A Critical Assessment Around The Splitting of

The Indonesian Speaking Congregation @ St Andrews First Presbyterian Church

Ishak Natan
Nov 2002

First of all it is a personal view and the reader should not by far agree with this commentary. Just because I studied the Word and arrived at a conclusion does not mean that it is correct. It doesn’t mean it is wrong either. Check with the Scripture and build your own conclusion. A call to be likes the Berean.

Ac 17:10 ¶ And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.
11 These were nobler than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
2Ti 2:15 Study earnestly to present yourself approved to God, a workman that does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth.
Background

A seed of 'confusion' had been planted in the early of 1996 when an Indonesian pastor (physician by education with Pentecostalist persuasion) came to Auckland from Indonesia  in obedience to the “voice of God”. He wanted to teach a new movement by introducing the power of the Holy Spirit in our church. It was labeled as “Toronto Blessing”, which was originated from the Toronto Airport Vineyard Church in Canada.
During the prayer time the visiting pastor asked people to come forward in order to receive the blessing by letting him to lay hand on the forehead. People started to fall backward and some manifesting ‘a new behavior’ as a sign of the blessing. A second visit followed and the Indonesian elders had been reminded not to miss out the visiting of God. No one dared to raise question because of the warning given from the Scripture:
Matt 12: 32 And whoever speaks a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him. But
whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it shall not be forgiven him, either in this
world or in the world to come.
 1Th 5:19 Quench not the Spirit.
 Lu 11:13 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?
Along were some promoters of this ‘new doctrine’ at that time. They usually met every Saturday night to learn more the deep thing of the Spirit at one of the church member's house and among the young generation involved was my own daughter. They had had experienced in 'sign & wonder – dream & vision - laughing uncontrollably - slain in the spirit - a new ability to speak in heavenly language'. A new keyword has entered into the vocabulary of the church ministry: charismatic. People from different denominational background began to flocked whilst lunch being catered after the 12pm service.

Before long a 'double minded' mindset took hold some of the church members. The church attendants then increased quite significantly in size.

http://www.deceptioninthechurch.com/blessing.html

Note: Not all pastors with Pentecostal background are teaching erroneous belief. There is a good charismatic teacher (Derek Prince) that I used to hear every morning @ Southern Star Radio. There are also many in the charismatic circle, who are more versed in Eschatology (doctrine of the Last Thing) than those who are worshiping at the Presbyterian Churches.
 

Research

From that time on I began to investigate the source of the new 'revival' through books and did a research on the Internet whether the things are biblical. On those days there were few available resources.

A trend slowly emerged being recognizable as a global ‘networking’ that could be identified between the charismatic movements, the ecumenical campaigns and the Alpha program. It seems to be that the alleged long term hidden agenda of this ‘networking’  is to merge Christianity into One World Religion spearheaded by the Vatican.

The Alpha program was originated from the Anglican Church Holy Trinity Brampton in England and today is still being offered in many Christian organizations to attract people to come to the church.
The ALPHA acronym stands for:
A—Anyone interested in finding out more about the Christian faith;
L—Learning and  Laughter;
P—Pasta (eating together gives people the chance to know each other);
H—Helping one another (small groups are used for discussion of issues raised during the lectures);
A—Ask anything. No question is seen as too simple or too hostile.

The aim and motivation of Alpha program are worthy of praise, nevertheless the contents are a mixture of truth and half-truth.
There is  one of the best alternative program geared to the same purpose developed by  New Zealander ;
http://www.lifequestresources.com/

a modified Alpha program ;
http://www.geocities.ws/ishaknatan/christ_younity.htm

Note Today there are abundant references available on the net. Using search engine google.com under key words “charismatic chaos" you'll find more than 25000 entries, “charismatic confusion” – 28200 entries, “alpha deception” – 20500 entries.

Summary of findings on the Net....
A disturbing trend that are now developing…
http://www.geocities.ws/ishaknatan/2emergingChurch.htm
 

The Development of the Problem

In the process of time, several  speakers with 'charismatic anointing' came along to foster the momentum of the new things that God has been imparted to the church. Some came from Australia, some from Indonesia and gave training particularly to the youth at Easter camps, 4pm service and at various occasions.

The art & style of worship became a stumbling issue between the old traditional way of worshiping and the new mode of free expression.

The Charismatic Movement thrives on 'music-led worship' and has abandoned the hymnology of the 'Philadelphia Church', replacing doctrinal hymns with repetitious phrases heavily punctuated with the personal pronoun "I".
Some choruses are sung again and again till the congregation is mesmerized by the repetitive beat of drums in a form of psychological conditioning, preparing the participants to enter into a non-biblical emotionalism of tongues, healing, and extra-scripture revelation.

Does it mean that the contemporary style of praise & worship is not allowed in the Presbyterian congegration?
Of course not.
Are the Presbyterian churchgoers having the mentality of "killer joy" attitude ?
God forbid.
 

Note: On Sunday the 3rd of Nov. I have visited Calvary Chapel at Forrest Hill to hear Chuck Missler's presentation about "Root of Wars in the Middle East". http://www.khouse.org/
Around ten minutes song & praises were being offered using electronic string instruments before the presentation began. They used 3 electric guitars, one key board organ and one string Hawaiian equipment (paddle steel) and no drum.
Boy, I did enjoy very much their contemporary song praise & worship.


The different style of worship at 4pm/ 2 pm service, the teaching emphasis, the wording of  Songs' content are only reflection of doctrinal deviation from the normative teaching of the Presbyterian Church. The cause of the problem has nothing to do with personal attributes, like and dislike or personal character. It is all about doctrine [A belief (or system of beliefs) accepted as authoritative by some group or school].

Does it mean that the teaching of the Presbyterian denomination is perfect in all aspect of Christian living? Of course not.

In 1966 a public figure of considerable renown in New Zealand published an article on "The Resurrection of Jesus"  and, in 1967, another on "The Immortality of the Soul".
It sparked a two-year public, theological controversy that culminated in charges by the
Presbyterian Church of New Zealand—of which he is an ordained minister—of doctrinal error and disturbing the peace of the church. After a dramatic, two-day televised trial, the Assembly judged that no doctrinal error had been proved, dismissed the charges and declared the case closed.
http://theologicalwritings.blogspot.co.nz/2012/05/lloyd-geerings-heresy-trial.html
The wind of liberalism had found fertile ground in the Presbyterian parishes as well.
PCANZ almost succumbed to the demand of the homosexual proponents at the last 2002 Assembly.
http://www.presbyterian.org.nz/about-us/general-assembly/general-assembly-minutes


It simply means that the core virtue of the Presbyterian Churches belief system, the Conventional doctrinal orthodoxy  has stood the test for centuries against modernism and post modernism. Please see the comparison chart...
http://www.geocities.ws/ishaknatan/nomiddleground.htm
 

The Way Forward

Unfortunately the departure happened coincidentally with the opening of new vacancy for a new pastor and the retirement of our beloved minister.
This kind of situation, without knowing who is going to be the definitive new pastor, has created feelings of anxiety and uncertainty as to what the future holds.

I can now understand why the Youth On Fire have had diverging vision. It is simply because the targeting audience for their mission is different, although the cognitive content is the same.
Using marketing language, St. Andrews' market segments are the inner city dwellers, the visitors, people from all walks of life in the CBD place, overseas students, professionals at university campus, the new immigrants etc.

It is well known that our young generation are more proactive in reaching out. They are more capable to relate the Gospel of Grace in the young audience's mindset, especially to the culture where they are coming from. It is worthy of praise that during the next holiday season in January 2003 they plan to become traveling missionaries to Indonesia. With this thought in mind I wish them with a blessing similar to:

Gen 24:60 And they blessed Rebekah, and said to her, Our sister, be the mother of
thousands of millions, and let your seed possess the gate of those who hate them.
My humble advice as an elder is this; don't spend too much time on the side of praise & worship activities, but rather becoming a disciple of 'the book' who in turn able to teach others also.
2 Timothy 2
1 Therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
2 And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit the
same to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.
The reason I say this because some lost sinners might be 'fished' through music, dance and song, but are they going to experience a genuine repentance leading to being born again from above or just adopting a new Christian lifestyle.
The highest form of worship according to Jewish mindset is when believers 'sinking and drowned' in the Word. God is very delighted with this kind of worship. [Jer 9:23-24]
The Jews are referred also in the Qur'an as "the people of the book" (i.e., the Bible).
In the reformation era, people who were follower of Christ had been coined also as "people of the book".
 

A Call for Discernment - Back to the Bible

For those who are left behind should not at all be discouraged. As Christian there is no such thing as 'smooth living'. Most often the good LORD uses unfortunate circumstances, bad days, family turmoil etc. to train us to be liked Him and to keep us looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith, because our ability to serve is also from Him above. The question to ask for ourselves is this: Are we willing also to become people of the book and not only hearing the preaching of the Word from the pulpit?

Every Sunday morning before the service begins, usually an elder brings in the Book and places it on the podium. This is a good reminder for us that the Book has preeminence in all every aspects of life. Of course we do not make it as an idol nor worshiping the Book, but we should be encouraged to 'eat & digest' it daily because of these:

 Ps 1:1 ¶ Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
 3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
 Joh 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
Therefore in conjunction with the church's mission statement our congegration should be like: Bear in mind that in view of God's impending judgment, the church has a mandate to tell people how their sin can be forgiven  and not to increase the church attendant in the first place.

Our concerted effort should be to let people in the "City of Sails" know that there is a free 'good cafe' in town for those who are hungry spiritually.

Part of the invitation strategy should be wrapped with a 'give away' Gospel of Grace (God's Redemption At Christ Expense) in a nutshell. There are already resources in printed form available as tracts to that end.

Shalom.