The New Gospel of Wealth

Amazing! Bay Area Fellowship, a local church in Corpus Christi, TX, is giving away approximately $1 million in door prizes for those who attend their Easter services.

CORPUS CHRISTI — You’ve never seen an Easter egg hunt like this before.

Bay Area Fellowship, the largest church in Corpus Christi, is giving away flat-screen televisions, skateboards, Fender guitars, furniture and 15 cars — yes, cars — at its Easter services next week.

And even those who don’t win big will walk away with something. The church has gathered donations for 15,000 gift bags, each with about $300 worth of free goods and services.

“We’re going to give some stuff away and say, ‘Imagine how great heaven is going to be if you feel that excited about a car,’ ” lead Pastor Bil Cornelius said. “It’s completely free — all you have to do is receive him.”

This takes the whole "loaves and fishes" concept to a new level. I once attended a church where first time visitors were given a loaf of homemade bread with the following note: "'I am the Bread of Life.' John 6:35." I thought that was a fitting welcome gift.

I have mixed feelings about the Bay Area event. However, what comes to mind is the fate of the original 12 followers--the Apostles:

1. Peter was crucified head down in Rome, 66 A.D.
2. Andrew was bound to death. He preached until his death in 74 A.D.
3. James, son of Zebedee, was beheaded in Jerusalem by the sword. (Acts 12:1-9).
4. John was banished to the Isle of Patmos, 96 A.D. (Rev. 1- 9).
5. Phillip was crucified at Heirapole, Phryga, 52 A.D.
6. Bartholomew was beaten, crucified, then beheaded by the command of a king, 52 A.D.
7. Thomas was run through by a lance at Corehandal, East Indies, 52 A.D.
8. Matthew was slain by the sword in the city of Ethiopia about 60 A.D.
9. James son of Alphaeus, was thrown from a pinnacle, then beaten to death, 60 A.D.
10. Thaddeus was shot to death by arrows, 72 A.D.
11. Simon was crucified in Persia, 74 A.D.
12. Judas betrayed Christ and committed suicide, 31 A.D.

The Bay Area Fellowship technique might be the ultimate bait-and-switch.

To read the full article, click on the blog post title or copy and paste this: http://m.caller.com/news/2010/mar/27/the-million-dollar-giveaway/