When we think of "Apostolic" to describe the Church, we immediately
think about how we are connected back to the Apostles, and think of a
particular "lineage" going back to an Apostle, and then cling on to some
idea of "throne" seating that Apostle on it, and then holding that up
as some kind of trophy to show the world that we are "Apostolic". Thus
we have the great divide based on "thrones".
I learnt in Divyabodhanam(laity training program) two new things about being an Apostolic Church
1) As the Apostles were "sent out", an Apostolic Church is "sent out" into the world. An Apostolic Church is a missionary Church. [The word 'missionary' is derived from the Latin translation of 'apostolic'] When and where the Church ceases to be a missionary Church, it ceases to be Apostolic.
2) It is not necessary to be founded by an original "Apostle" (original 12 disciples of Christ) for a Church to be called an Apostolic Church. There are many ancient Churches in the world founded by disciples of the apostles and their successors which are also Apostolic Churches. What is important to note is that all Churches that remain in the unbroken tradition of the authentic faith in Christ and apostolic authority are apostolic Churches.
Ref: The Light to the Nations Fr. K.M. George Book 5 POCE Divyabodhanam.
(What this also means, I think, is -- even if we have a "lineage" to show linking to an original Apostle, if we have deviated from the original faith, we can no longer be considered Apostolic)
(Feb 2013)
I learnt in Divyabodhanam(laity training program) two new things about being an Apostolic Church
1) As the Apostles were "sent out", an Apostolic Church is "sent out" into the world. An Apostolic Church is a missionary Church. [The word 'missionary' is derived from the Latin translation of 'apostolic'] When and where the Church ceases to be a missionary Church, it ceases to be Apostolic.
2) It is not necessary to be founded by an original "Apostle" (original 12 disciples of Christ) for a Church to be called an Apostolic Church. There are many ancient Churches in the world founded by disciples of the apostles and their successors which are also Apostolic Churches. What is important to note is that all Churches that remain in the unbroken tradition of the authentic faith in Christ and apostolic authority are apostolic Churches.
Ref: The Light to the Nations Fr. K.M. George Book 5 POCE Divyabodhanam.
(What this also means, I think, is -- even if we have a "lineage" to show linking to an original Apostle, if we have deviated from the original faith, we can no longer be considered Apostolic)
(Feb 2013)
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