Jesus Culture: a call for discernment, are you sure it's your Jesus?

[ChosenbyHim]

Jesus Culture: a call for discernment, are you sure it's your Jesus?​

[video=youtube;ob_yiiXw8pM]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ob_yiiXw8pM&feature=youtube_gdata_player[/video]​

The Emergent Deception, Are you sure it's your Jesus? Important: Read the summary below first. This second part of the presentation will focus on Jesus Culture.****** Important: What is this Video all about? In Summary *****When looking at these manifestations, how do we apply the scriptures to test whether the spirit behind this ministry is from God?*We apply 1 John 4 - We are to test the spirits: The Litmus TestOn Denying the Incarnation -- Jesus was both 100% God and 100% man in His earthly ministry. Many false doctrine and teachers fail this test -- they are serving a different Jesus, one who was only a man that received the holy spirit and had to be born-again!


A Christian Cult is defined by what they believe about Jesus.* What does historic Biblical Christianity teach us about Jesus?* The Bible teaches us that Jesus is the One and Only True God from eternity past who had no beginning and will have no end.A Christian Cult is any group which deviates from Biblical, orthodox, historical Christianity. i.e. They deny the Deity of Christ.1 John 4: If a teacher does not believe Jesus was 100% God 100% man - then we should reject that and every other teaching from that same teacher outright because it is a different jesus. If it is a different jesus, then it is a different gospel and that gospel cannot save.Jesus Culture is not a band but the name of the outreach ministry of Bethel Church. Bethel Church and Jesus Culture falls under the spiritual authority of it's leader, Bill Johnson. Bill Johnson falsely teaches that: "Jesus was a man in right relationship with God. He put his divinity aside and he stood there (at crucifixion) as a human being completely dependent on the father and he was modeling for us what would be possible for every person that would be yielded to the spirit of God and be completely free from sin"Jehova's witnesses believe Jesus was the Archangel Michael incarnate, Mormons believe Jesus is the literal son of god and his goddess wife begotten in the pre-existence. They too believe in a different jesus -- here's the clincher: Would we be more open to their teachings if they performed amazing miracles and healings?, had a huge outpouring of the (so-called) "holy spirit" and had the most beautiful worship songs praising their jesus?Why is it important that Jesus is and was God? Because if he was just a mere spirit filled man (like Jesus Culture believes) or an angel, then his death would not have been sufficient to pay for our sins.***** End of Summary *****


Keywords: "Jesus Culture" "Bill Johnson" "Bethel Church Redding Ca" "Bethel School of Ministry" "false" "Bill Johnson false" "Kundalini Bethel Church" "BSSM" "Banning Liebscher" "false teacher" "emergent deception" "kingdom now" "deception in the church" "fire tunnel" "The Signs & Wonders Movement"

 

[ChosenbyHim]

1 John 4:1-6 KJV
Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. [2] Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: [3] And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. [4] Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. [5] They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them. [6] We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

 

[Praus]

Rev 4:8 And the four beasts had each of them six wings about [him]; and [they were] full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.


[video=youtube;MUSiXaARV6U]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUSiXaARV6U[/video]

 

[KittenofMelchisedek]

I'm not saying there's anything wrong with their music, and neither can anybody else, because they take scripture and put a melody to it. I was really messed up in many ways by the Bethel influence. I don't blame people who follow false prophets, because the word deception, implies that the lie was successful. You don't make a decision to join up with them. It starts off with someone new coming in for fellowship or someone from your church introduces this influence. One of the main tenants of the school is to blend in to the community. With such great music, and all they do for the neighborhood, who cares if we don't agree on every little thing. So they get others with them and tickle their ears, and they go, according to the will of God who gave power to deceive to the extent possible. Like if you're for captivity, you go into captivity.

If the false prophet was obvious and had crappy music, that wouldn't work. Also, people have a wont for comfort, to relax, and let down your guard. Which is why there's so much scripture telling us to stay on point, most notably for me anyway would be Jesus in Gethsemane waking his disciples.

That clip with the giggling girls is very telling. This all started with the "holy spirit bartender" during the "Toronto blessing". They were drunk in the spirit. You guys already know the verses that apply and if you want some just message me. Anyway, the thing with Bethel that scares me, is the kids. Their School of Supernatural Ministry is all sorcery and delusion. It's like a virus, or like a demonic version of the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Once a miracle is performed on you, you receive the power to perform that miracle. It has overtaken the Vineyard church. It came so close to getting me you guys. I've done some scary things before I was saved, but this is of Biblical proportions (if you'll forgive my coarse humor).

I do think it's ok however, to take their songs (the ones that are scripture cannot be their intellectual property, right?) and pray about adapting one to fit the mode of worship at fellowship. I just think it needs to be different enough to call your own, not like a cover with their version playing in the background.

I'm sorry if you guys think I'm a bit opinionated for a new girl, but this spirit (and it is, a deceiving spirit) hurt me in ways I can't explain. I feel like I lost a grade of battle for nearly becoming one of them. This was the winter before last, that I had my brush with them, and I'm still not right because of it.

 

[Ecclesiastik]

I will inform my church of your words, Kitten.

They have been playing Jesus Culture and I am trying to warn them against it.

 

[xtinaz]

I believe in his (the holy spirits) power to keep me - more than for the power of the devil to deceive me. Neither do I go around looking for deception.

Believe me I have had my share of doubt and had such a destructive standoffish attitude to ANYONE to do with Christianity after going through a massive church split that destroyed so many peoples faith. Ive also witnessed first hand - Christians pointing fingers and telling each side that they infact were being deceived and this caused more trouble than what could be seen on the surface. People literally fell away and rejected God - got confused and lost and others remained in a deep pit of fear of being deceived.

It took 6months for me to get my footing. I struggled because I mistrusted anyone - and anytime I heard preaching I instanty had a guard up wondering wether the preacher was from God or trying to deceive me. I even judged friends, family and in my heart condemned them for being 'half-in' Christians - this was the darkest and most hideous place I had ever walked. I didn't have 'faith' anymore. I simply had all my own reasonings and opinions and only lived by them. I genuinely wanted to do what was right and pleasing to God - but I was consumed with pride and fear. I was seeing the devil in everything and everyone lol

My testimony though spoke a completey different language and I craved to go back to the simpleness of it. I had encountered God in such an incredible way and been influenced by him that it was undeniable and I couldn't deny that power. He is a God that libertates. He is peace. He is life. He is freedom. He is Joy.

Regarding Jesus Culture / Bill Johnson - personally I regard them and thank the Lord for them. Their ministries take hold of the power and teachings Jesus was passionate about teaching his disciples. Many people have come to know Christ and been healed etc through them and what more could you wish for They do not captivate or bind people - I know what that is

I used to be standoffish and rejecting of them but thank the Lord he has guided me out of fear. I refuse to allow it to control my life and limit the power and size of our awesome God

My intention with this was not to argue, this will always be a thread that will continue on - but I just wanted to share my heart and testimony. We are called to freedom, we have an awesome God who is very able to protect us. Yes there is division and deception out there - but I believe we don't need to try and expose it but rather be the lights in the dark place. I tried the exposing thing and actually started rejecting more and more what God was doing and losing my confidence in a broken world - if there is one thing the devil loves - its division - particularly in the body of Christ - amongst Christians - because this disables us as a body and causes us to function out of his order and alignment. He will do anything to prevent unity and freedom.

 

[Ecclesiastik]

Hello xtinaz,

Thank you for sharing your testimony. I enjoyed reading it.

It seems that you have had a bad experience with judging (or rather, discernment). I can see how you can walk out of such a situation with scars. We have to remember, though, that just because we were extremely hurt by something, it does not necessarily make the act of itself bad. Some people were molested when they were younger and grow to see physical contact as bad. Some were hurt by a pastor or a congregation and start to see going to church as bad.

What it seems to me, is that you have grown to see the act of using discernment as bad. Yet the word of God itself tells us to be discerning.

"Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment" (John 7:24)

"Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour."
1Peter 5:8

""Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves."
Matthew 7:15

"examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good"
1Thessalonians 5:21

If you believe these verses and the word of God, I would not fault you if you gave Jesus Culture the benefit of the doubt. I myself gave them the benefit of the doubt. But the more I dig on the issue, the more Bill Johnson and Jesus Culture are shown to be in the wrong. I am not doing this with a spirit of pride. This is where it seems that you and your church may have erred. I don't want them to be in a state of heresy but the evidence points to it.

There are many false prophets out there. There are many who claim to heal and to do wonderful miracles. There are many who do this and, in addition to it, teach false doctrine in order to justify their claims. It seems that Bethel Church and their affiliated parties are just a few additions to the list.

 

[ChosenbyHim]

I believe in his (the holy spirits) power to keep me - more than for the power of the devil to deceive me. Neither do I go around looking for deception.

Believe me I have had my share of doubt and had such a destructive standoffish attitude to ANYONE to do with Christianity after going through a massive church split that destroyed so many peoples faith. Ive also witnessed first hand - Christians pointing fingers and telling each side that they infact were being deceived and this caused more trouble than what could be seen on the surface. People literally fell away and rejected God - got confused and lost and others remained in a deep pit of fear of being deceived.

It took 6months for me to get my footing. I struggled because I mistrusted anyone - and anytime I heard preaching I instanty had a guard up wondering wether the preacher was from God or trying to deceive me. I even judged friends, family and in my heart condemned them for being 'half-in' Christians - this was the darkest and most hideous place I had ever walked. I didn't have 'faith' anymore. I simply had all my own reasonings and opinions and only lived by them. I genuinely wanted to do what was right and pleasing to God - but I was consumed with pride and fear. I was seeing the devil in everything and everyone lol

My testimony though spoke a completey different language and I craved to go back to the simpleness of it. I had encountered God in such an incredible way and been influenced by him that it was undeniable and I couldn't deny that power. He is a God that libertates. He is peace. He is life. He is freedom. He is Joy.

Regarding Jesus Culture / Bill Johnson - personally I regard them and thank the Lord for them. Their ministries take hold of the power and teachings Jesus was passionate about teaching his disciples. Many people have come to know Christ and been healed etc through them and what more could you wish for They do not captivate or bind people - I know what that is

I used to be standoffish and rejecting of them but thank the Lord he has guided me out of fear. I refuse to allow it to control my life and limit the power and size of our awesome God

My intention with this was not to argue, this will always be a thread that will continue on - but I just wanted to share my heart and testimony. We are called to freedom, we have an awesome God who is very able to protect us. Yes there is division and deception out there - but I believe we don't need to try and expose it but rather be the lights in the dark place. I tried the exposing thing and actually started rejecting more and more what God was doing and losing my confidence in a broken world - if there is one thing the devil loves - its division - particularly in the body of Christ - amongst Christians - because this disables us as a body and causes us to function out of his order and alignment. He will do anything to prevent unity and freedom.

Hi there Xtinaz, I just wanted to first say thank you for sharing your testimony with us on here in this thread. It is good to hear from other Christians where they have come from in their life and own walk. And also, how they are now doing in their walk with the Lord.

I must say they though Xtinaz, we are to expose the darkness and deception that is out there because the word of God tells us that we are to do so:


Ephesians 5:10-13 (Authorized (King James) Version)

10 proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. 11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. 12 For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. 13 But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.


The reason for exposing the deception that is out there is to make other Christians aware, that way they also will not be deceived.

As Christians we are to take a bold stand for the truth. We are to contend for the faith which was once delivered to the saints (Jude 1:3).

And to do that we must expose error and false doctrine. I hope you understand Xtinas.