TRINITY Debunked

The TRINITY is a doctrine that the majority of Christians take for granted. This is despite the fact that the word “Trinity” is found nowhere in the Bible. In addition to this, the doctrine was not an official position within Christianity until 381 AD. Many people have said that the Trinity was invented at the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD. This is simply not the case.

After centuries of discussion about Jesus, the Son of God, and His relationship to God, Nicaea formally established the doctrine of Jesus’ equality with the Father. It was not until 381 AD that the Council of Constantinople elevated the Holy Spirit to equality with God and Jesus, with ideas of ONE God eternally existent in THREE Persons.

In my newest video, I take on the most traditional view of my fellow Christians, to expose the lack of Scriptural foundation for the “Trinity doctrine.” This is accomplished by narrating Barton W. Stone’s clear presentation on the subject from 1821. Link below…

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=36v0_pZ63mc

“Control: Letting Go of It to Get It”

My new book has been released!

Ebook now available on Amazon!

Biography-Pastor Jason Terpack

PASTOR JASON TERPACK has been preaching since the age of seventeen when he re-organized the Bible Club on his public High School campus in Southern California.  B.A.S.I.C. - Brothers And Sisters In Christ and spoke at many other high schools in the Inland Empire.

In 1999, Jason graduated from John W. North High School and joined the United States Air Force in February 2000.  After completing his first deployment after 9/11, he began to work on his Bachelor’s Degree.  He was promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant in August of 2003 and was awarded his Bachelor’s degree from Wayland Baptist University in 2005 with a major in Logistics Management.

Jason had a distinguished record of service in the military, going to war two times and earning the Air Force Commendation Medal twice among other decorations.  He was honorably discharged from the Service in December 2005.  At that time he became a substitute teacher in Arizona, followed by working as an Academic Counselor at Axia College of University of Phoenix in Arizona.

In August of 2007, he began graduate studies at Midwestern Seminary (www.mbts.edu) where he met the love of his life, Stephenie Long. They courted and were soon married on Leap Day- February 29, 2008.  A very small Baptist Church in the country called Jason as their Pastor in October 2007 after he filled the pulpit for a month and a half.  The congregation licensed Jason to the Gospel Ministry on November 4, 2007.  During Seminary, he also served a brief pastorate at a small Christian Church in Kansas City and was instrumental in the merger of two Congregations, which saved a 100-year old church from closing.

Pastor Terpack is a 2011 graduate of Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and holds the Master of Divinity Degree.

After Seminary, Pastor Jason began a ministry at another small country Church with only 50 people.  In less than six months, that Congregation was running 100 people in worship attendance.  They did not want to grow so they asked him to resign.  But Pastor Jason did not give up on his calling from God to be a Minister.

Jason’s passion is to preach the Word of God in a clear and relevant way! He desires to build up saints by teaching the Bible, by being available, and by being involved in their lives.  He is also an evangelist, reaching the lost and unchurched. 

Jason was called as Pastor of the Cummings Christian Church in Atchison County, KS and Ordained to that ministry by the Elders February 2, 2014.  He served there for two years full-time and saw the Church grow under the blessing of the Lord!

When he is free, Jason enjoys spending time with his beautiful wife Stephenie playing with his son John as well as watching movies, drinking coffee, studying theology, and enjoying good food and fellowship.  Most importantly, Jason loves the Church and being a Pastor! He can't see himself doing anything else with his time.  

After the retirement of the well-loved Pastor Larry Brazier, Morningstar Christian Church (Now Montclair Christian Church), CA invited Jason to become their new Senior Pastor.  Pastor Jason began the work of pastoring this wonderful Church August 4, 2019. 

He looks forward to the great things God will do here in the Inland Empire!  His new book “Control: Letting Go of It to Get It” is scheduled to be released by Christmas 2019.

Beyond the Status Quo

Beyond the Status Quo

By Pastor Jason Terpack

There’s an old saying that goes, “If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always gotten.” That is a very true statement.  If you think about it in the simple terms of life, you’ll see that it is true.  My wife enjoys watching a television show called “Worst Cooks in America.”  It is a show about people who are awful cooks but enter into a “boot camp” taught by two top chefs to learn how to work well in the kitchen.  The participants on the show are not culinary experts and if they never decided to do anything about it that would not change-they would stay horrible cooks.  But, the ones who seek the difference by wanting to learn and grow and identify the challenges to their cooking will improve and change for the better.  What often motivates the participants is their desire to provide quality meals for their loved ones.

In a similar way, we can choose as people of faith to identify our areas of weakness, our “cooking,” and seek to go beyond the status quo.  We can get help from the experts or “top chefs” like Abraham, Moses, and Paul who left the status quo to fully follow God.

Abraham left the land of his father, Ur of the Chaldeans to seek a place, “A city whose builder and maker is God.”  He left that place because God called him to do that.  It was not easy and it was not convenient, and it was not what he had always done.  He was used to that territory and was used to doing things that way.  But God was calling him to something different, something new.  And because of his obedience we have the Savior of the world who came at Christmas as a son of Abraham (Matthew 1:1).

Moses is another person we can learn from about leaving the status quo.  He killed an Egyptian for beating a Hebrew slave and then worked in the desert as a fugitive shepherd.  But God called him to lead the people of Israel, enslaved 400 years in Egypt, out to the Promised Land.  Moses had plenty of reason not to go.  He was 80 years old at this time.  Also, he was not good at speaking; he had a stutter or other speech impediment.  He listened though and because of his obedience we have the Law of God as given by Moses (Genesis-Deuteronomy) which shows us our need for Christ (Galatians 3:24).

Then there is Paul.  Paul was a religious leader, comfortable with his station in life.  He was a Pharisee and well-respected as one who knew his own faith.  He in fact was a persecutor of the then infant church with letters from the top religious leaders endorsing his quest against Christians.  But God had different plans for Paul.  The Lord Jesus appeared to Paul on his trip to Damascus, while on his way to persecute the followers of Jesus there.  He was struck blind and spoken to in a voice from above (see Acts 9).  After three days, Paul who was previously called Saul had a very different attitude and perspective.  And he went on to found many churches and to write nearly two thirds of the New Testament of the Holy Bible.

In what way does God want to bring you out of the status quo in your life and in your church?  What is God calling you to do that may not be comfortable or convenient?  If you obey, you may just change the world!

DAY 11 Co-signing Loans

“There’s danger in putting up security for a stranger’s debt; it’s safer not to guarantee another person’s debt.” (Proverbs 11:15 NLT)

The Bible has much to say about money and wisdom for how to work for it, how to spend it, and how not to spend it. Today’s selected verse teaches us not to cosign loans. You may have had someone ask, “Would you co-sign a small loan for me?” They may have even explained that you would not have to pay a cent; just sign a piece of paper; “It’s a favor,” they say. But the Bible teaches that this is not safe.

Why is it unsafe to cosign a loan for someone, even a friend or family member? Because by becoming a cosigner you are now assuming another person’s debt. If that friend or family member fails to pay their debt you will be forced to assume responsibility for that debt as if it were your own.

In an article on this subject Christian money expert Dave Ramsey writes:

The lender requires a cosigner because there is a very high statistical chance that the applicant won't pay. So why do we appoint ourselves as the generous, all-knowing, benevolent helper to override the judgment of an industry that is foaming at the mouth to lend money, and yet has deemed your friend or relative a deadbeat looking for a place to fail, or at least a loan default looking for a new home? Why do we cosign knowing full well the inherent problems?
We enter this ridiculous situation only on emotion. Intellect could not take us on this ride. We "know" they will pay because we "know" them. Wrong. Parents cosign for a young couple to buy a home. Why do they need a cosigner? Because they couldn't afford the home! Parents cosign for a teenager to buy a car. Why would parents do this? "So he can learn to be responsible." No, what the teenager has learned is: if you can't pay for something, buy it anyway.

There was a man who went to the mall with one of his buddies. When they got there, he took out his debit card and handed it to his friend along with a note including his pin number. “Spend as much as you like, it’s on me.” Would anyone ever think of doing such a thing? That is exactly what you are doing if you co-sign a loan for someone else.  You are committing all of your wealth to whatever debt that person is assuming (his debt has become yours).

Jesus taught us to ask the Father to “give us this day our daily bread.” He taught us to ask God to provide for our personal needs. I believe God will meet our financial needs as we live wisely and within the parameters of His Word. This does not include taking on unnecessary debt, including that of close friends or family members.

May we be wise today with the money the LORD has given us and the credit we have earned.

Proverbs Chapter 9-Wisdom's Invitation

DAY 9

“[Lady Wisdom says…]Come, eat my food, and drink the wine I have mixed.” (Proverbs 9:5 NLT)

Lady Wisdom is further described in chapter 9 (1-12) and contrasted with Lady Folly (13-18). Notice how similar Lady Wisdom’s offer sounds to what has been called “God’s Banquet Call” in Isaiah 55:1; “Is anyone thirsty? Come and drink-even if you have no money! Come take your choice of wine or milk-it’s all free!”

We are invited by God to partake of good things. Food and beverage are some of the items most associated in our minds with blessing from the Lord. I think that is why Jesus compared Himself to the bread from Heaven of Moses’ day.

The crowd asked Jesus, “Show us a miraculous sign if you want us to believe in you. What can you do? After all our ancestors ate manna while they journeyed through the wilderness! The Scriptures say, ‘Moses gave them bread from heaven to eat.’” (John 6:30-31).

Jesus responded to them by saying, “I tell you the truth, Moses didn’t give you bread from heaven. My Father did. And now He offers you the true bread from heaven. The true bread of God is the one who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”

The crowd did not seem to fully understand and they answered, “Sir…give us that bread every day.” “Jesus replied, ‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” (vss.32-35)

Jesus compares our deep need of salvation to our hunger and thirst-these are very real feelings that we experience daily. Jesus said that coming to Him (by repentance the Bible teaches, Acts 2:38) will satisfy our spiritual hunger and by believing in Him (that is faith, Romans 10:9,10) we will satisfy our spiritual thirst. This is ceratinly for people who have never trusted Christ as Savior but it is also for the believer to constantly come to Jesus turning from sin and believing in Him on a continual basis (reference).

“But to those called by God to salvation, both Jews and Gentiles, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:24)

Get Back Up!

“For a righteous man falls seven times, and rises again, But the wicked stumble in time of calamity.” -Proverbs 24:16 NASB

This verse of Scripture is especially encouraging to me this week. Christians are not perfect but they are being perfected! The Bible teaches that though a righteous man falls “seven times” or falls completely, he gets back up. God does not reject you after you fall one time, two times, or even three times. He accepts you every time you get back up through repentance of sin.

God is gracious to sinners! Even saved sinners-"If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:8&9)

The key to God’s forgiveness is our confession. Not confession to a priest, but to the Lord. Not saying a rote formula but agreeing with God from the heart that what we have done is wrong. If we do this, “he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins.” Not only this, but he will “cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Praise the Lord for His great mercy to us. Even after we have been saved, we are still being saved. Not only have we repented, but we are still repenting. Daily we are dying to our old way of life and being renewed in our mind.

God is good and gracious-His love for us extends to us even when we fail Him. I love Him because He first loved me. He loved me when I was lost and wretched and He loves me when I fail to be what He is by grace creating me to be!

Have you fallen? Get back up.

Have you fallen more than once? Get back up!

Have you fallen completely? GET BACK UP.

Get back up today oh man of God! He will set your feet upon a rock.

(Image originally from http://www.flickr.com/photos/worldofoddy/270565446/)

When Men Fail to Lead Churches Become Museums!

9/11 Tribute Song

For a Free-Will Study on Salvation Check This Out!

For Those of You Wanting to Learn Hebrew

At this point in my seminary studies I am beginning to study Hebrew and this video helps to make learning the aleph bet (the first and second letters of the Hebrew alphabet) easier.

Darrin Patrick on Preaching

Darrin Patrick - Gospel-Centered Preaching - Romans 1:14-17 from Southeastern Seminary on Vimeo.

"Contextualization"

What has been on my heart recently is our need as the church to contextualize. Instead of writing something about it, which many better men than me have done, I posted this video by Mark Driscoll (whom many love and others hate). Please watch this and give it some real thought? God Bless.

9/11

With all of the recent controvery surrounding the possible construction of a mosque two blocks from the site of the 9/11 terror attacks I thought it would be good to post my tribute song to the victims of September 11th 2001.

Reading the Bible

In an effort to truly understand the message of the Bible (the Bible is in fact a unified message from God. Old and New Testaments explain His unfolding revelation to man of Himself) I plan to read through the Bible this summer in addition to my summer class and other independent academic pursuits. I will either be using the ESV or NIV this time and then plan to use the second version to do it again in a year or so. Do you have an understanding of the overall message of Scripture? Check out ESV.org or BibleGateway.com for free online audio Bibles to help you read through the Bible.

Book Review: "Planting Missional Churches"

In his book “Planting Missional Churches,” Dr. Ed Stetzer gives church planters a seminal work on church planting in a practical and yet detailed how-to format. There is no wonder why this book has received such high praise from such church planters as Steve Sjorgen, Mark Driscoll, and David Putnam. Stetzer covers material from “The Basics of Church Planting” all the way to “Churches Planting Churches,” which is the reproduction stage, in chapter twenty-eight. He also covers almost everything else in between. The best part is that this book is from a successful church planter, not a theoretician.

“Missional” is the key word in chapter one. In fact, it is the main idea throughout the book. Dr. Stetzer states on page one, “Establishing a missional church means that you plant a church that’s part of the culture you’re seeking to reach.” He further states what is so often overlooked by spectators of church planting, “The goal of church planting is to reach people .” The author points out the clear need for new churches in North America and the fact that those who do this work need not have formal training.

Chapter two discusses the need for “Developing a Missional Mind-set for North America,” as is indicated in the title. Dr. Stetzer points out the need for theologically sound churches, not just a replication of methods that have been successful in church planting in the past. He writes that we do not need new churches because they are trendy but because they are “fresh expressions of the unchanging gospel .” Stetzer further points out that there is a difference between contextualization and compromise and he explains the difference. In fact, he says that new churches are needed because many already-existing congregations are unwilling to contextualize and thus reach people where they are at. New churches are needed to reach people outside of the cultural context of those churches not willing to take the risk of meeting people in a way that engages them.

In chapter three we are shown the “Biblical Basis of Church Planting.” The Book of Acts is set forth as a Biblical pattern for church planting. The Lucan account of the Great Commission is also addressed as a biblical authority for evangelizing unbelievers.

For more, don't be cheap...go buy the book. You won't regret it!

King James Only?

One of the faculty members at my seminary graciously pointed out to me that the translators of the King James Bible were not King James-Only types. He encouraged me to read the preface by the translators to the 1611 KJV Bible.

Two snippets follow for your consideration:
“• 1 Now though the Church were thus furnished with Greek and Latin translations, even before the faith of CHRIST was generally embraced in the Empire: [S.Hieronym. Marcell, Zosim.] (for the learned know that even in S.Hierome's time the Consul of Rome and his wife were both Ethnicks, and about the same time the greatest part of the Senate also) yet for all that the godly-learned were not content to have the Scriptures in the language which themselves understood, Greek and Latin, (as the good lepers [2King.7:9] were not content to fare well themselves, but acquainted their neighbours with the store that God had sent, that they also might provide for themselves) but also for the behoof and edifying of the unlearned which hungered and thirsted after righteousness, and had souls to be saved as well as they, they provided translations into the vulgar for their countrymen, insomuch that most nations under heaven did shortly after their conversion hear CHRIST speaking unto them in their mother tongue, not by the voice of their minister only, but also by the written word translated.”

“• 21 So that to have the Scriptures in the mother tongue is not a quaint conceit lately taken up, either by the Lord Cromwell in England, or by the Lord Radevil [Thuan.] in Polonie, or by the Lord Ungnadius in the Emperor's dominion, but hath been thought upon, and put in practice of old, even from the first times of the conversion of any nation; no doubt because it was esteemed most profitable to cause faith to grow in men's hearts the sooner, and to make them to be able to say with the words of the Psalm, As we have heard, so we have seen. [Ps.48:8]”
(Above from http://www.jesus-is-lord.com/pref1611.htm#s9)

So what we see is that the KJV translators wanted to have a Bible in the common language of the people just as had been done for centuries before them. If THEY wanted the Bible in common English, then we TODAY also ought to have the Bible in COMMON ENGLISH TODAY. It is with this that I recommend to the reader the ENGLISH STANDARD VERSION (ESV).

If that doesn’t convince you, notice that the spelling has changed from Elizabethan English to more Modern English. Even your King James Bible has been changed since 1611 (unless you have a reprint which would be very difficult to read).

More info can be found at www.esv.org (where there is also a complete FREE audio Bible).

Slaves of a Different Sort

Slavery is alive and well today! No, not Africans fresh off a boat on a plantation in the United States, but men and women and children from all over the world enslaved for the purposes of sick men gratifying their filthy desires and gross lusts.

Thousands of people are sold as property and sexually abused every day but there has been no emancipation proclamation, no Civil War, there is not even an Abe Lincoln in site.

Who will speak for these? Who will rise up to defend the poor and oppressed?

Let's not just pray about this-LET's EACH DECIDE WHAT WE CAN DO TO END THE SEX TRADE!

Christ Died, Was Buried, and Rose Again

“For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.”
(1 Corinthians 15:3-8)

Good Friday-Jesus Died and was buried
Saturday- Christ was in the tomb
Easter Sunday- Christ Rose from the Dead!

TRINITY Study