An attempt to warn the Free Presbyterian Church against following a path that some appear anxious to lead it down.
“For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?” 1 Corinthians 14:8.
The word translated ‘uncertain’ means ‘indistinct or obscure’!
It is possible to blow the Gospel Trumpet in such a manner as to obscure what it is the Lord would have sinners know and that in a most clear and explicit fashion!
All too many preach the Gospel but in such a fashion as to obscure important and vital truths, that the Lord would have men and women to know.
I suggest that such is the manner in which the ‘Gospel’ will be preached in a series of meetings, organised by the Orange Order under the title, ‘A Joyful Noise’.
A recent series was announced in the ‘Belfast Newsletter’, 17th Oct 2025, in this manner.
Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland announces ‘A Joyful Noise’ 2025 night of worship and classic hymns at Assembly Buildings Conference Centre in Belfast
The Orange Order is holding another night of worship in the Assembly Buildings in Belfast, where choirs and musicians will lead the attendees with a range of classic hymns.
The event entitled ‘A Joyful Noise,’ is being promoted by the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland, and like previous events in 2019, 2022 and 2024, the evening will feature some of the church’s best loved hymns.
The night is mainly centered (sic) around congregational singing led by a choir of Orangemen from across Northern Ireland, with special guest performers including Stewartstown Orange Ladies Choir and gospel group, Revelation.
Glenn Moore (Director of Music at St Macartin’s Cathedral, Enniskillen) will be leading the praise from the pipe organ.
Compere Harry Baxter will bring the audience stories behind many of the hymns and hymn writers.
Orange Grand Chaplain Rev Ron Johnstone will bring the evening to a close.
In such circumstances, it is impossible to so blow the ‘Gospel Trumpet’ so as to make a very CERTAIN sound, but rather, it is necessary for whoever is preaching, even if it is a former Moderator of the Free Presbyterian Church, such as Rev Ron Johnstone, to LEAVE OFF sounding certain notes that are integral to the preaching of “all the counsel of God,” as Paul did while at Ephesus (Acts 20:26).
To preach the whole “counsel of God” in such meetings would require the ‘separatist’ minister present to condemn himself for being there and fellowshipping with the other ‘disobedient’ guest preachers!
A picture was sent to me of a notice in a shop window advertising another series of such meetings. I traced it to an Orange Order website. The picture was taken by a friend, a Free Presbyterian of the ‘old school’. He, like me, had lived through the blessed days of the 1960s and 70s. He remains indebted to the Lord for the mercies he enjoyed in those times. What he saw advertised grieved him and vexed him deeply for it was to a him betrayal of the blessings the Lord had poured out upon thousands of His people some 60+ years ago.
Distressed of soul, he sent me the picture. What it showed was that advertised on the Orange Order website and which I have reproduced below!
It shows some of the guest preachers in another series of meetings. It will readily be seen that Rev Ron Johnstone is once again a guest preacher.
It should be noted that Rev Ron Johnstone is celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Free Presbyterian Church by uniting with those who the Lord told us to separate from in 1951!
Commendable – But!
Organising Gospel meetings is a commendable thing. However, we must do so within the boundaries set by the Lord. There are those with whom we may join in seeking to ‘build and extend’ the Kingdom of God and there are those we MUST NOT unite with in such a sacred task!
Principle
That principle is set out in the book of Nehemiah.
“But when Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, and Geshem the Arabian, heard it, they laughed us to scorn, and despised us, and said, What is this thing that ye do? will ye rebel against the king? Then answered I them, and said unto them, The God of heaven, he will prosper us; therefore we his servants will arise and build: but ye have no portion, nor right, nor memorial, in Jerusalem,” 2:19-20.
We must not shun to work with those with a different denominational ‘name tag’ who love the Lord in sincerity and truth. We must remember the words of the Saviour when He replied to John.
“And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name; and we forbad him, because he followeth not with us. And Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us,” Luke 9:49-50.
However, we are forbidden to unite in an evangelistic outreach with those who are in open disobedience of God. From such we must remain separate!
“And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother,” 2 Thessalonians 3:14-15.
While we may recognise such as a true believer, yet, because of his disobedience of God’s Word, we CANNOT ‘company’ with him!
Dr Alan Cairns, in his book, ‘Dictionary of Theological Terms’ says , ‘Christians may have to separate from church fellowships and from brethren walking disorderly . . .’
This doctrine of separation from disobedient brethren was made plain by Paul in an earlier verse in the same chapter.
“Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us,” 3:6.
Please note that this is a “COMMAND” from the Lord Jesus Christ and it is one that Rev Ron Johnstone is ignoring and defying! I say this in order to show that Rev Ron Johnstone is in ‘company’ with those he is commanded of God to avoid! He is situated in the centre of a list of Presbyterian Church in Ireland, Church of Ireland and Methodist disobedient ministers!
Book of Order
Rev Ron Johnstone, on a number of occasions in his life as a Free Presbyterian minister, swore an oath at his ordination and subsequent installations.
It is stipulated in the ‘Book of Order’ of the Free Presbyterian Church, that ‘Before being ordained or installed into his sphere of ministry, every minister must subscribe publicly the subordinate standards of the Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster.’
Part of that to which the minister must subscribe states:
‘Will you maintain with all the strength God shall give you the position on Biblical separation from apostasy as taken by the Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster in 1951 at the time of its secession from the Presbyterian Church in Ireland?
As God helps you will you expose and resist the continued apostasy from Christ manifested within Irish Presbyterianism, Methodism, Episcopalianism and other visible church bodies; exhorting God’s people to obey the teaching and commandment of 1 Timothy 6: 3-5?’
In response to such questions, Rev Ron Johnstone has solemnly sworn ‘YES’, before God and those of God’s people gathered for the occasion.
Can it be said that a man who took such an oath is KEEPING it when he shares a platform with those who are in membership of the three named denominations that he swore to oppose?
Most of the men Rev Ron Johnstone is in fellowship with at these Orange Order meetings are, by their membership of ecumenical denominations, proclaiming that it is perfectly proper to fellowship with the denominations REV RON JOHNSTONE SWORE BEFORE GOD TO OPPOSE AS APOSTATE AND TO BE IN OPEN REBELLION AGAINST GOD!
Free Presbyterians misled
By being part of these meetings, Rev Ron Johnstone is telling Free Presbyterians that it is acceptable to share fellowship with those who are in fellowship with perverters of the Gospel and endorsers of every form of modern immorality and perversion, for that is the state of the Irish Presbyterian, Church of Ireland and Methodist denominations for a long time!
In 1951, there were Christians who said we cannot be in fellowship with these denominations any longer and must separate and out of that, under God, the Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster was born!
Rev Johnstone may have forgotten, or ignored, that truth for his actions in this instance are contrary to what he swore at his ordination! Can it be said that while he shares a platform with those who are perfectly at home and hold high positions within the fold of the apostasy he swore to oppose, that he is keeping his ordination oath?
I repeat, he swore to ‘expose and resist the continued apostasy from Christ manifested within Irish Presbyterianism, Methodism, Episcopalianism and other visible church bodies’ and to exhort God’s people ‘to obey the teaching and commandment of 1 Timothy 6: 3-5?’
And yet here he is cooperating and fellowshipping with such!
I believe that this and other trends, unacceptable in 1951, are the signs of ‘DEATH’ at work within our ranks!
* Free Presbyterian parents reject the path of Christian education for their children and instead place them under the damning influences of every wickedness that is embraced by an increasing corrupt society!
* There are ministers who embrace the deceitfully termed ‘Contemporary Christian Music’, even though the Free Presbyterian Church denounces such. That is hypocrisy on the part of those who act so and also of those who close their eyes to this!
* The continued support of the Democratic Unionist Party by many Free Presbyterians, despite its erstwhile treacherous link-up with Sinn Fein/IRA some 20 years ago and its continued embracing and endorsing, in pursuit of votes, of the evil practices of sodomy and its allied perversions, is contrary to the Word of God!
Compromise
Fellowship with the compromisers within the ecumenical denominations is not going to advance the cause of God within the Free Presbyterian Church. NO, such is an offence to the Lord and will cause His withdrawal and the removing of His blessing from amongst us.
Indeed, I would sadly suggest that such has already begun.
Something of that witnessed by Ezekiel and recorded in chapter 10 of his prophecy, is tragically taking place today.
This many Free Presbyterians recognise and lament over. However, it is not irreversible if there is a repenting of the errors embraced and introduced into our midst by foolish and misguided individuals and welcomed by the blind and undiscerning!
What have the disobedient ‘ecumenical evangelicals’ accomplished for the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, the Church of Ireland or the Methodist Church in Ireland?
The answer is ‘NOTHING’ and worse than nothing, for these denominations have been sliding further and further down into the mire of apostasy.
Peter’s warning
We need to heed the warning of Peter.
“But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of,” 2 Peter 2:1-2.
There are those within our ranks who have been beguiled by the incredibly stupid notion that what brought us God’s blessing in 1951 and in many subsequent years can be surpassed if we turn round and reject the path that brought such mercies and travel in the opposite direction!
To those engaged in this utter folly I earnestly say, BEWARE!
Peter sets forth the horrifying outcome of such a thing!
“The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished: but chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities,” 2 Peter 2:9-10.
Wherever the source of these ‘anti-1951’ views lies, we must understand that they are fellow companions of the perversions that threatened the churches of Galatia and of which Paul said: “I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed,” Galatians 1:6-8.
Consorting with ‘ecumenical evangelicals’ is not of God but of the devil!
Wrong example
I believe that the example set by Rev Ron Johnstone’s actions will lead to the destruction of the witness that many elders and ministers, now in glory, laboured to establish amidst trials and difficulties of which few of the present generation of Free Presbyterians have not any real understanding.
The church buildings, manses and stipends, now being enjoyed by elders and ministers, were achieved by the labours of those who utterly rejected the notion of fellowshipping with the ‘evangelicals’ who stayed in the apostasy.
A former generation of Free Presbyterians viewed such compromisers as ‘traitors and betrayers’ of the cause of Christ!
Dr Paisley used to nickname them ‘Evanjellyfish, with the emphasis on the jelly’!
I am still 100% of his opinion!
Justification
Many in the Free Presbyterian Church, who never heard Dr Ian Paisley in his ‘God-anointed prime’, believe that I am wrong to point out these things.
Indeed, there are ministers and elders who would say (very quietly) that I should be disciplined and thrown out of the Free Presbyterian Church!
Be that as it may, I am comforted by the simple fact that I am in step with the teaching of the Saviour and His apostles, as recorded in the Word of God.
This is, of course, known by older ministers and hence their reluctance to openly rebuke me!
‘What saith the Scriptures?’
What did Paul do when Peter openly, and most foolishly, repudiated the teaching of the Saviour, Who commanded His apostles to “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature,” Mark 16:15. Peter’s actions as indicated by Paul were in defiance of the Saviour’s command.
Paul tells us himself what his reaction to Peter’s disobedience was!
“But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed,” Galatians 2:11.
If what Rev Ron Johnstone swore to uphold was in accordance with the Word of God, and I believe it most certainly was, then he, like Peter, on this occasion, is “to be blamed” and “withstood”publicly!
The Greek word translated, “withstood”, means ‘to set one’s self against, to withstand, resist, oppose’.
I am but trying, in a very imperfect manner I am sure, to follow in Paul’s steps.
A Christian cannot, without offending the Lord, stand with and share meetings with, those from whom we are commanded, by the Lord, to “separate”.
“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty,” 2 Corinthians 6:14-18.
Note the terms employed by the Holy Spirit!
“Unbelievers, unrighteousness, darkness, Belial, infidel, idols” these are the terms the Free Presbyterian Church has employed against the ecumenical apostasy and its supporters and defenders since its formation.
Rev Ron Johnstone did not employ such terminology or give warning to those believers in attendance at the meeting. He was, after all, sharing fellowship with those he swore to oppose with ‘all the strength God shall give’ him!
God’s view
The Bible gives us a clear view of how the Lord views such behaviour.
“And Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him, and said to king Jehoshaphat, Shouldest thou help the ungodly, and love them that hate the LORD? therefore is wrath upon thee from before the LORD,” 2 Chronicles 19:2.
I hasten to add another part of what the prophet said. “Nevertheless there are good things found in thee, in that thou hast taken away the groves out of the land, and hast prepared thine heart to seek God,” verse 3.
I am sure that similar words can be directed at Rev Ron Johnstone, but they do not alter the earlier verse!
King Jehoshaphat was guilty of helping the “ungodly”. That term is included in the list of those we are commanded to separate from. Ecumenical ministers baptise, confirm, welcome into membership and bury as the redeemed of God those who are most definitely “UNGODLY”!
The evangelicals within their ranks ignore and do not condemn this and that makes them “partakers” of the sins of the rebels and guilty of helping the apostasy.
Rev Ron Johnstone cannot endorse this behaviour of evangelicals within the ecumenical denominations, as he does when he shares fellowship them, and compounds his wrong-doing by failing to condemn their sin, but rather gives approval of their errors by his uniting with them!
I believe that he is acting in a manner which he perceives to be to the advantage of the Orange Order, an ecumenical organisation in which he holds a high office, and not to the honour of the cause of God, to which he swore allegiance at his ordination!
I have to say, that were we able to turn the clock back to those wonderful days of blessing, some 40-50 years ago, Rev Ron Johnstone would face severe discipline!
This situation cannot go on. The Lord will not permit it. It is contrary to His will and purpose for His people.
Amos asked the question: “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” Amos 3:3. The answer is simple. They cannot!
They cannot without one submitting to the opinion of the other or a parting of the ways. For this situation to continue there will have to be all out separation from the ecumenical apostasy and all within its fold or a turning around and a returning to that which was abandoned at God’s command in 1951.
It is one or the other!
It is TIME for those ministers, who believe still in the stand of the Free Presbyterian Church in 1951, to speak out and demand that our Presbytery leaders stand up and ACT against such compromise and defiance of what God called the Free Presbyterian Church into existence to proclaim!
If this does not happen, then the present active ministerial body of the Free Presbyterian Church is merely presiding over the demise of that founded under God, beloved and defended at a high cost, by former generations! Their names will ever be linked with base surrender to God’s enemies!
Rev Ivan Foster (Rtd)
4th March 2016