This is an artist’s rendition of the sons of Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, offering strange or unauthorized fire before the Lord.
My name is Tony Miano. I am a member of Grace Community Church. I am an evangelist who leads a ministry called Cross Encounters Ministries.
With more than a little reluctance and trepidation, I am entering the world of “Discernment Blogging.” While it can be a place of great encouragement and teaching, it can also be a place of ugliness, lies, and hatred. I hope readers will determine I am in the camp of the former, and not the latter.
Why me, and why now?
I believe a group known as Bethel Redding is a cult. The group has a number of characteristics of cult, as defined by the Christian Apologetic & Research Ministry.
Bethel Redding propagates a false Jesus, contrary to the Scriptures. Bethel Redding propagates a false gospel, contrary to the Scriptures. Bethel Redding propagates a false holy spirit, with false signs and wonders, contrary to the Scriptures. The group is also involved in forbidden, demonic practices such as a strange form of necromancy known as “Soaking Up the Anointing,” “Grave Soaking,” or “Grave Sucking.”
I believe Bethel Redding is a danger to the true church, the Bride and Body of Christ. I also believe Bethel Redding is a danger to the soul of every lost person who comes in contact with the group or any of its affiliates.
I have followed and studied the aberrant activities and theology of Bethel Redding, for several years. I have already extensively written and reported about this cult. Recently, I have received an increase in requests for information about the Bethel Redding cult. Some have asked if there is a central depository of information about the group.
While others have done fine work in cataloging information about Bethel Redding, I’ve decided it’s time I lend a more organized level of assistance to the effort.
Now, this new work will be and must be secondary to primary mission–to herald the gospel of Jesus Christ on the streets around the world and to assist biblical churches in doing the same. So, the production of new, counter-cult material might be slower than some like. I hope you will be patient with me. In order to try to maintain a steady flow of the addition of new information to the site, from time-to-time I will have other people (guest writers) contribute to this site.
In the end, as in all things, I hope my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be glorified in this effort. I also pray the Bride of Christ will be edified, equipped, and protected in this effort, and that many lost people, particularly those involved in the Bethel Redding cult, will come to genuine repentance and faith in Jesus Christ.
So, with that, I inaugurate the Repent Bethel Redding website/blog.
christdandke says
Keep on telling TRUTH of GOD’S HOLY WORD,, Amen.. We Forever PRAISE YOU LORD JESUS for YOUR PROMISES Thru the CROSS
Kim says
This is an excellent article Tony – Keep calling out God’s word – there are so many n both US and – Australia in Stairway church that are in peril – Pray the Blood of Jesus over them unto repemtance
Adam says
Good work Tony, will be praying for you as you embark on this journey. Teach the truth (the Word of God) and it will not return void!
Ryan says
Nice job with the links throughout your blog! Looks like a great resource!
savedbygrace07 says
May God use this blog for His glory. May people trapped in ‘Bethel’ see the Light and come out of this cult.
God bless you Tony.
Mathius says
Keep going and keep providing truth.
stuart bentley says
so many of the younger christians love this stuff.. very sad to see
Warren says
Keep up the good work!
Louticia Terry says
Why are people calling this a cult?
Jim Andrews says
Bethel Church (Redding, Ca., Bill Johnson) is involved with Demonic Activities, promoting communication with the dead, which is strictly forbidden in God’s Word. They also endorse Demonic ministers like Todd Bentley and John Crowder. Also, they allowed two young ladies to blaspheme God by acting as if they were toking (smoking dope) the cross, and getting high on God.
Gary says
“Grave sucking” has absolutely no biblical basis. This is heresy in its purest form. So sad to see coming from Bethel.
Why allowed says
Tony: bethcavete.wordpress.com has same great post exposing Bethel and Bill Johson; not sure why she has been silent and a lot of comments removed unless threatened or coerced. Someone had posted to research these corrupt ministries is Google: ” abused by name of church (Bethel) and or pastor (Johnson etc). People’s negative feedback on Bethel and or Johnson and controversial articles on Bethel/Bill Johnson”; that goes for any church, pastor etc., and read the abuses and dogma and lies. Each Site will refer you to more and more reads. Austin Miles wrote a Book called “Don’t Call Me Brother”-1989 exposing charismatic corruption and no one heeded. 2nd Book-1990 was people’s letters in response to 1st book. What about Pagan Christianity (green cover) By Frank Viola. One Author would call this current movement schizophrenic without looking at the Biblical Types of Old Testament. How come Bethel, and IHOPrayer KC/Bickle and many like aren’t shut down and have their church mafia to throw people out?
Jen says
Thank you. Members if my husband’s family have gotten tied up in this cult and its terrifying. Personally, I am agnostic, but never bothered with or cared about what others people were up to or believing in; until I begrudgingly accepted an invitation from my sister in law to go to a Bethel… Thing? It wasn’t like church, I grew up in a Christian/Catholic family, still attend Christmas, Easter, and Ash Wednesday’s for my parent’s peace of mind.. But this was complete situational blindness and I don’t know what to call it. Except really scary. Even as someone who doesn’t necessarily believe in a God, I was pretty uncomfortable and waiting for the lightning to strike, so to speak…
Socialism is Bondage says
Greetings Tony,
Be encouraged Brother. There are churches (even large ones) awakening to the theological problems, practices and confusion being introduced by NAR churches like Bethel and its leaders. This awakening is happening b/c of courageous and faithful servants (heralds) of our great God and Father in these Last Days, including Your contributions as well Brother, as you are helping expose these dangers.
I want to be clear and “fair” here to Bethel members and even its “sincere leaders”. There are MANY “good things” coming out of Bethel. There is some “great worship” at times (as an example). Unfortunately, there are also some terribly problematic & nebulous doctrinal beliefs, teachings and practices coming out of there as well that seem to be accompanied by an attitude of little to no regard for “Biblical Truth”, the necessity of “Proven Truth” in order to actuate “real faith” … nor for these ongoing concerns expressed by the larger Body of Christ’s Church on this earth.
I am not ashamed to add that I am a “Holy Spirit filled” believer. Undeserving of that. I also believe so many others are as well who will read this, but may not realize “how” they have been filled by our Living Lord.
May God’s Word enlighten us all to these mysteries.
In Christ and For Him.
Thanks Tony!
Martin Hunt says
unbelievable blindness on the part of those who criticise bethel. I could tell you my testimony of how reading Bill Johnsons books and listening to his teaching drew me back to my first love, Jesus Christ, but I think its probably pointless. Life changing!! Please dont crtiticise those who are living and walking out the gospel. When I look around I dont see the critics moving in power or doing much at all in terms of demonstrating the supernatural to the world as Jesus did. Love is the key!!
Fred Sanford says
Have you ever been there?
Socialism is Bondage says
Greetings to you Martin Hunt.,
Your emotional reply is appreciated. Seems you’ve touched on why you seem so “offended” in your reply.
Seems anyone who seeks to “admonish” (or in your words … “criticize”?) .. Bethel Redding, CA are (in your words) .. “blind” ?
Granted, your testimony states Bill’s writings “drew you back” to Christ. Yes? Have to ask (sorry) .. “WHICH Christ” are you talking about ? (there are MANY Christs … unfortunately … especially in these days of Apostasy and NEW AGE CULTIC CHRISTIAN “Indoctrination”). Yes, … (sorry) … “New Age Christ Indoctrination” .. is happening on a global scale today. You DO know about this … right ?
Question … (if I may?) …. “Which” Christ were you (in your “1st love” drawn back to ?).
Be it THE “Son of God” … (who was (and remains) “Jehovah” Himself .. who walked this earth (in the Flesh) … died on the Cross (for our atrocious sins? … as this World’s Savior?). OR ?… Be it a “son” who … (in Bill’s own writings says….) …. “gave up his divinity to become a man” ? The former is the TRUE “Christ”. The latter is a “New Age Christ”. Sorry .. :o(
What do you think ? The JESUS that Bill Johnson (and many others today) .. are preaching .. is NOT .. the “same Jesus” who is presented in the gospel of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The former is someone who gave up His divinity to become a man. The latter was (none other than) .. “God Almighty walking in human form”, yet retained His divinity (as God Almighty) while “redeeming” Humanity from its sin and eternal “sickness”. What do you think ?
And ? … When you say .. “Please don’t criticize those who are living and walking out the gospel”.
It must (Again) … be asked … “WHICH” …. “gospel” are you referring to ??
Now .. in case you think I’m simply being “obnoxious” in my response to you friend ?
Please … take a moment of your time (before you respond) … and read these (uncomfortable) passages (warnings) from God’s Word … (which WE … (and YOU .. :o) ) .. know … ultimately came from the Word of God (eg. Jesus) Himself. They are these … ready ?…
1) 2 Corinthians Chapter 11. (please note Paul’s warnings about a plethora of messages on a “False Jesus” and a “false gospel” and a “false spirit”as well as “false Apostles” who will be coming .. in future generations).
2) Galatians Chapter 1 verses 6-10. Please notice the STRONG WORDS of our Apostle Paul regarding “false gospels” .. which might even come via … “False Angels from heaven” ? Really ?
Question for you Martin … (by the Word of God) … what (say you) is the TRUE “Gospel” ?
And what (say you) is the “false”gospel” ?
Is it simply ? …. a “gospel of LOVE” ? Or is it something a bit more than that ? What does the Bible reveal it as? Note (I’m not asking .. what do you “think” it is?) … but rather ? … what do you think Jesus (the Word) reveals it to be? (in His Word (the Bible) ) ?
Please help us all understand these questions here ? (if you would .. :o) ).
Thanks & God bless!
Faithful to the word says
Martin Hunt, what concerns me most about your statement is the same thing that concerns me when I hear others speak about Bethel. Rather than the focus being on the Lord, and his holy Word, it always comes back to lifting up Bill Johnson and his teachings. The focus should always be on Christ. You state the Bill Johnson’s books, and preaching brought you closer to the Lord, and that those who you perceive as criticizing Bethel are criticizing “those who are living and walking out the gospel. When I look around I dont see the critics moving in power or doing much at all in terms of demonstrating the supernatural” I would challenge you to close the books of man, and open the word of God and truly see if what is being taught at Bethel lines up with Scripture. I cannot find anywhere in the Bible where we are supposed “to move in power or demonstrating the power of the supernatural”.
Cullen says
I grew up in a church that considers themselves to be closely affiliated with Bethel, and practices their belief in a nearly identical fashion. It is a cult. It is scary. And I feel so deeply for anybody who had to go through the same things that I did. It ruined my perception of the world, and cost me almost everyone close to me in my life to escape it. I am an Athiest now.
DeMarkus says
What are you people taking about why don’t you state clearly the verses that you think Bethel and Bill johnson are misapplying or distorting? It’s one thing to not like their style or approach to living out their faith it is another thing to call it a cult and false teachers. Please do the other readers a true service and give details for the accusations you make. By the way I am not afflicated with Bethel but have to wonder if they are not doing more good than harm. I know some of the fruit of their ministry involvement and it is good fruit. Jesus said this is the best sign, you will know a tree by its fruit. Paul was certianly more willing to turn the other cheek, ” But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice,”Phil 1:8
Tony Miano says
Bill Johnson does not preach or believe in the Jesus of the Bible. Do your own research. He denies that Jesus was fully God when He presented the disciples with the Great Commission. Johnson believes that Jesus was only our elder brother at that time. Johnson also denies the gospel of the Bible, stating that any gospel that allows for sickness is a Galatians 1 gospel.
Johnson is a false teacher of the first order–a purveyor of the false doctrines of the prosperity and word of faith gospels.
Johnson is a wolf and should be avoided by everyone and anyone who names the name of Christ.
Tonya Woodel says
I feel like this article was a little vague in describing exactly why there is a false gospel at Bethel. Because of the vagueness of the article, it seems overly critical of a body of believers. I’ve listened to Bill Johnson with a very critical ear, and can honestly say I’ve not heard anything that doesn’t align with scripture. I’m Plymouth Brethren and Southern Baptist in my background, and I share this because I want people to know where I’m coming from.
There have been authentic healings at Bethel. When Jesus performed healings and miracles, the religious leaders at the time said that he was performing these miracles with the help of Bezabub. Is that not true? I am very careful when I call something ‘false’ when clearly good things are coming from it.
Ally says
As one who’s life was changed through getting to know the Father’s love through Bethel teaching. I can’t accept some of the statements that have been made here. I had spent 30 years a Christian not knowing how much God loves me until I had a very real experience of that amazing love.
Demonising these men of God is doing the church no good. Better to start a website that seeks to heal divisions and bring unity.
As Christians we are allowed to have differing views. To criticise people in this manner just because they have a different experience of the Lord is not Christ like. I pray you will stop and consider the harm you are doing.
Magoh says
They will know that you are my disciples by the love you have for one another. This discussion (as most I’ve experienced related to Dr. MacArthur) is virtually devoid of love. It is filled with criticism, suspicion and arrogance. (on both sides of the fence) Finger-pointing accomplishes nothing. We should simply live what Jesus taught without accusation of others. There’s a difference between approaching our brother to remove a speck (after we’ve prayerfully removed the log in our own eye) and sitting back launching missiles of condemnation on other people. I’m tired of the arrogance of these kinds of discussions.
mike barrett says
I have attended services at bethel many times and I am a believer. I came to christ in 1972 during the jesus movement. I am a regular church attender. I have nothing but good in my heart for bill Johnson, kris valliton, and bethel church. I have a family member who was healed there. I have read many of bills books. I enjoy what is going on there and how they are influencing so many around the world. It is easy to judge a book by its cover, but if you believe that gods spirit is not moving in this way. Thats your choice. But I believe history will prove you wrong. It really is about Spirit and truth. Just truth without the Spirit leads to folly. The spiritual leaders of jesus time on earth considered what they knew from the sacred writings and missed the seeing Jesus Christ for who he was. Why because he didnt add up to what they read. So I would encourage you to ask Jesus to give you revelation about what’s going on at Bethel. Or look at their works. And above all Love right. I know their are some self appointed men who have studied the word of god and believe truly believe they are helping god by uncovering or exposing lies.. Do you not see gods transforming work in the lives of the thousands and thousands of young people attending Bethel Church and going out to bring honor and glory to Jesus.
CC says
Tony,
Thanks for creating this site and for boldly proclaiming the truth. I was a member for many years of a mainline Pentecostal denomination back in the day, but one that adhered to a principle of ‘all things done decently and in order.’ Unfortunately, I think being Pentecostal predisposes many believers toward being duped by false teachers who supposedly manifest ‘power gifts.’ I hadn’t heard of Bethel or Bill Johnson until a year or so ago when I started seeing many of my Facebook friends linking to Bethel/Johnson/Vallaton posts. I did my own research, and what tipped me off that Johnson is bad news is that he, along with all the other NAR heretics, completely fails the Old Testament standard for prophesying, i.e. 100% accuracy. ‘Learning to prophesy’ and being ‘mostly’ accurate are synonymous with being a false prophet. The Bible specifically warns us to pay no heed to those who presume to speak for God and it does not come to pass. No amount of good works or miracles can make a false prophet less false. And the repeated requests made by Johnson’s followers to judge his ministry based on its results don’t pass muster, either. The Bible alone is the standard by which all works and words must be evaluated. Mr. Barrett suggests you should ‘ask Jesus to give you revelation about what’s going on at Bethel.’ Such an appeal should be seen for what it is – a dangerous rejection of the adequacy of Scripture and a suggestion that one open up to extra-biblical revelation. Doing so surely leads to folly, as it has at Bethel.
Take care, brother!
Steven says
They are involved in group stalking and flash mobbing here in Redding CA.. I once asked if they where a cult , let them pray for not knowing how they could turn around and be an organization of people that could do such hateful things.
Ean Higgs says
So much hate. We are on the same side. Love one another. You hate your brother the love of God is not in you and you in Him. Love your brother in Christ
Lee Woodward says
Hello,
I actually attended Bethel School of supernatural ministry. I simply can not accept some of the statements above concerning Bethel such as “false gospel” and “false Jesus contrary to the scriptures.” Simply because that’s not true and that is not what I experienced while at BSSM. If you are willing, please take some time to read my comments below. Hopefully they will help people in the area of discernment.
While studying at BSSM I had the privilege of taking a Bible class called revival apologetics. In that class we were taught how to discern In accordance with the Jesus Christ found in the scriptures. We were told not to judge by appearance or external behaviours, but rather to discern the spirit behind the behaviours. This is what Jesus said to do in John 7:24. “Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgement.” This is an especially important scripture as it is Jesus who said it and He said it in the middle of people questioning if He really was the Christ. I think that means we should pay attention to it! So the next question is, what does Jesus mean by righteous judgement? Below are what I consider four basic questions to determine a righteous judgement that helps to discern If a spirit or manifestation is truly from Christ.
Is Jesus Christ Lord? (1 Corinthians 12:3)
Is Jesus Christ your Lord? ( Romans 10:8-10)
Is Jesus Christ cursed? ( 1 Corinthians 12:3)
Did Jesus Christ come in the flesh! (1 John 4:1-3)
As you can see these are highly grounded in scripture and the Jesus of scripture. These four questions are very useful if you find yourself in an environment where manifestations are taking place. For example, if you see someone shaking or trembling, you can simply walk up to them and tell them politely that you are not sure if the manifestation they are experiencing is from God. Then politely proceed by asking the person if you can ask the four questions above to help you know if the manifestation is of God. If they answer in a positive manner that affirms Christ as Lord, not cursed and coming in the flesh then the manifestation is from God. The worse thing you can do is to look at a manifestation and say it is from the devil just because it looks weird and feels strange. God did many strange and weird things in the Bible like talking donkeys and floating hands that wrote on the wall. However that doesn’t mean we should not check and discern what we experience according the four questions above. We should always check manifestations against the four questions above because even in scripture we see satan performing the same works as God. For example, Moses and Pharoahs magicians both turned staffs into snakes. (Exodus 4). One manifestation was of God and the other from the devil, but both looked the same. However if someone would have asked Moses if he confessed Yahweh as Lord then he would have said yes. While Pharoah’s magicians would have not confessed Yahweh is Lord.
These were a few pieces of wisdom that I was taught while at Bethel. I believe the body of Christ needs to hold on to these pieces of wisdom when discerning manifestations, other gospels, the true gospel and so on. It will help us to truly discern the if something is of our Jesus found in scripture.
Christ be with you all, now and forever, Amen!
Steve Willhite says
People are saying you shouldn’t judge this “church” but God wants us to expose false doctrine which is what you are doing. You are judging right from wrong. Thank you for the work you are doing!
Rachael says
The Church I go to in Kent England has links with Bethel Redding California.
I posted something on my main facebook page warning them about Bethel Redding California but some of them from the Church did not like it so I took it off my main facebook page.
Now I have a new page calld Writer Writing And Articles. Some of the Writing is about false Christian doctrines and some of the articles from the internet are about about false Christian doctrines.
ccinsc says
Tony,
Praying much grace to you in this endeavor. I confess that I knew nothing of Bill Johnson, Bethel Redding, or the NAR until about a year ago. About a month ago I was horrified to learn that Bethel has established several satellite groups in the area of Northern California where i grew up and first became a Christian. Many of my friends have become entangled in Bethel’s false gospel.
As a testament to the perversion coming out of Bethel Redding, a friend of mine in one of these satellite outfits recently suffered a terrible family tragedy.Over the course of the next week, this man’s Facebook page was flooded with over 50 prophecies, visions, and words of knowledge regarding the purported outcome of this tragedy. Not a single one of those prophecies, visions, or words (some accompanied by “says the Lord”) came true; every one of them was proven false. Did any of those ‘revivalists’ repent over having spoken falsely in God’s name? Not a one. Their delusion is obvious.
What is also apparent is, that for anyone currently trapped in Bethel’s web of deceit, love and unity trump doctrinal purity. They tell us not to be ‘critical’ of their erroneous practices. But, as I’m sure you would agree, Tony, being silent in the face of gross falsehood is not loving — it would be extremely unloving to see someone on a path to destruction and not sound a warning.
Keep up the good work!
Rachel Oxley says
How sad that you would spend so much time and energy in trying to tare down a church that believes in God’s almighty power and saving grace. Bill Johnson and many of the teachers of Bethel have changed my life and renewed my faith in a way that no other church has. It’s far from the way I was raised and the church and teachings I grew up in, I listened skeptically and yes, with a little fear, but willing to hear if God had something for me there and He did, in a big way! I pray you could look at it with an open heart, there is nothing to fear when you have the Holy Spirit in you. You’re taking many of their teachings out of context and distorting them. I challenge you to study their teachings and listen to their podcasts with the mind set of allowing God to speak to you. Not trying to “expose” them or find more ways to lable them as a cult. I’m confident God will defend and grow them, I don’t need to, but for your sake and as a fellow believer I’m asking. God bless!
Christa says
“Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.””
Acts 5:38-39 NIV
Christopher says
I am a born again Christian from Papua New Guinea. I have found Bill Johnson’s books very encouraging. It has brought clarity and growth to my faith in God. Satan means “Accuser” in Hebrew. All accusations should cease from every Christian. Let love of God be reflected in us by the genuine love of your enemies. Pray for them – even the false teachers. If you stand to throw it all at the hands of God- even your life, you will hear from God. You will be humbled. And you will recognize how grievous it is to offend the Holy Spirit of God. Stand alone, even as you stand with Jesus Christ, Pastor Bill Johnson & Bethel Church Team. I give glory of God for you all. Christopher.
Richard Hartley says
Bill Johnson is a heretic in every aspect
of the Word. A heretic is defined by Peter as one who lays error alongside truth, secretly introducing destructive heresies.
There are three important biblical ways in which we are to use discernment.
1. Test all Teaching for sound Doctrine, and especially against core doctrines of the faith as laid down in the sixty six Books of the Bible. (See the Chapter:Know what you believe)
2.Test all prophesies to see if they are Biblical and if the predictions of a phophet/Apostle all come true.
3.Test there lives, words and actions for the fruit of the Spirit:Love,Peace,Joy,Patience,Goodness,Faithfulness,Kindnesss,longsuffering,Self-Control.
“TEST THEIR TEACHING
The Church and every individual Christian are Commanded by God to reject false teachers-heretics.
He is guilty of extra biblical teaching that does not line up with scripture.
1.Rejects the Divinity of Christ
2.Kingdom here and Now.
3.False prophesies
Bethel Church and Bill Johnson are know strangers to Controversy every since the Church started some 18 years ago.
Sound Doctrine is a guide and guard for reading and teaching the Bible, which is God’s infallible Word.Anyone who adds to or subtracts from are guilty of heresay.
Belinda says
A dear friend of mine committed suicid after joining and becoming submerged in the teaching of Bethel Ministries in Cape Town (very new here). I never heard of them before but their strang sermon and how uncomfortable it left me feeling prompted me to dig deeper and research them. I found disturbing information which verified what the wife of the Apostle/Prophet, as he refer to himself, said to me after the sermon. Not once was Jesus the emphasis but focus was on how THEY can perform deliverance and talk about demons and witches, rather than what Jesus can do for your life. These people encouraged my friend who suffered of a mental illness for years to go off her medication immediately. The combination of this and their dabbling in dark practices I’m sure was a lethal combination and I believe they share in the responsibility of her altered state of mind.
Kathy Carter says
Please pray for my son Andrew who just was accepted to go to the school, I have tried to show him the evidence of what the church/school teaches but he is blind sided. He has come so far in his walk with the Lord and now to be sucked into this hurts me deeply.
Alika White says
Do some research, listen to not only recent ‘sermons’ by Bill Johnson, but older ones.
I myself was taken in by how “cool” he seemed to be at first as well. I was a ‘new ager’ in the past, I thought ” finally! Someone who isn’t a square!” But I started doing my research to find out what the background of their teachings was & I found this stuff that they are connected to and I was grossed out!! The anointing! I mean really- I found connections to “Brother Hagen”, Joyce Meyer, Heidi Baker’s insane “anointing” sessions w/the entire ministry where this teen kid was screaming for hours! In one of her so called “fire of god” anointing rituals, It was horrifying. It was clearly not Godlike, or Godly in any sense of the word! Grave soaking is witchcraft! The former witches ar every clear about this. And there are other demonized individuals who have had a strong influence on Bill Johnson & Bethel church doctrine. Watch videos of Joyce Meyer on UTube- These people openly teach false doctrine. “Brother” Hagen, Kenneth Copeland, have a host of wack job “anointing” videos on Utube. They are demonized, Wake up people- do some research on the people you are defending, or supporting, hello! It Matters! Read your bible. Wake up! We are talking about unbiblical doctrine and teachings, and witchcraft! If you cannot discern that they are nut jobs I feel concerned for the future safety of your soul. we are not the nut cases here, the Bible clearly states: “many are called, few are chosen.” We don’t want to be in the – many- group when the Lord is choosing. Why does this have to be stated so blatantly? The Lord said; “my sheep will know my voice” Ask yourself, please, do you know his voice?
Bruce says
Bethel’s “theology” infected my church’s pastor and elders a decade ago. When the fruit proved to be rotten, the practices went underground for several years but never went away. Attendance declined from 300 to 80 before it was finally and firmly confronted. Pastor and elders all resigned, and the church is recovering and growing again.
Bill Johnson removed himself and his church from any accountability to their parent denomination. Almost half of Bethel’s board members are related to Johnson. Kris Valotton, the leader of Bethel’s SSM, once said “We value spiritual experience over Scripture.” (In other words, absolutely nothing is off-limits.) That alone should be enough to make every Christ-follower run from Bethel .
Boffa Deesnuts says
I live in Redding, have for over forty years, it’s a cult, like Scientology , it’s all about money, and the seven mountain philosophy they push is Unconstitutional. They need prayers and federal prosecution.
Richard Mejia says
Hello Tony! Thank you for exposing the lies of the enemy. It is so important not to come into unity with false doctrine. I had an encounter with bethel church in 2009 when a counselor recommended my family seek healing at bethel church. When we attended the church we witnessed drunk in the spirit, incantations, demonic barking, and sowing a seed for encounters with angels. Praise God the Lord gave me discernment early on in my walk with the Lord. I let the pastor know what we saw at bethel Redding church and the counselor was asked to take a forever hiatus from the church. I forge ahead my family and I moved and the area to which I am moved the religious christian organizations adopt or mingle with the bethel Redding teachings. Most of the christian organizations receive teachings and take their elders and congregants to retreats at bethel church annually. When my wife and I first found out we warned one of the people the teachings of bethel are off and that he shouldn’t attend the meetings related to bethel. We were scorned by the leaderships in two of the or fixed churches not to repeat the warning regarding bethel. Fast forward we started a home church and began telling warning people of false doctrines coming from bethel. We are hated, slandered by the elders from the christian churches who attend and adhere to the bethel teachings. If you read the Bible Paul warns f false apostles, false brethren, and the doctrine of demons. My family and I are slandered falsely saying we are causing disunity amongst the church’s. Perhaps if the elders of the churches who uphold the false teachings coming from bethel adhered to the gospel of the kingdom of God according to the Bible. Then that would be disunity. However the doctrine they adhere which is laced with witchcraft then that I can never come into unity with. I only come into unity with the gospel of the kingdom of God. Please find me on YouTube Disciple_Rich.