Who was Jose Luis De Jesus Miranda and his teachings?

Origins and Early Background

José Luis de Jesús Miranda (1946–2013) emerged in the latter part of the 20th century claiming to have special divine authority. Born in Ponce, Puerto Rico, he founded the movement known as “Creciendo en Gracia” (translated “Growing in Grace”) and later gained international attention due to his controversial declarations and unorthodox teachings.

Throughout his ministry, followers referred to him with titles that suggested spiritual or messianic significance. He initially claimed to be the reincarnation of the Apostle Paul. Later, he declared himself to be the second coming of Jesus Christ, and at one point he even took on the label “Antichrist,” redefining that term to fit his own theology.

Key Doctrinal Claims

1. Claim to Divinity

De Jesús Miranda made the bold assertion that he was Jesus Christ in the flesh for modern times. This directly conflicts with the historical confession of Christ’s full deity and humanity in Scripture (cf. John 1:1–14). Additionally, orthodox Christian theology affirms that Jesus Christ, having risen from the dead (cf. John 20:27–29), ascended into heaven (Acts 1:9–11) and that His return will be evident to all (Matthew 24:30).

2. Use of the “Antichrist” Title

De Jesús Miranda styled himself as the “Antichrist,” but he defined this term differently than Scripture. He claimed that “Antichrist” simply meant someone who rejected the traditional understanding of Jesus’ earthly ministry under the Law and instead promoted “grace.” However, biblical use of “antichrist” describes one who opposes the true Christ, deceiving many (1 John 2:18–23). Church history and manuscripts consistently represent the term “antichrist” as an adversarial figure who denies core doctrines of Christ’s identity.

3. Emphasis on “Growing in Grace”

His ministry’s name, “Creciendo en Gracia,” underscores his focus on grace. However, the Scriptures speak of grace not as a license to teach a different Christ, but as the unmerited favor by which believers are justified and sanctified (Ephesians 2:8–9). Grace, in proper biblical context, is never used to disregard the real person and work of Jesus, who is “the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8).

Controversial Practices and Spread

De Jesús Miranda’s movement spread from Puerto Rico to various parts of Latin America and the United States. Followers were known to bear tattoos of the numbers “666,” interpreting that number differently from the traditional biblical warning in Revelation 13. This reinterpretation drew criticism, as historical Christian teaching has always viewed “666” as signifying the Beast or final Antichrist in opposition to God (Revelation 13:17–18).

He also encouraged certain lifestyle changes for his adherents, occasionally teaching that once a person accepted his message, they were free from moral constraints and guilt. By contrast, the New Testament consistently shows that God’s people, while freed from the penalty of sin, are still called to lives of holiness (1 Peter 1:16).

Evaluation in Light of Scripture

1. Biblical Prophecy on False Teachers

Scripture repeatedly warns of individuals who will distort the truth, claiming authority or identity that they do not possess. Second Peter 2:1 attests: “Now there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you.” Jesus Himself cautions believers, “Many false prophets will arise and mislead many” (Matthew 24:11). De Jesús Miranda’s claim to be Christ in the flesh runs contrary to the consistent teaching that Christ’s return will be universally recognizable and unmistakable (Matthew 24:23–27).

2. Historical Confession of Christ

The New Testament manuscripts, affirmed by significant textual evidence, consistently present Jesus as the one, unique, resurrected Son of God who was seen and proclaimed by numerous eyewitnesses (1 Corinthians 15:3–8). This testimony is central to the faith (Romans 10:9). Claims by De Jesús Miranda that undermine or replace this core confession with his own identity do not align with the historical Christian record or with the consistent manuscript tradition attested by early copies of the Scriptures.

3. Nature of Salvation and Grace

Scripture teaches that salvation is found solely in the person of the resurrected Jesus Christ (Acts 4:12). It is an unearned gift offered by God, yet it never abolishes God’s moral standards. The Apostle Paul, writing by inspiration of the Holy Spirit, states, “Shall we sin because we are not under the Law but under grace? Certainly not!” (Romans 6:15). Any teaching suggesting the believer is free to disregard God’s holiness departs from orthodox biblical teaching.

Historical and Cultural Impact

De Jesús Miranda gained media notice because of his dramatic titles, flamboyant style, and the devotion of numerous followers. However, his movement also incited considerable dissent among mainstream Christian churches, who pointed to history and biblical passages that refute claims of new incarnations of Christ. Scholarly reviews of religious leaders who have declared themselves to be “Christs” demonstrate a pattern of contradictions to universally received biblical doctrine.

Archaeological findings, textual scholarship, and historical church tradition all support the continuity of Scripture’s teaching that the Messiah has already come, that His resurrection is a matter of public record (1 Corinthians 15:6), and that His promised return awaits a future appointed time (Acts 1:11). These evidences consistently disprove alternative claims of new or additional “messiahs.”

Comparisons with Other Movements

In the broader landscape of religious history, José Luis de Jesús Miranda stands alongside other modern figures who have made similar messianic claims. Each has been evaluated against the backdrop of biblical teaching, and each has failed to demonstrate alignment with the scriptural description of the true Christ’s return.

The specific body of evidence—from eyewitness accounts of the resurrected Jesus in the first century, to the archaeological and manuscript support of the accepted Gospels—serves as a bulwark against unbiblical assertions. This provides a confidence that new movements or cults claiming additional revelations or identities of Christ fall outside the bounds of scriptural and historical fidelity.

Conclusion

José Luis de Jesús Miranda was a religious leader who founded Creciendo en Gracia and made controversial claims of being Jesus Christ in the flesh—and at other times referred to himself as the “Antichrist.” His movement attracted followers through its emphasis on a distorted view of grace and a redefinition of biblical terms. Yet when measured against the consistent witness of Scripture and the earliest manuscript evidence, his assertions are found to be antithetical to the biblical portrayal of Christ’s identity, mission, death, resurrection, and prophesied return.

The biblical record stands firm in its testimony of who Jesus is—God incarnate, crucified and raised for our justification (Romans 4:25), ascended to the right hand of the Father (Mark 16:19), and one day returning in glory (Revelation 1:7). No individual since the ascension has validly claimed to be that same Lord and Savior. As the Scriptures state: “For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 2:5).

This entry underscores that De Jesús Miranda’s theological framework and personal claims do not withstand the unifying witness of the Word of God. Though he and his movement garnered attention for a season, biblical and historical testimony remain unequivocal in pointing exclusively to Jesus of Nazareth as the crucified, resurrected, and only rightful Christ.