So WHO Is Decieved???

[Margaret]

There is an interesting back story re. Bakht Singh.  Before the assembly began, while Steve and I were visiting various groups with George (I think this is when it was, it might have been later), Bakht Singh was in So. Cal. as part of his yearly visit to Indian groups in the US.  There was to be a meeting in a home of a friend of George whom he knew from Biola, a brother named Mattai.  We arrived early, and I helped Mattai's wife Maryama make curry for the gathering.  About ten years ago Steve and I attended a home Bible study, and it turned out to be the home of Mattai and Maryama.  They remembered us, and wanted to know what was going on with George.  We told them our story of leaving, and they told us the following story.

On another visit of Bakht Singh's to So. Cal, after the assembly had begun, George was contacted by Mattai to let him know of the visit.  George volunteered to pick up Bakht Singh at the airport and take him to the meeting.  All the Indian brethren from around So. Cal were gathered for this meeting, and Bakht Sing and George were late.  They waited and waited, and finally Mattai called George's house to find out what had happened.  Betty said that George had picked up Bakht Singh at the airport and had brought him home, and he was resting.  Mattai said that all the brethren were waiting for the meeting to begin, and could he please speak to Bakht Singh.  Betty said Bakht Singh was resting and she would not disturb him.  Meanwhile, Goerge had already arranged special meetings in Fullerton for Bakht Singh, and that is where he took him that night--to speak to us!  This was Bakht Singh's first visit to the Fullerton assembly.  He probably thought that there had been a misunderstanding.  Perhaps this incident sheds light on his message about Laodiciea.  No wonder he was eventually no longer invited to the assemblies.

[vernecarty]

 Perhaps this incident sheds light on his message about Laodiciea.  No wonder he was eventually no longer invited to the assemblies.

The denoument of some forty years of Assembly preaching and practice has really challenged the thinking of many us who were once part of that system. As regards its ultimate failure -fortuitousness? or forethought? I think the way we answer this question absolutely determines how well we emerge from the experience. If, as I am quite convinced the evidence shows, it was remarkable forethought, too many of us were guilty of myopia and malaise spiritually speaking. These vignettes by veterans like Steve and Margaret are so critical to helping us think about and assess the period accurately. I find myself thinking out loud as I read some of these stories..."How keen is my perception today? How strong my resolve? For many of us the answer is "sharper" and "stronger". For many others, sadly, I am not so sure...
Thanks for the anecdote Margaret.
Verne

[moonflower]

Bakht Singh! I'll never forget the powerful message he preached in Chicago years ago on Hebrews  11:1 & 2.  "God... has in these last days spoken to us by His Son..."  It was the first time I had heard it preached that God actually spoke to us in that way. It was a new thing for me to consider and took my vision away from man-made things to the peaceful place where God is.  I never quite got over it.  

[MGov]

Re: Margaret's post

I am not questioning Margaret's story, but I wonder about the conclusions.  This is not in defense of GG or BG either, but rather to consider what is the true conclusion.  We tease a number of our friends for keeping 'Indian time' when they are tardy/late.  Tardiness tends to be a characteristic of people from India. BTW this is not intended to be prejudicial in any way.

MG

[brian]

I am not questioning Margaret's story, but I wonder about the conclusions

i think the conclusion is that george betrayed his friend and kidnapped Bakht Singh, leaving his friend's entire church hanging. doubtlessly, george was hoping to provide his group with an impromptu 'endorsement' that george could boast about for decades to come. but then the message was not much of an endorsement, apparently, so george decided not to let Bakht Singh come back, then pretended that he got Bakht Singh's endorsement for decades to come.

i'm not sure what you are getting at by the late comments, mgov. am i missing something?  

[vernecarty]

Re: Margaret's post

I am not questioning Margaret's story, but I wonder about the conclusions.  
MG

I don't...
Verne

[MGov]

On second thoughts, I personally feel that I do not want to pursue this avenue of reasoning (RE: my earlier posting on this thread).  I do not see that it will prove anything.  So forgive me for the earlier post.  Brian and Verne, I respect your evaluation of the situation.

MG

[vernecarty]

     Bakht Singh was not invited to the assemblies for the benefits of his ministry, but as a feather in GG's cap. al Hartman

Al your post illuminated something that has truly bothered me about George and was brought into stark relief as I read it- George shamefully (shamelessly?)used people. There is no question that there were some choice saints involved with him who had the purest of intentions over the years. Nothing stirs more loathing than the thought of all these dear people being suborned by this man...
Verne

[al Hartman]

Verne, and all,

     i'm afraid each of us must ask the Lord for discernment regarding our own culpability in being used, and we must all be cautious about judging each other in this respect.  Some may need admonition, others surely do not.  But of this we may all be certain:  God stands ready, not to punish us, but to pardon us and welcome us back to himself.  He has killed the fatted calf and will greet us with warm embrace, both forgiving and restoring us.

 
     But my conclusion about George has shaped up very firmly:  he would use anyone at any time that it would serve to his advantage.  Moreover he was very calculating in this:  Low I.Q. but strong back & good income = you're golden until your back or your funds give out-- then you're history.  Ah, but strong mind + leadership skills = usable for YEARS.
     And yes, sad to say, it became a family tradition.


Gratefully forgiven and restored,
al

[MGov]

For all of you Brother Bakth Singh fans, I just discovered a web site dedicated to his ministry:
http://www.brotherbakhtsingh.org/index.html

MG

[moonflower]

Great website. Thanks!

[sfortescue]

So someone comes up to you and says, "I'm going to lie to your face, rip you off, live in lechery, pretend that I am worthy to lead you, act with an air of arrogance lording it over you, and all the while make you feel good about it."
Then do you say, "OK!  please sir can I have another?"

The short-comings of human nature astound me.  The fact that I am one of them is disheartening.  But the fact that God loves us, is for us, bears with us and helps us in our weakness is cause for great joy.  
Let us be grateful and pay attention to the warnings of the One who so cares for our souls.

II Cor 11:19-20
For ye suffer fools gladly, seeing ye yourselves are wise.  For ye suffer, if a man bring you into bondage, if a man devour you, if a man take of you, if a man exalt himself, if a man smite you on the face.

John 5:43
I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.

Some six years after I had left the group in Champaign, I ran into George and Wayne Matthews in a local restaurant that was a very popular place for breakfast.  Strangely enough, initially, I did not realize it was George with Wayne, and I went up and joyfully greeted Wayne (who has been nothing less than a model of Christian integrity to me.)

When I realized it was George sitting with him, I also greeted him -  "Hello brother, how are you?"  He looked at me and fired back, "Verne!  Are you walking with the Lord?"  I had the strongest urge to fire right back - "Are you??" (little did I know...!)  Of course you don't talk to George like that ... I simply said, "Oh yes, my family and I are in joyful fellowship in a local Christian and Missionary Alliance Church where I have the privelege of serving Him."

First he quizzed me to see if I knew anyting about A.B. Simpson and I initiallly played along and hinted that I knew the work started among the social rejects of New York.  He kept trying to get me to say A.B. Simpson's name, but I just smiled and asked, "Why are you testing me?"  Finally, he started in on the Alliance, about how they had lost their vision, and how the churches were so confused etc. etc.  The next thing I expected him to say was that A.W. Tozer was a heretic!

I recall this incident to illustrate that there was something deliberate and pre-meditated about the destructiveness of George Geftakys.  It was his constant aim to undermine the faith of others and convince them they could never be used of the Lord apart from his blessing and sanction.  Was George deceived?  I think not.  The word has a certain suggestion of victimhood.  I believe this man purposefully embarked on a voyage of deep wickedness from the outset.  He himself practiced the high art of deception and manipulation with a finesse that is breath-taking.  On this very thread, we still have adherents contending that "He is the Lord's servant."

Who is deceived?  I am afraid many of his victims still are ... George was a Master Deceiver...!

Verne

[Mark Kisla]

Steve,
The quotes you have posted are powerful and speak for themselves. They come from individuals whose opinions I respect.
Mark

[M2]

Does repentance from following a 'false' teacher and having grieved the HSpirit, restore us to a fresh start with the HSpirit?

Or do we now have to start 'cultivating' the effects of the HSpirit in our lives?

Or...??

Marcia

[Joe Sperling]

MM----

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just
to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all
unrighteousness"(1 John 1:9).

Full restoration is immediately available to all of us.

God bless,  Joe