Pentecost celebrates the church of Christ, Chief Apostle Jean-Luc Schneider explained at the start of the divine service in Cape Town, South Africa, referring to the Bible text from 1 Corinthians 12: 13. This is not about the New Apostolic Church as an organisation, but about the community of all true believers, he said. 

The church of Christ has a mission to continue the work of Jesus Christ: to reveal God’s nature, love, will, and power; to call sinners to repentance and to follow Him; to care for those who are suffering; and to strengthen the unity of the faithful. 

Strong by spiritual standards 

Just as Jesus Christ appeared strong at times and weak at other times during His activity on earth, so too does the church of Christ from a human perspective. Yet the strength of the church of Christ is not measured by influence, wealth, or the number of members, but by love, faith, and obedience to the will of Christ. 

Referring to Jesus’ words, “My kingdom is not of this world,” the Chief Apostle made it clear that no can legitimise domination, war, or violence in the name of Jesus Christ. Nor is the gospel intended as a path to material prosperity through faith, prayer, or sacrifice. 

Unity through a shared vision 

Referring to the New Apostolic Church worldwide, Chief Apostle Schneider highlighted the diversity of its members. This diversity is not a matter of chance but reflects God’s will. 

At the same time, he warned against judging people as strong or weak. What is decisive for the future of the Church, he said, is how we treat the weak. In this context, he recalled the standard set by Jesus Christ, “Whatever you do for the weakest, you do for Jesus Christ.” 

Chief Apostle Helper Helge Mutschler took up this thought and said, “Unity in diversity—that is heaven.” The path to it lies in looking up to Christ together: “United in looking to Christ.” The joint Pentecost service already gives a sense of this, “This is a taste of what is to come.”