Christian love for Israel displayed on Welsh heights

Beautiful feet have once again ascended the mountains of Wales to announce good news for the people of Israel.

For the fourth year running, the North Wales-based Fathers House Sabbath Congregation has incorporated a strong message about Christian support for Israel with a great deal of fun, at the same time bringing extra meaning to the Prophet Isaiah’s statement: "How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news…who say to Zion, ‘Your God reigns!’" (Isa 52:7).

Wonderful Display of Advocacy

Christians from Holland joined believers from the Shotton, Deeside, congregation as they ran or walked 8km across the lovely Clwydian range carrying Israeli flags and dressed in Run for Israel t-shirts. The event was followed by a barbecue at a nearby mountain orchard.

Fathers House pastor Mike Fryer explained: “This mountain range draws over three quarters of a million walkers a year from all over the world and the wonderful display of Christian advocacy for Israel was seen by tourists who had come to visit.

“There was of course the odd anti-Semitic comment but the majority of tourists thanked the participants for such fun-loving and passionate support for Israel. Israeli flags and directional signs with Israeli insignia, displayed throughout the area, were left undamaged – re-enforcing the understanding among leaders of the event that anti-Semitism is a minority view in Wales for whom Israel is generally seen as a respected nation.”

Mike’s statement is borne out by a colleague of mine who tours churches around the UK teaching on God’s purposes for the Jews and finds the people of Wales particularly knowledgeable and responsive.

9^th Av

In another show of support for Israel, Christians are taking part this weekend in an initiative called the Nations’ 9^th Av – a date on the Hebrew calendar associated with many tragedies and thus used as a traditional day of Jewish mourning (falling in 2019 on this weekend, 11 August).

Followers of Jesus are using it as an opportunity to confess and pray through the atrocities committed against the Jewish people in the name of Christianity over the past 2,000 years.

Find out more at https://9-av.com/. 

Simon Pease reviews ‘A New Apostolic Reformation?’ by RD Geivett and H Pivec (Weaver Book Company, 2014).

Geivett’s and Pivec’s book, investigating the teachings of the so-called ‘New Apostolic Reformation’ (NAR), has already garnered widespread critical acclaim, with reviewers asserting that this work provides a much-needed service to the Church. This reviewer concurs.

The ‘NAR’ is a short-hand term for a loose, unofficial collection of ministries, individuals and teachings, largely emanating from the USA, which have combined over the last 30 years to become a highly pervasive influence in the worldwide Church. However, as the authors point out, many Christians who are influenced by the NAR are not even aware of its existence.

In this helpful and balanced book, Geivett and Pivec draw together the various strands of this movement and systematically review its core beliefs, which owe significantly to the 1930s Latter Rain Movement and associated ‘revivals’ such as the Toronto ‘Blessing’.

Hyper-Dominionism

The authors acknowledge that they faced a challenging task researching the NAR as a whole. In contrast to a denomination, it is harder to pin down a formal set of beliefs within this nebulous-yet-influential movement.
In essence, NAR teaching asserts that God is raising up an end times generation of apostles and prophets, to whom the Holy Spirit is revealing ‘new truth’. These apostles and prophets will lead a massive revival, demonstrate extraordinary miraculous powers, and assume worldly positions of power in spheres such as Government, education, the media, arts, etc in order to bring the Kingdom of God on earth.¹

Geivett’s and Pivec’s book, investigating the teachings of the so-called ‘New Apostolic Reformation’, provides a much-needed service to the Church.

In traversing NAR beliefs, which can be summed up as hyper-dominionism (though Geivett and Pivec do not use this term), the authors reference and quote a variety of sources, most frequently C Peter Wagner. The most extreme example provided is of Bill Hamon, who teaches that end times apostles and prophets will attain immortality and perfect health before Jesus returns. Although some within the NAR reject these ideas, they nevertheless align with the overall direction of the movement.

Systematic Comparison with Scripture

Geivett and Pivec have written a clear and accessible work. Their respective backgrounds as university professor and investigative journalist are clearly visible in the book’s neatly arranged structure and evidence-based approach.

The impetus for writing the book arose from an enquiry by an ordinary Christian directed to Holly Pivec when she was a university magazine editor. The book itself is simply dedicated ‘To the Church, the Bride of Christ’, though it is probably geared more towards church leaders, being quite an academic work. Seemingly recognising this, the authors have written a complementary book entitled ‘God’s Super-Apostles’, together with a study guide, which provide a brief introduction to the NAR, with personal stories and recommendations for responding to the movement’s teachings – evidently aimed at a broader readership than the one currently reviewed.

The first three chapters of ‘A New Apostolic Reformation?’ are devoted to explaining what the NAR is, its extraordinary influence (both within the worldwide Church and as a political force in the USA) and the highly organised strategies it has adopted to become so powerful within mainstream Christianity.

The book then systematically examines key NAR teachings, following each with a summary of biblical teaching and a comparison between the two. Invariably NAR teaching is revealed to fail the crucial litmus test of Scripture.

The book systematically examines key NAR teachings, which invariably are revealed to fail the crucial litmus test of Scripture.

The authors also counteract NAR teachings by referring to other commentators within mainstream Pentecostalism and the charismatic movement – presumably because their belief in modern-day gifts of the Spirit makes them the closest Church streams to the NAR and their views might therefore carry greater weight with the reader.

In so doing, Geivett and Pivec ensure that the book’s powerful critique is not damaged by getting side-tracked into debates such as cessationism. They also work to ensure that believers caught up in the NAR movement will not be alienated by the book, stating clearly that they consider NAR leaders to be genuinely committed believers, though never beyond reproach.

Opportunities Missed

Despite its excellence, the book does miss a couple of good opportunities. For example, the authors point out that the NAR now has its own Bible, the ‘Passion Translation’, written deliberately to promote their theology. So brazen is this ‘translation’ in its re-writing of Scripture that at least an appendix with some choice quotations would have been valuable.

In the same way, there is the occasional passing comment regarding the similarity of NAR practices to the New Age movement - but this theme is never developed. To their credit, however, an appendix is devoted to Todd Bentley’s commissioning by ‘apostolic decree’ and his rapid demise, highlighting spectacularly why NAR leaders’ claim to speak authoritatively for God is flawed.

Unlike other books on this topic, which tend to focus on the bizarre spiritual practices and unorthodox teachings of one particular ministry or leader (e.g. Bill Johnson and Bethel Church), here is a comprehensive overview of the entire movement that is highly recommended to help counteract NAR teachings within the Church.

‘A New Apostolic Reformation? A Biblical Response to a Worldwide Movement’ (272pp, paperback) is available from ICM Books for £12.99. Also on Amazon Kindle.

Notes

1 The clearest theological expression of this teaching is found in the ‘Seven Mountain Mandate’, in which mountains represent these spheres of cultural influence.

Christians are running to declare their support for Jews.

Welsh Christians are taking to the mountains for which their country is famous to declare their support for embattled Israel and British-based Jews.

Led by former Israeli Defence Force commander Matan Dansker, members and supporters of the Fathers House Sabbath Congregation in Shotton, Deeside, will participate in an 8km run along the beautiful Clwydian Range in North Wales with persecuted Christians also in mind.

Fulfilling Isaiah’s prophecy, “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news” (Isa 52:7), it follows a similar event last year and will be part of a weekend of activities from 3-5 August at which Mr Dansker, who fought in Gaza, will speak about what is happening in the Jewish state.

Congregational leader Michael Fryer is determined to respond to the rising hatred of Jews in the UK, where the official opposition Labour Party has adopted a watered-down definition of anti-Semitism.

He said: “This is of great concern to us all, so we are highlighting the issues faced by the Jewish community here along with the anti-Israel rhetoric – and an Israeli flag will again be flown at the highest point on the mountain.”

He adds: “Christians are also facing unprecedented persecution in many Asian, African and Middle Eastern countries with mass slaughter and rape being reported in Nigeria. At the same time, the basic tenets of our Judeo-Christian faith are being eroded even here in the UK where Christians are being prosecuted for refusing to comply with immoral practices.

“Fathers House stands shoulder to shoulder with the Jewish community in the UK and we support a number of charitable programmes in Israel. We also support pastors and orphanages in India and Myanmar [Burma] and will hear from those directly involved with these initiatives during this gathering. We will also have a video link with an orphanage in Myanmar during which our children will share with their counterparts in song and drama.”

For more information, see www.fathershouse.wales – details of the run’s location will be given out on request to those wishing to take part, whether running or walking.

Photos of last year's run. Left: runners celebrate their achievement. Right: cheerleaders encourage competitors.

Christians ascend Welsh heights in support of Israel.

Lessons from the life of Moses.

In the eighth part of our series, Fred Wright considers the lessons we can learn from the life of Moses.

Although in Christianity Moses is generally considered as a non-writing prophet, in some Judaic circles he is credited, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, with the reception and transmission of the Torah. This includes the pre-historical sections, which he received by divine revelation. Both the external and internal evidence of the texts illustrate that Moses was accredited with these writings from the earliest of times.

Moses is considered to be the greatest of the prophets and a model for those who came later. He also pre-figured the Messiah. In Second Temple Judaism, the messianic hope was in one who would be the true prophet that Moses had spoken of (see Deut 18:18, cf. Acts 10:43). Paul often referred to the whole of the Torah as 'Moses’ (2 Cor 3:15).

The Call of Moses

Moses presents a clear picture of the prophet as an intercessor. He illustrates an intimacy with the Lord which is second only to that of Jesus.

Moses was a Levite who could trace his lineage back to Levi through Amram (Ex 6:16f). After fleeing the Egyptian court (Ex 2:15f), he dwelt in the land of the Kenites, marrying into the family of the priest Reuel/Jethro. The Kenites were a people who could also trace their descent back to Abraham (Gen 25:1-6). One can therefore assume that their religion was a continuation of pre-Egyptian Yahwism.

Moses is considered to be the greatest of the prophets and a model for those who came later.

It was during this period, while tending his father-in-law's flocks in the vast wilderness of Midian, that Moses began to develop an intimacy with God. God appeared to him in a burning bush (Ex 3:6) and revealed that he was the God of the Patriarchs and not simply the God of the Kenites.

Furthermore, he had not forgotten his people despite their slavery and wanted Moses to be the instrument of their deliverance. Moses’ initial reaction to this was one of awe quickly followed by procrastination — no doubt due to the enormity of the task that had been placed before him.

Although the Lord gave him miraculous signs to perform, Moses was concerned about not being properly equipped to present his case before the ruler of Egypt. So God commissioned his brother, Aaron the Levite, to speak on his behalf. This reminds us that although an intercessor may be called to be an instrument in one area, the Lord may use another to augment, enhance or present the fruit of their intercessory labours.

The Honour of the Name

Having received his commission, Moses was sent forth in the authority of the Holy Name which had been declared to him (Ex 3:14f). The commissioning of Moses clearly illustrates that his mission was to be undertaken in the name and power of the Lord. In the ancient Near East, possession of a holy name was believed to be a token of power. It was thought that the utterance of that name would bring forth the spirit known by that name. This spirit could then be manipulated or worked alongside. This explains the Lord's enigmatic reply to Moses.

Moses illustrates an intimacy with the Lord which is second only to that of Jesus.

Today, it is sad to observe that the names of the Lord and, particularly, the name of the Messiah — Jesus — are often regarded as words of power. They are recited as a mantra, rather than the objects of devotion and as the expression of a relationship (Ps 9:10).

The degree to which Moses understood the honour of the Name was clearly illustrated whenever Israel lapsed into idolatry. Moses' intercession, at those times, was that God would refrain from destroying his people for the sake of the honour of his Name (for example, see Num 14:5-19, cf. Ezek 36).

An interesting aside is that on one occasion the Lord stated that he knew Moses' name. Today that may seem a little trite and obvious, but at the time names were more than a simple label of identification. They were either titles of honour or descriptions of character. The comment about the Lord knowing Moses’ name simply means that God knew Moses' character. We might well ask the question today: as well as knowing God personally, are we prepared for God to know us?

A Model Intercessor

Faith was the driving force in Moses’ life (see Heb 11:23-29). It was through his faith that Moses gained the increasing certainty and confidence he needed to build his relationship with the Lord.

Moses was familiar with apparent failure. His initial approach to his people fell upon deaf ears, due to their broken spirit and cruel slavery (Ex 6:9). Meanwhile, his words were treated with disdain by Pharaoh.

Moses’ family were not the strength he could have hoped for. The people’s apostasy to the golden calf involved Aaron (Ex 32:1), while both Aaron and Miriam rebelled against Moses’ authority because of his marriage to an Ethiopian (Num 12:1). In the midst of all his tribulations Moses received wonderful strengthening from the Lord. The challenges and setbacks were all attended by reassurances from the Lord of his person and character, together with assurances about the future.

In the midst of all his tribulations Moses received wonderful strengthening from the Lord.

Throughout the wilderness wanderings Moses was the only one qualified to intercede for Israel because he was the only one who was not involved in the sin of idolatry. Moses’ concern for his people was so great that he put all thoughts of personal glory aside (Ex 32:32, cf. Phil 2). In particular, he was willing to forfeit his life (cf. Paul in Romans 9:3) and did not consider personal gratification above the good of the nation (Deut 9:14).

Knowing God’s Character

Moses showed his skills of advocacy (Ex 32:11-15) by praying God’s promises back to him. Whenever he faced rebellion against either his spiritual leadership (Num 14:3) or his secular authority (Num 16:41-50), he appealed to the Lord’s honour (Name).

In response to the calamity brought about by a later revolt, the people began to realise that the one who had a personal relationship with God and kept their faith intact was the one who had authority to enter into the presence of the Lord to intercede on their behalf. This is a penetrating truth for the leadership of today who get discouraged in their standing for truth. He who prevails will overcome.

Such prayer requires an intimate knowledge of the character of God. For Moses, this knowledge came from both regular and extended times spent in his presence (Ex 33:7-11). On one occasion, Moses spent 40 days and 40 nights alone with the Lord on top of a mountain. It was during this time that he received the tablets of the Law (Ten Commandments) and the instructions for building the Tabernacle (Ex 24:12-18).

Moses knew God personally and had the distinction of being referred to as God’s friend. He was a person with whom God communicated ‘face to face’ (Ex 33:11), whereas others only knew of him (his acts).

If you know God’s character, then you should not fear for the future. Fear is a manifestation of unbelief which implies no knowledge of the character of God. God keeps his promises and never lies (Num 23:19). Irrational fear is an idol, since the fear has more influence than God’s ability to deliver.

Moses knew God personally and had the distinction of being referred to as God’s friend.

The intercessor needs to develop a personal relationship with God. Moses knew God’s character - therefore he could pray back to the Lord his own promises. A further example of this type of intercession is found in Isaiah, where the Prophet calls upon the reader to remind the Lord of his promises concerning Jerusalem (Isa 62:6-7).

Anyone who aspires to be an intercessor should attempt to develop such a relationship with God. God’s character will be discovered as one studies the Bible and spends time in his presence.

A Warning from the Life of Moses

The record of Moses’ ministry ends on a sad but apposite note. Intimacy, if one is not careful, can lead to a degree of unacceptable familiarity. When the people were camped at Rephidim, they complained about their condition because of their lack of water. They were even ready to stone Moses. Moses called out to the Lord and was commanded to strike a rock in the presence of the elders. He was to use the rod that had parted the Red Sea. This action would bring forth water (Ex 17:1-7).

Later, at Kadesh Barnea, when the people were again complaining that there was no water (Num 20:3), Moses appealed to the Lord. On this occasion, he was instructed to speak to the rock. While it is not our place to judge Moses, it seems that he committed two cardinal errors in the way that he dealt with this problem.

First, along with Aaron, he took the place of God by declaring: “Listen, you rebels, must we bring you water out of this rock?” (emphasis added). Secondly, he recalled the former incident and relied on his previous experience by choosing to strike the rock, rather than speak to it. The result was that neither he nor Aaron was allowed to enter the Promised Land (Num 20:9-13). This is a salutary lesson for us to take God’s instructions seriously!

Teenager’s 26-mile trek over mountains inspires worldwide production of Bibles.

At this time of Shavuot (also known as Pentecost), when we celebrate the giving of the Law through Moses¹ 50 days after the exodus from Egypt, and its ultimate fulfilment in Yeshua (Jesus), consider how a young Welsh girl inspired a global explosion of God’s word.

In the year 1800, 15-year-old Mary Jones completed a marathon walk over the mountains to purchase a Bible, which was to become her most treasured possession.

A weaver’s daughter from a poor community, Mary lost her father to asthma when she was very young and was living with her mother in the tiny hamlet of Llanfihangel-y-pennant (near Dolgellau) in the shadow of the Idris mountain on the edge of Snowdonia.

Bibles were hard to come by in those days, especially copies in the Welsh language. Mary became a Christian, aged eight, through attending her village chapel and subsequently saved up for six long years – carrying out various errands like sewing garments and selling eggs – before she finally had enough to buy her own copy of the Scriptures.

Mary Jones completed a marathon walk to purchase a Bible, which was to become her most treasured possession.

So she set off barefoot on a 26-mile trek over mountain tracks to the town of Bala, where she knocked on the door of Rev Thomas Charles, who was so profoundly moved and inspired by her efforts that he and others were determined to make the Bible available to everyone at an affordable price – not only in Welsh,² but in every tongue.

Epic Journey

This led to the founding within just four years of the British and Foreign Bible Society (now known simply as Bible Society), which has since published millions of Bibles in hundreds of languages, and has branches all over the world including Israel (on Jaffa Road, Jerusalem), from whence God’s word had first been proclaimed.

Mary’s epic journey has thus helped to bring God’s light – and salvation – to every corner of the globe, and has given new meaning to the ancient Scripture: “Your word is a lamp for my feet, and a light for my path” (Ps 119:105).

Who knows but that the eternal fruit of Mary’s marathon may have partly contributed to what the Book of Revelation describes as “a great multitude that no-one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb” (Rev 7:9).

Historical records indicate that the village where Mary grew up was strongly influenced by the 18^th Century Methodist revival. Bala had certainly been experiencing fresh heavenly fire in the years immediately preceding her extraordinary shopping expedition.

Running to Win

With the immense popularity of marathon running today, many will be familiar with the distance Mary walked, equal to that covered in ancient Greece by the herald who ran all the way to Athens to announce victory at the Battle of Marathon.

But Mary’s feat would be hard to beat, because it was to bring good news of the victory of Jesus over death and sin, and revolutionise the lives of millions down the ages.

Mary’s epic journey has helped to bring God’s light – and salvation – to every corner of the globe.

In a generation when parents drive their children to school, perhaps less than a mile away, perhaps it’s time to re-educate our kids about what really matters in life? Teaching the precepts of God is not only good for the soul, but health for the body (Prov 3:7f).

St Beuno’s Church, Llanycil, home of the Mary Jones World and burial place of Rev Thomas Charles.The Bible says “physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.” And it adds that we should “run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus…” In addressing the need for self-discipline, St Paul challenges: “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.” Perhaps Mary was urged on by Paul’s motto: “…forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” (1 Tim 4.8; Heb 12:1f; 1 Cor 9:24; Phil 3:13f).

Power from On High

Bible Society is now helping to raise the profile of Mary’s story, and made an excellent start in 2014 with the opening of Mary Jones World at Llanycil, just a mile to the west of Bala, alongside the beautiful lake of the same name. A disused church has been renovated (even with underfloor heating) and now houses a superb state-of-the-art exhibition, enabling visitors to spend several hours discovering more about the Bible as well as engaging with an inspiring story that shook the world.³

At Shavuot we remember how Jesus came to fulfil the Law (Matt 5:17) and how it came to be written, not just on tablets of stone, but on the hearts of those who believed as they were endued with power from on high (Acts 1:8; Luke 24:49; Acts 2:4; 2 Cor 3:3; Ezek 36:26).⁴

Perhaps it’s time to re-educate our kids about what really matters in life - the precepts of God!

My personal Pentecost took place on 3 April 1980. I spoke in tongues with some difficulty, but I have no doubt that I was endued with power from on high as I received an emboldening to share my faith as never before.

Chapels can be seen almost everywhere you look in Wales – sadly many have been turned to other uses such as homes and shops, but they remain signs of several significant revivals over recent centuries which have shaken the world, and for which Christians on all continents can be truly thankful.

Do it again, Lord! Send your fire on our newly-restored altars of sacrifice as we honour, worship and proclaim your name among the nations (see 1 Kings 18:16-40).

Notes

1 Summed up in the Ten Commandments.

2 Bishop William Morgan translated the Bible into Welsh in 1588, and this significantly helped to save the Welsh language, which was in danger of dying out as it began breaking away into a number of different dialects.

3 For more information on the work of Bible Society, see bydmaryjonesworld.org.uk or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

4 Shavuot also celebrates the wheat harvest and ripening of the first fruits, so the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1) was the perfectly appropriate time to witness the ‘firstfruits’ of the new-born Church.