TREASURE HUNTING ~ BETHEL'S PSEUDO EVANGELISM LEICESTER 30TH MARCH 2019

Beware: ANCL Treasure Hunting & Outreach on the Streets 

All Nations Church in Leicester (ANCL) have announced that a team of Bethel Students will be joining them on Saturday, the 30th March in the city centre between 1:00pm - 4:00pm for the dubious activity of "Treasure Hunting" in the city centre. {1}

Treasure Hunting is a form of pseudo evangelism known as "prophetic evangelism" that appears to have originated at Bethel Church in Redding CA in 2005. {2}

Treasure Hunting is also associated with Healing on the Streets (HOTS) in the UK under the Vineyard banner. I warned about this practice back in 2012 when ANCL and Holy Trinity Church in Leicester joined forces to practice this particular form of pseudo evangelism. {3}

Typically, Treasure Hunting involves small teams of three or four people who decide on a place to conduct their "hunt", such as a park or a shopping centre. Prior to the Treasure Hunt, team members ask God to give them prophetic “words of knowledge” called “clues” about the specific people they will find at the chosen location. These clues may include a person’s name, descriptions of that person’s dress or appearance, and any ailments they may be suffering from etc. Team members mark these clues on a treasure map, which they then use to guide them to the person, called a “treasure”, who matches their clues.

Treasure Hunting is not supported by the scriptures and is problematic on a number of critical levels. Prophetic words of knowledge are not viewed as 100% accurate even by their proponents. A major concern is that these "words of knowledge" are a figment of the imagination of those seeking "clues", or even worse, that they are a form of occult divination. (Jeremiah 23:16, 35-26; 27:9; Ezekiel 13:2). Should the unsuspecting public be subjected to these dubious practices?

In 2012 the ASA upheld complaints about a leaflet that stated: "NEED HEALING? GOD CAN HEAL TODAY!” listing various diseases.

"While the ASA acknowledged that the advertiser believed that prayer could treat illness, it concluded that the ad made unsubstantiated claims and could discourage people, particularly the vulnerable or those suffering from undiagnosed symptoms, from seeking essential treatment. It ruled the ad could encourage false hope in those suffering from the named conditions and was therefore irresponsible (Healing on the Streets – Bath, 13 June 2013). To date CAP has not seen evidence that religious healing can treat or cure illness, dysfunction or malformations. Marketers should be aware that testimonials alone are unlikely to suffice as adequate substantiation." {4}

The biblical definition of evangelism is: Zealous preaching (promulgation dissemination) of the gospel; spreading the word, spreading the gospel, telling the gospel message. There is no indication in the scriptures that we should get "creative" and do things in another way according to man made methodologies. Seeking signs for their own sake is wicked according to Jesus Christ. (Matthew 12:39). 

The primary mission of the church is to preach the gospel. And he said to them, "Go into all the world and proclaim the good news to the whole creation. (Mark 16/15). Problematically, the clear message of the gospel is missing from this kind of "outreach".

Both Jesus Christ and Paul gave priority to the gospel message. But he said to them, "I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other cities also; for I was sent for this purpose." (Luke 4/43).

If I proclaim the gospel, this gives me no ground for boasting, for an obligation is laid on me, and woe to me if I do not proclaim the gospel! (1 Corinthians 9/16).

Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and curing every disease and every sickness among the people. (Matthew 4/23).

And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. (Matthew 9:35) .

As you go, proclaim the good news, "The kingdom of heaven has come near. 'Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers,cast out demons. You received without payment; give without payment. (Matthew 10/7-8).

"Go into all the world and proclaim the good news to the whole creation. The one who believes and is baptized will be saved; but the one who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: by using my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues;they will pick up snakes in their hands,and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover." (Mark 16/15-18).

And they went out and proclaimed the good news everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by the signs that accompanied it. (Mark 16/20). Notice that the signs were a confirmation of the gospel message and not an end in themselves!

..and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal. (Luke 9/2).

They departed and went through the villages, bringing the good news and curing diseases everywhere. (Luke 9/6).

But when they believed Philip as he preached good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Even Simon himself believed, and after being baptized he continued with Philip. And seeing signs and great miracles performed, he was amazed. (Acts 8).

You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ—he is Lord of all. That message spread throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John announced: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. (Acts 10/36-38).

And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. ( James 5/15). In this instance James was addressing believers, not those outside the church.

There are instances of people coming to Jesus for healing e.g. the leper Matthew 8/2); the centurion (for his servant) (Matthew 8/5; Luke 7/2) Jairus (for his daughter) (Mark 5/22; Luke 8/41); the ten lepers Luke 17/11-19) These people had all clearly heard of Jesus’ teachings and healings and they recognised his authority, they came to Jesus –he did not go them (Peter’s mother in law being the exception). Jesus did not promote his healings or miracles, in fact he sometimes told those he healed not to tell anyone. (Matthew 8/4; Mark 1/44; 5/43;7/36) Jesus’ ministry was hindered by the leper's disobedience in telling about his healing (Mark 1/45).

In the instance of the demoniacs - it was the demons, not the men themselves who recognised Jesus – this was not a physical healing but an exorcism:

When he came to the other side, to the country of the Gadarenes, two demoniacs coming out of the tombs met him. They were so fierce that no one could pass that way. Suddenly they shouted, "What have you to do with us, Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?" (Matthew 8/28-29) Jesus told the healed demoniac to go home and declare how much God has done for you. (Luke 8/39; Matthew 8/28). 

So they remained for a long time, speaking boldly for the Lord, who testified to the word of his grace by granting signs and wonders to be done through them. (Acts 14/3).

Very sadly, Bethel students are extremely vulnerable young people who have been brainwashed by the Bethel cult of Bill Johnson. Johnson personally brought a group of Bethel Students to England in 2012? where they practiced necromancy in the form of grave sucking/soaking. The numerous bizarre practices of Bethel are a matter of great concern to many discernment ministries.

1. https://ancl.churchsuite.co.uk/events/3w12zbpd
2. https://www.bethel.com/testimonies/gods-treasure-hunt/
3. https://hubpages.com/religion-philosophy/HEALING-ON-THE-STREETS-PSEUDO-EVANGELISM
4. https://www.asa.org.uk/advice-online/religious-and-spiritual-healing.html