Perhaps you’ve passed by this building without realizing its story. This is the Nieuw-Apostolische Kerk Amsterdam a place with a unique history. Let me tell you more about this special church.
The Nieuw-Apostolische Kerk Amsterdam is part of a larger church tradition. The New Apostolic Church (NAC) has Irvingian roots. Its origins can be traced back to 1863. The NAC formed after a split from the Catholic Apostolic Church in Hamburg Germany.
The church has existed in Germany since 1863. It has been in the Netherlands since 1897. The split in Hamburg led to its creation. The Catholic Apostolic Church started in the 1830s. It began as a renewal movement. It involved the Anglican Church and Church of Scotland.
The Second Coming of Christ is central to the NAC’s beliefs. Most doctrines align with mainstream Christianity. Its liturgy is similar to Protestantism. The NAC’s hierarchy is comparable to the Roman Catholic Church. It stands as a key church in the Irvingian Christian orientation.
The Nieuw-Apostolische Kerk Amsterdam sees itself as a continuation of the Early Church. Its leaders are believed to be successors to the twelve apostles. This idea is similar to Restorationism.
The New Apostolic Church uses different abbreviations in different languages. In English it is NAC. In German it is NAK. In French it is ENA. In Portuguese and Spanish it is INA.
In 1832 John Bate Cardale was called as the first apostle of the second sending. This happened through prophecies. Eleven more men were called as apostles by 1835. These men came from various backgrounds. They preached the gospel of Jesus Christ around the world. They believed the Church had strayed from its origins. They thought restoring the Universal Church was necessary for Christ’s return.
After three apostles died in 1855 no new apostles were called. In 1860 German Prophet Heinrich Geyer called two evangelists to be apostles. The apostles rejected this calling. They said substitutes were assistants to the remaining apostles. No further callings to the apostolate would be accepted.
Later in 1862 Prophet Geyer called Rudolf Rosochaki to be an apostle. The English apostles no longer accepted private callings. Rosochaki was asked to wait for God to confirm his calling publicly. In December Geyer told Angel F. W. Schwartz of the Hamburg congregation about Rosochaki. Angel 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 Angel Schwartz said he believed the apostle ministry should continue. On February 6 1863 the Hamburg congregation was expelled from the Catholic Apostolic Church. This event is known as the “Hamburg Schism”. The Hamburg congregation formed the Allgemeine Apostolische Mission in 1863. Today January 4 1863 is considered the founding date of the NAC.
As you stand before the Nieuw-Apostolische Kerk Amsterdam remember its long history. It is a testament to faith and perseverance. It is part of a global community. It continues to uphold its unique traditions.