Apostolic Church (denomination)
The Apostolic Church and Apostolic Church - Early Christian Mission is an evangelical and Pentecostal free church, whose origins are attributed to the revival of Wales 1904/ 05. Despite the far -ending existence of the Free Church sees in their faith, practice and leadership as a foundation of the Apostolic Early Church.
The purpose of the Apostolic Church was set forth by a prominent writer of the Church:
To make the forgiveness of sins through the atoning death of Christ known; water baptism by immersion; the baptism of the Holy Spirit with signs following; The nine gifts of the Holy Spirit; the five gifts of our risen Lord; and said in the New Testament vision, "The Church, which is His body."
The global vision is confirmed by a strong missionary concern. The movement, which began in Welsh villages of South Wales, found by the end of the 20th century, more than 6 million members in more than 70 nations. The largest single area church is located in Nigeria with more than 4.5 million members and a national assembly hall, which offers more than 100,000 seats.
The international session of the Assembly Ablaze UK (formerly the International Apostolic Convention ) takes place every year since 1916 on the first week of August. By 2002, the location in the village Pen-y -groes, Camarthenshire was established since then in the city of Swansea. Pen-y -groes is the place apostostolischen school Apostolic Church School of Ministry (1933 established as Apostolic Church International Bible School). It is the oldest Pentecostal college in the UK. To date, there are Bible schools in 11 other countries. In Germany, the Apostolic Church serves communities in Berlin, Flensburg and Uelzen.
Church History
On November 5, 1909 William Oliver Hutchinson called the first Pentecostal church in Britain to life. It was soon known at the headquarters of a large network of Pfingstlerverbänden as Apostolic Faith Church.
Pastor Daniel P. Williams, founder of the " Apostolic Church " was proclaimed in the new movement to be an apostle. In 1916, Williams parted and some Welsh members who later founded the " Apostolic Church of Wales" (ACW). The two groups have evolved doctrinally greatly since 1916.
1917 a second group concurred, centered around Bermingham the " Apostolic Church of Wales". In the very next year came the "Burning Bush Pentecostal Congregation " Glasgow's in talks with the ACW, but remained independent. Also to cooperate with the ACW decided in the same year another group from Hereford, the " Apostolic Church " was called.
1920 invited Ben Fisher, head of an independent Pentecostal church in Belfast, Williams one to take care of his church. So, due to their connection to the ACW, the community was first mission field.
HV Chanter was head of the " Apostolic Church of God " (ACG ), a large group of Pentecostal churches with headquarters in Bradford. 1921 lived Chanter of Wheinachtskonvention in Pen-y -groes, Wales at. A prophecy in Bradford decreed the leaders invite the Welsh leaders to a meeting. They met in 1922 and arranged another meeting at Easter. At this Easter convention, most heads of ACW communities and those who had joined them met in Bradford.
The " Apostolic Church - Early Christian Mission in Germany " is a foundation of the " Apostolic Church of Wales" and came after the Second World War, via Denmark to Germany.
Four main currents now formed an administrative union:
- The " Apostolic Church of Wales" ( Apostolic Church of Wales)
- The "Burning Bush Congregation " ( Burning Bush community)
- The " Apostolic Church in Hereford " ( Apostolic Church in Hereford )
- The " Apostolic Church of God " ( Apostolic Church of God )
Pen-y -groes was specified as the line headquarters, Glasgow as financial headquarters and Bradford as a mission center.
Faith and Theology
The Apostolic Church is not part of the " unit Pentecostalism ". Apostolic Church is also a common term that describes churches and groups within the Pentecostal movement. These groups, however, have no connection to the Apostolic Church, which adheres to the evangelical doctrine of the Trinity of God and baptism.
The theological beliefs of the Apostolic Church are summarized in their statements of faith, called " principles " (English " Tenet ").
The Apostolic Church in Australia, New Zealand and the "Ascension Fellowships International in USA" go all of a revised form of principles ( " Tenet " ) to. The meaning of a word can change over time subtle. Therefore, it was necessary to re- adjust these principles. The addition " the resurrection of the believer in an incorruptible body " was accepted at the time of beginnings, but now a clear expression is necessary. The order change speculates more frequent in evangelical churches version.
Ecumenism
The Apostolic Church sees itself as one of many by Jesus commissioned the church, among other institutions. She has by his own knowledge the order to implement the received revelation from God about the nature of the church of Jesus in a concrete council and contribute to the growth of the Body of Christ as a communion among all Christians on the spot. Therefore, the Apostolic Church is trying to build a relationship also with other communities and churches. Due to the non-denominational setting, the church sends missionaries in different denominational mission agencies.
The church does not belong to the "unity Pentecostalism " as well as non denominational group of apostolic communities. It is not represented in the World Council of Churches nor in the Council of Christian Churches still in the Evangelical Alliance.
" Equippers " Network
" Equippers " ( German: equipment suppliers, in terms of " people through faith in Jesus Christ to equip for life. ") Forms an important network of communities within the Apostolic Church of New Zealand. This church planting movement is a global presence in individual communities in Australia, Germany, New Zealand, Tonga and the United Kingdom.
The network is under the ministry of Bruce & Helen Monk, located in the main network church in London.