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The Catechism of the New Apostolic Church
- Contents
- 12.1.1 General remarks concerning divine service
- 12.1.2 Divine service in the Old Testament
- 12.1.3 Divine service in the New Testament
- 12.1.4 Further development of Christian divine service
- 12.1.5 Divine service as an encounter with God
- 12.1.6 Proclamation of the word
- 12.1.7 The Lord's Prayer
- 12.1.8 Forgiveness of sins in the divine service
- 12.1.9 Dispensation of the sacraments in the divine service
- 12.1.10 The closing benediction
- 12.1.11 Acts of blessing in the sequence of the divine service
- 12.1.12 Ordinations, appointments, reinstatements, retirements
- 12.1.13 Divine services for the departed
- 12.1.14 Music in the divine service
12.1.13 Divine services for the departed
Divine services for the departed take place three times a year, on the first Sunday of March, July, and November respectively. With this in mind, New Apostolic Christians also pray that souls who have died in an unredeemed state may find salvation in Christ.
God's will to redeem encompasses all human beings. Jesus Christ is Lord over both the dead and the living (Romans 14: 9).
Already in the congregation of Corinth, the living were baptised on behalf of the dead (1 Corinthians 15: 29).
This practice is continued in divine services for the departed conducted by the Chief Apostle and the District Apostles: in them, two ministers receive Holy Baptism with water, Holy Sealing, and Holy Communion on behalf of the dead. The sacraments are performed in the same manner as usual. In the other congregations, the departed are commemorated in a special prayer after the celebration of Holy Communion.
Divine services for the departed have an important place in the New Apostolic calendar. On the preceding Sunday, the congregations prepare themselves for this in a special divine service. Compassion and sympathy are to move their hearts to intercede for those who have died in an unredeemed state.