11.3.1 The development of a church led by Apostles

Beginning in September 1833, further Apostles were called through prophecy. In the process, people with prophetical gifts played an important role.

In 1835, the Apostles called through prophecy were consecrated to their future work. Subsequently the Apostles, now numbering twelve, adjourned for one year to Albury for intensive consultations.

The Apostles waited to be sent to all Christians and to receive a special power for this purpose. With the Great Testimony of 1837 they sought to reach out to all spiritual and secular leaders of Christendom. They called on the clergy to subordinate themselves to the Apostles. In preparation for the unification of all Christians under their leadership, the Apostles began familiarising themselves with the doctrines and liturgies of various denominations as of 1838. The appeal of the Apostles met with no response, however.

Within the apostolic work a focus began to develop on the preparation of the end-time group known as the "one hundred and forty-four thousand" mentioned in the book of Revelation. These were to be sealed through the laying on of hands of the Apostles. In 1847 this act was performed on approximately one thousand believers in England. In the same year, Holy Sealing was also performed in Canada by Apostle Francis Woodhouse and in Germany by Apostle Thomas Carlyle.