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The following article is in essence, my answer to a Christian who politely requested that I answer some questions that were puzzling him and some Christian friends.

The questions that were posed were very helpful to me in that they sent me back to my Bible to find the answers and also to thus reaffirm my views as a Free Presbyterian.

I hope you all find the article helpful.

Sincerely in Christ’s name,

Ivan Foster

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My answer to questions that perplex some Christians UNNECESSARILY!

Dear brother,

I always welcome questions like those you have posed, for the simple reason that they send me back to the Bible for answers!

Ignoring them would be a certain sign of resting upon one’s own opinion and an unwillingness to face the possibility, dreadful as it would be, that one is teaching the ‘commandments of men’ instead of God’s Word.

‘Separation’ is a vital truth throughout Holy Scripture and is an essential mark of grace in the life of the true believer.

There are no arguments in the Bible against separation! The separation commanded by the Lord most certainly requires ’secession’. There must be a withdrawing from that and those which are an offence to the Lord.

“Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful,” Psalm 1:1.

Let me come to the suppositions you set down.

* The Old Testament Church. Yes, there were times of most serious backsliding which resulted in the Lord WITHDRAWING from His people for a time. His withdrawing of His blessing was a means of provoking repentance and a return unto the Lord in obedience.

“And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD: and the LORD delivered them into the hand of Midian seven years. . . . “And Israel was greatly impoverished because of the Midianites; and the children of Israel cried unto the LORD. And it came to pass, when the children of Israel cried unto the LORD because of the Midianites, That the LORD sent a prophet unto the children of Israel,” Judges 6:1, 6-8.

The sending of the prophet indicated that the Lord was ‘communing’ once again with His people.

That is perfectly in accord with the Lord’s dealing with His people in these days. Backsliding is not a reason or cause for the Lord turning His back completely and forever upon those guilty of such.

Did not Peter backslide terribly? – Matthew 26:74 BUT there was no utter rejecting of him by the Saviour.

“And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, while he yet spake, the cock crew. And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And Peter went out, and wept bitterly,” Luke 22:60-62.

Remember Israel dwelt under a ’Theocracy’ – God ruled His people directly. The nation was ‘the visible church’ in those times. He often chastened them for their backsliding and thus restored them

BUT, when such chastening and rebuking did not bring about repentance and a return to obedience, the Lord SECEDED from their midst! (more…)

“I am set for the defence of the gospel,” Philippians 1:17.

Today, March 27th, 2026, I read Philippians chapter 1 as part of my daily reading from the Holy Scriptures.

Shortly after I was saved and had entered upon my studies for the Gospel ministry back in 1965, I chose these words as my motto text.

I had noted that Dr Ian Paisley usually signed his signature accompanied by the words of Ephesians 6:19.

“And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the Gospel.”

Seeing this, I sought for a text that I might embrace as my motto, watchword and guide for my life.

Summary

I do not recall how it was I came upon this text, likely just as today, it was part of my daily reading back then. It appealed to me as a very suitable summary of the objectives of one who sought to stand for the Lord in the midst of the ecumenical apostasy which was back then beginning to break forth on every hand amongst the three main denominations, the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, the Church of Ireland and the Methodist Church in Ireland.

The words became my companion, my guide and motivation since that time.

Inspiration

These were the words of Paul the Apostle, written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Paul lived out these words all his days as a Christian. He was faithful to this holy determination and, in the end, it cost him his life.

He said of his life’s objective: “For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day,” 2 Timothy 1:12.

Later in this same epistle he wrote: “For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing,” 4:6-8.

He lived and died defending the Gospel!

I. THIS DETERMINATION SHOULD MARK EVERY CHRISTIAN’S LIFE.

1. Of course, it should especially mark the preacher’s disposition. We all, every preacher of the Gospel, should have the heart of David, the shepherd boy, who, when confronted by the blasphemous boasting of Goliath, instantly responded!

“And David spake to the men that stood by him, saying, What shall be done to the man that killeth this Philistine, and taketh away the reproach from Israel? for who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?” 1 Samuel 17:26. (more…)