Quote:
Originally Posted by Drake
Boxjobox, There was a specific and special ministry focused on producing the local churches and that ministry and the workers in that ministry have a responsibility before God to support, teach, exhort, etc. those local churches on an ongoing basis. That is a historical fact and the scriptural teaching concerning the relationship between a local church and the work of ministry. It doesn’t really matter if a local church was planted by Watchman Nee or Witness Lee or coworkers of those brothers for they are all of the one and same ministry. It also does not matter if someone planted a local church and that church later became aligned with the ministry that builds up the churches. One may plant, another water, but it is God that increases. If you do not see or agree that LSM is that work of ministry then where is the work of ministry? To well meaning brothers I say.. well ok, if you agree with the model of the local churches, the work of ministry to build up the Body of Christ, then if not this ministry, where is that ministry?
|
Drake, this is my view of the relation of WL/LSM to the Local churches. I base this part on my 13 year experience in the LC, part on what I've read on this site by followers and rejectors of WL/LSM, and part on what you are saying: WL was largely responsible for the formation of LC's in the USA ( I won't talk of other places, because I don't have enough background). His ministry then progressed to an expository of the Bible, other related topics, and then to a method of expanding the scope of influence and spread of his material and LCs. At some point- and I'm sure he was well aware of it, if not instrumental in it coming about, his ministry was considered the unique and only legitimate ministry for the LCs. While it would be dangerous for the LCs to call him an Apostle, the thought of him being an apostle, and the apostle for the rest of this age, grew until it was generally accepted.
In the view of the LCs, his being an apostle became greater than Paul the Apostle, in that he had the works of John and Paul and Paul only had himself. James, Jude, Peter were really pedestrian and did not have the great revelation Paul had, but John had revelation Paul did not, so when WL could draw from both sources and mold them into one message, obviously the writings of WL were superior to the two individual. And because he had both, he could expand on their ministries, and fill in the gaps. This put WLs writings above what one would have with just the scripture alone. So, it would be impossible to say WL was an Apostle, because he was not an actual disciple of Jesus on earth , nor had the unique calling to Apostleship as Paul. In the end WL and his writings became bigger than the parts presented in scripture.
So the LCs need to follow WL because his unique, up to date ministry is viewed as the superior and only clear speaking that matches God's desire. To rely on scripture alone would leave one with only parts, and only WL is able to properly connect the parts. By speaking, reading, fellowshipping over WLs work, people will be brought into the complete revelation and building of the church. Others, that only use scripture, do not produce the church, but something inferior. There must be speaking in the meetings by each one using the WL material for the real building to occur. Other ministers both past and present, only saw parts, WLs ministry gave the complete revelation and way for the proper churches to be built up. Other people's speaking may be nice, but not complete.
One needs a revelation that this is the proper ministry, and when one accepts that and practices that in the proper church, then they are being built up.
When WL died, LSM, the company he established for his work, is fully carrying on this vision and needs to be accepted by local assemblies in order for them to be a proper church. If others use the term local church but do not join to and practice the LSM way, they are not in fellowship with the up to date ministry and fall short.
Drake- is this a good summary of what you believe and what the LC believes and practices?