CONCISE HISTORY OF THE APOSTOLIC CHURCH

Part 12

In the period of the German domination the small parish in Flushing could not be visited anymore, so that the brethren and sisters there did not have services on Sundays. From time to time pastor C.B.Maalman was able to hold services for them, however, for this purpose each time a request had to be sent to the person who exercised the German authority over Sealand. Our brethren and sisters who lived in Flushing could not stay in there domicile owing the danger of war and also because Flushing was inundated by the German army forces.

They had to evacuate to Middelburg, because also Tholen was inundated at the command of the German military forces, the inhabitants of this island had to be evacuated to other places. A family, living in Oud Vossemeer, established themselves for the time being in Amsterdam, where they came into contact with an Apostolic brother. From him this family learned about the doctrine of the Restored Apostolic Mission Church. The result was that the family concerned joined us.

After the termination of World War II, this family returned to Oud Vossemeer. As such there came into being a small parish. Initially it was assembled on Sundays in the house of the family J.A.J.Capelle. Later on we were able to purchase an unoccupied house in Oud Vossemeer. Part of it was fitted up as meetinghall. The house is located at the Coentjesweg 23. On September 1950 the meeting hall was taken into use for the first time. Monday evening, November 5, 1945 a service was held for the first time in Oud Vossemeer.

Now a small parish in Oud Vossemeer came into existence, it was determined the two parishes in Sealand would have each fortnight a service on Sunday. The one Sunday there was therefore a morning and evening service in Flushing and the other Sunday in Oud Vossemeer. Before the world war each Sunday services were held in Flushing. Some time after the termination of the war the services were held in the house of the family Meulmeester. Thereafter we were able to rent on Sunday a hall in a building, located Palingstraat 25. On June 8, 1951 a house with floors and a basement could be purchased in Flushing, located Kasteelstraat 5, A room was fitted up as meetinghall. This hall was taken into use for the first time on December 16, 1951.

On May 2, 1948 the meetinghall in Haarlem, Wilhelminastraat 21, was once more consecrated because it had been enlarged by renovation.

On May 12, 1948 the consecration of the new meetinghall in Wageningen, Beuningstraat 13, took place. The consecration happened by apostle Ossebaar. As second speaker in this consecration service acted evangelist H.van Dijk. He said a.o.: "In 1933 the first meeting was held by prophet Van Dijk on the second floor of the people's coffee house in the Herenstraat. Thereafter was assembled in a building in the Rauenhofstraat. Thereupon the parish assembled in an attickroom in the second Kloostersteeg. Through the good offices of brother Iprenburg the parish was able to meet thereafter in the building of the Dutch Reformed Parish in the Herenstraat.

In Enkhuizen the deacon of this place D.,Ent was called on September 10, 1947 in a calling service under the guidance of apostle Ossebaar as pastor of this parish and as such through the mouth of prophet H.Verhey. September 28, 1947 the called brother was consecrated in then office of pastor by apostle Ossebaar.

On September 15, 1948, was called in Arnhem through the mouth of prophet Th.C.Boekhout for the parish in this city, the deacon evangelist in Arnhem S.Meyer as pastor. He was consecrated on Sunday, October 3, 1948 in the office of pastor by apostle Ossebaar.

During World War II young brethren were obliged to work in Germany. After the war they returned home, with the exception of some. Then some young brethren who were liable to military service, were obliged to leave for Indonesia in order to participate in the preservation of the Dutch authority. After two years of service in Indonesia the were able to return gradually to the native country. It concerned about seventeen brethren. One brother, onfortunately, was killed in Indonesia.

February 6, 1950 there was mourning in the parish of Haarlem due tot the passing away of prophet J.Ossebaar at the age of nearly 75 years. More than 21 years he has served as prophet. The vacant place was later on occupied by prophet G.Swier who was called on February 7, 1951 in a Wednesday evening service through the mouth of prophet H.M.van Bemmel. Prophet Swier was deacon of the parish in Haarlem. In view of the space, the calling service was not held in Haarlem, but in Amsterdam, in our churchbuilding Bloemgracht 98. The called brother was consecrated in the office of prophet by apostle Ossebaar on Sunday, March 4, 1951 in Haarlem.

On May 3, 1951 passed away in Heidelberg-(the Transvaal)-apostle C.Spies, apostle of the tribe Benjamin, in the age of 61 years. In a town in the neighbourhood of Heidelberg he still had let distribute 3000 circular letters as communication of a lecture about our faith to be held by him. Nobody responded to these summons. Disappointed and ill he came home, and this illness caused his death. He served the Lord as apostle fifteen years.

As already informed, the parish in Arnhem lost the building in which they assembled on Sundays, owing to war acts. Therefore the parish in this city had to meet in a rented hall, firstly in the Roosendaalstraat and thereafter in the West-Peterstraat. The Funds for War Damage of the State made funds available to religious communities which had lost their building in war, so also our parish in Arnhem, when was complied with certain conditions when constructing a new building. By this the churchcouncil of the parish of that city could make plans for a new building. A plot, located in the Spijkerstraat could be purchased. There little by little a building went up. When it had been finalised, the consecration took place by apostle Ossebaar on September 17, 1951. On February 12, 1952 evangelist J.D.Voogd passed away on the age of 61 years after a service period of eight years.

On Wednesday evening, April 30, 1952, a calling service took place in Amsterdam. Through the mouth of prophet Rusch was called as evangelist for the tribe of Issaschar--(Germany)--the deacon-evangelist in Arnhem, W.Leunen. Also was called through the mouth of prophet H.M.van Bemmel as apostle, namely the deacon-evangelist in Amsterdam, J.Benard. Brother J.Benard was consecrated by apostle Ossebaar on January 4, 1952 in the office of apostle for the tribe of Benjamin. Brother W.M.Leunen received the consecration as evangelist for the tribe of Issaschar from apostle A.J.Korff in Arnhem on Thursday evening, July 10, 1952. Pastor Trolldenier was present in this service.

On December 2, 1953 passed away in his house in Amsterdam apostle A.J.Korff, in the age of 72 years. Owing to his disease the last years were very difficult for him, but op to the end of his life he had carried out his service work. A good eight years he served as evangelist in the parish of Amsterdam and 25 years as apostle for Issaschar..

The parish in Wageningen had always to be served by ministers of another parish. Lately this mainly happened by ministers of the nearby parish of Arnhem. On Wednesday evening, February 10, 1954 a calling service was held in the churchbuilding of the parish in Arnhem on behalf of the parish in Wageningen, due to the fact that the parish had gradually grown. After the prayer of the apostle was called through the mouth of prophet H.Verhey by the Lord the deacon of the parish in Wageningen, namely brother Th.C.Hobe. He was consecrated on Sunday, March 21, 1954 by the apostle in the office of pastor, in order to serve from this day forward as pastor in Wageningen.

After evangelist F.Sietses, after he had gone on a trip, had passed away on the age of 63 years on Friday, April 23, 1954 in the Deaconesses Hospital in Bussum, a calling serve was held on Wednesday evening, June 30, 1954 in Enkhuizen in the large Zuiderkerk of the Dutch Reformed Parish. After the prayer of apostle Ossebaar was called through the mouth of prophet Th.C.Boekhout brother P.v.d.Leek, living in Enkhuizen, as prophet for the parish in that city. The consecration by the apostle in his office took place on Sunday, July 18, 1954 in Enkhuizen.

On Sunday, October 24, 1954 suddenly passed away prophet Th.C.Boekhout. He died, when he was in the morning in Utrecht on his way to the railway station. He had to conduct the morning service in Amersfoort. This service could not take place. He has served the Lord as prophet twelve years. He reached the age of more than 53 years. Therefore a calling service was held on behalf of the parish in Utrecht on Wednesday evening, January 12, 1955 in the rented Pieterskerk in this city, in which prophet H.M.v.Bemmel pronounced the calling prophecy. The Lord called brother J.J.Berkhof--(31 years old)--as evangelist. On the following Sunday, February 13, he was consecrated by the apostle for his office in Utrecht.

After December 2, 1953 the tribe of Issaschar was without the office of apostle. It was therefor gradually necessary-also prophetic revelations pointed this out--, to ask the Lord a new apostle. It was decided that on May 10, 1956--(Ascension Day)--, a calling service on behalf of the mentioned tribe would be held. For this service the Noorderkerk in Amsterdam, located on the Noordermarkt, could be rented. As apostle for Issaschar was called the deacon of Enkhuizen L.J.Korff through the mouth of prophet P.v.d.Leek. Brother L.J.Korff had the age of 51 ears. Due to illness the aged Trolldenier was unable to attend this calling service, but some German brethren and sisters were present. June 24, 1956 brother L.J.Korff was concrated in Amsterdam by apostle Ossebaar in the office of apostle for the tribe of Issaschar. Due to illness pastor Trolldeniers was also unable tot attend this service.

On Monday evening March 4, 1957, a meeting was held in Enkhuizen in the enlarged consistory room, with which meeting this room was officially taken into use.

The service on Ascension Day, May 30, 1957 in Amsterdam was a particular one, because apostle J.Benard who had been called more than five years ago as apostle for the tribe of Benjamin, officiated for the last time in Judah. He had held for that already farewell sermons in the other parishes of Judah. The next day, Friday May 31, in the afternoon at five o'clock, apostle Benard left with the ship "Jagersfontein" to Capetown. Many brethren and sisters were present at his departure. All the requests to the South African Government to grant permission to apostle Benard to emigrate as minister to South Africa, had been refused, without statement of the reason. Because he finally, through the intercession of an acquaintance, was able to obtain a working permit, he got permission to leave for Johannesburg.

On September 1, 1957 the parish of Arnhem last its evangelist H.van Dijk, because he passed away at the age of 70 years, after a service period of 22 years. The vacant position did not remain unoccupied long time, because on Wednesday evening, November 6, 1957 a calling service was held in Arnhem. Through the mouth of prophet H.Verhey the deacon of Arnhem, P.M.Rangelrooy was called as evangelist, after which he was consecrated in Arnhem in his office by apostle Ossebaar.

In a calling service in Amsterdam on Wednesday, January 15, 1958, the Lord give three servants, namely brother G.Tillema, living in Pretoria as evangelist for South Africa, brother J.N.Ruiter, living in Enkhuizen, as pastor for Flushing and Oud Vossemeer-(with the mention that Flushing had to be his living place)-and brother HTh.Schutterop. living in Haarlem, as prophet for Wageningen.

Brother G.Tillema was consecrated in the office of evangelist on April 27, 1958 by apostle Benard in Pretoria.

Brother H.Th.Schutterop was consecrated by apostle Ossebaar as prophet on March 16, 1958 in Wageningen.

Brother J.N.Ruiter was consecrated by the apostle in the office of pastor on March 23, 1958 in Flushing.

Because the Lord had now given a pastor for the parish in Zealand, henceforth each Sunday churchservices could be held in Flushing and Oud Vossemeer.

On Whit Sunday, May 25, 1958 pastor H.Trolldenier passed away in the morning at the age of 82 years, after a service period of more than 29 years. Due to infirmities of old age he was not able anymore to do service the last two years. As the parish in Brunswick had lost now its pastor, it was decided, to hold a calling service on Easter, March 30, 1959 for the tribe of Issaschar.

In order to have sufficient space for everybody, who wished to attend this calling service, the spacious churchbuilding of the Evangelist Lutheran Parish, Spoorweg 8 in Arnhem was rented. Also German brethren and sister had travelled to Arnhem, in order to be present in the calling service. After prayer by apostle Korff the Lord replied through the mouth of prophet H.M.van Bemmel that He had chosen deacon Engelhardt to serve as pastor in the parish in Brunswick. The called one was deacon of the parish in Brunswick. He was consecrated in the office of pastor by apostle L.J.Korff on Sunday, April 26, 1959 in Brunswick. This Sunday was at the same time the rented and as meeting place fitted up building, Wolffenbuttelerstrasse 68, consecrated for the service of the Lord.

On June 15, 1960, passed evangelist J.van Hengel at the age of 64 years, after a service period of 18 years.

The parish of Amersfoort had assembled in various localities. She came into being in the year of 1945. Firstly was assembled in that city in a rented hall at the Kortegracht. Thereafter in a rented churchbuilding, located Davidshof, thereupon in the rented hall of a society building in the Paulus Buijslaan 1, and finally in a rented hall of the Juliana-building, Bloemweg. As a large percentage of this small parish lived outside Amersfoort, service on Sunday is only held in the morning. These services had for a long time been conducted by ministers of the parish in Utrecht and Amsterdam, off and on by a servant of another parish. In a calling service on Whit Monday, June 6, 1960, held in Utrecht, the Lord revealed through the mouth of prophet H.Th.Schutterop-after prayer by apostle Ossebaar---, that He had chosen His son J.Arisz as pastor for the parish in Amersfoort. This brother had been deacon in that city for eight months. In order that many people could be able to attend this calling service, it was held in the Westerkerk of the Reformed Parish, Catherijnekade. Sunday July 3, 1960, brother J.Arisz was consecrated by the apostle in Amersfoort in the office of pastor.

Through the medium of an unmarried Austrian sister who has lived long time in Amsterdam and learned to know through her landlay our testimony, with as a consequence that she was sealed, we came into contact with some in Austrian living families who got interest in our testimony. By some servants an visit was made from time to time to these families. The first service was held on June 18, 1957 in Spittal in which service the diseased widow Pirker-Berger was sealed by apostle Ossebaar. By means of written lessons, translated in German, they have informed themselves of our doctrine. In the house of the family Fina in Pockau, a few times a year services are being held with the celebration of the Holy Supper.

As the Lord had given promises in prophecies that He would call again servants for His work inland and abroad, it was decided to hold a calling service in Utrecht on Wednesday evening, October 25, 1961. Our request to be allowed to rent the Westerkerk was refused. Therefore is was looked out for another suitable place in Utrecht. It was succeeded to rent for mentioned evening the spacious churchbuilding-named Geertjeskerk--, of the Remonstrant Parish, located Geertekerkhof. At the prayers of the apostle D.W.Ossebaar and L.J.Korff, four brethren were called to an office in this sequence:

Brother F.Velde, deacon in Haarlem, as evangelist for the parish Haarlem; Brother C.Boekhout, deacon in Utrecht, as prophet for the parish in Utrecht;--(both called through to the mouth of prophet van der Leek.)--.Brother A.de Man, living in Arnhem, as prophet for the tribe of Issaschar.-(through the mouth of prophet Verhey)-.Brother G.Bolderman, deacon-evangelist in Arnhem, as apostle for Austria, without mentioning the name of the tribe-(through the mouth of prophet Schutterop)--. On Sunday, November 19, 1961, however, the Lord revealed through prophet Van Bemmel that the name of the tribe in Austria is "Gad".

Herunder follow the dates on which these four brethren were consecrated in their office: Brother C.Boekhout on November 12, 1961 in Utrecht, and brother F.Velde on November 19, 1961 in Haarlem, both by apostle Ossebaar.

Brother A. de Man on December 10, 1961 in Brunswick by apostle L.J.Korff. Brother G.Bolderman on December 24, 1961 in Arnhem, by apostle Ossebaar.

After these callings the state of the priestly service has been as follows:
Amersfoort: pastor;
Amsterdam: apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor;
Arnhem: prophet, evangelist, pastor;
Enkhuizen: prophet, pastor;
The Hague: prophet, evangelist, pastor;
Haarlem: prophet, evangelist, pastor;
Utrecht: prophet, evangelist; -(pastor F.Schoonheim was not allowed to carry out his office after December 18, 1960).
Wageningen: prophet, pastor;
Sealand: pastor;
The tribe of Issaschar: apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor;
The tribe of Benjamin: apostle, evangelist;
The tribe of Gad: apostle;

Due to bodily weakness the aged pastor of Amsterdam, C.Korff, was unable to officiate his services.

From the tribe of Naftali, located in Northern America, can still only be mentioned that this has only one servant, namely apostle G.v.d.Beek. After the decease of apostle A.J.Korff who once in a while received some news from him, he has not let us hear anything more. As far is known, in the tribe of Naftali the gift of prophecy has never come to revelation. According to some written sermons, in our possession, from the hand of apostle G.v.d.Beek, he has deviated from the doctrine of the Holy Scripture.

In the tribe of Zebulon, located in Australia, distasteful matters have taken place, by which there the purity of our testimony has gone lost.

With regard to the Catholic Apostolic Church only be mentioned that one priest after the other has slipped away from her. In various countries this Church has still followers and they look out to the day on which deceased-(English)-apostles will rise from the death. In the Netherlands this Church had not one priest anymore; this is also the case with Germany and other countries. In England there is still an evangelist, far gone in years who carries out service in various places in England. As can be foreseen, the day in not far anymore the Catholic Apostolic Church has not anymore a priest left. Where there is no priest, the services are officiated by deacons and sub-deacons. These can, of course, not conduct priestly actions.

Now follows a specification of countries and their names which have stood under the guidance of the twelve English apostles:

England, with the United States and Canada: Benjamin, apostle H.Drummond;

Scotland and Switzerland: Issaschar. apostle King Church;

Norway and Sweden: Gad, apostle D.Mackenzie;

Austria and South Germany: Ruben, apostle F.Woodhouse;

Northern Germany: Simeon, apostle Th.Carlyle;

France: Aser, apostle H.Dalton;

Italy: Manasse, apostle P.Perceval;

Spain and Portugal: Naphtali, apostle F.Sitwell;

Ireland, Greece and the Orient: Zebulon, apostle N.Armstrong;

Poland and India: Efraim, apostle J.Tudor;

Russia: Dan, apostle W.Dow;

Through an Australian married couple who lives in Antwerp, apostle Ossebaar came into contact with a minister of the Methodist parish, established in Antwerp. This minister was informed about the doctrines of the Apostolic testimony. This had as consequence that he once attended a calling service ion Arnhem. However, this Methodist minister could not come to the point to join the Apostolic Church. The obstacle for him was most probably in the first place that we cannot accept somebody as minister who has not been called through the word of the prophecy for an office serving.

Apostle Ossebaar also came into contact with an elder of mentioned Methodist parish and with him and his wife was also spoken about our testimony.

Finally it was decided to rent a hall in Antwerp to order to hold a service each Sunday morning. It was succeeded to rent for the morning hours on Sunday a churchhall of the English Seamen's home, Italielei 21. On Sunday, February 15, 1959, service was held for the first time in mentioned Seamen's home, under the guidance of prophet H.M.van Bemmel. Apostle Ossebaar was also present. The member of the mentioned parish had been informed by circular letter that henceforth service would be held by us in Antwerp, with the consequence that some of them have attended to the services on Sunday morning.

One Sunday a priest, the other a deacon-evangelist of the parish in Amsterdam, or from Arnhem, officiated. The deacon-evangelist taught on the bases of 32 lessons. When a priest officiated, than Holy Supper was celebrated. The English Seamen's home could only be rented for a few Sundays.

As from Sunday, March 1, 1959, was assembled in the Danish Seamen's home, Italielei 231. This happened until Sunday, October 18, 1959. The rent was terminated so that one has to look for another location. The third place of assembly was the Finnish Seamen's home, Italielei 67. In this home was assembled for the first time on Sunday morning , October 25, 1959 and the last one on Sunday morning, March 13, 1960.

The meetings did not find progress because those who had belonged to the Methodist parish in Antwerp, withdrew themselves after the deacon-evangelist in turns had dealt with all the doctrines of the Restored Apostolic Missionchurch in the services on Sundays.

What had been dealt with matters were each week sent to the listeners and to some other people in Antwerp. Finally also the Apostolic married couple which lives in Antwerp, turned away from the Restored Apostolic Missionchurch. One Apostolic family, living in St. Mariaburg-(Belgium)-has left over. This family is visited from time to time by ministers with the purpose to provide these members with the Holy Supper.

In the year of 1948 the priests of the parish in Arnhem started to hold service in turns now and then in the house of an Apostolic family, living in Balkbrug. This happened until the year of 1955. As in Zwolle a few Apostolic families settled down in the course of time, the priests of the parish in Arnhem passed on to hold a morning service every other week on Sunday in a rented hall in mentioned city.

Till January 1960 was assembled a moat, named Eekwal. Thereafter the Sunday morning service is held in the building "Our House", Thorbeckegracht 11, entrance M.van Coehoornsingel. Up till October 1960 was held in Zwolle every other week the Sunday morning service. Thereafter each Sunday morning. Brethren and sisters who live in the neighbourhood of Zwolle, attend to service in Zwolle on Sunday morning. The services in this city are visited by approx 20 persons.

In the course of time some Apostolic families, descended from Wageningen and Arnhem, to hold services from time to time in mentioned city in the house of the familie H.Jacobs. As from approx. June 1960 service is held on Sunday every other week. Since January 1962 is assembled on Sunday in the house of the family De Haan, Concordiastraat 46a. The number of people who attends the services, has increased to 18.

In the course of time brochures have been printed an distributed in order tot give knowledge about our testimony. Young and also some older brethren and sisters have distributed a brochure from house to house. In this way thousands of brochures have been distributed. The issued brochure are entitled:

"An illusive ceremony or gift of grace God.? "

"The Church of ages."

"If the Lord one day came."

"Wake up, the Bridegroom comes."

"See, I come hastily"

"Being and birth of the Restored Apostolic Missionchurch".

In Amsterdam have been sent in 1962, 15000 printed letters-(by mail)-to parents of newly born children. In these letters is pointed out the necessity of the baptism. On behalf of the evangelisation in Germany there have also been printed and distributed in the German language written brochures.

Moreover has been printed and issued in January 1949 a booklet which has as title: "The Old Paths", and directed to the believers in The Netherlands. The preface of that booklet in the second edition reads: "Old Paths" contains a noteworthy testimony that was directed in 1835 tot the Heads of Church and State in order to summon them, to restore the unity in the Church of Christ, and to reign over the nations according to the principles of the Holy Scriptures.

When had been decided that the "Worldcouncil of Churches" would assemble in The Netherlands, we judged is useful tot reprint that Testimony, in order that also the nowadays living clergymen in our country would be able to be aware of it, so that the path to come to the true unity in Christ could be pointed out. It has been sent to a very large number of ministers and members of the churchcouncil of all kind of denominations. But also for interested laymen to whom the unity in Christ lay to heart, the contents is of great importance and therefore comes out the second, unchanged edition.

We point out with accent that the original writing was published more than hundred years ago, in order that one will be able when reading it to give account for the literal realisation of the predictions, a proof that they who had prepared the Testimony, were ambassadors of the King of the Church.

Due to the fact that "The Book for our times" had already been sold out for many years, the order was given in 1947 to the Publishing and Printing firm "Hollandia" in Baarn, to prepare a third edition of this voluminous work. This third edition, being 1900 copies, could appear in September 1949. A text register, of which already existed stencilled copies, as well two other registers, have been added tot the third edition.

It is still mentioned that also the stock of hymn collections became exhausted why it was decided to let these be reprinted, and to include in the new edition more hyms. The new edition, containing 5000 copies, could be taken into use in June 1962.

It is the intention tot commemorate with a church ceremony on September 25, and for the young people on September 28, 1963 the fact that apostle Schwartz arrived in Amsterdam on September 24, 1863.

We will have to believe that God will confirm His work. He will finish what His hand has begin to do.