Paul and Barnabas' Sharp Dispute - Acts 14 Life Study

[Ohio]

Originally Posted by JJ

Lee's assertion that Paul's maturity in this situation was superior to Barnabas' should also be questioned, because Barnabas was actually the brother in Christ who had helped to bring Paul into the ministry early on (recall how the brothers feared him, but it was Barnabas that informed them about his bold proclaiming of Jesus. See Acts 9:27. And, the church in Jerusalem sent Barnabas, who was a good man and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith to Antioch, and on the way he went forth to Tarsus to search for Paul and bring him to Antioch Acts 11:22-26.

During that Elders' Training of Feb '86, when some 400 brothers were strong-armed into signing that loyalty Pledge Letter to Witness Lee, he used the example of Barnabas to teach that Barnabas was finished because he did not submit to Paul. The message was loud and clear: submit to Witness Lee or your spiritual life and service was over.

This became the 8 part Elders' Training book series.

During this time, Lee spoke out strongly against nepotism in ministry, citing Watchman Nee's specific instructions to him about hiring family members in the ministry. At that time, most of us had no clue that Phillip Lee, his own son, was 2nd in command at LSM. Oh the deception and hypocrisy!

[TLFisher]

Originally Posted by Ohio

During that Elders' Training of Feb '86, when some 400 brothers were strong-armed into signing that loyalty Pledge Letter to Witness Lee, he used the example of Barnabas to teach that Barnabas was finished because he did not submit to Paul. The message was loud and clear: submit to Witness Lee or your spiritual life and service was over.

This became the 8 part Elders' Training book series.

During this time, Lee spoke out strongly against nepotism in ministry, citing Watchman Nee's specific instructions to him about hiring family members in the ministry. At that time, most of us had no clue that Phillip Lee, his own son, was 2nd in command at LSM. Oh the deception and hypocrisy!

Excellent thread JJ has started. In following up with what Ohio has stated, the LSM/LC track record places far too much emphasis on submission and too quick to write off brothers permanently.
To say submit implies do not question. Even if your conscience is bothered, you ignore your conscience and submit absolutely.
When one is asked to submit, the question needs to be asked why? What do you have to gain if I submit? What do you have to lose if I don't submit?

[JJ]

Originally Posted by Ohio

During that Elders' Training of Feb '86, when some 400 brothers were strong-armed into signing that loyalty Pledge Letter to Witness Lee, he used the example of Barnabas to teach that Barnabas was finished because he did not submit to Paul. The message was loud and clear: submit to Witness Lee or your spiritual life and service was over.

This became the 8 part Elders' Training book series.

During this time, Lee spoke out strongly against nepotism in ministry, citing Watchman Nee's specific instructions to him about hiring family members in the ministry. At that time, most of us had no clue that Phillip Lee, his own son, was 2nd in command at LSM. Oh the deception and hypocrisy!

Thanks for adding these facts to heighten why this is an important topic. I remember how this incident and Lee's interpretation of it was used by Lee and his followers to strike fear into us about ever disagreeing with the MOTA. And I remember when Phillip Lee was running LSM, and thinking "this smells fishy", but being too young to know better.