[Ohio]

Originally Posted by aron

The problem with these groups (LSM, LDS) and their elevation of "chosen vessels" with "special anointings" is that they miss the basic concept of Christianity: there is one elevated Chosen Vessel. His name is Jesus Christ. Yes, Paul was set aside for the gospel to the gentiles, as was Peter to the Jews. Etc. But everybody is set aside (sanctified) for some work. Everyone is special in God's eyes. On this side of the Bema there is no "super special" Christian, to be elevated above the flock. To set someone apart, who is living on this earth, in the flesh of sin, as "special" as opposed to the "faceless proletariat" like Nee & Lee claimed, with one "chosen vessel" being the "apostle of the age" and the rest being "small potatoes", is just wrong. It is not biblical, it's an Asian cultural norm superimposed upon the scriptural text, and it completely distorts the gospel message of Jesus Christ.

The apostle Paul would laugh Witness Lee out of the room if he tried to pull that stuff. Paul would neither allow Lee to elevate him to "acting God" status, nor would he "get in line" behind Nee and/or Lee. Paul got his marching orders from God, not from Nee or Lee, and if they needed marching orders from Paul, he would probably tell them to go and pray to their Father in heaven. Paul said, "We are men, like you" (Acts 14:15; cf Acts 10:26). If Nee or Lee tried to pull that elitist "chosen vessel" nonsense on Paul he wouldn't give in to them, not even for a moment (cf Gal 2:5).

Amen to this!

I'll never forget Kangas' statement in the book RTRA in the aftermath of the 80's so-called rebellion, "can we ever honor OUR BROTHER too much?"

Oh how they loved to "honor" Lee, while dishonoring everyone else!