TORTURED BY NIGHT VISITORS?

And this is of God? People - stick the Lakeland Revival in the toilet and flush!

Bezel333 on Bentley

Our brother in Christ Bezel333 has done a video looking at Todd Bentley. Take heed and run from the revival!!!

DOCTRINES OF DEMONS - The Roots of Bentley’s “Theology” Pt1

If the roots of Todd Bentley’s theology (if we can honestly call it that) is bad, then we can’t be all that surprised that the fruit is so poisonous, now can we? Behold evidence of Bentley’s perverted roots!

Writing Break

This blog will go silent for a while, unless my brother Stephen wishes to post anything of interest, since I’m undertaking a writing project and wish to devote myself fully to it.

Grace and peace,

Doug

One of Africa’s Finest Hits the UK on Friday

This man is coming to London, and I’m not remotely pleased. Lord willing on Thursday, I’ll explain why.

Things I’ve Learnt from This “Opegate” Saga

Having the forced ability to sit back and think over what has transpired over this blog, here are some lessons I have learnt.

1. Ditch sarcasm - this pains me, since I think mature people should handle a little sarcasm. Even Paul used it - just read his Epistles to both the Corinthians and the Galatians
2. People don’t read when they have already formed an opinion - again, this pains me. I wrote an article- close to a 1,000 people read mine. My brother Stephen, who co-administrates the blog, wrote one - few read it. I was offended by that, since to be honest, Steve had more content that I did. No one read it and no one even bothered to deal with it. I mean, y’all who read it proved you could type - why not put your typing expertise to that blog???
3. Pentecostals tend not to deal in Bible - let’s not go there…

I could name more, but y’all get the idea. If this is the future of Pentecostalism, face it folks - you guys are sunk. Disappointing, very disappointing.

Dr. Harry Ironside on “The Value of Exposing Error”

Looking back on the furore surrounding the Opeyemi saga, I thought these words by the “Archbishop of Fundamentalism”, Dr. Harry A. Ironside. Dr. Ironside (1876-1951), a godly author and teacher for many years, served as pastor of Chicago’s Moody Memorial Church from 1930-1948.

Objection is often raised even by some sound in the faith-regarding the exposure of error as being entirely negative and of no real edification. Of late, the hue and cry has been against any and all negative teaching. But the brethren who assume this attitude forget that a large part of the New Testament, both of the teaching of our blessed Lord Himself and the writings of the apostles, is made up of this very character of ministry-namely, showing the Satanic origin and, therefore, the unsettling results of the propagation of erroneous systems which Peter, in his second epistle, so definitely refers to as “damnable heresies.”

Our Lord prophesied, “Many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.” Within our own day, how many false prophets have risen; and oh, how many are the deceived! Paul predicted, “I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch.” My own observation is that these “grievous wolves,” alone and in packs, are not sparing even the most favoured flocks. Undershepherds in these “perilous times” will do well to note the apostle’s warning: “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers.” It is as important in these days as in Paul’s-in fact, it is increasingly important-to expose the many types of false teaching that, on every hand, abound more and more.

We are called upon to “contend earnestly for the faith once for all delivered to the saints,” while we hold the truth in love. The faith means the whole body of revealed truth, and to contend for all of God’s truth necessitates some negative teaching. The choice is not left with us. Jude said he preferred a different, a pleasanter theme-”Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordainedto this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ” (Jude 3, 4). Paul likewise admonishes us to “have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them” (Eph. 5:11).

This does not imply harsh treatment of those entrapped by error-quite the opposite. If it be objected that exposure to error necessitates unkind reflection upon others who do not see as we do, our answer is: it has always been the duty of every loyal servant of Christ to warn against any teaching that would make Him less precious or cast reflection upon His finished redemptive work and the all-sufficiency of His present service as our great High Priest and Advocate.

Every system of teaching can be judged by what it sets forth as to these fundamental truths of the faith. “What think ye of Christ?” is still the true test of every creed. The Christ of the Bible is certainly not the Christ of any false “-ism.” Each of the cults has its hideous caricature of our lovely Lord.

Let us who have been redeemed at the cost of His precious blood be “good soldiers of Jesus Christ.” As the battle against the forces of evil waxes ever more hot, we have need for God-given valour.

There is constant temptation to compromise. “Let us go forth therefore unto Him without the camp, bearing His reproach.” It is always right to stand firmly for what God has revealed concerning His blessed Son’s person and work. The “father of lies” deals in half-truths and specializes in most subtle fallacies concerning the Lord Jesus, our sole and sufficient Savior.

Error is like leaven of which we read, “A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.” Truth mixed with error is equivalent to all error, except that it is more innocent looking and, therefore, more dangerous. God hates such a mixture! Any error, or any truth-and-error mixture, calls for definite exposure and repudiation. To condone such is to be unfaithful to God and His Word and treacherous to imperiled souls for whom Christ died.

Exposing error is most unpopular work. But from every true standpoint it is worthwhile work. To our Savior, it means that He receives from us, His blood-bought ones, the loyalty that is His due. To ourselves, if we consider “the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt,” it ensures future reward, a thousand-fold. And to souls “caught in the snare of the fowler”-how many of them God only knows-it may mean light and life, abundant and everlasting.

HT: Slice of Laodicea

Grace and peace,

Douglas K. Adu-Boahen

My Response to Opeyemi

[Gotta say, great article from my brother Stephen! God willing, there'll be more to come]

The Golden Rule of Charismatic Ministry

Wonders never cease to amaze me, I must say. My brother Doug penned a phrase earlier that I must highlight. He called this “The Golden Rule of Charismatic Ministry”:
“By virtue of the Anointing, I can say what I want, when I want to who I want. I refuse to judge or be judged and will judge anyone who judges me as unsaved”.

The above quote was no more evident than in some of the comments on the article on Opeyemi Oginni. I can’t help but feel disappointed by some of the responses. I really shouldn’t be, but something within me expected better from some of those who commented. Instead of an appeal to scripture in regards to the prophecy itself, what I saw was the typical “judge not” argument popping up over and over. I half expected that, but I was disappointed with the hypocritical calls by some to stop criticising a man of God, “Don’t touch Gods anointed”, “Cast the first stone if you are without sin” etc. I say hypocritical because:

• You will have to be sinless yourself to come on this blog, blast myself Doug and Dale. If you are not without sin (as the Bible says) then you have violated that same scripture. I don’t recall that approach used by any of the Apostles in scripture.
• If your interpretation of that “Touch not Gods anointed” verse is correct then you are in violation of it also. According to Scripture (1 John 2:27 & 2 Corinthians 1:21), we who are saved are anointed. Unless you are calling any of us unsaved, then I’m afraid you have violated your own false interpretation of that Scripture by speaking out against us (some of you in ridiculous manner – I’m sorry, I can’t get over that “jam yourself and shut up” comment).

So let’s look into this whole affair. Now I can humbly admit that I probably should have kept Brother Douglas out of this and done the write up myself. One could also suggest that the overuse of sarcasm may have come across as rude and may have drawn attention away from the actual issues. However, at no point does the sarcasm used negate the facts of the matter. We’re yet to see one biblical defence of the prophecy. The closest we’ve got to a defence of the prophecy has been:

• It may have taken place in the spirit realm”. As Brother Dale asked, please show us one bible verse showing where a prophecy that was predicted was fulfilled in the unseen “spirit realm”. What you are trying to do here is what Pastor John Coleman calls “spiritual psychobabble”. You are passing off your own interpretation of what may have happened as if it is biblical. NOT SO. As Doug rightly said, this officially has to be the WORST excuse for a prophecy not coming to pass EVER.
• You are not God to judge whether the prophecy came to pass or not”. This is just another tactic hyper charismatic’s in particular, use to shut you up. There were no claims to us being God but once again you have attempted to bring distortions to the table. We have shown you scriptures showing that we are to judge, Jesus himself told us to: John 7:24 Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment. Dayo himself admitted we are to “test all spirits/things”. How do we test ANYTHING without judging it? I see people trying to play fast and loose with scripture.

Now why I called my first write up on this blog “The Golden Rule of Charismatic Ministry” is because as I (and others who have come out of the Charismatic movement) have noticed, within most Pentecostal circles you are made to feel like you cannot question the “men of God”. Comments from Dayo and Not to worry (I’m still waiting for you to get at me man!) have shown this. Both have consistently warned us not to “take Gods place” that we must “leave the judging to God” and Not to worry went on to warn us that if the prophecy had come to pass (in the spirit realm) that we were finished, yet if the prophecy has not come to pass Opeyemi is simply false or better off (for him) simply mistaken. Hmmmm…..question a prophecy and you are threatened with death yet if the prophecy does not come to pass, the prophet isn’t false, he just made a mistake and can be restored. Is that even biblical people? I know it’s the Old Testament but the principle still remains, so let’s look at that verse in Deuteronomy once again:

Deuteronomy 18:21 And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the LORD hath not spoken?
Deuteronomy 18:22 When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him.

A prophet had to have a 100% pass rate otherwise he had spoken presumptuously. If a prophet makes a prophecy and it doesn’t come to pass we have to suggest four things:

1. God is a liar
2. God made a mistake
3. The “prophet” cannot tell the difference between his own imagination (or the voice of another) and the voice of God (remembering Gods sheep know his voice)
4. The “prophet” was lying/spoke presumptuously

It beggars belief that people are acting so sloppy with the whole prophetic word thing. Things like this happen ALL THE TIME and I have to say, the charismatic movement has been fertile ground for such things like this to take place. People like Benny Hinn are allowed to get away with making false prophecies on a regular basis (like the ones he made about Castro dying and the one about the homosexual community being wiped out, both to have taken place in the 90’s, yet neither took place). Yet if you are biblical and question these things in the light of scripture you are reviled, rebuked, called names like “Pharisee” and “accuser of the brethren”, and even have your salvation questioned. Are they not mere men? It is the attitude of those within the movement to exalt these men as if they are mini gods, beyond biblical rebuke, beyond biblical reprove, beyond anything, regardless what they say. Well I’m sorry to say, the “judge not, touch not, speak not” approach isn’t biblical and just does not cut it.

I know we’ve done this many times before but let us see what the bible has to say about judging and testing all things, and also what the bible has to say about false prophets and false doctrine:

Matthew 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

Matthew 7:16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?

Matthew 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

Matthew 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

Matthew 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

John 7:24 Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.

Acts 20:29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.

Acts 20:30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.

Acts 20:31 Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.

Romans 16:17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.

Galatians 1:6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:

Galatians 1:7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.

Galatians 1:8 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.

1 Thessalonians 5:20 Despise not prophesyings.

1 Thessalonians 5:21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.

1 Timothy 6:3 If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ*, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;

1 Timothy 6:4 He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,

1 Timothy 6:5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: (so much for free PR) from such withdraw thyself.

*It was the Lord Jesus Christ who gave us the command to judge righteous judgements in John 7. To tell us to leave the judgment to God is to teach otherwise.

2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: (biblical reproof and correction is supported here. How else is it done without judging righteously?)

2 Peter 2:1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.

2 Peter 2:2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.
(Please read the whole of this chapter)

1 John 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. (Once again, the charge here is to test every spirit. Although within the context of the chapter, John is talking about the error of the Docetists, the principle still remains: test all spirits.)

Jude 1:3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.

Jude 1:4 For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.

(And again, please read the entire chapter/book – it’s only a chapter long)

Now what can we gather from these scriptures? False prophets were warned of A LOT by the apostles. Not only that, but the Apostles agreed with Jesus when he said we should “judge” them. We are to test all spirits, prove all things and use the scriptures for reprove and rebuke. For the sake of clarity, let’s see how the words “reprove” and “rebuke” are defined:

Reprove

1. to convict, refute, confute

        a. generally with a suggestion of SHAME of the person convicted

        b. by conviction to bring to the light, to EXPOSE

 

    2.   to FIND FAULT WITH, CORRECT

        a. by word (like a post for example).

 

    3.   to REPREHEND SEVERELY, chide, admonish, reprove

    4. to CALL TO ACCOUNT, show one his FAULT, DEMAND an explanation
     

        a. by deed

    5. to CHASTEN, to PUNISH

Rebuke

1.) To tax with fault, rate, chide, rebuke, reprove, censure severely

    a. to admonish or charge sharply

In accordance with the scriptures and those definitions (which came from the Strong’s Concordance), we are permitted and encouraged to expose, correct, call into account and demand an explanation of any saint. This is not restricted to “lay persons” alone but also accounts for “men of God”. The Golden Rule was brought in to prevent that. Twisting scriptures such as “Touch not mine anointed” and “Judge not lest ye be judged” have become the common thing to do to shut people up, regardless of the truth. I for one will not stand for such spiritual blackmail, neither will good brothers (and sisters) like Doug, Dale, D Man, Thomas and the many others who realise that there was truth in what was said.

I’ve seen this example used many times before and it is so fitting for what goes on today in many church circles. If you knew of a family member or a friend of yours that was being tortured, would you just sit around saying “Don’t judge, let God deal with him, let God be God and be the final judge” or even “Just pray for him”? NO, you would expose the person! You would warn others of that person. You would alert the authorities. Why do some take a softer approach to the things of God as if they are not a matter of life and death? Lives are at stake here folks - spiritual lives. Paul said in Acts 20:31 that he ceased not to warn everyone night and day for THREE YEARS with tears. That’s how important correct doctrine was to Paul, and that should be our attitude towards correct doctrine. We cannot afford to listen to or support those who refuse to be called out on their errors, who desire to have the right to say whatever they want, when they want, to whom they want, regardless of whether it is biblical or not.

Now this article is about much more than Ope’s prophecy, it’s about the conquest of truth. It’s about realising that we must be alert in these last days, that we must take heed as even Satan has disguised himself as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14). People, especially young people (both age wise and in the faith), we must say NO MORE to “the golden rule of charismatic ministry” and say YES to the biblical view of testing ALL THINGS.

I end with a quote from a good brother Daniel (check out his wonderful blog here: http://heartofflesh.wordpress.com/) from his blog about Oprah:

MY RESPONSE TO CAMP LEST THEE BE JUDGED: Unfortunately, there are many people in this world who are extremely rude and truly judgmental. Sorry. Don’t retreat to Matthew 7:1 or John 8:7 in cowardice when someone has not judged you but actually debunked you.”

Grace and Peace.
Mr Olan 

Let’s Settle This

Seeing as I am now manifesting the nature of Satan through being an “accuser of the brethen” these days, I am issuing a little challenge.

I recently did an extensive critique of a false prophet by the name of Opeyemi Oginni. I feel I did what the Apostles of old would’ve done, were they around. Some folks have come out in defense of Oginni, and therefore I’m now issuing what in my honest opinion is an interesting yet simulataneously revealing challenge. [Hat-tip to my brother Dale for this idea...]

If what I said was either false or slanderous [by that I mean, I made sweeping statements without proof], then post a comment after this with:

• Each point of offense
• A piece of evidence from the post
• Scriptural explanation of your point

I’m sure we can sort this out competently and Biblically.

Grace and peace,

Douglas