Apostolic Christian Church?

[tchgrl]

Blessings everyone. I am new here and am looking for a new Church to fellowship with. Recently I was invited to a Apostolic Christian Church in my area and wanted to know if anyone here has been to one of their services? Thank you may God bless you.

Tchgrl

 

[graceandpeace]

Usually there are two things that come to mind when a church uses the term "apostolic."

The first is "apostolic" in the sense of being a church that practices apostolic succession and/or identifies strongly/directly with the phrase "One, holy, catholic, & apostolic church" from the Nicene Creed. The Eastern Orthodox, Roman Catholic, & Anglican/Episcopal churches generally fall under this explanation.

The second is "apostolic" as another way of saying charismatic/Pentecostal movement - usually implying they are preaching & acting like the Christians during apostolic times (with heavy emphasis on speaking in tongues, being slain in the spirit, etc).

Without more info I can only speculate, but I am thinking the church you've mentioned, based on name alone, probably falls under the second explanation & use of the word "apostolic." Again, without more info, I am just guessing.

 

[Tigger45]

Here is a good write up on them.
Apostolic Christian Church - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I attended one once but it was a bit dry for my taste.



They have apostolic in their name but it's not referring to apostolic succession as having a line of bishops continuing all the way back to the apostles. And every Christian denom I know believes they retain the original teaches of the apostles.


They are using the term apostles referring to the fact they call the higher ranking clergy by that terminology.


Read the article I pasted and let us know if you have any other questions.

 

[graceandpeace]

Here is a good write up on them.
Apostolic Christian Church - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I attended one once but it was a bit dry for my taste.



They have apostolic in their name but it's not referring to apostolic succession as having a line of bishops continuing all the way back to the apostles. And every Christian denom I know believes they retain the original teaches of the apostles.


They are using the term apostles referring to the fact they call the higher ranking clergy by that terminology.


Read the article I pasted and let us know if you have any other questions.

I should've googled! This is the answer needed for the OP.

 

[Tigger45]

I should've googled! This is the answer needed for the OP.

Yeh I cheated a little bit . But last summer I just came across one of these churches so I researched them a bit and also posted a thread here at CF inquiring about them before visiting them in person.

 

[tchgrl]

Thank you Tigger, I read the article and this is the type of church that God is leading towards. I have strong Anabaptist/Mennonite beliefs, there is just no Mennonite or Anabaptist churches in my area. The Apostolic Christian Church is the only one near me that seems to be similar to the Anabaptist/Mennonite church. Just wanted to know if there was anyone in this forum that has visited one of these churches before.

tchgrl

 

[Albion]

FWIW, I don't remember any mention of the Apostolic Christian Churches occurring on these forums over the past half dozen years or so...or any poster who identified himself as being a member. I

It's probable, therefore, that you won't be getting too much first-hand information from anyone here; but if the summary of beliefs and practices listed on that Wikipedia article sits well with you, you're probably going to be well-served by the ACC. Your comparison of the Mennonites with the Apostolic Christian and related churches seems apt.

 

[1watchman]

Personally I don't believe the Bible teaches any such idea of apostolic succession, so if that is advocated in a place, one should want to see the clear teaching of Scripture. Look up always and ask God to lead and keep you from going astray.

 

[Samaritan Woman]

I was born into and immersed in the ACC in southern California from the 1970s - 90s and found it not only to be a church but a culture within itself due to its restrictive legalistic rules and regulations, such as requiring women to only wear skirts/dresses, no jewelry, head coverings, etc (not to mention the atrocious gossip that permeated the congregation). People who chose to marry outside the ACH were excommunicated if the spouse didn't become a member, and overall it was repressive and suffocating. There have been countless splits over stupid things like wedding rings and women & men sitting together during the service. Granted, some congregations are much more liberal and modern while others are extremely conservative, so treat the one to which you were invited as its own.

 

[tchgrl]

I was born into and immersed in the ACC in southern California from the 1970s - 90s and found it not only to be a church but a culture within itself due to its restrictive legalistic rules and regulations, such as requiring women to only wear skirts/dresses, no jewelry, head coverings, etc (not to mention the atrocious gossip that permeated the congregation). People who chose to marry outside the ACH were excommunicated if the spouse didn't become a member, and overall it was repressive and suffocating. There have been countless splits over stupid things like wedding rings and women & men sitting together during the service. Granted, some congregations are much more liberal and modern while others are extremely conservative, so treat the one to which you were invited as its own.

Thank you Samaritan Woman, this helps a great deal. God bless you.

Blessings
Tchgrl

 

[Shane R]

There was a lay-led service of this denomination on my Naval ship. I thought it was an historically black church because 90% of the attendees were black charismatics. I do know that they very loosely defined and applied any dogmatics, other than traditional four-fold gospel Pentecostal views. I had a friend or two that was an adherent.

 

[fritzmb]

tchgrl,
I am a member of the Apostolic Christian Church of America. As mentioned in the Wikipedia link provided by tigger45, there have been numerous divisions in the last 100 years (At this point I would call them separate denominations. Although they all have similar roots, there is some divergence of doctrine, tradition, and practice.). I believe the Apostolic Christian Church of America is the largest of these denominations, though it is still very small. I'm not sure which specific denomination you have in your area, so I can't necessarily speak with authority regarding what you will find. Also, I don't claim to be a theology expert, so I can't debate the finer points of the theological differences. Generally speaking, I believe you will find a group of people desiring to serve God. I would expect them to be welcoming and friendly. We are encouraged to live a separated sanctified life, yet there is generally an openness to outreach and missions, and a welcoming attitude to anyone interested in attending a service. Some distinctive elements you may see (in no particular order): we practice the holy kiss between church members of the same gender; we would encourage modest dress; we generally have two services each Sunday, and share a lunch between the services, with almost everyone staying for both services; we generally have "separated seating" with the women on one side and the men on the other; women wear a prayer veil in church (and many wear a smaller headcovering outside of church); women are encouraged to have long hair and men to have short hair; we have a cappella (without instruments) congregational singing; each congregation typically has several lay (unpaid) ministers who share the minister responsibilities; the "head" minister is called an elder; we consider repentance to be a process, and once a person has shown evidence of conversion they share their testimony (we call it a "proving") with the church and then they are baptized (full immersion); we practice closed communion (only church members participate). I'm sure there are many more things I have not mentioned, but at least that gives you a taste. Hopefully that helps.

Feel free to let me know (either via this thread or a private message), if you have any other questions or anything else I can help you with.

Thanks,
Mike

 

[Thomas Williams]

Yes, I am Apostolic, Oneness, and do get back with me. My name is Thomas

 

[seashale76]

Yes, I am Apostolic, Oneness, and do get back with me. My name is Thomas

Don't get in touch. Oneness means they reject the Trinity. That's a deal-breaker belief.

 

[Albion]

Don't get in touch. Oneness means they reject the Trinity. That's a deal-breaker belief.

Thomas has misunderstood. He's "Apostolic" and a Christian, but the "Apostolic Christian Church" is a denomination by that name which is completely different in doctrine and practice.

 

[kit]

Personally I don't believe the Bible teaches any such idea of apostolic succession, so if that is advocated in a place, one should want to see the clear teaching of Scripture. Look up always and ask God to lead and keep you from going astray.

The first chapter of Acts 15-26 lays out that The Apostles are succeeded. Matthias replaced Judas. Matthias succeeded Judas. I don't think there is any place in scripture which abrogates this model later.

 

[1watchman]

It isn't a matter of abrogation, but "rightly dividing the Word of Truth". It was essential that Judas be replaced to complete the ministry of twelve Apostles. The Church was established in Acts 2 (not Acts 1) and the Apostles set forth to minister; and the Apostle Paul who was given the primary administration of the "dispensation of Grace" ---the NT Church as he declared (with additions by others with him), so that ended the full "counsel of God" for the Church. After the Apostles were removed from this scene, the Holy Spirit taught the Scripture to the elders in various assemblies as we have even to this day. The idea of "apostolic succession" is only an invention of men to exalt self.

 

[kit]

It isn't a matter of abrogation, but "rightly dividing the Word of Truth". It was essential that Judas be replaced to complete the ministry of twelve Apostles. The Church was established in Acts 2 (not Acts 1) and the Apostles set forth to minister; and the Apostle Paul who was given the primary administration of the "dispensation of Grace" ---the NT Church as he declared (with additions by others with him), so that ended the full "counsel of God" for the Church. After the Apostles were removed from this scene, the Holy Spirit taught the Scripture to the elders in various assemblies as we have even to this day. The idea of "apostolic succession" is only an invention of men to exalt self.

"Rightly dividing the Word of Truth" eh. Such a notion is a bit ethereal. Paul wasn't present at the founding of the Church. The fact that (7+ chapters on) Paul becomes an Apostle with equal, or in your version superior, authority demonstrates even further that there is Apostolic Succession. The New Testament as scripture developed LONG after the twelve Apostles. The idea that the Holy Spirit "taught the Scripture,,,as we have today" is only the invention of men to exalt self.

The Church is the Pillar and Foundation of Truth, not scripture. The Keys of the Kingdom are entrusted to Peter-an APOSTLE, not to scripture. The Spirit is promised in the activities of the Church (ie, Baptism or even gathering) NOT in the scripture(presumably reading it).

 

[Albion]

"Rightly dividing the Word of Truth" eh. Such a notion is a bit ethereal. Paul wasn't present at the founding of the Church. The fact that (7+ chapters on) Paul becomes an Apostle with equal, or in your version superior, authority demonstrates even further that there is Apostolic Succession. The New Testament as scripture developed LONG after the twelve Apostles. The idea that the Holy Spirit "taught the Scripture,,,as we have today" is only the invention of men to exalt self.

The Church is the Pillar and Foundation of Truth, not scripture. The Keys of the Kingdom are entrusted to Peter-an APOSTLE, not to scripture. The Spirit is promised in the activities of the Church (ie, Baptism or even gathering) NOT in the scripture(presumably reading it).

ONCE AGAIN, the poster who started this thread was talking about a particular denomination that is called the "Apostolic Christian Church." It wasn't an invitation to a debate about the Apostles, Apostolic Succession, what it means to be "Apostolic," rightly dividing the word, or anything else.