Quote:
Originally Posted by Sam
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The basic fundamental doctrine of this organization shall be the Bible standard of full salvation, which is repentance, baptism in water by immersion in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the baptism of the Holy Ghost with the initial sign of speaking with other tongues as the Spirit gives utterance.
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 the brethren that they shall not contend for their different views to the disunity of the body.
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After the UPC was formed, one official magazine, The Pentecostal Herald, became the official magazine of the new organization. The first issue was published in December 1945. In an editorial titled, "Our Paper, The Pentecostal Herald" Bro. Oscar Vouga says:
"Articles on such subjects as The
New Birth, will be accepted, whether
they teach that the new birth takes place
before baptism in water and Spirit, or
that the new birth consists of baptism
of water and Spirit....."
When the UPC was originally formed in 1945 two organizations merged.
One was the Pentecostal Church Incorporated (PCI) and the other was the Pentecostal Assemblies of Jesus Christ (PAJC).
Some thought the merger could never happen because of differences of belief on how a person is saved or born again.
The PCI doctrine was that a person is saved or born again by faith and then that salvation experience can be followed up by water and/or Spirit baptism.
This viewpoint accepts all those who have believed in Jesus Christ as Savior as brothers and sisters in the family of God whether they are ever baptized in water and in the Spirit or not.
The PAJC doctrine was that a person is not saved or born again until after repentance, water baptism and Spirit baptism.
This viewpoint does not accept anyone as a brother or sister until all three steps --repentance, water baptism, and Spirit baptism-- have been completed.
The PCI viewpoint reflected what was historically taught as Apostolic or Pentecostal doctrine from the time of the Holy Ghost out pouring in the late 1800's and early 1900's until the merger.
The PAJC viewpoint reflected a later Apostolic or Pentecostal doctrine which had been influenced by the Roman Catholics and Campbellites.
The two-sentence "Fundamental Doctrine" statement was adopted in 1945 which was ambiguous enough that both groups could agree to it and the merger was completed.
The second sentence of the Fundamental Doctrine statement required all members to "not contend for their different views to the disunity of the body."
Over the years that has not happened very well but, if those of us who consider ourselves One-Steppers and those of us who consider ourselves Three-Steppers would show more tolerance and respect and acceptance toward one another, it would go a long way toward peace and unity.
If we could leave it up to the local pastor as to whether he/she teaches three steps or one step in the local congregation and what words and how much water is used in baptism, it would go a long way toward peace and unity in the Body of Christ.
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