(5) THE CHIEF APOSTLE
This office is reserves for the senior ranks of the Mystical Order of Spiritual Baptist Inc, and is conferred on the individual by the Chairman of the Ordination and Consecration Committee.
The holder of the office must serve as an Archbishop or is holding active office in the church.
The candidate for such elevation must attain the age of fifty-five (55) years.
Nothing in this Article shall bar a sitting Archbishop from appointment to office
5:1 The chief apostle
Since December 2014, the chief apostle of The Mystical Order of Spiritual Baptist has been in office
5:2 Highest spiritual authority
As the highest spiritual authority of The Mystical Order of Spirit all New Apostolic District Churches on earth, the chief apostle directs the Church as a whole in all spiritual matters. His primary commission is to proclaim Jesus Christ’s doctrine continually and conscientiously, and to preserve its purity. He appoints and ordains divisional apostles, apostles, and bishops, and also retires or dismisses them under Article 13 (2). He determines the boundaries of Sister Churches, sets up new divisional apostle areas, and assigns areas of responsibility for pastoral and administrative care to the Sister Churches. He establishes through the Provost and office of the Archbishop annual budget, makes decisions to the Committee for finance and the Board of Trustees regarding expenditures and the management of its assets, consults with the divisional apostles as regards the financial contributions they make to Executive Council of The Mystical Order, and decrees regulations and ordinances in matters concerning the Church as a whole. The Chief Apostle’s ordinances, subject to compliance with legal provisions, are binding on all Sister Churches and their governing bodies.
5:3 Appointing a successor
- The chief apostle is appointed by the Archbishop. In the event that the chief apostle suddenly takes ill or is injured in an accident and is left incapacitated, the office is regarded as vacant and the ARCHBISHOP will hold that office until a successor is appointed by the Ordination and Consecration Committee. If no one meets the requirements and the age, his successor will be appointed protem until determination by the Committee. His ministry commences with his ordination, which is performed by the Archbishop. The change will be announced without delay to all congregations of The Mystical Order of Spiritual Baptist and around the world.
- The Chief Apostle is entitled to retire if he becomes incapacitated. He should not continue in office beyond the appointment of his successor however.
- For the purpose of appointing a successor, and to make provisions in the event of a temporary or indefinite impediment in discharging his office and functions, the chief apostle will communicate with the Archbishop and the Provost. Should two independent physicians certify a temporary impediment, the PROVOST shall open the relevant document. In the event that the chief apostle dies, or is confirmed to be unfit to discharge his duties, the Ordination and Consecration Committee will meet within five days after the appointment of the committee for the purpose of appointing a successor.
