Fair Dinkum, as its name implies, stands for "The simple, unvarnished Truth". At Fair Dinkum, we believe in "Speaking the Truth in love" (Eph. 4:15), and earnestly contending "for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints" (Jude 1:3).
This, our 50th issue, marks ten years of Fair Dinkum. We've produced over 50,000 copies - over 1000 pages. A two-fingered typist literally has over 51 million pages in circulation!
Costs over the last 15 issues have averaged $1100 for each free subscription publication. Thanks be to God - without denominational backing, fund-raising gimmicks, or cover charge, costs have been met! We've just purchased a used collating machine for $600 to help reduce the many hours involved in preparing future issues. Thanks to supporters for standing with us in this ministry of communicating God's truth.
The Fair Dinkum World Wide Web Site has had visitors from: UK, Canada, Singapore, Malaysia, New Zealand, South Africa, USA, Netherlands, Brazil, Finland, Norway, Germany, Russia, Portugal, Argentina, Switzerland, Sweden, Denmark, Oman, Hungary, Belgium, Thailand, South Korea, Philippines, Ireland, Faroe Islands, India, Greece, Romania, Italy, Mexico, Japan, Nigeria, Hong Kong, and United Arab Emirates. Content from the last 22 editions can be accessed by millions of people worldwide.
Pray with us. As we have opportunity, we intend developing other literature, study materials, tracts and other useful tools to equip believers for the work of the ministry. Andrew.
If you have the truth without love you have legalism, if you have love without truth you have liberalism but if you have both you have Bible-ism and that's the way to go obeying what the Bible says, uncompromising with the love and truth God meant you to apply to your hearts. (Errol, Albion Park, NSW)
"The business of the journalist is to destroy the truth, to pervert, to vilify and to sell his country and his race for his daily bread.. We are the tools of rich men behind the scenes." (John Swinton, former Chief of New York Times)
1. Your thumb is nearest to you. So begin your prayers by praying for those closest to you. They are the easiest to remember.
2. The next finger is the pointing finger. Pray for those who teach, instruct and heal. This includes teachers, doctors, and ministers. They need support and wisdom in pointing others in the right direction. Keep them in your prayers.
3. The next finger is the tallest finger. It reminds us of our leaders. Pray for the government, leaders in business and industry, and administrators. These people shape our nation and guide public opinion. They need God's guidance.
4. The fourth finger is our ring finger. Surprising to many is the fact that this our weakest finger; as any piano teacher will testify. It should remind us to pray for those who are weak, in trouble or in pain. They need your prayers day and night. You cannot pray too much for them.
5. And lastly, comes our little finger; the smallest finger of all. Which is where we should place ourselves in relation to God and others. As the Bible says, "The least shall be the greatest among you." Your pinkie should remind you to pray for yourself. (Margaret & Ted, Belmont, NSW)
Christians think they are to remain in sin, and all they hope for is forgiveness and holiness in heaven. But the whole framework of the gospel is to break the power of sin and fill men with all the fullness of God. If the Church would read the Bible and lay hold of every promise, they would find them great and precious.
How many are seeking holiness by their own resolutions and works -their fastings, prayers, and activities - instead of taking hold of Christ by faith. It is all work, when it should be by faith in "Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption" (1 Cor. 1:30). (Charles Finney)
I am a soldier in the army of my God! The Lord Jesus Christ is my Commanding Officer! The Holy Bible is my code of conduct! Faith, prayer and the word are my weapons of warfare!
I have been taught by the Holy Spirit, trained by experience, tried by adversity and tested by fire! I am a volunteer in this army, and I am enlisted for eternity! I will either retire in this army at the rapture or die in this Army; But I will not get out, sell out, be talked out, Or pushed out! I am faithful, reliable, capable and dependable!
If my God needs me, I am there! If He needs me in Sunday School, to teach children, work with the youth, help adults or just sit and learn, He can use me, because I am there!
I am a soldier! I am not a baby! I do not need to be pampered, petted, primed up, pumped up, picked up or pepped up!
I am a soldier! No one has to call me, remind me, write me, visit me, entice me or lure me! I am a soldier! I am not a wimp! I am in place, saluting my King, obeying His orders, praising His name and building His kingdom!
No one has to send me flowers, gifts, food, cards, candy or give me handouts! I do not need to be cuddled, cradled, cared for or catered to! I am committed! I cannot have my feelings hurt bad enough to turn me around! I cannot be discouraged enough to turn me aside! I cannot lose enough to cause me to quit! When Jesus called me into this army, I had nothing! If I end up with nothing, I will still come out even! I will win! My God will supply all my needs!
I am more than a conqueror! I will always triumph! I can do all things through Christ! Devils cannot defeat me! People cannot disillusion me! Weather cannot weary me! Sickness cannot stop me! Battles cannot beat me! Money cannot buy me! Governments cannot silence me and HELL CANNOT HANDLE ME!
I am a soldier! Even death cannot destroy me! For when my commander calls me from this battlefield, He will promote me to a captain and then bring me back to rule this world with Him!
I am a soldier, in the army, and I'm marching, claiming victory! I will not give up! I will not turn around! I am a soldier, marching heaven bound! Here I stand! WILL YOU STAND WITH ME? Guess what?!? If you've accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior, you're already enlisted!
Question is, are you on: Active Duty: Serving the Lord faithfully, daily, and on duty 24x7. Reserve Status: Serving only when called upon, or twice a year: Christmas and Easter Guard Status: Backing up the Active Duty group or..... AWOL: Absent With Out the Lord THINK ABOUT IT!!! *Scriptures in my notes are from the Authorized Version 1611 -KJV- and are used by permission of the Author - Eph. 6:17*
(Ps J. Michael Walls, Smithfield, NC, USA)
As I watched film of the Sydney Granville Train disaster, it triggered "something" in me. As the passengers lay trapped ... mutilated ... dying... and dead... leaking gas threatened to ignite them ALL, including the rescuers.
To some extent I had been in a similar situation. For a moment, watching this horror scene, I almost "cracked", as a vivid memory "flashed" back to me on the 24th, June, 1963. A man was caught in a gas explosion underground not far from where I worked. I jumped down into a deep pit and went up a long pipe tunnel. Inside I found a man - on fire from head to foot... burning... shrouded in flames. His clothes, skin, hair, almost everything. was gone, yet miraculously still alive, staggering on his feet. Crouching, I made my way to him... and got him out. A silent and horrified crowd gathered at the top of the open pit.
Eventually, an ambulance man arrived. But when he looked down into our pit, and saw the shocking scene, the dreadful injuries... He could not bring himself to come down. He had to leave, and sent two others. I shouted at him to jolt him into action, calling on him to "Do His Duty", but he couldn't. When we got him out the question came, "Were there others trapped up the pipe?...dead... or still alive.?" The question hit me with impact. "Do I have to go back in... and relive this horror.? and could I do it.?" I listened but heard no human sound from within, and decided that if any more men were in there they were dead.
By an INCREDIBLE MIRACLE the man lived for another 23 years. Even the Medical staff assured me, "THERE WAS NO HOPE" OF SURVIVAL.
WHAT was it that really "triggered" me? It was spiritual. A verse of Scripture came to me as I awoke this morning, clear in its revelation. AND OTHERS SAVE WITH FEAR... PULLING THEM OUT OF THE FIRE. (Alan, Shepparton, Vic)
metabolically challenged: dead
cerebrally challenged: stupid
chronologically gifted: old
client of the correctional system: prisoner
economically marginalized: poor
follicularly challenged: bald
motivationally dispossessed: lazy
residentially challenged: homeless
aesthetically challenged: ugly
(Top of the Day)
When I was five years old, car traffic on the roads was increasing rapidly, though it was rather subdued, judging by today's standards. Our summer holiday in 1920 had begun in a rented house at Torquay, Queensland, on the sea front. As yet, no teacher had taught me road-safety rules. I had used paddocks and farm lanes instead a of roads, and was ignorant of any danger.
This morning, I picked up my little tin bucket and wooden spade, to run across the esplanade to the beach, and make little round-topped castles. It was a holiday, and I heeded not the traffic. Looking neither right nor left, I slammed the gate and started off to run across the road.
As I put my foot on the road way, I was pulled back sharply, nearly losing my balance. It was an altogether revolutionary sensation, to be speeding forward, then reversing as quickly. I looked up. The strong arms of an older child, the boy of about eight years, caught and held me firmly around the shoulders. My reaction, quick as I flesh, was that of frustration, then rebellion. I kicked him, and struggled, since my arms were pinned to my sides, but he held me slightly for a few moments, then, without a word, released me and vanished. I looked, and realised the reason for the boy's action. Two cars, moving in opposite directions, had passed each other at the very spot where I had attempted to cross the road. In that split second the lad had restrained me, definitely saving my life. I tried, then, to find the young hero, to say a child's "thank you", but he had gone - gone perhaps to play on the beach, or to a nearby house. I never found him, never thanked him. Much shaken by the experience, and a great deal wiser, I eventually retrieved my bucket and spade that had fallen by the way side, and went to build castle in the sand. I later learned this poem -
When my good-nights and prayers are said,
and I am safely tucked in bed,
I know my guardian angel stands,
and holds my soul between his hands.
When mother then put ales the light,
I always keep my eyes shut tight;
For, if I open them, I know
My pretty Angel has to go.
But, through the darkness I can hear
A gentle rustling, very near -
I know it is his shelt'ring wings,
not Mother, folding up my things.
Sometimes God users a ministering spirit to help in His gigantic task with human beings on this earth. Yes I believe in Guardian Angels; mine, that day, was in the form of a little lad. (Sis E.P.W., Cairns, Qld)
1. One beggar telling another beggar where to find an abundant supply of free
bread.
2. One pauper telling another pauper where they can find true riches without
cost.
3. One dying creature telling another how they may obtain a life which will
last forever.
4. One whose soul was naked telling another where they may find a perfect robe
of righteousness which will cover them in God's sight.
5. One who was corrupted by sin telling another how they may be washed and cleansed
from every spot.
6. One forgiven criminal telling another how they may be fully pardoned and
have their sinful record blotted out.
7. One rescued soul telling another how they may be delivered from the greatest
danger that ever was.
8. One defeated and helpless soul telling another how they may overcome every
foe, including the greatest one of all.
9. A former enemy of God telling another how they may be reconciled to God and
become His friend.
10. One who was blind telling another how they may receive sight and behold
glories indescribable.
(From Ray, Prospect, Tasmania)
My wife, and our two young children and I went to Noosa Heads for a holiday with friends. One morning we decided to take our small row boat across the sand bar and travel along the seashore to the coloured sands.
As we were approaching the sand bar at the mouth of the river a large wave broke over the sand bar and swamped our boat. Another wave flicked our boat over, throwing everybody into the sea. Now, unfortunately, there were four of us in the boat, and I was the only swimmer, and nobody was wearing a life jacket. I said to my wife, who could doggy paddle, "you save yourself and I will look after the children".
My daughter and our friend's son both were three years old. What an impossible task it turned out to be, because both children were absolutely terrified! As I would gather one child and place him or her on the bottom of the upturned boat, the other child would jump back into the water to be with me, because they thought that I offered them safety. It was an impossible situation, and it went on for what I thought was an eternity.
I became totally exhausted, retrieving first one child and then the other and placing them on the bottom of the boat. But I could not get them to stay there because of their fear. Each one would jump back into the water as soon as I approached the boat, the greatest problem being that the fast incoming tide could sweep them away.
I began to realise that I would not be able to rescue both children, just one, but which one? My first thoughts were that if I can only save one it will be my daughter, but then my next thought was, how could I ever face my friend again if I knowingly allowed his son to die? On the other hand I could not possibly allow my daughter to die under any circumstances. I was in a terrible predicament, and fast reaching total exhaustion, so I decided that if I could not save both children I would go to a watery grave with them, but Hallelujah, praise God, at that very moment the almighty took control. His timing was perfect. My daughter had disappeared beneath the surface, so I released Russell, whom I had in my arms, and believe it or not, he floated on top of the water. I turned my attention to my daughter's predicament. As there was a strong incoming tide, she could have been carried everywhere. There was a lot of water there, and I did not have the slightest idea where she might be. But, once again, I praise almighty God, because I swam beneath the water directly to where my daughter's now lifeless body lay. It would not have been possible to do that without divine assistance.
I immediately picked up the body and carried it to the surface, swam to a sand bank, laid her on it and gave her mouth to mouth resuscitation, and she responded. When the ambulance crew arrived, they discovered that she had passed waste matter (the last muscular action by the body as it dies). Now that I believe is the reason why the almighty intervened when He did, because every second was of vital importance to save my daughter's life.
As we had been driving to our holiday, my friend had handed me a brochure on mouth to mouth resuscitation, saying, "Here, study up on this, just in case you need it". That I believe was almighty God preparing me for what He knew was going to happen. What a mighty God we serve! Without his divine intervention I would not have a daughter to-day who has presented me with two wonderful grandchildren who through their love helped me to face and overcome the trials of this life. By the way, Russell had also floated to the sand bar that my wife had managed to reach, and she waited at the water and picked him up and carried him to dry land. There are far too many miracles here to be considered mere coincidence. It was almighty God demonstrating his faithful love, and I praise and glorify his magnificent name! (Colin, Toowoomba, Qld)
Homosexuals march down the street chanting: "We're here. We're queer. Get used to it!" A male character on a television show complains about taking orders from a woman. Some feministic strumpet says: "Get used to it!" Parents complain that Bible study, divine creation and prayer have been shut out of schools. Humanists say: "Get used to it!" Violence, perversion, profanity and evil philosophies pollute the mass media. Godless entertainment companies say: "Get used to it!" Crime and violence grow worse as our society becomes more secular. Heathen lobby groups and immoral leaders say: "Get used to it!" Our schools and universities have shut out all mention of Christian foundations. Revisionist historians say: "Get used to it!" Our children are taught moral relativism in place of morality, globalism in place of patriotism and self esteem in place of self-discipline. The social engineers say: "Get used to it!" One day, the atheists, feminists, homosexuals, humanists, liars, relativists and all who rejected God's gift of salvation will be swimming in the Lake of Fire and screaming for mercy. God will look down from Heaven and say: "Get used to it!" (R. C. Mick, Top of The Day, 10/98)
God is Lord Almighty, Omnipotent King, Lion of Judah, Rock of Ages, Prince of Peace, King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Provider, Protector, Paternal Leader, Ruling Lord, and Reigning King of all the universe.
He is Father, He is Helper, He is Guardian, and He is God.
He is the First and Last, the Beginning and the End.
He is the keeper of Creation and the Creator of all He keeps. The Architect
of the universe and the Manager of all times. He always was, He always is, and
He always will be.
Unmoved, Unchanged, Undefeated, and never Undone.
He was bruised and bought healing.
He was pierced and eased pain.
He was persecuted and bought freedom.
He was dead and bought life.
He is risen and brings power.
He reigns and brings Peace.
The world can't understand him, the armies can't defeat Him, the schools can't
explain Him, and the leaders can't ignore Him.
Herod couldn't kill Him, the Pharisees couldn't confuse Him, the people couldn't
hold Him!
Nero couldn't crush Him, Hitler couldn't silence Him, the New Age can't replace
Him, and Donahue can't explain Him away!
He is light, love, longevity, and Lord.
He is goodness, kindness, gentleness, and God.
He is Holy, Righteous, mighty, powerful, and pure.
His ways are right, His word is eternal, His will is unchanging, and His mind
is on me!
He is my redeemer, He is my saviour, He is my guide, He is my peace.
He is my Joy, He is my comfort, He is my Lord and He rules my life.
I serve Him because His bond is love, His burden is light, and His goal for
me is abundant life.
I follow Him because He is the wisdom of the wise, the power of the powerful,
the ancient of days, the ruler of rulers, the leader of leaders, the overseer
of the overcomers, and the sovereign Lord of all that was and is and is to come.
And if that seems impressive to you, try this for size.
His goal is a relationship with ME! He will never leave me, never forsake me,
never mislead me, never forget me, never overlook me, and never cancel my appointment
in His appointment book!
When I fall, He lifts me up.
When I fail, He forgives.
When I am weak, He is strong.
When I am lost, He is the way.
When I am afraid, He is my courage.
When I stumble, He steadies me.
When I am hurt, He heals me.
When I am broken, He mends me.
When I am blind, He leads me.
When I am hungry, He feeds me.
When I face trials, He is with me.
When I face persecution, He steels me.
When I face problems, He comforts me.
When I face loss, He provides for me.
When I face Death, He carries me Home!
He is everything for everybody, everywhere, every time, and every way.
He is God, He is faithful, I am His, and He is mine.
My Father in heaven can whip the father of this world, and so, if you're wondering
why I feel so secure, understand this: He said it, I believe it, and that settles
it. God is in control, I am on His side, and that means all is well with my
soul. (Mike Hilson, Vista Magazine)
Accommodation: Arrangements for first-class accommodation have been made in advance (Jn. 14:2).
Passports: Persons seeking entry will not be permitted past the gates without having proper credentials and having their names registered with the ruling Authority (Rev. 21:27).
Tickets: Your ticket is a written pledge that guarantees your journey. It should be claimed and its promises kept firmly in mind (Jn. 5:24).
Customs: Only one declaration is required while going through customs (1 Cor. 15:1,3,4).
Immigration: All passengers are classified as immigrants, since they are taking up permanent residence in a new country. The quota is unlimited (Heb. 11:16).
Luggage: No luggage whatsoever is to be taken (1 Tim. 6:7).
Air Passage: Travellers going directly by air are advised to watch daily for indications of imminent departure. (1 Th. 4:17).
Vaccination/Innoculation: Injections are not needed as diseases are unknown at the destination (Rev. 21:4).
Departure Times: The exact date of departure has not been announced. Travellers are advised to be prepared to leave at short notice (Acts 1:7). (Selected)
500 million Hindus in India worship a multitude of "gods", spirits and demons. Reincarnation is a horrifying belief of Hindus. They believe that in the next life people return in another form. If you have not proved yourself in this life, you will return in the next life as a spider, fly, ant, toad, perhaps a rat or cow. Destitute, homeless people try to sleep at night on the traffic islands in big cities. Why would they seek to sleep in such a noisy, dangerous place, amongst the exhaust fumes? They do it because there are no rats there! If they slept on the streets in other places, they and their children would be bitten to pieces by the rats. There are 8 times as many rats in India than people. Ah, but you cannot kill the greedy, ugly, disease-carrying creatures, because they may be a reincarnation of a person. RELIGION has created this horror. People are starving in India, but religion has caused the starving to be prohibited from slaughtering for food the 30 million cows that wander all India - they might be your grandmother and grandfather! (Despatch Magazine)
Women should dress like women and not wear men's apparel (Deut. 22:5). They should dress modestly, in shamefacedness, and in moderation (1 T. 2:9). "Modest apparel" literally means a long, flowing garment; a skirt or a dress. An uncovered thigh is nakedness (Isa. 47:2-3), so the garment should not come up above the knee. Perfumes and cosmetics can be used by godly women (Prov. 27:9, S. of S. 1:3, 3:6, 4:10, Esth. 2:12).
1 Cor. 11;14 says, "...if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him." Let me ask you, sir. Is your hair short? If you don't know, it is long. If it is long, then go to a barber shop. Get a hair cut. When in doubt, do that which is right. (Ed De Vries, USA - Condensed)
At age 63 God called me to take Bibles to China. I was an ordinary housewife and had never been out of the country, but I had a real burden for the persecuted church. He confirmed the call through His Word and gave me the wonderful gift of faith to respond.
There was enough money for one trip and I was grateful for that one privilege, but our Lord multiplied the privilege and in the last thirteen years He has provided for me to go many times to Asia to take His precious Word and do other work.
All trips are different but our God is ever the same - He calls, He prepares, He equips, He gives strength, He provides, He sustains. One of His special provisions is the prayer support of dear friends. There have been wonderful instances of His overcoming in difficult circumstances.
If our Lord calls we can put our whole trust in Him, whatever age we are. Isa. 46:4. (Sister G., Qld)
God wants His people to grow in spiritual maturity (2 P. 3:18; Eph. 4:13-15). Christians should progress to spiritual maturity. First, we must want to grow. Next, there must be commitment and perseverance. There will be many valleys and spiritual battles along the way.
God has provided several ways for us to grow:
(1) Studying and applying God's Word,
(2) Having a regular prayer time,
(3) Meeting with fellow believers,
(4) Telling others about Jesus, and
(5) Discovering and developing our God-given gifts.
Sadly, many believers today are coasting along spiritually and making little progress. Are you committed to spiritual growth? (Ph. 3:14).
(Keith, Quarading, WA)
The name of each saloon's a bar,
The fittest of its names by far.
A bar to Heaven, a door to Hell;
Whoever named it, named it well.
A bar to manliness and wealth,
A door to want and broken health.
A bar to honour, pride and fame;
A door to sin and grief and shame.
A bar to hope, a bar to prayer,
A door to darkness and despair.
A bar to honoured, useful life,
A door to brawling, senseless strife.
A bar to all that's true and brave,
A door to every drunkard's grave.
A bar to joys that home imparts
A door to tears and aching hearts.
A bar to heaven, a door to Hell,
Whoever named it, named it well.
(A prisoner, Joliet, USA)
My grandson is 7 years old and attends a Lutheran School, where he receives religious education. My wife and daughter wee discussing the flood that went through the Barossa valley a few years ago, and he interrupted and asked, "Did you get on the boat, Nanna?" To which she replied, "What boat?". "Noah's Ark", he said.
He also asked one day, after he had been watching the Flintstones on TV, "Was that what it was like when Pop first went to work?" (Meaning Fred and his dinosaur rock mover.) (Kevin & Beth, Nuriootpa, SA)
Aborted Babies Baptised
In Kansas, a spokeswoman for abortionist George Tiller described 'separation encounters' that his clinic offers for women who undergo late-term abortions. In these 'encounters,' the mothers who have just had their babies killed are allowed to hold the aborted foetus or have it baptised after the abortion. (The Unreported News, 3/98)
Adelaide Bans Preachers and TractsAdelaide City Council's new bylaws makes Rundle Mall preachers liable for a $30 fine. People distributing fliers in public face a $15 fine. (The Advertiser, 26/8/98)
PersecutionAll of the Christians in the Maldives reportedly are in prison. Government security forces in the overwhelmingly Muslim nation arrested about 50 Christians, believed to be the entire church in the country, and expelled foreign workers, Advance newsletter said. The prisoners reportedly are kept in small cells, forced to read the Koran and recite five daily Islamic prayers, and are possibly being physically abused. (Religion Today, 16/9/98)
Local businessmen in Brazil call them "vermin." Garbage. "If we let them grow up, they will be criminals, a blight on our society." There are an estimated twelve million homeless children on the streets of Brazil. Their parents lost them in the crowds, put them out, died. However they got there, they are there. They beg, they steal, they sell their bodies.
They eat garbage. They start scared and end scarred, hard and dead. Some policemen and others moonlight by contracting to kill street children so that they will not menace the city. In 1992 an average of four hundred of these children were killed monthly in Brazil.
There are fifteen thousand child prostitutes in Manila between the ages of nine and twelve. In Thailand there are eight hundred thousand girls between twelve and sixteen years old involved in prostitution. (Gavin Peterson, Brazil)
The Bible Says Not to Listen to Lies
"A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips..." (Prov. 17:4). You don't get the truth on TV; you get THEIR VIEWPOINT. The "nightly news" isn't news at all; it's propaganda--just one big lie after another. TV POISONS your soul with falsehood. They're calling evil "good" and good "evil" (Isa. 5:20).
The Bible Says to Abstain from All Appearance of Evil (1 Th. 5:22)
If it's evil, then we have no business looking at it. David said, "I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes..." He knew from personal experience that looking at the wrong thing could be very harmful (2 Sam. 11:2). In Joshua 7:21, Achan sinned after he SAW the "Babylonish garment." In Eden, Eve sinned after she feasted her eyes upon the forbidden fruit (Gen. 3:6). Satan will use TV to tempt you. You say, "I don't let TV influence me. I don't yield to the temptations." You are still LOOKING AT EVIL, and the Bible told you not to! Would the Lord Jesus sit and watch the same programs that you watch?
The Bible Says Not to Fellowship with Devils
Paul writes "I would not that ye should have fellowship with Devils" (1 Cor. 10:20). In 2 Jn 9-11 we are told not to allow anyone into our homes who doesn't abide in the doctrine of Christ. Do you think Hollywood abides in the doctrine of Christ? Do you think that bunch of cursing fornicators are Christian people? Those people are caught up in humanism, spiritism, atheism, materialism, and gross immorality! Hollywood has no use for the Lord Jesus Christ, and I have no use for Hollywood! I refuse to let total strangers march right into my home and indoctrinate my family with their hellish ways. I refuse to fellowship with devils! My Bible tells me to RESIST the devil (Jas. 4:7), not invite him into my home!
The Bible Says for Us to Redeem the Time (Eph. 5:16)
Time is valuable. "You can't kill time without injuring eternity." If you spend only two hours each day watching TV, you will waste ONE FULL YEAR every twelve years! That's SIX WASTED YEARS out of a seventy-two year life! How many years have you already wasted? Are you prepared to stand before God and give account for that wasted time? What are you doing with the 168 hours per week that God gives you? Friend, stop wasting time and start redeeming time, because life is too short to waste. (Condensed: James L. Melton)
"Madman Entertainment" is releasing "Neon Genesis Evangelion" into Australia, through SBS television. This new animated television series, produced in Japan, is set in 2015, portraying "a handful of teenagers" as "unexpected saviors".
The publicity says... "Over half of the earth's population is dead, victims of the first attack of a mysterious race of beings known as the Angels... Biblical prophecy, savage human drama and blistering hi-tech battle action collide in a spectacular orgy of violence and destruction... Prepare to be shocked... The ultimate battle for the future of mankind has begun!" The objective of the Angels "is to be one with Adam."
The human race must now place its trust in the mysterious NERV agency and its awesome avatars*, the giant bio-mechanical Evangelions. Humanoid in form, these monstrous creations are the only force on Earth that can break through the Angels' Absolute Terror Fields long enough to literally tackle the massive invaders in bloody hand to hand combat!" (Info from Tricia, Oyster Bay, NSW) (*Ed: Avatar = Hindu term: descent of a god to earth in bodily form; incarnation)
A TV set is on more than seven hours a day in the average household. (Christian View of the News, 9/98)
During the period of courtship young people need to be guarded against undue intimacy of association. The tendency with lovers, both genuine and spurious, is to indulge in close bodily contact and physical expressions of endearment. For this purpose they wish to be much by themselves, entirely unobserved.
No girl or young woman should permit an admirer to spend much time with her where no other person can see. She never should allow him to embrace her and kiss her or fondly hold and press her hand or toy with any portion of her body... Virtue and chastity are seriously endangered by excessively intimate association.
Let every young woman, in her relations to every man, always conduct henelf as if it were certain that the relation is but transient and that by and by she is to become the wife of some other man - a man so noble and true that he can accept in a wife nothing short of chastity of body and purity of mind and heart, together with an unstained and unclouded record. Let every young man conduct himself toward every young woman as he would have other men conduct themselves toward the one who is someday to become his wife. Indiscretion easily soils the character and imperceptibly leads to sin. (From Husband and Wife by Dr. Lyman B. Sperm, dated 1900)
Two Americans who were crossing the Atlantic came into the cabin on Sunday night to sing hymns. As they sang the last hymn, "Jesu, lover of my soul" one of them, hearing an exceedingly rich and beautiful voice behind him, looked around and though he did not know the face, thought he knew the voice.
When the music ceased, he turned and asked the man if he had not been in the Civil War. The man replied that he had been a Confederate soldier. "Were you in such a place on such a night?" asked the first. "Yes," he replied, "and a curious thing happened that night which this hymn has recalled to my mind. I was posted on sentry duty near the edge of a wood. It was a dark night and very cold, and I was a little frightened because the enemy was supposed to be very near. About midnight, when everything was still, and I was feeling homesick and miserable and weary, I thought that I would comfort myself by praying and singing a hymn. I remember singing...
'All my trust on Thee is stayed.
All my help from Thee I bring,
Cover my defenceless head
With the shadow of Thy wing.'
After that a strange peace came down upon me, and I felt no more fear."
Now said the other man, "Listen to my story. I was a Union soldier and was in the wood that night with a party of scouts. I saw you standing, although I did not see your face. My men had turned their rifles upon you, waiting the word to fire, but when you sang out,
'Cover my defenceless head,
With the shadow of Thy wing,'
I said, 'Boys, lower your rifles, let us go back.' "
(From Jim, The Gap, Qld)
A visitor to a doctor's surgery in London noticed the words 'PERHAPS TODAY' over a photograph of an Antarctic scene. He asked the doctor what was the meaning of the caption, and the doctor told him the following story.
'I was the official doctor to the Shackleton expedition. When the "Endurance" was crushed in the ice, we got all her stores out a week before she sank, and ultimately reached Elephant Island. Shackleton embarked in a 22 ft Whaler with five others for South Georgia, 1000 miles away, across the worst ocean in the world, remarking as he left; "With luck I may be back in a month. When I arrive, you will only have ten minutes in which to load everything you want taken off into the boat. Pack everything each day and have it down on the beach in readiness for my arrival".
'Every day, not for a month, but for ninety days, everything was packed and transposed to the beach. Then, in the evening, it was brought back again. Not one day went by without the rapid departure drill being properly and urgently performed. Each day each man said to himself, "Perhaps today".
'Each day we searched anxiously for signs of a break in the ice that hemmed us in, so that the rescuing boat when it arrived might be able to come right up to the beach. Then one day we saw a wisp of smoke on the horizon, and remarkably enough, the ice slowly parted.
By the time Shackleton was near enough, there was a clear lane of water up to the beach.
'We were all ready for him. Our daily drill bore fruit; in ten minutes we were on board and away. A quarter of an hour later the ice had closed in again, leaving no sign of open water.'
How well this illustrates the position of men in this world. Jesus Christ has gone back to Heaven, but has promised to return. The Christian is told in the Word of God to be ready to meet Him when He comes. (Ransome W. Cooper)
Your arteries and veins would stretch 12,000 miles if laid out in a line and in one minute your blood is pumped through your body and back again to your heart!! The heart is a dual pump, housed in one organ - two pumps that operate in series, but excited by the same electrical stimuli so they pulse together. If there should arise a difference of pumping rate between the two pumps of two percent death would occur in minutes. The heart must pump continuously an average of 70 times a minute for 70 years under varying conditions such as sleeping and during strenuous exercise. This is equivalent to the number ofstrokes a four stroke car engine would make in travelling a million miles at normal speed. (Graham Rehn)
Up here in Noosa, the deception within the churches only continues to get worse. I spoke with an 18 year old girl who goes to the largest Pentecostal church here. I had her read some quotes of famous Pentecostal speakers who are popular today. The quotes demonstrated how they discount the importance of the Word of God and replace it with the experience of signs and wonders.
This girl told me that the only way to reach the youth of today is through signs and wonders. I told her such a statement contradicts the word of God which says "An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign". I explained to her that "the just shall live by faith" and "that faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen," "for we walk by faith not by sight." I explained to her that people who need signs and wonders to believe, have little or no faith and then I pointed out to her that along with the Holy Spirit's "drawing," the Scriptures are sufficient to bring people to a saving knowledge of trusting in Christ through faith. I told her that "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." I also explained that Christ said "sanctify them by your truth, your word is truth."
We had a "Youth Alive" tour here at a public park. I observed part of the free "show" of three so called "christian" bands. I finally had to leave because the music was so ungodly. It was nothing but rock and roll rubbish which sounded no different from the worldly rock music of today. In fact one band boasted about a song they have on the secular radio stations now. One would think that if a song is accepted on the secular radio by the general public, then that song cannot have any real Christian flavour to it. I also could not help but notice how many teenage girls were at this concert, dressed immodestly: the flesh and unholy spirits are what rule at these concerts, not the Spirit of God. What grieves me so much is that many of these youth think they are born-again, but their very lifestyles deny this.
A Pentecostal person recently said about our little church, "you have so few people in your church, therefore God is not in your church." One of our members quickly and wisely said to him, "well then God must not have been with Noah either because there were only eight people on the Ark." It is sad to see these people deceived into believing that large numbers of people mean God's blessing. I guess they miss the point that even the Roman Catholics and Mormons have huge numbers at times, but God certainly is not in those churches.
An unsaved man has been attending our church and he recently said to us, "the reason you are still small in size is because you are teaching the truth which most Christians do not want to hear."
Noosa needs all the prayer it can get to help free people from the bondage
of the Pentecostal lie. Please pray for us. Satan does not want a solid Bible-believing/teaching
church here and he is opposing this work in many ways.
(Ron Onks Sun Coast Baptist Fellowship)
We had a Hindu man trust Jesus Christ last night on visitation. He is an oil worker living in a work camp. The men of our church visit the work camps giving out the good news to any one we can. We praise God for the ones who hear, believe, and obey.
1300 Jesus films have been distributed in the last 12 months in 30+ languages. We have seen more than 400 professions of faith. Bible correspondence courses are going out faster than we can get them in. For a small under cover assembly in a closed place like here, we worship, pray, study, sow and reap. Other small under cover assemblies have sprung up over the past 12 months. Realistically speaking, the need for Bible believing soul winners, teachers, is just staggering. The field here is truly white for harvest, but the labourers are so very few, and obstacles so very great. One main obstacle is language. We try to overcome by the Jesus Video in the native language, but follow on is almost impossible. One Chinese man that speaks really good English trusted Christ a few weeks back. We hope he will be the key to many more, if we can get him discipled and pointed in the right direction.
There is a large charismatic church here. More than 1200, and they enjoy legal sanction. Sad to say, they represent the apostacy... As long as they can have someone come in and have a hocus pocus healing show, or slay someone in the spirit, or this unholy laughing, barking, and hissing, they are happy. (Jim, Middle East)
The enemy infiltrates even to the destroying of the faith bought at the costs of our Saviour's blood, and recovered by the faithful martyrs who laid down their lives. The charismatics are very dangerous, while appearing evangelical they have deceived their own people and those outside. They are ecumenical through and through. At the time of my conversion I recall a man speaking on prophecy, saying the coming world church will be "cemented" together by "tongues speaking". The evangelical church is being white-ant eaten by forces opposed to the reformation faith. (Bob, Huntfield Heights, SA)
There has been a fair bit of turmoil our way with regards to what's been happening in the churches with the Toronto/Brownsville thing. I used to think I had it made and had all it took to be a good Christian. I was wrong. I was like a lot of people going down the same road. I have the Scriptures and yet I read them to suit the doctrines of man. We need to read the Scriptures as they have been intended and not to add or take away... It is a time of searching, and when searching we need the right tools. We should all be Berean-minded and search the Scriptures to see if it is so. (Spence, Blackwater, Qld)
I have a Pentecostal background of 13 years and loved it. I was tossed about by every wind of doctrine that came through - following blindly without checking the Word of God. When the "Toronto Blessing" came along I blindly followed another. I became entangled with it all for quite some time and became very involved. But there was always a little doubt, so I kept asking God, show me Lord, one way or another if this is really from you. I kept seeking the Word of God.
During a very full-on, outrageous, out of control meeting, God gave me a very clear vision... Everything white all around, pure white. Then the rain came pelting down. I could feel it. I even said, "It's raining." Then I looked down and all around on the ground was mud. I kept crying out to God, "Show me, please what this means." Well, did I get the shock of my life! I opened my Bible and read (Ezek. 13:5) of a wall being built and whitewashed. Then the rain comes and washes it away, hence the mud on the ground. Because it is false.
It just blew me away - I fell on my face before God and repented and begged His forgiveness, I just cried and cried, how could I have been so blind? I have now left the Pentecostal movement. (Wendy, Yeppoon, Qld)
A philosophy class held a discussion about God's existence. The professor presented the following logic: "Has anyone in this class heard God?" Nobody spoke. "Has anyone in this class touched God?" Again, nobody spoke. "Has anyone in this class seen God?" When nobody spoke for the third time, he simply stated, "Then there is no God."
One student thought for a second, and then asked for permission to reply. Curious to hear this bold student's response, the professor granted it, and the student stood up and asked the following questions of his classmates: "Has anyone in this class heard our professor's brain?" Silence. "Has anyone in this class touched our professor's brain?" Absolute silence. "Has anyone in this class seen our professor's brain?" When nobody in the class dared to speak, the student concluded, "Then, according to our professor's logic, it must be true that our professor has no brain!" (The student received an "A" in the class.) (C. K. Bannister)
Handy safety tips:
An economic crash of devastating magnitude is to hit the world... You will see nations collapse and disappear, world wide famine... Prepare for what is about to come. We are in the lull before the storm. Get out of debt... have your own water supply. Have at least six months food supply in storage... have your own garden, store seeds, fertiliser, spray, shoes, clothes, fuel... In fact all essentials to survive. I fear that hyper inflation will set in and make your savings worthless... All hell will break loose... Welcome to the New World Order. (Unidentified Source dated 16/8/98; from Irene, Smithfield, SA)
Many today are saying "El Nino" controls our weather. Christians know it is not "El Nino" but "El Shaddai" (God Almighty). He commands the rain at His own will! (Trevor, Nanango, Qld)
I believe that when the coming storm hits with full fury, and the nation is reeling with panic and fear, people will flee all false gospels and feel-good churches. Christians will forget about gospel entertainment and Christian TV, and they'll start demanding hard truth... No one will be laughing or making animal noises in that fierce day of reckoning... Sadly many charismatic Christians today talk much about being Spirit-filled - but they are totally bankrupt of truth... The only manifestations we'll see when the storm hits will be men and women falling to their knees in awe and fear of God's word. They'll be slain by the piercing, convicting, soul-cleansing preaching that comes from the Spirit of truth! (David Wilkerson)
Have you wondered why so many people are losing their jobs, and changes of every sort are being made in the whole world, as one company merges with another? Have you wondered where all this vast commercial uncertainty will end?
It behoves us to consider carefully God's Word, to have communion with Him
in prayer, and to live each day in a manner, so that if He comes today, we will
be prepared to stand before Him with a pure mind, and a clean heart and body.
He has promised, whatever happens, He will never leave us nor forsake us (Heb.
13:5). We are on the brink of seeing the fulfilment of Revelation's prophecies.
It should make any lover of the Lord Jesus Christ see the importance of being
faithful to Him each and every day.
(Betty, Margate, Tas.)
To err is human, but to really mess up you need a computer, the saying goes. As the year 2000 approaches, that's what a lot of people are worried about... Y2K, also known as the millennium bug, is the name for the now-famous programming glitch that has left millions of computers around the world unable to recognise dates beyond 1999. On Jan. 1, 2000, computers that have not been fixed, or made "Y2K compliant," will begin running amok, automatically shutting down or producing bad data, causing malfunctions in the systems they control... What happens next is uncertain. The most extreme scenarios picture computer failures that short-circuit the nation's electric power grid, cause havoc in transportation systems, banking and finance, healthcare, government, and telephone systems, cripple the economy, and bring on food shortages and anarchy... The problem is worldwide and so enormous that there is not enough time to fix it completely... A flourishing subculture, including a number of professed Christians, is predicting drastic, even apocalyptic, changes. Some are stockpiling food and water, buying guns, and heading for the hills... What if computers freeze up in railroads, elevators, factories, oil rigs, power plants, telephone systems, military communications, air traffic control systems, automated teller machines, security systems... ? (Religion Today, 17/9/98)
The Y2K computer bug crisis is about to trigger a massive worldwide computer crash that will bring about global depression, panic, and unbelievable chaos. It has the potential to usher in one world government. An economic earthquake will erupt almost overnight! Dr. Gary North says, "the banking system is doomed. And you had better get prepared for it - now - while there is still time!" (Maranatha Ministries Tract)
Recently President Clinton made the statement that the world needs a new monetary system. The present world financial crisis is all planned by the New World Order. Could the millenium bug be part of the planned change to a new world monetary system? The Bible foretells of a World Dictator, and that no one will be able to buy or sell unless they have his number on their right hand or forehead. We now know that a computer chip has been developed to be implanted in the human body which will bring about world slavery. The World Government is almost established. All they have to do is collapse the world economy and usher in a new system. If you obey the New World Order you will be able to buy and sell. (Brian, Wondai, Qld)
Scientists have calculated how hot eternity could be for unrepentant sinners. It is 445C. For their calculation of hell's temperature, the scientists used a passage in Revelation which relates that 'the fearful and unbelieving... shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone.' 'This passage implies that the temperature of hell must be equal to or somewhat below the boiling point of brimstone, better known as sulphur, which is 445C at normal pressure,' said Jorge Mira Perez, physicist at a university in Spain. (Ship of Fools)
I heard a sermon on the text, "Trust in Him at all times ye people, pour out your heart before God." My husband got sick and was in hospital. The firewood was running out. It was used for the kitchen stove, and the milking machines. I remembered that sermon on my knees that night. I poured out my heart to my Heavenly Father. A sense of peace came over me, I went to bed and slept. I had a phone call later from our minister. I was asked to make a list of jobs needing doing, as on Saturday morning he and some men would be out to do them. By lunch time that Saturday there was a huge pile of wood neatly stacked in our shed. What an answer to prayer! (C.G.D., Trafalgar, Vic.)
It is sadly obvious that satan has unbelievable strongholds in the church. We hear a lot of lipservice given to revival, evangelism, loving one another, using the gifts of individuals as part of the body of Christ but Sunday after Sunday I see it is not so and have come to the conclusion that these futile prayers are empty prayers, perhaps even outright lies. Years roll by in many churches and nothing changes, because 'we have always done it this way'.
If we have ever needed revival IT IS INSIDE THE CHURCH. We need to cast out the devil with all his carnal strongholds and traditions and start from scratch with our Bibles in our hand and heart. Then we won't be busy about power struggles, seniority rights or carnal programs that feed 'ME', but rather we would cast our attention to the lost as the Lord's faithful servants and go to seek and save that which was lost. We could even boast a little that we are really DOERS and not just hearers of the Word. What would happen if we all prayed 'SINCERELY FROM THE HEART' that God would deliver us from our self-seeking glutenous slumber and open our eyes and instil in us a godly sadness that aches for the lost in our broken society. Indifference towards each other and the lost is a sin.
Whilst we walk in the valley we still rejoice for we know that we are not alone. We are partakers of the sufferings of Christ. Discernment was not a gift I had asked for yet this is what was given, often I have wished this I might walk as many do in ignorance so that I might not suffer the effects of spiritual warfare. (Henry, Buxton, NSW)
The greatest threat to Christianity today is not China, or communism, or the New Age, or materialism. It is the dust on the written Word of God, the Bible." (Christian Woman Magazine; sent by Marigold, Casterton, Vic)
"The nature of the Catholic faith is such that nothing can be added to it, nothing taken away. Either it is held in its entirety or it is rejected totally. This is the Catholic Faith which, unless a man believes faithfully and firmly, he cannot be saved" (Pope Benedict XV). The Church that never changes has been in a constant state of change since is inception in the third century.
Here is a partial list of added practices complete with the dates that they were started:
I noticed a few Catholics had written (# 47, p. 36) claiming to love the Lord Jesus Christ who had taken offence at the stand against Catholicism expressed from time to time in Fair Dinkum! I wonder if you could put this testimony in your next issue...
I would like to share God's word (as an ex-Catholic myself who does understand what Catholics practice and preach) with those who claim to love the Lord Jesus, yet remain Roman Catholics. Jesus Christ said, "If a man love Me he will keep My words" (Jn. 14:23). When I gave my life to Jesus Christ and started reading His Word (the Bible) I became convicted of the false practices of the Catholic Church through the word of God. It wasn't long before I had to resign from the church I was brought up in. One of the most obvious offences against God in the Catholic Church is Idolatry! Ex. 20:4 says (No. 2 of the 10 commandments) "Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image... Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them..."
1 John 5:21 says "Little children, keep yourselves from idols." and I Cor. 6:9,10 "..Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters... shall inherit the kingdom of God.", yes, this is what God's word says of idolatry, it is not my opinion or thoughts, they are clearly warnings from our Holy and Righteous God!
Dear Catholic friend, there are idols throughout Catholic Churches, Catholic Schools etc, of Mary, Jesus, Joseph and the saints. The bible clearly warns us "..beloved, flee from idolatry" (1 Cor. 10:14). Do you really love the Lord Jesus Christ? Do you love the truth? Do you love and obey His word? Remember that Jesus Christ is the truth (Jn 14:6), and that Jesus Christ is the Word made flesh (Jn 1:14). If you really do love Jesus Christ then you must obey His word (Jn 14:23) and have no fellowship with darkness. I love Catholics and for this reason I am writing that you might "..come out of her my people that ye be not partakers of her sins.." (Rev. 18:4). (Tracy, Gunbar, NSW)
The full title of the Pope is "Lord God the Pope"... The entire Roman Catholic system is built on a false foundation. Peter was never a pope - he was dead before the Roman Catholic church ever came into existence. The Lord's church is Christians (Acts 11:26, 26:28, 1 Peter 4:16) - members of the church of Christ (Ro. 16:16, Mt. 16:18, Acts 2:47, Col. 1:2). May the true Lord's church prosper, in spite of the man-made creed and confusing mess of denominationalism. This will only result if we accept, and follow, only the Bible. It will never result from any attempt to unite denominationalism - that will only result in greater confusion. (Max, Croydon, Vic)
"Since you would know by what name I would be distinguished from others, I will tell you - I would be, and hope I am a CHRISTIAN. I choose if God will count me worthy, to be called a Christian, a believer or any other such name which is approved by the Holy Ghost. And, as for the titles of Anabaptist (Baptist), Independents, Presbyterians, and the like, I conclude that they come neither from Jerusalem nor Antioch, but from Hell, or Babylon." (John Bunyan, 1672, author of Pilgrim's Progress)
A young man in New Zealand was a champion diver. One night he lay unsettled upon his bed, unable to sleep and uneasy of mind. About midnight he decided to go to the local pool. It was a dark night, and as he climbed the tower he asked himself, "Is there a God... can I know Him?" On the very edge of the platform he balanced for the dive, then extended his arms. At that instant the moon appeared from a cloud behind him casting a shadow, (the cross) against the brick wall before him. He knew then the truth, and the little that he once heard in Sunday school came flooding into his mind. He turned, kneeled down, asked for forgiveness of his sins, and invited Jesus into his empty life. He left and went home. In the morning he went to the pool again to practice... AND IT WAS EMPTY! (From James, The Gap, Qld)
There are dusty deserts and Arctic snows,
And lonely mountains where nobody goes.
There are deep dark caverns and barren crags,
And the lonely heart where friendship lags.
But is the loneliest place that ever can be,
To stand on the brink of eternity?
When all's been said and all's been done,
And life is lost with nothing won,
Except for damnation to call your own.
To die without Christ is to die alone
What anguish of soul,
What ultimate cost,
No Saviour Lord,
And Paradise lost.
(From James, The Gap, Qld)
"But the conduct of those possessed, in which they fall to the ground and writhe in contortions, causing disarrangement's of the clothing and disgraceful scenes, is more a characteristic of demon possession, than a work of the Holy Spirit. From what has been said we see that we are living in 'Perilous Times', and that all about us are 'Seducing Spirits', and that they will become more active as the Dispensation draws to its close, and that we must exert the greatest care lest we be led astray." (Clarence Larkin, describing Azusa Street)
Charles Parham is the father of Pentecostalism. Agnes Ozman began to speak in "tongues" at his Bible school, in 1901. Parham claimed Ozman spoke in Chinese for three days, unable to speak English. Most of his other students began speaking and singing "in tongues." Parham claimed the tongues were languages. His students jotted down strange writings which they claimed were foreign languages, such as Chinese. When examined they were found to be merely indecipherable scratchings.
Parham denied the doctrine of eternal torment. He believed in anglo-Israelism. He taught that there were two separate creations. Parham believed that those who spoke in tongues would make up the bride of Christ, and that the second coming would occur before 1925, with a partial rapture composed of tongues speakers. Parham taught that it was always God's will to heal and that medicine and doctors must be shunned. Most who attended his meetings were not healed. Parham himself suffered various sicknesses, and at times was too sick to preach or travel. Parham and most early Pentecostals mistakenly believed that tongue-speaking missionaries would not have to learn languages.
In early 1906 William Seymour, one of Parham's students, commenced meetings in Azusa Street, Los Angeles. The strange phenomena of the "Azusa Street Revival" were to mark the beginning of modern Pentecostalism. Meetings lasted at least 12 hours a day, for over three years. In these early meetings there was much kissing between the sexes, contortions, shivering, shaking from head to foot, swaying, staggering, losing control, shrieking, "barking like dogs, hooting like owls and the like..." People sang together but "with completely different syllables, rhythms, and melodies", and worked themselves "into a state of mad excitement". The services were "wild, hysterical demonstrations", characterised by much confusion: dancing, jumping up and down, falling, trances, slaying in the spirit, "tongues," jerking, hysteria, strange noises, and "holy laughter."
Parham visited in October 1906 at Seymour's request. "Spiritualistic manifestations, hypnotic forces and fleshly contortions... had broken loose in the meetings." Parham was shocked by the "awful fits and spasms" of the "holy rollers and hypnotists." Parham rejected the wild meetings as phony, manipulated, and demonic and described the "tongues" as "chattering, jabbering and sputtering, speaking no language at all". He denounced the manifestations of the flesh, spiritualistic controls, and the practice of hypnotism: "The falling under the power... has, to a large degree, been produced through a hypnotic, mesmeric, magnetic current. The Holy Ghost does nothing that is unnatural or unseemly, and any strained exertion of body, mind or voice is not the work of the Holy Spirit, but of some familiar spirit."
It is a fact according to many eyewitnesses (including Parham) that Azusa was overrun with spiritualist mediums and hypnotists: "Spiritualists, hypnotists... all the religious soreheads and crooks and cranks came..." The mediums and spiritualists had "broken loose" and participated with their seances and trances in the meetings. Parham saw the manifestations as the work of hypnotists and familiar spirits: "I sat on the platform in the Azusa Street Mission, and saw people practising hypnotism at the altar over candidates seeking the baptism... I found hypnotic influences and all kinds of spells and spasms, falling in trances, etc.... After preaching two or three times, I was informed by two of the elders, one who was a hypnotist (I had seen him lay his hands on many who came through chattering, jabbering, speaking in no language at all) that I was not wanted in this place."
Parham said two-thirds of the people professing Pentecostalism in his day "are either hypnotised or spook driven". It is an indisputable fact that Parham rejected several of the central tenets of the Christian faith and that he was charged with sodomy. Parham was arrested in 1907 for homosexual acts.
Parham did not receive the gift, yet he could impart it. The same was true of Seymour, who ultimately repudiated the initial evidence teaching (speaking in tongues) as providing an open door for witches and spiritualists and free lovism.
G. Campbell Morgan described the Azusa Street activities as "the last vomit of Satan." R. A. Torrey declared that this new Pentecostal movement was "emphatically not of God, and founded by a Sodomite." H. A. Ironside described it as "disgusting... delusions... pandemonium's exhibitions worthy of a madhouse or a collection of howling dervishes," causing a "heavy toll of lunacy and infidelity."
(Compiled from various sources: including Slaying in the Spirit, Encyclopedia of Pentecostal Ministries and Preachers, Way of Life, & Inner-City Christian Discernment Ministry)
Parham and Seymour, the founders of the 'Pentecostal Movement', realised in
hindsight that their own teachings and doctrines were not scripturally sound.
They eventually confessed that what they taught was "not from God"
and that their doctrines would open doors to satanic powers. (Graham,
Hay NSW)
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