SIMON BRAKER: NAR ONSLAUGHT AT ONE CHURCH LEICESTER

(10) HEARING GOD | Simon Braker (25th June 2023) - YouTube

I find it unsurprising that false prophet Simon Braker is now attending ONE Church in Leicester (formerly Trinity Life Church). Braker was previously an Associate Minister at Holy Trinity Church, Leicester (CofE). It appears that "Apostle" John McGinley has also left Holy Trinity, although I am not familiar with the details of their departure.

Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills. (1 Corinthians 12:4-11).

Is everyone meant to function in the prophetic?   

Paul asks the Corinthians a rhetorical question. "Are all prophets etc." (1 Corinthians 12:27-31). It is not the case that all Christians are entitled to function in the prophetic at their own whim, rather the gifts of the Holy Spirit are distributed according to God's will. (Hebrews 2:4; 1 Corinthians 12:11). Paul encourages Christians to earnestly desire the higher gifts, but it is God's prerogative who actually receives them. 

Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? But earnestly desire the higher gifts. (1 Corinthians 12:27-31).

What does prophetic mean?  

Braker: "How many of you believe you are called to reveal Jesus.. that's what prophetic means. Being prophetic is simply revealing Jesus, and that is what we are called to do."

Braker goes on to quote Ephesians 4:11 and refers to the alleged 5-fold ministry. 

Although I do believe in the gifts of the Holy Spirit, the 5-fold ministry is something I reject outright due to the inescapable fact the canon of scripture is complete and cannot be changed. (2 Timothy 3:16; Deuteronomy 4:2,12:32; Proverbs 30:6; Revelation 22:18-19). Alleged apostles and prophets often claim that their "revelations" supersede the scriptures, thus they usurp the authority of the bible and invalidate any attempt to test the spirits. (1 John 4:1). Those who claim apostolic governance i.e. those who claim to function in the same capacity and claim the same authority as the first-century apostles, should be rejected. Three distinct criteria for the office of "apostle" are defined in the New Testament: An apostle must have been an eyewitness to the post-resurrection appearances of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 9:1); he was chosen by the Holy Spirit (Acts 9:15); and he ministered miraculous signs and wonders (Acts 2:43; 2 Corinthians 12:12). Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. (1 Corinthians 15:7-8).

Paul refers to prophecy as a gift, not an office. (1 Corinthians 12:10, 14:1; Romans 12: 6 cf. Acts 13:1). Interestingly the Old Testament prophets stood outside the hierarchical system of governance. (Jeremiah 1:6-7; Amos 1:1 etc.)

Before attempting to dabble in the prophetic under the guidance of Simon Braker, it is essential to note that God takes false prophets/prophecy very very seriously. False prophets are repeatedly condemned both in the Old and New Testament. (Matthew 7:15, 24:11,24; 2 Peter 2:1; 1 John 4:1; Jeremiah 5:31; Ezekiel 22:28; Lamentations 2:14 etc.) In the Old Testament false prophets were put to death! (Deuteronomy 13:1-5). We don't put false prophets to death these days, but nevertheless, we are warned to avoid them.

  

Below is an excerpt from Braker's performance at Revival Night Ministry on the 14th October 2017 at Living Waters Foursquare Church London: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQxeq42b-34&t=879s This video has been removed but I did manage to record most of what Braker said:

Braker announced almost straight away that he had been "drunk" for two weeks.. he described himself as "..an experience addict.. I want as many experiences as I can get'"...
Braker: "The way you enter the world is through a push.. if that is the way we enter the natural world, then why would we believe that that would not be the way that we breakthrough into the spiritual world.." I don't want to insult anyone, but have to wonder if Braker's audience was a bit dense. The way we enter the natural world is not through our own efforts or 'push' at all! (John 15:5).
Braker: "It is time for the fire to start burning again, and the sound of the fire is in this room... the sound of heaven is in the room.." (the sound of heaven?)
Braker proceeded to call out the young guitarist who was leading the worship. "This is what I heard the Lord say while you were leading worship.. 'Stop singing inside the lines of other people's songs.' I tell you, when you were leading prophetically you were releasing the sound of the nation... you have got the tuning fork, you know how to match the sound of the lands to heaven... God is going to use you to build the bridge.. every move of the spirit has got its own sound.. (really!!) So I speak to your spirit and I say release the sound.. Jesus wreck him, mess him up, do something.. etc. etc." The young man by now was doubled up and started laughing hysterically along with the congregation.. This is what I refer to as 'puffing up' i.e. giving individuals false ideas about their supposed influential 'destiny'. Braker then got the whole worship team to stand up and announced: "A sound is going to be released".
Braker: "John the Baptist was drunk from conception." (verse?)
Braker: "The colour of grace is green.." (verse?)
The whole bizarre scene continued for some time with various rantings and personal prophecies in the first person of the Lord. The meeting concluded with Braker claiming to see an angel: "..the angel of the Lord's presence.." Thus ended the Simon Braker show! {1} 

If alarm bells are not ringing after reading the above then there is something very wrong. If you want to be worked up to a frenzy with false prophetic words and experiences, then, by all means, follow Simon Braker. However, if you want to follow the Lord, then Braker is someone to mark and avoid. (Romans 16:17). How very sad it is that the Hinds have opened their doors to the New Apostolic Reformation. This is yet another bad choice to add to their catalogue of unbiblical choices. It is a terrible irony that those who should be protecting the sheep are actually wolves supporting other wolves, but there is nothing new under the sun. (Jeremiah 23:1 cf. Ecclesiastes 1:9).

Follow the money!

 

"This year we are excited to start monthly Prophetic Mentoring days 9:30 AM-8 PM 9:30 AM-4 PM We will focus on dynamic teaching training and equipping 5:30-8 pm Worship and Prophetic ministry. Each week we will be joined by key international speakers." {2}

Holly Pivec: "Unfortunately, a number of churches today are not teaching their young people about the solid basis for their Christian faith. Rather, they promote novel teachings and practices that do not have the support of Scripture. Many of these churches are led by the so-called 'apostles' and 'prophets' of the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR), including the most prominent NAR church today—Bethel Church in Redding, California. NAR teachings and practices have divided families, split churches, stunted the spiritual growth of believers, and left countless Christians disillusioned by promises of healing and miraculous power that haven’t panned out. They’ve also damaged the church’s witness to a watching world. I’ve devoted much of my efforts to warning people about this dangerous movement that has made inroads into thousands of churches across the United States and around the world." {3}

1. WOLVES IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING: FALSE PROPHETS AND BIBLE TEACHERS IN THE LAST DAYS: Simon Braker (bewareofthewolves.blogspot.com)
2. Simon Braker Events | Eventbrite
3. About 1 — Holly Pivec

Further Links

New Apostolic Reformation and the End Time: What Is NAR’s 'Victorious Eschatology'? | Bible Prophecy Daily
WOLVES IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING: FALSE PROPHETS AND BIBLE TEACHERS IN THE LAST DAYS: Emma Stark (bewareofthewolves.blogspot.com)
The Six Hallmarks of a NAR Church — Pirate Christian Media
(10) Drunk in the Spirit - Blessing from God or Counterfeit stupor? - YouTube