FREE PRESBYTERIANISM

Lurgan Free Presbyterian Church REDEMPTION THROUGH HIS BLOOD EPH 1 V 7

“Burning but not consumed”

Free Presbyterian by:-

Convenience or Conviction?

Objectives for Consideration

• Historical background

• The different Presbyterian denominations in Ulster

• The major differences that distinguishes Free Presbyterians from other churches

• Why I am A Free Presbyterian

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

New Testament(Paul AD64)

Geneva(John Calvin 1509 - 1561)

Scotland

(John Knox 1514 - 1572)

Ulster (Brice1634 /Cooke 1850’s)

Different Presbyterian Denominations in Ulster

• IRISH PRESBYTERIANS • (1634 -ecumenical/liberal/neo evangelical)

• REFORMED PRESBYTERIANS • (1763 – Reformed/Calvinistic/Evangelical/ Separated)

• EVANGELICAL PRESBYTERIANS • (1927 –Reformed/Calvinistic/Evangelical/ Separated)

• NON SUBSCRIBING PRESBYTERIANS • (1725 - Liberal/Unitarian /Arianists/ Universalists

• FREE PRESBYTERIANS• (1951 - Reformed/Calvinistic/Evangelical/ /Evangelistic/Separated/Militant)

Major differences between Free Presbyterians and some other Protestant denominations

1. SYSTEM of church GOVERNMENT

2. SOVEREIGN GRACE

3. SEPARATED unto the GOSPEL

4. SPIRITUAL GIFTS

1.Systems of church Government :-

PAPACY (Popery)

PRELACY (Establish church- Episcopalian)

PASTOR LED( Baptists and Pentecostalists in USA etc)

PRESBYTERIAN ( Elders and deacons elected by communicant members)

2. Sovereign Grace

Predestination/Election (TULIP)

Total Depravity

Unconditional Election

Limited Atonement

Irresistible Grace

Perseverance

Westminster Divines

3. Separated unto the Gospel

“Contend earnestly for the faith” (Jude 1:3)

Opposed to Charismatic /neo- Pentecostal movement with its signs and wonders etc.E.g. * Visions, tongues, healing gifts * Toronto blessing * Willow Creek mega church growth * Seeker sensitive * Health and Prosperity gospel It is the FRUITS (not the FEELINGS) of the Spirit that we should focus on. This is the true sign of being filled with the Holy Ghost. Anything which does not produce holy lives is not of the Holy Spirit. (Gal 5 v 22&23)Remember He is HOLY therefore his fruit will be holy.

7 Reasons why I am Free Presbyterian

Because of their position with regard to :~

• 1. CONVERSION

• 2. INCARNATION

• 3. INSPIRATION

• 4. ELECTION

• 5. REFORMATION

• 6. EVANGELISATION

• 7. SEPARATION

FREE PRESBYTERIAN

By

Convenience or Conviction