DKB's Impassioned Plea For Iranian Branhamite?

[Hoovie]

Originally Posted by Jermyn Davidson

No, I am reflecting the attitude of some of the Apostolics I have had the distinction of serving the Lord with.

THANK YOU! I was worried for a minute!

[Jermyn Davidson]

Originally Posted by Hoovie

OK Jermyn, I am sorry that I can't be sure... but, TIC, right??

Sarcasm for me, but I know of many Apostolics who would hold this view.

That is why I found it interesting that we were asked to pray for a non-Apostolic.

That is why I asked if this guy was a Trinitarian and about to lose his life for the identity of Jesus Christ, would we pray for him.

If yes, then why would we-- the Trinitarian Pastor is spreading a false gospel right?

Earlier I said that maybe DKB was getting us to look their way with "their" meaning people who call themselves Christian, but are not Apostolic.



However, it now appears that this guy is Apostolic, not part of some cult.

Now my prayer will be more fervent because I know for a fact that he is my brother in Christ! I can feel the kinship through my keyboard as I type this message!

[Jermyn Davidson]

My goal was never to make light of this Pastor's situation. I stated that I would pray for him and I will.

I do consider him a brother in Christ and considered him so before it appeared to me that he is probably Apostolic.

[MissBrattified]

Originally Posted by Jermyn Davidson

Sarcasm for me, but I know of many Apostolics who would hold this view.

That is why I found it interesting that we were asked to pray for a non-Apostolic.

That is why I asked if this guy was a Trinitarian and about to lose his life for the identity of Jesus Christ, would we pray for him.

If yes, then why would we-- the Trinitarian Pastor is spreading a false gospel right?

Earlier I said that maybe DKB was getting us to look their way with "their" meaning people who call themselves Christian, but are not Apostolic.



However, it now appears that this guy is Apostolic, not part of some cult.

Now my prayer will be more fervent because I know for a fact that he is my brother in Christ! I can feel the kinship through my keyboard as I type this message!

JD:

Some people may feel that way, but obviously not all. More specifically, I would say that only a very narrow portion of forum members, if any, would share the sentiments represented in your posts.

When I first skimmed the article, (and posted the other thread) I assumed the pastor was trinitarian. It didn't occur to me that he might be otherewise until DA posted this thread.

Why would I be less inclined to pray for another Christian because they differ on doctrine? I don't consider someone to be a false prophet just because they are teaching something I truly believe is erroneous. IMO, a false prophet teaches something false deliberately for his own gain; it has nothing to do with people teaching or preaching their sincere beliefs which may be somehow askew.

Laying religion aside, though, I would pray for the safety of anyone who is about to lose their life unjustly. Simple as that. Why would I only care about the lives of other Apostolics? Do you really know a lot of Apostolics who feel that way? Truly? Or is that reflective of the rhetoric of a handful of preachers who up their *us vs. them* game for campmeetings or conferences?

[MissBrattified]

Originally Posted by Jermyn Davidson

My goal was never to make light of this Pastor's situation. I stated that I would pray for him and I will.

I do consider him a brother in Christ and considered him so before it appeared to me that he is probably Apostolic.

Would you pray for him if you didn't consider him a brother in Christ?

[DAII]

More evidence that the "Jesus Name" Church is heavily influenced by the "message believers":

Jason DeMears, of Present Truth, on Facebook:

Unfortunately the message believers in Iran have been isolated from other message believers because they are a closed country. It is difficult to go in and out plus the church is heavily persecuted, they cannot legally gather in a church nor can they afford to do so financially. Now, they are under heavy persecution and one of their pastors has been arrested for resisting the government school indoctrinating his children with the Koran. After his arrest they have accused him of apostasy, a crime punishable by death, because his father was a Muslim. I ask that you consider giving to our ministry now for two reasons; one we are working on a project to translate the messages of William Branham into the Farsi or Persian tongue. Secondly we are working to hire a human rights lawyer to secure the release of brother Youcef Nadarkani, the pastor of the largest church in Iran. Please pray for this work. They are standing for the message God has sent to this age, please stand with them

This one is from a October 2010, Branhamite newsletter showing that Voice of the Martyrs changed its mind to help defend the Message believers having previously labeled them a cult:

Greetings in Jesus name. Many of you who receive my email updates have perhaps already received an urgent call to respond on behalf of our Brother Youcef Nadarkhani of Rasht, Iran. Those of you who have, please forgive me for this brief intrusion – I’m thankful that the “believer’s grapevine” is serving a useful purpose. To the rest who have not, please read on as there is reportedly only ONE day remaining (Oct 24th) in the process of appealing the reported death sentence of our Brother Youcef. May our fervent prayers avail in this time of need.

Let me also share some good news, that being of the successful appeal and release of our Sister Tina last week from nearly four months in prison. She is now happily reunited with her children. Your prayers and actions are needed not only for Brother Youcef, but also for Brother Behrouz Sadegh-Khandjani who is also still imprisoned in Southern Iran.

As serious as these matters are, we must also be very conscious of the fact of how unique and unusual things are in the Middle East and especially in Iran. The world renowned Missions organization Voice of the Martyrs which routinely monitors and reports on the plight of persecuted Christians around the world reports; “…there has not been a public execution of a Christian in Iran in more than two decades.” (This however excludes the numerous “mysterious” deaths of Christians over the years inside Iran.)

With regards to the appeal process for Brother Youcef, we understand that a court issued verdict or statement is required as the basis upon which a lawyer can appeal to the Supreme Court of Iran. As of today’s date, no such document has yet been provided by the Courts/Politicians of Rasht concerning our Brother Youcef. In spite of this, the verbal threats against our Brother must be taken seriously and hence the invitation for your fervent prayers and call to action.

A point in case concerning the seriousness of this matter, is that in an interesting twist of events, the Voice of the Martyrs which had previously labelled the Message believers as a “cult”, has even laid aside their differences and has put their resources to work to join in the appeal for Brother Youcef’s release. I also want to confirm that I along with the various sources by which this information concerning the believers in Iran is being carried, (VOGR, Brother Jason DeMars in MN and other Missions organizations), all are obtaining information from the same Iranian minister (and family member) with whom I am personally acquainted who is now living outside Iran. (Name withheld for security)

Here are web links and several email addresses by which concerned believers can add action to their faith and prayers by sending an email of concern. Note: do not fill in your phone number or address. Only your email address. The web links are as follows; http://www.petitiononline.com/IRANPE...on-sign.html?; http://cp.president.ir/en/
To send the following paragraphs (edited to your own version – then copy and paste), email to the following addresses; dr-ahmadinejad@president.ir; Email for President Ahmadinenjad of Iran; requests@daftar.org; The Head of Diplomatic Affairs;
Paragraph For Brother Youcef;

To Whom It May Concern: I understand that the constitution of the Government of Iran permits the freedom of religion. We came to know that on October 12, 2009, a Christian by the name of Youcef Nadarkhani residing in Rasht, was imprisoned and is now facing a death penalty. As this story has been circulating around the world we have come to know Youcef’s situation and humbly ask that he be released immediately as he is not a criminal, but simply one who is exercising his right to the freedom to worship God. Sincerely….


Paragraph For Brother Behrouz Sadegh-Khandjani;
To Whom It May Concern: I understand that the constitution of the Government of Iran permits the freedom of religion. We came to know that a Christian by the name of Behrouz Sadegh-Khandjani, is imprisoned Southern Iran. As this story has been circulating around the world we have come to know Behrouz’s situation and humbly ask that he be released immediately as he is not a criminal, but simply one who is exercising his right to the freedom to worship God. Sincerely….

May the Lord richly bless you, Your Brother and Sister in Christ, Brother Tony & Sister Rebekah

http://www.messagechurch.com/pdf/Bel...t%20Update.pdf

[DAII]

This post dated December 2009 ... by Present Truth ...

This is where Demears says that a message believer preacher, now residing in Turkey, calls Youcef's church a "church plant" ... of which he planted 15 years ago:



The Branhamites are staking claim to planting the church Youcef's pastoring ....

That's either a bold face lie ... or ..... SOMEONE'S LYING.

[Jermyn Davidson]

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

Would you pray for him if you didn't consider him a brother in Christ?

As a human facing an injustice alone, I would be concerned for him and I would pray for him, but honestly my prayer for him at that point would probably not be so fervent.

Injustices happen every day.

Innocent people die every day.

Unless there is something I can connect with, my prayer would not be so fervent-- if I prayed at all.


Not once did I pray for the Muslims being persecuted by the Christians in the Balkans during the 1990's. It never came into my mind to pray for them. I definitely was not asked by the Supt. of the UPCI to pray for them.

Was I wrong for not praying for them?

What would I pray-- that God would would deliver them with His Mighty Hand? Why would I do that? They are Muslims. They deny Jesus Christ as the Son of God!



Do you consider other non-Apostolic Christians to be your brothers and sisters in Christ?

[MissBrattified]

Originally Posted by Jermyn Davidson

As a human facing an injustice alone, I would be concerned for him and I would pray for him, but honestly my prayer for him at that point would probably not be so fervent.

Injustices happen every day.

Innocent people die every day.

Unless there is something I can connect with, my prayer would not be so fervent-- if I prayed at all.


Not once did I pray for the Muslims being persecuted by the Christians in the Balkans during the 1990's. It never came into my mind to pray for them. I definitely was not asked by the Supt. of the UPCI to pray for them.

In the 1990's? Do you have a reference for that?

Was I wrong for not praying for them?

What would I pray-- that God would would deliver them with His Mighty Hand? Why would I do that? They are Muslims. They deny Jesus Christ as the Son of God!



Do you consider other non-Apostolic Christians to be your brothers and sisters in Christ?

Based on your post, I almost feel that you're projecting.

So many things happen every day, that no - obviously, I don't pray about them all. However, it's not uncommon for me to stop and pray about something in the news, such as a catastrophe or war or maybe children missing, etc. It has to do with it being brought to my attention in one way or another.

Why wouldn't you pray? If you believe someone isn't a Christian, that makes their loss of life even more tragic, since they may not meet their maker on good terms.

[Hoovie]

Originally Posted by Jermyn Davidson

Do you consider other non-Apostolic Christians to be your brothers and sisters in Christ?

Yep!