Setting an example for the Christian faith. This is the call of the international leader of the New Apostolic Church, Chief Apostle Jean-Luc Schneider. Tens of thousands of New Apostolic Christians across Europe enjoyed a live video broadcast of the traditional Pentecost service.

“So many people are making big efforts to let their views be known,” the president of the Church said. But when it comes down to Christian values in society, most people limit themselves to bemoaning their loss of importance. “Let us take a stance and set an example,” Chief Apostle Schneider called to the faithful. After all, there is a public form of confession—participation in the divine services for one and in Holy Communion especially. “If you want to profess that Jesus Christ is the way, the helper, and the solution, then let us celebrate Holy Communion.”

Pentecost a feast of thanksgiving

Approximately 2,000 visitors experienced the divine service in the Congress Center in Frankfurt am Main (Germany) live. The sermon was based on Galatians 5: 25: “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.”

First of all, Pentecost is a feast of thanksgiving, the Church president said. Central to our gratitude is the fact that God has sent the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit works and creates knowledge that Jesus is the Son of God. He created baptism with water and the Spirit, the possibility to hear the word of God, Holy Communion, and the capacity of ordained ministers to carry out their tasks.

Active in the mind and spirit of Christ

Thankfulness alone is not enough, the Chief Apostle said in view of the exhortation expressed in the Bible text: “… let us also walk in the Spirit.” A very practical way of implementing this is by hearing and accepting the sermon, receiving Holy Communion, and praying with absolute trust in God.

“We did not become part of the church of Christ to be served,” the Chief Apostle said with reference to the example set by Jesus. The best way to serve the Lord, he said, is to prepare ourselves for the return of Christ so that God can proceed with His plan of salvation. “Let us support God in His endeavour out of love for our neighbour.”

For detailed reports on the Pentecost festivities of the New Apostolic Church go to the online news magazine nac.today