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The Catechism in Questions & Answers
- Introduction
- Contents
- 613. What is a divine service?
- 614. What was divine service like in the Old Testament?
- 615. What elements did the divine service incorporate in the early Christian congregations?
- 616. How did Christian divine service develop further?
- 617. Is God present in the divine service?
- 618. What are the basic elements of the divine service?
- 619. What is meant by the “Apostles’ doctrine”?
- 620. What do we mean when we talk about “breaking of bread”?
- 621. What does “communion” signify in the divine service?
- 622. What is the role of “prayer” in the divine service?
- 623. What do we mean by the “proclamation of the word” (sermon)?
- 624. What is the sermon capable of doing?
- 625. Who is called to proclaim the word of God in the divine services?
- 626. What is the main content and objective of the sermon?
- 627. Does this rule out any mistakes in the proclamation and hearing of the sermon?
- 628. What is the duty of the listeners in the sermon?
- 629. How are listeners prepared for the forgiveness of sins and the celebration of Holy Communion?
- 630. What is the only prayer that is spoken in accordance with a fixed wording in the divine service?
- 631. What is the wording of the Lord’s Prayer in divine service?
- 632. What does the address “Our Father” mean?
- 633. What do the words “in heaven” signify?
- 634. What does it mean to say: “Hallowed be Your name”?
- 635. What do the words “Your kingdom come” mean?
- 636. What does it mean when we say: “Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven”?
- 637. What does it mean when we pray: “Give us this day our daily bread”?
- 638. What does it mean to pray: “And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors”?
- 639. What do we mean when we pray: “And do not lead us into temptation”?
- 640. What is meant by the words “Deliver us from the evil one”?
- 641. What do we mean when we say: “For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever”?
- 642. What does the word “Amen” mean?
- 643. When do the believers receive the forgiveness of sins in the divine service?
- 644. With what words is the forgiveness of sins proclaimed?
- 645. Is the forgiveness of sins a sacrament?
- 646. How is it that sins can be forgiven?
- 647. Who forgives sins?
- 648. Is it necessary to proclaim the forgiveness of sins?
- 649. What must a person do in order to have his sins forgiven?
- 650. What else is part of this recognition of having sinned?
- 651. What is meant by repentance and remorse?
- 652. What are the effects of the forgiveness of sins?
- 653. Are there sins that cannot be forgiven?
- 654. Who commits the sin of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit?
- 655. Who dispenses the sacraments in the divine service?
- 656. How often are the sacraments dispensed?
- 657. Is Holy Communion celebrated in every divine service?
- 658. Do children also receive the sacraments?
- 659. Are the sacraments also dispensed to the departed?
- 660. What are “acts of blessing”?
- 661. What happens in an act of blessing?
- 662. Which acts of blessing take place within the divine service?
- 663. What is confirmation?
- 664. What is necessary in order to be confirmed?
- 665. How is the act of confirmation performed?
- 666. What is the effect of the confirmation blessing?
- 667. What is the text of the confirmation vow?
- 668. What do we mean when we talk about the act of “adoption”?
- 669. What transpires in the adoption?
- 670. What is the engagement blessing?
- 671. What is a wedding blessing?
- 672. For which wedding anniversaries is a blessing dispensed?
- 673. What happens at the dedication of a church building?
- 674. What happens when a church building is deconsecrated?
- 675. When are sacraments dispensed and acts of blessing performed?
- 676. When are ordinations, appointments, reinstatements, and retirements performed in the divine service?
- 677. How is the ordination performed?
- 678. What is the function of music in the divine service?
- 679. How is the divine service concluded?
- 680. What is the text of the closing benediction?
- 681. What is it that causes the believers to attend the divine services regularly?
- 682. What are the consequences of not attending the divine services?
- 683. Are there acts of blessing that do not occur in the context of a divine service?
- 684. What is the prenatal blessing?
- 685. What is a church funeral?
- 686. What happens at a church funeral?
- 687. Does the funeral have any impact on the resurrection of the dead?
- 688. What is pastoral care?
- 689. How do the ministers of the Church fulfil their pastoral care duties?
- 690. What is the function of the pastoral care visit?
- 691. Do we have confession in pastoral care?
- 692. Is the task of providing pastoral care only reserved for the ministers?
- 693. How is pastoral care provided for children?
- 694. What is the objective of church instruction?
- 695. What is the objective of Pre-Sunday School?
- 696. What is the function of Sunday School?
- 697. What is the content and objective of divine services for children?
- 698. What is the function of Religious Instruction in church?
- 699. What is the function of Confirmation Instruction?
- 700. How is pastoral care provided for young people?
- 701. What is the function of pastoral care for youth?
- 702. How is pastoral care provided to the terminally ill and dying?
- 703. How is pastoral care provided to the relatives of a dying person?
- 704. What does support for the bereaved entail?
- 705. What is the purpose of support for the bereaved?
- 706. What holy days are celebrated in the New Apostolic Church?
- 707. What is the significance of Christmas?
- 708. What is the significance of Palm Sunday?
- 709. What is the significance of Good Friday?
- 710. What is the significance of Easter?
- 711. What is the significance of Ascension Day?
- 712. What is the significance of Pentecost?
- 713. What is the significance of Thanksgiving Day?
- 714. What is the format of divine services on church holy days?
661. What happens in an act of blessing?
In an act of blessing, God turns to a human being who sincerely longs for blessing. Through Apostles and priestly ministers, God blesses those who request this blessing and offers them His help, grace, and compassion.
The dedication of a church building or place of worship for a congregation also represents an act of blessing in an extended sense.