Apostolic Church? What's That About?
- Mar 19, 2014
- 3 min read
When we are out in the community, we meet a lot of people, a lot of church people, who ask us, “What is an 'Apostolic' church?” Here's our answer to that question:
Learning more about the Apostolic Church is a good thing! After all, church is about our eternal salvation, as well as our well-being in this world, so what could be more important? And the Apostolic church has the right answer for both!
Now, let's clarify what church we're talking about when we say “Apostolic”. The term Apostolic has been used by other types of churches with other teachings, but we're talking about Pentecostal Apostolics.
The term “Apostolic” refers to the Apostles, the men who were the original disciples of Jesus. The New Testament of the Bible was written by the Apostles. John, the Revelator, was the last living of the 12 Apostles, and when he wrote the book of Revelation, God told him to “close the book” (the scriptural writings and doctrine of the Apostolic church). God said that nothing must be added to, or taken away from, the doctrine of the Apostles. Jesus had said earlier (in Matthew 18:18) that he would “back up” everything the Apostles taught, which showed that he would never allow the Apostles to teach or write anything other than the truth.
Unfortunately, much of the church world today is not teaching what was spoken and written by the Apostles, especially about salvation! The Apostles taught that salvation required: 1) Repentance from sin; 2) Water baptism, in the name of Jesus Christ, for remission of sins; and 3) Receiving the Holy Ghost (which was evidenced by speaking with unknown tongues). Unlike many modern churches, the Apostles never taught anything like “the Sinner's Prayer” as a means of salvation.
The Pentecostal Apostolics still teach that we must receive salvation the Bible way by repentance, baptism into Jesus Christ (in the name of Jesus), and receiving the Holy Ghost, as Jesus promised (he also said “they shall speak with new tongues” – Mark 16:17).
Most Pentecostals today agree that receiving the Holy Ghost (the same as the Holy Spirit) is essential to true Bible salvation, and that speaking with unknown tongues is the initial sign of receiving the Holy Spirit. But many of them do not practice the baptism formula used by the Apostles, which is baptizing “in the name of Jesus Christ”. Instead they used the common, but mistaken, baptism formula “in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Ghost” - even though that formula for baptism was never used by the Apostles anywhere in the Bible. Apostolics, recognizing that the fullness of the Godhead is in Christ Jesus, still use the Apostle's formula (“in the name of Jesus Christ”), which acknowledges and understands that the Father, Son and Holy Ghost are all encompassed by the precious name of Jesus Christ!
Remember what Jesus said about the Holy Ghost, it will “lead you and guide you into all truth” (John 16:13). He also said, “you shall receive power after the Holy Ghost is come upon you” (Acts 1:8). Apostolics believe that the Holy Ghost enables those who are saved (by the salvation plan taught by the Apostles) receive power to live a saintly life (under God's plan of salvation by grace). They also believe that those genuinely receiving the Holy Ghost and submitting to it's leading will be led by the spirit to acceptance of baptism that uses the biblical formula, “in the name of Jesus Christ”.
So that's what it means to be a Pentecostal Apostolic! It just means getting full and true salvation, the bible way, and living a godly life under grace! Although Bible salvation is beautifully simple, it is more important than life itself!! If you have any further questions about this, find a Pentecostal Apostolic church and learn more about this most important matter, full and true salvation. Jesus said.. “how can they hear without a preacher, and how can he preach unless he be sent” (Romans 10:14).
God bless!
Thomas Alexander, Sr.
Suffragan Bishop & Pastor
Carson Christian Outreach Church
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