Index Introduction
Chapter 1: The Investigation: Kenneth Copeland, Creflo Dollar, Paula White, Benny Hinn, Joyce Meyer and Eddie Long|
Chapter 2: Joel Osteen, Steven Furtick
Chapter 3: Ed Young, Kevin Gerald, Joseph Prince
Chapter 4: T.D. Jakes, John Hagee, Fred Price, Jesse Duplantis, Juanita Bynum
Chapter 5: Franklin Graham, Mark Driscoll, James MacDonald, Wendy and Casey Treat
Chapter 6: Jordan and Jordan. Rev. Run
Chapter 7: Others - Here and Abroad
Chapter 8: Conclusion - Where Did The Idea That Ministers Should Live Modestly Come From?
What Should Pastors Make And Should His Salary Be Kept From His Congregation? And more
T.D. Jakes, John Hagee, Fred Price, Jesse Duplantis and Juanita Bynum
T.D. (Thomas Dexter) Jakes (June 9, 1957),
 is the chief pastor of a non-denominational American megachurch, with 30,000 members, located in Dallas, Texas. It is called The Potter's House from Jeremiah 18 because as he once said, they are geared toward mending broken lives, regardless of what color they are. He certainly has his fingers in numerous pies. According to his web site he is one of most influential voices in America. His books, music, plays, movies, conferences and festivals have ignited the hearts and minds of millions. TDJAKES.COM extends his inspirational mission by publishing insightful, informative and rewarding content in order to motivate readers to live a life marked by purpose, power, vision, growth, love and faith. T. D. Jakes.com provides the tools that will help you fulfill your destiny. [01]
Jakes has authored more than 30 books, two of which reached No. 3 on The New York Times Best Sellers list. His music label Dexterity Sounds produced the Grammy Award-winning A Wing and a Prayer. He has appeared as a guest on Dr. Phil, The Doctors, Oprah, CNN, and MSNBC, and has been profiled in Forbes, The Washington Post, Essence, TIME, Ebony etc. He was also named by Time magazine as "America's Best Preacher" ... except that a secular liberal magazine probably knows next to nothing about good or bad preaching. T.D. Jakes' church services and evangelistic sermons are broadcast on The Potter's Touch, which airs on the Trinity Broadcasting Network, Black Entertainment Television, the Daystar Television Network and, I believe on The Miracle Channel in Canada. Other aspects of Jakes' ministry include an annual revival called "MegaFest" (that draws more than 100,000 people during that period of time), an annual women's conference called "Woman Thou Art Loosed", and gospel music recordings. TDJ Enterprises
A 2015 article in Variety reports that When he isn't wearing his "bishop" hat, Jakes makes time to serve in a completely separate capacity as CEO of TDJ Enterprises, a for-profit company in its 20th year. "Our company has actually existed longer than the Potter's House (his church),” Jakes says. "Before I was nationally known, I was leading an enterprise."
During its two decades TDJ has quietly succeeded in publishing, music and film. Jakes is the best-selling author of 40 books, has created nearly 20 albums under his Dexterity Sounds label — even winning a Grammy — and has eight film credits, with the ninth movie due out in March. [02] t is no wonder then that (at least according to The Richest) he has an estimated net worth of $18 million. [07] However, the web site Ghpage.Com says Forbes lists his 2018 net worth at $147 Million. [03] Bishops Village
Jakes' latest endeavor is Bishops Village - a streaming video channel that streams directly to your smart phone, tablet, or computer and features exclusive new videos every day. You can ask even question and have them answered on video It is said to be ...more than a video channel. This is a community! God does wondrous things when we come together and that is the guiding light of this channel - our village! Let's build this place BIG so that, together, we can achieve the great plans God has for us! [04]
Jakes says the hundreds of shows, with more added daily will help you to transform your life [03]. Although you can share your favorite videos on Facebook, membership to bishopsvillage.com costs $9.95 a month - the annual recurring subscription is $99.95, that saves you $19.45 a year. [05]. Strength Of Character
Jakes' inspiring early life and his relationship with his wife say a lot about his character. Just six months into their marriage, Bishop Jakes and Serita survived a horrific car crash that left Serita with severe leg and foot injuries. Doctors weren't sure she would ever walk again.... Bishop Jakes focused his energy and attention on her immediate care. As he said "I prayed for her, I took care of her, I cooked for her, I washed her hair, I taught her how to walk — literally. [I] stood in front of her and said, 'You can do this,’ and taught her to walk again,” he says. Eventually, Serita made a full recovery. It wasn't easy for either of them, but both believe it only made them closer. "It brought us together,” Bishop Jakes says. "We have an unexplainable connection... I guess, at the core, we're friends.” [06]
The Other Side of The Coin
There is no question that Jakes has helped an uncountable number of people who have suffered from emotional, physical, or sexual abuse, addressing issues that most other churches unfortunately don't go anywhere near. Along with several other ministries, Potter's House also runs The Guardian's Ministry that "serves the physical and spiritual needs of our homeless. Weekly, volunteers of the Guardian Ministry take to the streets of Dallas to pick up our homeless, feed them, clothe them and allow them the opportunity to worship with us". [07]
Unfortunately there is a more troubling side to T.D. Jakes. Although he vehemently denies being a prosperity preacher, the things he says, the way he lives, and the people he often associates with give lie to his denials. For example, Jakes has appeared on TBN, is Paula White's 'mentor', has shared the stage with the likes of Benny Hinn, Rod Parsley, Joyce Meyer, etc. He calls Ed Young Jr, one of the great jewels in the body of Christ - a trend setter who has blessed the body of Christ far beyond the parameters of the church The next 'Woman Thou Are Loosed' conference to be held in the third week of October 2018, has Juanita Bynum as one of the features guest speakers. [08] According to an older article on Religion News Service, in October of 2011 TD Jakes' "Woman Thou Art Loosed" was held at Joel Osteen's Lakewood Church. Friend Paula White was a scheduled speaker. ( In 2006 Jakes received a brand new convertible Bentley from Paula White)
In 1996, when he moved to Dallas and founded the Potter's House, he bought a luxurious seven-bedroom home complete with swimming pool in the White Rock Lake area of Dallas. A 1996 article in the Dallas Observer reported that at the time, Jakes drove ... a brand-new Mercedes. Both he and his wife Serita are routinely decked out in stunning jewelry. His West Virginia residence - two homes side by side - includes an indoor swimming pool and a bowling alley. These homes particularly caused the ire of local folks. [09]
In 2001 the Washington Post described it so, Flanked by a row of elegant cedars and surrounded by a tall iron gate, the $2.6 million pink brick house with fluted cream columns and a four-car garage is imposing even in this affluent neighborhood. Next door is the former mansion of oil tycoon H.L. Hunt, once known as the richest man in the world. The Hunt house has been undergoing repairs, and its lawn has withered to beige. These days it almost pales in comparison with its neighbor. [10]
Jakes said the home cost more than $1 million, adding that he thinks "we need some Christians who are in first class as well as coach,” [11]. 
However, in 2004 the perpetually 'upwardly mobile' Jakes purchased this 14,346 sq ft mansion in Fort Worth, TX for $5,575,000 [12] also located in Tarrant County, less that 40 miles away from Kenneth Copeland's house and airport. Built on almost 18 acres of land, the interior of the house boasts Decorative Lighting, Intercom, Multiple Staircases, Smart Home System, Sound System Wiring, Vaulted Ceilings, and a Wet Bar. The exterior Covered Porch(es), Gazebo/Pergola, Greenhouse, Guest Quarters, Lighting System, Open and covered Patios, A Sprinkler System, Stable/Barn, Storage Building, Tennis Court, and a garage that can house 7 cars. The many trees on the property precludes a clear aerial view of the property however Coldwell Banker has one picture on their site. Jakes bristles at the thought that some may believe his ministry's wealth is incompatible with Christian ministry. "Anytime that you say that if I was a Buddhist I could be wealthy, if I was the head of Nation of Islam I could be wealthy, if I ran the Mafia I could be wealthy, but because I'm a Christian I'm forbidden from being wealthy, there's something real sick about that," [13]
Sadly this is a ridiculous assertion. The Bible never once condemns the wealthy just because they have money. In fact some of God's finest... Abraham, David and Job for example, were men of substance. And although he eventually fell rather badly, King Solomon was wealthy by any standard. However, the rich men in the Bible were nearly all in the Old Testament - the New Testament emphasizing spiritual not material prosperity. It also consistently warns that wealth and possessions can distract us from what is truly important - like quicksand sucking us slowly downward. See God and Money - Chapter VII of The Prosperity Gospel and The Word of Faith Movement. Jesus Was a Rich Man
Jakes justifies his lifestyle by using Jesus as an example of a rich Christian making some outrageous statements in the process. For example, "The myth of the poor Jesus needs to be destroyed, because it's holding people back," [14] "Jesus "employed" 12 people to help spread his message, Jakes says, as though the apostles were on salary".
He also asked Why else would Roman soldiers have gambled for his cloak as Jesus lay dying on the cross, if the cloak hadn't been unusually valuable?
See Was Jesus a Rich Man? - the misquoted and out of context verses prosperity preachers use in the effort to support their point of view.
End Notes - T.D. Jakes
[01] https://www.tdjakes.com/about
[02] Matthew Faraci. Bishop TD Jakes Marks 20 Years of Heavenly Content. Variety Magazine.
https://variety.com/2015/film/features/bishop-td-jakes-marks-20-years-of-heavenly-content-1201654811/ [03] Toni Kusi. Top 10 Richest Pastors In The World – Forbes Official 2018 List
https://www.ghpage.com/top-10-richest-pastors-world-forbes-official-list/9/ [04] T.D. Jakes. What is Bishop's Village? https://help.bishopsvillage.com/article/162-what-is-bishops-village [05] https://help.bishopsvillage.com/article/170-how-much-does-it-cost [06] Huffingtonpost. https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/07/17/td-jakes-accident_n_7805514.html [07] https://thepottershouse.org/ministries/megacare/ [08] http://wtal.org/speakers/ [09] Kaylois Henry, "Bishop Jakes Is Ready. Are You?," The Dallas Observer.
http://www.dallasobserver.com/news/bishop-jakes-is-ready-are-you-6406265 [10] Lib Copel. With Gifts From God. Washington Post https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/2001/03/25/with-gifts-from-god/017326ed-5856-42fd-b7b2-a28eaf654add/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.1fd760953dc3 [11] The Fort Worth Star Telegram. As quoted in Forgotten Word. http://www.forgottenword.org/jakes.html [12] https://virtualglobetrotting.com/map/t-d-jakes-house/ [13] David Gibson. RNS Blog Editor
https://davidgibson.religionnews.com/1997/01/01/news-profile-evangelist-td-jakes-brings-healing-word-to-womens-pain/ [14] Kaylois Henry. Bishop Jakes is ready. Are you? http://www.dallasobserver.com/news/bishop-jakes-is-ready-are-you-6406265 John Hagee (April 12, 1940)
 According to his web site, John C. Hagee is the founder and Senior Pastor of Cornerstone Church in San Antonio, Texas, a non-denominational evangelical church with more than 22,000 active members. John Hagee Ministries occupies a 50,000 square-foot production center which houses both radio and television studios, 100 telephone prayer partners, and a vast distribution center. Currently, Hagee telecasts on eight major networks, 162 independent television stations, and 51 radio stations throughout the globe broadcasting in over 190 nations... [01]
It certainly is a family business. His wife, Diana Hagee coordinates all special events for Hagee Ministries, Cornerstone Church, Cornerstone Christian Schools, and Christians United for Israel. Their son Matthew Charles Hagee is the "Executive Pastor" of Cornerstone. He and his wife Kendal co-host The Difference, a popular faith-based talk show. Diana and her daughter-in-law Kendal together lead the Women's Ministries. [02] Christians United for Israel, the organization that Hagee founded (and is now National Chairman of) promotes the idea that Christians have a biblical obligation to defend Israel. In fact, Hagee delivered the benediction at the ceremony marking the relocation of the US Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem. Finances
In 2004 Hagee converted his nonprofit Global Evangelism Television (GETV) into a church which meant he was no longer obliged to file a publicly available tax return. However, before he did so Hagee was known to be the highest-paid nonprofit executive in San Antonio, with an income of over $1 million a year. According to the 990 forms for GETV, the organization in 2001 netted $12.3 million from donations, $4.8 million in profit from the sales of books and tapes, and an additional $1.1 million from various other sources, including rental income. As the nonprofit organization's president, Hagee drew $540,000 in compensation, as well as an additional $302,005 in compensation for his position as president of Cornerstone Church, according to GETV's tax statements. He also received $411,561 in benefits from GETV, including contributions to a retirement package for highly paid executives the IRS calls a "rabbi trust," so named because the first beneficiary of such an irrevocable trust was a rabbi. The John Hagee Rabbi Trust includes a $2.1 million 7,969-acre ranch outside Brackettville, with five lodges, including a "main lodge" and a gun locker. It also includes a manager's house, a smokehouse, a skeet range and three barns. [03]
In other words, he received $842,005 in compensation and $414,485 in benefits. And that wasn't all. "Diana Hagee received compensation of $67,907 as vice president of GETV and $58,813 as the special events director for Cornerstone Church." [04]
Incidentally, the ranch in Brackettville was bought by John C. Hagee Royalty Trust, whose trustee is Hagee's brother-in-law Scott Farhart, "The property includes the Hagee-owned LaFonda Ranch, which has its own private airstrip, where tele-evangelist and Hagee friend Kenneth Copeland landed his aircraft for a weekend of hunting rare exotic game". [05l ] Current Home
John Hagee and family seems to have downgraded - some. They now live in what is described as "spacious two-story single-family home" in San Antonio, TX. Spacious? I'll say! The house is fifty-three hundred square foot and boasts 6 bedrooms, 4 baths and a garage of about near sixteen hundred square feet. [06]
Doctrine
First Fruits
An older article in Charisma magazine stated that when the San Antonio Express-News questioned the income Hagee received from his Global Evangelism Television, Hagee told Charisma that he is unapologetic for his income, but at the same time he distances himself from preachers who promote a so-called prosperity gospel. His position is that he made his money the old-fashioned way -- by working for it. [07]
See The Prosperity Gospel and The Word of Faith Movement He may not teach the seed faith concept in exactly those words (see introduction in the Word-of-faith article linked above), but John Hagee tells people that if they ignore "the law of first fruits" - if they do not give God what is rightfully His, they will never experience the fullness of God's presence and joy in their lives. In his words, they "reject the blessings" that God has in store for them. [08] Although there is no question that God should come first in the lives of believers, and the seeking of the kingdom should be their foremost priority, nothing in the Bible says keeping the Lord first means "you will find yourself living a life filled with the good things of the Lord" as Hagee goes on to say. If you follow the principle of first-fruits, and make a commitment to keep the Lord first in your life, you will find yourself living a life filled with the good things of the Lord. This doesn’t mean you will never encounter a problem, but it does mean that He will walk with you through every storm and He promises to bless you in ways you cannot even imagine. [09]
Note: Paula White teaches that making a donation to her ministries honors the religious principle of "first fruit". Religious principle? There is no religious "principle" here. All Seven of the feasts that were instituted by the Lord Himself when the nation of Israel was encamped at the foot of Mount Sinai had very specific significance. This is one of the most fascinating of all Biblical studies because God's entire plan of salvation for mankind from start to finish is outlined by these feasts. See The Seven Feasts of Israel For example, the Feast of First-fruits, on the 17th day of Nisan, was a celebration of the harvest, when a sheaf representing the very first of the harvest was waved before the Lord, as a symbolic gesture that dedicated the coming harvest to Him. Jesus rose from the dead on the Feast of First-fruits. His resurrection was like a wave offering presented to the Father as the first-fruits of the harvest to come at the end of the age. The Apostle Paul said... But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep. For since by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, after that those who are Christ's at His coming, (1 Corinthians 15:20-23 NASB)
To apply this feast to money is absolutely despicable to say nothing of twisting the Word of God to an unbelievable degree.
Tithing
According to John Hagee's Controversial Gospel by Sarah Posner, he once said (Emphasis Added)
"God Almighty controls the economy of America, and God controls your income! Your source is God, not the United States government. ... When you give to God, He controls your income. There is no such thing as fixed income in the Kingdom of God. Your income is controlled by your giving." Believing or not believing in these principles is one's choice, and if you make the wrong choice, you've clearly sided with Satan and will be cursed financially: "The difference between living a life of prosperity and a life of poverty is a matter of choice. ... Tithing is a choice. If you choose to not tithe, you will be living under a financial curse." [10]
While the prosperity doctrine preachers take it to dizzying heights, most of the church's knowledge of tithing extends to a few out of context verses dragged out to make their case that tithing is biblically required - Malachi 3:8 is a prime example. Few have done an in-depth study of the subject, but isn't that par for the course in today's church? Anyway, for those who do care what the Bible actually says about tithing, here is a detailed article. Tithing False Prophecy - The Four 'Blood Moons'.
Some of the terms Hagee used in his 2013 book 'Four Blood Moons' may need some clarification. A "blood moon" refers to the coppery color the moon takes on during an eclipse. A "tetrad" is four consecutive total lunar eclipses approximately six lunar months apart. The dates of the last 'Tetrad' were April 15, 2014; October 8, 2014; and April 4, 2015. The last was scheduled for the night of September 27-28 2015. This tetrad was broadcast by Hagee all over the Christians world as being a signal being sent by God. He claimed that "The coming four blood moons points to a world-shaking event that will happen between April 2014 and October 2015,
2015 has come and gone and the world is still spinning on its axis, yet there has not been a single word from Hagee. As even Charisma Magazine said So, again, where is the accountability? Where is the repentance in the prophetic ministry? Why is it OK to get up on a megaplatform and prophesy things with specific date with no way of escape and move on to the next megaplatform (or internet) without ever looking back at the mess you left behind? Why is it OK to charge for personal prophesy at the altar? Why is it OK to scare people half to death in the name of Jesus when we know God does not give us a spirit of fear? I ask you, where is the fear of the Lord? [11]
The author of the article left one thing out - the fate of false prophets that is not an enviable one "Did you not see a false vision and speak a lying divination when you said, 'The Lord declares,' but it is not I who have spoken?"'" Therefore, thus says the Lord God, "Because you have spoken falsehood and seen a lie, therefore behold, I am against you," declares the Lord God. "So My hand will be against the prophets who see false visions and utter lying divinations. They will have no place in the council of My people, nor will they be written down in the register of the house of Israel, nor will they enter the land of Israel, that you may know that I am the Lord God. (Ezekiel 13:3-9 NASB)'' See False Prophets
End Notes - John Hagee
[01] Christians United for Israel. Leadership. https://www.cufi.org/impact/leadership/executive-board/pastor-john-hagee/
[02] Hagee Ministries. Who We Are. https://www.jhm.org/WhoWeAre [03] Analisa Nazareno. Critics say John Hagee's compensation is too high. San Antonio Express-News/June 20, 2003.
https://www.culteducation.com/group/1205-tv-and-radio-preachers/21055-critics-say-john-hagees-compensation-is-too-high.html [04] ibid [05] Sarah Posner. John Hagee's Controversial Gospel. http://prospect.org/article/john-hagees-controversial-gospe [06] https://homemetry.com/house/8+SHERBORNE+LN,+San+Antonio+TX [07] Jim Douglas. Big Faith in Texas.3/31/2004 https://www.charismamag.com/index.php/blogs/265-passion-for-jesus/1173-hearts-on-fire [08] John Hagee. Firstfruits. https://www.jhm.org/Articles/2017-09-01-firstfruits [09] ibid. [10] Sarah Posner. John Hagee's Controversial Gospel. http://prospect.org/article/john-hagees-controversial-gospel [11] Jennifer Leclaire. When Prophets of Doom Predict Natural Disasters on Specific Dates That Don't Come to Pass. https://www.charismamag.com/blogs/the-plumb-line/24687-when-prophets-of-doom-predict-natural-disasters-on-specific-dates-that-don-t-come-to-pass Fred Price (January 3, 1932)
 Fred Price is one of the more brazen proponents of the Prosperity Doctrine. In 1973 he and his wife Betty founded Crenshaw Christian Center in LA. The CCC web site refers to him as "Apostle" Frederick K.C. Price. (Why am I not surprised?) In 2007, 20/20 pulled a journalistic boo-boo. Price was featured in a segment about well-heeled televangelists in which they aired a clip from a sermon Price delivered many years earlier in which he said "I live in a 25-room mansion, I have my own $6-million yacht, I have my own private jet and I have my own helicopter and I have seven luxury automobiles."
The problem was that the sermon was about the importance of being a good Christian, and Price was not speaking about himself but quoting a hypothetical person who was extremely wealthy but failed to live a righteous life. Correspondent John Stossel explained that he had not seen the full sermon and apologized to Price and the church. The network ran more than one retraction online and on air. However, Price sued calling the use of the clip "one of the most outrageous instances of 'out of context' editing in the history of television." [01] It was finally settled out of court some four years later. While there is no excuse for such poor journalism, this was self righteous hypocritical indignation considering that...
Fred Price and Others Like him Continuously and Repeatedly Quote God out of Context
I would like to remind Fred Price and all the other prosperity preachers (among many others) how often they take God's word out of context to suit their own perverted teachings. I would also like to remind them that while God doesn't sue anyone, He takes this extremely seriously - to say the least.
Fred Price has made a career of preaching the prosperity gospel stating that he can quote Scripture after Scripture that show it is God's will for us to materially prosper and they are always going to have opponents as Satan is going to fight them tooth and nail. Just for the record, if you take misquoted and verses wrested from their context and read them as they were meant to be read - i.e. in context, the Bible says absolutely NOTHING about it being God's will for us to prosper in this life. See Alleged Bible Support For The Prosperity Doctrine
Prosperity teachers commonly make the claim that Jesus was a rich man therefore His followers are are entitled to the good things in life. Additionally, they use Biblical terminology that lulls believers into a false sense of security and appeal to a number of Biblical passages that convince many that their teachings come straight from the mouth of God Himself. But was Jesus a rich man, and do the Bible passages they quote prove that God wants us to be rich?  Regardless, to put it very mildly, Price has prospered. Although his home in the pricey Palos Verdes  Estates in Southern California doesn't boast 25 rooms and he doesn't have a helicopter, he owns not one but two Bentleys. In July 1989 he bought his 5 bedrooms, 7 bathrooms 8,734 square foot house in Palos Verdes Estates, CA for for $2,450,000.
For the record, in 1998 Forbes listed Palos Verdes Estates as one of the 40 most pricey zip codes in America [02] It was designed by the well known landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted Jr. and boasts some of California's most spectacular coastal scenery. Although I believe he has now retired, Fred Price used to commute by private jet between his two churches, the Crenshaw Christian Center in Los Angeles and another in New York's Manhattan. "The ministry operates an Aviation Partners Blended Winglets-equipped Gulfstream IISP based at LGB (Long Beach CA) and crewed by 2 full-time pilots and a flight attendant... "Make no mistake about it-this is a business,” says Price. "We have the same needs for corporate jets and productivity tools as any other business.”... "Other aircraft types might have done the job for us,” Price says, "but we got stuck in the Cadillac showroom and we didn't get any further.” [03]
"The Power Of Positive Confession"
Even little more than a glance at the first few pages of Price's book The Power Of Positive Confession, reveals problems galore to those who have more than a passing acquaintance with the Bible.
For example, his entire premise seems to be founded on one verse in Proverbs that says "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit" (18:21). The problem is that verse is so obscure that no one can be sure what it really means, particularly the last part. There is no context to help because Proverbs 18 consists of a number of disconnected bits of advice or wisdom. To build a doctrine around this single verse is the height of foolishness. Confession
Because, in our time, the word confession is largely used as an admission of guilt, Fred Price is probably right when he says that to the average person the word "confession" has negative connotations. He says his desire is to share what he believes "God means by confession, what the word says about confession, and how what you say or confess with your tongue can affect every aspect of your life". The word 'confession' can be understood in two related ways. According to etymonline.com, it can mean "make avowal or admission of a fault, crime, sin, etc. OR "to acknowledge" something. The two definitions are related because confessing or acknowledge one has committed a crime amounts to the same thing. Similarly one can either confess of acknowledge something as being a fact or a good thing. However, 'confession' cannot be taken to mean what Price says it does. In his words "The Greek word for confession is homologeo, and it means "to agree with" or "say the same thing that God says about you and or your circumstances."
Homologeo is used seven times in the New Testament, but never in terms of agreeing with what God says about you. In every single case it is a statement or avowal of belief in a certain doctrine or creed. 1.) Because of the proof given by this ministry, they will glorify God for your obedience to your confession (Gr. homologia) of the gospel of Christ and for the liberality of your contribution to them and to all, (2 Corinthians 9:13 NASB) Chapters 8 and 9 have to do with the collection being taken up to aid poor Christians in Jerusalem. Paul lavishly praised the Macedonians for their generosity in chapter 8, then in chapter 9 told the Corinthians that their willingness to give was proof of their obedience to their confession (Gr. homologia) of the gospel.
2.) By common confession (Gr. homologoumenós), great is the mystery of godliness: He who was revealed in the flesh, Was vindicated in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Proclaimed among the nations, Believed on in the world, Taken up in glory. (1 Timothy 3:16 NASB) Some translations render this verse as "By common confession, great is the mystery of godliness". In any case, these six declarations are not 'agreeing' with anyone, but are a comprehensive summary of the gospel. They are an affirmation of faith that some believe might have been a hymn of the early church.
3, 4) Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession (Gr. homologia) in the presence of many witnesses. 4.) I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who testified the good confession (Gr. homologia) before Pontius Pilate, (1 Timothy 6:12-13 NASB) In these verses 'the good confession’ is said here to have been made both by Timothy and by Christ. In answer to Pilate's question as to whether or not He was king, Jesus acknowledged that Pilate was correct. "For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice" (John 18:37). Timothy's confession of faith was probably made at the same time as the presbytery laid hands on him (1 Timothy 4:14).
5.) Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the Apostle and High Priest of our confession (Gr. homologia) ; (Hebrews 3:1 NASB) 6.) Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession (Gr. homologia) (Hebrews 4:14 NASB) 7.) Let us hold fast the confession (Gr. homologia) of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; (Hebrews 10:23 NASB) In examples 4,5, and 6 above the word homologia can be best understood as 'profession' of faith. The author of Hebrews is telling his readers that they are steadfastly to hold on to their belief and profession of faith in God's promise..
Perhaps you are getting a glimmer of how easy it is to twist one word to mean something it doesn't, write a book about it then convince people that it is God's truth. Incidentally, if you look up the eight instances of the verb 'confess' in the New Testament you will find it is used in exactly the same two ways. For example, Acknowledge: "Therefore everyone who confesses Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 10:32 NASB) Note just like the word 'faith' confessing Jesus implies identification of the confessor with the confessed, and thus takes confession out of the category of mere formal or verbal acknowledgment. Confessing a Wrong Doing: Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. (James 5:16 NASB)
Finally, the Bible is very clear that "negative confession" does not negate God's blessings. The Psalms are filled with cries to God for deliverance, and Psalm 55:22 and 1 Peter 5:7 exhort us follow that example. Even Jesus went before the Heavenly Father with a clear eye on the situation and a request for aid (Matthew 26:39) Fred Price then refers to Norman Vincent Peale's book The Power of Positive Thinking, about which he says ‘thinking positively is a good thing, but if that is all you do then all that will happen is that you will have a better attitude. To change your circumstances you need to speak positively "based on the Word of God"’. At this point I strongly suggest you read The Word of Faith Doctrine and New Thought that shows Peale's New Thought doctrine and teaching, where it originated and how various ‘Christian’ ministers have picked up and run with it. Matthew 18:19:
Like so many other Christians, Price believes that provided two or more people "get into agreement and believe God for a certain thing" - "pool their faith" as he puts it, God will grant them what they are asking for. For the serious Bible student there are three points to take into consideration. See Matthew 18:19 HERE Proverbs 6:2
Price later returns to the book of Proverbs Positive or negative, you will have it, if you believe it and say it. I repeat: we need to develop the habit is speaking life instead of death to our lives. Proverbs 6:2 states: Using Proverbs 6:2 to substantiate the 'you will have it, if you believe it and say it' theory only works if the verse is quoted out of context. However, if you read it in context it is actually a warning against becoming a surety for another and shaking hands on the bargain. It also advises that you rescue yourself from the situation as soon as possible. Read it for yourself (bold added) (1) My son, if you have become surety for your neighbor, Have given a pledge for a stranger, (2) If you have been snared with the words of your mouth, have been caught with the words of your mouth, (3) Do this then, my son, and deliver yourself; Since you have come into the hand of your neighbor, Go, humble yourself, and importune your neighbor. (4) Give no sleep to your eyes, Nor slumber to your eyelids; (5) Deliver yourself like a gazelle from the hunter's hand And like a bird from the hand of the fowler. (Proverbs 6:1-5 NASB)
In fact, the book of Proverbs repeatedly condemns standing surety for someone and warns that doing so might not go so well for the guarantor. He who is guarantor for a stranger will surely suffer for it, But he who hates being a guarantor is secure. (Proverbs 11:15 NASB ) A man lacking in sense pledges and becomes guarantor in the presence of his neighbor. (Proverbs 17:18 NASB) Do not be among those who give pledges, Among those who become guarantors for debts. If you have nothing with which to pay, Why should he take your bed from under you? (Proverbs 22:26-27 NASB)
And given Price's apparent affinity for the book of Proverbs, I have to wonder why he has never quoted Proverbs 30:7-9 Two things I asked of You, Do not refuse me before I die: Keep deception and lies far from me, Give me neither poverty nor riches; Feed me with the food that is my portion, That I not be full and deny You and say, "Who is the Lord?" Or that I not be in want and steal, And profane the name of my God. (NASB)
Out Of The Abundance Of The Heart
In Price's Words
Remember that what you confess or say with your mouth is your faith speaking, and it will reveal whether your faith is weak or strong. You can measure a person by their word. Jesus said one time, and it is true:... for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks (Matthew 12:34). Whatever is there in abundance will come out through your mouth.
Once again, reading the words in context makes it perfectly clear that these words had absolutely nothing to do with faith or the lack thereof. Jesus was speaking to the Pharisees who had just accused Him of casting out demons by Beelzebul the ruler of the demons (Vs. 24). As we know it was by God's Spirit of God that Jesus cast the demons out. Accusing Him of doing so by demonic power was blasphemy against the Holy Spirit that would never be forgiven (Vs. 31-32). Jesus then went on to say, (note KJV translation is in red) 33) "Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for the tree is known by its fruit. (34) "You brood of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak what is good? For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart. (for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh) (35) "The good man brings out of his good treasure what is good; and the evil man brings out of his evil treasure what is evil. (36) "But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment. (37) "For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned." (Matthew 12:33-37 NASB)
In other words Jesus was telling the religious leaders that as bad trees are known by their bad fruit, their speech betrayed them. The blasphemous statement they had just made about His miracles was simply an indication of the state of their hearts - they could do no different because they were corrupt inside.. Only the person who had a good heart was capable of saying good things. He went of to tell them (and us) that we would either be condemned or justified by our words. (Vs. 37)
End Notes - Fred Price
[01] Alana Semuels | Times Staff Writer. Preacher sues `20/20,' alleging defamation. July 25, 2007.
http://articles.latimes.com/2007/jul/25/business/fi-price25
[02] Andrew DePietro. Housing 1998-2018: America's Most Expensive Zip Codes, Then And Now. https://www.forbes.com/sites/andrewdepietro/2018/07/31/housing-1998-2018-most-expensive-zip-codes/#6f33bbc31aea' [03] Grant McLaren. Professional Pilot Magazine October 2005 On the Wings of God. http://jeteditor.ca/crenshaw-christian-center/ Jesse Duplantis
in 2009 the St. Charles Herald Guide based in Butte LA. ran an article called "Duplantis builds largest home on East Bank" (of the Mississippi) on  the corner of Ormond Boulevard and River Road in Destrehan, LA. Jesse's house is quite a bit larger than Ormond Plantation which is a stone's throw away. According to the article, the house which began construction in October 2008 boasts 25 rooms. It has 22,039 square feet of living space plus 12,947 square feet of accessory areas such as outdoor patios and garages. The first floor of the home has two bedrooms, 4 1/2 bathrooms, a kitchen, a dining room, a breakfast room and a music parlor. The second floor has four bedrooms, three full bathrooms, two half bathrooms, a fun room and a theater. [01]
End Notes - Jesse Duplantis
[01] Heather R. Breaux. Duplantis builds largest home on East Bank.
https://www.heraldguide.com/news/duplantis-builds-largest-home-on-east-bank/
Juanita Bynum
And then of course we have Juanita Bynum who said that as a young girl she dreamed of having a beautiful wedding. And so she did.  Her "million-dollar" wedding featured a 12-piece orchestra, a 7.76-carat diamond ring and was attended by 1,000 guests. John Hagee assisted with the ceremony along with an eight-member camera crew from the Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN) "Her dress," she said, "took nine months to make. All of the crystals (Swarovski) on the gown were hand-sewn. The headpiece was sterling silver, hand-designed. [01].
Perhaps it would be far healthier if people stopped rhapsodizing over their 'wedding' that is over in a blink, and give a little more thought to the marriage itself which is supposed to last until one of them dies, but so rarely does. The marriage came apart at the seams and Weeks was evicted from their home in Duluth. A meeting at the Renaissance in August 2007 to talk about reconciliation wound up with the so called bishop physically assaulting Bynum in the parking lot of the hotel. He turned himself in and reportedly spent six hours in  the Fulton County Jail charged with aggravated assault for allegedly choking, kicking and hitting Bynum. Week's excuse? "The devil made me do it". [02] Incidentally the house they shared in Duluth was a five bedroom, six bath 2.5 million home boasted a two story library office with marble floors. You Tube link Oh yes and did I mention that Juanita is commonly referred to as a 'prophetess'. In fact, she is the keynote speaker at the 2018 Prophetic Voice Conference. I have absolutely no idea what a 'Prophetic Voice Conference" is, but one apparently exists. [03] In her role as 'prophetess' she once told Charisma magazine "that the Lord is telling her that we are in a season of revival." Note: this was in 2003. Either the Lord was wrong or He never said anything of the sort to Bynum. But these false statements are par for the course with these self proclaimed false prophets. See Why The Fire Hasn’t Fallen May Christians Divorce & Re-Marry? Incidentally, Weeks has been married to 'prophetess' Christina Glenn Weeks for some time now. (“Prophetesses” are apparently cheaper by the dozen) End Notes - Juanita Bynum
[01] www.marriage-planner.com. Site no longer exists [02] http://skepticalbrotha.wordpress.com/2007/08/27/bishop-weeks-the-devil-made-me-do-it/ [03] https://www.eventbrite.com/e/prophetic-voice-conference-2018-keynote-speaker-dr-juanita-bynum-tickets-43273116055# | 
