Jose Luis De Jesus Miranda claims himself to be Jesus Christ, the second coming. His group, Growing in Grace, has been identified as a cult by sources including cult expert Rick Ross [1] and Daniel Alvarez, professor of religion at Florida International University [2].
Notes on the Miranda's Today Show segment
Miranda appeared on NBC's Today Show on August 25th, 2006. He was introduced as a 60-year-old preacher from Puerto Rico. He introduced himself to the woman who interviewed him as "Jesus Christ, Man." Miranda claims that he had an epiphany in 1973. Miranda claims that the resurrected Christ "integrated the himself within me." When Miranda is asked why he was chosen, he says that he doesn't know. According to the NBC report, Miranda started Growing in Grace Ministries in the mid-1980s and claims that the ministry has a presence in 20 countries. Miranda claims to have 30 teaching centers in the United States, including locations in Hartford Connecticut and Miami Florida.
When asked about the numbers of his followers, Miranda says that they don't keep membership cards, but he says "certainly there are millions." His ministry has a 24-hour cable channel and provides Netcasts of his sermons.
Miranda denies the essential Christian doctrine of Sin. He says that, "God doesn't see you as a sinner, for me you are a perfect spirit." Miranda denies the existence of Satan and says, "Satan is a Hollywood character." Miranda denouces the teaching of Catholic, Protestant, and Evangelical churches. Pastor of Miranda says "they are not teaching the right gospel" and claims that his ministry is the only one teaching the truth. He encourages tithing however, and doesn't seem to have a problem enriching himself through his ministry, saying "everybody should be rich." Pastor Miranda in encourages his followers to organize protests against other churches, saying "I encourage to march for the truth."
External links
- Growing Grace
- Why Apostle Jose Luis De Jesús Miranda can't be Jesus Christ
- Jose Luis De Jesus Miranda on the Today Show 08/25/06
- Growing in Grace on Rick Ross's website
- The Man Who Claims to be Jesus by Ileana Varela ("CBS4 News," September 12, 2006)
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