A Guiding Document on Pastoral Ministry to Homosexuals and their Families
Homosexuality is a very complex issue. In light of this, any ministry to homosexuals or their families is not an easy task. However, this is a challenge that the church should not shy away from because it is a reality that confronts the church regularly.
Released: 2018/11/22
Aids and the Church
The church at large should work to encourage open disclosure of status and the acceptance and support of people with HIV/AIDS. With regard to situations of marriage, where one of the spouses is HIV-positive, the church encourages the use of a condom. The AFM of SA recognises the government’s duty to enhance public health and also provide for safer sex. The AFM of SA still encourages parents to educate their children on the principles of sexual morality and discuss sexual health openly. The AFM of SA affirms its belief in the healing power of God. However, anyone who was once HIV-positive and now believes themselves healed must seek medical confirmation.
Released: 2015/06/10
Alcohol
For the AFM to reach a meaningful and comprehensive position on the use of alcoholic beverages, it is crucial that we understand the background to various approaches to this issue. We need to acknowledge that several factors influence our thinking and behaviour concerning the use of alcohol in the church.
Released: 2014/04/15
Cremation
While Scripture does not leave us in the dark as to what happens to man’s soul/spirit after death, the question as to what happens (or should happen) to the body is being asked more and more lately. Of course, the Bible is clear as to what happens to the body at the resurrection. Irrespective of the condition of the body, whether it is still living or whether it is in a state of decay in a grave, whether it has returned to dust or is cremated or has been torn up by wild animals or whether it is in the depths of the sea – that which remains of the body wherever it may be will be resurrected as a glorified body by which the believer will forever be in heaven with Christ (1 Cor.15:51-54 and 1 Thes. 4:15-17).
Released: 2015/06/10
Homosexuality
In recent years churches and individuals who hold to an orthodox view of marriage and sexuality have come under increased pressure. Political and religious advocacy for the acceptance of homosexual relationships and same-sex marriage has grown significantly. There seems to be a concerted effort to marginalise the many reasonable and sincere people in our communities who, in good faith, maintain a traditional outlook on sexuality. This reality has prompted The Apostolic Faith Mission (AFM) to offer transparency in terms of our pastoral approach and position on this issue.
Released: 2018
Initiations & Ceremonies
The process of being formally accepted as a member of a group or organisation. The process of being initiated: A ceremony or series of actions that makes a person a member of a group or organisation. The act of starting something. In some of the African groups in South Africa initiation is seen and practised as a cultural phenomenon. This cultural right of passage is predominantly experienced as a patriarchal right of passage to manhood. These cultural practices encompassed aspects that are both compatible and incompatible with the Pentecostal understanding of Scripture. For this reason, it creates a dilemma for pastors and parents because they will have to choose between loyalty to their culture and their understanding of Scripture. Several encounters with groups within the church who are affected by this dilemma have unearthed various difficult issues that were not adequately resolved.
Released: 19 November 2018
Must Believers Become Jewish to Please God?
Is there another way to be saved, but by Jesus? Nowadays many Christians believe that there is. Currently, the idea is spreading that Judaism is a relevant alternative. Most people do not want to forsake their Christianity at first. They do, however, try to combine the two religions. As a result, believers stray from the truth and begin to fall away from grace. This is not a new problem. The early church also experienced it. At the Jerusalem Council, the leaders of the Church deliberated the matter. This article deals with the subject of Judaizers, both ancient and modern.
Released: 2014/08/07
Participation of Children in The Lord’s Communion
Holy Communion was instituted on the eve of Christ’s crucifixion. And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said: Take, eat, this is my body. Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying: Drink from it, all of you. For this is my blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remissions of sin. (Matthew 26:26-28)
Released: 2014/04/15
Surrogacy
A surrogate mother is the woman who is pregnant with the child and intends to relinquish it after birth. The word surrogate, from Latin subrŏgare (to substitute), means appointed to act in the place of. The intended parent(s) is the individual or couple who intends to rears the child after its birth.
Released: 2014/04/15
The AFM of SA and Pacifism
The AFM of SA exists in a global environment where such matters as peace and war will arise from time to time, and the church should take a stance and provide guidance and leadership to its membership and structures in this regard. Where war or violence is waged or perpetrated against them or their loved ones, it also affects ordinary church members. What should they do in such instances? Should they pacify or engage in what is called Just War? Does violent crime require AFM members to defend their families or possessions against violent attacks or should the church encourage its members to minimise violent reprisals as far as possible and to never react in retaliation? Is that always possible and the way to go, in as far as the Scripture is concerned or what Christ encourages Christians to do?
Accepted: March 2022
The AFM’s Position towards the current conflict in the Middle East
In May 2021 the Washing Post published an article entitled, “The Israeli-Palestinian conflict: A chronology” and the authors Murphy and Taylor (2021) writes that “the roots of the conflict and mistrust are deep and complex, often predating the establishment of the state of Israel in 1948.” They describe the past 70 years as a time of wars, uprisings and at times a glimmer of hope for compromise. Starting with an AFM response cannot be done without a proper investigation into the chronology of events that has led to the current conflict but time and space does not allow one to produce an exhaustive account and satisfy all viewpoints. However, a Christian response is wanted and more a specific Pentecostal response to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict due to Christianity’s origins as one of the three major Abrahamic religions.
Accepted: March 2023
The Use & Abuse of Titles
In this document, we will be looking at the use and abuse of titles within The AFM of SA, particularly by its Pastors. In an attempt to do justice to the topic, the following issues will be addressed: Titles and their meaning, the use of titles, the abuse of titles, and concluding remarks that will end with the making of recommendations for the way going forward. When one talks about titles what are we talking about and what does it mean? To adequately answer this it will be important to look at the definition of titles, what they represent then and what does it represent now.
Released: 19 November 2018
Tobacco
Nicotine is the substance found in tobacco. This substance can be addictive if used constantly. In this paper we shall look at the Christian perspective on the abuse of this substance, but we are also going to look into the social and medical implications. This will require critical investigation into textual evidence in relation to this discussion. We also need to be critical of positions that are assumed as right. Ultimately we will have to come to a conclusion of the results of this investigation.
Released: 2014/04/15
Unveiling of Tombstones
Since ancient times, it has been the custom to mark the grave with a stone or monument – after Rachel died, “Jacob erected a monument on Rachel’s grave” (Genesis 35:20). The marker or monument serves to identify the grave so that relatives will find it when they visit, honour the memory of the deceased, and identify a place of burial so that kohanim (priests) will avoid it as required by Jewish law.
Released: 2015/06/10