Pentecostals in the 21st Century
Things You Might or Might No Be Aware Of
There are many aspects that set it apart from other evangelical movements. First and foremost is the appearance. We've all been in the local supermarket in the middle of the summer when we've seen the nice lady in her forties with her very long grey and white hair all wrapped up in a beehive. Her face is red due to wearing long sleeves and not wearing any makeup. The only skin exposed is her face and hands. She is also wearing a very long skirt down to her ankles. Since I am no longer practicing this faith, I feel I should educate the public on what the UPCI teaches it's women is "holiness". Can somebody say "sexist"? Why are these "holiness standards" only for women? If you ask me it's a way for the church to keep women in their place-below men. They have biblical scripture for women having uncut hair. A woman's source of glory comes from her hair. If she cuts off her hair she cuts off her glory. Many within the UPCI think this as meaning even if a women trims her bangs she will lose her glory and therefore sin. What century do we life in people? That's right the 21st. These people think the bible is to be read literally. This doesn't make any logical sense to me. In 2007 why don't the ladies of our country cover their heads? Because they don't live in the middle east. It's a custom and/or law there. This is exactly what the bible meant in this scripture. Now as far as the no makeup and long dresses and skirts it's more of a non-lustful non-sexual appearance. The church teaches it's ladies that if they wear makeup and pants like most other women, they will be asking for sex and can't be trusted. It's apparent to me that these people have no sense of moderation. There is no gray area with them. It's either very right or very wrong. With all "holiness standards" it's usually the job of the fellow women in the church to shun and talk badly about a woman that decides to go against theses dress codes. Other than not wearing shirts there are no dress codes that apply to men.
The next aspect that sets the United Pentecostal Church apart from other faiths is the fact that members are brain washed by pastors into thinking that going to the movie theater will send them to hell. Yes, you read that correctly. The amusing fact is yet to come. It is fine if they want to rent the same movie that they could have viewed at the theater from the rental store and watch it in their homes. I clearly recall when going up of asking my Mom why we didn't go to the movies. She told me that people smoked and drank alcohol in there. She couldn't come up with something better I guess. This is just one huge contradiction within this faith. Another is television watching. To this day, as far as I'm aware it's viewed by the UPCI that watching TV is a sin. They refer to it as a "one-eyed demon". Although most pastors and members have them in their homes. And you can watch a live webcast on the web like the Pentecostals of Alexandria, LA. www.thepentecostals.org . Somebody make a decision and stick with it. They are not only confusing themselves, but are also confusing the rest of us.
Something that is majorly different with the UPC is the "Oneness" theory. Pentecostals are the only members of Christianity (Protestants and Catholics) that don't baptize their members in the name of "the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Ghost)". They believe in baptizing them in Jesus name. This is something that most would think is a small thing, however they don't see it that way. I remember growing up hearing pastors from the pulpit saying "We don't believe in 3 in 1". "When I get to Heaven I'm not gonna see the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. I'm gonna see just one-Jesus." If someone is baptized in the Holy Trinity they won't go to Heaven. One could say they are being small minded-my point actually.
Being baptized in Jesus name and speaking in tongues are the two main requirements in making it to Heaven. Acts 2:38 is the scripture that's embedded in a Pentecostal's brain. This passage tells us of the Day of Pentecost. The apostles are heard and seen speaking in a different language from the norm. Most faiths believe this is used to deliver a message to people who don't understand another tongue. UPCI members believe that this is a secret tongue that Jesus spoke with his apostles. Pentecostals use speaking in other tongues as a form of evidence that God's (Jesus') Holy Spirit is in them. Why does a person need evidence of God in them? Why does a person need an outward spoken language to prove something spiritual to another person? Shouldn't God being inside a person be between that person and God?
If you've never attended a UPCI church you're in for a treat. The one thing I miss about going is the music. It's a fast, uplifting, fun time. People are clamping their hands. They're singing out loud. The tempo is usually fast. And the choir is usually wearing robes and swaying. I know because I used to be in the Louisiana All State Youth Choir. We would tour all over Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi, and Arkansas to UPCI churches. Regardless of your faith within Christianity you'll find it hard not to enjoy yourself and somehow seem closer to God.
Published by Marcus Kelley
My name is Marcus Kelley. I have lived in Louisiana for most of my life. I have been back in Louisiana for about a year. Before then, I was in Orlando,FL working at Walt Disney Entertainment. At the pres... View profile
- Wasilla Assembly of God Church and its Tax Exemption Status Bears Closer LookSarah Palin's longtime church preached during the 2004 election cycle that Kerry supporters would not gain entry to Heaven. This round, the pastor is asking congregants to thank God for Sarah Palin's selection as VP.
- Benefits of Dress Codes in the WorkplaceLearn the benefits of having a dress code at work.
Law Enforced Dress Codes?Should lawmakers be allowed to ban certain styles of dress such as sagging pants?- School Uniforms Vs. School Dress CodesFrom time to time, a story will surface from somewhere around the country related to a school implementing, or considering the implementation of either a school uniform policy, or a strict by-the-book school dress cod...
- Night Club Dress Codes: What Are Their Real Puposes?Are night club dress coes free of bias?
- Sarah Palin Witchcraft Video Stirs Church Controversy
- New Clothing Designer Lets Teens Get Around Dress Codes
- Dress Codes and Uniforms: Good for America's Schools?
- "Speaking in Tongues" and Other Gifts of the Spirit
- Dress Codes and Celebrities
- Business Casual Dress Codes - Have They Spiraled Out of Control?
- Dress Codes on Invitations Defined in Detail
- A woman can't cut her hair. If she does she'll go to Hell.
- Women that wear makeup are asking for sex, a sin.
24 Comments
Post a Commentpersistent... read Acts chapter to on through and it will tell you that you do need the gift of the holy spirit to get into heaven, Paul said " “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
The holy spirit is your comfortor and i'm talking to everyone who wishes to hear this, the holy spirit is in you already but you just have to let it ouT. WHen you are filled with the holy spirit Usually you get the gift of speaking in tongues, that's always when you get the holy spirit. How would you know if you have it? Well, everything will be focus on him, i don't know it was just some type of spiritual presence that touched me and began speaking in a foreign lanuage that i've never even heard of before but i weeped because of the excitement. THe gift that the Lord has given to me and i will never feel the same again.
well, Carter, i am Jasmine and i'm a Pentecostal. I used to be a baptist but it wasn't working out for me at all. It was something about they way they taught that just wouldn't allow me to comprehend. Things were going on at the time and i needed to be positive and i needed people that could teach me about the Lord, so i began going to a church in Bossier called New Testament and i'm telling you that was a changed experience. The people are nice and i actually felt like i belong. Baptists didn't believe in speaking in tongues and i didn't either, i thought it was a lie, but after i attended youth camp after a lady that i barely even knew gave me 200 dollars to go PRAISE THE LORD!!! People told me that when i do go, i will be changed, of course i didn't beleive it until a couple of nights there. I always have been seeking the holy spirit but i wasn't sure or not but i ended up recieving the Lord's precious gift to me that night and it was no myth. ANyone can get it if you just be persis
Amen Sister! Well said. It is Scary what thes UPCI churches are teaching! The Lord looks at the heart, not what we are wearing.
I just would like to say that I'm a Christian, that loves the Lord with all my heart. I wear makeup, pants, and have short hair and how dare some Penecostal religion judge me!!! I have neighbors that are uspc and they are the most judmental people I know. I'm just as saved as a person with long hair,with no makeup and a skirt on. By the way most women need makeup. Just look in the mirrir. Alsoyou do not have to speak in tongues to get to heaven. Trusting Christ as your Lord and Savior and repenting of your sins, and turning away fron your old life is what gets you to heaven. Speaking in Tongues is not getting the Holy Spirit you get the Holy Spirit when Christ enters your life. That doesn't mean :tongues. It is really scary what they teach in churches today!!!!!!
As a child I was forced to go to church. There would have been no way I would say to my parents, "I'm not going to church" and have them say "okay". That wouldn't happen. So yes I was forced to go. Now as a grew up I was used to going and have to say that I enjoyed going at that point. In regards to your comment on mocking God, I have done no such thing. Also I have not even come close to blasphemy. The last time I checked the definition of that word was for a person to disrespect God. I have done no such thing. I've simply made a few comments on how many double standards there are in the UPCI. These rules and regulations were put in place by the organization, not God. You find the scripture in the bible that says going to the movie theatre will send a person to hell and we'll have something to talk about. I'm pretty sure God is laughing at all of this non-sense. I doubt he is going to say on judgement day, "Well...you can't come through the gates of heaven because you cut
Wow. At first I wondered who "someone who went to church with Marcus" was, but after reading further, I realized who you must be. I'm sorry you had to read what I wrote, but it's how I truly feel. The reason for my not coming down to my grandfather's funeral was simple. I was blessed to have seen him two days before he passed. I felt as though my last memory of him to be alive, not dead. We were moving to Virginia and had just made it there.
As I recall Marcus... You weren't forced to come to church and be a part. You came because you wanted to. I can remember watching you lift your hands and speak with tongues as the spirit gave the utterance. You were blessed with a voice for singing... which you did to the glory of God. I am puzzled by this article that you've written... I never knew you felt the way you portray you feel here. Just remember this, "Be not deceived for God is not mocked!" And also be very careful lest you blaspheme against the Holy Ghost... for which there is no forgiveness! I love you and I will be praying for you that God will intervene in your life in a special way. I went to your grandfather's funeral and was disappointed that you did not come. Your family still lives in a Godly manner and I know they love you and pray for you daily. I will join them in their prayer for you. Someone left a comment below that said, "You are just away from God and you know what it is to feel his power, theref
I'm an pentecostal young lady and this article is not right at all. We believe in not wear pants because in the bible the book of Deuteronomy 22:5 saids The WOMAN SHALL NOT WEAR THAT WHICH PERTAINTH UNTO A MAN NEITHER SHALL A MAN PUT ON A WOMAN'S GARMENT... and it goes on and says people that do its a abomination unto the lord. It doesn't only focus on woman but he tell the man also. People god said it so thats what it is! I am shocked that this use to be believer is putting the beliefs they use to be believe down. There was something to this that captured you or you would have never been a believer in this truth. If anyone have more question. Ask your question then at the end type "SM" so I can answer. God bless
yes God will still love you, but just because youre in the castle doesn't mean your are pleasent to the king, God loves you but hates you sin
Dear UPCI members,
God will love you if you wear pants instead of a skirt. he will love if you if you wear make up or none at all. and he will love you no matter what length of hair you have. Ya'll need to really reevalute your faith. it is too extreme. Following the Bible verbatim is not healthy for your faith. there has to be room for interpreation. Chill out and just relax and enjoy the fact that God will love you and forgive you no matter what. Hes not a dictator he's a father.