IRISH BAPTIST MAGAZINE

A PUBLICATION OF THE BAPTIST CHURCH IN IRELAND

(December 1999 Issue)

The author presents the Royal Arch Purple (RAP) as a more or less midway between the Loyal Orange and the Royal Black Institution. In Ireland it is distinct from the Loyal Orange but its degree is taken, the author says, by 95% of Orange members (some 95,000 persons). Elsewhere in the Commonwealth it exists, he maintains, within the Orange Institution and the same is true of the Independent Orange Order, which uses it as its third degree.

The main thesis is that the RAP is essentially a clone of Freemasonry with the same or very similar oaths of secrecy, the same background of ancient mystery religion and the same or similar symbols. He is troubled by the fact that men, some of whom would claim to be evangelical Christians are prepared to enter the order, go through its elaborate and degrading initiation rituals and take its oaths without even knowing the secrets to which they commit themselves.

According to the author the RAP has succeeded in keeping its secrets from outside scrutiny even though other secret societies like Freemasons, have failed to do so. He regards secret societies as an alternative to the ‘body of Christ’ and has done us a real service in bringing many of these secrets to light.

The book is peppered with quotations from the Bible (AV and in bold type). In appendices he calls on Christians who are members of the RAP to repent and resign from the Order. He provides a model letter to show them how to do so.

Paul Malcomson has clearly engaged in careful research into those secrets and, if his information is correct, the exposure of the RAP secrets is a frightening reminder of the extent to which secret societies and their members depart from the truth of God.

(I have no access to an RAP manual against which to check material).

Norman Shield

(Retired Baptist Pastor who for many years was the Principal of the Samuel Bill Theological College in Nigeria. Currently lecturer at the Irish Baptist College and Belfast Bible College)

Recommended reading:

Protestant/Evangelical opposition to the Loyal Orders

United Protestant Council exhaustive report into the Royal Black Institution application
The Association of Baptist Churches in Ireland report on Loyal Orders
A Theological Report by the Church of Ireland – on the RBI
United Protestant Council reject Royal Black Institution
Reformed Presbyterian Church and the Orange Order
The Covenanter Witness (Reformed Presbyterian)
The Burning Bush – A Publication by Rev Ivan Foster, a Free Presbyterian minister.
Baptist Magazine
Rev. Norman W McAuley (Presbyterian Church in Ireland)
Independent Methodist Pastor Paul Johnston
The English Churchman (Rev Dr Paul Ferguson)
Church of Ireland General Synod Sub Committee
Ulster Christian
Take Heed Ministries (Cecil Andrew)
British Churchman (Johnny Larner)

Bible-believing former members renouncing the Loyal Orders

Former Royal Black Deputy Grand Chaplain (Rev. Canon Brian T. Blacoe)
Former Royal Black Lecturer, Orange Worshipful Master and Royal Arch Purple Worshipful Master (Malcolm McClughan)
United Protestant Council Chairman (David Carson)
Former County Down Orange Treasurer, Worshipful Master, Deputy Master, and Chaplain – Jackson Blakely
Former County Londonderry Orange and Royal Arch Purpleman Andrew Evans
Former County Armagh Orange, Royal Arch Purple and (Red Cross) Blackman Alex Newell
Former County Tyrone Orange Chaplain and Orange/Small Purple Lecturer Paul Stewart (also former Red Cross Blackman)

Read a detailed exposure: