What your church needs to know about the “NAR”

 

From Johanna:  The following is an excellent resource from Berean Research, and reprinted here with permission. I suggest you print this off or email the link to members of your church for their consideration, as the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) movement is infecting many congregations at a rapid rate:

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The New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) is a dominionist movement which asserts that God is restoring the lost offices of church governance, namely the offices of Prophet and Apostle.

Leading figures in this seemingly loosely organized movement claim that these prophets and apostles alone have the power and authority to execute God’s plans and purposes on earth. They believe they are laying the foundation for a global church, governed by them.

They place a greater emphasis on dreams, visions and extra-biblical revelation than they do on the Bible, claiming that their revealed teachings and reported experiences (e.g. trips to heaven, face-to-face conversations with Jesus, visits by angels) can not be proven by the ‘old’ Scripture. (Source)

…NAR, the New Apostolic Reformation. … It is like Grape Nuts – it’s not grapes and it’s not nuts. It’s like Christian Science – it’s not Christian and it’s not scientific. Well, the New Apostolic Reformation isn’t new, it isn’t apostolic, and it isn’t a reformation. But it is a rapidly expanding movement being generated by some of the same old troubling false teachers and false leaders that have been around in Charismania for decades, always dishonoring the Holy Spirit, always dishonoring the Scripture, always claiming miracle signs, wonders, visions, dreams. ~ John MacArthur

Fast Facts:

  • Also known as Dominionism, Third Wave, Latter Rain, Kingdom Now, Joel’s Army, Manifest Sons of God, Charismatic Renewal, Charismania.
  • Its founder was C. Peter Wagner who claims that the Church of the 21st Century will be ruled by Apostles and Prophets. Wagner has anointed himself NAR’s “Presiding Apostle.”
  • Linked with the Kansas City Prophets “who brought grandiose claims that a ‘new breed’ of super prophets were beginning to arrive on planet earth who would change the world forever”; likewise Word Faith and Pentecostal movements.
  • Not governed by an official denomination, it is led by alleged apostles and prophets.
  • Teaches that the new apostles and prophets are to be the government for the emerging “New Order” church.
  • Claims there will be a reformation greater in scale than the Protestant Reformation.
  • Claim direct revelation from God and many allege that Jesus and angels visit them in person. Some of them declare that they have visited heaven many times and had conversations with Jesus as well as the Prophets and Apostles.
  • NAR’s extensive mission outreach throughout the globe has caused the astonishing church growth that’s happening in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
  • Denigration of the Bible and Sola Scriptura.
  • Experience oriented theology and based in emotionalism.
  • Steeped in mysticism.

Common Traits

Here are 6 traits, beliefs, and some of the common lingo used by adherents:

1. “APOSTLES”

We’re in a “Second Apostolic Age.” There are new Apostles are on the earth today, anointed by the laying of hands to represent and speak for God here on Earth. These “Super Apostles” are equal to the original Apostles – the ones who witnessed Jesus’ life, death and resurrection and were appointed by Christ Himself to the office. Since these new apostles are commissioned by God, their authority may not be questioned.

2. “KINGDOM”

Rather than preach the Gospel of the cross, Apostolic leaders are working to bring the Gospel of the Kingdom of Heaven to Earth. They do this by taking dominion of earthly kingdoms or “mountains” of government, media, entertainment, education, business, family, and religion. Leaders often talk of city building and organize prayer walks to pray against demonic strongholds. They often speak of being mission-focused rather than being Christ-centered.

3. “DESTINY” “PRESENCE” “GLORY”

Though members are not always charismatic, they frequently emphasize a manifestation of “Glory” and “God’s presence,” and often have a special anointing to receive direct revelation from God, perform healings and other signs and wonders. They teach that our purpose is to achieve our dream destiny so that we can change the world.

4. “REVIVAL”

Revival on a massive scale is key in this movement. There is a strong emphasis on an “end times harvest” through a great awakening that we can usher in. Often these revivals are held in stadiums and reach millions around the world via live stream technology; they are marketed and produced like rock concerts. All scripture verses about an end times falling away are ignored, and get replaced with hyped-up claims about the Next Big Thing that’s always just around the corner.

5. “UNITY”

Unity (at the expense of biblical doctrine) is almost always used as both the how and the why in this movement. Unity for the sake of bringing Heaven to Earth is leading to the blurring of doctrinal and denominational lines, often bringing together well-known leaders of charismatic, reformed, Word of Faith, seeker-emergent, progressive and Roman Catholics churches, all under one umbrella.

Finally, NAR churches almost always abandon a major tenant of Christian faith:

6. NAR DENIES THE SUFFICIENCY OF SCRIPTURE.

NAR adherents may believe in the inerrancy and authority of the Bible, but God’s breathed-out Word is just not enough for them. Jesus’ sacrificial death for our sins is not good enough; the promise of eternal life in Heaven is not good enough.

Leaders:

The founder of the New Apostolic Reformation is church growth specialist C. Peter Wagner. Wagner served as Professor of Church Growth at the Fuller Theological Seminary’s School of World Missions until his retirement. Until recently he was president of Global Harvest Ministries and is currently Chancellor emeritus of the Wagner Leadership Institute. Prominent member of the International Council of Apostles Chuck Pierce was his successor.

NAR “Apostles” and “Prophets”:

What the Bible says:

“But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.” 2 Peter 2:1

What you can do:

First, pray! Then, DO YOUR HOMEWORK. If you church has any part of these six traits, you’ll want to humbly alert your leaders. We’ve included links below to many of the best research articles, and will keep this list updated.

Helpful articles:

Helpful sites:


 

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12 Responses to What your church needs to know about the “NAR”

  1. Jody Foster July 24, 2016 at 2:21 pm #

    Woe be it those to who in search of truth and fact and proof miss The One who is all Truth. God didn’t give us His word to fight about it. Or have controversial discussions over whose perceptions are correct. No one on earth can claim 100% accuracy in Bible knowledge. If we agree on the fundamentals that is enough for me. It is for me to walk out (my own salvation) not put myself in charge of grading another man’s relationship and understanding of the Bible. Furthermore we’re told to let the wheat and rates grow together. God will decide at the Judgement. To me this article is dangerous and Devil inspired. I think it is divisiveness and very ungodly.

    • Randolph & Johanna August 16, 2016 at 3:51 pm #

      Hi Jody,
      This article compares the teachings of a very false movement to the Holy Scriptures, and the New Apostolic Reformation comes up short and false. It is not meant to be mean, but to warn people who are in this very dangerous movement. The Bible does, however, warn us about those who are dividers:

      Romans 16:17-18: “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.”

      You see, the Bible says it is those who TEACH FALSE DOCTRINE who are the dividers in the Body – not those who expose it.

  2. Elly J.& Knut E. Lauritzen July 27, 2016 at 2:53 pm #

    Thank you for posting! False teachers have an easy match because most Christians don’t know the Bible.
    Fact is all the above mention leaders deny Yeshua and therefore our heavenly Father. (1.John,4,1-3 + 1.John.2,22-23)

  3. Holly October 31, 2016 at 8:05 pm #

    I am so thankful for the sound Bible exposing of where certain movements and teachings have moved off the “rock” i.e. Sound teaching from God’s word. Paul also exposed as he should have. Thank you soooooo much Johanna for sharing your knowledge of the beliefs of these certain ones.

  4. Gloria List February 11, 2017 at 4:49 pm #

    I’d like to ask Johanna if she believes in the baptism of the Holy Spirit! , tongues, and prayer language. I was raised baptist, got in charasmatic church, niw some are saying it’s actually not scriptural. Since I live what Johanna teaches, was wondering how she felt about this seemingly very controversialsubject. Just want Truth.

  5. Beverly December 12, 2017 at 12:54 am #

    Hi a couple months ago, my husband and I left our very first church. We grew closer to God there but after a while we were feeling an uneasy mutual sensation both my husband and I… God shower us specifically through many ways that our home church were gearing towards the Apostolic movement…
    sure enough, we told the pastors we didn’t agree and left the church…
    ever since husband and I had peace.
    They told us not to tell anyone, why we left.. because to prevent gossip.

  6. Klara Gaglia June 25, 2018 at 9:23 am #

    Greetings from Western Australia!

    This whole NAR business has become such an overwhelming mess; I feel like I’m trying to find the roses and all I get are thorns. Even the wonderful fellowship I found when I moved house is raising some serious alarms for me. Perhaps not “NAR” but deception nevertheless. I’ve stopped attending though I keep in touch and still associate myself with them. They’ve become family to me and I truly doubt the senior minister is deliberately misleading the flock.

    I do have a question. I’ve tried to look into how the NAR is affecting the Church in Australia. I’ve come up with their association with the Australian Christian Churches, which is a takeover and expansion, (malignant mutation), of the Assemblies of God, introduced through Hillsong Australia. I know their music and missions organisation have infiltrated all churches I know of, not just the former AoG congregations. That’s all I have. That and my ex and his new family take our 12yo daughter to a church aligned with the ACC and this concerns me, though she brings all she learns there to me and so far it’s been OK. Anyhow, here’s my question: does anyone have any more information about the NAR influence on the Church in Australia, please?

    • Aspree June 26, 2018 at 9:03 am #

      ChurchwatchCentral.com is a good place to start. This ministry is based in Australia.

  7. Joe Heerden May 2, 2019 at 9:12 pm #

    Who wrote this nonsense article? The true gospel does not come in words of human wisdom but in demonstration of the Holy Spirit and power with signs and wonders. I would be very careful if I was you, if these people are not of God they won’t prevail, if they are, you might find yourself fighting against God.

    • Aspree June 10, 2019 at 11:23 pm #

      Hello Joe, this is Amy Spreeman, the author of the article. I can assure you that I am not fighting against God in any way, but pointing people to the truth of His Word, which trumps any experience, vision, dream, sign or wonder. Also I am very careful not to say mean things against people, but it is very important to critique their teachings, as Christ told us to do.

  8. Nico van den Berg October 13, 2019 at 11:51 pm #

    The Gospel has to be protected. That is our purpose. Man has always perverted the gospel by adding or addopting it into something other than Grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. Preaching the Gospel, through Scripture, through the mighty power of God through His Spirit proves suffient. But faith seeking after miracles is added to make this happen. And thereby we are able to divide thuth from error. The Gospel is set on its tracks. We are heading in a direction. We are not loose and free and run around in all direction. These movements are wild…no difinative biblical foundation.

  9. Karen Kimball February 5, 2022 at 9:34 am #

    Jesus prayed we would be one, so much division must break the heart of God. I used to listen to John Mac Arthur, but no longer because I believe he is wrong in his theology about cessation of gifts. How dare he tell people not to accept what God has given then to build up the body. Yes, we must test the spirits , but not quench, grieve or resist the Holy Spirit!