A new beginning that changes everything 

Reborn with a new heart and a new spirit in order to be part of a new promise … The Chief Apostle explains what this means. 

“Perhaps we should strive to continually strengthen our faith in our own rebirth,” said Chief Apostle Jean-Luc Schneider as he began the divine service on Sunday, 8 March 2026, in Amersfoort in the Netherlands. He based his message on Ezekiel 11: 19–20: “Then I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within them, and take the stony heart out of their flesh, and give them a heart of flesh, that they may walk in My statutes and keep My judgments and do them; and they shall be My people, and I will be their God.” 

Old and new covenant 

The prophet Ezekiel promised a new covenant between God and humankind. Under the old covenant, God had made the Israelites His chosen people, delivered them from slavery in Egypt, and led them into the Promised Land. “There He protected them, cared for them, and blessed them.” In return, Israel was to keep the laws handed down through Moses, but they often failed to do so and were disobedient. “Yet God never ceased to love them, and when the people repented and offered the required sacrifices, He forgave them,” the Chief Apostle said. 

The new covenant was established by Jesus Christ. He was “the only human being to have been perfectly obedient”. He fulfilled God’s will and His laws, and loved His Father and His neighbour perfectly. “His relationship with God was so important to Him that He chose to die rather than give it up.” Out of love for His fellow human beings, He brought the sacrifice and made possible the forgiveness of sins, eternal life, and fellowship with God. 

A new life in Christ 

Through the rebirth out of water and the Spirit “we are incorporated into this new covenant”. That is why we believe … 

• … in God and follow Jesus Christ—not to have a better life on earth, but to attain eternal life. 

• … in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, in His resurrection, and in eternal life. 

• … in our own rebirth. God has given us a new heart and a new spirit. 

“The Holy Spirit explains and reveals the true will of God to us.” He desires that we may inherit the glory of Jesus Christ. We now understand: “God loves us.” This love has been poured into our hearts and awakens the desire to reciprocate this love and keep the commandments. 

Observing God’s law 

“The more I love God, the easier it is for me to keep His commandments. Such is the new spirit, the new heart,” the Chief Apostle explained, adding, “God measures our relationship with Him by our obedience.” This refers to the law of God. What is the law of God, the Chief Apostle asked. 

• “The law of faith.” This includes believing in God and Jesus Christ, for without faith it is impossible to please God. To believe in God is to trust in the love and word of God without seeing or even understanding. 

• “The law of loving our neighbour.” Loving our neighbour means showing kindness and doing them good. This is not motivated by self-interest, but by the desire to help them understand that God loves them. And even if our efforts seem in vain, let us persist in doing good. 

• “The law of humbleness.” The humble know that they are entirely dependent on God’s grace. They understand that in reality they have deserved nothing. And if God does not grant all of our wishes, we are content with what He gives us and do not rebel against Him. 

• “The law of growth.” The new spirit, the new heart, must bring about a total renewal of our being. There must be a process of development during which the gifts entrusted to us are used in the best possible way and lead to maturity and perfection.  

• “The law of unity.” Jesus wants His own to be one in Him. 

“Let us rejoice, we are children of God,” the Chief Apostle appealed. “We have been incorporated into a wonderful covenant—the new covenant of Jesus Christ.”