The Apostolic Church Nigeria is a
Pentecostal
Pentecostalism or classical Pentecostalism is a Protestant Charismatic Christian movement Christian denomination
A Christian denomination is a distinct religious body within Christianity that comprises all church congregations of the same kind, identifiable by traits such as a name, particular history, organization, leadership, theological doctrine, worsh ...
in
Nigeria
Nigeria ( ), , ig, Naìjíríyà, yo, Nàìjíríà, pcm, Naijá , ff, Naajeeriya, kcg, Naijeriya officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a country in West Africa. It is situated between the Sahel to the north and the Gulf o ...
with its national headquarters at Olorunda Ketu,
Lagos
Lagos (Nigerian English: ; ) is the largest city in Nigeria and the List of cities in Africa by population, second most populous city in Africa, with a population of 15.4 million as of 2015 within the city proper. Lagos was the national ca ...
and international headquarters in Penygroes,
UK.
History
The church has its origins in the founding of a prayer group called "Precious Stone" in
Ijebu Ode
Ijebu-Ode is a town in Ogun State, South Western geopolitical zone in Nigeria, close to the A121 highway. The city is located 110 km by road north-east of Lagos; it is within of the Atlantic Ocean in the eastern part of Ogun State and p ...
by the
Anglican
Anglicanism is a Western Christian tradition that has developed from the practices, liturgy, and identity of the Church of England following the English Reformation, in the context of the Protestant Reformation in Europe. It is one of th ...
leader Joseph Shadare in 1918. In 1922, the church left the
Anglican Church
Anglicanism is a Western Christian tradition that has developed from the practices, liturgy, and identity of the Church of England following the English Reformation, in the context of the Protestant Reformation in Europe. It is one of the ...
. The church joined the
Apostolic Church in 1931.
In 1938, the denomination counted 120 churches in Nigeria.
In 2011, the denomination inaugurated a 10,000-seat temple called
National Temple
The National Temple is the worship Centre at the convention ground of The Apostolic Church Nigeria located in Olorunda-Ketu, Lagos State
Lagos State ( yo, Ìpínlẹ̀ Èkó) is a state in southwestern Nigeria. Of the 36 states, it is both th ...
in
Lagos
Lagos (Nigerian English: ; ) is the largest city in Nigeria and the List of cities in Africa by population, second most populous city in Africa, with a population of 15.4 million as of 2015 within the city proper. Lagos was the national ca ...
.
In 2018, the church had 4.5 million members in Nigeria.
Doctrine and belief
The Apostolic Church Nigeria is built on a fundamental doctrinal belief based on the Holy Scriptures. Its theological beliefs are summarised in its confession of faith, known as the ''
Tenets'', which read as follows:
# The Unity of the God-head and the Trinity of the persons there-in. Genesis 1:1; Matt 3:16-17; 1 John 5:7
# The utter depravity of human nature, the necessity for repentance and regeneration and the eternal doom of the finally impenitent (i.e. unrepentant). Gen 3:1-19; Isaiah 53:6; Acts 2:38; 17:30, John 5:28-29; Daniel 12:2; Romans 2:7, 6:23; 1 John 1:1-2
# 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. John 8:46; 14:30; Col. 1:15; 2 Corinthians 5:19; Romans 3:25; Acts 2:36; Phil. 2:9-11; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17; Rev. 22:20
# Justification and sanctification of the believer through the finished work of Christ. Acts 2:38; Luke 15:7; Romans 4:25; 5:16; 1 Corinthians 1:30; 1 Thessalonians 4:30
# The baptism of the Holy Ghost for believers with signs following. 1 Corinthians 12:8-11; Mark 16:17; Acts 2:4; and Galatians 5:22
# The nine gifts of the Holy Ghost for the edification, exhortation and comfort of the Church, which is the body of Christ. 1 Corinthians 12:4-11
# The sacraments of baptism by immersion and of the Lord's Supper. Rom 6:4, 6:11, 6:13-14, Luke 3:21; Mark 16:16, Luke 2:22-24, 34; Mark 10:16, Luke 22:19-20; Matt. 26:21-29; Acts 20:7
# The divine inspiration and authority of the Holy Scriptures. 2 Tim 3:16, 2 Peter 1:21
# Church government by Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors, Teachers, Elders and Deacons. Ephesians 4:11-13, 1 Corinthians 12:28
# The possibility of falling from Grace. 1 Corinthians 10:12, 1 John 5:11, John 15:4, 1 John 5:12, Romans 5:1-2, John 8:51, 1 Timothy 4:1, 16; 2 Timothy 3:13-15, 1 Corinthians 15:1, Colossians 1:21-23
# The obligatory nature of Tithes and Offerings. Malachi 3:10, Matthew 23:23, Hebrews 7:1-4; Luke 6:38; Acts 20:35
Organization and administration
The Apostolic Church Nigeria is administered as a single entity by the National Council and it is headed by a President. The current president is
Apostle E.S Igwe, who is the chairman of
Igboland
Igboland (Standard ), also known as Southeastern Nigeria (but extends into South-Southern Nigeria), is the indigenous homeland of the Igbo people.
It is a cultural and common linguistic region in southern Nigeria. Geographically, it is divided b ...
territory. Igbe succeeded Pastor
G.O. Olutola in February 2017. Pastor G.O Olutola, who himself succeeded Pastor
Eyo Okon
Eyo Edet Okon (10 June 1914 – 28 September 2010) fondly called ''Akamba Ete (Great Papa)'' was a Nigerian Christian clergyman and minister. He was the first indigenous President and third overall National president of The Apostolic Church Niger ...
in 2011, retired at the age of 80 and handed over the mantle of leadership to Apostle E.S Igwe.
Glorious Vision University formerly Samuel Adegboyega University
In 2011, the church founded
Samuel Adegboyega University
Samuel Adegboyega University (SAU) is located in Ogwa, Edo State, Nigeria, West Africa. It was founded by The Apostolic Church Nigeria, LAWNA (Lagos, Western and Northern Areas) Territory, which has her headquarters at Olorunda-Ketu, Lagos.
The ...
, a
tertiary institution
Tertiary education, also referred to as third-level, third-stage or post-secondary education, is the educational level following the completion of secondary education. The World Bank, for example, defines tertiary education as including univers ...
located in
Ogwa
Ogwa is a town in Esan West Local Government Area in Edo State, Nigeria. It is among the constituent communities of Esanland. The people of Ogwa speak the Esan language. The language of the Esan people shares the same name as the name of the land i ...
,
Edo State
Edo, commonly known as Edo State, is a state located in the South-South geopolitical zone of Nigeria. As of 2006 National population census, the state was ranked as the 24th populated state (3,233,366) in Nigeria, However there was controversy ...
, Nigeria and named after LAWNA's first territorial chairman
Samuel Adegboyega
Samuel Gbadebo Adegboyega, MON (1 April 1896 – 23 October 1979) was a Nigerian Christian clergyman widely regarded as one of the founding fathers of Pentecostalism in Nigeria. He is the first territorial chairman of the Lagos and Western/North ...
.
National Convention
The National Convention is a biannual gathering of all The Apostolic Church members at the
National Temple
The National Temple is the worship Centre at the convention ground of The Apostolic Church Nigeria located in Olorunda-Ketu, Lagos State
Lagos State ( yo, Ìpínlẹ̀ Èkó) is a state in southwestern Nigeria. Of the 36 states, it is both th ...
, Alapere, Ketu, Lagos State, Nigeria.
References
External links
Official Website
{{DEFAULTSORT:Apostolic Church Nigeria
Churches in Nigeria
Pentecostal denominations established in the 20th century
Religious organizations established in the 1930s
Pentecostal denominations in Africa
1931 establishments in Nigeria