Since 1999 Formerly Biblical Apostolic University
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We Are IAI!
Learn more about our history, mission, beliefs, faculty, and accreditation.
Brief History
The International Apostolic Institute was established in 1999 as Biblical Apostolic University by Dr. Billy D. Bates. The late Dr. Marvin M. Arnold, renowned historian and biblical scholar, saw the need for a broader general access to quality biblical education in a self-paced, affordable, and distance learning environment. Many hundreds of hours were spent developing and compiling curriculum resources to accomplish this task. The first website for the school was launched in 2001 followed by a period of rapid growth and expansion for BAU.
In 2022, Dr. Bates, having served as President for 23 years, announced to the Board of Directors his impending retirement and expressed the desire that Dr. Jason M. Hood assume leadership. Upon the unanimous consent of the Board of Directors, Dr. Hood assumed the office of President in January 2023. Under Dr. Hood's leadership, a five-year master restructuring plan has launched beginning with a new name: the International Apostolic Institute.
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IAI continues in the tradition of BAU with a forward look toward greater impact in the work of the Kingdom!
Dr. Billy D. Bates
1999-2023
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Dr. Jason M. Hood
2023-Present
Mission Statement
The International Apostolic Institute exists to further the Kingdom of God by providing quality biblical education for saints, ministers, and Christian workers that they may, in turn, be better able to serve the Lord Jesus Christ and glorify Him through the application of their acquired knowledge.
Statement of Faith
The International Apostolic Institute seeks doctrinal continuity with the first-century Church established in the 2nd chapter of Acts in the New Testament. Historically, this doctrinal position has been called Patripassianism, Modalism, Oneness Pentecostalism, and other related terms. We promote, uphold, and wholeheartedly endorse the following:
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That there is One Creator God who is indivisibly one having no division of persons.
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That the Creator God is Holy in nature and Spirit in essence, making Him the Holy Spirit.
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That as the Holy Spirit, the Creator God overshadowed the virgin Mary who conceived a son.
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That the child born to Mary was the Son of God, the fullness of the Godhead bodily, and God manifest in the flesh.
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That the Son of God came in the name of the Creator God - Jesus.
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That Jesus Christ is and ever shall be the One True and Living God.
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That salvation is by grace through faith.
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That faith toward God is demonstrated through entering into a covenant with God through the new birth.
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That the new birth consists of sincere repentance from dead works, water baptism by immersion in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and receiving the gift - or baptism - of the Holy Ghost.
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That the baptism of the Holy Ghost, according to the biblical record, is accompanied by speaking with other tongues as the Spirit gives the ability.
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That a Christian is called to live a life of holiness, modesty, and moderation before God.
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That such a life must be embraced seeing that the Lord Himself shall judge the quick and the dead at His appearing.
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That the gifts of the Spirit are still active and in operation within the Church today.
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That the Lord Jesus Christ shall return physically at some point in the future.
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That there shall be a literal catching away of the living Saints, a first resurrection of the dead in Christ, and a second resurrection for the wicked, and that all - living and dead - shall be judged.
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That the judgement upon an individual shall be eternal.
Our Faculty, Board of Directors, and Course Contributors
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Dr. Jason M. Hood,
MACE, Th.D
President and Executive Director
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Dr. Clinton D. Willis,
BA, MA, Th.D
Executive Assitant Director
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Dr. Billy D. Bates,
Th.D, D.D.
President Emeritus & Course Contributor
Barbara E. Hood,
BA
Executive Secretary & Registrar
Board of Directors
Dr. Clinton D. Willis, Th.D, Ph.D
Dr. Vernon Kelly, D.D.
Dr. Anthony Deaton, Th.D
Dr. Michael Cook, Th.D
Course Contributors
Dr. Marvin Arnold
Dr. David Kiner
Rev. T.W. Lawrence
Dr. Bob Koonce
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Dr. Billy D. Bates
Dr. Clinton D. Willis
Dr. Jason M. Hood
Sis. Nan Pamer
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Sis. Barbara Hood
Rev. Robert Martin​
Dr. M.L. Walls
Incorporation and Accreditation
As Biblical Apostolic University, the Institution was recognized by the Department of Christian Schools of the Biblical Apostolic Organization and the Assemblies of the Lord Jesus Christ. Today, the International Apostolic Institute is a duly organized and registered Nonprofit Corporation in the State of Missouri (N001695700) operating as a not-for-profit postsecondary religious school promoting a Oneness Apostolic Pentecostal theology.
IAI has been approved by the Office of Postsecondary Affairs of the Missouri Department of Higher Education & Workforce Development for exemption from the requirements of certification or licensure of proprietary/private postsecondary institutions under Title 6 CSR 10-5.010(3)(A)A which affirms our right to offer and grant degrees and certificates as long as they are not "other than those specifically designated as religious degrees or programs." This exemption expires in June 2029. Applying for this exemption is a standard practice of Bible colleges and seminaries in the State of Missouri and carries with it the requirement that we establish educational records of enrolled students and be subject to periodic review by the Department of Higher Education & Workforce Development.
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Although the International Apostolic Institute is not currently federally or regionally accredited, degrees and certificates issued by the Institute have been recognized by both accredited and non-accredited institutions of higher learning and other official and business concerns nationally and internationally. We are currently revising, refining, and expanding our curriculum and degree programs to better align with the academic standards of the Association of Theological Schools for the purpose of securing accreditation in the next 5-7 years.