In 1951 a new chapter began. The Het Apostolisch Genootschap was born. It emerged from a split within the Hersteld Apostolische Zendinggemeente in de Eenheid der Apostelen. This group was itself a branch of the larger German Neuapostolische Kirche.
The Het Apostolisch Genootschap is more than just a church. It’s a reflection of evolving beliefs. It started as a tightly knit group. Its culture was hierarchical and quite authoritarian. Over time it transformed into a far more liberal faith community. By 2020 its views on God creation and humanity were quite progressive. It embraces a humanist approach to religion.
The group’s journey is fascinating. It began with Lambertus Slok’s leadership. He followed in the footsteps of Johannes Hendrik van Oosbree. Van Oosbree had already begun to move away from a strict literal interpretation of the Bible. He even separated the name of Christ from the historical Jesus of Nazareth. He viewed the name as a role that could be held by others in different times. This move sparked disagreement within the wider apostolic movement.
The subsequent conflict led to a legal battle. The court ruled in favor of Jan Jochems as Van Oosbree’s successor. However most members followed Slok instead. Slok further developed the ideas of Van Oosbree. He introduced the “God as man” concept. The apostle was viewed as the “time-conforming Christ”. Slok’s leadership was initially unchallenged. He was charismatic a leader his followers needed.
Changes continued after Slok’s death in 1984. His son Jan L. Slok took over. He rejected the idea of the apostle as the “time-conforming Christ”. He believed that everyone should embody the “Christ-like attitude”. He also brought about significant changes. These included allowing women to become spiritual leaders and fully accepting same-sex relationships.
The Het Apostolisch Genootschap continued to evolve. Dick Riemers then Bert Wiegman led the group towards religious humanism. In 2022 a major shift occurred. Bert Wiegman stepped down. He passed on spiritual leadership to Nanda Ziere and Marten van der Wal. The title of apostle was no longer used. Ziere and Van der Wal prefer “primary responsible leaders for spiritual care”.
This reflects the Het Apostolisch Genootschap’s ongoing journey. It is a community that has embraced change. Its history is a testament to the evolution of faith and belief. Its current path emphasizes a progressive and compassionate approach. This makes the Het Apostolisch Genootschap a unique and intriguing part of Amsterdam’s spiritual landscape.