Saturday 27 August 2016

Doctrine - Apostle laying hands



Laying on of hands

An OAC member wrote: “...Die Gees van God kan ongelukkig net op een manier aan die mens toevertrou word, as deur ‘’Die Handoplegging van die Apostel’’ soos in Handelinge 8v17 en baie ander skrifte...”
For those of you who don’t understand Afrikaans, this member is saying that the “...Spirit of God is unfortunately entrusted to man in only one manner, through “The Laying on of Hands of the Apostle” as in Acts 8v17 and many other scriptures...”

Catechism of the Old Apostolic Church of Africa…Part 2; Question 57 (page 77):
“How is the Sacrament of the Holy Sealing ministered?”
“Ans. Through the laying on of the hands of an Apostle of Jesus Christ. (Refer Act 19 v. 6 and Acts 8 v. 15-17.)”

At a prayer meeting in 1832, the wealthy banker and Member of Parliament, Henry Drummond named Advocate John Bate Cardale as an “apostle”. Advocate John Bate Cardale was recognized as the first “living apostle” of the Albury circle (see the ‘schism tree’).

The verses quoted in the OAC catechism in defence of this statement are as follows:
Acts 19:6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.

Acts 8:15-17 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.

Notice that the verses don’t say the Apostle laid hands on them. Besides Paul, Peter and John in the verses above, there are not “many other scriptures” to support the OAC's statement.
  • The children of Israel laid their hands on the Levites and on the heads of bullocks (Numbers 8:10-20).
  • Moses laid hands on Joshua the son of Nun in whom the spirit already was (Numbers 27:18-23).
  • A certain disciple by the name of Ananias laid hands on Saul (Acts 9:10-19, Acts 22:12-13).
  • Certain prophets and teachers in the church at Antioch laid hands on Barnabas and Saul (Acts 13:1-3). This is the second time recorded in the Bible that hands were laid on Saul.
  • We are told not to neglect the gift within us which was given by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the elders (1 Timothy 4:14).

But, the OAC doctrine is too vast to set out in writing and the hand has several allegorical meanings in the OAC.

There is also the allegorical meaning in the OAC that the hand of God consists of the five “gifts”, namely the “apostle” and “fourfold” office:
  • Apostle - the thumb and by implication the strongest digit of the hand
  • Prophet - the finger that points and by implication pointing in the right direction
  • Evangelist - the longest finger and by implication the finger that goes further into the “world”
  • Overseer - this supposedly consists of pastor and teacher in one office and completes the grip that cares for the community

Hand with fused ring finger and pinkie (unable to wear a wedding ring)

 
It is also customary before and after each OAC service or activity to greet all the members with a handshake. The handshake is supposedly the holy kiss by which everyone is greeted (Romans 16:16, 1 Corinthians 16:20, 2 Corinthians 13:12, 1 Thessalonians 5:26).

According to Strong’s, the word “kiss” is translated from the Greek word philēma and is defined as:
a kiss: - kiss.

The word therefore simply means what it says, a kiss and not a handshake. A kiss can easily be misconstrued whereas a handshake will always mean a handshake. It is for this reason that the word “holy” precedes the word “kiss” so that the kiss could be done with the right intention and mindset, to be morally pure and blameless.

It is also believed that the sealing service, where the apostle lays hands on new members, is merely symbolic of what has already taken place. That’s because new members have already received so-called spiritual insight before the sealing service has taken place and by implication the Spirit. The type of spiritual insight being referred to is much the same as discussed in Module 1 and Module 2 (Doctrine - Earth/Light/Water/Kingdom of God).

So what is the Holy Spirit then?
  • When we trust in Christ, hear the word of truth which is the gospel of our salvation and believe, we are sealed with the holy Spirit of promise unto the day of redemption (Ephesians 1:13, Ephesians 4:30).
  • When we are led by the Spirit of God we receive the Spirit of adoption. The manifestation of the Spirit divides to every man severally as he will and by one Spirit are we baptized into one body. This is the same Spirit that gives the word of wisdom, the word of knowledge, faith, gifts of healing, working of miracles, prophecy, tongues and their interpretation to each person individually (Romans 8:14-15, 1 Corinthians 12:7-13).
  • It is the Holy Spirit that teaches us what to say, not with the wisdom of this world but with the deep wisdom of God (Luke 12:11-12, 1 Corinthians 2:6-10).
  • The conscience bears witness in the Holy Spirit (Romans 9:1).
  • The sword of the Spirit is the word of God which is why it’s important to make use of all scripture because it was given by inspiration of God (Ephesians 6:17, 2 Timothy 3:16-17).
  • It is the Comforter, the Spirit of truth, the Holy Spirit sent by the Father that abides with us, teaches us and reminds us of Jesus’ words (John 14:16-26, John 15:26, John 16:5-7, Acts 1:2, Acts 2:1-4, 1 John 5:7-8).


1 Corinthians 12:3 Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.



15 comments:

  1. Cherry Picking. You choose what serves your aim and discard the rest.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You’re welcome to share what you feel is “the rest” to contradict the commonly-held view in the OAC that one can only receive the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands of an OAC “apostle”.

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  2. Now that Matthew Dean has called it quits, it is up to you. Remember that it will be noted that you are closely associated with Matthew Dean and Steven Anderson. Good Luck.

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    Replies
    1. Does this post about the laying on of hands make you feel uncomfortable? Is this your attempt at a strawman argument? By association, do you mean in terms of revealing the OAC history and belief system? You seem to have an association with Matthew Dean yourself if I look at the amount of posts you placed about him on your blogs.

      Delete
  3. Ex-OAC critic - What are the hands of the Apostle? And who is the Apostle?

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    Replies
    1. Anonymous – there is only ONE Apostle spelled with a capital A and He is Christ Jesus (Hebrews 3:1-6). Jesus did physically exist and had His own physical hands (Luke 24:39-40) with which He performed many miracles before His disciples.
      You might also enjoy my posts:
      http://oldapostolicchurchrevealed.blogspot.com/2016/08/the-real-jesus.html
      http://oldapostolicchurchrevealed.blogspot.com/2016/08/jesus-is-only-messiah.html
      http://oldapostolicchurchrevealed.blogspot.co.za/2016/08/doctrine-apostles-today.html

      Delete
  4. Ex-OAC critic...

    I've read your posts my Brother... I can see your argument, but your struggle is misdirected as most of the arguments you make are not consistent with the way of life found and encouraged within the OAC. I would agree with many of your posts had I not known this way myself as intimately as I do.

    I believe you believe you're doing a good thing here... There's a journey for all of us.

    I would urge you to ensure that hate and bitterness does not consume you. Make place for love and grace. Pursue that which is Godly and righteous.

    Phil 4:8
    "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you."

    I urge you to spend your skill and knowledge on assisting and helping others, both in their life circumstances and in the condition of their hearts. Then God will smile upon you, because you allow his Son to work through you and share his love through you.

    Continue this blog as a journey if you so desire, but know that your faith will be judged according to the extent that you served the needs of God's children.

    You are passionate, educated and have good intentions. My prayer for you is that you make a positive impact on the lives of others and live a life without regret.

    Your Brother.

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    Replies
    1. Anonymous…

      I’m glad you can see my “argument” as you put it. Most importantly, do you confess that Jesus really existed and that He is the only way, truth and life?

      I grew up in the OAC and it was my “way of life” for very many years well into most of my adult life. I have deliberately quoted other members in my posts so that people can’t accuse me of making things up. I know the OAC way as intimately as you do.

      I can assure you that I bear no malice, hate or bitterness. As you stated “I believe you believe you're doing a good thing here…” It’s because of love, grace and my pursuit for that which is Godly and righteous that I do this.

      Thank you so much for your encouraging words, it’s inspiring to know that I’m helping to make a difference.

      Your ex-Brother.

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    2. You cannot be an 'ex-Brother'!
      That gift was laid within you.
      You ARE our Brother! If it God's will you will come close again.
      You are actually doing a fantastic job here!
      Well done.

      Delete
    3. Thanks for the compliment. I would love for all of you to accept the Lord Jesus Christ as your only Lord and Savior.
      Allow me to introduce Him to you:
      Jesus of Nazareth
      Jesus the Christ
      I know you will be blessed when you get to know Him, until then I will continue praying for you.

      Delete
  5. Thank you for your blog post. Thomas and I have already been saving for our new e-book
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    ReplyDelete
  6. OAK TOK/OAC HTC
    19) [III] Die Heilige Gees. Dit word ook die Trooster genoem. Kan ons ook dié wat verbryseld van hart is gaan vertroos? [LUK 4:18] Elke huisgesin kan die name neerskryf van hulle wat onder diesulkes tel, dit vir hulle Priester gee, met die onderneming om hulle te gaan haal.

    19) [III] The Holy Ghost is also referred to as the “Comforter”. Can we too comfort the broken-hearted? [LUK 4:18] Every family should write down the names of those who have “gone astray” – give these names to the Priest with the undertaking to go and retrieve these members.

    Luk 4:18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,

    Aikona wena!!! You guys should read properly, eish!!! You forgot to read further:

    Luk 4:19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.
    Luk 4:20 And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him.
    Luk 4:21 And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.

    Nothing about giving names to priests of members who see through the OAC’s lies!!! The verses are about Jesus Christ fulfilling what was written by the prophet Isaiah, read Isa 11:2-5 & Luk 4:16-30!!!

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  7. Good day

    I'm a prayerful woman.always able to descern things through the holy spirit even speak things to existence. My confusion is that I do not know whether I am a prophet or not (NB I do not go around projecting people) I keep it for myself.The same happens with my 13 year old daughter.myself and I once had the same vision same night

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I’m glad that you’re a prayerful woman; I trust that you pray for guidance and that the Holy Spirit helps you. You’re welcome to write to me directly at ExOldApostolic@gmail.com.
      You may also be interested in the following post:
      http://oldapostolicchurchrevealed.blogspot.co.za/2017/01/doctrine-prophecies-dreams-and-visions.html

      Delete
  8. Waar is die lewende apostle by die OAC/NAC beide cliams hulle het die lewende apostle en die ander se apostle s Die twee kerke verskul van mekaar en met a stilweie haat vir mekaar hulle besoek nooit mekaar se kerke nie. Waar moet ek gaan vir die hande op leggings om heilige gees te ontvang.

    ReplyDelete