The 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. In 1922, the church left the Anglican Church. The church joined the Apostolic Church in 1931. In 1938, the denomination counted 120 churches in Nigeria. In 2011, the denomination inaugurated a 10,000-seat temple called National Temple in Lagos. In 2018, the church would have 4.5 million members in Nigeria.
Doctrine and belief
The 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, which read as follows:
The Unity of the God-head and the Trinity of the persons there-in. Genesis 1:1; Matt 3:16-17; 1 John 5:7
The utter depravity of human nature, the necessity for repentance and regeneration and the eternal doom of the finally impenitent. Gen 3:1-19; Isaiah 53:6; Acts 2:38; 17:30, John 5:28-29; Daniel 12:2; Romans 2:7, 6:23; 1 John 1:1-2
The Virgin Birth, Sinless Life, Atoning Death, Triumphant Resurrection, Ascension and Abiding intercession of Our Lord Jesus Christ. His second coming and millennial reign upon earth. John 8:46; 14:30; Col. 1:15; 2 Corinthians 5:19; Romans 3:25; Acts 2:36; Phil. 2:9-11; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17; Rev. 22:20
Justification and sanctification of the believer through the finished work of Christ. Acts 2:38; Luke 15:7; Romans 4:25; 5:16; 1 Corinthians 1:30; 1 Thessalonians 4:30
The baptism of the Holy Ghost for believers with signs following. 1 Corinthians 12:8-11; Mark 16:17; Acts 2:4; and Galatians 5:22
The nine gifts of the Holy Ghost for the edification, exhortation and comfort of the Church, which is the body of Christ. 1 Corinthians 12:4-11
The sacraments of baptism by immersion and of the Lord's Supper. Rom 6:4, 6:11, 6:13-14, Luke 3:21; Mark 16:16, Luke 2:22-24, 34; Mark 10:16, Luke 22:19-20; Matt. 26:21-29; Acts 20:7
The divine inspiration and authority of the Holy Scriptures. 2 Tim 3:16, 2 Peter 1:21
Church government by Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors, Teachers, Elders and Deacons. Ephesians 4:11-13, 1 Corinthians 12:28
The possibility of falling from Grace. 1 Corinthians 10:12, 1 John 5:11, John 15:4, 1 John 5:12, Romans 5:1-2, John 8:51, 1 Timothy 4:1, 16; 2 Timothy 3:13-15, 1 Corinthians 15:1, Colossians 1:21-23
The obligatory nature of Tithes and Offerings. Malachi 3:10, Matthew 23:23, Hebrews 7:1-4; Luke 6:38; Acts 20:35
Organization and administration
The 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, the chairman of Igboland territory who succeeded Pastor G.O. Olutola in February 2017. Pastor G.O Olutola who succeeded Pastor Eyo Okon in 2011 retired at the age of 80 and handed over the mantle of leadership to Apostle E.S Igwe. The church is categorized into sections called fields with a view of bonding members in a spiritual and healthy fellowship. The fields include:
Lagos and Western/Northern Areas is a child of a unification process. Historically, in order to unite and centralize the activities of the Church, the Parent Areas agreed and formed a platform then known as The Apostolic Church, Federal and Western, Northern Areas Council which was later changed to The Apostolic Church, Lagos and Western/Northern Areas Territory in compliance with the spoken word of the Lord through prophetical ministry in 1969. LAWNA Territory which was a unification of those four Areas in 1970 has today grown into 79 Areas across the country; and seven missionary fields overseas. The Territory covers 27 states out of the 36 states of The Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The National Convention is a biannual gathering of all The Apostolic Church members at the National Temple, Alapere, Ketu, Lagos State, Nigeria. With an annual convention for youths which also include matching on white uniform with the motto: as the slogan for the witness all over the states of Nigeria.
