History

The Apostolic Society is quite young:  it was established in 1951. The source of the current society however is older and originated in England at the beginning of the 19th century. In the depression years following 1815 there was social misery in the factories as well as in the countryside. The development of mass production brought more prosperity but this also led to nostalgia for the harmonious life of the countryside. During this turbulent time a desire arose for the original, ecumenical feeling that existed in the first Christian community. New apostles were appointed and an Apostolic church was established. Eventually this resulted in multiple Apostolic movements. In the Netherlands alone there are ten different variations which, in spite of their common source, all have a character of their own, sometimes with substantial differences. For example the idea that Jesus will return to earth has been completely abandoned by The Apostolic Society, whilst this belief is very much alive in other Apostolic churches.

For centuries people have believed in an almighty God, up in heaven. But after the horrors and violence of the Second World War God was farther away than ever. After Auschwitz, how could one possibly believe that this almighty God was a god of love?
Apostel L. Slok (founder of the Society, 1904-1984) broke with this dualistic idea of God, that is to say, a God that stood above mankind and the Creation. The wrongdoing in the world was not caused by the devil or by an almighty God, but by man himself, thereby strengthening the belief that man is solely responsible for keeping universal values such as compassion, gentleness, forgiveness, and unselfishness alive. Since the establishment in1951 and actually, since the early beginnings in 1832, the emphasis has been on the personal responsibility for keeping these ´divine` qualities alive. Being inspired by a spiritual mentor -the Apostle- is another characteristic element of the Society. Anno 2010 these are still relevant themes that we find recurring almost weekly during the Sunday service. Some dimensions fortunately remain viable for a long time.