one-step doctrine

[Jack Shephard]

Originally Posted by Dedicated Mind

speaking of moving beyond "the principles of the doctrine", I'm all for that seeing I get bored with some the the redundancy of the forum, but I can't get this one-step doctrine out of my mind. I have never heard of apostolics teaching this doctrine until I came to this forum. I was always of the notion that apostolics believed in 3 steps, repentance, water and sprit baptism. If one-step doctrine is true, does that mean that many people from protestant and catholic denominations are saved?? I sympatize with one-step because many of my family members are trinitarian pentecostals and I hope for their salvation, but my mind still believes that Jesus-name baptism is still needed. I don't mean to rehash salvation doctrine, but I do wish that one-step were true and that many more would be saved.

I am more of a one-stepper than three-stepper. Though for me if you are going to baptize it should be Biblical, in Jesus name. I have no problem with someone that is baptized in titles. If you or I do our job as teacher/pastors then it is quite possible that they will be rebaptized in Jesus name. For me as far as fellowship goes I do not think the formula has a thing to do with fellowshipping. IMO. I may not see totally eye to eye with the doctrine though I will fellowship them anyhow.

[Jack Shephard]

Originally Posted by Sam

comments (not arguments)

Since the beginning of the teaching about using the name of Jesus in water baptism beginning in 1913 or so, there have always been one-steppers. These were originally folks who had been saved, then found out about and accepted an experience known as the HGB (Holy Ghost Baptism) and then later found out about Jesus' name water baptism. As they taught and preached over the years, folks heard the Gospel and got saved/converted/born again and susequently submitted to water baptism in Jesus' name and then went on and received the HGB. This is how they fulfilled and experienced Acts 2:38. Over the years others began to preach that they really hadn't been saved at all until they got water baptized in Jesus' name and received the HGB. Over the years the three steppers gained in numbers teaching that born of water meant water baptism and born of the Spirit meant HGB. When the UPC was formed in 1945 two organizations merged with the agreement that they would fellowship one another and allow both the one step and three step message be preached, taught in Bible Schools, and printed in the Pentecostal Herald. In time the three steppers gained enough political power, violated the principles of freedom proposed in the original agreement of 1945, modified the fundamental doctrine statement, and pushed through the Affirmation Statement under dubious circumstances. Now we have people who have been in UPC churches for years and have never even heard of the one step position.

If the one step position is true, then it means that anyone who has repented of sin and made a commitment to Jesus Christ is indeed saved/born again. The first General Superintendent of the UPC stated that "even the Baptists will be in the Bride of Christ."

Actually, both one steppers and three steppers believe in and preach Acts 2:38. We just believe that justification/regeneration/salvation occurs at different points of the two commands and one promise outlined in that verse.

You are right Sam/Jim. The thing that alot of people do not know is that most one-steppers are not exactly the same as the once-saved-always-saved people. Pray a simple prayer and you are saved. This is not totally true. As CC1 said that it is a journey and it starts with repentance. If for some reason they did not reach the other stages, baptism and HGB, maybe because of death or something I believe they will be saved. I am not altogether sure that even if they live a long time and are never baptized in Jesus name and receive the HG that they will not make heaven.

For several years people have preached the 3-steps and then you are good to go. Yeah they talk about dress codes and stuff, but they talk about Acts 2:38 as if it is a once you do it then you are automatically going to heaven. That is not true. Acts 2:38 is our response to the Gospel, I know you believe this. There are alot that do not. You have gave a great outline on how the 3-steppers took over.

[deltaguitar]

Originally Posted by JTULLOCK

I am more of a one-stepper than three-stepper. Though for me if you are going to baptize it should be Biblical, in Jesus name. I have no problem with someone that is baptized in titles. If you or I do our job as teacher/pastors then it is quite possible that they will be rebaptized in Jesus name. For me as far as fellowship goes I do not think the formula has a thing to do with fellowshipping. IMO. I may not see totally eye to eye with the doctrine though I will fellowship them anyhow.

Yeah, . . . but this shorts thing borders on heresy and I doubt I could fellowship with you. J/K

[SDG]

Originally Posted by Sam

comments (not arguments)

Since the beginning of the teaching about using the name of Jesus in water baptism beginning in 1913 or so, there have always been one-steppers. These were originally folks who had been saved, then found out about and accepted an experience known as the HGB (Holy Ghost Baptism) and then later found out about Jesus' name water baptism. As they taught and preached over the years, folks heard the Gospel and got saved/converted/born again and susequently submitted to water baptism in Jesus' name and then went on and received the HGB. This is how they fulfilled and experienced Acts 2:38. Over the years others began to preach that they really hadn't been saved at all until they got water baptized in Jesus' name and received the HGB. Over the years the three steppers gained in numbers teaching that born of water meant water baptism and born of the Spirit meant HGB. When the UPC was formed in 1945 two organizations merged with the agreement that they would fellowship one another and allow both the one step and three step message be preached, taught in Bible Schools, and printed in the Pentecostal Herald. In time the three steppers gained enough political power, violated the principles of freedom proposed in the original agreement of 1945, modified the fundamental doctrine statement, and pushed through the Affirmation Statement under dubious circumstances. Now we have people who have been in UPC churches for years and have never even heard of the one step position.

If the one step position is true, then it means that anyone who has repented of sin and made a commitment to Jesus Christ is indeed saved/born again. The first General Superintendent of the UPC stated that "even the Baptists will be in the Bride of Christ."

Actually, both one steppers and three steppers believe in and preach Acts 2:38. We just believe that justification/regeneration/salvation occurs at different points of the two commands and one promise outlined in that verse.

Excellent summary, Elder.

[SDG]

Also PCIers reject the sacramentalist teaching of baptismal regeneration. Many 3 steppers teach that sins are forgiven at repentance but not wiped away/blotted/remitted/put away until water baptism and the invocation of the name of Jesus by the baptizer over the baptizee.

In effect, most 3 step baptismal regenerationists believe the blood of Jesus is applied in this ceremony only if it it properly administered.

[mizpeh]

Originally Posted by Daniel Alicea

Also PCIers reject the sacramentalist teaching of baptismal regeneration. Many 3 steppers teach that sins are forgiven at repentance but not wiped away/blotted/remitted/put away until water baptism and the invocation of the name of Jesus by the baptizer over the baptizee.

In effect, most 3 step baptismal regenerationists believe the blood of Jesus is applied in this ceremony only if it it properly administered.

Regenerated means born again. I believe we are regenerated by the baptisms...the baptism of the Spirit and and baptism of water. Acts 2:38

Tit 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

John 3:5 Jesus answered, 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.

Is this what you mean by sacramental regeneration, Dan?

[Sam]

Originally Posted by mizpeh

Regenerated means born again. I believe we are regenerated by the baptisms...the baptism of the Spirit and and baptism of water. Acts 2:38
...

That is the belief of many that we call "three steppers" on these forums.
A "one stepper" would believe in justification/salvation/regeneration at repentance/faith and then that conversion experience is followed up by water baptism as a public burial of the old person and as a testimony of faith in the death burial and resurrection of Jesus. Also that new Christian would be exhorted to receive the HGB (Holy Ghost Baptism) as an empowerment and release of the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

[pelathais]

Originally Posted by Sam

That is the belief of many that we call "three steppers" on these forums.
A "one stepper" would believe in justification/salvation/regeneration at repentance/faith and then that conversion experience is followed up by water baptism as a public burial of the old person and as a testimony of faith in the death burial and resurrection of Jesus. Also that new Christian would be exhorted to receive the HGB (Holy Ghost Baptism) as an empowerment and release of the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

Once again, clarity from Sam (and see especially his earlier post here). Thanks Sam.

[stmatthew]

Originally Posted by pelathais

Once again, clarity from Sam (and see especially his earlier post here). Thanks Sam.

Clarity.............. even if he is clearly wrong.

[stmatthew]

If we see Jesus as the pattern, we have no problem understanding that Death, Burial, and resurrection is the only way to gain "NEW LIFE".