CONCERNING THE NEW BIRTH

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Bro. Henry Bunch wrote:
>I always have believed we had to repent...be baptised in Jesus name...
>and filled with the holy ghost......also known as speaking in tongues. .
>What is wrong with taking a stand on these things?


Greetings, Bro. Bunch! I appreciate your unwavering stand for repentance,
water baptism in Jesus' name, and Holy Ghost baptism.

While I don't presume to speak for Bro. Fretwell, I do not believe he is
minimizing the importance of these precious truths. As apostolics we all
are united in our stand for the the Acts 2:38 message and experience, and
for the Oneness of God in Christ. But in the details of these doctrines,
there have always been interpretational variations. Our fundamental
apostolic truths must never be compromised. At the same time, I believe
that if we are unduly rigid in our understanding of the details of those
truths, we risk building unnecessary walls between the saints.

In the case of the UPC's Fundamental Doctrine, originally this statement
was intended to bring together brethren of like precious faith, for the
advancement of the gospel, with allowance for the variations that exisited.
All apparently affirmed "full salvation" as an appropriate description of
the vital Acts 2:38 experience. There were differing views, though, on
whether water and Spirit baptism constituted the new birth.

It was in regard to these differing views on the new birth that the final
portion of the Fundamental Doctrine was written: "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 shall not contend for
their different views to the disunity of the body."

I truly love the apostolic faith and message, and above all, the Lord Jesus
who has opened our eyes and hearts to receive it. But I have wrestled in my
life with the demon of doctrinal elitism and religious arrogance. I long
for my heart to be utterly purged of such spiritual pride. The thought that
the Lord would entrust such precious, apostolic truth to me is far too
humbling, leaving me in awe of His grace.

And so, Bro. Fretwell's words resonate with me. I receive his admonition
not as advocating compromise, nor as an attack on his denomination. I
receive it as a call to reaffirm our oneness in the Body of Christ. I
receive it as a call to eschew division based on extreme dogmatism. I
receive it as a call to look beyond the schismatic barriers within our
movement and, if nothing more, acknowledge the grace of God at work in the
lives of other blood-washed, apostolic brethren with whom we may not see
eye to eye. At times, certainly, lines must be drawn. But how I fear
grieving the heart of God by drawing a line that might, ultimately, serve
little purpose but to isolate me from another brother or sister at work in
the harvest field.

Bro. Howard Goss, first general superintendent of the UPC, once wrote:
"Though we do not compromise, and though we have convictions of our own, we
will not force our convictions on our brethren, but let love, as well as
doctrine, be the chief factor in governing the conduct of all."

May God bless you richly, Bro. Bunch. I have been blessed by many of your
messages on this forum.

Cary Robison