Hi Soapbox,
I have used Rick Ross's articles. I find them to be excellent. I have used his article about the United Pentecostal Church(UPC) when confronted with people in the UPC. Here it is:
http://www.rickross.com/groups/upci.html
I think I commented on the UPC and similar groups in one of the other threads. I'll state here what I said there in a few quick comments: 1. The UPC rejects the trinity. 2. You must be baptized in the name of Jesus, not Father Son and Holy Ghost. 3. Speaking in tongues is evidence of being born again. Number 3 is the biggest problem doctrine I have with the UPC and related groups. Basically, nobody is born again unless they have given evidence by speaking in tongues. They also teach speaking in tongues is the initial evidence of the Holy Ghost. Both teachings are aberrant to orthodox and historic evangelical protestant christianity. If the doctrine was true, everyone who prays or is prayed for to receive a blessing of the Holy Spirit would speak in tongues. But quite simply this is not so, based on my observations during my church hopping
. These doctrines about speaking in tongues undermine the place of faith. Feelings and signs will come and go, but faith must remain. It must be kept undefiled and such doctrines defile faith alone, adding works or manifestations to faith. The Apostle Paul says the manifestations are given as the Holy Spirit wills it to be. Therefore, it is very possible one may speak in tongues but another will not. Speaking in tongues is not universal. If it was, all who confess Jesus as Lord and Savior would also be able to say they speak in tongues. The simple fact of the matter is that not all do. Does that mean some aren't saved? Of course not. Who will be saved? Answer: If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. Nothing about having tongues in there as far as I can see.
