THE major theme that runs through this paper reflects CWM’s burden to both build and warn about false builders and unstable buildings. I never cease to marvel at the grace and wisdom of God that shines in upon our humanness, frailty and suffering. God is incredibly good. He can be trusted totally no matter what our circumstances or pressures may be.
In Isaiah 30:20-21 we read:
“And though the Lord gives you the bread of adversity, and the water of affliction, yet shall not your teachers be removed into a corner any more, but your eyes shall see your teachers: And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, This is the way, walk in it, when you turn to the right hand, and when you turn to the left.”

How we need that guidance which comes from the Lord alone, through those true “teachers” who declare His Word by His Spirit alone. We need discernment to identify “your teachers”. That is more important than the bread of prosperity and the water of luxury. In fact we can and so often do experience His wonderful divine guidance as we eat “the bread of adversity” and drink “the water of affliction” as Isaiah well writes.

In this issue Tony Pearce a former public school teacher in England reminds us of the need to guard against the influence of paganism and the occult, which are promoted even in the apparently innocuous children’s writing by authors such as JRR Tolkien and CS Lewis.

My own third in the series of the Matthew 13 parables reminds us that big is not always a blessing. We may grow in numbers and other ways and yet fail to grow “in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18).

Roger Winter-Smith, the newly appointed chairman of the CWM-UK Working Party, stimulates our thinking with his illustrations of the two wisdom systems spoken of by James in the New Testament. He shows us how Balaam and Ahithophel illustrate worldly wisdom while Moses and Paul reveal true godly wisdom, which comes “from above” (James 3:17). Philip Foster’s first of a new series on Old Testament Prayers enlightens us with a fascinating look at the life of Cain. Contrasting the selfishness of the first murderer with the selflessness of the man who referred to himself as the chief of sinners (1 Timothy 1:15), Philip makes some brilliant comments regarding the marks that each man carried in his body to his death.

Jim Cottington, a new writer and one of the speakers at the recent Bawtry Convention (UK), puts in print a message which obviously blessed and greatly encouraged those who attended the Convention. The promise to all who are faithful in the midst of persecution is “Your Crown Awaits”.

Olympia Barczynska provides us with an analysis of TRANSFORMATIONS 2 the second in the video series that has taken the Christian church by storm creating great confusion and not a little deception. George Otis Jnr has quite clearly taken on board some of the criticism against TRANSFORMATIONS 1 but has not changed in any fundamental way. BEWARE the incredible claims that are being made by the Revival Now crowd. Test all things by Scripture.

In our letters page we start with the old bone of contention about “Once saved ALWAYS saved” which is really a most confusing and misleading cliché. Why not “Once saved REALLY saved?” What is grace? What does it mean to be saved? Also in this issue Ian Bilby whom we mentioned in the previous Vanguard writes to CWM. Your comments are invited as always.

As a preface to a major UNMASKED article on Kenneth Copeland and the word-faith movement Brett Bigg, another new writer, provides reasons why we should investigate and sometimes criticise those who claim to be Christian ministers. Are Copeland and his colleagues such as Creflo Dollar true “ministers” or just conmen and hirelings?

The final article is by veteran Pentecostal pastor the late David Powell, which also features as an addendum in the Australasian edition of his posthumously published book entitled “The Christian’s Vital Breath – a study of prayer”. In the addendum to the book there are also some interesting anecdotes from Mr Powell’s life, which I as his nephew have recalled. We hope to publish more of David Powell’s messages and stories.

Finally – and initially – we have featured the second CWM-UK Gathering by way of a report from Alan Nunn (cover page) and details and plans of the new UK Working Party (back page) inter-related to what is happening in Australasia (page 27). Please pray for us that our vision will remain clear and true.

“Christ we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect (i.e. mature) in Christ Jesus” — Colossians 1:28 T

Philip L Powell

Appeared in Issue CETF 9.1 September 2003
"...contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints" -- Jude v3

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