THY WORD IS TRUE FROM THE BEGINNING.....

Apostolic Ministries of America, Inc.

"A Church of the Lord Jesus Christ of the Apostolic Faith"


LORD'S SUPPER
BAPTISM
FEET WASHING
MARRIAGES
FUNERALS
ANOINTING
FELLOWSHIP
OFFERING-UP
SERVICES
SUNDAYS


CEREMONIAL PROCEDURES


The Lords Supper

To be administered as follows: The Elder, after reading the 11th Chapter of 1 Corinthians, verses 20 to 34, shall place one hand on the vessel containing the bread and the other hand on the vessel containing the wine and shall pray alone, ministers and deacons standing.


After consecration, then the minister may receive the communion first in both kinds himself, and then proceed to deliver the same to the other ministers in like manner (if any be present), and after that to the people also; in order, into their hands.


And when he delivers the bread he shall say: The body of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was given for thee, preserve thy soul and body unto everlasting life. Take and eat this in remembrance that Christ died for thee, and feed on him in thy heart, by faith, with thanksgiving.


And the minister that delivers the cup may say: The blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was shed for thee, preserve thy soul and body unto everlasting life. Drink this in remembrance that Christ's blood was shed for thee, and be thankful.


(If the consecrated bread or wine shall be all spent before all have communed, the Elder may consecrate more, by repeating the prayer of consecration.)


When all have communed the minister shall return to the Lord's table and place upon it what remaineth of the consecrated elements, covering the same with a fair, preferably white linen cloth.


Here the Elder may offer temporary prayer, concluding with this blessing. May the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, Jesus Christ, our Lord and his blessings be upon you in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen


HOW TO ADMINISTER THE WASHING OF FEET

(1) Feet washing should be observed as often as Communion is taken (John 13:6-14) (2) Those washing feet must grid themselves with the towel which is to be used for drying the feet only. The hands are to be used for applying the water to wash the feet. (3) Wash one another's feet; not each others. (4) Feet washing ceremony is to be observed and participated in by both brothers and sisters. If only one auditorium is available, the brothers should take the front section and the sisters the back. (5) Feet washing ceremony should not be taken for a recess. All unnecessary talking and noise is to be prohibited. (6) After the Feet Washing Ceremony is ended all members should return back to their seats and a church offering should be taken. Services should be dismissed after the offering.


HOW TO BAPTIZE

In Baptizing every Elder should use the same method and wording. After praying in the water with the repented soul, they shall repeat:

INSTRUCTIONS FOR BAPTISM

The minister should grip securely the clasped hands of the candidate, with one hand and with the other get a firm grip behind the neck of the candidate, (holding on to baptismal robe.) After he has finished the prayer then repeat, "According to the gospel that was preached by Peter on the day of Pentecost when men were pricked in their hearts and cried out to Peter and the rest of the Apostles, Men and brethren what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and you shall receive the Holy Ghost. I will therefore baptize you my (brother or sister) in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins. (lower the Candidate under the water covering him completely) Bring him or her forth saying, and you shall receive the Holy Ghost.


If it is one who already has the Holy Ghost, say: According as it was at Cornelious' house when the Holy Ghost fell on all who heard the word. Peter said, "Can any man forbid water that these should not be baptized which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we"? I will therefore baptize you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of your sins. Then lower the candidate under water, and bring him or her forth saying, "Amen."


important: See that the Candidate is completely covered, not a hand or toe is to be sticking up out of the water. If they are not completely immersed in the water, they haven't been baptized.


MARRIAGE CEREMONY

The parties standing before the minister, the man at the woman's right; after a short prayer, the minister shall say:


The ordinance of marriage is an institution of God. God saw in the Garden of Eden that it was not good for man to be alone, so he gave him a helpmate. As it is an appointment of God it is to be entered into soberly and discreetly, as in his sight. In his holy word you will find the counsel which you will need in this mutual relationship. The vows are to be broken only by death itself. In token therefore of having chosen each other as partners for life, you may join your right hands.


The man taking the woman's right hand, the minister shall say to the man:

Do you, "A", take "B", whom you hold by the right hand, to be your lawful and wedded wife? Do you promise to love, to honor, to cherish; forsaking all others, in sickness as well as in health, in adversity, as well as prosperity; to cleave unto her so long as you both shall live,

The man shall say "I do."

Then the minister shall say unto the woman:

Do you, "A", take "B", whom you hold by the right hand, to be your lawful and wedded husband? Do you promise to love, to honor, to cherish; forsaking all others, in sickness as well as in health, in adversity, as well as prosperity; to cleave unto him so long as you both shall live?

The woman shall say, "I do."

The minister shall then pray. After the prayer the parties joining hands again, the minister shall say:

And now by the virtue of authority vested in me, by the laws of this state and as a minister of Jesus Christ (for this is a civil and religious service), I pronounce you husband and wife, and what God hath joined together, let no man put asunder.

The minister shall then pronounce this benediction.

The Lord bless thee, and keep thee; the Lord makes his face to shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee; the Lord lift up his countenance upon thee and give thee peace.

METHOD OF CONDUCTING FUNERAL SERVICES

An Elder officiating a funeral service, should be notified a day or two before the scheduled ceremony. He should contact the Funeral Directory and obtain all resume of the funeral.

(a)Date of funeral

(b)Place of funeral

(c)Contact family or ones responsible for the burial.

(d)Make sure that a complete program has been prepared for the ceremony and that all necessary papers are present and in order.

(e)A half hour is long enough to speak over the dead, do not prolong funeral by a long message.

FUNERAL SERVICES

Funerals are not Biblical: In the days of the apostles, they carried the dead to their burial. No great show of expression was ;made. However we take advantage of it in order to reach the unsaved (the living). All that we do in these services is toward the living. Often many come from afar off, who have never heard the truth. We use this opportunity to get to them the truth of God.


The Saints are not to spend excessive time when they have to leave town to go and retrieve the dead, thus staying away from services.


When Funeral services are held, carry out as follows:

(a) Minister offers prayer

(b) Scripture is read

(c) Hymn

(d) Acknowledge Condolences

(e) Obituary is read

(f) Hymn

(g) Minister proceeds with message of salvation, not exceeding thirty minutes (30 min.).

Make it plain to the present congregation that you are not speaking to the dead, as they don't know that they ever existed. "and the message was preached to them while they lived, but the message is directed to them, (the living). So, they will have no excuse when they meet the Lord, Jesus Christ.


After the message is given, turn it over to the undertaker. The minister can commit body after the viewing, it is not necessary for the minister to follow the bier to the cemetery

METHOD OF ANOINTING WITH OIL AND PRAYING FOR SICK

Oil is only to be used for fasting and praying for the sick. When anointing for fasting, pour oil on the hands and rub oil in the head. Oil should not be used for any other purpose. In praying for the sick, do not press too hard on the head of sick. Stomping is not necessary nor is loud welling encouraged. The Elder should anoint patient's forehead when praying for the sick.

METHOD OF EXTENDING FELLOWSHIP

In administering the Fellowship, ask the name of the Saint who desires to be fellowshipped. Then repeat, "Brother or Sister, we extend unto you the Fellowship into Apostolic Ministries of America; "A Church of the Lord Jesus Christ of the Apostolic Faith". May the Lord God bless you and keep you, and preserve you, and build you up through his word that you may be the one he is calling for in these last and evil days. Our prayer to God for you is that when he shall come to take away the Church you will be one in the number to help crown him Lord of Lords. You shall have our prayers and care in every way. May God bless and ever keep you.


Ask the recording or church clerk to record name and address of the saint fellow shipped.

METHOD OF PREFORMING OFFERING-UP CEREMONY FOR BABIES AND LITTLE CHILDREN

Records shall be kept of all babies offered up in the church (Apostolic Ministries of America, Inc., "A church of the Lord Jesus Christ of the Apostolic Faith. Therefore the Church shall issue Offering-Up Certificates, made available from Headquarters. The name of the child, the parents, and the date must be entered on the certificate and into the church records. The Senior Missionaries are to be in charge of all Offering-Up procedures.


(Certificates are Five dollars (5.00 dlrs.), with Four dollars (4.00 dlrs.) sent to Headquarters and One dollar (1.00 dlr.) going in the Missionaries' Fund)

OFFERING UP CEREMONY

Elder or Minister takes the child in arms (or with arms around walking size), then calls the child's name and parents' name. (Example) This is baby Jonathan Doe, son of Brother and Sister John Doe who wants him offered unto the Lord. Let us look to the Lord. (then begin prayer of blessing, or offering up).

ORDER OF SERVICE REGULATIONS

Note:

Whenever the General Overseer or Bishop is being presented, especially when he is entering the services, see that his entry is performed orderly. Wait until those engaged in any activity are informed and their testimony, song, etc. Is bought to a conclusion. With the singing or playing of "Remember Me" the one in charge should direct the congregation to stand until he has entered and seated. Upon conclusion of the song "Remember Me" the one in charge should direct the congregation to be seated. Services should proceed as before unless he as been instructed to do otherwise.


Weekly Meetings

Usually Thursday nights is the regular church weekly meeting night, however, services should and may be conducted seven nights a week. Prayer should begin at 6:30 or 7:00 pm. At 7:30 pm the person in charge should arise from prayer with a song. There should be Scripture reading, a few remarks of praise and testimonies. The brother may open testimony and praise service, by saying all who wish to give a praise, or testimony, or song may stand. Please see that the aged, affflicted and visitors give their testimony first. Testimony and praise service should not extend beyond 8:30 pm. Then the regular evening offering should be taken. Any special announcements should be made at this time. Musical selections may be rendered by the choir or the congregation. If necessary, other offerings can be lifted , for the general expense, charity, etc. Always specify the purposes of each offering. After the offering, the one in charge should present, or have a higher officer present the speaker of the evening. After the message from the speaker of the evening an after offering may be taken. Services shall be concluded and dismissed with Jude 24-25


Sunday Services

1. The morning services 8:00 to 9:00 am is generally the broadcast, when live broadcast begins.

2. The morning Worship begins with prayer at 11:00 am for one half hour. The congregation then rises from prayer with a song from the choir or person in charge. The congregation is to stand until the choir concludes the song, after which the congregation should be seated.


3. The officiating minister rises and reads some appropriate verse of scripture. No excessive talking is necessary before the scripture reading.


4. After the scripture reading, the Foreign Mission Offering should be collected and a selection from the choir, orchestra or congregation should be rendered.


5. All announcements should be turned over to the church clerk or to the one who will convey the announcements so that blundering and misunderstanding can be avoided.


6. The services are then turned over to the speaker after the announcements. The speaker should exhort the congregation. He should always try to bring the word as he has been taught to the remembrance of the people. He should not over do, but let the spirit of God be his guide. After the message the speaker should call for baptism, and extend the message for the offer of fellowship. (This is not the offer of the Right Hand of Fellowship, which is extended only to apostles) While the candidates are being prepared for baptism, the regular Sunday offering should be taken.


7. After the baptismal ceremony or any other particulars, an after offering may be taken for the poor. Services should be dismissed with Jude 24-25.


8. The Sunday evening service should follow the same pattern as the weekly night services.


9. The www, radio and television Helping Hand offering is lifted at evening services. Someone may hold a basket for this offering.


Every fourth Sunday is General Overseer's Aid Day and a special offering is raised at each service and turned over to the Overseer's Aid Officer, or mailed to headquarters.



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Our ceremonial procedures have been placed within this web site for the edification of the Saints of God, our members and our supporters and for assisting them in the understanding of the Apostolic Church and its requirements, which have not changed in the two thousand years of its existence. While it is our desire that all men would utilize these Apostolic Ceremonial Procedures when engaging in church services. we are compelling no man to do so and are not in support of any forum leading to debate regarding these procedures or any other matter within this web site. For as it is written "The just shall live by faith", Habakkuk 2:4; and "Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind", Romans 14:5; or "Do I now persuade men, or God", Gal. 1;10. We do believe that Gods elect, where ever they may be, through the Apostolic Messages going out will know the truth, and that by knowing the truth, will be set free.




Jesus is Lord and God

AND THEY SHALL SEE THE SON OF MAN COMING IN THE CLOUDS OF HEAVEN WITH POWER AND GREAT GLORY...



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