Quote:
Originally Posted by crazyjoe
I did not know until I read these threads that the PCI and the Apostolic Assemblies held different beliefs at, during and since the merger in 1945. Although many posts have referred to these differences I have not seen what the differences were. Could you please list the differences and which side held those beliefs, what churches did each side evolve from, names from each organization and what part of the country did they dominate?
I just need a little history lesson on the differences. Thanks.
|
Also, be careful of the answers because most of the answers will come from folks with some dog in this hunt. Most will give you their bias view.
I would be no exception to that rule, but I will try to be as unbiased as possible.
To begin with, by and large the Pan-Pentecostal movement came out of Methodism. The Holiness movement of the 1800’s was driven by the Methodist church and it was from those roots that the Pentecostal outpouring sprang. That is not to say that it was only Methodist (holiness) people alone at the beginning, but it was the dominant doctrinal tradition.
From that, Pentecostals who were by and large Trinitarian formed the Assemblies of God. During these early days some AOG preachers began to teach Oneness doctrine and at some point around 1919 (If memory serves) the AOG as an organization, took a stand for the Trinitarian doctrine. This led to a split between those who were committed to the Oneness doctrine and those who were Trinitarians.
Those that were Oneness further broke down into several different groups or organizations, race being a component (Pentecostal Assemblies of the World PAW being the largest black organization) and then there were quite a few white groups. The Pentecostal Church International (PCI) and the Pentecostal Assemblies of Jesus Christ (PAJC) were two of the largest such groups.
These two groups made several attempts at unifying into a single organization. But there were some differences. Both were still holiness in message. Both preached
Acts 2:38 as the proper response to the Gospel. But within the PCI there were a number of men (the actual percentage is not known) who believed that one was saved at repentance and that Baptism and Holy Ghost infilling were events that the saved person did/experienced.
The PAJC was made up mostly of men who believed the Water/Spirit doctrine. That is to say that one must be born of Water (baptism) and Spirit (Holy Ghost Baptism) to be saved.
What is not known is exactly what percentage of the PCI believed in Saved at repentance. I know for certain that A. T. Morgan and George Glass Sr. both believed in the Water/Spirit Doctrine and both of them were members of the PCI organization at the merger. A. T. Morgan became a General Superintendant of the UPCI. On the other hand Howard Goss, CH Yadon, and A. D. Gurley believed one was saved at repentance at least one of these men was a General Superintendant of the UPCI and I think at least 2 GS of the UPCI believe in saved at repentance.
What all the older men agree on is that all of them fervently preached
Acts 2:38 One God message.
While that was not the only difference that had to be ironed out for the merger to happen in 1945, it was the biggest doctrinal issue. It was that issue that led to language in the merger documents that stated in essence that these men would strive for unity of the brethren until they came into unity of the faith.
There were other minor issues like organizational structure and who would hold what offices and church structure among other things but this was the one serious doctrinal issue.
At the end of the day, those men thought that it was not too large a difference to prevent them from working together.
Over time, the Water/Spirit doctrine became dominant, it is my belief that this was because the majority of the men in both the PCI and PAJC already believed the Water/Spirit doctrine before the merger.
As a side note, I firmly believe the Water/Spirit doctrine, so if I have shown any bias, you know where I am coming from. Hopefully this answers your questions. If I have made any factual mistakes here, it is the result of having recounted this from memory and not taking the time to be sure of certain facts (like the 1919 date and such). But this is in essence the information I believe you are looking for.
Linear Mode
