05/03/2022
SERVICE OF THE DEPARTED
-The New Apostolic understanding of redemption for the departed developed in the Netherlands.
-Apostle Wilhelm Schwartz began to baptize and seal the living on behalf of the dead in 1872.
- In the late 1870s, Holy Communion for the departed started to be dispensed as well.
-In the beginning, the dispensation of the sacraments for the dead was administered to one person who was designated through prophecy.
- Under Chief Apostle Hermann Niehaus, a woman and a man received the sacraments for the departed. Women received the sacraments for the female departed and men for the male departed.
-Since the 1930s, two ministers have been receiving the sacraments for the departed.
-For all this period the dispensation of sacraments for the departed took place once a year on the day after Christmas.
-In the 1950s, Chief Apostle Johann Gottfried Bischoff initiated the practice of three services for the departed a year.
Till now.
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THE BEYOND
The term "beyond" generally refers to all realms, events, and conditions that exist outside of the material world. In a narrower sense this term refers to the realm of the dead (Hebrew: Sheol and in Greek: Hades), Thus, in principle, the beyond and the dead are invisible to living human beings.
The Old Testament describes the realm of the dead as a predominantly dark place (Job 10: 21-22) where the dead find themselves in a condition bereft of joy (Psalm 88: 10-12; 115: 17). Yet there is also a note of hope for redemption from darkness (Psalm 23: 4; 49: 15).
To make contact with the dead through necromancy or channelling is prohibited by God and therefore sinful (Deuteronomy 18: 10-11).
In His parable of the rich man and poor Lazarus, Jesus Christ referred to the bosom of Abraham, an image of security (Luke 16: 19-31). From this parable, further details can be derived:
After physical death, the human soul lives on in the realm of the dead. The individuality of the soul remains intact.
In the realm of the dead there is a place of security as well as a place of torment, which are separated from one another.
The place in which a person's soul dwells after death depends upon his conduct with regard to God's will during his lifetime.
The departed can become aware of their condition. Those who suffer in agony will hope for help.
It figuratively illustrates conditions in the beyond at the time of the old covenant: the gulf between the realm of torment and the realm of security was impossible to bridge in the old covenant.
Through His merit, Christ, the "firstfruits" in the resurrection (1 Corinthians 15: 23), has overcome the Devil and defeated death.
For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality.
When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: "Death has been swallowed up in victory."
Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?"
1 Corinthians 15:53 - 55;
Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death-- that is, the devil--Hebrews 2: 14
For the souls in the beyond He thereby also opened up a hitherto unimaginable proximity with God: the gulf between the realm of torment and the realm of security can now be bridged.
CONDITION OF THE SOUL IN THE BEYOND
The condition of souls in the beyond is a direct expression of their proximity to, or remoteness from, God, and therefore varies greatly. Death has not brought about any change to the condition of the souls. Rather, their condition is identical to that which they had during their lifetime.
