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.
"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, s¥x 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 s¥xual 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.
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