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Ou en Nuwe Apostels – Francois Malan

Vraag

Theo vra:

Is daar ‘n wesenlike verskil in die leringe van die Ou en die Nuwe Apostel kerke ? Of is dit maar basies dieselfde?

Antwoord

Prof Francois Malan antwoord:

Die vraag gaan nie oor Bybelkennis nie, en daarom is ek nie bevoeg om die regte antwoord te gee nie. Uit die Internet blyk dit dat hulle leringe basies dieselfde is, maar dat daar tog ‘n klemverskil is.

The Old Apostolic Church do not believe in the literal interpretation of the Bible and that the natural needs to be considered to understand the spiritual. The Bible should be interpreted spiritually or allegorical. The Bible is understood in a Natural and Spiritual way and Spiritual interpretation is preferred. The stories in the Bible are historical events, but are lessons that have to be interpreted in the same way as the parables in the Gospels.

The Bible is not the only source of authority (Sola Scriptura), it must go hand in hand with the Holy Spirit to interpret the text. The Bible cannot give salvation but can lead the way to salvation which is by the Grace of God. According to OAC beliefs no more texts can be added to the Bible. Focus is placed on the fact that the Bible states that it is the prophecy of the book to which nothing can be added or removed rather than the more commonly followed view that it is the changing of the written text itself. The importance being mostly on the fact that it is the prophecy of the book that is of highest importance.

Salvation is by the Grace of God, which is according to the OAC is in Jesus Christ, and not in the Bible, though the Bible is used in teachings and testimonies. The church is not founded on the Bible, but on Jesus Christ, and the scriptures testify of Jesus Christ.

Maar die rol van die apostel word feitlik bo die Bybel se gesag geplaas:

Question 37 of the catechism asks, “Can we receive salvation and everlasting life through the scriptures?” Answer: “No…” The apostles have been set “to be a light of the Gentiles, that they should be for salvation unto the ends of the earth” (Catechism Question 11b). Question 35 asks, “Who has been sent to preach the Gospel?” Answer: “The apostles, as clearly shown in 1 Thess 2:13…”

Salvation is possible only through the apostle; for those who believe in Christ through the apostles (Catechism Question 36 & 49). To the apostles only has been given knowledge of the mysteries of the Kingdom of heaven (Catechism Question 5 & 50, e & f). People can only come to faith through the words spoken by an apostle: without the apostles no-one can become a believer. The church interprets Mt 10:40 to mean that no-one can see the Father or Christ if they do not accept the apostle, for, “Whoever welcomes you, welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me, welcomes the one who sent me.” The apostles are the only people with whom God speaks directly (Catechism Question 25), who understand the Scriptures (Catechism Question 38), who know God (Catechism Question 24), who speak the wisdom of God (Catechism Question 50c), are able to forgive sins (Catechism Question 47), and who are going to judge the earth (Catechism Question 41).

The spiritual leaders of the New Apostolic Church are called Apostles. They are considered to be indispensable to preparing their members for the goal of faith. This goal is to be led into eternal community with God at the Second Coming of Christ. It takes center stage of a New Apostolic Christian’s faith.

The Apostles of the New Apostolic Church consider themselves as successors of the first Apostles during Early Christianity, who had been sent by Jesus Christ. In their tradition, they act as missionaries, who go to all men to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and to prepare them for the Second Coming of Christ and eternal life. According to the NAC, the apostles are the only ones on earth who have the mission to forgive sins and baptise with the Holy Spirit. It is also a duty of the apostles, and all the ministers of the NAC, to affirm corporate feeling within the church and to support the members with pastoral care.

The New Apostolic Church teaches that Apostles are necessary for salvation. That means that God has re-established the apostle ministry in order to collect all the Christians for the Second Coming of Christ. Therefore, the expression “necessary for salvation” indicates the plan of God that the apostle ministry must act on earth until His son returns. The question, Who will attend the Second Coming of Christ? is not answered with it. Because the Holy Spirit acts in other churches as well, God alone forgives sins, and may find His “Children” without Holy Sealing. The NAC considers the affiliation of non-members to the Second Coming of Christ to be possible.

The NAC also claims they would not contradict other churches who teach that final salvation is granted on day of Last Judgement. The NAC sees the period of activity of the apostles to reach to the Second Coming of Christ, but no further. By Last Judgement, there will be no visible church, but the faith in Christ will be the sole element. Thus the NAC denies any claim of absoluteness or religious totalitarianism

Apostolic Creed circa 2010

Article

“I believe in God the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth”.
“I believe in Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried, entered the realm of the dead, rose again from the dead on the third day, and ascended into heaven. He is seated at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty, from where He will return”.
“I believe in the Holy Spirit, the one, holy, universal, and apostolic church, the community of the saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the dead, and life everlasting”.
“I believe that the Lord Jesus rules His Church and thereto sent His Apostles, and until His return, still sends them with the commission to teach, to forgive sins in His name and to baptise with water and Holy Spirit”.
“I believe that those designated by God for a ministry are ordained only by Apostles, and that authority, blessing, and sanctification for their ministration come forth out of the apostle ministry”.
“I believe that the Holy Baptism with water is the first step to a renewal of a human being in the Holy Spirit, and that the person baptised is adopted into the fellowship of those who believe in Jesus Christ and profess Him as their Lord”.
“I believe that Holy Communion was instituted by the Lord Himself in memory of the once brought, fully valid sacrifice, and bitter suffering and death of Christ. The worthy partaking of Holy Communion establishes our fellowship with Jesus Christ, our Lord. It is celebrated with unleavened bread and wine; both must be consecrated and dispensed by a minister authorised by an Apostle”.
“I believe that those baptised with water must, through an Apostle, receive the gift of the Holy Spirit to attain the childhood in God and thereby the prerequisite for becoming a firstling”.
“I believe that the Lord Jesus will return as surely as He ascended into heaven and that He will take to Himself the firstfruits of the dead and living who have hoped for and were prepared for His coming; that after the marriage in heaven
He will return to earth with them, to establish His kingdom of peace and that they will reign with Him as a royal priesthood. After the conclusion of the kingdom of peace, He will hold the Last Judgment. Then God will create a new heaven and a new earth and dwell with His people”.
“I believe that I am obliged to obey the worldly authorities provided no godly laws are thereby transgressed”.

Die Kerkhervorming van die sestiende eeu het die rol en die gesag van ‘n apostel weer beperk tot wat dit aan die begin was: die apostels wat Jesus self gekies en aangestel het, wat ooggetuies was van Jesus se opstanding, en vir Jesus self gesien het (Hand.1:21-22; 1 Kor 9:1; 15:5,8-10). Hierdie apostels se geskrifte is deur die vroeë kerk aanvaar as die woord van God wat in die Bybel opgeneem is. In die tweede eeu na Christus het die gedagte in die kerk opgekom dat die biskoppe die apostels opgevolg het. Mettertyd het die biskop van Rome die leiding in die Westerse kerk oorgeneem en is hy as die enigste apostel en vader van die kerk (papa – pous) beskou. Die Ou en Nuwe Apostoliese kerke stam uit die Katolieke Apostoliese Kerk wat in 1832 in Engeland gestig is met die herinstelling van die apostelamp as die rots waarop die kerk gebou is. Later is 12 stamapostels aangewys, wat selfs gesag het oor die Bybel en sy uitleg.

Skrywer: Prof Francois Malan