Unruly and unwilling to integrate—that is how the young man presents himself—and almost ruins his chances with all the important people. And then he even misses out on an opportunity to show himself in a good light. A story with quite a few surprises.

What God wants is impossible to achieve. Nobody can do it. No wonder the people of Israel failed at Mount Sinai. And yet, there is definitely a way of getting around the golden calf.

A lively and active Church always produces surprising news. This week we look at an architectural prize, an additional Bible reading, and a full-time position for a youth worker.

Whether our concept of ministry, biblical knowledge, interesting people, humanitarian activities, or divine services of the Chief Apostle, community has it all, plus impressions from around the world.

Cancelled services because of heavy snowfall, Sunday School with recorder and trombone ensembles, and an annual programme of learning and praying. These are some of the different ways New Apostolic congregations across the world launched into the new year.

On 6 January Christianity celebrates Epiphany to commemorate the incarnation of God in Jesus Christ. The Greek word epipháneia was used to designate the arrival of the Roman emperor, and rendered as adventus in Latin.

Reading the Bible is essential for Christians. In future, people who attend New Apostolic services will experience even more of this. At the recent session of the District Apostle Meeting International, the District Apostles adopted three changes.

They lived in a foreign land and stubbornly refused any form of integration. Today they are acclaimed for this. With their stubbornness they have written a chapter of world history. This is the background to a recent midweek service based on a Bible study theme.

It is all about love and nakedness, but it has nothing to do with sex. After all, when the outer layers come off in biblical language, it is not the body, but the soul, that comes into view. All of this revolves around the question: should we cover up or expose others?

“Our God is loving.” Who of us did not sing this song as a child? It is a short, catchy, and simple statement. Yet at the same time it is momentous, difficult to grasp, and confusing to understand. “We praise Him evermore. Our God is loving.” What does this mean?

“Fire!” 1,600 voices sing out. The hall literally reverberates at the première of the pop oratorio in Dortmund (Germany). But what is this choir singing about? And what does all of this have to do with a medicinal plant? Follow us on a journey through the Bible.

A green fig tree is worth a mint! People in the ancient world already knew that. Its large leaves provided pleasant shade. But what use was the tree and its beautiful leaves if you were hungry? A fig tree without any fruit does not fill bellies.

It was so typical of Peter: he was exuberant, hot-headed, brash, and impertinent. And this time he had really dug himself in deep. So why did Jesus later make him the chief shepherd over His flock? Some observations surrounding the question, “Do you love Me?”

“It took ages,” says Michael. He is one of a group of youth, who re-enacted the washing of the feet on Maundy Thursday. “I thought it would go a lot faster.” We can draw lessons from this all the more.

Who would not want a sign from heaven that is as clear as day. People’s thinking has always been somewhat simplistic in this respect. Paul already referred to this, saying that Jews requested signs. What about us today?

Have you ever been bitten by a snake? Better be careful. Snakes can be poisonous. There is a story in the Bible about this. It starts with the Israelites complaining about their food: the same food every day—who fancies that?

An Apostle Meeting such as this has never occurred before in the New Apostolic Church. This is not only due to the fact that nearly all the Apostles of Africa have assembled in one place. On this occasion, Chief Apostle Jean-Luc Schneider also set some goals for the development of the Church on this continent.

Seeing the world of the Bible with new eyes. That is the goal of a new monthly series which is going to be applied in the divine services of the New Apostolic Church. The launch is set for two weeks from now. We are on our way to fascinating new insights and a deeper understanding.