SADINGO *****"However, a lot of teachers praised by the Word of Faith movement have taught just the opposite. (Salvation by faith is an exception, but I didn't want to mess up your quote.)
Part of the big controversy in the Word of Faith movement are it's teachers statements on the trinity and divinity of Christ."*****
So all WOF churches are guilty by association? I feel for the Episcopalians if I follow your train of thought. Because of some in high places that disagree with some of the rest, they are all considered in favor of homosexuals as pastors?
Let me help yeah out. I attend Maranatha College. Finishing up my degree. My college and my church are both WOF and under Jim Kasemen Ministries. Here is a look at our doctrine. Now remember, Jim Kasemen is a HUGE fan of Copeland and Hagin. Now lets look at just what we believe.
1.The Old and New Testaments are the inspired, infallible and authoritative Word of God. In the Word, we find the revelation of God's eternal and unchanging will for men of all ages. The Word is the divine and final authority for the Christian life. (Nope, not Hagin or Copeland)
2.There is one God, the creator of all things, who is infinitely perfect and eternally existent in three persons; the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. (now lets see something here?!?! Hinn was once, and may still be, big into 3 Persons, 3 Gods, 1 Union. Does this mean my church is? Because its WOF? The big difference between Hinn, who got his theology on this from the Finnis Dakes is that he believes that they each of their own source and perfect union instead of one source. This could be debated. So could the topic of what type of "body" the Holy Spirit and Father God have. If I believe that God Father has a spirit body, will this push me to hell fire?)
3.Jesus Christ is the union of God and man. He is true God and true man, conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He lived a sinless life(WHOAH! Guess my WOF church also believes he lived a sinless life!) and died on the cross as a sacrifice for the sins of all men. He arose bodily from the dead, ascended into heaven and is presently seated at the right hand of the Father as our high priest and advocate.
4.Man was created in the image of God, but fell into sin, which resulted in his spiritual death and separation from God. Only through regeneration by the Holy Spirit can salvation and spiritual life be obtained. This process of regeneration, referred to as being "born again" in the Word, takes place through a combination of faith and confession. As a person makes the decision to believe in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and confesses with his mouth the lordship of Jesus in his life, a miracle of regeneration by the Holy Spirit takes place. A new Christian is born into the kingdom of God. For him, old things are passed away and all things are new!
5.Water baptism and communion are ordinances to be observed by the church during the present age. They are not, however, to be confused with or regarded as a means of salvation. The shed blood of Jesus Christ and His resurrection provide the only grounds for justification and salvation.
6.The present day ministry of the Holy Spirit is to comfort and guide the believer, with the final purpose of glorifying the Lord Jesus Christ in the earth. During this age, He indwells, guides, instructs, and empowers the believer for godly living and service. Every believer should be filled with the Holy Spirit, with speaking in tongues as the initial physical evidence.
7.Every born again, spirit-filled believer should maintain a consistent prayer life by praying regularly with their understanding and in their heavenly language.
8."Without faith it is impossible to please God." (Hebrews 11:6) The Word tells us that the "just [those who have been justified by the blood of Jesus] shall live by faith." (Romans 1:17) The redemptive work of Jesus not only provided salvation for the believer, but also healing and prosperity for our spiritual, soulish, and physical man.We are redeemed from the curse of the law - poverty, sickness, oppression, and any other thing that prevents us from fulfilling His plan. Our lives can be prosperous and healthy in every realm as we walk in the light of this redemption by faith in God's Word.
The universal church is composed of all those who are born again. Through the new birth, we are united together in the body of Christ. Jesus Christ is the Lord and head of the church, and has provided leadership for the local church through the ministry gifts, which only He can give. Every local church has the right, under Christ, to decide and govern its own affairs. (Now isn't that interesting? Kinda funny most WOF churches have this within their doctrine)
10.The premillenial second coming of Jesus Christ is two-part in nature; He will come in the air to resurrect the righteous dead and catch away the living saints; He will then come to the earth to establish His physical kingdom, and begin His thousand-year reign.
11.There will be a bodily resurrection of the dead the believer to everlasting joy with the Lord and the unbeliever to judgment and eternal punishment.
Do I agree with everything that Copeland, Hagin, Capps, Hinn preach? Of course not. Do I have to? Nope. Do I follow MOST of their theology? Yup. You know the best way to get facts on a WOF church? ATTEND ONE. Just stop in, take a look, listen to a sermon. Don't rely on Internet information. No matter who its from. The best person to decide if WOF doctrines, teachers, is you. Not some guy who gives you the information.
I was just talking to a classmate yesterday who was attending a Methodist church for years. He told me his Pastor didn't believe that the Holy Spirit was a person, but a force. Now, let me ask you. Does that make Methodist people "force" believers? Are they guilty? As for THAT Church, let its own congregation deal with it. They don't need some Lutheran or Catholic next door yelling at them.
God bless
TSM