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The sacraments (51): Two handfuls of spiritual gifts

Sealing is a sacrament with a history. And its roots can be traced back to the early Christian centuries. Here is an overview of the ten articles in our series on this topic and a look ahead on what is up next.

March 15, 2022

acts of blessing Baptism 

+9

• confessions
• Confirmation
• congregation
• doctrine 
• history 
• Holy Sealing
• ministry
• Pentecost
• sacraments

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God’s love, Jesus’ truth, our service

The love of God is boundless. Jesus helps us identify evil and trust in what is truly good. And all believers are called to help along in achieving His great goal. Following is an overview of the core messages of the divine services in March.

February 28, 2022

congregation

+2

• divine service
• Easter

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The indomitable power of good

This is material for a Hollywood film. In the caves outside of the city, demons were wreaking havoc. The people were afraid. But Jesus acted and drove out the devil, albeit differently than many thought.

February 24, 2022

divine service

+4

• doctrine 
• Holy Communion
• sacraments
• society

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The sacraments (50): Baptism in two parts

When asked how a Christian receives the Holy Spirit, the New Apostolic Church’s answer to the question is: through Holy Sealing. Our sacramental understanding and its points of reference in the Bible and in church history are detailed below.

February 15, 2022

apostolate

+9

• Baptism 
• congregation
• doctrine 
• history 
• Holy Communion
• Holy Sealing
• ministry
• Pentecost
• sacraments

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Changes among the Apostles (2/2021)

Did you know that District Apostles are also authorised to ordain Apostles? This has always been the case, but in the year 2021 many District Apostles had to actually make use of this authority because the Chief Apostle was prevented from travelling as a result of the pandemic.

January 31, 2022

Africa

+14

• America
• apostolate
• Asia
• Australia / Pacific
• Chief Apostle
• congregation
• District Apostle
• divine service
• doctrine 
• Easter
• Europe
• investiture
• ministry
• retirement

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What lesson do you take from this?

“Thank you for being there! I have no idea what is going to happen in the future, but I do know one thing: God is faithful! He will be with us. Do not fear.” It was with these words that the Chief Apostle concluded a remarkable divine service in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

January 25, 2022

America annual motto

+9

• apostolate
• Chief Apostle
• divine service
• doctrine 
• grieving
• ministry
• Pastoral care
• sacraments
• society

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The sacraments (48): The double Spirit

From a spontaneous flash of inspiration to the regulating apostolic hand: this is how the Catholic Apostolic Church developed its sealing. The theological foundation only developed over time—and not always uniformly.

January 20, 2022

apostolate

+4

• doctrine 
• Holy Communion
• Holy Sealing
• sacraments

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2021: Ministry, women, and the Bible

Now that we’ve covered the question of what, it’s time to tackle the question of who: expanding on our understanding of the concept of ministry was also high on the Church’s list of things to do in 2021. And some initial answers have indeed been found since, along with a detailed roadmap for the rest of the journey.

December 29, 2021

apostolate

+9

• Chief Apostle
• congregation
• District Apostle
• doctrine 
• Event
• ministry
• Organisation
• Pentecost
• society

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Believe, love, and remain focused

What exactly is the mission of the Apostles? Not only did the District Apostle Meeting discuss this question, but the Chief Apostle devoted an entire service to it. For in the answer lies the principal commission given to all believers.

December 7, 2021

acts of blessing

+9

• apostolate
• Chief Apostle
• congregation
• District Apostle
• divine service
• doctrine 
• Holy Communion
• Organisation
• sacraments

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Pastoral care (18): Personal responsibility and its many misconceptions

Human beings can choose what to do and what not to do. We are not free to decide, however, whether we sin by our decision and thus incur a debt before God. Personal responsibility also means being willing to bear the consequences of our actions.

November 30, 2021

Chief Apostle

+5

• congregation
• doctrine 
• ministry
• Pastoral care
• society

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When waiting turns into joy

As parents wait for the birth of their child the excitement builds. It is a time of intensity: the child will change their life completely. It is similar with the weeks leading up to Christmas. It is an intense time of commemorating the birth of the Son of God and of expecting His return.

November 29, 2021

Advent

+5

• Ascension Day
• Christmas
• divine service
• doctrine 
• history 

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The sacraments (46): The other two-part division

The Catholic practice of confirmation as a sacrament was only accorded a few quiet centuries. But then the reformers came along and sought to anchor the Christian rite of initiation in the act of baptism alone—and nevertheless instituted their own practice of confirmation in the process.

November 25, 2021

acts of blessing

+7

• Confirmation
• congregation
• doctrine 
• Holy Communion
• ministry
• sacraments
• Youth

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“We are doing things at our own pace”

The fall session of the District Apostle Meeting has ended. Prominent topics were our concept of ministry, biblical authorship issues, and a new Guide for Ministers.

November 22, 2021

apostolate

+12

• Chief Apostle
• congregation
• District Apostle
• doctrine 
• Holy Sealing
• investiture
• ministry
• Organisation
• Pastoral care
• Pentecost
• sacraments
• society

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First news item on day one

Zero tolerance. This is the stance taken by the New Apostolic Church towards sexual abuse and assault. And this is what Chief Apostle Jean-Luc Schneider made clear at the conference of the District Apostles in Zurich, Switzerland.

November 18, 2021

Africa

+9

• Chief Apostle
• congregation
• District Apostle
• doctrine 
• investiture
• ministry
• Organisation
• Pastoral care
• society

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There’s a place for you here too

Since 2015, members of the New Apostolic Church have been smiling at passers-by from display cases outside our churches. Starting next year, sisters and brothers will still be shown, but only as silhouettes. The project manager explains the idea behind this.

November 9, 2021

annual motto

+6

• Chief Apostle
• congregation
• divine service
• Europe
• Event
• Youth

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The sacraments (45): One baptism, two sacraments

The rebirth out of water and Spirit: what began as a rite in two parts developed into two independent sacraments. The catalyst was the overwhelming success of Christendom.

November 8, 2021

acts of blessing

+7

• Baptism 
• Confirmation
• congregation
• doctrine 
• Easter
• Holy Sealing
• sacraments

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Help to cope with difficulties

Covid-19 is still keeping the world on tenterhooks. There are also other areas where help is urgently needed. Sisters and brothers around the world are committed to doing what they can.

November 4, 2021

Africa Australia / Pacific

+6

• charity work
• congregation
• District Apostle
• divine service
• Seniors
• Youth

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Pastoral care (17): Doctrinal developments—a problem area?

Always so many changes! There is hardly any other church that has developed so far in such a short time. For many, the reaction to this is: “I can’t even recognise my own Church any more!” And yet others are happy about the changes. How are we to deal with this?

October 21, 2021

apostolate

+6

• Chief Apostle
• divine service
• doctrine 
• ministry
• Pastoral care
• sacraments

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Bringing glory to God with choirs and recorders

People already made music in biblical times. King David had 4,000 people play musical instruments to the glory of God. Jesus and His disciples sang a hymn at the Last Supper. And in order to ensure that music remains a firm component of our faith life, it is encouraged and supported all around the world.

October 15, 2021

charity work

+6

• congregation
• divine service
• doctrine 
• Holy Communion
• Music
• sacraments

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Mankind: created in the image of God

In the last edition of community, readers were informed about the findings of the District Apostle Meeting with regard to the matter of gender equality. The second part of this doctrinal article in the latest edition of community will explore what it means to say that mankind has been created in the image of God.

October 5, 2021

District Apostle

+3

• history 
• Organisation
• society

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Learning from others

Knowing that someone with experience is nearby is invaluable. Drawing on their knowledge and ability often saves you from having to make your own futile attempts at something. This is called coaching, and coaching also works in our faith.

September 28, 2021

congregation

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The man who wrote Church history

He was and remains an example not only in terms of pastoral care and leadership qualities. Also as a researcher he proved his mettle and how things can be done: District Apostle Karl Weinmann would have celebrated his 120th birthday today, 14 September 2021.

September 14, 2021

Chief Apostle concept of salvation for the departed

+5

• District Apostle
• doctrine 
• history 
• Pastoral care
• Profile

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The sacraments (41): Is Holy Sealing merely a New Apostolic phenomenon?

What distinguishes the New Apostolic doctrine from that of other faiths? This question and others like it come up time and again. Depending on the context, the answer to this question can be longer or shorter. But most often it involves one key concept: Holy Sealing.

August 31, 2021

acts of blessing

+9

• Baptism 
• confessions
• Confirmation
• congregation
• doctrine 
• history 
• Holy Communion
• Holy Sealing
• sacraments

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Liturgical milestones in book format

What role does the timing of the Our Father play in the worship service? Why are the prayers spoken without a script? Why does the organ play softly prior to the divine service? Answers to these questions can be found in the early liturgies of the Church.

August 25, 2021

acts of blessing

+11

• Advent
• America
• Confirmation
• congregation
• divine service
• doctrine 
• history 
• Holy Communion
• Music
• Pentecost
• sacraments

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Pastoral care (15): The Bible is not a book of oracles

What is there to discuss when a minister meets with believers for a pastoral care visit? That depends on the particular situation. It would certainly not be entirely absurd to think that they might talk about content from Holy Scripture. Or perhaps rather not?

August 23, 2021

Chief Apostle

+1

• Pastoral care

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The sacraments (39): Shed for whom?

For whom did Jesus Christ die? For us? For many? Or for all? This question has resulted in a small but significant change in the consecration formula for Holy Communion. The answer has been well researched.

August 3, 2021

doctrine 

+2

• Holy Communion
• sacraments

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don't miss

“Questions and Answers” will be published in fall 2015

A new variant of the Catechism of the New Apostolic Church is scheduled to appear in September 2015. This resolution was passed by the District Apostle Meeting at its most recent session. The reference work has been structured into "Questions and Answers" and is scheduled for publication in five languages to start.

March 16, 2015

Chief Apostle District Apostle

+7

• doctrine 
• divine service
• congregation
• Youth
• Organisation
• Asia
• Africa

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“The Lord is risen indeed!”

The Passiontide, with the death of the Lord on Good Friday, ends magnificently in the resurrection of the Lord. This is the fundamental belief of all Christians. But why is this day of the resurrection so important for us?

April 4, 2015

Good Friday Chief Apostle

+9

• apostolate
• doctrine 
• sacraments
• Baptism 
• Holy Sealing
• Holy Communion
• divine service
• congregation
• confessions

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“Typically New Apostolic”—the legacy of Apostle Schwarz

Like no one else, he influenced the development of a movement that eventually became the New Apostolic Church . Not only because he played a central role in our Church's history, but also because he had a defining impact on a Christian denomination that was still in its infancy at the time: Apostle Friedrich Wilhelm Schwarz was born 200 years ago today.

April 11, 2015

District Apostle apostolate

+10

• doctrine 
• sacraments
• Holy Sealing
• Holy Communion
• concept of salvation for the departed
• divine service
• congregation
• Pastoral care
• grieving
• history 

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