The Chief Apostle is the highest man-made minister in the New Apostolic Church, and has existed since 1896.
This teaching announced that he would not die before Jesus Christ's return, during which the chosen people will be taken into His kingdom (the First Resurrection).
Those ministers, especially the apostles, who did not preach this message lost their positions and were excommunicated from the New Apostolic Church.
When Chief Apostle Bischoff died in 1960, his dogma about Christ's return had not been fulfilled.
[1] The various communities and congregations which evolved out of these conflicts in different countries (Australia, Europe, South-Africa) gathered in 1956 to form the United Apostolic Church.