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-

Orange Order elects a Grand Secretary who wants permission for Orangemen to attend the Mass

The Orange Order has elected Irish Presbyterian minister Rev Mervyn Gibson to serve as the Grand Secretary of the Orange Order.

This is in spite of, or maybe because of, his recent comments where he expressed a desire that members of the Orange Order would be allowed to attend The Mass without the threat of discipline.

Forbidden attendance

At present the Orange Order has a rule that forbids members to attend or take part in a Roman Catholic Mass. This rule is seldom applied as evidenced when the then Ulster Unionist Party leader Tom Elliott and the then Regional Development Minister Danny Kennedy were not disciplined for attending the funeral of a murdered Roman Catholic PSNI officer, although a complaint was made against them.

Rev Gibson when questioned, in an interview, about his own personal opinion of the rule stated that he would like to see the rule go.

His justification for doing so is that he believes his faith is strong enough to be permitted to attend the Mass.

No Pope Here! Why? #4 The cost to Taxpayers

A papal visit always incur a considerable cost to the public purse and ultimately to taxpayers. The Pope may claim empathy with the poor, and engage in pretended acts of sympathy and compassion, but the reality is somewhat different.

By claiming to be a 'Head of State' a papal visit to another country is regularly deemed an official state visit. It is only visiting 'Heads of State' who can be given such a honour. Not all visits by Heads of State are given the honour of a State visit. Some are deemed unworthy of such an honour, either because of political sensitivities or insignificance. Some visits by Heads of State are deemed an 'Official Visit', or a 'Working Visit', or a 'Private Visit'.

It is one of the old papal claims that the Pope is a monarch of great honour, who rules over all other monarchs and presidents. He is also Head of State of the Vatican. He deems himself to be worthy of a state visit. 

By recognising the claims of the Pope and affording him a state visit, the government of the day would normally cover the cost of that visit.

Will that happen in Northern Ireland? Will taxpayers have to pay for the Pope to visit Northern Ireland? If so, then how much will it cost and who is going to pay? Will Rome, or the Roman Catholic Church, cover the costs of such a visit?

No Pope Here! Why? #3 The Memory of the Martyrs.

History furnishes abundant proof of the crimes committed against those who would not bow the knee to the Pope and his Church. The memory of the martyrs would compel us to resist a papal visit.

The Papacy is the institution that has put an untold number of martyrs to death. Rome hasn’t changed one iota. She would do the same today if she could get away with it. Therefore we continue to resist the Pope’s claims and say No Pope here.

The Protestant Echo, away back in July 1903 reckoned that since the rise of the Papacy 50,000,000 people had been put to death in various ways for their religion by the end of the 19th century.

Many of the most horrendous crimes against humanity have been committed by the Church of Rome throughout the history of her existence. Her persecution of Protestants and other 'heretics' is the inevitable result of her belief in the absolute power and infallibility of the Pope. Persecution is the natural outgrowth of these Papal dogmas.

Rome has a long history of terror in our own nation. There were hundreds of Protestant martyrs who lost their lives at the hand of popish rulers in this United Kingdom. There are scores of martyrs sites all over England.

The shameful evidence of standing on the other side

Last Monday in Stormont politicians, including a number of professing Christians, and Free Presbyterians, refused to support Mr Jim Allister in his motion to stop the posthumous pardon for sodomites.

Here is the physical evidence of their refusal to offer any support. These are still frames taken from the film footage of the debate. They show Mr Allister standing at the front of the Assembly waiting for someone to come forward to act as a second 'Teller' so that a vote can take place.

Mr Allister stands for two and an half minutes waiting for another MLA to come forward. Numerous MLAs can be seen sitting on the unionist side of the chamber refusing to show any support for the motion.

Photo 1 - Mr Allister waiting at the front of the Assembly on another MLA to act as a 'Teller' so that his motion can be voted on. 

Photo 2 - MLAs at Stormont as Mr Allister waited for two and an half minutes

No Pope Here! Why? #2 The Act of Settlement

Any proposed visit by the Pope is to be opposed on constitutional grounds. The Act of Settlement underpins the British Constitution and safeguards the British throne from ever being influenced by Roman Catholicism again.

The Act of Settlement was passed in 1701. It came into being at the end of the reign of King William III, when his successor to the throne, Anne, had lost her only surviving child. It was felt expedient by Parliament, at that time, to bring into law a requirement that only Protestants, in communion with the Church of England, should be allowed on the throne.

What the Church of Ireland; the Presbyterian Church in Ireland & the Methodist church in Ireland's confessional creeds say about the Pope.

1. Westminster Confession of Faith - the confessional creed of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland:
CHAPTER 23 - Of the Civil Magistrate section 4: It is the duty of people to pray for magistrates, to honour their persons, to pay them tribute and other dues, to obey their lawful commands, and to be subject to their authority, for conscience' sake. Infidelity, or difference in religion, doth not make void the magistrates' just and legal authority, nor free the people from their due obedience to them: from which ecclesiastical persons are not exempted; much less hath the Pope any power and jurisdiction over them in their dominions, or over any of their people; and, least of all, to deprive them of their dominions, or lives, if he shall judge them to be heretics, or upon any other pretence whatsoever.

No Pope Here! Why? #1 His Blasphemous Claims

The reasons for opposing a visit by the Roman antichrist are numerous. One reason is the many blasphemous statements made by the Pope of Rome. History is replete with the statements made by different Popes or else made by other Romanists about the Papacy. They have never been shy in stating their claims. Rome might be a little embarrassed in modern times about the antics of her priests, bishops and Popes but these claims have never been denied or disowned.

For example:
Cardinal Manning in a sermon in the Pro Cathedral, Kensington, and reported in the Tablet [weekly Catholic newspaper] 9th October 1864 said: [speaking in the name of the Pope]
I acknowledge no civil superior, I am the subject of no prince, and I claim more than this, I claim to be the supreme judge on earth and director of the consciences of men, I am the last supreme judge of what is right and wrong.

Stats for November

Shameful Silence by DUP Politicians at Stormont on Retrospective Pardons for Sodomites

In the day that thou stoodest on the other side… 
Obadiah verse 11

The Northern Ireland Assembly, on Monday, 28th November 2016, passed a motion, without a vote being necessary, granting a retrospective pardon to sodomites who have been previously convicted of criminal and immoral acts.

This motion to grant a retrospective pardon was brought before the Assembly by the Minister of Justice under a wider motion relating to the British Policing and Crime Bill, which was designed to give legislative consent to a law already passed at Westminster. 

This motion did not pass through the Executive, nor was it put out to any consultation. The tabling of the motion had been hastily agreed to by the First Minister and Deputy First Minister using emergency procedures. 

Stats for October

Stats for September

Stats for August

Stats for July

Stats for June

Europe in Bible Prophecy - Statement by Sovereign Grace Advent Testimony

The subject of Europe is very prominent in the news at present and that interest has only increased not diminished since the outcome of the EU referendum has been decided.

We are constantly being told by all political leaders what this result means? what is going to happen now? and where it will all lead? It seems that everyone has an opinion to give or a statement to make on the subject! All of which has only led to greater confusion, division and uncertainty.

But the question that should concern us as Bible believing Christians is -- What saith the Scriptures? What does the Word of God have to say on the subject of the future of Europe? That should be our response to every situation and subject in life and our nation's membership of the European Union should be no different.

Despite what many think or say, even many Christians, the Word of God has much to say about the future of Europe and the Nations around the Mediterranean Sea. God has not left us in the dark with regard to these things. In the prophetic Scriptures God has given us a full description of things to come.

He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh!

The lamenting of the political classes today over the vote to leave the European Union reminds us that there is a God in heaven whose will is done. 

I am reminded of the words of Psalm 2:4: He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision.

I was sent these words by email this morning. There are from a hymn written by Anne Steele. They certainly express the thoughts of many Christians at a time like this. 

Understanding of the Times

It is absolutely essential that we have understanding of the times in which we live and in particular, an understanding of those times which lead up to the return of the Lord Jesus Christ to this earth.

In Matthew 16:1-4* the Lord Jesus rebuked those who did not have understanding of the times. These unbelieving Pharisees and Sadducees could understand the physical signs of the days in which they lived, but not the spiritual signs. They could tell what the weather was to be by looking up into the heavens, but had no understanding of the signs of the times.

The Saviour rebuked them saying: O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times? v3.

These Pharisees and the Sadducees did not understand that the time of the first coming of the Messiah had arrived. That first coming was prophesied extensively in the Old Testament Scriptures. These Pharisees and the Sadducees had the Scriptures but yet were blind to what they revealed. Others, like Simeon and Anna, knew that the season had arrived.

Further connections between the European Union and Scripture Prophecy

Historically, for some time, the European Union has been using imagery that has a very close connection with Scripture prophecy.

As far back as 1984 a postage stamp was released to mark the second election to the European Parliament. That stamp depicted a woman riding a beast.

The European Union, Prophecy & The Woman in the Ephah

The United Kingdom Referendum on continued membership of the European Union is only a week away. This post is a reminder of the nature and direction of the European Union project. It is preparing the way for the kingdom of Antichrist and the reign of the man of sin.

In 2012 when celebrating the 10th anniversary of the introduction of the euro the European Central Bank released a propaganda video.

This six minute short film commenced 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.

Here are screenshots from that film showing the woman emerging from the Greek urn. To watch the entire film click here

European Union & Scripture Prophecy Part 2

This is the second of two sermons preached on this subject in light of the upcoming Referendum

Stats for May

The European Union & Prophecy

This is the first of two sermons considering the European Union in the light of Scripture prophecy.

Stats for April

Jehovah's Witnesses Belief About Death Erroneous

There is a great deal of interest and comment regarding the death of the musician known as Prince and his connection with the cult known as Jehovah's Witnesses.

One of their belief is that the body must be cremated within one week of his death.

There are many other unorthodox beliefs which this cult espouses. It is worth remembering that the doctrine of eternal punishment was one of two doctrines that Charles Taze Russell, the founder of Jehovah's Witness, refused to accept when he was among the Presbyterians and Congregationalists in his early years.

The teaching of Jehovah’s Witnesses on the subject of death and the after life is but perpetuating  Charles Taze Russell's prejudice against the Word of God. 

Letter Sent Regarding Blasphemous Play

Back in November 2015 a blasphemous production entitled 'The Gospel According to Jesus, Queen of Heaven' was shown as part of the Queer Arts Festival in Belfast. This vile Arts festival was funded by a number of public bodies such as:

The Arts Council, which distributes funds from the National Lottery, 

Belfast City Council, 

The Department of Culture Arts and Leisure, 

The Department of Social Development and 

The Public Health Agency.

Below is the letter of objection that sent on behalf of The Free Presbyterian Government and Morals Committee of Presbytery taking issue with the content and the funding of such wickedness directed at the person of Jesus Christ.

We write on behalf of the Government and Morals Committee of the Free Presbyterian Church to express our outrage that public money has been used to fund a blasphemy against our Lord Jesus Christ. 

The Committee felt it needed to express protest at the blasphemy in the play, "The Gospel According to Jesus, Queen of Heaven" performed on November 15 at the Outburst Queer Arts Festival in Belfast. In this play the Lord Jesus Christ is portrayed as a transsexual. The preview of the play on the Outburst festival website described how in the play there is a "revolutionary queer ritual in which bread is shared, wine is drunk and familiar stories are re-imagined by a transgender Jesus."

To read the rest of the letter click on this link- Letter objecting to Blasphemous Play

Fighting Against Blasphemy

The Government and Morals Committee of Presbytery have been engaged in on-going correspondence with government departments and other bodies on the moral issues of the day.

In November last year a play was staged as part of the Outburst Queer Arts festival in Belfast called, “The Gospel According to Jesus, Queen of Heaven" The preview of the play on the Outburst festival website described how in the play there was a "revolutionary queer ritual in which bread is shared, wine is drunk and familiar stories are re-imagined by a transgender Jesus."

The Bible reveals the Lord Jesus Christ as the King of Kings and Lord of Lord’s and the eternal Son of God. The title “Queen of Heaven” is only used in the Bible in the book of Jeremiah to describe a heathen goddess whom God condemned. Furthermore the Bible teaches that homosexuality and transgender is sin. The play was a blasphemy against the Saviour whom we love and serve.

The Government and Morals Committee contacted various government departments and bodies who were listed as having sponsored this play. Among those contacted were, the Arts Council, which distributes funds from the National Lottery, Belfast City Council, The Department of Culture Arts and Leisure, The Department of Social Development and the Public Health Agency.........

To read the rest of the Blog article click on this link to Government and Morals Committee (Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster)

Quotable Quote

Discernment is not knowing the difference between right and wrong. It is knowing the difference between right and almost right. C. H. Spurgeon

C. H. Spurgeon on 'Compromise'

Charles Haddon Spurgeon contended much against compromise during his ministry. Here is an extract from one of his sermons entitled "No Compromise".

It was based upon 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 earnest? 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 aware 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.

This sermon was preached on Lord's day morning 7th October 1888. It is sermon number 2047 and appears in Volume 34 of Spurgeon's sermons. 

This is the suggestion of the present hour: if the world will not come to Jesus, shall Jesus tone down his teachings to the world? In other words, if the world will not rise to the church, shall not the church go down to the world? Instead of bidding men to be converted, and come out from among sinners, and be separate from them, let us join with the ungodly world, enter into union with it, and so pervade it with our influence by allowing it to influence us. Let us have a Christian world.

To this end let us revise our doctrines. Some are old-fashioned, grim, severe, unpopular; let us drop them out. Use the old phrases so as to please the obstinately orthodox, but give them new meanings so as to win philosophical infidels, who are prowling around. Pare off the edges of unpleasant truths, and moderate the dogmatic tone of infallible revelation: say that Abraham and Moses made mistakes, and that the books which have been so long had in reverence are full of errors. Undermine the old faith, and bring in the new doubt; for the times are altered, and the spirit of the age suggests the abandonment of everything that is too severely righteous, and too surely of God.

Joel Beeke's Compromise Continues Unabated

Over recent years a lengthy charge sheet has emerged detailing Joel Beeke's compromise. That compromise continues unabated and unchecked. 

In a recent article entitled: The Downward Spiral of Dr. Joel Beeke’s Ministries Continues, Ralph Ovadal, Pastor of Pilgrims Covenant Church, Monroe, Wisconsin details Joel's Beeke's ongoing associations with new evangelicals, Romanists, Orthodox 'Christians,' Seventh Day Adventists, apostate Protestants, feminists, evolutionists, and even 'gay Christians'. 

It is a documented fact that Joel Beeke has joined in preaching and teaching fellowship with all of them! [Click on the link above to read this sorry tale of departure]

There might be an impression of scholariness cultivated but there is certainly no spirit of discernment or obedience to Scripture present. It is not intellectualism and a generation of well educated and supposedly well read academics that the Church of Jesus Christ desperately needs today, but rather a race of preachers who preach and practice separation. Something Joel Beeke simply doesn't do!

Stats for March

Soul Winners' Convention Meetings

Special Meeting with Rev Reggie Cranston

Table Quiz

Stats for February

Giving their Kingdoms to the Beast - The Present and Future Course of European Nations

For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled, Revelation 17:17 

Leaving aside the particular details of what David Cameron has negotiated, or not, one overriding truth is very evident, namely, that there is a continuing desire among European nations for the centralising of power. Keeping also in mind that the reality of what has been negotiated will be somewhat different to the 'spin' that the Prime Minister and his spin doctors will present to the electorate over coming days, this desire to centralise power will not be given up easily or willingly.

Whatever the outcome of the upcoming Referendum in the United Kingdom, upon David Cameron's negotiations with these other Europeans nations, there is a general direction that European nations are travelling. It is ever onwards to centralised control, with less democracy and the rise of bureaucratic control. It is these features that will aid the rise of Antichrist in coming days!

Events in Europe, and also in the Middle East, ought ever to be of interest to the Bible believer. These two areas of the world are going to play a significant part in the events that lead up to the coming of our Saviour, the Lord Jesus, to this world a second time. 

Before that great event comes about, there will be the rise of Antichrist, the man of sin. A number of the nations of Europe will play an important role in his rise and development.

Evolution a 'Theory' - so says the Introduction to The Origin of Species

A Headteacher in Lancashire has been mocked and ridiculed on Twitter for claiming evolution is not a fact. She tweeted: Evolution is not a fact. That’s why it’s called a theory! There’s more evidence that the Bible is true. It was sent in response to another Headteacher who urged teachers to stick to science when teaching the origins of life. Richard Dawkins has even weighed into the argument.

See here - The Guardian - Headteacher mocked on Twitter for claiming evolution is not a fact.

In light of the furore that has arisen about this comment it is worth remembering what was once written by Dr Leonard Harrison Matthews [1901-1986] in the Introduction to an edition of Darwin's Origin of Species. Matthews was a British zoologist and a Fellow of the Royal Society. He was especially known for his research and writings on marine mammals. He was certainly no believer in creationism!

Manasseh - the Old Testament Prodigal Son

Manasseh was an unique and privileged individual. He was born during the 15 years that were added to his father Hezekiah's life. He was a royal prince brought up in the palace of a king. He went on to succeed his father upon the throne of Judah. He was also the Old Testament's prodigal son!

We read of Manasseh in 2 Kings 21 v 1-18; 2 Chronicles 33 v 10-13.

I. Manasseh was a Privileged but Wayward King. 

For all his privileges in the royal house:

He lived in complete opposition to the ways of his father. Manasseh scorned that which his father worshipped; and worshipped that which his father scorned. Of Hezekiah it is said that: he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord. Of Manasseh it is said: he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord.

Stats for January

Parenting Prodigal Children

A synopsis of a sermon preached in Newtownabbey Free Presbyterian Church 

on Lord's day morning 1st September 2013 as part of a series on the Family

Genesis 26:34,35: And Esau was forty years old when he took to wife Judith the daughter of Beeri the Hittite, and Bashemath the daughter of Elon the Hittite: Which were a grief of mind unto Isaac and to Rebekah.

Despite all the instruction imparted by Christian parents; despite all the efforts and desires of Christian parents to train their children in the ways of God and to bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord; despite all the prayers that they have offered up to God at the throne of grace; there are times when Christian parents are faced with the distressing situation that their children rebel against their parental authority; and worse still against the Lord and against the Gospel of saving grace.

It is that situation that I want to address this Lord's day. What are Christian parents to do? How do they bear this heavy cross? What relief is there to be found that might alleviate this burden just a little?

In considering children as part of the family we have been stressing the importance of teaching them and instructing them in the ways of God; of training them up in the way that they should go and not in the way they want to go.

Every parent, who truly professes Jesus Christ as Saviour, and who is walking in fellowship with Christ, will desire that their children come to know Christ and follow Christ. Their desire will be that of Abraham for Ishmael: O that Ishmael might live before thee! Genesis 17:18. Or like that of the beloved disciple, John: I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth, 3 John 4.

Motto Text 2016

In Newtownabbey Free Presbyterian Church we have taken as our The Motto Text, for 2016, the words of Asaph in Psalm 74:22: Arise, O God, plead thine own cause: remember how the foolish man reproacheth thee daily.

The words of this particular verse, and the contents of the whole of the Psalm, are very appropriate and applicable to our own times. We too live in a day when the foolish man reproaches God's cause daily!

The following messages were preached on this portion of Scripture:
1. The Features of this Attack upon the Cause of God
It was a day of: (i) Spiritual darkness and cruelty, (ii) Blasphemy, (iii) Reproach, (iv) Rising up against the Lord, and (v) Constant and increasing opposition to God's Cause.

2. The Focus of this Attack upon the Cause of God
This attack was focused on (i) The House of God & (ii) The People of God

Stats since January 2009

Stats for December