NARismatic: a portmanteau of the words NAR (an acronym for New Apostolic Reformation), and Charismatic.
Having finished, to date, an assigned series on what the experts say about the various and sundry extra- and non-biblical teachings and doctrines of the New Apostolic Reformation movement, and also having learned about many who have come out of it–and more every day–who might be struggling just now with the confusing/painful/disappointing, mental, emotional, psychological, and/or spiritual power of a religious entity they may have even grown up in, I will add a few more of the testimonies of ex-NARismatics, some of whom were at the highest levels within the fast-spreading, global organization.
These are added to other testimonies previously linked in the final report of my investigation assignment, from the archives of https://bereanresearch.org.
As I learned in my own leave-taking and recovery-from another global, religious system and far more powerful and longer-termed than even the NAR (which actually includes some of the gnostic teachings and practices of this other organization i.e., Roman Catholicism, into which I was born and bred until my salvation at the age of 23 in 1973, series here), it is of great comfort to seek the Bible-based counsel and instruction from those who have gone before.
My sincere prayer for all who may find this is to always remember: God is far, far greater and more powerful than any man-made (or man-co-opted) religious organization no matter how wealthy, old, fast-growing, or anything else it might be or become.
I always say, as do many other former “cradle Catholics,” if God can bring me out, He can bring anybody out of any religious system! And you will hear the ex-NAR follower featured, below, say something very similar about her own multi-year, many-level involvement in that spiritual entity and how she left.
Sometimes all it takes is a single Scripture passage to open the eyes and prompt the mind and spirit. For me, when I began to investigate the NAR out of curiosity and for the parts of the various components that are biblical, it was the following Bible passage from Mark 16: 15-18, KJV, known as Jesus’ Great Commission; the salient verses are bolded, that proved the power:
15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
17And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
My simple correction–and warning–was : signs and wonders follow those who hear the preaching of the Gospel–not the preaching of signs and wonders. After all, there are other spirits from whom we hear about signs and wonders and who can perform some of their own.
On the other hand, my journey out of Roman Catholicism took much longer, I’d say six full years, in part because we were not permitted to read and interpret the Bible for ourselves (only the priests can do that, my father warned), even though I was also going to a local denominational protestant church during those same years, learning about the real Gospel for the first time.
But it happened.
And I still love Catholics as well as the NAR participants whose churches I had to stay away from and/or leave as that influence encroached more and more into the sermons and practices. But I will also share, if asked, the research and investigations it has been my passion and sense of contribution to the cause of Christ to have engaged in the past over fifty years (RCism) and about twenty, (NARismaticism).
With encouragement and comfort as well, along with a closer look at the Scriptures often used to discourage those who question this or any movement in the church, here is the first of more testimonies from ex NAR followers. – pbn
pnissila 