“But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God. . . . Then Peter said unto her (Sapphira), How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out. Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband,” Acts 5:3-4, 9-10.
“And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved. When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question,” Acts 15:1-2.
“Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple,” Romans 16:17-18.
“Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you,” 1 Corinthians 1:10-11.
“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. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed, . . . But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed. For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision. And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation. But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?” Galatians 1:6-9, 2:11-14.
“But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel; So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places; And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will: the one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds, . . . I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord,” Philippians 1:12-16, 4:2.
“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, . . . For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread, . . . 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 3:6, 11-12, 14-15.
“This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare; holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck; Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme,” 1 Timothy 1:18-20.
“But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some, . . . For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica,” 2 Timothy 2:16-18, 4:10.
“Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre’s sake. One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies. This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith,” Titus 1:9-13.
“And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching,”Hebrews 10:24-25.
“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. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not,” 2 Peter 2:1-3.
“I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not. Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church,” 3 John 1:9-10.
“Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ,” Jude 3-4.
“Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. 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,” Revelation 2:4-5.
“But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth,” Revelation 2:14-16.
“Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works. But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden. But that which ye have already hold fast till I come. And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father. And I will give him the morning star. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches,”Revelation 2:20-29.
“And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee,” Revelation 3:1-3.
“And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth,” Revelation 3:14-16.
I have quoted the above verses, some 1700 words of the New Testament, in order to draw attention to an aspect of the Holy Word of God which many appear to have missed, forgotten or deliberately ignored!
The feature I am highlighting is :
I. FAULTS ABOUNDED IN THE CHURCH, EVEN IN THE BEST OF TIMES!
The Westminster Confession of Faith states: ‘The purest Churches under heaven are subject both to mixture and error; and some have so degenerated as to become no Churches of Christ, but synagogues of Satan.’ Chapter 25, paragraph 5.
This so true, given that within a few days of Pentecost, there was the terrible folly of Ananias and Sapphira’s attempt to deceive the Holy Ghost and the dreadful penalty that fell upon them.
In the very apostolic band chosen by the Saviour, there was a Judas. The Church of Christ has ever seen such infiltrate its ranks!
Today!
At the present time in what we believe are the ‘last days’, we are told to expect a great increase in such Satanic intrusions!
The whole ‘Ecumenical Movement’ is just that — a devilish invasion of the professing church.
There is an ongoing police investigation with the ranks of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. Just what it specifically is about is concealed under ‘word salad’ of circumvention, unspecified and mysterious jibber-jabber by Moderators past, present and prospective!
The Free Presbyterian Church is sadly no better. The manner in which Rev David DiCanio was treated is one far removed from New Testament precedent and pattern.
As it is, few really know the reasons for the basis of the case against him. In truth, that suggests very strongly that there is NO CASE against him!
That being so, a very great wrong has been done and the Free Presbyterian Church will never be in step with the Lord until it is rectified and the guilty dealt with!
However, that is not to say that the Free Presbyterian Church is to be written off! The Corinthian Church had many, many more serious faults from which it was recovered.
19th Century
The Presbyterian Church in Ireland back in the mid-1800s, was seriously infiltrated by Unitarianism. Furthermore, there were very few who recognised the danger and reacted to it.
At times the great Dr Henry Cooke stood alone and carried on a series of protests virtually single-handed!
In the end, his voice of protest gained support and the church was purged of the soul-destroying doctrines of the Unitarians!
But please note from the verses that I have quoted:
II. THE FAULTS OF CHURCH MEMBERS WERE PUBLICLY EXPOSED AND REBUKED AS A MEANS OF RIDDING THE CHURCH OF SUCH EVILS!
Such is God’s way! He is a ‘PUBLIC PROTESTER!
“For I earnestly protested unto your fathers in the day that I brought them up out of the land of Egypt, even unto this day, rising early and protesting, saying, Obey my voice. Yet they obeyed not, nor inclined their ear, but walked every one in the imagination of their evil heart: therefore I will bring upon them all the words of this covenant, which I commanded them to do; but they did them not,” Jeremiah 11:7-8.
Every true ‘Christian Protester’ is a person who merely repeats the Lord’s protest!
The Lord’s protest entailed an identification of the guilty and rebuke for their sin and a warning of where it would lead the transgressors!
This is the essence of good and faithful Gospel preaching.
It is also the character of a faithful ‘watchman’s warnings’!
1964
I can still remember the very moment when Dr Paisley turned up 1 Timothy 4:6 and read out its words from the pulpit of Ravenhill Free Presbyterian Church. It was soon after I began my blessed 10-months under his ministry, before I became a student for the ministry.
“If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.”
The ‘things’ referred to were those mentioned in the first five verses of the chapter.
“Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer,” 1 Timothy 4:1-5.
That night I learned what a ‘good minister’ was. It is a definition every faithful preacher should seek to emulate!
Few
I fear I must say that very few ministers in the Free Presbyterian Church have adopted this godly practice and as a result, much error has, like cancerous tumours, become firmly established within the minds and hearts of many, especially the young!
Tumours are not easily removed and we have seen the stubborn resistance mounted against any who dare unmask these sins. The promoting of fellowship with those sinfully embedded in ecumenism, the stout persistence in the encouraging of unscriptural and worldly so-called hymns, especially amongst the young, and the shutting of the eyes and ears to these wicked follies by those charged of God to protect His flock, is all too obvious!
That was not the way of the New Testament writers and above all of our Saviour!
It is to our shame that this is the path that the Free Presbyterian Church has been guided upon by its recent leadership!
III. IF WE ARE TO FOLLOW THE APOSTLES AND THE SAVIOUR WE MUST LIKEWISE ADOPT THIS PRACTICE!
It is not too late to do what is right. History proves that. Above all, the BIBLE proves that.
How in years past, we used to rejoice in the words of 2 Chronicles 7:14.
“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”
Those words are still gloriously true!
Captivity
Solomon also prayed these words.
“Yet if they bethink themselves in the land whither they are carried captive, and turn and pray unto thee in the land of their captivity, saying, We have sinned, we have done amiss, and have dealt wickedly; if they return to thee with all their heart and with all their soul in the land of their captivity, whither they have carried them captives, and pray toward their land, which thou gavest unto their fathers, and toward the city which thou hast chosen, and toward the house which I have built for thy name: then hear thou from the heavens, even from thy dwelling place, their prayer and their supplications, and maintain their cause, and forgive thy people which have sinned against thee,” 2 Chronicles 6:37-39.
The night following that prayer by Solomon the Lord appeared unto him.
“And the LORD appeared to Solomon by night, and said unto him, I have heard thy prayer,” 2 Chronicles 7:12.
It was then that King Solomon received the promise in verse 14, already quoted.
The deliverance from the consequences of this backsliding would come about as they “turn and pray”. Confess that “we have sinned, we have done amiss, and have dealt wickedly”.
If that is faithfully done, the Lord says: “Then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”
There is a way of escape from our present spiritual decline. It is the way set out in those words I have quoted from 2 Chronicles. I can say with assurance: “This is the way, walk ye in it.” (Isaiah 30:21).
May there be those who will ‘take up the cross’ and return to following the Lord Jesus as it was with our church in times past, times some can still remember with joy in this year of our 75th anniversary.
Rev Ian Foster (Rtd)
6th March 2026