Circular December 1996

“Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.” (Heb. 13:8)

Circular December 1996

Special greetings to you, my dear brethren and sisters in the precious name of our Lord Jesus Christ. May the grace and the peace of God be with you. With the statement the widow addressed to the prophet Elijah, after her son was raised from the dead and the Word was confirmed to her, I like to greet you all:

“Now by this I know that thou art a man of God, and that  the word of the Lord in thy mouth is truth.” (1 Ki. 17:24).

One must know two things: firstly, if someone is truly a man of God, and secondly, if the Word of the Lord is in reality truth in his mouth. God has always confirmed His Word proclaimed by His servants.

The Word of God is truth, but it must be left the way it came forth from His lips. That was always the mark of a true prophet who was the mouthpiece of God and served for only one purpose, that the Words of God could be expressed in a humanly comprehensive language.

The Lord commanded His prophet Moses, “Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth and teach thee what thou shalt say” (Ex. 4:12). There is also another ministry, namely to pass on the Words received by a prophet. Moses was told to put the Words he had received from God into the mouth of Aaron, that he might deliver them to the people (v. 15-16). With those who pass the Word on it quickly can happen as with Aaron who was very close to the prophet, that straightaway the first commandments are transgressed and other gods are made, which do not necessarily have to be a golden calf. The producing of »idol gods« was always “in”. Blindness is manifested in its peculiarity and repeats every time. While the dance around the golden calf is in full swing the proclamation is made, “Tomorrow is a feast to the Lord” (Ex. 32:5), although something totally different is being worshipped.

In the mouth of everyone called like Elijah the Word was always the truth. But what is the position of those who pass the Word on? The apostles received the revealed Word from the Lord, and we must hand it on in the original way. Prophets and apostles stood and are still today under the same leadership and inspiration of the Holy Spirit. It is written, “Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants, the prophets” (Amos 3:7), also, “For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God” (Acts 20:27 a.o.) and also about »the mvsterv« which was hidden to the children of man, but then was made known, "… as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit” (Eph. 3:5).

We are dealing with the actual performance of the great plan of salvation – the great mystery: God manifested in Christ, Christ manifested in His Church. This mystery unfolds itself and includes all sons and daughters of God who walk in faith and obedience. The chosen ones from the nations experience the placing into the sonship (Gal. 4:4-7) which only was made possible through the Son (Eph. 1:5 a.o.). Therefore they are rightful heirs with God and co-heirs with Christ, placed into the one Body together with the elect believers of Israel. The true Church of the »first-born« (Heb. 12:22-24 a.o.) – the real »ecclesia«, the called-out ones – from the very beginning at all times and now is “built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets” (Eph. 2:20). The Church is the »house of God« (Heb. 3:6 a.o.), the »pillar and foundation of the truth« (1 Tim. 3:15), the »Body of Christ« (1 Cor. 12 a.o.), the »Bride of the Lamb« (Rev. 19:7 a.o.). About His Own the Lord said, “They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world” (Jn. 17:16). On earth we are guests and pilgrims (Heb. 11:13), our walk and citizenship is in heaven (Phil. 3:20).

As it is with a natural building where various professions are necessary, so we also find the various ministries which are necessary for the building of the Church. Such callings are exercised by men whom God can show His »blueprint« and reveal His Word to them fresh from the throne, putting it into their mouths. The »fivefold« ministry is set for the »upbuilding« of the Body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:28; Eph. 4:11 a.o.). This divine order for the structure of the Church of Christ is valid from the very beginning until its completion. Thereby is fulfilled what our Lord said, "… I will build my church” (Mt. 16:18). He builds His Church amidst all other churches and completes the same until the day of Christ (Phil. 2:16).

When our Lord called the first twelve men, He used the word »apostle« which means a “sent one” – messengers who were sent by the Lord were called by Him personally. If there is today a prophet, an apostle, a teacher placed and sent by God, then we hear the same words of God, the same teachings, whereby is being confirmed: one Lord, one faith, one baptism (Eph. 4:5). Everything – whether it is in the natural or the spiritual creation – comes forth in the original way like in the very beginning. The Word came from God to His prophets, the apostles passed it on, and the teachers properly placed it within the Holy Scriptures. As God manifested Himself in diversity as Creator, Sustainer, Redeemer, King, Judge etc. and cannot be explained, neither can we comprehend Him, we receive Him and accept His different manifestations by faith. The same applies to His manifold revelations of His Word and Spirit right to His Self-manifestation as Father in the Son and through the Holy Spirit. For ever it remains true, “All things are delivered unto me by my Father, and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, except the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal Him” (Mt. 11:27).

It must be revealed; human shaping and knowledge is only a repetition of what Aaron did. All of God’s Words must be used properly and are not to be placed opposite towards one another; in the contrary, they must be taught harmoniously to remain original truth. The Holy Scripture is being used by the 324 denominations which are now joined in the World Council of Churches. True Bible references are placed into a self-made doctrinal conception. The true sense is lost, something totally different is being achieved. Whoever does not wish to baptise, refers to what the apostle said in 1 Cor. 1:17, “For Christ sent me not to baptise but to preach the gospel.” Whoever prefers to sprinkle infants, uses the statement, “Permit the little children to come unto me …” (Mk. 10:14b) and also points to the house of Cornelius (Acts 16:30-34).

Who wishes to baptise in the Trinitarian way refers to the great commission in Mt. 28:19, totally ignoring the actual documented way baptism was administered in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ at the time of the apostles and throughout the New Testament since the inauguration of the Church (Acts 2:38). This only valid rule left to us for ever is not even being considered. If somebody wishes to pronounce a triune benediction, they refer to 2 Cor. 13:13 and other places. Those who teach that the Church will go through the great tribulation point to 1 Cor. 15:52, where we read about the »last trumpet« in connection with the first resurrection and the changing of our bodies. They place the sounding of the trumpet which calls to the feast at the taking away of the Bride to be the seventh judgement trumpet« in the last part of the tribulation. How could Paul have referred to the seventh trumpet in the book of Revelation, when John about thirty years later was brought to the isle of Patmos, where he saw and heard what he wrote? Whoever teaches »soul sleeping« refers to Dan. 12:2. Whoever does not believe in taking the Lord’s Supper gives the ordinance a spiritual significance. As many as there are use the Word, but sad to say, it is no more the pure teaching and the original Word of truth, but interpretations. As through misunderstood scriptures all try to justify their own heresy, so again by rightly understood and used scriptures every wrong doctrine can be exposed. It is a proven fact that all see the wrong teachings of the others, but do not detect their own errors.

It is possible to refer to the apostles’ and prophets’ words, but still not have the right understanding about them. The Prophet Jeremiah has brought the subject to the point, "How do ye say, We are wise, and the law of the Lord is with us? Lo, certainly in vain made he it; the pen of the scribes is in vain. The wise men are ashamed; they are dismayed and take. Lo, they have rejected the word of the Lord; and what wisdom is in them?” (Jer. 8:8-9).

Our Lord had to tell the spiritual leaders of His day, “However, in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men … Making the word of God of no effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered; and many such things do ye” (Mk. 7:7-8a + 13). Therein lays the fault. The original Word is being set aside everywhere and replaced with creeds, dogmas and doctrines of men. All are sincere and do mean well. But they have forsaken the straight way, they speak of salvation without it being there in reality (Jer. 5-7). From God’s viewpoint all such worship which is not done in Spirit and in Truth is in vain. What is being celebrated as service unto the Lord is actually like in the case of Aaron “idol worship”. To God only lead the things which come from Him. Before Him is only valid what is done according to His original plan.

Especially the Roman Catholic Church lives in her own traditions, not coinciding with the Bible at all, but also referring to scriptures. The popes whose beginning dates with Leo I in the year 441 A.D. use the passage addressed to Peter after receiving the revelation in Mt. 16:16-18 about the »rock« and the »keys of the Kingdom« etc. as their own justification. Self-deception is being exercised through misunderstood, misinterpreted and misplaced scriptures.

In all denominations and revival movements which came into existence since the Reformation we find the same situation. After World War II, Brother Branham was used of God to bring about the breakthrough. Again misunderstood Scripture and quotations are being proclaimed. Every time another gospel comes into existence, which is under a curse (Gal. 1:6-10). Another gospel and another Jesus is taught Who is being presented as the right One. The whole matter is under the influence of a strange spirit, being praised as the Holy Spirit. These three points about another Jesus, another spirit, another gospel Paul mentioned in 2 Cor. 11:4. Exactly therein lays the great religious misguiding and deception, which only the elect will escape as they cannot be deceived.

For instance someone can confess that Jesus Christ is the Son of God Who came into the flesh. Thereby generally is believed that the condition spoken of in 1 Jn. 4:2 is met, “By this know ye the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God …” They do not notice that actually a totally different Jesus is being presented, namely a »son« who supposedly pre-existed. But such a »son« does not exist at all. Not a »son« became a »son«, but rather the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us (Jn. 1:1 + 14). In the beginning was the Word, the Logos, the visible appearance of the invisible God. It was Yahweh Who already appeared in a visible form and walked in the Garden of Eden in who’s image we were created. That is the true Saviour, the Yah-shua, which means »Yahweh-Saviour«, as Immanuel does denote »God with us«.

Not everything that is called “Christian” has a connection to Christ. Not all that is called “biblical” does coincide with the Bible, not everything labelled as “apostolic” is in connection with the apostles. Not all that is called “Pentecostal” is truly in agreement with the original Pentecost experience. Not all who say, “Lord, Lord”, will enter into the Kingdom of God, even if they prophesied, healed the sick, cast out demons, etc. (Mt. 7:21-23). In all denominations the paid ministers strive for their doctrines and their interpretation and practice. The original pure Word as it came from the mouth of God has long vanished. The proof thereof are the many schools of doctrines.

Brother Branham, a dispensational prophet, was the exception among all the known evangelists in this generation. He was a true man sent from God in who’s mouth the Word was the truth. He brought to surface the pure original Bible teachings. He emphasised, “Say what the Scripture says and believe as the Scripture says.” He placed weight upon that which is valid before God and what prophets and apostles taught in the Name of the Lord. He called God’s people back to the Bible. Holding the Bible before the congregation, he said, “This is my absolute”. True »End-time Message« is the true »First-time Message« – the Word that was at the beginning (1 Jn. 1). It is so important to have the right understanding of the written and spoken Word which remains the original truth. This divine understanding for the Scripture can only be given by the resurrected Lord to them who walk with Him as was the case with the disciples to Emmaus (Lk. 24).

In the true Church today exists the same divine order, teaching and practice as at the very beginning. But how can somebody preach the same, unless he is called as a servant of the Lord directly and sent for that purpose (Rom 10:15)? A sent one must be called and commissioned before he can go. With God there is no sending without a call first. The mere schooling in theological seminars and Bible schools as well as the repetition of scriptures is found with all ministers. Yet the question remains, Who truly has a heavenly call (Acts 26:12-23) and therefore is authorised to handle the Word? Only in his mouth the Word of God will be the truth, and because of divine authority he will divide the Word properly, as Paul wrote.

All who are not divinely called serve God in their own way in the respective churches and defend the doctrines they vowed to be faithful to. But it is also written, “… and thou hast tried them who say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars“ (Rev. 2:2b). Who tries someone today or puts himself through the Word-test, to see if the teachings and practice coincide with the apostles? All celebrate themselves, and the higher someone ranks the more honour is given to him – everywhere we find »Hollywood-evangelism« connected with showmanship and money racket. It is end time: everything is decorated as being Christian and is made acceptable for everybody. But where do we find truthfulness?