New Apostolic Church
International

… Holy Communion: a meal that bridges cross and kingdom  …

… First shared in a private gathering, the Last Supper brings together the past, the present, and the future in the kingdom of God.  The night it all began  It was spring in Jerusalem. …

… Expectations were high, yet this king brought something different: justice as a gift, salvation by grace, and hope for God’s kingdom. …

… Jesus Himself used the image of herd animals and predators when He appointed seventy disciples and sent them out two by two to proclaim the kingdom of God: […] …

… Harmony: the key to the kingdom of heaven …

… A new world for a new united humanity … God is working on it! And everyone can be part of it. Here is how the Chief Apostle explained it. …

… Because “God has prepared the way. And He will be with you.” Besides, “You have a great group of people who will help you.” …

… Heynes, who was born in the United Kingdom and has been an Apostle since 2018, looks after Scandinavia and the British Isles, as well as Northern and Eastern Germany, Poland, Russia, and several countries …

… The kingdom of God starts small and insignificant, but ends up to be magnificent and extensive. …

… The kingdom of God starts small and insignificant, but ends up to be magnificent and extensive. …

… Those who want to serve God and enter His kingdom must be sanctified to do so. Of course, this sanctification comes from God. But it won’t work without our making an effort. …

… Serving and reigning with Christ : We not only want to begin with this in the kingdom of peace, but already   do so today. And that is why this task is on our training programme   for 2023. …

… But His priests in the kingdom of peace will be so permeated with His essence that they will literally embody His love and mercy. They will also be endowed with the authority of Christ. …

… No matter what   the coming months hold in store for us, we can be sure: God is still at work. …

… But God’s plan, the Chief Apostle said, is to eliminate all injustices in His kingdom forever. To accomplish this, every believer has been given the same gift: the gift of the Holy Spirit. …

… Signs of the presence of God …

… Temple also means, demonstrating that God lives in the midst of His congregation—in the hearts of the faithful. …

… After all, Jesus paved the way into the kingdom of God for us with His sacrifice. What we still have to do to be able enter it, Chief Apostle Jean-Luc Schneider recently developed in a divine service. …

… It sounds like a paradox: only those who are perfect can enter the kingdom of God. Yet no human is perfect. The Chief Apostle explained in a recent service how Jesus solves this. …

… Participating in the divine services also prepares the believers to live in the community of the saints in the kingdom of God. …

… By coming to the divine service, believers demonstrate the importance they attach to their relationship with God: they now desire to gather for their encounter with God together with others whom they have …

… This preparation consists of allowing God to sanctify us. …

… The sermon of the international Church leader, Chief Apostle Jean-Luc Schneider, was based on a passage from Romans 8: 14: “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.” …

… After all, “ Your kingdom come.”   …

… Collective pronouncement, collective promise “Your will be done”—this line from the Lord’s Prayer gave the Chief Apostle the opportunity to make a special appeal to God’s children prior to the communal …

… “We spread the message of God’s kingdom. Christian faith is designed to be shared with others.” This is what the Catechism says, and this is how we practise it; also with online services on Sunday. …

… In terms of His position in society, Jesus was an ordinary man who appeared with authority to proclaim that the kingdom of God was at hand. …

… “[Christ Jesus] who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant and coming in the likeness of men. …

… “…who being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God…” The Son of God decided of his own free will to leave His glory and become man. …

… God is devoted to man. He grants him life, which He also protects and sustains. …

… The wish for the face of God to shine upon us refers to man’s dependency on God. The shining face—as opposed to one that is darkened—is an indication of positivity and friendliness. …

… Although even human beings are capable of keeping and making peace, the peace that comes from God is of an all-encompassing nature. …

… There are many examples in Holy Scripture which testify of God’s faithfulness. …

… Those who embark on this journey need be aware of the difficulties that may arise and must place their trust in God that they will receive the strength they need. …

… As is made clear in the psalm, it is important to rely on the strength and power of God and not on our own strength. There are many examples of this in both the Old and New Testament. …

… He gave them the law at Sinai and wanted to have fellowship with the people: “And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation” (Exodus 19: 6). …

… We believe that God became human in Jesus Christ, that He gave His life for us, that He rose from the dead and will return. …

… They needed to choose which gods they wanted to serve, whether that be those whom their fathers had served in Egypt or perhaps the gods of the Amorites, who were worshipped in Canaan. …

… He is both man and God. We are also called to proclaim the love of God. God wants to save the sinner from sin and turns to those who are in sin. …

… The word makes it clear that God does not require anyone special but that He turns to very normal people with all their differences. …

… Paul responded to this: “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God” (1 Corinthians 1: 18). …

… In biblical terms, the righteous person is the one who believes in God and trusts in Him in all situations. …

… The request, “Your kingdom come,” goes far beyond a personal request and takes humanity, the world, and even the entire visible creation into consideration. …

… God, the creator of heaven and earth, is our Father; the giver and sustainer of our life. …

… Düsseldorf, is still enthusiastic, and is especially pleased that everything went smoothly and as planned at last year’s event: “Thinking about this year’s corona pandemic makes me especially grateful to our God …

… It was conducted one year ago by Apostle David Heynes (United Kingdom). Following that there will be a mix of concerts with music ranging from pop to rock.  …

… This treasure is the kingdom of God, in which eternal life with God is possible. The hope of this eternal life gives us a perspective of life that cannot be shaken by anything nor devalued by anyone. …

… The kingdom of God Jesus speaks of the conditions which are needed to enter the kingdom of God, which is the realm of God’s righteousness and grace. …

… But seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you” (Luke 12: 29–31). …

… Our prayers Let our prayers include giving thanks to God: for our lives, for being children of God, for every good word that has been given to us through Him and people around us. …

… The Holy Spirit teaches us to pray Sometimes requests are made in prayer that are contrary to the will of God and  to what really benefits us. …

… The prophet explains why God does not seem to answer their prayers: “But your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear.” …

… The Holy Spirit only speaks of God as the God of love! …

… Easter 2020: commending ourselves to God as we go into the future …

… “Jesus Christ was the first human being permitted to enter the kingdom of God with a resurrection body. And God has also begun this process with us through our baptism with water and the Holy Spirit. …

… God keeps His word And then the Chief Apostle made reference to the faithfulness of God, who will always keep His promises. …

… God has His eye on all the details In his sermon, the Church leader recalled the biblical context: as Jesus approached Jerusalem He instructed two of His disciples to bring Him the colt of a donkey. …

… The Son of God was not simply passing through the city walls like a visitor. He had instructed His disciples quite precisely in terms of what they were to do. Why? …

… “This is a parable about fellowship with God,” explained the Chief Apostle. The invitation to have fellowship with God extends to all—not only to a chosen few. …

… According to one participant, it was “an emotional hour of farewell to the retiring District Apostle and acceptance of the new, all centred on the love of God for His children.” …

… “We have been invited to participate in this feast, in this great supper in heaven, in the kingdom of God. Everything has been made ready for this,” noted the international Church leader. …

… And this is how it becomes concrete: since the establishment of the church of Christ, many people have come to recognise Jesus Christ as the Son of God, have been incorporated into the body of Christ through …

… “There are many reasons to thank God the Holy Spirit. Glory be to God the Holy Spirit. He will complete and perfect His work.” …

… “No one can stop the development of the kingdom of God,” the Chief Apostle reminded the congregation of Jesus’ words concerning the seed in the ground. …

… In the thousand-year kingdom of peace, the church of Christ will continue with its mission so that all people can attain salvation through belief in Jesus Christ.  …

… However, it is not the end of God’s plan of redemption or of the church of Christ. …

… Of course there are limits to such activities, but these have been set by God Himself. He has given man freedom of choice. Faith is a gift that God gives to man, but man must long for and accept it. …

… “It is up to us that our neighbour can experience: God is love, God is grace, God is patient,” Chief Apostle Schneider said in conclusion. …

… Connected with this is the hope that God will help all of mankind. “There is to be joy in the church of the Lord!” …

… “This is my appeal to you on this Pentecost feast: let us give our neighbour a foretaste of the kingdom of God.” …

… His intent here is to point to the strength and power that Christians can derive from their intimate relationship with the Son of God. …

… “In consideration of the various daily circumstances, this is not always easy, but God will grant the necessary gifts and strength to do so,” he stated with great certainty. …

… “We human beings at times feel envious when someone else rejoices, but through the love of God we can all rejoice unconditionally with our neighbour. …

… The Chief Apostle based his sermon on a Bible text from Romans 5: 5 which states: “Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given …

… Around 12,000 visitors also attended a lecture by the Benedictine priest Anselm Grün, who spoke on the motto of the Church Convention: “For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you” (Luke 17: 21). …

… These are dependent on the respective motivations in each situation and can only be judged by God.” “Shouldn’t the Church take a stronger position in society?” asked the moderator. …

… “The kingdom of God is among you”—what does this motto of the International Church Convention mean for our daily lives? …

… So it was that the “kingdom of God”—for example in the context of respectful relationships within the family or in the endeavour to “never close the door of our hearts” in conflict situations—featured …

… He went on to add: “Let us never stop loving God, even in times of great trial. God will bless our attitude by repeatedly allowing us to be a blessing for many. …

… He will watch over us to ensure that no misfortune prevents us from entering into His kingdom and receiving His glory as our inheritance. Our love is to be a response to His love.” …

… In reference to this passage, he explained that God has called us as persons, not as members of families or groups. …

… Power and glory The Bible text on which the leader of the New Apostolic Church based the divine service was taken from the doxology at the end of the Lord’s Prayer: “For Yours is the kingdom and the power …

… With a voice filled with emotion, he stated: “At the conclusion of my active time of office, I feel it important to emphasise that all glory and honour belongs to God.” …

… And finally, he expressed that this would also be a very  special personal experience for all because God always turns to each and every individual with the promise of new comfort and strength in every …

… Twenty years ago our work began with a reference to the Bible text: “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God” (Luke 9: 62). …

… With great joy we have worked in these regions, and are very grateful for God’s blessing, help, and guidance. …

… Thus they are among those servants of God who were ordained many years ago and have had a defining impact on the development of the New Apostolic Church in India. …

… Nevertheless, He already expects us to be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation today.” …

… He went on to explain that this means we must listen to God and do that which He expects of us, instead of simply telling Him what He should do for us every day. …

… Before appointing the new District Apostle Helper, the Chief Apostle granted two servants of God who had served for many years a well-deserved retirement. …

… On this occasion the focus was on a passage from Matthew 13: 47: “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea and gathered some of every kind.” …

… It is to take place on Pentecost weekend 2014 on the grounds of the Olympic stadium in Munich (we reported) under the motto “Indeed, the kingdom of God is within you”. …

… “Indeed, the kingdom of God is within you” The Church leaders also took time to discuss plans for the International Church Day of the New Apostolic Church. …

… Only through the grace of God is it possible for them to enter into fellowship with God. …

… The kingdom of heaven is like treasure The Chief Apostle Helper summarised the aforementioned message of the divine service, which focused on the kingdom of heaven as a treasure hidden in a field, as …

… “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field…” So begins verse 44 of the thirteenth chapter of the gospel according to Matthew. …

… immediate interim goal is the return of the Son of God to take home His bride.” …

… There are indeed some very different conceptions, but I still maintain that the New Apostolic Church promotes a very concentrated focus on the return of the Son of God.” …

… A pronounced imminent expectation To conclude, Chief Apostle Wilhelm Leber once again clarified the goal of faith of all New Apostolic Christians: “We wait for the return of the Son of God to take home …

… The best motivation for all ministers in the church is love for God: “If that is our understanding, then evil can shake and rattle all it wants, but we will remain true.” …

… Even during pastoral care visits, the kingdom of heaven is always to be a topic of conversation. Jesus is also present today! …

… As he served, District Apostle Jean-Luc Schneider (France)—who was appointed Chief Apostle Helper on Pentecost—talked about the trials that God at times permits. …

… The Chief Apostle in Bülach: “Seeing and experiencing God” …

… At the beginning of his sermon, Chief Apostle Wilhelm Leber called upon the believers to turn to God with pure hearts, and to see and experience Him. …

… The Chief Apostle based the divine service on a Bible text from Matthew 13: 45-46: “Again, the kingdom of God is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price …

… of God!” …

… The Church leader went on to focus his message more sharply with reference to the following elements of faith: perseverance in prayer, in helping along in God’s work, and in waiting for the day of our …

… gospel through word and deed The divine service in Berlin-Lichtenberg was characterised by the Chief Apostle’s interpretation of the Bible text recorded in Luke 9: 60: “[…] but you go and preach the kingdom …

… When the new District Apostle was ordained for the USA on October 2008, the first steps were also taken toward a reassignment of the congregations in the United Kingdom. …

… last Sunday, 15 February 2009, the District Church of Northern Germany has officially taken over the pastoral care and administrative responsibility for the New Apostolic congregations in the United Kingdom …

… Official transfer of the congregations in the United Kingdom to the care of NAC Northern Germany …

… The theme that God means well with us human beings wound its way through the divine service like a golden thread. …

… Congregations throughout the USA, Puerto Rico, the United Kingdom, and the Republic of Ireland were also connected via satellite. …

… Congregations throughout the USA, Puerto Rico, the United Kingdom, and the Republic of Ireland were also connected via satellite. New York. Leonard R. …

… Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear. …

… Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ" (Acts 2:32, 33, 36). …

… For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call" (verses 38, 39). …

… Luke tells too what these Spirit-inspired men were saying, speaking of the great deeds of God. …

… For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call" (verses 38,39). …

… During the subsequent 40 days he appeared to his disciples on more than one occasion telling them about those things pertaining to the kingdom of God. …

… acceptably with reverence and godly fear" (Hebrews 12:28). …

… The Chief Apostle then read a special text word to serve as encouragement for the future, "Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God …

… Even in experiencing this, for us Jesus' words still apply: 'Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom'" (Luke 12:32). …

… We want to stand by all of the victims as well as their relatives in prayer so that God's help will be given to them. …

… … Magdalene and other women came to the grave at the break of day, they saw that the stone had been rolled away and … He appeared to the disciples the Risen Son of God gave them direction and instruction for that which lay … forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God" (Acts 1: 3; cf. John 21: 1-14). The … …

… The promise which God made to Moses was fulfilled in Jesus Christ: "I will … speaks to mankind. According to Mark 1: 15, the Son of God began His activity with the words: "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the … …

… … the temptation and rejected the Devil. This event is of significance for the history of salvation: Adam succumbed … of Nazareth is the story of the saving intervention of God in the course of the world. The gospels are not … focal point of Jesus' teaching was the kingdom of God in its present and future form. In Jesus … …

… The focus of Jesus' preaching was on the kingdom of God–the rule of God which was to manifest itself in … …

… … four gospels handed down to us in writing give account of the miraculous deeds of Jesus as real events that … to His Messianic identity. His miracles demonstrate God's merciful devotion to suffering people. They are events … signs of Jesus Christ's divinity and the proximity of the kingdom of God. Examples of these are Peter's miraculous … …

… … used many parables and in so doing employed a wide range of imagery from the daily lives of His listeners. In Matthew … elements of His doctrine and opened up the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven: "The kingdom of heaven is like ..." … in the first three gospels. Through them, the Son of God illustrated the major aspects of His gospel: the … …

… The gospels attest to the life and activity of Jesus Christ. However, the Evangelists did not provide … by Israel: His story is that of the saving intervention of God in the course of the world, right from the start of the kingdom of God in His person. The essential elements of the … …

… After the conclusion of the first resurrection, Christ will establish His kingdom of peace on earth. Then the rule of Jesus Christ as … Isaiah 65: 20-21). Exempted from this are the priests of God and Christ, who will have a spiritual body similar to … …

… … 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 fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, … beings to follow Him, gathered disciples, preached the kingdom of God, revealed Himself–for example, in the … …

… … occasion, the Lord sent His Apostles to the "lost sheep of the house of Israel" and expressly forbade them to go to … evil spirits, and to bring peace, as well as to preach the kingdom of God. He underlined this commission with the words "He who … …

… … and adults. The prerequisite is the believer's profession of faith in Jesus Christ and His gospel. When children are … children is based upon the insight that the blessings of God should be made available to them. They too require the grace of the Lord, and the kingdom of God is open to them (Mark 10: … …

… … also relate that He provided food for them. His miracles of feeding–for example, the feeding of the five thousand … the wedding in Cana (John 2: 1-11)–are all signs of the kingdom of God which has drawn near to mankind in Jesus Christ. Beyond … …

… Through the sacrament of Holy Sealing, the baptised believer is filled with the Holy Spirit, with power from God (see … called by God to become a firstling. With respect to the kingdom of God, the rebirth has both a present and future … …

… 6.2.3.4 The kingdom of God …

… … descriptions that underline the above-mentioned hallmarks of church and illustrate its additional characteristics. These include: God's field, God's building, the house of God, the dwelling … image of the kingdom of God refers to the rule of God in His church. … …

… … to the marriage supper in heaven. In Jesus Christ the kingdom of God has drawn near. In accordance with His statement: "I … …

… … of the … of … of the … of … of … of … of the … of the early … of the … of … of … plan of … of the … of … of … of … of … on of … of … of … of … of … of … of the … of the … of … of … of … …

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

… … every plea and statement that has been brought to God in this prayer. SUMMARY With the Lord's Prayer Jesus gave an example of how one is to pray to God. … plea "Your kingdom come" asks the Lord to be more and more perceptibly … …

… 1.1 The self-revelation of God in creation and history …

… The self-revelation of God in the visible creation is accessible to all human beings. Since the beginning of time, man has observed the grandeur of nature 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 …

… 1.2.5.1 Interpretation of Holy Scripture through the Holy Spirit …

… Holy Scripture testifies that God has revealed Himself in all time periods and in a variety of ways (see … that allow mankind to recognise God are the works of creation (Romans 1: 18-20). For example, believers praise … …

… … its own confessional statements. Professing Yahweh as the God of Israel was linked to His historical act of salvation for His people, that is their deliverance from … …

… … Creed originated in the early post-apostolic period. Some of its essential statements are based upon the sermon preached by Apostle Peter in the house of Cornelius (Acts 10: 37-43). The basic tenets of the … century. It has the following wording: "I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. I … …

… 2.4.1 The First Article of Faith …

… 3.1 The nature of God …

… The trinity of God is a mystery. The Trinitarian formula, "In the name of God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit," does not … …

… The first reference to the activity of the triune God is recorded in the first account of creation (Genesis 1: 1-31; 2: 1-4). There it states: "And … …

… "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth" (Genesis 1: 1). This statement from the first verse of Holy Scripture expresses a basic truth which we profess in the First Article of Faith. It is God who has created the heavenly worlds and … …

… … and beings outside the material world. It was created by God and is called the "invisible creation". Sometimes the … in human terms, since these are based on the human sphere of experience (that which is visible). Nevertheless, Holy … the immortal soul of man (see … …

… The term "angel" is the translation of the Hebrew word malak or the Greek angelos. Here and … both words are used in the respective Hebrew or Greek texts of Holy Scripture with the general meaning of "messenger, … they are mainly used in reference to heavenly messengers of God.The task of the angels is to worship God, fulfil His … …

… 3.4.1 The only begotten Son of God …

… 3.4.11.1 The significance of Jesus Christ's resurrection for salvation …

… … In translation this means "the Anointed One". In some of the Psalms, the kings of Israel are described as "the anointed" [of God] (Psalm 20: 6). Their anointing is closely linked to … …

… When the angel of the Lord announced the birth of Jesus to the virgin Mary, … He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end" (Luke 1: 32-33). The wise … worship (Matthew 2: 2). In Jesus Christ the promise that God had given through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled: … …

… The gospels of Matthew and Luke describe the birth of Jesus. Jesus was … and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end" (Luke 1: 31-33). He also … …

… … gathered together with the twelve Apostles for the feast of the Passover. As they were seated at the table, the Son of God instituted Holy Communion: "And as they were eating, … …

… From the beginning, God has revealed Himself to mankind (see … God speaks and acts as a person. Personhood is part of God's nature (see … (Romans 8: 16), and that He intercedes before God on behalf of those who pray (Romans 8: 26). The activity of the Holy … …

… The Creed of Nicaea-Constantinople (see … from the Father and the Son. According to the words of Jesus, the Father and Son are senders of the Holy Spirit … Son. Like the Father and the Son, the Holy Spirit is "very God of very God". He is not created, but is rather of one … …

… 3.5.3.1 The Spirit of God …

… Jesus Christ is the Helper and Advocate of His own (Matthew 28: 20; 1 John 2: 1). In His farewell discourses before His capture and crucifixion, the Son of God promised yet another Comforter, namely the … …

… 3.5.5.1 The outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost …

… Professions of the New Testament …

… 1.1.2 God reveals Himself in the history of Israel …

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

… The Old Testament contains accounts of the creation, individual events from the time after the fall into sin, as well as the origin and history of the people of Israel. Beyond that, it contains works of … bear witness of the words and activities of the prophets of God. …

… 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 were fulfilled. Jesus Christ gives the … …

… 2.2 The origin of the early church creeds …

… In the year 325 Emperor Constantine convened the Council of Nicaea. Approximately 250 to 300 Bishops accepted the … Apostolicum to enshrine the profession of the Trinity of God and emphasise the distinguishing features of the … again, with glory, to judge the quick and the dead; whose kingdom shall have no end. And in the Holy Ghost, the Lord … …

… 2.4.2 The Second Article of Faith …

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

… God has revealed Himself as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. … can be recognised as the triune God. This self-revelation of God constitutes the basis for the doctrine of the Trinity. God's actions in history and creation are … …

… … New Testament does not contain a fully formulated doctrine of the Trinity, it nevertheless records events and … show the divine Trinity and its activity in the history of salvation. One example of the presence of the triune God can be found right at the beginning of Jesus' public … …

… 3.3.1.1.2 The significance of the invisible realm for the life of human beings …

… Holy Scripture attests that God created the visible world in six "days of creation". These are not to be understood as specific measures of time. The Bible relates how all that which is perceptible … …

… 3.3.2 Man in the image of God …

… … 1: 1-18 contains fundamental statements about the being of God and His revelation in the world. It speaks of the beginning and the source which defines all things and … …

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

… The foremost tasks of the priests in the old covenant included bringing sacrifices to God, instructing the people in the law, and ruling on … The high priest's task was to bring his own sins, the sins of the priests, and the sins of the people before God. For … …

… … counted among the sinners (2 Corinthians 5: 21). This act of baptism–which was an expression of repentance–makes it clear that Jesus Christ abased … and ultimately opened the way to righteousness before God. After His baptism the Holy Spirit descended visibly … …

… … the Last Supper, Jesus and the Apostles went to the Garden of Gethsemane. The human nature of the Son of God became evident in His dread of the impending … …

… 3.5.1.2 The Holy Spirit and the incarnation of the Son of God …

… 3.5.2 The Holy Spirit as a power–the gift of the Holy Spirit …

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

… 3.5.4.2 The Spirit of truth …

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

… … and was originally used in reference to the instruction of those who were being prepared for baptism with water. The content of the Christian faith and how it is to affect one's … forth in the Catechism. The foundation for the doctrine of the Church is Holy Scripture. The core statements of its … …

… God's incarnation in Jesus Christ is the historical self-revelation of God that surpasses everything before it (John 1: 14; 1 … The gospel according to Luke expressly places the birth of the Son of God in a historical framework: "And it came to … …

… 1.2.3 The later writings of the Old Testament …

… 1.2.5.3 Personal use of the Holy Scriptures …

… 1.3 Present-day revelations of the Holy Spirit …

… … (Psalm 51: 11; Ezekiel 11: 5). According to the words of the Lord, the Holy Spirit's activity in the New Testament … the Spirit, who presently guides into all truth and reveals God's will. …

… The doctrine of the New Apostolic Church is based on Holy Scripture. The early church creeds express the fundamentals of the Christian faith as attested in the Old and New … New Apostolic Church professes belief in the triune God, in Jesus Christ as true God and true Man, in His birth … …

… 2.4.3 The Third Article of Faith …

… In the Old Testament God is repeatedly described as "the Holy One" (Isaiah 43: 3; … 50: 29; Habakkuk 1: 12). The holiness which is part of God's nature, being, and rule, refers to the fact that He … 3). His word and His will are equally holy. The nearness of God, the presence of the Holy One, which has been … …

… 3.2.3 The development of the doctrine of the Trinity …

… God reveals Himself as the Father in unsurpassed fashion through the incarnation of God, the Son: "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. … …

… Following their creation, God permitted human beings to have direct fellowship with Him. Through His commandment that they should not eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, He identified Himself to … …

… 3.4.11.3 The resurrection body of Jesus Christ …

… The teaching that Jesus Christ is true Man and true God–the doctrine of Hypostatic Union–was enshrined at the Council of Chalcedon in AD 451. This doctrine of the dual nature of … …

… 3.4.6.3 Son of Man …

… The high council pronounced Jesus guilty of blasphemy and condemned Him to death. The fact that He claimed to be the Son of God was interpreted as blasphemy. During Jesus' trial … …

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

… … Lord promised His Apostles: "Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but you tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high" … Thereby He announced the sending of the Holy Spirit, as God had already promised through the prophet Joel (Joel 2: … …

… 3.5.5.3 The activity of the Holy Spirit in the Apostle ministry …

… The Catechism of the New Apostolic Church starts off with some remarks on the self-revelation of God and Holy Scripture (Chapter 1). This is followed by an … …

… 1.1.4 God reveals Himself in the time of the church …

… The New Testament contains the records of the mission and activity of Jesus and His Apostles handed down in the gospels and the … the doctrine, which the Apostles proclaimed by commission of their Sender. In the Revelation of Jesus Christ, the … …

… 1.4 Faith as mankind's response to the revelations of God …

… … Him and His gospel is brought about by accepting the word of His ambassadors, His Apostles: "As You sent Me into the … Me through their word" (John 17: 18, 20). The preaching of the gospel generates faith: "So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Romans 10: 17). The Risen One commissioned His … …

… It is the task of the apostolate to interpret Holy Scripture and the early … that is authoritative for our faith. An important result of this is the New Apostolic Creed. In it the faith and … of time the Creed came to propagate belief in the triune God, in Jesus Christ as the incarnate God, in His … …

… 2.4.4 The Fourth Article of Faith …

… The profession in the First Article of Faith–"I believe in God the Father, the Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth"–attests that God can do anything, … …

… 3.2.4 The unity of the three divine persons …

… 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 … …

… … find the first reference to a coming Redeemer in the curse of the serpent immediately following the fall into sin (Genesis 3: 15). The author of the epistle to the Hebrews sees a reference to Jesus … blessed him (Genesis 14: 17-20; Hebrews 7). The Son of God accompanied the chosen people of Israel throughout their … …

… 3.4.6.4 Immanuel–Servant of God–Son of David …

… The Jews led Jesus to the residence of Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor, a place which devout … His hearing before Pilate, Jesus made it clear that His kingdom was not of this world and that He did not pursue any … worldly powers thus united against the Lord. The Son of God was scourged by the Romans. The people demanded He be … …

… … Father, Jesus Christ announced to His Apostles the coming of the Holy Spirit as the Comforter and the "Spirit of truth". He also promised the Holy Spirit as a divine … departure from this world was a prerequisite for the coming of the Holy Spirit as a Helper (John 16: 7). Likewise, the … …

… The Catechism of the New Apostolic Church takes into account earlier portrayals of the New Apostolic faith, but goes beyond previous … of current understanding. This occurs in the knowledge that God, in His omnipotence, can also grant salvation to human … …

… 1.2.5 The significance of Holy Scripture for doctrine and faith …

… 2.4.5 The Fifth Article of Faith …

… God, "the Eternal", has neither beginning nor end. Temporal … You are God" (Psalm 90: 2). God is the Creator and Lord of time. Unlike the material world, which is subject to … grants time and can also take it away. The eternal nature of God transcends the horizon of human experience. It is … …

… The name "Jesus" means "The Lord saves". When the angel of the Lord heralded the birth of Jesus, he announced His name at the same time: "and you … Jesus Christ revealed Himself as the Redeemer sent by God: "The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are … …

… … To the women who wept over Him the Lord said: "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for Me, but weep for yourselves … these words He was referring to the impending destruction of Jerusalem. Two criminals were executed together with … and care, thereby revealing the love and grace of God. Ecclesiastical tradition has arranged the final words … …

… Holy Scripture provides abundant testimony of the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God. It testifies that understanding God is only possible … …

… The epistles of the New Testament express that the Holy Spirit was … Helper and Comforter. The church is described as the "house of God", "dwelling place of God", or "temple of the living God" … …

… 2.4.6 The Sixth Article of Faith …

… In the old as well as in the new covenant, God reveals Himself as the Loving One. Out of love He elected the people of Israel and freed them from Egyptian captivity. However, … …

… 3.4.6 Majestic titles of Jesus …

… Isaiah 53 describes the suffering servant of God who is abased. This refers to Jesus Christ, who was "despised and rejected by men, a Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief" (verse 3). His … …

… 2.4.7 The Seventh Article of Faith …

… God is the Gracious One. His grace is part of His … righteous, sinners receive forgiveness, and those in need of salvation are granted salvation, that is … …

… 3.4.7 The ministries of Christ–King, Priest, and Prophet …

… … considered the key to the relationship between mankind and God. Jesus did not repeal the law, however, He made it clear … 5-7), Jesus took position on the law in the presence of His disciples and the people. In the so-called antitheses … heard that it was said "but I say to you ...")–by way of which He clarified the law and led His listeners to the … …

… … Peter's confession to Jesus: "[You are] the Christ of God", the Lord revealed to His disciples: "The Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the … …

… 2.4.8 The Eighth Article of Faith …

… God is perfect. He requires no improvement, change, or any … Himself: "I AM WHO I AM" (Exodus 3: 14). The perfection of God is closely linked to His goodness: everything that … by the fact that there is absolutely no difference of any kind between His will and His actions, between His … …

… … the gospel, Jesus selected twelve Apostles from the ranks of His disciples (Luke 6: 12-16; Mark 3: 14). They were His … of His doctrine, and thereby opened up the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven. The parables of Jesus revolve around His … images of the gospel of John, Jesus reveals Himself as true God. … …

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

… … heaven and that He will take to Himself the firstfruits of the dead and living who have hoped for and were prepared … heaven He will return to earth with them to establish His kingdom of peace, and that they will reign with Him as a … the kingdom of peace, He will hold the Last Judgement. Then God will create a new heaven and a new earth and dwell with … …

… … the Lord rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, the prophecy of Zechariah 9: 9 was fulfilled. With the cleansing of the temple, Jesus made it clear that the house of the Lord is holy. The disputes with the Pharisees and … …

… The core of the gospel is Jesus Christ who, through His death on the … His resurrection, created eternal salvation. Thus the cross of Christ became the epitome of God's reconciliatory actions toward sinful mankind. The … …

… 2.4.10 The Tenth Article of Faith …

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

… 3.4.11 The resurrection of Jesus Christ …

… 3.4.12 The ascension of Jesus Christ …

… 3.4.13 Jesus Christ as the head of the church …

… 3.4.14 Jesus Christ as the head of the creation …

… 3.4.15 The promise of Jesus Christ's return …

… 1 The revelations of God …

… A creed summarises the essential content of a doctrine of faith. Those who profess a creed fulfil one of the prerequisites for belonging to a respective … …

… The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit comprise the one God. That God is triune from eternity is attested by the self-revelations of God within the history of salvation, which makes clear that the Father, the Son, … …

… 4 Mankind in need of redemption …

… 5 God's commandments …

… 6 The church of Jesus Christ …

… … or official position which is assigned to a specific area of responsibility. In the broader sense, "ministry" is an … lead, and provide order to a community. The exercise of a ministry [1] incorporates both administrative and … Fifth Article of Faith: "I believe that those designated by God for a ministry are ordained only by Apostles, and that … …

… Sacraments are fundamental acts of God's grace. They are holy acts that are performed upon a … him to attain salvation, be adopted into the fellowship of life with God, and be preserved in it. Receiving the … …

… … can be found in Holy Scripture. Beyond that, the doctrine of the afterlife is based on revelations of the Holy Spirit. …

… 10 The doctrine of future things …

… 11 From the history of Christianity …

… 12 Divine service, acts of blessing, and pastoral care …

… 13 New Apostolic Christians and their life of faith …

… The origin of evil within the order of creation cannot be rationally grasped or explained. Paul … its power, strength, and effects, become clear. Only God is absolutely good. In God's words, both the invisible … …

… The doctrine of sin and mankind's need for redemption is based on Holy Scripture's account of the fall into sin (see also … "And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, '... but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not … …

… … between these two concepts is clearly shown in the words of the Son of God when He defended His disciples who, by the … …

… 4.4 God's plan of salvation …

… Election is rooted in God's will to call forth individual human beings or groups … …

… By "blessing" we understand God's loving care. Blessing is synonymous with God's saving … existence is dependent on God's blessing points to an image of mankind that derives from belief in God as the almighty Creator and Sustainer of all creation. On their own, human beings are not capable … …

… 4.7 The functions of the law …

… Strict adherence to the Mosaic Law and the study of its content were of central importance in the old covenant (see … for example in Isaiah 61: 1: "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, because the Lord has anointed Me to preach … …

… Belief in God has a decisive effect on the life of an individual as a whole. Believers strive to live up to the will of God through their thoughts and actions. They recognise in … …

… 5.2 God's commandments–an expression of His love …

… The Ten Commandments comprise the core of the Mosaic Law, the five books of Moses (Torah). They bring to expression the kind of conduct that is pleasing to God and the kind that displeases Him. From them, specific … …

… … meanings. On the one hand it can mean a Christian house of God as a place of assembly for the believers. On the other hand it can … …

… On the one hand, the purpose of the church of Jesus Christ is to make salvation and eternal fellowship with the triune God accessible to mankind and, on the other hand, to bring … …

… 6.3 The church of Jesus Christ–a mystery …

… Salvation is accessible in the church of Jesus Christ, which has been established by the Lord … human beings who belong to it have been called forth by God to eternal fellowship with God, the Father, the Son, and … Spirit. God is worshipped in the church. The focal point of church life is the divine service. In its spiritual … …

… 6.5 The church of Jesus Christ and the churches as institutions …

… … issued through ordination for service in the church of Christ. It is exercised in the power of the Holy Spirit. The spiritual ministry is assigned by … responsible and accountable to his sender in the fulfilment of his ministerial mandate. Ministry is always linked to … …

… 7.2 Source of ministry in the church …

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

… … ministry is mandated to prepare believers for the return of Jesus Christ. The Fourth Article of Faith describes the significance of the Apostle ministry with the following words: "I believe … …

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

… … the New Apostolic Church has understood itself as a church of ministry. It is a church that is led by the apostolate. All other ministries come forth out of the Apostle ministry. Concerning this, the Fifth Article of Faith states: "I believe that those designated by God for a ministry are ordained only by Apostles, and that … …

… … spiritual ministry is performed by the Apostle in the name of the triune God through laying on of hands and prayer (see … …

… 7.8 The exercise of a ministry …

… 7.9 Tasks of the ministries …

… Holy Baptism with water is the first and fundamental act of grace of the triune God bestowed on a human being who believes in Jesus Christ. … …

… The Seventh Article of the New Apostolic Creed states: "I believe that Holy Communion was instituted by the Lord Himself in memory of the once brought, fully valid sacrifice, and bitter … person of Jesus Christ. In Holy Communion, the reality of God and His devotion to mankind can be directly experienced. … …

… … sacrament through which the believer, through the laying on of hands and the prayer of an Apostle, receives the gift of the Holy Spirit and becomes a child of God with the calling to become a firstling. Accordingly, the … …

… 9.1 The immortality of the soul …

… Holy Scripture provides various interpretations of the term "death". First of all, the term describes a person's physical death, the … the body. "Spiritual death" is the separation of man from God, which is brought about through a life of sin (Romans 6: … …

… 9.3 The afterlife of the soul …

… … to all realms, events, and conditions that exist outside of the material world. In a narrower sense this term refers to the realm of the dead (Hebrew: Sheol, Greek: Hades), and will, in the … the dead through necromancy or channelling is prohibited by God and therefore sinful (Deuteronomy 18: 10-11).The Old … …

… 9.5 The condition of souls in the beyond …

… … His sacrifice, it has been possible for the condition of the souls in the beyond to change for the better. Thus … …

… 10.1 The return of Jesus Christ …

… 10.2 The marriage of the Lamb …

… For as long as the Lord's work 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 … …

… 10.4 The coming of the Lord with power and great glory …

… … blessed and holy–that is those who will be caught up to God at the return of Christ, and the martyrs from the great tribulation–are … at His coming. Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule … …

… … 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 beings. To start with, the Apostles turned to … like Philip did in the capital of Samaria. In a vision, God showed Apostle Peter that the gospel is also intended … …

… 11.2 Christianity after the death of the early Apostles …

… 11.3 The reoccupation of the Apostle ministry in the Catholic Apostolic Church …

… Divine service is the activity of God upon human beings and a work of human beings for God. …

… 12.2 Acts of blessing …

… The death of a loved one causes pain and grief for the bereaved. In … they feel the consolation expressed in the loving care of those around them. The funeral service, a divine service … of the deceased, which is now commended to the grace of God. The mourners assembled for the funeral service … …

… The accounts of Jesus' conduct allow us to understand the significance of pastoral care. Without regard for the person, He turned … Every minister is to take example in this from the Son of God. To this end, Jesus gives us the image of the good … …

… Church holy days refer to particular events in God's plan of salvation. These events are commemorated with reverence … Church celebrates the following holy days, the importance of which is emphasised by a special divine service. Regional … …

… 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 for human beings to enter into contact with Him. In … …

… 13.2 Willingness to offer and sacrifice …

… … is the lifelong union between a man and woman desired by God, upon which His blessing rests. It also forms the … It is based upon a free and voluntary public expression of fidelity by both partners. Mutual love and fidelity are indispensable factors in the success of a marriage. God's blessing is an important and valuable … …

… … beings find themselves result in various necessary modes of conduct. For Christians, the basis for fulfilling these obligations is belief in God as the One who creates, establishes, and maintains order. The imposition of obligations and the demand for compliance with them are … …

… 13.5 The New Apostolic Church as part of society …

… … is a power that stems from the desire for independence from God and the desire to be "like God". This power completely … human beings become sinners. Throughout the history of man, the power of evil has manifested itself again and again. For example, … …

… … as a person. Holy Scripture refers to the personification of evil as "the Devil" (Matthew 4: 1), "Satan", or "unclean … question of the serpent to Adam and Eve caused man to doubt God and rebel against Him: "You will not surely die. For God … or the serpent–will be cast out of heaven. After the kingdom of peace, he will be given one last opportunity to … …

… 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 …

… Sin is everything that is opposed to God's will and contrary to God's being. Every sin separates … Old nor the New Testament offers a self-contained "doctrine of sin" or a systematic and exhaustive "catalogue of sins". God Himself always defines what is right by … …

… Whenever human beings violate God's will, they sin and thereby incur guilt before God. … an individual who has committed a sin. The magnitude of guilt incurred can only be measured by God. The extent of such guilt may vary: the knowledge and motivation of the … …

… In the old covenant, the hope of salvation revolved mainly around deliverance from earthly affliction and captivity. In this respect, the people of Israel experienced God's salvation through their deliverance from Egyptian … …

… 4.4.2 Jesus Christ–Saviour and Mediator of Salvation …

… … today experience salvation by being prepared for the return of Christ, which will enable them to share in the glory of God. The Apostle ministry (see … as priests with Christ. During this time, the thousand-year kingdom of peace, salvation will be offered to all mankind. … …

… … which is linked to a responsibility resulting from it. Out of all His creatures, God elected man and gave him the task of making the earth subject to him. The special position man … …

… … (Matthew 28: 19-20; Luke 6: 13). The Lord elects the people of the new covenant from among both Jews and Gentiles. Those … In 1 Peter 2: 9 we read as follows concerning the people of the new covenant: "But you are a chosen generation, a … word and conduct–of the favours they have received from God (2 Peter 1: 10-11). …

… Election is a gift of God that is either accepted in faith or rejected in … prepared in order to comprise the royal priesthood in the kingdom of peace (see … eschatological effects: when Jesus Christ establishes His kingdom of peace as the King of all kings, the royal … …

… During the creation God blessed all creatures and laid the law of increase into the life He had created. He entrusted the … shall not cease" (Genesis 8: 22). Although the blessing of God which originally covered the creation was hampered in … …

… The promise of blessing given to Israel was part of the covenant God made with His chosen people. This blessing was … …

… … His miracles, and through His conduct. He placed His hands of blessing upon children. He forgave sinners. His ultimate … the cross as an expiatory sacrifice for the reconciliation of all mankind. He thereby took upon Himself the curse which … way. Thus we read in Ephesians 1: 3: "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us … …

… … foremost, to the written Mosaic Law, that is the five Books of Moses (the Torah). Essential elements of the Mosaic Law include the Ten Commandments and the … for man to avoid sin, to thereby live righteously before God, and to thus avoid His judgement. The law obliged the … …

… The function of the law given by God is to instruct mankind in the conduct that is pleasing … in life, which provides human beings with concrete rules of conduct. Thus the law leads man to do good works and … …

… The correct understanding of the law given by God is revealed in the light of the gospel. Apostle Paul wrote in his epistle to the … …

… 4.8.1 The law of Christ–grace …

… … that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law" (Romans 3: 28). Nevertheless, faith and works … be separated from one another: good works are an expression of a living faith. Where they are lacking, faith is dead. … Faith manifests itself first and foremost in love for God and in loving conduct toward one's neighbour. Like … …

… Man's love for God and his neighbour is rooted in God. Love is the nature of the Creator and therefore eternal: divine love has … all created things and will never end. All things are of Him, through Him, and to Him (Romans 11: 36). Out of … …

… … The Mosaic Law primarily defines neighbours as members of the people of Israel. It was only within this framework that the … of the Israelites (Leviticus 19: 33-34). The Son of God combined the commandments contained in Leviticus 19: 18 … …

… … be especially manifest in the congregation: "Let each of us please his neighbour for his good, leading to … you have love for one another" (John 13: 34-35). The love of Christ's followers for one another is thus also an … to love one another with the commandment to love God. The Apostle describes the appearing of the loving God … …

… I am the Lord your God. You shall have no other gods before Me. …

… You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who … …

… … Third Commandment is an exhortation to set aside one day of the week in order to worship God, gratefully remember His deeds of salvation, and occupy oneself with His word. …

… … your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you. The provisions of the Ten Commandments that apply to interpersonal … Commandment. The Commandment does not contain any kind of prohibition, but rather demonstrates the mode of conduct … …

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

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

… 6.4.1 Distinguishing features of the church …

… 6.4.2 The manifestation of the church of Christ in history …

… 6.4.3 The church of Jesus Christ and ministry …

… 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 Faith: "I … heaven He will return to earth with them to establish His kingdom of peace, and that they will reign with Him as a … the kingdom of peace, He will hold the Last Judgement. Then God will create a new heaven and a new earth and dwell with … …

… An appointment is the assignment of a firmly defined task. It is not to be equated with an ordination. The appointment can be limited in terms of both duration and location. In association with a … and funerals, performing acts of blessing, proclaiming God's word, and providing pastoral care to the members of … …

… From the perspective of the New Testament, the ministry–in the present-day … represents the priest who imparts the blessing of God (Genesis 14: 18-19). Moses stands for the prophet … of faith. All of Israel had been called by God as a "kingdom of priests" (Exodus 19: 6). Nevertheless, God only … …

… 7.3.2 Foundation of the ministry in the New Testament …

… 7.4.1 Characteristics of the Apostle ministry …

… In the presence of the other Apostles, the Lord granted Simon Peter special … not prevail against it. And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be … and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God" (John 6: 68-69). Peter was the one whom Jesus Christ … …

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

… 7.5.1 Continuity of the Apostle ministry …

… 7.5.2 Interruption in the activity of the Apostles …

… 7.5.3 The reoccupation of the Apostle ministry …

… The apostolate is defined by the ministries of Chief Apostle, District Apostle, and Apostle.Together … was a senior Apostle, who was also described as the "Pillar of the Apostles". Although the latter did not have any powers or authority surpassing that of the other Apostles–he remained the first among … …

… 7.6.2 The function of the apostolate …

… 7.6.3 The self-conception of the Apostles …

… 7.6.4 The authority of the Apostle ministry …

… 7.6.5 The Apostles in the church of Jesus Christ …

… Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is the head of His church. In this Church, it is the … not prevail against it. And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be … …

… … (District Apostle district). Moreover he defines the points of emphasis in church work, decides on the ordination of ministers, and seeks to preserve the oneness in the circle of the Apostles. As a rule, he celebrates Holy Communion for … …

… … dispense Holy Baptism with water, proclaim the forgiveness of sins, and consecrate and dispense Holy Communion.The high … ministers are derived from Malachi 2: 7: "For the lips of a priest should keep knowledge, and people should seek … performing acts of blessing and funerals, proclaiming God's word, and providing pastoral care to the members of … …

… 8.1.1 Definition of the term …

… The ritual washings referenced in various passages of the Mosaic Law can be regarded as precursors to baptism with water. They led to a ritual cleansing of persons who, due to their physical conditions, were … …

… 8.1.3 The necessity of Holy Baptism with water for salvation …

… 8.1.4 The proper dispensation of Holy Baptism with water …

… 8.1.6 The effects of Holy Baptism with water …

… … Holy Baptism with water is dispensed on the basis of faith. Sacrament and faith belong together: "He who … receiving the sacrament as well as his response to this act of God. The unbelief into which a baptised person may fall … …

… … interdependent, they are two distinct sacraments. The book of Acts relates that Holy Baptism with water and baptism … 2: 38-39; 8: 12-17, 10: 44-48; 19: 5-6). The rebirth out of water and the Spirit occurs when a person receives both … …

… … vows to earnestly endeavour to avoid sin and to lead a life of following Christ. The kind of following to which the baptised are called consists of aligning themselves to the life and nature of Jesus, in … …

… There are various designations for the sacrament of the body and blood of Christ, which emphasise different aspects of the … meaning "to give thanks". Jesus Christ gave thanks to God when He instituted Holy Communion (Luke 22: 19). The … …

… … Old Testament not only makes frequent references to the Son of God, His suffering, and His sacrifice, but also relates many … bread and wine (verse 18). "Bread and wine" are reminiscent of the elements of Holy Communion. This relationship becomes … …

… … the lamb, the Israelites ate unleavened bread. The blood of the lamb, which was painted on the doorposts, was the … from the tenth plague to come upon Egypt, namely the death of the firstborn (Exodus 12). God commanded that the Passover should be celebrated every … …

… … Jesus Christ established Holy Communion in the presence of His Apostles, He said: "... unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in … until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father's kingdom'" (Mark 14: 22-25; Luke 22: 14-20). While the … …

… In 1 Corinthians 11: 17-32 we find evidence of the celebration of Holy Communion and of Jesus' words of institution which … of bread and giving thanks (Greek: eucharistein) to God also belong together. At the same time, Jesus' … …

… 8.2.7 The significance of bread and wine …

… Holy Communion is a meal of remembrance because it first of all commemorates the death of Jesus Christ as a unique … the certainty of Christ's current presence and His future kingdom. …

… 8.2.9 Holy Communion as a meal of profession …

… The 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 … establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God, who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our … …

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

… … Sealing also has its foundation in the life and activity of Jesus Christ. Concerning Him–the Son of Man–John 6: 27 states that "God the Father has set His seal on Him." After Jesus had … …

… 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 …

… … Sealing requires the recipient to believe in the triune God and the Apostles sent by Jesus Christ. Prior to this he … 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 … …

… 8.3.8 Holy Sealing as an act of God …

… Already at the time of the old covenant, there is evidence of the belief that it is possible to perform good deeds for … served idols and then died in battle. The living implored God to wipe out their sins, and collected money in order to … …

… 9.6.2 The participation of the dead in Christ …

… … death, He proclaimed the gospel to them in the realm of the dead. The fact that the departed need the proclamation of the gospel in order to "live in the spirit" is also … judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit." Jesus Christ is Lord over the dead and … …

… 10.1.1 The promise of the return of Jesus Christ …

… 10.1.2 Events associated with the return of Jesus Christ …

… The commission of the Apostles is to prepare the church of Christ for the reunion with Jesus Christ at His return, … These were redeemed from among men, being firstfruits to God and to the Lamb. And in their mouth was found no deceit, … …

… … Constantine (ca. AD 270/288, died 337) proclaimed freedom of religion for the Christians. In the years AD 380/381, the Christian religion became the state religion of the Roman Empire. Before this time, many Christians had … still brought to expression–objectively and according to God's will–the content of the gospel. Viewed as a whole, … …

… … Emperor Theodosius made Christianity the state religion of the Roman Empire and forbade all pagan … in Europe grew stronger and spread to many areas of the then known world. Starting in the seventh century, Christians in parts of Asia and Africa had to contend with the new religion of … …

… 11.2.3 Aspects of Christianity in medieval Europe …

… The search for the original form of the gospel and for guidance by the Holy Spirit defined a … associated with Martin Luther (1483-1546). Criticism of the Roman Church's secularisation, as well as the … of justification by faith, with its fundamental notion that God does not provide rewards on the basis of good works, but … …

… … strove for spiritual renewal and reinforced the power of the papacy. The Popes endeavoured to regain Protestant territories for Catholicism. In the course of these conflicts, the Thirty Years' War broke out in … served, among other things, to strengthen the institution of the state church. The sovereign determined the religion … …

… 11.2.6 Christianity at the beginning of the nineteenth century …

… 11.3.1 The development of a church led by Apostles …

… 11.3.2 The calling of additional Apostles …

… 11.3.3 The continuation of the Apostle ministry in the New Apostolic Church …

… In the divine service the congregation gathers to hear God's word and receive blessing through the sacrament. Human … an encounter between God and man. In the worshipful serving of the believers and in the perceptible presence of the triune God, the congregation experiences that God … …

… The divine service of the Old Testament is based upon encounters between 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 God's service to mankind. The Son of God came to earth as … …

… 12.1.4 Further development of Christian divine service …

… The four elements of divine service present in the early church are still … present when the congregation experiences the mystery of an encounter between God and man at the altar, which is always new. The … …

… 12.1.6 Proclamation of the word …

… … Jesus gave to those who believe in Him. With it the Son of God gave an example of how we are to pray to the Father in heaven. This prayer … …

… 12.1.8 Forgiveness of sins in the divine service …

… 12.1.9 Dispensation of the sacraments in the divine service …

… Pregnancy and the birth of a child are experienced as a special phase of life by the parents. During this period of time they … prenatal blessing is dispensed as the first visible act of God upon a human being. The act of blessing is performed … …

… … confirmatio = "reinforcement", "affirmation") is that act of blessing in which young New Apostolic Christians take … From then on, these Christians, who have reached the age of spiritual majority, bear full responsibility before God for everything they do or neglect to do. They commit … …

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

… 12.2.4 Dedication of church buildings …

… 12.4.1 Instruction of children …

… … young brothers and sisters is a special focus in the work of our Church. …

… … and Lazarus in Bethany. From this a special relationship of trust developed between them: "Now Jesus loved Martha and … 19: 9). Today we derive the significance and purpose of pastoral care visits from what has been handed down to us … and sisters is the endeavour to deepen their love for God and His work, cultivate their life of faith, and enhance … …

… … language, "confession" refers to the acknowledgement of sins or the admission of one's guilt in the presence of a clergyman. This is subject to a strict obligation of … …

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

… Christmas commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ and thus refers to one of the central events in the history of salvation: Jesus … the virgin Mary. Through the appearance of Christ on earth, God abased Himself by taking on flesh in Jesus Christ (John … …

… Palm Sunday marks the beginning of the Passion Week. This festive day reminds us of Jesus' entry into Jerusalem on the occasion of the Jewish feast of Passover: in fulfilment of a prophecy … …

… … 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, several … as "Holy Friday". Through His sacrificial death, the Son of God broke Satan's power and overcame death (Hebrews 2: 14). … …

… 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 … possible to undo both death and mankind's separation from God. Belief in the resurrection of "Christ the firstfruits" … …

… … Then "He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight." From two angels the Apostles received the … …

… … day on which the Holy Spirit was poured out. We also speak of Pentecost as the day when the Holy Spirit was revealed and as the "birthday of the church of Christ". The sending of the Holy … after Jesus' resurrection–had been promised by the Son of God to His Apostles in His farewell discourses. A large … …

… Thanksgiving Day commemorates the creatorship of God. On one Sunday of the year–Thanksgiving Sunday–a divine service is held … …

… 12.5.8 Structure of divine services on religious holy days …

… … found in Genesis 4: 26: "Then men began to call on the name of the Lord." This demonstrates a fundamental characteristic … been intrinsic to prayer ever since: human beings turn to God and call upon Him in the firm belief that God hears … 95: 6 admonishes: "Oh come, let us worship". Examples of worship of God can be found in many hymns and psalms of … …

… The relationship between man and God changed fundamentally through Jesus Christ. On the basis of this new relationship with God, the Lord taught a kind of prayer that was previously unknown: on the one hand it is … …

… The gospel of Luke relates that Jesus prayed especially before decisive … the Father transfigured Him in the presence of the witnesses from here and the beyond (Luke 9: … Yours, be done." This prayer was a struggle of the soul. God did not allow this supplication to go unanswered: an … …

… 13.1.4 The prayer of the early Christians …

… 13.1.5 The prayer of New Apostolic Christians …

… 13.1.6 Effects of prayer …

… … played an important role in practically all the religions of ancient civilisations–as also in Israel. Sacrifice was intended to invoke God's grace, avert punishment, and bring about … sacrifice mentioned in the Bible was brought by the sons of Adam and Eve: Cain offered of the fruit of the ground, … …

… 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 …

… It pleases God when we bring Him our offerings with the proper … one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is … us to recognise that the sacrifices which are brought out of a pure heart attract blessing even if this blessing often … …

… … with Christian teaching and values. The fact that God has explicitly anchored the protection of marriage within the Ten Commandments underscores the importance and value of marriage as a divine institution (see … …

… … to country. They are subject to change as a reflection of constant shifts in society. The New Apostolic Church is a proponent of protection for marriage and family. Receiving the … to have a common agreement in matters of faith. Grasping God's word and grace, praying together, and making … …

… Marriage also serves to perpetuate the human race: "Then God blessed them [the first human beings], and God said to … bond within a marriage and contribute to the wellbeing of both spouses. Family planning is at the discretion of both partners. Nevertheless, the Church opposes … …

… Because children are a gift of God, parents not only have a high degree of responsibility toward their children and society in … …

… 13.3.5 Responsibilities of the children …

… … is politically neutral. Its activity conforms to the laws of each respective country, in accordance with Romans 13: 1: … authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God" … tasks, and even grossly mishandle them. Even the power of the state must be measured against divine … …

… … Church and its members respect the religious practices of other people, and refrain from making derogatory remarks concerning those of different faiths, different religions, and different … to have a good and peaceable relationship on the basis of mutual respect. The Church rejects any kind of religious … …

… … Church is committed to the gospel and the imperatives of Christian ethics. Thus it understands its duty to include charitable activity which benefits people irrespective of gender, age, colour, nationality, or religion. Within the … Acts 5: 29 stands above everything else: "We ought to obey God rather than men." … …

… … the Creator. Thereby the untroubled relationship between God and man was destroyed. This has had drastic effects on the human race to this day. Adam represents the archetype of all sinners, as it were. This is true as regards his motivation to sin, his conduct while in the state of sinfulness, as well as his hopelessness after the fall … …

… … time on have to reap what they had sown: "For the wages of sin is death" (Romans 6: 23). Despite their disobedience … to care for them and attend to them. Illustrations of this divine care include the fact that God made tunics of hide for Adam and Eve and clothed them … …

… … conscience as a gift which mankind has received from God[6]. In reference to this the Old Testament often uses the term "heart", in which the voice of God can be heard. Thus we read in Deuteronomy 30: 14: … do it." In contrast, Apostle Paul explains that the will of God was not only laid into the hearts of those living … …

… Reason is a gift of God that distinguishes human beings–as the image of God–from all other creatures. It is of particular help … …

… The word "faith" is not mentioned in the Hebrew texts of the Old Testament. Wherever we find this term in modern … "loyalty", "obedience", "confidence", or "certainty". All of these meanings are implicit in the single word "faith". … always starts with God, who reveals Himself through His word and His works. As … …

… The Bible firmly establishes the count of the commandments at ten, but does not number them. This has led to differing ways of counting them. The counting method in use in the New … …

… … these commandments were audibly declared to the people by God on Mount Sinai (Deuteronomy 5: 22) and only these commandments were written into stone tablets of the law (Exodus 34: 28). The proclamation of the Ten Commandments is part of the covenant that God … …

… … are reinforced and given deeper meaning by the Son of God. In the statements He makes, Jesus Christ shows Himself … life can only be attained if, beyond the mere observance of the commandments, one is also prepared to follow Christ … …

… The wording of the Ten Commandments in use today is not the same as that … wording First Commandment I am the Lord, your God. You shall have no other gods before Me. Second Commandment You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him … …

… "I am the Lord your God." This statement stands as an introduction to all the … over all. Unrestricted sovereignty is due Him, the Creator of all things. He establishes the law through His word. He is to be obeyed. The Old Testament attests of this awareness in the books of the law, in the Psalms, … …

… 5.3.2.2 God leads out of bondage …

… 5.3.2.3 Worship and the fear of God …

… … shall have no other gods before me." With these words, God makes it clear that He is the only One to whom worship and reverence as God are due. The veneration or worship of anything else that human beings might consider … and many lords), yet for us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus, … …

… 5.3.2.5 The prohibition of images …

… 5.3.2.6 Violations of the First Commandment …

… When God spoke to Moses from the burning bush, He stated His name … identical to Himself, unchangeable, and eternal. Out of reverence, Jews avoid speaking the name of Yahweh. To this day, whenever this name of God appears in … …

… 5.3.3.2 Forms of taking the name of God in vain …

… 5.3.3.3 The threat of punishment …

… 5.3.3.4 Hallowing God's name–prayer and conduct of life …

… The question of whether it is permissible to take an oath by invoking–or to make a vow using–God's name is linked to the Second Commandment. While this … against swearing was not regarded as a general standard of conduct. Accordingly, Christian tradition applies Jesus … …

… The Sabbath is to be kept holy as part of the order of creation because God rested on the seventh day of creation and hallowed it … …

… Even before issuing the law on Mount Sinai, God had set apart the Sabbath (Exodus 16: 4-30). He gave the Sabbath as a gift, as a day on which the people of Israel were to rest from work and turn to God without distraction. Thus the Sabbath was a day of rest and, at the same time, a holy day. It was … …

… … position on the Sabbath differed fundamentally from that of the law-abiding Jews. The conduct of the Son of God makes it clear that the law and the gospel assessed the … …

… "For the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath" (Matthew 12: 8)–these words of Jesus, which document His divine authority over the law, … …

… Above all, believers sanctify the Sunday by worshipping God in divine service, believingly accepting His word, receiving forgiveness of sins in a repentant attitude, and worthily partaking of Christ's body and blood in the sacrament of Holy … …

… … to work on a Sunday should seek to connect themselves to God and the congregation through prayer. …

… 5.3.4.7 The structure of the Sunday …

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

… … on the cross He honoured Mary by commending her to the care of Apostle John (John 19: 27). In His conversation with the rich young man the Son of God mentioned the Fourth Commandment as being important for … …

… 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 …

… Regardless of their age, children have the unaltered task of honouring their parents. If their relationship with one … their children, and are to ensure–through their own God-pleasing conduct–that they do not make it difficult … …

… The literal translation of this commandment from the original Hebrew text is: "You … Commandment forbade the unauthorised, unlawful shedding of innocent blood which was damaging to the community. It … refer to military service or the death penalty. In terms of penalties, the Mosaic Law distinguished between … …

… Jesus' interpretation of the Fifth Commandment went far beyond the original meaning: "You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgement.' But I say to you that whoever is angry … …

… 5.3.6.3 The significance of the Fifth Commandment today …

… … are to be answered with a view to the basic principle that God is the source of all life. He is the authority in whose hands the beginning and end of human life lies. No human being is entitled to violate … …

… … the lifelong union between a man and a woman as desired by God. It is based on an act of free will which is expressed in a public vow of fidelity (Matthew 19: 4-5). The Bible describes various … …

… … a married person, commits adultery. According to the words of Jesus: "But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to … adultery with her in his heart" (Matthew 5: 28), "adultery of the heart" can occur despite an outwardly blameless conduct of life. This commandment is not only violated by committing … …

… … New Testament, divorce is assessed as sin: "Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate" (Mark 10: 9). … exception in which divorce was permissible was in the case of adultery committed by one's spouse (Matthew 19: 9). The gospel of Mark describes the remarriage of a divorced person as … …

… … kept "undefiled" (Hebrews 13: 4). The insight that the body of a reborn individual is the dwelling place of God, and also the property of the Most High, results in the … …

… … take that which belongs to another person. This prohibition of theft, which has its source in God, is one of the basic principles of human legal systems and serves to … …

… … was intended, above all, to outlaw kidnapping. The purpose of this was to protect free men from being kidnapped, sold, … therefore an offence that was punishable by the most severe of all possible penalties. Beyond that, it was also a … …

… … described theft as a sin, which has its root in the hearts of men and defiles them. In these passages, the Seventh … …

… 5.3.8.4 Various forms of theft …

… 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 …

… … Paul advises: "Therefore, putting away lying, 'Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbour'" (Ephesians 4: 25). … Even the Eighth Commandment is subordinate to the principle of loving one's neighbour. Great care should therefore be … that "a false witness who speaks lies" is an abomination to God. This is also true for "one who sows discord among … …

… 5.3.9.5 Further violations of the Eighth Commandment …

… The triune God is the epitome of truth (John 17: 17; 14: 6; 16: 13), whereas the Devil is the father of lies (John 8: 44). The true witness of the Holy Spirit … …

… 6.2.3.1 The body of Christ …

… 6.2.3.2 The people of God …

… 6.2.3.3 The city of God …

… 6.2.3.5 The flock of God …

… The profession of the one church arises from the belief in the one God. The triune God has founded and preserved the one church … who sent the Son, through Jesus Christ who–as the head of the body–is enduringly united with the congregation, … …

… The church of Christ is holy on account of the sanctifying activity of God in Christ's sacrifice and through the activity of the … …

… … means that there are no boundaries for the preaching of the gospel. This comes to expression in the commission … 1: 8). Jesus Christ and His church are there for the people of all nations, for both the living and the dead (Romans 14: 9). God's universal will to save thereby takes on a directly … …

… 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 … Profession of the one church derives from belief in the one God. The church attests to the oneness of the Father, the … …

… 6.4.2.1 The church of Jesus Christ at the time of the early Apostles …

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

… 6.4.2.3 The church of Jesus Christ after the reoccupation of the Apostle ministry …

… … His Apostles the commission to baptise. The administration of the sacraments is inseparably linked to the Apostle ministry. While Holy Sealing–according to the testimony of the Scriptures–was only dispensed by Apostles, there … Holy Baptism performed in the name of the Trinity is a binding element among Christians. … …

… … water can be found in the Old Testament. The deliverance of Noah and his family in the ark is regarded in 1 Peter 3: 20-21 as an "antitype of baptism" and a reference to future salvation. In … distinguishes between "clean" and "unclean". Water is one of the means used to bring about ritual purity. Persons who … …

… … interdependent. Jesus Christ submitted to the baptism of John the Baptist in order to demonstrate how righteousness before God can be attained (Matthew 3: 15). So it was that the baptism of repentance, as practised by John, led to Holy Baptism … …

… 8.1.3.1 Holy Baptism with water as an act of God …

… 8.1.3.2 The washing away of original sin …

… 8.2.10 Holy Communion as a meal of fellowship …

… 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 …

… Jesus Christ instituted Holy Communion in the circle of His Apostles and entrusted it to them. He commissioned … consecration, this occurs by the commission and authority of Jesus Christ. Here it is the Holy Spirit who effects the real presence of the Son of God, His body and blood, in Holy Communion. It is also in … …

… 8.2.16 The words of consecration in Holy Communion …

… 8.2.17 The celebration and receiving of Holy Communion …

… The fundamental prerequisites for partaking worthily of Holy Communion are belief and a repentant heart filled … who are indifferent to the suffering and death of Christ or who merely make a habit of the celebration of the sacrament, and partake of Holy … …

… … the congregation in both forms, namely bread and wine. As of 1917, the New Apostolic Church has dispensed both elements of Holy Communion together in the form of a communion wafer sprinkled with wine. …

… 8.2.20 The effects of Holy Communion …

… … in Holy Communion. These individuals profess the content of the New Apostolic Creed (see … can partake of Holy Communion as guests. It should be made clear to them that Holy Communion is a meal of profession of the Son of God who died, resurrected from the dead, and will come … …

… 8.2.22 Communion celebrations of the churches …

… At the end of the divine service, the blessing of the triune God is dispensed upon all those present. Together with the … …

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

… Ordination is the investiture of a spiritual ministry. It is, without exception, performed by an Apostle. In terms of liturgy, an ordination follows the dispensation of the … the ministry and are prepared to exercise it in loyalty to God and the doctrine of Jesus, and in accordance with the … …

… … departed take place three times a year, on the first Sunday of March, July, and November respectively. With this in … died in an unredeemed state may find salvation in Christ. God's will to redeem encompasses all human beings. Jesus … the living (Romans 14: 9). Already in the congregation of Corinth, the living were baptised on behalf of the dead … …

… The purpose of music in the divine service is to praise and honour God (Psalm 150). In the divine service, the role of music is always to serve, and it can serve multiple … …

… Already Jesus, who is described as the "Apostle ... of our confession" in Hebrews 3: 1, said: "My doctrine is … and ordained to preach the gospel and to promote obedience of faith (Romans 1: 1, 5). The ministers commissioned by … Jesus Christ's doctrine to the congregations. The word of the sermon effected by the Holy Spirit serves to … …

… 12.1.5.2 Breaking of bread …

… … believers can experience, again and again, the fulfilment of Jesus Christ's promise: "For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them" (Matthew 18: 20). Divine service is thus fellowship … of the believers gathered in the worship and praise of God. When, in addition to Holy Communion, the sacraments of … …

… … before the divine service, the faithful seek the nearness of God through personal prayer. During the prayers in the … recorded in Matthew 6: 9-13, and precedes the celebration of Holy Communion. After the believers have partaken of the … …

… … by a minister, which is inspired and permeated by the power of the Holy Spirit and addressed to the congregation. The … …

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

… 12.1.6.3 The proclamation of the word today …

… In the liturgy of the divine service, the text from the gospel of Matthew … Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in … This is the only prayer that the believers bring to God together in accordance with a fixed wording. It is … …

… The invocation of God is followed by three pleas that refer to Him: Your name, Your kingdom, and Your will. This is followed by four pleas … …

… It is the triune God who erases our sins. Human beings are incapable of doing this by their own power (Matthew 16: 26; Luke 5: … Romans 4: 8). Even though the eternally valid sacrifice of Jesus Christ is the foundation for the forgiveness of … …

… God commanded the Old Testament's sacrificial service … merely had a postponing effect until the sacrificial death of Jesus. Up until then, the sinful human beings of the old covenant were covered by God's patience (Romans … …

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

… 12.1.8.4 Prerequisites for obtaining forgiveness of sins …

… Repentance results from recognition of one's own shortcomings or misconduct. It incorporates remorse–the feeling of suffering caused by wrongs committed in deed or … with repentance, it is not the person, but rather God alone, who determines the required measure. If remorse … …

… … blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. Concerning this the Son of God said: "But He who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit … or misleading force for hostile and base motives are guilty of blaspheming against the Holy Spirit. …

… 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 proclaimed … …

… 12.1.8.8 Effects of the forgiveness of sins …

… 12.2.2.1 Age of confirmation and prerequisites …

… Confirmation is celebrated in the context of a divine service. First, the confirmands answer the question as to whether they intend to remain faithful to God with their "yes". Afterward they recite their confirmation vow together. This vow dates back to the text of an old baptismal liturgy from the third century. It is … …

… The church wedding generally takes place in the context of a divine service. In the address before the wedding … faithfulness under all circumstances and pursue their path of life together in love, under God's blessing. Both promise this, before God and the … …

… At the request of a married couple, a blessing is dispensed for the … years) diamond anniversary blessing (75 years) Again God's blessing is placed upon the marriage, and the married couple is commended to God's continuing care and guidance. …

… Engagement represents a serious promise of marriage. If desired, the engagement blessing can be … to prepare themselves for marriage in a manner pleasing to God. Upon this they receive the blessing of God. SUMMARY Special blessings are … …

… … and adolescents in leading their lives in awareness of their responsibility before God. The cultivation of fellowship and the feeling of belonging is an important … …

… 12.4.2.1 The situation of young people …

… 12.4.2.2 Goal of youth care …

… 12.4.2.3 Offers in youth care …

… Many people suppress the thought of dying and death and therefore avoid any dealings with the … ill. This can have various reasons, for example fear of the questions the dying person may ask, or the knowledge … and the end of his existence. Belief in the living God grants a kind of certainty that extends beyond earthly … …

… … with them. It is frequently difficult to reach the heart of a mourner at all. Ultimately, this will not succeed … might in some cases even continue for years after the death of a beloved family member. Often there is a fear of saying the wrong words to the bereaved and thereby reopen … …

… … minister openly about their sadness, fear, anger, feelings of resentment toward God, and feelings of guilt. At such moments in particular, it is the … …

… The last two of the Ten Commandments are closely linked to one another in terms of content. They are often counted together as the Tenth … in Christianity. There are different versions of these two commandments. In Exodus 20: 17, the house of … …

… 5.3.10.2 Covetousness–the cause of sin …

… 5.3.10.3 Coveting the spouse of one's neighbour …

… 5.3.10.4 Coveting the property of one's neighbour …

… … sinful desire manifests itself in sinful conduct, in "works of the flesh", which are then described in dramatic fashion. … To "walk in the Spirit" means to bring forth the fruit of the Holy Spirit, namely "love, joy, peace, longsuffering, … are very closely linked to one another in terms of content, and are often counted together as the Tenth … …

… … blessing "Aaronic"–derived from the name of the first high priest, Aaron Three-part blessing … The status of being the Creator. This term applies to God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, since each of … concluding words of the Lord’s Prayer–"For Yours is the kingdom ..."–are designated as a … …

… Index of Bible references …

… "I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. I … His only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered … …

… "We believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of … again, with glory, to judge the quick and the dead; whose kingdom shall have no end. And in the Holy Ghost, the Lord … …

… … Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in … deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen." …

… The First Article of Faith: I believe in God, the Father, the Almighty, the Creator of heaven and … heaven He will return to earth with them to establish His kingdom of peace, and that they will reign with Him as a … …

… The First Commandment I am the Lord, your God. You shall have no other gods before Me. The Second Commandment You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who … …

… 12.1.6.3.1 Main content of the proclamation of the word …

… 12.1.6.3.2 The objective of the proclamation of the word …

… 12.1.6.3.3 Levels within the proclamation of the word …

… The form of address "Our Father" identifies this prayer as a communal prayer in which those praying profess to be children of God. In this fellowship, Jesus Christ is the "firstborn … …

… The triune God is holy. Believers speak of Him with deep reverence. By … accordance with His will, they contribute to the hallowing of His name. The Lord's Prayer reminds us of the Second … …

… God is omnipotent. His will stands above everything. In … wishes to deliver fallen mankind from the consequences of sin and grant them salvation (1 Timothy 2: 4). To make … Jesus Christ came and sacrificed Himself, wherein the will of the Father was revealed (Hebrews 10: 9-10). The wish … …

… … broadest sense, this plea is directed at the preservation of the creation. These words also express the petition that … beings need for earthly life. The figurative meaning of the plea is for the word of God as "food" for our immortal souls (Jeremiah 15: 16). A … …

… … human beings burden themselves with guilt as a consequence of their sins. With the plea: "And forgive us our debts", the faithful confess that they are sinners before God and ask Him for grace. Here it becomes clear that the Lord's Prayer also incorporates the aspect of repentance. Believers receive the grace of forgiveness of … …

… … the plea not to be led into temptation, believers beseech God to help them resist sin with all their strength. Furthermore, they ask that the trials of faith may not be too severe and that they may be protected from many of the temptations of Satan. However, God will permit … …

… … "But deliver us from the evil one" expresses the wish that God may deliver us from tribulations that lead to sin. … the evil from which we ask God to deliver us consists of everything that emanates from Satan. Ultimately this is a … His sacrifice, Christ made redemption possible. In the Son of God we have "redemption ..., the forgiveness of sins" … …

… 12.1.7.2.9 "For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever" …

… … or after Sunday divine service. It has the stated objective of instructing children about God and His activity at their level. In this manner, a … tell Him anything. I can trust Him." The prime objective of Pre-Sunday School is not to impart knowledge. Rather, it … …

… … or after the Sunday divine service. The objectives of Sunday School are: to awaken and strengthen joy in fellowship with God's children and in the divine service, to impart understanding of God's activities through Bible stories, to reinforce … …

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

… The content of Confirmation Instruction focuses primarily upon the Creed … day divine service, when they will give their vow of faithfulness to God before the congregation and take upon themselves the … …

… The focal point of His teaching was the proclamation of the kingdom of God: “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at … …

… 135. What is meant by the “kingdom of God”? …

… … parables, Jesus illustrated major statements about the kingdom of God, the commandment to love one’s neighbour, the attitude … …

… 152. How did Jesus explain the beginning and the growth of the kingdom of God? …

… … explain that something extremely valuable is offered in the kingdom of God? …

… 154. How did Jesus explain the love that prevails in the kingdom of God? …

… … especially close to Jesus and He had a special relationship of trust with them: When other disciples failed to … forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.” Acts 1: 3 “[Jesus] rose from supper and laid aside … …

… … on several occasions. Following are some examples: Mary of Magdala and other women were the first witnesses of the … forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God” (Acts 1: 3). In 1 Corinthians 15: 6, Apostle Paul … …

… … lead to sinful actions. These are described as the “works of the flesh”. The Bible counters these cravings with the … that those who practise such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, … …

… … disciples (cf. Mark 1: 16 et seq.), preached about the kingdom of God (cf. Mark 1: 14-15), elected the Apostles (cf. Luke 6: … …

… The statement of Jesus: “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God” (Mark 10: 14) indicates that the blessings of God … …

… … character. When He instituted Holy Communion in the circle of the Apostles, Jesus said: “For I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes” (Luke 22: 18). Until the reunion between the … …

… The two sacraments of Holy Baptism with water and Holy Sealing together … out of water and the Spirit”. Through these sacraments, God creates a “new creation”—life from God. “Jesus … one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God’.” John 3: 5 “Therefore, if anyone is … …

… After the Last Judgement, God will replace the old creation with a new creation: “He … and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.” This kingdom of God will be eternal, and then God will be all in all (1 … …

… The kingdom of God has come to mankind in Christ. With the plea “Your kingdom come” believers pray that the nature of Christ may … …

… … If possible, the children take part in the celebration of Holy Communion with the congregation. Children receive … come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God” (Mark 10: 14). Baptism of children: see Question … …

… Kingdom of God …

… 01. The revelations of God …

… 03. The triune God …

… 04. Man in need of redemption …

… 05. God’s commandments …

… 06. The church of Jesus Christ …

… 10. The doctrine of future things …

… 11. From the history of Christianity …

… 12. Divine service, acts of blessing, and pastoral care …

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

… Index of Bible references …

… • First – prohibition of images …

… • Fourth – obligations of parents …

… 1. What is the source of our belief in God? …

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

… 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 God is not part of … …

… 101. How is it to be understood that the Son of God is described as the “Word” (“logos”)? …

… John 1: 14 states that the Son of God (the “Word”) became “flesh”, that is, a real … Bethlehem, grew up in Nazareth, and learned the profession of a carpenter there. He died in Jerusalem: He was crucified … …

… … friend Lazarus died. He also wept when He stood in front of Jerusalem and the people did not recognise Him as the Son of God. He suffered pain from the scourging of the soldiers. … …

… No. While on earth He was both Man and the Son of God, that is, true God. Jesus Christ is true Man and true God: He has two … …

… It was only as true God that Jesus Christ was able to say: “I and My Father … the Father likewise emphasised that Jesus is the Son of God: “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!” (Matthew 17: 5). The words of Jesus: “He who has seen Me has seen the Father” (John … …

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

… … Lord saves”. When the angel Gabriel announced the birth of Jesus, He also declared the name of the Child. He said to Mary: “And behold, you will … …

… … Christ revealed Himself as the Redeemer (= Saviour) sent by God: “The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are … is clear especially in the fact that He proclaimed the will of God and gave His life for the redemption of mankind, that is, for their liberation from sin and … …

… … Among other things, this comes about through the preaching of the gospel on the foundation of Holy Scripture. “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Romans 10: 17 …

… 110. What is meant by the term 'majestic titles' of Jesus? …

… 111. What is meant by the majestic title of “Christ”? …

… … also means “Anointed One” in translation. That Jesus of Nazareth is the Christ awaited by Israel is stated … …

… … designation “Lord” is most often used in reference to God. In the New Testament, this majestic title is also … designation “Lord” thus identifies the divine authority of Jesus Christ. It therefore far transcends any other form of respectful address. When Jesus is called “the Lord” … …

… 114. What does the majestic title “Son of Man” mean? …

… 115. Are there any other majestic titles of Jesus? …

… Jesus Christ acted in the capacity of King, Priest, and Prophet. When one thinks about a king, one thinks of ruling and governing. In the time of the Old Testament … a priest was to mediate reconciliation between mankind and God. A prophet proclaims the divine will and foretells … …

… … entry into Jerusalem, Jesus identified Himself as the King of peace and righteousness. Even before Pilate, a representative of the worldly power of Rome, Jesus professed that He was King and a witness of … …

… The most important task of the priests in the time of the Old Testament was to bring sacrifices to God in order to thereby find grace before God. Jesus Christ … …

… God promised Moses: “I will raise up for them a Prophet … Jesus Christ. As Prophet, Jesus Christ proclaimed the will of God. He shows the way to life and reveals future events. … discourses He promises the Holy Spirit. In the book of Revelation He unveils the course of salvation history … …

… Holy Scripture—the Bible—is a collection of writings about God’s activity, promises, and commandments. It consists of the Old Testament and the New Testament. Holy Scripture … …

… 120. Where do we read of the person and activity of Jesus Christ? …

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

… … name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end” (Luke 1: 31-33). The angel … …

… Mary was the biological mother of Jesus. Joseph adopted Jesus as a son. It is for this … tree. “Now Jesus [...] being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, the son of Heli …” Luke 3: 23 …

… 124. What do we know about the birth of Jesus? …

… 125. What occurred at the same time as the birth of Jesus? …

… 126. What occurred after the birth of Jesus? …

… 127. How did God protect the Child Jesus? …

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

… … descended visibly upon Jesus. In a voice from heaven, God, the Father, then testified: “You are My beloved Son; … event it was announced to the world that Jesus is the Son of God. …

… 13. Who is the author of Holy Scripture? …

… … 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 … …

… 131. What transpired after the baptism of Jesus? …

… 132. What is the significance of Jesus’ temptations? …

… Jesus began to teach in Galilee at approximately 30 years of age (cf. Luke 3: 23). …

… “To repent” means to turn away from evil and turn to God. Those who repent are prepared to change their attitude in order to fulfil the will of God. …

… … “glad tidings” or “good news”. It is the message of the grace, love, and reconciliation that God grants us in Jesus Christ. …

… 138. What is Jesus’ position on the Law of Moses? …

… 139. What was one of the first things Jesus did at the beginning of His teaching activity? …

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

… The miracles performed by the Son of God are of various kinds and include healing of the sick, casting … …

… … miracles in order to demonstrate the Almighty and Loving God’s merciful devotion to suffering mankind in Him. These miracles reveal the glory of the Son of God and His divine authority. …

… 142. What healings of the sick do the gospels relate? …

… … cast out demons— which according to the understanding of the time were also the cause of various sicknesses—and so healed people. Jesus Christ … Testament describes ‘demons’ as evil spirits opposed to God, who according to the understanding of the ancient … …

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