True, the Apostle ministry imparts spiritual gifts. But the congregation should do more than just accept them. It should also give. How fellowship can become a source of strength is something the Chief Apostle addressed in a recent service.
-
Photo: Frank Schuldt
-
Photo: Frank Schuldt
-
Photo: Frank Schuldt
-
Photo: Frank Schuldt
-
Photo: Frank Schuldt
-
Photo: Frank Schuldt
-
Photo: Frank Schuldt
-
Photo: Frank Schuldt
-
Photo: Frank Schuldt
-
Photo: Frank Schuldt
-
Photo: Frank Schuldt
-
Photo: Frank Schuldt
-
Photo: Frank Schuldt
-
Photo: Frank Schuldt
-
Photo: Frank Schuldt
“For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, so that you may be established— that is, that I may be encouraged together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.” This Bible text from Romans 1: 11–12 was the basis of the divine service in Hilversum in the Netherlands on 20 November 2016.
“That is a very good description of the relationship between the congregation and the Apostle,” Chief Apostle Jean-Luc Schneider explained. “The Apostle gives and takes, and the congregation takes from the Apostle and gives in turn.”
Gifts for the congregation
„“What the congregation expects from the Apostle ministry and the ministers are spiritual gifts, which come from God. The man is only an instrument. His person as such is entirely unimportant. That which comes from God is important,” he said and asked, “What are these gifts?” In response he listed the following powers:
- proclaiming the gospel: “We have the absolute guarantee: God is love! God is grace! God is faithful! Jesus Christ will return! That is the gift of the gospel.”
- interpreting the gospel: “The Apostle can only preach on the basis of what is written in the Bible. His mission, however, is to translate this into the present time and to tell the congregation how to practice the gospel nowadays.”
- pronouncing the forgiveness of sins: “If I fulfil the requirements—confession of one’s sins, repentance and remorse, and the will to forgive—and I then hear the absolution pronounced, it is as if Jesus Christ personally were telling me: ‘Your sins are forgiven.’”
- celebrating Holy Communion: “Where the Apostle ministry is active, Holy Communion becomes a sacramental reality. This is where the congregation can experience the close fellowship with Jesus Christ.”
- dispensing Trinitarian benediction: “The threefold blessing pronounced at the end of the divine service is not just a formula. Here the triune God makes a commitment and tells the congregation: ‘I am with you.’”
Gifts from the congregation
“That is what an Apostle can bring into the congregation,” the Chief Apostle said. At the same time, all the faithful—including the Apostles and the other ministers—can draw strength from the congregation through
- the confession of faith: “For me it is a source of strength when I hear and see how God helped, how merciful He was, and how faithful He was. Let us draw strength from the adoration, gratitude, and joy of the congregation.”
- examples: “There are brothers and sisters whose faith is so great that they are a source of strength. There are wonderful role models in the congregation─sometimes even small children.”
- love: “True faith responds with acts of love. It is a source of strength to feel the love in the circle of the brothers and sisters.”
- prayers: “Why don’t we come together and pray and tell God: ‘This is really, really important, and we beg for Your help.’ Praying together like this is a great source of strength and comfort.”
- forgiveness: “When I see and feel that the brothers and sisters have forgiven me, that they take me as I am with my imperfections, it is a source of strength and comfort.”
“I am very grateful to God that I can belong to such a congregation,” Chief Apostle Schneider said in conclusion. “Let us continue to strengthen and comfort each other.”