David Henke, Watchman.org, slightly edited with permission 10/5/25 David Henke, Watchman.org, slightly edited with permission 10/5/25

Positive Confession, or Word Faith

Positive Confession is the belief that if a believer speaks “spiritual” or “faith-filled” words then he can have what he says. Unfortunately, this influence has invaded the church and continues to cause much turmoil and confusion.

Many of the teachers of the word-faith movement believe that words are so powerful that they can influence the physical and spiritual worlds.

For example, In The Tongue, a Creative Force (1976), positive confessionist Charles Capps teaches that there are powerful “spiritual” words. Such words, which are ordinary words, can under certain circumstances, become vehicles for creative or supernatural power.

David Henke, Watchman.org, slightly edited with permission 3/23/25 David Henke, Watchman.org, slightly edited with permission 3/23/25

Ancient Heretics: Marcion

Marcion, born in Pontus (modern day Turkey) about 85 AD, was one of the more significant of the gnostic heretics. The impact of his teachings and movement are largely unknown today. However, many of his doctrines survive in modern heretical movements.

Gnosticism holds that the material world is evil but the spiritual realm is holy. This led to heretical views that Jesus was not genuinely a flesh and blood man but a manifestation. You will find Gnosticism in modern cults such as Christian Science, among others.