The letter was forwarded, by Colin Lowder, to Keith Ainge, National General Secretary of the Australian AOG, who did reply some two months later. The reply clearly portrays the lack of interest in the issues that I addressed and the lack of concise doctrinal guidelines to which one might appeal when confronted with teaching which is clearly non-Scriptural.

Keith Ainge's reply and my comments are appended at the bottom of this letter.

Thursday, May 01, 1997

Dear Brother in Christ,

I am writing as one of a group of people who are concerned that there appears to be no policy or guideline that one can appeal to with regard to the type of doctrine that is acceptable in AOG churches in Australia.

I am particularly speaking of the Faith Movement and their supporters who, at the present moment, are making alarming inroads into the preaching and life of AOG congregations.

The AOG movement in America (as you would know) did have a policy regarding the Faith Movement. Because of abuses and tragedies associated with the movement, on August 19th 1980, the General Presbytery of the Assemblies of God issued an official statement on the Faith Movement entitled "The Believer and Positive Confession." They also released articles in the Pentecostal Evangel magazine on November 16th 1980, (pp. 8-11, 18-20) warning their members to beware of this teaching.

The false teaching in Faith Movement material was obvious and was considered incentive enough for the AOG General Presbytery to take remedial action and warn their members of what was acceptable and what was not.

From my understanding, we in Australia, apparently, have no such guidelines and, at present, are targets for whatever ministry comes along preaching any type of doctrine that sounds good and is accepted by the majority. Consequently, when we do point out wrong teaching, as we are commanded to in the Bible, we are told not to judge, not to touch God's anointed, submit to leadership, or else we are accused of being Pharisees or of attacking the Body of Christ.

From a Biblical perspective it should be clear if someone is preaching wrong doctrine, but interpretation of Scripture apparently depends entirely upon the doctrinal background one was grounded in. When bringing attention to what is believed to be wrong doctrine, the answer usually comes back that it depends upon your interpretation of the Scriptures in question. This is creating absolute confusion within the congregations.

Having no clear and definite doctrinal guideline is also causing division. It is creating barriers to fellowship between members of the same congregation in that it is not possible to joyfully discuss the things of the Lord or share the things that the Lord is doing in one's life for fear of offending the brother or sister who has some other belief system. They in turn withhold being freely open to you because they know that you have questions regarding their acceptance of certain doctrines and practices. The Scriptures, "Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit" and "…that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God" are being severely tested.

Recently, upon inquiring about AOG policy regarding the Faith Movement, I was informed that if I were to write a letter to you Pastors who preside on the AOG Executive, you would prayerfully consider our concerns, discuss them at one of your future meetings and possibly formulate a policy or statement that would at least allow people like myself to make some decision regarding our position.

I would imagine that you are aware of the more outlandish and blasphemous claims of the Faith Movement teachers so I won't labor on them except to mention a couple that are pertinent to my request for some guidelines.

Redemption Completed In Hell

The cross of Christ is the most central doctrine of the Christian faith and consequently has been repeatedly attacked by non-Christian cults and false religions. The work of atonement for mankind, by Christ, was completed there, a fact evidenced by Jesus' own words found in John 19:30, "..it is finished..," and by Paul in Colossians 1:20, "...having made peace through the blood of His cross…"

The Faith movement has presented to the Church at large a totally different description of what happened and what was accomplished for us upon the cross. In a taped message entitled, 'What Happened from the Cross to the Throne?' (not surprisingly, the same title as a book written by E. W. Kenyon who got most of his ideas from the metaphysical cults), Kenneth Copeland openly claimed "...if it had been a physical death only, it wouldn't have worked." The completion of the atonement, according to Kenneth Copeland and Faith theology, is located in the pit of hell rather than at the cross. This belief denies Christ's physical death of the power to atone for our sins, which the Bible clearly attributes solely to the blood of Christ (Leviticus 17:11; Hebrews 10:10).

Most Christians used to agree that our sins were fully atoned for by the physical death of Jesus upon the cross. However, I am coming to meet more and more of these same Christians who are now questioning this truth, believing that there was more to it. This alarming heresy can be directly attributed to the teachings of the Faith Movement, the teachers and supporters of which are now boldly preaching in Pentecostal and Charismatic pulpits all across our land. Kenneth Copeland claims that, "Since He (Jesus) was made to be sin, He had to pay the penalty for sin. He had to die spiritually, which took Him into the regions of the damned, before He could redeem us." He also says, "…When His blood poured out, it did not atone. It did away with the handwriting of the ordinances that were against us."

On page 3 of the September, 1991 issue of the Kenneth Copeland Ministries publication 'The Believers Voice of Victory', Kenneth Copeland claims that, "He [Jesus] allowed the Devil to drag Him into the depths of Hell as if He were the most wicked sinner who ever lived. He submitted Himself to death. He allowed Himself to come under Satan's control ... For three days in the belly of the earth, He suffered as if He'd sinned every sin that exists."

The most appropriate way to answer such an outrageous 'theory' is to allow the words of Jesus Himself to speak and protect the truth. Jesus said that, "...the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in Me" (John 14:30). This verse speaks of the innocence of Christ. Satan had no ground by which to destroy Him. Jesus experienced physical death upon the cross because of His willingness to die, not because of any legal ground Satan had. Jesus was not dragged struggling into hell by Satan and there is no Scripture that will substantiate this claim. Jesus became obedient to the death of the cross for it was God's eternal plan and that the Scriptures might be fulfilled.

Also, if Jesus went to hell to complete our redemption, then He lied to the thief who hung on the cross next to Him who cried out in Luke 23:42, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." Verse 43 explains where Jesus went when He answered the thief, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise."

I AM Christ

Matthew 24:3-5 & 11 (NIV) As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. "Tell us," they said, "when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?" Jesus answered: "Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many… and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people."

Matthew 24:5 (KJV) For many shall come in my name, saying, 'I am Christ'; and shall deceive many.

Matthew 24:5 (NRSV) For many will come in my name, saying, 'I am the Messiah!' and they will lead many astray.

When Jesus was asked the question by His disciples, "What will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?" He immediately warned of deception. "Watch that no one deceives you." was the reply to His disciples. First priority - watch out for deception! He then qualified His warning with regard to deception by adding that His disciples should watch out for 'many' people coming in His name, the name of the Lord, who would come with an explicit message that "I am the Christ" or "I am the Messiah." It won't be just one or two individuals who will be claiming this title, it will be a large number of 'Christians'.

Many, Jesus said, will come in My name making this claim! Jesus is not asking us to beware of people coming in the name of Buddha or Allah who claim that they are the Christ. It is obvious that, generally, Jesus' disciples, the Christians, will not be deceived by them. It is true that people who have never had the privilege of meeting the Lord would be in danger of being deceived by those false Christs, but Jesus was speaking specifically to His friends, His followers. In Matthew 24, Jesus is speaking of people who will be among His followers, His disciples, people who come in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and make the claim that "I am Christ," or "I am Messiah." Paul, in Acts 20:28-31, reinforces the fact that "even from your own number" the deception will come. From within the Body of Christ these people will rise just prior to the return of the Lord.

Please consider the following random selection of quotes made by 'ministers of the Gospel who come in the name of Jesus', keeping in mind that Jesus expressly warned that the place to look for this blasphemous claim to His title and the people who would make it, is within the Church. The people who will make the outlandish assertion that 'I am the Christ' will come from within our midst, in the name of Jesus, and lead many unwary brothers and sisters astray into deception.

Again I would bring attention to Acts 20:30 that specifically warns us,

"Even from your own number (ie. from within the Church) men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them."

Quotes

1. "Man… was created on terms of equality with God, and he could stand in God's presence without any consciousness of inferiority… God has made us as much like Himself as possible… He made us the same class of being that He is Himself… The believer is called Christ… that's who we are; we're Christ!"

2. "… when we stand up here, brother, you're not looking at Morris Cerullo: you're looking at God. You're looking as Jesus."

3. "I say this and repeat it so it doesn't upset you too bad… When I read in the Bible where He (Jesus) says, 'I Am,' I say, 'Yes, I Am too!'"

4. "When you were born again the Word was made flesh in you. And you became flesh of His flesh and bone of His bone. Don't tell me you have Jesus. You are everything He was and everything He is and ever shall be… It (the new man) says, 'I am as He is.' That's what it says… As He is, so are we in this world. Jesus said, 'Go in My name, go in My stead.' Don't say, 'I have.' Say, 'I am, I am, I am, I am, I am.'"

5. "When you say, I am a Christian, you are saying, 'I am mashiach' in the Hebrew. I am a little messiah walking on earth, in other words. That is a shocking revelation… May I say it like this? You are a little god on earth running around."

1. Kenneth Hagin. Zoe: The God-Kind of Life, p35-36, 41.
2. Morris Cerullo, The End Time Manifestation of the Sons of God, audiotape 1
3. Kenneth Copeland July 19, 1987 crusade audiotape
4. Benny Hinn, Our Position in Christ #2 - The Word Made Flesh, audiotape 2
5. Benny Hinn, Praise-a-Thon program on T.B.N.

As can be seen from the above list, all of these quotes have been made by members of the Faith Movement. They are not the demented ravings of cult leaders but are statements that have been made by respected ministers of the Gospel who have unlimited resources available to reach absolutely millions of devoted followers. I do understand that Benny Hinn claims to have renounced all connection with the faith Movement, but his words don't match with his actions. He has not produced fruit in keeping with repentance. Had he done so he would have recalled his published works that contain wrong teaching and questionable claims. But he has not done so.

If we are followers of the Lord Jesus Christ and we believe that His second coming is at hand then I believe that we seriously need to consider what He said in Matthew 24. We are close to the end of the age and all the signs that have been prophesied in the Bible are falling into place - including deception.

We should not be lulled into thinking that Jesus meant something other than what He plainly said. There are no hidden meanings! He was not, in this case, speaking of the Eastern Religion Gurus or the New Age Movement. God, in His Word, has said that these people would come from our own group (Christian), in Jesus name, proclaiming they are Christ. These will be some of the people that the Lord spoke of in Matthew 7:21-23, where He stated,

"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many deeds of power in your name?' Then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; go away from me, you evildoers.'"

The apostle Paul, in 2 Corinthians 11:14-15, enlightens us to the fact that Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light and it should not surprise us when his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness.

We are living in perilous times, as the Bible warns, and it is my belief and the belief of other Christian brothers and sisters that our church (locally, nationally and internationally) is being seduced by the Faith Movement and their supporters (as well as other groups). We prayerfully appeal to you as leaders of our particular vineyard to give us some clear guidelines concerning the attitude of the AOG movement in Australia towards Faith Movement theology and what, if anything, we are able to do about it.

My wife, Colleen, and I have been long term members in the AOG and have fellowshipped at Cairns Christian Centre most of our Christian life. We have both been actively involved in promoting and building the church and school complex as it stands today. Our children attended the school, I was involved, full time, for five years supporting the teaching staff and Colleen was Pastor Smallcombe's secretary for nine years. We have actively supported the building fund and have put a lot of effort and resources into making Cairns Christian Centre what it is today. We have an investment and interest in the well being of Cairns Christian Centre and the AOG movement in general. We would ask you to hear our heart in this communiqué to you. We are not interested in destroying something that we believe in and that we have put so much into building up. We are not attacking the Church or the leadership here in Cairns but are writing from a concern for the Church as a whole. We are writing from a concern for our brothers and sisters who, we believe, are in danger of being seduced by another gospel.

We sincerely thank you for your consideration and guidance in this urgent and important matter.

Yours in Christ's service,

Hughie Seaborn

4 July, 1997

Mr R H Seaborn
PO Box 292W
WESTCOURT QLD 4870


Dear Brother Seaborn,

Greetings in Jesus' name.

Thank you for your letter dated 1st May 1997. As indicated earlier, I have recently relocated to Melbourne and this is the first opportunity that I have had to respond to you.

The Assemblies of God has a Statement of Faith in its United Constitution (a copy included with this letter) and all ministers and churches are required to adhere to this statement. Otherwise, we have endeavoured not to be too restrictive in relation to the ministry emphases of our pastors.

The Assemblies of God is a fellowship of independent churches and one of our great strengths is the diversity that is represented in those churches. To the extent that extreme teaching from the "faith teachers" has been in contradiction of our Statement of Faith and the teaching of the Scripture, we are opposed to them. On the other hand, faith is an essential of our Christian walk and we can learn much from those who have taught on it.

I will refer your letter to the National Executive for their consideration. If they consider that our fellowship has been affected by false teaching in relation to faith, they will, I am sure, authorise the preparation and distribution of a statement of correction.

Let me encourage you to keep your eyes on Jesus. He is the author and completer of our faith. May the Lord bless your ministry for Him.

Yours in His service,

Keith Ainge
National General Secretary.

My Comments

Isn't it amazing that we have been forced into the position of writing a letter, to the very top men in the organization, to discover what the official AOG policy is regarding ministries who preach the kind of doctrines that I have addressed in my letter above?

At the very beginning of my letter I made the observation that "...there appears to be no policy or guideline that one can appeal to with regard to the type of doctrine that is acceptable in AOG churches in Australia."

Of course, this is a nonsensical statement when you consider that it is the Scriptures to which we should appeal for our doctrine.

"All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." 2 Timothy 3:16-17.

"And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship." Acts 2:42.

However, when appealing to the Scriptures one is confronted with the challenge that there could be a number of varying interpretations, and it just happens that my interpretation is at odds with the pastor's and the teachings of the ministries that he has chosen to support. When defending or promoting the Biblical position of Christ fully redeeming us upon the Cross of Calvary, I am told "that's your interpretation." Hence my appeal to AOG Executive leadership for some guidelines.

The United Constitution

Keith Ainge, in his reply above said, "The Assemblies of God has a Statement of Faith in its United Constitution (a copy included with this letter) and all ministers and churches are required to adhere to this statement."

I read the Statement of Faith that he included with his letter, and under heading number 7, entitled "The Atonement" we read the following.

We believe that God's answer to man's sinful state is the death of his Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, on the cross, whose suffering and shed blood have made full atonement for the sins of the whole world, both original and actual, and that there is no other ground for salvation - 2 Cor. 5:18-21; Gal. 1:4; Eph. 1:7; Col. 1:14; Heb. 9:25-26; 1 Peter 1:19-20.

Why then, are they allowing the free access into their congregations the teachings of ministries that promote that Christ did not fully redeem us upon the Cross? The Word of Faith teachers say that Christ had more work to perform on our behalf - after the Cross. And that happened in Hell, of all places. That's the blasphemy in this teaching - they teach that the Blood of Christ is insufficient to save us and that our redemption was ultimately accomplished in Hell.

This teaching is in contradiction of the AOG Statement of Faith and the clear teaching of the Scriptures. According to Keith Ainge, the AOG should be opposed to the Word of Faith Movement based upon this point alone.

According to the reply I received, my concerns were to be referred to the National Executive for their consideration. Has anything happened?

Two years later as I write this comment on the above letters, there has been massive changes within the AOG movement here in Australia. Things are speedily progressing from bad to worse and Word of Faith theology has now become recommended teaching. Word of Faith teachers are held up in esteem and people who stand strongly upon the truth of the Scriptures are held up to scorn and ridicule, angrily labeled Pharisees, heresy hunters, resisters of God, and even threatened with death prophecies from the pulpits. This is not to mention anything about the increasing ecumenism that the movement is entangling itself in.

Learning From The Word Of Faith Teachers

Keith Ainge says, "To the extent that extreme teaching from the "faith teachers" has been in contradiction of our Statement of Faith and the teaching of the Scripture, we are opposed to them. On the other hand, faith is an essential of our Christian walk and we can learn much from those who have taught on it."

Here we have a 'straw man' being erected to take the focus off the issue of false teachers in our midst. Have I ever even remotely suggested that I am against faith? Of course I haven't! I know what Hebrews 11:6 says! We're not talking about FAITH here! We're talking about false teachings coming fourth from a group of heretics who are called the "Faith Movement", which is simply a short term for "The Word of Faith Movement".

Where did the name "The Word Of Faith Movement" originate. Kenneth Hagin, the recognized leader of the group publishes a glossy periodical called "The Word of Faith". He also established the Rhema Bible Colleges which are now spread throughout the entire world. The multitude of people who follow Kenneth Hagin teachings make up the group called the "Faith Movement". Keith Ainge knew perfectly well who I was talking about in my letter to the AOG Executive. Why does he pretend that we are opposed to faith?

In his address to the congregation when announcing my disfellowshipping from Cairns Christian Centre, Chris Brock did the same thing. He also set up a straw man to take the focus off the real issue and give the people the impression that I was into some strange doctrine. I was opposed to faith, he said.

In his reply, Keith Ainge then recommends that we can learn much about FAITH from these teachers. Perhaps we could also learn from these well learned teachers, for example, that faith is a force, or that when we are born-again we are as much an incarnation of God as Jesus was?

The Biblical Response

However, what does God recommend that we do with teaching that comes from people who don't even agree with the Scriptures on the issue of our Atonement? Would God have them to be our teachers and example in any way? Let God's Word be our guide.

"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. 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. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed." Galatians 1:6-9

These people preach another gospel, and this fact has been recognized by the AOG hierarchy for years. God doesn't recommend that we seek out their teaching to see what we might learn from them. According to apostle Paul's warning, which is canonized Scripture, they are accursed.

"Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple." Ro 16:17

"Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds." 2 Jn 9-11

According to the Word of God, these teachers don't even have God in their lives. There's criteria that God Himself has set down for qualification in this area. Teaching, or supporting teachers who promote doctrine that is contrary to that as given in Scripture, you will have to agree, has disastrous consequences.

It is quite obvious from this sample of Scripture that God is cautioning us to beware and turn away from those who teach wrong doctrine, however well intentioned they might be. We are not encouraged to look into their teachings on the chance that we might learn something good from them, but rather, we are commanded to neither receive them into our homes, or give them a joyful greeting when meeting them.

But surely, not everything that they teach is error, and is it reasonable to suggest that God would condemn all of their teachings based upon a couple of misunderstandings? Again, let God's Word be the judge of what we should, or should not do in these cases.

"...know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump..." 1 Corinthians 5:6b-7a

"Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh." James 3:11-12

"Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit." Matthew 7:16-18

"Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? not one." Job 14:4

"If one that is unclean by a dead body touch any of these, shall it be unclean? And the priests answered and said, It shall be unclean." Haggai 2:12-13

It is just as obvious also, from these Scriptures that there is no place in God's economy for the popular saying, "Don't toss the baby out with the bath-water." God says that we should toss the lot out. If the mixture is contaminated with yeast (wrong teaching), start a new batch.

We are to drink only from the fountain of pure, fresh water. If the water is salty, don't drink. Is it possible to find clusters of grapes on thorn bushes? Or figs on a thorny thistle plant?

Why is it, then, that we are encouraged by a high official of the AOG Executive, along with other leaders and pastors in the movement, to search for good fruit on a corrupt tree? Hear the words of God once more as He makes Himself clear through the lips of Job, "Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? not one."

These are clear and concise guidelines from the mouth of the Lord our God! Why are we encouraged to ignore them? Our safety and protection are in the Word of God. We are encouraged to hide God's Word in our heart so that we might not wander off into sin and error. God will not continue to protect His people if they willingly disobey His Word and make up rules to their own liking.

Keep Your Eyes On Jesus

The closing of the reply from the National General Secretary was just as disappointing as the rest of his letter. His finishing words to me were, "Let me encourage you to keep your eyes on Jesus. He is the author and completer of our faith."

Is that my problem? I've got my eyes off the Lord apparently. Is it that I have been too busy keeping my eyes on the Scriptures and not enough on Jesus? This phrase has been widely used by leaders who use it to assure you that everything will turn out okay, so long as you "keep your eyes on Jesus" in some mystical way and not focused upon the contradictions you have found in someone's preaching.

My Bible tells me, in the Gospel of John that, in the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He became flesh and dwelt among us. Jesus is the Word, my friends.

My Bible also tells me to be vigilant, to be sober and watch the events that are taking place around me. I am to be alert, keeping my eyes open to discern the things that are taking place, particularly as we see the day approaching.

"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."

"But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry." 2 Timothy 4:2-5

"Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation." 1 Thessalonians 5:5-8

Meanwhile, our former friends, who have never been informed of the real issues, continue to avoid us as they follow the false teachers further and further into apostasy.