JUSTIN PETERS: CALVINIST OBJECTIONS TO BETHEL + HILLSONG MUSIC

CALVINISTS VERSUS CHARISMATICS

(22) 3 Reasons Churches Should Stop Using Bethel & Hillsong Music | Part 1 with Justin Peters - YouTube
(27) 3 Reasons Churches Should Stop Using Bethel & Hillsong Music | Part 2 with Justin Peters - YouTube

The above videos with Calvinists Justin Peters and Joel Webbon (Right Response Ministries) outline three objective reasons why churches should stop using Bethel and Hillsong music in their worship services:

1. Bethel and Hillsong are not true churches.

2. By using Bethel and Hillsong music, you are subjecting weaker members of your body to heresy.

3. Even the non-heretical songs by Bethel and Hillsong still are not theologically robust enough to combat the idolatry and heresy that already exists  

Justin Peters' view that both Bethel and Hillsong are non-Christian cults is correct. In these two videos Justin Peters' distills the false beliefs of the Word-Faith/Charismatic/New Apostolic Reformation cults and focuses on their over-realized eschatology and their presumption in making false declarations out of sync with the scriptures.  

One of the problems of these cults is a mistranslation of Philippians 2:6-7:  ..who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped (harpagmos), but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.

These heretical cults misinterpret harpagmos (verse 6) to diminish the deity of Jesus Christ during his earthly ministry. They teach that Jesus divested Himself of His deity and they claim that He was only empowered by the Holy Spirit. These charlatans go on to claim that Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to replicate the incarnation in believers. This teaching goes hand in hand with their false "little gods" theology. Jesus did not divest Himself of his deity, He had full equality with the Father during his earthly ministry, but His divinity was often veiled or concealed and not perceived for the most part (with rare exceptions [Matthew 16:16-17,17:2]). The true interpretation of harpagmos is the act of seizing or the thing seized, especially an open display of force. {1} 

Pulpit Commentary: "Verse 7. - But made himself of no reputation; rather, as R.V., but emptied himself; not, he indeed, of the Godhead, which could not be, but of its manifestation, its glory. {2} 

These cults claim to do the very thing that even Jesus Christ did not do during His earthly ministry, though He was divine; they presume to seize their imagined equality with God and claim to work various signs through the power of the Holy Spirit. These blasphemous beliefs have resulted in experiential Christianity minus sound doctrine, a constant flow of false prophesies, false (manufactured) signs and fake healings.

Bethel/Hillsong Music

Churches are legally obliged to pay royalties to Bethel/Hillsong/Elevation under CCLI Agreements when they use their materials. Every time churches use these materials, they are not only monetizing these blasphemers, they are propagating their false theological system. By doing so, many church leaders are working to the detriment of the true faith and promoting a different Jesus, a different spirit and a different gospel. (2 Corinthians 11:4). Bethel/Hillsong materials are the snare that pulls unsuspecting believers into the NAR Antichrist heretical system. It should not be necessary to remind pastors and elders that their primary responsibility is to protect the flock, not to expose them to the wolves! (Titus 1:9).

Is Calvinism the Answer? 

Many are persuaded that Calvinist Justin Peters has his theology all sorted out, but the truth is that the Calvinist (Reformed) camp have crippling doctrinal errors in their own right. Not least of these is the despicable doctrine of limited atonement i.e. the belief that Jesus did not die for the sins of the whole world i.e. for everyone.. for all.. for whosoever is a wicked distortion of the scriptures. (John 3:16, 5:24). Calvinism's determinism diminishes the gospel of Jesus Christ and causes inestimable damage to many believers. The spiritual torment that many suffer under this heavy burden causes some to actually give up because they fail to find the answer to the question: How do I know absolutely that I am saved and part of the elect? Those believers of a sensitive disposition who find themselves ensnared in the Reformed camp are often tortured with the nagging doubt that they may be reprobate and not really elect. Determinism or "the secret will of God", based on Deuteronomy 29:29, defies a satisfactory answer, and so many are left in a swamp of hopelessness and despair. This is not God's will for believers! No Christian should allow this wicked doctrine to destroy their joy and peace in Jesus Christ. (Galatians 5:22).

The mantra of the Reformed camp is the Westminster Confession of Faith. 

The Westminster Confession: "God, from all eternity, did, by the most wise and holy counsel of his own will, freely, and unchangeably ordain whatsoever comes to pass: yet so, as thereby neither is God the author of sin, nor is violence offered to the will of the creatures; nor is the liberty or contingency of second causes taken away, but rather established." (3.1)

Right Response Ministries: "Limited Atonement We believe that in the mercy and justice of God the Father, he was not willing to subjugate his Son to suffer under his wrath on behalf of those whom he had not decreed to save. We affirm that Christ freely laid down his life for all of his sheep who are promised to hear his voice and respond to his call. Therefore, not a single drop of Christ’s blood will ever be found to have been wasted in Hell. (Luke 19:10, John 6:35-40, John 10:11-18, John 17:1-11, Romans 5:8-10, Colossians 1:21-22, Galatians 3:13, Hebrews 9:12)" {3}  

Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life. (John 5:24).

He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. (1 John 2:2).

Frankly I don't know which is worse, Charismania or Calvinism. Believers would do far better to reject both extremes and study the scriptures for themselves.  (Romans 16:17; 2 Timothy 2:15).

Blessed is the man who makes the LORD his trust, who does not turn to the proud, to those who go astray after a lie! (Psalm 40:4).

1. Strong's Greek: 725. ἁρπαγμός (harpagmos) -- the act of seizing or the thing seized (biblehub.com)
2. Philippians 2:7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in human likeness. (biblehub.com)
3. About | Right Response Ministries