Course 2 - Apostolic Doctrinal Distinctives

What It Means to be Apostolic

When someone asks you, “What church do you attend?” or “What denomination are you?”, what do you answer?  However, you explain it, you are likely to use the term “apostolic” in your answer. For many people, the next question is “What does 'apostolic' mean?”  Sometimes it's not easy to give a clear, concise answer. This course is designed to address the question, “What does it mean to be Apostolic?”

The word “apostolic” means “pertaining to or characteristic of the 12 Apostles.”  Thus, any belief or practice that conforms to the doctrine (teaching) and practice of the Apostles can be called “apostolic.” When we call ourselves “apostolic,” we refer to our efforts to conform to the doctrine and practice of the Apostles.

What is the Bible? Quite simply, it is God’s Word given to mankind. In it, God reveals who He is, what He is like, and how we should live in order to please Him. Far from being just a storybook or a history book, the Bible is the primary source of our knowledge about our Creator and His ways.

Jesus said, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4). Every word in the Bible is given to us by God for our instruction, and more importantly, for us to live by.

For these reasons, the Bible is of supreme practical importance in our life, and is the only legitimate source of church doctrine.

God is a Spirit

God is fundamentally different than we are; He is a spirit. This seems like a simple statement, but fully understanding this fact is crucial to understanding the Oneness of God.

God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. (John 4:24)

This verse explicitly declares that God is a spirit. Since God is a spirit, He is invisible unless He chooses to manifest Himself in visible form. Several times the Bible describes God as invisible.

Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:  (Colossians 1:15)

Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen. (1 Timothy 1:17)

Although man can “see God” when He appears in various forms, no man can see directly the invisible Spirit of God.

And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live. (Exodus 33:20)

Prior to the incarnation, God could not be seen by man. His full glory would be greater than a human being could bear; for even to the degree that Moses saw Him, it left the “skin of his face” glowing so brightly the people could not bear to look at Him when he came down from the mountain (Exodus 34:29).

No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him. (John 1:18)

The invisible God who has not been seen, was declared or manifested through the Son of God. Just as Jesus said, “When you see me you have seen the Father” (John 14:9). The invisible God was made visible when He was manifested in the flesh in the person of Jesus Christ. This is called the “incarnation.”

Simply put, salvation is the process by which God saves us from our sins and their consequences. All of us have sinned, and thus deserve punishment for our sins. However, God is not willing that any should perish, and so He makes it possible for us to repent of our sins and be forgiven of them. He also gives us grace to overcome sin, so that when we are tempted, we can turn to Him for help and refrain from sinning.

There is no question more important than, “How can I be saved?” Yet, amazingly, asking this question often results in vague and confusing answers. Some say that salvation is simply a matter of believing in Jesus in your heart, and confessing that He is Lord. Others feel that being a “good person” is enough. Many churches do not even address the question frequently, if at all.

Fortunately, God did not leave us without clear direction on this subject. The Bible clearly teaches that every person is in need of salvation, and that God desires for us to be saved; then God explains the plan of salvation in simple terms for us.

Bearing Fruit

The Holy Ghost is one of the most powerful and exciting aspects of being saved. It is not a gift that some receive and some do not. According to Jesus and the Apostle Paul, it is a requirement to be saved.

Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. (John 3:5)

But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. (Romans 8:9)

Understanding Separation and Holiness

Obedience to the plan of salvation and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost are just the beginning of living for God. God wants a deep, personal, ongoing relationship with each of us. He wants us to “grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.” We are to be gradually changed, becoming more Christ-like in our thoughts, desires, and actions.

For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. (Romans 8:29)

For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. (1 Peter 2:21-24)

Scripture does not need cultural approval to be valid

Romans 12:1-2 KJV  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.  (2)  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Often, when discussing the importance of the Christian’s outward dress, many different arguments are presented. Most twist and ignore the scriptures while saying, “God only cares about the inside, not the outside.” Some say that their clothing is perfectly normal compared to today’s standard. Some will say that they dress according to the norms of their local culture. We must understand that God does not need the world to approve of His word in order for it to be valid. An individual who truly desires to please God and be holy will never argue against holy adornment from a position of cultural norms.

God's Authority

Everything that God institutes operates on the principle of authority. As the Creator of all things, God has all authority. His authority stems from His nature: He is eternal, omniscient, omnipotent, holy, and righteous.

The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all. (Ps. 103:19)

For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. (Col. 1: 16-18)