Apostolic Church (denomination)

Apostolic Church (denomination)

The Apostolic Church is a Pentecostal Christian denomination which can trace its origins back to the 1904–1905 Welsh Revival. Despite the relatively recent origin of the denomination, the church seeks to stand for first-century Christianity in its faith, practices, and government.

The purpose of the denomination is summed up by one prominent Apostolic writer as:

"to make known world-wide the forgiveness of sins through the atoning death of Christ; the baptism in water by immersion; the baptism of the Holy Ghost with signs following; the nine gifts of the Holy Ghost; the five gifts of our Ascended Lord; and the vision referred to in the New Testament as 'the Church which is His Body'."

The worldwide vision of the church is evidenced by a strong missionary concern. The movement, which commenced in Welsh-speaking villages of south Wales had, by the end of the 20th century, grown to over six million members in more than 70 nations. The largest national church is the Apostolic Church of Nigeria, with over 4.5 million members and a national convention centre that seats over 100,000.

Ablaze UK (formerly The International Apostolic Convention) has taken place annually over the first week in August since 1916. Until 2002 it was located at the village of Pen-y-groes, Carmarthenshire, then between 2003 and 2011 it was held in the city of Swansea, and from 2012 Ablaze UK will take place in Cheltenham.

Pen-y-groes is the site of the Apostolic Church School of Ministry (founded as the Apostolic Church International Bible School in 1933), the oldest Pentecostal college in Great Britain. The College is currently Closed but the facilities are being used by a Korean Church as a Bible College. The College was closed before and during that time was used as the first initial Rehab centre for Teen Challenge set up by John Macey. There are now also Bible Schools in eleven other countries.