Regarding apostles “being first in the church (assembly)”
Now God has appointed some in the assembly
Link to 1 Cor 12 NASB with Strong’s Concordance:
http://biblehub.com/nas/1_corinthians/12.htm
Definition of appointed:
http://biblehub.com/greek/5087.htm
Definition of church:
http://biblehub.com/greek/1577.htm
Definition of first:
http://biblehub.com/greek/4413.htm
Definition of second:
http://biblehub.com/greek/1208.htm
http://biblehub.com/greek/5154.htm
Definition of third:
http://biblehub.com/greek/5154.htm
3 John 1:9-11 re desiring to be first
http://biblehub.com/nas/3_john/1.htm
note what Diotrephes did:
1. desires to be first among them (i.e an apostle)
2. did not receive letter from another apostle or allow it to be read to the assembly
3. put people out of the assembly
4. unjustly accused the apostles of misdeeds
5. had deeds of his own that John was going to expose when he came
This is exactly what Witness Lee did and we are here to expose.
Contrast that to what John did:
When he was young, he, his brother and mom wanted he and his brother to be first and second to Jesus. But Jesus made him at least eighth to other apostles (Peter, Matthew, Paul, Barnabas, Apollos, Luke, James, and Mark) and he received them all, working together with them until he was very old before he was allowed to be the speaker.
Then his greatest joy was to hear that his children were walking in the faith v. 4. Not that he was now first.