Dear friends in Christ,
Even before the Lakeland phenomenon broke out, I heard a report about Todd Bentley's meetings on the Gold Coast that dismayed me somewhat. It had to do with the way he raises money, by telling people that they should "sow" money into his anointing so that they can receive an impartation of it.
I can't say I was prejudiced against these meetings from the start. In fact I had heard of Todd Bentley and knew he moved to some extent in gifts of healing and miracles for some years. I hadn't read anything that looked really wrong. I even obtained permission to publish one of his articles on my website some years ago which I thought was helpful. I heard the pastors who organised the meetings on the Gold Coast talk about it and I wasn't thinking - "Oh what a bad thing that Todd Bentley is coming".
However, at the present time, I am deeply concerned about these meetings and the fanfare they are attracting. It would be good if what was being taught was consistently Scriptural and the meetings were causing people to fear God, to confess and turn away from their secret sins. But I don't see that that is what this "revival" is about.
It seems to be about Todd Bentley, angels of finance, the supernatural, boasting about dreams, visions and prophetic experiences, and the impartation of a spirit the nature of which seems highly questionable to me right now. The Bible instructs us to "believe not every spirit, but test the spirits". It doesn't seem to me that a lot of testing the spirits is going on at Lakeland.
It seems to me that this revival is first and foremost about "the supernatural". Its not healthy for "the supernatural" to be the primary emphasis in Christian meetings, since there are supernatural or spiritual phenomena which are NOT of God. Its true that when God is moving it is normal for there to be supernatural things happening at some level. I personally believe healing and deliverance SHOULD follow the preaching of the gospel, and certainly these things have happened many times when I've preached. I also believe that churches SHOULD have the operation of revelational gifts of the Spirit. But not every revelation is given by the Holy Spirit - and not every time you feel good does it mean that God was behind it.
If God sends a revival to the church, the FEAR OF THE LORD would have to be a primary theme. If people do not fear God as a result of being in a revival meeting, I question what spirit is operating. These days "the supernatural" is much more commonly in manifestation than in former times, but godliness is much less. I be
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revival?
I am surprised at the hype about the healings at Todd meetings.
Have attended more power packed crusades in India and have seen creative miracles.
Had been to Evangelist Rambabu meetings, and seen missing organs being re created. just thet he is not on tv as much as Todd is on.
After seeing power of God in action without any hype at Rambo crusades, feel shocked at the hype they are creating about TODD.
JESUS IS LORD.
Yash.
Yes Rambabu meetings are some of the best I've seen
Look, its true. I've been with Rambabu on the platform one time and the kind of miracle anointing there and the kinds of things that happen - with absolutely NO WEIRDNESS, were far greater. It wasn't about Rambabu either, it was REALLY about Jesus.
The TV coverage can make something very big. Thats why I am involved in Christian TV. The whole Christian TV industry needs radical reformation in order to glorify God properly, but we MUST use TV if we are serious about fulfilling the commandment of Jesus to preach the gospel in all the world.
From what I hear and see on youtube, the Todd Bentley meetings are not about preaching the gospel - as in the meaning of the death and resurrection of the Son of God - they are about the supernatural, angels, money, "revival" and Todd Bentley. Its sad because Todd is gifted in the divine healing ministry and obviously was called by God to be a signifant healing evanglist. But that doesn't mean God is happy with everything else he is doing - covering himself with strange tatoos, teaching people to "sow into" the anointing so they can receive it, kicking ladies in the face in the name of Jesus, teaching guided visualisation, imparting what seem to me to be spirits of divination to people and so on and so forth.
The tragedy is that no one in modern charismatic leadership that Todd would listen to is willing to stand up and confront these things with a view to bringing correction. Instead, the so-called apostles and prophets are all basically telling him how great he is, and will be.
Prosperity, Health and wealth teachers
For the past week I have been overwhelmed by these teachings of Prosperity. Some how the whole teachings just do not fit in very well with me. All of a sudden these prosperity teachers have infested the whole world with their questionable teachings. I need a deeper spirual understand on this subject, I believed once until my spirit could no longer take it in. I realised the same teachings are being shared amongst people who are far awy from God like the BOOK "THE SECRET". How can worldy beliefs be the same as our gospel, by the look of things the devil has seen an opening at is taking advantage of it. Please brethrens asssit me in this, one thing I can tell you is though we are told to claim wealth, health and richness I would claim the Kingdom of God. And I believe God answered my orayers in rejecting these teachings. When are these teachers going to stop telling people to sick worldly things like wealth when would they draw the line since we will leave all of these things here on earth. They seem not to worry about that though they want people to satisfy thier greed and who cares about what happens when they die
Prosperity
God wants us to succeed if we are humble enough to do things His way. There are times we may need lots of money for God's work, but its amazing what can be done through God's power alone, without anything more than food, clothing, a Bible and a healthy body. Success does not always mean an abundance of resources, though it might at times, depending on God's particular plan. At times we won't have those things, even though we follow God faithfully.
The danger I see in the teaching and example of "prosperity teachers" is the subtle implication that God is very happy for us to live in luxury and indifference towards the needs of others. The Scriptures are twisted to make out that Jesus Christ lived in opulence on earth. Not so. The amount of money Christians waste on unnecessary luxuries is TOTALLY SHAMEFUL, and many of our Christian leaders are leading the way in this conspicuous consumption. Many of them would like their followers to lay up as many treasures on earth as possible, as long as they get their 10% cut. They live in opulence so as to attract followers who also want to keep what they have for their own self indulgence, all the while believing that Jesus Christ thinks it is just fine. God is interested in us having the kind of love that does something for the poor and for the gospel, rather than merely accumulating for ourselves.
Prosperity
Sadly it is getting harder to separate out the truth that the Lord does want to meet our needs and yes, even 'prosper' us from the teachings of TV ministers that are preaching wealth. Prosperity is revealed in the bible to include peace, wholeness etc
When I have seen documentaries exposing Benny Hinn's lavish lifestyle I have been offended because he is missing the obvious
2 Cor 9:8
And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.
(NKJ)
Benny and others have missed the fact that the abundance God has given them is for EVERY GOOD WORK and not for themselves. The 'all sufficiency' is for them (bills met, perhaps?).
They are stealing if they have kept the abundance for themselves.
I agree with you nisa
I ve' taken a bit of interest in the life styles of some preachers not that am trying to pick on them (Touch not mine annointed, do my prophets no harm) but their lives are quite luxurious, expensive meals (over $2,000.00 per plate, if translated into my national currency its quite huge K7.1 million), mansions that are just dreams to an average human being, some have even bought planes (personal planes) etc...not that all these things are bad but when you look at the early church "and they shared...and no one lacked" we are so different.
Its more about an individual than it is for the body of Christ.
You hear people suffering in Darfur and most preachers are talking about it "give this much to feed so many people" why can't they sell their planes or cut down on their luxuries and donate? Sometimes am made to think probably 'Properity' is mostly for the preachers...may be they deserve to live the way they are living, may be its God's will for them..
Revival:
I agree with the warnings posted.
Jesus warned in Matt 12:39 But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas:
The commission that Jesus gave to the 12, 70 and the 120 that instituted the New Testament Church were told not only to "Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers", but also to Preach the repentance and remission of sins in every nation, beginning at Jerusalem. Luke 24:46-49. I have not seen or heard Mr. Bentley preach a message against sin or to make an altar call for sinners.
Jesus came into the world to save sinners; 1 Tim 1:15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners ; of whom I am chief.
The are three purposes named in the Bible for the "Laying on of hands"; # 1 the healing of the sick; Mark 16:18, the receiving of the Holy Ghost in Acts 8:14-17 and the ordaination of Elders in Acts 6:3-7.
Any thing else is for "self promotion".
Paul instructed the Church at Corinth to; "Let everything be done decently and in order".
Pastors and Christian leaders must take a stand against such evil as this,
KJV
RE: God... errr Todd Bentley
This has been the first time that I have lost sleep regarding the teachings of an alleged follower of Christ. While there have been instances of teaching that I disagreed with in the past, never has the Spirit weighed upon me so heavily.
The pastor of my church recently chartered a trip to Lakeland and approximately 20 individuals went on this junket or "JUNKIT". After hearing about the "wonderful" things that were happening in Lakeland, I decided to do some internet research.
It should not take long for someone to recognize that Todd Bentley has some serious problems. I dare say that if you have never seen him and just heard him you would realize this. (I am so over people saying that his tattoos are causing me to turn him off. Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will have tattoos on his legs and thighs when he returns. Granted, they will be different tattoos. However, He doesn't appear to have a problem with them so why should I?). The violence displayed by this person is shameful. In one service he imparted the healing gift of the Spirit by the rubbing of his bald head against the stomachs of individuals. Excuse me... I thought it was the laying on of hands that we were to use when healing the sick.
After mentioning some of the concerns regarding Mr. Bentley, my pastor proceeded to provide me with a rebuttal paper that someone had written to the critics of the movement. He also referred me to Mr. Bentley's website. While I can accept some of the rebuttals and find some issues to be neither here nor there, it surprises me how anyone cannot see the mockery and sham that is being perpetrated against them. I have not been able to justify (through reading of the scriptures or through the discernment of my heart) that there is any way to reconcile the violent actions of this man with the teachings of Christ or the work of the Holy Spirit to any degree. My dilemma is that I am having trouble accepting that my pastor has bought into this. Although he states that he isn't promoting Bentley, his actions say otherwise. He has come back from the revival more on fire than before (it would appear), but is it possible to receive a blessing/anointing/outpouring from God through a man that is so far off in his words and actions? The pastor wants to begin healing services sometime next month and I won't know until then how much he has been influenced by this abomination.
I am hesitant to leave this body of believers for one reason; there are many young Christians that can be easily led astray and I am concerned as to the best way to impart knowledge to them (I'm sure Bentley would impart it with a fist to the nose). If I stay am I supporting the ministry? If I leave who will provide a balanced view? Any thoughts?
Standing for truth
I cannot believe that so many of Gods people are being deceived by this disgrace.
I understand your dilemma gman.
My Pastor told me that he is "keeping a good eye on this guy" which makes me think that while he is wary, he is so far unwilling to renounce Mr Bentley openly.
My feeling on this is that we must not be afraid to face this in the power of the Lord Jesus.
If we run away how far will we keep running.
There are scriptural references to challenging our church leaders. Take a look at Michaels blog "Different spheres of authority"
http://www.christian-faith.com/forjesus/node/13659
I believe that it is within our sphere to take a stand here.
We are called to hold up our church family in prayer and we have authority in Jesus Name to destroy strongholds of deception.
Only if our church appears to be moving into apostacy should we get out.
I hope this is of some help to you.
I will remember you in prayer.
God bless,
Pete
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Hello dears, Beware of
Hello dears,
Beware of Endtime spirits masquerading as spirit of God.
Beware of spirit of antichrist, trying to make enviroment
for appearance of antichrist! Be ware of spirit of Jezebel
waring against God's prophets and teaching the church the
witchcraft! Hold on your swords ready to war against them
and Glorify King of kings
Just read A.W Tozer's book and greatly blessed me at very
first chapter which I have not even finished. He says:
"whenever Jesus is glorified Holy Spirit comes" Yes
whenever Jesus is NOT glorified, demon spirit comes!
God bles you Michael and ALL CF
Steve
absolutely!
i totally agree with you , Michael : we are living in a most dangerous period , with false teachings abounding , and with the majority of "Christians" looking for fleshly experiences in "out-of-this-world" meetings or crusades , call it as you like . Now is the time for us to really seek the Lord and to listen to what the Spirit is telling us : we have entered a season of terrible spiritual war , and those who do not have the Word dwelling in them will end up being the first casualties . I leave in Africa , and i can tell you : the deception is not only in Lakeland . Brothers , sisters , please wake up ! Being a Christian is about being transformed into the likeness of the One who bought us at the price of His life , not about showing the world how powerful and anointed you are . The Holy Spirit is here primarily to mold us into the image of the Son , do not be misled . Spend time reading the Word , meditating on it , and praying ; do not think you can never be deceived , do not take this warning lightly !
Amen
I agree with Michael and Chadian. We also need to be humble people of God. AMEN, AMEN and AMEN. Michael may God continue to bless you as you use the internet to spread the truth of the gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
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