Uncertain Hope (Mark #3)

The soul that is in distress is also in bondage!

If a person's distress can be perpetuated by a religious promoter, that promoter can be reasonably sure of keeping a distressed soul in continued and ever increasing bondage. The religious charlatan, therefore, must be very careful never to produce a final cure. Rather he must push certainty up into an unrealizable future in order to keep needy souls continually striving today.

We ought not to be surprised, therefore, that a nearly universal characteristic of the cults of our time is their insistence that one can never be sure of eternal life while in this world. The issue of salvation is never settled. The follower lives in constant fear that he has not done enough, given enough, prayed enough, worshiped enough to be sure of salvation.

One suspects that because of all of this that the cults are really not talking about salvation at all, but rather are pushing religious philosophies tied to a set of unrealizable goals in the name of which they can extract every kind of sacrifice from their hapless followers.

The atheist, Robert Ingersoll, came close to describing leadership in programs like this when he said, "A preacher is one who is willing to take care of your affairs in the next world providing you will support him in this one." This is a cynical but apt description of the false religious leader who is not really interested in producing the assurance of salvation. He would be out of business very quickly if he set people free. His support would cease.

The cult promoters being interested only in the fulfillment of their lust for power, money, or satisfaction, are very careful to extract from their followers a response today in return for a promise which can only be fulfilled tomorrow. Uncertainty is a favourite cult weapon. It would hardly be possible to promote a successful cult if one offered the assurance of salvation or any sure hope of eternal life based upon the finished work of another.

The wonderful promise of the New Testament is in contrast to all of this. The Bible promises to the believing Christian that he is the possessor of a certain salvation. "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to His abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. Wherein ye greatly rejoice" (1 Peter 1:3-6).

The Christian is "sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise" (Ephesians 1:13). He is the possessor of hope, both sure and steadfast (Hebrews 6:19).

The cultists make no such promise. Because they are interested in producing perpetual obligation as against spiritual freedom, they keep their followers in the hopeless bondage of a continually insecure relationship with God. For the member of the cult there is always more to do, more to pay, and his hope of blessing in eternal life is a will-o'-the-wisp that can never be certainly realized in this life. A hope so uncertain is hardly a hope at all.

A thoughtful person who examines the preaching and writing of the cults carefully is almost certain to sense a frustrating indefiniteness. He is being strung along, beguiled up a primrose path to nowhere.

A common characteristic of the cults is that they are devoid of a theological structure that offers to anyone a sure salvation. It would be unthinkable for them to ever say in the words of Scripture, "for I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 8:38-39).

What a blessed contrast we have to this trembling cultic fear in the words of this same Apostle Paul, "I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day" (2 Timothy 1:12).

Paul's absolute certainty of eternal life is revealed in the many statements of confidence that he expressed as to his sure hope of heaven.

Please read the following Scriptures: (2 Cor. 5:1), (Phil. 1:23), (Phil. 3:20-21), (Col. 1:13), (Col. 3:4), (1 Thes. 4:17).

By contrast to the obscure future that is the best the cult can offer, Paul brightly tells us that Christ "hath abolished death and hath brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel" (2 Tim. 1:10).

We may be very sure that the promoter of a false religion who is interested in producing dependence upon himself as against freedom that comes through faith in Christ would never pass on to his followers the words of Christ, "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand. My Father, which gave them Me is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of My Father's hand" (John 10:27-29).

It is interesting to note that the verse immediately following this promise says, "Then the Jews took up stones again to stone Him." Natural men, even in the realm of religious leadership, will do anything to destroy the perfect confidence that a relationship with Jesus Christ brings to a life. The reason is very clear, they traffic in anxiety.

The person who is anxious is also exploitable. To make him fearful is the design of these religious leaders so that they may use fear to create dependence upon the religious view that they are promoting. Cult gathering places are populated by frightened people who live in terror of falling into the disfavour of their religious establishment. Our modern society is not without many tragic wrecks of humanity whose psychic nature has been shattered, their confidence destroyed as a result of a previous total involvement in a false religion.

To any such, we happily repeat the wonderful promise, "If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed" (John 8:36).


(from Know the Marks of Cults - The 12 basic errors of false religion by Dave Breese)

A False Basis of Salvation (Mark #2)

What must I do to be saved? Deep within his heart, virtually every person on earth is asking this question first phrased by the Philippian jailer. Man is born with an unquenchable longing for eternal life and a home in heaven that will never pass away. Millions may never admit to this longing but, nevertheless, within each soul is the constantly pressing desire for a secure eternal reality, a hope that goes beyond the grave.

This longing for reality is the fuel that energizes the growth of most of the cults in existence today. Because they are involved in some form of exploitation, the cults without exception obscure the truth and offer salvation on some other basis than that of a free gift that comes to us by the grace of Jesus Christ.

What is the true basis of salvation?

The clear teaching of the New Testament Scriptures is that eternal salvation comes to a believer solely as a result of faith in Jesus Christ. The New Testament Scriptures declare again and again this sublime Christian truth.

Please read the following Scriptures: (Rom. 5:1), (Rom. 3:25), (Rom. 3:28), (Rom. 4:4-5), (Gal. 2:16), (Eph. 2:8-9).

These and many other clear declarations of the New Testament positively establish the basis of salvation to be the finished work of Christ alone and our faith in that work. By contrast, Scripture teaches that all other forms of supposed salvation, based on human efforts are cursed by God. "For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, 'Cursed is everyone that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.' But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident; for, "The just shall live by faith.'" (Galatians 3:10-11).

How wonderful is the message of the Gospel of the grace of God that is presented to us in Holy Scripture! A person is able to come to Jesus Christ without money, without human works, without vast promises concerning the future and accept salvation which was entirely purchased for him on the cross. When he comes in humble faith, he receives the gift of God which is eternal life. And it is exactly this, a free gift. When he believes the Gospel, he receives eternal life and is justified in the sight of God.

To be justified, of course, means to be declared righteous. This is a legal change in the attitude of God toward the sinner and depends on the saving act of Jesus Christ which is entirely independent of the individual experience of the believer. The wonderful change which may result in a believer's life is not itself salvation but rather the human and variable result of that saving faith. Eternal salvation comes to the believer because of imputed righteousness. Imputed righteousness is righteousness that is placed to his account in heaven.

During the course of a Christian's life, he may develop a wonderful degree of personal righteousness. In this, he will have the powerful help of the indwelling Holy Spirit of God. The true believer will work toward perfect holiness in the fear of God under the leadership of the Holy Spirit.

Personal righteousness is not, however, the basis of his salvation. He is saved on the basis of imputed righteousness. This comes to him as a free gift, being purchased by the enormous cost of the finished work of Christ on Calvary's cross. The Christian is saved, not because of his own works, but because of the saving work of Jesus Christ when Christ the Saviour died, the Just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God (1 Peter 3:18). The total benefits of Calvary come to the believer on the basis of grace. It is the grace of God that brings salvation.

No message is more viciously attacked by the cult promoters of our present world than the Gospel of the grace of God. Those who would promote slavish religious systems are infuriated at the gracious offer of Jesus Christ to bring His life into the sin-darkened soul and to do it without any form of payment. It is absolutely maddening to the professional religious promoters that God saves individuals freely, by grace alone.

No false religion in the world can possibly survive unless it is able to destroy the Gospel of the grace of God and introduce or encourage a system of human works as a basis of salvation. There is not room in the same world for the Pauleen message of "justification by faith without the deeds of the law" and the cultic religionist with his perverted gospel. Every cult in the world preaches "another gospel" and is therefore cursed of God.

Nevertheless, the promoters of the cults continue to press their malignant doctrines of some other way of salvation besides faith in the finished work of Christ on the cross.

One of the most popular alternative doctrines of salvation is that of salvation by membership. Armstrong's Worldwide Church of God clearly announces that the only saved people are those who are members of this increasingly shaky religious establishment. Pseudo Christianity in many forms has frequently announced that "there is no salvation outside of the church," meaning of course their religious syndicate. Failure to keep this membership intact incurs the damnation of the the soul.

Others offer even stranger salvation promises such as salvation by sublime association. New Krishna devotees are told to associate with saintly persons who are free from the entanglement of material nature.

Another alternative to the way of faith is the cult doctrine of salvation by works. In many of these religious programs, what a person believes is of little consequence; it is what he does that counts. The versions of this works doctrine are many. Some emphasize years of service, weekly hours spent in work, the giving of money, the practice of strange incantations, the reciting of chants; the list is endless. There is an immense number of possible obligations to which the soul enslaves itself when it turns from the divine offer of salvation by faith alone.

The pathetic followers of the Jehovah's Witnesses are told that the basis of judgment at the end of the thousand years will be solely the works that they perform during the millennium.

The Christian Scientists are asked to believe that salvation consists of being saved from the illusions and delusions of mortal sense...the sense of becoming sick and dying.

In the early days of Mormonism, the Mormon women accepted the staggering involvement in polygamy because they became convinced that their salvation depended on it.

The Unitarians believe in salvation by character, holding that man will find the road that leads to peace and brotherhood through development of "moral values and spiritual insights."

The follower of Theosophy holds that man is saved by working out his own "karma" or law works. What he is now is the result of previous works and what he is to become is the result of his present works.

The list is seemingly endless of those who are pursuing inner light, perfect realization, transcendental thoughts, or other baseless notions as the hope of salvation. All of these human works must inevitably lead to despair.

By contrast to all of this we need to hear again the finality of the words of Paul, "If righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain" (Galatians 2:21). Proud men who still retain confidence in their ability to do good things that will be pleasing to God and produce salvation need again to hear the words of Jesus Christ, "None of you keepeth the law" (John 7:19).

There is no question but that every false cult will lead finally to human despair, death, and hell. Millions could be saved from this spiritual reality if they would turn in simple confidence to the promise of Scripture, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved" (Acts 16:31). Few scenes are more tragic than that of a benighted soul pursuing a false hope of salvation when Jesus Christ offers all of this as a free gift.

(From Know the Marks of Cults - the twelve basic errors of false religion by Dave Breese)

Extra-Biblical Revelation (Mark #1)

How to cope with the cults? There are so many of them ... all different. Who has time to study all their weird doctrines in order to refute them? Here is a better way. No need to get bogged down in the details of this or that cult. No need to debate fine points in the original Greek and Hebrew. No need to fight over the interpretation of obscure passages of scripture?

Each cult is guilty of one or more certain characteristic doctrinal errors. Once you know what these typical errors are, you can know what's basically wrong with a cult, whatever weird or seemingly rational form it may take. Awareness of these characteristics can help you spot creeping errors among true Christians too...and maybe save you from going astray.

How has God revealed Himself?

The Christian answer to that question is that God has revealed Himself "on many occasions in diverse manners" in days gone by. In these last days however He has revealed Himself fully and finally to us in Jesus Christ as revealed in the Bible, the Word of God (see Hebrews 1:1-2).

The Word of God is, therefore, God's final and complete revelation, and this revelation can be supplanted by no other. The cults have no such commitment, believing in the heretical doctrine of extra-biblical revelation. They claim that God has spoken and recorded words, through whatever medium since He gave us the New Testament Scriptures. They assert that God speaks or has spoken outside or apart from the Bible.

The first and most typical characteristic of a cult is that it claims for its authority some revelation apart from the clear statements of the Word of God. Most cults claim to respect the teachings of the Bible. Many even attribute divine inspiration to Holy Scripture. They then quickly announce their real confidence in some subsequent revelation that in effect cancels the teaching of the Bible in favour of a more authoritative new thing which they claim God has spoken subsequently. They are therefore claiming that the Bible is only a part of the verbal revelation of God and that He has spoken or does speak in a manner that is extra-biblical, apart from Scripture.

Sometimes this extra-biblical revelation comes in the form of a "divinely inspired leader." Many religions have invested divine authority in the person of a visible individual who speaks infallibly, his words have the same or higher authority than Holy Scripture. Some of these religions have made their leaders equal with God.

From "Brother Julius" in Brooklyn to a spiritual temple in Los Angeles, the cults continue to press for a better revelation than the Word of God. William Branham, in his Word to the Bride, said, "One night as I was seeking the Lord, the Holy Spirit told me to pick up my pen and write. As I grasped the pen to write, His Spirit gave me a message for the church. I want to bring it to you...It has to do with the Word and the bride."

The God of the Bible, knowing that this would be the case in the future of the Church, very clearly declares His Word, the Scriptures, to be final and unsupercedable revelation. After giving us 66 books in the Old and New Testaments, the Holy Spirit directed the Apostle John to categorically close the verbal revelation of God at the conclusion of the Bible, saying, "For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophesy of this book, if any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book; and if any man should take away from the words of the book of this prophesy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life" (Rev. 22:18-19).

Clearly then, we have in Scripture a dreadful curse placed upon anyone who presumes to present a new verbal revelation from God.

In a frantic attempt at rationalization, some cultists say, "Well, our revelation did not come from the word of man but from a higher source." The Mormons' claim to the coming of an angel is an illustration of this.

As if foreseeing this the Apostle Paul wrote, "But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again. 'If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed'" (Galations 1:8-9).

It is true that in biblical times the Word was carried to man by angels (Hebrews 2:2). We are told, however, that the revelation of Jesus Christ supersedes this. "God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by His Son, whom He hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also He made the worlds" (Hebrews 1:1-2).

Christ is better than the angels, and all of the angels of God are commanded to worship Him. The final words of Scripture, therefore, "the revelation of Jesus Christ," can never be superseded by the ministry of angels. This is why Jesus Christ advised His disciples and us to "continue in My word" (John 8:31). Our present age is also well advised to heed the words of the Father, "This is my beloved Son...hear ye Him" (Matthew 17:5).

It is a cardinal doctrine of Christianity that final truth, the ultimate word is resident in Jesus Christ. Indeed, the Scripture is itself even stronger than that, saying, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God" (John 1:1).

Final truth therefore is the Person, the Word, and the work of Jesus Christ. No subsequent revelation as to the nature of truth can supecede the revelation of Jesus Christ. It is simply impossible for there to be a greater revelation than that of Christ in this universe or any other under the God who made this and all possible universes.

One frequent device of a cult is to lend creedance to its own writings by placing them parallel to the Scriptures and then moving them up to a greater authority. The Krishna cult, the modern followers of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, grasp for authority in the minds of the foolish. They place their arcane and mysterious writings on a par with the Word of God.

A word of admonition is therefore in order. The Christian believes the Bible to be the final and only verbal revelation of God. Believing this, he must give himself to the study of the Word of God with a higher degree of intensity than ever before. "Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God" (Romans 10:17)

(from Know the Marks of Cults - The 12 basic errors of false religion by Dave Breese)

The Amazing Story Behind "AMAZING GRACE"

...and how it relates to you and me.

From the world-wide TV coverage of the Olympic Games to the platform of the acceptance speech of the President of the United States, to the smallest church in the rural backwoods, - everywhere - we hear the strains of "Amazing Grace." Where in the world did we get this song? How does its story relate to you and me?

The story of John Newton is truly the story behind "Amazing Grace." One would be hard pressed to imagine. let alone to live, a blasphemous life equal to Newton's early years. Had I not read the accounts written by his own hand, I would not have believed them.

Death took his saintly mother in July 1732, when John was thirteen days from his seventh birthday. He writes, "Almost her whole employment was the care of my education. At not more than three years of age she herself taught me English. When I was four years old I could read with propriety in any common book. She stored my memory with many valuable pieces, chapters and portions of Scripture, hymns and poems."

After her death, and with only three years of formal schooling, Newton went to sea with his father, the captain of a merchant ship. From that day Newton began a decline into rebellion and degradation that lasted until his twenty-fourth year. His willful and wanton disregard for all that is right and holy led him into a life plagued with despair, dangers at sea, abuse, public floggings, destitution, depression, near drownings and miraculous escapes. Newton's misfortunes were largely the result of his own choosing -- except, that is, for the miraculous escapes.

On one occasion Newton became employed by a slave trader in North Africa. Newton soon fell sick, was unable to care for himself, and nearly starved to death. He was so ill that the slaves in chains pitied him, sharing their meager portions with him. Yet, he still remained stubbornly wicked, and in his degeneracy, tried to influence others to live as he did.

During those years, Newton often entered into a state of spiritual awakening. Consequently those times were short-lived, and he invariably lapsed into a more wicked and loathsome direction.

Even in his youth he became almost inexplicably, the captain of a slave ship, landing at least one load of his human cargo in Charleston, South Carolina. It is reported that at times he was so wretched that even his crew regarded him as little more than an animal. Once he fell overboard and his ship's crew refused to drop a boat to him. Instead they threw a harpoon at him, with which they dragged him back into the ship. He seemed oblivious to the plight of the poor black souls chained in the hold of his ship.

A harrowing experience at sea was used of the Lord to cause young Newton to seriously consider his standing before a holy God. After being at sea for several months with a load of lumber, livestock and beeswax, the ship ran into a violent storm. So severe was the gale that the otherwise seaworthy vessel was in danger of sinking. When the livestock were washed overboard, the crew tied themselves to the ship to keep from being swept into the sea. For four weeks, because of damage to the ship, the sailors despaired of life. Most of their waking hours were spent at the pumps to lighten the ship of water she had taken on. Rations were so low the men feared starvation. When they finally reached a port in Ireland, Newton began a sincere effort to become right with God.

Sometime later, at age twenty-three, Newton found himself on a small island off the coast of North Africa. He had contracted an illness that left him burning with fever, miserable and listless. He wrote, "Weak and almost delirious, I arose from my bed and crept to a secluded part of the island; there I found a renewed liberty to pray. I made no more resolves, but cast myself before the Lord to do with me as He should please. I was enabled to hope and believe in a crucified Saviour. The burden was removed from my conscience." From that hour, according to his autobiography, Newton began to improve both physically and spiritually.

During that experience Newton became acutely aware of four things taught in the Bible.

(1) I must realize that in my present condition I am a sinner before God.

"All have sinned and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23).
"As it is written, there is none righteous, no, not one" (Romans 3:10).

(2) I cannot save myself from eternal punishment in hell.

"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 6:23).
"As it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment" (Hebrews 9:27).

(3) Christ has paid for my sins and my punishment with His death on the cross.

"But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8).
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him (Jesus) should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16).

(4) I must accept His crucifixion as payment for my sins, personally.

"For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved" (Romans 10:13).
"But as many as received Him (Christ), to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name" (John 1:12).

Two years later John Newton married his teenage sweetheart. During the following fourteen years, he continued studying for the ministry, and at age thirty-nine, became a pastor in Olney, England. In 1779 Newton published a hymnal "The Olney Hymns" in which he placed 281 of his own works, including "Amazing Grace." The melody that is so familiar to us is a traditional American melody published as early as 1831.

The next time you hear the hauntingly beautiful "Amazing Grace," remember that you, too, can experience the same saving grace as John Newton. In fact, you can do that right now! Just read over the Scriptures listed above, bow your head wherever you are, and ask Christ to come into your heart and be your Saviour.

Amazing Grace! How sweet the sound,

that saved a wretch like me.

I once was lost, but now am found;

was blind but now I see.

'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear;

and grace my fears relieved.

How precious did that grace appear,

the hour I first believed.

Through many dangers, toils and snares,

I have already come.

'Tis grace has brought me safe thus far,

and grace will lead me home.

John Newton died in 1807 at eighty-two years of age. Before his death he left with his executors his epitaph -- written sometime before -- to be etched on a plain marble slab and mounted near his burial place. The first portion is as follows:

John Newton, clerk,

once an infidel and libertine,

a servant of slaves in Africa,

was by the rich mercy of our Lord and Saviour,

Jesus Christ

preserved, restored, pardoned,

and appointed to preach the faith

he had long laboured to destroy.

(by Lindsay Terry)

If you have trusted Christ as your personal Saviour as a result of reading this, and you want further help in the decision you have made or if you have more questions about the Christian faith, please contact us by e-mail or visit http://www.emmanuelbarrie.org.

We Are Bound By The Scriptures

God's Will Is Important

The fact this question must even be raised is itself an indictment of the Faith Movement. James tells us that considering God's will is important (4:13-16) as does Jesus (John 6:38; 7:17; Matthew 6:10; Luke 22:42), Paul (Romans 12:2), and Peter, who, far from disregarding the concept of God's will, emphasizes that we are not to live for "evil human desires," but to "live the rest of [our] earthly life...for the will of God" (1 Peter 4:2).

But Faith teachers allow virtually no room for the will of God in those specific areas that they believe offer absolute promises conditioned only on "faith," such as the hundredfold return, physical healing, etc. Thus, the issue becomes only one of "lack" of faith -- not God's will. Here, Faith teachers hold out their "faith to believe" as genuine wisdom, but the Bible rejects their premises (James 3:13-16; 4:13-16; c.f. Proverbs 27:1; Luke 12:18-20; 13:35).

Although some in the Faith camp even teach that it is a sin to say, "If it be God's will," the following Scriptures prove that those who teach this are wrong:

1. I desire to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart (Psalm 40:8)
2. Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground (Psalm 143:10)
3. Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that." As it is, you boast and brag. All such boasting is evil (James 4:15-16).

Thus: This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us (1 John 5:14).

In his confrontation with the Church of Rome, Martin Luther confessed that unless he were otherwise "convinced by the testimonies of the Holy Scriptures or evident reason," he was "bound by the Scriptures" to maintain the principles of the Reformation. It was "neither safe nor right" to act against his conscience in this regard. For Luther, Scripture stood above all experience and above extra-biblical claims to divine revelation -- and for this stand the church owes him an immeasurable debt. In a similar manner, when examining the Faith Movement, the Scriptures alone must be our standard -- not experience or new claims of divine revelation.

Throughout church history various councils have been convened in order to examine controversial issues, test new teachings or interpretations, and protect the Church from heresy, presenting to the world true Christian faith.

(From The Facts on the Faith Movement by John Ankerberg & John Weldon)

The Grand Poo-Bah Says: "You Have Been Warned!"

You may be currently attending a church in your neighbourhood that has recently come to town to set-up shop. If you were to ask the leadership of this church if they are part of the Faith Movement, they will likely deny it because the Faith Movement has been receiving a large amount of negative publicity through print and visual media. It is not difficult to find books written by reputable Bible scholars on the subject of the Faith Movement and its false teachings (which are many).

There are a few easy ways to know for certain if you are involved with a Faith Movement church:

The first way is the name of the church. Most Faith Movement churches have the word "faith" in their name minus their denomination. A few examples would be Faith Alive, Faith Assembly, House of Faith -- you get the idea. The main branch of the Faith Movement in Canada is Victory Churches International. The one which operates in Barrie, Ontario is called Barrie Victory Centre. Victory is the key word that you need to be aware of here in Canada. These churches promote Kenneth and Gloria Copeland as well as the teachings of other Faith Movement figures. This church is part of the New Apostolic Movement which has its roots in Pentecostalism but you will notice that the denomination is left out of the church's name. This is very deceitful and misleading for Christians who are looking for a true Christian church. Their belief system is the same as the Faith Movement with a few different false teachings thrown in such as the existence of modern-day apostles. There is no scripture to support this belief.

The second way you can know if you are attending a Faith Movement church is the "health and wealth" gospel. This is a cornerstone trade-mark of the Faith Movement. It is based on misinterpreted Scripture and is nothing more than a get-rich-quick scheme for the leaders.

The third way to know if you are attending a Faith Movement church is to carefully observe if they promote the key figures in the Faith Movement such as Kenneth and Gloria Copeland, Benny Hinn, Joyce Meyers. For a complete list of televangelists who are promoting these teachings, view our List of False Teachers to the right of this blog. If any of these names are being promoted in your weekly bulletin or on posters around the church, rest assured you are involved in a Faith Movement church whether they admit to it or not.

It is very easy for unsuspecting Christians to be drawn to these "churches". The deception is very clever because they use all the familiar Christian terminology with their own little twists included. It is very subtle and hard to detect unless you are a Bible scholar or a well-read Christian. Hank Hanegraaff says the Faith Movement is "a shell of truth stuffed with lies."

The truth is out there! If you are concerned that you may be in a Faith Movement church where false teachings are espoused, here are a couple of suggestions to help you:

1. Read the eleven previous blogs starting with Monday, October 27. This will give you a good overview of the various teachings promoted by the Faith Movement.
2. Read "Christianity in Crisis" by Hank Hanegraaff which should be available at your local Christian bookstore or it can be ordered through Chapters or at http://www.equip.org/.

On a recent trip to Florida, I saw an interesting quote on a full-sized billboard which read "Remember, if you find yourself going in the wrong direction, Christ accepts 'U'-turns."

Scriptures Correct the Faith Teachings!

Virtually every book in the Bible tells Christians that they are going to suffer in this life -- from persecution, various trials, and also from God's own will. Nevertheless, the Apostle Peter says that we are to "rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ" (1 Peter 4:13). He even connects suffering to the will of God: "So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good" (1 Peter 4:19). The Apostle Paul refers to "the Kingdom of God for which you are suffering" and tells us we can expect problems and troubles until Christ returns (2 Thessalonians 1:5-7).

Peter further tells us that we are not alone in our sufferings, for Christians "throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings" (1 Peter 5:9), and Paul, far from calling poverty "an evil spirit" to be removed by word-faith power, naturally assumes its existence (1 Timothy 5:16). And perhaps even more important, nowhere does he naturally assume the existence of prosperity, wealth, and success for Christians with the "faith."

Nevertheless Robert Tilton and others say that believers who properly exercise faith and confession never need have problems or troubles in life again. But didn't Jesus say in John 16:33, "In this world you will have trouble"?

Kenneth Hagin says that he never confesses his doubts: "I never talk sickness...I never talk disease...I never talk failure...I never talk about what the devil has done. I'm not interested in his works." Further, he even confesses that he would not tell the truth in order to maintain a positive attitude: "But if I had a headache, I wouldn't tell anybody. And if somebody asked me how I was feeling, I would say, 'I'm fine, thank you.' I would speak the right WORDS, because Jesus said in Mark 11:23, 'He shall have whatsoever he saith.'" And , "I wouldn't tell anybody if I had a doubt-thought, or a fear-thought. I wouldn't accept it. I wouldn't tell somebody if the thought came to me..." But doesn't the Bible tell us that we are to "speak the truth in love" to one another (Ephesians 4:15)?

And isn't the Bible full of "negative confessions" by Jesus, the apostles, and all the prophets? Didn't Jesus say that "each day has enough trouble of its own" (Matthew 6:34)?

The Faith teachers say "Never confess fear." But the Apostle Paul himself confessed, "For I am afraid that when I come I may not find you as I want you to be...I fear there may be quarrelling, jealousy, outbursts of anger...arrogance and disorder. I am afraid that when I come again my God will humble me before you, and I will be grieved over many who have sinned earlier and have not repented..." (2 Corinthians 12:20-21).

The Faith teachers claim that we should: "never confess trouble" or Satan's ability to hinder us. But the Apostle Paul says that he wished to visit the Thessalonians, "yet Satan thwarted us" (1 Thessalonians 3:5-7).

Throughout the New Testament we find statements such as the following: "Death is at work in us"; "Outwardly we are wasting away"; "We were under great pressure far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death" (see 2 Corinthians 1:8-9; 2:4; 4:8-12, 16; 5:4).

The truth is that the Bible is full of what the Faith Movement would call "negative confessions" and yet they are the words of godly apostles and prophets -- men of great faith. If the faith teachings are true, how can this be so?

(From The Facts on the Faith Movement by John Ankerberg & John Weldon)

Faith Teachers Confess - Their Faith Teachings Don't Work

We think everyone should listen carefully to the words of Robert Tilton and Kenneth Hagin. Robert Tilton emphasizes the following: "If something isn't working, it doesn't have any virtue or life-giving substance in it. Discard it, because it is not accurate thinking...[It is] low level Christianity..." Kenneth Hagin confesses, "Remember, it's not a disgrace to be wrong; it's a disgrace to stay wrong. If we are wrong, thank God we can straighten up and do right, no matter who we are."

If one reads the writings of the Faith teachers extensively, one discovers that both individually and philosophically they may contradict themselves. This means that a person who follows one Faith teacher is actually doing what another Faith teacher warns against. It also means Faith followers have to balance theological contradictions -- such as the need for submission to God in the context of attempting to exert independent divine authority through confession and demanding. Significantly, the Faith teachers also confess -- almost to a man -- that in practice, the Faith teachings do not actually work that well. They do not do this directly, for that would discredit their own ministries [as well as cost them a lot of money]. But they do it indirectly by continually requiring new conditions for Faith principles to operate under and by rationalizing the constant failures on the part of their followers. Thus, some teachers have felt it necessary to write books or give lectures on why the principles of the Faith Movement don't seem to be working. Invariably, it is because

1. the person does not have "proper" faith
2. the person does not have "enough" faith
3. the person has misunderstood something
4. the person has secret sin in his/her life
5. the person is merely confessing and not commanding

For example, Hagin teaches because the "currents of unbelief are so persistent" in the world that only an extremely small number of Christians will ever rise above them. In other words, only a very few participants in the Faith Movement can ever really expect Faith results.

Further, we are told that we can use spiritual laws that work by pure fiat for anyone, anytime, merely by our confessing them in true faith. But then we are told no, it is not just confession that is needed, but commanding and demanding. But according to Copeland, even this may fail because the laws really don't work inevitably and "the power of patience must be put into operation to undergird your act of faith..." Of course, if the proper working of the Faith principles is dependent upon an individual person's faith, commands, patience, circumstances, etc., then these "inviolate" principles have just died the death of a thousand qualifications and are worthless to begin with. [What more is there to say?]

(from The Facts on the Faith Movement by John Ankerberg & John Weldon)

Consequences of the Faith Movement

Faith Movement Teachings Hinder Personal Sanctification

The Faith teachers claim their methods will lead the believer into a higher level of spirituality. But unfortunately, the Faith Movement actually works against the spiritual growth of a Christian. It does this in many ways, directly and indirectly.

1. By experientialism -- First, it teaches Christians that spiritual experiences are the primary emphasis of the Christian life and more important than biblical study. This undermines biblical authority.
2. By new revelation -- Second, the Faith Movement undermines Christian growth through an appeal to newer, allegedly better revelations. But all these new revelations have accomplished is to confuse believers with false teachings.
3. By spiritual malnourishment -- If only "faith" is preached (and a distorted faith at that), can this provide spiritual nourishment? If people are never told the content of the Bible, of what value is their "faith" when there is precious little that is biblical for such faith to act upon? Even Kenneth Hagin, Jr. confesses that "a portion of the Word of God preached without the whole counsel of the Word of God is as dangerous as a baby playing with dynamite. And that is the problem in Charismatic Christianity today..."
4. By spiritual pride -- The Faith Movement can also foster spiritual pride, and nothing is more deadly to spiritual growth. The Bible teaches that God hates pride and that pride destroys people spiritually (Proverbs 8:13; 11:2; 16:18). Unfortunately, pride in spiritual leaders tends to beget pride in their followers. People who think that God speaks to them audibly on a regular basis, who believe that they are "little gods" and have the powers of Jesus, who claim to perform miracles, who have vast multi-million dollar ministries with international satellite communication networks, who think they can literally command angels and manipulate creation, speaking into existence things which do not exist -- these are things which may generate spiritual pride.
5. By distortion of priorities -- When the Faith teachers claim that Jesus was not poor, and that we can have whatever we say and that nothing is impossible to us in the realm of making money or being successful, they are tragically reducing the glory of what it is to be a Christian. They have emaciated the Christian life to a trivial focus, that of meeting only surface needs (cf. Hebrews 11:25-26).

Other Tragedies Associated with the Faith Movement

People who first join the Faith Movement are initially enamoured with the prospects of abundance and prosperity and all the excitement they see around them. But sooner or later, the bubble bursts. Thousands of former Faith members have learned the hard way: by ruined finances, poor health, the inability to trust -- and even personal tragedy.

If Christians imitate the cults and their practices, should anyone be surprised they may suffer the same results as those cults? Thousands of people have been injured or actually have died from believing the teachings of Christian Science, Jehovah Witnesses, Mind Science, and Armstrongism that faith will cure terminal illness and/or that using modern medicine in part or whole is sinful and wrong. Not surprisingly then, besides the spiritual tragedies due to the Faith teachings, there are also physical tragedies. As a result of Faith teachings, hundreds of churches today believe either that it is wrong and sinful to use modern medical science or that any Christian who truly wants God's "best" will not seek its help. More than once this has led to fatalities. For example, the "Faith Assembly" Movement of Hobart Freeman has caused well over 100 unnecessary deaths (including Freeman's), and the "End Timers" cult in North Central Florida has also allowed several dozen children and adults to die prematurely.

The irony of a teaching claiming success and healing actually leading to misery and death is not lost upon those who have suffered the personal consequences of losing loved ones, as revealed in books such as Larry Parker's, We Let Our Son Die.

(From the Facts on the Faith Movement by John Ankerberg & John Weldon)

Angels, the Occult and the Faith Movement

Contacting alleged angels is an increasingly popular activity in our culture as illustrated by the 1992 "American Conference on Angels." Unfortunately, the messages these "angels" give prove they are lying spirits which the Bible identifies as demons. Most Faith teachers also claim they have unique relationships to angels -- as, allegedly, anyone can who applies the principles of the Faith Movement. Faith teachers believe multitudes of angels are standing by just to do our bidding, anxiously waiting to be commanded by "Faith words" which, when spoken forth, puts them into action and brings miraculous results.

Gloria Copeland and Charles Capps suggest there may be 40,000 to 72,000 angels assigned to each believer just waiting to serve us.

But the idea that people can command angels to do their bidding is an occultic belief, not a biblical practice. The idea of having power over creation mediated through alleged spiritual laws and our own mental and verbal powers (mediated through the help of spirits) is a tenet of the occult, not Christianity.

Further, these angels are angels of a particular kind -- they are spirit beings who actively support Faith practice and teaching. This raises an interesting point. If we compare the principles of occult magic and those of the Faith Movement, we can see the similarities. The question is: Would godly angels endorse such a teaching?

If godly angels would not endorse the Faith principles, what kind of angels are those that do? We offer the following to show that the leaders in the Faith Movement at the least claim that they can manipulate angels to do their bidding (an occultic practice).

Kenneth Copeland teaches that through Positive Confession, angels "are obligated to follow your command"; Gloria Copeland says, "Your words put the angels to work on your behalf to bring to pass whatever you say."

Charles Capps asserts that God told him that he was to "give orders" to angels to accomplish our desires. He teaches, "You need the supernatural beings of God working for you here on earth." And, "Angels...will work for you! They will become involved in every area of your life -- your home, your business, everything -- but only to the extent that you allow them to operate."

Kenneth Hagin claims that Jesus appeared in front of him with an angel next to Him and told him that this was "his angel" who would guide and direct his life. Jerry Savelle says that when we apply the principles of the Faith Movement "...the angels come on the scene to see that what you say comes to pass." John Osteen [father of Joel Osteen] teaches that, "When you become a covenant-person, God assigns angels to watch you and your family..."

Robert Tilton says, "When you talk positively about your dream, you not only release its substance, but you release the angels to work for you, causing your dream to come to pass." For those who tithe faithfully to his ministry he says, "I prophesy these miracles are coming to pass even this very moment. Angels, I send you forth as ministering spirits to cause these supernatural miracle[s] to come into my friend's [life]." But for those who make vows to his ministry and later renege, he also warns, "If you say your vow was a mistake, your angels will hear it and the work of your hands and what you are believing God for will be cursed instead of blessed...It stops God from telling the angels to go out and round up the money..."

Benny Hinn also accepts the ministry of the "Faith" angels.

Of course, no one denies that the Bible teaches that angels do serve God's interest in the life of the believer, or that some believers have entertained angels unaware (Hebrews 1:14; 13:2). But this is the point: Angels serve God's purposes in the life of the believer -- and the Faith Movement/Positive Confession isn't one of them. And angels usually do operate unaware -- behind the scenes. We cannot command angels to bring us money, nor are we to pray to them, nor will they teach us and guide us into things that are against the Word of God.

(from The Facts on the Faith Movement by John Ankerberg and John Weldon)

The Faith Movement, the Cults and the Occult

The relationship between Faith teachings and cultic theology.

Most Faith teachers have publicly stated that they are not teaching "Christian Science," "Mind Science," or "New Thought." This seems to indicate that even the Faith teachers recognize their similarities to cultic systems or at least awareness of the charges that others have made.

Nevertheless, despite the disclaimers, in many places their Faith teachings are either similar or nearly identical to those found in the Mind Science religions. The concepts of :

1. positive confession
2. prosperity and success
3. divine health
4. manipulation of creation
5. sensory denial
6. rejection of medical science

All of these teachings can be traced to the cultic Mind Science theologies of the 19th and 20th centuries, such as Unity School of Christianity, New Thought, and Science of Mind. (These three groups, along with the Faith Movement, also teach that "negative confession" can produce disease, tragedy, and even death.)

In fact, some teachings and practices found in the Faith Movement are also found in other unbiblical religions and cults. For example, the concept of believers being "gods" or having divine powers is found in Mormonism and Armstrongism. The practice of "decreeing" things into existence can be seen in some occult and Eastern groups such as The Church Universal and Triumphant, and Nichiren Shoshu Buddhism.

Perhaps all this is why charismatic historian D.R. McConnell so readily documents the cultic origin of the Faith Movement through E.W. Kenyon:

[The modern Father of the Faith Movement Kenneth Hagin plagiarized in word and content the bulk of his theology from E.W. Kenyon. All of the Faith teachers, including Kenneth Hagin and Kenneth Copeland, whether they admit it or not, are the spiritual sons and grandsons of E.W. Kenyon. It was Kenyon, not Hagin, who formulated every major doctrine of the modern Faith Movement...The roots of Kenyon's theology may be traced to his personal background in the metaphysical cults, specifically New Thought and Christian Science...Kenyon attempted to forge a synthesis of metaphysical and evangelical thought...the result in Faith theology is a strange mixture of biblical fundamentalism and New Thought metaphysics.]

For example, consider how cultic influences have intertwined themselves in the doctrine of healing:

The Faith theology of healing is based, not on the ability to detect physical symptoms but to deny them. The physical symptoms are not real. They will become real, however, if the believer acknowledges their existence and fails to apply the principles of spiritual healing. Only people who do not know how to believe God for spiritual healing resort to medical science. The Faith view of medical science is cultic...and is the same view preached by the founder of 19th century metaphysics, P.P. Quimby.

(from The Facts on the Faith Movement by John Ankerberg and John Weldon).

Paul Yonggi Cho's False Teachings

Dr. Paul Yonggi Cho pastors the world's largest church (600,000 members). He claims God spoke to him and revealed these new teachings. Cho offers a "law" of faith involving "incubating our subconsciousness" through visions, visualization (mental imaging directed toward a specific goal), and dreams. According to Cho, our subconscious is our spirit and our spirit is linked to the fourth dimension, the spiritual world. Because the spiritual world is always forming and shaping the physical world, and because we are linked in our subconscious to the spiritual world, we have power to shape it, and therefore to also shape this world. Thus, physical reality may be altered in accordance with the visualized desires.

Then God spoke to my heart, "Son, as the second dimension [e.g., a plane] includes and controls the first dimension [e.g., a line], and the third dimension [e.g., a cube] includes and controls the second dimension, so the fourth dimension [the spirit world] includes and controls the third dimension, producing a creation of order and beauty. The spirit is the fourth dimension. Every human being is a spiritual being as well as a physical being. They have the fourth dimension as well as the third dimension in their hearts."

Cho goes on to explain that by exploring the sphere of fourth dimension through visualization we can, by faith, "brood over and incubate the third dimension, influencing and changing it. This is what the Holy Spirit taught me."

In other words, all people have the innate ability to magically control creation by using the powers of their mind.

Thus, "God gave power to human beings to control the material world and to have dominion over material things, responsibility they can carry out through the fourth dimension." Just as non-Christians can join their human spirit with the spirit of the "evil fourth dimension" in order to produce miracles, so Christians can "link our spirit's fourth dimension to the fourth dimension of the holy Father...[and] become fantastically creative, and ... exercise great control and power over the third dimension [i.e., the material creation]."

By picturing what we desire inwardly in our subconsconcious mind, we somehow enter and/or manipulate "the fourth dimension" (the spiritual world) in order to actually produce miracles for us in the physical realm, the third dimension. Thus, "What becomes pregnant in your heart and mind is going to come out in your circumstances...Your word actually goes out and creates [reality]. God spoke and the whole world came into being. Your word is the material which the Holy Spirit uses to create."

Cho believes this fourth dimension principle not only has been the key to revolutionizing his ministry, but that it is necessary for all Christian ministry as well. Apart from manipulating the fourth dimension, the Church cannot be effective in Christian living or evangelism.

But is visualization really the "secret" of victorious praying and the "deeper language" of the Holy Spirit? Did God ever teach these things in the Bible? Does God require of us a certain state of consciousness -- or simple trust in Him? Do we have power over creation or does God?

Cho has recently rebuked the American Faith teachers for excesses and imbalance, but in his book Salvation, Health and Prosperity he teaches that apart from knowing the truths of the threefold blessings of salvation, health, and prosperity as outlined in his book, we cannot even properly understand the Bible. "Like blind men touching an elephant to comprehend its shape, those of us who read the Bible without this foundation cannot understand or interpret fully what we read."

In essence "The believer should not be limited to the three-dimensional plane, but should go beyond that into the fourth-dimensional plane of reality. We should live in the spirit...Your success or failure depends upon your fourth-dimensional thinking: visions and dreams." And, "God is linked to those who follow His example of incubating results through visions and dreams" because God wants Christians to "grow in [their] fourth-dimensional capabilities."

Unfortunately, it is not always easy to distinguish what Cho teaches from what the mind sciences teach. In essence, Christians can use similar techniques to those in the mind sciences, but for Christian purposes. Men can do tremendous miracles merely by contacting the fourth dimension and mentally incubating its inherent capacities to influence creation. If this sounds like magic, perhaps it is. But isn't it at least possible that such a teaching will confuse Christians as to the nature of sanctification or even make them susceptible to similar techniques and methods in the world of the cults and the occult?

(From The Facts on the Faith Movement byh John Ankerberg & John Weldon)

The Grand Poo-Bah says,

"Have you ever heard such drivel in your life before? How is it possible that intelligent, thinking people can be suckered in by this garbage and believe it to be true? The only answer that I can think of is that the followers of these leaders want the teachings to be true. It's not enough that Jesus died to save us from our sins. These leaders believe that if Jesus only died for our sins, people will not be interested in Christianity so they came up with a plan to offer more than forgiveness of sins as part of the plan of salvation. They've added health and wealth and the ability to manipulate your environment as incentives to accept Jesus as your personal Saviour. What a slap in the face to Jesus our Saviour who endured such pain and suffering on the Cross to secure forgiveness for our sins and make available a home in heaven for all eternity. The Resurrection has now been turned into a 'bag of goodies' which you have been promised by these charlatans that you will receive if you come to Christ. What could they possibly say to the Sovereign of the Universe on Judgment Day for having committed such a travesty?"

Oral & Richard Roberts' False Teachings

Oral Roberts has had a profound effect on many of the Faith teachers, including Jerry Savelle and Charles Capps. He also actively supports other leaders in the Faith Movement such as Kenneth Hagin. His son, Richard Roberts, supports the Faith Movement even more so, perhaps a result of his sitting under the tutelage of Kenneth Copeland.

Oral Roberts accepts the title of "...the senior apostle to the body of Christ in our day" and claims that he can "minister God's miracle power" to anyone. His famous "seed-faith" principle is a combination of elements of humanistic psychology, "positive confession" based on divine "laws," and a "gospel" stressing prosperity. Roberts teaches that Jesus Himself revealed His "seed-faith" principle to him. He claims this is "God's way of doing things through His Son Jesus Christ ... and then through His followers, for the meeting of all our needs ..." He teaches that the first principle of "seed-faith" is that God is our Source of total supply. His second principle is giving, e.g., money. Giving is "the seed of faith itself" and this "seed" can then be directed by the giver to perform miracles. His third principle is to expect a miracle. Why? Because this is "God's way of doing things...[and it is] based on eternal laws...laws so exact and perfect they always work for you."

Here is an illustration. In January of 1985 Oral Roberts sent out a letter informing his supporters that they could send for his "33 Predictions for You in 1985." These predictions were allegedly based on Roberts' exercising his "gift of prophesy" for them. The recipients of his letter were instructed to expect "creative miracles" and money. The reader was urged to send a "seed-faith gift" which would help him get a "hundredfold return." But there was a catch. Roberts said, "If you neglect to pay attention to what He [God] is especially saying to you, then Satan will take advantage and hit you with bad things and you will wish that 1985 had never come." Now, what could you have concluded from these statements if you didn't want to send any seed-faith money?

Even Roberts' former daughter-in-law, Patti Roberts, questions her involvement in Roberts' ministry. Besides guilt over the excessive wealth the Roberts enjoyed, she noted, "The seed-faith" theology "bothered me a great deal because I saw that, when taken to extremes, it reduced God to a sugar daddy. If you wanted His blessings and His love, you paid Him off. Over and over again we heard Oral say, 'Give out of your need.' I began to question the motivation that kind of giving implied. Were we giving to God out of our love and gratitude to Him or were we bartering with Him? ...I believed we were appealing to their sense of greed or desperation...[thus] I have a very difficult time distinguishing between the selling of indulgences and the concept of seed-faith..." Patti Roberts felt her father-in-law had become a manipulative fund-raiser. She also had a problem with his priorities -- the principles of seed-faith were given in every TV show, yet the gospel itself was rarely offered.

Our problem with the Roberts' seed-faith principles is that the conversations that Oral Roberts had with Jesus are suspect. If Jesus actually intended these vital principles for all believers, then why didn't He put them in the New Testament instead of waiting 2000 years?

Jesus supposedly told Roberts the following four things. First, "I have come to remind men of this eternal law of sowing and reaping, or of giving and receiving." Second, Roberts claimed "Jesus" told him that his principle of seed-faith was the deeper meaning of Matthew 17:20 ("If you have faith as a mustard seed..."). Third, Jesus included Galations 6:7 ("Whatever a man sows, this he will also reap") as part of these principles. Fourth, He explained that "Saint Paul stated the New Testament or New Covenant is based on seed faith."

But think about this. Could Jesus have said such things? And is this really what Paul meant? Paul didn't even mention seed-faith, let alone say that the New Testament is based on it. According to the writer of Hebrews, the New Covenant is based on the Person and work of Christ (Hebrews 9:15), not on a principle of seed-faith giving to produce miracles for those who give.

Also, the Jesus that spoke to Roberts was even mistaken about the "deeper meanings" in Scripture. The true meaning of Matthew 17:20 and Galations 6:7 is not Oral Roberts' "seed-faith" interpretation, as any good commentary will show. The same can be said about the false interpretation of Galations 6:9 stated by Roberts' "Jesus." "Let us not lose heart in doing good" is simply not a reference to seed-faith.

"Jesus" made other errors. He supposedly told Roberts that when the Bible records His statement, "It is more blessed to give than to receive" (found in Acts 20:35), that His actual words do not convey His true meaning. Jesus revealed to Roberts that, "I meant it is more PRODUCTIVE to give than to receive." But does Oral Roberts expect us to believe that Jesus Himself has completely changed the emphasis of His original meaning from the joy of giving to the utility of giving? The biblical Jesus said, "Freely you received, freely give" (Matthew 10:8, emphasis added). Would the Jesus Christ of the Scripture, who is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and who "never changes" (Hebrews 1:12; 13:8; Malachi 3:6), ever alter the meaning of His own words? If so, how many other verses would require Jesus to give us new interpretations to make them accurate? What does this do to the inspiration of the Bible? Finally, would Jesus ever teach a lie to Oral Roberts? The fact is that the Greek word blessed (macarion) means "blessed," "fortunate," or "happy" -- it does not mean "productive."

To lead men to expect an automatic financial return of a hundredfold simply because they gave their money is to corrupt the very purpose and nature of giving; it leads to selfishness, not godliness. Yet, Roberts not only believes in the hundredfold return but that a person cannot give their finances to God cheerfully in tithing unless they also know they will get a greater return back. Unfortunately, however, God is impotent to release "His miracle supply" until you permit Him to do so by following Roberts' guidance.

Even though Jesus taught that we were not to worry about our life, the problems of tomorrow, or the needs we now have (Matthew 6:25), Roberts teaches, "The most urgent problem facing you is HOW TO GET YOUR NEED MET WHILE YOU LIVE ON THIS EARTH..." because "needs exist to be met."

He proceeds to promise people that they can literally have a supernatural miracle every day of their lives. For example, "Is there a Bible formula for success and prosperity?...[To] get yourself in position to EXPECT A MIRACLE?...Yes..." This is why Oral and Richard Roberts write:

...You can expect a miracle...each and every day you live on this earth!...I witness to you today that God has already written your name on miracles...and there's one marked "today" and "tomorrow" and "every day" for the rest of your life...I heard God speak..."You tell your friends and Partners to expect a new miracle every day."

But, of course, if all this were true, why did Roberts' medical center go bankrupt? And why did he repeatedly have to make appeals to his ministry partners for funding even to the extent of threatening God's judgment and death upon him if he didn't raise the money? Why do his appeal letters continue to have to ask for money? Consider his September 1992 letter advertising his new book on getting God to say "Yes" after He has already said "No."

Indeed, this book, How Your Faith Works When God Says No, claims the following: "The truths in this new book come by fresh revelation straight from the throne room of God.."

Because Roberts believed, "I'm anointed to help you MORE THAN EVER" he enclosed special "spiritual" stamps (individually labelled with believers' needs) in his support letter to assist his partners in sending him more money "very soon." Otherwise, without this money he just can't do anything he is supposed to be doing for God.

(From The Facts on the Faith Movement by John Ankerberg & John Weldon)

Kenneth Hagin's False Teachings

Kenneth Hagin, Jr. believes that his Faith teachings are "the secret of success with God." Kenneth Hagin, Sr. argues that "Christians should have super-prosperity and super-success"! Thus, on one occasion God allegedly told him that He expects His people to meet in the very best places in town.

Interestingly, the Hagins, along with Tilton and Copeland, concede that the Faith message isn't working too well. Nevertheless, progressing upward from positive confession, they now emphasize the "commanding power" of the believer that was purchased for them at Calvary:

...The greatest fact from God's Word: commanding power...that every...child of God is capable of operating...Commanding is different from confession...Our problem is that we have been doing a lot of praying and a lot of confessing, but we haven't been doing any commanding.

God told Hagin, Sr. verbally,

"In the first place...don't pray about money anymore...Claim whatever you need." ... The Lord continued, "You say, 'Satan take your hands off my money!' ...Say, 'I claim..., 'naming whatever it is you want or need.' ...I said to the Lord, "Now Lord, I can't believe that you want us to meet our needs -- but our wants?" He replied..."in the 23rd Psalm...it says, 'The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not WANT.'" ... [Thus, God continues] "Claim whatever you need or want. Say 'Satan, take your hands off my finances.' Then say, 'Go, ministering spirits, and cause the money to come.'"

(Perhaps this explains why Hagin wrote the booklet, How to Write Your Own Ticket with God.)

Thus Hagin proceeds with: "Can you see what he was saying? Turn your order in! Send the ministering spirits out to get it by saying, 'Go, ministering spirits, and cause the money to come.'" In another place Hagin explains, "The devil is the one who stops money from coming to you...The Lord told me several years ago as I was complaining about needing money, ' Well, I can't do anything about it. It's up to you. You command it to come in Jesus' name...You even can speak to the angels, 'he told me, 'and they will go to work for you...'"

Hagin further teaches that "sickness and disease are of Satan...It is not the will of God for Christians to be ill." He believes that prayers made in hope are made in vain and that trusting God from the heart without positive confession is not enough: "Nowhere does the Bible teach that if you just believe in your heart you will get an answer." Hagin also teaches that faith is a tangible force/power and that fear is an evil spirit: "I always have treated fear as if it were a spirit..."

Finally, Hagin still believes that Christians know God through their spirits, not their minds. Because the inner spirit is the "real" man and the Holy Spirit communicates with the inner spirit, He does not communicate with our minds. This is why our spirits must dominate our minds. (cf. Romans 12:2; Luke 24:25; Hebrews 8:10; 1 Corinthians 14:32).

Despite Hagin, Sr.'s apparently great faith, in his own books he confesses that he regularly forgets Scriptural truth and has a problem with staying in the will of God. Indeed, at times he seems to be out of God's will as much as he is in it. This is so in spite of the fact that he gets regular visions -- and at least eight personal visits (so far) from Jesus -- to encourage him and keep him on the proper path. If Jesus was really guiding Kenneth Hagin, Sr., one can but wonder, would he have the kinds of problems he confesses? For example, why did even God have to tell him that "another trouble with you is that you don't practice what you preach"?

(From The Facts on the Faith Movement by John Ankerberg & John Weldon)

Robert Tilton's False Teachings

In the writings of "Pastor to America" Robert Tilton we can see a common theme of the Faith teachers. That theme is: In the alleged revelations God gives to these teachers, God Himself consistently promotes a "Faith" teaching and practice. Thus, as if he were a Faith teacher himself, God warns people against "walking in the natural" and promises them "supernatural abundant miracles" by using "faith as a force."

Tilton teaches that God gave him his beliefs which include the idea that "an untapped and unlimited treasury of dreams, visions, and inspired ideas is within your spirit...All you must do is speak forth this treasure. Your words release what is in your spirit, whether it is good or bad...Words have both substance and influence." For example, speaking positively about what one desires releases its substance -- as well as angels -- to bring it about.

Thus, God allegedly told Tilton to give the world this message: "I am sending out a message to wake up My people to be willing and obedient to My Word...yes, for I have come today to sup and to live within thee. To live BIG within thee. As you say YES to the good things I have for you, they will be attracted towards you...So acknowledge that health and prosperity are here. As you acknowledge [this] ...it will acknowledge you and come forth in thy life NOW."

Tilton further claims that "...there are no limits, no restraints, and no restrictions to what God will do in you, through you and for you if you simply believe and do what God has asked me to tell you."

Although Tilton, like Copeland, confesses the failures of the Faith movement, he also acts and teaches in the following manner.

Tilton claims that "the Spirit of God is upon me the same way the Spirit of God was on the Lord Jesus Christ"; thus, he thinks that the inspired thoughts and words he gives out "are the word of God."

Tilton prophesies money into existence to the readers of his books and he promises a hundredfold return to believers through their "faith" -- especially if they tithe to his ministry. For example, he promises that by giving money to his ministry, people can release God's power to that, in return, God will give them money and other nice things.

Tilton claims that faith is the spiritual substance and/or power that underlies the universe. Thus, he claims that through faith he can supernaturally manipulate his environment. For example, he believes he can declare and decree future events into existence and also "release God's Spirit and presence" into another person's life. Indeed, any man or woman can manipulate the creation if they follow Tilton's techniques: "The Creator lives inside you and wants to create through you...You have the Word of God that created everything in your mouth. Speak it out!...God created His world through faith. He gave you the means of His faith so that you could create your world." This is supposedly true because everything a person needs is already existing in the spirit realm and in order to obtain it one only need appropriate the proper spiritual laws, for example, "The name of Jesus activates the promises."

Tilton also thinks man is "a god" who determines his own destiny: "The nature of deity" is "deposited and implanted within a believer." Thus, Tilton boldly commands angels to do his will. Further, "The Lord spoke these words to me: 'I cannot loose from heaven what you don't loose on earth.'" But "Thoughts are things, and the corresponding action of faith will cause those things hoped for to come to pass and become realities in your life...You are a God-kind of creature...We succeed because...we have worked the Word...we are a new species here upon the earth. We are like super-men."

Tilton also interprets the Atonement of Christ as undergirding the "Faith" message. Thus, referring to success, happiness, peace of mind, health, and prosperity, Tilton teaches that Jesus "purchased them at Calvary." For example, he argues that "God will heal all the time, by faith...--100% guaranteed!"

Nevertheless, on his national television programs, Tilton will speak forth the thoughts of his own mind -- and yet preface them with a, "Thus sayeth the Lord." That they are his own thoughts is obvious because what Tilton proceeds to teach is frequently a blatant misinterpretation of the Bible and could not possibly be something from God's own mind. Still he confesses, "I won't change what I am preaching."

(from The Facts on the Faith Movement by John Ankerberg & John Weldon)

Kenneth Copeland's False Teachings

In his now infamous prophesy which he claimed was "from Jesus Christ," Kenneth Copeland said that Jesus promised that new and dramatic angelic manifestations were going to increase in the church and that many "will have visitations from the Spirit realm." In this prophesy, Jesus also denied His own deity: "Don't be disturbed when people accuse you of thinking you are God...They crucified me for claiming that I was God. But I didn't claim I was God; I just claimed I walked with Him and that He was in me. Hallelujah. That's what you are doing."

Copeland attempted to avoid the implications of his prophesy by later claiming that Jesus only meant to say He never claimed to be God while on earth. But first, this is not what "Jesus" said in the "prophesy"; second, it is also incorrect since the Gospels are full of the claims of Jesus that He was God while on earth (John 5:18, 23; 8:58; 10:30; 14:9; 15:26; 20:28, 29, etc.).

Copeland has refused correction or even correspondence on the subject of the nature of Christ and has reaffirmed his position, standing by his alleged revelation and his interpretation of it. Thus, he teaches that Jesus did not come to earth as God, but as a perfect human being with the limitations this implies. Therefore, Jesus never believed Himself to be God while on earth.

Although Copeland has also taught that Jesus "was and is God manifested in the flesh," he has contradicted himself when he implies Jesus gave up His deity and came to earth only as a man. Essentially, Jesus was a man with tremendous human potential who, after the resurrection, resumed His divine nature. On earth, He had no innate powers until He was anointed by the Holy Spirit. Thus, He is our example showing that we too can do the things He did by relying upon the Holy Spirit. After all, Jesus was a reborn man; therefore, all Christians who are "reborn" should be able to do the same things He did. Copeland teaches that Christians must realize that they are not spiritual schizophrenics or half-God/half-Satan, but "you are all God."

In other words, with proper "faith" teaching and training, any Christian has the power to become a Jesus. Thus, "You have the power of God at your disposal. By getting the word deep into your spirit and speaking boldly out of your mouth, you release spiritual power to change things in the natural circumstances of your life. Jesus possessed authority in the earth, and He exercised that authority by the use of words." Copeland also teaches Jesus was made obedient to Satan, took the devil's nature, was tormented by demons, and was the first man to be born again -- in hell. Thus, imagine:

having to make yourself obedient to Satan...and to take on his nature. He allowed the devil to drag Him into the depths of hell...He allowed Himself to become under Satan's control...For three days...every demon in hell...tortured Him beyond anything that anybody has ever conceived...[but] the voice of God spoke to the death-whipped, broken, punished spirit of Jesus that was suffering in the bowels of the earth...and changed the spirit of Jesus with resurrection power! [Therefore] ... Jesus was born again...a born again man had defeated Satan, hell, and death...

Gloria Copeland reflects the teaching of her husband when she says: "After Jesus was made sin, He had to be born again...[Therefore] Jesus is a born-again man. This is the same new birth that the Good News of the gospel still offers to any man who will accept it."

What's wrong here? What's wrong is that Kenneth Copeland and his wife don't know the Bible. Kenneth, at least, confesses as much. In his Sunday, July 12, 1992, sermon he conceded: "I don't know all that much anyway. All I know is what I've learned and that's all I'm preaching...I'm not 100 percent right. Dear Lord, I don't know what the percentage is, but I expect it's probably pretty heavy on the wrong side...there are certain things I am wrong about just simply because I don't know any better."

If Kenneth Copeland confesses this state of affairs perhaps his followers should take him at his word -- and perhaps Kenneth should spend more time studying the Bible. Then he won't have to worry about being wrong most of the time "simply because" he doesn't "know any better."

(from The Facts on the Faith Movement by John Ankerbeg & John Weldon)

Benny Hinn's False Teachings

The Holy Spirit apparently speaks verbally to Benny Hinn on a daily basis. For example, almost as in the role of the Roman Catholic Mary, the Holy Spirit told him, "I am here to help you in your prayers to the Father. And I am here to help you pray to the Son." Hinn claims that he derived his many supernatural experiences and new teachings by personal, verbal conversations with the Holy Spirit Himself: In other words, that the Holy Spirit personally revealed His theology to him over the years. But ask yourself the following question: Would the Holy Spirit reveal the following teachings? Or has Hinn been listening more to the visions of his own mind.

Benny Hinn teaches that every non-Christian is demon possessed; that the Holy Spirit has a body and has more sympathy than other members of the Godhead; and that Jesus "would have sinned" apart from the Holy Spirit.

He also believes that each person of the Godhead has His own spirit, soul, and spirit body. In other words, each person of the Godhead is a triune being by Himself so that collectively "there's nine of them." Jesus Christ further died spiritually, became the nature of Satan, and was born again in hell.

Christians are "little Messiahs" and "little gods" on the earth. Thus, "[Encouraging the audience] ... say, 'I am a God-man...This spirit-man within me is a God-man...' Say 'I am born of heaven -- a God-man. I'm a God man. I am a sample of Jesus. I'm a super being.' Say it! Say it! Who's a super being? 'I walk in the realm of the supernatural.' Say it!...You want to prosper? Money will be falling on you from left right and center. God will begin to prosper you, for money always follows righteousness...say after me, 'everything I ever want is in me already.'"

Hinn teaches that Christians confessing they are "a sinner saved by grace" only insult God with such "garbage."

According to his November 6, 1990 TBN sermon and other lectures, Hinn teaches that poverty is from the devil and that God wants all Christians prosperous; that "confession activates Heaven" and "confession releases the spirit world." He claimed the Holy Spirit told him that if witches and occultists can speak death by the supernatural power of words, then Christians can speak life and prosperity by the same power. God further taught him to "blow" on people for the anointing or reception of the Holy Spirit. Hinn also claims: "your spirit-man doesn't have God, your spirit-man is a part, if I may say it, is a part of Him." Thus, Hinn believes that inside the Christian is a new being "that is divine and God-like in every way!" Jesus supposedly told him "I loved you enough to become one of ya! And I love you enough to make you one of me."

Finally, Hinn teaches that supernatural visions should be common to Christians; that Jesus temporarily lost His divinity after the crucifixion; and that using such words as, "if it be Thy will," are destroyers of true faith.

Christianity Today (October 28, 1991) reported that Hinn claimed to have abandoned the Faith teachings and he publicly apologized for his errors. But a year later a new report in Christianity Today (October 5, 1992) observed that evangelical apologetics ministries "have noticed a pattern of Hinn telling people behind the scenes that he has changed, but then going on as before." One theologian who participated in the original Christianity Today interview noted that Hinn was prone to "extremism and exaggeration" and that his biblical exegesis was "frequently unsound and unbiblical."

In his book Christianity in Crisis Hank Hanegraaff, President of the Christian Research Institute, argues that Hinn's teachings can be conclusively shown to be heretical. Further, Budd Press of Watchman Fellowship, who has hundreds of pages of documentation on Hinn, told us the following on October 26, 1992: "Despite what Hinn claims, my research shows that Benny Hinn has established a track record of clearly documented false teachings, false prophecies, equivocation, and attacks on those who criticize his ministry." According to his taped series "Our Position in Christ," Hinn even claimed that he is not just a part of Jesus but because he is united with Christ, "I am Him. The word has become flesh in me." This is one example of how a Biblical doctrine can be misinterpreted through Hinn's careless use of words.

(From the Facts on the Faith Movement by John Ankerberg & John Weldon)