Circular letter 12/2003
/ Ewald Frank
Sprache englisch
Andere Sprachen
8. Verily,verily I say unto you …
“He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me … ” The seriousness of this circular letter would not weigh heavily upon the scale if this exposition could not be compared with the apostolic writings. In Acts chapter 9, chapter 22, and in chapter 26 we are told about the calling and the commission of the Apostle Paul. The heavenly call was the legitimation of his ministry and the authority for his epistles. He had the commission to lay out the whole plan of salvation (Acts 20:18-35). For this reason he introduced himself at the beginning of his writings as servant of Christ and as an Apostle. So we find it nine times, even today, from Rom.1:1 to Tit.1:1 in our Bibles, “Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ …”, “Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ … ” Every time he addressed a church or a co-worker he introduced himself. Was it necessary, one could ask? Certainly, otherwise he would not have done it. God did not leave His Church to the arbitrariness of the evil-doers and their various teachings. HE has placed the ministries into the Church for the up-lifting and strengthening of the believers (1.Cor.12:28;Eph.4:11-16). Whoever separates from the Church disqualifies himself as a member of the Body of Christ, because he does not submit to Christ as the head. For ever valid remains as it is written, “For by one Spirit are we all baptised into one body ” (1.Cor.12:13).
The New Testament Church-order is still in force and so are all things pertaining to the plan of salvation, which includes Israel. Being set apart by the direct calling, the Apostle Paul had an all-encompassing responsibility because of his commission. All prophets from Moses to Malachi were God-sent. John the Baptist was a man sent from God. The LORD Himself promised to send apostles and teachers (Mt.23:34), and also emphasised the sending of His chosen servants in the New Testament. The LORD was concerned with the witnesses He chose (Acts 10:41). In Jn.20:21 He there- fore said, “…as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. ” In the Old and the New Testament God has sent His servants. Whoever received them actually received the LORD. And those who heard the Word from their mouths were actually receiving the Words of God.However,there always have been those who presumed to have a ministry,even though that was not really the case.The LORD therefore says, “Behold, I am against them that prophesy false dreams, saith the LORD, and do tell them, and cause my people to err by their lies, and by their lightness; yet I sent them not,nor commanded them: therefore they shall not profit this people at all, saith the LORD.” (Jer. 23:21+32). It is very sad, but they are always coming on the scene among God’s people. We therefore have the duty to ask everyone about his calling. Rev.2:2 and 2.Cor.11:13-15 must be applied. We have to verify what someone is preaching. We have to try the spirits. It is still written, “Prove all things!”
Would it be permitted to ask what the reaction would be, if I would put at the beginning of the circular letter the wording as the Apostle Paul did? „I, Brother Frank, servant of the LORD and Apostle of Jesus Christ, ordained for the faith of God’s elect …!” Would not a storm sweep through the lands, would not the adversaries and despisers speak up? Would I not hear the words, “Arrogance! Presumption! Impudence!”? One would have to count on it to happen, especially by those who lead the split-off groups, which are headed by the despisers of God’s work. If I should not be able to write according to the apostolic pattern, “And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry.” (1.Tim.1:12), then I should not be writing at all. A divine mandate one receives only with the divine commission. I did not know about Mt.24:45, never thought or preached about it — only after the LORD spoke it to me and commissioned me to give out the food. I did not know about Amos 8:11, about the famine the LORD would send to hear His Words. Brother Branham was the one who pointed out to me that God would send a famine to hear His Words and that the food would then be given out.
In church history books the various revivals are generally mentioned right up to the Pentecostal move, which started about a hundred years ago. Even the breakthrough of the healing revival after World War II is well-recorded. Not only Robert Liardon, but others also mention William Branham, recognising his special calling, commission, and gift of healing. Also Pater Cantalamessa, the high-ranking man in the Vatican who preaches to the Pope during lent, mentions in his article “The Century of the Holy Spirit ” Mr. Pentecost, David Du Plessis, William Branham and his interpreter in Zurich at that time, Walter Hollenweger. But the question arises, who believes our report and to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed (Isa.53:1;Rom.10:16-17)? Thereupon the reply can be given: Only those who believe the biblical message, to them the arm of the LORD will be revealed. They will see the right hand of God and experience the final victory.
Whoever believes according to the Scripture knows that God called and commissioned His servants. If the calling-out of the Bride church had been accomplished with the ministry of Brother Branham, then the rapture would have taken place and that would have been it. The fact is that all who wish to deceive themselves like to see it that way, although at that time they did not know where God dwells, perhaps they were not even born, let alone born again. To say it in simplicity, there are too many despisers and swindlers in the garment of humility, who do not understand that the church must first be brought back to where she was at the very beginning. All who belong to the Bride Church must come back into step, meaning into the harmonious biblical order. All others will continue in their own conceptions until the day of their great disappointment, as they carry on in their own programs.
Beloved Brothers and Sisters in the LORD Jesus Christ, the day of grace is drawing to an end. The LORD gave us light at the evening time. We are moving into the midnight hour. The LORD is not slack with His promise. That we believe. HE only waits until the last ones come to repentance and also the number of those belonging to the Bride Church are called out, separated, purified and cleansed. In the Lamb’s Bride the seed of the Word must grow, so we can reach the fullness of the perfect stature in Christ. This can only happen if every individual respects and believes the whole Word of God and is sanctified in the Word of Truth. Only after the complete harmony of the Bride and Bridegroom is reached we shall see ful- filled,
“And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come.… ” Maranatha: Come soon! “Even so, come LORD Jesus!”
“Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, but now is made manifest and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith: To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.” (Rom.16:25-27).