Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.
Jesus Culture and Judah Smith to Join Piper, Moore, Chan and Others at Giglio’s Passion 2013
A new year means a fresh batch of conferences. And a fresh batch of conferences means a whole new crop of questionable decisions being made by the leaders and organizers of those gatherings.
To start off the 2013 conference season is Louie Giglio’s Passion 2013. Held at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, it will run from 1–4 January. Giglio aims this gathering specifically at young people, and according to the event’s website, last year saw “more than 40,000 students and leaders from around the world” at the US event. Today The Christian Postreports that 60,000 students are scheduled to attend this week’s event.
Passion targets the younger generation with such high-profile names as Beth Moore, John Piper, Francis Chan, rapper Lecrae and this year, pastor Judah Smith of The City Church in Seattle and popular Christian band, Jesus Culture.
Who Is Judah Smith?
Judah Smith has been profiled briefly here before when, in May of this year, Smith invited Word Faith teacher Brian Houston of Hillsong Church (who, incidentally, just preached weekend services at Rick Warren’s Saddleback Church) to preach at The City Church. Oddly enough, New Calvinist pastor Mark Driscoll was excited about the invitation, even encouraging his Twitter followers to attend.
Judah Smith co-pastors his church with his wife, Chelsea, making the Reformed Driscoll’s endorsement even more perplexing. The presence of a pastrix at The City Church ought not surprise, though, when it is considered that this church was founded by Judah’s parents, pastor Wendell and pastrix Gini Smith:
The reader will note that, in the screenshot above, it states that Wendell and Gini Smith originally served under Dick Iverson at Bible Temple in Portland. According to C. Peter Wagner’s book Apostles Today: Biblical Government for Biblical Power, Iverson was the “founder of one of America’s foremost apostolic networks, Ministers Fellowship International, out of Portland, Oregon.” So it sounds as though The City Church has some rather colorful roots.
Who Is Jesus Culture?
Speaking of colorful, this leads to the concerning inclusion by Louie Giglio of the “Christian” music group, Jesus Culture. The group’s website tells us that it was spawned out of the youth group at Bill Johnson’s Bethel Church in Redding, California. For those who are unfamiliar with Johnson and Bethel, the following video shares some of the “signs and wonders” shenanigans that take place there, and also demonstrates some classic Bill Johnson Scripture-twisting:
Now, one could camp for quite awhile on some of the statements made by Johnson in that video, but since Johnson is not under discussion here, we’ll move on. The point is, of course, that this is the church that birthed the Jesus Culture phenomenon.
The entirety of Jesus Culture’s “About Us” page warrants a close examination, and will aid in understanding why Christians should be concerned that this band is being mainstreamed by men like Louie Giglio:
The choice of words in the paragraphs above is curiously alarming. The language surrounding a “new breed of revivalists” emerging is of particular interest, as such vocabulary is prominent within the New Apostolic Reformation movement.
Note also that the group claims direct revelation and instruction from the Lord Himself.
The members of Jesus Culture claim that the Lord spoke to them, revealing the characteristics of their movement (which noticeably does not include repentance or sanctification, only love and supernatural experience), commissioning them to “mobilize this new breed,” and in so doing issued a mandate to Jesus Culture that cannot be ignored. Taking this to its logical conclusion, then, to question the actions or words of Jesus Culture and its members is to question God Himself.
Examination of this website further reveals that the goal of this group is to lead people into an experience or an “encounter” with God. It seems that truth may be cast aside in favor of temporary and potentially deceiving experiences.
The Music of Jesus Culture
It behooves us, then, to see just how it is that the music of Jesus Culture may lull the professing Christian teenager into a so-called “encounter” with God. Below you will witness the group leading the crowd in a repetitive mantra, followed by some singing and what appears to be tongues-speaking. The clip will close with band member Kim Walker-Smith breaking into spontaneous prayer and declaration.
The repetition of the mantra “Jesus” at the beginning of the clip, while appearing to be spiritual, actually potentially could lead a person into an altered state of consciousness. Contemplative prayer, which is little more than a “Christianized” version of Eastern meditation, often encourages such a practice, as one seeks to journey inward to discover the “divine spark” within oneself. Yet, Scripture nowhere teaches this type of praise or prayer, but rather condemns the practices of pagan religions.
Also of note in the clip above is the apparent spontaneous breakout into tongues at approximately 2:30, following the singing of the line, “Heaven beckons to me.” The fact that these were nothing more than gibberish and were not a known language, as per the biblical definition of ‘tongues,’ ought to cause concern as well.
In watching and listening to Jesus Culture, it does not take long to realize that the focus of their music and teaching is all about an experience of “God’s love.” Yet, without acknowledging the righteous wrath of God, His love can never fully be understood or appreciated. Unfortunately, a warm-fuzzy feeling up and down one’s spine does not a true Christian make.
The “Teaching” of Jesus Culture
Jesus Culture does more than simply play music, however. It seems that, at times, various members of the group also may preach or teach. Below is Jesus Culture member Kim Walker-Smith preaching to a large crowd at the Awakening 2011 event, and offering a rather detailed account of her own personal encounter with “Jesus.” This video is a bit lengthy, but the reader is urged to watch it in its entirety.
Kim Walker-Smith claims that she spoke with Jesus, that He cuddled her, and that she saw God the Father. And while she acknowledges that such visions are not regular occurrences, she nevertheless indicates that she’s had multiple encounters with Him. One wonders how many people sitting amongst that large crowd left disappointed that night that they had not “encountered” Jesus as Kim Walker-Smith claimed that she had. Walker-Smith’s recollection of the vision is natural, and seems to presume that everyone should experience such a thing. Yet, when face to face with God Almighty, how did Isaiah react?
In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one called to another and said:
“Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!”
And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke. And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!” (Isaiah 6:1–5)
And Ezekiel?
And above the expanse over their heads there was the likeness of a throne, in appearance like sapphire; and seated above the likeness of a throne was a likeness with a human appearance. And upward from what had the appearance of his waist I saw as it were gleaming metal, like the appearance of fire enclosed all around. And downward from what had the appearance of his waist I saw as it were the appearance of fire, and there was brightness around him. Like the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud on the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness all around. Such was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. And when I saw it, I fell on my face…(Ezekiel 1:26–28)Moses, who we are told spoke to the Lord as a man speaks to a friend (Exodus 33:11), was not even allowed to see Him in all of His glory!
Moses said, “Please show me your glory.” And he said, “I will make all my goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you my name ‘The LORD.’ And I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy. But,” he said, “you cannot see my face, for man shall not see me and live.” And the LORD said, “Behold, there is a place by me where you shall stand on the rock, and while my glory passes by I will put you in a cleft of the rock, and I will cover you with my hand until I have passed by. Then I will take away my hand, and you shall see my back, but my face shall not be seen.” (Exodus 33:18–23)Not one of these men, after a brief moment of awestruck fear, “fell into Jesus’ arms” as Walker-Smith claims that she did. Not one describes God the Father running around deliriously and laughing while Isaiah or Ezekiel danced around in a music box. So to Kim Walker-Smith’s claims above that she has spoken personally with Jesus Christ and God the Father, I would like to offer this challenge: Prove it. And while you’re at it, disprove this: God just spoke to me and told me that you are lying, Kim Walker-Smith. Don’t believe me? Well, who is to say that your experience was real and mine was not?
Christian, herein lies the grave danger of such claims of personal revelation and visitations from God. They cannot be proven and they are not Scriptural. If they are to be found in Scripture, they appear to be more indicative of the deceptive angel of light (2 Cor. 11:14–15) than anything else.
Parents, if your teenager is attending Passion 2013 this week, this is the type of so-called Christian leaders to whom they are being exposed. This is the type of music that will bombard their eardrums during these four days. If your impressionable teen is wandering in the crowd of Passion 2013, it is my prayer that you will pray mightily for his or her protection.
What Happened at Passion 2012?
As a reminder, last year’s Passion Conference saw the featured speakers lead the humongous crowd in a troubling display of “Lectio Divina-lite.” In the post, “Biblical Silence vs. Mystical Silence and What Really Went On at Passion 2012?” the topics of contemplative prayer and lectio divina were discussed more thoroughly. The following videos of Session 5 of the Passion 2012 conference also were shared in that article.
Here is popular New Calvinist preacher John Piper:
Here we see the SBC’s favorite female Bible teacher, Beth Moore:
And here is Passion founder Louie Giglio closing this session:
Of special note are the words spoken by Giglio at the close of this exercise:
How many of you heard the voice of God speak specifically, clearly, directly, and personally, to you? Can you just put a hand up? I’d like you to share it. Can you put a hand up for a minute?
Just want you to look around; that’s people saying, “God Almighty (pause) the Maker of heaven (pause) the one Who’s sitting on the only throne (pause) that’s not under threat (long pause, audience cheers)—He spoke to me. He spoke to me.”
“God spoke to me.” (long pause) Don’t let the voice of the darkness, tell you that you are not (pause) worth (pause) that God would not speak to you. (pause) Don’t let him tell you, you don’t matter. (pause) God spoke to you.
As was asked in last year’s reporting of this event: When did Protestant leaders begin to teach that we need the Bible “plus” anything? God has spoken. He has graciously, clearly, and perfectly spoken in His Word. We have no need to be still and wait for His audible voice outside of Scripture. He has not stuttered. He has not stammered. He has not whispered. If you want to hear from God Almighty, open your Bible and read.
Until Passion 2013 commences, there is no way to know if a similar exercise will be practiced again. A live stream of the event will be provided, and those who are concerned may want to take the time to watch some of the sessions.
Conclusion
It is important to note that this article is not attempting to throw anyone under the guilt-by-association bus. No one is saying that, because one of these individuals will be sharing the stage with another that they necessarily endorse that other person’s ministry. Of course, that does not speak to the wisdom of certain speakers choosing to participate in this event. What must be acknowledged, however, is that simply by extending an invitation to these individuals, Passion founder Louie Giglio is issuing an apparent endorsement of each one’s ministry. For those who maintain that Giglio is a conservative and trusted teacher, this poses a rather complicated problem.
Evangelicalism appears to be taking broader strides toward the wide road of destruction. Compromise is rampant as numbers take priority over fidelity to Scripture. These are not small issues, dear Christian. What we are witnessing is the mainstreaming of movements that once existed only on the fringe of the “Christian” community, such as Word Faith and dangerous, deceptive “charismatic chaos.” In the face of the visible church’s compromise, the true Christian must stand on God’s Word alone. To ground oneself upon anything else is to guarantee a certain, perhaps eternal, collapse.
Our vision is a world where collaboration and co-operation are recognised as essential in solving the contemporary challenges – social, economic, political and environmental – facing the global community.
Mission statement
The mission of the World Servers Foundation is to highlight and facilitate the positive work of others and to promote and cultivate the inherent ability within all human beings to bring about positive change.
We believe that co-operation and collaboration are vital next steps in human history and that these will be essential features of our longer-term survival.
On a daily basis we will contribute to a more stable and co-operative world community through:
Education and Encouragement – Providing courses and retreats for people who are in a position to influence, motivate and educate others. These courses and retreats will provide a forum for fresh perspectives on the nature of education and human development and will help key decision makers and educators bring about positive change within their respective fields and to leverage this position for wider impact.
Providing a platform for global discussion and debate that enables individuals and organisations at all levels, in every country, to tell their story, express their feelings, highlight key issues and showcase work in all areas related to positive change.
Using the media and the power of the internet as a collaborative educational platform.
Creativity and Connection – Network building: locating, connecting and communicating the initiatives worldwide which are serving the good of their communities and providing ways for others to be involved and further this work.
To identify and connect groups and individuals in areas such as education, science, the arts, business, charity and politics who are aligned with this vision and mission, making their service more visible and tangible.
To provide platforms for practical expression, action, creativity, discussion and collaboration.
Neutrality – To maintain religious, social and political neutrality, free from the influence of any particular country, organisation or group.
This mission stems from our desire to make visible the power of the human spirit and goodwill by highlighting those thoughts and actions that go beyond individual interests and serve the good of the whole.Through this work we aim to educate and encourage others and therefore increase the pace and volume of positive change around the world to meet our core vision.
The herald of the “world servers” was occultist, Alice Bailey, who was the founder of Lucis Trust, which was originally founded as Lucifer Trust in the early 1920’s. Bailey was a Luciferian, a the herald of the New Age, and she wrote extensively about the coming new world order, and its “world servers”. She described the world servers in the following:
The “world servers” are people who seek to serve the good of the whole, share the same consciousness, carries out every activity which forwards, and fosters, good will and right relations. They seek to be harmless, constructive, and inclusive, in their thinking, and in their actions. World servers are active in all fields of life, and all countries. They are laying the foundations for right relations, and world unity. The new group of world servers is a living organization. It is not an organization. It has no headquarters, or official representatives. Every person, in every country, who is living a life of service to the good of the whole, is a member of the group. Every man, and woman, in every country, who is working to heal the breeches between people, to evoke a sense of brotherhood, to foster a sense of mutual interrelation, and interdependence, and who sees no racial, national, nor religious barriers, are part of the new group of world servers, even if they never heard of it by name. Members of the group are active in all branches of human enterprise. They include creative workers, psychologists, teachers, scientists, political workers, religious workers, business people, financiers, labor & management, environmentalists, and human rights workers.
For more information on Alice Bailey’s description of the “world servers”, click on the link entitled “The New Group of World Servers“.
Tony Blair, who is a member of the Fabian Society has established the Tony Blair Faith Foundation, which includes Pastor of Saddleback Church, and author of “The purpose Driven Life”, Rick Warren, as one of the members of its religious advisory council. Rick Warren has been highly involved in working for world peace & security by his humanitarian work in countries around the world through church planting, and has even signed a document which affirms the Universalist’s claim that the God of Christians and the god of Islam is the same god, who they both serve for the sake of world peace, called “A Christian Response to ‘A Common Word between Us and You’“. According to the statement below, the Tony Blair Faith Foundation is geared toward the same agenda as Alice Bailey’s “world servers”, by using religion as a tool to secure, and sustain, world peace.
The Tony Blair Faith Foundation promotes understanding and respect between the world’s major religions. We believe this is central to a policy to secure sustained peace.
The world continues to become increasingly interconnected. Old boundaries of culture and identity are being eroded. However, faith has remained at the core of life for billions of people. It underpins systems of thought and behaviour.
Faith can be used to unite people around a common cause. But too often, faith can also be distorted and used to fan the flames of hatred and extremism.
The Tony Blair Faith Foundation supports and collaborates with those who seek peace. We educate and develop understanding about religion in the modern world by promoting leadership, literacy and lives.
Leadership: we seek to ensure that current and future leaders understand the role religion plays in the modern, globalising world.
Literacy: we educate and support young people to help them become global citizens.
Lives: we help religious communities in 140+ countries work together to save lives.
The Christian “world servers” can be seen in world-wide church planting initiatives that seeks spiritual, social, and cultural transformation of entire cities and regions, which is not evangelism, but the changing of various people’s world views for the purpose of uniting the church with the secular communities of the world. Below is an example of global church planting of Christians, who’s, ecumenical, dominionist’s agenda, reflects the agenda of the “world servers”.
This GCA Church Planting and Renewal Conference is an inter-denominational training event designed to equip church planters, pastors, and lay-leaders to start, grow and multiply healthy, gospel-centered churches that result in the spiritual, social and cultural transformation of entire cities and regions.
Christian leaders from more than 50 countries, representing over 300 denominations and mission agencies, have taken this church planter training.
In order to best accomplish our strategy, GCA has designed a tactical plan to equip church leaders to start, grow and multiply Gospel-Centered Churches that intentionally form Church Planting Networks and Alliances that will, by God’s grace, birth Church Planting Movements and Gospel Renewal Movements. This is the strategy through which we pray that God’s invisible Kingdom will be made visible among all nations—resulting in the fulfillment of the Great Commission (Matt. 28:16-20). This plan includes starting, growing and multiplying:
Churches
A Gospel-Centered Church focuses its ministries primarily on: 1) Evangelism (good news for the lost), 2) discipleship (good news for the found), and 3) societal transformation (good news for the community). A Gospel-Centered Church shares a Kingdom vision for the spiritual, social and cultural renewal of its community, region, nation and the world through starting, growing and multiplying churches by the power of the gospel in word and deed. The plan is not merely to start Gospel Centered Churches but also Church Planting Networks.
Timothy Keller, Pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church, who also teaches this false gospel of cultural renewal, described his approach to proclaiming the gospel of cultural transformation below, which also reflects the agenda of the world servers, but on a city-wide scale, instead of nation wide.
First, that Christ changes the way we use wealth and power. Our understanding of work must reflect what Robert Bellah (from his book, Habits of the Heart) describes as a contribution to the common good. Along this line, I’d express a desire to populate the city with people who embody this vision. I’d want to see an explosion of philanthropy, in which we don’t spend money on ourselves, but instead cooperate with others who want to make the city a desirable place to live. Much like Wilberforce did in the early part of 19th-century England, we would pursue healing and redemption.
Second, I would address artists and thought-leaders, emphasizing that Christians have a positive outlook for the future over and against the dystopian pessimism that so often characterizes evangelicals. We are not naïve about suffering and evil, but we have a long term hope for society that can seize an ordinary life.
Third, we’d like to encourage growing civility and true pluralism in our society, that is, to counteract anger and contribute to the creation of an atmosphere of mutual respect among people of differing beliefs.
What makes the Christian “world servers” different from the secular “world servers” is their traditional views on morality, such as their opposition to same sex marriage, and abortion. Nevertheless, each younger generation becomes more liberal, due to the culture’s secular education, the influence of the secular media, mainstream arts & entertainment, and the growing liberal Christianity. The result of the growth in liberal Christian views will cause the true followers of Christ, who strictly adhere to Scripture, and separate themselves from the world’s herd mentality, to seem like a strange fringe group among Christians, who are out of touch with, what the world is now learning to believe is, Christ’s work of redemption, and Christian love, peace, unity, humility, and godliness. But this false Christianity cannot put out the light of the gospel. Instead, it will only cause its proclamation to shine brighter by way of the church’s love for one another, and through the boldness of their preaching in the midst of persecution.
Matthew 5
10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
John 13
34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
Matthew 10
34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.
35 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.
36 And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household.
37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.
39 He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.
2Thessalonians 1
3 We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth;
4 So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure:
5 Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer:
6 Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you;
7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,
8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;
10 When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.
11 Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power:
12 That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
1Thessalonians 5
1 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.
2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.
5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
7 For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.
8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.
9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.
11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.
John 16
1 These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended.
2 They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.
3 And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me.
4 But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may remember that I told you of them. And these things I said not unto you at the beginning, because I was with you.
33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
1John 5
1 Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.
2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.
3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.
4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?
6 This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.
18 We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.
19 And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.
20 And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.
Revelation 1
7 Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.
Revelation 2
24 I will put upon you none other burden.
25 But that which ye have already hold fast till I come.
26 And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:
27 And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.
28 And I will give him the morning star.
29 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
Revelation 22
11 He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.
12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.
14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
15 For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.
16 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.
17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
21 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
Today we were blessed to interview Ken Silva of Apprising Ministries and Pastor of Conneticut River Baptist Church Claremont, New Hampshire. Today Ken will give us some background on how Apprising Ministries got started, comment on modern day christian worship, the emergent church’s impact on today’s church, the connection b/w the word faith / seeker driven movement among many other topics. We hope you are blessed, let’s listen in.
Click here to listen or right click to save an mp3 of our interview:
1 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come:
2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good,
4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,
5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!
6 For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts,
7 always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
8 Now as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, disapproved concerning the faith;
9 but they will progress no further, for their folly will be manifest to all, as theirs also was.
Why did the Son of God become flesh?(St. Thomas Aquinas 13th century)
460 The Word became flesh to make us “partakers of the divine nature”:78 “For this is why the Word became man, and the Son of God became the Son of man: so that man, by entering into communion with the Word and thus receiving divine sonship, might become a son of God.”79 “For the Son of God became man so that we might become God.”80 “The only-begotten Son of God, wanting to make us sharers in his divinity, assumed our nature, so that he, made man, might make men gods.”81
Christian Mystic, Jane Lead’s, 1679 prophecy of an elite church that will become immortal, convert the whole world through signs and wonders, take over the world before Christ return, and bear the mark of their god.
The result of this longstanding hubris will be the following:
2Thessalonians 2
1 Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you,
2 not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come.
3 Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition,
4 who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.
5 Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things?
6 And now you know what is restraining, that he may be revealed in his own time.
7 For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way.
8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming.
9 The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders,
10 and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
11 And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie,
12 that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
Acts 17
30 Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent,
31 because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead.
On todays program Brannon discusses the dangers of collective salvation, group consensus, existentialism and how the false church in Nazi Germany embraced these ideas and how they are being embraced again by a rising, global, false church. Martin Heidegger was the First Nazi Rector of a German University. Martin Heidegger was influenced by Søren Kierkegaard and Kierkegaard also influenced the false church with his belief in subjective truth. Heidegger promoted deconstructionism in Germany and when he joined the Nazi party he aided the Nazi party in teaching the idea of community and collective salvation to the false church in Germany. Heidegger helped to indoctrinate the church in both existentialism and the idea of collectivism, group consensus, and denial of the value and worth of the individual. These philosophies helped to lay the foundation for the Nazi holocaust. How have postmodernism, existentialism, and collective salvation come into the modern church today? What serious consequences could result in todays world from these dangerous philosophies? How do the New Religious Rightand Religious Left embrace group consensus and collective salvation albeit in different forms?
Another influence from the grave is the writings of Jane Lead. Particularly her 1679 prophecy of the “Philadelphian Church“, which has been adopted, in part, by the New Apostolic Reformation, the Latter Rain Movement, the Vineyard Movement, and IHOP. The key character traits of these two movements is the emphasis on the importance of collectivism through, around-the-clock, group prayer meetings for the purpose of coming under the control of the Holy Spirit, whom, they claim, desires to use them to perform signs and wonders on a scale so great that it would convert the world to Jesus Christ, and also cause Christ to return to the earth through their elite church, which would also become gods, and would be so powerful that the earth would be restored by the power of this elite church.
This experienced-based, false church, as seen with IHOP, has no tolerance for sound doctrine, and instead, desires to know God through the senses, apart from Scripture, and seeks after signs and wonders, because the gospel of Christ isn’t enough for them, and adherents to the written word of God are even seen as those who follow dead religion. This perspective automatically causes this elite church to see the true church, that desires to follow the God of the Bible, rather than the strange doctrines, and practices, derived from experiences , as false, dead, and as salt that has lost its savor. Nevertheless, it is the wicked generation that seeks after a sign, and refuses to seek, and obey, the written word of God.
Matthew 16
1 The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired him that he would shew them a sign from heaven.
2 He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red.
3 And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowring. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?
4 A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and departed.
Psalm 119
1 Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD.
2 Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.
3 They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways.
Psalm 1
1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
4 The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.
5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
6 For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.
What is required of the church during this time of promoting the fallacy of group consensus, and collective salvation, is to abide in Christ, which means we must study God’s word, meditate on it day and night, and most of all, obey it, even in the face of persecution and death (John 15:3-5, Psalm 1:1-3, Psalm 119:1-8). Just as Noah was the only one preaching, and standing up for the truth, in the midst of his wicked generation, before the flood came, and destroyed the old, proud, world, with its great numbers , who were sure of their collective movement of lawlessness, so the church of Jesus Christ must stand in this evil day, against the principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places, by standing up for the truth of who God is, and the truth of the gospel (Ephesians 6:10-13). This is done by preaching the gospel to the lost, making disciples of Jesus Christ, teaching them to obey everything that he has commanded those who follow him, and by contending earnestly for the faith, once delivered to the saints, by casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ (Matthew 28:19-20, Jude 1:3-4, 2Corinthians 10:4-5). Christ’s command to his church is to put on the whole armor of God, so that they are able to stand for the truth in the midst of this wicked generation (Ephesians 6:10-18, 1Peter 1:8-20).
The church must be willing to stand for the true God, and the gospel, when it is vastly out numbered (Matthew 10:16-40, Matthew 24:9-13). It must be willing to stand up, by the grace of God, under persecution. Christ church must be willing to be rejected by this sinful world, and separated themselves from the false prophets who are promoted by the mainstream Christian media (Luke 6:26, Matthew 5:10-16). It must separate itself from the ecumenical practices of the New Religious Right (2Corinthians 6:14-18, 1John 2:3-6, 1John 5:18-21).
The power of God in the church is its witness of the gospel, through the power of the Holy Spirit, which they have been given in their mortal bodies, to show that it is not by might, nor by power, but by the power of the Holy Spirit that they are able to stand firm until Christ returns (Romans 1:16-17, Ephesians 3:14-21, Corinthians 4:5-7, Zechariah 4:1-6, Hebrews 10:35-38).
The church began its mission of gospel proclamation through signs, and wonders, confirming their witness to be from God (Mark 16:17-20, Hebrews 2:3-4). The church has no more need for signs, and wonders, now that the fullness of their faith has been revealed by the written word of God (1Corinthians 13:8-13, James 1:21-25, 2Timothy 3:14-17). Now they must shine as lights in these last hours by their faith, through preaching the gospel, and through the sign of boldness in martyrdom (Daniel 12:3, Daniel 12:7-10, 2Timothy 4:1-5, Revelation 12:10-12). Signs, and wonders, are no longer needed by the true church to affirm their righteousness to the collective, superior group, because they are the just, who live by faith in God’s written word, which promised them resurrection to eternal life, when Christ returns, and judges this world in righteousness (2Thessalonians 1:3-12, 1Thessalonians 4:13-18, Isaiah chp. 26).
Brannon’s guest is Chris Rosebrough. Charisma magazine publishes an article taking on those that call The International House of Prayer a theological cult. Chris explains how he came out of the Latter Rain Movement that is today’s New Apostolic Reformation and why it is dangerous and unbiblical. Brannon and Chris explain why they declare IHOP to be a theological cult. Hear audio clips of Mike Bickle and Misty Edwards leading students in “worship” that seems more like a mantra and rhythm designed for the purpose of leading the students into an altered state of consciousness or at the very least to have an emotional experience void of logic and reason. Hear Bickle and Edwards “prophecy”. Why are pro-family leaders defending and/or promoting IHOP and what does it say about the success of a religious Trojan horse?
IHOP, and the New Apostolic Reformation as a whole, is a youth movement that teaches a false gospel that serves as the replacement for the true gospel, which was also described by Alice Bailey. Below is a quote from her book that seems to affirm the false teachings, signs, and wonders of IHOP, and the NAR, as the replacement for the gospel of Christ.
The intelligent youth of all countries are rapidly repudiating orthodox theology, state ecclesiasticism and the control of the church. They are neither interested in man-made interpretations of truth nor in past quarrels between the major world religions. At the same time, they are profoundly interested in the spiritual values and are earnestly seeking verification of their deep-seated unvoiced recognitions. They look to no bible or system of so-called inspired spiritual knowledge and revelation, but their eyes are on the undefined larger wholes in which they seek to merge and lose themselves, such as the state, an ideology, or humanity itself.
Christ, in His high place, cares not whether men accept the theological interpretations of scholars and churchmen, but He does care whether the keynote of His life of sacrifice and service is reproduced among men; it is immaterial to Him whether the emphasis laid upon the detail and the veracity of the Gospel story is recognized and accepted, for He is more interested that the search for truth and for subjective spiritual experience should persist; He knows that within each human heart is found that which responds instinctively to God, and that the hope of ultimate glory lies hid in the ‘Christ-Consciousness’.
Therefore, in the new world order, spirituality will supersede theology; living experience will take the place of theological acceptances. The spiritual realities will emerge with increasing clarity and the form aspect will recede into the background; dynamic, expressive truth will be the keynote of the new world religion.
The living Christ will assume His rightful place in human consciousness and see the fruition of His plans, sacrifice and service, but the hold of the ecclesiastical orders will weaken and disappear. Only those will remain as guides and leaders of the human spirit who speak from living experience, and who know no creedal barriers; they will recognise the onward march of revelation and the new emerging truths. These truths will be founded on the ancient realities but will be adapted to modern need and will manifest progressively the revelation of the divine nature and quality. God is now known as Intelligence and Love. That the past has given us. He must be known as Will and Purpose, and that the future will reveal.
The false Apostle, Bill Johnson, of the New Apostolic Reformation, and partner of IHOP, made reference to this “new age” spirituality when he spoke this way about following Christ, and knowing God:
“Those who feel safe because of their intellectual grasp of Scriptures enjoy a false sense of security. None of us has a full grasp of Scripture, but we all have the Holy Spirit. He is our common denominator who will always lead us into truth. But to follow Him, we must be willing to follow off the map—to go beyond what we know” ~ When Heaven Invades Earth: A Practical Guide to a Life of Miracles, Pg. 80
“The Nature of God is revealed in story form…because the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy…you’ve chosen, by your decree, what you want to draw into the atmosphere, in order to reinforce that which is born in the heart of God” ~ Bill Johnson – Was Jesus a ‘Born – Again‘
Johnson states that Christians are to follow Jesus by going outside of Scripture (the map), and what it has taught believers about God. He also stated that people come to know God when Christians tell their own personal stories about him, and that this is the spirit of prophecy. This is the very thing that Misty Edwards, and Mike Bickle, displayed in the, above, video links entitled “Heartbeat”. Furthermore, he said that this practice causes Christians to be able to change reality as though believers share in God’s creative power. This is simply a different way of teaching the word of faith, “law of attraction” heresy, which is also very popular within the “new age” religion.
Therefore, IHOP, and the New Apostolic Reformation, through its mystical practices, are helping to build a false church that reflects Alice Baily’s description of the new world order religion, which is also known as the “Age of Aquarius”, and pro-family leaders, such as James Dobson is helping to make this happen by bringing NAR leaders on his show, and partnering with them.
The “new Christianity” is paving the way for the false prophet of Revelation 13 by way of the contributions of the Charismatic movement, the “latter rain movement”, “the manifestation of the sons of God movement, and the “new apostolic reformation movement”, all of which have their origins in the 2nd century “Montanist” movement, and also seem to be influenced by the writings of “Jane Lead“, whose writings can be found on “JaneLead.org“. The contribution of these apocalyptic , charismatic, movements are doctrines, and end-times prophecies, that mirror Jane Lead’s 1679 prophecy which is stated below:
Prophecy of the Coming Kingdom –
The coming of additional revelation from God to special believers:
6. In this gradual opening of the mystery of the redemption in Christ, consists the unsearchable wisdom of God, which may continually reveal new and fresh things to the worthy searchers.
These special believers will proclaim their message from God throughout the world, and will it be followed by miraculous signs, so that they will be recognized as the true church.
10. The proclamation of this testimony of the Kingdom will be by the sound of a trumpet, to alarm all the nations of the earth, and more especially all the professions of Christianity, because it shall be attended with the power of acting all wonders.
11. So there shall be an authoritative decision given forth immediately from Christ, to the putting an end to all controversies concerning the true Church.
These special believers will be proven to be from God by way of the name of their God written on them as a sign of their authority, which will also separate them from false believers.
12. This decision will be by the actual sealing of the Members of this Church with the name of God, giving them a commission to act by virtue of the same. This new name will distinguish them from the SevenThousand Names of Babylon.
This “true church” will be brought forth by a virgin, just as Christ was brought forth by the power of the Holy Spirit through a virgin.
17. FOR—as a Virgin Woman brought forth Christ after the Flesh, so likewise a Virgin Woman is designed by GOD to bring forth the firstborn after the Spirit, who shall be filled with the Holy Ghost and with Power.
18. The VIRGIN that is hereto designed must be of a pure spirit, also of a clarified body, and all over Impregnated with the Holy Ghost.
This elite church, which bears the mark of their God, will perform signs and wonders so great that the whole world will be converted by them. Also, because of its divine power, this church will be given the status of the priesthood, the prophetic, and of royalty, and will rule the world.
19. This Church so brought forth, and signed with the Mark of the Divine Name, shall be adorned with miraculous gifts and powers beyond whatever yet has been.
20. Hereby all nations shall be brought into it, so that it shall be the Catholic Church, according to the genuine sense and utmost latitude of the word.
21. It must be an anointed Church, by which it may truly bear the name of Christ or Christian, being with Him anointed to the Priestly, Prophetical, and Royal Dignity.
This church will not be divided by denominations, but it will be unified with complete uniformity. Also, this church will be completely free from the presence of sin, and it must be, because Christ will not, return until the church has reached the state of sinless perfection.
22. Thus there will be no bonds or impositions: But the Holy Unction among these new born spirits will be all in all.
23. This Catholic and Anointed Church must be perfectly holy, as Christ Himself is holy; so that it may worthily bear the name of The Lord our Holiness and The Lord our Righteousness.
24. Until there be such a Church made ready upon the earth, so holy, so catholic, and so anointed, that is without all spot or wrinkle, and that is adorned as a Bride to meet her Bridegroom, Christ will not personally descend to solemnize this Marriage, and present the same to His Father.
25. But when the Bridal Church shall be made ready, and thoroughly cleansed and sanctified from every spot of defilement through the blood of Christ, then He will no longer delay His coming in person.
Everyone who is not apart of this sinless church will be rejected by God, so that the true church will be revealed to the world as faultless.
26. There is not this day visible upon the earth any holy, catholic, anointed and Bridal Church; all the churches and professions being found light when weighed in the balance. Therefore they are rejected by the Supreme Judge.
27. This rejection and condemnation will be for this end: that out of them a New and Glorious Church may rise up, in whom no fault shall be found, as He found none with the Philadelphian. (Rev. 3)
Through the great signs of its spiritual leaders, who Christ himself will operate through, this elite church will defeat Satan, and convert the whole world.
31. Then will it go on to multiply and propagate itself Universally; not only to the number of the Firstborn (which is 144,000) but also to the Remnant of the Seed: against whom the Dragon shall make continual war.
32. Therefore the Spirit of David shall most eminently revive in this Church, and most specially in some or other Selected Members of it, as the Blossoming Root which is to precede the day of Solomon in the blessed Millennium. These will have might given them to overcome the Dragon and his angels (even as David and his army overcame Goliath and the Philistines).
33. This will be the standing up of Michael the Great Prince of Israel; and will be as the appearance of Moses against Pharaoh, in order that the Chosen Seed may be brought out from their hard servitude.
34. Egypt is a figure of this servile creation, under which each one of Abraham’s Seed groans. But a Prophet and Prophetical Generation will the most High yet raise up, who shall deliver His people—by mere force of spiritual arms.
35. For which—there must be raised up certain head powers to bear the first shock, who are to be persons of great eminence and favor with the Trinity, whose dread and fear shall fall upon all nations (visible and invisible) because of the mighty acting power of the Holy Ghost which shall rest upon them.
36. For before Christ’s own distinct and personal appearance, He will first appear and represent Himself in some chosen vessel or vessels, anointed to be leaders unto the rest, and to bring them into the Promised Land—the new creation state.
Not only will this elite church reach sinless perfection, but it will become immortal, and through the power of their immortal bodies, they will restore the earth.
41. FOR—nothing must remain in this pure Church but what can remain in the fire. For as a Refiner will the Lord purify the Sons and Daughters, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto Him an offering in perfect righteousness.
42. Though the operation of the Holy Spirit in these waiters may for a long time contend with many infirmities and evils, yet if continually watched and kept warm, at the last it cannot but work out a perfect cure, and bring about a full and total redemption from the earth.
43. There may be some at present living, who may come to be thus fully and totally redeemed, having another body put on them, that is—one after the Priestly Order.
44. This Priestly Anointed body will render them impregnable, and qualify them for that high degree of spiritual government to which they are called.
45. THEREFORE it is required on our part to suffer the Spirit of Burning, to do upon us the refining work, fanning us with His Fiery Breath, and searching every part within us, until all is pure and clear, and we thereby arrive to this fixed body, from which the wonders are to flow out.
46. This body will be the sealing character of the Philadelphian Church.
53.There must be a manifestation of the Spirit, with which to edify and raise up this Church, suitable to the Resurrection of Christ.
54. This manifestation must be in the absoluteness of power, as well as in the beauty of holiness, so bringing down Heaven upon earth, and representing here the New Jerusalem state.
55. In order to which, spirits that are thus purely begotten and born of God can ascend to the New Jerusalem above, where their Head reigns in great majesty, and there receive such a mission, by which they shall be empowered to bring down to this world its transcendent glory.
Jane lead’s prophecy does not, at all, reflect Christ’s description of the end-times. Instead of Christ foretelling the coming of an elite church, with great signs and wonders that will convert, and restore, the world, he describes world-wide deception, followed by great signs, to deceive the whole world.
Mark 13
21 And then if any man shall say to you, Lo, here is Christ; or, lo, he is there; believe him not:
22 For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.
23 But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things.
Also, Jesus did not describe the church reaching a state of sinless perfection before he returns. Instead, he described great lying wonders being perform so that the people who refused to repent, and believe the gospel, would be deceived by the antichrist.
2Thessaloians 2
8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:
9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
This is what Jesus said about those who want to see signs and wonders:
Matthew 16
4 A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign
In the great tribulation the world will fall prey to wolves in sheep’s clothing; particularly, “the false prophet”, who will convert the whole world into becoming worshipers of the antichrist, and these deceived people are the ones who will take the name of a false god on themselves. Also, Christ will not come into the world because his church is so powerful, but the antichrist will take over the world because of the power of the false prophet, who deceives the whole world with lying signs and wonders, and persecutes the true followers of God, because they are forbidden from worshiping, or taking the name of, another god.
Revelation 13
11 And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon.
12 And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.
13 And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men,
14 And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.
15 And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.
16 And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:
17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
18 Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.
Therefore, those who follow the teachings of Jane Lead are following a Satanic movement. Furthermore, Jane Lead’s teachings, such as her teachings that God’s presence is in all things, reflects the teachings of the Theosophical Society, and the Rosicrucians, both of which are Satan worshiping cults, of the “Luciferian category“, which believes that God is really the devil, and that Lucifer is the true god, and savior of mankind.
To see how the false signs, and witchcraft, are at work in these charismatic movements, see the links below:
The International House of Prayer (IHOP) is no stranger to the media, as seen in this CBN interview entitled “IHOP Revival: Kansas City“. It is also no stranger to controversy. Nevertheless, the recent events has depicted the IHOP cult in a much darker light, as seen in the article below.
Kansas City Star –
A clearer picture began to emerge Thursday about Tyler Deaton’s role at the International House of Prayer.
Deaton’s wife, Bethany Ann Deaton, was found dead in a parked van Oct. 30 at Longview Lake. Authorities initially believed she killed herself, but a week ago a man told police that he had killed her at the order of Tyler Deaton, who has been described as the charismatic leader of a religious sect.
The man who confessed to the killing, Micah Moore, a member of Deaton’s group, has been charged with first-degree murder. Deaton has not been charged. Prosecutors have acknowledged that he is under investigation.
Deaton’s group came from Texas to be part of the International House of Prayer, based in south Kansas City.
On Monday, Allen Hood, the president of the International House of Prayer, said in a statement that Deaton led his group independently and operated under a “veil of secrecy,” though members attended a school operated by IHOP. The statement also made reference to the group’s “disturbing religious practices.”
But a handout and website posting shows that as of Nov. 4 — five days after Bethany Deaton’s death — Tyler Deaton was a “division coordinator” on the administrative team of International House of Prayer friendship groups. The position is unpaid, according to another person who holds the same position and attended three recent meetings with Deaton.
IHOP is part of a religious movement called “The New Apostolic Reformation”. It is an experienced based religion that is more “new age” than Christian, because its doctrine and practices built upon Roman Catholic doctrine, and mysticism. To learn more about the roots and history of this movement, click on the link entitled “New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) Latter Rain“. To see the present day activity of the New Apostolic Reformation, click on the link entitled “Kundalini Warning“.
The following link entitled “The Occult Agenda“, is a lecture by pastor Joe Schimmel on modern day occultists’ attempt to make the practice of witchcraft popular among children, and Scriptures prohibition on occultism.
Worldview Weekend Radio –
the control of the church. They are neither interested in man-made interpretations of truth nor in past quarrels between the major world religions. At the same time, they are profoundly interested in the spiritual values and are earnestly seeking verification of their deep-seated unvoiced recognitions. They look to no bible or system of so-called inspired spiritual knowledge and revelation, but their eyes are on the undefined larger wholes in which they seek to merge and lose themselves, such as the state, an ideology, or humanity itself.
slaveofjesuschristdotme 