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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?
652. What are the effects of the forgiveness of sins?
Forgiveness of sins cleanses us of sin and cancels out the guilt that exists with respect to God.
The believers whose sins have been forgiven are assured of the peace of Jesus Christ with the words: “The peace of the Risen One abide with you!” If this peace is absorbed believingly in the heart, all fear of the consequences of sin will retreat.
Irrespective of the forgiveness of sins, a person remains accountable for the consequences and responsibilities that have come about through his sinful conduct, whether they are of a material or legal nature.