Pentecost greeting from Chief Apostle Wilhelm Leber: "Do not draw back! Battle onward!”
Cape Town. Chief Apostle Wilhelm Leber’s Pentecost greeting for 2006 is directed to all New Apostolic Christians on all continents. The Church leader calls upon all to take sovereign control of their faith. His message is: “Let us fight the battle of faith!”
Cape Town. Chief Apostle Wilhelm Leber’s Pentecost greeting for 2006 is directed to all New Apostolic Christians on all continents. The Church leader calls upon all to take sovereign control of their faith. His message is: “Let us fight the battle of faith!”
This Pentecost greeting is rooted in a passage from Hebrews 10: 39: “But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul.” With this Bible passage, the international leader of the New Apostolic Church set a striking accent in his Pentecost sermon. It is just as easy to retreat when confronted with resistance that hampers our faith as to recoil in the face of the diversity of religious opinion. Disappointments—for example, prayers that have not been answered—might also give cause to draw back. “But prayer is worthwhile”, said Chief Apostle Leber. He also addressed the dangers that lurk within God’s work, such as misunderstandings in the congregation, or annoyance with our neighbour. “Let us not draw back, but rather battle onward!” “This motto,” said the Chief Apostle, “is to accompany us throughout the year.”
The Chief Apostle’s Pentecost greeting is part of the culture of the New Apostolic Church’s divine service practice. Believers are thus encouraged to recall this specially emphasised Bible passage repeatedly. It is to define our practice of faith until next Pentecost and be a guiding principle throughout the Church year.
