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Jack Hayford is a FALSE TEACHER!
See also MacArthur Praises Hayford
Dr. Jack Hayford is the Senior Pastor of one of America's best known congregations, The Church On The Way in Van Nuys, California. He is the author of more than two dozen books and has composed over 400 Gospel songs, perhaps the best known of which is his song, "Majesty." Pastor Hayford's teaching can be heard nationwide on his LIVING WAY radio and television programs. (From the back cover of Mr. Hayford's book Ten Steps Toward Saving America, copyright 1994)
2 Peter 2:1-2
But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their destructive ways, . . .
I. Catholicism
Jack Hayford is on the broad road that leads to destruction (Mt.7:13-14) and he is leading thousands of people to the place where "their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched" (Mark 9:44). Hayford's broad way is exemplified by his acceptance of Catholicism. In Seven Promises of a Promise Keeper on page 19 Hayford writes,
Redeeming worship centers on the Lord's Table, whether your tradition celebrates it as Communion, Eucharist, the Mass, or the Lord's Supper, we are all called to this centerpiece of Christian worship.
Hayford's statement above gives credence to Catholic worship ("Eucharist, the Mass") and calls it Christian worship. Catholic worship is false Christian worship and leads to hell. The Christ of Catholicism is a false Christ (i.e. "Transubstantiation" which teaches the wafer of the Mass literally becomes the literal body of "Christ", and Catholics literally worship this wafer). Actually, Catholicism is filled with idolatry (praying to Mary and the saints) and false doctrine (Matt. 23:9, 1 Timothy 4:1f). To embrace Catholics (and therefore Catholicism) as brothers in Christ is to embrace a religion that is demonic and leading millions to eternal torment (Revelation 21:8; 22:15). For more info on Catholicism, please see our report.
Hayford even believes the Pope is saved (see the tape "What in the World Shall We Do About Mary?" 02892)! The Pope is head of one of the largest false religions in the world! Hayford's road is very broad.
Jesus' warning in both Matthew 7:13-14 and Luke 13:24 (in context) was to the Jews (the people of God). The warning of the wide gate and broad way is in the context of those who are among the "people of God". It is not a warning in the context of the myriad of religions in the world. It is in the context of the correct religion (which at the time was Judaism). Jesus' warning was (and is) this: Within or among the "people of God" there is a wide gate and broad way that leads to destruction (i.e. hell, Matthew 7:14; Luke 13:24).
Hayford's love for the false religion of Catholicism was displayed in the July 2005 Christianity Today's cover story on page 25. The article on Hayford said,
A few days later, he approached a large Catholic church. Having been raised to take strong exception to Catholic doctrine, he wondered whether he would have the same feelings. He did, and heard another message from God: "Why would I not be happy with a place where every morning the testimony of the blood of my Son is raised from the altar?"
"I didn't hear God say that the Catholics are right about everything," Hayford says now, remembering the experience that changed his ministry. "For that matter, I didn't hear him saying the Baptists are right about everything, nor the Foursquare."
The message was simply that people at those churches cared about God. These were sites dedicated to Jesus' name. And he, Hayford, was supposed to love and pray for them.
This is nothing but wickedness, and unlike the Psalmist (Psalm 40:4), Hayford respects those who turn aside to lies.
II. Lovers of Themselves (2 Timothy 3:2)
In 2 Timothy 3:1-2 Paul says, "But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, . . ." Even though Paul notes that loving yourself is not a virtue, Hayford believes it is (placing himself in the camp of those who are "lovers of themselves"). In the tape, "The Art of Forgiving Yourself," (00179), Hayford says,
There's nothing that I believe the Lord would more like us to learn, there are many things of equal importance, but nothing He would more like us to learn than just to love ourselves.
III. Romans 8:28
To further substantiate the fact that Hayford is a wolf in sheep's clothing (Mt.7:15), and is one who even denies the Lord (by denying His word) note that, although Hayford claims to teach and believe the Bible, his claim is a lie. Often his teaching is the exact opposite of Scripture. On the tape, "Earthquakes and Other Disasters" (C0213), Hayford quotes Romans 8:28 and then says,
Jack Hayford said in the name of Jesus, all things DON'T work together for the good to those who love God or anybody else! They DON'T!
Please note Romans 8:28.
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
Hayford says the exact opposite of the Word of God!
IV. Unbelief
Another example of this kind of mutilation of God's Word can be heard on the tape "Avoiding Presumptions About Hell" (03252) where Hayford says,
And I want to say this and assert as strongly as anything I have to say today that I don't believe that any human being has the right to judge if a person is going to or has gone to hell.
This statement flies in the face of the Word of God (1 John 2:4; 1 Peter 3:12; Psalm 11:6, etc.), particularly Revelation 21:8,
But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.
Anyone who has died a coward, an unbeliever, an abominable person, a murderer, a sexually immoral person, a sorcerer, an idolater or a liar, WILL go to hell, and we CAN KNOW it; because God says it! Hayford's teaching promotes a serious lack of faith in God's Word, and in reality, makes God out to be a liar.
V. Darkness
Another example of this can be found in the tape, "Jesus, Earthquakes and the Spiritual World" (C0214). On this tape Hayford proclaims. . .
Don't ever make the mistake dear ones, please don't ever make this mistake, of thinking, of supposing for a moment, there is even one iota of unity in the invisible realm of darkness. There is no unity in the realm of darkness.
Please note Matthew 12:25-26,
But Jesus knew their thoughts, and said to them: "Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand. If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself, How then will his kingdom stand?"
Jesus' words prove Hayford's statement is a lie.
VI. Suicide
Furthermore, in Hayford's mutilation of the Word of God, Hayford teaches people can kill themselves and go to heaven whether they are a "Christian" or not! In the tape, "Earthquakes, and Other Disasters" (C0213), he proclaims,
and there are times that I have faced the difficult situation of looking eye to eye with the person that's left where a loved one has committed suicide. And there is no reason whatsoever to believe that that person knew Jesus Christ as their Savior. And you will never find me say to that person, "No, they are not with God." I will never say that to anyone, because I am not the final judge.
If you believe God, you know that people who don't know Christ go to hell when they kill themselves (1 Jn. 5:12). But when you don't believe God, you'll be like Jack Hayford, and not know the truth on the matter.
What about "Christians" who kill themselves? Hayford says on the tape, "The Sin of Suicide" (02439A),
. . . we will not take a position of attempting to thwart people indulging themselves in suicide by suggesting something the Bible doesn't say, that is, to say to them you will lose your eternal soul because you commit suicide.
This is a damning, hellish lie! Colossians 1:21-23 says,
And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight -- IF indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are NOT MOVED away from the hope of the gospel . . .
Committing suicide IS being "moved away from the hope of the gospel." For more, see our report on suicide.
VII. Lewdness (Jude 4)
Finally, Hayford denies the power of godliness. 2 Timothy 3:5 says, speaking of the wicked "Christians", that they will have "a FORM of godliness," but deny its power. What is the power of godliness? Summed up, it is the power that is resident in every true believer to walk in truth and righteousness. (2Cor. 5:17; 1Jn. 2:3-4). Note how the following quote denies the power of godliness.
I'll tell you something, there's never been a person who was addicted to smoking, addicted to liquor, never been a person who was addicted to immorality, never been a person who was on the brink of suicide. There's never been a person who named the name of Jesus Christ, and His life and in fact entered them, that no matter how encrusted or encased they were with their sin. There's never existed the person to whatever degree, small or great, that bondage has been in their life, that there still was not enough power of Jesus in them to minister to somebody else. Oh, listen! Greater is He that is in you than everything else that's around. Hallelujah. (tape # 02439B, "The Sin Of Suicide")
This statement of Hayford's denies 1 John 3: 9.
Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God.
This describes the power of godliness of which Hayford denies, and turns the grace of God into lewdness (Jude 4).
VIII. Conclusion
2 Timothy 3:5 says that you should turn away from such a man. We beg you, please do. If you don't, your soul will be destroyed with the rest of the masses who are following this man (2 Peter 2:2). May God have mercy on your soul and open your eyes (2 Cor. 4:4). Psalm 118:22-23 still stands true today.
The stone [Jesus] which the builders [false teachers] rejected has become the chief cornerstone. This was the LORD's doing, it is marvelous in our eyes. (see also Matthew 21:42; 1 Peter 2:7).
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