The Difference Between the PCI of the Merger and the Current Counterfeits

[DrPhil]

My dad was saved at a Weslyan Methodist church as a boy. He meet my mother who was UPC in high school. He received the HG and became Pentecostal. He attended ABI pastored a UPC for many years but had one fatal flaw. He believed he was saved when God radically changed his life when he repented as a boy in that Methodist church. I guess he was too PCI in his thinking. Today dad and I pastor a church where Lutherans, Methodists, Baptists, etc. are coming and receiving the Holy Spirit. We aren't UPC. I guess you could call us undercover P"CI. I'm very thinkful, however, for my UPC upbringing. I really wish the PCI doctrine of salvation had prevailed. It would have been a "kinder, gentler, movement."

[Sam]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

My dad was saved at a Weslyan Methodist church as a boy. He meet my mother who was UPC in high school. He received the HG and became Pentecostal. He attended ABI pastored a UPC for many years but had one fatal flaw. He believed he was saved when God radically changed his life when he repented as a boy in that Methodist church. I guess he was too PCI in his thinking. Today dad and I pastor a church where Lutherans, Methodists, Baptists, etc. are coming and receiving the Holy Spirit. We aren't UPC. I guess you could call us undercover P"CI. I'm very thinkful, however, for my UPC upbringing. I really wish the PCI doctrine of salvation had prevailed. It would have been a "kinder, gentler, movement."

On March 28, 1955 at the age of 17 I asked Jesus Christ to come into my life. It was a Monday night. This happened in Union Grove, Wisconsin. Jesus came in and my life was drastically changed. The change was so evident that 51 years later at a high school reunion some folks mentioned it. I was saved, born again, transferred from the kingdom of darkness into the Kingdom of Light, placed into Christ by the Holy Spirit. Several months later I heard about the Holy Ghost Baptism and I heard about water baptism in the name of Jesus Christ. On October 27, 1955, a Thursday night, I was baptized in Jesus' name at Elim Tabernacle in Milwaukee, WI. On May 20, 1956 which was Pentecost Sunday, I was baptized in the Holy Spirit at Bethel Tabernacle in Racine, WI. It is my opinion that the water baptism and the Spirit baptism did not save me but were steps in walking with the Lord and growing in Him. I consider the March 28, 1955 date to be the time of my salvation/conversion/justification/regeneration. I too wish that the PCI doctrine of salvation had been allowed to remain in the UPC and had prevailed.

[tv1a]

Can you post the quote from the first Pentecostal Herald for our misguided brother? I think that will make the thread obsolete.

Originally Posted by Sam

On March 28, 1955 at the age of 17 I asked Jesus Christ to come into my life. It was a Monday night. This happened in Union Grove, Wisconsin. Jesus came in and my life was drastically changed. The change was so evident that 51 years later at a high school reunion some folks mentioned it. I was saved, born again, transferred from the kingdom of darkness into the Kingdom of Light, placed into Christ by the Holy Spirit. Several months later I heard about the Holy Ghost Baptism and I heard about water baptism in the name of Jesus Christ. On October 27, 1955, a Thursday night, I was baptized in Jesus' name at Elim Tabernacle in Milwaukee, WI. On May 20, 1956 which was Pentecost Sunday, I was baptized in the Holy Spirit at Bethel Tabernacle in Racine, WI. It is my opinion that the water baptism and the Spirit baptism did not save me but were steps in walking with the Lord and growing in Him. I consider the March 28, 1955 date to be the time of my salvation/conversion/justification/regeneration. I too wish that the PCI doctrine of salvation had been allowed to remain in the UPC and had prevailed.

[Sam]

Originally Posted by tv1a

Can you post the quote from the first Pentecostal Herald for our misguided brother? I think that will make the thread obsolete.

After the creation of the United Pentecostal Church by a merger of the Pentecostal Church Inc. and the Pentecostal Assemblies of Jesus Christ in 1945, the Pentecostal Herald was the official magazine of the new organization. This is from page 6 of the December 1945 issue of The Pentecostal Herald.

Our Paper
The Pentecostal Herald

This the first issue of The Pentecostal Herald, which is the official publication of the United Pentecostal Church, is the direct result of the merger of the two former papers, The Pentecostal Outlook and The Apostolic Herald. When the two former organizations, namely, The Pentecostal Assemblies of Jesus Christ, Inc., and The Pentecostal Church, Inc., merged into one united organization, the two papers also were merged into one. This we acknowledge with joy and great satisfaction, and look forward to a greater paper for the glory of God and the progress of truth.

The two former conferences agreed to make this paper open for articles pertaining to truths that may or may not be the opinion of all brethren, so long as these articles do not conflict with the Fundamentals of Faith of the United Pentecostal Church. However, the Editor is to be governed by the spirit of the article, and whenever the spirit of controversy is noticed in the article he is to act accordingly, and refer such articles to the Board of Publications.

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. This is indeed the proper attitude toward the most vital subject, as we are all seeking after truth, and are confident that God will lead us into all truth, by His Spirit. It is to be remembered that any and all material written in the spirit of controversy will be rejected by the Editor and the Board of Publication. This again is a great step in the right direction and we pray that God will give the Editor wisdom and discernment in these most important and vital matters. If they should make some mistakes let us remember that they are men, and pray for them knowing that they are sincerely doing their best to carry out the orders of the Conference.

Articles for the Herald are solicited, and those who are capable of writing should keep a supply at Headquarters continually. These articles should be typed and double spaced; the writer should take every pain in preparing this material knowing that it will be read by tens of thousands of people. Further, . if your articles should be rejected, or if you do not see it immediately, or even if you do not hear from the Editor regarding it, do not take offense at this, but pray God to give you something better and worthy of this great paper.

It has been my privilege to be connected with the editing of The Apostolic Herald for the past two years, and as one who is retiring from this task I beseech each one to pray for the Editor in a special way, and to cooperate by sending in good spiritual articles; also, by ordering rolls and sending subscriptions continually. Above all let us keep the unity of the Spirit in the bonds of peace.

Yours in Jesus,
Oscar Vouga.

Editor's Note: The preparation of this, the first issue of The Pentecostal Herald, was handled by our Brother Vouga who is the retiring editor of The Apostolic Herald. We take this opportunity of extending to him our appreciation for his fine services in the preparation of this material.