Herbert W Armstrong

This month marks the 30th anniversary of the Ambassador College Bible Correspondence Course. In that time over two million people worldwide have enrolled. In 1984, students have been added in record numbers. Through November of this year 225,000 were enrolled in the United States alone. The following graph shows the number of new student enrollments (U.S. figures) from 1970 to the present:

Thirty years ago the first Bible correspondence course lesson was published. It was the fulfillment of Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong's desire to provide an in-depth Bible study course for interested listeners to "The WORLD TOMORROW" broadcast and readers of The PLAIN TRUTH magazine. Under Mr. Armstrong's direction, the late Dr. C. Paul Meredith became the first editor of the course in 1954. In December of that year, 8,194 people received the very first lesson.

As with The PLAIN TRUTH and GOOD NEWS magazines, over the years certain changes in the course have occurred, though the basic Bible study format has remained the same. For example, each lesson originally consisted of eight to twelve pages of unillustrated copy. Today, the lessons consist of 16 pages of beautifully illustrated copy. Various booklets and reprint articles relating to the subject material of the lessons are offered as "supplementary reading," which the student may request by returning a coupon enclosed with each lesson. The course is now available in seven languages: English, German, French, Dutch, Spanish, Italian and Norwegian.

Now that the updating of the first 12 lessons is nearly complete, Mr. Richard Sedliacik reports that production of brand new lessons and tests on a monthly basis has resumed. Lesson 20, entitled "In Training for Rulership," will be mailed this January. He also added that after the current series of lessons (based on Mr. Armstrong's series of PLAIN TRUTH articles "A Voice Cries Out Amid Religious Confusion") is complete, a new series of seven lessons covering God's annual festivals will begin.

Over the years, many thousands of Bible correspondence course students have written to express their appreciation for the course and the marvelous new truths they have learned. Their comments show the depth of new understanding God has granted them as a result of studying their Bibles with the course. Many are also very enthusiastic about the new lessons that have been published since Mr. Armstrong decided to continue the course beyond Lesson 12. Following are some of the comments we have received from those writing in about these new lessons, as well as the first 12 lessons:

Dear Friends: I have just finished Lesson 16 and I want to write and tell you how much I appreciate these wonderful tools for learning more about God's Word. Having been a member for 9 years, I finished the first 12 lessons many years ago when I was first baptized. When I heard a while back that they were going to continue them from Lesson 12, I thought "that's nice," but personally felt that it would be so simple and basic in doctrine that it would be of little value to me.

How wrong I was! I wish I could tell everyone that might be feeling this same way how beautiful these four new lessons have been! When I finally reenrolled I was amazed at how God was giving me an even deeper and clearer understanding of His Word in areas that I thought I had already fully understood! He has also liberally sprinkled beautiful gems of new truth along the way as well! The correspondence course is not just for those newly coming into the understanding of God's truth. My grateful thanks.
J.C. — member (Oxnard, CA)

I am thrilled with the lessons! I have been a member since 1970 and I feel I am still learning the deep, spiritual intent of God's laws. Mr. Armstrong says we must grow: this is one way to do it. Anyone who does not take advantage of the correspondence course is missing a great deal.
D.L. — member (Fresno, CA)

I received my first test card back on my Bible course exam. You can't imagine the joy I experienced when I opened the envelope and saw my grade. I take this study very seriously and am so glad I now can receive more lessons and keep learning. This course is the most fantastic course I have ever taken. I had some Bible courses in college, but none of them in any way compares with this one.
S.C. — co-worker (Nacogdoches, TX)

I have been a student of The Ambassador College Bible Correspondence Course for more than two years. First, I must thank God for Mr. Armstrong and everyone that put these lessons together. They are most interesting. I am now up to Lesson 17 and I know I am on the right track. My eyes have been opened to the truth. Never before have I understood things as I do now.
G.A. — co-worker (Bronx, NY)

Many thanks for the privilege of taking the Bible correspondence course. Before I heard "The WORLD TOMORROW" broadcast, I had read and studied the Bible for years, and thought I knew it. I now know I knew nothing about the Bible, or how God wants us to make use of our lives. Thanks to your Bible course I have been inspired by God's words and have changed my life and way of living.
D.D. — co-worker & prospective member (Benton, PA)

Having completed the first four lessons and the first test, I decided to go back and read the Bible from the beginning. I have come to the conclusion that your way of studying is definitely the best. Also, The PLAIN TRUTH is the plain truth. After having given money to other organizations in the past, I am now going to tithe to you, as I want to help you get God's truth to more people. Thank you for helping me understand the Bible better, and for the knowledge of the Kingdom to come.
E.B. — donor (Windsor, Ontario)

WOW! I have just completed my first correspondence course lesson. It is packed with information that I have never realized, although I have been going to church for over 12 years. I am now a junior in high school. I received it about a week ago and haven't had the time to work on it until today. It took me a couple of good hours to complete and was worth every minute of it!
L.S. — donor (Williamstown, NJ)

I am enjoying the Bible correspondence course you are sending to me. Every time I finish a lesson I feel so alert and positive with the truth of Christ and of the Kingdom. I am finally getting straight answers to questions I've had, and answers to questions I've never thought of asking.
C.G. — regular (Tyngsboro, MA)

I'm now waiting for Lesson 9, as I just mailed the test that came with Lesson 8. I get so involved that time means nothing — I stop only when my fingers and hand can't hold the pen any longer. There simply aren't enough words of praise for this great Bible study course.
V.E. — regular (Broken Bow, NE)

I have just completed correspondence course Lesson 11, and feeling it of eternal necessity to follow what Christ has told me to do through His Word so clearly explained in all the lessons, I want to seek counsel and water baptism. Please rush me the name, address and telephone number of God's true minister in my area.
G.R. — regular (APO San Francisco, CA)

— Richard Rice, Mail Processing Center