The OALC accepts the Apostles' Creed, the Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed, the Unaltered Augsburg Confession, and the original doctrine of Martin Luther, Lars Levi Laestadius, and the elders of this church in Swedish Lapland in this era (known as the Church of Firstborn).
During the twentieth and twenty-first centuries the OALC had grown due primarily to the belief in, and creation of, large families.
The Old Apostolic Lutheran Church of America is the nationwide ecclesiastical association, and has member congregations in the following states: Washington, Michigan, Minnesota, South Dakota, North Dakota, North Carolina, Delaware, Wyoming, Montana and Wisconsin.
In the Battle Ground area of Washington, churches now exist in Brush Prairie, Lewisville, Heisson, Woodland, and Yacolt.
This large number of Old Apostolic Lutherans is concentrated in the central and northern sections of Clark County, Washington.
Old Apostolic Lutherans - as all Firstborn Laestadians - greet each other with the phrase; "God's peace!"
The global Firstborn Laestadian movement in America, Finland, Denmark, and Norway is under the care and supervision of the Elders of Swedish Lapland.
Missionary men travel on missions and hold meetings in United States and Canada.
[11] In the OALC lay preachers function as pastors, they preach in services and administer baptism and communion.
[14][15] The OALC has published Luther's Small Catechism for younger children and Bible History for teenagers.
I-III (1969-1989), which are English translations of the Swedish periodical Fadersrösten, edited by Firstborn Laestadian preacher Sam Wettainen.