An open letter to Pastor Jannie Pelser about T.B. Joshua

Bill Randles / Ds Jannie PelserAn open letter to Pastor Jannie Pelser about T.B. Joshua

Bill Randles answer to Ds. Jannie Pelser

‘…One of the most alarming aspects of Joshua’s ministry that I raised is Transubstantiation, the heretical teaching that Joshua has power to transform water into the Blood of Jesus. This magical ritual demeans the true teaching of the precious blood, which Christ offered unto God for our salvation’.

Dear Jannie, thank you for your letter and the concern that comes across in it for fairness as well as for the Berean spirit.

JanniePelser

Since yours is an open letter, I ask you to consider disseminating this reply as widely as possible. I believe that it is a healthy thing to discuss these things openly.

First of all I have not “found T.B. Joshua” guilty of anything! There is nothing personal about this criticism, the fact is, he has a public ministry which is affecting thousands and perhaps millions of people around the world, therefore we are duty bound to be Bereans and examine these claims and practices in the light of the Bible.

As a matter of fact I was very careful to note that Joshua does not seem to be about money, I said in my talk that Joshua gives money away to the poor and seems to be a very humble and giving person. I don’t think it fair of you to imply that I have become “instrument(s) of strife and division”.

I do not claim to have gone to Nigeria to see Joshua, I believe that it is possible to make judgements based on what the Prophet teaches, as well as on the basis of the videos which the Synagogue itself releases and endorses. As far as your criticism that the videos we used were outdated, and that the Prophet has progressed since then, my reply would be that these are currently being distributed by the Synagogue.

Jannie, do you contest the testimony of Wium Basson and His Mother? Why do you distribute an open Letter implying that she changed her testimony? Have you consulted with her privately about it?

Do I need to meet the prophet personally, to prove as you assert that I am “serious about the Truth”? I disagree with you there, Jannie. I do not have to have personal contact to know where a prophet is coming from. I can read His words, I can watch the videos streaming out from the Synagogue and I can make judgements based upon what he says and the practices he promotes.

Would you have to meet personally with the chief prophet of the Mormon church in order to make a judgement about Mormonism? You know that you don’t.

You say that I am not putting things into an “African context” and that things like exhibitionism, vomiting, and nakedness are typical of African culture. I make no claim to understanding the “African context” so perhaps you are right. But doesn’t real Christianity transcend pagan aspects of all cultures?

All I have asked people to do is consider these ‘miracles’ in the light of the miracles worked in the Bible. If we have to accept these things in the name of cultural context, where does Christianity sanctify?

Jannie you mention that the clips we used only represent about 15 minutes of services that can last all day long, therefore implying a biased representation. Why not answer for the video clips as they are? All we are doing is showing what the Synagogue itself presents as the ministry of a modern day prophet! What context are we withholding that would make Biblical sense of the practices of “Remote control”, Transubstantiation, “Vomiting problems away”, exhibitionism, etc.?

I take exception to your criticism of the use of the phrase, “Is this the God of the Bible?”, I know that the God of the Bible has done strange and wonderful and terrible things which are hard to explain.

But when the God of the Bible came in the flesh in the person of Jesus Christ, and “went about doing good, healing all of those oppressed by the devil”, we do not see him subjecting people to anything like the indignity of naked exhibitionism, putting them into vomiting states, turning water into “the blood of Jesus”, or “remote control techniques”.

Therefore regardless of your assertion, it is a valid question to ask, “Is this the God of the Bible?”. We are to “Try the Spirits, to see whether they are of God . . . for many false Prophets are gone out into the world”. Rather than trying to “Force God into my preconceived ideas” I am simply asking people to judge through a Biblical frame of reference.

T. B. JoshuaOne of the most alarming aspects of Joshua’s ministry that I raised is Transubstantiation, the heretical teaching that Joshua has power to transform water into the Blood of Jesus. This magical ritual demeans the true teaching of the precious blood, which Christ offered unto God for our salvation.

The blasphemous sight of people fighting to get under the spigots, that they might wash in it, swim in it, drink it, and the demoniacs going into a frenzy under it ought to revolt all true Christians. I believe personally that it is even an insult to African Christians, to relegate such paganism to an “African context”.

All Christians, from every tribe and tongue, have “turned away from idols, to serve the living and true God and to wait for His Son from heaven”. Transubstantiation alone is enough to justify the caution I have raised concerning Joshua.

Jannie I appreciate the spirit of your letter, I hope the dialogue can bear fruit. I would gladly debate you although it will not be until March that I get over there, so let’s pray for the good will of God on it. Please consider what I say, I have carefully considered your letter.

May God help us to stand for Truth,

Sincerely,

Pastor Bill

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Tom Lessing (Discerning the World)

Tom Lessing is the author of the above article. Discerning the World is an internet Christian Ministry based in Johannesburg South Africa. Tom Lessing and Deborah Ellish both own Discerning the World. For more information see the About this Website page below the comments section.

10 Responses

  1. Glenzito says:

    Where is pastor Bill’s letter after visiting TB Joshua in march?

  2. Ify says:

    A house divided against itself cannot stand. Beelzebub cannot cast out Beelzebub.
    Please read ur scriptures and ask God to explain to u what u do not understand in TB Joshua ministries.
    Unfortunately people continue to critize what they do not understand

  3. ify

    If you cannot see what is wrong in TB Joshua’s ministry then it is you who need to ask God to explain to you his falsehoods.

  4. Zach says:

    my bros you know if you seecking for the truth stard with HIS name HIS name is not jesus HIS name is YASUHA HIS not zesus god of litening HIS YAWHE SON who came to repsend YAWHE jesus of nazarith is the roman cathlick god all who preach in the name of jesus and do miricals is of the devil and the world is wating for the return of jesus and his coming (antichrist)and his going to misleed the world not me cos i dont loock to tbj in nigeria or who so ever if you go to church on sunday you do sun wirship ennyway so stard do some homework and take of the tai and seeking YAWHE and HIS SON and the reel HOLLYSPIRT

  5. Zach,

    You must be an SDA member. The SDA church is heretical through and through. Don’t waste your time to comment here.

  6. ROSE ERNEST says:

    T B Joshua has power through God and baptized by holy spirit so he is anointed for the liberation of the world ,i have no doubt for him.

  7. ROSE ERNEST,

    There were many false prophets in the time of Jesus’ disciples who believed they had “power through God and were baptized by the holy spirit” but were in stead children of the devil.

    But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one: To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God. And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries. But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done. Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost. And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee. For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity. (Acts 8:9-23).

  8. Gideon says:

    Zach wrote:

    so stard do some homework and take of the tai and seeking YAWHE and HIS SON and the reel HOLLYSPIRT

    Firstly, who told you we are your “bros”?
    Secondly, maybe you should take the time and do some homework. It is very clear from what you wrote that you have no idea of what you are talking about.
    Thirdly, please enlighten us: who is your “YASUHA” “YAWHE” and “HOLLYSPIRT”?

    LOL

  9. Robbie says:

    Zach is caught in/by the sacred name cult…

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