Quote:
Originally Posted by ZNPaaneah
But isn't this what we are saying? Aren't we saying that we must listen to John Ingalls. We must listen to John So. We must listen to this sister from Shanghai that just wrote a book on Watchman Nee. We must listen to the sisters accused of being in the "Sister's rebellion"?
Aren't we the ones that are saying "we should never listen to a man"? After all to listen to Witness Lee's account of what happened to Watchman Nee forces you to listen to a "man", Witness Lee, and ignore many other saints.
Now none of those saints have to claim to be the "o" oracle in order for us to listen to them. How does saying that he is the "oracle" of God mean anything? If he is saying that others are not the "oracle" of God then isn't that a contradiction to what you just said? And if he is saying that all the gifts and all the members of the God speak as the "oracle" of God then why do you need to say that you are the "oracle" of God?
|
ZNP,
As mentioned, I think you have brought some excellent points and thanks in advance for the opportunity to address them.
There are many ministries in service to God active today. Excluding the acknowledged heretical groups of all ilks and focusing on what we would consider the orthodox christian groups the question becomes which one(s) do
I listen to, to which one(s) do
I give my time and resources, which one(s) do
I make a commitment to. If a christian does not yield to some christian ministry or participate in some service to God then he is in an abnormal situation. God does not force anyone to do anything but the divine life within each believer, the DNA of the zoe life, is one of service to God and man, ministry of life, community and building of His Body, and devotion and worship to God.
There is no lack of opportunity to participate in service in a christian ministry. Many of the choices available are incompatible with each other by doctrine, mission, practice, or some other distinctiveness. So a choice will need to be made. Therefore, in answer to your first question about listening to others the answer is "no", we are not obligated to accept everyone's ministry or viewpoint and by such rejection we are not violating any Biblical principle. The question is simply are we following God in the ministry we are following.
To your second point, since God speaks through man we must audibly hear from a man but we must listen for the oracle of God spoken therein. If in listening to or reading messages by any minister, Witness Lee or Watchman Nee included, or any believer and we are not hearing the oracle of God then our listening or reading is pointless. For that matter, if we read the Bible without hearing the oracle in the reading it has little profit.
The last point you asked is why is it necessary for any minister to say they have the oracle of God or what they are speaking is the oracle of God. It is necessary at times for a minister to explain or even vindicate their ministry (more about this below). Paul did this on more than one occasion. Yet, here we come to a crucial point in the line of your questioning.
It is God who appoints His servants to a work of ministry. With that work of ministry comes authority. God does not assign a work of ministry without the authority to carry it out. Those who receive the work of servants, must also receive the authority that God has given to him or them.
However, if a believer denies "the authority of God in one of God's servants then they should also utterly reject that person's work". (1) For instance, I do not accept the authority of Benny Hinn's ministry, therefore, I utterly reject his work. Many in this forum reject the authority God gave to Witness Lee and Watchman Nee therefore, it is consistent for them to utterly reject their work. If a believer rejects the authority given to the servant of God then they must also reject the work commissioned to that servant. If you do not acknowledge a servant's authority then the work of that servant is not for you.
A ministry and work is acknowledged by the saints who recognize the God-given authority of the ministers who are carrying out that work. A servant's commission is between him and God. Acceptance of the authority given to a servant of God is between the believer and God. If not this ministry already presented to you then which one is the question each believer must ask God. When a believer finds the ministry then they should consecrate themselves to it for in so doing they confirm the authority of God given to that minister.
With this understanding as a basis I will summarize the answers to your questions. No one is demanding every christian accept this ministry, this commission, or this calling. Only those who acknowledge the authority given to these two servants will participate in the special calling. No one else is obligated. If you believe the authority has been given to a certain minister then give yourself to that ministry. God's oracle is through the servant. Listen for it and when you hear it embrace it for it is God's mercy toward you. Those who have heard the oracle of God do not ask for a minister to vindicate their ministry for God has confirmed it already. Those who do not hear the oracle in the speaking of God's servant will not be convinced until they hear it for themselves and therefore it is useless for a minister to vindicate their work of ministry. I close with this opening comment from Watchman Nee in the booklet entitled "What Are We?"
"We are not a new denomination. Neither are we a new sect, a new movement, or a new organization. We are not here to join a certain sect or form our own sect. Other than having a special calling and commission from God, there would be no need for us to exist independently. The reason we are here is that God has given us a special calling."
(Note 1) from
Three Aspects of the Church: Book 3, The Organization of the Church by Witness Lee