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History of the Apostolic Church (International)
The Apostolic Church is an outgrowth of the 1904-5 Revival in Wales which is commemorated on the foundation stones of its Headquarters church at Penygroes, Dyfed, South Wales. It was in this Welsh village that the Holy Spirit inaugurated the opening phase of a great period of Apostolic expansion. The Revival thus brought about a return to a long neglected dimension in Church life namely the continued outpouring of the Holy Spirit in spiritual gifts for the enrichment of the Church.
In 1907-8 there was a mighty visitation of the Holy Spirit in England, Scotland and Wales. It was a time of tremendous spiritual blessing. The Pentecostal promise had come to Britain and the glossolalia (speaking with other tongues) was experienced by many. This led to a further revelation of truth and a vision of a restored Apostolate and Prophethood, together with the other Ascension Ministries of Ephesians 4:11. It also led to an unveiling of Scripture truths concerning the Church which is the Body of Christ.
This vision concerning Christ’s purpose and plan as unfolded in the New Testament epistles, involved not only his postascension gifts of men to the Church (Eph 4:11), but also spiritual gifts consequent on the Baptism of the Holy Spirit with signs following (Acts 2:4, 1 Cor. 12:1-11).
It was this vision of Apostolic doctrine that gripped the first leader of this Fellowship, Daniel Powell Williams, who in 1913 was ordained as an Apostle in the Body of Christ and later became the first President of the Apostolic church council and remained so until his death in 1947. The Lord also called his brother, William Jones Williams, as a prophet in the Body of Christ and in 1913 he was ordained into the full-time ministry of the Church. Thus they were called together with others, to demonstrate the New Testament offices of Apostle and Prophet in the United Kingdom. Subsequently these ministries were exercised in other countries and continents of the world.
From the beginning, the Believers who congregated in Penygroes were known as The Apostolic Church. Simultaneously and spontaneously at that time in other parts of United Kingdom, and in most cases without any contact or relationship with each other, the Holy Spirit was working in an identical manner in other groups concerning the purpose of Christ in His Church.
In those early days, the title “The Apostolic Church” was revealed prophetically to some of the groups, whereas in others it came as an inward conviction to their leaders. It is a name that draws attention to the fact that the Church’s beliefs and practices follow closely those of the early Church founded and led by the New Testament Apostleship. It also serves to emphasise that the Church stands for the open and public recognition of the fivefold ministry of Ephesians 4:11 by drawing particular attention to its recognition of Apostleship today.
Among those whom God had chosen was Andrew Turnbull who, in response to prophetical ministry moved from Portobello, Edinburgh, to Glasgow, and in 1919 his church became part of The Apostolic Church. The Holy Spirit was also working in Hereford in the life of Edgar Frank Hodges who had received the “Apostolic Vision”. He built a small church and called it “The Apostolic Church” before he knew anything about the emerging Movement in Wales. In 1920 contact was made with the brethren in Penygroes and together with the churches in Scotland they were united into one Fellowship. From Hereford the work spread throughout the Midlands and into the South West of England.
Similarly the Holy Spirit was operating concerning God’s purposes in Bradford, Yorkshire. There were several groups called “The Apostolic Churches of God” in the North of England under the leadership of Herbert Victor Chanter. In 1922 an invitation was sent to the leaders in Wales, Hereford and Scotland to attend the Easter Convention at Bradford. As a result the churches in the North of England became united with the growing Fellowship in Scotland, South West England and Wales, thus establishing one Apostolic Church. In that same year The Apostolic Church Missionary Movement was initiated with its headquarters in Bradford.
Believing that the Church of our time ought to resemble the Church of the New Testament. The Apostolic Church seeks to reflect the Church of the first century when every church was an Apostolic Church, embracing Apostolic doctrine and submitting to Apostolic government. Foremost among the Scriptures to which it appeals and on which it is founded are Acts 2:42; 1 Cor 12:28 and Eph. 4:8-16.
The Apostolic Church maintains that the ministry gifts were never withdrawn by the Lord and that they are necessary functions for the entire Church Age. In formulating its confession of faith, it embraced with all Evangelical Churches the protestant doctrine of salvation through the atoning work of Jesus Christ on the Cross, and two ordinances of Baptism in water and the Lord’s Supper.
The Church believes its task is to propagate the full Gospel of Christ and that evangelization is its supreme calling. It also believes that it must have a relevant message, speaking authoritatively on the spiritual, moral and social problems of the day.
Further, the Church believes in meeting regularly in fellowship for the development of the spiritual life of its members through the ministry of the Word and prayer, and the exercising of spiritual gifts under the anointing of the Holy Spirit. The Apostolic Church therefore “earnestly contends for the faith once delivered to the saints” and joyfully stands for first century Christianity, its doctrine, power and government.
Since inception of the Church, it has expanded into every continent and its Tenets of Faith as originally formulated have become the basis of unity for a world-wide Apostolic Fellowship.
Taken From :- Introducing The Apostolic Church A Manual Of Belief Practice & History |
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