My husband and I are in the process of leaving the UPC, and like you experienced, it is the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do. I truly believe that without God using the United Pentecostal Church, my husband wouldn’t be alive, and I would be so far from God. I praise God for being able to move and work in ANY thing or place for HIS glory!

From Day 1 of my journey in the UPC, I have been told that we have the Truth. And to even question it shows a contrite spirit, and allows the devil to get in and work.

In the back of my mind I have always had a difficult time understanding why God would not save certain people (I clearly couldn’t hear them speaking in tongues), and why in some cases He would not give them the Holy Ghost for years after their conversion. If speaking in tongues was SO important to salvation, why wouldn’t God give it to someone right away? The answer I’ve always gotten is “they’re holding back and not fully broken or open to Him.” But again, I see grown men at the altar crying, snotting, shouting, begging, pleading, thanking God in advance, shaking, and allowing people to pat their chins real fast (as if that’s supposed to make them more susceptible to get it) – doing this for YEARS, and never getting “saved.”

I do believe that everything I’ve been taught has been in the best of intentions, and these people truly believe it. I mean, I’ve been there. I’ve ostracized friends and family who were already Christians by telling them that they’re truly not saved and they will go to hell unless they do it the “Bible way.” I’ve travailed over backslidden friends who started attending one of those “dead” churches without the “Truth.” So, I get it. I can empathize with the beliefs.

My husband and I had a meeting with our pastor today to tell him that we do not believe you have to receive tongues to be saved. My husband and I have prayed, fasted, studied, researched, and prayed some more. God has truly shown us that the evidence of the Holy Ghost is NOT tongues (not always, anyways). Our pastor kept referring to the “truth” when he showed us in the scriptures how “out of our bellies shall flow rivers of living water” and illustrated that with a bottle full of water and way over-emphasized hand gestures of it coming out of his mouth. He showed us the “truth” in everything he said. He mocked others’ experiences with God as being UN-true and having a spirit of anti-christ, simply because they did not speak in tongues, and were claiming to be saved. He showed us the “truth” when he referred to Cornelius and how he was a devout man, who loved God, but wasn’t saved, and HE spoke with tongues to get the Holy Ghost, and if all we had to do was “believe and repent” then Cornelius should have been saved already. We pointed out that Cornelius hadn’t received the revelation of who Jesus was and therefore was in the same boat as the Jews, and that’s why Peter preached to him. Yet, to prove his point, he said, “Well, he prayed to God, and we know that God is revealed in Jesus. So yes, he was praying to Jesus, so therefore he was a believer.” (I know, even as I typed that it made no sense) These are all “truths.” Yet, where IS the truth? They are part-to-whole fallacies!

I am so sick of men building their own doctrines around “truth.” I am so tired of being told that because we are questioning “truth” that we are in danger of falling into a reprobate heart. How is something true if it can not be tested time and time again and get the same results??? Jesus never changed His message – and it stood TRUE. We can not twist the scriptures to fit our experiences. We must test our experiences against the TRUTH.

I’m so thankful for your website. At first my husband and I felt so alone in this journey, but it’s wonderful to know that even though we are “backsliders” to the UPC doctrine, we belong into a body of truth-seekers and Jesus lovers. :) It’s a process, and our minds are still so programmed to see what we’ve been told to see in the scripture, but, scale-by-scale our eyes are being opened to the Truth.

God bless you and your ministry!

I normally don’t allow the type of post that you wrote because it can serve to be inflammatory (and it deals with some stuff that isn’t dealt with on this site–namely the Trinity and whether or not the gift of tongues has ceased). However, I really liked the way that you wrote it, and it does serve as food for thought, so I decided to let it through. I think it is good for people to see that the “tongues has ceased” argument does have a basis in Scripture. It’s not something that people just made up because they don’t like Pentecostals, or are against the Holy Ghost, or “the Truth,” etc etc etc.

With that said, I am like you in that I don’t think the view that tongues has ceased is a conclusive one. It’s intriguing and it’s a good study, but I don’t think it’s clear cut. However, also like you, I refuse to put God in a box. If He wants to use tongues then He will, but if He does use it then it will be an actual language (I’m not going to cite the Scriptures to support that because you already did).

Dealing with the Holy Spirit: Oneness Pentecostals will agree with you that the Holy Spirit is God, and even that He is a person. They would agree with everything you wrote about the Holy Spirit. Their disagreement is that He is separate from the Father or the Son. They view the Father, the Son, and the Spirit as all being the same person, and they view trinitarianism as tritheism. Basically the founders of the Oneness movement failed to understand the difference between a being and a person. They convoluted the terms. So while the doctrine of the Trinity states that the Father, Son, and Spirit are one Being but separate Persons, the doctrine of Oneness states that the Father, Son, and Spirit are one Being and one Person.

To anyone who reads this: I keep a very tight rein on comments relating to the Trinity and the gift of tongues. Please remember to keep the comments on track. Those are very hot topics that aren’t dealt with on this site, so I’m careful to not let the comments turn into a giant debate forum. I decided to let Preacher’s comment through because I liked the way he summarized the “tongues has ceased” argument. I also liked the fact that he wasn’t adamant that it has ceased, and chose instead to let God do what God wants to do. If anyone wants to write in response please keep your comment in the same tone that he wrote his in.

In Christ,
- Josh S.

At the same time, if the gift of speaking in tongues were active in the church today, it would be performed in agreement with Scripture. It would be a real and intelligible language (1 Corinthians 14:10). It would be for the purpose of communicating God’s Word with a person of another language (Acts 2:6-12). It would be in agreement with the command God gave through the apostle Paul, “If anyone speaks in a tongue, two—or at the most three—should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret. If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and God” (1 Corinthians 14:27-28). It would also be in accordance with 1 Corinthians 14:33, “For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.”

God most definitely can give a person the gift of speaking in tongues to enable him or her to communicate with a person who speaks another language. The Holy Spirit is sovereign in the dispersion of the spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12:11).
 
But with that… Just imagine how much more productive missionaries could be if they did not have to go to language school, and were instantly able to speak to people in their own language. However, God does not seem to be doing this. Tongues does not seem to occur today in the manner it did in the New Testament, despite the fact that it would be immensely useful. The vast majority of believers who claim to practice the gift of speaking in tongues do not do so in agreement with the Scriptures mentioned above. These facts are what lead one to the conclusion that the gift of tongues has ceased or is at least a rarity in God’s plan for the church today.

And just for the record…
The Bible also tells us that the Holy Spirit is a divine person, a being with a mind, emotions, and a will.

The fact that the Holy Spirit is God is clearly seen in many Scriptures, including Acts 5:3-4. In this verse Peter confronts Ananias as to why he lied to the Holy Spirit and tells him that he had “not lied to men but to God.” It is a clear declaration that lying to the Holy Spirit is lying to God. We can also know that the Holy Spirit is God because He possesses the characteristics of God. For example, His omnipresence is seen in Psalm 139:7-8, “Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.” Then in 1 Corinthians 2:10-11, we see the characteristic of omniscience in the Holy Spirit. “But God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man’s spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.”

We can know that the Holy Spirit is indeed a divine person because He possesses a mind, emotions, and a will. The Holy Spirit thinks and knows (1 Corinthians 2:10). The Holy Spirit can be grieved (Ephesians 4:30). The Spirit intercedes for us (Romans 8:26-27). He makes decisions according to His will (1 Corinthians 12:7-11). The Holy Spirit is God, the third Person of the Trinity. As God, the Holy Spirit can truly function as the Comforter and Counselor that Jesus promised He would be (John 14:16, 26, 15:26).

It also stands to show that the church is always had her worst enemies from within and not from without…
(Just a Thought)

Peter recalls the same event.

Acts 11:15 …the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning.

Whether the Holy Ghost falls on them or fills them, its all the same result, that person receives the Holy Spirit.

And no not everyone has this gift to speak in tongues more than one language in the spirit. but we all pray in an unknown tongue= singular= the initial sign of the holy ghost Acts 2:1-5 if the apostles got the holy ghost it this way we must to. The bible is the blue print. Mans words are not.
In all your getting get an understanding……..

1 Corinthians 12:27-31 (KJV)
27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. = (a gift of tongues=one of the gifts of the spirit.)
29 Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?
30 Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?
31 But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.
Paul is saying everyone has their own gifts. The apostles spoke in tongues when they received the holy Ghost.

Acts 2:1-13 (KJV)
1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

When they were filled with the Holy Ghost they spoke in tongues, the spirit gave them this utterance.
Three thousand were baptized and joined the church. This is the only way to get into the church. The bible is right somebody’s wrong. the promise of the holy ghost and baptism in Jesus name is to all generations as you read, not just the jews.
Acts 2:37-41 (KJV)
37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?
38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
39 For 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.
40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.
41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
If I were you I would not take a chance, and not get saved, that is baptized in Jesus name and filled with the Holy Ghost. You see I did not give you my opinion I gave you the scripture and the example of it. You se corrupt men come in and lead you stray from the faith they continue to study and learn but never come to understand the basic truth. We have been warned about men like this. If a man lack wisdom let him ask of God ask your pastor if he doesn’t have the answer wait on God to show you. Study to show thyself approved rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Timothy 3:1-9 (KJV)
1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,
7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
8 Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.
9 But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was.
If you’re not baptized in Jesus name your sins have not been taken away therefore you have unforgiven sin; the unforgiven person will not go to heaven. I did not make the rules God did you must be buried with him in water baptism. in Jesus name then you are called by God’s name he is coming for those called by his name not titles.
This is the Holy Ghost prophecy and speaking in tongues
Isaiah 28:9-12 (KJV)
9 Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts.
10 For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:
11 For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people.
12 To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear.
Hear is the Baptism =Water and Holy Ghost= Spirit prophecy for Israel and us today.
Ezekiel 36:25-29 (KJV)
25 Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.
26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.
27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.
28 And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God.
29 I will also save you from all your uncleannesses: and I will call for the corn, and will increase it, and lay no famine upon you.
John 3:5 (KJV)
5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
Your not in the kingdom unless you Baptized=Water and filled with the Holy Ghost=Spirit.

When I received the Holy Ghost or Holy Spirit I spoke in tongues 28 year ago and it has never left me. I still pray in tongues as the spirit gives utterance.
Repent and get saved while there is still time. A change is coming that will test all of us……..

The new doctrine of trinity started 325 AD the bible never points to three Gods this is the original concept of trinity. Three Gods.

When you understand who God is you have no problem being baptized in his name. There is not one scripture in the bible where any one has ever got baptized in the name of the father son and holy ghost titles. So why should we do what is not written?

Repentence and remissions of sins is in his name Acts 2:38 (KJV)
38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

This is why the apostles Baptized in Jesus name for the forgivenes of sin.
Notice the sinner’s prayer is to repent then be baptized. Not just to pray and say I am saved. Cornelius prayed but then he was baptized after going to Peter, to wash away his sins just like Paul has done using the name of the Lord in baptism.

Mark 16:16 (KJV)
16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
Jesus said it. So I say what he says, if you refuse to be baptized you will be dammed for eternity. Repent and be baptized and believe.

Acts 8:14-17 (KJV)
14 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:
15 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:
16 (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)
17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.
Acts 22:15-16 (KJV)
15 For thou shalt be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard.
16 And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.
You cannot be a witness without the baptism first. You must have his name to be a true witness. And the Holy Ghost
Colossians 3:17 (KJV)
17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
Anything you do must be in the name not the titles father son and holy ghost.
Acts 4:12 (KJV)
12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
You must use the name in baptism.
1 Peter 3:21 (KJV)
21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:
What does it save you from? Sin

Acts 10:43-48 (KJV)
43 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.
44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.
45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.
46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,
47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?
48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.
After they got the Holy Ghost they got baptized. Notice these gentiles received the Holy Ghost just like the Jews did.

These were John the Baptist disciple they believed but did not have the Holy Ghost. Belief is only the beginning. Belief alone does not mean you have everything you need as you will see here.
Acts 19:1-7 (KJV)
1 And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,
2 He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.
3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John’s baptism.
4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.
5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.
7 And all the men were about twelve.
We can prove the name of Jesus in baptism but Trinitarians can’t prove theirs. where any one ever said father son or holy ghost in baptism. You say that baptism is not important, why then did these men get re baptized by the great apostle Paul? Are you smarter than him? God told Moses to build according to the pattern he has not changed he is the same yesterday today and forever. The apostles obeyed what Jesus said to do. We must follow their example……….

The preacher………………..

This article was written specifically to people in the UPC and associated organizations. It was written in response to address the way that they use the phrase “in the Truth” (a phrase that an attendee will hear almost every service). This article was not meant to be an exhaustive study or philosophical discussion on everything that truth is and is not. It was meant to address one particular usage of the term amongst one particular group of people.

With that said, my premise was not flawed. If you look up the word “Truth” in almost any dictionary and you will see that one of the meanings is “conformity to reality or actuality.” For example:

Princeton Wordnet definition #2: “conformity to reality or actuality”

Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Dictionary definition #1: “conformity to fact or actuality”

Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary definitions 2a (1) and (2): “the state of being the case : fact” and “the body of real things, events, and facts : actuality”

Additionally, the opposite of truth is falsehood–at least according to Easton’s Bible Dictionary. Easton’s says that truth in the biblical sense is “that which is opposed to falsehood.”

With that said, I agree with you that Jesus is Truth. I also agree with you that truth, in the sense of Christ, is a “who” and not a “what.” I have used those exact same words many times in personal correspondence. However, Truth in the sense of Christ “being the Truth” is not the only definition of the word in either a linguistic or biblical sense.

So in the end I stand by my premise. My premise agrees with both secular and theological definitions of truth. Yes, Jesus is the ultimate Truth, but that is not the issue that I was addressing in this article.

Thanks again for reading and for your feedback.

In Christ,
- Josh S.