Christ Apostolic Church which typically fused Pentecostal and African features in its doctrines and therapeutic practices was the largest African indigenous Church in Nigeria until the 1970s.
Essentially, the Faith Tabernacle Church (FTC) in Nigeria metamorphosed into the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC). The FTC affiliated with the British Apostolic Church (BAC) in 1931. As a result, seven Nigerian FTC pastors were made to undergo a second ordination as pastors and prophets during the visit of three British Apostolic leaders in 1931. Subsequently, the FTCs adopted the name Apostolic Church. Furthermore, George Perfect and Idris Vaughan arrived in Nigeria as resident missionary pastors of the BAC in July 1932. Their presence enhanced the relations between the British colonial authorities and the CAC and thereby increased the fortunes of the CAC. For instance pastor Babalola, who had been imprisoned by the British authorities, was released and was free to continue his evangelistic activities; the church held vibrant evangelistic campaigns which enabled it to spread fast and establish several schools.
About six years after the affiliation, a number of crises which were mainly financial, administrative and doctrinal ensued which divided the local church leaders as well as the relations between the CAC and the BAC resident missionaries. The predominant factor was the accusation levelled against the BAC missionaries for taking drugs, particularly, quinine to prevent malaria fever. Since the CAC emphasized only divine healing, the action of the BAC missionaries was interpreted by some key leaders of the CAC, such as Babalola, as doctrinal infidelity. Consequently, such leaders and their followers (who formed the majority) broke away to form the Nigerian Apostolic Church (NAC) in 1939 while the others who sympathized with the missionaries remained with them under the name The Apostolic Church (TAC).
The evangelistic disposition of the NAC took it outside the bounds of Nigeria, particularly to Ghana. As a result, the nomenclature NAC which was seen as too nationalistic was changed, first to United Apostolic Church (UAC) in 1940 and later to Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) in 1941 when it was realized that the former initials were used by a major trading company.
As a typical African Pentecostal church, the bedrock of CAC is prayer, accompanied by fasting. The church believes all problems can be solved through prayer. It encourages the formation of ‘Prayer Warrior’ teams whose ministry is to pray fervently for the work of the church and for members of the church. The church encourages its members to withdraw to some designated hills and mountains (holy/sacred places) to pray and meditate. Such places sometimes have resident pastors or prophets/prophetesses who give pastoral assistance to those who patronize them. The CAC stresses the gifts of the Holy Spirit, particularly, the gifts of healing, and attaches great importance to dreams and visions. Resorting to divine healing without the use of medicine (traditional or Western orthodox) was strictly prescribed for members who were sick. However, since the 1970s this rule has been relaxed.
The CAC emphasizes a kind of holiness ethics which can be quite rigorous. It stresses monogamy and advocates that marriages should be blessed by the church. Divorce is not permitted except on the grounds of adultery and re-marriage of divorced members is disallowed. The church is strict on dress code for is female members and opposes the use of make-up and jewellery.
The CAC has lively evangelistic groups and activities. Such groups have contributed immensely to the numerical growth of the church and the establishment of branches of the church both in Nigeria and elsewhere including the Western world. A typical example of such groups is the World Soul Winning Evangelistic Ministry (WOSEM), which was established in 1974 and led by Timothy Obadare, a blind evangelist. The evangelistic associations are also often accompanied by Gospel music groups in their enterprises.
The CAC is administered by a leadership made up of the following in ascending order: Deacons, Elders, Teachers, Pastors, Evangelists, Prophets and Apostles. There is a central administration that posts pastors to the various assemblies. Individual assemblies of the church which enjoy a fair degree of autonomy send part of their tithes and offerings to the central administration.
The CAC is a typical African initiative in Christianity which provides a logical connection between traditional African and Christian spiritualities.
