This is just an initial article about the subject, part of a longer article that I decided to break up. More will be added later.
One of the aspects that some claim is that a five-fold ministry is necessary to bring the body of Christ to the "next level". They base it on Ephesians 4:11, saying that in the restoration of today's Church some must be apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers. Special emphasis is laid on the apostles and prophets. The apostles of the early church were the ones that founded the most churches and suffered the most. Strangely enough, today's "apostles" oversee existing churches with no trace of discomfort. "Prophets" are there to steer the Body of Christ into fulfilling the "apostle's" wishes. Their prophetic accuracy is far below 100%. None of them ever quote Deuteronomy 18: 20-22. "But a prophet who presumes to speak in my name anything I have not commanded him to say, or a prophet who speaks in the name of other gods, must be put to death. You may say to yourselves, 'How can we know when a message has not been spoken by the LORD?' If what a prophet proclaims in the name of the LORD does not take place or come true, that is a message the LORD has not spoken. That prophet has spoken presumptuously. Do not be afraid of him."
Of course we do not put anyone to death these days, but false prophets must be openly rejected by the Church. Even if they rant and rave that those who oppose them and their "apostles" will experience troubles, tribulations and punishments sent by God or man, according to Scripture we do not need to take them seriously or be afraid of them. What they say has no bearing whatsoever on the body of Christ or our relationship with God. The teaching of a restoration of the five-fold ministry to the Body of Christ is only one heresy. There are many other heretical teachings that have begun circulating in our churches and hardly anyone is noticing or caring.
For a good summation of the Latter Rain Movement and what it contains link to: http://www.apologeticsindex/l39.html. Many organizations and ministries are contained within it even if they do not call themselves by that name. I recommend going to the Apologetics index site. The author has much other useful and interesting information about a myriad of movements and religions there. Look up the following terms: Heretical, William Branham, John Robert Stevens, renewal and revival movements.
"Considered to be one of today's most dangerous false teachings in the church, the movement's doctrines are taught and supported by a wide range of controversial teachers. They include Rick Joyner, C. Peter Wagner, Paul Cain, Cindy Jacobs, Bill Hamon, and countless others." Apologetics Index.
Also see: Kingdom Now Theology, Renewal and Revival Movements (Modern), five-fold ministries, spiritual elite corps, Corporate Christ, from Apologetics Index and The New Thing by Tricia Tillin at Banner Ministries.
I noticed that I had been taking in this kind of teaching by watching TBN Europe, which broadcasts many of the same programs as in the US. ( Dec. 2004 Revision: now they have gone digital in my area and it is no longer possible for me to receive their program.)
In early August 2002 was the first time I noticed the guest host of TBN's Praise the Lord mention the importance of the five-fold ministry. A pastor, Carlton Pearson, that pastors the church Higher Dimensions in Tulsa, Oklahoma was present. The pastor and others present did not contradict the teaching and I assume that Paul Crouch, whose network it is, does not contradict the teaching since he allowed it to be broadcast. I have seen other blatant examples of this teaching when Cindy Jacobs, from Generals of Intercession at Colorado Springs, was a guest on Benny Hinn's show sometime during the summer of 2002. She "prophesied" that he was close to the beginning of a greater outpouring of the spirit than ever before experienced. She also "prophesied" that the spirit would descend so strongly in schools and universities that the students would be unable to study. She further "prophesied" that sightings of angels and spiritual experiences would become more frequent. She, as well as "prophetess" Juanita Bynum, after J.B. had a spiritual experience at one of Benny Hinn's meetings, apparently gives moral support to his ministry, which is questionable at the least. Another "prophetess," Ruth Heflin, also known for gold dust and gold teeth manisfestations, even "prophesied" that Jesus will appear in Benny Hinn's meetings. If this does not at first glance turn out to be another false prophecy, that is if someone actually does mysteriously appear, we should consider what Jesus himself told us. "At that time if anyone (Note: anyone includes family, friends, "apostles," "prophets," your pastor, your president, the apparition in your closet, your pet dog) says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or, 'There he is!' do not believe it. For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect--if that were possible. See, I have told you ahead of time. So if anyone tells you, 'There he is, out in the desert,' do not go out; or, 'Here he is, in the inner rooms,' do not believe it. For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man." Matthew 24: 23-27. There are many more of these self-appointed false prophets, apostles, and evangelists popping up these days.
Some links about Benny Hinn:
Go to www.letusreason.org and look up Benny Hinn, many other topics are also addressed.
See www.pfo.org/index.htm.
See www.deceptioninthechurch.com/index.html and look up Benny Hinn.
You might be interested in a related article about Spiritual Mapping and Spiritual Warfare, a concept also very popular with television evangelists.
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