Foreword

Christianity The purpose of this booklet is to provoke the reader to thought. My aim
is that everyone will become aware of this subject and mentally make an
analysis of it. Many already bear a great weight of guilt through silence;
whereas anyone who speaks and writes against the general trend makes
himself unwelcome. But no individual can please everybody.
The present generation is not to blame that, again and again, one is
shunted in the wrong direction by wrong setting of the points in the past.

Yesterday Therefore nobody should feel under personal attack. If erroneous

developments in church history are demonstrated, then it is not from a
desire to criticise, but purely from a love for the truth. In reading this, all
would do well to recognise the well meant intention and perceive the
helpful hand outstretched.
We believe that the clergy collectively are intent on teaching and acting
correctly. All are eager to do the will of God. But no one has opened their
eyes to the fact, that a total departure from the original Gospel

and proclamation and practice has taken place. Today we find many teachings
and traditions that are totally without Biblical foundation.
Spiritual orientation of the leaders has been lost, and the masses are let
astray. As far as zeal and devotion are concerned, these are found in all
religions. But human striving alone is insufficient to bring us under God's
grace.
In this short introduction certain subject-matters can only be touched

Today upon or dealt with in telegram style. In future publications we hope to

concern ourselves more intensively with fundamental doctrines and
themes. In addition, current developments will be illuminated in the light
of Biblical prophecy.

December 1985

The Editor

By E. Frank
 Many believe that membership of a church or religious assembly is
Which is the Correct Religion? bound up with salvation. This view is more or less promoted in the
religions. Are all making empty promises?
Whoever ambles through a cemetery can read the comforting
It is our intention to consider the most important theme of all. inscriptions on the grave-stones: "Here rests in peace...", "Departed in the
Basically it is one that should interest everybody. Indifference can lead to joy of salvation...", "Hidden in God The death announcements in
one's undoing. Everyone knows that there are a variety of religions. newspapers also sound well: "... blissfully fallen asleep", "... called home by
However, it must be asked: Is there one that is true? All claim to be correct. God", "Died after receiving the last rites of the Roman Catholic church ... 2'
But doubt has understandably spread itself where religion is concerned. One obtains the impression that all the dead are with the LORD. But ' how
People turn aside from denominations and also desire to have nothing to is it in reality? Did those who have passed on actually have a personal
do with God. Generally God and religion are regarded as belonging to one relationship with Him?
another. Nevertheless there are people, who quietly reflect on whether To those that remain, the comforting words are spoken in the
there is not a living God, Who concerns Himself with us. But how is one to graveyard: "It had pleased the LORD to accept this brother or sister into
find one's way among all the religious divisions? How can a definitive His Kingdom." Within the church it is then ceremoniously disclosed to the
answer be given to open questions? Or is everything really deception? Are mourners, that the departed is not in paradise, but in purgatory. Aside
the Hindus right? Are the Moslems right? Or the Buddhists? Did any of from the fact that the concept of purgatory is frankly a human invention
those that founded religions rise from the dead to tell us? Until now, and not once mentioned in the Holy Scriptures, the question must still be
humanity has only heard of the resurrection of One. All others were buried seriously asked, what is then true? Where in reality is the departed one
with their doctrines. now? Can it be that men and women from their birth to death are held fast
That which is true can only come from a truthful source. Did He ever in an error and are merely comforted? During their life on this earth they
found a religion? If so, when, where, and which? If not, then no one has the are pronounced blessed; after they are dead, they have apparently not
right to use His Name. It is not only possible for a person to err, but to be attained their goal. Is religion not after all an opium that only pacifies
wrong in actual fact. We can accordingly rely on religious founders and people, until the time for the fearful awakening comes?
church leaders just as little as on ourselves. Apart from the other well Year after year they receive sacraments of saving grace without
known world religions, there are in Christianity some hundreds of different apparently having received salvation. From infant baptism via
church confessions. Each of them has special doctrines and offers its confirmation to the last anointing they are prepared for salvation. After all
members salvation in its own particular way. Of course no one accuses a the many efforts the sad end-result remains: the one who has died has not
religious institution of deliberately leading men astray, but the fact that been received up, but has moved downwards.
there are so many spiritual currents forces us to reflection. In this field, no one can put in a word better than doctors and nurses,
Each person who desires to attain a goal, must start out on the journey, who repeatedly experience human deaths. Irrespective of religious
But how do we find the way that leads us with certainty to that eternal allegiance, a death struggle sets in. The despair of many dying is not
goal? How do we find the truth upon which we can rely absolutely? In the generally recognised. Of faith, assurance and joy is not the slightest trace.
midst of all human confusion, there must be a possibility of discovering the Assuring all that God requires has been done according to one's best
divine pathway. Who in the enlightened age is able to trust himself blindly knowledge and conscience, it then becomes apparent that it is not a matter
to a faith? To represent something as divine is not sufficient; it needs to be of what God requires at all, but what churches claim and impose upon their
legitimised from above. Everyone should assert his right to orientate members.
himself spiritually. There is surely more at stake than this short life on Since we are here dealing with a matter of life and death, all should
earth. undergo a self-examination. Every person, no matter of what race or
We are appointed to fellowship with our heavenly Father. There is not nationality, has a right to learn the truth concerning God and himself.
merely a temporal life, but also one that is eternal. As certainly as there is a Everyone, who is not indifferent to his eternal destination, even has a duty
physical body, there is also a spiritual. Just as it is self-evident that life with the help of Holy Scripture to make a comparison of the same with that
exists on earth, so is it self-evident that life exists in heaven. The same God which is taught and practised. Only that which originates from God will
created heaven and earth and all that therein is. The majesty of the lead to the LORD and can stand before Him. Whoever says, "It's all one to
Creation certainly provides a powerful testimony to the Creator. me. I don't care if another flood or even destruction is coming. I shan't be
around to see it!" is not aware of what he is saying.
 The Bible is in reality the only book on earth which informs us about The proclamation of the Gospel in the earliest days of Christianity was
God and His intentions. It contains from beginning to end confirmed facts according to the Word. The apostles were instructed by the LORD Himself
of divine origin. and were placed under the leading of the Holy Spirit. Anyone reading the
We should take life and our dying seriously. We are not intent on early chapters of the Acts of the apostles gains an insight into the life of the
giving the living a fear of death; on the contrary. Rather we wish to present original church. In her was manifest a fullness of the Spirit and of God's
the way and the true goal. Faith and trust in God and in His Word must be blessing! The first Christians were of one mind and one accord, shared all
restored at all costs. God is true (ever-present) and His Word is exalted things in common, and formed a large family of God. The original church
above every doubt. In all religions man is instilled with a fear of God, and was not a rigid organisation, but a living organism. Our LORD said, "… I
simultaneously acquires a trust in human religious institutions. Our task is will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." He
to shake trust in all religions and restore the trust in God and His Word. is still busily occupied with this task.
The Almighty has a blue-print, a plan for humanity. Regrettably, men Just as God revealed Himself through Christ, Christ revealed Himself
have made their own plans and, within God's Kingdom, have erected their through His Church. The same proclamation, the same ministry was
own religious kingdoms. The human and the divine are in direct opposition continued. Great miracles and signs took place. Unbelievers became
to one another. Whoever desires to participate in the eternal counsel of believers, those possessed of devils were freed and the sick were restored to
God, must separate himself from all religions which have been devised in health. All was still valid; the Word of God was still the valid criterion to
the course of time. those who became believers. They placed their trust in the LORD, Whom
The omnipotent God is simultaneously omniscient (all-knowing), and they had seen in His ministry, His suffering and death, and after His
He formulated His plan for mankind before the foundation of the world. Resurrection. Reverence for Him was in them, for they had experienced
The temporary interruption which arose through human failure, everything with Him and gathered together in His Name.
disobedience and trespasses, will not set His eternal purpose at naught. In the early church were found apostles, prophets, pastors, evangelists
Since the LORD has known everything from the beginning, He was able in and teachers (1 Cor. 12: 28; Eph. 4: 11). These offices were set by God in
His original concept to plan for this in advance. The Word of God is just as His Church. They were necessary for spiritual edification and
true and infallible as God Himself. complemented each other. In those days a pope, cardinals, archbishops,
The way of God with mankind is clearly described in His Word. priests, monks and nuns were completely unknown. All these things, which
Regrettably is was obscured and made unavailable by religious teachings the Christian world regards as a matter of course today, did not exist at
and traditions. Even though dogmas are hundreds or thousands of years that time.
old, they remain what they are: namely doctrines inserted by man and According to the will of God, the church of God was originally thought
nothing more. They cannot automatically become right simply because of as a divine establishment on earth. No one has the right to introduce
they are promulgated by a religious institution. What is human will never into her anything unscriptural. By all means she consists of men and
become divine and vice versa. Truth and lies exclude each other. We are women with weaknesses and infirmities, and of forgiven sinners that have
either dealing with truth or with error. The origin of all truth is God; the become God's children, but her doctrine and practice has to agree with the
originator of every lie is Satan. A perfect he is a false presentation of the Word of God from beginning to end. Everything that cannot stand the test
truth, and the religious world is filled with such. Every theory or practice of the Word here will be unable to stand at the Judgement of God at the
which does not agree with Holy Scripture can never be of divine origin. The Last Day. For a person who believes the Bible, there is no possibility of
Word of God contains the collective testimony which the LORD has accepting doctrines concocted and introduced independently of it. The only
delivered to mankind. valid confession of faith rests not on a catechism, but on the Holy
The Old Testament prophets announced the coming of the Messiah Scriptures alone.
and thereby God's salvation. The apostles were eye-witnesses of the The Apostles had also absolutely nothing to do with the coming into
fulfilled prophecies in the Redeemer. By the preaching of the Gospel the existence of the Regula veritatis, which was represented as an apostolic
offer of divine grace to all men is propagated. A reality confirmed by God statute. On the contrary, immediately before the end stands merely about
can surely be believed by anyone. Between the original church and modem believing"... in the Holy Ghost; one holy Church; the forgiveness of sins;
Christianity there exits an enormous difference. Everything that existed in the resurrection of the body. Amen." Every Sunday millions from most
the early church is lacking in the modern church; and everything that is in denominations throughout the world repeat the words, "I believe in the
established Christianity today was not present in the original church. A Holy Ghost, the holy Catholic Church, the Communion of Saints..." This
comparison makes that clear. compilation does not even stem from the immediately post-apostolic time,
but was drafted for the first time after the Council of Nicea and completed
in subsequent synods. In order to lend it importance, the authority of the The most serious warnings in the Old and New Testaments may not be
apostles was in a completely unjustified manner ascribed to it. ignored or passed over. It is written, "Ye shall not add unto the word which
It is the same with the book known as the Didache, which was first I command you, neither shall ye diminish anything from it" (Dt. 4: 2).
found in a monastery in 1883, but arbitrarily back-dated to the end of the Later the LORD said to the Pharisees and scribes, who failed to recognise
1st century. It has nothing in common with the teaching of the twelve what Moses and the prophets had said, but followed the interpretations
apostles. For example, on page 29 stands, "If you have earned something and traditions, "This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is
with the work of your hands, then you should also give something for the far from me. Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines
remittance of your sins." Is that Gospel? The Apostles knew the One Who the commandments of men" (Mk 7: 6-7).
had forgiven our sins personally. Today in every point they would say In addition, denominational churches fail extensively to consider the
exactly the same as then. It was written down in the New Testament so that Word of God and are entangled with the doctrines of men. Nevertheless
we could prove everything. Who today complies with the instruction, there is now more religious activity than ever before. But over all unbiblical
"Prove all things ... " (1 Thess. 5: 2 1)? God does not contradict Himself. His practices and proclamations the same words ever stand: "In vain!" In vain
decrees are perfect. All seeming contradictions are in the thinking of the are all prayers, all services; in vain all the songs and ritualism; in vain all
scholars, not in His Word. the massive evangelization plans and church fixtures - everything not
Any man that is not looking through religious spectacles must be according to the Word of God that is done in the Kingdom of God is
shocked when he perceives what a deviation has taken place. The original without validity before God. For how many programmes should He declare
collective belief has been altered until it has become unrecognisable. A Himself'? With whom should He take sides?
completely different Gospel is being preached. The LORD permits no adulteration. His desire is that the pure Seed of
Admittedly, it may be supposed of all men that their intentions are His Word is preserved in its original form and is sown. Today as formerly,
sincere; but this makes nothing false right. As far as questions of faith and He upbraids the religious leaders, who perhaps enjoy high respect among
teaching are concerned, or the practice of the church, these matters are not the people, very sharply with the words, "Full well ye reject the
to be learnt from a council; rather the only valid source of information is commandment of God, that ye may keep your own traditions" (Mk. 7: 9).
what the original church has left us. Ecclesiastical questions and church One has to set aside the one, in order to be able to replace it by the other.
problems may be discussed by the relevant bodies, but the doctrine and The penetrating warning is addressed to us by the LORD Himself:
practice of Christ and of the apostles has long been firmly established. To "Every word of God is pure; ... Add thou not unto his words, lest he
the Diet of Worms on 18th April, 1521, Luther said, "Since I believe neither reprove thee, and thou be found a liar" (Prov. 30: 5-6). All who add
in the Pope nor in Councils, because it is a fact that they have often erred something to the definitive testimony of Holy Scripture, the Old or the New
and entangled themselves in contradictions, therefore, if I am not Testament, will stand there as liars and be called to account by God and be
overcome by Scriptural evidence and clear reasons, I am convinced by the condemned. Since the garden of Eden, Satan, the old liar, has exercised his
Scriptural evidence I have cited and am a captive to God's Word. Recant I influence among mankind by interpreting the Word of God in a different
cannot and will not, because to act against one's conscience is not safe and sense. Until the end he will twist the Word and so fool mankind. Only those
not wholesome. May God help me. Amen!" who see through it and withdraw themselves from his influence can place
We are concerning ourselves with the eternal counsel of Almighty God themselves directly under the divine influence, which through the Spirit
for mankind, and by comparison desire to contribute to clarification. It is a proceeds from the Word alone.
matter of two fundamentally different things that are absolutely separate The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of truth, and the Word of God alone is the
from one another. The one is the divine realm, the other the human. Word of truth. In the last chapter of the Bible is placed the final warning,
Whoever acknowledges God will believe what God's Word says, "If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the
irrespective of what is decided in Councils and Synods. The Word of God is plagues that are written in the book: and if any man shall take away
not subject to the changes of the times, it is for all time conclusive. from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part
It must be evident to everybody, that the Holy Scriptures contain the out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which
definitive collective testimony of God. God has forgotten absolutely are written in this book."
nothing. First, in the degree that the divine was omitted, the human was Who can want only dismiss these words? As certain as was fulfilled
substituted in its place. All resolutions that were passed in the course of what God said in the beginning, "In the day that thou eatest thereof thou
church history will never become a constituent part of the divine win, shalt surely die," as most definitely will this word prove itself to be true.
because they did not belong to the original doctrine of Christ and the God means what He says, and says what He means. The Scriptures cannot
apostles which was founded on the prophetic Word. be broken. All His decisions are unchangeable and perfect.
 In A. D. 380 universal religious freedom was brought to an end by
The Last Will Theodosius and Gratian. Until then there were still assemblies of various
beliefs which existed alongside the Christian church recognised by the
The apostle speaks of a Testament or Will, a final disposition, which, as state. From now on the civil population was forced with the power of the
soon as it came into force, could no longer be altered or added to state to become "Roman" Christians. This process was brought to
subsequently (Gal. 3: 15). Upon the death of our LORD, the New completion under Justinian (527-565). The church was now finally the
Testament came into force. How could men have dared to make all the recognised State Church, and the priests were civil servants. With the
changes? In Hebrews 9: 16-17 reference is yet again made to these disintegration of the heathen Roman empire, the religious predominance
circumstances, "For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be of Rome became established. The cruel middle Ages began; and about a
the death of the testator For a testament is in force after men are dead." thousand years were to pass until the outbreak of the Reformation. The
There is often strife over the estate of a person. The possibility is autocracy of church and state, in which the church was almost always
however excluded, that a last will set down in writing could be completely victorious, had as a consequence that all who believed differently were
changed, yet in an inconceivable way that is exactly what has happened persecuted. Whole nations were Christianised by force. Millions suffered a
with the Testament of the LORD. On the one hand people rely upon Christ, martyr's death, among them hundreds of thousands of Jews, who were
on the other they have made out of Him and His Testament something branded as "Christ-murderers" and "God's enemies." The church became a
completely different. That which He left behind was made of no effect, and factor of political power.
completely foreign ideas were inserted in place of the Word of God. Already in the first two centuries after Christ, various fabricated
Every church community has the right to believe and do what it wishes. doctrines had been introduced. However, in the 3rd Century the general
When however anyone asserts the claim to be the church of the living God use of force began. Adherence to new doctrines and practices was
or of Jesus Christ, then the Word of God and the Testament of Jesus must demanded. The crucifix, the sign of the cross, wax candles and incense
be taken in their entirety exactly as they have been left to us. Where is there were introduced. More and more things that were new were added; the
room for all these dogmas and traditions, which in the course of church veneration of the saints, the daily sacrifice of the mass, and much else.
history have been inserted? They certainly do not belong to the Testament In A. D. 431 at the Council of Ephesus, the worship of Mary as the
left to us. Mother of God was proclaimed. About A. D. 500, the priests (as they were
In the consciousness of mankind the thought has become entrenched, now called) began to clothe themselves uniformly. The festival in honour of
that the organised churches are an establishment of God, teaching and the Virgin Mary, the kissing of the foot of the pope, the veneration of
practising in the place of Christ here on earth. What, however, are they in statues and relics, the veneration of Joseph and fasting on Fridays
reality? In the little catechism we read under the title "The followed. Celibacy of the priests was introduced in the year 1079, then the
Commandments of the Church", last part: "Christ has bestowed upon the rosary, the sale of indulgences, the doctrine of transubstantiation, the
representatives of the Church the right to make commandments. He festival of Corpus Christi, etc., etc., until the announcement of the dogma
desires that we obey the commandments of the Church out of love for of the physical assumption of Mary; also the confessional, of which one
Him." When and where did Christ say anything of the sort? Gods knew nothing in the time of the apostles.
Commandments were given a long time previously and should be familiar The list can be continued ad libitum. At this point it must be clearly
to all. But regrettably mankind has regarded the commandments of the stated that these dogmas have nothing in common with early Christianity
Church as Commandments of God and is thus gone into error. and with the teachings of the Apostles. With what justification have they
At the time of Constantine the secular populace was recognised as the been introduced? Generally speaking every original doctrine has been
church. In A. D. 313 he commenced by means of political chess moves to changed and much added to it, so that nothing is correct any more.
win both Christianity and heathenism for his own purpose. It was upon his
instigation that the Council of Nicea was called. The LORD said, for example, "And call no man Your father upon the
After A. D. 325 he supported the construction of both churches and earth; for one is your Father, which is in heaven" (Mt. 23: 9). Who can
heathen temples. Under his domination, secular Christianity assumed a comprehend the way this saying is completely ignored, and that all the
firm shape, and thereby it became a spiritual world power within the world falls to the feet of a man to do homage to him and honours him as
Roman empire. Eusebius saw in him a saviour from the depth of a "Holy Father"? Thus saith the LORD, "... I will not give my glory unto
predicament. After the cruel persecutions of Christians from Nero to another!" (Isa. 48: 11). Jesus Christ taught us to pray, "Our Father, which
Diocletian, man now began to breathe a sigh of relief. art in heaven, hallowed be thy name..." Is it not blasphemy simply to
disregard and use this form of address to a man? Who is then the Holy on the Senate and the people in Rome, that they declared him to be a god
Father, Whose Name should be hallowed? Is He in heaven or on earth? and made a statue and set it up with the inscription: 'Simoni dea sancto."
Where in the early church are reports of the appearance of Mary? What has such an account to do with the man of God, Simon Peter,
Where of places of pilgrimage or of the worshipping of saints? On the who never set foot in Rome? Also here we refer to the Scriptures alone.
contrary, the Bible warns expressly against any communication with the According to Galatians 2: 9, Peter, James and John on the one part, and
dead. That is a matter of spiritism and occultism. Also the worshipping of Paul and Barnabas on the other, agreed by a hand-clasp that Paul and
beings for protection is absolutely unscriptural; yes, and more: it goes back Barnabas should go unto the heathen, whereas Peter and the others should
clearly to the cult of idol worship in heathenism. go to the Jews.
It is equally impossible to find in the Scriptures even the slightest hint Paul was the outstanding apostle to the heathen, for God had separated
that Mary is a mediatrix between God and man. It is written, "For there is him for this purpose. To him God had said, "Depart: for I will send thee
one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus" far hence unto the Gentiles" (Acts 22: 21). To the church at Rome Paul
(1 Tim. 2: 5). The same is true regarding her supposed role as intercessor. writes, "... I will come by you into Spain" (Rom. 15: 28). The missionary
In the Word of God it says quite clearly, "... we have an advocate with the journeys of Paul, including that to Rome, are clearly described. Why is not
Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and he is the propitiation for our sins; a single journey of Peter to that city reported? From Rome, Paul sent out
and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world" (1 Jn. 2: the majority of his epistles to the various churches and individuals. Many
1-2). who were together with him there were spoken of by name, without Peter
Likewise the Scriptures of the New Testament report the bodily being mentioned a single time. Who can suppose this to have been
ascension of Jesus Christ only, "And it came to pass, while he blessed possible, if Peter had worked with him in Rome?
them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven" (Lk. 24: 5 1). In addition, it is of secondary importance where a man of God spent
Not one apostle knew anything about the bodily assumption of Mary. Not his time and worked. It is solely a matter of exposing a pious fable, upon
until the year 1951 was the legend that Mary had been taken up, body and which a large institution is built, with which she seeks to give her doctrines
soul, into heaven made into a dogma. There is no Biblical foundation for it. authority. Th this we can only answer with the words of Peter himself, "For
The commandments of men have never given any salvation, but rather we have not followed cunningly devised fables... " (2 Pet. 1: 16).
have kept millions from salvation. Also the Scriptures report nothing about an apostolic succession. When
Leo the Great in A. D. 440 was chosen as Bishop of Rome, he made the
Unbiblical Claim claim, that the Roman Bishop had precedence over all other bishops. He it
was, who in this connection referred to Mt. 6: 16. Ceremoniously he
In the Scriptures, there is not the slightest hint of a person of authority, proclaimed himself in person as Peter's successor. Until then this idea had
who should be designated as a successor of Peter. In them is never any talk already now and again cropped up among the "Nicolaitans", but had never
of a representative of Christ. They report solely disciples of Jesus Christ. yet been linked to a spiritual office. It was a direction of belief which
There is also nothing written stating that Peter was installed as the visible emphasised the difference between the listening laity and the ministering
head of the Church. How can there be a man who is supposed to be the brothers. It is absolutely against the Word. The redeemed church makes up
head, if Christ Himself is the head? a "royal priesthood" (1 Pet. 2: 9).
Of Jesus Christ is written, "And he is before all things, and by him all It is well known to historians that the consecrated man of God
things consist. And he is the head of the body, the church" (Col. 1: 17-18). Polycarp (died A. D. 155) was together with John, the disciple whom Jesus
Whoever claims to be the head, elevates himself to the level of Christ and loved and who was banned to the Isle of Patmos. He heard the pure witness
must place himself under the condemnation of the Word (2 Thess. 2: 3-4). from the mouth of the apostle. Not once is there to be found in his writings
A biblically believing Christian can only recognise the LORD as the head of even the slightest hint of the ideas invented later. Irenaeus (died 202), a
the church. A representative, or "Vicarius Filii Dei", has not been instituted messenger of Christ endowed with power, was for a considerable length of
by Christ. He himself has redeemed His church and is bringing it to time together with Polycarp. He also had nothing to report of a successor to
perfection. Peter. Until that time men tried as far as possible to hold to the Word of
It is interesting to read about spiritual development in the history of God. Tertullian (died 220) said, "To the LORD, not the servant, belong
the church. The legends of Peter having acted as Bishop in Rome and judgement and verdict."
having been buried there cannot be historically proved. There is only Even at the Council of Nicea such a thought was not mentioned by the
reported a magician named Simon Magus, who made such an impression two spokesmen Athanasius and Arius. It was not until A. D. 445 that
Emperor Valentinian confirmed the Bishop of Rome as the supreme head
of the church in the West. Now all the power radiated from Rome. The In the spiritual realm, it is not a matter of whether we promote
famous ecclesiastical teacher Augustine of Hippo (354-430) gave this thoughts that seem to be good and plausible, but whether we promote
thought pre-eminence when he wrote about a "divine state". For him the God's eternal thoughts, which He has expressed clearly in His Word. There
church constituted the "Kingdom of God." He taught that "church is are only two sources of inspiration. The individual draws either from the
authority." Where remains the authority of Him Who had said, "All power one or from the other. With the first human beings in the Garden of Eden
is given UNTO ME in heaven and in earth!"? Satan began by giving the Word his own interpretation. Eve first listened to
This unbiblical development cannot be traced back to the Apostles in it, and then Adam in turn listened to her. In this way the whole plight on
the early church. As already mentioned, there were at that time the offices earth began. It must surely be clear to all that Satan will never appear with
instituted by the LORD for the whole church. But each local assembly had a proclamation separate from God and the Word. That would be too
responsible brothers. They were denoted either as "elders", as "overseers" obvious. He always makes use of God's Word, but quotes it in a distorted
or as "bishops." For example, in his epistle to the Philippians Paul greets form. For only inasmuch as he succeeds in satisfying people that they
the church of the LORD as saints, together with their bishops and deacons. would be doing the work of God, can he deceive them. Therefore what he
These two offices belonged in the local church. A biblical requirement for says always sounds all along very pious and godly.
this task was that such a man must be married (1 Tim. 3: 3) - it was never From the account of the temptation of our LORD it is dear that the
demanded of any apostle or prophet that he had to be the husband of one enemy also came to Him with Bible quotations, which he had however torn
wife, but it was required of deacons and bishops. Only somebody who out of their context and falsely applied. The LORD responded to him each
himself had to overcome marriage and family problems can from time with, “But again it is written..." Reference to Biblical quotations
experience give others advice and help. therefore means absolutely nothing, if they are not in agreement with the
Nevertheless, the Spirit of God already revealed then, as Paul himself total testimony of the Holy Scriptures. Although the enemy will always
said, that it would not remain so. In 1 Tim. 4 we read, “Now the Spirit appear citing the Bible, he leaves no citation in its original context.
speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the
faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; speaking lies The Keys
in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron, forbidding
to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats..." Of what do we think The words, "I (Jesus) will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of
on reading this Word? It has literally been fulfilled. heaven," which the LORD addressed to Peter, are directly linked to his
calling and sending. When the first church was gathered at Pentecost, Peter
A Misunderstanding stepped forward as the mouthpiece of God. Filled with the Holy Ghost he
set forth in few words to the crowd of people that was collected together
Whoever attentively reads Matthew 16: 18 will establish that the LORD the fundamental truth of salvation. For those who believe according to the
did not say, "Thou art Peter, and on thee I will build my church," but "Thou New Testament, those are for ever binding.
art Peter, and on this rock I will build my church." It is not admissible to A key symbolises access to a thing. If anyone has the key to a palace, a
take a single verse and interpret it arbitrarily. In order to obtain a clear house, or a car, he has access to it. Locked doors are open to him, and he
answer it is necessary to read the whole context. may enter. If anyone has the keys to the Kingdom of heaven, then God's
In both, Old and New Testament the LORD is often denoted as a rock, Kingdom with all its treasures, all its promises and gifts, is open to him. In
but a man never once. Peter had just been given the divine revelation simple terms he has free access to everything that God has prepared. By
concerning Christ, and a few minutes later had to recognise his failure, his what He said to Peter, the LORD desired to emphasise this fact in a special
fallibility. Only a few verses after, the LORD said to the same Peter, "Get way. In the first place the divine authority was placed prophetically on our
thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest LORD (Isa. 22: 22). Later He gave it to His servants, whom He personally
not the things that be of God, but those that be of men" (Mt. 16: 23). That had called to His service.
should cause all to think, who presume to be able to bring their own The statement in Matthew 18: 18 is also in a false way taken out of
thoughts into the Word of God. Everything not in agreement with the context. In it the LORD is speaking not to Peter, but rather to the whole
written Word comes from a false inspiration. The same words that the church. Therefore He stated in the plural, "Verily I say unto you,
LORD once said to Peter, who in that moment did not think in a divine whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and
manner, but along human lines, He says today to everyone standing under whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." Where does
a false inspiration. one hear of clerics who are capable of binding the powers of Satan, driving
out devils, and setting free those that are bound? Anyone can carry a key Were Peter or Paul chosen by a corporate body of people? Or were they
about in his robe. Who, however, possesses the divine authority? appointed by God? There were no cardinals there to vote on the matter, as
The next verse also proves unequivocally, that the LORD is addressing has been the case since the 11th century. No smoke rose heavenwards,
the whole church, "Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on neither did all the world shout with joy. In the early church the men of God
earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of had understood fully and completely what the LORD had commanded.
my Father which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered They were being led by the Holy Spirit. All scriptures that belonged to a
together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." How it could be certain theme they correctly brought together over a common
concluded, that verse 18 only applies to those who bear office, is denominator.
incomprehensible. On the day of Pentecost the Holy Spirit fell with the sound of a rushing
The faithful constitute the body of the LORD and are all equal before mighty wind accompanied by cloven tongues of divine fire on all that were
God. To the church at Rome Paul writes, 'For as we have many members present in the place where they were. Thus purified by divine fire they were
in one body, and all members have not the same office: so we, being able, like the prophets in the Old Testament, to utter the Word with the
many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another authority of the Holy Spirit. What Peter preached in the first sermon will
Having then gifts differing according to the grace given to us..." (Rom. 12: be said until the last sermon by everyone who is called by the LORD and
4-6). These thoughts are specified more completely by Paul in his first filled with the Holy Spirit, "Repent, and be baptised every one of you in the
Epistle to the Corinthians, Chapter 12, from verse 4, "Now there are Name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins!" (Acts 2: 38). With respect
diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit..." He emphasises that we were to those who were sent by the LORD Himself, He said, "He that heareth
joined together by the Holy Spirit as members into this one body of the you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me..." (Lk. 10: 16).
LORD. From verse 7 he explains, 'But the manifestation of the Spirit is
given to every man to profit withal. " That is an experience. Then he The Forgiveness of Sins
continues and lists the nine spiritual gifts of the members of the body of
Jesus Christ: "But now hath God set the members every one of them in the If the LORD speaks today through any person, He will say the same as
body, as it hath pleased him" (1 Cor. 12: 18). He did two-thousand years ago. In Luke 24: 47 is written with reference to
Christ, "And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in
Apostolic Authority his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem." The forgiveness of
sins was not linked to an office, but to Jesus Christ, the crucified One. Only
The apostles and all true men sent from God did not hold sway by under the sound of preaching can the Spirit of God effect the necessary
means of worldly power, but came with divine authority, with the power of repentance in those that hear, and grant the understanding to be
the Holy Spirit. Divine authority was only exercised in combination with converted. Only in this manner is forgiveness imparted to the believer. It is
the proclamation of the Word at the commission of God, authority which is a personal experience, not the operation of an office.
reserved to God in his sovereignty. This authority was not given in order In Romans 10 Paul explains that Biblical faith comes by hearing, that
that one person should dominate over others, but that all should submit is, hearing from the Word of God. In this it is important that not just
themselves under the mighty hand of God. This authority does not depend anything should be preached, but that the kernel of the sermon should be
on an office, but is linked to the all-embracing power of the risen Christ. Christ and His Gospel alone, with the Redemption which He accomplished.
After His resurrection, the LORD said to His disciples then present, It ought to strike us as really odd, that on the one hand men
"Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you." throughout their lives have their sins absolved and forgiven, but on the
Following this is written, "And when he had said this, he breathed on other hand are taught that the punishment for them is to do penance. The
them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost. whosoever's sins ye Word of God says the opposite, "For by one offering he hath perfected for
remit (not thou remittest), they are remitted unto them: and whosoever's ever them that are sanctified" (Heb. 10: 14). The Gospel of Jesus Christ is a
sins ye retain, they are retained" (Jn. 20: 21-23). The connection here is joyous message, a message of salvation. God speaks through the prophet
also very clear. The LORD is directing the all-embracing commission only Isaiah, "Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold
to such men as He had taken into His service for proclaiming the Gospel. your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompense; he will
Who today can bear witness to having been called and commissioned by come and save you" (Isa. 35: 4). The Apostle Paul confirms it with the
the voice of the LORD? On whom has the LORD actually in reality following words, "For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath
breathed His Spirit as on that occasion? Who has the right to operate in appeared to all men" M. 2: 11). Isaiah exclaimed, "...He was wounded for
His Name? our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of
our peace was upon him; and with his, stripes we are healed" (chapter 53: preaching from the Scriptures, that a great reconciliation between God and
5). mankind took place at Calvary.
Whoever accepts the LORD as Redeemer, can no longer be punished, In this connection it is possible during a sermon to state with divine
for He has taken our punishment upon Himself. He who believes that authority to those that hear, "Believe that your sins are forgiven! Believe
receives forgiveness of sins and peace with God. Paul writes, "Therefore that your guilt is done away! Believe that your punishment has been borne
being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our LORD Jesus for you!" To whomever these divine facts are explained by the Spirit of God
Christ: by whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we on the basis of the Word of God, he is for ever pardoned and may go out
stand ... " (Rom. 5: 1-2). free. But everyone must accept it for himself in order to receive personal
The apostle writes further of Christ, "In whom we have redemption assurance of salvation.
through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his
grace" (Eph. 1: 7). All can read in Colossians 1, from verse 14, how the A New Beginning
complete work of salvation is identified with the Redeemer Himself. In
Romans 1: 16 Paul says, "I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is Shortly before the outbreak of the Reformation the historical
the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth." It cannot be development of the church reached its zenith. The exercise of combined
sufficiently emphasised that this faith is fixed in the Word of God alone. power of the state and the church in that period of time is unimaginable.
Not everyone, however, is able to teach what God wills, and in doing so use Those who thought and believed differently were accused of heresy,
the Name of Christ. Faith must be according to the Scriptures. condemned as heretics, and deprived of life in every conceivable manner.
In them is no empty promise as to any particular time, but fulfilment is Here may be mentioned only the Spanish Inquisition in the 15th Century,
in what the LORD Himself said, 'Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that as well as the witch trials, and the associated burnings. We do not wish to
heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, go into the many human failings here. We are only desirous of pointing to
and shall not come into condemnation, but is passed from death unto life" the stage of spiritual development to which a degenerated Christianity
(Jn. 5: 24). arrived in the course of time.
How could forgiveness, which is a gift of grace from God, be dependent This earth was saturated with much blood. One of the best-known
on an ecclesiastical operation? It depends alone on the faith of the martyrs before the outbreak of the Reformation was Jan Hus (martyred
individual, who hears the Gospel and accepts it. It is written, "Therefore as 1415). His voice was heard for the last time at the Council of Constance, but
by the offence of one judgement came upon all men to condemnation; was however shouted down without being able to straighten out anything.
even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto Kneeling with his eyes raised heavenwards, he listened quietly while he
justification of life" (Rom. 5: 18). heard his doom pronounced. Then he cried, "LORD Jesus, I implore Thee
Where is there still room for good works, by which a man can achieve for the sake of Thy mercy: Forgive all my enemies." The fathers of the
his own salvation? Everyone with a heart who can do good will do it, but no Council laughed, and he was led away to the stake to be burnt.
one can earn his salvation thereby. When our LORD was on the cross, and But the Reformation, which introduced a turning-point in the history
cried out "It is finished!" and died, our salvation had been paid once and of the church, could no longer be stemmed. The truth of the Gospel blazed
for all time. Paul explains further, "For as by one man's disobedience many a trail with power. Martin Luther and others stood up against the abuses
were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made which were approved of and even supported by the church. The well known
righteous" (Rom. 5: 19). dealer in indulgences, Tetzel, belonged to those who blasphemed God in
As certainly as by Adam we were brought into perdition, into death, words and deeds, in that he preached that the Pope had the absolute right
and separated from God, equally certainly are we redeemed from perdition to forgive the sins of the living and the dead, and that the absolution of the
through Christ, passed from death into eternal Life and become reconciled Pope was just as effective as the cross of Christ. Among other things he also
with God. God Himself has made good the damage. He who believes that maintained that the Pope for the price of an indulgence could even forgive
will find salvation. Peter testifies with blunt simplicity, "Neither is there the sins of anyone who had raped the mother of God. In simple words it
salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given meant: everyone could commit the worst crimes and the Pope would
among men, whereby we may be saved" (Acts 4: 12). There is nothing that forgive everything and grant an indulgence, provided the money was heard
needs to be added to these simple and straightforward facts. to drop in the box.
It would have been unworthy of God if He had made our eternal Church history records the following: "Luther heard of the dreadful
salvation dependent on the goodwill of others. The unequivocal task of an items which the shameless monk preached, that the power of the sale of
authorised messenger of God consists of showing his audience by indulgences was as effective as the cross of Christ, that he had a
commission from the Apostle Peter, and that by means of his indulgences Nevertheless all men were not ready to believe and to take their place on
he had saved more souls than Peter had with his sermons." And "what the side of God. But in spite of all a break-through was made and the
Luther perceived concerning the practical consequences of the preaching of unlimited universal power of the church broken.
indulgences gave the impulse to the first reformatory act." As had always Only few today AM appear to remember or be conscious of what a price
been the case, on this occasion also God used men on earth for the honour had to be paid for the free propagation of the Word of God. The bloody
and glorification of His Name. God sent men who are not only known in counter-reformation attempted in almost all European countries to smite
history and are of significance in the history of church, but who were also the Reformation movement to the ground, which in part it also succeeded
God's servants through whom history was made in spreading the gospel of in doing. Especially well known are the persecutions of the Protestants in
the Kingdom of God upon earth. the Netherlands and of the Huguenots in France, in which on St.
Such men were Martin Luther, Huldreich Zwingli, Philip Melanchthon, Bartholomew' s night in 1572 the blood of thousands of Protestants flowed
John Calvin, John Knox and a great number of others who lived at that in the streets of Paris.
time. After centuries during which the Holy Scriptures were withheld from At that time the Roman church exercised spiritual and worldly power
mankind, men began to read the Bible and translate it. First the Bible was simultaneously. Within the region of her domination every army stood at
printed and published in 14 languages; by about 1600 it was already her disposal. Again and again these armies intervened in the spiritual
available in forty, around 1800 seventy-two, and by 1900 dispute. Everywhere where the Reformation broke out particularly strongly
fivehundred-and-sixty-seven languages. In 1950 the milestone of eleven and threatened to advance, a powerful army put in an appearance. When
hundred languages and dialects was passed. In spite of all attempts to the spiritual struggle was- fully underway in Switzerland, the army was also
destroy it, God's Book has enjoyed the largest number of editions and the mobilised there. The Reformation had to be halted and forced to retreat.
most extensive distribution. On the side of the citizens of Zurich, the people gathered about Zwingli in
Through His Word God spoke afresh and allowed Biblical truth to order to defend themselves against this attack. He himself marched in the
become once more a reality in the personal life of faith of the individual. foremost rank and said to them: "Commend yourselves to God, He can take
However, the believers did not stop there, but tried also to bring that which care of us and our loved ones. Let God do as He pleases!" During the bitter
had become great and valuable closer to other men. The success which the fighting he was struck by a stone and wounded by a spear. He lay among
reformers had, provoked the resistance of the established clergy, who at all the dead, folded his hands, raised his eyes to heaven and prayed. The
costs wanted to hinder the spreading of the Word. The result of this was captain of the Catholic army saw this, strode over to him and demanded of
that the message that makes joyous and free encompassed still larger him to make confession. Zwingli declined to do this. With difficulty he
circles. succeeded in speaking out the words, "They can kill my body, but not my
Seen from the standpoint of church history, each of the participating soul," before he received the death dealing thrust.
men had a definite task to fulfil. Looked at more closely, they In Germany the Reformation appeared to be completely quashed by
complemented one another in the doctrines they especially emphasised. the counter-reformation. King Gustav Adolf of Sweden came with his army
Stress was again on the Bible as the only criterion for the propagation of to the help of the Elector of Saxony on the Protestant side. On 17th
the Gospel. No one would dare today to denote the issues so clearly by September, 1632, a significant battle was won. Beforehand the King had
name as Luther did. It is noteworthy how he laid bare the Antichrist. He prayed in the following words, "Almighty God, from whom victory and
did not concern himself with specious arguments, but appealed again and defeat come, show us, Thy servants, a gracious countenance who are come
again to the Scriptures, in the degree in which they had been revealed to from distant countries in order to fight for freedom, truth and Thy Holy
him. Thus, for example, he wrote of the end of the Babylonian captivity of Gospel. Grant us victory for the sake of Thy Holy Name. Amen." Two
the church and threw into sharp relief justification by faith, which the months later, on 16th November, 1632, he fell in battle on German, soil.
individual receives by the grace of God, in opposition to justification by Under no circumstances is it possible to approve of the introduction of
works, which can give salvation to nobody. worldly and military might for the defence or propagation of the Gospel.
Many are of the opinion today that the Reformation was only necessary But for the sake of truth it must be said, that the Protestants in this
because moral decay and external circumstances supplied the cause. situation were pressed into action. It would lead to too great lengths, if we
Although this state of affairs existed, this viewpoint must be contradicted. were to go into the detail of many of the arguments during the
With the Reformation it was not a matter of moral rearmament, but much counterreformation, in the course of which thousands gave up their lives.
rather that of a break-through to a spiritual regeneration. A new beginning The founder of the Jesuit order, Ignatius of Loyola, he who was mainly
was necessary. Spiritual tutelage had for ever to come to an end, and the responsible for the counter-reformation, for this reason went down as a
day of grace, the day of salvation, had to be proclaimed afresh. hero in the history of the Roman Catholic church. A more than life-size
memorial has been erected to him in St. Peter's Cathedral in Rome, at greater and greater degree. There emerged from this period the Methodist
whose feet a monster lies, on which are written the names "Luther" and churches and other religious orientations founded in a special way on the
"Calvin". In this way is symbolically represented that he emerged as victor testimony of these Biblical truths, but which in other points of doctrine
over the "monster of Protestantism". varied in their interpretations.
He was buried in the church "del Gesù'' in Rome under an altar richly John Smith then followed, and consecrated evangelists appeared with
furnished with splendour and dedicated to him. A similar symbolism is him. Believer's baptism was proclaimed without compromise. Only he or
found there. Marble figures in groups on both sides of his coffin represent she who had made a personal decision for Christ and was prepared to
the victorious Catholic faith and victorious religion, at whose feet lie books follow the LORD was baptised by immersion. From this emerged the
and heretics, on which likewise are found the two names "Luther" and Baptist churches and likewise others which laid common stress on the
"Calvin". Those two memorials speak a clear language. baptism of believers, but again differed recognisably in other doctrines
In Protestant circles today no one appears to give the matter any In the individual countries spiritual developments assumed different
further thought; filled with the spirit of the times, most people just become forms. In the Protestant areas the emphasis was generally laid on the
immersed in the routine of the day. Everywhere one speaks of dialogue and personal experience of salvation and the related assurance of salvation.
longs for unification. However, what would all the martyrs and Alongside the generally known spiritual movements, smaller ones were
protagonists of the Reformation say to the modern surrender of the most always found which separated themselves from all those organised along
sacred values of the Faith and of the Gospel? But, on the other hand, this religious lines and in turn laid emphasis on particular Biblical truths. We
development belongs to the final run of events at the end-time. refer only to such movements which in spite of differing doctrines, linked
The Reformation was dearly paid for. Its sense and purpose can salvation of the soul to the grace of God made manifest in Jesus Christ
therefore not have been merely to leave us the well known state churches alone.
and community churches, which differ from country to country. Rather it Where so-called special revelations are proclaimed on which salvation
established the foundation and point of departure for all further spiritual is made dependent, we are no longer dealing with the continuation of
awakenings right up to the present time. If this powerful beginning had not Biblical renewal. All the sects of recent times are an excellent example of
then been made, the many free churches and Christian fellowships would this. Redemption is dependent on the Redeemer alone; salvation only from
not be able to exist at all today. It is a matter of progressive Reformation, the One Who brought it and paid for it with His own blood, forgiveness
whose objective is the restored church of Jesus Christ. solely from the One that granted it: but not from a self-proclaimed guru or
The eruption of the Reformation was an event of great historical leader.
significance in the propagation of the gospel. The Spirit of God brought Again and again men of God endued with divine power appeared on
light and life into the dead religious world. The Word was placed at the the scene who proclaimed anew the old Biblical truths and thereby
centre of all preaching. Since that time internationally well known approached the witness of the Apostles more closely. Early in the present
personalities have to an extent emphasised different doctrines. If these are century a general revival came. What until then individuals had
assembled together, they result once more in a harmonic whole. experienced, now became an experience of believers throughout the whole
To be sure, not all truths were suddenly preached at one and the same world. All who hungered and thirsted for righteousness were given
time. Also there were points of doctrine, such as those of the Trinity and spiritual food and drink. Everywhere the Spirit of God was active in a
the Trinitarian formula of baptism, both of which are not anchored in the manner Eke that in the early church. Baptism with the Holy Spirit was now
testimony of the prophets and apostles, and which were not dealt with in experienced as previously had been justification and sanctification. The
the 'official' Reformation movement. In part, a weighty Roman inheritance initial supernatural visitation at Azusa Street in Los Angeles and the Welsh
was carried along into the Reformation, one which today still burdens all revival are well known. This movement, which suddenly sprung up, had no
Protestant denominations and free churches. founders. God Himself was working in all continents. Similar testimonies
In the second round John Wesley made his appearance, and with him a were to be heard in Russia and China, in America and Europe, in Asia and
large number of fiery preachers of spiritual awakening. They emphasised Africa, as far as the uttermost part of the earth. Anointed men of God were
the second experience of a converted man. Just as justification by grace produced in this move of God, especially among the Anglo-American
alone through faith in the complete redemptive work of Christ was ministers.
originally emphasised in the Reformation, so did these men give In August 1906 Dr. R. A. Torrey visited Germany and preached at the
prominence to the need for believers justified by faith to experience an annual conference of the Evangelical Alliance on the subject of "The
inner dedication, a total sacrifice. The Bible denotes this experience as Baptism with the Holy Spirit." Many were most deeply stirred among them
"sanctification". True reverence towards God affected the believers to a Lieutenant-General von Viehbahn. In 1907 the leading brothers of the
movement within the church gathered for their conference week. The a direct calling and commissioning like his, they nevertheless contributed
immediate theme was: "Did the first Christian church grieve the Holy their part in proclaiming the Gospel to this generation. Literally millions
Spirit?" After lengthy discussion Pastor Stockmeier stood up and cried out were reached by means of evangelistic campaigns and over the radio and
like a prophet, "Brethren, we are arguing about whether the first Christian television.
world grieved the Holy Spirit or not. I now address the far more important The decisive break-through occurred during the period 1946-1949. The
question to all who are gathered here: Have we grieved the Holy Spirit?" masses were attracted by this original proclamation. Since the days of our
That struck like a thunder-bolt. Many knelt down and humbled themselves LORD and the apostles a divine vindication is not recorded in church
before God. history. The Full Gospel churches opened their doors and received a great
Throughout the world many experienced a gracious visitation from inflow of converts. Soon the numbers attending meetings exceeded 10,000.
God. During the days of each revival the message preached at the time Large halls, sports stadiums and racing tracks we're used to accommodate
went around the globe. The development of this school of belief which was them. The masses streamed together; in Bombay, India, and Durban,
denoted as Pentecostal, differed from one place to another. Where Baptist South Africa; the crowds reached several hundred thousands. As though
preachers were gripped by the Spirit of God, only believers were baptised, caught in a flood wave, evangelists began with their own campaigns since
which is understandable. Where Lutheran ministers were seized by the the early 1950's. In this age of technical advance the spiritual awakening
Spirit, the familiar sprinkling of infants continued. There was as yet no spread as never before. The most varied currents flowed from this.
clear break-through to the original Christianity, but a start had Evangelistic associations, such as the International Full-Gospel Business
nevertheless been made. Various unscriptural doctrines were still Men's Fellowship and the charismatic movement trace their origins
introduced without testing them by the Word, and have continued until the directly or indirectly to this time. Each of the spiritual movements has its
present time. own stamp and reaches a particular class of followers. The charismatic
After the second World War, in May 1946, the one-time Baptist movement has penetrated into the Roman Catholic Church as into all
preacher William Branham started with his unique ministry because of a denominations and free churches.
mighty supernatural visitation. Like Paul he had received an extraordinary In every case it is now the working of the Spirit that grips the whole
calling into service. Much earlier, after his first evangelising, he proceeded religious world. At the end the original Word must come into the true
to the Ohio River, accompanied by about four-thousand people, for the members of the Body of Christ, bringing forth the same results as recorded
purpose of baptising several hundred converts. While he was about to at the beginning. Experiences are good and gifts of the Spirit can be a
baptise the seventeenth person, an extraordinary event occurred. A bright blessing, but only where the Word is preached in truth and is received as a
light came through the brassy skies and was seen by all present to descend divine Seed can the Spirit of God bring forth genuine new life. The Word is
and hover over this young man of God. Out of the supernatural pillar of the Seed.
light a mighty voice was heard to speak, "As John the Baptist foreran the The Spirit falls upon all flesh in accordance with the promise in the
first coming of Christ, you are sent with a message that shall foreran His prophet Joel. It can be compared with the rain. But even a cloudburst is of
second coming!" That took place about 2 &clock in the afternoon of l1th no use if the seed of the Word has not previously been sown in the heart. At
June, 1933. The writer has met eyewitness of that event at the eastern the most, the people will be made wet without anything lasting being
conference in Jeffersonville itself in April 1966. Such a powerful send-off brought forth. Everything hangs upon this point. In the beginning was the
must of necessity be followed by an unusual ministry. There was a man Word, not the interpretation, and so must it be in the end. It depends upon
sent from God with a message of God to the people of God. An whether men accept the pure Word of God as divine seed in their souls.
incomparable visitation, foreordained since the foundation of the world, Only then can the Holy Spirit bring forth divine Life. Only thus can a man
was granted to this generation. "Who hath believed our report? and to be born again (Jn. 3; Jas. 1: 18; 1 Pet. 1: 23). The natural types the spiritual.
whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?" (Isa. 53: 1). In this case one can The rain does not produce the seed. The sowing of the seed comes first,
speak of a commission of historical significance in God's plan for mankind. then the rain and the sun play their God-ordained part.
The second World War involved some fifty nations and demanded the The best example we can find is shown us at the beginning of the New
sacrifice of more than 50 million lives, as well as bringing untold misery to Testament. For four-thousand long years men had been waiting for the
millions of displaced people and leaving ruins and suffering when it was Messiah to appear. When the time was fulfilled, the Word of promise was
ended. In 1946 no one had yet heard of Billy Graham, Oral Roberts, or any sent to Mary. She accepted it, believed, and the Holy Ghost overshadowed
of the evangelists who later became world famous. The mentioned divinely her. Thus was the Word made flesh in the form of a man. In like manner
empowered apostolic ministry was an inspiration for hundreds of we also must accept God's Word of promise intended for us. Only then can
preachers. It spearheaded this last revival. Although none of them received the Holy Spirit bring it to a reality in us. In the Sermon on the Mount the
LORD said, "For he (God) maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the have joined the World Council of Churches. Our attention is focused on the
good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust." (Mt. 5: 45). Wheat religious development. In 1948 135 Protestant denominations joined the
and weeds grow in the same field. Both receive the same rain and the same World Council of Churches; by 1968 it was already 234, and today it is 3 10.
sunshine. The same rain waters the different seeds. Reference is also made Originally the World Council of Churches, which is of course a Protestant
to this thought in Hebrews 6: 7-8. Each seed brings forth after its own association, was not recognised by the Vatican. In 1960 Pope John XXIII
kind. established in Rome the "Secretariat for Christian Unity". In the Second
Reliance on the operation of the gifts of the Holy Spirit alone does not Vatican Council, 1962-1965, the decretal concerning Ecumenicity was
suffice for entrance into the Kingdom of God. In Matthew 7: 21-23 the published. The first official contact took place at the conference of the
LORD rejects many who have operated mighty gifts, saying, "I never knew World Council of Churches in Uppsala, Sweden, in July 1968, when 15
you." Both, the Word and the Spirit, belong together. Now the Word-Seed delegates of the Vatican participated as observers. In June 1969 Pope Paul
must be sown and brought to life in all of Gods children by the Spirit. Only VI then visited the headquarters of the World Council of Churches in
thus can a Biblical church come into existence which is ready to allow itself Geneva. In 1984 Pope John-Paul Il travelled through Switzerland; he also
to be led into all truth by the Spirit of God. First the teaching must go forth paid a visit to the World Council of Churches.
and the Word-Seed be sown in the heart. Only after that can the harvest be It surely has struck some, that for a long time the Protestants have
gathered in. ceased to protest. Who today desires a spiritual altercation? Even the free
We have exposed what deviations have occurred in the course of churches, which fifty, forty or thirty years ago were in part viewed with
church history, and also proved that since the Reformation spiritual disfavour, enjoy in the meantime general recognition. Most are corporate
development is leading back to the original Christianity. However, bodies according to public law, and their representatives sit at the green
compromises are again being made everywhere. Everyone believes what he table. What is still missing? The word "unity" has received a magic
wants to, and does not accept what he does not want to. At the same time meaning-, the word "peace" is everywhere written large; the concept
many witness joyously of having received the Holy Ghost. We are still in "safety" is the wish of all. Thus are minds soothed.
confusion as to what is right. The Holy Ghost is the Spirit of Truth and will Martin Luther would doubtless say the same today as then, "Cursed is
never identify Himself with the errors that have been adopted by men. A the unity which comes into existence at the cost of Truth!" Whoever is at
total return to the original Word is necessary. It must first be discovered in one with Christ is at one with His Word. Whoever agrees with the
what way the development has taken a wrong turning, so that a correction antichrist unites with him. One need only to think of the words of the
in course can be undertaken accordingly. Now the whole religious world LORD, "Whosoever will save his life shall lose it." The moment of truth has
finds itself in the hour of decision. Who is for Christ - the Word, and who come, and everyone is forced to make a decision. The broad masses,
for the Antichrist - the interpretation? Some will return into the lap of the without knowing it, will greet the coming antichrist with shouts of joy. Only
old church, while others will experience the fulfilment of the promises of a little flock of true believers will hold to Christ and His Word. The cry is
the Word as a little, called-out flock which will receive the kingdom (Lk. going forth, to come out of Babylon and its religious confusion and be
12:32). separate. The Christian unions will not take this cry seriously, only all those
All who represent in their proclamation a traditionally handed-down within them who are enlightened by the Spirit of God.
manner of thinking that stems from the Roman church will return to her In the Christian West is of course much that is Christian. We are a
again. Precisely considered, the spiritual link has never been completely Christian society, have Christian political parties, Christian trade unions,
severed since the time of the Reformation. There were only individuals who Christian clubs, and so on, and are provided with a rich in tradition
followed the call of God, who consistently accepted the Biblical truths and Christian culture. It must only be asked whether Christ is not confused
rejected the unbiblical errors. As we shall see, in spite of the independent with the antichrist, and God with the devil. "Anti" means "against";
stance of the Protestant churches, doctrines have remained which are not whatever is contrary to Christ and His doctrine is antichristian. Who is still
in agreement with the Bible. able to differentiate between divine worship and idolatry? and between
Also remarkable is what is to be denoted as the striving for unity and faith and superstition?
peace since the second World War. Historical enemies have become Those who are consecrated to the Word of God listen attentively for the
friends. On the one hand we have the political union, the United Nations - catchwords "peace and safety", for they know that it is written, "For when
whose founding charter was signed by 50 nations in San Francisco on 24th they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon
October, 1945 - and on the other there is the World Council of Churches, them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape!" (1
founded in Amsterdam in 1948. Almost all nations, today 150 in number, Thess. 6: 3). All fits exactly with the aforesaid run of events pertaining to
belong to the "United Nations", and the majority of Christian churches the End Time. The politicians are also aware how far the time has
advanced. Thus for example, on 20th January, 1985, the President of the knows the future. After men have managed the Word for long enough, it is
United States said, "I fear that we shall soon experience Armageddon." By high time that God should have His say and way.
this was meant the final great battle (Rev. 16: 12-16). A short time
previously a prominent Senator had expressed himself in the following
terms, "We are the first generation that knows this is the last." All who
have a role to play are now entering upon the world stage. Somehow, there
is a general expectation of a global tragedy to strike soon: time is running
out.
This generation will at its end experience the great "Miracle" - a
surprise such as never was, nor will ever occur again. Political, financial
and religious power will for a short time be placed at the disposal of the
world ruler, the Antichrist. East and West will make avail of the services of
a mediator, who will then give his blessing to the achieved deceptive peace
treaty. The last world power will be acted out mainly from a united Europe
based on the model of the old Roman empire. Biblical prophecy will soon
reach its culmination.
The fear of total annihilation exists on both sides, hence the enforced
efforts towards peace and disarmament talks. At the same time
rearmament is in full swing, and even the inclusion of space in future
warfare is under consideration. As was to be inferred from the mass media,
a conference on the plans of the American President for mobilisation of
space took place in the Vatican 21st-24th January, 1985, at which Soviet
scientists also participated. All this is happening because the time for it has
come. In 2 Peter 3 the Apostle refers to the End Time and wrote in his day,
"The heavens and the earth which are now, by the same word are kept in
store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgement and perdition of
ungodly men ... But the day of the LORD will come as a thief in the night;
in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the
elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that
are therein shall be burned up ... Nevertheless we, according to his
promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth
righteousness."
The general and economic world-wide situation enforces mutual
cooperation. All hope to survive, and therefore all must pull together.
Whoever does not submit to this last world order, will be boycotted and cut
off from international trade. Then will be fulfilled what is written (Rev. 13:
17), that one will not be able to buy or sell. Irrespective of the
contemporary ideology and social order, all peoples will bow to the final
world power. Whoever does not do it will have no chance of survival.
Without the general public throughout the world being aware of it, the
collective happenings lead to the final apocalyptic round of events. Already
we find ourselves in the midst of fulfilment of end-time prophecy.
The development of that time must be considered from the prophetic
viewpoint, for the signs of the times speak a clear language. It is not
presumptuous to say: Whoever knows the plan of God laid out in the Bible