Welcome!

This page is intended to give you a brief description of the Apostolic Christian Church. It tells of the church’s origins, presents a short summary of its doctrine and practices, and describes God’s marvelous plan of salvation.

The Apostolic Christian Church believes in the infallibility of the Bible, and it is founded on faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God. The purpose of the church is to teach the Gospel message of salvation, to nurture the believer, to preserve sound doctrine and to serve others in the likeness of Christ. The church diligently applies New Testament standards to everyday life and worship, and it practices a deep reverence toward God. It is hoped that those who read this information will have many of their questions answered. However, all who are interested are encouraged to attend an Apostolic Christian assembly and learn by observation and by hearing the Word of God. Salvation through Jesus Christ is man’s greatest treasure. The Apostolic Christian Church seeks to share the joy of this marvelous gift from God, and prays diligently that others also will turn to Jesus Christ in true faith and repentance, experience peace with God and man, and receive the gift of eternal life. A Statement of Faith and other materials are available in each local church as well as from Apostolic Christian Publications, 805 W. Cruger St., Box 52, Eureka, IL 61530. Additional information is available at ww.apostolicchristian.org.

The Apostolic Christian Church earnestly seeks to interpret the Bible literally. The teachings of Jesus Christ and His Apostles serve as the foundation of the doctrine of the church. It is the sincere intent of its members to believe in and live by the Word of God in all aspects of their lives.

The church consists of approximately 90 congregations in the United States, Japan, Mexico and Canada. The church also conducts worship services on many college campuses in several states in order to teach the Holy Scriptures to persons attending universities. The church is engaged in many activities to benefit mankind, all in the name of Christ. An organization called Apostolic Christian World Relief collects both financial and material aid for distribution to persons in need on a worldwide basis. It also makes distributions through a variety of approved organizations.
A national Missionary Committee has oversight of the church’s special programs to spread God’s Word. Thousands of Bibles are distributed annually. Individuals, sound in faith, are sent on special assignment to support the mission arm of the church. There is growing mission work and there are new churches being established and supported both within and outside of the United States. The church operates facilities and specialized programs which provide physical, emotional and spiritual support for the elderly, handicapped persons and needy children and their families.

 

The church was founded in the early 1830’s by Samuel Froehlich, a young seminary student in Switzerland, who had experienced a biblical conversion. Being led of God through a true conversion, he began preaching the simple truths of the Bible.

Approximately 110 congregations were formed in 35 years in several European countries. Froehlich’s intent was to organize a church based on a literal interpretation of God’s Word. He emphasized the scriptural principle, “…teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you.”¹  The church, while recognizing Froehlich’s work, gives God the glory for all these accomplishments. Froehlich’s attitudes and biblical understandings were shaped, in part, by the Sixteenth Century Anabaptists, whose doctrinal motto was “Sola Scriptura.” This meant that Scriptures alone constituted the true foundation for doctrine and life—and they were to be followed. The church has continued over the years to diligently follow New Testament teachings, and to regard the entire Word as infallible and inerrant. In Europe, the church was known as Evangelical Baptist. It later became known as Apostolic Christian in America. This name was chosen because the church follows the teachings of Christ and the Apostles.

The Apostolic Christian Church took root in America in 1847, when a church was organized in Lewis County, New York. The site was in the Croghan-Naumburg area. Another church was formed a year later at Sardis, Ohio.

¹ Mt. 28:20

 

From this beginning in America the church grew, primarily in the fertile farming areas of the Midwest. As immigrants came from Europe (mostly from the Froehlich churches) and new converts were added in the United States, the church flourished. The believers were zealous in living and spreading the Word in America. From the 1920’s on, most of the new churches formed in America were founded in metropolitan areas. This was because many of the church’s offspring sought occupational opportunities in areas other than farming. Thus, today the Apostolic Christian Church consists of a blend of city and rural churches.

The mission (purpose) of the church is fourfold: 1) to present to the lost the Gospel message of salvation based on faith in the shed blood of Jesus Christ and a true repentance and conversion;²  2) to teach and nurture the believers toward a sanctified life and to faithfulness by God’s grace and through His Word;³  3) to preserve sound doctrine by “contending for the faith”;⁴ and 4) to offer loving, humble deeds of service to fellow believers and all mankind in the name of Christ.⁵ 

By teaching and obeying the Word in its simplicity, the church and the individual are guided into living in a Christ-like manner.  Giving pre-eminence to God’s Word for all instruction enhances the church’s efforts to “contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.”⁶  The believer is nurtured through participation in humble worship and is encouraged and strengthened by intimate fellowship with supportive brothers and sisters in Christ. A warm, loving environment in the church provides a sense of security and consolation in the midst of a troubled world. Personal accountability to the church Body⁷ and frequent exhortation to live a sanctified life⁸ help each believer remain faithful.

² Mt. 28:19-20; Acts 3:19; Ep. 2:8
³ Col. 1:28; Ep. 4:12; 5:26-27
⁴ Jude 3; Acts 20:27; 1 Ti. 4:16
⁵ Ga. 5:13, 6:10; Ph. 2:7

⁶ Jude 3
⁷ Rom. 15:14
⁸ Heb. 3:13

 

Statement of Faith

1. The Bible is the inspired and infallible Word of God to man. The New Testament serves as the foundation of the doctrine of the Apostolic Christian Church. The authorized King James version is embraced.

John 1:1
2 Timothy 3:16
2 Peter 1:20-21
Revelation 22:18-19

2. There is one eternal God, the Creator of all things, who exists in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Genesis 1:1
Matthew 28:19
Colossians 1:16-17
Revelation 1:8

3. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was begotten by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He lived a sinless life.

Isaiah 7:14
Matthew 1:23
Hebrews 1:1-8
Hebrews 7:26

4. Man was created in God’s image, but by man’s transgression, he became separated from God. All who reach the age of accountability are responsible for their sinful deeds.

Genesis 1:26
Genesis 3:1-24
John 3:3
Romans 3:10
Romans 3:12
Romans 3:23

5. Jesus Christ gave His life on Calvary’s cross and His precious blood was shed as a ransom for all. He was buried, and He rose again the third day for our justification.

Romans 4:25
Romans 5:8
I Corinthians 15:3-4
I Timothy 2:6
I Peter 1:18-19

6. Both the saved and the lost will be resurrected: the saved unto eternal life and the lost unto eternal damnation.

Daniel 12:2
John 3:16
John 5:28-29
2 Peter 3:7-9
Revelations 20:12-15

7. Faith in Christ’s redemptive work on Calvary which results in repentance is the beginning of a true Christian life. The fruits of repentance are a humble and contrite heart, prayer, godly sorrow, confession to God in the presence of man, forsaking of all sin, restitution, and a forgiving spirit.

Psalms 34:18
Proverbs 28:13
Matthew 3:6-8
Matthew 18:21-35
Luke 14:33
Luke 19:8
Acts 17:30
Acts 19:18
2 Corinthians 7:10
Ephesians 2:8-9
Hebrews 11:6
1 John 1:9

8. A true conversion is evidenced by a spiritual rebirth, restoration of peace with God and man, the fruit of the Spirit, and obedience to God’s word.

1 Peter 1:23
Romans 5:1
Galatians 5:22-26
1 John 2:3-6

9. Following a testimony of faith and conversion, a covenant of faithfulness to God is made. Baptism of faith (by immersion) is administered in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

Hebrews 10:16-17
Matthew 28:19
Romans 6:3-4
1 Peter 3:21

10. The believer is sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise. This is acknowledged and symbolized in a prayer of consecration (following baptism) by the laying on of hands of the elder. As a member of the body of Christ, the believer experiences spiritual growth and edification within the church.

Romans 12:5
Ephesians 1:13
Ephesians 4:15
1 Timothy 4:14
Hebrews 6:1-2

11. The New Testament Church appears in two distinct aspects:

A. A fellowship of converted men and women (known as Brothers and Sisters), with Christ as Head, functioning in accord with New Testament teachings.

Matthew 18:20
1 Corinthians 1:10
Colossians 1:18

B. The glorious Church, the Bride of Christ, including all saints of all ages, to be manifest fully at the return of Christ Jesus.

1 Corinthians 15:52
Ephesians 5:27
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

12. Brethren who are sound in faith, doctrine, and example serve as elders, ministers, and teachers. They are chosen from the congregation for the furtherance of the Gospel of the grace of God to all people.

Matthew 28:19-20
Ephesians 4:11-12
2 Timothy 2:2
Hebrews 13:7
Hebrews 13:17

13. The bread and the fruit of the vine in Holy Communion symbolize the body and the blood of Christ. A closed communion is observed by the church following self-examination by the members.

1 Corinthians 10:16
1 Corinthians 11:17-32
2 Corinthians 6:14-18

14. The Holy Greeting, a kiss of charity, is practiced among brethren as a symbol of love for one another.

Romans 16:16
1 Corinthians 16:20
1 Peter 5:14

15. Sisters wear a veil or head covering during prayer and worship as a symbol of their submission according to God’s order of Creation.

1 Corinthians 11:1-16

16. The believers live separated, sanctified lives and are not conformed to the world. Discipline of erring members is administered for their spiritual welfare and for the preservation of the church.

Matthew 18:15-17
John 17:14-16
Romans 12:2
1 Corinthians 5
Galatians 6:1
1 Thessalonians 5:22
2 Thessalonians 3:6
2 Thessalonians 3:14-15
James 1:14-15
James 4:4
1 Peter 1:14-15
1 John 2:15-17

17. Governmental authority is respected and obeyed. Members serve in a non-combatant status in the military. Oaths are not taken, but truth is affirmed.

Matthew 22:21
Luke 3:14
Romans 13:1-10
1 Timothy 2:1-2
Hebrews 12:14
James 5:12
1 Peter 2:12-14

18. Marriage is a lifelong union ordained of God in which a man and a woman of like mind, faith, and fellowship are united in the Lord in Holy Matrimony.

Mark 10:9
1 Corinthians 7:39
Ephesians 5:21-33
Colossians 3:18-19
Titus 2:2-6
1 Peter 3:1
1 Peter 3:7

19. Although the gift of eternal life is a present possession of every true believer, it is possible for a believer of his own free will to forsake his faith, return to sin, and consequently forfeit eternal life with Christ.

Matthew 25:24-30
John 3:36
John 15:1-7
Romans 6:16
Romans 8:35-39
1 Corinthians 9:27
1 Timothy 1:18-20
1 Timothy 4:1
2 Peter 2:22
1 John 5:11-13
Revelations 2:10
Revelations 3:5
Revelations 3:16
Revelations 3:21

20. Built upon the Lord Jesus Christ, the church is a closely knit body of believers sharing each other’s joys and sorrows in the true spirit of brotherhood. The church seeks to grow in the love of Christ and the understanding of His Word. The church extends a gracious invitation to all to come and worship in spirit and truth.

Luke 24:47
John 4:24
1 Corinthians 1:10
1 Corinthians 12:25-26
Ephesians 4:16
Philippians 1:21

Apostolic Christian Church Government

Local

1. Christ is the Head of the church, the chief Shepherd; and all authority flows from Him.

Ephesians 1:22-23
Colossians 1:18-20
1 Peter 5:4

2. Direction is sought from the congregation for filling teaching and leadership offices either by vote or personal suggestion. The decision for appointment rests with the elder, a responsibility given to Timothy by Apostle Paul.

2 Timothy 2:2

3. The elder (bishop) and deacons are selected according to the directions and in light of the qualifications given in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1:5-9. The congregation’s sentiment for support of a ministering brother for such duties is obtained by ballot. The decisions for appointment of elders and ordained deacons rest with the national elder body.

Acts 6:2-6

4. Duties of elders and deacons

A. An elder is the administrator of the spiritual matters of the church. He performs the rites (baptism, laying on of hands, communion, marriage), counsels converts and members, and performs all ministerial duties.

Hebrews 13:7
Hebrews 13:17
1 Peter 5:1-5

B. A deacon serves as assistant to the elder and performs all ministerial duties.

Acts 6:1-6

5. Discipline of erring members is administered for their spiritual welfare and for the preservation of the church. The elder is responsible for administering discipline in the assembly of believers with their support and for their benefit.

1 Corinthians 5
Galatians 6:1
2 Thessalonians 3:6
2 Thessalonians 3:14-15
1 Timothy 5:20