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Arthur Vess
Arthur Vess, born circa 1895, died circa 1970, was an American preacher and author whose ministry within the Holiness movement emphasized sanctification, holy living, and bold scriptural preaching during the mid-20th century. Likely born in the rural South—possibly Tennessee or a neighboring state, given the Holiness movement’s strong foothold there—Vess emerged as a voice for uncompromising faith, though precise details of his early life, such as exact birth date and family background, remain elusive due to limited documentation. His work suggests a modest upbringing, steeped in evangelical Christianity, leading him to a calling as an itinerant preacher and writer focused on equipping believers and ministers alike. Vess’ ministry centered on delivering practical, no-nonsense sermons and writings, many preserved through platforms like RaptureReady.com and oChristian.com, including titles such as How To Preach And Teach Holiness and Youth’s Three Great Choices. He pastored and preached across Holiness churches, advocating for a life of prayer, discipline, and separation from worldly compromise—themes evident in his exhortations to preachers to “live what they preach” and maintain “secret contact with God” for effective ministry. His booklets, like The Bible on the Tongues Doctrine, tackled contentious issues within Pentecostalism, reflecting his engagement with theological debates of his era.
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Arthur Vess emphasizes the importance of preaching holiness by example, urging believers to not only speak about holiness but to live it out daily, demonstrating its power in their lives. He highlights the need to live above reproach so that even those who oppose us will witness our holy lives and be impacted by the transformation. Vess stresses that true holiness will stand the test of time and keep us pure and blessed, ultimately leading to perfect rest and the casting out of fear through perfect love. He concludes with a powerful reminder of God's great love and salvation as depicted in John 3:16, encouraging believers to focus on eternal life through Jesus Christ.
Preach Holiness by Example
Preach Holiness by example. Not only in your preaching, but in your daily life, manifestand prove your preaching. Live it and give it. Get it, live it and preach it. Live above reproach sothat those who oppose your life and ministry will have to realize your holy life and power. If you cannot live it, you cannot give it to others. "True holiness will stand the test, and keep you pure andever blessed," only this will stand the test, only this will keep me blessed. Give me holiness."Only this gives perfect rest. "Perfect love casteth out fear." In degeneration we have fear withoutlove, in regeneration we have fear with love, in sanctification, we have love without fear, inglorification, we have love without anything to fear. In closing, here is the great vision of God, wrapped up in the Golden Text of the Bible,John 3:16, "For God so loved the world so much that He gave His only begotten Son, thatwhosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Soninto the world, to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved." Here is the substance of God's great salvation: I. A great love; "For God so loved the world," or loved the world so much II. A great scope: "The World." "The field is the world." "'The world is my parish" Wesley-- or pastorate. III. A great faith: "That whosoever believeth in Him." IV. A great deliverance: "Should not perish," -- be lost in hell. V. A great life: "But have everlasting life: "The gift of God is eternal life through JesusChrist our Lord." How many of us are more interested in eternal life than we are in this present, fleeting life? Which do we talk, act and think most about? In which do we invest the most time and money? "Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection." Possessing, preaching and living holiness is the sum total of the Christian life and character-- here and hereafter. Let us all go back home to live, preach and testify to holiness.
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Arthur Vess, born circa 1895, died circa 1970, was an American preacher and author whose ministry within the Holiness movement emphasized sanctification, holy living, and bold scriptural preaching during the mid-20th century. Likely born in the rural South—possibly Tennessee or a neighboring state, given the Holiness movement’s strong foothold there—Vess emerged as a voice for uncompromising faith, though precise details of his early life, such as exact birth date and family background, remain elusive due to limited documentation. His work suggests a modest upbringing, steeped in evangelical Christianity, leading him to a calling as an itinerant preacher and writer focused on equipping believers and ministers alike. Vess’ ministry centered on delivering practical, no-nonsense sermons and writings, many preserved through platforms like RaptureReady.com and oChristian.com, including titles such as How To Preach And Teach Holiness and Youth’s Three Great Choices. He pastored and preached across Holiness churches, advocating for a life of prayer, discipline, and separation from worldly compromise—themes evident in his exhortations to preachers to “live what they preach” and maintain “secret contact with God” for effective ministry. His booklets, like The Bible on the Tongues Doctrine, tackled contentious issues within Pentecostalism, reflecting his engagement with theological debates of his era.