I was saved in a UPCI Church. i was babtized when i was fifteen and sixteen when i recieved the gift of the holy Ghost. I grew up in a angnostic Family. and My friend helped me find my way to salvation through repentence and babtizm . most of the time i would go with the rules.. when i came into the chuch i stuck out right off the bat.. he told me he loved me and he was my best friend for along time.. unitll push came to shove and the church accused me of backsliding.. he turned on me .. in a vicious way. My question.. is this to i go to the chuch that i was saved in.. or do i go to a church where my Salvation is between me and God and not MySelf and the United Pentecostal Church International?
2007-07-12 17:07:17 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I am Oneness Apostolic and we aren't UPCI but have the exact same belief as you do. You could check out an Apostolic Church. When we go to church it's not about the people, its about pleasing God but the people at the church should be loving no matter what, We all have backslid at least once before so their should be no judgement but love and help. Continue to go to the church but if it continues to get out of hand, find another in your organization or another.
2007-07-12 19:10:09 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I totally understand where you are coming from.
I grew up around the UPC faith. My Grandfather was a UPC pastor. When I made the decision to regularly attend once I became an adult I ran far from it after such proding from the Pastor here and the conviction I was put under.
I have however,many years later, returned once again. I am very much adamant about the faith. I love the sense of closeness I believe in the doctrine and the Oneness.
I do though have a few issues that I am not at all in agreeance with. I do not feel the relationship between God and I is based on superficial ideas of not dressing in certain clothing or whether or not I cut my hair or even wear a little make up now and then.
There are fundamental in which I rely on heavily in the religion yet, I do comprehend how the church can make you feel very low about your own salvation if you are not extra critical of all you do.
I wish there were a Charasmatic Church in the area. They are more lax in their ideals as far as the way to present yourself yet, are adamant about the oneness and the holy ghost, which I as well am a believer and have recieved! Praise his name!!!!
One's worth should not be based on superficial issues. There are far more topics that I am concerned with as far as real sin!
I cannot tell you that you should or should not return to a faith. That does lay between you and God.
On the same note, I hope you do not allow others to make you decide your "not spiritual enough". It seems in Pentecost there are those who are untolerable of much of anything...Who are they to judge?
I'd pray about it. Let God help in guiding you.
I wish you the best.
God bless you!
2007-07-12 17:26:45 · answer #2 · answered by Jenblossom 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The church accused you of backsliding, and condemned you for it?
I've backslidden countless times - and the Father never leaves me or betrays me; when I return to Him He sees me as the prodigal child and rejoices. No matter how many times I fall, He is faithful to forgive.
I'm so sorry you had the experience you did. The UPCI is not the culmination of Christianity or God's Word. Neither is the AG, the COG, the COGIC, the PFWB or any other religion.
Keep looking until you find a church with a pastor who understands compassion and grace, and the members look at the plank in their own eye before pointing out the splinter in yours. Denomination is irrelevant - only the Bible is infallible.
If you'd like to talk, feel free to email me. :o)
2007-07-12 17:21:01 · answer #3 · answered by mrscjr 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
That is what freedom of choice is all about. If you feel you are not on the road to Salvation investigate other churches and their philosophy. As The Good Book states one can make peace with The Almighty and accept Jesus Christ as their Saviour in the middle of a plowed field !! No specific rules there . Just plain fact. Explore other avenues and try to avoid the people that turned their backs to you. They are not the answer, nor are they true Christians !!!!!!!!!!!!!
2007-07-12 17:19:53 · answer #4 · answered by AZRAEL 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yikes, Ive had nothing but bad experiences with UPCI. Go to another church, the name of the doctrine doesnt define wether you are saved or not. Thats between you and God, not an angry mob of people pointing fingers.
2007-07-12 17:15:28 · answer #5 · answered by Lucy 1 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Assemblies of God is a good church to go to. I think you need to head to a different church. The UPCI is not a church i would suggest attending.
2007-07-12 17:17:55 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
Many denominations do NOT teach that you can lose your salvation. I believe that "once saved, always saved" as well. Backsliding and not believing/not being saved are not the same.
I think you can find a church where you are accepted for you and you can worship sincerely with less judgmentalism. Just be sure that it is teaching the Bible and proper doctrine.
2007-07-12 17:13:16 · answer #7 · answered by Bob T 6 · 2⤊ 2⤋
They meet many of the requirements for a cult. If I were you, I would run in the other direction. If you insist on remaining Pentecostal, stick to the Church of God, Pentecostal Holiness, or Assemblies of God.
2007-07-12 17:10:55 · answer #8 · answered by NONAME 7 · 1⤊ 3⤋
Go where you can find fellowship. It wasn't the UPCI who saved you.
2007-07-12 17:11:52 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
they turned on you in a vicious way...and you're suprised?
the UPCI is a cult.
go find a church that worships God and not a pastor.
2007-07-12 17:13:11 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋