Bob Thiel repeatedly points to a December 15, 2011, anointing by LCG minister Gaylyn Bonjour. During a routine laying on of hands, Bonjour (moved, he said, by the Spirit) prayed that God would grant Thiel a "double portion" of His Holy Spirit—explicitly likening it to Elisha's request from Elijah in 2 Kings 2:9. Thiel has treated this as divine validation of his prophetic office, a mantle-passing from Herbert W. Armstrong's era, and proof of special end-time anointing for his "work" in the improperly named "Continuing" Church of God (CCOG).
1. The OT "Double Portion" Was About Inheritance and Succession—Not a Bigger Dose of the Spirit
Elijah's ministry involved dramatic miracles (fire from heaven, drought, etc.). Elisha did perform notable acts, but the Bible doesn't frame it as "twice the Spirit"—it was about carrying forward the prophetic office in a new era.
This was a unique transitional moment in Israel's history under the Old Covenant. It has nothing to do with New Covenant believers claiming graded levels of the Spirit.
Thiel (and some in COG circles) rips this out of context and treats it like a magical upgrade prayer that magically confers super-prophet status. That's not how Scripture works.
2. The New Testament Knows Nothing of a "Graded" or "Double" Holy Spirit
Given without measure: John 3:34 (speaking of Christ, but the principle applies to the Spirit's fullness in the new era).
All believers participate equally: 1 Corinthians 12:13 – "For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body... and all were made to drink of one Spirit."
Varieties of gifts, same Spirit: 1 Corinthians 12:4 – Different manifestations, but the same Spirit distributing as He wills. No hierarchy of "Spirit levels" among believers.
Poured out on all flesh: Acts 2:33, Joel 2:28-29. Pentecost was a historic outpouring with signs appropriate to that moment in salvation history—not a model for individuals claiming bigger helpings later.
Jesus Himself: "If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!" (Luke 11:13). No fine print about "double portions for self-appointed prophets only."
The New Testament presents the Holy Spirit as the same undivided gift to all who believe (John 7:38-39; Romans 8:9, 14-16; Galatians 3:2-5; Ephesians 1:13-14). There's no biblical category for "double portion," "triple anointing," or any such invented hierarchy. It's a human invention—often used in charismatic or restorationist circles to claim special status. God the Father isn't bound by our formulaic prayers. The Spirit blows where He wishes (John 3:8).
Even if we grant the 2011 prayer happened exactly as described, the fruit and fulfillment tests destroy any claim of special anointing:
Matthew 7:15-20: "You will recognize them by their fruits." Look at the scandals in CCOG's African congregations (adultery, persecution of Priscilla, witchcraft allegations, arrests, cover-up accusations involving named leaders like Evans Ocheing, etc.). Thiel's responses often involve deflection, attacks on critics, and doubling down rather than humble repentance or correction. Narcissistic patterns, heavy emphasis on his own dreams/interpretations, and authoritarian top-down control don't scream "double portion of the Spirit of Christ" (who was meek and lowly).
Galatians 5:22-23: The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Contrast that with the biting, accusatory tone often directed at ex-members, other COG groups, and anyone questioning his office.
4. It's Just Another COG "Mantle" Fantasy
Armstrongism has a long history of claiming special succession, restored truths, and unique anointings while rejecting the plain New Covenant reality: the veil is torn, the Spirit is poured out on all believers (Jew and Gentile, male and female, great and small), and we are all priests in Christ (1 Peter 2:9; Revelation 1:6). No need for modern "Elijahs" with double scoops of Spirit to mediate.
Thiel's "double portion" is self-serving mythology—much like other failed prophets in the movement who invoke dramatic Old Testament imagery to prop up their authority. It becomes meaningless theater when the life, teachings, and outcomes don't match the New Testament pattern of the Spirit-filled church.
Bottom line: The Holy Spirit isn't a quantifiable resource you level up like a video game character. He's a Person—the same for every believer who asks in faith. If Bob Thiel did receive the Holy Spirit, he received the same offer as every other Christian. The evidence shows he hasn't operated in any special double-portion power. The biblical record, the fruit, and the failed prophecies prove it.
This fits perfectly into the broader pattern of Armstrongist leaders inventing extra-biblical mechanisms to claim superiority. The real freedom is in the New Covenant: one Spirit, full access through Christ, no graded anointings required. Keep exposing the wackiness—it's a public service.
The notion of a double portion of the Holy Spirit intrigues. The phrase “double portion” comes from Elisha’s request to Elijah: “Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit.” (2 Kings 2:9
)
As a double portion was the legal right of the firstborn son (Deut 21:17).
Elisha was asking: to be Elijah’s successor, to inherit the prophetic office. This is not the same as asking for twice as much of the Holy Spirit. Something entirely different.
In the NT in areas where we read of the Holy Spirit we see: One Spirit (Eph 4:4); Poured out (Acts 2:33); Given without measure (John 3:34); All believers drink of one Spirit (1 Cor 12:13) - there is no hint or record I can find of a double portion or a triple portion or any such notion of a graded amount.
SO one must conclude It all seems to be an invention of men . One is left wondering whether prayers invoking a ‘double portion’ etc have any theological meaning at all? God the Father is the One who gives the Spirit, and does not get bound by some prayer of mere men. It becomes meaningless. The Spirit given is the same for all. “The Father will give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him.” Jesus said. (Luke 11:13); (“There are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit.” (1 Cor 12:4
) and at Pentecost what is evident was a burst of manifestations appropriate to that moment in salvation history. The signs increased, not the Spirit Himself. So again there is no biblical record of a ‘bigger Spirit,’ a ‘double portion,’ or any graded hierarchy of Spirit‑levels. The Spirit remains one, undivided, and given without measure.)
2 comments:
Good warning for potential victims, but it won't do the job we'd like to see done, like causing Bob to reconsider and to cease and desist from doing damage. His particular psychology is what's driving him, and he has proven himself resistant to outside counsel.
Jesus may be able to correct him one day. Kind of hard to tell, though. Revelation gives examples of people actually fighting Christ. Heck, the Pharisees did that right in public back during the first century!
Does Bob even TRY to document or research all the past prayers or fellowship chat for requesting double-portion holy spirit occurring during the 20th century WCG days?
I would think during the holocaust, plenty of requests for holy spirit's double portion occurred.
Endless events similar to Gaylyn B.'s likely occurred.
oops, I used a Bob-ism...it may be, likely, possibly, we could soon see,...
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