The Apostolic Church Nigeria is a Pentecostal Christian denomination in Nigeria with its national headquarters in Lagos and international headquarters in Penygroes, UK.
| The Apostolic Church Nigeria | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Classification | Evangelicalism |
| Orientation | Pentecostal |
| Theology | Trinitarian |
| Structure | National Temple |
| Leader | Pastor (Dr.) Sampson Ekwutus Igwe |
| Associations | Apostolic Church, Christian Association of Nigeria |
| Origin | 1918 |
| Branched from | The Apostolic Church, United Kingdom |
| Members | 4,500,000 (2018) |
| Official website | tacnlawna.org |
History
editThe church has its origins in the founding of a prayer group called "Precious Stone" in Ijebu Ode by the Anglican leader Joseph Shadare in 1918.[1][2] In 1922, the group left the Anglican Church.[3] The group joined the Apostolic Church in 1931.[4][5] In 1938, the denomination counted 120 churches in Nigeria.[6]
In 2011, the denomination inaugurated a 100,000 seat temple called National Temple in Lagos.[7][8]
In 2018, the church had 4.5 million members in Nigeria.[9]
Doctrine and belief
editThe Apostolic Church Nigeria is built on a fundamental doctrinal belief based on the Holy Scriptures. Its theological beliefs are summarised in its confession of faith, known as the Tenets.[10]
Organization and administration
editThe Apostolic Church Nigeria is administered as a single entity by the National Council and it is headed by a president. The current president is Apostle E.S Igwe, who was the chairman of Igboland territory. Igwe succeeded Pastor G.O. Olutola in February 2017. G.O Olutola, who succeeded Eyo Okon in 2011, retired at the age of 80 and handed over theleadership to E.S Igwe.[11]
Glorious Vision University (formerly Samuel Adegboyega University)
editIn 2011, the church founded Samuel Adegboyega University, a faith-based tertiary institution located in Ogwa, Edo State, Nigeria and named after LAWNA's first territorial chairman Samuel Adegboyega.[12] In 2022, the National University Commission (NUC) approved the university`s change of name from Samuel Adegboyega University to Glorious Vision University.[13]
References
edit- ^ Allan Anderson, An Introduction to Pentecostalism: Global Charismatic Christianity, Cambridge University Press, UK, 2013, p. 130
- ^ Harvey Whitehouse, Luther H. Martin, Theorizing Religions Past: Archaeology, History, and Cognition, Rowman Altamira, USA, 2004, p. 164
- ^ Allan Anderson, An Introduction to Pentecostalism: Global Charismatic Christianity, Cambridge University Press, UK, 2013, p. 130
- ^ Inemesit Udodiong, 11 things that are never going to change about this denomination, pulse.ng, Nigeria, August 14, 2017
- ^ Rufus Okikiolaolu Olubiyi Ositelu (2002). African Instituted Churches: Diversities, Growth, Gifts, Spirituality and Ecumenical Understanding of African Initiated Churches. LIT Verlag Münster. pp. 90–. ISBN 978-3-8258-6087-5.
- ^ Richard Burgess, Nigeria's Christian Revolution, Wipf and Stock Publishers, USA, 2008, p. 69
- ^ "National Temple Overview". The Apostolic Church | Lawna, Nigeria. Archived from the original on 6 January 2013. Retrieved 2024-03-03.
- ^ Inemesit Udodiong, 11 things that are never going to change about this denomination, pulse.ng, Nigeria, August 14, 2017
- ^ News Agency of Nigeria, The Apostolic Church celebrates 100 years, tasks members on politics, theeagleonline.com.ng, Nigeria, September 2, 2018
- ^ Apostolic Church Nigeria. "Doctrine and Belief". tacnlawna.org. Retrieved 15 July 2019.
- ^ Apostolic Church Nigeria. "Staff & Leaders". tacnlawna.org. Retrieved 15 July 2019.
- ^ Gabriel Enogholase (26 August 2011). "Oshiomhole lauds Adegboyega varsity". Vanguard News. Retrieved 25 August 2016.
- ^ Tide, The (2022-06-20). "NUC Approves Name Change For Samuel Adegboyega Varsity". :::...The Tide News Online:::... Retrieved 2024-09-16.