A Pentecostal denomination with a strong emphasis on holiness, divine healing, and the imminent return of Jesus Christ.
Religion: Christianity
Denomination: Pentecostal
Founder: Florence Crawford
Founded: 1906
Location: Portland, Oregon, United States
Other Names: Apostolic Faith Mission
The Apostolic Faith Church, also known as the Apostolic Faith Mission of Portland, Oregon, is an international denomination within the Holiness Pentecostal tradition, with its roots tracing back to the early 20th century. Founded in 1907 by Florence L. Crawford, shortly after the Azusa Street Revival, the church espouses a conservative Wesleyan holiness doctrine, which emphasizes a life of sanctity, the experience of a second work of grace following conversion known as entire sanctification, and the baptism in the Holy Spirit, evidenced by speaking in tongues.
Key beliefs of the Apostolic Faith Church include the literal and visible Second Coming of Jesus Christ, the occurrence of the Great Tribulation before Christ’s return in judgment, and Christ’s Millennial Reign, a peaceful 1,000-year rule on Earth. The church also holds to the doctrines of divine healing through the atonement of Christ, eternal heaven and hell as final places of destiny, and the sanctity of marriage as a lifelong covenant. Unique practices include the rejection of formal collection during services in favor of voluntary donations, and a membership model where individuals are considered members upon being “saved” rather than through formal joining processes. The church is active in ministry, including bus ministries, nursing home visits, street meetings, and jail meetings, and does not formally train its ministers but selects them through a call believed to be from God.
The Apostolic Faith Church distinguishes itself by the belief that speaking in tongues should be in a human language that the speaker has not learned, rather than ecstatic utterances, reflecting a broader emphasis on adherence to scriptural practices and the early Christian church’s experiences. The denomination has a strong focus on community and worship, with services that include music, personal testimonies, scriptural readings, and sermons, all aimed at encouraging a deep personal faith and communal worship experience.
The term “Apostolic” in the denomination’s name refers to its desire to adhere closely to the teachings and practices of the apostles as recorded in the New Testament. The Apostolic Churches, in general, emerged from Pentecostal origins in the early 19th century, aiming to recapture the spirit and practices of the early Christian church, with a significant focus on the baptism in the Holy Spirit, speaking in tongues, divine healing, and other charismatic gifts as key components of their faith and practice.
image via Apostolic Faith Church
