apostolic church: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1-C2 / Very Low Frequency / TechnicalFormal, Religious / Theological / Historical
Quick answer
What does “apostolic church” mean?
A Christian denomination that places strong emphasis on the continuation of the practices, structure, and spiritual authority believed to originate directly from the apostles of Jesus Christ.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A Christian denomination that places strong emphasis on the continuation of the practices, structure, and spiritual authority believed to originate directly from the apostles of Jesus Christ.
The term can refer broadly to any church body claiming direct lineage from the first apostles, or more specifically to modern Pentecostal and charismatic denominations (e.g., United Apostolic Church, the Apostolic Church). It can also denote the early Christian community in the first centuries AD, described in the New Testament.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major lexical differences. In the UK, 'The Apostolic Church' often refers to a specific Welsh-origin Pentecostal denomination. In the US, the term is more frequently associated with various 'Apostolic' Pentecostal churches (e.g., United Pentecostal Church) that hold Oneness theology.
Connotations
In the UK, the term may carry historical/conservative Pentecostal connotations. In the US, it often strongly connotes Oneness Pentecostalism (non-Trinitarian), which is a significant doctrinal distinction.
Frequency
Higher frequency in religious communities; extremely low in general discourse. Slightly more common in the US due to the larger number of 'Apostolic' denomination adherents.
Grammar
How to Use “apostolic church” in a Sentence
the apostolic church of [country/name]to belong to an/the apostolic churchto found an apostolic churchthe doctrine of the apostolic churchVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “apostolic church” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- [The term is not used as a verb.]
American English
- [The term is not used as a verb.]
adverb
British English
- [The term is not used as an adverb.]
American English
- [The term is not used as an adverb.]
adjective
British English
- Their mission work has a distinctly apostolic-church ethos.
- He studies apostolic-church history at Durham.
American English
- Their worship style is very apostolic-church in character.
- She follows apostolic-church doctrine closely.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
[Not applicable]
Academic
Used in theological, historical, and religious studies contexts to discuss early Christianity or specific denominational traditions.
Everyday
Virtually never used in everyday conversation outside of specific religious communities.
Technical
A precise term in ecclesiology (study of church) and denominational studies, indicating doctrine, lineage, or church structure.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “apostolic church”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “apostolic church”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “apostolic church”
- Using lowercase when referring to a specific denomination (e.g., 'I attend Apostolic Church'). Using it as a general synonym for 'old church'. Confusing it with the Roman Catholic Church's claim to apostolic succession.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While the Catholic Church claims apostolic succession, the term 'Apostolic Church' typically refers to specific Protestant, often Pentecostal, denominations that are separate from Catholicism.
Key beliefs often include the ongoing relevance of the spiritual gifts seen in the New Testament (like prophecy and healing), baptism in the name of Jesus only (in Oneness groups), and a church structure modelled on the early apostles.
Yes, in historical and academic writing, 'the apostolic church' often refers precisely to the Christian community in the decades immediately following Jesus's ministry, as described in the Acts of the Apostles.
No. There is significant diversity. For example, some (like the Catholic and Orthodox churches) emphasise unbroken bishop-led succession from the apostles. Others (like many Pentecostal 'Apostolic' churches) emphasise doctrinal and experiential continuity with the apostles' practices.
A Christian denomination that places strong emphasis on the continuation of the practices, structure, and spiritual authority believed to originate directly from the apostles of Jesus Christ.
Apostolic church is usually formal, religious / theological / historical in register.
Apostolic church: in British English it is pronounced /ˌapəˈstɒlɪk tʃɜːtʃ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌæpəˈstɑːlɪk tʃɜːrtʃ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[Not commonly found in idioms. The phrase is predominantly technical.]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'APOSTLE-ic' – a church that tries to follow the blueprint of the original APOSTLES.
Conceptual Metaphor
CHURCH AS LIVING ORGANISM (with lineage/heredity from the apostles). CHURCH AS FOUNDATION/BUILDING (built on the apostolic foundation).
Practice
Quiz
In a US context, 'apostolic church' most commonly implies: