I think one of the problems is that we have forgotten just what it means to be "united". Pentecostals were united at the turn of the 20th century because their unity was of a spiritual nature rather than a doctrinal nature. Azusa Steert was able to transpire becaue there were virtually no doctrinal or denominational lines to cross. But that began to change as the Pentecostal Movement began to move accross the country. The spiritual harmony took second place as doctrine began to be established as the dividing line.
Even when the UPC was formed, it was initially based on spiritual harmony. The merger didn't rest on how or if the PCI/PAJC difference would be or could be worked out. The doctrinal difference was set aside (at least for awhile) while the organization based itself on Spiritual Unity as the name UPC implies. So, once the merger was complete and the UPC began to move forward, doctrine once again became the issue and, well, look where it (and we) are today.
The fact is, Jesus prayed for the unity of His Church. That unity wasn't a doctrinal unit, it was a Spiritual Unity that comes only through and by the Holy Spirit. Lets face it... we will never be a doctrinally united people. Our Unity is the shared experience of being baptized with the Holy Ghost
"By one spirit", Paul wrote,
"are we all baptized into one body...." BTW, Tommy Bates is a fine preacher . He preaches "holiness" but not "standards". I think you're right Brother. Jesus siad in
Jhn 17:21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, [art] in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. Until we come together in the Spirit of God the world will never believe us... nor will they believe Jesus.
Quote:
Originally Posted by JTULLOCK
I am sitting here before work and I am watching Pastor Tommy Bates from KY preaching. He is an old time Pentecostal preacher. He is preaching at a church that used to be Southern Baptist but it is now a Non-Denominal church. He was is talking about holding to a title. He names several denominations like Southern Baptist, etc. He mentioned United Pentecostal or Divided Pentecostal. I thought it was funny when heared in context. He is talking about holding to God's move and not to a title.
It got me to thinking. I know that we are not all UPC but as a whole are we a United Pentecostal Church or a Divided Pentecostal Church? He is talking about a time he and his family was asked to sing at a Pentecostal Church and they followed ALL the standards but they were all baptized in the titles. The pastor told them since they weren't baptized in Jesus name that they couldn't sing on the platform. I know that many of us like to hold our titles. It is funny that people that love holding on to a title are against baptizing in titles.
Even though there are fellowship lines that we may not cross now, but why? Why are we not A unified church across all lines? Why aren't we Pentecostals meeting with those that aren't just like us? Are we SO caught up with doctrine that we forsake fellowship? Why? Are there any people on here that are like me that think that we MUST fellowship with others inorder to make full advantage of what God wants us to accomplish? Sorry this is so lengthy.
I think that God's spirit is SO strong that if we are to fellowship others they will want a touch of the HG like that is on most of us. But sad to say that because we don't fellowship and we draw lines of division it make them not want ANYTHING we have.
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