Reference Library

CHRISTIANITY IN CRISIS by Hank Hannegraaff


A DIFFERENT GOSPEL by D. R. McConnell


CHARISMATIC CHAOS by John F. MacArthur Jr.


THE KINGDOM OF THE CULTS by Walter Martin


TWISTED SCRIPTURES by Mary Alice Chrnalogar


THE FACTS ON THE FAITH MOVEMENT by John Ankerberg & John Weldon


TOXIC FAITH by Stephen Arterburn & Jack Felton


COUNTERFEIT REVIVAL by Hank Hanegraaf


CHURCHES THAT ABUSE by Ronald M. Enroth


THE POWER OF SUFFERING by John MacArthur, Jr.


DOES GOD STILL DO MIRACLES by Dr. Brad Burke


THE HEALING PROMISE by Richard Mayhue


CULT PROOFING YOUR KIDS by Dr. Paul R. Martin


FAST FACTS ON FALSE TEACHINGS by Ron Carlson & Ed Decker


UNHOLY DEVOTION - WHY CULTS LURE CHRISTIANS by Harold L. Bussell


RECKLESS FAITH by John F. MacArthur, Jr.


KNOW THE MARKS OF CULTS by Dave Breese


THE HEALTH AND WEALTH GOSPEL by Bruce Barron


SATAN'S TEN MOST BELIEVABLE LIES  by Dave Breese


COMBATTING CULT MIND CONTROL by Steven Hassan


THE PSYCHOLOGY OF SPEAKING IN TONGUES by John P. Kildahl


THE LURE OF THE CULTS & NEW RELIGIONS by Ronald Enroth


SCRIPTURE TWISTING by James W. Sire


CULTS & CONSEQUENCES by Rachel Andres / James R. Lane


THE AGONY OF DECEIT by Michael Horton


THE DISEASE OF THE HEALTH AND WEALTH GOSPEL by Gordon Fee


All of the above books are available at Amazon.

One More Thing (actually three):

If you only read one of these books, you should read "Christianity in Crisis" by Hank Hanegraaff.  The Faith (Word of Faith) Movement is the single greatest threat to true Christianity in existence today.  That makes Hank's book a must read.

Information on this subject is not limited to the books listed above.  Each of these books has an extensive bibliography contained within them.  That is an enormous amount of information available to seekers or people who may already be involved with the Faith Movement. Victory Churches International is the Canadian arm of the Faith Movement.

The information in the above books goes way beyond opinion.  All of these authors are learned scholars and apologists for true Christianity.  If what you believe comes down to your opinion versus my opinion, where is truth?   The information in these books goes way beyond your opinion and mine.


. . . AND THE REST IS UP TO YOU, LORD.

Happy Father's Day!

The Darkness of Gibberish Churches

Gibberish churches are very "dark" places.  I've been there when they start doing the gibberish and an evil darkness comes over the place when this happens.  You can sense the presence of Satan in the room.  It overwhelms you and if you are not participating in the gibberish, you have a strong desire that you need to get out of there because it is not safe.  Others that I was with felt the same way and were relieved when we got outside the church door.

The darkness of gibberish churches is intoxicating like a drug.  It becomes something that you cannot get through the week without.  It is addictive behaviour which you must keep coming back to for survival.  It has nothing to do with Christianity because real languages were the tongues that were spoken in the Bible.  Gibberish is dangerous because it affects your mind to the point where you cannot control yourself; you cannot make rational decisions; and you are unable to sense the danger that you are in by participating in this evil activity.  You become incapable of rational thought and unable to decide anything for yourself.  This would explain why offerings are taken at the end of very long services.  The participant's resistance to giving is totally worn down and hence some people nearly bankrupt themselves because they don't actually know what they are doing in these meetings.  Their minds are out-to-lunch.  Why else would someone give 50% of their income to one of these churches putting their family and their futures in serious jeopardy and at terrible risk.  Freedom of religion has now become freedom to commit financial suicide. There is only one reason, they don't know what they are doing when they are participating in the gibberish.

Gibberish is not an indication of closeness to God.  You are really keeping company with demons.  Demons are capable of making you think that you are close to God when you are really not.  You just think you are close to God but that's the illusion that a gibberish church wants to create for you.  You are under the illusion that you are closer to God than other churches are but you really have been duped.  You are worshipping Satan.  He loves it when you are totally not focussed on God.  Your church is inhabited by "principalities and powers" - the forces of evil and darkness.  Your pastor is a master illusionist who brings Satan into your midst in every meeting.  The eleventh commandment should be "Thou shalt not speak gibberish and call it tongues."

Gibberish churches are led by "Christian" terrorists and they are in the process of turning all their adherents into the same.  If you doubt this statement, try confronting a gibberish-speaker and tell him that you think his gibberish is hogwash.  Watch to see his reaction!  He will get his face up in your face, inches from your nose, and scream and yell at the top of his lungs that you are an idiot and that you don't know what you are talking about!  I have experienced this first hand and know what I am talking about.  This is not how true Christians behave.  Gibberish-speakers think that if it's loud and they're yelling it, that makes it right.  They believe that if you speak with emotion, that makes it true.  Hogwash!  Gibberish is the tool that allows these Christian terrorists to control their followers and make them unable to challenge them in any way.  Gibberish-speakers are worshipping their pastor -- not God.

Not terrorists you say? Tongues are possessed by Satan.  Christians don't behave this way and if they do, they are aware that something is wrong.  Something is out of whack.  This is called discernment which true Christians are supposed to have.

Not terrorists you say?  Try leaving one of these gibberish churches and see what happens to you.  You can expect harassment, all your so-called friends will turn against you, and vandalism to personal property has become quite common in these circles, especially if you disagree or voice your opposition to gibberish.  Rejection in a gibberish church is not handled very well by its adherents.  Scratches on vehicles and damage to houses have been reported.

Could someone please tell me, what is the good of gibberish?  What does it accomplish for the participant except to make him look and sound like a fool?  Is he a better Christian or does he just become more and more angry at those who oppose and believe that Satan is the source of the gibberish?  If you have any doubt about doing the gibberish, why would you continue doing the gibberish?  Is it a requirement of being part of or a member of this particular group?  Non-gibberish speakers are not welcome when gibberish is being spoken.

Next time you feel the darkness descending on your "church service" if it can be called that, ask yourself, am I supposed to be doing this?  The Bible says tongues will cease. (That was centuries ago!)  When you are asked to give an account by the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, what will you say?

The Shame of Being Pentecostal


Pentecostal churches are now becoming ashamed to be called "pentecostal".  They have become community churches, life centres, tabernacles, faith assemblies, etc.  It seems that the word "pentecostal" has come into disrepute.  These churches don't want you to know before you walk in the door that gibberish and Satan will be waiting for you.  Anything but the word "pentecostal" is being used on the name of many of these churches today.  This is deceitful and a direct result of the fact that Pentecostals basically misunderstand and misinterpret Scripture as evidenced by their use of gibberish to replace tongues, which no longer exist.  The gift of interpretation of tongues also no longer exists according to Scripture.

Christ threw the money-changers out of the temple.  Nowadays, the money-changers own the church and run it as a business.  How wrong is this?  If you own the church, it's clear that you can't be thrown out and furthermore, you are now in a position to teach anything that you wish to those who come to visit your establishment.  The Bible teaches that Christ is the head of the church, not the pastor.  He is only a servant of God.  Where do these people get off thinking that it is OK to turn the church into a business and run it for profit?  Believe you me, that's what it's all about!  These charlatans are smiling all the way to the bank and their followers are willing participants.  How do you think that happens?  Gibberish is the key.

How can you make your business more profitable if you own a church?  One way is to zero in on those in the group who are not receiving the gifts (tongues, slain in the spirit).  These individuals really pay off for the pastor.  In his position of power over them, he can tell them to give more money, and promise them that God will give the gifts to them.  What do you think the person having difficulty getting the gifts will do?  They will figure out a way to somehow give more money to the money-sucking pastor so they can receive the gifts and be accepted by the peer group.  This is how many people are ending up in financial ruin.

If you are involved in a gibberish church, the message should be very clear.  You need to exit this church immediately.  Never return and if you run into the gibberish in another church, leave that one too.  Stop serving Satan and start serving God.  

In your search for truth, you need to look for a church that is receiving no negative publicity of any kind.  Gibberish churches do not fall into this category.  Where is truth, you say?  Truth is where pastors are properly trained in the knowledge of Scripture and the pastor does not have complete autonomy.  Truth is found where lies, falsehoods and misinterpreted Scripture can be exposed.  This does not happen in gibberish churches.  Look for a church with a learned, educated pastor who was trained at a reputable institution.    Gibberish churches cannot make this claim.  Sermons are not prepared.  The pastor flies by the seat of his pants and makes it up as he goes.  There is no meat for the listeners to think about to improve their Christian walk.  They live in the moment.  At the gibberish church, the gibberish-speaker is there to show the pastor and all those in attendance, that he is SO spiritual.  How does he do this?  He speaks gibberish.  This allows the gibberish-speaker to say to himself  "I am so spiritual that it's unbelievable.  I am so proud of myself."  GOD IS NOT PROUD OF YOU.  You should be ashamed of yourself.  Shun gibberish churches like the plague.  Leave now!  No regrets!

Things Happen When You Come to Jesus Christ

He changes your past
Your sins are all forgiven.


Unto Him that loves us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood . . . (Revelation 1:5)


Your old nature is changed.

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature:  old things are passed away; behold, all things become new.  (II Corinthians 5:17)

The power of Satan is broken

To open their eyes and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God.  (Acts 26:18)

Your fear of death is removed.

And free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.  (Hebrews 2:15)

He enriches your present
He gives you peace and joy.

And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.  (Philippians 4:7)
 
He helps you in every trouble.

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you.  (Isaiah 41:10)

You join the family of God.

To all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God.  (John 1: 12)

You find purpose and meaning in life.

I have come that they many have life, and have it to the full.  (John 10:10)
 

He secures your future
All things work for your good.

We know that all things work together for good to them that love God.  (Romans 8:28)

He is preparing a home for you in heaven.

In my Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you.  I go to prepare a place for you.  (John 14:2)

You need not fear death.

Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil.   (Psalm 23:4)

You will be cleared at the Judgment

Who will bring any charge against those who God has chosen?  It is God who justifies.  Who is he that condemns?  Christ Jesus, who died -- more than that, who was raised to life -- is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.  (Romans 8:33,34)

What love!  What mercy!  What blessings!  What power!  What hope!  What glory!  Do not delay!  Come to Jesus now! Pray this prayer:


Lord Jesus, I believe that You are the Son of God who died for my sins and rose again.  I repent of my sins and ask forgiveness.  Send Your Spirit into my heart to give me power to fight evil and to lead me into all truth.  Help me to love You above all and my neighbour as myself.  Make me Your child and care for me now and forever.  Amen.

Eternal Life is a Free Gift

The Lord Jesus Christ paid the full price for the salvation of your soul  He "gave himself for our sins," (Galations 1:4a).  Jesus, the Son of God, "loved me, and gave himself for me." (Galations 2:20b)  Now because "by His own blood He entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us."   There remains no price for us to pay! (Hebrews 9:12b)  We are "justified freely by His grace." (Romans 3:24a)  "It is finished." (John 19:30b)

DOING GOOD WORKS CANNOT SAVE YOU.

Salvation is "Not of works, lest any man should boast" (Ephesians 2:9) God "hath saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began." (II Timothy 1:9b)

The Bible, God's Word, says, "As it is written, There is non righteous, no, not one:" (Romans 3:10) "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;" (Romans 3:23)  Sin is the problem, and even belonging to a church will not take it away.  Jesus Christ Himself said, "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." (John 3:3b)  As the Bible says, "Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law." (Romans 3:28)  "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God." (Ephesians 2:8)

YOU CANNOT TAKE YOUR CHANCES

The Bible says, "And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:"  (Hebrews 9:27)  You really don't know for sure how much time is left of your life.  "Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow.  For what is your life?  It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away." (James 4:14)

YOU CANNOT SAVE YOURSELF

The Bible says, "Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law," (Galations 2:16a)  It also says, "we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags;" (Isaiah 64:6a)

SALVATION IS FREE TO ALL.

The Bible says, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." (Romans 10:13)  The Bible says, "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners;" (I Timothy 1:15b)  "For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God," (I Peter 3:18a)

IF YOU DO NOT GET SAVED . . .

The Bible says, "And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night," (Revelation 14:11a).  "For the wages of sin is death;" (Romans 6:23a)  This death is more than just physical death.  It is an "eternal burning!"  The Bible says, "But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone:  which is the second death."  (Revelation 21:8)

HOW YOU CAN BE SAVED.

The Bible calls for "repentance toward God." (Acts 20:21b)  Repentance is a change of heart which causes you to turn toward God and away from your present way of life.  Accept the Bible facts that you are guilty as a sinner before Him, and you are unable to deliver yourself from the punishment of hell, which is due you because of your sin.

The Bible also calls for "faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ." (Acts 20:21b)  Faith is putting complete trust in Jesus Christ as your only means of clearing your guilt and delivering your soul from the punishment of hell.  The Bible says, "...Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved," (Acts 16:31a)  If you will receive Jesus Christ into your heart, by trusting Him to save your soul, you will become a son of God and spend eternity in heaven.  "But as many as received Him, to them gave He the power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name:" (John 1:12) God promises He will save you if you will trust Jesus Christ as your Saviour.  "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God has raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." (Romans 10:9)  Please accept the "free gift" of eternal life God is offering you.

If you will accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour, please pray with all your heart:  Dear God, be merciful to me a sinner.  I am sorry for my sins, and now trust the Lord Jesus Christ to save me.  I now take Him as my Lord and Saviour.  I ask for eternal life that He paid for with His own blood.  I pray this in the name of Jesus Christ.  Amen.

All This I Did For Thee

I CAME...because of your sin.

"This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners."  (1 Timothy 1:15a).

"As it is written, there is none righteous, no, not one:"  (Romans 3:10).

"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God."  (Romans 3:23).

I DIED...to pay for your sin. 

"But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.  Much more then, being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.  (Romans 5:8, 9).

"But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities:  the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed."  (Isaiah 53: 5).

"In whom we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins."  (Colossians 1:14).

I AROSE...to keep you saved eternally. 

"And this is the record, that God has given to us eternal life, and this life is in His Son."  (1 John 5:11).

"Wherefore He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them."  (Hebrews 7:25).

"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.  (John 10: 27, 28).

YOU MUST REPENT...admitting you are guilty, that you cannot do anything to save or help save yourself, and that you need Jesus Christ. 

"I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish."  (Luke 13:3).

"Let the wicked forsake His way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord; and He will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.  For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, saith the Lord."  (Isaiah 55: 7, 8).

"Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us."  (Titus 3:5a).

"But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness."  (Romans 4:5).

YOU MUST TRUST...putting your complete faith in Jesus Christ to save you. 

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life."  (John 3:16).

"He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God, And being fully persuaded that, what He had promised, He was also able to perform."  (Romans 4: 20-21).

"To declare, i say, at this time His righteousness; that He might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus...Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law."  (Romans 3: 26, 28).

WHAT IS YOUR DECISION?

• I choose to trust in Jesus as my Saviour.

"For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."  (Romans 10: 10).

"He that believeth on Him is not condemned."  (John 3: 18a).

"For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."  (Romans 10: 13).

• I choose to reject Jesus and keep my way.

 "... but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God."  (John 3: 18b).


"And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire."  (Revelation 20: 15).

The Tongue-Speaker's Q-Ray

QT, Inc. of Elkgrove Village, Illinois, markets "ionized" bracelets which claim to benefit people by balancing the body's flow of "electro magnetic energy."  It is said to have been invented in 1973 by Manuel L. Polo, a chiropractor living on the Spanish island of Mallorca. 

In 1997 and 1998, the manufacturer's website stated:  The Q-RAY bracelet is designed to achieve many of the same goals as traditional Chinese acupuncture.  Acupuncture was developed to balance the body's yin (negative ions) and yang (positive ions), the two inseparable, complimentary energies that permanently circulate in the human body.  When these energies become unbalanced the body's functioning is thought to be altered -- which can be at least very annoying and at worst debilitating.  Acupuncture is BELIEVED to regulate these two energies.

In the human body, which is electro-magnetic by nature, bio magnetic alpha and beta waves circulate throughout the vital centres.  When the flow is cut off and these alpha and beta waves become stagnant in one particular area of the body, bio-electrical alterations and ionic imbalances can result. 

The Q-RAY bracelet's effectiveness is grounded in the phenomenon of radioelectrical "Resonance", balancing of positive and negative ions within the human body.  Because of its unique characteristics and specialized configuration, the bracelet is considered to be an excellent Resonator of electro magnetic waves. (www.quackwatch.org)

For several years QT Inc., claimed that its bracelets could restore health, relieve cancer pain, improve muscle flexibility, improve sports performance, restore energy, and provide other health benefits.  It was also claimed to "energize your whole body instantly."  In 2000, an infomercial stated:  "When you have a severe injury or a chronic injury or a chronic problem like arthritis, you have build-up of positive ions, wherever that is you are going to have pain.  In order to remove this pain, Q-RAY bracelet rips it right out of the body!" 

The above descriptions of bodily electrical energy flow are nonsense.  Ions exist in solution throughout the body.  There is no such thing as an "ionized bracelet" because solid objects are not ionized.  There is no such thing as an ionic imbalance of the body, and no scientifically recognized connection between allegedly "ionized" objects and pain relief.  Furthermore, the Q-RAY bracelet has no power source so even if "ionic imbalance" could exist, the claim that the Q-RAY could influence the body's "electrical energy" supply is preposterous.

In 2002, researchers from the Mayo Clinic published the results of a 4-week study involving 710 participants who wore either a Q-RAY bracelet (said to be "ionized") or an identical-looking placebo bracelet (said to be "non-ionized").  Subjective improvement in pain scores was equivalent in both groups, which indicates that the bracelet exerted no special effect.

Consumer Protection Actions
 
In June 2003, the FTC charged QT, Inc. Q-RAY Company, Bio-Metal, Inc., and their principals, Que Te (Andrew) Park and Jung Joo Park, with false advertising, and the Federal District Court in Chicago issued a temporary restraining order freezing their assets and prohibiting further use of misleading claims.

In September 2006, the Chicago Court sided with the Federal Trade Commission and ordered Que Te Park and his companies to turn over $22.5 million in net profits and provide up to $64.5 million in refunds to consumers who had bought the bracelets.  During the trial, Park testified that he could not define the term "ionization" but picked it because it was simple and easy to remember.  The court concluded that his testimony on ionization was "contradictory and full of obfuscation" and that "he is a clever marketer but a poor witness."   Park also acknowledged that QT had at least a 25% refund rate from dissatisfied customers (more than 100,000 people).  In January 2008, the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the lower court in an opinion which stated that the marketers "made statements about Q-RAYS, ionization, and bio-energy that they knew to be POPPYCOCK." 

The Bottom Line

The Q-RAY bracelet is a line of costume jewellery that has been claimed to relieve pain and to provide various health benefits.  It is claimed to work by balancing "energy" that cannot be measured with scientific instrumentation.  Its supposed mechanism of "ionic" action is preposterous.  The only published scientific study of the device found that it had no special effect against pain.  Its marketing claims were greatly turned down by a private consumer protection lawsuit filed in California but I believe that the manufacturer still exaggerates what the bracelet can do.  The Balanced Bracelet has been marketed with claims that were equally false.

Excerpts from "CBC MarketPlace"

Sandra Post, a famous Canadian athlete, who wears one was asked "what do they do?"  She said that her arthritis was helped.   When told that it makes no medical claims re. pain, she said that it had cured her pain for two years.  She also said she doesn't know how it works but she believes that it does.

Due to deceptive advertising the company has been ordered to repay $87 million re. pain claims and for defrauding people. Over 150,000 bracelets have been sold in Canada at approximately $200 a pop using deceptive, misleading advertising and claiming that it has the ability to take pain away.  The maker of the product said we can't control how vendors market and we can't dictate how they run their businesses.  It's just jewellery.  There's no harm in it. 

The made-up science consists of performance enhancement, energy balance in the body and increased vitality.  A serious performance bracelet claiming to achieve a state of Chi can cost up to $500.  Golfers are the biggest fans -- it's a miracle!

It's all in your head.  Claims about pain are a tricky business.  All vendors are still making claims of pain relief. Over 600 retailers continue to sell the product while talking about its benefits for relief of pain.  Retailers are not getting the message that ionization, analyzed in a lab, is not ionized at all. 

GIBBERISH IS THE TONGUE-SPEAKER'S Q-RAY

When you are speaking gibberish, you are not actually speaking in tongues but that doesn't matter.  What really matters is that you BELIEVE that you are speaking in tongues. It's not necessary for you to actually be speaking in tongues as long as you BELIEVE that you are.  Gibberish creates this illusion for you.  You actually believe that you are speaking in tongues when you really are not.  Any child can do it and any non-Christian can do it.  It can be taught to any man on the street.  It is not divine, it is Satanic. Satan will do anything to throw Christians off the tracks, move them away from keeping the main thing - the main thing, keeping them in bondage to a wrong focus, and dragging the truth through the mud.  Speaking gibberish accomplishes all of these things and much more for Satan.  When you are speaking gibberish, you are assisting and supporting Satan's efforts in this area.  He is working tirelessly to eliminate true Christianity and replace it with falsehoods.

The fraud that is being foisted on Pentecostals/Charismatics/Victory Churches people is that what they are claiming to be tongues is not tongues.  Biblical tongues was an actual language which had a specific purpose at a specific time when the church was in the early stages.  Scripture teaches that tongues will cease.  "Restoring the fire" (Barrie Victory Centre's motto) is really the fire of hell.   Speaking in tongues was not mentioned in the majority of the latter books of the New Testament which means that they had ceased and the Greek word for cease means permanent, never to be started up again.  Speaking gibberish is the biggest hoax that has been perpetuated in the church in all of its history.  Speaking gibberish is also very dangerous.  It is addictive behaviour which acts like a drug that you cannot live without.  It's primary purpose is to control and manipulate you so that you will remain with the cult which you are involved with and keep giving your money to provide the leader's lavish lifestyle.

Pentecostal healings and miracles, visions and divine revelations all have a Q-RAY element to them.  Most of them are fraudulent and need to be purged out of the church.  They are making false claims and promises which cannot be delivered.

The bottom line in all this is that you should not be speaking in "gibberish".  It is Satan's most useful tool for distraction from truth.  When you participate in gibberish, you are aiding and abetting Satan's efforts to derail Christianity.  In actual fact, gibberish speakers are all Satan's accomplices in crime. The more people do it, the more successful he is!

GIBBERISH IS FRAUD.  JUST LIKE THE Q-RAY, YOU THINK IT WORKS.

THERE'S A SUCKER BORN EVERY MINUTE AND THEY SPEAK GIBBERISH.

The Wrong Jesus

CHRISTIANS MUST SPEAK IN TONGUES

JESUS DIED TO GIVE US HEALTH & WEALTH

BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IS A SUBSEQUENT EXPERIENCE

THE EXISTENCE OF MODERN DAY PROPHETS AND APOSTLES

GOD SPEAKS DIRECTLY TO OUR PASTOR

EMPTY PROMISES OF FAITH HEALINGS 


DEMANDING GOD PERFORM MIRACLES EVERY WEEK

NEW EXTRA-BIBLICAL REVELATIONS

EXPERIENCE IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN DOCTRINE

EXTREME EMPHASIS ON THE HOLY SPIRIT
 
PASTORS RULE THEIR CONGREGANTS WITH AN IRON FIST

GIVE MORE MONEY TO RECEIVE THE GIFTS

 
TREATING FAMILY LIKE STRANGERS AND STRANGERS LIKE FAMILY

PASTOR IS THE NEW HEAD OF THE CHURCH, NOT CHRIST

EXPOSING YOUR CHILDREN TO SATAN AND HIS COHORTS

PRE-ARRANGED MARRIAGES EXCLUSIVELY WITHIN THE CHURCH

PASTOR IS CONSULTED ON ALL MAJOR DECISIONS

ONLY YOUR SPIRITUAL FAMILY CAN GIVE ADVICE
 

NO TIME FOR FRIENDS OR RELATIONSHIPS OUTSIDE THE CHURCH

TITHING EXHORBITANT AMOUNTS OF YOUR INCOME

EMPHASIS ON GIVING IS KEY TO PASTOR'S LAVISH LIFESTYLE

OUR PASTOR DESERVES TO HAVE THE BIGGEST HOUSE

FORMER MEMBERS LIVING IN FEAR OF DAMAGE TO PROPERTY


"IT'S ALL ABOUT ME" RELIGION INSTEAD OF GOD


WE HAVE THE PERFECT CHURCH

THE DISGRUNTLED ARE PARTICULARLY PRONE TO BEING LURED IN

WE MEET YOUR NEEDS SO YOU BECOME OBLIGATED TO US

LEAVING REQUIRES YOU TO LEAVE ALL YOUR FRIENDS BEHIND

GIVE SOMEBODY A CAR AND THEY WILL BECOME EXTREMELY DEVOTED

PASTOR PERSONALLY COMES TO YOUR HOME TO PICK UP TITHE 

 
THIS IS THE CHARISMATIC JESUS.
(PENTECOSTAL, WORD OF FAITH, VICTORY CHURCHES)

THIS NEW JESUS IS NOT IN THE BIBLE.

IF YOU BELIEVE IN THIS NEW JESUS,

1. HEAVEN IS NOT IN YOUR FUTURE
2. YOUR ETERNITY IS IN SERIOUS JEOPARDY
3. YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE A LOT OF EXPLAINING TO DO AT THE PEARLY GATES

 WHICH ONE DO YOU THINK IT IS ?

HOW ABOUT ALL OF THE ABOVE ! 

BROAD IS THE WAY THAT LEADS TO DESTRUCTION AND MANY THERE BE THAT FIND IT...

... NARROW IS THE WAY THAT LEADS TO LIFE AND FEW THERE BE THAT FIND IT.

PERHAPS THIS VERSE IS TALKING ABOUT THE PENTECOSTAL/CHARISMATIC MOVEMENT WHICH IS ATTRACTING SO MANY PEOPLE WORLDWIDE.

FOLLOWING THE CROWD WILL MOST CERTAINLY LEAD TO DESTRUCTION.
THE ROAD LESS TRAVELLED IS WHERE YOU NEED TO BE.

HOW FAR AWAY FROM THE TRUTH CAN YOU GO BEFORE GOD WILL SAY "DEPART FROM ME, I NEVER KNEW YOU?"



A Few Comments from Our Readers:

Can't Leave My Name says
How true are these statements!  It's time that all of these crackpot church leaders got a lesson from God.  They are leading so many innocent people astray that something really needs to be done.  I hope that this message reaches tens of thousands so that the revolt can start (particularly with the Barrie Victory Centre).  It's time they were shut down before they ruin even more families and lives.

Beverley Shaw says
I think that you have hit the nail right on the head when it comes to these charlatans.  It's about time that someone spoke out about the issues of what people believe!  Thank you.  I am sending this to my brother as I am sure that they are involved in one of these places.

Tessie Malton says
It's refreshing to see that there is someone who is not afraid of these pastors who rule their congregants with an iron fist.  I hope that you are able to be strong and continue to stand up for what is biblically right.  Keep up the blog..do not get discouraged!
 

  WHO YOU SAY JESUS IS, MATTERS !

To quote Shakespeare, 
"Something is rotten in the
State of Denmark." 

NOW HEAR THIS ! !

Questions To Ask Charismatics That Prove Tongues To Be Unbiblical

Q1. Did you speak in tongues because someone asked you to, or did tongues come to you without you seeking it, and without anyone suggesting you do it, as in the New Testament?

Q2.  When you were asked to speak in tongues, did you say "No, wait until I have thoroughly and completely studied and understood every verse on the subject?"

Q3.  Do you use your tongue as a warning to Jews to repent?

Q4.  Do you always have your tongue correctly interpreted?
"Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret".  1 Corinthians 14:13

Q5.  Do you speak in tongues to edify yourself or to edify the church?
"Seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church" 1 Corinthians 14:12

Q6.  Do women speak in tongues aloud in your church?
"Let your women keep silent in the churches:  for it is not permitted unto them to speak ... for it is a shame for women to speak in the church."  1 Corinthians 14:34,35.

Q7.  Do two or at the most three speak in "tongues" at your meetings?  1 Corinthians 14:27.

Q8.  Do your "tongues" speakers speak in turn after being interpreted, or do they all speak at the same time?

Q9.  Which spirit gave you your tongue?
If you think it is the Holy Spirit, can you prove it?  How?

Q10.  Did you receive your tongue when someone told you to relax, be passive, blank out your mind, and let anything come out? or


Q11.  Were you strongly refusing anything which Satan might send you?  Did you constantly pray for God to keep you from everything not of Him when people challenged you to speak in tongues?

Q12.  Does your tongue ever get out of control, or does it take over your prayer time?

Q13.  What do you learn more about God through your tongue?

Q14.  Do people in your church suppress their tongues if there is no genuine interpreter present?
"But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church..." 1 Corinthians 14:28.

Q15.  Can you find one Biblical example of a woman speaking in tongues?  (Keith Piper)

"Only The Apostles" - 8 More Reasons

Reason #12:  Ephesians 4, 5, 6 describe thoroughly the Walk and Service of a Spirit-filled believer.
Nowhere in this key passage is speaking in tongues mentioned. 

Conclusion:  "Walking worthy" does not include tongues.

Reason #13 - Phonetics Test Every language must have hundreds of different syllables to express the wide range of ideas in a society.  Charismatic tongues only have less than 12 syllables repeated, constantly.  This is typical of gibberish that comes from a mind that is not expressing thoughts, but from a tongue out of control from the mind.

Note.  4 syllables are, for example, seen in "Cha/ris/ma/tic".  This shows that tongues are not real languages, but are just sounds made up on the spot at random. 

Reason #14 - Order of importance is reversed.  Majoring on tongues REVERSES the order of importance of spiritual gifts.  In 1 Corinthians 12:28, God lists tongues as the least important of eight gifts.

In 1 Corinthians 12:31, God tells the church to seek the "best" gifts.
God gives gifts to believers "as HE will" (12:11), not as we insist.
Charismatics tell people to pray long and hard for the gift of tongues.

We are not to deliberately choose and insist on having the least gift and exalt it above the others.  Why not place greater emphasis on the gifts of pastor-teacher, evangelists, helps, government, giving, etc.?  It is because these gifts involve hard work, but tongues is easy.

Reason #15 - Rebuking Errors - The context of 1 Corinthians is rebuking 13 errors, such as tongues, and it is not recommending tongues.  The Corinthian church was filled with problems that Paul corrects in this book, such as: 

1. They were following their favourite human leaders causing divisions. 1:11-14
2. " " favouring human wisdom. 1:18-2:13
3. " " carnal, living for self, not controlled by the Spirit. 2:14-3:7
4. " " forgetting the future Judgment Seat of Christ. 3:8-23
5. " " proud, thinking of themselves more highly than they ought. 4:1-21
6. " " failing to discipline, by tolerating a fornicator. 5:1-13
7. " " taking fellow believers to court. 6:1-20
8. " " confused about marriage. 7:1-40
9. " " confused about liberty thinking it meant license to do as they please, even stumbling others. 8,9.10
10. " " confused about clothing, long hair on men and Lord's Supper. 11
11. " " confused about spiritual gifts, especially tongues. 12-14
12. " " confused about the resurrection. 15
13. " " confused about the collection. 16

 As we can see the Corinthian church was deep in error and false doctrine.  It was the only church that emphasized tongues as today's Charismatics do.  Charismatics therefore place themselves in very bad company.  Charismatics fail to understand that Paul is not endorsing tongues, but is rebuking the wrong use of tongues and is strongly regulating tongues contrary to today's Charismatics.

Reason #16 - They fail the "Easy to be entreated" test.
It is amazing how tongue-speakers often become very angry, intolerant, irritable, impatient, nervous, very dogmatic, and extremely touchy when anything is said which disapproves of or corrects their idea of speaking in tongues.

"The wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, easy to be entreated"...James 3:17
"The works of the flesh...are wrath, strife..." Galations 5:19, 20.
"Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God."  Hebrews 12:15.

Reason #17 - The First Mentioned Principle of Tongues is in the Context of Judgment.
This is a well-established principle for correctly interpreting Scripture.

It states that:

When any subject, word, expression or idea is first mentioned in the Bible, this shows how God thinks on that subject, and is a guide to how we should understand this subject in the rest of the Bible.  For example:

• The first mention of Babylon, Babel, and languages is in Genesis 11:1-9 where God confused man's languages so that they did not understand one another's speech.  "The Lord scattered mankind abroad upon the face of all the earth."  Man has remained divided by different languages ever since.  Hence tongues are associated with division and confusion (the meaning of Babel), ever since the Tower of Babel; not with the blessing of God, but with the judgment of God.

"Thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues"  Psalm 31:20

Reason #18 - PRAYING IN TONGUES is WRONG because UNDERSTANDING is ABSENT.

"For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth but my understanding is unfruitful.  What is it then?  I will pray with the spirit and I will pray with the UNDERSTANDING ALSO"  1 Corinthians 14:14,15.

Paul is saying here that if you pray in tongues, your spirit might be trying to express something, but your MIND (or understanding) has no idea what is being said.  This is wrong, Paul says.  For prayer to be genuine, we must pray with our spirit and with our understanding.

Praying in tongues fails the test of understanding.  The mind and voice are disconnected.  Many Charismatics will try to justify praying in tongues by quoting Romans 8:26.

"...the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which CANNOT BE UTTERED".

This verse is not talking about praying in tongues because tongues are uttered vocal sounds.  The Holy Spirit speaks our thoughts to the Father with groanings which cannot be uttered by us, yet prayer tongues are uttered by people.

Reason #19 - The Process of Elimination shows tongues to be not for believers of today.

Tongues primary purpose was to warn unbelieving Jews to repent, or God would judge them.
They refused to repent, so God judged them in 70 AD, thus making tongues as a warning to the Jews no longer necessary.

"Tongues are a sign, NOT TO THEM THAT BELIEVE, but to them that BELIEVE NOT..." 1 Corinthans 14:22.

Tongues are a sign for one of three types of people.  Which one?

a) NOT FOR BELIEVERS. 14:22.  This means that tongues have no purpose for believers.  For Christians to speak in tongues is not valid.

b) NOT FOR GENTILE UNBELIEVERS. 14:23.  Those unlearned to the Old Testament meaning of tongues, or unbelievers, "will they not say that ye are mad?"  This describes unsaved Gentiles.
Tongues are not for this group because the history of Assyrian and Babylonian tongues as a warning of a judgment to Israel meant nothing to them.

c) JEWISH UNBELIEVERS, 14:21.  "In the law (Isaiah 28:11, Jeremiah 5:15 and Deuteronomy 28:49) it is written, with men of other tongues (Assyrian, Babylonian, Roman) and other lips will I speak unto this people (Jews); and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord".

Reason 11: Tape Recorder Test Disproves Interpretation of Tongues

If no one passes the Interpretation test, then neither does anyone possess the genuine gift of tongues.

This scientific test will disprove anyone's claim to have the gift of "Interpretation of tongues".

Assemble, one person who claims to have the gift of tongues, and another two people who claim to have the gift of interpreting tongues, keeping both groups separate.

Let the first person speak in tongues, while you tape record him speaking.

Then bring the first interpreter into the room to hear the taped tongue replayed.

Tape record his interpretation of the tongue.

Then bring the second interpreter into the room to hear the same tongue replayed.

Tape record his interpretation of the same tongue.  You will find that the second interpretation will disagree with the first person's interpretation.

Why is this?  It is because no one today has the first century supernatural gift of interpretation of tongues, this gift having passed away by 70 AD.

It follows therefore, that if the interpretation gift is found to be NON-GENUINE, then the tongues gift is also NON-GENUINE.

Notice please that when someone speaks gibberish, claiming that he is speaking in an unknown tongue, he is, by deception, taking advantage of the fact that the hearer does not know every language in the Universe.  The hearer, who is caught off guard, finds it hard to state that this gibberish is not a language.

So let us turn the tables and ask if his two interpreter friends can interpret any tongue consistently.

Note:  A variation on this test is to get up in a Charismatic meeting, speak something in a foreign language that you know the meaning of, and then ask for it to be correctly interpreted, e.g. quote the Lords prayer in Latvian.  You will find that the interpretation given, will be nothing like the true meaning of what you said.  You may then expose them publicly as deceivers and as being deceived.

"THEM THAT BELIEVE" refers to ONLY the APOSTLES.

Reason 1:  Context is the Apostles' Unbelief in Christ's resurrection.
In Mark 16:14, Jesus rebukes the apostles for their unbelief in His resurrection.
In v. 11-14, four times the apostles' unbelief is mentioned as Jesus addressed the apostles:
v.11 "They (apostles), when they had heard that he was alive ......believed not".
v.13 "...neither believed they them".
v.14 "He...upbraided them (apostles) with their unbelief and hardness of heart".
v.14 "...because they (apostles) believed not them which had seen him after he was risen".

After this rebuke Jesus gives the apostles the Great Commission in v.15,16.  Once the commission is given, Jesus returns to his immediate audience of the eleven apostles when He says in v.17,18 "These signs shall follow them that believe" (ie. those of you eleven apostles who believe in my resurrection).

In my name:
1.  they shall cast out devils.
2.  they shall speak with new tongues.
3.  they shall take up serpents.
4.  if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them.
5.  they shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover.

Reason 2:  Practical Experience shows that promises 3, 4, 5, are not true for every believer today. In spite of continued failure to heal Charismatics still think that these 5 promises are for every believer today. 
The obvious problem with this interpretation is that it does not deal with everything mentioned in the text.

a)  No Charismatic can always fulfill the 5th promise.  It says that they shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover.  This means 100% recovery all the time.  No one can do this today, as the apostles could in Acts 5:12-16.
 "By the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people...they (believers) brought forth the sick into the streets... and they were healed every one".  v. 16.
John Wimber, a famous Charismatic, laid hands on 250 Down's Syndrome children and none were healed.
Reinhard Boncke tried to heal over 200 Kenyans and none were healed at a meeting at Kisumu.

b)  "If they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them".
"If" means accidentally.  The problem is that many good Christians have become sick or died by poisoning.  Have you as a believer ever vomited?

c)  "They shall take up serpents".
We ask a Charismatic to take up a deadly snake.  He replies by saying: "No, that would be tempting God."  Yet in the first century this was a sign that the apostles did (shall do) to prove the Word of God and their authority.  Some believers today have died in trying this.  Hence showing that this is not for today.

Reason 3:  AORIST tense of "believe" in Mark 16:17 refers to those who did believe in the past, not who will believe in the future.
"These signs shall follow them that believe."  The Greek word for believe here "pisteusasin" which is in aorist participle referring to those who did believe in the past".
[S. Zodhiates, "Complete New Testament Word Study Dictionary" p. 1107]
"not those who would believe in the future".
[S. Zodhiates, "Hebrew-Greek Key Word Study Bible" p.1223]
The aorist tense refers to a past action at a point in time, not an event that recurs again into the future, as it would be if it was true of all believers.

Reason 4:  Belief (pisteusasin in Mark 16:17) does not refer to saving belief.  In John 3:16 and 5:24 saving belief is "pisteuwn", a different word ending.  Hence, "belief" in Mark 16:17 refers not to all future believers, but to the apostles believing in Christ's resurrection at a point in time, once for all time.

Reason 5:  "Do all speak with tongues?"  1 Corinthians 12:30, requires the answer "No, not all believers have the gift of speaking with tongues".

Reason 6:  The Purpose of these signs was to confirm the Word of God spoken and written by the apostles as Mark 16:20 says.
"And they (apostles) went forth and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them (apostles), and confirming the Word with signs (eg. tongues) following".
Once the Word of God (the New Testament) had been confirmed by the apostles' signs, then further signs were not needed.  The signs had done their job of proving the New Testament as being from God.  When the Word of God was completed, then miraculous Apostolic confirmatory signs were no longer needed.

Reason 7:  Mark 16:20 continues the context to mean apostles.

This describes what happened to the apostles after they changed from unbelief in Christ's resurrection to believing it and preaching it everywhere with signs following.
Hence in v.20, the context is still only the apostles doing signs, not every believer doing signs.

Conclusion.  Either all 5 signs are valid for today or none are valid today.  They only refer to first century apostles.

Reason 8:  Tongues had ceased by 70 AD because their use is only mentioned in the earlier New Testament books, such as Mark 16 (57 AD), Acts (54 AD), 1 Corinthians (57 AD).
In all the latter books, tongues are never mentioned.
Why?  Because they never happened after 70 AD and were of no relevance to any churches thereafter.  Tongues are never commanded in any New Testament book for believers to practice.
1 Corinthians 12, 13, 14 rebukes the Corinthians wrong use of tongues.  It is not endorsing tongues to be practiced.  Charismatics think that the key to spirituality is tongues, a phenomena that is not mentioned in 24 out of 27 New Testament books.

Why are tongues ABSENT from 2 Corinthians to Revelation?  If tongues were so necessary, you would definitely see them in the rest of the New Testament.
The book of Romans, which is well-known as the most complete summary of Christian doctrine and practice in the Bible, does not once mention tongues.  Why not?  Because tongues, by the time Romans was written (60 AD) was almost finished as a gift and would be of no relevance in the Church age after 70 AD when God judged Jerusalem.
Think about it, if tongues were important, God would have mentioned them at least once in Romans, or 2 Corinthians, or Galatians, or at least in one letter to a church in a positive context.

Reason 9:  The gift of tongues was never endorsed or practiced by early church leaders.  

Clement of Rome in 95 AD wrote a letter to the Corinthian church rebuking every problem that Paul rebuked except tongues.  Why did he not mention tongues or miracles? 
Justin Martyr (160 AD) visited many churches but never once mentions tongues, not even in his lists of spiritual gifts.
Origen (250 AD) in his voluminous writings never mentions tongues, but argues against Celsus that the sign gifts of the apostles' age were temporary and were not exercised by Christians in the 3rd Century.
Chrysostom (347-407 AD) commented on the 1 Corinthian passage:  "This whole place is very obscure:  but the obscurity is produced by our ignorance of the facts referred to and by their cessation, being such as then used to occur but now no longer take place."  [Homilies, XXIX, 1]
Augustine (354-430 AD) said in speaking of Acts 2:4, "In the earliest times, the Holy Ghost fell upon them that believed: and they spake with tongues...these were signs adapted to the time.  For there behooved to be that betokening of the Holy Spirit...that thing was done for a betokening and it passed away."

Reason 10: "Now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three..." 1 Corinthians 13:13.
Now (57AD) abides (continues) faith, hope, charity, these three" (not "these six prophecy, tongues, knowledge").
Since faith and hope finish at Christ's return, then prophecy, tongues and knowledge had to have finished by 96 AD because they were not abiding, but declining in 57 AD.

Reasons That Tongues Ceased in the First Century

1.  Tongues were a sign of judgment against Jewish unbelief as a nation

With the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D., God's judgment on Israel had been executed and the tongues gift as a sign of coming judgment on Israel was no longer relevant.
"Wherefore, tongues are for a sign NOT to them that believe, but to them that believe not"... 1 Corinthians 14:22.
"In the law it is written, with men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people (Jews); and yet for all that (all the tongues) will they (Jews) not hear me (warning ignored), sayeth the Lord". 1 Corinthians 14:21.
Tongues here clearly are a warning to the Jews that they ignore.
1 Corinthians 14:21 is quoting from:
i) Deuteronomy 28:49 where God warns of judgment coming from "a nation whose tongue thou shalt not understand".
ii) Jeremiah 5:15.  "Lo I will bring a nation upon you from afar...a nation whose language thou knowest not..." (612 BC)  Hence, Babylonian tongues warned Jews of coming judgment.
iii) Isaiah 28:11,12.  "With another tongue will he speak to his people." (712 BC). Here, Assyrian tongues warned the Jews of coming judgment.
iv) Isaiah 33:19.  "Thou shall not see a fierce people, a people of a deeper speech than thou canst perceive:  of a stammering tongue that thou canst not understand". 

Here the absence of foreign tongues will be a sign that Israel is under God's blessing.  Paul applies the Jewish unbelief of Isaiah 28:11, 12 from 712 BC to the first century Jewish unbelief.  "This people", "they", "them that believe not" all refers to Jews.  There were many Jews at Corinth who did not believe (Acts 18).  Hence, tongues were a sign of future judgment to the Jews. 

2.  There are three major outbreaks of miracles in Scripture:
 i) Moses and Joshua (1441-1370 BC) of about 71 years duration.
ii) Elijah and Elisha (870-785 BC) of about 85 years duration.
iii) Christ and the Apostles (28-70 AD) of about 42 years duration.
Continuous miracles in the Bible are the exception, and do not occur always but in three periods.
The miraculous gift of tongues occurred from 30-70 AD.

3.  Tongues belonged to the infant days of the church.
"But when I became a man, I put away childish things" 1 Corinthians 13:11.
Tongues (along with prophesy and knowledge) would cease when the church became mature.  The childhood days of the church ended, when Israel as a nation was judged.  Then there was no longer any need for a sign to authenticate the apostles' message (Mark 16:17-20) which started the church.  Nor was there need for a sign against the extinct Jewish nation.

The gifts of tongues, miracles, healing, etc. had stopped by 70 AD, but of course God still performs miracles and heals as He chooses today in answer to prayer.  Since some foundational gifts were temporary, tongues, a lesser miraculous gift, was temporary also.


4.  Tongues authenticates the apostles' message as from God.
"And they (apostles) went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the Word with signs (tongues, healing, exorcism, etc.) following.  Amen.  "Mark 16:20"'
Today the need for tongues has ceased.  God has authenticated the apostles and the New Testament that they penned.  This proves the temporary nature of tongues.

5.  Hebrews 6:5 shows that the only other age of miracles will be the Millennium described as "the powers of the age to come".

Q.  What are the powers?
A.  The word rendered "powers" is "dynameis" in Greek, which is the usual New Testament word for miracles.  These people had tasted, experienced, or witnessed the apostles' miracles.

Q.  What is the "age to come"?
A.  A common Hebrew expression for the millennium where the Messiah will rule as King on earth.

Q.  Why therefore are miracles referred to as "powers of the age to come"?
A.  Because they would not characterize the church age (which Hebrews 6:5 was quoted in), but the millennial Kingdom age to come.

6.  Hebrews 2:3, 4 shows miracles (such as tongues) to be in the past tense, and not continuously being experienced by the Hebrew Christians of 64 AD.

"How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation which:

1) At the first began to be spoken by the Lord (Jesus' 3 year ministry) and
2) Was (past tense) confirmed (same as Mark 16:20) unto us (second generation Christians) by them (apostles and first generation Christians) that heard him (Jesus Christ),
3) God also bearing them (the apostles, not us or every generation of Christians) witness, both with signs (eg. tongues, miracles, healings, etc.) and wonders, and with divers miracles (miracles belonged to the apostles, not to every Christian.  II Corinthians 12:12), and gifts of the Holy Ghost (eg. the temporary miraculous gifts), according to His own will".
a)  Notice the phrase "at the first".  This gives the time element which governs all these signs, miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost.
b)  All Greek verbs in Hebrews 2:3, 4 are in the aorist tense indicating a past completed act which can never be repeated.

7.  This is also seen in Acts 11:15, where Peter describes tongues at Cornelius household, not as a regular occurrence weekly in every church, but only something that happened last time at Pentecost (Acts 2) "as on us at the beginning".

and described in that way in v. 19, 20.

"And these signs shall follow...them (apostles because the context of v. 11, 14 shows unbelieving apostles four times) that believe; ...they shall speak with new tongues. v. 17.

"This refutes the Charismatic idea that everybody who believes all through the Church age should speak in tongues, lay hands on the sick and they shall recover, etc., because this belief only refers to the unbelieving apostles in v. 11-14 who refused to believe in Christ's resurrection (v.11).  This continues as part of Christ's rebuke to the apostles' for "their unbelief and hardness of heart" v.14.

If we fail to read the entire context of Mark 16:9-20 we may get the impression that the v. 17, 18 sign gifts apply to all believers.  There is good evidence that "them that believe" refers to only the apostles.  Why?

Nobody Just Wakes Up One Day and Says ...

...I think I'll join a cult today!  It just happens.

J.D. Fouirie says ... I have been following your blog for some time and every article has been hitting closer to home.  Our family is involved in a Victory Church in South Africa and it is becoming more and more demonic each week.  Our children have no time for anything or anyone but the church and the people there.  Keep putting out the word of what can happen when Christians sleep.

Pierre & Mairie Tremblay say ... We as Christians are given "free-will" and it is unfortunate that Satan can use this "free-will" to blind us and lead us down the garden path into these non-Scriptural churches.  We were fortunate to have had some discernment when this phenomena started coming into our youth group.  Our Board took action and disciplined the Youth Pastor who promptly quit and disappeared only to resurface in a very charismatic church in another town.  We are in communication with them about the phenomenon and are waiting to see their next steps.

Norman Whitehead says ... You certainly find interesting people to quote in your blog.  The fact that you are taking so much time to research is really quite amazing and the teachings are invaluable for us.  We are now fully aware that our church is one of these non-biblical teaching ones and we will be moving out of their influence in the New Year.

Frank Davis says ... We should be running from these churches as fast as we can.  It is easy to be taken in by the emotional high every week until it is not enough.  By the time you realize that you are involved it is too late.

Lynda LeFountaine says... How true!  Experiences should never be taken over doctrine and Biblical truths.

Amelia Thornton-Smythe says... Great parable on how God views "free will" and what happens when we make the wrong choices.  We have left a Victory Church in California for exactly the reasons that you have been extolling on your blog.  Thank you.

Cindy Browning says... Well-said!  I am sending your blog link to members of my family who think that they are in a Bible-believing church while in fact they are involved in a splinter Pentecostal group.  Keep up the good words.

T. Smith says ... Allowing free will is part of God's plan. When we don't choose the correct one, consequences follow.  These questions are all valid and the well-thought-out responses give food for thought to all those who are involved in a Pentecostal/Charismatic church that is leading them astray.


Douglas O'Bryan says ... I have enjoyed reading the perspectives voiced in the last few posts.  It is very interesting to figure out how some people get so off-track with their Christian experience.  Let's hope that somehow God will use this information to help those who are struggling with being in these churches.

Christine Follwell says ... Terrific information.  I am sending this to our son who is in a Victory Church in Southhampton, UK.

Walter & Carin Crosbie say ... How true, how true.  Our children have been drawn into one of these charismatic churches believing that they are all being spoken to by the Lord.  They had a brief time of prosperity but in the last year, the church has taken everything from them.  If only we had been aware earlier, we might have been able to prevent it.  They are now living with their "spiritual" parents and we feel that it is more of a commune than something that will help them get back on their feet.  We cannot get them to listen to us.  If only, if only we had found your blog earlier.

Auriel & Davis Roebothom say ... We are absolutely dumbfounded by what we are reading about Pentecostal/Charismatics here in your blog.  It is obvious that there has been a lot research into the articles; however, nonetheless, it is still appalling that this can be going on in what some people view as main-stream Christian churches.  After spending several hours reviewing your blog, we have come to realize that we are in a fringe-church -- not all the way down the road but we do have the speaking in tongues and slain in the spirit actions going on.  We thank you for taking the time to do all this research.  We will be looking for a new church.

Ryan Schneider says ... What a relevant topic today!  We spent Christmas Eve with our family at their church (which I am now sure is demon-possessed) and both my wife and I were afraid at the heaviness and despair that seemed to ooze from everyone in attendance at the service.  We've never been involved with "speaking in tongues" and certainly not on Christmas Eve.  We hadn't seen our children for over a year as they had moved out of state with my son-in-law's job and our conversations with them had not indicated to us what they were involved in.  We are praying that their eyes will be opened before it is too late.  We did try to talk to them but who wants to ruin Christmas with religious disagreements.  We will continue to research some of the books and authors that you have mentioned so that we can be prepared when they come home for my wife's birthday in February.  Thank you.

Paul & Annie Potter say ...It is really obvious that you have taken a lot of time to research about the Pentecostal/charismatic movements.  I believe that your concerns are genuine and it is really too bad that these influences are sneaking into the main stream churches each and every week.  All we can do is pray for God to intervene sooner rather than let all of these Christians continue to be deceived.  Your blog is a good starting point for discussion in our small group and we have permission from our pastor to use it starting this month.

Bryan Ingersoll says ... This is absolutely insane.  I cannot believe that so many people (including some of our family) have been suckered into this.  We cannot get any of them to listen to reason about what is really going on in their churches ... and they are mixed up in a number of different ones.  Thank you for sharing.  We will be continuing to follow your blog for more information that may help us get our family out of these churches.  By the way, these churches are spread throughout Canada from coast to coast. [We know.  This problem is huge and needs to be confronted at every turn until it is eliminated.]

Caroline Whyte says ... Thank you for publishing these recent articles.  It has opened our eyes to what is going on in our church.  I am appalled that we were part of those who were deceived by the leaders.  We need to get out but it will be hard for our children to leave their friends.

Y & C Caron say ... We have been following your blog since the beginning and have really been most upset by what is going on.  Some of the comments are so heart wrenching and we really didn't think that we could possibly have been drawn into a church such as these.  Well, on New Year's Eve, in our service, our new pastor started "gobbledegooking" all over the place.  Over half of our congregation was in shock, some left, some started shouting at the pastor ... it was AWFUL!!!  We vetted this pastor ... had no idea that he believed in such a thing ... and now the Board is trying to figure out what to do next!  All of our Board are now researching and we have started with your blog, library and comments.  Thank you, thank you, thank you .. and all because we originally looked up Joel Osteen and your blog came up!

Jay Jurgens says ... We were absolutely astounded by this information.  We know now that some of our family are involved in one of these demon-possessed churches.  Now, how do we get them out? [Getting them out will be no easy task as I have found out myself.  The whole purpose of this blog from the beginning has been to provide information and make my family aware of what is going on and that's about all you can do.  You have to pray and leave the rest to God.  He's the only One who can ultimately achieve anything in the situation.  When Satan gets his claws into your family, it is not easy to get them out.  Pray, pray, pray.]

Ira Grahame says ... Thank you, thank you, thank you.  God has opened our children's eyes and they have left their church ... it only took a whole year of sending them your blog information!

Ann, Joe & Michayla Goodman say ... We were so fortunate to have found your blog when we were researching Kenneth Copeland.  We have several friends who have gotten involved with splinter churches and did not realize how wide-spread this issue is.  We have sent your link to our friends and we are hopefully praying that this will cause them to see some reason.  Do you have any literature on how to help them extricate themselves from this?  [This blog contains an extensive library of books that can help you with this problem.  The first book appeared on January 10, 2010's blog.]

Sandy & Alex Rizer say ... How sad to read the comments from the people who have been  drawn into these fringe churches.  We were so appalled when we read the list of false teachers here and realized that even though we aren't actually involved in one of these churches, we were watching some of these T.V. charlatans for years.  Thank you for opening our eyes.

Terry Kincaid says ... We have been watching your blog for some time and are extremely interested in the perspectives that you put out.  We have always known that some of our family are involved but had no idea of what could possibly happen to them if they stay in these fringe churches.  Thank you so much for posting and we have sent the link to your blog to the ones who we believe are in these churches.  We pray that their eyes will be opened. 

Doreen Crossen says ... I have now realized that I am part of the problem because I attend one of the Victory churches and part of my "job" is to recruit unhappy Christians from other churches.  I have brought over 20 families into our church over the last three years.  Another part of my job was to follow your blog and see what was being put out about us.  What your blog has done is made me realize that we are wrong.  I don't know how to make it right but I am going to try.  Don't let anyone strop you from continuing...this is a valuable service and I know that I would not be aware without it.

Winston Campbell says ... How sad to read some of these comments.  We are just finishing up bankruptcy proceedings after tithing over 50% of our income to the church.  We were fortunate that we did not lose our home but everything else we worked so hard for is gone.  We wish that we had found your blog earlier but all we can say is that if people are in one of these churches .. Get OUT .. do not TITHE 50% of your income .. do not LOSE your family because the church takes over your lives.  We are starting over .. and will be very careful about what church we attend in the future.

L. Tidemann says ... Incredible.  These churches keep growing because they are the "feel good" churches .. and draw people deeper and deeper into their mysticism until they cannot get out.  Keep writing, Brother Poo-Bah!

Kale McDonnell says ... I wish that I had found your blog before I signed up to become a pastor in a Rhema church.  Turns out I was totally deceived until I had signed away my entire life..literally to this corrupt organization.  I am now totally against anything related to these churches and would strongly warn everyone to research, research, research before getting involved. [Shun anything to do with Rhema.  If you have a Rhema Bible, burn it.  If you possess any literature out of Oral Roberts University, burn it.  That way nobody else will fall prey to their false teachings.]

Sonya Irish says ... I have read the comments and I am so sorry for all of these people who were taken in.  I, myself, spent a number of years in one of these churches.  When my eyes were opened (thankfully by the true Lord), it took all of my strength to pull away.  I was ostracised, ridiculed and harassed for a number of years.  Fortunately, I found a good Christian counsellor who helped me get my life back on track.  I am now better off emotionally, physically and financially than I ever was.  For anyone trying to get it .. it is not easy .. but there is help for you.

Edward Martin says ... Some of these stories are just incredible; however, having just been released from the bondage of a Victory church in Alberta after over 10 years of being blinded, we are very grateful that the Lord opened our eyes to what was really going on there.  It took the death of our diabetic daughter to make us realize that faith is part of the healing process but we are not to be so naive as to ignore modern medicine that could have prevented such a tragedy.  We are so sorry that it took such a beautiful girl's death to make us see!

Thomas Joeren says ... Bah!  These people really have no idea what they are bringing into their lives and it is NOT from God.  They have opened themselves up to demons and ultimately Satan.  My sister-in-law and family were part of a "church" that insisted that all members do some unmentionable things with the end result being she became so despondent over it that she committed suicide.  We cannot yet get over her loss.

The Grand Poo-Bah says ... Dr. Phil's Life Law #1 says:  You either get it, or you don't.  Become one of those who gets it.  Sometimes God will hit us over the head with a 2 x 4 to get our attention as He did in some of these stories.  These comments run the gamut from financial ruin to suicide and unnecessary death.  Life Law #4 says: You cannot change what you do not acknowledge. Get real with yourself about life and everybody in it.  There is no time like the present to leave Satan and his cohorts behind.  Stop speaking in tongues (gibberish).  I am reminded of a billboard sign that I saw on the way to Florida which said  "Always remember, when you find yourself going in the wrong direction, Christ accepts U-turns."  If you are currently involved with anything that resembles any of the comments made in this blog, you need to make it a part of your past.  Life Law #5 says: "Life rewards action."  Take action to pull your life out of the ditch and  put it back on the rails.  It is time to secure your eternity which is in jeopardy as long as you remain under the influence of Satan at Victory churches.