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Does Marriage Really Matter? With the extraordinary pressures to re-define marriage and accommodate the demands by gay activists for homosexual unions to be accepted as "marriage", many are asking: Well, what difference does it make? Thirteen years ago Africa Christian Action published the landmark book: The Pink Agenda – Sexual Revolution in South Africa and the Ruin of the Family, warning that their agenda was to work towards "homosexual marriages". At that time, the gay community vigorously denied that this was their plan.
goal of radical homosexuals is to force all of society – beginning in primary schools – to conform to sexual deviancy. At the time, the homosexual community denied that they had any intention to attack the traditional family and attempt to redefine the basic building block of society – Christian marriage. Now the homosexual agenda is plain for all to see. Bed and
Radical Social Engineering The Pink Agenda documented, from the homosexual's own writings, that they had a radical social engineering project, not merely to have the deviant declared normal, but to have the normal declared deviant. The stated
Breakfast owners in Britain targeted for ruinous legal action for recommending a homosexual couple to rather use any of the many other Bed and Breakfasts that had no problems with such conduct. Bakers hounded out of business for preferring not to cater for a homosexual "wedding". A Christian florist viciously persecuted out of business for preferring not to accept a contract to provide flowers for a homosexual "wedding". Pastors prosecuted in Sweden for preaching what the Word of God teaches in
Religious Freedoms at Risk Apparently, according to the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC), sexual rights activists and their cheerleaders in the media, Christian citizens do not have the right to decline to host or participate in same-sex "weddings" – especially if the reasons are based on their religious beliefs and convictions!
Unions if it violated their religious convictions.
False Promises In 2006, the then Minister of Home Affairs, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula insisted no Christian would be compelled to participate in same-sex Civil
Three Cases Currently Under Investigation by the SA Human Rights Commission There are 3 cases against Christians of "discrimination
Prosecuting Christians for Conscience & Convictions Since then, several cases of discrimination have been lodged with the SAHRC and the Equality Court – primarily against Christians for declining to participate in same-sex civil unions.
Romans 1, concerning the sin of homosexuality. Adoption agencies targeted for preferring to place children for adoption in homes with a husband and wife, rather than with homosexual live-in lovers. People have been fired from their jobs. Teachers have been kicked out of schools. The homosexual agenda has taken on the role of a bullying inquisition. Homosexual Imperialism Whole countries are being bullied by the US State Department and European Continued on page 2
In This Issue
1 Does Marriage Really Matter?
against homosexuals" currently being investigated by SA 1 Religious Freedoms at Risk Human Rights Commission. 5 Homeschooling Freedoms at Risk
Peter Throp and his pro-life mobile targeted by the City of Cape Town Continued on page 3
6 Just How Did We Get into this Situation? 8 Action Items 8 Mpumalanga Mission 8 Upcoming Events 10 Do You Want to Change Your World? 12 Lest We Forget! 14 Speak up for the Pre-Born 15 Make a Difference this Women's Day 16 Empower your Evangelism 1
Continued from Page 1 Does Marriage Really Matter?
Union to decriminalise homosexual activity. Foreign aid is being withdrawn and political pressure exerted on countries such as Malawi and Uganda for their laws upholding traditional marriage. Privileges for Perverts Sneak attacks, assertions of victimhood, name-calling and expensive, time-wasting litigation are only some of the weapons being mobilised against those who hold to traditional marriage. It is crystal clear that the Pink Agenda is not about tolerance, but demanding approval and conformity to their perverse agenda. This includes indoctrinating children, even
PO Box 23632 Claremont 7735 Cape Town South Africa Tel: 021 689 4480 Fax: 021 685 5884 Email:info@christianaction.org.za Web: www.christianaction.org.za Publisher Africa Christian Action Editor Dr Peter Hammond Associate Editors Dorothea Scarborough Taryn Hodgson Lenora Hammond DTP Brendon Schäfer PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE Christian Action is published quarterly by Africa Christian Action. All articles and news items from this publication may be reproduced, or quoted from, on condition that due credit is given to Christian Action. Please also post, or email, us a copy of any article.
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in primary schools, with their perverse propaganda. Undermining the Family The family is the basic building block of society. Marriage is an institution established at Creation by God. Marriage, a life-long partnership of love between a man and a woman, is a sacrament and an ordinance of the Church. No government has the right to interfere in religious freedom and presume to redefine a Creation ordinance. Civilisation is at Stake At its heart, the battle to redefine marriage, to incorporate what God in the Bible condemns as perversion and an abomination, is a war against the family. It is not only a battle for the family, but it is a battle for civilisation itself. Of the 26 civilisations that are recorded in history, none have survived the pubic tolerance of homosexual perversion. The great Roman and Greek civilisations collapsed when sexual morality was subverted. Homosexual perversion represented the terminal stage of the collapse of these civilisations. Similarly, one can see in the collapse of the Aztec, Mayan and Inca civilisations, the role of sexual perversion in fuelling the collapse of those societies.
"Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. They exchanged the truth of God for a lie… God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations with unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were enflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion… although they knew God's righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continued to do these very things, but also approved of those who practiced them." Romans 1:24-32 Destruction of Depravity A visit to the Archaeological excavations at Pompeii, buried under lava from the volcanic eruption of Mount Vesuvius also documents the prevalence of homosexual perversion in that city before it was entombed in volcanic ash. "Who will rise up for Me against the evildoers? Who will stand up for Me against the workers of iniquity?" Psalm 94:16 Catastrophic Consequences If you remain silent and passive while yet another vital foundation for Christian civilisation is imploded, then you will be condemning your children to continue to be bombarded with homosexual propaganda at school and in the media. You may be sure that freedom of thought, freedom of association, freedom of speech, freedom of conscience and freedom of religion will continue to be eroded. Churches will be tied up in time-wasting and expensive litigation and pastors will be fined and imprisoned for refusing to bow before this perverse agenda.
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"Do not be deceived, neither the sexually immoral… nor male prostitutes, nor homosexual offenders… will inherit the Kingdom of God." 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 We must love our neighbour and reach out to homosexual neighbours with Christian love and concern, sharing the liberating Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ with them. We cannot submit to this counterfeit marriage movement or stand by while our children are subjected to brainwashing and bullying to declare good and normal what God has condemned as sinful and perverse. "Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!" Isaiah 5:20 This is more than a battle over marriage, it is a battle for the family. It is a battle for religious freedom. It is a battle for Christian civilisation. Even more than that, it is part of the New World Order's War against God. "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not allow yourselves to be burdened again by a yoke of slavery… you, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather serve one another in love." Galatians 5:1,13 Dr. Martin Luther declared: "If I profess with the loudest voice, and clearest exposition, every portion of the Truth of God, except precisely that point which the world and the devil are at that moment attacking, then I am not confessing Christ, however boldly I may be professing Him. Where the battle rages, there the loyalty of the soldier is proved; and to be steady on all the battlefront besides is mere flight and disgrace if he flinches at that point." Dr. Peter Hammond -
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made from overseas and were specifically about intercountry adoption policy and not local adoptions.
activist Peter Throp has been issued with another summons by the City of Cape Town — this time for parking his ‘prolife mobile’ outside Marie Stopes abortion clinic in Bree Street, Cape Town on Tuesday morning (March 4, 2014).
"Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!" Isaiah 5:20
On 7 March 2014 the Cape Town High Court upheld an appeal by Christian pro-life activist Peter Throp against a conviction in February last year for damaging property by placing pro-life stickers over illegal abortion stickers. The City of Cape Town hounded and threatened him for months, and the Mayor of Cape Town, Patricia de Lille, ignored his appeal for them
Hate Speech Bill A Hate Speech Bill could be tabled in Parliament soon and will potentially make it a “hate crime” to say that the practice Marina and Steph Neethling faced a court hearing for choosing not to host a gay couple of homosexuality is sinful according to the Bible. Pastors at their Guesthouse in Wolseley. who preach according to the The SA Human Rights in the Equality Court in Scripture may find themselves Commission (SAHRC) is Bellville on 14 April 2014 for arrested and upon conviction, conducting a probe after the choosing not to host a gay be fined, or imprisoned. owners of Kilcairn farm near couple in November 2013. Wellington withdrew permission for a lesbian The court hearing followed couple to be married there. an investigation by the SA Alarmingly, the commission Human Rights Commission launched their own initiative (SAHRC) following a complaint investigation after becoming by the gay couple after they aware of the incident on were declined a room at The House of Bread guesthouse. social media. Thankfully, according to a Adoption Agencies Under news report, the lesbian Threat couple have refused to co- Adoption agencies are under operate with the probe. "In investigation for preferring to the absence of witnesses who place babies up for adoption were party to the alleged with heterosexual married incident, the SAHRC is unable couples. The SAHRC will be to proceed," Mangena said. dealing directly with the Department of Social In another case, the Christian Development and not with Potential Spanking Ban owners of The House of Bread specific adoptions agencies. Joshua Generation Church in Guesthouse in Wolseley, The allegations of Cape Town is also battling Western Cape faced a hearing discrimination have been anti-Christian groups and the SAHRC for teaching the Biblical view of child discipline. The atheist group empowered by the SAHRC is demanding JoshGen apologise and refrain from teaching the Scriptural view of child discipline.
to rather join him in protecting women from the illegal abortionists. In February, 2013, a Cape Town magistrate sentenced him to a fine of R5 000 or 3 months imprisonment suspended for 5 years. The latest move by the City to curb Throp's pro-life campaigning came just days before his appeal hearing in the Cape Town High Court (7 March) against his conviction, in February 2013, for “damaging municipal property” by placing pro-life stickers over illegal abortion stickers. In that matter a Cape Town magistrate fined him R5 000 or three months imprisonment suspended for five years.
Amendments to the Children’s Act will make it illegal for parents to spank their children. Parents will be forced to undergo parenting programmes that will prescribe to them how they must raise their children. Pro-life Activist Summons Gateway News reports: Resolute Christian pro-life Christian Action
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The House of Bread Guesthouse in Wolseley which is being targeted.
In this summons, the City says that it inspected his car in front of Marie Stopes at 6.30am on Tuesday, and found that he has contravened Section B of the Outdoor Advertising and Signage ByLaw because he has not obtained written approval for the pro-life signage on the vehicle. The signage includes the statements "Abortion is evil", "Value Life", "Silence on abortion is not golden, it is yellow", "Expose lies, lift up truth" and "Isaiah 5:20 'Woe to those who call evil good and good evil‌'"
daily weekday prayer campaign in front of Marie Stopes has been running for just three months short of four years, during which time he has made more than 900 trips to the abortuary.
Throp says he has sought legal advice regarding the latest summons. However, he observes that his intensive
Compiled By Taryn Hodgson Visit: www.christianaction.org.za
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Remain Vigilant Please remain vigilant in prayer and action against any attempts to limit religious freedom. "Who will rise up for Me against the evildoers? Who will stand up for Me against the workers of iniquity?" Psalm 94:16
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HOME SCHOOLING FREEDOMS AT RISK NEW NATIONAL POLICY COULD BE DRAFTED IN AUGUST Homeschoolers in SA have won a battle for religious freedom and the right to protect the best interests of their children, but the war is far from over. Through prayer, publicity and pressure home schoolers in the Western Cape managed to squash the DA’s proposed draconian antihomeschooling regulations, causing them to withdraw the draft. On 11 February 2014, the Western Cape Department of Education released a draft policy on home education. Cape Home Educators and the Pestalozzi Trust, the South African home-school legal defence association, were concerned by its implications. Outcry There was an immediate outcry among home educators across the country as the policy denied parents their constitutional right to choose the form of education in the best interests of their children. It also insisted that the state’s values be taught to home educated children – an infringement of the right of parents to raise their children according to their own religious and moral values, a right which all parents of school-going children should enjoy.
Draconian The proposed policies gave all power to the head of the Department of Education, who would approve curricula, require regular assessments, monitor children’s progress and have the right to withdraw the registration for homeschooling should s/he wish. It required that parents justify their reason for choosing home education, apply for permission to home educate before 30 September of the previous year, keep attendance records, keep records of regular assessments and a portfolio of the children’s work etc. Western Cape Policy With the national elections approaching, home educators sent emails to their local DA (Democratic Alliance) councillors country-wide. The email campaign caused a significant stir. DA councillors were soon passing concerns up the ranks and by 14 February, just 3 days after the draft policy had been issued, an announcement from the Department of Education stated that the draft policy “has no formal status” and “has been withdrawn with immediate effect” with apologies. This was no doubt a ploy to pacify disgruntled voters ahead of the elections.
New National Draft Policy Subsequently, the Western Cape Minister of Education, Donald Grant stated that they would wait for the national draft policy due in August 2014 before drafting a new provincial one. In other words, the DA is likely to follow the ANC’s lead on national policy for home education. This means that a national policy similar to that proposed by the DA for the Western Cape could soon be foisted on homeschoolers country-wide.
Members of Parliament abreast of the issues. If you live in Cape Town and wish to be part of this group you can contact Leendert van Oostrum of the Pestalozzi Trust on 012-3301337 or defensor@pestalozzi.org. Be Informed, Be Involved, Be Interceding Homeschoolers are required by the SA Schools Act to register with the Department of Education but in the Western Cape no laws have been promulgated to enforce this. The majority of home educators in SA choose not to register because registering could force them to comply with unlawful requirements that are not in the best interests of their children. Each homeschooling family needs to know their rights, so that they are not harassed by officials. Contact the Pestalozzi Trust for more information: 012 – 3301337, www.pestalozzi.org.
Private Schools Harassment This is concerning in the light of how private schools have been increasingly harassed with time-consuming and expensive assessment and qualification criteria over the last ten years. The Minister of Education herself has suggested that homeschoolers can expect 'strong pressure' from government over the next three to five years. What You Can Do We can win this war on religious freedom through prayer, publicity and pressure. Most politicians won’t see the light until they feel the heat! Send Letters to the Editor of your favourite newspapers and magazines and to trusted radio presenters.
The price of liberty is eternal vigilance! Taryn Hodgson, with Shirley Erwee – homeschooling mother and activist.
Parliamentary Action Group Homeschooling parents have suggested forming a Parliamentary Action Group to monitor new developments and to keep Christian
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Just How Did We Get into this Situation? "But if they had stood in My counsel, and had caused My people to hear My Words, then they would have turned them from their evil way and from the evil of their doings." Jeremiah 23:22 The Crisis That Confronts Just how did we descend to such a disastrous situation that degenerate Hollywood entertainment could be considered normal, that corruption could be endemic, dysfunctional families the norm, most state schools failing, rampant rhino poaching, canned lion hunting, legalised abortion, "gay pride" parades, legalised perversion and so-called homosexual "weddings"! How could Europe so abandon its Christian heritage that it could be hijacked by the New World Order and endangered by Islam? Wickedness Within "My heart within me is broken because of the prophets; all my bones shake. I am like a drunken man, and like a man whom wine has overcome, because of the Lord, and because of His holy Words. For the land is full of adulterers; for because of a curse the land mourns. The pleasant places of the wilderness are dried up. Their course of life is evil, and their might is not right. 'For both prophet and priest are profane; Yes, in My house I have found their wickedness,' says the Lord." Jeremiah 23:9-11 Recognise the Tactics We need to recognise the tactics of the enemy: corrupt and conquer and confuse, divide and conquer. We need to learn the lessons of history, recognise the tactics and strategies of satan, as well as the disastrous consequences of idolatry and immorality. Wickedness and Weakness Yet, God's Word makes it clear that it is not primarily the wickedness of the wicked, but the weakness, compromise 6
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and cowardice of religious leaders who purport to speak in God's Name that has led to the disastrous situation that confronts us today. Strengthening Evildoers "'Therefore their way shall be to them like slippery ways; in the darkness they shall be driven on and fall in them; for I will bring disaster on them, the year of their punishment,' says the Lord. 'And I have seen folly in the prophets of Samaria: They prophesied by Baal and cause My people Israel to err. Also I have seen a horrible thing in the prophets of Jerusalem: They commit adultery and walk in lies; they also strengthen the hands of evildoers, so that no one turns back from his wickedness. All of them are like Sodom to Me, and her inhabitants like Gomorrah.'" Jeremiah 23:12-14 Causing God's People to Err We can see the slippery ways of those who walk in lies, strengthening the hand of evildoers and causing God's people to err. Foundational Biblical doctrines are undermined by the teaching of Evolution, even in theological seminaries. Even institutions which claim to be Christian Universities, teach Evolution and the tenants of secular humanism. Antinomianism, hostility to God's Law further erodes the foundations of the Church. Many are distracted by Rapture fever, date setting, end times obsessions. As a result, many of our churches have become corrupted by cheap grace and easy believism. By failing to Evangelise and educate, many churches have become more like social clubs, failing to be salt and light, people-pleasers, sinnerfriendly, non-confrontational and comfortable in compromise with the world. Promoting Child Sacrifice Prominent church leaders such as Bishop Desmond Tutu have gone on record
promoting the largest abortion provider in South Africa: Marie Stopes Clinics. We have seen the large pull-out banner at the Marie Stopes Abortuary in Bree Street, Cape Town, with a picture of Bishop Tutu and his quote endorsing the work of this, the largest provider of abortion in the country! The Fruit of Failure One can see the fruit of such failure: "They also strengthen the hands of evildoers, so that no one turns back from his wickedness..." The fruit of a false prophet is that people fail to repent from their wickedness. Worthless Words "Therefore thus says the Lord of hosts concerning the prophets: 'Behold, I will feed them with wormwood, and make them drink the water of gall; for from the prophets of Jerusalem profaneness has gone out into all the land.' Thus says the Lord of hosts: 'Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you. They make you worthless; they speak a vision of their own heart, not from the mouth of the Lord. They continually say to those who despise Me, the Lord has said, 'You shall have peace'; and to everyone who walks according to the dictates of his own heart, they say, 'No evil shall come upon you.'" Jeremiah 23:15-17 False Prophets Encourage the Immoral and Idolaters Profaneness, drunkenness,
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blasphemy, immorality and idolatry have spread throughout the land. Yet these religious leaders continually say to those who despise the Lord: "The Lord has said you shall have peace, and to everyone who walks according to the dictate of his own heart, they say, no evil shall come upon you!" A true servant of God comforts the afflicted and afflicts the comfortable. God's Servants Must Instruct, Correct and Rebuke "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 complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3:16-17. For the servant of God to be thoroughly equipped for every good work, they need to be taught doctrine, reproved, corrected and instructed in righteousness. Our Solemn Duty "I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, Who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His Kingdom: Preach the Word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching." 2 Timothy 4:1-2 In the presence of God and our Lord Jesus Christ who will -
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judge the living and the dead, we are commanded to preach the Word of God. The whole counsel of God. We need to be prepared, in season and out of season, whether well received or opposed, whether popular or politically incorrect, it is the duty of a servant of God to convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. Itching Ears "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers, and they will turn their ears away from the truth and be turned aside to fables. But you, be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an Evangelist, fulfil your ministry." 2 Timothy 4:3-5 Who Has Stood in the Counsel of the Lord? The Word of the Lord comes to us today: "For who has stood in the counsel of the Lord, and has perceived and heard His Word? Who has marked His Word and heard it?" Jeremiah 23:18. Have you stood attentive in the counsel of the Lord? Have you studied God's Word, clearly heard it, perceived its significance and marked it? God Will Bring Judgement "Behold, a whirlwind of the Lord has gone forth in fury - a violent whirlwind! It will fall violently on the head of the wicked. The anger of the Lord will not turn back until He has executed and performed the thoughts of His heart. In the latter days you will understand it perfectly." Jeremiah 23:19-20
The Power of the Word "For the Word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." Hebrews 4:12 The Beginning of Wisdom We dare not censor God's Word and lie to the people in order to receive their approval. It is not loving to fail to warn people of imminent danger. God is a holy God. His Judgment will inevitably fall. Those who fail to repent will experience His wrath. Presumption is Not Faith "I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran. I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied. But if they had stood in My counsel, and had caused My people to hear My Words, then they would have turned them from their evil way and from the evil of their doings." Jeremiah 23:21-22. It is a serious sin to claim to have 'a small Word from God', to claim to speak for God and yet to encourage people in the sinful desires of their own hearts. To fail to faithfully proclaim the Law of God is a sin. They Prophesy Lies "'Am I a God near at hand,' says the Lord, 'and not a God afar off? Can anyone hide himself in secret places, so I shall not see him?' says the Lord; 'do I not fill Heaven and earth?' says the Lord. 'I have heard what the prophets have said who prophesy lies in My name, saying, 'I have dreamed, I have dreamed!' How long will this be in the heart of the prophets who prophesy lies? Indeed they are prophets of the deceit of their own heart, who try to make My people forget My name
by their dreams which everyone tells his neighbour, as their fathers forgot My name for Baal. 'The prophet who has a dream, let him tell a dream; and he who has My Word, let him speak My Word faithfully. What is the chaff to the wheat?' says the Lord. 'Is not My Word like a fire?' says the Lord, 'and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?'" Jeremiah 23:23-29. Why give people popcorn when there is milk and meat of the Word of God?
Truth of God, except precisely that point which the world and the devil are at that moment attacking, then I am not confessing Christ, however boldly I may be professing Him. Where the battle rages, there the loyalty of the soldier is proved; and to be steady on all the battlefront besides is mere flight and disgrace if he flinches at that point." "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armour of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armour of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand." Ephesians 6:10-13
Back to the Bible We are feeding God's people sawdust and straw, instead of the Bread of Life. What is chaff to wheat? God's Word is like a fire and it is like a hammer that breaks the rocks in pieces. We need to get back to the Bible. We need to work for Biblical Reformation and pray for Spiritual Revival. We need to invest in Christian education, Christian radio stations, Christian literature, Christian books and Christian magazines. We need to utilise social media and produce Christian films, supporting ministries that are faithful to the Word of God and effective in fulfilling the Great Commission of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Dr. Peter Hammond www.ReformationSA.org
Where Loyalty is Proved As Reformer Dr. Martin Luther declared: "If I profess with the loudest voice, and clearest exposition, every portion of the Christian Action
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ACTION ITEMS Mpumalanga Mission
UPCOMING EVENTS www.christianaction.org.za
9 August 2014 National Women's Day Outreaches 5 October 2014 International Life Chain Sunday 30 October - 1 November 2014 World Changers Camp 31 October 2014 Reformation Day 8 November 2014 International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church 16 December 2014 Day of the Covenant 25 December 2014 Christmas Day 2 - 6 January 2015 Great Commission Camp
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Do You Want to Change Your World? Is it your desire to work for Biblical Reformation ? Are you praying for Spiritual Revival? Join the Young Reformers World Changers Movement. MOTTO: Promptly and sincerely in the service of Christ. PLEDGE: I pledge to make Christ’s Great Commission my supreme ambition; to work for a back to the Bible Reformation and to pray for Revival.
Grades: There will be different grades/levels of membership, starting with:
CODE OF CONDUCT: To fear God alone and not man.
the Order of John Wycliffe;
Scripture alone is my ultimate authority. I will never bow before any idol. By God's grace my watch words will be: commitment, character, integrity, courage and perseverance. CREED: Sola Scriptura! Scripture alone is our ultimate authority. Sola Gratia! Salvation is by the grace of God alone. Sola Fide! Justification is received by Faith alone. Solus Christus! Christ alone is the Head of the Church. Soli Deo Gloria! Everything is to be done for the glory for God alone. Membership: Membership of World Changers is open to those who support the aims and objectives of the Reformation, who can wholeheartedly endorse the Motto, Pledge, Code of Conduct and Creed, and are willing to fulfil the requirements and commitments that membership involves. 10
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the Order of the Waldensians; progressing through: the Order of William Tyndale; the Order of Ulrich Zwingli; the Order of John Knox; the Order of John Calvin; and the highest Order, the Order of Martin Luther. PRIORITIES World Changers will be trained to: memorise; organise; mobilise; and publicise. MEMORISATION Members in each grade will be required to memorize key portions of Scripture and quotes from the Reformers, such as: Martin Luther's speech before the Emperor at Worms, 18 April 1521: Here I Stand "Unless I am convinced by Scripture, or by clear reasoning, that I am in error - for popes and councils have often erred and contradicted themselves - I cannot recant, for I am subject to the Scriptures I have quoted; my conscience is captive to the Word of God. It is unsafe and dangerous to do anything against one's conscience. Here I stand. I cannot do otherwise. So help me God. Amen."
Loyalty Proved "If I profess with the loudest voice and clearest exposition every portion of the Truth of God, except precisely that point which the world and the devil are at that moment attacking, then I am not confessing Christ, however boldly I may be professing Him. Where the battle rages, there the loyalty of the solder is proved; and to be steady on all the battlefront besides is mere flight and disgrace if he flinches at that point" - Dr. Martin Luther Wide Gates to Hell "I am much afraid that schools will prove to be wide gates to hell, unless they diligently labour in explaining the Holy Scriptures, engraving them in the hearts of youth. I advise no one to place his child where the Scriptures do not reign paramount. Every institution in which men are not constantly occupied with the Word of God must become corrupt." ORGANISE In addition to memorising Scripture and key quotes from Reformers, they will be encouraged and equipped to organise film showings, such as of the Martin Luther; God's Outlaw; Truth Conquers; Jan Hus, and other Reformation films at youth groups, universities, schools and community events. MOBILISE To mobilise prayer meetings, prayer chains, prayer movements and events. To co-ordinate projects such as cleaning up the environment, painting and repairing of
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Church and Mission buildings, planting and maintaining gardens at churches and Missions, Prayer vigils, outreaches and Reformation and Revival camps and seminars. PUBLICISE To distribute Gospel literature, 95 Theses for Reformation Today, and other Reformation literature. To publicise through notice boards at home, school, church and community and through social media postings, Reformation characters, doctrines and events. Reading Programmes World Changers will be given Reading Lists to work through, including The Greatest Century of Reformation, Victorious Christians - Who Changed the World, The Power of Prayer Handbook and other key biographies of examples of excellence. Young Reformers will also be assigned research projects. Training For ongoing training, Young Reformers will be provided opportunities for seminars, camps and courses. The first World Changers Camp will be in Franschhoek, 30 October- 1 November 2014. Social Media Visit www.ReformationSA.org website and Reformation 500 Facebook. Like, link and share and keep in touch. Dr. Peter Hammond -
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Lest We Forget! by Dorothea Scarborough
On 28 July 2014, we remember the outbreak of the First World War a hundred years ago. It was the beginning of thirty years of warfare between kindred European nations and changed the world in an unprecedented way. Following the French Revolution and the Napoleonic wars, the previous century had been a time of peace and progress. Christianity was the dominant religion, and all the inhabited world had been blessed by the Mission outreach and civilising work of selfrenouncing Christians. In 1910, a great World Missions Conference was held in Edinburgh. Its delegates were so full of faith and confidence that they believed that Christianity would prevail and that the Great Commission of Christ could and would be fulfilled in their lifetime. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I will be with
you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:1820) End of the Greatest Century of Missions The First World War, however, ended the greatest century of Missions and introduced the greatest century of persecution. Three great Christian empires were destroyed, the German, the Austro-Hungarian and the Russian empires, all of which, over the centuries, had defended Europe against heathen aggression from the East. In the First World War, the heartlands of Christendom, which had sent out most of the world’s missionaries, were devastated. More than 9 million combatants were killed in the most senseless conflict in history. Nearly 10% of the population of Europe perished. The war had started with the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the throne of Austria-Hungary. But behind the scenes unscrupulous Freemason bankers pulled the strings. They owned many of the companies that made the
machine guns, bullets, bombs, and artillery that destroyed the cream of Europe.1)
Palestine after you have won the war and defeated Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Turkey.’” 3)
The British historian Samuel Hymes wrote: “A generation of innocent young men, their heads full of high abstractions like Honour, Glory and England, went off to war to make the world safe for democracy. They were slaughtered… and those who survived were shocked, disillusioned and embittered by their war experiences, and saw that their real enemies were not the Germans, but the old men at home who had lied to them. They rejected the values of the society that had sent them to war, and in doing so separated their own generation from the past and from their cultural inheritance.”2)
Though England had no right to make such a promise, her cabinet approved, and Earl Arthur Balfour, her Foreign Minister, sent a letter to Lord Walter Rothschild, confirming the deal “that his Majesty’s Government views with favour the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people and will use their best endeavours to facilitate the achievement of this object.” This was the Balfour Declaration of 2.11.1917. The Americans entered the war, the Germans were defeated, and the Zionists got their homeland.4)
The Real Reason Within two years Germany had won WWI and offered England peace terms. The well-known American ex-Zionist Benjamin Freedman recounts: “‘Let’s call the war off,’ they said, ‘and let everything be as it was before it started.’ While that was going on, the Zionists in Germany who represented the Zionists from Eastern Europe, went to the British War Cabinet and said: ‘Look here. You don’t have to accept the negotiated peace offered… if the United States will come in as your ally. We will get the United States into this war. The price you must pay us is
The Protestant Faith The Protestant Faith had originated in Germany after the noble struggle of Martin Luther. From Germany thousands of Protestant Missionaries had gone out to many parts of the world. Protestantism had also produced men of particular excellence. But after WWI the once triumphant Church retreated ever more from victory. Church attendance declined and Marxist Communism advanced fuelling revolutionary fervour. Later, following the Second World War, the major Protestant areas of Germany were
The First World Missions Conference, Edinburgh 1910.
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betrayed into the hands of communist powers and dechristianised by atheist authorities. The 20th century brought forth the bloodiest persecution in the whole history of Christendom.5) Toward a New World Order In Russia the secular religion of Communism claimed many thousands of victims, and 94 million people perished worldwide.6) Alexander Solzhenitsyn declared: “The world has never before known a godlessness as organised, militarised and tenaciously malevolent as that preached by Marxism. Within the philosophical system of Marx and Lenin and at the heart of their psychology, hatred of God is the principal driving force… To achieve its diabolical ends, communism needs to control a population devoid of religious and national feeling, and this entails a destruction of faith and nationhood.”7) Now, a hundred years after the First World War, atheists and heathens have established themselves. They target conservative, Bible believing Christians and Churches. The ecumenical movement (e.g. World Council of Churches) has been so occupied with social and political matters that it has consistently ignored the cries of persecuted Christians. It has reinterpreted the Gospel and re-invented Jesus Christ as an activist, who would ‘liberate’ nations through revolutionary Marxism. It also abandoned its missionaries
and called for a Moratorium on Missions. Thousands of Missionaries were withdrawn from the field, and the light of Christ dimmed. With the decline of the Church, the State also declined. Today’s rulers tend to be materialists, seeking their own gain. They have redrafted constitutions and laws in secular terms. When, in 1973, a judge in the USA ruled in favour of abortion, this led to an unprecedented world-wide slaughter. More humans have been killed by abortion than in all the wars of mankind. At present, an estimated 42 million unborn babies are murdered per annum. Since 1980 over a billion human beings have been aborted, of that 6,4 million in Africa. In USA, since 1973, 57 million have lost their lives, and in Europe an unborn child is destroyed in the womb every 11 seconds.8) This is an awful situation! God warns: “Do not pollute the land where you are. Bloodshed pollutes the land, and atonement cannot be made for the land on which blood has been shed, except by the blood of the one who shed it.” (Numbers 35:33) God knows these little ones intimately. As the Psalmist says: “You [God] created my inmost being, You knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made… My frame was not hidden from You when I was made in the secret place.
The Christmas Truce of 1914 on the Western Front. Christian Action
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When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, Your eyes saw my unformed body, all the days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be.” (Psalm 139) What if this army of slain children stood up to face us and claim its atonement?
and banks and corporations dictate. Since the First World War, nearmiraculous inventions, improvements and advances have been made in the material field, but disastrous decline has taken place in the spiritual and moral realm. We need to recover the old landmarks and again turn our eyes upon Jesus. For the mystery of God is this, that “in Him [Christ] are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. “ (Colossians 2:3) And “God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ can again make the light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.” (2 Corinthians 4:6)
The remembrance of the First World War shows us the profound change that has come upon the Christian Church and civilisation. In 100 years the Ten Commandments have been virtually overturned. Homosexuality has been elevated to a reputable life style, and homosexual unions placed on a par with marriage. Indeed, sodomites may now adopt children! “Male and female He [God] created them!” (Genesis 1:27) But shamelessness reigns and is rewarded. Corruption has become acceptable. All religions and life styles are permitted. Crime is everywhere.
D. Scarborough Gospel Defence League P. O. Box 587 Sea Point 8060 Cape Town South Africa dscarborough@telkomsa.net
www.gospeldefenceleague.org Footnotes:
1. Source: Dr Peter Hammond, Reformation Society: The Causes, Consequences and Catastrophe of the First World War.
It is no longer the Protestant spirit and Biblical Law which rules the world, but Pluralism, which puts all religions and ethical systems onto the same level and therefore onto none. When there are many right ways whereby to live and believe, then none is right. Pluralism advances secularisation, and this has been imposed upon vast stretches of the globe. Money and greed have become the criteria of success and power, -
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2. Wikipedia, Cultural Memory. 3. Benjamin Freedman, a Defector, Warns America, www.sweetliberty.org/issues/israel/freedman.h tm. 4. The Balfour Declaration, Internet. 5. Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention, Persecution, Quick Facts 2014; & R Sauerzapf, Das Jahrhundert der Märtyrer 6. Wikipedia, The Black Book of Communism: Crimes, Terror, Repression. Introduction 7. Henry R Pike, A History of Communism in South Africa, p. xix 8. Loveundefiled.blogspot.com; Abortion Statistics worldwide.
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SPEAK UP FOR THE PRE-BORN INTERNATIONAL LIFE CHAIN SUNDAY - 5 OCTOBER 2014 The Life Chain is an international prayer rally and peaceful placard protest against the abortion holocaust. Last year, Life Chains were held at busy intersections in Cape Town, Paarl, Port Elizabeth, and East London. The National March for Life was held in Durban with over 500 participating. Thousands of pro-life leaflets were handed out to motorists and pedestrians.
Chain in your city. Placards, pamphlets, pro-life packs for pastors and other resources are available. Download prolife articles, posters and leaflets from www.christianaction.org.za. Pro-life ministry leaders,
pastors and representatives from pro-life congregations are invited to participate in the National Alliance for Life Conference on Saturday 4 October and the National March for Life on Sunday, 5 October in Durban.
“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves.� Proverbs 31:8 Taryn Hodgson Find Africa Christian Action on FaceBook and share the event.
If you are in Cape Town, join Africa Christian Action in Buitengracht Street (near the entrance to the Waterfront) at 2:00pm on Sunday, 5 October. Will you join us as we intercede for lives to saved from slaughter and women in crisis pregnancies to find the support they need? Tragically, over 1,2 million babies have been legally killed through abortion in South Africa, since 1 February 1997. The Life Chains recognise the abortion holocaust as one of the greatest crimes being committed in the world today. Most Christians do not understand what the Bible teaches on the sanctity of life or the extent and reality of the abortion holocaust. We need to disciple, motivate and mobilise our congregations to action with pro-life sermons, Bible Studies and provocative prolife films. Often a person needs to see a pro-life film or hear a pro-life speaker to gain a deeper conviction on the need for prayer and action. It is then that they are motivated to participate in a Life Chain. Contact Christian Action for advice on organising a Life 14
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MAKE A DIFFERENCE THIS WOMEN’S DAY! Women and girls need real protection and respect – practical action, not pious platitudes from politicians and meaningless public holidays! Why not use Women’s Day this year (9 August 2014) as an opportunity to inform, inspire and involve people in promoting awareness and taking action against the exploitation of women through pornography, prostitution, trafficking and abortion? You could also encourage your congregation’s Bible Study/Home Groups and pastor to focus their discussions and sermons nearest to Women’s Day on informing and inspiring people to take action to protect women from abuse and exploitation. We have some helpful resources, books and DVDs which could empower your cell group to make a positive difference.
Women", “Abortion – the Facts” and “Women are Precious and Should be Protected”.
On the 9 August, Women’s Day, Africa Christian Action will be setting up literature tables in different shopping malls in the Cape Town area. This is also a great opportunity to reach people such as Muslims who are unlikely to step inside the four walls of a church. If you are in Cape Town, sign up to help out at one of our tables. We need lots of volunteers!
We also have several different great Gospel tracts e.g. “Where Will You Spend Eternity?”, "Christ is Risen Indeed! Evidences for the Resurrection" and "The Greatest Book in the World". (We request a small donation for the postage costs.) These tracts can be also be downloaded from the
Why don’t you consider doing a similar outreach in your area? Visit “Projects” on the www.christianaction.org.za website to get some tips on running your own Women’s Day outreach or email info@christianaction.org.za.
www.livingstonefellowship.co.za
website. Distribute these from your table and use them as a springboard for discussions about these issues. “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” James 1:27
Contact Christian Action for quantities of leaflets e.g. “STOP the Traffick”, “Fight the New Drug”, “Finding Freedom from Pornography”, "The Christian Liberation of
SUBSCRIPTIONS * Free DVD “NOAH and the Last Days” or “The Final Frontier” with every subscription to CA, or renewal. * Subscribers pay R60 per year (only R5 per month!), and this will cover the printing and postage costs, of 4 issues a year. (Overseas subscribers $20. USA subscribers please send to Frontline Fellowship USA PO Box 728, Manitou Springs, CO 80829 (E-mail: info@frontlinefellowship.net) Other overseas subscribers send to Christian Action in South Africa. Supporters pay R120 (only R10 per month!) and not only cover direct costs, but very importantly contribute to the research, writing and action expenses. Each supporter will receive a free copy of Spurgeon’s Grace - God’s Unmerited Favor (or The Parables of Jesus - Understanding What Jesus Meant) and regular updates by Email. Partners pay R1200 or more (only R100 per month!) and enable us to expand the action we take, address more issues, make more resources available, become better equipped and staffed and make a greater difference. Each Partner will receive a free audio MP3 boxset of Understanding History plus a complimentary copy of Victorious Christians Who Changed the World (380 pages, 250 pictures). We are the Salt of the Earth and the Light of the World. The future of Africa is in the balance. Will Christians resolve to work for Reformation and pray for Revival, or remain passive and accept the humanists' agenda? ----------------------------------------------To Subscribe or Support: Send a cheque or postal order to Christian Action, PO Box 23632, Claremont 7735, Cape Town, South Africa Christian Name: _______________ Surname: ____________________ Postal Address: _______________ ____________________________ ____________________________ Email: ______________________ I want to be a subscriber R60 I want to be a supporter R120 I want to be a partner R_____ OR pay into account: Name: Christian Action Network Bank: Standard Bank Account number: 072906901 Branch: Kromboom Branch number: 026209 Please use your name as the reference, and fax us the deposit slip (fax number: 021-685 5884), with your name and postal address, or e-mail the amount, date paid, reference and your postal address to: mail@christianaction.org.za.
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Christian Action
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