Dear brother Ohio.
Getting back to the theme of this thread, I have another “bitter pill” to present to you regarding “Early Nee” vs. “Later Nee”. I know you are well acquainted with dear brother Nee’s heart to receive all those dear ones whom God and Christ have received. Also, brother Nee was very clear on the freedom we have in Christ and the need for each believer and each assembly to take Christ as their Head and follow Christ as their Head.
After his ministry was resumed in 1948, WN began to emphasize a matter he called “handing over”. I am still confused about what exactly constituted “handing over”, but it appears to have been a full consecration to give oneself completely to the gospel, i.e. to pledge oneself to go and to do whatever was needed for the sake of the gospel. It sounds good, but surely it was voluntary, wasn’t it? Looking at the example in the book of Acts, Peter’s word to Ananias in Acts 5:4 clearly indicates that the selling of all and the handing over of the money to the apostles was completely voluntary. The "handing over" in Acts was not a “test of fellowship” to be used to separate those who merely “loved the ministry” from those who were “absolute for the ministry”.
Now, consider the following question and answer from WN’s speaking in 1948 in the book
Church Affairs:
Quote:
USING ONLY THOSE PEOPLE GAINED BY GOD
Question: In a certain locality, not everyone has give up all. Some have given up all, and some still have not. What shall we do about taking care of the practical affairs?
Answer: We cannot use people who have not been gained by God. As many people as God has gained, we will use. We have to be cautious of the rest of the people. We must endeavor to bring them over to God’s side. We need to continue working until that happens.
|
We have to be cautious of the rest of the people??!! Those who were not “absolute” for the latest flow [i.e. WN’s “handing over”] were to treated with caution?! Only those “absolute” for the latest flow could be used for the practical service?! This is another of those quotes in WN’s later ministry that does not sound like WN. The principle here is very dangerous and saddens me to the uttermost. When this principle is followed, two classes of believers result, one "superior" to the other. This grieves my spirit.
Dear Father God, do have mercy on us all.