Interacting in the spirit of Christ: divine service experience in July

The first Sunday of the month, for example, focuses on help for the dead: the divine service for the departed, which we celebrate on three Sundays a year. These services have a long tradition in the New Apostolic Church. “Divine services for the departed take place three times a year, on the first Sunday of March, July, and November respectively,” it says in the Catechism of the New Apostolic Church (chapter 12.1.13). This describes a practice that really only became concrete over the course of church history, but that has actually always been in existence. It is New Apostolic teaching that God’s offer of salvation applies to all people—here on earth as well as to the souls in the beyond. An essential element of such divine services is a communal intercessory prayer spoken in all congregations. It includes thanksgiving and intercession for unredeemed souls.

The proper service to God

There are many ways to profess Christ and to sanctify Him. Peter talks about this in his first letter, and also about the responsibility that comes with it for every believer. The Christian has to live up to his responsibility before God and man—happy are those who are aware of this. Attitudes, words, deeds—we need to take responsibility for these. The world is to know that I have sent you, Jesus Christ said.

This is not something that the Christian does himself; he is part of a community. This community is very precious: it offers support and protection. What does it say in Ecclesiastes 4: 12? “Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” Nurturing such a strong fellowship often requires a huge effort—especially when conflicts arise. And just then it is so important to think for a moment and reconsider things. What can people do to avoid conflicts? What lessons can we learn from conflicts that have been resolved? In the letter to the Romans, Apostle Paul first of all explains how the righteousness of God justifies the believers. But he also describes the proper Christian conduct. A Christian’s entire life is to belong to God—not only on Sundays. This is our reasonable service to God, in other words, the proper service to God. But many people, also Christians, are far removed from this.

Responsibility in word and deed

Without wanting to exaggerate, but mindlessly spoken words cannot only hurt others, but also cause great damage. A wrong word at the wrong time has often brought a great deal of destruction upon mankind. Words can of course also bring about a lot of good, but they can also do a lot of harm—that is just the way it is. It is a good thing to orientate ourselves on Jesus Christ when we speak. People who manage to find the right words at the right time are pleasant. This is something that will succeed if the focus is on love for Christ and the neighbour, and when people exercise self-control.

Thoughts worth pondering about—not only in July.

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