Word-Faith Movement 5

ATONEMENT THEOLOGY
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God's people should be cognizant of the fact that the atonement of Christ, the deity of Christ, and the sinless life of Christ are denied and assaulted by every cult and pseudo religion. Some of these false religions include Islam, Hinduism, and Jehovah Witness. Following on the same dangerous path, the atonement of Christ is another doctrine that Word-Faith teachers have iniquitously denied and modified to their own imaginations. Attempting to establish the argument that Christ became "sin", was abandoned by the Father, and suffered in hell for three days, proponents of Word-Faith theology allude to and misconstrue the following passages.

*For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. (Matthew 12:40 NKJV)

*And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, "Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?" that is, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" (Matthew 27:46 NKJV)

*So when Jesus received the sour wine, He said, "It is finished!" And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit. (John 19:30 NKJV)

*For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. (2 Corinthians 5:21 NKJV)

*(Now this, "He ascended" -- what does it mean but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.) [Ephesians 4:9-10 NKJV]

These so called men and women of God have used these verses to formulate a variant doctrine -- a "reenacted gospel" that includes the inefficiency of Christ's blood alone to atone for the sins of mankind; the spiritual death of Christ; and salvation being concluded in the torments of hell. Consider the claims of Fred Price:

"Do you think that the punishment for our sin was to die on a cross? If that were the case, the two thieves could have paid your price. No, the punishment was to go into hell itself and to serve time in hell separated from God.
(Fred Price, "Ever Increasing Faith Messenger", June 1980)

Price's statements that rejects the cross -- insinuating that the thieves could pay the penalty for sin, is absolutely ridiculous. If such delusive claims were not so "cheap", it could be regarded as amusing.

Price's allegations that Jesus' death on the cross was ineffectual for sin is a direct reflection of the philosophies of Mary Baker Eddy. In her book, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures", Baker asserts that, "The material blood of Jesus was no more efficacious to cleanse from sin when it was shed upon 'the accursed tree' than when it was flowing in His veins."
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Before investigating the errors, let's establish for the record that hell consisted of various compartments. Contrary to the common presumption that hell was solely a place of torment for the unrighteous, there was also a section for the righteous. The area for the righteous was separated by a great impassable gulf from the latter region.

"The Hebrew people regarded Sheol (hell) as a place to which both the righteous and unrighteous go at death (Gen. 37:35, Ps. 9:17, Is. 38:10), a place where punishment is received and rewards are enjoyed."
("Illustrated Dictionary of The Bible", Herbert Lockyer, Sr., Page 979)
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Let's now examine the mentioned scriptures that Word-Faith teachers use to argue their case.

In Matthew 12:40, Ephesians 4:9-10, the phrases "the heart of the earth" and "He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth?" is in reference to a temporary section in hell (Sheol/Hades) known as "paradise." Paradise was the place where the righteous dead remained until after the death of Christ. It was a place of extraordinary blessedness and was regarded as "Abraham's Bosom" (Luke 16:22). Recall in Luke 23:43 that Jesus said to the thief on the cross, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise." At Christ's ascension, He transported the righteous saints (including the thief) along with the region of paradise from the "lower parts of the earth" to Heaven; its current location (2 Cor. 12:2-4, Rev. 2:7).

In reference to Matthew 27:46 and 2 Corinthians 5:21, Kenneth Copeland asserts that, "On the cross, Jesus was separated from the glory of God. He allowed Himself to be made sin for us, and He became obedient to death." (Kenneth Copeland, "The Power of His Resurrection") / "The righteousness of God was made to be sin. He accepted the sin nature of Satan in His own spirit. And at that moment that He did so He cried, 'My God, my God, Why hast thou forsaken me?' " (Kenneth Copeland, "What Happened From The Cross To The Throne.")

Rightfully, Jesus was never abandoned by God nor made "sin for us" in the sense that He became a sinner and inherited the nature of Satan. Jesus, In His humanity, cried these words of dereliction in fulfillment of the Psalmist's prophecy (Psalm 22:1). When God inflicted His wrath and judgment on Christ, like David, Jesus was experiencing a sense of abandonment rather than an actual disseverance. Psalm 22:24 clearly indicates this; and thus repudiates Copeland's belief that God abandoned Christ on the cross.

If Christ had become a sinner and acquired the nature of Satan as Copeland suggests, then it would seem reasonable that Jesus would need a Savior. But, such speculation is unnecessary; for Psalm 16:10 and Acts 2:31 clearly disinherits Copeland's contention that Christ was made sin and "accepted the sin nature of Satan." In actuality, Jesus became the "likeness" of sin ... "taking the rap" for us and bore the sins of mankind on the cross (Isaiah 53:12, Romans 8:3). However, He did not become defiled with mankind's sinful nature. It was on account that Jesus was a sin offering, eternally righteous and Holy without blemish (Heb. 9:14, 1 Peter 1:19) that qualified His sacrifice acceptable to God.

Although Christ was not a sinner, God treated Him as though He were. Similarly, granting the fact that Christians are sinners, God treats them as though they were righteous. Using this concept of substitution, God inaugurated a restyling in the sinners' condition that delivers them from a state of isolation to a place of forgiveness and reconciliation. Thus, by way of Christ, God will display believers "faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy." (Jude 24)

In reference to John 19:30, Copeland claims that, "When Jesus cried, 'It is finished!' He was not speaking of the plan of redemption. There were still three days and nights to go through (In hell) before He went to the throne....Jesus' death on the cross was only the beginning of the complete work of redemption." (Kenneth Copeland, "Jesus -- Our Lord of Glory", Believers Voice of Victory, April 1982)

Factually, when Jesus spoke the words, "It is finished!," He sacrificed Himself as a sin offering; bore our iniquities and paid the debt for our sins on the cross (Matt. 26:28, Eph. 5:2, Heb. 10:5-18). The single Greek word for "It is finished" is "tetelistai," which does not mean "It has just begun and will continue later," but rather is defined as "fulfilled," "completed" or "paid in full." The Bible does not denote any other incidents continuing thereafter that contributed to our salvation.

Continuing in their resistance to truth, it is argued by Word-Faith teachers that Jesus' closing words "It is finished" is referring to the termination of the Abrahamic covenant. There are no scripture references, however, that provides credence to this. On the contrary, it was the Mosaic covenant with its sacrificial laws that was fulfilled by the atoning death of Christ (Matt. 5:17-19; Col. 2:13,14). The completion of Christ's work on the cross and the issuing in of the new covenant is made evident by the instantaneous splitting of the temple curtain (Mark 15:38).

The conclusion of Christ's work on the cross is also demonstrated in the account of Luke 23:46 where Jesus stated, "Father, into Your hands I commit My Spirit." There are no scripture passages in the Bible that gives indication that Jesus submitted His Spirit to Satan in hell. The truth of mankind's redemption is clearly seen on the cross, not in the unrighteous regions of hell as inferred by Copeland.

The apostle Paul stated, "God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ..." (Gal. 6:14). He most certainly did not ever speak of a magnificent redemption achieved in hell. It was in the glory of the cross that he alluded to. The Bible has much to say regarding the atonement of Christ on the cross. The following scriptures references are particularly worth noting for study:

Acts 20:28, Eph. 1:7; 2:13, Col. 1:14,20, 1 Peter 1:19, 1 John 1:7, Rom. 5:9, Heb. 9:14; 10:19,20; 13:12, Rev. 1:5; 12:11

Nothing is ever mentioned in the above scripture references nor in any other place in the Bible where salvation was completed in hell. For Word-Faith teachers to continually hold fast to this erroneous viewpoint are saying that Christ was accursed (1 Cor. 12:3) and His work on the cross was imperfect. Such an allegation is a dangerous charge of monumental proportion; and like a hazardous virus, should be quarantined from the body of Christ. Unless they repent, it is this type of heresy coupled with a doctrine of greed (more on this later) that may cast these revelators of a different gospel into the other region of hell for the wicked (Proverbs 21:6, Luke 16:19-26, 1 Cor. 1:18, Gal. 1:9,10, Rev. 3:15-22).

CONFESSION AND HEALTH
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As pointed out near the beginning of our study, Word-Faith theology states that using the force of faith one can use the power of words to predestine his own future. One domain where this cultic formula is applied to by Word-Faith teachers entails health, sickness and disease. Let's now take note of the following verses:

*Death and life are in the power of the tongue... (Proverbs 18:21 NKJV)

*Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed. (Isaiah 53:4,5 NKJV, see also 1 Peter 2:24)

*When evening had come, they brought to Him many who were demon-possessed. And He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying: "He Himself took our infirmities; And bore our sicknesses." (Matthew 8:16,17 NKJV)

*"Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I do to My Father. (John 14:12 NKJV)

*Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus... (Hebrews 3:1 NKJV)

Employing the "force of faith" prescription coupled with the verses above, Word-Faith leaders attempt to sanction divine physical healing for all Christians who possess adequate faith. If a believer is feeling sick, then he should deny his symptoms and speak positive words of faith. Word-Faith leaders suggest that if a Christian has an incurable disease or is permanently handicapped, then he lacks faith and is living outside God's will. T.D. Jakes alleges:

"It's what you say to yourself that gets you healed. If you say that you won't be healed, you won't be healed. If you say that you are broke, you will stay broke. Oh! But I came to serve notice on the Devil. The Bible says, 'The power of life and death is in the tongue.' Slap somebody and say, 'You better speak to yourself.' " (T.D. Jakes, "Seize The Moment", Woman Thou Art Loosed, 2000 Atlanta, Georgia)

According to Joel Osteen, with a smile, he says we should:

"Start calling in divine health....You may have sickness in your body; you need to call in health. Words are like seeds; they have creative power." (Joel Osteen, "Speaking Faith Filled Words", Tape # 223, 2004)

While it is true that the tongue may have potential to have positive or negative effects on ourselves and other people (feelings, self-image, convictions, attitudes, for example), what T.D. Jakes, Joel Osteen and other Word-Faith teachers fail to understand is that there are limitations to the power of the tongue. Nowhere does the Word of God support the notion that believers in Christ have the ability to create divine health using the powers of the tongue.

Perhaps this brand of cultic mythology may operate in the man-made classic show, "I Dream of Jeannie", but in the real world created by God, the Lord did not give man such powers. It is ironic that Word-Faith teachers discourage believers from viewing cultic media (television, movies, etc.), yet they themselves subscribe to similar heresies.
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A deeper evaluation of Isaiah 53:4,5; Matthew 8:16,17 and 1 Peter 2:24 will reveal that these passages reflect both spiritual and physical healing. Isaiah 53:5 and 1 Peter 2:24 are referring to spiritual healing via salvation. On account that these verses are speaking of Christ's crucifixion on the cross, enduring punishment and bearing ours sins, Christians are thus healed spiritually from a spiritually sick condition (sin).

Now on the other hand ....the prophecy of Isaiah 53:4 indicates physical healing; and Matthew 8:16,17 is its fulfillment that occurred during the healing ministry of Jesus prior to the atonement. Thus, physical healing is not a guarantee today.

Although believers may experience physical healing based on their faith and God's sovereign choice, the aforesaid verses are not related to assured divine physical healing in today's church age. Contrary to the Faith Movement's claims, God does not always heal every believer. The complete expanse of healing that was purchased in the atonement will not be experienced until after the resurrection and glorification (Rom. 8:22-25, 1 Cor. 15:42-43, 51-54, Phil. 3:20-21, Rev. 21:4).

The Word-Faith camp disagrees with this author's viewpoint, however; alluding to John 14:12 as basis for divine healing for every believer who has enough faith. If Christ was referring to physical healing in this verse, then what "greater works" feasibly could be accomplished than those done by Jesus (raising the dead, for ex.)? In proper context, this verse does not mean "greater works" in divine power, but of the believers' Great Commission of becoming witnesses throughout the world; preaching the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ (Acts 1:8). The theme of this verse is spiritual rather than physical miracles.
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Hebrews 3:1 is another verse that Word-Faith teachers refer to for their support of divine healing through positive confession. They contend that by speaking positive words of divine healing, Jesus is obligated to obey our confessions since He is the "Apostle and High Priest of our confession." Contrary to their teachings, however, this verse does not support the idea that Christ is required to obey our confessions. In this verse, "of our confession" means that Jesus is the center of our confession of faith in the gospel, both in personal belief and open attestation (2 Cor. 9:13, 1 Tim. 6:12,13, Heb. 4:14; 10:23).

As the Word-Faith teachers promote their false doctrine of divine healing, they conveniently disregard scriptures that clearly indicate that some of God's most devoted saints endured physical illnesses. Two cases in point are:

*Galatians 4:13-15 (NKJV) - You know that because of physical infirmity I preached the gospel to you at the first. And my trial which was in my flesh you did not despise or reject, but you received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.

*1 Tim. 5:23 (NKJV) - No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for your stomach's sake and your frequent infirmities.

The two passages above plainly illustrate that the apostle Paul and Timothy suffered from physical ailments. While Paul's condition is not explicit, some believe he was suffering from malaria (Source: The MacArthur Study Bible, Page 1795). And it should be interesting to note that Luke was Paul's personal physician (Col. 4:14, The MacArthur Study Bible, Page 1840). In reference to Timothy, it is apparent that he suffered from a stomach ailment as well as other recurrent infirmities.

With that said, it is appropriate to ask, "Where is the Word-Faith teachers' "positive confession" theology? The answer is simple. Nowhere in the Bible does God's Word indicate that these men of god ever began "confessing" their healing. Did the apostle Paul and Timothy lack faith? Absolutely not!

It is very alarming that Word-faith teachers are promoting this heretical doctrine; and it is an injustice to Christ that they also suggest that believers who do not experience physical healing are lacking faith. Such implications illustrate contempt against God and touch the scale of insensitivity to the highest degree ....or perhaps the lowest. Envision how a handicapped or terminally ill person -- someone who needs our love the most -- would react when told that he cannot glorify God and their condition is their fault due to a lack of faith. This type of teaching does not come from God, but from Satan's ministers -- the gods of lies, cruelty and all kinds of corruption.