Good afternoon, All.

I had a couple of hours spare today, so I decided to take a stroll through my Revivalist document archive; the place where I keep material I've collected from, and on, the various sects over the years. The following tidbits from the mid- 1990s to early 2000s might be of interest to some.

"... In recent times there have been a few timely modifications (Panin numerics) and some discussions relating to prayer, time and chance, and tithing. We are not giving ground on any of these issues ...

We need to keep a faith focus in our ministry and take care not to make unbiblical claims or statements. There was a time in the early ‘80s where the careful editorial scrutiny of Voice of Revival was lost for a time and some unwise things were published. One of these ‘chickens has come home to roost’. It was claimed that the Lord would return at a specific date and time. This has appeared on the Internet to our detriment. We need to stick to the Word of God and be a faithful people known for doing this. Our focus is on faith, healing, receiving the Holy Spirit, and the veracity of the entire Word of God. The more people that see this, the more will be filled with the Holy Spirit awaiting the return of Jesus Christ."

- Simon Longfield, Plenary Address to the "We believe ..." Pastor's Conference, Vodaphone Arena Melbourne, Saturday 9th June 2001 (published Minutes). 

For context, the RCI has strenuously denied claims that Lloyd Longfield ever set a date for Christ's Return. In 2001 Troy Waller operated a web forum that included a 'countdown clock', one that ticked down the days to a date in September 2001 when Lloyd Longfield claimed, and also foolishly published in the Voice of Revival, that Jesus would appear. They knew all along; they simply didn't want to admit to knowing.

"The meeting that I attended in Sydney was full-scale rebellion. I knew it was wrong, and I determined that I would not be a part of it. I spoke on the Sunday about Korah. If God was going to institute a change in the leadership that had served us extremely well for 45 years, I was convinced He would not use rebellion to achieve His aim.

As is often the case, the supposed issue was not the issue. A power struggle was going on. I asked a few of you the rhetorical question: Which fruits of the Spirit do you see operating: Love?, Joy?, Peace?, Longsuffering?, Gentleness?, Goodness?, Faith?, Meekness?, Temperance?"

- Geoff Beggs, Morals letter to the Coffs Harbour Assembly, 11 February 1995.

The context had to do with a meeting held in Sydney that was attended by pastors of the various New South Wales assemblies. The purpose was to discuss the issue of withdrawing from the Revival Centres due to Lloyd Longfield's hardened morals policy. The average person sitting in the pews at the time doubtless believed the matter was whether or not 'sexual defaulters' should be permanently cast out, and this is precisely what has been promoted by the Revival Fellowship leadership. However, I find interesting Beggs' assertion that, "... the supposed issue was not the issue. A power struggle was going on." Very curious indeed!

"Bible Numerics can be readily disproved, not by debateable argument, but by cold hard mathematics.

The following thoughts are based on the assumption that you agree that what is being said here is correct.

I believe we need to back away from Numerics before it is further exposed.

For those of us with relatives in, say, the RF or other antagonistic places, it would be better for us to be seen to be part of a church that takes the lead, rather than the one that has to follow. And I believe we would have to follow if it was exposed elsewhere. If we expose it first, we send a strong message to our folk that we set the agenda, and that we are the ones who continue to pursue truth; we are the ones who aren't afraid to change if something comes to our attention.

This will mean educating pastors on this matter, and allowing them to handle it carefully. For some, it may be quite a disappointment. Nevertheless, better they hear it from us, as part of a refinement of our doctrine, than from someone else.

If you would like me to revamp this paper for general use I am happy to do so.

If you want to keep some distance on the matter, I am happy to present something myself to the pastors (with your permission and your backing that what I have said in a paper is "worth considering"), if you think that is the way to go.

Basically, Pastor Simon, I leave it to you to determine the best way to handle this. I don't think we have to make a big deal out of it, but I do believe our pastors need to be aware of the information presented here. The program that I used to find numeric values is publicly available on the Internet, and it will only be a matter of time before others take the trouble to test it out and reach the same conclusions. It seems it would be far better to inform our pastors, or at least ask them to consider this information, than to have to fight a rearguard action later. I think we should give them the ammunition to deal with it, and the advice to think twice before committing themselves again in talks or print regarding numerics."

- Geoff Beggs, letter to Simon Longfield on Bible Numerics, dated 9th February 1999.

This is the letter that scuppered teaching on Bible Numerics in the Revival Centres. Notably, the heart of the issue wasn't about admitting fault. It wasn't about acknowledging they had gotten things wrong for decades. No, the main thing was to avoid the embarrassment that would result from public exposure from so-called "antagonistic places". Not quite a good example of the biblical teaching on repentance. 

"Earrings. The ruling remains that they are not for men, but there has been some concern about multiple earrings on the ladies especially high on the ears. This is just a fashion trend, and like changing hairstyles, will come and go. Again, like hairstyles, we advise moderation.

Body piercing indicates an unacceptable attitude and is therefore not expected among our members.

People who receive the Holy Spirit elsewhere and have since been immoral and wish to join RCI are not privy to our understanding of scripture. They need to tidy up their lives before joining RCI, and to safeguard the integrity of the doctrine they need to be married. We can tell people in this category and to those who perhaps left us long since, that they should tidy up their lives according to the rules of the organisation in which they received the Holy Spirit, or according to our rules as they were when the person left the assembly. Integrity is the word of the Church. We need to give people the opportunity to tidy up their lives within reason before joining our fellowship. Immorality after this opportunity will result in permanent dismissal from RCI. Those to whom we preach now, have the advantage of knowing what is right.

Touching. There are varying degrees. If there is major involvement the couple must marry. However, if a naïve young couple are caught up in an amorous moment and realise the implications and stop, pastoral discretion can be exercised. We are not there to punish but should say ‘well done, you stopped before it was too late and let us know.’ If there has to be a second admonition, this is a problem that must be dealt with accordingly."

- Simon Longfield, Plenary Address, Pastor's Conference Freshwater Creek, February 2000 (published Minutes)

I find it curious that as late as the year 2000 issues relating to rules for the wearing of earings and body piercings made the list of key topics for discussion at a Victorian pastors meeting! Far more concerning is the complete lack of consistency with respect to enforcing the RCI's "signature" morals policy. First, Scripture says absolutely nothing about "tidying up one's life" as a consequence of sexual sin (i.e. the supposed requirement to marry). And second, if a sin is so heinous as to warrant permanent banishment from fellowship, then how and why can there be a different application of the rules depending on when or where someone supposedly received God's Spirit?!

Anyway, this is probably enough for today. All of the communications I've quoted from today were provided to me by RCI pastors who were approved to receive them. 

Blessings,

Ian