British Values are Bible & Christian Values!

The response of the Westminster government to the Islamic 'Trogan horse' scandal of schools in Birmingham, is to require that 'British values' are promoted in all schools. But this surely begs the question: what are 'British values'? Much discussion has ensued about the subject and the definition. Surely there is an argument for saying that British values must be Christian and Bible based values. The Government are doing their best to define 'British values' without any reference to the Bible or to our Protestant heritage and history. They will struggle to do so!

Sixmilewater Revival - Ulster's Forgotten Revival

It has been classed as Ulster's forgotten Revival. It took place in 1625 along the Sixmilewater valley is south Antrim. The valley of the Sixmilewater runs from Larne, the river rising about four miles south west of Larne and passes through Ballynure, Ballyclare, Doagh, Templepatrick and Antrim into Lough Neagh.

Click on the picture of the Sixmilewater to watch a DVD about the Revival compiled by Mr Robert Campbell.

Is believing and teaching Creationism* Scientific? Part 2

*By Creationism we mean the belief in a literal six day creation of the world.

Here are two further reasons why believing and teaching Creationism is scientific [For Part One click here]:

3. Creationism is as scientific as evolution and we believe much more so. The belief in creationism and the belief in evolution stand upon similar foundations. To a considerable degree they are faith based beliefs.

If we think that this is not true about evolution then observe some words which appear in the introduction to one edition of Darwin's Origin of Species:

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. [Found on page xi of the Introduction to an edition of The Origin of Species, by Charles Darwin, published in 1971 by J.M. Dent & Sons]

Is believing and teaching Creationism* Scientific?

*By Creationism we mean the belief in a literal six day creation of the world. 

The evolutionist will emphatically say no. Belief in Creationism could never be equated with science, they say. The claim is often made that all scientists believe in evolution. For this reason the teaching of evolution must alone be permitted to enter the Science classroom. The study of Creationism is banished from the Science classroom and found only in the Religious Studies classroom.

Consider some salient facts:
I. Evolution simply doesn't have all the science on its side. That is a false claim they make!
There are eminent, present day, scientists who believe in a literal six day creation. A book entitled "In Six Days" was in recent years researched and published containing the views of 50 scientists who were asked to give their personal response to the question: "Why do you believe in a literal six-day biblical creation as the origin of life on earth?"

These 50 modern day scientists have all earned a Doctorate from a state-recognised university in the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, Canada, South Africa, or Germany. These 50 scientists come from a variety of backgrounds. They include university professors and researchers, geologists, zoologists, biologists, botanists, physicists, chemists, mathematicians, medical researchers, and engineers.

Quotable Quote

Evangeline Booth, the daughter of William Booth, the founder of the Salvation Army, once said that intoxicating liquor:
Has drained more blood,
Hung more crepe,
Sold more houses,
Plunged more people into bankruptcy,
Armed more villains,
Slain more children,
Snapped more wedding rings,
Defiled more innocence,

The Destruction of Antichrist

A sermon preached at the March Sovereign Grace Advent Testimony Meeting

Church History Anniversaries 2014

Pre-Reformation Times

1950th Anniversary

July 64 AD - The Roman Emperor Nero initiated a persecuting reign of state terror against the early Christian New Testament Church, whose members he executed with sadistic tortures.  

600th Anniversary

November 1414 - The Council of Constance convened in Germany. Before it closed, it ended the Great Schism by deposing three rival popes, executed reformers John Huss and Jerome of Prague, and condemned the teachings of the English reformer John Wycliffe.

Modesty of Behaviour and Dress

A sermon preached in Crossgar Free Presbyterian Church as part of their Foundations Conference

Stats for May

Let Evangelical Protestants be Evangelical Protestants

Pastor James McConnell of the Metropolitan Tabernacle in Belfast has gone and done it. He declared in a sermon that: “Islam is heathen, Islam is satanic, Islam is a doctrine spawned in hell”. Golly. Not since the Rev Ian Paisley got the boot into the pope as Old Redsocks and indeed as the Scarlet Woman herself have we heard anything quite so robust in the way of religious rhetoric. (Oddly enough, there was something almost lyrical about it; he had lovely cadences.) But the anti-popery tradition is 

precisely the context these remarks should be seen in. 

Evangelical Protestantism has a thing about false prophets; it also has a thing about telling it like it is. For most of its history it self-defined against Catholicism; Islam is just being judged by the same austere criteria of whether it accepts Jesus as a personal Lord and saviour…and I think it’s fair to say that it doesn’t.

To read the rest of the article click here - The Spectator

A ridiculous outburst by Anna Lo and her cohorts

The media are conducting a witch-hunt in Ulster in the wake of the comments made by Pastor James McConnell about Islam and certain aspects of Muslim behaviour.

It has become evident that there are those who believe that no criticism can be mounted against members of a minority community, irrespective of the conduct of some members of that community.

First Minister, Peter Robinson, came out in support of Pastor McConnell but then back-pedalled when the media raised a storm. Among those who were roped in by the media to support their cause was that pillar of democratic rectitude, George Galloway. He was the man who publicly backed Saddam Hussein!!

To read the rest of the article click - The Burning Bush - Online article archive

Why no similar outcry when the Bible was recently mocked and Christians offended?

Recent days have witnessed an outpouring of condemnation directed towards Pastor James McConnell, minister of the Metropolitan Tabernacle in Belfast, over his comments in a sermon about Islam. We have had the 'former' IRA commander and Joint First Minister, Martin McGuinness, along with the moderator of the ecumenical Presbyterian Church in Ireland, Rev Dr Rob Craig, voicing their opposition. An assortment of others from the secular and ecumenical classes, including Alliance's East Belfast MP Naomi Long; MLAs Anna Lo, Alex Attwood, John O'Dowd and Danny Kinahan; Shadow Northern Ireland Secretary, Ivan Lewis, Northern Ireland Secretary, Theresa Villiers and Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs, Eamon Gilmore, have all come out to join in the chorus of condemnation as they castigate Pastor McConnell for his comments. When you have these types of individuals arrayed against you, what you say must indeed be the truth. A man is known by those who oppose him, as much as by his friends!

However, it is worth remembering that when the Bible was mocked and ridiculed a few months back in The Theatre at the Mill in Newtownabbey [For details click here] no such outpourings of condemnation were forthcoming from these individuals and their respective constituencies. At best, they stood by and were quite happy for the Bible to be mocked, without raising a single word of opposition. At worst, they insisted that the play must go ahead and the production must be allowed to mock the Bible in the name of free speech, civil liberties and a pluralist society.

Opposing Islam

Burning Bush Website - Speaking out against Islam and annoying its allies and sympathisers

A Sinister Development for Home Educators in Northern Ireland

There is presently a consultation running in all five Education & Library Boards in Northern Ireland regarding the issue of Home Education.

Presently it is any parent's legal right to educate their child[ren] outside the state system of education. This legal right permits independent schools to exist, such the Free Presbyterian schools, or a parent may desire to educate their child[ren] at home. The relevant legislation is to be found in section 45 of the: Education and Libraries Northern Ireland Order 1986 SI 1986/594: 
Duties of parents to secure full-time education for their children
45. (1) The parent of every child of compulsory school age shall cause him to receive efficient full-time education suitable to his age, ability and aptitude and to any special educational needs he may have, either by regular attendance at school or otherwise.
(2) The provisions of Schedule 13 shall apply to the enforcement of the provisions of paragraph (1) and a parent who contravenes the provisions of that Schedule shall be guilty of an offence and liable to the penalties provided by paragraph 4 of that Schedule.

Where a local Education & Library Board believes that they have evidence that this is not happening they can intervene using Schedule 13 Enforcement of duty imposed by article 45.

The Corruption and Perversion of Justice in Northern Ireland

The BBC, and other news agencies, are reporting that 95 of 228 republicans who have received the controversial comfort letters from the government have been linked to a staggering 295 murders associated with the Troubles in Northern Ireland. 

These comfort letters informed these republican terrorists that they were no longer wanted for terrorist crimes committed before the 1998 Good Friday Agreement. Some of these 95 individuals are described as being 'notorious', which means that they are known to the public. Read more here

This disturbing fact, revealed today by the Police Service of Northern Ireland, would suggest that some of them are politicians, possibly even sitting in government at Stormont! We are ruled over the by those who are grossly wicked. Sadly many, without an ounce of conviction or concern, love to have it so. 

Stats for April

What is wrong with the New King James Version of the Bible?

This is a synopsis of a sermon preached in Newtownabbey Free Presbyterian Church in March 2010

2 Corinthians 2 v 17: For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ. 

One of the many strategies that the devil employs against the Lord and His truth is his attempt to corrupt the Word of God. It has always been the devil’s desire to corrupt God's truth. When he tempted Eve we see that strategy in operation:
[1] He first cast 'doubt' on the Word of God: Yea hath God said Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? Genesis 3:1;
[2] Next he 'contradicted' the Word of God: Ye shall not surely die, v4;
[3] He then 'denied' the Word of God: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil, v5.

The devil has never left off that mode of operating against the truth of God. Sadly, when viewed from a purely human perspective it has to be acknowledged that his strategy seems quite successful. A corrupt Bible can do a great deal of harm and there are many of them about today!

In modern times this strategy of the devil is carried forward by the plethora of corrupt versions of the Scriptures which appear on the market. Which version of the Scriptures we use is important. We do not want to be deceived by the devil and use a corrupt Bible. 

What is wrong with the English Standard Version?

This is a re-posting of the synopsis of a sermon preached back in May 2011 on the subject of the English Standard Version, which so many evangelicals so dearly seem to love. The audio of 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 in 2001. Since that time it has become quite a favourite among professing evangelicals, particularly among those of a Reformed persuasion, who wish for a variety of reasons to reject the Authorised Version.

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.

Freshly documented departure by Dr. Joel Beeke

Dr Joel Beeke has in the past associated with those whom he should not and has also failed to stand by comments made about so called Christian 'Rap' music and musicians.

Added to these are books which are being sold by his publishing outlet known as Reformation Heritage Books which promote erroneous versions of the Scriptures such as the New International Version [NIV] and the English Standard Version [ESV].

See here - Pastor Joel Beeke, through Reformation Heritage Books, Promoting Modern Bible Translations, Corrupt Teachers, and the United Bible Societies.

This is what the Trinitarian Bible Society has to say about these corrupt versions:
The English Standard Version

New International Version: What today's Christian needs to know about the NIV

A Contradiction in Terms

Ed Milliband, the British Labour Party leader, has described himself as a "Jewish Atheist'. On a recent visit to Jerusalem he professed that he does not believe in God, but that he does still have ‘faith’. He said: "I have a particular faith. I describe myself as a Jewish atheist. I’m Jewish by birth origin and it’s a part of who I am. I don’t believe in God, but I think faith is a really, really important thing to a lot of people. It provides nourishment for lots of people".

According to him this faith is perfectly compatible with being an atheist and gives him hope that he can ‘change the world’. He would be the first Jewish prime minister if he were to win the next election.

To describe himself as a "Jewish atheist" is a contradiction in terms. An anecdote is related by Dr Robert Steele, in his Exposition of the Shorter Catechism, of an ancient Prince who once asked his Chaplain to give him some clear evidence of the truth of Christianity in a few words. The Chaplain replied in four words, "The Jews, your Majesty!"

The philosophies of world religions

Read this today in J. Sidlow Baxter's, Awake, My Heart:

The distinctive messages of the world's various religions and philosophies have been epitomised as follows:
Greece said: Be wise, know yourself;
Rome said: Be strong; acquit yourself;
Confucianism says: Be superior, correct yourself;
Shintoism says: Be loyal, suppress yourself;
Buddhism says: Be disillusioned, annihilate yourself;
Hinduism says: Be absorbed, merge yourself;
Mohammedanism says: Be submissive, yield yourself;
Judaism says: Be holy, conform yourself;
Psychology says: Be self-confident, fulfil yourself;
Materialism says: Be acquisitive, enjoy yourself;
Communism says: Be collective, secure yourself;
But in characteristic contrast to all these Christianity says: Be Christlike, give yourself for others.

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)

Failure to oppose a papal visit is a cowardly betrayal of Protestantism

It is reported on the BBC website that unionist members of Belfast City Council have abstained on whether to invite the pope to Belfast. See here. Part of the report reads:
DUP councillor Lee Reynolds said the motion presented by the SDLP "was essentially an election stunt and it wasn't a game we were willing to play". "They were wanting an insult and we weren't going to give them that, so we chose the path of abstention."

Ulster Unionist councillor Jim Rodgers, who had previously spoken out against issuing an invitation to the Pope, said he had decided to abstain after "giving the issue a lot of thought".

"I am concerned at the likelihood of trouble on our streets ... and I don't want any religious or civic leader coming here to find themselves offended and see violence on a large scale," he said.

Belfast Newsletter - Robinson: if safe, Pope can visit

Failure to oppose such an invitation is a cowardly betrayal of Protestantism. This is politics without principle! Are they ashamed of being Protestants? Is it a fear of scorn by the religious and secular liberals that makes them abstain? Is it base political calculation that is at work? Or has the rot of ecumenism infected these politicans so much that they meekly refuse to stand up for truth and righteousness? It could be all these and more!

Stats for March

Errors of the Charismatic/Pentecostal Movement Part 5

These posts stem from a series of fifteen studies conducted, in our Youth Fellowship meetings, at the request of the young people who attend, dealing with the errors of the Charismatic/Pentecostal Movement

Study 1 - Introduction

Study 2 - The Infilling of the Spirit

Study 3 - The Purpose of New Testament Supernatural Gifts

Study 4 - The Cessation of New Testament Supernatural Gifts - Part One

Study Five - The Cessation of New Testament supernatural gifts - Part two

Last time we considered some of the Scriptural arguments supporting the cessation of the New Testament supernatural gifts.

1. Scripture teaches the cessation of these gifts [cont'd]. A further truth taught in Scripture about the cessation of these gifts is -

5. These gifts were for a time when new revelation was being given. The Apostles were the channels through which the Lord would give further revelation unto His Church. God has worked in this fashion throughout history. When there was a change to the existing order of things, and a new advance was to be made, then the Lord accompanied that new form of revelation with signs and wonders.

Ken Ham: The Unbiblical ‘Noah’ Is a Fable of a Film

Leading creationist Ken Ham, who recently debated Bill Nye, says that the new blockbuster, starring Russell Crowe, is an insult to Christians: "Ultimately, there is barely a hint of biblical fidelity in this film. It is an unbiblical, pagan film from its start.

To read the rest of Ken Ham's review please click here

It's Worth Remembering - Sin has no Rights!

The Office of First Minister and Deputy First Minister [OFMDFM] have announced a Sexual Orientation Strategy consultation which is set to begin next week and is designed to run for 12 weeks. For further information see here. 

It is worth stating that according to the Word of God sin has no rights. None at all! In fact the opposite is the case. Sin is to be punished and at times the perpetrator to be shunned and avoided. Sadly, this rule is applied in an ever diminishing number of cases. Even murderers are now welcomed into government with open arms in our society!

There are basic human rights that are common to all mankind. For example, the right to life; the right to fair and equal treatment before the law; the right of religious freedom and expression; innocent until proven guilty is another fundamental right; there are civil freedoms which are basic rights. These are just a few of the most obvious 'rights' that a human being is entitled to. 

Stats for February

A Grubby Peace built upon Grubby Deals

Peace at any price, and peace without justice, isn't worth having. Sadly, peace at any price, and peace without justice, is what the people of Northern Ireland have had served up to them for the last decade and more. Sadder still is the fact that many in Ulster love to have it so.

The revelation that a sordid litany of amnesty deals have been agreed with IRA terrorists so that they can escape prosecution for their vile crimes is the latest revelation to surface to indicate the squalid nature of the 'Peace' that presently exists in Northern Ireland. See here.

What makes it all the more nauseating is that IRA/SinnFein, and their ilk, have been lobbying vociferously to have soldiers and policemen held accountable for their actions in lawfully combating terrorists during the Troubles. It is little wonder they can't keep the smirk off their face as they chuckle their way through government. 

Any peace process that involves buying off the terrorist; the subsequent elevation of these same terrorists to high government office and all the other concessions to the perpetrators of terror is immoral, unethical and unscriptural. Those who have long argued this to be the case are justified with every passing day in opposing what passes for government at Stormont.

Sunday Football

It was back in September 2013 that the possibly of international Sunday football was first mentioned. See here. UEFA, the European football governing body, indicated that they were taking control of arranging the fixtures of their qualifying competition rather than the countries themselves. This was part of UEFA's plans to maximise television revenue and exposure for the tournament. That change would inevitably bring about the situation where Northern Ireland would end up playing a home international fixture on the Lord's day.

For decades Sunday football was not allowed to be played in Northern Ireland at all. It was six years ago that the Irish Football Association decided to change that rule allowing teams to play on the Sabbath day. A few Irish League sides have done so, but not the international team.

Sabbath observance has been sacrificed once again on the altar of commercial advantage. This is the new god that is worshipped today!

Studies in the Westminster Confession of Faith - Chapter One - Part 7

Once a month since September 2010 at our midweek prayer meeting & Bible study we have been studying the Westminster Confession of Faith. This and subsequent posts DV overtime on the Blog will contain the notes which were handed out on each occasion. An audio recording of this study can be listened to on the Church's SermonAudio page - click here

Part Seven - Chapter One continued
We are coming to consider section 8 of the opening chapter of the Westminster Confession of Faith. It reads:
The Old Testament in Hebrew (which was the native language of the people of God of old), and the New Testament in Greek (which at the time of the writing of it was most generally known to the nations), being immediately inspired by God, and by His singular care and providence kept pure in all ages, are therefore authentical; so as, in all controversies of religion, the Church is finally to appeal unto them. But, because these original tongues are not known to all the people of God, who have right unto, and interest in the Scriptures, and are commanded, in the fear of God, to read and search them, therefore they are to be translated into the vulgar language of every nation unto which they come, that the Word of God dwelling plentifully in all, they may worship Him in an acceptable manner; and, through patience and comfort of the Scriptures, may have hope.
Proof Texts: Matthew 5:18; Isaiah 8:20; Acts 15:15; John 5:39, 46; 1 Corinthians 14:6,9,11,12,24,27,28; Colossians 3:16; Romans 15:4.

This eighth section of chapter one teaches:
1. The originals sacred text has come down to us in a state of essential purity.
2. The original Scriptures are the final court of appeal in all controversies of religion.
3. That the Scriptures should be translated into the common language of all people.

Errors of the Charismatic/Pentecostal Movement Part 4

These posts stem from a series of fifteen studies conducted, in our Youth Fellowship meetings, at the request of the young people who attend, dealing with the errors of the Charismatic/Pentecostal Movement

Study 1 - Introduction

Study 2 - The Infilling of the Spirit

Study 3 - The Purpose of New Testament Supernatural Gifts

Study Four - The Cessation of New Testament Supernatural Gifts - Part one

While no one can deny that these supernatural gifts existed in the early New Testament Church, it is also undeniable that the Scriptures clearly teach that these gifts were to cease. Church history also clearly illustrates this to be the case.

1. Scripture teaches the cessation of these gifts. It is important to examine both the usage of these gifts in the Scriptures and the teaching of the Scriptures as to their future use.

[1] The dispersal of these gifts was limited to the Apostles and their immediate successors. The evidence of Scripture clearly points to the ability to perform these gifts being limited to the Apostles, their immediate successors or associates. Furthermore, while some of the successors/associates of the Apostles were able to exercise some of these gifts, they were not able to bestow their use upon others.

Philip is a classic example of this when preaching in Samaria. His preaching, and the exercise of these gifts, was met with considerable success, Acts 8:5-8: Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them. And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed. And there was great joy in that city.

1859 Revival Series - No 6: The Heritage of the Revival

This is an outline of a series of sermons preached, one per month, January - June 2009, marking the 150th Anniversary of the 1859 Revival in Ulster

Previous posts:

No 1: The Need of the Revival

No 2: The Origin of the Revival

No 3: The Spread of the Revival

No 4: The Features of the Revival

No 5: The Impact of the Revival

Psalm 16:6: The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage.

The last subject we want to consider in remembering the mighty moving of God in 1859 is that of the Heritage or the Legacy of the Revival. Any work which is really of God will stand the test of time. If the Revival was all of the flesh, and not of God, then it would disappear as darkness does before the rising sun.

I believe we can see many evidences that the Revival was indeed of God and that its effects did last. No work of God continues for ever. God moves at a particular time and revives His cause and over time the decline sets in once again and there is need for the Lord to revive once again. That is why we read of the Psalmist praying: Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee? Psalm 85:6.

Errors of the Charismatic/Pentecostal Movement Part 3

These posts stem from a series of fifteen studies conducted, in our Youth Fellowship meetings, at the request of the young people who attend, dealing with the errors of the Charismatic/Pentecostal Movement

Study 1 - Introduction

Study 2 - The Infilling of the Spirit

Study Three - The Purpose of New Testament Supernatural Gifts

Supernatural gifts most certainly did exist in the early New Testament church, in the days of the Apostles. These gifts are outlined for us in Mark 16:17,18; 1 Corinthians 12:8-10; Acts 9:40. They include the nine gifts mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12:8-10 which are sometimes sub-divided into 3 classes -

1. The three Gifts of the Mind or Revelation:
• The word of wisdom.
• The word of knowledge.
• The discernment of the spirits.

Sermon

Northern Ireland's Attorney General dismayed by Supreme Court’s sodomite B&B decision

The Attorney General for Northern Ireland, Mr John Larkin has criticised the United Kingdom’s Supreme Court for finding against Peter and Hazelmary Bull who refused to rent a double room to a sodomite couple.

Mr Larkin said that November’s decision by the Supreme Court seemed to leave such Christians with the option of either leaving business or "being complicit in what the Christian must regard as deeply sinful".

To read full report on his comments click - Belfast Newsletter - Attorney General dismayed by top court’s gay B&B ruling

Stats for January