About Stephen Vancura
My Testimony.
A brief account of my conversion to Christ is as follows: As a child growing up, my family and I attended a local Lutheran church. I was “confirmed” in the faith as a teen by attending a few Saturday classes, of which I had little or no interest. My interest and passion had always been the sciences, which I thought would provide the answer to every human ill. Chemistry was my special passion, followed by Biology. I soon became an ardent atheist, and would argue or debate that philosophy with anyone who would listen. After a degree in Chemistry, I entered medical school, then joining the U.S. Army reserves in order to receive a scholarship to pay expense. I married and promptly divorced my first wife. My dad throughout my childhood was addicted to sex, drugs and alcohol, and was entrapped by other generational curses. Of course, my brothers and I manifested these same strongholds also. After medical school, I was sent to Letterman Army Medical Center in San Francisco for 4 years of specialty training in medicine. There I met my second wife, Lydia. The devil’s strongholds in me brought much sorrow and shame in our marriage. Lydia’s mother was a devout praying woman, on her knees daily, likely interceding for me. Near the end of my military training, I visited Fort Gordon in Augusta, Georgia since I had been told I would likely be transferred there after training to Eisenhower Hospital. While there in November 1979, I stayed in a local motel. One evening, drunk as usual, I found a Gideon Bible in the nightstand and began to read the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew. While reading, I experienced a most extraordinary epiphany, such that I instantly knew without a doubt that God was real and that His Word was absolutely true.
From that date, I had an intense desire to read and study the Word of God. In my desire to learn more, I also read countless books about the bible. However, the more books I read, the more confused I got about many bible doctrines. To overcome this confusion, I adopted a habit of doing exhaustive topical bible studies, literally searching every verse in old and new testaments on that topic, including word meanings in the original languages. I was amazed how often these topical studies with prayer and meditation contradicted many of the “doctrines of men” in many denominations and in the books I had read. Truly, the scriptures came alive with revelation as the Holy Spirit became my teacher. I had to discard dozens and dozens of false denominational doctrines and teachings from the books I had read as the Holy Spirit corrected my understanding. Many of the revelations given by the Spirit could not even be found in the books I had read, but represented ‘fresh downloads’ from God. The Holy Spirit brought understanding to many “difficult” scriptures that otherwise seemed obscure with hidden meanings or were different in meaning than commonly taught.
Theology or bible doctrine of many Christians comes not from prayerful study of scripture, but what they have been told by others that the bible has to say on any topic. In other words, much of their knowledge or beliefs of scripture is second-hand by or through men, rather than from inspiration of the Holy Spirit. I have noticed that once a typical Christian has embraced a wrong doctrine in their minds, they often become virtually blind to any contradicting Truth as they read scripture, even when conflicting verses are staring them in the face. In their pride, they read into scripture what they already believe it will say, rather than submit to the Word, humbly and meekly listening to the Spirit speak. You can only learn from someone who disagrees with you!!
Another important source of the theology or bible doctrines of many Christians is their experience in spiritual matters. For example, the bible teaches that Jesus healed or delivered every single person that came to Him, without exception. It was clearly His will that ALL should be healed and delivered. The fact that these people came to Jesus for healing or deliverance was a demonstration of their faith in Christ. However, I have heard many Christians say that if someone is not healed or delivered after prayer, then that is proof that healing was not God’s will to heal for that person at that time. This is completely contrary to scripture. Some go so far as to say that God no longer heals supernaturally, but only works through doctors and medications to heal. The result is a powerless life!! That person will teach and preach a powerless Gospel!! Another example is sanctification. The Bible clearly teaches and commands that Christians be Holy, stop sinning, and put to death the deeds of the flesh. However, very many Christians teach and believe that it is impossible to be holy and stop sinning in this life, so they continue struggling with sin themselves, and tolerate even gross sins within the church. This evil leaven of unbelief then contaminates all who receive this false doctrine. Very many similar deceptions have infiltrated our churches, seminaries, Christian books, etc. What a sad state of affairs exists in today’s church! But Thank God, we are seeing signs of coming revival from above! It is the TRUTH that will set us free!!
1 Peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is within you, with meekness and fear
2 Peter 1:20 knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, 21 for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.
2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Psalm 119:160 The entirety of Your word is truth, And every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever.