Battlefield Apostolic Church: History, Beliefs, and Practices

Battlefield Apostolic Church in Springfield, Missouri, is a One-God, Jesus Name, Pentecostal church that teaches the Apostles’ doctrine, beginning in the Book of Acts and continuing through the letters to the churches written by the Apostles. Its faith emphasizes holiness, modesty, repentance, baptism in Jesus’ Name, the infilling of the Holy Ghost, fervent prayer, anointed worship, powerful preaching, divine healing, and the gifts of the Spirit.

The church’s local history began in August 2012, when its first service was held with two sons, Daniel, who was 16 years old, and David, who was 15 years old. Its broader theological identity reflects the history of the Apostolic movement, a Protestant Christian tradition rooted in Pentecostalism and formally established as a distinct denomination in 1916 under Daniel Powell Williams.

The local history of Battlefield Apostolic Church

In August, 2012, we held our first service with our two sons, Daniel (16 years old) and David (15 years old). Our services were held at the Community Room, City Hall Plaza in the small community of Battlefield, Missouri.

We set up chairs and musical instruments for every service, took them down and packed them into a box trailer for nearly seven years. Our congregation grew with the anticipation of someday owning our own church building.

In a miraculous financial blessing, Battlefield Apostolic Church was able to purchase our current location at 554 W. Walnut Lawn. Our first service was Dec 2, 2018. In March of 2019, the property was paid in full. A $1.2 million miracle. To God be the Glory!

Because our beginnings were in Battlefield, and all of our legal documents and entities were in the name of Battlefield Apostolic Church, and the name Battlefield is well-known in Springfield, (and since we just liked the name “Battlefield”), we kept our name.

In June 2020, we had our first service at 2101 N. National, Springfield, MO. At the corner of Dale St. and Taylor St, the late Rev. Farrell E. Forrest (Pastor Nathan Forrest’s father) pastored during the 1940’s.

BAC now owns the entire block debt free - to continue the work of our Oneness Pentecostal roots in Springfield, MO. Services at our “Heritage Location” are on Sundays @ 4:30pm.

The historical roots of the Apostolic Church

The Apostolic Church is a Protestant Christian denomination rooted in the Pentecostal movement. Evolving over the course of the nineteenth century and formally founded in the early twentieth century, the Apostolic Church displays several unique dogmas that differentiate it from other branches of Christianity.

Based on the teachings of Christ’s twelve apostles, the Apostolic Church closely models its beliefs on orthodox interpretations of biblical doctrine and embraces the traditionalist approach to Christianity’s early origins. Originally developing in the United Kingdom, the Apostolic Church officially separated from the Pentecostals in 1916.

The Apostolic Church’s origins can be traced to Pentecostalism, a key feature of the Holiness Revival movement that began in the early decades of the nineteenth century and took root in the century’s second half.

Splitting from Protestant denominations, including the Baptist, Methodist, and Presbyterian churches, Pentecostalism favored literal, orthodox interpretations of the Bible and encouraged a return to a simpler, more fundamental form of Christianity.

It rejected the opulence and splendor of mainstream denominations, instead encouraging followers to build simple churches and prioritize perfection of worship ahead of showy exterior displays of wealth and magnificence.

As Pentecostalism grew, distinct branches with noteworthy variations in their dogmatic beliefs began to appear. Early Apostolic churches were one such example.

These faith communities focused on the acts and teachings of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ, who created a blueprint for what Apostolic Christians believe to be the religion’s purest, most essential expression.

William Oliver Hutchinson and Daniel Powell Williams

In 1909, British pastor William Oliver Hutchinson established a Pentecostal church in the English city of Bournemouth. The city soon became the headquarters of a fast-growing, far-reaching network of British-based Pentecostal assemblies.

This event followed the Welsh Revival of 1904-05, which marked a major resurgence of Protestant Christianity in Wales and attracted tens of thousands of new followers to the emerging Pentecostal denomination.

These new converts included Daniel Powell Williams, who became a pastor. Williams went on to formally establish the Apostolic Church as a distinct branch of Christianity in 1916.

Oneness Pentecostal theology

The denomination’s split from Pentecostalism resulted from disagreements over their respective interpretations of biblical doctrine with regard to the Holy Trinity.

All Christians believe in a Holy Trinity that includes the Father (God), the Son (Jesus Christ), and the Holy Spirit. Pentecostals regard the Holy Trinity as three distinct but unified entities, while Williams and his followers rejected this belief.

Instead, they came to view the Holy Trinity as three manifestations of the single figure of Jesus Christ, and went on to develop a core set of accompanying theological beliefs.

Battlefield Apostolic Church describes itself as a One-God, Jesus Name, Pentecostal church. This identity is associated with Oneness Pentecostal roots and shapes the church’s understanding of God, baptism, salvation, worship, and Christian discipleship.

The Apostolic Church’s Tenets

The Apostolic Church features a structure of independent but affiliated congregations, which include millions of members worldwide with a strong presence in Nigeria, North America, and Japan.

Theologically, it embraces a definitive set of dogmatic beliefs known as its Tenets. The Tenets include a total of eleven faith-based statements, with the first Tenet defining the denomination’s belief in the unified Godhead of the Holy Trinity.

Several of the other Tenets conform to standard interpretations of Christian doctrine: they characterize humanity as requiring repentance to overcome its inherently depraved state, confirm a belief in the virgin birth and eventual second coming of Jesus Christ, and assert the divine nature and ultimate spiritual authority of the Bible.

However, numerous other Tenets are largely or wholly unique to the Apostolic Church.

• Belief in the unified Godhead of the Holy Trinity.
• Repentance as necessary to overcome humanity’s inherently depraved state.
• Belief in the virgin birth of Jesus Christ.
• Belief in the eventual second coming of Jesus Christ.
• Belief in the divine nature and ultimate spiritual authority of the Bible.
• Belief that apostleship can remain a divine gift in the present day.
• Emphasis on Holy Spirit baptism and speaking in tongues.
• Recognition of the Nine Gifts of the Holy Spirit.
• Belief that a spiritually elevated individual can fall from grace through sin.
• Compulsory tithing.

Modern-day apostleship

One such example relates to the ministry of Christian apostles, which most other denominations view as an artifact of the religion’s historical past.

The Apostolic Church differs in that it regards apostleship as a divine gift that God can bestow on any person at any point, meaning that present-day individuals who display advanced spiritual leadership and guidance qualities can be considered official apostles of Jesus Christ.

This belief gives continuing importance to spiritual leadership, guidance, ministry, and the recognition of gifts within the church community.

Baptism and speaking in tongues

Another definitive aspect of the Apostolic Church relates to its administration and interpretation of the sacrament of baptism, especially regarding the ability to “speak in tongues," also called glossolalia, from the Greek word glossa, meaning "tongue," and lalia, meaning "speech."

In Christian lore, the phenomenon of “speaking in tongues” occurs when an individual delivers a message directly from God in a language that they do not speak or understand.

The individual utters unintelligible words and speech-like syllables, which are said to be an ancient divine language.

Universally considered a miraculous display of spiritual unity with God, speaking in tongues takes on special significance to all Pentecostals, but especially to Apostolic Christians.

They consider it direct and irrefutable evidence of an individual’s close communion with God, and it functions as a highly sought-after manifestation of spiritual achievement.

Apostolic Christians consider speaking in tongues a prerequisite for a distinctive type of baptism known as Holy Spirit baptism or spiritual baptism, which alone can assure an individual soul’s acceptance into the heavenly kingdom of God.

Battlefield Apostolic Church is committed to reaching its community with the life-changing message of Jesus Christ through in infilling of the Holy Ghost and baptism in Jesus’ Name.

The Holy Ghost and spiritual life

We believe in anointed worship and powerful preaching. We believe in fervent prayer, being filled with the Holy Ghost on a daily basis.

We are focused on preserving the old-time power of the Holy Ghost: preaching repentance and deliverance from sin and addictions, divine healing and the gifts of the Spirit in our services.

The church’s understanding of spiritual life therefore includes personal prayer, congregational worship, preaching, repentance, deliverance, healing, and an ongoing experience of the Holy Ghost.

It’s real. It’s real. I know it’s real. It’s this Pentecostal Blessing and I know, I know it’s real.

Theosis and spiritual transformation

The Apostolic Church also endorses a Christian teaching known as theosis, which holds that regular people have the innate capability to rise above the inherent flaws of humanity and become more like Jesus Christ in a literal sense.

Thus, Apostolic Christians believe that members of their faith community can achieve semidivine status that transcends the Christian religion’s traditional views on the inherent limitations of the human condition.

This teaching presents Christian growth as a process of transformation in which believers seek to overcome sin and reflect the character of Jesus Christ.

Sin, repentance, and falling from grace

Other Apostolic Christian Tenets cover such dogmatic subjects as the Nine Gifts of the Holy Spirit, as explained in 1 Corinthians 12:4-11, as well as the ability of a spiritually elevated individual to fall from grace through sin.

The Apostolic Church defines a far more difficult path for the atonement of sins than most other Christian denominations, and is thus considered one of the stricter and more fundamental branches of the Christian religion.

Battlefield Apostolic Church teaches holiness and modesty. We teach purity within and without. We teach our men, ladies and young people to be separated from the world.

Holiness, modesty, and separation from the world

Holiness and modesty are central practical expressions of the church’s religious identity. Purity is taught both inwardly and outwardly, while men, women, and young people are taught to be separated from the world.

These teachings connect personal conduct with worship and discipleship, emphasizing that faith should be expressed not only through doctrine but also through everyday life.

Some would say we’re old-fashioned, but we make no apologies. We are focused on preserving the old-time power of the Holy Ghost.

Worship and preaching

Battlefield Apostolic Church believes in anointed worship and powerful preaching. Its services are shaped by fervent prayer, the work of the Holy Ghost, biblical teaching, and the expectation of spiritual ministry.

The church emphasizes the power of the Word of God by hiding it in our hearts through bible teaching and bible quizzing.

This approach combines public worship with structured engagement with Scripture. Bible teaching provides instruction, while Bible quizzing encourages members to retain and recall the Word of God.

Prayer, Bible study, and discipleship

We teach Community Bible Studies, Ladies Bible Studies, Personal Bible Studies, Zoom Bible Studies as well as Saved & Sober Recovery Classes.

These activities extend the church’s ministry beyond the main worship service and provide different settings for biblical instruction, personal spiritual development, fellowship, and recovery support.

We are a 5 Star Church in Doctrine, Worship, Evangelism, Fellowship and Discipleship.

• Doctrine: teaching the Apostles’ doctrine and the church’s core beliefs.
• Worship: practicing anointed worship, fervent prayer, and spiritual ministry.
• Evangelism: reaching the community with the message of Jesus Christ.
• Fellowship: bringing together people from different ages, cultures, and backgrounds.
• Discipleship: developing believers through Bible studies, teaching, and practical spiritual formation.

Community, evangelism, and fellowship

Our congregation is diversified in ages, cultures and backgrounds. And we love it that way.

We are committed to reaching our community with the life-changing message of Jesus Christ through in infilling of the Holy Ghost and baptism in Jesus’ Name.

The church’s community-oriented work includes Bible studies, recovery classes, evangelism, fellowship, and discipleship. Its ministries reflect the conviction that the Apostolic message should be shared both in worship services and through ongoing relationships.

Divine healing and the gifts of the Spirit

We are focused on preserving the old-time power of the Holy Ghost: preaching repentance and deliverance from sin and addictions, divine healing and the gifts of the Spirit in our services.

Other Apostolic Christian Tenets cover such dogmatic subjects as the Nine Gifts of the Holy Spirit, as explained in 1 Corinthians 12:4-11.

The gifts of the Spirit are therefore treated as an important part of Christian ministry and worship. They belong within the church’s broader emphasis on spiritual empowerment, healing, deliverance, prayer, and the continuing activity of the Holy Ghost.

Heritage and continuity in Springfield

At the corner of Dale St. and Taylor St, the late Rev. Farrell E. Forrest (Pastor Nathan Forrest’s father) pastored during the 1940’s.

BAC now owns the entire block debt free - to continue the work of our Oneness Pentecostal roots in Springfield, MO.

Services at our “Heritage Location” are on Sundays @ 4:30pm.

The heritage location connects the present congregation with an earlier period of Apostolic ministry in Springfield. In this way, local church history is presented as part of an ongoing continuation of Oneness Pentecostal work in the community.

Distinctive features of Battlefield Apostolic Church

• It identifies as a One-God, Jesus Name, Pentecostal church.
• It teaches the message of the Apostles’ doctrine.
• It emphasizes the Book of Acts and the subsequent letters written by the Apostles.
• It teaches holiness, modesty, inward and outward purity, and separation from the world.
• It emphasizes anointed worship, powerful preaching, fervent prayer, and daily filling with the Holy Ghost.
• It teaches repentance and deliverance from sin and addictions.
• It emphasizes divine healing and the gifts of the Spirit.
• It uses Bible teaching and Bible quizzing to emphasize the power of the Word of God.
• It provides community, ladies’, personal, and Zoom Bible studies.
• It offers Saved & Sober Recovery Classes.
• It brings together people of different ages, cultures, and backgrounds.
• It preserves what it describes as the old-time power of the Holy Ghost.

We invite you come and experience an old-fashioned Pentecostal, Apostolic church service. There’s nothing like it!

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