Prosperity gospel (Chattanooga, TN)

Prosperity gospel

What is the prosperity gospel If you don t know now you need to know The prosperity gospel is one of the most prominent false teaching movements of our day. Prosperity gospel preachers and televangelists have deceived multitudes around the world with a false gospel teaching that individuals who exercise true faith in Christ will surely attain physical material and financial prosperity in this life in other words you can buy your way into heaven. Please use the KJV Bible for all verses.Who are some of the key figures See the following website (about the 4th paragraph down) s www.ligonier.org learn articles field-guide-on-false-teaching-prosperity-gosp elWhat are the main beliefs The prosperity gospel movement has four main beliefs Jesus purchased all the benefits of salvation for this life. Jesus purchased complete physical healing for His people in this life through His death on the cross. By perverting the teaching of Isaiah 53 5 and John 10 10 prosperity gospel preachers assert that Jesus died to take away every sickness in this life and to atone for the sin of financial poverty. A present-day inheritance. In the Abrahamic covenant God promised a vast material and financial inheritance for believers in this life. If a person believes in Jesus he will inherit great possessions and tangible blessings in this life. Give to get. Prosperity gospel preachers teach their followers that the way to gain riches is to give more money to the kingdom especially by giving to their churches and ministries. The quantity of material and financial prosperity one expects to gain is in proportion to what one gives. (Totally false you cannot buy blessings from God. They are not for sale. See verses below). Name it and claim it. Faith and prayer empower people to lay hold of physical and material blessings in this life. Certain leaders in this movement have popularized the term Word of Faith to capture the essence of their teaching. Accordingly if someone exercises enough faith he will no longer have to be subject to the crippling effects of sickness and disease. If individuals continue to suffer afflictions or poverty it is due to their lack of personal faith. When we pray in faith we compel God to make us prosperous particularly when we declare that we already possess the desired blessing. Likewise some teachers discourage their followers from speaking negative words lest they bring negative things into being. Why do people believe this form of false teaching The false teachers of the prosperity gospel target their hearers desires (weaknesses) for provision position and power. Instead of focusing on Christ eternity and the glory of God they place an emphasis on living one s best life now. Many people in economically depressed communities and in Third World countries follow this teaching because it holds out promises of social empowerment and deliverance from extreme poverty and disease. Others follow the teaching because it justifies greed.How does it hold up against biblical Christianity According to Scripture physical material and financial prosperity are no sure marks of God s favor and suffering is no sure mark of His displeasure. The Bible teaches that material prosperity is often a snare (Luke 12 15) and that suffering is often a mark of blessing (Matt. 5 10 1 Peter 3 14). God s Word teaches neither that the Christian life is all physical and material prosperity nor that it is all suffering. Rather it teaches that there may be times of prosperity and times of suffering in the believer s life (Phillipians 4 12). Scripture warns us not to set our hearts on riches (Ps. 62 10) and it teaches wealthy believers not to trust in their wealth (1 Tim. 6 17).Prosperity gospel preachers and televangelists have deceived multitudes around the world with a false gospel teaching that individuals who exercise true faith in Christ will surely attain physical material and financial prosperity in this life. They teach that blessings can be bought not so In contrast to the four main beliefs of the prosperity gospel Scripture teaches the following In the Apostolic preaching of the cross God calls people to come to Christ for the forgiveness of sins. Jesus died to atone for the sins of His people (Acts 2 38 5 31 10 43 13 38 26 18). The focus is never on physical financial or material prosperity in this life. While Jesus does secure everlasting blessings including physical healing (sometimes) for His people through His death on the cross believers will come to enjoy the full benefits of the death of Christ only in the resurrection on the last day. There is a huge difference between spiritual healing and physical healing research it yourself. God promised Abraham that he would inherit the world (Rom. 4 13). This promise was fulfilled in the person and work of the Son of Abraham Jesus Christ (Gal. 3 16). Everyone who believes in Jesus Christ is a son or daughter of Abraham and coheir of the inheritance promised to him (Gal. 3 29). By the same faith Abraham exercised we receive the blessings of salvation justification adoption the promised Holy Spirit and the guarantee of the everlasting inheritance (Gal. 3 7 9). Believers will not fully possess the inheritance until the resurrection on the last day (Heb. 11 39 40 13 14). Believers have the duty and privilege of giving generously to the work of God s kingdom in this life. God makes His grace abound toward His people when they give generously so that they will be equipped to continue giving generously (2 Cor. 9 8 11). Scripture never teaches us to give in order to gain and lay up treasure for ourselves. Tithe where you are fed the true word of God. Something to remember God doesn t send out beggars The Apostle Paul prayed fervently to the Lord for personal healing (3 times ) only to have Jesus tell him My grace is sufficient for you for my power is made perfect in weakness (2 Cor. 12 7 9). This was not a lack of faith on Paul s part. God has not promised complete healing in this life. He promises complete healing for individuals only in the resurrection on the last day. Read and study these verses carefully in a KJV Bible Psalms 49 6-12 Proverbs 11 4 Ezekiel 7 19 Zephaniah 1 18 Acts 8 18-22 1 Peter 1 18-19 2 John 1 9-11.This needs to be repeated many times. You can see it everyday on TV. Far too many people have been led to believe that money can buy blessings from God that you can buy your way into Heaven in other words that salvation can be bought that you can buy the Holy Spirit a healing etc. The above verses say otherwise. Have you ever heard your Pastor quote and explain these verses I wonder why not Most of those that beg for money never seem to get around to teaching God s word. Hmm True teachers of Christ s doctrines do need support from us. If you hear someone say all you have to do is just sow a seed (send them money) and reap a blessing from God or have Him answer your prayer they are lying it is a false teaching I ll repeat God s blessings are not for sale. The correct way to tithe is to support the teachings of God s true word (Christ s doctrines only). When you support the true teachings of God s word many are helped by those truths. It is not a self-centered act helping only you it helps many. This topic reminds me of an old saying A fool and his money are soon parted .The word Gospel does not need an adjective in front of it like the word prosperity Christ s doctrines only His gospel Do not teach something other than the doctrines of Christ. Where does judgment begin See 1 Peter 4 17 (KJV) for your answer.2 John 1 9 Whosoever transgresseth and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ he hath both the Father and the Son.(One doctrine one God If you wander from the teachings of Christ you will leave God behind but if you are loyal and obey Christ and His teachings to the best of your abilities you will have both the Father and the Son. Where do you learn of those teachings In God s word).2 John 1 10 If there come any unto you and bring not this doctrine receive him not into your house neither bid him God speed (If anyone comes to teach anything other than what Christ taught don t even invite them into your home. Don t encourage them in any way).2 John 1 11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.(If you encourage or support them in any way you become a partaker in their evil deeds and wickedness. When you tithe to a church that is not teaching truth of the Word you become a partaker. Doctrines and commandments of men make void the word of God).