New Apostolic Reformation

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The New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) is a movement in Protestant Christianity largely associated with Pentecostalism and the Charismatic Movement. Its fundamental thesis is that God is currently restoring the lost offices of church governance, namely the offices of Prophet and Apostle.

Contents

Beliefs [edit]

The New Apostolic Reformation has Pentecostal and charismatic origins, with those traditions' interpretations of the nature of the ongoing ministry of the Holy Spirit within each believer. Unlike some parts of Protestant Christianity, these include the direct revelation of Christ to each believer, prophecy, and the performance of miracles such as healing.

Although the movement regards the church as the true body of saved believers, as most Evangelical Protestants do, it differs from the broader Protestant tradition in its view on the nature of church leadership, specifically the doctrine of Five-Fold Ministry, which is based upon a non-traditional interpretation of Ephesians 4:11.

Forrest Wilder, an environmental issues writer for the Texas Observer, describes the New Apostolic Reformation as having "taken Pentecostalism, with its emphasis on ecstatic worship and the supernatural, and given it an adrenaline shot."[1] Wilder adds that beliefs of people associated with the movement "can tend toward the bizarre" and that it has "taken biblical literalism to an extreme."[1]

The organization has become increasingly involved in political activism, with many of its leaders supporting the 2012 presidential candidacy of Rick Perry.[1][2]

C. Peter Wagner writes that "the majority of the new apostolic churches", such as his, observe "active ministries of... spiritual warfare".[3] As an example of members' "supernatural" abilities (as he calls them) he claims that God acted through him to end mad-cow disease in Germany.[4]

In an article responding to criticism of the NAR, Wagner notes that "[t]hose who affiliate with it believe the Apostles’ Creed and all the standard classic statements of Christian doctrine", so that the NAR does not teach "heresy". He goes on to list the "radical changes" that the NAR makes compared to what he calls "traditional Protestantism".

  1. Apostolic governance. Members of the NAR believe that some of their leaders are apostles, in the same sense that the original Twelve Apostles were.
  2. The office of the prophet. Similarly, other leaders of the church are present-day prophets.
  3. Dominionism. "When Jesus came, He brought the kingdom of God and He expects His kingdom-minded people to take whatever action is needed to push back the long-standing kingdom of Satan and bring the peace and prosperity of His kingdom here on earth."
  4. Theocracy. "The way to achieve dominion is ... to have kingdom-minded people in every one of the Seven Mountains: Religion, Family, Education, Government, Media, Arts & Entertainment, and Business..."
  5. Extra-biblical revelation. There is present-day revelation. "The one major rule governing any new revelation from God is that it cannot contradict what has already been written in the Bible. It may supplement it, however."
  6. Supernatural signs and wonders. This appears to concern mainly the present-day casting out of demons. "One critic claimed that the NAR has excessive fixation on Satan and demonic spirits. This is purely a judgment call, and it may only mean that we cast out more demons than they do."
  7. Relational structures. The NAR has no formal structure.[5]

History [edit]

The New Apostolic Reformation traces its historical roots to late-twentieth-century American charismatic churches, and the earliest use of the moniker was by C. Peter Wagner[6] prompting journalists[1] to perceive him as de facto founder and leader, though its ideas were promoted earlier by people involved in the Shepherding Movement and by Terry Virgo.[citation needed]

It has received little attention in non-Charismatic or Pentecostal theological traditions. According to Wagner, “The second apostolic age began in the year 2001”, when, according to him, the lost offices of "Prophet" and "Apostle" were restored, in this age.[7]

See also [edit]

Further reading [edit]

References [edit]

  1. ^ a b c d Wilder, Forrest (2 August 2011). "Rick Perry's Army of God". Texas Observer. Retrieved 15 August 2011. 
  2. ^ Posner, Sarah (15 Jul 2011). "Rick Perry and the New Apostolic Reformation". Religion Dispatches. Retrieved 2013-03-01. 
  3. ^ Wagner, Peter (2000). "Renewal Journal #15, The New Apostolic Reformation". Renewal Journal. Retrieved 25 August 2011. 
  4. ^ Wilder, Forrest (August 12, 2011). "As Texas Gov. Rick Perry Enters GOP Race, New Exposé Reveals His Close Ties to Radical Evangelicals". Democracy Now. 
  5. ^ Wagner, Peter (24 Aug 2011). "The New Apostolic Reformation Is Not a Cult". Charisma News. Retrieved 2013-02-20. 
  6. ^ C Peter Wagner, The New Apostolic Churches (Ventura CA; Regal, 1998), p. 18.
  7. ^ The “New Apostolic” church movement - Let Us Reason Ministries - (C. Peter Wagner Arise Prophetic Conference Gateway Church San Jose, CA 10/10/2004) Retrieved 11 July 2011.

External links [edit]

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