There are two videos below for those who have never seen Dr. John MacArthur’s conference on the modern Pentecostal movement. The conference was based on his book: Strange Fire, 2013.
In the first video, a panel of preachers explain Pentecostal heresies based on video clips of various kinds of Pentecostal teachings. Video clips come from the Toronto movement; Bethel church; IHOP, etc.
The panel of pastors in the first video provided a biblical critique of the heresies contained in video clips, including: “fire” being called down; “fire tunnels;” the possibility that Rodney Brown’s powers are from the Kundalini spirit (observations from a Pentecostal man’s book and videos); indoctrination techniques at IHOP and such things.
The focus of the second video differed, as did the panel of pastors. They spent time addressing the heretical influences of music from Jesus Culture and Bethel church; how the music was a hook to pull unsuspecting seekers into unbiblical churches. They spent time explaining why the music is so dangerous….
They closed in discussing possible remedies: for individuals and organizations.
Those included returning to the scripture, that is, individual Bible study can lead one away from such churches. That is because the Holy Spirit works through His word to instruct. If you never read through the Bible, or seriously studied it, then you have no idea. They also discussed the hearing of fresh revelation from God.
I was born again during my first read through the Bible, after I spent 15 years looking for God in all the wrong places; and I have posted testimonies of others to whom this occurred also: see, Categories: Conversion Testimonies.
If you attend a Pentecostal church, then I highly recommend you listen to both the videos and begin studying scripture, reading through it regularly. Pray for the Holy Spirit to illumine your understanding and free you. In my mission statement post, there is a video wherein pastor Paul Washer states, from scripture, that God raises up false prophets to judge those who will not love His truth. That 10 minute video and that post is instructive about these things.
STUDY RECOMMENDATIONS:
Buy the book Strange Fire, it is much more detailed about why the Pentecostal church and this modern movement are heretical. MacArthur spent the initial 60% of the book documenting facts that show that the movement was born out of lies and scandals. You can check all of his facts, they are not his opinions, they are based in reality from newspaper articles, etc.
Buy a study Bible, in an easy to understand translation such as NLT, NIV, ESV, NASB (those are listed in order of ease, the ESV and NASB are more literally accurate, the first two are paraphrase translations. I have read through each and currently read the NLT and the KJV; the KJV is most difficult because of its old English).
A prayerful read through the Bible may be all it takes to free you from heresy?
Start by reading Proverbs chapter 1 and 2 to get an understanding what God thinks about diligence in study. He basically states that those who dig for His truth like they are digging for gold, will be given truth by His Spirit; those who depend upon some teacher to provide it for them and expend no effort in study will not be fed.
Biblical illiteracy is the cause of the abundant success of heretical teachers such as Benny Hinn; Kenneth Copeland; Joel Osteen….
Such teachers encourage their followers to seek wealth, health, prosperity; that is, to fulfill all of their selfish desires; they thereby encourage greed; while they themselves are filling up their own greedy desires by bilking you.
Jesus stated numerous times in the New Testament that His followers are to pick up their cross, follow him and deny themselves.
Hundreds of millions of “professed” believers are following those teachers down the road of destruction.
Mat 7:13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
Mat 7:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
Mat 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Mat 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
Mat 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Jesus often told religious people to “go and find out what this scripture means,” that seems to mean, study, strive to understand…so that you will not perish; don’t blindly follow someone who is teaching UNBIBLICAL teachings. The Bible is from God, Pentecostal preachers’ opinions are not from God.