What should our view be regarding the eldership in the churches?
We need to exercise particular care to have a balanced understanding of the Bible’s teaching on authority. On the one hand, the Lord Jesus has all authority in heaven and on earth (Matt. 28:18). On the other hand, in His Body He raises up men to work together with Him among the churches, and He […]
What should our response be in the midst of turmoil?
The book of Philippians shows us the great need that believers have in times of turmoil. The church in Philippi was a very good church that participated with the apostle Paul in the furtherance of the gospel (Phil. 1:5-7; 4:14-19). However, it had two problems—Judaizers who sought to bring the believers back under the bondage […]
Why do some leading ones advise the saints not to read writings that attack the local churches and the ministry of Watchman Nee and Witness Lee?
Those who bear responsibility in the ministry, the work, and the churches in the Lord’s recovery have a biblically mandated responsibility to protect the flock. In performing that duty they may advise the saints not to read writings in print or on the Internet that attack the local churches and the ministry of Watchman Nee […]
Is it possible that in our worship of God, we are doing what is right in our own eyes (Deut 12:8)?
The children of Israel were free to enjoy the fruit of the harvest and of their livestock at any place and at any time during the year. However, the top portion of the livestock and the harvest was to be saved and enjoyed only when the children of Israel gathered together at the place of […]
Does the leadership in the Lord’s Recovery hide history?
In the Lord’s recovery we do not hide our history. Rather, our practice is to examine our history, learn the lessons that can be derived from that history, and pass those lessons on to succeeding generations. In doing so, exposing division, wrongdoing, false teachings, and injurious practices among former workers is unavoidable. This is consistent […]
As offenses inevitably accumulate in the church life, how and to what extent should we forgive one another?
As long as we are in the church life, offenses will occur, and the only solution to offenses is forgiveness. Such endless forgiveness from the heart is far beyond our natural human capacity, yet it is possible if we realize the extent of the Lord’s heart of forgiveness toward us and take Him as our […]
Should we only read the “pure word” of the Bible, and not receive anyone’s interpretation of it?
In Acts 8 Philip the evangelist met an Ethiopian man who was reading the prophet Isaiah (vv. 26-28; cf. 21:8). Philip asked him, “Do you really know the things that you are reading?” (v. 30). The Ethiopian responded, “How could I unless someone guides me?” (v. 31) and later, “I beseech you, concerning whom does […]
What should our attitude be concerning suicide?
Death does not resolve any problems in our relationship with God. This is true of the death of unbelievers as well as believers. For unbelievers death terminates their opportunity to receive God’s salvation, while for believers it puts an end to their opportunity in this age to turn their hearts back to God and so […]
What is the story behind the libel lawsuits filed by LSM and a number of the local churches in 1980 and 2001?
Many saints do not know the story behind the libel lawsuits filed in 1980 and 2001, and some may be troubled because they do not know the facts surrounding those actions. The following article from Shepherding Words provides a very broad historical sketch of what occurred based on publicly available documents, including those from legal […]
Were the libel lawsuits in 1980 and 2001 filed in keeping with the principles laid out in the New Testament?
On three occasions, twice in 1980 and once in 2001, some of the local churches and others filed lawsuits to obtain relief from defamatory writings, all coming from the same source but disseminated nationally and even internationally. Some have wrongly claimed that these lawsuits were filed to silence critics of our teaching. Others have claimed […]