WARNING to THE "APOSTLES" -by Andrew Strom.

WARNING to THE "APOSTLES"
-Andrew Strom.

An Open Letter to Peter Wagner, Dutch Sheets & Other "Apostles".

I recently received a report of a new "Apostolic Network" headed
up by Dutch Sheets which held a gathering in Florida last week to
"carve up" territories for it's 'apostles', etc. I need to put in writing
what I believe the Lord would say to these men.

But first I need to remind us all of something. On June 23rd, 2008,
a group of "apostles and prophets" under Peter Wagner's headship
stood on a stage in Lakeland at the Todd Bentley revival - to lay
on hands and commission him, etc. But it was far more than that.
Peter Wagner called it an "apostolic alignment." He made the
following statement before all the TV cameras and all the people:

"I take the apostolic authority that God has given me and I decree
to Todd Bentley:
-Your power will increase.
-Your authority will increase.
-Your favor will increase.
-Your influence will increase.
-Your revelation will increase.
I also decree that:
-A new supernatural strength will flow through this ministry.
-A new life force will penetrate this move of God..."

Onlookers might have thought that Wagner was 'prophesying' the
above statements. But actually what he felt he was doing was
"decreeing" these things over Todd - since he was the 'head
apostle'. In a letter the following day, Wagner called this a
"groundbreaking event" and stated that, "We are now in a place
in what I see as the Second Apostolic Age..." (In other words,
a "new era" of real apostles).

So how did that work out for you, Peter? Well, literally within
weeks we found out that many of the "miracles" at Lakeland had
no foundation, and then Todd Bentley's wife separated from him
apparently over an affair he was having - and the entire 'revival' fell
to pieces in the worst way possible. That's how it worked out.

All the big Charismatic leaders that had stood on that stage hardly
knew what to do with themselves - they were so embarrassed.
And none more so than Peter Wagner - after making an "Apostolic
decree" like that. -Probably the most colossal disaster of his life.

So who pulled the rug out from under your "apostolic alignment",
Peter? I need to tell you that there are two responsible parties.
One is 'yourself' - clearly. And the second is GOD - because He
is now pitted against you and your so-called "apostles". He is the
one who did this to you.

You and your friends have presumed to an office and a place over
the Body that is simply not yours, and God is in the process of
taking you 'apostles' down - and all your "networks" with you.

Dutch Sheets - can I ask you please, what gives you the right to
carve up the Body of Christ in North America and parcel it out like
McDonalds franchises to all your buddies so they can be 'apostles'
over their own "territory"? Do you have any idea what you are
playing with? Don't you know that if your buddies are not real New
Testament Apostles then all they are doing is painting huge
targets on themselves and begging for the judgment of God?
How dare you treat the Body of Christ like a piece of Real Estate
that you can carve up for your own aggrandizement?

Because of men like you, God is about to judge the leadership
of the church. Do they call themselves an "apostle"? Well, God
is going to put them to the test. If they are not the real thing, they
make themselves His 'enemy' because they are blocking His
real Reformation. Every self-proclaimed "apostle and prophet" is
about to be put to the test. Oh, you call your group an "Apostolic
Council of Elders" or something similar? Expect God to come
calling, and if you are not the real thing, expect Him to take you
down. The Lord God is coming to take back His church with great
violence. And you guys are standing directly in His way.

I've heard that one of these big "apostles" in Canada once told his
network that their "apostle-ness" would be judged by the 'noses
and nickels' that they represented. (In other words, their "numbers"
and their reaping of money). Hmmmm. If I didn't know better, I
would call those the words of a hireling and a wolf.

As Lee Grady wrote about this 'Apostle-Mania':
"In some circles apostles demanded total allegiance from the
leaders who were "under" them. Some required a policy of "tithing
up," creating a monstrous organizational structure similar to a
spiritual Amway. So-called apostles with huge "downlines" made
exorbitant amounts of money. One leader even offered pastors the
opportunity to become "spiritual sons" by contributing $1,000 a
month to his ministry."

And yet here is what the TRUE apostle Paul wrote: "I think that
God has set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to
death... we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are
buffeted, and have no certain dwellingplace... we are made as the
filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things..." (1 Cor 4:9-13).

Now THAT is true apostleship. Tell me, Mr. Modern Apostle, do
you match up to the New Testament apostles? If not, what on
earth do you think God is going to do to you if you claim that title falsely?

I believe that many true Apostles, when they do arise, will simply
REFUSE to carry such titles in any way. They will "minimize"
themselves, not exalt themselves. That is the heart of a true leader of God.

In closing, let me again warn those who have titled themselves
"apostle" or 'prophet' in the modern church. God is coming to
"clean house" and if you are not the real deal, expect Him to start
with you. It is as simple as that. You need to repent urgently of
your utter presumption. You have been warned.

Send feedback to- prophetic@revivalschool.com

God bless you all.

Andrew Strom.

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The Psychological Way or The Way Of The Cross ?

Which will you choose. You cannot have both. They are tremendously opposed to each other. You will have to choose which worldview you will hold to.

In this blog, I am not going to attempt to give you the history of modern day psychology. I am simply going to highlight some of the contrasts between these two divergent paths; The psychological way vs The Way Of The Cross. Modern day psychotherapy has its roots in atheism, evolution, and humanism. Sadly, most denominations in modern Christianity have opted for the psychological way and have cast aside the way of the Cross.

The Bible holds ALL the answers of human behavior 2Peter 1:3
Psychology also claims to hold all the answers of human behavior.
The Bible tells us that man is an eternal soul St John 3:16
Psychology has as its foundation, evolution.
The Bible says that man is a sinner Romans 3:23
Psychology says that man is a victim.

The Bible says that the problem of man is an evil heart (Jer. 17:9) and that man is inherently evil.
Psychology says that the problem is man's environment and man is inherently good.
The Message of the Cross treats the very depths; the very core of man's problem, the heart. (Ez. 36:26-27, Eph 3:17, etc....)
Psychology treats only mans symptoms.
The Bible says that Jesus Christ is the answer (St. Matt. 11: 28-30)
Psychology says that therapy and "professional help" is the answer. Most psychology "professionals" will denigrate Faith and say that the minister of the Gospel is not qualified to help humanity.

The Bible tells us to deny self and crucify the flesh ( Matt. 16:24, Gal. 5:24).
Psychology says we should love "self" and pamper "flesh".
The Bible directs us to the Cross, which assures us the help of the Holy Spirit.
Psychology directs us to the flesh.
The Bible directs us to Faith in God (Mark 11:22).
Psychology directs us to self effort.
Self cannot improve upon self. Remember that.

The Word of God, The Bible, Leads us into repentance (Acts 26:20) and restoration (Gal 6:1).
Psychology offers only remorse and referral.
The Bible IS TRUTH....
Psychology is mere, mortal, flawed mans opinions.
The Bible says that God's truth is unchangeable (Psalm 119:89).
Psychology says that truth is determined by the majority and by culture.

There are many, many more contrasts that I could list for you but the bottom line is this; One simply cannot believe in the Bible and the message of the Cross; at least not as one ought, and also believe in psychology. It can't be done.
If you as a believer put your trust in anything other than Christ and Him Crucified, no matter how well intentioned, you are committing spiritual adultery. Rom 7.

Psychology puts man as the center of all things. Our Faith, from the Bible, puts Christ as the center and the ONLY answer for man. The two cannot be joined. Preachers of the Gospel who attempt to join the two will help no one. The only true help that is available is found in the word of God which is The Message Of The Cross....