New Apostolic Church
International

… … divine nature, divine truth, and divine will, and is to be seen as a sign of God's love and care for mankind. When we … …

… … of God in it. The visible creation bears witness to the existence of God, the Creator, as well as to His wisdom and … …

… 1.2.1 Content and structure of Holy Scripture …

… 1.2.2.1 The origin of the Old Testament canon …

… 1.2.4.1 The origin of the New Testament canon …

… … same Spirit. God's will–and thus also the Holy Scripture given by Him–can only be opened up in all its depth … …

… … God reveals Himself to human beings through His word and intervenes powerfully in their lives. For example, God … …

… The old covenant already had its own confessional statements. … …

… … originated in the early post-apostolic period. Some of its essential statements are based upon the sermon preached by … …

… … believe in God, the Father, the Almighty, the Creator of heaven and earth. The First Article of Faith refers to … the Old and New Testaments. The creation incorporates both heaven and earth, namely–as the Creed of … …

… … be grasped by human understanding. Access to God in His omnipotence and greatness is only possible through faith. … …

… … Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit" (Matthew 28: 19). When we speak of God as "the Father, the Son, and the Holy … …

… 3.2.1 References to the triune God in the Old Testament …

… "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth" (Genesis 1: 1). This statement from … …

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

… … respective Hebrew or Greek texts of Holy Scripture with the general meaning of "messenger, emissary"[4] , but they are … …

… 3.4.1 The only begotten Son of God …

… … the resurrection of Jesus Christ, promises of the Old Testament were fulfilled (Luke 24: 46; Hosea 6: 2) as were … …

… … God] (Psalm 20: 6). Their anointing is closely linked to statements concerning a special covenant of God with David … as to designate him as God (Psalm 45: 6-10). Based on the statements of the prophets (Isaiah 61; Jeremiah 31: 31 et … …

… When the angel of the Lord announced the birth of Jesus to … is "ruler over the kings of the earth" (Revelation 1: 5). When the seventh angel sounds his trumpet, he announces that … …

… … describe the birth of Jesus. Jesus was born at the time when Herod ruled as king over Judea, when Augustus was Caesar in Rome, and when Quirinius was his governor in Syria. These precise … …

… … it to the disciples and said, 'Take, eat; this is My body.' Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, … …

… … Holy Spirit is a person becomes clear from the fact that He sends human beings to proclaim the gospel (Acts 13: 4), that … …

… … According to the words of Jesus, the Father and Son are senders of the Holy Spirit in equal measure: "But when the … …

… … Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters" (Genesis 1: 2). This reference shows that the triune God, … Holy Spirit, exercise creative activity in equal measure (Genesis 2: 7). When the Old Testament speaks of the … …

… … ... But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, He will teach you all things, and bring to … …

… 3.5.5.1 The outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost …

… Professions of the New Testament …

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

… Over the course of many centuries, human experiences of God's revelation and His … …

… 1.2.2 The Old Testament …

… 1.2.2.2 The books of the Old Testament …

… 1.2.4.2 The books of the New Testament …

… 1.2.5.2 Jesus Christ–the centre of Scripture …

… With the incarnation of God, the Son, the Old Testament promises pointing to the coming of the Messiah … …

… … In particular, the doctrines of the Trinity and of the essence, or nature, of Jesus Christ ignited serious … …

… In the year 325 Emperor Constantine convened the Council of Nicaea. Approximately 250 to 300 … …

… I believe in Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy … Jesus is not only the Messiah, but also "the only begotten Son" of God (John 1: 14, 18). This formulation … clarifies the meaning of the formulation "only begotten Son": the Son is "begotten of the Father before all … …

… Belief in God as the One God is one of the fundamental professions of both the Old and New Testaments. … …

… … baptism, transfiguration, crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension into heaven–as well as at the outpouring of the … …

… 3.2.2 References to the triune God in the New Testament …

… … attitude a person adopts toward God during earthly life has consequences for his existence in the beyond. This insight … …

… … that which is perceptible to human beings was called into existence: God is the Creator of all discernable reality. It … …

… … thereby brought them into a close relationship to Himself: "Then God said, 'Let Us make man in Our image, according to … …

… 3.4.11.2 The appearances of the Risen One …

… John 1: 1-18 contains fundamental statements about the being of God and His … …

… In the Old Testament, the designation "Lord" is mostly used when speaking of the God of Israel. In the New Testament, this majestic title is also used in reference to … …

… The foremost tasks of the priests in the old covenant included bringing sacrifices to God, instructing … of Israel. With a view to the priesthood of the old covenant and the offerings sacrificed in the temple, the … (Hebrews 7: 24-25). Unlike the high priests of the old covenant, Jesus Christ is not in need of reconciliation with … …

… …

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

… A central event in the history of salvation is the incarnation … …

… … mean "wind, breath, or life-spirit", among other things. In Genesis 2: 7 we read of the Spirit as the divine breath of … …

… … The activity of the Holy Spirit in the prophets of the Old Testament …

… … is pleasing to God and what is contrary to His will: "And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of … to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you … …

… 3.5.5.2 The activity of the Holy Spirit in the sacraments …

… … "ring out", "resound"), and was originally used in reference to the instruction of those who were being … …

… … framework: "And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be … …

… 1.2.3 The later writings of the Old Testament …

… It is recommendable for every believer to read regularly from Holy … …

… …

… … Holy Spirit's activity is already attested in the Old Testament: kings and prophets were guided by the Holy Spirit … …

… … on Holy Scripture. The early church creeds express the fundamentals of the Christian faith as attested in the Old … …

… … and apostolic church, the community of the saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the dead, and life … full perfection in the new creation.The opportunity for "forgiveness of sins", which has been created by the … …

… In the Old Testament God is repeatedly described as "the Holy One" … …

… 3.2.3 The development of the doctrine of the Trinity …

… … among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. ... No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him" (John 1: 14, 18). God the Father has begotten His only Son from eternity (see … …

… … beings to have direct fellowship with Him. Through His commandment that they should not eat of the tree of … …

… … His resurrection did not signify a return to His earthly existence. It is fundamentally distinct from the raising of … …

… … Man and true God–the doctrine of Hypostatic Union–was enshrined at the Council of Chalcedon in AD 451. This … …

… In Daniel 7: 13-14, the term "Son of Man" is used to denote a heavenly being who is not part of the human … …

… … will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brethren, and will put My words in His mouth, and He shall … …

… … withstood the temptation and rejected the Devil. This event is of significance for the history of salvation: Adam … …

… … Jesus' trial before the high council, Peter denied that he knew Jesus and that he was a disciple of … …

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

… Before His ascension into heaven, the risen Lord promised His Apostles: … …

… … This is demonstrated in the proper administration and dispensation of the sacraments, in the proper proclamation … …

… Structure and content …

… With the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in Jerusalem on Pentecost, God revealed Himself to mankind as the Trinity of … the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost, God revealed Himself in His Trinity as Father, … …

… 1.2.4 The New Testament …

… … knowledge. Furthermore, "faith" in the non-religious sense signifies a subjective attitude of confidence in … …

… … the word of His ambassadors, His Apostles: "As You sent Me into the world I also have sent them into the world. I do not pray for these alone, but … word of preaching of those sent by Jesus produces faith. In order to be saved, it is … …

… … the significance of this early church confession. The seven Articles of Faith that follow represent an … …

… … believe that the Lord Jesus rules His church and thereto sent His Apostles, and until His return still sends them, … …

… … believe in God the Father, the Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth"–attests that God can do anything, that … as follows: "Whatever the Lord pleases He does, in heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all deep … psalm also refers to God's omnipresence: "If I ascend into heaven, You are there; if I make my bed in hell, behold, You … …

… … Rather the three names stand for divine persons who are different from one another in their being. The Father is … "Son", and "Holy Spirit" are different divine persons in their being, however, they are … …

… 3.3.4 Man as an entity consisting of body, soul, and spirit …

… Professing Jesus Christ as the Son of God is one of the fundamentals of Christian faith. The statement in the … …

… 3.4.4 References to Jesus Christ in the Old Testament …

… Holy Scripture mentions additional majestic titles of Jesus: Immanuel, … …

… … God which was to manifest itself in history–in both its present and future form: "The time is fulfilled, and the … 15). From that point on, the kingdom of God was personally present in Jesus Christ (Luke 17: 21). The fundamental … …

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

… 3.5.4 Jesus Christ's promise to send the Holy Spirit …

… … publications of our Church in terms of both language and development of the contents of faith. Our bond with the … …

… … While the Fourth Article of Faith emphasises the link between the Apostle ministry and the proper proclamation of … …

… God, "the Eternal", has neither beginning nor end. Temporal limitations do not exist for Him. "Before the … …

… The name "Jesus" means "The Lord saves". When the angel of the Lord heralded the birth of Jesus, he … …

… … give account of the miraculous deeds of Jesus as real events that attested to His Messianic identity. His miracles … God's merciful devotion to suffering people. They are events of revelation in that they serve to manifest Christ's … (Matthew 15: 32-39; Mark 8: 1-9). On the one hand, these events are reminders that God fed His people in the desert, … …

… … way to Golgotha, a great multitude followed Jesus. To the women who wept over Him the Lord said: "Daughters of … …

… … God is only possible through the Spirit of God: "Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of … Creed of Nicaea-Constantinople this content is formulated even more comprehensively: "And [we believe] in the Holy … …

… The epistles of the New Testament express that the Holy Spirit was present in the … people (1 Kings 8: 13). This image is adopted in the New Testament and employed in order to illustrate the enduring … …

… … that the Holy Baptism with water is the first step to a renewal of a human being in the Holy Spirit, and that the … a new creation before God. It is the "first step to a renewal of a human being in the Holy Spirit". This process of renewal in the Holy Spirit, which has begun in Holy Baptism, … …

… In the old as well as in the new covenant, God reveals Himself as the Loving One. Out of love … …

… … Holy Scripture alludes to various characteristics of His uniqueness. …

… … a wide range of imagery from the daily lives of His listeners. In Matthew 13: 34-35 we read: "All these things … …

… 3.4.9.6 Old Testament references to Jesus' suffering and sacrificial … …

… 2.4.7 The Seventh Article of Faith …

… … of His righteousness. He shows mankind grace, compassion, patience, and kindness (Psalm 103: 8). In His righteousness, … …

… … sacrificial services in order to effect reconciliation between man and God. Prophets were expected to proclaim the … …

… … was the highest authority for Israel. Its observance and fulfilment were considered the key to the relationship … disobedience of the first human beings. With His perfect fulfilment of the law, He ended the unrestricted rule of sin … …

… 3.4.9.7 Jesus' references to His suffering and death …

… … the Holy Spirit to the believers. Holy Sealing is the one sacrament that is assigned solely to the Apostle ministry. The prerequisite for receiving this sacrament is Holy Baptism with water. Only those who have … be prepared for the return of Jesus Christ through word and sacrament. …

… God is perfect. He requires no improvement, change, or any further development. He is the … …

… 3.4.8 New Testament references to the person and activity of Jesus … …

… … and He had a special relationship of trust with them. When the other disciples left Him because they did not … the Christ. To them He gave an example of humble service when He washed their feet (John 13: 4 et seq.) Only the Twelve were with Him when He instituted Holy Communion (Luke 22: 14 et seq.). His … …

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

… … believe that the Lord Jesus will return as surely as He ascended into heaven and that He will take to Himself the … …

… … death are described in great detail in the gospels. When the Lord rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, the prophecy … to take His life (Luke 20). According to His own words, when Jesus was anointed with costly oil of spikenard, it was … …

… … being saved it is the power of God." Death on the cross was generally considered a defeat, the ignominious end of a … …

… 2.4.10 The Tenth Article of Faith …

… … on the cross, the Son of God preached to those who had been disobedient in Noah's time. He did this in order to … while He walked on earth, so now He turned to those who had been disobedient to the will of God during their earthly lives. Ever since Jesus brought His sacrifice it has also been possible for the dead to attain redemption (see … …

… … the triune God, which occurred in a manner that had never happened before: On the one hand, the power of God, the … …

… 3.4.12 The ascension of Jesus Christ …

… … Christ has returned to the Father, however, He also is present here on earth in the Holy Spirit even after His … …

… According to Ephesians 1: 20-23, Christ has been set as the head above all "principality and power and … …

… The promise of Jesus Christ's return is a central element of New Testament proclamation. Terms such as … The promise of Christ's return is a central element of New Testament proclamation. The Last … …

… God, who created heaven and earth, reveals Himself in various ways in nature … …

… A creed summarises the essential content of a doctrine of faith. Those who profess … …

… … acted, and sustained from the beginning. In the old covenant God predominantly revealed Himself as God, the … 3: 7 state that the Holy Spirit already spoke in the old covenant. The incarnation, death, and resurrection of the … …

… Mankind has fallen into sin and is thus in need of redemption from the … …

… 5 God's commandments …

… The church of Jesus Christ has been established on earth by the Lord Himself. In it … …

… Generally a "ministry" is understood to be a function or … …

… 8 The sacraments …

… It is a fundamental Christian conviction that man lives on after … …

… … His will to save applies to all people in the past, the present, and the future. The history of salvation progresses … …

… Appendix …

… … in the gospel do the ultimate nature of evil, its power, strength, and effects, become clear. Only God is … …

… … for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die'" (Genesis 2: 16-17).–"So when the woman saw that the tree … ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate" (Genesis 3: 6). …

… … "sin" and "guilt" interchangeably in some cases, and with different meanings in others. The distinction between these … …

… Holy Scripture uses the term "salvation" in the sense of "deliverance", "protection", and "redemption". … …

… … and the creation. Its antithesis is curse, which occurs when God turns away from man. The conviction that man's … being the opposite of blessing, came upon human beings when they rebelled against God with the fall into sin. Curse … show themselves worthy of this blessing. Blessing unfolds when faith is present. Blessing is a gift of God that … …

… In general, we understand "law" to mean the binding regulations … …

… Strict adherence to the Mosaic Law and the study of its content … …

… 5.1 Living in faith according to God's commandments …

… …

… 5.3 The Ten Commandments …

… … from the Greek kyriake ("belonging to the Lord"). The New Testament uses the term ekklesia ("those who have been … …

… … be grasped in faith. Through Jesus Christ, the Mediator between God and mankind, human beings can obtain salvation. … belong. This interconnection and simultaneous distinction between the visible and invisible church can only be grasped … …

… … is accessible in the church of Jesus Christ, which has been established by the Lord Himself on earth. Those human beings who belong to it have been called forth by God to eternal fellowship with God, the … …

… … church of Jesus Christ will not completely live up to the commandment of oneness, holiness, universality, and … …

… … ministry is assigned by a superior, in other words, the sender. The one who is sent is responsible and accountable … …

… The spiritual ministry is founded upon the sending of Jesus Christ by the Father. Jesus is King, … of a better covenant ..." Through the calling and sending of the Apostles, Jesus instituted the ministry for … …

… … concerning ministry. It nevertheless makes a number of different statements about the content and nature of the … …

… … the Greek apóstolos which means "ambassador" in the New Testament. Jesus Christ Himself directly gave His church … …

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

… … there are three levels of ministry, each with different spiritual powers, in the New Apostolic … …

… … of his ministry, the minister is accountable to, and dependent on, the Apostle ministry. During the ordination, … …

… In his conduct and spiritual competency, a minister must live up to certain requirements. … …

… … are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are … …

… Holy Baptism with water is the first and fundamental act of grace of the triune God bestowed on a … …

… The Seventh Article of the New Apostolic Creed states: "I … …

… Holy Sealing is the sacrament through which the believer, through the laying on … …

… … being. Holy Scripture understands the human being as an entity comprised of spirit, soul, and body(see … …

… … of all, the term describes a person's physical death, the end of his earthly existence. Once death has occurred, the … in His own resurrection (1 Corinthians 15: 54-57). At the end of all things, death will be relieved of all its power … …

… In the Old Testament, the continued life of the soul after physical … …

… The term "beyond" generally refers to all realms, events, and conditions that … …

… … the beyond is a direct expression of their proximity to, or remoteness from, God, and therefore varies greatly. Death … is sometimes used in connection with proximity to, or remoteness from, God. The realm into which a soul passes in … received any sacraments, find themselves in a condition of remoteness from God. This can only be overcome by believing … …

… Ever since Christ brought His sacrifice, it has been possible for the condition of the souls in the beyond … …

… … of Faith professes: "I believe in Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, our Lord, who ... ascended into heaven. … …

… … marriage of the Lamb follows directly after the bride has been caught up to heaven. The image of the eschatological … …

… … the whole world to test those who dwell on the earth", as referenced in Revelation 3: 10. Holy Scripture also refers … …

… After the marriage in heaven, the Son of God will return to the earth with the … …

… … can be found is in Revelation 20: 5-6, where it is mentioned in conjunction with a significant beatitude: … …

… … Christ will establish His kingdom of peace on earth. Then the rule of Jesus Christ as King will be manifested … a long, but limited time (Revelation 20: 6). It will then be possible to proclaim the gospel without impediment, … (Revelation 20: 7-10). Evil in all its manifestations will then have been rendered powerless forever. Then follows … …

… According to the great commission given by Jesus Christ, it is the task of the Apostles to go … …

… … saw to it that the biblical canon of the Old and New Testaments came into being. He inspired the Church … …

… Between 1826 and 1829, in close cooperation with the … …

… In the New Apostolic Church, special blessings are dispensed for the following events in the lives of the … during the divine service. The prenatal blessing is dispensed outside of the divine service. During the … …

… … its own specific character, serves to provide comfort and strength for the bereaved. However, the word proclaimed is … …

… … He turned to sinners and allowed them to feel His love. He listened, helped, comforted, counselled, admonished, … …

… Church holy days refer to particular events in God's plan of salvation. These events are commemorated with reverence and gratitude. The … …

… … are an expression of devotion to a higher being. Praying is generally considered an expression of … …

… … inner desire to employ his powers and gifts for the benefit of others, by abstaining–in whole or in … …

… Marriage is the lifelong union between a man and woman desired by God, upon which His … …

… … of obligations and the demand for compliance with them are essential characteristics of the Mosaic Law. Even in the new … …

… … of their social background, age, language, or other differences. Within its capacity and commission, the … …

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

… … and the father of it" (John 8: 44). The question of the serpent to Adam and Eve caused man to doubt God and rebel … is personified as Satan, the Devil, the dragon, or the serpent–will be cast out of heaven. After the kingdom of … …

… 4.2.1 The consequences of the fall into sin for mankind …

… 4.2.2 The consequences of the fall into sin for the creation …

… …

… Whenever human beings violate God's will, they sin and … …

… 4.4.1 Hope for salvation in the Old Testament …

… In Galatians 4: 4-5 we read that the entire history of salvation in the old covenant was geared … …

… Through fellowship with Jesus Christ in word and sacrament, believers today experience salvation by being … …

… 4.5.1 Election in the Old Testament …

… 4.5.2 Election in the New Testament …

… …

… … laid the law of increase into the life He had created. He entrusted the creation to man and granted him a special … …

… 4.6.2 God's blessing in the old covenant …

… 4.6.3 God's blessing in the new covenant …

… The term "law" refers, first and foremost, to the written Mosaic Law, that is the five Books of Moses (the … …

… The function of the law given by God is to instruct mankind in the conduct that is … …

… The correct understanding of the law given by God is revealed in the light of the … God-pleasing conduct. The proper understanding of the law given by God is revealed in the light of the gospel. … …

… … from faith, Apostle Paul cites passages from the Old Testament prophets, namely Isaiah 28: 16 and Joel 2: 32. He … the unity of the old and new covenants. The New Testament awareness that all human beings are sinners is already present in the Old Testament: "Against You, You only, have I sinned, and done … …

… 4.8.2 The relationship between faith and works …

… … love has existed before all created things and will never end. All things are of Him, through Him, and to Him (Romans … …

… … of Israel. It was only within this framework that the commandment at first applied. However, it was also extended … in Leviticus 19: 18 and Deuteronomy 6: 5 into the double commandment of love (Matthew 22: 37-39). The example of … demonstrates that Jesus repealed this restriction on the commandment to love one's neighbour–which previously … …

… … to edification" (Romans 15: 2). Jesus taught: "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I … peaceableness, and love. Apostle John associated the commandment to love one another with the commandment to love God. The Apostle describes the appearing … …

… 5.3.1 The term "commandment" …

… 5.3.2 The First Commandment …

… 5.3.3 The Second Commandment …

… 5.3.4 The Third Commandment …

… 5.3.5 The Fourth Commandment …

… 5.3.6 The Fifth Commandment …

… 5.3.7 The Sixth Commandment …

… 5.3.8 The Seventh Commandment …

… 5.3.9 The Eighth Commandment …

… 6.2.1 Old Testament references to the church of Jesus Christ …

… … of Jesus Christ, who both is and brings salvation. "But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His … …

… 6.2.3 Images for the church of Jesus Christ in the New Testament …

… … was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands … …

… … "I believe that the Lord Jesus rules His church and thereto sent His Apostles, and until His return still sends them … in the time of the bride's preparation for His return–He sent Apostles to the earth through whom His regency was to … way into all parts of the church. The Apostles have been sent to all nations in order to teach and baptise them. They … …

… 6.4.4 The church of Jesus Christ and the sacraments …

… Belief in the future events of salvation is professed in the Ninth Article of … …

… 7.10 Appointments …

… 7.3.1 Old Testament references …

… 7.3.2 Foundation of the ministry in the New Testament …

… Jesus Christ equipped the Apostle ministry with extensive powers. The Apostle is an ambassador of Jesus … …

… 7.4.2 Equipping and sending of the Apostles …

… In the presence of the other Apostles, the Lord granted Simon Peter … …

… 7.4.4 New Testament references to the activity of the Apostles …

… … for His church. The Apostles are to be His witnesses to the end of the earth (Acts 1: 8). In order to fulfil this … …

… The New Testament relates the death of Apostle James (Acts 12: 2). … …

… … was again occupied in accordance with the will of God when the time for the final gathering and preparation of the … …

… … in the Catholic Apostolic Church there was a senior Apostle, who was also described as the "Pillar of the … …

… The most important references to the work of the Apostles can be derived from … …

… … Christ. They work in accordance with the will of their Sender and are completely dependent upon Him. In accordance … …

… … into this ministry. The importance of the ministry becomes evident in the intercessory prayer of Jesus: "As You sent Me … …

… … by warm care and loving understanding. The apostolate has been given for the entire church of Christ. Its task is to … …

… … against it. And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in … …

… Beyond the tasks incumbent on each Apostle, the District Apostle ministry is … …

… … ministers have received the commission and authority to dispense Holy Baptism with water, proclaim the forgiveness of sins, and consecrate and dispense Holy Communion.The high demands on the priestly … …

… The ritual washings referenced in various passages of the Mosaic Law can be … …

… Holy Baptism with water is indispensable for partaking in salvation. It is the first … …

… 8.1.4 The proper dispensation of Holy Baptism with water …

… … is administered by an Apostle or priestly minister to both children and adults. The prerequisite is the believer's profession of faith in Jesus Christ and His gospel. When children are baptised, the parents, or persons responsible for the religious upbringing of the children, must profess their faith in Jesus Christ and vow … …

… … water performed in the name of the Trinity is a binding element among Christians. Holy Baptism with … …

… Like all other sacraments, Holy Baptism with water is dispensed on the … …

… 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 … …

… 8.2.1 Designations for the sacrament …

… 8.2.2 Old Testament references to Holy Communion …

… … of physical hunger, these earthly meals are also a reference to salvation in Christ. This becomes clear in the … …

… … were killed and prepared. With the lamb, the Israelites ate unleavened bread. The blood of the lamb, which was painted … …

… … before Jesus Christ established Holy Communion in the presence of His Apostles, He said: "... unless you eat the … …

… In 1 Corinthians 11: 17-32 we find evidence of the celebration of Holy Communion and of Jesus' … …

… The elements of bread and wine which constitute the sacrament … sacrament is constituted by the elements of bread and wine. … …

… … of all commemorates the death of Jesus Christ as a unique event which is valid for all times. The remembrance of this event is important because it emphasises that Jesus Christ … …

… … resurrection, and return of Jesus Christ is part of the fundamental profession of the Christian faith. This … …

… … term "sealing" refers to the use of a seal. Important documents are certified and given authority by means of a seal. It documents authenticity. Confidential documents are closed with a seal. Owners designate their … …

… 8.3.2 The promise of the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament …

… Like the two other sacraments, Holy Sealing also has its foundation in the life … …

… 8.3.4 The outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost …

… 8.3.5 Further attestations of Holy Sealing in the New Testament …

… 8.3.6 The proper dispensation of Holy Sealing …

… Holy Sealing requires the recipient to believe in the triune God and the Apostles sent … …

… … Sealing, namely the rebirth out of water and Spirit. Both sacraments are acts of God's grace upon a human being and … …

… Through the sacrament of Holy Sealing, the baptised believer is filled … …

… Already at the time of the old covenant, there is evidence of the belief that it is … …

… … this was his [Judas Maccabeus'] vision: that Onias, who had been high priest ... holding up his hands prayed for the … …

… … those who are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the … is equally valid for all. It is the desire of God that all men be saved (1 Timothy 2: 4-6; John 3: 16). This means that … …

… … This promise of the Lord was reinforced by angels at His ascension into heaven: "This same Jesus, who was taken up … …

… 10.1.2 Events associated with the return of Jesus Christ …

… … For I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ" (2 Corinthians 11: … …

… 11.2.1 The Church Fathers and the ecumenical councils …

… … in Europe grew stronger and spread to many areas of the then known world. Starting in the seventh century, … …

… … to widespread secularisation of the Christian church, which entailed ever increasing moral decay. More and more efforts … …

… … of the gospel and for guidance by the Holy Spirit defined a movement in Europe which is described by the term … John Calvin (1509-1564) who started an independent reform movement, was active in Geneva. The ideals of the … …

… …

… 11.2.6 Christianity at the beginning of the nineteenth century …

… 11.3.1 The development of a church led by Apostles …

… … Carlyle, supported by one other Apostle, proposed the convening of an Apostle meeting In 1851. In this meeting, he … …

… The English Apostles were successful in their resistance of an … …

… 12.1.1 General remarks concerning divine service …

… 12.1.2 Divine service in the Old Testament …

… 12.1.3 Divine service in the New Testament …

… 12.1.4 Further development of Christian divine service …

… 12.1.5 Divine service as an encounter with God …

… …

… … God gave an example of how we are to pray to the Father in heaven. This prayer of the Son of God has been handed down … …

… 12.1.8 Forgiveness of sins in the divine service …

… 12.1.9 Dispensation of the sacraments in the divine service …

… 12.2.1 Prenatal blessing …

… …

… 12.2.3 Weddings, wedding anniversaries, and engagements …

… … the members for their willingness to make sacrifices, thus enabling the church to be built, as well as to all those who … …

… 12.4.1 Instruction of children …

… … pastoral care. This care is modelled on the example given by Jesus. For example, He often visited Mary, Martha, … to which brothers and sisters accept the advice they are given remains at their discretion. Personal responsibility, … intercessory support of their minister. Special care is given to those who are bereaved and grieving. In cases of … …

… In religious language, "confession" refers to the acknowledgement of sins or the admission of one's guilt in … In religious language, confession is an acknowledgement of sins or an admission of guilt in the … …

… Physical death, the end of earthly life, produces anxiety. Death causes pain and … …

… … the birth of Jesus Christ and thus refers to one of the central events in the history of salvation: Jesus Christ, … …

… … of the Passion Week. This festive day reminds us of Jesus' entry into Jerusalem on the occasion of the Jewish feast of … …

… … Christ. Since His sacrifice, suffering, and death are of central importance to the history of salvation, several … …

… … first Sunday following the first full moon in spring–was chosen to mark the annual celebration of the feast of … …

… 12.5.5 Ascension Day …

… 12.5.6 Pentecost …

… The liturgy of the divine services on the above-mentioned religious holidays corresponds to that of regular … …

… 13.1.1 Prayers in the Old Testament …

… The relationship between man and God changed fundamentally through Jesus … …

… … Luke relates that Jesus prayed especially before decisive events: before the Holy Spirit descended upon Him (Luke 3: … …

… … practised communal prayer (Acts 1: 14). Accounts of intensive prayer are also recorded in association with … …

… … the Trinitarian invocation of God is followed by the opening prayer, in which worship, praise and thanks for … …

… Conscientious prayer opens a human being's heart to the … …

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

… … of sacrifice demonstrated in Romans 12: 1 is to be seen against the backdrop that Jesus Christ gave His … …

… A sacrifice in the Christian sense should not be considered an enforced obligation. … 21: 1-4). Believers can bring a sacrifice in a broader sense, namely by devoting their own heart. This is … …

… It pleases God when we bring Him our offerings with the proper attitude, … and sacrifice is also expressed in congregational life when brethren in faith dedicate a substantial amount of … …

… … explicitly anchored the protection of marriage within the Ten Commandments underscores the importance and value of … …

… … constant shifts in society. The New Apostolic Church is a proponent of protection for marriage and family. Receiving … …

… Marriage also serves to perpetuate the human race: "Then God blessed them [the first human beings], and God said … …

… 13.3.4 Parental responsibilities …

… 13.3.5 Responsibilities of the children …

… The New Apostolic Church attaches importance to open and constructive relations with governments, public … …

… 13.5.2 Relationship to other religions and denominations …

… 13.5.3 Social commitment …

… … rise above the Creator. Thereby the untroubled relationship between God and man was destroyed. This has had drastic … …

… … the wages of sin is death" (Romans 6: 23). Despite their disobedience and presumption, the Eternal One still loved … resulting in justification of life. For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man's … …

… 4.2.1.3 Conscience …

… … creatures. It is of particular help in structuring their existence and comprehending their environment. Reason is … …

… The word "faith" is not mentioned in the Hebrew texts of the Old Testament. Wherever … …

… 5.3.10 The Ninth and Tenth Commandments …

… The Bible firmly establishes the count of the commandments at ten, but does not number them. This has led … …

… 5.3.1.2 The Ten Commandments in the Old Testament …

… 5.3.1.3 The Ten Commandments in the New Testament …

… The wording of the Ten Commandments in use today is not the same as that … that keeps the original meaning is preferred. The Ten Commandments in their present-day wording First … nor anything that is your neighbour’s. The Ten Commandments in Exodus 20: 2-17 First … …

… 5.3.2.1 God–Lord and Benefactor …

… … to no one, He nevertheless explains His demand of obedience to the Israelites: He led Israel "out of the house … sacrifices His sinless life on the cross out of love and in obedience. Ever since, all human beings have had the … the significance of redemption will want to show love and obedience to the Redeemer. The close relationship between … …

… … is to be served. The forms of worshipping God in the old covenant are various. The Psalms attest that praise and … …

… … makes it clear that He is the only One to whom worship and reverence as God are due. The veneration or worship of … …

… … by peoples who worshipped constellations and natural phenomena, statues, animal figurines, stones, and the like, … …

… 5.3.2.6 Violations of the First Commandment …

… When God spoke to Moses from the burning bush, He stated His … is also described as "Father" (Isaiah 63: 16). When Jesus taught His disciples to pray, He told them to … …

… Anyone who speaks the name of God should do so in the awareness that he bears responsibility to God for … …

… 5.3.3.3 The threat of punishment …

… The Second Commandment admonishes us to keep holy everything that has … …

… … to make a vow using–God's name is linked to the Second Commandment. While this was permitted in Israel (Deuteronomy … while invoking God's name is a violation of the Second Commandment. … …

… 5.3.4.1 Reasons for the Third Commandment in Israel …

… Even before issuing the law on Mount Sinai, God had set … …

… Jesus' position on the Sabbath differed fundamentally from that of the law-abiding Jews. The conduct … …

… "For the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath" (Matthew 12: 8)–these words of Jesus, … …

… … divine service, believingly accepting His word, receiving forgiveness of sins in a repentant attitude, and worthily … …

… 5.3.4.6 Working on Sundays–between duty and sanctification …

… … as peace and fellowship contribute to sanctification. The commandment to keep the Sunday holy calls upon believers to … Third Commandment calls upon believers to structure the Sunday as … …

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

… 5.3.5.2 Jesus Christ and the Fourth Commandment …

… 5.3.5.3 The Fourth Commandment in the letters of Apostle Paul …

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

… 5.3.5.5 The Fourth Commandment in modern life …

… 5.3.6.1 The prohibition against killing in the Old Testament …

… 5.3.6.2 The prohibition against killing in the New Testament …

… 5.3.6.3 The significance of the Fifth Commandment today …

… 5.3.6.4 Specific questions concerning the Fifth Commandment …

… Marriage is the lifelong union between a man and a woman as desired by God. It is based on … …

… In general terms, any married person who has sexual intercourse … …

… In the New Testament, divorce is assessed as sin: "Therefore what God … 10: 11-12). According to further statements in the New Testament, divorce and remarriage during the lifetime of the … …

… … an image of the fellowship of Christ with His church, it is intended to be indissoluble. Given this context it is … …

… 5.3.8.1 Theft in general legal systems …

… 5.3.8.2 The prohibition against theft in the Old Testament …

… 5.3.8.3 The prohibition against theft in the New Testament …

… Although theft in the literal sense occurs when material or intellectual property is taken … …

… At first, the Eighth Commandment pertained to false statements made in court. For … …

… 5.3.9.2 Examples of false witness in the time of the Old Testament …

… 5.3.9.3 Examples of false witness in the time of the New Testament …

… All false witness is a lie. In a broader sense, the Eighth Commandment can be understood as a … …

… 5.3.9.5 Further violations of the Eighth Commandment …

… 5.3.9.6 False and true witness in the spiritual sense …

… The image of the church as the body of Christ occupies a central position. It is often applied to those who, through … …

… … image of the people of God refers to the fact that God has chosen a single people from among all the various peoples: … a holy people to the Lord your God; the Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure … of the new covenant, believe in Jesus: "But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His … …

… … with God. In this respect, church is the place of encounter with God, as well as the place of worship and … …

… … (Matthew 13). The "kingdom of God" can, for example, represent: Jesus Christ, the present Lord Himself (Luke … …

… … upon human beings to believe in Him and His church. In the end, there will be one flock and one shepherd (John 10: … …

… The New Testament contains other figurative descriptions that … all-encompassing–and holy. SUMMARY The New Testament contains a great number of images and examples in … …

… … founded and preserved the one church through the Father who sent the Son, through Jesus Christ who–as the head of the … …

… … and through the activity of the Holy Spirit in word and sacrament. This sanctifying activity takes its effect upon … …

… … the gospel. This comes to expression in the commission the Risen One gave to His Apostles (Matthew 28: 19; Mark 16: 15; … …

… … of the early Christian Apostles, as attested in the New Testament, and as believed and practised by the early … …

… … developed further with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost. The first congregations began to form. In them, … …

… … death of the first Apostles. The ministry which Jesus had entrusted with the administration of the sacraments, … …

… With the renewed occupation of the Apostle ministry in the year 1832 … …

… In Matthew 28: 18-20, the Risen One gives His Apostles the commission to baptise. The … Risen One issued the commission to baptise to His Apostles. … …

… 8.1.2.1 Old Testament references to Holy Baptism with water …

… 8.1.2.2 Holy Baptism with water in the New Testament …

… … of God's loving care. Through this act, the relationship between a human being and God is fundamentally changed. The … loving care that fundamentally changes the relationship between a human being and God. … …

… … to man's state of separation from God, in other words, the remoteness from God that has come into being through the … the fall into sin a fundamental state of sinfulness and remoteness from God has weighed upon every human being … that God lifts the state of permanent separation and remoteness from Him: He grants human beings their first … …

… Holy Communion is a meal of fellowship in a threefold sense: First of all, the incarnate and glorified Son of … …

… …

… 8.2.12 The real presence of the body and blood of Christ in Holy Communion …

… 8.2.13 The real presence of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ in Holy Communion …

… 8.2.14 The relationship between forgiveness of sins and Holy Communion …

… … instituted Holy Communion in the circle of His Apostles and entrusted it to them. He commissioned them to proclaim the … instituted Holy Communion in the circle of the Apostles and entrusted it to them. … …

… … and wine, gave thanks and said: 'This is My body which is broken for you. This is My blood of the new covenant given … …

… The sacrament of Holy Communion is administered by dispensing … of the communion wafer and its dispensation are part of the sacrament, the term "Holy Communion" is used, in the broader … …

… The fundamental prerequisites for partaking worthily of Holy … …

… … bread and wine. As of 1917, the New Apostolic Church has dispensed both elements of Holy Communion together in the … …

… … through His sacrifice. The believer's share in the new covenant and in the merit of Christ–which is founded upon … …

… All those who have been baptised, adopted, or sealed in the New Apostolic … Communion is Holy Baptism with water. Only those who have been baptised should partake in Holy Communion. Although … Communion, Christians from other denominations who have been baptised in the proper manner (see … …

… … The celebrations of other churches also contain important elements of Holy Communion, since the death and resurrection … celebrations of other churches also contain important elements of Holy Communion. The death and resurrection of … …

… 12.1.10 The closing benediction …

… 12.1.11 Acts of blessing in the sequence of the divine service …

… 12.1.12 Ordinations, appointments, reinstatements, retirements …

… … state may find salvation in Christ. God's will to redeem encompasses all human beings. Jesus Christ is Lord over both … …

… … God. Singing–be it by the congregation or the choir–and instrumental music expresses and imparts courage, strength, … …

… … Hebrews 3: 1, said: "My doctrine is not Mine, but His who sent Me" (John 7: 16). As the One sent by His Father, He in turn sent the Apostles and gave them the commission to "[teach] … …

… … the congregation experiences the central event of the divine service. … …

… In divine service, believers can experience, again and again, the fulfilment of Jesus … …

… … service, the congregation unites in prayer with the words spoken by the officiant. These express adoration, … …

… … The sermon in the divine service is a spiritual address given by a minister, which is inspired and permeated by the … …

… 12.1.6.2 The proclamation of the word in the New Testament …

… … God's word in the congregations. For this purpose they have been blessed and equipped through their ordination. In the first place, God's word consists of that which has been handed down to us in Holy Scripture. Every sermon must … …

… … King James Version of the Bible is used: "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your … …

… 12.1.7.2 The seven pleas …

… … own power (Matthew 16: 26; Luke 5: 21-24; Romans 4: 8). Even though the eternally valid sacrifice of Jesus Christ is … sins. Hence Jesus Christ had the authority to forgive sins even before having brought His sinless life as a sacrifice … …

… …

… 12.1.8.3 The sacrifice of Christ–foundation for the forgiveness of sins …

… 12.1.8.4 Prerequisites for obtaining forgiveness of sins …

… 12.1.8.5 Repentance and remorse …

… 12.1.8.6 Sin that is not forgiven …

… Forgiveness of sins must be proclaimed. Jesus pronounced forgiveness of sins upon individuals (Luke 7: 48 et al). Forgiveness of sins occurs through the absolution, which is … …

… 12.1.8.8 Effects of the forgiveness of sins …

… The age of confirmation varies. It depends on the religious maturity and/or the stage in life … …

… … the confirmands answer the question as to whether they intend to remain faithful to God with their "yes". Afterward … …

… The church wedding generally takes place in the context of a divine service. In … …

… At the request of a married couple, a blessing is dispensed for the following wedding anniversaries: silver … …

… 12.2.3.3 Engagement blessing …

… Church instruction provides guidance for our children and adolescents in leading their lives in awareness … objective. The teaching material is adapted to suit the children's respective ages and stages of development, while … …

… …

… … decisions in their lives. Pastoral care for our youth is intended to help them develop into personalities with … …

… … not form a separate group within the congregation. They are encouraged to become involved in the congregation's many … …

… … may ask, or the knowledge of the limited nature of earthly existence. The death of another person is a reminder of … of the life he has led, uncertainty, and the end of his existence. Belief in the living God grants a kind of … …

… … one's sympathy for them, and to pray with them. It is frequently difficult to reach the heart of a mourner at all. … …

… … grief belong together. Support for the bereaved serves to encourage the bereaved to speak about their loss and express … care for the grieving serves to encourage them to talk about their loss and give expression … …

… 5.3.10.1 Different counting methods and versions …

… The core of the Ninth and Tenth Commandments is the statement: "You shall not covet … witness, blasphemies" (Matthew 15: 19). The Ninth and the Tenth Commandments assign man the task of watching over the … …

… In the Old Testament, David and Bathsheba provide a stark example of … …

… … time of the Mosaic Law, a man's house, field, and livestock represented his possessions–as did his wife, male servant, … …

… … in sinful conduct, in "works of the flesh", which are then described in dramatic fashion. Christians, however, … …

… … blessing formulation recorded in Numbers 6: 24-26 accidence From Latin: accidere = "to occur" The term "accidence" refers to the outward manifestation: e.g. at Holy … …

… …

… Index of Bible references …

… "I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, … the dead. On the third day He rose again. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He … …

… "We believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible. … made; who for us men, and for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the virgin … rose again, according to the Scriptures, and ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of the Father; from … …

… (according to Matthew 6: 9-13) "Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your … …

… … believe in God, the Father, the Almighty, the Creator of heaven and earth. The Second Article of Faith: I … again from the dead on the third day, and ascended into heaven. He is seated at the right hand of God, the Father … the Lord Jesus will return as surely as He ascended into heaven and that He will take to Himself the firstfruits of … …

… The Ten Commandments …

… 12.1.6.3.1 Main content of the proclamation of the word …

… The "preaching of Jesus Christ" calls listeners to obedience of faith (Romans 16: 25, 26). The … and strengthens trust in God. Through the word of God, listeners are presented, as it were, with a mirror in which … …

… … beings. For this reason the sermon can contain imperfect elements. Nevertheless, God, who hears the fervent pleas of … …

… 12.1.7.2.1 "Our Father in heaven" …

… … triune God is holy. Believers speak of Him with deep reverence. By giving all honour to God, by praising and … …

… … kingdom of God has already dawned in Christ and is present in His church. "Your kingdom come" means that the … …

… 12.1.7.2.4 "Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven" …

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

… All human beings burden themselves with guilt as a consequence of their sins. … …

… … beseech God to help them resist sin with all their strength. Furthermore, they ask that the trials of faith may … …

… … possible. In the Son of God we have "redemption ..., the forgiveness of sins" (Colossians 1: 14). Redemption is an … …

… … of praise to God (doxology)[15], wherein the Most High is given the honour and glory He is due. He, the Lord of His … …

… … possible, Pre-Sunday School is conducted for pre-school age children in the congregations, either before, during, or … divine service. It has the stated objective of instructing children about God and His activity at their level. In this … and Jesus Christ can come into being and grow within the children, and they will feel: "God loves me! I can tell Him … …

… Children attend Sunday School when they begin school or … awaken and strengthen joy in fellowship with God's children and in the divine service, to impart … reinforce belief in divine promises, to explain to the children the sequence of the divine service, the meaning of … …

… … School. It imparts knowledge about biblical history, the emergence and spread of Christianity in general, and the New … …

… The content of Confirmation Instruction focuses primarily upon … …

… 12.1.7.2.10 "Amen" …

… 05. God’s commandments …

… 08. The sacraments …

… Index of Bible references …

… Appendix …

… • Ascension Day …

… • Fifth – self defence …

… • Fourth – obligations of parents …

… • Ninth and Tenth …

… • Pentecost …

… • Seventh …

… … He “reveals” Himself. The knowledge that God exists has been given by God Himself. God does not conceal Himself, but … …

… Faith is indispensable in order to come into the proximity of God, … …

… 100. What does it mean when it says that Jesus Christ is God’s “only begotten … …

… … ordered all things in a meaningful way through the Word (“Then God said...” Genesis 1: 3). Thus the Word is the … …

… 102. What does it mean when John says: “The Word became flesh and dwelt among … …

… … Christ was the same as other human beings. In His human existence He had a body and the corresponding needs. He felt … …

… … are one” (John 10: 30), and thereby express that He is identical in essence with the Father. At Jesus’ baptism in … …

… … because He calmed a storm and walked on the waters of Lake Gennesaret. He showed Himself to be Lord over life and death … …

… The name “Jesus” means “The Lord saves”. When the angel Gabriel announced the birth of Jesus, He also … …

… … Jesus Christ revealed Himself as the Redeemer (= Saviour) sent by God: “The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers … …

… … salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4: … …

… … of the gospel on the foundation of Holy Scripture. “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of … …

… … word ‘majestic’ is used to describe a person descended from nobility who has an especially elevated … …

… … and means “Anointed One” in translation. In Old Testament times, kings were anointed with oil (cf. Psalm 20: … …

… … the Christ awaited by Israel is stated expressly in the New Testament. …

… In the Old Testament, the designation “Lord” is most often used in reference to God. In the New Testament, this majestic title is also applied to Jesus … …

… When the term “Son of Man” is used as a majestic title, … …

… Yes. Holy Scripture mentions other such majestic titles of Jesus: … …

… … Christ acted in the capacity of King, Priest, and Prophet. When one thinks about a king, one thinks of ruling and … …

… 117. What does it mean when we refer to “Jesus Christ—the King”? …

… 118. What does it mean when we refer to “Jesus Christ—the Priest”? …

… 119. What does it mean when we refer to “Jesus Christ—the Prophet”? …

… … of writings about God’s activity, promises, and commandments. It consists of the Old Testament and the New … …

… … according to Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John in the New Testament give an account of the life and activity of Jesus … …

… 121. How did the Son of God enter into His human existence? …

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

… 123. Who were Jesus’ parents? …

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

… …

… … a king who would one day topple him from the throne had been born in Bethlehem, he sought to kill the Child. He had … …

… … increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and men. In Luke 2: 41-49 we read that the twelve-year-old Jesus … increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and men.” Luke 2: 52 …

… … Immediately following His baptism by John, the Holy Spirit descended visibly upon Jesus. In a voice from heaven, God, … …

… … of their respective authors as well as the worldview and experiences of their time. In translation, the term … …

… … sin. Nevertheless, He allowed Himself to be baptised unto repentance by John the Baptist in the Jordan. This act of baptism—which was an expression of repentance—makes it clear that He abased Himself and … …

… … already revealed Himself as victor over the Devil before even beginning His public activity. The first man, Adam, had … …

… … time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel” (Mark 1: 15). …

… … dominion. Rather the “kingdom of God” means that God is present and rules among mankind. In the person of Jesus … in the time of Jesus. Today too the “kingdom of God” is present and perceptible in the church of Christ, in which … …

… 136. What does it mean to “repent”? …

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

… … twelve, “that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach” (cf. Mark 3: 14). Disciples of … …

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

… … to the divine nature of Jesus Christ, who acted as God when He spoke to the people of Israel: “I am the Lord who … …

… … various sicknesses—and so healed people. Jesus Christ was even recognised as Lord by the demons (cf. Mark 3: 11). The … …

… … Christ is also Lord over death. At the same time they are a reference to the hope that the dead will one day resurrect … …

… Jesus had power over the wind and the sea. They were “obedient” to Him (cf. Matthew 8: 27): when He ordered the … …

… … the people of Israel through the desert. Furthermore, these events are a reference to Holy Communion. …

… … fish. The latter had worked all night together with other fishermen, but had caught nothing. At Jesus’ word, the … …

… … are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be … for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, … …

… … Here Jesus shows how one can share in the “kingdom of heaven”, which has become present in Him. He designates … …

… The biblical writings were collected over the course of centuries. This not only came about as the result of human … …

… In His sermons, Jesus often spoke in parables, which are figurative narratives. … …

… 151. What major statements of the gospel are illustrated in parables? …

… … 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 … 6: 33). “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy … …

… … Jesus showed that God strives to help all human beings, even those who seem to be lost. The parable of the prodigal … …

… The greatest of the commandments are to love God and our neighbour. With the … …

… … are, but rather those who come before God seeking grace in humbleness who will be justified. The parable of the … …

… … of His return. In Matthew 24: 37-39 a comparison is made between the time before Jesus’ return and the days of … …

… The gospel of John contains statements by Jesus which can be described as “images”. … Jesus clearly describes His nature. Seven such striking statements of Jesus begin with the words “I am”. In them … …

… … and He had a special relationship of trust with them: When other disciples failed to understand Jesus and stopped … Him (cf. John 6: 66-69). Only the Apostles were with Him when He instituted Holy Communion (cf. Luke 22: 14 et … …

… 16. What is the structure and content of Holy Scripture? …

… The sufferings of Jesus began with His entry into Jerusalem: “Now when they drew near Jerusalem … …

… 161. What events followed Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem? …

… … of the twelve Apostles, Judas Iscariot, visited Jesus’ enemies prior to the Passover feast. “Then [...] Judas … …

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

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

… … Apostles to watch with Him, a large group of armed soldiers sent by the chief priests arrived. Judas Iscariot led them … …

… … the Apostles left Him and fled. Later that same night, when Simon Peter was accused of being a disciple of Jesus, … all, saying, ‘I do not know what you are saying.’And when he had gone out to the gateway, another girl saw him … …

… No. Jesus even knew the human weaknesses of His Apostles, but He did … …

… 168. What happened after Jesus’ arrest? …

… 169. What did Judas Iscariot do after Jesus’ sentencing? …

… 17. What is the content of the Old Testament? …

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

… Jesus endured all the mistreatment, humiliation, and mocking to … a crown of thorns was placed upon His head in derision, He endured this with holy dignity. …

… 172. Where did Jesus’ suffering end? …

… On account of the Roman governor’s involvement, the conviction and execution of Jesus was no … …

… …

… 175. What events accompanied the crucifixion of the Lord? …

… 176. What happened to the body of Jesus? …

… … love, which is demonstrated by the fact that Jesus Christ surrendered His life, is even stronger. Deliverance from … …

… … death of Jesus is the foundation of a new relationship between mankind and God. Sinful man can now find his way … …

… 179. Does the Old Testament make reference to the suffering and death of Jesus … …

… 18. What is the content of the New Testament? …

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

… … know love, because He laid down His life for us.” In his arguments with heretics who sought to deny the humanity of … …

… … that God has reconciled sinful mankind to Himself. In the ancient world, crucifixion was an expression of defeat: a … …

… 183. What happened after Jesus died? …

… … of Jesus Christ occurred without any human witness to the event. Nevertheless, the resurrection of the Son of God is … wishful thinking on the part of His followers, but a real event. It did indeed occur. “For I delivered to you first … …

… Jesus Christ is risen. As a result, believers have justified hope in their … …

… 187. What appearances of the Risen One are attested in the New Testament? …

… When the chief priests learned of the resurrection of Jesus … …

… The resurrection body is liberated from finiteness and mortality. It is no longer bound to space and … …

… 19. How are the books of the Old Testament organised? How many of them are there and in what … …

… 190. What happened at the ascension of Jesus Christ? …

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

… … My glory” (John 17: 24). This plea will be fulfilled when Jesus takes His own unto Himself from among the dead … …

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

… 194. What did Jesus mean when He said: “I will come again”? …

… The event of the return of Jesus Christ is also described as the … of the Lord”, and the “return of Christ”. This event is not the Last Judgement, but rather the moment when … …

… 196. What references to the return of Christ do we find in the New … …

… … Spirit shows Himself as a person of the trinity of God by sending human beings to spread the gospel, just as God, the … …

… God reveals Himself in different ways, in nature and in history. …

…   The fifteen Apocryphal books are: the two books of … …

… … before His arrest and crucifixion, He promised to send the Holy Spirit as a further Comforter and Helper: … …

… … that which opposes God’s will. As the Spirit of truth, it identifies truth and falsehood. The Holy Spirit sees to it … …

… … the activity of the Holy Spirit incorporates the powerful intervention of God. As the “power from on high” (Luke … …

… … said: “But the [...] Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to … …

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

… … prayer of an Apostle. This is shown, for example, in the events that transpired in Samaria. “Now when the Apostles … …

… 206. Is the Holy Spirit mentioned in the Old Testament? …

… 207. Was the Holy Spirit also active in the time of the Old Testament? …

… 208. Was the Holy Spirit also given as a gift in the time of the Old Testament? …

… 209. When were the promises concerning the outpouring of the Holy … …

… … assigned the same value as the other writings of the Old Testament. …

… The Bible relates the following: “When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with … …

… Yes, the Holy Spirit has been active right into our time. This is how we experience … …

… 213. Is the Holy Spirit active in the sacraments? …

… 214. What is the connection between the activity of the Holy Spirit and the Apostle … …

… Since the fall into sin, all human beings have been sinners: they have been tempted to sin by the evil one. No human being can live … …

… It is impossible to rationally comprehend or explain where evil comes from. …

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

… 22. How are the books of the New Testament organised? How many of them are there, and in what … …

… … or “Satan” (cf. Matthew 4: 1; Mark 1: 13). As an enemy of Christ, he is also described as the … …

… God gave human beings the opportunity to decide for obedience or disobedience toward Himself. When human beings … …

… … not always exist. The power of the evil one has already been broken by Jesus Christ. In 1 John 3: 8 it says the … …

… … of good and evil, which stood in the middle of the garden of Eden. God also made them aware of the consequences … …

… 224. What were the consequences for mankind of the fall into sin? …

… 225. What was God’s position toward fallen mankind? …

… 226. How was the further development of mankind after the fall into sin? …

… 227. Did the fall into sin have consequences for all human beings? …

… 228. Did the fall into sin also have consequences for the creation? …

… … contrary to the will and being of God. It is also sin to intentionally neglect to do good (cf. James 4: 17). Human … …

… … for the doctrine of the New Apostolic Church. Verses taken from Holy Scripture are also the basis of the sermon … …

… 230. What is the distinction between sin and guilt? …

… In order to enter into the nearness of God, sin must be … …

… … from Holy Scripture. This includes: violations of the Ten Commandments (cf. Exodus 20: 20), breaking vows given … …

… God has endowed human beings with a conscience, reason, and faith. … …

… 235. How are we to engage the conscience, reason, and faith? …

… 236. What is the purpose of the conscience? …

… … in a manner pleasing to God. Reason is demonstrated when human beings are able to account for their actions … …

… Yes. In its finiteness, human reason is incapable of grasping God in His … …

… Faith incorporates trust, obedience, and loyalty toward God. From it, human beings … …

… The proper understanding of Holy Scripture can only be opened up in all its depth through the activity of the Holy … …

… … and to what degree a human being comes to believe is also dependent on his own effort: a person must want to believe. … …

… … everlasting life” (John 3: 16). He also emphasised the consequence of unbelief in all its implications: “For if … …

… … sinners to Himself, that human beings can become children of God (cf. John 1: 12), that human beings can … …

… Holy Scripture uses the term “salvation” in the sense of “deliverance”, “protection”, and … …

… The events between the fall into sin and the new creation are … …

… The manner and measure of salvation varies throughout the different phases of salvation history, however, God’s will … …

… … was the object of hope for salvation in the time of the Old Testament? …

… … Christ is the author of eternal salvation: “And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to … …

… … gathered and prepared for the return of Christ. To this end, the Apostles impart salvation through the proclamation … …

… 25. What is meant by the expression: “Jesus Christ is the centre of the Scripture?” …

… … by believing in Jesus Christ and availing themselves of the sacraments and the word of God, which Jesus Christ has made available for the salvation of the world. Sacraments: see Questions … …

… 251. What form of salvation will the bridal congregation experience at the return of Christ? …

… 252. When will God’s plan of salvation be fulfilled? …

… Election is always rooted in God’s will. No one can influence the decision of God. …

… 255. Are there examples of election in the Old Testament? …

… 256. Are there examples of election in the New Testament? …

… … it is rooted in God’s free decision. Election cannot be comprehended with human reason. …

… … for their own salvation as well as the salvation of others. Whenever God elects anyone, there is a certain task or … …

… … the life of the believer: it comforts and edifies, provides orientation and admonition, and promotes knowledge and … …

… … to receive good things from God. Blessing contains divine strength as well as the assurance that God grants His help … …

… God often imparts His blessing through human beings who have … …

… … law of multiplication into everything that lives. He has entrusted the creation to man and has blessed him for the … …

… 263. How was blessing experienced in the old covenant? …

… For the Israelites, the blessing of God depended on whether or not they obeyed God’s commandments … …

… 265. From whom does blessing emanate in the new covenant? …

… … His miracles, and His conduct. He placed His hands upon children to bless them, and forgave sinners. The greatest … …

… … who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.” …

… … of the world (cf. Ephesians 1: 4), redemption and forgiveness of sins (cf. Ephesians 1: 7), insight into the … …

… … service. Sacrifice also brings blessing—this is the fundamental experience of the Christian. Human beings are … …

… 27. What are contributing factors in strengthening the believer’s faith through the study of … …

… 271. Did God give His people a law in the old covenant? …

… … instruction for God-pleasing conduct. It is a help in life given by God, which shows the way to goodness and helps … …

… 273. How was the Mosaic Law assessed in Old Testament times? …

… … it is not possible to attain salvation through one’s own endeavour alone. The individual must come to the conclusion: … …

… 275. What is the content of the gospel? …

… 277. What is the relationship between the law and the gospel? …

… 278. What are the fundamental prerequisites for obtaining the grace offered in … …

… 279. What is the relationship between a person’s good works and his redemption? …

… 28. What is the foundation and content of Christian faith? …

… 280. What is the function of God’s commandments? …

… 281. With what attitude should human beings obey the commandments of God? …

… 282. What is the greatest commandment? …

… 284. What does the commandment to love God demand, and what does this require? …

… 285. What is the commandment to love one’s neighbour? …

… 286. What does the commandment to love one’s neighbour demand? …

… 288. Did Jesus say anything else about the commandment to love one’s neighbour? …

… 289. What does the “golden rule” state? …

… A creed is a summary of the essential content of a doctrine of faith. Such a creed … …

… … His Apostles also applies to the congregation: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another as I … disciples thus even transcends the “golden rule”. The commandment to love one’s neighbour, to support one’s … …

… “Love for one another” enables us to accept our brother and sister as they are (cf. … …

… 292. What is the text of the Ten Commandments? …

… 293. To whom were the Ten Commandments given? …

… 294. What significance did the Ten Commandments hold for the people of Israel? …

… 295. Did Jesus and His Apostles comment on the Ten Commandments? …

… 296. To whom do the Ten Commandments apply? …

… 297. How are God’s commandments to be seen in relationship to the laws of the … …

… 298. What does it mean to violate the commandments of God? …

… God reveals Himself in nature as the Creator: in the existence of the universe, of mankind, and of animals and … …

… Yes, even the Old Testament contains texts that bring common … …

… 300. What is the First Commandment? …

… 301. What does the First Commandment mean? …

… 302. What is the significance of the First Commandment in the Old Testament? …

… Any veneration or worship of anything— other than God, the … …

… … “You shall not make for yourself a carved image— any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in … …

… 305. Are we forbidden to paint pictures or take photographs? …

… 306. What is the significance of the First Commandment in the New Testament? …

… 307. What does the First Commandment mean for us today? …

… 308. What is the Second Commandment? …

… 309. What does the Second Commandment mean? …

… … called the “early church creeds”. They came into being between the second and fourth centuries AD. It was during … …

… 310. What is the significance of the Second Commandment in the Old Testament? …

… 311. What is the significance of the Second Commandment in the New Testament? …

… 312. What does the Second Commandment mean for us today? …

… … a serious abuse of the name of God, by way of which God is intentionally vilified, derided, or berated. Anyone who … …

… 314. What is the consequence of violating the Second Commandment? …

… 315. Is it a violation of the Second Commandment to swear while invoking the name of God? …

… 316. What is the Third Commandment? …

… 317. What is the meaning of the Third Commandment? …

… 318. What is the significance of the Third Commandment in the Old Testament? …

… 319. What is the significance of the Third Commandment in the New Testament? …

… 32. Which statements became part of the content of the Christian … …

… … is also a profession of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. A reference to the significance of the Sunday as the holy day … …

… … service, absorbing His word in faith, having our sins forgiven, and partaking worthily of the body and blood of … …

… 322. What is the Fourth Commandment? …

… 323. What is the meaning of the Fourth Commandment? …

… 324. What is the significance of the Fourth Commandment in the Old Testament? …

… 325. What is the significance of the Fourth Commandment in the New Testament? …

… 326. What does the Fourth Commandment mean for us today? …

… When children honour their parents out of love and … …

… 328. Does the Fourth Commandment also imply certain duties for the parents? …