An eminent artisan once created a noble statue, made of gold. It was beautifully proportioned in all of its members--exquisite to look upon. But there was an evil man who was so jealous over this beautiful statue that he could no longer bear to see its beauty. So in his envy, he mutilated the statue, destroying its elegance. Upon discovering this, the artificer decided to cast the statue over again. For he had bestowed much pain, labor, and care upon this statue. And he wanted it to be free from defect. So his only choice was to melt the statue down and then remold it to its original beauty. --Methodius, c. 290
If you are a former member of the Church of Bible Understanding (COBU; formerly the Forever Family), you have come to the right place! Happy browsing!
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John Apostle's
Church of Bible Understanding
(and hence Stewart Traill)
Website
Listen to a message from John! (Download RealPlayer free from here.)
A NORTHEAST FRINGE GROUP
Affectionately known as
"OUR OUTFIT"
Well, the pressure's down, the boss ain't here,
He gone North, for a while,
They say that vanity got the best of him
But he sure left here in style.
By the way, that's a cute hat,
And that smile's so hard to resist
But what's a sweetheart like you
doin' in a dump like this?
You know, I once knew a woman who looked like you,
She wanted a whole man, not just a half,
She used to call me . . .
There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
He came for testimony, to bear witness to the light, that all might believe through him.
He was not the light, but came to bear witness to the light.
The true light that enlightens every man was coming into the world.
Well now, here is some more Church of Bible Understanding stuff on the internet. More about COBU and Brother Stewart will appear as Brother John has time to place it on line. Now, let's see if I can remember the twelve salvation verses.
John 1:12: But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God.
John 3:3: Jesus answered him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born anew, he cannot see the kingdom of God."
John 3:16: For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:17: For God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.
John 3:36: He who believes in the Son has eternal life; he who does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God rests upon him.
John 5:24: Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears my word and believes him who sent me, has eternal life; he does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.
John 6:37: All that the Father gives me will come to me; and him who comes to me I will not cast out.
John 8:12: Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I am the light of the world; he who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."
John 10:9: I am the door; if any one enters by me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.
John 11:25: Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live.
John 14:6: Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but by me.
John 20:31: But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name.
How did I do?
Brother John was led to Christ through the witnessing of some brothers and sisters of the Forever Family in the spring of 1975. He knew all the dreadfull "Older Brothers" (and Sisters), was at the Big Meeting when the name of the church was changed to the Church of Bible Understanding, was one of the original members of the first group of Older Brothers to travel to New York in the spring of 1976 to establish a "school," living eventually in all the lofts Bleecker St., 4th Street, etc., attended Gayle and Stewart's wedding at the ballroom of the hotel further up Manhattan, lived in the apartments in the buildings in Hell's Kitchen, etc., as well as living in eight or ten individual fellowships. Brother John was a member of the church for several years before finally loosing touch in the 1980s.
Look! He's an Icon!
Although he is well aware of the horror stories that former members tell, Brother John has many fond memories from the period, and he also thinks brothers and sisters should take more responsibility for their own actions instead of blaming Stewart. Brother Stewart will be held accountable for his own actions, as will every other person, whether in COBU or not, for we shall all stand before the judgement seat of Christ. The punishment or reward that Stewart receives for allegedly beating the sheep and other trangressions because of the Master's delay will not excuse any of the sheep, for when they stand before Christ they will face Him alone.Brother John suggests that former members spend time reading Gene Edward's Letters to A Devasted Christian to gain some perspective on why they allowed themselves to go through what they went through. After that they might read Richard Wurmbrand's many writings so that they begin to see how a true Christian can stand up under the most severe trial of faith.
Please feel free to E-mail Brother John at: japostle@angelfire.com
Here are a few Scriptures:
Look and see if there is any sorrow like my sorrow John 3 Matthew 24 Matthew 25 Revelation 12 Revelation 13 Joseph and His Brothers Lamentation for the Princes of Israel From the COBU archives:
Miscellaneous:
Martin Luther's A Might Fortress is Our God An Anecdote from College (Especially for Fred) Psalm 32 Revisited The Significance of the Christian Woman's Veiling The Superman Pictures Here are some links:
A man who wanders from the way of understanding will rest in the assembly of the dead.
E-mail: japostle@angelfire.com You Cannot Forget Your Mother Who Bore You
Just how much abuse will you be able to take?
Well, there's no way to tell by that first kiss.
What's a sweetheart like you doin' in a dump like this? I see people who are supposed to know better
standin' around like furniture.
Daylight:
Leo Magpoc's Testimony (Former member)
Raynard Merritt (Former member who says he needs to be listed here with these other weirdos)
Doris (Heller)
Petini's website (former member)
