Quote:
Originally Posted by UntoHim
Very well then...Now, pray tell, just who can we trust to have the spiritual insight, knowledge and authority to let us know which part(s) of the Bible are , "expressing wrong ideas, misguided thinking, human issues, mistakes, failure", etc? By what objective, external, measurable standards can we accept or reject a teacher who claims for himself/herself such insight, knowledge and authority?
Let me just throw out an example that comes to mind. What if somebody says that he is the only person speaking as God's oracle on earth? Does that qualify him to let us know which parts of the Bible are "expressing wrong ideas, misguided thinking, human issues, mistakes, failure"? What if he says he picked up the mantle of some other fellow who claimed that he was the only person speaking as God's oracle on earth? Does that work for you?
What if this person claims that everyone else has been wrong for hundreds and thousands of years and that he/she has got it right? What if they claim for themselves the position of "apostle of the first kind"? Does that give them the right and authority to dictate to everyone which parts of the Bible are "expressing wrong ideas, misguided thinking, human issues, mistakes, failure"?
Let's put this teaching to the eyes, ears and nose test, shall we?
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Those are fair questions UntoHim and I am glad you asked them.
I will give you my quick answer and then chew on your post for awhile longer. With this response I don't expect to convince you but felt to answer your questions based on my personal experience.
I'd say that there are three validations for spiritual insight, knowledge, and authority. The three are : an objective aspect according to the scripture, a subjective aspect according to the direct leading of the Holy Spirit, and a third aspect via the confirmation of the Body of Christ.
Yet, just because a minister, no matter who, claims to have spiritual insight, knowledge, or authority does not mean that they do. In a sense that is irrelevant. Anybody can claim, and many do, that they have some or all of those characteristics but do not in reality.
So, first objectively... I believe spiritual insight, knowledge, and authority are validated by a complete and thorough handling of the Word of God not leaving out anything in scripture nor adding in anything outside of scripture and within the lines of scriptural (not traditional) orthodoxy. Further evidenced by a workman cutting straight the word of God beginning to end... front to back, and not running from or glossing over difficult passages or teachings or doctrines. Also, the ability to minister both comfort and correction from the Word of God in a straightforward non political way.
Second, subjectively I trust in the leading of the Holy Spirit to confirm the first point above. Without the Spirit's working in a minister and without the confirmation of that working in me by the Spirit's leading then I do not assess that the insight, knowledge, and authority are necessarily valid. I look to the Lord for that inward confirmation and He has always been faithful. Through the ministered word I am drawn to a deeper consecration to our Lord and He gains new ground in me.. I may yield to him in places I held back before. This is the Lord's confirming inwardly what is being spoken outwardly.
The third aspect, the confirmation of the Body is a little harder to discern but there have been times when through the speaking of a member of the Body fresh light is revealed and the Lord visits in a sweet way confirming the minister's spoken word.....
Therefore, in my experience, Brother's Nee and Lee opened the Word of God in the most comprehensive and insightful way .. and I have yet to find such comprehensive exposition of the Bible anywhere else. I do not mean to say that they are the only ministers, nor do I mean there is no insight, knowledge, or authority found elsewhere. I have a library with hundreds of authors and almost always have a book by other authors within grasp. But I can't deny that this ministry has the Lord's blessing in the outward aspect of Bible truths.
Secondly, I came out of the Pentecostal world and I had some "vibrant" experiences of the Holy Spirit there,, but the insight and knowledge and frankly "fireworks" the Lord shined in me while listening, praying, or in fellowship in this ministry was and is at times unspeakable. Whether I am alone or in a meeting I am often just blown away. Cannot help but love Him more and more. He just speaks to me inwardly, shining, working, convicting, comforting when I am enjoying Him in this ministry.
And lastly, there are so many little Ananias' that just pop up and are right there when you need them. Also, confirming the ministry of life in their lives and in their speaking and ministering. I aspire just to be a little Ananias.
So, just speaking for myself, that is why I have been here for over four decades.... enjoying Him, His life and His truth, His nourishing and cherishing in the Body, and the spiritual insight, knowledge, and authority He exhibits as part of this wonderful place called Christ and the Church. So, no, Brother Lee never needed to mention he had spiritual insight, knowledge, and authority.... I just recognized with my eyes, ears, and nose, that he was a gift to the Body given by and through the Holy Spirit.
Again, thanks for the questions.
Drake