Who are the apostates, heretics, and blasphemers? It seems, according to a large group of Christians, if you believe in miracles, signs, or wonders, you’re outside the body.
Yet there are others who condone, if only with a wink, abortion, sexual immorality, and other sins of the flesh.
Both groups claim to be followers of Christ. Both quote scripture. Both have an interpretation, both are persuasive. Both should know what is true. Can both be right?
Let me explain.
Beginning just after the election I learned of the WPN, It was called by another name early on but today it’s the World Prayer Network. It is a prayer meeting live-streamed twice weekly. It has been an amazing time, praying with like-minded Christians for biblical justice. Praying that the truth would be exposed, and righteousness be restored. Praying that revival comes to America and the world.
The Predominate Prayer Has Been 2 Chronicles 7:14
During the days, weeks, and now months since I joined the prayer group, I have found a group of believers I did not know. With a couple of exceptions, the people leading the WPN are new to me.
There is another group whose names I know. Pastors and leaders in the Christian church that, for many, are household names.
I learned that the views of many of the household names have been 180 degrees different than mine. They have been supporting the new administration. Christians actually voted for a candidate that supports abortion. Any and all abortions. There is more, a lot more, but that is for another time.
Who shall I believe?
Do I find common ground? Do I go with one on this belief, and another on that? Who has the truth?
When the pandemic came, it hit me really hard. This is not the place for the details, but God showed up. It came after a couple of things. First was hearing a message based on Psalm 13. David cried out to God for answers.
So I mimicked David. I recorded the Psalm on my phone and listened to it as I walked. I cried out to God. After a time, I don’t remember for certain. It could have been a couple of weeks, as I walked, prayed, and cried out, I clearly got the answer.
It wasn’t what I wanted to hear but it was true. It shook me. I cried. And then I repented. I pleaded for forgiveness. I knew that the Holy Spirit talking to me that day had it exactly right.
So I committed to returning to God with fresh faith, invigorated by what happened because of Psalm 13. It didn’t change my circumstances, but it changed my thinking.
What happened over the next months is not for today. But it did get me plugged back into the things of God. I started hearing what others in the Body of Christ were saying.
We Shut Off All The News
When the media finally proved they were against biblical truth, we stopped watching. We found other sources. They included programs like Flashpoint, GiveHim15, America’s Voice, The Victory Channel, The Warroom, and Firewall, to name a few.
Then I discovered the YouTube Channel for A&O (Alpha&Omega). The productions of A&O are inspiring. We heard voices we didn’t know. Paul Washer, Carter Conlon, and others.
Then I saw something disturbing. The productions seemed tilted to a persuasion I’m not certain the speaker intended.
An example is a sermon by David Wilkerson. Pastor Wilkerson died ten years ago. The production people at A&O, as is their custom, use the audio of the sermon, (sometimes edited) and create a video using stock photos and video to emphasize the point of the sermon.
The video becomes images chosen by A&O Production while listening to the audio of the sermon. (sometimes preached decades ago)
The emphasis of the imagery may not be what was intended in the original sermon. In the case of David Wilkerson, the photos were, from every indication, new, or nearly new. Some were pastors and other believers the production people of A&O are seemingly wishing to denigrate. It is easily done laying the statements at the feet of a dead man who can not be questioned.
Just Point To the One Speaking
To be honest, many of the images in the video I watched are probably in line with what David Wilkerson would believe if he were here today. But not all, and that’s the problem. It is misleading and harmful to the Body of Christ.
If A&O Productions has a problem with a preacher, say so. Don’t hide behind a well-known pastor who died a decade ago.
Then there is what is called The Apostasy Report (Servus Christi). One video took Calvary Chapel to task. When they were done, there were no pentecostal pastors left worthy to preach the truth. It is heartbreaking.
I consider myself fairly grounded. I have a level of discernment that helps keep me there. I don’t agree with everyone. I’m sure most think the same thing. I know there is truth. Absolute truth. I know where to find it.
Why are others who know where to find it, finding something else?
I just listened (watched) a podcast that comes from the view of Reformed Theology. It is clear that, in their mind, there is no room for Pentecostals in the body of Christ.
So that means those who rose up in the Azusa Street revival were apostates. That Oral Roberts is a heretic, and what Mark Rutland preaches is blasphemy.
My walk with Christ has been a rocky road. For the most part, that is my fault. But I have been in denominational churches that never mentioned Jesus. I have been in Pentecostal congregations that got a little wild. I was raised in a church that does not accept the divinity of Christ. I wonder what Jesus thinks about the condition of His Bride.
I have more to say, and likely will.
For now, continue to pray for revival. Pray the Holy Spirit will guide you into all truth. Listen for the ‘still small voice’. Pray for the Body of Christ. We need to come together.
Now pray with me what Paul prayed
Open the eyes of their hearts, and let the light of Your truth flood in. Shine Your light on the hope You are calling them to embrace. Reveal to them the glorious riches You are preparing as their inheritance. Ephesians 1:18 (The Passion)