408:, which they hold to be the infallible Word of God. Many of their practices are biblically inspired traditions derived from the writings of Froehlich (who was strongly influenced by early church writers such as Tertullian) and some are past practices believed to be beneficial. These traditions are passed from one generation to the next and are held in high esteem, but they are never meant to approach the level of Biblical commandments. Traditions within the Apostolic Christian Church are said to help encourage believers in their commitment to serving the Lord, help to knit generations together, and provide close harmony among the various congregations.
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Testament writings, congregational recognition of the convert's repentance and death to sin is desired prior to baptism. The baptism service is open for anyone to attend and is performed before the entire congregation. Immediately before the baptism takes place the convert makes a covenant with God in the presence of the entire congregation to be faithful until death. Once the covenant is made, the convert is fully immersed in water (unless they are physically unable to do so) representing their sins being washed away by the blood of Christ and rising to a new creature in Christ. After the baptism service, there is a
522:, confessing their sin to God and to people they've sinned against, and finding peace with God and man. The word "convert" is used throughout the denomination to describe anyone who begins repentance but has not yet been baptized into the church. It does not imply conversion from another denomination or religion, but from the carnal to the spiritual state. Once converts feel they have peace with God, this is announced to the church and a baptism date is set. Converts give a testimony before the members of the church prior to the public
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A Minister who is ordained as a deacon may assist the local or counseling elder with meeting with new converts, performing baptisms, and other duties usually carried out by the elder. The ordained deacon only carries out these duties in his home congregation. Most congregations do not have a deacon,
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They believe that God guides them and as he/she feels peaceful about a specific person, they go to their Elder. After prayer and consideration, the Elder then informs the intended member of the proposal. (If they are from another congregation, the sender's Elder informs the Elder of the recipient's
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The marriage process for members of the ACCA begins when a member, typically a male, feels that God has led them to consider marriage. He or she then enters into a time of prayer and seeking God's will for whom they should marry, taking into account relationships and their individual feelings. They
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If a member commits a major sin, as the
Apostolic Christian Church believes to be laid out by the Bible, he or she will be disciplined. The member is encouraged to go through a time of reflection and if they repent they may come back into fellowship. If there is no repentance, the individual will no
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After a time of prayer and consideration, the membership of the local congregation will be given opportunity to turn in the name of the person they feel should be given the responsibility in question. If two or three names capture a sizable number of the votes, the elder committee may choose to ask
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service, telling the story of their personal conversion experience. This sharing, commonly referred to as a "testimony" or "proving", typically takes place the night before the baptism and is a closed member meeting. Because baptism is identified with a "death to sin" in Romans 6 and other New
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Elders of local congregations are ordained by the Elders of the other congregations, usually after a ballot is taken from the local congregation. Elders are usually selected from the current ministers serving in the local church. Elders perform both religious rites and also conduct ministerial
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From the 1920s on, most of the new churches formed in
America were founded in metropolitan areas. This was because many of the church's offspring sought occupational opportunities outside of farming. Thus, today the Apostolic Christian Church consists of a blend of city and rural congregations.
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When the recipient feels peace given by God, they relay the answer to their elder, who relays it to the sender. If the answer is "No", nothing more becomes of the matter and it remains confidential. If the answer is "Yes", the couple is announced shortly thereafter in church
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Spiritual outreach efforts through
Apostolic Christian Mission Committee and humanitarian outreach done under Apostolic Christian World Relief were combined to provide more holistic, gospel-focused outreach under the new name of Apostolic Christian HarvestCall. (2016)
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If no clear choice emerges, the elder committee may choose to table the issue for a time. However, balloting is for advisory purposes only, ballots are destroyed promptly after they are counted and the elder committee has the final responsibility for the
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Congregations who do not have a locally residing elder are assigned a "Counseling Elder" by the national elder body. Day-to-day business in these congregations is handled by a Deacon or "Lead
Minister", depending on the specific situation of each
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When single members seek a marriage partner, they are expected to do that within the denomination so that they will be equally yoked. Faith marriage is practiced (seeking the Lord's direction regarding a spouse). Dating is
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Upon confirmation, Ministers may assume their role after a time of prayer and meditation. Elders, Deacons, and
Ministers have their authorities given to them in a special Ordination Ceremony held in their home
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Marriage is encouraged to take place soon (typically within four months) after it is announced. The engaged couple are discouraged from doing anything that might hinder their ability to remain pure until the
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After prayer and consideration, the committee addresses the membership of the local congregation in a closed member meeting. The entire congregation will be asked to give the issue prayer and consideration.
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Different congregations typically exchange "greetings" between each other and their members, either in person or at-large after the worship service when church announcements are shared to the congregation.
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Some historical teachings and practices of the
Apostolic Christian Church of America have been modified (at least at the denominational level) by its central leadership in recent years, including:
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Formal business attire is typical during worship services. Men wear suits and ties to church. Women wear dresses or skirts and are encouraged to be modestly dressed. The use of
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After a candidate for elder or ordained deacon is selected, he must be interviewed by the elder body at a church conference, typically held semi-annually in
February and August.
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As a need arises, whether through retirement of a current elder, minister or deacon or through congregational growth, a committee of elders is convened to oversee the selection.
365:. The church experienced primary growth in the midwest, where many congregations gained membership from local Amish and Mennonite churches. Though sometimes referred to as the
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by one or more elders and an accompanying consecration prayer to dedicate the new brother or sister to God's work and to place the seal of the Holy Spirit on their life.
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The Elders of each congregation serve as equal members within the collective "Elder Body" of all elders who make decisions regarding the doctrine of the denomination.
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Change in certain roles of women in the church resulting in, among other things, unordained women teaching in formats other than a formal worship service (2019-2021)
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draft, church members, and sometimes friends (unconverted people, often family members, who attend regularly), served in a non-combatant status in the military.
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Many church members traditionally use Early Modern
English (including the familiar second-person forms "thee" and "thou" instead of "you") when praying.
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rather they are ordained mostly in larger congregations where the elder needs assistance or in smaller congregations where there is no local elder.
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Ministers (including elders and deacons) do not pursue seminary or other education in preparation for the ministry and serve without compensation.
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Almost all congregations practice separated seating for men and women, though this may be relaxed from time to time for special occasions.
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in 1847 by
Benedict Weyeneth (1819–87), who had been sent by Froehlich at the request of Joseph Virkler, a Lewis County minister in an
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is served typically once, or possibly multiple times, during the year for church members, often (but not necessarily) near
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congregation, who then tells them of the proposal.) The recipient then gives the proposal prayer and consideration.
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Although it is not a set rule, the typical progression is from
Minister to Deacon (if applicable) then to Elder.
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322:. The denomination consists of approximately 90 congregations in the United States, Japan, Mexico and Canada.
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Related congregations (not under the same denominational governance) in Germany, Hungary, Romania, and
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Creation of new hymnal that includes both classic and contemporary styles of music (announced 2020)
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is strongly discouraged. An affirmation may be used as an alternative in legal, and other matters.
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The marriage ceremony takes the place of a Sunday afternoon service, with a reception following.
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Ministers' duties include preaching in their home congregations and in other congregations.
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The conversion experienced for each member varies in timing and detail, but all include
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The leaders of the church, including elders, deacons and ministers, are all male.
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The Apostolic Christian Church marriage tradition heavily involves the church.
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Spread throughout the world, churches can be found in several countries.
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Recommendation of tolerance of the use of wedding rings by members (2018)
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Public (online) distribution of brotherhood conference recordings (2016)
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the membership cast ballots again within the confines of those choices.
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Reorganization and revisions to Statement of Faith (announced 2022)
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A sketch of Froehlich; the only known surviving likeness of him
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Along with missionary work, the church also operates several
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is the greeting used in most Apostolic Christian churches.
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Protestant denominations established in the 19th century
342:. Froehlich was baptized in 1832 and soon founded the
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https://www.apostolicchristian.org/find-a-congregation
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Removal of expectation that men be clean-shaven (2018)
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Christian denominations founded in the United States
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United States of America, Canada, Mexico, and Japan.
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Change in teaching regarding sins unto death (2013)
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153:introducing citations to additional sources
607:Selection of elders, deacons, and ministers
53:Learn how and when to remove these messages
393:Biblical practices, traditions and beliefs
334:are found in the conversion experience of
256:reliable, independent, third-party sources
89:. Please do not remove this message until
292:Learn how and when to remove this message
274:Learn how and when to remove this message
109:Learn how and when to remove this message
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361:church. In 1848 a church was formed in
346:The first American church was formed in
250:by replacing them with more appropriate
143:Relevant discussion may be found on the
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233:too closely associated with the subject
164:"Apostolic Christian Church of America"
742:Apostolic Christian Church of America
306:Apostolic Christian Church of America
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722:"Apostolic Christian HarvestCall"
34:This article has multiple issues.
16:Anabaptist Christian denomination
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136:relies largely or entirely on a
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348:Lewis County, New York
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397:Further information:
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149:improve this article
399:Anabaptist theology
371:Evangelical Baptist
330:The origins of the
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726:HarvestCall
520:restitution
340:Switzerland
751:Categories
669:References
663:orphanages
564:Leadership
514:for one's
512:repentance
506:Conversion
310:Anabaptist
248:improve it
238:verifiable
175:newspapers
76:neutrality
39:improve it
708:"History"
638:Locations
518:, making
451:cosmetics
423:Holy Kiss
367:New Amish
359:Mennonite
313:Christian
252:citations
145:talk page
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556:wedding.
352:Alsatian
80:disputed
651:Ukraine
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326:History
242:neutral
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416:Easter
308:is an
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406:Bible
355:Amish
196:JSTOR
182:books
516:sins
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