All the District Apostles of the world and their assistants took part in the divine service on Pentecost Sunday 2024. The president of the New Apostolic Church, Chief Apostle Jean-Luc Schneider, based his sermon on Jude 20: “But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit.”

He said that faith is often seen as something theoretical today, and is lived and practised less often. This is how believers react to disappointed expectations and uncertainty as a result of changes. “This is dangerous for our salvation,” the Chief Apostle warned. It is important to stop and think about the “most holy faith” and to incorporate it into one’s everyday life, he said.
“Strengthen my faith, strengthen my love”

The Chief Apostle outlined the basic elements of faith. These are belief in the almighty God, in the gospel of Jesus Christ, in the activity of the Holy Spirit, in eternal life and fellowship with God, as well as belief in the church of Christ, the sacraments, and the Apostles sent by Jesus.

“Let us build our lives on this foundation,” the Chief Apostle appealed and named five elements that should determine the decisions we make daily:

• “What Jesus Christ says is more important to me than anything else.”
• “I trust in God’s omnipotence and God’s love.”
• “I strive first for eternal life.”
• “I want to keep the dual commandment of love.”
• “Above all, the Church is there for our salvation. Everything else is secondary.”

And finally, the Bible text calls on us to pray in the Holy Spirit. “Strengthen my faith, strengthen my love,” Chief Apostle Schneider summarised this thought.

Spiritual and organisational matters

The Pentecost Assembly of the New Apostolic Church began on Wednesday of this week. The District Apostles and their assistants swarmed out to two dozen congregations in Switzerland and southern Germany to conduct midweek services there.

Thursday and Friday were dominated by conferences of the District Apostle Meeting. The highest decision-making body of the New Apostolic Church meets twice a year to discuss and decide on spiritual and organisational issues of international relevance.