Christian Challenge International

"Ask the Pastor"

We frequently receive questions in email from people about doctrine, practice, etc. From time to time we will post the questions and the answers here on the web page. If you'd like to submit a question, simply email our pastor at Bro.Buddy@ChristianChallenge.org or use the form below.

July 28, 2000

Hi xxxx,

The Lord bless you.

The questions you asked addresses the heart of UPC doctrine.
Not only does it address the weakness of their salvation
doctrine, but it places false burdens on people who wish to serve
the Lord, but who are hindered by the teaching that speaking in
tongues is necessary to salvation. Perhaps I can help.

You said:

> I have never spoken in tongues (although I was raised in a UPC church
> for over 20 years). It was the most pivotal issue of my life at that
> time. I am now fully convinced that it is unnecessary for salvation and
> have debated it with many UPCers. But it seems that even ex-upcers tend
> to believe that I will receive the gift of tongues if I continue to
> seek. They still tend to discredit me a bit because I haven't spoken.
> When this happens, I wonder if the gift of tongues is something to be
> sought after and possibly is given to those who obey Him completely.
> It's confusing to get the message that, "you don't have to have it, but
> when you do, it will change your life." If it is so life-changing, why
> would God deny us the experience?

My background is also UPC. The reason I let my license drop
with them in 1971 had to do with the very doctrine that you are
questioning, which is having to speak in tongues to be saved. It
was the Word itself that set me free. But I had to process the
issue of true salvation with a great many struggles. Both my
background and my wife's background is UPC. But since those
days we have helped a great many UPC people get their lives
together.

The reason UPC or exUPC people get so hung up on this one
issue is because of a faulty understanding of the Scriptures. But
this 'false teaching' of having to speak in tongues has been so
drilled into the minds of anyone associated with the UPC that it
clouds their thinking. You have done well in not caving in to the
pressure on speaking in tongues. If the truth were known, most
speaking in tongues today is probably not Biblical tongues at all.
It is learned behavior.

There are a couple of forums on the web that I recommend you
check out. Two are specifically designed to help people who are
ex-UPC, or who are currently UPC, but are questioning the
teachings of that group. Go to:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Christian-Koinonia/

And,

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ex-UPCIsupport/

There is another forum that is sponsered by our ministry. It is called
Hebraic-Foundations. You may also want to check it out. This
forum provides teachings from a true Biblical perspective. Go to:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Hebraic-Foundations/

If I can help you in the future, please feel free to contact me.

In Christ,

Bro. Buddy