“Eureka” rings with a spirit of discovery. This story begins right here at the New Apostolic Church of Southern Africa Eureka in Cape Town.
The New Apostolic Church considers itself a re-established continuation. It sees itself as a return to the Early Church. Leaders are viewed as successors to the twelve apostles.
This church has a fascinating history. It emerged from a schism in Hamburg Germany in 1863. This split occurred within the Catholic Apostolic Church. The Catholic Apostolic Church had started in the 1830s. It was a renewal movement in the Anglican Church and Church of Scotland.
The Second Coming of Christ is central. It is at the forefront of New Apostolic doctrines. Many doctrines align with mainstream Christianity. The liturgy resembles Protestantism. The church’s hierarchy is comparable to the Roman Catholic Church. It is a central church in the Irvingian orientation of Christianity.
In 1832 John Bate Cardale was called as the first apostle. This calling occurred through prophecies. Eleven more men were called between 1832 and 1835. These men came from various Christian denominations. They represented different social positions and religious training. The apostles traveled the world preaching the gospel. Their main point was that the Church had strayed. They believed only a restoration could ensure Christ’s return. They felt restoring the apostles’ ministry was necessary.
After three apostles died in 1855 no new apostles were called. In 1860 German Prophet Heinrich Geyer called two evangelists to be apostles. The existing apostles rejected this. They affirmed no further callings would be accepted.
Later in 1862 while traveling with Apostle Woodhouse Prophet Geyer called Rudolf Rosochaki to be an apostle. This occurred in Königsberg. The English apostles no longer accepted private callings. Rosochaki was told to wait for God to confirm his calling publicly. In December Geyer told Bishop F. W. Schwartz of the Hamburg congregation about Rosochaki’s calling. Schwartz invited them to Hamburg. On January 4 1863 Schwartz and most of the congregation accepted Rosochaki’s calling.
A few days later Rosochaki doubted his calling. He returned to the Catholic Apostolic congregation on January 17 1863. On January 26 1863 Schwartz met with Apostle Woodhouse. He expressed the need to continue the apostle ministry. On February 6 1863 Apostle Woodhouse expelled the Hamburg congregation. This became known as the “Hamburg Schism”. The Hamburg congregation and Prophet Geyer formed the Allgemeine Apostolische Mission in 1863. Today January 4 1863 is considered the New Apostolic Church’s founding date.
With Rosochaki’s return the Hamburg congregation lacked apostolic authority. On April 12 1863 Deacon Carl Louis Preuss was called as an apostle. Prophet Heinrich Geyer confirmed this. On May 25 1863 Friedrich Wilhelm Schwartz was also called as an apostle. This began the work of the Apostles of the New Order.
Today the New Apostolic Church of Southern Africa Eureka is part of a global community. It continues to uphold these traditions. It strives to connect believers to the divine. It prepares them for the Second Coming. This church is more than a building. It is a living testament to faith. It is a journey through history. It is a beacon of hope for the future.