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“Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein,” Jeremiah 6:16.

In our previous study of this verse, I sought to set forth the uncomfortable, but nevertheless sadly true, assessment of the state of religion amongst us, which may be likened unto the defiance of Judah, reported by the prophet Jeremiah in our text.

I sought to show that amongst us today, are those who are showing the signs of committing this sin of refusing God’s call to return to the ‘Old Paths’!

I listed a number of issues very obviously seen amongst us that indicate a desire by some to embark on ‘a new path’!

By no means did I list all that could have been offered as proof of what I alleged. However, I believe I presented enough to make my case.

There therefore follows this simple conclusion:

I. THESE DIGRESSIONS INDICATE A DESIRE TO ABANDON THE ‘OLD PATHS’!

Let it be said clearly, that is how apostasy begins! Remember what is said in the Judges chapter 2.

“And Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of the LORD, died, being an hundred and ten years old. And they buried him in the border of his inheritance in Timnathheres, in the mount of Ephraim, on the north side of the hill Gaash. And also all that generation were gathered unto their fathers: and there arose another generation after them, which knew not the LORD, nor yet the works which he had done for Israel. And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and served Baalim: and they forsook the LORD God of their fathers, which brought them out of the land of Egypt, and followed other gods, of the gods of the people that were round about them, and bowed themselves unto them, and provoked the LORD to anger. And they forsook the LORD, and served Baal and Ashtaroth. And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel, and he delivered them into the hands of spoilers that spoiled them, and he sold them into the hands of their enemies round about, so that they could not any longer stand before their enemies,” Judges 2:8-14.

There is a passing of that generation of Free Presbyterians who witnessed the power and blessing of God in earlier days, days of faithful adherence to the 1951 principles of separation and of protest against the errors of Ecumenism and bore reproach for their stand. (more…)

“Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein,” Jeremiah 6:16.

When I was converted and became a Free Presbyterian, some 61 years ago, this text was frequently quoted from the pulpit of Ravenhill Free Presbyterian Church by the minister, Rev Ian Paisley.

When I began preaching a short time after that, I frequently used this text to explain what was happening in the ‘Ecumenical Churches’!

That which many back then refused to believe was taking place, is now all too clear. On the day that the King Charles III, titular ‘head’ of the Church of England, joined Pope Leo XIV in reading out a prayer in the Vatican, written for them, and laughably called ‘praying’, the ‘end game’, the final objective of the reunion of the Church of England and the popish system draws near!

Of course, travelling in close harmony with these two falsely called ‘Christian’ bodies, are the other three denominations here in Ireland.

The charlatanism of these so-called “Protestant’ religious bodies is seen in that they claim to follow the creeds and confessions drawn up by their faithful forebears, despite having wickedly and with contempt trodden over such statements of their professed allegiance to the Word of God for decades now!

But the creeping plague of modernistic and liberal heresy has been infecting many groups, who back in 1960s, were faithful to the Word of God.

I. IT MUST BE STATED THAT AMONGST THOSE TODAY, WHO ARE SHOWING THE FIRST SIGNS OF THIS INFECTION, IS OUR OWN FREE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH!

From the beginning of this century at least, there have been indications that some within our ranks wish to step aside from “the old paths” and embrace innovations of doctrinal thought and practice, outside that which is contained in the Word of God and set forth in the statement of THE DISTINCTIVES OF THE FREE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF ULSTER!

First Evidence

The first very clear abandonment of truths long held was the entering into a political alliance by Free Presbyterians with the murderous organisation of Sinn Fein. Sadly, this tragic casting aside of the teaching of God’s Word on such matters was led by Dr Ian Paisley, who at the time he took that fatal step, was Moderator of our church. He did resign from that position in January 2008 when it was made clear to him by the Presbytery that his holding of the position of First Minister in the Stormont Assembly, in conjunction with notorious IRA man, Martin McGuinness,  was not acceptable.

Shortly thereafter, he was removed from being First Minister. by his party, the Democratic Unionist Party. This was closely followed by his removal from the leadership of his party also. (more…)