
The Apostolic Faith Church is a denomination of Christianity that follows the teachings of Jesus Christ and his apostles. The church was founded in 1907 by Florence L. Crawford, who was affiliated with the Azusa Street Revival in Los Angeles, California. The church has a presence in several countries across the world, including the United States, Canada, Africa, Asia, Europe, and South America. The Apostolic Faith Church teaches the importance of a born-again salvation experience and emphasizes the need for sanctification and the baptism of the Holy Spirit. The church also upholds the fundamental teachings of the New Testament and believes in the infallibility of the Bible.
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The Apostolic Faith Church's core teachings
The Apostolic Faith Church is a Trinitarian and fundamental church, with a worldwide presence. It was founded in 1907 by Florence L. Crawford, who was affiliated with William J. Seymour and the Azusa Street Revival of Los Angeles, California.
The core teachings of the Apostolic Faith Church are as follows:
The Divine Trinity
The Divine Trinity consists of three Persons: God the Father, Jesus Christ the Son, and the Holy Ghost, perfectly united as one.
Repentance and Salvation
Repentance is a godly sorrow for sin with a renunciation of sin. Salvation is the act of God's grace through which one receives forgiveness for sins and stands before God as though they had never sinned.
Entire Sanctification
Entire Sanctification or Holiness is the act of God's grace whereby one is made holy. It is the second definite work and is subsequent to salvation.
The Baptism of the Holy Ghost
The Baptism of the Holy Ghost is the endowment of power from on high upon the sanctified life. It is evidenced by speaking in tongues as the Spirit gives utterance.
Divine Healing
Divine Healing of sickness is provided through the atonement.
The Second Coming of Jesus
The Second Coming of Jesus will consist of two appearances. First, He will come to catch away His Bride. Second, He will come to execute judgment upon the ungodly.
The Tribulation
The Tribulation will occur between Christ's coming for His Bride and His return in judgment.
Christ's Millennial Reign
Christ's Millennial Reign will be the 1000 years of peaceful reign by Jesus on earth.
The Great White Throne Judgment
The Great White Throne Judgment will be the final judgment when all the wicked dead will stand before God.
The New Heaven and The New Earth
The New Heaven and The New Earth will replace the present heaven and earth, which will be destroyed after the Great White Throne Judgment.
Eternal Heaven and Eternal Hell
Eternal Heaven and Eternal Hell are literal places of final and eternal destiny.
Marriage
Marriage is a covenant between one man and one woman that is binding before God for life. Neither person has the right to marry again while the first companion lives.
Restitution
Restitution is necessary, wherein wrongs against others are righted.
Water Baptism
Water Baptism is by one immersion "in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost."
The Lord's Supper
The Lord's Supper is an institution ordained by Jesus so that believers might remember His death until He returns.
Foot Washing
Foot Washing is practiced according to the example and commandment Jesus gave.
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The Holy Trinity
The Apostolic Faith Church is a Trinitarian and fundamental church, upholding the doctrine of the Holy Trinity. The Holy Trinity is the belief that the Divine Trinity consists of three Persons: God the Father, Jesus Christ the Son, and the Holy Ghost, perfectly united as one. This is a central tenet of the Apostolic Faith, and is supported by various biblical passages, including Matthew 3:16-17 and 1 John 5:7.
The Apostolic Faith Church's understanding of the Holy Trinity is closely tied to its view of the nature and authority of the Apostles. The Apostles are seen as the sole authentic interpreters of the Resurrection, and their preaching is conditioned and marked by their faith in the Resurrection. This apostolic faith, or the faith of the apostolic community, is considered the source of our knowledge of Jesus and his teachings. The Apostolic Faith Church, therefore, places great emphasis on upholding and returning to the teachings and practices of the early church and the Apostles.
The Apostolic Faith Church's interpretation of the Holy Trinity sets it apart from other evangelical churches and denominations. Their belief in the unity and distinctions of the three Persons of the Trinity, along with their Pentecostal teachings, creates a unique perspective within Christian theology. The church's doctrine has evolved over time, influenced by the Azusa Street Revival, the teachings of early Christians, and the interpretation of biblical texts.
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The Azusa Street Revival
Seymour was invited to Los Angeles for a one-month engagement at a local church but was barred due to his controversial views on baptism with the Holy Spirit. He continued his ministry in the homes of sympathetic parishioners. On the night of April 9, 1906, one person in his meeting, and then six others, began to speak in tongues and shout praises to God. The news quickly spread, and the city was stirred. The meetings were moved outside to accommodate the crowds, and an old, dilapidated building at 312 Azusa Street in the industrial section of the city was secured.
The revival was characterized by spiritual experiences, testimonies of physical healing miracles, worship services, and speaking in tongues. The participants were criticized by some secular media and Christian theologians for behaviours considered outrageous and unorthodox, especially given the racial segregation of the time.
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The Apostolic Faith Church's history
The Apostolic Faith Church, also known as the Apostolic Faith Mission of Portland, Oregon, is an international Holiness Pentecostal denomination of Christianity. It was founded in 1907 by Florence L. Crawford, who was affiliated with William J. Seymour and the Azusa Street Revival of 1906 in Los Angeles, California.
Florence Crawford was a participant in the Azusa Street Revival, which quickly became the centre of the Holiness Pentecostal movement, largely through the publication of The Apostolic Faith newspaper. In 1908, Crawford moved to Portland, Oregon, and established the ministry that would become the Apostolic Faith Church. By 1911, she had broken with Seymour, and most of the churches under her supervision followed her. Crawford's mission gained further influence when Clara Lum, editor of The Apostolic Faith, transferred the paper to the Portland mission in 1908.
The Apostolic Faith Church has a presence in the United States, Canada, and across Africa, Asia, Europe, Central and South America, and Australia. In 2023, the church had 2,396 churches served by 3,551 clergy across the globe. The church's headquarters are in Portland, Oregon, and its current Superintendent General is Olusola Adesope.
The Apostolic Faith Church is conservative in nature, following the Wesleyan tradition of holiness. They believe the entire Bible is God's infallible word and uphold the fundamental teachings of New Testament faith. The church's mission is to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ through prayer, preaching, and publishing.
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The Apostolic Faith Church's presence
The Apostolic Faith Church, also known as the Apostolic Faith Mission of Portland, Oregon, is an international Holiness Pentecostal denomination of Christianity. It was founded in 1907 by Florence L. Crawford, who was affiliated with William J. Seymour and the
The church has a presence in the United States, Canada, and across Africa, Asia, Europe, Central and South America, Australia, and India. In 2023, the Apostolic Faith Church had 2,396 churches served by 3,551 clergy across the globe. There are 13 churches in Canada, 59 in the United States, over 1,000 in Africa, 30 throughout the Philippines, Korea, and Japan, 54 across Europe, and over 100 in the Caribbean.
The Apostolic Faith Church is conservative in nature, following the tradition of Wesleyan holiness taught and practised by those whom the Holy Spirit descended upon during the Azusa Street Revival. The church's headquarters are in Portland, Oregon, where decisions are made regarding outreach efforts, mission trips, pastor assignments, and other corporate matters. The current Superintendent General of the Apostolic Faith Church is Olusola Adesope.
The church's mission is to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ through prayer, preaching, and publishing. They emphasise the original Pentecostal doctrines of salvation, sanctification, and the baptism of the Holy Spirit, striving to develop fully committed disciples of Jesus Christ. The Apostolic Faith Church teaches that the entire Bible is the infallible Word of God and upholds the fundamental teachings of New Testament faith. They believe in the Second Coming of Jesus, the Great Tribulation, Christ's Millennial Reign, the Great White Throne Judgment, the New Heaven and the New Earth, and Eternal Heaven and Hell.
The Apostolic Faith Church's services are a time to worship God through music, share testimonies of God working in people's lives, and hear Bible-based sermons. They also hold camp meeting conventions, which include Bible teachings, youth services, evangelistic meetings, and other activities. Music is a special part of the church, with orchestras, choirs, and special musical events. The church publishes literature in many languages, which is prayed over for the recipients to receive healing and answers to prayers.
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Frequently asked questions
Apostolic faith refers to the teachings and practices of the first church, delivered through the Apostles and handed down through the centuries. It is the foundation of the Christian faith, passed down from the apostolic community, which includes the witness of Christ's preaching, life, and the Resurrection.
The Apostolic Faith Church is a Trinitarian and fundamental church, emphasising the necessity of a born-again salvation experience. They believe in the unity of the Godhead and the distinctions between the members of the Trinity (God the Father, Jesus Christ the Son, and the Holy Ghost). They also teach the importance of entire sanctification (holiness) and receiving the Pentecostal experience of the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
The Apostolic Faith Church was founded in 1907 by Florence L. Crawford, who was affiliated with the Azusa Street Revival in Los Angeles, California, in 1906. The church grew out of the Holiness Pentecostal movement and quickly spread internationally. By 1908, Crawford had independently established the Apostolic Faith Mission in Portland, Oregon, which became the headquarters of the church.
The Apostolic Faith Church emphasises prayer, preaching, and publishing the Gospel. They hold to traditional practices such as water baptism, the Lord's Supper, and foot washing. They also believe in the practice of signs and wonders, including speaking in tongues as a sign of Holy Spirit baptism. The church has a presence in various countries across the world, including the United States, Canada, Africa, Asia, Europe, and South America.