Rev Ron Johnston elected Free Presbyterian Moderator
History was made in Dungannon last night when the Rev Dr Ian Paisley stepped down as Moderator of the Free Presbyterian Church after well over half a century. He was succeeded by Rev Ron Johnston, Minister of Armagh, has been deputy Moderator for the past 18 months.
Rev Johnston, a married man in his fifties originally from east Belfast, paid tribute to his long-standing predecessor Dr Paisley, and vowed to uphold the traditions of Free Presbyterianism.
He also reiterated the church's opposition to ecumenism, the Roman Catholic Church and to the Charismatic Movement....
Dr Paisley’s comments on Sunday morning 20th January 2008 “A Final Settlement of All Things” give a necessary â€on the record’ response to so many of the obscene allegations that have been levelled against him. Regrettably many people have accepted without any proof the lies which have been told by professing Christians supported only by sensationalised reports in newspapers. Perhaps the act of vandalism upon Rev Ron Johnstone’s church in Armagh at the weekend by such professing Christians will give those who are at a distance some indication of the spirit in which many of our enemies have acted and spoken. May the LORD bless Brother Jonstone in his role as the new Moderator.
The unanimously adopted Statement I read to the media can be viewed on www.freepres.org I do not intend to defend myself in future against people who do not even give their names. I do ask that common courtesy would be given to at least comment on what I did say. Part reads as follows
At this time of transition within our Presbytery we commit ourselves to be faithful in pursuing the vision that the Lord, through Dr Paisley, Dr Douglas, and other faithful men, have set before us.
We have therefore as a Presbytery rededicated ourselves to the Protestant Reformed Evangelical Faith and the distinctive principles and practice of the Free Presbyterian Church. We are unashamedly Protestant. We follow in the footsteps of the Reformers.
The Free in our name refers to our total disassociation from those major Presbyterian denominations of the world which have repudiated the historic Christian faith.
We reject the false teachings of Ecumenism, Roman Catholicism, Modernism and the Charismatic Movement.
As a denomination we are determined to remain standing without compromise for Christ and to vigorously oppose any betrayal of His Gospel and departure from the Biblical Faith.”
Andrew Graham wrote: What deep divide. What is happening to the body of Christ? My heart aches for the division of Believers in Christ that are bestowing great sorrows upon themselves. I can understand the defence against Rome's pegan religion, but against other brothers in the faith. Why is the Body destroying itself? I feel religion is begining to rule and tradition over the personal and wonderful walk with the Lord, King and Savior Jesus. Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights [were] with the sons of men. Prov 8:31 How many of us can say we hear His Spirit day and daily through God's spoken word's record for us in the scripture. How many of us can say, I talk to God daily, He is my God and He is my best friend, without Him life wouldn't be worth living? Don't have your eyes upon the sheep, have them upon the shepard. 1 Corinthians 13:13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these [is] charity. (Charity = LOVE)
AMEN Amen amen
Fellowship, what I thought I would find The Bible nails it Someone in the Bible said something like That day will not come untill there be a great falling away I now see that here, in todays church, in the world And 1 thing left- that man of sin
What deep divide. What is happening to the body of Christ? My heart aches for the division of Believers in Christ that are bestowing great sorrows upon themselves.
I can understand the defence against Rome's pegan religion, but against other brothers in the faith. Why is the Body destroying itself?
I feel religion is begining to rule and tradition over the personal and wonderful walk with the Lord, King and Savior Jesus.
Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights [were] with the sons of men. Prov 8:31
How many of us can say we hear His Spirit day and daily through God's spoken word's record for us in the scripture. How many of us can say, I talk to God daily, He is my God and He is my best friend, without Him life wouldn't be worth living?
Don't have your eyes upon the sheep, have them upon the shepard.
1 Corinthians 13:13
And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these [is] charity.
I can see the writing “BUSINESS AS USUAL” from the FPC. As reported in the “Newsletter “ on 19 January as follows; Mr Johnston said he was “going to follow the Free Presbyterian witness and vision” of Dr Paisley and paid tribute to his predecessor’s “dedication to God”.
The above mention of “dedication to God” by new Moderator is not true, as we who love Christ can testify that the last moderator did things contrary to Gods will which is why he had to stand down. Looks like we are in for more compromise and further departure from Christ the head of the Church.
The need of the hour in FPC is to start fearing God.
More useful information at; http://voice4democracyni.blogspot.com/ http://psalm79.blogspot.com/2007/11/meet-pope-lundy-second.html http://www.ivanfoster.org/main.asp
us observer wrote: "Rev Johnston . . . vowed to uphold the traditions of Free Presbyterianism." I don't personally know the Rev. Johnston, but I am disappointed that the take of the belfast telegraph is this. Shouldn't an outsider or a member of the media have come away thinking that he had vowed to uphold the Bible, and not the traditions of anyone or any group? How is the world supposed to think of your denomination as any different from Rome when it is reported that your moderator swears to uphold traditions?
The media did not give the full text of Presbytery's statement. The word "traditions", if it was used, was being employed in the Biblical (not R.C.)sense. The Apostle Paul used that very word to the Thessalonians, when he urged them to "hold fast the traditions". The FPC does have a "traditional" stance on many issues in the province of Ulster - these "traditions" of Free Presbyterianism include a strong stand upon the inerrancy of Scripture,with a particular defense of the traditional Bible Version of the Church (KJV), an emphasis on prayer, protest against apostasy and ecumenism, and vigorous evangelistic effort. Having studied alongside Rev. Johnstone, I expect him to uphold the Biblical "traditions" of Free Presbyterianism.
"Rev Johnston . . . vowed to uphold the traditions of Free Presbyterianism." I don't personally know the Rev. Johnston, but I am disappointed that the take of the belfast telegraph is this. Shouldn't an outsider or a member of the media have come away thinking that he had vowed to uphold the Bible, and not the traditions of anyone or any group? How is the world supposed to think of your denomination as any different from Rome when it is reported that your moderator swears to uphold traditions?
Thank the Lord we have truth-tellers like Rev. Foster who tell it as it is - Dr. Paisley's position is compromised and it was necessary for him to step down as moderator. it is sad the DUP are using and abusing him and now are wanting to chuck him on the rubbish heap now that they have got into positions of power - but Dr. P went along with it because he wanted power. No Surrender !!!!!!!!
[QUOTE]I notice that the BBC are reporting that Mr. Paisley has taken part in a service with a Roman Catholic Priest. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/7198719.stm If this turns out to be true, Mr. Paisley should be removed from his position as a Free Presbyterian Minister. The Free Presbyterian Church has always preached "..be ye separate onto the gospel" Its a sad sad day for the Free Presbyterian Church...[/QUOTE]While a radio program dealing with this issue was airing in N. Ireland (BBCNI "Sunday Sequence")a statement came in to the BBC folks to say MR P was not aware of the exact nature of the event beforehand, and that he never has, nor would he be party to "an ecumenical service". The priest said it was not an ecumenical service but "non-denominational"! In the States we call that "semantics" - playing about with words. If you are caught in a compromising situation (or trap)then the way to deal with it is to get outta there!! At least we should be glad that Dr P has denied ecumenism and confirmed his opposition to it. One hopes his actions will confirm this welcome claim. The event in question took place on 12/29/2007. Why did it take the BBC so long to comment on it?
Its good that Mr. Paisley stepped down as Moderator of the Free Presbyterian Church. Its just unfortunate that he didn't step down sooner. He should not have taken on the job of Northern Ireland's First Minister while being Moderator.
I notice that the BBC are reporting that Mr. Paisley has taken part in a service with a Roman Catholic Priest. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/7198719.stm
If this turns out to be true, Mr. Paisley should be removed from his position as a Free Presbyterian Minister. The Free Presbyterian Church has always preached "..be ye separate onto the gospel"
Its a sad sad day for the Free Presbyterian Church...
With the Rev Johnston coming from my old stomping ground of east Belfast, he`s a chip of the old block. NO SURRENDER to Ecumenism,Romanism, Charismatacism! and any other `isms spawned in the Pit. Excellent choice.
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