THE UNITED PENTECOSTAL CHURCH INTERNATIONAL (4)

The UPCI Church Manual

Victor M. Eskew

 

          The United Pentecostal Church International has a manual, that is, a creed book that sets forth the basic doctrines that are believed and taught by the church.  Initially, the manual was not for sell to the public.  The manual was only for those who held a license from the UPCI.  In 2018, however, somehow the manual was made available on the UPCI website.  Once the mistake came to light, it was quickly taken off the site.  The manual can be found on Amazon or eBay.  A fair price for the manual is about $20.00.  The Manual can also be found with ease using a Google search.

          In the manual, there is a section entitled:  “Articles of Faith of the United Pentecostal Church International.”  The Articles of Faith set forth the basic beliefs of the UPCI.  All of their ministers are required to sign a form stating that they believe and adhere to the Articles of Faith of the UPCI.  These Articles of Faith can also be found on the web.  There are twenty-four core beliefs that are made manifest in the articles.  Each belief is set forth with a few passages listed that “confirm” these doctrines.  However, they do not go into a lengthy discussion of the doctrines that are listed.  To get a detailed discussion of their beliefs, one must purchase various books written by some of their prominent leaders and ministers.  David K. Bernard is the General Superintendent of the UPCI.  He also teaches as a Professor of Biblical Studies and Apostolic leadership at Urshan Graduate School of Theology, where he is also Chancellor.  He has written several books about Pentecostal beliefs.  The Oneness of God, The New Birth, and A Handbook of Basic Doctrines are three of his works.

          Before we get into a discussion of some of the Articles of Faith, let’s take a look at the Preamble of the UPCI Manual.  It reads as follows:

 

“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 harmonized 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)” (2019-upci-manual.pdf (dividetheword.blog).

 

          There two major points that we want to set forth regarding this Preamble.  First, the UPCI affirms:  “The Bible is the only God-given authority which man possesses…”  If they sincerely believe this, we must ask:  Why do their have a manual that sets forth their beliefs?  Too, why do they demand that all of their leaders and ministers sign a form stating that they believe and adhere to the Article of Faith of the UPCI.  Paul was clear that the gospel alone is enough.  Anything in addition to the gospel is to be accursed.  “But thou we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.  As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed” (Gal. 1:8-9).  Creed books are additions to God’s Word.  The wise writer or Proverbs condemned additions to God’s Word in Proverbs 30:6.  “Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.”

          The second point we want to make concerns the following statement in the Preamble.  “It (the Bible, vme) 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).”  The question that we ask is:  “Who and when is a person anointed by the Holy Spirit?”  If only those who have obeyed the gospel are anointed by the Holy Spirit, then only Christians can clearly understand the Bible.  If this is the case, why should a non-Christian ever read the Bible?  He may try to read it, but he cannot clearly understand it.  Thus, it would be a waste of his time to attempt to understand God’s Word.  Or, does the Holy Spirit anointed non-Christians so they can understand the Word He has revealed.  If so, when does this occur?  NOTE:  If the non-Christian does not receive the anointing of the Holy Spirit, how can he ever clearly understand what is required of him by the Word of God in order to be saved?  Does he have to simply trust the teaching of a member of the UPCI who has the anointing?  Isn’t that comparable to saying that we must trust the words of the Pope or the priesthood of the Catholic Church?  

          In several articles to come, we are going to be examining some of the Articles of Faith of the UPCI.  We will quote from their authors.  Too, we will investigate their so-called proof-texts that are set forth to authenticate their doctrines.  The first teaching we will delve into will be what is referred to as the doctrine of “The Oneness of God.”