matt. 23:23);
and Paul said to lay by in store as God has prospered you. Do not
rob God of His portion, viz., tithes and offerings. (Read Mall
3).
SECOND COMING OF JESUS
That Jesus is coming again the second time in person, just as He
went away, is clearly set forth by the Lord Jesus Himself, and
was preached and taught in the early Christian church by the
apostles; hence, the children of God today are earnestly,
hopefully, looking forward to the glorious event. (Matt. 24; Acts
1:11, 3:19-21; 1 Cor.. 11:26; Phil. 3:20-21; 1 Thess.. 4:14-17;
Titus 2:13, 14).
THE MILLENNIUM
Moreover, we believe that the distress upon the earth is the
"beginning of sorrows" and will become more intense
until there "shall be a time of trouble such as there never
was since there was a nation even to that same time"
(Matthew 24:3-8, Dan. 12:1), and that period of
"tribulation" will be followed by the dawn of a better
day on earth and that for a thousand years there shall be
"peace on earth and good will toward men." (Rev.
20:1-5; Isa. 65:17-25; Matt.. 5:5; Dan. 7:27; Mic.. 4:1, 2; Heb.
2:14; Rom. 11:25-27).
FINAL JUDGMENT
When the thousand years are finished, there shall be a
resurrection of all the dead, who will be summoned before the
great white throne for their final judgment, and all whose names
are not found written in the Book of Life shall be cast into the
lake of fire, burning with brimstone which God bath prepared for
the Devil and his angels, Satan himself being cast in first.
(Matt.. 25:41; Rev. 20:7, 15, 21:8).
PUBLIC SCHOOL ACTIVITIES
We disapprove of school students attending shows, dances, dancing
classes, theatres, engaging in school activities against their
religious scruples, and wearing gymnasium clothes which
immodestly expose the body.
We disapprove of school students being forced to take
coeducational classes which involve boys and girls being mixed
together in swimming, calisthenics, baseball, and other mixed
athletics while clothed in ungodly attire which immodestly
exposes the body.
We disapprove of school students being forced to take any classes
in which, under the guise of health classes, sex education is
taught coeducationally or films or lectures are given that
promote amoral or unnatural behavior.
We disapprove of school students being forced to be taught by or
listen to those who promote or advocate sexual activity of any
kind other than that within the bonds of the marriage
relationship of husband and wife.
RELIGIOUS HOLIDAY
The annual Conference is declared to be an International
Religious Holiday for all members and all members are urged to
attend.
THE ABOVE MATERIAL WAS TAKEN FROM AND PUBLISHED BY UPCI MINISTERIAL MANUAL, 1995, PAGES 19-27. THIS MATERIAL IS COPYRIGHTED AND MAY BE USED FOR STUDY & RESEARCH PURPOSES ONLY.
