New Apostolic Church
International

… … rather reveals Himself to mankind. His revelation is a declaration of divine nature, divine truth, and divine will, … …

… … beings. Since the beginning of time, man has observed the grandeur of nature and inquired about its origin and author. … …

… … Old Testament and the New Testament. The term "Testament" derives from the promise of the "new covenant" recorded in … …

… The term "canon" (meaning "standard" or "guideline" in English), which was borrowed from the Greek … collection of holy writings that have been binding on all Christendom since the middle of the fourth century. The … …

… … and hymns in which the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ were professed. These also found their way into the … …

… The correct understanding of Holy Scripture, which came into being … the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 2: 10-12). As "servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God" (1 Corinthians … …

… …

… … historical act of salvation for His people, that is their deliverance from slavery in Egypt (Deuteronomy 26: 5-9). … express God's act of salvation in the sending of Jesus Christ. Already early on, there were statements in which … of the early church. Further professions of Jesus Christ, His essence, and His work can be found in the early … …

… … almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the … of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. … …

… …

… … in His nature and activity, cannot be grasped by human understanding. Access to God in His omnipotence and greatness is only possible through faith. Jesus Christ revealed God to human beings as a loving, … …

… The first reference to the activity of the triune God is recorded in the first account of creation (Genesis 1: 1-31; … of God who visited Abraham (Genesis 18) are understood in Christian tradition as a reference to the mystery of the … …

… … and without any template, that is to say, in a completely independent way: "God ... calls those things which do not … …

… Holy Scripture provides multiple references to a purely invisible world, … …

… … human beings at God's behest. There is also much biblical evidence that angels commissioned by God served human beings … …

… The statement that Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of the Father (John 1: 14) … in the Second Article of Faith: "I believe in Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God." This signifies that … all creation" (Colossians 1: 15). In John 3: 16, Jesus is described as the "only begotten Son [of God]". He is the one … …

… … resurrection of Jesus testifies of the power of God over death. This power is intrinsic to the being of Jesus Christ as the Son of God. In the resurrection of Jesus Christ, promises of the Old Testament were fulfilled (Luke … …

… All three terms mean the same: "Messiah" is derived from the Hebrew maschiach, the Latin Christus stems … New Testament that Jesus of Nazareth is this Messiah this Christ. The majestic title "Christ" is so closely linked to Jesus that it has become a … …

… … whom they had come to worship (Matthew 2: 2). In Jesus Christ the promise that God had given through the prophet … regency and was not manifest in outward power, but rather demonstrated in the authority of His actions and in the … of an abasement which was, in reality, the path to Jesus Christ's exaltation. "Now Pilate wrote a title and put it on … …

… The gospels of Matthew and Luke describe the birth of Jesus. Jesus was born at the time when … born to you this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord" (Luke 2: 11; cf. Micah 5: 2). A star … …

… …

… … Spirit is clearly revealed in the incarnation of Jesus Christ, in the divine revelations of the past and … particularly in keeping alive the promise of Jesus Christ's return. …

… …

… … without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of … Samuel 10: 6) and David (1 Samuel 16: 13). Later on, Jesus Christ referred to the activity of the Holy Spirit through … of the Holy Spirit, was already alluding to Jesus Christ. In Old Testament times, the Holy Spirit filled … …

… Jesus Christ is the Helper and Advocate of His own (Matthew 28: … God promised yet another Comforter, namely the "Paraclete" (derived from the Greek term parakletos = assistant, … who will remain with the church. He testifies of Jesus Christ and glorifies Him (John 16: 14). After the … …

… … and all those who were with them. Thereby the church of Christ (see … this fellowship will attain its perfection at the return of Christ. …

… The Christian faith is intended to be shared with others. Already in early times, … to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and … 15: 3-5). "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not … …

… … God revealed Himself in history first becomes clear in the development of the people of Israel as attested in the Old … …

… … acts in the course of the history of salvation have been recorded in writing. Already in the time after the Babylonian exile, that is in the centuries before Christ's birth, the writings concerning God's acts, … to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, … …

… … in the English-speaking world, the Old Testament can be divided into three groups: historical books, doctrinal … …

… … King James Version of the Bible the New Testament can be divided into the same categories as the Old … prophetical book is: The Revelation of Jesus Christ (Apocalypse) SUMMARY The author of … …

… According to Christian understanding, the principal aim of the Old Testament is to … basis of the Son of God. The old covenant is fulfilled in Christ. The incarnation of the Son of God is the most … reality is brought to expression in the statement: "Jesus Christ is the centre of the Scripture." The significance … …

… … pointing to the coming of the Messiah were fulfilled. Jesus Christ gives the exhortation: "You believe in God, believe … God as the omnipotent Creator of heaven and earth, who had made a covenant with the people of Israel. The faith that is now required also entails keeping the word of Jesus Christ (John 8: 51; 14: 23). In the old covenant, the term … …

… … of the Trinity and of the essence, or nature, of Jesus Christ ignited serious disputes. To counter this development, efforts were made to formulate creeds which … for the individual believer. Conformity to the doctrine of Christ and His Apostles served as the standard when it came … …

… … 300 Bishops accepted the emperor's invitation. Constantine regarded the now widespread Christian faith as a force … was threatened by a controversy concerning the essence of Christ ("the Arian controversy"), he was very interested in … of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father … …

… I believe in Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, our Lord, who was … by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried, … will return. The Second Article of Faith refers to Jesus Christ, the foundation and content of Christian faith. Each … …

… … O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one!" (Deuteronomy 6: 4)–remained with the people of the old … Solomon 12: 13). This profession is also firmly rooted in Christian faith, from the earliest apostolic congregations … …

… … Son, and the Holy Spirit. God reveals Himself as Creator, Redeemer, Reconciler, and Maker of the new creation. God … …

… … up from the water, He saw the heaven parting and the Spirit descending upon Him like a dove. Then a voice came from … also mentioned in the commission to baptise, which Jesus Christ gave His Apostles before His ascension into heaven … the oneness between the Son and the Father, and where Jesus Christ says: "I and My Father are one" (John 10: 30; cf. … …

… … continue to exist eternally in the beyond after physical death is of great importance to man (1 Peter 3: 19; 1 … continue to exist eternally in the beyond after physical death. This insight can help human beings to resist … …

… … world in six "days of creation". These are not to be understood as specific measures of time. The Bible relates … …

… … to God points to the fact that God became Man in Jesus Christ, the "image of the invisible God" (Colossians 1: 15). Jesus Christ is the second "Adam" (1 Corinthians 15: 45, 47), in whom the image of God becomes evident in perfect fashion. That man has been created in … …

… … Jesus had risen (Matthew 28: 5-6). Later on, the Risen One identified Himself to Mary Magdalene. He also encountered … post-Easter appearances of the Lord document that Jesus Christ is risen indeed. There are specifically named persons … was given the commission to tend the lambs and sheep of Christ, in other words, the church (John 21: 15-17). The … …

… … the world. It speaks of the beginning and the source which defines all things and from which all things emanate. This … passage makes reference to the circle of witnesses to Jesus Christ's activity on earth. The Apostles and disciples had direct fellowship with Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh (1 John 1: 1-3). The … …

… … this majestic title is also used in reference to Jesus Christ. In the epistle to the Romans, we read "that if you … but as a designation of the divine authority of Jesus Christ. That Jesus is "Lord" became an irrefutable … in Him. Apostle Paul wrote that the rule of Jesus Christ eclipses all other sovereigns–including the Roman … …

… The foremost tasks of the priests in the old covenant included bringing sacrifices to God, instructing the people … that exceeds all other priesthoods becomes manifest. Jesus Christ is not simply another high priest in the long line of Israel's high priests. Rather, in Jesus Christ there appears a High Priest upon whom the redemption … …

… Jesus Christ is without sin. Nonetheless, He allowed Himself to be … was an expression of repentance–makes it clear that Jesus Christ abased Himself and subjected Himself to the same act … before God. After His baptism the Holy Spirit descended visibly upon Jesus. In a voice from heaven, the … …

… … the Last Supper, Jesus and the Apostles went to the Garden of Gethsemane. The human nature of the Son of God … …

… … the history of salvation is the incarnation of God in Jesus Christ. The virgin Mary became pregnant by the Holy Spirit … is taken up in the New Apostolic Creed: "I believe in Jesus Christ, ... who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of … authority of the incarnate Son of God is revealed by the descending of the Spirit at Jesus' baptism in the Jordan … …

… … fill, and even renew a human being (Titus 3: 5). Jesus Christ acted in the power of the Spirit and "the power of … …

… … it is emphasised that the prophets were referring to Jesus Christ: "But those things which God foretold by the mouth of all His prophets, that the Christ would suffer, He has thus fulfilled" (Acts 3: 18). SUMMARY Jesus Christ acted in the power of the Spirit. Before His … …

… Jesus Christ also described the Holy Spirit as the "Spirit of … the Spirit of truth reveals is closely linked to Christ's nature and work. Thus He testifies of the … Son of God (1 Corinthians 12: 3). He professes that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh (1 John 4: 2), and imparts the … …

… … Holy Communion–the real presence of the body and blood of Christ–comes into being if it is supported by the power of … …

… … being prepared for baptism with water. The content of the Christian faith and how it is to affect one's lifestyle is … church creeds and the most important statements of the Christian faith. Beyond that it will describe the insights that have developed since the renewed … …

… God's incarnation in Jesus Christ is the historical self-revelation of God that … framework: "And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world … groups within the Christian community who denied that Jesus Christ had really "come in the flesh" (1 John 4: 2). John … …

… … many editions of the Bible are also known as "Apocrypha" ("hidden Scriptures"). These are Judaic writings that came … …

… … regularly from Holy Scripture, as it comforts and edifies, provides orientation and admonition, and serves to promote … Christ is the centre of Scripture. Thus even the … …

… Fundamental evidence that the Holy Spirit would, after Jesus' return to … is mine and declare it to you." With these words, Jesus Christ promised His Apostles that they would receive further … keeps alive the self-revelation of God manifested in Jesus Christ, brings it to life in the present, and points to the … …

… … attested in the Old Testament: kings and prophets were guided by the Holy Spirit (Psalm 51: 11; Ezekiel 11: … …

… … binding terms. As such, they stretch beyond confessional borders and–like Holy Baptism with water–represent a … Church professes belief in the triune God, in Jesus Christ as true God and true Man, in His birth by the virgin … and authoritative form. Thereby they transcend confessional borders and represent a binding agent between all … …

… … saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the dead, and life everlasting.The Third Article of Faith begins … It is the assembly of those who are baptised, who follow Christ in their conduct of life, and who profess Jesus … dispensation of the three sacraments to the living and the dead, as well as the proper proclamation of the word are … …

… In the Old Testament God is repeatedly described as "the Holy One" (Isaiah 43: 3; Jeremiah 50: 29; … …

… 3.2.3 The development of the doctrine of the Trinity …

… … begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him" (John 1: 14, 18). God the Father has begotten … the words: "Our Father in heaven" (Matthew 6: 9). Jesus Christ opened the way for human beings to become … …

… … not eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, He identified Himself to mankind as their Lord and lawgiver, … …

… The resurrection body of Jesus Christ is a glorious body. His resurrection did not signify … 17-44), who died again at a later point in time. The risen Christ has been permanently torn from the clutches of death: we know "that Christ, having been raised from the … …

… The teaching that Jesus Christ is true Man and true God–the doctrine of Hypostatic … Philippians 2: 6-8 the incarnation of the Son of God is described as self-abasement: "who, being in the form of God, … even to death" (Matthew 26: 38). The fact that Jesus Christ is true Man is stated in Hebrews 4: 15. At the same … …

… In Daniel 7: 13-14, the term "Son of Man" is used to denote a heavenly being who is not part of the human … Man standing at the right hand of God!" (Acts 7: 56). Jesus Christ, the Son of Man, is now back in the place from which … …

… The promise which God made to Moses was fulfilled in Jesus Christ: "I will raise up for them a prophet like you from … to their source in God: "Thus says the Lord." In Jesus Christ, God Himself speaks to mankind. According to Mark … …

… 3.4.8.3 Jesus' temptation in the wilderness …

… … high council pronounced Jesus guilty of blasphemy and condemned Him to death. The fact that He claimed to be the … Jesus and that he was a disciple of Jesus (Luke 22: 54-62). Christ also suffered on account of this denial by Peter. … the Lord did not reject Peter. After Jesus had been condemned to death, Judas Iscariot regretted his betrayal … …

… 3.5.3 Evidence of the Holy Spirit's activity in the time of the … …

… … history. The Holy Spirit strengthens the church of Christ in its endeavour to live in a manner pleasing to God and thereby prepare for the return of Christ. SUMMARY Jesus Christ, the Helper and … …

… … confers special authority upon their actions. This is demonstrated in the proper administration and dispensation … basis of Holy Scripture, in keeping alive the promise of Christ's return, and thereby in the preparation of the bride of Christ for His return. Through the Apostles of today, the … …

… … positions of Christian faith, which are valid across denominational borders, come to expression in the chapter on … the belief in God, the Son, who became human in Jesus Christ, who died and resurrected from the dead, as well as … is in the fellowship of the baptised, who believe in Jesus Christ and profess Him as their Lord. Chapter 6 describes … …

… … Spirit in recent times, which are imparted to the church of Christ through the Apostle ministry. The deeper insights into His plan of salvation, which are … a reference to the unique self-revelation of God in Jesus Christ, to maintain awareness of it, and to point to … …

… … of the mission and activity of Jesus and His Apostles handed down in the gospels and the Acts. Letters from the … by commission of their Sender. In the Revelation of Jesus Christ, the prophetical book of the New Testament, Jesus Christ admonishes His church in various ways, comforts them … …

… … or view of the world, but rather to a more or less well-founded conviction, in other words, something held to be … Holy Spirit has been made accessible to mankind by Jesus Christ. Fundamental statements about faith are recorded in … …

… Jesus Christ made it clear that faith in Him and His gospel is … Through the rebirth out of water and the Spirit, Jesus Christ opens up the way for human beings to attain childhood … …

… … Faith that follow represent an interpretation and further development of, as well as a complement to, these creeds as … This was done in order to reflect the proper and timely development of the New Apostolic doctrine of faith. … Creed came to propagate belief in the triune God, in Jesus Christ as the incarnate God, in His sacrificial death, in … …

… … This article starts off by mentioning the rule of Jesus Christ: it is He who rules His church because "He is the … its task "until His [Jesus'] return". That which Jesus Christ effects through His Apostles–which can be … applies to the proper proclamation of the gospel of the death, resurrection, and return of the Lord. A further … …

… … He does, in heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all deep places." God's omnipotence is also clearly shown to … also be an expression of God's omnipotence. Jesus Christ also spoke of the omnipotence of God: "With God all … …

… Christians profess the one triune God. Each of the divine … "Son", and "Holy Spirit" are not merely names that designate various modes of being and revelation of God. … Spirit is entirely in the Father, entirely in the Son. Christians profess that all acts of God in creation, … …

… …

… Professing Jesus Christ as the Son of God is one of the fundamentals of … in the Second Article of Faith–"I believe in Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, our Lord"–expresses … content of this belief: "We believe ... in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father … …

… The Old Testament already provides references to the coming Messiah, Saviour, and … of the epistle to the Hebrews sees a reference to Jesus Christ in the acts of the royal priest Melchizedek, who … throughout their history. Apostle Paul expressly attests to Christ's presence during their wandering through the desert: … …

… … and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel." Jesus Christ is thus the One in whom God is directly present and … to the Servant of the Lord were fulfilled in Jesus Christ (Isaiah 42: 1). In the New Testament, "Son of … 1: 1). This signifies that the promises which had been made to David were fulfilled in the Son of … …

… … on, the kingdom of God was personally present in Jesus Christ (Luke 17: 21). The fundamental content of the … is the grace, love, and reconciliation manifested in Jesus Christ. He is the Son of God and He came to destroy the works of the Devil, to redeem mankind from the … …

… The Jews led Jesus to the residence of Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor, a place … …

… Before His return to the Father, Jesus Christ announced to His Apostles the coming of the Holy … was to be imparted to His own. Jesus stated that His departure from this world was a prerequisite for the coming … dispensation of Holy Spirit as a gift only occurred after Christ had been glorified through His death, resurrection, … …

… … publications of our Church in terms of both language and development of the contents of faith. Our bond with the … of the early church creeds. The path to salvation in Christ is described in accordance with the stipulations of … …

… I believe that those designated by God for a ministry are ordained only by … In the church of Christ there are also various other functions which aid in … The term "ministration" is understood as service to Jesus Christ and the congregation. The ordination to a spiritual … …

… … Unlike the material world, which is subject to time, God defines time in a sovereign manner. He grants time and can … …

… 3.4.5 Jesus Christ–the Redeemer …

… All four gospels handed down to us in writing give account of the miraculous … are events of revelation in that they serve to manifest Christ's glory (John 2: 11) and His divine authority (John … of the sick drew attention to the divine nature of Jesus Christ, who acted exactly as God had described Himself to … …

… 3.4.9.5 Jesus' crucifixion and sacrificial death …

… Holy Scripture provides abundant testimony of the Holy Spirit, the Spirit … the "Spirit of truth" (John 16: 13), the "Spirit of [Jesus] Christ" (Romans 8: 9; Philippians 1: 19), the "Spirit of His … …

… … was present in the early Christian congregations. Jesus Christ had promised and sent the Holy Spirit to His disciples as a Helper and Comforter. The church is described as the "house of God", "dwelling place of God", or … …

… … adopted into the fellowship of those who believe in Jesus Christ and profess Him as their Lord. The Sixth Article of Faith deals with Holy Baptism with water. It brings to expression … God's love and care, human beings share in the sacrifice of Christ and in His power that overcomes sin. This becomes … …

… … this historical act, but ultimately to all mankind in Jesus Christ: "For God so loved the world that He gave His only … …

… "Majestic titles" refer to names and designations for the Son of God by which Holy Scripture … …

… … Jesus used many parables and in so doing employed a wide range of imagery from the daily lives of His listeners. … Son of Man. The kingdom of God is present in Jesus Christ In the parable of the mustard seed, Jesus … of God. In the parable of the leaven, He made it clear that Christ would permeate all things in the end (Matthew 13: … …

… … Testament references to Jesus' suffering and sacrificial death …

… … brought, fully valid sacrifice, and bitter suffering and death of Christ. The worthy partaking of Holy Communion establishes … brought, fully valid sacrifice, and bitter suffering and death of Christ". To begin with, the sacrament commemorates … …

… … forgives their sins. Apostle Paul attests that "God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself" (2 Corinthians 5: … In the new covenant it is He who, through Jesus Christ, grants sinners justification which they did not earn … …

… … and ruling. Priests performed sacrificial services in order to effect reconciliation between man and God. Prophets … of these can be found in perfect fashion in Jesus Christ. …

… … authority for Israel. Its observance and fulfilment were considered the key to the relationship between mankind and … …

… 3.4.9.7 Jesus' references to His suffering and death …

… … for becoming a firstling. The Eighth Article of Faith deals with Holy Sealing or the Baptism of the Spirit, namely … all the sacraments and aligning one's life by the return of Christ, in accordance with the proper proclamation of the … for attaining it. If the believer strives for the day of Christ, he can belong to the bridal congregation, or the … …

… … perfect. He requires no improvement, change, or any further development. He is the Unchangeable One and is free from all … 1). God's perfection can be directly experienced in Jesus Christ, "the author and finisher of our faith" (Hebrews 12: 2) because He is perfect in His speech and conduct. Jesus Christ is the example and teacher of that perfection for … …

… The gospels attest to the life and activity of Jesus Christ. However, the Evangelists did not provide this account as biographers. Rather they bore … in His person. The essential elements of the profession to Christ are founded upon the testimony of Jesus in the New … …

… In order to spread the gospel, Jesus selected twelve Apostles … the Apostles remained with Him and professed that He is the Christ. To them He gave an example of humble service when … the entire old covenant–refers to Him. He had come in order to fulfil it. … …

… 3.4.9.8 References to Jesus' sacrificial death in the letters of the Apostles …

… … believe that the Lord Jesus will return as surely as He ascended into heaven and that He will take to Himself the … in the Second and Third Articles of Faith (the return of Christ, the resurrection of the dead, life everlasting). The … Article of Faith. Associated with the return of Jesus Christ is the fact that the Lord will "take to Himself the … …

… 3.4.9 Jesus' passion and sacrificial death …

… The core of the gospel is Jesus Christ who, through His death on the cross and His … 1: 18 demonstrate a conflicting understanding of Christ's death on the cross: "For the message of the cross is … …

… … believe that I am obliged to obey the worldly authorities provided no godly laws are thereby transgressed. The … to the standard by which such obedience is justified: "provided no godly laws are thereby transgressed". Not even … Second Article of Faith speaks of Jesus Christ, the foundation and content of Christian faith. … …

… 3.4.10 Jesus Christ's activity in the realm of the dead …

… The resurrection of Jesus Christ is an act of the triune God, which occurred in a … who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal … dwells in you" (Romans 8: 11). The resurrection of Jesus Christ occurred without any human witness to the event. … …

… Forty days after His resurrection, Jesus Christ ascended from among the circle of His Apostles into … days after His resurrection, Jesus Christ ascended to God, His Father, in heaven, out of the circle of … …

… Jesus Christ has returned to the Father, however, He also is … end of the age" (Matthew 28: 20). The Holy Spirit glorifies Christ (John 16: 14) and attests to His presence in the … Paul variously uses the image of the "body of Christ" to represent the church. For example, Christ is … …

… According to Ephesians 1: 20-23, Christ has been set as the head above all "principality and … (see [deeplink:cat:02583331-f10d-43fd-884c-84588ce0af7c]) Christ is the firstborn of all creation: "For by Him all … the world (Hebrews 1: 2). As the head of the creation, Christ leads mankind, who has become mired in sin, "from the … …

… The promise of Jesus Christ's return is a central element of New Testament … come again and take His own unto Himself from among the dead and the living. This event is not the Last Judgement, … he makes concrete statements on the resurrection of the dead in Christ and the transformation of the living on the … …

… … has revealed Himself in a unique way in His Son Jesus Christ. In order to ensure that this revelation would always be kept … Trinity of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. At the return of Christ, God's revelation to those who will then be caught up … …

… … one of the prerequisites for belonging to a respective denomination of faith: one thus believes the same things all other members of this denomination profess. A denomination thus defines itself by its creed, and thereby … …

… … From the perspective of the New Testament, Apostle Paul declares that the Son of God was already present when the … to recognise God as triune. In John 16: 13-15, Jesus Christ underlines the workings of the trinity of God: that … also belongs to the Father, and that which the Holy Spirit declares, He takes from the Father and the Son. The triune … …

… 4 Mankind in need of redemption …

… The church of Jesus Christ has been established on earth by the Lord Himself. In it salvation is made accessible to human beings. In it human beings bring … …

… Generally a "ministry" is understood to be a function or official position which is … for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ" (Ephesians 4: 12). The problem arises in that the … …

… … They are holy acts that are performed upon a human being in order to allow him to attain salvation, be adopted into the … possibility for being united with the Lord at the return of Christ.Salvation in the sacraments is founded upon the incarnation, sacrificial death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, as well as the sending and activity of the Holy … …

… 9 Life after death …

… … key statements are recorded in the Revelation of Jesus Christ, which speaks of future things in figurative terms. … …

… 11 From the history of Christianity …

… 13 New Apostolic Christians and their life of faith …

… The origin of evil within the order of creation cannot be rationally grasped or explained. … …

… The doctrine of sin and mankind's need for redemption is based on Holy Scripture's account of the fall … …

… … is clearly shown in the words of the Son of God when He defended His disciples who, by the interpretation of the … …

… … in salvation history is the incarnation of God in Jesus Christ, His sacrifice on the cross, His resurrection, and … preparing the bridal congregation for the return of Jesus Christ. This will be followed by the activity of salvation … …

… … call forth individual human beings or groups for a purpose determined by Him, thereby making them accountable to … …

… By "blessing" we understand God's loving care. Blessing is synonymous with … …

… … righteousness which is valid before God comes from faith in Christ's sacrifice and resurrection. Divine grace stands … …

… … is understood as the saving activity of God in Jesus Christ, from His birth to His death on the cross, to His … to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and … 15: 3-5). Thus the gospel brings to expression Jesus Christ's deed of salvation, which nothing can ever … …

… Belief in God has a decisive effect on the life of an individual as a whole. … in battle against sin. The greatest example is Jesus Christ, the author and finisher of our faith. He was one … and abide in His love" (John 15: 10). Thus Jesus Christ is the author of eternal salvation for all those who … …

… … relationships with one another. God's commandments are to guide us to "love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, … nations are to be blessed, that God sends His Son, Jesus Christ, as the highest expression of His love for the world (John 3: 16). Jesus Christ also refers to the outstanding significance that God … …

… … displeases Him. From them, specific instructions can be derived which demonstrate how the love for God and one's neighbour commanded by Jesus Christ is to be implemented in daily life. In the Ten … …

… The word "church" is derived from the Greek kyriake ("belonging to the Lord"). … of faith. Those human beings who belong to the church of Christ have been called forth by God for eternal fellowship … is the divine service. In the midst of the church, Jesus Christ prepares His bridal congregation through Apostles for … …

… On the one hand, the purpose of the church of Jesus Christ is to make salvation and eternal fellowship with the … …

… Everything that church is and will ever be is founded upon the word, work, and nature of Jesus. Jesus Christ is true God and true Man, and thus exhibits two … remains unfathomable. Likewise, the nature of the church of Christ is unfathomable: it is also a mystery, it also has a … …

… Salvation is accessible in the church of Jesus Christ, which has been established by the Lord Himself on … its spiritual nature and perfection, the church of Christ remains concealed, and can only be grasped in faith. … its nature the church reflects the dual nature of Jesus Christ. His divine nature is concealed while His human … …

… In its historical manifestation, the church of Jesus Christ will not completely live up to the commandment of … interpretations of the one gospel, the one Holy Scripture. Despite these differences, the church of Christ does not … of her Lord, all the means required for this are available, despite all imperfections. The redemption work of the Lord … …

… … issued through ordination for service in the church of Christ. It is exercised in the power of the Holy … ministry is assigned by a superior, in other words, the sender. The one who is sent is responsible and accountable … his ministerial mandate. Ministry is always linked to Jesus Christ and the Apostles sent by Him (see … …

… The spiritual ministry is founded upon the sending of Jesus Christ by the Father. Jesus is King, Priest, and Prophet … the ministry for His church. The church of Jesus Christ was revealed in its historical manifestation on … …

… Holy Scripture does not have a uniform definition for the word "ministry", nor does it expound upon … …

… The word "Apostle" derives from the Greek apóstolos which means "ambassador" in the New Testament. Jesus Christ Himself directly gave His church only one ministry, … is to build the church and make redemption in Jesus Christ accessible to human beings who long for salvation. … …

… 7.5 The development of the ministries from the Apostle ministry …

… From its beginnings, the New Apostolic Church has understood itself as a church of ministry. It is a church … …

… … and sanctification issue forth from the Apostle ministry in order to equip ministers for their work in the … vow before the Apostle to remain faithful to God and follow Christ, and promises obedience of faith. In principle, … …

… … and the ministers is a prerequisite for blessed development within the congregation. In order to build and … …

… … of proclaiming and advocating the unadulterated gospel of Christ. He provides care to the members of the congregation entrusted … minister is a servant of God. He provides pastoral care to the members of the congregation … …

… … triune God bestowed on a human being who believes in Jesus Christ. Through it, original sin is washed away and the … Baptism with water, the baptised shares in the merit Jesus Christ acquired for mankind through His sacrificial death. Thereby a human being is led into his first close … …

… … brought, fully valid sacrifice, and bitter suffering and death of Christ. The worthy partaking of Holy Communion establishes our fellowship with Jesus Christ, our Lord. It is celebrated with unleavened bread and … …

… … is both a physical and a spiritual being. Holy Scripture understands the human being as an entity comprised of … …

… 9.2 Death …

… … Testament, the continued life of the soul after physical death is already suggested by formulations such as being … clearer testimony concerning life after physical death (Luke 9: 30-31, 1 Peter 3: 19-20, and Revelation 6: … Christ has conquered death and thereby granted human beings … …

… … refers to all realms, events, and conditions that exist outside of the material world. In a narrower sense this term … 15).In His parable of the rich man and poor Lazarus, Jesus Christ referred to the bosom of Abraham, an image of … impossible to bridge in the old covenant.Through His merit, Christ, the "firstfruits" in the resurrection (1 Corinthians … …

… … to, or remoteness from, God, and therefore varies greatly. Death has not brought about any change to the condition of … beyond. In 1 Thessalonians 4: 16 we read of the "dead in Christ". These are souls who were reborn of water and the … through Holy Communion, will continue after their death. Together with the faithful on earth, they belong to … …

… 9.6 Help for the departed …

… … the Second Article of Faith professes: "I believe in Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, our Lord, who ... ascended into heaven. He is seated at the right hand of God, … "I believe that the Lord Jesus will return as surely as He ascended into heaven and that He will take to Himself the … …

… The marriage of the Lamb follows directly after the bride has been caught up to heaven. The image of the … 29). The book of Revelation makes frequent reference to Christ as the Lamb. Revelation 5: 12 expresses that the … is both the Triumphant and Victorious One. The crucified Christ is the returning Lord, the bridegroom (see … …

… … of salvation is on this earth, the earthly creation remains under the special protection of God (Revelation 7: 3). After the return of Christ, a time will begin in which both mankind and the … be exposed to the power of Satan. Everything will suffer under the circumstances associated with this. This period … …

… … "with power and great glory" (Matthew 24: 29-30). Jesus Christ will then reveal His divine power on earth for all to … will be bound for "a thousand years", so that "he should deceive the nations no more" (Revelation 20: 1-3). After … …

… … is those who will be caught up to God at the return of Christ, and the martyrs from the great tribulation–are … to the "order" in the resurrection of the dead: "But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the … have fallen asleep. ... For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. But each one in his own … …

… After the conclusion of the first resurrection, Christ will establish His kingdom of peace on earth. Then the rule of Jesus Christ as King will be manifested without restriction. He is … been lifted. People will continue to be born and to die. Death will not yet have been suspended (Revelation 20: 14; … …

… According to the great commission given by Jesus Christ, it is the task of the Apostles to go into all the world in order to proclaim the gospel and make disciples of all human … …

… 11.2 Christianity after the death of the early Apostles …

… … Henry Drummond (1786-1860) invited representatives of the "Students of Prophecy" to his country estate in Albury in … the original fullness of the Holy Spirit and the return of Christ. In Scotland, believers of various denominations … …

… … the divine service. The prenatal blessing is dispensed outside of the divine service. During the dispensation of … …

… The death of a loved one causes pain and grief for the bereaved. … This comfort consists primarily of hope in the return of Christ, the resurrection of the dead in Christ associated with it, and the future reunion with them … …

… The accounts of Jesus' conduct allow us to understand the significance of pastoral care. Without regard … does not want to lose any of them (John 17: 12). Jesus Christ's words and deeds are the perfect model for pastoral … that ministers have the task of "tending" the flock of Christ and of preparing them for the return of the Chief … …

… … salvation. These events are commemorated with reverence and gratitude. The New Apostolic Church celebrates the … …

… In many religions, prayers are an expression of devotion to a higher being. Praying is generally considered an expression of devoutness. Christians understand prayer as an opportunity given by God … …

… … to offer and sacrifice" refers to a person's inner desire to employ his powers and gifts for the benefit of … …

… Marriage is the lifelong union between a man and woman desired by God, upon which His blessing rests. It also forms … …

… … human beings find themselves result in various necessary modes of conduct. For Christians, the basis for fulfilling these obligations is … …

… In the New Apostolic Church the gospel of Christ is proclaimed. This proclamation includes the call for believers to follow Jesus and His … …

… Evil is a power that stems from the desire for independence from God and the desire to be "like God". This power completely changes those … …

… … followers is limited, and has already been broken by Jesus Christ's sacrificial death. Jesus Christ has been given "all authority in heaven and on earth" … …

… … consequence of the fall into sin, man was driven out of the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3: 23-24). Now that human beings … …

… … good", that is to say perfect (Genesis 1: 31). Man was made regent of the visible creation. Thus man bears … …

… … made to God (Deuteronomy 23: 22), refusal to believe in Christ (John 16: 9), as well as avarice, envy, and the … as corresponds to the mind and spirit of the gospel of Christ, and as revealed by the Holy Spirit. By no means may … …

… … against an individual who has committed a sin. The magnitude of guilt incurred can only be measured by … beings from sin, and free them from guilt. The sacrifice of Christ, the epitome of divine salvific activity, serves to … …

… … old covenant, the hope of salvation revolved mainly around deliverance from earthly affliction and captivity. In this … people of Israel experienced God's salvation through their deliverance from Egyptian slavery. Then God gave His … focused more and more clearly on the expected Messiah, on deliverance from the enslaving power of sin: "O Israel, hope … …

… … was geared toward the birth of the Son of God, Jesus Christ: "But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as … …

… Through fellowship with Jesus Christ in word and sacrament, believers today experience salvation by being prepared for the return of Christ, which will enable them to share in the glory of God. … has been reoccupied in order to attain salvation in Christ in the current stage of the divine plan of salvation … …

… … of Solomon 2: 23: "For God created man to be immortal, and made him to be an image of his own eternity." In the course … earth (Genesis 6: 1-8), He promised to deliver Noah. Noah made this election sure by doing all that God commanded him … …

… … among His disciples and sent them to all the nations in order to teach and baptise (Matthew 28: 19-20; Luke 6: 13). … …

… … or rejected in unbelief.No one can earn election through deeds, much less lay claim to it. It cannot be explained by … those who have been baptised and who profess Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour are called and elected to … firstlings. It is from this group that the bride of Christ is prepared in order to comprise the royal priesthood … …

… … of blessing given to Israel was part of the covenant God made with His chosen people. This blessing was contingent on … this blessing became accessible to all nations in Jesus Christ (Galatians 3: 14). …

… … new covenant, divine blessing was imparted through Jesus Christ. The Lord blessed through His word, through His … mankind. He thereby took upon Himself the curse which had burdened sinners. The blessing which is made accessible through Jesus Christ can be understood in a comprehensive way. Thus we … …

… … of Moses (the Torah). Essential elements of the Mosaic Law include the Ten Commandments and the double commandment of … complete reconciliation with God, was established in Jesus Christ. The New Testament exposes what the Mosaic Law is all … …

… 4.7.2 The law as a guide to righteous conduct …

… 4.7.3 The law as a guide for recognising sin …

… … unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture says, 'Whoever … which was only revealed by the gospel of Jesus Christ: "... since there is one God who will justify the … lead to life and to the overcoming of sin, Apostle Paul made it very clear that it merely led to the recognition of … …

… Human beings are justified through faith in Jesus Christ. Thus the works they perform do nothing to contribute to their sanctification and justification: "Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the … is always understood as God's salvific activity in Jesus Christ. … …

… … of the love that God directs toward mankind, believers develop the desire to reciprocate this love (1 John 4: 19). … …

… … yourself" (Leviticus 19: 16-18). The Mosaic Law primarily defines neighbours as members of the people of Israel. It … who are disadvantaged in one way or another. Followers of Christ are not only called upon to practise neighbourly love … earthly matters, but also to refer others to the gospel of Christ. This is love "in deed and in truth" (1 John 3: 18). … …

… … have love for one another" (John 13: 34-35). The love of Christ's followers for one another is thus also an identifying feature of the Lord's congregation. The … mankind in the sending of His Son and in the sacrifice of Christ, and concludes the following: "Beloved, if God so … …

… …

… … it holy. The Third Commandment is an exhortation to set aside one day of the week in order to worship God, … …

… … does not contain any kind of prohibition, but rather demonstrates the mode of conduct that is pleasing to God. It … …

… You shall not murder. …

… … with Himself. Through sin, mankind had fallen prey to death. God wishes to redeem human beings from this condition … salvation which would later be carried out in the church of Christ: God inclines Himself to mankind, cares for and … tradition understands the ark as an image for the church of Christ. The covenant with Noah included all human beings. … …

… … on which it is based, has its origin in the person and deed of Jesus Christ, who both is and brings salvation. "But when the … on which church is based, has its source in the person and deed of Jesus Christ. The incarnation of God in Jesus Christ … …

… The New Testament does not provide a self-contained doctrine of the church. There are, … …

… … of the church is based on the historicity of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ lived as true Man among mankind: "That which was from … we have looked upon, and our hands have handled ... we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; … …

… … name, and to baptise with water and Holy Spirit." Jesus Christ rules His church. In the time of its founding–as in … felt. The Apostle ministry has been given for the church of Christ as a whole. Its commission is to work its way into … both non-Christians and the baptised who believe in Jesus Christ and profess Him as their Lord, to be baptised with … …

… … through the grace of God, be incorporated into the body of Christ. Holy Baptism has been entrusted to the church as a … The Apostles also dispense the three sacraments to the departed. The sacrament of Holy Communion is celebrated in … The Apostles also dispense the three sacraments to the departed. … …

… … "I believe that the Lord Jesus will return as surely as he ascended into heaven and that He will take unto Himself the … according to its own profession awaits the return of Jesus Christ, is also future-oriented. The praise of God and … "forever and ever" (Revelation 22: 3-5). At the time of Christ's return, church will be manifest as it is, in all … …

… An appointment is the assignment of a firmly defined task. It is not to be equated with an ordination. … appointment is the assignment of a firmly defined task. It is not to be equated with ordination. An … …

… … the present-day sense–was only established by Jesus Christ, however, there are already references to the … king–his significance for salvation history also becomes evident in the fact that Jesus is described as the "Son of … as references to the coming, "higher ministry" which Jesus Christ bears. The central ministry in the Old Testament is … …

… … of the Old Testament was already an allusion to Jesus Christ. Everything that had been laid down in the ministry … of the sacraments. In this manner, His sacrifice of redemption can be made accessible to human beings (Matthew … the sending of Jesus Christ was aimed at effecting redemption through His death and resurrection, the sending … …

… Jesus Christ equipped the Apostle ministry with extensive powers. The Apostle is an ambassador of Jesus Christ and acts in His name. The characteristics and … the Apostle ministry have their source in the ministries of Christ–King, Priest, and Prophet (see … …

… From among His disciples, Jesus Christ chose twelve men and appointed them as Apostles (Mark … to the "lost sheep of the house of Israel" and expressly forbade them to go to the Samaritans and Gentiles. He gave … Apostles, which took place after the resurrection of Jesus Christ, His commission to them opened a new, higher, and … …

… … already suggested prior to this event: Peter was designated as the "rock" and was given the authority of the … Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God" (John 6: 68-69). Peter was the one whom Jesus Christ asked the question: "Do you love Me?" Three times … …

… … resolved. This makes it clear: together the Apostles made decisions which had far-reaching effects. Also … was to proclaim the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ (Acts 13: 26-41; 17: 1-4). They fought against … the Apostle ministry and the proclamation of the return of Christ. SUMMARY Jesus Christ ordained twelve … …

… … to be His witnesses to the end of the earth (Acts 1: 8). In order to fulfil this extensive commission, Jesus also sends … …

… The New Testament relates the death of Apostle James (Acts 12: 2). There is no information … Nevertheless, the Holy Spirit was also active after the death of the early Apostles (see … …

… … the time for the final gathering and preparation of the bride of Christ had come. Thus the Apostle ministry is occupied by … the return of the Lord, during which He prepares His bride. Between the Apostle ministry of early Christianity … …

… The apostolate is defined by the ministries of Chief Apostle, District … …

… … important references to the work of the Apostles can be derived from the words and deeds of Jesus: Christ gave the Apostles the authority to "bind and loose" … 22: 14, 19-20). The Apostles are ambassadors for Jesus Christ (John 13: 20; 20: 21). Through the Holy Spirit, … …

… … have received their ministry and commission from Jesus Christ. They work in accordance with the will of their Sender and are completely dependent upon Him. In accordance … serve as examples to the church and lead them in following Christ (1 Corinthians 11: 1). …

… The authority of the Apostle ministry derives from the calling of the Apostles by Jesus Christ and from the powers which the Lord has laid into this … …

… … of the Apostles' work is to edify the Lord's work of redemption and lead it to its completion. The fellowship of … apostolate has been given for the entire church of Christ. Its task is to offer salvation in Jesus Christ to human beings (Acts 13: 47). Salvation is only … …

… Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is the head of His church. In this … and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. And I will give you the … and His church. The ministry of the rock and the church of Christ have been given to mankind for salvation in Jesus … …

… … and spiritually equipping the ministers within a defined working area (District Apostle district). Moreover … …

… … sins, and consecrate and dispense Holy Communion.The high demands on the priestly ministers are derived from Malachi … …

… The diaconal ministry is discharged by Deacons and Sub-deacons. The word "Deacon" has its source in the Greek and signifies "servant". Deacons help in various ways in the congregation. It is … …

… 8.1.1 Definition of the term …

… … referenced in various passages of the Mosaic Law can be regarded as precursors to baptism with water. They led to a … …

… … in salvation. It is the first step on the way to complete redemption. Hence, Holy Baptism with water opens the way to … …

… … times on the forehead of the person being baptised, and–under laying on of hands–baptises him in the name of God, … Holy Spirit. The sign of the cross symbolises salvation in Christ and the redemption He effected through His … …

… … prerequisite is the believer's profession of faith in Jesus Christ and His gospel. When children are baptised, the … of the children, must profess their faith in Jesus Christ and vow to raise the baptised child in accordance … based upon the insight that the blessings of God should be made available to them. They too require the grace of the … …

… … Holy Baptism with water, a person who believes in Jesus Christ and professes Him is incorporated into the church of … regularly in Holy Communion. The baptised shares in the death of Jesus Christ and in His new life. Seen in a … into Christ's activity of redemption such that Christ's death on Golgotha also becomes the "death" of the baptised: … …

… Although Holy Baptism with water and Holy Sealing are interdependent, they are two distinct sacraments. The book … …

… … Holy Baptism with water, the believer vows to earnestly endeavour to avoid sin and to lead a life of following Christ. The kind of following to which the baptised are … …

… 8.2.1 Designations for the sacrament …

… … affiliation with Holy Communion. In retrospect, they can be understood as references to the sacrament established by Jesus Christ. From them it is clear just how closely the old and … epistle to the Hebrews interprets as a reference to Jesus Christ–blessed Abram and also brought him bread and wine … …

… The gospels attest that Jesus Christ ate and drank with sinners. In contrast to the … with those who, in accordance with the Mosaic Law, were considered unclean and who were therefore excluded from … the kingdom of God which has drawn near to mankind in Jesus Christ. Beyond the satisfaction of physical hunger, these … …

… … from the tenth plague to come upon Egypt, namely the death of the firstborn (Exodus 12). God commanded that the … firstborn of the Israelites. This is a reference to Jesus Christ as the "Lamb of God" who was sacrificed: "Behold! The … the sacrifice of Christ, and to deliverance from eternal death. …

… Already before Jesus Christ established Holy Communion in the presence of His … eternal life ... He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in Him" (John 6: 54, 56). The Synoptic Gospels relate that Jesus Christ shared a meal together with His Apostles on the Feast … …

… In 1 Corinthians 11: 17-32 we find evidence of the celebration of Holy Communion and of Jesus' … Whoever drinks from this cup receives the blood of Jesus Christ, that is to say the Lord Himself. The conclusion of … the importance of the proclamation of the unique event of Christ's death as well as the importance of His return. The … …

… … and the related miracles of the Old and New Testaments demonstrate that God is concerned with the human being as a … the occasion of the Passover feast, Jesus Christ shared in a meal with His Apostles. In the process He … …

… … of remembrance because it first of all commemorates the death of Jesus Christ as a unique event which is valid for all times. The … that Jesus Christ is true Man who had to suffer real death. It also recalls the situation at the institution of … …

… … profession of the death, resurrection, and return of Jesus Christ is part of the fundamental profession of the … …

… … authority by means of a seal. It documents authenticity. Confidential documents are closed with a seal. Owners … the Holy Spirit: "Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God, who also has sealed us … as a guarantee" (2 Corinthians 1: 21-22). "In Him [Christ] you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, … …

… … also has its foundation in the life and activity of Jesus Christ. Concerning Him–the Son of Man–John 6: 27 states … Jordan, John the Baptist also testified: "I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and He remained upon … heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him." The … …

… In His farewell discourses, Jesus Christ repeatedly promised to send His Apostles the Holy … the Pentecost sermon, when those who had come to believe in Christ asked him what they should do, Peter answered: … gift of the Holy Spirit directly to non-baptised souls in order to show Apostle Peter that salvation was now also … …

… … hands the Holy Spirit was given" (Acts 8: 18). In this incident, the sacraments of Holy Baptism with water and Holy … …

… …

… … to believe in the triune God and the Apostles sent by Jesus Christ. Prior to this he must have been baptised with water … He must profess his faith and vow to follow Christ. In the Lord's work of redemption, he will then be prepared for the imminent return of Christ. Holy Sealing is dispensed to both adults and … …

… … of the gospel, and aligning one's life by the return of Christ. The "Spirit of adoption" whose activity begins to … believer becomes an heir of God and a joint heir with Christ. He is called to suffer with Christ, and receives the promise that he will be glorified … …

… Already at the time of the old covenant, there is evidence of the belief that it is possible to perform good … of the dead has always been a fundamental component of Christian teaching. Associated with it is also the … …

… 9.6.2 The participation of the dead in Christ …

… 9.6.3 Imparting salvation to the departed …

… In His farewell discourses, Jesus Christ gave His Apostles the promise of His return: "And if … but only God alone, knows the day or the hour of Jesus Christ's return. The Son of God repeatedly admonishes … 42; cf. Luke 21: 36). Through parables, the Son of God made it clear that one should at all times be vigilant in … …

… The events at the return of Christ are described in various letters of Apostle Paul: 1 … an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain … …

… … commission of the Apostles is to prepare the church of Christ for the reunion with Jesus Christ at His return, in accordance with the words of … 11: 2). The "chaste virgin" is a reference to the "bride", an image for the eschatological community of the … …

… … 270/288, died 337) proclaimed freedom of religion for the Christians. In the years AD 380/381, the Christian religion … the stoning of Stephen grew into waves of persecution which made martyrs of many believers. It was the concern of the … …

… In AD 380/381, Emperor Theodosius made Christianity the state religion of the Roman Empire and … all pagan religions. During the great Migration Period, Christianity in Europe grew stronger and spread to many … …

… … from the gospel led to widespread secularisation of the Christian church, which entailed ever increasing moral … like the French merchant Peter Waldo, also called Pierre de Vaux (died before 1218), the English theologian John … …

… … form of the gospel and for guidance by the Holy Spirit defined a movement in Europe which is described by the term … rather grants His grace to the sinner who believes in Jesus Christ. Luther came into conflict with the Roman Church … He argued that the Bible, with its witness to Jesus Christ, should be the sole basis for doctrine. Luther … …

… … renewal and reinforced the power of the papacy. The Popes endeavoured to regain Protestant territories for … and missionary engagement, and a strong focus on Jesus Christ's activity as Redeemer. Emphasis on the importance … …

… … the gospel and the related Christian hope for the return of Christ became louder and louder. In the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, … …

… 11.3.1 The development of a church led by Apostles …

… … however. Yet the longing for the preparation of the bride of Christ by the Apostles, and the expectation of their sending … …

… … In opposition to this, the prophet Heinrich Geyer and the leader of the Hamburg congregation, Friedrich Wilhelm … newly formed community called itself the Allgemeine Christliche apostolische Mission ("General Christian … Apostles Schwartz and Menkhoff, he took on the function of leader. His most important concern was the oneness among the … …

… … God and mankind. The various forms of divine service developed over a long period of time. Again and again, God … Holy Scripture. This is one of the sources of the later Christian form of divine service. SUMMARY … God and mankind. The various forms of divine service developed over a long period of time. … …

… The incarnation of Jesus Christ marked the beginning of a completely new dimension of … in the divine service of the synagogue, and helped define it. Beyond that He acted as a teacher who preached … and deeds already contained that which would later come to define Christian divine service: word and … …

… 12.1.4 Further development of Christian divine service …

… … present in the early church are still today among the definitive characteristics present when the congregation … is intended to strengthen hope in the imminent return of Christ and to prepare the believers for the appearing of the … …

… … in the divine services. This proclamation of the word is described as the "sermon". The necessity of God's word for … …

… … Father in heaven. This prayer of the Son of God has been handed down in one version containing five pleas (Luke 11: … …

… … thanks to the grace of God. His love for sinful mankind is demonstrated in the incarnation of God in Jesus Christ and in His death on the cross. This perfect, … unto you the glad tidings: in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God, your sins are forgiven. … …

… … sacraments allows believers to partake in the salvation and redemption made possible by Jesus Christ's incarnation, sacrificial death, and resurrection … partake in God's act of salvation effected by Jesus Christ, which becomes accessible through the sacrament. At … …

… … the mother in promoting and cultivating the prenatal development of her child in terms of its faith. The blessing … do a great deal to contribute to the beneficial prenatal development of her child by consciously involving the … …

… … is that act of blessing in which young New Apostolic Christians take upon themselves the obligations which their parents undertook on their behalf at their baptism and sealing. From then on, these Christians, who have reached the age of spiritual majority, … …

… Marriage is the lifelong union of two people of opposite genders, as desired by God. It is based on an act of free … …

… 12.2.4 Dedication of church buildings …

… … Lord commands parents to instruct their children about His deeds and ordinances. This is part of a conscientious … so that the children can grow up as convinced New Apostolic Christians. This objective is also supported by children's … …

… Every New Apostolic Christian is offered personal pastoral care. This care is modelled on the example given by Jesus. For example, He … responsibility, which is incumbent upon every New Apostolic Christian, is respected and encouraged. It goes without … …

… … of a clergyman. This is subject to a strict obligation of confidentiality. No confession is needed for the … …

… 12.4.5 Support in death and grieving …

… 12.5.1 Christmas …

… … Good Friday, we commemorate the crucifixion and sacrificial death of Jesus Christ. Since His sacrifice, suffering, and death are of central importance to the history of salvation, … …

… This feast is a commemoration of the fact that Jesus Christ resurrected from the dead. The resurrection of Jesus Christ took place on the first day of the week, on Sunday. … …

… Jesus Christ referred to His return to the Father in various ways … "I believe that the Lord Jesus will return as sure as he ascended to heaven." …

… … Spirit was revealed and as the "birthday of the church of Christ". The sending of the Holy Spirit–fifty days after … miracle of Pentecost, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, is recorded in Acts 2: 1 et seq. The Apostles and the believers … the Holy Spirit, Apostle Peter, the rock appointed by Jesus Christ, preached a powerful sermon which centred on the … …

… … Sunday–a divine service is held in which gratitude is expressed for God's faithfulness to His … …

… … corresponds to that of regular divine services that include the celebration of Holy Communion. Beyond that, it may include Bible readings that deal with the respective event … …

… … 26: "Then men began to call on the name of the Lord." This demonstrates a fundamental characteristic that has been … …

… … between man and God changed fundamentally through Jesus Christ. On the basis of this new relationship with God, the … the necessary watchfulness in view of the coming of Jesus Christ. …

… … gospel of Luke relates that Jesus prayed especially before decisive events: before the Holy Spirit descended upon Him … all may be one" (John 17: 20-21)–demonstrates how Jesus Christ approached His heavenly Father as an advocate on … …

… Acts 4: 23-31 provides insight into the sincere prayers of the early congregations. Right from the start the early Christians practised communal prayer (Acts 1: 14). Accounts … …

… … prayer, which expresses thanks to God for the sacrifice of Christ, the forgiveness of sins, the sending of the Apostles, and the promise of Christ's return. At the close of the divine service, there … to God again and again throughout the course of the day in order to feel His nearness and seek His help. In family … …

… … prayer opens a human being's heart to the knowledge: I am dependent upon God in my entire being! The attitude of the … Christ taught His followers to pray as a child who addresses … John 17 records the intercessory prayer, in which Jesus Christ brought intercessions to expression on behalf of the … …

… 13.2.1 From Old Testament sacrificial service to devoting one's life to God …

… 13.2.2 Jesus Christ–the model of willingness to sacrifice …

… 13.2.3 Willingness to offer and sacrifice based on faith, gratitude, and love …

… … pleases God when we bring Him our offerings with the proper attitude, and He also associates His blessing with this. … imparting of divine gifts of salvation out of the merit of Christ (Ephesians 1: 3-7). SUMMARY Offerings … other sacrifice can be compared with the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Nevertheless, Jesus' willingness to sacrifice is an … …

… … the protection of marriage within the Ten Commandments underscores the importance and value of marriage as a divine … Paul compared marriage to the relationship between Christ and the church. He calls upon husbands and wives to … …

… … a family. However, the mere fact that both spouses are Christians does not, in and of itself, constitute a … …

… … and multiply'" (Genesis 1: 28). Sex in marriage should be defined by mutual respect, sensitivity and understanding. If … relationship between Christ and the church serves as an example for the marital … in marriage should be defined by love, esteem, and sensitivity. Family planning is … …

… … children are a gift of God, parents not only have a high degree of responsibility toward their children and society … Christians, and prepare themselves for the return of Jesus Christ. …

… … also bear responsibilities toward their parents can be derived from the Fourth Commandment (see … Christians and prepare themselves for the return of Christ. … obligations of the children toward their parents are derived from the Fourth Commandment. … …

… … with governments, public authorities, and religious denominations. It is politically neutral. Its activity … men" (Acts 5: 29). From this it is clear that, although Christians are, in principle, subject to the authority of … …

… 13.5.2 Relationship to other religions and denominations …

… … Church is committed to the gospel and the imperatives of Christian ethics. Thus it understands its duty to include charitable activity which … Church is committed to the gospel and the imperatives of Christian ethics. Within the scope of its abilities–and … …

… … Thereby the untroubled relationship between God and man was destroyed. This has had drastic effects on the human race to … …

… … in perfect fashion through the sending of His Son. Jesus Christ came and defeated sin (1 John 3: 8). In Him, mankind … (Philippians 2: 8). Through His sacrificial death, Jesus Christ acquired the merit by which human beings could be … and faith. If human beings align these gifts by Jesus Christ, then the justification attained by the Son of God … …

… Holy Scripture uses various terms to describe conscience as a gift which mankind has received … in His grace offers forgiveness through the merit of Christ. This is the path God has established for the … conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ" (1 Peter 3: 21). God's word strengthens human beings … …

… … bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ" (2 Corinthians 10: 5). SUMMARY Human … …

… … texts of the Old Testament. Wherever we find this term in modern translations, the original words used were "trust", … future (Hebrews 11: 39). When God revealed Himself in Jesus Christ, the Old Testament promises were fulfilled. Thereby … a new dimension: it was now directed at the Redeemer, Jesus Christ. Through faith in Him, it is possible to be … …

… … within the Mosaic Law: only these commandments were audibly declared to the people by God on Mount Sinai (Deuteronomy 5: … 5: 2-3). In Deuteronomy 4: 13: we read: "So He [God] declared to you His covenant which He commanded you to … …

… … New Testament the Ten Commandments are reinforced and given deeper meaning by the Son of God. In the statements He makes, Jesus Christ shows Himself to be Lord over the Commandments, and … of the commandments, one is also prepared to follow Christ (Matthew 19: 16-22; Mark 10: 17-21). Jesus Christ … …

… … God is giving you. Fifth Commandment You shall not murder. Sixth Commandment You shall not commit … God is giving you. Fifth Commandment You shall not murder. Sixth Commandment You shall not commit … Christ opened up a new perspective on the Mosaic Law and … …

… … Psalms, and in the prophets. The New Testament emphasises: Christ is Lord. His divine will is binding. God is not … …

… … and accountable to no one, He nevertheless explains His demand of obedience to the Israelites: He led Israel "out of … all human beings in a much greater sense in His Son Jesus Christ: out of love, God sends His Son. The latter … …

… … and ritualised worship of God, which was already denounced by the prophets (Amos 5: 21-22, 24). Jesus also … …

… … or worship of anything else that human beings might consider divine–be they living creatures, natural … …

… Israel was surrounded by peoples who worshipped constellations and … rather accept Him as He has appeared in the world: in Jesus Christ, the self-revelation of God in the flesh. Here it is … …

… … Commandment. Further violations of the First Commandment include Satanism, fortune-telling, magic, spiritualism, and … rather to accept Him as He has revealed Himself in Jesus Christ. … …

… … which God revealed His being. The name "Yahweh", which God made known here, can be translated as "I shall be who I … …

… … name of God by way of which God is intentionally vilified, derided, or berated. Anyone who invokes the Almighty while … in daily life. Any loose talk using the names "God", "Jesus Christ", or "Holy Spirit" is sinful. It is no different for … form–and for jokes which feature God, the Father, Jesus Christ, or the Holy Spirit. Such talk degrades God's majesty … …

… … His name. This also applies to our conduct of life. As a Christian, the believer bears a special responsibility … to their heavenly Father, God's children bear a high degree of responsibility for keeping the name of God holy, … …

… … the Second Commandment. While this was permitted in Israel (Deuteronomy 6: 13; Deuteronomy 10: 20), swearing was forbidden in the Sermon on … of conduct. Accordingly, Christian tradition applies Jesus Christ's prohibition only to frivolous swearing in daily … …

… The Sabbath is to be kept holy as part of the order of creation because God rested on the seventh day of … 2-3; Exodus 20: 8-11). Thus the holiday has been given in order to honour and commemorate God's creative work, which … …

… … (Numbers 28: 9-10). Those who honoured the Sabbath and avoided personal business and idle talk (Isaiah 58: 13-14) … …

… … healed the sick there (Luke 6: 6-11)–which was considered by the scribes to be work, and thus a violation … and thus also permissible on the Sabbath. Jesus Christ has the authority to liberate the day of rest from … …

… … according to the unanimous testimony of the gospels, Jesus Christ resurrected from the dead on this day of the week (Matthew 28: 1; Mark 16: 2; … the Sunday is therefore also a profession of Jesus Christ's resurrection and a remembrance of Easter. After … …

… … His word, receiving forgiveness of sins in a repentant attitude, and worthily partaking of Christ's body and blood in the sacrament of Holy Communion. In so doing, believers commemorate Christ's sacrifice and act of redemption, celebrate the … …

… Those who sanctify Jesus Christ in their hearts (1 Peter 3: 15) will seek fellowship … …

… … to keep the Sunday holy calls upon believers to assess the degree to which their activities are consistent with the … celebrate the Sunday, the day of Jesus Christ's resurrection, as the Sabbath. … in divine service demonstrates the believer's gratitude for Christ's deeds of salvation. … …

… 5.3.5.1 The Fourth Commandment according to the understanding of the Old Testament …

… … His mother Mary and her husband, Joseph. Just how far His devotion to His mother extended is demonstrated by His … …

… … The disobedience of children toward their parents is even included in the so-called catalogue of vices (Romans 1: 30; … …

… 5.3.5.4 The broadening of the Fourth Commandment in Christian tradition …

… 5.3.5.5 The Fourth Commandment in modern life …

… … from the original Hebrew text is: "You shall not murder!" In its original meaning, the Fifth Commandment … …

… … have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the … …

… Life is given by God. God alone is the Lord of life and death. Therefore no human being is entitled to terminate a … …

… … lies. No human being is entitled to violate this divine order. Death penalty The New Apostolic Church … …

… … is the lifelong union between a man and a woman as desired by God. It is based on an act of free will which is … understood here as one man married to several women), Jesus Christ–and with Him the New Testament, gives unequivocal … form of matrimonial cohabitation of man and woman that is desired by God and appropriate to believing Christians … …

… … heart" (Matthew 5: 28), "adultery of the heart" can occur despite an outwardly blameless conduct of life. This … …

… … by one's spouse (Matthew 19: 9). The gospel of Mark describes the remarriage of a divorced person as adultery … with certain exceptions–not accepted in the early Christian congregations (1 Corinthians 7: 10-11, 39; Romans … …

… … woman as desired by God. As an image of the fellowship of Christ with His church, it is intended to be indissoluble. … …

… It is forbidden to take that which belongs to another person. This … to both material things and intellectual property. It is forbidden to unlawfully acquire or damage the property of others. Likewise it is forbidden to deceive others in order to thereby acquire … …

… Originally the prohibition against stealing was intended, above all, to outlaw kidnapping. The purpose of … …

… … quoted the Seventh Commandment. In Mark 7: 20-23, the Lord described theft as a sin, which has its root in the hearts … prey among the believers, and trying to snatch them from Christ's flock (Acts 20: 29). …

… … further in the area of interpersonal relationships: it also includes usury, exploiting another person's misfortune, … …

… … first, the Eighth Commandment pertained to false statements made in court. For the Israelites, the "neighbour" (see … …

… When dealing with cases involving the death penalty in Israel at … …

… Jesus Christ repeatedly referred to the Eighth Commandment (e.g. … of this commandment is an expression of an improper attitude and that it defiles a person (Matthew 15: … circulated yet another lie (Matthew 28: 11-15). Jesus Christ, "the Faithful and True Witness" (Revelation 3: 14), … …

… All false witness is a lie. In a broader sense, the Eighth Commandment can be understood as a … the truth. However, the more diligently a person follows Christ, the more he will speak and act in a truthful … …

… … should also be oriented by the Eighth Commandment. Besides giving false testimony in court and blatantly lying, … …

… … epitome of truth (John 17: 17; 14: 6; 16: 13), whereas the Devil is the father of lies (John 8: 44). The true witness … Holy Spirit stands in opposition to his false witness. Christians are called upon to give true witness by believing … ([deeplink:cat:a30fe98b-e64e-4e68-bff2-fc2ffea783e3]) Christians are to give truthful testimony by believing in … …

… The image of the church as the body of Christ occupies a central position. It is often applied to … through baptism, faith, and profession, belong to Jesus Christ. In Romans 12: 4-5, believers are described as "members" of the one body of Christ. This image … …

… … He would keep the oath which He swore to your fathers ..." (Deuteronomy 7: 6-8). The history of Israel is founded on … obtained mercy" (1 Peter 2: 9-10). Here the church of Christ is shown both in its present state as well as in its … …

… … belong to Him. On earth, church is the place where Jesus Christ, the Mediator, makes salvation accessible in various … as the place of worship and divine service. The church of Christ transcends human imagination. It is both of this … together. Hebrews 12: 22-24 gives an indication of the grandeur of the church in its ultimate perfection. The … …

… … of God refers to the reign of God in His church. Jesus described the kingdom of God in many parables and with … The "kingdom of God" can, for example, represent: Jesus Christ, the present Lord Himself (Luke 17: 21), His … (Revelation 19: 6-7), the kingdom of peace which Jesus Christ, the returning Lord, will establish on earth, the … …

… The image of the flock of God portrays Jesus Christ as the good shepherd. He knows His own and gives His … for the care of those who belonged to the church of Christ. Nevertheless, as the flock of Jesus Christ, the … that follows Christ. It receives its care, protection, and leadership through Jesus Christ, the good shepherd. …

… The New Testament contains other figurative descriptions that underline the above-mentioned hallmarks of … image of the church as the body of Christ is often applied to those who, through baptism, faith, and profession, belong to Jesus Christ. It demonstrates that the church is similar to an … …

… … arises from the belief in the one God. The triune God has founded and preserved the one church through the Father who sent the Son, through Jesus Christ who–as the head of the body–is enduringly united … and through the Holy Spirit who is active in the church of Christ. The church of Christ therefore attests to the unity … …

… The church of Christ is holy on account of the sanctifying activity of God in Christ's sacrifice and through the activity of the Holy … divine service. The holiness of the church of Christ is founded solely upon the triune God, not the human beings who … …

… … Apostles (Matthew 28: 19; Mark 16: 15; Acts 1: 8). Jesus Christ and His church are there for the people of all … perceptible form within the church. The church of Jesus Christ is all-encompassing and universal: it is both of this … …

… The church of Christ is apostolic in two respects: in it the apostolic … apostolic doctrine is the unadulterated message of the death, resurrection, and return of Christ, according to the … In it apostolic doctrine–the message of Christ's death, resurrection, and return–is proclaimed. Likewise … …

… The incarnation, life, and activity of Jesus Christ comprise the foundation for the historical … can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ" (1 Corinthians 3: 11). The church of Christ was manifested upon this foundation, and developed further with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on … …

… 6.4.2.2 The church of Jesus Christ after the death of the early Apostles …

… … character through the authority of the ambassadors for Christ. This was especially brought to expression in that the certainty of the imminent return of Christ was kept alive. Likewise, it again became possible to … more fully present as essential elements of the church of Christ in its historical reality. SUMMARY The … …

… … being. The baptised individual shares in the death of Jesus Christ as well as in His new life. … …

… … Baptism with water can be found in the Old Testament. The deliverance of Noah and his family in the ark is regarded in … of baptism" and a reference to future salvation. In Christian tradition, the Israelites' passage through the Red Sea–their deliverance from Egyptian captivity–is also understood as … …

… In the New Testament "baptism" is often understood as having two parts, namely baptism with water … with the Spirit are therefore interdependent. Jesus Christ submitted to the baptism of John the Baptist in order … same level as the sinner (Philippians 2: 7). Thereby Jesus Christ set an example for mankind mired in sin. At the … …

… … of the triune God upon a human being who believes in Jesus Christ. … Christ submitted to the baptism of John the Baptist in order … …

… … This means that, from the very beginning–before any deed or thought–every human being is a sinner, even if no … …

… … closely linked to the marriage supper in heaven. In Jesus Christ the kingdom of God has drawn near. In accordance with … Until the future and ultimate unification of the bride with the bridegroom (see … marriage feast in heaven. Until the ultimate reunion of the bride and bridegroom, the congregation experiences its most … …

… … of the words of institution. Rather, the substance of Christ's body and blood is joined to them … connection between Holy Communion and the fact that Jesus Christ has both a human and a divine nature, both of which … between the bread and wine and the body and blood of Christ is to be understood: after the consecration, a … …

… In Holy Communion, it is not only the body and blood of Christ, but also His sacrifice itself, that are truly … in Holy Communion. Neither is Holy Communion merely a reminder of the sacrifice. Rather, during the celebration of Holy Communion, Jesus Christ is in the midst of the congregation as the crucified, … …

… … of sins and Holy Communion have their foundation in Christ's sacrifice (Acts 13: 37-38). Jesus Christ instituted Holy Communion on the basis of His … of the Lord make it clear that He brought His sacrifice in order to redeem mankind from sin. Christ authorised His … …

… Jesus Christ instituted Holy Communion in the circle of His … The epistle to the Hebrews illustrates that Jesus Christ is the true High Priest who offers Himself up as a … Holy Communion are closely related to one another. Both are founded upon the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Although the … …

… … the once brought, eternally valid sacrifice of Jesus Christ. For the Lord took bread and wine, gave thanks and … eat this bread and drink this wine, you proclaim the Lord's death till He comes. Amen!" …

… … is administered by dispensing the body and blood of Jesus Christ in the consecrated wafer with the words: "The body … Communion in reverence, faith, and complete devotion to Christ. …

… … with longing for salvation. Although unbelief does not render the sacrament invalid, faith is the prerequisite for … who are indifferent to the suffering and death of Christ or who merely make a habit of the celebration of the … …

… … of Holy Communion share in the merit acquired by Jesus Christ through His sacrifice. The believer's share in the new covenant and in the merit of Christ–which is founded upon Holy Baptism with water–is continually … believer's share in the merit of Christ–which is founded upon Holy Baptism with water–is continually … …

… … in Holy Communion. Although usually only New Apostolic Christians receive Holy Communion, Christians from other denominations who have been baptised … …

… … contain important elements of Holy Communion, since the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ are also commemorated with belief and gratitude … also contain important elements of Holy Communion. The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ are also commemorated … …

… … blessing is pronounced over the congregation with the words recorded in 2 Corinthians 13: 13: "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy … …

… … water in another church–into the congregation is to be understood as an act of blessing. In it, the individuals … …

… … as a rule, also performed by an Apostle–likewise occurs under the assurance of divine blessing. It is not to be … all that has been accomplished in the spirit of the love of Christ, and relieves him of his active ministerial … …

… 12.1.13 Divine services for the departed …

… … to serve, and it can serve multiple functions: it can deeply move the soul, prepare the congregation for the … to express feelings of love and gratitude towards Jesus Christ in response to receiving the sacrament. Following … of the divine service can be deepened: "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and … …

… Already Jesus, who is described as the "Apostle ... of our confession" in Hebrews … that I have commanded you ..." (Matthew 28: 20). As Jesus Christ's servants, the Apostles are called and ordained to … The ministers commissioned by them likewise proclaim Jesus Christ's doctrine to the congregations. The word of the … …

… … an expression of thanks and a celebration of remembrance of Christ's sacrifice (Luke 22: 19). It is a meal of fellowship … which includes the departed, both those who have died in Christ and those who have been granted access to the altar … nature of Jesus. In this way, fellowship of life with Jesus Christ can be strengthened in every divine service. …

… … can experience, again and again, the fulfilment of Jesus Christ's promise: "For where two or three are gathered … 18: 20). Divine service is thus fellowship with Jesus Christ. He is in the midst of the congregation in His word, … …

… … prays together. It is prayed in accordance with the wording recorded in Matthew 6: 9-13, and precedes the celebration of … have partaken of the body and blood of Jesus, they thank Christ in a silent prayer for His sacrifice and the grace … officiant speaks a prayer. SUMMARY With Jesus Christ a new dimension of divine ministration upon mankind … …

… … became reality with the birth of the Son of God. In Jesus Christ the Word of God came to mankind in … other places. Much of the content of His sermons has been handed down to us in the gospels, which contain the basic … …

… … the first place, God's word consists of that which has been handed down to us in Holy Scripture. Every sermon must be … …

… … us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into … …

… … same time, can also be intercessions: our daily bread, our debts, lead us, deliver us. The prayer concludes by praising … …

… … 4: 8). Even though the eternally valid sacrifice of Jesus Christ is the foundation for the forgiveness of sins, God in … has always been able to forgive sins. Hence Jesus Christ had the authority to forgive sins even before having … …

… God commanded the Old Testament's sacrificial service (Leviticus … …

… The perfect sacrifice of Christ replaced the sacrificial service of the Old Testament. Jesus Christ led a life without sin. Through His sacrifice, the willing surrender of His life (John 10: 17-18), He broke the power … …

… In order to obtain forgiveness of sins and be snatched from … the first prerequisite is the sinner's belief in Jesus Christ as the Redeemer (John 8: 24). In addition to the … are also required: intensive self-examination in order to become aware of one's own transgressions, the … …

… … feeling of suffering caused by wrongs committed in deed or omission–and the earnest endeavour to change one's … …

… …

… … the absolution, which is proclaimed in the name of Jesus Christ by authorised ministers. It is generally proclaimed … …

… … in faith, erases sin (1 John 2: 12) and cancels out the debt that exists toward God (Matthew 6: 12). However, the … sins have been forgiven are also given peace out of Jesus Christ with the words: "The peace of the Risen One abide … of sins is the perfect, eternally valid sacrifice of Jesus Christ. … …

… The age of confirmation varies. It depends on the religious maturity and/or the stage in life … their lives with the goal of faith, the return of Christ. Attending the divine services and Confirmation … …

… … renounce Satan and all his work and ways, and surrender myself to You, O triune God, Father, Son, and Holy … in their endeavour to keep their vow to profess Jesus Christ in word and deed. …

… … whether they intend to stand by each other in faithfulness under all circumstances and pursue their path of life together in love, under God's blessing. Both promise this, before God and the … …

… … (25 years) ruby wedding anniversary (40 years) golden wedding anniversary (50 years) diamond wedding … …

… Engagement represents a serious promise of marriage. If desired, the engagement blessing can be dispensed during a … confirmation, young Christians pledge their faithfulness to God and publicly … …

… Church instruction provides guidance for our children and adolescents in … …

… … which the course of their lives is significantly determined by their parents–to a self-determined adulthood. Most adolescents experience this as a … Young people are witnessing the marginalisation of the Christian faith and how churches are losing their … …

… … young people are to be firmly anchored in the values of the Christian faith and are to be inspired by them so that they may serve as the foundation for making decisions in their lives. Pastoral care for our youth is … …

… … and stand up for their faith in their surroundings. Youth leaders, who are trained and supported for their work by the … and the origin, development, and spread of the church of Christ. The history of salvation is also addressed with … …

… Many people suppress the thought of dying and death and therefore avoid any dealings with the terminally … knowledge of the limited nature of earthly existence. The death of another person is a reminder of one's own … with a view to the suffering, death, and resurrection of Christ, has been destined for eternal life with Jesus Christ … …

… … at all. Ultimately, this will not succeed without the endeavour to empathise with the bereaved. Providing … …

… … the positive and cheering experiences they enjoyed with the departed. In fellowship with other mourners, the bereaved … in their grief. Making the bereaved aware that Jesus Christ also suffered and died is helpful in coping with … is also based on the resurrection of Jesus. He shares in Christ's victory over death: "For none of us lives to … …

… … often separated into the Ninth and Tenth Commandments in Christianity. There are different versions of these two … the house of one's neighbour is mentioned first, whereas Deuteronomy 5: 21 first mentions his wife. …

… … ..." It does not prohibit each and every form of human desire, only the sinful lust after the wife or property of … …

… In the Old Testament, David and Bathsheba provide a stark example of where the desire for the wife of … wife of one's neighbour and adultery (Matthew 5: 27-28). In Christian understanding, the commandment not to covet the … …

… … Paul calls the covetous "idolaters" (Ephesians 5: 5) and describes the love of money as "a root of all kinds of evil" … …

… 5.3.10.5 Overcoming sinful desire …

… Aaronic blessing "Aaronic"–derived from the name of the first high priest, … The doctrine that the substances of Christ’s body and blood are joined to the substances of … after the absolution is pronounced. The term "Eucharist" is derived from the Greek word eucharistein, which means "to … …

… Index …

… Index of Bible references …

… … almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the … of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. … …

… … of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father … Light of Light, very God of very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father; by whom all … …

… … us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us … …

… … earth. The Second Article of Faith: I believe in Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, our Lord, who was … by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried, … adopted into the fellowship of those who believe in Jesus Christ and profess Him as their Lord. The Seventh Article … …

… … God is giving you. The Fifth Commandment You shall not murder. The Sixth Commandment You shall not commit … …

… … core of the proclamation of the word is the gospel of Jesus Christ, the glad tidings. It tells of Jesus' life and … the content of the sermon. Furthermore, the sermon provides orientation for a life in accordance with God's … of the sermon include the praise of God's grace and Jesus Christ's great deed of reconciliation. Furthermore, the … …

… The "preaching of Jesus Christ" calls listeners to obedience of faith (Romans 16: … and self-control. The proclaimed word imparts comfort and confidence, promotes knowledge, and strengthens trust in … of what is necessary in order to grow into the nature of Christ (James 1: 22-24). This also entails accepting in … …

… … both the preacher and the listener, lays His power into the inadequate human words of the sermon. There are therefore … to prepare the congregation for the return of Jesus Christ. … …

… The form of address "Our Father" identifies this prayer as a communal prayer in which those … profess to be children of God. In this fellowship, Jesus Christ is the "firstborn among many brethren" (Romans 8: … between Jesus and His heavenly Father is unique. Since Christ taught human beings to pray to God as the "Father in … …

… The triune God is holy. Believers speak of Him with deep reverence. By giving all honour to God, by praising and … the new covenant, God reveals His name in His Son, Jesus Christ. This name must be kept holy. It is the name "by … …

… The kingdom of God has already dawned in Christ and is present in His church. "Your kingdom come" … perceptible in the congregation. Beyond that, these words allude to the revelation of the future kingdom of God, which … of God may come refers first and foremost to the return of Christ to take home His bride. However, this plea reaches … …

… … where God rules, His will reigns supreme. God wishes to deliver fallen mankind from the consequences of sin and … 2: 4). To make this possible, He sent His Son. Jesus Christ came and sacrificed Himself, wherein the will of the … …

… In the broadest sense, this plea is directed at the preservation of … …

… 12.1.7.2.6 "Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors" …

… … God will permit temptations in the form of trials in order to give believers a chance to prove themselves in … …

… 12.1.7.2.8 "But deliver us from the evil one" …

… … be fulfilled for the bridal congregation at the return of Christ: "When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear … …

… … In this manner, a trusting relationship with God and Jesus Christ can come into being and grow within the children, and … …

… … with God's children and in the divine service, to impart understanding of God's activities through Bible … sacraments and acts of blessing, and the significance of Christian holy days. The teachers help the children to … …

… … about biblical history, the emergence and spread of Christianity in general, and the New Apostolic Church in … children's awareness that they are part of God's work of redemption, thereby promoting a willingness to help along in … …

… … the full responsibility for their life of faith as Christians who have come of age. …

… … which stems from Hebrew, translates as: "So be it!" It concludes the Lord's Prayer, and once more reinforces every … invocation of God is followed by petitions. The prayer concludes with the praise of God. … …

… 04. Man in need of redemption …

… 06. The church of Jesus Christ …

… 09. Life after death …

… 11. From the history of Christianity …

… 13. New Apostolic Christians and their life of faith …

… Subject index …

… Index of Bible references …

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… … the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal … …

… 10. What do we understand by the idea of faith as a response to God’s … …

… The designation of Jesus as God’s “only begotten Son” means that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is unique and eternal. The Son of … and “existence”, respectively. In relation to Jesus Christ, pre-existence means that the Son of God is from … …

… 101. How is it to be understood that the Son of God is described as the … …

… Yes, in His human nature Jesus Christ was the same as other human beings. In His human … the corresponding needs. He felt hunger when He was in the desert. He felt thirst when He came to Jacob’s well. He … …

… … was both Man and the Son of God, that is, true God. Jesus Christ is true Man and true God: He has two natures, a human … …

… It was only as true God that Jesus Christ was able to say: “I and My Father are one” (John 10: 30), and thereby express that He is identical in essence with the Father. At Jesus’ baptism in … …

… 106. Which of His deeds show that Jesus Christ is true God? …

… … the angel Gabriel announced the birth of Jesus, He also declared the name of the Child. He said to Mary: “And … …

… 108. How can we recognise that Jesus Christ is the Redeemer? …

… 109. Is redemption only possible through Jesus Christ? …

… ‘Majestic titles’ are names and designations for the Son of God which are used in Holy … …

… “Christ” originally comes from the Greek language … This act signified consecration to a holy service. Jesus is described as the “Anointed One” because He is Lord over … because He proclaims the will of God. The majestic title “Christ” is so closely associated with Jesus that it has … …

… … One” in translation. That Jesus of Nazareth is the Christ awaited by Israel is stated expressly in the New … …

… … New Testament, this majestic title is also applied to Jesus Christ. The designation “Lord” thus identifies the divine authority of Jesus Christ. It therefore far transcends any other form of … …

… … that judges and rules over mankind. At the time of Jesus, devout Jews were expecting the “Son of Man” who would … …

… … The Hebrew name Immanuel means “God with us”. Jesus Christ bears the majestic title Immanuel because God is … Testament, “Son of David” is a designation for Jesus Christ. Already at the beginning of the gospel of Matthew we read: “The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham” (Matthew 1: … …

… 116. In what way did Jesus Christ fulfil His divine commission? …

… At His entry into Jerusalem, Jesus identified Himself as the King of peace and righteousness. … demonstrate that He is King. The royal dignity of Jesus Christ is also emphasised in Revelation, where He is … …

… … time of the Old Testament was to bring sacrifices to God in order to thereby find grace before God. Jesus Christ is a Priest who stands above all others as He is the … people. Unlike the high priests of the old covenant, Jesus Christ had no need to be reconciled with God. Rather He … …

… … and He shall speak to them all that I command Him” (Deuteronomy 18: 18). This Prophet is a reference to Jesus Christ. As Prophet, Jesus Christ proclaimed the will of God. He shows the way to life … …

… … is not a complete or exhaustive account of all of God’s deeds. God has seen to it that that which is important for … …

… … Testament give an account of the life and activity of Jesus Christ. The intention of the evangelists (authors of the … …

… … a human being of the virgin Mary in Bethlehem. His birth is described in the gospels according to Matthew and Luke. … …

… 122. What events preceded the birth of Jesus? …

… Caesar Augustus had ordered a census to be taken. For this, each person had to … …

… … born to you this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2: 11; cf. also Micah 5: 2). The … (the orient) had followed the star and come to Jerusalem in order to worship the “new born King”: “Where is He who … …

… … the Child. He had all children in Bethlehem aged two and under killed (cf. Matthew 2: 16-18). …

… … the teachers in Jerusalem, who were “astonished at His understanding and answers”. “And Jesus increased in … …

… 129. What preceded Jesus’ teaching activity? …

… Jesus was led into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit “to be tempted by the … …

… … Jesus already revealed Himself as victor over the Devil before even beginning His public activity. The first … …

… … is present and rules among mankind. In the person of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the “kingdom of God” has come to all people (cf. Luke 17: 21). Jesus Christ is the ruler, He creates justice, He grants grace, He … of God” is present and perceptible in the church of Christ, in which Jesus Christ is at work—in other words, … …

… … turn to God. Those who repent are prepared to change their attitude in order to fulfil the will of God. …

… … grace, love, and reconciliation that God grants us in Jesus Christ. …

… … authority for the people of Israel. Its fulfilment was considered a prerequisite for the proper relationship … …

… … of Jesus are those who follow the gospel in word and deed. …

… 14. Have the texts of the biblical books been handed down in a reliable manner? …

… … performed by the Son of God are of various kinds and include healing of the sick, casting out evil spirits, … …

… Jesus performed miracles in order to demonstrate the Almighty and Loving God’s … …

… The gospels relate that Jesus healed blind, lame, deaf, and leprous people. These healings point to the divine nature of Jesus Christ, who acted as God when He spoke to the people of … …

… The gospels relate that Jesus cast out demons— which according to the understanding of the time … cause of various sicknesses—and so healed people. Jesus Christ was even recognised as Lord by the demons (cf. Mark … …

… 144. Of what miracles of raising the dead do the gospels relate? …

… … were “obedient” to Him (cf. Matthew 8: 27): when He ordered the storm to be still, the winds ceased and the … …

… … (cf. Matthew 15: 32-39 and Mark 8: 1-9). These miracles are reminders that God provided food (manna) during the journey … …

… … abundance of earthly gifts. Examples of such gift miracles include Peter’s miraculous catch of fish. The latter had … is a gift miracle and thus a sign of the divinity of Jesus Christ. …

… … known sermon is the “Sermon on the Mount”, which is recorded in the gospel of Matthew. The “beatitudes” are recorded at the beginning of the “Sermon on the … …

… 149. What is meant by the “beatitudes” of Jesus? …

… … and one prophetical book, namely the Revelation of Jesus Christ. The writings of Apostle Paul were the first to gain … The gospels— of which the gospel according to Mark is the oldest— and the other writings were added later on. The … …

… 150. How did Jesus make the gospel understandable? …

… … of God, the commandment to love one’s neighbour, the attitude of man’s heart, and the coming of the Son of … …

… … the humble beginnings of the kingdom of God as well as its development and growth. “‘The kingdom of heaven is like … …

… … price showcases those individuals who recognise the wealth hidden in Jesus Christ, accept it, and give up everything else just to have … 6: 33). “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy … …

… … he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he … …

… … not close our eyes to the distress of others, but rather provide help. The double commandment of love: see Questions … …

… 156. What are the parables that relate to the attitude of man’s heart? …

… In the parables of the coming of the Son of Man, Jesus Christ spoke of His return. In Matthew 24: 37-39 a comparison is made between the time before Jesus’ return and the days of Noah. What is clear from this is that the return of Christ will be sudden and surprising. This message is also … …

… 158. What images did Jesus use to describe Himself, and what do they mean? …

… … of trust with them: When other disciples failed to understand Jesus and stopped following Him, the Apostles … …

… Holy Scripture is divided into two main parts, namely the Old Testament— which deals with the time before the birth of Christ—and the New Testament, which begins at the time of Christ’s birth. …

… … comes in the name of the Lord!’” (Mark 11: 1-9). – Despite all this rejoicing, Jesus Christ knew that the mood of the people would soon change … have to follow the way of the cross. The sufferings of Christ are often described with the word ‘Passion’, … …

… … by driving out the merchants and money changers. Thereby He made it clear that the temple, the house of God, is holy, … …

… … priests and said, ‘What are you willing to give me if I deliver Him to you?’” (Matthew 26: 14-16). These men … …

… … Iscariot, who had previously visited Jesus’ enemies in order to betray Him, was thus also present. As they sat … …

… 164. What happened in the Garden of Gethsemane? …

… … Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Matthew 26: … …

… … Simon Peter was accused of being a disciple of Jesus, He denied it. He denied the Lord three times. “Now Peter sat outside in the … saying, ‘You also were with Jesus of Galilee.’ But he denied it before them all, saying, ‘I do not know what you … …

… … chief priests and scribes, accused Jesus of blasphemy and condemned Him to death. The fact that He claimed to be the … …

… After Jesus had been condemned to death, Judas Iscariot regretted his betrayal … …

… After Jesus had been condemned by the high council—the highest authority in … …

… … When a crown of thorns was placed upon His head in derision, He endured this with holy dignity. …

… … The heavy sufferings of Jesus ultimately led to a cruel death struggle before He finally died, hours … the condemned would intentionally die a slow and tortured death. For this he was either bound or nailed to an upright … …

… 173. Who is to blame for the death of Jesus? …

… Traditionally, the final words of Jesus, which are recorded variously in the gospels, are arranged in the … of Apostle John. This demonstrates the love and care of Christ, who still took care of the needs of others, despite … makes it clear that, even in the moment of death, Jesus Christ fully trusted in His Father. …

… … sacrificial service was no longer necessary, owing to the death of Christ. His sacrifice opened the way to God. When the Roman … The new covenant was established with Jesus’ sacrificial death. This new covenant no longer applies to the Jews … …

… … because he wanted to put Him into a tomb. Together with Nicodemus, who had gone to the Lord one night and been … …

… … the Son, became human in Jesus and came into the world in order to take the sins of mankind upon Himself. He brought the sacrifice by His own free will in divine love in order to deliver mankind from death. The power of sin is … divine love, which is demonstrated by the fact that Jesus Christ surrendered His life, is even stronger. Deliverance … …

… 178. What significance does the suffering and death of Jesus thus hold for mankind? …

… … Does the Old Testament make reference to the suffering and death of Jesus Christ? …

… … the Apostles, the New Testament gives an account of Jesus Christ, His Apostles, and the early Christian congregations. … as well as individual persons. The Revelation of Jesus Christ, the only prophetic book of the New Testament, deals with the return of Jesus Christ and other events of … …

… … Jesus Himself give make any reference to His suffering and death? …

… … letters of the Apostles have to say about the sacrificial death of Jesus? …

… The cross of Christ is a sign that God has reconciled sinful mankind to … In the ancient world, crucifixion was an expression of defeat: a shameful end for a despised person who had been … …

… After Jesus Christ had died, He entered the realm of the dead. In 1 … God had turned to sinners on earth, so He now turned to the dead. Since He brought His sacrifice, salvation has also … …

… The resurrection of Jesus Christ is an act of the triune God: On the one hand, the … who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal … power of God over death is shown by the fact that Jesus Christ resurrected from the dead. …

… The resurrection of Jesus Christ occurred without any human witness to the event. … Holy Scripture. One such testimony is the empty tomb. Other evidence includes the various appearances of the Risen One … Himself and who recognised Him. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is not wishful thinking on the part of His followers, … …

… Jesus Christ is risen. As a result, believers have justified hope in their own resurrection and eternal life: “But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have … …

… … the midst of His disciples. As the Risen One and Lord over death and sin He gave the Apostles authority to make the … the commission to “tend” the “lambs and sheep of Christ”—in other words, to care for all the members of … …

… When the chief priests learned of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, they bribed the soldiers with money and said: … …

… … no longer bound to space and time. The resurrection body of Christ is a body that never becomes sick, never ages, and … showed them His wounds, and ate with them. Thereby He made it clear that He was not a “spirit” but rather that He was physically present with them as Jesus Christ. “Resurrection” does not signify a return to … …

… … Testament organised? How many of them are there and in what order do they appear? …

… Forty days after His resurrection, Jesus Christ ascended into heaven. There are eyewitnesses to this … …

… 191. Where did Jesus Christ go when He ascended into heaven? …

… … in the latter’s power and authority. The image that Jesus Christ sits at the right hand of God therefore points to the … fullness of the power and glory of God, the Father. Jesus Christ desires to share this glory with His own in the future. It … …

… 193. Is Jesus Christ also present on the earth now that He has ascended? …

… … where I am, there you may be also” (John 14: 3). Jesus Christ will come again—this time as the bridegroom. When He returns as the bridegroom, He will take … themselves to be prepared for this event. The return of Christ is near. Future hope: see Questions … …

… 195. How else is the return of Jesus Christ described? …

… … of the Apostles, reinforce the promise of the return of Christ. The Apostle concludes his first letter to the congregation in Corinth … …

… … His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God” (1 Corinthians 2: 10). Trinity: see … …

… … the “Spirit of truth”, the “Spirit of [Jesus] Christ”, the “Spirit of His Son”, and the “Spirit of … …

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… … three books of the Maccabees The term ‘Apocrypha’ is derived from the Greek word apokryphos, which means … …

… Jesus Christ is the Comforter, Helper, and Advocate for His own. … Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever” (John 14: 16). The Holy Spirit … …

… … that which opposes God’s will. As the Spirit of truth, it identifies truth and falsehood. The Holy Spirit sees to it … of the sacrificial death, resurrection, and return of Christ is preserved and spread throughout the ages. “But … …

… … the favour of God and prepare themselves for the return of Christ. …

… … Holy Spirit becomes clear in that God became human in Jesus Christ: the Holy Spirit came upon Mary (cf. Luke 1: 35), and … in the sermon, especially in that He keeps alive Jesus Christ’s promised return. The Apostles fulfil their tasks … …

… A distinction must be made between the Holy Spirit as a person of the Godhead and … …

… … the Holy Spirit as a sacramental gift after the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit as a sacramental gift: see Questions … …

… … fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing … …

… … is how we experience the presence of God. The Lord Himself made reference to the future activity of the Holy Spirit: … …

… … is active wherever there are people who believe in Jesus Christ, profess Him as Lord, and conduct their lives in … …

… …

… The Apostles have been sent by Jesus Christ. Through them He offers mankind redemption. They exercise their ministry in the power of the … of the gospel, as well as in keeping alive the promise of Christ’s return. It is in this manner that the bride of … …

… 215. Why are human beings in need of redemption? …

… 216. What does “redemption” mean? …

… Evil is a destructive power opposed to God. …

… … reveals itself in various ways, for example, in the form of destruction, lies, envy, or greed. It ultimately leads to … …