Joseph Prince is Exposed by Rev Derek Hong, a Singapore Veteran Pastor, to be Preaching Heresy – By Rev George Ong (Dated 5 August 2023)
Joseph Prince is effectively promoting
the Heresy of Universalism
– that all religions lead to Christ.
Read on…
(This article was also sent to Rev Dr Ngoei Foong Nghian, General Secretary, National Council of Churches of Singapore (NCCS) office, and for the attention of the Executive Committee Members.)
In a sermon, Rev Derek Hong said;
Please click here to view the 2-minute video:
“Recently, I was told of a very strange teaching
that you could become a Christian
and then stop being a Christian,
and even change your religion;
and when you die,
you can still go to heaven.
I heard this from a very big ministry.
I wasn’t sure;
years ago, I heard this.
Then, actually, 2 weeks ago,
when I was talking about the kingdom,
there was this visitor who came up,
and, actually, he was from that church;
20 years, he was in the church.
So, I asked him,
did your Pastor actually talk about this,
that you could be a Christian, get baptised,
and then, after a while,
because of something happened,
you changed your religion.
You go back to what you were,
or to even another religion.
Did your Pastor actually say
such a person can go to heaven?
He said, “Yes, the Pastor actually preached that.”
And I said, do you believe it?
And he said he believes it.
Then when Pastor Peter was here, I also asked him.
I said, “Have you heard this kind of teaching?
He said, “Yes.”
He said, “Ya, I heard it from this Pastor of this big church.”
So, I was actually very disturbed, very shocked by that.
I wasn’t sure.
So, I took time to confirm.
And now that I’m sure,
I really am very concerned.
“So if anyone is ashamed of me, Jesus said
and my message in these adulterous and sinful days,
the Son of Man will be ashamed of that person
when he returns in the glory of His Father
with the holy angels.” (Mark 8:38 NLT)
Jesus Christ is going to return one day
as the Lord of lords, and the King of kings.
And He says it very clearly,
anyone who is ashamed of him and his words;
He says He Himself will be ashamed of you.
So, I cannot understand how any preacher
can say you can believe in Jesus.
And then, after a while, you change,
you recant, as it were your allegiance to the King,
and then expect the King
to welcome you into His kingdom
when you die.
That’s heresy. Okay.”
Rev Derek Hong is a friend of mine.
I first got know that ‘he existed’ 50 years ago, in 1974,
when the church I was attending and later serving as a Pastor,
Grace Assembly of God,
used his church, Church of Our Saviour (he was then the Senior Pastor),
for our worship services
as Grace Assembly was then
undergoing her first church rebuilding.
I didn’t know him personally then.
Of course, later on, I got to know him.
Rev Derek Hong is a veteran
in the Singapore Church scene.
He is also well-respected by many Singapore Pastors.
In his sermon, Rev Derek Hong referred to a Pastor
who said that one can still go to heaven
even though he has changed his religion.
The Pastor that Rev Derek Hong was referring to
is none other than Joseph Prince.
Rev Derek Hong himself revealed this to me.
Rev Derek Hong is well aware
that I am featuring this portion of his sermon video
in this article on my website.
According to Rev Derek Hong,
there were 3 independent witnesses
who heard the same thing
that was said by Joseph Prince.
But let me revealed another independent witness (4th)
who heard the same thing said by Joseph Prince.
He is Andrew Tan,
an Ex New Creation Church member for 20 years.
His testimony (not including this fact)
has been featured on this website.
For those who wish to read,
Please click on the link below:
In his sermon, Rev Derek Hong later called
what Joseph Prince preaches as heresy.
Indeed, Rev Derek Hong is 100 percent right.
There are no two ways about this.
From the Reformation Fathers, the Puritan Fathers
and any true Evangelical church,
all would have come to the same conclusion
– that such kind of preaching is heresy.
This is because this has to do with core teachings
such as the Gospel
and what constitutes saving faith.
But what is more horrifying is that
Joseph Prince is leading the masses to hell
– as many who have been convinced by his teaching
would think that even though
they have become the devotees of another religion,
they are still saved
and they would still make it to heaven.
By teaching that,
Joseph Prince is effectively promoting
the Heresy of Universalism
– that all religions lead to Christ.
Mind you, what Rev Derek Hong has brought up
is only one issue about Joseph Prince’s heresy.
There are many other heresies
that Joseph Prince is preaching
that I have already brought up
and they are found in the Appendix.
As many of you may be aware,
Rev Derek Hong is not the only one
who has declared that Joseph Prince
is preaching heresy,
all the following Ministers have publicly declared
that Joseph Prince is a heretic:
Bishop Ho Chee Sin (Methodist),
Bishop Kuan Kim Seng (Anglican),
Bishop Andrew Phang (Anglican),
Dr Roland Chia (Methodist),
Rev Tan Cheng Huat (Presbyterian),
Canon Rev James Juhari (Anglican),
Rev David Liew (Methodist),
Rev Lawrence Yam (Baptist),
Rev Eric Chua (Presbyterian),
Rev Arnold Rajan (Pentecostal),
Rev Eric Lee (Assembly of God),
Rev Kelvin Jawa (Anglican),
Rev Momoh Sylvester Foh (Lutheran),
Rev Goutam Datta,
Rev Wilston Trin (Anglican),
Rev William Patrick (Assembly of God),
Pastor Dr Albert S K Chia (Independent),
Elder Ng Tah Wee (Presbyterian),
Dr Simon Chong (Methodist),
and many others…
If this is the case,
how can a Singapore Methodist Bishop
and a Singapore Presbyterian Pastor
say that Joseph Prince is not a heretic?
Is this not enough
for the National Council Churches of Singapore
to act against Joseph Prince?
How can you have a so-called Pastor
who preaches heresy and a heretic
to be on the same Christian Council?
Let me share with you
the heart-cry and plea of Yvonne Tan,
an Ex New Creation Church member for 20 years
for the National Council Churches of Singapore
to act decisively for the sake of their sheep.
This is part of her testimony (final part)
that was featured on this website:
“Finally, in the light of my painful discovery
about the heretical teachings of Joseph Prince,
I begin to wonder
why is the spiritual leadership in Singapore
so silent about publicly warning the sheep about it?
Is the fact that Joseph Prince is a heretic
not obvious to them?
Were what I’ve highlighted in my testimony
about the many false teachings of Joseph Prince
not enough to convince them?
And what I’ve highlighted are not even exhaustive,
and the many more of Joseph Prince’s false teachings
can be found in Rev George Ong’s website.
Are they aware of Rev George Ong’s website
and have they even bothered
to read a portion of his resources in the first place?
This is important because as I have shared,
reading all 10 volumes in the 4,800 pages of his notes
and viewing many of his videos on his website
had played a big and crucial part
in the removal of my spiritual blindness
and in totally convincing me
that Joseph Prince is a heretic.
Do the rest in New Creation Church, and others
in the many churches in Singapore
who are influenced by Joseph Prince’s teachings,
need to take 20 years, like me,
to finally discover
that Joseph Prince is a wolf in sheepskin?
I sincerely hope not.
I have not even taken into account
the emotional trauma and pain
that I went through to finally discover
what I had sincerely believed to be true
for all these 20 years,
had all turned out to be false.
All my 20 years may not have been wasted
if the spiritual leadership in Singapore
would have made this clear
about the heretical teachings
of Joseph Prince at the outset.
But what if I didn’t make this discovery
that Joseph Prince is a wolf in sheepskin.
I would be damned
as to embrace the teachings of a false prophet
such as Joseph Prince,
is to end up in the same dark destiny as he would.
It’s time for the spiritual leadership of Singapore
to cease its silence.
It’s time for them to take responsibility
to warn every sheep in Singapore
and the other nations about the heretic, Joseph Prince,
as their eternal destiny hangs in the balance.”
If you wish to read the entire testimony of Yvonne Tan;
Please click on the link below:
In his book, “The Living Church, Convictions of a Lifelong Pastor,”
John Stott wrote:
“THE INVASION OF FALSE TEACHERS (THE WOLVES)
We see, then, that a double task
is given to the shepherds of Christ’s flock.
First, they are to feed the sheep;
second, they are to rout the wolves.
That is, they are both to teach the truth
and to combat error.
Paul later tells Titus that candidates for the presbyterate
must hold firmly to the teaching of the apostles,
so that they may both give instruction in sound teaching
and refute those who oppose it (Titus 1:9).
This emphasis on the need to speak against false teaching
is very unpopular today.
It is frequently said that
we must always be positive in our teaching, never negative.
But those who say this have either not read the New Testament
or, having read it, disagree with it.
For our Lord Jesus and his apostles
both refuted error themselves
and urged us to do the same.
I sometimes wonder
if the neglect of this necessary ministry
is not a major cause of contemporary theological confusion.
Theological controversy is always distasteful to sensitive Christian spirits.
Woe to us if we enjoy it!
But we cannot conscientiously avoid it.
If we say and do nothing about obvious false teaching,
or if we turn round and flee,
we will justly earn the pejorative name “hireling” or “hired servant”
who cares nothing for the sheep (Jn 10:11-13 NKJV).
Are we to abandon Christ’s flock defenseless against the wolves,
sheep without a shepherd?
Must we say of the church
what God said through Ezekiel about Israel:
“So they were scattered, because there was no shepherd and they became food for all the wild beasts” (Ezekiel 34:5).
No!
It is our plain duty to protect God’s flock from error
and to establish it in the truth.”
I speak with the same voice as John Stott did.
That’s explains why I’m doing what I’m doing.
Even though it is an extremely tough and a ‘lonely’ journey (I’m not alone),
I thank God for His supernatural perseverance
to press on despite the overwhelming odds.
And if God didn’t ask me to stop
contending against the heresies of Joseph Prince,
I can’t and I won’t.
But if God ask me to stop
and I don’t,
I would incur His displeasure and even His anger.
Rev George Ong
Appendix
As I have stated,
Rev Derek Hong said in his sermon
that Joseph Prince is preaching heresy.
But that is not all.
Here are all the facts that prove beyond any shadow of doubt
that Joseph Prince is a heretic.
SECTION 1
How can Joseph Prince be preaching the same Jesus of the Bible?
How can Joseph Prince be preaching the same Jesus of the Bible when he preaches that God will always be pleased with you, and he will never get angry or judge you?
But Jesus (who is God Himself) was displeased and even angry with a number of the seven churches in Revelation, and He even warned He would judge them severely (Rev 2:2-3).
How can Joseph Prince be preaching the same Jesus of the Bible when he preaches that it is only the goodness of God that leads people to repentance and that we must never use judgement to warn them to repent?
But Jesus did the opposite by warning five of the seven churches of severe judgements if they don’t repent in Revelation 2-3.
How can Joseph Prince be preaching the same Jesus of the Bible when he teaches that our salvation has to do with right believing and nothing to do with obeying?
But Jesus teaches that whoever does not obey what he hears will be destroyed (Matt 7:24-27) and the author of Hebrews says, Jesus “became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him” (Heb 5:9).
How can Joseph Prince be preaching the same Jesus of the Bible when he teaches that there are no more laws for us to obey because they have been made obsolete?
But Jesus says that He has not come to abolish the law (Matt 5:17).
How can Joseph Prince be preaching the same Jesus of the Bible when he teaches that receiving forgiveness from God has nothing to do with your forgiving of others?
But Jesus teaches that if you do not forgive others, you are not forgiven (Matt 18:21-35).
How can Joseph Prince be preaching the same Jesus of the Bible when he preaches that works have nothing to do with salvation?
But Jesus judges and decides the eternal destiny of the 10 virgins, the servants and the sheep and the goats based on their works (works as evidence of true faith) (Matt 24:45-25:46). (James, in James 2:14-26, says that faith without works is useless, dead and cannot save.)
How can Joseph Prince be preaching the same Jesus of the Bible when he teaches that one only has to confess that Jesus is Saviour and Lord and he is forever saved and that salvation has nothing to do with obedience?
But Jesus says, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” (Matt 7:21 NIV)
How can Joseph Prince be preaching the same Jesus of the Bible when he teaches that unlike the Old Covenant, as New Covenant believers, we must never fear God?
But Jesus says, “We should fear the one who can cast both the body and soul into hell.” (Matt 10:28; Lk 12:4-5)
How can Joseph Prince be preaching the same Jesus of the Bible when he teaches that the only righteousness we need is the righteousness of Christ; and our holiness or righteousness has no bearing on our salvation?
But Jesus says, “Unless your righteousness or holiness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Matt 5:20)
How can Joseph Prince be preaching the same Jesus of the Bible when he teaches that New Covenant believers will never have to go through suffering or martyrdom as Jesus had already suffered and died for us on the cross?
But Jesus says that as believers, we can expect to go through tribulations, persecutions, sufferings and even martyrdom. (Matt 5:10; 24:9; Lk 21:17 Jn 15:20)
How can Joseph Prince be preaching the same Jesus of the Bible when he teaches that the Old Covenant is about your love for God, but the New Covenant is not about your love for God or Jesus but God’s love and Jesus’ love for you?
But Jesus says, “If you do not love Me more than your parents or children, you are not worthy of Me.” (Matt 10:37)
How can Joseph Prince be preaching the same Jesus of the Bible when he teaches that our salvation is never dependent on our works or fruit but only on our confession of faith?
But Jesus says, “If you don’t produce fruit, I will cut you off and throw you into the fire to be burned.” (Matt 7:19; Jn 15:2,6)
How can Joseph Prince be preaching the same Jesus of the Bible when he teaches that whether one is saved or eternally destroyed depends only on our believing and not our doing or obeying?
But Jesus says, “If one merely listens to My words but doesn’t obey them, one would be destroyed.” (Matt 7:26-27; Lk 6:46-49)
How can Joseph Prince be preaching the same Jesus of the Bible when he teaches that God will never punish or judge His people no matter what sins they may commit?
But Jesus says that He has no qualms about severely rebuking His people, the church, and even making them suffer intensely and causing death to come upon them if they remain unrepentant. (Rev 2:21-23)
How can Joseph Prince be preaching the same Jesus of the Bible when he only talks about heaven and almost nothing about hell as that is being overly negative?
But Jesus talks more about hell than heaven in the gospels to warn people of its terrors regardless of whether He would offend people or not (Matt 5:22, 29-30; 8:12; 10:28; 13:41-42, 49-50; 18:9; 22:13; 23:33; 24:51; 25:30; Lk 13:28).
How can Joseph Prince be preaching the same Jesus of the Bible when he teaches that every one of our future sins has been forgiven without the need for confession or repentance?
But Jesus teaches that all our future sins are not forgiven unless we repent of them as He had warned five of the seven churches in Revelation to repent of their sins or face His severe judgement. (Rev 2-3)
How can Joseph Prince be preaching the same Jesus of the Bible when he teaches that all it takes to enter God’s Kingdom is just a short and simple sinner’s prayer as everything about Christianity, including salvation, is effortless?
But Jesus says, “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to. (Lk 13:24 NIV)
How can Joseph Prince be preaching the same Jesus of the Bible when he teaches that if we focus on Jesus, His obedience and His finished work on the cross, we are Christ-centred; but if we focus on our obedience to Jesus, we are self-centred?
But Jesus teaches that if we don’t focus on obeying Him and do the Father’s will, we are not only not Christ-centred, but we will be barred from entering God’s kingdom and be destroyed. (Matt 7:21-23; Lk 6:46-49)
How can Joseph Prince be preaching the same Jesus of the Bible when he teaches that all our past, present and future sins have been forgiven, and our salvation is eternally guaranteed?
But Jesus teaches that He had warned even His closest disciples (who are believers), whom He had ministered and lived with for three years, that if they weren’t ready when He returned, they would be cast into hell. (Matt 24:42-51; 25:1-30)
How can Joseph Prince be preaching the same Jesus of the Bible when he says that we must not be negative in our speaking and preaching?
But Jesus teaches that He can be more than negative in His preaching; He had cursed the rich and even pronounced the destiny of hell on the unrepentant Pharisees. (Lk 6:24; Rev 18:19; Matt 23:13,15,33)
How can Joseph Prince be preaching the same Jesus of the Bible when he teaches that Jesus as the personification of grace does not make demands on us as law demands but grace supplies?
But Jesus clearly demanded that if we do not hate our father, mother, wife, children, siblings (love Christ more than we love them) and even our own life, and give up everything, we cannot be His disciple. (Lk 14:26,33)
How can Joseph Prince be preaching the same Jesus of the Bible when he teaches that since what Jesus had done for us on the cross is more powerful than our denial of Him, our denial of Him cannot undo what He had done for us on the cross?
But Jesus says, “If you deny Me, I will deny you.” (Matt 10:33)
Finally, and most importantly, how can Joseph Prince be preaching the same Jesus of the Bible, when he literally removes chunks of what Jesus says and teaches in the gospels as no more binding on New Covenant believers when the scripture teaches that whoever does not continue in the teachings of Jesus does not have God (2 Jn 9-10)?
2 John 9 NIV
9 “Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.”
The Apostle John, in 2 John 9, clearly teaches that anyone who “does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God;”
This simply means that according to the Apostle John, Joseph Prince who, “does not continue in the teaching of Christ”
by removing the sayings and teachings of Christ in the 4 gospels as no more binding on New Covenant believers,
isn’t a Christian in the first place.
The most sobering fact is that people are saved,
not because they believe in Joseph Prince’s Jesus,
but because they believe in Bible Jesus.
Yet, today, there are so many who claim to be Christians just because they believe in Joseph Prince’s Jesus.
Be warned that those who believe in Joseph Prince’s Jesus, don’t believe in Jesus at all
as I have already proven to you that Joseph Prince’s Jesus is vastly different from Bible Jesus.
Joseph Prince’s Jesus is not the real Jesus but the counterfeit Jesus.
And no one can be saved if he places his trust on the counterfeit Jesus that Joseph Prince has concocted and distorted in order to fit his false grace theology.
SECTION 2
The difference between the true gospel of Jesus and the false gospel of Joseph Prince.
Joseph Prince is constantly preaching his Grace Revolution ‘gospel’ or the broad and easy road gospel, that supposedly leads to life, but in reality, it leads to destruction, as follows:
You don’t have to confess your sins as every of your sins has been forgiven.
You must not confess your sins even when you sin. If you do, you are insulting God. Instead, when you sin, any sin, whether it is anger, envy, adultery, rape or even murder, etc, you must not confess your sins, but you must confess you are righteous in Christ in the midst of committing the sin of anger, envy, and even adultery, rape or murder.
You shouldn’t worry about repenting with tears and deeds as repentance is only a change of your mind.
You will always be in the good books of God as He will always be pleased with you, even though you may do things that are displeasing to Him.
You are forever in God’s favour as He will never get angry with you, punish and judge you, no matter what wrong you may commit.
You must not fear God as God is only interested in loving you.
You will never be convicted by the Holy Spirit of your sins as the Holy Spirit is there to convict you about how righteous you are.
You shouldn’t try to be holy as that would lead you to legalism and make you judgmental of others; just focus on the fact that God has made you righteous in Christ.
You will be healthy; and better still, if you partake the Holy Communion as many times a day as you take medicine as that is the secret not only to good health but also to make you young and good-looking.
You have the covenantal right to be very wealthy as Abraham was, because you are the seed of Abraham.
You will enjoy total freedom as there is not a single law that you need to obey. You must never try to obey God’s laws as God’s laws are ‘equal’ to condemnation, and Satan will always use your obedience to God’s laws to oppress and condemn you, and bring about your death.
You are totally secured because you are once saved always saved the moment you say the sinner’s prayer, and you will never lose your salvation, no matter what; and even when you are living a lifestyle of sin till the day you die.
You shouldn’t focus on obeying God or Christ as that is being self-occupied and works-conscious; you should just focus on Christ’s obedience.
You don’t have to work for God as Christianity is effortless; your job is just to rest in God and He will do everything for you because Christianity is ‘done done done, not do do do’.
You won’t suffer as a Christian as Christ has already suffered for you on the cross.
You won’t die as a martyr as Christ has already died for you on the cross.
You are totally in safe hands as you won’t meet with any misfortune or tragedy because God will always protect you from every danger and sickness such as Covid-19 as no virus can come near you.
You don’t have to sacrifice for Christ, and if you do, you will do it out of self-effort and self-righteousness.
You don’t have to fast as fasting is not applicable for New Covenant believers, and fasting will make you proud and legalistic.
You don’t have to pay any price for discipleship that Jesus talks about as there is no such thing as costly discipleship to begin with. As the word, ‘disciple’ or ‘discipleship’ is not even found in Paul’s epistles in the first place, that’s why I (Joseph Prince) hardly talk about it.
You don’t have to live with the evidence of Jesus’ Lordship over your life as that would make you performance-conscious and work-obsessed. By merely saying with your mouth ‘Jesus is Lord’ is enough to prove that He is your Lord.
You must not obey the first and most important commandment – to love God with all your heart, mind and soul as that is under the Old Covenant; just enjoy and experience God’s love for you as that is the essence of the New Covenant.
You don’t have to obey the Great Commission that Jesus has commanded the Church, and that is why I (Joseph Prince) don’t preach about it at all; just focus on my (Joseph Prince) gospel of grace – it is my Grace Revolution ‘gospel’, not the Great Commission of Jesus that will convert and conquer the world.
After perusing the above list containing the teachings of Joseph Prince, you need to tell me honestly, is that the narrow road gospel or the broad road ‘gospel’ which Jesus talks about in Matthew 7:13-14?
That is undoubtedly the broad road ‘gospel’ or the Grace Revolution ‘gospel’ that Joseph Prince preaches that will lead the multitudes to destruction and hell in Matthew 7:13.
As opposed to Joseph Prince’s broad road ‘gospel’, Jesus always teaches the narrow and tough road gospel that leads to life as follows:
“Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.” (Lk 9:58)
– Jesus is talking about the narrow road gospel of the uncertainty and hardship of those who wish to follow Him.
“Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and preach the kingdom of God.” (Lk 9:60)
– Jesus is teaching the narrow road gospel that responding to His call to follow Him is infinitely more important than anything else.
“No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” (Lk 9:62)
– Jesus is stressing the narrow road gospel that anyone who wishes to follow Him must count the cost, and if he turns back, he is unfit to enter God’s kingdom.
“If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters… he cannot be My disciple.” (Lk 14:26)
– Jesus is explaining that the narrow road gospel of discipleship means that one’s love for Him must be greater than his love for his parents and siblings.
“…those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples.” (Lk 14:33)
– Jesus is revealing the narrow road gospel that those who are not prepared to give up everything would be disqualified from being His disciple.
“Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division. From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against two and two against three. They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.” (Lk 12:51-53)
– Jesus is communicating that the narrow road gospel would bring about division in one’s family.
“Strive to enter through the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able.” (Lk 13:24)
– Jesus is describing the narrow road gospel that entering God’s kingdom isn’t an easy thing, but one has to strive and agonise to enter.
“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.” (Jn 15:18)
– Jesus is portraying the narrow road gospel that anyone who wishes to follow Him must be prepared to be hated by the world.
“… ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also…” (Jn 15:20)
– Jesus is showing the narrow road gospel that being a servant of Christ, one must be ready to be persecuted just as He was.
“But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” (Matt 5:44)
– Jesus is relating the narrow road gospel that his disciples ought to love their enemies and pray for those who persecute them.
“When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” (Lk 18:22)
– Jesus is depicting the narrow road gospel that one would have to acknowledge Him not just as Saviour but also as Lord by giving up everything for His sake.
“And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.” (Lk 14:27)
– Jesus is unfolding the narrow road gospel that just as condemned criminals are made to carry the crosses upon which they would be executed, we must be willing to endure whatever trials, including death, we may face for being His disciples.
“If anyone comes to Me and does not hate… his own life also, he cannot be My disciple.” (Lk 14:26)
– Jesus is referring to the narrow road gospel that requires forsaking the disciples’ own lives because of their love for Him.
Can you see the difference between the broad road ‘gospel’ that Joseph Prince champions and the narrow road gospel that Jesus urges?
The difference between them is the difference between black and white and the difference between day and night.
If you are still not convinced, let me give you more examples of the differences between Jesus’ narrow road gospel and Joseph Prince’s broad road ‘gospel’:
Joseph Prince preaches the broad and easy road ‘gospel’ that a one-minute sinner’s prayer can gain you eternity in heaven.
Jesus preaches the narrow and difficult road gospel that one has to make every effort to enter God’s kingdom (Lk 13:24).
Joseph Prince preaches the broad and easy road ‘gospel’ that there is no more sin to deal with as every sin has been forgiven.
Jesus preaches the narrow and difficult road gospel that if you don’t repent of your sin, you will be severely judged, and you will perish (Lk 13:3,5; Rev 2-3).
Joseph Prince preaches the broad and easy road ‘gospel’ that obedience has nothing to do with being saved.
Jesus preaches the narrow and difficult road gospel that if you don’t obey and do the will of the Father, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven (Matt 7:13-14,21-23).
Joseph Prince preaches the broad and easy road ‘gospel’ that there are no more laws to obey.
Jesus preaches the narrow and difficult road gospel that if you are lawless, you will be barred from the kingdom of heaven (Matt 7:23).
Joseph Prince preaches the broad and easy road ‘gospel’ that the grace that saves is unconditional.
Jesus preaches the narrow and difficult road gospel that His grace is conditional – if one doesn’t fulfil the condition of obedience and holiness even though His grace is unmerited, one will not enter God’s kingdom and will be eternally destroyed (Matt 7:24-27; 1 Cor 6:9-10; Heb 12:14).
SECTION 3
The shocking thing is that Joseph Prince isn’t just teaching a No-Repentance Gospel, but he is also teaching the following:
No-repentance,
No-obedience,
No-discipleship,
No-cost-of-Christianity,
No-sacrifice,
No-suffering,
No-persecution,
No-martyrdom,
No-law,
No-effort,
No-works,
No-fasting,
No-more-moral-commandments-of-God-to-obey,
No-fear-of-God,
No-more-anger-from-God,
No-more-punishment-from-God,
No-more-judgement-from-God,
No-sanctification-for-salvation,
No-more-pleasing-and-loving God,
No-more-examination-of-self,
No-more-sins-to-confess,
No-more-conviction-of-sin-from-the-Holy-Spirit,
No-more-sin-to-deal-with,
No-more-guilt-to-bother-you-with
grace theology.
Just by listing all these ‘no-items’, gives me a deep shiver down my spine that given his fantastically long list of false teachings,
how on earth could people, especially the Singapore Bishops and Pastors, still not believe that Joseph Prince is a heretic?
With reference to all the ‘no-items’, this simply means that every Bible passage that is related to and supports each of the above ‘items’ has been ‘taken away’ or ‘deleted’ by Joseph Prince from the Bible.
Because he teaches a false gospel minus sanctification,
he ‘takes away’ all the verses that support the essentiality of sanctification for salvation.
Because he teaches that there is no more the need to confess our sins,
he ‘takes away’ 1 John 1:9 by twisting the interpretation to the view that it is written for unbelievers and not for believers.
Because he teaches repentance that involves only the change of mind,
he ‘takes away’ all verses that have to do with a repentance that involves works and life change.
Because he teaches that all the moral commandments of God have been superceded,
he ‘takes away’ all verses about commandments by twisting the interpretation of them.
Because he teaches that the New Covenant is not about our love for God,
he ‘takes away’ all verses in the New Testament that have to do with our love for God.
He simply ‘deletes’ or ‘subtracts’ many of these verses by his spurious explanation that they are no longer applicable to New Covenant believers.
Even the teachings of Christ (the Son of God and God Himself), including the Sermon on the Mount and discipleship, are not spared.
What is more shocking is that Joseph Prince has the audacity to ‘delete’ or ‘subtract’ chunks of scriptures in the four gospels as he considers them to be no longer applicable to New Covenant believers.
This is because they are placed by him under the Old Covenant, even though the gospels are part of New Testament scriptures.
He ‘deletes’ or ‘subtracts’ every passage that has to do with the tough demands and the high cost of discipleship that Jesus personally teaches in the four gospels.
He does that by falsely explaining them away as not applicable to New Covenant believers and by twisting these texts to mean what they don’t.
For example, in the Sermon on the Mount, he ‘takes away’ or ‘subtracts’ Matthew 6:14-15 for New Covenant believers because of his view that this is under the Old Covenant, and therefore no longer applicable to New Covenant believers.
Matthew 6:14-15 NIV
14 “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”
He cannot accept the view which is taught by Christ that we must forgive to be forgiven. By doing that, he is going head-on against what Christ had taught.
He also ‘takes away’ or ‘subtracts’ Matthew 6:16-18 in the Sermon on the Mount by his teaching that there is no requirement for New Covenant believers to fast:
Matthew 6:16-18 NIV
16 “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18 so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”
That is not all.
He ‘takes away’ or ‘subtracts’ Matthew 6:27-30 in the Sermon on the Mount, by ridiculing that it is impossible to follow what Jesus came to warn us of:
Matthew 6:27-30 NIV
27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery. 28 But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. 30 And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.”
Imagine the audacity of Joseph Prince who dares to ‘take away’ the passage that Jesus has meant to be used to warn His people about hell.
This means those who listen to Joseph Prince and fail to pay heed to the warnings of Jesus would end up in hell too.
No one would dare to ‘take away’ chunks and chunks from the scriptures except for a heretic!
If such blatant mistreatment of chunks of scriptures representing the word of God does not cause righteous anger to arise from within you against Joseph Prince, then something has really gone wrong with you!
“If true shepherds of the Church do not rise to castigate Joseph Prince for such a treacherous treatment of God’s word, the rocks will shout out loud in forceful protest!” (George Ong)
Joseph Prince is no different from Marcion (AD 85-AD 160) who was declared a heretic by the Church when he rejected the entire Old Testament along with portions of the New Testament, including most of the gospels as scriptures,
all because they contradict his theology of a nice and loving God.
This is because Joseph Prince, himself, has also rejected the main bulk of the gospels as binding on us as he teaches that they were spoken by Jesus before the cross.
Joseph Prince, by ‘taking away’ or ‘subtracted’ many of these crucial passages from the Bible has committed a heinous sin, which, according to Revelation 22:18-19, would result in the removal of his eternal inheritance by Christ.
SECTION 4
Let me give you some concrete examples of Joseph Prince’s half-truth ‘theology’:
– Grace Without Law
– Forgiveness Without Confession
– Salvation Without Repentance
– Blessing Without Suffering
– Prosperity Without Persecution
– Protection Without Martyrdom
– Justification Without Sanctification
– Loving God Without Fearing God
– The Love of God Without The Judgement of God
– The Favour of God Without The Anger of God
– The Mercy of God Without The Wrath of God
– The Comfort of God Without The Punishment of God
– Being Sons of God Without Being Slaves of God
– Being a Christian Without Being a Disciple
– Receiving Jesus as Saviour Without Receiving Jesus as Lord
– Salvation by Faith Only Without a Salvation Proven by Works
– Salvation by Right-Believing Only Without a Salvation Evidenced by Obedience
– A Repentance that Changes our Minds Without A Repentance that Changes our Lives
SECTION 5
Let me summarise Joseph Prince’s false doctrine which is built on half-truths and give you another more elaborate presentation of it in 40 phrases as follows:
(As you will begin to realise, many of these so-called half-truths of Joseph Prince on the left-hand column don’t even qualify to be truths to start with.)
– Salvation by Faith Only Without a Salvation Proven by Works
– Salvation by Faith Only Without a Salvation Evidenced by Obedience
– Grace Without Law
– Grace is the Person of Jesus Versus Grace is an Attribute of Jesus
– Grace is our Mother Versus Grace is Nobody’s Mother except Joseph Prince’s
– Grace is the whole of the Christian doctrine Versus Grace is a part of the Christian doctrine
– Forgiveness Without Confession
– A Repentance that Changes our Minds Without A Repentance that Changes our Lives
– Justification without Sanctification is sufficient for Salvation Versus Justification and Sanctification are both necessary for Salvation
– Blessing Without Suffering
– Prosperity Without Persecution
– Protection Without Martyrdom
– Loving God Without Fearing God
– The Love of God Without The Judgement of God
– The Favour of God Without The Anger of God
– The Mercy of God Without The Wrath of God
– The Love of God Without The Punishment of God
– God will always be happy with us, and He will never be angry with us Versus God is not always happy with us and He can get angry with us
– Law is a greater enemy than Sin as it causes us to sin and sin is no more the problem Versus Law which is not our enemy is there to expose Sin which is our real enemy
– Don’t examine ourselves as it will make us fall into sin Versus We are to examine ourselves to see whether we are still in the faith
– When we sin we are to proclaim we are righteous Versus When we sin we are to confess our sins
– Confession of sins is an insult to God Versus Confession of sins is in obedience to scriptures
– Sin is no more the issue as every past, present and future sin has been forgiven Verses Sin is still the issue as present and future sins which are not committed and confessed are not yet forgiven
– The Holy Spirit always comforts and never convicts Versus The Holy Spirit both comforts and convicts
– The Holy Spirit never convicts sins and always affirms you are righteous Versus The Holy Spirit does convict sins and reveal your unrighteous deeds
– Believers should never feel guilty anymore as every sin has been forgiven Versus Believers ought to feel guilty whenever they fall into sin
– All forms of Guilt are not from God, but from the Devil or Self Versus True Guilt is from God, False Guilt is from the Devil or Self
– Obedience is a focus on Self Versus Obedience is essential to Salvation
– Being Obedient and Holy is reverting back to works-righteousness Versus Being Obedient and Holy is proof that we have the righteousness of Christ
– Being Sons of God Without Being Slaves of God
– Since Christ has done everything for us at the cross, there is no need for us to do anything for Him Versus Since Christ has given His everything for us at the cross, we have to do many things for Him and His kingdom
– Because we are in Christ, Christianity is effortless Versus Because we are in Christ, we are to make every effort
– Being a Christian Without Being a Disciple
– There is no price to be paid for discipleship Versus There is a high price to be paid for discipleship
– Receiving Jesus as Saviour Without Receiving Jesus as Lord
– Everything about Salvation is God’s Part, and Nothing about Salvation is Man’s Part Versus Salvation is a cooperative effort between God and Man
– Everything about Saving Faith is about Right Believing and Nothing about Saving Faith is about Right Behaviour Versus Right Believing and Right Behaviour are both essential for Saving Faith
– New Covenant is about God loving us and not Us loving God Versus New Covenant is about God loving us and Us loving God
– God is Forever Pleased with Man and Man Mustn’t Try to Please God Versus God is not always Pleased with Man and We are called to Please God
There are many, including pastors who even hold to the view that Joseph Prince’s theology is just an over-emphasis on grace.
But just by looking at the half-truth beliefs of Joseph Prince Grace theology will convince any pastor worth his salt that it is blatantly false and patently heretical pure and simple.
As a matter of fact, we don’t need all or many or even a few, but just one phrase (see below) of the above 40 phrases to qualify Joseph Prince’s teaching as heretical:
– Justification without Sanctification is sufficient for Salvation Versus Justification and Sanctification are both necessary for Salvation
(The common doctrinal statement that is associated with the Reformation Fathers: though we are saved by faith alone, the faith that saves is never alone.)
SECTION 6
Joseph Prince repeatedly said that the cross is the dividing line between the Old Covenant of Law and the New Covenant of Grace.
Again, what he means is that everything that Christ said and taught in the gospels before the cross is considered to be under Old Covenant Law,
and hence, it is irrelevant to New Covenant believers.
Do you know what that means? What that means is:
We can disregard the Great Commission to make disciples of all nations.
We can disregard Jesus’ command to take up the cross and deny ourselves.
We can disregard Jesus’ call to leave everything behind and follow Him wholeheartedly.
We can disregard Jesus’ teaching that we are to seek first the Kingdom of God.
We can disregard our call to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world.
We can disregard Jesus’ warning to avoid the broad way that leads to destruction.
We can disregard Jesus’s exhortation to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us.
We can disregard Christ’s teaching that we are to love God with all our heart and to love our neighbours as ourselves.
We can disregard all the parables filled with profound and insightful lessons that Jesus came to teach us.
We can disregard the warnings of Jesus about greed and covetousness that would lead to destruction.
We can disregard Christ’s warnings about hell even to believers.
We can disregard Christ’s teaching that if we don’t forgive others, our Father won’t forgive us.
We can disregard Christ’s declaration that He is the resurrection and the life and all who believe in Him shall never die.
We can disregard Jesus’ claim that He is the way the truth and the life and no one comes to the Father except through Him.
For a Christian to disregard all these would be pure madness!
Why would any true Christian want to disregard the words, teachings and commands of our Lord Jesus in the gospels?
And isn’t denying Jesus’ words, teachings and commands also the same as denying Him as a person?
How can a so-called Christ-centred preacher like Joseph Prince ‘wipes out’ all or most of Christ’s teachings in the gospels?
Only an Antichrist like Joseph Prince would do that, but a Christ-centred person would always honour all the teachings of Christ, which are given in the gospels before the cross.
If Joseph Prince has the audacity to ‘wipe out’ all of Christ’s (who is God Himself) teachings and commands in the gospels before the cross, how can he not be a heretic and a wolf in sheepskin?