I have been asked repeatedly about our connection with the Church of God (COG) in Aylmer. When the questions first started to come I had never spoken to Henry Hildebrandt and knew very little about his church. In the weeks and months that followed I spoke with Henry on separate occasions and in person. At that initial meeting with Henry I asked him a series of pointed questions. I was concerned. I was glad his church was open, but I had heard rumors of heresy and cultish behaviour and wanted to hear it from him. Ordinarily I might have dismissed a group like his outright. But the COG Aylmer was one of the very few churches in Ontario that remained open through the lockdowns, and I wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt. So, I asked him about his view of Scripture, his view of salvation, his understanding of the person and work of Christ and so on. And I came away mostly satisfied. There were clear differences between us, but on the main points it seemed as if we agree
Dear brothers and sisters, greetings in the name of King Jesus. I am writing to you (as I have written to my own Session) because I believe that we - the Church in North America - have let the Lord down. Like Peter we have made big promises, but in a moment of trial we have in this way denied Him. We have compromised and we have sinned. I don't say that lightly. Many better men than me hold an entirely different position. Still, I believe our decision to submit to the government is wrong. I believe it’s seriously wrong. I believe one day we will look back on this with sorrow at how easily we gave in to the pressures of government and society. I know it’s well intended but still wrong. As you know churches almost everywhere (including our own) have closed. Gathering together for worship has been replaced almost everywhere by live-streaming, so that there is no more ‘meaningful’ gathering of believers for the preaching of the Word and the administration of the sacram
For 12 years I enthusiastically subscribed to the Westminster standards. I signed my copy of the Solemn League and Covenant , I taught my children the catechisms, and I prayed earnestly that they would grow up to subscribe in full to the Westminster Confession of Faith (WCF). For much of that time I was convinced that given enough time I could persuade any Baptist of the error of his ways. I even went so far as to tell some Baptists brothers that withholding baptism from their children was sinful. I grieved when Presbyterians became Baptist; and if you had told me of a man who had gone from being a Baptist to a Presbyterian only to become Baptist again I would have felt embarrassment for him. Sounds more like a ship “tossed to and fro” (Ephesians 4:14) than a man. But here I am writing to say that I am that man. Even four months ago I was certain I would always be Presbyterian. But after a period of prayer and intense study I have concluded that I was wrong. Here, in brief,
Amen. My church tonight prayed for you gentlemen.
ReplyDeleteThank you for putting this together. We're often praying for you brethren.
ReplyDeleteIn Christ,
Neil van der Wel
Satan has taken control of most of the churches now.
ReplyDelete