Deceptions in the Charismatic Movement (False Signs Vs. True Signs)
The Charismatic Movement was birthed by the Spirit of God, but over the years some deception has crept in, and tried to choke out the work of God’s Spirit. Ecumenism, in the form of incorporating Catholic doctrines or beliefs into Evangelical Christianity, has produced dangerous heresies.
The Catholic Church for centuries persecuted Bible-believing Christians, burning them at the stake and persecuting them in various ways. Many Catholics believe that Mary is a “Co-Redemptrix” or has a special role in the redemption of man. They also believe that Mary and Jesus mediate grace together, and some call Mary a “Mediatrix.” Mary’s alleged role as a mediator with Christ is taught in Catholic dogma [A.]. Catholics believe (in their doctrine) that Jesus is not the only mediator for the souls on earth.
"This motherhood of Mary in the order of grace continues uninterruptedly from the consent which she loyally gave at the Annunciation and which she sustained without wavering beneath the cross, until the eternal fulfillment of all the elect. Taken up to heaven she did not lay aside this saving office but by her manifold intercession continues to bring us the gifts of eternal salvation . . . . Therefore the Blessed Virgin is invoked in the Church under the titles of Advocate, Helper, Benefactress, and Mediatrix." [A.] [End quote]
But, the Bible says ...
1 Timothy 2:5. “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;”
A statement that Benny Hinn made in a youtube video agrees closely with the Catholic belief in “transubstantiation.” Benny Hinn, a popular Charismatic leader, teaches the falsehood that the Lord’s Supper or communion is not symbolic. That is why, he says, he believes that “more” Catholics are healed, during their mass, than people in Pentecostal churches.
Benny Hinn Teaches Catholic Deception
Here is what Hinn said:
“They just released a study …. that more people are healed in a Catholic church than [in] Pentecostal churches. … The studies have proven it, because Catholic people revere the Eucharist. More people get healed in a Catholic church during communion [i.e. the mass] than Pentecostals during church attendance or communion, because to us it’s symbolic. Well, Jesus didn’t say this is symbolic of my body. He said, ‘This is my body.’ ...
“And I believe, I always have believed, that in the Spirit it is his body; in the Spirit it’s his blood, so you revere it. ...
“And there’s healing in the Catholic churches because these people are devoted and show up every Sunday. They don’t church hop. We hop, they don’t. That’s why we’re sick, and many of them are healed.” [B.] [End quote]
Let’s break down Benny Hinn’s statements. Hinn said that “more” people are healed in Catholic churches than in Pentecostal churches. He is not telling us what studies he is speaking of. But, Hinn is attributing this unfounded statement of more healings to Catholics partaking in the mass and the "Eucharist."
Here, Hinn is actually promoting the Catholic Church to evangelicals. This is dangerous because Catholics believe differently than what the Bible teaches. As you may know, Catholics believe that any Catholics who have not dealt with all their sins by way of going to a “confessional,” performing “penances,” praying the “rosary,” and having “last rites” will have to suffer for some years in an unbiblical place of torment called “Purgatory.” But, what does the Bible say?
Ephesians 2:8-9
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Romans 4:4-7
4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.
5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
6 Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,
7 Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.
The Mass Is Unbiblical.
Catholics believe Christ’s body and blood are being continually offered, over and over again, during the mass. But, the Bible says that Jesus Christ was offered once for us (who believe), to save us from our sins. Let’s look at portions of Hebrews chapters 10 and 9.
Hebrews 10:10
10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
Hebrews 10:12-14
12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;
13 From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.
14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
Hebrews 9:11-12
11 But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;
12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.
Hebrews 9:27-28
27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.
Jesus Christ offered His body and His blood once (Hebrews 9 and 10). He does not continue to offer his body and blood during communion because that would contradict what we just looked at in Hebrews 9 and 10.
Benny Hinn also wrongly taught that Pentecostals suffer from illnesses because they move from church to church, while Catholics stay in one Catholic church longer. Is Hinn not teaching that Catholicism, with all its heresies, must be true? If you look at his fruit, you will see that something is not right with Benny Hinn.
We need to be Bereans and study the scriptures (Acts 17:10-11). The Bible must be our foundation (Matthew 7:20-29, Psalm 1:2). Deception is rampant during these times in which we live, and only God’s holy Word, the Bible, can reveal the truth.
1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
Getting to Know God as Our Best Friend Is the Answer to the World’s Ways and Temptation.
We Christians are to come out of the world, and be separate from its ungodly ways (2 Corinthians 6:14-18). 2 Corinthians 6:17-18 — "[17] Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, [18] And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty."
Getting to know God as our best Friend is the answer to all of life's problems, and is what living is truly all about. Jesus said in John 17:3: "And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent."
Psalm 16:11
[11] Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.
Psalm 36:7-8
[7] How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings.
[8] They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house; and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures.
If you are coming here as a non-Christian, I encourage you to read this. God desires to have fellowship with you, as you make Jesus Christ your Lord and Savior.
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References:
[A.] “Part One [:] The Profession of Faith.” vatican.va. (Note: Catholic dogma is contrary to God’s Word, the Bible.)
[B.] sabu jose (YouTube channel). “Testimony on Eucharistic by Benny Hinn.” youtube.com. (video)
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