2.2 How Canadian Pentecostals Form a Ministerial Organization

[Melany]

While having the focus on evangelism is wise, I am hesitant to go with the flow on having ones own personal views of what scripture may or may not be saying. We should interpret the Bible by the Bible. There is much room for error with a matter of opinion instead of correctly reading and understanding scripture, which can cause a lot of damage. That said, I think there is room for ‘movement’ when it is not necessarily a matter of salvation. For instance.. you do not need to be water baptized to be saved. I’d put the focus on those things fundamental to salvation and trust the Holy Spirit to bring correction where it is needed, to avoid unnecessary disputes, but be firm on issues of salvation, such as, there is only one way to the Father, and that is through Jesus. Believing in His virgin birth, perfect life, crucifixion and being raised back to life on the 3rd day.. these are matters I would say we cannot leave room for movement on.

[Kimberly]

I feel that since they were so newly organized, giving some room for personal comfortability was their best option. Focusing on the mission for reaching the lost, and diving into doctrinal beliefs when there is more to be backed up by does make sense.

[Deleted User]

Focusing on evangelism is focusing on the mandate left to the church by Jesus. It keeps our eyes on Jesus as we go our and share His story with the world. It is important to keep this at the forefront of all we do, however, defining what an organization believes is also important. When you read a statement of faith that has been created by an organization you know in your heart whether or not you can align yourself with them. The ones to make decisions would be those in leadership of those organizations, informed by Scripture and the leading of the Holy Spirit, other leaders and convictions within the hearts of those leaders.

[Chris]

I believe that the issues at hand were secondary and tertiary issues and with this in mind, I think it was pragmatic of the PAOC to allow individual groups to hold to their own beliefs in these areas, while still being united overall. That being said, each person needs to decide for themselves the importance of specific doctrine and what they can and cannot agree to based on how much of a core issue they deem it to be. I feel that the focus on evangelism over doctrine was a good thing. At the end of the day it is better that the lost find Jesus than the church become stalled from lack of agreement over secondary issues.