APOSO 101 DISCOVERING THE BASICS OF THE APOSTOLIC CHURCH November 2010 (Updated April 2013)

1. APOSO 101 DISCOVERING THE BASICS OF THE APOSTOLIC CHURCH November 2010 (Updated April 2013) Compiled by Apostle Dr. Kwabena D. Akufo

2. Topics • Purpose of Aposo 101 • The Apostolic Church Distinctives • History of the Local Assembly • Tenets of The Apostolic Church • Apostolic Administrative Structure • Baptism • The Lord’s Supper • Appendices – Rules of Belief, Conduct

3. Purpose of Aposo 101 • Train prospective members • Give common understanding of Apostolic Church • Begin your growth process • Fulfill requirement for extending Right Hand of Fellowship into Membership

4. The Apostolic Church Distinctives • The name: The Apostolic Church • Any other names with the word “Apostolic” is not The Apostolic church • The logo: lowercase a with globe inside • The Motto: One Fold, One Shepherd • Annual Motto: Recited before benediction • Ghana HQ: MantseBoi Street, Kaneshie • USA Field HQ: 2042 Sunset Lake Road, Newark, DE 19702 • Song: Be an Apostolic true x2 Be an Apostolic never melancholy Be an Apostolic true

5. The Apostolic Church Distinctives 2: He and Silas were imprisoned; For the cause of Christ our King For the glory will not leave them; In the night those two did pray. When the jailor heard their prayers; Saw the walls shake then he knew That those men were Apostolic; Made him Apostolic too. 3: Once to Rome he had a journey; There to witness for our Lord On the way the sea grew stormy; And Paul calmed all those aboard. When the captain saw him fearless; Mist the panic stricken crew How he wished he could be fearless; Like those Apostolic Jews. 1: When the Apostolic started; In the days of Long ago Saul of Tarsus was whole hearted; ‘Gainst this Church to overthrow. To Damascus council sent him; That this movement must undo On the way our Savior met him; Made him Apostolic too. Chorus: So we’ll follow Christ’s own teachings Apostolic brave and true Through the Gospel Christ believing You‘ll be Apostolic too.

6. The Apostolic Church Distinctives • National Headquarters Web-site: www.theapostolicchurch.org.gh • USA Field Web-site: www.theapostolicchurch.org • Show the “Staff” and “Events” segments of the USA Field Web-site to participants • <<<Insert your local assembly’s web-site here>>>

7. History of The Local Assembly • 1935: Ghana Apostolic Church forms in Asamankese • 1993: Apostolic Church starts in Bronx, NY out of UAB • <<<Insert founding date of your local Assembly here>>> • <<<Insert major milestones of your local Assembly here>>> • <<<Insert any other historical facts about your local Assembly here>>>

8. History of The Local Assembly SUPERINTENDENTS

9. Tenet • Tenet - Latin word ‘tenere’ - means ‘to hold’. • False teaching necessitates need to ‘hold on’ to what the Bible tells us. • Tenets do not seek to replace the Bible. • They are eleven short statements that summarize the main Bible truths. • Constitution forbids changing of the Tenets; anything else may be changed • Tenets summary: Trinitarian, Evangelical, Bible-believing, & Pentecostal

10. Tenet 1 • The unity of the Godhead and the Trinity of the Persons therein. • The Bible reveals there is one God. It also shows that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are God. Therefore Christian teaching of the Trinity states that God exists eternally as three persons who, while distinct, are equally and fully God. • Discussion • If we don’t believe in God, we fall at the first hurdle. • The Bible states there is one God. This stands in contrast to society in general who don’t believe in God. • Other world religions offer other and many ‘gods’. We need to be clear that the Bible says there is one true God; all others are false and ‘man-made’ (idols). • The Bible says that God exists as three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. This is difficult to understand, but at the beginning of Scripture God says ‘let us make man in our image (Genesis 1:26). • A very simplistic way to understand this is to look at water. Water can exist in three states; liquid, solid form – ice, and as a vapor – steam. At each state the water is different in form and appearance, yet still water. God is Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Each distinct, yet each God. • Useful Scriptures • Matthew 28:19, 2 Corinthians 13:14. Genesis 1:1; Matt 3:16-17; 1 John 5:7

11. Tenet 2 • The utter depravity of human nature, the necessity for repentance and regeneration, and the eternal doom of the finally impenitent. • Every part of human nature is deeply damaged by the Fall. We are born with a powerful bias toward sin. God commands us to confess our sin and turn from it to him as our Savior and Lord. We require the new spiritual birth which the Holy Spirit gives. Any who refuse God’s command and offer of life will suffer everlasting separation from him in hell. • Discussion • Every person, no matter how moral and good, will fall short of God’s standard because of a sinful nature (we have all done things we regret). Therefore being ‘good’ is not ‘good enough’. • Being religious doesn’t make us acceptable to God. Acceptance comes through a ‘right relationship’ with Him. This is achieved by confessing our sins, seeking to live according to God’s ways. • This is actually impossible humanly speaking, but God the Holy Spirit works in our lives so that we can become ‘new people’ and serve him. • Many reject God or want Him on their ‘terms’. We can’t bargain or argue with God.  He has made a way for us to be forgiven. If we reject this, we reject God. Sadly, the alternative is an eternal hell. • Useful Scriptures • Romans 2:7, 3:23, 6:23 Ephesians 2, Acts 20:21, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Revelation 20:11-15. Gen 3:1-19; Isaiah 53:6; Acts 2:38; 17:30, John 5:28-29; Daniel 12:2; 1 John 1:1-2

12. Tenet 3 • The virgin birth, sinless life, atoning death, triumphant resurrection, ascension and abiding intercession of our Lord Jesus Christ: his second coming and millennial reign upon earth. • God’s eternal Son was born to Mary, a virgin, from whom he received his humanity. Fully human, he was nonetheless without sin, having been conceived by the Holy Spirit. Having lived with perfect holiness, he bore in his death the penalty of all others’ sin. After God the Father raised him from death he returned in triumph to heaven where he represents his people. He will come again to rule over the earth for a thousand years. • Discussion • Jesus became human like us. But if he had been born through the sexual union of a man and woman, he would have inherited the sin problem common to us all. Therefore he needed to become human in a miraculous way. This was accomplished by the creative power of the Holy Spirit causing new life within Mary, so that a child was born to a virgin. • Being born without sin was not enough. Jesus, as he grew from childhood to a man, had to remain pure in his mind, attitude and his actions. Even if he had failed once, everything would have been lost! • The whole point of a sinless birth and life was that he could be a perfect sacrifice when he died for us. When he was crucified, all the sin ever committed was ‘laid’ on him and Jesus was then punished for that sin (which was ours). He then died taking the full consequences for our sin. • God the Father was satisfied with Jesus’ sacrifice and therefore, according to the Scriptures, Jesus rose from the dead, triumphing over it, as the first one to rise. He rose with a new, eternal body which one day all Christians will possess. One day, he will return to reign as King of Kings. • Useful Scriptures • Mat. 1:18-25, Hebrews 2:9,  1 Peter 2:21-24, Acts 2: 29-32. John 8:46; 14:30; Col. 1:15; 2 Cor. 5:19; Romans 3:25; Acts 2:36; Phil. 2:9-11; 1 Thess. 4:16-17; Rev. 22:20

13. Tenet 4 • The justification and sanctification of the believer through the finished work of Christ. • Through his life and death Jesus provided fully for our salvation. When we trust in him as our Savior we are completely forgiven and declared to be in right standing with God. We are now set apart for God. By the Holy Spirit’s power we can grow in the Christ-likeness God requires of us. • Discussion • We could never in our own efforts make ourselves right with God; it is humanly impossible. Many religions try to do this but all will fail. It required that God did something which we couldn’t. Jesus died for us, taking our sin upon himself. When we believe this, God declares that we are forgiven and declared right with Him. • It is like a courtroom where someone pays the fine of the guilty person and the judge declares that since the crime has been paid for, the guilty person no longer has to face the consequences of the offence. • In addition to being declared ‘not guilty’ by God, he doesn’t leave us as being ‘just forgiven’, but calls us to be his people and live for him. God is holy and pure and he requires that we also follow him in this way. Not a ‘holier than thou’ attitude, but someone whose life reflects something of Jesus in every aspect. The Holy Spirit helps us to do this. • Useful Scriptures • Romans 3:21-24, 4:25; 5:16; 2 Corinthians 3:17-18, Ephesians 4:23-24. Acts 2:38; Luke 15:7; 1 Cor. 1:30; 1 Thessalonians 4:30

14. Tenet 5 • The baptism of the Holy Ghost for believers, with signs following. • God intends all Christians to know a definite experience of the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. This baptism will result in clear evidences of the Spirit’s work. • Discussion • When we read the Bible there are many instances recorded where people had a definite experience of being filled by the Holy Spirit. This is how the church actually came into existence. • This continued right through the New Testament and there is no record of this ceasing. As a result, even today, people still have similar experiences. If people needed this baptism in Bible times, they still need it today. • This baptism is to empower the individual for service. • The initial sign is speaking in tongues. • Useful Scriptures • Micah 3:8, Joel 2:28, Matthew 3:11, Mark 16:17, John 20:22, Acts 1:4-5, Acts 1:8, Acts 2:3-4 Acts 8:14-17, Acts 10:44-47, Acts 19:1-6 1 Corinthians 12:8-11; and Galatians 5:22

15. Tenet 6 • The nine gifts of the Holy Ghost for the edification, exhortation and comfort of the Church, which is the Body of Christ. • The Holy Spirit grants Christians supernatural abilities to build up, encourage and strengthen the church. • Discussion • Charismata Revelation Gifts • Message of Wisdom - Revelation of God’s plan. It was revealed to Peter that Jesus is the Christ • Message of Knowledge - Revelation of information on past and present. Jesus to the Samarian woman. Nathan to indict David • Distinguishing between Spirits • Charismata Power Gifts • Faith - Supernatural ability of faith. Shedrach, Meshach & Abednego • Miraculous Powers – Elijah’s contest on Mt. Carmel • Healing • Charismata Vocal Gifts • Speaking in different kinds of tongues • Interpretation of tongues • Prophecy • Useful Scriptures • 1 Corinthians 12:4-11, 1 Corinthians 13:9-12

16. Tenet 7 • The sacraments of baptism by immersion, and of the Lord’s Supper. • Jesus commanded that new believers be plunged in water to symbolize our sharing in the benefits of his saving work. His death and resurrection are the permanent basis of Christian life. Therefore he also ordained that the church should meet to remember him by eating bread and drinking wine as symbols of his body and blood. • Discussion • Jesus himself was baptized not to repent of sin, but to identify himself with our humanity. It was a significant moment in his life and it is the same for us. • God recognizes that when we do an act it helps us to appreciate what the symbolic act means. By being baptized, it helps us understand something of the ‘death’ of our old life and the resurrection of our new one in serving Christ. • Similarly, with communion, this meal helps us to focus regularly and consider what Jesus accomplished when he died for us. It should be a special time of reflection and worship when we eat this meal. • Really no more need to be said, other than Jesus told us to do it. • Useful Scriptures • Matthew 28:19, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, Romans 6:3-14. Rom 6:4, 6:11, 6:13-14, Luke 3:21; Mark 16:16, Luke 2:22-24, 34; Mark 10:16, Luke 22:19-20; Matt. 26:21-29; Acts 20:7

17. Tenet 8 • The divine inspiration and authority of the Holy Scriptures. • The Bible, comprising the Old and New Testaments, is God’s Word to us. The Holy Spirit created it by working with and through the human authors so that what they say, God says. Therefore the Bible is absolutely authoritative for right belief and behavior. • Discussion • If we do not accept the Bible as God’s word, then we are reading and applying something which is man-inspired. As a result, at its best is flawed, at its worst is disastrous. • The mystery of the Bible is that it was written over thousands of years by many different people, often writing in complete isolation of each other. But the Bible does not contradict itself, with prophecies made hundreds of years earlier being fulfilled. This gives the Bible its credibility and authenticity. • The Bible is a complete manual for living. What is especially relevant is that the Bible records people’s failures as well as their successes. It shows that God deals with real people and meets them at their point of need, remaining a Lord of mercy at all time. • Useful Scriptures • 2 Timothy 3:16, 2 Peter 1:20-21

18. Tenet 9 • Church government by Apostles, Prophets, Evangelist, Pastors, Teachers, Elders and Deacons. • Church leadership is provided by people with varying God-given ministries. They complement each other and together express Christ’s government of his church. • Discussion • The Church is an organization (a group of people with a common purpose). Yet the church is unique because it comprises of God’s people, his church. It has a spiritual dimension which no other group of people have. • As a result, a straight copy of management structures from secular society would not be suitable or competent to deal with the things of God. Therefore, God has ‘gifted’ people in the church to lead it. These people are not ‘superhuman’ or promoted into positions, but God’s gift in them is recognized, nurtured and tested. When the person is found suitable, they may be ‘set’ into their place of ministry (serving). • Useful Scriptures • Ephesians 4:11, 1 Timothy 3:1-13, Titus 1:5-11. 1 Corinthians 12:28

19. Tenet 10 • The possibility of falling from grace. • God is faithful and gracious to his people, earnestly desiring and providing for our salvation. It is possible, however, for a Christian to forfeit salvation by a willful failure to continue in faith and obedience. • Discussion • Many people think they can do what they like when they have become Christians, because they are ‘saved’. This is a misunderstanding of Scripture and an insult to God. • God has given us a free will. He has not created us as robots. Therefore we have a responsibility to follow God’s ways and serve him. • God has provided everything for us to follow him; his grace and the Holy Spirit, and he desires us to have a relationship with him. But a relationship is always two-way. If we fail and neglect God willfully, there is a danger that we break our relationship with him. This is the greatest tragedy. • Useful Scriptures • 1 Corinthians 10:12, 15:1, 1 Timothy 1:19, Hebrews 3:12, 2 Peter 2:20-21, 1 John 5:11, 8:51, 15:4, 1 John 5:12, Romans 5:1-2, 1 Timothy 4:1, 16; 2 Timothy 3:13-15, Colossians 1:21-23

20. Tenet 11 • The obligatory nature of tithes and offerings. • It is our privilege and responsibility to give a tenth of our gross income to support God’s work.  Further giving should result from increased prosperity and as we are faced both by opportunities to spread the Gospel and the world’s need. • Discussion • God has given us everything; life, health and strength – and even our finances. People generally don’t like parting with money – to most, it is a precious limited resource. God, in reality, is not seeking to get our money, but our obedience and if we are obedient in this aspect he has promised to bless us far more. He can always ‘out-give’ us. • On a more ‘down-to-earth’ point, if people do not contribute financially to God’s church, • Who pays the Pastor’s wages? • Who pays for the church building? • Who pays for the maintenance of the building? • Who pays the bills? • Who helps out people in need? • Useful Scriptures • Malachi 3:10-12, Matthew 23:23, Hebrews 7:1-4; Luke 6:38; Acts 20:35

21. Structure of Apostolic Ministers Pastor Apostle Elders Deacon(ness) Presiding Elder Local Ministers Ascension Ministers (Universal Ministers) (5-Fold Ministries) Prophet Evangelist Teacher (Non-Admin)

22. Ghanaian Worldwide Organizational Structure Jesus Christ Area-1 Area-2 Assem-n Assem-2 Assem-1 • All Apostles (Current & Retired) • Some ordained prophets but can’t vote President Vice President General Secretary Four Others Ghana National Council Ghana National Executive • • • USA Field New England District Delaware District New York-A District New York-B District Mid-Atlantic District Mid-West District Worcester County District • • •

23. Local Church Management Structure • Local Presbytery • District Pastor • Local Pastor • Elders Formulate Policies Make Decisions Concentrate on spiritual matters of the church Policies Instructions Reports Feedback Apply Presbytery Policies Implement Presbytery Decisions Concentrate on non-spiritual organizational matters of the church • Local Management Officers • Local Pastor or Presiding Elder • Local Presbytery Secretary • Finance Chair • Four Other Members (Appointed by Local Presbytery)

24. Presbytery & Management Team Case Studies • CASE 1 • Presbytery: Formulates policy on how to make welfare payments. • Example: $250 cash & $50 drinks for bereavement. • Situation: Adwoa’s mother passes away in Ghana. • Management Team: Use Presbytery’s policy and buy $50 worth of drinks and give her $250 gift.

25. Presbytery & Management Team Case Studies • CASE 2 • Presbytery: Folding chairs can only be loaned to members after signing an agreement and paying a $100 down payment • Situation: Kofi wants to borrow 20 folding chairs for his son’s birthday party. • Management Team: Ask Kofi to sign the agreement and collect $100 from him.

26. Presbytery & Management Team Case Studies • CASE 3 • Presbytery: The church building should be cleaned twice instead of once • Management Team: Ask the current cleaner to do it twice or find a second cleaner

27. Presbytery & Management Team Case Studies • CASE 4 • Presbytery: The summer picnic will be held on August 5, 2010 • Management Team: Two alternatives: • Appoint picnic committee and give them terms of reference • Organize picnic by themselves • Management Team: After the picnic, write report on picnic and present to Presbytery

28. Presbytery & Management Team Case Studies • CASE 5 • Management Team: We have noticed that the church van is costing us too much money. We should sell it. • Management Team Notifies Presbytery: We propose to sell the church van for cost-benefit reasons. Detailed analysis is attached. • Presbytery: Review Management Team proposal and make a decision • ALTERNATIVE 1: Presbytery Notifies Management Team: After much prayer and discussion we have decided to keep the church van • Management Team: Receives Presbytery decision and abides by decision • ALTERNATIVE 2: Presbytery Notifies Management Team: After much prayer and discussion we have decided to dispose of the church van • Management Team: Receives Presbytery decision and sells the van

29. Presbytery & Management Team Case Studies • CASE 6 • Presbytery: We should start a daily prayer line from 10:00PM to 11:00PM • Management Team: • Acquire teleconference number • Develop publicity program • Ask Presbytery to provide preaching plan and order of service • Ask Presbytery to appoint team to oversee prayer line

30. Charge of Church Services First right of refusal as Chairman is in the following descending order: • President • Apostle in charge of area • Apostle from other area • District Pastor in charge of district • District Pastor from other district within area • Pastor in charge of assembly • Local Pastor from other assembly within district • Presiding Elder in charge of assembly • Oldest serving elder within the assembly or elder appointed to take charge • Other elders

31. Baptism • The Greek word baptizo as it appears in Greek literature literally means to dip, plunge, or immerse. • The word "baptism" (baptĭzo) as it appears in the Bible means ____IMMERSION_ • Bible References: • ‘As soon as Jesus was baptized, He came up out of the water.’ Matthew 3:16. • ‘Then Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water. . .’ Acts 8:37,38 • In other words, it is literally the process of submersion in water followed by emergence from the water. • Acclaimed Theologians: • ‘I would have those who are to be baptized to be entirely immersed, as the word imports and the mystery signifies.’ Martin Luther • ‘The word ‘baptize’ signifies to immerse. It is certain that immersion was the practice of the ancient church.’ John Calvin • ‘Buried with Him, alludes to baptizing by immersion according to the custom of the first church.’ John Wesley

32. What is significance of Baptism? Colossians 2:11-12 In him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the sinful nature, not with a circumcision done by the hands of men but with the circumcision done by Christ, having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead. • Old Covenant: • Circumcision was not what gained you admission into the covenant community but it is what tells the world that you have accepted that admission • New Covenant: • Baptism symbolizing our identification with the death and resurrection of Christ is the equivalent of circumcision. • It is our public confession of our identification and belonging to the new covenant community. • Baptism is not what gained you admission into the new covenant community but it is what tells the world that you have accepted that admission.

33. Baptism as Obedience • Water baptism is a command of the Lord that must be obeyed: • Matt 28:19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, • Even Jesus who had no sin was baptized to “fulfill righteousness.” He did it to identify with us. His baptism pleased the Father. • Matt 3:17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” • This act of obedience set an example to all believers of their need for water baptism

34. Frequently Asked Questions • I was baptized in my former church. Should I be baptized again in this church? • If you were not baptized by immersion in a doctrinally sound church, we recommend that you be baptized again. • Acts 19:1-6 While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples 2 and asked them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" They answered, "No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit." 3 So Paul asked, "Then what baptism did you receive?" "John's baptism," they replied. 4 Paul said, "John's baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus." 5 On hearing this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. • Can my family be baptized together? • Yes! If each family member understands fully the meaning of baptism, and each one has personally placed his/her trust in Christ for salvation, we encourage families to be baptized at the same time. It is a wonderful expression of commitment. Young children who wish to be baptized are asked to meet with a staff member or other church leader to discuss the meaning of baptism. • However, it is important to remember that baptism is a personal statement of faith, not a family tradition. It is usually not wise to delay your baptism while waiting on other family members to accept Christ, particularly children. This puts an undue pressure on them, and delays your obedience. • What should I wear when I am baptized? • Casual clothes that are modest when wet. • Shirts are required • No bathing suits please.

35. The Lord’s Supper • Main Text: • 1 Corinthians 11:23-31 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me." In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me." For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself. That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. But if we judged ourselves, we would not come under judgment. • As the Passover was a remembrance of the breaking away of the bondage of Egyptian slavery, so the Lord’s Supper is a remembrance of the breaking away of the bondage of sin’s slavery.

36. The Lord’s Supper • 1. A MEMORIAL to Christ • 2. A REMINDER of what Christ did for us • 3. Builds COMMUNITY Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf. 1 Corinthian 10:16-17 • Communion – Paul’s term defining the basic meaning of the Christian faith, a sharing in the life and death of Christ and the believer and of the believers with one another in a partnership or unity. • Eucharist – Thanksgiving used by the church from 100AD onwards.

37. The Lord’s Supper • The occasion to establish the Lord’s Supper during the Last Passover of Jesus Christ: • Matthew 26:26-30 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.” Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it anew with you in my Father’s kingdom.” When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. • Sequence of events in the Lord’s Supper may be derived from above passage. • They distributed wine in preparation for a toast. Luke 22:17 “After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, ‘Take this and divide it among you.’” • He broke the bread, blessed it and distributed it. (Bread without yeast is unleavened bread. Thus the use of bread wafers in the communion.) • Jesus lifted his cup, blessed it and they drank • After that they sang a hymn

38. Significance of the Elements • The elements are not the physical body and blood of Jesus • “The emblems or symbols are only figures representing the broken Body and shed Blood of our Lord and should never be, even in our thinking, elevated to a place of material virtue or superstitious importance.” (William A.C. Rowe, One Lord, One Faith, Apostolic Publications, p. 210-211) • Each believer must spiritually appropriate by faith the bread and wine for himself/herself as the body and blood of Christ. • We don’t believe in transubstantiation – the bread and wine are transformed into the actual body and blood of Christ by certain pronouncements. • We take the phrase “This is my body” to mean “this represents my body.” • We don’t believe in consubstantiation – the bread and wine are not the actual body and blood of Christ but the body and blood of Christ are in, with, and under the elements.

39. Who Qualifies to Partake in The Lord’s Supper 1 Cor 11:27-31 27 Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. 28 A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. 29 For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself. 30 That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. 31 But if we judged ourselves, we would not come under judgment. • Baptism by immersion • No permanent sinful living including but not limited to: • polygamous relationship • Homosexual or lesbian relationship • Adulterous relationship • Non-marital sex

40. Appendix – Rules of Belief • A personal testimony of your Salvation in Christ. • Your acknowledgment of and obedience to the Order and Officers of the Church: Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors, Teachers, Elders and Deacons. • Your presence in the meetings of the Church and abidance in full communion; that is, not to absent yourself more than three times from communion without sufficient reason given for your absence. • Your conformity with the fundamental doctrines of the Church, as well as with the two ordinances, namely baptism by immersion, and the Lord’s Supper. (Rom 6:4, Luke 22:19, 1 Cor 11:24). • That you contribute towards the support of the cause, as taught unto us in the Word of God (Gen 14:20, 28:22, Lev 27:30, 1 Chronicles 29:14, Heb 7:8,17) • That you keep the counsels of the Church within the Church. • That you pray for and help every member, remembering that we are joint members in the Body of Christ. • Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

41. Appendix – Rules of Conduct • Never come to the House of God without praying before coming. • Be in your seat at the commencement of the service. You will thus be a good example to those who are late and neglectful. • Bring your children with you to the House of God. Relatives and servants also have souls. It is your duty and privilege to take care of them. • Make your Pastor your personal friend. His sympathy, support and counsel are needed by you. Constantly pray for him. • Make the Church your spiritual home. • When conversing never speak disrespectfully or criticizingly of God’s servants or their ministrations, in the presence of your children. If you sow to the wind, you may expect to reap the whirlwind. • Take your Bible with you to the House of God. • Enter reverently, pray fervently, listen attentively, give praise from a grateful heart and worship God in the beauty of holiness.