By Jeyakaran Emmanuel
I am writing this on behalf of the ‘Grace & Truth Coalition’ in Chennai which is a coalition of several Pastors Fellowships, Ministry networks (like the Chennai Transformation Network) that brings together several Christian leaders in both the ‘church’ world as well as the Corporate/Professional world for the cause of the health and purity of the Body of Christ at large.
Last year, we organised a conference at NLAG, Chennai, on Biblical interpretation addressing ‘Legalism & Hypergrace’. Later, we held a subsequent consultation at HBI for Senior Pastors/Ministry Leaders called ‘Another gospel?’ in which we also addressed the ‘Immortality on Earth’ false teachings specifically of Kobus, Kirby and Jesudian among others in order to bring awareness to Christian leaders on the emerging erroneous teachings that are infiltrating the churches in India.
We completely believe in authentic miracles, signs and wonders and we are all for the demonstration of the Kingdom in power. We are not against the supernatural dimension. However, we will call into question any teaching that is not in line with the authority of the Scriptures.
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The authenticity of a man of God/or a ministry is not tested by the miracles he performs. It is on the basis of his sound doctrine (teachings). As God’s Word says in 2 Timothy 4:3 “For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.”
1 Tim 4:16 says , “Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.”
Please note the Word does not say ‘watch your signs and wonders…” But watch your doctrine (teaching) and life (character).
Jesus warned us in Matthew 24:24, “For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.”
Kirby may be a sincere follower of Christ, but he is sincerely wrong in such unbiblical teachings such as immortality on earth & breatharianism by misinterpreting and twisting Scriptures.
We are of the opinion that since Kirby’s teachings are clearly not in line with the Word of Truth he or anyone else for that matter has to be evaluated NOT on the basis of the signs and wonders but on the basis of the doctrine he believes in and teaches. Sound doctrine cannot be sacrificed at the altar of signs and wonders. Signs and wonders do not validate the credibility or authenticity of a ministry – it is submission to the authority of Scriptures and sound doctrine and Christ-like character.
The writer is the pastor of PowerHouse Church, Chennai.
