It’s more than signs and wonders. It’s the glory realm, says evangelist
[notice]ANDRE VILJOEN spoke to evangelist Todd Bentley who has been in Tongaat, KwaZulu Natal, since early this month, leading healing revival meetings that are being viewed by a worldwide television audience.[/notice]
“I only expected to be in Tongaat for the four days for which we were invited,” said Canadian evangelist Todd Bentley who is at the centre of a reported outbreak of miraculous healings and salvations that have been taking place at a rally in the KwaZulu-Natal town for the past fortnight and which shows no sign of stopping soon.
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The Great Awakening Revival, as the event is billed, has been capturing attention worldwide as Christian television network, GOD TV has interrupted its regular programming to screen the event live each night since April 12. People are travelling to Tongaat, which is 37km north of Durban, from all over the world and many churches in different countries have set up large screens to televise the revival meetings to their congregations, says GOD TV in a press release. Reportedly, some 1 200 homes in different parts of the world are participating in GOD TV’s Living Room Initiative in which people invite their friends and neighbours to join them viewing the live broadcasts from South Africa. It says its broadcasts reach 220 million homes. Up to 4 500 people are attending the service each night. During the live broadcasts many people testify to experiencing healing and messages are read from people around the world who say they have been healed or encountered God while watching a service on TV.
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Critics
The controversial, 37-year-old, heavily tattooed evangelist attracted international media attention five years ago when he was at the forefront of a season of revival meetings known as the “Florida Healing Outpouring” or the “Lakeland Revival”. He stood down from ministry in July 2008 after his marriage broke down and he became emotionally involved with a staff member — now his wife, Jessa. A number of people have posted strong negative views about Bentley online: criticisms include that he was restored to ministry too quickly, that he should not be ministering at all as he is an adulterer in God’s sight because he is divorced, that his healings are phony, that his ministry style is ungodly, and that he is a false prophet.
Gateway News spoke to Bentley in a telephone interview this week. He said that Durban has a special place in his heart as it is where he was originally “released” into his healing ministry at the age of 23. He came to South Africa this year with a sense that God wanted him to return to his roots. He also felt called to “redig wells in South Africa that had been established by great past revivalists like John G Lake and William Branham”. The current Great Awakening meetings in Tongaat are being held in a church belonging to the Apostolic Faith Mission, a denomination that was established by Lake in 1908.
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The Tongaat event was only meant to run for four days. But then healing miracles began to break out and each night a sizeable number of people, including many Hindus and some Muslims, responded to the Gospel message and made first-time commitments to follow Jesus.
But there is more to the event than many healings and salvations, said Bentley.
“I love miracles, signs and wonders. I have done more than 150 crusades, with crowds of anything from 10 000 to 120 000 people per night. At this stage in South Africa the barometer is not just miracles and crowds, its not just dollars and cents. It’s the glory realm of sovereign grace and presence that I have only experienced a handful of times in 16 years of ministry – a handful of times in which I have been anywhere where you could say this could be God. And once you’ve tasted real revival you can smell it and you know where it is happening,” he said.
“I cant see us not being here until at least the end of the month. At this point its week by week, trying to follow the Lord.”
He said if he and his Fresh Fire ministry team go beyond the end of the month, it was possible that they might also visit another South African city or cities.
‘Incubator stage’
“But I’m cautious right now because it’s in what I call an incubator stage. It is a crucial time right now to really give birth to what the Lord is doing. I do feel something is being birthed. I know it’s got a spirit of revival on it. People are coming alive again, getting their fire back – so in that sense it is revival. But is this something that is going to be the global awakening? Is this the harvest at the end of the age? Or the beginning of it?
“It’s not just this – because it’s never about just one thing or one ministry: you’ll see it breaking in many waves on many fronts. Already we are getting reports of it breaking in England, breaking in Dubai – getting reports of it spreading. That’s always a sign of revival. It’s showing similar patterns to Lakeland in the beginning. So it’s a case of what do we have here Lord? I am willing to stay as long as the Lord says ‘stay’.”
I asked Bentley what he had to say about the criticism against him.
On the question of his return to ministry he said that after he stood down in 2008 he felt that he had disqualified himself from pursuing any kind of ministry again.
“It took Rick Joyner, who was reaching out to me as an apostolic father, six months to talk me out of the discouragement and depression.”
He referred to an interview with GOD TV co-founders Rory and Wendy Alec in January, 2013, in which he had spoken openly about his divorce and extra marital affair, and had sought GOD TV’s forgiveness. The interview can be viewed online.
Bentley said Joyner reached out to him many times a week saying he could be restored — not to ministry but to God and the Body of Christ.
“He told me ‘God loves you and can restore you to ministry if He wants to’.”
“I did not preach a single message or minister – even pray for somebody for 17 months.”
On Dec 13, 2010 Joiner asked him to lead a Friday night service at his Morningstar Church. He was asked to share on his restoration and to publically repent to the church.
“For the next year I was only allowed to do ministry in the context of Rick’s local church under his oversight. By the time I ministered at a meeting on the road again it had been 2 and a half years, since I had done any public ministry, outside of the local church. To me that isn’t a quick process.”
Responding to skeptism about healing and other miracles associated with his ministry, Bentley said he encouraged people to go to doctors to confirm their healing.
Healings
“We can’t verify all healings. But when you are blind and you can see it’s pretty obvious. Last night the first miracle involved a Hindu lady who was totally blind from blood clots and her sight came back instantly. God has also been healing many deaf mutes.”
Asked about reports of the supernatural manifestation of gold dust and diamonds, Bentley said he never “chased after” unusual miracles but they sometimes “showed up” when “the glory fell”.
“We preach the Gospel at every meeting, have an altar call at every meeting, worship at every meeting. We go after the presence [of God]. I emphasise that the healings confirm the Gospel. The gold and diamonds I think is just an unusual sign. I always point people to Isaiah 60, the scripture passage that talks about the glory will be seen upon you. What is that? The visible glory. Why gold and diamonds? I don’t know but in the holy place in the tabernacle everything was overlaid with pure gold. Gold in the Bible is the symbol of glory. So I’m not surprised then if the glory shows up, gold shows up.”
I asked Bentley how he stayed physically and spiritually fresh during long crusades such as Tongaat.
He replied: “I guard the secret place. I am pretty much locked down from 4.30 to 7pm. I spend the time in quiet before the Lord. ‘What are we doing tonight Father?’.
“Everything is scheduled around that window of 2 or 3 hours alone with Jesus.
“I also guard that I get 8 hours of sleep every night. So I also hold no meetings before 10am.”
Bentley confirmed that his wife Jessa is with him in South Africa.
“She goes with me everywhere. We are never separated,” he said.
” She’s my number1 emotional support. And she’s the one that has been getting most of the dreams, the words from the Lord, and angelic visitations and things that are helping me at these meetings.
“She’s the prophetic voice behind the scenes and time and time again the things that are happening to her are what’s showing up at the meetings. The gold started with her. She got out of the shower, the glory touched her, her fever broke, she got healed and her whole body was covered with gold in our hotel room. That’s how I knew something was going to show up in the meetings.”
Currently GOD TV is airing its live broadcasts of the Great Awakening from 7.30pm. In a media statement released yesterday it says it will continue with the live broadcasts until at least Sunday, April 14.
“We’re asking our viewers to stay tuned to GOD TV for the latest schedules as we continue to interrupt our usual programming to bring them revival LIVE as it happens,” said Wendy Alec.
GOD TV can be viewed across Africa via satellite, on TopTV and on the public bouquet of decoders in South Africa. The Great Awakening meetings are being streamed live at www.god.tv and also through the GOD TV App, available on iTunes.
Thanks for the report Andre, interestingly the Great Awakening in America lead to changed, morally that is communities, so I look forward to hearing of greater miracles than just fools gold and diamonds. These things happened at Toronto as well, not much else changed in Toronto though.
I do recall that even Paroahs magicians copied some of the miracles that Moses did, but changed hearts? Now that is revival, I wait to see what happens. Again thank you.
I agree with the previous comment. Thanks for the news, Andre. Romans 11:29 says “For the gifts and callings of God are irrevocable.” So Todd Bentley, even though he sinned and is still living in adultery, will still be used of God for the sake of the people, but it does not mean that God is happy with him. Read Matthew 7:21-23 Jesus says “ ‘… Lord, have we not … done many wonders in Your name?’ “And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’ Repentance means leave the adulterous living by divorcing the 2nd wife, as Kathryn Kuhlman did, and remain single and serve God. Then you will see true revival of changed hearts and a true revival that doesn’t stop after 1 week or 1 month. We need to be discerning!
Dianne, I don’t believe he has either a gift or a calling, he’s a deceiver. For the rest of your remarks I say, finally, a voice of reason.
Leonard Ravenhill devoted his life to studying all the previous revivals and, besides the biblical basis, if we just base it on history, the conclusion is clearly that this is not of God.
God bless you as you keep your eyes on Him.
I SAW LIVES CHANGED..PEOPLE SAVED, SET FREE, HEALED AND DELIVERED….FAMILIES RESTORED..MINISTRIES RESTORED IN LAKELAND…AND YOU SAID WAAA.. Wow, so glad none of you who are casting stones are on the throne… If Jesus put your sins as far as the East from the West…does he not do the same for others…if you were God…the Apostle Saul would have been stoned to death for his murdering of Christians and the New Testament never written! No wonder the Lord gave me a dream in 2008 that He was beginning His judgement of the Nations…WHEN I ASKED HIM WHY….HE TOLD ME THAT HE CAME TO LAKELAND…THAT THE FLORIDA OUTPOURING WAS NOT TODD…BUT HIMSELF…JESUS…THE LORD SAID, “I CAME TO EARTH AGAIN…I WALKED THE STREETS, I HEALED THE SICK…I CLEANSED THE LEPER…I RAISED THE DEAD..AND I CAST OUT DEVILS…AND THE WORLD REJECTED ME AGAIN……BUT WORSE YET MY PEOPLE REJECTED ME….AND NOW I AM BEGINNING MY JUDGEMENT OF THE NATIONS…WITHIN LESS THAN 2 WEEKS THE GLOBAL FINANCIAL MARKETS CRASHED AND CAME WITHIN 2 HOURS OF A COMPLETE WORLD WIDE BANKING COLLAPSE….THE TIME IS SHORT FRIENDS….REPENT AND SEEK HIM…AND DO NOT INTELLECTUALIZE YOUR FAITH….TO CONDONE YOUR OWN JUDGEMENT…..JESUS SAID, “TO LVOE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, ALL YOUR SOUL, AND ALL YOUR MIND….AND TO LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF…..IF YOU CANNOT LOVE TODD…THAN YOU CANNOT LOVE GOD……….IT IS JESUS DOING THE MIRACLES……….NOT TODD……REPENT AND LOVE GOD…………………………..LOVE JESUS………..FOR GOD IS LOVE………AND LOVE CONQUERS ALL THINGS…….WOULD GOD NOT WANT THESE PEOPLE TO BE HEALED?? I WOULD AND I AM A MERE MAN……….GOD LOVES THEM……AND JUST AS JESUS “WENT ABOUT ALL GALILEE, TEACHING IN THEIR SYNAGOGUES, PREACHING THE GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM, AND HEALING EVERY MANNER OF SICKNESS AND EVERY MANNER OF DISEASE AMONG THE PEOPLE.” …SO SHOULD WE BE ABOUT THE FATHER’S BUSINESS…….GET BUSY AND DO THE WORK OF THE GOSPEL……JESUS SAID, “VERILY, VERILY I SAY UNTO GO YE THEREFORE INTO ALL THE WORLD AND PREACH THE GOSPEL TO EVERY CREATURE, HE WHO BELEIVES SHALL BE SAVED AND HE WHO BELIEVES NOT SHALL BE DAMNED AND THESE SIGNES SHALL FOLLOW HIM WHO BELIEVES…IN MY NAME SHALL HE CAST OUT DEVILS…HE SHALL SPEAK WITH NEW TONGUES..HE SHALL TAKE UP SERPENTS, IF HE DRINKS ANY DEADLY POISON IT SHALL NOT HARM HIM , THEY SHALL LAY HANDS ON THE SICK AND THEY SHALL RECOVER…” TODD IS DOING THE WORK OF THE GOSPEL AS JESUS COMMANDED,…ARE YOU??? AM I??? LET HIM WHO IS WITHOUT SIN CAST THE FIRST STONE….GOD FORGIVE ME FOR NOT DOING YOUR WORK………SELAH…AMEN AND AMEN……………..
Wanda Kinzeler is completely correct. What we do not understand we do not trust or believe. I too have witnessed many miracles performed by individuals who seek to obey God and die to their own self interest in order to be used by God. They do not take personal credit, They ask God to work within them so that God can work through them. I understand one’s hesitation to believe that what Todd is doing is real and what those who attest to being healed as real, however I would challenge all who are skeptical to attend one of Todd’s meetings and then to post on this site their opinion of Todd’s ministry gifts and if they believe what they experienced is real or not. Thank you.
Check out this paragraph Alan,from link below!Bentley has sponsored an internship program called ‘Joel’s Army’ in addition to having the words “Joel’s Army” tattooed across his sternum with military dog tags[48][49] demonstrating a level of commitment to the Latter Rain doctrine of the Manifest Sons of God, (or Man-Child Generation) as preached by William M. Branham .[50] The program’s doctrine was associated to an interpretation of Revelation 12 that in the last age before Jesus returns, there will be a generation of especially endowed Christians who will be able to do many miracles, and will usher in the reign of God.[49][51] This is in the tradition of William M. Branham and the healing revivals of the 50s, overlapping with Latter Rain Movement theology.[52] Bentley’s association with Paul Cain, an associate of Branham and himself a healing evangelist of the 50s, is a further connection to the movement.[53]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Todd_Bentley
AND JESUS ALSO SAID…“TO LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, ALL YOUR SOUL, AND ALL YOUR MIND….AND TO LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF……..GOD IS LOVE…AND NOW ABIDE FAITH, HOPE LOVE…BUT HTE GREATEST OF THESE IS LOVE….DO YOU NOT LOVE THESE PEOPLE IN AFICA WHO ARE BEING HEALED?? DO YOU NOT THINK THAT THEY SHOULD NOT HAVE A CHANCE TO LIVE FREE FROM PAIN AND SICKNESS LIKE YOURSELF?? IF YOU CANNOT LOVE THEM……..MORE THAN YOU LOVE YOUR INTELLECTUALISM…………THAN YOU CANNOT LOVE GOD……….IT IS JESUS DOING THE MIRACLES……….NOT TODD……REPENT AND LOVE GOD…………………………..LOVE JESUS………..FOR GOD IS LOVE………AND LOVE CONQUERS ALL THINGS…….WOULD GOD NOT WANT THESE PEOPLE TO BE HEALED?? I WOULD AND I AM A MERE MAN……….GOD LOVES THEM……AND JUST AS JESUS “WENT ABOUT ALL GALILEE, TEACHING IN THEIR SYNAGOGUES, PREACHING THE GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM, AND HEALING EVERY MANNER OF SICKNESS AND EVERY MANNER OF DISEASE AMONG THE PEOPLE.” …SO SHOULD WE BE ABOUT THE FATHER’S BUSINESS…….GET BUSY AND DO THE WORK OF THE GOSPEL……JESUS SAID, “VERILY, VERILY I SAY UNTO GO YE THEREFORE INTO ALL THE WORLD AND PREACH THE GOSPEL TO EVERY CREATURE, HE WHO BELEIVES SHALL BE SAVED AND HE WHO BELIEVES NOT SHALL BE DAMNED AND THESE SIGNES SHALL FOLLOW HIM WHO BELIEVES…IN MY NAME SHALL HE CAST OUT DEVILS…HE SHALL SPEAK WITH NEW TONGUES..HE SHALL TAKE UP SERPENTS, IF HE DRINKS ANY DEADLY POISON IT SHALL NOT HARM HIM , THEY SHALL LAY HANDS ON THE SICK AND THEY SHALL RECOVER…” TODD IS DOING THE WORK OF THE GOSPEL AS JESUS COMMANDED,…ARE YOU??? AM I??? LET HIM WHO IS WITHOUT SIN CAST THE FIRST STONE….GOD FORGIVE ME FOR NOT DOING YOUR WORK………SELAH…AMEN AND AMEN……………..
Hide you wives and daugters! Bently is in town!
André, thanks very much for this article. I tend to agree to a large extent with the views by Dianne, while I’m also weary not to be judgmental since I do not know what exactly goes on/went on between God and the person under discussion. However, “the tree shall be known by its fruit” and while the signs and miracles glorify God, there is one thing that sticks in my mind, and which I would like to have clarity on: more or less at the time when Tod was in the process of “back sliding”, I saw a video clip in which he boasted that at one of his meetings, he had kicked an elderly lady sitting in the front row, in the face because “the Spirit of Prophesy came over him and told him to do it”. That made me negative towards him, and I was hoping that you could clarify this, please?
I can clarify this, Todd only kicked someone when God told him too as a test of his own faith,….just as Abraham prepared the altar and tied Isaac to the altar to sacrifice…………only to have God intervene……..and just as God intervened and saved Isaac….so has God instantly healed everyone of the people whom He asked Todd to move towards in that manner….Read about Smith Wigglesworth who had 1000’s of healings and used to throw dead bodies against the wall…24 raised from the dead..punched a guy in the stomach once and his tumor instantly left…etc….
Christians need to stop devouring one another. It’s extremely demonic to do so. Todd has been through a lot. After his marriage collapsed he left the ministry and went through a year of counseling and restoration before reentering ministry. If you want to be useful pray for him and his family. Bless, don’t curse.
I could’t agree with you more, Shane. If people have issues with Todd, let’s rather talk to the Father about it. God help us not to be critical of each other, as members of the Body of Christ. Let’s pray for Todd, that he would be used mightily as he stays in tune with the Holy Spirit. “Lord, we thank you for Todd and that he is an instrument in your Kingdom. Help him to be humble and totally dependant on You, in Jesus’ name. Amen!
Totally agree with the comments “Christians need to stop deavouring one another” and “Bless don’t curse”
@Shane,thank you!
Religious christians please do something with your life.Stop being bitter!Why do you watch GOD TV and get angry,instead watch discovery channel or something.We need revival in Africa,and God already started it with Todd Bentley.
Shane Webb I agree with your comment. THE Bible has so many references to use of our tongue. Let he who is without sin cast the first stone, for example.
We are to bless and not curse. If we curse our own why would the world believe in what we have.
If MY PEOPLE who are called by my name will humble themsrlves and pray, and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land
2 Chronicles 7:14
Father God we ask blessings blessings show your Glory in South Africa. Show your Glory in the United States. This world needs your mighty hand. Bless and favor us Lord. For you are Mighty you are Holy.
The Bible is quite clear that when we judge others we are being judged by the same measure.
(KJV)John 8:7
“So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her”.
(KJV)Romans 3:23
“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;”
Todd has been forgiven by God the same way each person who comes to God in repentance is completely forgiven of all their sins, past, present and future and it was completed at Calvary almost 2000 years ago. He was already forgiven before he even commited adultery and he is not living in sin.
Hebrews 8:12
“For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more”. The same undeserved grace and mercy we’ve received fleely from God we MUST pass unto all.
Romans3:23 “all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God ”
Now read romans 3:24 “however we are now saved by grace in Christ Jesus”
This means all our sins are forgiven not just the ones we choose
Look at what God is doin in Tongaat people forget about Todd n see what God is doing we all sinned n come short of the Glory of God.WHO are we to jugde God is the final judge not man.God is using TODD BENTLY for such a time as this all GLORY be to GOD.
The man is a charlatan and the fact that the church in SA has got to the place where we actually tolerate such blatant apostasy and lies is not a testimony to what God is doing but is in actual fact a confirmation of His judgment on us.
These are NOT new phenomena, the apostle Paul exposed these works of darkness and named those who opposed the TRUE gosple, but this generation is so hungry for a revival that they willingly accept anything and everything, just because a man claims to have a calling.
Wake up people, these are the end times and 2Thessalonians 2 warns us that if we follow after this lawless iniquity, God Himself will send a strong delusion so that the church will believe a lie. Don’t take my word for it, GO READ IT!!! While you reading, why not check out 1Timothy 4 & 2Timothy 3
Why are we warned in 1John 4:1 not to believe every spirit but to try them?
Finally, go read Ephesians 5:13-17 and WAKE UP PEOPLE!!!
Those who accuse Todd Bentley of being from the devil obviously are not aware that it was the religious establishment who accused Jesus being of the divil when He went around healing the sick and casting out demons and pointing them to His Father. The religious establishment of that time should have known better – as they were scholars of the word. But Jesus didn’t fit into their theology. Jesus was doing everything contrary to their believes and inerpretations, and therefore they plotted to kill HIM in order to ‘save’ the nation from the heretic. We still have the religious among us who overlook that thousands are getting saved, turning to Jesus for the forgiveness of their sins, and certainly are out wanting to kill Todd Bentley’s reputation. How can any sane person see God doing signs and wonders … esp salvations … and give all the credit to the devil? Brothers(?) who made you judge? Please let God be the judge, lest you get judged accodingly!
The problem is that Bentley does not fit into the Theology which is Jesus!
Did Jesus act like a demoniac grunting and moaning on stage? Did Jesus get His vision from a woman angelic being? Did Jesus kick little old ladies in the face with His biker boots?……
Maybe you have not heard of roots and fruits or maybe your experiential theology has blinded your discernment but please DON’T take the works of darkness and try to dress them up as the gifts of God.
In terms of “Judging” – Please go back to the original and check out the actual meaning of the word – kritikos.
Just in case you don’t have access to a Strong’s I have taken the liberty of including the definition for you:
kritikos: critical
Original Word: κριτικός, ή, όν
Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: kritikos
Phonetic Spelling: (krit-ee-kos’)
Short Definition: able to judge
Definition: critical, able to judge or discern.
A cursory glance at Thayers will give you the following:
κριτικός, κριτικη, κριτικον (κρίνω), relating to judging, fit for judging, skilled in judging (Plato, Plutarch, Lucian, others): with the genitive of the object, ἐνθυμήσεων καί ἐννοιῶν καρδίας, tracing out and passing judgment on the thoughts of the mind, Hebrews 4:12.
The intention here is that the Word of God gives us the ability to critically judge or discern, not according to culture, language, experience, knowledge or anything else, but according to the principles of God’s Word.
Don’t think that just because some guy stands behind a pulpit and says something that it is correct, check it out against the Word of God and ask the Holy Spirit to teach you and confirm it IN THE WORD! Not every shepherd is a Good Shepherd so we are instructed by the Apostle John to not believe every spirit, but TRY the spirits… (1John 4:1)
The Strong’s definition for try is:
dokimazo: I put to the test, prove, examine
Original Word: δοκιμάζω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: dokimazo
Phonetic Spelling: (dok-im-ad’-zo)
Short Definition: I put to the test, prove, examine
Definition: I put to the test, prove, examine; I distinguish by testing, approve after testing; I am fit.
Thayers adds the following:
STRONGS NT 1381: δοκιμάζω
δοκιμάζω; (future δοκιμάσω); 1 aorist ἐδοκίμασά; passive, (present δοκιμάζομαι); perfect δεδοκίμασμαι; (δόκιμος); the Sept. chiefly for בָּחַן; as in Greek writings from (Herodotus, Thucydides), Xenophon, and Plato onward, to try;
1. to test, examine, prove, scrutinize (to see whether a thing be genuine or not), as metals: χρυσίον διά πυρός (Isocrates, p. 240 d. (i. e. Panathen. § 14); ad Demon., p. 7 b. (here Bekker βασανίζομεν); the Sept., Proverbs 8:10; Sir. 2:5; Wis. 3:6; ἄργυρον, Proverbs 17:3 (cf. Zechariah 13:9)), 1 Peter 1:7; other things: Luke 12:56; Luke 14:19; 2 Corinthians 8:8; Galatians 6:4; 1 Thessalonians 2:4; 1 Thessalonians 5:21; τά διαφέροντα, Romans 2:18; Philippians 1:10 (others refer these passages to 2; see διαφέρω, 2 b.); men, 1 Timothy 3:10 (in the passive); ἑαυτόν, 1 Corinthians 11:28; 2 Corinthians 13:5 (cf. ἐξετάζειν ἑαυτόν, Xenophon, mem. 2, 5, 1 and 4); Θεόν, Hebrews 3:9 (R G, from Psalm 94:9 (); on the sense of the phrase see πειράζω, 2 d. β.); τά πνεύματα, followed by εἰ whether etc. 1 John 4:1; followed by indirect discourse, Romans 12:2; 1 Corinthians 3:13; Ephesians 5:10.
2. to recognize as genuine after examination, to approve, deem worthy: 1 Corinthians 16:3; τινα σπουδαῖον ὄντα, 2 Corinthians 8:22; ἐν ᾧ δοκιμάζει for ἐν τούτῳ, ὁ δοκιμάζει in that which he approves, deems right, Romans 14:22; δεδοκιμάσμεθα ὑπό τοῦ Θεοῦ πιστευθῆναι τό εὐαγγέλιον we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the business of pointing out to men the way of salvation, 1 Thessalonians 2:4; our οὐκ ἐδοκίμασαν τόν Θεόν ἔχειν ἐν ἐπιγνώσει they did not think God worthy to be kept in knowledge, Romans 1:28. (On δοκιμάζω (as compared with πειράζω) see Trench, § lxxiv.; Cremer, under the word πειράζω. Compare: ἀποδοκιμάζω.)
STRONGS NT 1381a: δοκιμασίαδοκιμασία, δοκιμασίας, ἡ, a proving, putting to the proof: πειράζειν ἐν δοκιμασία to tempt by proving, Hebrews 3:9 L T Tr WH. ((Lysias), Xenophon, Plato, Demosthenes, Polybius, Plutarch, others; λίθος δοκιμασίας, Sir. 6:21.)
(NOTE: Posted for Alan MC Kenzie by Gateway News due to technical problem.)
Thank God for his mercy towards us!
Listened to Todd Bentley tonight and his testimony how Jesus changed his life totally at the age of 22.
No matter what we have done his grace is there for us when we turn to him.
Saw hundreds if people give their life to Jesus tonight – the message was Chrystal clear from the bible. Blessings over you guys that are talking sow negative about him and the ministry he is doing. Have you been in the meetings? If not, come and get refreshed and revived.
Dear Alan, how do we know that what you are speaking is not the strong delusion to believe a lie, that you are warning about? You are equally strong in the accuracy of your conviction as those who believe that it is a legitimate move or at least acts of God. Since we are to judge a tree by its fruit, there seems to more fruit to be judged in Durban than in your strongly spoken warnings and opinion. People are being saved and healed in Durban and people are finding a renewed interest and fervour for the gospel. What are you currently doing, that the fruit of your tree might be judged. You attack the credibility of a brother in Christ, by making claims that what is happening in Durban is definitely not of God, and yet present little of the fruit of the Spirit from your side to validate your own credibility.
Dear Jan
The site would not allow me to post a reply directly to your statement so I hope you read this.
Please don’t take my word for it, be be like a Berean (the most noble of the early church saints) and put it under the microscope of God’s word as you allow the Holy Spirit to do that which Jesus said He would do, reveal THE TRUTH!!
Next, there are works and fruits so let’s not confuse them.
Finally, the last thing I wish to do is validate my credibility, which is why I refer you to scripture. We all have a 67th book we refer to, it’s called the book of Opinions, but unfortunately when we stand before God one day our reference books for giving an account/answer will be limited to the 66 inspired by Him.
As I once heard a faithful old brother say “If it’s not in the Word, it’s absurd!”.
(NOTE: Posted for Alan Mc Kenzie by Gateway News, due to technical problem)
Dear Alan,
Take Jesus’s advice to his disciples and don’t try to stop someone who is doing works in Jesus’s name. He told his disciples that whoever is not against us is for us. Who are you to judge another man’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls, and he will stand for the Lord is able to make him stand. Quit preaching the gospel our of selfish ambition and impure motives, trying to stir up trouble for another servant of the Lord. Just some thoughts for you Alan, the Berean.
Dear Wade
Thank you for the compliment, but while I aspire to follow the example of noble men I am really not worthy of the title The Berean.
You are trying to defend what the scriptures expose as false and no amount of experiential gymnastics will allow you to fit what TB does into the writings and works of Christ or the apostles, unless you are of the opinion that scripture should be made relative to the age we live in, known as relativism.
The scriptures are FULL of warnings of false prophets and the deceitfulness of men’s hearts but if you can’t discern the most basic of error then I fear that you will fall for anything that tickles your ears. A simple example of where Israel was so certain of their ways that they would not listen to the instruction of God and turned a deaf ear to warnings may be found in Jeremiah 5 (take special note of verses 21-31)
It is clear that a wrong understanding of God produces a rebellious heart that revolts against the truth of God’s word and eventually has to manufacture a counterfeit, the result of which is judgment and bondage.
Jesus issued a clear statement in Matthew 15:13 – But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up.
14 – Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.
My encouragement to you is to be sure that you’re not being led by a blind man whose end is only the ditch!
In closing, please take a few minutes to go check out this link, http://www.ubm1.org/?page=toddbentley which is just one of many and, if you have the stomach for it, let me know if you’d like to borrow a set of DVD’s called – Wide Is The Gate or try reading Dave Hunt’s book The Seduction of Christianity, Beyond Seduction or A Different Gospel by McConnell…..
In Brotherly Love
Alan
Alan, I also agree with your statement about using Gods word to Judge all Miracles and Manifestations. The problem today is not just with Todd Bently, but more and more the Christian Church is turning away from the clear teaching of scripture and allowing any kind of lifestyle. We have many Pastors of Large Churches that have divorced more then once, and why are we amazed that now the Divorce rate is the same as the world, or even higher in some places among Christians. They are following the Example they see in their leadership. Yes we believe in grace, redemption, forgiveness, but what about example-ship? There is a reason the Bible teaches that all those in ministry should be without reproach! I don’t discount the miracles of Todd Bently, I believe the gifts and callings of God are without repentance, I question all his conversations with angels and many of his prophecies of the past that never came true. The Christian TV stations love him because it improves their ratings and draws in more business, but in the end, the Hallmarks of real Revival will be a Change in the moral climate of the City and Nation, not just a big show. Time will tell of the fruits of Todd Bently, but if you go to Lakeland Florida today, there is little or no trace of this so called “Great Revival” that happened. John McCarthy
I like what the Apostle Paul said when he stated that he did not speak to the churches with clever words and religious nonsense but with the demonstration of power. Jesus commanded us to heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers and cast out devils. His charge to the church stands to this day and will so until He returns for His bride. This is to be everyday Christianity.
ING.
HELLO, dear my brother Todd Bentley from SKY-FATHER.
I blessing you T.B. and all lamb, had born from SKY-FATHER (John 3:3-8).
We are, Shvidchenko Alexandr and together Todd Bentley had choose, select, pick out from only ∞ α WILLPOWER GREAT FIRE GOD = YAHVEH = LOVE Ω ∞ , but very fully consistent.
We are together had choose main first and final Revelation 11(Откровение 11).
Mark in watch before (Мтф.25:6) = final harvest.
First smaller arrow- quantity10 year in 2010 year- START at moning 13 July, Tuesday.
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second smaller arrow – 6 moths before 30 June
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big arrow – 10 day in July at 2 mark
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big long thin arrow – 54 hour before 6 o’clock morning 13 July, Tuesday in 2021 year.
If change time in watch in spring London in March forward on one hour, and so
Change time before (Мтф.25:6) in 5 o’clock in lightning disappearance body.
Blazing LOVE. This is FINAL harvest Matthew 25.
But we are together to stand on earth (Откр.11) Revelation 11.
Truth! Truth! Truth!
In the Lamb – SHAN – empty volume, super reality living
GREAT FIRE GOD – LOVE – YAHVEH!!!
the END.
Wow, so glad none of you who are casting stones are on the throne… If Jesus put your sins as far as the East from the West…does he not do the same for others…if you were God…the Apostle Saul would have been stoned to death for his murdering of Christians and the New Testament never written! No wonder the Lord gave me a dream in 2008 that He was beginning His judgement of the Nations…WHEN I ASKED HIM WHY….HE TOLD ME THAT HE CAME TO LAKELAND…THAT THE FLORIDA OUTPOURING WAS NOT TODD…BUT HIMSELF…JESUS…THE LORD SAID, “I CAME TO EARTH AGAIN…I WALKED THE STREETS, I HEALED THE SICK…I CLEANSED THE LEPER…I RAISED THE DEAD..AND I CAST OUT DEVILS…AND THE WORLD REJECTED ME AGAIN……BUT WORSE YET MY PEOPLE REJECTED ME….AND NOW I AM BEGINNING MY JUDGEMENT OF THE NATIONS…WITHIN LESS THAN 2 WEEKS THE GLOBAL FINANCIAL MARKETS CRASHED AND CAME WITHIN 2 HOURS OF A COMPLETE WORLD WIDE BANKING COLLAPSE….THE TIME IS SHORT FRIENDS….REPENT AND SEEK HIM…AND DO NOT INTELLECTUALIZE YOUR FAITH….TO CONDONE YOUR OWN JUDGEMENT…..JESUS SAID, “TO LVOE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, ALL YOUR SOUL, AND ALL YOUR MIND….AND TO LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF…..IF YOU CANNOT LOVE TODD…THAN YOU CANNOT LOVE GOD……….IT IS JESUS DOING THE MIRACLES……….NOT TODD……REPENT AND LOVE GOD…………………………..LOVE JESUS………..FOR GOD IS LOVE………AND LOVE CONQUERS ALL THINGS…….WOULD GOD NOT WANT THESE PEOPLE TO BE HEALED?? I WOULD AND I AM A MERE MAN……….GOD LOVES THEM……AND JUST AS JESUS “WENT ABOUT ALL GALILEE, TEACHING IN THEIR SYNAGOGUES, PREACHING THE GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM, AND HEALING EVERY MANNER OF SICKNESS AND EVERY MANNER OF DISEASE AMONG THE PEOPLE.” …SO SHOULD WE BE ABOUT THE FATHER’S BUSINESS…….GET BUSY AND DO THE WORK OF THE GOSPEL……JESUS SAID, “VERILY, VERILY I SAY UNTO GO YE THEREFORE INTO ALL THE WORLD AND PREACH THE GOSPEL TO EVERY CREATURE, HE WHO BELEIVES SHALL BE SAVED AND HE WHO BELIEVES NOT SHALL BE DAMNED AND THESE SIGNES SHALL FOLLOW HIM WHO BELIEVES…IN MY NAME SHALL HE CAST OUT DEVILS…HE SHALL SPEAK WITH NEW TONGUES..HE SHALL TAKE UP SERPENTS, IF HE DRINKS ANY DEADLY POISON IT SHALL NOT HARM HIM , THEY SHALL LAY HANDS ON THE SICK AND THEY SHALL RECOVER…” TODD IS DOING THE WORK OF THE GOSPEL AS JESUS COMMANDED,…ARE YOU??? AM I??? LET HIM WHO IS WITHOUT SIN CAST THE FIRST STONE….GOD FORGIVE ME FOR NOT DOING YOUR WORK………SELAH…AMEN AND AMEN……………..
http://www.apostasywatch.com/Wolves/WolfReports/ToddBentley/MOSTCONTAGIOUSANOINTINGFloridaWARNING/tabid/156/Default.aspx
My friend who was a totally backslidden Christian went to a Todd Bentley revival and came back born again. Three years later my friend is a full time church administrator and is a deacon in a big church. The Bible says that God rejoices and the angels celebrate even if just one soul is saved. So haters how much are you doing to obey God’s command to go out and preach the gospel? How many souls have u brought into the Kingdom? Does not the bible say that as long as the gospel is being preached it does not matter from who it is coming? If we judge all our preachers there is goin to be no-one qualified to preach cos there is no man that is perfect. Only if u are born again will you know if Todd is a fake cos Spirit acknowledges spirit . God bless. Love everyone like Jesus loves. Unconditionally
Hallelujah! God is moving once again in SA and it is visible for every eye to see and every ear to hear that the Spirit of God is moving! Pray without ceasing that Revival will indeed sweep across our nation! We desperately need this to happen!
Beloved friends, Who is perfect? You? I’m not. Lord Christ of Nazareth using Br.Todd in a unique way! Yea, to heal many..the needy people, people like me (fools in others’ sight). Let GOD cleanse and use him marvelously. As Christians, please pray for souls, instead of finding faults. Thank you JESUS, GOD TV, Br.TODD and all….
Many many Christian where under-attack in2008 my own marriage also broke down .. due to adultery . Todd openly apologised on God tv .he truly touched my heart.. 5 year’s Todd has not evangelised for … that’s time enough … hundred and thousands coming to God is the most important thing .we will know him by his fruit… why don’t we just pray for them.
Stop judging Todd.Bentley.the end time is here,we out of time for souls
Todd Bentley and Revival! From your lips to God’s lips like Moses. Let the Glory come and let it remain not for a moment or a season. Only God’s Divine Intervention can change our nation and for that matter the world. What we need is fresh fire and A GREAT AWAKENING. For the critics and skeptics – I have firsthand received healings and a TOUCH OF THE FIRE and it is tangible and very, very real. I pray that South Africa come under a FULL FLAME OF GLORY and get captivated ONCE FOR ALL BY THEIR GOD and His desires like never before. Go Todd! If God has justified you, who can condemn you? That’s the purpose of the CROSS and we live under a New Testament AND OPEN HEAVEN OF GRACE THAT PARDONS WHEN WE REPENT, not under an old covenant made up of Laws that we should keep. I fervently pray that your stay is extended, that the Glory increaseth much more and that you ignite THE FLAME in every city in South Africa.
Did someone really compare Bentley kicking someone in the face to Abraham?
Todd Bentley says the Lord told Him not to preach about JESUS. because the church already believes in Jesus , Todd says the lord told him to preach about angels and the supernatural?
Todd also speaks of an angel Emma that. Ministers to him and now in Tongaat. He says his wife gets a lot of the visitations from. The angels. Etc.? Last night he said that the angel is present and that is why the word of knowledge is operating through him -the word of knowledge is not the operation of an angel but a gift of the Holy Spirit.Deuteronomy 13 says even if the prophet. Speaks about a miracle , sign, wonder and it comes to pass do not follow him if his message. Is. Leading you away from Truth .Deut13 says the Lord is TESTING YOU. Todd also reveals how he was taken to heaven by angels , placed on operating table and had little white boxes placed inside him which we are told were gifts of character …character is not a gift ….fruit. of spirit…PROCESS ????We in Durban , South AFrica, are not all fools.DC?
Signs, wonders and miracles are the hallmark of Bentley’s revival meetings? That’s not new. The sons of Sceva and the magicians in Pharoah’s court could do that. What’s new? The people flocking to his meetings are like the Israelites of old: all gaga over the signs, wonders and miracles. But when reality bites, they’ll be at square one carping about their life and wondering where this god of Bentley is. End-time charlatan, that’s who he is.
Mat 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
Mat 7:16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
Mat 7:17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
Mat 7:18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
Mat 7:19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
Mat 7:20 Wherefore by their
fruits ye shall know them.
Mat 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.
Mat 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?
Mat 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Mat 7:24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
Mat 7:25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
Mat 7:26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:
Mat 7:27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.
Mar 13:22 For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.
Much of what I have read above falls in the categories of Proverbs 6.
Father forgive us for our emotional outbursts that are birthed out of our own misgivings and hurt…
Proverbs 6:16-19
Amplified Bible (AMP)
16 These six things the Lord hates, indeed, seven are an abomination to Him:
17 A proud look [the spirit that makes one overestimate himself and underestimate others], a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,
18 A heart that manufactures wicked thoughts and plans, feet that are swift in running to evil,
19 A false witness who breathes out lies [even under oath], and (NB!!!!) he who sows discord among his brethren.
Wanda Kinzeler how can you compare Todd Bentley to Abraham? Abraham had waited years for a boy and then when Isaac was born and grown up GOd told Abraham to sacrifice him. Then a ram was caught in the thorns(Jesus/lamb and His crown), which was an image of Christ dieing on the cross, what image is being played out by kicking an elderely lady in the face. Also he has started a group called Joels Army, whenever i hear that a select group of people wil be called by God to usher in the end of an age, i hear mormonism and JWs.
This is the problem with all these Mystery religions that are being preached by Rick Joyner and co, they create an atmosphere of mystery and almost anything goes in that type of environment and men are given god like qualities.
I find more loving words listening to Messianic Jews or even Cathoic priest, go and read holyspiritinteractive.org amazing stories. There seems to be no fear of God in these way out pentecostal churches