Did you hear Joel Osteen/Pentecostal pastor make fun of the Catholic Baptism?

[Janet1983]

As I passed by the family room I caught Mr Osteen in his Sunday televised show telling an anecdote of a Catholic priest telling a just baptized farmer"you were a baptist and now you have become a Catholic"(I don’t remember the exact words).Then he said the farmer went to his barn,sprinkle his cow and other animals and told them"you were a cow, a pig and a chicken,now you are all fish"Mr Olsteen’s huge audience broke laughing.
I asked myself why did he had to poke fun at us.I had thought he was uplifting,now
I do not like him.I had not set the TV to his program,but in the past I listened to him a couple of times.He was inspirational .Now I see he also has hidden agendas.

Joel Osteen might be a nice guy and I am not planning on saying anything else. That is about as far as I can be nice about it. He is not a good preacher or author. He is leading people astray!

He is an embarrassment. He uses a translation that is so off, that he has verses in there that are double the length and he goes ahead and tells people that if they believe enough and pray enough they are going to be given health and wealth by God. That is not how it works.

He is proclaiming a prosperity gospel that makes it even harder for anybody to reach those who fell for it and then got disappointed. God doesn’t promise us health, wealth, many friends, power and an absolutely positive life. The only promises that we receive are trials, tribulations, persecution and eternal life.

Joel Osteen does not preach the word. He preaches to those who have itching ears, who accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires. Osteen promotes elevation of self, not denial of self, taking up one’s cross and following Him.
He is distorting the gospel of Christ!
He is not a pastor! He is a motivational speaker who doesn’t care for the gospel. All he does is making people feel good, but that is not what truth is all about!

PS:
Please forgive me my little rant. I cannot look at the teachings of this man without getting slightly irate. It makes me upset to see how far this man distorts the gospel and how many people he is reaching with that.

 

[mark_a]

Joel Osteen might be a nice guy and I am not planning on saying anything else. That is about as far as I can be nice about it. He is not a good preacher or author. He is leading people astray!

He is an embarrassment. He uses a translation that is so off, that he has verses in there that are double the length and he goes ahead and tells people that if they believe enough and pray enough they are going to be given health and wealth by God. That is not how it works.

He is proclaiming a prosperity gospel that makes it even harder for anybody to reach those who fell for it and then got disappointed. God doesn’t promise us health, wealth, many friends, power and an absolutely positive life. The only promises that we receive are trials, tribulations, persecution and eternal life.

Joel Osteen does not preach the word. He preaches to those who have itching ears, who accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires. Osteen promotes elevation of self, not denial of self, taking up one’s cross and following Him.
He is distorting the gospel of Christ!

Well put.

Wow! We agree on something!

 

[Todd520]

I agree that Joel should not be your primary Preacher. But as with your friend, I think he can do a good job of lighting a spark in lapsed Christians, to start their journey home. Also, he does close his show urging viewers to join a local bible based Church. He’s a good appetizer but not main course

At least that was my opinion until about three weeks ago. I had a client come in a who has always been one of the most miserable people I’ve ever seen suddenly coming in full of joy -having quit drinking and visiting gentlemen’s clubs. Seemed he heard a sermon by Joel Osteen and joined his church. I don’t agree with the gospel preached by Joel Osteen But if God used him to bring hope and joy to my client who am to question it?.

 

[Born_Warrior]

"Jesus died for our sins. All that is asked in return to be saved is that you believe in him. There is no need to ask to be forgiven. What does his sacrifice mean if you then have to be forgiven for a sin you commit? "

Wow, I can’t believe you wrote that.

Wow!

Surprise, Surprise! That’s another priestly function Jesus gave to His Apostles - the forgiveness of sins.

In Sacred Scripture, when Jesus entered the upper room after His Resurrection. How does your denomination interpret Jesus’ words.

Only God can forgive sins. Jesus simply explained to the Apostles that by preaching the gospel, they held the keys to Heaven and Hell. Those who believed the Gospel were forgiven; those who didn’t, weren’t. Neither Matthew 16:19 nor John 20:23 (which I assume you are referencing) teach that men have the power to forgive sin. Even the unsaved Pharisees knew this - “And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, Who is this which speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?” (Luke 5:21).

Yes, we should confess our sins to God as soon as we are aware that we have sinned. However, we do not always need to be asking God for forgiveness. When we place our faith in Jesus Christ for salvation, all of our sins are forgiven. That includes past, present, and future, big or small. Believers do not have to keep asking for forgiveness or repenting in order to have their sins forgiven. Jesus died to pay the penalty for all of our sins, and when they are forgiven, they are all forgiven (Colossians 1:14; Acts 10:43).

1 Timothy 2:5 - For there is one God; there is also one mediator between God and humankind, Christ Jesus, himself human,

 

[Cat_Herder]

Only God can forgive sins. Jesus simply explained to the Apostles that by preaching the gospel, they held the keys to Heaven and Hell. Those who believed the Gospel were forgiven; those who didn’t, weren’t. Neither Matthew 16:19 nor John 20:23 (which I assume you are referencing) teach that men have the power to forgive sin.

[BIBLEDRB]Matthew 9:5-8[/BIBLEDRB]
[BIBLEDRB]John 20:22-23[/BIBLEDRB]

Even the unsaved Pharisees knew this - “And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, Who is this which speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?” (Luke 5:21).

So you are telling us to do as the Pharisees did and doubt the power that God gave through the Holy Spirit to His Apostles. Wow…

Yes, we should confess our sins to God as soon as we are aware that we have sinned. However, we do not always need to be asking God for forgiveness.

That is not what Paul said.

[BIBLEDRB]1 Corinthians 10:11-12[/BIBLEDRB]

Or John.

[BIBLEDRB]1 John 5:16[/BIBLEDRB]

Our standing instructions are to pray for the forgiveness of one another’s sins as well as our own.

When we place our faith in Jesus Christ for salvation, all of our sins are forgiven. That includes past, present, and future, big or small.Believers do not have to keep asking for forgiveness or repenting in order to have their sins forgiven.

Jesus died to pay the penalty for all of our sins, and when they are forgiven, they are all forgiven (Colossians 1:14; Acts 10:43).

[BIBLEDRB]Colossians 1:14[/BIBLEDRB]
[BIBLEDRB]Acts 10:43[/BIBLEDRB]

Yes, but the Bible also says:

[BIBLEDRB]Hebrews 10:26-27[/BIBLEDRB]

… and the verses previously mentioned.

1 Timothy 2:5 - For there is one God; there is also one mediator between God and humankind, Christ Jesus, himself human,

[BIBLEDRB]1 Peter 2:5[/BIBLEDRB]

And sure enough, none other than Paul heard confessions in the name of Christ.

[BIBLEDRB]2 Corinthians 2:10[/BIBLEDRB]

 

[Born_Warrior]

[BIBLEDRB]Matthew 9:5-8[/BIBLEDRB]
[BIBLEDRB]John 20:22-23[/BIBLEDRB]

So you are telling us to do as the Pharisees did and doubt the power that God gave through the Holy Spirit to His Apostles. Wow…

That is not what Paul said.

[BIBLEDRB]1 Corinthians 10:11-12[/BIBLEDRB]

Or John.

[BIBLEDRB]1 John 5:16[/BIBLEDRB]

Our standing instructions are to pray for the forgiveness of one another’s sins as well as our own.

[BIBLEDRB]Colossians 1:14[/BIBLEDRB]
[BIBLEDRB]Acts 10:43[/BIBLEDRB]

Yes, but the Bible also says:

[BIBLEDRB]Hebrews 10:26-27[/BIBLEDRB]

… and the verses previously mentioned.

[BIBLEDRB]1 Peter 2:5[/BIBLEDRB]

And sure enough, none other than Paul heard confessions in the name of Christ.

[BIBLEDRB]2 Corinthians 2:10[/BIBLEDRB]

Only God can forgive sin, and if you believe than you are already forgiven. Sums it up pretty well.

 

[Cat_Herder]

Only God can forgive sin, and if you believe than you are already forgiven. Sums it up pretty well.

[BIBLEDRB]Matthew 7:20-27[/BIBLEDRB]

 

[Born_Warrior]

Here are three verses that prove my point. Unlike what you are posting, they are NOT open to interpretation.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life" John 3:1)

John 14:6, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."

Acts 4:12 , Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."

 

[bkayw]

Only God can forgive sins. Jesus simply explained to the Apostles that by preaching the gospel, they held the keys to Heaven and Hell. Those who believed the Gospel were forgiven; those who didn’t, weren’t. Neither Matthew 16:19 nor John 20:23 (which I assume you are referencing) teach that men have the power to forgive sin. Even the unsaved Pharisees knew this - “And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, Who is this which speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?” (Luke 5:21).

“…teach that men have the power to forgive sin.”

You’re partially correct, Jesus’ chosen twelve were given the power to forgive sin. Upon Judas’ death, the eleven cast lots to select the new 12th.

Surely, you have an understanding of the system God the Father required with the Jews for the forgiveness of their sins.

Jesus did not go out to the crowds and say to them, “Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.”

He selectively told the Apostles present in the upper room.

Your comment:

"Believers do not have to keep asking for forgiveness or repenting in order to have their sins forgiven. "

Really, a person commits adultery and prior to climax Jesus provides automatic forgiveness. Prior to the person asking repentance.

That is absolutely rediculous.

 

[bkayw]

Our standing instructions are to pray for the forgiveness of one another’s sins as well as our own.

Our Father, Who art in Heaven, hallowed be
Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy Will be done,
on earth, as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our
daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we
forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us
not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

 

[Cat_Herder]

Here are to verses that prove my point. Unlike what you are posting, they are NOT open to interpretation.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life" John 3:1)

John 14:6, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."

Acts 4:12 , Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."

When people went to Paul for confession they weren’t asking for forgiveness in the name of Paul. He says he forgave them in the name of Christ. Read it again, without deliberately trying to make the Word of God contradict itself.

[BIBLEDRB]2 Corinthians 2:10[/BIBLEDRB]
And:
[BIBLEDRB]2 Corinthians 5:17-20[/BIBLEDRB]
[BIBLEDRB]Matthew 10:40[/BIBLEDRB]

Why has your church (do you have one?) stopped doing this? Why do your elders not have this ministry of reconciliation?

 

[bkayw]

In the same way that God the Father created the Levitical priesthood, Jesus established His priesthood for His Church through His chosen twelve Apostles.

 

[Anzlyne]

Pastor Osteen’s joke about the fact that Catholics didn’t eat meat and they could, by sprinkling on holy water and saying some words, change the meat into fish, which could be eaten — even though it still, of course, would look and taste like meat, seems not to be a dig at baptism as much as it is the general protestant joke about the so called “hocus pocus” of the Catholic belief in transubstantiation… the holy Eucharist.
I think iti was also just a joke about human nature and wanting to have what we want to have and finding a way to justify it.

 

[Born_Warrior]

Really, a person commits adultery and prior to climax Jesus provides automatic forgiveness. Prior to the person asking repentance.

That is absolutely rediculous.

If you are saved, you have forginveness the moment you become saved.

Read your bible,

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,[a] that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.”
John 6:39-40

Truly I say to you, He who has faith in me has eternal life. John 6:47

 

[SnakeMauler]

If you are saved, you have forginveness the moment you become saved.

Read your bible,

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,[a] that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.”
John 6:39-40

Truly I say to you, He who has faith in me has eternal life. John 6:47

Try not to oversimplify things dude. You’re well intentioned, but, for example, when he posted that verse from Matthew that said “gave such power to men” you didn’t even reply. Trust me, Catholicism seems kind of complicated at first with the long history and propaganda against it, but there gets to be a certain point where you just have to man up and accept it.

 

[Born_Warrior]

Your comment:

"Believers do not have to keep asking for forgiveness or repenting in order to have their sins forgiven. "

Really, a person commits adultery and prior to climax Jesus provides automatic forgiveness. Prior to the person asking repentance.

That is absolutely rediculous.

No, it is bibilical.

 

[Cat_Herder]

No, it is bibilical.

No, this is.

[BIBLEDRB]Revelation 21:8[/BIBLEDRB]

 

[bkayw]

Born Warrior,

The people who trained you in your faith are twisting Sacred Scripture and Tradition to suit their denomination.

Honestly, juvenile delinquents have a deeper knowledge of moral reasoning and consequences for sinful actions.

 

[Zooey]

He is a fraud and he misleads people. I am not surprised he said this in the least. Yes - he has an agenda, to fill his pockets with other people’s money.

~Liza

Osteen is a feel-good motivational speaker, and certainly not representative of evangelical Christians. In fact, many evangelicals feel he is heterodox.

“I think we may accept it as a rule that whenever a person’s religious conversation dwells chiefly, or even frequently, on the faults of other people’s religions, he is in a bad condition.” -C.S. Lewis (Collected Letters Vol. 3 p. 209).

All right!! Now that really says the truth!!
Thank you!!

 

[Born_Warrior]

When people went to Paul for confession they weren’t asking for forgiveness in the name of Paul. He says he forgave them in the name of Christ. Read it again, without deliberately trying to make the Word of God contradict itself.

When Paul was asked what it takes to get to heaven, he said:

“If you believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, you will be saved, and if those in your house believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, then they will be saved too.” Acts 16:31

Don’t see needing to go to confession mentioned anywhere.

When it comes to confession of sin, believers are told in 1 John 1:9 to confess their sins to God. God is faithful and just to forgive our sins as we confess them to Him. James 5:16 speaks of confessing our trespasses “to one another,” but this is not the same as confessing sins to a priest as the Church teaches. Priests/church leaders are nowhere mentioned in the context of James 5:16. Further, James 5:16 does not link forgiveness of sins with the confession of sins “to one another.”

I have seen John 20:23 mentioned, “If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven." I understand that Catholics claim that God gave the apostles the authority to forgive sins, and that authority was passed on to the successors of the apostles, such as the bishops and priests. There are several problems with this interpretation. 1 John 20:23 nowhere mentions confession of sin. 1 John 20:23 nowhere promises that the authority to forgive sins would be passed on to the successors of the apostles. Jesus’ promise was specifically directed to the apostles. The New Testament nowhere states that the apostles would even have successors to their apostolic authority.

Catholics point to Matthew 16:19 and 18:18 as evidence for the Catholic Church’s authority to forgive sins. Again, the concept of confession of sin to a priest is nowhere taught in Scripture. We are to confess our sins to God (1 John 1:9). We do not need mediators between us and God. We can go to God directly because of Jesus’ sacrifice for us. 1 Timothy 2:5, “For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.”