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I am writing in regard to your article (02/25/01) on the
prophet T.B. Joshua called MIRACLE MAN. As a Christian Pastor and teacher
I am concerned about some of the aspects of this prophet's ministry which
are either unreported or perhaps unappreciated for their significance.
In the light of the fact that we believe we are living in the last days
before Jesus' return, and that one of the warnings Jesus gave us was that
immediately before that time there would arise on the scene "False prophets",
who would be able to perform "signs and wonders.so that if possible they
would be able to deceive even the very elect", It is extremely important
that we be all the more discerning.
I don't know Pastor Joshua's heart; in fact indeed it seems to be that
he is a very sincere man living a simple lifestyle. Rather than taking
money constantly (as a good many of the celebrated televangelists have
done) there are stories of T. B. Joshua's generosity to the poor who struggle
to come to him for healing. However we are told nonetheless to be discerning
in our evaluation of anything, which claims to be "of God". "Try the Spirits
to see whether they be of God"(I John 4). There are several caveats I
offer to those who are seeking discernment of these phenomena:
- On a French television interview, Prophet Joshua said that he had
received this 'gift' at birth. The true Gifts of the Spirit of God (see
I Cor 12-14), are not bestowed at birth to anyone, One must be converted
to Christ, and even then the gifts are distributed "As the Spirit wills".
Transubstantiation- On videotape distributed by the Synagogue of all
Nations, A "Blood of Jesus " Service was shown. It consisted of the
Prophet Joshua blessing a huge tank of water, touching each of twelve
running spigots, proclaiming them to now be "the blood of Jesus". The
congregation was then shown rushing forward, pushing and pulling among
themselves seeking to get to those spigots first, that they might drink,
splash, and in some cases even shower in "the blood of Jesus". This
is perhaps the most disturbing aspect of it all, as it turns the Biblical
doctrine of the blood of Jesus (His vicarious death) into a sensuous,
superstitious experience. No Priest or Prophet can turn any substance
into the blood of Jesus that is more akin to paganism and magic than
Christianity. The blood of Jesus was shed as a sacrifice to God the
Father, not as a potion to be slashed and bathed in!
False separation between the Sheep and the goats- In addition to the
other antics at the blasphemous "Blood of Jesus " service, as the people
pushed, pulled and shoved forward to participate in the so called blood,
those who had "agents of Satan", were put into a demonic frenzy, rolling
on the ground, through the muck and mire (more on that next) screaming
and moaning in agony. There is demon possession indeed, but one would
look in vain anywhere in the scriptures to find any deliverance service
remotely resembling this so called "Blood of Jesus" service. Joshua
proclaimed this as the" separation of the sheep and the goats", which
actually takes place at the Judgment day.
There is also a very undignified and even degrading aspect to these
healings. When Christ healed it was all so dignified. True man is below,
God is above, but man is not "Nothing", He is made "In the Image of
God". In the Joshua videotape, released by the Synagogue, men with rectal
cancer are asked to take down their pants, before others, both before
and after the healing. A Woman bares her breasts, one showing cancer,
and stands before a mixed assembly in the agony of her pain. As the
healing progresses, her breast is seen oozing puss and yellow bile into
a pool on her dress and flowing into a puddle on the floor. People are
seen "Vomiting their troubles away" on the floor, some vomiting blood,
some rocks, shells, large worms, live insects, Where did Jesus or His
apostles ever do any such things? Yes these stains can be seen on the
floor, the very spots where people vomited blood, and where women are
seen on camera passing bloody "fibroids" from between their legs! On
this same floor, people are put into trances, laid out on that same
floor, (One can see the spots) and in those trances many are seen rolling
about among those spots.
- Remote control- T.B. Joshua uses a technique called "remote control",
in which by hand motions, standing ten feet or so away from "patients"
he manipulates their motions. By scooting his hands to the left, the
patient seems irresistibly drawn to the left, and to the right, the
patient goes to the right, by circling his hands, Joshua send the patient
into a circle, often until they spiral out of control, falling into
a dazed heap! This method once again is more akin to occult healing
practices, than it is to the Majestic healing gifts of Jesus Christ.
Another similar technique is called "point of contact". For example,
the bare breasted woman suffering in agony before the congregation,
of a cancer, for her Joshua stands about 15 feet away, and rubs his
chin vigorously, this is evidentially affecting her cancerous breast,
by remote control. (See the healing of the woman with a blood problem
for years, she only touched Jesus and was healed)
- Calling Fire from heaven- Joshua has the power to call fire from
heaven upon the body parts of sinning members of his congregation! A
woman in the video is seen clutching her private parts in agony, (it
seems to the mild amusement of others) as Joshua's fire cleanses her
of the sin. We are told in the book of Revelation that the false prophet
calls fire from heaven to the amazement of those under the delusion
- Joshua has strange beliefs- for example he is a vegetarian because
he told an interviewer that many of the people he ministers to in the
area of deliverance are "Half fish and half man". In another interviewer
he said that "the divine person" within him can appear to thousands
simultaneously, even coming to them in their dreams! This is not Christianity!
In closing, I don't pretend to know Joshua's motivation; by all accounts
he seems to be a very sincere man. However sincerity is no safeguard against
deception. I am sure Edgar Cayce, Jean Dixon and countless other prophets,
who by Christian, Biblical standards would have to be regarded as False,
were equally sincere and unassuming. There are countless warnings in scripture
about the emergence of False Prophets and teachers who like Pharaohs magicians,
withstood and hindered the true gospel by means of signs, wonders and
miracles. Just because Joshua seems to be able to produce "results","
He seems to have the goods", it doesn't mean we should go there, for the
ends do not justify the means. Even the idea of having to go to Nigeria
to receive a healing, or a miracle, or a Word from God, is unscriptural.
"Jesus Christ is the same, Yesterday, Today, and forever".
He is as close to us today as our breath, for "Whosoever will call upon
the name of the Lord will be saved".
We at Moriel Teaching Ministries SA will happily verify these claims by
providing access to the video we have cited here today. Any one needing
further clarification can contact us at 011 463 1771 or cell phone 0826576854.
Sincerely,
Pastor Bill Randles
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