Apostolic Practice, by Vinson Synan
In spite of these concerns, the apostolic movement might inspire some persons to exercise the function of apostle in bringing the gospel to unreached peoples. Although I respect Peter Wagner for his tremendous contributions to the growth of evangelicalism, and even to the Pentecostal movement, I am disappointed that he has attempted to place himself at the head (“presiding apostle”) of an organization designed for all those who claim to have apostolic ministries.
As interest in the apostolic emphasis has spread, more books and articles analyzing the movement have appeared in major Christian journals. Ministries Today magazine devoted an entire issue to the topic in November 2004. Although generally favorable, these articles raised some serious concerns about the movement. Dr. Doug Beacham, an official of the Pentecostal Holiness Church, addressed Wagner’s apparent disdain for denominations in an article named “The Leadershift.” Although he sees a bright future for some denominations, he contends, “Twentieth-century charismatic/Pentecostal wineskins must be adapted to hold twenty-first century wine.”
In the same issue, David Moore, an adjunct professor at Regent University, states positively, “We need present-day apostles, and the New Apostolic Reformation is a genuine expression of God’s renewing work in His church.” He warns the new apostolic movement, however, of the excesses of the discipleship-shepherding movement that divided the charismatic movement in the 1970s. As a former devotee of the shepherding movement, Moore experienced many of the problems that caused massive confusion at that time. He sees “great danger in ‘triumphalism’—viewing one’s movement as the ‘cutting edge’ of what God is doing today. This mind-set,” he explains, “especially if coupled with success, tends to devalue those who don’t see it their way, or worse, write off critics as old-fashioned defenders of ‘tradition’ unwilling to embrace God’s new move.”
Yes—and No
This brings us back to the original question: Are there genuine apostles in the earth today? The answer would seem to be yes—and no. No, there are no living persons like the original Twelve who witnessed the resurrection of Jesus Christ. These “apostles of Christ” were and will remain unique in salvation history. And, yes, there are apostles abroad today who are carrying out the same mission as the apostles in the New Testament. Who are they? The nearest parallel to the New Testament and historic use of the term “apostle” are those missionaries—often unnamed—who are bringing the message of the gospel to unreached peoples and tribes. They are busy translating the Scriptures and planting churches where none existed. They have little time to consider their apostolic office.
It is axiomatic to say that anyone who claims to be an apostle probably is not one. An apostle is not self-appointed or elected by any ecclesiastical body but is chosen by the Lord himself. As Lewi Pethrus, founder of the famous Filadelphia Church in Stockholm, Sweden, has said anyone who claims apostleship is suspect. The one most likely to be an apostle is he who, like John the Baptist, claims only to be “a voice crying in the wilderness.”
Who are the apostles today? Perhaps we are asking the wrong question. Where do we find apostolic ministry and apostolic results? The modern church needs these far more than it needs names to carry as a title or warm bodies to fill an office.
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