Bethesda Shalom

Soul-Ties It is believed by those within the deliverance movement that it is possible for a person's soul to be spiritually knitted/bonded/glued/tied to another person’s soul such that one takes on the personality traits of the one they are apparently soul-tied to.  It is believed that there are godly soul ties that are from God and ungodly soul-soul ties that are demonic. One of the main areas of focus, when it comes to the teaching of soul ties, is ungodly soul ties formed through immoral sexual relationships.  Like two sheets of card being glued together such that when they are separated, bits of the card being separated remains bonded to the other piece; in the same way, it is believed that when two souls come together in the act of fornication, a part of that person’s soul remains bonded to yours and yours to theirs.  One can only imagine the effects of this being multiplied ten times over.  Thus the aim of deliverance becomes about breaking ungodly soul-ties and restoring one’s fragmented soul back into

1 Thessalonians 4:1-7 If I was to ask the vast majority of professing believers, what it was that Jesus accomplished upon the cross.  Without hesitation, the overwhelming response would be, “He died that sins might be forgiven”, to that I say amen!!  But if I was to probe a little further by asking the second time, “what was it that Jesus accomplished upon the cross”, for the most part, I would be greeted by blank faces. The Church in our hour regrettably, has chosen to focus only on that one aspect of the cross — sins forgiven — and the conclusion that it has drawn from this, though it would never say it is this: “The only difference between the world and the Christian is this; the Christian has been forgiven of their sins whereas the world has not?”  In other words, when it boils down to Christian living, there isn’t really any radical difference between the child of God and the child of wrath.  But friends, the Bible that I hold in my hand rejects this darkened reasoning.  What saith the Apostle?  “...Shal

Blessings and Curses Pt. 3 The generation that welcomed Derek Prince with open arms, sucking up his new-fangled teachings regarding blessings and curses, failed to hold him to account to the standard of the Bible.  God’s people were only too happy to sit at the feet of the guru and to be spoon-fed! Where were the Pastors warning their flocks?  Where were the watchmen lifting up their voices?   We see a huge resurgence in our day of the toxic teachings of Derek Prince as it relates to blessings and curses, fuelled to a large degree by his online presence on social media platforms like YouTube.  The only way in which this generation shall escape the error of the last is if they stop blindly following “Men of God” and instead begin following the “Word of God”.  In this tenth teaching part, we conclude our studies of what Derek Prince taught concerning blessings and curses.  We take another look at the wide spectrum of curses that a Christian can apparently be under and examine Biblically, the supposed steps need

2 Peter 1:1-12 Doctrine matters! Foundations matter!  Everyone wants to build but if there are no foundations upon which to build, the building’s not going to stand.  We must begin with foundational matters/those great positional truths of Scripture - they are anchors to our soul. But we must never allow ourselves to settle there. We must be poured out into the vessel of experience. Too many Christians have remained for too long settled on their lees, living in the realm of the positional and never coming down to the land of the experiential.  In this sermon, we look at the glorious truths that Peter furnishes for us and the exhortation which follows to live in the reality of this.

Part 9 The Bible is full of commandments from God with attached blessings to them.  Conversely, there are other verses in the Old Testament with attached curses.  With that in mind, it might well be said, “What’s the need for this teaching? Blessings and curses are Biblical.” However, as one compares what Derek Prince teaches, to that which Holy Scripture teaches, there are fundamental and major differences.  As one looks in the Old Testament at the theme of blessings and curses one will find that it exists in the framework of covenant relationship.  In Deuteronomy 28 (and the parallel passage in Leviticus 26), God lays before His covenant people Israel, a number of blessings and many more curses, conditional upon their obedience or disobedience respectively.  What would you think, if one was to take the covenantal blessings and curses given to Israel and use them as a universal framework for all mankind today?  That’s precisely what Derek Prince does. In this ninth teaching part, we look at a list of blessin

Matthew 24:1-5 As nears our Lord’s return, the Word of God tells us that widespread deception will mark the generation that shall witness the Second Coming of Christ.  When the disciples asked our Lord saying, “...Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?” (Mt. 24:3).  The first words out of Jesus’ mouth were, “Take heed that no man deceive you” (vs. 4).  Of all the many things He could have said, and of all the many things He went ¬on to say; first thing’s first, He warns the disciples against deception; “Take heed that no man deceive you”.  As a Pastor/shepherd, I see so many of God’s people in this late hour, wandering hither and thither, “...scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd”. Brothers and Sisters, I want to be straight with you, this is no hour for wandering about, there are prowling wolves out there waiting for their dinner, and guess what’s on the menu?  You got it...SHEEP!!  If there’s one thing I’ve learned not to do as a C

Part 8 In the introduction to a book written by Derek Prince, titled, “Blessing or Curse”, one is met by the following words. “In the 1970s Derek Prince began to unfold for believers an astonishing, life-changing teaching from the Bible that few people had ever heard. It was a thoroughly scriptural and God-blessed message about blessings and curses. This startling revelation—which he would continue to develop and gain spiritual insight about over the next three decades—has profoundly influenced several generations of theologians and preachers. More importantly, it has provided a simple key to a better life for hundreds of thousands of Christians all over the world”. Just as in the 1960s, when Dr. Prince began unfolding for believers a message about deliverance that few people had ever heard, so in 70’s he began doing the same again but this time from the standpoint of blessings and curses.  In this teaching, we begin to examine this strange and peculiar teaching through the lens of Holy Scripture.  Far from i

Psalm 61:1-4 As one walks through this fallen world, it seems that pain and sorrows are the appointed lot of man.  Sinners and Saint alike taste of these bitter waters, but the added comfort for the child of God is the knowledge, that whatever trials are traced upon his dial, they are done so by the Son of love.  Be this as it may, God’s people do not always recognise it as so.  In times of great calamity, rather than looking to the Lord, they can draw away from Him  This sermon is an encouragement to those enduring hardship to look to the Lord!  “Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer. From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I” (Ps. 61:1-2).  

Part 7 As one examines the various techniques employed within the deliverance ministry, it becomes quickly obvious that they are greatly wanting in terms of Biblical support.  Where in the Bible do we see Jesus leading the demonised in a prayer for deliverance at the end of which they begin expelling demons themselves? Where do we see Jesus conducting mass deliverance services?  Not only are these practices non-existent, the Word of God contradicts them!  Jesus cast out demons in the power of the Holy Spirit and by the Word of His authority.  The Gospels inform us that He ministered to individuals, one by one, though they thronged him in great numbers.  According to leading proponents within the deliverance movement, believers have been given authority by Jesus Christ to cast demons out of themselves.  Where in the Bible do we see the demon-possessed delivering themselves?  In this seventh teaching part, we shall continue to peel back the layers of this harmful movement and bring its teachings to the judgment

2 Kings 5:1 There’s nothing like sitting before an open Bible, with an open heart, asking that the Lord might breathe upon the text and illuminate one’s understanding.  Ah, to have those rhema moments where the text of Scripture seems to leap from the page, where the Word of God is comprehended from His Spirit to our spirit, there’s nothing that compares like unto it.  Fasten your seatbelt, as we go for a ride through chapter 5 of the Book of Second Kings to learn lessons from the life of Naaman the Syrian.

Part 6 We have spent considerable time exploring the realm of deliverance ministry – a movement impacting the lives of millions of Christians worldwide.  In the last teaching part, we examined the teaching of Dr. Derek Prince and Frank Hammond as it relates to how demons “supposedly” enter a person.  In this sixth teaching part, we want to look at how they “supposedly” leave. We shall first undertake a brief survey of the New Testament to see how Jesus and the disciples cast out demons. Having done this, we shall then turn our attention to look at how leaders within the deliverance movement cast out demons.  You are going to see that the two stand poles apart and the biblical evidence supporting the “expelling” of demons (as they maintain), is non-existent.  You are going to have to make a choice, whether to stand on the side of man’s word or to stand on the side of God’s Word.  Download teaching notes (pdf) https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/bethesdashalom/6_Expelling_the_Demons.pdf

Revelation 22:7-15 Many have endeavoured through the ages to predict the date of Christ’s Second Coming.  In the 1830s, a Baptist minister from New York by the name of William Miller began publicly sharing his newfound belief, that Jesus Christ was going to return around the year 1843.  This belief began to gain momentum across denominations, and by 1840 it had become a nationwide campaign with between 50,000 and 100,000 followers.  This growing group was dubbed ‘The Millerites’.  When 1843 passed without Jesus coming, one of William Miller’s followers, a  preacher by the name of Samuel Snow, pinpointed an exact date for the Lord’s return — October 22, 1844.  Such was the expectation and hope placed in the October 22 1844 date that many of those devout Millerites cast in everything, giving away all their possessions.  If my dates are correct, today marks the beginning of a new year, January 1st, 2023, and what do you know? Jesus hasn’t come back yet!! When October 22 1844 came and went without the Lord coming

Part 5 As we have begun peeling back the veil of deliverance to see the teachings that lie beneath, there’s one thing that has been striking to discover, and that is the all-consuming nature of the movement.  According to the deliverance practitioners, there is no Christian outside the scope of needing deliverance.  Having looked at the list of the identifying characteristic hallmarks of supposed demonisation in the last teaching part, we turn our attention in this teaching to ask the question, “How do Demons Enter?”.  As we explore this question by comparing Scripture with what leading figures within the movement teach, namely Derek Prince and Frank Hammond, what you will discover will both shock and horrify you.     Download teaching notes (pdf) https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/bethesdashalom/5_How_Demons_Enter.pdf

1 Timothy 2:1-6 A presentation of the Gospel! “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time”.

Part 4 If you were tasked with answering the question, “…how do I know if I have a demon”?  How would you respond?  In the case of the Gadarene Demoniac, you wouldn’t even need to be a Christian to spot something was seriously wrong with the man.  “Normal” people don’t live naked among the tombs, screaming and cutting themselves with stones.  “Normal” people don’t speak in the second person plural!  Admittedly, this is an extreme case, but I want to submit, those in the Bible possessed with demons are known to be, not only by themselves but by those coming into contact with them. Why do I take the time to point out the patently obvious? Those within the deliverance movement would have us understand that the vast majority of believers in Jesus have demons in them, but the problem is, they know it not!  If this is the case, the question that follows is, how is one to identify whether or not they have a demon from which they need deliverance?  It is this question that is the focus of this fourth teaching part. D

2 Samuel 11:1 There’s something inherent within the heart of man; an instinct that he carries with him from birth.  If tasked with the mission of travelling from A to B to C, if there’s a route that will take him straight from A to C, he's sure to find it out!  It’s the lazy postman syndrome, rather than go up the path and down the next, he cuts straight across the lawn, much to the annoyance of the resident whose garden it is!  Go to a rectangular field and look for the public right of way.  Seldom is it ever the two paths forming a right angle, it’s usually always the diagonal distance right through. Now in this particular instance, mathematically speaking, it is always profitable to cut the corner.  But what about the spiritual? What happens when God’s people begin cutting corners in matters of holiness?  Tragedy always follows in its wake. In this sermon, we look at the fall of King David and try to lessons for us today.

Part 3 We have spent the last two teachings introducing the topic of deliverance ministry and the key architects who helped shape and fashion it in its formative years in the early 1960s and 70s.  Due to the anecdotal nature of the movement, it is impossible to speak with one united voice for all the leading figures within it.  However, what we are able to do is examine the teachings of two of the founding fathers of the movement, Dr. Derek Prince and Mr. Frank Hammond.  I think it would be fair to say, no two other people have done more to shape and influence the deliverance ministry movement than these two individuals.  Frank Hammond, for his legendary book “Pigs in the Parlor”, and Derek Prince, for his pioneering efforts in this field long before Frank Hammond ever got involved in the deliverance ministry. It may be that as you have heard the teachings thus far critiquing deliverance, you have asked yourself the question, how on earth can Christians get sucked in by this.  How as a Christian, can I be dem

1 Samuel 16:6-7 Imagine for a moment, if upon awaking out of sleep, you were caught up to the third heaven beholding things indescribable, and hearing words unspeakable, “...which it is not lawful for a man to utter”. Suddenly, you find yourself before a throne and glancing upward, you see one seated upon the throne, high and lifted up.  “...he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone” (Rev. 4:3).  Oh, what a scene most glorious!  A voice is heard coming from around the throne, “Who hath directed the Spirit of the LORD, or being his counsellor hath taught him? With whom took he counsel, and who instructed him, and taught him in the path of judgment, and taught him knowledge, and shewed to him the way of understanding?” (Is. 40:13-14).  By this point you’re on your face, prostrate before the majesty of God, when suddenly a voice is heard; “Let him be His counsellor”.  Terror grips your soul and before you can even think,  another sounds aloud, “What shall he counsel?”, to which he gives answ

Part 2 – Derek Prince Derek was born into a military family in Bangalore, India in 1915.  At the age of 13, Derek won a scholarship to the prestigious Eton College, England where he studied Greek and Latin.  From Eton, he progressed to Cambridge University where he furthered his understanding of languages, graduating with first-class honours in Classical Tripos (a course studying Greek and Latin languages, culture, and history).  Academically, Derek Prince was a brilliant man, but if there’s one thing I’ve learned over time it’s this; brilliance in one area of expertise does not make you brilliant in every field of expertise.  No one can question the academic background of Dr. Derek Prince, but when it comes to his revelations and ideas on demonology, it is shocking!  So much of what Dr. Prince has to say about this topic is purely anecdotal, it is his experiences, his encounters.  When he does turn to the text of Scripture in an effort to support what he is saying, his exegesis at the best of times leaves li

James 4:14 James, writing under the inspiration of God, asks his audience a question —and by extension, to us also, “For what is your life?”  Everyman thinketh in his heart, though he may not say it, LONG…PLENTEOUS...OF GREAT LENGTH!!!!  But what saith James?  “It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away”.  Selah!!  Job puts it this way, “Man that is born of a woman is of few days...He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down: he fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not” (Job 14:1-2). “Behold (saith David), thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah” (Ps. 39:5).  Tell me Christian, what are you living for, or can I put it this way, WHO are you living for?  Oh that each one us might say, “For me to live is Christ” (Phil. 1:21).