The visiting speaker at the above meeting was "Reverend" Dominic Yeo from Singapore. Yeo was introduced by David Hind as The General Superintendent of The Assemblies of God of Singapore, and the Secretary of the World Assemblies of God Fellowship. Yeo is also the Chairman of the Asia Pacific Assemblies of God Fellowship and an Executive Committee Member of the Pentecostal World Fellowship. 1 These titles and positions sound very impressive, but they are irrelevant to God. (Luke 14:11; 2 Corinthians 10:17; Acts 10:34).
The alleged "vision" of ONE Church for 2023/4 is "strengthening", although it appears to me that it majors on even more requirements to give money from their already berated congregation. 2 In typical NAR style, Yeo announced a "watershed moment - a moment that will literally change your life.." Yeo's unbalanced message was experience-based and anti-biblical. Yeo: "The only way to build is through a divine encounter with Him.. Bible study does not increase our knowledge, it increases only an academic knowledge but not an existential knowledge, do you understand? It's not an experience, but in the experience of God you know something more about God.." (1:21 mark) This wicked teaching is in direct contradiction to the scriptures. (1 John 4:1; Hebrews 4:12; Psalm 119:15-16, 47-48,105; Proverbs 3:1-2; Romans 15:4; 2 Timothy 3:14-17; Matthew 22:29 etc.) The antidote to false doctrine is the scriptures! Many NAR leaders actively discourage their followers from studying the scriptures because it suits their purposes to keep their followers biblically ignorant so that they do not have the know-how or discernment to test the spirits. False prophecy is a particular feature of the end times, and unless we test the spirits as the scriptures command, we will be deceived. The scriptures emphasize the primary responsibility of pastors/elders to protect their congregation from false teaching and other harmful influences. Those leaders who fail in this respect and propagate false doctrines will reap destruction! (2 Peter 2:1-3; Jude 1:3-16).
Yeo: "Pastor David is one of the most infectious people I've known in my life he's extremely excited and he's jumping all the time yeah.." (1:11:50 mark)
I have previously commented that David Hind's bizarre behaviour borders on the manic. Someone who jumps around all the time in an agitated manner and uses exaggerated hand movements should generate questions about their stability. (1 Timothy 3:1-3; 2 Timothy 1:7; Galatians 5:22-23).
David Hind false prophet!
About eighteen months ago Hind employed the infamous NAR mantra "imminent revival". Needless to say this "prophecy" was not fulfilled. (Jeremiah 5:13). Susan Hind also claims to be "prophetic", and ONE Church has resident NAR "prophet" Simon Braker within their ranks. This makes ONE Church a lethal place to attend!
* David Hind (1st May 2022): "This is a fulfillment season, an outbreak season." Over a year later, according to David Hind, we are still on the cusp of revival. This is the typical mantra of false prophets who constantly repeat that we are on the cusp of something enormous, but that "something" never happens - NAR buzzwords: revival, breakthrough, outbreak, awakening etc.
* End-time revival or apostasy? The revival mantra of the false prophets has no biblical foundation whatsoever. No prophecy of an end-time revival exists in the New Testament. The New Testament prophesies rampant spiritual deception, apostasy, false prophets, lying signs and wonders, birth pains.. and ultimately worldwide spiritual deception under the Antichrist. (Revelation 13:14). We should be very wary of those who consistently prophesy "revival" or "awakening". False prophets tickle itching ears and tell us what we want to hear, not what we need to hear. (2 Timothy 4:3). 3
Yeo's typical NAR narrative complete with buzzwords
"..it is very important as your church is at a threshold, and I sense this. I'm going to say this prophetically. You and Leicester church is standing on a threshold, and depending on how this scale of eternity flip, you either step into your destiny, or you fall off your destiny, and that is going to be through an encounter with Christ that will enlarge, that will deepen your faith in Him.. that will build through revelation.. out of conviction comes manifestation.." (1:22 mark)
Do we need a divine encounter?
Yeo: "..the only way to build together is number one you must build through the encounter of faith you can only build the king you see the kingdom of God cannot be built by our hands but it must be built through the encounter of faith and that's why Jesus turns to the disciples and ask them this question - 'Who do people 1say that I am?' You see because when he started off 'Who do people say I am', and they gave all the different answers, and then he turns around and say 'Who do you', see it's always a place of encounter. God does not want you to know him in your past and not to know him in the present. A lot of people will tell you 'I'm a Christian' and then when you dig more about their relationship with Jesus you find that they have none at all. They had a one-time experience and then for the rest of their life they never had a daily Encounter With Jesus.." (1:17 mark). Yeo's command of the English language is terrible. His listeners have the double challenge of incoherent theology delivered in very poor English.
Seeking a dramatic life-changing "encounter" with God on a daily basis will end in disappointment. Christians are not promised daily earth-shattering "encounters". True Christians can be assured of God's presence as we put our trust in Him, as we pray, as we study His word and as we walk in obedience. There may be times when we are more conscious of His presence than others, but we rely on truth not on experience! God has told us through His Word: I will always be with us to the end of the age. (Matthew 28:20; Matthew 18:20). Yeo is actually suggesting that those who hear this message should put their faith in this particular "vision" contrived by Hind and the leaders of ONE Church. Our faith is not in a contrived "vision", our faith is in Jesus Christ! (2 Corinthians 5:7). There is much more I could say about Yeo's "sermon", but hopefully I have made my point.
Open Hands
ONE Church's biblical illiteracy is graphically demonstrated on their Open Hands website. They quote Matthew 25:35-36 out of context in an attempt to justify the existence of Open Hands at the expense of the gospel. 4
For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me. 4 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ (Matthew 25:35-40).
Bengel's Gnomen: "Matthew 25:35. Ἐδώκατέ, κ.τ.λ., ye have given, etc.[1100]) Of all good and bad actions, those will be especially mentioned which have been performed to the saints, which presuppose faith and love towards Jesus Christ and His brethren, and involve confession of His name, which are most frequent, and remarkable, and conspicuous; and then, from the manifest glory of the Lord, the dignity of His brethren, and the character of good and evil actions towards them, will be manifest; cf. ch. Matthew 10:40-41."
Gill: "..for this was done by them, not as the effect of mere humanity to the poor in general, but as an instance of affection to Christ's poor; and was done for his sake, and because they belonged to him, were preachers of his Gospel, and professors of his name; and therefore was considered as if done to himself personally:" 5
Bengel's Gnomen: "Matthew 25:35. Ἐδώκατέ, κ.τ.λ., ye have given, etc.[1100]) Of all good and bad actions, those will be especially mentioned which have been performed to the saints, which presuppose faith and love towards Jesus Christ and His brethren, and involve confession of His name, which are most frequent, and remarkable, and conspicuous; and then, from the manifest glory of the Lord, the dignity of His brethren, and the character of good and evil actions towards them, will be manifest; cf. ch. Matthew 10:40-41."
Gill: "..for this was done by them, not as the effect of mere humanity to the poor in general, but as an instance of affection to Christ's poor; and was done for his sake, and because they belonged to him, were preachers of his Gospel, and professors of his name; and therefore was considered as if done to himself personally:" 5
Open Hands has shifted from lottery funding to government grants
Big Lottery Fund: “Lottery distributors' rules make a distinction between religious activities and the community projects churches run. They say: "The project outcomes are key, rather than the non-project activities and ethos of the organization. Crucially, the activities undertaken with lottery money cannot promote religion or belief." 7
Open Hands received £34.50k income from government grants at the end of December 2022: "Income from government grants N/A £33.64k N/A N/A £34.50k" 8
It appears that very similar, if not identical, constraints regarding the promotion of religious activities apply to faith-based bodies receiving government grants. Gov.uk: "There is no law against funding faith-based bodies, nor is there any Government policy discouraging this. Whilst it should be transparent that in most cases funds will not primarily be used to promote the specifically religious activities of the funded body, there is a difference between solely religious activity and wider faith based work for the common good. Often faith-based bodies are best placed to deliver services." 9
It appears that very similar, if not identical, constraints regarding the promotion of religious activities apply to faith-based bodies receiving government grants. Gov.uk: "There is no law against funding faith-based bodies, nor is there any Government policy discouraging this. Whilst it should be transparent that in most cases funds will not primarily be used to promote the specifically religious activities of the funded body, there is a difference between solely religious activity and wider faith based work for the common good. Often faith-based bodies are best placed to deliver services." 9
The above stipulation should be enough to dissuade any bona fide church from applying for government grants. Entering into ungodly contracts with secular government departments and agreeing to their conditions is to yoke oneself to them. (2 Corinthians 6:14). By agreeing to abide by the stipulation not to promote specific religious activities runs counter to the scriptures which prioritize sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! (1 Corinthians 9:16).
I do not have to be a prophet to say that there will be consequences for these actions.
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age. (Matthew 28:19-20).
And Saul said to Samuel, “I have obeyed the voice of the LORD. I have gone on the mission on which the LORD sent me. (1 Samuel 15:20).
Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 7:21; cf. Ephesians 5:7).
Paul and his companions were ready to suffer hardship, poverty, and ill-treatment for the sake of the gospel. This is a very far cry from ONE Church's obsession with money and their false NAR gospel, the contrast is woefully obvious.
And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me. But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. And now, behold, I know that none of you among whom I have gone about proclaiming the kingdom will see my face again. Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all, for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God. Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. (Acts 20:22-30).
And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness. (Acts 4:29-31).
No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money. (Matthew 6:24).
Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? (2 Corinthians 6:14).
Holly Pivec: "NAR teachings and practices have divided families, split churches, stunted the spiritual growth of believers, and left countless Christians disillusioned by promises of healing and miraculous power that haven’t panned out. They’ve also damaged the church’s witness to a watching world." 10
2. Vision | One Church Leicester
3. WOLVES IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING: FALSE PROPHETS AND BIBLE TEACHERS IN THE LAST DAYS: One Church Leicester (bewareofthewolves.blogspot.com)
4. Church banner – Open Hands (openhandsleicester.org.uk)
5. Matthew 25:35 Commentaries: For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; (biblehub.com)
6. WOLVES IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING: FALSE PROPHETS AND BIBLE TEACHERS IN THE LAST DAYS: Trinity Life Church Leicester (bewareofthewolves.blogspot.com)
7. http://www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/
8. Charity overview, OPEN HANDS TRUST (LEICESTER) - 1121334, Register of Charities - The Charity Commission
9. 15073411.pdf (publishing.service.gov.uk)
10. About 1 — Holly Pivec
Thank you for writing this most helpful
ReplyDeleteThank you Anonymous. God bless.
DeleteIncredible ammount of work gone into this website. It terminds me of why I want nothing to do with The Church anymore. I cannot find one positive statement about anybody on here. They are all wrong .... I presume except you!
ReplyDeleteThank you Anonymous. If you find any errors on my blog then please let me know. I am always open to correction and I am willing to correct my mistakes. God bless.
DeleteThe blog is titled Beware of the Wolves because it concentrates on WOLVES, anonymous. I hope you read your Bible with more diligence and due concentration.
Delete