IHOP - an eyewitness account

[Michael The Disciple]

Originally Posted by mfblume

What's your thoughts, Michael the Disciple?

Who are these investigators? Do they have a Christian foundation or mindset? Obviously there are things believed and practiced there contrary to my own walk. Thats why I dont attend there.

I see big contradictions in the story tho. On one hand they say people are being forced to stay there against their will. On the other hand it says they kick people out that disagree with them. So they are looking for anything...even if they contradict THEMSELVES to smear them.

I assume they are talking about "interns" in the study. People pay to do this. Its like a crash course in discipleship. It seems many young people DO go deeper with Jesus than they were before. Most of them come from Evangelical backgrounds and have a long way to go to come to discipleship. The accusation that Jesus is never mentioned at IHOP is so unreal its unbelievable.

I would hate to think of the things many Pentecostal type Church leaders and their people would be accused of under similar investigation.

Having watched their webstream (for free) many times I have caught myself thinking it "seems" to be a group that indeed is more spiritual and Godly than most Churches I have been around. IMO the worship, that is the music that glorifies Jesus is a notch above anything I have EVER seen among Pentecostals.

As my wife and I listened to the video I posted today we both felt the Spirit and were stirred in our hearts. We have praised the Lord with them at times till our very beings were shaken with love for Jesus.

We have never been moved like that at a Oneness Church unfortunately. Matter of fact after trying to fellowship with several Apostolic Churches in our town weve had to give up. Formalism that is deadening. Music from the Hymn books of many years ago that put at least me almost to sleep and its ONLY when they start the "shockamoo" thing they feel the Spirit is moving.

Couple that with teachings like if a man grows a beard or a woman trims her hair its Hell dont draw me. Couple that with fellowship and vision are simply to come to the "house" and sit in a pew and listen to "hot sermons" I have no interest in them.

I agree with some things at IHOP. Discipleship, the Holy Spirit baptism, the sermon on the mount lifestyle, deep intimacy with Jesus, the post tribulation rapture. They remind me of the Jesus Movement I came up in so yes I love/like them.

I myself am somewhat an "investigator" of Church groups. I have found almost no Churches that seem to be New Testament Churches. I could tell stories worse about various kinds of Churches that would be worse than what was presented about IHOP.

If its true that they read peoples mail and then "prophesy" it back to them they need to be rebuked for it. And yet more for Trinitarianism. For teaching the new birth as "just believe". For teaching the unscriptural doctrine of immortal soul which 90% of Apostolics also do.

So in summation in a world where I have DESPERATELY wanted to attend a Church that is fully operating in the apostles doctrine and the gifts of the Spirit I have to take whatever truth I can find where I can find it. Thats what I do among Oneness Pentecostals. If they believe the truth about something I praise them for it. If they teach error I have to oppose it. Does that make sense to you?