Thank you very much for your good letter dated Dec. 22, which I received on the 26th. It is good to hear that there is order now in the church in Kristiansand and that those who erred have humbled themselves. In Moss the leadership is faltering between two opinions, which is why, from what I have heard, they do virtually nothing but argue when they meet together. In Fredrikshald I understand that everything is in excellent order. In Drammen it is awful; they have split into three factions.

Now I want to write to you about matters of extreme importance, but they should only be shared with those who are spiritual, because we have an obligation to exercise good stewardship of the manifold grace of God.

We need insight concerning the ministry in the church of God. Rev. 1, verses 16 and . . . [illegible].

Read from verse 12 to the end. The angel of the church is the person to whom God has given authority in the church. He bears the entire responsibility, and with this responsibility comes authority. The angel of the church is the one who receives all the blame and all the praise. When there is something that needs to be corrected or straightened out in the church, it must be done through the angel of the church. There is no use talking to anyone else, because no one else has the authority to correct anything. The Spirit spoke to the angel of the church through the apostle John. From God’s viewpoint, he is called the “angel of the church,” but from the church’s viewpoint, he is called the “Bishop.” Read in 1 Tim. 3. So “Bishop” and “angel of the church” mean the same thing. To be a bishop in a church, the following is required:

He must not be someone who is a recent convert. He must have a good testimony among those who are outside. There can only be one bishop in a church, but there can be more servants in the church [deacons: Eng.]. There are also qualifications for these servants in the church, which are very similar to those of the bishop. Apostles were those who traveled around and established churches and had oversight of them. (Apostle means messenger.) The bishop is one who lives permanently in a place (Tit. 1, from verse 5). Titus stayed behind in Crete to appoint bishops (elders) in every city.

We should not be blind to these things, because wherever a local church is established, these servants in the church will arise quite naturally. If they could be appointed to these positions in the days of the apostles, then they can be appointed today as well. God has given me the task of a bishop here in Horten. There is no point in anyone coming here and trying to teach me something, because God has placed all of the reins in my hands. I can take it from them if I choose to, or let them keep it if I choose. God has given me the authority to settle disputes and defend the rights of those who are in the right. He has also given me the authority to resolve all difficulties, etc. No one, other than God Himself, has appointed me to this position. Since I understand and am quite certain that God has given you this same ministry in Kristiansand, I urge and exhort you to carry out this difficult and yet extremely blessed task with all discernment. The stars are in His right hand, and with them He governs. The bishop must closely examine everyone who comes to visit, because they are not all apostles. In fact, I have yet to meet a true apostle, one who has been able to teach these things and provide the flock with the nourishment they need from start to finish. Those who have visited us have themselves needed instruction. Some of those who traveled around were even false apostles and deceitful workers.

These teachings should only be shared with those who are in need of them, so that in everything they can have full assurance in their conduct. Those who are carnal will interpret these things as boasting, but those who are spiritual will understand it. This isn’t something that should be shared with just anyone; in this we need to be stewards.

In a city where there is a good “Bishop,” there is also good order. But if the bishop falters, everything falters.

Write back soon about this, and about the interpretation of tongues, which I wrote to you about, and which I just wrote to Father about again. As you can see, God has given me insight into these things, and I am revealing them to you since I have found you to be faithful.

Among the conditions for being a bishop, it mentions that he should be the husband of one wife. This condition is also met when he is engaged to a woman, since the purpose has been achieved. He is no longer scanning the horizon searching for someone and thereby neglecting his important task.

The bishop should be someone who isn’t a recent convert. This point will perhaps be one of the most difficult for you, even though you are not really such a new convert. But it is important enough that you need to exercise great vigilance with yourself. The ministry God has given you is an exalted one and full of responsibility, so you should pray for humility—great humility and grace. You should treat the older men as fathers and the older women as mothers so that your authority doesn’t drive them away. If this happens, the reins will slip out of your hands, and you won’t be a true bishop.

In May I will be leaving to serve on board a warship.

What is needed now in the churches roundabout are first bishops (elders) and then servants. Above all, we need apostles who can find and appoint the right men to these important tasks.

Now I have written to you about things that probably haven’t been practiced much since the days of the apostles.

Write back as soon as you can, because I want to know how it is going for you concerning these matters.

Thank you very much for everything this past year. All of us here wish you God’s peace and blessing in the year to come.

Your brother,

Greet Helga, Gerrard, Aanensen, and everyone at home. Helga should read this letter, as it is her ministry to support you in everything, so that she will be able to do so with more insight and understanding. I have not spoken to any other person more than I have with you regarding the kind of ministry I have, despite the fact that I was aware of it and have had this knowledge for some time. Even when I was in Kristiansand I had this ministry, but not many would receive me. This is the reason I came into such an intense conflict with those at the Rasmussens’. Now you get a better picture of the whole situation.

J. O. S.