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
Over the course of the last year, I have had plenty of time to privately reflect on what transpired through 2020 and 2021, and I have concluded that on some points I was in the wrong. I have decided to address those things here. Some may disagree with what I have concluded, but I write here first and last for Him. First, I believe I was sometimes overly harsh and severe in my writing. I have since removed several blog posts, which I now believe lacked grace and char ity. I still believe the churches should have remained open through the lockdowns, but I wish I had written with a better understanding of my own heart and a more charitable view of my brothers in Christ. I was appalled by what I saw in those days, but in my zeal to speak the truth I sometimes lacked compassion and grace. Second, when I was wronged by colleagues in the ministry I had a choice. I could have covered what I believed to be sin, but I chose instead to expose it to the public. I wrote about some of it on
[Edited May 2024] 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.
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