How Did Christ Apostolic Church Get Started in 1941?

Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) officially started in 1941 in Nigeria, born out of a Pentecostal revival movement led by Joseph Ayo Babalola. It emerged from a split with The Apostolic Church (UK-affiliated) due to disagreements over spiritual practices, leadership control, and indigenous autonomy.

The Revival Roots: Pre-1941 Background

The story of CAC begins years before 1941, in the early 1930s, with the explosive revival led by Joseph Ayo Babalola, a former public works employee turned prophet and healing evangelist.

Key Events Leading Up to 1941:

• 1928 – Babalola receives a divine call to preach repentance and holiness.
• 1930 – A major revival erupts at Oke-Oye, Ilesa, through his ministry. Reports of healing, mass conversions, and even raising the dead spread across Nigeria.
• 1931 – The revival group aligns with The Apostolic Church (TAC) from the UK, seeking structure, doctrine, and support.

 The Conflict: Why the Break Happened

Though the union with The Apostolic Church (UK) helped the Nigerian revivalists gain formal recognition, several tensions arose:

1. Healing without Medicine

• Babalola and many indigenous believers rejected Western medicine, favoring divine healing through prayer.
• TAC missionaries insisted on a more “balanced” approach, causing theological friction.

2. African Leadership Suppressed

• Nigerian pastors and prophets, though responsible for the explosive growth, were often excluded from top leadership roles.
• The missionaries wanted control over church policies, finances, and ordination.

3. Cultural Clashes

• The Apostolic Church expected British-style governance and liturgy, while Babalola’s movement emphasized prophecy, dreams, local expressions, and prayer mountains.

 Formation of ChristApostolic Church in 1941

After years of rising tension, the Nigerian faction led by Babalola officially severed ties with The Apostolic Church (UK) in 1941, and the new indigenous body was renamed:

 Christ ApostolicChurch (CAC)

The name change symbolized:

• Total independence from foreign missionary control
• Commitment to prayer, holiness, and spiritual gifts
• Leadership fully in the hands of Nigerian believers

 Core Foundations of CAC

Pillar	Description
Prayer & Fasting	Prayer mountains, vigils, and consecration
Divine Healing	Rejection of medicine in favor of faith healing
Holy Spirit Gifts	Prophecy, dreams, speaking in tongues
White Garments	Symbol of purity and spiritual identity
Scriptural Obedience	Strong emphasis on the Bible and righteousness

CAC's Growth and Legacy

From humble revival beginnings, Christ Apostolic Church became:

• The first indigenous Pentecostal church in Nigeria
• A major player in African Christianity, with millions of members
• A trailblazer in prophetic ministry and spiritual warfare in Africa

Today, CAC continues to operate prayer camps, theological schools, and thousands of churches across Nigeria, Africa, the UK, the U.S., and beyond.