‘Grave sucking’ and dead raising – Journey Community Church hosts ‘supernatural’ Bethel movement

2 Timothy 4:2-4: “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.”

The Bethel Ministries megachurch, based in Redding, California, is well known for its outrageous antics and Christ defying behaviour.

From promoting extra-biblical revelation to attempting to raise people from the dead, it really doesn’t take much discernment to know this church is filled to the brim with heresy.

Then there is the falling gold dust and feathers which appear at their meetings, apparently sent by God, as He often did that in the Bible. Oh no wait, He didn’t.

A “glory cloud” also apparently appears at meetings, similar to the pillar of cloud that guided Moses and the children of Israel. One would imagine they would deny a smoke machine is in any way utilised at meetings.

Add in to the mixture the rumours of ‘grave sucking’, denied in somewhat unconvincing terms by Bethel’s leader, Bill Johnson, and you have a truly frightening prospect.

However, all this doesn’t seem to be deterring Journey Community Church in Antrim from inviting this heretical mob to spread their lies and deceits in Northern Ireland.

Bethel Church were in Glenmachan Church of God, a rather licentious pentecostal church in east Belfast, for a conference, called the Kingdom Come Conference, which was organised by Journey Community Church in Antrim.

We are not sure why they didn’t host the event at their own premises, but perhaps it wasn’t big enough to cope with the numbers they expected to join in this rejection of any form of decent worship or preaching of God’s Word.

The main draw, as it were, of Bethel Ministries is the method employed by so many charismatic heretics throughout our land and further afield – Contemporary Christian Music (CCM).

Music thumping out which sounds just like a pop concert carried out by any worldly music act, singers flailing about on stage, whipping the attendees into a frenzy, characterises much of this nonsense.

Creating a racket is not an indication of nearness to God.

Amos 5:21-24 says: “I hate, I despise your feast days, and I will not smell in your solemn assemblies. Though ye offer me burnt offerings and your meat offerings, I will not accept them: neither will I regard the peace offerings of your fat beasts. Take thou away from me the noise of thy songs; for I will not hear the melody of thy viols. But let judgment run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream.”

All this worldliness makes it easier to introduce the heresies taught by this evil movement, giving its adherents a false assurance of salvation.

And this is what Journey Community Church is inflicting on its followers and the people of Antrim and Belfast and throughout Ulster.

John Ashe (pictured, top) is the leader of Journey Community Church and he is quoted promoting the conference online.

He has serious questions to answer in organising and promoting this absolutely outrageous event.

Does he agree that there is extra Biblical revelation?

Bethel Ministries does.

Its leader, Bill Johnson, says in his book, ‘When Heaven Invades Earth’, the following: “Those who feel safe because of their intellectual grasp of Scriptures enjoy a false sense of security. None of us has a full grasp of Scripture, but we all have the Holy Spirit. He is our common denominator who will always lead us into truth. But to follow Him, we must be willing to follow off the map—to go beyond what we know.”

So the Bible doesn’t quite cut it for Bethel Ministries; private revelation, allegedly by the Holy Spirit, is very much the thing.

The Bible, however, stands alone. It says in Revelation 22:18: “For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book”.

But Bethel Ministries, John Ashe and Journey Community Church know better, they think.

Does John Ashe believe that it is possible, today, to raise someone from the dead?

Bethel Ministries does.

Another senior figure in that movement, Kris Vallotton, wrote in the Charisma Magazine of 27 February, 2012: “Some of the students from the Supernatural School of Ministry decided to go down to the morgue and “practice” raising the dead! Crazy? Maybe, but I admire their faith and their guts. It wasn’t Bill or me who gave them the idea, they were actually inspired by reading the Bible. Evidently, they thought they should believe what Jesus said. They definitely have more faith and courage than I do. So far they haven’t raised anyone at the mortuary from the dead, but it hasn’t deterred them a bit. I have heard of some students from another school that started a DRT team. You guessed it, the letters stand for Dead Raising Team! I really don’t know if they have had any success yet. I do know of several Christians who have raised the dead.”

That truly is laughable, isn’t it? Or it would be if it weren’t so sad.

Does John Ashe believe it would be appropriate for members of Journey Community Church to head to a morgue, perhaps at Antrim Area Hospital, to try to raise people from the dead?

As for the grave sucking, as we mentioned above, it has been denied in rather unconvincing terms.

In his book, ‘The Physics of Heaven’, Bill Johnson says: “There are anointings, mantles, revelations and mysteries that have lain unclaimed, literally where they were left, because the generation that walked in them never passed them on. I believe it’s possible for us to recover realms of anointing, realms of insight, realms of God that have been untended for decades simply by choosing to reclaim them and perpetuate them for future generations.”

Does John Ashe believe that “anointings, mantles, revelations and mysteries have lain unclaimed” because the dead didn’t pass them on before they breathed their last?

But hey, we’ll ignore all that because Bethel play some catchy music, won’t we?

The chief musician helping make Bible rejection look attractive is Kristene Di Marco, while also in attendance is Eric Johnson, the senior pastor and presumably a relation of the leader, Bill Johnson. Chris Cruz, the Young Adults Pastor and Jordan Di Marco, the pastor of the Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry.

This is, of course, the school which boasts students who were trying to raise people from the dead.

The Kingdom Come conference was held over the past three days, from 4-6 April, and we would encourage readers to share this article widely to help warn of the dreadful heresies being promoted by Journey Community Church.

While the Antrim branch was hosting this event, there is also a branch in Downpatrick, County Down.

We would encourage all readers to speak out forthrightly and fearlessly against this church as it has entangled itself with the dreadful blasphemies of Bethel Ministries.

And to anyone who attended the conference, please consider this matter in the light of God’s Word and see whether such teachings as propagated by Bethel Ministries are in any way defensible.

1 John 4:1: “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.”

Church of Ireland Dean celebrates seven years since joining Roman Catholic order of monks

Sometimes when we come to write articles for this page, we struggle to believe we are actually at the point where so-called Christianity has reached the point it has.

Sometimes the sheer scale of the ecumenical betrayal of the Bible is so brazen, so outrageous and so clear, one can hardly believe it has happened or is happening.

This is one such occasion, where we are truly shocked that a leading figure in the Church of Ireland has actually formally aligned himself with a Roman Catholic order, the Benedictine monks.

That figure is Rev Henry Hull, the Church of Ireland Dean of County Down and man in charge of Down Cathedral in Downpatrick, which last week also held an ecumenical prayer event alongside Romanists and other Protestant compromisers.

On Friday past, Dean Henry Hull tweeted his delight that he was marking seven years as a Benedictine Oblate.

Dean Henry Hull said: “Marking my 7th anniversary of being a Benedictine oblate and 12th as a Dean praying at Holy Cross Monastery.”

In case, like us, you weren’t previously aware of what an Oblate is, Wikipedia describes them thus: “Oblates are individuals, either laypersons or clergy, normally living in general society, who, while not permanently professed monks or nuns, have individually affiliated themselves with a monastic community of their choice. They make a formal, private promise (annually renewable or for life, depending on the monastery with which they are affiliated) to follow the Rule of the Order in their private life as closely as their individual circumstances and prior commitments permit. Such oblates do not constitute a separate religious order as such, but are considered an extended part of the monastic community.”

So an oblate has made a “formal, private promise” to follow the rule of the order to which they have aligned themselves, in this case of Dean Henry Hull, a Romanist order.

It is a truly remarkable thing for a supposedly Protestant minister to do, to formally join up with an order which promotes Roman Catholic theology and practices.

Roman Catholic theology is completely at odds with Protestant theology, yet here is Dean Henry Hull consciously ignoring these stark differences.

The Roman Catholic Church teaches of purgatory, a fictional holding cell between heaven and hell, as well as the adoration of idols and relics.

The Bible never countenances such a place as purgatory, teaching instead that when we die we go straight to heaven or hell (see the story of the rich man and Lazarus in Luke 16) and forbids the worshipping of images (the Second Commandment forbids this – Exodus 20:4-6). However, Rome conveniently omits the Second Commandment to try to fit in their twisted theology.

In addition, Rome teaches of the praying to dead ‘Saints’, despite the Bible teaching we are to pray to Christ alone. 1 Timothy 2:5: “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus”.

We will also remind Dean Henry Hull of what the 39 Articles, which are supposed to govern the Church of Ireland, the church whose historical standards he is meant to uphold, have to say.

Article 22 says this: “The Romish Doctrine concerning Purgatory, Pardons, Worshipping and Adoration, as well of Images as of Relics, and also Invocation of Saints, is a fond thing, vainly invented, and grounded upon no warranty of Scripture, but rather repugnant to the Word of God.”

His own church’s rules say that these “Romish Doctrines” are “repugnant to the Word of God”.

Not only that, Rome teaches the blasphemy of the Mass, whereby the priest sacrifices Christ again and again and again every day throughout the world. This is directly defying the Bible, which says in Hebrews 9:24-28: “For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us: Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others; For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.”

We are told there that Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many, yet Rome directly contradicts this.

And we will remind Dean Henry Hull what the 39 Articles which govern his church have to say regarding the Mass.

Article 31 says: “The offering of Christ made once is the perfect redemption, propitiation and satisfaction for all the sins of the whole world, both original and actual. There is no other satisfaction for sin but this alone. Consequently, the sacrifices of masses, in which it was commonly said that the priest offered Christ for the living and dead so as to gain remission of pain or guilt, were blasphemous fables and dangerous deceits.”

His own church calls the Roman Catholic teaching of the Mass a “dangerous deceit” and a “blasphemous fable”, yet he chooses to fellowship so closely with a church which to this day teaches and practices such.

Not only is he fellowshipping with this erroneous doctrine, he is expressing his pleasure at doing so on social media.

How can Dean Henry Hull warn his congregation of the dangerous deceits of Roman Catholic doctrine when he is cuddling up with its advocates?

He is like those warned of in Philippians 3:19, “whose glory is in their shame”.

It is a great shame when a preacher leaves off from, or perhaps never started, teaching the Word of God faithfully and proclaiming it regardless of the opposition that might come.

Hosea 4:6-10 highlights this. It says: “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children. As they were increased, so they sinned against me: therefore will I change their glory into shame. They eat up the sin of my people, and they set their heart on their iniquity. And there shall be, like people, like priest: and I will punish them for their ways, and reward them their doings. For they shall eat, and not have enough: they shall commit whoredom, and shall not increase: because they have left off to take heed to the Lord.”

People and priest alike will be punished, for while the responsibility lies with the priest to proclaim the gospel, the people still have a responsibility to guard themselves, but instead often they are as those indicted in Jeremiah 5:31: “The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?”

Let us be joined unto Christ and to his glorious gospel, not a grouping within a church which teaches lies to its adherents, lies which will lead its followers into a lost eternity in hell.

If you are yet unsaved and have not been to Jesus for the cleansing power, won’t you come even today?

No matter how lowly you may consider yourself to be, or how far away from deserving the grace of God you feel, there is salvation for those who repent, just like the publican (or tax collector), who would have been looked down upon in his own society, of whom Jesus spoke.

Luke 18:13 says: “And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.”

In the very next verse, Jesus declared that such faith, such penitence and brokenness over sin had saved his soul.

He said: “I tell you this man went down to his house justified…”

You, too, can be justified, if you simply repent of your sin and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ as your own and personal Saviour.

Ecumenical downgrade in Downpatrick – ‘Protestant’ ministers lead prayer event with Rome

An ecumenical prayer event in Downpatrick consumed the efforts of many of the churches in the County Down town last weekend.

Taking in Downpatrick Non-Subscribing Presbyterian Church, Downpatrick Presbyterian Church, Downpatrick Methodist Church, Down Cathedral (Church of Ireland) and St Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church, there was a fairly comprehensive list of clerical compromisers involved.

The so-called Protestant ministers taking part in this compromise are Rev David Steers (although bum steer might be a better description of his ministry, Downpatrick Non-Subscribing Presbyterian Church), Rev Owen Patterson (pictured, below, Downpatrick Presbyterian Church), ‘Rev’ Louise Monroe (Downpatrick Methodist Church) and Very Rev Henry Hull (pictured, top, Down Cathedral), together with an emissary of Papal deceit. There are three priests linked with St Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church in the town, and we are unsure as to which, or how many of them, took part.

The event was orchestrated by Divine Healing Ministries, an ecumenical initiative encompassing the Church of Ireland, Methodist Church and Roman Catholic Church.

Divine Healing Ministries meets weekly in three different Anglican churches in Belfast, including the hub of ecumenism that is St Anne’s Cathedral along with St Finnian’s Church, Cregagh and St George’s Church on High Street, as well as in Shankill Road Methodist and St Peter’s Roman Catholic Cathedral on the hardline Irish republican Falls Road.

It correctly describes itself as interdenominational and the day it organised last week in Downpatrick was billed as being “for people of all Christian traditions”.

It consisted of walking between each of the churches in Downpatrick behind a large wooden cross with “silent prayer and reflection” sessions in each of the five churches.

In each church there was also a short epilogue from a member of the clergy before the “silent prayer and reflection”.

For messages to have been provided in each of the churches throughout the town, there must be nothing in those messages that would contradict the teaching of the Roman Catholic Church or they wouldn’t be taking part.

And when the groups were gathered in each church for the periods of silent prayer, to whom were the prayers being offered? Romanists believe in prayers to Mary and to dead so-called ‘Saints’, yet the Bible knows no such blasphemy. Was one person praying to God beside another praying to Mary or some other long-dead individual, who must not be prayed to? What a dreadful mess.

The Romanist false belief of prayer to Mary has no merit.

It is strictly contradicted in the Bible. 1 Timothy 2:5 says: “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.”

Indeed, Mary is the same as all other saved sinners, as she herself stated in Luke 1:46-47.

Those verses state: “And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.”

Mary was relying on the same route to heaven as everyone else, placing her faith and trust in God, who she acknowledged as her Saviour.

Therefore the Romish teaching of prayer to Mary is repugnant to the Word of God.

Not that this matters to those ecumenical clerics allowing error to be at best tolerated by allowing such mingling with the deceits of Rome.

These ministers should be sounding the alarm to their congregations to warn them of the spiritual corruption of Rome, not encouraging them to keep company with those who believe that which is outright rejected by God’s Word.

This is a passage we have referred to on several occasions, but it remains most pertinent in the face of continued shameful ecumenical conduct and rejection of God’s Word.

Ezekiel 33:7-9 says: “So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me. When I say unto the wicked, O wicked man, thou shalt surely die; if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Nevertheless, if thou warn the wicked of his way to turn from it; if he do not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.”

The watchman, or minister, is tasked with warning the people of the danger that lies ahead and to implore them to stay away from that which would be harmful to them.

When a minister is not faithful to do so, they are rightly condemned by God and He says the blood of those they have led astray and failed to protect is on their hands.

A lot of polluted worship was offered up in Downpatrick last Saturday, and God’s words to Jeremiah should give cause for concern to those who lead that worship and those who follow.

Jeremiah the prophet tried to defend the people who were being led improperly by the religious leaders. However, God pointed out that both were guilty of great wickedness for abandoning Him and He pointed out that judgment would come to them both.

Jeremiah 14:12-16: “When they fast, I will not hear their cry; and when they offer burnt offering and an oblation, I will not accept them: but I will consume them by the sword, and by the famine, and by the pestilence. Then said I, Ah, Lord God! behold, the prophets say unto them, Ye shall not see the sword, neither shall ye have famine; but I will give you assured peace in this place. Then the Lord said unto me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake unto them: they prophesy unto you a false vision and divination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their heart. Therefore thus saith the Lord concerning the prophets that prophesy in my name, and I sent them not, yet they say, Sword and famine shall not be in this land; By sword and famine shall those prophets be consumed. And the people to whom they prophesy shall be cast out in the streets of Jerusalem because of the famine and the sword; and they shall have none to bury them, them, their wives, nor their sons, nor their daughters: for I will pour their wickedness upon them.”

There will be no defence for those who have rejected God. You won’t be able to blame your minister; regardless of how much blood is on their hands, you will have to pay the price for forsaking the Almighty.

Romans 1:18-20: “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse”.

Hebrews 2:3: “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation?”