PREAMBLE:
1. Whereas
we regard Apostles’ Continuation Church International
(hereafter called “The Church”) as part of the
body of Christ that traces its origin to the ministry Apostle
Emmanuel Kwadwo Owusu and eight (8) others began in 1980
culminating in the registration of the Apostles’ Continuation
Church - Ghana, Duayaw Nkwanta – 1991 and of which
Jesus Christ is the Head.
2. a.
And whereas on the 1st day of September 1995, the Apostles’
Continuation Church - Ghana, Duayaw Nkwanta adopted the
name. The Apostles’ Continuation Church International
as its new name and thereafter registered its Board of Trustees
with its new name on the 23rd day of December 1999, under
certificate No. G.5, 434 as a non-profit making religious
organization.
b. Headquarters
of the Church - The church headquarters shall forever be
at Duayaw Nkwanta with the exception of regional and district
offices, which shall be opened for transmission of accounting
returns and office correspondence.
3. a.
The main aims and objectives of the church are to practice
and inculcate in
others
what the Lord Jesus Christ had commended in the Holy Scriptures
(the Bible) with particular reference to Mark 16:15 &
16, “Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel
to every creature, he that believeth and is baptized shall
be saved ”.
b. The
Doctrine of the Church/Order of Service: -
The
church’s doctrine and order of service is divine and
as such shall never be changed until the coming of our Lord
Jesus Christ.
4. The
following from ARTICLE ONE up to FIFTEEN are officially
declared to be the Constitution. They will guide the church
in carrying out the work of the Lord. The church is empowered
to liaise and/or affiliate with other churches, organisations,
associations, clubs etcetera with similar doctrines, aims
and objectives. As well as use all net income/receipts for
religious educational and charitable/humanitarian purposes.
ARTICLE
ONE - OUR BASIS OF FAITH
1.1
THE BIBLE: We believe that the Bible, comprising of the
Old and New
Testaments
as originally given, is the inspired and infallible word
of God. It is therefore the sole and sufficient rule in
all matters of faith, conduct and practice (2 Timothy 3:16
and 2 Peter 1:21).
1.2
THE ONE TRUE GOD: We believe in the existence and unity
of the Godhead – the Father, the Son and the Holy
Spirit as equally Divine, Eternal and Personal; and in the
Sovereignty of God in Creation, Providence and Redemption
(Genesis 1:1; Isaiah 6:3; Matthew 3:16 and 17; John 5:7).
1.3
THE SON OF GOD: We believe in the Man Jesus Christ as the
Incarnate Son of God, the Messiah, that He truly died, that
He really rose from the dead, that He ascended into Heaven.
We believe man can be saved only through Him.
1.4
MAN’S DEPRAVED NATURE: We believe that human nature
since the fall of mankind is universally sinful and guilty,
rendering mankind subject to God’s wrath and condemnation;
need repentance and regeneration (Genesis 3:1-19; Isaiah
53:6; Acts 2:38, 17:30; Genesis 3:3; 2 Peter 1:4).
1.5
THE SAVIOUR: We believe that redemption from the guilt,
penalty and power of sin is ONLY through the sacrificial
Death, Resurrection and Ascension of Jesus Christ; His intercession
and second coming (John 1:1, 8:46, 14:30, 20:28; Colossians
1:15; 2 Corinthians 5:19; Romans 3:25; Acts 2:36; Philippians
2:9-11; Hebrews 9:24; 1 Thessalonians 4:16 and 17; Luke
21:17; Revelation 22:20).
1.6
REPENTANCE, JUSTIFICATION AND SANCTIFICATION: We believe
all men have to repent from their sinful nature, confess
their sins and believe on the vicarious death of Christ
Jesus before they can be justified by God. We believe in
the necessity of the of the Holy Spirit in conviction, conversion
and the indwelling work of the spirit in the believer and
in God’s gift of eternal life, (Romans 3:4; Galatians
5:16, 17, 22 and 23; Romans 6:23, 8:11; John 10:28).
1.7
THE CHURCH: We believe that the one Holy Universal Church,
to which all who truly believe belong, is the Body of Christ.
It is by nature one and a unity, uniformity being unnecessary
to it.
1.8
SACRAMENTS OF BAPTISM: We believe in the sacrament of Baptism
by immersion in water as a clear testimony of a convert
who has attained a responsible age ((say (fifteen) 15 years,
Mark 16:16; Luke 3:21)). Infants and children however are
DEDICATED to the Lord (Luke 2:22-24, 34; Mark 16:16).
1.9
BAPTISM AND THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT: We believe in
the Baptism of the Holy Spirit for believers with signs
following the operation of the gifts and fruits of the Holy
Spirit according to 1 Corinthians 12:8-11; Mark 16:17; Acts
2:4; Galatians 5:22.
1.10
NEXT LIFE: We believe in the Personal return of the Lord
Jesus Christ, the Resurrection of both believers and non-believers;
the judgment of the world by Him, the eternal blessedness
of the righteous and mankind (unrighteous) with eternal
punishment or damnation (Romans 2:7; 6:2; 1 John 1:2, 2:25;
Revelation 2:7; Job 19:26, John 5:28; 11:23; 1 Corinthians
15:2; Colossians 3:3; 2 Peter 1:11).
1.11
TITHES AND OFFERING: We believe in tithing and free will
offerings (giving) in support of God’s work (Genesis
4:20; Malachi 3:10; 2 Corinthians 9:9; Hebrews 7:1-4; Luke
6:38; Acts 20:35).
1.12
DIVINE HEALING: We believe that in the atonement, the healing
of the sick is provided for God’s people (Mark 16:18;
Matthew 8:17; James 5:14-16; Isaiah 53:4 and 5; I John 3:8;
Luke 13:16; Acts 10:38). However, we do not oppose seeking
the assistance of qualified medical practitioners or government
health orders.
1.13
THE CHIRSTIAN COMMITMENT: Each new member shall be clear
that he/she is committing to a new life of fellowship and
service. This member shall be present at the Sunday services,
communion services and church meetings. A new member shall
seek with help to discover his/her particular gifts. The
member shall work on the development of these gifts and
use them in the service of Christ/the Church. He/she shall
love and encourage fellow members in mutual ministry.