G12 - The Government of 12  

We all be are for more people coming into the kingdom, it often takes more work than we have people for. However, it is important how people are brought in and just as important how they are trained up. We have seen a lack of discipleship over the years that has resulted in less numbers in the church. 

G12 writes Jesus said, "Make disciples" (See Matthew 28:19-20). He did not just tell us to evangelise or to get decisions. People who accept the gospel and believe must be discipled. They must be taught, shaped and formed into the image of Jesus. The Church often falls short of full obedience in this respect. Many people who make decisions to become Christians are never truly discipled in the paths of Christ. This must change, and we must all place full obedience to Jesus' command on the highest level of our agenda as people and as a church.   

The G12 vision is a practical means by which we can all obey the call of our Master and be a success.

I agree about the lack of discipleship but is G12 the way God gave us to succeed. Is there a way to speed up God's work in an individual? Can everyone have FULL obedience?  The question that needs to be answered is: what is the solution?  Cesar Castellanos of the International Charismatic Mission in Bogota, Colombia  believes God has given him the ultimate solution. I would like to look at what is presented to us as God speaking a new idea to succeed.

(G12) is a cell church model founded by Pastor Cesar Castellanos which is the 400,000 strong (International Charismatic Mission in Bogota, Colombia). Wanting to see growth in his church 'In 1986 He ( Cesar Castellanos) went to Korea and adopted the principles of cell church as taught by Dr Yonggi Cho. By the end of 1991 there were 70 cells. Castellanos cried out to the Lord, “Lord I need something that will accelerate the growth.” And God showed him the missing link - the concept now called G12."

This new model for doing church is also growing elsewhere because a number of well-known people are involved in promoting this new church model of discipleship. In Singapore Lawrence and Nina Khong. England is Colin and Amanda Dye at Kensington Temple. In the United States of America Pr. Dick Bernal Jubilee Christian Center Pr. Larry & Melanie Stockstill at Bethany World Prayer Center and Pr. Ken & Lois Gott.

The G12 system has numerous strict standards. In order to be part of the vision, you are expected to be dedicated, attend your cell group once a week, go to retreats, go out to evangelize, go the Sunday morning service and also attend special meetings with your leader's leader. Each week is surrounded by these church things to do, as your social activities are contained within your cell group. Your week is taken up with these meetings to attend as they make you a more serious disciple.

The school of leaders you are to attend once a week is where you learn doctrine. This lasts twelve weeks (there are three levels in this school.) It has been stated if you miss more than three courses out of twelve (for whatever reason), you must start the course over. At the end you are to have your own cell group, everyone is to become a leader, eventually. We are told “everyone is a potential leader."“ everybody becomes a leader, and in time, runs their own open cell. Everyone is ministered to and everyone becomes a minister” (The Heart of the Vision). You are to save 3 people and become your own group leader and repeat the process all over again. Each person in the cell is to start to build a new cell. “When all the members of the original cell have started their own new cell, the original cell becomes a G12 group” (G12 Heart of the Vision).

While everyone can disciple people (with or without this model). The problem with multiplication ministries like this is that you may not be ready for leadership and yet they are more than willing to hand over to you 11 other newborns to disciple. Essentially we are told the G12 is NOT about doctrine. It is about a method that they claim is based on the Bible. Their goal -every believer a leader. A leader of what? Of another group of 12. The fact remains, the biblical principle to disciple is a command. The way to disciple that is promoted by G12 is Not a biblical pattern of doing church at all. 

The Bogota G12 model has five stages of implementation called the Ladder of Success: win, consolidate, disciple, send.  After you win someone the second step is to bring them to a retreat for a weekend. Step .2 Consolidate: where they taught on the impact of their past sins, the importance of forgiving those who did you wrong for healing. There are three parts to the Consolidation process.  Consolidation is when the new believer goes through the pre-encounter Bible studies, the weekend residential encounter and the post-encounter called the 'C-Track'. This where they are convinced to follow the G12 model of ministry though we are told four stages are necessary each one is necessary for full obedience to obey the Great Commission . Consolidation process is central to the success of the G12 strategy (Encounters with Jesus Issue 1 - Article 10)

The aim of the Encounter is total transformation that will give birth to the character of Christ in the believer. It is a preparation for the training that takes place at the School of Leaders. Encounter deals with the following subjects and issues in depth: Repentance -Forgiveness -Breaking of Curses - Deliverance - Inner Healing - Baptism with Water-Baptism with the Holy Spirit -The G12 Vision.

In the courses they put in practice what they call “spiritual warfare,”  they break Generational curses to make the new disciple ready.  So many of the new Charismatic trends seem to have found their way into this G12 model. It has been reported people throw up demons for deliverance (Is there a better way to get rid of them?)  Some time is spent on breaking “generational curses” you get all the bad stuff out of them you do that through pre-encounter, a 6 week class that teaches you the basics of christianity and then the encounter, where you pretty much break whatever is holding you back from going all out for God. Then Post-encounter which teaches you how to stay in the victory you gained at the Encounter.
3 Disciple: you teach the people how to become a leader, you talk to them about evangelism, courtship, abundant life, etc. These classes are ten weeks long and you do these by going to School of Leaders 1, 2, and,3
4 Send: By now you are a cell leader and building your 12 disciples that you must intercess for. Then you are sent out to missions get your 12 lead a cell group etc.

The Pre-Encounter, the Encounter and the Post-Encounter are necessary because “Often believers today have never been truly consolidated in their faith as experienced in the G12 structure. This means many issues dealt with at the Encounter are still unresolved in their lives. Sadly, they carry pain, bondage and demonic curses for many years and still need to be set free in some areas of their lives. ”

After one after another of this rigorous training you are convinced, fired up and ready to go. Churches who willingly become part of the G12 are expected to fully be committed and not attend elsewhere. Those who become part of G-12 hold to God anointing ICM in a special way and are willing to submit to ICM's (International Charismatic Mission) covering. Submission to your authority (leader) comes naturally once you have accepted the vision.  I have received many letters that say basically the same thing: people have been accused of things they have not done and told that if you don't support the vision then you won't grow in God. This manipulation seems to be inherent to the G-12 model.

Here is how its done. for one to enter the new paradigm they must let go of the old according to the new age movement. This same principle is applied in G12. the founder Cesar Castellanos addresses developing the vision by giving an example of a pastor and an architect. With the same argument used of not pouring new wine into old wineskin, the pastor come to the architect and “wants to keep some of the old structure because it some good and valuable parts, although they have been severely weakened.” The architect replies that it cannot be done. His life dreams, desires and hopes are connected to the old building. The architect insists, “It is not possible to build the new house and keep the old structures. You must choose which one you want.” And the man answers, “I will look for another architect for advice.”

“In 1991, the lord removed the veil from my mind and gave me a deep revelation about the meaning of 12. I had asked myself why Jesus taught 12 and not 11 or 13. I also thought, the larger the number, the faster the work would progress. Why did Jesus invest His effort in just 12 people? Then I heard the voice of the Holy Spirit deep in my heart. He said if I trained 12 people, reproducing in them the character of Christ in me, and each of them did the same with another 12 - the continuation of the process, with every group of 12 transferring what they receive, would lead to unprecedented growth in the church” (Adapted from 'Successful leadership through Groups of 12' by Pastor Cesar Castellanos)

Wait a second Jesus had 12 but one apostasized. This is not included in his equation, that would make 11. Acts 1:21-25 “Therefore, of these men who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,” beginning from the baptism of John to that day when He was taken up from us, one of these must become a witness with us of His resurrection.” And they proposed two: Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. And they prayed and said, “You, O Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which of these two You have chosen “to take part in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.”

The original 12 had one less because of betrayal which had to be replaced. The fact is, the apostles chose one more to replace  Judas, Mattias became number 12. He was not one of the original 12, he came from the 70. This seems to bring the whole concept of 12 tumbling to the ground since it is supposed to be from only the 12 Jesus specifically trained. In fact the two   that were the choice to replace Judas (Barsabas and Mattias) are both outside the 12.

An then what of Paul, he was 13 was he not? (depending on if you count Judas, this would make him 14 after Mattias). He was not trained with the group of twelve that was trained by Jesus when he was physically on earth. Paul who was not of the 12 wrote the majority of the epistles in the New Testament. How does this fit with his vision model of 12. How does this work with what Castellannos claims God spoke to him about 12. It doesn’t! 

Furthermore Castellannos makes a unproven claim and attributes it to the Holy Spirit  “and each of them did the same with another 12 - the continuation of the process, with every group of 12 transferring what they receive.”

Where did the 12 apostles (14 actually) pick 12 as the number? This is not found in Scripture.

On the topic of “Shape your group of twelve,” the founder Cesar Castellanos writes “In the spiritual realm it is the group of 12 that gives us authority, government and maturity in its fullness. The group of twelve has a special significance, that is why we read about the twelve tribes of Israel and the twelve apostles. You must help your disciples to have their own group of twelve” (Pastor Cesar Castellanos in his article Effective Leadership)

You don’t find the apostles diligently looking for twelve disciples in order to repeat Jesus’ pattern of twelve disciples. No other apostle had a group of twelve, only Jesus did. Nowhere does the Bible instruct us to repeat a number pattern like this so we can have authority or maturity in the spiritual realm. If the apostles did not try to copy Jesus in this numbering why is there a vision with this number today? The12 were apostles that the Lord handpicked, it was never made a model for the church to continue so we can succeed. Paul being picked afterwards proves this.

 Colin Dye who is also involved in this movement says “A primary leader that surrounds himself with 12 and then one of the 12 becomes a primary leader.” This is their multiplication method, to meet in a group of 12 and disciple others. There is no biblical number that is more powerful or more anointed than any other. Yet the founder says the spiritual realm will recognizes the number 12, so you must continue with this number. This sounds like the Mormon church having 12 apostles and new prophets for the continuance of the church than a bible concept given by the apostles.

Steps to Establishing a Group of 12 by Sarah Ajayi “The Establishment of the government of 12 OF 12 Teaching about Elijah in 1 Kings 18:30 -35, Cesar Castellanos taught the delegates on ‘Steps to ensure the vision’. Elijah symbolically restored the Government of 12 when he placed twelve stones around the altar of sacrifice. The Government of 12 provides protection for the leaders and disciples. We need to restore the altar of God by moving closer to Him and operating in His authority. The anointing in the vision is needed to get through to the people. Like Elijah, Christians need to confront the apostasy in society.”

G12 insists there is always 12 “Then He appointed twelve, that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach and to have power to heal sicknesses and cast out demons” (Mark 3:14-15). (G12 What is a Cell? www.kt.org) 

On the topic “The Secret is in the Twelve”- One of the first things I learnt from the Lord at this time was that to implement the model of 12 one must walk in supernatural power, casting out demons and performing miracles according to each person's need.”

Luke 10:1-2 “After these things the Lord appointed seventy others also, and sent them two by two before His face into every city and place where He Himself was about to go. Then He said to them, “The harvest truly is” great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.” V.17 “Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.” v.19  “Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.”

The Cell Church in the European Situation Pastor Colin Dye Part one: The New Reformation Many churches in Europe are beginning to look into the Cell Church concept.

Lets look at what he has stated carefully. a new model of Church, not from the Bible. Where does the book of Ephesians say such a thing? When Christ wants to work in the world, he uses his body. God can’t work outside the human bodies he has as the church? Is God limited to this? He certainly was able to before the church, why not now? The Eph. 4 passage is explaining that they leadership to equip the church so that we are mature and do not go for every new wind of doctrine that blows through, that would mean we should not go for the G-12 which is a complete re-thinking of how we ‘do’ and ‘be’ church (classic paradigm shift talk). Only through cells can disciples be made! They have gone beyond the Scripture which Paul who wrote Ephesians 4 says not to do: “That you may learn in us not to think beyond what is written.” In other words, if we are to maintain spiritual health and do God’s work his way, the apostle Paul is saying we are not to seek new revelation outside the clear teaching of the Word. And this is certainly something new. While the intent may be good, the principle of discipling may be right, the implementation and Scripture to validate it is not.

The main point is that they are proposing that God restoring such a church. We need to be aware that the recent apostolic emphasis on the five-fold ministry is coming from a group of self appointed apostles which are linked with a whole lot of false prophets. They are mainly dominionist's and have been practicing doctrines of the Latter Rain. Not surprising that Colin Dye has said Jesus is not going to come until the entire church prays “Come, Jesus, Come” (Colin Dye, undated video broadcast on Joshua TV (Amsterdam), Aug. 12, 1998).

On page 20 of Revival Phenomena Colin Dye says on spiritual gifts: "The New Testament may not list every possible gift; and Jesus may send other ones which are not mentioned in Romans 12:3-8; Ephesians 4:7-16 and 1 Corinthians 12:1-11." On p.40: "It seems logical to me, therefore, not to limit the range of his (God's) possible activities just to those which are specifically recorded or exemplified in the scriptures" (book-Revival Phenomena).

Here we have a classic case of going beyond Scripture. Therefore anything supernatural happens any strange manifestation must be accepted as from God because it is no longer able to be tested by the word. What a place to bring the church to live by, no right or wrong. 

Citing Genesis 12:2-3 When you obey the Great Commission of Jesus to disciple the nations you step into the blessing of Abraham and he was blessed in all things!

 Scripture tells us Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”), that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith” (Gal 3:13-14 ). If you have Jesus Christ you already have the blessing of Abraham, it is the promise of the Spirit to those who believe. This is not a correct way to prompt people to be more serious to evangelize.

“Abraham being the father of a multitude and we being sons of Abraham, we ought to claim that we are conquering the multitude and confess that they are coming. We must see them coming. Once you know the miracle you want and can see it clearly, you only have to give the word of authority for it to be revealed exactly as you dreamt. Then what we conquer in the spiritual realm can be brought by faith to the natural realm” (Pastor Cesar Castellanos in his article Effective Leadership)

Dick Bernal of Jubilee Christian Center says,  The Vision God has given Jubilee is to be a lighthouse of good news of our Lord Jesus Christ as we seek to “take our cities for God.” This is right out of the  concept of John Dawson's book Taking our cities for God. So we can see that there are many unhealthy charismatic influences in this cell church movement.

 3. The division this model is causing: In a very real way, the G12 movement has separated themselves from the cell church movement, claiming to be God’s new wineskin for the last days. Listen to Ralph Neighbour ’s appeal in a paper he submitted to the Cell Church Missions Network in November 2002, “The concept of building a multilevel marketing structure that peaks in the authority of a special Global Apostle with his hand-picked assistants has now come into existence. Bedazzled by the promise of fast track growth for their congregations, pastors are kneeling to kiss the gold rings worn by the Apostles. At the same time, they are severing relationships with fellow cell church workers who are not among the devotees. In many parts of the world, painful reports are coming about pastors who one or two years ago were very intimately involved in helping each other and working together in the cell movements in their cities but who now shun fellowship with others who did not bow before the Apostle’s strategy.”

Before anyone joins in with the G-12 or any other movements like it, I suggest they look into what they are actually practicing and who are their affiliations. Khong (who trained at Dallas Theological Seminary) was fired from his church in 1986 and began Faith Community Baptist Church basing it on the Yonggi Cho cell model.   Lawrence Khong is now part of Wagner’s leadership, so this movement is one step away to from Peter Wagner’s false apostolic government. In fact this strategy of cell church is being used by many of the apostles to set up their church government since it is  a easier means of control. Does this mean a cell church model of meeting in homes is wrong? Of course not, yet we should be aware of how it is being implemented and what is it associated to.