Archives for

Article

Statement read out at Friday’s Free Presbyterian protest in Enniskillen

Rev James Porter, minister of Bethel Free Presbyterian Church, read out the following statement at the Free Presbyterian protest Friday evening:

Sadness at planned Pleasure Boys show

It is grieving to have the Pleasure Boys show in Enniskillen. From media and press reports regarding this event it is evident that it is sinful, extremely immoral and of an indecent nature. It is something that is shameful, degrading and to be repudiated. Such a show is contrary to God’s Word which encourages purity of life and righteousness for the good of all in society. The Bible says in 1 Timothy 5:22, “Keep thyself pure,” and in Proverbs 14:34, “Righteousness exalteth a nation but sin is a reproach to any people.” Romans 1:18 also warns, “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness.”

To all involved in the organisation, promotion and participation of this event, I urge you to refrain from it and heed the gospel message. In Mark 1:15 Christ says, “Repent ye and believe the gospel.” Repentance means to turn from your sin and forsake it. To believe the gospel means you confessing your sin to God and trusting in Christ and His sacrifice alone for the pardon of all your sin and for power to live a new life for God’s glory, which leads to heaven. The Bible says in John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

Free Presbyterians protest against wicked and lewd event

“Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.” 2 Timothy 4:2-5’

One aspect of Christianity that the world particularly hates, indeed, there are all too many Christians who are not very happy regarding it also, and that is, publicly rebuking sin!

Nevertheless, raising our voices against that which is a breach of God’s Law is an essential part of being a Christian!

The Enniskillen protest was led by Free Presbyterian ministers, Rev James Porter (Bethel), Rev Raymond Robinson (Kesh) and Rev Samuel Fitton (Kilskeery).

Click here to read the protest statement by Rev James Porter.

First Murder (more…)

The day Israel will become acquainted with God’s anointed King!

“And Saul said to him, Whose son art thou, thou young man? And David answered, I am the son of thy servant Jesse the Bethlehemite,” 1 Samuel 17:58.

David slays Goliath in Single Combat, by Julius Schnorr von Carolsfeld.

I recall still with joy the day the late Dr John Douglas pointed out to me in this chapter that the occasion on which David slew the champion of the Philistines, Goliath, was on his second visit to the camp of Israel!

That fact is not too obvious and is easily missed. How like the truth of Christ’s future visit to the land of Israel is seen and understood in the Holy Scriptures!

The truth of that occasion is hidden to many, sad to say.

The fact is seen in the early part of the chapter.

“But David went and returned from Saul to feed his father’s sheep at Bethlehem. And the Philistine drew near morning and evening, and presented himself forty days. And Jesse said unto David his son, Take now for thy brethren an ephah of this parched corn, and these ten loaves, and run to the camp to thy brethren; and carry these ten cheeses unto the captain of their thousand, and look how thy brethren fare, and take their pledge. Now Saul, and they, and all the men of Israel, were in the valley of Elah, fighting with the Philistines,” verses 15-19.

May I ask you to consider from this chapter, which is full of prophetic foreshadowings of days in Israel that are fast approaching, these simple truths.

I. DAVID CAME BACK TO THE CAMP OF ISRAEL WHEN THERE WAS NONE TO ANSWER GOLIATH

1. Israel was under attack from her ancient enemy. “Now the Philistines gathered together their armies to battle, and were gathered together at Shochoh, which belongeth to Judah, and pitched between Shochoh and Azekah, in Ephesdammim,” verse 1.

The enemy had invaded Judah and with the aid of their giant champion, Goliath, planned to destroy Israel. Hear Goliath’s boastful challenge.

“Why are ye come out to set your battle in array? am not I a Philistine, and ye servants to Saul? choose you a man for you, and let him come down to me. If he be able to fight with me, and to kill me, then will we be your servants: but if I prevail against him, and kill him, then shall ye be our servants, and serve us. And the Philistine said, I defy the armies of Israel this day; give me a man, that we may fight together,” verses 8-10.

He enlarged upon his ‘plans’ when he derided David.

“And the Philistine said to David, Come to me, and I will give thy flesh unto the fowls of the air, and to the beasts of the field,” verse 44. (more…)