False Prophecies or Political Idolatry? The Battle Between the ACPE and the GPA

Unpacking the Conflict Between Competing Prophetic Voices

Many political apostles and prophets are fervently celebrating Trump's election victory. The post-election comments from the regular FlashPoint guests reflect the strong sentiment among Neocharismatic-Pentecostals (NCPs) who decisively supported Trump.

Recent prophecies from across the Atlantic have disrupted this sense of rejoicing. A document titled “Statement from the Apostolic Council Prophetic Elders Concerning a False Prophetic Word Targeting President Donald Trump” has raised concerns about what they consider false prophecies.

One might wonder: what exactly is the Apostolic Council of Prophetic Elders (ACPE)? The ACPE is a group of apostles and prophets founded on June 30, 1999. Cindy Jacobs originally cast the vision for this group, but C. Peter Wagner (1930-2016) was asked to provide apostolic leadership from the beginning. Wagner provided a list of attendees at the meeting held on June 30, 1999, which included himself: Beth Alves, Jim Goll, Chuck Pierce, Mike and Cindy Jacobs, Bart Pierce, John and Paula Sandford, Dutch Sheets, Tommy Tenney, Hector Torres, and Barbara Wentrobe. Additionally, he mentioned other members who were part of the ACPE at that time: Mike Bickle, Paul Cain, Emanuele Cannistraci, Bill Hamon, Kingsley Fletcher, Ernest Gentile, Jim Laffoon, James Ryle, and Gwen Shaw. In 2008, Wagner handed over leadership to Jacobs, who has been leading the group ever since. Under Jacobs' guidance, the ACPE has welcomed new members from various parts of the world, including some from Canada, such as Stacey Campbell and Faytene Grasseschi.

In returning to the ACPE's statement, it's important to note that this is the first of two statements issued by the ACPE. In this initial statement, they warned against what they believe to be a series of false prophecies targeting Trump, attributed to an unnamed individual. A few days later, we learn more about this unnamed prophet when Emma Stark, a prophetic figure from Ireland and founder of the Global Prophet Alliance, responds to the ACPE. It is significant to mention that Stark was previously associated with the ACPE.

According to the ACPE's first statement, Stark made troubling prophecies, including a claim that "God Punched Trump," suggesting that through Trump, God would judge his people. There were also prophecies that Leviathan (a demonic entity) was released because of Trump, that "the Church of America has exchanged spiritual power for political power," and that tyranny and the fall of democracy in America would ensue. The ACPE deemed all of these prophecies to be false. They listed their concerns as follows:

The ACPE statement was endorsed by several influential figures in the prophetic movement, including Mike and Cindy Jacobs, Bill Hamon, Ché Ahn, Lou Engle, Chuck Pierce, Dutch Sheets, Lance Wallnau, Mario Bramnick, Jim Goll, Patricia King, Todd White, Jennifer LeClaire, Stacey Campbell, Jon and Jolene Hamill, Rebecca Greenwood, and Rick and Patricia Ridings, among others.

Emma Stark contextualizes her prophetic word

The Starks, who lead the GPA, responded to ACPE’s statement a few days later. I will take a moment to elaborate on this response, as it addresses important aspects of the general direction of the prophetic movement over the past 25 years. In their opening remarks, the Starks express their gratitude and deep respect for Bill Hamon, who they describe as “a father in the modern prophetic movement.” They highlight his faithful ministry over the past 70 years and state that, in his 90th year, he deserves our utmost gratitude for his service to the church. This sentiment is notable despite the fact that Hamon signed the ACPE statement against Stark’s prophetic words. The Starks also convey their surprise and sadness regarding the actions taken by the ACPE:

We were surprised at the speed and weight of the response from the ACPE, having never dealt with any other prophetic word in this way before and did not give any time to truly measure if God was acting on the word. Sadly, there have been poor prophecies, scandals, immorality, erroneous theologies, and strange behaviours that have plagued the prophetic movement over the last twenty five years, and it is curious that this particular prophecy has caused so much consternation and an uncharacteristically rapid response. We therefore question whether, by choosing to rebuke this word at this time, it is exposing an underlying idolatry and protectionism.

The Starks have a point. Notably, several prominent apostles and prophets, including Jacobs, Ahn, Engle, Sheets, Pierce, Wallnau, Bramnick, and Hamon, are absent from the Prophetic Standards document created by Joseph Mattera and Michael Brown in 2021, despite other ACPE members signing it. This document responded to the numerous failed Trump prophecies during the 2020 elections.

The Starks assert that their prophetic words have clearly revealed the political ideology embraced by the conservative elements of the prophetic movement:

In labelling this word false it seems the ACPE have united around a political ideology, with their response protecting their position. The ACPE statement defined their political preferences (which have been made very clear in many of the member’s social media posts over years)… The prophecy spoke symbolically about a figure who has been described as a type of messiah by politically conservative aspects of the prophetic movement and as such has garnered a political response. But the fundamental message is simple: “do not put your trust in princes” (Ps.146)… Prophets must do this in the hope that the people would repent and turn to Jesus – trusting in His redemptive work – rather than defend politicized prophecies.

The Starks argue that some members of the prophetic movement have idolized a political figure (i.e. Trump), and have embraced an overly political ideology (i.e. Christian Nationalism), at the expense of their faith in Christ. Here again, the Starks are on to something. When the NAR & Christian Nationalism statement was released in October 2022, none of the prominent apostles and prophets mentioned previously signed the document, even though some in the ACPE supported it. This statement, spearheaded by Mattera and Brown, was endorsed by Christians who wanted to distance themselves from harmful political ideologies, despite its shortcomings in expression.

Stark’s prophecy about Trump

The Starks conclude their statement by sharply criticizing the ACPE’s actions, labeling it a “coordinated global smear campaign” against their reputation and ministry:

We read their judgement at the same time as the public through what might be considered a coordinated global smear campaign.

This reputational assassination of us, their own family, in a very public way is akin to infanticide, where a senior generation kills the next generation. In Scripture we read the tragic story of 1 Kings 13, where an older prophet (who had not maintained prophetic purity on their own patch) oversees the mauling of a younger, visiting prophet who had provoked their idolatry. This should be a cautionary tale for all of us who seek to lead and raise up prophets.

The GPA leaders were dismayed by the ACPE's "reputational assassination" against them and drew a parallel to a story from the Old Testament that highlights prophetic misconduct toward a younger generation of prophets. The Starks concluded with a clarification, stating that no acts of violence should be carried out. They expressed their abhorrence for the multiple assassination attempts on President Trump’s life this year and condemned the violent and derogatory remarks made against Vice President Harris by some members of the prophetic movement. Emma and David Stark, along with the Senior Leadership Team and Board of Trustees of the GPA, signed this statement.

GPA on when prophets disagree

The ACPE issued a final response to the GPA's statement, addressing questions intended to clarify misunderstandings and explain their public opposition to what they considered to be false prophetic words:

We do not believe God is finished with America. We also do not believe that Trump's election is a judgment from God. President Trump has survived three assassination attempts and plots that we know of. This violent rhetoric can give license to those who are consumed by hate to attempt to ‘fulfill’ her prophesy (sic)...

The words lack redemption. There was no call to prayer for Donald Trump or a call to prayer for America at the time of their release. These words bring no redemption. We believe in 2 Chronicles 7:14 and that God issues warnings because He is a merciful God.

Words have power. Speaking such judgment can actually curse our nation.

Through their two statements, the ACPE engaged in a form of gatekeeping or policing regarding what qualifies as a genuine word from God. The apostle Paul outlined how prophets should deliver their prophetic messages and how these prophecies should be “weighed” (see 1 Corinthians 14:29-33).

The most troubling aspect of the ACPE's statement and actions is their inconsistency. The more prominent leaders of the council never address the numerous failed prophecies made by their own members. Additionally, they did not respond to the “Prophetic Standards” published in 2021 or to the “NAR & Christian Nationalism” statement from 2022. Both of these statements were endorsed and signed by many other apostles and prophets, some of whom are also members of the ACPE.

One can only conclude that Stark’s prophecies hit the mark: some “old guard” members in the ACPE have adopted toxic political ideas and catered to Trump.

One doesn’t need prophetic insight to see the clarity in Stark’s remarks about Trump and the American church. It’s evident, given the shaky theological and biblical justifications that Evangelical and Neocharismatic-Pentecostal (NCP) leaders have used to defend their unwavering endorsement of Trump.

Since at least 2020, there has been a rift among NCPs due to the numerous failed Trump prophecies. This latest episode between the ACPE and the GPA will only deepen this significant divide.