Our Precious Brother

Our Precious Brother

Elias Aslaksen was born on April 19, 1888, and died at his home on May 10, 1976. He met Br. Johan O. Smith in 1908, and through him he received light over following Jesus on the new and living way which He consecrated for us. Heb. 10:19-20. He was apprehended of Christ and considered everything as dung for the knowledge of Christ Jesus, our Lord. He proclaimed the gospel with great power and zeal in faithfulness to Him, without thinking about pleasing men. He could make Jesus’ words his own: “And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.” Matt. 11:6. We are many people in many countries all over the globe who have become happy because we were not offended because of him, because of the truth in Christ Jesus which he proclaimed to us.

When Br. Johan O. Smith received revelation concerning Christ manifested in the flesh—as we read in Romans 1:1-5—he could by God’s grace lay the foundation as a wise master builder and build up a church as the body of Christ, a body that cannot be divided. 1 Cor. 3:10; Eph. 4:12-16. Br. Aslaksen was an effective and faithful co-worker in this work right up to his death.

Br. Aslaksen worked openly and he advertised topics concerning various pertinent difficulties from which people suffered in their daily life. He asked this question: “How can you get victory?” And the answer was: “On the cross!” This attracted attention, and the meeting halls we had rented were full. One of the daily newspapers called him “the man on the cross.” Many people were helped, but many others were offended and became opponents. Br. J. O. Smith was more in the background and held Bible studies. It was amazing to see how two brothers who were so different from each other could work together as one. This was also visible proof of how it worked out in reality what they proclaimed.

On April 20, 1926, Br. Smith wrote to Br. Aslaksen: “Dear brother in the Lord, E. Aslaksen: Peace! Thank you very much for the two letters from Brevik and the one from Sandefjord. I rejoice greatly that the work of the Lord is progressing by your hand, and I hope that this continues as long as you live. Assuming my praise is genuine praise in the Lord, I will praise you by saying that, in your relationship to me and the church, you have always shown an especially praiseworthy example. This has often been of great comfort to me in my battles. Just as you have sown a good example, so I will ask God to give you a rich harvest of souls who, in their relationship to you, show the same example of faithfulness and love.”

Now both of them are home with the Lord, and we have experienced that Smith’s prayer has been heard. After Br. Smith died, Br. Aslaksen continued to work with great faithfulness; he built up the church together with us, outside the camp (Heb. 13:13), undefiled by religious unbelief and organization.

For many years—together with several other brothers—he traveled in Europe and built up churches as the body of Christ. He traveled to Turkey during the last summer he was alive, and he separated a flock of believers. Today there is a faithful church there.

Now the church continues to be built in many countries all over the world. We have never experienced a division in all these 80-plus years.

Now, approximately 6,000 people gather for our summer conferences at Brunstad and everyone has the liberty to speak—time permitting. After each conference we have the feeling that this was the best conference ever. That is a fulfillment of 1 John 2:7-8. We are also fully convinced that this will continue until the rapture. Eph. 5:25-27. God be thanked for the grace that is over us in these days when ungodliness is so powerfully on the increase.

Br. Aslaksen’s last trip was to Stavanger. He was also in other places just before that. Wherever he went he spoke about humility, which is the soil in which all the virtues grow. These messages have been collected in book form and are worthwhile reading.

When he came home from Stavanger he became weaker and weaker, and then he fell asleep—peacefully and quietly. This great man of God had finished his course and kept the faith; the crown of righteousness was awaiting him now. 2 Tim. 4:8.

“By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks.” Heb. 11:4.

This was also the case with our dear Br. Elias Aslaksen. He has written so many articles for Skjulte Skatter (Hidden Treasures) that he has had one article in just about every issue until now, and there are still many articles waiting to be published. His messages were so direct and clear that quite often he is still quoted at our meetings. He confirmed the gospel with his life, and there are many of us who are following after.