Posted on 05/07/2015 4:59:09 PM PDT by OK Sun
Pentecostals were relatively isolated from mainstream Protestantism in the early twentieth century. When the Assemblies of God and other Pentecostal churches were invited to become founding members of the National Association of Evangelicals (NAE) in 1942, it was a watershed event that paved the way for increased cooperation between Pentecostals and other theologically conservative evangelical churches.
In 1947, Pentecostal Evangel Editor Stanley H. Frodsham recounted how participation in the NAE seemed to be a fulfillment of prophecy. Frodsham recalled that, years earlier, "a mature Pentecostal saint" made the following prediction: "The time will assuredly come when God will unite all true children of God in real heart fellowship, and will break down all the barriers that are now separating us from one another."
The early Pentecostals who heard this prediction, according to Frodsham, discerned that it was in accordance with Scripture: "In our hearts we were convinced that this was a true prophecy, for did not our Lord Jesus pray that they (all His children) may be one?"
While the Bible admonished believers to exhibit unity, such unity was elusive. Frodsham lamented that "the saints have been busy through the centuries building denominational and sectarian walls of partition between themselves and other saints.
"Tearing down these walls of division among believers was one of the reasons why the Assemblies of God formed, Frodsham reminded readers. He wrote, "At the first Council of the Assemblies of God, held at Hot Springs, Arkansas, in 1914, the ministers who attended all came with one mind, determined to oppose the raising of walls that would separate us as a Pentecostal people from other children of God."
Of course this in an excerpt, which I forgot to click. This is the link:
http://penews.org/Article/This-Week-in-AG-History-May-10-1947(1)/
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