"Brilliant new album by @bethelmusic 'We will not be shaken'. Deep, moving, passionate. Buy it, turn it up and worship #childofGod" https://twitter.com/davidhindtlc
This post will be very brief. To see David Hind promote such a dangerous band as Jesus Culture on his Twitter page was yet another one of those "shock horror" moments for me. I cannot believe that Hind is unaware of the occult practices of Bethel Church Redding and Jesus Culture! Has David Hind still not grasped how absolutely critical it is to stick to sound doctrine and biblical practice (Titus 1:9; 2:1)? If pastors do not protect the flock and go about promoting the wolves, then it is a shame and a disgrace. I dread to think how David Hind and his associates will answer to the Lord for all the terrible things they are doing at Trinity Life Church in Leicester (Matthew 7:21-23). Someone once described TLC to me as a ticking time bomb - I entirely agree with that description.
Jesus Culture was birthed out of the youth group at the heretical Bethel Church in Redding California. Bethel Church are associated with the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) which place an unbalanced and unbiblical emphasis on ecstatic worship and the supernatural. Other proven false prophets associated with the NAR are Lou Engle (The Call), Cindy Jacobs (Generals International), Rick Joyner (Morning Star Ministries), C Peter Wagner (Global Harvest Ministries), Mike Bickle (IHOP). The NAR are Dominionist or Kingdom Now, that is to say that they believe that Christians have to achieve dominion on the earth prior to the return of Jesus Christ. Kingdom Now theology is taught in the book When Heaven Invades Earth by Bill Johnson, the "pastor" of Bethel Church.
Christian Dominionism or Kingdom Now seeks to perfect this world by political clout - this is the polar opposite of Jesus Christ's teaching. The Dominionists claim that Jesus cannot return until all His enemies have been put under the feet of the church. One only has to read Revelation 19:11-21 to see that Jesus Christ comes with his armies to destroy his enemies (Revelation 22:19). JESUS CHRIST (NOT THE CHURCH) will bring His kingdom to earth, in justice and true righteousness; his appearing will signify the end of the Antichrist system. It is right to want to see justice done and biblical principles upheld (Psalm 33:5; Amos 5:15; Micah 6:8). However, Christians are in the world not of the world; they have no biblical mandate to exercise dominion over non-Christians or to compel them to adhere to biblical principles. Christians are called to remain faithful (Revelation 2:10-13;14:12); they should live their own lives along biblical principles, being salt and light (Matthew 5:13-16), doing everything as unto the Lord (1 Corinthians 10:31) as true witnesses of Jesus Christ. The world outside of authentic Christianity does not, cannot and will not uphold biblical principles, because the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God (2 Corinthians 4:4). It is not the commission of Christians to “bring the kingdom of heaven to earth". The commission given by Jesus Christ is: Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation (Mark 16:15); i.e. the wonderful news that, despite the sick, sinful condition of our souls, God has provided salvation by sacrificing His own Son on our behalf (Romans 5:6-8). By grace, through faith, we are saved (Ephesians 2:8-9). Our commission is to .....rescue those who are perishing; to hold back those stumbling towards slaughter (Proverbs 24:11).
Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.” (John 18:36)
Bill Johnson: "Christ is returning for a glorious overcoming bride - His Church." NO - actually Jesus Christ will return "for the sake of the elect" to put an end to the great tribulation, which, if it were allowed to continue, "no flesh would be saved" (Mark 13:20; Matthew 24:22).
And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will kill with the breath of his mouth and bring to nothing by the appearance of his coming. (2 Thessalonians 2:8)
The Dominionist position has erroneous eschatalogical (end time) implications, not only for the second coming of Christ, but also for the rapture of the church.
Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up (ἁρπαγησόμεθα) together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. (1 Thessalonians 4:17; see also 2 Corinthians 12:2-4; Revelation 12:5).
The actual meaning of ἁρπάζω (harpázō) is to seize or snatch away i.e. harpázō describes the snatching away of Christians bodily into heaven. The word harpázō is also used in Acts 8:39), where Phillip is bodily "snatched away" by the Spirit to another location. It is essential to look at the Greek meaning rather than put our own idiomatic interpretation on the text as the Dominionists do when they misinterpret "caught up" to mean for instance: someone being "caught up" in the excitement of an event - this denies the rapture and reduces it to an unholy ecstatic experience.
THE FRUIT OF BETHEL CHURCH AND JESUS CULTURE
What do Bill Johnson and Jesus Culture promote?
GRAVE SUCKING! I wish I were joking! "Grave sucking" is the sin of sorcery/necromancy when people who call themselves "Christians" claim to soak up the "anointing" of dead believers. Bill Johnson reportedly led a group to the grave of false teacher John Graham Lake (1870-1935) for this very purpose. This is similar to Benny Hinn's practice of visiting the graves of Kathryn Kuhlman and Aimee Semple McPherson for their "anointing". To his utter disgrace, David Hind supported the visit of Benny Hinn to Leicester last year!
Bill Johnson: "There are anointings, mantles, revelations and mysteries that have lain unclaimed, literally where they were left because the generation that walked in them never passed them on. I believe it’s possible for us to recover realms of anointing, realms of insight, realms of God that have been untended for decades simply by choosing to reclaim them and perpetuate them for future generations."
Bill Johnson at the grave of fellow deceiver Smith Wigglesworth in Bradford |
Biblically it is the Holy Spirit who distributes the gifts to the church: All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills. (1 Corinthians 12:1-11 see also Hebrews 2:4)
Additionally at Bethel Church there are supposed "manifestations" of gold flakes, wind gusts, fire tunnels, glory clouds, healing angels, angel feathers, the manifest presence, open heaven etc.
Since Jesus Culture seek the so called "anointing" of dead believers and other occult phenomena, true Christians should be appalled and completely avoid them. Their "anointing" is false, it is not from the Holy spirit; their songs are occult mantras and their doctrines are demonic. Jesus Culture are spiritually defiled.
For if someone comes and proclaims another Jesus than the one we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or if you accept a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it readily enough. (2 Corinthians 11:4)
Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. (Ephesians 5:11)
Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; (1 Timothy 4:7)
For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds. (2 Corinthians 11:12-15)
David Hind has been very quiet on the ecumenical front since his meeting with Churches Together last year. Due to his lack of openness, it is difficult to know whether he has repented of associating with those who endorse doctrines of demons, or whether he is waiting for a further opportunity to promote ecumenical relations in Leicester. I think that clarification is needed. Many are interested to know what TLC's position is on this issue, and rightly so. Accountability is an essential criteria for the elders of a church! It is to their shame that the leadership of TLC are so secretive and closed. Of course Trustee and Director of TLC, Adam Simmonds PCC of Northamptonshire has set his course; he makes no secret of his ecumenical agenda for Northamptonshire! Simmonds autocratic political style fits in perfectly with the philosophy of Christian Dominionism which the Guardian describes as "an ominous religious menace - a Christian Jihad"!
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2007/jul/14/achristianjihad
My advice to David Hind:
Get wisdom; get insight; do not forget, and do not turn away from the words of my mouth. (Proverbs 4:5)
Further Links:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/No-more-Simmonds/397104093748026?fref=ts
http://www.cicministry.org/commentary/issue124.htm
http://www.donotbesurprised.com/2013/01/jesus-culture-and-judah-smith-to-join.html
http://standupforthetruth.com/2014/10/bethel-churchs-apostle-bill-johnson-comedy-errors-part-1/
http://www.spiritwatch.org/fireimpart.htm