Each January, this group of “prophets” — led by C. Peter Wagner and Cindy Jacobs — meets to determine what God has shown them about the new year.

This year’s prophecies — like previous years — are so vague that there would be no way of knowing if they were actually fulfilled. I call them “fortune cookie” prophecies.

But even if they weren’t vague, the ACPE includes so many disclaimers before their prophecies that not one of them would ever have to come to pass — and they could still call themselves “prophets.”

One of their favorite disclaimers is the one I call the “moving calendar” disclaimer. Just because they call it the “Word of the Lord for 2010″ doesn’t necessarily mean the prophecies will be fulfilled in 2010, according to the ACPE prophets. Maybe it will be in 2011. Or maybe 2012. Hey, why limit themselves to a single decade?

But this year they have another disclaimer they call “conditional prophecies.”

Conditional Prophecies

Their first disclaimer states this:

“All prophecy not contained in Scripture is conditional.”

What do they mean by saying that the prophecies they give are “conditional”? Their statement is clarified by another one of their disclaimers, which states:

“It is possible that prophetic warnings will cause either the person or nation to repent and so turn away the judgment prophesied. Biblically, this happened when Jonah prophesied to Nineveh and the city repented, causing God to relent.”

So, what they mean by saying that their prophecies are “conditional” is that they may or may not happen — based on whether their listeners choose to act on them or not. Just like the prophecy about Ninevah, God could change His mind.

In other words, their prophecy about a Holy Spirit revival occurring in Indonesia — well, that one might or might not happen. It depends on a number of factors, such as whether their followers prayed and worked hard enough to stir up a revival. And then there’s the prophecy about  the eradication of poverty. Again, it may or may not happen — depending on what things churches do to help the poor.

And, oh yes, don’t forget their prophecy about the rise of a third political party in America. Maybe a new party will rise. And if it does, the ACPE will be sure to take credit. But if it doesn’t, it’s not their fault. It’s the fault of the American people — or somebody, anybody else. And on it goes.

Are you getting the picture?

But there’s one gaping hole in this “conditional prophecy” theory. The Bible doesn’t teach it. Which Scripture passages say that all prophecies — other than those found in Scripture — are conditional? Show them to me.

What the Bible does teach is that prophets must be tested for their accuracy (Deuteronomy 18:20-22). The apostle Paul told the Thessalonians to examine every prophecy carefully (1 Thessalonians 5:19-22).

By saying that their prophecies don’t have to come to pass, the ACPE has thrown out the most basic test for knowing if a prophet is true or false — the accuracy test.

But that — maybe, possibly, could be — the point.

The ACPE members this year include Bill Hamon, Sam Brassfield, Harry Jackson, Rick Ridings, Greg Black, Will Ford, Mike Jacobs, Peter Wagner, Mary Glazier, Sharon Stone, Cindy Jacobs, John Sanford, Beth Alves, Gwen Shaw and Doris Wagner (pictured below).

Photo credit: CIA World Factbook

Steve Shultz, the publisher of the Elijah List, sent out an e-mail Tuesday claiming that “prophets” Kim Clement, Cindy Jacobs and Chuck Pierce predicted the recent earthquake in Haiti. See his e-mail here. But did they really predict it?

This is a perfect example of how “prophets” in the apostolic-prophetic movement falsely claim credit for predicting events. Yet, if you look at their actual prophecies, you will see how vague — or inaccurate — they were. Let’s look at them quickly.

Kim Clement’s Prophecy

Kim Clement’s prophecy, given last July, makes a quick reference to Haiti, along with South Africa, New Guinea and China. The only thing he says about Haiti is that “a spirit if unity is being released” in the nation (nothing about an earthquake). He says the same thing about unity coming to South Africa and New Guinea. And regarding China, he says that the “wicked regime” and communism are being defeated there.

I would hardly call Clement’s prophecy a prediction of the earthquake that occurred in Haiti.

Chuck Pierce’s Prophecy

Back in December, Chuck Pierce prophesied about “buckling highways throughout the earth.” Watch a video of it here. His prophecy — about “buckling highways” — predicted the damage that was caused to roadways during the Haiti quake, according to Shultz. Never mind the fact that Pierce’s prophecy didn’t mention either an earthquake or Haiti.

Shultz also claims that Pierce’s prophecy predicted the recent “buckling” of sections of roads in Israel, California and Florida. But his prophecy about “buckling” roads is laughable. There  are always roads that collapse or need repaired. The minor incident that occurred in Israel involved a bus wheel that broke through the pavement. It only merited a small news story that was related to Shultz second hand. A fulfillment of prophecy? Give me a break!

Cindy Jacob’s Prophecy

At the same event where Pierce spoke in December, Cindy Jacobs said there would be earthquakes in regions of the world where they normally don’t occur. She said the media would be shocked because they would happen in places that aren’t situated on top of fault lines.

Well, Jacobs’ prophecy definitely couldn’t have referred to the Haiti quake since two major fault lines run right through the island nation, and it has a history of devastating earthquakes. Read about them here.

When it comes to predicting the Haiti quake, it appears that Shultz’s “prophets” are 0-3.