Reading with the Spirit and reason

In the Bible, people testify of the revelations of God. These testimonies are of course inspired by the Holy Spirit, but are also influenced by the knowledge and culture of the people of the time. And this has consequences especially for the reader today. Here is a handout by the Chief Apostle.

February 6, 2023

Chief Apostle District Apostle

+3

• Doctrine 
• History 
• Organisation

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Young and active

A New Year’s Eve get-together for the little ones, hiking with the confirmands, and countrywide Youth Days: there is always something going on for our young sisters and brothers. Here is what our children and young people around world have been up to over the last weeks.

February 3, 2023

Acts of blessing

+11

• Africa
• Confirmation
• Congregation
• District Apostle
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Easter
• Event
• Music
• Social commitment
• Youth

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God is everywhere

No matter where you are, you can still receive the word of God, provided you have a smart phone or other smart device to access the internet. Because God easily reaches beyond any church building with His word.

February 3, 2023

Buildings

+4

• Chief Apostle
• Divine service
• Easter
• Music

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Ministry (23): Messengers of the resurrection

Same value, same dignity, and the same mandate: this is based on God’s will as Creator. But ancient Judaism practised inequality. With Jesus Christ it was completely different: the gospel tells us about female students and disciples and other women who proclaimed His teaching to others.

February 2, 2023

Concept of salvation for the departed

+3

• Doctrine 
• Easter
• Ministry

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A watershed moment

There is definitely nothing old hat about the message of John the Baptist. In fact, it is highly current. Here is a divine service by Chief Apostle Jean-Luc Schneider in which he examined the preaching of John the Baptist, bringing his message into the present.

February 1, 2023

Africa

+5

• Chief Apostle
• Congregation
• District Apostle
• Divine service
• Doctrine 

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More than just sharing accommodation

“Fellowship of life with Christ” is the overarching theme of the Sunday services in February. And that means more than just leaving a little room in our lives for Jesus and His gospel. Fellowship with Christ fills our whole life—today and in future.

January 31, 2023

Asia Baptism 

+9

• Concept of salvation for the departed
• Congregation
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Europe
• Holy Communion
• Holy Sealing
• Sacraments
• Society

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Pioneers with priorities

From Germany via Canada to Venezuela, and from there through Central and South America: this is the story of Apostle Lorenz Hans Muth. He was a pioneer in the classical sense and would have been one hundred years old today, 30 January 2023.

January 30, 2023

America

+10

• Apostolate
• Chief Apostle
• Congregation
• District Apostle
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Investiture
• Ministry
• Palm Sunday
• Pentecost

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They risked their own lives

He lost everything and found refuge with brothers and sisters in faith: Ernst Kaufmann, who was of Jewish descent, survived because people in his New Apostolic environment hid him from the Gestapo. Here is a short biography of him to mark the International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust, which is observed annually on 27 January.

January 27, 2023

America

+2

• District Apostle
• Doctrine 

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When peace and quiet settle on the congregation

When the congregation gathers for divine service after a stressful week and prays, people’s hearts are flooded with peace. They feel the love of God, His grace, and confidence. Since 2020 this is also possible online.

January 27, 2023

Chief Apostle

+4

• Congregation
• Divine service
• Easter
• Music

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“The fire must be kept burning”

People celebrate Christmas and Easter. Is there more behind it than tradition? People are aware of the problems and know how to solve them. So who really needs a Saviour? There is, however, only one path that leads to lasting happiness and peace.

January 25, 2023

Chief Apostle

+3

• Christmas
• Divine service
• Easter

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The crown as an exclusive symbol of power?

Two striking slogans, “Christ, our future!” and “Together in Christ”, are followed by a somewhat more ambitious motto this year: “Serving and reigning with Christ”. The motto is worth examining more closely, as are the corresponding logos.

January 24, 2023

Chief Apostle

+3

• Congregation
• District Apostle
• New Year

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Development and teaching in the New Apostolic Church

School is not the only place where one can learn something. One can also do so in church. Tomorrow, 24 January is the International Day of Education. Here are a few examples how the New Apostolic Church is involved in teaching its members.

January 23, 2023

Acts of blessing

+10

• Africa
• Buildings
• Confirmation
• Congregation
• District Apostle
• Doctrine 
• Event
• Local news
• Music
• Youth

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Toy drive and seeds of hope

Everybody can help, and even gently used toys help. Over the recent festive season, many followed their hearts and let themselves be inspired by the spirit of giving. Money was donated, a disaster area in the Philippines received further reconstruction help, and trees were planted.

January 20, 2023

Advent

+7

• Africa
• Charity work
• Christmas
• Congregation
• Divine service
• Music
• Youth

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Praying together

Hearing God’s word, forgiveness of sins, and worshipping God together—these are some of the central elements of divine service. And this, at least, is also possible online.

January 20, 2023

Chief Apostle

+2

• Divine service
• Music

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A woman of great courage saves her people

This is the story of a brave woman: Esther risked her life by going to the king without having been invited. And she did so twice.

January 19, 2023

Easter

+1

• History 

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Jesus illuminates the darkness

A divine service brings light into the darkness: Chief Apostle Jean-Luc Schneider brought a festive glow to the congregation of Saxonsea in South Africa shortly before Christmas by preaching about the light of Jesus Christ.

January 18, 2023

Africa

+9

• Chief Apostle
• Christmas
• Congregation
• District Apostle
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Investiture
• Ministry
• Society

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Ministry (22): Man and woman and what the Church teaches

The Bible has quite a bit to say about the relationship and the responsibility of man and woman. What doctrinal conclusions does the New Apostolic Church draw from this? Here are the relevant passages from the Catechism and teaching documents.

January 17, 2023

Congregation Doctrine 

+2

• Investiture
• Ministry

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Logos 2023: A regal design

The crown is a popular motif used to design the 2023 logos. It allows the Regional Churches to illustrate the annual motto “Serving and Reigning with Christ”. But not all designers used a crown to emphasise the royal aspect of this year’s motto.

January 16, 2023

Africa

+7

• America
• Annual motto
• Asia
• Australia / Pacific
• District Apostle
• Easter
• Europe

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Divine service comes to the people

Basically, it is the people who come to church. But sometimes this is not possible. Then the church comes to the people, and it is only a click away.

January 13, 2023

Chief Apostle

+3

• Divine service
• Easter
• Music

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Funds for our own ranks

The Swiss aid organisation NAK-Diakonia wants to help especially New Apostolic people who are in need, as well as ministers and functionaries within the Church. But when disasters strike the foundation helps where help is needed, irrespective of the religion.

January 12, 2023

Charity work

+8

• Christmas
• Congregation
• District Apostle
• Divine service
• Event
• Music
• Pastoral care
• Youth

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God’s plan is not a mystery

On 27 November 2022, a day after the divine service in Orhei in Moldova, the Chief Apostle conducted a service for the brothers and sisters in Chișinău. Ukrainian refugees were also part of the congregation, as some of the church premises had been converted to accommodate them.

January 11, 2023

Advent

+5

• Chief Apostle
• Congregation
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Pentecost

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It all starts with the recorder

The new school year will begin soon in South Africa and so will recorder lessons. To the joy of some and to the annoyance of others perhaps, but in the end it will have a positive effect on all. Today, on national recorder day, we take a look at the story behind the perfect instrument for young learners.

January 10, 2023

Africa Chief Apostle

+4

• Congregation
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Music

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Changes in the circle of the Apostles (2/2022)

In most parts of the world, the Covid situation has improved so that Chief Apostle Jean-Luc Schneider was once again able to travel and ordain and retire Apostles. Some retirees had to wait longer for the official act because of the pandemic.

January 9, 2023

Africa

+12

• America
• Asia
• Australia / Pacific
• Chief Apostle
• Congregation
• District Apostle
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Easter
• Investiture
• Ministry
• Retirement

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At home worldwide and together in Christ

There were many reasons for New Apostolic congregations around the world to celebrate over the last few weeks—and not only on Christmas. Here is a look at some companionable, athletic, and rather rare get-togethers.

January 6, 2023

Africa

+9

• Chief Apostle
• Children
• Christmas
• Congregation
• Divine service
• History 
• Music
• Seniors
• Youth

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Virtual fellowship

Divine service is an encounter with God and takes place within the assembled congregation: where possible, the faithful meet for worship and come together for Holy Communion. Where this is not possible, prayer, the sermon, and the benediction can also be experienced online.

January 6, 2023

Chief Apostle

+7

• Congregation
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Easter
• Holy Communion
• Music
• Sacraments

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Ministry (21): The alleged law

The man “shall” rule over the woman. A few words from Genesis are cited by some to oppose the ordination of women. However, God does not formulate a creative will here nor a commandment, but rather predicts the consequences of the fall into sin. This is shown by a careful look at the Bible.

January 5, 2023

Congregation

+3

• Doctrine 
• Investiture
• Ministry

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