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Online! | WARNING to THE "APOSTLES" by Andrew Strom | | [b]WARNING to THE "APOSTLES"[/b] [i]by Andrew Strom[/i]
An Open Letter to Peter Wagner, Dutch Sheets & Other "Apostles".
I recently received a report of a new "Apostolic Network" headed up by Dutch Sheets which held a gathering in Florida last week to "carve up" territories for it's 'apostles', etc. I need to put in writing what I believe the Lord would say to these men.
But first I need to remind us all of something. On June 23rd, 2008, a group of "apostles and prophets" under Peter Wagner's headship stood on a stage in Lakeland at the Todd Bentley revival - to lay on hands and commission him, etc. But it was far more than that. Peter Wagner called it an "apostolic alignment." He made the following statement before all the TV cameras and all the people:
"I take the apostolic authority that God has given me and I decree to Todd Bentley: -Your power will increase. -Your authority will increase. -Your favor will increase. -Your influence will increase. -Your revelation will increase. I also decree that: -A new supernatural strength will flow through this ministry. -A new life force will penetrate this move of God..."
Onlookers might have thought that Wagner was 'prophesying' the above statements. But actually what he felt he was doing was "decreeing" these things over Todd - since he was the 'head apostle'. In a letter the following day, Wagner called this a "groundbreaking event" and stated that, "We are now in a place in what I see as the Second Apostolic Age..." (In other words, a "new era" of real apostles).
So how did that work out for you, Peter? Well, literally within weeks we found out that many of the "miracles" at Lakeland had no foundation, and then Todd Bentley's wife separated from him apparently over an affair he was having - and the entire 'revival' fell to pieces in the worst way possible. That's how it worked out.
All the big Charismatic leaders that had stood on that stage hardly knew what to do with themselves - they were so embarrassed. And none more so than Peter Wagner - after making an "Apostolic decree" like that. -Probably the most colossal disaster of his life.
So who pulled the rug out from under your "apostolic alignment", Peter? I need to tell you that there are two responsible parties. One is 'yourself' - clearly. And the second is GOD - because He is now pitted against you and your so-called "apostles". He is the one who did this to you.
You and your friends have presumed to an office and a place over the Body that is simply not yours, and God is in the process of taking you 'apostles' down - and all your "networks" with you.
Dutch Sheets - can I ask you please, what gives you the right to carve up the Body of Christ in North America and parcel it out like McDonalds franchises to all your buddies so they can be 'apostles' over their own "territory"? Do you have any idea what you are playing with? Don't you know that if your buddies are not real New Testament Apostles then all they are doing is painting huge targets on themselves and begging for the judgment of God? How dare you treat the Body of Christ like a piece of Real Estate that you can carve up for your own aggrandizement?
Because of men like you, God is about to judge the leadership of the church. Do they call themselves an "apostle"? Well, God is going to put them to the test. If they are not the real thing, they make themselves His 'enemy' because they are blocking His real Reformation. Every self-proclaimed "apostle and prophet" is about to be put to the test. Oh, you call your group an "Apostolic Council of Elders" or something similar? Expect God to come calling, and if you are not the real thing, expect Him to take you down. The Lord God is coming to take back His church with great violence. And you guys are standing directly in His way.
I've heard that one of these big "apostles" in Canada once told his network that their "apostle-ness" would be judged by the 'noses and nickels' that they represented. (In other words, their "numbers" and their reaping of money). Hmmmm. If I didn't know better, I would call those the words of a hireling and a wolf.
As Lee Grady wrote about this 'Apostle-Mania': "In some circles apostles demanded total allegiance from the leaders who were "under" them. Some required a policy of "tithing up," creating a monstrous organizational structure similar to a spiritual Amway. So-called apostles with huge "downlines" made exorbitant amounts of money. One leader even offered pastors the opportunity to become "spiritual sons" by contributing $1,000 a month to his ministry."
And yet here is what the TRUE apostle Paul wrote: "I think that God has set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death... we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwellingplace... we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things..." (1 Cor 4:9-13).
Now THAT is true apostleship. Tell me, Mr. Modern Apostle, do you match up to the New Testament apostles? If not, what on earth do you think God is going to do to you if you claim that title falsely?
I believe that many true Apostles, when they do arise, will simply REFUSE to carry such titles in any way. They will "minimize" themselves, not exalt themselves. That is the heart of a true leader of God.
In closing, let me again warn those who have titled themselves "apostle" or 'prophet' in the modern church. God is coming to "clean house" and if you are not the real deal, expect Him to start with you. It is as simple as that. You need to repent urgently of your utter presumption. You have been warned.
Send feedback to- [email protected]
God bless you all.
Andrew Strom.
_________________ SI Moderator - Greg Gordon
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| 2010/2/25 12:11 | Profile | sojourner7 Member
Joined: 2007/6/27 Posts: 1573 Omaha, NE
| Re: WARNING to THE "APOSTLES" by Andrew Strom | | Thanks to Brother Strom for the discerning of spirit. As our LORD said; "By their fruits you shall know them." If their ministry is not bearing fruit for the glory and cause of Christ; depart from such men !! _________________ Martin G. Smith
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| 2010/2/25 14:42 | Profile | ADisciple Member
Joined: 2007/2/3 Posts: 835 Alberta, Canada
| Re: WARNING to THE "APOSTLES" by Andrew Strom | | This has all been done before once upon a time. Only back then they called the head apostle the pope, and the underlings in his "apostolic network" they called arch-bishops and bishops.
So as the old saying goes, If the shoe fits...
It's becoming increasingly apparent that the antichrist system, and the beast, and the false prophet... we used to be so sure it was the Roman Catholic Church. It's quite something to see it all taking on dimensions far closer to home than that. ...These men who call themselves apostles have obviously not troubled themselves to look into early church order, and the way its humble leadership conducted themselves. It's there in Scripture for anyone who will search it out with an honest heart and the help of the Holy Spirit.
_________________ Allan Halton
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| 2010/2/25 15:52 | Profile | KingJimmy Member
Joined: 2003/5/8 Posts: 4419 Charlotte, NC
| Re: | | What Peter Wagner and his apostolic network have done is essentially established in their "network" or "denomination" is an episcopal form of government where "apostles" have taken the place of popes, archbishops, and bishops, or whatever other name you want to give them. Either way, it's a pyrimad styled structure. They are simply calling the guys on top apostles, which is a very sexy term these days. I agree with Strom, these guys have made themselves targets of God's fierce wrath and anger. Being that Christ is the chief apostle, we can be sure he is very jealous over his ministry.
It is interesting, I had the chance to confront some "prophetic" leader some years ago. I told him what Wagner, Inc was doing was simply replicating an episcopal government, with apostles taking the place of bishops. He denied it. But it is all the more evident as their plans solidify that this is what they've been doing all along. _________________ Jimmy H
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| 2010/2/25 18:19 | Profile | nasekom Member
Joined: 2009/5/29 Posts: 146 Dublin,Ireland
| Re: WARNING to THE "APOSTLES" by Andrew Strom | | i'm not familiar with Peter Wagner and his apostolic network movement but i like the message from A.Storm.Strong and true. By the way he mentions "spiritual Amway" in his letter.My wife buys Amway products.Is there something that's not right about that company? i appreciate if you could comment on that friends.God bless! _________________ Yuri
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| 2010/3/3 20:05 | Profile | MeiLi Member
Joined: 2009/8/6 Posts: 8 Germany
| | 2010/3/6 11:16 | Profile | wayneman Member
Joined: 2009/1/24 Posts: 453 Michigan
| Re: WARNING to THE "APOSTLES" by Andrew Strom | | nasekom,
He was referring to the fact that Amway is a pyramid scheme. The Amway rep who goes door-to-door making sales has to kick up a cut of the profits to the person who enlisted them. And their "enlister" has to kick up part of that profit to the person who enlisted them, and the money travels upward until it reaches the De Voses and Van Andels, who own the whole enterprise. Amway differs from an illegal pyramid scheme in that it sells goods instead of just recruiting investors. If you recruit a lot of reps and they recruit more reps you can find yourself sitting atop a mini-pyramid within the Amway structure and making a lot of money without lifting a finger. Some people question the ethics of the Amway structure, but I don't know why Strom alludes to it as a "monstrous corporate structure." "Monstrous" is a rather strong term.
I used to live in Grand Rapids, Michigan where Amway is headquartered. That's how I know all this. The De Voses and Van Andels are members of the Reformed Church. So if you are a devout anti-Calvinist, Amway is a heretical organization. Otherwise, it's just a business. _________________ Wayne Kraus
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| 2010/3/6 12:10 | Profile |
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