“What can you tell me about this church?” you ask. The Old Apostolic Church of Africa – Ravensmead Central stands before you. It is more than just a building. It’s a testament to faith and community in Ravensmead.
The Old Apostolic Church has roots in the Catholic Apostolic Church. This church was established in 1832. It was an outflow of the Albury Movement.
Carl George Klibbe founded the Apostolic Church in South Africa. He was born in Pomerania in 1852. Pomerania is on the Baltic Sea. Klibbe was a preacher in the Lutheran Church. He encountered Apostolic doctrine in Schladen, Germany. Here, he met Heinrich Niemeyer.
Later, in 1886, Klibbe lived in Hatton Vale, Queensland, Australia. He and his family embraced the Apostolic doctrine. Apostle H. F. Niemeyer sealed their faith.
At Klibbe’s death in 1931, the Old Apostolic Church had over 1 million followers. Apostles Ernest Fredrick Willhelm Ninow, Carl Fredrick Willhelm Ninow and William Campbell were appointed as successors by Klibbe. EFW Ninow became the Chairman and Leader of the church.
Today, the Old Apostolic Church has about 2 million members in Africa. You can find congregations in many countries. These include South Africa, Eswatini and Namibia. They also exist in Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Botswana. The church extends to Zambia, Malawi, the USA and Canada. You’ll even find them in the British Isles, Netherlands and Belgium. Furthermore, they’re in Australia, New Zealand and the United Arab Emirates. The Old Apostolic Church is separate from the New Apostolic Church and the United Apostolic Church.
Several schisms have occurred. In 1925, the “Apostolic Church” broke away under Heinrich Velde. He was Apostle Klibbe’s son-in-law. In 1968, the Twelve Apostles Church of Africa formed. This was due to doctrinal differences. Jim Scotch Ndlovu led this breakaway after his removal from office. In 1972, the Reformed Old Apostolic Church emerged. Robert Lombard led it because of disagreements over racial segregation.
Members of the Old Apostolic Church avoid political involvement. They cannot be registered members of political parties. They cannot stand for election. They are also restricted from openly declaring their political views. The church does not support political parties. However, members can vote as their conscience dictates. Church officers cannot endorse any political party. Doing so may result in their removal from office. Members must follow the laws of their country.
The Old Apostolic Church recognizes the King James Version of the Bible. They also use the Afrikaanse Ou Vertaling in Afrikaans-speaking congregations. In Germany, they use the 1912 Luther Bible.
The Old Apostolic Church made submissions to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in South Africa. It was the only Apostolic Church to do so. This submission was not an admission of guilt. The church was not found guilty of breaking any laws.
The Old Apostolic Church of Africa – Ravensmead Central stands as a beacon. It represents faith, community and a rich history in this very neighborhood.