Joint College of African-American Pentecostal Bishops

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Joint College of African-American Pentecostal Bishops
AbbreviationJCAAPB; JCOB
Formation1993
TypeReligious organization
Legal statusCivil nonprofit
PurposeEducation
Headquarters Windcrest, Texas
Official language
English
Chairman
David M. Copeland
Main organ
Board
Affiliations Pentecostalism
Website collegeofbishops.org

The Joint College of African-American Pentecostal Bishops (JCAAPB), more commonly known as the Joint College of Bishops (JCOB) or simply the Joint College, is a Christian organization founded in 1993. Established by bishops J. Delano Ellis, Wilbert Sterling McKinley, Roy E. Brown, and Paul S. Morton to train Pentecostal and Charismatic bishops and bishops-elect; [1] and to introduce liturgical order and identity into African-American Pentecostalism; [2] the organization is currently chaired by Archbishop David M. Copeland. [3]

Contents

From the inception of the Joint College of African-American Pentecostal Bishops, its co-founders have been labeled as "leaders in the shift" among African American Pentecostals for introducing liturgical order and identity among Pentecostal or Full Gospel churches and denominations. [4] [5]

History

Foundation of the college

The Joint College of African-American Pentecostal Bishops was established in November 1993, by J. Delano Ellis, Wilbert Sterling McKinley, Roy E. Brown, and Paul S. Morton. From its inception, Ellis, primate of the United Pentecostal Churches of Christ (presently the United Covenant Churches of Christ and Pentecostal Churches of Christ), was elected as the organization's chairman. [2]

Redefining episcopacy

In 2003, Ellis published The Bishopric – A Handbook on Creating Episcopacy in the African-American Pentecostal Church, for Pentecostal prelates. [6] Through this book, Ellis and JCOB introduced apostolic succession to many within the African-American Christian tradition, and the college reappropriated the history and purpose of vestments and the episcopacy for their Protestant traditions in contrast with their initial users in Roman Catholicism and Anglicanism.

Redefining the episcopacy for African-American Pentecostals in particular, Ellis and the college taught the chimere was a prophetic garment; [7] in contrast, the chimere was originally part of academic dress before adoption by Anglican or Episcopalian bishops. [8] Ellis and the Joint College also taught the fascia was the "towel used to wash His [Jesus] disciples feet," [7] though it was worn by all Catholic clergy since 1624, and symbolizes chastity. [9] Leaders within the Joint College of Bishops even promoted the five-fold ministry of the Apostolic-Prophetic movement, and the ordination of women. [10]

Initial controversies

Between 2004-2005, when Bishop Carlton D. Pearson advocated for Christian universalism, [11] Ellis and the college's board denounced Pearson as a heretic; [12] [13] [14] [15] and by 2012, the organization also admitted and certified gay bishop O.C. Allen of the Vision Church of Atlanta, [16] [17] to which Ellis and the board also later denounced. [18] [19]

Following the death of J. Delano Ellis in September 2020, [20] David M. Copeland succeeded as the organization's chairman as of 2025. [3]

Apostolic succession

J. Delano Ellis' claims

Apostolic succession was introduced to African-American Protestant leaders in Ellis' book, The Bishopric – A Handbook on Creating Episcopacy in the African-American Pentecostal Church. [21] Through the third chapter of this book, Ellis and the Joint College of African-American Pentecostal Bishops taught:

No person should have the right to exercise or conduct themselves in any of the Episcopal Matters of our Churches without Apostolic Succession, and Episcopal Dispensation to do so. We believe that bishops are the direct descendants of the Lord Jesus Christ, through His Apostles. Because of that contention, we hold dear our Apostolic Succession which we claim through Augustine of Rome, who was sent by the 'Holy See' to England to establish the English Church. Aside from Succession through the Western Stream, this College also holds this same Succession through the Syrian Orthodox stream. [Please refer to the Historical Documents on Apostolic Succession in the APPENDIX of this Book.] The forgoing statement is not to suggest that we do not recognize any other God-appointed leaders and episcopates of other Christian Reformations and Communions. We only intend to contend for our own heritage within the ancient pilgrim Church family.

— J. Delano Ellis, The Bishopric – A Handbook on Creating Episcopacy in the African-American Pentecostal Church, Chapter III: Apostolic Succession

Ellis claimed "western and eastern streams of apostolic succession." He claimed "western streams of succession" via the Church of England, John Wesley, Thomas Coke, Francis Asbury, the Methodist Episcopal Church and the Church of God in Christ. The claimed succession from the Methodist Episcopal Church is stated as being via three Church of God in Christ bishops (David Charles Williams, Carl Edward Williams and Reuben Timothy Jones), all of whom held holy orders from the Methodist Episcopal Church. In his book, he made no claim or comment at all as to whether the line of succession via Wesley, Coke, Asbury and the Methodist Episcopal Church carries unbroken apostolic succession as distinct from presbyteral succession only. He also didn't indicate that Williams, Williams and Jones possessed episcopal consecration from the Methodist Episcopal Church, nor does he cite any episcopal apostolic lineage for their status as bishops of the Church of God in Christ. Additionally, Wesley was an Anglican priest, but he was not an Anglican bishop. [22] Some believe that Wesley was secretly elevated as bishop by Greek Orthodox bishop Erasmus of Arcadia in 1763. [23] Others believe Wesley's stance that apostolic succession could be transmitted through presbyters, and that he was a scriptural episkopos. [24]

Ellis also noted that in 1964 he had been ordained presbyter by Bishop Ozro Thurston Jones of the Church of God in Christ, and he notes his episcopal consecration in 1970 by Bishop Brumfield Johnson of the Mount Calvary Holy Church of America. [25] [26] His book cited no episcopal apostolic lineage for this 1970 consecration either.

"Eastern streams of succession" were traced by Ellis from the Syro-Chaldean Church in the East, via Archbishop Bertram S. Schlossberg (Mar Uzziah), Archbishop-Metropolitan of the Syro-Chaldean Church of North America, also known as the Evangelical Apostolic Church of North America; in 1995, Ellis claimed that the Evangelical Apostolic Church of North America entered into collegial fellowship with the United Pentecostal Churches of Christ. [27] At a holy convocation of the United Pentecostal Churches of Christ, Bishop Robert Woodward Burgess, II (allegedly representing Archbishop Schlossberg, who was living in Jerusalem) had allegedly assisted at the elevation of a number of additional bishops. [28]

According to Ellis, Archbishop Schlossberg and Bishop Burgess claimed to possess lineages from bishops Prazsky (Slavonic Orthodox lineage) and Gaines (Russian and Ukrainian Orthodox lineage). They also claimed this succession converges in Schlossberg and Burgess, as well as numerous lineages deriving via Hugh George de Willmott Newman (Mar Georgius). In his book, Ellis mentioned the Slavonic and Russian/Ukrainian lineages via Prazsky and Gaines, but the only one of Newman's many lineages that he cites is the Syro-Chaldean.

Explaining his claims to apostolic succession in the book, Ellis however stated that his clergy do not contend for succession as though it was the sole method to legitimize themselves. According to Ellis, members of his denomination and the Joint College of African-American Pentecostal Bishops, "use this means to herald the privilege of the unbroken chain of Historical Succession."

According to Michael Ramsey—once the Archbishop of Canterbury (1961–1974)—the validity of someone's apostolic succession pertains to continuity of teaching, preaching, governing, ordination and grace. [29] In Catholic theology, apostolic succession effects the power and authority to administer the sacraments except for baptism and matrimony; thus, apostolic succession is necessary for the valid celebration of the sacraments. [30] Through the Anglican and Catholic understandings of holy orders and the sacramental character imprinted upon those ordained, and those who claim to be within an episcopal apostolic succession; Anglican and Catholic theologians historically reject Ellis and the Joint College's claims, as he converted to Oneness Pentecostalism, [31] breaking theological continuity. In contrast, also with the early Church Fathers and Roman Catholicism, which rejects women's ordination, [32] [33] [34] [35] Ellis and the college also affirmed the ordination of women.

Paul S. Morton's claims

Alongside Ellis, some members of the Joint College claimed apostolic succession through Paul S. Morton, founding bishop of the Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship. Morton claimed apostolic succession through his chief consecrator, Archbishop George Augustus Stallings of the Imani Temple African-American Catholic Congregation. He elevated Morton to the episcopacy in March 1993, [36] [37] following his 1990 elevation upon his departure and excommunication from the Roman Catholic Church. [38] Though excommunicated, in light of his sacramental character and the doctrine of ex opere operato, all male ordinations performed by Stallings were considered "valid but illicit." [39]

References

  1. ↑ Turner, William C. (2011-01-01). "For Such a Time as This: Re-Imaging Practical Theology for Independent Pentecostal Churches". Pneuma. 33 (2): 316–317. doi:10.1163/027209611X575258. ISSN   0272-0965.
  2. 1 2 "About The Joint College Of Bishops". Joint College of Bishops. Archived from the original on September 19, 2020. Retrieved 2025-04-02.
  3. 1 2 "Home". Joint College of Bishops. Retrieved 2025-04-02.
  4. ↑ "Blacks Discover High Church". Christianity Today. 39: 44. April 24, 1995. Archived from the original on November 21, 2021 – via Christianity Today Network.
  5. ↑ Banks, Adelle (February 1995). "Pentecostals dress like Catholic bishops". National Catholic Reporter. 31 (17): 3. Archived from the original on November 21, 2021 – via The Free Library.
  6. ↑ Ellis, II, Jesse (2003). The Bishopric: A Handbook on Creating Episcopacy in the African-American Pentecostal Church. Trafford Publishing. ISBN   978-1-55395-848-2.
  7. 1 2 Ellis, II, Jesse (2003). The Bishopric: A Handbook on Creating Episcopacy in the African-American Pentecostal Church. Trafford Publishing. pp. viii. ISBN   978-1-55395-848-2.
  8. ↑ Eeles, Francis (1925). "The Episcopal Ornaments: An Outline". anglicanhistory.org. Archived from the original on November 8, 2020.
  9. ↑ "Why does Pope Francis wear a sash?". Aleteia — Catholic Spirituality, Lifestyle, World News, and Culture. 2019-08-28. Archived from the original on 2025-04-02. Retrieved 2025-04-02.
  10. ↑ Floyd-Thomas, Juan M.; Floyd-Thomas, Stacey; Duncan, Carol B.; Ray Jr, Stephen G.; Westfield, Nancy Lynne (November 1, 2007). Black Church Studies: An Introduction. Google Books: Abingdon Press. p. 41. ISBN   978-1-4267-3216-4.
  11. ↑ Levesque, Brody (2023-11-20). "Bishop Carlton D'Metrius Pearson, LGBTQ ally & pastor dies at 70". Los Angeles Blade: LGBTQ News, Rights, Politics, Entertainment. Retrieved 2025-07-16.
  12. ↑ "'Inclusionism' deemed heresy". The Washington Times. Archived from the original on September 23, 2020. Retrieved 2025-04-02.
  13. ↑ "Carlton Pearson declared a heretic". Apologetics Index. December 21, 2005. Archived from the original on September 23, 2020. Retrieved 2025-04-02.
  14. ↑ Clarke, Steve; Powell, Russell; Savulescu, Julian (2013-05-30). Religion, Intolerance, and Conflict: A Scientific and Conceptual Investigation. OUP Oxford. p. 228. ISBN   978-0-19-964091-1.
  15. ↑ Fekete, Steven; Knippel, Jessica (2020-10-23). "The Devil You Know: An Exploration of Virtual Religious Deconstruction Communities". Journal of Religion, Media and Digital Culture. 9 (2): 165–184. doi:10.1163/21659214-BJA10021. ISSN   2165-9214.
  16. ↑ "J. Delano Ellis' JCAAPB certifies openly homosexual bishop". God 1st. Archived from the original on September 19, 2020. Retrieved 2025-04-02.
  17. ↑ "J. Delano Ellis' JCAAPB certifies openly homosexual bishop". Gay Christian Movement Watch. Archived from the original on 2015-05-16. Retrieved 2025-04-02.
  18. ↑ "J. Delano Ellis tries to silence critics over gay bishop controversy". Gay Christian Movement Watch. Archived from the original on 2014-05-17. Retrieved 2025-04-02.
  19. ↑ "African American Pentecostal Bishops reject gay ordination". Gay Christian Movement Watch. Archived from the original on 2015-05-08. Retrieved 2025-04-02.
  20. ↑ "Pentecostal Church of Christ, community mourns the loss of beloved Bishop J. Delano Ellis II". WKYC 3. September 19, 2020. Retrieved 2025-04-02.
  21. ↑ Ellis, II, Jesse (2003). "Chapter III: Apostolic Succession". The Bishopric: A Handbook on Creating Episcopacy in the African-American Pentecostal Church. Google Books: Trafford Publishing. ISBN   978-1-55395-848-2. We believe that bishops are the direct descendants of the Lord Jesus Christ, through His Apostles. Because of that contention, we hold dear our Apostolic Succession which we claim through Augustine of Rome, who was sent by the 'Holy See' to England to establish the English Church. Aside from Succession through the Western Stream, this College also holds this same Succession through the Syrian Orthodox stream. [Please refer to the Historical Documents on Apostolic Succession in the APPENDIX of this Book.]
  22. ↑ Young, Francis (2015-04-30). Inferior Office: A History of Deacons in the Church of England. James Clarke & Company Limited. p. 61. ISBN   978-0-227-90372-8.
  23. ↑ Wesleyan-Methodist Magazine: Being a Continuation of the Arminian Or Methodist Magazine First Publ. by John Wesley. 1836.
  24. ↑ Holden, H. W. (1870). John Wesley in company with High Churchmen. Church Press Co. pp. 57–59. OCLC   15271170.
  25. ↑ "About Bishop J. Delano Ellis, II". J.D. Ellis Ministries. Archived from the original on September 19, 2020. Retrieved 2025-04-02.
  26. ↑ "About Mt. Calvary Holy Church of America". Mt. Calvary Holy Church of America. Archived from the original on September 22, 2020. Retrieved 2025-04-02.
  27. ↑ Agama, Archbishop Doye (October 16, 2015). An Apostolic Handbook: Volume I: Guidance on Faith and Order in the Apostolic Pastoral Congress. Google Books: Fast-Print Publishing. ISBN   978-1-78456-198-7.
  28. ↑ Ellis, II, Jesse (2003). The Bishopric: A Handbook on Creating Episcopacy in the African-American Pentecostal Church. Google Books: Trafford Publishing. pp. xxiv. ISBN   978-1-55395-848-2. Archbishop Schlossberg, who resides in Jerusalem, Israel, sent Bishop Robert Woodward Burgess, II, a descendant of the "Eastern (Church) Stream," who, having received consecration from the hands of Archbishop Schlossberg, to the Holy Convocation of the United Pentecostal Churches of Christ. His Grace was mandated to assist us in the consecration of our Second College of Bishops and to impart each of our sons that coveted Apostolic Succession from the Eastern Stream, while we imparted the same Succession from the Western Stream.
  29. ↑ Ramsey, Arthur Michael. The Gospel and the Catholic Church (translated from the Spanish edition published in the Dominican Republic: 1964, pp.134ff)
  30. ↑ Catholic Teaching on Apostolic Succession, International Theological Commission, 1973, archived from the original on 2015-10-04
  31. ↑ Silliman, Daniel. "Died: J. Delano Ellis II, Bishop Who Promoted High Church Pentecostalism". Christianity Today. Archived from the original on September 22, 2020. Retrieved 2025-04-02.
  32. ↑ "Seminary rector responds to 'Conclave' movie". Catholic News Agency. Archived from the original on 2025-04-02. Retrieved 2025-04-02.
  33. ↑ "Vatican draws line on women's ordination and homosexuality in new letter to German bishops". Catholic News Agency. Archived from the original on 2025-04-02. Retrieved 2025-04-02.
  34. ↑ "What the Early Church Believed: Women and the Priesthood". Catholic Answers. Archived from the original on 2025-04-02. Retrieved 2025-04-02.
  35. ↑ "Women and Priesthood". Church Fathers. Archived from the original on 2025-04-02. Retrieved 2025-04-02.
  36. ↑ "Bishop Paul Morton enlightens people on finding great success". Gainesville Sun. Archived from the original on 2025-04-02. Retrieved 2025-04-02.
  37. ↑ Greater St Stephen Full Gospel Baptist Church (2023-03-19). Bishop Paul S. Morton 30th Episcopal Anniversary:The Making Of A Bishop @ GSS East | March 19, 2023. Archived from the original on 2025-04-02. Retrieved 2024-08-22– via YouTube.
  38. ↑ Persson, Bertil (1990). Independent Bishops: An International Directory. Apogee Books. p. 383. ISBN   9781558883079. He was suspended from the Roman Catholic Church on July 3, 1989 for establishing the independent Imani Temple, and was consecrated for the African-American Catholic Congregation in Washington, D.C., on May 12, 1990, by Richard M. Bridges of the American Independent Orthodox Church, assisted by Donald L. Jolly and Emile F. Rodriguez y Fairfield.
  39. ↑ Ludwig Ott, Fundamentals of Catholic Dogma, 1952, p. 456. "Every validly consecrated bishop, including heretical, schismatic, simonistic, or excommunicated bishops, can validly dispense the Sacrament of Order, provided that he has the requisite intention, and follows the essential external rite (set. Certa). Cf. D 855, 860; CIC 2372."
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