Would a christian notice a false christian when he talks to him?

[xdisciplex]

I saw Reinhard Bonnke (a german evangelist) on Benny Hinn's show. Bonnke talked about what he does in Africa and all this. He and Benny seemed to get along pretty well. While I am sceptical of Benny Hinn because of his false prophecies I am absolutely convinced of the sincerity of Bonnke. He's totally on fire for God. So I asked myself this, if Hinn really is a false preacher then why didn't Bonnke somehow notice it? Do you somehow notice this only from talking to a person?

 

[BobRyan]

Still going to all the wrong places

 

[Eliyahu]

Good Question again!

I saw Reinhard Bonnke (a german evangelist) on Benny Hinn's show. Bonnke talked about what he does in Africa and all this. He and Benny seemed to get along pretty well. While I am sceptical of Benny Hinn because of his false prophecies I am absolutely convinced of the sincerity of Bonnke. He's totally on fire for God. So I asked myself this, if Hinn really is a false preacher then why didn't Bonnke somehow notice it? Do you somehow notice this only from talking to a person?

I have personally experienced that Born again believers can detect whether or not another person is saved, by talking about 1 hour or one day or by some fellowship for weeks etc. Sometimes I may misjudge the other person and apologize to that person. But I still believe the true and prudent believers can discern the true believers each other.

However, in case of Benny Hinn, if one pays some good attention to such person, we can easily notice he is a false prophet.

One day when I noticed John Hagee was working with Benny, I sent an e-mail to him but I think he ignored my advice.
In some cases, the born-again people are too much generous to the wrong person, to false prophets.

In your case, even Bonnke may have been infected by spiritual disease!
These days I check the messages by Billy Graham carefully, and find his messages contained some problems with producing superficial, easy-believing, churchmen and churchwomen even from 40 years ago.
I would refuse to judge such people and believe God will handle them.

Such people are not taking up the Cross. Maybe they have never taken up the Cross, not the apostasy because they never started to follow Lord Jesus.
BTW, Mark 10:21 asks us to come, take up the Cross, and follow Jesus, while NIV omitted "take up the Cross" which may have produced many superficial churchpeople who are not truly born again.

 

[genesis12]

It is fairly rare for TV-preachers to question one another. The last thing they want to do is cut off the inflow of $$$$$ or the Euro. Far better that one's offerings go to the local, independent parish of born-again believers. I know that Benny Hinn speaks error; I don't know that about Reinhard Bonnke. I think that Benny Hinn decided to become a preacher. He lives in a mansion, pays himself $1 million annually, won't disclose his finances. I think that Reinhard Bonnke responded to a spiritual call. Even so, error can creep in, once one starts believing that he or she is responsible for miraculous healings, prophetic messages, words of knowledge, and so on. I will never forget Hinn's visit to Germany, wherein he blew his breath at a crowd of Germans, and they all fell back, "slain in the spirit." I don't think so. Far better to shy away from Hinn altogether.

To answer the question, however: One who is well-grounded in the faith can spot a phony, no doubt. Those who are not well-grounded should not even venture a guess. "Study (the Bible) to show thyself approved." That doesn't mean that you aren't approved until you study. It means that you can spiritually handle the questions that arise about your faith when you are well-grounded in the Word of God. :saint:

 

[xdisciplex]

But how should a christian find out wether another person is a false prophet or not when you only talk about things which the other one agrees on? Hinn also said that the lost have to be saved and that today the real gospel message isn't preached much anymore and Bonnke agreed. Hinn didn't say anything where you thought "Wait a minute". Then how is a christian supposed to spot a false prophet when he doesn't give false prophecies?

 

[genesis12]

Well ....... to answer the question again, I repeat myself:

To answer the question, however: One who is well-grounded in the faith can spot a phony, no doubt. Those who are not well-grounded should not even venture a guess. "Study (the Bible) to show thyself approved." That doesn't mean that you aren't approved until you study. It means that you can spiritually handle the questions that arise about your faith when you are well-grounded in the Word of God. :saint:

The discernment of truth, of spirits, of correct doctrine, comes from the Holy Spirit. The gift of discernment belongs to Him and Him alone. One cannot accept Jesus as personal Lord and Savior and 5 minutes later expect to understand everything about God and His Word (although I sometimes wish that were the case). Stay in the Word; don't worry about what Hinn and Bonneke are saying. They aren't going to disagree in public, especially on international television!! Trying to absorb information from too many sources too soon leads to confusion ~~ but God is still there, He never departs, He loves you ... and He wants you to grow in spiritual knowledge, wisdom, and strength, something the world doesn't offer, and TV preachers rarely do.

I'll see if I can connect you to a podcast or other internet presentation by Christian pastors who are well-grounded in the faith. Keep looking up! :thumbs:

 

[music4Him]

You'll know them by their fruits.

Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Gal 5:23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Gal 5:24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

 

[IronWill]

I saw Reinhard Bonnke (a german evangelist) on Benny Hinn's show. Bonnke talked about what he does in Africa and all this. He and Benny seemed to get along pretty well. While I am sceptical of Benny Hinn because of his false prophecies I am absolutely convinced of the sincerity of Bonnke. He's totally on fire for God. So I asked myself this, if Hinn really is a false preacher then why didn't Bonnke somehow notice it? Do you somehow notice this only from talking to a person?

It's possible that A)he did notice it but lacked the backbone to say anything, B)Hinn is saved, but not living for God, C)isn't in the Word like he should be andn thus didn't notice it, or D)some other answer I haven't thought of yet.

I have no respect for Hinn. He's a false prophet, a deceiver, and a third-rate occultist.

 

[xdisciplex]

But when you see Hinn on his show talking to other people he seems pretty normal. What I don't like about him are his suits and his crusades which seem pretty much centered around himself.

 

[music4Him]

But when you see Hinn on his show talking to other people he seems pretty normal. What I don't like about him are his suits and his crusades which seem pretty much centered around himself.

Yes, he does seem nornal, but thats where you need to be careful. You need to ask yourself who is Benny lifting up? Listen to him the next time you watch who or what he speaks of the most.

 

[gekko]

quote: "But when you see Hinn on his show talking to other people he seems pretty normal"

yup. i agree there. but Judas Iscariot looked normal to all the disciples as well.
Jesus said there is one who is going to betray him that is in the room - and the disciples didn't go and point out Judas sayin stuff like "oh its that guy with the hooked nose!" - no. they asked the Lord if it was themselves! Jesus then said that whoever dips the sop in the dish is the traitor - and still the disciples didn't realize it was Judas..

so false converts are very subtle - but by their fruits you will know if they are a good or evil tree.

 

[Bro Tony]

But when you see Hinn on his show talking to other people he seems pretty normal. What I don't like about him are his suits and his crusades which seem pretty much centered around himself.

This is why we must be grounded in the Word. Discernment doesn't come by the Spirit alone, but by the Spirit through the Word. It is not a matter of what Hinn looks like---it is a matter of what Hinn teaches. In that department he has proven himself to be a false prophet and a charlatin. The words of the false prophets/teachers will reveal who they are and who they belong to.

Bro Tony

 

[Eliyahu]

But how should a christian find out wether another person is a false prophet or not when you only talk about things which the other one agrees on? Hinn also said that the lost have to be saved and that today the real gospel message isn't preached much anymore and Bonnke agreed. Hinn didn't say anything where you thought "Wait a minute". Then how is a christian supposed to spot a false prophet when he doesn't give false prophecies?

That is why the Christian believers should be vigilant all the time and must be based on the sounf Bible teachings, diligent in reading Bible.

You always raise the issues and questions which are interesting, important and worthwhile to think about. Keep on searching that way. But on the other hand, please set up sometime to read the bible regularly, from Matthew thru Revelation, then Old Testament.

It is not too difficult that one truly born again believer conclude someone like Benny is a false preacher.

I expect the Anti-Christ will behave in the way similar to Benny:

2 Thess 2:
9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, 10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:


The problem is this situation:

John Hagee worked with Benny Hinn. John Hagee preaches the Gospel very well but it is not wonder that such person say differently for Israelites ( He doesn't preach the gospel to the Jews)

Billy Graham said Pope John Paul's Salvation is surer than my own. Billy Graham would have not been allowed or even would have been tortured and killed if he had lived in the medieval era where Catholic dominated. The Pope may be sleeping in the bosom of Holy mother Mary as he said before, which will turn out to be totally different place.

So, apparently there is a big confusion among the famous preachers.
To me those famous people don't mean anything ( Gal 2:2, 2:6)

 

[carpro]

I saw Reinhard Bonnke (a german evangelist) on Benny Hinn's show. Bonnke talked about what he does in Africa and all this. He and Benny seemed to get along pretty well. While I am sceptical of Benny Hinn because of his false prophecies I am absolutely convinced of the sincerity of Bonnke. He's totally on fire for God. So I asked myself this, if Hinn really is a false preacher then why didn't Bonnke somehow notice it? Do you somehow notice this only from talking to a person?

TV face time may be the over riding concern of those mentioned here.:smilewinkgrin:

 

[pinoybaptist]

Well, would you know a genuine one when you talk to one ?
If you answer yes:

a. what is your basis for knowing that he is genuine ?
a.1 - His words ?
a.2 - His life ?
a.3 - His theology ?

b. Are you sure you are yourself a genuine Christian ?

As far as Benny Hinn is concerned, I will not judge him to be not a genuine Christian but I will judge him a false teacher, motivated by money.

Why will I not judge him not being a genuine Christian ?
Because only Christ knows whose are His.
We can only look, see and feel the external.

 

[Helen]

I know from experience that it is very easy to be conned. However, those experiences have also taught me to be very careful to be aware of the Holy Spirit's leading, as He is never conned. With some people it is rather easy to see that they are talking the talk and not walking the walk. However, with others, it is a lot harder. The words are right and they are charitable, etc. But almost always there is this sort of hesitation inside of the believer. Something is wrong. Can't put my finger on it, but something is wrong....

That's the time for specific, explicit prayer for wisdom. Then LISTEN/PAY ATTENTION for the answer.

 

[Eliyahu]

Are you not sure you yourself is a genuine Christian?

Well, would you know a genuine one when you talk to one ?

b. Are you sure you are yourself a genuine Christian ?

As far as Benny Hinn is concerned, I will not judge him to be not a genuine Christian but I will judge him a false teacher, motivated by money.

Why will I not judge him not being a genuine Christian ?
Because only Christ knows whose are His.
We can only look, see and feel the external.

John 5:13
13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

Was Paul Impudent when he wrote this ?

Phil 4:3
3 And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life.



Are you not sure yet that your name is written in the book of Life ?

Read the followings:

2 Cor 13:5
Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? (KJV)

Know ye not your own selves, that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye are reprobates? (Webster)

do ye not recognise yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you, unless indeed ye be reprobates? ( Darby)


Are you a Reprobate now ?

 

[Helen]

It is one thing to know for yourself. It is entirely another to claim to know for someone else...

 

[Eliyahu]

It is one thing to know for yourself. It is entirely another to claim to know for someone else...

How could Paul know that those women's names were written in the Book of Life ( Phil 4:3)?


How could Apostle John know that those who went out from us were not of us ( 1 John 2:19) ?

How could Peter be bold to say to Simon that he would perish with the money ?

Acts 8:20 But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. 21 Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter(Logos=Word): for thy heart is not right in the sight of God



Is Benny making more money than Simon? Is Benny not Simony?


Does Paul not encourage us to discern what is wrong or right ?

Read these :

1 Cor 6:2-4
2 Cor 11:4

 

[Helen]

The men who made the judgments you talked about were all Apostles. We are absolutely forbidden to judge the state of another man's heart.

However we ARE commanded to judge actions, words, and doctrinal teachings. Here, in this camp, Hinn is not showing that he is a follower of Christ.