DKB's Impassioned Plea For Iranian Branhamite?

[DAII]

From DKB's latest Bulletin 12/01 (http://upci.org/news/Default.asp?NID=805) :

Urgent Prayer Request for Persecuted Pastor

Through multicultural ministries in North America, God has given us an open door in a totalitarian country where we did not have an Apostolic contact. There is great revival in the country and among emigrants from the country, with hundreds baptized in Jesus' name. Several leaders have been imprisoned and even sentenced to death. A number of individuals and churches have petitioned for their release through the government's embassies in the U.S. and Canada, but we have not directly involved the UPCI name because of concern about harming other evangelistic efforts in the region. A U.S. government body that monitors religious freedom around the world is also pressing for their release.

The imprisoned leader of this group has been scheduled for hanging in a few days. On the day that the execution letter arrived, more people were baptized in Jesus' name. Let us pray for God's intervention so that this leader's life will be spared and he will be released. Let us also pray for continued revival in this country and among this ethnic group.

Sincerely in Christ,
David K. Bernard

The Pastor in Question:

Iranian Pastor Accused of ‘Thought Crimes’ to Die by Hanging

According to www.presenttruthmn.com, the official verdict has now been delivered in writing to Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani, stating that he is to be hung for the crime of apostasy.

Spokesman Jason DeMars of Present Truth Ministries, says: “There are 20 days to appeal the verdict, and Youcef’s attorney is now beginning the process of the appeal.”

The prayer burdens surrounding this development are many, DeMars said in an e-mail to ASSIST News Service.

“Please pray for Youcef, that God would grant him peace and strength in this hour, that God would move on his behalf, and that he would be delivered! Pray also for his wife and children; this is extremely difficult for them.

“We are trusting our great Lord to give her the peace that comes only from the True Comforter. Pray that the church in Iran would stand strong, that their faith would not be shaken, but that their eyes would remain fixed on Christ. Pray also for the local officials in charge of this case in Iran, that their hearts would be changed, and that they would experience salvation in Jesus Christ,” he said.

http://continentalnews.net/christian...ging-3344.html

More on the Branhamite connection and Pastor Youcef:
http://presenttruthmn.com/biblical-d...e-of-the-hour/
http://presenttruthmn.com/biblical-d...e-of-the-hour/

Updates about Pastor Youcef posted on Bramham.org

http://branham.org/20101109_UpdateFromIran
http://branham.org/20101202_UpdateOnBrotherYoucef
http://branham.org/20100816_UpdateOnIran

I am hoping and praying that this pastor is released ... however ... the org's Apostolic contact in Iran is through a Branhamite ministry?

[DAII]

There is no doubt ... Youcef is closely linked with the Brahnamites. He is said to have the largest church among those arrested.

http://messagedoctrine.com/Briankoco...%20Spirits.pdf

[Cindy]

He said they didn't have an Apostolic contact.

[DAII]

Originally Posted by Cindy

He said they didn't have an Apostolic contact.

But that God has open a door ... and rejoiced that this has led to more "Jesus name baptisms". Revival has swept the nation ... according to Bernard ... hundreds baptized in Jesus name .... and *cough, cough* listening to recordings and posting the Picture with The Sign in their meetings?


Don't Branhamites reject glossalia as necessary initial evidence?

Thanks Reckart for the answer: "I disagree with you that they must speak in tongues. ...I would be judge if I said they did not have the Holy Ghost, if they did not speak with tongues." (William Branham, Questions and Answers, 1969, Aug 30th, Jeffersonville, Ind).

Surely ... Bernard is not recognizing this movement as remotely "Apostolic" ....?????

[DAII]

Various Apostolics on Facebook have stated Youcef is just that ... and that he will be executed on Friday ... tomorrow ... The WNOP has stated this as well ...

this is unfounded:

http://presenttruthmn.com/blog/iran/...eath-sentence/

[Bullwinkle]

My understanding is that this pastor is connected with a UPC church in Montreal, Canada.

[DAII]

Originally Posted by Bullwinkle

My understanding is that this pastor is connected with a UPC church in Montreal, Canada.

Looks like Pastor Reza, of their Iranian ministry knows these men:

http://upcsaintlaurent.org/en/iranian-ministry

However there are consistent ... strong ties to the Branhamites throughout their websites and sister sites.

[DAII]

One Branhamite preacher is claiming that they sought legal representation for this group ..... with a Canadian organization that deals with such cases:

When a brother sought help from the Voice of the Martyrs for legal representation he was rebuffed by them because they do not classify the Believers this Message as worthy of being called Christian.

The brother wrote, “Brothers…a little more exposure for the believers in Iran – and this
after the CEO of VOM in Canada, Glenn Penner – made the following statements
classifying the believers as being “less than Christian”:quote:

“the teachings of William Branham, a man who unapologetically denied reality of the Trinity, a central doctrine for Christians. We respect the rights of others to believe otherwise, but we believe it to be inaccurate and disingenuous to call oneself a Christian if one denies that God has existed for all eternity in three equal Persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.” (then he goes on to say,) “To deny these doctrines is to place oneself outside of orthodox Christianity.”

Glenn M. Penner
Chief Executive Officer | The Voice of the Martyrs (Canada)

It is too bad that this man is a blind leader of the blind, and has no clue concerning Scripture, because the scripture teaches that “God is One” and is not a committee of three.

http://messagedoctrine.com/Briankoco...%20Spirits.pdf

[Sam]

Originally Posted by DAII

... there are consistent ... strong ties to the Branhamites throughout their websites and sister sites.

There are ties to Branhamites on AFF, aren't there?

[DAII]

More Branham literature claiming close ties to Youcef:

http://www.messagechurch.com/pdf/Bel...ber%202010.pdf