The largest Oneness Pentecostal denomination in the world, teaching that Jesus Christ is the full Godhead and requiring baptism in Jesus' name and Spirit baptism with tongues for salvation.
The United Pentecostal Church International (UPCI) was formed in 1945 through the merger of the Pentecostal Church Incorporated and the Pentecostal Assemblies of Jesus Christ. It is the largest organized body within the Oneness Pentecostal movement, with over 4 million members in more than 200 countries.
The UPCI holds firmly to Oneness theology — the belief that God is absolutely one and that Jesus Christ is the full embodiment of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It teaches that the new birth, as described in Acts 2:38, consists of repentance, water baptism in Jesus' name (not the Trinitarian formula), and receiving the Holy Spirit with the initial evidence of speaking in tongues. The UPCI considers these three elements essential to salvation, which distinguishes it from most other Pentecostal and evangelical bodies.
The UPCI also maintains holiness standards — many congregations expect women to wear skirts or dresses, avoid cutting their hair, and refrain from jewelry and makeup, based on their interpretation of New Testament holiness passages. These standards vary by congregation and region, but they are a defining cultural marker of the UPCI.
The UPCI is the largest Oneness Pentecostal denomination and is distinguished by its strict soteriology (repentance + Jesus-name baptism + tongues = new birth), its Oneness theology, and its holiness standards.
Highly expressive — extended worship, speaking in tongues, prayer for healing, and spontaneous congregational participation. UPCI worship is energetic and Spirit-led.
1945, through merger of two Oneness Pentecostal bodies.
Being the largest organized Oneness Pentecostal denomination in the world and its distinctive holiness standards.