Robert Lombard
Encyclopedia
Robert William Lombart was the first coloured apostle of the Old Apostolic Church
of Africa and founder of the Non-White Old Apostolic Church, that later became known as the Reformed Old Apostolic Church
.
Together with two Overseers (Neethling and Gamba) Lombard founded the Non-White Old Apostolic Church in January 1972. In that same month, he appointed Adolf Neethling as his successor.
Robert Lombard died in July 1972.
Old Apostolic Church
The Old Apostolic Church is a Christian religious community, with historical roots in the Catholic Apostolic Church and the New Apostolic Church...
of Africa and founder of the Non-White Old Apostolic Church, that later became known as the Reformed Old Apostolic Church
Reformed Old Apostolic Church
The Reformed Old Apostolic Church is a chiliastic sect with roots in the Catholic Apostolic Church and the Old Apostolic Church. It is part of a branch in Christianity called Irvingism and is separate from Protestantism with membership mostly restricted to the coloured communities, in the...
.
Life
Lombard became a priest in the New Apostolic Church at the age of 25 in 1920. He followed Apostle Klibbe, who started the Old Apostolic Church.As apostle in the Old Apostolic Church of Africa
Lombard was ordained an Apostle for the coloured and black congregations of the former Cape Province by the late Apostle William Campbell on 11 May 1958 in the Maitland Town Hall. Due to his health his responsibilities was taken over by Apstle G.F. Campbell in 1971. He with two Overseers (Neethling and Gamba) was removed from office and excommunicated in 1972 due to a leadership dispute with the Apostolate of the Old Apostolic Church concerning the church's policy on participation in political debate concerning Apartheid, and the interpretation of revelations that Lomard received.The Reformed Old Apostolic Church
During his sickbed he received a revelation from Jesus Christ that he will be healed if he led his people to liberation. Lombard believed it was a sign that the Old Apostolic Church should take an active part in the fight against Apartheid under his leadership. This revelation or Lombard's interpretation was not accepted by the Apostolate of the Old Apostolic Church. In a confrontation between him and other Apostles, he was removed from office. An order of the court was issued, banning him from entering any of the church's properties.Together with two Overseers (Neethling and Gamba) Lombard founded the Non-White Old Apostolic Church in January 1972. In that same month, he appointed Adolf Neethling as his successor.
Robert Lombard died in July 1972.