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A master optician looking into the heart

He was not really typical of his home region: neither humourless, nor stubborn, nor even arrogant. In fact, Hermann Engelauf was a happy, friendly, and approachable person. He would have turned 100 on 19 December. It was in Bielefeld that Hermann Engelauf was born in 1924,  and it was in Bielefeld that he died in 2011. […]

December 18, 2024
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How Niehaus found his successor 

For six years he was a Chief Apostle without being a Chief Apostle: one hundred years ago on 14 December, Johann Gottfried Bischoff was ordained to a ministry that he would only come to exercise later on. Following is the background story. “Receive the Chief Apostle ministry and with it, the ministerial power and ministerial […]

December 13, 2024
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‌Shaped by history, it obligates us to eradicate it

The International Day for the Abolition of Slavery on 2 December commemorates the millions of victims of slavery. A recent visit to the Cape Coast Castle in Ghana shows that freedom remains a mission: yesterday, today, and tomorrow. History comes to life on the Gold Coast of West Africa, a history of unbelievable suffering and […]

December 2, 2024
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Helping a friend for life

Together with three other men, he stepped in front of the altar in 1986 to accept a special task: the three were the first District Apostle Helpers in New Apostolic history. Today, John W. Fendt Sr. would have been one hundred years old. The date was 8 June 1986. In Kitchener in Canada, Chief Apostle […]

November 25, 2024
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Unity in diversity

“A bond of love around the globe” is the name of a set of LPs published in 1980, on which Chief Apostle Hans Urwyler speaks a few introductory words. He mentions a much-quoted thought that is still valid today. Here is a tribute to Chief Apostle Urwyler on the thirtieth anniversary of his death.

November 16, 2024
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Widely recognised as a man of God

The very Church that had rejected him offered him a final resting place and erected a monument in his honour. A pioneer of the modern apostolate found his last resting place in Glasgow, the city that the Chief Apostle is visiting this weekend. “Irvingians” is what the Catholic Apostolic Church was often called. And “New […]

October 18, 2024
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Commemorative day with a special twist

The 14th of July is something of an apostolic holy day. But its history contains some surprises. And as it commemorates the event this year, the New Apostolic Church takes a rather special perspective. A kind of three-stage plan had developed for the renewed personal occupation of the Apostle ministry in the Catholic Apostolic movement: […]

July 13, 2024
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Hope for a happy ending

Does your faith in Jesus have a future? This is the question a recently published doctrinal essay asks. It covers subjects such as trust, trials, and signs, but above all the return of Christ. “Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?” This familiar verse from Luke 18: […]

July 8, 2024
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“Your next destination is Lucerne!”

The world looks to Lucerne for its rowing regattas and festivals. This year, New Apostolic Christians look to the Pentecost festivities taking place in the city with the Chief Apostle. Although the divine service will not be broadcast outside of Europe, Pentecost will be celebrated in all congregations. Photo: Reinhold Seeger Photo: Reinhold Seeger Photo: […]

May 15, 2024
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Lead-up to Pentecost

God reveals Himself as Trinity. The self-revelation of God is concluded in the Pentecost event, the grand finale. The divine services in the month of May revolve around the promise, sending, and efficacy of the Holy Spirit. The power of the Holy Spirit “And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out […]

May 3, 2024
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Church media through changing times

“For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.” Even today, many people are denied the opportunity to speak about their beliefs. It is important therefore to have a strong media presence. Follow us on a tour through the New Apostolic Church’s media history as we mark World Press Freedom Day […]

May 2, 2024
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He defined an entire era

He was one of the greatest in the history of the New Apostolic Church. But sometimes greatness harbours danger. If he had lived, he would be 120 years old now: District Apostle Gottfried Rockenfelder. Gottfried Rockenfelder Photo: Zentralarchiv NAK Westdeutschland … in the course of time Photo: Zentralarchiv NAK Westdeutschland … at a divine service […]

April 29, 2024
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A new relationship

Together they were strong. But conflicts and a resulting dispute led to a split: Chief Apostle Hermann Niehaus and Apostle Carl August Brückner, who died 75 years ago today. In the circle of the Apostles: Chief Apostle Niehaus (center) with Apostle Brückner (left beside) Photo: NAC International Apostle Carl August Brückner Photo: NAC International The […]

April 8, 2024