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Christianity Without the Cross: A History of Salvation in Oneness Pentecostalism
Grounded in primary source research, this boldly revisionist book examines the doctrine of salvation in Oneness Pentecostalism (United Pentecostal Church) from its origins through its several developmental stages. The gradual rise of a literal interpretation of Acts 2.38 eliminated a tradition of doctrinal diversity within Oneness thought which regarded salvation as occurring at repentance prior to water and Spirit baptism. With this development a main link to the wider stream of evangelical Christianity was severed. The "water and Spirit" theology resulted in a form of Christianity which does not necessarily require the cross in any meaningful sense for salvation. This study recovers the lost theological tradition associated with important figures such as Howard A. Goss, A.D. Gurley, W.M. Greer, C.H. Tadon, Wynn T. Stairs, Earl Jacques, E.P. Wickens, John Paterson and the Pentecostal Church, Incorporated. Combining traditional historical methodology and theological research with the principles of a broadly based oral history, this study argues for a theological diversity within the history of Oneness Pentecostalism and in so doing bridges an important gap in the history and theology of the United Pentecostal Church.
- GenresTheology
404 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 1, 2003
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
May 13, 2025
For members of the UPCI, or former PAJC, PCI, or similar oneness groups, this book is a 4-5 star rating. This book provides probably the only definitive history on the modern UPCI organization as well as a short overview of the Pentecostal American movement as a whole.
Non-involved individuals may find this book rather long in its investigation of the organization and its roots, as well as its theological conclusions. While Fudge asserts to identify if the UPCI’s beliefs are “Christianity without the Cross”, I believe he makes some assertions and conclusions that require a bit more development to conclude. While he is not wrong on most if not all of these, it’s worth noting.
As a whole this book has an enormous number of sources and first hand interviews that I think are invaluable. Fudge as a whole reveals a unique narrative, showing all the puzzle pieces that lead to each cornerstone event in the history of the organization.
If anything, this is an important look at an organization that has flown under the radar in the greater Christian community for far too long, and hopefully this book can set the foundation for outsiders to get a good look on the inside.
Non-involved individuals may find this book rather long in its investigation of the organization and its roots, as well as its theological conclusions. While Fudge asserts to identify if the UPCI’s beliefs are “Christianity without the Cross”, I believe he makes some assertions and conclusions that require a bit more development to conclude. While he is not wrong on most if not all of these, it’s worth noting.
As a whole this book has an enormous number of sources and first hand interviews that I think are invaluable. Fudge as a whole reveals a unique narrative, showing all the puzzle pieces that lead to each cornerstone event in the history of the organization.
If anything, this is an important look at an organization that has flown under the radar in the greater Christian community for far too long, and hopefully this book can set the foundation for outsiders to get a good look on the inside.
March 14, 2026
A warning to Oneness Christians of their tendency to distort the message of salvation.
Thomas Fudge as rewritten his doctoral thesis as a book focussing on the aberrant teaching of the Oneness Pentecostal movement on salvation, as expressed through the largest oneness denomination in the world, the United Pentecostal Church (UPC).
While certainly not a deliberate attempt doctrinally by what were sincere Christians pursuing apostolic truth, Fudge argues, that the cross has become only a stepping stone, not the cornerstone, in the theology of many Oneness Christians. P. 705.
In 1945 the Pentecostal Assembly of Jesus Christ (PAJC) and the Pentecostal Church Inc. (PCI) decided they had sufficient in common to unite and form a single denomination. Fudge points out, that the chief stumbling block in this merger was the interpretation of the Acts 2:38 message.
All agreed on the practice of baptism in Jesus' name, but no consensus could be reached on its precise meaning. There were those from the PAJC who adamantly affirmed that Acts 2:38 encapsulated the gospel; the new birth experience. Others, mainly from the PCI were not so certain and indeed some were convinced that indeed it did not.
After considerable debate W.T. Witherspoon of the PAJC composed a statement which read ‘we shall endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit until we 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.' That statement became part of the Fundamental Doctrine of the newly formed United Pentecostal Church. P. 133.
Fudge argues that the doctrine of salvation in the UPC after a half century of development, unwittingly, has resulted in a theological expression which presents and cultivates the gospel as a form of Christianity without the cross.
There were some leaders in the UPC who resisted any notion that the validity of baptism was contingent upon any particular formula, i.e. in Jesus' name only, by discouraging the practice of rebaptism of those who were baptised in the trinitarian formula (Mt. 28:19), by pointing out that no where does Scripture provide an example of Christian rebaptism, and rejecting as unscriptural the teaching that John 3:5 equalled Acts 2:38. However, overtime the dogmatic views of many of the ministers from the PAJC prevailed. P.113.
Fudge states, that most fundamentalist Oneness or Apostolic Christians would limit ‘full’ and certain salvation to those baptised in the ‘Name of Jesus’ by immersion and experiencing the baptism of the Holy Ghost with the initial evidence of speaking in other tongues, appealing to Acts 2:38 as their summative proof text.
For such Christians, Fudge argues, that their doctrine of salvation depends emphatically and unarguably upon a new birth experience situated unequivocally within ‘water and Spirit’ (Jn. 3:3,5), with little or no direct meaningful reference or connection to the cross and the atonement obtained by Christ. P. 704.
Fudge finds it interesting that the PAJC and the PCI (forerunners of the UPC), like the Assemblies of God (AOG), separated from the holiness movement on the theological implications precipitated by William Durham’s ‘finished work of Calvary’ idea, that nothing more was required for salvation, but genuine faith in Christ's finished work on the cross, and yet the UPC ends up teaching a legalistic application of salvation through 'water and Spirit' theology. P. 704.
Fudge ironically concludes, that although the Holiness ‘second work of grace’ may well have disappeared in early Oneness history, sadly, the cross seems not to have been its primary replacement. P. 704.
This book is a must read for all Pentecostals in order to understand their Oneness and Apostolic brothers and sisters. It is also essential reading for all Oneness and Apostolic Christians as a warning against their cultic and heretical tendency in failing to understand and expound correctly the biblical teaching on salvation, to know nothing "except Jesus Christ and him crucified." ( 1 Cor. 2:2).
Thomas Fudge as rewritten his doctoral thesis as a book focussing on the aberrant teaching of the Oneness Pentecostal movement on salvation, as expressed through the largest oneness denomination in the world, the United Pentecostal Church (UPC).
While certainly not a deliberate attempt doctrinally by what were sincere Christians pursuing apostolic truth, Fudge argues, that the cross has become only a stepping stone, not the cornerstone, in the theology of many Oneness Christians. P. 705.
In 1945 the Pentecostal Assembly of Jesus Christ (PAJC) and the Pentecostal Church Inc. (PCI) decided they had sufficient in common to unite and form a single denomination. Fudge points out, that the chief stumbling block in this merger was the interpretation of the Acts 2:38 message.
All agreed on the practice of baptism in Jesus' name, but no consensus could be reached on its precise meaning. There were those from the PAJC who adamantly affirmed that Acts 2:38 encapsulated the gospel; the new birth experience. Others, mainly from the PCI were not so certain and indeed some were convinced that indeed it did not.
After considerable debate W.T. Witherspoon of the PAJC composed a statement which read ‘we shall endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit until we 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.' That statement became part of the Fundamental Doctrine of the newly formed United Pentecostal Church. P. 133.
Fudge argues that the doctrine of salvation in the UPC after a half century of development, unwittingly, has resulted in a theological expression which presents and cultivates the gospel as a form of Christianity without the cross.
There were some leaders in the UPC who resisted any notion that the validity of baptism was contingent upon any particular formula, i.e. in Jesus' name only, by discouraging the practice of rebaptism of those who were baptised in the trinitarian formula (Mt. 28:19), by pointing out that no where does Scripture provide an example of Christian rebaptism, and rejecting as unscriptural the teaching that John 3:5 equalled Acts 2:38. However, overtime the dogmatic views of many of the ministers from the PAJC prevailed. P.113.
Fudge states, that most fundamentalist Oneness or Apostolic Christians would limit ‘full’ and certain salvation to those baptised in the ‘Name of Jesus’ by immersion and experiencing the baptism of the Holy Ghost with the initial evidence of speaking in other tongues, appealing to Acts 2:38 as their summative proof text.
For such Christians, Fudge argues, that their doctrine of salvation depends emphatically and unarguably upon a new birth experience situated unequivocally within ‘water and Spirit’ (Jn. 3:3,5), with little or no direct meaningful reference or connection to the cross and the atonement obtained by Christ. P. 704.
Fudge finds it interesting that the PAJC and the PCI (forerunners of the UPC), like the Assemblies of God (AOG), separated from the holiness movement on the theological implications precipitated by William Durham’s ‘finished work of Calvary’ idea, that nothing more was required for salvation, but genuine faith in Christ's finished work on the cross, and yet the UPC ends up teaching a legalistic application of salvation through 'water and Spirit' theology. P. 704.
Fudge ironically concludes, that although the Holiness ‘second work of grace’ may well have disappeared in early Oneness history, sadly, the cross seems not to have been its primary replacement. P. 704.
This book is a must read for all Pentecostals in order to understand their Oneness and Apostolic brothers and sisters. It is also essential reading for all Oneness and Apostolic Christians as a warning against their cultic and heretical tendency in failing to understand and expound correctly the biblical teaching on salvation, to know nothing "except Jesus Christ and him crucified." ( 1 Cor. 2:2).
September 27, 2018
I left the UPCI in 2007 after almost 30 years. It started about half way through getting my MDiv from Regent University. Things were just not adding up for me. Dr. Fudge’s excellent work framed what was happening in my mind, heart and spirit from a fair historical context. A must read for anyone questioning the fundamental doctrines of the Oneness Pentecostalism movement as it pertains to the United Pentecostal Church International.
February 10, 2026
this is a nust read!
September 20, 2016
Fudge provides a lengthy history of the United Pentecostal Church, Incorporated and describes the organization's interactions with its core doctrines overtime. However, the book fails to live up to its title "Christianity without the Cross" because Fudge fails to examine UPCI doctrine in the light of scripture. While reading the book, it was unclear what Fudge's view of UPCI doctrine is.
This book provides a very detailed history. Yet, I was left feeling unsatisfied because Fudge did not use scripture or even broader Christian church history to critique the UPCI's flawed teachings.
This book provides a very detailed history. Yet, I was left feeling unsatisfied because Fudge did not use scripture or even broader Christian church history to critique the UPCI's flawed teachings.
February 18, 2012
Ugh, this book was about 50% longer than it needed to be. The footnotes are nearly as lengthy as the main text. This book is a dissertation of Dr. Fudge's research of the results of the merger of the 2 entities that combined to form the United Pentecostal Church International (UPCI) in 1945. He focuses mostly on congregations in Canada and the far eastern and far western corners of the US. I had to look up a lot of big words he used which was frustrating. The book highlights ministers and pastors who belonged to these 2 former entities but who were still ministering in the UPCI and explains that not everyone felt like things were going as they wanted them to go. There was certainly dissention among the ranks along the way, and the book explains in great detail how much of that dissention was summarily handled by the authorities within the UPCI (many of whom are in leadership positions today).
April 3, 2013
A lot of strengths and weaknesses.
There are typically two types of reviews that I've read on this book. The first seem to be bitter former Oneness Pentecostals who praise the book and, the second, are Oneness Pentecostal representatives crying foul.
It seems that the first group wants this book to tell 'the full story' so that this provides ammo by which to nail the UPCI with divisiveness and hypocrisy.
The second group seems to use some weaknesses to avoid that Fudge has made any contributions. Hear, the main reviews I read were those of David K. Bernard, David Norris, J.R. Ensey, and Jason Dulle.
I will have to write more later. For now, while there is no question that some statements and conclusions could have been written more carefully, I don't think that this due to an underlying discrediting of his research - though there may be bias in his presentation.
Important info here; give those he's critiquing the benefit of the doubt.
There are typically two types of reviews that I've read on this book. The first seem to be bitter former Oneness Pentecostals who praise the book and, the second, are Oneness Pentecostal representatives crying foul.
It seems that the first group wants this book to tell 'the full story' so that this provides ammo by which to nail the UPCI with divisiveness and hypocrisy.
The second group seems to use some weaknesses to avoid that Fudge has made any contributions. Hear, the main reviews I read were those of David K. Bernard, David Norris, J.R. Ensey, and Jason Dulle.
I will have to write more later. For now, while there is no question that some statements and conclusions could have been written more carefully, I don't think that this due to an underlying discrediting of his research - though there may be bias in his presentation.
Important info here; give those he's critiquing the benefit of the doubt.
December 25, 2015
Whatever your view are about Fudge, his motivation, or the title of his book-- he has documented more history concerning the United Pentecostal Church than anyone else. It seems to me that the Founding Fathers of the UPC were misguided in there belief that something as vital as the doctrine of Salvation could live under a big tent. One side was bound to win out and the PCI men went into the situation as a minority to begin with.
February 23, 2015
Fudge's sources are interesting, but he is obviously writing from an anti-Apostolic Pentecostal perspective. He highlights the opinions of detractors and does not provide an adequately-balanced examination of the theological development of Oneness Pentecostalism.
March 8, 2013
Highly recommended for anyone interested in a complete history of Oneness Pentecostalism from the perspective of the United Pentecostal Church, Incorporated. Please read with an open mind.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews