We as a Pentecostal people have built our lives (spiritually and naturally) upon certain things which we have assumed to be fact. Yet, to my personal knowledge, most of us have never objectively looked at the validity of those “facts” for ourselves. Typically, when someone questions any of our “facts,” our first reaction is neither spiritu al nor intellectual; instead, it is emotional. This is a very normal human reaction. Unfortunately, some never progress beyond the emotional reaction to where they objectively ask themselves these most important questions: “Do I honestly know my position to be Biblically correct and conclusive?” And, “Can I prove my position with Scripture first to myself, and then to someone else?” I am doctrinally sound while it is true that we may differ in a few personal convictions. To try to say convictions are doctrine is an error of enormous magnitude. A doctrine is a principle, pattern, or practice that God Himself clearly established in Scripture by two or three witnesses. A conviction is an application of a doctrine by the Holy Ghost in my personal life to guard or protect MY relationship with God and thus MY salvation. A doctrine is what I believe and teach that the specifically Bible states concerning salvation, holiness, discipleship, church government, etc. Convictions define my personal commitments regarding how I live my walk with God as initiated in me by the Holy Ghost. Doctrines are eternal and unchangeable. Convictions are personal and vary from individual to individual. Doctrines define sin that is applicable to all. Convictions define things which are wrong for me (even though others may be able to do them without jeopardizing their salvation at all). Doctrines are to be proclaimed publicly. Convictions are to be kept personal and private to neither cause contention within the body nor influence someone who might be weakened by feeling justified to follow my conviction instead of their own. Everyone must believe and obey doctrine. Though some convictions are commonly held, there should be personal convictions that are unique to each of us individually. Even though a conviction is held in common with the rest of the body, THAT does NOT make it a doctrine. Violating a doctrine is a sin against God. Failing to keep a personal conviction is a violation of my own conscience and is NOT an offense against anyone else. However, continually violating my convictions will eventually lead to a serious breach in my relationship with Jesus, even to the point of jeopardizing my salvation. A doctrine is a divine imperative that I am willing to preach as a prerequisite for salvation, maintaining that people will go to hell for not believing and obeying it. A conviction is something that the Holy Ghost has instructed me personally to practice or to avoid doing because behaving otherwise would jeopardize MY personal salvation. A doctrine is unchangeable and eternal regardless of time, location, culture, advances in technology, or changes to this world’s lifestyles, fads, fashions, politics, etc. A conviction is something I will or will not do regardless of how anyone else applies it. MY conviction may be different from others — even relatives, close friends, and brothers; but, it is what the Holy Ghost has told me to do or not do. I cannot change a personal conviction because of any changes that others are making. If I do, then I am saying to myself that it was not a personal conviction from the Holy Ghost, but rather an effort on my part to earn my salvation; OR, that I was following/keeping the practice to fit in and avoid being judged by the selfappointed judges of all men’s spirituality. Doctrines should be “contend[ed] for” so that they are never changed. Convictions should be kept private so that they do not become a source of contention. In fact, Biblically it is wrong to dispute with others over differences in convictions. Doctrines are a heaven and hell issue for everyone because they are eternal truth. Convictions are potentially a heaven or hell issue, but only to the individual holding that conviction! One’s convictions MAY BE “stronger” or “stricter” than the doctrinal principle that Biblically guides/directs them in a specific area of their lives and walk with God; but, NO VALID conviction will ever be more “permissive” than the corresponding doctrinal principle. No conviction from the Holy Ghost will ever “endorse” or allow for the disobedience of the Word of God. More plainly stated, the Holy Ghost will NEVER tell anyone that it is OK to disobey the clear teaching of the Bible. -Bishop John Arcovio
Posted on: Mon, 19 Aug 2013 05:37:41 +0000