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While I have enjoyed the ministry of Bishop Jakes, I would not see him any different than Rod Parsley or some other Trinitarian preacher (Bishop Jakes is not Trinitarian btw.) I can listen to any of them and "eat the meat and throw out the bones," so to speak.
I know that I am going to take some flak for this post, however, I will briefly state my reasoning. In recent years there has been an attempt to redefine what "Apostolic" means by non-Apostolics. They have associated "Apostolic" with a new age of Apostolic authority and power being restored to the church rather than doctrinal truths taught by the Apostles, and now being embraced and taught by us.
This new "Apostolic" era in fact is devoid of taking any "doctrinal" stand, and when pushed for doctrinal clarity those who embrace this new ideology will usually use a lot of smoke and mirrors type answers to avoid identifying themselves with truth that will be consequential.
A balance of Apostolic Authority and Apostolic Doctrine defines true Apostolics, and one cannot exist without the other.
Having said that, Bishop Jakes practices the basic tenets of the Apostolic doctrine, such as if you are baptized under his ministry you will be baptized in Jesus name. However, he does not believe that baptism in Jesus' name is essential to salvation. In fact if you come to his church from a Trinitarian movement and never feel your need to be re-baptized it is a non-issue to him. Based upon his own statements regarding doctrinal issues Bishop Jakes is not Apostolic.
It is not the avoidance of the name "Apostolic" that concerns me it is the distancing of ones self from the doctrine that is the issue.
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