Published on May 24, 2024, 12:41 am

The recent ordination of Greg Locke as an “apostle” at Global Vision Bible Church under the supervision of Southern Baptist pastor Malachi O’Brien has sparked debate within Christian circles. This controversial event, notable for its enthusiastic crowd and bold spiritual claims, represents a divergence from traditional Christian theology, leading some to question its biblical basis.

O’Brien’s argument in favor of this apotheosis seems to defy key scripture doctrine. He suggests that today’s church needs apostles and prophets just as urgently as the early church did. In doing so, he appears to overlook the essential theological concept that the foundations of the Church have been laid already by original apostles and prophets (Ephesians 2:19-21). These pivotal roles were distinctively confined to the first century and accomplished their mission when the New Testament canon was finalized.

Any insinuation otherwise may be considered an affront to God’s revelation through Jesus Christ (Hebrews 1:1-4), which establishes His word as comprehensive and final. That Pastor O’Brien contends otherwise not only subscribes to theological ineptitude but also indubitably absurd.

Furthermore, authentic apostolic authority was conferred only on those who had firsthand witnessed Christ’s resurrection and received personal commissioning from Him (Acts 1:21-22). For Locke or any modern preacher to claim such authority is both presumptuous and heretic. Where New Testament apostles substantiated their divine commission with verifiable signs and miracles, Locke’s claim rests upon unstable ground comprised of subjective experiences and questionable impartations.

The ideology supporting continued existence of prophets and apostles represents a harmful deviation from biblical theology. This emerges from the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) movement heavily grounded in extra-biblical revelations and personal prophecies which divert believers from real gospel into a relative, experiential religion of self-worship.

On the contrary, Scripture readily avers that the gifts needed for modern church edification include those of pastors and teachers (Ephesians 4:11-12). Although some would argue in favor of evangelists, certainly not prophets and apostles. Existing roles adequately accommodate the body of Christ’s growth sans the necessity for new apostolic offices.

Considering these realities, Locke’s ordination as an apostle is a theological sham warranting outright dismissal. Such immunization efforts suggest a deeply etched malfeasance within many Christian denominations today, including Southern Baptist leaders. The onus is on believers to reject such false teachings with the kind of fervor embodied by Elijah when he confronted prophets of Baal. After all, our faith rests upon God’s Word rock-solid foundations and shouldn’t be subject to charismatic gimmickry or modern innovations.

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