Word Faith Preacher Joseph Prince, �Miracle Seed Sunday� and the Blessing of Suffering for Christ
By Erin Benziger ∙ 3 September 2012 ∙ In Opinion ∙ Bookmark permalink
In the Apprising Ministries article, �Word Faith Prosperity Preacher Joseph Prince,� CRN General Editor Ken Silva introduced us to Joseph Prince, Singapore�s rising Word Faith star and pastor of New Creation Church. Notes Silva,
Although slicker and more understated than most, Joseph Prince preaches the same WF prosperity message as WF royalty like Kenneth Copeland.
Bottom line is: �Pastor� Joseph Prince is an up-and-coming WF heretic who�s already a staple at TBN, itself a WF haven of heretics.1
Today, Bloomberg reports that Prince�s New Creation Church (NCC) recently held what is known as �Miracle Seed Sunday,� wherein pastor Prince encouraged his congregation to sow a financial seed into the church with the hope that they would be rewarded with material blessings from God. Bloomberg reporter Sharon Chen writes:
At �Miracle-Seed Sunday� in Singapore�s New Creation Church last month, the pastor�s sermon was preceded by PowerPoint and video presentations, and donations were overseen by Deloitte & Touche LLP auditors.
Centuries after Catholics established missions in Asia, Singaporeans are flocking to a new species of churches making appeals more in common with �Material Girl� pop-singer Madonna than the Jesuits. Wearing a white leather jacket and jeans, Senior Pastor Joseph Prince asked God to reward a crowd of about 1,200 with houses, cars, jobs, pay raises and holidays if they contributed to New Creation�s multimillion-dollar funding drive.2
Chen even notes that, at this service, �PowerPoint slides showed attendees how to write checks to the church, while armed security guards watched the cash.� We also learn about this service that,
The special session sought to raise funds for the church�s half of a S$976 million ($783 million) retail and entertainment complex, which includes a 5,000-seat auditorium. The venue, which will double as New Creation�s meeting place, is set to open in November with concerts by musician and producer David Foster and friends including Chaka Khan and BabyFace.3
It is seemingly undeniable that Joseph Prince teaches the doctrines of the aberrant Word Faith gospel. Do Not Be Surprised has documented that Prince credits Word Faith heretic Kenneth Hagin with nurturing his Word Faith roots. In his book, Destined to Reign, Prince writes:
I give thanks to God for my roots in the Word of Faith teachings. It is truly on the shoulders of great men of God like Brother Kenneth E. Hagin that we are able to see further into the Word of God today. Growing up, I learned a lot about faith from Brother Hagin, who truly had a special revelation of faith from the Lord. I deeply honor and respect him for all that he has taught me.4
Kenneth Hagin is widely recognized as the father of the Word Faith movement, as noted by D.R. McConnell in his book, A Different Gospel:
Although there is little doubt that E.W. Kenyon is its founding father, the contemporary [Word] Faith movement is virtually incomprehensible without explicating the role played in it by Kenneth Hagin.
Kenyon may have authored the teachings on which the [Word] Faith movement is based. But Hagin is the man who fashioned these teachings into the fastest growing movement in charismatic Christendom.
All of the major ministers of the [Word] Faith movement admit Hagin�s tutelage. He is universally recognized in the movement as both a teacher and a prophet.5
The aforementioned Bloomberg article continues with an astute observation:
By making their services enjoyable and embracing prosperity, groups such as New Creation, City Harvest and Hillsong in Australia are able to attract followers, said Jeaney Yip, a lecturer at the University of Sydney Business School who has studied the marketing practices of mega churches.
�Market-friendly ideologies associated with individualism and self-empowerment are often blended with selective Christian theologies to emphasize positive living and blessings, while deflecting overtly negative Christian doctrines such as suffering, judgment, sacrifice, hell or death from sin,� Yip said. �Their church services are scripted and �produced� with deliberate use of contemporary music, sound and lighting.�6
These observations sadly are true. Churches such as Prince�s New Creation Church and many others around the world have chosen to denigrate the Word of God simply by refusing to preach all of its truths. They blaspheme the name of Jesus Christ by offering false teachings in His name.
�Positive living and blessings� by the world�s standards do not necessarily constitute the life of a true Christian. May believers be reminded that Christ taught of suffering for His name�s sake.
�If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: �A servant is not greater than his master.� If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me. John 15:18�21
The blessings bestowed by God upon the Christian are far greater than any material trinket or temporal wealth (see Eph. 1:3�14). May we then follow in the steps of the apostles, who rejoiced in suffering for the name of their Savior, counting not cars and cash, but insults as blessings.
But rejoice insofar as you share Christ�s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. 1 Pet. 4:13�14
Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name. And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus. Acts 5:41-42
If you can keep people ignorant of the truth,and are able to make people to FEAR of losing things,then you are able to tell them ANYTHING,and the people will more then likely believe what you say.
It is calamity. It is destruction of the church ,of those seeking. Its righteously angers me.
You would think it would be a clue to people when hundreds of thousands are followers are following these certain apostate false teachers wouldnt you? We are in the times of "freeforall" worship! Just do as you deem right and God will bless it. phft
Hey did you see where joel olsteen ,who is josephs pal, just met with the pope. He considered it an honor. Ha!! All the wolves are coming together for the one world religion. Its happening :(
Kenneth copeland and all his tbn friends have joined in with the pope as well who prayed with the islam priests last sunday!!!!!
Do you see how this all ties in? wow. Exciting and perilous times...:purpleangel:
This seems like jealousy from certain groups to me? Yes JP has a WOF background, but he never raises money as has been falsely charged in this attack piece. People are more than glad to give to the true gospel and it don't take all the arm-twisting and guilt and fear that many attempt to use. I personally don't watch TBN unless JP or Andrew Wommack are on..and I think they (tbn) have brought a lot of shame upon much that is called Christ. But they are set up to reach the world with the TRUE GOSPEL OF GRACE! Which JP preaches and teaches in all honor and in respect to Christ.
Take a scripture out of is context and all one has is a "con"
2Co 6:14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
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,
No David it was NOT taken out of context! You just dont understand because you are still on milk.But then thats what JP's ministry is doing to you and you run earnestly to it like a pig eating slop!
If JP is so GREAT as you strongly proclaim why then would he continue on with those who propose unclean apostate false religions on TBN? ..ie scripture put forth........
The clear answer here is : HE WOULDNT. He himself is a false teacher who has perverted grace and bases his whole prefice on God speaking to him( word of faith) and prosperity. I keep reinterating these things to you hoping one time it will get thru your ears that do not hear and eyes that do not see.
And why would you help their(tbn) ministry by watching? Do you not understand how ratings are earned?
Well of course your just wrong and you seem to hate this man for proclaiming the true gospel. Do you hold that everyone that goes on TBN is a false teacher?
Nope! I dont hate anyone. I resent you implying that btw. I forgive you though. I hate what he is doing and that is preaching only half truth. He is a HERETIC!!!
It seems youve bought it hook line and sinker in which I am deeply grieved about.
JESUS COMMANDS US TO "SELL OUR POSSESSIONS GIVE TO THE POOR AND YOU WILL HAVE TREASURES IN HEAVEN AND **THEN** COME FOLLOW ME!!"
In the old covenant God's commandments were only preached to Jews but in the New Covenant Jesus commands us to preach to every nation in the world teaching them to obey *EVERYTHING* He commanded and everything would also include all of the approximately 400 NT commandments also taught in Acts to Revelation {See 2 Timothy 3-16 to 4:2.}
There were 613 OT commandments and Jesus changed many of them including all of the strict Sabbath commands and all of the commands to stone someone for sinning {Jesus says that he who is without sin should cast the first stone} Jesus also eliminated all the strict Levitical dietary laws declaring that all foods are now clean. And Jesus also commanded us not to make any vows or oaths {Matt 5:33-37}on anything Just let your Yes be yes and your no, no.
Jesus also eliminated the eye for an eye laws and commanded us to always offer up the other cheek and to love {See Matt 5:38-48} our enemies. And of course Jesus eliminated all sacrifices and offerings for sin by the sacrifice of Himself. Jesus also eliminated the earthly rewards for faithful service and commanded us to sell our possessions and give to the poor and get *TREASURES IN HEAVEN* and **THEN** come follow Him.
Luke 12:33,34: Jesus says, �Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted....For where your treasure is there your heart will be also.�
Matthew 20:20-24: �All these {Commandments} I have kept, the young man said. �What do I still lack?� Jesus answered, �If you want to be perfect, go, sell tour possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. **THEN** come, follow Me.� When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth. Then Jesus says, �It is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than it is for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.�
Luke 6:20: Jesus says �Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.�
2 Corinthians 6:4-10: As servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance, in troubles, hardships and distresses, in beatings, imprisonments; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love, in truthful speech and in the power of God; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; dying, and yet we live on; beaten and yet not killed; *POOR*, yet making many rich; *HAVING NOTHING*; and yet possessing everything.�
I Timothy 6:5-10: There are men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain. But godliness with contentment is great gain....If we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.�
I Timothy 2:9,10: �I also want women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God.�
The early saints followed these commands of Jesus and the NT Covenant:
Acts 2:44,45: "*ALL* the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need." Acts 4:32: "*ALL* the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had."
Revelation 22:12: Jesus says, "Behold, I am coming soon! My *REWARD* is *WITH ME*, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done!" {When He comes, not now}
2 Corinthians 5:9,10: "So we make it our goal to please Him..For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him {Not NOW} for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad!"
Matthew 16:27: Jesus says, For the Son of Man is going to come in His **FATHER'S GLORY WITH HIS ANGELS**{See Matt 24:30-31;25:31-40}, and **THEN** {Not with earthly rewards now} He will *REWARD* each person according to what he has done."
I Peter 1:13: �Therefore, prepare your minds for *ACTION*, and set your hope *FULLY* on the grace to be given *YOU* when Jesus Christ is *REVEALED*.
2 Timothy 4:7,8: Paul said, �I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me *ON THAT DAY* {Not NOW}--and not only to me, but to all who have longed for His *APPEARING*.�
