Watching in Vain
A self-appointed apostle sets up his own denomination, while the Lord’s apostles lead those who come out of men’s works. A self-appointed minister puts himself in the place of Christ by setting the Lord’s arrival in the future, but the Lord’s ministers make Him known presently, ever with those who believe.
We received this note:
There is a man in the philippines claiming that GOD sent him [Arsenio Ferriol]. He is an apostle of the group Pentecostal Missionary Church of Christ (4thwatch)
do you know this denomination? what can you say about this?
i saw the list of false teachers in your site but this man is not included.
need response.
Thanks,
Juan
Victor replied:
Hi Juan,
No true man of God operates within the religious structures of men. John the Immerser was sent of God to introduce the Lamb of God to the world and wasn’t party to any denomination in his day. The apostles and Jesus Christ were part of no denomination. Indeed, the members of denominations were their arch enemies. They killed the prophets, slew the Christ, and persecuted His apostles. They still persecute His saints to this day.
Saul of Tarsus was a Pharisee until he was converted. Suddenly, he was a Pharisee no more. That’s the way it is. While in a denomination, he was an enemy of Christ. When turned to be His disciple, he treated his past religious status and credentials as dung (Philippians 3).
In the days of the Lord’s flesh, there were those who believed on Him, but wouldn’t confess Him, being afraid they would be thrown out of their synagogues (churches and denominations):
“Still, however, even out of the rulers, many did believe on Him. But because of the Pharisees they did not confess, lest they should be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the glory of men more than the glory of God” (John 12:42-43 MKJV).
You know what Jesus says about those who deny Him before men, which is what those did:
“Then everyone who shall confess Me before men, I will confess him before My Father Who is in Heaven. But whoever shall deny Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father in Heaven” (Matthew 10:32-33 MKJV).
When Jesus Christ apprehended us and gave us His Spirit, He led us out of heathen-government-registered churches and denominations. There was no other option if we were to follow Him.
“For the bodies of those animals, whose blood is brought into the Holy of Holies by the high priest for sin, are burned outside the camp. Therefore Jesus also, so that He might sanctify the people through His own blood, suffered outside the gate” (Hebrews 13:11-12 MKJV).
Those in denominations who appear to confess Christ either confess another christ (which is often the case) or they worship Him in vain with their lips, their hearts being far from Him:
“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ shall enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in Heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord! Lord! Did we not prophesy in Your Name, and through Your Name throw out demons, and through Your Name do many wonderful works?’ And then I will say to them, ‘I never knew you! Depart from Me, those working lawlessness!’” (Matthew 7:21-23 MKJV)
Therefore, the fact that the “apostle” Arsenio Ferriol is identified with the Pentecostal Missionary Church of Christ (4th Watch) makes him nothing more than a servant of Ashtoreth and Baal. He isn’t a messenger of God. Isn’t that easy enough to understand by the Scriptural testimonies?
Finally, the organization calls itself “Pentecostal.” Why? That is only one Feast of three. What about the Third Feast (Tabernacles, the only one Zechariah mentions when describing the Day of the Lord – chapter 14)? If anyone should know of the Final Feast, you would think a true apostle of God of the “4th Watch” would. If Arsenio does know, why does he choose to represent only the Second Feast by name (Pentecost)? And if he doesn’t know, how can he be a minister of the Gospel of Christ in this, His Day of fulfilling all things? Truly, Arsenio represents no Feast of God at all. He represents the works of men in the Name of God.
“With regard to the works of man, by the Word of Your lips I have avoided the ways of the violent” (Psalms 17:4 ESV).
You don’t think the Pentecostal Missionary Church of Christ would be violent? Contrary to popular belief, the Pharisees and Sadducees were the nicest people you could meet, except when they were confronted by the Lord and His disciples, Who had a marvelous way of bringing out the worst in people by speaking the Truth they couldn’t bear to hear. Given occasion, those who are sectarian and partisan are violent, often surprisingly so. We have experienced violence from them times without number. (Violence encompasses much more than physical acts.)
For more Scriptural guidance on false teachers, read The True Marks of a Cult and Diabolical Doctrines.
Juan, get your own oil or you’ll be shut out of the Kingdom!
Victor Hafichuk
Addendum: The name “4th Watch” alludes to the belief taught by Arsenio and his church that these are the days in which Christ will physically return, as stated on their site:
“We believe in the imminence of Christ’s return in our time – the 4th watch. We do not believe in the practice of predicting the exact hour, day, month and year of His return. Those true believers who are waiting for this blessed hope must live their lives on earth in holiness and service unto God.”
The Lord has returned and is here for those who believe! Read the explanation in Diabolical Doctrine: The Second Coming (Christ Is Returning in a Physical Body).
The Pentecostal Missionary Church preaches a vain watch, looking in the wrong place for the wrong reason, without faith, promoting man’s self-righteousness because serving a man’s notion of holiness rather than God’s. As Jesus said, quoting Isaiah, “However, they worship Me in vain, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men” (Mark 7:7 MKJV).