The problem with Bethel Redding’s Firestarters ‘prophetic activation’ class

Holly Pivec of Spirit of Error alerts us to Bethel Church’s latest attempt at drawing people into the world of the occult through their Firestarters course where participants are taught how to “burn with passion for God.” We have many articles on Bethel Church’s lead pastor-sorcerer Bill Johnson here.  And you’ll find articles on the sorcerer’s apprentices here.

Now to Holly’s piece:

I recently returned from a trip to Redding, California, where I visited Bethel Church, led by popular NARapostle Bill Johnson. Many things were taught during my visit there that troubled me. Especially troubling was the adult Sunday School class called Firestarters.

Firestarters is a 12-week course described as “the fast-track to revival culture.” It was created by Kevin Dedmon, who teaches at Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry (BSSM), and is a crash course for people who don’t have the time or money to attend BSSM’s full-time program. According to the Bethel website, students learn how to “burn with passion for God,” “experience His passion” for them, “walk in their God-given identity and purpose,” and “experience the power to heal the sick, prophesy, and live a victorious life.”

The morning I attended students were taught to prophesy. Four people who had never prophesied publicly before were called to the platform to be “activated” into the prophetic gift. They were each told to select an individual in the room and prophesy to that individual: “If you don’t know what to say, just start talking and you’ll get there.” The teacher told them not to worry that their words might just be coming from their imaginations. Why shouldn’t they worry? Because “who do you think gave you your imagination?” As long as their words were “positive” and “life-giving” they were to deliver them. Apparently assured by his words, the students proceeded to prophesy.  Continue reading

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11 Responses to The problem with Bethel Redding’s Firestarters ‘prophetic activation’ class

  1. Manny1962 June 29, 2017 at 9:05 am #

    I’ll tell you what leaves me slack-jawed, how anyone can still stay in that environment! It’s so obvious Bethel is a cult! Truly, as scripture says in the last days there will be a Great Apostasy, the sheep will have a form of godliness but will be blind and deaf, the leaders corrupt, denying He who bought them! When I read the title it reminded me of fire walking, another pagan practice in which the practitioner enters an altered state to walk over sizzling coals to communicate with a spiritual entity (a demon.)

    • SusanJ June 29, 2017 at 11:26 am #

      People are so blind. Good people. But lazy. They go along with things presuming it is ok. Presuming because it comes from leaders and preachers it must be right.

      Once we have our eyes open it is very clear and we can sniff error out easily. In our town I was told of a ‘church’ that was passing around an object and prophesying over it. Not long after, I met an old friend, brought up in a similar church way to me, but a long time member of the above ‘church’. She told me the ‘preachers’ / ‘elders’ do not even quote scripture any more. I said that is dangerous, so what do they preach from? Something they make up or get from the internet! She is still there sadly.

      The stories are endless. Even in the 80s I was told if I want to speak in tongues, just start by saying banana backwards. The relative that told me that has gone from one Charismatic/Hillsong/Bethel/C3 type church to another, many times. They do have some discernment as to the behaviour of some of the leaders which is why they leave churches. But they stay in the same kind of teaching.

      There is a need to be wise to the tactics of satan. The only solution is to read and study scripture, understand and be using the armour given to us.

    • Vernon Steinkamp July 4, 2017 at 12:04 am #

      We raised our daughter in a Christian home. She was the president of the high school Christian Club. Now she is drawn to Bethel and IHOP.

      • Manny1962 July 4, 2017 at 11:37 am #

        Please don’t stop praying for her. And suggest to her to read up on IHOP and Bethel.

  2. Maggie June 29, 2017 at 1:41 pm #

    We can see the NAR teachings and practices for what they are–which is shocking to us–because we are out of the system of the NAR cult. These false teachings were introduced slowly and they are gaining momentum as we observe. One of the cultic techniques is not to question the leadership because God has supposedly given them as a “covering” to the congregation and one should not criticize one of “God’s anointed.” If the idea of new revelation is accepted as legitimate, then anything goes. Error builds on error. Once you add in the trance state that results from repetitive singing and prolonged “worshipping,” the people are primed to accept whatever teaching or experience is introduced.

    “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” 1 Peter 5:8

    • Manny1962 June 29, 2017 at 2:20 pm #

      Yes like Jim Jones would do!

    • Sola Scriptura June 30, 2017 at 9:03 am #

      The backwards thing is interesting. Alester Crowley, the powerful satanist, taught his followers to write, walk and speak backwards in order to mock God’s natural order. Hillsongs almost always has words written on their CD’s backwards. This shows a deep and intentional connection to Satan. Michael W. Smith has an album with his name written backwards and in Runes, an ancient form of script used in witchcraft. These things are intentional and satanic. These mega churches hate the real Jesus, and despite powerful music and trendy leaders they want us all in hell. Flee all leaders and trust only your Bible…and I strongly suggest only a Textus Receptus Bible, aka the KJV. Click on my user name and read the article The Wat for God’s Word if you are interested in reading my journey from the new versions to the KJV. It is a journey I didn’t want to take but had to after months of studying the evidence.

      • Manny1962 June 30, 2017 at 9:53 am #

        Hi SS,

        Alistair Crowley and music: revered by Jimmy Page, who went as far as buying Alistair’s manse, The Beatles though not associated with open satanism, the cover of Sargeant Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band has a picture of Crowley, The Beatles favorite form of satanism came from the East with gurus. Ozzy Osbourne, The Rolling Stones and their song Sympathy For The Devil, please look up this link for a very comprehensive list, but there are much more:

        http://www.jesus-is-savior.com/Evils%20in%20America/Rock-n-Roll/crowley_influence.htm

        Christian parents: be very aware of what your kids listen to, sometimes the sublime music is just as bad as the overt garbage that passes for music today.

        • Sola Scriptura June 30, 2017 at 11:47 am #

          Amen bro Manny. I have a great article on all of Michael W. Smith’s occult activity but I can’t post links here. He allowed extreme heavy metal bands (not the Stryper types but real, satanic ones)to play at his Rockettown club, and has all kinds of occuktic symbology on his album covers.

  3. Sheryl June 29, 2017 at 2:57 pm #

    So they only want them to prophecy “positive” and “life-giving” words. That doesn’t sound a bit like God’s true prophets who delivered devastating words at God’s command, willingly being unpopular and despised, risking their lives, obeying God rather than man. Its a good thing that Jesus will return as King and Judge this time, for its likely today’s church leaders would “crucify” Him all over again for His rebuke of their false doctrine and blasphemy against God. As it was the first time, they wouldn’t even recognize His identity, they have so distorted His truth to fit their own desires.

    • Manny1962 June 29, 2017 at 5:10 pm #

      Amen and amen Sheryl, so horrific to think about, but given the times, the attitudes and such a great apostasy I’m afraid you’re right! Look how they treat those that warn about and fight for the word of The Lord.

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