General History of The Apostolic Church
During the Welsh Revival (1904-05) over one hundred thousand people were converted. Many of them called themselves the "Children of the Revival." One such group held meetings in a house in Penygroes, Llanelli, U.K. In February 1910 they opened a building called 'The Evangelical Church', Penygroes. During the Revival some had experienced speaking in tongues and prophecy. In the new church these manifestations of the gifts of the Holy Spirit began to be heard more frequently. A miner Mr. D.P. Williams (1882-1947) began to attend some of the services. He had been converted in the Revival on 25 December 1904 when Mr. Evan Roberts, the Revivalist, laid his hands on him. He became a well known preacher in the Independent (Congregational) chapels in and around Penygroes and was baptised in the Holy Spirit in 1909. This experience brought him to a time of decision. He decided to leave the Independents and joined the Evangelical Church in 1910. He was baptised in water and shortly after that visited Pastor W.O. Hutchinson's Emmanuel Mission Hall in Bournemouth where he and a friend were greatly blessed.
In December 1910 a prophecy was given in Emmanuel Mission Hall indicating that Pastor Hutchinson and a Mr. J. Dennis should go to Penygroes and anoint "the Lord's Servant" at a farm where a number of people would gather without any prior arrangement. They went to Penygroes and ministered in the Evangelical Church. They were asked to go with Mr. D.P. Williams to a farm to pray for a sick child. A company of people had met at the farm and during a time of prayer Mr. J. Dennis gave a word of prophecy in which Mr. D.P. Williams was named as "the shepherd of His people". The prophecy given previously in Bournemouth was then read to those present and Mr. D.P. Williams was ordained. Although this ordination was not accepted by many of the members of the Evangelical Church a further prophecy in the assembly early in 1911 indicated that "the one ordained" should be the leader and this was accepted.
In May 1911 the assembly in Bournemouth was described in the magazine as "The Apostolic Faith Church" and by the end of the year there were six assemblies in Scotland, eleven in England, and thirteen in Wales. All were in active fellowship with the Bournemouth church. The Apostolic Faith Church was the first Pentecostal Denomination founded in Britain.
The speakers at the opening of the Apostolic Faith Church building in Penygroes in May 1914 were Pastors W.O. Hutchinson, D.P. Williams, M. Reade and E.C.W. Boulton (a future leader in the Elim Pentecostal Church who was used in prophecy in the Apostolic Faith Church). In June the London Convention for the Church was held in Arthur Street Chapel, King's Cross and a word of prophecy was given in which Pastor D.P. Williams was called as the Apostle to lead the Apostolic Faith Churches in Wales and Pastor A. Murdoch was called similarly to lead the Churches in Scotland. Both men were ordained by Pastor W.O. Hutchinson who was described as "the Chief Apostle". The teachings of the Church were set out in the magazine as - Conviction of sin, Repentance, Restitution and Confession; Justification and Sanctification; The Baptism of the Holy Ghost, with the sign of New Tongues; Divine Healing for the body; The Blood of Jesus. Pleading and Sprinkling; the Gifts of the Holy Ghost; Eternal Punishment for the Unbelieving; The Second Coming of our Lord Jesus Christ; The Millennium Reign; Tithes and Offerings; Ordinances. Water Baptism by Immersion. The Lord's Supper. Fellowship and Breaking of Bread; The Divine Inspiration, authority and sufficiency of the Holy Scriptures; The Unity of the Godhead and the Trinity of the Persons therein; The utter depravity of human nature in consequence of the Fall; The Incarnation and Virgin-Birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and His work of Atonement for all sinners of the human race; The immortality of the soul, the resurrection of the body and the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ to judge the quick and the dead; the eternal blessedness of the righteous, and the eternal punishment of the wicked.
The seventh major Conference of the Apostolic Faith Church was held in Bournemouth from 31 July to 3 August 1915 and after a word of prophecy stating - "bring your treasure to the Apostles' feet", over ?3,000 was received in the special offering. This was a large amount of cash etc. for those days and Pastor D.P. Williams suggested that a Committee of seven men should be responsible for its wise use. This was flatly refused by Pastor Hutchinson who stated that it was his money to use as he pleased. This was the beginning of tension which eventually led to a meeting of Church leaders on 8 January 1916 in the Apostolic Faith Church, Ammanford, South Wales, during which Pastor D.P. Williams stood and asked all those who no longer accepted the authority of Pastor Hutchinson to stand with him and leave the meeting. Representatives of three churches in Wales continued in the Apostolic Faith Church and all the others left to form the Apostolic Church with its Headquarters in Penygroes, South Wales.
Special meetings were held in the Apostolic Church, Penygroes (formerly Apostolic Faith Church) in March 1916. The speakers were Mr. A. Bell, the leader of the Apostolic Faith Church in Dunfermline, Scotland, and Pastor R. Jardine (1878-1950) from the Pentecostal Assembly, Bedford, England, which had been opened by Mr. C. Polhill (one of the famous ‘Cambridge Seven'). Pastor Jardine had been baptised in water in 1902 and been a minister in the Baptist Church until he was baptised in the Holy Spirit in 1912. In the Penygroes meetings he was named by several Prophets as an Apostle for England and he was ordained by Pastors D.P. Williams and T. Jones (who had been recognised as an Apostle in Llanelli in 1915).
The Apostolic Church published its first magazine entitled "Riches of Grace" in April 1916. It was made clear that the Church was in no way connected with the Apostolic Faith Church, Winton, Bournemouth. A list of the nineteen churches in Wales was included in the magazine. During the first week of August 1916 the Apostolic Church held its first major Convention in the Penygroes. During 1917 another eight assemblies were opened and the Convention in August was held in a large tent in order to accommodate the crowds.
In 1916 Pastor R. Jardine and Pastor E.C.W. Boulton (as the Prophet) ministered for two weeks in a Pentecostal assembly called "The Burning Bush" in Glasgow, Scotland. Pastor Jardine wrote to Pastor D.P. Williams and told him he had met - "a man of God in Glasgow, there are mighty deeds done through him in the Name of Jesus". This man was Pastor A. Turnbull who had opened a Pentecostal Assembly in Portobello, Edinburgh, Scotland with Mr. J. Ferguson in 1912 and had became part of the Apostolic Faith Church. During 1918 Pastor Turnbull heard of a group of "pentecostal believers in Wales, who were convinced of the efficacy of directive prophecy". Prophecy and visions confirmed that the group in Wales should be contacted and Pastors D.P. Williams and W.J. Williams (he had been recognised as a Prophet in 1913) were invited to Glasgow. They paid another visit a year later during which the leaders of the "Burning Bush" decided to become part of the Apostolic Church. In that same year the Pentecostal Assembly in Smethwick, Birmingham also decided to join the Apostolic Church.
In 1918 Pastor F. Hodges from Hereford, England decided to visit the August Penygroes Convention. He was told of the blessings being experienced in the 1917 Penygroes Convention but was also warned that Pastor D.P. Williams and his colleagues were "in error". He decided to go and see for himself and was blessed and impressed by what he saw and heard, particularly by the content and quality of the anointed prophetic ministry. After the 1919 Convention he invited Pastor D.P. Williams and other Pastors to minister in the Hereford Church. When they arrived for the meeting they were amazed to see the name "The Apostolic Church" engraved over the entrance and Pastor F. Hodges remarked - "That name has been waiting for you for seven years". After this period of ministry and sharing together about doctrine, Pastor Hodges and his congregation became part of the Apostolic Church and many other meetings were opened in the surrounding area.
The first Apostolic Church Convention was held in Glasgow in 1920. A party led by Pastor D.P. Williams ministered there. Pastor A. Turnbull had been in correspondence with Pastor B. Fisher of the Pentecostal Church, Great Victoria Street, Belfast. They also ministered there in January 1920 with the result that the assembly there also joined the Apostolic Church. In October 1920 a Pastor and an Evangelist were sent to Belfast from Wales to help the progress of the work there. These men were the first ministers sent from Britian to another country.
The tenets of the Apostolic Church were published in English in 1920 (Up to 1919 they had been in Welsh) as follows -
1. The unity of the Godhead and the Trinity of the Persons therein.
2. The utter depravity of human nature, the necessity for repentance and regeneration, and the eternal doom of the finally impenitent.
3. The Virgin Birth, sinless life, triumphant Resurrection, Ascension, and abiding Intercession of our Lord Jesus Christ; His Second Coming and Millennial Reign upon earth.
4. Justification and Sanctification of the Believer through the finished work of Christ.
5. The Baptism of the Holy Ghost for believers, with signs following.
6. The Gifts of the Holy Ghost for the comfort, edification and building up of the Church, which is the Body of Christ.
7. The Sacraments of Baptism by immersion, and of the Lord's Supper.
8. The Divine Inspiration and Authority of the Holy Scriptures.
9. Church Government by Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors, Teachers, Elders and Deacons.
10. The possibility of falling from Grace.
11. The obligatory nature of Tithes and Offerings.
In 1921 Tenet No. 3 was amplified to read "Sinless Life, Atoning Death"; and in 1937 Tenet No. 6 was re-worded to read "The Nine Gifts of the Holy Ghost for the edification , exhortation and comfort of the Church, which is the Body of Christ.
Most evangelical churches could agree with Tenets Nos. 1,2,3,4,7 and 8. Many would also agree with Tenets Nos. 10 and 11. Tithing is advocated by many groups in these days. These Tenets emphasise that we are a group of Trinitarian and Orthodox believers. In no way are we heretical in our doctrines.
Tenets Nos. 5 and 6 place us firmly in the Pentecostal section of Christendom, the fastest growing expression of the Christian faith.
Our unique Tenets is No. 9 believing as we do that it was never the purpose of God that the recognised (and obeyed) ministry of the Apostles and Prophets should cease at any time in the "Church Age". We believe that these united ministries are the Biblical channels for Theocracy today as is further explained later in this data.
The expansion of the Apostolic Church into the five continents commenced in 1922 when the Missionary Council sent three Missionaries to Tucuman, Argentine. The work in the atmosphere of the religious traditions there proved almost impossible and eventually all the personnel were withdrawn in 1930. One of the true converts, however, was a Mr. Palau who became the father of the International Evangelist Luis Palau, who visited the Apostolic Church Penygroes Convention in 1980 to express his gratitude to the Church which had been the means of bringing his father to Christ. Also in 1922 an enquiry was received from U.S.A. and Pastors D.P. Williams, A. Turnbull. F. Hodges and W.J. Williams travelled to Philadelphia and ministered there and in six other towns in U.S.A. and three in Canada. As a result of this visit ten assemblies in U.S.A. and Canada became part of the Apostolic Church.
From 1922 as a result of invitations and Missionary Board initiatives Apostolic Churches have been opened as follows - 1924 Denmark and China. 1925 France. 1926 Italy. 1928 New Zealand. 1930 Australia and India. 1931 Nigeria and Egypt. 1932 Gold Coast (Ghana). 1935 Estonia. 1936 Japan and Latvia. 1937 South Africa. 1945 Hungary and New Hebrides (Vanuatu). 1946 Germany, Norway and Greenland. 1947 Switzerland. 1948 Togo and Jamaica. 1949 Cameroun. 1951 Southern Rhodesia (Zimbabwe). 1954 Papua New Guinea. 1956 Benin Republic. 1957 Northern Rhodesia (Zambia). 1958 Republic of Ireland. 1960 Holland. 1963 Barbados and Ceylon (Sri Lanka). 1964 Sierra Leone and Peru. 1967 Spain, Senegal and Zaire. 1969 Portugal. 1970 Brazil. 1971 Belgium. 1975 Upper Volta (Burkina Faso). 1982 Malawi. 1990 Mozambique. 1993 Botswana, Indonesia and Singapore. 1994 Angola and Chile. 1997 Tanzania. 1995 Myanmar (Burma).
This growth of the Apostolic Church world-wide has been accomplished by the dedicated service of a large number of Missionaries from many lands who have worked in co-operation with the equally committed indigenous Ministers in each Field. Ten Missionaries laid down their lives while serving the Lord.
The policy of the Apostolic Church has always been to establish an indigenous Church, with many assemblies, in each Country and that this would eventually lead to the Church in each land becoming autonomous with its own General Council, and its own Missionary outreach. At this time the following countries are autonomous - Australia, Britain, Cameroun, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Ghana, Hungary, Italy, Jamaica, New Zealand, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, Portugal, Switzerland, U.S.A. and Vanuatu. There are now well over four million Apostolic Church members and thousands of adherents throughout the world.
The unity of the universal Apostolic Church is maintained by an ongoing interchange of ministry between the various countries and Mission Fields. Every four years a World Apostolic Conference is held, the host country in 1999 was Canada.
In 1990 the administrative departments of the Church in U.K. were amalgamated in the International Administration Offices, Swansea (admin@apostolic-church.org). These Offices can supply information about any of the countries where the Church is operating or where there are contacts.
Looking to the future the Apostolic Church will continue to propagate the Full Gospel and the proven concepts of Theocracy throughout the world, seeking to emulate the example of the post Pentecost believers of whom it is recorded - "They continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers . . . And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved". Acts 2:vs 42 and 47.
Gordon Weeks, Barnsley. August 1999.
Tenets of The Apostolic Church
Sumarized Version
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The Unity of the Godhead, and Trinity of the Persons therein.
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The utter depravity of human nature, the necessity for repentance and regeneration and the eternal doom of the finally impenitent.
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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.
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Justification and Sanctification of the believer through the finished work of Christ.
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The Baptism of the Holy Ghost for believers, with signs following.
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The nine gifts of the Holy Ghost for the edification, exhortation and comfort of the Church, which is the body of Christ.
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The Sacraments of Baptism by immersion and of Lord's Supper.
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The Divine inspiration and authority of the Holy Scriptures.
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Church government by apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers, elders and deacons.
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The possibility of falling from grace.
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The obligatory nature of tithes and offerings.
Expanded
TENET 1
The unity of the Godhead and the Trinity of the Persons therein.
Expanded Tenet
The Bible reveals there is one God. It also shows that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are God. 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?
If we don’t believe in God, we fall at the first hurdle.
The Bible states there is one God. This stands in contrast to society in general who don’t believe in God.
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.
Pause for thought
Don’t be alarmed if you can’t understand everything about God, it is impossible to do so – he is God! He simply asks us to believe in Him. That is possible.
Useful Scriptures
Matthew 28:19, 2 Corinthians 13:14.
TENET 2
The utter depravity of human nature, the necessity for repentance and regeneration, and the eternal doom of the finally impenitent.
Expanded Tenet
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.
Pause for thought
God doesn’t want religious people, He wants people right with Him, not just for now, but forever!
Useful Scriptures
Romans 3:23, Ephesians 2, Acts 20:21, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Revelation 20:11-15.
TENET 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.
Expanded Tenet
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.
Pause for thought
Jesus did all this for you. Just consider for a moment, how much he must love you.
Useful Scriptures
Matthew 1:18-25, Hebrews 2:9, 1 Peter 2:21-24, Acts 2: 29-32.
TENET 4
The justification and sanctification of the believer through the finished work of Christ.
Expanded Tenet
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.
Pause for thought
Imagine you were guilty of something and expecting to be condemned, but the one who was wronged says – “you are no longer guilty, but forgiven”. That’s what God has done for us, and more. He wants us to be set apart to serve him. Instead of being guilty, we are forgiven and accepted into the family.
Useful Scriptures
Romans 3:21-24, 2Corinthians 3:17-18, Ephesians 4:23-24
TENET 5
The baptism of the Holy Ghost for believers, with signs following.
Expanded Tenet
God intends all Christians to know a definite experience of the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. This baptism will result in clear evidences of the Spirit’s work.
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 continued right through the New Testament and there is no record of this ceasing. As a result, even today, people still have similar experiences. If people needed this baptism in Bible times, they still need it today.
This baptism is to give the individual a strength or power to live as a Christian and not for a novel/nice experience.
The signs could be ‘speaking in tongues’ –speaking in an ‘unknown language’, or maybe speaking a word of encouragement (prophecy) which is clearly inspired by God.
Pause for thought
The whole aspect of the baptism of the Holy Spirit has generated many debates in the church in general for centuries. Some accept it, some deny it. What is clear though is that often unexplained miraculous events occur when God moves in this way. This is difficult to deny. Also church movements which believe in this teaching are the fastest growing in the world today.
Useful Scriptures
Acts 2, Acts 10:44-48
TENET 6
The nine gifts of the Holy Ghost for the edification, exhortation and comfort of the Church, which is the Body of Christ.
Expanded Tenet
The Holy Spirit grants Christians 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?
As we have discussed earlier 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.
Pause for thought
Today’s society is extremely complex and often confusing. The Church can be affected by many issues/situations which are potentially disrupting. God does not leave us alone; he knows we need encouraging and when this happens, God can dynamically work in a situation by using the gifts he has given.
Useful Scriptues
1 Corinthians 12:4-11, 1 Corinthians 13:9-12
TENET 7
The sacraments of baptism by immersion, and of the Lord’s Supper.
Expanded Tenet
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.
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.
Pause for thought
In a hectic world full of deadlines and pressure, God has helped us to remember him by partaking in a meal.
Useful Scriptures
Matthew 28:19, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, Romans 6:3-14
TENET 8
The divine inspiration and authority of the Holy Scriptures.
Expanded Tenet
The Bible, comprising the Old and New Testaments, is God’s Word to us. The Holy Spirit created it by working with and through the human authors so that what they say, God says. Therefore the Bible is absolutely authoritative for right belief and behaviour.
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.
Pause for thought
The Bible is still a ‘best seller’ above all other books. There must be ‘something’ in it to make it the most read book.
Useful Scriptures
2 Timothy 3:16, 2 Peter 1:20-21
TENET 9
Church government by Apostles, Prophets, Evangelist, Pastors, Teachers, Elders and Deacons.
Expanded Tenet
Church leadership is provided by men with varying God-given ministries. They complement each other and together express Christ’s government of his church.
Why is it necessary that we believe this?
The Church is an organisation (a group of people with a common purpose). Yet the church is unique because it comprises of God’s people, his church. It has a spiritual dimension which no other group of people have.
As a result, a straight copy of management structures from secular society would not be suitable or competent to deal with the things of God. Therefore, God has ‘gifted’ people in the church to lead it. These people are not ‘superhuman’ or promoted into positions, but God’s gift in them is recognised, nurtured and tested. When the person is found suitable, they may be ‘set’ into their place of ministry (serving).
Pause for thought
If a church is run like a business with no spiritual awareness, then it would quickly become spiritually bankrupt. The church is a ‘living group’ to serve God, with leaders who ‘help’ people in that function.
Useful Scriptures
Ephesians 4:11, 1 Timothy 3:1-13, Titus 1:5-11
TENET 10
The possibility of falling from grace.
Expanded Tenet
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.
Pause for thought
If you had a friendship with someone who deliberately broke it and refused to have anything to do with you, who constantly offended and ignored you, how would you feel? I think God feels the same.
Useful Scriptures
1 Corinthians 10:12, 1 Timothy 1:19, Hebrews 3:12
TENET 11
The obligatory nature of tithes and offerings.
Expanded Tenet
It is our privilege and responsibility to give a tenth of our income to support God’s work. Further giving should result from increased prosperity and as we are faced both by opportunities to spread the Gospel and the world’s need.
Why is it necessary that we believe this?
God has given us everything; life, health and strength – and even our finances. People generally don’t like parting with money – to most, it is a precious limited resource. God, in reality, is not seeking to get our money, but our obedience and if we are obedient in this aspect he has promised to bless us far more. He can always ‘out-give’ us.
On a more ‘down-to-earth’ point, if people do not contribute financially to God’s church,
Who pays the Pastor’s wages?
Who pays for the church building?
Who pays for the maintenance of the building?
Who pays the bills?
Who helps out people in need?
Pause for thought
Sadly, some people want everything for nothing (or at least 20 pence in the offering). God deserves far more, he has given us all we have in the first place.
Useful Scriptures
Malachi 3:10-12
