Unity

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Dear Brother,

I agree totally that there is a good deal of variance on personal holiness
within Apostolic organisations.  I believe emphatically in separation from the
world, but I also believe in the unity of Apostolic believers.  Everyone who is
baptised in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and is baptised with the Spirit
of God is part of the Body of Christ.  We must be accountable to one another
as brothers and sisters.

I am grieved by the lapse in holiness standards within our churches, but I
am certain that greater fellowship could strengthen some churches who are
attempting to maintain or retrieve holiness in their local assemblies.  You
are correct in stating that it is not only the PAW that suffers from the liberal
demise.  I have personally been to UPC churches where many of the saints bear
the marks of the world and cannot be distinguished by an appearance of holiness.
It is very unfortunate that we are facing times of compromise.  I do believe
that unity would have to be at least partially based on an affirmation of
BASIC holiness (leaving room for nonsubstantial variations).  It seems that
often when a fellowship forsakes holiness, they often soon forsake their
doctrines.  However, if we who maintain the historical, orthodox Apostolic
message could display a greater unity, the impact of our message could be
much more significant.

I did not receive part two of your posting yet, but I'll go ahead and comment
that I have always been greatly disturbed by the racial polarisation of the
Apostolic Pentecostal movement.  The UPCI has many black, hispanic and Asian
members in the United States, but the divisions of the past are very much
with us today.  The UPCI has committed itself to fostering a greater unity
amongst Apostolic believers.  In my own district, this is materialising
through annual Pentecost Sunday meetings, where Apostolics are uniting
en masse for worship and fellowship.  Many are saved in these meetings that
are held at the Indiana Convention Centre.  Our Superintendent, Bro. Paul
Mooney, is also involved in metro-evangelism in co-ordination with leading
PAW Bishops and Evangelists.  God is doing great things through these en-
deavours.

Unity CANNOT be about compromise of doctrine, but it must be based on our
true submission to one another in Christ.  As you have said, it would be
awesome if we could once again unite as a single organisation, committed to
spreading this great gospel.  I think we should call it the United Pentecostal
Apostolic Faith Assemblies of the Lord Jesus Christ=)  Let's be inclusive=)

God Bless, and let's continue to discuss this on the list as it could profit
all of us.





Matthew Shaw
00mcshaw@bsu.edu