Apostolic Church of Queensland

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The Apostolic Church of Queensland is an Australian church which has its roots in the restoration movement of the Catholic Apostolic Church of the early 19th century. It was founded 1883 in Queensland, Australia by H. F. Niemeyer and took its actual name in 1911.

It is a member church of the United Apostolic Church which was founded in Düsseldorf, Germany in 1956.

The church's logo is a 4R-symbol as it is used by the South African sister church, too. The four "R"s stand for: RIGHT - ROYAL - RIGHTEOUS - RICH. RIGHT according to the bible, ROYAL as the Bride to have membership with Christ, RIGHTEOUS in partaking of the body and blood of Christ and RICH in the promises Christ gave to his apostles.

[edit] History

The young evangelist Heinrich Friedrich Niemeyer, but more commonly reffered to as H.F. Niemeyer was sent to mission in Australia by the former new apostolic chief apostle Friedrich Krebs in 1883. He settled in Hatton Vale and started his mission among German immigrants. After a short period he had already gathered 80 people. In 1886 he was ordained as Apostle during a visit in Germany. After the death of Friedrich Krebs the new chief apostle Hermann Niehaus tried to strengthen his position in comparison to the other apostles and introduced reforms whereof a conflict occurred. After a general apostles' meeting in 1911 Niemeyer was expelled from his office and the church. All Australian church members followed him. Therefore the new apostolic church history only starts in 1911.

During the World War I Niemeyer was imprisoned because of his German origin. His health weakened therefore and shortly after his release he died in 1920. His son Wilhelm Niemeyer took over the church's leadership. He was ordained as apostle already in 1912. From 1918 on the language in which divine services were held was changed from German to English. At this time there probably still existed a prophet's office which calls the other offices. It obviously was abolished afterwards as than visions and dreams revealed new talents for church ministries.

Wilhelm Niemeyer's successor was Emil Zielke who ordained two apostles, Arnold Edward Zielke (1905-1988) and Arnan Niemeyer (1908-1995) in 1961. The church was divided into a Northern and Southern district. In 1977 Meryn Zischke (1927-1988) succeeded Arnan Niemeyer. In 1988 suddenly both apostles died and is was up to the European apostles of the federation to look for new leaders. At that time differences between Europe and Australia became evident as on the 5th continent dreams and visions were very important for choosing new ministries. Only on September 23rd, 1990 the Elder Kenneth Dargusch(South-Queensland) and the Priest Clifford Flor (North-Queensland] were ordained in the Hatton Vale central church with 2.000 members attending the service.

The Southern district comprises 11 congregations that are administered from Hatton Vale by Apostle Kenneth L. Dargusch. The Northern district consists of 16 congregations that are led by Apostle Clifford Flor from Mackay.

From 1990 on the Australian congregations started a mission on the Philippines and founded the United Apostolic Church of the Philippines with actually 19 congregations in three districts.

[edit] Teaching

The apostles of the United Apostolic Church started to reform the new apostolic teachings from 1970 on. In 1984 a sort of catechism the so called Book of Faith was edited by all apostles of the union. From 1990 on the European apostles started to discuss ordination of women and decided upon in 2004. They also changed the views on the understanding of the nature of church, the sacraments and the ministries. The Australian and South-African partners (see also: Apostolic Church of South Africa - Apostle Unity) did not follow completely. Therefore there are actually not only differences in liturgy but also in teaching.

The ministry of the apostle is much more relevant for salvation in the Southern hemisphere and the priesthood of all believers is much more neglected.