Despite the fact that Bethel may in fact be way worse than Hillsong, they have yet to have ever been addressed. Bethel is a very charismatic megachurch based in Redding, California. There was a two-year-old who tragically died that was the child of someone high up in ministry. This prompted the organization to push for the resurrection that never came.
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False Prophets
There is no biblical record of a prophet called by God prophesying that which did not happen. Bethel was adamant that a miracle would happen. It would also so happen that in the past they claim to have resurrected the dead 15 times, and that the gift of resurrection can be taught.
http://deadraisingteam.com/our-director/
When prophesies do not come true, it’s because the one who spoke them was not of God. In American history, we have the Millerites who listened to their prophet, William Miller. His followers sold all their possessions in the anticipation of the second coming. They followed him when his prophesy failed to come true not once but twice! And thus, the 7th Day Adventist cult was formed.
There’s a place in hell for false prophets. Jesus condemns most harshly false teachers. Do not follow false prophets, for you will be led astray.
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God’s will be done
In our prayers we should pray that Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. God could have sent legions of angels to rescue Jesus. But it was against His will. Likewise, it was against His will to resurrect this two-year-old. No amount of chanting or new age cult behavior can change the will of our sovereign God. Bethel was trying to dictate the will of God. Because God can, we want this resurrection. They were putting their faith on display in a way that was unbiblical.
5Then the devil *took Him into the holy city and had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, 6and *said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down; for it is written,
‘He will command His angels concerning You’;
and
‘On their hands they will bear You up,
So that You will not strike Your foot against a stone.’ ”
7Jesus said to him, “On the other hand, it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’ ”
Matthew 4:5-7 NASB
When it comes to resurrections, they were not expected by those around them. Peter abandons Jesus even though he foretold the Resurrection. Jesus grieved with the family of Lazarus for days despite being able to raise them. Peter’s raising of Tabitha was no preceded by religious chanting or expectation. These events are rare in Scripture despite the claim of fifteen resurrections.
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God uses us
In trying to dictate the will of God, Bethel was trying to use God. Not only should we pray for God’s will to be done, but we must also recognize that God uses us, not the other way around. When we try to use God, we are saying that we are god. But when we allow God to use us, we bring glory to Him who shines through us. As Christians, we must remind ourselves that Jesus is not just our savior, He’s our Lord! We do not use Jesus, Jesus has called us into service.
It’s dangerous to act from the starting premise that we use Jesus because this will distort how we are to confront tragedy and hardship. Scriptures says in Romans 8:28, a famous verse
28And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
Do not let your desires obstruct God’s working in your life. Be still and know that He is God.
The events at Bethel were a sad situation made worse by an unbiblical mindset of a church organization.
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