Conversation with Jubilee International
The dialog with Selwyn Stevens began over a detailed rebuttal I made to a senior pastor who made a doctrinal shift from a faith based on scripture to a focus on contemplative prayer, mysticism and New Age teachings. Over a six month period the senior pastor of a church I will not name made a shocking doctrinal shift and began bringing in ‘anointed ones’ to take the church into a new direction based on New Age philosophies. None of these teachers base their doctrine on scripture but all claim to have new revelations from the Holy Spirit. These doctrines are blatantly contrary to the scripture in many ways. I discussed these contradictions on several occasions but this pastor was very evasive and avoided contact. Finally I detailed many of these issues in a 17 page paper that can be viewed by clicking here.
One of the teachers brought in was Lynn Reddick who authored the book ‘2 Minute Miracle’. In this book he claimed that we have the same power as God and he reworded passages in the Bible to fit his beliefs. Lynn Reddick travels all over the world spreading the ‘new gospel’ and one of the training institutions he is involved with is Jubilee Resources International. The president of this training institute is the one I am dialoging with through email. In his first letter to me he implied that I am causing needless division and abuse within the church. He provided his abundant credentials and then asked me for my credentials to see if I was qualified to question Lynn Reddick. He also asked for proof that I am led by the Holy Spirit.
Throughout this dialog, I make an effort to put the focus on the scriptures while Selwyn’s focus is on my credentials. It is important to understand that the scripture is the final authority regardless of the authority of man. This is where we could not find common ground. In my first email to Selwyn I stated that I will not match credentials because it is irrelevant to the discussion at hand. This is where the dialog below picks up.
-- Selwyn -- April 10, 2007
I asked several questions and I am waiting for your response. Otherwise you have slandered a brother in the Lord. That isn't a good place to be with our Heavenly Father.
I look forward to your early response.
Selwyn Stevens
President
Jubilee Resources International Inc.
-- My Response -- April 11, 2007
I did reply on 3/20/07. I said that the scriptures have been clearly identified in my letter and if you do not want to read 17 pages, simply examine the scriptures and compare it to what Lynn teaches.
You said that I slandered the Reddicks, but slander is only possible if the statement is false. Nothing I stated was false. I will give you one example. Lynn frequently states that we are able to speak things into existence. In his book '2 Minute Miracle', he stated:
Abraham called into existence the things that were not as though they were. That is how we are like God.
Again he stated:
God created the universe by speaking it into existence. Seven times He said, "Let there be..." and there was! This ability to speak things into existence is how we are like God.
He then misquotes Romans as his proof text stating that "Abraham called those things which do not exist as though they did. This is a blatant misquote of Romans 4:17:
(as it is written, "I have made you a father of many nations") in the presence of Him whom he believed -- God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did;
The Bible says that Abraham believed God, who is able to do these things. In order to convince you that you are like God, Lynn Reddick tells you that the Bible teaches that Abraham spoke things into existence when in fact it is God - not Abraham - that has the power to do these things.
There are many other examples in my letter and you can choose to read it or disregard it. It does not matter what I say, but what the scriptures teaches. Jesus said it best in Matthew 24:
11
"Then many false prophets
will rise up and deceive many.
...
24
"For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders
to deceive, if possible, even the elect. 25 "See, I have told you
beforehand.
If it were not deceptive and persuasive, there would be no need of warning. Just because it sounds good does not mean it is of God. Doctrine must agree with scripture. Otherwise, you are in the 'many'.
Did Linda (Linda Reddick is Lynn’s prophetess wife) paraphrase Deuteronomy 28 to your congregation? If they followed the same pattern, you were probably taught that Deuteronomy 28 teaches that you will be blessed for unity and cursed for disunity. In truth, this passage warns that the blessing or curse is based solely upon obedience to God's commands, not unity. According to Romans 16, divisions (or disunity) is caused by those who do not hold to biblical doctrine. You should be unified with those who obey the scriptures. If someone is contrary to the doctrine of scripture, there cannot be unity unless you also depart from the commandments of God and follow their false doctrine.
Eddie Snipes
-- Selwyn -- April 11, 2007
Dear Eddie,
Thanks for your reply today.
I specifically asked about your spiritual covering.
I also asked about your theological training to discuss these issues effectively.
I did also asked if you have allowed the Holy Spirit to guide you regarding interpretation of Scripture. Such interpretations must then be submitted to those to whom we are spiritually accountable to ensure they are orthodox, and not some new heresy we become deceived by.
The Bible is a spiritual book, and as such cannot be fully understood by those resistant to the Holy Spirit. In my experience, too many Christians are guilty of Bibliolatry - worship (including misuse) of Scripture - when they have resisted the Holy Spirit to give understanding. "Baptism" with the Holy Spirit occurs at conversion, but "Filling" by the Holy Spirit usually occurs at a different time, at least in my observation. Have you been "Filled" and if so, please tell me about it. If not, please explain why you have disobeyed God on this matter.
I am asking you again to answer my questions above, rather than arguing about the issues of deception with which I am very familiar.
I look forward to your reply.
Selwyn Stevens
President
Jubilee Resources International Inc.
-- My Response -- April 12, 2007
Dear Selwyn,
You raised several topics in your email. One thing you implied is that I was guilty of worshiping the Bible and implied that this was idolatry. I am guilty as charged for I believe that God’s word is the only certain revelation we have to know the mind and will of God. Everything the Holy Spirit reveals will and must agree to what God has already revealed. 1 Corinthians 14:32-33 says it best:
32 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. 33 For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.
This also answers your question about where accountability lies. The Holy Spirit will not give any new revelation that contradicts what has already been revealed. If a prophet contradicts what has been revealed through the Spirit by the prophets, he is a false prophet. Otherwise, God would in fact be the author of confusion. Since God does not send us contradictory messages, you must be subject to the word of God. Anyone who devalues the scriptures is trying to avoid being subject to the prophets as God has commanded.
I do in fact believe the Bible is the solid foundation that the Christian life and ALL doctrine is built on. If I am idolatrous, I have good company. I included a few passages that support honoring God’s word. If you are not interested in reading these passages, skip down to the next subject.
Bibliolatry (worshiping the scriptures)
John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
Psalm 138:2 I will worship toward Your holy temple, And praise Your name For Your lovingkindness and Your truth; For You have magnified Your word above all Your name.
John 17:16-17 16 "They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 17 "Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.
Matthew 24:35 "Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.
John 12:48 "He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him -- the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day.
If the word will be our judge on the last day, we should be living by it today. Why would you live according to another standard when everything in our life will be judged according to the scriptures?
John 14:23-24 Jesus answered and said to him, "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. 24 "He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father's who sent Me.
Psalm 119:9-11 9 How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word. 10 With my whole heart I have sought You; Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments! 11 Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You!
…
58 I entreated Your favor with my whole heart; Be merciful to me according to Your word.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
How are we equipped for every good work and the ministry for God? By the scriptures. The word equips, teaches and aligns our path with God’s will so that we are equipped and trained in doctrine.
Revelation 3:8 "I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name.
Seven churches were addressed by God in the book of Revelation. Only one was praised – the one who kept the word so that they had strength and honored Jesus’ name.
Spiritual covering
You asked about my covering. Rather than debating the issue, I believe the Bible can speak to this matter better than I can.
1 Corinthians 11:3 But I want you to know that the head of every man is Christ, the head of woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.
Isaiah 61:10 I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, My soul shall be joyful in my God; For He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, As a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, And as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
Psalm 91:4 He shall cover you with His feathers, And under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler.
Who covers us? Not the church, pastor, apostle, prophet or any other earth bound identity. Our covering comes from God alone.
1 Timothy 2:5 For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus,
(Some leaders try to put themselves between the congregation and Christ. This is a sin.)
Theological training
My assumption based on the tone of your emails is that you wish to compare credentials in order to determine who is the most qualified to have a valuable opinion. God does not care about titles and man-made honors. The issue is not ‘who is better qualified to determine truth’, but is a doctrine consistent with scripture. It does not matter if you are the president of a training institution or a brand new Christian.
If someone says, “you are teaching this, but the Bible says the opposite”, it is a legitimate question. If a teacher says, “Abraham gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were”, and the Bible says that God gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were, you do not need a PHD to question this contradiction. When someone knows they are going against the word of God, they will divert attention away from scriptures rather than examining the objection.
The Bible clearly affirms that every child of God has the power to know truth and understand scripture (see John 1:12-13). These passages clearly teach this principle even to the common, unlearned man.
1 John 2:26-27 26 These things I have written to you concerning those who try to deceive you. 27 But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him.
John 14:26 "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.
The apostles taught the people to learn directly from the Holy Spirit without man’s intervention. Until someone gets to the point of listening to and learning from the Holy Spirit as they study the word, they cannot mature spiritually. A teacher who tries to become the source of truth for the people is hindering the work of God in the people. Anyone who sets themselves up as the ‘source’ of God’s truth or anointing is a false teacher and according to 1 John above, they are a deceiver.
Jeremiah 15:16 Your words were found, and I ate them, And Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart; For I am called by Your name, O LORD God of hosts.
Proverbs 2:1 My son, if you receive my words, And treasure my commands within you, 2 So that you incline your ear to wisdom, And apply your heart to understanding;
…
Proverbs 2:6 For the LORD gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding;
…
Proverbs 2:9 Then you will understand righteousness and justice, Equity and every good path.
Proverbs 30:6 Do not add to His words, Lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar.
Prove I am in the Holy Spirit
God has filled me with His Spirit and the evidence is found, not in words, titles or self-boasting, but in a daily walk. You cannot see my daily walk and it does not matter. The issue is not, what can Eddie prove about himself; nor is it, what can Selwyn prove about himself? It is not about you, me or any individual. It is about being faithful to the Lord and His word. What you say about yourself means nothing; what I say about myself means nothing. 2 Corinthians 10 is the principle I go by:
17 But "he who glories, let him glory in the LORD." 18 For not he who commends himself is approved, but whom the Lord commends.
The issue is not whether I feel commendable to myself, but whether God commends me. The same is true for you. Do not put your faith in your credentials, but humble yourself before God. In both James and 1 Peter God has warned that He resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. Accomplishments are lost if they are done proudly in human effort. You can call it the Holy Spirit, but the evidence of the Holy Spirit is found in two places:
John 15:26 " But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me.
Galatians 5:22-23 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
It is not the person who claims to be filled with the Spirit that is filled. It is the one whose life reveals the Spirit. If the Spirit in you does not focus on testifying of Jesus Christ, it is not the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit does not testify of itself, but of Christ.
If the fruit of the Spirit is not beginning to mature in your life, you do not have the Holy Spirit. Tongues may play a role in the Spirit’s work, but tongues are not the evidence of the Holy Spirit – nor are miracles, wonders or signs. In Matthew 24:24, 2 Thes. 2:9-10, Revelation 13:11-15, and Revelation 16:13-14, demon spirits are sent out into the world to do signs and wonders for the purpose of deceiving those who did not receive the truth. Jesus even said that many who call Him ‘Lord’ would present their signs and wonders to Him, but He will say, “Depart you worker of lawlessness, I never knew you”.
Jesus said that false prophets would produce great signs and wonders so that ‘if possible’ the very elect would be deceived. The people of God (the elect) cannot be deceived for they will recognize that the teacher has departed from the word. All others will follow the signs. When Lynn Reddick attempts to persuade with ‘signs, power or wonders’, the elect will recognize that he is not true to the word. Even if a false prophet’s miracle is persuasive, the departure from truth will be the evidence that reveals the deception to the elect. If you value the sign more than the word, you should examine yourself to see if you are in the faith.
The evidence of the Spirit is fulfilling the Spirit’s ministry of testifying of Christ and producing Christ-like fruit in our lives. The Spirit’s ministry is to testify of Christ while shaping the Christian into the image of Christ. Anything that does not focus on this is a false spirit and the spirit of the antichrist.
Based on your earlier responses, I will be surprised if you read this, but my hope is that you at least look at the scriptures. God has crossed our paths for a reason. Possibly the reason is to stir you into reading the scriptures so that you recognize that man based learning is not the source of truth – out of His mouth comes knowledge and understanding. Even if someone claims to have the anointing of the Holy Spirit, if they are not in agreement with scripture, it is not of the Holy Spirit. If you are gaining knowledge from any other source, it is not of God.
2 Corinthians 10:12 For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.
Eddie Snipes
-- Selwyn -- April 26, 2007
Dear Eddie,
I am amazed that you persist in avoiding answering the fundamental question I have asked you twice now - to whom are you accountable? Who has the authority to bring correction to Eddie Snipes when he is inevitably wrong? I assume you are human like the rest of us, and could possibly make a mistake. Perhaps not.
Your smug self-righteousness of always being right, that you didn't slander a brother (when you did), is of more serious concern than any other issue.
Either answer the question or don't bother wasting my time.
Selwyn Stevens
President:
Jubilee Resources International Inc.
-- My Response -- April 26, 2007
I did indeed answer your question and I also gave many details in my previous emails. I have also consistently attempted to draw the focus off you and I and place it on the scriptures where it belongs. I provided dozens of scriptures that address my concerns and your concerns as well. I do not stand on my own authority, but on the authority of scripture. In your last email you stated that to put to high of an emphasis on scripture is idolatry of which I disagree. Perhaps the problem is that we cannot find common ground because I believe that scripture is the final authority as 2 Timothy 3:16, Psalm 119, John 15:3, John 17:17 and especially Proverbs 30:5 state while you have indicated that church leaders are the authority.
I am sorry that you feel that quoting Lynn Reddick is 'smug, self-righteous slander', but I can't agree. Everything I stated can be verified by reading his book, 'The 2 Minute Miracle'. You have hosted him several times and have not disputed the things I quoted. I am confident that he and his wife consistently teach the things I quoted and you have not denied these quotes. It seems that the dispute is not whether the Reddicks are teaching the things I am quoting but whether someone like me should question those who claim to be apostles. According to Lynn Reddick, he does indeed state that he is an apostle. Jesus indeed praised those who put those claiming to be apostles to the test. Look at
Revelation 2:2-3 "I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; 3 "and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name's sake and have not become weary.
How do we test those who claim to be an apostle? The Bible answers this question in 1 Corinthians. I provided this in a previous email but I will quote it again for clarity.
1 Corinthians 14:32-33 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. 33 For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.
Those who claim to be of God are tested against the word of those who clearly were speaking from God - the prophets who wrote the scriptures. Anyone who does not agree with what has been previously revealed in scripture is not of God. Proverbs is very bold and forthright on this issue.
Proverbs 30:5-6 5 Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him. 6 Do not add to His words, Lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar.
It is not self-righteousness if your focus is on the word of God and not yourself. If I claimed to have the authority to determine what is truth, I would be out of line; however, I am claiming that what God has said in His word is the authority to determine what is true doctrine and what is false. Anyone who contradicts the scripture is a false teacher. This can only be a slanderous statement if you do not believe the Bible has greater authority than the one who claims to be an apostle.
If you want to make this a debate of me against you or me against Lynn Reddick, I will not enter into such a debate. If you want to discuss whether this type of teaching is consistent with scripture, I will be glad to have an open discussion. Name calling will not benefit anyone. The issue is not what I think, but whether or not the Reddicks are teaching contrary to scripture. Since it is indisputable that they completely rewrote Romans 4:17 and Deuteronomy 28, there can be little doubt that there is a clear contradiction of scripture. Putting the focus on me only diverts attention away from the real problem. I only ask that you honestly look at the teachings of the Reddicks and compare them to scripture. That is not a slanderous request.
In Christ,
Eddie Snipes
-- Selwyn -- April 29, 2007
Dear Eddie,
As I originally suspected you read the Bible without the Holy Spirit, hence your inability to apply it in a manner which both glorifies the Lord Jesus Christ and brings honor to brothers and sisters in the Lord.
I believe you are guilty of breaking Proverbs 6: 16-19, especially verse 19.
I am very saddened that you have consistently avoided giving me the name and contact details of your pastor. Since you are so unteachable, I won't be reading anything else from you until you provide that information I have now asked for three times.
Selwyn Stevens, Ph.D.
President:
Jubilee Resources International Inc.
-- End of Dialog --
Since the dialog has broken down, I did not follow up with a response and this is the end of the discussion.
I posted this conversation because it is relevant to several topics we have been studying on this website and it shows the root cause of the decaying state of the church. In this modern era people are being taught to disrespect the Bible. There is a popular Christian music song by Nicole Nordeman that claims that holding up the commandments of scripture drives us far away and that we should put away our doctrine. It is a very catchy tune and is directly influencing our next generation in the church.
I have heard preachers shout from the pulpit that doctrine is not important. Daily the Bible is being devalued or even rejected outright. Songs and sermons alike are teaching the modern church culture to despise the Bible and look to the new generations of prophets to teach them.
In this dialog you can see that the president of a training institute that has direct influence on pastors and church leaders has taken the position that instruction must come through the consensus of a church panel and not from scripture. It was even stated that putting too much emphasis on the Bible is idolatry.
Ultimately we know the truth by studying the truth. The popular consensus is not a reliable test. Throughout history, the majority has always had the tendency to follow error. Look at biblical history and world history.
To remain in God’s will, you must follow what God has clearly stated. Since Jesus said that anyone who loves God will keep the word and anyone who does not love God does not keep the word, we know that the revealed word of God in the scriptures is the key to our walk with God. God will never judge you for keeping His word, but God will judge those who turn from His word. Regardless of how smooth the teacher presents his doctrine, the evidence is in the word.
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