Free People’s Mission Krefeld
interdenominational - independent - proclamation of the full gospel - non-profit - recognised
interdenominational - independent - proclamation of the full gospel - non-profit - recognised
Presentation of the mission work
»Free people’s mission Krefeld Inc.«
»Free people’s mission Krefeld Inc.«
The Mission Center in Krefeld was built in the course of a few years. On the compound is the church, which seats over 500 people, where three times per week services are held, and the other buildings with offices, with the printing and the despatching rooms and with a number of dormitories. Quite a number of visitors who attend the first weekend of a month meetings can stay over night in the rooms of the Mission Center. Because the mission work has grown so immensely ten years ago another building had to be erected. That is the publishing house with the adjacent printing facilities. We can accommodate 300 guests and also have the facilities in the dining room for them to take their meals.
No one of the 12 persons present in the house meeting at the eve of the year 1959/60 who were invited by Rev. Ewald Frank for a prayer meeting could imagine that God in this way would start a worldwide mission work.
Rev. Frank began to preach in 1953 and then attended the meetings of Rev. William M. Branham in Karlsruhe, Germany, from the 12th to the 21st of August 1955. What he experienced at that time he only knew up till then from the reports of the New Testament. Blind could see, lame were made whole instantly and could walk, the deaf could suddenly hear end so forth. The lasting impression on the young preacher was the healing of a blind-born girl being eleven years old. From that moment it became clear to him that William Branham must be a man sent from God for no one could do the works of Jesus unless God be with him.
Only a few months later in March 1956 Rev. Frank left Germany for overseas, also with the desire to know more about the ministry and also about the teachings of William Branham. From the 6th to the 15th June 1958 he participated in the international »Voice of Healing«-Conference in Dallas, Texas. Rev. Gordon Lindsay had invited all the US-healing Evangelists who had received their inspiration in one of Rev. Branham’s meetings and were encouraged to start their ministries. Among them were Oral Roberts, T. L. Osborn, Morris Cerullo and many others. They all testified that the break-through of the mighty healing revival after Word War II came about through the extra-ordinary ministry of William Branham. Most of them spoke in the morning and afternoon services and Rev. Branham was the main speaker in the evening services.
During this conference Rev. Frank could very clearly see the difference between all the evangelists and the prophetic-apostolic ministry of Rev. Branham. He also came to know about the divine commission William Branham had received on 7th May 1946 in a similar way as the Apostle Paul. Now time had come to know more about the belief and the teachings of this man of God. He left his address behind so all the sermons preached by Rev. Branham would be sent to him. He also spoke with Rev. Branham during those meetings. The natural humility of this man made a lasting impact on him.
In August 1958 Rev. Frank returned to Germany, thinking that the believers who confess the full Gospel would just as gladly receive the spiritual enrichment as he did. But very soon time came when the leading ministers rejected the preacher they before had esteemed highly. Therefore only this small prayer group was left with the intention to return to the Bible teachings and practice of the original church in apostolic days. The leading theme was from the beginning »sola scriptura« — only the Holy Scripture should be the guideline for faith, teaching and life.
From this small fellowship, which came together with the brothers who shared in the ministry, Ewald Frank. Leonhard Russ and Paul Schmidt soon grew and a meeting place had to be rented. On 2nd April 1962, just at the break of a new day, Rev. Frank received his commission from the Lord with a tremendous audible voice to go to other cities and preach His Word. Within a few years this independent mission work spread beyond the European boundaries. Only a few years later a larger hall had to be rented.
In April 1964 the »Freie Volksmission Krefeld« = »Free Peoples Mission Krefeld« was recognised as a non-profit organisation. In October of the same year Rev. Frank made his first missionary trip to Asian countries. In India thousands attended his meetings. From 1966 the German speaking countries Austria and Switzerland were included into scheduled services from time to time. From 1968 to 1978 he had twenty minutes speeches via Radio Luxembourg whereby all European countries were reached by short and middle wave. From the same year he began to visit the Eastern European countries including the Soviet Union. Finally, at Easter 1974 the church could be inaugurated. In the following years the other buildings of the Mission Center were put up. From here the whole world is being served with biblical literature, audio and videotapes.
The brochures and books dealing with Bible topics are now being printed worldwide in 20 languages and new ones are being added. In the Mission Center we print in 10 main languages and serve over 130 countries. That is also about the number of countries Rev. Frank has personally preached in. This international and independent mission work is being financed only by free will offerings. In the true sense of the word this is a faith work existing in confidence towards God because of the direct commission received. Everything, the books, the brochures, the audio and videocassettes are sent out free of charge, never was a bill included or payment mentioned. In the local church we do not have a membership register. Special offerings are not solicited. Mission programs are not presented money is not mentioned. Tithing is not requested but generally practised. Everyone decides for themselves, how to participate with prayer, offerings and in other ways in the mission work.
No one of the 12 persons present in the house meeting at the eve of the year 1959/60 who were invited by Rev. Ewald Frank for a prayer meeting could imagine that God in this way would start a worldwide mission work.
Rev. Frank began to preach in 1953 and then attended the meetings of Rev. William M. Branham in Karlsruhe, Germany, from the 12th to the 21st of August 1955. What he experienced at that time he only knew up till then from the reports of the New Testament. Blind could see, lame were made whole instantly and could walk, the deaf could suddenly hear end so forth. The lasting impression on the young preacher was the healing of a blind-born girl being eleven years old. From that moment it became clear to him that William Branham must be a man sent from God for no one could do the works of Jesus unless God be with him.
Only a few months later in March 1956 Rev. Frank left Germany for overseas, also with the desire to know more about the ministry and also about the teachings of William Branham. From the 6th to the 15th June 1958 he participated in the international »Voice of Healing«-Conference in Dallas, Texas. Rev. Gordon Lindsay had invited all the US-healing Evangelists who had received their inspiration in one of Rev. Branham’s meetings and were encouraged to start their ministries. Among them were Oral Roberts, T. L. Osborn, Morris Cerullo and many others. They all testified that the break-through of the mighty healing revival after Word War II came about through the extra-ordinary ministry of William Branham. Most of them spoke in the morning and afternoon services and Rev. Branham was the main speaker in the evening services.
During this conference Rev. Frank could very clearly see the difference between all the evangelists and the prophetic-apostolic ministry of Rev. Branham. He also came to know about the divine commission William Branham had received on 7th May 1946 in a similar way as the Apostle Paul. Now time had come to know more about the belief and the teachings of this man of God. He left his address behind so all the sermons preached by Rev. Branham would be sent to him. He also spoke with Rev. Branham during those meetings. The natural humility of this man made a lasting impact on him.
In August 1958 Rev. Frank returned to Germany, thinking that the believers who confess the full Gospel would just as gladly receive the spiritual enrichment as he did. But very soon time came when the leading ministers rejected the preacher they before had esteemed highly. Therefore only this small prayer group was left with the intention to return to the Bible teachings and practice of the original church in apostolic days. The leading theme was from the beginning »sola scriptura« — only the Holy Scripture should be the guideline for faith, teaching and life.
From this small fellowship, which came together with the brothers who shared in the ministry, Ewald Frank. Leonhard Russ and Paul Schmidt soon grew and a meeting place had to be rented. On 2nd April 1962, just at the break of a new day, Rev. Frank received his commission from the Lord with a tremendous audible voice to go to other cities and preach His Word. Within a few years this independent mission work spread beyond the European boundaries. Only a few years later a larger hall had to be rented.
In April 1964 the »Freie Volksmission Krefeld« = »Free Peoples Mission Krefeld« was recognised as a non-profit organisation. In October of the same year Rev. Frank made his first missionary trip to Asian countries. In India thousands attended his meetings. From 1966 the German speaking countries Austria and Switzerland were included into scheduled services from time to time. From 1968 to 1978 he had twenty minutes speeches via Radio Luxembourg whereby all European countries were reached by short and middle wave. From the same year he began to visit the Eastern European countries including the Soviet Union. Finally, at Easter 1974 the church could be inaugurated. In the following years the other buildings of the Mission Center were put up. From here the whole world is being served with biblical literature, audio and videotapes.
The brochures and books dealing with Bible topics are now being printed worldwide in 20 languages and new ones are being added. In the Mission Center we print in 10 main languages and serve over 130 countries. That is also about the number of countries Rev. Frank has personally preached in. This international and independent mission work is being financed only by free will offerings. In the true sense of the word this is a faith work existing in confidence towards God because of the direct commission received. Everything, the books, the brochures, the audio and videocassettes are sent out free of charge, never was a bill included or payment mentioned. In the local church we do not have a membership register. Special offerings are not solicited. Mission programs are not presented money is not mentioned. Tithing is not requested but generally practised. Everyone decides for themselves, how to participate with prayer, offerings and in other ways in the mission work.
The foundation of faith
The Holy Scripture is the only source and complete foundation of our faith, the only guideline in teaching and life. God through His prophets in the Old Testament and by the apostles in the New Testament has left with us all we need to know. The Bible contains the whole testimony of God whereunto nothing can be added like it is with a last will.
Only what the apostles left behind in the New Testament is indeed »apostolic teaching«. Only what the Bible truly teaches is »biblical«. Only what originates with Christ Himself is »Christian«. Statements of faith declared at different councils in the course of church history are rejected as additions and forgery of the original Word.
The Freie Volksmission Krefeld as a fellowship is different to all churches, which came into existence by revivals since the Reformation. They all founded local churches and organised themselves with a head quarter. We proclaim the whole council of God by the only valid Word, which is necessary for the completion of the New Testament Church. In this way everyone belonging to God’s people regardless of church affiliation must be served. From the proclamation of this last scriptural message not a new organisation of local churches, which would be affiliated with the Krefeld Mission Center, will come forth, but rather the Church of Jesus Christ as a prepared Bride to meet the Bridegroom must be called out and made ready. They can assemble wherever they are.
Our fellowship does not claim to be the only one with salvation. We are just a part of the »ecclesia« together with all who are »called out« by the Word of God and are »chosen« to be part of the Church of the living God. We do not point to a man as a founder we are just a continuation of the last revivals, which came upon the earth at the beginning of the 20th Century and around the second half of the last Century as a direct move of the Holy Spirit. The Lord Himself builds the Church and He also completes it for the day of His Return.
The belief in one true God besides Whom, there is no other Who manifests Himself all His attributes as Creator, Sustainer, Saviour, King, Judge etc. is for us the only binding and valid foundation of faith. »Hear, o Israel, the Eternal, our God, the Eternal is One!« (Dt. 6:4-9; Mk. 12:28-34). This is the oldest documented scriptural statement of faith coming directly from the lips of God Himself. The Jesus Only teaching as well as the three Person God doctrine, are rejected because they are not attested in the Bible.
The Nicean-Chalcedonian faith creed must be rejected because it is not biblical. Besides other points one can read therein, »… the only Son of God eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, one in being with the Father …« For a Son to have been begotten of the Father in heaven Who then also became God — there is not the slightest hint for such an idea in the Bible. The tri-unity image, which is been taught, was adopted by the gentile church fathers and is a presentation of an old mythology brought over into formal Christianity. The true apostolic confession is found only in the Bible. In the »Didache« called »apostle doctrines« is found what church fathers formulated. Clerical statements of faith are part of the dogma-history and therefore not binding for us.
God is one. Not three persons are omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent and eternal, not three persons part the Almightiness, not three agree, but rather the only One true almighty eternal God Who is Spirit has manifested Himself in various ways since the beginning of time. In the new covenant He revealed Himself for our salvation as Father in heaven, in the Son Immanuel = God with us on earth and in His Church by the Holy Spirit. The Son was promised throughout all the Old Testament. He is the One begotten by the Holy Ghost, born by Mary, appearing in the flesh as our Redeemer, the First-born among many brethren. The Son is also the Lord. Therefore it is written, »… and why is this granted to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?« (Lk. 1:43). It is also written, »… for unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour Who is Christ the Lord« (Lk. 2:11). And again it is written: »…and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Spirit.« (1 Cor. 12:3b). The »I am« the Logos, the Word, the One Who spoke all things into existence, the One revealing Himself is always the same. The Lord/Yahweh of the Old Testament is the Lord/Jesus in the New Testament. In the Old Testament He was in a spirit body, in the New Testament in a body of flesh.
God created man in His Own image to have fellowship with Him. The relationship between the Creator and those created by Him was broken through the fall. The fall culminated in the beguiling from which a seed came forth. Therefore the Lord directly had to put enmity between the two seeds and pronounced judgement upon Eve who would give birth to her children with pain. In the same connection the first promise was given with view of the Redeemer that the Divine Seed would come through the woman and bruise the head of the cursed serpent (Gen. 3:13-17).
At the beginning of the natural creation Satan through deceiving Eve and pulling Adam into the transgression all humanity was drawn into the fall. In this wise Satan received influence and power over the whole creation, which by disobedience and transgression was separated from God and thrown into death.
At the beginning of the supernatural creation God took fallen humanity back from Satan through the second — the last Adam, overshadowing Mary and by begetting of the Holy Ghost the Son of God was born into this world. Through redemption and reconciliation the damage was made good and the fellowship with God was re-established and we received the adoption as sons (Gal. 4:4-7) »God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself.« (2 Cor. 5:19).
The secret of redeeming lost humanity is found in the fact that the Redeemer Himself as the Word, which was at the beginning, became flesh, fully human being, so in His body of flesh He could die vicariously, then going down conquering death and hell and manifesting the new life by His resurrection. Because the fall had been in the body of flesh and blood, the redemption of fallen humanity also had to be done in a body of flesh, so the holy Blood wherein divine life was could be shed on the Cross of Calvary.
Only what the apostles left behind in the New Testament is indeed »apostolic teaching«. Only what the Bible truly teaches is »biblical«. Only what originates with Christ Himself is »Christian«. Statements of faith declared at different councils in the course of church history are rejected as additions and forgery of the original Word.
The Freie Volksmission Krefeld as a fellowship is different to all churches, which came into existence by revivals since the Reformation. They all founded local churches and organised themselves with a head quarter. We proclaim the whole council of God by the only valid Word, which is necessary for the completion of the New Testament Church. In this way everyone belonging to God’s people regardless of church affiliation must be served. From the proclamation of this last scriptural message not a new organisation of local churches, which would be affiliated with the Krefeld Mission Center, will come forth, but rather the Church of Jesus Christ as a prepared Bride to meet the Bridegroom must be called out and made ready. They can assemble wherever they are.
Our fellowship does not claim to be the only one with salvation. We are just a part of the »ecclesia« together with all who are »called out« by the Word of God and are »chosen« to be part of the Church of the living God. We do not point to a man as a founder we are just a continuation of the last revivals, which came upon the earth at the beginning of the 20th Century and around the second half of the last Century as a direct move of the Holy Spirit. The Lord Himself builds the Church and He also completes it for the day of His Return.
The belief in one true God besides Whom, there is no other Who manifests Himself all His attributes as Creator, Sustainer, Saviour, King, Judge etc. is for us the only binding and valid foundation of faith. »Hear, o Israel, the Eternal, our God, the Eternal is One!« (Dt. 6:4-9; Mk. 12:28-34). This is the oldest documented scriptural statement of faith coming directly from the lips of God Himself. The Jesus Only teaching as well as the three Person God doctrine, are rejected because they are not attested in the Bible.
The Nicean-Chalcedonian faith creed must be rejected because it is not biblical. Besides other points one can read therein, »… the only Son of God eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, one in being with the Father …« For a Son to have been begotten of the Father in heaven Who then also became God — there is not the slightest hint for such an idea in the Bible. The tri-unity image, which is been taught, was adopted by the gentile church fathers and is a presentation of an old mythology brought over into formal Christianity. The true apostolic confession is found only in the Bible. In the »Didache« called »apostle doctrines« is found what church fathers formulated. Clerical statements of faith are part of the dogma-history and therefore not binding for us.
God is one. Not three persons are omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent and eternal, not three persons part the Almightiness, not three agree, but rather the only One true almighty eternal God Who is Spirit has manifested Himself in various ways since the beginning of time. In the new covenant He revealed Himself for our salvation as Father in heaven, in the Son Immanuel = God with us on earth and in His Church by the Holy Spirit. The Son was promised throughout all the Old Testament. He is the One begotten by the Holy Ghost, born by Mary, appearing in the flesh as our Redeemer, the First-born among many brethren. The Son is also the Lord. Therefore it is written, »… and why is this granted to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?« (Lk. 1:43). It is also written, »… for unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour Who is Christ the Lord« (Lk. 2:11). And again it is written: »…and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Spirit.« (1 Cor. 12:3b). The »I am« the Logos, the Word, the One Who spoke all things into existence, the One revealing Himself is always the same. The Lord/Yahweh of the Old Testament is the Lord/Jesus in the New Testament. In the Old Testament He was in a spirit body, in the New Testament in a body of flesh.
God created man in His Own image to have fellowship with Him. The relationship between the Creator and those created by Him was broken through the fall. The fall culminated in the beguiling from which a seed came forth. Therefore the Lord directly had to put enmity between the two seeds and pronounced judgement upon Eve who would give birth to her children with pain. In the same connection the first promise was given with view of the Redeemer that the Divine Seed would come through the woman and bruise the head of the cursed serpent (Gen. 3:13-17).
At the beginning of the natural creation Satan through deceiving Eve and pulling Adam into the transgression all humanity was drawn into the fall. In this wise Satan received influence and power over the whole creation, which by disobedience and transgression was separated from God and thrown into death.
At the beginning of the supernatural creation God took fallen humanity back from Satan through the second — the last Adam, overshadowing Mary and by begetting of the Holy Ghost the Son of God was born into this world. Through redemption and reconciliation the damage was made good and the fellowship with God was re-established and we received the adoption as sons (Gal. 4:4-7) »God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself.« (2 Cor. 5:19).
The secret of redeeming lost humanity is found in the fact that the Redeemer Himself as the Word, which was at the beginning, became flesh, fully human being, so in His body of flesh He could die vicariously, then going down conquering death and hell and manifesting the new life by His resurrection. Because the fall had been in the body of flesh and blood, the redemption of fallen humanity also had to be done in a body of flesh, so the holy Blood wherein divine life was could be shed on the Cross of Calvary.
Baptism in water
Baptism is administered after the apostolic pattern with those who believe according to the Word of the resurrected Lord, »he that believeth and is baptised shall be saved …« (Mk. 16:16). »Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing of the Word of God.« (Rom. 10:17). Baptism takes place by immersion as it was also done through the first centuries after apostolic times. The sprinkling and the pouring of water and the reciting of a triune formula came about in the epoch when Christianity was forced upon nations and are therefore rejected not having a Bible foundation.
Let us call upon some witnesses of the early church: Peter, the man of the first hour, said on the first day when the New Testament Church was established with divine authority under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, »Repent, and be baptised, everyone of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of your sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.« (Acts 2:38). For thus it is written, »and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name among all nations.« (Lk. 24:47).
Also after the preaching ministry of Philip in Samaria those who believed were baptised as we can read in Acts 8:16, »… only they were baptised in the name of the Lord Jesus.«
To establish this important teaching we shall call upon a third witness to complete the testimony. After the Apostle Paul preached, of course baptism took place, as stated in Acts 19:5, »When they heard this, they were baptised in the name of the Lord Jesus«. In baptism the believers testify that they have received the forgiveness of their sins and are now confirming it in obedience to the great commission.
The early apostles and Philip as well as Paul preached and administered baptism precisely according to Mt. 28:19. They did not repeat the text as a formula, but rather had apparently understood what the Lord meant when He said, »… baptising them into the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit …«, namely that the New Testament covenant name Jesus was the emphasis in the commission. The one true God revealed Himself as Father, Son and Holy Ghost, to Whom applies the name which is above every name and all salvation lies. God is Father, but that is not His name. “Son” is not a name but what He is and “Holy Ghost” is not a name. The one name of the Father, the Son and Holy Ghost into which the apostles were commissioned to baptise then and now and forever is Lord Jesus Christ. That is the true doctrine and practice of the apostles documented by the witnesses in the New Testament. At the beginning of Christianity all believers were baptised in the name of Jesus Christ, even Paul himself (Rom. 6:3). This baptism is also confirmed in church history of being practised long after the apostles. There is not a single place in the Bible where baptism was administered by just repeating the text of Mt. 28:19.
Let us call upon some witnesses of the early church: Peter, the man of the first hour, said on the first day when the New Testament Church was established with divine authority under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, »Repent, and be baptised, everyone of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of your sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.« (Acts 2:38). For thus it is written, »and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name among all nations.« (Lk. 24:47).
Also after the preaching ministry of Philip in Samaria those who believed were baptised as we can read in Acts 8:16, »… only they were baptised in the name of the Lord Jesus.«
To establish this important teaching we shall call upon a third witness to complete the testimony. After the Apostle Paul preached, of course baptism took place, as stated in Acts 19:5, »When they heard this, they were baptised in the name of the Lord Jesus«. In baptism the believers testify that they have received the forgiveness of their sins and are now confirming it in obedience to the great commission.
The early apostles and Philip as well as Paul preached and administered baptism precisely according to Mt. 28:19. They did not repeat the text as a formula, but rather had apparently understood what the Lord meant when He said, »… baptising them into the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit …«, namely that the New Testament covenant name Jesus was the emphasis in the commission. The one true God revealed Himself as Father, Son and Holy Ghost, to Whom applies the name which is above every name and all salvation lies. God is Father, but that is not His name. “Son” is not a name but what He is and “Holy Ghost” is not a name. The one name of the Father, the Son and Holy Ghost into which the apostles were commissioned to baptise then and now and forever is Lord Jesus Christ. That is the true doctrine and practice of the apostles documented by the witnesses in the New Testament. At the beginning of Christianity all believers were baptised in the name of Jesus Christ, even Paul himself (Rom. 6:3). This baptism is also confirmed in church history of being practised long after the apostles. There is not a single place in the Bible where baptism was administered by just repeating the text of Mt. 28:19.
The LORD’S Supper
The Lord’s Supper is also celebrated according to the Scripture. One bread without leaven is being prepared according to the number of those participating. During the prayer the bread is being blessed, then broken and shared with all. The cup contains red wine and is also blessed under prayer and all participate therein. It is for a remembrance of the suffering and death of our Lord and Redeemer Who became the sacrifice, shedding His holy Blood to pay the price for His Own, which make up the Church, His Body. »And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and broke it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.« (Mt. 26:26-28).
By the commission of the Lord the Apostle Paul also left to us the deeper instructions about the Lord’s Supper, stating, »The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the Body of Christ? For we being many are one bread, and one body; for we are all partakers of that one bread.« (1 Cor. 10:16-17).
He continues to give some more information about this important subject: »For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, that the Lord Jesus, the same night in which he was betrayed, took bread; And when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, Take, eat; this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the New Testament in my blood: this do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord’s death till he come.« (1 Cor. 11:23-26).
Nothing is being said that wine and bread are being changed into the literal blood and body of Christ that is to say, into the living Christ who then should be eaten. Such thought is expressed in no place in the Holy Scripture.
All Bible believers may participate in the Lord’s Supper as they believe in Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour and have received the salvation of God by grace.
By the commission of the Lord the Apostle Paul also left to us the deeper instructions about the Lord’s Supper, stating, »The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the Body of Christ? For we being many are one bread, and one body; for we are all partakers of that one bread.« (1 Cor. 10:16-17).
He continues to give some more information about this important subject: »For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, that the Lord Jesus, the same night in which he was betrayed, took bread; And when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, Take, eat; this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the New Testament in my blood: this do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord’s death till he come.« (1 Cor. 11:23-26).
Nothing is being said that wine and bread are being changed into the literal blood and body of Christ that is to say, into the living Christ who then should be eaten. Such thought is expressed in no place in the Holy Scripture.
All Bible believers may participate in the Lord’s Supper as they believe in Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour and have received the salvation of God by grace.
The Return of Christ
We believe that the return of Jesus Christ as repeatedly promised in the Holy Scripture is close at hand. The promise came from the lips of our Lord Himself, »… and if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself, that where I am, there you may be also.« (Jn. 14:1-3). Our Lord emphasised that we should watch the signs of the time. »So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the door. Verily I say unto you, this generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.« (Mt. 24:32-47). In Lk. 21:28-36 we are also told about the events predicted for the end-time, »And when these things began to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draws near.« The day or the hour of His return of course cannot be known, but as Bible prophecies are coming to fulfilment we look upon them as signs in the end-time predicted by our Lord and taking place now.
The Apostle Peter writes, »For we have not followed cunningly devised fables when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ …« (2 Pt. 1:16-21). In 2 Pt. 3:3, we are told in advance, »Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, and saying, Where is the promise of his coming …« In verse 9 he gave the answer, »The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.«
At this point it needs to be emphasised that the Freie Volksmission Krefeld should not have been placed into the ranks of the end-time sects. There exists not a single sermon or publication about Armageddon or Doomsday that would originate with us. This was done by people who never took time to search our teachings. We believe in the promised return of our Lord and have the task to acquaint the Bride Church with the biblical message of the Bridegroom now before His coming. The prophetic part including all the eschatological events as predicted in the apocalyptic prophecies are part of our exposition
The return of Jesus Christ is identical with the first resurrection. The heavenly Bridegroom will take His earthly Bride home (Mt. 25:1-10; 1 Thess. 4:13-17; Rev. 19:1-9 a. .o.). Before the Millennial Reign commences the martyrs from the tribulation period are added, »Blessed and holy is he that has part in the first resurrection; on such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.« (Rev. 20:4-6). The second resurrection will occur after the one thousand years reign of Christ when all people who ever lived on earth will be summoned to the last judgement (Rev. 20:11). Thereafter God Himself will create the new heavens and the new earth. »And I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away … And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold I make all things new.« (Rev. 21:1-8).
The Apostle Peter writes, »For we have not followed cunningly devised fables when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ …« (2 Pt. 1:16-21). In 2 Pt. 3:3, we are told in advance, »Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, and saying, Where is the promise of his coming …« In verse 9 he gave the answer, »The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.«
At this point it needs to be emphasised that the Freie Volksmission Krefeld should not have been placed into the ranks of the end-time sects. There exists not a single sermon or publication about Armageddon or Doomsday that would originate with us. This was done by people who never took time to search our teachings. We believe in the promised return of our Lord and have the task to acquaint the Bride Church with the biblical message of the Bridegroom now before His coming. The prophetic part including all the eschatological events as predicted in the apocalyptic prophecies are part of our exposition
The return of Jesus Christ is identical with the first resurrection. The heavenly Bridegroom will take His earthly Bride home (Mt. 25:1-10; 1 Thess. 4:13-17; Rev. 19:1-9 a. .o.). Before the Millennial Reign commences the martyrs from the tribulation period are added, »Blessed and holy is he that has part in the first resurrection; on such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.« (Rev. 20:4-6). The second resurrection will occur after the one thousand years reign of Christ when all people who ever lived on earth will be summoned to the last judgement (Rev. 20:11). Thereafter God Himself will create the new heavens and the new earth. »And I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away … And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold I make all things new.« (Rev. 21:1-8).
William Branham and his prophetic
ministry in the end-time
ministry in the end-time
We claim to believe as the Holy Scripture says and acknowledge with thankful hearts that we are now living close to the second coming of Christ. We see Bible prophecies fulfilled as it was at His first coming. The New Testament began with the fulfilment of scriptural prophecies and ends the same way. The promise that a voice would cry in the wilderness (Isa. 40:3) and that the Lord would send His messenger to prepare His way (Mal. 3:1) became a living reality in the ministry of John the Baptist. This we find confirmed in Mt. 11:10; Mk. 1:1-4; Lk. 1:16-17; Jn. 1:19-28.As it was given to our brethren at the beginning to experience the fulfilment of Bible prophecies and to rightly place them it is now with us the case. John the Baptist appeared on the scene just before the day of salvation commenced. His ministry was done in the spirit and power of Elijah and many came to believe because of his message (Jn. 10:41-42). But there remains also the promise, »Behold, I will send you Elijah, the prophet, before the coming of the great and terrible day of the Lord.« (Mal. 4:5). According to 2 Cor. 1:20, »… all promises of God in Him are »Yea« and in Him »Amen« unto the Glory of God by us.« Not one of His promises can remain unfulfilled. Because of the importance of the last promise in the Old Testament our Lord repeated the same in the New, »And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elijah truly shall first come, and restore all things« (Mt. 17: 11). »And he answered and told them, Elijah verily cometh first, and restoreth all things.« (Mk. 9:12). Also these scriptures do not permit a private interpretation. It is noteworthy that this announcement was given after the ministry of John the Baptist had long finished.
As certain as John the Baptist was the Elijah at the first coming of Christ it is certain that the promise remains about the coming of Elijah before the great and dreadful day will be. Through his ministry all things will be put into the right order and place. This promise was fulfilled in our time. Because of the many deviations a total return to the original teachings and Bible practices had to take place. The Church of Jesus Christ at the end must be the same in teaching and life as she was at the beginning. God Himself promised the times of the spiritual refreshing that would come from His presence. The apostles apparently understood the promises in the right way and placed them accordingly. In his second sermon after Pentecost the Apostle Peter spoke about the time of refreshing in view of the return of Christ, »Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the time began.« (Acts 3:19-21). That is »Thus saith the Lord« in His Word Who watches over It to let it happen as soon as time is fulfilled.
Every time when something pertaining to the plan of salvation took place it was accompanied by the supernatural. The birth of John the Baptist and, of course the birth of our Lord was announced by the Angel Gabriel (Lk. 1 + 2). When Saul was called and commissioned the Lord appeared to him like in the times of Moses in the supernatural light, as recorded in Acts 9, 22 and 26. We therefore should not be astonished that the same has happened in our time. In the contrary, it only confirms that the ever-true God is the One Who reveals Himself and Who acts in all things pertaining to the plan of salvation even now at the end-time.
It truly happened on 11th June 1933 at about 2.00 PM in the presence of approximately 4,000 people when the supernatural light broke through the clouds descending over the young preacher William M. Branham. At the moment he was about to baptise the seventeenth person in the Ohio River. The voice from this light spoke to him, »As John the Baptist was send to forerun the first coming of Christ, the message that is given you will be a forerunner of the second coming of Christ.« During the Easter meetings 1966 in the Branham Tabernacle Rev. E Frank had seen about a dozen people who witnessed that event. In the ministry of William Branham we are dealing with a divine commission, the fulfilment of the Elijah prophecy.
William Branham also referred to the experience he had on the evening of 7th May 1946 when the supernatural light illuminated the room and the Angel of the Lord who he described precisely stood before him, saying, »Fear not, I am sent to you from the presence of God to tell you of your commission …« As true as every calling has been which we find recorded in the Bible this one is also true because it is a direct fulfilment of the promise God made. I, Ewald Frank, believe the testimony of this man of God firstly, because I accept it to be true, secondly, because it is the fulfilment of a scriptural promise, thirdly, as I had the extra-ordinary privilege to experience the God given ministry of Rev. Branham as an eye and ear-witness for the period of ten years.
So that no one will have excuse in this generation the following has happened: On 24th January 1950 the supernatural light descended during a meeting in the Collisseum in Houston, Texas, where about 8,000 people were gathered to hear William Branham preach. The press photographers Mr. Ayers and Mr. Kippermann took many photos. As Mr. Ayers was developing the film in the Douglas Studio he noticed that only one picture had come out with the supernatural light about the head of Rev. Branham. After a debate took place between Dr. Best who denied any supernatural to take place in our time and the co-worker of Rev. Branham Rev. F. F. Bosworth it happened. At the moment William Branham come to the pulpit and he said, »I do not need to defend myself. He that called and commissioned me will also confirm it.« Mr. Ayer pressed the button of his camera. The official expert of FBI for questioned documents Dr. George J. Lacy confirmed on 29th January 1950 that the negative was absolutely genuine and the light had to be there in order for the camera to catch it. Apparently in this age of technical inventions God permitted unbelievers to confirm His presence among believers.
It would be indeed pitiful if we only knew about what evangelists and charismatic personalities are doing who as is a proven fact all have their own plans and programs. To say it clearly they all build their kingdoms within the Kingdom of God and establish their own churches, Bible schools etc. If we would not know what God is doing now in His Kingdom and in His Church we should be the most miserable living on earth. He redeemed His Church, He builds His Church and calls His Own out of all the religious captivities and confusion and brings us back to the original foundation of the apostles and prophets whereby Jesus Christ Himself is the chief-cornerstone and also the headstone. Now according to Mt. 24:45 in all faithfulness the spiritual food is given at the right time. Man does not live by bread alone but by every Word of God. It is the spiritual manna for our soul.
Ever since God had His servants and He also placed the different ministries into the Church (1 Cor. 12:28 a. o.). From God’s point of view the ministry of Rev. Branham is just as important as the one of Moses, of Joshua, of John the Baptist, of the Apostle Peter and Paul. That the dear Lord has also given me, E. Frank a commission is not what I earned and it is not my decision. But because of the direct calling and commission I received on 2nd April 1962 to preach God’s Word and to proclaim the divine message which would go forth into all the world before the second coming of Christ, my ministry is only a continuation of what God has given by the direct commission to William Branham. Whether it is believed or not, whether it is received or not, but I do have the same responsibility before God to rightly divide the Word of truth and place it correctly as the Apostle Paul had in his day. We are now experiencing the last part of the events pertaining to the plan of salvation and soon we shall see the completion. Finally, the remark should be permissive: Only those who are of God will hear the Word of God (Jn. 8:47). And as it was revealed to the Apostle Paul in Rom 11:7, it is even now the case that only the elect will receive what God has given. The religious leaders of all times did bypass what God was doing. They did not recognise the ministry of John the Baptist and were totally opposed to our Lord and His ministry, although they were celebrating their religious services. It is possible that history is repeating. One thing remains true forever: God does all things according to His Word in fulfilling the promises He made.
To avoid misunderstandings it may by emphasised once more that I, E. Frank, and the Freie Volksmission Krefeld have distanced ourselves from all so-called »Branham-churches« and »Message Believers« who do not take the Holy Scripture as their final authority but rather are taking statements out of context establishing their own teachings. We do not believe in a »Branham-Gospel« or in a »Branham-Message«, but in the true message of God’s Word brought to us by the messenger, therefore we believe the everlasting Gospel of Jesus Christ, our Lord, and we are now ambassadors of Christ as the Apostle Paul states in 2 Cor. 5:17-21. With the same apostolic authority based upon the divine commission I can say, »Now, then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us; we beg you in Christ’s stead, Be you reconciled to God.«
Literature about all the important Bible topics can be obtained free of charge. The sermons of Rev. Branham must be ordered directly from the USA. The grace and the peace of God be with you all in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord.