Sigurd Bratlie †

God has now taken His dearly beloved and faithful servant home to Himself, to the heavenly mansions.

Brother Bratlie has been a great blessing and help to many people with his writings and messages. For many years he faithfully wrote articles for Skjulte Skatter (Hidden Treasures) and has therefore had a part in building up the church through this publication. His books and tracts, which are full of content, have been translated into many languages and are a great blessing to all those who seek godliness. As well, he wrote good songs which are also full of content and are sung at our meetings. A large flock of people are very thankful for him and his ministry.

I have been close to Brother Bratlie throughout these many years, and I have seen and experienced him in many different circumstances and situations. I never experienced that he sought his own or the honor of people so that he might be exalted in this world. In all humility, he had understood to bow under the life and teaching of Christ. He could truly say, “Follow me as I follow Christ.” His teaching was pure and undefiled by any kind of harlotry. We experienced a sincere, good, and pure brotherhood and fellowship. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. God’s glory radiates from such purity.

When Brother Bratlie was 25 years old, he was sent to Copenhagen by my father (J.O. Smith), and Brother Aslaksen. There he worked as a tailor. He held many Bible studies for the little flock he had gathered by the Word of God. One of them was Brother Riis Pedersen, and abundant fruits developed from this beginning. Today there is a large flock of friends in Copenhagen, and most of them are young people who are apprehended of the same life of which Brother Bratlie was apprehended.

Brother Bratlie celebrated his 30th birthday in a barn in Flisa. He served during a revival there, and today many friends are a fruit of this labor. There were also great revivals in Bagn and Stavanger. He labored for a long time in Bagn and Reinli, where he met much opposition, but he continued his labors, constrained by his love for Christ and the church.

In the mid-fifties we heard that there would be meetings about godliness in Leonberg, Germany. Abound five hundred people gathered for the conference on weekdays, and about one thousand on the weekends. Leaders and preachers from many parts of Europe came there to listen. Two of the responsible brothers in Leonberg, Rökle and Bels, received us and gave us great liberty, which was a joy to many people, and also to their benefit. Consequently we gained entrance into many assemblies by way of Leonberg. This motivated Brother Bratlie to learn German in his latter days. Several pastors and teachers also received the message of the word of the cross that Brother Bratlie preached, and they have become glorious brothers in our midst. Brother Bratlie’s labors in other parts of the world also encouraged him to learn English.

Brother Bratlie was also a great evangelist. He traveled and preached God’s Word in many parts of the world. Many people have received the message he preached and can testify that by it they have received much help for their lives.

Brother Bratlie was imprisoned while he was holding house meetings in Baghdad in 1978. He was in prison for approximately 5 months. During this time of testing, he gained a great victory and was able to bless his fellow prisoners. The glory of Christ radiated from him even during the most trying circumstances during his imprisonment. He was full of the fruits of the Spirit. The Norwegian authorities did their utmost to have him released, and through this episode he became acquainted with some people in positions of authority. They were able to hear God’s Word from his mouth. Brother Bratlie could be a Jew to the Jews and a Greek to the Greeks. His humility and lowliness made such a deep impression on several of these people that they never forgot him. Some of them were present at his funeral and expressed their amazement over his life. As well, the newspapers that had previously written negatively about the church, had to admire Brother Bratlie’s life and labors and the exit from this life that God had given him.

Rakel and Sigurd Bratlie had one son, Sigurd Johan. I am very thankful that he carries on the inheritance and is a great blessing in the church.

A great servant of the Lord has now gone home to be with the Lord. He is a radiant example to all those who believe. We owe our dearly beloved brother, Sigurd Bratlie, an eternal debt of thankfulness. Honored be his unforgettable memory!