False Teachings

The False Teaching of New Apostolic Reformation (Restoration of Apostles and Prophets)

This article examines the false teaching of the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR), which claims that the offices of apostle and prophet are being restored to the church today. NAR teaches that modern apostles and prophets have authority over churches, regions, and nations, and that they receive new revelation from God. Some NAR leaders claim to perform signs and wonders greater than those recorded in Scripture. This teaching contradicts the clear testimony of Scripture that the foundation of the church was laid once for all by the apostles and prophets of the first century, and that no new revelation is needed because the canon of Scripture is complete.

1. What the New Apostolic Reformation Teaches

The New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) is a movement that emerged in the late twentieth century, teaching that the offices of apostle and prophet are being restored to the church. NAR leaders claim that these modern apostles have authority over churches, cities, regions, and even nations. They believe that prophets receive new revelation from God that is binding on the church, sometimes supplementing or even contradicting Scripture. Many NAR leaders teach a "dominionist" theology, claiming that the church must take control of the seven mountains of culture (government, media, education, etc.) before Christ returns. They often claim to perform signs and wonders, including miracles of healing, raising the dead, and other supernatural signs. This movement is a significant departure from historic Christian orthodoxy.

2. Why NAR Is False: The Foundation of the Church Was Laid Once for All

Paul writes, "having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone." The foundation of the church was laid in the first century by the apostles and prophets. A foundation is laid once. It is not laid repeatedly. There are no second-generation foundation-layers. The apostles and prophets of the New Testament were unique, foundational figures. They were eyewitnesses of the resurrection. They were commissioned directly by Christ. They performed authenticating signs and wonders. They wrote Scripture. The church does not need new apostles and prophets because the foundation has already been laid.

3. Scripture Teaches That Apostles Required Specific Qualifications

When Judas fell, the remaining apostles determined that his replacement must meet specific qualifications: "Therefore, of these men who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John to that day when He was taken up from us, one of these must become a witness with us of His resurrection." An apostle was required to be an eyewitness of the resurrected Christ. Paul was the last to meet this qualification, describing himself as "one born out of due time." No one alive today has seen the risen Christ. Therefore, no one today can be an apostle in the New Testament sense.

4. Scripture Teaches That Apostles Performed Authenticating Signs

Paul writes, "Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs and wonders and mighty deeds." The apostles were given the ability to perform miracles as a sign of their divine commission. These signs included healing the sick, raising the dead, speaking in tongues, and other supernatural works. While God still heals and works miracles today, no one today consistently performs the signs of an apostle as described in Scripture. The purpose of these signs was to confirm the apostolic message before the New Testament was completed. Once the canon was complete, the need for authenticating signs diminished.

5. Scripture Teaches That Prophets Received New Revelation That Became Scripture

The New Testament prophets, like Agabus and the prophets in Antioch, received direct revelation from God. Some of their prophecies are recorded in Scripture. The New Testament itself is the product of apostolic and prophetic ministry. Paul writes that the church is "built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets." This refers to the foundational, revelatory ministry that produced the New Testament. The canon of Scripture is complete. There is no more new revelation to be added. Any claim of new revelation that is binding on the church must be tested against Scripture, and any claim that adds to Scripture is false.

6. Scripture Warns Against False Apostles and False Prophets

Jesus warned, "For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect." Paul warned, "For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ." John commands, "Test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world." The NAR movement is filled with individuals claiming to be apostles and prophets. Many of their prophecies have failed. Their signs and wonders are often exaggerated or fraudulent. The Bible warns that in the last days, false prophets will arise. The NAR appears to be a fulfillment of this warning.

7. Scripture Teaches That the Canon of Scripture Is Closed

John writes at the end of Revelation, "For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life." While this warning specifically applies to the book of Revelation, it reflects the broader principle that God's Word is complete and not to be added to. The apostles and prophets of the first century completed the revelation of God in Scripture. The church does not need new apostles or prophets because it already has the completed Word of God.

8. How to Correct One Who Believes in NAR

First, take the person to Ephesians 2:20. Ask: What is the foundation of the church? Has that foundation already been laid or is it still being laid? Second, read Acts 1:21-22. Ask: What qualifications were required for an apostle? Does anyone today meet those qualifications? Third, read 2 Corinthians 12:12. Ask: What are the signs of an apostle? Does anyone today consistently manifest these signs? Fourth, read Revelation 22:18-19. Ask: What does God say about adding to His Word? Fifth, read Matthew 24:24. Ask: Did Jesus warn that false christs and false prophets would arise? Sixth, read 1 John 4:1. Ask: What are we commanded to do with prophets who claim to speak for God? Finally, pray that they would recognize that the foundation of the church is complete, that Scripture is sufficient, and that no new apostles or prophets are needed today.

9. The Danger of NAR for the Believer's Heart

The New Apostolic Reformation leads to several spiritual dangers. It undermines the sufficiency of Scripture by claiming new revelation. It creates a hierarchy of authority that places modern apostles above local church elders. It leads to spiritual abuse, as followers are taught to submit to apostolic authority without question. It promotes a works-based dominion theology that confuses the kingdom of God with political power. It leads to false hope when prophecies fail. It opens the door to deception, as false signs and wonders are used to validate false teaching. The NAR is a significant departure from historic Christianity and must be rejected.

10. The Biblical Teaching: The Sufficiency of Scripture and the Completion of the Foundation

The Bible teaches that the foundation of the church was laid once for all by the apostles and prophets of the first century. Those apostles were eyewitnesses of the resurrection, commissioned directly by Christ, and authenticated by signs and wonders. Their teaching, together with the Old Testament prophets, constitutes the Word of God. The canon of Scripture is complete. No new revelation is needed. The church is governed by elders, not by modern apostles. Prophecy today is not the giving of new revelation but the faithful preaching of God's Word. Let every believer reject the New Apostolic Reformation and hold fast to the sufficiency of Scripture and the historic offices of the church.

Conclusion
The New Apostolic Reformation is a false teaching that claims the offices of apostle and prophet are being restored to the church today. It teaches that modern apostles have authority over churches and regions, and that prophets receive new revelation from God. Scripture contradicts this. The foundation of the church was laid once for all by the apostles and prophets of the first century. Apostles required eyewitness testimony of the resurrection. The canon of Scripture is complete. Correct this error with the Word of God. Trust in the sufficiency of Scripture. Submit to the elders of the local church. And reject any claim of new revelation or apostolic authority that goes beyond what is written.

Scripture References 219
Ephesians 2:19–22 Ephesians 3:1–7 Ephesians 4:11–16 1 Corinthians 12:28–31 1 Corinthians 14:29–33 Romans 12:6–8 Acts 1:15–26 Acts 2:42–47 Acts 6:1–7 Acts 11:27–30 Acts 13:1–3 Acts 15:1–35 Acts 21:8–14 Romans 16:7 1 Corinthians 9:1–2 1 Corinthians 15:3–11 2 Corinthians 11:5–15 2 Corinthians 12:11–12 Galatians 1:1–2 Galatians 2:6–10 Galatians 2:11–14 1 Thessalonians 5:19–22 2 Thessalonians 2:1–12 1 Timothy 1:3–7 1 Timothy 4:1–5 1 Timothy 5:17–22 2 Timothy 1:6–14 2 Timothy 2:1–2 2 Timothy 4:1–5 Titus 1:5–9 Hebrews 1:1–4 Hebrews 2:3–4 2 Peter 1:16–21 2 Peter 2:1–3 2 Peter 3:1–2 1 John 4:1–6 Jude 1:3–4 Jude 1:17–19 Revelation 2:2 Revelation 2:20 Revelation 18:20–24 Revelation 22:18–19 Matthew 7:15–20 Matthew 24:4–5 Matthew 24:11 Matthew 24:23–26 Mark 13:21–23 Luke 21:8 John 10:1–10 John 14:25–26 John 16:12–15 John 17:20–21 Acts 2:14–36 Acts 4:8–12 Acts 4:33 Acts 5:12–16 Acts 5:29–32 Acts 8:4–8 Acts 8:14–17 Acts 8:18–24 Acts 9:1–19 Acts 10:34–48 Acts 11:1–18 Acts 14:1–28 Acts 15:1–35 Acts 16:4–5 Acts 17:10–12 Acts 18:1–11 Acts 19:1–20 Acts 20:17–38 Acts 21:8–14 Acts 22:1–21 Acts 23:1–11 Acts 26:12–20 Acts 28:1–31 Romans 1:1–7 Romans 10:14–18 Romans 15:15–21 1 Corinthians 1:18–25 1 Corinthians 2:1–5 1 Corinthians 3:1–23 1 Corinthians 4:1–21 1 Corinthians 12:1–11 1 Corinthians 12:27–31 1 Corinthians 13:1–13 1 Corinthians 14:1–25 1 Corinthians 14:26–40 2 Corinthians 1:1–2 2 Corinthians 3:1–18 2 Corinthians 4:1–18 2 Corinthians 5:18–21 2 Corinthians 6:1–10 2 Corinthians 10:1–18 2 Corinthians 11:1–15 2 Corinthians 11:16–33 2 Corinthians 12:1–21 Galatians 1:6–12 Galatians 2:1–14 Galatians 3:1–5 Ephesians 1:1–23 Ephesians 2:1–22 Ephesians 3:1–21 Ephesians 4:1–16 Philippians 1:1–30 Colossians 1:1–29 Colossians 2:1–23 1 Thessalonians 1:1–10 1 Thessalonians 2:1–16 1 Thessalonians 5:12–22 2 Thessalonians 1:1–12 2 Thessalonians 3:1–15 1 Timothy 1:1–20 1 Timothy 2:1–15 1 Timothy 3:1–16 1 Timothy 4:1–16 1 Timothy 5:1–25 1 Timothy 6:1–21 2 Timothy 1:1–18 2 Timothy 2:1–26 2 Timothy 3:1–17 2 Timothy 4:1–22 Titus 1:1–16 Titus 2:1–15 Titus 3:1–15 Philemon 1:1–25 Hebrews 2:1–4 Hebrews 13:7 Hebrews 13:17 James 3:1 1 Peter 5:1–4 2 Peter 1:1–21 2 Peter 2:1–22 1 John 2:18–27 1 John 4:1–6 2 John 1:7–11 3 John 1:9–10 Jude 1:1–25 Revelation 1:1–3 Revelation 2:1–29 Revelation 3:1–22 Revelation 19:10 Revelation 22:6–9 Revelation 22:18–19 Deuteronomy 13:1–5 Deuteronomy 18:20–22 Isaiah 8:19–20 Jeremiah 14:13–16 Jeremiah 23:16–32 Ezekiel 13:1–23 Ezekiel 22:25–28 Zechariah 13:2–6 Malachi 3:1–5 Malachi 4:5–6 Acts 20:28–31 Romans 16:17–18 1 Corinthians 11:18–19 2 Corinthians 11:13–15 Galatians 1:6–9 Colossians 2:8–10 2 Thessalonians 2:1–12 1 Timothy 6:20–21 2 Timothy 2:16–18 2 Timothy 3:13 Titus 1:10–11 Titus 3:9–11 2 Peter 2:1–3 2 Peter 3:16–17 1 John 2:18–19 1 John 4:1–3 2 John 1:7–11 Jude 1:4 Jude 1:17–19 Revelation 2:2 Revelation 2:6 Revelation 2:14–15 Revelation 2:20–24 Revelation 13:11–18 Revelation 16:13–14 Revelation 19:20 Revelation 20:10 Matthew 28:18–20 Mark 16:15–20 Luke 24:46–49 John 20:19–23 Acts 1:4–8 Acts 2:1–4 Acts 2:38–39 Acts 4:29–31 Acts 5:12–16 Acts 6:8 Acts 8:5–8 Acts 9:32–35 Acts 9:36–43 Acts 14:8–10 Acts 16:16–18 Acts 19:11–12 Acts 20:7–12 Acts 28:3–6 Romans 15:18–19 1 Corinthians 12:8–10 2 Corinthians 12:12 Hebrews 2:4 Deuteronomy 4:2 Deuteronomy 12:32 Proverbs 30:5–6 Revelation 22:18–19 Jude 1:3 Galatians 1:8–9 2 Peter 3:2 Jude 1:17 Acts 20:29–30 1 Timothy 4:1 2 Timothy 4:3–4 2 Peter 2:1–2 1 John 2:18–22 1 John 4:3 2 John 1:7 Revelation 2:9 Revelation 3:9
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