I just attended a conference and to my surprise I was informed the 2001 was
the beginning of the 2nd apostolic age. I am being a bit facetious. I must
say that there was some good fruit so I am not willing to totaly disregard
what was said. I became aware of a whole new set of lingo which I will call
prophecy talk and will give a sample of below.Some of the critique of this movement is a little overboard though. I think
if one is not careful they can dismiss every ministry that is moving in the
gifts of the spirit, which many of us have seen done before.The primary question is, are they willing to drink the cup of the apostle,
that is accept the same fate as those first apostles who were all martyred.
2nd is who the heck decides who will be an apostle?
Is it a title they feel they need so that they might have more power?
Are they truey humble and are willing to be servents like Christ?Here is an example of the new prophecy talk and the link. Some of the
prophecies were construed out of the Hebrem year and its meaning by
translating the numbers of the year into words, also the meaning of the
symbols of the letters formed by the numbers. I call that a streatch. Below
is a quote from the head apostle Peter Wagner followed by comments from the
web site critiqueing him."yesterday I was the apostle with a group of about 15-20 prophets we met all
day long, and these prophets many of whom are going to be speakers in this
conference come under my guidance coordination and leadership as an apostle
, they each have apostles in their own networks but I mean there under
spiritually. But I'm the one that brings them together and when I bring them
together things happen. Because that's a anointing that God has given to
horizontal apostles. So once I knew, then I knew I was different from these
people and I knew I was a horizontal; apostle and I began using the um term
in public" (P. Wagner Mobilizing The Prophetic Office, May 11, 2000 National
School of The Prophets)Wagner then should take responsibility for the things that go wrong by these
other governmental leaders.They have also developed their own language, definition of terms and often
times redefine the Bible adding new concepts in places where there are none.
Wagner's apostolic Government is broken up into two divisions, Vertical and
horizontal apostles, from there are various subdivisions.Vertical Apostles
Ecclesiastical apostles. Apostles who are given authority over a sphere
which includes a number of churches, presumably in an apostolic network
headed up by the apostle.Functional apostles. Apostles who are given authority over those who have an
ongoing ministry in a certain specific sphere of service which has defined
boundaries of participation.Apostolic Team Members. Apostles whose apostolic ministry functions in
conjunction with an apostle who is seen as the leader of a team of one or
more other peer-level vertical apostles. They may be assigned specific
spheres by the leading apostle. These are more than administrators or
assistants or armor-bearers.Congregational apostles. Apostles functioning as senior pastors of dynamic,
growing churches of more than 700-800.Horizontal Apostles
Convening apostles. Apostles who have authority to call together on a
regular basis peer-level leaders who minister in a defined field.Ambassadorial apostles. Apostles who have itinerant, frequently
international, ministries of catalyzing and nurturing apostolic movements on
a broad scale.Mobilizing apostles. Apostles who have the authority to take leadership in
bringing together qualified leaders in the body of Christ for a specific
cause or project.Territorial apostles. Apostles who have been given authority for leading a
certain segment of the body of Christ in a given territorial sphere such as
a city or state.Marketplace Apostles-I am not familiar enough with marketplace apostles to
suggest sub categories. It seems clear that some marketplace apostles would
be vertical (perhaps within a large company) while others would be
horizontal (bringing together peer-level marketplace apostles).Can anyone find these divisions, terms and interpretations from Scripture?
Wagner also has his leadership broken up into many segments and has covered
everything possible. Some of the names are included that should be easily
recognized.