Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.You will recognize them by their fruits (Matthew 7/15-16)
I will only address the ad hominem attack aimed directly against myself.
Chavez: "Pat and Treena both contacted Jacob several years ago asking him baiting questions about women teachers." I have never contacted Prasch about women teachers! I did have direct contact with Moriel Ministries when I questioned them about Prasch's dubious intra-seal theory back in 2016! I communicated directly with Elon Moleh of Moriel Israel at that time:
Hi Treena,
Jacob's mobility is somewhat restricted at the moment, but he is more than happy to meet you face to face to discuss your concerns, as he can see that they are honest questions. I have copied him in on this e-mail, so if you wish to arrange between yourselves a meeting? His e-mail address should show up above. I will leave it to the two of you to arrange the details.
Blessings, Elon
After exchanging a couple more emails with Elon, the suggested meeting came to nothing, due to the fact that I had reservations about meeting Prasch in London face to face. I can provide copies of these emails for anyone who is interested. After those emails, I left a question on a YouTube video of David Nathan's about Prasch's intra-seal rapture theory. The response that came back directly from Prasch was very abusive. It was at that point that I began seriously challenging intra-seal, not as an "obsession" as you claim, but as a matter of serious concern that Prasch was not the teacher he claimed to be.
Regarding the Rome Statute
Joshua Chavez: "She also cites the Rome Statute as some law that affords her protection. The Rome Statute is a treaty that established an international criminal court to prosecute things like genocide and crimes against humanity. Treena Gisborn apparently thinks so highly of herself that anyone that would dare to “violate her privacy” would be on par with someone guilty of genocide. This is either supreme narcissism or delusion.."
I do realise what the Rome Statute is about Joshua. I believed that the statement, which was forwarded to me, would give me some protection from Facebook and its associates using my information unethically or as "hate speech" at some future point. However it seems that this is not the case after all. I do not consider a breach of my privacy on a par with someone guilty of genocide - this is a ridiculous accusation! According to Snopes, it appears that statements like these are useless actually, so I must thank you for drawing attention to my error. {1} I have now removed the statement from my FB page.
Incidentally, Moriel Israel must also be under the same "delusion" since they also cite the Rome Statute!!!
The Guardian recently reported an example of Facebooks breach under the Data Protection Act: "Revealed 50 million Facebook profiles harvested for Cambridge Analytica in major data breach. “Facebook has failed to provide the kind of protections they are required to under the Data Protection Act,” said Elizabeth Denham, the information commissioner. ... The £500,000 cap was set by the Data Protection Act 1998." {2} This is an issue I think we should all be concerned about.
One of my FB friends, Carol Dunderdale, posted the comment: "Hope your OK Treena not upset xx". I am pretty sure that this comment has been taken out of context and pasted separately underneath my Rome Statute post. I remember Carol being concerned about my health at one point because I suffer from osteoarthritis. If you had read the whole conversation, which I am sure you did, you would have realised what this comment related to. Nevertheless you chose to use it to defame me. This kind of dishonesty does you no favours Joshua! (Proverbs 11:3).
Carol Dunderdale's confirmation: "I also think it was when you weren't feeling well Treena, positively not anything to do with the Rome Statute which I have never heard of. The original comment to yourself needs to be found and he needs to be challenged on the use of it without our permission which you may be able to do as I have never heard of him either. Talk tomorrow, keep smiling. Roy & Carol."
Am I a feminist? Most definitely not! I have stated previously that I believe that church leadership should be male and that women should not have authority over men. (1 Timothy 2:12). Nevertheless, I do object to Prasch cutting and pasting various New Testament passages and making up his own rules about what women can and cannot do within the congregation. My post on this subject illustrates that God can and does use women as well as men, Deborah being the most obvious example:
Both yourself and Prasch have played the "Jezebel" card too often! It is nothing more than a smoke screen in order to deflect attention from the main issue i.e. Prasch's false teaching and dishonesty!
I am sorry you don't like my photo! I admit to looking serious, but I wouldn't say that I was "scowling". I am not photogenic, but I didn't think it was about outward appearance! (1 Samuel 16:7; 2 Corinthians 5:7. 10:7).
Joshua, there is something seriously wrong here. I suggest you concentrate your efforts on the theological issues associated with Prasch's scripture twisting and his abusive behaviour towards others, rather than maligning those who are exposing his lack of integrity! If this is the best you can do to defame myself and others then it is very miserable attempt.
The New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) continues to make a negative impact on biblical Christianity here in Leicester. Of particular note are Holy Trinity Church Leicester (CofE), All Nations Church Leicester and Trinity Life Church Leicester (AOG Pentecostal). (Romans 16:17). The NAR is a large network of ecumenical churches that has developed out of the Pentecostal/charismatic movement. Its main aim is to restore the so called "five fold ministry" i.e. the restoration of church governance, namely the office of Apostle and Prophet to the 21st century church. This aim is linked to the "seven mountain mandate" aka "dominion theology", the NAR's pro active efforts to bring about a worldwide revival and establish a one world church on the earth prior to the return of Jesus. In actuality the NAR scenario represents the rule of the Antichrist. (Revelation 13:12). At its core, the NAR denies the sufficiency of scripture whilst reversing the biblical warnings of an end time falling away. (Matthew 24:10; Acts 20:29).
Ché Ahn is a big name within this movement. He is the successor of C Peter Wagner, the purported founder of the NAR and President of Global Harvest Ministries from 1993 to 2011. Ché Ahn is the Senior Pastor of "apostolic center" HRock Church in Pasadena CA and also the Founder and "Presiding Apostle" over Harvest International Ministry, an "apostolic network" of over 25,000 churches and ministries worldwide. Ché Ahn: "I have been given the unique opportunity to be an apostle to apostles. This is because of the specific anointing of God on my life." {1}
As "Presiding Apostle", Ché Ahn has a position of unique authority over the direction of the thousands of churches under his jurisdiction. This differs drastically from the New Testament model of church structure as outlined by the Apostle Paul. The newly formed New Testament churches were autonomous congregations with a plurality of local overseers directing their own specific affairs. Paul instructed Titus to ..appoint elders in every town as I directed you. (Titus 1:5; cf. Acts 14:23). NAR apostles and prophets claim to have power to overrule pastors and elders because of their claims to receive direct revelation from God.
Ché Ahn met the pope in 2016 with other NAR leaders
According to Ché Ahn: " The 1994 revival in Toronto restored the office of the apostle with the birth of many apostolic networks, including John and Carol Arnott’s Partners in Harvest, Rick Joyner’s MorningStar, Bill Johnson’s Global Legacy, Heidi and Rolland Baker’s Iris Ministries and our church’s own Harvest International Ministry.” {2}
During the so called "Lakeland Revival" in 2008, 32 year old deceiver and NAR "evangelist" Todd Bentley took part in an "Alignment Ceremony", during which "apostles" Ché Ahn, Bill Johnson and John Arnott laid hands on him. C Peter Wagner presided over the ceremony and read a lengthy statement about the need for apostolic alignment, i.e. submission to the authority of "apostles". Various "apostles" representing ICA, Revival Alliance, and Morning Star (Rick Joiner) stood on the platform to demonstrate their support for Bentley. Just days after this bizarre ceremony, Todd Bentley was exposed as an adulterer. None of the numerous miracles and healings that were reported to have taken place at Lakeland, including raising from the dead, can be verified! Despite the obvious issues, Ché Ahn and his dubious associates continue to claim apostolic authority over large sections of the church, and incredibly they are accepted as such by many! The Todd Bentley Fakeland fiasco hardly needs recounting in detail, it has been very well documented.
Apostolic Authority Based on Ephesians 4:11-13.
11And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12to equip (καταρτισμὸν) the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.
C Peter Wagner translated katartizō: "Aligning. literally setting a broken bone or a chiropractic adjustment.. That means putting things in order so that the body functions as it was designed to function."
Strong's translation: 2675 katartízō (from 2596 /katá, "according to, down," intensifying artizō, "to adjust," which is derived from 739 /ártios, "properly adjusted") – properly, exactly fit (adjust) to be in good working order, i.e. adjusted exactly "down" to fully function. {3}
Wagner's translation was not incorrect, apart from the fact that he related it to the restoration of present day "apostles". My contention is that these present day "apostles and prophets" deviate from the original foundation that was set up by Jesus Christ. In Bill Johnson's words, they go "off map", i.e. they claim that God communicates new revelations directly through them. In this way, they contradict Jesus' apostles teaching as set out in the scriptures. In doing so they invalidate themselves as sound biblical teachers. (1 John 4:1).
Che Ahn: "When I use the term modern-day apostle, I am not comparing today’s apostles with the apostles of yesteryear. I am highlighting the fact that apostles are not relegated to yesteryear. They not only exist today, they play a critical role in bringing about revival and reformation." {4}
Typically, Che Ahn puts himself on a par with the original apostles, but this contradicts the foundation already laid: 19So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone,21in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit. (Ephesians 2:19-22).
11For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.12Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— 13each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done.
St John the Baptist Church (CofE) is the latest of the churches in Leicester to fall foul of the New Apostolic Reformation. St John's ties with Holy Trinity Church in Leicester appears to be responsible for the shift. In late 2014, a team of people from Holy Trinity Leicester joined St John's to "strengthen the church’s mission and ministry." {5}
Suffice to say that St John's run the Alpha Course which has been described as an attempt to introduce the false doctrines and practices of the Third Wave into mainstream denominations. {6}
St John's Head of Logistics is Adam Simmonds, the much criticised former PCC of Northamptonshire, whose overspending and unwholesome policies have pretty much all been reversed by his successor, Stephen Mold. {7}
Simmonds was also the Director and Trustee of Trinity Life Church in Leicester from January 2013 – April 2014. As part of my exposé of TLC's unbiblical practices, I wrote a number of posts about Simmonds' toxic influence over the weak minded apostate leaders of that church. {8}
Below is an excerpt from Jacob the Deceiver - Evidence from Bethel Communications, the multimedia ministry of Deborah Menelaws and her team. It concerns the finances of Moriel USA:
The Evidence FINANCES: For those who know what this is about, here is a link to the latest set of 990 forms based on their USA accounts showing how they spent the generous donations. They tried to hide these but the IRS have made them available as the public have a right to see.
Less than a quarter of the donations they receive go to their ‘good causes’ – $126,000 in the last tax year. That’s $50,000 LESS than Prasch and Lister took themselves. In fact, David Lister the treasurer took over $385,000 over the last few years – and he is supposed to have a full time job AND claims to work between 35 and 40 hours a week for Moriel.
We don’t need to justify ourselves but for anybody new to this disgraceful debacle, Studio Scotland has for nearly 15 years produced a free online Christian TV network with 24 channels featuring top experts from around the world called Global Vision TV at gv247.tv. Also, amongst many other Christian productions, we have also produced 2 secular projects to reach the unsaved to the glory of God. These are a TV documentary (The Daniel Project) and a movie based on it called The Daniel CONNECTION – which still owes us more than £150,000 production costs and nearly $10,000 distribution costs as, contrary to his lies, we have NOT sold either film to anybody – and certainly not to Hollywood – and we have NEVER benefited financially from any Christian work we have produced – which we do at our own expense.
DVDs: Here is a copy of the official statement explaining the background to the 2 secular films produced by Studio Scotland to reach the lost.
Back to the Moriel finances and here is a link to earlier years. With some interesting anomalies compared to the latest ones. And the UK charity ‘accounts’ raise several questions as researchers await the 2018 ones due any day now. See here
VIDEOS: Here is a link to just a few of the many videos out there exposing that he is indeed a deceiver in many different ways. The list includes “Jacob the Deceiver”, “The Pugilist”, “The Witchfinder General”, “The Narcissist” and “Phoney Argumentation”. It’s very sorry reading about a man who has fallen far, as The Lord reveals what has been hidden in the darkness. The irony is that if he hadn’t continually lied and accused others of things they weren’t doing, nobody would have looked at their finances. He and Moriel have brought it all down on their own heads.
Here are videos made by a professional counselling organisation who was contacted by just one of the women cruelly bullied by Prasch who became very unwell through it all. The director of the organisation which helps all kinds of people was so disgusted by what he saw, he made a warning video. After looking deeper – he made a second one. Here is a link to the transcript of the 1st video they made.
And here are some more. We don’t necessarily approve of all videos made about Moriel, but it gives a flavour of what kind of organisation we’re dealing with here. It is embarrassing. Even the muslims mock him.
Beware: ANCL Treasure Hunting & Outreach on the Streets
All Nations Church in Leicester (ANCL) have announced that a team of Bethel Students will be joining them on Saturday, the 30th March in the city centre between 1:00pm - 4:00pm for the dubious activity of "Treasure Hunting" in the city centre. {1}
Treasure Hunting is a form of pseudo evangelism known as "prophetic evangelism" that appears to have originated at Bethel Church in Redding CA in 2005. {2}
Treasure Hunting is also associated with Healing on the Streets (HOTS) in the UK under the Vineyard banner. I warned about this practice back in 2012 when ANCL and Holy Trinity Church in Leicester joined forces to practice this particular form of pseudo evangelism. {3}
Typically, Treasure Hunting involves small teams of three or four people who decide on a place to conduct their "hunt", such as a park or a shopping centre. Prior to the Treasure Hunt, team members ask God to give them prophetic “words of knowledge” called “clues” about the specific people they will find at the chosen location. These clues may include a person’s name, descriptions of that person’s dress or appearance, and any ailments they may be suffering from etc. Team members mark these clues on a treasure map, which they then use to guide them to the person, called a “treasure”, who matches their clues.
Treasure Hunting is not supported by the scriptures and is problematic on a number of critical levels. Prophetic words of knowledge are not viewed as 100% accurate even by their proponents. A major concern is that these "words of knowledge" are a figment of the imagination of those seeking "clues", or even worse, that they are a form of occult divination. (Jeremiah 23:16, 35-26; 27:9; Ezekiel 13:2). Should the unsuspecting public be subjected to these dubious practices?
In 2012 the ASA upheld complaints about a leaflet that stated: "NEED HEALING? GOD CAN HEAL TODAY!” listing various diseases. "While the ASA acknowledged that the advertiser believed that prayer could treat illness, it concluded that the ad made unsubstantiated claims and could discourage people, particularly the vulnerable or those suffering from undiagnosed symptoms, from seeking essential treatment. It ruled the ad could encourage false hope in those suffering from the named conditions and was therefore irresponsible (Healing on the Streets – Bath, 13 June 2013). To date CAP has not seen evidence that religious healing can treat or cure illness, dysfunction or malformations. Marketers should be aware that testimonials alone are unlikely to suffice as adequate substantiation." {4}
The biblical definition of evangelism is: Zealous preaching (promulgation dissemination) of the gospel; spreading the word, spreading the gospel, telling the gospel message. There is no indication in the scriptures that we should get "creative" and do things in another way according to man made methodologies. Seeking signs for their own sake is wicked according to Jesus Christ. (Matthew 12:39).
The primary mission of the church is to preach the gospel. And he said to them, "Go into all the world and proclaim the good news to the whole creation. (Mark 16/15). Problematically, the clear message of the gospel is missing from this kind of "outreach".
Both Jesus Christ and Paul gave priority to the gospel message. But he said to them, "I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other cities also; for I was sent for this purpose." (Luke 4/43).
If I proclaim the gospel, this gives me no ground for boasting, for an obligation is laid on me, and woe to me if I do not proclaim the gospel! (1 Corinthians 9/16).
Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and curing every disease and every sickness among the people. (Matthew 4/23).
And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. (Matthew 9:35) .
As you go, proclaim the good news, "The kingdom of heaven has come near. 'Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers,cast out demons. You received without payment; give without payment. (Matthew 10/7-8).
"Go into all the world and proclaim the good news to the whole creation. The one who believes and is baptized will be saved; but the one who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: by using my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues;they will pick up snakes in their hands,and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover." (Mark 16/15-18).
And they went out and proclaimed the good news everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by the signs that accompanied it. (Mark 16/20). Notice that the signs were a confirmation of the gospel message and not an end in themselves!
..and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal. (Luke 9/2).
They departed and went through the villages, bringing the good news and curing diseases everywhere. (Luke 9/6). But when they believed Philip as he preached good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Even Simon himself believed, and after being baptized he continued with Philip. And seeing signs and great miracles performed, he was amazed. (Acts 8).
You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ—he is Lord of all. That message spread throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John announced: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. (Acts 10/36-38).
And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. ( James 5/15). In this instance James was addressing believers, not those outside the church.
There are instances of people coming to Jesus for healing e.g. the leper Matthew 8/2); the centurion (for his servant) (Matthew 8/5; Luke 7/2) Jairus (for his daughter) (Mark 5/22; Luke 8/41); the ten lepers Luke 17/11-19) These people had all clearly heard of Jesus’ teachings and healings and they recognised his authority, they came to Jesus –he did not go them (Peter’s mother in law being the exception). Jesus did not promote his healings or miracles, in fact he sometimes told those he healed not to tell anyone. (Matthew 8/4; Mark 1/44; 5/43;7/36) Jesus’ ministry was hindered by the leper's disobedience in telling about his healing (Mark 1/45).
In the instance of the demoniacs - it was the demons, not the men themselves who recognised Jesus – this was not a physical healing but an exorcism:
When he came to the other side, to the country of the Gadarenes, two demoniacs coming out of the tombs met him. They were so fierce that no one could pass that way. Suddenly they shouted, "What have you to do with us, Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?" (Matthew 8/28-29) Jesus told the healed demoniac to go home and declare how much God has done for you. (Luke 8/39; Matthew 8/28). So they remained for a long time, speaking boldly for the Lord, who testified to the word of his grace by granting signs and wonders to be done through them. (Acts 14/3).
Very sadly, Bethel students are extremely vulnerable young people who have been brainwashed by the Bethel cult of Bill Johnson. Johnson personally brought a group of Bethel Students to England in 2012? where they practiced necromancy in the form of grave sucking/soaking. The numerous bizarre practices of Bethel are a matter of great concern to many discernment ministries.
I have warned previously that the New Apostolic Reformation is a counterfeit form of Christianity that is taking many churches by stealth worldwide. The NAR is not an organisation per se, but rather it is an aberrant movement that is spreading like gangrene, just like the false teaching of Hymenaeus and Philetus. (2 Timothy 2:17). All Nations Church in Leicester has participated in the diabolical NAR agenda for many years.
The false premise that present-day apostles and prophets must hold formal offices of governance in the church, ahead of pastors and elders, is antithetical to the scriptures. NAR leaders claim that their apostles and prophets have extraordinary authority, on a par with New Testament apostles and Old Testament prophets. However, they will not be held to the same accountability, in that they allow for their prophecies to be inaccurate. (Deuteronomy 18:20-22; Jeremiah 28:9; Ezekiel 33:33). NAR "Apostle" Mike Bickle freely admits that 80% of the manifestations that occur in charismatic meetings are not real! {1} He is quite prepared to overlook the false in favour of the 20% of manifestations that are supposedly real! Bickle's irresponsible attitude just about sums up the credibility of the NAR. (Jeremiah 5:31).
The NT makes no mention of the formal office of Apostle or Prophet, rather, an apostle is simply a missionary or a church planter, and the gift of prophecy is one of various gifts Paul listed for the common good. (1 Corinthians 12:4-11). The insistence that local pastors and elders must submit to the authority of NAR apostles and prophets is very concerning. Within the NAR, individual apostles acting on behalf of the "global church", have authority over their own network of churches and ministries, sometimes numbering into the hundreds. This contradicts the biblical model of church structure as laid down in the NT. Paul instructed Titus to ..appoint elders in every town as I directed you. (Titus 1:5; cf. Acts 14:23). In the New Testament, individual churches are autonomous congregations with their own local overseers directing their specific affairs. In fact NAR apostles and prophets literally hijack churches and overrule pastors/elders because of their presumptuous claims to receive direct revelation from God.
NAR apostles and prophets claim to have peculiar authority equal to and even above that of the foundational New Testament apostles. (1 Corinthians 3:10-12). They claim that they are bringing new and crucial revelations that are essential for the church. These claims fly in the face of the scriptures and the orthodox assertion that appears in many doctrinal statements affirming the sufficiency of scripture as the only infallible source of doctrine and practice. (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Since NAR leaders deny the fact that the canon of scripture is closed, they give themselves free reign to pronounce ongoing extra biblical revelations by their own authority. In doing so, they usurp the authority of the scriptures and leave believers with no point of reference by which to test the spirits and determine truth. (1 John 4:1). In alleging the restoration of apostles and prophets, the very foundation laid by the NT is destroyed. (Ephesians 2:20). ..if the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do? (Psalm 11:3).
The credentials for an apostle are clearly laid out in the NT. When choosing a replacement for Judas Iscariot, Peter specified that he must be - "..one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us—one of these men must become with us a witness to his resurrection.” (Acts 1:21-22; (John 15:27;1 Corinthians 9:1; Acts 22:14-15). The apostles were personally chosen by Jesus Christ Himself (Matthew 10:5; Mark 3:13-14; Luke 6:13; Acts 1:24-26; Acts 9:15; Acts 22:14-15,21; Acts 26:16). Jesus was seen alive by the apostles after his resurrection (Acts 1:17, 22, 25). Obviously, none of the above criteria apply to NAR "apostles". (Revelation 2:2).
Dominion theology is a very dangerous form of unbiblical eschatology followed by NAR networks. NAR dominionists take Genesis 1:28 out of context as a divine mandate to claim dominion over the earth. They claim that Jesus Christ cannot and will not return until dominion of the earth is achieved by the church physically, spiritually and politically through their seven mountain mandate. According to the NAR this mandate involves a great revival and transference of wealth to NAR leaders. However the scriptures state the precise opposite of these false teachers. Jesus Christ stated unequivocally that at the end of the age many will fall away from the faith (Matthew 24:10), there will be massive deception (Matthew 24: 4,5,11,24), betrayal (Matthew 24:10), and great tribulation (Matthew 24:21). The apostle Paul corroborated Jesus' words and also prophesied a falling away (apostasy) (2 Thessalonians 2:3 cf. 1 Timothy 4:1).
Kingdom Connectionswill be holding sessions on Friday and Saturday 15th and 16th of March at No 10 Meyer Hall and Wycliffe Hall in Leicestershire. This is yet another local push for the one world religion aka the New World Order of the Antichrist. About Kingdom Connections Kingdom Connections evolved relationally in an apostolic context across the UK and in Europe. Tim and Sue Eldridge (Harrogate) have standing relationships with Ian and Marj Rossol (Leicester) and John and Chris Larkin (Southampton), all of whom are working in itinerant ministry to serve, bless, encourage and equip others in the body of Christ. As their relationship across the UK developed they became more intentional in working together as a team, connecting the connectors in their wider spheres of involvement with networks, denominations, streams, churches and individuals.
We celebrate the diverse expression of church and our desire is to serve within and across as many as God connects us to. Our aim is not to create a formal organisation, but to provide opportunities for strategic partnership and sharing and so give God glory by honouring one another in this way. Our desire is to dialogue with local and regional leaders. (Malachi 3:16) {2}
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’ “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.” And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes.(Matthew 7:21-29).
And the angel said to me, “The waters that you saw, where the prostitute is seated, are peoples and multitudes and nations and languages. And the ten horns that you saw, they and the beast will hate the prostitute. They will make her desolate and naked, and devour her flesh and burn her up with fire, for God has put it into their hearts to carry out his purpose by being of one mind and handing over their royal power to the beast, until the words of God are fulfilled. And the woman that you saw is the great city that has dominion over the kings of the earth.” (Revelation 17:15-18). Then those who feared the Lord spoke with one another. The Lord paid attention and heard them, and a book of remembrance was written before him of those who feared the Lord and esteemed his name. “They shall be mine, says the Lord of hosts, in the day when I make up my treasured possession, and I will spare them as a man spares his son who serves him. Then once more you shall see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve him. (Malachi 3:16-18).
Blasphemous Charismatic & Pentecostal Mayhem #6: "The New Apostolic Reformation" of False Prophets
Randy Clark founded the organisation Global Awakening as a direct result of launching the so called "Toronto Blessing", a supposed outpouring of the Holy Spirit at the Toronto Airport Vineyard Church (TAVC) (now Catch The Fire Church Toronto) in January 1994. At the initial "revival" meeting, the entire church was overwhelmed by ecstatic phenomena following Clark's address. The Senior Pastor of TAVC, John Arnott, reported that most members fell on the floor "laughing, rolling, and carrying on". {1} These bizarre events occurred as a consequence of Randy Clark's "transferable anointing" in 1993, administered by Rodney Howard-Browne, the earliest known proponent of the "holy laughter" revival phenomenon. Clark continued as the primary speaker at TAVC for a few months, and the so called "blessing" began to spread worldwide. However, as time went on, concerns began to emerge about the authenticity of the "blessing", and some began to question whether the manifestations were truly an outpouring of the Holy Spirit or whether in fact a different spirit was at work. (2 Corinthians 11:4). I advise extreme caution to anyone considering attending the above event, and especially those who are open to receiving "healing" or an "anointing" by the laying on of hands. The whole concept of "transferrable anointing" is highly questionable, and involvement with so called "manifestations of the Spirit" can be extremely dangerous. The aim of these meetings is to suspend critical judgement, usually by lulling the congregation into a false sense of security through emotive mantra type "praise and worship" songs. Typically these revival/healing meetings are accompanied by heterodoxy (heretical teaching) that is incompatible with scripture. The bible instructs us in no uncertain terms to avoid such people. (2 John 1:10-11; Romans 16:17). Those Christians who attend Holy Trinity (or any church associated with them), should consider that the early church were exhorted to be self-controlled and sober-minded. (1 Peter 4:7; Titus 2:2; 1 Timothy 3:2; 1 Corinthians 14:33; Titus 2:6). We should note that when Jesus Christ healed Legion the demoniac, he was restored to his right mind. (Mark 5:15). Jesus healed those who were sick, the demonically possessed and those having seizures etc. (Matthew 4:24). In all cases, those who were healed by Jesus were restored to normality! Biblically, signs are a confirmation that follow the preaching of the truegospel of Jesus Christ: And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by accompanying signs. (Mark 16:20). When Jesus sent out the twelve there were no bizarre manifestations. Those afflicted by demons and the sick were simply delivered and healed: ..they went out and proclaimed that people should repent. And they cast out many demons and anointed with oil many who were sick and healed them. (Mark 6:12-13; Matthew 10:7-8; Acts 5:12). There is no possibility that God would ever confirm the message of false teachers, but Satan manifests himself as an angel of light. (2 Corinthians 11:14; 2 Thessalonians 2:9; Matthew 24:24). Actually the behaviours manifested at these supposed revival events are comparable to those exhibited by people who suffered from demonic oppression/possession prior to being delivered by Jesus. I refer to various manifestations described by NAR "Apostle" Mike Bickle: "..shaking, jerking, loss of bodily strength, heavy breathing, eyes fluttering, lips trembling, oil on the body, changes in skin color, weeping, laughing, drunkenness, staggering, travailing, dancing, falling, visions, hearing audibly into the spirit realm, inspired utterances - prophecy, tongues, interpretation - angelic visitations and manifestations, jumping, violent rolling, screaming, wind, heat, electricity, coldness, nausea as discernment of evil, smelling or tasting good or evil presences, tingling, pain in the body as discernment of illnesses, feeling heavy weight or lightness, trances -altered physical state while seeing into the spirit world, inability to speak normally, disruption of natural realm - electrical circuits blown." {2} Christian author and speaker Andrew Strom has traced the mass invasion of false spirits precisely back to the Toronto Blessing of 1994. He has identified these manifestations as being identical to the Kundalini Spirits of Hinduism. In his review of Strom's book 'Kundalini Warning', Greg Gordon, SermonIndex writes: "The church of Jesus Christ does not realize that it has been infiltrated by demonic forces. Discernment has been lost." {3}
New Apostolic Reformation Concerns
The New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) is very concerning on a number of critical levels:
Randy Clark is the founder of The Apostolic Network of Global Awakening (ANGA). ANGA is an NAR network. As its name implies, Global Awakening are pursuing a future revival on a global level which they describe as "A global great awakening". {4} Global Awakening is an ecumenical organisation that participates in the unbiblical eschatological position widely known as Dominion Theology.
Very briefly, NAR dominionists take Genesis 1:28 out of context as a divine mandate to claim dominion over the earth. They claim that Jesus Christ cannot and will not return until dominion of the earth is achieved by the church physically, spiritually and politically through their seven mountain mandate. {5} According to the NAR this mandate involves a great revival and transference of wealth to NAR leaders. However the scriptures state the precise opposite of these false teachers. Jesus Christ stated unequivocally that at the end of the age many will fall away from the faith (Matthew 24:10), there will be massive deception (Matthew 24: 4,5,11,24), betrayal (Matthew 24:10), and great tribulation (Matthew 24:21). The apostle Paul corroborated Jesus' words and also prophesied a falling away (apostasy) (2 Thessalonians 2:3 cf. 1 Timothy 4:1). Randy Clark is a self confessed "Apostle" of the NAR which is sometimes referred to as "the Third Wave of the Holy Spirit" within charismatic/Pentecostal circles. The NAR was described by its founder, C Peter Wagner, as "..a gradual opening of straight-line evangelical churches to the supernatural ministry of the Holy Spirit without the participants becoming either Pentecostals or Charismatics." {6} NAR apostles and prophets claim to have extraordinary authority above that of the original New Testament apostles. They claim that they are bringing new and crucial revelations that are essential for the church. These claims fly in the face of the scriptures and the orthodox assertion that appears in many doctrinal statements affirming the sufficiency of scripture as the only infallible source of doctrine and practice. (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Since NAR leaders deny the fact that the canon of scripture is closed, they give themselves free reign to pronounce ongoing extra biblical revelations by their own authority. In doing so, they usurp the authority of the scriptures and leave believers with no point of reference by which to test the spirits and determine truth. (1 John 4:1). In alleging the restoration of apostles and prophets, the very foundation laid by the NT is destroyed. (Ephesians 2:20). ..if the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do? (Psalm 11:3).
The credentials for an apostle are clearly laid out in the NT. When choosing a replacement for Judas Iscariot, Peter specified that he must be - "..one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us—one of these men must become with us a witness to his resurrection.” (Acts 1:21-22; (John 15:27;1 Corinthians 9:1; Acts 22:14-15). The apostles were personally chosen by Jesus Christ Himself (Matthew 10:5; Mark 3:13-14; Luke 6:13; Acts 1:24-26; Acts 9:15; Acts 22:14-15,21; Acts 26:16). Jesus was seen alive by the apostles after his resurrection (Acts 1:17, 22, 25). Obviously, none of the above criteria apply to NAR "apostles". (Revelation 2:2).
NAR "Prophet" Simon Braker (Legacy Ministries International), founder of School of the Spirit and Associate Minister at Holy Trinity Church in Leicester will be sharing the platform with Randy Clark at this conference. The office of "Prophet" is also a bogus title. The New Testament refers specifically to the offices of elder and deacon (Titus 1:5; Acts 14:23; Philippians 1:1), but there is no evidence to suggest that prophets held a formal governing office in the church. Furthermore, the gift of prophecy is not the authoritative domain of one certain exalted individual within a congregation. The gifts of the Holy Spirit are distributed according to God's will. (Hebrews 2:4; 1 Corinthians 12:11). In the NT, whatever was spoken by a prophet was to be tested by the others. Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh what is said. (1 Corinthians 14:29; 1 John 4:1). Braker is a mentor of other so called "prophets" and is a self confessed "experience addict", claiming to have been "drunk" for two weeks prior to his antics at Revival Night Ministry on the 14th October 2017 at Living Waters Foursquare Church in London. {7} My assessment of Braker's "performance" at this meeting can be read on the following link:
Beware Of Channeler Simon Braker: School Of The Spirit Leicester.
Simon Braker further advances aberrant NAR teachings at "Revival now (prophetic prayer)". This is a monthly interdenominational eventthat includes the dubious practices of "..personal prophetic ministry and impartation". {8}
Holy Trinity Church in Leicester (CofE) is at the epicentre of the false doctrine being promoted in the city. John McGinley, Vicar of Holy Trinity, is New Wine Regional Director for the Midlands and East and is also an "Apostle".
In fact Randy Clark, Simon Braker and their associates perfectly meet the criteria of the false prophets/teachers described by Jesus Christ and His apostles in the New Testament. The scriptures are replete with warnings about false teachers: Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. (Matthew 7:15). I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. (Acts 20:20-30).
Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons.. (1 Timothy 4:1). For if someone comes and proclaims another Jesus than the one we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or if you accept a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it readily enough. (2 Corinthians 11:4) Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God. (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4).
