II Introduction to the

New Apostolic Church

Message People are to feel at home in the Church and be filled with love for God and
their neighbour.

Contents Origin and beginnings

Vision and Mission of the New Apostolic Church
New Apostolic Christians
The goal of our faith

Catechism CNAC-QA 586, 603 (address in the lesson)

CNAC-QA 550, 555–557, 600–602, 604–612 (background information)

1 Lead-in
Hint At the beginning of the lesson the teacher asks the confirmands to think
about how they would respond to the question: “What does being New
Apostolic mean to you?” If they want to make notes, there are blank pages at
the end of the workbook. The teacher tells the confirmands that their answers
will not be discussed now. This question will be taken up again at
the end of the lesson.

2 Origin and beginnings

Ask What do you know about the reoccupation of the Apostle ministry and the
reawakening of the gifts of the Holy Spirit?

Listen to answers At that time believing Christians longed for the Holy Spirit to be fully active.
and summarise During the first third of the nineteenth century the manifestations of the
Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12: 8–11) were revealed to believing people in
The reawakening Scotland, England, and Germany. The sick were healed at the time, there
of the gifts of the were prophecies, and people spoke in tongues which were interpreted. The
Holy Spirit believers also prayed for Apostles to be sent again.
Through prophecies born out of the Holy Spirit the first Apostles and additional
ministers of modern times were called from 1832 onwards. The Apostles did
not want to establish a new church, but had been called for the entire church of
Christ. But the majority of Christians did not accept them. The few Christians
that did believe the Apostles banded together and formed congregations and
a new church, which they called the Catholic Apostolic Church. As of 1848 the
Apostles began to dispense the Holy Spirit in order to fill the faithful with God’s
strength and prepare them for the return of Christ.
The expansion In the second half of the nineteenth century Apostles were called in Germany.
They were the starting-point for the emergence of the New Apostolic Church.
The New Apostolic Church is comprised of people of all races and social

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Introduction to the
New Apostolic Church
II
classes. It is represented on all continents. In the divine services of the New
Apostolic Church the gospel is preached in the proper manner, and the
sacraments are dispensed in the proper manner.

The doctrine The apostolic ministry is active in the New Apostolic Church, as is attested in
the New Testament.

Ask What were the attributes of the early Christian church?

Listen to answers Attributes of the early Christian church were:

and supplement – Apostles sent by Jesus Christ were active (Mark 3: 14).
– the three sacraments were dispensed: Holy Baptism (Matthew 28: 19),
Holy Sealing (Acts 8: 14–17), and Holy Communion (1 Corinthians 11: 23–26).
– the joyful hope in Christ’s return was alive (1 Thessalonians 4: 16–17).

Explain After the death of the last of the early Christian Apostles, the ministry which
Jesus had assigned to administer the sacraments, forgive sins, and proclaim
the gospel was no longer occupied. Thus it was impossible to dispense the gift
of the Holy Spirit as a sacrament. Holy Communion nevertheless remained as
a meal of commemoration, profession, fellowship, and thanksgiving. Although
it was no longer possible to proclaim the forgiveness of sins in authority, God
continued to grant grace to the believers even in this time. Believers continued
to receive the sacrament of Holy Baptism with water and were thereby
incorporated into the body of Christ. Hope in the imminent return of Christ
faded into the background in the proclamation of the word, but belief in the life
and activity of the Son of God, in His death and resurrection, remained alive.
Inspired by the Holy Spirit, fundamental statements of Christian doctrine were
formulated in the old church creeds.

What does the How long were the Apostles active? How did the renewed occupation of the
Catechism say? Apostle ministry in the nineteenth century come about? These questions are
discussed in CNAC-QA 586 and 603. (Please read and discuss together.)

3 Vision and Mission of the New Apostolic Church

Do exercise A in Vision
workbook have it
read out loud A church in which people feel at home and, inspired by the Holy Spirit and
their love for God, align their lives to the gospel of Jesus Christ and thus
prepare themselves for His return and eternal life.

Mission

Reaching out to all people in order to teach them the gospel of Jesus Christ
and to baptise them with water and the Holy Spirit.

Providing soul care and cultivating a warm fellowship in which everyone shall
experience the love of God and the joy of serving Him and others.

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II Introduction to the
New Apostolic Church

Explain Further details concerning the New Apostolic Church:

– Its ministers come from the most diverse occupations and social classes.
With a few exceptions they fulfil their duties as an extra occupation in
addition to their jobs, and without remuneration.
– All acts of blessing and church ministrations are performed free of charge.
– The New Apostolic Church is politically neutral and is committed to peace in
the world. It appeals people to reconcile and forgive each other.
– The New Apostolic Church is committed to the gospel and the imperatives
of Christian ethics. It understands its duty to include charitable activity which
benefits people irrespective of gender, age, colour, nationality, or religion.
– All expenditures are made from voluntary offerings and donations.

4 New Apostolic Christians

Explain New Apostolic Christians
– endeavour to live according to the gospel.
– respect the beliefs of others.
– are engaged in public life and fulfil all social, family, and occupational
responsibilities which they have assumed in a conscientious and responsible
manner.
– are being prepared by the Apostles for the return of Christ.

5 The goal of our faith

Explain New Apostolic Christians wait for Jesus Christ’s imminent return in accordance
with John 14: 3:

“And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you
to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.”

The preparation for this event occurs in the divine services through the word
and sacraments and through a life that mirrors the gospel. The goal of our faith
is the eternal fellowship with the triune God.

The main points

I also want to … … be well-informed about the New Apostolic Church!

Homework The confirmands do exercise B in their workbook by answering the question:

“What does being New Apostolic mean to you?”

Try to start a conversation in your family about the New Apostolic faith and/or
tell your friends about Jesus Christ.

At the beginning of the next lesson the teacher will discuss the homework.

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