WELSH OUTPOURING DECEPTION: Y DDRAIG GOCH - THE RED DRAGON

http://www.mylgcc.com/

And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great red dragon, with seven heads and ten horns, and on his heads seven diadems. (Revelation 12/3)

Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding in his hand the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain. And he seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years, and threw him into the pit, and shut it and sealed it over him, so that he might not deceive the nations any longer, until the thousand years were ended. After that he must be released for a little while.  (Revelation 20)

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’  (Matthew 7/21-23)

A BRIEF BACKGROUND

Prior to 1959 the Welsh flag was St David’s Cross.  The present Welsh flag was officially recognised by the Queen in 1959 after the Gorsedd of Bards (who are Druids) lobbied for the change, but not everyone is happy with the satanic symbolism of the red dragon.  

Prior to the Roman invasion, the druid priesthood was the undisputed power in Britain.  The ancient Druids engaged in divination and nature-based worship which inlvoed the sacrifice of animals and humans. Suppression of the Druids led to the rise of the “bardic school” .

Merle Severy, "The Celts," National Geographic (May 1977), pages 625-626, describes "the eve of Samhain... the start of the Celtic new year:

"According to the Dinshenchas, a medieval collection of "the lore of prominent places," firstborn children were sacrificed before a great idol to ensure fertility of cattle and crops. Samhain eve was a night of dread and danger. At this juncture of the old year and the new, our world and the otherworld opened up to each other. The dead returned, ghosts and demons were abroad, and the future could be seen.. . . Behind such Halloween games as bobbing for apples lie Celtic divination arts to discern who would marry, thrive, or die in the coming year. Behind the masks and mischief, the jack-o'lanterns and food offerings, lurk the fear of malevolent spirits and the rites to propitiate them."

"Tacitus tells us of the bloodstained Druid altars of Anglesey in Wales." (page 601)

Julius Caesar on Celtic Sacrifices

The whole nation of the Gauls is greatly devoted to ritual observances, and for that reason those who are smitten with the more grievous maladies and who are engaged in the perils of battle either sacrifice human victims or vow so to do, employing the druids as ministers for such sacrifices. They believe, in effect, that, unless for a man's life a man's life be paid, the majesty of the immortal gods may not be appeased; and in public, as in private life they observe an ordinance of sacrifices of the same kind. Others use figures of immense size whose limbs, woven out of twigs, they fill with living men and set on fire, and the men perish in a sheet of flame. They believe that the execution of those who have been caught in the act of theft or robbery or some crime is more pleasing to the immortal gods; but when the supply of such fails they resort to the execution even of the innocent.

"No other nation has had this red dragon as its ruling symbol. Wales has been under demonic oppression and under many curses because of this unwise choice. This symbol was only introduced in 1959 and is not the historic symbol of Wales. The gold cross on the black background goes back nearly two thousand years. This Christian cross of the great patron saint of Wales, St David, is the true spiritual heritage and owner of the soul of Wales." George Hargraves.  http://uk-christians.net/profiles/blogs/welsh-flag#.Ulp6j1A3u70

The Welsh Christian Party: "This is nothing less than the sign of Satan, the devil, Lucifer that ancient serpent who deceived Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden.”  http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/christian-group-wants-evil-welsh-2263878

THE WELSH OUTPOURING VICTORY CHURCH CWMBRAN - DO NOT MOVE AN ANCIENT BOUNDARY STONE

Bethania Chapel in Dowlais, Merthyr Tydfil is a very special place where the ancient landmark was set by godly men. In 1823 Bethania was set apart for the gospel of Jesus Christ.  In the 1829 revival, the minister at Bethania was Samuel Evans, and after Evans death in 1833 John Hughes was the minister for thirty years.  Historically the overseers of Bethania Chapel had a reputation for helping many numbers of poor people.  I will not go into all the details here; the complete history can be found on the Web, in particular the article quoted below by local historian David Edward Pike is very informative.  

How disturbing to see that now the unrighteous have the use of Bethania Chapel in Dowlais after its lofty history.  The ancient boundary stone is of course a metaphor for the Word of God. God's teaching and commandments should never be crossed, and yet we find that many doctrinal boundaries set by the Lord of Hosts have been violated by Richard Taylor at Victory Church as outlined in previous posts by Rob Thomas and myself. 

SOMETHING DOES NOT ADD UP

In 2012 Victory Church secured the use of Bethania Chapel - the opening date was the 9^th of September 2012.  The Victory Church website claims that prior to acquiring its use, Bethania Chapel was disused for many years.   “After so many years of disuse it was a blessing to see this building re-opened…….”   http://www.victorychurch.co.uk/victory-church-2012-review   This statement is totally false.  
The details are a little fuzzy, but what is known is that a group of Christians named Bethania Fellowship were holding meetings at the chapel six months prior to Victory Church.  In March 2012, Bethania Fellowship reluctantly gave up the chapel having done some costly renovations to the building.  What do we make of all this?  It would seem that Bethania Fellowship were intending to stay at the chapel as they had undertaken costly restorations.  Here is an excerpt from an article written by David Edward Pike:

The building was subsequently bought (?) in 1999 by a small independent Pentecostal group which called themselves Bethania Fellowship, and so began an encouraging process of spiritual renewal for the old, historic chapel. It was this small group who did a lot of costly work to restore the building, adding a baptistry and a small toilet block. The Holy Spirit moved powerfully in their meetings, and many were saved. The small original congregation grew to more than thirty in subsequent years, and many were baptised in the newly installed pool. Bethania Fellowship reluctantly had to give up the building in March 2012, and it was then bought (?) by Victory Church. http://daibach-welldigger.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/the-reviving-of-bethania-dowlais.html

I do question whether the building was actually “bought” by Bethania Fellowship as David Edward Pike has written, because if they did own it, why were they constrained to leave?  On the other hand, why would they make costly renovations to the chapel if there was doubt about their continued presence there?  After the demise of Bethania Fellowship, there was barely time to draw breath; Richard Taylor invited his congregation to view the “potential new venue” on the 17^th of March 2012.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7dC648DOiU    Victory Church immediately started their own extensive renovation work, the VO residents providing much of the labour gratis, and the opening date was barely six months after Bethania Fellowship had left.  A very interesting fact is that Victory Church in Cwmbran and Bethania Chapel in Merthyr Tydfil are owned by one and the same person, Richard Sheppard who is a local businessman. How auspicious Taylor is in his connections; it is almost inexplicable. He rises above the law against the local residents of Greenforge Way with retrospective planning permissions and illegal congregations, all the voiced concerns about the vulnerable adults at Victory Outreach UK are ignored, no one looks into his finances, his congregation are enraptured despite all the contradictions, he does just exactly what he likes……one might almost say that he leads a charmed life, it is uncanny - but what will happen in the end (Jeremiah 5/31; Isaiah 47/7; Galatians 6/7)  Since Taylor likes to talk in riddles, I will give him one:

NABOTH'S VINEYARD - 1 KINGS 21

Naboth the Jezreelite owned a piece of land, a vineyard, which King Ahab greatly coveted.  He offered Naboth an even better vineyard or alternatively money.  It was Naboth's ancestral inheritance by right and it appears from the text that it was all that he possessed. To alienate a family inheritance was contrary to the Law of Moses (Leviticus 25/23) and so Naboth quite rightly protested that Ahab’s scheme was contrary to the Lord’s will. 

Naboth said to Ahab: "May Yahweh forbid me, that I should give the inheritance of my fathers to you!"

Because he could not acquire the vineyard legitimately, Ahab was sullen and angry, but Jezebel his wife said: “I will give you the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite.”  The result was that Jezebel, acquired it for Ahab by treachery.  A crafty and cruel plot was put in place which resulted in Naboth's murder.  Ahab got his wish to own the vineyard at the cost of Naboth's blood.  The Bible tells us that Ahab sold himself to do evil in the sight of the LORD (v20).  The spirit of Jezebel lives on.

Do not move an ancient boundary stone

or encroach on the fields of the fatherless,

for their Defender is strong;

he will take up their case against you.

(Proverbs 23/10-11)

You shall not covet your neighbour's house. You shall not covet your neighbour's wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbour."  (Exodus 20/17; Deuteronomy 5/21)

Do not plan evil against your neighbour, who dwells trustingly beside you. (Proverbs 3/29)

Jesus Christ: “The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”   (Mark 12/29-31)

Woe to those who scheme iniquity, Who work out evil on their beds! When morning comes, they do it,  For it is in the power of their hands. They covet fields and then seize them, And houses, and take them away. They rob a man and his house, A man and his inheritance. Therefore thus says the LORD, "Behold, I am planning against this family a calamity from which you cannot remove your necks; And you will not walk haughtily, For it will be an evil time. (Micah 2/1-3)

“And you (Elijah) shall say to him, ‘Thus says the LORD, “Have you killed and also taken possession?”’ And you shall say to him, ‘Thus says the LORD: “In the place where dogs licked up the blood of Naboth shall dogs lick your own blood.”’”   (1 Kings 21/19)

“Yesterday I saw the blood of Naboth and the blood of his sons, declares the LORD, and I will surely make you pay for it on this plot of ground, declares the LORD.' Now then, pick him up and throw him on that plot, in accordance with the word of the LORD." (2 Kings 9/26)

THE WELSH OUTPOURING: FALSE ANOINTING, FALSE TEACHING, FALSE CHURCH - RICHARD TAYLOR VICTORY CHURCH CWMBRAN

http://www.podbean.com/site/player/index/pid/120396/eid/6218701

Taylors unbiblical sermon on the 24^th of September once again shows either his total ignorance or his total disregard for the Word of God, or both.  He says that there is no such ministry as “apologetics” or as a “watchman” and he calls it a “ministry of criticism”.  If this is the case the apostle Paul should have resigned and we should throw our Bibles away! 

Instead of addressing the individual concerns of those who have pointed out the unbiblical happenings at Victory Church, Taylor goes into a long rant about how such people are attacking the “Lord's anointed” (namely himself) and damaging the church.  The only problem is that he forgot to inform us that biblically, spiritual discernment is a vital God given ministry within the church for its protection against the enemy.  Taylor’s followers ignore those who are warning them about these things at their peril.

Examples from the Old Testament:

“Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel. Whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you shall give them warning from me. If I say to the wicked, ‘You shall surely die,’ and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, in order to save his life, that wicked person shall die for his iniquity, but his blood I will require at your hand. But if you warn the wicked, and he does not turn from his wickedness, or from his wicked way, he shall die for his iniquity, but you will have delivered your soul.”   (Ezekiel 3/17-19)

Notice there is a very high level of responsibility for people with this calling and personal repercussions if they fail to warn others.

Jeremiah came against the false prophet Hananiah for speaking words of “peace” when in fact the people of Judah were about to go into the Babylonian captivity:  And Jeremiah the prophet said to the prophet Hananiah, “Listen, Hananiah, the Lord has not sent you, and you have made this people trust in a lie. Therefore thus says the Lord: ‘Behold, I will remove you from the face of the earth. This year you shall die, because you have uttered rebellion against the Lord.’”  (Jeremiah 28/15-16)

God’s warning to the rebellious people of Judah:  Who say to the seers, “Do not see,” and to the prophets, “Do not prophesy to us what is right; speak to us smooth things, prophesy illusions......”  (Isaiah 30/10)

The New Testament:

The very first words that Jesus spoke when the disciples asked him about the signs of the end of the age were:  “Take heed that no man lead you astray.”  The Greek word is blépō which means – take heed, to see, beware, watch. (Matthew 24/4-5; Mark 13/5; Luke 21/8).

I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them.  (Romans 16.17)

…..the gift of distinguishing between spirits  (1Corinthians 12/10) 

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. (1 John 4/1)

The onus is actually on every believer to be on their guard against false prophets/teachers. The Bible is packed with warnings about spiritual deception, and these deceptions gain momentum just prior to the return of Jesus Christ at the close of the age:  2 Corinthians 11/4; 2 Corinthians 11/13-15; 1 Thessalonians 5/21; 1 Timothy 6/3-5; Colossians 2/8; 2 Peter 3/17 etc. 

The Bereans were commended for testing the teaching of Paul against the scriptures: Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. (Acts 17/11)  Any teacher who is not open to being questioned and tested against scripture is a false teacher.

As far as attacking the “Lords anointed”  is concerned, let us be clear that there is a false anointing.  There are those who are self-appointed and those with a false anointing from the enemy.

These are hidden reefs at your love feasts, as they feast with you without fear, shepherds feeding themselves; waterless clouds, swept along by winds; fruitless trees in late autumn, twice dead, uprooted; wild waves of the sea, casting up the foam of their own shame; wandering stars, for whom the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved forever. (Jude 1/12-13)

I have no hesitation in saying that Richard Taylor and his bit part in the schemes of the enemy fits this description very well. In the Bible the culmination of this false anointing is manifested in the antichrist and the false prophet of Revelation. However there are many warnings about antichrists and false prophets plural – those who have a false anointing from the spirit of antichrist.  Richard Taylor’s false anointing will incur the wrath of God and he will take his followers with him into judgement unless they repent.

I have seen a wicked, ruthless man,
spreading himself like a green laurel tree.
But he passed away, and behold, he was no more;
though I sought him, he could not be found.    (Psalm 37/35)

Come out of her, my people, so that you will not share in her sins, so that you will not receive any of her plagues.....  (Revelation 18/4)

FURTHER INFORMATION

http://watchman4wales.blogspot.co.uk

UPDATE

Please read the comments on the link below following Rob's recent article about this.
http://watchman4wales.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/richard-taylor-andrew-parsons-self.html#comment-form 

REASONS TO REJECT THE WELSH OUTPOURING AT VICTORY CHURCH CWMBRAN

We already know that the “Welsh Outpouring” as it is called has very ambitious leaders who have stated their remit (they say vision) to plant 50 churches in ten years in Wales. Richard Taylor is also touting for churches to host the "outpouring" throughout Europe and the UK in 2014. Equip 2013 is a Church Planting Conference being held at Victory Church on the 8/9^th of November at a cost of £20. Peter Anderson, Senior Pastor of Destiny Church Edinburgh will be a guest speaker at this conference on the 9th of November. Victory Church in Cwmbran may be an entry point for Satan to further deceive many churches which are already compromising in the UK and Europe.

Taylor and his fellow apostates have already set up “campuses” at Merthyr Tydfil, The Forest of Dean, Caerphilly, Chepstow and The Rhonnda Valleys, with a further plant taking place in the near future at Blaenavon.

BIBLICAL REASONS TO REJECT THE WELSH OUTPOURING

Listed below are several biblical reasons why Christians should reject the so called Welsh Outpouring:

• Victory Church in Cwmbran is part of ecumenical Churches Together which includes the apostate Roman Catholic Church and other churches belonging to the World Council of Churches.
• The doctrine of Victory Church is unbiblical e.g. Taylor says that unbelievers receive the Holy Spirit prior to hearing the Word of God. (Romans 10/14)
• Taylor says that he has direct words from the Lord, but these are very questionable.
• The two main leaders at Victory Church; Richard Taylor and Andrew Parsons have affluent lifestyles and are not honest or open about their finances.
• Victory Church have hosted false teachers Tommy Tenney, Roy Fields, John Glass, Lou Engle and Nathan Morris.
• Taylor's known influences are Reinhart Bonnke, Rick Warren, Joel Osteen, Ed Stetzer, Mark Driscoll, Tommy Tenney and John Glass.
• Victory Church does not have a good reputation with outsiders (1 Timothy 3/7). Taylor has upset local residents by holding nightly “outpouring” meetings without planning permission.
• Victory Church has been/still is operating illegally as they only have planning permission for one assembly meeting a week. (Romans 13/1-7)
• There are reports that the residents of Victory Outreach UK are coerced into attending all the “outpouring” meetings and are suffering from abusive treatment. http://watchman4wales.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/richard-taylor-andrew-parsons-self.html#comment-form
• None of the alleged healings at Victory Church can be medically verified; in fact the medical profession have voiced concerns. (http://www.itv.com/news/wales/update/2013-08-15/cwmbran-church-under-scrutiny-over-miracle-healings/)

• Taylor and the other leaders insist that they are addressed as “Pastor” . However the role always comes after the name biblically e.g. Paul referred to himself as: Paul, apostle of Jesus Christ. In the book of Revelation John refers to himself simply as: John your brother and partner (Revelation 1/9) etc. Insistence on a title is worldly and unbiblical. 

The list continues to grow............


RICHARD TAYLOR'S FLAWED "LEADERSHIP TIP"

http://www.equip121.com/news/leadership-tip

Here is Taylor's list of qualities required for Christian leadership: humility, curiosity, optimism, vulnerability, generosity and openness.

Going on to Taylor’s short video he says: “I just had this thought about a container – there is something about a container that relates to leadership”. The three things about a container according to the gospel of Taylor are: Size, durability, what it is designed to carry or hold.

A container relates to leadership?  Taylor's leadership list differs significantly from God's list!   If they must be oversimplified, the basic qualities required for leadership are commitment, conviction, competency and character as found in the relevant Bible passages:1 Timothy 3/1-13; 2 Timothy 2/1-13; Titus 1/5-9; Acts 6/1-6 and also Exodus 18/21-22. These passages give very practical guidelines concerning the way of life and the necessary qualities of men in leadership.

The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church? He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil. Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus. (1 Timothy 3/1-13)

Paul actually uses the metaphor of a container to describe the weakness/lowliness of the human body:

But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. (2 Corinthians 4/7) The treasure is the gospel of Jesus Christ. “But we - Not only the apostles, but all true believers. Have this treasure - Of divine light, love, glory. In earthen vessels - In frail, feeble, perishing bodies.” (Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible by John Wesley [1754-65])

Taylor gives us a symbolic model of a container which actually focuses on examination of the container rather than on God. He gives us no biblical reference to substantiate this model or anything else that he says. Vessels are also used symbolically by Paul in Romans 9/21 and 2 Timothy 2/21 where he is talking about vessels for honourable and dishonourable use; in 2 Timothy the context is about holiness. Ironically the dishonourable vessels are false teachers such as Hymenaeus and Philetus (v 17). 

How ironic also that a container (boiling pot) is a prophetic sign in the Old Testament for God's impending judgement.  Both Jeremiah and Ezekiel prophesied about Jezebel's antitype, the end time apostate church (Revelation 2/20).  

Taylor's  “container”  is a cistern that can hold no water (Jeremiah 2/13).  I would actually go further and say that when the container itself is defiled beyond remedy, then how can it possibly hold the treasure? 

Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: Woe to the bloody city, to the pot whose corrosion is in it, and whose corrosion has not gone out of it!  (Ezekiel 24/6 - see also Revelation 16/10-11)

And every pot in Jerusalem and Judah shall be holy to the LORD of hosts, so that all who sacrifice may come and take of them and boil the meat of the sacrifice in them. (Zecharaiah 14/21)

Despite taking up a significant amount of space, Taylor does not refer to one Bible verse and says nothing at all about preaching the gospel, making disciples, teaching the Word of God and the example of leaders.

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.....(Matthew 28/19)

But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. (Mark 10/43/44)

Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. (Hebrews 13/7)

…..and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. (2 Timothy 2/2)

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2/15)

Taylor uses the wisdom of this world/worldly tactics to give people a way of achieving their own ambitions rather than the wisdom of God for His purposes. Taylor focuses on how to become a leader and how to sustain leadership; his presentation could have been given at any secular management conference. He is an eisegate who makes throw away comments which are not biblical and not helpful. Some examples:

“Leadership is not about how good we are but how good we are in recognising and realising others.”

(Taylor's definition of leadership)

…..humility can actually increase one’s influence. (is that why we should be humble?)

“Genuinely caring for and recognising the talents of others makes real leaders.” 

“Be willing to receive intelligence and wisdom from all sources in an effort to further your view of the world.” (wisdom from all sources?)

There are many forms of apostasy taking place in the majority of UK churches claiming to be Evangelical, Pentecostal and Charismatic. This is what is referred to in the Bible as the end time “falling away” (apostasia) (2 Thessalonians 2/3). If past form is anything to go by, even if these churches do not embrace the so called “Welsh Outpouring”, they will continue to open their doors to unbiblical ideas and doctrines of demons (1 Timothy 4/1). Many churches have gone too far and are unlikely to repent, but true believers are being called to turn their backs on the false teachers and hirelings who are propagating insidious unbiblical ideas in their so called churches.

For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. (2 Timothy 4/3-4)

Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgement. (John 7/24; 8/15)

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. (1 Peter 5/8)

Then I heard another voice from heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people, lest you take part in her sins, lest you share in her plagues; (Revelation 18/4)

FURTHER INFORMATION:

http://watchman4wales.blogspot.co.uk/

http://eliora.hubpages.com/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVGAbYIgN78 Divine Tattoo Removal!

http://s4c.co.uk/clic/e_level2.shtml?series_id=510265514

Dear Reader – Do you have questions about Jesus Christ and how to be truly saved? If so, then please read my post: GOD'S PLAN OF SALVATION THROUGH JESUS CHRIST
http://bewareofthewolves.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/gods-plan-of-salvation-through-jesus.html

THE LGBT DEBATE - ARCHBISHOP JUSTIN WELBY INSULTS TRUE BORN AGAIN CHRISTIANS

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby recently had the audacity to tell an audience of “traditional born-again Christians" that they “must repent" over the way gay and lesbian people have been treated in the past and said most young people viewed Christians as no better than racists on the issue. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/10271438/Archbishop-urges-Christians-to-repent-over-wicked-attitude-to-homosexuality.html

Welby’s arrogance in that he has told Christians that they “must repent”  is outrageously inaccurate and highly offensive. Firstly, we need to consider exactly who are responsible for treating gay and lesbian people badly in the past.  Historically the persecution of homosexuals has been state sanctioned! Prior to the fourth century, Christianity was a minor cult with no political influence. It is very well documented that the early Christians were persecuted themselves by the Roman Empire - as such they were not responsible for persecution against gay/lesbian people.

It was in the fourth century that the emperor Constantine (280?-337) reinvented Christianity under the direction of Augustine of Hippo. This was when Roman Catholicism began to hijack Christianity and it became the state religion.  Laws against homosexuality were introduced by the emperor Constantine and later by his sons, emperors Constantius II and Constans who imposed laws against homosexuality in the year 342.  Constantine was anything but Christian.  He worshipped the pagan sun god Mithras and incorporated pagan traditions into Christianity, thus polluting the apostles teaching. He  had his first born son Crispus strangled; he had his second wife Fausta boiled alive; he assassinated friends and advisers and extended the death penalty for minor crimes. Constantine’s/Augustine's unbiblical marriage of church and state was a contradiction of Jesus Christ’s own words: My kingdom is not of this world. (John 18/36)   Augustine redefined Christianity in Platonic terms and followed the false ideas of men such as Origen, Cyprian of Carthage, Ambrose etc. In doing so he went beyond what is written (1 Corinthians 4/6).

Canon law was brought in by another uniblical marriage between church and state under the unrighteous Henry VIII, who began the process of forming the Church of England after his split with the Pope in the 1530's.  Henry VIII was a murderer and adulterer who was not worthy of the title "Defender of the Faith".

In Muslim countries, from the birth of Islam in the seventh century to the present time there has been prohibition of homosexuality.  This fact is conveniently overlooked when Christians are being blamed for homophobia.

Paul the apostle stated very clearly that it is no business of the Christian to judge “outsiders”  i.e. unbelievers outside the church, in respect to anything the Bible calls sinful:

I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people—not at all meaning the sexually immoral of this world, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world. But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one. For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? God judges those outside. “Purge the evil person from among you.” (1 Corinthians 15/9-12)

In the above passage Paul was referring to an act of heterosexual immorality within the church at Corinth. When he says “purge”, he is talking about disfellowship.  Let him who has done this be removed from among you. (1 Corinthians 5/1)

Sodom and Gomorrah is often quoted in the Christianity v LGBT debate:

…… they called to Lot, "Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us, so that we may know (be intimate with) them.  Lot went out to the men at the entrance, shut the door after him, and said, “I beg you, my brothers, do not act so wickedly. Behold, I have two daughters who have not known any man. Let me bring them out to you, and do to them as you please. Only do nothing to these men, for they have come under the shelter of my roof.”(Genesis 19/5-8)

It should be noted that no human being lifted a finger against the people of Sodom and Gomorrah. The Lord Himself rained sulphur and fire out of heaven on Sodom and Gomorrah after Lot’s escape. (Genesis 19/22-24)

Homophobia is defined as: intense hatred or fear of homosexuals or homosexuality (www.thefreedictionary.com). It is inconceivable that a true born-again follower of the Lord Jesus Christ would have an attitude of hatred (Welby says malice) towards homosexuals. It is totally unchristian to do anything to harm gay people or to call them nasty names. Having said that, Christians do not have to do anything that is unbiblical and against the Lord’s will – we cannot say that something is right when the Bible says that it is sinful, but that is as far as we should go - God Himself is the Judge, not us. The fact is that God cares enough about sinners (that is everyone) that he tells Christians to warn those with any kind of sinful lifestyle to repent because they are all in danger of hell.

….. all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

…..for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers,the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers,liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine……(1 Timothy 1/9-10)

None is righteous, no, not one (Romans 3/10).

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? (Jeremiah 17/9)

I do not think that the homosexual community are fooled by Welby’s hypocrisy for one minute. Ben Summerskill, chief executive of gay rights charity Stonewall, said: "It is a tiny bit rich to say he has great sympathy for gay people when in the 10 years since the introduction of civil partnerships the Church has doggedly refused to bless people's long term partnerships even though they are happy to have services for pets and even canals.”

Welby publicly opposed the Government’s Same-sex Marriage Act earlier this year and says that his own mind is not yet “clear”on the wider issues pertaining to the subject. If he is not even clear in his own mind then why is he pontificating to the rest of us? Is he schizophrenic?

A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. (James 1/8)

And if the bugle gives an indistinct sound, who will get ready for battle? (1 Corinthians 14/8)

Speaking about homophobia, Welby says that “we have to be really, really repentant about that because it is utterly and totally wrong.”   Welby is making wild assumptions about people’s attitudes and he demands that born again Christians repent for unchristian acts and attitudes that they are not even responsible for! Who does Welby think he is – he has clearly been spending too much time with the Pope! Perhaps he should think about repenting himself from his unbiblical and authoritative dictates.

It is not Bible believing Christians who have changed, it is society that has undergone a “revolution” in attitudes towards sexuality. Welby himself admits that the shift in public attitudes to homosexuality is one of the biggest social changes of recent history. Do Christians have to change with societal changes? We must remember that God is outside time, He is eternal. Trends and societal changes are nothing to Him – Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. (Hebrews 13/8)

Your decrees are very trustworthy;
holiness befits your house,
O LORD, forevermore.  (Psalm 93/5)

Welby urges Christians to speak out about what they are in favour of rather than simply what they are against. As a committed Bible believing Christian myself, I can inform Welby that I am in favour of the Bible, God’s Word: All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.  (2 Timothy 3/16)    I am not part of the World Council of Churches or any other compromising and cowardly “church”  which bows to the pressures of a fickle society and corrupt religiosity. True Christians follow the Lord Jesus Christ, a person who never conformed to the dictates of the religious leaders of His time or anyone else who thought that they were something when in fact they were nothing at all.

The Bible is very clear that homosexuality is a sin – this is not my opinion it is the Word of God. I do not hate homosexuals; I care enough about them to warn them to repent because homosexuality will lead people to eternal destruction.

Have I then become your enemy by telling you the truth? (Galatians 4/16)

The Lord……. is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. (2 Peter 3/9)

Wolves in sheep’s clothing are doing the LGBT community no favours at all by placating them; in doing so they are deceiving them: Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! (Isaiah 5/20) Let them alone; they are blind guides. And if the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit."  (Matthew 15/14)

Welby told the General Synod in July that the strength of feeling he encountered in support prompted him to reassess his own beliefs and urged them to face up to a “revolution" in attitudes on sexuality. If Welby’s beliefs are to be reassessed by the strength of feeling of others then what sort of Christian is he? It is very fortunate that Jesus Christ did not reassess his determination to go to the cross because of the strength of feeling of his opponents! The same thing could be said of the apostles of Christ and the Christian martyrs throughout history.

Welby comes from what is termed as the evangelical wing of Anglicanism, which is said to take a more traditional interpretation of the Bible. Welby was a member of Holy Trinity Church in Brompton (HTB) in the 1980's.  He is a proponent of the much criticised Alpha Course which was pioneered by Nicky Gumbel and developed by HTB (Gumbel is now the Vicar at HTB). HTB claims to be an “evangelical” church, though many would dispute its biblical soundness and the antics that have taken place there. HTB hosted the so called “Kansas City Prophets” who falsely prophesied a massive revival in the UK. Furthermore HTB was at the forefront of promoting the disastrous “Toronto Experience" in Britain.

"In London, countless abandoned Christian churches have been turned into mosques.  And yet, about 12 years ago, the Kansas City prophets prophesied at Holy Trinity Brompton, where the Alpha Course started.....  Paul Cain prophesied a massive revival in the United Kingdom...  The revival happened, but the only problem was that he got his religions wrong - it wasn't a revival of Christianity, it was a revival of Islam!!"  http://www.africanaquatics.co.za

There is much more that could be said about Holy Trinity Brompton, but suffice it to say that the public should be aware that many true born-again Christians regard HTB as totally apostate. Welby does not represent the true church of Jesus Christ any more than Augustine of Hippo or Constantine did. These days many true bible believing born-again Christians refuse to be associated with the World Council of Churches ecumenical agenda and the ravings of people like the Kansas City Prophets and those associated with Pensacola, Toronto and more recently in the UK, the so called "Welsh Outpouring".

Whilst the LGBT community and the true church are on opposite sides of the fence, I hope at least the LGBT community will respect the honesty of people who do genuinely care about them enough to warn them rather than to accept the inane drivel and political manoeuvring of people who falter between two opinions (1 Kings 18/21).

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgement: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God. (John 3/16-21)