| Pentecostal Missionary Church of Christ (4th Watch) | |
| Country | Philippines |
|---|---|
| Denomination | Pentecostal Christian |
| Website | Official Website |
| History | |
| Founded | 1973 |
| Clergy | |
| Minister(s) | Apostle Arsenio T. Ferriol (Founder/Head Minister) |
Pentecostal Missionary Church of Christ (4th Watch) (PMCC 4th Watch) is a worldwide Pentecostal Missionary Christian denomination founded by Arsenio T. Ferriol in 1972 in the Philippines. The PMCC 4th Watch has also expanded overseas with the establishment of foreign churches in Asia-Pacific, Europe, North America and Australia. The said denomination claims to have branches in 40 different countries.
Contents |
The PMCC 4th Watch believes in the truth contained in the Bible. It believes in the Bible as the inspired words of God and is therefore infallible. The PMCC 4th Watch believes that it is the final authority on faith and morals for all men. It believes that the true church of Christ was founded on the day of the Pentecost and that there is the continuing operation of the complete gifts of the Holy Spirit in the church today.[1] Included in these gifts is the office of apostleship and other gifts of the Spirit for the perfection of the saints mentioned in Ephesians 4:11-12.[2][3]
The PMCC 4th Watch also believes in the truth contained in 1 Corinthians 8:6.[4] The statement by Apostle Paul proclaims that there is one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live, one Lord Jesus Christ through whom all things came and through whom we live, and the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of truth who guides, teaches and reminds believers into all truth.[5]
The PMCC 4th Watch has an evangelistic thrust. Through the preaching of the Gospel, it seeks to make disciples of all nations. The PMCC 4th Watch believes in the truth regarding salvation as stated in the Scriptures. The salvation of man is through the finished work of Jesus Christ demonstrated by his suffering, death and resurrection.[6] This salvation is given by grace and not achieved by works of any man.[7]
The PMCC 4th Watch also believes in the imminence of Jesus Christ’s return in our time – the 4th Watch. The Church does not believe in the practice of predicting the exact hour, day, month and year of Christ's return. The PMCC 4th Watch is different from other sects and groups that have done so and led people away from the truth. Those true believers who are waiting for this blessed hope must live their lives on earth in holiness and service unto God.[8]
The PMCC 4th Watch's motto is holiness and service unto the Lord. The Church strives to be holy because God is holy. Holiness and sanctification, stated in the Bible, is about being in the world but not of it. The PMCC 4th Watch also believes that Christian service is an extension of sanctification. In his holiness, Jesus devoted himself to the service of His Father in heaven. Holiness kept Jesus busy and totally consumed by his mission of saving the world. It is this example that the PMCC 4th Watch strive to emulate.[9]
The Church is also devoted to service unto the Lord by being faithful stewards of talents and the different ministries entrusted to its members. Part of the PMCC 4th Watch's activities are the daily early morning prayers and meditation on the word of God, weekly Bible studies and prayer meetings and the worship service every Sunday.[10]
Under Apostle Arsenio Ferriol's PMCC 4th Watch leadership, the PMCC 4th Watch has emphasized the importance of prayer and the Word of God like what the early church has done.[11]
The PMCC 4th Watch faithfully adheres to the observance of the Holy Communion. It observes both component - the bread and the fruit of the vine - every Sunday. Like the disciples in the early church,[12] the PMCC 4th Watch's Sunday worship is highlighted by the Holy Communion, representing the body and blood of Christ.[13]
Fulfilling its calling as a missionary church, the PMCC 4th Watch remains true to the evangelistic ways of Jesus and his apostles. Much like the disciples in the early church, the PMCC 4th Watch also proclaims the truth about salvation in public places. To name a few, these are the markets, airports, street corners and fish ports. By bringing the gospel to these places, the PMCC 4th Watch is able to fulfill the Great Commission, as stated in Matthew 28:19-20, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."[14]
In the Philippines, part of its PMCC 4th Watch's evangelistic effort is spreading the word of God through mass media. It operates a radio station in Quezon, a province in the Philippines.[15] Through the tv and radio program Oras ng Katotohanan and The Word magazine,[16] the message of truth about salvation is brought to many people. With mass media, the PMCC 4th Watch strives to reach out to as many people as possible so that they may hear the truth.
The PMCC 4th Watch is not limited to religious undertakings. It conducts projects directed at uplifting the lives of the people. PMCC 4th Watch regularly holds medical missions in the different cities and provinces in the Philippines. It is also able to undertake social services in its foreign churches as well.[17] Part of its social services are blood letting projects.[18] The importance of blood donation is important especially in countries like the Philippines.[19] Through projects like this, the PMCC 4th Watch is able to do its part in addressing this problem. Another form of social service of PMCC 4th Watch is in the field of education. It helps fund the education of poor but deserving students through the ATF Scholarship Foundation.
|
|||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||