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The Governing Principles of the Practice of the Local Church
Similarly, Witness Lee
, in Truth Lessons, Level 2, Volume 4, points out the Spirit’s directing of his members in the
establishing of local churches in the Gentile world. In several cases from the book of Acts there is an evident move by the Spirit, in the Spirit, and with the
Spirit through the coordination with faithful members of the Body of Christ.
In the important step taken by the Lord for the
spread of the gospel of His kingdom to the Gentile world, we see that it was
also altogether under the Spirit’s direction. Acts 13:1-3 says, “Now there
were in Antioch, in the local church, prophets and teachers…And as they were
ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, Set apart for Me
now Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them. Then, when
they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.”
Paul and Barnabas were set apart to carry out the Lord’s great commission to
spread His kingdom for the establishment of His church in the Gentile world
through the preaching of the gospel. This major step had nothing to do with
the church in Jerusalem organizationally. It was absolutely a move by the
Spirit, in the Spirit, and with the Spirit through the coordination of the
faithful and seeking members of the Body of Christ on earth with the Head in
the heavens.
Furthermore, in the case of the disciples entreating
Paul not to go up to Jerusalem, we can also see the Spirit’s direction. Acts
21:4 says, “And when we had sought out the disciples, we remained there seven
days. These told Paul through the Spirit not to set foot in Jerusalem.” In
20:23 the Spirit indicated to Paul that bonds and afflictions were awaiting
him in Jerusalem. Here the Spirit further directed Paul, through some members
of the Body of Christ, not to go to Jerusalem.
All these cases show that the believers lived, moved,
and worked by the direction of the Spirit. Outwardly they were filled with the
Spirit of power economically for them to carry out the work of God’s New
Testament economy, and inwardly they were filled with the Spirit of life
essentially for them to live a life of the processed Triune God. As a result,
they moved, walked, and worked as men of the Spirit. In the same way, today we
should experience and enjoy the Spirit to act, walk, work, and serve according
to the direction of the Spirit.
(Witness Lee, Truth Lessons— Level 2, Vol. 4,
110-111)
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