A little background

[boughtbyJesus]

Originally Posted by Ohio

I think that is a little simplistic. Then we have to define 'what it is to "add" or "take away" ANYTHING from the Gospel Paul preached.' I have never found any church that is not "guilty." The LC's I knew never added one thing to the gospel Paul preached. Oh sure, things got added and heaped upon the brothers and sisters, but they never affected the WAY of salvation.

I think Galatians 1:6-10 is pretty clear!

"I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel - not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one your received, let him be accursed. For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ." ESV Ed.

Paul emphasized twice the preaching of a gospel contrary to the one he received from Christ.

I do not believe that it is insignificant to add or take away from the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I believe this is how the enemy is actively operating in many churches - by changing/distorting/twisting the Bible. I don't think it matters the opinions, interpretations of a pastor, preacher, whomever, or their nuances, the only thing that matters is the author's intended meaning and its application to us today.

[Ohio]

Originally Posted by boughtbyJesus

I think Galatians 1:6-10 is pretty clear!

"I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel - not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one your received, let him be accursed. For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ." ESV Ed.

Paul emphasized twice the preaching of a gospel contrary to the one he received from Christ.

I do not believe that it is insignificant to add or take away from the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I believe this is how the enemy is actively operating in many churches - by changing/distorting/twisting the Bible. I don't think it matters the opinions, interpretations of a pastor, preacher, whomever, or their nuances, the only thing that matters is the author's intended meaning and its application to us today.

I agree with those verses completely. I love those verses. I memorized those verses long ago. I fought many on behalf of those verses.

But let's be fair, if you say that the LC's "ADD OR TAKE AWAY" from the gospel of Jesus Christ, then you have to prove it, and not just make some unfounded claim. Secondly, you must apply the exact same standard to every other Christian and church, including your own.

[InOmnibusCaritas]

Originally Posted by Ohio

I agree with those verses completely. I love those verses. I memorized those verses long ago. I fought many on behalf of those verses.

But let's be fair, if you say that the LC's "ADD OR TAKE AWAY" from the gospel of Jesus Christ, then you have to prove it, and not just make some unfounded claim. Secondly, you must apply the exact same standard to every other Christian and church, including your own.

Exactly. There is no stronger accusation than this. Accusing someone of preaching a different gospel is to say, "let him be anathema". You must be prepared to say that WL is going to hell. You must also be prepared to be judged, in the case LCs are not preaching a different gospel and in fact true brothers and sisters in Christ, according to Mark 9:42. Tread carefully.

[UntoHim]

boughtbyJesus' claim that the LC preaches another gospel is hardly unfounded. I have been making such a claim for over 10 years on these open forums. I think "the proof" can be found in many of the tens of thousands of posts on this very forum. This is to say nothing of the many Christian apologists who have been making this claim for decades. As I have always said, Witness Lee actually preached and taught two "gospels" - He taught the genuine, biblical Gospel along side of his "another gospel" of "God's economy". Unfortunately, it seems that the Local Church has gravitated more towards Lee's false gospel than the genuine Gospel, and boughtbyJesus has experienced this first hand.

[UntoHim]

Originally Posted by InOmnibusCaritas

There is no stronger accusation than this.

You are correct, and this is because there is nothing more important than the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. Unfortunately for Local Churchers, Witness Lee did not feel this way about the historic Christian Gospel, in fact he frequently referred to his gospel as "the higher gospel", implying that the genuine, biblical Gospel was something inadequate or incomplete.

Accusing someone of preaching a different gospel is to say, "let him be anathema". You must be prepared to say that WL is going to hell. You must also be prepared to be judged, in the case LCs are not preaching a different gospel and in fact true brothers and sisters in Christ, according to Mark 9:42. Tread carefully.

The apostle Paul did not say "going to hell", and I don't think you are in a position to say such a thing either. I'm sure you recall when the Lord Jesus told Peter "get behind me Satan!" Interestingly enough, this also involved the very heart of the Christian Gospel - that the Lord Jesus was going to die on the cross and be raised on the third day - of which Peter seemed to be telling the Lord Jesus that all that was not necessary. I hope and pray it will be the same for the Local Church movement - that they will take the rebuke and go on to a more healthy view and practice of the Gospel. I also hope and pray that this forum will be instrumental in this crucial thing taking place.

[TLFisher]

Originally Posted by Ohio

But let's be fair, if you say that the LC's "ADD OR TAKE AWAY" from the gospel of Jesus Christ, then you have to prove it, and not just make some unfounded claim. Secondly, you must apply the exact same standard to every other Christian and church, including your own.

How many times has the following passage been discarded?

If your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother. But if he does not listen to you, take one or two more with you, so that by the mouth of two or three witnesses every fact may be confirmed. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. Matthew 18:15-17

[Lisbon]

Originally Posted by Terry

How many times has the following passage been discarded?

If your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother. But if he does not listen to you, take one or two more with you, so that by the mouth of two or three witnesses every fact may be confirmed. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. Matthew 18:15-17

I heard WL say this doesn't work and who am I to speak against the Oracle? That's part of the Holy Script he chooses to scrap. Huh?
Lisbon

[TLFisher]

Originally Posted by Lisbon

I heard WL say this doesn't work and who am I to speak against the Oracle? That's part of the Holy Script he chooses to scrap. Huh?
Lisbon

Of course it doesn't work when you have a prideful heart. Whether it's WL, RK, JK, or.....
If you're a brother or sister who believes in the principle or reconciliation, it will work.