>What is the Most Divisive Moment in OP History?<
 

In your opinion, what is the most divisive moment and/or issue in Oneness Pentecostal history?

Here are some options.

1916 Oneness split from the Assemblies of God because of the "Jesus Only" issue.

1992 UPCI vote to require a signed statement from all ministers, which was an affirmation that they believed all of the holiness standards in the AOF, and would preach and teach them.

2007 vote by the UPCI to allow television advertising and programming. This vote caused several hundred ministers to leave the org and form a new org (WPF).

Feel free to add other suggestions.

Re: >What is the Most Divisive Moment in OP Histor
 

#1 wouldn't really be a divisive moment in Oneness Pentecostal history, would it? That was more like the beginning of the movement.

Re: >What is the Most Divisive Moment in OP Histor
 

No, the movement actually began a few years earlier.

It existed within and without the broader Pentecostal movement.

It cam to a head at the 1916 AOG General Conference, when:

"At the fourth General Conference of the fledgling Assemblies of God meeting at St. Louis, the New Issue came to the forefront and the conference had to deal with this new doctrine. Factions among the attendees championed either the Oneness position, or the orthodox Trinitarian position. A third group tried to mediate and all the issue to be sent to a committee for further study.

The Trinitarian faction controlled the key leadership and committee positions. The committee that was to draft the statement of fundamental truths was solidly Trinitarian and contrary to the AG's original intention of not creating a denomination, was authorized so impose doctrinal limits upon the membership. The group opposed to Jesus Name baptism had enough support to call for a decision on the New Issue.

The committee issued a seventeen-point Statement of Fundamental Truths that was worded so that the doctrine of Jesus Name baptism and the Oneness of God was not a part of AG doctrine of teaching, thus reaffirming the orthodox position of baptism and the Godhead. The assembly of ministers at the conference voted in favor of the committee's report and in the end, 156 of the 585 ministers within the Assemblies of God were barred from further membership.

The issue of whether the oneness group was barred from membership is still disputed. According to many Oneness brethren the oneness group walked out of the Council. However, the Assemblies of God maintains that the vote over the Statement of Fundamental Truths caused the Oneness brethren to be expelled, dismissed, or barred from membership with the body."

Re: >What is the Most Divisive Moment in OP Histor
 

When AFF admins decided not to ban Timmy after his first few posts? :lol

Re: >What is the Most Divisive Moment in OP Histor
 

Now how much fun would that have been...? This place wouldn't be the same without you. :lol

Re: >What is the Most Divisive Moment in OP Histor
 

Well I am not sure that I can actually "vote" with the way the choices are...

The New Issue, it could be argued actually served to unify the Oneness Pentecostal fractions - if not immediately, then later out of necessity for close, like minded fellowship.

Also those who were rejected by the AOG at the time of the New Issue debate... many continued to preach and actively fellowship those who remained in the old organization. The same can hardly be said of the recent factions - at least in many cases the departed are placed "under question" and forbidden from the pulpits they once had a welcome in.

While men like Goss, Ewart and Whitherspoon would not attach hellfire to those who disagreed with them on the "New Issue", many will do so today on matters of television and hair length.

Re: >What is the Most Divisive Moment in OP Histor
 

I went ahead and voted with the second choice, though the third is a close runner up.

Re: >What is the Most Divisive Moment in OP Histor
 

Somewhere preNicean creed when folks started to baptize in the titles

Re: >What is the Most Divisive Moment in OP Histor
 

How about when The white members of The PAW left that org.over the issue of race,that sound divisive to me ?

Re: >What is the Most Divisive Moment in OP Histor
 

Bro.Hutchinson I think this overlooked division changed the landscape of Pentecost forever. I doubt if there would have been a small handful of PCI minded guys if they had stayed with the PAW. The PAW grew stronger and stronger doctrinally and the whites divided soon after over various issues some just locales. I think you are correct. There would have been NO merger thus no need of any AS. Very good.

Re: >What is the Most Divisive Moment in OP Histor
 

You are losing me here... They are not so "strong" today...

Re: >What is the Most Divisive Moment in OP Histor
 

No and I think the scism left them weak. After the second generation died their holiness began to die speedily and always standards first and doctrine next.
The strengths of each would have preserved each other. My thoughts only.

Re: >What is the Most Divisive Moment in OP Histor
 

Check this out for PAW history.
http://74.125.47.132/search?q=cache:...&ct=clnk&gl=us

Re: >What is the Most Divisive Moment in OP Histor
 

You forgot about when Steadfast, Iaintmovin, Coonskinner and a host of others split off of AFF forming their own little amen corner on the net.

That's gotta be close to the biggest divisive moment in OP history.
:ursofunny:ursofunny:ursofunny

Re: >What is the Most Divisive Moment in OP Histor
 

Then there is that I forgot.:thumbsup:thumbsup:thumbsup

Re: >What is the Most Divisive Moment in OP Histor
 

Re: >What is the Most Divisive Moment in OP Histor
 

There was small rift @ 1969 when a smaller group then todays WPF splinter, broke off and formed a group known as the AMF Apostolic Ministerial Fellowship.

Re: >What is the Most Divisive Moment in OP Histor
 

Wasn't that because Murray Burr was not elected GS?

Re: >What is the Most Divisive Moment in OP Histor
 

It was over the views on church government I believe.

I spent my first year as a "pentecostal" in an AMF church.

From I heard preached on a regualr basis it was because the UPC had become to liberal on things like TV rings short sleeves and such.

When I moved home after getting out of the Navy, I was told it would be difficult to make it to heaven ion a UPC church. I'd really have to pray hard.

Re: >What is the Most Divisive Moment in OP Histor
 

What about the Latter Rain Movement? Wasn't it a source of controversy/division? How did it affect the Oneness movement or did it?


Sinatra

Re: >What is the Most Divisive Moment in OP Histor
 

I think the greatest rift occurred when Bassett was put out to pasture. He left a hole here that even D Alicia could not fill - racking up hundreds of posts per day.

Re: >What is the Most Divisive Moment in OP Histor
 

Here Sister Sinatra this might help you.
http://www.watch.pair.com/rain.html

Re: >What is the Most Divisive Moment in OP Histor
 

I'm not so sure of that.

Daniel could stir up conversation like nobody I've seen, including Bassett.

Bassett was great at creating volumnous posts no one could understand, however.

Re: >What is the Most Divisive Moment in OP Histor
 

Check this out for the splits in the OP ranks.
http://www.apostolicarchives.com/s2.html

Re: >What is the Most Divisive Moment in OP Histor
 

I was reading the section on the AMF in this article, and towards the bottom it said that their chairman is chosen by the "lot" system. Can anyone confirm this?

-Bro. Alex

Re: >What is the Most Divisive Moment in OP Histor
 

Yes all the officials were chosen by 'lot.'

Re: >What is the Most Divisive Moment in OP Histor
 

Wow! You guys have had more splits than a national cheerleader competition! :toofunny

Re: >What is the Most Divisive Moment in OP Histor
 

I don't mean to offend with this question, but I am genuinely curious- do you all roll dice or do some sort of thing where you pick straws or sticks or something like that?

-Bro. Alex

Re: >What is the Most Divisive Moment in OP Histor
 

The nominating process is the same howbeit the top names are placed in a hat and a name is drawn out.

Re: >What is the Most Divisive Moment in OP Histor
 

....and the runner up wins a toaster!

Re: >What is the Most Divisive Moment in OP Histor
 

Interesting! So, does God decide which name gets drawn?

Re: >What is the Most Divisive Moment in OP Histor
 

:spit

Re: >What is the Most Divisive Moment in OP Histor
 

You know, I haven't read all the posts yet, but I think that the racial stuff historically has been divisive and destructive.


Maybe more so than 1992, but I am not sure.

Re: >What is the Most Divisive Moment in OP Histor
 

He's still doing that over at JustPreachers.

Re: >What is the Most Divisive Moment in OP Histor
 

The division over race was the most divisive IMO.

The 1992 thingy comes in 2nd.

The split from the AOG comes in 3rd.

Re: >What is the Most Divisive Moment in OP Histor
 

No one ever really believed that. They just felt it would help eliminate SOME of the politics involved in the selection.
The AMF did not believe the organization was of divine orgin nor it officials holding a divine office by virtue of election.

Re: >What is the Most Divisive Moment in OP Histor
 

I see, thanks.

Re: >What is the Most Divisive Moment in OP Histor
 

I am very familiar with the process. That is how all ministers and officials are chosen in the conservative Mennonite churches I was a part of.

Re: >What is the Most Divisive Moment in OP Histor
 

Did you all write on a piece of paper, put them in the Bibles, and then have the nominees pick and the one with the paper in the Bible got the role of bishop?

-Bro. Alex

Re: >What is the Most Divisive Moment in OP Histor
 

The poll didn't have as an option: Forums :)