Another Pentecost? Empowered21 Global Congress is underway in Jerusalem (May 20-25), and is featuring some of the most well-known charismatic NAR/signs and wonders leaders from around the globe. They’re all promoting “the biggest Pentecost in 2,000 years.”
John Lanagan of My Word Like Fire warns that the upcoming Empowered21 event has been influenced by New Apostolic Reformation leaders who claim to be modern day “apostles” and “prophets.” Lanagan begins his piece by stating: “Bill Johnson and Cindy Jacobs of the New Apostolic Reformation are listed, along with others, as Leaders in the Empowered21 organization. [1]” He worries because Johnson and Jacobs are Dominionists.
The E-21 Vision Statement: “That every person on earth would have an authentic encounter with Jesus Christ through the power and presence of the Holy Spirit…By Pentecost 2033.” [2]
If Assemblies of God Pastor David Wilkerson were alive today, I believe he would be warning about the prominent roles NAR adherents are playing in two key Empowered21 gatherings scheduled for May 2015. The first will be in Amman, Jordan; the second in Jerusalem. [3] These Empowered21 meetings will have the participation of many Pentecostals, with millions more watching via the internet.
Assemblies of God interest and participation is guaranteed, as Assemblies of God General Superintendent George Wood co-chairs the Empowered21 Global Council, along with Oral Roberts University President Billy Wilson. [4]
In fairness to Dr. Wood, an email sent late yesterday may have been the first time Dr. Wood has been alerted as to the scope of NAR influence in Empowered21.
In the above 2014 YouTube video, NAR leader Cindy Jacobs expresses her excitement at being part of E-21. “It’s really end times stuff,” she declares. (at 2:07 in video)
Unfortunately, Cindy Jacobs will be in a position to spread her “end times stuff” to Christians around the globe. Jacobs is Co-Chair of Empowered21’s Jerusalem 2015 Ministry Track,Prophecy and the End Times. [5] What an NAR public relations victory!
Unlike Assemblies of God and many other denominations, Cindy Jacobs and other NAR leaders do not believe there will be a rapture. While the rapture is not a salvation issue, NAR eschatology is a strange misinterpretation of the Bible and comes with many potential consequences. Rather than being raptured, Jacobs believes the end time church will remain and conquer, taking dominion over the earth.
Nevertheless, she is being given a forum to potentially spread the NAR version of prophecy and end times.
Jacobs is a Dominionist who believes church governance should be changed. Authors Geivett and Pivec note “the NAR teaching that Christian unity is achieved through Christians’ submission to the leadership of apostles.” [6]
In other words, the NAR faithful believe apostles and prophets must be the ones who govern (rule?) the Body of Christ. NAR believes pastors should answer not to denominational authority, but rather to an apostle or a group of apostles. In the NAR view of things, denominations are a done deal.
While denominations certainly have problems, this is far better than relying on the extra-biblical revelations and authority of a group of self-appointed apostles.
When Empowered21 leaders met in Jerusalem in 2014. Oral Roberts President Billy Wilson told an interviewer, “Our big, big vision is bigger than all of us. It comes out of Habbakuk 2:14 that the knowledge of the glory of the Lord will cover the earth as the waters cover the sea. And the big vision is that every person on earth will have an authentic encounter with Jesus Christ through the power and presence of the Holy Spirit by Pentecost 2033.” [7]
I am all for gathering together to pray the Gospel of Jesus Christ is preached to every man, woman, and child on earth. But praying for a Second Pentecost? When Bill Johnson gets excited about something, I get a little nervous. (at 12 seconds in above video) .
Many excesses, abuses (remember Todd Bentley?) and absurdities have spewed from those associated with the New Apostolic Reformation. The latest is Chuck Pierce’s bestowal of a mantle upon Glenn Beck, a Mormon.
The NAR is all about networking. Empowered21 is also all about networking. I fear that as Empowered21 advances, so will the NAR, simply by staying involved and piggybacking on Empowered21.
NAR has already influenced a number of Assemblies of God churches. E-21 will certainly accelerate this.
The NAR is powerful, and thankfully does not rule the entire Body of Christ. But what have NAR leaders brought us? False eschatology, false visions, contemplative prayer (IHOP-KC and Bethel Redding), twisted doctrine, introduction to quantum mysticism (Bill Johson, Mark Chironna), occult Kabbalah (Pierce), and mantles to nowhere.
Authors Geivett and Pivec “urge you to watch for signs in your congregation that some are attracted to NAR teachings and practices. We’ve learned that deliberate infiltration is not uncommon. Take care not to lend a platform to those with aberrant beliefs.” [8 ]
What better platform for the NAR than Empowered21?
Source Notes:
1. http;//empowered21.com/about/leadership/
“But NAR has been most influential within Pentecostal and charismatic churches. Evidence of this is the appointment of NAR apostles and prophets–including Bill Johnson and Cindy Jacobs–to the leadership of Empowered21, an initiative focused on shaping the future of the Pentecostal-charismatic movement,” write R. Douglas Geivett and Holly Pivec, authors of A New Apostolic Reformation?, pg. 12
2. http://empowered21.com/about/vision-statement/
3. http://empowered21.com/events/
4. http://empowered21.com/about/leadership/
5. http://www.jerusalem2015.com/ministry-track-test-2/
6. R. Douglass Geivett and Holly Pivec, God’s Super-Apostles, pg. 143
7. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSnkQd8ldPA
8. R. Douglass Geivett and Holly Pivec, God’s Super-Apostles, pg. 134
not this AG church
Great article! On a minor point, David Wilkerson resigned the Assemblies of God many years before his death. I resigned in 1991 and he had resigned before then. Additionally, George Wood is not as innocent in this matter as one might think. He had New Age guru, Ruth Haley Barton, speak at the General Council. That is just the tip of the number of his overtures to heretics and heresies currently plaguing Christianity. It would not surprise me in the slightest if he did not come out in support of the NAR. Wood has been the worst General Superintendent. The Denomination (no longer a Movement) is at a crossroad. Wood’s support of liberalism and heretics has caused a split. That split is on the verge of manifesting publically. It is all because of his failed leadership.
Hi I believe the young Pastor over by Church is entangled in the Nar theology and has been utilizing the passion translation in his sermons what should I do