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Apostolic Dominionism

King of the Mountain Exhibit 1*
Several years ago, on August 20, 2007, C. Peter Wagner sent out a letter to his "friends of Global Harvest," in which he shared the emerging structure of his New Apostolic Reformation. Exhibit 1, the graphic at the top of this post was attached to the bottom of his letter. (Click image to enlarge.)

His new reformation would be based upon the idea that apostles and prophets must be the cornerstone for achieving Dominion on earth. These apostles and prophets are said to be endowed with superior gifts. In 2007 we ran a 6-part series called "Networking the Church" in which we described this new apostolic structure, based on the writings of its leaders. We said:

When the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) talks about re-aligning the Church to the supposed 5-fold ministry structure of Ephesians 4:11, the new doctrinal emphasis is placed on laying a “foundation” of prophets and apostles. These “offices” are looked upon as key for future church governance. These new prophets are claimed to possess authority to bring unity, knowledge, maturity, collaboration and growth.[1]
We went on to explain that these "prophets" and "apostles" of the NAR believe that they are able to deliver new truth that supersedes and supplants the Word of God (the Bible). We also explained how the NAR prophets and apostles are assigned a military role in building this "kingdom" on earth.[2]

In Wagner's NAR paradigm, "apostles" are also said to be given new truth, and they are referred to as "spiritual architects" of a global transformation based upon a series of interlocking networking organizations and cells that superimpose themselves on top of existing governmental and societal institutions. The full description of this movement can be found HERE and HERE (and the other posts in this series).

David Cannistraci, who formed an early apostolic network and wrote a book detailing this shift, explained how these networking apostolic groups would work. Clearly he isn't talking about humble, simple evangelism. He described it in kingdom-building terms:

The emerging apostolic movement will be built on a sharp increase of the apostolic call to serve in the Kingdom. Like an army, this new apostolic company will throw down their nets and rise at the command of the Lord of Hosts. Hearing the call, they will aggressively engage the enemy, taking his territory in the greatest campaign in history: the evangelization of planet Earth before the second coming of the Lord Jesus....

Network organizations are replacing organizations built around traditional hierarchies. The growing trend of network marketing makes products available through relationships between families, friends and business associates instead of depending on high-overhead practices such as advertising or displays. . . . Networking is a reflection of the divine pattern of interdependence and unity God has ordained for the Church . . . .We need to view the kingdom of God as a giant net.
How is the Kingdom of heaven like a net? The net illustrates how increase becomes possible when God's people are joined together like the interconnecting cords of a net. . . .
Church-growth analysts are beginning to identify apostolic networks as a modern movement. World-changing leaders and movements are arising to establish progressive structures for families of churches and ministries. . . . denominationalism is slowly dying.[4][emphases added]

Wagner's 2007 letter launched a "Global Apostolic Network."[5] In Wagner's writings one can see the formation of these interlocking apostolic networks in the mountain of the New Apostolic Reformation:

I first sent you a chart with 7 components of GAN and later another chart with 9.  Then Lance Wallnau came on the scene and brought an integrating template for GAN which we call the 7-M Mandate, based on Lance's 7 mountains which are the seven molders of culture (religion, family, education, media, arts & entertainment, government, and business).
One thing that this means is depicted in another chart, which I am sending you.  You will see a large mountain representing the Kingdom of God with the 7 mountains at the bottom feeding into it.   The 9 components of Global Apostolic Network are grouped under four headings:  Government, Wealth, Warfare, and Teaching.  The "7-M Coalition" is a new organization being birthed to implement the 7-M Mandate in a practical and effective way for transforming our society.
Isn't this exciting?  We have reorganized in obedience to the word that the Lord gave us through Chuck [Pierce] last December.  Now please pray with us as we seek His guidance in putting the nuts and bolts together for seeing practical results along the road toward taking dominion of God's creation.   In fact Chuck Pierce has also told us that the new Jewish year of 5768 which begins in September, the year of Samekh Chet, means, among other things taking dominion.  He says, "Dominion will be the key word for this year!   Rule where you have been positioned.  Rule or watch the 'wild beasts' gain ground in your land."...
All nine of the components of GAN are on my heart, but especially those related to wealth and wealth transfer.  I am in touch with 17 potential wealth transfer brokers, some of them expecting release momentarily.   It is hard to comprehend, but some of them go to multiple millions, billions, and more.  My task is to prepare a high integrity infrastructure for distributing these funds when they begin to flow.   Zion Apostolic Network and The Hamilton Group are in place as agencies to carry this out.  Our motto is "Sophisticated Philanthropy for Apostolic Distribution." [6] [emphases and links added to original text]

This is The Plan. This is a grandiose scheme. One can only wonder who is funding this global operation. Not only is this a systemic structural transformation of the church, but it is also a theological shift to a new paradigm. Furthermore it is a plan for the systemic structural transformation of society, culture, governance and governments. Unknown numbers of entities network with one another both inside and outside the NAR, and there are new groups emerging every week. Collaborative networks are being built at an amazing pace, and some organizations are even serving as umbrella organizations bridging other networks.

Perhaps of most concern, is that idea that the apostles and apostles who are preparing to head up this vast empire are men who claim to be endowed with an elite capacity to alter the Word of God and change Scripture, possibly accompanied with signs and wonders. These global shepherds will thereby be able to exercise psycho-spiritual control over their vast downline "army" on the earth.

Pastor Anton Bosch, in his ongoing series on "Only Scripture" has written a solid refutation of the heresy that these self-anointed, self-appointed NAR apostles and prophets have extra-biblical revelation in this era. We reprint it in its entirety:

By Anton Bosch
In the last article we began to examine the Scriptural basis for relying exclusively on the Bible rather than accepting various extra-biblical “revelations” as being at the same level, or higher, authority as the Bible. This is a view that is fast dying out as more and more Christians and their leaders move away from the Scriptures to all sorts of extra-biblical sources of revelation. Hebrews 1:1-2 expressly says that God has spoken through His Son and that He is finished speaking – everything we need to know has been revealed in and through the Lord Jesus Christ. (See the first article in this series.)

The one-chapter book of Jude is specifically written to warn about the dangers of false prophets, teachers and apostles. Verse 3 says: “…I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.” (Jude 1:3).

The words “the faith” does not refer to faith in the sense of trusting in the Lord. It specifically refers to the body of doctrine and teaching that make up Christianity. Note that we must contend for “the faith” not just “faith.” The difference between “faith” and “the faith” is illustrated very well by Prince Charles who said that if he (ever) became King he would change the title kings of England have carried for hundreds of years. Instead of being “the Defender of the Faith” he would be “the Defender of Faith”[i]. Generally when the Bible uses the definite article “the” before “faith”, it refers to what we believe – the Gospel as opposed to just believing in general. (See also Galatians 1:23, Ephesians 4:13, Colossians 1:23 etc.)

Jude was written, at the very latest, by AD90 and already at that time he writes about a definitive set of doctrines that make up the Gospel. But he is even more specific in the words that follow.

“The faith,” he says, “was once for all delivered to the saints”[ii]. The words “once for all” are translated from a single Greek word which can only be translated as “once for all” in a very final and complete sense. This is the same word used in Hebrews 9:26 where the writer emphasizes the finality and completeness of the work of Christ: “He then would have had to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now, once at the end of the ages, He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.” (Hebrews 9:26).

Thus Jude says the faith was once for all time delivered. It is not still being delivered but it is complete, final and done. By Jude’s definition, therefore, those who claim that God is progressively revealing more to us in these days, or that there are additional revelations not contained in the teachings of the Apostles (the Twelve and Paul) are the false preachers against whom we must defend the faith.

[There is obviously a vast amount of information God has chosen not to reveal to us. The reason for that is simple; we don’t need to know everything. But everything we need has been revealed, not only for salvation but for daily living, not only for the present and the past but also for the future. “His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue.” (2 Peter 1:3)]

Paul shares this sense of finality, absoluteness and completeness of the revelation: “For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God.” (Acts 20:27); “Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle.” (2 Thessalonians 2:15); “Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them.” (Romans 16:17); “Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.” (2 Timothy 1:13).

The list of verses in which Paul admonishes us not to depart from the things he had taught is conclusive evidence that he believed that he had received everything that we need to know and that he had passed that on to others. If there was any question in Paul’s mind that we should continue to seek for new revelation, then surely he would have said so – even once.

Why then do we have so many scriptures telling us that the doctrine and revelation is complete and we are not to follow anything else, and why is there not a single verse telling us to seek a new revelation? Obviously because the revelation received by Paul and the other Apostles was the full and final revelation of Jesus Christ.

In fact, Paul is so sure of the comprehensiveness and finality of his doctrine that he resorts to extreme language as well as repetition to curse anyone who would bring another message: “But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.” (Galatians 1:8-9). Please note that Paul says that even if he himself (or an angel) came with another message, that such a one is to be anathema – accursed. Even Paul locked himself into the doctrine as it stood then and he totally excludes the possibility that even he could receive any further revelation!

Why is it then that lesser men than Paul are coming with all sorts of new revelations and finding all sorts of revelations in extra-biblical sources? Why is it that millions believe the new messages that they come with? And why is it that these false prophets are called blessed when Paul says they are accursed? The only explanation can be that Christians and churches have strayed so far from the truth that evil has become good and good has become evil (Isaiah 5:20).

1. "The Return of the Warrior-Prophets: Networking the Church: Part 4, Herescope, 3/8/07, http://herescope.blogspot.com/2007/03/return-of-warrior-prophets.htmlhttp://herescope.blogspot.com/2007/03/return-of-warrior-prophets.html
2. "Militant Apostles: Networking the Church: Part 5," Herescope, 3/12/07, http://herescope.blogspot.com/2007/03/emerging-apostolic-movement-will-be.html
3. Apostolic Spheres of Authority: Networking the Church: Part 6," Herescope, 3/14/07, http://herescope.blogspot.com/2007/03/apostolic-regions-spheres-of-authority.html
4. David Cannistraci, The Gift of Apostle (Regal Books, 1996), p. 46, 186-189.
5. See http://www.globalspheres.org/ for a current website on the global apostolic network.
6. C. Peter Wagner, "A Letter From C. Peter Wagner," Global Harvest Ministries, Monday, August 20, 2007. Original url was: http://shekinahshome.blogspot.com/2007/08/letter-from-c-peter-wagner.html
[i] http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/theroyalfamily/3454271/Prince-Charles-to-be-known-as-Defender-of-Faith.html. He actually wanted the title “Defender of Faiths” but was forced to modify it after a public outcry.[ii] Only the KJV does not include the words “for all”

posted by Discernment Research Group @ 9/12/2011 08:17:00 PM 

Name: Discernment Research Group

