Christ Apostolic Church
AbbreviationCAC
ClassificationCharismatic
OrientationPentecostal
TheologyEvangelical
GovernancePastors
PresidentPastor S.O Oladele
General EvangelistProphet Hezekiah Oladeji
General SuperintendentPastor E.O Odejobi
AssociationsChristian Association of Nigeria, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria
RegionNigeria and overseas
HeadquartersGeneral Secretariat: Oba I.B Akinyele Memorial Complex, Bashorun, Ibadan, Nigeria.


International Camp Ground: Joseph Ayo Babalola International Miracle Camp, Ilesa-Akure Expressway, Ikeji-Arakeji, Osun State, Nigeria
FounderOba/Pastor Isaac Babalola Akinyele, Pastor David O. Odubanjo, Apostle Joseph Ayo Babalola
Origin1918
Ijebu Ode
Separated fromThe Apostolic Church Nigeria
Tertiary institutionsJoseph Ayo Babalola University
SeminariesChrist Apostolic Church Theological Seminary Ile-Ife
Official websitewww.christapostolicchurch.org.ng
SloganONE FOLD, ONE SHEPHERD

Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) is the first Pentecostal church present in Nigeria. It arose in the first half of the 20th century, in the then-British empire. It was founded in Ijebu-ode named Precious Stone Society in 1918[1] but was formally established in 1941 after a split from the Apostolic Church which the original Aladura organization (Faith Tabernacle) had invited to Nigeria. Its growth was led by Joseph Ayo Babalola, a road construction driver who became its first General Evangelist.[2]

Christ Apostolic Church operates secondary schools and an Entrepreneurial University named after the first General Evangelist, Joseph Ayo Babalola University[3] (JABU) right in Ikeji Arakeji, Osun State in Nigeria.[4] [5] Pastor Samuel Olusegun Oladele was inaugurated as the 8th president of Christ Apostolic Church Worldwide on March 20, 2021.

History

Christ Apostolic Church is an indigenous African church founded by members of Precious Stone Society (Faith Tabernacle) after separating from The Apostolic Church in 1940.[6] The church's history is linked to it's founders namely Isaac Babalola Akinyele, Joseph Ayo Babalola, David Odubanjo, Joseph Esinsinade, and Miss Sophia Odunlami.

Before then, Christ Apostolic Church and The Apostolic Church (called Diamond or Precious Stone at that time) were found in some places in Nigeria but met mainly at St Savior's Anglican Church.[7] The Anglican Church were opposed to the practices of the group and members of the group who are workers in the Anglican Church were forced to resign. When the Great Revival[2] emerged in July 1930 people rejected their traditional medicines and thousands of people gave their lives to Jesus. On 23 September 1931, Pastors D.P Williams, A. Turnbull, and W.J Williams came to Nigeria [8] and ordained the first seven Pastors of the church. Then during the crisis that occurred in 1939/1940 in the church[9] that led to the emergence of two groups, the first is The Apostolic Church Nigeria led by Pastor Samuel Adegboyega while the second is Christ Apostolic Church.

God revealed to Joseph Ayo Babalola to name the church Nigerian Apostolic Church, which was later changed to United Apostolic Church until 1942 when the name was changed to Christ Apostolic Church.

Tenets

Christ Apostolic Church adopted the 11 tenets of the Apostolic Church UK and added the 12th and 13th tenets in 1940.[10] The tenets are available at CAC Love of God Website [11]

Current Leaders

•

Pastor Samuel Olusegun Oladele - President

• Prophet Hezekiah Oluboye Oladeji- General Evangelist

• Pastor Emmanuel Olatoro Odejobi - General Supridentent

• Pastor Emmanuel Mapur - General Secretary

• Pastor Johnson Folorunsho Omitinde - Finance Director.[12]

Fellowships and Associations

Christ Apostolic Church Men Association

CACMA is the directorate that oversees men affairs in Christ Apostolic Church. It was formed in 1952[13]

Christ Apostolic Church Good Women Association

The Good Women Association oversees the affairs of women in the church

Christ Apostolic Church Youth Fellowship

The youth department of Christ Apostolic Church is CACYOF, The youths of Christ Apostolic Church have their annual conference around August - September every year

Ministers Wife Fellowship

This fellowship includes wives of all Christ Apostolic Church Pastors, Prophets and Evangelists

Institutions

Babajide School of Prophets and Evangelists, Ilesa (established in 1949)

The school of prophet and Evangelists is where the Prophet and Evangelists of Christ Apostolic Church are trained, it was founded by the second General Evangelist of Christ Apostolic Church, Prophet David Babajide[14]

Faith Home, Ede

CAC Printing Press,Agege

CAC Printing Press prints and every Christian material used in Christ Apostolic Church which includes the church's daily devotional guide, The Living Water, The Sunday School Pamphlets of the church and Conference Pamphlets.[15]

Department of Christian Education,Akure

Formerly called Sunday School Department, The Department of Christian Education was founded by Christ Apostolic Church to train Sunday School teachers and children teachers and make available all Christian Education material.[16]

Christ Apostolic Church Theological Seminary Ile Ife

CAC Theological Seminary is the Seminary of Christ Apostolic Church, founded to train people who are ordinated after graduation to become Pastors in the church, It was formed by merging the church's Bible Training College, the Pastoral Training College and the Teachers' Training College of the church. C.A.C.T.S has its main campus at Ile Ife and satellite campuses at Lagos,Ibadan, Benin Republic, Abuja, Port-Harcourt and in many other cities.[17]

See also


References

  1. ^ "Christ apostolic church – Faith Chapel". Retrieved 2024-01-08.
  2. ^ a b "Great Revivalist". Great Revivals. Archived from the original on 2009-01-30. Retrieved 2012-03-04.
  3. ^ "Home". Joseph Ayo Babalola University. Retrieved 2023-03-08.
  4. ^ "Babalola, Joseph Ayo, Nigeria/Ghana, Christ Apostolic Church (Aladura)". Dacb.org. Archived from the original on 2012-03-20. Retrieved 2012-03-04.
  5. ^ Norman C. Habel; Vicky Balabanski (30 October 2002). The Earth Story in the New Testament. Continuum International Publishing Group. pp. 113–. ISBN 978-0-8264-6060-8. Retrieved 15 May 2012.
  6. ^ "BRIEF HISTORY – The Apostolic Church Ghana". Retrieved 2024-01-20.
  7. ^ "African Indigenous Churches — Chapter Eight". Institute For Religious Research. 2011-05-11. Retrieved 2024-01-20.
  8. ^ ChurchGistAdmin (2023-09-23). "TODAY IN HISTORY: 23rd September". Church Gist. Retrieved 2024-01-20.
  9. ^ Retrieved from Gross Archive Division in Christ Apostolic Church
  10. ^ Akande, Lydia Bosede (2018-12-15). "The impact of christ apostolic church on Yoruba diaspora in the New York District". Ilorin Journal of Religious Studies. 8 (1): 15–26. ISSN 2141-7040.
  11. ^ "MOBILE TENETS". CACDetroit. Retrieved 2024-01-20.
  12. ^ "Current Leaders | Christ Apostolic Church Headquarters". Christ Apostolic Church Nigeria and Overseas. Retrieved 2024-01-20.
  13. ^ "CHRIST APOSTOLIC CHURCH MEN ASSOCIATION (CACMA) – CAC Livingsanctuary". Retrieved 2024-01-21.
  14. ^ "Babajide School of Prophets and Evangelists". www.cactsilesacampus.org.ng. Retrieved 2024-01-21.
  15. ^ "CAC Printing Press - Departments | Christ Apostolic Church Headquarters". Christ Apostolic Church Nigeria and Overseas. Retrieved 2024-01-21.
  16. ^ "Christian Education - Departments | Christ Apostolic Church Headquarters". Christ Apostolic Church Nigeria and Overseas. Retrieved 2024-01-21.
  17. ^ "CAC Theological Seminary Ile Ife - Official Website". CAC Theological Seminary Ile Ife. 2023-09-18. Retrieved 2024-01-21.

External links

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