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| Published by The Standard Press, Cape Town |
An OAC
member tried to dispute the authenticity of Klibbe’s letter by stating that the
book “De Oude Apostoliese Kerk van
Afrika” is the original, and that Klibbe’s letter must therefore be a fake
because it had “NIEUWE APOSTOLIESE KERK”
on the cover page.
However, according
to the OAC’s own version of history:
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.This was also confirmed by the Supreme Court of South Africa (Witwatersrand Local Division):
“…the Church incorporated under Act 31 of 1909 (Transvaal) known as the New Apostolic Church (Africa) under the leadership of Apostle Carl George Klibbe did in the year 1915 sever all connection with and declared its independence from the New Apostolic Church, whose headquarters is in Germany which is subject to the jurisdiction of the Apostle College and Apostle Unity and under the leadership of Herman Niehaus of Quelle, Germany…”
“…That by reason of the aforegoing the said Carl George Klibbe on behalf of himself and all the congregations in Africa under him abandon the right to the use of the name New Apostolic Church (Africa) hitherto used by him and his Church and the various congregations thereof…”
“…This undertaking to take effect from 1st. June 1927…”
The full
transcript can be viewed here:
The same OAC
member also wrote: “...The pagee (p 17) is part of the old
Confession of Faith, and it is similar to the current version, as the
current version is based on the 12 Articles of Faith...”
In addition,
the letter and the book have the following in common:
- The word “Apostoliese” kerk
- The term “Regels voor Apostoliks”
- The term “Geplubiceerd in de…Apostoliese Kerk”
- The same copyright “Kopijrecht” and “16de Oktober, 1913”
The booklet “De Oude Apostoliese Kerk van Afrika”
would not have existed prior to 1927 and the printing company, Standard Press, Cape Town was only
established in 1924.
Copyright
date does not mean the date of printing and by the time “Regels voor Apostoliks” was printed in book form, Carl Klibbe and his church and the various congregations thereof were forbidden by law to use the name “New Apostolic Church”. This
places the publication of “De Oude
Apostoliese Kerk van Afrika” after 1926.
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| The original document |
Based on the
evidence above, the letter can be considered as original and authentic.
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| Apostolic picnic 1926 ("Old" Apostolic wasn't in use yet) |
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| Council of the Old Apostolic Church of Africa - Xmas 1927 |
I have all the pages. This document was published by Apostle Klibbe in 1913. I am also an ex Apostolic who have been in the church for 60 years, 40 years as an officer. On your blog you pointed out how the church has strayed from Apostle Klibbe’s views.
ReplyDeleteThe OAC portrays itself as God – there is nothing beyond the Apostle. All these deceivable concepts was first introduced to the church around 1950. I grew up in the church and know more about it than most but also have dear friends and family that are still involved with them. I have been a member since 1946 and involved in the preaching of the OAC doctrine for most of my life. This is why I objected when the Apostles started with their foreign concepts.
I have thought about what you are trying to achieve with your blog spot I admire what you do. I am sure that there are a lot of Apostolics who will accept the truth if it is presented to them in the right way. I am already in communication with a number ex-members and officers that have come to the conclusion that the doctrine preached by the current Apostles is false. There are many who will be willing to start a discussion as long as it is done in private. The OAC has already requested members not to get involved in public forums. I have also regular contact with active members and officers discussing this problem.We must unite and pray God to direct us, He has left the church a long time ago or must I say the church left Him. You will be amazed how many Apostolics have already become disillusioned about the church. Myself and other ex-officers that live close to me have already had discussions about this.
I feel that it is important to indicate that no one in the church believe their own published Tenants of Faith. I had an Apostle in my house not so long ago that I confronted with this issue. He eventually said they will set up a document to explain it – really? I have a 72 page document that I wrote and have sent to some Apostles in South Africa. They never responded. The main problem in the church lie at the top.
The Tenants of Faith of the OAC acknowledges Jesus as Lord and Saviour. It is an adjusted copy of the 325 Nicene statement of faith that has been acknowledged by all the Christian churches ever since. The very fact that the Apostles don’t believe their own published statement of faith indicates that they are liars.
In my letter to them I point out the following:
1 They don’t acknowledge His virgin birth and human existence
2 They deny the facts around His crucifixion and resurrection
3 They don’t believe the scriptures describing His ascension and many references about His second coming
Why do they maintain these views? They are trying to portray themselves and the church as the Christ. It is true that the problem lies within the whole church. The many contradicting statements from the church actually comes from the Apostles. They at least should be the ones who are in control of what is preached. This is the reason why Jesus in His revelation to John directed His first letter to the church in Ephesus to point out such Apostles.