I didn’t think of myself as leaving the Oneness church when I left. I left for a variety of reasons, and Oneness vs. Trinitarian wasn’t a part of it. The only influencing factor was that I came to the understanding that “Trinitarians” do not believe in three gods. The doctrine wasn’t a corruption of Christianity and it wasn’t a pagan belief. The proponents of Oneness doctrine have made some grave misunderstandings of the Trinitarian doctrine, and it has lead to a schism that shouldn’t exist.

Later, perhaps 1-2 years after leaving, I did more reading on the issue and I realized that the Trinitarians had some really valid points. I realized that the Oneness doctrine just can’t adequately answer some of the Scriptures in the Bible and the Trinitarian doctrine can (I’m not going to go into a list of the things I’m referring to because A) this isn’t the place for it, B) it would take a long time to write out, and C) I’ve made it a point to leave the Oneness vs. Trinity debate out of this Web site because I believe that both groups are just as saved and going to heaven).

I hope that answers your question!

In Christ,
Josh S.

I see so many Apostolics condemning Trinitarians to hell based on God’s nature and a baptismal formula, and some Trinitarians reciprocate the same verdict to Apostolics but the fact of the matter is I received the Holy Ghost at an Apostolic church before I even knew of the Oneness vs Trinity stigma. I also received the “real” gift of tongues at home, alone, and prostrate before the Lord…not surrounded by yelling, clapping people at the altar. So, back to the question…those of you that say you “used” to be Oneness, where do you stand now?

Thanks,

Kingdom_Minded

I know God will help you make the right decision :)

In Christ,
- Josh S.

This Web site is not a UPC bashing site. In the various introductory pages I clearly state that I use “UPC” interchangeably with “apostolic” or “Oneness Pentecostal.” I chose to do that because the UPC organization is the largest Oneness Pentecostal organization–especially when I created this Web site, which was before the recent splits that have devastated the organization. However, this Web site is not out to bash anyone, UPC or other.

Regarding my personal history with this article: I heard the “you have to dance” message preached at numerous UPC, ALJC, and independent Oneness Churches during my 26 years in the movement. A person can also go on Youtube and find the “you have to dance” message repeated in various forms by people like, say, Anthony Mangun. You might not hear them say “you have to dance to be saved” (although I have heard that), but you will hear them say “your blessing is contingent upon your worship…if you haven’t danced you’d better dance,” etc. In my mind that is effectively the same as telling a person they have to dance. After all, if a spiritual leader persuades you that you will not “break through” unless you do a particular thing, then it creates enormous psychological pressure to do what they are telling you to do.

I have had quite a few people get upset about this article because they claim that A) the “you have to dance” message is not an official doctrine of the UPC, and B) they have never heard their church preach that message.

In both regards those people are quite right. But A) I never claimed that it was an official doctrine of the UPC (or any other Oneness organization) and B) I never claimed that every church preached that message. All I said was that “This Scripture is often used to tell people…” etc.

If your church does not teach that people have to dance then that’s great! But I have personally heard it preached in so many churches that I do believe that it is a widespread doctrine in Oneness churches (even though it is not an “official” doctrine). And because it is so widespread I chose to deal with it on this Web site.

I hope that clarifies things =)

God bless,
- Josh S.