Regarding the Church of Iran Network

Recently, Mohabat News has claimed that the Church of Iran network is closely associated with the United Pentecostal Church, believes in baptismal regeneration, salvation by works, Jesus only Sabellianism and that “speaking in tongues [is] the main sign of true salvation.”

The assertions that you see above are false. I have met personally with pastors, missionaries and evangelists that are a part of the Church of Iran network. I can assure you that they preach the Gospel and that salvation is through faith alone in Jesus Christ alone. They reject the teaching of the initial evidence of the Holy Spirit being tongues, Jesus only Sabellianism and baptismal regeneration. Not one of the brothers that I have been in contact with has stated they hold to these beliefs, but in fact have told me directly that they do not believe in them.

Firouz Sadegh Khandjani, an elder in the Church of Iran, states that, “We disagree with the oneness [Jesus only] understanding of the unity of God. We do not believe in a simple unity, as in God being one as your finger is one.” Pastor Firouz informed me that he has also written an article in Farsi detailing why the Oneness doctrine is Scripturally wrong.

I have received many reports of Muslims that they have been directly involved with leading to Christ, these people are having dreams where Jesus appears to them and tells them something from the Bible and it radically changes their lives. They have experienced drastic change in their lives through the ministries of these brothers. Others may not consider them evangelical, but they are certainly leading people to salvation and new life in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Mohabat News also states there are only 200 people in the Church of Iran nationwide. I can personally tell you this also is inaccurate. In a video of a Christmas service that I watched from several years ago there were more than 200 and the service was only Youcef’s church.

Regarding the claims that Youcef Nadarkhani and his church are a cult, we notice typically cults employ mind control and blind obedience to various doctrines. I personally have met refugees that were members of brother Youcef’s church. They do not unquestioningly accept teachings or doctrine.  The contrary is true, for during my visit we spent hours studying the Bible for the truth of God’s word and dealt with questions that demonstrated they were seriously studying the bible for themselves.  I would say that they are genuinely seeking truth from the Bible alone and are not blindly following any church or cult leader.

When a Muslim comes to know Jesus they do not come because they are convinced of a certain doctrine. Rather they are convinced of a reality. Jesus is real, he is Lord and God, he is raised from the dead and can give them forgiveness of sins and peace in their soul.  The Bible tells us that all who call on the name of the Lord shall be saved, and on this basis we call on Christians everywhere to continue supporting Brother Youcef who is, as Voice of the Martyrs says, someone persecuted for being a Christian.