Touching and in need of explanation

Divine services for the departed are a moving experience for many.  But why do they exist and how do they work? A module on nac.academy provides some insight.

Can a human being be born again? Only one of the answers is correct:

• Yes, but only by way of a special ceremony.
• Yes, but only through reincarnation.
•  No, there is no such thing as a rebirth.
• Yes, namely through Holy Baptism with water and Holy Sealing.

Can a person in the beyond still be saved? Here, too, only one statement is correct:

• Yes, directly through the intercessions of the living.
• Yes, namely through faith in Jesus Christ and His sacrifice, and by receiving the sacraments.
• No, there is no more opportunity to be saved after death.
• Yes, but only through rituals in the beyond.

And finally: How can we help the departed?

• We can help by praying for them and asking God to grant them grace.
• We can help by performing rituals for the dead.
• We can help by bringing an offering for them.
• We can help them by seeking contact with them and talking to them.

These are three of the interactive quiz elements that allow users to test their knowledge in the module “The doctrine of salvation for the departed” on nac.academy, the platform of the New Apostolic Church International that offers ongoing training for ministers.  Seven short lessons explain what this doctrine and practice consist of.

Questions about the hereafter

Why do we believe in life after death? And what does this mean for our understanding of the soul and a new life with God? These are two of the questions that are answered in this module.

In addition: How does God effect grace and salvation in the beyond, and what is the significance of the sacraments for the departed? 

And finally: Is our hope for a reunion with our loved ones justified? And how does the New Apostolic understanding of this subject differ from spiritualism?

Answers from the here and now

Here is a rundown of several answers: The soul is understood to be the core of a person’s being.  Our hope in a life after death is based on the belief that God has granted the soul immortality.

According to the New Apostolic understanding of faith, God’s will to save applies to all human beings—both living and dead. The grace of God continues to be effective even beyond death. This is clearly evident from the first epistle of Peter, which refers to Jesus Christ’s descent into the realm of the dead. And the first epistle to the Corinthians mentions the substitutionary baptism for the dead that was practised in the early congregations.

It is in this context that the New Apostolic Church dispenses sacraments in this world for effect in the beyond. Sacraments always have a material, visible aspect, as well as an invisible side: the visible sign and the invisible activity of God. When the sacraments
are dispensed by proxy on this earth, this has its effect upon the souls in the beyond who long for them.

This is only an excerpt from the module “The doctrine of salvation for the departed”. The module, which includes text, audio, video, and a self-test, takes about 35 minutes to complete and is available on nac.academy to all who are interested.