Joseph Prince’s ‘No-Need-To-Confess-Your-Sins’ and Automatic Forgiveness without True Repentance would lead to Further Sinning by Believers (Dated 1 September 2020)

“I have heard and read about Joseph Prince’s teachings on the various subjects. There are two teachings I know that are clearly false. First, is his teaching that our past sins, including our present and future sins are forgiven without the need for confession. But 1 John 1:9 clearly states that we must confess our sins before we can be forgiven. Second, is the issue that repentance, according to Joseph Prince, is only a change of mind. This isn’t biblical as well. The biblical teaching about repentance is not just a change of mind but it must also include our works of repentance, and that it must finally affect our lives (Matt 3:8; Acts 26:19-20; Rev 2:5, 22). One clear example of true repentance is the prodigal son in Luke 15:11-24. He repented of his erroneous ways before he received forgiveness from his father (Lk 18-19, 21). Though this is an earthly parable, it contains spiritual meaning which clearly portrays that only with humble repentance will God forgive us. Isaiah 66:2 (ESV), “… But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word.”

But, Joseph Prince’s teachings about forgiveness of sins and repentance are a clear violation of the scriptures. His ‘no-need-to-confess-your-sins’ and automatic forgiveness without true repentance would lead to further sinning by believers. The Bible warns of such repeated and wilful sinning in Hebrews 10:26-27 that those who do would finally come under the raging fires of judgement. What these two false teachings do is that they make people feel good, as, since all future sins are all forgiven, people don’t have to be bothered anymore by their sins, even if they keep on sinning. Second, if repentance is just a change of mind, people don’t have to be concerned about whether their lives are changed or not. Such feel-good teachings give people a false sense of security that everything is alright in their spiritual life when it isn’t. Since their sins are not forgiven because they have not confessed them, nor have they truly repented of them, they will face the final judgement of God when Christ returns. Such heresies of Joseph Prince must not be tolerated by the church as they could lead people to the eternal fires of hell.

I’m thankful to Rev George Ong for taking up the challenge of debunking Joseph Prince’s heresies. There are many preachers who are aware of the false teachings of Joseph Prince but they dare not voice out. But praise God for Rev George, who has taken the bull by the horn, and without fear or favour, courageously exposed Joseph Prince’s heresies. His purpose of doing so is that those who are caught in the clutches of Joseph Prince’s teachings will see the light and be delivered from false teachings and avoid God’s final judgement. Such a difficult calling of Rev George Ong is one that not many would dare to undertake, as it is fraught with dangers and pitfalls. May God protect him and his family from all harm as he carries out this tough calling.”

K Paul Raj

Attending St John’s Anglican Church, Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia