Oh well, so much for
Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Eph 4:3. So much for
"We shall endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit until we all come into the unity of the faith, at the same time admonishing all brethren that they should not contend for their different views to the disunity of the body." You know, I'm thankful for the liberty I have in Christ. I'm thankful that His truth set me free, and that I am free to follow Him, and am able to believe what His Word, without having to ensure that I am conforming with manuals, affirmation statements and creeds that do nothing more than add to His Word and keep people divided. I don't have to hold to the PCI view, or the UPC view, but am free to hold to the only view that really matters.... thats the Bible view. The truth is, I never knew what the PCI view was. Never knew what the PAJC view was, not until I joined internet forums and began to realize just how Apostolic Christians are really divided. I never knew such division, such confusion really existed among people who claim to have the full truth.
So what do I believe in regards to repentance? I believe exactly what the UPC states thgey believe. In the Articles of Faith, it says
"Pardon and forgiveness of sins is obtained by genuine repentance, a confessing and forsaking of sins. We are justified by faith in Jesus Christ. (Romans 5:1). John the Baptist preached repentance, Jesus proclaimed it, amd the Apostles emphasized it to both Jews and Gentiles. (Acts 2:38, 11:18, 17:30). The word "repentance" means a change of views and purpose, change of heart, change of mind, change of life, transformation, etc. Jesus said, "Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish" (Luke 13:3). Luke 24:47 says "And repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His Name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem".
And, yes, I agree with what the Articles of Faith has to say about water baptism as well, but the point is this: The UPC doesn't really believe what their Articles of Faith says about repentance. They don't hold to the view that "forgiveness of sins" is wrought at "repentance". Forgivess of sins is not achieved until one is baptized in water
"by a duly authorized minister of the gospel... in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ...", according to the UPC view. So, who's confused now? They SAY forgiveness of sins is obtained by genuine repentance, but they also say forgiveness of sins is at water baptism. I have no beef with the UPC view, as confusing as it seems to be, but its troubling to see a minister of the Gospel, whose duty it is to promote and encourage Unity in the Body of Christ, refer to people who hold a differing view as "Pathetic Compromising Ingrates". Its troubling to see one who should be working to bring people together, causing even more division and disharmony among the brethren. Its troubling to see one who should be busy "sowing the seed of the Gospel, but is rather intent on "sowing discord among the brethren".
I love the message pf the New Birth. What I won't do, is allow myself to be ensnared, entangled again with the yoke of bondage that has no basis in the Word of God. I won't allow some manual or affirmation statement dictate to me what I am to believe and how I am to live. I will get guidance from God's Word and not from some David Bernard book. Nor will I be the "parrot" of some doctrine that isn't even found in the Articles of faith of the organization I claim to be a part of. I'll just follow Christ... and not some District Superintendent with the aspiring hopes that I will, one day, reach the pinnacle of my organization so I can be in position to decide who will, and who will not be saved.
And thats MY opinion.
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