CONCISE HISTORY OF THE APOSTOLIC CHURCH.

(Continuation)

Part 11.

Servants of God are mortal people; some of them reach a high age and serve many years, other servants do not. The Lord God has for the deceased servants in the course of time called other brethren to an office, in order to be active in the vineyard of the Lord.

After the deceased of the prophet C. van Dijk, pastor B.J.Carmiggelt had to face the work in Arnhem and surroundings alone. Due to reduction of the number of members in Doesburg and because in Wageningen a group of Apostolic people was formed, it was decided not to held anymore service in Sunday in Doesburg, but from this day forward in Wageningen. This could not be done anymore by one minister and therefore ministers of other parishes had to give assistance. He who had done the morning service in Arnhem, had to serve in the afternoon in Wageningen and he who had served in the morning service in Wageningen had to such in the afternoon service in Arnhem.

After some time at was decided to ask the Lord if He wanted to give a servant of servants for the parish in Arnhem. For that purpose a calling service was held in Arnhem on Sunday, June 16, 1935, under the guidance of Apostle J.G.Kalwij.

He prayed the Lord God to possible reveal in the morning service and possibly through the mouth of a prophet which brother or brethren He had elected. The answer came through the mouth of prophet Van Bemmel in which the deacon-evangelist H. van Dijk of Amsterdam was indicated for the office of evangelist, to be carried out for the parish in Arnhem. On August 18 thereafter the called brother was consecrated in the office of evangelist by the Apostle.

Efforts were made to obtain permission that prophet S. de Wolf with his family could emigrate to America, but these efforts failed. He stood in exchange of letters with apostle G.v.d.Beek and this exchange of letters led tot disagreement. Thereupon the prophet de Wolf got also disagreement with the apostles J.G.Kalwij and A.J.Korff. The difficult character of the prophet came to the fore strongly with this disagreement. Finally he could not be maintained as prophet anymore. His suspension took place in March 1934.

On Sunday, September 22, 1935, apostle A.J.Korff officiated in the parish of Brunswick. He had the intention to return on Thursday, September 24 to his domicile in Amsterdam, however he could not carry out this intention, because he was arrested by the police. A brother who had become hostile, had accused mentioned apostle to be dangerous for the State. The arrest took place in the house of sister widow Seiler. The in her house present teaching letters of apostle Korff were looked for and found. In one of these teachings was warned against the sterilisation law of the Hitler regime and against the book of Rosenberg.

Not before Saturday evening, September 28, 1935, apostle Korff could leave prison, after he had been interrogated. Since Wednesday, September 25, he had been in the cell. Two police-authorities were well-disposed towards apostle Korff. As such it happened, also by the guidance of God, that he was set free soon, however, with the stipulation that he was not allowed anymore to enter Germany; after some time at best as tourist. He was able, not earlier than August 1948, more than three years after the downfall of the Hitler regime, to go again to Germany, in order to serve there as apostle.

Apostle Korff had written in the brochure: "Peace to you", dated October 22, 1948 the following:

"Sunday, September 29, 1935. I left Germany as an exile expelled by the Third Empire-(Derde Rijk)--. There came difficult years for the whole world, but in particular for Germany and for the small group of Apostolic people, who live in that country. There even came periods that all exchange of letters was impossible and our people had to live on earlier written sermons of my hand. Sometimes it was impossible to celebrate the Holy Supper, because bread and wine were missing. We all hoped that after the downfall of the empire of Hitler it would be possible for me to go to Germany, in order to take there personally the guidance of the work of the Lord. But how completely different has come out it.!The occupying powers made the entering of the conquered country very difficult. All kind of efforts, applied by me, failed. Still here had been already earlier promises that I would again be able to visit my workingfield and in 1947 there came announcements through the word of prophecy that the period was approaching that I could go overthere. And in the course of that year there had come promises-(through the word of prophecy)--, that I could visit Germany.The pastor of the parish in Brunswick and I myself did all kind op steps to clear away the obstacles, but everything seemed to fail and again and again our case was shelved, probably due to distrust. Perhaps it was feared, because our parish was so very small and so much trouble and cost was involved with a visit on my part, one or another secret political organisation was behind it. After a long-lasting exchange of letters with the authority which organised in the British zone the religious matters, finally came the permission that I was allowed to make a journey of six weeks to the by England occupied territory.But still is lasted thereafter several weeks before I had obtained the visa. But finally I could undertake then my journey, on August 1948.

On June 20, 1937 a prophecy was pronounced in a service in Amsterdam in which prophet Van Bemmel was ordered to announce Queen Wilhelmina "the matters which will happen soon". On January 2, 1938 prophet Van Bemmel served in the parish in Wageningen and placed then the question before the Lord whether He wanted to reveal possible something further about this commission. On this a prophecy came which confirmed the commission and in which was said, o.a.: "A woe will penetrate into the earthly palace."Thereafter he started with the composition of a writing. When this was ready, he asked in writing audience with the Queen. This audience was refused. He, however, was advised to sent the concerning writing to the Queen. This was, however, not the intention which was in writing informed to the Great Officer of the Royal Palace. Thereafter he was summoned at the Head Office of the Police where he was interrogated considerable time re the asked audience. After still some times having written to the mentioned Great Officer, he received from him a letter containing the request to visit him on April 19m Palace Noordeinde in the Hague, eleven o'clock in the morning. This Great Officer asked what was now really the intention. On this the prophet gave an explanation of the testimony which we have to bring in the Name of God. He further informed that he had a special word for the Queen with relation to the great difficulties which were imminent for her and her house, as well as for the Netherlands as a whole. The writing prophet Van Bemmel carried with him; he wanted to deliver this personally to the Queen, but he did not succeed. Finally the mentioned prophet handed the writing to the Great Officer who with a handshake assured to hand over the writing to the Queen himself. In a letter written with his own hand, dated June 19 thereafter, prophet Van Bemmel received notice from the Great Officer that the Queen had the writing in her possession.

The by the Lord through the gift of prophecy announced woe came when on May 10, 1940 the German army took by surprise The Netherlands. In order not to fall into the hands of the Germans, the Royal family and the Government had to pull out overhasty to England.

On May 23, 1938, the Lord of life and death took away from this life pastor H.v.d.Beek in the age of 57 years, after having served the parish of Enkhuizen as pastor during more than 21 years. By this the evangelist came to stand for the care of that parish alone.

Also came in the course of time prophecies in which the Lord revealed that He wanted to let preach the testimony of the truth in South Africa. In mentioned continent already a number of years lived some brethren and sisters who had emigrated from Amsterdam to South Africa. Is was decided to hold a calling service for South Africa and yet on Whit Monday, June 1, 1936. Through the mouth of prophet J.Ossebaar the deacon of Amsterdam, C.Spies, was called as apostle for that country, with the stipulation that this territory would be named Benjamin. In a service in Amsterdam on Wednesday evening, June 17, 1936, brother Spies was consecrated by apostle Kalwij in the office of apostle. Only after two years apostle Spies got permission from the Government of the South African Union to settle himself with his wife in the Transvaal. On Wednesday, July 13, 1938, Mr. And Mrs. Spies left Amsterdam by ship. And the ship arrived in the port of Capetown on July 29. From a letter of apostle Spies we quote the following:

"The shipjourney has, the Lord be praised, passed off well and we have not been sea sick. Friday, July 29, we had to get up already at six o'clock in the morning and we learned that they who had to get off in Capetown, could prepare themselves. We were happy to be able to leave the ship, not because we had had a bad time, but because our journey would take a turn. After the customs formalities had been realised on board, we got off the ship at half past nine. THE AFRICAN SOIL HAD BEEN REACHED.!!.... Our guide, a gentleman from Capetown, has assisted us excellently. Also with respect to the beautiful communion set which I had always carefully kept with me, everything passed off smoothly because the customs officers who had to decide about all to be paid or not to be paid importduties, did not make any difficulties. We went by coach to the city, where we looked for a mail office in order to announce our arrival telegraphically to the family Tillema. In Capetown we stepped into the train in order to travel to Johannesburg. On Sundaymorning, July 31, we drove into Johannesburg at eight o'clock. We did not regret to leave the train. We were already soon noticed by a daughter and a son in law of the family Tillema. After questions and counterquestions we left the platform in order to have a place in their car which would bring us to Heidelberg. At a quarter to ten we stopped for the house of the family Tillema. At a quarter tot eleven I have held the first service. Present were ten persons an three children. Although we were with a few people, there had been a good respectful congregation. I thought of a prophecy that I would not consider the smallest too small and the greatest not too great. We have celebrated the Holy Supper like we were used to do in Judah, with the use of the new utensils which was just what we very much needed."

On Wednesday evening, January 14, 1936, a special service took place in Wageninen. Another building could be rented there for holding divine services, namely in the Rauenhofstraat. This building was consecrated by apostle Kalwij. Pastor B.Carmiggelt and evangelist H.van Dijk were present as representatives of the parish in Arnhem. This meetinghall was an improvement for the parish which number had grown by which it was necessary to posses a more specious meetinghall.

On September 14, 1938, a calling service took place in Enkhuizen. Through the mouth of prophet H.M.van Bemmel, the deacon-evangelist in Enkhuizen, C.de Graaf, was called as prophet. On Oktober 2, 1938, he was censecrated in Enkhuizen by apostle Kalwij. Till august 21, 1946 prophet De Graaf has served as such in the parish of Enkhuizen.

On February 15, 1941, pastor A.Biemond passed away at the age of 40 years. Only a good four years he was able to serve the Lord as pastor in the parish of Haarlem. Owing to this decease prophet J.Ossebaar came again to stand alone as minister. For guiding the services on Sunday he had to be assisted by colleagues from other parishes. It pleased the Lord God, to call on May 31, 1942, two brethern in the office for the parish in Haarlem, namely the deacon of Amsterdam J.H.Rijnders as pastor and the deacon-evangelist in Haarlem J.van Hengel as evangelist. These brethren were consecrated in their office by apostle Kalwij on Sunday, June 21, 1942 in order to serve from there on in the parish of Haarlem.

In Utrecht there was a group of people to which belonged brother J.Spies. He wrote in August 1931 to apostle Kalwij a letter, containing the request, to be so good to send somebody in order to speak about spiritual matters. On one evening the evangelist of Amsterdam went to the house of brother J.Spies . The discussion was such that in future services would be held in Utrecht. These services happened some Sundays in the house of the family Th.C.Boekhout, for the first time on Sunday, September 6 1931. Thereafter a relatively large hall could be rented on the Kromme Nieuwe Gracht, nr. 35. When this got another destination, it was necessary to look for another place of meeting. With effect from Sunday, December 31, 1933 one was successful to rent a hall on the first floor of an house on the Domplein 35. Thereupon it was possible to purchase a house located on Herenweg 7. This house was rebuilt in order to make it suitable to held divine services. On Wednesday, September 2, 1936 the meetingroom was consecrated to the service of the Lord by apostle Kalwij with which some ministers of other cities were present. Till in the year of 1942 the parish of Utrecht had to be taken care of for helding divine servants by servants of other parishes, mostly by servants of the parish Amsterdam. By Election the parish in Utrecht got two deacons, namely the brethren F.Schoonheim and Th.C.Boekhout.

When on Sunday 12, 1942 in the afternoon a calling service was held under the guidance of apostle Kalwij, these two deacons were called by the Lord through the mouth of prophet J.Ossebaar, to serve Him in Utrecht; brother Th.C.Boekhout as prophet and brother F.Schoonheim as pastor. On Sunday August 23, 1942, these brethren were consecrated in their office by the apostle in the morning service in Utrecht.

After Haarlem and Utrecht it was the turn of Arnhem to hold a calling service-(this sequence had been mentioned in a prophecy)--. The calling service in Arnhem took place on Sundaymorning, November 29, 1942. Through the mouth of prophet H.M.van Bemmel the deacon of Arnhem, M.A.Rusch was called as prophet and the deacon-evangelist in Amsterdam, J.D.Voogt as evangelist in order to serve in the parish of Arnhem. They were consecrated in their office on Sunday, December 13, 1942 in Arnhem by apostle Kalwij.-(Evangelist Voogt was more particularly called for Gelderland, although his living place would be Arnhem.)--.

After in the parish of The Hague pastor Chr.B.Maalman had ample time served alone, a calling service was held on September 19, 1945. Through the mouth of prophet Th.C.Boekhout was called by the Lord as prophet for that parish the deacon of The Hague H.Verhey, and thereafter through the mouth of prophet M.A Rusch as evangelist the deacon-evangelist in The Hague, H.A.van der Poel. On Sunday, October 14, 1945 these brethren were consecrated in their office by the apostle.

On Friday, May 10, 1940, in the night at half past two, the Dutch neutrality was violated by the German military forces. The Netherlands became a territory occupied by Germany. This situation lasted until May 5, 1945, at least then the whole of The Netherlands became liberated; the southern provinces were liberated earlier. The allied forces made an effort on Sunday, September 17, 1944, to take possession of the footbridge over the Rine, but this endeavour failed.! The German military forces were not defeated on the mentioned Sunday.

A service was held in our building in the Marktstraat in Arnhem for the last time. This building in which also still lived two Apostolic families was completely destroyed by the acts of war.! Mentioned families had to leave their house with danger of life. Evangelist J.D.Voogd who lived with his wife in the building, has given in the brochure "Peace to You", dated February 8 and 15, 1952 a description of the evens in Arnhem with as heading the words of the Lord Jesus which occur in John.14:29, saying: "I have not told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe."

A part of that description mentions the follows:

"On Sunday, September 17, 1944 a divine service was held in the morning in the church in the Marktstraat which ended under a deafening barking and boardweapon, etc. It was impossible to hold again service in the afternoon. About ten brethren and sisters who still had come, went back home after ample consideration with the ministers. It was about nine o'clock in the evening that sister Van Dijk-Kruk came to tell us that English people walked on the street. I convinced myself by going in the basement, through which windows I heard them clearly talking in English. We all thought then that we stood on the eve of the liberation and we congratulated each other. We called: "To-morrow, we are free.!"In the afternoon, Monday September 18, it will have been about six o'clock, we suddenly heard a violent blow, The entire house shaked and when I opened the door which gave entrance to the churchroom, I saw to my horror a cloud of dust which filled the entire churchroom. A window and a part of a wall had disappeared,! In the front part of the churchhall, the place of the choir, the chairs and the harmonium had been snowed under with rubbish. It looked like an earthquake had taken place. We understood that the Germans had come with heavy artillery and that we found ourselves in the firing line. Then we called upon God for help and relief in the danger in which we found ourselves.Various houses in the Marktstraat caught fire by the warshooting, also our building, so that the their living families Voogt en Van Dijk came in state of emergency. Although it was perilous to proceed to the street, they left the burning house; they want through the Hofstraat and finally landed in the building of the Department of Public works. This happened on Thuesday, September 19, 1944.Our parishioners in Arnhem had to leave their houses owing to the acts of war. They went to other places, a.o. Ede and Apeldoorn, where they were more or less safe. As such the parish of Arnhem was dispersed."

In the book: "The low countries on the sea", written by J. and A.Romein, the following is said about the airborne landings in Arnhem: "The next day-a Sunday-revived the illusion in all the hearts. Strange white birds float4ed in strings through the pale blue autumn air. Airborne landing near Arnhem. This had of course been well prepared and the broken out strike of the railways supported it. But nobody know that a German armoured corps, accidentally on its way to the menaced Western front, would be directed to this still more menaced area. Nobody knew that it would start to be misty the next days, so that the airborne troops would remain deprived of supply. The risky enterprise failed. The airborne army which had defended itself up to the very utmost, was at the end of its powers."

Pastor Carmiggelt served on September 17, 1944 in the morning in the parish of Wageningen, where also signs of the airborne landing of the allies were seen. After the morning service mentioned pastor wanted to go as soon as possible to his living place in Arnhem, on behalf of his wife. However, he did not arrive in Arnhem, He drove on his bicycle from Wageningen to Arnhem and near Arnhem he was hit deadly by a shot.....There was uncertainty about what had happened to him, until his mortal remains were found in Mariendaal on November 14, understandably in extremely advanced state of decomposition.

Not long time after the ending of World War 2, a start was made with holding services in Alkmaar where a few Apostolic families lived; the assembled in a rented hall, also still an a other hall and finally a hall was rented in the building of a society. This building is located at Heul 11. In Alkmaar only morning services are held. Members, living in Heiloo, Den Helder and Hensbroek can attend the service in Alkmaar.

Also in Rotterdam we possess already some years a small parish which has come into being in 1939 after for some time week after week public lectures have been organised there by apostle A.J.Korff and once or twice by another minister of the parish in Amsterdam. On Sunday, April 16, 1939, the first divine service was held there under the guidance of apostle A.J.Korff, in the building "Apollos". As from September 1939 once a month on Sunday, morning service was held under the guidance of apostle A.J.Korff in the Shelter for Seamen, and after the liberation in the Bloemstraat. In a rented hall, located Nozemanstraat 48b, a morning service is held since Februari 27, 1949 each Sunday, by turns conducted by ministers from The Hague.

On November 28, 1946, apostle Kalwij passed away in the age of 73 years, after a service period of more than 21 years. The morning owing to his decease from this life lasted one month. It was determined that on January 15, 1947 a calling service would be held in Amsterdam, in order to pray the Lord God to give another brother as apostle for Judah. This calling service was conducted by apostle A.J.Korff. After the prayer of mentioned apostle the Lord revealed His will through the mouth of prophet H.Verhey. The Lord called as apostle for Judah the deacon in Amsterdam, D.W.Ossebaar. He was 45 years old. In the evening service of the same day apostle Ossebaar was consecrated by apostle A.J.Korff in his office.