DEFINITION OF THE Toronto Blessing
The Toronto Blessing is a physical phenomenon that manifests itself by a participant
engaging in fits of continuous laughter orgutturall utterances such as making animal noises, for
varying lengths of time. This laughter and other noise is considered to be, and is believed by
many, to be a manifestation of the Holy Spirit and an indication of the blessing of the Holy Spirit
being poured out upon the participant. The phenomenon reveals itself mainly in the presence of
many people, primarily during a religious service and also continually throughout the preaching
of
the message during that religious service. The phenomenon may affect a single individual,
several
individuals or an entire audience.
ORIGINAL PROPONENTS OF THE Toronto Blessing
John Arnott, Pastor of the Toronto Airport Vineyard Church (since renamed the
Toronto Airport Christian Fellowship).
Rodney Howard-Browne, Pastor of The River at Tampa Bay, Founder of the
River Bible Institute, Founder of Revival Ministries International.
MAJOR RELIGIOUS LEADERS ENDORSING AND/OR PARTICIPATING IN THE
Toronto Blessing
Benny Hinn, Kenneth Copeland,
Oral Roberts, Richard Roberts, John
Arnott, John Wimber, Karl Stader, Kenneth Hagin,
Marilyn Hickey, Pat Robertson.
MAJOR THEOLOGICAL OBJECTIONS TO THE Toronto Blessing
ITEMIZED LIST
- Holy Spirit is not the author of confusion - 1 Corinthians 14:33.
- Holy Spirit does not bring disorder to public worship - 1 Corinthians 14.
- Holy Spirit leads to truth not mysticism - John 14:17, 16:13.
- Holy Spirit speaks of Christ not emotion - John 15:16.
- Holy Spirit speaks through God's word not pointless expressions - John 17:17.
- The manifestation is never spoken about in Scripture.
- The manifestation was not practiced or taught by the apostles.
- The manifestation was not practiced by the early church.
- Christ never taught about the manifestation.
- The original proponents of the phenomenon teach basic doctrinal error, claim new
revelations
from God not consistent with Scripture, pervert the teaching regarding the Holy Spirit and
change
the Biblical teaching regarding the work of Christ.
- Participants use the phenomenon as "evidence" to presume the superior spiritual character
of
the participant - such "evidence" and claim being contrary to Scripture.
- Participants use the phenomenon as "evidence" to presume the superior spiritual character of
the participant in place of the definitions of true spiritual character taught in Scripture -
Galatians
5:22 - 26, James 3:13 - 18.
- The phenomenon is a continuation of the historical extremism of ecstatic conduct and
utterances that have produced movements such as the "Holy Rollers", "Shakers", and the various
current "tongues" groups, 1 Peter 4:7 - 11, 2 Peter 2:1 - 21.
- The phenomenon substitutes an ancient pagan ecstatic rite as a substitute for knowing and
learning about spiritual matters through the study of the Bible - Proverbs 15:14, 2 Peter 1:3 - 11.
- The Holy Spirit is considered a "thing" or "force" instead of a Person, John 14:16 - 17.
- Participants mistakenly believe they can control the Holy Spirit by their own actions, Acts 9
-
24.
- Participants mistakenly believe that the baptism of the Holy Spirit is some mystical,
spectacular event that is separate from salvation and they are constantly trying to find that
magical
event, Ephesians 4:14 - 16, 1 Corinthians 6:19, John 14:17 - 18. (The gift of the Holy Spirit is, by
means of the triune God, a manifestation of Christ Himself)
COMMENTARY STATING THE OBJECTIONS TO THE Toronto
Blessing
ARTICLE 1
Quoted from Grace To You
website
" The apostle Paul was very clear in pointing out that 'God is
not a God of confusion' (1 Cor. 14:33). Where pandemonium
rules, we can be certain God is not the author of it.
'You're limiting God,' many advocates of the Toronto movement
will say.
No, God can do whatever he wills. But He will not deny Himself.
He will not mystically reveal Himself to us as someone different
from the holy God the Scriptures reveal. Since the Bible tells
us He is not the author of confusion--and specifically that He
does not approve of disorder in public worship services
(this is the whole point of 1 Corinthians 14)--we can know with
absolute certainty that He is not the power behind a movement
whose main features are hysteria, tumult, and frenzy.
More important, the Scriptures reveal Him as the Spirit of
truth (John 14:17), who bears witness not of Himself but
of Christ (15:26), who speaks not on His own initiative, but
guides us into truth (16:13), and sanctifies us in the truth.
Where is this sanctifying truth found? Not through mystical
means. God's Word is the truth through which we are
sanctified (17:17). This means that one of the Holy Spirit's
primary ministries is to convey the truth of Scripture to our
understanding. Nothing in Scripture indicates that He works by
stirring up our emotions while bypassing our minds.
According to 1 Corinthians 14, this is precisely why Paul
valued prophecy more than tongues: 'For one who speaks in a
tongue does not speak to men, but to God; for no one
understands . . . . But one who prophesies speaks to men
for edification and exhortation and consolation' (vv.
2-3, emphasis added). 'If I come to you speaking in tongues,
what shall I profit you, unless I speak to you either by way of
revelation or of knowledge or of prophecy or of teaching?' (v.
6). The point is to communicate truth. Ministry that
bypasses the understanding is pointless: 'If the bugle produces
an indistinct sound, who will prepare himself for battle?' (v.
8). All the gifts are meant to edify, which is an
expression Paul uses to speak of ministering to the mind
(v. 3). That is why Paul insisted that tongues be interpreted.
'So also you, since you are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek to
abound for the edification of the church' (v. 12,
emphasis added).
When the laughing revival has run its course, what will be
next? How can a movement stoked by the heat of raw passion
rekindle the flames when people's emotions finally grow cold?
Those who really know Christ and love Him must come back to the
truth of His Word."
This article was adapted and excerpted from John MacArthur,
Reckless Faith
(Wheaton, Ill.: Crossway, 1995).
From the GRACE TO YOU website: www.gty.org
Copyright © 2000, 2001 Grace To You
Used by permission
ARTICLE 2
A Quote by John Arnott - Toronto Airport Christian
Fellowship
"Another thing that hinders is people pray all the time. Praying in English or even praying in
tongues. Mention the Holy Spirit and they start praying in tongues, you know. Our experience is
that that will hinder substantially your ability to receive. And so I say to people, 'Look don't
pray.' It's hard to pour out and to pour in at the same time. It's like a bucket that's got a hole in it
because you are pouring out in prayer. Stop and receive and let the Holy Spirit fill you. Be like a
sponge and desire the Lord with everything that's within you. Every case that does that, they are
on the floor receiving. People pray for you, that's your time to receive. Pray on the way out, you
can pray later. Don't take control, you can take control later. The whole deal is, you lose control,
He takes control. He gets you our of your comfort zone, makes you feel vulnerable, right? You
can analyze it later can't you?"
---- John Arnott, Holy Trinity Church, Brompton, England -
February 14, 1995
EIGHT DOCTRINAL ERRORS IN THE ABOVE STATEMENT by JOHN
ARNOTT
DOCTRINAL ERROR - 1
PRAYER HINDERS
A most specious claim to make by a person claiming to be a minister representing the gospel of
Jesus Christ.
It is not prayer that hinders the Spirit, but the Spirit that aids Christians in their prayers and
continually intercedes arbitrates and mediates on behalf of Christians with words and utterances
to
God that cannot be said or known by human beings.
Romans 8:26 - 27 (NKJV)
"Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for
as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be
uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He
makes
intercession for the saints according to the will of God."
The Holy Spirit is given in ANSWER TO PRAYER.
Luke 11:13 (NKJV)
"If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your
heavenly Father give the Holy spirit to those who ask Him!"
It is clear in Scripture that the Holy Spirit came to the disciples in a special manifestation
AFTER
they had prayed.
Acts 4:31 (NKJV)
"And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they
were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness."
The statement that prayer hinders the Holy Spirit is ludicrous in its content. It is prayer that
connects the Christian to the Holy Spirit, Christ and God.
DOCTRINAL ERROR - 2
DO NOT PRAY
This is a classic statement of speaking against what the Scripture plainly and vigorously teaches.
There can be no contradiction.
Luke 18:1 (NKJV)
"Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart..."
Ephesians 6:18 (NKJV)
"...praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with
all
perseverance and supplication for all the saints..."
Philippians 4:6 (NKJV)
"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let
your
requests be made known to God; and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, will
guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."
1 Thessalonians 5:16 - 18 (NKJV)
"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in
Christ Jesus for you."
DOCTRINAL ERROR - 3
THE HOLY SPIRIT CAN BE POURED IN AND POURED OUT
The analogy that the Christian who is praying is like a bucket with a hole in it and the Holy
Spirit is poured in the top and somehow leaks out the bottom is demeaning to the Christian and
an
affront to the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is not a commodity, He is a person who lives within
the believer and does not leave or flow out of a true Christian. A person cannot be a Christian
without the simultaneous indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 8:9 - 11 (NKJV)
"But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if
anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. and if Christ is in you; the body is dead
because of sin, but the spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the spirit of Him who raised
Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your
mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you."
Paul is emphatic and clear. A person cannot claim to be a Christian and at the same time believe
that they do not have the Holy Spirit and also continue to search for the magic formula that will
give them the Holy Spirit. If a person cannot find the Holy Spirit in their life, then they are not a
part of Christ in the first place. A true Christian has the Holy Spirit in their life and to have the
Holy Spirit in their life, a person must be a true Christian.
The Holy Spirit stays with the Christian forever.
John 14:16 - 17 (NKJV)
"An I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you
forever -- the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor
knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you."
DOCTRINAL ERROR - 4
RECEIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT WHILE LYING ON THE FLOOR
The preoccupation with the idea that receiving the Holy Spirit knocks people down to the floor
and they roll around in some ecstatic trance is difficult to understand. This type of activity is
NOT FOUND IN ANY VERSE OF SCRIPTURE IN THE ENTIRE BIBLE. Attributing this
type of activity to God, Christ and the Holy Spirit is a complete fabrication by the proponents of
the movement. In spite of the claims by the leadership of the "Toronto Blessing," that a new work
of God or the Holy Spirit is in evidence, the conduct that is being exhibited is not new, but
actually quite old. These types of manifestations were even shown in meetings held by early
Mormons:
"John Whitmer, who was church historian in Joseph Smith's time,
related the following concerning some of the visions that members of the church had:
'For a perpetual memory, to the shame and confusion of the Devil, permit me to say a few
things respecting the proceedings of some of those who were disciples, and some remain
among us, and will, and have come from under the error and enthusiasm which they had
fallen.
Some had visions and could not tell what they saw. Some would fancy to themselves that they
had the sword of Laban, and would wield it as expert as a light dragon; some would act like an
Indian in the act of scalping; some would slide or scoot on the floor with the rapidity of a serpent,
which they termed sailing in the boat to the Lamanites, preaching the gospel. And many other
vain
and foolish maneuvers that are unseeming and unprofitable to mention. Thus the Devil blinded
the
eyes of some good and honest disciples (John Whitmer's History, chapter
6).'"
As quoted in The Changing World Of Mormonism, by Jerald and Sandra Tanner, p. 110
This type of action is a gross form of disorder in the church and is in direct
contradiction to the teaching of the scripture and violates the character of God. Laughing,
grunting and rolling on the floor during a service and during the giving of the message is far
from
being orderly and a universe away from demonstrating the character and integrity of God.
1 Corinthians 14:33, 40 (NKJV)
"For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints. Let all
things be done decently and in order."
DOCTRINAL ERROR - 5
PRAY LATER
As a continuation of the other two doctrinal errors regarding prayer (prayer hinders and don't
pray) it is logical that a complete denial of prayer does not appear to be a good path to take for a
pastor. Therefore, prayer is allowed, but only after receiving the supposed filling of the Holy
Spirit. However, even with that concession to prayer, the procedure that is given for receiving
the
Holy Spirit is completely backward and contrary to the teaching of the Scripture. As has been
noted, the Scripture reveals that prayer is offered PRIOR to receiving and obtaining an answer
from God.
1 Kings 18:36 - 39 (NKJV)
"And it came to pass, at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet
came near and said, 'Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that You
are God in Israel and I am Your servant, and that I have done all these things at Your word. hear
me, O Lord, hear me, that this people may know that You are the Lord God, and that You have
turned their hearts back to You again.' Then the fire of the Lord fell and consumed the burnt
sacrifice, and the wood and the stones and the dust, and it licked up the water that was in the
trench. Now when all the people saw it, the fell on their faces; and they said, 'The Lord, He is
God! The Lord, He is God!"
Elijah's prayer to God and the reaction of the people in offering praise to God is far different
from
those receiving the Toronto Blessing, who grovel on the floor, laughing, barking,
oinking and making foolish noises as a complete opposite reaction to offering praise to God.
DOCTRINAL ERROR - 6
DON'T TAKE CONTROL - LOSE CONTROL
One of the hallmarks of the Christian life is the ability of the believer to maintain balance and
control in their life. It is one of the main contrasts that is seen between the Christian and the
world. To say that the Christian should lose control and make themselves open to any invasion
that is claimed to be of God, is foolishness at best and at its worst demonic, by putting an
individual at risk to evil forces and false doctrine. The admonition to lose control is false
doctrine
in itself. The Scripture is clear that maintaining control in the life of the Believer is a main part
of
Godly life.
CONTROL OVER EMOTIONS
Proverbs 16:32 (NKJV)
"He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty. And he who rules his spirit than he who takes
a city."
James 1:19 - 20 (NKJV)
"So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for
the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God."
CONTROL OVER ACTIONS
Ephesians 5:18 (NKJV)
"And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to
one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart
to
the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus
Christ, submitting to one another in the fear of God."
CONTROL OVER WHAT IS SAID
James 1:26 (NKJV)
"If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own
heart, this one's religion is useless."
Psalm 34:12 - 14 (NKJV)
"Who is the man who desires life, and loves many day, that he may see good? Keep your tongue
from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit. Depart from evil and do good; seek peace and
pursue it."
CONTROL OVER SIN
Romans 6:12 (NKJV)
"Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts."
MAINTAINING SELF-CONTROL
2 Peter 1:5 - 9 (NKJV)
"But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge,
to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness
brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you
will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks
these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his
old
sins."
1 Corinthians 9:24 - 27 (NKJV)
"Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a
way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things.
Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. Therefore I run
thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But discipline my body and
bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become
disqualified."
DOCTRINAL ERROR - 7
HOLY SPIRIT GETS YOU OUR OF YOU COMFORT ZONE AND MAKES YOU FEEL
VULNERABLE
This is precisely the opposite of the teaching in the Bible regarding the Christian's relationship to
the Holy Spirit. It also directly contradicts the teaching of Christ to His disciples regarding the
nature and work of the Holy Spirit who He would personally send to them.
NATURE AND WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
The Holy Spirit bring comfort - Acts 9:31
The Holy Spirit brings joy - Romans 14:16 - 17
The Holy Spirit brings the fruit of joy - Galatians 5:22, 1 Thessalonians 1:6
The Holy Spirit is a Helper who abides forever - John 14:16
The Holy Spirit is a Helper in the weaknesses of Believers - Romans 8:26
The Holy Spirit intercedes for Believers - Romans 8:26
The Holy Spirit gives Believers hope - Romans 15:13
The Holy Spirit is a teacher of all things to the Believer - John 14:26
The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of knowledge - I Corinthians 2:12
The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of truth who comes from the Father - John 15:26
The Holy Spirit pours out the love of God in the hearts of believers - Romans 5:3 - 5
The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of adoption which allows the Believer to call God "Father" -
Romans
8:15
The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Christ - John 20:21 - 22
The Holy Spirit guides the Believer to the glory of Christ - John 16:13 - 14
It is the purpose and intent of the Holy Spirit to bring, comfort, knowledge and encouragement
to the believer. In what manner is the Holy Spirit to make a believer feel vulnerable? Vulnerable
to
what? To be vulnerable is to be in danger, and the Holy Spirit brings comfort, joy and hope - not
a threat. It is not the Holy Spirit that makes a person vulnerable, but the person does that when
they throw away their mind, intellect and spiritual conscience and open themselves to entrance by
any spirit that may not be from God, never having applied the Biblical tests to that spirit, that
the
Bible demands. When believers are not vigilant, then they become vulnerable.
"Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings. It is good for our hearts to be
strengthened by grace, not by ceremonial foods, which are of no value to those who eat
them."
Hebrews 13:10 (NIV)
"But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish
good from evil."
Hebrews 5:14 (NIV)
DOCTRINAL ERROR - 8
RECEIVE IT FIRST - ANALYZE IT LATER
One of the most dangerous and aberrant teachings is that of simply accepting and receiving the
phenomenon without FIRST testing it against the Scripture. There is no Scriptural basis for that
type of conduct and, in fact, the Scripture demands that the Believer test all spiritual teachings
against the written Word prior to their acceptance. One of the major reasons for having a written
revelation from God is so that the Believer has a reference book against which all doctrines and
spiritual claims can be tested and compared. By teaching the reception or acceptance of a
doctrine or spiritual claim before testing the validity against the Scripture, the participant is
opened to accepting false doctrine and demonic activity which they may not have the power to
resist, especially if they are not truly a Believer. The teachers of false doctrines are also able to
spread their teachings without opposition if they make sure that they are not questioned until after
those precepts have been accepted.
"Test everything. Hold on to the good."
1 Thessalonians 5:21 (NIV)
"Dear friends, do no believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God,
because many false prophets have gone out into the world."
1 John 4:1 (NIV)
CONCLUSION:
If, in one short statement, are included so many doctrinal errors, how much more error is taught
in the entire ministry of this individual? The conclusion is inescapable that what is being taught
as Biblical Christianity is in reality Biblical HERESY.
END OF ARTICLE
by Gary A. Hand
On Doctrine
ADDITIONAL MATERIAL FOR REVIEW
CLICK on the ITEM NAME to go to that PAGE or WEBSITE
ON THIS WEBSITE
HOLY SPIRIT
CHARISMATIC
BELIEF
JOHN WIMBER
BOOKS
CHARISMATIC CHAOS
by John F. MacArthur, Jr., Zondervan, 1992.
A critique of the current state of the charismatic movement and the Biblical teaching regarding
the
claims made by the proponents the various manifestations of the Holy Spirit.
Available For Purchase At The Grace To You website.
RECKLESS FAITH
by John F. MacArthur, Jr., Word, 1994.
What is faith and what are the dangers when faith is abused.
Available For Purchase At The Grace To You website.
ON THE INTERNET
MY VISIT TO THE ANAHEIM VINEYARD
by Phillip R. Johnson
Phil Johnson website
An evaluation of a Sunday evening service at the Anaheim, California Vineyard
Fellowship.
THE VINEYARD MOVEMENT'S 'TORONTO
BLESSING" by Bob
Hunter
The Cross + Word website
"The purpose of this article is to examine this phenomena and see if it really is a work of God, a
work of the flesh, a work of the devil, or a combination of all of them."
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