Doctrine - Media vs a medium

Antisocial policy

The OAC has a “policy that does not allow the Church or its Officers to participate formally on social media”.

Formal response from OAC Head Office

This is a very odd policy and appears to be a way of distancing themselves from what OAC members are actually saying on social media. It’s a deceptive way of dodging criticism and responsibility for what OAC members are being taught in secret and preaching to the world.

Luke 12:1-3 In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.

For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed;

neither hid, that shall not be known.

Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light;

and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.

Some OAC social media groups have a disclaimer that endorses this policy, even though they are closed to the general public and have OAC officers as administrators.

Closed group with a disclaimer

A disclaimer on an apple won’t hide the fact that it came from an apple tree.

Closed group that had an "underdeacon" as administrator (meanwhile promoted to "priest")

It can’t be very comforting for OAC members to know that their spiritual gifts might “often not be the Church’s view”. Especially if the group is administered by an “underdeacon” and the “underdeacon” is considered to be the door to the house.

The same could then apply when OAC members go out on testimony telling the world about their version of Jesus. It could even be the same when it comes to the ordaining of officers based on prophetic gifts.

I was taught as an active OAC member that the gift never changes, the “officer” gift is exactly the same irrespective of the person or vessel that receives this gift. The only difference between the various officers is the heaven that they’re in. Apparently the “underdeacon” is the perfect “brother”, the “priest” is the perfect “underdeacon”, the “elder” is the perfect “priest”, the “fourfold office” is the perfect “elder” and the “apostle” is the perfect “fourfold office”. This gift is apparently eternal and never changes and the “apostle” seals you with this gift. If that were so, OAC officers would all speak the same language and never argue or differ in opinion. The same would apply to every single OAC member, everyone would instinctively say the same thing without being corrected or told. Apparently OAC members are also blessed with the spirit of discernment which is also the same gift. If all of this was true, they wouldn’t contradict the Bible and there would be no reason for a policy or disclaimer.

A common characteristic of these OAC social media groups is that as soon as someone differs with the administrators or certain aspects of the OAC doctrine, they get belittled and/or blocked. As soon as someone starts asking questions or quoting verses from the Bible they are immediately accused of being a scribe and a non-apostolic with no understanding.

A former OAC member responded as follows when asked if he was an OAC member: “...I was for 24 years, but I saw and experienced many things that made me turn away from them

1) No real preaching against sins

2) No chasing after God's real holiness

3) No attention to the prophesies which are and will take place physically on earth

4) No real joy and worship

5) Have their own language that uplifts things like church activities and praising people that are priests, elders, overseers etc - but almost no uplifting and praising of God

6) The OAC has become a organisation where the organisation has become higher than God

7) Barely saw how people's life changed in the church - they go to church activities, but live and talk the same way as the world when they are away from the church activities - and the list goes on and on...”

Needless to say, this former OAC member has since been blocked like countless others on OAC social media groups. Well done to those who have tried sharing the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ on these OAC social media groups.

2 Timothy 4:2-4 Preach the word;

be instant in season, out of season;

reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine;

but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

According to Strong’s, the word “fables” is translated from the Greek word muthos and is defined as:

a tale, that is, fiction (“myth”): - fable.

Fable in this context is a deliberately false or improbable account; fabrication; fiction. To feign; to invent; to devise, and speak of, as true or real; to tell of falsely.

So-called “bread breaking” and “spiritual interpretation” is a breeding ground for very imaginative fables, because according to OAC members, nobody is wrong, it’s just your level of understanding. This implies that even liars are always right; it’s just their level of understanding.

Biblical principles remain unchanged irrespective of the platform you are using.

The message of the gospel of Jesus Christ remains unchanged irrespective of the platform you are using.

What you think will reflect in what you do or say irrespective of the platform you are using.

Paul writes that whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31).

The OAC don’t only have a policy regarding social media, they also don’t participate formally on mass media communication such as print media and the press, or broadcasting such as radio and television. The OAC even forbid their members from making any type of recording at their “apostle” services. The only exception is when there is a choir festival and the recording is strictly controlled by the “overseer”, in which case the recording will omit the prayers. Very strict terms and conditions are placed by the “apostle” on such recordings.

The gospel of Jesus Christ is not supposed to be a big secret. Jesus said that a city that is set on an hill cannot be hid, a lit candle is not put under a bushel, but on a candlestick (Matthew 5:13-16). Jesus told His apostles that there is nothing covered that shall not be revealed. What they hear in the ear, that should they preach on the housetops (Matthew 10:26-27). Jesus wasn’t afraid to preach publicly out in the open (Matthew 13:1-17, Matthew 13:34-35).

Jesus gave His disciples the Great Commission to teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost and teaching them to observe all things that Jesus commanded them (Matthew 28:16-20, Mark 16:15-16, Luke 24:47-48, Acts 1:8).

On the day of Pentecost some 2,000 years ago, Peter preached to multitudes of people from different parts of the world (Acts 2:1-40). On that same day 3,000 of those that heard him were baptised and added to the church (Acts 2:41). The 3,000 that were added were real people, not spirits or “departed” souls during a sealing service (Acts 2:5-22, Acts 2:29, Acts 2:36-41). The Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved (Acts 2:42-47).

1 Timothy 2:1-8 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;

For kings, and for all that are in authority;

that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;

Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. 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. Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity. I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.

The true apostles were not afraid to speak and preach publicly (Acts 4:1-22, Acts 5:17-42).

Stephen is the first martyr recorded in the Bible for preaching publicly about Jesus Christ (Acts 6:8-15, Acts 7:1-60).

Philip preached Christ in the city of Samaria (Acts 8:4-8).

Paul wasn’t afraid of preaching Jesus Christ publicly (Acts 16:11-40, Acts 17:16-34, Acts 20:20-21, Acts 21:37-40, Acts 22:1-30, Acts 23:1-11).

Apollos publicly convinced the Jews that Jesus was Christ (Acts 18:24-28).

Paul caused a riot in Ephesus for preaching Jesus Christ amongst the craftsmen that made silver shrines for their goddess Diana (Acts 19:21-41).

Paul almost convinced king Agrippa to become a Christian (Acts 26:1-32).

Christianity has continued to grow worldwide ever since that time, building on the foundation already laid by the true apostles and true prophets, with Jesus Christ as their Head.

By contrast, almost 50% of OAC members worldwide reside in South Africa, a country that has less than 1% of the world’s total population. If the total number of OAC members worldwide resided in South Africa, they wouldn’t even be 0.1% of South Africa’s total population. This is for a church that claims to be the only original church even though the OAC didn’t exist before 1927. OAC members also don’t regard themselves as Christians but rather as proud “Apostolics” (Acts 11:26, Acts 26:28-29, 1 Peter 4:16-19). Christians who read the Bible in context are regarded by OAC members as natural minded brute beasts from the world (Matthew 5:11, Matthew 7:15-20, Luke 6:20-23, Luke 6:43-45, 1 Peter 3:16-17, 2 Peter 2:1-22, Jude 1:8-16).

2 Corinthians 4:1-6 Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;

But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully;

but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.

But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:

In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord;

and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

Good news is for sharing because sharing is caring.

John 3:16-18 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.

For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world;

but that the world through him might be saved.

He that believeth on him is not condemned:

but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

Do you believe in Jesus and that He is the only Messiah?