Gay Conversion Therapy or God's Conversion Truth

The Darkest of Dark Weeks

In July 2019 this excuse for an United Kingdom Parliament passed the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation etc) Act 2019, which received Royal Assent on 24th July 2019. The premise for its introduction was to give more time for the Northern Ireland political parties to agree to return to government and establish the Northern Ireland Executive.

However the legislation was hijacked by the liberal opponents of decency and morality. Amendments were tabled and adopted which required two pieces of wicked legislation to be foisted upon Northern Ireland if the Northern Ireland Executive was not restored by 21st October 2019. 

The Act required that the following regulations be introduced:

• To extend same sex marriage and opposite sex civil partnerships to Northern Ireland by 13 January 2020 (s8);
• To give effect to recommendations set out in the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) report in respect of lawful access to abortion services by 31 March 2020 (s9);
• To introduce a system of victims payments (a “victims pension”) in Northern Ireland made by the end of January 2020 to be in force by the end of May 2020 (s10)

Abortion

With immediate changes from 22nd October 2019 sections 58 and 59 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861 have been repealed. This means that no criminal charges can be brought under that Act against women who terminate the life of an unborn child or against health care professionals, or others, who provide and assist in terminating the life of an unborn child. Any investigations or prosecutions under this law that were underway have been stopped. Guidance for healthcare workers was published on 7th October 2019.

Christian School Prize Giving

Stats for September

30th Anniversary of Opening of Church Building

The 2nd September marked 30 years since the opening of the present church building. This is the recording of the opening service that Saturday afternoon.

Stats for August

30th Anniversary Services

Quotable Quote - Augustine

If open punishment were now inflicted for every sin it would be supposed that nothing would be reserved till the last judgment.

Again, if God now did not openly punish any sin it would be presumed that there was no divine providence.

Stats for July

Quotable Quote from John Calvin on wicked rulers

Stats for June

What is it about Sodomy & 'Pride'?

The month of June has been designated by the sodomite movement as 'Pride Month'. June is supposedly chosen to commemorate the Stonewall riots, which occurred at the end of June 1969. As a result, many 'pride' events are held during this month to promote and further the sodomite agenda. 

However, what is it about Sodomy & 'Pride'? The two terms are well placed side by side. Interestingly the Word of God, which is ever up-to-date, informs us that the sin of pride was prevalent among the sodomites in Sodom, cf. Ezekiel 16:49&56: Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fulness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy; For thy sister Sodom was not mentioned by thy mouth in the day of thy pride.

The Bible has the following to say about 'Pride':

1. 'Pride' is the mark of having no thought of God, cf. Psalm 10:4: The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts.

2. 'Pride' in the heart is deceiving, cf.  Obadiah verse 3: The pride of thine heart hath deceived thee, thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, whose habitation is high; that saith in his heart, Who shall bring me down to the ground?

3. 'Pride' leads to a downfall, cf. Proverbs 16:18: Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.

4. 'Pride' is not of God, cf. 1 John 2:16: 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.

5. We are commanded to hate all sin including the sin of 'pride', cf. Proverbs 8:13: The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.

Talk about being condemned out of your own mouth!!!

John Piper in Belfast - Beware of his false teaching on Justification by Faith Alone!

This coming Friday & Saturday, 14th & 15th June 2019, there is a Conference and Concert taking place at Assembly Buildings, Belfast. It seems to be sponsored by 'New Irish Arts' and 'Getty Music'.

The Special Guest announced for this event is John Piper. According to his own bio on his website John Piper is founder and teacher of desiringGod.org and chancellor of Bethlehem College & Seminary. For 33 years, he served as pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church, Minneapolis, Minnesota. He is author of more than 50 books, including Desiring God: Meditations of a Christian Hedonist and most recently Why I Love the Apostle Paul: 30 Reasons.

John Piper is also known for Scriptural and doctrinal views that anyone who loves the truth of the Bible should be concerned about, especially the great Reformation doctrine of Justification by Faith Alone.

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.

Letter sent to Newtownabbey Times regarding the selection of a sodomite candidate to stand in the local elections

Dear Editor
Now that the dust has settled on the recent elections, and on what appears to be the DUP’s attempt to test the waters, it is important to restate that sexuality is always a matter of choice according to the inclination of the human heart. Sinful choices, therefore, consequently flow from a sinful heart. To argue ‘I was born this way’ is in reality an admission of sinful depravity.

Sadly, the human heart is “deceitful above all things and desperately wicked,” cf. Jeremiah 17:9. The sin of sodomy is one of those sins which flows from a deceitful and desperately wicked heart.

This same sin is further described in Holy Scripture as an ‘abomination’, cf. Leviticus 18:22; 'uncleanness’, ‘dishonourable’ ‘vile affections’, ‘against nature’ and ‘unseemly’, cf. Romans 1:24,26,27. The Bible uses the strongest of language against this sin.

Stats for May

Stats for April

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).

Stats for March

March of Witness Around Rathcoole Estate - Film Clip

Open-air & March of Witness around Rathcoole

First Open-air near to the Diamond and Dunnaney Centre

Gospel Mission in Rathcoole

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.

Re-Post: The Unscripturalness of Observing Lent

Titus 3 v 5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost. 

Today is the beginning of Lent. Much reference is made to this observance. Sadly many Protestants are more and more being taken up with this religion of works.

I. The Definition of Lent. 

Lent is the 40 day period before Easter, excluding Sundays, it begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Holy Saturday, the day before Easter Sunday. This year, 2019, Lent begins on 6th March and will end on 20th April.

Sundays are excluded because this is the day on which Christ arose from the dead, making it an inappropriate day to supposedly fast and mourn over sin. On Sunday we must celebrate Christ's resurrection for our salvation. It is Friday on which we commemorate His death for our sins. The Sundays of the year are days of celebration and the Fridays of the year are days of penance.

A Lady Sold By Auction Or, The Three Bidders for the Soul

This is a poem written about an incident in the Life of the English preacher Rowland Hill. To read a short biography of Rowland Hill see here.

Will you listen, kind friends, for a moment,
While a story I unfold;
A marvellous tale of a wonderful sale
Of a noble lady of old:
How hand and heart at an auction mart,
And soul and body, she was sold.

'Twas in the broad king's highway,
Near a century ago,
That a preacher stood, though of noble blood,
Telling the fallen and low
Of a Saviour's love and a home above,
And a peace that they all might know.

All crowded round to listen;
And they wept at the wondrous love,
That could wash their sin, and receive them in
His spotless mansions above:
While slow through the crowd, a lady proud,
Her gilded chariot drove.

Honouring God in all things - A Differing Contrast in conduct between Jacob Stockdale and members of The Kilkeel Hockey Club.

Two recent articles in the Belfast Telegraph highlighted contrasting views towards the issue of honouring the Lord in every area of life.

The first is contained in an interview with Ulster and Ireland rugby player Jacob Stockdale. The interview first appeared in the February 2019 edition of the Presbyterian Herald magazine and was subsequently reported in the Belfast Telegraph. See here. 

Jacob Stockdale professes to be a Christian and has stated that being a Christian in the rugby world can be tricky, adding that he feels the biggest challenge to his faith is the perceived culture.

Further quotes from the interview are: There is a very small percentage of people who have any sort of Christian faith within the rugby world and that can be a tough challenge.

It's a challenge that I don't always get right; sometimes I can get into fights on the pitch and do things that probably don't point towards me being a Christian, so the challenge is trying to get it right more times than I get it wrong.

Stats for February

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.