Christian Testimonies
A Rhema Testimony: Refutation of Rhema doctrine
A Rhema Testimony: Refutation of Rhema doctrine
By Rouan Snyman
This testimony was removed because this person was threatened with civil action if it was not removed from the public domain!
My testimony, Dion Knoesen
Good morning from a very sunny South Africa!
I have for some unknown reason come upon your site this morning and started reading… and I’m so happy that I did!
Your testimony in respect of the painful humbling processes that God brings in one’s life sounds very much like my experiences in this regard. I too have done many wrong things and made so many wrong decisions… I too stayed with a church because they preached things I so much wanted to hear and believe, because I also, at certain times found myself desperately in need of finances for example…and the church promised financial relief beyond what I can expect, providing of course I bring whatever I have to their collection boxes.
For a number of years I hoped and prayed and hoped some more and prayed even some more… yet nothing came.
No relief whatsoever. In fact things simply got worse. Then I, just like you discovered I was not really saved in the first place. I only started attending church because I was in desperate need and remembered that my church used to say something like “…anything is possible with God…” and “…come to Jesus…He will provide…” and other similar things. Since I believed what they said, I went to church with very serious expectations of very serious financial relief and very soon.
Then I discovered God’s saving grace and what being saved really and truly means. I am saved today, by the grace of God! I am his child today! I am nowhere close to finding a job I so desperately need in order to get myself out of financial ruin to which I am very close. Every day I am getting closer to financial ruin, and although I often lay before the feet of Jesus those persons who made promises of employment and then never truly do anything to deliver on their promises, I also pray that He shows me the lessons He wants me to learn from the situations I experience.
Some of the lessons are simply to become more humble, to allow Him to humble me just as He pleases, to willingly become the clay, to pray more for those who cause the calamity of others, to beg Jesus to save the souls of those who belittle me and kick dirt in my face, to cry out for and beg for opportunities to play a part in their salvation, learn how to forgive them in my heart of hearts, thank God for allowing me to experience that very same forgiving process, thank God for the humbling process that He allows me to partake in, thank God for walking with me, for carrying me when my legs are tired for the weight of the burdens I know I have played a major part in bringing calamity to my door.
I thank God for the very difficult place I find myself in today; where I am this very moment, because it keeps me on my knees – it keeps me in contact with Him, it teaches me so many things, it helps me maintain my sight on Him as opposed to my problems. I cannot wait for Him to come and fetch me from this life. Not because I shall then escape the unpleasant here, but because I have been saved by His grace and I shall be with Him forever, in heaven for eternity, singing praises to my God, where no tears exist, no more calamity, no more pain, no more sin, just heaven…
Thank you for sharing your testimony my friend and may God use you more every single day.
Love in Christ
Dion KnoesenDelivered from evil: The wolves in shepherds' clothing
Greetings from Bloemfontein, South Africa
I am greeting you in the truth that has set me free.
I have been part of the C.R.C Rhema “church” for twelve years. Three years ago I decided to leave. During these twelve years I became a home cell leader and was later asked to become an Overseer. I was told that this was one step away from being a Pastor.
What began to open my eyes to many deceptions, were the seating arrangements and how the Ushers (body guards) treated you when sitting in a wrong seat. My question is why a hierarchical system in the church, while the Scriptures clearly teach that we should not esteem one another greater than the other? These seats in the front rows for VIP’s also reminded me of Matthew 23, where it is written that the Pharisees like to be recognized and occupy the front seats.
Another serious concern I had was affairs taking place amongst some of the so called leaders in this “church,” something the Bible calls adultery and fornication. A leader commits adultery, divorces his wife, then marries his adulteress all in a few months and remains in the same leadership position, is then exhorted on stage. I questioned this and my concerns regarding this matter, was ignored by the Pastors.
When reading 1Corinthians 5 and 6, Paul admonishes the believers at Corinth for not being able to judge between their own brethren regarding a man who had an adulterous affair with his father’s wife. Adultery stays adultery, even if it is not one’s father’s wife. Paul even says in 1Cor.5:1 that such sin was not even common within the ranks of the heathens. Paul also says that such persons should be put out of the congregation!
This made me realize that there was no difference between this “church” and the world. In fact due to them calling themselves the “church” or the bride of Christ, while many unruly things are taking place and being tolerated, makes it worse than the world.
Another concern I had was that if the prosperity gospel that is being preached, is supposed to be one of prosperity, then why then so many bankruptcies, suicides and divorces amongst the congregants?
The Scriptures that are being preached by these “Pastors” have been twisted and watered down to adulterate the real context, so as to proclaim another meaning of prosperity and tithing.
Attending services like these, the motivational speakers, preachers and the teachers, apply pressure and burdens to congregants to tithe and offer money to the origination. Subtly their messages make those who really do not have much, feel guilty about not giving enough, yet they themselves life in utter luxury.
The basic message being preached in CRC Rhema; is one of - as long as you give it will all go well with you and you will also prosper. This could not be further from the truth, how deviant and sinful you feel when you are doing things according to their so called Godly instructions. Their promises to the laity are false and does not materialize, causing the people to question God and even to reject God in many instances.
You are treated and feel as one whose life in Christ is not sufficient. Prosperity is the focal point and those who do not prosper wonder why, and often feel rejected by Jesus. One eventually realizes that “prosperity” is only beneficial to the Pastor(s).
To those in “cults” like this, please do not be deceived any longer, study the Scriptures and let Jesus set you free. Do not trust the scriptures they twist according to their own means. Please seek His truth.
In closing I want to say; that in seeking God’s truth, He has not let me down. He has revealed so many wonderful truths to me and has set me free from the bondage I was subjected to, under the heavy shepherding in CRC.
Praise be to the living God that was and is to come! May his love and truth reside deep within you.
Pam Meunier
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