Bill Johnson Promotes ‘Bethel Edition’ Of Demonic ‘Bible Translation’
Bethel Church overseer Bill Johnson took to YouTube last week to promote the new 2020 edition of the Passion Bible translation paraphrase, or as what he described as “The Bethel Edition” due to his having a forward. He says:
It’s a special time for us to do it through the Passion Translation, which is no secret around our place that the Passion translation I have a very special affection and love for. This of course is the new 2020 edition, the Bethel edition, and I have a forward in there.
But there’s 1000 new and revised footnotes…it’s just a worthwhile investment for your own personal life. I actually read the passion translation every night before I go to sleep…
This bible “translation” might as well have been called “The New Apostolic Reformation Translation” given that it’s pretty much exclusively endorsed by NAR folk, from Bethel to Bobbie Houston, James Goll, John and Lisa Bevere, Patricia King, Chuck Pierce, and is infused with their special kind of theology.
The Passion is a single-author “translation” of the scriptures by NAR “Apostle” Dr. Brian Simmons of Stairway Ministries, who claimed that Jesus appeared to him and gave him “secrets” of the Hebrew language. Lest you be confused about the “Dr.” in front of his name, it wasn’t due to his scholarly prowess.
Rather, he received it from Wagner Leadership Institute – an NAR organization founded by C. Peter Wagner that offers courses in subjects like dream interpretation and miracle-working and where you can get a “Masters of Spiritual Healing, Deliverance, and Warfare” or a “Masters of Apostolic Leadership and Applied Ministry.”
Not to be rude, but that dude is as crazy as a rat in a coffee can. See below. (Warning, brief representation of Jesus)
As you’d expect, Simmons gets all testy when people call it a paraphrase and not a translation, but what does he expect with passages like these provided by Sara Boyd that are added in and are drenched in NAR terminology and doublespeak, not to mention the running commentary found in thousands of footnotes?
Galatians 2:19
ESV: For through the law I died to the law, so that I might live to God.TPT: It was when I tried to obey the law that I was condemned with a curse, because I’m not able to fulfill every single detail of it. But because the Messiah lives in me, I’ve now died to the law’s dominion over me so that I can live for God in heaven’s freedom!
Galatians 6:6
ESV: Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches.
TPT: And those who are taught the Word will receive an impartation from their teacher; a sharing of wealth takes place between them.
Psalms 18:1
ESV: I love you, O Lord, my strength.
TPT: Lord, I passionately love you! I want to embrace you, For now you’ve become my Power!
Proverbs 3:3-6
ESV: Beside the gates in front of the town, at the entrance of the portals she cries aloud: “To you, O men, I call, and my cry is to the children of man. O simple ones, learn prudence; O fools, learn sense. Hear, for I will speak noble things, and from my lips will come what is right…
TPT: Can’t you hear the voice of wisdom? From the top of the mountains of influence she speaks into the gateways of the glorious city. At the place where pathways merge, at the entrance of every portal, there she stands, ready to impart understanding, shouting aloud to all who enter, preaching her sermon to those who will listen. “I’m calling to you, sons of Adam, yes, and to you daughters as well. Listen to me and you will be prudent and wise. For even the foolish and feeble can receive an understanding heart that will change their inner being. The meaning of my words will release within you revelation for you to reign in life. My lyrics will empower you to live by what is right.
More details on The Bethel Edition can be found here.
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God is quite adamant about the preservation of His Word given once:
“Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.” Jude 1:3 ESV.
… “and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them.”Acts 20:30 ESV
“Do not add to his words, lest he rebuke you and you be found a liar.”
Proverbs 30:6 ESV
“I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.”
Rev 22:18-19 ESV
The fear of God has been trampled under the feet of pride and greed!
Please ask Holy Spirit before you write condemning articles. You don’t know any of these brothers and sisters. It is gossip!
Love not judge! I am praying for you!