faith.today

The sacraments (5): Valid first, then effective

Let’s suppose a Priest proves unworthy and loses his ministry: are the baptisms he has performed still valid? The question of the efficacy of the sacraments has different answers.

19 03 2020

Doctrine Holy Communion

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Europe and Canada switch over to transmissions

All activities in all New Apostolic congregations throughout Europe have been cancelled with immediate effect. This was the decision made by the Chief Apostle and District Apostles earlier today. And still there will be divine services—but of a somewhat different nature.

16 03 2020

Africa

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Praying that the situation will soon improve

COVID-19 is keeping people around the world on tenterhooks. The New Apostolic Church too is doing its utmost to counteract the spreading of the virus. Despite all the alarming news, there are still events that give rise to joy.

13 03 2020

Chief Apostle

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They’re not heroes, but volunteers with a heart

When the TV cameras move on and the crisis disappears from the headlines, NAC SEA Relief stays and continues to provide relief aid. In its 2019 report, the South-East Asian relief organisation also looks back on a special operation outside its usual jurisdiction.

12 03 2020

Charity work

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Get up and speak – about faith, love, and hope

A story with three different meanings: a signal to the world, a comfort for many, and an exhortation to the whole church. Following is the Chief Apostle’s analysis of the story of the widow of Nain.

11 03 2020

Chief Apostle

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Personal hygiene and spiritual health—both are important

A novel type of virus that can cause respiratory disease is spreading and making people everywhere anxious. It has made us take a whole new look at hygiene measures such as washing our hands. However, we must also keep our spiritual health in mind.

06 03 2020

Africa Chief Apostle

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The sacraments (4): outward signs of an invisible reality

A sacrament without signum and without res? That’s impossible. At least that is what the Catechism of the New Apostolic Church says. Sounds strange? Maybe, but there are good reasons for it. Join us for an excursion into the fifth century.

05 03 2020

Doctrine

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Gratitude – service – Holy Communion: the focus of our sermons in March

According to the liturgical calendar, Christians are currently observing Lent, a period of fasting and penitence that ends shortly before Easter. Soon we will be celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ, reason enough to reflect on all that God means to us and does for us.

03 03 2020

Anniversary

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“A sensitive man with a heart for eternity”

A true protector who engaged his gifts with all his might for the sole mission of “perfection and completion”: that was District Apostle Arno Steinweg. On 28 February, he would have celebrated his 100th birthday. A portrait…

28 02 2020

Apostolate

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Spotlight 3/2020: You think you are free?

Jesus makes free — but what happens if a person fails to realise that he is still bound? For example, in thoughts or in prejudices? Some reflections from District Apostle John Kriel, South Africa.

25 02 2020

Africa

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Now also available in Spanish: “Photography in Divine Service”

“In the divine service, the photographer should be practically transparent”—relates a South American cameraman. This is a wish that photographers around the world often hear. An e-book on the subject offers helpful tips—and it is now available in the Spanish language too.

24 02 2020

Acts of blessing

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Rediscovering your mother tongue

A universal language for all? Forgetting your mother tongue? Is that even possible? Sure it is! Fortunately, there is a common solution to both problems. A reflection on today's International Mother Language Day.

21 02 2020

Divine service

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The sacraments (3): the doubly mysterious origins of the term

The term ‘sacrament’ and the Bible—it’s just one of those things: the idea is there, but not the actual word. The term only made its way into Christian vocabulary later on—and it even took two tries! Here is a story about semantics.

18 02 2020

Africa

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Five dimensions of freedom

Love, return, inheritance, responsibility, coping: these are five kinds of freedom that Jesus Christ has available for us. It was in Nzagi, Angola that the Chief Apostle presented the key to all of this. And that is being a child.

13 02 2020

Chief Apostle

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From the wrong way to the way home

In both faith and life, everyone must find his or her own way: an elaborate film by young people from Eastern Germany—which missed its premier, not once, but three times—tells of precisely this experience.

10 02 2020

Congregation

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Stops on the way through life

The time between birth and death is filled with different experiences. There are many stops along the way through life: coming and going, becoming and passing away, first and last—all of this comprises life.

07 02 2020

Chief Apostle

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A whirlwind of a weekend in Bogotá and Lima

Travelling to individual countries can certainly be strenuous, especially if the responsible District Apostle has announced his visit to congregations that are quite distant from one another. It is on just such a weekend in Colombia and Peru with District Apostle Leonard Kolb that Bishop Manfredo Stegmann reports.

06 02 2020

Acts of blessing America

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The sacraments (2): one blueprint, four cornerstones

Sacraments — what is required for these? Wouldn’t faith be sufficient all on its own? The answer to this comes from Jesus Christ Himself. But how do they actually function, these doors that bring us close to God?

04 02 2020

Doctrine

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Pastoral journey into new territory

Right at the start of the New Year, the international Church leader will travel to Angola. There are two unfamiliar stops awaiting him in Nzagi and Dundo, two cities in the north and northeast of the country, respectively. Here are some impressions.

09 01 2020

Apostolate

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The year 2020 will be a good one

A new year brings new reasons for gladness. Will 2020 be an “acceptable year”? Yes—because grace means we are permitted to experience fellowship with Jesus Christ. And there is always so much grace with Him—enough for everyone.

06 01 2020

Ascension Day

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Where yesterday is already today

The New Year had already begun at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, 31 December 2019—relative to Coordinated Universal Time: UTC + 14—while the corks only began popping in London on Wednesday, 1 January at 12:00 AM. And it’s all because of the International Date Line!

04 01 2020

America

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Jesus is the reason for the season!

Just give thanks again! Right before the celebration of Christmas is a good time to do so. Why? Because Jesus Christ has come into this world and has become Man. He alone (!) is the reason we celebrate Christmas.

24 12 2019

Chief Apostle Christmas

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Ministry (14): Not without a mandate

Designated and called: but authority alone is not sufficient to permit someone to actually exercise a ministry. This requires something more—something that also plays a role in retirement and transfer from one area to another.

18 12 2019

Congregation

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The path to heaven is not a dead end!

When the Chief Apostle conducts a divine service in Mulhouse, France, he is practically “in his living room”. He had packed along plenty of comfort to bring the believers, and encouraged them in their struggles.

12 12 2019

Chief Apostle

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Fellbach, a church with global reach

Fellbach, the name rings familiar in New Apostolic circles. Chief Apostle Richard Fehr was both ordained and retired there. And his successor, Chief Apostle Wilhelm Leber, was ordained there. On Sunday, Chief Apostle Jean-Luc Schneider will visit the congregation.

04 12 2019

Advent

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Ministry (13): Authority—with limits

Designated and ordained: the ordained minister is authorised to act and speak in the name of God. Nevertheless, these powers are anything but limitless.

02 12 2019

Acts of blessing

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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

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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

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faith.today

The sacraments (5): Valid first, then effective

Europe and Canada switch over to transmissions

Praying that the situation will soon improve

They’re not heroes, but volunteers with a heart

Get up and speak – about faith, love, and hope

Personal hygiene and spiritual health—both are important

The sacraments (4): outward signs of an invisible reality

Gratitude – service – Holy Communion: the focus of our sermons in March

“A sensitive man with a heart for eternity”

Spotlight 3/2020: You think you are free?

Now also available in Spanish: “Photography in Divine Service”

Rediscovering your mother tongue

The sacraments (3): the doubly mysterious origins of the term

Five dimensions of freedom

From the wrong way to the way home

Stops on the way through life

A whirlwind of a weekend in Bogotá and Lima

The sacraments (2): one blueprint, four cornerstones

Pastoral journey into new territory

The year 2020 will be a good one

Where yesterday is already today

Jesus is the reason for the season!

Ministry (14): Not without a mandate

The path to heaven is not a dead end!

Fellbach, a church with global reach

Ministry (13): Authority—with limits

don't miss

Old truths expose new tricks

Churros instead of Black Forest cake

Music offers glimmers of hope