Apostolic Bullshit

You have probably already read about the sad situation concerning Todd Bentley’s marriage.  If not, Brother Maynard wrote a comprehensive post covering the whole situation.  I would like to take a look at the involvement of the “apostles” in this ongoing trainwreck.  Aside from the headlines and the summary paragraph, all of the following are direct quotes from Peter Wagner.

Wait a Minute, We’re the Leaders

That was then: “A serious public problem had been growing in the body of Christ revolving around concerns about Lakeland from respected leaders. Even “schism” had been mentioned frequently. Something was called for to set things in order, and this is the stated role of apostles. We stand together when a crisis such as this one comes along.”

This is now: “My thinking was that I did not want to deal with doctrinal issues with any one but fellow apostles.”

Getting in on the Action

That was then: “Bob Jones prophesied that on June 22 the outpouring would increase so much that it would appear that the revival would really begin at that time. Of course no one knew that June 23, the day after June 22, would be the date of Todd’s apostolic alignment which could well be the event to release increased spiritual power.”

This is now: “I was receiving a quantity of email correspondence from other apostles who were interested. I opened the door for those who desired to accompany us on the platform. I did not allow prophets, evangelists pastors, or teachers to join the group-apostles only.”

Like Rats Leaving a Sinking Ship

That was then: “A few of us met with Todd personally before the service, and we found him to be a wonderful individual. Doris and I had never met him before. I explained to him what the ceremony would be like, and he agreed.  We were on the same page! In fact, we like each other!”

This is now: “Some have thought that Todd is aligned with me, which is not the case. He is not a member of ICA. We are barely aquainted.”

It Was Them, Not Me

That was then: “My name is Peter Wagner and I have served the body of Christ in apostolic ministry for many years, and currently I preside over the International Coalition of Apostles which brings together over 500 recognized apostles. I have the honor of being assigned to preside over this momentous occasion.

This is a ceremony celebrating the formal apostolic alignment of Todd Bentley.

This commissioning represents a powerful spiritual transaction taking place in the invisible world. With this in mind, 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.”

This is now: “Ché Ahn was in charge of this.  I want to make it clear that I did not commission Todd as some wrongly think. I didn’t lay on hands, I didn’t anoint with oil, in fact I moved to the back and neither my wife, Doris, nor I prayed or prophesied.”

False Apostles and False Authority

Here’s a clue, if one’s perspective of apostleship is all about governing, networking, and authority, it is false, unbiblical, and flat out wrong.  This concept of alignment is simply a rehashed version of former abusive teachings on spiritual covering and the discipleship movement.

If this situation ultimately contributes to the breakdown of the contrived false teaching about apostles that is widespread within the body of Christ at this time, that will be a good thing.