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The Catechism of the New Apostolic Church

1.4.2 Belief in God, the Son

With the incarnation of God, the Son, the Old Testament promises pointing to the coming of the Messiah were fulfilled. Jesus Christ gives the exhortation: "You believe in God, believe also in Me" (John 14: 1). Thus belief in God as revealed in His Son was also required in addition to belief in God as the omnipotent Creator of heaven and earth, who had made a covenant with the people of Israel. The faith that is now required also entails keeping the word of Jesus Christ (John 8: 51; 14: 23).

In the old covenant, the term "God, the Father" expressed God's care for His people. Through Jesus Christ, however, it becomes evident that God is the Father of the only-begotten Son from eternity.

Jesus Christ opens up the way for human beings to attain childhood in God and to be called as firstlings (see 10.1.3), through the rebirth out of water and the Spirit, that is by receiving Holy Baptism with water and Holy Sealing. These two prerequisites are not contingent on being a descendant of Abraham, but on believing in the Saviour and receiving all of the sacraments (Romans 3: 22, 29-30; Ephesians 2: 11-18). Being caught up to the Lord at His return is the direct expression of becoming a firstling. Firstlings are guaranteed direct fellowship with God eternally.