Replacement Theology, John Piper, and Israel

Replacement Theology, John Piper, and Israel

An Examination of “Israel, Palestine, and the Middle East” by John Piper
In 2004, Dr. John Piper preached a sermon at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis, MN, entitled “Israel, Palestine, and the Middle East”. This message unfairly argued that the Jewish people and nation of Israel do not have a right to the land of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. This sermon, now in print form, has been a standard apologetic for Replacement Theology advocates for the past ten years.

It has made its way onto the internet and has been used by many anti-Semitic and anti-Israel websites to argue that the Jewish people do not have a biblical right to the land of Israel. The purpose of this article is to rebut some of the viewpoints of Piper’s article.

The Background of John Piper

John Piper was born in 1946 in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He has received degrees from Wheaton College (1964-1968) in philosophy and literature and a bachelor of divinity at Fuller Seminary (1970). He studied at the University of Munich (1971-1974) and received a doctorate degree in New Testament Studies. He was the pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church for 33 years, retiring in 2013 to pursue writing and a speaking ministry. He is the author of many books and a popular speaker.

Although a Baptist (only in ecclesiology), he is a strong Calvinist and a Reformed theologian. He holds to a continuation view, in which the spiritual sign-gifts, visions, and prophecy are all to be sought and practiced today. He holds to “double predestination”, the view that God elects some to salvation and others He elects to damnation (reprobation). He holds a post-millennial view of prophecy. Concerning Israel, he holds to a supersessionist view (replacement theology view), teaching that the church replaces Israel and that national/ethnic Israel will not inherit the land promises of the Old Testament.

Israel: The Land and the People

What does the Bible say about Israel? It clearly teaches that God chose Israel from all the peoples of the world to be His own possession. We read, “The Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for His treasured possession, out of all the people who are on the face of the earth” (Deut. 7:6). Concerning the land of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, in a portion of which the nation of Israel resides today, we read, “On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abraham, saying, ‘To your offspring I give this land, from the river of Egypt to the great Euphrates…’ ”(Gen. 15:18).

Then in Genesis 17:7-8, we read, “I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your offspring after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your offspring after you. I will give to you and to your offspring after you the land of your sojourning, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession, and I will be their God.”

These passages establish a number of very important truths. First of all, the national and ethnic Jewish people are God’s own possession. He loves Israel, He will protect them, and sovereignly, He has given to them certain promises. Secondly, these promises are “everlasting” promises to Abraham and his offspring. “Everlasting” means forever. Without question, God is faithful and will keep His promises. Concerning these truths, John Piper writes:

“This of course, creates a huge cleavage between the Islamic view of God’s covenant and the Jewish and Christian view of this covenant. But we believe that this is God’s Word, confirmed by the Lord Jesus, and so we say, the land is destined to be Israel’s land.”

It would seem that Piper stands firmly with Israel, but very quickly he backs away from the view he just supported, saying, “but it’s not that simple. This is not an issue that can be dealt with in sound bites.”

Who Owns the Land of Israel?

The question many ask is, “Who owns the land of Israel?” Israel or the Palestinian people? The correct answer to this question is neither. God owns the land and Israel has been given this land in a tenant relationship. We read many times in Scripture that the land is God’s land.  Just a few references should suffice: Joel 3:2, Jer. 2:7. We read in Leviticus 25:23, “…The land shall not be sold forever, for the land is My land.”

God has given the land to Abraham and his descendants, and He has never rescinded that offer. However, there were conditions and stipulations which Israel was to obey to dwell in the land. At times, Israel did not obey these conditions, and God providentially used Assyria, Babylon, and later Rome to remove her from the land. Nevertheless, the land promises were never revoked, altered, or given to another nation.

John Piper teaches that Israel is still a disobedient nation and, therefore, has no right to the land they now occupy. He believes Israel has illegally taken the land through middle eastern wars and have no biblical right to the land. He writes:

“Throughout the history of Israel, covenant breaking and disobedience and idolatry disqualified Israel from the present divine right to the land…The promises made to Abraham, including the promise of land, will be inherited as an everlasting gift only by true, spiritual Israel, not disobedient, unbelieving Israel.”

Let us examine this claim by John Piper against the nation of Israel. Has disobedience disqualified Israel from God’s land promises? Yes, it is true that on three occasions Israel fell into disobedience and idolatry and was removed from the land. But Israel was also brought back into the land. Israel returned to the land under Zerubbabel (538 BC), Ezra(439 BC), and Nehemiah(445 BC).

The question we would like to examine is: Why did God bring them back? Was the whole nation faithful and believing when they were brought back? Was half of the nation faithful and believing? The answer is, of course, NO. They were in captivity and only a small remnant (minority) was faithful. Very few truly trusted and believed in God.

Under Zerubbabel 49,690 Jews returned; under Ezra even a smaller amount, 1,750 Jews; under Nehemiah no number is mentioned in Scripture. Only a very small number of Jews turned back to God, yet God, being faithful to His promise, providentially brought them back into the land. Though few believed, the fact is, Israel did believe! When He brought them back, this land was fully and completely their land.

In the early days of Nehemiah’s return to the land, Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem began to mock Nehemiah when they heard that the Jews were rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem. Nehemiah charged them, “The God of heaven will give us success. We his servants will start rebuilding, but as for you, you have no share in Jerusalem or any claim or historic right to it” (Neh. 2:20 NIV). The land was Israel’s land due to the faithfulness of God.

The Nation of Israel Today- Disobedient or Believing?

Is John Piper’s rejection of Israel based on his own standard of obedience for Israel or the biblical standard? Consider the giving of the land to Israel under Joshua after forty years of wandering in the wilderness. Was the whole nation obedient? Hardly. Not even the twelve spies who went in to scope out the land were faithful. Notwithstanding, God gave Joshua the land of Canaan as Israel’s inheritance. God has His own standard of faithfulness. We should be very careful about imposing our standard of obedience, our opinions of what God should and should not do, and our judgments concerning when disobedience breaks His covenant.

We raise the question: Is Israel faithful and believing today? Let us compare her to the days of Joshua, Zerubbabel, Ezra, and Nehemiah. According to sources, there are 125-150 Messianic congregations in Israel today. Granted, not all believers in Messianic congregations are Jewish; however, it is estimated that there are 10,000-12,000 Messianic Jews in Israel today. Matthew Wagner, writing in the Jerusalem Post, states that there are 12,000 Messianic Jews living in Israel and 250,000 living in the United States.[2]

More conservative estimates put the number of Jewish believers at 100,000-125,000 world-wide. The organization “Jews for Jesus” estimates that 8,000 Jews come to Christ world-wide every year.[3] Admittedly, it is a difficult task to measure the number of Jewish believers in a city, country, and the world. Yet, it is widely conceded that in the last fifty years more Jews have come to Christ than at any other time in human history.

If this is true, comparing the modern-day faith of Jewish people with the faith of Jews during the days of Joshua, Zerubbabel, Ezra, and Nehemiah, the Jews today are far more faithful and believing. Undoubtedly, God is working in Israel today. God has brought back His people to the land of Israel as a foretaste of even greater promises. On May 14, 1948, Israel was declared a nation. No Muslim nation acknowledges the statehood of Israel.

We admit Jewish evangelism is very difficult, and the percentage of Jewish believers world-wide is very small. Yet, compared to past generations, Jewish people are placing faith in the Messiah at an unprecedented rate. We would humbly reply to John Piper that God has not cast off His people (Rom. 11:1); on the contrary, His plan for the Jewish people will finally and completely come to pass. We reject categorically the idea that the church has replaced Israel.

The Kindness of Israel in the Midst of Hostility

John Piper suggests that the nation of Israel is unmerciful and cruel to the Palestinian people. He calls on the leaders of Israel to submit to international pressure to be a kinder and gentler nation. He writes:

“Therefore, the secular state of Israel today may not claim a present divine right to the Land, but they and we should seek a peaceful settlement not based on present divine rights, but on international principles of justice, mercy, and practical feasibility.”

Israel has made land concession after land concession. It has conceded to international pressure and has given land for peace. Israel has given back the West Bank in 1967, the Sinai Peninsula in 1979 (Egypt), the Golan Heights in 1981 (internationally controlled), and the Gaza Strip in 1994, and yet there is no peace. In 2014, the terrorist organization Hamas blanketed Israel with 7,800 rockets. What did Israel do? She defended herself. But she did more. Israel showed mercy and kindness to her attackers.

Well over a million tons of humanitarian aid and supplies entered into Gaza from Israel in 2014, equal to nearly a ton of aid for every man, woman, and child in Gaza. The Hadassah Medical Organization in Jerusalem donates $3 million in aid each year to treat Palestinians in Israel. According to the UN report of May 2010, 120 megawatts (over 70%) of Gaza’s electricity come from the Israeli grid. A new CAT-scan machine was recently shipped to Gaza. In the midst of the Hamas-Israeli war, on August 3, 2014, 185 trucks carrying 3,270 tons of goods and supplies entered Gaza via Kerem Shalom Crossing. Among the trucks that entered were: 100 trucks carrying 2,129 tons of food. 4 trucks carrying 13 tons of medicine and medical supplies. 67 trucks carrying 627 tons of humanitarian supplies. [4]

Conclusion

We suggest that the reasoning of John Piper in his paper “Israel, Palestine, and the Middle East” is biased, unbiblical, and ill-reasoned. It may be that he is blinded by his post-millennial and reformed views, which harbor an anti-Israel attitude. It may be simply a misplaced sympathy for the Muslim people. Whatever the case, we stand with Israel, with the unfailing promises of God, and in His love for His chosen people.

Endnotes

1. John Piper, desiringgod.org/sermons/israel-palestine-and-the-middle-east, March 7, 2004. All quotes in this article are taken from this internet article.
2. Wagner, Matthew (June 26, 2006). “Messianic Jews to protest ‘discrimination'”. Jerusalem Post.
3. Tovia Singer, outreachjudaism.org/evangelizing-the-jews/
4. www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/ForeignPolicy/Peace/Humanitarian/Pages/Israeli-humanitarian-aid-continues-10-Jul-2014.aspx

abominations in the temple: the new apostolic reformation, bill johnson and jesus culture!

I am writing this post as a follow up to my two recent posts about Trinity Life Church in Leicester (Assemblies of God) whose pastor recommends Jesus Culture; and Elim who are hosting Bill Johnson "Senior Pastor" of Bethel Church Redding CA at their Leadership Conference in May.
http://bewareofthewolves.blogspot.co.uk/2015/03/david-hind-trinity-life-church.html
http://bewareofthewolves.blogspot.co.uk/2015/04/grave-sucker-bill-johnson-to-join.html

As I was writing these posts, I was reminded of a very powerful teaching I heard last year: Jacob Prasch - Ezekiel - Greater Abominations, which I think is very important for our understanding about what is happening in today's church.



Ezekiel is a major source for the book of Revelation where the judgements of God are replayed eschatalogically (as also are the judgements in the book of Exodus). Ezekiel depicts the destruction of Jerusalem as a judgement and a purificatory sacrifice upon the altar, made necessary by the various progressive "abominations" within the city and the temple, beginning with the image of jealousy i.e. the image which provokes the jealousy of the Lord (Ezekiel 8:3,5), through to the vile abominations engraved on the walls - creeping things and loathsome beasts, and all the idols of the house of Israel (Ezekiel 8:10), through to the women weeping for Tammuz (Ezekiel 8:14), and finally, the priests in the inner temple practicing sun worship (Ezekiel 8:16). Jacob Prasch identifies several comparative "abominations" with Ezekiel which are progressively defiling the church in our time and which will culminate in the judgement of God. 

And the LORD said to him, “Pass through the city, through Jerusalem, and put a mark on the foreheads of the men who sigh and groan over all the abominations that are committed in it.”
(Ezekiel 9:4)

The "mark" (the seal of God) on the foreheads of those who are faithful to God is found in Exodus 13:9; Ezekiel 9:4-6 and Revelation 7:2-3. Jacob explains that the word rendered "mark" remarkably is the name of the Hebrew letter tau, which in its ancient form was a cross. In the Book of Revelation, the seal of the Lord and the mark of the beast are irreconcileable. 

EZEKIEL CHAPTER 8 

In the sixth year, in the sixth month, on the fifth day of the month, as I sat in my house, with the elders of Judah sitting before me, the hand of the Lord God fell upon me there. Then I looked, and behold, a form that had the appearance of a man. Below what appeared to be his waist was fire, and above his waist was something like the appearance of brightness, like gleaming metal. He put out the form of a hand and took me by a lock of my head, and the Spirit lifted me up between earth and heaven and brought me in visions of God to Jerusalem, to the entrance of the gateway of the inner court that faces north, where was the seat of the image of jealousy, which provokes to jealousy. And behold, the glory of the God of Israel was there, like the vision that I saw in the valley.
 

Then he said to me, “Son of man, lift up your eyes now toward the north.” So I lifted up my eyes toward the north, and behold, north of the altar gate, in the entrance, was this image of jealousy. And he said to me, “Son of man, do you see what they are doing, the great abominations that the house of Israel are committing here, to drive me far from my sanctuary? But you will see still greater abominations.”

And he brought me to the entrance of the court, and when I looked, behold, there was a hole in the wall. Then he said to me, “Son of man, dig in the wall.” So I dug in the wall, and behold, there was an entrance. And he said to me, “Go in, and see the vile abominations that they are committing here.” So I went in and saw. And there, engraved on the wall all around, was every form of creeping things and loathsome beasts, and all the idols of the house of Israel. And before them stood seventy men of the elders of the house of Israel, with Jaazaniah the son of Shaphan standing among them. Each had his censer in his hand, and the smoke of the cloud of incense went up. Then he said to me, “Son of man, have you seen what the elders of the house of Israel are doing in the dark, each in his room of pictures? For they say, ‘The Lord does not see us, the Lord has forsaken the land.’” He said also to me, “You will see still greater abominations that they commit.”

Then he brought me to the entrance of the north gate of the house of the Lord, and behold, there sat women weeping for Tammuz. Then he said to me, “Have you seen this, O son of man? You will see still greater abominations than these.”

And he brought me into the inner court of the house of the Lord. And behold, at the entrance of the temple of the Lord, between the porch and the altar, were about twenty-five men, with their backs to the temple of the Lord, and their faces toward the east, worshiping the sun toward the east. Then he said to me, “Have you seen this, O son of man? Is it too light a thing for the house of Judah to commit the abominations that they commit here, that they should fill the land with violence and provoke me still further to anger? Behold, they put the branch to their nose. Therefore I will act in wrath. My eye will not spare, nor will I have pity. And though they cry in my ears with a loud voice, I will not hear them.” 

EZEKIEL CHAPTER 9

Then he cried in my ears with a loud voice, saying, “Bring near the executioners of the city, each with his destroying weapon in his hand.” And behold, six men came from the direction of the upper gate, which faces north, each with his weapon for slaughter in his hand, and with them was a man clothed in linen, with a writing case at his waist. And they went in and stood beside the bronze altar.
 

Now the glory of the God of Israel had gone up from the cherub on which it rested to the threshold of the house. And he called to the man clothed in linen, who had the writing case at his waist. And the Lord said to him, “Pass through the city, through Jerusalem, and put a mark on the foreheads of the men who sigh and groan over all the abominations that are committed in it.” And to the others he said in my hearing, “Pass through the city after him, and strike. Your eye shall not spare, and you shall show no pity. Kill old men outright, young men and maidens, little children and women, but touch no one on whom is the mark. And begin at my sanctuary.” So they began with the elders who were before the house. Then he said to them, “Defile the house, and fill the courts with the slain. Go out.” So they went out and struck in the city. And while they were striking, and I was left alone, I fell upon my face, and cried, “Ah, Lord God! Will you destroy all the remnant of Israel in the outpouring of your wrath on Jerusalem?”

Then he said to me, “The guilt of the house of Israel and Judah is exceedingly great. The land is full of blood, and the city full of injustice. For they say, ‘The Lord has forsaken the land, and the Lord does not see.’ As for me, my eye will not spare, nor will I have pity; I will bring their deeds upon their heads.”

And behold, the man clothed in linen, with the writing case at his waist, brought back word, saying, “I have done as you commanded me.”

grave sucker bill johnson bethel church redding to join rivercamp leadership conference - shame on elim!!!

RiverCamp and Elim Metropolitan Region are hosting their very first Leadership Conference at Ealing Christian Centre in London on Monday 18th – Tuesday 19th May. They are "excited"; I am horrified! RiverCamp will play host to some of the most dangerous heretics on the planet today including grave sucker Bill Johnson, John Arnott and Heidi Baker!

Johnson and his occult cronies are part of the hypercharismatic New Apostolic Reformation (NAR), also known as Word of Faith, Dominionism, Third Wave, Joel’s Army, Latter Rain, Modern day Prophets and Apostles and Manifest Sons of God. Their distinctive teaching is that the end-times church must be led by an elitist group of apostles and prophets in order to achieve dominion on the earth prior to Christ's return. In contradiction, Paul and other epistle writers give instructions about church government, referring to “overseers” and “deacons” not “apostles and prophets”. This demolishes the NAR claim that apostles and prophets must lead the end-times church. Furthermore, Revelation 19:11-21 makes it clear that JESUS CHRIST (NOT THE CHURCH) will achieve dominion on the earth (Revelation 22:19). The NAR promotes strategic-level spiritual warfare which contradicts Daniel 10 and Jude 9 which assigns spiritual warfare against territorial spirits to Michael and the angels not to human beings. The "apostolic unity" taught by the NAR is in fact personal submission to self-proclaimed apostles, it is not unity based on agreement on doctrine. 

Designated as an "Apostle" by false prophet C Peter Wagner, Bill Johnson is "Senior Pastor" of Bethel Church, Redding, California, which is famous for dubious "manifestations" of gold flakes, glory clouds, angel feathers, angel orbs, grave sucking, open heaven experiences and much, much more. Johnson's wife Beni uses tuning forks as a prophetic act, and also believes she is called to the "prophetic act of waking up angels"!

Grave sucking is supposedly the act of "sucking" the anointing of dead believers from their graves. This is sorcery/necromancy (Deuteronomy 18: 10-11; Leviticus 20:27). The Bible tells us that the gifts are given as they are distributed by Holy Spirit as God wills (1 Corinthians 12:1-11; Hebrews 2:4). Christians have no need to travel around the world seeking the "anointing" of dead believers - this is to engage in witchcraft!

Beni Johnson, wife of Bill Johnson grave sucking at the grave of CS Lewis in Oxford.

Bill Johnson at the grave of false teacher Smith Wigglesworth in Bradford.

Here is Beni again hugging the grave of false teacher Charles Finney.

 

Jesus Culture (a ministry of Bethel Church)

Bill Johnson teaches many false things, but at the root of it is his rejection of the scriptures as the inerrant Word of God. He openly disdains the study of the scriptures as mere intellectualism:

Johnson: “Those who feel safe because of their intellectual grasp of Scriptures enjoy a false sense of security. None of us has a full grasp of Scripture, but we all have the Holy Spirit. He is our common denominator who will always lead us into truth. But to follow Him, we must be willing to follow off the map—to go beyond what we know”.

Biblically it is essential for leaders to rightly handle the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15); also believers are exhorted to test the spirits by the scriptures (1 John 4:1). In effect Johnson and his associate "super apostles" have no point of accountability or reference since they claim to have superceded the teachings of the original twelve apostles of Jesus Christ. This is nothing less than the spirit of antichrist who seeks to usurp the authority of the Word of God. Johnson is guilty of spiritual pride, the very thing he condemns in those who seek to understand the scriptures. Paul warned about the very first "super apostles" who sought to infiltrate the church in his absence (2 Corinthians 11:1-6). The definition of an "apostle of Christ" is one who was an "eyewitness" of Jesus Christ during his earthly ministry, and one who received direct teaching from Jesus personally. The apostles wrote the scriptures under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:21-22). The word of God is eternal, it can never be changed (Matthew 24:35; 2 Timothy 3:16; 1 Peter 1:25; Psalm 119:89).

Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. (2 John 1:9)

Johnson and his fellow apostates arrogantly claim equality and even superiority to the original apostles, but they prophesy the delusions of their own minds (Jeremiah 23:26).

And what I am doing I will continue to do, in order to undermine the claim of those who would like to claim that in their boasted mission they work on the same terms as we do. 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)

The leaders of the NAR boast an "Elijah anointing" which elevates them to a superior class of believer.

Johnson: "We will carry the Elijah anointing in preparing for the return of the Lord in the same way that John the Baptist carried the Elijah anointing and prepared the people for the coming of the Lord" (When Heaven Invades Earth p184).

"I live for the revival that is unfolding and believe it will surpass all previous moves combined, bringing more than one billion souls into the Kingdom" (p23).

The Bible does not speak of a great end time revival, but rather a false revival orchestrated by the Antichrist and the False Prophet (Revelation 6:2). The Antichrist will be the ultimate deceiver and the false Christ! (Revelation 13:1-18)

For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you beforehand. (Matthew 24:3-51)

John and Carol Arnott with Pope Francis last year.

The teachings of  "The New Order of the Latter Rain" were condemned by the Assemblies of God (AOG) at their General Council in 1949. As far as I am aware, the AOG still adhere to that position (at least officially). Unfortunately, due to the lack of spiritual discernment of individual pastors and the autonomous nature of their churches, the false teachings of the NAR are now creeping into the AOG by stealth.

Shame on you Elim for giving a platform to these dangerous heretics.







Further reading:
http://moriel.org/MorielArchive/index.php/discernment/church-issues/warning-bill-johnson-and-bethel-church
https://walthope.wordpress.com/2014/02/21/grave-sucking-bill-johnson/
http://www.cicministry.org/commentary/issue124.htm
http://ag.org/top/General_Superintendent/Ministers_Letter/2015_issue_01.pdf

david hind trinity life church leicester promotes jesus culture bethel church redding

David Hind @davidhindtlc  ·  Jan 26

"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!

 

No, this is not a shot from a bizarre horror movie; it is the sickening spectacle of Beni Johnson, wife of "pastor" Bill Johnson of Bethel Church Redding "gravesucking" at the grave of C S Lewis in Oxford!

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

revelation tv - howard conder twisted theology and more accusations!

Today Howard Conder continued his verbal abuse and condemnation of the viewers who reported the Revelation Foundation to the Charity Commission. On this occasion Conder together with Hugh Jackman twisted the scriptures out of all proportion in true apostate style:

Revelation TV (RTV) R-Mornings the 16th of March from about 11minutes in.
http://www.revelationtv.com/programmes/episode/r-mornings254213

After bemoaning the lack of funds for RTV's new studios in Spain, Conder made the wild accusation that the reason viewers complained to the Charity Commission was jealousy! He has not considered the possibility that many ex-viewers have genuine issues about the legitimacy of Revelation TV from a biblical perspective. More importantly, neither Conder or Jackman seem to have considered the possibility that their problems with The Charity Commission may be due directly to the hand of God because of the false teachers that RTV constantly airs. The level of willful self-delusion on the part of both men is truly astonishing. Jackman: "Revelation will come through this because this is the design of God...   and I believe the shackles will be set free.... the channel will not be shackled any more....." Hugh Jackman of course has also shipped out his "ministry" to Spain.

Hugh Jackman's problem is with "the people who stirred things up". His insistence that RTV is a work of God is perplexing to put it mildly. Jackman:  "If something is not of God, then why not leave it to God - why attack your brothers in Christ ........ don't you think that God has the power to deal with people who are off target?... It is the world that judges the church..... it is not supposed to the the church."  !!!!!!!  Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? God judges those outside. “Purge the evil person from among you.” (1 Corinthians 5/13) Jackman's scriptural ignorance (or perhaps it is desperation) is a disgrace. Should we believe Hugh Jackman over the apostle Paul? Perhaps we should write off Paul's letters to the Corinthians, Galatians etc. which were highly offensive to the flesh. Of course Paul should have just left their errors to God to deal with and kept quiet (NOT). No doubt Jackman thinks that the Old Testament prophets should have kept quiet as well and not warned the people! The Bible tells us that not many should be teachers (James 3/1) and that anyone in authority should rightly handle the word of truth (2 Timothy 2/15). How shameful it is when the word of God is mishandled and manipulated!

According to Jackman, critics of RTV are condemning a work of God! "They have taken the position of a judge. They are God and they are judging. Woe betide the man who takes the position as a judge against something that God has ordained." In other words "judge not". This kind of manipulative language is a common tactic used by cult leaders and their supporters. Conder and his associates clearly regard themselves as having a unique gift and calling that entitles them to unconditional authority. To dispute any of their words or deeds is not distinguished from questioning God Himself. We should never judge the eternal destiny of another person or judge hypocritically. However the Bible clearly tells us to evaluate (Greek krínō = judge) the teaching and lifestyle of other believers. It is particularly needful these days to "test" self-appointed people who set themselves up as leaders of the church (1 John 4/1).

I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people— not at all meaning the sexually immoral of this world, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world. But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one. For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? God judges those outside. “Purge the evil person from among you.” (1 Corinthians 5/9-13)    

Do not judge according to appearance, but judge righteous judgement. (John 7/24)

Test all things; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil. (1Thessalonians 5/21-22)

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world. (I John 4/1-3)

There are many other scriptures exhorting believers to judge.

Jackman accuses Christians who speak publicly against RTV of "damaging the gospel". "Somebody who is just offended in his/her own life, somebody who has got unforgiveness and bitterness in their own heart..... it ends up being a problem that affects the nation. This is serious stuff. Each and every Christian needs to take responsibility for how he or she behaves before God." This is called blame shifting! The way these people operate is that they want to shut up anyone that speaks the truth and exposes them. Make it personal and put the problem onto the person voicing the concerns, try to discredit them, try to make them doubt their own reasoning and calling, put them on a guilt trip - this is classic cultish behaviour. The problem, as I keep repeating, is the airing of false teachers such as Jesse Duplantis who teach doctrines of demons. These false doctrines are evil and will help no one! Howard Conder and his associates will have to answer to God themselves for giving a platform to false teachers.

Bring on The Gamaliel Principle! "You are opposing a work of God."

Gamaliel: "So in the present case I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail;but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them." (Acts 5/34-38).

Gamaliel was a Pharisee, a member of the Sanhedrin and a non believer. Is Gamaliel's advice to be put above the counsel of Jesus Christ and the apostle Paul? "The potential for spiritual manipulation by appealing to the Gamaliel principle is strong. To use the ultimate trump card of 'fighting against God' to anyone who asks legitimate questions of any movement, could well have echoes of Jim Jones in the treatment of his cult-followers!" 
http://biblicalmissiology.org/2014/02/17/you-might-be-opposing-god-bring-on-the-gamaliel-principle/

Conder and Jackman have made the assumption that it was Christian believers who reported the Revelation Foundation to the Charity Commission. Conder keeps spewing the most vile threats and verbal abuse upon those he imagines reported them; he has particularly targeted the author of Ecalpemos, Gordon Hudson. Actually Gordon Hudson has made a statement on his blog that he did not report them! Just for the record, I did not report the Revelation Foundation to the Charity Commission either. Actually I stopped watching RTV some years ago due to my disgust at the false teachers they broadcast. If The Revelation Foundation's complainants are "anonymous" as Conder keeps repeating, then how does he know who reported them and whether they were Christians or not? RTV is viewed by the general public and is therefore open to criticism from any sector of society - literally anyone could have reported them!

The  accusation that viewers did not follow the "biblical direction" for dealing with issues within the church is completely dishonest. I have addressed this issue in a previous post, but I will reiterate the blocking tactics employed by RTV against people who ask them uncomfortable questions:

If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. (Matthew 18/15-17)

Revelation TV or Church Without Walls as they like to call themselves, totally ignore direct communications from viewers who voice concerns about RTV's ungodly agenda. I emailed RTV several times with my concerns after the upset over Jacob Prasch’s decision not to continue with them - I was completely ignored along with many other viewers! How is the "biblical direction" in Matthew 18 possible when concerned viewers are completely stonewalled? RTV have refused to listen (Matthew 18/17) By their own actions in refusing to be accountable to the Body of Christ, RTV have ostracised themselves and are now in a place where they should be treated as Gentiles or tax collectors. If you do not operate like a church, then you are not a church - you are a cult, and cults are to be avoided. Tax collectors were considered pariahs by the Jews, their company was shunned.

Does Conder follow "biblical direction" when he threatens "payback day" and revenge upon his perceived enemies and calls them "creeps, bullies and demons"? As I have previously pointed out, the proper scriptural procedure is to leave revenge to the Lord (Romans 12/19).

If the Revelation Foundation have broken the law, it is quite in order for anyone to report them to the correct authorities. I believe in normal circumstances within a bona fide church that it would be right for a believer to communicate their concerns to the elders directly before taking any further action. However, these are not normal circumstances and RTV is not a bona fide church. RTV ignore the concerns of their viewers and have made themselves unavailable, thereby making compliance of the scriptural procedure laid out in Matthew 18/15-17 impossible. I should also point out that this is much more than a private dispute between "brothers"; the integrity of the trustees of the Revelation Foundation themselves is in question which makes referral to "elders" impracticable. The trustess of The Revelation Foundation have made themselves accountable to the Charity Commission (a secular regulator) with all the regulations and benefits that involves. The Charity Commission's inquiry has identified regulatory concerns about trustee benefits, conflicts of interest and a "potential significant loss of charitable funds". The Revelation Foundation is not above the law, it is subject to the law of the land just the same as any other organisation or individual.

Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God..... (Romans 13/1-7)

Conder and Jackman say that it is wrong to publicly name the names of deceivers - wrong again! They are trying to put the same constraints upon their viewers as if they were a local a congregation of believers. Since  RTV is proveably not run on church principles as demonstrated by their lack of accountability to the Body of Christ, it cannot be called a "church" in any scriptural sense. The definition of "church" (ekklēsía) is an assembly of believers. RTV is not an assembly of believers, it is a TV station claiming to be "Christian" which can be viewed by any person Christian or otherwise. It is correct to warn publicly about those who defame the name of the Lord by airing false teachers and doctrines of demons. Paul publicly rebuked Hymenaeus and Philetus whose teachings “spread like gangrene” (2 Timothy 2/17–18; cf. Galatians 2/11–14). 
Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. (Ephesians 5/11)

Howard Conder and his associates do not seem to have grasped the seriousness of their situation before the Lord. Those who teach falsehood are described as ravenous wolves, evil men and seducers who speak perverse things; their fate is the lake of fire (Matthew 7/23, 25/41).

"Yet even now,” declares the Lord,
“return to me with all your heart,
with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning;
and rend your hearts and not your garments.”
Return to the Lord your God,
for he is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love;
and he relents over disaster.
Who knows whether he will not turn and relent,
and leave a blessing behind him,
a grain offering and a drink offeringfor the Lord your God?  (Joel 2/12-14)

http://www.ecalpemos.org/2014/11/revelation-tv-charities-commission.html
http://www.deceptioninthechurch.com/3johnstudy.html 
http://www.deceptioninthechurch.com/namingnames.html 

Leicester@theCross 2015: The Dangers of the Ecumenical Movement

For the second year, John McGinley, Vicar of Holy Trinity Church in Leicester is one of the organisers of the annual Good Friday event, Leicester@theCross. He describes the event in strong ecumenical terms: 

“Without doubt the event this year will be the most ecumenical event in the city representing churches from many communities.”

Ecumenical is from Late Latin oecūmenicus, from Greek oikoumenikos, from (hē)oikoumenē (gē), (the) inhabited (world).

The two major players in the Ecumenical Movement are The World Council of Churches and The Roman Catholic Church. Their stated aim is to bring about visible worldwide Christian unity in answer to Jesus Christ's prayer in John 17:22: ".....that they may be one even as we are one." Jesus' prayer for the unity of all believers was specific in that he prayed for spiritual unity (John 17:5; 10:30), unity in Truth (John 17:17), and unity in agape Love (John 17:23,26). The difficulty is that in order to "be one" in ecumenical terms, believers must accept "unity" at the cost of truth. In stark contrast the Bible demands spiritual unity in the context of maintaining the purity of the Gospel (Galatians 1:6-9; 2 Peter 2:1; Jude 1:3-4). In other words, subjective faith (one’s personal faith) cannot be divorced from objective truth (the body of revealed doctrine).

In recent years we have seen a massive deterioration in doctrine, not only amongst the mainstream Christian denominations, but amongst so called "evangelicals". Since the publication of Evangelicals and Catholics Together in 1994, there has been an unprecedented push for Evangelicals to accept the satanic ecumenical agenda. The meetings last year between the Pope and a number of false teachers (including Kenneth Copeland, James Robison, Joel Osteen, John and Carol Arnott of Catch the Fire Toronto, Geoff Tunnicliffe, head of the Worldwide Evangelical Alliance etc.) are deeply troubling. We heard the deliberate falsehood: "Luther's protest is over" and "division is diabolical" from the Pope's friend Tony Palmer (now deceased) who was a bishop and international ecumenical officer with the independent Communion of Evangelical Episcopal Churches. Tony Palmer's claim that the Roman Catholic church believes in salvation by faith alone just about sums up the disinformation being promulgated by these deceivers (see Catholic Catechism Ref. Nos. 1265-1271, 1987-1995). The reasons for the Protestant Reformation remain, absolutely nothing has changed, apart from the compromise and collaboration of the Church of England and her harlot sisters in the World Council of Churches. Luther's protest can never be over for true Bible believing Christians unless the Roman Catholic Church repents, and I do not have any hope of that happening. 

CHURCHES TOGETHER

Churches Together in Britain and Ireland: "The Church: Towards a Common Vision (sometimes abbreviated to TCTCV) is a document from the Faith and Order Commission of the World Council of Churches (Faith and Order Paper No.214). Published in 2013, it was the result of many years work by representative theologians from Orthodox, Anglican, Protestant, Evangelical, Pentecostal and Roman Catholic Churches asking what can be said together about the Church and how closer mutual understanding might contribute to overcoming the obstacles standing in the way of unity between the divided Christian communities." http://www.ctbi.org.uk/705

Promoters of Leicester@theCross, Churches Together, are ecumenical, interfaith amd interreligious. They actively participate in religious pluralism through "interreligious dialogue and collaboration" - this involves validating different religions and praying with believers of other faiths. The validation of other religions/faiths is a clear departure from the apostolic teaching and is nothing short of open rebellion against God:

The "gods" of other religions are defined as demons in the Bible.

No, I imply that what pagans sacrifice they offer to demons and not to God. I do not want you to be participants with demons. (1 Corinthians 10:20)

For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols, but the LORD made the heavens.
 (Psalm 96:5)
   
Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting, for whoever greets him takes part in his wicked works. (2 John 1:9-11) 

YOU SHALL WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD AND SERVE HIM ONLY. (Matthew 4:10; Luke 4:8) 

THE FALSE TEACHINGS OF THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH

The Catholic Church is the one true church (CCC 2105), Infallibility of the Catholic Church, (CCC 2035), Only the Roman Catholic Church has authority to interpret Scripture (CCC 100), The Pope is the head of the church and has the authority of Christ (CCC 2034), The Roman Catholic Church is necessary for salvation (CCC 846), Sacred Tradition is equal to scripture (CCC 82), Forgiveness of sins, salvation, is by faith and works (CCC 2036 CCC 2080 2068), Full benefit of Salvation is only through the Roman Catholic Church (Vatican 2, Decree on Ecumenism, 3), Grace can be merited (CCC 2010 CCC 2027), The merit of Mary and the Saints can be applied to Catholics and others (1477), Penance is necessary for salvation (CCC 980), Purgatory (CCC 1031 CCC 1475), Indulgences (CCC 1471 CCC 1478 CCC 1498 CCC 1472), Mary is Mediatrix (CCC 969), Mary brings us the gifts of eternal salvation (CCC 969), Mary delivers souls from death (CCC 966), Prayer to the saints (CCC 2677), The Communion elements become the actual body and blood of Christ (CCC 1374 CCC 1376).
http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc.htm

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness..... (2 Timothy 3:16) 

If anyone comes with another doctrine, do not receive him....for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds (2 John 10,11).

The apostle Paul warned of such a time as this when sound doctrine is downplayed and even vilified:

For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions..... (2 Timothy 4:3) 

Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. (Ephesians 5:11)

Pope Francis to atheists: "You don't have to believe in God to go to heaven."

Pope Francis offers reduced time in purgatory for Catholics that follow him on Twitter.
The Vatican has repeatedly called for a one world religion = New World Order
Pope Francis calls Jews, Muslims and Christians "brothers".

Pope Francis: “Jesus Christ, Mohammed, Jehovah, Allah. These are all names employed to describe an entity that is distinctly the same across the world. For centuries, blood has been needlessly shed because of the desire to segregate our faiths. This, however, should be the very concept which unites us as people, as nations, and as a world bound by faith. Together, we can bring about an unprecedented age of peace, all we need to achieve such a state is respect each others beliefs, for we are all children of God regardless of the name we choose to address him by. We can accomplish miraculous things in the world by merging our faiths, and the time for such a movement is now. No longer shall we slaughter our neighbors over differences in reference to their God.” - See more at: http://nationalreport.net/pope-francis-followers-koran-holy-bible/#sthash.LCNiPqbX.dpuf

DO THE ABRAHAMIC FAITHS WORSHIP THE SAME GOD AS THE POPE IMPLIES?

The Abrahamic faiths may have some things in common, but they differ in one critical aspect, THE IDENTIFICATION OF JESUS CHRIST AS THE SON OF GOD - THE MESSIAH. It was Peter who confessed Jesus as the Christ, that is the promised Messiah (Matthew 16:16; Luke 9:20), the Son of the living God (Matthew 16:16). The Koran teaches that Jesus Christ was a prophet and that God has no son. Similarly Judaism rejects Jesus Christ as their Messiah. The sad truth is that Judaism, Islam and Christianity are irreconcileable no matter how many nice interfaith meetings they have.

And Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi. And on the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” And they told him, “John the Baptist; and others say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.” And he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Christ.” And he strictly charged them to tell no one about him.  (Mark 8:27-30)  

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 1:4)

THE ANGLICANS

Justin Welby's position on many doctrinal issues is nothing short of scandalous:

• The Church of England has embraced paganism as a bone fide "religion" and is creating a Pagan church to recruit members: "Ministers are being trained to creat new forms of anglicanism suitable for people of alterntive beliefs."  http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/10133906/Church-of-England-creating-pagan-church-to-recruit-members.html
• Welby has affirmed Buddhism in his statement that Prince George is "perfectly entitled" to become a Buddhist later in life!
• Welby supports homosexuality!
• Welby has removed "sin" and "rejection of the devil" from baptism! (infant baptism is unbiblical anyway).
• Welby doubts even the existence of God!

Justin Welby: "Anglicans and Roman Catholics have, since 1966, been in serious and prayerful dialogue with each other, to seek the unity that Christ wills for his church in the world,"
http://www.christianpost.com/news/pope-francis-and-archbishop-justin-welby-sign-initiative-against-slavery-human-trafficking-116308/

Holy Trinity Leicester: "We describe ourselves as Anglican, charismatic and evangelical. We believe in strong biblical teaching....."  http://www.holytrinityleicester.org/newcomers.html

Where is the "strong biblical teaching" of John McGinley? He continues on his merry way without challenging any of the above errors. He deceives his members with various false teachings, including The Alpha Course, Contemplative Prayer and the ruinous teachings of Mike Breen. Mike Breen (The Order of Mission, 3DM and New Wine) has left an unprecedented trail of devastation in churches across America and is now in serious financial difficulty. I have been warning people about Mike Breen's wretched teaching for years. I suggest that readers prayerfully examine the links below. In particular I suggest that you read the stream of numerous comments on The Schooley Files (at the end of this article you can "load more" pages for further comments).

UPDATE: 3DM is now known as 5Q with Alan Hirsch, Cairn Network. Kairos network.

http://www.schooleyfiles.com/2013/11/mike-breen-and-building-discipling.html
http://bewareofthewolves.blogspot.co.uk/2014/07/a-warning-of-pitfalls-of-3dm-and-mike.html
http://bewareofthewolves.blogspot.co.uk/2014/07/3dm-how-to-reject-someone-and-tell-them.html
http://bewareofthewolves.blogspot.co.uk/2014/06/divisive-and-dangerous-mike-breens-3dm.html
http://bewareofthewolves.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/mike-breen-3dm-playing-havoc-with_1.html 
http://bewareofthewolves.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/mike-breen-3dm-lifeshapes-and.html
http://www.stthomaschurch.org.uk/news/79 

BABYLON THE GREAT, MOTHER OF PROSTITUTES AND OF EARTH'S ABOMINATIONS

In 1995 The General Council of the Assemblies of God RE-EMPHASIZED a bylaw of long standing in their biennial meeting in St. Louis. Article IX, Section 11, states: "The General Council of the Assemblies of God disapproves of ministers or churches participating in any of the modern ecumenical organizations on a local, national, or international level in such a manner as to promote the ecumenical movement because:

• We believe the basis of doctrinal fellowship of said movement to be so broad that it includes people who reject the inspiration of Scripture, the deity of Christ, the universality of sin, the substitutionary atonement, and other cardinal teachings that we understand to be essential to biblical Christianity.
• We believe the emphases of the ecumenical movement to be at variance with what we hold to be biblical priorities, frequently displacing the urgency of individual salvation with social concerns. 
• We believe that the combination of many religious organizations into a world superchurch will culminate in the religious Babylon of Revelation 17 and 18."

http://www.spiritwatch.org/fireecumen1.htm

Jesus Christ, Mohammed, Jehovah, Allah. These are all names employed to describe an entity that is distinctly the same across the world. For centuries, blood has been needlessly shed because of the desire to segregate our faiths. - See more at: http://nationalreport.net/pope-francis-followers-koran-holy-bible/#sthash.LCNiPqbX.dpuf

Jesus Christ, Mohammed, Jehovah, Allah. These are all names employed to describe an entity that is distinctly the same across the world. For centuries, blood has been needlessly shed because of the desire to segregate our faiths. - See more at: http://nationalreport.net/pope-francis-followers-koran-holy-bible/#sthash.LCNiPqbX.dpuf

Jesus Christ, Mohammed, Jehovah, Allah. These are all names employed to describe an entity that is distinctly the same across the world. For centuries, blood has been needlessly shed because of the desire to segregate our faiths. - See more at: http://nationalreport.net/pope-francis-followers-koran-holy-bible/#sthash.LCNiPqbX.dpuf

To attend Leicester@theCross is to put ones stamp approval on the ecumenical Antichrist activity within the apostate churches. There are fearful eternal consequences for those involved in the Ecumenical Movement: 

Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for /them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done. And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done. Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:11-15) 

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. On that day many will say to me, "Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?" And then will I declare to them, "I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness." (Matthew 7:21-23)

Why do you call me "Lord, Lord," and not do what I tell you? (Luke 6:46)

http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/Thousands-Christians-expected-gather-Humberstone/story-26089367-detail/story.html
http://www.churchestogetherinleicestershire.org/index.php?module=pagesmith&uop=view_page&id=134

GOD'S PLAN OF SALVATION THROUGH JESUS CHRIST
http://bewareofthewolves.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/gods-plan-of-salvation-through-jesus.html

“Jesus Christ, Mohammed, Jehovah, Allah. These are all names employed to describe an entity that is distinctly the same across the world. For centuries, blood has been needlessly shed because of the desire to segregate our faiths. This, however, should be the very concept which unites us as people, as nations, and as a world bound by faith. Together, we can bring about an unprecedented age of peace, all we need to achieve such a state is respect each others beliefs, for we are all children of God regardless of the name we choose to address him by. We can accomplish miraculous things in the world by merging our faiths, and the time for such a movement is now. No longer shall we slaughter our neighbors over differences in reference to their God.” - See more at: http://nationalreport.net/pope-francis-followers-koran-holy-bible/#sthash.LCNiPqbX.dpuf

revelation tv - howard conder's vile threats against critics!

Howard Conder, founder of Revelation TV continues to lash out against his critics. An investigation into the Revelation Foundation was launched last year by the Charity Commission after they received a number of complaints that the charity was being used for “private advantage”. In a statement, the regulator said it had scrutinised the Revelation Foundation’s accounts and had identified a number of concerns including “potential significant loss of charitable funds, trustee benefits, conflicts of interest and connected party transactions”. The Charity Commissions investigation into the Revelation Foundation is the most serious form of inquiry available to them. 

VILE THREATS AND TWISTED LOGIC!

In January Conder vilified critics of Revelation TV (RTV) on his Facebook page as "demons, bullies and creeps". He is now attempting to smear critics as anonymous "trolls" and "cyber bullies"!  I must point out however that there is nothing anonymous about those who have expressed their concerns about Revelation TV!!!

Howard Conder R Mornings 6th of March 2015:

 http://www.revelationtv.com/programmes/episode/r-mornings901087
(watch from about 39 minutes into the programme)

"I have got plenty of evidence of that (internet bullies), I have got a paper trail, I have got an email trail; I can point the finger to, and name the people that have said things about us..... It will come to nought...... because if God is behind Revelation TV, which I believe it is, otherwise we wouldn't be here and wouldn't have arrived at this stage....."  In other words, Conder justifies God's approval of RTV by the fact that it exists. This is an illogical argument. The Third Reich existed - were they approved by God?

"There is a day, there is payback day. When all this is over, we will be putting things back out there. We have got the proof, got the names, there are people that have been talking about us...... Gordon Hudson's blog..... by the way Gordon I have got your email, I can see exactly what you are up to and the things you have said about us are untrue and we will be dealing with you, trust me....... There are lots of people who have said they are not involved, you are all involved and I know who you are and this is the thing with trolls, they think they can hide behind and do this"  

Gordon Hudson makes no secret about his identity, either on his blog or on his twitter page!
http://www.ecalpemos.org/2006/10/why-i-decided-to-stop-supporting.html
http://www.ecalpemos.org/2009/04/genesis-tv-and-revelation-tv.html
https://twitter.com/gordonhudsonnu/status/536948685339238401

Howard Conder is misleading people when he claims that the viewers who brought their concerns about Revelation TV to the attention of the Charity Commission did so "anonymously". Those viewers may not be known to RTV, but they are certainly known to the Charity Commission! In fact it is the Charity Commission who keeps complainants identities confidential! The Declaration in Section 4 of the Charity Commissions procedure for Raising a Complaint requires: "your name, postal and email addresses and telephone number and connection (if any) to the charity. Please note that this will be kept confidential". http://www.charitycommissionni.org.uk/our-regulatory-work/concerns-about-charities/submit-a-concern-about-a-charity/

Who does Howard Conder think he is, and how exactly is he going to "deal" with his critics on "payback day"? His outburst sounds like the ravings of a psychotic - I really do wonder whether he is delusional! Even in the unlikely event that Howard Conder's critics are in error, THERE IS NO SCRIPTURAL MANDATE TO TAKE REVENGE:

Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honourable in the sight of all..... Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” (Romans 12:17, 19) 

Alexander the coppersmith did me great harm; the Lord will repay him according to his deeds. (2 Timothy 4:14) Notice that Paul named Alexander the coppersmith for the harm he had done, but he left "payback day" to the Lord.
 
See also Leviticus 19:18; Deuteronomy 32:35; Psalm 94:1; Proverbs 20:22, 24:29; Hebrews10:30).

To talk in this manner about "payback day", Conder shows at the very least that he has failed as a Christian:

When one of you has a grievance against another, does he dare go to law before the unrighteous instead of the saints?  .....brother goes to law against brother, and that before unbelievers? To have lawsuits at all with one another is already a defeat (failure) for you. Why not rather suffer wrong? (1 Corinthians 6:1-7) 

But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. (Matthew 15:18 see also Matthew 12:34; 15:11; Mark 7:20; James 3:6) 

It seems fashionable to call anyone a "troll" who cares about the truth and who dares to do something about it. Has Howard Conder heard of Freedom of Expression? Unless RTV's critics have broken the law by making threats or committing slander, they are quite entitled to an opinion! A classic hallmark of spiritual abuse is treating the person who dares to express their concerns as the problem!

Conder talks about "Damage being done, especially to young people." RTV themselves are causing untold spiritual damage, not only to young people but to all their viewers by hosting false teachers and promoting doctrines of demons which will send people to hell e.g. Seventh Day Adventists, Jesse Duplantis, Benny Hinn, Sid Roth, Joyce Meyer etc. etc.

Alan Tun calls people "detractors" who criticise "successful preachers" at about 46 minutes into this programme. Are Tun and Conder telling their viewers not to "test the spirits" as we are exhorted to do in the scriptures? If something is unbiblical, then it is our responsibility to speak out and challenge it. A little leaven leavens the whole lump. (Galatians 5:9) The gift of "distinguishing between spirits" is God given (1 Corinthians 12:10). "Successful ministry" is no guarantee of truth. If a minister really is teaching truth, then his teachings should be able to stand the scriptural test - his/her teachings should compliment, not contradict other scriptures! Conder says that if teachings are not of God they will come to nothing - that may be so eventually, but how much devastation do false teachers do to the body of Christ before this happens? 

Alan Tun: "He (Jesus Christ) did not set his disciples up to teach doctrine, he told them to be lights." I find this statement deeply troubling. 

To downplay biblical doctrine is to downplay the teaching of Jesus Christ - which is to actually downplay Jesus Christ Himself! Jesus prayed that the Father would sanctify believers in THE TRUTH - GOD'S WORD IS TRUTH (John 17:17). JESUS CHRIST HIMSELF ACTUALLY IS THE TRUTH (John 14:6).

Jesus Christ is both the Logos (Word) and the Light (John 1:9) - in other words, the teachings of Jesus Christ (doctrine) and the light are inseparable!     

The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple. (Psalm 119:130)

For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching a light, and the reproofs of discipline are the way of life, (Proverbs 6:23)    

Jesus Christ:  “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves." (Matthew 7:15) 

Whoever does not love me does not keep my words (teaching). And the word that you hear is not mine but the Father’s who sent me. (John 14:24) 

So Jesus said to them, “The light is among you for a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you. The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going." (John 12:35)   

.....in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. (2 Thessalonians 1:8) 

Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers. (1 Timothy 4:16) 

For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, (2 Timothy 4:3)  

Qualifications for elders written by Paul the Apostle (Titus 1:5-16):
.....give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it. (Titus 1:9)

But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine.....  ....in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned, (Titus 2:1, 7-8)   

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. (1 John 4:1) 

See also Matthew 24:11; 2 Timothy 1:13, 3:8; 2 Peter 2:1-22; Galatians 4:17; Acts 20:29.