CHURCH HISTORY

In 1919, Bishop Sherrod C. Johnson brought back the fullness of the gospel as it was revealed to him by our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. In accordance with I Corinthians 14:40, "Let all things be done decently and in order,"The Church of the Lord Jesus Christ of the Apostolic Faith believes that this principle must be followed to be lawful in the sight of God and man.

Laboring for approximately forty-two (42) years, Bishop Sherrod C. Johnson preached the word of God. Before his passing on February 22, 1961, Bishop Sherrod C. Johnson appointed Brother Samuel McDowell Shelton as the Secretary General of The Church of the Lord Jesus Christ of the Apostolic Faith. Bishop Samuel McDowell Shelton's reign was thirty (30) years.

In accordance with the By-laws of The Church, there are two officers of the general body; the General Overseer and the General Secretary, a/k/a the Secretary General. Before the passing of Bishop Sherrod C. Johnson, Brother Samuel McDowell Shelton was appointed as his Secretary General. Upon Bishop Johnson's death, Brother Samuel McDowell Shelton took on the spiritual title of his predecessor, Bishop Sherrod C. Johnson and he became Bishop Samuel McDowell Shelton.

The late Bishop Samuel McDowell Shelton departed this life on October 13, 1991. His lawful successor, Bishop Shelton Nehemiah, a/k/a Elder Shelton Nehemiah and Elder Roddy J. Nelson Shelton I, by law, was appointed the Secretary General by Bishop Samuel McDowell Shelton in 1977. Bishop Shelton Nehemiah took the Apostolic reins after the passing of Bishop Samuel McDowell Shelton. Bishop Shelton Nehemiah departed this life on January 17, 1994. In accordance with the By-laws of The Church, Bishop Samuel McDowell Shelton wrote an Apostolic Epistle, a/k/a part of his Last Will and Testament, to govern the leadership of The Church. This leadership was bestowed upon his oldest son, Elder Shelton Nehemiah.

After the passing of Bishop Samuel McDowell Shelton, the believers in the Apostolic Epistle and Bishop Shelton Nehemiah were, by force of arms, physically ejected from our place of worship, located at 22nd and Bainbridge Streets in Philadelphia, PA. Therefore, to make the lawful leadership of The Church of the Lord Jesus Christ known to all men, the Apostolic Epistle on the Subject of Rights of Succession is published for all humanity. Titus 3:1 tells us, "Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work."

As a result of the Apostolic Epistle on the Subject of Rights of Succession, "The titles shall be perpetuated and are hereditary to the oldest son or a nephew or nearest kin." The current Bishop and Apostle, Bishop Shelton Rapha Chabash Luke, is the oldest son of the late Bishop Shelton Nehemiah, as in accordance with the Apostolic Epistle. The Apostolic leadership has been lawfully passed on to the oldest son of the oldest son in accordance with the Apostolic Epistle. The following is the legal and probated Epistle of the late Bishop Samuel McDowell Shelton. Our purpose is to let all things be done decently and in order.