Spiritual Authority by Watchman Nee

[ZNPaaneah]

Originally Posted by Peter Debelak

I agree that through Christs speaking, we will act on His behalf and even exercise His authority. That happens fluidly through his instant speaking/leading.

That is different than having a DOCTRINE of "delegated authority" which results in certain individuals having "status" of "delegated authority". That is both over and under-inclusive of the way Gods authority works thru humans.

Your example of the Chinese miner is good. But it's altogether too clear an example to build a doctrine around. It's one thing to follow the Lords leading as an individual. It's entirely another to claim that The Lord told ME what YOU should do. If its saving people's lives, that's one thing. If its what materials to read or when to "volunteer" or what I should do in a difficult marriage... That's another.

Here is the doctrine of fluidity.
1Cor
14:30 If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace.
14:31 For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted.
14:32 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.

Ohio
"Another interesting connection between Rome and Anaheim. Rome calls the Pope "the Holy See," while LSM calls Nee the "Seer of the divine revelation." Supposedly they both can "see" things on God's heart which none of us can see, and which were never recorded in the Bible."

Again, totally unscriptural.

Peter Debelak
"Amen! I've always been bothered by the use if Moses or other OT figures as examples of deputy authority. In the OT God NEEDED deputy authority. But Christ completely altered that! To revert back to an OT pattern on the matter of Gods administration is to deny the gospel of Christ!"

When Paul says "Put on Christ" that is analogous to the Policeman's uniform. The authority is from Christ, not WL.

[Peter Debelak]

Originally Posted by ZNPaaneah

Here is the doctrine of fluidity.
1Cor
14:30 If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace.
14:31 For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted.
14:32 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.

Ohio
"Another interesting connection between Rome and Anaheim. Rome calls the Pope "the Holy See," while LSM calls Nee the "Seer of the divine revelation." Supposedly they both can "see" things on God's heart which none of us can see, and which were never recorded in the Bible."

Again, totally unscriptural.

Peter Debelak
"Amen! I've always been bothered by the use if Moses or other OT figures as examples of deputy authority. In the OT God NEEDED deputy authority. But Christ completely altered that! To revert back to an OT pattern on the matter of Gods administration is to deny the gospel of Christ!"

When Paul says "Put on Christ" that is analogous to the Policeman's uniform. The authority is from Christ, not WL.

I can't tell if we're disagreeing on any key issue any more... It seems as though you are in disagreement with Nee's articulation of delegated authority while still maintaining that God does, in some ways, delegate authority. I'd likely agree...

As a secondary point, "put on Christ" can mean a lot of things other than te wielding of authority over others.

[ZNPaaneah]

Originally Posted by Peter Debelak

I can't tell if we're disagreeing on any key issue any more... It seems as though you are in disagreement with Nee's articulation of delegated authority while still maintaining that God does, in some ways, delegate authority. I'd likely agree...

As a secondary point, "put on Christ" can mean a lot of things other than te wielding of authority over others.

I don't think we were ever in disagreement. I think that WN misapplied a legitimate principle. I think that the verse "put on Christ" is an example of the NT version of this principle and this proves that WN, WL and the blendeds misapply it. As others have said the authority is Christ. Moses is a good example and Christ is the fulfillment. The idea that someone would apply that to themselves is self serving and an insult to the Lord Jesus.

His teaching being erroneous doesn't mean the principle that he based it on is. On the contrary I would say he took a Biblical principal that is applied in the NT to the Lord Jesus and applied it to himself. That would make him a "false Christ". Ouch. Look at how dangerous it is to not be balanced by others in fellowship.