faith.today

The sacraments (59): For the departed under the hands of the Apostles

Can the departed receive salvation too? The question is as old as Christianity itself. The answer of the New Apostolic Church is not even all that new—and nevertheless, it is unusual. Here is the story of how the sacraments for the departed came to be dispensed.

July 21, 2022

Ascension Day Chief Apostle

+7

• Concept of salvation for the departed
• Congregation
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• History 
• Holy Sealing
• Sacraments

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Wedding preparations of a church

The service was about Adam and Eve, about Jesus Christ and the bridal congregation, and about the marriage feast in heaven. “This marriage is kind of complicated,” the Chief Apostle remarked during the service and began to explain.

July 20, 2022

Chief Apostle

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

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Doing good in the middle of a war

One hundred and forty-one days into the Russian attack on Ukraine, the solidarity of the New Apostolic congregations in Europe is still huge. Private individuals, congregations, and aid organisations are doing their best to help.

July 15, 2022

Baptism 

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• Charity work
• Congregation
• District Apostle
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Europe
• Good Friday
• Sacraments
• Social commitment
• Youth

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Digging, weeding, and getting rid of pests

Weeds, pesky critters, and no support: young plants have quite a few problems to deal with. This image translates into our faith. What can we do so that the divine seed can germinate within us? Here is a workshop on pastoral care from a divine service by the Chief Apostle.

July 13, 2022

Chief Apostle

+6

• Congregation
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Holy Communion
• Pastoral care
• Sacraments

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Baptism: in whose name and why?

The baptism of John or the baptism of Jesus? Is there a difference? Yes, a big one and once upon a time this difference played an important role. The one baptised with a baptism of repentance, the other one with a baptism of salvation.

July 12, 2022

Asia

+6

• Australia / Pacific
• Baptism 
• Congregation
• Doctrine 
• Easter
• Sacraments

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The sacraments (58): Because corpses cannot eat

Vicarious baptism is a biblical pillar that supports the New Apostolic Church’s conception of salvation for the departed. An episcopal council is said to have forbidden it. This is how the story usually goes, but it is not quite correct. Here is the background and how it came to the decision.

July 7, 2022

Africa Concept of salvation for the departed

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• Congregation
• Doctrine 
• History 
• Holy Communion
• Sacraments

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Changes in the circle of the Apostles (1/2022)

Thanks to relaxed Covid restrictions, Chief Apostle Jean-Luc Schneider was once again able to travel and perform retirements and ordinations himself in the last six months. A District Apostle also went into retirement. Now there is one less District Apostle Area worldwide.

July 6, 2022

Africa

+16

• America
• Apostolate
• Asia
• Australia / Pacific
• Chief Apostle
• Congregation
• District Apostle
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Easter
• Grieving
• Investiture
• Ministry
• Pastoral care
• Pentecost
• Retirement

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Compassionate end-of-life care

The very idea of dying can be frightening: suffering, loneliness, and being at the mercy of others are terrifying thoughts. Some people therefore want to determine themselves how their lives should end: a balancing act for which the Christian faith offers orientation.

July 4, 2022

Pastoral care

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God asks, we answer

The New Apostolic Sunday services in July will explore the great questions that God asks us. The answers to these questions are a concrete way forward: they prepare the congregations for the return of Jesus Christ in an intensive manner.

June 30, 2022

Congregation

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• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Easter
• Sacraments

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Following Jesus’ footsteps to heaven

Ascension was both the conclusion and crowning of life on earth. And this was not only the case for Jesus Christ. It must also be the case for believers. The Chief Apostle recently charted the way forward.

June 28, 2022

Ascension Day

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• Chief Apostle
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Sacraments
• Society

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The sacraments (57): A proxy for baptism?

There is one particular Bible verse that has been giving interpreters a lot of headaches—and for the last 1,800 years to boot. And yet it is precisely this passage that constitutes the third pillar supporting the New Apostolic Church’s conception of salvation for the departed. Ultimately it boils down to a question of the power of a sacrament.

June 23, 2022

Concept of salvation for the departed

+3

• Congregation
• Doctrine 
• Sacraments

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More than preaching: the work of the Apostles

Jesus ascended to heaven, and the churches changed. It was an awkward time for the first Christians. However, the Apostles continued to carry out their work. What these tasks were and what they mean for us today, Chief Apostle Jean-Luc Schneider explained in a divine service.

June 22, 2022

Apostolate

+10

• Ascension Day
• Baptism 
• Chief Apostle
• Congregation
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Holy Communion
• Holy Sealing
• Ministry
• Sacraments

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A way like life itself

806 kilometres in 25 days—on foot. Priest Marc Sieger (51) from Aidlingen in Germany decided to walk the famous Camino de Santiago. He talks about his experiences on his pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela in Spain.

June 21, 2022

Congregation

+4

• Europe
• Music
• Pastoral care
• Youth

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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.

June 17, 2022

Chief Apostle

+7

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

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Faith that lives up to its name

Sunday, 22. 05. 2022 – important moments in Berlin: Chief Apostle Jean-Luc Schneider released District Apostle Wolfgang Nadolny into retirement, appointed a new District Apostle, ordained a new Apostle, and amalgamated the Regional Church of Berlin-Brandenburg with the Regional Church of Northern and Eastern Germany.

June 15, 2022

Chief Apostle

+7

• Congregation
• District Apostle
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Easter
• Holy Communion
• Sacraments

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Ministry (16): Interwoven with its bearer

It is quite obvious that a ministry requires a bearer. Otherwise it would remain invisible and incapable of action. But what demands does it place on the person in question? And how are the ministry and the minister interconnected?

June 15, 2022

Baptism 

+6

• Congregation
• Doctrine 
• Holy Sealing
• Investiture
• Ministry
• Sacraments

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The sacraments (56): The rise of Christ’s descent into hell

God wants to help all human beings, both the living and the dead. This conviction can already be found among the earliest Christians and is confirmed by the biblical motif of Christ’s descent into the realm of the dead—and corroborates the New Apostolic concept of the departed.

June 9, 2022

Concept of salvation for the departed Divine service

+6

• Doctrine 
• Easter
• Good Friday
• Holy Communion
• Music
• Sacraments

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Love, truth, unity: the weapons of God

Gideon did not need a huge army to win his battle. His sharpest weapons were his faith and his trust in God. Read on to find out why he is an example to follow, and not just for ministers.

June 8, 2022

Australia / Pacific

+11

• Chief Apostle
• Congregation
• District Apostle
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Holy Communion
• Holy Sealing
• Investiture
• Ministry
• Music
• Sacraments

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Church for and with children

The greatest wealth of a congregation is its children. This is a treasure that to be cherished and fostered—whether in special services for children or singing together or planting a garden. Here are some inspiring ideas to imitate.

June 2, 2022

Acts of blessing

+13

• Africa
• Children
• Confirmation
• Congregation
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Europe
• Investiture
• Ministry
• Music
• Organisation
• Pastoral care
• Thanksgiving Day

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The Spirit, the gifts, and the double church

The liturgical calendar for June is distinguished by two celebrations: one of them is well known, the other one deserves more attention. Here is what we can look forward to on the four Sundays in June.

May 30, 2022

Concept of salvation for the departed

+6

• Congregation
• Denominations
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Pentecost
• Sacraments

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Retirement after exactly 45 years

There are times when life presents one with some astonishing coincidences: this Sunday, 22 May 2022, District Apostle Wolfgang Nadolny will retire from active ministry. It was on exactly the same day 45 years before that he received his first ministry in the Church.

May 20, 2022

Chief Apostle

+11

• Congregation
• District Apostle
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Easter
• History 
• Ministry
• Music
• Organisation
• Pastoral care
• Retirement

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When the form of divine service changed

A church? Well, it was rather two centres with very different cultures. One man brought the two ends together and laid many additional foundations. Friedrich Wilhelm Menkhoff was called as an Apostle 150 years ago.

May 18, 2022

Apostolate Baptism 

+7

• Chief Apostle
• Congregation
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Holy Communion
• Ministry
• Sacraments

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“Do not hinder me!”

Apostle Albert Güldenpfennig passed away a hundred years ago, on 13 May 1922. He was the 33rd Apostle in the New Apostolic Church and always there for his flock. Join us as we pay tribute to the Apostle by looking at his eventful life.

May 12, 2022

Chief Apostle

+9

• Congregation
• District Apostle
• Doctrine 
• Grieving
• Investiture
• Local news
• Ministry
• Pastoral care
• Retirement

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Thinking, feeling, and speaking clearly

Clarify things between the two of you, just you and God, openly and honestly without any go-betweens. You will find what you have lost. This is the invitation the Chief Apostle extended recently, not because he is paid to do it, but out of love.

May 11, 2022

Chief Apostle

+4

• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Holy Communion
• Sacraments

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The sacraments (55): God’s boundless love

There are three pillars that support the New Apostolic Church’s understanding of salvation for the departed. The first one is the answer to the question: “What does God desire?” — The Bible has a great deal to say on that subject, namely that all human beings are to be saved.

May 10, 2022

Concept of salvation for the departed

+3

• Doctrine 
• Easter
• Sacraments

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Pastoral care (24): A guide for effective intervention

Detail is vital to pastoral care. And listening is an absolute priority. Ministers must learn to understand the people who come to them. Recognising their state of mind and exploring possible solutions is not magic. Listening does not mean remaining silent, but speaking from the heart.

May 9, 2022

Congregation

+3

• Doctrine 
• Ministry
• Pastoral care

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Why Jesus continues to make people feel uncomfortable

When a mission becomes a brand and faith becomes a success story, you lose sight of the cross. But Jesus reminds us in an unnerving kind of way that love is not measured by how many people have been exposed to it, but by true discipleship.

November 4, 2025

Good Friday Bible study

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• Society

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New creation rather than calling it a day

What will become of me when God makes all things new? The Ninth Article of Faith speaks of a future in which God will dwell among people—and that wounded histories will not simply be erased but healed.

November 17, 2025

Doctrine  Bible study

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Believing passionately

Easter is coming up … and the divine services in March point the way there. There will be talk about mercy and solidarity, fellowship and the rule of God, and examples and precursors. Here is a glimpse at the Passiontide.

February 29, 2024

Palm Sunday Good Friday

+7

• Easter
• Doctrine 
• Sacraments
• Holy Communion
• Concept of salvation for the departed
• Divine service
• Congregation

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Is God’s plan good for us?

God is not there to make life difficult for us. On the contrary, He does more good for us than we realise—sometimes even through trials. Are you wondering how this can work? The Chief Apostle recently shed some light on this question.

March 19, 2025

Chief Apostle Divine service

+1

• Africa

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