From Separation to Sharing 2

Judges14:7 'And he went down and talked with the woman;'

Samson was a Nazarite unto God; his life was one of separation from worldly association and a life of uncompromising loyalty unto the LORD. In the last blog I made the connection between Samson and the Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster with respect to their falling away from the doctrine of separation.

Chapter fourteen of Judges plots Samson's departure from the path of separation to one of sharing with the Philistines. He turned away from his once cherished principles and values of separation unto the LORD and took the downward path to Timnath. This was to fulfill a longing that had arisen in his wayward heart; soon the longing changed to looking; 'And Samson went down to Timnath, and saw a woman in Timanth of the daughters of the Philistines.'

Samson's longing and looking suddenly turned into lusting; nothing would do but he must enter into marriage with the Philistines. Despite the objections of his parents, Samson was determined to have his way; being the big man, the strong man, Samson led the way and his family followed. 'Then went Samson down, and his father and mother, to Timnath, and came to the vineyards of Timnath: and a young lion roared against him.'

In order for the development of a healthy, sharing and lasting relationship, Samson entered into talks with the Philistines. 'And he went down, and talked with the woman; and she pleased him well.' Not even a lion could turn the strong man from his departure from the LORD; he was determined to have his own way and was intent on taking the family with him.

Samson's departure from his position of separation to one of sharing with the Philistines depicts perfectly the departure of the Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster from its separatist principles to one of support for the aspirations of the political power sharing executive at Stormont. It was the 'big man' that longed for political power; it was the 'big man' that looked upon the potential partnership with Sinn Fein; it was the 'big man' that lusted after the unequal yoke with unbelievers; it was the 'big man' that engaged in talks with unrepentant terrorists; it was the 'big man' that led the Free Presbyterian Church family down the path from separation to sharing.

Just as Samson was intent on a shared future with the Philistines where cohesion, sharing and integration would be his desired goal; so the Free Presbyterian Church has departed from the principles of evangelical Protestantism and is intent on pursuing a shared future where secularism is the objective.

In the next blog we will consider the deception that prevailed as Samson pushed forward the agenda for a shared future.

Rev Mervyn Cotton (Heb13:6)

From Separation to Sharing

‘For the child shall be a Nazarite unto God from the womb:’ (Judges 13:5)

The reference here is to Samson, the first born of Manoah and his wife of the tribe of Dan from Zorah. Samson was to live a life of separation from conformity to this world; he was to live, by God’s rich grace, a life of obedience unto God’s word separated unto the LORD. Separation, in this context, marks the child of God as striving to live in this corrupt world, separated from sin and separated unto God.

The doctrine of separation or sanctification is manifest throughout the entire canon of scripture; it is incumbent upon every believer, saved by God’s grace, to live a life of holiness unto God. The Levitical priesthood were sanctified unto God; the priesthood of believers are also sanctified or separated unto the Lord. ‘This is the will of God, even your sanctification, (1Thess 4:3)

When a church is made up of God’s redeemed people that live sanctified lives, then their collective testimony exhibits a church witness that is separated unto Almighty God. Sometimes, a mere profession of sanctification is no guarantee of actual possession; it is wrong to criticise others for apparent lack of holiness, when there is little evidence of sanctification in our own lives. The Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster attempted to use the doctrine of separation as a means of discrediting other denominations which it deemed apostate, so as to claim the moral high ground.

As always, any claim to religious separation, any claim to separation from sin unto God, brings a tremendous weight of responsibility. When the Free Presbyterian Church claimed to be a separatist testimony outside the camp of religious apostasy and ecumenical compromise, this brought the spotlight of evangelical Protestant attention into focus. Many saved people were drawn to consider the truth of God’s word in this regard and evidently supported the denominational testimony.

However, there was an entirely different outcome when Free Presbyterian ministers and office bearers introduced the concept of separation into the political arena. The result was to prove disastrous for evangelical Protestantism in Ulster; it has discredited the scriptural doctrine of separation and destroyed the very foundation upon which the Reformed Faith stands.

Next time we will move on from the ‘Description’ of separation, to the ‘Departure’ from separation.

Rev Mervyn Cotton (Heb 13:6)

Paisley Left Speechless

• Paisley Left Speechless


• A few years ago the voice of Rev Ian Paisley roared against whatever he considered to be contrary to Free Presbyterian separatist principles and values; today things are very much different.


• Some time ago, Rev Ian Paisley objected very strongly when the UUP’s Harry West attended a Nationalist’s funeral; he actually demanded that Mr West be thrown out of the Orange Order for attending the mass. Here was Mr Paisley calling for the Orange Order to discipline Mr West, even though Mr Paisley was not himself a member. Presently, when his party leader, Mr Robinson goes to mass, he quietly acquiesces; when his church welcomes Mr McGuinness and disciplines TUV supporters, his voice is inaudible.


• In the past, Ian Paisley gave his unequivocal support to the establishment and maintenance of independent Christian schools; now when, Free Presbyterian DUP MLA, Mervyn Storey advocates integrated education in a pluralist society, there is not a sound of censor from the once vigilant defender of the faith.


• Silence is often taken for consent; should this be the case, then God will raise up another voice, another testimony. (Esther4:14) ‘For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise ….. from another place;’ Rev Mervyn Cotton (Heb13:6)

A Divided Church

• A Divided Church ‘If a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand.’ (Mrk3:25) Once the Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster was identified by the doctrine of separation; the pulpits and pews were occupied exclusively by those sympathetic to this cause. All this was to change dramatically after Rev Ian Paisley decided to share power with unrepentant terrorists in government.


• Suddenly another voice was raised amongst the Free Presbyterian ranks, that of traditional unionism; now the Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster has to accommodate two separate political movements. On the one hand the followers of the forward looking, mass going, pluralist and integrationist DUP are demanding votes; while on the other, the persecuted, rejected, dissenting and faithful voices of the TUV ask for electoral support.


• This once separatist church has capitulated to sharing in the past; where its ministers and office bearers support DUP partnership with IRA Sinn Fein and is perfectly complicit with mass going by association. Now, the Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster has discovered the voice of opposition from within its own political ranks as TUV members have taken up the torch.


• ‘If a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand’; these are words of wisdom and warning from the Son of God. When Free Presbyterianism relocated to the political site, this has proved to be the place where compromise and sharing took root; now the irony is that this church has to accommodate two separate political opinions within its walls.


• The church that distinguished itself by separation is now distinguished by division; in the past, Free Presbyterians were united in their opposition to ecumenical compromise and political union with Rome. Things are very different now; the Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster is distinguished by division from within; where the TUV are rightly opposing the treachery and duplicity of the DUP IRA Sinn Fein partnership. This is the price to be paid by rejecting separation and embracing sharing.

Rev Mervyn Cotton (Heb13:6)

How long halt ye between two opinions

‘How long halt ye between two opinions’ At home here in Ulster, we are preparing to make choice with regard to the forth coming elections on May 5th. Every choice we make in life has its consequences; some, we get right, others are to be regretted. As an evangelical Protestant, I am persuaded that the choice of sharing power with unrepentant terrorists, a few years back, was a poor one; however, that is what democracy demanded and that is what we have to deal with. Democracy here in the past was always associated with Biblical standards and precepts; whether Roman Catholic or Protestant, Nationalist or Unionist, there was identification with Christianity. From St Andrews, the situation is very much different; Biblical principles and values have been exchanged for Secularist philosophy. The ‘shared future advocates’ are seeking to amalgamate Nationalist and Unionist, Roman Catholic and Protestant traditions into one Secularist entity. Amazingly, the DUP, supported by the Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster, have been actively engaged in this process; they are compromising the principles of the Reformed Faith at such speed and determination, that if unchecked, they will transform Ulster from a cradle of Biblical Protestantism into a caldron of Secularism. Presently they have turned from ‘Separation’ to ‘Sharing’; they have turned from Christ the only Mediator to the Celebration of the Mass; they have cast out those with Christian principle and welcomed the Secularist scoundrel. It is time for those within the Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster to consider their position; how can a person oppose the capitulation and treachery of the DUP and remain in the Free Presbyterian Church. These two organisations are joined at the hip; the Free Presbyterian Church supports its ministers and office bearers while they hold position and membership in the DUP. When the DUP is represented at the Roman Catholic mass, then so is the Free Presbyterian Church; when the DUP sanctions public money to support homosexuality, then so does the Free Presbyterian Church. When the children of Israel were gathered unto Elijah on mount Carmel in the days of Ahab’s apostasy and compromise, they were confronted with the question; ‘how long halt ye between two opinions’ (1Kings18:21) Now in these days of apostasy and compromise within the Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster, it is time for God’s redeemed people to seriously consider their position and to respond to this great question, ‘how long halt ye between two opinions’. Attendance will always be viewed as participation; no one can sit in a Free Presbyterian congregation without being identified with the DUP. Rev Mervyn Cotton

Choose you this day

‘Choose you this day’ With the elections of May 5th coming ever closer, the concept of choice is uppermost on the mind of the electorate; while the choice for some will be based upon tradition or habit, for others, it will be a matter of conviction or conscience. From an evangelical Protestant prospective, I want to highlight a situation that is sweeping through Ulster like an odourless poisonous gas. For generations, the diverse political establishment here, has been associated with Christianity; irrespective, as to what end of the political spectrum may be considered, the one dominant factor was that, the moral and ethical outlook was predicated to the Word of God. Ever since the St Andrews Agreement, the subtle wind of change has been blowing through the electorate; little by little the focus has been turning away from once held Christian values and principles, towards Secularism. While this phenomenon is evident on a global scale, it becomes more apparent at home here because of our strong religious heritage; whether that is Protestant or Roman Catholic. Nowhere is that change more remarkable than in the Protestant and Unionist tradition; there appears to be a greater impetus in compromising or even rejecting Biblical Christian principles and values so as to guarantee political progress. The Reformed Faith position is being discredited and destroyed by some Unionist politicians, just for political expediency; they appear to have no difficulty in abandoning Christian principles in order to choose Secularist ones. Remarkably, the front runners in this situation are the DUP, backed by the Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster; they have chosen the path of ‘Sharing’ as an alternative to that of ‘Separation’. Now it is time for the people to ‘chose’; in the days of Joshua, the people had to consciously choose whether they should be identified with the Lord God of heaven, or be identified with the Secularism of their day. ‘And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve ….. but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.’ Rev Mervyn Cotton

Real Error in the Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster 3

Evidence of Real Error in the Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster 3

Some sixty years ago on the 17th of March, Rev Ian Paisley founded the Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster at Crossgar; sadly, much has changed since then. Rev Paisley was swift to condemn the main line Protestant churches in Ulster and abroad, as apostate and ecumenical; at every opportunity he attacked what he considered to be their compromise with the Church of Rome. Sixty years on and there is real error in the Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster; compromise and rebellion are well established in the ranks, so much so that people are leaving and going back into the main line Protestant denominations from whence they came.

Yet another real error was manifest when Free Presbyterian ministers and office bearers accepted the terms of the St Andrews Agreement, the error of ‘falling away’ or apostasy. It was Rev Ian Paisley, prior to signing the Agreement, which asked a question of Mr Blair; I want to quote Mr Blair’s words, ‘he (Ian Paisley) asked me whether I thought God wanted him to make the deal that would seal the peace process. I wanted to say yes, but I hesitated; though I was sure God would want peace, God is not a negotiator. I felt it would be wrong, manipulative, to say yes, and so I said I couldn't answer that question, that only he could and I hoped he would let God guide him.’ (Tony Blair ... A Journey p195-196) this reveals the Free Presbyterian moderator seeking guidance from an unsaved Prime Minister; he didn’t ask his presbytery for council or help, nor did he call for a day of prayer and fasting as at other times.

In signing up to the St Andrews Agreement, Rev Ian Paisley together with his Free Presbyterian ministerial and oversight colleagues signed up to the introduction of Secular Humanism in Ulster. In signing up to Secularist principles these Free Presbyterians are now implementing Equality Legislation which is being used successfully against believing Christians; they are driving God’s Word out of society by stealth, while at the same time encouraging apostasy. Rather than standing against and condemning the dreadful apostasy that is spreading like a global plague, the Free Presbyterian Church is complicit.

For generations the Free Presbyterian Church described denominational backsliding as apostasy, (a falling away); however an apostate is a person that has come close to and perhaps has even accepted the principles of Biblical Christianity, but then has turned fully and finally away into atheism. (Heb6:4-6) ‘For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God, afresh, and put him to an open shame.’ Secular Humanism is the engine that propels the vehicle of apostasy, and atheism is the fuel that keeps it running. Free Presbyterians such as Mervyn Storey are fully persuaded that the Secularist policies which ultimately are designed to spread apostasy are advantageous to a forward looking, inclusive and integrated society.

The real error of apostasy is being promoted by Free Presbyterianism as it implements the Secularist principles of cohesion, sharing and integration; this is such a far step away from separation and a leap towards Secularism. Now, when the DUP leader wants to go to Mass, the Free Presbyterian Church condemns the Mass but not its own ministers and office bearers that support their political leader. There appears to be a persecuting zeal within Free Presbyterianism against disaffected DUP members and a purging out of any that have fallen foul of the church system; it is not uncommon for believers to be denied the right hand of fellowship as they attend public worship.

The three errors that are apparent in the Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster are, Compromise, Rebellion and Apostasy; where such real error is manifest, then the clear message from God’s Word is to Separate, to come out of.
‘Come out of her my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.’ (Rev18:4)

Rev Mervyn Cotton (Heb13:6)