Expert: Pastor Don Carpenter - 8/30/2010

Question
Hello Pastor!

I have this one question thats been concerning me for quite a while. Based on the subject you already know it's about Benny Hinn. Many people consider him a fraud because of the amounts of money his ministry takes and how he uses them like a thousand dollar meal, or a ostentatious house, or the private jet he takes. Others because of his false testimonies about people and the future, and others because of his so called "healings". Personally, I believe he's doing the Lords work. Pastor, what do you think. I have a back-up explanation to this, but first I wanted to know what you think about him and his teachings.

Answer
Hi William,

Thank you for this interesting question.  I am a Bible expert, but not an absolute expert on all the things that Benny Hinn does and says.  I can say that anyone that is claiming to get direct revelation from God today is going against scriptures.  God tells us that prophecy (direct revelation) will stop when that which is perfect is come.  Perfect means complete... so in other words when the Bible is completed, there is no more need for direct revelation.

1 Corinthians 13:8-10
8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.  9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.  
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

God tells us that His word is complete.

Revelation 22:18-19
18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: 19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.  

The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

So if Benny Hinn claims to speak for God with a word of prophecy, he is contradicting the above scripture.

Now as to healing on demand, God never promised to heal every time we ask.  

2 Corinthians 12:7-9
7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. 8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

God's word warns us about preachers who are all about the money.

2 Peter 2:3
3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

Once again, I am not an expert on all Benny Hinn has done, but I do know that generally speaking if he does the things that I mentioned above, then I believe that he is not of God.  Based upon the scripture I cited, you would know better than I do if he has violated these principles.

I hope that this helps you.

In Christ
Pastor Don