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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 Baptism 

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• Holy Communion
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• Pentecost
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One of 1.4 billion

Actually, Lukas wanted to go to Hong Kong or Singapore. But then he was offered a job in Shenzhen, China, after finishing his engineering studies. He told the German magazine spirit what life is like in the world’s most populous country.

February 14, 2022

Buildings

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• Easter
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• Local news
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Serving those who serve

Fair like an athlete, focused like a soldier, and untiring like a farmer… The latest service for ministers by the Chief Apostle was all about exemplary attributes, but also about tasks and sources of strength.

February 9, 2022

Chief Apostle

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Pastoral care (21): Why bereavement must be accompanied

Death is the scandal of life! Sometimes it strikes suddenly, sometimes it is anticipated, and at times even desired—and most of the time it couldn’t care less about the calendar. Those who are left behind suffer from the utter void that is created.

February 8, 2022

concept of salvation for the departed

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• doctrine 
• grieving
• Pastoral care

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Spotlight 1/2022: In the congregation for the congregation

Our motto for 2022 “Together in Christ” has some very practical implications. For pastoral care is a task that involves everyone, District Apostle Jürg Zbinden of Switzerland says.

February 7, 2022

annual motto

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The sacraments (49): Between water and Spirit

Is Holy Sealing a heritage of the Catholic Apostolic Church? The term as such perhaps, but not necessarily what we associate with it. Here is some more on the ins and outs in the history of the New Apostolic Church.

February 3, 2022

Baptism  Chief Apostle

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• Holy Sealing
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Of sinners and other role models

Outrageous! How could Jesus socialise with corrupt tax collectors! The Pharisees were far from charmed. Today is International Customs Day. To mark the day, we will look at three officials who changed and made amends for their sins, or even went as far as to follow Jesus.

January 26, 2022

Bible study

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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

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“Everything always came from the heart”

District Apostle Pablo Alfredo Bianchi from Argentina would have turned 100 years old this 24th of January. From the very first time he ever set foot into a New Apostolic congregation, the rector thought of him as a gift from heaven.

January 24, 2022

acts of blessing

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• America
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• Confirmation
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• Profile

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Around the world and round the clock

Who knows what will happen the day after tomorrow? The pandemic has shaken up many plans. One thing, however, is sure and that is the possibility of joining online services again on Sunday.

January 21, 2022

Chief Apostle

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• Holy Communion
• Music
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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

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• Holy Communion
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The long road to recovery

For five weeks Werner Buthe was in a medically induced coma. Five weeks between hope and fear. Now that he has recovered, nothing is as it used to be for the Covid patient from Frankfurt, Germany.

January 19, 2022

congregation

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House-hunting with God

He does not only want to come for a visit, but move in right away. So what should we do when God says: “I am coming to dwell in your midst”? Here is the Chief Apostle’s explanation from a recent divine service.

January 18, 2022

Chief Apostle

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• divine service
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Alert, sober, and jointly

There is no such thing as a free ticket to Paradise. This is what the Chief Apostle said in a recent service and went on to explain to the congregation what all is required to be accepted on the day of the Lord.

January 12, 2022

Chief Apostle

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Pastoral care (20): Depression—a chameleon that likes to hide

Depression is an illness no one would ever wish to have, but it is one that many people have to battle nevertheless. Pastoral care cannot cure it, but can indeed help alleviate it. But how?

January 11, 2022

congregation

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Spotlight 2021: Christ, our future

“The coming Christ is the goal of our faith,” Chief Apostle Schneider says. This motivates the believer and has an impact on the relationships within our family, our congregation, as well as to our neighbour.

December 31, 2021

Africa

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The people of 2021

A great deal can be accomplished with the power of faith: getting children in lockdown to move around, bringing new courage to people with Parkinson’s disease, and opening the hearts of seniors with music. Here are some of the people of 2021 in the spotlight.

December 30, 2021

congregation Easter

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• Pastoral care
• Seniors
• Social commitment

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The year 2021 in review: a lingering pandemic with no end in sight

Not even the Pentecost divine service could take place as usual! For the Chief Apostle and many millions of our members, this year was yet another difficult period defined by a global pandemic.

December 28, 2021

America

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Pastoral care (19): Confidentiality creates trust

The Latin term sub rosa—literally meaning “under the rose”—signifies that any content discussed remains under the seal of secrecy. Often these words are found carved into confessionals. They are intended to convey the idea of confidentiality.

December 20, 2021

congregation

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The sacraments (47): Conveying the Spirit

It happened in 1840/41: the apostle unity fell apart and so did the masterplan. The charismatic movement had to reinvent itself as a church. Here is the background to sealing in the Catholic Apostolic Church.

December 9, 2021

apostolate

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• Europe
• history 
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Tribute to a trailblazing pioneer

He was born in Wetzlar, Germany, and died in Riverleigh, Australia. A widely travelled and very interesting man would have celebrated his 150th birthday these days. As one of the pioneering Apostles of the New Apostolic Church in Australia, Jakob Dietz had a great impact.

December 9, 2021

Australia / Pacific

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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 apostolate

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Spotlight 19/2021: Double future, double hope

Future can mean the next minute, the next year, or even eternity. This is also true for the future in Christ. District Apostle Peter Schulte from Australia points out similarities and differences.

December 6, 2021

annual motto

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• Australia / Pacific
• District Apostle
• doctrine 
• sacraments

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The kingdom of peace explained

Recently, Chief Apostle Jean-Luc Schneider engaged as a “futurologist” and brought the kingdom of peace “down from its pedestal”, as one of the assisting ministers put it, and “back into our reality”.

December 1, 2021

Chief Apostle

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• concept of salvation for the departed
• divine service
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• 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

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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

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• Confirmation
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• Holy Communion
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don't miss

“Always speak the language of love”

Enrique Eduardo Minio is at work as the “architect of the future” in the southern regions of South America. That is how the Chief Apostle referred to him at his ordination. What does this mean in practice? Following is an interview with both the former District Apostle and the new District Apostle.

July 27, 2016

ministry investiture

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• District Apostle
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“Do you still remember why I had to suffer?”

Lent and Passiontide… It can feel like pain and sorrow. Compassion is what is called for! At the same time, however, it becomes clear that Christians must never forget why their Saviour Jesus Christ had to suffer: it was for them!

March 1, 2021

Palm Sunday Easter

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

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“Felix Austria”: lucky Austria makes music

The stalls, the boxes, the lower and upper galleries … the Vienna Concert Hall was filled to the last seat. “We invite you to have an encounter with Jesus through music,” Franz Jochum, the musical director and conductor, said to the audience at the beginning of the concert.

June 3, 2017

Pentecost congregation

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• Youth
• Music
• New Year

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