faith.today

The sacraments (14): Somewhere between immersion and sprinkling

Water is life. And baptism is new life. But how much water does baptism require? And how is one supposed to perform the act anyway? Theologians have arrived at three answers—and archaeologists are offering a fourth. Is there a single right answer?

21 07 2020

Buildings Congregation

+6

• Denominations
• Doctrine 
• History 
• Holy Communion
• Organisation
• Sacraments

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God’s word within our own four walls

Divine services with Holy Communion. This is beginning to be possible in more and more congregations. But because this is still not possible everywhere and not for everyone, online services continue to be streamed. Here are the links for the coming Sunday.

17 07 2020

Chief Apostle

+5

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

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House services in Las Palmas

It is only a step from the kitchen into the church. For more than 20 years, services of the Las Tricias Congregation on the island of Las Palmas have been taking place in the house of the Huber family. Here is the story of a small and very lively congregation.

14 07 2020

Congregation

+5

• District Apostle
• Divine service
• Europe
• Local news
• Pastoral care

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The sacraments (13): “Let the little children come to Me”?

Some assigned the death penalty to baptism. And others established their very own “thousand-year kingdom of peace”. And it all began with an issue that still divides the denominations today.

09 07 2020

Denominations

+3

• Doctrine 
• History 
• Sacraments

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Changes in the circle of the Apostles (1/2020)

Chief Apostle Schneider ordained three Apostles in the first half of the year. Two Apostles went into retirement and one died while still active.

08 07 2020

Africa

+14

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

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From the “new light” to the “message”

It is not all that uncommon for a pendulum to swing to the other side. This too is part of the story of Chief Apostle Johann Gottfried Bischoff, who died on 6 July sixty years ago—to the dismay of many brothers and sisters.

06 07 2020

Chief Apostle District Apostle

+8

• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Easter
• History 
• Holy Sealing
• Investiture
• Ministry
• Sacraments

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The word of God remains audible

Preaching comes through the word of God. Believers know this experience and appreciate it. Here is an overview of where the word of God can be heard and seen this coming Sunday.

03 07 2020

Chief Apostle

+5

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

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Adhering to the Bible, but in the right way

Sermons, pastoral care, leadership functions—all of these follow the standard of the Bible. But its precepts are not always clear. What Scripture says and what it does not say: a guide intended not just for ministers…

02 07 2020

Chief Apostle

+5

• Congregation
• District Apostle
• Doctrine 
• Organisation
• Pastoral care

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Experiencing God in difficult times

A thirst for God? It certainly sounds a little unusual, almost like an abstract poem. In fact, it is a poem, a psalm, that describes the longing for God’s nearness, His protection, and support. Good thoughts in dreadful days.

30 06 2020

Chief Apostle

+5

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

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The sacraments (12): The durability and resistance of baptism

Acceptance, cleansing, total renewal: Scripture knows many interpretations of baptism. What the sacrament meant to people in concrete terms has changed in the course of history. Often it was a matter of politics and society.

23 06 2020

Acts of blessing

+7

• Confirmation
• Congregation
• Doctrine 
• History 
• Holy Communion
• Sacraments
• Society

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Changing the form of divine services

Incense, candles, ornate robes? Without Apostle Menkhoff, divine services in the New Apostolic Church would perhaps still look like this today. Here is a tribute on the 125th anniversary of his death.

22 06 2020

Anniversary

+12

• Apostolate
• Baptism 
• Chief Apostle
• Congregation
• District Apostle
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• History 
• Holy Communion
• Ministry
• Profile
• Sacraments

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Welcome to the virtual church

Part of our congregational and church life has moved online because of COVID-19. Here is a look at some of the means used and what online offers are available this coming Sunday in terms of divine services.

19 06 2020

Acts of blessing

+9

• Chief Apostle
• Confirmation
• Congregation
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Good Friday
• Palm Sunday
• Pastoral care
• Pentecost

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God’s fourfold “Come!”

God calls us into fellowship: with Himself and with other people, for the future and right now, into a fellowship of life and suffering—and it all leads to eternal happiness. This is a mission all believers have in common.

17 06 2020

Chief Apostle

+4

• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Holy Communion
• Sacraments

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Spotlight 11/2020: Jesus sets our soul free

What does freedom have to do with an eagle? Well, watching such a majestic bird soar higher and higher into the sky with just a few flaps of its wings is a fitting image to describe unlimited freedom, says District Apostle Rainer Storck of Western Germany.

15 06 2020

Annual motto

+5

• Chief Apostle
• District Apostle
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Sacraments

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Reunion at Holy Communion: “Unforgettable!”

The first in-person services after the lockdown have taken place. And although everything is a little different than before, there was joy all around at being reunited in the congregations and being able to celebrate Holy Communion again. Also the Chief Apostle experienced this.

12 06 2020

Africa

+17

• America
• Asia
• Australia / Pacific
• Buildings
• Chief Apostle
• Concept of salvation for the departed
• Congregation
• District Apostle
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Easter
• Europe
• Holy Communion
• Local news
• Pentecost
• Sacraments
• Youth

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The sacraments (11): Baptism and its five dimensions

The New Testament is largely silent on how a baptism is supposed to be performed. But the Bible has a lot to say about what the sacrament means. Here is an overview.

11 06 2020

Baptism 

+2

• Doctrine 
• Sacraments

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Better safe than sorry: in-person services and online services

In some regions, the first in-person services will resume this Sunday. Central online services on YouTube, television, or telephone will, however, continue to be offered.

05 06 2020

Asia Chief Apostle

+6

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

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Pastoral care (03): the positive surprises

Pastoral care gives as much as it can. Jesus Christ shows that pastoral care does good, changes people, and can even leave those around us speechless at times.

04 06 2020

Doctrine 

+3

• Ministry
• Pastoral care
• Society

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Triune, holy, apostolic: divine services in the month of June

The post-Pentecost season is here. This year, it brings us a new chapter in the coronavirus diary: in many countries, divine services are becoming possible again in the local congregations, at least gradually. Following is an overview of the Divine Service Guide for the month of June.

02 06 2020

Buildings

+7

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

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The power unfolds in man

The Holy Spirit makes free—free to love and serve. That is the Chief Apostle’s central message on Pentecost 2020. Here is a divine service between bread crumbs and a full-course menu.

31 05 2020

Chief Apostle

+6

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

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When the wind blows into the fire

What happens when wind blows into a fire? A weak flame will be extinguished, but a strong flame will grow even stronger. So says a French proverb which the Chief Apostle referenced in one of his sermons on the subject of the fear of God.

27 05 2020

Chief Apostle

+5

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

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A Pentecost sermon for the whole world

It is always quite a lot of work, but it is worthwhile in any event. When the Chief Apostle steps behind the altar on Pentecost Sunday, there will be hundreds of thousands who will see and hear him—despite the corona crisis.

26 05 2020

Africa Chief Apostle

+8

• Congregation
• District Apostle
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• History 
• Holy Communion
• Pentecost
• Sacraments

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The sacraments (10): Baptism, a fluid rite

It is the fundamental sacrament: baptism makes a human being into a Christian. But how is it to be celebrated? Jesus said next to nothing on that subject. It is not even clear whether He Himself ever baptised anyone. Following is a due and proper search for clues …

25 05 2020

Baptism 

+4

• Doctrine 
• Easter
• Holy Communion
• Sacraments

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There is work to be done

“What are you standing there staring into space?” That was the question to the sky-gazing disciples, and it could have been taken as a gentle rebuke. It was followed by the exhortation: “Don’t just stand there. Get on with it.” Here is why Ascension is more topical than ever.

21 05 2020

Ascension Day

+4

• Congregation
• Grieving
• Pastoral care
• Pentecost

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When devotionals come into our homes

“I am thinking of you; you are not alone.” This is what devotionals want to convey. At the same time, they act as a reminder, telling us: “Remember, don’t forget!” These are valuable messages, especially during the coronavirus age. And the Church leaders want to share them.

14 05 2020

Congregation

+5

• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Pastoral care
• Sacraments
• Youth

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The sacraments (9): The deadly word for baptism

Immersion is not necessarily the same as immersion. And baptism is not necessarily baptism. Sometimes even the smallest details can serve to hint at great innovations. Here is what can be discerned about the most fundamental of all the sacraments—just from looking at some spelling adaptations in key words of the Bible.

13 05 2020

Doctrine 

+2

• Organisation
• Sacraments

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don't miss

Old truths expose new tricks

How do you deal with tempting offers and insinuations? Jesus’ temptations in the desert show how we can deal with them. The episode demonstrates the power of the word of God.

03 03 2025

Bible study

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Churros instead of Black Forest cake

Job offers, the love of one’s life, or dissatisfaction with the way things are are sometimes reasons why people look for a new home in a foreign country. Making a living and living one’s faith in a foreign country are a challenge.

15 09 2023

Profile Ministry

+7

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

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Music offers glimmers of hope

Music can help us heal: this was the focus of a joint project in a children’s home north of the Arctic Circle. The participants came from Germany, Austria, Great Britain, and Greenland.

14 05 2024

Good Friday Easter

+11

• District Apostle
• Doctrine 
• Sacraments
• Holy Communion
• Concept of salvation for the departed
• Divine service
• Congregation
• Youth
• Pastoral care
• Europe
• Music

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