Contents
1.1 The self-revelation of God in creation and history →
1.1.1 God reveals Himself as the Creator →
1.1.2 God reveals Himself in the history of Israel →
1.1.3 God reveals Himself in His Son →
1.1.4 God reveals Himself in the time of the church →
1.2.1 Content and structure of Holy Scripture →
1.2.2.1 The origin of the Old Testament canon →
1.2.2.2 The books of the Old Testament →
1.2.3 The later writings of the Old Testament →
1.2.4.1 The origin of the New Testament canon →
1.2.4.2 The books of the New Testament →
1.2.5 The significance of Holy Scripture for doctrine and faith →
1.2.5.1 Interpretation of Holy Scripture through the Holy Spirit →
1.2.5.2 Jesus Christ–the centre of Scripture →
1.2.5.3 Personal use of the Holy Scriptures →
1.3 Present-day revelations of the Holy Spirit →
1.4 Faith as mankind's response to the revelations of God →
1.4.1 Belief in God, the Father →
1.4.2 Belief in God, the Son →
2.2 The origin of the early church creeds →
2.2.2 The Creed of Nicaea-Constantinople →
2.3 The early church creeds and their significance for the New Apostolic Church →
2.4.1 The First Article of Faith →
2.4.2 The Second Article of Faith →
2.4.3 The Third Article of Faith →
2.4.4 The Fourth Article of Faith →
2.4.5 The Fifth Article of Faith →
2.4.6 The Sixth Article of Faith →
2.4.7 The Seventh Article of Faith →
2.4.8 The Eighth Article of Faith →
3.1.1 One God in three persons →
3.1.7 God, the Gracious and Righteous One →
3.2 God–Father, Son, and Holy Spirit →
3.2.1 References to the triune God in the Old Testament →
3.2.2 References to the triune God in the New Testament →
3.2.3 The development of the doctrine of the Trinity →
3.2.4 The unity of the three divine persons →
3.3.1.1 The invisible creation →
3.3.1.1.2 The significance of the invisible realm for the life of human beings →
3.3.1.2 The visible creation →
3.3.2 Man in the image of God →
3.3.4 Man as an entity consisting of body, soul, and spirit →
3.4.1 The only begotten Son of God →
3.4.3 Jesus Christ, true Man and true God →
3.4.4 References to Jesus Christ in the Old Testament →
3.4.5 Jesus Christ–the Redeemer →
3.4.6 Majestic titles of Jesus →
3.4.6.1 Messiah–Christ–Anointed One →
3.4.6.4 Immanuel–Servant of God–Son of David →
3.4.7 The ministries of Christ–King, Priest, and Prophet →
3.4.7. 1 Jesus Christ–the King →
3.4.7.2 Jesus Christ–the Priest →
3.4.7.3 Jesus Christ–the Prophet →
3.4.8 New Testament references to the person and activity of Jesus Christ →
3.4.8.1 The conception and birth of Jesus →
3.4.8.2 Jesus' baptism in the Jordan →
3.4.8.3 Jesus' temptation in the wilderness →
3.4.8.4 Jesus' teaching activity →
3.4.8.6 Jesus' parables and images →
3.4.8.8 Jesus and His Apostles →
3.4.9 Jesus' passion and sacrificial death →
3.4.9.1 Jesus institutes Holy Communion →
3.4.9.3 Jesus before the high council →
3.4.9.4 Jesus before Pilate and Herod →
3.4.9.5 Jesus' crucifixion and sacrificial death →
3.4.9.6 Old Testament references to Jesus' suffering and sacrificial death →
3.4.9.7 Jesus' references to His suffering and death →
3.4.9.8 References to Jesus' sacrificial death in the letters of the Apostles →
3.4.10 Jesus Christ's activity in the realm of the dead →
3.4.11 The resurrection of Jesus Christ →
3.4.11.1 The significance of Jesus Christ's resurrection for salvation →
3.4.11.2 The appearances of the Risen One →
3.4.11.3 The resurrection body of Jesus Christ →
3.4.12 The ascension of Jesus Christ →
3.4.13 Jesus Christ as the head of the church →
3.4.14 Jesus Christ as the head of the creation →
3.4.15 The promise of Jesus Christ's return →
3.5.1 The Holy Spirit as a divine person →
3.5.1.1 The Holy Spirit in unity with the Father and the Son →
3.5.1.2 The Holy Spirit and the incarnation of the Son of God →
3.5.2 The Holy Spirit as a power–the gift of the Holy Spirit →
3.5.3 Evidence of the Holy Spirit's activity in the time of the Old Testament →
3.5.3.2 The activity of the Holy Spirit in the prophets of the Old Testament →
3.5.4 Jesus Christ's promise to send the Holy Spirit →
3.5.4.1 The Helper and Comforter →
3.5.4.3 The power from on high →
3.5.5 The Holy Spirit and the church →
3.5.5.1 The outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost →
3.5.5.2 The activity of the Holy Spirit in the sacraments →
3.5.5.3 The activity of the Holy Spirit in the Apostle ministry →
4 Mankind in need of redemption →
4.1 Evil–the powers opposed to God →
4.1.1 Evil as a power opposed to God →
4.2.1 The consequences of the fall into sin for mankind →
4.2.1.2 Sinful mankind is still loved by God →
4.2.2 The consequences of the fall into sin for the creation →
4.4.1 Hope for salvation in the Old Testament →
4.4.2 Jesus Christ–Saviour and Mediator of Salvation →
4.4.3 The preparation of the bridal congregation →
4.5.1 Election in the Old Testament →
4.5.2 Election in the New Testament →
4.5.3 God's free election by grace →
4.6.1 God's blessing in the creation →
4.6.2 God's blessing in the old covenant →
4.6.3 God's blessing in the new covenant →
4.7 The functions of the law →
4.7.2 The law as a guide to righteous conduct →
4.7.3 The law as a guide for recognising sin →
5.1 Living in faith according to God's commandments →
5.2 God's commandments–an expression of His love →
5.2.2 Love for our neighbour–love for our fellow human being →
5.2.3 Love for our neighbour–love in the congregation →
5.3.1 The term "commandment" →
5.3.1.2 The Ten Commandments in the Old Testament →
5.3.1.3 The Ten Commandments in the New Testament →
5.3.2.1 God–Lord and Benefactor →
5.3.2.2 God leads out of bondage →
5.3.2.3 Worship and the fear of God →
5.3.2.4 The prohibition against worshipping other gods →
5.3.2.5 The prohibition of images →
5.3.2.6 Violations of the First Commandment →
5.3.3 The Second Commandment →
5.3.3.2 Forms of taking the name of God in vain →
5.3.3.3 The threat of punishment →
5.3.3.4 Hallowing God's name–prayer and conduct of life →
5.3.4.1 Reasons for the Third Commandment in Israel →
5.3.4.2 The Sabbath in Israel →
5.3.4.3 Jesus Christ and the Sabbath →
5.3.4.4 From Sabbath to Sunday →
5.3.4.5 Keeping Sunday holy–in divine service →
5.3.4.6 Working on Sundays–between duty and sanctification →
5.3.4.7 The structure of the Sunday →
5.3.5 The Fourth Commandment →
5.3.5.1 The Fourth Commandment according to the understanding of the Old Testament →
5.3.5.2 Jesus Christ and the Fourth Commandment →
5.3.5.3 The Fourth Commandment in the letters of Apostle Paul →
5.3.5.4 The broadening of the Fourth Commandment in Christian tradition →
5.3.5.5 The Fourth Commandment in modern life →
5.3.6.1 The prohibition against killing in the Old Testament →
5.3.6.2 The prohibition against killing in the New Testament →
5.3.6.3 The significance of the Fifth Commandment today →
5.3.6.4 Specific questions concerning the Fifth Commandment →
5.3.7.4 Holy conduct in marriage →
5.3.8 The Seventh Commandment →
5.3.8.1 Theft in general legal systems →
5.3.8.2 The prohibition against theft in the Old Testament →
5.3.8.3 The prohibition against theft in the New Testament →
5.3.8.4 Various forms of theft →
5.3.9 The Eighth Commandment →
5.3.9.2 Examples of false witness in the time of the Old Testament →
5.3.9.3 Examples of false witness in the time of the New Testament →
5.3.9.4 False witness today–prohibition against lying and fraud →
5.3.9.5 Further violations of the Eighth Commandment →
5.3.9.6 False and true witness in the spiritual sense →
5.3.10 The Ninth and Tenth Commandments →
5.3.10.1 Different counting methods and versions →
5.3.10.2 Covetousness–the cause of sin →
5.3.10.3 Coveting the spouse of one's neighbour →
6 The church of Jesus Christ →
6.1 Concerning the term "church" →
6.2.1 Old Testament references to the church of Jesus Christ →
6.2.2 The beginning of the church of Christ →
6.2.3 Images for the church of Jesus Christ in the New Testament →
6.2.3.6 Further images for the church →
6.3 The church of Jesus Christ–a mystery →
6.4 Belief in the one, holy, universal, and apostolic church →
6.4.1 Distinguishing features of the church →
6.4.1.2 The church is "holy" →
6.4.1.3 The church is "universal" →
6.4.1.4 The church is "apostolic" →
6.4.2 The manifestation of the church of Christ in history →
6.4.2.1 The church of Jesus Christ at the time of the early Apostles →
6.4.2.2 The church of Jesus Christ after the death of the early Apostles →
6.4.2.3 The church of Jesus Christ after the reoccupation of the Apostle ministry →
6.4.3 The church of Jesus Christ and ministry →
6.4.4 The church of Jesus Christ and the sacraments →
6.4.5 The church of Jesus Christ and the future →
6.5 The church of Jesus Christ and the churches as institutions →
7.2 Source of ministry in the church →
7.3.1 Old Testament references →
7.3.2 Foundation of the ministry in the New Testament →
7.4.1 Characteristics of the Apostle ministry →
7.4.2 Equipping and sending of the Apostles →
7.4.3 Peter–the head of the early Apostles →
7.4.4 New Testament references to the activity of the Apostles →
7.5 The development of the ministries from the Apostle ministry →
7.5.1 Continuity of the Apostle ministry →
7.5.2 Interruption in the activity of the Apostles →
7.5.3 The reoccupation of the Apostle ministry →
7.6 The ministries in the New Apostolic Church →
7.6.2 The function of the apostolate →
7.6.3 The self-conception of the Apostles →
7.6.4 The authority of the Apostle ministry →
7.6.5 The Apostles in the church of Jesus Christ →
7.6.6 The Chief Apostle ministry →
7.6.7 The District Apostle ministry →
7.8 The exercise of a ministry →
7.9.1 The priestly ministries →
8.1.1 Definition of the term →
8.1.2 The biblical basis for Holy Baptism with water →
8.1.2.1 Old Testament references to Holy Baptism with water →
8.1.2.2 Holy Baptism with water in the New Testament →
8.1.3 The necessity of Holy Baptism with water for salvation →
8.1.3.1 Holy Baptism with water as an act of God →
8.1.3.2 The washing away of original sin →
8.1.4 The proper dispensation of Holy Baptism with water →
8.1.5 Prerequisites for receiving Holy Baptism with water →
8.1.6 The effects of Holy Baptism with water →
8.1.7 Faith and Holy Baptism with water →
8.1.8 Holy Baptism with water and Holy Sealing →
8.1.9 Holy Baptism with water and following Christ →
8.1.10 Holy Baptism with water and the Apostle ministry →
8.2.1 Designations for the sacrament →
8.2.2 Old Testament references to Holy Communion →
8.2.3 Jesus' miracles of feeding and Holy Communion →
8.2.5 The institution of Holy Communion by Jesus Christ →
8.2.6 Holy Communion in the first epistle to the Corinthians →
8.2.7 The significance of bread and wine →
8.2.8 Holy Communion as a meal of remembrance →
8.2.9 Holy Communion as a meal of profession →
8.2.10 Holy Communion as a meal of fellowship →
8.2.11 Holy Communion as an eschatological meal →
8.2.12 The real presence of the body and blood of Christ in Holy Communion →
8.2.13 The real presence of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ in Holy Communion →
8.2.14 The relationship between forgiveness of sins and Holy Communion →
8.2.15 Holy Communion and the Apostle ministry →
8.2.16 The words of consecration in Holy Communion →
8.2.17 The celebration and receiving of Holy Communion →
8.2.18 The prerequisites for partaking in Holy Communion →
8.2.19 The manner in which Holy Communion is received →
8.2.20 The effects of Holy Communion →
8.2.21 Eligibility for partaking in Holy Communion →
8.2.22 Communion celebrations of the churches →
8.3.1 Concerning the term "sealing" →
8.3.2 The promise of the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament →
8.3.3 Jesus' anointing with the Holy Spirit →
8.3.4 The outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost →
8.3.5 Further attestations of Holy Sealing in the New Testament →
8.3.6 The proper dispensation of Holy Sealing →
8.3.7 Prerequisites for receiving Holy Sealing →
10 The doctrine of future things →
10.1 The return of Jesus Christ →
10.1.1 The promise of the return of Jesus Christ →
10.1.2 Events associated with the return of Jesus Christ →
10.1.3 The bridal congregation →
10.2 The marriage of the Lamb →
11 From the history of Christianity →
11.1 The early Christian congregations →
11.2 Christianity after the death of the early Apostles →
11.2.1 The Church Fathers and the ecumenical councils →
11.2.2 Christianity–the state religion and its spread →
11.2.3 Aspects of Christianity in medieval Europe →
11.2.5 Catholicism and Protestantism in upheaval →
11.2.6 Christianity at the beginning of the nineteenth century →
11.3 The reoccupation of the Apostle ministry in the Catholic Apostolic Church →
11.3.1 The development of a church led by Apostles →
11.3.2 The calling of additional Apostles →
11.3.3 The continuation of the Apostle ministry in the New Apostolic Church →
12 Divine service, acts of blessing, and pastoral care →
12.1.1 General remarks concerning divine service →
12.1.2 Divine service in the Old Testament →
12.1.3 Divine service in the New Testament →
12.1.4 Further development of Christian divine service →
12.1.5 Divine service as an encounter with God →
12.1.5.1 The Apostles' doctrine →
12.1.6 Proclamation of the word →
12.1.6.1 Concerning the term "sermon" →
12.1.6.2 The proclamation of the word in the New Testament →
12.1.6.3 The proclamation of the word today →
12.1.6.3.1 Main content of the proclamation of the word →
12.1.6.3.2 The objective of the proclamation of the word →
12.1.6.3.3 Levels within the proclamation of the word →
12.1.7.1 The Lord's Prayer in divine service →
12.1.7.2.1 "Our Father in heaven" →
12.1.7.2.2 "Hallowed be Your name" →
12.1.7.2.3 "Your kingdom come" →
12.1.7.2.4 "Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven" →
12.1.7.2.5 "Give us this day our daily bread" →
12.1.7.2.6 "Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors" →
12.1.7.2.7 "And do not lead us into temptation" →
12.1.7.2.8 "But deliver us from the evil one" →
12.1.7.2.9 "For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever" →
12.1.8 Forgiveness of sins in the divine service →
12.1.8.1 God–the One who forgives →
12.1.8.2 God's patience–the sacrificial service in the Old Testament →
12.1.8.3 The sacrifice of Christ–foundation for the forgiveness of sins →
12.1.8.4 Prerequisites for obtaining forgiveness of sins →
12.1.8.5 Repentance and remorse →
12.1.8.6 Sin that is not forgiven →
12.1.8.7 Proclamation and authority →
12.1.8.8 Effects of the forgiveness of sins →
12.1.9 Dispensation of the sacraments in the divine service →
12.1.10 The closing benediction →
12.1.11 Acts of blessing in the sequence of the divine service →
12.1.12 Ordinations, appointments, reinstatements, retirements →
12.1.13 Divine services for the departed →
12.1.14 Music in the divine service →
12.2.2.1 Age of confirmation and prerequisites →
12.2.2.2 Confirmation vow and confirmation blessing →
12.2.3 Weddings, wedding anniversaries, and engagements →
12.2.3.1 The wedding blessing →
12.2.3.2 Blessing at wedding anniversaries →
12.2.3.3 Engagement blessing →
12.2.4 Dedication of church buildings →
12.4.1 Instruction of children →
12.4.1.1.1 Pre-Sunday School →
12.4.1.1.3 Religious Instruction →
12.4.1.1.4 Confirmation Instruction →
12.4.2.1 The situation of young people →
12.4.2.3 Offers in youth care →
12.4.3 The pastoral care visit→
12.4.5 Support in death and grieving →
12.4.5.1 Caring for the terminally ill and dying →
12.4.5.2 Support for the bereaved →
12.5.8 Structure of divine services on religious holy days →
13 New Apostolic Christians and their life of faith →
13.1.1 Prayers in the Old Testament →
13.1.4 The prayer of the early Christians →
13.1.5 The prayer of New Apostolic Christians →
13.2 Willingness to offer and sacrifice →
13.2.1 From Old Testament sacrificial service to devoting one's life to God →
13.2.2 Jesus Christ–the model of willingness to sacrifice →
13.2.3 Willingness to offer and sacrifice based on faith, gratitude, and love →
13.2.4 Sacrifice and blessing →
13.3.1 Marriage as a divine institution →
13.3.2 Marriage and the wedding blessing →
13.3.3 Sex and family planning in marriage →
13.3.4 Parental responsibilities →
13.3.5 Responsibilities of the children →
13.4 Discharging one's obligations at work and in society →
13.5 The New Apostolic Church as part of society →
13.5.1 Position regarding the state →