The "Jesus" of Copeland vs. the True Jesus of the Bible
Sept 14, 2013 22:53:27 GMT -5
Post by schwartzie on Sept 14, 2013 22:53:27 GMT -5
The "Jesus" of Kenneth Max Copeland vs. The True Jesus Christ of The Bible...
Anthony Todd
The Bible says (2 Corinthians 11:13-15) "For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve."
The Bible talks about three false people in the last days..."false teachers," "false prophets," "false christs." Jesus warned of all three, as did the Apostles. In many cases, they are often the same person. In particular, while writing this, I'm thinking of Kenneth Max Copeland and his teachings, he is all three in one; false christ, false prophet, false teacher.
Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. - 1 John 4:1
The Bible says...
- False teachers - 2 Peter 2:1-3 - "But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false TEACHERS among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies."
- False prophets - Matthew 7:15 - "Beware of false PROPHETS, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves."
- False christs - Matthew 24:24 - "For there shall arise false CHRISTS, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; so that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect."
Examples of the claims of Kenneth Copeland...
2nd Timothy 4:3, “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.”
** First, false teacher (example) - Copeland claims - Jesus did not exist before He was born on earth; "Jesus existed only as an image in the heart of God, until such time as the prophets of the Old Testament could positively confess Jesus into existence through their constant prophecies." (Kenneth Copeland, The Power of the Tongue, pp. 8-10) > The Bible declares - John 1:1-3 - In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. John 8:58 - Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am. Revelation 22:13 - I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. Jesus Christ was eternally begotten of the Father, He has always existed, He was not created by the prophets, John 1:14; John 8:58; John 17:5; John 17:24.
** Second, false prophet (example) - Copeland claims - Jesus was not God; "Jesus said to me, son, I never said I was God, I only said I walked with God" (Conversation with Paul Crouch, Praise the Lord show, TBN), "Don't be disturbed when people accuse you of thinking you are God ... They crucified Me for claiming I was God. I didn't claim that I was God; I just claimed that I walked with Him and that He was in Me. Hallelujah! That's what you're doing ..." ("Take Time to Pray," Believer's Voice of Victory, 2/87, p. 9).
> The Bible declares - Isaiah 9:6 - For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. John 1:14 - The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. Matthew 16:16 - Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
** Third, false christ (example) - Kenneth Copeland claims - he could have died for your sins (he also claims that he a god along with claiming he could have been our savior); “The Spirit of God spoke to me and He said, ‘Son, realize this. Now follow me in this and don’t let your tradition trip you up.’ He said, ‘Think this way—a twice-born man whipped Satan in his own domain.’ And I threw my Bible down … like that. I said, ‘What?’ He said, ‘A born-again man defeated Satan, the firstborn of many brethren defeated him.’ He said, ‘You are the very image, the very copy of that one.’ I said, ‘Well now you don’t mean, you couldn’t dare mean, that I could have done the same thing?’ He said, ‘Oh yeah, if you’d had the knowledge of the Word of God that He did, you could’ve done the same thing, ‘cause you’re a reborn man too.” (Substitution and Identification, 1989, tape #00-0202, side 2)
> The Bible declares - 1 Timothy 2:5 - For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men--the testimony given in its proper time. Acts 4:11-12 - For Jesus is the one referred to in the Scriptures, where it says, 'The stone that you builders rejected has now become the cornerstone. Neither is there salvation in ANY OTHER: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
Long before Kenneth Copeland was born, God choose Jesus to be the Savior, NOT Copeland...
“...but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake.” - 1 Peter 1:19-20
Copeland also claims - "You're all God. You don't have a God living in you; you are one! ... When I read in the Bible where God tells Moses, 'I AM,' I say, 'Yah, I am too!' ('The Force of Love,' Kenneth Copeland, tape BBC-56)
> The Bible declares - Exodus 20:1-3 - And God spake all these words, saying, I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Isaiah 43:10 - Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me. 1 Timothy 2:5 - For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.
Here is a well written commentary on "Exposing the False Teachers"
www.biblegateway.com/resources/commentaries/IVP-NT/Gal/Exposing-False-Teachers
>>Copeland says - Jesus did not exist before He was born on earth; "Jesus existed only as an image in the heart of God, until such time as the prophets of the Old Testament could positively confess Jesus into existence through their constant prophecies." (Kenneth Copeland, The Power of the Tongue, pp. 8- 10)
*** The Bible declares - John 1:1-3 - In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. John 8:58 - Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am. Revelation 22:13 - I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. Jesus Christ was eternally begotten of the Father, He has always existed, He was not created by the prophets, John 1:14; John 8:58; John 17:5; John 17:24. >>Copeland says - Jesus was not God; "Jesus said to me, son, I never said I was God, I only said I walked with God" (Conversation with Paul Crouch, Praise the Lord show, TBN), "Don't be disturbed when people accuse you of thinking you are God ... They crucified Me for claiming I was God. I didn't claim that I was God; I just claimed that I walked with Him and that He was in Me. Hallelujah! That's what you're doing ..." ("Take Time to Pray," Believer's Voice of Victory, 2/87, p. 9).
*** The Bible declares - Isaiah 9:6 - For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. John 1:14 - The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. Matthew 16:16 - Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
>>Copeland says - The Death of Jesus was insignificant; "The death of Jesus Christ on the cross was insignificant, anybody could have done it." and "it wasn't the physical death on the cross, anyone can do that." (Copeland; What Happened from the Cross to the Throne)
*** The Bible declares - 1 Peter 2:24 - Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. And; And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission. - Hebrews 9:22
>>Copeland says - "You're all God. You don't have a God living in you; you are one! ... When I read in the Bible where God tells Moses, 'I AM,' I say, 'Yah, I am too!' ('The Force of Love,' Kenneth Copeland, tape BBC-56)
*** The Bible declares - Exodus 20:1-3 - And God spake all these words, saying, I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Isaiah 43:10 - Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me. 1 Timothy 2:5 - For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus..
>>Copeland says - "Pray to yourself, because I'm in your self and you're in My self. We are one Spirit,' saith the Lord." (Kenneth Copeland, 'Believer's Voice of Victory,' Feb. 1987, p.9)
*** The Bible declares - Luke 11:2 - And he said unto them, When you pray, say, Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done, as in heaven, so on earth.
>>Copeland says - Jesus did not redeem us on the cross; "When Jesus said it was finished, He wasn't talking about redemption, redemption hadn't even started yet."
*** The Bible declares - John 19:30 - When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished ("tetelestai;" meaning “paid in full”) and he bowed his head, and gave up his spirit.
>>Copeland says - "Jesus went into hell to free mankind from the penalty of Adam's high treason...When HIS BLOOD POURED OUT IT DID NOT ATONE. Jesus spent three horrible days and nights in the bowels of this earth getting back for you and me our rights with God." (Ken Copeland, Personal letter from Ken Copeland, Ft. Worth Texas, March 12, 1979. (D. R. McConnell, A Different Gospel, page 118) Personal letter from Kenneth Copeland, F.W., Tx. March 12, 1979) They are saying Jesus bought our salvation in hell, not by shedding His blood. This concept is right out of E.W. Kenyon’s book, “From the Cross to the Throne”)
*** The Bible declares - Hebrews 9:22-28 - And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission. 1 Peter 1:19-20 - but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake.
>>Copeland says (and Creflo Dollar) - Jesus did not come as God; "Jesus Christ wasn't God and wasn't perfect."
*** The Bible declares - 1 John 4:2-3 - This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
>>Copeland says - Kenneth Copeland claims he could have died for your sins; “The Spirit of God spoke to me and He said, ‘Son, realize this. Now follow me in this and don’t let your tradition trip you up.’ He said, ‘Think this way—a twice-born man whipped Satan in his own domain.’ And I threw my Bible down … like that. I said, ‘What?’ He said, ‘A born-again man defeated Satan, the firstborn of many brethren defeated him.’ He said, ‘You are the very image, the very copy of that one.’ I said, ‘Well now you don’t mean, you couldn’t dare mean, that I could have done the same thing?’ He said, ‘Oh yeah, if you’d had the knowledge of the Word of God that He did, you could’ve done the same thing, ‘cause you’re a reborn man too.” (Substitution and Identification, 1989, tape #00-0202, side 2)
*** The Bible declares - 1 Timothy 2:5 - For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men--the testimony given in its proper time. Acts 4:11-12 - For Jesus is the one referred to in the Scriptures, where it says, 'The stone that you builders rejected has now become the cornerstone. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
>>Copeland says - "Now Peter said by exceeding great and precious promises you become partakers of the divine class. All right, are we gods? We are a class of gods!" (Kenneth Copeland, 'Praise The Lord' TV Show, Feb. 5, 1986)
*** The Bible declares - The apostle Peter said nothing about being partakers of a divine class or being a god of the divine class. In order for there to be a class of Gods, there must be more than one God. Since there is only one God, there is no divine class. The apostle Peter states that we become partakers of the divine nature, and not that we become the divine nature, which is something completely different. Kenneth Copeland deliberately misstates the Scripture in order to deceive his followers.
2 Peter 1:4 "For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust."
The apostle never says that Christians become divine or become gods. Christians are partakers of the divine nature in the same way that they are 'born again,' John 3:3, 1 Peter 1:23. are 'in Christ,' Romans 8:1, the Holy Spirit 'abides with you and will be in you,' John 14:17-23, and are 'a new creature,' 2 Corinthians 5:17. Nowhere in the Scripture is it stated that Christians will be gods.
The apostle Peter said nothing about being partakers of a divine class or being a god of the divine class. In order for there to be a class of Gods, there must be more than one God. Since there is only one God, there is no divine class. The apostle Peter states that we become partakers of the divine nature, and not that we become the divine nature, which is something completely different. Kenneth Copeland deliberately misstates the Scripture in order to deceive his followers.
Conclusion...
Kenneth Copeland is a false teacher and a heretic because:
1. He places himself in the position of God by claiming that he is a god. 2. He claims to have the same creative power as God - which he cannot demonstrate at any level. 3. He teaches the same claim that Satan made when he attempted to usurp the place of God. 4. He teaches the same message that Satan presented to Eve in the Garden of Eden. 5. He denies the deity of Jesus Christ. 6. He denies the uniqueness and power of the atonement by stating that he could have substituted for Jesus Christ and accomplished the atonement himself. 7. He gives false prophecies, demonstrating that he is a false prophet according to Deuteronomy 18:22.
And a few points of Copeland's claims of being a "little god."...
We have a choice; we can believe the Word of God, or the word of Copeland, they are not the same. Choose this day who you will follow; Copeland of Jesus!
ON THE CLAIM OF BEING "LITTLE GODS"...
I was just listening to Kenneth Copeland on YouTube attempting to claim that he is some kind of "god;" he and others in the "word of faith" movement like to call themselves "little gods." That's amazing considering the same group of false teachers claim that "Jesus wasn't God, Jesus didn't come as God, and Jesus never said he was God."
In Kenneth Copeland's case, he claims that Jesus told him that personally (so much for the authority of scripture). I call these words the four most dangerous words from Copeland; "Jesus said to me..." VERY dangerous and grounds for deception! Creflo Dollar, another false "word of faith" teacher, claims that "Jesus wasn't God" ...wait for it..."because He was asleep in the
boat" and that God never sleeps or slumbers, failing to realize that Jesus, besides being God, was also a man. Does Jesus having to eat, breath, rest, drink water, also make Him not God? Foolishness!!! He came as God (Christ), but also as a real human being born of a virgin women!
"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, THE MIGHTY GOD, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace."
When did He come as THE MIGHTY GOD? When He was born! "For unto us a child is born..." That child was THE MIGHTY GOD! "word of faith" false teaches claim that we are "little gods" by taking Psalms 82 WAY out of context, Jesus said to the Pharisees that they were liars, full of dead men's bones, hypocrites, and that they turn men into sons of hell; Jesus, in doing so (calling them "gods"), was rebuking them, NOT complimenting them. Jesus was quoting Psalms 82 at them and the Pharisees new full well what Jesus was saying. He was NOT giving them good news like..."hey, you wonderful guys are gods, cool, eh!" NOT HARDLY, it was a strong warning and rebuke! You can read about Jesus rebuking the Pharisees speaking from Psalm 82 in John 10:34 where Jesus says "Jesus answered them, "Is it not written in your Law, 'I have said you are "gods?" Being called a "god" is NOT always a good thing, satan is called the "god" of this world, not good! And being called "sons of the most high God" is not always good either; it doesn't mean said "god" has a righteous standing with the Lord. Remember "the "sons of God" came down and mated with the women of earth," this was evil and satan's attempt to destroy Adam's blood line the Savior would come through, and might have been a main reason for the flood. (Genesis 6:2) ...NOT a good thing. "Sons of God" sometimes just means "created directly by God," but it doesn't always mean that a "son of God" is righteous such as the angels or "sons of God" who fell and "lost their first estate." (Jude 1:6). We Christians, on the other hand, are "sons (and daughters) of the most High God" through and by Christ Jesus, because of the Blood of Christ, and being born again! We are born again as righteous sons of the Most High God our Father! That is a big difference! God has something to say to Kenneth and his buddies who loudly proclaim that they are "gods" ... “The ‘gods’ know nothing, they understand nothing...but you will die like mere mortals"... God openly mocks and rebukes people (in this case, leaders) who claim they are "gods" not to mention that God says He will have NO OTHER GODS BEFORE HIM, not little gods, medium gods, or Kenneth Copeland gods, NONE! And as Psalms 82 says... Psalm 82, A psalm of Asaph; 1 God presides in the great assembly; he renders judgment among the “gods”:
2 “How long will you defend the unjust and show partiality to the wicked?
3 Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed.
4 Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.
5 “The ‘gods’ know nothing, they understand nothing. They walk about in darkness; all the foundations of the earth are shaken.
6 “I said, ‘You are “gods”; you are all sons of the Most High.’
7 But you will die like mere mortals; you will fall like every other ruler.” 8 Rise up, O God, judge the earth, for all the nations are your inheritance.
Kenneth Copeland, you call yourself a “little god,” but GOD SAYS...
Ex 20:23 - You shall not make other gods besides Me; gods of silver or gods of gold, you shall not make for yourselves.
Ex 23:13 - Now concerning everything which I have said to you, be on your guard; and do not mention the name of other gods, nor let them be heard from your mouth.
Ex 20:3 - You shall have no other gods before Me.
De 5:7 - You shall have no other gods before Me.
Copyright 2013, Anthony Todd
Note: Please feel free to distribute freely, but please do not alter the content.
Anthony Todd
The Bible says (2 Corinthians 11:13-15) "For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve."
The Bible talks about three false people in the last days..."false teachers," "false prophets," "false christs." Jesus warned of all three, as did the Apostles. In many cases, they are often the same person. In particular, while writing this, I'm thinking of Kenneth Max Copeland and his teachings, he is all three in one; false christ, false prophet, false teacher.
Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. - 1 John 4:1
The Bible says...
- False teachers - 2 Peter 2:1-3 - "But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false TEACHERS among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies."
- False prophets - Matthew 7:15 - "Beware of false PROPHETS, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves."
- False christs - Matthew 24:24 - "For there shall arise false CHRISTS, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; so that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect."
Examples of the claims of Kenneth Copeland...
2nd Timothy 4:3, “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.”
** First, false teacher (example) - Copeland claims - Jesus did not exist before He was born on earth; "Jesus existed only as an image in the heart of God, until such time as the prophets of the Old Testament could positively confess Jesus into existence through their constant prophecies." (Kenneth Copeland, The Power of the Tongue, pp. 8-10) > The Bible declares - John 1:1-3 - In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. John 8:58 - Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am. Revelation 22:13 - I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. Jesus Christ was eternally begotten of the Father, He has always existed, He was not created by the prophets, John 1:14; John 8:58; John 17:5; John 17:24.
** Second, false prophet (example) - Copeland claims - Jesus was not God; "Jesus said to me, son, I never said I was God, I only said I walked with God" (Conversation with Paul Crouch, Praise the Lord show, TBN), "Don't be disturbed when people accuse you of thinking you are God ... They crucified Me for claiming I was God. I didn't claim that I was God; I just claimed that I walked with Him and that He was in Me. Hallelujah! That's what you're doing ..." ("Take Time to Pray," Believer's Voice of Victory, 2/87, p. 9).
> The Bible declares - Isaiah 9:6 - For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. John 1:14 - The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. Matthew 16:16 - Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
** Third, false christ (example) - Kenneth Copeland claims - he could have died for your sins (he also claims that he a god along with claiming he could have been our savior); “The Spirit of God spoke to me and He said, ‘Son, realize this. Now follow me in this and don’t let your tradition trip you up.’ He said, ‘Think this way—a twice-born man whipped Satan in his own domain.’ And I threw my Bible down … like that. I said, ‘What?’ He said, ‘A born-again man defeated Satan, the firstborn of many brethren defeated him.’ He said, ‘You are the very image, the very copy of that one.’ I said, ‘Well now you don’t mean, you couldn’t dare mean, that I could have done the same thing?’ He said, ‘Oh yeah, if you’d had the knowledge of the Word of God that He did, you could’ve done the same thing, ‘cause you’re a reborn man too.” (Substitution and Identification, 1989, tape #00-0202, side 2)
> The Bible declares - 1 Timothy 2:5 - For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men--the testimony given in its proper time. Acts 4:11-12 - For Jesus is the one referred to in the Scriptures, where it says, 'The stone that you builders rejected has now become the cornerstone. Neither is there salvation in ANY OTHER: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
Long before Kenneth Copeland was born, God choose Jesus to be the Savior, NOT Copeland...
“...but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake.” - 1 Peter 1:19-20
Copeland also claims - "You're all God. You don't have a God living in you; you are one! ... When I read in the Bible where God tells Moses, 'I AM,' I say, 'Yah, I am too!' ('The Force of Love,' Kenneth Copeland, tape BBC-56)
> The Bible declares - Exodus 20:1-3 - And God spake all these words, saying, I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Isaiah 43:10 - Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me. 1 Timothy 2:5 - For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.
Here is a well written commentary on "Exposing the False Teachers"
www.biblegateway.com/resources/commentaries/IVP-NT/Gal/Exposing-False-Teachers
>>Copeland says - Jesus did not exist before He was born on earth; "Jesus existed only as an image in the heart of God, until such time as the prophets of the Old Testament could positively confess Jesus into existence through their constant prophecies." (Kenneth Copeland, The Power of the Tongue, pp. 8- 10)
*** The Bible declares - John 1:1-3 - In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. John 8:58 - Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am. Revelation 22:13 - I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. Jesus Christ was eternally begotten of the Father, He has always existed, He was not created by the prophets, John 1:14; John 8:58; John 17:5; John 17:24. >>Copeland says - Jesus was not God; "Jesus said to me, son, I never said I was God, I only said I walked with God" (Conversation with Paul Crouch, Praise the Lord show, TBN), "Don't be disturbed when people accuse you of thinking you are God ... They crucified Me for claiming I was God. I didn't claim that I was God; I just claimed that I walked with Him and that He was in Me. Hallelujah! That's what you're doing ..." ("Take Time to Pray," Believer's Voice of Victory, 2/87, p. 9).
*** The Bible declares - Isaiah 9:6 - For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. John 1:14 - The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. Matthew 16:16 - Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
>>Copeland says - The Death of Jesus was insignificant; "The death of Jesus Christ on the cross was insignificant, anybody could have done it." and "it wasn't the physical death on the cross, anyone can do that." (Copeland; What Happened from the Cross to the Throne)
*** The Bible declares - 1 Peter 2:24 - Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. And; And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission. - Hebrews 9:22
>>Copeland says - "You're all God. You don't have a God living in you; you are one! ... When I read in the Bible where God tells Moses, 'I AM,' I say, 'Yah, I am too!' ('The Force of Love,' Kenneth Copeland, tape BBC-56)
*** The Bible declares - Exodus 20:1-3 - And God spake all these words, saying, I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Isaiah 43:10 - Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me. 1 Timothy 2:5 - For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus..
>>Copeland says - "Pray to yourself, because I'm in your self and you're in My self. We are one Spirit,' saith the Lord." (Kenneth Copeland, 'Believer's Voice of Victory,' Feb. 1987, p.9)
*** The Bible declares - Luke 11:2 - And he said unto them, When you pray, say, Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done, as in heaven, so on earth.
>>Copeland says - Jesus did not redeem us on the cross; "When Jesus said it was finished, He wasn't talking about redemption, redemption hadn't even started yet."
*** The Bible declares - John 19:30 - When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished ("tetelestai;" meaning “paid in full”) and he bowed his head, and gave up his spirit.
>>Copeland says - "Jesus went into hell to free mankind from the penalty of Adam's high treason...When HIS BLOOD POURED OUT IT DID NOT ATONE. Jesus spent three horrible days and nights in the bowels of this earth getting back for you and me our rights with God." (Ken Copeland, Personal letter from Ken Copeland, Ft. Worth Texas, March 12, 1979. (D. R. McConnell, A Different Gospel, page 118) Personal letter from Kenneth Copeland, F.W., Tx. March 12, 1979) They are saying Jesus bought our salvation in hell, not by shedding His blood. This concept is right out of E.W. Kenyon’s book, “From the Cross to the Throne”)
*** The Bible declares - Hebrews 9:22-28 - And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission. 1 Peter 1:19-20 - but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake.
>>Copeland says (and Creflo Dollar) - Jesus did not come as God; "Jesus Christ wasn't God and wasn't perfect."
*** The Bible declares - 1 John 4:2-3 - This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
>>Copeland says - Kenneth Copeland claims he could have died for your sins; “The Spirit of God spoke to me and He said, ‘Son, realize this. Now follow me in this and don’t let your tradition trip you up.’ He said, ‘Think this way—a twice-born man whipped Satan in his own domain.’ And I threw my Bible down … like that. I said, ‘What?’ He said, ‘A born-again man defeated Satan, the firstborn of many brethren defeated him.’ He said, ‘You are the very image, the very copy of that one.’ I said, ‘Well now you don’t mean, you couldn’t dare mean, that I could have done the same thing?’ He said, ‘Oh yeah, if you’d had the knowledge of the Word of God that He did, you could’ve done the same thing, ‘cause you’re a reborn man too.” (Substitution and Identification, 1989, tape #00-0202, side 2)
*** The Bible declares - 1 Timothy 2:5 - For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men--the testimony given in its proper time. Acts 4:11-12 - For Jesus is the one referred to in the Scriptures, where it says, 'The stone that you builders rejected has now become the cornerstone. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
>>Copeland says - "Now Peter said by exceeding great and precious promises you become partakers of the divine class. All right, are we gods? We are a class of gods!" (Kenneth Copeland, 'Praise The Lord' TV Show, Feb. 5, 1986)
*** The Bible declares - The apostle Peter said nothing about being partakers of a divine class or being a god of the divine class. In order for there to be a class of Gods, there must be more than one God. Since there is only one God, there is no divine class. The apostle Peter states that we become partakers of the divine nature, and not that we become the divine nature, which is something completely different. Kenneth Copeland deliberately misstates the Scripture in order to deceive his followers.
2 Peter 1:4 "For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust."
The apostle never says that Christians become divine or become gods. Christians are partakers of the divine nature in the same way that they are 'born again,' John 3:3, 1 Peter 1:23. are 'in Christ,' Romans 8:1, the Holy Spirit 'abides with you and will be in you,' John 14:17-23, and are 'a new creature,' 2 Corinthians 5:17. Nowhere in the Scripture is it stated that Christians will be gods.
The apostle Peter said nothing about being partakers of a divine class or being a god of the divine class. In order for there to be a class of Gods, there must be more than one God. Since there is only one God, there is no divine class. The apostle Peter states that we become partakers of the divine nature, and not that we become the divine nature, which is something completely different. Kenneth Copeland deliberately misstates the Scripture in order to deceive his followers.
Conclusion...
Kenneth Copeland is a false teacher and a heretic because:
1. He places himself in the position of God by claiming that he is a god. 2. He claims to have the same creative power as God - which he cannot demonstrate at any level. 3. He teaches the same claim that Satan made when he attempted to usurp the place of God. 4. He teaches the same message that Satan presented to Eve in the Garden of Eden. 5. He denies the deity of Jesus Christ. 6. He denies the uniqueness and power of the atonement by stating that he could have substituted for Jesus Christ and accomplished the atonement himself. 7. He gives false prophecies, demonstrating that he is a false prophet according to Deuteronomy 18:22.
And a few points of Copeland's claims of being a "little god."...
We have a choice; we can believe the Word of God, or the word of Copeland, they are not the same. Choose this day who you will follow; Copeland of Jesus!
ON THE CLAIM OF BEING "LITTLE GODS"...
I was just listening to Kenneth Copeland on YouTube attempting to claim that he is some kind of "god;" he and others in the "word of faith" movement like to call themselves "little gods." That's amazing considering the same group of false teachers claim that "Jesus wasn't God, Jesus didn't come as God, and Jesus never said he was God."
In Kenneth Copeland's case, he claims that Jesus told him that personally (so much for the authority of scripture). I call these words the four most dangerous words from Copeland; "Jesus said to me..." VERY dangerous and grounds for deception! Creflo Dollar, another false "word of faith" teacher, claims that "Jesus wasn't God" ...wait for it..."because He was asleep in the
boat" and that God never sleeps or slumbers, failing to realize that Jesus, besides being God, was also a man. Does Jesus having to eat, breath, rest, drink water, also make Him not God? Foolishness!!! He came as God (Christ), but also as a real human being born of a virgin women!
"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, THE MIGHTY GOD, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace."
When did He come as THE MIGHTY GOD? When He was born! "For unto us a child is born..." That child was THE MIGHTY GOD! "word of faith" false teaches claim that we are "little gods" by taking Psalms 82 WAY out of context, Jesus said to the Pharisees that they were liars, full of dead men's bones, hypocrites, and that they turn men into sons of hell; Jesus, in doing so (calling them "gods"), was rebuking them, NOT complimenting them. Jesus was quoting Psalms 82 at them and the Pharisees new full well what Jesus was saying. He was NOT giving them good news like..."hey, you wonderful guys are gods, cool, eh!" NOT HARDLY, it was a strong warning and rebuke! You can read about Jesus rebuking the Pharisees speaking from Psalm 82 in John 10:34 where Jesus says "Jesus answered them, "Is it not written in your Law, 'I have said you are "gods?" Being called a "god" is NOT always a good thing, satan is called the "god" of this world, not good! And being called "sons of the most high God" is not always good either; it doesn't mean said "god" has a righteous standing with the Lord. Remember "the "sons of God" came down and mated with the women of earth," this was evil and satan's attempt to destroy Adam's blood line the Savior would come through, and might have been a main reason for the flood. (Genesis 6:2) ...NOT a good thing. "Sons of God" sometimes just means "created directly by God," but it doesn't always mean that a "son of God" is righteous such as the angels or "sons of God" who fell and "lost their first estate." (Jude 1:6). We Christians, on the other hand, are "sons (and daughters) of the most High God" through and by Christ Jesus, because of the Blood of Christ, and being born again! We are born again as righteous sons of the Most High God our Father! That is a big difference! God has something to say to Kenneth and his buddies who loudly proclaim that they are "gods" ... “The ‘gods’ know nothing, they understand nothing...but you will die like mere mortals"... God openly mocks and rebukes people (in this case, leaders) who claim they are "gods" not to mention that God says He will have NO OTHER GODS BEFORE HIM, not little gods, medium gods, or Kenneth Copeland gods, NONE! And as Psalms 82 says... Psalm 82, A psalm of Asaph; 1 God presides in the great assembly; he renders judgment among the “gods”:
2 “How long will you defend the unjust and show partiality to the wicked?
3 Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed.
4 Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.
5 “The ‘gods’ know nothing, they understand nothing. They walk about in darkness; all the foundations of the earth are shaken.
6 “I said, ‘You are “gods”; you are all sons of the Most High.’
7 But you will die like mere mortals; you will fall like every other ruler.” 8 Rise up, O God, judge the earth, for all the nations are your inheritance.
Kenneth Copeland, you call yourself a “little god,” but GOD SAYS...
Ex 20:23 - You shall not make other gods besides Me; gods of silver or gods of gold, you shall not make for yourselves.
Ex 23:13 - Now concerning everything which I have said to you, be on your guard; and do not mention the name of other gods, nor let them be heard from your mouth.
Ex 20:3 - You shall have no other gods before Me.
De 5:7 - You shall have no other gods before Me.
Copyright 2013, Anthony Todd
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