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When I read the following report from the ‘BBC News,Northern Ireland’ website, I could not help but contrast what Paul tells us of his life and experiences and the lifestyle of those leading this pentecostal ‘superstore/social club’ in Coleraine!
Paul outlines his lifestyle in 2 Corinthians 11:23-28.
“Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.”
Paul’s record of his life is far removed from that of the ‘Coleraine’ apostles whose carry-on brings the gospel into disrepute !!! What a wearing of sheep’s clothing’ goes on in the name of our Saviour!
The BBC report tells us that a report into the conduct of the former ‘pastor’, Alan Scott, identified his behaviour as being marked by “manipulation, inappropriate comments, narcissistic behaviour, and certain occurrences of public shaming and spiritual abuse”.
It is to be noted in what might be called ‘this citadel of confusion’ that the former ‘pastor’, Alan Scott, was charged with that which Paul refers to as a most serious sin. “Narcissistic behaviour” is listed by Paul as the FIRST of the features of the end-time apostasy.
“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy . . . . ,” 2 Timothy 3:1-2. (more…)