False Gospels and False Bibles, Part 1A

False Gospels and False Bibles, Part 1A
Monday, July 26, 2021 by Dr. James W. Walraven

Categories: Apologetics / Apostasy / Contemporary issues / The church / Thought for Today

The New Apostolic Reformation, the NAR. In the previous entry we looked at an experience I had with a ministry that appeared legitimate but probably was not. That ministry was connected to the NAR, a group made up mostly of charismatics, pentecostals, and some evangelicals, that believe God is restoring the offices of apostles and prophets.

Those in the NAR maintain that everyone must come under the authority of those restored apostles and prophets, as they are the only ones who are receiving new revelations from God. Those who are not under that “covering” have no spiritual protection and are in grave danger from evil spiritual forces. With spiritual power and authority resting on only a few individuals, the movement appears to be a rapidly growing, high-powered cult. The question is: What do they believe and teach?

So again, how does one find out the beliefs of the NAR? As we will see, podcasts can give a clue, but it is better to start with published statements of faith. Fortunately, two groups that are at the forefront of the NAR do have statements of faith: Bethel Church in Redding California, and the International House of Prayer in Kansas City (IHoPKC).

As we have seen, some groups in the NAR hide what they believe, and don’t even publish a statement of faith. It brings back memories of the “mystery meat” of junior high school cafeterias. You were eating something, but you had no idea what it was. One’s stomach could typically survive that stuff. But ingesting unknown spiritual “food”—most likely doctrines of demons—can prove eternally fatal.

Bethel’s summary statement of faith is what one would expect in terms of the nature of God, salvation, and the Bible. But there are “red flags.” First, they strongly endorse a new translation of the Bible: The Passion Translation (we will examine that “translation” in detail later). Second, they insist all Christians should perform signs and wonders. Quoting from their website: “Every believer is a supernatural minister of the gospel of power…. We equip and send the church to carry on the signs and wonders that followed Jesus.” In addition, their Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry (BSSM) promises to teach students how to live in their true kingdom authority, the supernatural ways of royalty. Third, they are part of the NAR: “We embrace the biblical government of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers.” Although much more detailed, Although much more detailed, IHoPKC’s statement of faith makes similar points.

Jesus gives a stern warning about those who focus on performing sings and wonders. Matthew 7:22–23: “Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me you who practice lawlessness’” (NAU).

When it comes to Bethel Redding’s practices, the importance of Jesus’s stern warnings will become evident. Bethel’s statement of faith is concerning enough; as we will see in the next post, their actions, the signs and wonders they endorse, are contrary to “the faith once handed down”.

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