History

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I may have published this earlier, but there was some discussion that
might benefit from a few of the facts contained below. Enjoy:

The United Pentecostal Church was formed through merger of a number of
Oneness organizations in 1945. In the years 1901-10 or so, a number of
"Pentecostal" outpourings occured in the United States. Those most
often cited, and remarkable in history today were in Topeka, and later
in Los Angeles. Within a few years, men traveling largely from city to
city, through Northern Califirnia, Oregon, Washington, to Illinois,
Ontario, Saskatchewan, Ohio, New York, Main and New Brunswick on one
hand, and in places too numerous to recount through the South East,
but to a large extent in Texas, Arkansas, Missouri and Louisiana,
brought the message and experience of Pentecost to 
those who would receive it. 

In those early years of this century, by appearant providence, a
number of immegrants brought the same experience from Aremenia, and
other desparate areas of the world. Given the short period of time,
quite a large number of people became "tounge-speakers", manifesting
spiritual phenomenon, and being taken up with deep devotion and
intense prayer and faith. Of course, this experience hit *humanity*,
and thus the memories include both wonderful testimonies, and the
stories of problems. 

In these early years, in a segregation which would continue for some
time, Pentecost was associated with poverty, and "low culture", it was
an "other-side-of-the-tracks" experience and quite a bit of
persecution tended to follow those who believed, as this movement did
from the beginning that speaking in other tongues was the authorized
sign of the infilling or baptism of the Holy Ghost. (I should note
here that the Topeka outpouring happened, not coincidentally as a long
term Bible study dwealt on the observation that the scriptures seemed
to associate speaking in other tongues with the birth of the spirit).
While the inexperienced reader may assume at this point that
"religious enthusiasm", or the power of suggestion was responsible for
initial and later phenomenon, he might have made an listenable
argument years ago. However, let me remind you that the religious
world at large has now come to accept the manfiestation of tongues,
and no longer calls it "of the devil", as they did then. It seems that
the phenomenon has to be "accepted" by religious authorities
before such a redefinition could occur. However, the Pentecostal
phenomenon was going on long before the contemporary so-called
Charismatic movement, and in fact, in many other places (though often
hidden in history) before this century. Indeed, the second chapter of
Acts records the outset. 

Also, the phenoenon seems to have had no racial bias, touching black
and white alike and in similar manner. However, to refute a common
misunderstanding, this was in the early days an urban pehnomenon,
which spread from city to city, and quickly took root in rural areas.
However, continuing to the present day, the large and "moving"
churches tend to be urban, or now, suburban also.

Now, in the years 1914-1916 a controversy arose concerning the mode of
baptism. Once again, certain men felt obligated to follow the example
of the apostles. There was limited organization in those days, and
often a very loose but warm fellowship was enjoyed among the new
Pentecostals. A great deal of travel was involved in the lives of the
evangelists and ministers, and quite a remarkable network existed very
quickly. Missionaries were sent abroad (to China, India, Africa)
almost immediately. Through this extraordinary network, issues also
traveled fast. The baptismal issue was not insignificant. Seeing the
implications regarding tradition, and godhead theology, one fledgeling
(but perhaps the largest) organization formulated a creedal statement
concerning the baptismal mode, and also the nature of the godhead.
There was a plea to refrain from such measures, but those determined
to retain a formal orthodoxy regarding the godhead and baptismal mode
insisted that fellowship should be on the basis of signature to the
articles of faith which included recognition of the traditional
trinity doctrines, and baptism by repetition of Matthew 28:19
(though I suppose the former issue was stressed more than the latter).


Those convicted of the desire to preach under the exclusive authority
of scripture simply could not sign the creed. As a result, the
Assemblies of God continued from that time under the stated articles.
The remaining "Oneness" believers were widespread and fewer in number.
Some of these retained loose fellowships while others formed
organization which has continued until the present such as a large
organization which is mostly of African races called the Pentecostal
Assemblies of the World (PAW), exisiting since 1914.

The General Assembly of Apostolic Assemblies was stated in late 1916
in Ak. however, according to one source, an official Clergy Board
refused to recognize the newly formed organization, and thus, the
ministers did not receive a special rate for train travel. Since few
had cars, this was a great setback, and the organziation did not last
long.

The Pentecostal Ministerial Alliance was formed in 1924, and lasted
through 1932. Emanuael's Church in Jesus Christ existed between 1925
and 1928. The Apostolic Church of Jesus Christ also lasting about
three years. Read what you want into the history of these short-lived
organizations, there was no final solution in any. Being that in these
early years the social inheretance of racial separation was so much a
part of life, especially in the south, it should be evident that the
PAW shortly became a predominantly black organization. These
others were white. We remember such conversations as "Do we shake
hands with colored folk?"  "Why yes! Sure we do." "Oh, thats
wonderful!". Those who have speculated that the initial division was
based on dischord between black and white saints and ministers are
sadly mistaken, though it would be absurd to state that some racial
prejudice does not endure in Pentecost even to the present day. This
is a PERSONAL matter that was handled well by the Holy Ghost and God
fearing men.

Anyway ...

The Pentecostal Assemblies of Jesus Christ resulted from a merger of
PAW and ACJC. (Yes, this again formed an interracial group - evidently
there were some changes in some mentalities, and thoughts, yet still
imperfect, of course). The PMA changed its name to the Pentecostal
Church, Inc. (PCI) in 1932, and continuously had fellowship and
organization until 1945.

ECJC and PMA attempted merger and could not accomplish it in '26. ACJC
and PMA attempted to consolodate in '31 and failed. PCI and PAJC made
a final attempt at merger in '36 which would have included such
oddities as a "double organization". This too was unsuccessful.

In '43 the PAJC had no conference due to wartime limitations of
transportation, in coorperation with the Office of Defence
Transportation of the USA. During this time, the idea of merger was
again promoted, this time by influential and well respected men. 

After conferences in 1944, the PCI and PAJC met in 1945 and
successfully merged to form the United Pentecostal Church under the
collective agreement on the following statement of fundamental
doctrine:

The basic and fundamental doctrine of this organization shall be
the Bible standard of full salvation, which is repentance, baptism in 
water by immersion in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the 
baptism of the Holy Ghost with the initial sign of speaking with other
tongues as the Spirit gives utterance.  We shall endeavor to keep the
unity of the Spirit until we are all  come into the unity of the
faith, at the same time admonishing all brethren that they shall not
contend for their different views to the disunity of the body. -
Manual, UPCI 1996

The Articles of Faith are the basis for minister's fellowship within
the organization. There is no "ecclesiastical rule", on an
organizational level effecting those who are members of local
congregations, however, fellowship occurs on a wide basis and very
freely between virtually all congregations whose pastors are in
fellowship with the UPCI. 

The General Superintendant is recognized practically as a bishop, and
in most parts of the world, as in the United States and Canada,
district boards administrate in specific matters pertaining to
property, finance, evangelistic cooperation, fellowship and
discipline. 

The value of the organization is identification, fellowship and
protection, but we are aware that the Church is made what it is
through the name, and the Spirit of the Lord Jesus Christ, according
to His gospel. He is the head of the true church, which we sincerly
seek to be.

Thanks for this opprtunity to write a brief history for anyone
interested.

(Most hostorical references here were from  United We Stand by Arthur
L. Clanton, available from the Pentecostal Publishing House - a
division of UPCI. though many more are available - written from
various perpectives)

-mwb