The Church of Jesus Christ

First, we know that there is nothing new under the sun when it comes to the evil imaginations of man, whether in religion or in society. Evil has a way of lying dormant until someone foolish enough to be possessed by it gladly begins to proclaim it as something new and righteous. Second, we know that Christianity, as a historical tradition, has seen it’s share of heretics and diverging ideas, only to be lain to rest for a short season and picked up at some later date. The Gnostic has found rebirth in the Mormons while the Arius now witnesses about Jehovah. Therefore, it should not be surprising to see Montanus return in our present day.

Montanus was a 2nd century heretic that proclaimed a ‘new revelation’. From wikipedia

Scholars are divided as to when Montanus first began his prophecy, having chosen dates varying from c. AD 165 to as late as AD 177. Montanus travelled among the rural settlements of Asia Minor after his conversion, and preached and testified what he purported to be the Word of God; however, his teachings were regarded as heresy by the orthodox Church for a number of reasons. He claimed not only to have received a series of direct revelations from the Holy Ghost, but personally to be the incarnation of the paraclete mentioned in the Gospel of John 14:16. Montanus was accompanied by two women, Prisca, sometimes called Priscilla, and Maximilla, who likewise claimed to be the embodiments of the Holy Spirit that moved and inspired them. As they went, “the Three” as they were called, spoke in ecstatic visions and urged their followers to fast and pray, so that they might share these personal revelations. His preachings spread from his native Phrygia (where he proclaimed the village of Pepuza as the site of the New Jerusalem) across the contemporary Christian world, to Africa and Gaul.

It is generally agreed that the movement was inspired by Montanus’ reading of the Gospel of John— “I will send you the advocate [paraclete], the spirit of truth” (Heine 1987, 1989; Groh 1985). The response to this continuing revelation split the Christian communities, and the more orthodox clergy mostly fought to suppress it. Bishop Apollinarius found the church at Ancyra torn in two, and he opposed the “false prophesy” (quoted by Eusebius 5.16.5). But there was real doubt at Rome, and Pope Eleutherus even wrote letters in support of Montanism, although he later recalled them (Tertullian, “Adversus Praxean” c.1, Trevett 58-59).

Prisca claimed that Christ had appeared to her in female form. When she was excommunicated, she exclaimed “I am driven away like the wolf from the sheep. I am no wolf: I am word and spirit and power.”

The most widely known defender of Montanists was undoubtedly Tertullian, onetime champion of orthodox belief, who believed that the new prophecy was genuine and began to fall out of step with what he began to call “the church of a lot of bishops” (On Modesty).

The beliefs of Montanism contrasted with orthodox Christianity in the following ways:

• The belief that the prophecies of the Montanists superseded and fulfilled the doctrines proclaimed by the Apostles.

• The encouragement of ecstatic prophesying, contrasting with the more sober and disciplined approach to theology dominant in orthodox Christianity at the time and since.

• The prophets of Montanism did not speak as messengers of God: “Thus saith the Lord,” but rather described themselves as possessed by God, and spoke in his person. “I am the Father, the Word, and the Paraclete,” said Montanus (Didymus, De Trinitate, III, xli); This possession by a spirit, which spoke while the prophet was incapable of resisting, is described by the spirit of Montanus: “Behold the man is like a lyre, and I dart like the plectrum. The man sleeps, and I am awake” (Epiphanius, “Panarion”, xlviii, 4).

From here we can get a glimpse of Todd’s Doctrine,

12. FURTHER REVELATION

We recognize that God is continually restoring truth and light to His Church. Therefore, we place no limit on further revelation; however, each must be substantiated according to the Scriptures.

Can Todd Bentley, and indeed the modern Charismatic movement, be described as the resurgence of Montanism? My opinion is yes, or course. Remarkable is the fact that throughout Fresh Fire’s doctrinal statement scriptures are given to support their belief, yet when we get to point twelve, we find not scriptural evidence to support a further revelation. (This is the case with other doctrines shared by other people as well, not just limited to Todd.) We also noticed that Todd mentions that God has to continually restore ‘truth and light’ to the Church.

(B)ut if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. (1st Timothy 3.15)

Accordingly, if the Church is the pillar and ground of the truth, then doesn’t that necessitate that the Church will eternally have the Truth with no need of restoration?

What about further revelation? Jude says,

Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. (v3)

Paul says,

I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.
(Gal 1:6-9 NKJV)

We know why Todd cannot use verses to support his doctrine at this point, but we also see that there are verses that directly contradict his twelfth point. What does this say about Todd? We know that Todd constantly claims new and wonderful revelations and prophetic words. (Either through himself, or oddly enough, a woman – remember, Montanus has a triad, including himself and a woman, as well) The Apostles plainly say, even from their grave, that Todd Bentley has denied the faith, is apostate, and is accursed.

I was discussing these things with the Lord this morning, and it dawned on me that the name of the ministry was named Fresh Fire (never mind that proscription to whatever we do, we are to do in the name of Lord Jesus – Col 3.17). Wonder why? Is it because people are always seeking the new, the exciting, the fresh? What about the old fire that fell from heaven during the Feast of Weeks? Is that fire not good enough for today? Has doctrine and revelation changed so much that something, or someone, is constantly needed to ‘restore’ it? What about the steadfastness of the faith that was once for all delivered to the Saints?

Or is Todd just like the ancient heretic Montanus, in proclaiming a perverted gospel and seeking something new because the old doesn’t suit him?

For good doctrine, go here and here.

Tags: angel, another angel, antichrist, charismatic, church, demon, demonic possession, devil, devil worship, faith, false church, florida, florida revival, fresh fire, fresh fire ministries, heresy, heretic, jehovah's witnesses, lakeland, lakeland revival, lds, miracles, montanus, perverted gospel, raise the dead, revival, signs, signs and wonders