The following excerpts are from the Pentecostal Herald 1945.
On Page 4 "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 Assemb1:es 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 per-
tain:ng 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 Edi-
tor 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 Publication.
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. ...""
On Page 14 we find something just as amazing. There is an advertisement for a JESUS SAVES PIN (aka jewelry). The picture is included in the article.
"JESUS SAVES PIN
Mounted on beautiful white Mother of
Pearl! An ideal gift for Christmas, or
prize for Sunday School.
Price . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1.50
(Tax included)"
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Can anyone explain these things?
The link to download the pdf is here. PDF of Pentecostal Herald 1945 (http://www.apostolicfriendsforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=2054&d=1259818539)
Quote from: jfrog on February 13, 2010, 07:54:44 PM
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 was a good attitude then, and it's a good attitude now. Hurrah for the Herald!
Quote from: titushome on February 13, 2010, 08:48:57 PM
It was a good attitude then, and it's a good attitude now. Hurrah for the Herald!
Yeah! That! *smile*
:beret:
Quote from: titushome on February 13, 2010, 08:48:57 PM
It was a good attitude then, and it's a good attitude now. Hurrah for the Herald!
Such a good attitude now that they allow advertisements for jewelry in it today? Such a good attitude now that they allow articles that the new birth and thus salvation happens at repentance in it today?
QuoteSuch a good attitude now that they allow advertisements for jewelry in it today? Such a good attitude now that they allow articles that the new birth and thus salvation happens at repentance in it today?
In regards to the jewelry, many apostolics make allowance for items like cuff links, broaches, watches, etc. Not too mention that at the time of the merger, there were some churches in the UPCI that did not teach the current positions on holiness standards that are now (mostly) universally recognized by the organization.
In regards to the position on the New Birth, at the time of the merger the Pentecostal Church Inc. (PCI) was the smaller group, and many of their membership believed that salvation occurred at repentance. They preached that believers should go on to be baptized and receive the Spirit, but the Fundamental Doctrine states something to the effect that neither side, the PCI or the PAJC would "contend for differing views to the disunity of the body." And in fact, the first General Superintendent of the UPC, Howard Goss, held this view regarding salvation occurring at repentance.
Of course, most of the PCI element has been either swallowed up or left, so any such articles that posit that salvation occurs at repentance probably would not be included in the Herald today.
As Titus says though, it was a good attitude both then and now. I believe the spirit of the merger was good, and I can't help but be saddened over the subsequent division that has been brought about over the last 60 years.
Quote from: bishopnl on February 15, 2010, 04:05:50 PM
In regards to the position on the New Birth, at the time of the merger the Pentecostal Church Inc. (PCI) was the smaller group, and many of their membership believed that salvation occurred at repentance. They preached that believers should go on to be baptized and receive the Spirit, but the Fundamental Doctrine states something to the effect that neither side, the PCI or the PAJC would "contend for differing views to the disunity of the body." And in fact, the first General Superintendent of the UPC, Howard Goss, held this view regarding salvation occurring at repentance.
...and somewhere along the way that idea seems to have (mostly) been lost. I find it incredibly sad that so much feuding has been done over issues that were so specifically addressed clear back at the merger. It does make one wonder why some people chose to join the UPC - unless, perhaps, they thought they could change any views differing from their own... and thought they could change the core beliefs of the UPC as a whole.
Instead of being able to discuss topics like rational human beings, and keeping friendships and unity even when viewpoints differ, we too often start the "he's not my brother in Christ because he doesn't agree with me" thing.
As you said, Bishop, it makes me sad. Very sad.
Quote
Instead of being able to discuss topics like rational human beings, and keeping friendships and unity even when viewpoints differ, we too often start the "he's not my brother in Christ because he doesn't agree with me" thing.
Just caught the tale end of this thread, I'll go back and read it all later, but just wanted to agree with Ruby on this one! :great:
It is sad that people claiming to be filled with the Holy Ghost can be so quick to cut one another off for such small things. Been on the receiving end of that a few times... and now I generally only tell people my opinion when I think they really want to hear it.
Fav. Quote : "Better to be thought a fool, and say nothing, than to open my mouth and remove all doubt!"
Sometimes I do not always follow that, but am learning to more and more...
QuoteIt does make one wonder why some people chose to join the UPC - unless, perhaps, they thought they could change any views differing from their own... and thought they could change the core beliefs of the UPC as a whole.
If so, that's a violation of the spirit of the merger. Some now say that there was an implicit understanding at the time of the merger that eventually the organization would become "all one thing or the other." I honestly don't see that....if such an understanding existed, the smaller group would have to know they would be the ones forced out or forced to change their beliefs. If such were the case, why would they join in the first place?
QuoteInstead of being able to discuss topics like rational human beings, and keeping friendships and unity even when viewpoints differ, we too often start the "he's not my brother in Christ because he doesn't agree with me" thing.
Yup. We focus on the differences rather than the similarities. Which may be why Oneness Pentecostalism continues to see fractures and people disassociating from one another over one thing or the other.
Quote from: bishopnl on February 16, 2010, 06:45:24 PM
If so, that's a violation of the spirit of the merger. Some now say that there was an implicit understanding at the time of the merger that eventually the organization would become "all one thing or the other." I honestly don't see that....if such an understanding existed, the smaller group would have to know they would be the ones forced out or forced to change their beliefs. If such were the case, why would they join in the first place?
Exactly. That's why I don't get it. And I really don't believe there was any such "understanding" either - not only for the reason you stated (which seems like the obvious answer), but also because of the stories handed down to me by both sides of my family. That's a lot of years of stories when you figure I'm 5th generation apostolic.
(And I'm only saying that to explain my point, not because I'm attempting to boost my ego. *lol*)Quote from: bishopnl on February 16, 2010, 06:45:24 PM
Yup. We focus on the differences rather than the similarities. Which may be why Oneness Pentecostalism continues to see fractures and people disassociating from one another over one thing or the other.
Well said. And I think your conclusion is right on target.
:beret:
I remember when I first was starting looking into theology, and the history of the oneness movement. That so much was ignored, pushed aside, or tried to be hushed away. I can even remember that knowledge of other oneness groups were hushed away. Imagine my surprize to find that the ALJC and other groups still existed.
Many questions i had were ignored at different times by people (not by all, but still many). so I turned to books, internet to hunt down the info i was looking for. and thus started down the path that has ended up with me arriving where I am today. Methodist with an apostolic background.
Interresting journey it has been. I still wonder if things had went differently in the UPC and oneness history, how much different my own path would have ended. But that is just my wonderings.
This has been on my mind lately, and I've been wondering if it applies to what's been going on in the organization lately.
24Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment:
25It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,
26Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
27We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things by mouth.
28For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things;
29That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.