Service for the Departed

We read in Romans 14: 9 "For to this end Christ died and rose and lived again, that He might be Lord of both the dead and the living".  A rich element of our New Apostolic faith is our concept of salvation for the souls who have departed this life and now find themselves in the realms of the departed.  It is our belief a human being continues to live after their physical death, their soul and spirit endures along with their ability to decide in favour of or against God.  This free will God has granted mankind upon His creation and continues to be exercised in the afterlife.  This allows them to accept or reject the offer of grace.

After Christ brought His great sacrifice He preached to those who had perished in Noah's time (ref. 1 Peter 3: 18-20).  This gospel continues to explain that all souls must give an account before Christ and for this reason the gospel is preached to those who have died (ref. 1 Peter 4: 5-6).  Three times a year services for the departed are celebrated where we pray that souls who have died in an unredeemed state may find salvation in Christ.

The requirement for all souls remains to receive the word of God, Holy Baptism with water, Holy Communion and Holy Sealing (the baptism of the spirit).  Christ died for all and it is God's will to save all souls whether amongst the living or the dead. Our work is to sincerely intercede for all souls so that they may experience the love of our triune God.  Our Chief Apostle Schneider shares some thoughts regarding service for the departed.