Entering the earthly gate to deception, false teachings and rejection by God.
Imagine, upon arrival to the Portals of Heaven, and there you are… personally with God Almighty who is sitting on His Throne. What will He say to you? He will speak to us all. He might even speak directly to you, you know? Get ready for that.
For myself, I most certainly do not want to hear God say to me:
“Keith: While on earth your thinking and logic were so full of holes. And not just that – you wrote a bunch of huey. You wrote contrary to my revealed truth. In fact, you were a false teacher on earth – a deceiving heretic.
You falsely claimed to have heard from Me. I tell you the truth: I never sent any new revelations — inspiring any to contradict what the Old and New Testament prophets and disciples wrote previously. Why would I? Do you think I make mistakes, that I need you to improve on the Bible?
I did not need you to say any more than what is in the Bible. And why would I contradict myself? Who on earth were you listening to? I know who – but do you know? Who spoke those messages to you? It sure as Hell was not Me talking.
Why do you think you are smarter than the ones of the past – with whom I chose to write down my Message to the world… specially prepared and inspired prophets, and my own disciples? You misled a whole boat load of people on their journey. Now you’ll be with them where I’m sending you. Depart from me – I never knew you.”
(Note: I think this is what God could honestly say to Bethel’s Bill Johnson and their prophet Chris Valloten.)
How ’bout you?
* Who is your pastor, your teacher – who says words and then says this is from God?
* Are you fact-checking the teachings of your church leaders? Have you studied the Bible enough to know what is biblical?
* Have you subsequently rejected their unbiblical ways, in order to stay faithful to God?
* Or are you unfaithful to God, wandering further away from God’s truth, further into heresies?
* What does your church teach? Are they into doctrines and practices they have made up, things not found in the Bible? Are you one of those who “tolerate all this beautifully [welcoming the deception]“… even though their ways are not the ways of Christ? Are you mesmerized, stupefied by their beautiful worship songs of praise, and thus won-over to their words?
What Christ Himself established. I am sticking with what Christ Himself established: a faith of “simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ” (2 Corinthians 11: verse 3 in the NASB). Does your church really teach, as Paul wrote, “a precious faith of the same kind as ours“?
1 Timothy 1:3-7
3 Just as I urged you [a]upon my departure for Macedonia, to remain on at Ephesus so that you would instruct certain people not to teach strange doctrines, 4 nor to [b]pay attention to myths and endless genealogies, which give rise to useless speculation rather than advance [c]the plan of God, which is by faith, so I urge you now.
5 But the goal of our [d]instruction is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from a sincere faith. 6 Some people have strayed from these things and have turned aside to fruitless discussion, 7 wanting to be teachers of the Law, even though they do not understand either what they are saying or the matters about which they make confident assertions.
We don’t need anything more than what is clearly in the Bible, “for His divine power has bestowed on us [absolutely] everything necessary for [a dynamic spiritual] life and godliness.” See: 2 Peter 1:1-4.
The Revelation Warning. God does not mess around. Be careful what you accept as “of God”. Revelation 22 warns to not add our own thinking and supposed new revelations — to not add “anything” to the book, the Bible, as part of our Christianity. It warns:
“if anyone takes away from or distorts the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away [from that one] his share from the tree of life and from the holy city (new Jerusalem), which are written in this book” (verses 18-19).
“I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy because I have promised you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ” (- 2 Corinthians 11:2). God does not want us (verse 3) fooled by Satan, so that “by his cunning, your minds may be corrupted and led away“, defiled, fallen away into false doctrines.
Have we perhaps reached the beginning of the end times? The times where people “will not tolerate sound doctrine and accurate instruction [that challenges them with God’s truth]” (2 Timothy 4:3)?
Those who follow false teachers are…
deceived, corrupted, led away, defiled, fallen away.
Let’s get more specific: have you examined carefully what is going on in the Redding church, Bethel? I am very concerned; really am. Why? Because I have looked into what they profess and what they practice all around the world. And it is not “the same gospel” I read of in my Bible. In fact, they do not use the same Bible!
A translator blessed by Bethel actually “re-translated” their own version of the Bible. Can you believe that? Just like other false churches, like the Mormons did — in order to make it say things they want to hear.
2 Corinthians 11:3-6
3 But I am afraid that, even as the serpent beguiled Eve by his cunning, your minds may be corrupted and led away from the simplicity of [your sincere and] pure devotion to Christ.
4 For [you seem willing to allow it] if one comes and preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or a different gospel from the one you accepted. You tolerate all this beautifully [welcoming the deception]….
“test all things carefully”
– 1 Thessalonians 5: verse 21
According to Joe Carter (www.thegospelcoalition.org) he carefully examined what’s going on. He sees Bethel as full of unbiblical ways (teachings and practices). Let’s look at the facts with Joe:
1. Bethel Church: In 2005, the congregation withdrew from the Assemblies of God and became a nondenominational church. The pastors are Bill and Beni Johnson (former Weaverville CA pastor).
2. Bethel Music is a ministry of Bethel Church. The president and co-founder of Bethel Music is Brian Johnson, the son of Bill and Beni. One of the most famous musicians to come out of Bethel Music is Jeremy Riddle, who co-wrote the huge hit, “This Is Amazing Grace”.
3. This beautiful Bethel-produced music is part of the deceptiveness of Satan the Beguiler: “as the serpent beguiled Eve by his cunning, your minds may be corrupted and led away” …by a mix of the biblical and their unbiblical new ways.
See: Should We Use Bethel Songs in Worship? 4 Diagnostic Questions; ― Todd Wagner
4. Heretical teachings. The Johnsons often are questioned about the legitimacy of their teachings – teachings which smack of falsehood. They are often accused of being truly heretical. You’ve got to ask yourself: Why all these questions about heresy? Here are several examples:
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- Johnson’s “Jesus Christ is perfect theology,” which claims that it is always God’s will to heal someone (link is missing: /bjm.org/qa/is-it-always-gods-will-to-heal-someone)
- Another, a YouTube video: Ex-Bethel Student Tells All: Lindsay Davis Testimony: An insider look at the Bethel Supernatural School of Ministry, including their “Christian” divination cards; grave soaking; impartation of spirits; anointing; and more.
- Nabeel’s Vlog 012 – My Visit to Bethel Church: Nabeel Qureshi’s review of his visit to Bethel Church
- Mark Winger on YouTube: Bill Johnson’s Theology and Movement Examined Biblically.
- In one of his books, Bill Johnson said he believed that Jesus performed miracles as a man, not God.
5. Weird angelology. Beni Johnson (Bill’s wife) teaches really weird doctrines of angels (angelology) – like, that there are “different kinds of angels: messenger angels, healing angels, fiery angels” who have “fallen asleep.” (Joke: Been visited by a sleepy angel lately?) Have you read of sleepy angels sent of God… in the Bible anywhere?)
-
- One of Beni’s students at the Bethel Supernatural School of Ministry reports that an angel, visible to her, spoke to her and said: “I am the angel from the 1904 revival and you just woke me up.” She asked him, “Why have you been asleep?” The angel answered and said, “Because no one has been calling out for revival anymore.” The student then claims God told her to go to the chapel and yell “WAKEY WAKEY!”
- That is just another day at the Beni Johnson’s school. It is blatantly false to claim that. Down through the centuries believers have “been calling out for revival”, sincerely and biblically.
- Read history. Folks: wake up. This is really happening today. Do you really want to go down believing this stuff? Again, this passage comes to mind: 2 Corinthians 11:3-6.
6. Necromancy by God. Some of the Bethel members, including senior pastor Beni Johnson, allegedly practiced “grave sucking” or “grave soaking”—which involves lying on a person’s grave to “soak up” the deceased’s “anointing.”This is part of necromancy – which Scripture prohibits. Bethel practiced this through its leaders (Beni in particular). And through Bill’s book – Bill Johnson himself continues to encourage this theology.
-
- It’s all written down in the book, The Physics of Heaven. In these writings, Johnson says:
- “There are anointings, mantles, revelations and mysteries that have lain unclaimed, literally where they were left, because the generation that walked in them never passed them on. I believe it’s possible for us to recover realms of anointing, realms of insight, realms of God that have been untended for decades simply by choosing to reclaim them and perpetuate them for future generations.”
- “There are anointings, mantles, revelations and mysteries that have lain unclaimed, literally where they were left, because the generation that walked in them never passed them on. I believe it’s possible for us to recover realms of anointing, realms of insight, realms of God that have been untended for decades simply by choosing to reclaim them and perpetuate them for future generations.”
- It’s all written down in the book, The Physics of Heaven. In these writings, Johnson says:
7. Bethel claims they are reclaiming lost realms of God. Johnson writes in his published book (heavensphysics.com/chapter4),”I believe it’s possible for us to recover realms of anointing… of insight, realms of God …simply by choosing to reclaim them and perpetuate them for future generations.” (…Through grave sucking?!)
So, they want us to believe that God lost a realm? God did? And… I guess since Jesus could not Himself lay down on a grave and suck it up (?)… we (since it sounds so easy to do!) can do some grave sucking ourselves to recover what God could not through His Son, the Creator of the Universe? Amazing “revelation” – to me.
8. Unbiblical “revelations. So, according to Bill, there are a whole lot’a “untended” “realms” which were never in the Bible, but were revealed to certain chosen ones, who (by deductive reasoning)… then died without sharing their revelations with anyone (well maybe shared it with some, but they also died without writing down the precious words from Almighty God)?
According to Bethel doctrine, knowledge of heretofore unknown realms of God disappeared. But now, just in time for the aging Bill Johnson – Bethel is grabbing them up from dead bones in graves.
The Bethel ministry so undeniably adds “new revelations” to Scripture. And yet, the truth is: Scripture clearly prohibits adding to what was already given to us by God. And, most telling: Nothing from God will contradict what He has previously revealed to us.
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- What was revealed prior to the arrival of these heretics, is the true Word of God, the Bible.
- Contradictions backed-up by supposed newly arrived “revelations”, imaginations, signs and wonders – are just that: contradictions to the Bible.
- Historically those are called-out as: heresy. Beware folks: Don’t follow heresies. Don’t believe in the practices of heretics (even if they sing a sweet song). Don’t go to churches like Bethel. Find a truely biblical pastor. Your eternity could very well be at stake.
9. Bethel wrote it’s own version of the Bible. Bethel commissioned the translation called The Passion Translation, by Brian Simmons. But he did not follow normal translation standards. He inserts their own “revelations”, now Bethel doctrines — into this version, as if it belongs there! Read: Words used by false teachers
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- In this Volume 43 – Issue 1. Burning Scripture with Passion: A Review of The Psalms (The Passion Translation) – by Andrew G. Shead
- “…Andrew G. Shead concludes that Simmons abandons “all interest in textual accuracy, playing fast and loose with the original languages, and inserting so much new material into the text that it is at least 50% longer than the original. The result is a strongly sectarian translation that no longer counts as Scripture; by masquerading as a Bible it threatens to bind entire churches in thrall to a false god.” – quoted from point 7 in the article: 9 Things You Should Know About the Bethel Church Movement.
So, to be clear about what this heretic says, I’ll use my words to re-state the Johnson gospel. This is basically The Bill & Beni Johnson Truth of God. This following is not a quote, but just me using my words to say it like it really is.
This is a synopsis of what the Johnsons are actually meaning — but they will never say it like this:
This is me, Bill Johnson of Bethel.
Let me tell you:
God the Omniscient Creator
forgot to fill-us-in.
Back when the Bible was put together
(breathed into prophets),
God forgot a bunch of things.
Now He is giving more stuff to us,
to our newly enlightened crew,
His newly anointed prophets.
We who are truly “woke” in the Spirit
have new messages from God.
Some messages were left in dead bodies
ready for us to recover
by laying down over their graves
and soaking it up.
They were previously unknown,
forgotten truths – but now:
God has chosen us to reveal new revelations
(to us up here in Northern California
– not to you guys; just to us).
Listen-up. You gotta come to our conferences
– because what you have in the Spirit
is not up-to-date enough.
The Spirit of God doesn’t tell you these things.
In fact, the Bible is not complete
and so we are adding to it.
We have translated the Bible ourselves.
In fact: you have been duped.
You are following old truths.
By God, let us bring you up-to-speed.
Let me be facetious:
Imagine that! After thousands of years, God is just now trying to clear-up a few omissions – and Bethel is His instrument of choice. They are spearheading all these woke revelations!
Uhh. NOT. I’m being facetious.
Getting serious now: So, by implication, Bethel teaches:
Jesus failed.
God sent His Son, Jesus, to earth
and during His 3 years of ministry
(during his period when 30-33 years old)
Jesus was not able to tell it all.
Jesus goofed-up.
And the Bible is not enough.
So let us bring you up-to-speed.
So, according to Bethel, because of God’s failure over the centuries, the Johnson crew is now receiving forgotten news that Jesus didn’t tell His disciples (or they forgot to write it into the Bible).
Bethel teaches: “Special revelations” (which the Bible actually says will not happen) are coming to you and me – by way of the new Bethel prophets and their minions. These “outpourings of the Spirit” come filled with brand new stuff we could never get by just reading the old, incomplete Bible.
New standard for prophets of today. And “by God” here comes this new standard for prophets of today, very conveniently for Bethel to get away with it (except that God is watching): God has decided to not require prophets to always be right, Bethel teaches. (The OT required no errors – or be stoned.)
The Johnson Gospel encourages new disciples to — just come out with it, whatever it is you think might be a “word from the Lord”, just say it. Say something like “The Lord is making this clear to me…”
They say basically: Don’t worry about being a false prophet if you are wrong. The new reveal from God is: it is okay to be wrong – just blurt it out. You may have not quite seen it totally right, but that is okay. Eventually God gets it to you correctly. They say.
The Bethel type prophet. Although the next newer revelation “by God” could change things, at present this is the new Johnson Gospel:
- The Bethel type prophet can prophecy erroneous stuff (and, not to worry, because you will not ever deserve OT censorship which in that day meant you’d be “stoned to death” for lying, saying God inspired this, but then you were wrong).
- He or she can be saying what is of their own imaginations, instead of being from the inspiration of God – because you’ll eventually get it right.
- That is the standard for prophets and for “a word of faith or encouragement”. You must be confident and just speak forth what comes into your mind.
- Never mind Paul’s warning in 2 Corinthians 10:5: “We are destroying sophisticated arguments and every exalted and proud thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought and purpose captive to the obedience of Christ….”
- Don’t worry about being used of evil spirits by your wild gyrations and opening wide your mind. (See: Counterfeit spirit of god)
- You are filled by the Holy Spirit, so just let it out, and say it.
1 Timothy 4: verses 1-2 (AMP)
But the [Holy] Spirit
explicitly and unmistakably
declares that in later times
some will turn away from the faith,
paying attention instead
to deceitful and seductive spirits
and doctrines of demons,
2 [misled] by the hypocrisy of liars
whose consciences are seared
as with a branding iron
[leaving them incapable of ethical functioning]
The Bible on the Bethel movement:
-
- This encourages believers to add their own experiences as a direct revelation from God, new revelations. Then Bethel teaches as “the Word of God” what is not anywhere in the true Word of God – the Bible.
- Scripture expressly prohibits this. We should totally refuse what is not backed-up by Scripture. Or else we begin down the same slippery road (I call: Cascading Error).
- God does not contradict Himself. True Christianity does not ignore the already revealed “word from God”, Scripture — in order to add “extra-biblical” new revelation (which in turn produces new doctrines, and new practices).
- The Gospel according to Apostle Paul does not approve of false doctrines. True Christianity refuses your personal experience, and your signs and wonders, and whatever it was suddenly “revealed” to you… if any of it contradicts the clear words of God in the Bible.
- True Christianity does not add “extra-biblical” practices and beliefs. To do so is to be a heretic. Clear and simple: Bethel is being led by heretics. Those heretics are Bill and Beni Johnson, their main Prophet Chris Valloten, and their disciples.
Cascading Error. So how does the Johnson’s New Apostolic Reformation Movement establish new doctrines, and make them part of The Bill & Beni Johnson Truth of God? 1
First you change the rules: you declare (by a revelation) that it is okay to make a rule change by way of some prophet’s new revelation. And then you declare: new personal experience is equal to the Bible doctrines of old (and the new can change the old). [We can do anything we want – this way!]
“Bethel Church claims to frequently encounter unexplained phenomena both during their services and also in their everyday lives, such as falling gold dust and “angel” feathers. (“The feathers, gold dust, etc. are not things we do,” Johnson says. “They happen.”) They also claim to see a “glory cloud,” the appearance of dust/smoke in their services that they say is a supernatural sign of God’s presence, similar to the pillar of cloud that traveled with Moses and the Israelites (Ex. 13:20–22).”
– Source: Joe Carter article
Chris Valloten, the “main” Bethel Prophet, says: “God is bigger than His Book.”
Valloten actually belittles Scripture and says God can do things outside of Scripture. So Valloten has established the new standard: in this new era God is improving what Jesus began, and what we (the new prophets) get for you by revelation is greater than what Jesus Himself taught.
-Source: Mike Winger YouTube: Bill Johnson’s Theology and Movement Examined Biblically.
Some have said, “Well, that is not what they do now.” So on they go with this flip-flopping movement, one year practicing being filled-with-the-Spirit complete with “Kondahari spirit” type wild jerking gyrations formerly only practiced by the Hindus, and the next — who knows what. I’d back away from this.
It appears we are entering into the big time end times “delusion“. The signs are here: where many will forsake Christ to follow their favorites (2 Timothy 4:3). If so, better tighten-up your ship because the storms will be wild. Be strong in the Lord. Rejoice – for Christ is soon to come back!
But “as for me and my house…”
2 Corinthians 10:5:
“We are destroying
sophisticated arguments
and every exalted and proud thing
that sets itself up against
the [true] knowledge of God,
and we are taking every thought
and purpose
captive to the obedience of Christ….”
FOR MORE:
See on YouTube channel: Revealing Truth
Bill Johnson’s Christology: A New Age Christ?, part IIIb – Craig of CrossWise April 27, 2012
*[See also: Part I, The Christ Anointing and the Antichrist Spirit, Part II, Part IIIa and Part IV (Conclusion).]
Answer to Open Challenge to Fans and Critics of Bill Johnson/Bethel Church | – Craig of CrossWise | September 7, 2013
Excerpt: “…In the following message, taken from Bill Johnson’s 12/20/09 sermon Jesus is our Model (2nd service)….
“A form of this teaching, known as Gnosticism, goes all the way back to the second century (and perhaps the first century). …The basic worldview of the Gnostics was dualistic, such that all matter is evil, while spirit is good. Humankind, while inwardly spirit and hence good, was enfleshed by evil matter, the outward body. The goal was to escape the flesh, thus attaining self-redemption. This was accomplished through secret knowledge, or gnosis (new revelation) that came by way of mystical experiences from mystical practices.
The Bible is the standard for Christian thought. Not me. Not you.
Cessationism or Continuationism? – Craig of CrossWise | September 16, 2023
Excerpt: “Cessationism is the doctrinal stance that the “sign gifts” (tongues, prophecy, healing, e.g.) have ceased. This is usually further defined by the temporal qualifier ‘after the Apostolic age’….”
“Continuationism is the doctrine that all the gifts are for today.” The Passion Translation, TPT, and why not to use it
Great Commentary on the internet | from spiritoferror.org | February 5th, 2010 at 10:22 pm
Mary …Says: Hello D W,
A Christian isn’t necessarily defined by prayer, fasting, anti-abortion stand, and/or exhibiting signs and wonders. Jehovah Witnesses, Mormons, Hindu’s and others likely pray, fast, and take a stand against abortion as well. And let’s not forget the magicians in Egypt who exhibited great signs and wonders with their secret arts.
No. When these things accompany a twisting of the foundation of our faith, God’s Word, a red flag should alert us that something is wrong. That should cause us to compare the teachings which come from that person or ministry — with the Bible to arrive at an accurate evaluation of the same.
About Being Apostate… following “another gospel”
9 Things You Should Know About the Bethel Church Movement | Joe Carter; The Gospel Coalition
Mike Winger YouTube: Bill Johnson’s Theology and Movement Examined Biblically.
Should We Use Bethel Songs in Worship? 4 Diagnostic Questions | ― Todd Wagner
Delusion is absolutely irrational, stupid and foolish
They in fact have seen nothing
What are they teaching right in there in your church?
Avoid Bill Johnson-Influenced Pastors and The Passion Translation | by Dennis Brady
Published August 19th, 2016 on the site, www.spiritoferror.org, by Biola University graduate Holly Pivec (Visit Amazon’s Holly Pivec Page) and
A New Apostolic Reformation? A Biblical Response to a Worldwide Movement
“This critique provides a framework for understanding and interpreting the widespread but little-known New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) movement. As the authors state in the preface: “We write this book with two major goals in mind. First, to give people an idea of the sheer size and reach of the NAR movement. And second, to systematize its key teachings and practices and evaluate them on the basis of Scripture and careful reasoning … . In our judgment, the NAR perspective crosses these boundaries [that is, certain broad parameters, revealed in Scripture and practiced in the historical orthodox church], and it does so in part because of flawed theology rooted in a flawed understanding of Scripture. We wish to warn readers about a possible confusion: Some critics have linked the NAR movement with mainstream Pentecostalism and charismatics. We do not do this. In fact, it is our contention that the NAR movement deviates from classical Pentecostal and charismatic teachings. This movement has emerged out of independent charismatic churches and, thus, has gained a foothold in many of those churches in varying degrees.”
and
God’s Super-Apostles: Encountering the Worldwide Prophets and Apostles Movement
“God’s Super-Apostles provides a concise entry-level overview of the key teachings and practices of the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) movement. This is a key resource in grasping the significance of this global, confusing, and controversial movement.”
Reporting on the Rise of ‘Reckless Christianity’… Responding biblically to the worldwide prophets and apostles movement taking over churches. Written By Holly Pivec and Doug Geivett
NAR leader Brian Simmons reveals a new chapter of the Bible, by Holly Pivec, the co-author of A New Apostolic Reformation?: A Biblical Response to a Worldwide Movement and God’s Super-Apostles: Encountering the Worldwide Prophets and Apostles Movement. She has a master’s degree in Christian apologetics from Biola University.
Show me actual false teachings
More about the Bethel movement:
- Out of Bethel comes the New Apostolic Reformation Movement (NAR)… a signs and wonders type movement
- They teach what you do not get from the Bible.
- Their “Jesus Culture” movement promotes their Bethel revivals.
- Their House of Generals and Apostolic Centers are exporting their teachings all over the world.
- They want to take their culture to transform the world.
- The Bethel Supernatural School of Ministry okayed field trips go to phychic fares to read the cards. “ChristAlignment” teams/events encouraged the use of cards – like secular “card readers” but done by Bethel leaders. “Energy passed between our palms.” But it’s card reading, plain and simple fakery.
- They encourage people to fake speaking in tongues, fake prophesy…. per Mike Winger YouTube video: Bill Johnson’s Theology and Movement Examined Biblically.
- Prophecy is considered different in the New Testament time, and now. They are ‘calling into existence’… something not found in the Bible.
- They prefer to not use the terms Father, Son, Holy Spirit. They now call the Holy Spirit the “Spirit of Creation”.
- They promote an experience of “grave sucking” or “grave soaking”—which involves lying on a person’s grave to “soak up” the deceased’s “anointing.
YouTube video: Ex-Bethel Student Tells All: Lindsay Davis Testimony: An insider look at the Bethel Supernatural School of Ministry, including their “Christian” divination cards; grave soaking; impartation of spirits; anointing; and more.
Nabeel’s Vlog 012 – My Visit to Bethel Church: Nabeel Qureshi’s review of his visit to Bethel Church
Mark Winger on YouTube: Bill Johnson’s Theology and Movement Examined Biblically.
Kris Vallotton addresses old sermon claiming he’s seen restored virginity in young people. “…to students at the School of Worship in 2014. “I’ve got hundreds of emails about girls’ hymens being restored. Hundreds.”
Footnotes
- The NAR is not actually Johnson’s, but the movement encapsulates them as a church. See: Post New Apostolic Reformation Reflections.
Thanks Keith. Good warning. Also thank you for more writings about this cult.
Rick. Do you often come across folk who comment about Bethel?