Special Meetings in Newtownabbey Free Presbyterian Church

Archbishop of Canterbury - "Who cares" if someone becomes a Romanist! "It's just wonderful"!

The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, the man who follows in the line of Archbishop Cranmer, said recently he did not care if Church of England ministers left the Anglican Church to become Roman Catholic priests. Writing in the Spectator magazine this arch-apostate was dismissive of the number of clergy deserting the Church of England’s ranks.

When asked directly what he thought about ministers leaving, he responded with the words: Who cares? Elaborating further he stated: I don’t mind about all that. Particularly if people go to Rome, which is such a source of inspiration.

Quotable Quote - The deathbed thoughts of John Owen

On the day before the eminent John Owen was taken home to glory, 23rd August 1683, he wrote a letter to a very close friend Charles Fleetwood. The letter was dictated by John Owen and written down by his wife. It was the last letter he wrote. This letter contains the last preserved words of this mighty servant of the Lord. 

Dear Sir,
Although I am not able to write one word myself, yet I am very desirous to speak one more word to you in this world, and do it by the hand of my wife. The continuance of your entire kindness is not only greatly valued by me, but will be a refreshment to me, as it is, even in my dying hour.

I am going to Him whom my soul has loved, or rather who has loved me with an everlasting love, — which is the whole ground of all my consolation. The passage is very wearisome, through strong pains of various sorts, which are all issued in an intermittent fever.

Stats for January

Open Day of Prayer for Christian Schools

Rome's Counter-Reformation Tactics #6 Indoctrination - Baroque Art

Over the centuries, since 1517, Rome has employed many different tactics and strategies. Sometimes she has been like a ravenous wild beast devouring all before her. At other times she has been as subtle as the devil himself in administering the wine of her fornication to deceive gullible Protestants. All with the aim of destroying and reversing the Protestant Reformation.

Strategy Six - Indoctrination - Baroque Art.
Romanism decided at the time of the Council of Trent that the 'Arts' should be employed to combat the spread of Protestant truth. Included in the degrees of the Council of Trent were pronouncements on the use of the 'Arts' for religious purposes. After all, the Catholic Church was a leading 'Arts' patron across much of Europe. Areas where Catholicism predominated, such as, architecture and painting, and to a lesser extent music, would be used to reflect Counter-Reformation goals.

The 'Arts' it was degreed should therefore propagate the beliefs and practices of the Church. To the fore in this strategy were individuals such as Ignatius of Loyola, Teresa of Avila, John of the Cross, Francis de Sales and Philip Neri.

'Catholic Biblical Art' was therefore developed to highlight the theological differences between Roman Catholicism and Protestantism, by focusing on the mysteries of the faith, as well as the roles of the Virgin Mary and the Saints.

Remembering Dr Henry Cooke, Part two - His battle for a truly 'Christian', 'Bible based' education system (Second Part)

Dr Henry Cooke also battled for a thoroughly Christian, Bible based education for the children of Protestants during his ministry.

In 1824 Sir Robert Peel instigated the setting up of a Royal Commission on Education, and the subsequent Select Committees of the Lords and Commons to: inquire into the nature and extent of the instruction afforded by the several institutions established for the purposes of education, and to report as to the measures which can be adopted for extending generally to all classes of the people the benefits of education.

Henry Cooke and the Synod of Ulster opposed the recommendations which came from the Royal Commission. His opposition centred around the exclusion of the Bible from the system of education being proposed.

Remembering Dr Henry Cooke's battle for a Bible-based Education System & Protestant Unionism

Motto Text for 2019

Motto Text for 2019 is from 1 Timothy 4:7-9: …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.

Stats for 2018 [Tenth anniversary of the Blog]

Stats for December

Remembering Dr Henry Cooke, Part two - His battle for a truly 'Christian', 'Bible based' education system

Not so well known but nevertheless as important, is Dr Henry Cooke's battle for a thoroughly Christian, Bible based education for the children of Protestants.

Again, as in the battle for Trinitarianism Henry Cooke stepped forward and led from the front. He believed in the righteousness of his cause and would not accept anything less than that which honoured the Lord, His truth and that which would adequately safeguard the spiritual wellbeing of Protestant children.

Dr Henry Cooke’s Contending for a 'Bible based' education system

In 1824 when Henry Cooke was moderator of the Synod Sir Robert Peel instigated the setting up of a Royal Commission on Education, and the subsequent Select Committees of the Lords and Commons to: inquire into the nature and extent of the instruction afforded by the several institutions established for the purposes of education, and to report as to the measures which can be adopted for extending generally to all classes of the people the benefits of education.

Special Meetings 30th December 2018

Sermon - Remembering Dr Henry Cooke's battle for Trinitarianism against Arianism

Remembering Dr Henry Cooke, Part one - His Battle for Trinitarianism against Arianism

The day following the death of Dr Henry Cooke the Belfast Newsletter announced that ‘A Prince of the church had fallen’ and carried an obituary which extended over four and a half columns. Henry Cooke was indeed a 'prince' in the church of Jesus Christ. He unashamedly was a Protestant, a Presbyterian and a Protagonist.

Dr Henry Cooke's greatest battle for truth and righteousness was fought on the issue of the person of Jesus Christ. There can never be a more important issue which relates to the Gospel than the person of Jesus Christ.  

Henry Cooke’s Contending for Trinitarianism 

Henry Cooke is probably best known for the part he played in ridding the Synod of Ulster of the Arians. As a result of his stand for Trinitarianism the Arians were forced to leave and set up an alternative Synod, known as the 'Remonstance Synod' and latter still known as the Non-Subscribing Presbyterian Church in Ireland.

Special Meeting marking 150th anniversary of the death of Dr Henry Cooke

Remembering Dr Henry Cooke

Today, 13th December 2018, marks the 150th anniversary of the death of Dr Henry Cooke. Dr Cooke was the great Protestant, Presbyterian Protagonist in this part of Ireland for half a century.

It has been said of Dr Henry Cooke that for half a century his life was a large portion of the religious and public history of Ireland.

During his days of public ministry for the cause of Jesus Christ he stood against the Arians and defended the doctrine of the Trinity; he argued for a thoroughly Christian education to be provided the schools of his day and he was unapologetically a Protestant and a unionist.

Special Missionary Deputation Meeting

Special Missionary Deputation meeting with Miss Noreen McAfee, missionary to Uganda Wednesday 12th December 2018 in Newtownabbey Free Presbyterian Church at 8.00 pm.

Miss McAfee will speak and a film will be shown of her work in Uganda 

Stats for November

Special Meetings in Newtownabbey FPC this weekend

Special Missionary Deputation meeting by Miss Joanne Greer, missionary in Liberia
Sunday morning 24th November at 11.30 am
Joanne works with the Free Presbyterian Mission Church of Liberia, which is managed by the Mission Board of the Free Presbyterian Church of North America.

There are three small congregations, and she is also involved in women's and children's work with the two churches near Monrovia (Paynesville and Balla Creek).

Education Board Graduation Service

Sovereign Grace Advent Testimony Anniversary Meeting

We Will Remember Them

Coincidentally Remembrance Sunday this year will exactly mark the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I. It was at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918, that the armistice came into effect across the western front.

In a railway carriage, away from preying eyes, in a forest near the French city of Compiègne, north-east of Paris,  French, British, and German leaders had met and signed the armistice that officially ended the four year bloody conflict that claimed the lives of more than 16 million people.

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.

Fear God, Honour the King

At this time of the year when the sacrifice of those who fought and died, in the struggle against Fascism, Nazism and tyranny, is remembered J. Sidlow Baxter has some interesting and thought provoking comments to make upon the later part of 1 Peter 2:17. The whole verse reads: Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.

J. Sidlow Baxter highlights the fact that honouring the civil power must always go alongside fearing God. When patriotism is separated from the fear of God evils such as Fascism and Nazism result.

Conference

Stats for October

Halloween - Its Pagan Origin and Connection with Ireland

This is a re-post of a previous article on this Blog regarding Halloween which appeared in 2012. 

This is the outline of a sermon preached on the Pagan Origin of Halloween on 30th October 2005 in Newtownabbey Free Presbyterian Church. 

When thou art come into the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations, 
Deuteronomy 18:9. 

We are all aware of the type of celebration that goes on at this time of the year. People dress up in the most hideous clothes and masks, they have their lanterns, they go tricking and treating, they talk of ghosts, haunted houses and supernatural happenings and all things spooky.

Have we ever asked ourselves the question: where did this all come from?

An insight in the origin of halloween can easily be discovered when we remember that this festival is one of foremost important to the old pagan religion that sadly is still practised in society today. The Druids and those involved in witchcraft look upon the festival of Halloween as being of great importance.

Quotable Quote - R A Torrey

Men hope by the denial of God's existence to shield themselves from the discomfort of His acknowledged presence.

Reuben Archer Torrey was born in January 1856 and died in October 1928. He was an American evangelist, pastor, educator, and writer.

In 1889 R A Torrey joined D L Moody in his evangelistic work in Chicago and became superintendent of the Bible Institute of the Chicago Evangelisation Society.

Five years later, he became pastor of the Chicago Avenue Church in 1894.

The Unequal Conduct of the Equality Commission

The conduct of The Equality Commission for Northern Ireland has rightly been called into question in the wake of the victory at the Supreme Court for the Ashers Baking Co.

A number of unionist politicians have called for a review of the actions of The Equality Commission in the light of spending a vast amount of taxpayers' money on what was a wasted prosecution. See below.

Belfast Telegraph - Ashers: Call for review of Equality Commission funding - Foster praises McArthurs for 'grace and perseverance'

The unequal conduct of The Equality Commission has been highlighted in the ruling of two different courts in this case. Both the Court of Appeal and now the Supreme Court have both seen fit to make comment on the unequal conduct of The Equality Commission when ruling on the Ashers case. 

Response from The Christian Institute on Ashers Baking Company Victory

Click on image above to read the response of The Christian Institute to the landmark victory for the Ashers Baking Company at the UK's Supreme Court.

A Good Day for Truth and Righteousness!

 

Click on image to read article in Belfast Newsletter

The Ashers Baking Company have today learned that they have won their case at the United Kingdom's Supreme Court. This is a good day for truth and righteousness!

The McArthur family, who run the Bakery, had won their case in the court of public opinion a long time ago when they were first taken to court by the iniquitous Equality Commission in Northern Ireland. Now they have legally won their case in the highest court of the land. The five justices on the Supreme Court were unanimous in their judgement.

It is no surprise to hear the liberals in the media and elsewhere whine and complain about the ruling. This is a set back for their intolerant agenda and they are not happy. In their utopian world everyone would be compelled to express support for that which God says is wicked and contrary to nature.

Quotable Quote - C H Spurgeon on Secondary Separation

In a sermon entitled "NO COMPROMISE" preached, 130 years ago, at the Metropolitan Tabernacle on Lord's day morning 7th October 1888, C. H. Spurgeon stated the following about his own practice of 'secondary separation':

"That I might not stultify my testimony I have cut myself clear of those who err from the faith, and even from those who associate with them." 

Spurgeon's text that morning was the words of Genesis 24:5-8: And the servant said unto him, Peradventure the woman will not be willing to follow me unto this land: must I needs bring thy son again unto the land from whence thou camest? And Abraham said unto him, Beware thou that thou bring not my son thither again. The LORD God of heaven, which took me from my father’s house, and from the land of my kindred, and which spake unto me, and that sware unto me, saying, Unto thy seed will I give this land; he shall send his angel before thee, and thou shalt take a wife unto my son from thence. And if the woman will not be willing to follow thee, then thou shalt be clear from this my oath: only bring not my son thither again.

Harvest Thanksgiving Services

Stats for September

Special Meetings in Newtownabbey Free Presbyterian Church

Church History Anniversaries - 150th Anniversary of the Birth of Amy Carmichael

Amy Carmichael was born on 16th December 1867 in Millisle, Co-Down, Northern Ireland. She is best known for her labours in Belfast and also for her missionary endeavours, particularly in Dohnavur, southern India, which included an orphanage.

She served the Lord on various mission fields for 55 years without any furlough time at home. She died, aged 83, on 18th January 1951 in Dohnavur, India, where she had laboured for over 40 of those 55 years.

For the last 20 years, of that missionary service, she was an invalid, confined to her room in the orphanage she was instrumental in seeing built 30 years earlier (1901). It was in 1931 that she suffered what seemed a fairly minor accident. However, this accident ended up crippling her. Confined to her room for those 20 years she was not inactive. From bed of sickness she organised, counselled and wrote numerous books. She wrote between 30 to 40 books during her lifetime.

Here is the link to other church history anniversaries that have been commemorated over recent years. Sermonaudio - Newtownabbey Free Presbyterian Church - Church history anniversaries

Those who disagree with Transgender procedures within the Girl Guides are sacked

In a letter published today in the Belfast Newsletter Mr Callum Webster, the Northern Ireland officer for the Christian Institute, has outlined the fallout for those who disagree with the new transgender procedures recently adopted by the Girl Guides association. Those who disagree have been sacked!

This display of liberal intolerance is no surprise. Everyone must show tolerance towards all the perversions of the day and make accommodations for them. But when a Christian or someone else objects to these sinful practices then the real spirit among the socially liberal is displayed. It is a spirit of intolerance.

Helen Watts is one of the expelled volunteers. Her story was featured on the BBC News website recently - Girlguiding says girls not at risk from trans inclusion

In his letter Mr Webster responds to the claims of the Girl Guides leaders.

The lesson for girl guides? Shut up about transgender concerns 

Last year Girlguiding UK opted to let men can join as leaders – if they feel they have been born in the ‘wrong’ body. Likewise, boys who say they are girls could use female toilets, changing rooms, tents and showers. If this were not enough, in both instances the organisation advised leaders not to tell parents if their daughters would be affected.