December 2024

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KICS assembly talks. Current series: “KICS Studies – Children in the Gospels who met the Lord Jesus”

• Part 13, Part 14, Part 15
• See all the talks in this series here.
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Watch Kilskeery Free Presbyterian services live online here

Kilskeery Independent Christian School being on holiday and there being no Assembly, I am sending out two studies which I conducted with the school 4 years ago.

They are entitled: ‘CHRISTMAS — why we should distance ourselves from the celebrations, parts one and two.

It is the Christian’s duty to keep themselves “unspotted (Greek – aspilos) from the world,” James 1:27. Peter uses the same word, “unspotted” when he wrote of how we must be “diligent” we must be in maintianing our purity while awaiting the return of the Saviour. “Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, (Greek – aspilos) and blameless, 2 Peter 3:13-14.

Here is the second study.

I would like to consider with you my second part of my talk on how the birth of Christ should be celebrated.

I. I BELIEVE THAT CHRIST WAS BORN IN AND AROUND THE MIDDLE TO THE END OF SEPTEMBER.

The Bible does give us information about the time of His birth. We can work out from Luke 1:5, (8th in the schedule of priestly week long duties in the temple.) 8, 23-24. These duties began at the Passover, is around March/April on our calanedar. Passover in 2025 begins on April 12th. From these verses in Luke 1, we can conclude that John the Baptist was born about the middle of the month of March. Six months later the Saviour was born  “And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren,” Luke 1:36.

In agreement with this is the fact that sheep were in the fields, verse 8, which would not be the case in mid-winter!

II. SEE HOW THE ANGELS CELEBRATED HIS BIRTH.

(A). They revealed the story of His birth unto men in great detail, 9-12.

(B). They burst into song, v 13.

III. CONSIDER HOW THE SHEPHERDS CELEBRATED HIS BIRTH.

(A). They recognised the divine nature of the news they had just heard, v 15.

(B). They heeded the good news, v 15.

(C). They acted immediately, v 16.

(D). They focused their attention on the Saviour, v 16-17.

(E). They shared the news with others, v 17.

(F). Their celebrations left them refreshed and glad.

That will not be the case with the ‘Christmas’ celebrations that men engage in!!! Wickedness and excess of every form is what will mark ‘Christmas’. We should avoid where possible all the sinful and superstitios and pagan-originated activies of this time of the year and witness rather of what the Bible tell us of the ‘coming of the Son of Man’ to save sinners.

Posted on 2024-12-31 a 10:54 pm

Extracts from a ‘Belfast Telegraph’ article on the deposing of Rev David DiCanio, Saturday 28th December.

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The sacking of a Free Presbyterian minister has unsettled a church which is changing faster than some of its clerics would like

Tiny Protestant denomination has had a disproportionate political and societal influence – but after years protesting against others, now some of its ministers are protesting against it

The Free Presbyterian Church — Northern Ireland’s most hardline Protestant denomination — has just ejected a minister for being too hardline.

It’s an episode which in other circumstances might mean little, but which relates to a far deeper shift within the church founded by Ian Paisley in 1951.

Even that might be of little relevance beyond the few thousand members of this institution. Yet Free Presbyterianism has never simply been about God; it’s always been closely linked to developments in secular power.

Once that was about denouncing the powerful; these days, there’s a good chance that the powerful are in a Free Presbyterian pew on a Sunday morning.

Free Presbyterianism has never been a mass movement akin to the Presbyterian Church or the Anglican Church, let alone the Catholic Church. It’s smaller than the Baptist or Pentecostal churches, yet far better known because of the high profile of many of its members and its outspoken public protests which often attract media coverage. Click to read more…

Posted on 2024-12-29 a 9:46 pm

There is a more substantial link between heaven and earth than we Christians can perceive. There is much of heaven’s activity on earth of which we are not aware. The Bible clearly indicates that. For instance, the Saviour said on one occasion: “Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven,” Matthew 18:10. Again, we are told by Paul of the angels, “Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?” Hebrews 1:14.

I have been made to wonder, as a result of personal experiences in recent times, just what the redeemed in glory know of events that are taking place here on earth. As I pondered this matter, the first thing that occurred to me was:

I. WHATEVER THEY KNOW CANNOT IN ANY WAY DEPRIVE THEM OF THE JOY AND PEACE OF THE HEAVEN WHICH THEY HAVE ENTERED!

1. Heaven is a place of perfect, uninterrupted peace and happiness for the redeemed. It is spoken of as a place of rest. “There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God,” Hebrews 4:9. The word ‘rest’ carries the meaning of ‘a keeping of the Sabbath’. As the Lord rested after He had created the universe, so the believer enters a similar rest when they die and go to heaven. This is emphasised in that heavenly announcement in Revelation 14:13. “And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.” Blessed rest is the portion of the redeemed throughout eternity when they depart this world!

That being so, if they know anything of this world’s activities, it is a knowledge ‘sanctified’, or ‘filtered’, if I may use that term, so that nothing of the wickedness of this world is conveyed to them that would disturb their peace. I cannot really understand how this may be but I feel it is a logical conclusion we must draw if we do understand that the saints of God in heaven know something of events taking place in the world.

2. Perhaps I can draw a parallel with the knowledge the Lord has of events on earth but which do not defile Him or deprive Him of the perfect peace that is the eternal disposition of the eternal God. Here on earth, the saved sinner knows something of the ‘peace of God’. “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus,” Philippians 4:7. “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful,” Colossians 3:15. The peace spoken of here is that peace which comes from the knowledge that “being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,” Romans 5:1. Click to read more…

Posted on 2024-12-27 a 8:54 pm

Kilskeery Independent Christian School being on holiday and there being no Assembly, I am sending out two studies which I conducted with the school 4 years ago.

They are entitled: ‘CHRISTMAS — why we should distance ourselves from the celebrations, parts one and two.

It is the Christian’s duty to keep themselves “unspotted (Greek – aspilos) from the world,” James 1:27. Peter uses the same word, “unspotted” when he wrote of how we must be “diligent” we must be in maintaining our purity while awaiting the return of the Saviour. “Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, (Greek – aspilos) and blameless, 2 Peter 3:13-14.

Here is the first study.

 

I.  ‘CHRISTMAS’ WAS UNHEARD OF AMONGST CHRISTIANS FOR SOME 300 YEARS AFTER CHRIST’S ASCENSION.

‘Christmas’ is but a ‘christianising’ of a pagan mid-winter feast by the ‘church’ that had already largely departed from simple Bible religion. Like a farmer dresses up a few old sticks as a ‘scarecrow’, a make-believe man. That is what ‘Christmas’ is. A mere make-believe celebration of the birth of Christ.  It was the 1300s before the very name ‘Christmas’ appeared. The ‘Saturnalia’, a Roman pagan feast, began on 19 December and lasted for the best part of a week. Morality and restraint were abandoned.  We can easily see that is what takes place at this time of the year in the name of celebrating the birth of Christ.

II. THE CHIEF CENTRES OF THESE CELEBRATIONS ARE NOT WHERE CHRIST IS HONOURED.

Pubs, dance halls, parties etc., are places where the name of the Lord is blasphemed and the Law of God despised and rejected! That is how it is in such places 12 months of the year and it does not change at this time of the year!

III. LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES ARE REQUIRED TO TAKE SPECIAL ACTION TO RESTRAIN LAWLESSNESS DURING THESE CELEBRATIONS.

Drunk driving, disorder and fighting on the streets, shop-lifting and stealing are rampant.  This cannot be of God!  This is very different from the scene we read of in Luke chapter 2. There we have heavenly and earthly praise to God. “And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. . . . And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them,” verses 13-14, 20.

Nothing contrasts more with the modern ‘Christmas’ scene than this!

Posted on 2024-12-24 a 9:42 pm

On two nights Keith and Kristyn Getty brought their ‘Home For Christmas’ show (that surely is a significant definition of the event that is used in their announcement of it) to the SSE Arena, Belfast. on 19th and 20th December!

We are told in the ‘blurb’ announcing the affair that — ‘The Grammy-Nominated duo will be performing well-known carols and hymns along with new songs to fill everyone with holiday cheer’.

Considering the booze-induced ‘cheer’ that permeates society at this time of the year this is hardly a prospect that should encourage a true Christian to attend their ‘show’.

A brief examination of the event highlights yet again that the whole ‘Contemporary Christian Music’  is marked and corrupted with the spirit of the world and is therefore an offence to the Lord and ought to be offensive to the devout Christian.

The Lord says: “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time,” 1 John 2:15-18.

There was every mark of the world upon this ‘show’ and Christians are left with no excuse for embracing CCM and believing it is of God.

I. THE FIRST THING TO BE NOTED IS THAT ALCOHOL WAS ON SALE AT THIS ‘CHRISTIAN’ AFFAIR!

Here is an official reply to a question sent by a Christian bother to the  Odyssey Complex regarding the sale of alcohol during the Getty event. Click to read more…

Posted on 2024-12-24 a 12:31 am

This an article penned by my son, Rev Andy Foster, minister of Penticton Free Presbyterian Church, Canada.

It sets out the Biblical principles which govern our worship of God, including how it is we are required by Him to offer praise.

In the light of the present controversy within our denomination, this is an important source of reference for us all.

I trust that you will print it out and peruse it carefully and prayerfully.

Sincerely in Christ’s name,

Ivan Foster

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Principles of Biblical worship which affect praise and music

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord,” Colossians 3:16

To most Christians today the words “worship” and “praise” are synonymous. Yet the Scripture  makes it very clear worship involves much more than the use of song to glorify God. However, praise and singing is an important constituent part of Biblical worship.

From the beginning of time to the extent of all eternity to come, singing the praises of God will be a feature. The Lord speaks to Job of the angels singing as the earth is created, Job 38:6-7: and Revelation 15:2-4 gives an insight into the singing of the saints in Heaven.

God’s people are commanded to sing the praises of God. It is an important part of their duty and work here on earth. But—like every other aspect of our duty—that praise is regulated by Scripture! The general principles of what God requires of men apply to our praise. We are not to suppose that we can sing whatever we wish and however we like! There is praise that is acceptable to God as worship because it conforms to what He requires, and there is praise that, because it does not so conform, is an abomination and idolatrous in His eyes.

I.  THE ORIGIN OF PRAISE THAT PLEASES GOD.

‪1. The Scriptures. The primary and instructive role of the word of God in worship is seen in these words. This means that:

‪a. Biblical revelation is the sole source of our praise. It is to shape and inform every part of our singing! Praise is to be Biblical as far as its content is concerned. The theology of our praise is not to be sacrificed to the claims of poetic licence or musical appeal. Click to read more…

Posted on 2024-12-21 a 9:12 pm

There is a need for a more expansive consideration of that problem which has arisen to distress devout believers within the Free Presbyterian Church and vex the unity of God’s people.

I do not have any ‘musical skill or technical knowledge’, but such is not needed to draw a right conclusion regarding the new style of praise that some are anxious to have embraced. A consideration of its origins and the settings in which these ‘praises’ are often sung — one day in a church assembly and also in what can only be termed a ‘religious disco’ — indicates that such are not suitable for the true and holy worship of God! Rev David DiCanio’s video vividly exposed this evil sham.  Discovering this truth will surely aid the discerning Christian in coming to a right conclusion in this matter.

This is a CCM ‘hymn’ being sung in a ’religious nightclub’ setting. Who is it will say that the use of such material is in keeping with the teaching of Holy Scripture?

Here are the words of a hymn by Keith & Kristyn Getty, leading exponants of ‘Contemporary Christian Music’, which has been sung in at least one of our churches. It has terms and phrases and words that are definitely linked to the gospel message and might easily be embraced and accepted.

What is our hope in life and death?
Christ alone, Christ alone
What is our only confidence?
That our souls to Him belong
Who holds our days within His hand?
What comes, apart from His command
And what will keep us to the end?
The love of Christ in which we stand

Oh, sing hallelujah
Our hope springs eternal
Oh, sing hallelujah
Now and ever we confess
Christ, our hope in life and death

What truth can calm the troubled soul?
God is good, God is good
Where is His grace and goodness known?
In our great Redeemer’s blood
Who holds our faith when fears arise?
Who stands above the stormy trial?
Who sends the waves that bring us nigh
Unto the shore? The rock of Christ

Oh, sing hallelujah
Our hope springs eternal
Oh, sing hallelujah
Now and ever we confess
Christ, our hope in life and death

Unto the grave, what will we sing?
“Christ, He lives, Christ, He lives!”
And what reward will Heaven bring?
Everlasting life with Him
There we will rise to meet the Lord
Then sin and death will be destroyed
And we will feast in endless joy
When Christ is ours forevermore (forevermore)

Oh, sing hallelujah
Our hope springs eternal
Oh, sing hallelujah
Now and ever we confess
Christ, our hope in life and death (oh, sing)

Oh, sing hallelujah
Our hope springs eternal
Oh, sing hallelujah
Now and ever we confess
Christ, our hope in life and death

Now and ever we confess
Christ, our hope in life and death

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However, compare its words with this well known hymn by Augustus Toplady. Click to read more…

Posted on 2024-12-19 a 5:10 pm

What Rev Greer says in this video clip is very true. Any attempt to introduce ‘modern, jazzed up music’ or ‘Contemporary Christian Music’ MUST indeed be opposed and stopped.

Rev John Greer, Clerk of Presbytery, preaching at the ordination and installation of his son, Stephen, as minister of Coleraine Free Presbyterian Church, 4th December 2024.

How?

But how is that to be done? There seems to be a great reluctance on the part of some senior Free Presbyterian ministers to recognise this evil and speak out against the very evident introduction of CCM that has already taken place. Its introduction is not merely a possibility to be opposed but a tragic thing that has already happened.

There have been public denunciations of CCM and the threat which it poses to traditionally scriptural worship. It has been stated on numerous occasions that any attempt to introduce it must be condemned. However, when evidence is produced that CCM is ALREADY within the ranks of Free Presbyterian congregations, the response is not concern and alarm, but rather abuse directed at the one producing the evidence!

The type of music which Rev. Greer objects to IS ALREADY IN THE DENOMINATION!

A look at a number of congregational websites will show that to be so. But despite many warning articles being published, no action has been taken by our Presbytery oversight. Action should have been taken by it since, as Rev Greer states, such a sin must be resisted.

So what is to be done?

One response would be to compile some examples of the music which Rev. Greer objects to, actually being used in Free Presbyterian congregations, and then publish it in a video as a means of exposing just how this infiltration has taken place.

If one were to do that, however, he may be accused by some, who ought to know better, of violating the command of Christ in Matthew 18:15. “Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.” Click to read more…

Posted on 2024-12-13 a 12:00 am

Here is further evidence of the wrong that has been done to Rev David DiCanio and the far-reaching implications for the work of God in Liberia.

This young Liberian Christian’s words make sad reading though we salute him for his courage in standing up for the truth of God. I have not included his name though it is known to me for the simple reason that I do not wish to place him in the way of any retaliation.

Sincerely in Christ’s name,

Ivan Foster

This protest was posted on Facebook and sent to me by Rev Stephen Hamilton.

The the name of the brother who posted it was displayed but I am not disclosing his name – The Editor.

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“I want to take this time to publicly react to the statement released by the Executive of the FPCNA informing the Free Presbyterian Mission Church in Liberia of the disposition of the Rev Dicanio.

I am a convert saved in the FPMCL through the ministry of Dr. Alan Cairns, whose sermons were broadcast on the radio. I began attending the FPMCL under the ministry of Rev. Dicanio, under whose guidance I was baptized and began faithfully walking with the Lord as he shepherded us.

As a servant of the Lord who had to separate from friends, family, and even churches that adhere to this brand of so-called ‘gospel music,’ a worldly movement from which I was saved, I do not in any way take the slightest delight in supporting such sin.

Although I am grieved by the proceedings of the FPCNA against Rev. Dicanio, I am also encouraged and in total agreement with and supportive of faithful men like Rev. Andy Foster, Rev. Stephen Hamilton, and Rev. Milos Solc, who strongly opposed such proceedings against the faithful minister Rev. Dicanio.

I couldn’t believe my ears when I heard the first letter read in October 2024 from the LPCNA presbytery to our church. I heard nothing about addressing the sin that a faithful minister exposed but instead about his ‘methodology,’ which seemed absurd to me. Rev. Milos Solc made a heartfelt statement: ‘I wish we would be in sackcloth and ashes, praying, fasting, and weeping over how far we have fallen, rather than being so dissectible about the methodology of the messenger—sin is in the midst, not the messenger.’

As a servant of the gospel of Jesus Christ, one who is seeking to be a gospel minister and who has to contend with this type of music, which is so prevalent in many churches in my own country and is destroying the lives of young people, I wholeheartedly oppose the sin of the CWM movement with my whole being. I am committed to faithfully separating from every form of such a trend, whether it be in any church, organization, or elsewhere.

I stand with Rev. DiCanio because I believe his actions were biblical. He did what Paul would have done when he withstood Peter publicly (Galatians 2:11). As a minister of the gospel, it is his duty to rebuke sin, just as Elijah did (1 Kings 18:17-18). He must act as one who will give an account to God for the souls entrusted to him (Luke 16:2; Acts 20:28).

How do we need to heed these words today!

Rev 2:3  And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.

Rev 2:4  Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.

Rev 2:5  Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.

Rev 2:6  But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.

Rev 2:7  He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.

CCM is worldliness dressed up in religion and, therefore, must be abhorred! We need no other ‘methodology’ to address worldliness if our ‘methodology’ is grounded in Scripture.”

Posted on 2024-12-11 a 5:01 pm

This is an article by Rev Miloš Šolc of the Free Presbyterian Church in the Czech Republic.

Rev Šolc has been a long time opponent of the evils of “Contemporary Christian Music”. He is a member of the Presbytery of the Free Presbyterian Church of North America.

In this article he expresses his utter opposition to what the North American Presbytery has decided with regards Rev David DiCanio’s protest against ‘CCM’!

He along with Rev Stephen Hamilton and Rev Andy Foster opposed its decision to depose Rev DiCanio for his protest against ‘CCM’.

His article is a most welcome testimony to the very wrong decision of the NAFPC.

Rev Ivan Foster

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I take this opportunity to publicly react to the statement released by the Executive Committee of the FPCNA, informing the churches of the deposition of the Rev DiCanio. After the release of an article by the Rev I Foster under the heading The Free Presbyterian Church at a decisive crossroad, I called the Rev Foster to express my regret that he did not include my name along with the Revs A Foster and S Hamilton, as the third minister who from the outset strongly opposed the proceedings of the FPCNA Presbytery against the Rev D DiCanio.

My words to the Presbytery from the very beginning of the proceedings expressed my grief over where we find ourselves as a denomination. I stated that if we truly understood the gravity of the issue of Contemporary Christian Music that has permeated many of the Free Presbyterian churches in Ulster and most of the young generation, we would be in sackcloth and ashes, praying and fasting, and weeping over how we have fallen; certainly not dissecting the ‘methodology’ of the messenger. We would deal with the grievous message – sin in our midst, and not the messenger. We would understand the issue at hand.

As stated by the Rev I Foster in the above mentioned article, Dr Paisley was often criticised for his ‘methodology’ (as was my grandfather the Rev M Šolc Sr, a mighty servant of the Lord in this land, the Czech Republic; and as I have been). But interestingly enough, the one unifying feature of these critics is that they have no perfect method of their own to offer, since they don’t actually do anything, just as is the case here with the issue of Contemporary Christian Music in our Free Presbyterian churches in Ulster, hence the spread of this carnal, sinful music. And now, when a minister exposes this sin, we condemn him instead. You couldn’t make this up. By doing so, we have accelerated and encouraged the sin, and everything that it brings.

In no way whatsoever do I delight in dealing with this matter, nor do I delight in controversy. Nor do I have any other agenda. I believe that for all those who have stood against these proceedings, it has been a great grief and burden – for me, very personally. My separation from my family church and Baptist denomination for four generations–both my father and grandfather being leading ministers, and I an elder–was on the very issue of Contemporary Christian Music and compromised associations. Here is a very  pertinent excerpt from my March 2, 2002, resignation letter:

This is not a rash decision, but something that has been a process for the last number of years. It was just this past Friday that our young people attended a youth rally at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre called Missionfest 2002. There we heard a ‘Christian’ rock band entertain hundreds of youth…If that is what we have to offer to young people who are seeking the Lord or who are trying to “grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18), we have NOTHING at all! It is secular, it is carnal, it is of the lusts of the flesh, it is irreverent and unholy – it is blasphemous! The Word of God says to “worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness” (Psalm 29:2), and what I witnessed at the above event…to that the Lord could only say as He said by the prophet Amos: “Take thou away from me the noise of thy songs” (Amos 5:23). There is little surprise that our young people are so spiritually weak and unstable, when this is what they are fed. We have all failed in guiding them in purity and truth. 

How true these words ring today in the situation we find ourselves in, in the Free Presbyterian Church, some 23 years later! Who would have believed it?

If I have taken a hard stand at a great cost, against my own father, family, former church and denomination, other New Evangelical ministries, on this very matter of Contemporary Christian Music, how could I tolerate or excuse the same sin in my own denomination. What sort of a witness would that be? What sort of a witness would that be to my own wife, sons, and daughter? What sort of a witness would that be to the church here in the Czech Republic to which the Lord sent me to be a watchman to give them warning from Him (Ezekiel 3:17) and to lead them in the faith of the “old paths” (Jeremiah 6:16)? What sort of a witness would that be to those that I admonished for this sin? In this context, it really is a very straightforward matter. Tolerating or excusing this sin would be a betrayal of my calling. It would be the end of this separated ministry. It would be the end of the Lord working in our midst. It would be shameful hypocrisy. A double standard. A respecting of persons. A falsehood. Unrighteousness. “The time is come that judgement must begin at the house of God” (1 Peter 4:17). “How are the mighty fallen” (2 Samuel 1:27).

I wholeheartedly, before God, agree with the response to the FPCNA Presbytery statement on the deposition of the Rev D DiCanio of the Rev A Foster, as published in the aforementioned article by the Rev I Foster. It is an accurate, careful, and biblical summation of these shameful proceedings against the Rev DiCanio, highlighting two key issues: one, the biblical duty of a preacher to publicly expose public sin; and two, the sinfulness of Contemporary Worship Music – an outflow of Contemporary Christian Music. Indeed, the Presbytery of the FPCNA has acted very shamefully, foolishly, wrongfully, and cowardly in this matter, and I fundamentally and completely reject its ratification of the guilty verdicts of both Judicial Commissions and its deposition of a faithful minister of the Gospel. This must come as no surprise to the Presbytery, as the Presbytery itself is my witness, as well as the documentation of the proceedings, that I most firmly opposed it in this matter from the very beginning, both in word and deed. Here I stand, I can do no other. God help me.

Before God, the only Righteous Judge of all things,

In Christ our Lord,

Rev Miloš Šolc
Free Presbyterian Church in the Czech Republic

Posted on 2024-12-10 a 11:50 pm

“‭And‭ they‭ began‭‭ to enquire‭‭ among‭ themselves‭, which‭‭ of‭ them‭ it was‭‭ that should‭‭ do‭‭ this thing‭.‭ ‭And‭ there was‭‭ also‭ a strife‭ among‭ them‭, which‭ of them‭ should be accounted‭‭‭‭ the greatest‭,‭”‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ Luke 22:23-24.

I read Luke 22 on the Lord’s Day passed. It deals with issues that took place in a day when the cause of Christ is in the midst of a crisis. It provides us with an insight to events impacting upon the whole Free Presbyterian Church.

I am referring to the dismissal of Rev David DiCanio from the ministry of the gospel. David DiCanio’s ‘sin’ was to fearlessly denounce that which is already denounced in God’s Word, ‘Contemporary Christian Music’, and which is specifically denounced in the standards of the Free Presbyterian Church.

However, there are those ministers and elders who defy the Bible’s denunciation and encourage the use of such unscriptural music in the worship of the Lord.

David DiCanio I believe, offended those whose minds were set, like the minds of the apostles in our text, upon self-importance and self aggrandisement rather than upon the information given them by the Saviour regarding the climax of His earthly ministry.

In considering these verses I was struck by the fact that:

I. THE MIND OF GOD’S SERVANTS, EVEN AS THEY STILL SAT AT THE TABLE WHERE THE SAVIOUR HAD JUST INDICATED HIS APPROACHING DEATH, SEEMED INDIFFERENT TO THAT REVALED TO THEM IN THE SAVIOUR’S WORDS!

1. How could those men be occupied with self esteem and self importance in the aftermath of the Last Supper? Had they heard nothing of what He had said?

“‭And‭ when‭ the hour‭ was come‭‭, he sat down‭‭, and‭ the twelve‭ apostles‭ with‭ him‭.‭ ‭And‭ he said‭‭ unto‭ them‭, With desire‭ I have desired‭‭ to eat‭‭ this‭ passover‭ with‭ you‭ before‭ I‭ suffer‭‭:‭ ‭For‭ I say‭‭ unto you‭,‭ I will‭‭ not‭ any more‭ eat‭‭ thereof‭‭, until‭‭ it be fulfilled‭‭ in‭ the kingdom‭ of God‭.‭ ‭And‭ he took‭‭ the cup‭, and gave thanks‭‭, and said‭‭, Take‭‭ this‭, and‭ divide‭‭ ‭it‭ among yourselves‭:‭ ‭For‭ I say‭‭ unto you‭,‭ I will‭‭ not‭ drink‭‭ of‭ the fruit‭ of the vine‭, until‭‭ the kingdom‭ of God‭ shall come‭‭.‭ ‭And‭ he took‭‭ bread‭, and gave thanks‭‭, and brake‭‭ ‭it‭, and‭ gave‭‭ unto them‭, saying‭‭, This‭ is‭‭ my‭ body‭ which‭ is given‭‭ for‭ you‭: this‭ do‭‭ in remembrance‭ of‭ me‭.‭ ‭Likewise‭ also‭ the cup‭ after‭ supper‭‭, saying‭‭, This‭ cup‭ ‭is‭ the new‭ testament‭ in‭ my‭ blood‭, which‭ is shed‭‭ for‭ you‭,‭”‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ Luke 22:14-20.

The Saviour had just announced that He was to be taken “‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭by‭ wicked‭ hands‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬”‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭ and “crucified‭‭ and slain‭‭,‭”‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ Acts 2:23. But the apostles were occupied by thoughts of vain glory!

2. Is it not sadly so today? The Free Presbyterian Church was brought into being to engage in the battle for truth and the honour and glory of the Saviour as His enemies crowded around to overthrow all that was His.

That battle rages still today BUT there are few in our church who engage the enemy as that enemy was engaged by Dr Ian Paisley in those early days. I submit that there are men more interested in who will hold office and flaunt their ‘authority’ than in the shameful treatment of the Saviour both within and without of the ranks of professing Christians!

I doubtless will offend some by saying this BUT what I say is the mind of many ministers if they would but say it publicly rather than just privately amongst themselves! Click to read more…

Posted on 2024-12-09 a 11:49 pm

Many Free Presbyterians will be shocked to learn that Rev David DiCanio has been ‘deposed from the ministry of the Free Presbyterian Church of North America for the sin of contumacy.’ The sin he is charged with is a ‘stubborn refusal to obey or comply with authority.’

Below is a statement which my son, Rev Andy Foster, read to his congregation in Penticton in response to the decision of the Presbytery of FPCNA, which we have also included.

I am most happy to be in total agreement with what my son says and to follow his lead and that of Rev Stephen Hamilton, both of whom have been to the fore in opposing the utter folly of the leadership of the FPCNA in this matter. This decision is the result of a ‘pandering’ by leaders of the FPCNA to the demands of some prominent ministers here in the Ulster Presbytery.

The exposure by Rev DiCanio of the use of ‘Contemporary Christian Music’ within some of our congregations here in Ulster, in the video he sent out, referred to by Rev Andy Foster in his statement, stirred the ire of the ministers and those involved in this sin.

However, the FPCNA has in its statement on worship a clear denunciation of CCW music. The relevant portion is quoted in Rev Andy Foster’s statement below.

The Ulster Presbytery, being in union with the FPCNA, is in agreement with that position on this worldly and unscriptural form of worship.

Yet prominent members of our Ulster Presbytery sided with the users of CCM within our congregations and ‘secretly’ demanded that the FPCNA act against Rev David DiCanio.

The result of that pressure has been the unscriptural and unjust dismissal of a man of God who has faithfully laboured to establish a thriving missionary witness in Liberia on the contrived basis that he refused to repent of that which in essence is but his obedience to God’s Word.

His ‘sin’ is denouncing that which is considered a sin in the stated standards of the Free Presbyterian Church in a fashion displeasing to his accusers. Click to read more…

Posted on 2024-12-08 a 9:33 pm

The following report appeared in today’s ‘Belfast Newsletter’, Friday 6th December.

In it, the ‘Christian Institute’ indicates the dangers that will arise from the legislation which the Alliance Party deputy leader, Eoin Tennyson revealed his proposals on Thursday. 

Tennyson professes openly that he is a sodomite!

Here is the report by Philip Bradfield.

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Alliance Party proposals to criminalise conversion therapy could see parents jailed for up to seven years “when they discourage their child from gender transition or sexual experimentation” a Christian charity has warned.

Anyone convicted is also liable to a fine of up to £5,000.

Alliance Deputy leader Eoin Tennyson revealed his proposals on Thursday, saying he was frustrated by delays at Stormont and Westminster to outlaw the practice.

Mr Tennyson proposes two new criminal offences – engaging in conversion practice and removing a person from NI for conversion practice.

He proposes that convictions must m eet four tests;- provision of a service; intent to change someone’s orientation or gender identity; targeted at an individual; harm must be caused.

The only defence would be that the accused’s conduct “was reasonable in the circumstances”.

Anyone convicted would face up to seven years in jail and / or a fine of up to £5000.

See his proposals in full HERE

But James Kennedy, NI Policy Officer with the Christian Institute, now says the Scottish Government gave up on similar legislation this year due to risk of legal challenge, asking Westminster to legislate instead.

He said Alliance has published a flow chart for the bill almost identical to Scottish proposals.

Mr Kennedy said: “Thankfully, abusive practices are already outlawed in Northern Ireland. Christians oppose verbal and physical abuse.”

He added: “Mr Tennyson has copied the threshold from the Scottish plans. The broad definition of ‘harm’ would mean a parent could be prosecuted when they discourage their child from gender transition or sexual experimentation. Even saying ‘you might regret it’ could be seen as causing fear and thus be illegal. Click to read more…

Posted on 2024-12-06 a 11:38 pm

“Then said he, Unto what is the kingdom of God like? and whereunto shall I resemble it? It is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and cast into his garden; and it grew, and waxed a great tree; and the fowls of the air lodged in the branches of it,” Luke 13:18-19.

I will never forget brother Jordan Khan preaching on the above brief parable in Lisbellaw Free Presbyterian Church back in 1970. Brother Khan was a visitor to Ulster from India and preached in various congregations of our denomination. He “was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith.” I recall his telling us that his father was a prayer partner to ‘Praying Hyde’, John Nelson Hyde (November 9, 1865 – February 17, 1912) an American missionary who preached in the Punjab state in India.

Jordan Khan’s exposition was an early warning of what, some 30-40 years later began to take place within the Free Presbyterian Church.

Please note from this parable:

I. THE TRUE WORK OF GOD HAS VERY SMALL AND HUMBLE BEGINNINGS!

“Unto what is the kingdom of God like? and whereunto shall I resemble it? It is like a grain of mustard seed.”

1. The greatest period of blessing and expansion in this New Testament age began with a small group of men and women meeting in prayer. “And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James. These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren,” Acts 1:13-14. We are told that earlier when they gathered in this same room: “Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews,” John 20:19.

The early days of the apostolic church were indeed days of humble and trembling beginnings.

They were days of clinging to the Lord for mercy and help in the face of the opposition of men stirred up by the devil.

2. Some are still alive within the ranks of the Free Presbyterian Church who will recall the early days in the 1950s when the opposition of our ecumenical opponents was most vicious. I wonder how many know that a godly founding member of Ballymoney Free Presbyterian Church was assaulted and beaten by an ecumenical Presbyterian minister and some of his henchmen?

This spirit was still very much alive in the 1960s. My late wife, Ann, a graduate from Queen’s University, Belfast, was unable to obtain a teaching position because she was a Free Presbyterian. Often times, once it was known that she was a Free Presbyterian, the interview was abruptly ended. Click to read more…

Posted on 2024-12-01 a 11:46 pm

“They hate him that rebuketh in the gate, and they abhor him that speaketh uprightly,” Amos 5:10.

I was not long converted when I heard an endearing word about Amos the prophet. Dr Paisley quoted from his book in response to criticism that was being heaped upon his head by ecumenical ministers, whose folly and defiance of God’s Word he had condemned. The verses he quoted are found in Amos 7:14-15.

“Then answered Amos, and said to Amaziah, I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet’s son; but I was an herdman, and a gatherer of sycomore fruit: And the LORD took me as I followed the flock, and the LORD said unto me, Go, prophesy unto my people Israel.”

I instantly learned that the Lord was pleased to call into His service those whom some might consider as being utterly unsuitable!

I later learned that the Lord had earlier displayed the same mercy and sovereign grace in the calling of that great prophet Elisha, anointed to that holy office by his great predecessor, Elijah.

“So he departed thence, and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen before him, and he with the twelfth: and Elijah passed by him, and cast his mantle upon him. And he left the oxen, and ran after Elijah, and said, Let me, I pray thee, kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow thee. And he said unto him, Go back again: for what have I done to thee? And he returned back from him, and took a yoke of oxen, and slew them, and boiled their flesh with the instruments of the oxen, and gave unto the people, and they did eat. Then he arose, and went after Elijah, and ministered unto him,” 1 Kings 19:19-21.

I can say as did Amos, but even more unquestionably: “I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet’s son” but the Lord called me into His service, and in a faint likeness, I ministered to an ‘Elijah’. For shortly after I began my studies as student  for the ministry in January 1965, Dr Paisley took me to live with his family for about six months and in a small way I ministered unto him, driving him around the province to gatherings and to gospel meetings and all the time gaining a knowledge of what it was to preach.

In our text, you have the prophet’s observation regarding the attitude of those intent on following their own devices and who detested the rebukes that the prophet addressed to them.

I. THIS IS AN ALL TOO COMMON ATTITUDE TODAY

This is a day of backsliding. Even the most unobservant Christian knows that this so. Worldly attitudes and notions have invaded the ‘church’! Sadly, many fail to recognise them for what they are. Ministers know at least something of what is happening BUT, sadly, are reluctant to address the issues because of the response that may be forthcoming. Amos encountered ‘hate’ and ‘abhorrence’!

1. There was defiance outburst against authority in the prophet’s day. “They hate him that rebuketh in the gate”. This is a reference to those who hold a God-appointed position of authority. ‘The Gate’ is where the judges sat and administered justice. Click to read more…

Posted on 2024-12-01 a 11:27 pm