The Tenets of Christ Apostolic Church Worldwide
The Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) right from its formation
in 1918 as Aladura Group believes in holiness, divine healing, and all
sufficiency of God. After its great revival of 1930, where several people
received the baptism of the Holy Spirit, the Church combines a rare combination
of Holiness and Pentecostalism. The Church holds the position of the first
Aladura Pentecostal in the world.
The CAC derives its doctrine from the Holy Scriptures,
sermons, cooperation with other churches, and beliefs of the founding fathers
and mothers.
Following the cooperation with the Apostolic Church, England
in 1931, the Revival Group accepted eleven Tenets of the Apostolic Church. In
1940, CAC added the 12th and 13th Tenets.
WHAT ARE TENETS AND
WHY DO CAC HAVE THEM?
The word "Tenet" means belief or doctrine that a
person holds or maintains as true. It is derived from the Latin word ‘tenere’
which means ‘to hold’. So the Tenets of the Christ Apostolic Church are the
Biblical truths which we must hold and maintain.
CAC accepts the teachings of the Bible in its entirety, the
Tenets are not intended to replace the Bible. They are necessary to guard
against false teachings in a world of shifting morals and beliefs (II Pet 2: 1,
Titus 1: 11).
Each Tenet has been expanded and the reasons why we believe
it are explained.
1.The unity of the Godhead
and the trinity of the persons therein.
The Church believes in the Holy Trinity of the Father, the
Son, and the Holy Spirit; the father being the Supreme God, maker of heaven and
earth, and the creator of all creatures. Therefore Christian teaching of the
Trinity states that God exists eternally as three persons who, while distinct,
are equally and fully God.
Why is it necessary that we believe this? The Bible reveals
there is one God. It also shows that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are God.
If we don’t believe in God, we fall at the first hurdle. Other world religions
offer other and many gods. We need to be clear that the Bible says there is one
true God; all others are false and ‘man-made’ (idols). The Bible says that God
exists as three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. This is difficult to
understand, but at the beginning of Scripture God says ‘let us make man in our
image (Genesis 1:26). A very simplistic way to understand this is to look at
water. Water can exist in three states; liquid, solid form - ice, and as a
vapour - steam. At each state the water is different in form and appearance,
yet still water. God is Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Each distinct, yet each
God.
Useful Scriptures: Matt 28:19, 2 Cor 13:14, 1 John 5:7
2.The utter depravity
of human nature, the necessity for Repentance and Regeneration and the Eternal
Doom of the finally impenitent.
Every part of human nature is deeply damaged by the Fall. We
are born with a powerful bias toward sin. God commands us to confess our sin
and turn from it to him as our Saviour and Lord. We require the new spiritual
birth which the Holy Spirit gives. Any who refuse God’s command and offer of
life will suffer everlasting separation from him in hell.
Why is it necessary that we believe this? Every person, no
matter how moral and good, will fall short of God’s standard because of a
sinful nature (we have all done things we regret). Therefore being ‘good’ is
not ‘good enough’. Being religious doesn’t make us acceptable to God (many have
tried that). Acceptance comes through a ‘right relationship’ with Him. This is
achieved by confessing our sins, seeking to live according to God’s ways. This
is actually impossible humanly speaking, but God the Holy Spirit works in our
lives so that we can become ‘new people’ and serve him. Many reject God or want
Him on their ‘terms’. We can’t bargain or argue with God. He has made a way for
us to be forgiven. If we reject this, we reject God. Sadly, the alternative is
an eternal hell without God.
Useful Scriptures: Rom 3:23, Eph 2, Acts 20:21, 2 Cor 5:17,
Rev 20:11-15.
3.The Virgin Birth,
Sinless life, Atoning Death, Triumphant Resurrection, Ascension and Abiding
Intercession of our Lord Jesus Christ; His Second Coming and Millennial Reign
upon earth.
God’s eternal Son was born to Mary, a virgin, from whom he
received his humanity. Fully human, he was nonetheless without sin, having been
conceived by the Holy Spirit. Having lived with perfect holiness, he bore in
his death the penalty of all others’ sin. After God the Father raised him from
death he returned in triumph to heaven where he represents his people. He will
come again to rule over the earth for a thousand years.
Why is it necessary that we believe this? Jesus became human
like us. But if he had been born through the sexual union of a man and woman,
he would have inherited the sin problem common to us all. Therefore he needed
to become human in a miraculous way. This was accomplished by the creative
power of the Holy Spirit causing new life within Mary, so that a child was born
to a virgin. Being born without sin was not enough. Jesus, as he grew from
childhood to a man, had to remain pure in his mind, attitude and his actions.
Even if he had failed once, everything would have been lost! The whole point of
a sinless birth and life was that he could be a perfect sacrifice when he died
for us. When he was crucified, all the sin ever committed was ‘laid’ on him
(accounted to him) and Jesus was then punished for that sin (which was ours).
He then died taking the full consequences for our sin. God the Father was
satisfied with Jesus’ sacrifice and therefore, according to the Scriptures,
Jesus rose from the dead, triumphing over it, as the first one to rise. He rose
with a new, eternal body which one day all Christians will possess. One day, he
will return to reign as King of Kings.
Useful Scriptures: Matt 1:18-25, Hebrews 2:9, 1 Pet 2:21-24,
Acts 2: 29-32.
4.Justification and
Sanctification of the Believers through the-finished work of Christ.
Through his life and death Jesus provided fully for our
salvation. When we trust in him as our Saviour we are completely forgiven and
declared to be in right standing with God. We are now set apart for God. By the
Holy Spirit’s power we can grow in the Christ-likeness God requires of us.
Why is it necessary that we believe this? We could never in
our own efforts make ourselves right with God; it is humanly impossible. Many
religions try to do this but all will fail. It required that God did something
which we couldn’t. Jesus died for us, taking our sin upon himself. When we
believe this, God declares that we are forgiven and declared right with Him. It
is like a courtroom where someone pays the fine of the guilty person and the
judge declares that since the crime has been paid for, the guilty person no
longer has to face the consequences of the offence. In addition to being
declared ‘not guilty’ by God, he doesn’t leave us as being ‘just forgiven’, but
calls us to be his people and live for him. God is holy and pure and he
requires that we also follow him in this way. Not a ‘holier than thou’ attitude,
but someone whose life reflects something of Jesus in every aspect. The Holy
Spirit helps us to do this.
Useful Scriptures: Rom 3:21-24, 2 Cor 3:17-18, Eph 4:23-24
5. The Baptism of the Holy Spirit for Believers with signs following.
The baptism of the Holy Spirit is followed by clear
evidences of the Spirit’s work such as speaking in tongues, seeing vision,
dreaming, and prophesying. This is the reason why Pentecostal churches like CAC
are called "Spiritual" churches.
Why is it necessary that we believe this? When we read the
Bible there are many instances recorded where people had a definite experience
of being filled by the Holy Spirit. This is how the church actually came into
existence. This baptism is to give the individual a strength or power to live
as a Christian.
Useful Scriptures: Matt 3:11, Mark 16:17, Acts 1:8, Acts 2,
Acts 10:44-48
6. The Nine Gifts of
the Holy Spirit for the edification, exhortation and comfort of the Church
which is the Body of Christ.
The nine gifts of the Holy Spirit are found in 1 Cor 12:
8-11. Christians who possess these gifts have supernatural abilities. Their use
helps to build up, encourage and strengthen the church, a people in living
union with Christ.
Why is it necessary that we believe this? The Holy Spirit
empowers people to serve. Also he gives special gifts to help the Church. These
gifts are extraordinary in their outworking. The early church in the Bible
needed such gifts and today, we also need them to help us. Spiritual gifts are
not only in use today in "Spiritual Churches" but also becoming
widely used in Orthodox Churches including Charismatic group within the
Catholic Church.
Useful Scriptures: 1 Cor 12:4-28, 1 Cor 13:9-12, Gal 5:22-23
7. The Sacraments of
Baptism by Immersion and of the Lord’s Supper.
Water baptism is the first step after being admitted to the
Church. Jesus commanded that new believers be plunged in water to symbolise our
sharing in the benefits of his saving work. His death and resurrection are the
permanent basis of Christian life. Therefore he also ordained that he church
should meet to remember him be eating bread and drinking wine as symbols of his
body and blood. The lower age limit for baptism is 12 years and only an
ordained pastor of the church can perform the baptism. To partake in the Lord's
super, a member must be 12 years old and above and not practice polygamy. If
the husband is a polygamist, the first wife qualifies to partake.
Why is it necessary that we believe this? Jesus himself was
baptised not to repent of sin, but to identify himself with our humanity. It
was a significant moment in his life and it is the same for us. God recognises
that when we do an act it helps us to appreciate what the symbolic act means.
By being baptised, it helps us understand something of the ‘death’ of our old
life and the resurrection of our new one in serving Christ. Similarly, with
communion, this meal helps us to focus regularly and consider what Jesus
accomplished when he died for us. It should be a special time of reflection and
worship when we eat this meal. Really no more need be said, other than Jesus
told us to do it.
Useful Scriptures: Matt 3:16-17, Matt 28:19, 1 Cor 11:23-26,
Rom 6:3-14
8. The divine
inspiration and authority of the Holy Scriptures.
The Church believes that both the Old and New Testaments,
comprising the Holy scriptures, were written by individuals through guidance by
the Holy Spirit. The Scripture contains what God wants Christians to believe
about God, salvation, life, etc.
Why is it necessary that we believe this? If we do not
accept the Bible as God’s word, then we are reading and applying something
which is man-inspired. As a result, at its best is flawed, at its worst is
disastrous. The mystery of the Bible is that it was written over thousands of
years by many different people, often writing in complete isolation of each
other. But the Bible does not contradict itself, with prophecies made hundreds
of years earlier being fulfilled. This gives the Bible its credibility and
authenticity. The Bible is a complete manual for living. What is especially
relevant is that the Bible records people’s failures as well as their
successes. It shows that God deals with real people and meets them at their
point of need, remaining a Lord of mercy at all time.
Useful Scriptures: John 1:1-4, 2 Tim 3:16-17, 2 Pet 1:20-21
9. The divine
inspiration and authority of the Holy Scriptures.
The Church believes that both the Old and New Testaments,
comprising the Holy scriptures, were written by individuals through guidance by
the Holy Spirit. The Scripture contains what God wants Christians to believe
about God, salvation, life, etc.
Why is it necessary that we believe this? If we do not
accept the Bible as God’s word, then we are reading and applying something
which is man-inspired. As a result, at its best is flawed, at its worst is
disastrous. The mystery of the Bible is that it was written over thousands of
years by many different people, often writing in complete isolation of each
other. But the Bible does not contradict itself, with prophecies made hundreds
of years earlier being fulfilled. This gives the Bible its credibility and authenticity.
The Bible is a complete manual for living. What is especially relevant is that
the Bible records people’s failures as well as their successes. It shows that
God deals with real people and meets them at their point of need, remaining a
Lord of mercy at all time.
Useful Scriptures: John 1:1-4, 2 Tim 3:16-17, 2 Pet 1:20-21
10. The possibility
of falling from Grace.
The Church believes that a member could fall from God's
grace if he or she backslides and abandons the faith (Heb 6:4-6). God is
faithful and gracious to his people, earnestly desiring and providing for our
salvation. It is possible, however, for a Christian to forfeit salvation by a
wilful failure to continue in faith and obedience.
Why is it necessary that we believe this? Many people think
they can do what they like when they have become Christians, because they are
‘saved’. This is a mis-understanding of Scripture and an insult to God. God has
given us a free will. He has not created us as robots. Therefore we have a
responsibility to follow God’s ways and serve him. God has provided everything
for us to follow him; his grace and the Holy Spirit, and he desires us to have
a relationship with him. But a relationship is always two-way. If we fail and
neglect God wilfully, there is a danger that we break our relationship with
him. This is the greatest tragedy.
Useful Scriptures: 1 Cor 10:12, 1 Tim 1:19, Heb 3:12, Heb
6:4-6
11. The obligatory
nature of Tithes and Offerings.
The payment of these offerings is a cardinal belief of of
the Church, and it is obligatory for both workers and members. The belief is
based on Jacob's vow at Bethel. Obedience to the belief carries with it many
blessings. Proceeds from the offerings are used as stipends for church workers
and to advance the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Useful Scriptures: Gen 28:20-21, Malachi 3:10-12
12. Divine Healing
through obedience to the command of our Lord Jesus Christ and Faith in His name
and merits of His blood for all sickness, disease and infirmities.
This belief was developed prior to 1930 when the founding
fathers had association with Faith Tabernacle of Philadelphia. This faith
together with the belief in salvation from sin, and reliance on God for all
needs form the three pillars on which CAC faith rests. Members therefore rely
on God for healing.
Useful Scriptures: James 5:14-18; 2 Kings 1:2-4
13. Faith in God, the
Jehovah Jireh to supply all financial needs.
This belief is hinged on Abraham's obedience to sacrifice
Isaac to the Lord. Once man obeys God, He will provide all his needs since He
is all sufficient.
Useful Scriptures: Gen 22:12-14, Matt 6:2; 5:34, Phil 4:19
Soure: cacworldwideonline.org
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