Rings with a twist

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On Thu, 8 Aug 1996 11:32:12 -0700, you wrote:


>> 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 brethren
>> that they should not contend for their different views to the disunity
>> of the body."
>>
>I was always told that paragraph was in specific reference to trinitarian
>doctrine that was still in some of the churches when the two previous
>church organizations (pajc and ???) came together.  This was to reinforce
>that the preceding paragraph was indeed "our" doctrine.  This didn't work
>out as expected, resulting in the Assemblies of God.

Whatever its about, IT is the fundimental doctrine and I like it. For
those of you who know of or about Steve Winter, I quote him as telling
me that this paragraph was typical of major UPC error in thinking.
That should tell you something about what this paragraph REALLY means.

Ironically, what that really meant is that when him or some co-hort
wanted to get into some assembly and tell the congregation that their
pastor, and his fellowship were a bunch of hypocrite snakes for
teaching women not to wearing necklaces and big ear ring while
themselves wearing "cloth necklaces" (ties) and braclets with clocks
on them (watches), he could be rebuked. The paragraph adds weight to
the rebuke and really prohibts one man of God from dictating his views
to another, or using such views contentiously to divide his church, or
worse.

When calling for more powerful restrictions to be placed on preachers
who teach convictions, I dont think you know what you are asking. The
fellowship is founded in a common doctrine and experience for the
purpose of strengthening, encouraging and protecting the MINISTRY. It
is NOT for the sake of creating a uniformly subjegated group of men.
However, as the fundimental doctrine indicates, we presume that the
freedom we receive, if exercized in spiritual subjection (which cannot
be forced) will result in the same, per the promise of scripture.

"He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all
heavens, that he might fill all things.)  And he gave some, apostles;
and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and
teachers;  For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the
ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:  Till we all come in
the  unity  of the  faith , and of the knowledge of the Son of God,
unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of
Christ:" - Eph 4:10-13

Organization must protect the individual and his precious God givemn
inclination to seek God, though we assume that emulations WILL enter
in and attempt to subvert the work of God. We elect to protect the
doctrine and foundations, so as to strengthen the ministry in
spiritual liberty.

" I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in
Christ Jesus.  Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus
minded : and if in any thing ye be  otherwise minded , God shall
reveal even this unto you.  Nevertheless, whereto we have already
attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing. "
- Php 3:14-16

We are moving toward REAL unity staryting with the revelation of the
identity of Jesus Christ and the confirmed entry point of the New
Birth. We can NEVER let these things go. Now, I PERSONALLY will never
let anointed holiness teaching go, BUT, I realize that weak Christians
will have trouble with it. If we did not believe building on the
foundations is remedial and progressive way to ensure that holiness
unto the LORD will develop in converts, we would fight for these
things as a group, as a part of the fundimental doctrine, but we trust
that God will make us all strong if we stick with Him.

Im just very glad that holiness and other doctrines DO get treatment
in the articles of faith. This means that  a preacher having good
conscience will look at those articles, and consider any differences
which he may have with them REGULARLY. Now, consider again Php 3:15
above.

God is working in us. We trust him. We are getting there! Fear not,
for this is a STRONG SHIP! 

----

By the way, notice that the preceding paragraph does not mention
oeness or trinity, but relates to the precious John 3/ Acts 2 new
birth doctrine. Of course, the specification of Jesus' name in baptism
left virtually no chance of the orthodox trinitarianism prospering,
but thats another story.

All in all, if a goverment of a ministerial fellowship, which is what
the UPC is, started bringing charges against people who preached what
the Lord laid on their heart, the ranks of the district boards would
soon number more than the ministry, and shortly the presbyters
themselves would being to disappear or give up their churches and
preaching ministries.