From
the horse’s mouth
An OAC
member wrote: “...Jesus was 'n sondagskool kind in
die Joodse geloof. Ons sien dat Hy die Skrifgeleerdes verbaas gelaat het.
Jesus begin die Apostel Kerk as 'n gewone lid wat 'n evangelie verkondig anders as Sy tradisioenele Joodse geloof en maak dissipels bymekaar.
Jesus, soos die Onderjaken vandag, stuur die lede (Dissipels) uit om die evangelie te verkondig (Hy maak hulle vissers van mense).
Jesus in die uitvoering van die priesterlike bedienning, leer hulle om te bid (Die Onse Vader).
In die bedienning van die Oudste/Ouderling maak Hy siekes gesond.
As Vier Voud Amp, dryf Hy duiwels uit.
Hy word die eerste Apostel (Heb. 3 v 1) en dit is die oorspronklike ontstaan van die Ou Apostoliese Kerk wat baie storms in die geskiedenis deur gemaak het wat tot 'n evolusie...”
Jesus begin die Apostel Kerk as 'n gewone lid wat 'n evangelie verkondig anders as Sy tradisioenele Joodse geloof en maak dissipels bymekaar.
Jesus, soos die Onderjaken vandag, stuur die lede (Dissipels) uit om die evangelie te verkondig (Hy maak hulle vissers van mense).
Jesus in die uitvoering van die priesterlike bedienning, leer hulle om te bid (Die Onse Vader).
In die bedienning van die Oudste/Ouderling maak Hy siekes gesond.
As Vier Voud Amp, dryf Hy duiwels uit.
Hy word die eerste Apostel (Heb. 3 v 1) en dit is die oorspronklike ontstaan van die Ou Apostoliese Kerk wat baie storms in die geskiedenis deur gemaak het wat tot 'n evolusie...”
For those of
you who don’t understand Afrikaans, this member wrote “…Jesus was a sundayschool
child in the Jewish faith. We see that He left the scribes surprised.
Jesus began the Apostle Church as an ordinary member whose gospel was different to His traditional Jewish faith and gathered disciples together.
Jesus began the Apostle Church as an ordinary member whose gospel was different to His traditional Jewish faith and gathered disciples together.
Jesus, like
the Underdeacon today, sends the members (Disciples) out to preach the gospel (He
makes them fishers of men).
Jesus in carrying
out the priestly ministry, teach them to pray (The Lord's Prayer).
In the
ministry of Eldest/Elder He heals the sick.
As Fourfold
Office, He casts out demons.
He is the
first Apostle (Heb. 3 v 1) and that is the original start of the Old Apostolic
Church that made it through many storms in history to an evolution...”
Another OAC member wrote: “...Apostle Kabble was odeyned by Jesus through visions and dreams by the original 12 Apostels. He was then sent to Africa to spread the Gospel of God...”
A former OAC
member wrote: “...Actually the Apostolic Church
believes that it is the true church that Jesus left when he was a person and
that it traces its roots right back to that time. From the OAC viewpoint the
Catholic Church actually separated from the original church and became
adulterated with other practises (e.g. Christmas time, Easter which is actually
a pagan celebration of spring and coming fertility), the Pope and fancy robes.
The OAC claims to be God’s true church in earth. Now if that does not sound
like the hallmark of a cult then I really do not know...”
Growing up as an active member in the OAC, the true history of the OAC was always withheld from us. Back then we were always led to believe that the OAC could trace its roots directly back to Jesus and the apostles. It was believed that all officers in the OAC could only be chosen and placed by living “apostles”. Obviously this line of thinking assumed an uninterrupted succession of apostles since the time of Jesus. I was told that Jesus’ purpose was to start the “old apostolic” church and way of life.
Another OAC member wrote: “...Apostle Kabble was odeyned by Jesus through visions and dreams by the original 12 Apostels. He was then sent to Africa to spread the Gospel of God...”
The statements above speak
volumes of their ignorance and total lack of Bible knowledge.
Growing up as an active member in the OAC, the true history of the OAC was always withheld from us. Back then we were always led to believe that the OAC could trace its roots directly back to Jesus and the apostles. It was believed that all officers in the OAC could only be chosen and placed by living “apostles”. Obviously this line of thinking assumed an uninterrupted succession of apostles since the time of Jesus. I was told that Jesus’ purpose was to start the “old apostolic” church and way of life.
The Bible is quite clear though on what Jesus’ purpose was:
- Jesus came because of our sins so that through Him we could be saved (Matthew 20:28, Mark 2:17, Luke 19:10, John 3:16-18, John 10:10, John 12:27, Acts 3:26, 1 Timothy 1:15, 1 John 4:10).
- Jesus came to fulfil the law (Matthew 5:17) to redeem us from the curse of the law (Romans 8:3-4, Galatians 4:4-5).
- Jesus was born to bear witness to the truth (John 18:37) and to do the will of His Father (John 6:38, John 20:21).
- Jesus came to be a light in the world (John 12:46).
Getting
anything in writing about the OAC was especially difficult because great
emphasis was always placed on face-to-face communication and the spoken word.
I remember a
“priest” who was very excited to show me a succession list of “apostles”, from Jesus’
apostles all the way to Klibbe. This list re-affirmed his belief in the OAC
because he confided in me that he sometimes had his doubts. I asked him where
he got the list from and he said he sucked it out of his thumb. Then he
explained that the thumb is the apostle and thereby implied that he got the
list from the “apostle”. To be honest, I also believed that the OAC was the
original church that Jesus built. I couldn’t understand why this list was being
kept secret.
The reason is quite
simple, a lie wouldn’t hold up to scrutiny. Many years later I realized that
the list shown to me by the “priest” was a modified succession list of the founding
fathers of the Roman Catholic Church to which a succession list of “apostles”
was added.
In 1996 I
was very surprised when someone from the New Apostolic Church was able to give
me a book in print about the history of the “Apostolic Movement”. I learned
more about the OAC history in print than what anybody else in the OAC could
tell me face-to-face with the spoken word.
Eventually
by 2009 an OAC “elder” sent me the history of the OAC by email as sent to him and
approved by his “overseer”. Hence the heading “from the horse’s mouth”, here follows
an OAC version of their history (English translation further down):
Original Afrikaans:
Kerkgeskiedenis: Die Apostoliese Beweging
”Apostoliese Beweging” is die term wat gebruik word om die gebeure wat oor ’n
tydperk van omtrent 100 jaar tussen 1800 en 1900 plaasgevind het, te beskryf en
op te som. Hierdie gebeure het
uiteindelik gelei tot die vestiging van die Ou Apostoliese Kerk van Afrika.
Kerkgeskiedenis: Die Apostoliese Beweging ’n Groep
van ongeveer 40 mense van alle vlakke van die lewe (boere, regeringsministers,
verskeie kerkleraars, die hoof van die bank van Engeland, ens.) vergader in die
jare 1820 in Albury in Engeland. Die
doel van hierdie byeenkomste is om ’n diepgaande ondersoek in te stel na die
spontane profetiese uitinge
Kerkgeskiedenis: Die Apostoliese Beweging: 1800 tot 1900 Ene Edward
Irving, ’n leeraar in die Kerk van Skotland maak ’n indringende studie van die
profesieë wat voorspel het dat die Apostels en profete weer verordineer sal
word. Hy kom tot die gevolgtrekking dat hierdie gebeurtenis moet plaasvind
sodat die Kerk weer tot volheid kan kom
Kerkgeskiedenis: Die Apostoliese Beweging: 1800 tot 1900 Na die
roeping van Apostel Cardale (na aanleiding van die mees onlangse Albury
konferensie) is ’n verdere elf Apostels verordineer, sowel as Profete,
Evangeliste, Opsieners en ander ampte.
Kerkgeskiedenis: Die Apostoliese Beweging: 1800 tot 1900 Irving word
as ’n Opsiener in die Katolieke (beteken: “algemene”) Apostoliese Kerk
verordineer. Profesieë kom sterk na vore in die Katolieke kerke in Duitsland en
die Prebiteriaanse kerk in Engeland, maar word afgekeur deur die kerkamptenare
van die dag.
Kerkgeskiedenis: Die Apostoliese Beweging: 1832 tot 1863 ’n Dokument
getiteld: “Die Groot Getuienis” is saamgestel deur die twaalf verordineerde
Apostels en hul Viervoudampte waarin daar ’n beroep op die hele Christendom gedoen
is om te herenig; dat die fondamente van die Kerk, naamlik die Apostels en
Profete weer herstel is; en dat die “koms van die Here” naby was.
Kerkgeskiedenis: Die Apostoliese Beweging: 1832 tot 1863 Hierdie
dokument het dan ook begin met die heilige drie-eenheid van God die Vader, God
die Seun en God die Heilige Gees soos ons dit vandag nog beoefen en afgesluit
met die Gloria Patri (ere aan die Vader en aan die Seun en aan die Heilige
Gees, ens.) soos dit steeds vandag aan die einde van elke diensgeleentheid die
gebruik is
Kerkgeskiedenis: Die Apostoliese Beweging: 1832 tot 1863 Die
sakrament van die Heilige Verseëling (soos ons dit vandag ken) is weer in die
Kerk ingestel – die eerste verseëling vind plaas in ’n katedraal in Londen in
1847.
Kerkgeskiedenis: Die Apostoliese Beweging: 1832 tot 1863 Op hierdie
stadium, staan die Kerk bekend onder die naam: “Vergaderd onder Apostels”, maar
word later verander na die “Katolieke Apostoliese Kerk” (Onthou: “katoliek”
beteken universiële of algemene en is nie verwant aan die Roomse Katolieke kerk
nie).
Kerkgeskiedenis: Die Apostoliese Beweging: 1832 tot 1863 Ons Kerk
het geen enkele mens as stigter gehad nie.
Baie mense, byvoorbeeld jongmense in Skotland, boere in Duitsland,
Irving en ander konferensiegangers te Albury is gebruik deur die Gees van God
om die Kerk weer tot Sy reg te laat kom en te laat herleef.
Kerkgeskiedenis: Die Apostoliese Beweging: 1832 tot 1863 Die
Katolieke Apostoliese Kerk brei vinnig uit na alle dele van die wêreld na
1834. Die wêreld is op dié stadium
verdeel in twaalf gebiede na aanleiding van die twaalf seuns/stamme van Jakob –
’n Apostel is aangestel oor elkeen van hierdie twaalf gebiede.
Kerkgeskiedenis: Die Apostoliese Beweging: 1832 tot 1863 Die
Katolieke Apostoliese Kerk kom byna tot ’n einde met die afsterwe van Apostel
Woodhouse (die laaste van die eerste twaalf Apostels) in 1901 as gevolg van die
nie-verordinering van opvolger Apostels na die aanvanklik verordineerde 12
Apostels.
Kerkgeskiedenis: Die Apostoliese Beweging: 1832 tot 1863 In
Duitsland het die Apostels egter, sedert 1863, voortgegaan om Apostels te roep
en te verordineer soos die Apostels afgesterf of die Kerk uitgebrei het. Hierdie (Duitse) Apostels het ’n groot
invloed gehad op die uitbreiding van die Kerk na ander wêrelddele, veral
Afrika.
Kerkgeskiedenis: Die Apostoliese Beweging: 1832 tot 1863 ’n Paar
belangrike gebeure wat uiteindelik lei tot die
vestiging van die Kerk in Afrika, was: 1) Apostel Preuss word in 1863 as
Apostel in Duitsland verordineer; 2) Evangelis Niemeyer na Australië (1883) en
word Apostel (vir Australië) (1886); 3)
Evangelis Klibbe deur Apostel Niemeyer na Afrika gestuur om die Kerk in Afrika
te vestig (1889); 4) Evangelis Klibbe word op 8 Julie 1893 deur Apostel
Niemeyer as Apostel verordineer vir Afrika.
Kerkgeskiedenis: Tydperk Na 1889: Die Kerk in (Suid) Afrika Evangelis
Klibbe (gebore: 24 Desember 1852 in Pomeria, Duitsland) hervestig in Australië
saam met ’n groep Duitse setlaars (10 September 1878). Hier ontvang hy getuienis van Apostel
Niemeyer en besluit om ’n lid van die Apostoliese Kerk te word. Hy vorder deur die range van die Kerk se
amptestruktuur en word in 1889 deur Apostel Niemeyer as ’n Evangelis
verordineer met die taak om die Kerk in Afrika te vestig.
Kerkgeskiedenis: Tydperk Na 1889: Die Kerk in (Suid) Afrika Evangelis
Klibbe begin sy werk in (Suid) Afrika in Bellville in die Wes-Kaap. Hy vind dit
egter baie moeilik om te kommunikeer aangesien hy slegs Duits magtig is. Hy
behaal eers werklik sukses onder ’n groepie plaaslike Duitse setlaars in ’n
dorpie met die naam “Berlin” in die Oos-Kaap. Evangelis Klibbe word op 8 Julie
1893 deur Apostel Niemeyer as Apostel vir Afrika verordineer.
Kerkgeskiedenis: Tydperk Na 1889: Die Kerk in (Suid) Afrika toon goeie
vordering en die eerste verseëling word in 1893 in Southernwood gehou. In 1911 is daar reeds 13 gevestigde gemeentes
in Kaapstad, Port Elizabeth, Durban, Windhoek, Johannesburg en Pretoria. Briewe wat Apostel Klibbe gedurende 1895 tot
1908 (via Australië en Duitsland) na Nederland stuur, getuig van die swaarkry
en moeilike omstandighede in die land en in die Kerk (Anglo Boere-oorlog
1899-1902, droogtes en armoede).
Kerkgeskiedenis: Tydperk Na 1889: Die Kerk in (Suid) Afrika Apostel
Klibbe vestig homself op 'n plaas met die naam “De Herberg” by Imvani, 160 km
Noord van Oos-Londen. Hy reis in 1908 na
Europa om daar met die ander Apostels te ontmoet; hy hou dienste saam met hulle
en die koerante doen goeie verslag oor hierdie tydperk en gebeure.
Kerkgeskiedenis: Tydperk Na 1889: Die Kerk in (Suid) Afrika In 1909
verhuis hy na Queenstown en 'n jaar later, in 1910, vestig hy en sy gesin hulle
in Augustusstraat, Regents Park, Johannesburg (naby aan waar die Kerk se
hoofkantoor vandag is);
Die Kerk vorder goed
onder leiding van Apostel Klibbe en hy vestig die fondasie van die Kerk in Suid
Afrika onder moeilike omstandighede. Hy
lê groot ywer en volharding aan die dag.
Kerkgeskiedenis: Tydperk Na 1889: Die Kerk in (Suid) Afrika Die Kerk in
Suid-Afrika toon goeie vordering met sy 13 gemeentes in 1911. Die eerste
konferensie van die Kerk in Afrika word in April 1927 gehou en Viervoudampte
CFW Ninow en W Campbell word op 27 Mei 1928 as Apostels verordineer en Apostel
EFW Ninow in Januarie 1931. Apostel Klibbe
sterf op 22 Mei 1931.
Kerkgeskiedenis: Tydperk Na 1889: Die Kerk in (Suid) Afrika Na 1931 is
’n verdere 45 Apostels verordineer in en vir Afrika. Die Apostolaat
(vergadering van Apostels) word in 1984 gevorm en die sieletal van die Kerk
groei tot twee miljoen. Die Kerk brei uit na Botswana en Mosambiek en Apostel
Masinga word vir die afsonderlike distrik van Mosambiek in die Apostelamp
verordineer in 1981. Die Kerk brei uit na Swaziland en die lande Noord van die
Limpoporivier.
Kerkgeskiedenis: Tydperk Na 1889: Die Kerk in (Suid) Afrika ’n Eie
bundel van liedere getiteld: “Sing Emmanuel” word in 1987 deur die Apostolaat
goedgekeur en word in 1997 versprei. Die Kerk stig ook ’n welsynsnetwerk en ’n
begrafnisfonds.
Kerkgeskiedenis: Tydperk Na 1889: Die Kerk in (Suid) Afrika Die
Konferensie van Apostels word in 1995 byeengeroep. Tydens hierdie konferensie word die Kerk in
Afrika en in die res van die wêreld in “provinsies” verdeel. Gedurende hierdie
jaar word daar ook kontak gemaak met die Apostoliese Beweging in Europa.
Kerkgeskiedenis: Tydperk Na 1889: Die Kerk in (Suid) Afrika Die Kerk
brei buite Afrika uit – die eerste diens buite Afrika vind in Mei 1997 in
London, Engeland plaas. Gedurende 1997 tot 2000 word gemeentes in Australië,
Nieu-Zeeland, Amerika en Kanada gevestig
Kerkgeskiedenis: Tydperk Na 1889: Die Kerk in (Suid) Afrika Die eerste
verseëling en verordinering van ’n amp deur die Kerk buite Afrika, vind op 2
November 1997 in London plaas.
Kerkgeskiedenis: Tydperk Na 1889: Die Kerk in (Suid) Afrika Die Kerk
brei uit na die Europese vasteland en gemeentes van die Kerk word in Nederland
en België gestig. Die eerste verseëling
en verordinering van ampte in Europa deur die Ou Apostoliese Kerk van Afrika,
vind op 23 September 2001 in Arnhem plaas
Kerkgeskiedenis: Die Kerk in Afrika: Naamsveranderinge Vanweë
verskeie redes, ondergaan die Kerk in Afrika verskeie naamsveranderinge
gedurende haar vormings- en groeijare. Ter hersiening, die Kerk (in die moderne
tydperk) begin as die “Apostoliese Beweging” in die vroeë 1800s en staan bekend
as “Vergaderd Onder Apostels” en die “Katolieke (i.e. Algemene) Apostoliese
Kerk” gedurende die middel 1800s.
Kerkgeskiedenis: Die Kerk S. Afrika: Naams-veranderinge Met die
aankoms van Evangelis Klibbe (1889 tot 1911) staan die Kerk bekend as die:
“Apostoliese Kerk” as gevolg van die Apostoliese Beweging. Vanaf 1911 tot 1926:
“Nuwe Apostoliese Kerk (Afrika)”. Na 1926 tot onlangs: “Die Ou Apostoliese Kerk
van Afrika”. Met die herbekendstelling van die Kerk in ander lande, is die
agtervoegsel “van Afrika” weggelaat.
English translation:
Church history: The Apostolic Movement “Apostolic
Movement” is the term used to describe and summarize the events that took place
over approximately 100 years between 1800 and 1900. These events eventually led
to the establishment of the Old Apostolic Church of Africa.
Church history: The Apostolic Movement A group of
about 40 people from all walks of life (farmers, government ministers, several
church ministers, the head of the bank of England, etc.) assembled in the years
1820 in Albury in England. The purpose of these gatherings is the profound
enquiries into the spontaneous prophetic outpourings.
Church history: The Apostolic Movement 1800 to 1900 One Edward
Irving, a minister in the Church of Scotland made a probing study of the
prophecies that predicted that the Apostles and prophets would be ordained
again. He came to the conclusion that this event must take place so that the
Church could reach fullness again.
Church History: The Apostolic Movement: 1800 to 1900 After
calling Apostle Cardale (according to the most recent Albury conference) a
further eleven Apostles are ordained and prophets, evangelists, overseers and
other offices.
Church History: The Apostolic Movement: 1800 to 1900 Irving is
ordained as a bishop in the Catholic (meaning "general") Apostolic
Church. Prophecies come to the fore in the Catholic churches in Germany and
Prebiterian church in England, but are rejected by the church officials of the
day.
Church History: The Apostolic Movement: 1832 to 1863 a document
entitled "The Great Testimony" was compiled by the twelve ordained Apostles
and their Fourfold officers and a call was made to all Christianity to unite;
that the foundations of the Church, namely the apostles and prophets were
restored; and the "coming of the Lord" was near.
Church History: The Apostolic Movement: 1832 to 1863 This
document was also started with the holy trinity of God the Father, God the Son
and God the Holy Spirit as we still practice today and ended with the Gloria
patrí (honor to the father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, etc..) as
still used today at the end of every service opportunity
Church History: The Apostolic Movement: 1832 to 1863 The
sacrament of the Holy Sealing (as we know it today) was reintroduced in the
Church - our first sealing took place in a cathedral in London in 1847.
Church History: The Apostolic Movement: 1832 to 1863 At this
stage, the church is known under the name "gathered under apostles",
but later changed to the "Catholic Apostolic Church" (Remember:
"catholic" means universal or general and not related to the Catholic
church).
Church History: The Apostolic Movement: 1832 to 1863 Our church
had no single person as founder. Many people, for example, young people in
Scotland, farmers in Germany, Irving and other conference attendees at Albury were
used by the Spirit of God to bring the Church to His right and to be revived.
Church History: The Apostolic Movement: 1832 to 1863 The
Catholic Apostolic Church is growing rapidly in all parts of the world after
1834. The world is divided at this point into twelve areas following the twelve
sons / tribes of Jacob - An apostle is appointed for each of these twelve
areas.
Church History: The Apostolic Movement: 1832 to 1863 The
Catholic Apostolic Church almost came to an end with the death of Apostle Woodhouse
(the last of the first twelve Apostles) in 1901 due to the non-ordination of
successor Apostles after the first ordained 12 Apostles.
Church History: The Apostolic Movement: 1832 to 1863 In Germany
however the Apostles, since 1863, continued to call Apostles and ordained them
as the Apostles died or the Church expanded. These (German) Apostles had a
great influence on the expansion of the Church to other parts of the world,
especially Africa.
Church History: The Apostolic Movement: 1832 to 1863 A number of
important events that eventually lead to the establishment of the Church in
Africa were: 1) Apostle Preuss is ordained as Apostle in Germany in 1863; 2)
Evangelist Niemeyer to Australia (1883) and becomes Apostle (Australia) (1886);
3) Evangelist Klibbe sent by Apostle Niemeyer to Africa to establish the Church
in Africa (1889); 4) Evangelist Klibbe on 8 July 1893 ordained by Apostle
Niemeyer as Apostle for Africa.
Church History: Period After 1889: The Church in (South) Africa Evangelist
Klibbe (born 24 December 1852 in Pomeria, Germany) resettled in Australia with
a group of German settlers (10 September 1878). Here he received testimony from
Apostle Niemeyer and decided to become a member of the Apostolic Church. He
progresses through the ranks of the Church's office structures and in 1889 is ordained
by Apostle Niemeyer as an Evangelist with the task of establishing the Church
in Africa.
Church History: Period After 1889: The Church in (South) Africa Evangelist
Klibbe began his work in (South) Africa Bellville in the Western Cape. However,
he found it very difficult to communicate because he spoke only German. He was
only really successful among a group of local German settlers in a village
called "Berlin" in the Eastern Cape. Evangelist Klibbe on 8 July 1893
is ordained by Apostle Niemeyer as Apostle for Africa.
Church History: Period After 1889: The Church in (South) Africa shows good
progress and the first sealing is held in Southernwood in 1893. In 1911 there
are already 13 established congregations in Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, Durban,
Windhoek, Johannesburg and Pretoria. Letters by Apostle Klibbe during 1895 to
1908 (sent via Australia and Germany) to the Netherlands, testify of the
hardships and difficult circumstances in the country and in the Church (Anglo
Boer War from 1899 to 1902, drought and poverty).
Church History: Period After 1889: The Church in (South) Africa Apostle
Klibbe establishes himself on a farm called "De Herberg" at Imvani,
160 km north of East London. He traveled in 1908 to Europe to meet with the
other Apostles; he has services with them and the newspapers do good report on
this period and events.
Church History: Period After 1889: The Church in (South) Africa In 1909 he
moved to Queenstown and a year later, in 1910, he settled with his family in
Augustus Street, Regents Park, Johannesburg (near where the church's
headquarters are today);
The Church is
progressing well under the leadership of Apostle Klibbe and he established the
foundation of the Church in South Africa under difficult circumstances. He put
in great zeal and persistence.
Church History: Period After 1889: The Church in (South) Africa The Church
in South Africa made good progress with its 13 communities in 1911. The first
conference of the Church in Africa is held on April 1927 and the Fourfold
officers CFW Ninow and W Campbell are ordained as Apostles on 27 May 1928 and
Apostle EFW Ninow on January 1931. Apostle Klibbe died on 22 May 1931.
Church History: Period After 1889: The Church in (South) Africa After 1931
a further 45 Apostles are ordained in and for Africa. The Apostolate (meeting
of Apostles) is formed in 1984 and the number of souls in the Church grows to
two million. The Church spreads to Botswana and Mozambique and Apostle Masinga
is ordained as Apostle for the separate district of Mozambique in 1981. The
Church expands into Swaziland and the countries north of the Limpopo River.
Church History: Period After 1889: The Church in (South) Africa An own collection
of hymns titled "Sing Emmanuel" is approved by the Apostolate in 1987
and distributed in 1997. The Church also establishes a charity network and a
funeral fund.
Church History: Period After 1889: The Church in (South) Africa The Conference
of Apostles is called in 1995. During this conference the Church in Africa and
in the rest of the world is divided into "provinces". During this
year contact is also made with the Apostolic Movement in Europe.
Church History: Period After 1889: The Church in (South) Africa The Church
spreads out beyond Africa - the first service outside Africa is held on May
1997 in London, England. During 1997 to 2000 communities in Australia, New Zealand,
America and Canada are established
Church History: Period After 1889: The Church in (South) Africa The first
sealing and ordination of an office by the Church outside Africa, takes place
on 2 November 1997 in London.
Church History: Period After 1889: The Church in (South) Africa The Church
spreads to the European continent and congregations of the Church are founded
in the Netherlands and Belgium. The first sealing and ordination of officers in
Europe by the Old Apostolic Church of Africa, takes place on 23 September 2001
in Arnhem.
Church History: The Church in Africa: Name Changes Due to various
reasons, the Church in Africa undergoes several name changes during its
formation and growth years. To review, the Church (in the modern era) began as
the "Apostolic Movement" in the early 1800s which was known as
"gathered under apostles" and "Catholic (i.e. General) Apostolic
Church" during the mid-1800s.
Church History: The Church S. Africa: Name-changes With the
arrival of Evangelist Klibbe (1889 to 1911) the Church is known as the:
"Apostolic Church" because of the Apostolic Movement. From 1911 to
1926: "New Apostolic Church (Africa)". After 1926 until recently:
"The Old Apostolic Church of Africa". With the relaunch of the Church
in other countries, the suffix "Africa" is omitted.
The OAC
version approved by the “overseer” leaves out a lot of details and these
omissions give a false impression of the true origins of the OAC. There is no
mention of any schisms and gives the impression that the OAC is the same church
ever since the 1800’s. Apparently if you don't believe the OAC's version, then you're accused of believing "alternative
facts".
History:
The Constitution of the OAC (2.2) states:
“...THE CHURCH, established by JESUS CHRIST
according to the Holy Scriptures, revived in Europe in the 19th century and was established in
South Africa in 1894...” and then states “...the
original constitution of THE CHURCH as amended from 1927 to 2014...” at the end (25) of
the document.
The OAC Netherland Tax Information
document (9) concludes: “...The Old Apostolic
Church in the Netherlands is part of an international not-for-profit
organisation that has maintained significant annual growth from both a
membership and a temporal asset point of view throughout its existence of more than 120-years...”
The OAC’s list of “apostles” since the 19th
century simply does not exist. The
OAC was registered as a church for the very first time in 1927. The OAC’s first
“apostle” was Carl George Klibbe
who was formally excommunicated in 1913 by the New Apostolic Church
that ordained him in 1893 as an “apostle”. The same New Apostolic Church
whose list of “apostles” only goes back as far as 1863 and whose “apostles”
were not ordained or recognized by the Catholic Apostolic
Church.
- Edward Irving 1792-1834
- Catholic Apostolic Church 1832-1972
- Hamburg schism 1863
- Carl Klibbe 1852-1931
- Court Case 432 of 1926
- The schism tree
1 Corinthians 12:24-25 For
our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having
given more abundant honour to that part which lacked: That there should be no
schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for
another.
It took
several years for reality to dawn on me because I was in denial. It was a
difficult pill for me to swallow to realize I belonged to a “mushroom club”
(kept in the dark and fed bull twang).
I thank God
every day for His Word; the truth has set me free. The good news is that there
is only one REAL
Jesus
and He is the ONLY
Messiah.