We have a great love and concern for the workers and friends, therefore are compelled to highlight a number of disturbing errors taught by the workers. So it is without any animosity whatsoever that we express our concerns about the teaching errors of the workers. In doing so we are well aware of our accountability towards our HOLY GOD and indeed we will be held accountable if we do not speak in defense of the purity of the True Gospel that comes through faith in Jesus Christ alone.
James ch 3:1 “Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.” (NIV)
TEACHING ERRORS
(1) Error:
The friends are taught by the workers that “The Truth” is the group (which consists of ‘the workers’, ‘the friends’ and the meetings), reminding them of the ONE WAY (inferring ‘the group’)
Scriptural truth: The Truth is Jesus – the person Jesus and not the group.
The claim is also “we have no name” but the workers and friends alike call it ‘The Truth’.
This is robbing Christ of the glory that belongs to Him and Him alone.
What does GOD think when he hears the friends and workers claiming that ‘this is the truth’ (meaning the group)?
This statement is totally opposed to Jesus’ claim “I am the way, the truth, and the life….” John 14:6
OH, PLEASE TEACH THEM THE TRUTH
(2) Error:
The friends are taught that people can only hear the true gospel of Jesus Christ ‘through the workers’ to be saved.
This is a Jesus plus ‘the workers’ doctrine for salvation which is so very wrong. This kind of doctrine glorifies the workers and puts them on the same level as Christ. In other words ‘the workers’ believe that Christ alone is not sufficient…because one has to also hear the message through them before one is saved.
Scriptural truth: The true messenger will always uphold Jesus Christ alone and will never include himself to be glorified along with Jesus.
“If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that which we preached unto you, let him be accursed” Gal 1:9. Paul was preaching that the Gospel of Jesus Christ must not be perverted. Gal 1:7
OH, PLEASE TEACH THEM THE TRUTH
(3) Error:
Great focus is put on ‘the sacrifice of the workers’. It is often spoken of more than ‘the sacrifice of Christ’ and it is certainly referred to when trying to distinguish between the workers and other Christian preachers. It is often said “well… what about the sacrifice of the workers?”
When ‘any messenger’ of the gospel takes glory away from ‘the message’ of the gospel, something is terribly wrong. Giving glory (worshiping) to the messenger is idolatry.
Scriptural truth: It is not about ‘the sacrifice of ‘the workers’, but about ‘the sacrifice of Jesus’.
“Woe to the Idol shepherd….” Zechariah 11:15-17 (KJV)
OH, PLEASE TEACH THEM THE TRUTH
(4) Error:
Because of points 1-3 above, workers and friends believe that when a person leaves the fellowship, they are ‘lost’. Condemnation of other Christians is very common, and brings about self-righteousness, which is one of the vilest sins in God’s sight. ‘The friends & workers’ do not realize just how many true Christians there are outside of their own fellowship.
Scriptural truth: Mark 9:38-40 see how Jesus rebuked his own disciples because they forbid others from doing anything in Jesus’ name. This practice of condemnation of other Christians is wrong and not acceptable to Jesus.
OH, PLEASE TEACH THEM THE TRUTH
(5) Error:
Preachers must go out 2×2. In the meetings, the essentiality of ‘the 2×2 ministry’ is often preached by the workers (even though there is sometimes 3 or 1 or 4 or 2).
Scriptural truth: Jesus sent his disciples 2×2 and directed them to go only to the Jews. The 2×2 ministry was only a temporary ministry until the Holy Spirit was given. After Jesus’ ascension, (please read the book of Acts) the disciples went out in various group numbers to spread the gospel to all the world. They were specifically told by Jesus to wait for the Holy Spirit who was now appointed to take over directing the ministry of the gospel of Jesus Christ and take it into the whole world.
OH, PLEASE TEACH THEM THE TRUTH
(6) Error:
The friends are taught by the workers that you must hear the gospel through a homeless ministry.
Scriptural truth: Peter, John, Silas, Barnabas and Philip all had a part in taking the Gospel and many had homes, if not all. Please note that a number of the above apostles and disciples also had wives! There is no room to glorify any ministry, only glorify Jesus Christ because God will use whomsoever He will to accomplish His purpose at any particular time.
Silas, Barnabas and Philip were not apostles but they took the gospel on many Holy Spirit directed mission trips. “And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father…” Rev 1:6 & 5:10 (KJV)
OH, PLEASE TEACH THEM THE TRUTH
(7) Error:
Church buildings are considered wrong and worship should only be in a home.
There are very few Christians who worship the actual building anymore. (It would be wrong to worship a building) These buildings are built with people’s money and hard work in the same way as the convention buildings are built i.e. with people’s money and hard work.
‘Ah, but the workers don’t own the building,’ you say. Well, neither do other pastors own the buildings. Also, many of the friends and workers say, “the meetings must be in the home”. It may come as a surprise to most of the friends and workers that nowadays many Christian groups have home fellowship meetings.
Scriptural truth: Jesus said ‘it’s not where one worships but how one worships ‘..true worshippers will worship in spirit and in truth’ John 4: 21- 24
‘For where two or three are gathered together in my name…’ Matthew 18:20
OH, PLEASE TEACH THEM THE TRUTH
(8) Error:
The friends are taught by the workers that other bible study groups (outside their group) are wrong because they are just seeking to obtain “all knowledge….all head knowledge” (as quoted by one of the friends recently)
Scriptural truth: The bible is the inspired word of God and those who love God, love to read and study His word.
“These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” Act 17:11
“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Tim 2:15
Evidence of the indwelling of God’s Holy Spirit is a fervent love for GOD and His word. With that love comes the desire to learn more about Him and to speak about Him, always giving Him all praise, honour and glory.
OH, PLEASE TEACH THEM THE TRUTH
(9) Error:
Most of the friends and workers refuse to believe that this fellowship of ‘friends & workers’ was started in 1897 by William Irvine. Some workers are aware of the beginnings but are afraid to speak the truth. It is well documented and there are original letters and diaries by many early workers to substantiate this claim. The doctrine of apostolic succession has been handed down by the early workers and it is often stated…..sometimes in ignorance…..and sometimes in deceit….. ‘it’s from the beginning….from the shores of Galilee’.
This claim of apostolic succession is a very deceitful cover-up ….because the group which spread abroad from the early 1900s originated from the shores of Ireland. The group is only just over 100 years old. Some claim that “the truth” went underground and was resurrected. This is not true according to scripture because Jesus said “ and lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” Math 28:20
This underground and popping up is contrary to what Jesus said and is false teaching.
OH, PLEASE TEACH THEM THE TRUTH
(10) Error:
There is a great reluctance by friends and workers to talk outside meetings about Jesus and the Bible generally. Most of the friends are taken up with the interests of the group itself ~ family connections, travel, money, houses, investments, etc. Try listening to any conversation at pot lucks or other gatherings. Sadly, Christ is barely mentioned. Have they lost their first love like the Church of Ephesus where Jesus became secondary? You will hear conversations about the workers and conventions etc. Have these things become the primary love?
Scriptural truth: “..they that feared the Lord spoke often to one another” (about the Lord) Mal 3:16
OH, PLEASE TEACH THEM THE TRUTH
(11) Error:
The teaching is as such that most of the friends don’t know whether they are saved or not….some say “well, hope so”….while others say “we can’t be too presumptuous”. We even heard some say “well, if I keep going to the meetings all my life until the end, then maybe I have a good chance.” Very sad indeed.
Scriptural truth: Salvation is by the Grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ. Salvation is not based on any of our own merits or works so how can it be presumptuous to trust in Jesus? If we are not sure, we are showing a lack of faith in God’s provision in Jesus and thereby we are contradicting God’s word! If a person has fully repented and put all their trust in the redeeming blood of Jesus, they will be saved.
OH, PLEASE TEACH THEM THE TRUTH!
The above points represent only a few of the errors taught.
We have only touched on many issues and abbreviated the responses to make this as brief and as simple as possible.
Anyone who reads this account is encouraged to pray earnestly to God and read His written word with an open heart and mind.
We have written these words so that we might encourage you to put faith in Jesus Christ alone.
“…make your calling and election sure.”
The scripture has more authority than any preacher and therefore must be believed and accepted above the interpretations of any preacher. The words of any preacher must be tested for accuracy and truth by comparison with what is written and all quotations must be looked at in the context of the subject matter of the preceding and following verses and chapters.
2 Peter 1:5-10 can be misquoted by implying we have to do what these verses say to be saved, however, these verses are about adding things to our faith so that we can be more fruitful in God’s kingdom.
You are saved by your faith in Jesus Christ but are made more fruitful by attending to things Peter mentions.
Question: Can this way ever get back on track?
Answer: Yes! Provided the ministry as a whole repents of the errors taught and exposes openly to all, the history of the fellowship so that all might return to faith in Jesus Christ alone.
Question: Can they still continue with conventions, special meetings and a 2×2 ministry.
Answer: Yes! And also enjoy fellowship with other like-minded Christians in other fellowships.
James ch 3:1 “Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.” (NIV)
…….SO, PLEASE TEACH THEM THE TRUTH
By Geoff & Joan Frost
Western Australia
July 2008
NOTE: This letter was sent to most workers in Western Australia in 2008; none replied.