APOSO 101
DISCOVERING THE BASICS
OF
THE APOSTOLIC CHURCH
November 2010
(Updated April 2013)
Compiled by Apostle Dr. Kwabena D. Akufo
Topics
Purpose of Aposo 101
The Apostolic Church Distinctives
History of the Local Assembly
Tenets of The Apostolic Church
Apostolic Administrative Structure
Baptism
The Lord’s Supper
Appendices – Rules of Belief, Conduct
Purpose of Aposo 101
Train prospective members
Give common understanding of Apostolic
Church
Begin your growth process
Fulfill requirement for extending Right
Hand of Fellowship into Membership
The Apostolic Church Distinctives
The name: The Apostolic Church
– Any other names with the word “Apostolic” is not
The Apostolic church
The logo: lowercase a with globe inside
The Motto: One Fold, One Shepherd
Annual Motto: Recited before benediction
Ghana HQ: Mantse Boi Street, Kaneshie
USA Field HQ: 2042 Sunset Lake Road,
Newark, DE 19702
Song:
Be an Apostolic true x2
Be an Apostolic never melancholy
Be an Apostolic true
The Apostolic Church Distinctives
1:
When the Apostolic started;
In the days of Long ago
Saul of Tarsus was whole hearted;
‘Gainst this Church to overthrow.
To Damascus council sent him;
That this movement must undo
On the way our Savior met him;
Made him Apostolic too.
Chorus:
So we’ll follow Christ’s own teachings
Apostolic brave and true
Through the Gospel Christ believing
You‘ll be Apostolic too.
2:
He and Silas were imprisoned;
For the cause of Christ our King
For the glory will not leave them;
In the night those two did pray.
When the jailor heard their prayers;
Saw the walls shake then he knew
That those men were Apostolic;
Made him Apostolic too.
3:
Once to Rome he had a journey;
There to witness for our Lord
On the way the sea grew stormy;
And Paul calmed all those aboard.
When the captain saw him fearless;
Mist the panic stricken crew
How he wished he could be fearless;
Like those Apostolic Jews.
The Apostolic Church Distinctives
National Headquarters Web-site:
www.theapostolicchurch.org.gh
USA Field Web-site:
www.theapostolicchurch.org
Show the “Staff” and “Events” segments of the
USA Field Web-site to participants
<<<Insert your local assembly’s web-site
here>>>
History of The Local Assembly
1935: Ghana Apostolic Church forms in
Asamankese
1993: Apostolic Church starts in Bronx, NY out
of UAB
<<<Insert founding date of your local
Assembly here>>>
<<<Insert major milestones of your local
Assembly here>>>
<<<Insert any other historical facts about
your local Assembly here>>>
History of The Local Assembly
SUPERINTENDENTS
First Field Superintendent
Late Apostle
Boafo
Victor
Oswald
Second Field Superintendent Apostle Ebenezer Abebrese
Third Field Superintendent
Apostle Joseph O. Boateng
Fourth Field Superintendent Apostle Frederick Agyemang
Fifth Field Superintendent
Apostle Ben Lomotey
Sixth/Current Field
Superintendent
Apostle Samuel K. Awidi
Tenet
Tenet - Latin word ‘tenere’ - means ‘to
hold’.
False teaching necessitates need to ‘hold
on’ to what the Bible tells us.
Tenets do not seek to replace the Bible.
They are eleven short statements that
summarize the main Bible truths.
Constitution forbids changing of the
Tenets; anything else may be changed
Tenets summary: Trinitarian, Evangelical,
Bible-believing, & Pentecostal
Tenet 1
The unity of the Godhead and the Trinity of the Persons
therein.
– The Bible reveals there is one God. It also shows that the Father,
Son, and Holy Spirit are God. Therefore Christian teaching of the
Trinity states that God exists eternally as three persons who, while
distinct, are equally and fully God.
Discussion
– If we don’t believe in God, we fall at the first hurdle.
– The Bible states there is one God. This stands in contrast to society
in general who don’t believe in God.
– Other world religions offer other and many ‘gods’. We need to be
clear that the Bible says there is one true God; all others are false
and ‘man-made’ (idols).
– The Bible says that God exists as three persons: Father, Son and
Holy Spirit. This is difficult to understand, but at the beginning of
Scripture God says ‘let us make man in our image (Genesis 1:26).
– A very simplistic way to understand this is to look at water. Water
can exist in three states; liquid, solid form – ice, and as a vapor –
steam. At each state the water is different in form and appearance,
yet still water. God is Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Each distinct, yet
each God.
Useful Scriptures
– Matthew 28:19, 2 Corinthians 13:14. Genesis 1:1; Matt 3:16-17; 1
John 5:7
Tenet 2
The utter depravity of human nature, the necessity for
repentance and regeneration, and the eternal doom of the
finally impenitent.
– Every part of human nature is deeply damaged by the Fall. We are
born with a powerful bias toward sin. God commands us to confess our
sin and turn from it to him as our Savior and Lord. We require the new
spiritual birth which the Holy Spirit gives. Any who refuse God’s
command and offer of life will suffer everlasting separation from him
in hell.
Discussion
– Every person, no matter how moral and good, will fall short of God’s
standard because of a sinful nature (we have all done things we
regret). Therefore being ‘good’ is not ‘good enough’.
– Being religious doesn’t make us acceptable to God. Acceptance comes
through a ‘right relationship’ with Him. This is achieved by confessing
our sins, seeking to live according to God’s ways.
– This is actually impossible humanly speaking, but God the Holy Spirit
works in our lives so that we can become ‘new people’ and serve him.
– Many reject God or want Him on their ‘terms’. We can’t bargain or
argue with God. He has made a way for us to be forgiven. If we reject
this, we reject God. Sadly, the alternative is an eternal hell.
Useful Scriptures
– Romans 2:7, 3:23, 6:23 Ephesians 2, Acts 20:21, 2 Corinthians 5:17,
Revelation 20:11-15. Gen 3:1-19; Isaiah 53:6; Acts 2:38; 17:30,
John 5:28-29; Daniel 12:2; 1 John 1:1-2
Tenet 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.
– God’s eternal Son was born to Mary, a virgin, from whom he received his
humanity. Fully human, he was nonetheless without sin, having been
conceived by the Holy Spirit. Having lived with perfect holiness, he bore in his
death the penalty of all others’ sin. After God the Father raised him from
death he returned in triumph to heaven where he represents his people. He
will come again to rule over the earth for a thousand years.
Discussion
– Jesus became human like us. But if he had been born through the sexual
union of a man and woman, he would have inherited the sin problem common
to us all. Therefore he needed to become human in a miraculous way. This
was accomplished by the creative power of the Holy Spirit causing new life
within Mary, so that a child was born to a virgin.
– Being born without sin was not enough. Jesus, as he grew from childhood to a
man, had to remain pure in his mind, attitude and his actions. Even if he had
failed once, everything would have been lost!
– The whole point of a sinless birth and life was that he could be a perfect
sacrifice when he died for us. When he was crucified, all the sin ever
committed was ‘laid’ on him and Jesus was then punished for that sin (which
was ours). He then died taking the full consequences for our sin.
– God the Father was satisfied with Jesus’ sacrifice and therefore, according to
the Scriptures, Jesus rose from the dead, triumphing over it, as the first one
to rise. He rose with a new, eternal body which one day all Christians will
possess. One day, he will return to reign as King of Kings.
Useful Scriptures
– Mat. 1:18-25, Hebrews 2:9, 1 Peter 2:21-24, Acts 2: 29-32. John 8:46;
14:30; Col. 1:15; 2 Cor. 5:19; Romans 3:25; Acts 2:36; Phil. 2:9-11; 1
Tenet 4
The justification and sanctification of the believer through
the finished work of Christ.
– Through his life and death Jesus provided fully for our salvation.
When we trust in him as our Savior we are completely forgiven and
declared to be in right standing with God. We are now set apart for
God. By the Holy Spirit’s power we can grow in the Christ-likeness
God requires of us.
Discussion
– We could never in our own efforts make ourselves right with God; it
is humanly impossible. Many religions try to do this but all will fail. It
required that God did something which we couldn’t. Jesus died for us,
taking our sin upon himself. When we believe this, God declares that
we are forgiven and declared right with Him.
– It is like a courtroom where someone pays the fine of the guilty
person and the judge declares that since the crime has been paid for,
the guilty person no longer has to face the consequences of the
offence.
– In addition to being declared ‘not guilty’ by God, he doesn’t leave us
as being ‘just forgiven’, but calls us to be his people and live for him.
God is holy and pure and he requires that we also follow him in this
way. Not a ‘holier than thou’ attitude, but someone whose life
reflects something of Jesus in every aspect. The Holy Spirit helps us
to do this.
Useful Scriptures
– Romans 3:21-24, 4:25; 5:16; 2 Corinthians 3:17-18, Ephesians
4:23-24. Acts 2:38; Luke 15:7; 1 Cor. 1:30; 1 Thessalonians 4:30
Tenet 5
The baptism of the Holy Ghost for believers, with
signs following.
– God intends all Christians to know a definite experience of the
presence and power of the Holy Spirit. This baptism will result
in clear evidences of the Spirit’s work.
Discussion
– When we read the Bible there are many instances recorded
where people had a definite experience of being filled by the
Holy Spirit. This is how the church actually came into
existence.
– This continued right through the New Testament and there is
no record of this ceasing. As a result, even today, people still
have similar experiences. If people needed this baptism in
Bible times, they still need it today.
– This baptism is to empower the individual for service.
– The initial sign is speaking in tongues.
Useful Scriptures
– Micah 3:8, Joel 2:28, Matthew 3:11, Mark 16:17, John 20:22,
Acts 1:4-5, Acts 1:8, Acts 2:3-4 Acts 8:14-17, Acts 10:44-47,
Acts 19:1-6 1 Corinthians 12:8-11; and Galatians 5:22
Tenet 6
The nine gifts of the Holy Ghost for the
edification, exhortation and comfort of the
Church, which is the Body of Christ.
– The Holy Spirit grants Christians supernatural abilities to build
up, encourage and strengthen the church.
Discussion
– Charismata Revelation Gifts
Message of Wisdom - Revelation of God’s plan. It was revealed to Peter
that Jesus is the Christ
Message of Knowledge - Revelation of information on past and present.
Jesus to the Samarian woman. Nathan to indict David
Distinguishing between Spirits
– Charismata Power Gifts
Faith - Supernatural ability of faith. Shedrach, Meshach & Abednego
Miraculous Powers – Elijah’s contest on Mt. Carmel
Healing
– Charismata Vocal Gifts
Speaking in different kinds of tongues
Interpretation of tongues
Prophecy
Useful Scriptures
– 1 Corinthians 12:4-11, 1 Corinthians 13:9-12
Tenet 7
The sacraments of baptism by immersion, and of the
Lord’s Supper.
– Jesus commanded that new believers be plunged in water to
symbolize our sharing in the benefits of his saving work. His death
and resurrection are the permanent basis of Christian life. Therefore
he also ordained that the church should meet to remember him by
eating bread and drinking wine as symbols of his body and blood.
Discussion
– Jesus himself was baptized not to repent of sin, but to identify
himself with our humanity. It was a significant moment in his life and
it is the same for us.
– God recognizes that when we do an act it helps us to appreciate what
the symbolic act means. By being baptized, it helps us understand
something of the ‘death’ of our old life and the resurrection of our
new one in serving Christ.
– Similarly, with communion, this meal helps us to focus regularly and
consider what Jesus accomplished when he died for us. It should be a
special time of reflection and worship when we eat this meal.
– Really no more need to be said, other than Jesus told us to do it.
Useful Scriptures
– Matthew 28:19, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, Romans 6:3-14. 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
Tenet 8
The divine inspiration and authority of the Holy
Scriptures.
– The Bible, comprising the Old and New Testaments, is God’s
Word to us. The Holy Spirit created it by working with and
through the human authors so that what they say, God says.
Therefore the Bible is absolutely authoritative for right belief
and behavior.
Discussion
– If we do not accept the Bible as God’s word, then we are
reading and applying something which is man-inspired. As a
result, at its best is flawed, at its worst is disastrous.
– The mystery of the Bible is that it was written over thousands
of years by many different people, often writing in complete
isolation of each other. But the Bible does not contradict itself,
with prophecies made hundreds of years earlier being fulfilled.
This gives the Bible its credibility and authenticity.
– The Bible is a complete manual for living. What is especially
relevant is that the Bible records people’s failures as well as
their successes. It shows that God deals with real people and
meets them at their point of need, remaining a Lord of mercy
at all time.
Useful Scriptures
– 2 Timothy 3:16, 2 Peter 1:20-21
Tenet 9
Church government by Apostles, Prophets,
Evangelist, Pastors, Teachers, Elders and
Deacons.
– Church leadership is provided by people with varying Godgiven ministries. They complement each other and together
express Christ’s government of his church.
Discussion
– The Church is an organization (a group of people with a
common purpose). Yet the church is unique because it
comprises of God’s people, his church. It has a spiritual
dimension which no other group of people have.
– As a result, a straight copy of management structures from
secular society would not be suitable or competent to deal
with the things of God. Therefore, God has ‘gifted’ people in
the church to lead it. These people are not ‘superhuman’ or
promoted into positions, but God’s gift in them is recognized,
nurtured and tested. When the person is found suitable, they
may be ‘set’ into their place of ministry (serving).
Useful Scriptures
– Ephesians 4:11, 1 Timothy 3:1-13, Titus 1:5-11. 1 Corinthians
12:28
Tenet 10
The possibility of falling from grace.
– God is faithful and gracious to his people, earnestly desiring
and providing for our salvation. It is possible, however, for a
Christian to forfeit salvation by a willful failure to continue in
faith and obedience.
Discussion
– Many people think they can do what they like when they have
become Christians, because they are ‘saved’. This is a
misunderstanding of Scripture and an insult to God.
– God has given us a free will. He has not created us as robots.
Therefore we have a responsibility to follow God’s ways and
serve him.
– God has provided everything for us to follow him; his grace
and the Holy Spirit, and he desires us to have a relationship
with him. But a relationship is always two-way. If we fail and
neglect God willfully, there is a danger that we break our
relationship with him. This is the greatest tragedy.
Useful Scriptures
– 1 Corinthians 10:12, 15:1, 1 Timothy 1:19, Hebrews 3:12, 2
Peter 2:20-21, 1 John 5:11, 8:51, 15:4, 1 John 5:12,
Romans 5:1-2, 1 Timothy 4:1, 16; 2 Timothy 3:13-15,
Colossians 1:21-23
Tenet 11
The obligatory nature of tithes and offerings.
– It is our privilege and responsibility to give a tenth of our
gross income to support God’s work. Further giving should
result from increased prosperity and as we are faced both by
opportunities to spread the Gospel and the world’s need.
Discussion
– God has given us everything; life, health and strength – and
even our finances. People generally don’t like parting with
money – to most, it is a precious limited resource. God, in
reality, is not seeking to get our money, but our obedience
and if we are obedient in this aspect he has promised to bless
us far more. He can always ‘out-give’ us.
– On a more ‘down-to-earth’ point, if people do not contribute
financially to God’s church,
Who
Who
Who
Who
Who
pays the Pastor’s wages?
pays for the church building?
pays for the maintenance of the building?
pays the bills?
helps out people in need?
Useful Scriptures
– Malachi 3:10-12, Matthew 23:23, Hebrews 7:1-4; Luke 6:38;
Acts 20:35
Structure of Apostolic Ministers
Ascension
Ministers
(Universal
Ministers)
Apostle
Pastor
(5-Fold
Ministries)
Local
Ministers
Prophet
Evangelist
Teacher
(Non-Admin)
Presiding Elder
Deacon(ness)
Elders
Ghanaian Worldwide Organizational Structure
Jesus Christ
All Apostles (Current &
Retired)
President
Vice President
Ghana National Council
Some ordained prophets
but can’t vote
General Secretary
Ghana National Executive
Four Others
Area-1
Delaware
District
Area-2
New England
District
Assem-1
New York-A
District
Assem-2
•••
USA Field
New York-B
District
•••
Assem-n
Mid-Atlantic
District
Mid-West
District
Worcester
County District
Local Church Management Structure
Local Presbytery
Concentrate on
spiritual matters of the
church
•Local Pastor
•Elders
Instructions
Policies
Apply Presbytery
Policies
Feedback
Make Decisions
•District Pastor
Reports
Formulate Policies
Local Management Officers
Implement Presbytery
Decisions
•Local Pastor or Presiding Elder
Concentrate on nonspiritual organizational
matters of the church
•Finance Chair
•Local Presbytery Secretary
•Four Other Members (Appointed by Local Presbytery)
Presbytery & Management Team Case Studies
CASE 1
Presbytery: Formulates policy on how to make welfare payments.
Example: $250 cash & $50 drinks for bereavement.
Situation: Adwoa’s mother passes away in Ghana.
Management Team: Use Presbytery’s policy and buy $50 worth of
drinks and give her $250 gift.
Presbytery & Management Team Case Studies
CASE 2
Presbytery:
Folding chairs can only be loaned to members after
signing an agreement and paying a $100 down payment
Situation:
Kofi wants to borrow 20 folding chairs for his son’s
birthday party.
Management Team: Ask Kofi to sign the agreement and collect $100
from him.
Presbytery & Management Team Case Studies
CASE 3
Presbytery: The church building should be cleaned twice instead of
once
Management Team: Ask the current cleaner to do it twice or find a
second cleaner
Presbytery & Management Team Case Studies
CASE 4
Presbytery: The summer picnic will be held on August 5, 2010
Management Team: Two alternatives:
1. Appoint picnic committee and give them terms of reference
2. Organize picnic by themselves
Management Team: After the picnic, write report on picnic
present to Presbytery
and
Presbytery & Management Team Case Studies
CASE 5
Management Team: We have noticed that the church van is costing us
too much money. We should sell it.
Management
Team Notifies Presbytery: We propose to sell the
church van for cost-benefit reasons. Detailed analysis is attached.
Presbytery: Review Management Team proposal and make a decision
ALTERNATIVE 1: Presbytery Notifies Management Team: After
much prayer and discussion we have decided to keep the church van
Management Team: Receives Presbytery decision and abides by decision
ALTERNATIVE
2: Presbytery Notifies Management Team: After
much prayer and discussion we have decided to dispose of the church
van
Management Team: Receives Presbytery decision and sells the van
Presbytery & Management Team Case Studies
CASE 6
Presbytery: We should start a daily prayer line from 10:00PM
11:00PM
Management Team:
Acquire teleconference number
Develop publicity program
Ask Presbytery to provide preaching plan and order of service
Ask Presbytery to appoint team to oversee prayer line
to
Charge of Church Services
First right of refusal as Chairman is in the following descending order:
President
Apostle in charge of area
Apostle from other area
District Pastor in charge of district
District Pastor from other district within area
Pastor in charge of assembly
Local Pastor from other assembly within district
Presiding Elder in charge of assembly
Oldest serving elder within the assembly or elder appointed to take
charge
Other elders
Baptism
The Greek word baptizo as it appears in Greek literature literally means
to dip, plunge, or immerse.
The word "baptism" (baptĭzo) as it appears in the Bible means
____IMMERSION_
Bible References:
– ‘As soon as Jesus was baptized, He came up out of the water.’ Matthew 3:16.
– ‘Then Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him.
When they came up out of the water. . .’ Acts 8:37,38
In other words, it is literally the process of submersion in water
followed by emergence from the water.
Acclaimed Theologians:
– ‘I would have those who are to be baptized to be entirely immersed, as the
word imports and the mystery signifies.’ Martin Luther
– ‘The word ‘baptize’ signifies to immerse. It is certain that immersion was the
practice of the ancient church.’ John Calvin
– ‘Buried with Him, alludes to baptizing by immersion according to the custom
of the first church.’ John Wesley
What is significance of Baptism?
Colossians 2:11-12 In him you were also circumcised,
in the putting off of the sinful nature, not with a
circumcision done by the hands of men but with the
circumcision done by Christ, having been buried with
him in baptism and raised with him through your faith
in the power of God, who raised him from the dead.
Old Covenant:
– Circumcision was not what gained you admission into the
covenant community but it is what tells the world that you
have accepted that admission
New Covenant:
– Baptism symbolizing our identification with the death and
resurrection of Christ is the equivalent of circumcision.
– It is our public confession of our identification and belonging
to the new covenant community.
– Baptism is not what gained you admission into the new
covenant community but it is what tells the world that you
have accepted that admission.
Baptism as Obedience
Water baptism is a command of the Lord that
must be obeyed:
– Matt 28:19 Therefore go and make disciples of all
nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father
and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
Even Jesus who had no sin was baptized to
“fulfill righteousness.” He did it to identify
with us. His baptism pleased the Father.
– Matt 3:17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is
my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”
This act of obedience set an example to all
believers of their need for water baptism
Frequently Asked Questions
I was baptized in my former church. Should I be baptized again in this
church?
– If you were not baptized by immersion in a doctrinally sound church, we recommend that
you be baptized again.
– Acts 19:1-6 While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and
arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples 2 and asked them, "Did you receive
the Holy Spirit when you believed?" They answered, "No, we have not even heard that
there is a Holy Spirit." 3 So Paul asked, "Then what baptism did you receive?" "John's
baptism," they replied. 4 Paul said, "John's baptism was a baptism of repentance. He
told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus." 5 On hearing
this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 When Paul placed his hands
on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.
Can my family be baptized together?
– Yes! If each family member understands fully the meaning of baptism, and each one has
personally placed his/her trust in Christ for salvation, we encourage families to be
baptized at the same time. It is a wonderful expression of commitment. Young children
who wish to be baptized are asked to meet with a staff member or other church leader to
discuss the meaning of baptism.
– However, it is important to remember that baptism is a personal statement of faith, not
a family tradition. It is usually not wise to delay your baptism while waiting on other
family members to accept Christ, particularly children. This puts an undue pressure on
them, and delays your obedience.
What should I wear when I am baptized?
– Casual clothes that are modest when wet.
– Shirts are required
– No bathing suits please.
The Lord’s Supper
Main Text:
– 1 Corinthians 11:23-31 For I received from the Lord what I
also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was
betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he
broke it and said, "This is my body, which is for you; do this in
remembrance of me." In the same way, after supper he took
the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood;
do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me." For
whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim
the Lord's death until he comes. Therefore, whoever eats the
bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will
be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. A
man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and
drinks of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without
recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on
himself. That is why many among you are weak and sick, and
a number of you have fallen asleep. But if we judged
ourselves, we would not come under judgment.
As the Passover was a remembrance of the breaking away of the
bondage of Egyptian slavery, so the Lord’s Supper is a
remembrance of the breaking away of the bondage of sin’s
slavery.
The Lord’s Supper
1. A MEMORIAL to Christ
2. A REMINDER of what Christ did for us
3. Builds COMMUNITY
Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation
in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a
participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one loaf, we,
who are many, are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf. 1
Corinthian 10:16-17
Communion – Paul’s term defining the basic meaning of the
Christian faith, a sharing in the life and death of Christ and the
believer and of the believers with one another in a partnership or
unity.
Eucharist – Thanksgiving used by the church from 100AD
onwards.
The Lord’s Supper
The occasion to establish the Lord’s Supper during the
Last Passover of Jesus Christ:
– Matthew 26:26-30 While they were eating, Jesus took bread,
gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying,
“Take and eat; this is my body.” Then he took the cup, gave
thanks and offered it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you.
This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many
for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will not drink of this fruit
of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it anew with
you in my Father’s kingdom.” When they had sung a hymn,
they went out to the Mount of Olives.
Sequence of events in the Lord’s Supper may be
derived from above passage.
– They distributed wine in preparation for a toast. Luke 22:17
“After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, ‘Take this and
divide it among you.’”
– He broke the bread, blessed it and distributed it.
(Bread without yeast is unleavened bread. Thus the use of bread
wafers in the communion.)
– Jesus lifted his cup, blessed it and they drank
– After that they sang a hymn
Significance of the Elements
The elements are not the physical body and blood of
Jesus
– “The emblems or symbols are only figures representing the
broken Body and shed Blood of our Lord and should never
be, even in our thinking, elevated to a place of material
virtue or superstitious importance.” (William A.C. Rowe, One
Lord, One Faith, Apostolic Publications, p. 210-211)
– Each believer must spiritually appropriate by faith the bread
and wine for himself/herself as the body and blood of Christ.
We don’t believe in transubstantiation – the bread
and wine are transformed into the actual body and
blood of Christ by certain pronouncements.
– We take the phrase “This is my body” to mean “this represents
my body.”
We don’t believe in consubstantiation – the bread
and wine are not the actual body and blood of Christ
but the body and blood of Christ are in, with, and
under the elements.
Who Qualifies to Partake in
The Lord’s Supper
1 Cor 11:27-31 27 Therefore, whoever eats the bread or
drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will
be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the
Lord. 28 A man ought to examine himself before he
eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. 29 For anyone
who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of
the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself. 30 That
is why many among you are weak and sick, and a
number of you have fallen asleep. 31 But if we judged
ourselves, we would not come under judgment.
Baptism by immersion
No permanent sinful living including but not limited to:
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polygamous relationship
Homosexual or lesbian relationship
Adulterous relationship
Non-marital sex
Appendix – Rules of Belief
1. A personal testimony of your Salvation in Christ.
2. Your acknowledgment of and obedience to the Order and
Officers of the Church: Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors,
Teachers, Elders and Deacons.
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.
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).
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)
6. That you keep the counsels of the Church within the Church.
7. That you pray for and help every member, remembering that we
are joint members in the Body of Christ.
8. Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Appendix – Rules of Conduct
1. Never come to the House of God without praying before coming.
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.
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.
4. Make your Pastor your personal friend. His sympathy, support
and counsel are needed by you. Constantly pray for him.
5. Make the Church your spiritual home.
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.
7. Take your Bible with you to the House of God.
8. Enter reverently, pray fervently, listen attentively, give praise
from a grateful heart and worship God in the beauty of holiness.