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W T Witherspoon June 09' Herald
From my new June Herald:
Historical Reflections
by Matthew Shaw
"W. T. Witherspoon is most commonly remembered for his wonderful contributions to the amalgamation of the Pentecostal Assemblies of Jesus Christ (which he led) and the Pentecostal Church Incorporated to form the United Pentecostal Church in 1945."
It is an interesting piece and credits Witherspoon for his continuing efforts to unify the Oneness Pentecostal factions in the first half of the 20th century.
"He was a strong proponent of the New Birth message, writing: "The Bible way of getting into the true church has been set aside for other forms, but God recognizes none of them. 'Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.' "
The Funamental Doctrine of the UPC is placed in a box beneath the article.
What is not addressed and what may be seen as some to be in conflict to the above quote, is his views on the salvation of those who have "thoroughly repented and lived what they know of the Christian life". He, like many others in both organizations he tried and succeeded to merge did not believe all non Oneness Pentecostals were lost or destined for hell.
W T Witherspoon assistant General Superintendent of the UPC wrote "they that have not been taught concerning the Bible New Birth but have thoroughly repented and lived what they know of the Christian life will be on the right hand at the white throned Judgment..." and will be "Delegated to the Kingdom prepared from the foundation of the world".
It really would have been nice if this could have been included in the historical review of this great man. Without it a reader might get a false impression and see W. T. Witherspoon as far more sectarian than he really was.
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"It is inhumane, in my opinion, to force people who have a genuine medical need for coffee to wait in line behind people who apparently view it as some kind of recreational activity." Dave Barry 2005
I am a firm believer in the Old Paths
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. - THE PENTECOSTAL HERALD Dec. 1945
"It is doubtful if any Trinitarian Pentecostals have ever professed to believe in three gods, and Oneness Pentecostals should not claim that they do." - Daniel Segraves
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