New Doctrine Emerges: NOT Forgiven at Repentance

[SDG]

The UPCI's Articles of Faith are in direct contradiction to the belief of Bernard, the chief apologist for the org over the years ... Ironically enough:

Article on Repentance reads:

Pardon and forgiveness of sins is obtained by genuine repentance, a confessing and forsaking of sins. We are justified by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1). John the Baptist preached repentance, Jesus proclaimed it, and the Apostles emphasized it to both Jews and Gentiles. (Acts 2:38, 11:18, 17:30).

The word "repentance" comes from several Greek words which mean, change of views and purpose, change of heart, change of mind, change of life, to transform, etc.
Jesus said, -except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish" (Luke 13:3).
Luke 24:47 says, "And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem."

Again, Bernard disagrees with his own AOF, stating:

Repentance and water baptism together complete the full work of forgiveness. At baptism God washes away sin by removing the eternal record and penalty of sin. (See Chapter 6 - Water Baptism.)

Some like to say that God forgives sin at repentance arid remits sin at water baptism. This is a fairly good description based on the English wording in the KJV. However, the original text does not support a clear-cut distinction, for these two words, forgive and remit, come from only one Greek word, aphesis. (See Chapter 6 - Water Baptism.) Theologically speaking, then, forgiveness and remission are equivalent terms, and forgiveness (or remission) comes with the combination of repentance and water baptism. We should not separate the two experiences.
For purposes of study only, perhaps we can make the following distinction: at repentance, God destroys sin's present dominion in a person's life, and He removes the barrier preventing a personal relationship with Him. At water baptism, God removes the legal record of sin and erases the penalty for that sin, namely death. God deals with the present consequences of sin at repentance and with the future consequences of sin at water baptism. Both are necessary for forgiveness. Thus Peter said, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins" (Acts 2:38). (The New International Version is more emphatic: "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven.")

What do you think, Chester .... on your own AOF?

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by Daniel Alicea

The UPCI's Articles of Faith are in direct contradiction to the belief of Bernard, the chief apologist for the org over the years ... Ironically enough:

Article on Repentance reads:



Again, Bernard disagrees with his own AOF, stating:

Daniel...I dont' see where Bernard is contradicting himself. You're reading a lot into what he's saying that he's not saying.

[SDG]

Originally Posted by Aquila

Daniel...I dont' see where Bernard is contradicting himself. You're reading a lot into what he's saying that he's not saying.

He's not contradicting himself, Aquila ... He's contradicting an article of faith in his own organization.

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by Daniel Alicea

He's not contradicting himself, Aquila ... He's contradicting an article of faith in his own organization.

The Articles of Faith....get real dude....it's not a creed. It's just a very general overview of accepted concepts in our fellowship. Some will put more emphasis on various concepts than others. You need to relax.

[SDG]

Originally Posted by Aquila

The Articles of Faith....get real dude....it's not a creed. It's just a very general overview of accepted concepts in our fellowship. Some will put more emphasis on various concepts than others. You need to relax.

Various articles in the AOF ... are to be affirmed every 2 years... the one on Fundamental doctrine ... which grammatically attributes remission only to water baptism (which Bernard disagrees w/ also) and holiness ....

So for most ministers ... the AOF ... at least part of it ... is a big deal ... see the last 15 years of UPCI history.

Just stating a fact ... Bernard does not agree with the article of faith in the UPCI on repentance.

He does not espouse this generally accepted concept among his peers on a basic New Birth "component".