Apostolic Sects

THE CHURCH DESCRIBED in the New Testament's Book of the Acts of the Apostles was founded on the preaching and teaching of the disciples of Jesus of Nazareth, who were thereafter called Apostles. After his crucifixion, his followers declared that he had risen from the dead, had ascended to heaven, was the Christ (in Greek) or Messiah (Hebrew) of God, and is now “seated at the right hand of God,” that is, holds the place of power.

The early history of the church in New Testament times and for two centuries afterward is sketchy. However, in subsequent centuries the church came to confess that it was apostolic in its teachings and, until the Protestant Reformation, apostolic in its succession of bishops through the line of ordination, as each succeeding generation has “laid hands” on its successors as an anointing sign of ordination or divinely marked setting aside for ministry.

In the 19th century, the great missionary work of Roman Catholics and Protestants established numerous mission churches in the southern hemisphere. In the 20th century, numerous evangelical and pentecostal movements spread over much of Latin America, Africa, and Asia.

The apostolic sects are religious movements with many being splinter groups from traditional Christian churches. Others were more spontaneously inspired. Numerous evangelical and pentecostal groups now refer to themselves as “apostolic.” Some make the claim that they are restoring the original Apostolic Church of the New Testament, which is presumed to be purer than the older churches existing today. Globally they may number 18 million people. They tend to be evangelical or fundamentalist, charismatic or pentecostal, and very independent.

Most of the sects that can be referred to as apostolic are conservative in theology. Some stress faith healing. Their biblical theology directly affects their social theology and social ministries. They can be found over most of the world, but are strongest in Africa. Many are found in the United States.

The number of apostolic sects, often called “Vapostori,” and other religious groups in Africa is difficult to judge because they are constantly forming, splintering, and reforming. It is certain, however, that they are growing in number rapidly and are becoming a social force in dealing with issues of poverty.

At the present time the greatest problem in Africa is HIV/AIDS. Zimbabwe, where the apostolic sects make up six percent of the population and three-quarters of the rural population, has the third highest incidence of the disease in the world.

Some of the apostolic sects in Africa are meeting the HIV/AIDS crisis with a theology that demands abstinence in sexual behavior. Other sects, such as the Apostolic Church of God, numbering perhaps 50,000, have refused polio vaccinations on religious grounds.

In 2005, 70 apostolic churches met in Harare, Zimbabwe, and agreed to ban polygamy. Traditional African marriage practices had allowed multiple wives. The ban on polygamy was a major step because it was a recognition of the HIV/AIDS crisis that many of the conservative apostolic churches had denied; it was viewed as the fruit of a sinful lifestyle. Moreover, the ban reduced the danger of the spread of the disease from older men who marry young virgins.

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