Calls For Unity

[Sam]

In the November 1933 issue of Pentecostal Outlook, official magazine of the Pentecostal Assemblies of Jesus Christ organization, page 24. W. T. Witherspoon, wrote these words: “While in prayer a few days ago, the Lord burdened me with the terrible conditions, not only in the world, but in the Jesus Only church. It seems to me that God is letting enough happen to show the brethren of like precious faith the absolute necessity of getting together, regardless of machinery or offices. No one group can point their fingers at the other. Division is keeping back God’s power. The only division there should be is between righteousness and unrighteousness; holiness and sin.”

In the June 1936 issue on page 8, L. R. Ooton said this: “There is no greater need among the Spirit-filled children of God today, than the unity of the Spirit. There are entirely too many divisions or organizations separating Oneness brethren, and the eternal God is viewing this situation today. If we preach Oneness, it is also necessary for us to practice the same.”

In 1945 the United Pentecostal Church was formed by the merger of the PCI (Pentecostal Church Inc) and the PAJC (Pentecostal Assemblies of Jesus Christ). This was the result of quite a bit of work over several years to bring Oneness Pentecostal ministers together. Because of differences in beliefs among the ministers, a fundamental doctrine statement was developed which was ambiguous enough to satisfy both one-steppers and three-steppers. Sadly, that attempt for unity failed when a militant small-minded minority forced out those who were more "liberal."