A controversial teaching , presumably originating with Irvine , was that of the '' Living Witness Doctrine '' ( first recorded mention in a convention sermon by Joseph Kerr in 1905 , which he later recanted after leaving the group ) . According to this precept , faith and salvation could only come about through hearing the word preached from the lips of , and seeing the gospel lived in the sacrificial lives of , the true ministry ( the " Living Witness " ) . As a consequence of this doctrine , some were expelled over the following years ( among whom was Irvine 's early companion , John Long ) . 1906 found Irvine in San Francisco during the great earthquake
great earthquake
1906 San Francisco earthquake
William Irvine (Scottish evangelist)