The United Pentecostal Church International is the largest Apostolic Pentecostal denomination in the world. The Church came about through a merger of the former Pentecostal Church and the Incorporated and Pentecostal Assemblies of Jesus Christ.
Formed in 1945, the UPCI has been one of the most rapidly growing Christian organizations. With nearly five thousand churches in the United States alone, the Church has about thirty-five thousand churches outside of North America.
The theology of the UPCI is a mixture of Apostolic, Holiness, Pentecostal, and Oneness doctrine, and the Church polity is both Congregational and Presbyterian.
As most UPCI constituent members were Oneness Pentecostals who had withdrawn from the Assemblies of God in 1916, and the doctrinal views of the UPCI reflect the majority of the beliefs of the Holiness-Pentecostal movement, except that they understand Holiness to be an aspect of God's salvation of a person rather than the result of a subsequent work of grace.
The Oneness viewpoint of the UPCI holds that God revealed Himself as Jehovah in the Old Testament, and as Jesus Christ in the New Testament, while the Holy Ghost is the Spirit of God and the resurrected Christ. They dispute the concept of God in three persons, with distinct centers of consciousness in the Godhead. In the spirit of the Oneness message, baptism is carried out in the name of Jesus only.
The United Pentecostal Church International holds that the Bible is the inerrant and infallible Word of God and the sole source for a proper understanding of God. The Church rejects the authority of all extrabiblical writings or revelations, such as creeds or articles of faith.
As a Pentecostal church, the UPCI teaches that speaking in tongues is the initial outward evidence of the infilling of the Holy Spirit, fulfilling the commandment of Christ to be "born of the Spirit." According to UPCI doctrine, the initial act of speaking in tongues is separate from the fruit of the Spirit, which takes time to develop.
As a Holiness church, the UPCI holds that salvation is attained by grace through faith in Christ and that this faith is combined with obedience to Christ's command to be baptized and filled with the Spirit. Inward holiness is expected to be accompanied by outward signs of holiness. The Church teaches that believers should live a life that is Christlike.
The Church holds to conservative dress codes, including gender roles. Women are discouraged from cutting their hair or wear pants, while men should not grow their hair long. Men and women should dress modestly, without adorning themselves with jewelry or cosmetics.
Ministers of the Church are permitted to marry and to have children. The Church considers homosexuality to be in opposition to Biblical authority and opposes same-sex marriage. Heterosexual conduct outside of marriage are also opposed.
The basic Church polity of the UPCI is Congregational, in that local churches are autonomous. They call their own pastors and other leaders, own their own property, and determine local budgets and membership policies.
However, the central organization of the UPCI is largely Presbyterian. Pastors of the Church meet in sectional, district, and general conferences to conduct the business of the Church and to elect officers. The highest authority of the UPCI is the annual General Conference. Between General Conferences, a General Superintendent conducts the business of the Church.
The United Pentecostal Church International operates the Urshan Graduate School of Theology, the only Oneness Pentecostal seminary accredited by the Association of Theological Schools. The UPCI also operates Urshan College, a Christian liberal arts college that was originally known as Gateway College of Evangelism.
The focus of this category is on the United Pentecostal Church International. Websites representing the denomination, its sections, divisions, and conferences, as well as affiliated missions, publishing arms, organizations, and corporations are appropriate for this category. Those representing local churches should be submitted to the Local & Global category that corresponds to the geographical location of the church, however.
Recommended Resources
Building the Bridge Ministries
Formed in 1974, the ministry is an outreach of the United Pentecostal Church International to the black communities of North America. Its history, vision, and team are identified, along with prayer requests, information about the needs of the program, and the ability to contribute to its work. Other resources include a description of its urban church planting services and a calendar of programs and events.
http://dev.buildingthebridgeministries.com/
The official magazine of the United Pentecostal Church International began publishing in 2018, replacing the Pentecostal Herald, which had been founded in 1945. The focus of the magazine is on the ministers and laity of the United Pentecostal Church International, published for the purpose of strengthening the hands of Apostolic pastors and encouraging believers. Subscriptions may be made online, and feature articles are available.
https://www.pentecostallife.com/
The official publishing arm of the United Pentecostal Church International specializes in publishing Oneness Apostolic Pentecostal materials, supplying Apostolic churches with doctrinally sound books, literature, and other materials, including curriculum, church supplies, prayer products, and downloadable resources. A catalog of available products is featured, and purchases may be made online or through an order form.
https://www.pentecostalpublishing.com/
United Pentecostal Church International
The UPCI is a Oneness Pentecostal denomination with congregations and ministers throughout the world. The official denominational website presents a history and a profile of the Christian body, general information about Oneness Pentecostalism, and its leadership structure. Its ministries and missions are outlined, and a directory of UPCI districts and member churches are included. Its magazines and publications are also discussed.
https://www.upci.org/
United Pentecostal Church of Australia
UPCA is affiliated with the United Pentecostal Church International, with congregations throughout the world. The UPCA was established in Australia in 1953 and represents member churches throughout the country. Its history, foundations, and ministries are highlighted, along with a calendar of conferences, camps, and other events. Member churches may be located on an interactive map of Australia, or by region.
https://www.upca.org.au/
United Pentecostal Church of Canada
Affiliated with the United Pentecostal Church International, the UPCC represents member churches and ministries in Canada, which are organized into eight districts that correspond to provinces or regions of Canada. Its districts and leadership are introduced, with contacts, and its annual conference is highlighted, with online registration. Other resources include video, photographs, and other media, as well as links to associated information.
http://www.upcc.ca/
Established as Gateway College of Evangelism in 1966, the school was acquired by Urshan Graduate School of Theology in 2012 and is affiliated with the United Pentecostal Church International. Offering Associate of Arts and Bachelor of Arts programs, as well as various certificate programs, its admissions policies, academic programs, course schedules, a calendar of events, and distance learning programs are defined.
https://urshancollege.org/
Urshan Graduate School of Theology
Affiliated with the United Pentecostal Church International, UPCI is a Oneness Pentecostal seminary, although students are not required to be members of the UPCI. Its mission, values, honor code, accreditation status, and endorsements are published to the site, along with its academic and degree programs, course and school schedules, distance learning program, alumni resources, and admission policies.
https://ugst.edu/
