Apostolic Christian Church of America, Inc.
Introduction
The Apostolic Christian Church of America believes the New Testament is the traditional guideline for living life and worship. They display a reverence for God and believe that salvation through Jesus Christ is the greatest treasure a Christian can possess. The Apostolic Christian Church believes in the power of prayer and repentance to reach others for God and offer His gift of eternal life. The Apostolic Christian Church encourages adherence to the doctrines of the Gospel and pursues the standard of holiness set forth in the Bible.
The Apostolic Christian Church of America believes in benefiting mankind in the name of Jesus Christ. They endeavor to share their belief with the world. They donate to and support the World Relief organization. They have established a national Missionary committee to spread the Word of God. Work projects are formed to administer to benevolent charities. The Apostolic Christian Bible is distributed to thousands.
The Apostolic Christian Church of America exists to glorify God to follow Him and do His will. True believers live and walk in the Spirit and reject walking in the flesh. The head of their church body is Jesus Christ. The Elders consist of a national Council of Elders and perform duties as servants to the body of the church. They are the experts on church doctrine and are the spiritual authority of the congregations.
The mission of the Apostolic Christian Church of America is to know Christ and make Him known to the world as the creator of the universe and the only Savior.
History
Samuel Froehlich is the Apostolic Christian Church founder. Samuel Froehlich was a student in Switzerland early in 1830. He experienced a Biblical conversion that led him to God. He was driven to preach the simple truths of the Bible. Samuel Froehlich organized a church based on the literal interpretation of the Word of God.
Samuel Froehlich spread the message of salvation using his youth and his power of persuasion with personal one-on-one visits. He was instrumental in leading many to repentance.
It was the Anabaptists movement in Switzerland that shaped Samuel Froehlich’s attitude and foundation of the doctrine. The Anabaptists were one of the first reformers in the 16th century. Samuel Froehlich believed in the Anabaptist practice of only accepting adult baptism, also known as the Believer’s Baptism. Like so many of the other Anabaptist movements, Froehlich also rejected infant baptism stating it was not Biblically sound.
Originally the Apostolic Christian Church of America was known as Evangelical Baptist, especially in Europe. Their Apostolic name was selected because the church followed the teachings of Christ and the Apostles. The church was founded in America in 1847, in Lewis County, New York. Another church was formed a year later in southeastern Sardis, Ohio; both areas were in farmland areas. Most of the immigrants from Froehlich churches that came from Europe found the farming communities very pleasing. The Apostolic Christian Church didn’t spread to the metropolitan areas until 1920. The expansion didn’t occur until the youth sought occupational opportunities away from farming.
Belief
The doctrine of the Apostolic Christian Church of America is based on a literal interpretation of the Bible. They recognize God as inspired, infallible, and inerrant. The authorized King James Version Bible is used. The Apostolic Christian Church of America follows the New Testament teaching and seeks advice from the Old Testament. Their congregants believe salvation is obtained by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. Obedience and true faith represent teaching of a soul in order to do as the Lord Jesus teaches.
Conversion is the first step to growing in Christian grace, and reveals the fruit of the Spirit. A testimony of faith and the actual conversion experience is given by the new convert to the whole congregation. Then they receive a full water immersion baptism.
The Apostolic Christian Church of America believes Baptism symbolizes the burial of the old sinful nature into the death of Christ; therefore, their soul becomes a new creature in Jesus Christ after their baptism. The laying on of hands by a church Elder who prays over the new member unites the Baptized Believer with the church in the Spirit of the Holy Spirit.
Becoming a member of the Apostolic Christian Church of America leads to a life full of peace and joy if the members follow the path of the Biblical holiness and sanctification. Members of the Apostolic Christian Church of America centers their lifestyle on becoming more Christ-like and doing the things that bear fruit to the glory of God and Savior. True believers reflect the virtue and holiness of Christ in their everyday living. They hold to restraint, discretion and moderation in their attire. They avoid outlandish displays of dress.
Women are expected to conform to outward piety and non-sensual appearance, avoid cosmetics, jewelry and keep their hair long and styled in a modest way. Women must wear a veil or head covering during prayer and worship as a symbol of their submission.
Men are to display sobriety and discretion. They are to avoid long hair and are to be clean-shaven displaying a clean-cut respectful appearance. Men pray with their heads uncovered. Men and women do not sit together during the worship services.
The Apostolic Christian Church of America believes in the eternal God as the Creator of all things. He exists in three persons; the Father, the Son and Holy Spirit. They believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God, who was begotten by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. Jesus Christ lived a sinless life. They believe man was created in the image of God, and because of the sin of man, is separated from God. Those who reach the age of accountability are responsible for their sinful deeds.
The Apostolic Christian Church of America believes Jesus Christ died on Calvary and His blood was shed as a ransom for all. He was buried, and rose again on the third day for the justification of all. They believe both the saved and the lost will be resurrected; the saved unto eternal life and the lost into eternal damnation.
The fellowship of converted men and women know each other as brothers and sisters of the church. The head of the Church is Christ. The church is considered the Bride of Christ, as well as the Body of Christ, and includes all saints that will be manifested at the return of Jesus Christ. Those of sound faith doctrine must serve as an example to the church and serve as teachers, elders, or ministers. They are chosen by the congregation as to what job they will serve.
The Apostolic Christian Church of America has a closed communion only offered to the members of the church that have followed self-examination by that member. The bread and the fruit of the vine used in the Holy Communion symbolize the body and the blood of Christ.
The Holy Greeting, a kiss of charity, is practiced among brethren as a symbol of love for one another.
Ministers are not trained at seminaries or Bible colleges. Ministers are chosen from among the congregation and serve an open-ended term. Ministers are to have a good report with men and are loyal to the Scripture and doctrines of the church. They receive no salary or compensation. They do not select Scripture or prepare sermon outlines before the worship. The Elders pray and meditate on the Word during the week. Scriptures are open randomly standing before the congregation. The ministers rely on the Holy Spirit for inspiration.
Cite Article Source
MLA Style Citation:
Holstein, Joanne “Apostolic Christian Church of America, Inc.: .” Becker Bible Studies Library Jan 2006.<https://guidedbiblestudies.com/?p=2580,>.
APA Style Citation:
Holstein, Joanne (2006, January) “Apostolic Christian Church of America, Inc.:.” Becker Bible Studies Library. Retrieved from https://guidedbiblestudies.com/?p=2580,.
Chicago Style Citation:
Holstein, Joanne (2006) “Apostolic Christian Church of America, Inc.: .” Becker Bible Studies Library (January), https://guidedbiblestudies.com/?p=2580, (accessed).
