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PASTOR GENERAL'S REPORT, February 6, 1981
What Was "The WORK" and How
Organized 31-70 A.O.?
In those early apostolic days, beginning 31 A.O., the Gospel was pro
claimed to the world solely by the apostles and evangelists--no radio, TV,
print or such modern facilities as we have today. Those proclaiming it
went forth by foot, donkey or horie, rowboat or sailboat. No means of
communication existed except handwritten letters carried afoot or by slow
boat.
How organized? How "feed the flock?" The form of organization is
outlined in I Corinthians 12 and Ephesians 4 primarily. GOD, not man or
the world, set the pattern of Church organization, government, and opera
tion of its WORK--first apostles, then evangelists, pastors, elders. Some
of these were preaching, others non-preaching elders, and there were dea
cons and deaconesses helping with the more physical matters. Only five
prophets are mentioned in the New Testament and none of these contributed
to Church doctrine, beliefs or teaching--or administrative or executive
functions. But Old Testament prophets' writings were a source of Church
doctrines and teachings.
Beginning 31 A.O. Christ was HEAD of the Church, Peter was chief
apostle. After some years Peter and most of the original twelve seem to
disappear from view. Jesus apparently had sent them to "the lost sheep
of the House of Israel," then in Western Europe and Britain (Matt. 10:6;
15:24). They were "lost" in identity and spiritually. They had lost
their Hebrew language.
After some years of Church existence, the Apostle Paul seems to be
the chief apostle in the Middle East and Rome. He was in authority
(II Cor. 11:28; I Cor. 5:3-5; I Cor. 4:20-21).
The WORK was not complex then as today. The Gospel travelled slowly.
There were no modern or mechanical facilities. Paul and others often
spoke to small groups (Acts 16:12-13).
But about 53 A.O. the Gospel of the Kingdom of God was being SUP
PRESSED, supplanted by another which was not the true Gospel (Gal. 1:6-7).
By 70 A.D., when Jerusalem was overrun by the Roman armies, the
proclaiming of the true Gospel to the world had virtually or completely
ceased. The name of Christ was preached, and even grace--but grace
turned to license to disobey (Jude 4). They took the NAME of Christ,
calling themselves "Christians"--proclaimed Jesus was CHRIST, yet
DECEIVED the world (Matt. 24:5) as Jesus prophesied. But the KINGDOM
OF GOD was not proclaimed. The "Law was done away." For 100 time
cycles the Gospel Christ proclaimed was SUPPRESSED! The true Church
continued, persecuted, often or mostly meeting secretly.
The "Work"--and How Church
Organized--1927-33
I came to know of the true Church of God, fall of 1926, and as it
continued to about 1940. Headquarters in 1926 were at Stanberry,
Missouri. After my original six months in-depth study and research