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Christianity AtlasChurch & Denomination Guide
Group guide

United Pentecostal Church International

Also known as: UPCI

A major organized body within Oneness Pentecostalism, teaching one God revealed as Father, in the Son, and as the Holy Spirit, together with Jesus-name baptism and Spirit reception evidenced by tongues.

DenominationOutside historic Nicene Christianity

60-second overview

A major organized body within Oneness Pentecostalism, teaching one God revealed as Father, in the Son, and as the Holy Spirit, together with Jesus-name baptism and Spirit reception evidenced by tongues.

History and identity

UPCI official materials affirm the Bible’s authority, Jesus as God manifested in flesh, repentance, baptism in Jesus’ name for remission of sins, and reception of the Holy Spirit. Its doctrine of God is explicitly non-Nicene despite using strong language about Jesus’ deity.

Core teachings and practices

  • Largest well-known Oneness Pentecostal organization.
  • Jesus-name baptism.
  • Tongues as initial evidence of receiving the Holy Spirit.
  • Holiness standards vary by congregation and region.

Variation across churches

Moderate variation within the group

What it shares with the Reformed Baptist Base Beliefs

Some Christian vocabulary or practices may overlap, but this guide does not let secondary similarities override the stated difference at the doctrine-of-God or Christology boundary.

Important differences from the Reformed Baptist Base Beliefs

The guide’s base beliefs share biblical language, repentance, mission, and belief in Jesus’ deity, but the rejection of the tri-personal God places UPCI outside historic Nicene Christianity. Keep the explanation doctrinal and precise.

How it relates to historic Nicene Christianity

Outside historic Nicene Christianity

because its official Oneness doctrine rejects the Nicene distinction of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as three eternal persons

Boundary guide
Important distinctions
Related groups
Oneness PentecostalismPentecostalismCharismatic MovementAssemblies of GodOneness PentecostalismTrue Jesus Church

Sources

The group’s own sources come first, followed by outside context and the guide’s comparison.

  1. United Pentecostal Church International — Our Beliefs
    VerifiedOfficial doctrine
  2. United Pentecostal Church International — Oneness of God resources
    VerifiedOfficial doctrine
  3. The Episcopal Church — The Creeds
    VerifiedOfficial doctrine
  4. United Pentecostal Church International — Articles of Faith
    VerifiedOfficial doctrine
  5. United Pentecostal Church International — The Coming of the Lord
    VerifiedOfficial doctrine
  6. United Pentecostal Church International Research & Development — 2024 UPCI Statistics
    VerifiedOfficial doctrine