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New Apostolic Deceptions - What Are They?

"NEW" Apostles are really nothing more than "FALSE" Prophets no matter their claims. The Apostles of Jesus Christ were strictly limited, have ceased and their credentials are clearly defined in Holy Scripture! PERIOD. (*SEE NOTE BELOW) Anyone who says or intimates otherwise is a "non-truth" teller. And you can add to these those who have chameleon coloring while lacking any Biblical backbone by thinking it is appropriate to open the pandora's box of fresh revelation which they have cleverly disguised under the auspices of the gift of prophecy. And all the while they are not taking a firm stance on the truthfulness of there being only one apostolic era and one closed Biblical text!  The idea of there being New Apostles means that the sole authority of Holy Scriptures and the priesthood of all believers is once again at stake! And you should not believe that this is NOT what is at stake. It is. And the reality that they have networked together into a seamless unit is nothing more than a grand huge invisible denomination with silent but very real teachings and by-laws. If you don't think they have incredible STRUCTURE - think again my dear friend!!! They only wish to appear that they are organized very charismatically as opposed to structurally. They accomplish this through an incredible networking of ministries. These are like the stealth fighters that invaded Iraq during Desert Storm. They enter in via stealth, target the truth, secure their base, and take over when the opportunity is just right.

One of the leaders of this movement - maybe "the" leader - is C. Peter Wagner. The following article by Sandy Simpson and Mike Oppenheimer clearly articulates many of the terms and texts of this New Apostolic Movement.

C. Peter Wagner - Quotes & Notes

As can be seen from this article - the way someone knows they are being "overtaken" by this movement is the subtle (or not so subtle) introduction of some or all of these teachings (denominational churches of any kind will be targeted!):
Strategic Level Spiritual Warfare
Spiritual Mapping
Strategic Information
Identificational Repentance
Manifest Sons of God
Kingdom Now
Dominionism
Prayer Walking

These will often have their roots in quite a "conglomeration" of movements including:
Signs & Wonders/Vineyard
Word-Faith
Renovare
Promise Keepers
Third Wave
Kansas City "Prophets"

Strategic Level Spiritual Warfare: Rather unbelievably - this is the introduction into the visible church of an unbiblical understanding of spiritual warfare. (Clever - huh!)  If the demons themselves can seduce people to "refocus" the theatre of the warfare - they have effectively disarmed God's people or further deceived apostates. This is clearly what happens in this teaching.  It does the following:

1. It introduces a "dualistic" worldview into "Christianity" - somehow God isn't quite in charge anymore because of the "presence" of demons over a city. {This unbiblical concept may or may not have been introduced into many lives by reading: This Present Darkness by Frank Peretti - See this review} All of a sudden - the focus is shifted from our "Victorious Savior" Jesus Christ having ALREADY defeated the powers and been exalted to the Right Hand of God - to a battle that He can't quite handle without our help. Spiritual warfare thus becomes a mystical quest against the powers rather than an obedient walk through employing the Word of God as our sufficiency and weapon. Real spiritual warfare, from a human perspective, is God's Truth engaging Satan's Lies. This weapon - the Word of God (see Ephesians 6) is employed through prayer and obedience and not through some "mystical engagement" against spirit entities. God's Truth employed through prayer, obedience and sound teaching - vanquishes the enemies of our souls.

2. It involves "special knowledge" to be "effective."  One can't possibly come against these powers unless they have the "code" to their demise. So the names, characteristics, history of the "powers" over a person or city becomes a "magical charm" against them. When in the Holy Scripture are we commanded to get special knowledge about the nature or character of demons to be effective in spiritual warfare?  The teachings are extra-Biblical and therefore not for a Christian's consumption.

3. It exalts the Christian position to an unbiblical level. The believer subtly becomes in charge over the powers with Christ.  They are not.  Jesus Christ is. To receive the benefits of Christ's work for us is to be "in Him."  Forgiven, redeemed, regenerated, etc.  NOT - in charge over the powers like Him.

4. It tends toward teachings that say Christians can be possessed by demons. This is nowhere found in Scripture. It in general magnifies the place of the powers.

5. It tends toward a lack of responsibility for sin for human beings.

* Some people use the term apostle as simply one who is sent in a limited sense. That is, they are apostles because they are sent as missionaries into a new culture to proclaim gospel. In this limited sense some may use the term apostle. But my thought would be why cloud the subject. Use the term missionary.

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