Our Precious Brother, William Gilbu

Our Precious Brother, William Gilbu

passed away on September 5th after several months of serious illness and was buried on Saturday, September 12th, with friends from several countries being present.

Brother Gilbu and his wife came to the church when they were engaged to be married. They became an inestimable blessing to the church. Naturally speaking, they were especially endowed in many ways. As it is written, they gave themselves first to the Lord, and to us by the will of God. 2 Cor. 8:5. They lived in Sandefjord, and in those days there were only a few friends there. Brother Gilbu’s home became a central gathering place, and we can say that he was the host of the church. Later yet they were able to obtain a small meeting hall, and Brother Gilbu became the center when it concerned establishing the church in the doctrines that pertain to godliness. The church grew tremendously in his time.

Some time later the church was able to buy a piece of property, together with a larger meeting hall and a large piece of property. However, shortly after this they had to add on to the meeting hall, and then they had to add on again. One of the last things he did during his illness was to obtain a building permit for a larger meeting hall, which the friends have now begun to build. While he was on his sickbed, he was able to see photographs of the work as it was progressing. He rejoiced over the fact that things continued to be done without strife in the church. The friends were grounded in the precious truths which they themselves experienced and which led to glorious salvation from sin.

“And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the spirit is life because of righteousness.” Rom. 8:10. This word of Scripture was visibly manifested in Brother Gilbu’s life. He was bedridden and had lost quite a bit of weight, but with the help of his daughter and son-in-law he was able to come to the New Year’s conference, and even up to the speaker’s podium. Everyone could see that his body was failing, but after he had begun to speak, he was so strengthened by the Holy Spirit that it was no longer necessary for him to sit down; he stood up and spoke God’s Word with great power to a large assembly. His spirit was alive because of righteousness.

I believe that no one will forget that sight—and the power in which he spoke. It was a great joy that there were so many young people present who could witness this. They could witness living proof of godliness. He also came to the Easter conference—aided, and in an even weaker state—but with an important message. The time he spent on his sickbed was an edifying experience for those of us who visited him. He was very interested in the church and in the renewal of his inner man. 2 Cor. 4:16.

Brother Gilbu and his wife were truly one. It was really edifying to see them and to hear them. We can say that by and large they were always together in the great work they did—both in the spiritual and in the temporal realm. They were also one during the time of their illness. It was as if God, who had joined them together, had also taken them home together. She had become sick some time before he did, and when he also became sick, they were both placed in the same hospital room for a while.

After their stay in the hospital they spent some time together at home. One evening, after they had said “good night” to each other, she went to sleep to awaken no more. Everything transpired so peacefully; there was such a good atmosphere about it all. He lived for a few more months before God took him home as well. Their time of laboring had been long, intensive, and extremely fruitful.

God be praised for the gift He gave to the church through them.