Was Witness Lee a Calvinist?

[Trapped]

Originally Posted by Evangelical

Whether the edification is unto salvation or for further spiritual improvement does not matter - the function of the Spirit is the same. The need for human guides is the same (teachers, pastors, etc).

Edification means improvement (to our spiritual situation). The Ethiopian experienced an improvement to his spiritual condition so it can be considered an edification.

This is also supported by personal experiences - any person who becomes saved needs further instruction and "discipleship" (as they call it) to grow properly. A person is no more knowledgeable about the Bible after salvation than before salvation.

In my last post I included a portion that mentioned considering salvation as the first step in the process of edification, but deleted it as the fact remains they are two separate things, even if one is "unto" another. The dictionary definition of edification is improvement, yes, but on the spiritual side edification is to make us suitable for coordination and enable us to be built together with others. It is improvement for the purpose of building.

You mention human guides, but the original discussion at hand was study guides in a corporate meeting. I also would not read Acts 8:30-35 and come away with the thought that it supports the importance of study guides over the Bible. The important thing (or one....there are many in that passage) is Philip's following the Spirit's prompting!

As I have said several times, I am not against the use of a guide. I don't think we are necessarily disagreeing on that.