Apostolic-Prophetic Movement

The Apostolic-Prophetic Movement (AP movement) is a US-based Christian movement founded in the early 2000s. It is a network of non-denominational alliances of independent churches and ministries.

Overview

The movement is rooted in the Charismatic movement, and is seen in Charismatic, Pentecostal, and Third-Wave and Prophetic elements.

The AP movement believes that in restoring elements of what it calls the Five-Fold Ministry, based on Ephesians 4:13. Apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers are considered legitimate offices of the church and are seen as prayer warriors, responsible for ushering in the return of Jesus and the Kingdom of God through prayer.[1] According to one source, the coalition is active across the US and about 40 countries, and includes several hundred apostles, international training centres, and prayer warriors' communication networks.

Beliefs and Creeds

The movement has grown out of the Christian Charismatic movement, and embraces the powers of the Holy Spirit (the divine force of God).

The movement is wide and varied. Many churches hold to the Apostles’ Creed, Nicene Creed and Athanasian Creed.[2] However, some individual churches will hold to the Nicene Creed only and part with what they call "historical Christianity."

The Movement emphasises the importance of Christians going into spiritual warfare at three levels: "Ground Level: Person-to-person, praying for each other's personal needs. Occult Level: deals with demonic forces released through activities related to forms of structured occultism. Strategic-Level or Cosmic-Level: To bind and bring down spiritual principalities and powers that rule over governments."[3] "Strategic-level intercession" uses "spiritual mapping" and "tearing down strongholds" to engage in spiritual warfare against "territorial spirits".[4]

Purpose

The stated purpose of the AP Movement is to restore the ministries of prophets and apostles to the church. They believe the restoration of the five ministry gifts will fulfil the purpose for which they were given: the equipping and perfecting of the saints in Christ's image and ministry. Prophets and apostles are preparing church members for their full day of manifesting the Kingdom of God for a witness to every nation.[5][6]

The movement is not an organization and does not have formal membership.[7]

History

Around the time of the Second Great Awakening, leaders like Joseph Smith introduced the concept of the restoration of living prophets and apostles to guide religious movements in the United States. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in particular, grew substantially over the next 100 years with its members sustaining many prophets and apostles over that time. Much later, the modern movement quickly spread among evangelicals courtesy of early mass-marketing techniques used by megachurches and religious corporations. Early 20th century leaders were Paul Cain and Bill Hamon. Hamon introduced the idea of a Prophetic Movement coming and was instrumental in birthing and pioneering the restoration of prophets, especially in the form of the Elijah company of prophets and activating and training devout Christians in prophetic ministry. John Eckhardt and C. Peter Wagner were prominent figures in pioneering and propagating the Apostolic Movement.

After the restoration of apostles began to be propagated, many apostles appeared throughout the United States and other countries.[8]

The majority of ministers and members of the AP Movement came from the former Charismatic Movement churches. The ministry was in the form of preaching the Word of God, accompanied by personal prophecy. Hundreds of prophets went to other countries and prophesied to national leaders. The apostles began manifesting signs and wonders, while the saints were taught and activated in divine healing and the working of miracles. Apostolic order (local and global) began to be established, based on the Five-Fold Ministry as described in Ephesians 4. Church planting was implemented and many people began to work for “the unity of the Church, the restoration of all things, and the promotion of the Kingdom of God."[9]

Pioneers

Hamon and Wagner worked together in propagating the Apostolic Movement. Hamon had the original vision for the restoration of apostles and Wagner was the theologian who began to write and give designations for the different types of apostles and their various functions. The movement was called the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) and grew at a rate of nine million people per year. T

C. Peter Wagner, former professor of Church Growth at Fuller Theological Seminary of World Mission, founder of Global Harvest Ministries and presiding apostle and founder of the International Coalition of Apostles, and cofounder of World Prayer Center, played a pivotal role as the leading apostle of the movement from the 1980s to the 2000s.[10]

Seven Mountain Mandate

The 5-fold ministry was initially restored and applied to religious centres, whereby five-fold ministers were seen to emerge to equip and raise up devout believers in God. It is now working on the next stage of becoming more prevalent across the various spectrums of society, under the Seven Mountain Mandate. The seven spectrums of society which 7M wishes to be claimed for God are: Religion, Family, Education, Government, Media, Arts & Entertainment and Business.

The goal is to see more devoted Christians working effectively across society. Speaking on Patricia King's Extreme Prophetic TV broadcast, Lance Wallnau said: "the Seven Mountains are almost a template for spiritual warfare because the church so frequently does not have a language for how it goes about taking territory."[11]

In Apostle Bill Hamon's 2010 book Prophetic Scriptures Yet to Be Fulfilled, he describes the fascinating transformation of the seven mountains of culture, and how every nation will become either a sheep or a goat nation. In the end, the restoration of all things spoken of by the apostles and prophets will supposedly release Jesus to return and set up His domain over all the earth, as written in the New Testament of the Bible in Acts 3.

In effect, the Movement is working to be restored to the same power, energy, and fullness of faith as that of the Early Church. As more teachers, prophets, and apostles are trained up, the movement is planning the establishment of apostolic centres in various cities, as training centres for equipping and motivating believers to be ready for ministry and the works of transformation across the seven mountains of society. These apostolic centres are not pastoral churches or denominational institutions, but are regarded as being part of a marketplace ministry that is led and governed by local ministers. The goal is to achieve change in cities and nations (verified by standard social scientific measuring equipment and by independent professional sociologists), as stated by C. P. Wagner in his book, The Church in the Workplace.

Kansas City Prophets

Some of those who shaped the current AP Movement were based in Kansas City, Missouri and became known as the "Kansas City Prophets." They originated in the late 1980s and early 1990s at Kansas City Fellowship (KCF) whose influence eventually went international. It was overseen by the Pastor of KCF, Mike Bickle. Included in the list of prophetic people were Bob Jones, Paul Cain, Bill Hamon, Larry Randolph, James Goll, Jill Austin, and John Paul Jackson.[12][13] John Wimber provided some oversight from the Vinyard during the first few years. Cain had participated in the Healing Revival initiated by William Branham during the 1950s. The prophets (except Bickle) have left Kansas City but continue to be active in ministry throughout North America. Some Said It Thundered was written and published in 1991, during what is considered to be the height of their movement. A later book, A Life and Legacy of Pat Bickle and a History of the Kansas City Prophets also contains notes on their history.

The Apostolic Roundtable

The Apostolic Roundtable was a society of 25 apostles, convened by C. Peter Wagner that included Karl A. Barden, Bob L. Beckett, W. Rice Brookes, Emanuele Cannistraci, Gregory Dickow, Michael P. Fletcher, Chuck Pierce, Ché Ahn, Harold Caballeros, Naomi Dowdy, John Eckhardt, Bill Hamon], Jim Hodges, John P. Kelly, Lawrence Kennedy, Lawrence Khong, David Kwang-Shin Kim, Larry H. Kreider, Alan Langstaff, Roberts Liardon, Dexter Low, Mel Mullen, Alistair Petrie, and Eddie Villanueva.[14][15]

Criticisms

As many churches and individuals in the AP Movement do not hold with the Three Ecumenical Creeds, they are seen as having moved away from mainstream Christianity. Dr. Roger Olson writes, “…the closer I looked at the NARM [New Apostolic Reformation Movement] the less convinced I was that it is a cohesive movement at all. It seems more like a kind of umbrella term for a loose collection of independent ministries that have a few common interests...I have examined the web sites of several independent evangelists who claim to represent that affinity...So far none of them seem blatantly heretical. Eccentric, non-mainline, a bit fanatical, maybe.”[16] C Peter Wagner provided the key differences between the NAR and traditional Protestantism in his article The New Apostolic Reformation Is Not a Cult.[17] He noted that those participating in the movement believe the Apostles’ Creed and adhere to orthodox Christian doctrine.

Definition of Apostle (In the AP Movement)

1. Apostle as an evangelist and bishop: "An 'apostle' [is] one who is called and sent by Christ to have the spiritual authority, character, gifts, and abilities to successfully reach and establish people in Kingdom truth and order, especially through founding and overseeing local churches,"[18] according to David Cannistraci, author of two books on the Apostolic Movement and the lead pastor of Gateway City Church in San Jose, California.[19]

2. Apostle as a church planter: "The apostolic gift leaves churches in its wake." It is characterized by a "paternal bond between apostles and pastors."[20]

Apostolic networks

Apostolic networks are non-denominational alliances of independent churches and ministries.[21] Apostolic networks of non-denominational alliances of churches and ministries are among the fastest growing movements in the modern Christian world.[22] The following are examples of apostolic networks.

Network of Christian Ministries

In July 1982, while guest speakers at Emanuele Cannistraci's church, Evangel Christian Fellowship, Bishop John Giminez (founder of Rock Church and Washington for Jesus), Charles Green[23] and Mel Davis, along with Cannistraci, conceived the idea to form The Network of Christian Ministries ("The Network").[24] The Network was a major apostolic network formally established in 1984 in Washington D.C.[25][26] By 1989, most of the national leaders in the charismatic renewal had joined The Network.[27]

The founders of The Network were Cannistraci, Giminez, Charles Green, Paul Paino, Thomas Reid, David Schoch, Dick Iverson, Bob Weiner, and John Meares.[28][29] Other prominent ministers on the Board of Governors included Kenneth Copeland, Charles Simpson, Ken Sumrall, Mel Davis, Charles Blair,[30] and Roderick Caesar, Sr.[31][28]

The twelve "national leaders" and "apostles" of the Apostolic Presbytery were from all "streams" of the full gospel charismatic movement who truly represent the nation.[32] The twelve apostles included Emanuele Cannistraci, Dick Benjamin, Charles Green, Paul Paino, Roderick Caesar, Sr., John Hagee, Dick Iverson], Charles Simpson, John Casteel, Houston Miles, and Ken Sumrall. The "apostolic fathers" met as a larger "congress of elders" and board of governors "to address issues confronting the church and society."[26] The apostles were recognized as "national leaders" that were truly representative of the myriad of Christian fellowships across the country.[32]

The Network started a national movement that united leaders from diverse fellowships, denominations, and ministries across the nation.[33] Thousands of ministers across the US were invited to be part of The Network. The purpose of The Network was to unify and strengthen the Church. The Constitution also included the power to establish churches, missions, schools, colleges, and hospitals, to train chaplains for government and military service, and to set up an affiliated political action organization.[28] The unity movement spread internationally as ministers in other countries joined The Network.[34]

At the 1989 convention in Anaheim, there was a collective appeal from younger ministers for mentorship to pass on the elders' "reservoir of knowledge", "giftings", and "legacy" to the "next generation of world changers". The Network ultimately disbanded as it was unable to adapt to the appeal for mentorship.[27]

Other networks
  • The Antioch Network of Churches and Ministries. (Evangel Christian Fellowship, San Jose, CA)[24][35]
  • Antioch Churches & Ministries (helped establish churches in 46 nations).[36] Emanuele Cannistraci "patriarchal" apostle. John P. Kelly original "overseeing" apostle. Exemplifies how apostolic teams resolve issues in contrast to denominational structures[37]
  • Apostolic Missions International[38] (Emanuele Cannistraci, 'fathering apostle). Apostolic Leadership Summit[39][40]
  • The International Fellowship of Faith Ministries (2000 churches)[26]
  • International Convention of Faith Churches & Ministries (495 churches; headquarters in Tulsa)[26]
  • Faith Christian Fellowship International (1,000 ordained ministers)[26]
  • National Leadership Conference, Jim Jackson (represents other networks)[26]
  • Fellowship of Christian Assemblies (101 churches)[26]
  • Harvest International Ministries (HIM) (25,000 affiliated ministries and organizations in over 65 nations)[41]
  • Wagner University (training revivalists in apostolic and prophetic ministry)[42]

References
  1. McAlister, Elizabeth (2016-01-02). "The militarization of prayer in America: White and Native American spiritual warfare". Journal of Religious and Political Practice. 2 (1): 114–130. doi:10.1080/20566093.2016.1085239. ISSN 2056-6093.
  2. "IHOPKC Creeds". IHOPKC. Archived from the original on 2012-11-19.
  3. C. Peter Wagner. Confronting the Powers: How the New Testament Church Experienced the Power of Strategic-level Spiritual Warfare. Regal Books; 1996. ISBN 978-0-8307-1819-1.pp.21-22
  4. Confronting the Powers
  5. Bill Hamon, Apostles, Prophets and the Coming Moves of God: End time Plan for his Church on Planet Earth (Shippensburg, PA: Destiny Image Publishing, 1987).
  6. C. Peter Wagner, Churchquake: How The New Apostolic Reformation is Shaking the Church as We Know It (Ventura CA: Regal Books, 1999), 5.).
  7. Michael Brown (30 April 2018). "Dispelling the Myths About NAR (the New Apostolic Reformation)". Ask Dr. Brown. Retrieved 22 August 2018.
  8. C. Peter Wagner, Dominion: How Kingdom Action can Change the World (Grand 9 Rapids, MI: Chosen Books, Baker Publishing Group 2008), chapter 1.
  9. Hector Torres, The Restoration of the Apostles and the Prophets (Nashville, TN: 14 Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2001)
  10. The Rise of the New Apostolic Reformation and its Implication for Adventist Eschatology, Trevor O'Reggio Andrews University
  11. Lance Wallnau, Bill Johnson, The 7 Mountain Mandate. (Destiny Image Publishing, 2013).
  12. Poloma, Margaret M. (2003). Main Street Mystics: The Toronto Blessing and Reviving Pentecostalism. Rowman Altamira. pp. 170, 195. ISBN 9780759103542.
  13. Friesen, Aaron T. (2013-02-19). Norming the Abnormal: The Development and Function of the Doctrine of Initial Evidence in Classical Pentecostalism. Wipf and Stock Publishers. p. 144. ISBN 9781621895671.
  14. Wagner, Peter. New Apostolic Roundtable. C. Peter Wagner's Box 26, Folder 6 (1 of 2) Part 3, New Apostolic Roundtable. (Retrieved from Fuller Theological Seminary Digital Commons Archives) https://digitalcommons.fuller.edu/findingaids/9/
  15. "New Apostolic Roundtable". Ministries Today Magazine. July–August 2000.
  16. Roger Olson (25 June 2015). "Is the "New Apostolic Reformation Movement" a Cult?". Patheos. Retrieved 22 August 2018.
  17. Wagner, C. Peter. "The New Apostolic Reformation Is Not a Cult". Charisma News.
  18. Cannistraci, Dr. David (1998). Apostles and the Emerging Apostolic Movement. Ventura, Calif.: Regal Books. ISBN 978-0-8307-2338-6. OCLC 180766628.
  19. "Find a Location".
  20. Skye, Jethani. "Apostles Today?". Christianity Today.
  21. Wagner, C. Peter (1999). Church Quake: How the New Apostolic Reformation is Shaking the Church as We Know It. Ventura, California: Regale Books. ISBN 9780830719150.
  22. Barrett, David B.; Kurian, George Thomas; Johnson, Todd, M. (2020). World Christian Encyclopedia: A Comparative Survey of Churches and Religions in The Modern World. Vol. 2 Volume Set (2nd ed.). Oxford University Press. ISBN 9780195724356.
  23. Green, Charles (December 1985). "A Network for Unity - Charles Green shares how leaders, some once opposed to each other, are coming together" (PDF). New Wine Magazine. Integrity Communications: 20–22.
  24. Cannistraci, David (1996). The Gift of Apostle: A Biblical Look at Apostleship and How God Is Using It to Bless His Church Today. Regal Books. pp. 194–195. ISBN 978-0830718450.
  25. Meares, John, L. Bishop (Agent) (October 4, 1984). "DC.Gov. Online Portal: Welcome to Corp Online. Business Filings Search. Find Your Organization". Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs. District of Columbia, USA. Network of Christian Ministries. File #843701. Non-Profit Corporation. Domestic.
  26. Hawkes, Paul. "A Critical Analysis of the Third and Fourth Wave of Pentecostalism." Doctoral Thesis. The University of South Africa. (August 25, 2009) Institutional Repository. Pages 124-125. "Networks are loose associations of leaders and ministers of independent charismatic churches [...] for the purpose of fellowship, mutual encouragement, the sharing of information, insights, and ideas [...] Major examples are: [...] Network of Christian Ministries, Emanuele Cannistraci, John Gimenez, Charles Green [...] In 1988, the Network of Christian Ministries began [...] recognizing apostolic fathers, high-profile leaders [...] who sit together as one board of governors [...] annually as a ‘Congress of Elders’ to address issues confronting the church and society."
  27. Cannistraci, David, Dr. (1998). Apostles and the Emerging Apostolic Movement: A Biblical Look at Apostleship and How God is Using It to Bless His Church Today. pp. 15, 194–195. ISBN 9780830723386.
  28. " Constitution of Network of Christian Ministries". Du Plessis Files 77.10. (Retrieved from Digital Archives of Fuller Theological Seminary). https://digitalcommons.fuller.edu/findingaids/9/
  29. Hamil Harris (2011-05-26). "Evangelical bishop John Meares dies at 91". The Washington Post. Washington, D.C. ISSN 0190-8286. OCLC 1330888409.
  30. "Rev. Blair, 88, was megachurch pioneer". 22 August 2009.
  31. Green, Charles, Chairman of Network of Christian Ministries. Report to Board of Governors. (November 11, 1986) Du Plessis Files Nos. 30.51.(Retrieved from Digital Commons Archives of Fuller Theological Seminary). https://digitalcommons.fuller.edu/findingaids/9/
  32. Gruen, Ernest, J. and staff (1990). "Documentation of the Aberrant [sic] Practices and Teachings of Kansas City Fellowship (Grace Ministries)" (PDF). Birthpangs.org. The Christian Broadcasting Network Inc. (April 28, 1990) Memo to 700 Counselors: "CBN staff [...] told me [...] Mike Bickle [...] contacted the Network of Christian Ministries for the purpose [...] to arbitrate the differences between Ernie Gruen and himself... providential that both ... would separately and independently contact NCM for this purpose. Pages 25-26. Republished with permission by Banner Ministries. pp. 9, 26–28. [...] handing this problem off to national leaders [...] The Network of Christian Ministries has agreed to mediate [...] men with national ministries [...] national leaders [...] Apostolic Presbyters of the Network of Christian Ministries [...] These twelve men [...] represent all streams of the full/gospel Charismatic ministry of our nation [...] integrity [...] truly apostles [...] represent the nation.
  33. Copeland, Ken; Wimber, John; Simpson, Charles; Giminez, John (January 1986). "Equipping the Saints. How unity of Church leaders affects believers". New Wine Magazine: Cover story and page 6, 14–18.
  34. Green, Charles, Dr. Report by Chairman of Network of Christian Ministries to Board of Governors. (November 11, 1986) (Retrieved from Du Plessis Files Nos. 30.51. Digital Archives of Fuller Theological Seminary). https://digitalcommons.fuller.edu/findingaids/9/
  35. "The Antioch Network of Churches and Ministries". The Evangel Update. (Retrieved from Gateway City Church Archives): A Publication of Evangel Christian Fellowship, San Jose, CA. Autumn 1994. p. 6. The challenge and hope of a new network of associated churches and ministries continues to grow as letters and applications come in response to our recent Charisma Magazine advertisement.
  36. Kelly, John P. Antioch Church and Ministries. South Lake, Texas. (Retrieved June 7, 2020).
  37. Wagner, C. Peter. "Apostles and Prophets: The Foundation of the Church" (2000). ISBN 9780800797324.
  38. Delph, Ed (May 25, 2020). "Honor Your Community - Community Will Honor You". Nation Strategy.
  39. Murrell, Steve; Murrell, William (October 28, 2016). The Multiplication Challenge: A Strategy to Solve Your Leadership Shortage. Charisma House. pp. 129, 141–143, 146, 201. ISBN 9781629985749. [A]t the International Summit [...] my mentor [...] Emanuele Cannistraci [...] spent most of the time travelling the world [...] strengthening pastors [...] ministered to our church and to our leaders many times [...] after our mission imploded [...] Pastor C [...] treated us like [...] his own staff. He mentored us - teaching us by example, how to do ministry with integrity, how to do life with joy, and how to do family with no regrets [...] all the lessons we learned [...] annual[ly] travelling with them to the Philippine provinces to do ministry, their impartation [...] was transformational [...] at 84 years old he still circles the globe preaching the gospel and mentoring next generation leaders.
  40. “Honoring the Man of God: Apostle C Tribute" (2020). Bethel Productions. Video presented at Apostolic Leadership Summit by: •Kenneth Bent •John Benefiel •Steve & Nancy Boyce; •Ed Delph; •Sun Fannin; •Brad Hall; •Ron Hammonds; •Mary-Alice Islieb • Napoleon Kaufman •Klayton and Sharon Ko, •John & LaNell Miller; •Gerry McCoy•Steve Murrel • Gerry & Sherill Piscopo; • Gordon P. Robertson •Mike Servello •Sid Sumida; •Ralph & Cindy Vogel.
  41. "Harvest International Ministry – Changing Lives, Transforming Cities, Discipling Nations". Retrieved 2021-11-18.
  42. "Wagner University – Ignite Transformers". wagner.university. Retrieved 2021-11-18.
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