Is this teaching biblical?
A leaked internal Elevation Church document revealed that 15 volunteers were planted in the congregation with instructions to be 'the first ones to move' during baptism calls, walking through 'highest visibility areas' to create the appearance of spontaneous response. Stage instructions told volunteers to pick 'young, energetic people' first. Baptisms were compared to 'a NASCAR pit stop' — '30 to 45 seconds' each. James Duncan (Anderson University) called it dishonest: 'They had people in the crowd stand up who never intended to be baptized. They were shilling for Steven.' Rev. David Key (Emory University) compared it to 'the Disneyfication of religious services.' This is the opposite of Acts 2, where the Holy Spirit moved people's hearts — no plants needed.
What did Elevation Church say?
"Fifteen people will sit in the worship experience and be the first ones to move when pastor gives the call. Move intentionally through the highest visibility areas and the longest walk."
Speaker: Elevation Church
Source: Leaked 'Spontaneous Baptism Celebration Volunteer Guide', Elevation Church, 2011/2014 (reported by WCNC-TV)
What does Scripture actually teach?
2 Corinthians 4:2
But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.
— NKJV
Paul explicitly renounced 'craftiness' and 'hidden things of shame.' Elevation Church's planted volunteers are the definition of craftiness — hidden manipulation designed to deceive the congregation into thinking spontaneous moves of God were occurring.
Acts 2:37-41
Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, 'Men and brethren, what shall we do?'... Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.
— NKJV
At Pentecost, people were 'cut to the heart' by the Holy Spirit through Peter's preaching. No planted volunteers. No visibility strategy. No NASCAR pit stops. The Spirit moved — and 3,000 responded genuinely. This is what authentic baptism looks like.
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