On a recent YouTube post, well-known theologian and Christian apologist, Justin Peters tells his audience that Dr. Michael Brown had extended an invitation to Justin to have a public discussion about ‘divine physical healing’. The invitation was extended in response to a ‘Wretched Radio’ program Justin had done with Todd Friel. Dr. Brown also extended this invitation on Twitter which Justin found rather ironic given the bizarre reason why Dr Brown has blocked him on this social media platform!
Justin Peters, who himself has cerebral palsy, declined the invitation on the grounds that Dr. Brown himself does not meet the qualifications of a pastoral minister.
“Dr. Brown, I’m going to have to respectfully decline your offer to do this. And the primary reason for declining that offer is that one word that you yourself used – ‘pastoral’. The Bible, as you know, gives a number of qualifications for elders or pastors, among them found in 1st Timothy chapter 3, pastors or elders are to be above reproach. They are to be temperate, they are to be respectable and they are to be able to teach sound doctrine……..”
“We also know from scripture that one of the marks of a mature Christian is a discerning Christian. We see this in Hebrews chapter 5. One cannot be a mature believer and lack theological, spiritual discernment at the same time. And so that is another one of the qualifications. And there also in Titus chapter 1, Paul in his letter to Titus, he reiterates many of these same qualifications, including being able to teach sound doctrine. As he said in 1st Timothy chapter 3, so he reiterates that. But he adds to this, to be able to teach sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict. And Dr Brown, as you know, one of my chief criticisms of you is that you have been unwilling to call out by name the most egregious the most brazenly obvious false prophets, heretics and charlatans in your own movement, the charismatic movement……..”
“So the reason, all of this to say, the reason I am declining your offer is because elders, to be a pastor, to have a pastoral discussion or to be able to teach sound doctrine or refute those who contradict, the Bible is not unclear about how we are to deal with with false teachers. We are not to endorse them, we are not to give them cover. We are not to call them our brothers. They are to be marked and avoided. Romans 16:17 “they are to be avoided and shunned”. 2 John 9-11 “Do not give them greeting, do not bring him into your house, for the one who gives him a greeting participates in his evil deeds.” We are not to participate in the evil deeds of darkness, rather we are to be exposing them and yet you’re on a panel to decide whether or not he should be in ministry.”
“Dr. Brown, if you cannot tell that a man, a man like Todd Bentley, should not be in ministry, then there is no point in us having a pastoral discussion about anything, much less healing….”
Dr. Brown’s video invitation:
Justin Peters’ video response:
Having given solid biblical reasons, Justin Peters respectfully declined the discussion on ‘divine healing’. Dr. Brown then proceeds to ask Justin (via Twitter, despite blocking him) to give him ‘a short summary’:
To which one discerning reader (not blocked) responded:
With faithfulness becoming such a rare commodity in the church today, the sort of humility Justin Peters displays is not often seen. We here at CWC are very grateful for the solid discernment and respectful approach that Justin Peters gives to all his discussions and critiques on the Charismatic Movement, and pray that the Lord will continue to bless his ministry and service to the body of Christ.
“But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong.” 1 Corinthians 1:27
Source: Justin Peters, Justin Peters Ministries YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSmXl0CDmM8&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR21Y29k8uQmHi9wrDkMw1SUsCqdYCgBF23gOx9utSLll7r9gERlA4emTXU. Published September 20, 2019. (Accessed September 21, 2019.)
“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” John 10:4-5
“Have I then become your enemy by telling you the truth?” Galatians 4:16
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Categories: Apostolic Missions Network International, Uncategorized