The Local Church Cult in
India
I love the testimony of this brother in
Christ, John Deva Kumar. I added my comments in [....]. Troy
Dear Brother,
Since last few years agents of LSM is
very active in India. They have taken over more than 300 local church
gatherings. There are many people from Taiwan who are propagating this cult.
They visit the elders of local fellowships and tell them they are selling
Watchman Nee's [purported from LSM, not CFP & CLC] and Witness Lee's
books. They make friendship with the elders families. They mingle easily as
if they are like family members. Next step is to start a meeting in the home
of the elder during evening and slowly indoctrinate them. They will tell the
song books they are using are not scriptural and ask them to remove it and
then they will ask them to replace all the bibles with recovery version
bible since it is the only bible that is without errors. Next they will ask
them to meditate only the writings of Witness Lee since it contain all what
we want. Then they will ask every one in the meeting to say amen to every
thing they say. All the LSM people will utter the same thing. They slowly
teach the elder what they say is something special and superior to other
teachings. They will claim they are the only recovered people and recovery
of Church is only through Witness Lee and Watchman Nee.
The poor elder who hear
these things start teaching these things in their church. Now LSM people
will give the idea about having Lords day(Sunday) meeting together. Then
they appear in the Church. They come in such a manner they have been send by
Lord to recover Churches in the last days. Those who are not having
discerning spirit will fall. Those few who raise questions are branded as
enemies of Lords recovery and isolated to that extend they will leave the
fellowship. Initially they never teach "man become god" or about
"processed triune god". But soon one by one such teachings are
introduced and any alternate thinking is branded as from evil spirit. There
were 400 people in our church at Trivandrum, Kerala state, India. Now the
church is under the control of LSM.
Now we few who left are
trying to RECOVER the church for Lord. I will send a copy of the letter
which I send to the believers in various churches in India taken over by
LSM. This is my true experience.
May Lord bless your
ministry. I request you to expose this cult who are really wolfs in sheeps
cloths. Kindly look into the website "thethreadofgold.com".
You can find the experience of a sister who was persecuted for her beliefs
by LSM cult.
With love in Christ
John Deva Kumar
John writes well in this copy of the letter...
Warning to Brothers and Sisters Against Local
Churches of Witness Lee Cult
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Greetings to all of you in the name of our
Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. I write to you this letter with deep burden
in my heart. We live in a time when Satan is moving around like a roaring
lion to devour the faithful children of God. Many may not be aware that
Satan also come in the form of angel of light to deceive many faithful
children of God. Anyone who trust more on man, wealth or on miracles than
God can be easily be deceived.
"Yet to all who received Him, to those who
believed in his name, He gave the right to become children of God." John 1:12
As His children our primary duty is to look
unto Him for every need, be it spiritual or any physical need. We are given
the privilege to approach the throne of grace in time of need. Heb 4:16
Brothers and Sisters we want to share with you
some incidents that happened in our recent past and how our merciful Lord
rescued us from the clutches of Satan. We wish you that will go through this
letter carefully and ask the Lord (not man) for guidance.
"Dear friends if our hearts do not condemn
us, we have confidence before God and receive from him anything we ask,
because we obey his commands and do what pleases him." 1 John 3:21,22
In the month of March 2005, one evening, I
received a phone call. The caller identified himself as a brother in Christ
and informed that he wanted to meet me and talk about their activities. He
told me that he got my address from the elder of Trivandrum church. We fixed
a time and two brothers and two sisters came, all of them were from Taiwan.
We had a nice time of fellowship. All of us shared from word of God and sang
some songs. Before departing, they told they would like to have fellowship
with us regularly. So we fixed Wednesday’s evening for this purpose. Already
we used to have a meeting every Wednesday in my home. I asked the brothers
and sisters from Taiwan to come on Wednesdays because I wanted them to meet
other brothers also who attend meeting regularly. Normally meetings in my
home were not in highly formal manner. It was almost informal meetings. We
used to come together, sing some songs, pray and all of us used to share
from word of God. It was a joyful time.
The following Wednesday, the brothers from
Taiwan came. They introduced themselves. They told that they were from
Living Stream Ministries (LSM) and they are involved in selling books
published by LSM. We were not much concerned about their activities. Since
they told they were also believers, we welcomed them. Soon we started
noticing some peculiar behavior in all of them. We noticed that all of them
telling ‘O LORD JESUS’ in a peculiar ascent. For every sentence spoken by
one of them, all others told Amen. They all used the same version of Bible.
They had a song book in which songs were unusually long. After they sang a
song, they read it stanza by stanza and others told amen. After the meeting,
one younger brother asked why they behaved like this. I told that brother
that it might be their way of fellowshipping. I have seen Nigerian
fellowships. They move their body while singing and express their joy
openly. I too thought that it might be the culture of Taiwanese to say amen
after every sentence spoken by others. I thought in Taiwan they might read
song after they sing the song. Even though we found it strange, we never
took it seriously. I told the younger brothers that we must not feel bad if
someone worship Lord in a different way. Soon the Taiwan brothers brought
another brother who was an Indian. What surprised all of us is that he too
was behaving in the same manner. Then we thought his long acquaintance with
the Taiwanese brothers made him behave like that. Meanwhile the brothers
from Taiwan gave us some books. They were all either written by Watchman Nee
[purported from LSM not CFP or CLC]
or Witness Lee. I used to read these books during my free time. I found many
things written in these books unacceptable. I used to ask the brothers from
LSM about it. They told me, ’we’ will study about it latter or sometime they
gave evasive replay. Soon we noticed that they all repeat the same thing as
if a tape recorder plays a short message again and again. Each of them told
the same thing with the same degree of emotion. The same sentences and the
same unfamiliar words like organic communion, processed God etc were told. I
felt they really don’t know what they are talking and they have by hearted
some things and are pouring it out. They quoted lot of verses from bible to
support what they say. We also noticed they omit some things which they
should have told in relation to the things they are talking about. I
remember once they told we who are saved are pre destined be saved and
others who are not being saved are not predestined to salvation
[predestination of calvinism is not the same as predestination of osas
arminian]. They took
many verses to support their statement.
One young brother then told God want every one
to be saved…1Tim 2:3,4. He also pointed out that hell is not created for
man but for devil and his angels…Matt 25:41 [If hell is not for man, then
why is God sending many men to hell?]. I felt that they heard for the
first time these verses and they are trained in such away they are oriented
to think only in one direction. We continued fellowshipping together. Soon
they came with some photocopies of some portions of Witness Lee’s writings
and gave each one of us a copy. They asked each one to read a sentence. Then
every one started telling amen. First, I didn’t take it seriously. I thought
about many bible study sessions where we give photocopy of notes or main
points. Soon it became a regular affair. Now our meetings started with 15 to
20-stanza hymn from a hymnbook that LSM brothers carried, that was dull and
had confusing words. After singing, we started reading the stanzas one by
one and they all together told amen. Then we read Witness Lees Book
photocopy and said amen for every sentence.
Soon, I sensed some trouble. Others in the
meeting also sensed trouble in the way we are moving. We asked the brothers
from LSM why we should read only Witness Lees writings, why not other some
other Christian authors books? We told them we need to listen the voice of
Lord that lead us to a holy living rather than study something someone wrote
long ago. We asked them to study Witness Lees writings privately and not in
general meetings. We encouraged them to share from Bible what they learned
during daily meditation. To my great surprise one brother from LSM told me
that Witness Lees writing contain all that is spiritually required for a man. We were surprised because according to us Bible contain all that is
required for a man spiritually. I felt undue importance is given to Witness
Lee and Christ is pushed to background. This was done in a manner very
difficult to detect.
We decided to pray to God to reveal the true
intensions of people from LSM. We were fully convinced that bible is
all-sufficient for us, and as His children, He will speak to us if we are
sincere in seeking His face. We felt there is no need for depending on
another book for learning bible. We felt it is better to trust in the Lord
than man.
Meanwhile I received a call from Dr. Chacko
Thomas, elder of Quilon church. He asked me to be very careful about people
from LSM and informed that church at Trivandrum is completely under Witness
Lee group. In the month of July 2005 I happened to visit
Trivandrum. I wanted to go and meet believers at Trivandrum. I was very much
eager to know its well being. My relation with Trivandrum Church started
from 1992. Since then when ever I visit Trivandrum I used to attend the
fellowship meetings there. Brothers and Sisters there were very good to me.
They used to pray for us regularly and were like family members. They were
with us during happy times as well as during sorrow times. The elder of
Trivandrum church supported us in many ways. He used to encourage us
spiritually. My marriage was conducted at Trivandrum church. We were all one
in spirit and all of them loved each other. However, this time when I
visited Trivandrum church I found situation entirely different. What I saw
was a hall full of people (nearly 400) singing the same long songs of LSM
that is translated in to Malayalam. There was total disorder. When one
person says something, all others were shouting amen. Before anyone spoke,
he shouted "O Lord Jesus" many times. Then he was trying to read Witness
Lees book potions and all together shouted amen. When amen sounds reduced
one of the elder stood up and encouraged every one to tell amen. After they
sang a song, they read it to each other to fulfill the scripture…Eph5:19. They gave two minutes time for those who have prepared to speak. Such
people stood in a line. Each one in the line came near the mike and shouted
"O Lord Jesus" few times and then started reading from Witness Lees books
and added his own few words. Since only 2 minutes were given, they talked
very fast. A lady who was sitting near the electronic organ gave a bell
sound at which the speaker stopped his speech and again shouted "O Lord
Jesus" before leaving.The next one in the line then took over the mike and
repeated the same. Since all were sharing from the same portion, all of them
were speaking almost the same thing. I wonder whether they still do it. At
last, one "serious brother" came and spoke for almost half an hour and the
show ended. I was very eager to meet the elders of church. I asked one of
them what is this you are doing. I was surprised to hear the replay. He told
"What can I do. They want the things to be done in this way."
[this is called possession] I tried to
reason with him but he told me to talk with other elders.
I went to another elder he told me "What can I
alone do" I went to another elder. He told me they are already recovered and
asked me to jump into their boat before it is too late for me. Meanwhile I
noticed all songbooks are removed and replaced with Malayalam translation of
hymnbooks of LSM. I asked why the song books are removed, the replay was
strange. He told me those songs are not meaningful. The surprising thing is
that old song book contain songs written by the wife of the same elder who
told this. At that time when the song were written he told us Holy spirit
gave those songs. They even released a cassette that contains songs given by
Holy Spirit. After singing the songs for many years and telling that they
are Spirit given songs now Spirit tells them that they are meaningless. I
wonder how they could even think that Spirit will change the words. I sensed
that the spirit that is now working there is different from that was working
earlier.
I tried to reason with the elder but he was
behaving as if he is the disciple of Witness Lee rather than disciple of
Christ. Always people trained by LSM moved with the elders of the church
constantly watching their activities. Now I realized that Trivandrum church
has been taken over by Witness lee group as Dr Chako Thomas told me.
After I came back to Delhi I called the LSM
brothers who were fellowshipping with us and had a lengthy discussion within
them. I found there is a doctrine behind every action of theirs like calling
on the name of the lord, saying amen, reading song to each other etc. I
found these LSM trained people are brainwashed to believe in Witness Lees
words, to speak like parrots repeating what they read from Witness Lees
writings, and not to think anything beyond. His interpretation of Bible was
final for them. When I asked can’t we read any other translation of Bible
other than recovery version, the answer which I got was "Are you an expert
in Greek and Hebrews to decide which translation of bible is correct?" They
told us they are overcomers and recovery of church started with Witness
Lee [they are not overcomers, they are the unsaved tares that try to look
like the saved wheat; you do not need to know Hebrew and Greek necessarily
to know if a truth flows in the Holy Spirit]. They gave evasive answers for many questions. I also came to know they
"raised" up 300 churches all over India. On enquiry, we came to know they
are all existing churches taken over by LSM. Finally sensing trouble that
they can cause on a long run to our spiritual life, we asked them to stop
coming if they want to continue with the teaching of Witness Lee. Thus ended
our 7-month association with LSM group. This group’s very cleaver in fooling
others. If you ask them regarding their activities they can give many type
of replay. They may tell they are businessmen doing business of LSM a
publishing house, They can say they are sales man selling books of Watchman
Nee [LSM Nee, not CFP Nee] and Witness Lee, They can say they are propagating Lords recovery, They
can say they are trainees and so on. However, basically they are disciples
of Witness Lee. As a cover-up, they use Watchman Nee’s name also. They catch
others sympathy by telling about Watchman Nee, his suffering in communist
China and his death in Jail etc [Watchman Nee would not agree with their
behavior and teaching].
Dear Brothers and Sisters we spend much time
to study about this group. What we understand is this is a very dangerous
CULT. By God’s grace, we came in touch with many brothers and sisters who
have left Local church movement (of this group). From the information which
we have collected and based on our own study what we found, I want to share
with you. The contents of this personal letter is purely out of concern for
believers who have fallen into the trap of Witness Lees followers. I wish
you will read this personal letter to you carefully and ask Lord for
guidance (not Man). It is something that concerns our spiritual life and we
should not take it lightly.
1. MAN BECOME GOD
One of the most important heretical teaching
of LSM and affiliated local Churches is man (overcomers) will become God.
They confuse their statements by telling overcomers will become God but not
Godhead. They claim "We believers in Christ may become God in
Life, in Nature, in Constitution, in appearance and in Expression but not
God head and not object of worship" Affirmation and critique by Ron Kangas
Vol Vll No 2 October 2002 [this is doublespeak, for no one can be God in
any way, because only God is God]. Some other statements made by the
above-mentioned agent of LSM as explanation to this teaching is given below.
"We affirm the innate ability of human beings
as creatures of God to be born of God to become God in life and in nature
but not in Godhead..Page7
"Human children have the life and nature of
their parents. Because we have been born of God we have life and nature of
God and in this sense we are God."…Page 20 [this is the same as
saying because a child has their parent's nature, that then the child is the
parent, which of course is not the case; the parent is the parent and the
child is the child]
"By eating, digesting and assimilating God in
Christ as our food, we shall be constituted with God and in this way become
God………..Page 24
"Unless we become God we cannot be the body of
Christ and unless we become God we cannot be New Jerusalem."…Page26
The above teaching is nothing but the
teachings of New Age Movement represented by some non-Christian religions.
Dear Brothers and Sisters, do not be deceived. You may say that I don’t believe like this or you may say in our local
church such a teaching is not there. Well this revelation LSM people got it
as one of the latest. These things are slowly introduced in training
programs and to elders. Then it slowly introduced in churches through them.
Agents of Witness Lee are trained to test the pulse of listeners before
making statements. During one of our meetings one person told, God need our
help in establishing His Kingdom. We expressed our disapproval for that
statement. What came to my mind was God could raise people from stones if he
wants. Immediately they changed the topic. Their strategy is first they will
talk about Gods needs, and then talk about importance of man, then how man
becomes God. This is done in such a way they do not try to offend anyone.
Look what happened in Philippines. What I
understand is first Local church was established in Manila city. In October
1994 Bro John So visited manila. He happened to meet some young brothers from
church in Pasy, Metro Manila. They attended a young peoples training
program. In that program people were strongly compelled to raise their hands
and declare loudly and repeatedly "hallelujah, I am a baby God, I am a holy
God, I am God". Those refused to make such declaration were dismissed from
the training program.
My sincere request to you is if you do not
approve this teaching then stand up and tell the elders about it and ask
them if they approve it. Do not allow them to go away by giving silly
answers like "we will study about this later" or " we don’t know" or "let
those who want to believe do so". We need to have a clear stand.
I remember Trivandrum church elder used to say
"we need to tell people about poison as poison and need not add sugarcoated
words". I do not know whether the elders hold the same standards now also.
Now let us see from scriptures:
How great is the love the Father
has lavished on us that we should be called CHILDEN OF GOD 1 John 3:1
Yet to all those who received Him
he gave the right to become the CHILDREN OF GOD John 1:12
On the basis of above words we can conclude we
believers are CHILDREN OF GOD and NOT GOD in any "sense" as Ron Kangas says.
Witness Lee in his book God-men wrote, "However, according to the Scriptures, we,
the believers in Christ, were all born of God to be His sons. As the sons of
God, surely we are God-men. We are the same as the One of whom we were born.
It would be impossible to be born of God and not be the sons of God. Since
we are the sons of God, we are God-men."
According to Witness lee we are same as the
One (God) of whom we are born, "..The Bible, according to God's economy,
teaches all God's chosen ones, who have believed in Christ and have been
regenerated by the Spirit and who have become the God-men, to be divine
persons (Gal. 2:20; Phil. 1:19-21a)." "We are not turtles, because we do not have
the turtle nature. We are men, for we do have the human nature. But we have
also been born of God; we are God's sons, God's children. Thus, we have
God's nature. Since we have God's nature, are we not God? [to have God's
life and nature does not mean we are God for only God is God and Witness
Lee's conclusion is clearly wrong]. In fact, we are
God in His life and His nature, but not in His Godhead."
There are many such statements. I don’t want
to fill the pages with such heretical statements. Let us look into reasons
of such arguments. According to Witness Lee believers have God’s nature so
they become God. Witness Lees many revelations were actually based on the
teaching he got from his mother. His mother taught him those who eat fish
smells like fish. Throughout his life, he argued based on this type of
teaching.
He wrote "What we eat we become and we
express". Then he went on giving the fish example….(Witness Lee-Basic
revelations in scripture). Another time he told Americans smell milk because
they consume lot of milk. (living 6) This type of thinking ultimately led to
the argument that those having the nature of God are God.
Dear brothers I consume fish but till now
those who were moving closely with me never told me that fish smell is
coming from my body, nor I think I got the nature of fish. (of course fish
smell may come if you spill some on your body and do not clean
properly). Most of Witness lees strange revelations are baseless. Even a
small child will not say by drinking milk smell of milk come from body
[ergo, Witness Lee was an evil man looking for pawns to control].
Why do people get some such strange
revelations? Why do some people think they became God? Nowhere in bible, it
says that man will become God. Witness Lee himself confesses this. He says
when we read scriptures this (man become God) is what revealed. Let us now
look from Bible point of view and find out why people all of a suddenly
start thinking they are God.
Bible says God handed over some people to a
depraved mind to do what not to be done (read Romans 1:28 –32). Men with
depraved mind think in a way they ought not to think. The one who try to take
the glory that belong to God, the one who do not walk according to the light
received, the one who rebel against God, the one who refuse to accept truth,
these are the ones who do not like to retain God in their knowledge and they
are the ones who are handed over to a depraved mind. Witness Lee’s arguments
clearly shows he had a depraved mind [the doctrine of Ron Kangas reveals
his unsalvation; we shall know them by their fruit].
Ron Kangas wrote in Affirmation &Critique
"Because we have been born of God, we have
life and nature of God and in this sense WE ARE GOD"…Page 20
Further, we see the same warped mind working
in many places
"By eating, digesting and assimilating God in
Christ as our food we shall be constituted with God and in this way we
become God"…. Page 20
We can see the same "eating fish will smell
fish" style arguments Witness Lee literally had a dictatorial style
of functioning in running LSM and Local churches. Initially every one
respected him and listened. Latter when he started getting strange
revelations, people either left or those who feared continued. His downfall
started when He started thinking himself as some one who is specially called
for the restoration of church. Witness Lee’s followers (they are trained to
tell as coworker’s of Witness Lee. But reality is they were literally his
slaves) claim that church recovery start with Witness lee. I happened to
come in contact with those who worked with Witness Lee and faced very bad
experiences. Only if you rub with them on wrong side you will come to know
their so-called "Gods nature" [in actuality, demonic nature] in them. Problem with many who claim to be God
in nature and life and so on is others are not able to see that in them.
When they go to court and claim millions of dollars I wonder which nature is
acting. Our Lord prayed for the forgiveness of those who crucified Him. It
is true Paul appealed to Caesar so that he can take gospel to Rome. When he
went to Rome, he never talked about the suffering and asked for damages in
millions. Now tell me brothers and sisters whose nature is it that makes you
to take the one who criticizes you to court. Many people went bankrupt and
became pauper because of the "Divine nature "of LSM and company (If you want
proof I can give you).
Bible says we are predestined to conform to
the image of His son….Rom 8:29. To be like God does not mean that we will
become God. 1 John 3:3 says "we will be like Him". Again, the very word
"like" says that we are not going to become God. Read the above verse
carefully, it says "we will be like Him". When he appears, "It actually refers
to the transformation that take place when Jesus appears, and not becoming
God.
Elohim is a name of God himself. It is used in
Bible about 2406 times referring to God directly. It also has other meaning
when used in plural sense. The word Elohim is used positively to refer to
judges or rulers of nation (Exodus 21:5-6, 22:8-9, Psalm 8:5).
Elohim is used in negatively to refer to idols
(gods) like in Gen. 31:30,32; Gen35:2,4, Exodus 2:12, 20:23. Referring to
these verses and claiming to become God is dangerous and out of context.
2. OVERCOMERS WILL BECOME PART OF TEMPLE WHICH IS GOD
HIMSELF
LSM trained people made ordinary believers in
local churches affiliated to LSM believe that they are the overcomers and
they will be part of God Himself. If you ask them about this they will say
that no church is affiliated to LSM. But the fact is LSM and Local churches
owing allegiance to it is a very big organization. Elders of the church are
many times appointed from a central command. I have with me details of
resignation letters sent by once ordained elders of local church. Look at
their argument to prove they are part of temple. Consider the following
quote from the Affirmation and critique,
"The overcomers will be pillars in the temple
of God. Rev 3:12 He who overcomes, him I will make a pillar in
the temple of My God Rev 3:12. We should understand this in the light of Rev
21:22..I saw no temple in it for the Lord God the almighty and the lamp are
its temple. The temple of my God is the Lord God the almighty and the Lamp.
And the overcomers are made the pillars in this temple and thus become part
of the temple, which is God himself, For overcomers to be the pillars in
the temple means that they will be pillars in God. This involves being
mingled with God, constituted with God and built into God." [where
does it say in Rev. 3.12 or 21.22 that the New Jerusalem is God and where
does it say believers become the temple? Rather it says God and the Lamb are
at the center of the new city and the new city has no need of a temple
because God and the Lamb are the center of the new city]
Again, I will tell you brothers and sisters
this argument is same as "you become what you eat" type. Please read Rev 3:12 completely. Him who overcomes
1. I will make a pillar in the
temple of my God
2. I will write on him the name of
my God, the name of the City of my God, The New Jerusalem.
3. I will also write on him my new
name
Rev 22:4 says,
"They will see his face and his name will be on their
foreheads"
What these people were doing there in New
Jerusalem? Praise God, they were serving Him. Overcomers privilege is to
serve him and reign forever. The throne of God and of the lamp is in the
city (Rev 22:3). There was no need of a temple because we see God and the
lamb enthroned directly. It is not that those who had names written on their
forehead became God .But they were his servants ,serving Him forever. Beware
those who claim they are God is indirectly telling they will not serve Him.
They only want to rule with Him. Satan wants to lift his throne above that
of God’s. Eve want to become like God. Now we have some telling they are
God. We must remember that we live in such a time, Satan want to deceive as
many elect as possible .Be watchful and prayfull so that you will not fall
into such doctrines.
If we do not go by eating fish will result in
smelling fish type argument and if we prayfully look at scriptures we find
that pillars refer only to important positions which overcommers are going
to get in His kingdom. Peter, James, and John were considered to be Pillars.
That only meant that they were leaders in church and nothing beyond that.
They were also men with all weakness. Overcommers will be rewarded with
great positions in eternal kingdom. Remember the mother of two disciples
came with a request ?She want one of her son to be on the left and other on
the right side in His kingdom. What was the answer given by Jesus?
"These places belong to those whom they have
been prepared by my Father" Mat 20:23
Again each person will be rewarded according
to their deeds (1Cor 3:8, Mat 16:27}.So becoming pillars does not refer to
becoming God but it refer better positions overcommers are going to get .If
you are going to think like Witness Lee and Ron kangas we may conclude like
this "Pillars make the building stand without collapsing So God(Temple) is
sustained by Pillars (overcommers of Witness Lees order).So God depend on
Overcommers. Thus overcommers are greater than God (you can add here some of
the words like in nature, in appearance, in life etc to fool some weak
minds)"
Dear brothers and sisters if you are in the
trap of such warped mind people, then set free. Only by sincere prayers, you
can do it. We need to be very careful about new revelations that our many
elders are getting.
Test every thing and hold on to the good
1 Thes 5:21
Let me quote some other statements made by
Witness Lee.
"It bothers me that some brothers among us
still put out publications. According to my truthful observation there is no
new light or life supply there they may contain some biblical doctrines, but
any point of life or light has been adopted from the publications of
LSM.There is nearly no item of life or light that has not been covered by
our publications. Based upon this fact, what is the need for these brothers
to put out there publications? Because all the publications are mine, it is
hard for me to speak such a word. But I am forced to tell the truth .By
putting out your own publication, you waste your time and money. You waste
the money given by the saints, and you waste their time in reading what you
publish. Where is the food, the life supply, and the real enlightenment in
the other publications among us? Be assured that there is definitely at
least one major revelation in every LSM publication" Lee Book 8,163
Read the above passage of Witness Lee and
judge for yourself the attitude of Witness Lee .I would like to draw your
attention to two statements
. Firstly
"There is no item of life or light that has
not been covered by our publications (read LSM). Based upon this fact what
is the need for these brothers to put out their publications"
Now can you understand why the Email messages
which Trivandrum local church was sending to those who are far away is
stopped? For many years, I was receiving Emails from the Trivandrum local
church. As soon as Witness Lee disciples took over, it stopped coming. I
wonder how easily they convinced the elders to stop sending the Emails. In
the last Email I received, it was written to receive Emails from Witness Lee
group (emanna). Witness Lee assures that all about truth is covered in his
publications. Look at what scripture says
"The man who thinks he knows something
does not yet know as he ought to know" 1Cor8:2
The most wise and knowledgeable believer
realizes that his knowledge is limited. He can never claim that nearly no
item of life and light has been left untouched in his writings
Secondly, Witness Lee assures his disciples
that there will be a ‘major revelation’ in every LSM publications. No wonder
this assurance made him write later Man become God. I am sure Satan use
people who depend on their self-confidence for his advantage.
Witness Lee wrote many books, which contain
many unscriptural things. He got everything as " major revelations".
Some of the "major revelations" are listed
below
Organic Salvation,
Processed Triune God,
Triune God’s organism,
Man become God,
Consummate Triune God,
Consummate Divine Multiplication,
Organic constitution of the Processed Triune
God,
Incarnation –Inclusion-Intensification.
With all humility let me tell you nowhere in
Bible we see such words except in footnotes of recovery version Bible.
Nowhere apostles used these words as basis for their teaching. Witness Lee
selected number of verses from Bible and gave twisted interpretations to
explain his revelations. It is almost 20 centuries since our Lords
resurrection .He told us the gates of Hades will not overcome the church. We
really need to suspect this new Gospel preached by Witness Lees disciples.
It is a different gospel, different Jesus, and a different spirit. (2
Cor 11:4)
Do not put up with this.
Different Gospel----------------------Organic
salvation
Different Jesus ------------------------Processed
Triune God
Different Spirit------------------------Incarnation
–Inclusion-Intensification-Organic constitution of triune God, Mingling
and blending spirit
Beware of those who preach this Gospel. Beware
of those who sympathies with this gospel. Let us rise above our personal
relationship and look unto our dear Lord. He is all-sufficient for us.
3. TREE IS KNOWN BY ITS FRUIT
Watch out for false prophets. They come to you
in sheep’s clothing’s but inwardly they are ferocious wolfs .By their
fruits you will recognize them. (Mat 7:15,16)
Our lord taught us the sure way to recognize a
prophet is by their fruits they produce.
Right from1977 anyone who criticized Witness
Lees major revelations based ministry was subjected to harassment and legal
attacks. Those who are within the local churches who questioned were branded
as lepers. They filed cases against authors and publishers of books
criticizing them. Strange part is they claim millions of dollars as
compensation.
Some of them are given below
Witness Lee vs. Neil.T.Duddy of SCP (spiritual
counterfeits project)
Claimed amount 15 million.
Local churches vs. Harvest publishers
Claimed amount 136 million.
Out of this $20 million is for LSM and another $20 million is for a local
church. Rest $96 million for 96 local churches,
$1 million each.
Many others were also subjected to harassment
and legal attacks, which resulted in bankruptcy of authors and publishers
.Now let us, look what bible say about such things
Kindly read 2 Tim2: 25 and 2 Tim4: 14. In 2
Tim 4: 14, Paul says
"Alexander
the metal worker did me a great deal of harm The lord will repay him for
what he has done .you too should be on your guard against him, because he
strongly opposed our message."
Paul left it to The Lord to deal with
Alexander the metal worker. This is Christ’s attitude. Christ is in Paul and
Paul was also clothed with Christ. It is not by mingling and digesting and
through organic union. By renewal of mind, our inward being is transformed
into likeness of Christ. This inward transformation is reflected in our
outward deeds. As long as a branch remains in the trunk of tree, it produces
fruit. Paul left it to God to repay for what Alexander the metal worker did.
Indeed Paul appealed to Caesar. When he went to Rome what he told the
authorities .Did he asked compensation? Did he complain about the
persecutions? Praise God! He proclaimed the gospel. Christ is within Paul
and Paul is also clothed with Christ. Brothers and sisters you think for
yourself the actions of elders of local church. I would like to share with
you what happened at Thiruvalla recently. Elders of local church at
Trivandrum went to attend the funeral service of a man of God who served the
Lord in Quilon region. This man of God opposed Witness Lees teaching. While
the service was going on these elders were busy trying to "recover" Quilon
church members. What I heard from more than three witnesses is these Elders
were rebuked for their conduct by a young believer openly. They are
darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because
of ignorance that is in them due to hardening of their hearts (Eph 4:18).
Paul was referring to Gentiles who did not know God yet he was warning
church of God that we must not live like this because many in Paul’s time
lived like that. Today we have so many Lords "deputies" around us in this
category who have hardened their hearts. I request you to read the book
written by Sr. Jane Carole Anderson titled "The Thread of Gold: God’s
Purpose, The cross and me" by Protus publications. Visit
www.TheThreadofGold.com for further details .The above mentioned book
contain the true story of sister who was persecuted for her personal
Christian beliefs, She was an active member of local church for around 20
years. There are many more who left local church after many years of close
association with them.
4. THE GREAT DECEPTION --UNITY THROUGH
CONFORMITY ?
Witness Lee told, " If you believe, you have
to admit that we should be one in teaching, practice, thinking, speaking,
essence, appearance, expression. There is not a verse in the bible that even
gives us a small hint that allows the churches to have different appearances
(Lee book 7,39)
The above statement is not biblical. Bible
never teaches all believers to be one in thinking, speaking and appearance.
Paul strongly urged Appolos to go to Corinth but Appolos refused to go.
Appolos wanted to go later. Paul talked about one mind (2 Cor 13:11).But
this is in relation to pure and sincere devotion to Christ (2Cor 11:3) and
not in appearance or expression or in thinking. Paul never condemned Appolos
.He never called him divisive and not according to God’s economy, .He never
called Appolos an enemy of God’s economy for not going to Corinth. What
is expected from believers is not unity through conformity but it is unity
without insisting on conformity. Some people like to raise their hands
sing loudly and move while singing in church meetings. Some people may not
express in similar manner. They may lift their hearts to the Lord and sing
without showing many emotions. Insisting people to do the things (singing,
reading from the books, manners, behavior) in particular way will not bring
unity in the church. It only brings artificiality in the church. I remember
the Passive look and tone some local church members have when they pour out
what they have memorized from Witness Lees books. Witness Lee went one step
ahead. He insisted on practicing a kind of unity by conformity .His concept
of unity in the church is basically unity with Witness Lee (to his
teachings, to his strange "revelations" and to the strange practices he
followed .He termed church unity as "one accord". He emphasized on physical
outward oneness rather than spiritual oneness .As we believers we are called
to declare praises of him who called us out of darkness (1 peter 2:9). We
need to live good lives among the pagans that though they accuses us of
doing wrong they may see our good deeds and glorify God on the day he visit
us (1Peter 2:12). Instead of having unity in spirit (same Holy Spirit in all
believers), Witness Lee and his disciples propagate unity in physical sense.
They want throughout the world all local churches to have same pattern of
worship. For a particular Sunday meeting there is a particular portion of
Witness Lee writings is to be meditated (no other bible portions or thinking
is allowed all should have same pattern of fellowship. They insisting a
small book in which thought for every Sunday for a particular year is there
along with explanations by Witness Lee. It contains all doctrines of Witness
Lee, the strange revelation given only to Witness lee etc .No one is allowed
to think in a different way. If any one dare to think ,it become "opinions"
and it is condemned. If he continues to do, so he becomes an opposer to
Lords economy. They are branded as rebels and even lepers.
If God wants to speak to a particular church
some thing specific for them to do, it is not possible because all believers
are asked to meditate only on passages written by Witness Lee .If what God
want to talk is different from it, then they are shutting their years from
listening to God. Word of God is living and active. For our day-to-day life,
it is our spiritual food. It strengthens us. Holy spirit guides us
individually by giving proper words from bible .It helps us in taking
decisions in our day to day life and move ahead in our spiritual journey.
Holy Spirit gives us word from Bible in collective manner for all believers
of a local church so that He can accomplish His plan and purpose in that
place through the local church .As needs of each individual is different,
the need of each local church is different. Each individual need Holy
Spirits guidance through the scripture, that helps him to become an
overcommer in areas where he is weak and facing difficulty and it helps him
in taking decisions. I remember once a hefty man came to attack me.
Physically he could lift me and throw .I stopped that person from copying in
an examination for which I was an invigilator .He came towards me with full
fury but immediately I heard a voice, "The one who is in you is
greater than one who in the world"1John4:4. I looked into his
eyes. From some where I got great inner strength .He could not lift his
hands against me, he ran out .It was the same verse I have meditated few
days back. In my personal life, I could listen to Holy Spirits guidance at
every crossroad I came across. It is purely from reading the word of God
from Bible and by meditating on it. We may start from a particular portion
of Bible. I read one proverb every day and few Psalms .As I meditate, Holy
Spirit lead me to many more passages in New Testament and Old Testament. It
is a wonderful experience. Sometimes I may be in one difficulty or I may be
in a situation were I need to take some important decisions. I pray
initially for guidance and strength. While I pray, Lord lead me to some
passages which I read further meditate .It is really amazing .It is like a
chain .We are at one end and Lord will lead you to many verses and finally
at the end you get solution to your problem. If I do not get clear answer,
then my spirit will not be satisfied .So I prefer to wait, continue to pray
and meditate and if necessary discuss with some other brothers and pray
together .I am fully convinced that victorious Christian life is a life
guided by the Spirit .One who have Spirit of God will feel like praying,
reading the word of God and meditating on them. Holy Spirit will lead guide
every sincere believer through the word of God and the word of God is the
Spirit and life (John 6:63).
In the same manner, those who are
possessed by WitnessLees spirit will reading only His books and meditate
according to what interpretation is given in those books. They won’t even
dare to think beyond what is written in these books .I
think there is an evil spirit moving around very actively in WitnessLees
name, (I do not mean it is the spirit of Witness Lee, who is no more now),
which when possess a man will make him blind to every form of sound argument
and make him slave to WitnessLees teaching.
Jesus once rebuked an evil spirit (Mark 9:25).
Jesus called the spirit "deaf and mute". I do not think that the evil spirit
was deaf and mute. ( I may be wrong in this .I have not majored on
characteristics of evil spirits).One thing is sure if any one is possed by
this spirit he become deaf and mute.
Brothers and sisters, I want to alert
you that, there is a spirit moving around in a very subtle and crafty manner
to devour the children of God. It moves around in the form of angel of
light. Remember Paul’s warning about such spirits. (2cor 11:14).Its unique
characteristics is those possessed by it read Witness Lees books only and
they ask others also to do so . They claim truth is only in these books and
revelation is only in these books. They discover things hidden from saints
from last nearly 20 centuries. They claim they are the only overcomer and
they become God at last [Paul was an overcomer, because he had humility
not to claim he was an overcomer, but that he sought after the prize of
becoming an overcomer].
5. TEST EVERYTHING, HOLD ON TO THE GOOD
One elder of local church (of Witness Lee
brand) asked me to "jump into their boat." I asked why only into your boat. He
told Lord is coming soon, they will be taken up, and others will be left behind
to suffer. The same elder told me that since the same spirit lives in all the
overcommers throughout the world, there must be uniformity in what they meditate
.So they choose writings of Witness Lee. Then I asked why only Witness Lee. The
answer was "Every thing we require is already in these writings". In their
training programs (2 Yrs, 1Yrs…. down to one month) these thoughts are sown into
the minds of those who attend them. These so called "trained brothers" propagate
these ideas to others. They have their own versions of hierarchical order
(like pope, cardinal, bishop etc). Only difference is there are no outward signs
like religious dress code and other visible signs. They have brothers, serious
brothers, trained brothers, Lords deputies etc.
Brothers and sisters if you are already into
such a trap, free yourself.
First step I recommend is a sincere
prayer to God to show the true path, which you must take in your spiritual
journey. Second step is to read the word of God without Witness Lee notes
.If you can manage few versions of Bible (NIV, KJV, LivingBible etc) then
compare the verses in various versions. Meditate on these verses and pray
for Lords guidance. It is better to trust in the Lord rather than in the
man. It is better to receive from God rather than from man. We are children
of God; we have the great privilege to approach His throne of grace in times
of need (Heb4: 16). He is our father .A good father will not have any
problem in speaking to his children if the children come to Him with true
burden .If at point in time God planned to recover the church through
one or two individuals only then it would have been revealed in bible
somewhere. Instead, we only find in scriptures warning that many will come
in Jesus name and try to deceive us. After centuries of various deceiving
techniques, did Satan changed his strategy by promising believers that every
"overcommers" will become God. We need to look with some amount of doubt all
those who claim as God’s only chosen vessel or those who claim as God’s only
spokesman. We can be fooled .We may realize it only very late and by that
time enough damage would have been done. Bereans were considered to be
better than Thessalonians, because they checked from scriptures what Paul
preached is correct or not (Act 17:11 )I suppose there were no foot notes in
scriptures during those days. Later when Paul wrote to Thessalonians he
asked them to TEST EVERYTHING . HOLD ON TO THE GOOD (1Thes5: 21).
Have you tested the "new revelations" that Witness Lee got in
the light of word of God or are you merely listening to some one just
because you consider him to be a man of God and infallible?
6. TRINITY OR TRIUNE GOD?
Witness Lee told, " Today many Christians do
not believe that Christ is not only the son but also the father and the spirit"
(What a Heresy –1977)
"Likewise, the father the Son and the Spirit
are not 3 Gods but, 3 stages of one God for us to possess and enjoy"
" In the heavens were man cannot see Him God
is the Father; When he is expressed among men, he is the Son; and when he
comes into men, he is the Spirit".(Witness Lee: concerning Triune God,
Anaheim : stream publishers)
There are many such statements of Witness Lee
that shows he is a Modalist (Who denies Trinity, an error that surfaced in
third century Christian church). Problem with so called Witness Lees style
local churches are they refer to modalism as "Trinity". Double talk of
Witness Lee is clearly revealed in another statement made by him
" All three, the Father and The Son and The
Spirit were present at the same time. I fully believe in the co inheritance
and coexistence of the three of the Godhead" (Witness Lee –What a heresy)
Dear brothers and sisters, compare the above
the above statement with the previous three statements. Can’t you find
contradictions in Witness Lees statements? In one place, he says Father,
Son, and Spirit are "three stages" of one God. In another place, he says
they coexisted. Deceptive thinking and preaching are the hallmarks of a
hardhearted believer. Witness Lee twisted everything to project his own
imaginations as revalations. His spiritually blind followers who valued him
more than Lord Jesus propagated these imaginations as revelations in local
churches .All local churches have at least one agent of Witness Lee,
silently watching and observing what is going on. He would have under gone a
full time training program on Witness Lees teaching which contain "complete
revelation of God’s plan that is given only to Witness Lee". According to
Witness Lee, "there is only one unique ministry that is justified, promoted,
uplifted and even glorified in the New Testament."(Lee Book 3-43). His
followers taught that this unique ministry is that of Witness Lee and now
this ministry is continued through LSM.
In one of books Witness Lee says " My point is
this, since the revelation is here (with Witness Lee), the teaching is here
(with Witness Lee) the leadership must be here.(Lee –Book 127-128). Some
of his statements are funny and in a sense, such "revalation"no other
believer in last 20 centuries got. According to Witness Lee when a man’s
wife talks about any matter other than scripture then he goes to a state
were, he is "halted from living of Christ ". When a man discuss about
some family matter or household matter, during that time he is not "living
Christ" and hence not trustworthy and a sinful man. Look what Witness Lee
taught his disciples during a "training Program"
"After praying I was living in my spirit, but
this did not last long after 5 minutes sister Lee asked me, yesterday you
gave some money to so and so. Why did you not discuss with me first? Her
questioning halted my living of Christ. Immediately I turned to my mind
asking, "what is this?"This was not to live Christ. I spent the next 15 mts
telling her all the reasons, and in those 15 mts, I did not live Christ.
What did I live? Even I myself do not know .I did not sin or loose my
temper, but neither was I in my spirit living Christ. This would go on until
2 or 3 ‘O’ clock in the afternoon; then I sensed something was wrong. I
turned to the Lord to confess," Lord, I did not lead Christ through out the
day, Allthough I did not do anything wrong, I have been living in myself.
Lord, I am not trustworthy. Lord, forgive my sin. Lord, remind me that I am
one spirit with you, and you are one spirit with me .I do not want to live
outside of this spirit. I want to live only in this spirit". After my
confession, I felt much better within and sensed the Lords sweetness, and I
was again in spirit living Christ. However, at this moment, the phone rang
and I picked up the receiver. That one phone call got me out of my spirit
again. Also there were times when the telephone did not ring and I was just
working and not committing any wrong, yet I still was not living Christ
(Lee, Living, 12-13)"
How pitiful brothers and sisters if one phone
call can take you out of spirit and if some one talk to you then you go out
of spirit. In every thought, word and action we are supposed to be guided by
our renewed mind and spirit. When a phone call comes, a believer will talk
according to the wisdom and understanding given by the spirit. It is not you
go out of spirit. I wonder what Witness lee would have talked to the caller
during the moment when "he was not living Christ" and when "he was out of
spirit". I wonder whether most of Witness Lees "revelations" are from such
weak moments when he was out of spirit. If a phone call can take you out of
spirit and you have to ask forgiveness (even though you have not sinned), I
doubt the genuinety of the "mingling" and "processing" that takes place in
spirit which Witness lee was talking although.
7. "O LORD JESUS" CALLING ON THE NAME OF THE
LORD
Witness lee taught we must call on the name of
the Lord to enjoy the unsearchable riches of Christ .If you attend LSM
controlled church meetings you will see before anyone speak he will be calling
repeatedly "O Lord Jesus" as if they are in great torment. There is a teaching
behind this behavior. Witness lee told
"To enjoy the riches of Christ we must call on
the name of the Lord Jesus (Rom 10:12). If we want to be nourished, we can
call "O lord Jesus!". When we are at home and also when we are at work, we
can call on the Lords name. When we call, we touch the Spirit (1 Cor 12: 3).
Many of us pray often but we do not get the nourishment from our praying.
This should not be so .We are not praying to an idol, we pray to the living
God. He is the very God who is in our spirit. When we speak to him, he
responds in our spirit. When we exercise our spirit, we realize Him within
our spirit. If we merely exercise our mind and pray from our mouth, the
Triune God within us has no way. He is not in our mind, but in our spirit.
We must exercise our spirit (1 Tim 4:7).In this way we can experience this
true, real, and living God who is right now in our spirit . In our
regenerated spirit dwells the Triune God as the life giving spirit." The
basic Revelation –P 51)
According to Witness Lee by calling on the
name of Lord, we touch the Spirit. The reference given 1Cor 12: 3 is totally
out of context.1 Cor 12:3 says
"Therefore I tell you that no one who is
speaking by the Spirit of God says, "Jesus be cursed" and no one can say,
"Jesus is the Lord" except by the Holy Spirit."
According to Witness lee, by shouting, many
times O lord Jesus we touch the Spirit. The above verse does not say you can
touch the Holy Spirit by simply crying out "O Lord Jesus". Matt 7: 21 says
"Not every one who says to me ‘Lord, Lord’ will enter the kingdom of heaven,
but only he who does the will of my Father in heaven"
In 1Tim 4: 7 says "Train yourself to be Godly"
According to Witness Lee, training to be Godly refers to exercising in
spirit .By saying "O Lord Jesus" we are exercising our spirit. Look at what
Paul say in 1Cor9: 24-27
"Do you not know that in a race all the
runners run, but only one gets the prize Run in such a way as to get the
price. Every one who competes in the games goes into strict training. They
do it to get a crown that will not last: but we do it to get a crown that
will last forever. There for I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do
not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my
slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be
disqualified for the price."
From above verses, we can conclude
training for Paul means beating his body and make it his slave. It
refers to a disciplined spiritual life that no longer follows the
desires of the body (which is weak Matt 26:41) but that is
controlled by the renewed mind. It refers to a life that is
dedicated to Lords service .We too need to be trained to be Godly,
but not by always saying "O Lord Jesus" repeatedly but by being led
by the Spirit.(Gal 5:16, 5:25) For God, it is not spirit of man
alone that is important. He is concerned about his soul as well as
body. Hence, we too need to consider not only the spirit but also
our body and soul. We need to keep our body, spirit, and soul holy.
It is only possible by Gods grace. 1Thes 5:23 says
"May
God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May
your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of
our Lord Jesus Christ"
Through sincere prayers, reading and
meditating word of God and putting them into practice what Lord is
asking us to do, we train our self to be Godly. Read carefully 2Tim 3
:14-17. Here also Paul talks about training in righteousness, but not by
repeatedly screaming "O Lord Jesus". But by
Continuing in what he has learned and
convinced of from scriptures
Similarly Witness Lee says, to enjoy the
riches of Christ we must call on the name of the Lord Jesus .The reference
given is Romans 10:12, which is also out of context. Romans 10: 12 says
" For there is no difference between Jew and
gentile – The Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him"
The above verse says all who call on him
(Jesus) will be blessed richly. What is this rich blessing, which Paul is
talking about? As a continuation of above verse, Paul makes it clear --for,
"Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved". Salvation for
all who call on the name of lord Jesus is the rich blessing that Paul
mentions .Are people groaning O lord Jesus before speaking doing it for
being saved? They are not touching the spirit but they are trying to whip up
collective emotions of listeners. Do not be deceived by repeatedly calling
unto God without mentioning the reason for calling. It is a sure sign that
they do not have the confidence that the lord will listen to them if they
call once only. Stephen called on to the Lord but also specified what for he
called, " Lord Jesus receive my spirit" "Lord, do not hold this sin against
them" (acts 7:59). We do not find any scriptural evidence for saying, "O
lord Jesus" before anyone speaking. Insisting on calling repeatedly looks
more like a pagan practice of chanting the name of gods to evoke blessings
.I doubt whether Chinese pagan practices have influenced Witness Lees
teachings. There is also a pagan teaching that man is God. We do not see
in scriptures Paul calling out "O Lord Jesus" every time before he started
speaking. We do not find this practice and teaching any were in bible.
Wherever men of God called on to Him, they also mentioned the reason for
calling. We may think what is wrong in saying frequently "O Lord Jesus". By
accepting a practice, which has no scriptural base, we are giving room for
Satan to work in our lives. Instead of simply shouting "O Lord Jesus"
repeatedly and there by babbling like some Pagans let us call on to the name
of Lord and tell him why we called him. He surely will listen to us. Our
nourishment should come from word of God. By reading and meditating word of
God we get nourished and not by shouting " O Lord Jesus". If meditating word
of God nourishes us we produce its fruit in season (Psalm 1:2,3)
8. LOCAL CHURCH AND LOCALCHURCH (WITNESS LEE
BRAND)
There are two types of local churches. They
are Local church and local church (Witness Lee Brand). When one of the
brother from LSM who underwent 2 years training in Taiwan told me local
church concept is a new revelation that Watchman Nee and Witness Lee got
from God, I was surprised .I asked them to explain further. He told me that
"Lord’s recovery started from Watchmen Nee and
continued through Witness Lee and now it is continuing through LSM.The
instrument for Lord’s recovery is local church which came as a revelation to
WatchmanNee and Witness Lee. Local church members are the overcommers and
they represent Philadelphian churches mentioned in Revelation chapter 3."
I was astonished because since I came to the
Lord in 1989,after reading The Bible, I got the idea that best way for the
believers to gather together is as a local church. The brother that baptized
me, advised to gather as local church. For us local church is gathering of
believers in an area. We call the church in a particular locality by the
name of that locality. Therefore, after being baptized I was part of
Shoranur church .I was living in Shoranur town in Palgat district at that
time. Later we moved to Bangalore and we gathered with believers in
Bangalore. None of these Local churches had any other branches .As we
belonged to Trivandrum we were part of Trivandrum Church, whenever we were
in Trivandrum. These Local churches were in existence since 1992.During
these days we never heard about Watchman Nee or about Witness Lee. There
were hundreds of local churches were believers in a particular locality
gathered together and were known by the name of that locality through out
Kerala, Karnataka and Tamilnadu states. These local churches known after the
name of that locality were based on Paul’s letters, which were addressed to
churches known by the name of the locality. Church elders thought churches
must be known by the name of the locality rather than by the name of a
denomination or organization. This was not based on revelation or discovery
by WatchmanNee or Witness Lee. Some Local churches I know personally are
Trivadrum church, Quilon church, Bangalore church. Local churches cooperated
among themselves when there were marriage service or funeral service or some
special occasions. Occationally they had common meetings so that members
could come to know each other and had fellowship together. This was
happening in hundreds of places in south India (and may also be in North
India). Most of these local churches have the following things common
1 Church known by the name of the locality
2 Those who received Lord Jesus, as savior
became the members. Birth in Christian family was not accepted as a ground
for membership
3 They insisted on talking baptism after
receiving the Lord
4 They (most of them) never celebrated
festivals like Christmas, Easter etc as denominational churches do
Galatians 2:4 says, " This matter arose
because some false brothers had infiltrated our ranks to spy on the freedom
we have in Christ Jesus and to make us slaves"
Here Paul, talks about circumcision group who
insisted on implementing Jewish practices in church and thereby robe
believers of their freedom they have in Christ Jesus.
The same thing happened in Local churches .LSM
people who did not get many followers in India suddenly changed tactics.
They slowly visited elders of local churches. Some weak elders who are
swayed away by worldly things (human relationship, desire to be identified
with a larger sect, etc) fell into the trap of LSM agents. They had separate
bible studies with them were they are taught about the "revelations" which
Witness Lee got and convinced them that local church concept of Witness Lee
is the ultimate desire of the Lord. These weak elders found so many
similarities with Witness Lees concept. Naming the church after the name of
locality, baptism after receiving the Lord, avoiding all celebrations like
Christmas and Easter etc are some of the things they found common.
Thus, these elders jumped to the conclusion
that they found someone similar to them. They thought now onwards they would
have access to have fellowship with churches throughout the world. They were
convinced that there are more than 3000 churches throughout the world that
are fellowshipping with LSM. An elder of Trivandrum church told me
"Now onwards when people from Trivandrum
church go any were in the world, they will get fellowship. We found
like-minded church. They do not celebrate festivals just like us. They do
not consider church as an organization just like us. They name the church
just like us and they too will not celiberate festivals."
Unfortunately, these elders saw only some
outward similarities. They failed to see the inner spiritual matters that
are more important. Elders convinced the "normal believers" that they
discovered the "True Church". One elder told me "We were in inside egg .now
we have come out and see the things more clearly". What I understand is many
truly local churches have become local church (Witness Lee brand). One elder
who claimed to be in the local church (Witness Lee brand) told me proudly
that they are going to "raise" up more than 300 churches in India. On
enquiry I came to know, most of these churches were already in existence
since many years. One very prominent Elder was on a "trip" from one end of
Kerala state to the other end meeting the elders of local churches to
convince them to accept the newfound philosophy.
Once elders are taken into confidence, they
teach from selected verses of 1Timothy and 2 Timothy warning them not to listen
or join with those who are not in one accord. Deep within if you carefully
watch, for them one accord is one with Witness Lee and his Teaching and not Holy
Spirit and teachings of Jesus.
One church that has not fallen into the hands
of LSM was Quilon church. People from LSM tried to influence the elder of
the Quilon church, but he refused to accept them. This elder was branded as
a fallen brother. I was present in the church when he was called as fallen
brother by one of the Trivandrum church elder (at a meeting attended by
nearly 400 people.) He quoted from Heb 6:4-6 to condemn the Quilon church
elder who have not fallen in line with LSM. I happened to meet the elder of
the Quilon church number of times and also had telephonic conversation with
him number of times. He was suffering from lung cancer. Even during the last
days of his earthly life, he grieved much about the condition of local
churches in Trivandrum and adjoining areas. He asked me to pray, go, meet
the elders of churches, and tell them about the dangers of fellowshipping
with LSM.I tried to contact the elders .One elder told me "what can I do
alone?" Another one told me "you talk with others (other elders), they wont
listen to me" Another prominent elder bombarded with the new found doctrines
and was not ready to listen to what I have to say. Some of the Elders
listened silently as if they don’t have the ability to take decisions.
Now after many prayers, I felt I must write to
the brothers and sisters personally. The desire to see the churches
delivered from the clutches of LSM and their agents made me write this
letter to you. I wish once again church will regain its independent
character and will move ahead fulfilling Lords plan and purpose .It all
depends on the sincerity of brothers and sisters in church. If your local
church is under LSM, you watch for yourself there will be at least one
LSM-trained person in your church who will monitor all activities of elders
and church members. They generally give the concluding main message. Their
message will be based on Witness Lee books only. What a pity after
running a good race so far, the name of Witness Lee almost replaced Lord
Jesus himself. I remember when I was talking to one of the Elder, the
LSM agent was constantly watching our discussion and the elder was often
looking towards him before answering to my questions. I felt the LSM person
spiritually held the elder captive. This agent always accompanies the elder.
It is for freedom that Christ has set us
free (Gal 5:1)
I have one pure and sincere intension in
writing you this letter. My intension is not to hurt anyone or degrade any
one. I wish Satan would not deceive you. From the teaching regarding unity
in appearance, thinking etc to becoming holy God, there is a continuous
degradation in spiritual standards. What I wish as a fellow believer is ,
you please do not conform to the standards of LSM..As we are individually
accountable to God please follow the following steps
1. Pray earnestly for guidance
regarding your spiritual life .Ask Lord which way you should take.
2. Read Bible without footnotes and
meditate on the verses.
3. Share with others what the Lord is
speaking to you
4. In church, do not read Witness Lees
books or meditate on his writings. Have the courage to stand up in
church and tell what the lord is speaking to you through bible.
5. Encourage fellow believers to look
unto God. Never try to equate in any way with God .If anyone insist
on proclaiming, "we are God" or "we become God" or anything similar,
do not join with them. Openly proclaim it is not scriptural.
6. Do not say amen to every statement
made by others and share their guilt. Evaluate what others are
saying like Bereans before agreeing on it. Satan’s strategy is to
make you immediately say amen, so that with mouth you proclaim you
approve the unscriptural things what others said.
7. Ask lord for guidance regarding
your journey ahead. Pray continually.
We are called to worship God with
reverence and awe. Our God is a consuming fire (Heb 12: 28).
We have this confidence
" Therefore he (Jesus) is able to save completely
those who come to God through him, because he always lives to
intercede for them" Heb7: 25
Because he himself suffered when he
was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. Heb2:
18
May our dear Lord bless you. If you
need further authentic information regarding above-mentioned items,
you please contact
JohnDevaKumar
E-22, ITI PUSA CAMPUS
New Delhi 110012
Phone 9868664683