With its origins in the early 20th century Welsh Revival, the Apostolic Church is a Pentecostal denomination that seeks to emulate the 1st century Christians in faith, practices, and polity.
William Oliver Hutchinson organized a Pentecostal Church in Britain in 1909, and this became the headquarters of a network of Pentecostal assemblies that were originally known as the Apostolic Faith Church.
The Rev. Daniel Powell Williams became an apostle in the movement and, in 1916, he and several of the Welsh assemblies separated from the Apostolic Faith Church over matters of doctrine, and created the Apostolic Church in Wales. Since then, the two Pentecostal bodies have developed separately.
In the next couple of years, a Birmingham group became affiliated with the Apostolic Church in Wales, the Burning Bush Pentecostal Congregation in Glasgow, and a Hereford group, entered into a cooperation agreement with the church. In 1920, an independent congregation in Belfast, Northern Ireland, affiliated with the ACW.
The Apostolic Church officially began in 1922, when the Apostolic Church in Wales, the Burning Bush congregation, and the Apostolic Church in Hereford, joined with the Apostolic Church of God, a group of Pentecostal churches based in Bradford, England. Currently, the denomination is headquartered in Ammanford, Wales.
Affiliated Pentecostal bodies include the Apostolic Church Australia, the Apostolic Church in Belgium, the Apostolic Church in Ghana, the Apostolic Church in Nigeria, the Apostolic Church in South Africa, the Apostolic Church in the United Kingdom, the Apostolic Church in the United States of America, the Activate Churches, Acts Churches in New Zealand, the Acts Churches in the United Kingdom, Ascension Fellowships in the United States of America, City Church in Christchurch, and Equippers Church.
The Apostolic Church holds that the Bible is the inerrant Word of God and the supreme authority of the church.
The church holds to a fairly standard Pentecostal Protestant theology, holding to the Trinity as three persons in one, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Jesus Christ was born of a virgin, sacrificed Himself for the atonement of sins, was resurrected, and ascended to heaven, where he intercedes for mankind.
Human nature became depraved as a result of Adam's sin, requiring repentance, regeneration of the faithful, and eternal damnation for those who do not repent. The church also believes in justification and sanctification of the believer through the work of Jesus Christ. By Apostolic Church doctrine, there is a possibility for a believer to fall from grace.
Believers strive for the baptism of the Holy Spirit, which is evidenced through the gifts of wisdom, knowledge, discernment of spirits, faith, miracles, healing, prophecy, tongues, and the interpretation of tongues.
Baptism by immersion and the Lord's Prayer are practiced as sacraments.
The Body of Christ is the church and Jesus Christ, its head, is represented through apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers, elders, and deacons.
Tithes and offerings are obligatory.
The focus of this category is on the Apostolic Church. Websites representing the larger body known as the Apostolic Church or any of its national denominations, affiliated fellowships, regional associations, ministries, organizations, publishing arms, or corporations. Sites representing local congregations should be submitted to the Local & Global category appropriate for the geographical location.
Recommended Resources
The Apostolic Church in New Zealand is known as Acts Churches today, and represents congregations throughout New Zealand. A mission statement, profile, and leadership directory are set forth, and member churches may be found, sorted by region. Mailing and physical addresses, web addresses, and schedules are published to the site, along with a calendar of events, administrative contacts, announcements, and links to associated sites.
http://www.actschurches.com/
Previously known as the Apostolic Church of Australia, AGC continues the Apostolic structure, practices, and responsibility in Australia, while developing an international ministry, particularly through churches and movements in developed nations. Its leadership, governance, and structure are noted, along with a list of member churches and affiliated organizations. A private member login is available.
https://actsglobal.church/
Apostolic Church in the United Kingdom
Headquartered in Luton, Bedfordshire, England, the fellowship is made up of congregations within the UK, operating at the national, regional, and local church levels. An overview and history of the Apostolic Church, globally and in the United Kingdom, is put forth, along with a calendar of events, announcements, leadership opportunities, and other resources, such as books, training aids, audio, and related sites. An online shopping area is included.
https://apostolic-church.org/
Apostolic Church International
Pentecostal, Trinitarian, and evangelical, the ACI is a branch of the Apostolic Church in Ghana. Administrative contacts are posted, along with an overview of the fellowship's history, purpose, tenets, and rules of belief and conduct. A directory of members assemblies are featured, with a calendar of events, photo gallery, blog, and reports and announcements relating to its programs and ministries.
http://www.theapostolicchurch.org/
Made up of more than thirty churches in nine countries, Equippers Church is associated with the Apostolic Church. Member churches are featured, sorted by continent and city, with links to church websites, locations, and contacts. A general profile of the fellowship is included, along with its college and e-group ministries, music ministries, a calendar of events, schedules, announcements, and contacts.
https://www.equipperschurch.com/
Originally known as the Apostolic Church, Gold Coast, the Apostolic Church at Ghana began in the early to mid-20th century. General information about the denomination and a history of its work in Ghana are set forth, along with its beliefs, rules of conduct, and leadership, as well as a directory of member churches, a calendar of events, podcasts, announcements, a gallery of photographs, and administrative contacts.
http://www.theapostolicchurch.org.gh/
