A major Pentecostal denomination released a paper Tuesday stating the church’s position on the apostolic movement that included a warning on false prophets.
The International Pentecostal Holiness Church (IPHC), a 108-year-old traditional Pentecostal denomination with about 4.2 million members in 95 countries, states its commitment to the Word and the leadership of the Holy Spirit in its 21-page “Apostolic Biblical Statement and Practical Guidelines.”
“God is moving in these days with an emphasis on the apostolic anointing and the prophetic,” said Presiding Bishop James D. Leggett, in a statement. “The Apostolic Position Paper recognizes and provides for the exercising of apostolic leadership. Yet it gives a word of caution about false prophets. The balanced approach is good for the church today.”
The document covers three levels of the apostolic: Jesus Christ, the foremost apostle; the twelve apostles, the foundational apostles; and functional apostles, who functioned both in the scriptures and in the church today.
The role of apostles is to “plant the gospel in every culture worldwide” and to do it on the “base built by Jesus Christ, the foremost Apostle, and His foundational apostles,” the document stated.
“We recognize the ministry of functional apostles and bishops in church history as having a close resemblance,” the paper read. “We also recognize that false apostles appeared in the apostolic church as well as in the church history, and that we must remain alert to the continuing danger of these emissaries of Satan.”
Pentecostalism is one of the fastest growing segments of global Christianity with at least 500 million adherents worldwide. But along with its successful growth has come problems of false teachers who vow miraculous healing, promises of pending fortune in exchange for church donations that are used for their own personal wealth.
Many mainline Christian leaders in Africa have denounced false prophets who claim to be anointed Pentecostal preachers.
In the section titled, “Recognizing True and False Apostles,” the document states that there are false apostles, or people who are not appointed by God but rather “carnal men [who] usurped the role for their own glory.”
To distinguish true and false apostles, the document gave a list of characteristics of a true apostle that includes: ministers with total faithfulness to the writings and teachings of the foundational apostles; accept personal responsibility for the Lord’s Great Commission, even at great cost to themselves; continue to serve even when no one confers on them a title or recognizes their role; and are free from the love of money.
“The Apostolic Position Paper presents a sound Biblical foundation for both the historical and present day Apostolic Ministry,” said Rev. Ed Wood, Chairman of the Apostolic Commission. “The paper is the result of the International Pentecostal Holiness seeking to be Biblically based in its position regarding the current apostolic movement.”
In 2005, the denomination's General Executive Board, at the request of the General Conference delegates, commissioned seven denominational scholars and theologians to conduct a biblical/historical study of the role of apostle in the church today. The board also invited a representative from each of the denomination's 28 regional offices to participate.
The document was presented to the General Board of Administration, the highest governing body between General Conference sessions, and approved by the board on Oct. 30, 2007, with minor changes.
The document also includes practical guidelines for apostolic ministries and other current theological issues in the IPHC.
IPHC is a charter member of the National Association of Evangelicals, the Pentecostal World Conference, and was instrumental in creating the Pentecostal & Charismatic Churches of North America.
Comments
When the apostles were disputing among themselves as to who was the "greatest" - Our Lord called them together for a disclosure of His organizational plan. He said, “Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. But it shall NOT BE SO AMONG YOU: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant.” (Matthew 20:25-27) From this, it is clear Jesus was strongly opposed to any “prince” or “princes” exercising dominion over His flock.
Historically, it was not until the 3rd century, nearly 200 years after our Lord’s return to His heavenly throne, that a bishop of Rome – one of hundreds of independent bishops existing at that time – cited Matthew 16:18 as evidence Peter had been appointed bishop of Rome and head of the Church. This was a brazen grab for power by Calixtus 1 whose interpretation of Matthew 16:18 contradicted that of the leading theologians of his day. That grab for power died an ignominious death when Tertullian, bishop of Carthage, and others, called Calixtus 1 a “usurper.” From our vantage point 2000 years later, it is unimpeachable proof that Rome lies when it claims the office of the papacy has been in existence from the time of Peter.
The Catholic claim to "Apostolic succession" is nonsense. The RC church does not have an unbroken line of Apostles going back to Christ. Study Roman Catholic history. This so called line has been broken several times. More than once there have been plural individuals all at once claiming to be the "True Pope" At one time there were 5 popes all at once, all fighting each other and excommunicating each other. The councils booted them all and put in a new guy. Some popes by their own writings declared themselves to be God himself! Some popes were very corrupt, known for their many lovers and for the orgies held in the papal palace. One pope was strangled by his lover, who then placed her son on the Papal Throne. Roman Catholicism teaches Peter to be the first pope, but we find just the opposite. Compare Peter to the Roman Pontiff. The Roman Pontiff for centuries has been carried around on a golden throne and people bow to him and prostrate themselves before him to this day. On the contrary, a man tried to kneel before Peter and Peter yanked him up and forbid him to kneel before a mere man.
"As Peter entered the house, Cornelius met him and fell at his feet in reverence. But Peter made him get up. "Stand up," he said, "I am only a man myself."
(Acts 10:25,26)
Some first pope, huh?
In Catholicism the pope is infallible and cannot error in spiritual matters ( in spite of many popes contradicting their predecessors or saying something completely opposite.) But in the Bible, Peter (the so called "first pope" was openly rebuked and corrected by Paul when he was in error about a spiritual matter:
"When Peter came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he was clearly in the wrong."
(Galatians 2:11)
The so called "Apostolic succession of modern popes has no connection whatsoever to the Apostles in the Bible.
The Roman Catholic Church is by no means the church founded by Jesus Christ. It is an organization that is a product of hundreds of years of evolution and mixture with political power (State Church) and paganism. Compare it to the church in the New Testament and there are no similarities. The Church in the NT was all made up of individuals who had had a personal conversion to Christ and were born again since Jesus stated that is a requirement to see heaven. The vast majority of Catholics have no born again experience and are unconverted. (The pope himself made a statement about "re-evangelizing the baptized" because it is pretty hard to deny the obvious!) Catholicism teaches that involuntarily having water put oin your head as an infant makes you a Christian and a part of Christ's church. The Bible teaches infant baptism nowhere and teaches faith and conversion before baptism always. Christ's church is made up of those who are saved. It is not a vast organization whose majority know nothing about salvation , nor even care and for whom the term "Jesus Christ" is little more than a curse word. Those are the catholics I grew up with. Sure, there are born again catholics, but they are a tiny minority and sometimes even looked down on and persecuted by the catholic leadership in their countries. The True Church of Jesus Christ cannot be one that forbid the Scriptures to the people, fought the distribution of the Word of God, burned Bibles by the hundreds of thousands as well as burning at the stake those who printed or distributed Bibles for centuries as the Catholic church did.
JC, you may use my email. It is below.
Moreover, by not following a base rubrics for worship that was handed down for generation from Apostles to Bishops by holding fast to the Traditions that the Apostles imparted to them would lead to Worship style Relativism. God loves all forms of Adoration which is true, but He specifically loves worship that He personally inspired His people to do.
Specifics do count and that is not being legalistic either. In John 6:66 would you have been the group of Disciples to walk away? Would the Jews at Passover been spared if they used cow's blood above their door instead of the blood of a Lamb?
To ignore the first few centuries of Christian history is to have to re-invent what has already occured but in an improper fashion. It would be like today dressing like Pilgrims and trying to do things like the first settlers did. This is not authentic because its biggest challenge is being anachronistic.
To reject early Christianity and how they worship is to have to much pride. To think that we can worship more authentically than the earliest Christians who may have known not only the Apostles but Jesus Christ and not follow their rubrics of worship as a base would be ingenuine and would also be against Scripture since Paul and all the Apostles had the authority to speak for Christ. "He who hears you hears Me." Their authority was binding and so was their chosen leaders who became Bishops, Priests and Deacons.
a generic email would be @hotmail.com
Peace of Christ be with you.
Wilderness,
I agree with what you wrote and I'll take it another step farther using the Bible. Yes, where two or more are gathered in His name He is present, but that doesn't mean it is Worship. We see clearly in Scripture Christ giving His authority to guide His people to the Apostles and then the Apostles , inspired by the Holy Spirit and clearly in Scripture gave that Authority to the Bishops and Presbyters(many times one of the same) and they do talk about the Eucharist in the Bible. If you want to know if these 27 books of the New Testament wrote down everything Jesus said, then Scripture will tell you that it would be impossible. Jesus conveyed everthing by preaching and the Apostles took what the Holy Spirit wanted at that time to reveal.
We see Historically but not in the Bible how the early Christians understood what the Apostles taught them. I would trust that more than what some Pastor says 1900 years late. So, you know you are properly worshipping God when you are assemled with other Christians in the presence of the Bishop or Presbyter who is in charge of guiding Christ flock for that area and you celebrate the Eucharist. Worship has always been a form of Sacrifice. The Synagogue was used for reading the Torah, but that wasn't worship per se. Worship has many facets like adoration, like prayer with adoration, song and a Sacrifice like in the Temple. You must offer sacrifice for it to be a true worship service which was true with the Jews and was true with the early Christians. The ultimate sacrifice was on Calvary, and the Mass is re-presentation of that one time Sacrifice through the bread and wine being offered and being obediant to Christ ordinance by doing this in rememberance of Him.
Singing and praying are all forms of worship, but nothing can be considered the fullness of Christian worship without the re-presentation of Calvary through the Bread and Wine which becomes the body and blood of our Savior thus eating and drinking of it we are cleansed of our sins and Grace is infused in us. God's Grace, after all, is what saves.
To msnchris70:
Dear one, I will be glad to answer your questions, quite a bit though, have to give me some time.
In the meantime, may I ask you just one question? Where in the Bible does it define worship? Isn't that what we're suppose to be doing in church? If that is so, which it is, why is there no clear definition of "how to"?
My only conclusion is that worship is an individual, personal entrance into His presence. Where two or more are gathered, He is there. To suggest anything else is contrary to what is written and is an attempt to limiting His power.
If you wish, I would like to answer these questions for you. I want to give you solid information, that is not just based upon experience, but on His word as well. I don't know how long this post will last though. Do you feel comfortable with supplying me a generic email address? If not, I will seek you through other posts.
Yes Wilderness I knew what you meant.
Calling Mary the Queen of Heaven is not a Doctrine by the way, it is a solely a Title. Did calling King David's mother Queen take away from David? No, and either does calling Mary the Queen of Heaven. Also, we call her Queen of Mary because of four points pulled out from Scripture.
1. The Angel Gabriel said, "Hail, Mary" At that time 2000 years ago and in context, and under inspiration of the Holy Spirit the Angel Gabriel said "Hail, Mary." Hail is a term ONLY used for Royalty.
2. In the Davidid Royal Line, the Son was always the King and the Mother(NOT THE WIFE) was always the Queen. Following Jewish Royal Tradition it is not unreasonable to call Mary Queen, since her Son is the King of Kings and of the Davidic line.
3. Paul talks about in Scripture how we will receive our Crowns in heaven. What is a crown, it is a sign of ALL OF OUR Royal Priesthood. You will get a crown too, WILDERNESS.
4. We clearly see Mary in Revelation, where John sees her body and soul in Heaven with a crown above her head.
It is not unreasonable to understand with these Scriptures and understanding Jewish custom why Mary was considered Queen of Heaven. The Title of Queen of Heaven again is not a doctrine, and it honorific Title that had been used since the 2nd Century. It in no way takes away from Christ who LIKE YOU SAID IS THE TRUTH.
I will go one farther for you; Christ is the ONly Truth, the ONly Life and the WAy to Salvation. You can't get Salvation through Mary, it is solely through Christ which is the doctrine of the Catholic Church.
Lastly, Catholicism is a complex Religion but at the center of all it's rituals, Traditions and faith is solely Jesus Christ. If anything of our faith in Catholicism doesn't lead you further in a relationship with Christ then it is FALSE and not 0f the Holy Spirit. Rest assured, no Catholic worships Mary and just because we love her doesn't mean we think for one minute our salvation comes from anyone but JESUS CHRIST. We just give her due honor for her role in saying "YES". Just like I give my own parents honor like the 4th commandment says, because they also brought me to Christ.
msnchris70,
No, the lesson is not over until Christ returns. Until then, may the lessons of truth move forward, delivering the multitudes from sin, and many more from false doctrines. Yes, that would include the false doctrines of Catholicism.
May you eventually come to the knowledge of the truth of the simplicity that is in Christ. In closing, Christ would never build a church upon a foundation that would eventually try to overthrow half His kingdom by establishing a "queen” of heaven.
To Wilderness,
AMEN AMEN! I agree with everthing you wrote!!!!
Now if only Martin Luther, John Calvin, Wesley, Zwingli, King Henry the 8th, Simon Mennon, John Knox, John Smith, Mrs. Ellen White, William Miller, Charles Fox Parham, T. Cartwright, Seabury, Brown, Wycliff, John Huss, and George Fox and the many other 20,000 founders of new sects of Christianity would have read these Scriptures you posted!!!
Thank you for posting them. Maybe if they would have all read these Scripture versus then Christianity wouldn't be so divided.
By the way, all the above list none of these founders agree with any of the other Founders on important issues, so they say the Holy Spirit guided them to start their own religion. I don't think so!
20,000 plus denominations all claiming the Holy Spirit guiding them all claiming they have the Truth and yet we all know only ONE CAN BE RIGHT!
The only Church founded by Jesus Christ on the Apostles is the Holy Catholic Church. Our founder is Jesus. End of Subject! Lesson over.
Take heed, lest you find yourself caught upon the pompous winds of deception. Flying higher, higher still, until the written word of God is buried deep beneath the ashes of vain traditions, no longer a solid weight to ground a man in sound doctrine.
“For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears” (Ac 20:29-31).
Take heed, lest you are drawn away from Christ, spoiled through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world.
“For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears” (Ac 20:29-31).
Take heed, lest you are drawn away, in vain worshipping God, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.