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Growing in Grace International Ministry
Creciendo en Gracia (Growing in Grace International Ministry) is a movement of churches headquartered in Miami, Florida. It has churches in 24 countries – mostly in Latin America, but also in the US and Canada.
The group is organized around José Luis De Jesus Miranda, a 59-year-old Puerto Rican man with impish charm and a taste for indulgence. Some defectors, like Regina Albarracin — a Pembroke Pines woman whose son remains a member — liken him to a cult leader. Devotees call him Jesus Christ and lavish him with gifts and money. More than 400 followers have set up businesses that funnel 20 to 80 percent of their profits into the ministry. Others donate cars, homes, and tens of thousands of dollars in cash and services.
De Jesus’s followers believe they are God’s true chosen people and call their children the “super race.” They are also convinced other churches peddle deceit and spread poverty, war, and disease. But while this antipathy dates back years, only recently have they begun acting on it by disrupting religious events.
Over the past five months, Creciendo en Gracia parishioners have held at least 40 protests in more than a dozen countries. And De Jesus says this is just the beginning. “My purpose,” he explains, “is to close down every church so the true church can begin. You could say I’m leading the greatest reformation that has ever happened.”
– Source: Jesus Redux, Miami New Times, USA, Feb. 9, 2006
Creciendo en Gracia’s teachings mark the movement as, theologically, a cult of Christianity. Sociologically, the movement has cultic elements as well. [See: Sociological vs. theological definitions of the term ‘cult’]
Free To Indulge In Sin
De Jesus teaches that the Devil has been destroyed, and that Hell does not exist. Nevertheless, he claims there are two classes of people: those who reject his message and are therefore predestined, and those who accept his word as true. The latter are saved and can not lose their salvation. Hence they are allowed to indulge in sin.
Reincarnation of Paul? El Otro? Jesus Christ?
De Jesus’s gospel flows from an experience he had in December 1976. After a hardscrabble youth in Puerto Rico, where he often stole to feed his heroin habit, he moved to Lawrence, Massachusetts, and ran a Bible-based treatment center for drug-addicted street toughs. But soon he lost faith in conventional churches. “I was getting tired of all the legalism and hypocrisy,” he explains. “I kept thinking, Christianity should be something better.”
Then one frosty December night, he says he awoke to find himself flanked by two brawny men with stern expressions who told him: “The King of Kings is coming to anoint you.” Before he knew it, he was standing in a luminous marble corridor where trumpets blared and a spectral figure crept toward him. Then the apparition merged with him, and he began to hear a man’s voice in his head.
“He said, ‘Open your Bible,'” De Jesus recalls. “So I opened to Romans 6. And he said, ‘Read that … that means you’re dead to sin; sin can’t reign in your life.'” The experience left De Jesus transformed. “Ever since that day, I can’t learn from anybody — and I mean no one,” he says. He now believes that was the night of Christ’s second coming.
In the years that followed, the voice continued to offer new revelations. Then in 1986 it said, “Move to Miami. There you’ll have a bridge to all nations.” So at age 40, De Jesus, his then-wife Nydia, and their five children came to the Magic City, where he secured a fifteen-minute daily slot on WVCG-AM (1080) and began preaching his controversial message.
Before long, other ministers were railing against him from their radio pulpits. And this worked to his advantage. After he had been on the air three months, De Jesus rented a Hialeah warehouse, filled it with 300 chairs, and invited listeners for a weekend seminar. To his surprise, he says, 500 people turned up. “Just like that,” De Jesus marvels. “Creciendo en Gracia was born.”
In the years that followed, the church increasingly revolved around De Jesus. Then in 1998 he claimed to be the reincarnation of the Apostle Paul. The following year he proclaimed himself “El Otro” — a demigod who would lay the foundation for the Lord’s return. Finally in 2004 he named himself Jesus Christ and the ultimate authority on the gospel. Today no one but him — and his right-hand man, Carlos Cestero — are allowed to preach. And De Jesus always dictates the message. Instead of regular sermons, most followers around the world watch videos or simulcasts of these men projected on a screen behind the pulpit.
– Source: Jesus Redux, Miami New Times, USA, Feb. 9, 2006
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First published (or major update) on Saturday, July 22, 2006.
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I don\’t get it. How do churches get this way? How do Christians(?) buy into such obviously false teachings? How come they can not see that they are being deceived? Is it just a matter of not knowing sound doctrine or do people simply slip into deception without noticing?
After reading this entry my husband and I talked about it and decided that we would try and always remain watchful.
The Word of God is fust been fulfill. But he is not the Antichrist yet to come. He is just a deceiful man making a living out the ignorant. It’s sad that they can not see to see so many blind souls. The LORD neve promoted violence and this group its eventually going to cause a disaster with all this violence. Not only are they insulting those that are not of their group but they are instigating against against all rules. Now I believe that since they are burning and destroying the bible they are not awared of the consecuences. One thing is for sure the devil is rejoicing. And if they would like to know the end of their god they will need to save one of the bible and read the book of Daniel.
I confess that I am a collaborator to the “DESIRED” of the nations, and together with Him I will sow so that I can see all the nations shake; and the posterior glory shall be better and greater than the first one…and I am part of that and I receive that you are enlightened to be part of it to! The second coming of Jesus Christ has taken place – GOD IS HERE ON EARTH – and his name is Dr. Jose Luis de Jesus Miranda!!! Abba Father!
Diga: YO CONFIESO, QUE SOY COLABORADOR DEL DESEADO DE LAS NACIONES, Y JUNTO CON ÉL SEMBRARÉ PARA VER CON MIS OJOS, A LAS NACIONES TEMBLAR; Y LA GLORIA POSTRERA SERà MEJOR QUE LA PRIMERA. YO SOY PARTE DE ESO Y RECIBO QUE TUS OJOS SON ALUMBRADOS TAMBIEN PARA TOMAR PARTE DE ESTO TAMBIEN. DIOS YA llego!!! La segunda venida de Cristo ya acontecio – DIOS ESTA AQUI EN LA TIERRA – y su nombre es DR. JOSE LUIS DE JESUS MIRANDA!! Abba Padre!
What the world expected was a JEW, however Jesus Christ, in His second manifestation would NOT return as such – HE WOULD BE A GENTILE. Take a look for yourself that He would not be a jew, as the Apostle Paul said:
Romans 15:9:
“so that the Gentiles may glorify God for his mercy, as it is written:
“Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles;
I will sing hymns to your name.”[a]
IT SAYS THAT WE WOULD PRAISE HIMMMMMM AMONG THE GENTILES!!
ROM 5:10-
“The Root of Jesse will spring up,
one who will arise to rule over the nations;
the Gentiles will hope in him.”
……….AND THE ROOT OF JESSE DID SPRING UP – HE IS HERE AND HIS NAME IS DR. JOSE LUIS DE JESUS MIRANDA – THE MAN CHRIST JESUS!!
This is a cult. The people involved have been brainwashed. Christians do not buy into this. This group is clearly not a Christian group, with all their beliefs and teachings that clearly go against the Bible. Sandra is right. We must always be on guard for false teachers, and the Bible tells us that there will be false teachers.
This man is not the anti-christ, he is just carrying the anti-christ spirit. In the bible jesus tells us in the last days to beware of False teachings and flase prophets..and that many will come in his name.
I just viewed a news video on MSN and was amazed at the ignorance of the followers of this Hispanic man claiming to be Jesus. Amazed is not an adequate word. Flabergasted is more like it. This man evokes memories of Jim Jones and David Koresh, does anyone remember those two apostates ? My God how gullable people are and how soon we forget. People…..read the Gospels, with a humble spirit and a hunger for the real truth and the Lord of Hosts will surely direct your path to the true Son of God and His saving power. This cult leader is a man who will die. Thank you
Given the words of Yeshua in Matthew 24:24, should the popularity of the “Creciendo en Gracia” movement come as any great surprise?
I saw this guy on the Today show on Friday, August 25th. To say that I am shocked is an understatement but then again, the bible has said that these are the end times.
I wonder if Luis has any flashnacks of being in the temple or the woman at the well? Do you think he has raised anyone from the dead or healed anyone lately? He better not get sick or his cover will be blown. What miracles has he performed besides getting masses of people to believe his outright lies? Has he mentioned that he died for the sins of the world? Would he do it again? Of course not because the bible says in the New Testament that it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God. Would Luis give up his estates and cars and cash to do the right thing? Of course not.
The Enemy is called the father of lies in the bible. He is a master at deception – that’s what he is best at. He has Luis wrapped around his little finger right now, Luis is Satan’s puppet. I was thinking also, “How can so many people have kissed their brains goodbye to follow this jerk who is CLEARLY taking advantage of them?” But I was reminded that in the Word, it tells us that people like to have their ears tickled – they want to hear “You’re ok. You don’t have sin in your life. There is no right and wrong. Do whatever you want to do. You have total permission to screw up your life and the lives of everyone around you.” This is how people lie prey to dellusional dictators such as Luis (who I will not even refer to as his supposed title that he gave himself because he DOES NOT deserve to be referred to as MY PERSONAL LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST WHO IS ON THE THRONE NOT LIVING IN MIAMI)
Lastly, if this guy even read his bible like he should (maybe he has his own new version printed up??) he would know that the REAL Jesus Christ was HUMBLE, he came in HUMILITY and came not to be served but TO SERVE. He lived a perfect life as our example. He was sinless. Among many things, the REAL LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST not only preached in the TRUTH but WAS AND IS the TRUTH. Luis believes in “relative truth” which is incredibly dangerous. When in reality, truth is not relative but rather absolute. Absolute truth still exists and is name is JESUS CHRIST (the real one).
And pleeeeeeeease any of his followers who happen to read this – DON’T DRINK THE KOOL-AID.
I ask all Saints and Believers of the true Jesus Christ to pray for these people. This is end-time prophesy coming to pass…The Bible clearly states that when Jesus does return, He will crack the SKY and everyone will be able to see him. It says nothing about Him returning to earth and setting up church in Miami, FL., reenting buildings and holding seminars.
I saw the article on this ministry. I am very shock to see how, people are taken by surprise. When the day of judgement comes we will really see who was who or what. I pray that this person could come to his sences and really repent, for taking this people for a ride.
For as long as people struggle with how to eradicate sin, how not to feel the guilt, the shame or the condemnation of it, or pay the penalty for it, their ears will continue to itch for the sound of any doctrine that makes sin and hell evaporate from the conscience. For those who want to take no responsibility for their sins, cults like these simply make those sins go away without having to repent, fel guilty or to live a surrendered life of holiness in obedience to the word of God. This aberrant doctrine, and others like it, which hopes to extract sin from the Bible and override the word of God, must obviously provide great satisfaction and is perfect for scratching that itch.
Its nice to see people standing up for Gods word – everything Jesus Christ said in the Bible is true. He came to save us sinners. He also gave us discernment for a reason.
Matthew 5:17-19 (King James Version)
This is just a man and he is not Jesus. Jesus was hispanic??? I thought he was Jewish. This man is not a Jew. People are really stupid to fall for this Man. Wake up and smell the real Jew.
Levit
I was listening to a radio show were, they have the bishop of creciendo en gracia as a special visitor. I am not a very Religious person. But this man did not have an idea of what he was talking about. When he was confronted with questions, such as were did he get the title? and how long did he study to become a bishop? all he had to say is that john the gave him the title. I believe in God I have him in my heart and at my home. I also have read the bible and understand that this jesus man is no Jesus Crist, all that he is teaching is wrong, he doen’t make any Scenes and may the Lord have Mercy on him. The only think that I can think of these people that follow him is that they are very poor of spirit and soul. They also must be very lonely that they have to follow a lunatic like the jesus man. This is what the Bible say in the book of Phillipians.
Phillipians 2 verse 5
2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 2:6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 2:7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 2:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 2:9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 2:10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 2:11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
Who the heck does he think he is…God..or wait he does!!! I think he is riduculus and anyone who could give into such false doctrines is easily duped.
He completely goes against everything Jesus stoof for in the bible. And since God does not change, he is the same yesterday today and forever. If he was God he would stand for the same principles he did in the bible. HE NEEDS JESUS, HES NOT JESUS!!!
Miranda is a false Christ or another Jesus, which makes him an imposter. Therefore, he is not “the second coming of Christ, that messiah that they’ve been waiting for,” due to it’s not the right time for Christ to have His second coming. The literal coming of the real Christ of the Bible will only transpire during the Battle of Armageddon at the end of the 7-year tribulation. The trib has not yet transpired. The real Christ will be riding a white horse and His army will be following Him on white horses, and everyone on earth will see Christ, at the same time, coming down to the earth from heaven. Since Miranda did not come in like manner along with an army, it should prove to everyone that he literally is not the real Christ of the Bible, whatsoever. Miranda is an affront to God and he is literally going against God and His Word, the Bible.
Believers should pray that Miranda and his followers come to the real Christ of the Bible and accept Him as his and her personal Lord and Saviour before it’s too late. If they do so, they will be with God for all eternity. No doubt, God does not want them to be in a lost state at their demise because He wants them to be with Him forever. Hopefully, for their own sakes, Miranda and his followers will make the right choice.
Diane- I thought that no one knew when Christ would return :”due to it’s not the right time for Christ to have His second coming”. How can you be so positive-God is God, and last time I checked, God could do whatever he pleased, and you’re just Dianne…?
I am a Christian, and I love God, I believe the Bible,everything… I just think that we are all
looking at this with the wrong point of view… and its because we are humans… and imperfect.
We should shut off all of out theological approaches and simply reach out with love.
the end.
Jerry, I second your statement.
Hey, you guys, don’t be so sure that he isn’t the Antichrist.
We’re mere people. We know nothing for sure. We only have faith.
May the REAL GOD bless you all,
including those who follow false teachers
and the false teachers themselves.
-Bella
The fact that someone proclaims to be Jesus or the Christ does not surprise me. What surprises me is that so many people believe him. But this brings to mind 2 Thessalonians 2: 10-11…”Because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved and for THIS cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie. That they might be damned who believe not the truth…” It seems that the followers of this false Christ have shut their eyes to the truth of the Gospel and therefore they are open to believe any other “Gospel” no matter how ridiculous it may sound. By the way this fake has said that he will perform no miracles this time around so don’t even bother to ask him for a sign!
I just stumbled across this after readig an article on MSNBC. I tend to think we are livig in the last days i just hope these people realize that this man is a deciet the bible clearly expalins how Jesus will return and it is not through any man, a white horse comes to mind. He may not be the antichrist but the bible teaches of false prophets looking like angels of light.
this reminds me of a movie i once watched, Left Behind series lol
truth human do not think they are sinners
thus when this person came about with a bible in his hand because thats what most cults do, to tell them that they are not indeed sinners they believed it. and now he claims to be the anti-christ.lol
first a fellon, Paul, Jesus, and now the anti-christ what next?… i leave that to your imagination
I’ve been hearing things about this man for the last year. He is like all the other false Christs who have come before him and have had their 15 minutes of fame. He is mortal and will eventually die, just like we all will one day. He will soon be forgotten, but the word of God will live on as it has since the beginning.
“For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.”-2 Timothy 4:3-4 NIV
What is the true Gospel?
“Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.
For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures”-1 Corinthians 15:1-4 NIV
It says “according to the Scriptures”, and in 2 Timothy 3:16 Paul says they are “God-breathed”, the same way God breathed the universe into existence as Scripture says in Psalm 33:6.
There is no other Gospel than that contained in Scripture.
Kab
the end of times are closer than we thought…..Jose Luis De Jesus is a false prophet who is just preparing the path way for the real anti-christ….When the real anti-christ comes he wont be from puerto rico because he has to be part isrealite or jewish in order for the jewish people to believe that he is the mesiah……..Remeber that the jews are still waiting for the masiah.
I just saw an interview with deJesus last night on one of the network news-magazines. -I was thoroughly shocked that anyone would have the audasity to proclaim himself Christ. And, moreover, that someone of this man’s reputation and character would have such a large following of people supporting his outrageous claims. While I am not surprised at all by someone claiming to be Christ, this fellow really disturbs me. I think it would behoove us all to take a look at this man’s history and his “epiphany”. 1st he says he’s a simple preacher; 2nd he claims he is Paul reincarnate; 3rd he states he is a “demigod” sent to re-establish the church on earth; and now he presently claims to be Christ himself. -???- I do not recall reading anything in the Word of God about Jesus morphing from one position to another. I have no doubts that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, would not be so confused about his own identity nor his purpose. I also do not believe that Christ would have “666” tattoed on his own body nor encourage believers to do so either…that is in direct conflict to what the Bible tells us about that symbol…what deJesus says about that, simply stated, cannot be true. And, when our Lord does return, I know without a doubt, that every person on this earth, belilevers and non-believers alike, will know it is Him…there will be no debating and no questioning and no wondering…all of the signs of His return, as stated in the Bible, will be present. The teachings of Jesus, the Word of God, the Bible is what we all must adhere to; not some foolish man speaking nonsense.
This story really makes me sad and angry. All I can do is pray for these people’s soul’s. They are lost and they need Jesus, the real Jesus. I would like to share the word of God, because if I could help one person to know the truth, then that makes me happy.
EPHESIANS 2:8,9…For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.
EPHESIANS 6:10,18…{The whole armor of God} Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preperation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the spirit, being watchful to this end with all preseverance and supplication for all the saints.
The word of God is what I go by in my daily life. I love my Lord and Savior. Jesus is coming back and this is just all part of the end. Whoever is not ready will not go when he comes. The bible says “many will come in my name.” Do not fall in the trap of the devil. He does exist, sin does exist, and sure enough…hell does exist. Get right with God before it’s to late. Spread his word so people will know and pray for the lost souls so they may have a chance. I pray for all the followers of this man and I also pray for him. Maybe someday they will learn the truth.
I read this and it truly makes me very sad. We have been warned over and over about “cults” rising up in our midst. I agree, this is definitely only one of the last day prophecies of the bible coming true, that wolves in sheep’s clothing would rise up and proclaim themselves as God, or Jesus returned to earth, thus as this man is doing. Regardless of whether Jose Luis de Jesus Miranda is going to eventually at some time, “take out” his “sect” of followers by “death/suicide”.. which may not even be the eventual ending, he is still way out of line with the TRUE word of God. For anyone to even WANT to tatoo their bodies with the number 666 shows how these people have VERY VERY weak minds. They want to “belong”, feel loved, need someone to look up to, when all they need is the bible and the TRUE word of God in their lives. They evidently have no understanding of God’s TRUE scriptures or have never had a personal relationship with the TRUE Jesus, or they would never follow or believe such a man as this man.
“At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or, ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect–if that were possible. See, I have told you ahead of time.
“So if anyone tells you, ‘There he is, out in the desert,’ do not go out; or, ‘Here he is, in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it. For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.”
(Matthew 24:23-27)
I have recently heard that this anti-Christ’s followers, are bearing (tatoos, shirts) the the three digit expression of the anti-Christ described in Revelation, let’s take a look. Let’s make sure they all understand:
Revelation 13:16-18
16 He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, 17 and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. 18 Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man: His number is 666.
Revelation 14:9-11
9 Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, 10 he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. 11 And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.”
This is not too pretty. REPENT!
And believe the Gospel:
When Jesus, walked the earth, He Spoke:
Matthew 24:23-27
23 Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There!’ do not believe it. 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. 26 Therefore if they say to you, ‘Look, He is in the desert!’ do not go out; or ‘Look, He is in the inner rooms!’ do not believe it. !!!27 For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.!!! (Emphasis added)
Okay, this guy claims to be better than Jesus Christ. ??? What proof does he have? All I’ve heard is him yapping about how great he is and how much money his “followers” give him. Let’s see…Jesus never claimed glory to himself, but always glorified God the Father; Jesus didn’t force or even try to entice his followers to die with him; Jesus said he would come back with a cloud of Saints; oh yeah, Jesus also just happened to do a bunch of miracles to help people. Has this goofball done any of that? Come on people. Wake up, open your eyes and see him for what he really is. He’s just a snake oil salesman trying to make a ton of cash to retire on. My guess is that he’ll disappear when his bank account hits the right amount, whatever that may be. Save your money and just let this guy fade into history and out of the spotlight. Don’t give him the free advertising.
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