Reformed Old Apostolic Church

The Reformed Old Apostolic Church is a chiliastic sect with roots in the Catholic Apostolic Church and the Old Apostolic Church. It is part of a branch in Christianity called Irvingism ^[1] and is separate from Protestantism ^[2] with membership throughout South Africa

History

The Reformed Old Apostolic Church was founded in 1972 by Robert Lombard, a former Apostle of the Old Apostolic Church of Africa.^[3]

Pre-ROAC History

Robert Lombard was ordained as a Helper Apostle in the Old Apostolic Church in 1958 by Apostle William Campbell, to assist in the coloured congregations of the Cape church. Lombard was the first coloured, and the second non-white Helper Apostle of the Old Apostolic Church.

Schism from the Old Apostolic Church

In 1971 Lombard was relieved of his responsibilities due to his health.^[4] Lombard then had a revelation where Jesus told him that he would be healed if he leads his people to freedom. The Apostolate under the leadership of Apostle HH Ninow refused to accept Lombard's interpretation of the revelation.

In January 1972 Robert Lombard and two Overseers (Adolf Neethling and Gamba) were relieved of their duties by leading Apostle of the OAC, Apostle HH Ninow. This led to the formation of the Non-White Old Apostolic Church. Lombard appointed Adolf Neethling to succeed him in January 1972, and died in June that same year.

In a court case in 1975, the Non-White Old Apostolic Church was forced to change its name to Reformed Old Apostolic Church. The reason stated was that the name "Non-White Olld Apostolic Church" confused the public into thinking that the church was a branch of the Old Apostolic Church.

Demographics for the ROAC is not available.

Theology

Jesus

The ROAC believed that after the resurrection, Jesus went to heaven, descended back in the form of the holy spirit and resides a new body. The congregation forming the body of Christ. Apostles of the ROAC are appointed by Christ through visions, dreams and prophecy.

The Dead

Part of ROAC doctrine is the teaching that the dead who did not have an opportunity to meet Christ during their lifetime can be given an opportunity.

The ROAC practises baptism for the dead. During sealing of the Holy Spirit services departed souls who did not get a chance to ascend to heaven can get to opportunity to do so. The congregation acts as the body of Christ though whom they are enter the kingdom of God.

Sources

• Martin, Harry. I Tell You the Truth. (Eyewitness accounts and Testimonies by a member of the ROAC)
• Old Apostolic Church of Africa: Western Cape (photo-album)
• Old Apostolic Church of South Africa v Non-White Old Apostolic Church of Africa 1975 (2) SA 684 (C) at 687

References

External links

• http://www.internetapostolicmovement.info Unofficial website of the Reformed Old Apostolic Church. It includes the book "I Tell You the Truth" by Harry Martin.