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The Catechism in Questions & Answers
- Introduction
- Contents
- 411. What do we understand by the term 'ministry'?
- 412. What is a spiritual ministry?
- 413. What is the source of the spiritual ministry?
- 414. Were there any references to the spiritual ministry in the Old Testament?
- 415. What do we mean by “authorisation” for a spiritual ministry?
- 416. What do we mean by “blessing” for a spiritual ministry?
- 417. What do we mean by “sanctification” for a spiritual ministry?
- 418. What do we mean when we talk about “ministrations” in the church of Jesus Christ?
- 419. What distinguishes ministrations in the church of Jesus Christ from the spiritual ministry?
- 420. Are ministrations also exercised without ordination in the New Apostolic Church?
- 421. Which ministry was instituted by Jesus Christ?
- 422. When did the activity of the Apostle ministry begin in the church?
- 423. What does the word 'Apostle' mean?
- 424. What commission did Jesus Christ give to the Apostles?
- 425. By what authority do the bearers of the Apostle ministry act?
- 426. What designations are there in the New Testament for the Apostle ministry?
- 427. What is meant by the term “the ministry of the new covenant”?
- 428. What is meant by the term “the ministry of the Spirit”?
- 429. What is meant by the term “the ministry of righteousness”?
- 430. What is meant by the term “the ministry of reconciliation”?
- 431. What is meant by the term “the ministry of the word”?
- 432. How else are the Apostles described?
- 433. What is another important characteristic of the Apostle ministry?
- 434. Who sent the Apostles?
- 435. What were the names of the first twelve Apostles?
- 436. Were there any other Apostles besides these during the beginnings of the church?
- 437. Was any of the Apostles given a special position?
- 438. How did this special position of Apostle Peter manifest itself after the ascension of the Lord?
- 439. What New Testament text describes the activity of the Apostles in the greatest detail?
- 440. According to the New Testament, who dispensed the gift of the Holy Spirit?
- 441. What were the other important tasks of the Apostles?
- 442. What expectation comprised the central point of apostolic proclamation already at that time?
- 443. What was the first ministry to come out of the Apostle ministry?
- 444. What follows from these actions of the Apostles?
- 445. Did other ministries proceed from the Apostle ministry?
- 446. How were the congregations cared for after the death of the early Apostles?
- 447. Did the Apostle ministry cease to exist after the death of the early Apostles?
- 448. How long did this interruption in the activity of Apostles last?
- 449. Why was the activity of the Apostles interrupted?
- 450. When was the Apostle ministry occupied again?
- 451. Is there any difference in spiritual authority between the Apostle ministry at the beginning and the Apostle ministry at the end of God’s work of redemption?
- 452. What ministerial levels and ministries are there in the New Apostolic Church?
- 453. What are the duties of the apostolate?
- 454. From where does the authority of the Apostle ministry derive?
- 455. What is the objective of the activity of the Apostles?
- 456. Has the Apostle ministry been given for the whole church of Christ?
- 457. What is the foundation of the Chief Apostle ministry?
- 458. Why is the Chief Apostle ministry also called the “ministry of the rock”?
- 459. What are the duties of the Chief Apostle?
- 460. What are the duties of the District Apostle?
- 461. Who is it that calls a minister to a spiritual ministry?
- 462. What is meant by the term 'ordination'?
- 463. How is the ordination performed?
- 464. What transpires during the ordination?
- 465. What duties are assumed at ordination?
- 466. How should a spiritual ministry be discharged?
- 467. When does the ministerial commission end?
- 468. What is the duty of all ministers?
- 469. What are the duties of the priestly ministers?
- 470. What is the task of the Deacons?
- 471. What is an appointment?
428. What is meant by the term “the ministry of the Spirit”?
The “ministry of the Spirit” (2 Corinthians 3: 8) is the ministry that gives the Spirit. Through the dispensation of the gift of the Holy Spirit, those baptised with water receive childhood in God and the prerequisite for becoming a firstling.
The image of the ‘firstlings’ is derived from the “firstfruits” of Revelation 14: 4. This term designates those whom Jesus Christ takes unto Himself at His return. They are identical with the “bridal congregation” (see Questions 562 et seq.).