"Great is Thy Faithfulness" (Lamentations 3:23)
In 1904/5 Wales experienced an
out break of Revival, which had tremendous effects on many parts of the British
Isles. This was followed by a MIGHTY
VISITATION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, which fell simultaneously on many parts of
the world, during which many received the baptism of the Holy Spirit with signs
following.
As a
result, there sprung up Pentecostal groups worldwide which also believed that
the gifts of Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors and Teachers of Ephesians
4:11, should operate in the Church together with the nine gifts of the Holy
Spirit spelt out in 1 Corinthians 12:1-11.
The Apostolic Church was therefore born in 1915 in Penygroes, South
Wales, United Kingdom.
It was
the vision of Apostolic doctrine that gripped the first leader of the
Fellowship, Daniel Powell Williams, who in 1913, was ordained 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 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.
With
time, the Lord in a remarkable way brought many groups to link with the Church
in Penygroes under the name The Apostolic Church, and Ghana was no
exception. The Gold Coast, now Ghana
saw the emergence of Christians in the country who were seeking spiritual
awakening in their hearts and lives.
This desire to know more about spiritual truths drove many to write for
literature from various missions abroad.
Through contacts with the Faith Tabernacle of Nigeria, a group of
Christians at the small town of Asamankese were introduced to The Apostolic
Church, which had started a missionary work in Nigeria.
The Asamankese group then
requested The Apostolic church in Bradford, England, to send a delegation shall
visit them. As a result, in 1935,
Pastor George Perfect, a British missionary who had been posted to Nigeria was
directed by the Missionary Office in Bradford, England to visit the Christian
group at Asamankese. This group of
believers experienced the baptism of the Holy Spirit and needed instructions
and guidance. Pastor George Perfect met
the Asamankese group led by the late Apostle Peter Newman Anim.
Eventually, the Asamankese group
accepted to become members of The Apostolic Church and wholeheartedly embraced
the Tenets of the Church. Pastor George
Perfect formally ordained the leader of the group, Pastor Peter Newman Anim as
the first African Pastor of The Apostolic Church, Gold Coast.
In 1936, Pastor Vivian Wellings,
the then Missionary Secretary of the Church in Bradford visited the infant
Apostolic Church at Asamankese. On his
return to Bradford, England, he recommended that a resident Missionary should
be sent to Asamankese because the new Church was growing at a fast rate.
On March 2, 1937, Pastor James
McKeown arrived in the then Gold Coast to take up the mantle as the first
resident Missionary. His wife, Sophia
arrived later in September, the same year to support her husband. Barely six months after his arrival, Pastor
James McKeown was taken ill with malaria fever. A controversy broke out over his being taken to the Ridge
Hospital by an English District Commissioner.
The Faith Tabernacle Church
members who had joined The Apostolic Church still held in a fanatic way the
doctrine of divine healing. During a
Christmas Convention at Asamankese, Pastor McKeown’s belief in medication was
question by Pastor Anim and some of the Elders. This led to a split in the infant Church with Pastor Anim leading
a faction of the Church to breakaway to form Christ Apostolic Church in 1938.
Three years later, the
headquarters of The Apostolic Church was transferred to Cape Coast where a
Church had been planted. The Apostolic
Church, however, flourished rapidly throughout the Country with Pastor McKeown
as the Superintendent Missionary.
Pastors R.S. Asomaning, J.A.C.Anaman, J.A. Bimpong, D.K. Boateng, S.K.
Frimpong and others supported him.
In 1944 some Christian believers
including Pastor Lartey Adotey, Pastor A.S. Mallet, Elder Q.A.L. Quarshie, and
Pastor C.K. Diaba and others invited The Apostolic Church from Cape Coast to
establish the Church in Accra.
The Church in Accra under the
leadership of the late Pastor Anaman flourished so quickly that in 1984 the
headquarters of the Church was transferred to Accra. More Missionaries were later posted from England to strengthen
the work in the then Gold Coast.
Pastor C. B. Sercombe arrived in 1943 to be the Vice
Superintendent. Pastor Adams Mckeown,
Brother of Pastor James Mckeown as a Prophet arrived in December 1944. Pastor Albert Seaborne came in 1946,
followed by Pastor S. M. Hammond in 1948.
Others were Pastor H. L. Copp in 1953 and Pastor C.H. Rosser in
1962. Pastor F. Johnson arrived in
1966, and Pastor P.W. Cawthorne in 1971.
Then Pastor E. H. Williams also arrived in 1973.
After many years of difficulties
dating back to 1953 a large section of the Church finally followed Pastor James
McKeown to form the Gold Coast Apostolic Church, then Ghana Apostolic
Church. And in 1962 the name was
changed to the Church of Pentecost.
Other Churches like the Divine Healers Church, The Apostolic Reformed
Church, The New Covenant Apostolic are all off-shoots of The Apostolic
Church. The Lord, however, brought all
these Churches into fellowship with The Apostolic Church under the umbrella of
the Ghana Pentecostal Council.
The Lord has continued to bless
His Church in a wonderful way, and today there are more than one thousand five
hundred local Churches in Ghana. The
Church has also been instrumental in establishing the glorious vision and the
seed of truth in Togo, Benin, Burkina Faso, La Cote D’Ivoire, and the United
States of America. The Apostolic Church,
Ghana celebrated her Golden Jubilee in 1985.
From 1982 through 1985 Apostle A. Ofori-Addo served as the first
Ghanaian Field Chairman of the church.
In 1985, the Church in Ghana attained Autonomy, and Apostle A.
Ofori-Addo became the first President.
He served from 1985 to 1987.
Apostle P. Attah Antwi followed from 1987 to 1996. An Administrative Committee steered the
affairs of the Church from 1996 to 1997, followed by a Presidential Board from
1997 to 1998. Apostle Joseph Anim, was
appointed the President in 1998.
Some Ghanaians
were worshipping in a predominantly African Church in New York in the later
part of the 1980's and the early part of the 1990's. The name of the church was
United African Brotherhood (UAB.) After
some time several developments in the church produced unresolvable differences
in the church which resulted in a split.
A number of people left UAB and started a prayer group with the
teachings of the Bible. This group of believers started conducting church
services on Sundays. The key leaders
and officers of the group were Elders David Owusu Asimeng, Philip Duah (no
longer in the church), Mac Otchere, Elijah Addae, Pastor Edward Okyere (now with
Miracle Church of Christ). The others
were Deacon Nana Osei Tutu (now Elder), Deacon Dumfeh, Sisters Perpetual
Acheampong, Juliana Kusi Dansoh and Constance Asiedu (now deaconesses). Several other people whose names shall be
too many to list also contributed to the establishment of the fellowship.
As the membership of the fellowship grew, it became necessary to
formally establish a church and it was at this time that Elder Owusu Asimeng
mentioned this to Apostle Peter Attah Antwi, the then President of The
Apostolic Church of Ghana. After
visiting the USA, Apostle Attah Antwi met with the National Council who then
sent Apostle Ebenezer Abebrese, the then General Secretary of the Church and
Apostle Victor Boafo, the then Area Apostle for Cape Coast and leader of the
National Evangelical Team, to visit the USA in August 1993. Before their visit, some of the leaders of
the new church fellowship were thinking of affiliating with the Assembly of God
or adopting the name “Miracle Church of Christ.” The Lord used the visit of these two servants and the teamwork
among the officers to convince the members to affiliate with The Apostolic
Church of Ghana. Subsequently, the name
“The Apostolic Church International” was chosen to refer to the churches that
shall be established in North America on behalf of The Apostolic Church of
Ghana.
In November 1993, The National Council, appointed Apostle Victor Boafo
as the first missionary to shepherd the flock in New York. He arrived in New York in November 1993 and
began the work in North America on behalf of the National Council as National
Superintendent of North America. In
October 2002, Apostle Ebenezer Abebrese was appointed as the National
Superintendent of North America.
The
purpose of The Apostolic Church (hereinafter also referred to as “The Church”)
shall be:
1.
The preaching of the Gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus
Christ according to the Holy Scriptures as originally written.
2.
The teaching of the Scriptures conformable to our
understanding of the same as set out in this Constitution.
3.
The publication of authoritative books, treatises, tracts and
magazines, promulgating the Gospel of Christ and the beliefs and practices of
the Church.
4.
The forming and establishing of Churches in North America.
5.
The exposition of the particular beliefs of the Church to
other groups of Christian believers as requested by them either as individual
Churches or organized movements, and on their acceptance of such teachings and
their signified desire, then they are admitted to the Fellowship of The
Apostolic Church.
6.
The establishing and governing of such Churches according to
the Constitution and ensuring that all ministers are duly ordained according to
the Principles and Practices of the Church; that their business meetings are
constitutionally called, held and governed, and their decisions registered,
recorded and reported and as provided in this Constitution and that public
worship and services are held and controlled constitutionally; and that no
false doctrines are allowed to be proclaimed or practiced.
7.
The organization and promotion of Christian Education, Social,
Health, and Relief Services among members and the community in general.
8.
The promotion and furtherance of good relations between the
Church and other Christian organizations.
We believe in:
1. The
Unity of the God-head and the Trinity of the persons there-in. Genesis 1:1;
Matt 3:16-17; 1 John 5:7
2. The
utter depravity of human nature, the necessity for repentance and regeneration
and the eternal doom of the finally impenitent (i.e. unrepentant). Gen 3:1-19;
Isaiah 53:6; Acts 2:38; 17:30, John 5:28-29; Daniel 12:2; Romans 2:7, 6:23; 1
John 1:1-2
3. The
Virgin Birth, Sinless Life, Atoning Death, Triumphant Resurrection, Ascension
and Abiding intercession of Our Lord Jesus Christ. His second coming and millennial reign upon earth. John 8:46; 14:30; Col. 1:15; 2 Corinthians
5:19; Romans 3:25; Acts 2:36; Phil. 2:9-11; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17; Rev. 22:20
4. Justification
and sanctification of the believer through the finished work of Christ. Acts
2:38; Luke 15:7; Romans 4:25; 5:16; 1 Corinthians 1:30; 1 Thessalonians 4:30
5. The
baptism of the Holy Ghost for believers with signs following. 1 Corinthians
12:8-11; Mark 16:17; Acts 2:4; and Galatians 5:22
6. The
nine gifts of the Holy Ghost for the edification, exhortation and comfort of
the Church, which is the body of Christ. 1 Corinthians 12:4-11
7. The
sacraments of baptism by immersion and of the Lord’s Supper. Rom 6:4, 6:11,
6:13-14, Luke 3:21; Mark 16:16, Luke 2:22-24, 34; Mark 10:16, Luke 22:19-20;
Matt. 26:21-29; Acts 20:7
8. The
divine inspiration and authority of the Holy Scriptures. 2 Tim 3:16, 2 Peter
1:21
9. Church
government by Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors, Teachers, Elders and
Deacons. Ephesians 4:11-13, 1
Corinthians 12:28
10. The possibility of
falling from Grace. 1 Corinthians
10:12, 1 John 5:11, John 15:4, 1 John 5:12, Romans 5:1-2, John 8:51, 1 Timothy
4:1, 16; 2 Timothy 3:13-15, 1 Corinthians 15:1, Colossians 1:21-23
11. The obligatory
nature of Tithes and Offerings. Malachi 3:10, Matthew 23:23, Hebrews 7:1-4;
Luke 6:38; Acts 20:35
1. A
personal testimony of your Salvation in Christ.
Acts 4:12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under
heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”
Rom 10:9-10 9 That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your
heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you
believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are
saved.
2. Your
acknowledgment of and obedience to the Order and Officers of the Church:
Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors, Teachers, Elders and Deacons.
Heb 13:17 Obey your leaders and submit to their authority.
They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that
their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to
you.
Eph 4:11-12 11 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be
evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12 to prepare God’s people for works of
service, so that the body of Christ may be built up
1 Cor 12:28 And in the church God has appointed first of all
apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those
having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of
administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues.
3. Your
presence in the meetings of the Church and abidance in full communion; that is,
not to absent yourself more than three times from communion without sufficient
reason given for your absence.
Heb 10:25 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing,
but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day
approaching.
4. Your
conformity with the fundamental doctrines of the Church, as well as with the
two ordinances, namely baptism by immersion, and the Lord’s Supper. (Rom 6:4,
Luke 22:19, 1 Cor 11:24).
2 John 1:9-10 9 Anyone who runs ahead and does
not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in
the teaching has both the Father and the Son. 10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching,
do not take him into your house or welcome him.
Romans 6:17 But thanks be to God that, though you used
to be slaves to sin, you wholeheartedly obeyed the form of teaching to which
you were entrusted.
5. That
you contribute towards the support of the cause, as taught unto us in the Word
of God (Gen 14:20, 28:22, Lev 27:30, 1 Chronicles 29:14, Heb 7:8,17)
1 Corinthians 16:1-2
Now about the collection for God’s people: Do what I told the Galatian churches
to do. 2 On the first day of
every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his
income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made.
Matthew 23:23 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and
Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and
cummin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice,
mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without
neglecting the former.
6. That
you keep the counsels of the Church within the Church.
Matt 7:6 “Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If
you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to
pieces.
7. That
you pray for and help every member, remembering that we are joint members in
the Body of Christ.
Heb 10:24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good
deeds.
1 Cor 12:25:26 25 so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts
should have equal concern for each other. 26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one
part is honored, every part rejoices with it.
1 Tim 2:1 I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and
thanksgiving be made for everyone—
Gal 6:2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of
Christ.
8. Endeavoring
to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Eph 4:3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of
peace.
1.
Never come to the House of God without praying before coming.
Matthew 6:7, Ephesians 6:18
2.
Be in your seat at the commencement of the service. You will thus be a good example to those who
are late and neglectful.
Genesis 22:3, Psalm 108:2, Proverbs 8:17, Song of
Solomon 7:12
3.
Bring your children with you to the House of God. Relatives and servants also have souls. It is your duty and privilege to take care
of them.
Matthew 11:14, Exodus 22:10, Acts
10:24, John 1:41,45, Genesis 18:19
4.
Make your Pastor your personal friend. His sympathy, support and counsel are needed
by you. Constantly pray for him.
1 Thessalonians 2:7, Joel 2:17, Malachi 2:7, Romans 15:30, 2 Corinthians 1:11, Ephesians
6:19, Hebrews 13:17
5.
Make the Church your spiritual home.
Acts 2:46-47, Psalm 133:1
6.
When conversing never speak disrespectfully or criticizingly
of God’s servants or their ministrations, in the presence of your
children. If you sow to the wind, you
may expect to reap the whirlwind.
Galatians 6:7, Proverbs 22:8, Hosea 8:7.
7.
Take your Bible with you to the House of God.
Psalm 1:2, 119:16, 72, Romans
15:4, 2 Timothy 3:16-17
8.
Enter reverently, pray fervently, listen attentively, give
praise from a grateful heart and worship God in the beauty of holiness.
Psalm 118:27-29, Ecclesiastes 5:1, Romans 12:11, James 1:19