As others have pointed out, it's not really new. There have been claims to apostleship all through history. And I don't believe it's apostolic, for reasons I have already shared in past blogs. It is a reformation of sorts, but more of a reorganization. These men, and women, look out over the church as they see it today, and see the need for revival. True enough that the church needs reviving.

But they also see the need for new leadership. And they believe they are that new leadership. Why? Because there are supposed to be apostles in charge. And where are these apostles? Why, right here! "C'est moi!" They have banded together in organizations all over the nation and all over the world, asking for voluntary obedience of God's people.

As Muhammad, Joseph Smith, Rome, they feel that the Word that has been given to us by the original apostles is not sufficient. They believe that pastors and teachers and evangelists are not sufficient. That the working of the Spirit through the present leadership is not sufficient. That we need more. We need them.

In fairness, they are more correct in doctrine than the Muslims, the Romanists, and the Mormons.

But they are not all they claim to be in terms of the Bible.

They are frankly awful when it comes to Biblical prophecy. And this, combined with their philosophy of ministry, amounts to a perverted way of looking at the Church and Its Mission. In their eyes, our goal is to establish a perfect Christian society here and now, after which Jesus, who will be so pleased with what he sees, will come and join us where we will live happily ever after.

This is called amillenialism. No millennium. No 1000 year period as predicted by John, a direct perversion of truth found in the Book of Revelation.

Well the happily ever after part is right. But how we get to the Perfect Day of Christ is totally contrary to the faith we have held dear. Biblically, there is the vengeance of Christ on His enemies in a literal bloodbath of judgment. The day of judgment. Where do you hear much about the day of judgment in the church of Jesus these days? In the NAR churches, you will not hear it at all!

But it's coming. And since it isn't being preached much, the prophecies about shocked people at the end of time will come to pass. And woe to the men of God who did not warn their people of this coming judgment!

This non-judgmental approach to things religious is very prevalent in secular circles. Sadly enough, it is also the prevailing philosophy of most pulpits. You'll find there a greater or lesser form of universalism, the pernicious teaching that everyone will probably be saved one way or another.

We hear this in the media all the time. When one of the world's people dies, they will say something like, "Now he is in a better place." "Harry Carey is now announcing baseball games in Heaven." "This lovely musician [who lived totally for the world, the flesh, and the Devil] is now leading heaven's choir." And the church just smilingly goes along with it! Universalism, a part of the new religion that's coming and is in great part here already.

The New Apostolic Reformation doesn't go that far, and leads people to the cross. But it also leads people to itself, in a way that they have accused the mainline denominations of doing. That's why I see it as only a re-organization, with the new guys on top, not a reformation.

But the point they want to make, and I want to deny: There are Apostles today. The Apostles are being restored. The Apostles have been found.

Folks, the apostles were never lost. They are still back there (take a look in your mind's eye) holding up the walls of the city.

Examine carefully I Corinthians 3:10-17. The foundation, Christ, has been laid. Christ, and His Word through His apostles, has been laid. What do you dare to lay on this foundation? Beware builders!