Doctrine - OAC's version of Jesus

Your “owergestelde” has spoken...

The OAC Confession of Faith states that they believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God. OAC members will also freely proclaim that they believe in Jesus Christ and that they believe He is the High Priest of their church. On the surface these statements are exactly what one would expect from a Christian organization, and to any outsider such statements would not raise any eyebrows. That is, until you start to scratch beneath the surface and realize OAC members are not referring to the historical and Biblical Jesus of Nazareth who was physically crucified approximately 2,000 years ago.

When OAC members refer to “Jesus Christ”, then they’re actually referring to themselves collectively. The “Jesus Christ” that the OAC believe in is not the same historical and Biblical Jesus Christ that Christians believe in. OAC members refer to Christians who believe in Jesus as the “world”. The OAC believe they are the Jesus that has returned even though the Old Apostolic Church was only registered for the first time in 1927 after splitting away from the New Apostolic Church.

The OAC “apostolate” explains the occurrence of the birth of Jesus as follows:

“...1.8.1. Joseph represents Man, and Mary the receptive heart or mind of man.

( Read Eph 2:13-22)

1.8.2. The birth of Christ, the gift of God, takes place by the seed of gospel being sown in the mind of man (Mary) to grow and develop there, until the “NEW MAN” is born and become visible.

1.8.3. The “NEW MAN” is the spiritual being which concentrates on spiritual things that are eternal. ( Read 2 Cor 4:18)

1.8.4. Mary gives birth to Jesus, the Bread of Life, in Bethlehem, which means “EATING PLACE” or “HOUSE OF BREAD”.

1.8.5. The Shepherds represent those who take care of their sheep ( their church members, souls) in the night ( darkness, ignorance).

1.8.6. Christ, the Sun of Righteousness ( which shines in the Heavenly Day), has risen to drive out all darknesd.

1.8.7. Simeon and Anna in the temple represent the old man, who reveal the “NEW MAN” , the “DEED” in their activities in the Church of God....”

The OAC Sealing document under the heading ‘THE REBIRTH: SECONDLY BY THE BLOOD’  states: “...through the sacrificing of his blood today for me through his anointed officers who labored, sacrificed themselves for me by doing so were my transgressions blotted out I was reconciled onto God...”

The OAC Sealing document under the heading ‘THE REBIRTH: THIRDLY BY THE SPIRIT’ states: “...I am not the apostle but merely a servant of the Apostle (Hebrews 3 declares (“Consider the Apostle and High Priest of our Profession Christ Jesus) which is the entire church...”

The current teaching in the OAC Home Tuition Calendar teaches: “...the ascension of Jesus Christ for us and our ascension with Him, as members of His glorified body, who had risen from the grave. The ascension of Jesus Christ is an important spiritual anchor for the Church. It already started when He saw the multitudes and then went up on the mountain to bless them, for they are the salt of the earth and the light of the world...”

“...Jesus said that He is the living bread that came down from heaven, and if anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. He said that the bread that He shall give is His flesh, which He shall give for the life of the world. Our neighbour and fellow members in His body are the true bread from heaven and eating (utilizing) them, according to God’s will, shall give us life forevermore...”

According to an OAC member, “apostle” Nong said the following: “…Apostle Nong said that Jesus is the anointed spirit within each of us .. And Christ is the body which is all of us.. And Apostle Nong also said that those who believe that Jesus was a baby and a natural human being was in the wrong school of study.. Why would we question the Apostle that was sent to us by God?…”

According to another OAC member, “apostle” Modise said the following: “…Apostle Modise once asked “was Jesus tall, short, thin, fat, etc?” – though he was born physically it doesn’t matter anymore to us because we have come to understand the full spiritual interpretation that Christ is the word that became flesh in us n whoever so believes un this word will inherit the kingdom amongst us...”

An OAC “overseer” said: “...We are the Lord Jesus Christ...”

An OAC “priest” wrote: “...The man Jesus who lived 2000 years ago never stood up again. Rather, a resurrection in a glorified body. So there was one now many. Jesus is born and is the first to accomplish the plan of salvation. And does everything as predicted so that the scripture can be fulfilled. He is crucified to the natural. On the cross He tells his mother. Mother behold your son son behold your mother. A sign that the Son is going to become a body now. Where He was one, it will now be many. Jesus says. In Your hands I command My Spirit. Many think the hands of the Father are far away with a God with a beard and a great book. But the hands where his Spirit is are his Apostles for whom he has given all his power and might .. power over unclean spirits. Power to heal. Power to bind in heaven and earth. Understanding the Scriptures. Jesus himself explained that if a seed dies in the earth then a plant comes up with many seeds. The plant is the same as the seed. Jesus was the seed and died. A new plant that was raised a glorified body or oac. Jesus had plus minus 300 followers. But the resurrected body of the Church takes up thousands of souls every year. So the works are greater. The Jesus who died on a wooden cross at that time did not rise to the flesh but rather in us that are born again...”

OAC "priest" denies Jesus' resurrection, he hasn't read Luke 24:36-43 etc. yet

Another OAC “priest” wrote: “...Whatever your concerns, worries or desires are, go to the man that God has placed in front of you and allow him to save you with his advice. He is not simply the man you see with your eyes, but God has seen fit to place the only saviour FOR YOU, within him. Don’t look at him as your “over placed” Priest but as your servant, your guide, your friend and your altar. Ask him for all you want because God has placed himself within that man especially for YOU. If you are too proud or ashamed to tell him the truth or ask him what you want, that’s your loss until the day you try it. Give him all your confessions, all your concerns and thank him sometimes if you have come to understand that what you have received in life is not by your own cleverness, or good works. It is all by the grace of God. Sometimes it is hard to see the shepherd God has put there for us. Maybe he is too ugly, too poor, too old or uneducated to my mind of reasoning. But within him is the Lord. Put your trust in him. Forget the Jesus of imagination who has no flesh or human form. Christ is within us and has come. Love the people you see who are more or less the same as you. They are called Apostolics they are the living body of Christ...”

Another OAC “priest” wrote: “...As Christ is the Apostle gift in man, we do say Apostel Scholtz and so it not strange to say Christ Jesus. We don't say [name withheld] Brother. We say Brother [name withheld]...

...I am also a Son of God and am known as Priest [name withheld]. Jesus of Nazareth showed you at the last supper that his body will in future consist of many members yet one body...

...The Son Jesus Christ is come and that is what we confess, so Jesus of Nazareth was the first vessel in which the Christ was manifested. We know Jesus Christ who God has sent presently and if you don't know, you need to be born again of water and Spirit...

...I have never been Jesus and am only part of the Jesus body in which the Christ lives. If you knew Jesus Christ of today, you will know the body of Christ is the Jesus today...

...1Jn 4:6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

Jesus is the same always because all flesh is the same; 1Pe 1:24 For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away...

...Eternal life is through my spiritual parents yes. Although the gift is in you, you still need to be part of the body. Should you allow the word to become flesh in your life, then you are putting on Jesus Christ...”

An OAC “underdeacon” wrote: “...We must not cling to the "Jesus" of 2000 years ago, remember, His "glorification" means "multiplication" ... so today we are that very body of Christ! So, because we are collectively a very large body, the wonders are so much greater, still the work of God through His Son ... and we are His Son in today's time...”

OAC member #1 wrote: “...Dit is Hoekom Ek Psalm 23 Altyd Lees ek het net een HERDER en Dit is God(My PRIESTER)...”

For those of you who don’t understand Afrikaans, this member is saying “…That is Why I always read Psalm 23 I have just one SHEPHERD and It is God(My PRIEST)...”

OAC member #2 wrote: “...it is o paramount importance to be obedient to the word of your over placed; Priest...”

OAC member #3 wrote: “...Onthou net een ding. Daar was nooit n physical Jesus op aarde nie... Jesus praat deur gesindhede, wat diere of mens kan wees... wat nie die physical human body is nie...”

For those of you who don’t understand Afrikaans, this member is saying “...Just remember one thing. There was never a physical Jesus on earth... Jesus speaks through attitudes, which could be animals or a person... which isn’t the physical human body...”

OAC member #4 wrote: “…The world out there are still awaiting the return of Jesus Christ and yet, He has arrived in this wonderful body that we are members in particular of…”

OAC member #5 wrote: “…I am equal to Jesus, so I am also the Lord and so you are and everyone in our church…”

OAC member #6 wrote: “…Jesus Christ was/is/will be coming in the flesh ( human mind) as the incorruptible seed that is sown by the Sower. Jesus Christ performing miracles and wonders within your mind even today as it was in the beginning…”

Another OAC member regarding the real Jesus mockingly asked: “…tell me your human flesh jesus did he tell what colour he was lol was he red or white black brown orange lol what was his skincolour i wonder if he was a japanese lmklaaa then mabe he was a robot mannekie who can walk on water lol no he will shortcircuit oh my gosh what now…”

Regarding the Immaculate Conception, an OAC member wrote: “…And this I declare, I can not become pregnant with WORDS, but SPIRITUALLY I can and give birth to our Lord and saviour And sing to the MOUNTAINS“ my SOUL doth Magnify the Lord”. Miraculous conception indeed, please tell me again how does it happen naturally, My Lord and saviour did not come about this way, in a manger in the crib of my mind, a filthy stable, can you see the chaos and void, whereupon the spirit hovered over the face of the deep of my life, let there be light and it was so-----purely spiritual do not mix spirit and nature…”

John 14:6 being twisted out of context to glorify a man-made organization

An ex-OAC “elder” wrote: “...If any minister questioned something regarding the sermon, they were revealing a "devil spirit" and not a "child spirit", and you accept everything being preached by your "overplaced" (the ministry above you)...”

Former OAC member #1 wrote: “…I also can’t see why I must ask the priest for something, or to grant me a safe journey, as I pray to God myself and ask Him...”

Former OAC member #2 wrote: “...If a member cannot attend a meeting (say for example he has to work) then he is expected to inform his Priest so that he can be remembered in the opening prayers and still be “under the blessing”. Yes I know this sounds ridiculous...”

“...for any member of the church God is his superior officer. So, for Brothers, Sisters, Underdeacons – God is the Priest. For Priests, God is the Elder. For Elders, God is the fourfold office (Overseers – who actually hold 2 offices; that of Pastor and Teacher, Evangelists – responsible for all evangelical work and testimony, Prophets – responsible for all Prophetic Gifts dreams and vision). So if Seth came in the “supervisory role” then he was God at that time. I know this sounds silly. However you must understand how OAC members are brainwashed to believe these things...”

Former OAC member #3 wrote: “…I often recall a priest pinching the flesh on his arm and saying, "THIS is Jesus," meaning that Jesus is one's flesh, one's earthly body. People would laugh at those who prayed to 'liewe Jesus', regarding them as being in the darkness, uninformed, not having a 'spiritual eye', thus being 'carnal minded'. What a complete distortion of the truth...”

“…If you were a brother or unmarried sister, you had to go to the priest that had been allocated to serve the area in the community where you lived. This was regarded as 'facing East'. You could not go to any other priest, even if he was in your community. The OAC believes that the word of your 'owergestelde' was God to you. This 'facing East' principle applied to every member in the church - the underdeacon had to go to his allocated priest, the priest had to go to his allocated elder, etc. I always wondered who the apostle went to; who was his 'owergestelde'? This OAC understanding of "the Word was [is] God", is a complete distortion of John 1:1 (KJV): "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." My first realisation that the OAC was not 'the way', was when I asked my priest's blessing to heal my son through a healthy lifestyle and natural remedies (vegan diet, pure water, sunlight, fresh air). The priest scoffed at this idea, whereas I knew a sister in another community who had received her priest's blessing to do the same thing. I reasoned that in Scripture we learn that He is the Alpha and the Omega, that He never changes (Revelation 22:13), so if the priest's word was God, both I and the sister in the other community would have received the same word. I thank God for opening my eyes to the deception in the church I had loved so long. No human man's word is God. That is sheer blasphemy to think your word is God to another human being. My family would have been lost had I remained in the OAC. I had met some of the most sincere, unselfish people in that church, but my loyalty should be towards God, and not towards man...”

When reading through the misleading statements from the OAC “apostolate” and OAC “officers”, it’s no wonder that loyal OAC members have a really hard time believing that Jesus was physically resurrected after His crucifixion. They blindly accept whatever their “owergestelde” tells them without question.

• Evidence the Resurrection of Jesus Christ Happened
• Christology Outline
• Historical Evidence for the Resurrection

OAC members don't believe in the resurrection

You can also read:

• Waiting for Jesus
• Emmanuel
• Klibbe’s letter

Strangely enough, the OAC “apostolate” decided in 2001 that Jesus did physically exist in the flesh (as a human). They can’t claim to be the original church that Jesus started if they deny that Jesus ever existed. The OAC version of history is a whole different matter altogether and was discussed in another post. Despite the “apostolate” decision in 2001 there are still major debates going on within the OAC as to whether Jesus really existed. Most members seem to believe that Jesus was never physically born and that He must be viewed “spiritually”.

A church debating Jesus' existence

The “miracles” performed by the OAC “Jesus” is understood “spiritually”. For example, a “dead” OAC member is someone who doesn’t attend the OAC activities. When members visit them they’re already “stinking” which means they’re complaining about why they’re not attending the church activities. Then when they hear the latest teaching from the “apostle”, the spoken words supposedly breathe “life” back into the “dead” and they start going back to church again – a miracle. All the miracles performed in the Bible are interpreted allegorically.

OAC members love their church but doubt the real Jesus

OAC members commonly believe the body of Christ and Jesus Christ is one and the same. There appears to be confusion and a misunderstanding regarding the difference between a bride and bridegroom.

• A bridegroom refers to a man on his wedding day, or just before and after the event.
• A bride refers to a woman on her wedding day, or just before and after the event.
• Consummation means the man and woman become one flesh (Genesis 2:24, Matthew 19:5-6, Mark 10:8, 1 Corinthians 6:16, Ephesians 5:31). They are still a man and a woman, two individuals, despite being one flesh.
• The husband is the head of the wife (Ephesians 5:23), this does not mean that the wife loses her own pretty head on her shoulders.
• Because they are one flesh the husband ought to love his wife’s body as his own (Ephesians 5:28), her body is now also his body. This does not mean his body ceases to exist or vice versa, they belong to one another by being loyal to one another.

Now keeping the above in mind, read the following verses very carefully:

Ephesians 5:23-33 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church:

and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.

Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,

That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing;

but that it should be holy and without blemish. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.

For no man ever yet hated his own flesh;

but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:

For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.

This is a great mystery:

but I speak concerning Christ and the church.

Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself;

and the wife see that she reverence her husband.

Jesus Christ isn’t the OAC or any other church because He is the head of the body, the church (Colossians 1:18). Using matrimony as an example we can understand that Jesus is the Bridegroom (Matthew 9:14-15, Mark 2:18-20, Luke 5:33-35, John 3:27-29, Ephesians 5:23-32) and the church is His bridesmaid also known as the body of Christ (Romans 12:5, 1 Corinthians 10:16-17, 1 Corinthians 12:12-27, Ephesians 4:11-13). When read in context, body of Christ means the body (church) belonging to Jesus Christ. Notice that none of these verses refer to any “gift” within you as being your soul’s “bridegroom”.

According to Strong’s, the word “church” in the New Testament is translated from the Greek word ekklēsia and is defined as:

a calling out, that is, (concretely) a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation (Jewish synagogue, or Christian community of members on earth or saints in heaven or both): - assembly, church.

We should always be ready by having enough oil in our lamps like the five wise virgins because we know neither the day nor the hour wherein the bridegroom (Son of man) will come (Matthew 25:1-13). Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:7-9).

Catechism of the Old Apostolic Church of Africa…Part 2; Question 27 (pages 62-63):

“Has Christ already come, or do we still expect him?” (Sic)

“Ans. (a) Because the world expects that Christ will come on a natural cloud, they still look forward to his coming. From Matt. 16 v. 28, it is however clear, that Christ must already have come…”

Matthew 16:28 Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.

The OAC confuse this verse with the restoration of the kingdom to Israel and Jesus’ promised return (Acts 1:6-11). Jesus shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of His disciples forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God before He was taken up (Acts 1:2-5). The same Jesus, which was taken up from His disciples into heaven, shall so come in like manner as they saw him go into heaven (Acts 1:11).

There are parallel verses to Matthew 16:28, in Mark 9:1 and Luke 9:27 we read of the kingdom of God which will be seen by some of those standing there before they taste of death. All three gospels give an account of Jesus’ transfiguration after He made that statement. Peter, James and John were eyewitnesses on the mountain when Jesus spoke to Moses and Elijah (Matthew 17:1-13, Mark 9:2-13, Luke 9:28-36).

Peter, being one of those present when Jesus made that statement, saw for himself the transfiguration of Jesus on the mountain. Not with cunningly devised fables, but as an eyewitness.

2 Peter 1:16-18 For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.

Later, the disciples saw the pouring out of the Holy Ghost at Pentecost (Acts 2:1-13) and the kingdom of God is righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost (Romans 14:17). Jesus said if any man keeps His saying they will never see death (John 8:51). This then is a grave warning to those who keep not His saying and will taste of the second death which is the lake of fire (Revelation 2:11, Revelation 20:6, Revelation 20:14, Revelation 21:8).

Catechism of the Old Apostolic Church of Africa…Part 2; Question 27 (pages 62-63):

“Has Christ already come, or do we still expect him?” (Sic)

 “Ans. (b) From 2 Tim. 4 v. 7-8 it is clear that Christ must already have come during Apostle Paul’s life on earth…”

2 Timothy 4:7-8 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

These verses need to be read in context.

• Paul starts the chapter with “…I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom…” (2 Timothy 4:1).
• Paul was writing about his own personal departure “…For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand…” (2 Timothy 4:6).
• Later Paul writes “…Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ…” (Titus 2:13).

Jesus’ apostles were contemporaries of Paul, and Jesus appeared to Paul after His resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:4-8). Stephen was a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost (Acts 6:5-6), and when he was martyred he saw the heavens opened and Jesus standing on the right hand of God (Acts 7:55-59). The same Saul (Paul’s Aramaic/Hebrew name) who witnessed the stoning of Stephen (Acts 7:58, Acts 22:20) encountered Jesus en-route to Damascus (Acts 9:3-7, Acts 22:6-9). The men journeying with him to Damascus heard a voice but didn’t see who was speaking. They also saw the light from heaven and were afraid. These appearances by Jesus are not to be confused with the thousand year reign (Psalms 90:4, 2 Peter 3:3-13, Revelation 20:1-6). Note that Jesus did not appear to Stephen or Paul as a church or OAC cloud of witnesses. Neither did any of Jesus’ disciples claim to be Jesus, individually or collectively.

1 John 4:2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:

The above verse is popularly used by some OAC members as a proof text in their arguments. Great emphasis is placed on the words “is come” as if to imply the present tense, and the OAC member in flesh in front of you is supposedly Jesus Christ. Please note that this verse is quoted from the King James Version (1611) also known as the Authorised Version which is officially recognised and used by the OAC.

The verse in the KJV was translated from the following Greek Textus Receptus:

ἐν τούτῳ γινώσκετε τὸ πνεῦμα τοῦ θεοῦ· πᾶν πνεῦμα ὃ ὁμολογεῖ Ἰησοῦν Χριστὸν ἐν σαρκὶ ἐληλυθότα ἐκ τοῦ θεοῦ ἐστιν

ἐληλυθότα = elēlythota = having come or has come (Strong’s)

It’s the same word used in Acts 18:2 and in both instances it is used in the context of past tense. The Afrikaans Bible (AFR 33-57), the Zulu Bible (1^st edition 77) and the New King James Version (Thomas Nelson 83) which are also officially recognized by the OAC also uses past tense.

False apostles and false prophets cannot forge or counterfeit the coming of the Son of man, the only way they can try is by attempting to deceive people with false interpretations. Jesus warns us not to follow them because they will say “Lo here” and then try convincing people that they (false prophets and false churches) are Christ.

A picture paints a thousand words

Matthew 24:23-28 Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. Behold, I have told you before. Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not. For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together.

Through false teachings the false Christs and false prophets try to make themselves the source of your eternal life, instead of Jesus. They exalt themselves, they exalt their organization, and they exalt their “spiritual teachings” to the place of Jesus over your life.

There is only one way for salvation, by man comes death but by Jesus Christ comes life eternal (1 Corinthians 15:20-23). There is only one Jesus and He is the ONLY Messiah.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

The OAC is not the source of eternal life. OAC officers are not the source of eternal life. The OAC sealing service is not the source of eternal life. Mysteries or “spiritual” interpretations are not the source of eternal life. Jesus the Christ is the ONLY source of eternal life. He offers this wonderful gift to anyone who believes in Him.

John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

False Christs and false prophets will try and teach you that if you want to come to God and have a personal relationship with Him, you have to submit to their leadership and follow their teachings. In this way they try to make themselves the “way” to God. They will try to teach you to discard everything you learned outside of their organization and that everyone else are the “world”. They will claim that their teachings are unique and exalt themselves and their teachings as the truth. They won’t preach Jesus as the only Messiah and they will try and convince you that the real Jesus is a figment of man’s imagination. They won’t encourage you to read the whole Bible because they don’t trust that the Holy Spirit will teach you as you read. They will exalt themselves as your main teacher and “guru” to understand the Bible.

Jesus said the Holy Spirit would testify of Him and glorify Him (John 15:26, John 16:13-14). The name of Jesus is above every name; Jesus Christ is Lord (Philippians 2:9-11).

1 Timothy 2:5-6 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.

See if you can see the name of the OAC or any other church or organization for that matter in the following verses:

Acts 4:10-12 Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other:

for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.