Wow. My family left the UPCI in December 2023 and it was one of the hardest decisions I have made, but am so thankful we did. Watching Alicia’s testimony has brought tears to my eyes numerous times watching this as I can relate to SO much of what she experienced. And if not the same thing exactly, the same emotions. Praise God for His truth that truly sets us free! Thank you for this ministry. 😭
If you would like resources to help you on this difficult journey, just reach out and I can recommend some to you (books, blogs, YT channels, online support groups...). My email: deannajonorton@gmail.com
I was 4th generation UPC and as a teenager in the 70’s I remember a man in my church who almost every church service going to the altar and begging for the Holy Ghost. I couldn’t understand why he didn’t get it if it is required to go to heaven. I grew up in so much fear and anxiety. I went to the movie theater one night and as I was sitting there all of a sudden I thought the rapture had just happened and I was left behind. I couldn’t breath and I ran out of the theater and called a cousin of mine because there was no way she’d be left behind. I now know I was in the midst of a panic attack. This happened many times in my life. If my dad was late getting home from work, or if someone wasn’t where they were supposed to be panic would set in. I’m so thankful that God loved me so much he showed me His amazing love. I don’t have that fear of going to hell because of some unconfessed sin or a standard that I’m not following. I love God now more than I ever did in the UPC church. The shame and fear that is instilled in people by so many in this denomination is overwhelming. Thank you Alicia and Deanna Jo ❤ ❤
I’m so glad God brought you in his marvelous light after being so afraid so much. It sure feels amazing to understand grace and find peace in him. 😊 Yes, like you, I also saw other people struggle to speak in tongues too. Such a sad process when it’s supposed to be good news!
Thank you Deanna Jo for hosting Alicia. And thank you Alicia for your testimony. I have been in an Apostolic Pentecostal Church for only 3 years. I am contemplating leaving. When I stumbled across your channel and listened for only a few minutes I started bawling. And I am not a cryer. I know now that I have been deceived. They influenced me in believing that if you were not baptized in Jesus name and then spoke in tongues that you were not saved. And I asked them so does that mean my entire family is not saved? And they said yes. They brought me in with sincere loving kindness and friendship. Something I desperately needed. They told me I needed to be baptized again because I didn't have the Holy Ghost. I am 58 years old and I thought I had always had the Holy Ghost. I was searching for truth and I thought I had found it in the Apostolic faith. I slowly learned the truth over time. I am embarrassed to come out of it. Because I jumped in with both feet. I didn't cut my hair, stopped wearing makeup and jewelry. And I work in health care, so when I started wearing uniform skirts I got a lot of strange looks and still do. But if I go back to uniform pants I'm going to look like a fool.
Don't be embarrassed. You are certainly not alone in being pulled in and then realizing you don't really agree with them. You wanted a close relationship with God and friends, which are both wholesome normal things to desire. It's not easy to make close friends as an adult. The UPC is very convinced of their doctrine and make a compelling case for it. They are also very good at love bombing people in, and when you're lonely, it seems really appealing to have an instant close community and friends. Unfortunately, it usually doesn't last if you don't follow their teachings. They do sincerely believe they are the only ones saved, and many will distance themselves from you if you don't wholeheartedly agree with them. But thank goodness they are not. The family of God is so much bigger than Oneness Pentecostals. If you find a new church to attend and decide to make some outward changes, you can always do it gradually so it doesn't seem so noticeable. I honestly find that people in families and at workplaces are very understanding and compassionate if you are just honest with them about looking into the beliefs further and finding you no longer believe scripture supports them. Many times, the ones who love you are just relieved. I'm sorry you ever thought your believing family members were unsaved because of their baptismal formula or lack of speaking in tongues. That must have been heart wrenching. Keeping you in my prayers, Jana. I know this is difficult. ❤
Wow Jana I can totally relate to you as I have been in a UPCI church for almost 3 yrs now. I was formally in a non denominational church but felt I needed more, like a more deep understanding. I found a church after an online search and it looked like what I was looking for. I never even heard of UPCI before until I joined this church. Never heard about skirts only and such, this was all completely new to me. I changed everything, no pants, no makeup, no jewelry. But now after almost 3 yrs I’m beginning to see things that I don’t agree with like you have said as well. I asked the same question about the rest of my Christian family not being saved because of the baptism they received. I got my family into this church and now I want out and I’m trying to figure out how and where would I go. I feel just like you do. Thanks for sharing.
So much of this was so relatable. Thank you Deanna Jo and Alicia for this conversation. From your sister in the Lord, who has also come to know that salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone! Amen!
Deanna Jo. Another great testimony. Alicia. Thank you for sharing your story. Your authenticity and love for God is very apparent. I’m grateful for your message touching many lives. Keep being you.
Was in UPC almost 5 years and felt like I belonged for a few months just to find out that I didn’t follow their legalism and was shunned for it. I have other horror stories as well but I’m glad to be out soon.
I’m so sorry you were shunned. In the long run it was probably better off as it moved you out of their influence more quickly. There’s nothing like trying to please a people that will only ever see you as godly as long as you do everything they say. 😢
I am Apostolic also. Not by birth, but God led my husband and I to the church when we were 21. 67 now. I had to go against the way my entire family had taught me as a child. They believed differently so I was somewhat shunned by family. I have never heard of horror stories, but I did adhere by the dress code and the not cutting of hair for a decade and half. I continue to dress modest but do not follow the rules of man. I had a lot of praying to do over that. I quit worrying about what man thought, only God. Sounds like you've left the church, but if you have repented, been baptized and filled with the Holy Ghost never let go of that! No one can take that experience from me, not even those who may not agree on the other non-doctrinal issues of the church. I refuse to go against the salvation I once received. I had to come to the realization there are many churches who do not do everything just right, they add to and also take away from the WORD. I am not into the modern-day church where anything goes. Drinking and eating in service, women and men dressing provocatively on the platform, etc. This is where I believe we must pray to work out our individual salvation. May God bless you and be blessed wherever HE leads you.
This is why many have caused lil one's to stumble and use threats, excommunication, exhalting themselves above Christ Jesus our Lord and Saviour for one reason- They have not learned from Christ Jesus our Lord and Saviour. These teachings and doctrines are always relabeled and sadly, many do peddle The Word for greedy gain Making merchandise out of their follower's. It's nothing more than a business for many deceitful worker's that prey on the weak, poor, widows and fatherless. It's been exposed and continues to be exposed in many different religious organization's-denominations. Thankful for Christ Jesus our Lord and Saviour setting captives free INDEED! Rooted in Christ Jesus and not the teachings and doctrines of men, deceiving spirits that teach and preach another gospel and another Jesus.
Alicia thank you so much for sharing your story. This is so important for others to hear. Your voice matters. Thank you Deanna Jo for providing this place for people to share their stories.
Wonderful interview. What great strength you have to speak on your experience. Also wonderful that you have been able to find peace and find the truth about the Gospel after many years. Continue on the path you are on and become a voice for the many. 🙏🏾💪🏾
I live in Michigan. Born and raised here. I spent almost 10 years in UPC churches. I loved the worship and word. Didn't have many friends in church but maybe that's a good thing. I am blind, so I constantly endured prayers for healing, people putting their hands on my eyes, but those same people barely spoke to me. I felt there was a lot of stuck up people in the church. I could tell you ladies stories though... In the faith. I still don't regret leaving. Found your video, I like the conversation you are sharing. And the stories. And the truths. Thank you for sharing your stories/experiences. I know I'm not the only one appreciating you ladies.a
I had a dream - rather it's from God or not I don't know. I was in an AoG church and I saw a UPCI man going around imposing his standards.. I heard a voice say "I think he is a bigot". That's a real dream too
So many people can relate with your story Alicia I’m one of them, Thank you so much for sharing your story and Thank you Deanna for this channel it’s helped bring healing and understanding and hope to the hearts of a lot of people❤
That particular church has caused sooooo much fear and pain for people it’s disgusting! I have a similar experience but with healing and so I really empathize with your pain 😢 big hugs for sharing your testimony with boldness ❤
Your testimony was touching and heartfelt. 😢 I believe in a God who Is just. I believe the scripture that says, if you seek me you will find me. You sought, you searched, this is your walk with Christ. You absolutely love Jesus and he loves you. THANK YOU! We all have individual walks with our Lord. He does not create clones. Thank you for this post. I truly enjoyed it. God bless you ladies.
Yes! This was me, I questioned things so much because I’ve always been an avid reader and researcher and so much I was taught simply did not make sense. I had no desire for the world, I just believed from what I was studying that this relationship with God was actually so much simpler than was pushed. I binged this channel like I was starving to death I couldn’t believe there were other people searching as well! I’d meant to send Deanna just a paragraph of thanks but it ended up being multiple pages! 💜💜💜
Alicia, I am so sorry to hear of all the pain you have experienced. Those of who grew up from birth or little child can only understand what it's truly like. Thank you so much for your story. This is the BEST leaving the UPCI video I have ever seen, so much information. God Bless and Keep you. He is so gracious and merciful.
I’m glad and sad for you at the same time. Glad you can relate and feel validated in your own experiences, but sad that you went through something very similar.
Beautiful Alicia! Your spirit is truly beautiful. You had me crying a few times myself. Your story so resonates with me. I didn’t struggle with tongues as long as you, but it definitely took me a few years to “seek after it”. You truly are a strong Christian woman, who will teach her daughter the correct way to grow up in Christ. Your joy and the fruits of the spirit working through you are so tangible just watching you on this video. Much love and big hugs from me and may God continue to bless you on your journey!❤
Fantastic Alicia and Deanna Jo!! Loved your Message Alicia!! Thank you Deanna Jo for doing videos like this!! May God Bless you Both Abundantly Beyond Measure!!!
I’m really surprised at the number of former UPCI members who admit they never spoke in tongues. Had to have been torment. I definitely did but still there was no assurance of salvation
Yup, and now today at the release of my video there have been more messaging me to tell me their similar stories. It’s extremely sad. I now truly wonder how many backslide out of this very issue, but the church is sitting there assuming it’s because people just don’t want to live for God. Like you said you did speak in tongues, but still had no assurance…I’m so sorry. Can you imagine truly how many sad fearful people are sitting on the pew at this time in their lives wondering why they can’t find peace? 😢
I have never had this type of heavy yoke, pastors people who are supposed to, lead us into pastures. But I've had these thoughts I need to prove to God I love him, 🙏 sense of others being more loved then me. I've been spiritually abused to a small degree. This is terrible 😔 but there's hope now, you have the truth Dianna to, hope iam spelling your name ok 😊God bless you for your channel. Sharing your story to I listened to your testimony, your upc church experience. Glad your out of it. I pray your healing up, when you have those dark times, Jesus is your light. Amen 🙌🙏
Dear Jesus help us be delivered from the heavy yoke of bondage of legalism. This woman is amazing to open her heart, share her story. I was crying I could feel her sadness, but she is a voice as are you Diana because you speak up for many struggling years of PTSD, trauma from these terrible doctrines, teachings. I pray you all heal, anyone that has suffered whatever Jesus loves you. He says my yoke is easy and my burden is light. ❤❤😢
I’m so sorry to hear you were affected this way too, Brent. It’s a super hard thing to experience especially when the grace of God is so easy. I think anger is a natural reaction, and it does take time to work through. If you can think of it as being taught to you not out of deception but out of true belief it may help a little. A LITTLE. God bless you, Brent. Alicia
Omg! Almost every single thing you said, is what I've experienced. It's amazing how much many of us have in common that have either left the UPC or Apostolic church. I feel for you because I was also very afraid of God and being judged. I was so joyful with you when you mentioned how great it felt to be free! Oh, yes, I quite agree! That was the best moment for me knowing that Christ loves me and I don't have to do anything to earn his love! This just blows my mind! lAnd it has nothing to do with dress or works. He loves me just because! Thank you for sharing your story, it truly was a comfort and blessing to me. 🙏😊
I’m so sorry to hear you also experienced this and could relate so well. It’s truly sad to know just how many of us were hurt by the church’s teachings when it shouldn’t be this way. And just imagine…we only know the tip of the ice burg. 🫣 I’m so thankful you have understood God’s Grace and found freedom in him too! God bless you!
Excellent interview/testimonial!!! I'm in total agreement with, Alicia. This Holiness, as they want to call, but what they are really stressing is, Standards and must be followed to be acceptable unto, God. But they themselves differ on what is considered, Holiness, as has been brought out here in this interview. But, they have a Liability Agreement amongst them. When you become a licensed preacher/pastor, you sign an agreement that you won't speak against or call upon another Pastor's view/Standards in "his" church, since this could cause attention and division within and then eventually a Split!. That alone is so disturbing to me. That is saying to me their views of Holiness is more important than what the Word says on the matter. They are counting on you to take their word for it along with throwing at you, Heb. 13. All this, "Cherry Picking" of Scriptures is very convincing to the unlearned. Please study the Word to see if things are so. Well done you two!!!!
Thank you BOTH, Deanna Jo and Alicia, for speaking out! I am certain that you have both helped many by ‘speaking out’, and taking on the risk of being looked down upon and perhaps even ridiculed! ❤❤
@@ResponsibleFaith Anybody who knows God knows that the UPC is a biblical truth-preaching church. so sad that some people get sidetracked either by their own ways or by the devil...... dont give up your eternity depends on it.
@@dwayneoneil689 ”Anybody who knows God knows that the UPC is a biblical truth-preaching church.” This might be news to you but there’s a lot of people that I’ve talked to who know God but have never heard of the UPC. The UPC members won’t be the only Christians in heaven. Your eternity depends on it too. Hopefully, you have researched the Bible on the topics the UPC teaches. Your works are not going to save you and don’t make you a superior Christian.
“…. but I couldn’t find him because of my church’s teaching.” 😞 The most wonderful part is, He loved us through it all. Thank you ladies. This was an excellent video!!
I was part of the organization for almost 30 years. I have been out for 7 it was very hard to leave because its all I knew, It has been a journey to say the least. However I do not regret leaving. I am thankful to God that when I decided to leave I knew I didn’t leave God. And he didn’t leave me.
Not bashing the upci. I grew up in it and I admit that I never really looked too closely at the scriptures until I came across this channel. I’ve searched the book of acts and I noticed something. I noticed that there are only a few times recorded (out of all the instances recorded) where people spoke in tongues when they received the Holy Spirit. Now, if speaking in tongues was the true initial evidence of receiving the Holy Spirit, wouldn’t the author have mentioned this detail consistently EVERY time he recorded people receiving the Holy Spirit? 🤔 I feel I’m slowly having to re-learn everything and search through the scriptures for myself. I can’t wait to check out Alicia’s book soon 🩷
My old church would have said he’s under a different covenant, so speaking in tongues wouldn’t have applied to him. However, I now can see where salvation is by belief in the Old and New Testament. 😊
@@DM-gu9ik- he was under a different covenant, but covenants don’t save you. The Gospel was given to Abraham, and there’s not a different Gospel for us. Salvation is by faith in the Old & New Testaments. 🎯Romans 4:5, 11 ⚓️To the one who doesn’t work, but trusts God their faith is credited as righteousness. Seal of righteousness he (Abraham) had by faith. 🎯Romans 10:8-🩷 ⚓️Word is near you in your heart and in your mouth…Jesus is Lord…believe in your heart…declare with your mouth - Jesus is Lord and was raised from the dead, you will be saved. ⚓️With your heart you believe and are justified, and with your mouth you profess your faith and are saved. Anyone who believes will not be put to shame. ⚓️Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. 🎯John 10:12 ⚓️To those who received him, to those who believe in his name, he gave the right to become children of God. 🎯John 3:16 ⚓️Whosever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 🎯John 5:24🩷 ⚓️Whoever hears my words and believes has eternal life & will not be judged, but has crossed over from death to life. 🎯John 6:29 ⚓️The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent. 🎯John 7:38- ⚓️Whoever believes in me, rivers of living water will flow from within them. By this he meant the Spirit ⚓️By this he meant the Spirit whom those who believed in him were to receive. 🎯Galations 3: - ⚓️2 do you receive the Spirit by works, or by believing what you heard? ⚓️3 are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh? ⚓️6 Abraham believed God, and it was credited as righteousness. ⚓️7 Those who have faith are children of Abraham. God would justify by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham. 🎯Ephesians 1:13🩷 ⚓️You were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit. 🎯Ephesians 3- ⚓️When kindness and love of God appeared, he saved us not by righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. Saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ. 🎯I John 4:13-🩷 ⚓️This is how we know we live in him and he in us: He has given us his Spirit. ⚓️we testify the Father has sent the Son to be the Savior of the world. ⚓️If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God. ⚓️So we know and rely on the love God has for us. 🎯I John 5:1-🩷 ⚓️Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God. ⚓️Our faith is the victory that overcomes the world. ⚓️Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God. ⚓️:13 And this is the testimony God has given us eternal life: whosoever has the Son has life; and whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. 🎯 I John 1 & 2 ⚓️ Blood of Jesus purifies us from sin, confession of sins he forgives them, purified from all unrighteousness. 🎯Acts 15:9 ⚓️he purifies the heart by faith. 🎯Hebrews 10:10 ⚓️we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ.
Alicia, 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 I was totally riveted to your testimony. It was heartbreaking to know you lived 40 yrs of your life feeling rejected by God when nothing could’ve been farther from the truth. I didn’t grow up UPC but my best childhood friend did. In Southern Mississippi there’s a UPC Church on just about every corner. Because of my familiarity with the UPC, I’ve always had a fascination with them. I grew up a little Southern Baptist girl who was saved at age 7. My first experience with Pentecost was a few years later going to hear my friend’s mama preach in a UPC Church. I was mesmerized from the start… the music, God’s presence, a woman preacher. It was then I knew there was more to God than what I had experienced thus far in my life. With that said, please know my comments are coming from a place of love and fondness for the UPC people, not of criticism. Alicia is 💯 correct in her statement that equating the gift of tongues with salvation is false doctrine. They are two separate experiences that can happen years apart during the salvation journey. Same with water baptism. Yet somehow the UPC has created a “trinity” of salvation steps. Ironic, huh? Let’s look at the thief on the cross. He neither spoke in tongues or was water baptized, yet Jesus met his plea for forgiveness with “This day you shall be with me in paradise.” I can assure anyone who is reading this that Jesus’ blood is enough to wash away every sin. To say it takes more than His blood is a slap in His face. Faith alone in Christ alone is all it takes to be born again. Water baptism is important as it shows the believer’s commitment to follow Christ. It symbolizes dying to the old man and being raised up to a new man, but it doesn’t save anyone. Only the blood of Christ can do that. “Without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sins”. Heb. 9:22 The 12 disciples of Christ are proof-positive that you can follow Christ without tongues and still be saved. What if they had died before the day of Pentecost? Never mind their love and devotion to Christ. Never mind that He literally called them to follow Him. “No tongues? Off to Hell you go.” No! A thousand times NO!!! They were just as saved before they received the Holy Ghost as they were afterwards. That goes for the whole 120 in the Upper Room. And that goes for anyone throughout the past 2,000 years who has called upon the name of the Lord in true repentance. “Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Romans 10:13. Notice that verse does NOT say “Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord, get baptized in Jesus name and receive the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in other tongues shall be saved.” If salvation was three separate components like the UPC teaches, we would find that repeated in scripture over and over, but it’s simply not there. And you can’t base an entire doctrine like salvation on an isolated verse like Acts 2:38. Peter was addressing the Jews in that verse because they rejected Jesus as Messiah. Scripture confirms scripture. You cannot make it say what it doesn’t say, although you can do a whole lot of twisting. That still doesn’t make it the truth. The clearest passage on salvation is Romans 10:9-10, “that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, YOU WILL BE SAVED 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” Not one word is said about water baptism or tongues. Same with John 3:16. This oughta have some of you shouting right about now, especially if you have based your salvation on UPC doctrine instead of scripture, and like Alicia, found yourself broken and living in constant fear. That is NOT the will of God for anyone. It’s time to set aside what you’ve been “taught” and get into the Bible for yourself. I know it’s scary to even go there if UPC is all you’ve ever known. But think of all the people who have left the UPC because they never received “tongues” even though they were water baptized and loved God. They missed one of the three steps so according to UPC doctrine, they weren’t really saved and were in danger of eternal hellfire should they die. Years of that thinking could drive a person to lose their mind because of the constant fear and torment. Let me say this LOUD AND CLEAR regarding those who walked away from God. Their blood is on your hands if they quit serving God because some preacher or Sunday School teacher told them they weren’t really saved because they didn’t speak in tongues. GOD HELP YOU for believing and spreading such a falsehood. Your heart should break for the ones like Alicia and others who spent years, decades, of their lives feeling rejected by God. These things ought not to be. I praise God for Alicia’s testimony and for Deanna Jo’s page. My prayer is that God will use them to open blinded eyes and that God would grant those who are secretly questioning, ears to hear. Only the TRUTH can set you truly free.
Thank you so very much for this comment. You definitely took time to type this all out, and I can tell you are coming from a place of love, but are also very direct and clear - which is beautiful! I liked your comment so much I’ve screen shot it to save. Thank you! Alicia 😊
Excellent video! After leaving upci back in 2014, I have learned more about God in a more sincere, more loving savior.... I appreciate the Lord so much for his mercy and his grace
Same general experience for me with the tongues issue. The UPCI has confusing teaching about tongues. I can definitely relate to Alicia’s remark about feeling rejected by God because of not being able to speak in tongues. It’s really soul crushing and damaging to your self concept.
This is probably my favorite interview by far. She is such a gem! I cried throughout especially about the encanto movie because I had the same exact experience/thoughts. I also binge watched all of your videos Deanna and feel comfort when you post. Me and my husband are just getting out, (it's been a few months) and my family is rejecting us in many ways. My small children are hurting because their grandparents don't want them around, but I am so happy to get them away from error, fearful religion, and let them live a normal childhood before it's gone. Thank you ladies!
Oh, I’m so sorry you had to be in a place you related so well. How sad. I’m sure God’s heart is so tender towards those of us who have been hurt so badly by people twisting his word. Yes, Encanto…😅 So now when I watch it, Mirabel still makes tears come to my eyes, but it’s out of thankfulness knowing not only did she find her place within her family, but also so did I! I see you are experiencing such pain since your exit from the church. I’m sorry for that. Maybe one day your family will come around as they get used to the idea that you aren’t going back just to appease them. God bless you and your family. 🙏
I'm so sorry to hear of this rejection of your children. It's sad to see how a doctrine can turn people against each other. I may not know who you are, but God does, I will pray for your family. I've been out 16plus year's after being born into it, my family is deep. My brother is a licensed Children's Church minister.
Yes! Certain things are eye opening after being raised in it. So much emphasis on tongues… what about the cross? So much emphasis on the 3 step salvation but what He did was talked about way less.
The largest Pentecostal Fellowship is The Assemblies of God. They allow speaking in tongues but do not claim that speaking in tongues is required for salvation
I just started attending the UPC Church but I don't wear dresses but I don't dress like a man either this I have found over the years in different churches that lacked the love of God which causes people to leave is stipulations that cause people to feel condemned. In other words what I mean is the love of God is not there to back up the stipulation the love of God should be there and that person should feel accepted not condemned and as long as they don't come in looking like a woman off the street I'm talking about week after week feeling condemned should not be coming from that person they should not feel condemned in the atmosphere of the church that's the way I see it and that's the only way that I would leave is if I started feeling condemnation that just will not leave
Well, salvation then becomes works , and so many Cults like United Pentecostal, Mormonism SDA, Jehovah Witnesses and on and on and on they have a works based salvation.
I want to leave UPCI but having difficulty . They are trying to destroy my marriage because my husband is a great man of God and left UPCI. As you know they thinks he going to hell now. They tell me God is first and don’t let him drag you to hell. So many things wrong at UPCI.
Is he living in the world or just left the upc for another church? Also salvation is only through Jesus Christ not a specific denomination. Those fear tactics they use are not of God. Read the Word for yourself and pray about the situation.
UPC claims to be the one true church like Jehovah Witnesses/Mormons/Roman Catholicism but the truth is according to the book of Revelation scripture reads:::: The True Church of the Living GOD are those whose Robes are WASH in the Blood of The Lamb ❤ Has nothing to do with Religious Institutions Organizations nor Denominations… Has to do with the Ecclesia the called out Assembly/King Yeshua Jesus is Head of The Church❤
Girl, you are married to your husband not the church . Leave and be happy with your marriage and the Lord. Your husband is head over you and God is over him. Follow God not a denomination ❤
That would be an encouraging presentation for so many people. Doctrinal error manifests itself within the basic beliefs of so many Christian organisations. In hindsight, I would encourage people to be more open minded and possibly place a question mark over "religions" who say to you once you are a member..."don't listen to anyone else, we have all the truth you need". Read the bible and take the verses of scripture in context. It may be a long drawn out experience, as it was in Alicia's case, but the end result was very satisfactory.
Yes, you are right. It’s definitely not just Pentecostals. Understanding the word of God IS SO IMPORTANT, and I do definitely wished I could have trusted myself a lot sooner. God has been good though, and I pray to help as many as I can to know him better. 😊
It's not about works, I learned that the hard way. I just gave up went back into the world. I thought I was unsaleable. I got filled with the holy Ghost one night all by myself in the backyard in a holiday trailer. I was instantly transformed and God has revealed lots to me since then and this happened in 2018. Right after that I believe Satan tried to kill me with a big truck 3 different times within a month and I literally screamed out after the third time rebuking the devil. I would pray and fast and ask God questions for hours every day for months why the church was so messed up. He literally spoke to me and told me read Jeremiah. It's in there and the outcome is not good. Three churches asked me to leave since then. I told them the truth, they said better find a different church.
How sad to think you were unsealable when it happens when you believe. I’m sorry you went through that, but am happy to hear you found your footing in God. 😊
The truth of the matter is according to the book of Revelation the true apostolic church the Ecclesia the called assembly….Scripture reads / The True Church of the Living GOD are those whose Robes are WASH in the Blood of The Lamb❤ Has nothing to do with Religious Institutions Organizations nor Denominations… just dialoguing
Have you read the full Bible through? Have you taken time to stop focusing on the upc church and focus solely on the Bible. I go to a upc church and I will tell you that I am not there getting forced to do anything. I agree that many upc churches are out of order however the foundational message of the Holy Spirit, baptism, and tongues are very real. I do not need upc or any religion to show me that. I could leave the upc church today and still see that baptism in the name of Jesus Christ and being filled with the Holy Spirit is needed to be saved. Because I don’t trust others and what they just bluntly educate me with I take time to learn what ALL say. Where I don’t fault you for leaving something that didn’t work out for you I would say you need to spend more time in the word of God for yourself. We should never go to ANY church without studying what is being taught, upc or not.
You are questioning that’s why you are watching and commenting on this video. It’s okay I know you think you are defending the UPC but if you really felt that way this video wouldn’t be in your algorithm 😂😂
It's actually my reading the Bible that allowed me the freedom to leave. You can load up the Oneness vs. Triniterian debates here on TH-cam if you want to hear all the arguments - spoiler it's one big circles favoring either/or bias opinion. After reading the Bible there is nothing about dresses/pants, shorts, haircuts, etc. If you want to be technical about it then women should be veiled when prophesying in a UPCI. Ask a minister why that isn't the case then the answer is "well those are the customs of that time" then you if logical will ask why isn't today customs women wearing pants. The Methodist Asbury revival was one of the largest revivals ever in the U.S. that occurred recently - like last year. I heard people in the UPCI talking about it (on stage, the preacher himself), and yet no has ever thought to ask themselves why God drop down in a Trinitieran church? The ones with the false teaching... At least to the UPCI/Oneness click. I mean if you (UPCI) got the hole truth then you should be the only way. That is unless your truth is incomplete. Maybe God can save more than you give credit? Then you got to question your doctrine and stance if it's complete or not. The Church of God, the AoG, etc. They all speak in tongues and the Holy Spirit is there too. God shows up with people wearing shorts, and baseball caps, and women wearing pants speak in tongues/drive out demons. Go to a UPCI church wearing that gear and you will get condemned and told not in truth (some say God would never be in "that" (pants)). So God is good with x having shorts/pants but not y? Inst that against the very nature of God - respecter of persons?. It means lost credibility. That's damaging. Lastly, back up, what if God the creator of all flesh is over at the other churches too. It make sense to be king over all things - as a king of kings. If all things were truly made for him and by him, you got to question such things. Why does God do this and this too? Maybe you theology is wrong? Keep in mind the Azusa Street Revival is fairly event recent too - late 1800 or early 1900s or something. Before that there only Protestant vs Catholics in Europe and/or Eastern Orthodox which you openly condemn for not "being in the truth". Having tongues doesn't make you better than them as God is still with them which is clearly seen in the recent METHODIST Asbury revivial. People leave the UPCI for lots of reasons. One is forced standards that apparently don't bother God. The UPCI did rarely any community service when I was there and was some what self centered. The Church of God is very active in the community and did things with the homeless and the UPCI is concerned with pants/dresses and long hair. The the Methodist church pays low income peoples bills - how many UPCI/oneness churches have such funds for the public? Each of you have their own relationship/sacrifice and each church places it on the alter. If you want to wear dresses as your sacrifice then fine, don't condemn the dude who gives up is evenings handing out food to the homeless - I'm sure you are not. Baptism is nice but here is the thing, you can't work yourself into heaven. If you could then you wouldn't need Jesus Christ. It's a revelation - God said we prophesy in part..... So you (UPCI) have a revelation (Oneness/Baptism). The church of God has one too (good works). I would note going to houses passing gift baskets as invitations to the church isn't necessarily "good works" or acts of service - it's proselytizing (a particular view point of God).
@victoriaclarke it seems you need to read the scriptures without the UPCI’s theological doctrine. The scriptures are very clear that everyone who believes Jesus is Christ will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. John 7:37-39 “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water. But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified. John 3:3-Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. John 3:5-Jesus answered, “Most assuredly I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 1 Peter 1:23 “Having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the WORD of God which lives and abides forever. Ephesians 5:26-that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the WORD. We are begotten (born again)again through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead-1 Peter 1:3 Show me where in the scriptures it tells us explicitly that speaking in tongues is the evidence of receiving the Holy Spirit. You will not find such a scripture in the Word of God, this theology is only explained by adding to the scriptures by man’s assumptions. The scriptures do however many times say that those who believe in Jesus Christ will receive the Holy Spirit. It also explicitly says that we are born again through the Word of God. We are to be washed by the word. 1 John 1:7 also tells us that the blood of Jesus Christ washes us from all sin. You will also find this in Ephesians 1:7, Colossians 1:14, Hebrews 9:22 and Revelation 1:5 The UPCI teaches a false doctrine that makes the cross of Christ of no effect. Paul warned of people who taught of doctrines which diminished the finished work of Christ. Repent and get out of her My people less you partake of her sins.
How did you start studying for yourself? I was at a church that was in and out of the UPCI for 32 years. Spent all my time recovering from harsh messages and meetings. Absolutely dislike the altar because of how it was handled. Now I’ve been at a different UPCI church for 9 years. Everyone who comes likes it. They are good people. Due to all the hurt of the church I grew up at I don’t come across well. The current church sees me as being difficult and having rough edges. Really makes me feel even worse and ready to study and know God for myself.
The place to start is scripture. Reading scripture in context is simply making sure you read the chapter(s) surrounding the verse to get the proper meaning within context. That will tell you the who, what, when, where, and why...who the intended audience was, what was happening at the time, when and where it happened, and why certain commands were given and certain stories were told. You can even look those aspects of verses up in online concordances and timelines. I like Biblehub.org for a free online study tool.
My biggest miracle came with me reading the Bible - no church. The church folk would be against the miracle that came out of it but I know I didn't cause it to happen and nothing could have have made it happen had not God opened the doors for it. That convinced me there was a God outside the church. Church folk will say God wasn't in that (it's rather outside their viewpoint/standards). If was going to be real, I don't really want to go looking for God anymore if he wasn't in it. Especially after seeing atheists and sinners live better than me when I'm trying to do what is right
“God doesn’t send you a delusion so you’ll proclaim His name and talk about the Bible.” 👏👏👏 Great job Alicia! I enjoyed this so much. It is such an important topic that needs addressing.
Thank you very much, Lori! It really does need to be addressed. We all have our place within the body of Christ, and I’ve found mine is now to address this topic.
I want to leave my pentecostal church. We are african pentecostal. My father is a pastor very deep into the inner workings of the church. Luckily most of his family are Catholics and he left catholicism at 19. I will be leaving pentecostalism at 19, i still believe in God and the Trinity, just not pentecostal ideas
Your father’s story sounds similar to mine. My father grew up Catholic but became a born again Christian at 19 while still living in Africa. He converted to Pentecostalism. Most of my father’s family is still Catholic and my father is a pastor now. The church that my parents raised us in used to be strict on women wearing no makeup, jewelry or going to the movies but they lifted those restrictions when I was in grade school. I don’t feel denominational matter. I just feel the most important thing is acceptance Christ as your Lord and Savior. What is your main reason for leaving? I can probably help you through what you’re dealing with. I have no issues with Catholics, but the ones in our country(Cameroon) are known to be very elitist and pretentious.
@@ResponsibleFaith You can blame the UPC all you want But they preach the true gospel and God will show they were right one day what will you do then.
After coming up in this church I question my salvation daily! Every little thing you’re going to hell in a hand basket! Duet 22:5 is Old Testament but they make a doctrine out of this verse! Then they want to debunk Matthew 28:19/Acts 2:38 you don’t know if you are baptized correctly! If you’re baptized in the titles you are not truly baptized! It’s only Jesus name only! The titles also describe the Jesus! Jesus said himself Baptized in the name of the father and if the son and Holy Ghost! I don’t see what difference it makes! You are going down with the old man and coming up with the new! To me it’s ridiculous! Good for you!
Yes, so many discrepancies to sort through. I kind of joke now that I don’t know what I agree with the UPC son anymore except the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus. All else has to be studied out and relearned. 😮
That is one topic I do hope to cover, but there are some excellent resources out there on that topic (intimate partner relationships and divorce). baremarriage.com/ lifesavingdivorce.com/ www.youtube.com/@SarahMcDugal th-cam.com/video/CG0d3qYsRag/w-d-xo.html th-cam.com/video/ZuNmgkeJsf8/w-d-xo.html th-cam.com/video/UAEDc9rLBxM/w-d-xo.html
One thing that has really “hung me up” is the fact that in Acts we see a clear example of someone receiving the Holy Ghost by speaking in tongues, and it would seem that the “speaking in tongues” was the literal evidence of the event of receiving the Holy Ghost. “And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,” Acts 10:45-46 KJV Some will say, “Well it was only during that period of time, for that specific reason, etc. For those people, either you’re a cessationist, or you’re not lol. Would love to hear anyone’s thoughts regarding this topic.
Hi, Tyler. I understand your question as I had the very same one when I began studying tongues. Here is an excerpt from my story… I’m copying and pasting so it’s all going to clump together which will make it a little harder to read. I would suggest reading the whole book of Acts to get a clear picture rather than one verse. Scripture interprets scripture…
Hmmm…I’ve posted 2 more comments under this thread, but am not seeing them for some reason. I’ll give it some time, and come back later to see if they show up.
At the moment of salvation (repentance), the Holy Spirit comes to live within us. At the baptism of the Holy Ghost (tongues), He comes upon us. Thus, we have the Spirit within and the Spirit upon. Two separate things.
Jesus told the disciples to go to Jerusalem in the upper room and wait to be endued with power from upon high. There were 120 people including the mother of Jesus in that upper room. A mighty wind blew, and they all began to speak with other tongues. Many onlookers thought they were drunk. But Peter stood up and said these are not drunken as you may think, but this is the promise of the Spirit that was prophesied by the prophet Joel. He continued to say this promise is to you, your children and as many as the Lord thy God shall call. I'm glad I am one of the called ones. It is an experience that you never know how wonderful it is until you have received it yourself!
I think that we all have bad experiences. People get hurt at work, in their marriages, and in their families of origin. Presidents are hurt on social media, and great or simple we all get hurt. UPCI is a large organization with a lot of great people in it. You must not perpetrate hurt by speaking against the whole organization. We all must give an account of everything that we say. I don’t think that an entire program dedicated to leaving UPCI is Christlike.
I don’t think a false gospel is ok to teach anybody. It hurts the body of Christ, and puts a stumbling block at the feet of anybody trying to find Christ. This teaching on speaking in tongues is a whole denomination thing. So if you’re going to to say nobody should speak out because it hurts people, I say everybody should speak out because of the hurt that comes with false teachings.
😂 Oh, brother…I suggest you look up that scripture and really see who it is that is considered fallen away. When you advocate for people falling away because they left the UPC, it shows you don’t truly understand scripture, and have pulled the verse right out of context. Fear/control/fear/control. It’s the only way the UPC can keep people on their pews.
1 John 5:12 KJV He that hath the SON hath LIFE. He that hath NOT the Son of God hath NOT life. I believe wholly in the triune God - God the Father, God the Son, and God, the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit was sent by God to guide us into ALL truth. He is the one who points us to Jesus, who paid it all on the cross. Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Right now, Jesus is sitting at the right hand of God the Father. There's 3 of them, and they all do their jobs very well!
Not according to the UPC church i grew up in. In fact, if you weren’t speaking in tongues pretty much on a daily basis then you needed to question your salvation. Why should one “always” have to reach for speaking in tongues? This isn’t what the Bible says at all. What it does say is that one should pray to prophecy, and that prophecy is greater than tongues. You’ve gotten your Bible jumbled and then criticize others for not going along with your mixed up thinking.
Hi Dianna, I recently subscribe to your channel. However, after watching a few of your videos it seems you are highly focused on what is wrong with the United Pentecostal Churches. I was not raised Pentecostal and have been now for 46 years. I believe the doctrine, but like all churches the "man made" laws are secondary, and I have not followed them for a lot of years. I go to church without condemnation. I know it is not going to be a surprise to you that I have already had to unfollow you. I cannot support someone who puts this church or any church in a bad light.
I was raised in the UPCI and use my platform to share my story and offer support to those in similar situations to mine. I also offer support to those exiting the group, as my hope is that they will continue to follow Jesus. The exit can be brutal, depending on the church/pastor. You obviously don't find my channel relatable and that's ok. Not everything is meant for everyone and I am not doing this to gain followers. You don't like me presenting the UPCI in a "bad light" but sometimes the church behaves itself badly, and sweeping it under the rug and not dealing with it helps no one. FYI, if you are able to ignore the "secondary man-made" rules, consider yourself lucky. You must attend a more liberal UPCI assembly. Some UPCI pastors would never allow you to sit and worship in their congregation comfortably without screaming about their church rules every week. Don't assume your church is the norm and that your experience is everyone's.
I was raised UPC as well. I am glad you have had a wonderful experiences in the church. Not all others have though. Some have been mistreated and some have trauma. We should question and hold others accountable so we can become better. The church is full of fallible people, we must “in love” call out those who do wrong so we can all move on the right path. If that means “painting the church in a bad light” then so be it .
I’m so thankful for Deanna’s channel as she was what helped begin the process of me discovering salvation by grace after my struggle with tongues for years. Without Deanna, I very well may have still be in torment until my death whenever that is. You are definitely entitled to your opinion, but I have to say that your covering for a denomination that teaches a false salvation plan shows you yourself do not recognize and understand how detrimental the organization really is.
you tried to hard to get the holy ghost....if the rapture happened god would have made sure you got it so you wouldnt miss the rapture...its a gift and god can fill person in the very last seconds of someones life...he would not have left you without it ,,be it by rapture or death
That’s rich. So instead, live the rest of your life in miserable agony wondering if you’re saved or not. Because that’s what the Christian life is meant to be. Correct?
Are you saying God will only fill some people with the Holy Ghost right before the rapture all the while leaving them dangling in misery until then? I have to say, your view of how God works is quite sad. I’m sure he wishes you understood him better. So what about instead of the rapture, what about dying? Does this same mentality apply here? If it’s God‘s intentions to fill people with the HG (which we know it is) why would he wait until just before the rapture? “Tried hard to get the Holy Ghost”. God doesn’t make it hard to come to him. God doesn’t withhold gifts from those he loves until they are desperate. He doesn’t work like that. He isn’t cruel. Your ideas are not Biblically based sad to say, and in fact go directly against scripture.
I have to disagree. Alicia was already bloodbought. It is Jesus’ blood that cleanses us from sin, not tongues. The gift of tongues is for this life. See Jesus own words in Acts 1:8.
Why don't yall just be truthful and realize that you have slacked off in your prayer life you let yourself get weak and the world. Your flesh was pulling on you and you left
It’s hard to misunderstand something that’s been crammed into your brain over and over and over again church service after church service for 25 years. This isn’t counting special services, camps and Friday Chapel services in addition to Bible College classes. Exactly what point do you think I misunderstood? It’s easy to be vague isn’t it? My complaints make you sick? That’s pretty ironic. You know what makes me sick? The 40 years I spent in terror of God because my old denomination taught the gospel in such a distorted manner that it lays stumbling blocks at peoples feet. They will be held accountable for this, and so will you if this is the kind of doctrine of demons you pass along.
Wow. My family left the UPCI in December 2023 and it was one of the hardest decisions I have made, but am so thankful we did. Watching Alicia’s testimony has brought tears to my eyes numerous times watching this as I can relate to SO much of what she experienced. And if not the same thing exactly, the same emotions. Praise God for His truth that truly sets us free! Thank you for this ministry. 😭
If you would like resources to help you on this difficult journey, just reach out and I can recommend some to you (books, blogs, YT channels, online support groups...). My email: deannajonorton@gmail.com
This testimony is so important for those in the UPC to hear. I can relate to your experience so much. Thank you Alicia for sharing your story!
- thank you very much! It was my pleasure to share. 🙂
I was 4th generation UPC and as a teenager in the 70’s I remember a man in my church who almost every church service going to the altar and begging for the Holy Ghost. I couldn’t understand why he didn’t get it if it is required to go to heaven.
I grew up in so much fear and anxiety. I went to the movie theater one night and as I was sitting there all of a sudden I thought the rapture had just happened and I was left behind. I couldn’t breath and I ran out of the theater and called a cousin of mine because there was no way she’d be left behind. I now know I was in the midst of a panic attack.
This happened many times in my life. If my dad was late getting home from work, or if someone wasn’t where they were supposed to be panic would set in.
I’m so thankful that God loved me so much he showed me His amazing love. I don’t have that fear of going to hell because of some unconfessed sin or a standard that I’m not following.
I love God now more than I ever did in the UPC church.
The shame and fear that is instilled in people by so many in this denomination is overwhelming. Thank you Alicia and Deanna Jo ❤ ❤
Is there an altar in the UPC?
I’m so glad God brought you in his marvelous light after being so afraid so much. It sure feels amazing to understand grace and find peace in him. 😊
Yes, like you, I also saw other people struggle to speak in tongues too. Such a sad process when it’s supposed to be good news!
Thank you Deanna Jo for hosting Alicia. And thank you Alicia for your testimony. I have been in an Apostolic Pentecostal Church for only 3 years. I am contemplating leaving. When I stumbled across your channel and listened for only a few minutes I started bawling. And I am not a cryer. I know now that I have been deceived. They influenced me in believing that if you were not baptized in Jesus name and then spoke in tongues that you were not saved. And I asked them so does that mean my entire family is not saved? And they said yes. They brought me in with sincere loving kindness and friendship. Something I desperately needed. They told me I needed to be baptized again because I didn't have the Holy Ghost. I am 58 years old and I thought I had always had the Holy Ghost. I was searching for truth and I thought I had found it in the Apostolic faith. I slowly learned the truth over time. I am embarrassed to come out of it. Because I jumped in with both feet. I didn't cut my hair, stopped wearing makeup and jewelry. And I work in health care, so when I started wearing uniform skirts I got a lot of strange looks and still do. But if I go back to uniform pants I'm going to look like a fool.
Don't be embarrassed. You are certainly not alone in being pulled in and then realizing you don't really agree with them. You wanted a close relationship with God and friends, which are both wholesome normal things to desire. It's not easy to make close friends as an adult. The UPC is very convinced of their doctrine and make a compelling case for it. They are also very good at love bombing people in, and when you're lonely, it seems really appealing to have an instant close community and friends. Unfortunately, it usually doesn't last if you don't follow their teachings. They do sincerely believe they are the only ones saved, and many will distance themselves from you if you don't wholeheartedly agree with them. But thank goodness they are not. The family of God is so much bigger than Oneness Pentecostals. If you find a new church to attend and decide to make some outward changes, you can always do it gradually so it doesn't seem so noticeable. I honestly find that people in families and at workplaces are very understanding and compassionate if you are just honest with them about looking into the beliefs further and finding you no longer believe scripture supports them. Many times, the ones who love you are just relieved. I'm sorry you ever thought your believing family members were unsaved because of their baptismal formula or lack of speaking in tongues. That must have been heart wrenching. Keeping you in my prayers, Jana. I know this is difficult. ❤
Wow Jana I can totally relate to you as I have been in a UPCI church for almost 3 yrs now. I was formally in a non denominational church but felt I needed more, like a more deep understanding. I found a church after an online search and it looked like what I was looking for. I never even heard of UPCI before until I joined this church. Never heard about skirts only and such, this was all completely new to me. I changed everything, no pants, no makeup, no jewelry. But now after almost 3 yrs I’m beginning to see things that I don’t agree with like you have said as well. I asked the same question about the rest of my Christian family not being saved because of the baptism they received. I got my family into this church and now I want out and I’m trying to figure out how and where would I go. I feel just like you do. Thanks for sharing.
Praying for all souls that have been hurt at the hands of the UPCI theology and teaching.
So much of this was so relatable. Thank you Deanna Jo and Alicia for this conversation. From your sister in the Lord, who has also come to know that salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone! Amen!
Thank you so very much! He paid it all for you and me, and made his Grace easily accessible. 🥹
I’m so emotional right now watching this. You have told my story without even knowing me!! Im 48 and very broken.
Deanna Jo. Another great testimony.
Alicia. Thank you for sharing your story. Your authenticity and love for God is very apparent. I’m grateful for your message touching many lives. Keep being you.
Thank you so very much, Steve, for listening to my story. I’m thankful you can see my love for God as I want to give God the glory for where I am.
Was in UPC almost 5 years and felt like I belonged for a few months just to find out that I didn’t follow their legalism and was shunned for it. I have other horror stories as well but I’m glad to be out soon.
I’m so sorry you were shunned. In the long run it was probably better off as it moved you out of their influence more quickly. There’s nothing like trying to please a people that will only ever see you as godly as long as you do everything they say. 😢
I am Apostolic also. Not by birth, but God led my husband and I to the church when we were 21. 67 now. I had to go against the way my entire family had taught me as a child. They believed differently so I was somewhat shunned by family. I have never heard of horror stories, but I did adhere by the dress code and the not cutting of hair for a decade and half. I continue to dress modest but do not follow the rules of man. I had a lot of praying to do over that. I quit worrying about what man thought, only God. Sounds like you've left the church, but if you have repented, been baptized and filled with the Holy Ghost never let go of that! No one can take that experience from me, not even those who may not agree on the other non-doctrinal issues of the church. I refuse to go against the salvation I once received. I had to come to the realization there are many churches who do not do everything just right, they add to and also take away from the WORD. I am not into the modern-day church where anything goes. Drinking and eating in service, women and men dressing provocatively on the platform, etc. This is where I believe we must pray to work out our individual salvation. May God bless you and be blessed wherever HE leads you.
This is why many have caused lil one's to stumble
and use threats, excommunication, exhalting themselves above Christ Jesus our Lord and Saviour for one reason-
They have not learned from Christ Jesus our Lord and Saviour.
These teachings and doctrines are always relabeled and sadly, many do peddle The Word for greedy gain
Making merchandise out of their follower's.
It's nothing more than a business for many deceitful worker's that prey on the weak, poor, widows and fatherless.
It's been exposed and continues to be exposed in many different religious organization's-denominations.
Thankful for Christ Jesus our Lord and Saviour setting captives free INDEED!
Rooted in Christ Jesus and not the teachings and doctrines of men, deceiving spirits that teach and preach another gospel and another Jesus.
Don't let it ruin you relationship with God. Keep pushing.
Alicia thank you so much for sharing your story. This is so important for others to hear. Your voice matters. Thank you Deanna Jo for providing this place for people to share their stories.
Thank you very much, Scot!
When you leave UPC where would one go to Church
Wonderful interview. What great strength you have to speak on your experience. Also wonderful that you have been able to find peace and find the truth about the Gospel after many years. Continue on the path you are on and become a voice for the many. 🙏🏾💪🏾
Thank you so very much! I appreciate your comment, and the time you have take to share your own story and videos!
I live in Michigan. Born and raised here. I spent almost 10 years in UPC churches. I loved the worship and word. Didn't have many friends in church but maybe that's a good thing. I am blind, so I constantly endured prayers for healing, people putting their hands on my eyes, but those same people barely spoke to me. I felt there was a lot of stuck up people in the church. I could tell you ladies stories though... In the faith. I still don't regret leaving. Found your video, I like the conversation you are sharing. And the stories. And the truths. Thank you for sharing your stories/experiences. I know I'm not the only one appreciating you ladies.a
Thank you for this video clip. Former UPCI here.
A sure sign of a cult is "we are the only group who believe correctly" snd also "we don't associate with other churches or Christians".
I can see that now, but I was so blinded to it when I was a part of the church. 😢
I had a dream - rather it's from God or not I don't know. I was in an AoG church and I saw a UPCI man going around imposing his standards.. I heard a voice say "I think he is a bigot". That's a real dream too
I love the comment she said. “The word is a wonderful truth”. Go to the word it won’t twist itself. Glad she is following the Lord and not a “idea”.
Yes, Deanna, you have been an instrument and help in my healing! I am so grateful for you also and your channel! ❤
So many people can relate with your story Alicia I’m one of them, Thank you so much for sharing your story and Thank you Deanna for this channel it’s helped bring healing and understanding and hope to the hearts of a lot of people❤
Thank you so very much! Sometimes being able to relate to another brings the most healing. I’m sorry you experienced this too.
@@SweetasSuggies ❤️🩹Yes, it truly does help the healing process! So thankful to not feel alone in that process❤️🩹
Wow! What a well articulated story. So glad you found peace.
Thank you very much!
That particular church has caused sooooo much fear and pain for people it’s disgusting! I have a similar experience but with healing and so I really empathize with your pain 😢 big hugs for sharing your testimony with boldness ❤
Your testimony was touching and heartfelt. 😢 I believe in a God who Is just. I believe the scripture that says, if you seek me you will find me. You sought, you searched, this is your walk with Christ. You absolutely love Jesus and he loves you. THANK YOU! We all have individual walks with our Lord. He does not create clones. Thank you for this post. I truly enjoyed it. God bless you ladies.
Thank you so very much, Cathy! I appreciate your comment. ❤ God has been so so good to us, hasn’t he?!
Yes! This was me, I questioned things so much because I’ve always been an avid reader and researcher and so much I was taught simply did not make sense. I had no desire for the world, I just believed from what I was studying that this relationship with God was actually so much simpler than was pushed. I binged this channel like I was starving to death I couldn’t believe there were other people searching as well! I’d meant to send Deanna just a paragraph of thanks but it ended up being multiple pages! 💜💜💜
I love how much you hungered and thirsted after God. I totally relate to bingeing Deanna Jo’s channel!
Alicia, I am so sorry to hear of all the pain you have experienced. Those of who grew up from birth or little child can only understand what it's truly like. Thank you so much for your story. This is the BEST leaving the UPCI video I have ever seen, so much information. God Bless and Keep you. He is so gracious and merciful.
Thank you so very much, Jennifer, for saying so. It means a lot to me! God bless you also, and keep you in all of your ways. ❤
I can totally relate to this sweet ladies story 😢
I’m glad and sad for you at the same time. Glad you can relate and feel validated in your own experiences, but sad that you went through something very similar.
Beautiful Alicia! Your spirit is truly beautiful. You had me crying a few times myself. Your story so resonates with me. I didn’t struggle with tongues as long as you, but it definitely took me a few years to “seek after it”. You truly are a strong Christian woman, who will teach her daughter the correct way to grow up in Christ. Your joy and the fruits of the spirit working through you are so tangible just watching you on this video. Much love and big hugs from me and may God continue to bless you on your journey!❤
She is me. This is my story but I’m still not healed. I know God will bring me through.
Fantastic Alicia and Deanna Jo!! Loved your Message Alicia!! Thank you Deanna Jo for doing videos like this!!
May God Bless you Both Abundantly Beyond Measure!!!
Thank you very much!
Such a beautiful testimony ❤️ Thank you for sharing your story!
It’s my pleasure! Thank you for watching. 😊
I’m really surprised at the number of former UPCI members who admit they never spoke in tongues. Had to have been torment. I definitely did but still there was no assurance of salvation
Yup, and now today at the release of my video there have been more messaging me to tell me their similar stories. It’s extremely sad.
I now truly wonder how many backslide out of this very issue, but the church is sitting there assuming it’s because people just don’t want to live for God.
Like you said you did speak in tongues, but still had no assurance…I’m so sorry.
Can you imagine truly how many sad fearful people are sitting on the pew at this time in their lives wondering why they can’t find peace? 😢
Me too, even after speaking in tongues I still never felt I was saved no matter what I did
I'm Chicano UPCI I speak with
I have never had this type of heavy yoke, pastors people who are supposed to, lead us into pastures. But I've had these thoughts I need to prove to God I love him, 🙏 sense of others being more loved then me.
I've been spiritually abused to a small degree. This is terrible 😔 but there's hope now, you have the truth Dianna to, hope iam spelling your name ok 😊God bless you for your channel. Sharing your story to I listened to your testimony, your upc church experience. Glad your out of it. I pray your healing up, when you have those dark times, Jesus is your light. Amen 🙌🙏
Very enlightening. Went through very similar things. Thank God I found and has a better understanding of Jesus and His Grace.
Dear Jesus help us be delivered from the heavy yoke of bondage of legalism.
This woman is amazing to open her heart, share her story. I was crying I could feel her sadness, but she is a voice as are you Diana because you speak up for many struggling years of PTSD, trauma from these terrible doctrines, teachings. I pray you all heal, anyone that has suffered whatever Jesus loves you. He says my yoke is easy and my burden is light.
❤❤😢
Thank you so very much for sharing your thoughts!
My life exactly, just from a 65 yr old male point of view. I struggle with the anger from deception. 1:02:37
I’m so sorry to hear you were affected this way too, Brent. It’s a super hard thing to experience especially when the grace of God is so easy.
I think anger is a natural reaction, and it does take time to work through.
If you can think of it as being taught to you not out of deception but out of true belief it may help a little. A LITTLE.
God bless you, Brent.
Alicia
Omg! Almost every single thing you said, is what I've experienced. It's amazing how much many of us have in common that have either left the UPC or Apostolic church. I feel for you because I was also very afraid of God and being judged. I was so joyful with you when you mentioned how great it felt to be free! Oh, yes, I quite agree! That was the best moment for me knowing that Christ loves me and I don't have to do anything to earn his love! This just blows my mind! lAnd it has nothing to do with dress or works. He loves me just because! Thank you for sharing your story, it truly was a comfort and blessing to me. 🙏😊
I’m so sorry to hear you also experienced this and could relate so well. It’s truly sad to know just how many of us were hurt by the church’s teachings when it shouldn’t be this way. And just imagine…we only know the tip of the ice burg. 🫣
I’m so thankful you have understood God’s Grace and found freedom in him too!
God bless you!
Your testimony broke a dam in me. Something I have been struggling with for such a long time. 37 years.
Excellent interview/testimonial!!! I'm in total agreement with, Alicia. This Holiness, as they want to call, but what they are really stressing is, Standards and must be followed to be acceptable unto, God. But they themselves differ on what is considered, Holiness, as has been brought out here in this interview. But, they have a Liability Agreement amongst them. When you become a licensed preacher/pastor, you sign an agreement that you won't speak against or call upon another Pastor's view/Standards in "his" church, since this could cause attention and division within and then eventually a Split!. That alone is so disturbing to me. That is saying to me their views of Holiness is more important than what the Word says on the matter. They are counting on you to take their word for it along with throwing at you, Heb. 13. All this, "Cherry Picking" of Scriptures is very convincing to the unlearned. Please study the Word to see if things are so. Well done you two!!!!
Thank you so very much!
Thank you BOTH, Deanna Jo and Alicia, for speaking out! I am certain that you have both helped many by ‘speaking out’, and taking on the risk of being looked down upon and perhaps even ridiculed! ❤❤
Thank you so very much, Donna!
Bad theology hurts people.
I agree!
That’s the truth.
She blaming God , UPC and saying it emotional BUT many peeople including me received the Holy Ghost and spoke in tongues.
@@ResponsibleFaith Anybody who knows God knows that the UPC is a biblical truth-preaching church. so sad that some people get sidetracked either by their own ways or by the devil...... dont give up your eternity depends on it.
@@dwayneoneil689 ”Anybody who knows God knows that the UPC is a biblical truth-preaching church.” This might be news to you but there’s a lot of people that I’ve talked to who know God but have never heard of the UPC. The UPC members won’t be the only Christians in heaven. Your eternity depends on it too. Hopefully, you have researched the Bible on the topics the UPC teaches. Your works are not going to save you and don’t make you a superior Christian.
“…. but I couldn’t find him because of my church’s teaching.” 😞 The most wonderful part is, He loved us through it all. Thank you ladies. This was an excellent video!!
It was my pleasure to share. 🥹 And yes, you’re right. He loves us through it all. ❤
I was part of the organization for almost 30 years. I have been out for 7 it was very hard to leave because its all I knew, It has been a journey to say the least. However I do not regret leaving. I am thankful to God that when I decided to leave I knew I didn’t leave God. And he didn’t leave me.
Another great one, Deanna Jo. Thank you, Alicia, for sharing your testimony. I'm so glad you found true peace in Christ. Welcome to the family.
Thank you very much, Tommy! I’m glad to share. 😊
Not bashing the upci. I grew up in it and I admit that I never really looked too closely at the scriptures until I came across this channel. I’ve searched the book of acts and I noticed something. I noticed that there are only a few times recorded (out of all the instances recorded) where people spoke in tongues when they received the Holy Spirit.
Now, if speaking in tongues was the true initial evidence of receiving the Holy Spirit, wouldn’t the author have mentioned this detail consistently EVERY time he recorded people receiving the Holy Spirit? 🤔
I feel I’m slowly having to re-learn everything and search through the scriptures for myself. I can’t wait to check out Alicia’s book soon 🩷
I had someone tell me every time they received the Holy Spirit in acts they spoke in tongues and I was like that’s not in my Bible 😅
Did Jesus tell the thief on the cross that he needed to speak in tongues? Did he tell him that he needed to be baptized?
He was under a different law before Christ died and rose
My old church would have said he’s under a different covenant, so speaking in tongues wouldn’t have applied to him.
However, I now can see where salvation is by belief in the Old and New Testament. 😊
@@DM-gu9ik- he was under a different covenant, but covenants don’t save you.
The Gospel was given to Abraham, and there’s not a different Gospel for us.
Salvation is by faith in the Old & New Testaments.
🎯Romans 4:5, 11
⚓️To the one who doesn’t work, but trusts God their faith is credited as righteousness. Seal of righteousness he (Abraham) had by faith.
🎯Romans 10:8-🩷
⚓️Word is near you in your heart and in your mouth…Jesus is Lord…believe in your heart…declare with your mouth - Jesus is Lord and was raised from the dead, you will be saved.
⚓️With your heart you believe and are justified, and with your mouth you profess your faith and are saved. Anyone who believes will not be put to shame.
⚓️Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.
🎯John 10:12
⚓️To those who received him, to those who believe in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.
🎯John 3:16
⚓️Whosever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
🎯John 5:24🩷
⚓️Whoever hears my words and believes has eternal life & will not be judged, but has crossed over from death to life.
🎯John 6:29
⚓️The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.
🎯John 7:38-
⚓️Whoever believes in me, rivers of living water will flow from within them. By this he meant the Spirit
⚓️By this he meant the Spirit whom those who believed in him were to receive.
🎯Galations 3: -
⚓️2 do you receive the Spirit by works, or by believing what you heard?
⚓️3 are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh?
⚓️6 Abraham believed God, and it was credited as righteousness.
⚓️7 Those who have faith are children of Abraham. God would justify by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham.
🎯Ephesians 1:13🩷
⚓️You were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit.
🎯Ephesians 3-
⚓️When kindness and love of God appeared, he saved us not by righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. Saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ.
🎯I John 4:13-🩷
⚓️This is how we know we live in him and he in us: He has given us his Spirit.
⚓️we testify the Father has sent the Son to be the Savior of the world.
⚓️If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God.
⚓️So we know and rely on the love God has for us.
🎯I John 5:1-🩷
⚓️Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God.
⚓️Our faith is the victory that overcomes the world.
⚓️Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.
⚓️:13 And this is the testimony God has given us eternal life: whosoever has the Son has life; and whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.
🎯 I John 1 & 2
⚓️ Blood of Jesus purifies us from sin, confession of sins he forgives them, purified from all unrighteousness.
🎯Acts 15:9
⚓️he purifies the heart by faith.
🎯Hebrews 10:10
⚓️we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ.
Alicia, 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 I was totally riveted to your testimony. It was heartbreaking to know you lived 40 yrs of your life feeling rejected by God when nothing could’ve been farther from the truth. I didn’t grow up UPC but my best childhood friend did. In Southern Mississippi there’s a UPC Church on just about every corner. Because of my familiarity with the UPC, I’ve always had a fascination with them.
I grew up a little Southern Baptist girl who was saved at age 7. My first experience with Pentecost was a few years later going to hear my friend’s mama preach in a UPC Church. I was mesmerized from the start… the music, God’s presence, a woman preacher. It was then I knew there was more to God than what I had experienced thus far in my life.
With that said, please know my comments are coming from a place of love and fondness for the UPC people, not of criticism. Alicia is 💯 correct in her statement that equating the gift of tongues with salvation is false doctrine. They are two separate experiences that can happen years apart during the salvation journey. Same with water baptism. Yet somehow the UPC has created a “trinity” of salvation steps. Ironic, huh?
Let’s look at the thief on the cross. He neither spoke in tongues or was water baptized, yet Jesus met his plea for forgiveness with “This day you shall be with me in paradise.” I can assure anyone who is reading this that Jesus’ blood is enough to wash away every sin. To say it takes more than His blood is a slap in His face. Faith alone in Christ alone is all it takes to be born again.
Water baptism is important as it shows the believer’s commitment to follow Christ. It symbolizes dying to the old man and being raised up to a new man, but it doesn’t save anyone. Only the blood of Christ can do that. “Without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sins”. Heb. 9:22
The 12 disciples of Christ are proof-positive that you can follow Christ without tongues and still be saved. What if they had died before the day of Pentecost? Never mind their love and devotion to Christ. Never mind that He literally called them to follow Him. “No tongues? Off to Hell you go.” No! A thousand times NO!!! They were just as saved before they received the Holy Ghost as they were afterwards. That goes for the whole 120 in the Upper Room.
And that goes for anyone throughout the past 2,000 years who has called upon the name of the Lord in true repentance. “Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Romans 10:13. Notice that verse does NOT say “Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord, get baptized in Jesus name and receive the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in other tongues shall be saved.”
If salvation was three separate components like the UPC teaches, we would find that repeated in scripture over and over, but it’s simply not there. And you can’t base an entire doctrine like salvation on an isolated verse like Acts 2:38. Peter was addressing the Jews in that verse because they rejected Jesus as Messiah. Scripture confirms scripture. You cannot make it say what it doesn’t say, although you can do a whole lot of twisting. That still doesn’t make it the truth.
The clearest passage on salvation is Romans 10:9-10, “that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, YOU WILL BE SAVED 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” Not one word is said about water baptism or tongues. Same with John 3:16.
This oughta have some of you shouting right about now, especially if you have based your salvation on UPC doctrine instead of scripture, and like Alicia, found yourself broken and living in constant fear. That is NOT the will of God for anyone. It’s time to set aside what you’ve been “taught” and get into the Bible for yourself.
I know it’s scary to even go there if UPC is all you’ve ever known. But think of all the people who have left the UPC because they never received “tongues” even though they were water baptized and loved God. They missed one of the three steps so according to UPC doctrine, they weren’t really saved and were in danger of eternal hellfire should they die. Years of that thinking could drive a person to lose their mind because of the constant fear and torment.
Let me say this LOUD AND CLEAR regarding those who walked away from God. Their blood is on your hands if they quit serving God because some preacher or Sunday School teacher told them they weren’t really saved because they didn’t speak in tongues. GOD HELP YOU for believing and spreading such a falsehood.
Your heart should break for the ones like Alicia and others who spent years, decades, of their lives feeling rejected by God. These things ought not to be. I praise God for Alicia’s testimony and for Deanna Jo’s page. My prayer is that God will use them to open blinded eyes and that God would grant those who are secretly questioning, ears to hear. Only the TRUTH can set you truly free.
Thank you so very much for this comment. You definitely took time to type this all out, and I can tell you are coming from a place of love, but are also very direct and clear - which is beautiful!
I liked your comment so much I’ve screen shot it to save.
Thank you!
Alicia 😊
Acting like you not UPC, nice one 😂😂😂 it’s so obvious lady
Excellent video! After leaving upci back in 2014, I have learned more about God in a more sincere, more loving savior....
I appreciate the Lord so much for his mercy and his grace
Yes, I can relate exactly to what you are saying. 🙏🙂
Same general experience for me with the tongues issue. The UPCI has confusing teaching about tongues.
I can definitely relate to Alicia’s remark about feeling rejected by God because of not being able to speak in tongues. It’s really soul crushing and damaging to your self concept.
Two gorgeous ladies!!
This is probably my favorite interview by far. She is such a gem! I cried throughout especially about the encanto movie because I had the same exact experience/thoughts. I also binge watched all of your videos Deanna and feel comfort when you post. Me and my husband are just getting out, (it's been a few months) and my family is rejecting us in many ways. My small children are hurting because their grandparents don't want them around, but I am so happy to get them away from error, fearful religion, and let them live a normal childhood before it's gone. Thank you ladies!
Oh, I’m so sorry you had to be in a place you related so well. How sad. I’m sure God’s heart is so tender towards those of us who have been hurt so badly by people twisting his word.
Yes, Encanto…😅 So now when I watch it, Mirabel still makes tears come to my eyes, but it’s out of thankfulness knowing not only did she find her place within her family, but also so did I!
I see you are experiencing such pain since your exit from the church. I’m sorry for that. Maybe one day your family will come around as they get used to the idea that you aren’t going back just to appease them.
God bless you and your family. 🙏
I'm so sorry to hear of this rejection of your children. It's sad to see how a doctrine can turn people against each other. I may not know who you are, but God does, I will pray for your family. I've been out 16plus year's after being born into it, my family is deep. My brother is a licensed Children's Church minister.
Yes! Certain things are eye opening after being raised in it. So much emphasis on tongues… what about the cross? So much emphasis on the 3 step salvation but what He did was talked about way less.
So true. I’m definitely so happy to now recognize the difference. :)
The largest Pentecostal Fellowship is The Assemblies of God. They allow speaking in tongues but do not claim that speaking in tongues is required for salvation
I just started attending the UPC Church but I don't wear dresses but I don't dress like a man either this I have found over the years in different churches that lacked the love of God which causes people to leave is stipulations that cause people to feel condemned. In other words what I mean is the love of God is not there to back up the stipulation the love of God should be there and that person should feel accepted not condemned and as long as they don't come in looking like a woman off the street I'm talking about week after week feeling condemned should not be coming from that person they should not feel condemned in the atmosphere of the church that's the way I see it and that's the only way that I would leave is if I started feeling condemnation that just will not leave
I relate so much with the majority of this video. It was so validating and right on time for me. Thank you both!!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it. 🙂🙏 God is good and knows exactly what we need when.
Well, salvation then becomes works , and so many Cults like United Pentecostal, Mormonism SDA, Jehovah Witnesses and on and on and on they have a works based salvation.
I want to leave UPCI but having difficulty . They are trying to destroy my marriage because my husband is a great man of God and left UPCI. As you know they thinks he going to hell now. They tell me God is first and don’t let him drag you to hell. So many things wrong at UPCI.
Is he living in the world or just left the upc for another church? Also salvation is only through Jesus Christ not a specific denomination. Those fear tactics they use are not of God. Read the Word for yourself and pray about the situation.
UPC claims to be the one true church like Jehovah Witnesses/Mormons/Roman Catholicism but the truth is according to the book of Revelation scripture reads:::: The True Church of the Living GOD are those whose Robes are WASH in the Blood of The Lamb ❤ Has nothing to do with Religious Institutions Organizations nor Denominations… Has to do with the Ecclesia the called out Assembly/King Yeshua Jesus is Head of The Church❤
Girl, you are married to your husband not the church . Leave and be happy with your marriage and the Lord.
Your husband is head over you and God is over him.
Follow God not a denomination ❤
Ps: John 14:6 JESUS is THE WAY, THE TRUTH, and THE LIFE! NO MAN comes to the Father, except by ME! NO EXCEPTIONS! NOT ONE MENTION OF TONGUES!
Such a beautiful interview.
Thank you very much. 😊
That would be an encouraging presentation for so many people. Doctrinal error manifests itself within the basic beliefs of so many Christian organisations. In hindsight, I would encourage people to be more open minded and possibly place a question mark over "religions" who say to you once you are a member..."don't listen to anyone else, we have all the truth you need". Read the bible and take the verses of scripture in context. It may be a long drawn out experience, as it was in Alicia's case, but the end result was very satisfactory.
Yes, you are right. It’s definitely not just Pentecostals. Understanding the word of God IS SO IMPORTANT, and I do definitely wished I could have trusted myself a lot sooner. God has been good though, and I pray to help as many as I can to know him better. 😊
I speak in tongues for Years and I wasn't in a penticostal church
It's not about works, I learned that the hard way. I just gave up went back into the world. I thought I was unsaleable. I got filled with the holy Ghost one night all by myself in the backyard in a holiday trailer. I was instantly transformed and God has revealed lots to me since then and this happened in 2018. Right after that I believe Satan tried to kill me with a big truck 3 different times within a month and I literally screamed out after the third time rebuking the devil. I would pray and fast and ask God questions for hours every day for months why the church was so messed up.
He literally spoke to me and told me read Jeremiah. It's in there and the outcome is not good. Three churches asked me to leave since then. I told them the truth, they said better find a different church.
How sad to think you were unsealable when it happens when you believe.
I’m sorry you went through that, but am happy to hear you found your footing in God. 😊
Can someone help me I no longer want to be in this apostolic church. But my wife was raised in this I don't know how to get out . I'm scarred.
Ask your wife to go with you to visit a good loving Christian church.
The truth of the matter is according to the book of Revelation the true apostolic church the Ecclesia the called assembly….Scripture reads / The True Church of the Living GOD are those whose Robes are WASH in the Blood of The Lamb❤ Has nothing to do with Religious Institutions Organizations nor Denominations… just dialoguing
There are other upci churches, no?
It's about your relationship with God and being right by him.
What's the problem with your local upci?
Thank you!
Most welcome. 😊
Have you read the full Bible through? Have you taken time to stop focusing on the upc church and focus solely on the Bible. I go to a upc church and I will tell you that I am not there getting forced to do anything. I agree that many upc churches are out of order however the foundational message of the Holy Spirit, baptism, and tongues are very real. I do not need upc or any religion to show me that. I could leave the upc church today and still see that baptism in the name of Jesus Christ and being filled with the Holy Spirit is needed to be saved. Because I don’t trust others and what they just bluntly educate me with I take time to learn what ALL say. Where I don’t fault you for leaving something that didn’t work out for you I would say you need to spend more time in the word of God for yourself. We should never go to ANY church without studying what is being taught, upc or not.
You are questioning that’s why you are watching and commenting on this video. It’s okay I know you think you are defending the UPC but if you really felt that way this video wouldn’t be in your algorithm 😂😂
It's actually my reading the Bible that allowed me the freedom to leave. You can load up the Oneness vs. Triniterian debates here on TH-cam if you want to hear all the arguments - spoiler it's one big circles favoring either/or bias opinion. After reading the Bible there is nothing about dresses/pants, shorts, haircuts, etc. If you want to be technical about it then women should be veiled when prophesying in a UPCI. Ask a minister why that isn't the case then the answer is "well those are the customs of that time" then you if logical will ask why isn't today customs women wearing pants. The Methodist Asbury revival was one of the largest revivals ever in the U.S. that occurred recently - like last year. I heard people in the UPCI talking about it (on stage, the preacher himself), and yet no has ever thought to ask themselves why God drop down in a Trinitieran church? The ones with the false teaching... At least to the UPCI/Oneness click. I mean if you (UPCI) got the hole truth then you should be the only way. That is unless your truth is incomplete. Maybe God can save more than you give credit? Then you got to question your doctrine and stance if it's complete or not. The Church of God, the AoG, etc. They all speak in tongues and the Holy Spirit is there too. God shows up with people wearing shorts, and baseball caps, and women wearing pants speak in tongues/drive out demons. Go to a UPCI church wearing that gear and you will get condemned and told not in truth (some say God would never be in "that" (pants)). So God is good with x having shorts/pants but not y? Inst that against the very nature of God - respecter of persons?. It means lost credibility. That's damaging.
Lastly, back up, what if God the creator of all flesh is over at the other churches too. It make sense to be king over all things - as a king of kings. If all things were truly made for him and by him, you got to question such things. Why does God do this and this too? Maybe you theology is wrong?
Keep in mind the Azusa Street Revival is fairly event recent too - late 1800 or early 1900s or something. Before that there only Protestant vs Catholics in Europe and/or Eastern Orthodox which you openly condemn for not "being in the truth". Having tongues doesn't make you better than them as God is still with them which is clearly seen in the recent METHODIST Asbury revivial. People leave the UPCI for lots of reasons. One is forced standards that apparently don't bother God.
The UPCI did rarely any community service when I was there and was some what self centered. The Church of God is very active in the community and did things with the homeless and the UPCI is concerned with pants/dresses and long hair. The the Methodist church pays low income peoples bills - how many UPCI/oneness churches have such funds for the public? Each of you have their own relationship/sacrifice and each church places it on the alter. If you want to wear dresses as your sacrifice then fine, don't condemn the dude who gives up is evenings handing out food to the homeless - I'm sure you are not.
Baptism is nice but here is the thing, you can't work yourself into heaven. If you could then you wouldn't need Jesus Christ. It's a revelation - God said we prophesy in part..... So you (UPCI) have a revelation (Oneness/Baptism). The church of God has one too (good works). I would note going to houses passing gift baskets as invitations to the church isn't necessarily "good works" or acts of service - it's proselytizing (a particular view point of God).
@victoriaclarke it seems you need to read the scriptures without the UPCI’s theological doctrine. The scriptures are very clear that everyone who believes Jesus is Christ will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
John 7:37-39 “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water. But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.
John 3:3-Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
John 3:5-Jesus answered, “Most assuredly I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.
1 Peter 1:23 “Having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the WORD of God which lives and abides forever.
Ephesians 5:26-that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the WORD.
We are begotten (born again)again through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead-1 Peter 1:3
Show me where in the scriptures it tells us explicitly that speaking in tongues is the evidence of receiving the Holy Spirit. You will not find such a scripture in the Word of God, this theology is only explained by adding to the scriptures by man’s assumptions. The scriptures do however many times say that those who believe in Jesus Christ will receive the Holy Spirit. It also explicitly says that we are born again through the Word of God. We are to be washed by the word.
1 John 1:7 also tells us that the blood of Jesus Christ washes us from all sin. You will also find this in Ephesians 1:7, Colossians 1:14, Hebrews 9:22 and Revelation 1:5
The UPCI teaches a false doctrine that makes the cross of Christ of no effect. Paul warned of people who taught of doctrines which diminished the finished work of Christ.
Repent and get out of her My people less you partake of her sins.
How did you start studying for yourself? I was at a church that was in and out of the UPCI for 32 years. Spent all my time recovering from harsh messages and meetings. Absolutely dislike the altar because of how it was handled. Now I’ve been at a different UPCI church for 9 years. Everyone who comes likes it. They are good people. Due to all the hurt of the church I grew up at I don’t come across well. The current church sees me as being difficult and having rough edges. Really makes me feel even worse and ready to study and know God for myself.
The place to start is scripture. Reading scripture in context is simply making sure you read the chapter(s) surrounding the verse to get the proper meaning within context. That will tell you the who, what, when, where, and why...who the intended audience was, what was happening at the time, when and where it happened, and why certain commands were given and certain stories were told. You can even look those aspects of verses up in online concordances and timelines. I like Biblehub.org for a free online study tool.
My biggest miracle came with me reading the Bible - no church. The church folk would be against the miracle that came out of it but I know I didn't cause it to happen and nothing could have have made it happen had not God opened the doors for it. That convinced me there was a God outside the church.
Church folk will say God wasn't in that (it's rather outside their viewpoint/standards). If was going to be real, I don't really want to go looking for God anymore if he wasn't in it. Especially after seeing atheists and sinners live better than me when I'm trying to do what is right
My friend Alicia ❤
Thank you for this channel. Thank you again.
I enjoyed this video so much! ❤
I’m glad to hear it. 😊
The Apostolic Assembly ruined my life
I’m sorry to hear this. I hope you can rebuild ❤
“God doesn’t send you a delusion so you’ll proclaim His name and talk about the Bible.” 👏👏👏 Great job Alicia! I enjoyed this so much. It is such an important topic that needs addressing.
Thank you very much, Lori! It really does need to be addressed. We all have our place within the body of Christ, and I’ve found mine is now to address this topic.
I had to leave, I couldn't stay in good conscious.
I can so relate
midup in pentecostal but i love god
I want to leave my pentecostal church. We are african pentecostal. My father is a pastor very deep into the inner workings of the church. Luckily most of his family are Catholics and he left catholicism at 19. I will be leaving pentecostalism at 19, i still believe in God and the Trinity, just not pentecostal ideas
Your father’s story sounds similar to mine. My father grew up Catholic but became a born again Christian at 19 while still living in Africa. He converted to Pentecostalism. Most of my father’s family is still Catholic and my father is a pastor now. The church that my parents raised us in used to be strict on women wearing no makeup, jewelry or going to the movies but they lifted those restrictions when I was in grade school. I don’t feel denominational matter. I just feel the most important thing is acceptance Christ as your Lord and Savior. What is your main reason for leaving? I can probably help you through what you’re dealing with. I have no issues with Catholics, but the ones in our country(Cameroon) are known to be very elitist and pretentious.
Psalm 34:21
The LORD redeems the soul of His servants, And none of those who trust in Him shall be condemned.
Thank you for this verse. 😊
Rev David Bernard just released a video on Christian liberty. I respect Bro. Bernard, but honestly his explanation makes very little sense to me 🤷♂️
I agree, I feel like he talks in circles about that topic.
I agree too although I didn’t watch the whole video. It’s tiring to hear someone so smart to talk in circles.
@@ResponsibleFaith You can blame the UPC all you want But they preach the true gospel and God will show they were right one day what will you do then.
After coming up in this church I question my salvation daily! Every little thing you’re going to hell in a hand basket! Duet 22:5 is Old Testament but they make a doctrine out of this verse! Then they want to debunk Matthew 28:19/Acts 2:38 you don’t know if you are baptized correctly! If you’re baptized in the titles you are not truly baptized! It’s only Jesus name only! The titles also describe the Jesus! Jesus said himself Baptized in the name of the father and if the son and Holy Ghost! I don’t see what difference it makes! You are going down with the old man and coming up with the new! To me it’s ridiculous! Good for you!
Yes, so many discrepancies to sort through. I kind of joke now that I don’t know what I agree with the UPC son anymore except the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus. All else has to be studied out and relearned. 😮
This is so true, and how I felt for many many years while still in the UPC doing everything “right”. Thank God I am out of that mess now.
The Apostolic doctrine is the solid truth obey Acts 2 38
We obey Matthew 28 19 by being baptized in Jesus name
Any other than Acts 2 38 is Babylonian false doctrines Roman Catholic Church is hellbound highway to hell Matthew 7 13, 21--23
I’m going through this now. Can you speak on divorce? I feel like I’m just now discovering God and married in without much knowledge.
That is one topic I do hope to cover, but there are some excellent resources out there on that topic (intimate partner relationships and divorce).
baremarriage.com/
lifesavingdivorce.com/
www.youtube.com/@SarahMcDugal
th-cam.com/video/CG0d3qYsRag/w-d-xo.html
th-cam.com/video/ZuNmgkeJsf8/w-d-xo.html
th-cam.com/video/UAEDc9rLBxM/w-d-xo.html
❤
My sister run from religion but dont leave Jesus Christ seek a relationship with the lord for your self we are the Temple of God not a building
Alicia and I have both maintained a relationship with Christ.
Did it look like I ran from Jesus? Just wondering, because I never said that. In fact I mentioned how I now was able to find him.
One thing that has really “hung me up” is the fact that in Acts we see a clear example of someone receiving the Holy Ghost by speaking in tongues, and it would seem that the “speaking in tongues” was the literal evidence of the event of receiving the Holy Ghost.
“And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,”
Acts 10:45-46 KJV
Some will say, “Well it was only during that period of time, for that specific reason, etc. For those people, either you’re a cessationist, or you’re not lol. Would love to hear anyone’s thoughts regarding this topic.
Hi, Tyler. I understand your question as I had the very same one when I began studying tongues.
Here is an excerpt from my story…
I’m copying and pasting so it’s all going to clump together which will make it a little harder to read.
I would suggest reading the whole book of Acts to get a clear picture rather than one verse. Scripture interprets scripture…
Hmmm…I’ve posted 2 more comments under this thread, but am not seeing them for some reason. I’ll give it some time, and come back later to see if they show up.
At the moment of salvation (repentance), the Holy Spirit comes to live within us. At the baptism of the Holy Ghost (tongues), He comes upon us. Thus, we have the Spirit within and the Spirit upon. Two separate things.
Jesus told the disciples to go to Jerusalem in the upper room and wait to be endued with power from upon high. There were 120 people including the mother of Jesus in that upper room. A mighty wind blew, and they all began to speak with other tongues. Many onlookers thought they were drunk. But Peter stood up and said these are not drunken as you may think, but this is the promise of the Spirit that was prophesied by the prophet Joel. He continued to say this promise is to you, your children and as many as the Lord thy God shall call. I'm glad I am one of the called ones. It is an experience that you never know how wonderful it is until you have received it yourself!
Excellent explanation! Salvation is faith alone, tongues is for every believer who asks for it but it is not required for salvation.@@GRITSgirl65
god does not want anyone to beg...
Exactly!
This is me
I think that we all have bad experiences. People get hurt at work, in their marriages, and in their families of origin. Presidents are hurt on social media, and great or simple we all get hurt. UPCI is a large organization with a lot of great people in it. You must not perpetrate hurt by speaking against the whole organization. We all must give an account of everything that we say. I don’t think that an entire program dedicated to leaving UPCI is Christlike.
I don’t think a false gospel is ok to teach anybody. It hurts the body of Christ, and puts a stumbling block at the feet of anybody trying to find Christ. This teaching on speaking in tongues is a whole denomination thing. So if you’re going to to say nobody should speak out because it hurts people, I say everybody should speak out because of the hurt that comes with false teachings.
Y’all are fulfilling, prophecy, in the last days would be a great falling away!
😂 Oh, brother…I suggest you look up that scripture and really see who it is that is considered fallen away.
When you advocate for people falling away because they left the UPC, it shows you don’t truly understand scripture, and have pulled the verse right out of context.
Fear/control/fear/control.
It’s the only way the UPC can keep people on their pews.
1 John 5:12 KJV He that hath the SON hath LIFE. He that hath NOT the Son of God hath NOT life. I believe wholly in the triune God - God the Father, God the Son, and God, the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit was sent by God to guide us into ALL truth. He is the one who points us to Jesus, who paid it all on the cross. Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Right now, Jesus is sitting at the right hand of God the Father. There's 3 of them, and they all do their jobs very well!
girl you love god n he knows it...give yourself credit...you are rapture ready...god knows you love him ...
Well, I sure now that now, but I didn’t for the majority of my life. In fact the thought of the rapture left me in terror.
Upci doesn't teach you need to continue to speak in tongues although you should always reach for it
Yes they do.
Not according to the UPC church i grew up in. In fact, if you weren’t speaking in tongues pretty much on a daily basis then you needed to question your salvation.
Why should one “always” have to reach for speaking in tongues? This isn’t what the Bible says at all.
What it does say is that one should pray to prophecy, and that prophecy is greater than tongues.
You’ve gotten your Bible jumbled and then criticize others for not going along with your mixed up thinking.
Hi Dianna, I recently subscribe to your channel. However, after watching a few of your videos it seems you are highly focused on what is wrong with the United Pentecostal Churches. I was not raised Pentecostal and have been now for 46 years. I believe the doctrine, but like all churches the "man made" laws are secondary, and I have not followed them for a lot of years. I go to church without condemnation. I know it is not going to be a surprise to you that I have already had to unfollow you. I cannot support someone who puts this church or any church in a bad light.
I was raised in the UPCI and use my platform to share my story and offer support to those in similar situations to mine. I also offer support to those exiting the group, as my hope is that they will continue to follow Jesus. The exit can be brutal, depending on the church/pastor. You obviously don't find my channel relatable and that's ok. Not everything is meant for everyone and I am not doing this to gain followers. You don't like me presenting the UPCI in a "bad light" but sometimes the church behaves itself badly, and sweeping it under the rug and not dealing with it helps no one. FYI, if you are able to ignore the "secondary man-made" rules, consider yourself lucky. You must attend a more liberal UPCI assembly. Some UPCI pastors would never allow you to sit and worship in their congregation comfortably without screaming about their church rules every week. Don't assume your church is the norm and that your experience is everyone's.
I was raised UPC as well. I am glad you have had a wonderful experiences in the church. Not all others have though. Some have been mistreated and some have trauma. We should question and hold others accountable so we can become better. The church is full of fallible people, we must “in love” call out those who do wrong so we can all move on the right path. If that means “painting the church in a bad light” then so be it .
I’m so thankful for Deanna’s channel as she was what helped begin the process of me discovering salvation by grace after my struggle with tongues for years. Without Deanna, I very well may have still be in torment until my death whenever that is.
You are definitely entitled to your opinion, but I have to say that your covering for a denomination that teaches a false salvation plan shows you yourself do not recognize and understand how detrimental the organization really is.
you tried to hard to get the holy ghost....if the rapture happened god would have made sure you got it so you wouldnt miss the rapture...its a gift and god can fill person in the very last seconds of someones life...he would not have left you without it ,,be it by rapture or death
That’s rich. So instead, live the rest of your life in miserable agony wondering if you’re saved or not. Because that’s what the Christian life is meant to be. Correct?
Are you saying God will only fill some people with the Holy Ghost right before the rapture all the while leaving them dangling in misery until then?
I have to say, your view of how God works is quite sad. I’m sure he wishes you understood him better.
So what about instead of the rapture, what about dying? Does this same mentality apply here?
If it’s God‘s intentions to fill people with the HG (which we know it is) why would he wait until just before the rapture?
“Tried hard to get the Holy Ghost”. God doesn’t make it hard to come to him.
God doesn’t withhold gifts from those he loves until they are desperate. He doesn’t work like that. He isn’t cruel.
Your ideas are not Biblically based sad to say, and in fact go directly against scripture.
😢 You all just can’t wrap your brain around the fact that this is an abusive and false teaching.
I have to disagree. Alicia was already bloodbought. It is Jesus’ blood that cleanses us from sin, not tongues. The gift of tongues is for this life. See Jesus own words in Acts 1:8.
Yes! Amen!@@GRITSgirl65
Why don't yall just be truthful and realize that you have slacked off in your prayer life you let yourself get weak and the world. Your flesh was pulling on you and you left
Do you ever think maybe you misunderstood? Truth is your complaints make me sick
She did not misunderstand.
Former UPC here. Everything she just said is accurate.
It’s hard to misunderstand something that’s been crammed into your brain over and over and over again church service after church service for 25 years. This isn’t counting special services, camps and Friday Chapel services in addition to Bible College classes.
Exactly what point do you think I misunderstood?
It’s easy to be vague isn’t it?
My complaints make you sick? That’s pretty ironic.
You know what makes me sick? The 40 years I spent in terror of God because my old denomination taught the gospel in such a distorted manner that it lays stumbling blocks at peoples feet. They will be held accountable for this, and so will you if this is the kind of doctrine of demons you pass along.
I grew up in the Upc and have many licensed pastors in my family who I love. With that said, everything she's saying is true.
If you are UPC and haven't spoken in tongues, you are an honest person.
One of my friend’s literally told me the very same thing this morning.