New Apostolic Church
International

… 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. …

… Congregation of the Future is the name of a project group comprised of the European District Apostles, which recently presented the results of its work to its international colleagues. […] …

… And we see our lives and our future in the light of the gospel.” Through the sermon, the Holy Spirit holds up a mirror that reflects “who we really are”. …

… The Chief Apostle criticised the level of self-presentation on social media. “The Bible has an expression for this: human beings want to please human beings.” …

… Impulses for congregational work The European project group Congregation of the Future presented the results of its findings to the International District Apostle Meeting. …

… The Catechism in transition, competent leadership, and the congregation of the future: this and more was discussed at the District Apostle Meeting which ended today. …

… “This year, the Lord is drawing our attention to our present and future vocation, namely to serve and reign with Christ,” District Apostle Jürg Zbinden of Switzerland writes. …

… Our motto for 2021 deals with our future, but this future has to be shaped now, in the present, and this is a task that falls upon all of us, says District Apostle Jürg Zbinden of Switzerland. …

… Spotlight 1/2021: Shaping the present …

… Only then is it possible to talk to them about the gospel and show them how it is connected with their history, their present situation, and even what it implies for their expectations for the future—a …

… It is a question of understanding a little of their history, where they stand today, and what their visions are for the future,” he said in an interview with nac.today . …

… And if we want to be part of it, we have to embark on a plan of action that presents quite a challenge. Here is the first part of the divine service on our motto for this year: “Christ, our future”. …

… The contradiction of glorifying old eating and living habits while in slavery to living a future life of freedom was obviously not clear to the people at that time. …

… It is difficult to grasp the future we have been promised with our intellect but our trust in God is what gives us certainty. …

… Lamenting over the good things of the past should not cloud our view of what is good in both the present and the future. …

… And with a view to the future he said, “Today we have the opportunity to decide to change. When we come back to gather in our local congregations, do we want to be exactly the same as we were before? …

… The Chief Apostle gave an example: special rules are in effect due to the present security measures associated with the corona virus. …

… The example of Peter District Apostle Rainer Storck, who—as host from the District Church of Western Germany—was also present for this service, recalled the situation of Peter: he denied the Lord three …

… At present, the regular church service sequence will only be possible on a limited scale. …

… Naturally, this will not be possible everywhere, since all divine service gatherings are still prohibited for the foreseeable future in countries such as France, Switzerland, and numerous others in Africa …

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

… He Himself is present in the consecrated wafer. He defines how we are to celebrate Holy Communion worthily.” …

… In future this will also be extended to the level of the priestly ministry. …

… The communication schedule looks as follows: To start with, the Chief Apostle himself will warm the congregations around the world to the changes in the concept of ministry by way of a video presentation …

… Video address also available online The video presentation on 9 April 2019 will be transmitted by satellite to selected receiving congregation at 8:00 PM. …

… Communication timetable This communication approach consists of three elements: To begin with, a video presentation by the Chief Apostle himself to congregations all around the world is to set the stage …

… How and why this is to occur is the subject of the video presentation by Chief Apostle Schneider. It is to be transmitted to all District Apostle districts between 9 and 12 April 2019. …

… Video presentation in April The official start will thus be the video address by the Chief Apostle. He estimates that it will take between 50 and 60 minutes. …

… By contrast, the spiritual leadership of congregations, districts, and regions will in future be conferred by way of appointment. …

… Other spiritual services, which are not necessarily associated with a ministry—for example, teaching activities—will in future be conferred by “assignment”.   …

… The Chief Apostle himself will present the concept to all interested members in advance of Pentecost by way of a video address. …

… In Africa, for example, we have stopped building big churches because future generations will hardly be in a position to raise the money to pay the maintenance costs. …

… One of the tasks of the Chief Apostle is to lay down the order within the Church and consequently adapt the structure and organisation of the Church to the present needs. …

… We will likely see more such solutions in future.     The New Apostolic Church is also a “church of ministry”. Ministry plays a vital role in it. …

… What is presently the largest New Apostolic District Church in Germany bears the name “Western Germany”. …

… There District Apostle Rainer Storck presented his objectives for the future to an assembly of both church and government officials. …

… District Apostle Minio, who will in future be responsible for the combined new District Church, originally assumed his ministry as successor to District Apostle Norberto Passuni for his present working …

… The approximately 750 congregations in the present working areas were informed of the upcoming change by way of a circular letter written by their respective District Apostles. …

… Only one District Apostle district in the future It was in October 2010 that Raúl Montes de Oca succeeded District Apostle Guillermo Vilor in leading this District Church. …

… Future deliberations will deal with the Priest ministry and the Diaconate. …

… Significant resolutions had already been passed at the last DAMI in Vienna and presented by the Chief Apostle in a Europe-wide divine service for ministers . …

… District Apostle John Kriel from South Africa presented a success story. …

… All of these decisions are presented and explained in the upcoming Special Edition 4/2017 of the minister magazine “Divine Service Guide”. …

… For this reason, such tasks will in future only be conferred by way of appointment —as a rule, by an Apostle. The appointment is received while kneeling. …

… For this reason, Priests can in future conduct the divine service even in the presence of the rector, for example. The decision will be up to the individual District Apostles to implement. …

… At present, a number of island states in the South Seas already belong to the District Apostle district of Australia , namely Fiji, Nauru, New Zealand, Papua-New Guinea, Samoa, the South Pacific Isles, …

… Peter Schulte will thus have a year to work his way into the new duties and tasks that await him as an Apostle and future Church leader. …

… In future, the New Apostolic congregations in Hong Kong, Japan, Macau, South Korea, and Taiwan will also be in the care of Australia. …

… At present, many Apostles and members are diligently working to prepare for the weekend extending from 30 May to 2 June 2019.” …

… This statement is to express our resolve to continue ordering our future with God: God is there for us—and we put ourselves into His service.” …

… Precise, clear, and many-faceted District Apostle Rainer Storck had already presented the new motto to his fellow Church leaders in the International District Apostle Meeting preceding the Pentecost divine …

… generate within us: a kind of calm composure in the knowledge that “our heavenly Father will look after us. strong gratitude in the recognition that “God has done great things upon us.” watchfulness in the present …

… , knowing “that we have not been separated from God, despite all the things we may have to experience.” special joy in the knowledge that “the glory of God” waits for us in the future. love for all human …

… These are the chapters on "Life after death" and "The doctrine of future things". …

… The Apostle district of Bas Fleuve presently has 220 congregations and 670 ministers, none of whom have ever seen the Chief Apostle. …

… Born in Zambia The now 49-year old was born in Zambia, and lived for a time in the former Zaïre (presently the Democratic Republic of Congo). …

… The future District Apostle Helper João Uanuque Misselo is from this circle of Lead Apostles, and will now take on additional responsibility. …

… A rather lengthy process of developments was presented. Today, however, the focus is far more on the idea of reconciliation than it was at that time. …

… “The important thing for me is that we make the right decisions today”   What does the present Statement of Reconciliation mean for the future? Is there any thought of merging the two churches? …

… Meanwhile, District Apostle Wolfgang Nadolny, whose working area presently includes Russia and some of its neighbours, as well as Berlin and Brandenburg, will in future also assume the care of the Church …

… The congregation looks confidently into the future. It is rich in children and has many active members who participate joyfully in congregational life. …

… Four languages are ever-present, namely: French, Flemish, German, and English. …

… Some 3,600 tickets have also been issued for helpers and presenters. All age groups will be represented. …

… Statistics In addition to the Chief Apostle, who is the international leader of the Church, there are presently nineteen District Apostles, nine District Apostle Helpers, and 321 Apostles active in the …

… For example, a “Finance Committee” that has yet to be created will, in future, work alongside the already existing group “Church Strategy”. …

… For this reason, Croatia will in future also belong to the same District Apostle district as the aforementioned District Churches.” …

… He expressed the desire that such attitudes would also apply to future endeavours in the Lord’s work in this country. …

… In addition to the members of the congregation, the advisor to the Croatian president was also present. …

… He went on to express that the same attitude would also have to apply to future endeavours in the country. …

… Switzerland and Austria were previously responsible Up until the present, the New Apostolic congregations in Croatia were served by the District Apostle district of Switzerland. …

… He went on to express the Church’s resolve to continue promoting and supporting the special position of the group in the future. …

… in the Church office of the New Apostolic Church Southern Germany in Stuttgart, the chairmanship of the group was officially assigned to District Apostle Ehrich, who will lead the discussions in the future …

… In addition to the representatives of the PG, Apostle Gert Opdenplatz and Bishop Peter Johanning from the Committee for Special Affairs were also present. …

… On the other hand, the anniversary brochure presented in July provides insights into the historical perspective, looking back to the beginnings and the development of the Church. …

… He went on to point out that there were also new questions and new challenges in the present. “And so we continue on our journey. …

… It was presented in January 2013. Two events, one in Zurich and one in Frankfurt, marked the public introduction of the book that outlines the beliefs of New Apostolic Christians. …

… He goes on to recall that two World Wars likewise left clear marks in the area of church, and that there are also new questions and challenges in the present. “So we continue on our journey. …

… diversity of a Church that is spread around the whole world, the significance of Africa, which is home to the majority of New Apostolic Christians, and the challenges facing a Christian church in the present …

… Among other things it includes a conversation with Chief Apostle Leber and the then Chief Apostle Helper Jean-Luc Schneider from the start of the year, which deals with the past, present, and future of …

… Apostolic Church he expressed gratitude for all that which had been built up over the past, but immediately went on to add: “Let us also utilise this anniversary of our Church to draw new strength for the future …

… Five different ensembles took turns presenting a broad spectrum of music ranging from sacred hymns to more contemporary sounds. …

… This Hamburg congregation later built a chapel in the location of the present-day congregation of Hamburg-Borgfelde, in which Chief Apostle Leber celebrated this year’s Pentecost service. …

… At the close of his address he presented his priorities to the Apostles for the time ahead, specifically to ensure the wellbeing of the ministers in their ministries and the welfare of the youth in their …

… Remaining firmly rooted in faith He then went on to caption the outlook on the future with a Bible text from Colossians 2: 6-7: “As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted …

… This time the gathering was characterised by a retrospective on the past and an outlook toward the future. …

… For this reason, let us make use of the present!” An eventful week has come to an end. …

… At the end of the service the message was clear that God will help us through all the afflictions of our time, and that we can therefore keep our eyes focused on the invisible, the eternal, and the future …

… Our view of the past may indeed move our hearts and grant us some positive direction, yet it is not the past, but the future, that is important for our salvation. …

… Wherever it is possible to connect to the internet, teachers of Junior Sunday School, Sunday School, Religious Instruction, and Confirmation Class will, in future, be able to download lesson plans and …

… First copy of the Catechism presented to the Chief Apostle …

… Also present for the first time in this circle is Apostle Rainer Storck from North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. He was just appointed a District Apostle Helper last Sunday . …

… District Apostle Michael Ehrich will present a new concept to the May session of the European District Apostle Meeting. …

… Up until the present there have been a series of different authoritative works such as the “House rules” booklet or the “Guide for ministers”—however there is no systematic, uniformly structured Church …

… As the chairman of the Divine Service Guide project group, Apostle Wolfgang Schug presented a series of instructions and recommendations which will in the near future be passed along to the ministers of …

… In addition there were another 27 Apostles present from Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Malawi—the countries that comprise the District Apostle district of District Apostle Charles Ndandula. …

… Daniel Felemenga Matekenya (49), who received the Bishop ministry, will work at his side in the future. There are approximately 12,000 New Apostolic Christians living in Zimbabwe. …

… It will be a privilege for me to take up my place amongst you in the near future.” Patrick Mkhwanazi was ordained to the Apostle ministry in May 2001. …

… The latter will conduct a divine service on 29 January 2012 in the Standard Bank Arena, at the end of which he will retire the District Apostle and at the same time ordain the present District Apostle …

… District Apostle Wolfgang Nadolny started things off with a presentation on the situation of the New Apostolic Church in Russia. …

… …to India… District Apostle Mark Woll presented a sobering balance with regard to the facts and figures in India. …

… Nevertheless, the District Apostle went on to report that the future of the Church is very bright in some regions of India. …

… South East Asia – a positive balance “China is certainly still a large country for the work of the Christian churches,” reports District Apostle Urs Hebeisen, as he continues his presentation. …

… The District Apostle is convinced that the future belongs to the English language in any case. …

… Given the vague details of the situation at present, he explained that another sort of support is called for anyway: “At the moment, the most important thing is to help people, to find those who have been …

… Thereby God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit are present within the congregation. …

… At special holidays in the course of the church year, a Bible reading will in future be incorporated at this point. …

… In future, it will be the task of the responsible ministers to speak to ministers who cohabitate with their partners to determine their attitude toward marriage. …

… “It is a moderate course that corresponds to our present understanding of the gospel.” …

… The Ninth Article of Faith explains the future hope of New Apostolic Christians in greater detail. …

… The Sixth Article of Faith presents our new understanding of Holy Baptism with water. …

… For this reason, the Church leaders also listened to a presentation on various strategies for introducing the Catechism. …

… A series of articles about the new Catechism is already slated for publication in the Church magazine “Our Family” in the near future. …

… , the international Church leader, Chief Apostle Wilhelm Leber, stressed how enormously important it will be to impart the contents of the Catechism to the congregations carefully, even if this might present …

… District Apostle Urs Hebeisen presented the new District Apostle district of South East Asia, a good year after its establishment. …

… His summary for the future direction of the New Apostolic Church in South East Asia is simply: “Step by step – no big jumps – the Asian way!” …

… District Apostle Urs Hebeisen presented the new District Apostle district of South East Asia, a good year after its establishment. Zurich/Dortmund. …

… In the future, products discussing general Christian topics will appear under a new brand name. …

… Its new mission statement was presented to the company’s employees today: “We help people live their lives in accordance with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.” …

… In the future, the publishing house also hopes to reach out to younger church members more directly, in particular by expanding its online offerings. Dr. …

… The representatives of Rainbow-NAC also presented the members of the CSA with copies of the group’s anniversary brochure, and expressed thanks for all their support. …

… The CSA then went on to welcome the new spokespersons of Rainbow-NAC to all future meetings. …

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

… 1.1.1 God reveals Himself as the Creator …

… The Bible is comprised of two main parts: the Old Testament and the New Testament. The term … …

… 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 …

… 1.4.1 Belief in God, the Father …

… The old covenant already had its own confessional statements. Professing Yahweh as the God of Israel was linked to His historical act of … "Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one! ... And these words which I command you today shall be in your … …

… 2.2.1 The Apostles' Creed …

… 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 use the plural "names", but … …

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

… 3.3.1 God, the Creator …

… 3.3.1.1 The invisible creation …

… 3.3.1.1.1 The angels …

… 3.4.1 The only begotten Son of God …

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

… All three terms mean the same: "Messiah" is derived from the Hebrew maschiach, … statements concerning a special covenant of God with David and his successors. The adoration of the king anointed by … profess that the Messiah has already come, and that He is present in Jesus Christ. This belief is formulated in the … …

… 3.4.7.1 Jesus Christ–the King …

… 3.4.8.1 The conception and birth of Jesus …

… The Lord had gathered together with the twelve Apostles for the feast of the Passover. As they … at the table, the Son of God instituted Holy Communion: "And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke … …

… 3.5.1 The Holy Spirit as a divine person …

… 3.5.1.1 The Holy Spirit in unity with the Father and the Son …

… 3.5.3.1 The Spirit of God …

… 3.5.4.1 The Helper and Comforter …

… 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 history of salvation have been recorded in … …

… 1.2.2 The Old Testament …

… 1.2.2.2 The books of the Old Testament …

… 1.2.4.2 The books of the New Testament …

… 1.2.5.2 Jesus Christ–the centre of Scripture …

… 1.4.2 Belief in God, the Son …

… 2.2 The origin of the early church creeds …

… 2.2.2 The Creed of Nicaea-Constantinople …

… 2.4.2 The Second Article of Faith …

… 3.1.2 God, the One …

… 3.2 God–Father, Son, and Holy Spirit …

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

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

… 3.3.1.2 The visible creation …

… 3.3.2 Man in the image of God …

… 3.4.11.2 The appearances of the Risen One …

… 3.4.2 The incarnate Word …

… In the Old Testament, the designation "Lord" is mostly used when speaking of the … we read "that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the … …

… 3.4.7.2 Jesus Christ–the Priest …

… 3.4.8.2 Jesus' baptism in the Jordan …

… After the Last Supper, Jesus and the Apostles went to the Garden of Gethsemane. The human … in His dread of the impending crucifixion. In humbleness and surrender to God He knelt down and wrestled in prayer: … …

… 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 …

… Concerning the term …

… God's incarnation in Jesus Christ is the historical self-revelation of God that surpasses everything before it (John 1: 14; 1 Timothy 3: 16). The gospel according to Luke expressly places the birth of the Son of God in a historical framework: "And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out … …

… 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 …

… 1.4.3 Belief in God, the Holy Spirit …

… 2.3 The early church creeds and their significance for the New Apostolic Church …

… 2.4.3 The Third Article of Faith …

… 3.1.3 God, the Holy One …

… 3.2.3 The development of the doctrine of the Trinity …

… 3.3 God, the Father …

… … Him. Through His commandment that they should not eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, He identified Himself to mankind as their Lord and lawgiver, who expected obedience. Through the influence of the evil one, mankind entered into … …

… 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 … …

… In Daniel 7: 13-14, the term "Son of Man" is used to denote a heavenly being who is not part of the human race. At the time of Jesus, devout Jews awaited … (Matthew 9: 6), is Lord of the Sabbath (Matthew 12: 8), and has come "to seek and save that which was lost" (Luke … …

… 3.4.7.3 Jesus Christ–the Prophet …

… 3.4.8.3 Jesus' temptation in the wilderness …

… 3.4.9.3 Jesus before the high council …

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

… 3.5.4.3 The power from on high …

… 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 … borders, come to expression in the chapter on the Trinity. Presented here is the belief in God, the Father, the Creator … …

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

… 1.2.4 The New Testament …

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

… 1.4.4 Faith and the sermon …

… 2.4 The New Apostolic Creed …

… 2.4.4 The Fourth Article of Faith …

… 3.1.4 God, the Almighty …

… 3.2.4 The unity of the three divine persons …

… God created man as both a physical and spiritual being (that is with a spirit and soul). The human body is mortal, whereas the spirit and soul are … of procreation, but is created directly by God. In it God's present-day creatorship becomes evident.In the Bible, spirit … …

… 3.4 God, the Son …

… 3.4.4 References to Jesus Christ in the Old Testament …

… … additional majestic titles of Jesus: Immanuel, Servant of the Lord, Son of David. The Hebrew name "Immanuel" means … found in Isaiah 7: 14: "Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel." Jesus Christ is thus the One in whom God is directly present and through whom God can be directly … …

… The focus of Jesus' preaching was on the kingdom of … God which was to manifest itself in history–in both its present and future form: "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of … …

… The Jews led Jesus to the residence of Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor, a place … Jesus made it clear that His kingdom was not of this world and that He did not pursue any worldly claims to power. … …

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

… The Catechism of the New Apostolic Church takes into account … publications of our Church in terms of both language and development of the contents of faith. Our bond with the … doctrines of other Christian churches. Thus the Catechism presents both sides, namely that which binds us together and … …

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

… 2.4.5 The Fifth Article of Faith …

… 3.1.5 God, the Eternal …

… 3.4.5 Jesus Christ–the Redeemer …

… … four gospels handed down to us in writing give account of the miraculous deeds of Jesus as real events that attested … in that they serve to manifest Christ's glory (John 2: 11) and His divine authority (John 5: 21). The miracles which the Son of God performed were diverse. … …

… On the way to Golgotha, a great multitude followed Jesus. To … of Jerusalem, do not weep for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children" (Luke 23: 28). With these words He … was then placed under the care of the Apostle ministry, as represented here by Apostle John. "My God, My … …

… 3.5 God, the Holy Spirit …

… 3.5.5 The Holy Spirit and the church …

… 2.4.6 The Sixth Article of Faith …

… 3.1.6 God, the Loving One …

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

… In His sermons, Jesus used many parables and in so doing employed a wide range of imagery from the daily lives of His listeners. In Matthew 13: 34-35 we … coming of the Son of Man. The kingdom of God is present in Jesus Christ In the parable of the mustard … …

… 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 … He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; ... the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His … …

… 2.4.7 The Seventh Article of Faith …

… 3.1.7 God, the Gracious and Righteous One …

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

… 3.4.8.7 Jesus and the law …

… The gospels tell us how the Lord announced His suffering and death, as well as His … …

… 2.4.8 The Eighth Article of Faith …

… 3.1.8 God, the Perfect One …

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

… In order to spread the gospel, Jesus selected twelve Apostles from the ranks of His disciples (Luke 6: 12-16; Mark 3: 14). They were His closest followers, and He had a special relationship of trust with them. When … …

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

… 2.4.9 The Ninth Article of Faith …

… The last days before Jesus' sacrificial death are described … house of the Lord is holy. The disputes with the Pharisees and Sadducees became more and more intense–they plotted to … foreshadow His impending death (John 12: 7). Some of those present were indignant about this and considered it a waste: … …

… 3.4.9.9 The cross …

… 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 …

… 2 The Creed …

… 3 The triune God …

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

… God has given mankind commandments in which He proclaims His will for their benefit. …

… 6 The church of Jesus Christ …

… … which is assigned to a specific area of responsibility. In the broader sense, "ministry" is an authority that has been bestowed in order to represent, lead, and provide order to a community. The exercise of a ministry … …

… 8 The sacraments …

… … after death 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 …

… 4.1 Evil–the powers opposed to God …

… 4.2 The fall into sin …

… The Bible uses the terms "sin" and "guilt" interchangeably in some cases, and with different meanings in others. The distinction … …

… Holy Scripture uses the term "salvation" in the sense of "deliverance", "protection", and "redemption". God's activity is intended to bring about … …

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

… … God's loving care. Blessing is synonymous with God's saving and healing activity upon both mankind and the creation. Its antithesis is curse, which occurs when God … worthy of this blessing. Blessing unfolds when faith is present. Blessing is a gift of God that continually renews … …

… 4.7 The functions of the law …

… 4.8 The law and the gospel …

… 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 God the author of a righteous … lusts [and] live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious … …

… God is love (1 John 4:16), and His commandments are an expression of His love. The purpose of the commandments is to help human beings live in accordance … …

… 5.3 The Ten Commandments …

… 6.1 Concerning the term "church" …

… 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 worship and praise to … …

… 6.3 The church of Jesus Christ–a mystery …

… 6.4 Belief in the one, holy, universal, and apostolic church …

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

… … spiritual ministry constitutes authorisation, blessing, and sanctification issued through ordination for service in the church of Christ. It is exercised in the power of the … as well as an authority that has been bestowed in order to represent, lead, and provide order to a community. … …

… 7.2 Source of ministry in the church …

… Holy Scripture does not have a uniform definition for the word "ministry", nor does it expound upon any doctrine … nevertheless makes a number of different statements about the content and nature of the ministry. …

… 7.4 The Apostle ministry …

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

… 7.6 The ministries in the New Apostolic Church …

… Authority, blessing, and sanctification issue forth from the Apostle ministry in order to equip ministers for their work in the congregations. Ordination to a spiritual ministry is … …

… 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 … …

… The Seventh Article of the New Apostolic Creed states: "I believe that Holy … in memory of the once brought, fully valid sacrifice, and bitter suffering and death of Christ. The worthy partaking of Holy Communion … …

… Holy Sealing is the sacrament through which the believer, through the laying on of hands and the prayer of an Apostle, receives the gift of the Holy … …

… 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 end of his earthly existence. Once death has occurred, the soul and spirit have left the body. "Spiritual death" is the … …

… 9.3 The afterlife of the soul …

… 9.4 The beyond …

… 9.5 The condition of souls in the beyond …

… 9.6 Help for the departed …

… 10.1 The return of Jesus Christ …

… 10.2 The marriage of the Lamb …

… 10.3 The great tribulation …

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

… 10.5 The first resurrection …

… 10.6 The continuation of the plan of salvation …

… 11.1 The early Christian congregations …

… 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. …

… In the New Apostolic Church, special blessings are dispensed for the following events in the lives of the believers: confirmation, engagement, weddings, and wedding anniversaries. These acts of blessing are, as a … …

… 12.3 The church funeral …

… The accounts of Jesus' conduct allow us to understand the significance of pastoral care. Without regard for the person, He turned to sinners and allowed them to feel His love. He listened, helped, … …

… … of salvation. These events are commemorated with reverence and gratitude. The New Apostolic Church celebrates the following holy days, the importance of which is … …

… … for human beings to enter into contact with Him. In prayer, the believer experiences: God is present, God hears, and God answers. Thus the believing human being bows before … …

… The term "willingness to offer and sacrifice" refers to a person's inner desire to employ his powers and gifts for the benefit of others, by abstaining–in whole or in … …

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

… The religious, social, and professional conditions in which human beings find … in various necessary modes of conduct. For Christians, the basis for fulfilling these obligations is belief in God … …

… 13.5 The New Apostolic Church as part of society …

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

… … as a power, but also as a person. Holy Scripture refers to the personification of evil as "the Devil" (Matthew 4: 1), "Satan", or "unclean spirit", … 6 et seq.; Mark 1: 13, 23). The accounts in 2 Peter 2: 4 and Jude 6 speak of angels who have sinned. These spiritual … …

… 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 from God. To restore a close relationship with Him, the sin must be forgiven (see … the Old nor the New Testament offers a self-contained "doctrine of sin" or a systematic and exhaustive "catalogue of sins". God Himself always … …

… Whenever human beings violate God's will, they sin and thereby incur guilt before God. Guilt is manifest when … misconduct against 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 … …

… 4.4.1 Hope for salvation in the Old Testament …

… In Galatians 4: 4-5 we read that the entire history of salvation in the old covenant was geared toward the birth of the Son of … by God. He reveals Himself as the Redeemer in His words and deeds. Those who believe in Him will recognise that … …

… 4.4.3 The preparation of the bridal congregation …

… 4.5.1 Election in the Old Testament …

… 4.5.2 Election in the New Testament …

… … are not forced to accept or secure God's election. It is the individual's own decision whether or not to believe and heed the divine call and faithfully fulfil the tasks … for this purpose. Rather, all human beings have access to future salvation–all the way up to and including eternal … …

… 4.6.1 God's blessing in the creation …

… 4.6.2 God's blessing in the old covenant …

… 4.6.3 God's blessing in the new covenant …

… 4.7.1 The term "law" …

… 4.7.2 The law as a guide to righteous conduct …

… 4.7.3 The law as a guide for recognising sin …

… 4.8.1 The law of Christ–grace …

… 4.8.2 The relationship between faith and works …

… 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 existed … …

… … love your neighbour as yourself" (Leviticus 19: 16-18). The Mosaic Law primarily defines neighbours as members of the people of Israel. It was only within this framework that … God combined the commandments contained in Leviticus 19: 18 and Deuteronomy 6: 5 into the double commandment of love … …

… 5.2.3 Love for our neighbour–love in the congregation …

… 5.3.1 The term "commandment" …

… 5.3.2 The First Commandment …

… 5.3.3 The Second Commandment …

… 5.3.4 The Third Commandment …

… 5.3.5 The Fourth Commandment …

… 5.3.6 The Fifth Commandment …

… 5.3.7 The Sixth Commandment …

… 5.3.8 The Seventh Commandment …

… 5.3.9 The Eighth Commandment …

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

… 6.2.2 The beginning of the church of 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 …

… 6.4.5 The church of Jesus Christ and the future …

… 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 ministry, the term … …

… From the perspective of the New Testament, the ministry–in the present-day sense–was only established by Jesus Christ, … Testament in the old covenant: in the king, in the priest, and in the prophet. However, this does not mean to say that … …

… 7.3.2 Foundation of the ministry in the New Testament …

… 7.4.1 Characteristics of the Apostle ministry …

… 7.4.2 Equipping and sending of the Apostles …

… 7.4.3 Peter–the head of the early Apostles …

… 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 …

… 7.6.1 The apostolate …

… 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 …

… 7.6.6 The Chief Apostle ministry …

… 7.6.7 The District Apostle ministry …

… 7.9.1 The priestly ministries …

… 7.9.2 The diaconal ministry …

… 8.1.1 Definition of the term …

… 8.1.2 The biblical basis for Holy Baptism with water …

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

… 8.1.4 The proper dispensation of Holy Baptism with water …

… Anyone can receive Holy Baptism with water. In the New Apostolic Church it is administered by an Apostle or priestly minister to both children and adults. The prerequisite is the believer's profession of faith in … …

… 8.1.6 The effects of Holy Baptism with water …

… … other sacraments, Holy Baptism with water is dispensed on the basis of faith. Sacrament and faith belong together: "He who believes and is baptised … 16). A person's faith is both a prerequisite for receiving the sacrament as well as his response to this act of … …

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

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

… 8.2.1 Designations for the sacrament …

… The Old Testament not only makes frequent references to the Son of God, His suffering, and His sacrifice, but also relates many events that have a … …

… The gospels attest that Jesus Christ ate and drank with sinners. In contrast to the Pharisees and scribes, He had table fellowship with … …

… 8.2.4 The Passover meal …

… 8.2.5 The institution of Holy Communion by Jesus Christ …

… 8.2.6 Holy Communion in the first epistle to the Corinthians …

… 8.2.7 The significance of bread and wine …

… … a meal of remembrance because it first of all commemorates the death of Jesus Christ as a unique event which is valid … Lord (which is why Holy Communion is also an Easter meal) and to His ascension into heaven. Everyone who celebrates … of the certainty of Christ's current presence and His future kingdom. …

… Holy Communion is a meal of profession, as is clear from the words: "You proclaim the Lord's death ..." (1 Corinthians 11: 26). The profession of the death, resurrection, and return of Jesus Christ is part of the fundamental … …

… 8.3.1 Concerning the term "sealing" …

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

… 8.3.3 Jesus' anointing with the Holy Spirit …

… 8.3.4 The outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost …

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

… 8.3.6 The proper dispensation of Holy Sealing …

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

… … begun in Holy Baptism is completed in Holy Sealing, namely the rebirth out of water and Spirit. Both sacraments are acts of God's grace upon a human being and are only performed once. The life received thereby is nourished and preserved above … …

… 8.3.9 The effects of Holy Sealing …

… Already at the time of the old covenant, there is evidence of the belief that it is possible to perform good deeds for the departed and thereby help alleviate their situation. The twelfth … …

… 9.6.2 The participation of the dead in Christ …

… 9.6.3 Imparting salvation to the departed …

… 10.1.1 The promise of the return of Jesus Christ …

… 10.1.2 Events associated with the return of Jesus Christ …

… 10.1.3 The bridal congregation …

… 11.2.1 The Church Fathers and the ecumenical councils …

… 11.2.2 Christianity–the state religion and its spread …

… The struggle of church dignitaries for worldly power and their failure to take direction from the gospel led to widespread secularisation of the Christian … …

… 11.2.4 The Reformation …

… The Reformation led to a counter movement (the Counter-Reformation) as European Catholicism strove for spiritual renewal and reinforced the power of the papacy. The Popes … …

… 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 beings … …

… 12.1.2 Divine service in the Old Testament …

… 12.1.3 Divine service in the New Testament …

… 12.1.4 Further development of Christian divine service …

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

… 12.1.6 Proclamation of the word …

… 12.1.7 The Lord's 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 receive … …

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

… Marriage is the lifelong union of two people of opposite genders, as … God. It is based on an act of free will through which a man and a woman accept each other in their physical and … Church's blessing is of great significance for the couple's future life together. The church wedding must be preceded by … …

… A newly constructed church building is dedicated during the first divine service held there. Aside from the act of dedication–in most cases conducted by the … Here the word of God will henceforth be proclaimed, and here the sacraments will be dispensed. All activities … …

… Children are a gift from the Lord (Psalm 127: 3) and should be brought up and cared for by the parents to the best of their ability. Parents give all … …

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

… 12.4.3 The pastoral care visit …

… In religious language, "confession" refers to the acknowledgement of sins or the admission of one's guilt in the presence of a clergyman. … he has the option of turning directly to the Apostle and confessing to him in person or in writing. In cases of … …

… Physical death, the end of earthly life, produces anxiety. Death causes pain and suffering for the dying as well as for those close to them. Both the dying … …

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

… Palm Sunday marks the beginning of the Passion Week. This festive day reminds us of Jesus' … by the people, who professed that Jesus was the Messiah and Saviour by shouting "Hosanna to the Son of David" … …

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

… This feast is a commemoration of the fact that Jesus Christ resurrected from the dead. The resurrection of Jesus Christ took place on the … Holy Communion in remembrance of Jesus' sacrifice and resurrection on the first day of every week. Later on, a … …

… Jesus Christ referred to His return to the Father in various ways (John 3: 13; 16: 28; 20: 17). On the fortieth day after Easter, He, together with His Apostles, went to the mount called Olivet and gave them instructions for their mission. Then "He was … …

… On Pentecost we commemorate 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 … …

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

… The liturgy of the divine services on the above-mentioned … to the events of salvation history described in Scripture and to their significance for the present and for the salvation of mankind. …

… 13.1.1 Prayers in the Old Testament …

… The relationship between man and God changed fundamentally through Jesus Christ. On the basis of this new relationship with God, the Lord taught … …

… The gospel of Luke relates that Jesus prayed especially before decisive events: before the Holy Spirit descended upon Him (Luke 3: … transfigured Him in the presence of the witnesses from here and the beyond (Luke 9: 28-36); before His bitter … …

… 13.1.4 The prayer of the early Christians …

… 13.1.5 The prayer of New Apostolic Christians …

… Conscientious prayer opens a human being's heart to the knowledge: I am dependent upon God in my entire being! … supplicant is characterised by childlike trust, humbleness, and fear of the Lord. It also comes to expression in … word issued by God. In prayer believers experience: God is present, God hears, and God answers. … …

… Sacrifice and sacrificial service played an important role in practically all the religions of ancient civilisations–as also in Israel. … dimension. Thus Apostle Paul calls upon the Christians to "present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to … …

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

… A sacrifice in the Christian sense should not be considered an enforced … reward, but rather freely, out of faith, out of gratitude, and out of love. If one sacrifices with such an attitude, it … but rather a joy, to engage their gifts and talents for the benefit of the congregation and their neighbour. The … …

… It pleases God when we bring Him our offerings with the proper attitude, and He also associates His blessing with this. "But this I … material blessing. Faith allows us to recognise that the sacrifices which are brought out of a pure heart attract … …

… A monogamous marriage is a divine institution and not only a human institution. A polygamous marriage, … is not in accordance with Christian teaching and values. The fact that God has explicitly anchored the protection of marriage within the Ten Commandments … …

… 13.3.2 Marriage and the wedding blessing …

… Marriage also serves to perpetuate the human race: "Then God blessed them [the first human beings], and God said to them, 'Be fruitful and multiply'" (Genesis … …

… … have a high degree of responsibility toward their children and society in general, but also toward God. Mother and father bear the main responsibility for the upbringing of their … purpose of providing them with a solid foundation for the future. New Apostolic parents bear the important … …

… 13.3.5 Responsibilities of the children …

… 13.5.1 Position regarding the state …

… 13.5.2 Relationship to other religions and denominations …

… The New Apostolic Church is committed to the gospel and the imperatives of Christian ethics. Thus it … …

… Mankind sought to rise above 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 … …

… … from that time on have to reap what they had sown: "For the wages of sin is death" (Romans 6: 23). Despite their disobedience and presumption, the Eternal One still loved those He had created. He … …

… … 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. … 30: 14: "But the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may do it." In contrast, Apostle … …

… … is a gift of God that distinguishes human beings–as the image of God–from all other creatures. It is of particular help in structuring their existence and comprehending their environment. Reason is revealed … are capable of recognising circumstances and interpreting the connections between them. They recognise themselves as … …

… The word "faith" is not mentioned in the Hebrew texts of the … starts with God, who reveals Himself through His word and His works. As long as human beings trust God completely, … in the time of the old covenant, salvation still lay in the future (Hebrews 11: 39). When God revealed Himself in Jesus … …

… 5.3.10 The Ninth and Tenth Commandments …

… 5.3.1.1 The count …

… 5.3.1.2 The Ten Commandments in the Old Testament …

… 5.3.1.3 The Ten Commandments in the New Testament …

… 5.3.1.4 The wording …

… "I am the Lord your God." This statement stands as an introduction to all the commandments that follow, and brings to expression that God is Lord over all. … …

… Although God is absolutely sovereign and accountable to no one, He nevertheless explains His demand of obedience to the Israelites: He led Israel "out of the house of bondage" and out of slavery in Egypt. He is the … …

… 5.3.2.3 Worship and the fear of God …

… 5.3.2.4 The prohibition against worshipping other gods …

… 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 (Exodus 3: 14). This was at the same time an act in which God revealed His being. The … the One who is totally identical to Himself, unchangeable, and eternal. Out of reverence, Jews avoid speaking the … …

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

… 5.3.3.3 The threat of punishment …

… The Second Commandment admonishes us to keep holy everything that has to do with God and His name. This also applies to our conduct of life. As a Christian, the believer bears a special responsibility toward the … …

… 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 was permitted in Israel … 6: 13; Deuteronomy 10: 20), swearing was forbidden in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5: 33-37). The … One who is completely identical with Himself, unchangeable, and eternal. … …

… 5.3.4.1 Reasons for the Third Commandment in Israel …

… 5.3.4.2 The Sabbath in Israel …

… 5.3.4.3 Jesus Christ and the Sabbath …

… "For the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath" (Matthew 12: … therefore also a profession of Jesus Christ's resurrection and a remembrance of Easter. After Christ's ascension into … this regulation has largely retained its validity up to the present. …

… Above all, believers sanctify the Sunday by worshipping God in divine service, believingly … receiving forgiveness of sins in a repentant attitude, and worthily partaking of Christ's body and blood in the … with God. The link between the Third Commandment and this future "day of rest" is described in Hebrews 4: 4-11. 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 …

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

… 5.3.5.2 Jesus Christ and the Fourth Commandment …

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

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

… 5.3.5.5 The Fourth Commandment in modern life …

… 5.3.6.1 The prohibition against killing in the Old Testament …

… 5.3.6.2 The prohibition against killing in the New Testament …

… 5.3.6.3 The significance of the Fifth Commandment today …

… 5.3.6.4 Specific questions concerning the Fifth Commandment …

… Marriage is the lifelong union between a man and a woman as desired by God. It is based on an act of free … God contains powers that will enable them to fashion their future life together in a manner desired by God. This … …

… … with a married person, commits adultery. According to the words of Jesus: "But I say to you that whoever looks at … 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 the actual … …

… In the New Testament, divorce is assessed as sin: "Therefore … has joined together, let not man separate" (Mark 10: 9). The only exception in which divorce was permissible was in … to further statements in the New Testament, divorce and remarriage during the lifetime of the divorced spouse … …

… Marriage should be honoured and the matrimonial bed kept "undefiled" (Hebrews 13: 4). The insight that the body of a reborn individual is the … …

… 5.3.8.1 Theft in general legal systems …

… 5.3.8.2 The prohibition against theft in the Old Testament …

… 5.3.8.3 The prohibition against theft in the New Testament …

… 5.3.8.4 Various forms of theft …

… At first, the Eighth Commandment pertained to false statements made in court. For the Israelites, the "neighbour" (see … they interacted in everyday life. Both false accusation and untrue testimony were considered "false witness". …

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

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

… All false witness is a lie. In a broader sense, the Eighth Commandment can be understood as a prohibition against any dishonest conduct (Leviticus 19: 11). Due to the imperfection inherent in human beings, no one will … diligently a person follows Christ, the more he will speak and act in a truthful manner. Apostle Paul advises: … …

… 5.3.9.5 Further violations of the Eighth Commandment …

… 5.3.9.6 False and true witness in the spiritual sense …

… 6.2.3.1 The body of Christ …

… 6.2.3.2 The people of God …

… 6.2.3.3 The city of God …

… 6.2.3.4 The kingdom of God …

… 6.2.3.5 The flock of God …

… 6.2.3.6 Further images for the church …

… 6.4.1.1 The church is "one" …

… 6.4.1.2 The church is "holy" …

… 6.4.1.3 The church is "universal" …

… 6.4.1.4 The church is "apostolic" …

… 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 …

… 8.1.10 Holy Baptism with water and the Apostle ministry …

… As with the other sacraments, references to Holy Baptism with water … 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 Christian tradition, the Israelites' … …

… 8.1.2.2 Holy Baptism with water in the New Testament …

… … rather a real act of God's loving care. Through this act, the relationship between a human being and God is fundamentally changed. The effect of Holy Baptism with water acts upon a person's … …

… 8.1.3.2 The washing away of original sin …

… … a meal of fellowship in a threefold sense: First of all, the incarnate and glorified Son of God enters into fellowship with His Apostles in the celebration of Holy Communion. Thereby the original … …

… … because it is closely linked to the marriage supper in heaven. In Jesus Christ the kingdom … announced to them in this Communion fellowship. Until the future and ultimate unification of the bride with the bridegroom … …

… 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 …

… 8.2.15 Holy Communion and the Apostle ministry …

… 8.2.16 The words of consecration in Holy Communion …

… 8.2.17 The celebration and receiving of Holy Communion …

… 8.2.18 The prerequisites for partaking in Holy Communion …

… 8.2.19 The manner in which Holy Communion is received …

… 8.2.20 The effects of Holy Communion …

… All those who have been baptised, adopted, or sealed in the New Apostolic Church are entitled to regularly partake in Holy Communion. These individuals profess the content of the New Apostolic Creed (see … of the Son of God who died, resurrected from the dead, and will come again. Secession or excommunication from the … …

… 8.2.22 Communion celebrations of the churches …

… 12.1.10 The closing benediction …

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

… Ordination is the investiture of a spiritual ministry. It is, without … an ordination follows the dispensation of the sacraments and takes place after the celebration of Holy Communion. … the blessing of the triune God is dispensed upon all present with the words taken from 2 Corinthians 13: 13. … …

… 12.1.13 Divine services for the departed …

… 12.1.14 Music in the divine service …

… 12.1.5.1 The Apostles' doctrine …

… In the celebration of Holy Communion (see [deeplink:cat:a2a049c4-c6c9-413f-8c58-075b8b0aa71e]), the congregation experiences the central event of the divine … the forgiveness of sins, the believers come to the altar and receive the body and blood of Jesus in the form of a … …

… In divine service, believers can experience, again and again, the fulfilment of Jesus Christ's promise: "For where two or … is in the midst of the congregation in His word, and truly present in His body and blood. Beyond that, divine service … …

… … is inseparably associated with prayer. Already before the divine service, the faithful seek the nearness of God through personal … These express adoration, thanksgiving, intercessions, and pleas. Special significance is attached to the Lord's … …

… 12.1.6.1 Concerning the term "sermon" …

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

… 12.1.6.3 The proclamation of the word today …

… 12.1.7.1 The Lord's Prayer in divine service …

… 12.1.7.2 The seven pleas …

… 12.1.8.1 God–the One who forgives …

… 12.1.8.2 God's patience–the sacrificial service in the Old Testament …

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

… In order to obtain forgiveness of sins and be snatched from spiritual death, the first prerequisite is the sinner's belief in Jesus Christ as the Redeemer (John 8: … …

… … own shortcomings or misconduct. It incorporates remorse–the feeling of suffering caused by wrongs committed in deed or omission–and the earnest endeavour to change one's attitude and improve. … …

… There is a sin that is not forgiven: blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. Concerning this the Son of God said: "But He who blasphemes against the Holy … eternal condemnation" (Mark 3: 29). Those who consciously and intentionally depict the Holy Spirit as a devilish or … …

… … (Luke 7: 48 et al). Forgiveness of sins occurs through the absolution, which is proclaimed in the name of Jesus Christ by authorised ministers. It is … it only has its effect on those who grasp it in faith and fulfil the corresponding prerequisites. The authority … …

… 12.1.8.8 Effects of the forgiveness of sins …

… The age of confirmation varies. It depends on the religious maturity and/or the stage in life at which adolescents are generally … …

… Confirmation is celebrated in the context of a divine service. First, the confirmands answer the question as to whether they … liturgy from the third century. It is given before God and the congregation, and states the following: "I … …

… 12.2.3.1 The wedding blessing …

… At the request of a married couple, a blessing is dispensed for the following wedding anniversaries: silver wedding … years) Again God's blessing is placed upon the marriage, and the married couple is commended to God's continuing care … …

… Engagement represents a serious promise of marriage. If desired, the engagement blessing can be dispensed during a divine … example, confirmations, engagements, weddings, and wedding anniversaries. … …

… Church instruction provides guidance for our children 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 objective. The … …

… 12.4.2.1 The situation of young people …

… An important goal of youth care in the New Apostolic Church is the cultivation of fellowship among one another. Beyond … to be firmly anchored in the values of the Christian faith and are to be inspired by them so that they may serve as the … …

… Our youth receive age-appropriate care and support, however, they do not form a separate group within the congregation. They are encouraged to become involved in the congregation's many activities after confirmation, and … …

… 12.4.5.1 Caring for the terminally ill and dying …

… 12.4.5.2 Support for the bereaved …

… Support for the bereaved and coping with grief belong together. Support for the bereaved serves to encourage the bereaved to speak about … …

… 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 Commandment, for example in Judaism, whereas they are most often separated into the Ninth and Tenth Commandments in Christianity. There are … …

… 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 …

… … desire manifests itself in sinful conduct, in "works of the flesh", which are then described in dramatic fashion. Christians, however, should keep away from such sins: "And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires." Apostle Paul … …

… Aaronic blessing "Aaronic"–derived from the name of the first high priest, Aaron Three-part … the one hand, apostolicity incorporates apostolic doctrine, and on the other hand, the activity of the Apostles. … doctrine that the body and blood of Jesus Christ are truly present in Holy Communion (as contrasted with "spiritual … …

… … of the … of the … of the … of the early … of the … of the … of the … of the … …

… … Song of the Three Children … …

… The Apostles' Creed (Apostolicum) …

… The Creed of Nicaea-Constantinople …

… The Creeds …

… The Lord’s Prayer …

… The New Apostolic Creed …

… The Ten Commandments …

… 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 …

… 12.1.7.2.1 "Our Father in heaven" …

… The triune God is holy. Believers speak of Him with deep reverence. By giving all honour to God, by praising and extolling Him, and by endeavouring to conduct themselves in accordance with His will, they contribute to the hallowing of His name. The Lord's Prayer reminds us of … …

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

… … is omnipotent. His will stands above everything. In heaven, the domain where God rules, His will reigns supreme. God wishes to deliver fallen mankind from the consequences of sin and grant them salvation (1 Timothy 2: 4). To make this … …

… In the broadest sense, this plea is directed at the preservation of the creation. These words also express … petition that the Lord may provide food, clothing, lodging, and everything else human beings need for earthly … …

… … 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 … …

… With the plea not to be led into temptation, believers beseech … 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 … …

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

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

… … School is conducted for pre-school age children in the congregations, either before, during, 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 trusting … …

… … class is also conducted either before, during, 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 … …

… … Sunday School. It imparts knowledge about biblical history, the emergence and spread of Christianity in general, and the New Apostolic Church in particular, in an … …

… The content of Confirmation Instruction focuses primarily upon the Creed and the Ten Commandments. Adolescents are thereby prepared … …

… The word "Amen", which stems from Hebrew, translates as: "So be it!" It concludes the Lord's Prayer, and once more reinforces every plea and statement that has … kingdom come" asks the Lord to be more and more perceptibly present in the congregation. Beyond that it refers to the … …

… The central element of Holy Scripture is Jesus Christ. That … on the basis of Him. The Old Testament prophesies, and prepares the way for, the arrival of the Messiah. The New Testament relates of Jesus’ activity in the present and the future. Messiah: see Question … …

… 01. The revelations of God …

… 02. The Creed …

… 03. The triune God …

… 05. God’s commandments …

… 06. The church of Jesus Christ …

… 08. The sacraments …

… 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 …

… • Ninth and Tenth …

… 1 Thessalonians …

… 1 Thessalonians …

… 1 Thessalonians …

… 1 Thessalonians …

… 1 Thessalonians …

… 1 Thessalonians …

… 1 Thessalonians …

… 1 Thessalonians …

… 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 … …

… 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 the creation like … …

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

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

… 103. As a Man, was Jesus Christ the same as other human beings? …

… 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 natures, a human one and a divine … …

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

… The miracles that He performed show that Jesus Christ is … God. Nature was subject to Him because He calmed a storm and walked on the waters of Lake Gennesaret. He showed Himself to be Lord … …

… 107. What does the name “Jesus” mean? …

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

… … Only in Him is salvation accessible for mankind. “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which … …

… Faith is granted and reinforced by the Holy Spirit. Among other things, this comes about through the preaching of the gospel on the foundation of Holy … …

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

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

… 112. What does the majestic title “Messiah” mean? …

… 113. What does the majestic title “Lord” signify? …

… 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 the function of a priest was … …

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

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

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

… 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? …

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

… Mary was the biological mother of Jesus. Joseph adopted Jesus as a … family 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? …

… Luke 2: 52 states that Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and men. In Luke 2: 41-49 we read that the twelve-year-old Jesus had conversations with the teachers in Jerusalem, who were “astonished at His … …

… Jesus allowed Himself to be baptised by John the Baptist in the Jordan. Immediately following His baptism by John, the Holy Spirit descended visibly upon Jesus. In a voice … …

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

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

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

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

… 134. What was the focus of Jesus’ teaching? …

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

… “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. …

… 137. What does the term “gospel” mean? …

… 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 out evil spirits, … …

… Jesus performed 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? …

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

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

… 145. Of what miracles of nature do the gospels relate? …

… 146. Of which miracles of feeding do the gospels relate? …

… 147. Of what gift miracles do the gospels relate? …

… 148. How did Jesus teach the people His doctrine? …

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

… 15. How did the biblical books come to be collected? …

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

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

… 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? …

… The greatest of the commandments are to love God and our neighbour. With the … Good Samaritan, Jesus illustrated who this neighbour is, and that loving our neighbour means that we must not close … …

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

… 157. What did Jesus reveal in the parables of the coming of the Son of Man? …

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

… 159. Which of the disciples were especially close to Jesus? …

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

… 160. What marked the start of the sufferings of Jesus Christ? …

… Jesus cleansed the temple by driving out the merchants and money changers. Thereby He made it clear that the … it was also very expensive. Pharisees and Sadducees were representatives of the best known religious groups in … …