Why I Believe this Todd Bentley, Fresh Fire "outpouring of the spirits" is not of God

When I first heard about the revival, via an email from a friend, about 4 days or so into the revival, I decided to check it out.

This was the video that made me definitely check out Todd Bentley.

I am a student of revival, and there were obvious things to me that seemed waaaay off in this video.

First, Todd tries to create an apostolic/revivalist/angelic succession. The angel, William Branham, etc. At this point, I had no clue who William Branham was, but I've heard revivals/outpourings speak about the revivalists of old before. You should look into William Branham for yourself, to see what Todd is claiming is on him now.

Then he tries the fire on a Kentucky lady. Unfortunately, not being a veteran of being in the "spirit" she didn't do the courtesy drop or manifestation. I'm sure that changed over time.

At 5 min or so, the fun begins. You know, if you don't understand, well then.....

"I told the Lord why can't I just move in healing and forget talking about all that other stuff?"
"Because, Todd, you have to get the people to believe in the angel."
"I said, God, why do I want people to believe in the angel? "
"Isn't it about getting people to believe in Jesus?"
"He said, the people already believe in Jesus, but the church doesn't believe in the supernatural."
This sounds like another Jesus to me, even when I watched it over and over again, trying to justify what I heard.

That drove me to check out his website, freshfire.ca. It's changed in the last few weeks, as you'll see from the "cleaning out the barn" link above.

There I found out the "revelation" that Todd has encounters with dead people.(I'm sorry, for you "prophetic" and "anointing" seekers, yes, it was supposedly a vision, not speaking to dead people. But in my experience, the conscious conversational interactions in a vision usually are with God, not something you see.)

There I found out that Paul AND Abraham wrote the Book of Hebrews.

There I learned that Todd has no problem with encounters, for he NEVER, EVER, EVER, relates in his teachings, videos, books, or audio that he has EVER TESTED THE SPIRITS.

And one has to ask, if Todd is not listening to and doing what the Bible says, "testing the spirits," what "spirit," according to all we know about the Bible, WHAT did Todd embrace, and continues to embrace?

As I watched videos of Todd at Toronto (pre-tattoos) you hear stuff like this:



Notice, as you look for yourself, check out Freshfire.ca, and his statement of faith there.

You gotta keep that "further revelation" open, yet although claiming they're substantiated by Scripture, as you read, learn, watch, and listen to the encounters, you'll see these "further revelations," equivalent to Scripture in their eyes, are far extra Biblical. (again, see cleaning out the barn)

I ran across some other websites, as listed to the right. On one, I came across this:(start at 3 min IMO, to get the context)
Anyway, around 3.55 in this video - you can fast forward to it - a girl comes forward. After some ministry from Bentley, Todd says: Could we pick her up, I’m not done messin’ with her yet? which is a very odd thing to say, even in jest, and then there is something even odder he says about a minute later - it is like really mocking tongues or mocking ministry - Blablahblahblahblah be drunk! Blah blah blah blah blah blah - he says - what on earth is that about?



You see, I regularly get questioned as to my salvation, whether I believe in the supernatural, what religion am I, when I'm in the chatroom for the revival, and I dare post something that questions the "god" of Todd.

I've been there, done that, bought the tshirt and have the video to prove it as far as the supernatural, and experiencing true Biblical repentance.

I do and can embrace the genuine. There is a difference, and you find that by knowing the real McCoy, as you study your Bible.

I've seen the genuine. I've prayed for, seen people healed, and been healed myself.

In fact, from the beginning of this "The Great Adventure" since I repented of my sins, and put my faith in Jesus Christ, I've seen God's Hand move mightily and have been a "God Chaser" myself, spending many weeks in revivals where God supposedly was blessing with an outpouring, staying "under the spout, where the glory comes out" as one "move" called it.

I've been to Charismatic, Pentecostal, and Fundamentalist churches, and can easily feel at home in any of the above, for they all are right, anointed, and following after God, if in balance with what Scripture Says/Teaches.

I've seen the devil in action on the missions field, and I've seen the overwhelming deception here at home, and see some of the things, compromise, that has got us here, to this.

Todd started as a cheap charlatan, but because he's "christian" we let all kinds of things slide.

I keep hearing people say things like look at what God is doing, keep your eyes on man, not God, and take in the meat, spit out the bones.

There is a basic problem with this. If you read a box's/bottle's ingredients label and it contains things poisonous/harmful to you, do you take in the good stuff, and hopefully aren't affected by the bad, before you spit it out?

As a friend of mine says, how many drops of poison does it take in your glass of water for you to realize you shouldn't drink it?

As you can see in this video, below, his "prophetic/word of knowledge" gift isn't.

There is lots of legitimate, researchable items of concern to anyone who is wondering about this "outpouring of the spirits" in Lakeland.

All it takes for you or I to find the Truth about Todd, Freshfire, the Kansas City Prophets(I'm not going to go into that one), Emma -O, 6 or 7 heavenly realms, Bob Jones, Paul Cain, Patricia King(I'm not going into those three in this post either), etc, is to do the research which is as easy as using a search engine on the internet.

See what the man teaches, does, says, and writes, and compare that to Scripture.

Some of this stuff is ridiculous. Some of it will make you cry for your brothers and sisters involved with this deception.

As you can see here, violence is how Todd's god heals some.


BTW, in the accounts of thousands of claimed healings in the past two months, why isn't there even one medically verified healing/miracle?

We(people who dare question anything about the revival and stand on the evidence) are demonized and told to not "touch 'god's' anointed" or that we're being "critical" or possibly that we are blaspheming the Holy Spirit, when we share the facts.

But personally, if I know my brothers and sisters are having a nice walk down a path, leading over a cliff, I will warn them.

Todd Bentley Florida Revival Links From End Times Prophetic

Tons of articles that you can research or use as a starting point for research about Todd

Are the challenges just fluff, or is there any validity to the messages?

I guess we will have to look at what these people say, compare them to what was said on the videos, taught in the teachings on freshfire.ca, and see what's in Todd's books/materials to see if there is validity to these concerns/challenges.

A Few Links From Let Us Reason Ministries

Todd Bentley “Meet the new thing- same as the old thing” “Will We get fooled again?”pt.1- Todd Bentley's pursuit of the supernatural

pt.2 To be Forewarned is to be Forearmed- How important is it to know the word to test supernatural experiences?

pt.3 A story of Earth and Heaven- Examining Bentleys experience of a pillar of light and his trip to heaven.

pt.4 When the Angel came- The Branham connection- Bentleys claim of the visiting angels revelation and power.

pt.5 The fire- Fresh Fire

Three Questions About The Todd Bentley Florida Outpouring Revival Meetings

\o/An excerpt from the website, Storm Harvest. You can find the entire article/discussion HERE .\o/

...Questions

1. Why are we calling this a revival?
The largest churches in the UK (such as Kensington International) draw more people every week than are turning up to Lakeland. The largest church in Nigeria (Faith Temple) draws three times that number! These churches win as many people to Christ each week as are being won at Lakeland. We do not call them revival because such a term implies that communities are being affected, towns are being changed, nations are being shaken. For a start, there are no credible evaluations of how many have been saved in Lakeland, Florida. Not from any of the main sources. We are now six or seven weeks in! There are estimates of how many people show up, and how many are falling down - but not of salvations?

2. Why have all the recent "revivals" which cause tourism take place in America?
Toronto, Smithton, Pensacola, Lakeland... thousands travelling to see it. Next week in a Northern Indian city there will be a baptism of 10,000 new converts, gathered in from hundreds of COC churches. In two weeks time there will be the confirmation of 8,000 new converts in a Pentecostal assembly in Uganda. It is estimated that 1,000 Iraqis are being converted a week now from Islam. Why don't we fly to those places - whose statistics are far more impressive than Lakeland?(For more information on revival tourism to those places watch this space!)

3. What has our Christianity become about?
Since when is the gospel centrally about a focus on angels, third heaven revelations, impartations and transferable blessings? Since when did Jesus die to make us rich, or to cancel debt we have accrued through the self focused spending we engage in here in the West? What happened to the simplicity of the gospel - repent, believe and be baptized?

We do not think the meetings in Lakeland will do much to make churches around the world look and act more like Jesus. The need for holy love, perfect oneness, release of the saints to ministry and completion of the great commission is not enflamed by enamel teeth or even miraculous healings. These tasks will remain long after Lakeland has become a set of archives in the YouTube history. Before you spend thousands of dollars going there, take a trip to the empty buildings at Pensacola, edifaces with a high debt and few people. Or perhaps go to Toronto and see a city that has successfully resisted God's presence in her midst these last twelve years.

An Apology To The Body

As I mentioned in this Email to the Churchwarnings website, I live in Lakeland, now about 25 min, across town, down Harden Rd, Right on Pipkin, and take another right to the Sun N Fun area where the revival is at.

Something totally not of God manifested itself in Polk County on the second April Fools Day this year, Apr 2nd.

First, I must say that we, as a community of believers have sinned and have not been the watchmen we should have been, as lots of this demonic oppression and infiltration of the church has been going on for several years, that I am aware of.

The overlooking of sin in the church by the pastors/leadership(some of them guilty themselves and still there), the condoning of extra-Biblical teachings(for example, outreaches making sure we don't mention Jesus as to not alienate the "seekers") and seeking after the supernatural(encounters, without any teachings about what's real and what is of the devil), all the while not discipling the sheep by teaching them the Word of God, so that they may be prepared, mature, and reaching the lost.

So in essence, this community of believers is guilty of allowing this thing to fester and now it seems the boil has popped and affected more of the Body of Christ.

For this I am personally repentant towards God, and my deceived brothers and sisters.

Why was I so stupid, and did not watch and pray, interceding for my community as well?

We don't learn by doing things right. We learn from mistakes.

I apologize to you, that you have to even hear about Lakeland, Todd Bentley, Stephen Strader, Ignited Church, or this supposed move of God.

Had we done our part as Christians here in Polk County, Lakeland, and at our church, we would not be having this discussion.

You have no idea how sorry I am, for what was unleashed upon the Body of Christ through our indifference and neglect.

The devil had his day. We will not let it happen again, and as we pray, and Glorify the One True God, and His Son Jesus, the devil's influence will wither away, and this thing will move on to another unsuspecting, ignorant/neglectful place.

So if I can ask of you, pray for our community, for the communities of those who have people coming here to get some of this spirit or spirits and take that, anointing as they are calling it, spirit/spirits home to affect their church and community.

If we do not prepare, warn, discern, pray, and act, when the real latter days deception comes, you and I may be part of the elect deceived, as well as millions of souls lost.

It's worth the cost. Pray, read and teach the Bible, make mature disciples, and engage in spiritual warfare.

There is precious little time to reach the lost, and to save some of our brothers and sisters, before Jesus' return.

Let's be about the Lord's work, not seeking signs and wonders, and letting our brothers/sisters get wrapped up in a false gospel, ending up in hell.

We do make a difference. And the nice thing about repentance is now we get to get up off of our faces and get to do His work.

That Sums This Outpouring in Lakeland Up Nicely.

I ran across this post on a forum today.\o/


Todd Bentley equals

1 Timothy 4:1 and Matthew 24:24

\o/That kinda sums it all up nicely, doesn't it?\o/

Well, Is It or Isn't It?

The Foursquare Church, Jack Hayford, President, Concerning “The Lakeland Revival”

So, is it real, in the Foursquare Church's opinion, or not? I guess we may never know.

...David Wilkerson in speaking about revival:

My recommendation? Get your own revival! You will find it in Isaiah 58:10-11. You need no airline ticket, no travel. I have found the springs of water that never fail!

"And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noon day: and the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not."

Revival Report

This was posted on Theology Today under the Title, Todd Bentley and the Florida Outpouring Part 6. It's a comment by someone who has spent lots of time at the services. \o/



I have attended this revival for many weeks. In fact, I have been there since the second night of Todd’s meetings (4/2/08), long before this became “revival”. Initially, I was so excited to see God move in such a mighty way. I was encouraging my pastor, several other pastors that I know, many friends and family members to “come and see what God is doing.” There were few times when I was uncomfortable with what was happening in the meetings, but I figured that I was just being critical and reminded myself that God’s ways are not my ways. I continued to support this revival, even after I heard my own pastor voice his concerns. I was quite vocal about these misgivings others had. I continued to defend Todd, God, etc., etc.

However, as time as passed, I have become increasing concerned about several things. First of all, I have worked in the medical field for over 20 years (in radiology). I have noticed that there have only been a very few “documented” miracles in comparison to the numbers that have claimed miracles. I am aware of at least two claims of healing that I believe to have possibly been real. There was the child with the elbow fracture and her x-rays. However, I would like to know the dates between the first set of x-rays and the 2nd, as healing, especially with very young children can be quite quick…especially if it was very mild fracture. Also, I would love to see the type of fracture, position, and the view (AP, lateral, etc.) of the second set of films. (Sometimes a particular view will not show the fracture that is actually there.) There was also a young man who testified one night (before TV/internet) about being healed from Hepatitis C, with the lab work to confirm. Again, with false positive/negatives that can happen with labs. I’d love to see what his actual lab values were and see a retesting to confirm. Although I do believe that this individual could very well have been healed, but because of how I’ve seen other things handled in this revival, I would just like to see more documentation.

Much of the “miracles” that I have seen over the weeks have been based more on what people believe that have happened, more than medically documented miracles. Many times over I have seen people with metal rods in their spine be “healed”. Todd will ask, what couldn’t you do, and usually has them bend over. This act of bending over is declared as a miracle. It is not. Most folks with metal rods in their back or neck CAN bend over, as these rods (Harrington rods) very seldom go the entire length of the spine. In fact, I have metal plates/screws in my neck and can bend my head from side to side and front to back. I remember one night when a woman with bulging discs in her neck came up to declare her healing. Todd felt along her spine and said “I don’t feel any bulging discs in your neck”, and then announced she had been healed. A disc bulge is something that you will NOT detected by running your hand up and down the spine. It is not something that can be physically palpated. Only imaging with MRI or CT would show the presence of disc bulges and if they were compressing nerve roots or affecting the spinal cord/spinal canal. I saw where this declaration of healing caused the room the go wild. My feeling is that if this is truly a bonafied healing…PRAISE GOD! But let’s confirm these miracles. That is what the world really needs to see! But alas, very few healings are actually being confirmed.

Secondly, my concern is the focus that has been placed on Angels, visitations, manifestations, etc. Although Jesus is mentioned throughout the night, though an altar call is given… far more emphasis is being placed on these other things than is actually being given to the Jesus and him crucified (as Paul would say). The cross, the resurrection, holiness, repentance, dying to the flesh, etc., are merely glossed over and not really preached. What is being given more time, more emphasis are these other “experiences”.

The atmosphere here has changed from the very first meetings…at least it seems to me. And as I said earlier, I have been at revival since April 3rd…the 2nd night Todd was here in Lakeland. Something is wrong and I am concerned. Somehow the gospel that saves and keeps is not being preached as it should. Jesus…not even the Holy Spirit… is to be focus. In the Gospel of John, it says the when the comforter (Holy Spirit) would come, it would not speak of himself, but of Jesus. My concern is growing. I think we need to really pray and ask for discernment. I’m all for revival. I am all for miracles. But is there another Jesus, another gospel that is being preached here?

\o/ My answer, as a person living in Lakeland, is yes.\o/

The Violent Word of God

Anybody Want A Piece Of Todd?

Quote From John McArthur

Sound, biblical doctrine is a necessary aspect of true wisdom and authentic faith. The attitude that scorns doctrine while elevating feelings or blind trust cannot legitimately be called faith at all, even if it masquerades as Christianity. It is actually an irrational form of unbelief.

—John MacArthur

The THUNDERING Song

The Thundering Song

Todd Testing The Spirits?

I recently ran into someone who said they had read all of Todd Bentley's books, and watch all of the revival services.

We had a nice cordial discussion about the revival.

I asked a simple question.

Have you ever heard Todd, in relating his many, many encounters with angels/spirits, say he tested them?

Naturally he continued with talking about the revival/Todd and ignored my statement.

After pointing out that he did not answer my question, finally, he had to admit, and stated, I don't know.

Hmmmm, so, another question, if Todd Bentley did not test the spirits from the first "encounter" but felt it was God, what did Todd embrace years ago?

Hmmmm.

Now, here's my question directed at you. If you have a supernatural encounter with a spirit that seems to be an angel, what should you do?

What's Happening To People?

{click for a better picture}You have all of these people, supposedly influenced by God, who have attended the revival services.

They act as if something is wrong with you, if you hear about the revival, do a little research on the "evangelist" and other speakers, and don't embrace the revival as if it were from God.

I keep on hearing "eat the meat but spit out the bones."

Well, when you read the product label, and the ingredients include things you know are poisonous to your soul, do you ingest the poison and hopefully spit it out?

Is the supposed good we are encouraged to partake of tainted by what we know is bad?

Do we buy that bad piece of meat, expecting to cut off the rotting parts when we get home?

Honestly, I'm sure there is lots of stuff in this revival that would be appealing to me, had I not checked out Todd Bentley for myself, did a little research on the internet to see what he teaches on his website, checked out a few of the Ustream.tv video clips from the meetings, and watched several meetings online myself in the first week.

But Scripture is clear: There will be false prophets who go out and will show great signs and wonders, and will even deceive the elect, if possible.


We're okay with someone saying, "look over in Missouri, God is there. Look, over in Texas, God is there. Look, over in wherever there is an outpouring of God, let's go." And we search the internet for cheap flights and hotels, to go and be with "God," take some of that "anointing" and bring it home.

But do we check out who is there, and what is going on, against the Bible, or do we just pack our bags?

The Bible is clear.

Are we going to ingest poison, or are we going to seek counsel, check our Bible to see if it is so, and research/pray before booking a flight?

Sadly, most don't know their Scriptures or have enough common sense to do some minuscule amount of research.

Discernment isn't needed when the ingredients list includes poison.