The world of Benny Hinn is a strange and mystical world. He fits perfectly into the category of a Charismatic Catholic priest, dispensing theological bondage and unbiblical superstition. A noted ministry described a past Benny Hinn three (3) hour video which presented him “as a ‘twentieth century’ ‘Holy of Holies’, a ‘point of contact’ for the power and anointing of God, much as Roman Catholic priests were presented during medieval times.” (The Confusing World of Benny Hinn, p. 79.) They also suggested that he is becoming a kind of “Charismatic Pope.”

There are a host of problems in the Benny Hinn world, but nothing is more dangerous than his Catholic style and theology. Kathryn Kuhlman was clearly the first public Charismatic to merge Catholic ideas and support with her Charismatic operation. Benny Hinn considers himself a benefactor and model of the Kuhlman mystic. Oral Roberts said on the three hour Hinn video, “I saw Kathryn Kuhlman as unparalleled”, implying that Hinn is greater than Kuhlman. Roberts then spoke of himself as having God’s power … in his right hand, but said of Hinn, his anointing “fills the building … a greater level has come.”

Benny Hinn And Catholic Confusion: There is not an organization on the face of this earth that is more thoroughly demonic than Catholicism. It is riddled with heathen teachings and doctrines of devils. Yet, Hinn proudly stated, “My upbringing, of course, was Catholic in that I attended the Catholic school in Jaffa, Israel. And so my mentality basically is a Catholic mentality. When I was born again, I was Catholic in my ways. I was very Catholic in my ideas, in my behavior.” (Christianity Today, Sept. 3, 1991.) Indeed, the mysticism that accompanies Hinn’s ministry, and according to his own words, has done so since the first time he spoke publicly is in the very style of a medieval mystic.

Benny Hinn personally told two reporters from the Toronto Globe And Mail about his first speaking engagement. This supposedly occurred on December 7, 1974, at the Trinity Pentecostal Church in Oshawa. His words were, “I held up my hands to pray and the 100 people present fell on the floor. That’s when I became aware of my tremendous power.” These kinds of phenomenon happen frequently in mystical religions, occultic ceremonies and with religious gurus, but are absolutely absent in Holy Scripture. The only time in the Bible that a person fell on the floor was when God Himself was manifested or an angel appeared to that individual.

To even consider a person having power to knock people on the floor flies in the face of reason and Biblical order. Why would God give a man or woman power to slay people? If He is going to manifest such a demonstration of His presence in His prophets or prophetesses, He is going to do something of meaning, not nonsense. It would disturb my soul for God to use me to slay people by the thousands and then heal them by the handfuls. If it is really God, and He cares about mankind, why would He not heal thousands and slay the handfuls? The God of Holy Scripture does not do foolish and meaningless things. That is Satan’s style, not the Heavenly Fathers.

Benny Hinn And The Catholic Mass: The Mass as celebrated in Catholic churches is a blasphemous event. Nothing moved the reformers to resist the Pope and the doctrines of Catholicism more than this false teaching. The Mass proposes the constant death of Jesus Christ over and over, plus it is a fetish practice that reduces a Believer to a God-eating cannibal. The whole idea is sub-human and represents a religious descent into gory superstition. No wonder the doctrines of Mary were necessary to aid the constant dying Redeemer as His co-redemptrix. If the body and blood of Jesus must be offered by Him as a constant death, then His resurrection is reduced to a helpless idea and the ascended Mary becomes the bridge to their unsure future. Even purgatory is needed because of the weakened Messiah who is still being baptized in His daily death. It’s a confusing and unbiblical picture.

Apparently, Benny Hinn loves this confusion. Let me quote an experience that he recently told on the Paul Crouch (TBN) television show. He shared an experience which should raise a red flag in minds of all thinking Christians. In the course of describing a Catholic communion service in Armarillo in which he took part, he stated that “he suddenly felt numb, then felt someone step in front of him. The sensation became so real that he then reached out and touched a robe which had: ‘…a silky feeling, a beautiful softness to the robe. …’ The next thing I was feeling was actually the form of a body, the shape of a body. And my body…went totally numb. …And God really gave me a revelation that night, that when we partake of communion, it’s not just communion, Paul” [Speaking to Paul Crouch onTBN]. Hinn further stated, “We are partaking Christ Jesus Himself. He did not say, “Take, eat, this represents my body.” He said, “This is my body, broken for you…” When you partake communion, you’re partaking Christ, and that heals your body. When you partake Jesus how can you stay weak?…sick? …And so tonight, as we partake communion, we’re not partaking bread. We’re partaking what He said we would be partaking of: ‘This is my body’.” (The Confusing World Of Benny Hinn, pp. 132-133, quoting from the Praise The Lord Show, Trinity Broadcasting Network)

Benny Hinn is clearly a Catholic mystic invading Charismatic and Evangelical churches with doctrines of demons. The work of the cross is a finished work. The true faith of Bible believers does not and cannot survive mystical religious experiences. “The just shall live by faith” (Galatians 3:11) Apostle Paul wrote to the Galatians of this danger. He called it being “Bewitched,” deceived by the spirit of witchcraft, when we try to aid our faith with the Catholic Mass and unbiblical ritualism.

The Holy Ghost said, “O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you? This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh? Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain” (Galatians 3:1-4).

A Believer of The Infallible Bible must reject Benny Hinn as a heretic. Most heretics are just heretics and can do little damage, but Hinn is a world wide phenomenon. His display of mystical powers and entertaining techniques make him a draw for anyone that has an inclination for emotional hype. Saints saturated with the Bible and possessing Spiritual descernment will keep a clear distance from such End Time deception.

Joseph Chambers

jrc@pawcreek.org

Many people are Calvinist when it comes to Divine Healing. The Calvinist believe in Limited Atonement and many Christians believe in Liminted Healing. God is no respector of persons, end of argument!!!. You can quit asking God if He is willing to heal you and start believing that His big heart of mercy and graciousness is ready to do the work. The truth is, God has healed you from your sickness in the exact sense in which He has saved you from your sins. The Blood Atonement of Jesus Christ, crucified before the foundation of the world, has vicariously borne your sins and your sicknesses in your behalf. Sin and sickness has passed from us to Calvary, that salvation and healing might pass from Calvary to us. (quoted).“It’s finished,” because Jesus said so.

Seven Redemptive Names for Jesus
There are seven redemptive names (some say there are as many as ten) found in the Old Testament, each providing hope to the reader as well as prophetic insight into Christ’s death and provision. One of the first of these in the order they were revealed was Jehovah-Rapha (Exodus 15:26), spelled by some authorities Ropheka. Translated that means “The Lord That Healeth Thee” or “I am the Lord Thy Physician”. The presence of Christ in the Old Testament included along with all His other manifestation, His readiness to heal. Let me list the other six manifestations as they were revealed with their redemptive names.

Jehovah-Shammah: “The Lord is There or the Lord is Present.”(Ex.48:35). Men and women are separated from God by sin and one of the redemptive acts of Christ is to bridge that chasm and bring us back into the Father’s fellowship. We can be His intimate children having personal union with Him.

Jehovah-Raah: “The Lord is my Shepherd.” (Psalm 23:1) He doesn’t just save us from sin, He shepherds us by giving us His guiding presence and by teaching us that we might walk in His steps. He is the shepherd of our soul.

Jehovah-Jireh: “The Lord will provide an offering.” (Genesis 22:14) When Abraham was about to offer his son, the Lord stopped him and then provided a sacrifice. That was the setting for this redemptive title. Our sacrifice or substitute was the spotless Lamb of God.

Jehovah-Nissi: “The Lord our Captain.” (Exodus 17:15). When the enemy comes in like a flood we are not left to our own devices. He is our Captain and the battle is the Lord’s.

Jehovah-Tsidkenu: “The Lord our Righteousness.” (Jeremiah 23:6, 33:16). Holiness is not the product of human will or determination. Will and determination are admirable traits but must bow to confess helplessness at His cross. Then and only then can acceptable righteousness clothe us in a new garment.

No one would dare suggest that the New Covenant is not better than the old. Whatever the supernatural help to man was in the Old Testament it became “Much More” (Romans 5) in the New. We must believe that healing for our bodies is no less available than redemption from sins, our deliverance in our temptations or righteousness for our unrighteousness. When you can name any of the other redemptive names and provision that have been withdrawn then you ought to question the provision of Jehovah-Ratha, The Lord our Physician.

He Hath Borne Our Sickness
The Mount Everest of prophetic foreknowledge is found in Isaiah 53. Let’s look at two verses that remove all doubt about divine healing. “Surely He hath borne our grief, (Gr.choli, disease or sickness) and carried our sorrows: (Gr. makob, pain) yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities, the chastisement of our peace was upon Him: and with His stripes we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:4,5).

Disease of the soul is cared for with great mercy in these verses but not by excluding disease and pain of the body. Why should anyone penknife the Word of God with a view to denying the healing of suffering individuals? It seems so uncaring to watch men bear the afflictions of Satan while denying them the promises of God. The word”borne” in verse four means to bear away or carry off. Jesus took your sins and sickness upon His sinless and sickless body and by efficacious and judicial fiat He became a substitute for each of us. We are saved and healed by faith in His atonement. Our will to believe may fail but His will to heal cannot.

This great truth is compounded by the gospel of Saint Matthew. He shares a beautiful occasion of Christ’s healing power and then sets forth this Messianic prophecy of Isaiah with even stronger language. “When the evening was come, they brought unto Him many that were possessed with devils: and He cast out the spirits with his word and healed all that were sick: That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses.”(St. Matthew 8:16-17). This direct quote of Isaiah 53:4 by the inspiration of the Holy Ghost makes the previous interpretation beyond argument.

Crippled Woman Loosed of Infirmity
This remarkable story we will discuss gives an excellent view from which to identify the source of all diseases. She was bowed over, crippled and could not straighten herself. It surely was not an infirmity we would identify with an evil spirit. Jesus did! Neither was she identified as a sinner but as a daughter of Abraham. She was at a Jewish worship service when she was healed. Note the facts. “And behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself. And when Jesus saw her he called her to him and said unto her, ‘Woman thou are loosed from thine infirmity.’ And He laid His hands on her and immediately she was made straight and glorified God…and ought not this woman being a daughter of Abraham whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath day?” ( St. Luke 13:11-16).

This story establishes several valid facts. He associated disease with the work of a spirit from Satan. We must come to understand that every ounce of sickness and pain is the result of evil powers in our world. There was no sickness until Satan usurped control from the first Adam and there will be no disease when the second Adam reconciles all things unto Himself. THE FIRST FRUITS OF OUR BODILY REDEMPTION IS DIVINE HEALING AND THE FINAL FRUIT OF THAT REDEMPTION WILL BE A GLORIFIED BODY. WE MUST ATTACK SICKNESS WITH BELIEVING PRAYER AND INTERCESSION JUST LIKE WE ATTACK SIN.

The human body was created in the Father’s likeness to be the temple of the Holy Spirit. If that body isn’t garrisoned or preserved by the Spirit it will eventually be invaded by the forces of destruction. This woman was bound and imprisoned by her captor (I do not suggest she was possessed but oppressed. Oppression is a dominating factor in much sickness) but marvelously healed when a stronger than her captor took control. Jesus said a remarkable thing in Saint John 10:10,“The thief cometh not, but for to steal and to kill, and to destroy. I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” One of the two master forces are in control of your life. Jesus is by far the stronger but cannot rule unless He’s invited. Satan will seek control by deception, default or by invitation.

Jesus absolutely desires our physical heath and wholeness. It is His will to heal us. He never acted in behalf of anyone but as an extension of His Father’s will for the human family. Neither is He a respecter of persons in picking or choosing those to receive His atonement.

She was healed because she was a daughter of Abraham and Jesus came to guarantee the Abrahamic promise. Again, all believers are heir of those blessings that Father Abraham assured to his sons and daughters. “And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.”(Galations 3:19).

Sin Is A Cause of Sickness In Some Cases
There are many cases where disease is a direct result of willful sin against the laws of God. Jesus was prone to tell a person whom He healed “to go and sin no more lest a worse thing come upon thee.” Anytime a Christian goes back into open sin they are vulnerable to an explicit attack of the spirits of infirmity. James told the Jewish believers to whom he addressed his letter that “the prayer of faith shall save the sick and the Lord shall raise them up; and if he (she) hath committed sins they shall be forgiven him (her).” (James 5:15).

It was very apparent in the primitive church that sin and sickness was closely related and when one area was addressed both needs were met with deliverance. There are exceptions but no reason to believe that the obedient Christian was not eventually healed or the healed person was eventually saved.

The Blood Atonement
Every promise of the Bible, every act of redemption and every work of God in behalf of man is by the blood of the Testator. The Old Testament was established by the blood of calves and goats which were a figure of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. (Hebrews 9:19-22). The New Testament was purified with a better sacrifice because it represented not the shadow but the Heavenly Act of Redemption itself. The two Testaments (Holy Bible) are in the cup which we drink at every communion celebration. (1 Corinthians 11:25).

Jesus said that He purchased the church with His own blood. (Acts 20:28). Apostle Paul said that our cup of blessing is the communion of the blood of Christ (1 Corinthians 10:16). The Blood will make every soul under its Judicial authorityunblameable and unreproveable in His sight. (Colossians 1:20-23). We can enter the Holy of Holies for divine communion and fellowship by the blood of Jesus Christ. (Hebrews 10:19).

Jehovah-Ratha: “Jesus Christ, our Physician”is present in His church to heal every willing individual. Settle it in your heart that He delights to extend His promises and is grieved when we trust the arm of the flesh instead of the provision of Calvary. Once you have anchored your faith in His Blood Atonement then you should give praise for your healing and begin to conduct your life in expectation of His faithfulness. Making provision to be sick is an act of unbelief. If there is sin it must be confessed, forsaken and released to His cleansing. The Holy Spirit is pleased to say, “Rise and be healed in the name and by the blood atonement of Jesus.

Joseph Chambers

jrc@pawcreek.org