Who We Are

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, O Israel; the Lord our God is one Lord” (Mark 12:29; Deuteronomy 6:4). “One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all” (Ephesians 4:6).

This one true God manifested Himself in the Old Testament in diverse ways; in the Son while He walked among men; as the Holy Spirit after the ascension.

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 said, “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 Corinthians 5:19).

We believe that “...in Him (Jesus) dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily” (Colossians 2:9). “For it pleased the Father that in Him should all fulness dwell” (Colossians 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 Corinthians 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 Corinthians 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” (Revelation 1:8).

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” (Matthew 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).

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. (Genesis 1:27; Romans 3:23, 5:12).

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, change of direction, 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.

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 in obedience to the Word of God, 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.

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).

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).

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.

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 Corinthians 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.

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.

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.  We admonish all of our people to refrain from any worldly practices in the interest of spiritual progress and the soon coming of the Lord for His church.

“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. (John 15:2, 6; 2 Peter 2:20-21). Jude speaks of the backsliders of his day, and their reward. (Hebrews 6:4-6).

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8).

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. (Revelation 20:10).

We recognize the institution of human government as being of divine ordination, however we take a definite position regarding 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...” (Matthew 5:39): “Follow peace with all men…” (Hebrews 12:14). (Matthew 26:52; Romans 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.

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 Corinthians 6:14-18).

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. (1 Thessalonians 4:13-17; 1 Corinthians 15:51-54; Philippians 3:20-21).

We believe and teach that marriage is defined scripturally as the joining of one man and one woman. (Genesis 2:24; Romans 7:2; 1 Corinthians 7:10; Ephesians 5:22-23)

“Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery:” (Matthew 5:32; 19:9).

We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of marriage between one man and one woman.  We believe that any form of homosexuality, lesbianism, bisexuality, bestiality, incest, fornication, adultery, transgenderism, and pornography are sinful perversions of God’s gift of intimacy, and God’s delineation of a man and woman.  We believe and teach that God disapproves of and forbids any attempt to alter one’s gender by surgery, chemicals, or appearance. (Genesis 1:26-28, 2:24, 19:5, 26:8-9; Leviticus 18:1-30; Romans 1:26-29; 1 Corinthians 5:1, 6:9; 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8; Hebrews 13:4)

Due to the teachings in the inerrant and inspired Word of God on the subject of human sexuality, and due to the fact that we the Disciples of Jesus Christ, a United Pentecostal church believe and teach the same, we do not allow those that would physically, outwardly, or verbally live, support or promote any of the above mentioned lifestyles to use the property, structures or facilities owned, or held in trust by the Disciples of Jesus Christ, a United Pentecostal church.

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 (Matthew 23:23); and Paul said to lay by in store as God has prospered you. Do not rob God of His portion, tithes, and offerings. (Malachi 3).

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. (Matthew 24; Acts 1:11, 3:19-21; 1 Corinthians 11:26; Philippians 3:20-21; 1 Thessalonians 4:14-17; Titus 2:13, 14).

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, Daniel 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.” (Revelation 20:1-5; Isaiah 65:17-25; Matthew 5:5; Daniel 7:27; Micah 4:1, 2; Hebrews 2:14; Romans 11:25-27).

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 hath prepared for the Devil and his angels, Satan himself being cast in first. (Matthew 25:41; Revelation 20:7, 15, 21:8)

We disapprove of school students attending dances, dancing classes, 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, sex 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 sexual activity of any kind other than that within the bonds of the marriage relationship of husband and wife one man and one woman.

The annual Conference of the United Pentecostal Church International is declared to be an International Religious Holiday for all members and all members are urged to attend.