This page will be treated in the same manner as the one involving the
Oneness/Trinity debate. It is provided to supply links to both United Pentecostal
Church (UPC) writings and those of similar or differing beliefs. It should
be noted that most churches which call themselves 'apostolic' hold the same
main beliefs on salvation as the UPC.
Baptism in Jesus' name as a requirement for salvation is an important doctrine
of the United Pentecostal Church. Most UPC members would tell you that one
is not saved unless they are baptized in Jesus' name by full water immersion
even if they are "filled with the Holy Spirit with the initial evidence of
speaking in tongues" (another salvational UPC teaching). My former UPC pastor
taught if you were baptized in any other manner, all you did was get wet.
The United Pentecostal Church teaches that in the act of baptism a person's
sins are remitted or washed away and therefore baptism is essential in order
to be saved. In addition, they teach that:
--- baptism must be by full water immersion
--- the name of Jesus must be spoken in baptism
The omission of either of these would result in the believer being lost.
The teaching that sins are remitted in baptism is referred to by some as
baptismal regeneration. Other groups which teach similar include Catholicism,
Mormonism and Jehovah's Witnesses.
In contrast, most Christian organizations teach that water baptism should
be performed by saying "in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of
the Holy Ghost" as written in Matthew 28:19. These other denominations vary
as to the mode by either sprinkling, pouring or immersing in water. While
most teach a believer should be baptized, the majority do not teach it as
salvational.
Should a believer be baptized? Is baptism salvational? Are sins forgiven
during the act of baptism? Is it a part of the Gospel? Does the Bible teach
that it should be done only by full water immersion? Are we to be baptized
saying the name of Jesus or Father, Son, and Holy Ghost? Does either really
matter?
Below is a video example of a United Pentecostal Church water baptism.
Below are links to various writings on the subject, stating several perspectives.
Included under the UPC view are writings from other groups which believe
likewise, at least in part.Therefore all are not representative of
their view.
* Denotes the article
is posted directly on this site, with all others being links.
