Quote:
Originally Posted by POWERUP
Sam,
I have read and heard so much about the early doctrine. But, exactly what was the fundamental Doctrine in 1945?
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The "fundamental doctrine" statement established in 1945 when the UPC was formed read as follows:
"The basic fundamental doctrine of this organization shall be the Bible standard of full salvation, which is repentance, baptism in water by immersion in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the baptism of the Holy Ghost with the initial sign of speaking with other tongues as the Spirit gives utterance.
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 the brethren that they shall not contend for their different views to the disunity of the body."
In 1973 it was modified to add the words "for the remission of sins" after the phrase "baptism in water by immersion in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ."
When the "fundamental doctrine" statement was formulated there were differing opinions among the ministers on how a person was saved or born again. Some believed water and Spirit baptism were necessary and others did not. The "fundamental doctrine" statement was worded ambiguously enough so that both groups could agree with it. The word "full" was part of the statement to provide ambiguity. Without the word "full" it would sound like repentance, water baptism and Spirit baptism were required before a person got saved. With the word "full" there it can be taken to mean that a person should get baptized in water and in the Spirit at some time in their life but it is not necessary in order to get saved. In other words, "we all agree on repentance, baptism in Jesus' name and the Holy Ghost baptism, we just don't all believe that all three steps are necessary to escape hell."
In 1973 when the words "for the remission of sins" was added, it was proposed to narrow the statement to say that a person's sins were not remitted or removed or washed away until the person was baptized in water. Nathan Urshan asked Bro. Greer to second the motion for adoption of the resolution to add the words. He did that because it was well known that Bro. Greer did not believe water baptism was necessary in order to be saved or born again and if a man of his stature and influence seconded the motion it would have a better chance of being passed. Bro. Greer believed the words "for the remission of sins" meant "because your sins have been forgiven." He asked Bro. Urshan if he would have to change the way he believed about it and Bro. Urshan assured him he would not. So he did second the motion and it was adopted.
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