Apostolic Church (denomination) - Theology

Theology

The Apostolic Church is Trinitarian in its theology ( and so is not part of the Oneness Pentecostal Movement. Although Apostolic Church is a common term describing churches and groups within the Oneness Movement, these groups have no connection with the Apostolic Church denomination, which holds to the orthodox doctrine of Nicene Trinitarianism.)

The Apostolic Church holds to the Protestant position that justification is by grace alone through faith alone. The Soteriology of the Apostolic Church is neither uniformly Reformed nor Arminian. Ecclesiology has taken a prominent place in the theology of the movement. The Church is defined as the Body of Christ and the Headship of Christ is given prominence. Christ is seen to express His Headship through the ascension ministries of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers. The sacrament of the Lord's Supper is the central feature of Apostolic worship and was interpreted by the early leaders of the movement according to the Calvinistic doctrine of the spiritual presence.

The theological beliefs of the Apostolic Church are summarised in its confession of faith, known as the Tenets, which read as follows:

1. The one true and living God who eternally exists in three persons in unity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
2. The inherent corruptness of man through the Fall; The necessity of repentance and regeneration by grace and through faith in Christ alone and the eternal separation from God of the finally unrepentant.
3. The Virgin birth, sinless life, atoning death, triumphant resurrection, ascension and continuing intercession of our Lord Jesus Christ; His second coming and millennial reign upon earth.
4. The Justification and sanctification of believers through the finished work of Christ.
5. The baptism of the Holy spirit for believers with supernatural signs, empowering the church for its mission in the world.
6. The gifts of the Holy Spirit for the building up of the Church and ministry to the world.
7. The Sacraments of Baptism by immersion and of the Lord's Supper
8. The divine inspiration and authority of the Holy Scriptures.
9. Christ’s leadership of the Church through apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers, elders and deacons, for unity, maturity and growth of the church.
10. The security of the believer as he remains in Christ
11. The privilege and responsibility of bringing tithes and offerings to the Lord.

The Constitution of the Apostolic Church in the UK states that "These Tenets shall forever be the doctrinal standard of the Apostolic Church and shall not be subject to change in any way whatsoever."

The Apostolic Church in Australia, Acts Churches in New Zealand and Ascension Fellowships International in USA all go by a revised set of tenets. The addition of “the resurrection of the believer in an incorruptible body” was a clarification of the Apostolic position due to a theological controversy in New Zealand. The change in order reflects an order more commonly used in evangelical churches.

1. The one true and living God who eternally exists in three persons in unity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
2. The Divine inspiration and authority of the Holy Scripture.
3. The original perfection of creation; the inherent corruptness of humanity through the Fall; the necessity of repentance and regeneration by grace and through faith in Christ alone, and the eternal separation from God of the finally unrepentant.
4. The virgin Birth, sinless life atoning death, triumphant Resurrection, ascension and continuing intercession of our Lord Jesus Christ, His Second Coming, and eternal Kingdom reign.
5. The justification and sanctification of believers through the finished work of Christ, their security as they remain in Him, and their future resurrection in an incorruptible body.
6. The Ordinance of Baptism by immersion, and of the Lord's Supper.
7. The baptism of the Holy Spirit for believers with supernatural signs, empowering the Church for its mission in the world.
8. The gifts of the Holy Spirit for the building up of the Church and ministry to the world.
9. Christ's leadership of the Church through the ascension ministries of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers, for the unity, maturity and growth of the Church.