Quote:
Originally Posted by Ohio
... somehow we felt that WL was immune from this because he was the one teaching it. We always felt his message was for everyone else..
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This reminds me of the verses in the beginning of Matthew chapter 23. Jesus said, "The scribes and pharisees sit in Moses' seat. Therefore observe all they tell you, but do not do according to their works, because what they say, they do not do."
Lee repeated the teachings of Nee, but did not do them.
Paul Miletus' quote from Nee on "the
teachings in the local church" is admirable. But the
practices in the local church was quite another thing. There, we had men being lifted up high above their fellows. We had men, redeemed sinners, being invested with such titles as "oracle of the age" and "minister of the age".
Perhaps some day we will be rewarded for our walk. We will be raised up by our Lord as He was by the Father. We will sit at His table, and feast with Him. Until then, however, it seems rather imprudent, rather presumptuous, to elevate ourselves with positions and titles. Later in Matthew 23 Jesus says, "He who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."
Ohio, it seems the unstated assumption was that Witness Lee was immune from this warning because his soul was already 'perfected'. He could teach others, but be exempt because he was somehow "beyond" the threat of corrupting influences.
Jesus passed through death, and was raised in glory. The rest of us have not yet, and therefore should not presume for ourselves any special status. Let's leave that part to God.
The local churches had 2 sets of rules. One for the "oracle", and one for everyone else. This is a shame to the gospel of Jesus Christ.