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Correspondence:
Please delete my name from your list. I cannot fi nd anything about Jesus Christ in your writings. It is obvious that you do no (sic) know Him. G & C R — email address provided
Thank you CWM: I enjoy receiving your publications. It is refreshing to read such spiritually discerning articles from Pentecostal/ charismatic church leaders who expose heretics (Benny Hinn, Houston & Co) and the heresy so prevalent in some of these churches — prosperity gospel — false healings and prophecies etc.
Your publications and website are a lighthouse to the evangelical church. Keep on being faithful. CB – Auckland, NZ
(A non Pentecostal who is committed to an authentic Christian Church prevailing throughout the world – donation enclosed.)
Hello Philip (Powell):
PHIL PRINGLE — FALSE PROPHET
I was watching a lady, Paula White I believe, and Kim Clement on one of the Optus channels some weeks ago and Kim was “prophesying” about a revival at the end of October in America. It was as if they were racing each other while doing their stuff.
I wonder if these prophets have anything in common with the Pringle prophet in Kiwi land? ...
JH – Brisbane
Concerning Phil Pringle and his prophecy.
The prophecy that I forwarded on to you was sent to me February 05.
I have kept it on fi le so that I could give Mr Pringle a fair chance as it were. I have no problem with you using my name in relation to this prophecy.
After the end of December 05 I fully intend asking the NZ PRAY group that sent it to me, to explain what went wrong. If they are going to send out this sort of thing, then they must stand by it if they wish to maintain any kind of credibility.
I am a Stated Supply Pastor to the Owaka Presbyterian Church.
I get your CWM CETF magazine and wouldn’t be without it. I’m totally blind but have a reading machine that scans printed material and reads it back to me in a computer voice. Thanks so much for the brilliant articles etc.
I really do appreciate your ministry.
Blessings. Rev Paul Rogers— South Otago, NZ
ED – Those who get our CWM Mailer will know that Philip Pringle of Christian City Churches (Sydney)prophesied a great revival in NZ to occur before the end of 2005 “with thousands repenting and running to Church.” No doubt this and other similar false prophecies from false prophets, whose names are “legion for they are many”, will be featured in our regular electronic MAILER.
You are recommended to subscribe to the MAILER
Hal Lindsey,
ISLAM — FAITH UNDER FIRE
author of The Late Great Planet Earth*1 and many other best-selling books and, until recently, a regular speaker on America’s Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN) since its inception in the early 1970s, has proclaimed Islam a violent religion and as a result was removed from the panel of contributors.
TBN tried to patch up the rift by offering to re-air his programme but Lindsey refused to return. John Casoria, TBN’s general counsel pointed out, “TBN is a worldwide ministry; we have an entire channel that airs 24 hours a day, seven days a week in Arabic.
We are trying to reach the Islamic world and open a dialogue with them regarding Christ and Christianity.” Lindsey claimed, “My show is produced for the Western world and for Christians who are at the most risk from radical Islam. … When someone becomes devout and … gets into the Qur’an and begins to study what it really teaches, [he] becomes … [a] radical because the Qur’an itself and the Hadith teach violence,” Lindsey said. “There are 109 … war verses ... that the radicals … take seriously and they begin to want to overthrow Western civilization.”
FULL REPORT:
http://worldnetdaily.com/news/article. asp?ARTICLE_ID=48298
http://worldnetdaily.com/news/article. asp?ARTICLE_ID=48311
*1 When the New York Times surveyed all book sales for the decade of the 1970s, it found that Lindsey’s had far outsold all other authors. His Late Great Planet Earth alone sold more than 32 million copies.
To the editor:
ISLAM — Are There Two Laws?
In CETF 34 (“news and views”) an editorial statement was made re Acts 5:29; that the general biblical rule is to obey governments with the exception of preaching the gospel.
For many years I have had serious doubts about this statement as the accepted interpretation of Acts 5:29.
The context reveals that the High Priest and the Sanhedrin threw Peter into prison (Acts 5:17- 18) (they must have had their own prison).
It is my understanding that Israel was actually under Roman rule. For instance, when the Jews wanted to crucify Jesus, they had to go to Pontius Pilate (the Roman governor) and get him to condemn Jesus (Mat 27:1- 2, Mat 27:24-26).
Then it was the Roman soldiers that crucifi ed Jesus (Mat 27: 27-36). It seems that the high priest did not have this power.
It was to the Jewish authority that Peter said he would obey God and not man, not to Pontius Pilate or someone in the Roman government.
In other words, it was NOT said to someone in a governmental position.
Just as today, there is NO scriptural authority for us to have to submit to a religious authority, other than the one we have chosen to place ourselves under.
I think that this may mean that we should submit to governments in ALL things.
Sincerely Anne Adams — Kyabram, Victoria
EDITORIAL COMMENT: This raises a very interesting point about authorities operating under governments and the Christian obligation to each.
It also raises the question of where do Christians stand if they are forbidden by governments to preach the Gospel, as for example under totalitarian, atheistic or religiously intolerant regimes. What do you think about these things?
Please address your letter by email to: editor@christian-witness.org.
On Saturday November 5, 2005
ISLAM IN BRISBANE
a number of people from CWM-F and I attended an interfaith meeting in one of Brisbane’s suburbs.
During question time I made some comments and asked a question which resulted in a measure of uproar in the meeting of 500 plus people.
The question was not answered publicly.
At the end of the meeting I spoke with three of the four speakers including Australia’s Anglican Primate, Archbishop Aspinall and Keysar Trad the Islam representative who was announced as the keynote speaker and who provided me with his email address.
The next day I wrote to Mr Trad as follows: Sunday November 6, 2005
OPEN LETTER TO THE FOUNDER OF THE ISLAMIC FRIENDSHIP ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA AND TRUSTEE OF THE AUSTRALIAN EDUCATIONAL TRUST
Dear Mr Keysar Trad:
You invited me to interact with you by email.
You gave me your email address and asked me to keep my comments (questions) reasonably brief.
I will endeavour to do that:
FIRSTLY by way of introduction you may remember me as the person who was “shouted down” last night on account of the perception that I was not speaking in the “spirit of the meeting” to use the facilitator, Ms Geraldine Doogue’s words.
I readily confess that I was incensed and insulted by the Muslim prayer display in a language not known by the majority of the audience.
I consider that display, being the only part of the inter-faith meeting not understood by anyone other than Muslims, was not Australian and was NOT in the true spirit of an interfaith meeting.
It was a blatant promotion of Islam. Would such a display by Christians be allowed in any country that is controlled by ISLAM?
After the service I expressed privately to the Anglican Primate of Australia my concern especially if he had known that the above referred to “prayerdisplay” would occur and had given his tacit approval.
I plan to send Reverend Phillip Aspinall a copy of this email. I also propose to send it to Geraldine Doogue.
Away from the emotive atmosphere of last evening I would like to now put my question to you especially seeing there was no attempt on the part of anyone to answer it last night. I have other questions, which I hope you will be open to receive and which I trust you will answer. I am more than happy for our interaction to be published in an open forum.
HERE’S THE QUESTION
(re-worded for the sake of brevity): One of Australia’s treasured rights is the right of freedom of speech. As I understand matters Islam does not allow for similar rights.
The case of Salmon Rushdie and his famous
SATANIC VERSES appears to show the reluctance of Islam in this respect.
Presently within our country you as a Muslim are able to openly state that you accept Allah as the ONLY true God and Mohammed as a prophet.
Likewise I am able to state without fear of recrimination, as I did last night, that Allah is not a God and that Mohammed was a false prophet and in fact a paedophile who consummated a marriage with one of his 22 wives when she was ONLY nine years of age and he was 53 years old.
Do you have any problem with my rights and would you like to see them changed to render my honest beliefs in this regard and my present right to state them openly an act of vilifi cation against Mohammed and/or against Muslims?
As I say I am happy for this to be debated openly. I trust the media will pick up on it.
If your present drive to spread Islam, with the support of your “friend” Ms Geraldine Doogue of the ABC, is to gain any credibility you must be open to respond to challenges such as mine.
I am sure the entire audience would not have missed the point last night that you and Ms Geraldine Doogue are “fairly” close friends.
That is your right in a free society and I would not for one minute want to deny it.
I trust you and the wider media will allow for some expression of my rights and those whom I represent.
I look forward to receiving your response at your earliest convenience.
Yours respectfully,
Revd Philip L. POWELL
http://www.cwmfellowship.org
Mr Trad did reply and there followed email interaction between us throughout the month. Finally on November 29 he asked me not to write again.
He denied my request to allow our email correspondence to be made public.
At this point in time I have honoured his request.
I did receive an acknowledgment letter from the offi ce of Australia’s Anglican Primate.
There has been no response from Geraldine Doogue or from her offi ce at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Meanwhile the following came in from Ireland:
Dear Philip,
Remember, remember the 5th of November has taken on a whole new meaning as a result of reading of your courageous stand for Christ against the wickedness of Islam at the inter-faith symposium.
May the Lord bless your witness to all the unbelievers.
In relation to your witnessing campaign and the need to hold up the law of God to lost sinners you might be interested to listen to an interview I gave on American Radio in July past on the subject of ‘Evangelism’ - it is listed on our website [www.takeheed.net] in 2 parts under RADIO INTERVIEWS.
Warm wishes in Christ
Cecil Andrews, ‘Take Heed’ Ministries
www/takeheed.net
Hi Philip,
TBN – HILLSONG HOMOSEXUALITY
I recall reading letters regarding homosexuality at Hillsong last year which you can fi nd at the following address (I hope) LETTERS at the Christian Witness Ministries website (/active/mail/y_ letter34.html).
I am interested in any update that you may have in relation to this matter. I am currently attending an evangelical Uniting Church.
It has been three years since the last Uniting Church of Australia (UCA) national assembly at which the ordination of homosexual ministers was sanctioned.
The next national assembly is scheduled for July this year and it is likely that same sex marriages will be endorsed, or something equally absurd like approving abortion or joining hands with Muslims in common worship.
After the last announcement there was almost unanimous opposition at our fellowship to the resolution and some debate with the hierarchy from Perth (to no avail).
For some like me it was about staying in the fellowship so as to be able to speak into the situation both locally and to the hierarchy (like the prophets of old?)
For some others their conscience got the better of them and they had to leave while a large proportion with over 20 years of being in the “family” could not move out of their comfort zone.
The ones that did relocate are now at the local AOG/Christian Centre.
My concern is that come July there will be others that “feel” it is time to move and will transfer to the AOG. Given that the AOG churches in Australia generally emulate Hillsong, it won’t be long before they replicate their position on doctrinal issues as well, (ie homosexuality).
People here may simply be out of the pot and into the fi re with out even knowing it — with a double disappointment at the end. Any progress report on this matter would be appreciated as perhaps I can forewarn some.
Thank you for sharing your gift of discernment and your tenacity.
Regards
David Cohen
— Geraldton, WA
Last year’s
Leadership Now, Hillsong’s offi cial communiqué to pastors, contains a glossy front cover picture of Brian Houston shaking hands with Ariel Sharon.
Certainly it was a photo opportunity not to be missed! Now almost twelve months later things are settling down and the truth is starting to emerge.
Maybe Brian Houston, President of AoG in Australia should have been more discerning and circumspect in his selfpromotional efforts for at least two reasons, both of them “money related” – well in a sort of way.
Will anyone ever forget that Brian’s book
You Need More Money audaciously claimed that the bottom line was Bible based? — Hmmm!
REASON 1: Israeli Tourism — the scouts are always out
BBC, UK – Jan. 11, 2006: “Israel is pulling out of a $50 million deal with US — TV evangelist Pat Robertson after he said Ariel Sharon’s stroke was divine retribution.” < http://www.religionnewsblog. com/13173 >
“Tourism Ministry spokesman Ido Hartuv said Israel would not sign a contract with Mr Robertson to build a biblical theme park by the Sea of Galilee.” So that was why Brian and seven other “top” Evangelical leaders were there. It was all to do with tourism and money. Pat Roberson has apologised for his remark about Sharon maybe in an attempt to climb back on board. The BBC report (see above) claimed that Robertson’s “remarks were condemned by the US government and American Jewish groups. Mr Robertson was … hoping to build the Galilee World Heritage Park” —
< http://www.religionnewsblog. com/13231>
Heritage Parks — doesn’t that revive memories of another “evangelical fi asco” that was money driven — PTL and Heritage USA?
REASON 2: Bad company corrupts good manners
Inside Leadership Now (2005) is a picture of eight so-called international evangelical leaders, including Brian and Bobby Houston, the only woman in the group.
Among the eight is Paul Crouch head of the multi-million dollar Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN).
Could Crouch be a likely replacement for Robertson?
TBN certainly has the coverage and cash – BUT …. Read on (note dates).
From the Los Angeles Times September 12, 2004
Copyright © 2004, The Los Angeles Times
(http:// www.latimes.com):
A former worker
TELEVANGELIST PAUL CROUCH ATTEMPTS TO KEEP ACCUSER QUIET
at TBN threatened to disclose an alleged 1996 homosexual encounter.
By William Lobdell — LA Times staff writer
”Televangelist Paul Crouch, founder of the world’s largest Christian broadcasting network, has waged a fi erce legal battle to prevent a former employee from publicizing allegations that he and Crouch had a sexual encounter eight years ago {i.e. in 1988}. Crouch … is the president of Trinity Broadcasting Network, based in Orange County, whose Christian programming reaches millions of viewers around the world via satellite, cable and broadcast stations.
The source of the allegations against him is Enoch Lonnie Ford, who met Crouch at a TBN-affi liated drug treatment centre in 1991 and later went to work for the ministry.
After Ford threatened to sue TBN in 1998, claiming that he had been unjustly fi red, Crouch reached a $425,000 settlement with him.
In return, Ford agreed, among other things, not to discuss his claim about a sexual encounter with the TV preacher.”
The story is long and sordid. In short Lonnie Ford tried to renege on the agreement tied up in his $425,000 settlement with Crouch. He wrote a manuscript for a proposed book about the “affair” and then asked Crouch and/or TBN for $10 million to buy the publishing rights. Crouch & TBN made a $1 million counter-offer, refused to pay the $10 million and sued for silence.
The parties agreed for the matter to go to arbitration. Arbitrator Robert J. Neill ruled that Ford’s right to make his allegations public “was sold to [Crouch] for $425,000.” Ford “bargained away his right to speak on certain matters and now suggests that his right to free speech trumps that bargain…. [His] right to discuss these matters was bought and paid for. He relinquished that right.”
End of story —or is it?
Well in the kingdom of men, where money talks, it may be, but NOT in the Kingdom of God.
According to the LA TIMES: “TBN offi cials have long been concerned about how Ford’s allegations could affect the network, which relies heavily on donations from viewers.
Offi cials said they were particularly worried about possible comparisons to the scandal that brought down televangelist Jim Bakker in 1987.
Bakker resigned from his PTL Ministries in 1987 after admitting to paying a secretary $265,000 in ministry funds to be silent about an earlier affair. Bakker later went to prison for bilking (defrauding) donors. … A former bodyguard for TBN personality Benny Hinn testified in a deposition that during a European bus tour that year, Hinn had told a group of associates about “a sexual relationship that Paul Crouch had with his chauffeur.” The witness, Mario C. Licciardello, quoted Hinn as saying: “Paul’s defence was that he was drunk. Hinn and six others mentioned by Licciardello, who died in 2000, told the LA Times that Hinn never made such remarks.
However, Rick Jones, a retired police offi cer and ordained minister who worked for Hinn, said he heard Hinn talk about Crouch’s alleged homosexual relationship on that bus. Jones said he was disgusted by the talk and got up and walked away.”
http://www.christianitytoday. com/ct/2004/137/11.0.html
“… be sure your sin will fi nd you out” (Num 32:23).
SSydney Star Observer – Issue 781, Aug 9 2005:
HOME FIRES ARE ALSO BURNING
“AUSTRALIA: ASSEMBLIES OF GOD IN GAY TALKS” by Lyndon Barnett
In a landmark move, homosexuality is on the agenda for discussion with the Pentecostal Assemblies of God.
“The National Executive of the Assemblies of God (AOG) has agreed to discuss homosexuality with Anthony Venn-Brown, the fi rst openly gay member of the Australian Pentecostal church. … ‘It is my aim through intelligent and respectful dialogue to change the misconceptions within the AOG regarding homosexuality. Whilst it’s rare to hear gays or lesbians castigated from the pulpit, I am challenging the traditional church doctrines,’ Venn-Brown said.
Brian Houston, National President of the AOG and senior pastor of Hillsong, commented to Venn-Brown upon accepting the invitation:
‘I’m sure you are aware that we are still a long way apart philosophically, but we will give you a fair hearing’.”
FULL ARTICLE:
http://www.ssonet.com.au/display. asp?ArticleID=4655.
Contact Info for AoG Australia National and State Offi ces http://www.aog.org.au/ ContactUs/NationalOffi ce/tabid/137/Default.aspx Mark Mullins a UK barrister and member of AoG-UK, who drew our attention to the above newspaper report and who is one of our CWM Camp (June 4 to 10, 2006) speakers —
— wrote: “Another disappointment from AoG Australia.
I thought 1 Corinthians 5:11 (compare 6:9 & 10) applied to a “Christian” who turns to homosexual practice.”
I have written to you not to keep company with any man that is called a brother who is a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; not even to eat with such a person
(1 Cor 5:11).
Do you not know that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God?
Do not be deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor effeminate, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God
(1 Cor 6: 9-10).
CWM has established that a meeting did occur. A reliable source advises that Venn Brown was greeted warmly and welcomed by the Assemblies of God Executive which is now comprised of men who were his closest friends and pastors of churches where he preached 15 years ago, before his ministerial discipline for his admitted homosexuality as a then married family man.
(Venn Brown claims that he resigned from AoG!) I advised Keith Ainge, National Secretary of AoG, of our intention to report the matter in CETF (email — January 24, 2006).
At the time of going to press there has been no response from Keith Ainge or any AoG offi cial.
However the Hon. Andrew Evans MP, former General Superintendent of AoG (1976–1996 approx) commented in a separate email that he had told Tony Venn Brown that the AoG would never support his position and that he needed to renounce his lifestyle.
Andrew Evans believes that his son Ashley and the National AoG Executive members also take this position and he has indicated that he will not discuss the movement’s problems, as I perceive them, further with me.
Surely history alone calls for a greater openness. No one associated with AoG will forget the sad history of the late Frank Houston, former Superintendent of AoG-NZ and NSW.
How many knew about Frank’s homosexual paedophilia during the 20 years that Andrew Evans was General Superintendent?
CWM calls for an openness about what happened behind closed doors when Anthony Venn Brown met with the National AoG Executive. Sadly the AoG were progressively shamed into openly admitting the fact and extent of Frank’s sins through the action of CWM and others.
Are we going to see something similar in respect of this issue?
This has far-reaching consequences to everyone associated with AoG.
[Note: This full statement has been sent to all parties — Keith Ainge, the Honourable Andrew Evans and Anthony Venn Brown with an invitation for their comment prior to going to print.]
Does this sound like a circus
CAREFORCE CHURCH – MT EVELYN PASTOR ALLAN MEYER SHOWS OFFENSIVE FILM IN AFTER CHURCH SERVICE
or what! It is a report by Ps Allan Meyer of a “service” at his Careforce church. It was “posted” on the Phil Baker blog (http://www.philbaker.net/blog/2900.)
As for the choice of movie, I have not seen it (deliberately) but it sounds like irreverent fi lth.
There is a review on Christian Answers.net
(http://christiananswers. net/spotlight/movies/2003/brucealmighty.html)
Regards, EW, Victoria
“THE BACKGROUND:
Careforce Church lies in the semi-rural environment of Mt Evelyn — a quiet little town in the foothills of the Dandenong Ranges, about one hour east of the Melbourne CBD.
Mt Evelyn is NOT a holiday destination for anyone, and you could only describe our area as a sleepy hollow during the school holidays. Careforce Church normally goes dormant for 5 weeks after Christmas, which is a great pity since we do a great production just prior to Christmas, which draws thousands of people, then there is nothing happening until February.
This year we decided to turn all that around. A small group of staff grabbed the idea of turning our church into the most happening place in the entire community during the Sunday nights of January.
The idea of January Nights was born.
But how do you gather a crowd in Mt Evelyn on Sunday, January 1st?
One of the team came up with the idea of giving away a car.
I was raised a Lutheran — Lutherans don’t give away cars, so I wouldn’t have thought of that in a million years.
I didn’t know whether to love the idea or hate it — but since the guy who was carrying a lot of the responsibility for the January Nights was keen on having some kind of crowd-drawing attraction I let him have his head.
He found someone willing to donate a car.
Not just any car folks — a 1986 Ford Laser.
After the team went to work on it, cleaned it, polished it, got it roadworthy AND put on a new set of hub caps, it really looked pretty good.
All through December we promoted the idea of January Nights.
We set a goal for our congregation of seeing 50 people won for Christ over this normally dormant period of our church life.
We promoted it at our Christmas production and parked this brand new secondhand car in the church foyer for the last week prior to January 1st.
So yesterday was our January 1st Recovery Party. We put on a Family Fair from 5pm to 7pm with Jumpy Castles, animal petting zoo, games, food, fun of all kinds — and wouldn’t you know — it rained.
We just moved it all indoors and pressed on regardless.
We had a great crowd.
At 7pm the crowd pressed into the auditorium, everyone got a ticket as they entered and later every visitor got 10 extra tickets.
OUTRAGEOUS.
The worship was great. Then Paul Coleman sang and shared — he was outstanding.
Then I preached on the movie Bruce Almighty. At the end of the service 15 people both old and young were being counselled in Prayer Corner as they began a journey of faith.
We had a break after the service for people to get food and drink, then just before we screened the movie Bruce Almighty, we had the draw for the car.
A young man about 20 years of age was the proud winner. It was only the second time in his life he had been in a church.
We plan to repeat this outrageous process every Sunday night during January with a give away prize every night.
A local fi rm has donated an LPG conversion for one of the giveaways. From my perspective — a good fi rst step toward a goal of 50 people for Christ in a month where usually nothing happens.”
ED: Sadly the closing comment by the pastor of the Careforce Church shows that his focus is on numbers, as with all church growth exponents. The deception is they think souls are actually getting saved. Is this possible in the context of such an outrageous, and plainly sensuous programme? The fi lm that is listed – PG-13, the Moral Rating of which is stated to be “Offensive”.
Friends — this is Australia where Pentecostal leaders are claiming there is a “revival”. The mind boggles.
Some of the leading lights in the Church Growth Movement appear to be waking up, at least in degree. Jerry Lee Grady, editor of CHARISMA (USA) wrote a warning article entitled
“It’s Getting Really Weird Out There” claiming among other things: “In many charismatic ministries today, basic Christian morality has been hijacked.” (http://www. charismanow.com/11-11-05)
Lee Grady speaks out about it (31/01/06): http:// www.charismanow.com/01-31-06/
Many on our side would probably applaud his “insight” but sadly Jerry Lee Grady and his CHARISMA magazine have a long history of contributing in a major way to the weirdness.
While we support his recent stance (11/11/05 & 31/01/06) we also call for an open confession of the large contribution that CHARISMA has made to the problem.
If he and his paper were to do that then there would be some hope of recovery.
Meanwhile don’t you think it’s getting weird in Australia, New Zealand and UK where CETF circulates?
How about some of you experienced or budding journalists taking up pen and paper and doing an exposé of the weird things that are happening?
How about someone doing an in depth critique of Mt Evelyn Careforce Church and its pastor Allan Meyer, whom I am told has grandiose ideas of his future infl uence within the so called “Church”. Include some photographs.
CWM will happily consider publishing anything that is correctly sourced and properly documented.
By the way, Allan Meyer wrote to me on 29/01/06 as follows:
Dear Philip
I am away until Feb 1st. Be glad to talk to you personally on my return. The fi lm we screened after the service was concluded, was an edited version in which every unclean word or situation had been removed. Talk to you soon.
Allan Meyer
This comment which was made after we sent him a copy of what we intended to publish raises issues of copyright and as we pointed out to him the more important aspect from our perspective that any fi lm that required editing should not be shown in a gospel setting in any event.
In light of the recent
HILLSONG & WORLD VISION
“Hillsong” episodes on television and the debate it has sparked over all the good humanitarian work they do — and the many now “leadership” conferences, “emerge” conferences etc that some AOG churches in NSW seem to be running.
I read these little news reports of persecution — of some nations actually praying for persecution in the west —
http://www.assistnews. net/Stories/s05080063.htm
— and I just weep when I think that with all we have, and all the “good” we suppose we do, and all the “conferences” to make us better “Christians”; those on the front line actually preaching a true Gospel of repentance (Acts 3vs19) suffer at the hands of the enemy.
BUT even worse than that — an organisation (World Vision) tied in with Hillsong’s humanitarian aid programs (see from Berean Call below) and many other AOG churches turns on the Jesus of the Bible, and seemingly joins the enemy.
We should all decide to base our opinions about Christians on whether they strive, despite all opposition, to uphold and preach the truth of Christ’s imminent return.
S & L W,
Sydney
From The Berean Call,
THE BEREAN CALL TODAY: ISRAEL AND ISLAM
Thu, 18 Aug 2005: “INDONESIAN PRESIDENT ISSUES DECREE TO STOP EVANGELISM IN ACEH” Thursday, 28-July-2005, Banda Aceh, Waspada The Indonesian president has released a decree (Kepres) that forbids evangelism in Aceh and asked [mission organizations] to stop their evangelism activities in Aceh.
“The evangelism has been a national issue. The problems have been discussed [on the] national level and the president has issued a decree to forbid evangelism in Aceh,“ [Muslim leader] Muslim Ibrahin told “Waspada Daily” on Wednesday.
Muslim said the government will cease [mission operations] in Aceh if they are involved in evangelism in Aceh and their workers’ visas will be ended and they have to leave Aceh.
Following the decree, [a Muslim group] has asked police and local government to run an investigation and fi nd evidence on any reports on evangelism submitted by people in Aceh.
“The police have to become more pro-active in managing this issues,” said Muslim.
Among them is World Vision. In the meeting, they promised not to run evangelism activities and will help report any evangelism cases. Last week, hundreds of students from Syiah Kuala University marched and staged protest in front of Aceh Governor offi ce in Banda Aceh.
They asked the government to expel [missions] that provide humanitarian help to cover evangelism activities.
[TBC:
The same religion which is spread by the sword can tolerate no threats to its domination.]
Thank you, thank you, thank you!
40 DAYS
My church is currently in the second week of 40 Days of Purpose.
I am not taking part in it and will probably be marked as a trouble maker.
I am so thrilled to have found your site. It is an encouragement to me and to many others who are saddened by this blatant attack on truth.
God Bless you and keep speaking up for the truth that is found in Christ Jesus.
Fred
Tête-à-Tête:
JACOB PRASCH—BENNY HINN
On Thursday January 19, 2006 Jacob Prasch (JP) and Benny Hinn (BH) chanced to meet at ‘Borders’ a mega store near an airport in Hawaii. Jacob was alone with the Lord at his side.
Benny Hinn had his bodyguard and a friend, (possibly James Marocco) presumably on their way to Fiji.
Prasch accosted Hinn addressing him in Hebrew (BH makes a big deal of his Hebrew expertise on TV having been born in Israel).
He admitted he could “not really” speak Hebrew, so JP switched to English and told him that he had a list of false prophecies BH had made in the Name of the Lord, none of which happened.
Prasch pointed Hinn to Deuteronomy 18 calling him a false prophet who needs to repent and get out of the ministry.
Hinn’s bodyguard twitched in the background. Needless to say, BH would not (could not) address the issue.
He just said, “Thank you very much”.
Well done Jacob!
You confronted him eyeball to eyeball based on the principle of
Ezekiel 2: 5, which should motivate all of us in similar circumstances:
“And they, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear, (for they are a rebellious house,) yet shall know that there has been a prophet among them.”
I've been watching your efforts over the past year and am interested in keeping touch with you, as a benefi t to my walk and that of others I know.
Whilst I may not agree with everything you publish, I do agree that everything should be tested.
I don’t believe that a “ministry” should be set up to expose every wrong thing the church does as that only confuses people further and can damage the body of Christ.
However, I don’t think everything you’re doing is out of line.
Leaders should be accountable! As for the “holywhatever” movement that swept through Brisbane some years back, let’s just say it’s comforting to know it’s subsided.
Has it changed people’s lives?
Has it brought a revival to the city?
Not likely.
There are many aspects to Christianity that I agree on and sometimes question, but isn’t that left up to us to search the Word of God and use wisdom and accountability to work it out?
You have some interesting points, which I’ll go away and think on.
Many thanks.
DB,
Brisbane
Mr Powell, please answer a question for me.
The little church where I am in fellowship wants me to get baptised again.
I was baptised in a Pentecostal church and the pastor of this church won’t recognise it so I can’t take communion there. Is this right?
I just don’t feel happy about it although it’s a good church otherwise.
I would appreciate your view on it, thank you.
DW – Australia
ED: We answered this person privately.
Our public comment is:
Adult baptism by total emersion is a biblical ordinance as is the taking of communion.
No local church or church leader has the right to control a person in respect of either.
Only cults insist on re-baptism.
POLICY: We value and encourage your communications on any matter and especially on subjects raised in our publications. However due to the large amount of correspondence that we receive Philip Powell can not undertake to answer personal correspondence.
WE are receiving so many letters and emails that it is impractical to publish them all.
CWM issues a regular electronic Mailer, which among other things seeks to warn Christians about false doctrine and abusive practices within the Christian community.
Good advice resulted from our publishing the story.
You can join the CWM Mailer at http://www. christian-witness.org/join.html for future despatches.
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-Last revised-
Monday, October 09, 2006
