🖍️ What Is the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) and Why It’s Dangerous

By Dave Jenkins
A Contending for the Word Feature

📌 Short Answer:

The New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) is not a denomination but a movement that claims God is restoring apostles and prophets to lead the Church into end-times victory. It is dangerous because it undermines the sufficiency of Scripture, redefines spiritual authority, and blurs the gospel with a dominionist agenda.

1. What is the NAR?

• Teach that modern-day apostles and prophets are being restored.
• Claim ongoing revelation from God.
• Emphasize signs, wonders, and supernatural encounters.
• Promote apostolic alignment and dominion over society.

“The Second Apostolic Age has begun… God is raising up apostles to govern the Church.”
— C. Peter Wagner, The New Apostolic Churches (1998)

“The roots of the NAR go back to… the African Independent Church Movement (1900), Chinese House Church Movement (1976)…”
— C. Peter Wagner (2011)

📘 Key Terms Defined

• New Apostolic Reformation (NAR): A modern movement that claims God is restoring apostles and prophets.
• Sufficiency of Scripture: The Bible contains all we need for salvation and godly living.
• Apostolic Alignment: Submission to modern apostles through authority and giving.
• Prophetic Activation: Teaching people to “activate” prophetic gifts by effort.
• Dominion Theology: Christians must take over cultural “mountains.”

2. Key Teachings of the NAR

• Restored Apostles and Prophets
• Ongoing Revelation
• Dominion Theology
• Signs and Wonders

🔍 This is often packaged as revival—but it’s a redefinition of Christian authority.

Instead of biblical revival centered on the Word, the NAR emphasizes supernatural activity governed by apostles. Authority becomes personal and prophetic—not scriptural and pastoral.

📊 Comparison: Biblical Revival vs. NAR Revival

❌ Frequently Twisted Verses

• Acts 2:17 – Used to justify prophetic gifting without discernment.
• Ephesians 4:11 – Misapplied to support modern apostles.
• Matthew 10:1 – Treated as universal deliverance authority.

📖 Mini FAQ

Q: Is every charismatic church part of the NAR?
A: No. Many reject NAR theology.

Q: Can someone be part of the NAR and not know it?
A: Yes. Many adopt NAR language without realizing it.

Q: Is the NAR the same as the Charismatic Movement?
A: No. The NAR is a radical subset.

Q: Who are some leaders associated with NAR ideas?
A: Bill Johnson, Che Ahn, Lou Engle, and others.

✅ 3. Walking in Truth After NAR Deception

🛑 1. Reject but Don’t Despair

Leaving the NAR means returning to the true foundation—Jesus in the Word.

📖 2. Rebuild Your Faith on the Word

Read Scripture in context, prayerfully, and with trusted guides.

“Sanctify them in the truth; Your Word is truth.” – John 17:17

🏡 3. Get Planted in a Faithful Local Church

Don’t walk alone. Find a gospel-centered church with biblical leadership.

🤝 4. Be Patient With Others

Many deceived by the NAR are misled—not malicious. Be gracious and persistent in truth.

🔭 5. Pursue Discipleship and Community

Discipleship is key. Walk with mature believers who point you to Christ—not experience.

📝 Reflection Questions

• What do I believe about how God speaks?
• How has my view of church leadership changed?
• Who do I now submit to—and are they submitted to Scripture?
• Am I pursuing Jesus or just spiritual experiences?
• Who is discipling me in a healthy church?

🚨 Discernment Alert: Watch for These NAR Buzzwords

• “Activating your destiny”
• “Releasing the prophetic”
• “Spiritual mapping”
• “Breaking generational curses”
• “Receiving your apostolic covering”
• “Impartation”
• “Unlocking the supernatural”
• “Heaven’s blueprint for your life”
• “Mantles of authority”

“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits…” – 1 John 4:1

✅ Healthy Biblical Vocabulary

• “Walking in the Spirit” (Gal 5:16)
• “Renewed in your mind” (Rom 12:2)
• “Growing in grace” (2 Pet 3:18)
• “Submitting to biblical authority” (Heb 13:17)
• “Faith comes by hearing the Word” (Rom 10:17)
• “Christ is sufficient” (Col 2:9–10)
• “God’s Word is enough” (2 Tim 3:16–17)
• “Discipleship in the local church” (Matt 28:19–20)
• “Testing the spirits” (1 John 4:1)

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.” – Colossians 3:16

📢 Call to Action

The NAR undermines the gospel. Be discerning—not cynical—but grounded in the Word.

• 💪 Left the NAR? Praise God and stand on Scripture.
• 💯 Know someone deceived? Speak truth in love.

📓 Next Steps:

• Study Hebrews 1:1–2 and Jude 3
• Read The Word Explored by Dave Jenkins
• 📖 Studying the sufficiency of Scripture and the finality of the apostolic witness.
• 🗣️ Sharing this with a friend who may be confused by modern apostolic claims.
• 🎧 Listening to Contending for the Word where we address movements like the NAR from a biblical worldview.
• Watch this video with Dave Jenkins and Dawn Hill on the Marks of the New Apostolic Reformation.
• 🪩 Check out our related issue of Theology for Life: Spiritual Warfare and the Dangers of Modern Deliverance Ministries

Let’s be people of the Word—anchored in truth, committed to clarity, and bold in love.

“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God…” – 1 John 4:1