Doctrine & Disciplines

It Takes A Thinking Person To Serve The Lord: Is That You?

~ Pat Vick ~ Leave a comment

It takes a thinking person to serve the Lord. A rational person. A person who can clearly see the difference between daylight and dark. A person who can follow basic instructions. A person who is able to recognize the voice of reason. Is that you?

It takes a thinking person to serve the Lord. It doesn’t have to be a highly educated person. A well known person. Someone with a charismatic personality. A born leader. As a matter of fact, most of the time, these things are hinderances, rather than helps. Is that you?

It takes a thinking person to serve the Lord. A person who is willing to read or listen to God’s Word, and truly hear it. A person who can be honest with themselves. A person who will look inside themselves, and ask, “Am I living according to His Word? Does my life look like Jesus?” Is that you?

It takes a thinking person to serve the Lord. A person who understands that confusion and chaos are not of God. A person who recognizes the need for order in a civilized society. A person who will separate themselves from lawlessness, and will submit themselves to a true man of God, and his spiritual authority. Is that you?

It takes a thinking person to serve the Lord. A person who is willing to take all of the feelings and emotions that are bottled up inside to the throne of God. A person who will bow their knees, and lift their voices to Jesus Christ, the King of kings, and say, “I’m a mess. Please help me!” Is that you?

It takes a thinking person to serve the Lord. A person who is willing to follow through with what the Lord instructs in His Word. A person who is willing to make good with actions, and not just talk. A person that will make the decision to do whatever it takes to be right with God. Is that you?

“Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.” (Isaiah 1:14-20)

 

Lessons From an Old Altar

~ Pat Vick ~ Leave a comment

We pastor a small, country church. It has a small, country altar. Years ago, the altar had been moved downstairs, as it often was when there was a special program that required more room at the front of the sanctuary. This time, however, the altar wasn’t moved back into place when the program was over. I realize that sounds awful, but I will add that there is a carpeted step that runs the length of the platform which served as the altar area.

One night, my husband had a dream of our two boys carrying the altar between them, and setting it back in place. He took this as instruction from the Lord, and asked our sons to do just that.

He preached that service about that old altar. He named saints that had gone on to their reward who had wept hot tears at that humble bench. He called different ones in the congregation by name, and reminded them how their mother and grandmother had agonized before God for their salvation. He told of a former District Superintendent who had given his life to Jesus while kneeling at that very altar.

Each person was called to approach the altar and make a fresh consecration to God and give reverence to that old country altar where so many lives had been changed. It was one of the most moving services that I’ve ever been a part of. Not because of any well rehearsed program or pageantry, but because of the image of people’s lives and hearts being visibly changed as they knelt or bent to lay their hand lovingly on the smooth wood, and mingled their tears with the tear stains from past generations.

It was in that service that I came to understand more deeply that the altar isn’t just a piece of furniture in a church building. The altar is a place where we are changed. Where we lay down old actions, old habits, old grudges, old ways of thinking, old sinful flesh. Down.

If we aren’t allowing the altar to change us, we’re approaching it wrong. If at all. The altar should alter us.

“Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.” (Matthew 5:23-24)

The Jewish Mezuzah and Its Eternal Truth

~ Pat Vick ~ Leave a comment

One of the most precious gifts I ever received was a Mezuzah from Israel. It was given to my husband and me by our Pastor at the time, Ken Raggio, from his trip to the Holy Land.

WHAT IS A MEZUZAH?

The Mezuzah is a small rectangular box, some simply decorated, and others extremely ornate. Every Mezuzah holds the same contents, a copy of the verses Deuteronomy 6:4-9 and 11:13-21.

WHAT IS ITS PURPOSE?

The Mezuzah is a reminder of the most fundamental knowledge of God.

“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.” (Deuteronomy 6:4-5)

This knowledge that GOD IS ONE LORD is so important in our understanding of Him that He instructs His People to speak of it daily to their children, when they are sitting, walking, and otherwise going about their days. He expects us to keep this knowledge at the forefront of our minds, continually.

The Mezuzah is not an amulet, nor a good luck charm. It is simply a reminder to those who possess it of their obligation to God.

HOW IS IT USED?

The Mezuzah has traditionally been affixed to the doorways of Jewish homes. When the people who lived there, or even guests, came through the door, they would be reminded, this is a home where people know the one, true living God. I must conduct myself in a proper and reverent way in honor of Him.

Also, when people would leave the home, they would be reminded to live appropriately and in honor of God while they go about their daily lives.


A CLOSER EXAMINATION

Deuteronomy 6:4-9

Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.

The knowledge that God is one is the core belief that every person who claims to know and love Him should confess. The belief in a TRINITY of Beings who make up the One God is against that most fundamental doctrine.

And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:

We should hold this knowledge that our God is One Lord deeply in our hearts. It should resonate clearly and distinctly within us every day of our lives so that we do not begin to think of Him as the many gods of heathen nations.

And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.

God expects us to teach this knowledge of His ONENESS to our children at every opportunity. This mandate should make us rethink putting our children in situations where we know they will be taught trinitarian doctrine, even so called “Christian” schools.

And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.

Again, whatever our hand finds to do, or our eyes look at, our minds should always retain the knowledge of God’s ONENESS, and the fact that we are to love Him with everything in us. When we go or come from our homes, this Truth should guide us in the way we go about our days, both inside and outside our homes. If we are truly in relationship with the One True Living God, we will behave ourselves in ways that please Him, both to the stranger, as well as to those closest to us.

 

Deuteronomy 11:13-21

And it shall come to pass, if ye shall hearken diligently unto my commandments which I command you this day, to love the Lord your God, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul,

The blessings of God are contingent on whether we retain the knowledge of the One True Living God, and whether we serve Him with everything within us. IF we, THEN He.

That I will give you the rain of your land in his due season, the first rain and the latter rain, that thou mayest gather in thy corn, and thy wine, and thine oil. And I will send grass in thy fields for thy cattle, that thou mayest eat and be full.

The blessing of remembering and teaching that our God is One Lord, and loving and serving Him with our whole hearts, is that He will provide what we need to live productive and contented lives in His will.

Take heed to yourselves, that your heart be not deceived, and ye turn aside, and serve other gods, and worship them;

It is possible that we could be deceived into serving and worshiping other gods. We must guard our hearts and minds continually. It is difficult to imagine the possibility of being deceived in the day that we live in. However, believing that the trinitarian doctrine is biblical is one such deception.

And then the Lord‘s wrath be kindled against you, and he shut up the heaven, that there be no rain, and that the land yield not her fruit; and lest ye perish quickly from off the good land which the Lord giveth you.

If we do not retain the knowledge of God’s ONENESS in our hearts, and instead, live our lives as if we are not accountable to the One True Living God, and forsake our relationship with Him, then we can expect God’s fierce anger to be against us. We should not be surprised when His blessings of provision do not follow. Nor should we expect to live out our days in health and peace.

Therefore shall ye lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul, and bind them for a sign upon your hand, that they may be as frontlets between your eyes.

The knowledge of God’s ONENESS and our adoration of Him should not only be on display at every point in our lives, but should saturate our very hearts and beings.

And ye shall teach them your children, speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.

We must use every opportunity to invest into our children the knowledge of the ONENESS of God and their need to love and serve Him with all their hearts. Click To Tweet

We must not assume that our children and grandchildren know and understand the truth of the Oneness of God simply because they witness our relationship with God. Nor should we assume they comprehend the magnitude of their obligation to God because they have heard us tell others. WE MUST SPEAK THE WORDS TO THEM ONE ON ONE as often as we can.

And thou shalt write them upon the door posts of thine house, and upon thy gates:

Hence, the reason that Orthodox Jews still attach the Mezuzah to their door posts even in modern times.

That your days may be multiplied, and the days of your children, in the land which the Lord sware unto your fathers to give them, as the days of heaven upon the earth.

We don’t live for the Lord and retain the knowledge of His ONENESS only for ourselves. Our children’s very lives and futures depend on us imparting to them this same knowledge of the Almighty, deep love and desire to serve Him in Truth. Knowing that GOD IS ONE, not three, is basic, fundamental, and ESSENTIAL to our and our children’s salvation.

 

YOUR OBLIGATION AS A CHRISTIAN

You may not have a Mezuzah affixed to your door posts, but you are responsible for knowing and passing on this eternal Truth:

“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.” (Deuteronomy 6:4-5)

Warm

~~~~~~~
As always, feel free to leave a comment, share to social media, or email me: PAT@patvick.com

Also, if you’d love to read more about the Oneness of God, be sure to check out my past articles on the topic below.

Are All Pentecostal Churches Created Equal?

The Oneness of God: It Isn’t Just Semantics.

What Is The First Commandment Of All?

 

6 Reasons You Should Be Baptized in the Name of Jesus Christ

~ Pat Vick ~ Leave a comment

The choice to be baptized in Jesus’ name was neither difficult, nor complicated for me, once I saw the Truth of it in scripture. I had previously been baptized in the titles, “Father, Son and Holy Spirit.” When I came up out of the water, the only difference I felt was wet instead of dry. I was very disappointed that I didn’t feel a difference on the inside. I knew that I had missed something, but wasn’t sure what.

Years later, I learned of baptism in Jesus’ name. I saw it. I understood it. I acted on it. I can testify to you that when the man of God put me under the water, actually calling on the NAME OF JESUS, everything was different than my previous baptismal experience.

I can tell you the exact moment my sins were “washed away.” It was in the approximate two seconds that I was under the water. I remember opening my eyes, seeing the lights above me, and thinking that I could stay there forever. When I broke the plane of the water, I knew without a doubt that I was clean on the inside.

Because I’ve had this extraordinary experience, I desperately want you to experience it also. Here are six reasons why you should be baptized in the NAME OF JESUS CHRIST:

1. Jesus commanded it.

“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:” (Matthew 28:19)

Father, Son and Holy Ghost are titles. What is THE NAME of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost? It is JESUS, of course! Going through the motions of baptism without using His name is powerless.

2. The Apostles obeyed Jesus’ command by baptizing in Jesus’ name.

On the Day of Pentecost, when Peter preached the first message of the early Church, he very plainly told the people what they must do to be saved -repent, be baptized in Jesus’ name, and receive the Holy Ghost.

We can see what Jesus meant by how the apostles followed through. There isn’t one scripture that even suggests they spoke the titles, Father, Son and Holy Ghost over new converts when they baptized them.

“Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 2:38)

“Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)” (Acts 8:14-16)

3. Jesus’ name baptism is for the remission (removal) of sins.

How did the apostles have the power to remit (remove) people’s sins? It was by baptizing them in Jesus’ name. The ministry has this same power today. WOE to a minister who refuses to baptize new converts in the name of Jesus! That man or woman will stand before the God of all Glory with much blood on their hands.

“Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.” (John 20:23)

“Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 2:38)

“And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.” (Acts 22:16)

4. Being baptized in Jesus’ name allows us New Life and hope of the Resurrection.

A bride is due all the benefits that taking on her husband’s name in marriage allows. So it is that we are due all that taking on Jesus’ name in baptism allows.

“Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:” (Romans 6:3-5)

5. Historical records prove Jesus’ name baptism to be the original formula.

Hastings Dictionary of the Bible, (Thirteenth Edition, Vol. 1, Page 241): The original form of words as ‘into the name of Jesus Christ’ or ‘the Lord Jesus.’ Baptism into the Trinity was a later development.

Schaff-Herzog Religious Encyclopedia, (Vol. 1, Page 435): “The New Testament knows only the baptism in the name of Jesus.”

Canney Encyclopedia, (page 53): “The early church always baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus until the development of the Trinity, afterward they were baptized in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost.”

6. We are commanded to do all things in Jesus’ saving name.

“And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” (Colossians 3:17)

“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)

We are so quick to proclaim the name of Jesus in every other area of our lives; doesn’t it seem only right that His name should be spoken at our baptism? People will pray over their food, their choices, their health, and their children, calling on the name of Jesus. Yet, they will refuse to have His name spoken at the most pivotal point in their lives.

…This sounds like a trick of the enemy to me.

Spirit & Flesh

~ Pat Vick ~ Leave a comment


I was driving to work when I realized I hadn’t even knelt and prayed before I left the house. I had read the Word, written my daily devotion, scanned Facebook, and then gotten ready and left for the day.

When I realized that I hadn’t made the time to pray, I immediately began making excuses…”Lord, this flesh is so hard to keep under control.”

He reminded me of Adam and Eve in the garden. Adam said pretty much the same thing about Eve…It was this woman you gave me…

If we take a look at Adam and Eve as spirit and flesh, we see Eve (flesh) being tempted. Adam (spirit) could and should have disciplined the flesh, but he didn’t. He chose to partake of the forbidden fruit when Eve offered it to him. Because of this, they were both judged.

It may feel like you have no control over your flesh, but that is a lie from the enemy of your soul. We must continually strengthen our spirit so that our flesh can stay disciplined.

“And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat.” (Genesis 3:12)

Are All Pentecostal Churches Created Equal?

~ Pat Vick ~ 4 Comments

I see it all the time -another “Pentecostal Church” sign in front of a church that I’m pretty sure is quite different from the Pentecostal Church we pastor. It’s no wonder there is so much confusion about what being Pentecostal means.

Not too many years ago in America, it was almost taboo to say you were Pentecostal. Not so today. More and more people boast in the fact that they have some association with Pentecost, as if they have risen above some social barrier. 

While it’s great that people are excited about visiting a Pentecostal Church, it’s often difficult for those who are actually trying to find one to attend.

With so many different flavors of Pentecost to choose from, how do you know what to look for? How do you know what’s important? What does Pentecostal even mean for Heaven’s sake???

PENTECOST

The word Pentecost actually means Fifty. It was fifty days after Jesus’ resurrection from the dead that He poured out the Holy Ghost (Spirit of God) on the hundred and twenty disciples who had waited in the upper room in Jerusalem for the promised gift. 

When the promise came to them, everyone in the upper room began to speak in unknown tongues (languages) as the Spirit enabled them. This supernatural phenomenon, along with lively worship, is what most people refer to when they think of being Pentecostal. While it is the first thing, it shouldn’t be the only thing.

Speaking in tongues is the initial sign of receiving the Holy Ghost (God’s Spirit), but being Pentecostal is more than speaking in tongues. Many congregations, denominations and religious organizations allow for being filled with the Holy Ghost (evidenced by speaking in tongues), yet never continue on into the fullness of the Pentecostal experience.

WHAT’S IMPORTANT?

There is one core difference that separates one Pentecostal Church from another -whether it is Oneness or Trinitarian. Every other teaching trickles down from this core doctrine.

Oneness Doctrine

The biblically correct teaching that God is one, based on Deuteronomy 6:4, “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord:”

God is one. He is a Spirit. He manifested Himself in the form of a man (the son of God/flesh) so that He could become the sinless sacrifice for our sins, and die in our place, allowing us to have access to eternal life.

Trinitarian Doctrine

The erroneous teaching that God is three, based on the Catholic Nicene Creed, adopted at the Council of Nicaea in 325 A.D.

God is three separate beings, co-equal and co-eternal. This was not what the prophets taught. It was not what Jesus taught. It was not what the Apostles taught. It was not what the early Church taught. It was manufactured 325 years after Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection.

Why does it make a difference if a Church is Oneness or Trinitarian?

A Oneness Pentecostal Church will teach Acts 2:38 as the only plan of salvation. Repentance, Baptism in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and the in filling of the Holy Ghost, evidenced by speaking in tongues. A Oneness Church most often promotes some level of holiness and separation from worldliness, as well.

A Trinitarian Pentecostal church (or any trinitarian church, whether they are Pentecostal or not) will allow, and might even seek to be filled with the Holy Ghost, evidenced by speaking in tongues. However, they will not teach that it is essential to salvation. 

A trinitarian church will baptize using the titles, “Father, Son and Holy Spirit/Holy Ghost,” but not in the name of Jesus. 

Most Trinitarian churches teach that you are saved when you accept the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal savior, and that anything else you do is good, but not necessary for your salvation.

Can You See The Difference?

As you can hopefully tell, there is a big difference between these two doctrinal beliefs.

-The Oneness of God

-Acts 2:38 as the essential Plan of Salvation 

-Baptism in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins.

-The infilling of the Holy Ghost, evidenced by speaking in tongues.

-Holiness/Separation from worldliness

These are the key factors you should start with when visiting or looking for a Pentecostal Church to call home.

Blessings,

-Pat

When Did “Fundamental” Become A Bad Word?

~ Pat Vick ~ 2 Comments

I bought a dictionary in the fall of 1985 when I started my first and only year of college. I still have that dictionary today. I used it to look up the word “Fundamental.”

When did “Serving as an original or generating source, Primary, Basic, Of central importance” become a bad thing? I’ve always thought being authentic, rather than fake, was a good thing, and something to be sought after and pursued.

If you are a bike rider, you want to ride a bike that has all the BASIC parts: Tires, Frame, Seat, Peddles, Handlebars, brakes.

If you go to a pet store to buy a puppy, you don’t ask, “Do you have any in the back, maybe one with a broken leg and only one eye?” No…You want one with all the BASIC parts!

If you buy a house, you want it to have all the BASIC parts: Footer, Floor, Walls, Roof, Windows, Doors, Kitchen, Bathroom, Bedroom.

If you must have surgery, you want your doctor to have all the BASIC knowledge, education, internship and residency.

Why is it that when so many people look for a CHURCH, they don’t mind it being a mamby pamby, wishy washy, anything goes, double minded, anyway you want it, quickshod, inkblot, quicksand kind of assembly?

COME ON NOW!

Shouldn’t we expect THE CHURCH OF THE LIVING GOD to be comprised of the ORIGINAL, Bible-based, Non-negotiable, BASIC PARTS???

And shouldn’t we expect that when we hold churches accountable to those BASIC INDICATORS OF TRUTH, that we aren’t labeled “FUNDAMENTALISTS,” as though it meant the same thing as HERETIC or BLASPHEMER or ABOMINATION?

-If Fundamentalist means that I believe the Bible is the infallible Word of God, so be it.

-If Fundamentalist means that I take God at His Word, so be it.

-If Fundamentalist means that I stand on Deuteronomy 6:4, “Here O Israel, the Lord our God is one Lord” and NOT A TRINITY, so be it.

-If Fundamentalist means that I believe what Jesus told Nicodemus, Unless a man is born of water and Spirit, he cannot see the kingdom of God, So be it.

-If Fundamentalist means that I believe the basic plan of salvation that Peter preached on the Day of Pentecost in Acts chapter two is the New Birth that Jesus spoke of, so be it.

-If Fundamentalist means that I believe NO PERSON AFTER THE DAY OF PENTECOST will be saved and see the kingdom of God without being born again of the WATER (which is Jesus’ name baptism) and the SPIRIT (which is the baptism of the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in other tongues as the Spirit gives utterance), SO. BE. IT.

-If Fundamentalist means I believe a Christian must live a sanctified life of HOLINESS, “without which no man shall see the Lord,” so be it.

People may look at me narrowly and say, “She’s one of those Fundamentalists. Basically, she thinks the Bible means just what it says, and God really expects us to repent, be baptized in Jesus’ name, receive the Holy Ghost, speak in tongues, dress, act, speak and live a certain way…and Oh, she doesn’t even believe in the trinity.

I’m sure those people will mean this description as an insult, but THANK YOU VERY MUCH, I will take it as a COMPLIMENT.