Recovering after 23 years of lies. Your words are spot on. You nailed it. Thank you for being bold enough to step up. I’ve sent this to several friends still on the fence & guilted to stay. ❤️
I was in the UPC for many years and refused to put my uncut hair into one of those ridiculous hairdos. One lady continually told me that I should wear my hair up. One day she came to me very angry and said that I was enticing her husband with my hair being down and if he sinned it would be my fault! I was speechless. I wish I had thought to tell her that maybe she should let her hair done and entice him herself.
I’m there☹️ I was UPCI/apostolic for 30 years. My long uncut hair became such a burden to me as it was heavy and it was causing neck issues as well as migraines. I also went through a trial four years ago that caused me to have to go back out into the work force and work in a hospital. I worked in skirts for almost 4 years and always felt immodest, as I work in behavioral health, and we have to take people down and put physical holds on people. I work with men as well as women, so began wearing scrub pants to work. Since I knew I would not be welcome in my church anymore I also cut my hair. Since I knew I was already labeled, I decided I would re-pierce my ears so that I could feel attractive again. Of course I could attend a Pentecostal church still yet, but would be labeled a back slider and would not be able to hold any type of position in the church. I choose not to go. I have lost many friends over my decisions. They don’t or won’t believe that I still feel spiritually the same as I always have. God has not left me and I have not left God because my hair is cut.👏🏻🙌🏻♥️ All I feel is freedom over fear. Thank you for Responsible Faith. I have watched them all, and have gained wisdom and understanding. Many blessings to you!
Thank you for sharing your story! ❤ I'm sure many reading through these comments will find it relatable. I'm sorry you were faced with a hardship that prompted the changes, but I'm glad you still feel close to God and are walking in freedom. Blessing!
So glad I found this, it has always been a trial for me. My bf was raised similar but has never been taught that women cannot cut their hair. We have discussed it and are both in agreement that when I’m ready I can cut it and we’ll both love it. I’ve studied this from both perspectives for years but yours just added to what I have believed about culture.
I was raised UPC and still go to one . Because I cut my hair and wear pants the only thing I have ever been ask to do is purchased cards and ask people to give money . I am going anyway . God looks at my heart . It is kinda of sad because I have a relationship with Jesus daily. I feel the condemnation or I know it’s there . However they can not diminish my faith in Jesus. It’s not my hometown church but it is UPC . I know how they talk behind your back I did the same thing until I was 26 years old. Where is the fruit ? Love one another that’s the new command ! Pray for UPC it’s needed. 🙏🙏
I'm sorry you feel condemned at your church, I've been in that position as well and it's not easy. For about 3 years before I left the UPC, all I was good for was donations and grunt work (building stage sets for Christmas concerts, bringing food to events...). You're right, God sees your heart and your faith in Christ is what saves you. Love is the basic foundation of Christianity, without that it's all useless (1 Cor 13). I wish you had a faith community where you felt love and acceptance. I agree that the UPC needs prayer as well.
Hey now their latest craze is the Crabbs, and I have on good authority that one of the Crabbs was overheard making jokes about the oneness doctrine...😳
Very educational! I grew up in a UPC church, got married and raised our kids (mostly) in UPC. I'm almost 60 now and stopped going to UPC for a couple + decades. We were a military family and moved to several different UPC churches and I questioned each one about some of their "standards". One Pastor said it truthfully when answering my questions, "we do it like this to control the people." CONTROL!!!!!! I still love Jesus and live for Him WITHOUT all the legalism which has nothing to do with God, but has more to do with mans desire to CONTROL others using fear.
@@ResponsibleFaith it wasn't admitted at first. See, each church we went to had different "standards" like you mentioned. When challenged, that sure was his reply. My sister just went back on Easter after being out of state for a while and Easter "message" was about going to hell if you don't speak in tongues every day! He told her the standards are like having a child that you keep away from the hot stove so they don't go near the hot stove and get hurt. However they want to explain it doesn't matter if thats NOT what the word says.
Wow, what a missed opportunity to share the beauty of the gospel of Christ. smh Sometimes I wonder if some of them even have an understanding of it. Nothing like a good Easter sermon about going to hell and speaking in tongues daily. Such a misrepresentation of scripture.
Oneness Apostolic were established 1916 UPC wasn't formed until 1945 because they didn't want an integrated church. So they're organization was based on racism. To this day us Black and Latinos are still called Apostolic and are more liberal in dress codes but UPC are always the ones stating they are the originators but untrue google it for roots of the racist organization known as UPC.
Thank you for this video. I knew of a minister who cast a demon out of a lady who was in an institution. When she came to her right mind she remembered her church told her she would go to hell for cutting her hair. So sad
Great teaching @Responsible Faith! Love your videos. You obviously have done your research. Thanks for sharing it. Whoever came up with the "holy magic hair" doctrine in the apostolic church must have been watching too many Disney movies because that doctrine sounds a lot like the Brothers Grimm 1812 fictional character Rapunzel, popularized by Disney's movie adaptation of the character, who possesses magical powers in her long golden hair. The magical hair doctrine is pure fantasy and laced with witchcraft and occultic overtones. And to think that sane, rational thinking human beings would even consider following such foolishness illustrates the depraved, sinful nature of humanity. Lord Jesus, help us all.
As one who attended a UPCI church for over 30 years, I NEVER understood why women pulled their hair up into the highest, fullest hairdo if it being uncut or long is her glory. All this does is give the appearance of short hair. Why is it alluring for a woman to wear her hair down if it's her glory? Absolutely makes no sense. If your hair is your glory, it should be cared for and healthy. And, by the way, many of those women who wore their hair up secretly trimmed it! Aghast! Being set apart from the world goes far beyond how we look. Such superficial rules when the heart is what matters. Sad.
Without even delving too far into the original Greek, I would have already dismissed this teaching of “uncut=long” as illogical. By that logic, a man could have hair down to the middle of his back and keep it regularly maintained/trimmed and it wouldn’t be “long.” That’s how the logic works, and we all know how these teachers would feel about a man with hair that length. I didn’t grow up UPC. I grew up Trinity Pentecostal holiness. Leaving it was the best thing I have ever done for my spiritual and mental health as well as my family’s.
I remember hearing when I was a child that once you pass a certain age that you weren’t allowed to wear your hair down freely because that was only for your husband to see😂😂😂
Wow, that was in the UPCI? I know different UPCI pastors enforce differing rules in their congregations based on their own preferences and ideas. That is ridiculous.
Yes, I was aware that it existed as one of many possible definitions in one of the lexicons. It's not a great surprise that being the most extreme option, it would be chosen to support an extreme new doctrine. I don't have a BDAG lexicon yet either.
@@ResponsibleFaith I just recently left a oneness church. The pastor I had has a couple years of greek, so when he says it's the case it's hard to disagree. But it just seems like he has the minority opinion on the application here. Considering that, it just seems kind of convenient... so I'm hoping to talk around with some other educated people to settle my mind. I've got a wife and daughter all wrapped up in this stuff.
Yes, considering the general consensus of Biblical scholars throughout history is wise. Speaking to someone who has no agenda would be good for your own peace of mind. The "apostolic" groups are the only ones coming up with this stuff, and If you look at their own history, ideas like this didn't even exist until recent years. In all honesty, I know many of their own ministers who don't even believe it now, but feel pressured to keep that to themselves.
I have a copy of A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature by Bauer/Danker/Arndt/Gingrich and the word used for hair in verses 14 and 15 does NOT give as a meaning uncut. It is simply wear long hair, let one's hair grow long. It is quite clear that if I have hair to my mid-back and I cut off two inches, it is still considered long. The word itself isn't about cutting or not cutting. Furthermore, in 1 Cor. 11:6 for κατακαλύπτεται (cover her head), the meaning speaks of covering oneself with a veil. It is not speaking of one's hair.
Another point to consider in this is the Old Testament, where we find lots of rules. Not one of them forbids a woman from cutting her hair. On the contrary, we find where she is commanded to shave it off at the end of a Nazarite vow. Did God suddenly decide in New Testament times that it was wrong for a woman to cut her hair or that it afforded her some special power? That's pretty preposterous.
It's crazy they believe it's uncut. Why don't they just look to the Orthodox Jew's who have kept traditions for thousands of years. It's still the same to this day the woman wear a head scarf not uncut hair but the extreme ones shave their heads the first year of marriage. They only cover their head after marriage. If we also studied culture and customs we would find that in Corinth the town where Paul was tough on the church about all the rules because they were being sinful. We would find that the Jewish men were normally separated from the Jewish women in the synagogues during the sabbath when torah was being read. Now we go to the church were we have gentiles and jews coming together with men and women. The women felt liberated and freed and kept their head uncovered. Well the distraction you can imagine the men were struggling to pay attention for worship and prayer. I have to say two thousand year's ago in the town of Corinth if a man was looking for a prostitute he would search the streets for a woman with her head uncovered. People will literally fall for any doctrine blowed around in the wind. If in doubt study the customs 2,000 years ago. I personally have no convictions of my hair length or my clothing because God's not a man looking at my outward appearance but He's a Spirit that's in the inside of me searching my heart.
Hi Deanna I wanted to say thanks for making your channel and keep up the good work! I have always advocated for what you are calling responsible faith and it's nice to see someone else out there doing it. I was raised in a Pentecostal sect that is nearly identical to the UPC and I have been doubting a lot of their teachings lately. Do you by chance have a video about speaking in tongues, or could you make one? It worries me because I have never done it and the church people really want me to, but I know that Paul taught that tongues are not for everyone. (1 Corinthians 12-14) I know tongues are something a lot of Pentecostal and expentecostal folks struggle with so it might really help someone if you made a video. Just thought I'd throw it out there.
Thank you. I do plan to touch on some of these subjects in future videos (tongues, baptism, salvation, the gospel...). You might also want to check out a couple RU-vid channels by people with similar backgrounds to us: ru-vid.com ru-vid.com/show-UCzkKwN9MKAkV-JLNbJvqWhQ
I attended United Pentecostal churches. They teach no tongues then that means no evidence of receiving the Holy Spirit and if a person has not received the Holy Spirit then they are none of His (Romans 8:9). No tongues then no salvation. They are subtle about it. I developed an anxiety problem. I think it is too much performance based acceptance. I think the best way to go to the UPC is to stay below the radar and avoid conversations with them if you can do that. That's if you do not speak in tongues. If a persons tries to make friends with them but you do not believe tongues is necessary for salvation they will correct the person and if they do not change then they will avoid them.
Yes Paul, Sadly you're right about that. I have a relative who never was able to speak in tongues and attended a UPC church most of his adult life. He felt so pressured and as though they didn't actually view him as "saved". Finally in later years he just quit and lived his faith at home. When he died, I have no doubt in my mind he was saved. It seems the UPC takes all of their beliefs to the most extreme, exclusionary view possible. I'm not sure why. According to Eph 1:13-14 we receive the Holy Spirit upon belief (putting our faith in Christ): 13 In him (Christ) you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is the guarantee (down payment) of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory. In my opinion, due to the emphasis placed on tongues in some "Apostolic" groups...there is a lot of faking that goes on. Some for show, some out of fear and some who under pressure subconsciously mimic what they've seen/heard in hopes that they've received. Legalism ruins everything.
This is brief but in February of 2013 I got an inner healing miracle and a revelation of salvation. I use to believe Jesus died because of our sins but Jesus died for our sins. I did not know the Gospel. Jesus was the final sacrifice under the Old Covenant. When Jesus said it is finished on the cross then my sins were paid for. All sin, past, present, and future. The gift of the Baptism of the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in tongues is subsequent to salvation but not a substitute for the work of the cross. John 19:30 (KJV) "When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost." Matthew 26:28 (KJV) "For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins." 1 Corinthians 15:3 (KJV) "For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;" Galatians 1:4 (KJV) Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:" 1 John 2:2 (KJV) "And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for our's only, but also for the sins of the whole world." Here are parts of what I posted this week on the RU-vid site of a lady who appears to be struggling with leaving the UPC: "I think there are people who attend who go along to get along (tone deaf) and keep their true beliefs and feelings to themselves. It also seemed like I saw contradictions. Once I was visiting a UPC church and a lady addressing the church said, "we have people in our church who are saved but don't have the Holy Ghost." Why did she say that? The correct thing to say according to Church doctrine would have been, "we have people in our church who don't have the Holy Ghost and they are not saved. (Acts 2:4, Romans 8:9)." I saw an Apostolic lady on the bus wearing track pants going to the hair stylist. It didn't bother me but it's not the church dress code. Also, I listened to a message recently by a UPC pastor who mentioned someone who had sought the Holy Ghost for decades and when he got it he said that he never knew it was that easy to receive. Why didn't the pastor say the man was seeking salvation for decades and when he got saved said he never knew how easy it was to be saved. No tongues no salvation. I could say more.", " I have the impression that UPC pastors like to drop the names of trintarian pastors, churches, musicians, to blend in. And daughter churches renting facilities from a trinitarian churches but their attitude does not condone trinitarianism." Below is something else I posted to the RU-vid site of another woman who was struggling to leave the UPC. Her condition looked more like mine. "This is my opinion based on my own experience leaving the UPC. This is brief because I'm typing this on my phone. I struggled like your struggling but for approximately 10 years. I thought it would go away with time but it did not. I also wanted to be in what I thought was a normal church but am not fully compatible... I wanted nothing to do with UPC/Apostolic. I started experiencing anxiety problems while I was attending the UPC and I believe Jesus did not want me to leave because it would get worse. I left in December 2004 against Jesus repeated instruction not to do so and the anxiety did not improve. Over the years that passed it was like Jesus would lift me out of the anxiety but the next day I would sink back into the anxiety. The anxiety would bother me at home, on the street, and on the job. I would try to find someone to listen. I would phone prayer lines. I think I was exhibiting signs of a stress injury. February 2013 I visited an Apostolic Church. I went to 2 services on a Sunday and the following Tuesday evening service. After the Tuesday evening service I went home and I was facing my bed. I was about to get on my knees and pray. While I was still standing Jesus healed me. I don't mean I felt the presence of the Lord or I was lifted out of the anxiety like Jesus had done many many times before. This time I knew I was healed. I believe the blood was applied to my life that day. I did not expect it and did not see it coming and Jesus started restoring my life that day. I'm still healed today. The anxiety left. The healing had depth. Ephesians 3:16 - 20. It is like Jesus rebuilt my life."
I think very long hair on a lady is really beautiful. but that is the ladies personal decision. You cannot make a doctrine or dogma out of it. That would be wrong.
I am UPCI and I accidentally found this, but watched your entire video. I have studied this for myself and made the decision to not cut my hair ever again about 3 years ago. Nothing you said in your video has changed my mind about that commitment. However, I will say that while I disagree with several things you mentioned, there are plenty that I do agree with. Not just within UPCI, but throughout Christianity as a whole, I see these ideas that SOUND nice, but have no real biblical basis. How many times have you gone to funerals and heard the preacher say your dead loved one is your guardian angel now? Show me that in scripture, please. I wish my dog could go to heaven with me because he's the greatest dog on the planet... but I don't see in scripture where Jesus died to save him from a sin-stained existence. I decided when I started going to church several years ago that I would not take anyone's word for it. I have to answer for my actions one day and I want to study to show myself approved. I about drove my pastor crazy with questions! I wanted to know exactly what the Bible said about any given subject. I still study like that and hopefully always will. When you do study and dig in, it makes it so much easier to discern fact from "nice sounding fiction" people throw around. Some of the things you mentioned (like laying hair on the sick) I HAVE heard of people doing, but never found any scriptural basis for it. I can't think of any time I felt God compel me to let my hair down when praying for someone sick. Laying on of hands? Definitely! In my church, letting down our hair is not a common practice (or one I have ever personally witnessed), but we do lay hands (gently 🙂) on one another in prayer. We don't wave our hair around or draw attention to our hair that I have ever personally seen/heard. I agree that at that point it becomes more about focusing on yourself rather than God. Any time someone claims healing or an increase in power comes from something other than God... run. It is because of our obedience to the word of God that we are able to "lay hands on the sick and they shall recover" or cast out demons, etc. That power comes from God and God alone. Look at those in the New Testament that tried to imitate the disciples. The demon said "I know Jesus.... I know that guy, but who are you?" People were healed by Peter's shadow, but I don't remember ever reading that he took credit for that. He knew exactly where that anointing and power came from! It MUST always be about glorifying God, not ourselves. There is a significant number of women that go to our church that cut their hair, wear pants, have tattoos, etc. We don't all look the same and it's just not a big deal. It's my personal belief that convictions of that nature are exactly that. Personal. It's between you and God. If God for some reason told you to never wear stripes again, I sincerely hope you would listen! But he hasn't told me that and I have a super cute striped skirt that I wear all the time and would continue to wear. But there are things that are never taught from the pulpit that God has dealt with me about that I abstain from. Mostly because those things bring out really ugly stuff in me. Most of those things I'm sure you probably do on a daily basis, but I won't tell you you have to quit just because God told me I had to. That's silly. And I would never EVER tell someone that did those things they are going to hell. I seem to remember a particular group of people in the Bible that followed the letter of the law to a T, but Jesus was still very displeased with them because their hearts and motivation were not in the right place. It's the same for hair. If you grow your hair out but have no idea why you're doing it or you're doing it with the wrong motivations (like to strong arm God into healing the sick) then it's better for you to not do it at all! That's true for any conviction. If someone gets baptized but they don't understand why they did it, what good is it actually doing them? They just got wet for no reason. If you would have come to me and said "Allison I don't believe we need to grow our hair out," I would listen to you. We would go through scripture and pray together! And if you still didn't feel like you needed to, then that's between you and God! Some women feel God wants them to physically cover. I would never tell them to stop or that it's unnecessary. That's between them and God. I guess my point is this... it sounds like you've been through some stuff and I sincerely apologize for any hurt or pain that has caused you. Just remember that churches are made up of people that are imperfect and while it's difficult, we must be willing to forgive them when they mess up. While I lovingly disagree with some of your points, I don't condemn you for it by any means. I'm going to maintain my commitment and keep studying and learning. My only goal is to hear "Well done thou good and faithful servant" as I am sure is yours too.
Thank you for your kind respectful comment. We do agree on a lot. I don't believe loved ones become our guardian angels, I don't believe pets go to heaven (though I guess one could hope), I believe baptizing people who don't understand what they're doing is a waste of time, I do believe in laying on of hands for prayer (with consent), I don't believe in the laying on of hair... In terms of your view about hair, pants, tattoos etc... what you are describing is personal convictions and I agree with you. I fully support anyone's right to follow their personal convictions and would encourage them to do so. It sounds to me that you have lucked into one of the rare liberal UPC churches if you have such variety of opinion being accepted and tolerated. I'm happy for you. I wish we'd all been so lucky. I hope to hear "well done" as well. I'm thankful that when I do stand before God I will be standing there robed in the righteousness of Jesus Christ and not my own. God Bless you as we continue to seek Him.
What was it that actually brought you out of the UPC? I'm finding these videos VERY INTERESTING! Thank you for posting. By the way, I liked your"hanky people" lol
It was the doctrine that brought me out. I started to study out the questions I had and by the time I was finished I realized that much of what we were taught was not right according to scripture. I also realized that our legalistic teachings made us prideful and mean in a lot of cases. That just didn't seem to line up with the fruit of the Spirit that we were supposed to be growing in. In my pursuit of Christ, I left.
I have watched Stonekings message and feel it was misrepresented in this video. The UPCI does not teach that uncut hair gives any secret or hidden power to a woman. It does however represent a woman’s commitment and obedience to the word of God. Obedience always produces blessing. Furthermore the UPCI does not teach that uncut hair is linked to salvation any more than holiness standard produce salvation. Salvation actually produces holiness, at least the desire to be holy as God is holy and has requested us to be so. I’m sure there are some who take teachings to an extreme, but we find that in every religious organization. I believe a woman’s uncut hair is beautiful. And her commitment to be seen as God created her and not as the world has told her she should look is admirable. The UPCI and many other apostolic organizations are full of powerful women. You can’t face a world of mockers, and endure it without power. God bless the women who observe the word Of God to the best of their ability, down to the last verse.
Stonekings message was not my only source for understanding this teaching (although I do believe he was stating exactly what I said). I'm not sure if you're familiar with the writings of Ruth Rieder Harvey, she has two books: "Power Before the Throne" (which was endorsed by Stoneking) and "Reflecting the Glory" both of which were published by the UPCI publishing house and support the claims I made in this video. I can understand your hesitation to identify with this teaching. I personally don't see uncut hair anywhere in scripture. I most definitely agree that faith produces works...not the other way around. As far as holiness (without which no man will see God) it is nothing we have the ability to produce. Our own righteousness in filthy rags by comparison to the perfection of a Holy God. I'm so thankful that Jesus gave us His righteousness. As far as your personal opinion that uncut hair is beautiful, that's certainly not everyone's view but I have many friends and family members within the organization who observe uncut hair and I respect their right to do that. Unfortunately, I can tell you as a woman, that once you cut your hair, you are no longer considered "saved" by many UPC people (even if your hair is still long). While some are lovely women of faith, UPCI and other apostolic women are no more powerful than any other Christian women. Any power we have comes from Christ in us and the power of the Holy Spirit...not adherence to dress standards. For the record, as believers we are all misfits in this world and get mocked for our beliefs. Most people who see UPC women feel sorry for them, not mock them. God bless all of the women and men who observe the word of God to the best of our ability in an effort to please Him, even if we view it differently on secondary issues.
I watched that whole Lee Stoneking video and she isn’t misrepresenting what he said at all. I didn’t really need to watch the video as I personally heard him preach this years ago when I was a young person in a UPC church.
Thank you for this video! My family joined a UPC church about two years ago. My sister in law has told me that I am going to hell because I attend a 'traditional' Christian church, and believe in baptism in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Can you make a video speaking on the UPC belief of Jesus only baptism?
Yes, sadly everything outside of their doctrinal belief system becomes a one way trip to hell for some legalistic groups. Our salvation is in the shed blood of Jesus Christ and putting our faith in Him, not a "correct formula" spoken over someone as they are baptized. I do plan to cover this subject in the New Year. Thanks for watching Bailey.
I am an Apostolic Pentecostal Christian and would love to have a constructive conversation concerning baptism in Jesus’ name. Peter declared, after the the Holy Ghost, which is the spirit of God, fell in the upper room where he and the other apostles were seated, that we should repent and be baptized in Jesus’ name for the remission of our sins and then we shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Note that Paul stated we be baptized in Jesus’ name, not titles, such as father, son, and Holy Spirit. It says in the Bible unless a man be born again of the water and of the spirit, he shall not enter the kingdom the God. Using the name of Jesus while being baptized is very important. And we see this in scripture.
@@12narutolover I you could biblically prove to me that the word teaches that your salvation is dependent upon a 3rd party uttering specific words I would believe it. I also don't see where "in Jesus name" is equivalent to "say the words in Jesus name". If this can be definitively shown to me from scripture I'll be on board.
@@12narutolover, as born again Christians (spirit born children of God), EVERYTHING we do is the name of Jesus whether we say it or not. It is by His authority and power, not ours, and it is under the blood that He shed on the cross. We don't have to speak a magic, hocus pocus formula while we are doing it.
Both; in the name of Jesus, and in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Are both acceptable! I love that it is done in: the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; as I like that it acknowledges the whole Godhead ❤️.
I do believe there is a Big misunderstanding about what Paul is teaching the Churches about hair on a Woman and a Man. The big Dig into the Greek and Culture is not necessary to understand his purpose by most. But for sure the big Radical push not to Cut does cloud ones ability to understand
Deana Jo, 1 Corinthians 11:14 states emphatically that it is a SHAME for a man to have long hair while 1 Corinthians 11:6 says that it is a SHAME for a woman to be shorn or shaven. Some points I definitely agree with you on. Just looking at the one verse doesn't put it in correct context. One must read all of that chapter to bring it all together in correct biblical practice. Just wondering, do you think women can braid their hair? Seems 1 Timothy 2:9 commands women not to. Interested in your thoughts on that.
I still do not understand what the angles have to do with long hair. I grew up with Lee and have heard this message in real time many Sundays when he would come to our church to preach. I guess I do not qualify for the "magic."
If you're referring to Lee Stoneking's sermon about power with the angels, they do remove them sometimes but then someone else will share that recording. If you just type in his name you could probably find one of him speaking on that topic. Thanks for letting me know...I made a note in the description section.
I wondered if the attitude toward hair could cause a Christian woman to get hair extensions or an artificial hair bun. Years ago I read a post online by a woman who left her Apostolic / UPC church but when she would retun for a visit would wear an artificial hair bun.
Years ago back in the 60s and early 70s the women in our church which was UPC would wear what they called crapewool. It would add volume to the hair and give height with beehives hairdo. We even had women use oatmeal container to give them height. Looking back now, was that not makeup in itself? Things that make you go hmm???
The Holy Spirit is the best teacher. Everybody has their interpretation of God's Word. Best we pray and ask Him for His revelation of His words. Every man wants to be right in their own eyes so we should pray for true revelation from the Holy spirit.
If you are going to build doctrinal points...hearing from the Holy Spirit is not your best source. Too many people think they've heard the voice of the HS when in reality it was just their own ideas. I've heard all kinds of crazy things spoken from pulpits that people believed they had heard from God...they hadn't. We have the word of God and nowhere in scripture does it teach that there is special power in uncut hair on a woman. It also doesn't model it anywhere. This is dangerous teaching that hurts people in the long run and points them away from the gospel of Christ.
@@ResponsibleFaith I feel sad when I see Believers bashing other believers on social media. I still say we all think we are right the best Teacher is the Holy Spirit. The true Holy Spirit.
I agree, but bashing an individual and rebuking a false doctrine that enslaves people are two entirely different things. People can strongly disagree without it being inappropriate. Look at Paul addressing Peter in Gal 2:11-21. Anything that points people toward "works based righteousness" is worthy of a strong rebuke. "Power in uncut hair" does just that, not to mention is entirely unbilical.
@@ResponsibleFaith What I'm saying here is that you think you right by warning others against this teachings. He thinks he is right by teaching it. Everyone seems right in their own eyes. That is why we have tp depend completely on the Holy Spirit.
I understand what you're saying, but I grew up in an organization that highly valued what ministers thought they heard from God. A lot of it was just foolishness. It doesn't matter what we "feel" or think...if it's not scriptural in specifics or principle it shouldn't be taught. If someone develops a personal conviction about something that's fine, but it doesn't apply to everyone around them...and I highly doubt God is going to give an elderly bald man a new revelation about power in women's long uncut hair (that He forgot to include in scripture). I would also point out that the power in uncut hair "theory" has proved untrue. Sadly the UPCI has been hit with COVID 19 quite hard and they have lost several ministers this year. I read a Facebook post where one lady was going to place "powerful uncut hair" on her dad (a minister) in the hospital for healing. He passed shortly thereafter. Nobody has more uncut hair than that organization and it did not protect them.
This lady sounds like "we will wear our own clothes, Just give us your name to take away our reproach " We want to do it our way Just give us your name to cover us. Leave us alone, basically
Ha ha... lee stone king also said paul made prayer shawls not tents... acts 18:3 the greek word in acts for tents was animal skins.. which is what they used back then for making tents .. lol
What you're not teaching here is that Jewish women, wore long hair. The pagan women (Greek, Roman, ) were temple prostitutes who cut their hair. They were distinguished from (God's people) by the short, shorn, hair. God told Israel to come out from among them and be separate. Paul taught them to not dress like them, don't braid jewelry into your hair(like them). So Godly women are to be different (NOT LOOK LIKE THE WORLD, DRESS LIKE THE WORLD, TALK LIKE THE WORLD, SING THEIR SONGS, ETC...
I appreciate your comment Sherry and hope that has been your experience. Unfortunately, having spent 26 years of my life in the UPCI, I've heard it said over pulpits "Cut your hair and go to hell, see if I care", and "If my wife cuts her hair and goes to hell, I'm not going with her". I also know of people who have trimmed their hair and been told by pastors that they've sinned and are going to hell. While some UPCI ministers don't teach/believe this, many do. Another thing I've heard is that they don't require it, they just encourage new converts to seek God and do what he impresses them to do. But the "grace period" is time stamped and at some point, if God hasn't told you to do exactly what they want, they are not happy and the honeymoon is over. It doesn't take much to fall out of favor. The articles of faith of the UPCI state: "We wholeheartedly disapprove of our people indulging in any activities which are not conducive to good Christianity and godly living, such as theaters, dances, mixed bathing or swimming, women cutting their hair, make-up, any apparel that immodestly exposes the body, all worldly sports and amusements, and unwholesome radio programs and music. Furthermore, because of the display of all these evils on television, we disapprove of any of our people having television sets in their homes. We admonish all of our people to refrain from any of these practices in the interest of spiritual progress and the soon coming of the Lord for His church." At the very least, even the ministers who don't consider hair to be a matter of salvation, consider it to be a matter of "spiritual maturity" and will quickly remove you from serving in any capacity at the church if you do cut your hair. Either way, it's a requirement to be a member in good standing. If it's not sin or tied to salvation, what's the issue? I know many UPCer's don't like to admit it, because it sounds crazy and isn't scriptural, but that's the way it is. I wish it wasn't.
I believe we are saved by faith (Rom 5:1) and as long as our faith is in Christ for salvation, nothing can pluck us from His hand (John 10:28-29). I do not believe that true faith produces people who are happy to pursue sinful lives, but who want to please God (even though we all mess up from time to time). I do however believe we can walk away from our faith if we so choose.
"Uncut hair" is certainly not what James 2 was talking about, but if you read the entire chapter it does mention not discriminating against the poor in favor of the wealthy (favoritism), loving your neighbor, not committing adultery, not murdering, and showing mercy. These are good works and true faith inevitably produces good works. If you read the entire book of James as if the chapters and verses were added but the letter was one continuous writing (which it is), there are several other good works mentioned, as well as things to avoid...cutting hair was not even on the radar.
I've heard from people all over NA who have witnessed this. I don't necessarily think it's something they all believe, but I'm pretty sure most of them would defend it. Even during the peek of the UPCI ministry Coronavirus deaths in 2020, there were at least 2 family members of UPCI ministers who took to social media to talk about laying the "holy hair" on their father/husband in the hospital. Sadly, both men passed away. Those are two stories that will never make a Lee Stoneking sermon about "power in uncut hair". It's super weird. I feel sad when I hear it, but I can understand their desperation of those women in a moment of crisis like that (especially if they've been taught this false doctrine). The proponents try to make it sound less crazy by saying it's not about the hair, it's about God honoring obedience...yet you never hear them try to manipulate God with any other type of "Christian obedience" (like baptism).
I don't know of one, in fact the videos of Lee Stonekings sermon about it seem to disappear quite frequently until someone else reposts it. I have to think it's a doctrine that the UPCI doesn't widely "advertise", likely due to it's heretical nature (which is why I take issue with the fact that as an organization they haven't taken a strong stand against it and squashed the practice entirely). The best I can do is a blurry picture toward the bottom of this link, of a UPCI lady shaking her hair over a basket of prayer requests at an Alabama Ladies Retreat: truetwistianity.blogspot.com/2012/11/magic-holy-hair-i-corinthians-111-16.html
You might also find this ladies book interesting as she chronicles her exit from this group and mentions a Ladies Retreat service she was in where they were encouraged to "let down their hair" for power in prayer. www.amazon.com/Free-Legalism-Breaking-United-Pentecostal-ebook/dp/B07WJJ2GK1/ref=pd_rhf_se_p_img_4?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=VZV14E1KGRK9TPBF5581
This is a link to a Podcast interview with the lady who wrote the above book (she mentions the hair thing in this interview). You might find it interesting. It's the December 31, 2019 episode. thecultishshow.com/podcast Her name is Jennifer Brewer.
This was years ago now but there was a lady at the United Pentecostal Church that some of my family go to. She had cancer and lost her hair and her mother said that she didn't know if her daughter is going to go to heaven or not because of her hair falling out
Awe that's so sad! People will often say that the UPC doesn't believe uncut hair to be a matter of salvation, and maybe they don't specifically state it in their articles of faith but I've heard way too many stories like yours to believe it's not regularly being taught/implied in UPC pulpits. I will say that know many of even the most extreme UPC churches who would not think a lady who was losing her hair due to chemo or health problems was unsaved. That's horrible. If the lady you mentioned had placed her faith in Christ, she was a believer and had eternal life. It's sad to think her mom would anguish over the passing of her daughter with uncertainty. That's exactly why I speak out!
Last year were 2 seperate social media posts during COVID about female family members going to the hospital to lay their uncut hair across their sick family member (both UPCI ministers) for healing. Sadly both men died. I can't believe you've never heard of it.
I have heard here what vs.10 isn't by examples given, and by the way, good job. It's sad to see the teachings go above and beyond. Believers of this are just searching for a reason why they do what they do and if it sounds good and reasonable and if it comes from someone they trust, well then, it must be so. The question is then, what is vs.10 saying???
If you read commentaries it's commonly acknowledged that scholars don't really know what vrs 10 means. I guess Paul knew what he was trying to say when he wrote it down in this letter to the believers in Corinth and it would have been something they understood (maybe a local/cultural thing or even in reference to something they had talked about before) but we have no clue. One can assume that if it refers to something important for believers today it's likely repeated someplace else in scripture more clearly.
@@ResponsibleFaith This has nothing to do with Cultural matters. Paul taught this in other churches and expected it to be understood and followed and yes, even today, as vs.16 brings out. That is to say,.... there is no argument about this even in the other churches... Paul writes in the beginning, vs.3 about the Divine Order, a subject he has written about other times such as in Eph.5 and he was expressing the importance of it. This order has been in place since he made man and woman and God/Christ being the head of all. Simply saying in all this, the Hair is one's Covering(Vail). Men, don't dishonor your Head(Christ/God) by covering (Hair/Vail) your Head. And women TO Cover(Hair/Vail) their head, if you don't, you might as well cut it off, (vs.3-6). WHY? He In vs.7-9, explains the Divine Order again, in other words, this is very important. Vs.10, For this Reason Women Ought To Have a Covering (Vail/Hair) in a Sign that She is the Divine Order, because the Angels are Watching..... vs.11-12 he explains how man and woman are different but still One. Vs.13 the importance for a woman to be Covered (Long/Vail/Hair), because of when you Pray unto Your God.... Vs.14-15 Men cut your hair don't let it Cover your head, Women let your hair Cover (Vail/Long) your Head. If you have to ask why, It's the Divine Order in which your God Created you
You are a very intelligent person. I respect your beliefs and interpretation of the scriptures. I’m oneness and hold to certain beliefs. But I don’t understand how we as Christians can refer to others interpretations as heresy? I know this is comparing apples and oranges but when I was young every denomination thought they had the define ticket to glory! Again, I want to say, I find you thought provoking but because others interpret differently doesn’t make them a Heretic. God is love and all knowing. Believe me there are more Christians that fit the holier than thou attitude than the UPCI.
The term heresy refers to beliefs outside of what is commonly held or acceptable. I didn't call anyone a heretic. The idea of special power with angels because of uncut hair is so incredibly unusual and lacking scriptural backing that I did come out hard against it. It has held many women in crippling fear and condemnation. It's proponents teach that women are responsible for keeping their family safe (through angelic protection) by not cutting their hair. On the flip side of that, if they do cut it many disasters are presented as being the result. What a horrible ridiculous burden for them to carry (as if Apostolic women aren't burdened down enough with all their other beliefs). I don't disagree that there are many holier than thou Christians other than those who identify as UPCI, but with that being my background, I speak of what I know. This doctrine is downright abusive toward women and based on one of the main books that promotes it, also places the blame for cheating husbands on a woman cutting her hair (not his own lust and bad choices). This is the teaching I came out hardest against on my channel so far because it has no basis whatsoever in scripture and I've heard from so many women who have been terrorized by it. Any doctrine that takes our focus off of Christ and places it on ourselves (our behavior, our clothing, our hair...) deserves to be addressed imo.
Several have preached it and some have even made it central to their UPC evangelistic brand. Which preacher are you speaking of with "no sense?" Raymond Woodward? Joe Campetella? Lee Stoneking? Kim Haney? Ruth Harvey? Juli Jasinski? The list goes on...
you should focus on what the bible says. the comments are a little too much. i did hear the testimony of the healing , yes its real. bro manguns bott they gave the testimony there one of those years. good stuff
@@ResponsibleFaith I agree ,there is no where in the bible that teaches uncut hair equals power, I had a sister take of my hair clip ( I had half of my hair clipped) in a prayer meeting and I was praying in the Spirit and after I was like ...ohh my hair clip fell and a sister said no I took it off because when you have your hair down you have charge over the angels, I wanted to tell her no that is not in the bible but it was not the right time.She was sincere and meant well, she is a good christian but I've read my bible a couple times and I know that this teaching is not true.
Yes, it's scares me how many sincere UPC people are starting to believe this teaching. I really wish the organization would publicly address it and take a clear stand against it. When I was UPC, it was not even spoken of in my district but unfortunately it is now.
I'm not sure what you think is contrary to the Word of God, but the power in uncut hair teaching is totally outside of the Word of God (there are even UPC people who would wholeheartedly agree with me on that).
Can you please get in the topic of dress women should really wear dresses to go to Heaven you got a dress holy to go to heaven if you want to get to have any go dress deep yourself I’m going to hell can you hit that topic place that needs to be addressed what they do Upc
I'm not sure exactly what you're asking but the only thing we need to be clothed in to have eternal life is the righteousness of Christ. As far as what should a Christian woman wear physically...I would say (as does scripture) that she should dress respectably and modestly. What that looks like for you is between you and the Holy Spirit.
Funny i had a uncle that had a problem with the UPCI. he was obsessed over what he thought were untruths they were teaching. he didnt seem to voice his opinion about Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, Confucianism, Taoism, must not have bothered him. but boy oh boy did he rant about the UPCI . I see a pattern here. Dont like it dont go. you can differ in your opinion without bashing a organization you are obsessed with. and yes , you are obsessed.
As someone who grew up in the UPCI (especially as a female) and stayed until I was 26 years old, I talk about what I know. Had I spent that time as a Mormon, I would likely be pointing out where their teachings veer away from scripture. Having a love for truth and viewing teachings in light of scripture is nothing that I will apologize for. So to your comment "Don't like it, don't go" I say "Don't like my videos, don't watch". But it's a free country and I am not going to stop talking about these things. People who are happy with the UPCI don't watch my videos, and people who are struggling with questions appreciate hearing from someone who understands. And for the record, not all of my videos are about the UPCI, I just address teachings I believe are not backed up by scripture, it's not my fault that the UPCI holds so many of them. I don't encourage people to believe everything I say blindly, the whole purpose for my channel is to encourage people to take responsibility for their own faith and study on their own...hence the name of the channel.
Funny, Don, I see that while you decided to pick on Deanna's channel, I didn't see you write about the content of any other RU-vid channel, so none of the others must have bothered you, but boy oh boy did you rant about this one. Do we see a pattern here? Don't like it, don't watch. You can differ in your opinion without bashing Deanna and hurling out a false allegation of being obsessed. Instead of addressing any of the points she brings up in the video, you chose to insult her. smh
Absolutely nothing wrong with making videos that help people out of unhealthy church doctrines that they experienced and can help others. God gives us testimonies to share with others that can relate that have gone through similar experiences that kept them from a greater and deeper loving relationship with God. No need to make videos that about religion she had no experience with. However if you find a person of a former religion you mentioned, I bet they would be making videos of those. It makes sense, and the most logical and understandable way God would use individuals per their own past. Thank God for these videos! 🙏🙌
Don Campbell Your uncle picked the one organization that was teaching false doctrines as ‘true Christianity’. The ‘pattern’ you might be wisely detecting is that people are becoming aware of the fact that some organizations are using the gospel plus extra stuff to control people.
It's interesting to me that you feel she is "obsessed." The purpose of her channel is to teach responsible faith-- faith that doesn't just swallow everything a leader says, but instead takes responsibility for digging into the Word oneself to find out what the Bible is saying. As others have mentioned, Deanna focuses on what she knows so well. That is the teachings she was taught. This is completely reasonable, as any respectable teacher of writing or production would always advise "stick to topics you know". This does not indicate unhealthy obsession in any way. In fact, I would take it a step further, to say that it's extremely important for you and I to follow her example. Each of us should examine what we've been taught to make sure it was correctly relayed to us. All too often doctrines made up by men are being taught as God's, while huge chunks of the teachings and lifestyle of Jesus are being ignored by these very same teachers. Blindly following preachers, without examining the Word honestly for oneself, is dangerous. Deanna digs very deeply into context of scriptures, history of the day, the culture of the people involved, and addresses ignorance head on. This is true Bible study in practice. All too often we take the meaning we are told instead of really digging in to see if that's the true meaning. Deanna is taking a more scholarly approach to "rightly dividing the Word". Unfortunately, many of the people I grew up around in the UPCI never learned how to study the Bible fire themselves. They were just taught to "submit", "don't question", and the "apostolic doctrine" as written in the manual was worshipped almost as much as God himself. "Work out your own salvation" was simply ignored. You were to follow without wavering. Deanna is helping true believers understand that we can and should dig into the Word for ourselves and not take the opinion of others
To mock someone “Selling everything they own” to consecrate themselves on a deeper level is a scary place. Funny how Jesus told the rich young ruler to sell everything he owns. Some people just can’t sell out. Sad.
Are you comparing women not cutting their hair to someone selling all they own? I'm honestly not sure what exactly you're saying here? I'm all for consecrating oneself to God, what I disagree with is the misuse of scripture to make it seem as though women will gain special power with the angels if they never cut their hair. It's misleading, ridiculous and untrue. If uncut hair is a personal conviction a Christian lady has for herself and abides by it...I celebrate her freedom to do so (as long as she actually does have the freedom to choose otherwise). This is not what the UPCI teaches. The uncut hair doctrine has become a "must" for all women and it is incentivized by this false teaching of "power with the angels" in uncut hair. I have a big problem with that.
Why thank you Mr.Toenail. 🙂 Drop the word "hyper" and I'm honored to be associated with the concept of the grace of God. In Christ alone, my hope is found. I must admit from your other comments, you sound like a "HYPER-LEGALISM boy".
I doubt it's prevalent, as most women wear their long hair up. The practice of "letting it down" is not used in every one of their churches. Most of their "up" hairstyles require copious amounts of hairspray which I would think would safeguard against lice, although one has to wonder how burdensome it would be if a UPCI lady had one of her children bring home lice from school. It would be such an overwhelming task to treat it in their long, uncut hair!
This is why woman need to cover their heads with a veil when they pray or prophesy and when they are out in public. And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them, 2 That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose. There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown. Genesis chapter 6 KJV The sons of God(the fallen angel's) lusted after the daughter's of men. This is why Paul wrote that a woman aught to have power on her head because of the angel's. When women are uncovered in public they are tempting to the angel's and other men. Women who refuse to cover their heads with a veil out in public are causing angel's and other men to lust after them. A woman's uncovered hair is part of her nakedness. "uncover thy locks, make bare the leg, uncover the thigh, pass over the rivers.” Isaiah 47:2 In Isaiah 47:2 it is referring to "locks of hair". Women uncovering their hair in public is similar to uncovering your legs and thigh it's part of your nakedness. If you will read these verses KJV you will see that Godly women cover their heads with a veil. Genesis 24:65 Numbers 5:18 Ruth 3:15 Isaiah 3:23 Song of Solomon 5:7 Women who pray or prophesy with their head uncovered are dishonoring their husbands and Jesus Christ. But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven. For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered. 1Corinthians 11:5-6 For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels. 1Corinthians 11:10
...and when they are out in public? That's not found in scripture anywhere as a command (even for their time). Am I understanding your last point correctly...that the Mosaic law requires head coverings and that we are still bound to observe it? I would have to disagree with both of those points, if that's what you're saying. I am familiar with the Nephilim theory of head coverings and hair being attractive to the angels and tempting them to sin (also not present in scripture). It's a weak argument to make though, since there has never been another incursion even though women have not worn head coverings for a long time. It was the custom for Godly Jewish women to cover their heads in the OT in middle eastern society. By the NT society, you had head coverings in Corinth for public prayer and prophecy in 54 AD...but by 63 AD (1 Tim 2:9) you have elaborate hairdo's being worn to public prayer/worship services to flaunt wealth. No mention of head coverings/veils...just advice to be moderate and for Godly women to be known for their good deeds. It's hard to flaunt an elaborate hairdo at a public prayer gathering if it's hidden under a veil/head covering. Sounds like things were different depending on the time/place...likely in respect of the customs of propriety of the various places.
@@ResponsibleFaith If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord. 1Corinthians 14:37
Reading that whole chapter, which is speaking of proper order in a worship gathering (what to do and what not to do regarding tongues, prophecy etc...), when you get to this verse in the letter...Paul seems to be saying that if anyone considers himself spiritual he will support Paul's instruction here as being Godly advice. He then (vrs 39) encourages them to not forbid speaking in tongues (which must have been something they were doing) and to be eager to prophecy. I'm not sure what this has to do with head coverings?
@@ResponsibleFaith Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. John 3:5 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Acts 2:38 Have you been born of water and Spirit according to John 3:5, Acts 2:38?
Wow, your stepping into the spiritual realm with your human knowledge and worst of all human prejudices. Good luck to you. Sooner or later you'll find out that this is no laughing matter.
I'm not stepping into any spiritual realm by simply searching scripture to see if it says anything about women having power in uncut hair. It doesn't. Acts 17:11 called searching things out "noble" (something people should do more often). Your cryptic warning might scare me if I hadn't grown up in the UPCI and heard "warnings" and "cautionary tales" so often. Fear permeates too many of their teachings and seems to be their most useful tool for maintaining control. It can get very cultic. This teaching (power in uncut hair) is foolishness, plain and simple. I highly doubt that God is going to ignore all the evils of the world to come and smite me for using levity while calling attention to a bizarre legalistic teaching with no basis in scripture. It's not right to burden people down and stress them out with things that aren't necessary (Matt 23:13-28). I would admonish you to be careful what you put your faith in. Hair and rules have no power at all. The only power to save is in the shed blood of Jesus Christ on the cross for our sins (Eph 2:8-9). I hope that is where you have placed your faith.
Not only do apostolic women dress like witches, they act like them also. All these threats and stuff. All “casting their spells” and your “gonna be sorry.” What amazing Christians they are!
I wonder how much time it will take for your dire prediction to come true...because I've been out of the UPC for 17 years and have been saying what I said in my video for a long time. You can't have this attitude (of supernatural warnings and threats) with your critics and expect to be taken seriously.
