Reaffirmation of the General Presbytery's Position on Marriage in light of the increasing abandonment of Biblical teaching on the matter.

As apostasy from God and His Word deepens in our nation, all kinds of immorality abound throughout society. The consequence of every aspect of this increasing immorality is that God’s institution of marriage is constantly treated with scorn as a sinful people give vent to their corrupt lusts. 

Sadly, in a relatively short period of time, there has been an alarming abandonment of the teaching of Scripture on marriage as ordained by God. This contempt for Biblical marriage includes, not only the abandonment of it as a divine institution, but also direct attack upon it in the promotion and acceptance of so-called same-sex marriage.

Legislation to allow same-sex marriage in England and Wales was passed by the Parliament of the UK, July 2013. In Scotland the legislation of same-sex marriage was passed by the Scottish Parliament, February 2014.

Currently there is an increasing lobby for its legislation in Northern Ireland. Those who spearhead this lobby do so in defiance of God’s moral law and with arrogant contempt toward those who wish to honour the Lord’s revealed will for marriage.

Free Presbyterian Church Statement on Traditional Marriage

A STATEMENT BY THE PRESBYTERY OFFICERS ON OUR CHURCH’S POSITION ON MARRIAGE 

The Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster unreservedly subscribes to the fundamental principle that God’s infallible Word is the final authority on all matters of faith and practice. Accordingly, the Free Presbyterian Church publicly re-emphasises its purpose to uphold the clear revelation of Scripture that marriage is a covenant and conjugal union between a man and a woman, (Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:4-5). 

As Christ’s teaching in this Matthew 19 passage reveals, this divine injunction of marriage between male and female is binding upon all of mankind throughout all time. The injunction is designed to provide the only framework within which stable family life can exist. Consequently, the pathway to the improvement of society is found in adherence to the Biblical principle of marriage. “Righteousness exalteth a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people,” (Proverbs 14:34).

In keeping with this clear Biblical teaching and authority, the Free Presbyterian Church underlines its opposition to all marital and sexual relationships outside the covenant of Biblical marriage. Scripture clearly reveals that such marital and sexual relationships are sinful and will prohibit entrance into the Kingdom of God. 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 – “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators…nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind…shall inherit the kingdom of God.”

Therefore, as a Church we are saddened by the attempts of political parties to normalise and promote marital and sexual relationships that are in contravention of the clear teaching of Scripture. We would remind political leaders that they are subject to God’s moral law and should endeavour to honour it, keeping in mind that one day all men will give an account of themselves to God (Romans 14:12). 

We would also put on record the Biblical reminder that only through repentance from such sin and by faith in Christ alone will forgiveness and acceptance with God be obtained (1 Corinthians 6:11).

Footage of FPC Protest against Jesus Christ Superstar

Free Presbyterian Protest against "Jesus Christ Superstar” at Newry Town Hall

A Free Presbyterian protest took place last night in Newry against the blasphemous musical "Jesus Christ Superstar". The following account is given by Rev Paul Hanna, minister of Mount Merrion FPC, one of the ministers who organised the protest. [Film footage of the protest is included at the end of this report.]

Around 6:30pm on the cold, brisk evening of Thursday 14th March 2019, a crowd of concerned Free Presbyterians started to gather outside the front of Newry Town Hall.

Free Presbyterian Statement regarding Presbyterian moderator's intention to meet the Pope

Love for Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ and concern for the eternal souls of men will prevent any Bible believer from union or communion with a Roman Catholic Church that remains as contrary to Holy Scripture today as it ever has been.

As long as it proclaims its leader as the supreme head of the church on earth, denigrates the work that Christ completed on Calvary by the pretentious teachings central to its mass, refuses the scriptural way of salvation that justification is by faith alone in Christ alone, fleeces its adherents by means of an imaginary purgatory, and offers indulgences with as much aplomb as Tetzel managed in Martin Luther’s day, no true Christian should engage in fellowship with this system, never mind travel to welcome its Pope.

Free Presbyterian Open Air Witness against Belfast Pride

Today the annual open air witness against the iniquitous Belfast Pride took place.

Rev Gordon Dane, moderator elect of the Presbytery, preached from 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.

Dr S B Cooke - The Early Years of The Free Presbyterian Church

Former Deputy-moderator of the Presbytery of the Free Presbyterian Church, Dr S B Cooke, speaks about the early years of the denomination and its stand against apostasy.

This account is particularly important as it explains the need for the Free Presbyterian Church to continue to be true to its founding creed and to earnestly contend for the faith once delivered to the saints.

Presbytery Statement on Abortion Referendum in the Republic of Ireland

Much of Ireland imagines they have joined the ranks of the liberated as a result of the demolition of its constitutional protection for the unborn. It does not seem to care that by the same action it has effectively delivered a death sentence on a significant percentage of its potential population. 

Actions of this nature are the inevitable consequence of secularisation. As belief in God and awareness of His Word declines, so does resistance to abortion laws. It’s a matter of anthropology: when man believes himself to be a random event instead of a purposeful creation, he will inevitably draw the same conclusion about those both within him and around him. This will then enable him to weigh lives on utilitarian scales and so make distinctions about their respective value.

The Bible makes it plain that God considers even the deliberate abandonment of one’s child as an extreme example of heartlessness (Isaiah 49:15); and does not distinguish between the value of the child in the womb and the child who has made it into the world, using exactly the same word to describe both (Luke 1:41&44; Luke 18:15).

Open Air / Protest at Sunday Rugby Match

On the Lord's day afternoon 20th May an Open Air / Protest was held at the Ulster Rugby match held at the Kingspan Stadium. The stadium entry is only a matter of a few hundred metres from Mount Merrion Free Presbyterian Church. 

The Open Air / Protest was led by Rev Paul Hanna, minister of the Mount Merrion congregation. Other Free Presbyterian ministers taking part were Rev David McLaughlin [Carryduff], Rev Paul Foster [Tyndale] & Rev Brian McClung [Newtownabbey].

The Open Air / Protest took place on a area just opposite the main gates of the Kingspan Stadium.

Rev McIlveen says the Pope is not welcome in Northern Ireland

Rev David McIlveen, retired Free Presbyterian minister, has spoken out against any proposed papal visit to Northern Ireland. Rev McIlveen said that Pope Francis is “not welcome” in Northern Ireland until he condemns clerical child abuse in the Province. 

Rev McIlveen felt a visit by the Pope to Northern Ireland would not be appropriate in light of the recent revelations regarding paedophile priest Malachy Finnegan, who was accused of abusing 12 boys at St Colman’s College in Newry.

Rev McIlveen told BBC’s The Nolan Show this morning: “It is important at this particular juncture in the Roman Catholic Church, with so much clerical abuse, that the church gets its own house in order.

Read the whole article here:

Belfast Newsletter - Pope Francis ‘not welcome’ in NI, says Rev David McIlveen

Free Presbyterian Church statement in light of the Pope's Visit to the Republic of Ireland

“At a meeting of its General Presbytery in March 2018 the Free Presbytery Church of Ulster unanimously approved the following statement should the Pope’s itinerary in Ireland incorporate a visit to Northern Ireland:

‘As reformed evangelical Protestants we totally reject the arrogant and, more importantly, unscriptural titles, claims and teachings of the pope. While, in obedience to Scripture and out of love for the souls of men, we cannot welcome this proposed visit, it will present us with a challenge to highlight the contrast between the teaching of scripture and the false doctrines of the papacy. Our supreme aim and overriding concern is to exalt the only King and Head of the church, the Lord Jesus Christ. To this end we continue to call all people, of all denominations and none, to a personal faith in Christ the Saviour as the only mediator between God and men’.”
Rev. Ian Brown
Clerk, Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster

Headcovering for women

This is the summary of a sermon preached some years ago in Newtownabbey FPC as part of a series on Free Presbyterian distinctives. 

The marks of a Scriptural Church - Wearing a Head Covering 

To be a Scriptural Church there is a need for all females to wear a headcovering. Paul in writing to young Timothy exhorted him to hold fast the form of sound words given to him. Timothy was charged to be faithful to the precepts of the Word of God in a day when it was difficult to do so. Paul warned him that the time would come when many would not endure sound doctrine and that many would turn away from the truth, deceiving and being deceived. If anything marks the age in which we live it is these features with respect to the issue of Headcovering.

There has been a serious turning away from the Word of God on the issue of females wearing a head covering in public worship. There is most certainly a failure to hold fast to the form of sound words on this vital matter as taught in the holy Scriptures.

Churches that believe it is right that women cover their heads in public worship are laughed at and ridiculed. We are denounced as being petty and narrow minded. There are those who argue that this precept only applied to Corinth and was a local custom in order to excuse their non-observance of this practice.

There are those abroad today who once held to this but who do not do so any longer. They argue that it hinders people coming into the services. There have been churches which once kept 'hats' to give people who arrived at church without them but have now changed and are preaching against the wearing of a head covering.

Statement by Government & Morals Committee of the Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster on posthumous pardons for sodomites

The following statement has been posted on the FPC Government and Morals Blog site and sent to the Press.

Policing and Crime Bill: Legislative Consent Motion

On the 28th November, the above titled motion was brought before the floor of the Northern Ireland Assembly. The motion stated –
That this Assembly endorses the principle of the extension to Northern Ireland of a number of provisions within the Policing and Crime Bill, by amendment at Lords Committee and Lords Report stage, in so far as they related to UK maritime enforcement powers; UK cross-jurisdictional arrest powers; anonymity for victims of forced marriage and pardons for convictions of certain abolished offences.

The final part of this motion included “pardons for convictions of certain abolished offences” and was an amendment that had been introduced to the Policing and Crime Bill at the committee stage in the House of Lords by Lord Sharkey of the Liberal Democrats. This amendment appears to have been fast-tracked through the Justice Committee to be presented before the Northern Ireland Assembly.

In light of this plan to posthumously pardon those convicted of homosexual offences the following statement was issued-

Statement from Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster on the Ashers Bakery Court Case

Though today’s ruling in the Belfast County Court against the Ashers Baking Company is hugely disappointing, it is hardly surprising. Over the course of many years the Parliaments and courtrooms of our nation have increasingly legislated for sin and against righteousness.

However even allowing for this ruinous trend does not help us to understand how a judge in Belfast can reach a verdict that rules in favour of the promotion of an activity – same-sex marriage – that, by four successive votes in our legislative Assembly, remains illegal in Northern Ireland.

In legal terms, this is a significant judgment because it militates against freedom of conscience and freedom of speech and effectively opens the door to other opportunists to bring an endless stream of expensive “discrimination” cases against a wide variety of businesses, both Christian and non-Christian. 

News from Free Presbyterian Missionary in Nepal

Rev. Wesley Graham is a missionary who visits Nepal under the Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster. He has worked there since 2006 seeing over 100 Churches commenced and the formation of the Free Presbyterian Church of Nepal.

Rev Graham gave an interview to the Free Presbyterian Church of North America Missionary News, recounting his experience during Saturday’s earthquake, and described conditions for himself, his wife, and the Nepalese church.

The Reformation Heritage KJV Study Bible justifies drinking alcohol

If Christians were to read the following statement justifying the drinking of alcohol, especially the words underlined, without knowing where they came from, I wonder what their first reaction would be? This is especially applicable to Free Presbyterians, who hold to a Temperance position on the consumption of alcohol.

The statement reads: Beware of the danger of drunkenness. We personally need to be very careful with strong drink. It is a stumbling block to many. Alcoholic drink is not wrong per se, but the Bible does clearly teach that drunkenness makes one unaware of what is happening. We must not misuse our bodies. Drunkennes is often linked to immorality and unseemly behavior. Therefore, respect the civil laws limiting alcohol consumption and guard yourself against ever becomimg intoxicated.

It will be hard for many to fathom that this kind of statement is found in 'The Reformation Heritage KJV Study Bible'. These words are located in conjunction with Genesis ch 9, dealing with Noah planting a vineyard, subsequently becoming drunk with the wine that was made, and then leaving himself vulnerable to Ham's sinful desires.

Protest Against Jesus Christ Superstar

 Last night [Monday 16th February 2015] a Free Presbyterian protest was held against Jesus Christ Superstar, which opened at the Grand Opera House, Belfast. A specially prepared F.P.C. leaflet [click here for an online version] highlighting the slanderous attack upon the person and work of Jesus Christ, contained in this 'rock opera', was distributed to people attending the first performance.

After the leaflets were distributed the group sang the hymn: I am not ashamed to own my Lord or to defend His cause and Rev. Raymond Robinson (Kesh FPC & Convenor of the FPC Government & Morals Committee) led in prayer. 

Presbytery Statement on the death of Dr Ian R K Paisley

STATEMENT ON THE DEATH OF DR. IAN R. K. PAISLEY 

FORMER MODERATOR OF THE GENERAL PRESBYTERY OF THE FREE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF ULSTER 

It is with deep sadness and regret that we have learned of the passing of Dr. Paisley, retired minister of our denomination and former moderator of the General Presbytery of the Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster.

We pay tribute to the many, many years of faithful Gospel ministry that Dr. Paisley exercised both in Northern Ireland and also farther afield. Under the hand of God, Dr. Paisley was mightily used of the Lord in the conversion of many to Jesus Christ. Throughout the Free Presbyterian Church at home and abroad and in various other Christian churches there are large numbers of people who recognise Dr. Paisley as the instrument God used to bring them to the Saviour.

We remember also the huge contribution that Dr. Paisley made to the foundation and formation of the Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster; and we salute his gifted leadership in his role as moderator of Presbytery over many decades.

We are grateful that through Dr. Paisley’s faithful and anointed preaching of God’s Word and the stand he took for Christ’s cause, the Spirit of God raised a Biblical witness against apostasy from Christ. And we thank the Lord that this witness for truth continues under the blessing of God to this day.

We publicly extend to his wife and family our sincere Christian sympathy on the home-going of their dear loved one. In their time of deepest loss, when their hearts are broken and grief-stricken, we assure them of our prayerful support. “…Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.” Isaiah 43:1-2.

On behalf of the General Presbytery of the Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster:
Rev. John Greer, Moderator 

Rev. Thomas Murray, Deputy-Moderator
Rev. Ian Brown, Clerk

New FPC Government & Morals Blog

The new Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster Government & Morals Blog site is up and running.

It is often the case that statements are released by the Denomination about these issues and they are not carried in the Press or Media. Here is an opportunity to access those statements.

Click on this link - Government and Morals Committee (Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster)

Special Week of Meetings In Newtownabbey FPC