Although the people involved and the size of the congregations vary from location to location, certain aspects of Apostolic Faith services are consistent around the world.
Often, the worshipful tones of the organ resound throughout the sanctuary as the congregation gathers. A musical prelude opens most of the services. There may be presentations by a soloist, instrumental or vocal ensembles, or the entire orchestra and choir. After a welcome by the minister leading the service, the orchestra or instrumentalists accompany congregational singing of old-time hymns and familiar choruses, an important aspect of the public worship of God. A prayer invoking God’s blessing upon the service follows. Then announcements are made of upcoming services and events.
A special part of most Apostolic Faith services is the time given to testimonies—spontaneous accounts by people whose lives have been changed by the power of God.
A special part of most Apostolic Faith services is the time given to testimonies—spontaneous accounts by those whose lives have been changed by the power of God. Nothing convinces of the power of God to transform a life like a Spirit-anointed account by a person who has been delivered from a life of sin to a walk of godliness! The importance of telling what God has done is taught in Psalm 107:2 and Revelation 12:11. In accord with those Scriptures, miraculous accounts of conversion, healing, protection, and guidance are shared in the services. Choruses or single verses of songs are interspersed with these personal testimonies.
In the Sunday morning service, a Scripture reading often takes the place of the testimony service. In every service, a special song selection precedes the message from God’s Word.
Sermons in Apostolic Faith services are based upon passages from the Bible. In these passages are found challenge and demand, hope and assurance, promise and comfort, life and death, reproof and exhortation. The ministers who expound the Word are men and women of God whose lives support their spoken testimony and preaching. They not only know the Word, but they also know the One who gave the Word!
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