Re: Testing the spirits

Thank you, Vektek, for responding to try and help us test the spirits. Even though we disagree on somethings your input is very valuable.

I don't know much about Bill Johnson and I don't have time to study him, but I just want to address a couple of things you said.

I do agree that there is more to it than a five point test, but I thought that would be a good solid beginning for some to start with. We don't know who our readers are in their walk with God. This information would be very valuable especially to a person newer in the faith. Many people don't even know to walk away from a group that is denying the deity of Christ. This is a way to tell if some are preaching another Jesus. Of course, some may claim His deity and still be teaching another Jesus, but this basic stuff needs to be known.

I agree with you that "good works" is not a way to test the spirits so thank you for bringing that out. I feel that Heidi is exalting Christ and His works. We are seeing her message through different eyes. I agree with you that the good works that God does through a believer will not save us.

You said: Rainy you seemed against the fact that one of my critiques of Heidi Baker's hour and a half long message was that it was devoid of the gospel. What is more important than the gospel? Is anything she said in that hour and a half long message to that huge crowd more important than that?

I sometimes listen to James White and he says the same thing about ministers that he is against. I am assuming you got this thinking from him. Mr. White is very knowledgeable in some areas, but of course, I disagree with him, as I do you, in other areas. What would a gospel message consist of in your opinion and the opinion of Mr. White? Is it a "Four Spiritual Laws" type message every time one preaches? I think that when Heidi Baker speaks her message, it should be the message that the Holy Spirit has given her to say to that audience. The Holy Spirit knows best who is going to be in that audience. The Holy Spirit knows best what they need to hear. The Holy Spirit knows if she is preaching to people who are already Christians or if the audience is made up of many non Christians. I think to preach a message that the Holy Spirit leads someone to give is much more important than to preach a message that would be given the approval of Mr. White and even you. In other words, it is more important to obey God when preaching messages than to seek man's approval even if it means the criticism of someone like James White or you.

I felt Heidi did preach Jesus in that message. She made people hungry for Jesus. She taught self denial and total submission to Jesus. If that's not preaching the gospel, I don't know what is.