From the Editor …

A Ministry in the Silent Void of Unconcern

Bible Truth For You is a ministry that enthusiastically embraces the Christian Fundamentalist perspective; that is, we believe that every word of the Bible is literally and totally true and are from God, accurately and faithfully recorded and preserved in the Received Text, which has authority over every person's life. God commands people to repent of sin, trust in the atoning work of God the Son Jesus Christ, believe and receive him as God. we are to be born anew in a new life by God the Holy Spirit and enter into a new and loving relationship with God. We should master his teaching from the Bible, pray, forsake the evil ways of this world, submit to God in all things, strive to live in purity and holiness, and live lives of love, empathy, charity, mercy, and understanding to all men, ministering God's truth so that they may be saved from destruction.

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A Heads Up regarding the Iranian pastor, Yousef Nadarkhani

Published 17 February, 2012 | By Buddy Smith

This week we received the following article from Buddy Smith’s “Heads Up” newsletter concerning Yousef Nadarkhani, an Iranian pastor who is imprisoned and awaiting a death sentence to be carried out by the Iranian judicial system.

Bible Truth For You has published a number of articles concerning Yousef Nadarkhani and his plight, but we knew nothing of his particular beliefs, only knowing he is referred to as a “Baptist pastor”.

Even though the information revealed below casts doubt about his being a biblical Christian, we still take the stand that Yousef Nadarkhani is being persecuted in the name of Jesus Christ, and is not deserving of death in the name of Islam and he should be released, not because of western concepts of ‘tolerance’ or ‘decency’ (for Muslims care little about such western liberal ideals, but instead what their teachers tell them their Qur’an says), but because they will receive greater condemnation for their sin from Almighty God.

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(A few weeks ago in Heads Up! we included a photo of Yousef Nadarkhani and his family to accompany the mention of him in the Muslim Persecution Of Christians article. However, while listening to Ralph Ovadal’s ‘Heart of the Matter’ program yesterday I heard him interviewing an Iranian pastor by the name of Pooyan Mehrshahi. He reckons Yousef is a Oneness Pentecostal, or Jesus Only pastor. Pooyan recently wrote the following to Jim Schnieder who broadcast a session on VCY America supporting Yousef – Hughie Seaborn)

QUOTE regarding Iranian Pastor Yousef Nadarkhani from Pooyan Mehrshahi (10/10/2011) from
Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England:

“I know that most believers depend upon the news that is received by the various organization to inform them about persecutions. In these circumstances it is very difficult to discern what is true and genuine, or incorrect information. In your broadcast you mentioned about an Iranian pastor who has been in the news in the recent weeks. As an Evangelical Iranian pastor, I wanted to say a few things about Youcef Nadarkhani, which is not reported by most news organizations. Yousef Nadarkhani has been given death sentence, and it is something that is being broadcasted all over the world. However, one thing that most media do not say is that he has been one of the chief leaders of a growing cult in Iran, which is known as, the Jesus Only (Oneness Pentecostal) cult. They totally deny the doctrine of the Trinity and teach the Sebalian (Modalism) heresy. They believe in Baptismal regeneration and many other man made heresies (works salvation). Youcef Nadarkhani and other leaders in that cult have been rejected by the evangelical churches and pastors in Iran. I have spoken to friends of Yousef Nadarkhani and also an evangelical pastor in the city of Rasht. They all confirm the same things. We must pray for his genuine conversion in the person and finished work of Christ.”

END QUOTE.

(I did a bit of further research about Yousef’s involvement with the Jesus Only cult. There is a video of Yousef where he can be seen declaring that he does not believe in the Trinity but he also claims not to be Oneness Pentecostal or Jesus Only. When asked to reveal where he gained his theological qualifications to be a priest he was unable to do so, saying that it was with some college or uni in Canada, but he didn’t know which one.

This Pooyan Mehrshahi is not a newcomer to Ralph Ovadal and has been on his program previously. Probably a reformed Presbyterian but one who is apparently in touch with the church scene in Iran.

Not to say that the Iranian Muslims have any right to execute anyone because of their beliefs, but I reckon genuine Christians need to be made aware that Yousef is not really a Christian according to Scripture, and we need to stop from presenting him as though he is one. It probably needs a bit more research to get at the facts, but by his own confession which I viewed Yousef does not hold to a belief in the Trinity.

An article on this subject, completed with a video clip which includes Yousef’s testimony of his disbelief in the Trinity, is linked below:

http://blog.godreports.com/2011/12/imprisoned-pastor-in-iran-not-an-evangelical-iranian-pastor-alleges/

- Hughie Seaborn.