Lake Land?

1 Corinthians 11:18-19 (Amplified Bible)

“For in the first place, when you assemble as a congregation, I hear that there are cliques (divisions and factions) among you; and I in part believe it,

For doubtless there have to be factions or parties among you in order that they who are genuine and of approved fitness may become evident and plainly recognized among you.”

Paul wrote these two short lines to the Church at Cornith which he was correcting for their extreme emphasis on the gifts and some of their other practices, such as the way they conducted their ‘agape’ or love feast. Maybe, just maybe, it will help us understand what is taking place in the Body of Christ, and has been taking place for quite some time.

The other day on a Bentley video he said he was taking it back to 1948 where it all started. I assume he meant back to Branham’s time? Many in Bentley’s group still seems to feel that Branham was the greatest prophet of all time which also would lead me to believe that they also accept his teachings, which were just as (if not more) off the wall as what we’re getting from Lake Land today. At least one of the Kansas City prophets as well as Todd Bentley seem to feel that Branham’s mantel is upon them. (By the way as (if we are) New covenant believers we have all received the same Spirit, some operate on different levels of grace). Perhaps by looking at what Branham and his followers taught and believed we can get an understanding of where these guys are coming from today.

Branham taught the “serpent’s seed doctrine” and the following came from one of my podcast on http://www.himwepreach.podomatic.com/ on “Drunk in the Spirit does it glorify God or the flesh?”:

“Does anybody check the Scriptures anymore? Do we judge the prophecies as Scripture commands or as they seem to imply because these revelations are so new and so fresh that there are no Scriptures to back them up, so just receive them and later you’ll understand? One very well known Kansas City prophet said concerning one of his prophetic revelations, “You might not understand now. But just wait tell you get to heaven you’ll see I was right!”(Acts 17:11; 1 Cor. 14:29; 1 Thess. 5:19-21)

This attitude may have come from the fact that many of these men were followers of Branham one even claiming to possess Branham’s mantel. The following concerning the teachings accepted by many of Branham’s followers might help explain what I mean. “Finally, those who accept Branham’s message ultimately teach that a Christian’s depth of spirituality is not gauged on whether he merely follows the Bible, but on whether that person also accepts Branham’s revelations. In essence, Branham taught that if you accept his special teachings (“the word for your age”), you are in the Bride of Christ. If you reject them, it is evidence that you are not “in the truth. Branham believed those who received his word were the ‘seed’ of God, those who rejected his word were the “seed” of the serpent. The ‘seed” of god are all those who received his teaching, are those predestined to be the bride of Christ.” [Dictionary of Pentecostal and Charismatic Movements, Stanley M. Burgess and Gary B. McGee; pgs 95-97].

If Bentley carries Branham’s mantel as he claims and wants to attribute this back to Branham then is it any wonder the “heretical” teachings that are coming forth? I am sorry if the word heretical offends anyone, heresy is heresy no matter how you cut it. Paul was clear to the churches of Galatia:

“But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to and different from that which we preached to you, let him be accursed (anathema, devoted to destruction, doomed to eternal punishment)!” (Gal. 1:8). He was so serious in what he was saying that he repeated it again in verse 9. Answer me this does what you hear coming out of Lake Land line up with the words/Gospel Paul preached? For Paul it was “Him we preach” not angels or undue emphasis on one’s experiences.

Back to Branham’s mantel for just a moment, the following was quoted from Ern Baxter concerning his last days working with William Branham: “Ern Baxter who traveled many years with William Branham. Before Earn had passed on into the glory realm, he told Derek Prince that at the end of William Branham’s ministry there was a strange thing happening. Branham had the great ability to operate in a very accurate word of knowledge from God but also at times seemed to operate in a spirit of divination! Derek Prince then went on as a wise sage to warn us as young bucks to have nothing to do with any in so called “prophetic” ministry who say they have the mantle of William Branham transferred on upon them!!!! No matter how many signs and wonders are evident!!!!” At least one of the Kansas City prophets and Bentley himself claim this mantel.

There are far too many quotes, videos; coming out of this that are not only questionable they are downright objectionable. The last video was Todd kicking a young man in the stomach to drive a demon of cancer out of him??? I don’t think any spirit, demon, whatever is going to be effected my punching or kneeing it, I always thought they came out by the word of God. You surely can’t hold up Wigglesworth as your example as Todd has done, Paul a true apostle of Christ told the Church at Cornith “Pattern after me, follow my example, as I imitate and follow Christ, the Messiah” (1 Cor. 11:1). I can’t imagine Paul turning around and kicking or punching the slave girl following him to rid her of her demon, for Paul at least “the name of Jesus was enough.” Would it have been as effective if he’d gouged Elymas’ eyes to blind him (Acts 13:8-12)? That one I think we know the answer; the word Paul spoke was more than enough.

Anyway, this probably isn’t news to anyone reading this, but at least it gets it off my chest until the next time I see or hear some other outrageous report coming out of Florida.

Ginowan777<><

http://www.himwepreach.podomatic.com/