Apostolic Christian Church

Apostolic Christian Church - a baptistic, holiness and pietistic religious body in the United States and Canada.

The origins of the Apostolic Christian Church are found in the dramatic conversion experience of Samuel H. Froehlich (1803-1857) of Switzerland. Froehlich was baptized in 1832 and soon founded the Evangelical Baptist Church. The first American church was formed in Lewis County, New York in 1847 by Benedict Weyeneth (1819-1887), who had been sent by Froehlich at the request of Joseph Virkler, a Lewis County Mennonite farmer. In 1848 a church was formed in Sardis, Ohio. Froehlich eventually came to the United States. The church experienced primary growth in the midwest. Though sometimes referred to as the New Amish, these believers generally called themselves Evangelical Baptist. In 1917, the church adopted a uniform name - Apostolic Christian Church.

Members seek to obey the Bible, which is believed to be the infallible word of God. Beliefs include salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ; water baptism by immersion; closed communion with bread & fruit of the vine; the holy kiss; Christian head covering for women; sanctification; and moderation in attire. The church allows members to serve in the military, but not to bear arms. The truth may be affirmed, but swearing of oaths is forbidden. Elders serve at the choice of the congregation, and perform all rites and ministerial duties. Deacons serve as assistants to the elders. Singing is a cappela.

There are currently two divisions of this church in America. In the early 1900s a disagreement arose over the practice of some European customs and the church split into two bodies (from 1901 to 1911):

• Apostolic Christian Church of America - about 80 congregations in 20 states, including 2 churches in Canada, 1 in Mexico, and 2 in Japan. The total number of members is approximately 11,000. This church has a national Missionary Committee, a World Relief program, a Work Projects program, ten nursing homes for the elderly, a home for the handicapped in Morton, Illinois, and a children's home in Leo, Indiana.
• Apostolic Christian Church (Nazarean) - 50 congregations in the United States, with 2756 members, and 14 congregations in Canada with about 850 members. They have mission work in Brazil, New Guinea, Argentina, and Africa.

The European church is one united body:

• Evangelische Täufergemeinden - German-Swiss federation of Evangelical Baptists

External links

• Apostolic Christian Church of America - official Web Site
• Akron Area Apostolic Christian Church (Nazarean)
• Apostolic Christian Church Foundation
• Evangelische Täufergemeinden - official Web Site in German

References

• Handbook of Denominations, by Frank S. Mead, Samuel S. Hill, and Craig D. Atwood
• Marching to Zion: A History of the Apostolic Christian Church of America, by Perry Klopfenstein
• Religious Congregations & Membership in the United States, 2000, Glenmary Research Center