DUBLIN. IRELAND (May 11, 2025) — The New Apostolic Church (NAC), a Christian denomination, forged deep and controversial ties with the Nazi regime from 1933 to 1945, aligning itself with Adolf Hitler’s government through financial support, propaganda, and institutional loyalty, according to historical records. The NAC origins are in 1863, in a split from the Catholic Apostolic Church during a schism in Hamburg, Germany.
In the NAC, apostles are high-ranking spiritual leaders ordained to guide the church’s global mission. An apostle is a divinely called leader responsible for preaching the gospel, administering sacraments like Holy Sealing, and preparing believers for the Second Coming of Christ. Apostles oversee regional church districts, appoint ministers, and hold authority under the Chief Apostle.
Chief Apostle Johann Bischoff, the NAC’s leader during the Nazi era, sent messages of support to Hitler as early as 1932, describing him as “God’s emissary.” In 1933, Bischoff dismissed criticisms of the Nazi government as “atrocity propaganda,” signaling the church’s allegiance.
Bischoff was an ardent follower of Adolf Hitler, often expressing racist and anti-Semitic views on his writings, particularly in the official magazine of the Church, Unsere Familie. Argentine historian Aurelio Nicolella mentions that Bischoff even entertained the idea of turning his Church into the state religion of the Third Reich.
At least 13 German NAC apostles were documented members of the Nazi Party. For context, Germany was the NAC’s primary base, with about four-fifths of its members in the 1930s. Given the church’s centralized structure and Germany’s significance, a significant portion of apostles likely served there, but the total number remains unspecified. By 1960, there were 27 apostles globally. Without an exact total, it’s estimated that the 13 German NAC apostles who were Nazi Party members represented approximately 65% to 87% of the total apostles in Germany during 1933–1945, assuming a range of 15–20 apostles based on historical growth and Germany’s membership dominance within the NAC.
The 13 Nazi Party-member apostles integrated the regime’s militaristic and nationalist ideals into sermons and church publications, such as Der Herold and Wacht, which praised Hitler’s policies, glorified German nationalism, and endorsed the regime’s anti-Semitic and militaristic rhetoric.
The NAC, under their influence, adopted the Nazi “Führerprinzip,” or leader principle, emphasizing hierarchical obedience, mirroring the regime’s ideology.
The church contributed 121,500 Reichsmarks in 1933, equivalent to approximately $911,894 in 2025 U.S. dollars, to Nazi initiatives and supported the Winterhilfswerk, a propaganda-driven charity. The church also offered material support, such as making its facilities available for Nazi events and allowing its members to volunteer for regime activities. This support helped the NAC maintain its operational privileges, including tax exemptions and the ability to hold services, which many other religious groups were denied.
NAC services often concluded with the mandatory “Heil Hitler” salute, and church events incorporated Nazi symbols and slogans. The church also participated in Nazi-organized celebrations, such as rallies and festivals, to demonstrate allegiance.
Apostles oversaw the excommunication of members who opposed the Nazi regime, silencing dissent. The NAC encouraged youth to join the Hitler Youth and women to participate in the NS-Frauenschaft, Nazi women’s organizations. The NAC’s cooperation with the Nazi regime was extensive.
Church leadership did not publicly oppose Jewish persecution, and its publications echoed Nazi anti-Semitic tropes. The NAC excommunicated members who opposed the Nazi regime, silencing dissent to maintain unity in its support for Hitler.
Unlike the Confessing Church, which resisted Nazi control, or the Catholic Church, which maintained a tense independence, the NAC’s cooperation was extensive.
After 1945, the NAC faced criticism for its wartime conduct. Chief Apostle Richard Fehr, in the 1980s, acknowledged “mistakes” but framed them as unavoidable under Nazi pressure, a vague apology critics say downplays the church’s role. Independent historians and former members have called for a fuller reckoning, contrasting the NAC’s reluctance with detailed apologies from institutions like the Lutheran Church.
The NAC’s control over its archives continues to limit transparency, though new documents occasionally surface, fueling ongoing research.
The NAC’s alignment with Hitler and the Nazi regime protected most members from persecution but implicated them in the regime’s moral failures, leading to post-war schisms and declining membership in Germany. The church has since focused on spiritual renewal and global expansion, but its Nazi-era history remains a point of contention.
SEE: Concerning Cults: New Apostolic Church
A passive, unquestioning submission to all that is taught or commanded by leaders exposes members to the dangers of mind-control, exploitation and the loss of personal freedom.
This article was drafted with the aid of Grok, an AI tool by xAI, under the direction and editing of Robert Cox to ensure accuracy and adherence to journalistic standards.
