The Sound of an Alarm

Sermons preached in Newtownabbey FPC

2012-01-25T14:21:00.001Z

Recent sermons preached on the subject of Worship:

1. Its Commission

2. Its Character [Primarily by our words]

3. Its Character Pt 2 [In spirit]

4. Its Character Pt 3 [In truth]

5. Its Components [Reading of the Scriptures]

6. Its Components Pt 2 [Adoration & Confession in Prayer]

7. Its Components Pt 3 [Thanksgiving in Prayer]

8. Its Components Pt 4 [Supplication in Prayer]

Recent sermons preached on the subject of Hell and Heaven:

1. The miseries of God's everlasting Hell

2. The miseries of God's everlasting Hell Pt 2

3. The glories of God's everlasting Heaven

4. The glories of God's everlasting Heaven Pt 2

Flattery, deception & bullying!!!

2012-01-24T09:26:00.001Z

Peter Hain, a previous Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, has written a memoir. Extracts are being published in a number of newspapers.

The Belfast Newsletter has carried extracts concerning his time spent in Northern Ireland as Secretary of State. Peter Hain openly acknowledges the tactics he employed to bring about a political agreement. In shorthand he used flattery, deception and bullying.

Here is a flavour of what has been reported:

To read the whole article click here

This makes for very sad reading indeed that the future of this Province was decided in such a fashion! Is it any wonder that it has not prospered. Something built on such a foundation of flattery, deceit and bullying will never have the favour of a holy God.

Third anniversary

2012-01-23T18:24:00.000Z

This month marks the third anniversary of this blog. It was commenced in January 2009.

In that time 185 posts have been made and numerous comments and responses. Here are some details:

Most popular posts

Irish Presbyterian Moderator a Bible denier!

2012-01-23T10:36:00.003Z

Rev Ivan Patterson, moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, speaking on the Sunday Sequence programme yesterday [22nd Jan] in response to being asked if homosexual people would be condemned to hell by God, replied: No I don’t believe that ... I have no reason to believe that this is the case.

A report can also be read in today's Belfast Newsletter. Click here

It is hard to comprehend how any man who claims to be a minister of the gospel can with such a cavalier attitude deny the plain teaching of the Word of God and argue that those who practice these sins must have a place within the church.

1 Corinthians 6:9-11 clearly teaches that the practitioners of certain sins will not inherit the kingdom of God:
Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

This is not the only place in the Word of God which this is clearly taught. Rom 1:23-32 is another clear example:
And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.
Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:
Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:
And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.
And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,
Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:
Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

You would wonder what language the God of heaven would have to use in His Word to convey to this world that these sins will bar someone from entering into heaven.

What do these passages of Scripture mean if they do not warn of impending judgement for these and other types of sins?

There is the warning contained in 1 Cor 6:9 against being deceived on this matter. Ivan Patterson is simply 'deceived' to state that he does not believe that those who practice sodomy will be lost.

He along with other Presbyterian ministers signed the Westminster Confession of Faith at their ordination which states regarding the Word of God:

The authority of the Holy Scripture, for which it ought to be believed and obeyed, dependeth not upon the testimony of any man, or Church; but wholly upon God (who is truth itself) the author thereof: and therefore it is to be received because it is the Word of God, Chapter I section 6;

The supreme judge by which all controversies of religion are to be determined, and all decrees of councils, opinions of ancient writers, doctrines of men, and private spirits, are to be examined; and in whose sentence we are to rest; can be no other but the Holy Spirit speaking in the Scripture, Chapter I section 10.

The Word of God is clear as indicated above. Does Ivan Patterson no longer believe what he signed those years ago? Was it cowardice and fear of man that made him unwilling to speak up for the Word of God and defend its truth?

Furthermore he is far from fulsome in his belief that someone can change in his comments. The truth of the Gospel is that most certainly any sinner can be changed, no matter how sinful they may have been. It is not therapy someone battling with sin needs but regeneration by the power of the Holy Spirit. Therapy will not change the heart or nature of any individual. Jesus Christ regenerates sinners by giving them a new nature. With that new nature old things pass away and behold all things become new, 2 Cor 5:17.

Paul the Apostle described himself as the chief of sinners and God mercifully saved and changed him. He can do the same for any sinner!

It is surely long past time for evangelicals to leave a denomination whose denominational leader makes such statements about sin.

I wonder what else he doesn't believe in? Does he believe in the doctrine of eternal punishment? Does he believe in hell as a place at all? Does he believe in fire in hell or is he like Billy Graham and others on that point too?

A reply to Stafford Carson

2012-01-19T12:18:00.002Z

Rev Stafford Carson, minister in Edenderry Presbyterian Church and former moderator, recently wrote a platform piece for the Belfast Newsletter on the Authorised Version. It can be read here.

In that article he attacked the Text underlying the New Testament and praised the English Standard Version.

Here is the synopsis of a sermon preached back in May 2011 on the English Standard Version, which he and so many other evangelicals so dearly seem to love.

The sermon can be listened to on Sermonaudio by following this link.

What is wrong with the English Standard Version

The English Standard Version, or the ESV as it is more commonly known, was first published, only ten years ago, in 2001. Since that time it has become quite a favourite among professing evangelicals, particularly among those of a Reformed persuasion who reject the Authorised Version position.

The ESV is promoted as following in a long line of succession to other Bible versions. In this line of succession are:

[1] The Revised Version (1881–85)

[2] The American Standard Version (1901)

[3] The Revised Standard Version (1946–1971) and then

[4] The ESV (2001).

The ESV has subsequently undergone a minor revision in 2007. However, the publisher of the ESV has chosen not to identify the updated text as a second or revised edition; it is simply intended to replace the original ESV under the original name. At present, both revisions co-exist on the market.

The ESV website states: The English language has changed over the centuries, and modern readers find the KJV’s archaic words and sentence structures difficult to understand. Throughout the course of the twentieth century, it became clear that Bible readers needed a translation they could easily understand, resulting in a proliferation of Bible translations.

Given the wide variety of translations today, the ESV occupies a unique place in the classic stream of essentially literal translation and careful attention to literary beauty. The result is a highly accurate translation that retains the literary impact of the KJV but that still speaks powerfully for today.

Furthermore it says: The ESV Bible carries forward the trusted legacy of the Bible in English—the legacy established first in the Tyndale New Testament and the KJV Bible. With this legacy as the foundation, the ESV Bible reflects the beauty and majesty of the original languages, first captured centuries ago by these early Bible translations.

But the ESV also provides the most recent evangelical Christian Bible scholarship and enduring readability for today. The ESV translation process itself was based on the trusted principles of essentially literal translation, which combines word-for-word accuracy with readability and literary excellence.

As we well know modern versions are about more than updating archaic words. It is misleading to suggest that this is the primary motive behind new translations. There is no mention in these sentences of following the Alexandrian text. It is not therefore following in the line of Tyndale's Bible or the Authorised Version.

The ESV claims to follow a more literal translation philosophy. The outcome is supposedly a translation that is more literal than the NIV, but more idiomatic than the New American Standard Bible.

We want this evening to consider some issues that make the ESV unacceptable.

I. The background to the ESV translation

It has been clearly stated that the ESV is an evangelical revision of the Revised Standard Version. It is designed to correct the non-Christian interpretations of the RSV in the Old Testament and improves the accuracy throughout with more literal renderings.

It is clearly stated in the preface to the ESV that it: is adapted from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA.

Coming from this line of Bible versions that it does the preface further states: the 1971 RSV text providing the starting point for our work. This new version which was issued in 2001 could not be called the New Revised Standard Version, since that name was already taken by another revision of the RSV. Thus a new name, the English Standard Version, was chosen instead.

Nevertheless, only about 5–10% of the RSV text was changed in the ESV, 90-95% of the ESV remains exactly the same as the RSV of 1971.

The following paragraphs are taken from the WORLD magazine dated 5th June 1999. They reveal the interesting circumstances in which the ESV was conceived:
The English Standard Version (ESV), announced in February by Crossway Books, had its roots in discussions that took place before the May 1997 meeting called by James Dobson at Focus on the Family headquarters to resolve the inclusive NIV issue.

The night prior to the meeting, critics of re-gendered language [in the NIV] gathered in a Colorado Springs hotel room to discuss the next day's strategy. During the course of the evening it became clear their concerns with the NIV extended beyond gender issues. The group discussed the merits of the Revised Standard Version, first published in 1952 by the National Council of Churches and recently replaced by the New Revised Standard Version, a re-gendered update.

Some months later, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School professor Wayne Grudem and Crossway President Lane Dennis entered into negotiations with the National Council of Churches to use the 1971 revision of the Revised Standard Version as the basis for a new translation. An agreement was reached in September 1998 allowing translators freedom to modify the original text of the RSV as necessary to rid it of de-Christianing translation choices.

The meeting referred to in this article resulted in an agreement signed by all the participants (the Colorado Springs Guidelines), which set forth principles of translation that would rule out the use of gender-neutral language. Clearly the ESV was projected as a version that would deliberately adhere to these guidelines, and this is confirmed in the Preface to the version, which gives three paragraphs in defense of generic masculine terms.

A number of points are worth noticing from this statement:

1. An unhappiness among evangelicals with the NIV, particular with its re-gendered language.
2. A desire to have another new version.
3. An inclination towards the Revised Standard Version despite acknowledging its de-Christianing translation choices. Remember that the RSV is also based upon the Alexandrian text which came from the heretical school of Alexandria, with its changes and omission of 2,500 words in the New Testament, the equivalent of 1 & 2 Peter.

II. The translators of the ESV

Again the ESV website states: The original ESV Translation Team includes more than 100 people. The twelve-member Translation Oversight Committee has benefited from the work of more than fifty biblical experts serving as Translation Review Scholars and from the input of more than fifty members of the Advisory Council, all of which has been carried out under the auspices of the Crossway Board of Directors. This 100-member team, which is international and represents many denominations, shares a commitment to historic evangelical orthodoxy, and to the authority and sufficiency of the inerrant Scriptures.

Lets take one individual from this translation team, the renowned J. I. Packer. He is in his 80s now but he was born in England and educated at Oxford University. He was greatly influenced by the writings of C.S. Lewis. He went on to be ordained as a Anglican minister. Today he lives in Canada.

J.I. Packer was the theological editor on the ESV. In 2008 Packer wrote an endorsement for a book called 'Creation or Evolution: Do We have to Choose?' by Denis Alexander. The book advocated theistic evolution and was critical of Intelligent Design. Packer said of the book:

Surely the best informed, clearest and most judicious treatment of the question in its title that you can find anywhere today.

He also said: the biblical narratives of creation... don't obviously say anything that bears one way or another on the question of whether the evolutionary hypothesis might be true or not...

In recent years, his support of the ecumenical movement has brought sharp criticism from some conservatives, particularly after the publication of the book: Evangelicals and Catholics Together: Toward a Common Mission in which Packer was one of the contributors. His views on Mother Teresa are liberal.

Dr Martin Lloyd-Jones broke fellowship with Packer in 1966 when he took the side of evangelical ecumenism and then co-authored a work with two Anglo-Catholics in 1970 called Growing into Union. The publication of that work led to the formal break between Lloyd-Jones and Packer, bringing an end to the Puritan Conferences.

III. Some specific problems with the ESV

There are the general problems with any modern version which is based upon the Alexandrian text. Those fundamental verses are applicable to the ESV as well. Not them all mind you as the ESV does change Isa 7:14 from young woman to virgin. However it doesn't change: 1 Tim 3:16; Mic 5:2; Luke 2:33; Col 1:14 with their attacks upon the person an work of Christ.

Some editions of the ESV contain the Apocrypha. This presents the Apocrypha as being of the same standing the Old & New Testaments when it isn't.

Along with the NIV it teaches that Adam was with Eve when she eat the forbidden fruit. Gen 3:6 in the ESV reads: So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate. The words 'who was' are not in the original.

The ESV has a bearing upon the acceptance of the Westminster Standards:

[1] The ESV necessitates the removal of the last question of the Shorter Catechism with its teaching on the conclusion of the Lord's prayer. These words of Matt 6:13 are missing in the ESV Bible. Hence the question and answer is an irrelevance.

[2] The ESV omits proof texts used in the Westminster Confession of faith. 1 John 5:7 is not in an ESV Bible: For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. This is the first proof text for the Trinity in the Westminster Confession chapter 2 section 3.

The ESV attacks the scriptural teaching for the headcovering. Little wonder that some of the churches who use the ESV don't make an issue of it. In a number of places in 1 Cor ch 11 the ESV changes the words 'woman' and 'man' to 'wife' and 'husband'. There is no warrant for this. This translation weakens the argument for use of the headcovering.

Verses omitted. All of the following are omitted in the ESV: Matthew 17:21, 18:11, 23:14; Mark 7:16, 9:44, 9:46, 11:26, 15:28; Luke 17:36, 23:17; John 5:4; Acts 8:37, 15:34, 28:29; Romans 16:24.

Whole passages that they don't know what to do:

[1] John 7.53-8.11. The ESV has a set of in-text squared brackets which includes the statement [the earliest manuscripts do not include John 7:53-8:11]. The entire passage is blocked off with double brackets and then adds the footnote: Some manuscripts do not include 7:53–8:11; others add the passage here or after 7:36 or after 21:25 or after Luke 21:38 with variations in the text.

This calls into question the authority of this familiar passage by making it appear that, not only do we not know if the passage should be in the text, but we do not even know where it should be located, if it is included!

[2] Mark 16.9-20. Again there is a set of in-text squared brackets which includes the statement: [Some of the earliest manuscripts do not include 16:9-20]. This passage is enclosed in double brackets and includes a long technical textual footnote which questions the inclusion of this passage and mentions the alternative 'short ending' of Mark’s Gospel.

Further information on 1 John 5:7,8 mentioned in this post can be in found on the Trinitarian Bible Society website

Why 1 John 5:7-8 is in the Bible.

James Fisher's explanation of degrees of heinous sins

2012-01-17T16:25:00.002Z

James Fisher together with his father in law Ebenezer Erskine, wrote a very good explanation of the Shorter Catechism. Here is a pdf link to it if someone wants to peruse it.

Question 83 in the Shorter Catechism: Are all transgressions of the law equally heinous?
Answer: Some sins in themselves, and by reason of several aggravations, are more heinous in the sight of God than others.

James Fisher's explanation:
Q. 1. What do you understand by some sins being more heinous than others?
A. That they are more abominable, hateful, and offensive to God than others are, Ezek. 8:6,13,15.

Q. 2. Are not all sins hateful, and offensive to God?
A. Yes; but not equally so, Matt. 7:3 Why beholdest thou the MOTE that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the BEAM that is in thine own eye?

Q. 3. How does it appear that all sins are not equally offensive to God?
A. From the different degrees of punishment that shall be inflicted in the other world, Matt. 11:22 But I say unto you, it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment than for you. See also Luke 12:47, 48.

Q. 4. In whose sight are some sins more heinous than others?
A. In the sight of God, who is the best judge of the heinousness of sins, Job 36:9.

Q. 5. In what respects are some sins more heinous in the sight of God than others?
A. Some are more heinous in themselves, and some are so by reason of several aggravations.

Q. 6. What is it for sins to be heinous in themselves?
A. It is to be heinous in their own nature, though no other aggravating circumstances should attend them.

Q. 7. How are these sins, that are in their own nature more heinous than others, commonly ranked?
A. Sins committed more immediately against God, or the first table of his law, are more heinous in their own nature, than sins committed more immediately against man, or any precept of the second table. Likewise, some sins against the second table, are more heinous in themselves, than other sins against the said table.

Q. 8. What examples are usually given of both these?
A. Blasphemy against God, is more heinous in its own nature, than defaming, or speaking evil of our neighbour, 1 Sam. 2:25; and adultery is more heinous than theft, Prov. 6:30, to the end of the chapter.

Q. 9. What are those aggravations that make some sins more heinous than others?
A. Sins receive their aggravation, 1. From the persons offending. 2. From the parties offended. 3. From the nature and quality of the offence. 4. From the circumstances of time and place.

Q. 10. How may the persons OFFENDING be viewed?
A. They may be viewed, either as to their age, gifts, or office.

Q. 11. What aggravation arises from the age of the persons offending?
A. If persons are advanced in years, by which they may be supposed to have more experience, their sins are more highly aggravated than if committed by children, or such as are raw and inexperienced, Job 32:7.

Q. 12. How are sins aggravated from the gifts of the persons offending?
A. If the offenders have been eminent for their profession, 2 Sam. 12:14, or have had a larger measure of gifts, 1 Kings 11:9, or grace, James 4:17, conferred upon them, their sins will be proportionably aggravated beyond others, who have not been so privileged.

Q. 13. How are sins aggravated from the office, or station, in which persons offending may be placed?
A. If the persons who give the offence be in an eminent station in the world, or vested with any office in the church, Jer. 23:11, 14, or in the state, 1 Kings 14:16; their sins cannot but be of a deeper tincture and dye, because their example is more likely to be followed by others, Jer. 23:14.

Q. 14. How do sins receive their aggravation from the parties OFFENDED?
A. If committed "immediately against God, his attributes and worship; against Christ and his grace; against the Holy Spirit, his witness and working; against superiors, and such as we stand especially related and engaged unto; against any of the saints, particularly weak brethren: -- and the common good of all, or many."[98]

Q. 15. On what account is sin aggravated as being committed immediately against God, his attributes and worship?
A. In as much as it is doing evil in his sight, Psalm 51:4; is despising "the riches of his goodness," Rom. 2:4; and undervaluing his ordinances, Mal. 1:8, and the glory he has stamped upon them, verse 14.

Q. 16. In what consists the heinousness of sin, as being against Christ and his grace?
A. In its being a slighting and contemning the only remedy which infinite wisdom has provided for our malady, Acts 4:12; and surely there can be no escape, if we "neglect so great salvation," Heb. 2:3.

Q. 17. How is sin aggravated by its being committed against the Holy Spirit, his witness and working?
A. In as much as it is a rejection of his testimony without us, in the word, John 15:26, and a quenching his motions and operations within us, 1 Thess. 5:19.

Q. 18. What aggravation does sin receive, as being committed against superiors, and such as we stand especially related and engaged to?
A. In so far as sin is committed against any of these, it is a violation of the most sacred bonds, both of nature, Prov. 30:17, and gratitude, Psalm 55:12, 13.

Q. 19. How is it aggravated, as being committed against the saints, particularly weak brethren?
A. As being committed against the saints, it is a contempt of the image of God in them, Luke 10:16; and as against weak brethren, it is laying a stumbling-block before them, by which they may be ensnared and fall, 1 Cor. 8:12.

Q. 20. Who are they that sin against the common good of all men, or many of them?
A. They are such as do what in them lies to hinder the propagation of the gospel where it is not, and to mar the success of it where it is, 1 Thess. 2:15, 16; there being nothing that tends more to the common good of all men, than the word of this salvation being sent among them, Acts 13:26.

Q. 21. What is the aggravation of this sin?
A. It makes those who are guilty of it bear the nearest resemblance they can to the devil, who aims at nothing more than the ruin and destruction of mankind, 1 Pet. 5:8.

Q. 22. How are sins aggravated from the NATURE and QUALITY of the offence?
A. They are much aggravated, if the offence be against the express letter of the law; break many commandments; -- if it break forth in words and actions; -- admit of no reparation; -- if against conviction of conscience; -- if done deliberately obstinately, and with delight.

Q. 23. Why is the offence said to be aggravated from being committed against the express letter of the law?
A. Because in this case there can remain no manner of doubt about the sinfulness of the action; and therefore it must be sinning with the greatest boldness and presumption, Rom. 1:32.

Q. 24. What aggravation is there in breaking many commandments at once?
A. The sin thus becomes a Complicated offence, containing many crimes in the bosom of it; like David's sin in the matter of Uriah, 2 Sam. 12:9.

Q. 25. How is sin aggravated by breaking forth in words and actions?
A. Sinful words and actions reflect a more public dishonour on God, Matt. 5:22, and do greater injury to men, Mic. 2:1, than if they were latent only in the thought.

Q. 26. What aggravation is there in those sins which admit of no reparation?
A. Their admitting of no reparation, cannot fail to aggravate them in the very nature of things; thus murder or adultery cannot but be more heinous than theft, because there may be restitution of one kind or other for theft, Lev. 6:4, 5; but nothing can compensate the taking away of the life of another, Num. 35:31 or the violation of the marriage-bed and covenant, Prov. 6:35.

Q. 27. What is the aggravation of sinning, against convictions of conscience?
A. This kind of sinning offers violence to ourselves, contrary to the checks of that judge and reprover which every one has in his own breast, Rom. 1:32.

Q. 28. What is the evil of sinning deliberately, obstinately, and with delight?
A. It argues the giving a kind of defiance to the Almighty, Ex. 5:2; a rooted hatred of him, Rom. 8:7; and is a strong evidence of judicial blindness and hardness of heart, Zech. 7:11, 12.

Q. 29. What aggravation do sins receive from the circumstance of TIME?
A. They are more heinous if committed on the Lord's day, Jer. 17:27, or on days occasionally set apart for fasting or thanksgiving, Isa. 22:12, 13, than at other times.

Q. 30. How are sins aggravated from the circumstance of the PLACE in which they are committed?
A. An offence is more heinous, if it be done in a land of gospel light, Isa. 26:10; or if committed "in public, or in the presence of others, who are thereby likely to be provoked or defiled, 2 Sam. 16:22.

Q. 31. What improvement should we make of this doctrine of sin in its aggravations?
A. To be more humbled and abased before the Lord, under a sense of our sins thus aggravated, Ezra 9:6; and likewise so much the more to admire the riches of pardoning mercy, as extended to the very chief of sinners, 1 Tim. 1:13, 15.

'Peace and Safety' - then sudden destruction

2012-01-14T14:04:00.002Z

In a follow up to the article on the woman and the ephah posted in December I have come across reference to a video on a number of blogs this past week. It is also on YouTube. It is another exercise in EU propaganda.

The video is a production by the European Young Socialists, who are extolling the virtues of European integration. I am not really interested in the ins and outs of the video and I haven't watched it through. That is why there are no links to it in this post. I am however very interested in the lyrics of the song that can be found here.

Here are those lyrics:

Verse 1

They say that we've got nothing in common

No cultural ties to build on

The project just can't work

They say that nationalism will break us

Conservatives will fight us

But trust we really do care

Chorus

And we shout what about Europe United?

Peace and safety for all of the people

Democracy, freedom, subsidiarity

Federalism, the solution we've got

Verse 2

They say we'll never work together

To make our union stronger

Let us say no!

We'll build a Europe bold and new

A democracy that's true Europe

United as one!

Chorus

Verse 3

We say the EU's a confusion

Lacking a Constitution

But we know what to do

Reform now, we want to see enlargement

Accept our major statement

Europe united as one!

Chorus

I was particularly taken with the line: 'Peace and safety for all the people' in the chorus. These are the very words which the Apostle Paul by divine inspiration states will be the thinking and utterance of those who have followed Antichrist and who will defy the God of heaven and His Christ prior to His second coming.

In 1 Thessalonians 5:1-3 Paul writes:

But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.
For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.

I have underlined the words in this passage of Scripture that are worth noticing in connection with this song. The Scripture states that 'Peace and safety' will be the deluded spirit that imbibes these followers of Antichrist and the words that are spoken by those who are shortly heading for sudden destruction.

The coming of the Lord will overcome them as a thief in the night. They will not be expecting it. They will have denied the Lord and the truth of His Word. By this time the false prophet will have set up the image of Antichrist and those spoken of in these verses will be worshipping him as God.

Then suddenly Christ will appear in His glory and consume Antichrist with the brightness of His coming. There will be no escape. Sudden destruction will come upon them.

Some points worth emphasising:

1. I am not saying that this is the fulfillment of this passage of Scripture. Like the use of the woman in the Greek urn in the earlier post by those involved or supportive of the EU, it simply demonstrates that the spirit of Antichrist is developing further in these days. That spirit was present in New Testament times, 1 John 4:3: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.

2. Let us never doubt what God says in His Word with respect to the future. He knows all things which shall come to pass.

3. Let us not be afraid of employing a literal principle of interpretation of Scripture. The Scriptures don't need to be 'spiritualised' away. We can safely interpret prophecy regarding the future by the same interpretive rules as have been used with regard to fulfilled prophecy. There is indeed symbolic language in the Bible and in the prophecies, but this symbolism does not negate the literal nature of these events. We should reject any interpretation that spiritualises these prophetic passages.

4. The European Union will be part of the kingdom of Antichrist that will be in existence prior to the coming again of Jesus Christ. There are further upheavals that must and will take place. The present troubles in the Euro with respect to Germany and other European mainland countries, and the agitation in Scotland for independence, may well play a part in the developing of the final kingdom of Antichrist.

Page views for December

2011-12-31T22:34:00.000Z

Here is a breakdown of pageviews for December:

A plea for family worship

2011-12-15T14:07:00.002Z

Below are the words of Robert Shaw in his exposition of the Westminster Confession of Faith regarding the matter of family worship.

The words are to be found in his exposition of chapter 21, section 6 which reads:
Neither prayer, nor any other part of religious worship, is now, under the gospel, either tied unto, or made more acceptable to, any place in which it is performed, or towards which it is directed: but God is to be worshipped everywhere in spirit and in truth; as in private families daily, and in secret each one by himself, so more solemnly in the public assemblies, which are not carelessly or wilfully to be neglected or forsaken, when God, by his Word or providence, calleth thereunto.

Robert Shaw says:
Religious worship ought to be performed in private families daily. This is a duty which the light of nature very plainly teaches. And the heathens will rise up in judgment against the prayerless families of professed Christians; for besides their tutelar deities, who were supposed to preside over cities and nations, and who had public honours paid to them in that character, they had their household gods, whom every private family worshipped at home as their immediate guardians and benefactors.

But the light of Scripture gives a more clear discovery of the obligation to this duty. It is recommended by the example of the saints recorded in Scripture; and good examples as really bind us to the duty as express precepts. We find Abraham rearing up altars wherever he came; and his attention to family religion was expressly commended by God, Gen. 18:19. We have the examples of Joshua (24:15); of Job (1:6); and of David, 2 Sam. 6:20. But we have a still more engaging example of family worship on record in Scripture than any of these, even the example of our Saviour himself, who, though he had no house of his own, yet he had a family, Matt. 10:25. Now we find him retiring from the crowd that followed him, and praying with his own family, Luke 9:18: "As he was alone praying, his disciples were with him."

The practice of family worship tends to promote even the temporal prosperity of families; for it is the blessing of God that maketh rich and prosperous; and what more likely way to obtain that blessing, than for a whole family to join in prayer and ask it daily of God? Prov. 3:33. Much more does family worship tend to promote the spiritual and eternal interests of families; while it is also the most effectual means to propagate religion from generation to generation.

On the other hand, the neglect of this duty will bring the curse of God upon families; for "the curse of the Lord is in the house of the wicked," Prov. 3:33. How awful is that text, Jer. 10:25: "Pour out thy fury upon the heathen that know thee not, and upon the families that call not upon thy name." Let the head of every family, then, adopt the excellent resolution of Joshua: "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord".

The woman and the ephah!

2011-12-02T12:19:00.002Z

The euro currency celebrates 10 years since its introduction on 1st January 2012. To mark the 10th anniversary of its inception the European Central Bank has released a video.

This six minute exercise in propaganda commences with a computer generated image of a woman emerging from a Greek urn before turning into a real life woman. She then proceeds to walks across a series of bridges linking the continent of Europe together. The voice over commentary speaks of the european common heritage, history, shared values and achievements, and that Europe builds bridges and inspires hope.

To watch the video click here

This image of a woman emerging from a vase and its connection with Greece is of high significance when we remember what the Word of God has to say about the commercial and economic system that will exist in the earth prior to the coming of Christ and which will be transferred to Babylon in the land of Shinar.

The relevant verses can be found in Zechariah 5:5-11:
Then the angel that talked with me went forth, and said unto me, Lift up now thine eyes, and see what is this that goeth forth.
And I said, What is it? And he said, This is an ephah that goeth forth. He said moreover, This is their resemblance through all the earth.
And, behold, there was lifted up a talent of lead: and this is a woman that sitteth in the midst of the ephah.
And he said, This is wickedness. And he cast it into the midst of the ephah; and he cast the weight of lead upon the mouth thereof.
Then lifted I up mine eyes, and looked, and, behold, there came out two women, and the wind was in their wings; for they had wings like the wings of a stork: and they lifted up the ephah between the earth and the heaven.
Then said I to the angel that talked with me, Whither do these bear the ephah?
And he said unto me, To build it an house in the land of Shinar: and it shall be established, and set there upon her own base.

A woman is often used by the Lord in Scripture to represent moral or immoral systems. For example, the company of God's redeemed people are likened unto a pure woman: For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ, 2 Corinthians 11:2.

There is the harlot of the Revelation epitomising unfaithfulness, Revelation 17:1,2: And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters: With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication.

In Zechariah ch 5 there is a woman within an ephah. The ephah was a dry measure used in Old Testament times. It is an apt symbol therefore of commerce. This woman within the ephah is described as 'wickedness'. A lead lid is put on the ephah to keep the woman in it and storks take the ephah, with the woman inside, to move it to the land of Shinar where a house is built to receive it and where it will be established.

Is this just an amazing coincidence that the European Central Bank employs symbols very close to that outlined in the Scriptures? Or there is a connection between many of the nations of Europe that use the euro and end-time prophecy?

The connection with Greece is also worthy of note for Greece will give rise to The Antichrist who will be destroyed by the brightness of Christ's coming. See previous post on this blog.

Quotable Quote!

2011-12-02T11:41:00.001Z

Robert Dick Wilson [1856 - 1930] was for many years Professor of Semitic Philology and Old Testament Introduction at Princeton Seminary. He learned 45 languages, including Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek, as well as all the languages into which the Scriptures had been translated up to 600 AD.

On one occasion he is reported as saying to his students:
Boys, I must admit there are questions that sometimes bother me when I read the Bible. This I can understand because I'm a sinner and my understanding is limited, so I'm not going to charge God with not being clear. I'm going to lay it to my own ignorance. But I will say this: after studying God's Word for over fifty years I have come to the conclusion that no man on earth knows enough to claim there is a single inaccuracy in the original Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments.

Page views for November

2011-12-01T14:56:00.002Z

A breakdown of page views for the month of November:

Page view by blog post

All time page views May 2009 - November 2011

A KJV Bible for every School!

2011-11-25T22:16:00.003Z

In a very surprising but welcome move Michael Gove, the Westminster Education Secretary, is proposing to send out a King James Version of the Scriptures to around 20,000 schools. This proposal may only apply to schools in England and Wales but it is still welcome.

Hardly surprising either to discover that the secular lobby are up in arms about the suggestion. They cry foul continually when no tolerance is shown towards their ungodly ways but as soon as someone shows any degree of support for religion or spiritual things they rise up in opposition. This is rank hypocrisy yet it reminds us that the natural heart is indeed full of enmity towards God, Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be, Romans 8:7.

However, the Daily Mail has this report:

A Bible is a thing of beauty: Gove to send one St James text to every school in move blasted as 'unacceptable waste of money'

To read more click here

I trust indeed that Mr Gove goes through with his proposal and doesn't give in to the naysayers!

Remembrance Sunday!

2011-11-13T10:52:00.005Z

For The Fallen
With proud thanksgiving, a mother for her children,
England mourns for her dead across the sea.
Flesh of her flesh they were, spirit of her spirit,
Fallen in the cause of the free.

Solemn the drums thrill; Death august and royal
Sings sorrow up into immortal spheres,
There is music in the midst of desolation
And a glory that shines upon our tears.

They went with songs to the battle, they were young,
Straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow.
They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted;
They fell with their faces to the foe.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years contemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

They mingle not with their laughing comrades again;
They sit no more at familiar tables of home;
They have no lot in our labour of the day-time;
They sleep beyond England's foam.

But where our desires are and our hopes profound,
Felt as a well-spring that is hidden from sight,
To the innermost heart of their own land they are known
As the stars are known to the Night;

As the stars that shall be bright when we are dust,
Moving in marches upon the heavenly plain;
As the stars that are starry in the time of our darkness,
To the end, to the end, they remain.

These words were written by Laurence Binyon. He worked at the British Museum before going to war, having studied at Trinity College, Oxford where he won the Newdigate poetry prize.

His best known poem is 'For The Fallen' written in 1914, most notably the fourth verse which is repeated at remembrance services over the country and adorns numerous war memorials.

The Prime Minister's favourite Bible verses

2011-11-12T19:00:00.000Z

As part of the celebrations to mark the 400th anniversary of the Authorised Version, the Prime Minister David Cameron has chosen his favourite Bible verses.

He chose Philippians 4:8,9 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

Read the whole article here.

If only the Prime Minister actually believed and practiced the teaching of these two verses then society would be the better off under the present coalition government.

These verses would rule out that which is immoral such as the recognition of sodomite marriage that the Prime Minister indicated he was prepared to go ahead with during his conference speech this year.

As is increasingly obvious this Prime Minister says one thing and does something else!

Unsuitable State Education

2011-11-10T15:55:00.002Z

I was reading through the Core Syllabus for Religious Education pdf document I found on the Department of Education [DENI] website.

Here is a screen grab:

This document highlights two areas that should concern every born again believer and especially every Free Presbyterian. One has been the case for some time. The other I believe more recent:

1. Religious Education as defined by the four main Churches [Roman Catholic, Church of Ireland, Presbyterian, & Methodist] and filtered through an Equality Impact Assessment is compulsory for every pupil in a state school.

This means that anything approach the Gospel is flushed out of this syllabus. This is just an anemic, bland excuse for the Truth and a blatant exercise in ecumenism that is being taught to Free Presbyterians!

2. Equally worrying is that Relationships and Sexuality Education [RSE] & Citizenship Education is specifically said to include the teaching of respect for sodomy. By respect we all know they mean acceptance.

How can this be right? I do not see how it can be right to oppose Sodomy on one hand and on the other live in a day when Free Presbyterians place their children under such teaching. A house divided against itself cannot stand, Matt 12:25.

This is not the only reason for Christian Education but it certainly is one of them!

New blog!!

2011-11-07T23:11:00.001Z

A new blog has been commenced by Rev Ian Brown, minister in Londonderry FPC, Clerk of Presbytery and also Convener of the Government & Morals Committee of Presbytery. It is designed to carry statements and articles about events and issues that come within the remit of the Government & Morals Committee of Presbytery. On many occasions statements are released to the press and media about these matters but never carried.

You will find the blog here.

Bookmark it and visit it regularly!

The folly of a Secular & Integrated Education

2011-11-07T19:24:00.001Z

I have been asked to respond to the premise:

the removal of religious instruction from our school curriculum.

Here is a reply that I have sent:

The Word of God reminds us that there is really nothing new under the sun: The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun, Ecclesiastes 1:9.

This is very true with the realm of education and the place that the Word of God and religious instruction has within it. The present clamour for the removal of religious instruction from education is not a new thing. Dr Henry Cooke, the eminent contender for 'Christian education' in the mid 1800s, within the then Synod of Ulster, argued that any system of education that did not have the Word of God at its core and centre was not worth having. Furthermore, any system that had merely 'Scripture Extracts', acceptable and agreeable to all, was equally rejected by Dr Henry Cooke and the Synod of Ulster. You can read of his views in the biography written by his son in law Prof. Porter, entitled: "The life and Times of Dr Cooke."

Why should the Word of God be deemed so absolutely necessary within education? Consider that:

I. A secular education does not impart true knowledge or

lead to true fulfillment and satisfaction in life

Being recent converts to education, the State and secular thinking generally countenances no alternatives. Yet it must be remembered that before the State took on the task of educating children, churches and religious organisations were engaged in the instruction of the young. When kings and parliaments were covering the earth in death and destruction, it was religious groups, particularly Reformed Christians, who were seeking to raise the young with a semblance of education. Many of the universities such as Trinity in Dublin and Queens in Belfast were commenced by Christians.

Secularism may seek, with ever increasing narrow-mindedness, to close down all discussion of the possibility that we are not here by blind chance, the result of random processes, but have been created by God for a purpose.

A system of education that denies this possibility and argues contrariwise is not going to serve well the young people who pass through it. Secularism fears setting down Biblical creationism in the science classroom as an alternative belief about origins. The belief in evolution that lies at the heart of atheistic thinking is just that, a 'belief'. No different from the 'belief' in creation. A 1971 edition of the Origin of Species by Charles Darwin had a very interesting statement in the introduction:
"The fact of evolution is the backbone of biology, and biology is thus in the peculiar position of being a science founded upon a unproven theory - is it then a science or a faith? Belief in the theory of evolution is thus exactly parallel to belief in special creation - both are concepts which believers know to be true but neither, up to the present, have been capable of proof."

This was written by Dr Leonard Harrison Matthews [1901-1986], a Fellow of the Royal Society.

If secular thinking is so sure of itself why is it so fearful of permitting young people explore evolution and creationism by putting them on an equal footing? Surely the truth is never afraid of the light! If evolution is so confident that it is indeed the truth and that creationism is a figment of a Christian's imagination, then surely it will easily be determined that this is so.

Secularism may have taken over education. However, a secular education fails to adequately address the profound questions of: Who am I? Where have I come from? Where am I going? What is my purpose for being here?

It is an inescapable fact that humanity are religious beings wherever you find them in the world. People are not born atheists they become atheists. Wherever we are to be found across the world we are instinctively religious beings. This is not the result of influence brought to bear by missionary societies etc. Even where remote tribal groups are discovered living in virtual seclusion they worship something. This is testimony to the 'seed of religion' which is placed in every human being by the Creator. The natural state of humankind bears witness not to a secular existence but rather to a spiritual/religious existence. Education must therefore address this fact!

The more any society forsakes the Word of God, and God's ordained manner of living for all of us, the more it brings trouble upon itself. The Biblical principle is: Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people, Proverbs 14:34. Living according to the moral law of God benefits society in every way. This is evident from what happened to the European nations who embraced the Protestant Reformation. Not only was there a rediscovery of primitive Biblical Christianity in doctrine and practice, but there was an elevating of those societies that did so in every other way. Socially, economically, and culturally the European nations prospered greatly. As Queen Victoria is reported to have said when asked what made Britain great, she replied: "The Bible!"

Forsaking religion generally, and Bible religion especially, brings a breakdown of good order in society. The absence of any infallible moral standard by which actions are judged leaves everyone to do that which is right in their own eyes. The only control that is exercised is the will of the majority through the use of judicial or physical power. But this fails to keep the baser tendencies of human nature in check. The will of the majority is often wrong and ultimately harmful to the good of society.

Presently in society there is an increasing lawlessness, a lack of respect for others and a growing selfish spirit and frame of mind. I do not believe that it is a mere coincidence that this is all developing at the same time as society grows more secular by the day. The Bible teaches that the two are inextricably linked.

There is increasing dissatisfaction with life, especially among the young. It is a worrying statistic to read of increasing suicide rates, again especially among the young.

The secular emphasis upon life in this world will never satisfy the soul of man that instinctively craves for that which is spiritual in character. The Word of God reminds us that a person's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth, Luke 12:15. The things of this world do not satisfy. Possessions, pleasures, past times, etc do not bring lasting joy. The pleasures of sin only last for a season. In their wake comes emptiness and recrimination.

The Word of God teaches that Jesus Christ is the fount of life. They who find Him find abundant life! John 10:10. Our spiritual nature is the chief part of us and therefore we can be only truly satisfied by that which is spiritual in nature. It is God Himself, who is a Spirit, that truly and lastingly satisfies.

It is this knowledge of God through Jesus Christ, John 17:3, that gives a person a reason for living. Our life then has purpose and direction. We learn that we are not here by chance, the product of random processes, rather we are unique, one of a kind, endowed with the capacity to know God and enjoy Him. We have been initially created in the image of God. We teach our children the Westminster Shorter Catechism. The first questions asks: What is man's chief end? The answer states: Man's chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy Him forever. It is the realisation of this truth that opens up a life of contentment and fulfillment.

A secular education doesn't give the young an elevated purpose like this in life. According to the secularist we are just a grade above the brute beast and maybe not even that. Is it any wonder that so many people are driven to despair in this world today?

II. Only the Word of God can impart a true knowledge

The Word of God must be given the chief place in education as it alone can impart true knowledge. Without the Scriptures we are left to wander around, lost in a sea of contrary reasoning, where one person's opinion is as good as the next person's. This does not lead to progress. It just leads to a moral, spiritual, ethical and social vacuous confusion.

We need an infallible and inerrant rule by which all that we believe and all that we do can be tested and judged. Thankfully we have this in the Word of God. God has inspired His Word and preserved His Word down through the centuries. This is to be our only rule of faith and practice.

The Word of God at the centre of education is very necessary.

1. It is necessary for the knowledge of God it imparts. We cannot know God any other way. Our own views of God are not trustworthy. They have been corrupted by humanity's fall into sin. We need a revelation of who and what God is, that comes from God Himself. God's Word reveals that He is knowable, but also that He is holy and that sin must be punished. That is a concept that again is ingrained in every human being. There is an inherent belief that wrong must be punished and that wrong doers should not escape the consequences of their conduct. This lies at the very heart of the revelation of God.

2. It is necessary for the knowledge of human nature that it imparts. We can have no true and accurate view of ourselves other than that which is contained in the Word of God. Humanity is instinctively proud of itself and fails to acknowledge or recognise that it is sinful and in need of a Saviour.

3. It is necessary for the knowledge of the world around us that it imparts. Only God pre-dates time and only God was there at its beginning. Only God therefore can give us an accurate account of the world and its origin. While the Bible is not primarily a Science or a History book; what is says about Science or History is true. Any other scientific viewpoint or historical claim that contradicts the Bible is to be rejected.

4. It is necessary for the knowledge of eternal life that it imparts. The greatest need that humanity has is the need of salvation and eternal life. Our corrupted understanding cannot be trusted on the matter of salvation. We need a sure guide. The Scriptures have been given to reveal to us the work of Jesus Christ in making atonement for sin. It reveals to us that we obtain eternal life by faith alone. It is not by our efforts but by Christ's imputed righteousness.

5. It is necessary for the knowledge of morality that it imparts. The Word of God teaches us how to live toward God and toward our fellow human being. It covers every area of life either by direct precept or by recording examples of good and bad conduct. It sets before us the simple principle that righteous conduct leads to the blessing of God and unrighteous conduct leads to the displeasure of God.

It is absolutely essential that these things are taught to the young from their earliest days. It is commanded by God in His Word. Therefore an education system that neglects to do so is unworthy of the name and will only succeed in pulling a society down to spiritual darkness, superstition and to societal banality.

III. The folly of an agreed system of religious instruction

There are those who argue and lobby for a system of education that has an agreed religious curriculum within it. Teach the things that we all agree on is the common cry. Emphasize the things that unite us and not those things that divide us. Is this true education? Is this really possible?

All religions cannot be right. It is utter folly to pretend otherwise. Contrary beliefs with respect to the truth cannot be accepted as both being valid. This is not accepted in any other area of learning and why should it be acceptable in our knowledge of God. If the knowledge of God were to be taught in this dishonest fashion it will be characterised by platitudes and lip service. It would not be teaching the Truth.

The truth is that there is error and falsehood in the world. We must be warned about this error, not taught that it is another acceptable way to know God. There is no common ground between the fundamental tenets of Biblical Christianity and Romanism or Biblical Christianity and other world religions. To find common ground with these religious systems involves denying basic Scriptural teaching. Education is about the discovery and increase in knowledge. It is not worthy of the name if it is built upon a pretense that every religious view is equally valid and will lead to eternal life. The Word of God clearly teaches otherwise: Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved, Acts 4:12.

As there is a fundamental disagreement on the most indispensable doctrine of all, namely, how can a human being be right with God, how can there be any common ground? In fact, here is where true Bible religion diverges from all other religious systems. All other religions teach a 'salvation' by works in one form or another. Bible religion teaches that salvation is not by what we do but through what Christ Jesus has done, that human nature can do nothing by itself to earn merit or favour with God: As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one, Romans 3:10-12.

Neither can the secularist view of the world, we live in, be equal to the Christian's view. One or other is wrong. They simply can't both be right. It is no surprise that the secular world seeks to push religious instruction aside. It suits their viewpoint and their ultimate goal. However, it will do nothing for society at large.

To argue for the removal of religious instruction from our school curriculum is therefore a backward step no matter what way you look at it.

Protest against Jesus Christ Superstar

2011-11-07T09:35:00.003Z

A Free Presbyterian protest was held outside the Grand Opera House in Belfast on Saturday afternoon 5th November 2011 against the production entitled: Jesus Christ Superstar. Over 20 people took part in the protest. Other ministers in attendance were Rev. John Woods [John Knox Mem. FPC], Rev. Philip Gardiner [Carrickfergus FPC], Rev. David Priestley [Bangor FPC], Rev. Graham Middleton [Donaghadee FPC], Rev David McLaughlin [Carryduff FPC] and myself.

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the first production for the stage in Broadway of this opera whose lyrics were written by Tim Rice and the music by Andrew Lloyd Webber.

Around 400 specially prepared leaflets highlighting the slanderous attack upon the person and work of Jesus Christ contained in this 'rock opera', were distributed to people attending the final day's performance.

After the leaflets were distributed a short service was held following the protest. After the singing of the hymn: I am not ashamed to own my Lord or to defend His cause, Rev. David McLaughlin (Carryduff FPC) led in prayer. I then spoke on John 5:22,23: For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.

Two opportunities arose during the protest to highlight our concerns to those involved in this production on the Grand Opera House. One of the show's producers approached Rev. Priestley concerning the reasons behind the protest. When Rev Priestley objected to the content surrounding the portrayal of Christ's relationship with Mary Magdalene this Directer acknowledged that they had removed these scenes and replaced them with scenes from the resurrection. Another conversation took place with the chief Executive of the Grand Opera House, who also took one of the leaflets.

A sermon was preached in Newtownabbey FPC on Lord's day evening 6th November detailing the objectionable nature of the 'rock opera'. Click here to link to the sermon

Update - Letter carried in Belfast Telegraph by Rev Ian Brown against Jesus Christ Superstar & in the Belfast Newsletter

Page views for October

2011-11-01T10:20:00.000Z

Here is a breakdown of page views for the month of October

Jesus Christ Superstar - an utter blasphemy!!!

2011-10-28T13:33:00.002+01:00

The 'rock opera' entitled 'Jesus Christ Superstar' is once again coming to the Grand Opera House, Belfast.

The Ulster Operatic Company is staging Jesus Christ Superstar to mark the 40th anniversary of the original stage production on Broadway in 1971.

The Grand Opera House's website states:
Jesus Christ Superstar is a rock opera that highlights the political and interpersonal struggles between Judas Iscariot and Jesus. It is based loosely on the Gospels’ account of the last week of Jesus’ life, beginning with the preparation for the arrival of Jesus and his disciples in Jerusalem, and ending with the crucifixion.

Jesus Christ Superstar was the first musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice to be produced for the professional stage.

This 'rock opera' is highly questionable, insulting to Christians and ultimately blasphemous to Christ.

Leaving aside the medium of an opera and a rock opera at that, when the name, character and work of our Saviour Jesus Christ is slandered, in the fashion that it is in this opera, we need to raise our objection to it. It would be a dereliction of duty to Christ to remain silent.

If someone slanders the name and character of our best friend we would be so rightly incensed that we would have to show our disgust and opposition to such a thing. In highlighting our opposition to this opera we are showing our disgust at those who slander the name and person of Jesus Christ.

‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ is a rock opera about the last seven days of the life of Christ before His crucifixion. Critics have given it rave reviews over the years. Even some churches have sung its praises. Some have even hailed it as a means of presenting Christ to young people in a way they will understand and accept. What is wrong with it? Why would we want to oppose it?

There are three areas we want to consider, two briefly, one at some length.

I. The viewpoint of the composers

Two specific individuals were involved in the composition of this opera. The opera's lyrics were written by Tim Rice. The music was composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber. The worth of this production can surely be gauged by the expressed views of these two men.

The opinions of these men can be obtained from an ‘Open-end interview’ they gave when the opera was first performed, forty years ago. I am unaware that they ever have repudiated these views.

Tim Rice had this to say about Jesus Christ:
For me it obviously indicates that, Christ was just a super-prophet who - a fantastic man, who made a big mark on his time, and we don’t really know all that much about him. The fact that an awful lot happened in Christ’s life that could easily be legend, I don’t think diminishes the importance of the legend. But, I think, as the years roll on, in the 20th and 21st centuries, I think less and less people are going to think of Christ as a god, and I think more people are going to see him as a generally good thing. I don’t see him as a god at all, and the opera doesn’t categorically say he wasn’t but I think it leaves the question very open.

Some important points arise from this statement. In Tim Rice’s view Christ is:
1. Just a super-prophet; not a god at all.

2. Surrounded by that which could be legend.

He further said:

Although the gospels seem largely accurate in their telling of the events of the crucifixion, one can see great flaws in their portrayals of both Christ and Judas.

Andrew Lloyd Webber made similar statements about Christ which we will consider a little latter.

The Scripture asks the question: Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? not one, Job 14:4. How can anything good come from men who think this of Jesus Christ? How can anything honouring of Christ come from men who cast aspersions upon His person, work and the Scriptures?

II. The aim of the Opera

These two men have not left us in the dark as to the aim of the opera. Is it to glorify Christ? Is its purpose to set the wonderful person of God’s beloved Son before men? Are they no more mistaken than to use the wrong medium [rock music and opera] to present their message? They have told us their aims:

1. It is to view Christ through their own eyes. In a joint statement in the same interview as already quoted they confirmed this by saying:

…well it’s bound to be Jesus Christ seen through our eyes, I suppose.

This is not therefore God’s revelation of His Son. This is what two sinful, blinded, benighted sinners, like us all by nature, think of Jesus Christ. Mankind by nature always has low views of Jesus Christ. It is not man's views that are important but the truth. The truth relating to Christ is found alone in the Holy Scriptures.

2. It is to view Christ through the eyes of Judas Iscariot. In this opera we see how natural man in his sinful and natural ignorance views Christ. Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber present Christ as seen through the eyes of Judas. They stated:

Basically the idea of the whole opera is to have Christ seen through the eyes of Judas, and Christ as a man not as a god And the fact that Christ himself is just as mixed up and unaware of exactly what he is, as Judas is.

3. It is ultimately to view Christ through the eyes of the devil. If it is from Judas’ standpoint it is therefore from the devil’s standpoint. Christ said of Judas: Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil? John 6:70. He is called the: son of perdition, John 17:12. The Scriptures speak of the devil entering into him, John 13:37.

Jesus Christ Superstar presents a Christ who died in defeat and mental turmoil. It leaves Him on the cross, as a failure. That is surely the devil's version of the story of Christ. It is a distorted view. The devil ever seeks to denigrate, minimise and pervert the person and work of Jesus Christ. This opera certainly fits into that perspective.

III. The content of the opera

The name of this opera alone would immediately give cause for concern. Jesus Christ was no Superstar, as the term is used today or for that matter in any age. He was the eternally, only begotten, Son of God, deserving of highest respect and honour. He was God manifest in flesh.

The Christ this opera portrays is a blasphemy. It is a slander on the person and work of Christ.

1. Christ is portrayed as being confused. Both men said in their joint statement that:

The idea of the whole opera is to have Christ seen through the eyes of Judas, and Christ as a man, not as a God. And the fact that Christ himself is just as mixed up and unaware of exactly what he is, as Judas is.

The Christ portrayed in this rock opera is a confused individual who has little true idea of who He was or what He was meant to do. He is mixed up even to the extent of railing against His Father for sending Him to the cross. Words are attributed to Christ which portray Him confessing that He is not as sure and sad and tired:

Can you show me now that I would not be killed in vain?

Show me just a little of your omnipresent brain;

Show me there's a reason for your wanting me to die;

You're far too keen on where and how, and not so hot on why.

Contrast this with Luke 2:49: And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?

Christ knew from eternity past the purpose of His coming into the world. He was well acquainted with the 'why'.

2. Christ is portrayed as being powerless. On one occasion in this opera our Lord is depicted as being angry and disconsolate, causing Him to turn upon the crowd and scream in frustration at them as they beg Him for His healing touch. Though He heals some of them, their number increases, and He is overwhelmed. He is depicted as being unable to solve everyone's problems, This is why He tells the crowd to heal themselves.

There's too many of you -- don't push me

There's too little of me -- don't crowd me:
Heal yourselves.

Contrast this with Matthew 12:15: But when Jesus knew it, he withdrew himself from thence: and great multitudes followed him, and he healed them all.

Christ willingly healed all who came to Him. No one was turned away.

3. Christ is portrayed as being impure. Through the words of Judas and Mary, this opera casts Jesus Christ as the lover of Mary Magdalene. To make this supposed relationship all the more repugnant it implies that Mary Magdalene is a harlot.

The Scriptures totally repudiate this wicked insinuation on both accounts, For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens, Hebrews 7:26. No where in all the Bible is there is slightest hint that Mary Magdalene was a harlot. It is said that out of her the Lord cast seven devils.

4. Christ is portrayed as being inconsistent. This opera has Judas chiding Jesus Christ for being morally inconsistent:

It's not that I object to her profession,
But she doesn't fit well with what you teach and say,
It doesn't help us if you're inconsistent,
They only need a small excuse to put us all away.

Imagine the man described in Scripture as having a devil accusing the Son of God!!

5. It accuses God of terrible sin. This opera takes away the accountability of man for his own sin and makes God to blame for the evils deeds of men. The opera has Judas saying:

God! I'll never know why you chose me for your crime,
For your foul, bloody crime
You have murdered me! You have murdered me!

Judas was responsible for his own moral actions and generally men and women go to hell for their own sin not because God sends them there.

These are not minor insignificant points which can be passed over and neglected about this opera. These are serious, defamatory to Christ and grieving to any who truly love Jesus Christ as their own and personal Saviour.

Ultimately this is a breaking of the third commandment which warns us: Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain, Exodus 20:6. This third commandment forbids the peddling of falsehoods about the person of God. Is this not what this opera is doing? Is this not what Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber and all who play a part in any production of this opera are doing?

The Scripture counsels us to abstain from all appearance of evil, 1 Thessalonians 5:22. That counsel is well worth heeding in relation to this opera.

Why Should we Study the Prophetic Scriptures?

2011-10-28T11:59:00.001+01:00

This sermon was preached by Rev Wesley Iwrin, Free Presbyterian minister in Rutherglen, Scotland, at a Sovereign Grace Advent Testimony Conference at Brighton on 26th April, 1997.

There are reasons why we should give ourselves to know what God has said concerning the future, but, before we look at those reasons which compel us to give attention to this subject, there are some things which need to be said.

First of all, I want to stress the word ‘study.’ I am not talking about the reading of Prophetic Scriptures. I trust you do read your Bible regularly, day by day. However, it is vitally important, not only to read the Bible, but to study the Bible. You have probably been challenged by many preachers about the necessity of reading the Word of God every day. That is a valuable lesson and a most important thing for the Christian. Every day he should take time to be alone with the Lord, reading His Word to hear the voice of God.

But I want to go a step further than that. I want to impress upon you the importance not only of reading the Word of God, but of studying the words of Holy Scripture.

I have found in not a few cases, superficial views about what the Bible teaches, not only on prophecy, but also on other aspects of truth. It has come about because people have only a limited, or a very superficial, view of the Bible, They have read certain verses in the Bible and are familiar with them but they have not taken time to really think through and study for themselves, with the help of God, what these things really mean. And when views that are contrary to the teaching of Scripture are advanced, they are unable to counter them, because all they have done in the past is simply read the words and never thought what they really mean.

One reason that people do not really know what they believe or what the Bible teaches even on prophetical matters is that they have not taken time to study what God has said.

The Lord Jesus Christ said in John 5:39, ‘Search the Scriptures.’ This is a very fundamental injunction put to us by the Lord. If we are to search the Scriptures, it will demand effort, It will require application of our mental energies to this Book. We will need to make effort. We will have to take time. We should endeavour, under God, to determine what this Book teaches, what these passages really say. It is not just merely running through

The Psalmist said in Psalm 19:9-10, ‘The judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold.’ The Bible is worth more than gold.

You will know a little about the various gold rushes that have occurred in the history of this world. Whenever gold was discovered in a particular area, there was a mad rush. Many people wanted to go to that area to be the first to get their hands on the gold. They were diligent. They searched endlessly. They put themselves to great effort to get their hands upon this gold that was to be found in the earth. They worked hard. They worked long hours. They worked with diligence, untiringly, in order to get just a little of this precious substance.

The Word of God is more precious than gold. How you and I should really search after it! How we should determine to get to know this Book! How we should use diligence and effort in order to understand what God has said in this Book. We need to study the Word of God.

Superficial and far-fetched views of prophecy prevail because people have not taken time to study the Scripture. Some really ludicrous and foolish opinions have been propounded because men have just read a verse and thought that it means something, and they have not taken time to study through what the proper teaching of Scripture is on this subject. They have just taken a few words and they have arrived at a wrong conclusion because they have not set themselves to study God’s Holy Word.

Let us then set before you some reasons why we should study the prophetic Scriptures.

Prophecy Forms a Large Part of Scripture

First of all, we should study the prophetic Scriptures because they form a large part of the inspired canon of Scripture. We believe in an inspired Bible. We believe, unapologetically and unequivocally, that God has given us an inspired revelation.

We believe, wholeheartedly and without any equivocation, the truth set forth in 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.’ Notice that word ‘all’ and the words ‘is profitable.’ All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable.

The Prophetical Scriptures are as much a part of the inspired canon of Holy Scripture as the historical parts of the Bible. We do not believe in secondary degrees of inspiration. We do not believe that one part of the Bible is more important or more inspired than any other section. Our Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, every part of it, prophetical, historical, is equally inspired of God. It is important to grasp this. That all the Bible, every part of it, has been given to us by God, and every part of it is inspired.

Some people take the view that they need not bother themselves with what the Bible has to say on prophetical matters. They leave it out of their Bible study. They come to a section in the Bible that is prophetical, and as they cannot understand it, they turn over some pages or leave out the section entirely, and never bother to read it, They think that they do not need to give too much attention to prophecy.

But to neglect, or to set aside, prophecy is to throw away a vital part of the inspired revelation, It is to despise and to undervalue the priceless treasure that God has given to us. It is, in fact, to our detriment that we neglect, abandon, or throw away any part of the Word of God, even should it be a small part of the Word of God. To not give attention to the prophecies of God’s Word is to say that these things are not essential.

Yet God, in His infinite wisdom, has put prophecy in His Word because He knows it is good for us to understand. The Lord has put prophetical truth into His Word because He wants us to know, That is why the prophets of old were inspired of God to write these things, because the Lord wants us to know about them.

If you have a proper view of inspiration, that this Book has been Divinely given by God, then you will not want to neglect any part of it. You will want to know what the Lord has to say on prophetical matters just as much as what He has to say about historical or doctrinal matters. We need to be clear in our minds that we hold a right view of the inspiration of this Book. And if you have that view of inspiration of this Book then you will want to give attention to all that God has said. You will be compelled to give attention to the prophecy of God’s Word.

Let me give you a quotation that sets forth far better than I could, the view that we ought to possess of inspiration. J. W. Burgon said, ‘The Bible is none other than the voice of Him that sitteth on the throne. Every book of it, every chapter of it, every verse of it, every word of it, every syllable of it. Where do we stop? Every letter of it is the direct utterance of the Most High.’ What a statement! And that is the kind of view we ought to have of the inspiration of this Book.

Every part of it that God has given to us is something the Lord wants us to know. Not only is prophecy a part, but it forms a large part of the inspired Bible. As you read through your Bible, stop for a moment and think how much of this Book is actually prophetical. Much of it has been fulfilled but you will be amazed, if you read your Bible carefully, to discover how much of this Book is still to be fulfilled.

If we neglect prophecy or think it is not important, then we are actually leaving out large sections of the Bible. We are saying that a large portion is not really important. Any who adopt that kind of approach has a very low view of Scripture.

I remember, some time ago, seeing a documentary about a modern gold refining plant. The person in charge of this gold plant said that the overalls the men wore whilst they were working in this plant had to be taken off when they left the plant, and washed on the site, because there was the possibility of some of the gold dust being in their garments. They were so washed and the water drained off to save any gold dust that might possibly have been in the garments. They said that they even went with a feather duster along all the surfaces, dusting off particles of gold dust which had settled along the ledges. The gold was so precious that they swept it up. They did not want any of it to be lost.

And if you and I come to value this Book, and to consider it to be the inspired revelation of God, then we will value every part of this Book - the prophetical part, as well as the historical part, being very precious, we must not neglect it. We will study prophecy more than we have done in the past, because we realize the prophetical parts of the Word of God are inspired. They form a large part of this Book, and they are just as valuable as the rest of Scripture.

Prophecy Reveals the Sovereignty of God

Secondly, we should study the Prophetical Scriptures because they will cause us to see the sovereignty and omnipotence of God.

Daniel was a man that was greatly favored of God. To him the Lord gave some remarkable prophecies as you will know from your reading and study of the book by his name. In Daniel 7:3-8, the Lord showed to Daniel things that were to take place in the future. Without going into the detail of these verses, Daniel was told that, in due time, certain kingdoms would arise, After one kingdom there would come another kingdom. And then, in turn, another would arise and defeat the former king and take power, and so on through the four kingdoms.

As Daniel reflected upon these prophecies, and considered the changes that would be brought about with these kingdoms in that area, he would have been brought to see that God Is sovereign. He saw that the sovereign purpose of God would stand, that His will must be done regardless of the difficulties that might appear to be in the way of these things coming to pass. Through the prophecies that were given to him and by being able to live through that period when these prophecies were being fulfilled, Daniel was able to see God’s sovereign purpose would stand, and though there was a man who seemed to be in control, and seemed to be mighty and powerful, yet, God had said another, an inferior king, would arise, who was to overcome him who appeared superior.

As you look at that prophecy, you will see that the weaker overcomes the one occupying the position of greatest power and influence. Daniel was learning that the purpose of God cannot be thwarted.

And as we view prophecy, whether or not we actually see the fulfillment of it, we will be brought to affirm the truth of Proverbs 19:21, ‘There are many devices in a man’s heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.’ If you look at those prophecies that have already been fulfilled, you will learn that whatever difficulties might have been in the way, the fulfillment of those prophecies came about, That is a good thing to keep in mind.

The purposes of God will be fulfilled irrespective of what difficulties you might foresee. You might read your Bible, and say to yourself that God has said that something is going to happen but you cannot see how it could happen. I will acknowledge that there are things in the Word of God that I, from a human standpoint, certainly at this present time, could not see being capable of fulfillment, there are so many difficulties in the way. But we learn, as we look at prophecy that has been fulfilled, that whatever difficulties there might be in the way, God is nevertheless still able to fulfill those prophecies exactly. His sovereign purpose and plan will come to pass. If you cannot work out how some prophecy could come about, do not doubt it. God will bring it to pass.

I have met those who have, in a mocking fashion, questioned what I believe is going to happen, because they could never see how it could take place. That does not bother me. If God has said it, it will be done. God is sovereign. He has the power to carry out His plan.

And as you consider the return of the Lord Jesus Christ to this earth, you will see that His coming is connected with power. The omnipotence of the Lord is very much to the fore in relation to the second coming.

In Matthew 24:30 we read, ‘And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven; and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.’ When the Lord Jesus Christ comes, He is coming back with power.

This world will undergo great changes in the last days, in the end times. We read in 2 Peter 3:7,10, ‘The heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.’ The return of the Lord Jesus Christ will be with power.

You see the power of God displayed as you look upon His handiwork now. You see His power in creation. But you will see the power and hand of God again made bare at the second coming of Jesus Christ.

Revelation 20:10 shows the power of the Lord Jesus Christ at His second coming, for at the end of the 1000 years, we are told, ‘the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.’ Here we see the powerful hand of the Lord, taking Satan himself and casting him into the lake of fire. As you study prophecy, you will be brought to realize that our God is all powerful.

That should fill the Christian with confidence. As he looks at prophecy, he sees a God Who is all powerful, One Who is able to fulfil His purpose.

Prophecy Reveals Detail Of The Future That God Wants Us To Know

Thirdly, we should study the Prophetical Scriptures because they will give us that view of the future that the Lord wants us to possess. The Lord wants you to know about the future. The reason we have the Prophetical Scripture is because there are things that an all-wise God wants us to know.

Romans 15:4 says, ‘Whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning.’ The things God has put in His Word are written for our learning, and we dare not say that that is only true of the historical and that there is nothing we can learn from prophecy. No, all Scripture is given to us for our learning. The Lord does not want us to be in ignorance concerning prophetical truth. The prophets and the apostles wrote because they wanted to tell us about future events.

The apostles did not want the Church to be ignorant on eschatology. In 1 Thessalonians 5:1-5, Paul says, ‘But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you (and he is talking here about prophecy). For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night (the word ‘perfectly’ there means accurately’ or ‘with accuracy’). For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape (there will be people who will be caught unawares, who are totally in the dark concerning some of these things). But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day; we are not of the night, nor of darkness.’ Paul says that believers are not in the dark concerning these things. They know perfectly, accurately, about these times and seasons.

Romans 11:25 brings out the point even more powerfully that the apostles did not want the Church to be ignorant on eschatology. Eschatology is a big word which means ‘last things, things concerning the end time.’ It takes in more than just the return of the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul the apostle does not want the Church of Christ to be ignorant about things concerning the end. He says, ‘For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in.’ Paul did not want the Church of Jesus Christ to be ignorant. He wanted them to know these things.

And he wanted them to know the Lord’s plan and purpose for the Jewish nation. Is it not ironic that, though we have these very words in the Bible from the pen of the apostle Paul, yet we find in this day, that a lot of God’s people are ignorant concerning prophecy in general, and ignorant in particular concerning God’s dealings with the Jew? Paul would not have us ignorant, and yet many of God’s people are ignorant. They do not know. We can know the future.

God has put these things into His Word because He wants us to know that He has a future for Israel. In Romans 11:11-12, Paul says, ‘I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy. Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fullness?’ Paul is essentially saying, if through the Jews’ rejection of Christ and their being set aside the Gentiles (that is, those who are not Jews) have benefited so much from the gospel, how much more blessing will there be at the time of the Jews’ fullness? There will be a time when Israel again will share in these blessings.

And Paul goes on to say that Israel again will come back to enjoy to the full the blessings that they forfeited. He says in verse 26, ‘And so all Israel shall be saved.’ The Lord would have us know that there is a future for Israel. He would have us know certain things about the order of events in the end times.

In 2 Thessalonians 2, Paul says that he does not want the people of God to be in ignorance because ignorance leads to instability, to uncertainty, to trouble of heart where there ought not to be trouble of heart. Paul speaks of the second coming of Christ as we see from verse 1, ‘Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto Him.’ Then he goes on to say in verse 3, ‘Let no man deceive you,’ because undoubtedly, some people were being misled, thinking that Jesus Christ could come at any moment. So Paul says, ‘For that day (the day of the return of Jesus Christ) shall not come except’ and the first thing he says is, ‘there come a falling away.’ Paul is speaking here about the great apostasy, because the word in the Greek is the actual word from which we get our English word ‘apostasy.’ So Paul says that the Lord Jesus Christ will not come except there come first of all, the great and gross departure from the truth of God.

But he goes on to say a second thing, ‘that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition.’ This second thing, which will have to be manifested before Jesus Christ comes back, is the Antichrist.

There is, first of all, the apostasy, and then, secondly, the Antichrist, ‘who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped.’ And he goes on to the advent of the Lord Jesus Christ. I could say more on those verses. I simply leave them before you, a synopsis of some of the events that must take place before the return of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Prophecy Leads Us To Christ

Fourthly, we should study the Prophetical Scriptures because they will lead us to see and to cherish Jesus Christ more. What is the theme of this Book? It is Jesus Christ and Him crucified, He is the central figure of Holy Scripture.

The Lord Jesus Himself taught His disciples this following His resurrection from the dead. On His appearance unto the two on the road to Emmaus it is recorded in Luke 24:27, ‘And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, He expounded unto them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.’ The Lord Jesus was able to go back to the prophecies of the Old Testament and say that they were speaking of Him, And the prophecies of this Book still speak of Him, They point to the Lord Jesus Christ. The prophets spoke of the Lord Jesus Christ, not only of His first coming but also of His second coming.

Isaiah 63 is a misunderstood chapter. Verse 1 reads, ‘Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? This that is glorious in His apparel, traveling in the greatness of His strength? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save.’ Many people think that this is talking about the first coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, about His suffering upon the cross at Calvary, because His garments are dyed red. Verse 2 continues, ‘Wherefore art Thou red in Thine apparel, and Thy garments like him that treadeth the winefat?’ They think this is talking about the sufferings of Christ.

If you read it carefully, you discover that it is not talking about that. It is actually referring to the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, and His treading down of His enemies, It is Him coming as judge, and conquering all His foes, For in verses 3-4, we read, ‘I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people there was none with Me: for I will tread them in Mine anger, and trample them in My fury, and their blood shall be sprinkled upon My garments, and I will stain all My raiment, For the day of vengeance is in Mine heart and the year of My redeemed is come.’ Christ did not come the first time in wrath.

As you read these prophecies, your thoughts will be led to see Jesus Christ, and that great work that He will do upon His return.

Prophecy Comforts Us

Fifthly, we should study the Prophetical Scriptures because they will comfort us in our Christian walk, For the child of God, the doctrine of the last things, of the return of Jesus Christ and the events that surround and follow that return, fills his heart with comfort, with cheer, and with hope.

Yet I can look back to a time, even after I was saved, when 1 heard some people speak of the return of the Lord Jesus Christ, it caused my heart to fear. It caused me to tremble. Why was that? Because, looking back now, I can see that I had not understood these things aright.

A proper understanding of truth concerning the return of the Lord Jesus Christ will comfort the true Christian heart.

Paul, in 1 Thessalonians 4:17-18 tells us, talking again about Christ’s return, and the resurrection of the dead in Christ at that return, says, ‘Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.’ These are things that are meant to minister consolation. To think of the return of Christ ought to bring comfort to our hearts.

The return of the Lord Jesus Christ is spoken of in Titus 2:13 as a 'blessed hope.’ And as we reflect truly upon these things, it will comfort our hearts, because, on that day truth will triumph.

Reprinted from "Watching and Waiting" October/December 1998.

Sovereign Grace Advent Testimony

Tent Mission in Templepatrick

2011-10-08T15:36:00.003+01:00

Antrim, Ballyclare & Newtownabbey Free Presbyterian Churches held a joint 60th Anniversary Tent Mission in Templepatrick. The Lord was pleased to bless with many visitors and souls counselled. Rev John Gray, minister in Enniskillen FPC, was the evangelist.

Here are some photos of taken during the Mission:

Page views for September

2011-10-05T12:11:00.001+01:00

Here is a breakdown of page views for the blog during the month of September:

Page views last month - 1,538

Pageviews all time history - 16,505

Definition of Hyper-Calvinism

2011-09-26T22:52:00.001+01:00

I came across this helpful definition of Hyper-Calvinism:

A Hyper-Calvinist denies one or more of the following points:

1. that the gospel call applies to all who hear;

2. that faith is the duty of every sinner;

3. that the gospel makes any 'offer' of Christ, salvation, or mercy to the non-elect (or denies that the offer of divine mercy is free and universal);

4. that there is such a thing as 'Common Grace';

5. that God has any sort of love for the non-elect.

Police ban Bible from 'Christian' café

2011-09-26T13:53:00.001+01:00

Police in Lancashire have threatened the owner of a 'Christian' café with arrest and told him that he should stop displaying Bible verses on a TV screen because it is offensive and a crime.

Jamie Murray is the owner of the Salt & Light Coffee House in Blackpool. Police told him that displaying the Bible verses was a breach of Section 5 of the Public Order Act.

See Daily Mail report

See the Christian Institute's response which highlights that Mr Murray is not breaking the law at all and is perfectly entitled to display verses from the Word of God.

Bring back the cane!!!!

2011-09-16T13:33:00.001+01:00

So says 49% of parents and 19% of pupils in a recent survey according to the Daily Mail

Growing disquiet within the Church of Ireland over minister's civil partnership

2011-09-16T12:25:00.001+01:00

It has taken a while but a number of ministers within the Church of Ireland are objecting to the civil partnership arrangement that a fellow minister has entered into to.

Ten Church of Ireland ministers have issued a joint statement to the Portadown Times.

In what are hardly the strongest of words they say this civil partnership has given rise to 'hurt and sadness' within their respective congregations.

To read the full story click here

For some background to this story click here

The acceptance of sodomy is a mark of departure from God. It is expressly stated in the Word of God that the sin of sodomy is an abomination to God. yet despite this clear testimony in both Old and New Testaments we have churches and so-called Christians justifying and excusing this sin.

It is often argued that someone's sexual orientation is fixed like the colour of their skin or their gender. To oppose sodomy in some circles is liken to racism or sexism.

There is a world of difference between skin colour or any other non-moral difference that exists between people in this world and that which the Bible classes as sin. Sin is a moral choice for which we are accountable before God. Sin is the breaking of God's law by either failing to adhere to the standard that God requires or actively transgressing God's commandments.

Sodomy stems from the sinful nature mankind developed at the Fall. The committing of this sin has always brought the judgement of God upon it down through the ages.

Thankfully there is redemption from this sin. There were those in the Church at Corinth who had been delivered from this sin, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11:Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

Tom Elliott & Danny Kennedy to be disciplined by Orange Order for attending funeral Mass

2011-09-14T18:12:00.001+01:00

The BBC are reporting that both Tom Elliott and Danny Kennedy are to face disciplinary proceedings because of their attendance at the Roman Catholic funeral Mass held for Ronan Kerr, the PSNI officer shot dead by republicans.

Read the full report here

It will be very interesting to watch how far this goes within the Orange Order. It is one thing to register a complaint and request disciplinary proceedings to commence, it is another thing altogether for it actually to happen.

I would be surprised, but nonetheless delighted, if it is successful!

Newtownabbey Borough Council Subsidising Ecumenism

2011-09-13T14:49:00.001+01:00

It transpires, as a result of a Freedom of Information request submitted to Newtownabbey Borough Council, that the ecumenical venture, C.A.N., mentioned in a previous post, and of which the new Greater Glengormley Churches Community Forum is a part, is being subsidised in part by the local Council.

In the region of £50,000 has so far been given to this ecumenical venture. This is not including Council facilities that have been put at its disposal:

1. £6,780 was given to Williamson Consulting during the consultation phase. A focus group meeting was also held at the Council owned Mossley Mill.

2. £42,500 was given to Macaulay Associates during the delivery phase. Four steering group meetings were held at Mossley Mill, plus a training session and a further three focus group meetings leading to the setting up of the Churches' Forum. The booking fee of £250 for the hire of the room to launch the Greater Glengormley Churches Community Forum was also waived.

It will be interesting to discover how much of this £50,000 comes from ratepayers in the Borough and whether the Council would be so accommodating to Protestant evangelical groups who might want to use Council premises for the furtherance of their objectives!

Free Presbyterian response to Rev David Latimer's attendance at the Sinn Fein conference

2011-09-12T22:17:00.000+01:00

This letter by Rev Ian Brown, minister of Londonderry FPC & Clerk of Presbytery was sent to the Newsletter, Belfast Telegraph & Londonderry Sentinel.

I find it most bizarre to note that Rev. David Latimer has constantly resorted to the line, “I’m not a politician, but a minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ” in an effort to defend his performance at the recent Sinn Fein conference.

A quick check of the New Testament will reveal that ministers of the Gospel of Christ told the truth, issued robust challenges and did not airbrush the iniquities of their audiences, but rather confronted them with a clear call to repentance.

Peter, in preaching to a crowd of Jewish worshippers on the day of Pentecost, directly charged them with killing Christ “by their wicked hands” and proceeded to urge them to repent of their sin (Acts 2:23, 38).

Stephen, in what proved to be his final sermon, accused his hearers of being “betrayers and murderers” – the latest in a long line of men who persecuted and killed the true prophets of God (Acts 7:51-53).

Paul, invited to address Felix, delivered such a pointed message to that Roman leader that as he “reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come,” Felix trembled (Acts 24:25).

Regrettably, Rev. Latimer displayed little of the characteristics of a minister of the Gospel of Christ when he made his appearance at the Sinn Fein conference.

Not a single Bible reference. Not a solitary challenge. Rather, in a simpering, self-promoting performance, he chose to confer what is likely to be the most inappropriate word of congratulation we will hear in our lifetime, before revising history in such a way that would fill the most ardent republicans with pride - and further riddle their victims with pain.

Instead of parking himself in news bulletins and talk shows in a futile effort to explain statements he never should have uttered, or to repeat his pitch for a bigger platform from which he wishes to lead this country in a ‘Day of Hope and Transformation,’ Mr Latimer would spend his time more profitably if he took soundings from the true victims in our country and tried to understand the rawness of their wounds. He would then be far less likely to allow himself to be cast in the role of a propagandist for unrepentant terrorists.

Sadly, in David Latimer, Max Clifford has a viable rival. But Jesus Christ does not have a reliable minister.

Rev. Ian Brown
Londonderry Free Presbyterian Church

Why the Free Presbyterian Church won't be taking part in Greater Glengormley Churches' Community Forum

2011-09-12T15:30:00.000+01:00

On 12th August past I received, by an email, an invitation to attend the inaugural meeting of the Greater Glengormley Churches Community Forum. This meeting was to be held in Mossley Mill on Monday evening, 22nd August at 6.30pm.

Background

This proposed Forum is part of a wider grouping/organisation which has taken the acrostic C.A.N. as part of their title. C.A.N. stands for Carrickfergus, Antrim and Newtownabbey. It is a Peace Partnership Faith Communities Programme, developed in consultation with local faith based organisations under the subtitle: Connecting Faith and Community.

It is stated that this venture, which the Forum seems to be but one aspect of, is part of the Programme for Peace and Reconciliation in Northern Ireland and the Border Region of Ireland. This Peace III programme is partly funded by the European Union to the tune of €225 million, with further national contributions of €108 million through its Structural Funds programme. That brings the total to €333 million.

This Peace III programme covers the period 2007-2013. The previous programme, Peace II, ran from 2000-2006, with €425 million funding.

This invitation was extended by Macaulay Associates Network who have been appointed by the CAN Peace III Partnership to deliver the programme.

Progress

This Forum has originated out of a series of focus groups, conducted between March and June of this year, involving representatives of local churches, and supported by Glengormley Clergy Fellowship. The listed participants of these focus groups include:

Carnmoney & New Mossley Presbyterian Churches;

Carnmoney Church of Ireland;

St Marys & St Bernards Roman Catholic Churches;

Glengormley Methodist Church &

Glenabbey Fellowship.

The Forum is to be led by lay church members in the Greater Glengormley area, and will maintain regular communication with the Glengormley Clergy Fellowship.

A representative Steering Group was set up at the meeting on 20th June 2011. During July and August 2011 the Steering Group has been meeting to develop a strategy and action plan for the next two years.

It is envisaged that the Forum will move around the local churches when it meets.

Nature/Purpose

This programme and Forum have been developed under the general theme of 'Bridge Building for a Better Newtownabbey'. The purpose stated in the email is to: build bridges for a more cohesive community.

The 'We can talk' website states: The programme recognises the role of churches within community and offers support and training to those who want to positively influence relationships within and between communities. It will also support faith-based organisations, on an individual or collective basis, to explore and address sectarianism and racism within their communities.

There is a fuller document to download from the website entitled: 'DRAFT Purpose, Aims and Objectives'.

It lists four strategic aims:
1) To build contact, relationships and understanding between local churches.
2) To work together to identify and address wider community needs.
3) To develop participative activities to bring the whole community together.
4) To develop links and communication between churches and the Council and other groups/organisations on community issues.

Under the first aim it lists a number of objectives: 1.1 To organise a series of visits to local churches to build relationships and understanding across the denominations.

This gives a flavour of what this proposed Forum is about. A reply was sent to Macaulay Associates Network setting out why the Free Presbyterian Church will not be involved in this Forum. There are three main reasons why the FPC wont be participating in this Churches' Forum.

I. This proposed Forum is an ecumenical venture

The Forum has in it all sorts of denominations which claim to be Christian, with different and even contrary beliefs within them. Maybe over time it will also include others who are not even Christian.

Romanism and apostate Protestantism are well represented in this Forum. By that I mean that there will be many in this Forum, from observing the denominations already represented, who reject among other fundamental truths, the Biblical way of salvation, [ie. salvation by faith alone, through grace alone, in Christ alone].

A house divided against itself in this way cannot stand, Mark 3:24-26. This Forum is certainly divided against itself from its inception. It has no foundation upon which to stand. It is not built upon truth but upon the lie that all are the same.

It is part of the chief cause of society's troubles. It is the forsaking of Bible doctrine, as engaged in by these respective groups, that has brought society's problems upon it. As with Israel of old, who were warned not to forsake the ways of the Lord or else God's displeasure would come upon them, so this present generation has done the same and is now reaping the consequences. The ecumenical Protestant denominations and their ministers have sadly led the way in this departure.

The ills of society will not be cured by more of the same but by a return to the commandments of the Lord. Is it is ecumenism and false religion that has brought these ills upon us. It will never be more ecumenism and false religion that solves them.

The real 'troublers of Israel'. The Ecumenists may seek like Ahab of old to accuse others of being the 'troubler of Israel' but Elijah's words are still true and relevant today: And he answered, I have not troubled Israel; but thou, and thy father’s house, in that ye have forsaken the commandments of the LORD, and thou hast followed Baalim, 1 King 18:18.

Forsaking the Lord and following the modern day 'Baalims' always brings untold trouble upon a society or nation. Departure from God always brings His judgment. We are a nation and a society under the judgment of God. In aligning itself with the Glengormley Clergy Fellowship this Forum is condoning their ecumenism.

Forbidden to attend by the Word of God. As the belief systems of these respective groups are contrary to the teaching of the New Testament then believers are forbidden by the Scriptures to attend or to be involved.

There are five clear exhortations in the New Testament governing who a Christian associates with in respect to spiritual/religious ventures:
1. We are to mark out those who depart from the faith with the view of avoiding them, Romans 16:17.
2. We are to reprove those who depart from the faith, Ephesians 5:11. The child of God is not to remain silent and complicit with error, they are to speak out against the error, reproving those who teach it. This is not the purpose of this Forum I would imagine!
3. We are to reject them, Titus 3:10.
4. We are to have no fellowship with them, 2 Cor 6:14. We cannot remain in fellowship and be yoke together in any religious organisation with those who teach error.
5. We are to separate from them, 2 Cor 6:14. Not being able to fellowship with them we must part company from them and join in spiritual and religious ventures with those of like precious faith.

We are forbidden by the Word of God to accept those who teach/practice falsehood as individuals who seek the glory of God and the advancement of His kingdom at all times and those who can be worked with to advance the good of society.

II. This proposed Forum is a social action venture

In reading the Draft Purpose, Aims and Objectives document it is amazing that it is so contrary to the primary activities that any Church, which claims to be Christian, should be engaging in. It is quite telling that there is not a single Biblical reference used in the whole document to support the activities proposed.

I hasten to add that it would be difficult to find any Bible reference that supports what is being proposed. I can suggest plenty that it contradicts.

These are not the Christian Church's primary goals. These are to contend for the faith once delivered to the saints and to evangelise the lost in this perishing world. I don't see any of this in this document. I don't find the concept of evangelising the lost in the document at all, unless I am mistaken, never mind any definition of what the Forum supposes evangelism to mean.

The world will not be won or changed by social action initiatives. This is not the Church's chief priority or calling. Paul said, as to the emphasise his life's work was to have, that he was sent not to baptise but to preach the gospel, 1 Cor 1:17. What does a text like this say about Churches, ministers and others who engage in social action initiatives as outlined in this document with no reference to preaching the gospel of saving grace? These social action initiatives of fighting racism or sectarianism are so far removed from a Church or a minister's calling! They may be excusable as part of preaching the Gospel. They are inexcusable without it.

III. The Biblical answer to society's problems

What we need in our nation is a revival of true, orthodox, evangelical religion as happened, for example, in this area just over 150 years ago, in 1859.

That revival caused people to turn from sin and false religion, live right before God and towards their fellow man. This proposed Forum will certainly not be a vehicle for that to happen again. That revival in 1859 was preceded by a growing spirit of prayer and searching of heart for God to come and work and do something.

The Bible's answer is to preach the Gospel. When the Gospel is preached souls are saved and natures are changed. This causes a turning from sin and a forsaking of false religion. Not until this happens will there be a dealing with society's many problems. Anything else is putting sticking plasters over an infected wound.

Only when the heart is right will actions improve, As a man thinketh in his heart so is he, Prov 23:7. Dealing with society's problems must begin with dealing with their spiritual problems. Wrong conduct comes from a sinful heart, Mark 7:20-23.

No better example of this can be found than the Protestant Reformation which not only brought spiritual deliverance from Romanism but an age of enlightenment and advancement in every other area of life as well. That should still be our pattern. That pattern is every bit as relevant today as at any time in the past.

I would imagine that many in the Forum would be utterly ashamed to promote the Protestant Reformation with its doctrine and practice as an example to follow for our own times. What would the local priest say?

That being so it highlights how far off the mark a Forum of this sort really is!

Biblical example. In the divided society of the first century where there was manifold persecution of Christians and divisions between Hebrew and Greek speaking Jewish Christians and between Jews and Gentiles, the Apostles did not set up a Forum. They were insistent that they would continue to pray and to preach the Gospel. It was evangelism and the inherent truth within the Gospel that brought Jew and Gentile together in the New Testament church to look upon each other as equals, not the type of venture being presently proposed in this Forum.

If each and every church in the Borough of Newtownabbey, and further afield, took the Bible as their guide and went back to preaching the same message that the Apostles preached, with the power of the Holy Spirit upon it, then the same results would flow which would have substantial and lasting good for our society.

It is of no use just dealing with the symptoms, the root cause must be sought for. The root cause of society's ills is spiritual departure from God and it will never be remedied until there is a return to the right ways of God.

A sermon preached on this subject can be listened to on the Church's Sermonaudio site, here.

The sanitising of Sinn Fein continues apace

2011-09-10T13:18:00.000+01:00

Martin McGuinness has been described as: one of the great leaders of modern time, by a Presbyterian minister speaking at Sinn Fein's annual conference in Belfast.

Addressing delegates in the Waterfront Hall, Rev David Latimer from First Derry Presbyterian Church said differing religious and political beliefs should no longer be a source of suspicion.

He becomes another in a long line of politicians, clergy, etc who are engaged in sanitising Sinn Fein.

To read a full report click here

What saith the Scriptures is the reaction of a born again believer to comments like this? Does the Scriptures support describing a self confessed terrorist in this fashion?

1. The sixth commandment states: Thou shalt not kill, Ex 20:13. A man who supports, condones and excuses murder in the name of a politial objective is acting contrary to the law of God.

2. Murder is one of the things that God hates: These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren, Prov 6:16-19.

3. The murderer is worthy of death: Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man, Gen 9:6.

In describing McGuinness in the fashion that he has David Latimer is therefore not acting according to the teaching of the Word of God. A different spirit evidently motivates him.

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2011-09-02T00:22:00.006+01:00

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A new type of 'Christian School'

2011-08-13T14:58:00.001+01:00

Evangelical church application to set up new free school where it will teach creationism is approved

This is the headline from an article in the Daily Mail outlining the initial approval of a new Free School in England

Read the whole article here

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Is the Pope the final Antichrist?

2011-07-29T11:29:00.003+01:00

Many, without much thought of the teaching of the Scriptures, believe that the Pope is the final Antichrist.

Here are some reasons set out by Benjamin Wills Newton as to why the system of Roman Catholicism is not the Antichrist referred to in Revelation chapter 13.

Attention to the detail of prophetic description is needful, not only for enabling us to form a correct estimate of the future, but also for guarding against that error which has for ages been the bane of truth, viz., the application of prophecy to wrong objects, and thereby the assertion of its accomplishment long before the real subjects of description have arisen. This error will always be fallen into when the specific facts of Scripture are neglected, and we satisfy ourselves with general resemblances merely, and remote analogies.

The modern habit of referring this chapter to the head of the Papal system is a memorable example of this culpable carelessness of interpretation. I say, modern habit, because during all the darkness of the first thirteen centuries, and even later, we find a series of writers concurrently asserting that this dispensation at its close is to be marked by the development of a secular, despotic, and (as regards the Roman world) universal, system of blasphemous infidelity, and that its head is described in the chapter before us. But in the Protestant conflicts with Popery all this has been forgotten, and prophetic Scripture has been throughout interpreted as if Popery were the one sole subject of its denunciations. That an influential worldly system, like Popery, will have many principles of evil in common with another influential system like Antichristianism, is certain especially when the first has been for ages acting on, and morally forming, some of the leading countries out of which Antichristianism is to arise.

Popery is no doubt a chief channel towards Antichrist. But this is no more than can be said of many other worldly systems that are cast in a different mould from Popery, and are in many things antagonistic to it, such as Mahomedanism; the Greek Churches of the East; Socinion, Neologian, and other forms of nominal Protestantism; and Judaism. Attention to one simple fact is sufficient to prove the futurity of this chapter. It describes the whole Roman world, throughout all its extent, as brought completely under one resistless despotism. Now inasmuch as neither the whole, nor a half, nor a third, nor a tenth of the Roman world is at present under the sole control of any one individual, or any one system, (for it is emphatically an hour of the division of power,) it follows that this tyrannic system of successful despotism must yet be future.

That it cannot have appeared and waned, or passed away, is manifest from this— that the power of the beast and of the ten kingdoms who are to be with him, never wane; but, when once they have appeared, will continue in the full vigour and plenitude of power, until they shall suddenly be swept intodestruction by the glory of the coming of the King of kings, and Lord of lords. Again, one of the most remarkable and characteristic features of this chapter is, that it marks the SECULAR as taking precedence of the ECCLESIASTICAL power. The second beast, who is to direct the worship of all over whom Antichrist will rule, takes the secondary place in the presence of the mighty secular monarch on whom the ten diadems rest. Subordination to the crown, which Popery hates, will be the very principle in which the false prophet who ministers in the presence of Antichrist will glory.

Indeed if we examine the specific descriptions of chapter 13 we shall find that Popery answers to none.

I. The beast with ten horns is distinctively a secular power: Popery is distinctively ecclesiastical.

II. The beast from the moment of his appearance in this chapter on to the end of his course has his ten horns crowned with diadems but Popery has never worn the diadems of the Roman world. Even ecclesiastically it has never reigned continuously over the Western division of the Roman empire, much less over the East and West together.

III. The beast had seven heads. When did all the ruling systems, commercial, educational, religious, military, political, &c., throughout the whole prophetic earth, fall under the exclusive control of Popery, or of any other system or individual, that yet has been?

IV. The beast when it first is seen in this chapter, has all its horns crowned. How could this be said of Popery?

V. The beast when it first appeared had one of its heads already wounded. How could this be interpreted of Popery?

VI. The beast was like a leopard. The leopard was the Grecian beast. Has not Popery been distinctively Latin, and not Greek, both in origin, territory, character, and everything else that can, under this head, be mentioned as a point of contrast? The influence of Popery has been remarkably obstructed in the Eastern part of the Roman empire, where Antichrist will be chiefly dominant.

VII. The whole prophetic earth is not only subject to, but wonders after and worships the beast. When has the Pope been thus worshipped?

VIII. The beast continues forty and two months. Is this the limit of the duration of Popery?

IX. Another, and he distinctly a minister of religious power, exercises the power of the ten-horned beast in his presence. When has the Pope ever had such a minister?

X. All, except those whose names are written in the Lamb’s

book of life, consent to worship the beast. In other words, every servant of Satan throughout the whole Roman world will unite himself to Antichrist. Have there never been any wicked men who have stood aloof from Popery?

XI. An image of the beast is made, endued with life, caused to speak, and to command that whosoever would not worship it, should neither buy, nor sell, but be put to death, and this throughout the whole extent of the Roman world. Where do we find anything in the history of Popery answering even remotely to this?
Taken from ‘Thoughts on the Apocalypse’ by B. W. Newton.

For some others articles on similar subjects visit this site

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Quotable Quote!

2011-06-28T09:21:00.001+01:00

The fact of evolution is the backbone of biology, and biology is thus in the peculiar position of being a science founded upon a unproven theory - is it then a science or a faith? Belief in the theory of evolution is thus exactly parallel to belief in special creation - both are concepts which believers know to be true but neither, up to the present, have been capable of proof.

Source: Origin of Species by Charles Darwin published in 1971 by J.M. Dent & Sons. The quote is taken from page xi of the Introduction to this edition written Dr Leonard Harrison Matthews [1901-1986], Fellow of the Royal Society.

Repost -

2011-06-22T10:57:00.002+01:00

This article was originally posted on 3rd June 2010. It bears repeating in the light of the present media focus on Greece and the Euro.

The debt problems that Greece and other Europeans nations are facing have sparked off considerable discussion about whether the Euro will survive or not. Part of this is due to the scepticism of Germany towards bailing out lesser performing European countries. Their hard won economic strength is at stake because of the failings of these other countries. To the extent that it is being reported that secretly Germany has begun to re-print the Deutsche Mark.

Greece is of interest to Bible believers and readers of the prophetic Scriptures.

As I have listened to various news reports over these past weeks about the problems facing the Euro currency I have been made to think about some things that the book of Daniel has to say about the state of south-eastern European nations immediately prior to the coming of the Lord Jesus.
Daniel ch 8 emphasises the importance of keeping our eye upon the countries of south-eastern Europe and particularly Greece.
Daniel ch 8 is dealing with the time immediately prior to the return of the Saviour. The same period of time is in view in both chapter 7 and 8, cf. v17 … Understand, O son of man: for at the time of the end shall be the vision; v19 Behold, I will make thee know what shall be in the last end of the indignation: for at the time appointed the end shall be; v23 And in the latter time of their kingdom.

This chapter cannot be dealing with Antiochus Epiphanes as some claim. He may fulfill some points but he certainly does not fit into the timeframe outlined in these verses. It is clearly yet future.

The ' little horn' is mentioned in both ch 7 & 8. Dan 7:8 I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them anotherlittle horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things;
Dan ch 8:9: And out of one of them came forth a little horn, which waxed exceeding great, toward the south, and toward the east, and toward the pleasant land.
Daniel ch 7 outlines the activity that this 'little horn' engages in:
[1] He subdues three of the ten horns, v20;
[2] He will speak against the most high, v25;
[3] He will persecute (wear out) the saints, v25;
[4] He will seek to change times and laws, v25;
[5] He will continue to do for 3 1/2 years, v25;
[6] Upon his destruction God gives the kingdom to His people, v26.

This description ' little horn' is a title for Antichrist. Additional activity is also attributed to him in ch 8. In this chapter Daniel teaches us that Antichrist's destruction will not be by human means, cf. ch 8:25 but he shall be broken without hand. The Lord will personally destroy him at His coming.

The interesting point to observe is where he originates from. We know from ch 7:8 that he will arise from among the ten horns. In ch 8 it is even more specific. He will arise out of one of the four divisions of the old Grecian Empire.

The ‘ he goat’ represents Greece, cf. ch 8:8,21,22. The Grecian kingdom was divided into four after Alexander’s death. History records this. The four divisions generally speaking were:
[1] Egypt;
[2] Syria;
[3] Thrace (Southeastern Bulgaria, northeastern Greece and the northwestern part of Turkey);
[4] Greece.

Daniel is also here teaching that these four divisions of the Grecian empire will in the future comprise four of the ten divisions present when Antichrist comes to the fore. Daniel ch 7 & 8 fit together perfectly. Out of one of these divisions the ‘little horn’ arises, v8,9. The Bible is therefore very specific as to where Antichrist is going to arise from.

It specifically narrows the area down to south-eastern Europe. Daniel enlarges upon the persecuting zeal of this ' little horn', ch 8:9. He will wax great towards certain regions:
[1] The south, the king of the south = Egypt in Dan 11;
[2] The east = Syria/Babylon;
[3] The pleasant land = Israel, cf. Dan 11:16,41,45.

Now where on the earth, within these four divisions of the old Grecian empire, would you have to be standing for these directions to be accurate? You would have to be in south-eastern Europe. In modern day Greece or old Thrace.

There are some grounds for believing it to be Greece itself, When I have bent Judah for me, filled the bow with Ephraim, and raised up thy sons, O Zion, against thy sons, O Greece, and made thee as the sword of a mighty man, Zech 9:13. The fulfillment of these words are yet future. It is the sons of Greece that are viewed as being opposed to the sons of Zion.

It is not without significance that the collective noun for Gentiles in the Bible is ‘ Greeks’, cf. Acts 19:10,17; 1 Cor 1:24. Antichrist will be the last great expression of Gentile power in the earth. In Revelation ‘the beast’ another title for the Antichrist is likened to a leopard, the symbol of the old Grecian empire, Rev 13:2. There will certainly be an extremely strong connection between Greece and the Antichrist.

A ‘ little’ horn. This description 'little' suggests that at the first this 'horn' is not a great and significant power. He rises in obscurity. He is not much to be reckoned with in the scheme of other political powers then existing. Is this not how the countries of south-eastern Europe are presently being described? They are dismissed as 'basket economies'. From within this despised region Antichrist will rise. Beware of the little horn! The insignificance of the individual who will arise out of this region will only aid his rise.

The little horn soon becomes very powerful. He will wax great by the pride of his heart, ch 8:25 …and he shall magnify himself in his heart…. This was the chief sin of Satan who will energise him. He will be an amazing political figure:
[1] He will be a super intelligent person. The little horn has ‘eyes’ Dan 7:8 and understanding of dark sentences, ch 8:23;
[2] Energised by another power, ch 8:24;
[3] Subtle and crafty, ch 8:25;
[4] Ferocious in persecution, ch 8:23, fierce countenance, ch 8:25 destroy many;
[5] He will defy the Prince of princes, ch 8:25.
He will be destroyed, ch 8:25. Praise the Lord!

Is the pope the final Antichrist? The teaching of Daniel in these chapters is one of the reasons why I cannot see the pope as the final Antichrist. The pope is most certainly an antichrist. He is the antichrist in the church [Westminster Confession of Faith ch 25 section 6].

The Grecian Empire never had any connection with Rome or Italy. Alexander nor his successors ever extended their kingdom westward to any degree. Daniel here teaches that the Antichrist comes out of the old Grecian empire. The pope is associated with Italy and Rome. Whatever other characteristics the pope displays similar to the final Antichrist, he fails on this point of having arisen out of the south-eastern countries of Europe which were within the old Grecian Empire.

Part of a sermon preached at the midweek prayer meeting in Newtownabbey FPC

Wednesday 2nd June 2010.

The Biblical doctrine of Separation Part 5

2011-06-22T09:07:00.001+01:00

The substance of five sermons preached in Newtownabbey Free Presbyterian Church on the distinctive of being a sanctified, separated Church.

An audio recording can be listened to on the Church's Sermonaudio site.

Part 1 - Introduction

Part 2 - The Christian is to be separate in their Affections

Part 3 - The Christian is to be separate in their Appearance

Part 4 - The Christian is to be separate in their Associations

Part 5

The Christian is to be separate in their Associations cont'd

There is one further important area of life where this principle of separation is to be seen.

The Christian is to practice separation in the area of Ecclesiastical Separation. The Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster is a separatist denomination. By saying that we mean that we will have no fellowship with other denominations that are either liberal or modernistic or both in their theology or denominations that are involved in the ecumenical movement.

The word 'Free' in the title of our denomination was selected by our founding fathers all those years ago to reflect this very point. Separated unto the Gospel, the little booklet published and distributed by our North American churches, [available online here] has the following to say about this point:

The Free in our name refers to our total dissociation from the major Presbyterian denominations of the world, which have largely repudiated the historical Christian faith. We have no affiliation with the World Council of Churches or any of its international, national, or local organizations. Thus Free speaks of our liberty to stand without compromise for Christ in a day of apostasy.

Many evangelicals have stayed in apostate churches. Others have separated but have not made any strong protest against the betrayal of the gospel by apostates and by the compromise of those evangelicals who have put denominational loyalty before obedience to the biblical command to separate. We view our freedom as liberty to stand resolutely for Christ, to defend the gospel, to oppose apostasy and compromise, and to urge God’s people to cease all fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness. For us freedom is freedom to be holy, observing both personal and ecclesiastical separation unto the Lord.

Ecclesiastical Separation is expressly commanded in the Scriptures. There are five specific New Testament commands which relate to this matter:

1. We are to ‘mark’ those who teach error, cp. Romans 16:17. We are to take heed and observe what purports to be the truth. The word ‘mark’ has the sense of ‘scrutinising’. We are therefore required to examine that which comes along professing to be of God. We are not to gullible and just accept things at face value. We are warned: believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world, 1 John 4:1. There are many who corrupt the Word of God, cf. 2 Corinthians 2:17. It is a wholly unscriptural position to adopt whereby we accept and believe everything that comes along professing to be of the Lord. We must mark out those who depart from the truth and cause divisions and offences contrary to what we have learned from the Word of God.

2. We are to ‘reprove’ those who teach error, cp. Ephesians 5:11. Silence is not an option in the face of false teaching and departure from the faith. When the unfruitful works of darkness have been observed we are not to remain silent less we create division. Truth is more important than false unity. There is an onus upon all who love the Lord Jesus to speak out in defence of His Truth and for His honour.

This is not a token expression of unhappiness. The word ‘reprove’ suggests strong rebukes with the intention of convincing someone of the wrong they are teaching or practicing. There must be the strongest refuting of error that is possible. Nothing less is agreeable to God’s Word.

It is only be rebuking the preachers of error that the truth will be safeguarded. The prophet of old was told to: cry aloud and spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet …, Isaiah 58:1. The true minister of Christ will speak out against error wherever it is found. He has a God given duty to do so, cf 1 Timothy 4:1-6.

3. We are to ‘reject’ those who teach error, cf. Titus 3:10. Instead of associating with them and seeking to bring them around to our way of thinking we are to reject them when there has been a repeated refusal to forsake false teaching or practice. We must reject those who persist in propagating error. Just as the physical body seeks to eradicate and reject a virus that is harming it, so the spiritual body must do likewise. These false teachers are not to be looked upon as belonging to the Church of Christ. They are to be denounced as the bringers in of damnable heresies, cf. 2 Peter 2:1.

4. We are to have 'no fellowship' with those who teach error, cf. 2 Corinthians 6:14-16. There can be no common ground between truth and error. It is impossible to jointly worship the Lord as is the case in numerous ecumenical services and functions, God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth, John 4:24. Truth and error cannot worship God side by side. This is contrary to the plain teaching of these verses. There can be no fellowship, communion, concord, part or argument between those who are different in nature - clean and unclean. There was to be no yoking of clean and unclean animals together in Old Testament times. The same principle applies in New Testament times. This cannot happen because of the difference in principles, properties, personalities, profession, or policy.

There can be no voting for those who teach error. The word 'agreement’ in v16 is associated with voting, cf. Luke 23:51. Joseph of Arimathæa refused to support their assault on Christ. Evangelicals would do well to remember that when they vote for deacons, elders, ministers and moderators who reject the truth, 2 John 7-11.

5. We are to ‘separate’ from those who teach error, 2 Corinthians 6:17,18. The word ‘separate’ means to mark off by boundaries. We are required to mark off a boundary beyond which we will not cross. False teachers and their errors must be out of bounds to us. They are beyond the pale. We are not to be involved in denominations or alliances where false teachers are given recognition or encouragement. There is to be no co-operating with false teachers in any evangelistic or humanitarian venture.

From what/whom are we to separate? I believe this to be an important topic. After all the Bible warns against the sin of schism, cf. 1 Corinthians 1:10; 11:18;12:25. There is therefore legitimate scriptural separation and there is sinful schism. We may well ask: from what then are we to separate?

Generally speaking we should have no denominational links with those who reject the fundamentals of the faith, particularly those fundamentals which impact upon the person and work of Jesus Christ. We can highlight four areas:

1. We must separate from denominations which are Liberal and Modernistic in their theology. By 'Liberalism' we mean that spirit of criticism of all theological claims. By 'Modernism' we mean that preference for the new over the old. It is that critical thinking of the higher critic which begins with a repudiating of the doctrine of divine revelation and inspiration of the Bible. It ultimately leads on to the denial of the fundamental doctrines of divine revelation. In the place of the gospel of peace liberalism/modernism preaches the social gospel of the Fatherhood of God and the Brotherhood of man.

God’s command is crystal clear: Proverbs 19:27 Cease, My son to hear the instruction that causeth thee to err from the words of knowledge.

2. We must separate from denominations which are ecumenical in their practice. The 'One World Church' is the subtle ploy of the devil. The World Council of Churches [WCC] has long progressed from seeking union with Rome to desiring the union of all religions.

Ecumenism is preparing the way for the kingdom of antichrist. It is the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird, Revelation 18:2. Romanism is not Christian. It is paganism.

3. We must separate from denominations which are Neo-evangelical in their ethos. This is the most subtle of the foes that face the church today. This was a title first coined in 1947 by a Boston minister to denote the views of evangelicals who repudiated ecclesiastical separation and practiced inclusivism.
[1] Neo-evangelicalism wishes to embrace modern scholarship. Particularly modern scientific scholarship, which is not dogmatic about what they describe as debatable Biblical questions such as: creation, the age of the earth, the universality of the flood etc.

[2] Neo-evangelicalism wishes to abandon the old contending spirit of the past. It wants dialogue about the faith instead of fighting the good fight. Therefore, they cooperate and fellowship with liberals and modernists in writing books, evangelistic crusades, humanitarian ventures. They host seminars for discussions with apostates instead of rebuking them as the Scriptures exhort.

[3] Neo-evangelicalism wishes to put a greater emphasis upon dealing with society's problems. They participate in ventures where issues such as social justice, racism, poverty, etc. are campaigned against. It is not that this was never done in the past by the Church of Jesus Christ. It was done, however, within the bounds of separation.

The best and the only way to deal with society's problems is by the preaching and embracing of the Gospel. Today's society is seeking to have it both ways - to have its sin without the consequences. That won't happen. Sin brings misery and sadly it is the most venerable that suffer the most. The answer to the ills of today is not a social gospel but the triumph of the gospel of saving grace.

4. We must separate from denominations which are charismatic in character. The charismatic movement is present in its own right in pentecostal churches and also has infiltrated mainline denominations. Three things define the beliefs of the Charismatic movement. Belief in:
[1] Restorationism. This is the belief that the supernatural gifts of the apostolic church are available for the church today.

[2] Continuing revelation. The belief that God speaks to His people, collectively and personally as He did in the N.T. Church. That the Holy Ghost gives new, authoritative, extra-Biblical revelations today, which are binding upon the people of God

[3] Ecumenism. They pursue unity on the basis of experience rather than revealed truth. David du Plesis [Mr Pentecost] insisted that to be truly charismatic you must be ecumenical and to be truly ecumenical you must be charismatic. It is easily seen that these three points pose a serious threat to the purity of the Gospel and the calling of the Church to contend for the faith.

The practice of Secondary separation. In the past the FPC practiced what is commonly known as 'secondary separation'. That is, we refused to have fellowship with professing evangelicals who associated with Liberals, Modernists, Ecumenists, Neo-evangelicals and charismatics.

These individuals may be saved themselves but they fail to practice ecclesiastical separation in their own lives and in their denominations. Therefore we must separate from them. This is the express teaching of the Word of God, 2 Thessalonians 3:6 Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.

The principle of this text applies to much more than ecclesiastical separation. It teaches us that we are not to keep on fellowshipping with those who profess to be the Lord's yet are walking contrary to the truth of the Gospel.

In conclusion we must remember that the mixing of truth and error is deadly. The Christian is to be discerning and obedient to Scripture in the command to be separate as to our ecclesiastical associations.

Where has Harold Camping gone wrong?

2011-06-21T09:49:00.003+01:00

The substance of a sermon preached in Newtownabbey FPC and available on the Church's Sermonaudio page

According to Harold Camping the Secret Rapture was supposed to take place on Saturday 21st May at 6 pm across the world.

Harold Camping for those who don't know of him by now is the President of Family Radio. This is a California based radio station group that has more than 150 outlets in the United States.

Camping is now known virtually the world over as the man who predicted that 'Judgment Day', as he described it, would take place on 21st May 2011. He had been announcing for sometime that Jesus Christ would then return to this world, that the righteous would be raptured up to heaven. He estimated that around 200 million people would be raptured, or about 3% of the world's population. There would subsequently follow five months of fire, brimstone and plagues, with millions of people dying each day. This would culminate five months later, on 21st Oct 2011, with the end of the world.

Camping arrived at this date by applying numerology to his interpretations of the Bible. Ten of thousands, and most likely hundreds of thousands, of US dollars where spent on a countrywide advertising campaign to warn of this Judgment Day. Followers sold their homes and used their money to spread the word. People had their vehicles liveried with this message to warn the masses.

However, 21st May has come and gone and there has been no evident rapture and no subsequent plagues etc falling upon the world. The explanation given as to why we did not see it happening is really very clear according to Camping. The coming of Christ was spiritual and that is why no one else has seen it. Camping has said: We didn't see any difference but God brought Judgment Day to bear upon the whole world. The whole world is under Judgment Day and it will continue right up until Oct. 21, 2011 and by that time the whole world will be destroyed.

So, in other words, even though Harold Camping was evidently so wrong, he was actually still right. We just don't see it, because.... well you and I just aren't Harold Camping.

However, it is worthwhile to ask: where has Harold Camping gone wrong?

Harold Camping displays the marks of the false teacher.

In Matthew 24 the Lord Jesus warned about the likes of Harold Camping. He told the disciples to take heed that they be not deceived, v4; they were further warned against believing anyone who came along saying that Christ had come, v23-27. The Saviour warned that many antichrists and many false prophets would arise, some with great signs and wonders and would seek to deceive the very elect.

The disciples, and by extension you and I, are exhorted not to believe these people when they come along saying that Christ is secretly coming or has secretly come. Believe it not, v26 are the emphatic words of Scripture.

Camping may indeed claim superior revelation and knowledge than even the Apostles had. However, the Word of God marks Harold Camping out as a false prophet. It is worthwhile remembering what this man believes:
1. He previously proclaimed the Lord's return would be in 1994!
2. He has taught that no one was saved between 1988 and 1994!
3. He has taught that the church age ended in 1994! We are in the post-church age.
4. He believes that the Holy Spirit is no longer working in the church!
5. He teaches that every church in the world is actually apostate except his!

Harold Camping is not the first nor the last to engage in this speculation. There were those in the 1st century who said the same. This is why Paul had to write the second letter to the Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians 2:1,2. There were believers in this Church who had stopped working because they believed the coming of the Lord was at hand, 2 Thessalonians 3:10-12. Paul had to warn them and exhort them to return to their work.

No man knows the day or the hour of Christ's coming, Matthew 24:36. The Scriptures specifically state that no man, nor the angels, know the day of Christ's coming. You would think that this would be sufficient to guard against being duped by the likes of Harold Camping. Sadly, not for some people. When you start following the interpretations of men then you end up believing falsehood.

It is possible to discern the season but not the day or the hour, Matthew 24:32,33.

Certain events are to precede the coming of Christ.

In considering these things we notice that both the Lord Jesus Christ and the Apostle Paul speak of certain events which must precede the coming of Jesus Christ. They emphasise the point that the Lord is not coming back at any moment. He is not coming back today or tomorrow or next week or even next year. There are a whole series of events yet to take place prior to that coming which will take years to develop and work out.

Note what the Saviour teaches about His coming:
[1] His coming will be visible and seen by all, Matthew 24:27. Secret, unknown or spiritual comings, as Harold Camping suggests, to get off the hook, are ruled out by the Saviour. He likens His coming to the lightning that comes out of the east and is seen in the west. In other words every one will see His coming. It will be so noticeable. It will not happen unbeknown to people. It will not be some spiritual coming where people can easily deny it has happened. It will be visible to all.

[2] Signs in three specific areas will take place prior to Christ's coming. The Saviour was asked in Matthew 24:3 what were the signs of His coming. The subsequent verses signify three areas to look out for:
1. The general signs of the age, v4-14. None of these on their own, or a group of them, signal the end. They are the general features of the age. They are general physical disturbances, persecutions, false prophets, backsliding, & the spread of the gospel.

2. The signs in and around Jerusalem, v15-28. As Christ's return approaches there will be an idol in the holy place in Jerusalem, great tribulation, specific false sightings of Christ, the gathering of armies to Jerusalem.

3. The signs in the heavens, v29-31. The sun and moon will be darkened, the stars falling out of their place etc. These specific events will have all the world will be looking upwards and then Christ shall appear.

Note what Paul taught about Christ's coming:
[1] A falling away first, 2 Thessalonians 2:3. A great apostasy will take place.

[2] The man of sin will be revealed, v3,4. The final Antichrist will appear. We are warned that there will be many antichrists. The final one will be distinguishable because he will sit in the Temple of God announcing himself to be God.

The Temple of God is either the physical Temple in Jerusalem or the professing body of believers. As antichrist can't set himself up within the body of Christ this must therefore refer to the physical Temple at Jerusalem. For this reason I don't think the Pope/Papacy as the final antichrist. These verses go too far for the papal antichrist to meet this description. The Pope exalts himself to be equal with God of that there is no doubt, but not above God. For all his blasphemies the Pope/Papacy doesn't claim that he alone is God. The final antichrist must certainly will.

These are specific things which must take place before the coming of Christ. Harold Camping no matter what system of numerology he used could never have been right.

There is no secret rapture taught in the Bible.

This whole controversy has arisen because Harold Camping claims the Bible teaches a secret rapture. The word 'rapture' means 'to catch up' and there certainly will be a catching up of believers to meet the Lord in the air. But people like Harold Camping believe that there will be a 'secret' rapture before or during the Great Tribulation when the Lord will catch away His people from the earth and the earth will continue on its course. Camping believed it would do for another five months until 21st October.

The Bible does not teach a secret rapture of the saints. There are three proof texts that are often used by those who believe in the rapture:

[1] 1 Thessalonians 4:16,17 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. It is hard to envisage a secret rapture from these verses. As one commentator remarked you couldn't get a noisier verse in all the Bible.

These verses argue against a secret rapture more than for a secret rapture. The words 'to meet' are used in the New Testament for those who go out to meet someone and then turn back and accompany the person they have gone out to meet, cf. Matt 25:1,6; Acts 18:15,16. This usage suggests that those who go up to meet the Lord will accompany Him back down to the earth. This argues against a secret rapture and not for one.

[2] 1 Corinthians 15:51,52 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For these verses to teach the secret rapture you have to put this last trump before the seven trumpets that are recorded as sounding in the Book of the Revelation, ch 8-10. Therefore this trumpet of which Paul speaks is no longer the last trump. Even those who believe in the rapture have to admit this and seek to argue that this last trumpet has nothing to do with those in Revelation. This is just plain ludicrous!

[3] Matthew 24:40,41 Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. The question to ask here is who exactly is taken? cf v38-40. Who was taken away in the days of Noah? It was the ungodly. So shall also the coming of the Son of man be, v39. These verses are not arguing for a secret rapture they are arguing against one and most emphatically so!

There is no secret rapture taught in the Bible. The saints of God will be on the earth until the Lord returns openly to the earth. There are not two parts or stages to Christ's second coming. Harold Camping and anyone else who believes this argue in the face of Scripture teaching.

If Harold Camping held fast to the Bible rather than his own foolish ideas he wouldn't be in the position where he is today of being a laughing stock.

The Biblical doctrine of Separation Part 4

2011-06-20T09:29:00.001+01:00

The substance of five sermons preached in Newtownabbey Free Presbyterian Church on the distinctive of being a sanctified, separated Church.

An audio recording can be listened to on the Church's Sermonaudio site.

Part 1 - Introduction

Part 2 - The Christian is to be separate in their Affections

Part 3 - The Christian is to be separate in their Appearance

Part 4

The Christian is to be separate in their Associations

In Numbers 6:6,7 All the days that he separateth himself unto the LORD he shall come at no dead body. He shall not make himself unclean for his father, or for his mother, for his brother, or for his sister, when they die: because the consecration of his God is upon his head, the Nazarite was never to come into contact with the dead as part of his Nazarite vow. This requirement will illustrate the wider principle of separation as applied to our associations.

John the Baptist is the Nazarite in the Scriptures who emphasises this particular aspect. Among a number of things peculiar to John the Baptist was those whom he refused to associate himself with. He distanced himself from the dead religion of the Scribes and Pharisees, calling them a generation of vipers. He was the voice of one on his own crying in the wilderness, Matthew 3:3.

He had more effect upon the people of the day than all the Scribes and Pharisees. Separation is not a lessening of influence but rather a strengthening of it. It gives the witness a divine power which is absolutely necessary to accomplish anything for God.

What is in view in obeying this principle is not isolation from a world of perishing sinners. We are in the world but not of the world. This is the opposite of what Rome practices with her monasteries and nunneries where people attempt to shut themselves away from the world around them and only succeed in troubling themselves with even greater temptation. Martin Luther said that he broke the seventh commandment more often in the monastery than he did outside it!

It is not isolation from the world with need but separation from defiling associations is what the Lord would have us to practice. This principle brings us to consider the unequal yoke, 2 Corinthains 6:14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers… Believers are not to yoke themselves together with unbelievers under any circumstances. To do so will give delight to the devil, dishonour the Lord and dampen our zeal and devotion to Christ. We ignore this precept at our peril.

This applies to a number of areas in our lives:

The Christian is to practice separation in the area of close friendship. Men and women are social creatures, quite naturally and rightly we will want to make friends. There is that friendship which involves being affable and neighbourly to those around us and those who we come into contact with us. We will seek to do good to all men, especially those of the household of faith, Galatians 6:10.

The Word of God has something however to say about closer friendships. The people of God ought to chose as their close companions those who fear God, Psalm 119:63 I am a companion of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts. Our close companions should not be those who live without the Lord, disown His authority, reject His Son, neglect His book and His Day and who resist His Spirit, Psalm 101:6 Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me: he that walketh in a perfect way, he shall serve me.

How can we have anything in common with those who know not the Lord? Can two walk together except they be agreed? the Scriptures ask. Even friendships that existed before a person is saved are not the same afterwards because of that lack of things in common. It says more about us if we profess to be Christ’s and still court the friendship of the unsaved, Malachi 3:16 Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another; Psalm 119:115 Depart from me, ye evildoers: for I will keep the commandments of my God.

Remember Lot in this regard. Lot left the company of a godly man, namely Abraham, and set his face towards the dwelling places of the ungodly. Little by little he drifted further away and brought ruin upon himself and his family. He lost them all to the world. He failed to take on board the warning of the Lord when he was taken captive and delivered by Abraham. Here was a golden opportunity to break with the men of Sodom but didn't, …the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God, James 4:4; He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed, Proverbs 13:20. Lot was a foolish man. His foolishness started with a failure to observe this fundamental principle for a follower of the Lord.

The Christian is to practice separation in the area of marriage. The Word of God clearly teaches that no believer should become engaged or married to one who is unconverted. Let parents, and every adult in general, be very careful with respect to the advice that they give to young people. Do not trivialise relationships in any way. They are serious matters.

God’s command to His ancient people was: Neither shalt thou make marriages with them; thy daughter thou shalt not give unto his son, nor his daughter shalt thou take unto thy son. Deuteronomy 7:3. The New Testament is equally clear on this matter. Believers are only to marry other believers: 1 Corinthians 7:39 at liberty to be married…only in the Lord; 1 Corinthains 11:11 Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord.

The reason for this instruction: For they will turn away thy son from following me, that they may serve other gods: so will the anger of the LORD be kindled against you, and destroy thee suddenly, Deuteronomy 7:4.

It will become very difficult to serve the Lord. The unbelieving husband or wife will never understand the thoughts and desires of a child of God. In a marriage where both husband and wife know and love the Lord, the Lord will be first in each of their lives, even before their respective husband or wife. An unsaved husband or wife is never going to understand or tolerate this.

Never think that it can work. Never think that somehow someone can go on and marry an unconverted person and that they will be the means of leading them to the Lord. That will not work. Disobedience to God cannot ever obtain the favour and blessing of God. There are no grounds whatsoever for believing that the contravention of this command of God will ever lead to happiness and the conversion of a soul.

Just because somewhere a person has done this and the other partner was subsequently brought to the Lord is never a reason for excusing the breaking of the Lord’s express command to the people of God. Never do it! Solomon is a classic example of one whose heart was taken away because of his ungodly wives, 1 Kings 11:4 For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father.

The Christian is to practice separation in the area of business. Here is another area where the Scriptures would warn us to be careful as to our associations. No believer should enter into a business partnership or arrangement with an unconverted person.

There is an obvious scriptural example. We have the record of the godly Jehoshaphat king of Judah entering into a political and maritime business venture with Ahaziah, the wicked king of Israel, and son of Ahab and Jezebel, 2 Chronicles 20:35-37; 1 Kings 22:48,49.

This joining together was for the intended economic prosperity of both nations. Ships were built to go and bring back gold and other commodities from Ophir. The Lord sent His prophet Eliezer, the son of Dodavah of Mareshah to prophesy against Jehoshaphat, saying: Because thou hast joined thyself with Ahaziah, the LORD hath broken thy works. The ships did not even get out of the harbour, they were broken in Ezion-geber. God was highly displeased with Jehoshaphat and his unequal yoking of himself to Ahaziah.

Thankfully Jehoshaphat learned the lesson and when Ahaziah suggested another similar venture he refused to have anything to do with it, 1 Kings 22:49 Then said Ahaziah the son of Ahab unto Jehoshaphat, Let my servants go with thy servants in the ships. But Jehoshaphat would not.

There is a different emphasises in life for the believer and the unbeliever. The believer will seek to serve the Lord first and foremost. His business will be a means to the end of serving the Lord. For the unbeliever his business may also be a means to an end but it will not be serving the Lord. It will be seeking to please self. It cannot work.

Separation in our associations must be maintained especially in an evil day.

A compelling argument for marriage!

2011-06-18T09:55:00.001+01:00

Today the Daily Mail is reporting the findings of a survey which highlights the value of marriage.

Sadly society is going to have to learn the hard way that Bible morality is not only pleasing to God but good for humankind.

The Biblical doctrine of Separation Part 3

2011-06-16T12:22:00.002+01:00

The substance of five sermons preached in Newtownabbey Free Presbyterian Church on the distinctive of being a sanctified, separated Church.

An audio recording can be listened to on the Church's Sermonaudio site.

Part 1 - Introduction

Part 2 - The Christian is to be separate in their Affections

Part 3

The Christian is to be separate in their Appearance

In Numbers 6:5 All the days of the vow of his separation there shall no razor come upon his head: until the days be fulfilled, in the which he separateth himself unto the LORD, he shall be holy, and shall let the locks of the hair of his head grow, the Nazarite was never to shave their head along as they had taken this Nazarite vow. This requirement will illustrate the wider principle of separation as applied to our appearance.

The Christian's appearance must not be that which is associated with a sinful or a worldly style of living. In the Scriptures we read of styles of dress and appearance that are particularly associated with different things:
[1] There is a style of dress and appearance that is associated with sorrow and mourning. We read of people wearing sackcloth and ashes.
[2] There is the dress of the widow. Tamar put her widow’s garments off from her, Genesis 38:14.
[3] There is the dress of the harlot, Proverbs 7:10 And, behold, there met him a woman with the attire of an harlot, and subtil of heart.
[4] You have the appearance of Jezebel where she painted her face or her eyes as the margin says, 2 Kings 9:30 And when Jehu was come to Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it; and she painted her face, and tired her head, and looked out at a window.

The Scriptures that we are to flee all appearance of evil. This will apply to the manner of our appearance. 1 Peter 3:3,4 Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. That which is to interest the Christian more is not the vanity of the outward appearance but godliness in the heart. It is not outward paint and powder, it is inward grace and holiness.

The desire of a Christian should never be to draw attention to themselves by what they wear or how little they wear. Rather it should always be to have people pointed towards Christ, who they see in us.

We live in a day when this is the spirit of the age. It is a case of people dressing to draw attention to themselves, with short hemlines and low necklines. This is not how a Christian is to live. Neither are we to draw attention to themselves for being dowdy, or frumpy.

Rather we are to adorn the gospel by our appearance and show to the world that we have put on Christ. The Christian by their life is to draw attention to the spiritual and not the physical. This is what is of primary important to a born again believer.

Our appearance must therefore be modest, 1 Timothy 2:9,10 In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works. Our appearance must be that which becometh the profession that we make of the Gospel.

[1] Clothes have been given for a purpose. They are to cover the shame of sin. The waring of clothes is an acknowledgment of the reality of the Fall. Nudity/Naturism is a denial of the Fall. cf. Deuteronomy 22:12 …thy vesture, wherewith thou coverest thyself. We are to cover the body with clothes.

[2] The word ‘modest’, 1 Timothy 2:9, means well arranged, seemly or orderly. It comes from a form which is used to describe God’s arrangement of the physical world and His governance over that world. Our clothes are to govern the body and not the body govern the clothes. This exhortation to modesty will deal with the fit of our clothes. Extremely tight fitting clothes can never be described as being modest, seemly or well ordered when they draw someone's attention to the physical and not the spiritual.

Furthermore, it refers to dressing, or behaving in such a way, so as to avoid impropriety or indecency, especially to avoid attracting sexual attention. If someone dresses, or acts in such a way, as to arouse or stir those sinful lusts within someone they are not dressing modestly. For this reason 'immodest dress' is listed as one of the things forbidden in the seventh commandment in the Larger Catechism no 139:
The sins forbidden in the seventh commandment, besides the neglect of the duties required, are, adultery, fornication, rape, incest, sodomy, and all unnatural lusts; all unclean imaginations, thoughts, purposes, and affections; all corrupt or filthy communications, or listening thereunto; wanton looks, impudent or light behavior, immodest apparel; prohibiting of lawful, and dispensing with unlawful marriages; allowing, tolerating, keeping of stews, and resorting to them; entangling vows of single life, undue delay of marriage; having more wives or husbands than one at the same time; unjust divorce, or desertion; idleness, gluttony, drunkenness, unchaste company; lascivious songs, books, pictures, dancings, stage plays; and all other provocations to, or acts of uncleanness, either in ourselves or others.

[3]. The word ‘apparel’, 1 Timothy 2:9 literally means ‘a garment let down’. It has the thought of covering the body. We are back to the purpose of clothes, they are to cover the body. The rule for the child of God will not be, as with the world, where it is the least amount of covering that is desired at times. This is against God’s Word. The Christian will at all times adequately appropriately dress so that the parts of the body that give rise to sexual lusts are covered. A form of this word is also used elsewhere in the New Testament to denote someone whose passions are stirred, cf. Acts 19:35,36.

Styles and fashions change from generation to generation but it must be noted that the Bible principles of modesty don't. The Scriptures do define what nakedness in dress is: Isaiah 47:1-3. It is the uncovering of the thigh, either when walking, sitting or bending over to pick something up.

Our appearance must reflect God’s order in creation. At the beginning God made us male and female. There is a difference in the composition of men and women. Males and females are created differently. This principle of separation is applicable in the difference that there is to be in dress and appearance.

[1]. The Word of God teaches a distinction between male and females in a number of ways. There is to be a difference in respective temperaments; in positions and responsibilities in family life; in the nature of our service for Christ. Males and females are not the same, they are designed to complement one another. Eve was given as a helpmeet to Adam. This is another reason why same-sex relationships are morally wrong, repugnant and an abomination to God. The Bible requirement is one man and one woman in marriage until death do them part.

Society itself recognises this when the media speak of the 'ladette' culture - particularly referring to young women who behave in a boisterously assertive or crude manner and given to engaging in heavy drinking.

We live in a day when women show the traits of male character and where men show the traits of female character. There are characteristics associated with being female. We may speak about being ladylike, gentle, graceful and rightly so for the Bible does likewise, for example: Jeremiah 6:2 I have likened the daughter of Zion to a comely and delicate woman; Isaiah 47:1 Come down, and sit in the dust, O virgin daughter of Babylon, sit on the ground: there is no throne, O daughter of the Chaldeans: for thou shalt no more be called tender and delicate. The word 'delicate' has the idea of elegant.

For some unknown reason the world today wants to minimise and lessen these female characteristics as if they are something to be ashamed of. The Christian woman should never seek to minimise these for they are given by God and enhance female beauty.

We have the blight on society of effeminate men. Those who are unmanly, 1 Corinthians 6:9 effeminate; same word as 'soft' in Luke 7:25 But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, they which are gorgeously apparelled, and live delicately, are in kings’ courts. Two points are highlighted about effeminate men:
1. an over emphasis on dress and
2. sensual behaviour.
The word 'delicately' that appears in Luke 7:25 is the word used of women's characteristics.

[2]. A distinction in hair length between men and women, 1 Corinthians 11:14 Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him? But for a woman to have long hair it is a glory unto her v15. This distinction in hair length is to maintain God’s order.

[3]. A distinction in the clothes that men and women wear. Deuteronomy 22:5 The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman’s garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the LORD thy God.

The word ‘garment’ signifies ‘an outer garment’, the one most visible to the eye. That suggests there is to be an obvious, immediate distinction in appearance between males and females. It is not little style differences that are hardly noticed. The difference is to be in the outer garment.

Men and women are to dress in such a way that maintains the distinction between the two sexes and avoids the confusion that leads to perversion.

The Scriptures highlight two points about dress/appearance:
[1] Our appearance should be modest and not fail to cover the parts of the body God says should be covered. It should not draw attention to the physical shape of the body and incite lust in someone else.

[2] It should be immediately obvious whether the person before you is a male or a female. If this is not immediately obvious by length of hair or by the distinction in clothes then you are forced to look at the shape of their body to make that distinction and when you are forced to do that then you are on the road to putting yourself in the way of temptation.

Remember Christians are duty bound by God not to do anything which offends another believer or causes them to stumble, Rom 14:19-21 Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another. For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence. It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.

It is particularly important to note v21 It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak. We are not just to live unto ourselves, we are to live with regard to our fellow believers and not cause them offense by anything that we do.

If that rule was applied in dress then it would alone solve a lot of the immodesty that abounds in Christian circles.

An excellent article on this subject can be read and listened to on Sermonaudio. I would recommend it to all who are interested in this subject from a Biblical point of view.
The preacher is the Rev David Silversides, minister in Loughbrickland Reformed Presbyterian Church. Audio file PDF text file

The Biblical doctrine of Separation Part 2

2011-06-14T16:45:00.009+01:00

The substance of a number of sermons preached in Newtownabbey Free Presbyterian Church on the distinctive of being a sanctified, separated Church.

An audio recording can be listened to on the Church's Sermonaudio site.

Part 1 - Introduction

Part 2

The Christian is to be separate in their Affections

In Numbers 6:3,4: He shall separate himself from wine and strong drink, and shall drink no vinegar of wine, or vinegar of strong drink, neither shall he drink any liquor of grapes, nor eat moist grapes, or dried. All the days of his separation shall he eat nothing that is made of the vine tree, from the kernels even to the husk; the Nazarite was commanded not to partake of wine or strong drink. This requirement placed upon the Nazarite will illustrate and emphasise the wider principle of separation being applied to all our affections.

Sanctification/separation is applicable to our spiritual affections. Because we are fallen, sinful, creatures, we have fallen, sinful, lusts and desires. These are the inclinations of a depraved heart. The root of sin is still present in us. The child of God must seek to crush and crucify those sinful lusts and affections as described in 1 John 2:16; Galatians 5:24 And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. We are to think and act differently to when we were unconverted, Galatians 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. The true child of God is to be different and will be.

The Christian is to set their affections upon those things which are heavenly, Colossians 3:1-3 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God; and that which is upright and holy, Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

The following and satisfying of carnal, fleshly affections and appetites have no place in the life of a true believer and will hinder our service to God. It will dampen our ardour for Christ. If worldly, sinful things predominate in our lives we will be nothing and do nothing for God.

Sanctification/separation is applicable to our sensual appetites. The Word of God has much to say about self control/temperance in this respect. It is one of the fruits of the Spirit. The Holy Spirit working within will be seen in our self control. Paul practised this: 1 Corinthians 9:27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway. There are a number of areas where this principle should work:

1. Alcohol. This is a very obvious one because of the commands to the Nazarite. We live in a day where a lack of restraint is seen in this area. Christians see nothing wrong with drinking alcohol. The Free Presbyterian Church holds to a position of total abstinence on non-medical alcohol consumption.

Kings and priests were forbidden in the Old Testament to consume alcohol, cf. Proverbs 31:4,5 & Leviticus 10:9-10. New Testament believers are the present day equivalents of those Old Testament kings and priests, Revelation 1:6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen; Rev. 5:10. The requirement concerning Old Testament priests and kings should not be lost on us.

2. Feasting. The Scriptures warn against a following in the ways of excess which characterises the ungodly, 1 Peter 4:1-5 Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you: Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead. The will of the Gentiles was to walk in wantonness, revellings, and banquetings among other things. They were given to greed, to a carnal satisfying of their flesh. They engaged in a heathen festivals characterised by excess.

3. Pleasure seeking. We live in a pleasure seeking age. Men are lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God, 2 Timothy 3:4. We read of those who have pleasure in unrighteousness, 2 Thessalonians 2:12. Recreation is different from following sinful pleasures and is permissible in its proper place.

It is asked in the ordination vows that FPC ministers/elders take: Will you publicly denounce the great public vices of drinking, dancing, gambling, and the pleasure crazes of this present evil world and by example live righteously, soberly and godly before all men? The pleasure crazes of the world take in its entertainments and it worldly activities. We are to be separate in these matters.

Christ is to be the source of all the Christian's joys. The Christian's pleasures are not to be found where the world find their pleasures. May we demonstrate that we are Christ's by our sanctification/separation from the world. Charles Wesley in his hymn entitled: Jesus Lover of my soul said: Thou, O Christ, art all I want; More than all in Thee I find. If this is so, and it most certainly is, then we do not need the pleasures of the world to satisfy our spiritual or physical affections and appetites.

The only 'cure' for Sodomy!

2011-06-14T14:11:00.001+01:00

Protesters picket NI 'gay cure' event

Read the full report on the BBC news website

The only 'cure' for sodomy is the one administered by the Gospel of Jesus Christ. An example of this 'cure' are those who made up part of the membership of the Church at Corinth during the days of the Apostle Paul.

In writing to that Church, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Paul speaks of those who practiced the sin of sodomy and how they had been 'cured', 1 Corinthians 6:9-11:
Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

Such 'were some of you' [past tense] Paul states. This change or 'cure', to use the term employed in this media report, came about by the power of the Holy Spirit washing and cleansing the individual. It was not the only sin that had been previously practised by those converted to Christ in Corinth under the preaching of the Apostle Paul, but it was certainly one of those mentioned.

As with any sin there is only one means of obtaining a 'cure'. It is to received a new nature inclined to holiness and obedience to God's Moral law through coming to know Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour.

No psychological treatment will ever effect what only the power of God can bring about.

PS. I'm sure the Church of Ireland are in a pickle about the bad press they will be receiving by having this conference in their premises. They will be doing all thy can to distant themselves from it!

The Biblical doctrine of Separation Part 1

2011-06-13T17:43:00.002+01:00

The substance of a number of sermons preached in Newtownabbey Free Presbyterian Church on the distinctive of being a sanctified, separated Church.

An audio recording can be listened to on the Church's Sermonaudio site.

Holiness of life is another name for sanctification. Sanctification is the work of God's Holy Spirit within a genuine believer whereby they are renewed in the whole man after the image of God, and are enabled more and more to die unto sin, and live unto righteousness, Shorter Catechism No. 35.

This Biblical distinctive deals with old fashioned holiness of life which has always been the feature of orthodox Christianity. We believe not in entire sanctification but progressive sanctification.

Sanctification always accompanies justification. This is the purpose of redemption, Ephesians 5:26: That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word. This is the work of the Spirit, 1 Peter 1:2: Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.

We can go as far as to say that if sanctification is not taking place in a person's life there is no evidence for claiming salvation. Whom Christ saves, the Spirit sanctifies!

This inward work of sanctification leads to outward separation from the world. The apostle John wrote in 1 John 2:15,16: Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

The inherent meaning within the word 'sanctify' is to set apart. Hence the repeated references to the people of God being a separated people:
1. Old Testament teaching: Exodus 33:16 For wherein shall it be known here that I and thy people have found grace in thy sight? is it not in that thou goest with us? so shall we be separated, I and thy people, from all the people that are upon the face of the earth;
2. New Testament teaching: 2 Corinthians 6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.

The literally meaning of the Greek word for 'Church' is 'called out'. The church are therefore called out ones - the separated ones. We are in the world but not of the world!

This was the primary purpose of the civil law given to Israel in the Old Testament. All those precepts in Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers & Deuteronomy that many people so often mock were designed by God to visibly teach the truth of sanctification and separation.

Consider three successive verses:

1. Deut 22:10-12 Thou shalt not plow with an ox and an ass together. One was clean and the other unclean. The clean and the unclean were never to be yoked together.

2. Thou shalt not wear a garment of divers sorts, as of woollen and linen together. They were never to mix that which is different in type together.

3. Thou shalt make thee fringes upon the four quarters of thy vesture, wherewith thou coverest thyself. They Israelites were to be different from the ungodly nations around them.

Sanctification/separation maintains the purity and distinctiveness of the people of God. A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump, the Scriptures teach. If we let into our lives, or into our witness for Christ, that which is not of God then it will soon spread through everything weakening and ultimately destroying that witness for Christ.

Sanctification/separation is a positive thing. Its enemies seek to caricature it as being negative and a not wanting to be inclusive. This is the great cry of our times! However, in practicing sanctification/ separation we are going unto Christ for He practices separation, Hebrews 12:12-14. Christ is without the camp and that is where He would have His people.

These general principles of sanctification/separation are to be found in the life of the Nazarite:
1. The Nazarite was to be separate from all uncleanness. Numbers 6:3 He shall separate himself from… There is that which a Bible believer must leave behind. Before there can be any separation unto, there must first be separation from.

There has to be a putting out of our lives, before there can be a bringing of other things into our lives, 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

2. The Nazarite was to be separate unto God. This passage speaks of the separation of the Nazarite unto the Lord. This is repeated in v5,6,8,12. It is a consecration of heart unto the Lord.

The Nazarite and the laws that governed their lives are a visible illustration of this truth of sanctification/ separation, Numbers 6:2.

There are three specific areas where the principle of separation is to apply in the Christian's life as illustrated in the life of the Nazarite:

Our Affections, v3,4;

Our Appearance, v5,

Our Associations, v6,7.

Each one of these three particulars are emphasised in turn in the lives of each of the three Nazarites mentioned in the Bible:

1. Samson - Our affections. Judges 13:5 …for the child shall be a Nazarite unto God from the womb… The record speaks of Samson marrying a Philistine; taking the honey from the carcass of the lion. We are also familiar with him setting his affections upon the harlot in Gaza and also loving Delilah, who was also a Philistine. These are all issues that relate to affections.

2. Samuel - Our appearance. In praying for a son Hannah dedicates him unto the Lord emphasising that he will be a Nazarite and highlighting the fact that no razor will touch his head, 1 Sam 1:11 …I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head.

3. John the Baptist - Our associations. Among a number of things peculiar to John the Baptist was those he refused to associate himself with. He distanced himself from the dead religion of the Scribes and Pharisees, calling them a generation of vipers. He was the voice of one on his own crying in the wilderness.

We will take a closer look at these three areas of separation in a Christian's life.

The remembered heroes of Ulster's Troubles

2011-06-10T13:13:00.001+01:00

It is very good to see the tribute to the UDR [Ulster Defence Regiment] which is carried in today's Belfast Newsletter.

The newspaper also carries the inspiring story of Eric Glass who fought off a cowardly gang of IRA terrorists who sought to murder him. A truly modern day hero!

In many ways he is one of the fortunate ones, in that he is alive. In total 197 UDR soldiers were killed as active servicemen. Another 61 members were killed after they had left the UDR.

When you see those whose trade has been murder and mayhem propped up in high governmental office you are forced to ask yourself the question: what was the point of it all? It seems they have died in vain.

Pageviews for May

2011-06-02T10:31:00.001+01:00

Here is a breakdown of page views for the blog during the month of May

The wretchedness of our system of Government

2011-05-25T23:31:00.002+01:00

If anything displays the utter wretchedness of the immoral system of government that is in place in this Province it is the news today that Mary McArdle who was part of the IRA gang who ambushed Magistrate Tom Travers and his family as they left Mass in south Belfast in April 1984 and killed his 22 year old daughter has become a special advisor to the new Culture minister.

Belfast Telegraph - Murder link aide to remain in Job.
Belfast Newsletter - Appointment of Sinn Fein Advisor provokes anger

In one way it is hardly surprising when it is remembered that the Culture minister herself is a convicted terrorist. A system that rewards terrorists with early release and elevates them to rule over the innocent who they have terrorised in nothing short of being a wicked system of government.

Anyone who props up this wicked system of government must surely hang their head in shame.

It is worthwhile remembering what Romans 13:1-7 has to say about those who hold office in civil government:
Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:
For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.
For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.

Abortion Statistics for England & Wales

2011-05-24T12:36:00.005+01:00

The 1967 Abortion Act came into effect on 27 April 1968. Since then, over seven million unborn children have been killed through registered abortion in Britain. This figure does not include abortions which may be caused by birth control drugs and devices. Nor does it include the number of embryos destroyed or discarded during and after in-vitro fertilisation (IVF). [Source - Society for the Protection of unborn children]

Here are some harrowing statistics from the Office of National Statistics for abortion in England & Wales since the Abortion Act was introduced.

To read the full report click here

Report summary for 2010:

The overall trend in Abortion is upward:

In relation to age the report says:

Overall statistics since 1968:

What does the Scriptures say about abortion? [Previous post on this blog]

Deputy First Minister to be questioned about murder [Fancy that!!]

2011-05-23T10:56:00.001+01:00

The Belfast Newsletter reported on Friday that the Historical Enquiries Team is about to question the Deputy First Minister about the murder of 29-year-old census worker Joanne Mathers in 1981.

For the full report click here

Martin McGuinness, who has openly stated that he is 'proud' to have been in the IRA, was the IRA’s commander in the city of Londonderry during much of the Troubles.

Up until now IRA/SinnFein have refused to co-operate with the Historical Inquiries Team. So much for their new supposed recognition and support of policing and justice that was peddled as the excuse for appointing McGuinness as Deputy First Minister in the first place!

In 1998 when David Trimble sought to share power with Martin McGuinness his terrorist past was said have made him unsuitable to hold any post in government never mind that of Deputy First Minister. 'Unscriptural, unethical and immoral' were the terms employed.

This report in the Newsletter is once again a reminder of McGuinness' past and proof that those words were very accurate.

The likelihood of McGuinness being called to account by the HET for his past is nil. However, although Martin McGuinness may escape the censure of any earthly court, there is one Judge and a coming day in which every murderer and supporter of murder will be called upon to answer for their deeds. The hidden things of darkness will then be brought to light.

The shedding of innocent blood is specifically said to be one of the seven things that God hates: Proverbs 6:16,17 These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:
A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood…

The God of heaven will not be as easily deceived about McGuinness and his past, as multitudes in this Province have!

Rapture to take place this Saturday!!

2011-05-19T17:44:00.004+01:00

According to Harold Camping the rapture will take place on Saturday 21st May at around 6 pm.

To read more see here:
Belfast Telegraph - World will end this Saturday, May 21, warns preacher Camping
The Independent - US preacher warns end of the world is nigh: 21 May, around 6pm, to be precise

It doesn't take a great deal of Bible knowledge to see the folly of such claims. As sure as anyone sets a date or time for the rapture you can be sure it is wrong. So says the Word of God:

Matthew 24:36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.

Earthquakes etc are not a sign of the end. It never says this in the Bible anywhere. There have always been earthquakes etc in the world and they will continue. We are not to mistake their occurrence for end time events:
Matthew 24:5-8, For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.
And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.

As pointed out in these reports Harold Camping has 'form' on this. He announced that the world would end in September 1994. It didn't happen!

There is no rapture taught in the Bible, never mind a rapture on saturday 21st May 2011!

Worthwhile related articles to read are:
1. Reasons Why the Great Tribulation Must Precede the Church's Translation by Pastor J. Kyle Paisley
2. Why the Revelation of the Anti-Christ and the Apostasy must Precede the Coming of the Lord by Pastor J. Kyle Paisley

Same old Rome!!

2011-05-13T22:33:00.000+01:00

The Daily Mail is reporting that Archbishop Vincent Nichols, the head of the Catholic church in England and Wales is telling the 'faithful' not to eat meat on Fridays:
The custom of abstaining from meat as an act of penance for the death of Christ will be re-established from September 16 - the first anniversary of Pope Benedict's visit to Britain.

Archbishop Vincent Nichols, the head of the Catholic Church in England and Wales, said the decision to reintroduce the practice was taken at least partly as a result of the papal visit, which had created ‘a fresh expression of self-confidence and identity amongst Catholics’.

Read the full report here

Paul warned Timothy about those who commanded such things:

1 Timothy 4:1-9
Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.
For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:
For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.
If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained. But refuse profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.
For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.
This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation.

According to the Apostle Paul, these acts of penance, as taught by Romanism, do not exercise the soul to godliness!

Assembly election candidates' views sought on a range of scriptural, moral and ethical questions

2011-05-05T18:18:00.003+01:00

A questionnaire was sent out to all the Assembly candidates seeking their views on a range of scriptural, moral and ethical subjects by three organisations representing evangelical Christians here in Northern Ireland: The Caleb Foundation, Evangelical Protestant Society & Day One - Lord's day Observance Society.

Thirty-eight out of over two hundred candidates replied. Their replies can be viewed online at MLA Watch - Christians asking questions. It makes interesting reading!

Pageviews for April

2011-05-03T23:42:00.000+01:00

Here is a breakdown of pageviews for the blog for the month of April.

Hurt of Hearing Mass reprinted

2011-04-29T10:21:00.001+01:00

John Bradford's treatise on The Hurt of Hearing Mass was re-typeset and reprinted some time ago by Focus Christian Ministries Trust based in Lewes East Sussex.

The Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland Bookroom has some copies. They are priced at £1.30 plus postage.

More opposition to attending the Mass

2011-04-18T08:15:00.014+01:00

Five other Free Presbyterian ministers have spoken out against attending the Mass.

Rev Ivan Foster, retired minister:
Burning Bush website - The true nature of the Mass

Rev David Creane, minister in Lurgan FPC:
Lurgan Mail -

Rev John Greer, minister in Ballymena FPC:
Sermonaudio - Attendance at the Mass forbidden by Scripture

Rev Thomas Martin, minister in Lisburn FPC:
Newsletter: Robinson ought to rethink Mass views

Dr Stephen Pollock, minister in Kilskeery FPC:
Sermonaudio - Why Christians should not attend the Roman Catholic Mass

Update Tuesday 19th April - The Newsletter this morning reports on the opposition of Revs Creane & Greer click here

Update Saturday 23rd April

Other Free Presbyterian ministers who have preached against the mass in the past:

Office bearers of Presbytery:
Rev Ron Johnstone, minister in Newtownards FPC:
Sermonaudio - The Roman Catholic Mass - What it Means Preached 29th August 2010

Rev Ian Brown, minister in Londonderry FPC:
Sermonaudio - Should A Protestant Attend The Mass? Preached - 1st May 2005

Others:
Rev Paul Fitton, minister in Dungannon FPC:
Sermonaudio - The Mass - A Blasphemous Fable and a Dangerous Deceit- Preached 12th September 2010

Rev Thomas Martin, minister in Lisburn FPC:

Sermonaudio - Reformation: Why we should reject the Mass - Preached 28th October 2007

Dr Alan Cairns, Retired minister:
Sermonaudio - Repudiating the Blasphemous Idolatry of the Roman Mass Preached 7th October 2007

Sermonaudio - The Mass Vs. the Finished Work of Christ - Preached October 1982

Sermonaudio Let the Bible Speak - In Latin or English the Mass Is a Blasphemy - Preached 18th August 2007

Rev William McCrea, minister in Magherafelt FPC

Sermonaudio - The blasphemy of the mass Preached - 30th April 2006

Dr Mark Allison, minister in Malvern FPC, Pa, USA: - Preached - 31st October 2004
Sermonaudio - Lord's Supper Vs. Rome's Mass

Rev Reggie Cranston, minister in Port Hope FPC, Canada:

Sermonaudio - The Mass in the Light of Scripture - Preached 28th July 2002

Orange Chaplain has called for expulsions for attending the Mass

2011-04-15T12:16:00.000+01:00

The Newsletter has reported that Rev David McCarthy, an Orange chaplain, has called for members of the Orange Order who attend the Mass to be expelled.

Read the full report here.

Lets hope they do but I won't hold my breath!!

'The Hurt of Hearing Mass'

2011-04-11T22:48:00.005+01:00

The title comes from the writings of the Reformer John Bradford. He was arrested in August 1553 and imprisoned for a time in the tower of London before being moved to other prisons.

Almost two years later on 15th July 1555 at 9 am, John Bradford, aged around 45, along with John Leaf, aged just 19, were led out from Newgate prison to be executed at Smithfield market, situated near to where St Bartholomew's hospital now is in London. Another one of many Protestant martyrs who would rather die than countenance Romanism and the Mass. This was during the reign of 'bloody Queen Mary'.

Among John Bradford’s final words at the stake were these: O England, England, repent!

Turning to the young man who was being put to death beside him he said: Be of good comfort, brother, for we shall have a happy supper with the Lord tonight.

As the faggots burned around his feet he repeated the Saviour’s words: …strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

You can read a fuller account of his death in Foxe's Book of Martyrs.

What a contrast between John Bradford's resolute stand for the truth and the sad compromise and betrayal we have witnessed this past week by Peter Robinson, Tom Elliott, Norman Hamilton [the moderator of the Irish Presbyterian Church] and many other Protestant politicians and ministers of religion. As reported in the Newsletter the weak, craven response of the Orange Order who has let it be known that they will not discipline members who have attended the Mass also stands in stark contrast to the courage of John Bradford. [Although I am informed that no such decision has been made or could be taken prior to a meeting of Grand Lodge.]

I mention this man John Bradford because while in the tower of London he wrote a tract entitled: The hurt of hearing Mass', which sets forth why he would rather be burned at the stake than countenance the Mass.

You can read the entire tract online here.

Here is a synopsis of what he wrote.

He took for his text 1 Kings 18:21: How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him.

In introducing his subject he makes mention of others who have written on this same subject. The margin lists the names of Calvin, Viret, Bullinger, & Hooper.

His proposition is:

He proceeds to set forth twelve excuses people employ for attendance at the mass. Having outlined these twelve excuses he concludes that they are 'weak and vain'.

He discourses upon the origin of the Mass and the development of the title in church history showing that the Mass was not part of New Testament worship but a later development and corruption.

Next he writes about the evil of the Mass:

He first shows that the mass is a 'most subtle and pernicious enemy of Christ, against his priesthood and against his sacrifice'.

Secondly he shows that the mass is not only a let [hindrance] but also a destruction of the true worshipping of God.

Thirdly he argues that the mass is not only beside Christ's institution and ordinance, but it is utterly against it and perverteth it horribly.

He concludes this section by saying:

He next proceeds to show that the Mass violates the first, second, third and fourth commandments. He also argues that it breaks the commandments of the second table of the Moral law generally and particularly.

Interspersed with his arguments there is the exhortation that people should be willing to die rather than attend the Mass:

The history he relates is of the people of God in Edessa in ancient time who were forewarned that all that attended the house of God that day would be slain. That day there was a greater attendance than normal.

Having concluded considering how the Mass breaks all ten commandments he presents a further thirty-nine reasons for non-attendance at the Mass.

He finishes his thesis by answering the twelve reasons people employ to excuse attending the Mass.

It is worth remembering that this man, along with many others, was prepared to give his life at the stake rather than attend the Mass. Our religious liberties and freedoms were dearly bought.

May God give us courage to be like them in the resolute stand for the truth and purity of the gospel.

Sunday Trading laws consultation

2011-04-11T14:12:00.010+01:00

Here is the submission I made with respect to the consultation regarding Sunday Trading laws which closed on Friday.

Dear Sir/Madam
I wish to take part in the consultation regarding Sunday Trading hours. I do so on behalf of the congregation of Newtownabbey Free Presbyterian Church and also I believe I reflect the views of many evangelical Christians within the Newtownabbey area who are not members or attenders of the Free Presbyterian Church but attend other evangelical churches.

We do not want to see any extension or relaxation made to the Sunday Trading hours. We hold to this position because of a number of spiritual and practical convictions.

1. The Holy Scriptures teach that we are all to remember the sabbath day to keep it holy, Exodus 20:8-11 Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.

Six days are given by God for labour, work, recreation and shopping. One day of the week is to be a sabbath which is given over to the worship of God. Civil authorities have a duty before God to uphold His moral law. We would therefore call upon you to refuse any call to relax the present trading laws.

2. Society loses out by not observing a Sabbath day. Not only spiritually where there is a failure to attend to spiritual matters, but socially as well. Due to our nature we need a day of rest from these secular employments and activities. There is a human cost in failing to observe the Sabbath.

One writer put it like this: Our bodies are seven-day clocks and they need to be wound up, and if they are not wound up they run down into the grave. No man can continuously break the Sabbath and keep his physical and mental health.

William Wilberforce had this to say: Oh what a blessed day is the Sabbath, which allows us a precious interval wherein to pause, to come out from the thickets of worldly concerns and give ourselves up to heavenly and spiritual concerns. Observation and my own experience have convinced me that there is a special blessing on a right employment of these intervals. Oh what a blessing is Sunday, interposed between the waves of worldly business like the divine path of the Israelites through Jordan. There is nothing in which I would recommend you to be more strictly conscientious than in keeping the Sabbath holy. By this I mean not only abstaining from all becoming sports and common business, but from consuming time in frivolous conversations, paying or receiving visits, which among relations often leads to a sad waste of this precious day. I can truly declare that to me the Sabbath has been invaluable.

Mr Gladstone, the well known British Prime Minister, said on one occasion: Tell me what the young men of England are doing on Sunday and I will tell you what the future of England will be. The religious observance of the Sabbath is a main prop of the religious character of the country. From a moral, social and physical point of view, the observance of the Sabbath is a duty of absolute consequence.

Sir Robert Peel, another Prime Minister, said: I never knew a man escape failure, in either body or mind, who worked seven days a week.

3. Any relaxation of the Sunday trading laws is a false economy. Much is made in this consultation paper about boost[ing] the local economy, benefit[ing] the tourism industry and support[ing] the regeneration of town and city centres.

How can this be? There is not extra money to be spent just because it is Sunday. Not unless we are encouraging people to spend money they don't have and go into debt. The same money will have to be spread over a wider period of time. If people spend more money shopping on Sunday they will spend less Monday to Saturday. Surely this is obvious. With extended opening hours there will follow all the resultant extra staff costs and other running costs for any business. This is not going to help the economy. It is going to harm it by creating extra costs for the same level of return. It is plainly a false economy.

4. The religious liberty of employees will be greatly infringed. Pressure will be brought to bear on those who because of religious convictions do not want to work on the Lord's day. With any relaxation of the law then Sunday will be treated more and more as an ordinary day. Employees whose religious convictions about working on a Sunday will find it harder to obtain and retain employment. Today's Sunday shoppers will be tomorrow's Sunday workers.

5. We do not want to see any relaxation of Bookmakers opening hours. This society has enough problems with gambling addiction without giving even greater opportunities for people to waste their money. Many a family will be dismayed to think that the one day of respite they have with a loved one visiting the bookies has been taken away.

6. We wish to highlight the inbuilt bias of the consultation. There is not sufficient width to the choices in the online response for evangelical Christians to indicate a desire for the present Sunday trading hours to be tightened and not relaxed. This we believe to be wrong.

Precedence has been set for this when in December 2009 the German Constitutional court ruled that shops in Berlin were to fall into line with the law institutionalising Sunday as a day of rest and religious contemplation as contained in Germany’s Basic Law. If this can be done in modern day Germany why can it not be a choice in Northern Ireland. It is one which many would chose.

Honouring the memory of Jesus Christ is more important than honouring the memory of anyone else

2011-04-05T10:01:00.006+01:00

It is being reported that Peter Robinson is going to attend the funeral of murdered Roman Catholic police officer Ronan Kerr. This means that he is going to attend the Roman Catholic Mass. Back in the month of February this year Peter Robinson indicated that he would do this.
To read more of what he said then, click on this link for the Belfast Telegraph report.

Republican terrorists, encouraged by seeing those who previously engaged in the same activity now elevated to high office and pandered to at every turn, are increasing their capacity to maim and kill. The sympathy of those whose trade in the past has been murder and mayhem is pure 'cant'.

Peter Robinson would be regularly briefed on the prevailing security situation here in Ulster. He may well have calculated that this day would arrive sooner or later in Northern Ireland where sadly a police officer, and a Roman Catholic one at that, would be murdered. That may well be what lay behind his comments some weeks ago. His announcement then was to pave the way for him actually attending the mass.

It is not being disrespectful to the dead to say that because of your religious beliefs you cannot attend the Roman Catholic Mass. As pointed out previously by the Free Presbyterian Church, the chief Jewish Rabbi refused to enter Westminster Abbey at the time of Princess Diana's funeral because of his religious beliefs. He was praised for the manner in which he conducted himself.

It might bring short term political advantage to Peter Robinson but it will do no one any good to dishonour the name of Jesus Christ in this way. To a Bible believer the Mass is a 'blasphemy' as the Thirty-nine Articles of the Church of Ireland rightly state. It is an attack upon the finished work of Jesus Christ and because of this no Protestant should attend the Mass.

Honouring the memory of Jesus Christ is more important than honouring the memory of any one else. Christ and His honour must come first every time. To love God above and before everything and everyone else is the first great commandment; to love our neighbour is the second great commandment, Matt 22:37-39:
Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
This is the first and great commandment.
And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

This same principle was repeated by the Lord Jesus in a different context in Luke 14:26,27:
If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.
And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.

For whatever reason Peter Robinson has reversed this divine order. He has put the honour of his neighbour before the honour of Jesus Christ.

In putting the honour of Christ first it will seem at times that we are hating others we love dearly. But this is what it means to put Christ first in our lives and this is what the New Testament calls upon us to do. We cannot profess to follow Christ and neglect His word: If ye love me keep my commandments, He said in John 14:15.

There is a reproach that must be borne when faithfully doing so. No doubt there will be much invective directed at those who oppose Peter Robinson attending the Mass. It will be caricatured as unloving and dishonouring to a murder victim.

Ronan Kerr deserves our respect and his family deserve our sympathy. Every Bible believer believes murder is wrong on every account. There are however other ways to honour the memory of someone wickedly murdered as Ronan Kerr has been. The dead can be respected and Christ's honour maintained. Going to the Mass does not do this.

Pageviews for the last month

2011-04-02T19:30:00.001+01:00

Here is a breakdown of pageviews for the blog for the month of March. I appreciate all who take time to peruse the blog.

What it is to preach Christ

2011-04-02T19:22:00.000+01:00

In reading one of C. H. Spurgeon's sermons I came across these words where he defines what it is to preach Christ:

My friends, I do not believe it is preaching Christ and him crucified, to give our people a batch of philosophy every Sunday morning and evening, and neglect the truth of this Holy Book. I do not believe it is preaching Christ and him crucified, to leave out the main cardinal doctrines of the Word of God, and preach a religion which is all a mist and a haze, without any definite truths whatever.

I take it that man does not preach Christ and him crucified, who can get through a sermon without mentioning Christ’s name once; nor does that man preach Christ and him crucified who leaves out the Holy Spirit’s work, who never says a word about the Holy Ghost, so that indeed the hearers might say, “We do not so much as know whether there be a Holy Ghost.”

And I have my own private opinion that there is no such a thing as preaching Christ and him crucified, unless you preach what now-a-days is called Calvinism. I have my own ideas, and those I always state boldly. It is a nickname to call it Calvinism; Calvinism is the gospel, and nothing else. I do not believe we can preach the gospel, if we do not preach justification by faith, without works; nor unless we preach the sovereignty of God in his dispensation of grace; nor unless we exalt the electing, unchangeable, eternal, immutable, conquering, love of Jehovah; nor do I think we can preach the gospel, unless we base it upon the peculiar redemption which Christ made for his elect and chosen people; nor can I comprehend a gospel which lets saints fall away after they are called, and suffers the children of God to be burned in the fires of damnation after having believed. Such a gospel I abhor.

The gospel of the Bible is not such a gospel as that. We preach Christ and him crucified in a different fashion, and to all gainsayers we reply, “We have not so learned Christ.”

Bible exhibition 2

2011-03-30T12:43:00.002+01:00

At our Soul Winners Convention Dr David Allen put on display a replica of a timeline of the English Bible.

Bible exhibition Part 1

2011-03-25T22:21:00.001Z

At our Soul Winners Convention Mr Alastair Bonar, one of our members, put on display a number of old Bibles he owns.

Thought for the day

2011-03-25T14:44:00.001Z

Faith, without trouble or fighting, is a suspicious faith; for true faith is a fighting, wrestling faith.

Attributed to Ralph Erskine, well known Scottish preacher in Reformed circles, who lived from 1685-1752.

Sandown FPC wins its court case on Sodomy

2011-03-22T14:01:00.003Z

It has been announced today in the Belfast High Court that Sandown FPC has won its case against the Advertising Standards Agency. A good day for the truth and freedom of expression!

To read details of the case and the ruling please click on the following links:

Church advert breached code

Church challenges sodomy ad ban

Judge overturns ASA sodomy ad ban decision

Updated 23/03/11
The Newsletter & Belfast Telegraph have further reports on this court case

Newsletter - Victorious minister will not be gloating

Belfast Telegraph - Church’s anti-gay advert was freedom of expression: judge

What are they so afraid of?

2011-03-22T10:09:00.005Z

The Guardian reports that the new 'Free Schools' being encouraged by the coalition government will not be able to teach Creationism in any science classes. Not that I ever expected they would be!

For fuller details click - Free schools will not teach creationism, says Department for Education

This surely begs the question: what are these secular educationalists afraid of? Can evolution not stand up to scrutiny in the classroom? If creationism is the outlandish notion of fundamentalists as they claim then surely it will be easily seen to be the case when considered alongside evolution, if evolution is indeed scientific fact as they claim. After all, truth is never afraid of the searchlight, it is falsehood that loves the dark and loves to go unchallenged.

It would seem that these secular educationalists are somewhat afraid that when their pet theory, which at its core is fuelled by an innate desire to reject the existence of God, is examined alongside alternative explanations for the origin of the universe it might be found wanting. That it might be discovered to be less than scientific fact.

If evolution & creationism were both taught would it be discovered that evolution is also a faith based belief. This has been acknowledged in the past by evolutionists.

For example in the introduction to one edition of Darwin's The Origin of Species it says:

The fact of evolution is the backbone of biology, and biology is thus in the peculiar position of being a science founded on an unproven theory - is it then a science or a faith? Belief in the theory of evolution is thus exactly parallel to belief in special creation - both are concepts which believers know to be true but neither, up to the present, has been capable of proof.

L. Harrison Matthews, FRS, Introduction to Darwin's Origin of Species, J M Dent & Sons Ltd, London 1971, page xi.

If evolution is faith based then creationism has the same right to be examined in the science classroom as evolution.

School Choir singing at 60th anniversary regional rally

2011-03-19T16:06:00.005Z

Some photos of the joint school choir [Bangor & Newtownabbey Independent Christian schools] which took part in the 60th anniversary regional rally in Martyrs Memorial FPC last night.

Practising beforehand in the Paisley Jubilee Church

Taking part in the service

What did St Patrick really believe? Part 3

2011-03-18T00:22:00.001Z

Here is a link to a sermon preached some years ago on the subject:

What did St Patrick really believe?

For Transcript of Part 1 click here
For Transcript of Part 2 click here

Transcript Part 3

II. Patrick’s teaching on the matter of salvation.

The most important matters are: what did he teach about the matter of salvation? What does he teach about Jesus Christ? That will be the chief test of his orthodoxy. We have his creed to consult which is available from his confession.

Patrick had a deep and accurate knowledge of the Scriptures. You cannot read his confession through without marvelling at the rich knowledge of the Word of God which he possessed, even though he confesses: I have not read like others, who have been well imbued with sacred learning. He certainly had read his Bible.

It is God’s Word alone that is to direct us in the matter of salvation.

He believed in the deity and Godhead of Jesus Christ. It was Patrick who is renowned for illustrating the doctrine of the Trinity by the use of the shamrock. While preaching before the king of Meath at Tara he illustrated the mysterious doctrine of the Trinity by the three-leaved shamrock.

The belief in the doctrine of the Trinity necessitates the acceptance of the deity and Godhead of Jesus Christ and the personality of the Holy Ghost. You cannot have a Trinity of persons without there being equality of the persons in that Trinity. He had right views of Christ and the Holy Spirit. His confession is distinctly Trinitarian and evangelical.

He believed in the necessity of being born again. Another quote from his confession states:

I am greatly a debtor to God who hath vouchsafed me such great grace that many people by my means should be born again to God and clergy should be ordained everywhere for them. I pray those who believe and fear God, whosoever may condescend to look into or receive this writing which Patrick the sinner, though unlearned, wrote in Ireland, if I have done or established any little thing according to God’s will, that no man ever say that my ignorance did it, but think and let it verily be believed that it was the gift of God.

He believed himself to be a sinner and that all sinners are in need of being born again.

He became an evangelist. His name is associated with many places both north and south of Ireland. Temple-Patrick, Down-Patrick, Sea-Patrick, Croagh-Patrick, Leck-Patrick, Inch-Patrick. There is also Patrick’s chair in the Clogher Valley.

He knew what it was to trust God. From his writings it is clear that he had a strong belief in the guiding and overruling providence of God. He accepted the providences of God that brought him away from his family and as a slave to ireland. He accepted that this affliction ‘corrected’ him and brought him to ‘know God’.

He learned the truth of this text of Scripture: And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me, Ps 50:15.

In his day of trouble on the slopes of Slemish he cried to the Lord for salvation and the Lord delivered him and he went on to glorify the Lord by a life lived to the service of God and man.

May this island again redound to the sound of the gospel which Patrick preached. May God be pleased again to move among the Irish with such God glorifying results.

The creed of St. Patrick

As given in His own confession:
I am not able, nor would it be right to be silent on such great benefits and such great grace as [God] hath vouchsafed unto me in the land of my captivity, for this is our recompence, that after we have been corrected and brought to know God, we should exalt and confess His wondrous works before every nation which is under heaven

God the Father
that there is none other God, nor ever was, nor shall be hereafter, except God the Father, unbegotton, without beginning, from whom is all beginning, upholding all things as we have said

God the Son
and His Son, Jesus Christ, whom we acknowledge to have been always with the Father before the beginning of the world, spiritually with the Father, in an ineffable manner begotton before all beginning

Christ the Creator
and by Him were made things visible and invisible; and being made man, and having overcome death, He was received into heaven unto the Father

Christ the preeminent One
And the Father hath given unto Him all power, above every name, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth, that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord and God

Christ the coming Judge
Whom we believe and we look for His coming, who is soon about to be judge of quick and dead, who will render unto every man according to his works, and hath poured into us abundantly the gift of the Holy Ghost and the pledge of immortality, who maketh the faithful and obedient to become sons of God the Father and joint heirs with Christ. Whom we confess and worship, one God in the Trinity of the sacred Name. For He Himself hath said by the prophet: Call upon me in the day of thy tribulation and I will deliver thee.

What did St Patrick really believe? Part 2

2011-03-17T10:56:00.001Z

Here is a link to a sermon preached some years ago on the subject:

What did St Patrick really believe?

For Transcript of Part 1 click here

Transcript Part 2:

I. He had no connection whatsoever with Romanism.

Roman Catholicism loves to speak of Patrick as one of their own. They call chapels by his name, they place his statue above entrance doors, attired in full ecclesiastical costume, with a great mitre on his head and a formidable crozier in his hand. These are articles of dress which the simple missionary in all probability never either saw or wore. What is certain is that he had no connection whatsoever with Romanism.

Romanism was not known in Ireland at the time of Patrick. Rome can hardly with justification make a claim on Patrick when history teaches us that Romanism itself was not established in Ireland to many years after Patrick lived. In fact the Papacy was only developing on the continent of Europe at the time of Patrick and not fully developed there until c.a. 600 AD.

Biblical Christianity had come to Britain with the serving soldiers of the invading Roman armies. The Roman armies left in 410 AD. Romanism only came to Britain with Augustine arrival at Canterbury in 597 AD, at least 100 yrs. after Patrick’s death. The story is told of Augustine’s attempt at bringing the Celtic Church under his and Rome’s control. The Celtic representatives had previously decided that whether Augustine rose up from his seat when meeting them would indicate whether they were meeting as equals or not. Needless to say he did not rise to meet the Celtic representatives so they wanted nothing to do with him.

Romanism only came to Ireland around 1100 AD when Pope Adrian give Ireland as a dowry to the then English King to subdue and bring under the control of Rome.

Patrick never claimed Papal authority. In his confession which exists to this day we have in some detail the circumstances under which he came to Ireland. There is not a word said about either Rome or the Pope. An omission which would be simply inconceivable if he had been an emissary of the pope. With the success that he enjoyed surely Rome would have taken credit if she had sent him. Many letters of Pope Leo I from 440-461 are extant yet say nothing about Ireland and Patrick. He himself never appeals to any papal commission when his authority was challenged.

He was ‘Presbyterian’ in Church order. Patrick ordained bishops in every Church he founded. Some say it was 365 churches, others that it was 700 churches he founded. Whatever the total it is undenialable that for every church Patrick founded he ordained bishops. This Presbyterianism not Prelacy or Popery.

His family did not believe in celibacy. Patrick states that both his father and grandfather were ecclesiastics, yet both were married. They were hardly following a cardinal doctrine of Romanism.

No mention of the other tenets of Romanism. In Patrick's writings there is no mention whatsoever of auricular confession, purgatory, the honour of Mary, the mass or any anointing of the dead or any other distinctive Roman Catholic doctrine.

He never was primate of Ireland. It is well known that neither in Patrick’s day or for hundreds of years afterwards was there any such person as either an archbishop or bishop of Armagh. Even Episcopalian writers acknowledge this.

One thing we can be absolutely sure about regarding Patrick - He was no Romanist!

To be continued

What did St Patrick really believe?

2011-03-17T00:14:00.003Z

Here is a link to a sermon preached some years ago on the subject:

What did St Patrick really believe?

Transcript Part 1

March 17th is designated as St. Patrick’s day in which the patron saint of Ireland is supposed to be remembered. More and more this day is being marked by parades, festivals and carnivals which in the main are but an excuse for a day of worldly entertainment, sinful pleasure and amusement during which liberal measures of alcohol are consumed. Much of what takes place has very little connection if any at all with the life or preaching of St. Patrick.

St. Patrick is believed to have been a native of mainland Britain, Scotland it seems has the strongest claim as the place of his birth, during the early part of the 5th century.

As a young lad, at the age of 16, he was taken captive by raiders from his father’s farm and brought to Ireland and sold as a slave, where it is believed he tended sheep on the slopes of Slemish. His captivity became a means of blessing. It was the means of bringing about the conversion of his soul. Ireland may not have been the land of his natural birth but it was certainly the land of his spiritual birth.

We are privileged to have two works which have come down to us from the hand of Patrick. They are his ‘Confession’, and his ‘Letter to the Christians’. In his confession he has the following to say about his conversion to Christ:

I knew not the true God, and I was carried in captivity into Ireland.... and there the Lord opened the sense of my unbelief, that even though late I should remember my sins, and be converted with my whole heart unto the Lord my God.

After six years of slavery he escaped from his master, and making his way to the coast, procured a passage on board a boat, and after enduring many hardships, was able to be reunited with his parents in Scotland.

However he was not to be long in his father’s house. He had witnessed the darkness of Ireland and desired to bring it some of his light. A remarkable dream which he had led him back to Ireland. In his dream he saw a man coming to him as if from Ireland, whose name was Victoricius, bearing innumerable letters. He gave one to Patrick and the opening words were The voice of the Irish. As he read this in his dream he heard a call coming from the western sea:

We entreat thee holy youth, to come and walk henceforth among us.

Finally he made up his mind to return to Ireland as a missionary and spent the remainder of his days here. He is believed to have died on 17th March either 465 AD or 493 AD. He is said to be buried in Downpatrick.

There is a local connection with St. Patrick and Templepatrick. According to tradition St. Patrick, during his time in Ireland is thought to have baptised converts at an ancient well in the village and is credited with founding a Church which stood in the area of the old graveyard, where the Templetown Mausoleum now stands.

What did St. Patrick really believe? We can discern this from his works.

To be continued