Patrick of Ireland. He is most famous in our society today for being a Catholic saint who did good things in Ireland. His name is associated with the color green (for being Irish, supposedly) and four-leaf clovers. Most people, curious about the holiday on their calendars which rolls around each year, have sought out factual information about who he really was and what he really did. Most people, however, have not learned the entire historical truth about this great man of God.
For centuries of history, the Roman Empire struggled to conquer the Celtic people of the British Isles. Eventually, the teachings of Christianity were established in this land and the evil Druid religion, which once tightly gripped Celtic society, lost its power over the lives of the people. The historian Tertullian gave an account that Christianity accomplished what the Roman Empire could not.
Because the British Isles were separated from mainland Europe, the British were not greatly impacted by affairs which rampaged in Europe. Consequently, only one Roman persecution upon the Christian church reached them during this period of history, and while the church and state were being united under Emperor Constantine, the Celtic churches remained independent. Until the seventh century, churches of various religions in Britain were unaffected by Roman Catholicism. Although separate churches held their own doctrinal positions, some contrary to Scripture, the beliefs and practices of baptismal regeneration, infant baptism, salvation by church membership, and an organized priesthood were not even conceived in the churches before Roman Catholicism's military conquest of the British Isles.
The man we know as Patrick of Ireland was born Succat of England in the late 4th century A.D. His father was deacon of a church which was, of course, independent. Although he grew up in a Christian home, as a teenager Patrick was rebellious toward Christianity. It was when Patrick was sixteen years old that he was kidnapped by Irish pirates and sold into slavery.
Like the prodigal son of Christ's parable (Luke 15:11-24), Succat (Patrick) became a keeper of swine for his cruel master, a pagan Irish chief. It was while he fed the swine that "he came to himself," recalling the wise instruction of his parents and the good news of the Gospel. Far from God the Father, separated by sin, Patrick realized his soul's deepest need and received Christ as His Savior. "And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight... But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: ... For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found." (Luke 15:20-21a, 22, 24a) When he was twenty-two years old, Patrick escaped from his slavemaster and was reunited with his family in England.
Patrick was called by God to be a preacher. After studying and training to fulfill his calling, he grew burdened for the Irish tribe with whom he had dwelt while in slavery. Although Patrick's goal was opposed by family and friends, he returned to Ireland as a missionary.
Villagers of the pagan tribes would gather in fields to hear Patrick preach. Thousands of people were saved throughout his earnest ministry. Patrick baptized believers by immersion and formed a great number of local churches. Patrick faithfully preached and labored for thirty years. Such a number of people were saved, and their lives changed by God's grace, that pagan practices were no longer carried out in the open. Thomas Cahill wrote, "Ireland is unique in religious liberty for being the only land into which Christianity was introduced without bloodshed."
A chief's son, named Benignus, was gloriously saved and trained as a preacher by Patrick. Benignus led thousands to Christ and baptized them by immersion. Over 300 churches were formed in Ireland by the labor of Patrick and Benignus. To that, I say, Praise the Lord!
Patrick was a Baptist. Many people of different religious beliefs undoubtedly would become upset at such a statement. Some believe he was a Catholic; after all, the Catholics made an annual holiday for him. However, their claim of Patrick was merely political and, though indicated and presumed, there is no historical fact of his being Catholic. Christian folks in general would argue that we cannot truly know that Patrick was a Baptist.
What is a Baptist, really? Is it just another name, another group of people who love Jesus? After all, "Everyone believes the same thing" -- or so they say.
A Baptist is one who believes and practices the Bible doctrines which are referred to as the Baptist distinctives: the sole authority of Scripture; independent, autonomous churches; regenerated church membership; the two church ordinances of baptism by immersion and the Lord's supper; the priesthood of all believers and soul liberty; and the separation of church and state. They are not doctrines of men, but of God. A Baptist believes and obeys God's Word. A Baptist church does not answer to an earthly headquarters for what it believes and does; the church's sole authority is God's Word, and that alone.
Christ built the church upon Himself, the Rock, and He made the unfailing promise, "The gates of hell shall not prevail against it." (Matt. 16:18) If not even Satan can prevail against God's church then, doubtlessly, nothing else can even come close to destroying it -- not the passing of time nor the progression of society. Christ has perpetuated the church throughout the ages because He promised to do so. The church's foundation is sure. To be pure and faithful and true, all that a church needs to believe and follow is the Bible. The Bible is unchanging with ever-changing cultures, and yet it never ceases to be enough for every believer and every church of every age. Praise God!
I read a good devotional by Bro. Tim Green this morning that says so well with what I'd like to express. You can read it here. Patrick stood upon the solid Rock of God’s eternal Word. Do you stand upon that same firm foundation, reader? Are you washed in the blood that will never lose its power, the precious blood shed by the impeccable Lamb of God on Mount Calvary?
God did marvelous things through this one man, Patrick. God blessed and used the impact of his ministry long after he was called home to Glory. Many of the thousands he led to Christ were faithful witnesses; the churches he started sent out believers who would, in turn, do great things for God's glory.
Although the meaning behind this day has been wrested, Patrick's hidden testimony will always be true. Patrick's life of service shines among those of the host of Heaven to inspire and embolden us to serve our Lord as fervently as they did. "And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever." (Daniel 12:3) God is worthy of full surrender of each life He has redeemed. He can and will do great and mighty things through us, nothing more than saved sinners, if we willingly yield our lives for His service!
For centuries of history, the Roman Empire struggled to conquer the Celtic people of the British Isles. Eventually, the teachings of Christianity were established in this land and the evil Druid religion, which once tightly gripped Celtic society, lost its power over the lives of the people. The historian Tertullian gave an account that Christianity accomplished what the Roman Empire could not.
Because the British Isles were separated from mainland Europe, the British were not greatly impacted by affairs which rampaged in Europe. Consequently, only one Roman persecution upon the Christian church reached them during this period of history, and while the church and state were being united under Emperor Constantine, the Celtic churches remained independent. Until the seventh century, churches of various religions in Britain were unaffected by Roman Catholicism. Although separate churches held their own doctrinal positions, some contrary to Scripture, the beliefs and practices of baptismal regeneration, infant baptism, salvation by church membership, and an organized priesthood were not even conceived in the churches before Roman Catholicism's military conquest of the British Isles.
The man we know as Patrick of Ireland was born Succat of England in the late 4th century A.D. His father was deacon of a church which was, of course, independent. Although he grew up in a Christian home, as a teenager Patrick was rebellious toward Christianity. It was when Patrick was sixteen years old that he was kidnapped by Irish pirates and sold into slavery.
Like the prodigal son of Christ's parable (Luke 15:11-24), Succat (Patrick) became a keeper of swine for his cruel master, a pagan Irish chief. It was while he fed the swine that "he came to himself," recalling the wise instruction of his parents and the good news of the Gospel. Far from God the Father, separated by sin, Patrick realized his soul's deepest need and received Christ as His Savior. "And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight... But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: ... For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found." (Luke 15:20-21a, 22, 24a) When he was twenty-two years old, Patrick escaped from his slavemaster and was reunited with his family in England.
Patrick was called by God to be a preacher. After studying and training to fulfill his calling, he grew burdened for the Irish tribe with whom he had dwelt while in slavery. Although Patrick's goal was opposed by family and friends, he returned to Ireland as a missionary.
Villagers of the pagan tribes would gather in fields to hear Patrick preach. Thousands of people were saved throughout his earnest ministry. Patrick baptized believers by immersion and formed a great number of local churches. Patrick faithfully preached and labored for thirty years. Such a number of people were saved, and their lives changed by God's grace, that pagan practices were no longer carried out in the open. Thomas Cahill wrote, "Ireland is unique in religious liberty for being the only land into which Christianity was introduced without bloodshed."
A chief's son, named Benignus, was gloriously saved and trained as a preacher by Patrick. Benignus led thousands to Christ and baptized them by immersion. Over 300 churches were formed in Ireland by the labor of Patrick and Benignus. To that, I say, Praise the Lord!
Patrick was a Baptist. Many people of different religious beliefs undoubtedly would become upset at such a statement. Some believe he was a Catholic; after all, the Catholics made an annual holiday for him. However, their claim of Patrick was merely political and, though indicated and presumed, there is no historical fact of his being Catholic. Christian folks in general would argue that we cannot truly know that Patrick was a Baptist.
What is a Baptist, really? Is it just another name, another group of people who love Jesus? After all, "Everyone believes the same thing" -- or so they say.
A Baptist is one who believes and practices the Bible doctrines which are referred to as the Baptist distinctives: the sole authority of Scripture; independent, autonomous churches; regenerated church membership; the two church ordinances of baptism by immersion and the Lord's supper; the priesthood of all believers and soul liberty; and the separation of church and state. They are not doctrines of men, but of God. A Baptist believes and obeys God's Word. A Baptist church does not answer to an earthly headquarters for what it believes and does; the church's sole authority is God's Word, and that alone.
Christ built the church upon Himself, the Rock, and He made the unfailing promise, "The gates of hell shall not prevail against it." (Matt. 16:18) If not even Satan can prevail against God's church then, doubtlessly, nothing else can even come close to destroying it -- not the passing of time nor the progression of society. Christ has perpetuated the church throughout the ages because He promised to do so. The church's foundation is sure. To be pure and faithful and true, all that a church needs to believe and follow is the Bible. The Bible is unchanging with ever-changing cultures, and yet it never ceases to be enough for every believer and every church of every age. Praise God!
I read a good devotional by Bro. Tim Green this morning that says so well with what I'd like to express. You can read it here. Patrick stood upon the solid Rock of God’s eternal Word. Do you stand upon that same firm foundation, reader? Are you washed in the blood that will never lose its power, the precious blood shed by the impeccable Lamb of God on Mount Calvary?
God did marvelous things through this one man, Patrick. God blessed and used the impact of his ministry long after he was called home to Glory. Many of the thousands he led to Christ were faithful witnesses; the churches he started sent out believers who would, in turn, do great things for God's glory.
Although the meaning behind this day has been wrested, Patrick's hidden testimony will always be true. Patrick's life of service shines among those of the host of Heaven to inspire and embolden us to serve our Lord as fervently as they did. "And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever." (Daniel 12:3) God is worthy of full surrender of each life He has redeemed. He can and will do great and mighty things through us, nothing more than saved sinners, if we willingly yield our lives for His service!
2 comments:
That was very interesting, Naomi! Thanks for writing it!
God Bless
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