For those not already acquainted with the Apostolic Christian Church , the very name of this denomination can be confusing. Some people may end up on our website and find it was not the Apostolic church they were seeking to find. As there are many other denominations that use the word "Apostolic" in their names, we have created this brief article to help you sort through the various Apostolic denominations and churches. Even if you find this is not the Apostolic church you were looking for, we hope you stick around long enough to read some of our articles (start with our Library page), we think you may find them thought-provoking!

Apostolic Christian Church of America: This is the full name of our denomination, though individual churches are generally best known by the shortened name, "Apostolic Christian Church"; both names refer to the same denomination. The Apostolic Christian Church began in 1832 and was largely based on Anabaptist theology, with some noteable exceptions, such as the insistence that a true Christian must be born again through the process of repentance, reconciliation with his fellow man and experiencing the peace of the Holy Spirit. The church also differed from most other Anabaptist churches through its insistence on baptism by immersion (instead of sprinkling or pouring) and willingness to serve in a military draft in a noncombatant capacity instead of avoiding compulsory military service altogether (as conscientious objectors) . A detailed history of our denomination can be found in our article "History" (click on "History" above) and our beliefs are listed on our "Beliefs" page (click on "Beliefs") and many other articles describing church doctrine and history can be found in our library (click on "Library") and you can also find other websites concerning this denomination on our links page (click on "Links").

Apostolic Christian Church or One Holy Apostolic Christian Church: Many Roman Catholic and Lutheran publications refer to the "Apostolic Christian Church." Sometimes a longer phrase is used, "the one holy Apostolic Christian Church." Generally, what is referred to by this is the church founded by Christ and his Apostles, which has supposedly continued on from the days of the Apostles without change in form or doctrine and is now, they claim, to be recognized as the Roman Catholic ---or Lutheran church (depending on whose publication you are reading). However, anyone the least bit familiar with early church history knows that the Roman Catholic or the various Lutheran churches bear no resemblance to the church that Christ founded in form or doctrine, nor does it have any resemblance to the Christian church of the first two centuries (read our article, "History" for a review of the gradual corruption of the church after the time of the Apostles). It should be noted that sometimes historians use the phrase "Apostolic Christian Church" to refer to the first century or two of the Christian church; in this case it is not necessarily assumed that the Roman Catholic or Lutheran church is the same as the "Apostolic Christian Church."

Apostolic Christian Church, Nazarene/Nazarean: This denomination was formed by a split from the Apostolic Christian Church of America in 1906. It consisted largely of recent immigrants from various Slavic countries who had been converted to the Apostolic Christian faith while in Europe. The Slavic group left the Apostolic Christian Church to form their own denomination which was eventually named the Apostolic Christian Church, Nazarene. Unfortunately, many Apostolic Christian churches from the Nazarene (or Nazarean) branch neglect to add the qualifier "Nazarene" or "Nazarean" after their name and could easily be mistaken for a church from the Apostolic Christian Church of America; if in doubt, click on "Locations" above to verify that the church at that location is listed among those of our denomination. More information on this denomination can be found in our "History" article (click on "History" above).

Apostolic Christian Church (Sheepfold): An evangelical church in London, England. It is not associated with the Apostolic Christian Church of America.

Apostolic Lutheran Church: This is a Lutheran denomination that was formed in 1929. The Apostolic Christian Church does not have any association with this denomination or any other Lutheran denomination, for that matter.

Catholic Apostolic Church: A denomination started by Henry Drummond in England that attempted to merge Anglican liturgical practices with those of the Apostolic age. The Apostolic Christian Church has no association with this denomination.

Christian Apostolic Church: This denomination was formed by a split within the German Apostolic Christian Church (see below). This church is very similar to the denomination it split from, although they did not find it necessary to retain the German language in their worship services. This church does not have a website. Please note that there are some Pentecostal churches that have used the name "Christian Apostolic Church" which can be found on the internet, however they are not associated with this denomination or the Apostolic Christian Church of America (see Misc. Apostolic churches below).

German Apostolic Christian Church: This denomination was formed by a split from the Apostolic Christian Church of America in 1932. Those that left the Apostolic Christian Church to create this denomination wanted to retain the German language in the church and enforce more restrictive ordinances regarding the lifestyle of its members. Click on "History" above to read more information about the schism that led to the formation of this denomination. This church does not have a website.

Misc. "Apostolic" Pentecostal churches: Many Pentecostals have chosen to use the word "Apostolic" in their church and denomination names, especially those that follow "Oneness" theology which denies the existence of the Holy Trinity. These "Apostolic" churches did not even exist when the Apostolic Christian Church began in 1832, most of them started in the early 1900's. The Apostolic Christian Church has absolutely no association with these denominations and considers many of their doctrines heretical, such as their denial of the Trinity, their practices of speaking in tongues, being "slain in the Spirit," prophecies and "words of knowledge," faith healing, "dancing in the Spirit," women in the ministry, and so on.

There may be other "Apostolic" churches that this survey has missed, but we have covered the major denominations bearing the name, or those with a significant presence on the internet. More information on the Apostolic Christian Church of America can be found on the pages of this website.