Grace Escape

The ‘Holy Standards’ series continues today with a deep dive into the rules surrounding hair. Is long hair the same as uncut hair? Should men have short hair? Is hair a woman’s head covering? Are beards on men a sign of pride? And most importantly, why are these parameters determined by church leaders, rather than the Holy Spirit’s conviction to each individual believer? Tune in to hear Justin and...

Universally, women wear makeup and jewelry to accentuate their beauty. Did you know that it is a sin to wear those things, according to the Holiness Pentecostal churches? For women AND men. This particular movement’s misuse of Scripture has driven their leaders to formulate a doctrine that, at best, is drastically literal and out of context. Follow along as Justin and Tiffany debunk these false te...

According to the Holiness Pentecostal movement, standards are put in place to act as a fence; protecting believers from the onslaught of the world and all its evils. Unfortunately, the leaders of this movement do not consider that Christians are well able to study scripture and work out their own salvation, by the help of the Holy Spirit. This week on the Grace Escape podcast, Justin and Tiffany a...

True or false statement… “Jesus wants me to look my absolute BEST when I walk into His house”? How come Pentecostals believe that dressing up…..at church, mind you….is an indication of your relationship with God? Nothing could be further from truth, or Scripture! The same Scripture that teaches us to come as we are, and to not discriminate between the well dressed and the poorly dressed. Today’s e...

Have you ever wondered what the New Testament church gatherings looked like? Although, we don’t know specifically, we can draw some examples from Scripture to help us form a picture. Unfortunately, the modern Pentecostal church has taken that same Scripture and liberally manufactured their own depiction of what the ekklesia, the church, the gathering of the body of Christ should look like. Justin...

Is worship a spiritual surrender, or a spiritual practice? Is the commonly referred to “Sunday AM Worship Service” in a church building modeled after a biblical example, or is it perpetuated by people who wish to bask in environments filled with emotion? Extreme highs, extreme lows. These are some questions answered in today’s episode. Join in to hear the contrast between worship of the Bible, and...

The whole idea of “going to church” as something believers must do, entirely falls apart when you understand the true meaning of Hebrews 10:25. With a short Greek and context study, you come to find that “assembling” refers to being gathered to Christ rather than the famously preached “going to church”. What an irresponsibly false doctrine the charismatic, Pentecostal pastors are purporting! Today...

Undoubtedly, modern Christianity wouldn’t know how to exist without a brick and mortar edifice, mistakenly entitled “church”. In truth, the majority of these buildings are fashioned after pagan, ritualistic temples that were never once erected by the early church. Listen as Justin and Tiffany reflect on the Old Testament, where the temple and tabernacle existed as the physical location of God’s pr...

It is imperative for Christians to discern and test the authenticity of all prophetic messages. False prophets lead people astray with their deception, and falling prey to that can be simple when the prophecies are being delivered by spiritual leaders. Justin and Tiffany offer scripture guidance on how to recognize when prophecies are unfounded in today’s episode, even if the “prophet” has attache...

It is important to understand the context of Scripture, as believers. Rather than reading ourselves into the historical accounts, much like the modern charismatic church does, we must responsibly exegete the text to provide for the author’s intent. Justin and Tiffany examine the true context of a few Bible stories in this episode, and lay out proof that the entirety of the Bible points us directly...

The modern charismatic, Pentecostal church is obsessed with attempting to reproduce the Day of Pentecost. Funnily enough, it has nothing to do with the Jewish holiday, neither is it about the supernatural ability to speak in foreign languages. No. It is all about converts speaking in “tongues”, also known as gibberish. This episode is meant to solidify the UPC’s infatuation with this “experience”,...

The Pentecostal movement does not practice the gift of tongues, as laid out in the books of Acts and 1 Corinthians. Furthermore, requiring a second type of tongues as an “experience” for salvation is not only unbiblical, it is damaging to a Christian’s walk. Today’s episode explores the descriptive passages surrounding this practice to see what they reveal about the purpose and function of this sp...

Oneness Pentecostals teach that Acts 2 provides a salvific blueprint for Christians to speak in tongues today. Confusingly, the members of this movement practice ‘glossolalia’ (fabricated, non-meaningful speech), rather than the type of tongues clearly demonstrated in that book of the Bible: ‘xenolalia’ (a foreign language unknown to the speaker). Thank you to guest Steve Forkin (of the ‘Reformed...

Whether it is Howard A. Goss, Andrew D. Urshan or the constituents of the Shakers Movement, the experience of speaking glossolalia is just that: an experience. It proves nothing of the Holy Spirit dwelling inside believers as a result of true faith and trust in Christ. In today’s episode, Justin and Tiffany examine a couple of the founding church fathers of the UPC, and determine their validity as...

This episode offers insight on the Azusa Street Revival (1906) unlike any you would receive from a modern Pentecostal church today. A series of dynamic, Holy Spirit-led revival meetings in Los Angeles isn’t exactly how the story goes. Chaos, frenzy,  and a plethora of neighborhood complaints was more the gist. Join the continuation of episodes exposing the history of the UPC, its tongues doctrine,...

Documentation covering the life of Charles Fox Parham doesn’t emit a flowery scent, to say the least. As an early 1990’s evangelist, he birthed the modern-day Pentecostal movement, and introduced what is now viewed as a second gift of tongues in the charismatic church. The problem is his life journey and doctrinal teachings fall far from biblical qualifiers. This episode digs deep to expose his ch...

If the foundation is compromised, subsequent construction will assuredly be faulty. The Pentecostal movement was founded in the early 1900s, upon men who were problematic and events that were questionable, at best. Yet, entire organizations emerged from these dubious beginnings. All in hopes of experiencing a restoration of the gift of tongues. This episode serves as an introductory to the history...

Contextually, the art of “bait and switch” doesn’t apply to a sales strategy only. Churches across the world employ this tactic as well, to appear inviting, vibrant, and community-driven, in order to lure first time guests in with enticing events. Over time though, the glittering attraction fades and members are usually left with a much higher price to pay. Justin and Tiffany expose this ruse in t...

On this episode, you will hear Justin and Tiffany challenge the Pentecostal notion that God has a perfect, predetermined plan for every decision we make—a doctrine that often leaves believers feeling anxious and fearful of stepping “out of the will of God.”  May this episode encourage a deeper trust in the One who walks alongside us on this journey of faith, and a confidence that He is actively in...

Oh the gulf that resides between the clergy and the laity! Rather than shared ministry at a round table of all brethren alike, it’s exclusivity and class distinctions. Today’s episode covers the ways in which the modern pastor is more like a celebrity than a servant, and the congregants, his loyal fan base, a lesser class that is spiritually dependent on him. “…even as the Son of Man came not to b...

Readjusting to daily life outside the charismatic church bubble can be a struggle. How do we regain our sense of self, faith and purpose after spending years surrendering our identity to an organization? This episode provides some practical steps to rediscover our autonomy, faith and community beyond the confines of religious institutions, and to find our identity ultimately in Jesus Christ.  ‘In...

Legalism dresses up as devout adherence to God’s precepts. Instead, it extends beyond God’s explicit biblical commands and writes its own set of human traditions. Justin and Tiffany’s conversation in this episode examines the layers of legalistic cultures. They discuss the emphasis on specific customs and traditions, using scripture to offer freedom found in Christ alone. He saved us, not because...

Compliance out of fear will not result in genuine transformation. It simply produces a rigid adherence to rules and rituals, often lacking grace and love. In today’s episode, Justin and Tiffany expose paralyzing fear tactics employed by the modern church, and discuss how to break free from them to experience true freedom in Christ.  There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear… -1 Joh...

Tithing was a binding contract between God and the people of Israel, established in the Old Covenant. As believers under the New Covenant today, we are called to give willingly, cheerfully and generously (2 Cor. 9:7), with our motivation stemming from gratitude and love, not legal obligation. In this episode, we navigate tithing practices in scripture, dispel misconceptions and encourage a grace-f...

Reimagine a church where dollar bills were rendered useless, and benevolence, generosity, and sacrifice were the governing currency. Unfortunately, materialism and greed have infiltrated the very institution meant to embody selflessness and compassion. In today’s episode, Justin and Tiffany lay out discrepancies between giving in the early church and giving in today’s charismatic pentecostal “chur...