The Cult of Mike Bickle and IHOP?

I have posted twice on the subject of Mike Bickle and International House of Prayer being a cult. Somehow I missed writing about the article which started this all off. I messed up but now I will answer it as well. To see that article go HERE.

1. Cultic Origins and Goals.
   1. Author says, IHOP began when a man named Augustine told Mike Bickle about hearing an audible voice for Mike and his congregation “I am inviting you to raise up a work that will touch the ends of the earth. I have invited many people to do this thing and many people have said yes, but very few have done my will.” Since many cults started with God telling people a special message this must be a cult as well. The goal of IHOP is to bring on the great tribulation and Mike Bickle proposes that the end time church defeats Gods Enemies.
      1. The examples of cults hearing from God all are cases of not being true to the Scripture. Hearing God is nothing new. Your pastor heard the call of God to the ministry. An audible voice is unusual but God can speak to us anyway He desires. He is at work in the world. The problem is not how God spoke but was what He said Biblical. I saw nothing counter to the scripture in what was God's message.
      2. I listened to what Mike actually said in a teaching about Revelations. From his teaching Mike believes that God will bring about the judgments as a result of the prayers of the church. God brings the tribulation not the Christians, but at the behest of the prayers of believers. He never says that IHOP people praying or even people praying as IHOP prays. I do think Mike is right saying that Christians do not pray as they should and hopefully he is right that Christians are changing in their prayers from just for salvation and being blessed to crying out for the lord, in the world and in their lives. The author is saying things Mike Bickle does not say. Some quotes from Mike Bickle on this subject:

1. The prayers of all the saints during the tribulation will release the trumpet judgments
   
2. The prayers of the martyrs in heaven will also be used to release God’s end-time judgments
   
3. Jesus returns in answer to global concerts of prayer offered by the Church with a bridal identity. Every church will have a spirit of prayer in the End Times or they will cease to exist.
   
4. Jesus will not release the seal judgments until the bowls of prayer around the throne are full. In other words, the end-time Church will be mature in prayer BEFORE the final 3½ years.
   
5. Yes, Mike does believe The Church goes through the tribulation but that does not make him a cult.
   
6. Mike believes that the Church will have victory over the Anti-Christ but that does not mean they won't die or will kill the Anti-Christ. Not turning from Christ to follow the Anti-Christ is victory.
   

2. The Power of Emotionalism, Mysticism nad Gnosticism.
   1. Author says, IHOP practices contemplative pray. This is relaxing and letting youself find the presence of God within.
      1. This is basically what Andrew Murray calls “Waiting on the Lord” It is meditating on Christ and letting Him talk to you. Unless you don't believe a still small voice from God can talk to you, there should not be a problem.
   2. Author believes IHOP claims hidden knowledge by way of prophecies, visions and dreams. Too many people in IHOP rely upon experiences.
      1. Nothing hidden about this at IHOP. They simply believe that God works today through Prophecy, visions and dreams. You can agree or not but that does not make it a cult. Charismatic churches would agree with that. I do agree that people should not depend upon these kind of experiences and IHOP would agree as well which is why they have a teachings, school and internships to ground a person in scripture.
3. The IHOP Dilemma.
   1. Is IHOP full of false prophets or true prophets?
      1. It is true that there are some false prophecies given by people who are training at IHOP but any prophecy given must align with scripture and people are told that if given a prophecy to test the spirit. Is it biblical? Is this the only person saying this? If it is then do not trust it unless others agree with it.
4. A Sampling of the Prophecies
   1. Author gives examples of prophecies given.
      1. Back to point one. God speaks today and can speak anyway He wants. Nothing counter to the Bible here.
5. The Denigration of the Bible and Sola Scriptura.
   1. Author claims IHOP does not see scripture as the revealed will of God and the only necessary thing for faith and practice of Christianity. For example when making a decision they do not use only the Bible but also as God for revelation concerning the decision.
      1. HOW HORRIBLE! Yes they do pray for God's guidance when making a decision.
6. Indexed as a Cult by Multiple Ministries
   1. Short list of 6 ministries that believe IHOP is a cult
      1. So if I have 6 ministries that believe my church is a cult does that make it so? I can find a list of ministries that do not believe IHOP is a cult but to be honest that does not prove is it not a Cult.

In conclusion, the author does not believe God is alive and working in the world today in a powerful way by actually speaking to people through prophesy, visions and dreams. If he did then I don’t think he would have a problem with IHOP.

Many people do not think God is working in this way. That miracles and prophecy are all in the past. If that is so then God does not lead us or speak in a still small voice. Your prayers are heard by God but He does not work in the world today except through natural means. Miracles will never occur. God is powerless.

If that is true then why are the two witnesses in Revelation 11 able to do miracles and prophecy? Miracles, prophecy and healings happened in the past and will in the future. Why do we think that God does not still work powerfully today?

Read more on this subject from previous post.

Is IHOP a Cult?

Mike Bickle is not a Cultist.

To see for yourself what IHOP and Mike Bickle believe.  Check out these pages.

Statement of faith

Affirmations and Denials