Salvation the Pentecostal Way

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Matthew Shaw wrote:


> Let us all recapture the spirit of our founders, the thrust for unity,
> the abhorrance for disunity.  But, if affirm the UPC preamble, then we
> ultimately reject the diversities of 'truth' outside of the Apostolic
> movement.

I enjoy discussing the Apostolic faith with you Brother Matthew, but we
have to have some standard for our discussion.  There is a written
history of the Apostolic movement and of the United Pentecostal Church
which are very explicit about the existence of Apostolics who do not
receive Acts 2:38 as the new birth and who acknowledge the reality of
the salvation of others.  I do not want to base our discussions on a
reinterpretation of Apostolic history. I believe that your efforts to
defend the Apostolic faith are sincere Brother Matthew.  For these
reasons I must insist that we both make every attempt to verify the
statements we are making before they are presented.  Our credibility is
at stake!

> Our rigid adherence to Acts 2.38 (in whatever form of spiritual
> reality)
> does *not* make us a cult. 


In your last post you said that it was better that my niece forsook any
form of Christianity than to  embrace a Christian faith that was
different from Apostolic Pentecostalism.  You are not a cultist Brother
Matthew, and the Apostolic movement is not a cult.  But statements like
this are very cultic and dangerous to make.  We are defined as a cult by
other Christians who listen, read, and observe our Apostolic faith.  The
proclamation of exclusive access to salvation based upon obedience to
Acts 2:38 is one of the reasons for their definition. Once again Brother
Matthew, please review some sources before making a statement.


 We can see the hand of God at work outside
> of our movement without admitting false doctrine.  It is my belief
> that
> where the Holy Ghost is at work and moving, the Spirit will reveal
> truth.  It has happened before and is, no doubt, continuing as sincere
> believers encounter the power of the Apostolic message.

This is my position also.  I differ in calling the experience of the
moving of God salvation.  Full salvation? Not from an Apostolic
perspective but salvation nevertheless!

> 
> So, Bro. Starcher, what *is* the criteria(on) for personal salvation?
> Would you straightforwardly explain your conviction on the matter?  It
> would appear that you base any notion of salvation upon the individual
> community and experience of the believer.

I really don't know what else I can do.  I've signed the basic and
fundamental doctrine of the United Pentecostal Church as it was
originally formulated and interpreted.  I guess I just express the same
reality of our Apostolic Pentecostal salvation in a different way.

God Bless!

Steve