Regardless of your denominational affiliation or theological beliefs, please understand that this web page is not against you personally. This information is here to help you and encourage you to “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith” (II Cor. 13:5), “the faith of Jesus” (Rev. 14:12), “the Saviour of the world” (John 4:42), “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith” (Heb. 12:2). “But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” (Titus 3:4-7). “Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.” (Gal. 2:16). “But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.... For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.” (Gal. 3:22,26). “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Eph. 2:8,9). Please read the following with an open mind and let “the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge” speak to your heart (Eph. 3:19); “and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls” (James 1:21). “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD:” (Isa. 1:18) |
FAIR USE NOTICE: In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107 of the U.S. Copyright Law, this material is distributed without profit to those who are interested in studying such information for research and educational purposes. This material is made available for the purpose of advancing understanding of environmental, political, human rights, economic, democracy, scientific, and/or social justice issues, and constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material.
“BEWARE OF FALSE PROPHETS”
|
WILLIAM MARION BRANHAM:
New Testament Prophet or Occult Mystic?
Was William Branham a “true prophet of God” as he claimed? Or was he only one of the “many deceivers” that our Lord Jesus Christ warned his disciples about? This is a legitimate question that should be asked and must be answered because thousands of people are influenced to this day by Branham's teachings.
William Branham believed that an angel guided him throughout his life. William Branham's ministry was a result of this “angel's guidance”: this supposed “angel from heaven” would appear to him on more than one occasion (Gal. 1:8). A predominant characteristic of Branham's meetings was his near total fixation on the “presence” of this angel. Branham said, “I'm convinced that that very Spirit that you feel, the Holy Spirit that is moving in us, I'm convinced that that's Christ. Amen! I'm convinced that, right now, that This is what I'm looking at, this Circle of Light before me, I'm convinced that's the Holy Spirit! I'm convinced that vision is over my eyes! I know it is. Amen!” When asked if it was the Holy Spirit that did the supernatural signs and miracles in his meetings, Branham responded, “No, my angel does these things!” Branham said, “I believe that that same Angel anoints us, because It was God.” This is absolutely un-biblical. Jesus Christ's apostles were led by the Spirit of truth and the scriptures, not by an angel from heaven and a feeling. The apostle Paul warned, “But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.” (Gal. 1:6-9). “And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.” (II Cor. 11:14,15).
Some people might point to William Branham's ability to “slay people in the Spirit” as proof that he was a true prophet of God. But the only people who were “slain in the Spirit” in the New Testament were God's enemies. If we “try the spirits” and test this phenomena by the scriptures (I John 4:1; II Tim. 3:16), we will see that the only people who were “slain in the Spirit” were the soldiers and men who came to arrest Jesus; and Saul and his companions who were enemies of the Christian church; and Ananias and Sapphira who tempted the Spirit of the Lord and lied to God. The band of men and officers “went backward, and fell to the ground” when Jesus said unto them, “I am he” (John 18:3-6); and Saul (Paul) and those with him “were all fallen to the earth” when Jesus spoke to him before his conversion (Acts 26:14); and Ananias and Sapphira died as a result of being “slain in the Spirit” (Acts 5:1-10). Nowhere in the scriptures will you find an apostle or disciple of Jesus Christ being “slain in the Spirit” and convulsing uncontrollably, as witnessed in these modern-day so called healing revivals. When the apostle John saw Jesus Christ he “fell at his feet as dead” (Rev. 1:17). But note that John fell “as dead”, he did not fall down convulsing at Jesus' feet in some sort of ecstatic trance (John 18:3). Note also that before Paul (Saul) was converted he and they who journeyed with him to persecute the church “were all fallen to the earth” when Jesus spoke to him, but after his conversion neither Paul nor any of those whom he ministered to were “slain in the Spirit” falling to the ground in convulsions or ecstatic trances (Acts 26:14).
Some people might point to William Branham's ability to cast out devils and do many other wonderful works in Jesus' name. But consider what the Lord Jesus Christ himself said: “For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.” (Mark 13:22). Remember that even Judas Iscariot, whom Jesus called “a devil,” was given “power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.” (John 6:70; Matt. 10:1). Some people might point to William Branham's ability to prophesy in the name of the Lord Jesus and Branham's apparent ability to read minds and tell some people certain personal things in their life, an ability shared by many psychics and mediums, as proof that he was a true prophet of God. But hear what Jesus Christ said:
|
Jesus said that a “wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign”, and “Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe.” “And he sighed deeply in his spirit, and saith, Why doth this generation seek after a sign? verily I say unto you, There shall no sign be given unto this generation.” (Matt. 16:4; John 4:48; Mark 8:12). Jesus' apostles did not follow him because of the signs and wonders; they followed him because he faithfully preached the scriptuers: “Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.” (John 6:67,68). Paul said, “I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.” (Gal. 1:6,7). “But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.... For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.” (II Cor 11:3-13). “For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.” (Mark 13:22).
Many of William Branham's teachings revealed his delusional thinking. Branham taught that the Holy Bible (KJV) had errors and that God was giving him (Branham) the “correct” interpretation (the Bible calls this “private interpretation” II Peter 1:20). What better way to deceive people than to tell them that they don't really have the pure words of the Lord in our preserved English KJV Holy Bible (Psa. 12:6; Prov. 30:5). A common characteristic among all cults and deceivers and false religions is to explicitly or subtly move authority away from the Bible to another source (a man, a vision, a confirmation in the heart, a lexicon or some other book) in order to supersede the authority of the Holy Bible. From Genesis 3:1 in the garden of Eden where the serpent said, “Yea, hath God said . . ?”, to the present day cults whose leader's words overrule the written word of God, Satan's methods of deception – to cast doubt on the scriptures – have not changed. Notice that when the serpent first deceived man the temptation was not to be evil but to be good, to “be as gods” (Gen. 3:1-5). This is why almost all cult leaders and false prophets have a deity complex, to “be as gods”, to be “like the most High”, to be reverenced and feared by their followers (Isa. 14:14; III John 1:9).
William Branham also taught that the occult pyramids and the zodiac (Babylonian-Chaldean astrology which is condemned by God in the Bible Lev. 19:26; Deut. 18:10,11; II Kings 21:6; II Chron. 33:6; Isa. 47:13; Rom. 1:19-28) were reliable sources of God's word. (Incidentally, both Charles Taze Russell, founder of the Jehovah's Witness Organization, and William Branham's grave sites are adorned with occult pyramids.) The apostle Paul exhorted us to “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 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; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” (II Tim. 4:2-4). But “after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers”: the lusts referred to here are not only sexual lusts but also spiritual lusts — a lusting after power and control, to “exercise dominion” and “authority” over others — “Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?” (Matt. 20:25-27; James 4:5). Jesus talked about “the lusts of other things entering in” (Mark 4:19). So we know by the scriptures that not all lusts are sexual in nature. “So I gave them up unto their own hearts‘ lust: and they walked in their own counsels.” (Psa. 81:12; 78:18).
William Branham believed that he was God's “mouthpiece” and that God was using him in much the same way as the Old Testament prophets. However, the “mouthpiece of God” theology was not original to Branham. Joseph Smith, who founded the Mormon church in 1830, claimed repeated “revelations” from God. Smith's newly formed church was given a “revelation” from God to accept “his [Smith's] word . . . as if from mine own mouth, in patience and faith.” (Doctrine and Covenants, 21:5). But even Joseph Smith was not the originator of this myth, as other cult leaders, both before and after Smith, claimed this divine authority. In the latter part of the second century a self-appointed end time prophet named Montanus, founder of Montanism (who was a priest in a Phrygian mystery cult prior to his supposed conversion to Christianity), was subject to ecstatic trances and repeated revelations and viewed himself as the “mouthpiece” of God (Another Gospel, Tucker, pp.33,34). William Branham said, “Now, I'm just your brother, by the grace of God. But when the Angel of the Lord moves down, it becomes then a Voice of God to you... But I am God's Voice to you... Now, see, I can say nothing in myself. But what He shows me.” (William Branham, Footprints On The Sands Of Time, p. 214).
Donald Gee said that a “careful study of the New Testament will reveal that the Early Church NEVER placed utterances through their prophets on a level with the Scriptures. Note carefully the distinctive phrase used in 2 Peter 1:21 to describe the latter—‘prophecy of the Scripture.’ See again the decision of Acts xv.28, where the difficulty was NOT solved by reference to the accredited prophets present (Barnabas, Judas, Silas, etc.), but by reference to the Old Testament Scriptures. The infallibility of prophets in the Early Church is strictly denied (I Cor. xiv. 20). Does this emaciate our conception of the nature of Spiritual Gifts so as to make them of no more worth than ordinary natural endowments? Not in the least. They are still supernatural. They remain to this day the Divine-appointed manifestation of the Holy Spirit in and through the Church (see I Cor. xii. 7-11). They have their basis in a genuine inspiration, but that inspiration is not on a level with the inspiration of the Scriptures.” (Montanism, Donald Gee, 1928).
Even today some misguided modern-day “prophets” erroneously believe that they are God's “mouthpiece”. Though sincere in their beliefs, teaching that God speaks to us as “in time past... by the prophets” is both un-biblical and anti-biblical and leads to errors, delusions and false doctrines. “God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son” (Heb. 1:1-3). In the Old Testament, “in time past”, God spoke to his people “by the prophets” and by the scriptures written by the prophets. But in the New Testament, “in these last days”, God speaks to each and every one of his people “by his Son” “through the Holy Ghost” in each and every one of his people with the scriptures written by the apostles (Heb. 1:1-3; John 14:26; Acts 1:2; 10:44; 11:15; 15:8; II Tim. 3:15). “These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you.” exclaimed the apostle John, “But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.” (I John 2:26,27; John 14:26; Rom. 10:8; Psa. 119:99,100; Prov. 30:5,6; Deut. 4:2; Rev. 22:18,19). Second Timothy chapter 3 verse 16 tells us that “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:” God gave us his written words to keep us from deceiving ourselves and to keep us from being deceived by others.
“Have not I written to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge, That I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth; that thou mightest answer the words of truth to them that send unto thee?” (Proverbs 22:20,21)
“Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.” (Proverbs 30:5,6)
William Branham's teachings directly contradicted much of “that which is written” in the “holy scriptures” (I Cor. 4:6; II Tim. 3:15). Branham said, “I saw seven angels in the form of a pyramid that swept down, picked me up and was brought east to open the seven seals of God” (Commissioned by Seven Mighty Angels). But in contrast to Branham's teachings the apostle John said, “And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals. And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon. And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.” (Rev. 5:1-4). Verses five and nine tells us that the Lord Jesus Christ is the only one who is “worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof.” William Branham, the Branch Davidians and the Heaven's Gate cult all believed that they were chosen by God to “open the seven seals”. Thier teachings, which contradict the Holy Bible, were all from the same source – the father of lies (John 8:44). And other false doctrines being propagated by modern-day ‘seers’ and ‘prophets’ are the “secret rapture” and “the close of the Gentile Times”. To dispell the “secret rapture” theory the Bible assured us that when Christ returns (and there is only one return) “every eye shall see him” (Rev. 1:7). And as far as God “closing the door of grace” to the world, the Bible assured us “that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”, and Jesus himself assured us saying “I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” (Acts 2:21; Matt. 28:20). The “close of the Gentile Times” is not a new idea or new “revelation”; it is a false doctrine that various cults like the Jehovah's Witness organization and others have been teaching for over a hundred years (God's Kingdom of a Thousand Years Has Approached, Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, 1973, p. 330).
Jesus Christ and the apostles are our pattern and our example of the true New Testament church, for “us not to think of men above that which is written” (I Cor. 4:6). And the New Testament, “that which is written”, is the revelation of Jesus Christ. English physicist Michael Faraday (1791-1867) said, “The Christian who is taught by God (by His Word and Holy Spirit) finds his guide in the Word of God, and commits the keeping of his soul in the hands of God. He looks for no assurance beyond what the Word of God can give him.... The Christian religion is a revelation, and that revelation is the Word of God.” (America's God and Country Encyclopedia of Quotations, p. 232). But this simple truth of scripture is hidden from “them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight” (Isa. 5:21). Jesus said, “I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.”, babes in Christ (Matt. 11:25): “And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” (II Tim. 3:15). The apostle Paul said “to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think”, and “that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written” (Rom. 12:3; I Cor. 4:6). But instead of “understanding what the will of the Lord is” by trusting the Holy Bible and searching the “holy scriptures”, many are turning to man and leaning unto their “own understanding” (II Tim. 3:15; Eph. 5:17; Prov. 3:5). Instead of hearing, “what saith the scripture?” (Rom. 4:3) and “Search the scriptures” (John 5:39), we are hearing “What saith the man of God?” and “Search his latest book.” The phrase, “it is written”, referring to the scriptures, occurs sixty-three times in the New Testament. But instead of hearing, “It is written”, “It is written again” (Matt. 4:4,7; Acts 1:20; 7:42), we are hearing “Thus saith the LORD, etc., etc.” Many people are apparently unaware of the fact that the phrase, “Thus saith the LORD”, does not appear anywhere in the New Testament scriptures.
|
Numerous prophecies and predictions made by Branham did not come to pass. It is significant that Branham falsely predicted that America would be destroyed in 1977, given the fact that he was believed by many to be God's end-time prophet (The Seven Church Ages, p. 322). Mediums' and soothsayers' prophecies often fail, as did many of Branham's prophecies. The Holy Bible tells us that the hit and miss prophecies of Branham and other modern-day prophets are proof that “they are prophets of the deceit of their own heart” (Jer. 23:26). It is absolutely un-scriptural for anyone calling himself a prophet today to make even one false prophecy. There is not a single example in the entire New Testament of a prophet or apostle making a prophecy that failed to come to pass. Those who follow Branham's teachings today can take one or two New Testament scriptures out of context and twist them to fit their own beliefs, but they are only deceiving themselves and those who accept their private interpretations.
|
The gnostic teachings of Branham (serpent seed doctrine, etc.) and his acceptance of Freemasonry (a satanic occult organization) should have been a dead giveaway from the very beginning. “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.” (Eph. 5:11). Another occult aspect of Branham's meetings was his total dependence upon an angel when ministering to the people. Branham would always ask the people if they believed he was God's prophet. People had to first acknowledge that Branham was God's prophet before the angel would begin to perform supernatural manifestations. No true New Testament prophet or apostle ever did such a thing. The apostles of our Lord asked the people if they believed that Jesus Christ is the son of God and the savior of the world. Philip said to the Ethiopian eunuch, “If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” (Acts 8:37). The fact that Branham's angel guide granted certain supernatural signs, and the fact that some of Branham's prophecies did come to pass does not mean that he was a true prophet of God:
|
There is little doubt that William Branham was truly sincere in what he believed. But he made a deadly mistake in believing that his sincere heart would prevent him from being deceived: “He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool”, and “Cursed be the man that trusteth in man,” (Prov. 28:26; Jer. 17:5). Instead of trusting the scriptures, William Branham made the fateful decision to trust his own feelings. “Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.” (Matt. 22:29). “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they [the scriptures] are they which testify of me. And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.” (John 5:39,40). The following links are to web sites and articles exposing the un-biblical fallacies and the anti-biblical dangers of Branham's teachings:
“BROTHER” R. G. STAIR:
Prophet or Profit?
Fornication - Adultery - Lewdness - Lasciviousness - Filthy Lucre - Murder
“Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them.” (Luke 21:8; Matt. 24:5; Mark 13:6) |
For years many people have put their faith in radio “Evangelist” Ralph Stair and followed his guidance. Many of his former followers, people who knew him, people who were very close to him and knew the inner workings of his ministry have now come forward with extremely disturbing information regarding both his personal life and public ministry, The Overcomer Ministry. The Bible tells us that “In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.” (Matt. 18:16; II Cor. 13:1). According to court documents and a number of independent credible witnesses, Ralph Stair has in the past practiced murder in the form of abortion and continues to this day to practice lewd and lascivious behavior and deception for his own personal gain (filthy lucre - I Tim. 3:3,8; Titus 1:7,11; I Peter 5:2). Aside from his many false prophecies, in May 2002, Stair was arrested and charged with two counts of breach of trust, two counts of criminal sexual conduct, unlawful burying of a body without notice or inquiry and failure to get authorization for the removal of a dead body. The criminal sexual conduct charges included complaints of at least 70 incidents. Stair recently pled guilty to assault and battery for unlawfully touching former female members of his cult. The Lord Jesus Christ said, “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.” (Matt. 7:15); and, “Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.” (Matt. 24:4,5; Mark 13:5,6). (Photo-copy of Stair's YouTube page. Notice the blonde stripper on his "Recent Activity" and "Favorites". Stair's blonde stripper friend's video remained on his YouTube page "Favorites" for 4 weeks until he realized it was visible to the public and promptly deleted it.)
|
The Lord said, “Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known. Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.” (Luke 12:1,2,3). The Bible says that “the children of Israel did secretly those things that were not right against the LORD their God” (II Kings 17:9). Many people have had their eyes opened to the truth about this man, “Brother” Stair. Unfortunately, many people are still following him, not knowing what this man is all about. The following links are to web sites and articles exposing the deception of a modern day “Prophet” of God, Ralph G. Stair:
Remnants Of Hope Ministry
http://www.remnantshope.com/rgstair.html
False Prophet, Brother Stair Exposed
http://messiahsbranch.org/art_brother_stair.htm
The Arresting Behavior Of Brother Stair
http://www.christianmediaresearch.com/stair-01.html
False Prophet Brother R. G. Stair
http://www.webspawner.com/users/stairfalse/
False Prophecies of Brother R.G. Stair
http://www.thenetteam.net/failed.html
Stair Ordered To Pay Former Members $731,679
http://www.thenetteam.net/index.html
R. G. Stair Arrested
http://www.religionnewsblog.com/19102/rg-stair
R. G. Stair Arrested: The Video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZFU06BGnPg
Overcomers Ministry, R.G. Stair
http://www.rickross.com/groups/rgstair.html
Overcomer Ministries Misled Its Flock
http://www.religionnewsblog.com/19101/overcomer-ministries-misled-its-flock-says-collection-county-jury"
R. G. "Brother" Stair Overcomer Ministry Exposed
http://www.isitso.org/guide/stair.html
Religious Commune Leader Pleads Guilty in Fondling Case
http://www.religionnewsblog.com/9570/religious-commune-leader-pleads-guilty-in-fondling-case
Ralph G. "Brother" Stair
http://www.nationmaster.com/encyclopedia/Brother-Stair
R.G. Stair, the False Prophet
http://home.bellsouth.net/p/s/community.dll?ep=16&groupid=26396&ck=
The Truth about False Prophet Ralph Stair
http://prophecy.sinfree.net/stair/stair.htm
The Book R.G. Stair Does Not Want The World To See
http://prophecy.sinfree.net/stair/cult_diary/diaryindex.htm
"Brother" R.G. Stair - False Prophecies of a False Prophet
http://www.watchman.org/cults/endtime.htm
Prophet Stair, What has become of you?
http://www.radionewjerusalem.com/archive2/stair.htm
From Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brother_Stair
Answer:
They all teach (taught) that they are (were) God's “anointed”, or “representative”, or “mouthpiece”, and that you cannot fully trust nor believe the Holy Bible; and that you must put your faith in their words, theologies, traditions, customs and rituals in order to please God and have everlasting life.
“Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known.” (Luke 12:1,2) |
We are told in the scriptures to “believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.” (1 John 4:1). “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:” (2 Tim. 3:16). “To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word [the scriptures], it is because there is no light in them.” (Isa. 8:20). This is a testimony of my personal experiences with David Terrell and his ministry. It is not my intention to offend or demean anyone. The purpose of this letter is to bring to light the truth concerning the teachings of David Terrell, in the hope that he and his followers will be set free from erroneous beliefs and teachings, and that others might avoid making the same mistakes that I made. David Terrell is a sincere but proud man who, from early on in his life, has strayed farther and farther away from the simplicity of the Gospel, and it is my hope, my prayer, that he will see and acknowledge and turn from the error of his ways. Having been under this man's ministry for many years, even co-pastoring one of his New Testament Holiness Churches for a time, I can't help but feel a certain amount of sorrow and empathy for him, and I continue to pray for the Lord to open his eyes. I love Bro. Terrell's soul, and I pray for God's mercy and grace to be on him and on all my brothers and sisters in Christ. Supporters of Bro. Terrell are urged to read my entire testimony and examine it according to the scriptures in the Holy Bible before rejecting it or condemning me as a heretic who has backslidden from the "true Jesus ministry." The scriptures tell us that “it is folly and shame unto him” “that answereth a matter before he heareth it” (Prov. 18:13). The scriptures tell us to take heed that no man deceive us and to beware of false prophets and to try the spirits using the written word of God as our first and final authority (Matt. 7:15; 24:4,5; 2 Tim. 3:16; 4:1-4).
Some members of my family followed David Terrell for many years. As far back as the 1960's some of my best friends were close acquaintances of David Terrell. I was personally introduced to David Terrell in the 1970's and traveled across the country to fellowship with him for many years. My family and I continued to follow him for a long time – more than 20 years – but as we witnessed one failed prophecy after another, not just minor ones but many major ones, and as we witnessed his teachings becoming more and more contradictory to the Bible, for example,
we could no longer follow his unscriptural teachings. (Read the book Holy Ghost Girl: A Memoir by Donna M. Johnson, David Terrell's "stepdaughter." Donna corroborates many of these facts in her book.)
1 -
Terrell believes that his own good works of fasting and praying has made his heart pure, and has publicly stated this, "I'm without sin like Jesus." and "Everything I do is holy!", whereas the Bible teaches just the opposite - “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” 1 John 1:8, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Eph. 2:8,8, “Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? not one.” Job 14:4, “we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags;” Isa. 64:6;
2 -
Terrell was and still is teaching that his own shed blood (Terrell's shed blood, after instructing his followers to beat him with a belt) turned away God's wrath from sinners, whereas the Bible teaches that Jesus Christ's shed blood, and Jesus Christ's shed blood ALONE, is what turned away God's wrath from sinners - “being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.” Rom. 5:9, “Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.” 1 Thess. 1:10, “no man in heaven, nor in earth...was found worthy.... Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.” Rev. 5:3,4,12 --Jesus “by himself purged our sins” “after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever” Heb. 1:3; 10:12 (Terrell's "sacrificial beating" is not unlike what the Roman Catholic church does - denying Jesus Christ's finished work on the cross by substituting their own sacrifice for sin - “this is that spirit of antichrist” “that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh” 1 John 4:3; 2 John 1:7). Under the new covenant “there is no more offering for sin.” Heb. 10:18; we now “offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.” Heb. 13:15; and the life of self-denial and love towards our fellow man that Christ instructs his followers to obey, to “present your bodies a living sacrifice” is “to lay down our lives for the brethren” by performing acts of true Christian charity Luke 9:23; John 15:12; Rom. 12:1; 1 John 3:16, “for charity [not some bizarre ritual or self-imposed punishment] shall cover the multitude of sins.” 1 Peter 4:8. “Now the end of the commandment is charity” 1 Tim. 1:5; “charity, which is the bond of perfectness.” Col. 3:14;
3 -
Terrell believes that he is "God's mouthpiece" and is "standing in the gap" as a sort of "mediator" between God and his people, whereas the Bible teaches just the opposite - “God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son” through His inspired, pure, preserved written word in the Bible Heb. 1:1,2; 2 Tim. 3:16; Psa. 12:6,7; Prov. 30:5,6, and under the new covenant every believer is now a “man of God” with direct and equal access to God 1 Tim. 6:11; 2 Tim. 3:17; and Jesus Christ is the only mediator, high priest and prophet who can “stand in the gap” for God's people Acts 3:22; 1 Tim. 2:5; Rom. 8:26,27,34; Heb. 4:14, “seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.” Heb. 7:25; Christ is entered “into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:” Heb. 9:24; “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” Heb. 4:16;
4 -
Terrell was and still is teaching that every believer has the same gifts of the Spirit to “work miracles” and “heal the sick” and “speak with tongues”, whereas the Bible teaches just the opposite - “are all workers of miracles? Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues?” 1 Cor. 12:29,30; “For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:” Rom. 12:4; “Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us,” Rom. 12:6;
5 -
not to mention the Money Buckets placed at the front of the platform during Terrell's services and the Money Aprons regularly worn around his waist while urging and threatening his followers to place their money into the Buckets and Aprons or else they will come under the penalty of the most severe judgments of God, they and their poor family members for "robbing God"), whereas the Bible teaches just the opposite - the money intrusted to church leaders in the Bible was not used to buy themselves fancy designer clothes, expensive chariots, and luxury homes; church leaders in the Bible took the money that was intrusted to them and they distributed the money to every poor and needy Christians throughout the land: “Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, And laid them down at the apostles’ feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.” Acts 4:34,35; 2:44 (nowhere in the entire New Testament, which is God's new covenant with man, do we find Christians being instructed to "prove God" by giving money to an apostle or prophet “supposing that gain is godliness” 1 Tim. 6:5; in fact this is what the devil tempted Jesus with - worldly wealth Matt. 4:8,9; 6:24),
My experience with David Terrell was typical of what many of my family and friends experienced with “the man of God.” I had gone through many difficult times in my life, and had felt betrayed by some of the closest people around me. I felt, at times, that even God had let me down. I was raised as a Roman Catholic “Christian.” I remained a loyal follower of that church for the first two decades of my life, the church that I was made a member of in infancy, without my knowledge or consent, and without the exercise of my reason or judgment. But when I became a young adult and began examining my church's teachings with an unbiased open mind, I soon realized that the church I learned to trust in, was in fact another mind-controlling cult of the world. It was only a few years before these events occurred that I began to experience many hardships and let-downs, and I began to call out to God with my whole heart for him to reveal himself to me, which he would soon do in a glorious manner as he opened my understanding to the scriptures and filled me with his Holy Spirit. But before God would allow me to know who he was, he allowed me to know who he was not, as I went down one spiritual path after another that only led me away from the straight and narrow way. God would try my heart to see if I would keep his truth, his word, or if I was just looking for another way to justify myself. This is when I was told by friends that I needed to go see “the preacher” who was supposed to be different from all the rest. I was reassured by friends that the Lord “visited” him and gave him the “revelation” of Jesus Christ. I soon had an opportunity to attend one of his tent revivals. I went and was persuaded to go through his “prayer line” (James 5:14), where the atmosphere was quite ecstatic and people's emotions were out of control. I remember that an emotional feeling came over me that caused me to feel that this must be of God (Prov. 16:25; 28:26). I felt “love.” I felt like I was on “cloud nine.”
Only a few weeks prior to my first experience at Terrell's tent revival, I had repented of my sins and believed on the Lord Jesus Christ and started reading the Holy Bible every day. When I repented and forsook my sins and placed my total trust in the finished sacrifice of Jesus Christ's death on the cross for my sins, the Lord saved me by grace through faith, not by works of righteousness which I have done, but according to his mercy he saved me, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost, Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever (I was also baptized by submersion in water Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 8:12-17,38; 10:44-48) (Eph. 2:8,9; Titus 3:5; 1 Pet. 1:23).
Certain family and friends, however, told me that I needed more to “be saved”, that I needed a “personal experience” with God, and that I really needed to go see this “true prophet.” So off I went. Although I had only a limited knowledge of the scriptures, and some of the things that I witnessed under the tent that night seemed to agree with what I was reading in the Bible, other things that I witnessed under the tent that night absolutely did not agree with what I was reading in the Bible. Nevertheless, being reassured by close friends and family, who were there with me that night, that this was “God's work,” I thought, “OK, surely something that feels this good must be of God.” (2 Cor. 11:14,15; Jer. 17:9; Prov. 16:25; 28:26)
In what context was I to interpret these "great signs and wonders" and spiritual experiences? I was told by David Terrell and his followers to trust what I was feeling and to trust their explanation of it. So, that's what I did, I trusted their interpretations and allowed my own personal feelings to interpret these things, rather than allow the plain revealed written words of the Lord in the scriptures to show me what some of these spiritual experiences really were — “For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.” (Matt. 24:24); “Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,” (2 Thess. 2:9); we are warned about those who preach “another Jesus” of “another spirit....For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness;” (2 Cor. 11:4,13,14,15; Gal. 1:6-9).
I'm not saying that the Spirit of God was not at times moving in the lives of some of the people who attended these revivals. In certain situations God may choose to move in the life of a person regardless of the surrounding atmosphere (though always in accordance with his word - the Bible). Why, once God even used a dumb ass to speak to man (Numbers 22:28). Someone said, "But prophet Terrell told me personal things about myself that only God could know." Remember, the Bible says that Satan is “the prince of the power of the air,” “going to and fro in the earth...walking up and down in it,” and that he is “the god of this world” (“which deceiveth the whole world”), and as such he would no doubt be privy to some of our "secrets" (Job 1:7; 2 Cor. 4:4; Eph. 2:2; Rev. 12:9). The Christian King, James I of England, warned us about “that old and crafty Serpent, being a spirit, he easily spies our affections, and so conforms himself thereto, to deceive us to our wreck.” (Daemonologie, James Rx, 1597, Chapter 2, Page 9).
We are warned by God to not trust our own feelings and experiences because “The heart is deceitful above all things” and “He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool:” for “There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” (Jer. 17:9; Prov. 16:25; 28:26). We are to “try the spirits whether they are of God” by using only the written word of God in the Bible which is given to us for “doctrine,” “reproof,” “instruction” and “correction” (1 John 4:1; 2 Tim. 3:16). The Lord said, “Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures,” and “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge:” (Matt. 22:29; Hosea 4:6). Jesus said, “If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:31,32). He said, “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” (John 17:17). It is Jesus' word, not an ecstatic spiritual experience, that will make us free. The prophet Jeremiah said, “thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart” (Jer. 15:16). The believers in Berea “searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” (Acts 17:11). God had Philip use the scriptures to persuade the Ethiopian eunuch of the truth, and after the eunuch believed and was baptized “he went on his way rejoicing” (Acts 8:34-39), not uncontrollably speaking in tongues for days or uncontrollably convulsing under the anointing. Believers are exhorted to “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:” and believers are not to be “ignorant of his devices.” (1 Pet. 5:8; 2 Cor. 2:11). As for these ecstatic experiences of being "slain in the Spirit," or being in a sort of daze or out-of-body experience "caught up in the Spirit," the Bible tells us that in the New Testament dispensation the only people to fall down before an apostle or prophet under God's anointing were those who incurred God's anger (John 18:4-6; Acts 5:9), and that when believers were touched by the power of God they were coherent, sober and in their right minds (Mark 5:15; Luke 1:41,42,67-79; Acts 2; 3:8,9; 4:31).
As I continued to follow the Lord and read the Bible daily with a humble and contrite heart, desiring the sincere milk of the word, the Lord fed me with the pure words of his mouth straight from the scriptures. The Spirit of truth began to guide me into all truth, and God increased my knowledge of the scriptures and showed me that the New Testament is the completed revelation of Jesus Christ (Isa. 57:15; Luke 4:4; John 16:13; Rom. 16:25; 1 Pet. 2:2; 5:6). And as I continued to follow David Terrell, I began to see more of the things that he was teaching being contradictory to the Bible. He began to teach that God had more words to reveal to his people than what was recorded in the Bible. He began to teach that the Bible had numerous mistakes in it.
I want to make it perfectly clear, that despite David Terrell's many erroneous teachings, some of the things he was preaching was Biblical, which I'm sure is part of what appealed to many people. Unfortunately, when someone does not know the scriptures well enough to discern true Christian doctrines from false ones, there is a great danger of falling into one erroneous belief after another. The apostle Paul said, “Let no man deceive himself.” (1 Cor. 3:18). In his pride, Lucifer, who is also called “the great dragon,” “that old serpent,” “the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world,” said, “I will be like the most High.” (Isa. 14:14; Rev. 12:9). According to the scriptures Satan's proud ambition is being fulfilled as he continues to deceive man on a daily basis by masquerading as an angel of light (2 Cor. 11:13,14,15). I had to consider, in accordance with the scriptures, the distinct probability that the Jesus who appeared to David Terrell in 1967 might not have been the Jesus of the Bible, but might well have been “another Jesus” of “another spirit” of “another gospel,” probably from the same source as Joseph Smith's "angelic visitation" and William Branham's "spirit guide" (2 Cor. 11:3,4,13,14,15; Gal. 1:6-9). Is this part of the strong delusion the Bible speaks of: “And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:” (2 Thess. 2:11)?
From the beginning when Satan first deceived man, the temptation was not for man to do evil perse, but to do good, to “be as gods,” to doubt God's word and decide for themselves what is “good and evil,” “every man whatsoever is right in his own eyes.” (Gen 3:5; Deut. 12:8). This is when sin entered into the world (“by one man” Rom.5:12) and Satan became “the god of this world” and man became egotistical and his “understanding darkened” and his heart “deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked” (Jer. 17:9; Eph. 4:18; 2 Cor. 4:4). It is always a mistake to trust any other source and leave the safety of God's word (the Holy Bible - God's completed revelation of himself and his will) to instruct and correct us. The characteristic of every false prophet or false religious leader (Mormonism, Roman Catholicism, Freemasonry, etc.) is to take the place of God in one respect or another, to be looked up to and bowed down to by his fellow man, to even “be as gods” (Gen 3:5).
David Terrell may have been genuinely sincere, but there is a difference between sincerity and humility, and a difference between solemnity and truth. If we are to assume that David Terrell started out with a true humble heart to help God's people, then it is only fair to conclude that, little by little, true humility and faith in God's written revealed words in the Bible gave way to false confidence and trust in his own personal experiences and beliefs, forgetting that while God can use a man to speak truth one moment, Satan can use the same man to speak falsehood a moment later (Matt. 16:16,17,22,23). His repeated claims of visitations and revelations gave both he and his followers an exalted view of himself, and he began to lord over God's heritage, demanding more and more obedience and honor and fear from his followers - see these two videos: fear video 1 - fear video 2. Terrell would make dozens, sometimes hundreds, of prophecies a week - most of which would fail to come to pass (Deut. 18:21,22; Prov. 30:5,6; I Cor. 14:37; Heb. 1:1,2; I John 2:26,27; Rev. 22:18,19). While David Terrell told his followers to judge him according to the scriptures, what he actually meant was that his followers were to judge him according to his interpretation of the scriptures (these are the same tactics used by the Roman Catholic church and other cults to seduce their followers). This, of course, meant that David Terrell's followers were using Terrell's words to judge the scriptures instead of using the scriptures to judge David Terrell.
The more I read the scriptures, the more I began to cry out to God; for something was seriously amiss. I prayed, “Lord, something is terribly wrong with either the Bible or the prophet.” As I continued to faithfully read my Bible and to grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, the Lord opened my understanding that I might understand the scriptures. I began to see more and more scriptures testifying to the preservation of God's words, where God himself promised to preserve every one of his pure words (Psa. 12:6,7; Prov. 30:5,6). I began to see more and more contradictions, not in the Bible, but in “the prophet.” And while I do believe that it was God who touched me in a special way under the tent that night, I had to humble my heart and eventually come to the sobering realization that some of the emotional feelings that I had experienced that night were no different than the emotional feelings experienced by the Mormon, Muslim or Hare Krishna convert. The Lord's love and mercy is not just about emotions and good feelings, it is about understanding and reasoning: “The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.” (Psa. 119:130); “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD” (Isaiah 1:18). I had to humble my heart and admit that I was just as vulnerable as anyone else when it comes to being deceived, and remember that the scriptures are our only infallible ruler to measure such things.
My only reason for writing these comments is to warn people and urge them to know the scriptures and to beware and take heed that no man deceive you, because as our Lord said, “For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.... For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.” (Matt. 24:5,24)
When Jesus said, “It is written,” “it is written,” and “It is written again,” (Matt. 4:4,6,7), these are the words that Jesus said shall not pass away. “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.” (Matt. 24:35). It is the written word that will judge every person who rejects it or who places man's word above it. God's “engrafted word” (engrafted means written) (James 1:21), “the same shall judge him in the last day.” (John 12:48).
When Terrell says that you owe him “fear to whom fear is due” because his mouth is the “mouthpiece of God,” Terrell is putting his own words equal to or above the scriptures. Terrell does not believe that God's words are pure and that God preserved them forever, so he teaches people that they must put their trust in his own words, Terrell's words, in order to “know God's will”. But be assured and forewarned that Jesus' spoken words, the scriptures written in the Holy Bible, will judge Terrell and all who place it second to any man's word - “the same shall judge him in the last day.” (John 12:48).
The scriptures plainly show that “when a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass,” that he is not entitled to honor any longer and we are not to fear that prophet - “that is the thing which the LORD hath not spoken... thou shalt not be afraid of him.”(Deut. 18:21,22)
Terrell prophesied back in the 1960's after receiving a court order to turn the speaker volume down on his P.A. system that "Whoever signed this...will be dead within the month....That's thus saith the Lord." This prophecy failed to come to pass, as the judge survived.For anyone calling himself a prophet today to make even one false prophecy is absolutely un-scriptural. There is not a single example in the entire New Testament of a prophet or apostle making a prophecy that failed to come to pass. Terrell and his followers can take one or two New Testament scriptures out of context and twist them to fit their own beliefs, but they are only deceiving themselves and those who accept their private interpretations. Many more of Terrell's prophecies, too numerous to list, have failed. “THOU SHALT NOT BE AFRAID OF HIM.” (Deut. 18:21,22)
Terrell prophesied that Richard Nixon would commit suicide in the 1970's over the Watergate scandal, and that due to public outrage over Watergate Nixon's funeral would not even be televised by the national news media. It didn't come to pass.
Terrell prophesied right after Pope John Paul I died in 1978 that Pope John Paul II would die in less than a year from taking office. It didn't come to pass.
Terrell prophesied back in 1990 after Iraqi troops invaded Kuwait that the United States of America would not be involved in a war with Iraq in 1991. This prophecy also failed to come to pass, as Operation Desert Storm began on 16 January 1991.
Terrell prophesied back in the 1990's that the planet Mars would explode by the year 2000. It didn't come to pass.
When signs follow a prophet who is teaching things contrary to the scriptures, that prophet is to be neither feared nor followed. If a certain percent of prophecies of a purported prophet come to pass, this is not proof that he is a true prophet of God. God allowed false prophets to thrive in the Old Testament to try His people. And God allows false prophets to thrive in the New Testament to try His people. Remember God's warning:
|
David Terrell often uses a so-called “anointed staff” which he parades up and down the platform when preaching to impress his audience of his importance as a great prophet of God. But is there any example of a New Testament prophet using a staff such as was used by prophets in the Old Testament? NO, not one example in the entire New Testament. Contrary to the teachings of our Savior, who said that “the Spirit of truth....shall glorify me:” meaning Jesus Christ (John 16:13,14), Terrell often speaks of his own ministry and places undue emphasis on his own “calling” and “prophetic” office (“Great Father...let this be a sign...if I be your Prophet!” “Great God...let this be a sign...if I be your Prophet!”). This is un-Biblical because the Holy Ghost glorifies Jesus Christ ALONE. The Spirit of truth glorifies the Lord Jesus Christ. He does not glorify apostles or prophets.
Some people talk of David Terrell's “anointing” and his “miracles” as proof that he is a true prophet of God. But remember that even Judas the betrayer of Jesus did miracles: “Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.” (Luke 9:1). To discourage any critical judgment of Terrell, he and his followers point to these Old Testament scriptures, “Touch not mine anointed,” (1 Chron, 16:22; Psa. 105:15). But if those O.T. scriptures are to be applied to Terrell, then these O.T. scriptures must also be applied to him, “But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak...even that prophet shall die.” (Deut. 18:20), “that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams, shall be put to death;” (Deut. 13:5) (recall Terrell's numerous failed prophecies mentioned above).
The following information sheds light on David Terrell's character and should be helpful to anyone interested in knowing the truth about this "man of God." This very important information, obtained from reliable sources, reveals some disturbing facts about this man:
-- While preaching holiness on the revival circuit, David Terrell routinely committed adultery and fornication with numerous women, even fathering several children out of wedlock, and deceived his followers on a regular basis, often taking money from the poor while he himself was living like a king owning multiple expensive homes, automobiles, a private jet, etc. (read the book Holy Ghost Girl: A Memoir by Donna M. Johnson (David Terrell's "stepdaughter"); listen to the Radio Interview with Donna Johnson);
-- David Terrell repeatedly told his followers that he didn't want Vivian Varnum's estate (valued at over $400,000) after she died on July 5, 1982. Court records reveal that Terrell lied to his followers (read http://www.leagle.com/decision/1984991681SW2d310_1990);
-- Bro. David H. Terrell a/k/a Daniel H. Ford was Convicted of tax fraud and served time in a Federal Prison (read http://www.leagle.com/decision/19851893754F2d1139_11698) (Bro. Barron, pastor of Bro. Terrell's Bangs, Texas church, committed perjury at Terrell's urging and was also Convicted -- see Franklin E. Barron Convicted of Perjury.) (For more of Terrell's false prophecies and un-biblical tirades, see Border Radio, © 2002, pages 318 & 319.)
In the fourth chapter of her book, "Holy Ghost Girl: A Memoir," Donna Johnson tells of the time when she and two of David Terrell's other children accidentally set fire to a barn, and when Terrell found out about the fire he whipped them all with a belt. That night under the tent where he was holding a revival, Terrell used the three children by calling them up to the platform and publicly apologizing to them in front of the audience, Terrell crying and saying how sorry he was for whipping the kids, and saying how "The Bible says confession is good for the soul, amen?" If Terrell was honestly repenting of his sins, and not just using this incident as a ploy to further manipulate his followers, then he surely would have used this same technique to publicly confess his many ongoing adulterous affairs and other sins. In 2nd Samuel 12, God sent a true prophet, Nathan, to King David to expose his sin and get him to repent. King David confessed his sin publicly, and he no longer continued in it. And in the New Testament also, when Peter began to live as a hypocrite God sent Paul to openly rebuke him, and we know that Peter received this rebuke and repented because there is no other account of Peter repeating this offence (Galatians 2:11-14). But unlike Peter who received correction, and unlike King David who openly repented, Terrell continued to live in sin as a hypocrite, a liar and a fornicator/adulterer while telling others they were going to hell for committing these sins.
The apostle Paul said, “Be not deceived: neither fornicators...nor adulterers...shall inherit the kingdom of God.” (1 Cor. 6:9,10). Jesus said, “Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known.” (Luke 12:1,2). For most of his life David Terrell lived a double life, a life of cheating, stealing and deceiving people for his own perverted, selfish and egotistical reasons, while at the same time preaching to others about the practically unpardonable sin of "not giving money to God." And he is still living in denial by refusing to publicly apologize for the many egregious sins committed against his followers, as he continues to exempt himself from God's justice. Terrell brought pain and shame to multitudes of people. He brought pain and shame to his wife who had to look these other women in the face night after night. He brought pain and shame to the women who thought they were the only ones he actually loved and that he was leaving his wife for them. He brought pain and shame to the very Jesus he preached about and hung him on the cross over and over, crucifying the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame (Heb. 6:6). Terrell brought reproach after reproach upon the church and has done more to hurt the cause of true Christianity than he would ever likely admit (scriptures showing why David Terrell should publicly repent -- he misused money publicly received, he lied publicly, his adultery/fornication produced offspring which then involved others in addition to his mistresses, etc. - Click Here).
In His word, God says “to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think;" and to "Provide things honest in the sight of all men.” (Rom. 12:3,4). God's word says that “the man of God" is to be "an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.” (1 Tim. 4:12; 2 Tim.3:17). God says to him that would oversee His people that he “must be blameless, the husband of one wife,..of good behaviour,...One that ruleth well his own house,..(For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)...Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued,...And let these also first be proved;...” (1 Tim. 3:2-10). “For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled,..For there are many...deceivers,..Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake.” (Titus 1:7-11). We are warned that “in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters,..incontinent,..lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof [the power of godliness is to live a life "denying ungodliness and worldly lusts," and to "live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;" (Titus 2:12)]: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth....But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men,” (2 Tim. 3:1-9). It seems clear that David Terrell fails to meet the requirements and qualifications of a true New Testament apostle/prophet. I'm not calling him a false prophet, but we must remember to judge according to the scriptures.
Many God fearing men and women tried to warn people that Terrell was leading them down a slippery slope, but Terrell and those benefiting from his ministry blacklisted anyone who dared to speak out against him. Without going into any of the details of Terrell's personal unscrupulous moral escapades, I will only say this: many of Terrell's followers lived much holier lives than did Terrell himself. Many people, including Bro. Barron, Bro. Hamby, and others who were intimately involved with Terrell and his ministry can corroborate these and other disturbing facts.
It is my earnest prayer that David Terrell's followers will not be offended at anything said in this seemingly harsh but truthful and timely testimony, and that they will humble their heart, as I did, and allow God to deliver them from “every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive” (Eph. 4:14), and repent and place their total faith and confidence in God's revealed written word in the Holy Bible and in the finished sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross.
Most sincerely, in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord and only Saviour,
A fellowcitizen with the saints and of the household of God,
Bro. Terry
Read the book Holy Ghost Girl: A Memoir by Donna M. Johnson, a revealing expose on David Terrell's life and ministry. A must read! Order the book Here, or Preview the book Here.To hear a radio interview with Donna M. Johnson with host Teresa Miller -Click Here.
To hear a radio interview with Donna M. Johnson with host David Lewis -Click Here.
A review of Donna Johnson's book on amazon.com written by an ex-follower of David Terrell -Click Here.
Video showing how David Terrell uses fear to intimidate and manipulate his followers -Click Here.
Another video showing how David Terrell uses fear to intimidate and manipulate his followers -Click Here.
More first-hand testimony exposing David Terrell and his ministry -Click Here.
David Terrell Faith Prophet Ministries, Appellant v. The Estate of Vivian Varnum, Deceased, Appellee -Click Here.
United States of America, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. David H. Terrell, a/k/a Daniel H. Ford, Defendant-Appellant -Click Here.
Scriptures showing why David Terrell should publicly repent -Click Here.
A 1983 Newspaper Article in The Victoria Advocate reporting David Terrell Indicted on Tax Fraud Charges -Click Here.
A 1984 Newspaper Article in The Victoria Advocate about David Terrell's Tax Fraud Trial -Click Here.
A 1984 Newspaper Article in The Victoria Advocate reporting David Terrell's Tax Fraud Conviction -Click Here.
A 1974 Newspaper Article in The Victoria Advocate about David Terrell and his "blessed area" in Bangs, Texas -Click Here.
FOLLOW THE LAMB OR FOLLOW THE MAN
TO JUDGE? or NOT TO JUDGE?
BILLY GRAHAM: True Christian? or FreeMason?
ARE FEELING A GOOD SOURCE FOR TRUTH?
LEFT BEHIND BY THE JESUITS
CATHOLIC ORIGINS OF FUTURISM & PRETERISM
CATHOLIC INQUISITION VIDEO
TESTIMONY OF THE REFORMERS
THE ANOINTING OF BENNY HINN
HOW PEOPLE BECOME TRAPPED IN CULTS
LAKELAND NEW AGE REVIVAL
LAKELAND REVIVAL EXPOSED
WORD OF FAITH MOVEMENT EXPOSED
DANGERS OF MODERN EVANGELISM
It is both interesting and disturbing to see how that in recent years many once Bible believing churches have compromised the Word of God and fallen away from the sound doctrine of the scriptures back to the fables of the Roman Catholic church, as the prophecies of the scriptures are literally being fulfilled before our eyes (II Thess. 2:3; I Tim. 4:1-5; II Tim. 4:1-4). The “falling away” foretold in second Thessalonians chapter two began in earnest in the fourth century with the establishing of the Pagan/Christian Roman church. The “falling away” refers to the falling away from true Apostolic Christianity, the falling away from the “sound doctrine” of the holy scriptures, the falling away from “the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.” (II Thess. 2:3; II Tim. 4:2-4; Jude 1:3). The early Christians clearly understood this, as did the Protestant Christians of the Reformation. Read what Protestant churches taught for centuries in their official prayer books and in their public declarations of faith. Even the Episcopal church in America and the Anglican church in England exposed many of the “blasphemous fables, and dangerous deceits” of the Roman Catholic church (see Book of Common Prayer, Article 31). As late as the middle of the twentieth century, circa 1953, the Episcopal church understood and revealed, at least in part, the doctrines of antichrist. (See A FALLING AWAY, and TESTIMONY OF THE REFORMERS)"A FALLING AWAY" II Thess. 2:3
Recommended Reading
THE HOLY BIBLE, Printed in 1611
Seeing its readings proves to cynics that the KJV's text has never been "revised" and is identical to that used today
(except for the rare 1611 typographical slips which were shortly thereafter fixed by King James translators themselves).
You can now purchase a 1611 King James Version 400th Anniversary Edition at a very low price. Published by Zondervan this is an exact, page-by-page, digitally re-mastered replica of the original 1611 printing, re-sized to a convenient 8.1 x 5.7 x 3 inches, and contains the original Old English Black Letter font. Click Here