7.6 The ministries in the New Apostolic Church

7.6 The ministries in the New Apostolic Church world. And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth” (John 17: 18–19). 7.6.5 The Apostles in the church of Jesus Christ The objective of the Apostles’ work is to edify the Lord’s work of redemption and lead it to its completion. The fellowship of the Apostles with the believers is characterised by warm care and loving understanding. The apostolate has been given for the entire church of Christ. Its task is to offer salvation in Jesus Christ to human beings (Acts 13: 47). Salvation is only possible through the Son of God (Acts 4: 12). Until the return of Christ, salva- tion is imparted through the Apostles in word and sacrament, that is to say through the preaching of the gospel, the proclamation of the forgiveness of sins, baptism with water and Holy Spirit, and through Holy Communion. SUMMARY The New Apostolic Church is a church of ministry. (7.6) There are three ministerial levels, each with different spiritual powers: the Apostle ministry, priestly ministry, and diaconal ministry. (7.6) The apostolate is defined by the Chief Apostle ministry, the District Apostle ministry, and the Apostle ministry. Together with the Apostles, the Chief Apostle leads the Church. (7.6.1) Jesus Christ has issued the power to “bind and loose” to the Apostles. This formulation speaks to the fact that the Apostles, together with the Chief Apostle, comprise the spiritual and organisational leadership of the Church and decide on the ordinances of congregational life. It was in the circle of His Apostles that He instituted Holy Communion, which they were to celebrate in accordance with His example. He also issued authority to them to proclaim forgiveness of sins in His name. (7.6.2) 297 7 Ministry The Apostles are active by the will of their Sender, Jesus Christ, and are com- pletely dependent on Him. They see it as their duty to serve as examples to the church and lead them in following Christ. (7.6.3) The authority of the Apostle ministry derives from their calling by Jesus Christ. (7.6.4) 7.6.6 The Chief Apostle ministry Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is the head of His church. In this Church, it is the task of the Chief Apostle to discharge the office of Peter in accordance with the words of Jesus: “And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven” (Matthew 16: 18–19). Jesus speaks of the foundation and the building of His church in connec- tion with the special position of Apostle Peter. The latter is the “rock” upon which Jesus builds His church. Thereby the Son of God created an indissol- uble relationship between the ministry of the rock and His church. The min- istry of the rock and the church of Christ have been given to mankind for salvation in Jesus Christ. The office and tasks which the Lord entrusted to Apostle Peter are today discharged by the Chief Apostle. Thus he too works to keep the oneness among the Apostles as requested by the Lord (John 17: 20–23) by strengthen- ing his brethren, that is the Apostles (Luke 22: 32). He tends the “lambs and sheep” of the flock of Christ (John 21: 15–17). The office of the Chief Apostle functions to keep the doctrine pure while developing it further, opening up new insights, and uniformly spreading the testimony of faith. The Chief Apostle also lays down the order within the church. 298