Don’t be confused—Oneness Pentecostalism does not teach salvation by faith in Christ alone.
Although the UPCI (United Pentecostal Church International) states, “Salvation comes by grace through faith” among their beliefs, these words do not mean what the mainstream Christians would assume they mean.
In sharp contrast, the UPCI continues to hold teachings that directly contradict the traditional understanding of salvation by faith. On their website’s “Our Beliefs” page, you will find the following:
“We obey the gospel (II Thessalonians 1:8; I Peter 4:17) by repentance (death to sin), water baptism in the name of Jesus Christ (burial), and the baptism of the Holy Spirit with the initial sign of speaking in tongues as the Spirit gives the utterance (resurrection).”
Some have speculated that the emphasis on “Salvation comes by grace through faith” in the UPCI’s marketing is for the purpose of proselytizing mainstream Christians and Trinitarian Pentecostals into Oneness Pentecostalism, because seeing “by grace through faith” gives them (false) assurance that the gospel is taught correctly.
Other Oneness Pentecostal denominations are more straightforward in their rejection/omission of salvation by faith alone. Some don’t so much as mention “grace” or “faith” in the Salvation section of their articles of faith, for example:
“One becomes the recipient of God’s gift of salvation by obeying the command given on the birthday of the church:”
—Worldwide Pentecostal Fellowship (WPF)
“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 Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and the baptism of the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking with other tongues”
—Assemblies of the Lord Jesus Christ (ALJC)
•••
In other words, according to Oneness Pentecostalism, you are not saved unless you:
1. Speak in tongues 2. Are baptized with the words “In Jesus Name” spoken over you by the baptizer
This stands in sharp contrast to what Scripture teaches:
“But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
—Romans 10:8–13
Scripture plainly states, “whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved,” NOT “whosoever shall have a baptizer say ‘In Jesus Name’ over them shall be saved”
The moment you add to salvation by faith, it’s no longer salvation by faith. The UPCI may get more visitors and converts when they borrow phrases from mainstream Christianity, but giving lip service to teachings they deny and contradict isn’t helpful—it’s deceitful.
The “gospel” of Oneness Pentecostalism is not the biblical gospel. Their teachings necessitate believing that only Oneness Pentecostals are saved, while the rest of Christendom is condemned to hell. Their own members who cannot speak in tongues live in fear of dying lost, while other members who check off the “salvation” boxes might not be saved if they’re depending on their own works and have not placed their faith in Christ alone.
•••
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
—Ephesians 2:8–9
If you’re disentangling faith from Oneness Pentecostalism, you’re not alone and there are resources for you! See the comments below.
Berean Holiness
Don’t be confused—Oneness Pentecostalism does not teach salvation by faith in Christ alone.
Although the UPCI (United Pentecostal Church International) states, “Salvation comes by grace through faith” among their beliefs, these words do not mean what the mainstream Christians would assume they mean.
In sharp contrast, the UPCI continues to hold teachings that directly contradict the traditional understanding of salvation by faith. On their website’s “Our Beliefs” page, you will find the following:
“We obey the gospel (II Thessalonians 1:8; I Peter 4:17) by repentance (death to sin), water baptism in the name of Jesus Christ (burial), and the baptism of the Holy Spirit with the initial sign of speaking in tongues as the Spirit gives the utterance (resurrection).”
Some have speculated that the emphasis on “Salvation comes by grace through faith” in the UPCI’s marketing is for the purpose of proselytizing mainstream Christians and Trinitarian Pentecostals into Oneness Pentecostalism, because seeing “by grace through faith” gives them (false) assurance that the gospel is taught correctly.
Other Oneness Pentecostal denominations are more straightforward in their rejection/omission of salvation by faith alone. Some don’t so much as mention “grace” or “faith” in the Salvation section of their articles of faith, for example:
“One becomes the recipient of God’s gift of salvation by obeying the command given on the birthday of the church:”
—Worldwide Pentecostal Fellowship (WPF)
“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 Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and the baptism of the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking with other tongues”
—Assemblies of the Lord Jesus Christ (ALJC)
•••
In other words, according to Oneness Pentecostalism, you are not saved unless you:
1. Speak in tongues
2. Are baptized with the words “In Jesus Name” spoken over you by the baptizer
This stands in sharp contrast to what Scripture teaches:
“But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
—Romans 10:8–13
Scripture plainly states, “whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved,” NOT “whosoever shall have a baptizer say ‘In Jesus Name’ over them shall be saved”
The moment you add to salvation by faith, it’s no longer salvation by faith. The UPCI may get more visitors and converts when they borrow phrases from mainstream Christianity, but giving lip service to teachings they deny and contradict isn’t helpful—it’s deceitful.
The “gospel” of Oneness Pentecostalism is not the biblical gospel. Their teachings necessitate believing that only Oneness Pentecostals are saved, while the rest of Christendom is condemned to hell. Their own members who cannot speak in tongues live in fear of dying lost, while other members who check off the “salvation” boxes might not be saved if they’re depending on their own works and have not placed their faith in Christ alone.
•••
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
—Ephesians 2:8–9
If you’re disentangling faith from Oneness Pentecostalism, you’re not alone and there are resources for you! See the comments below.
3 weeks ago | [YT] | 17