Give The Local Church Your Walking Papers

 

To Untohim...Since this is a delicate matter, and my words could never be as perfected as Watchman Nee’s on authority, let me just quote him (see below). You will find this will answer all your concerns and fill those “holes” of understanding on authority. There are the main authorities instituted by God. 1. IN THE WORLD, 2. IN THE FAMILY, and 3. IN THE CHURCH. Watchman Nee goes into far greater detail but these are like opening statements for us in Christ that easily obey delegated authority for we know the Father's Will. UntoHim, you would be amazed at how much depth there is to Spiritual Authority, by Nee. I just finished reading it, and you ask yourself, how can I go deeper than this? It is impossible. It is so all encompassing. Watchman Nee was truly a delegated authority and an apostle. So I have quoted him below.

 

May I say what I see you trying to do, in trying to help the Leeist, is to transfer the term “delegated authority” as the law, then to Christ, when such things are already obvious in these dispensations of law and grace. We are not talking about the law specifically. We are talking about real world authorities of flesh and blood in the world with heavenly authority, in the family and in the church too. We know of God’s authority, and the importance of the law today for the Spirit fulfills the law, but God’s salvation is not what we are talking about right now specifically nor the authority of the cross though the cross is our guiding principle in co-death and substitutory death with Christ. We are talking about the difference between delegated authorities and direct authority presence of God in our lives (Heb. 8.11).

 

Do not use the argument against the LSM-LEE-LC system and relegate delegated authorities as being from "the law" for that makes you look foolish to them. We must go deeper to reach them. Delegated authorities are people (not the law), and these are the prominent names of the OT and NT and even little brethren and so too will it be the case today also, men of today who are in the Ministry (Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, and Teachers). The way to approach the Local Church is not to expose them based on authority, or change its reference point to the law and Christ, for they know authority well. What they don’t know is true authority. They only know presumed (mistakenly assumed) authority. They are under a false authority right now.

 

The authority they should be under is Watchman Nee and other strong believers of faith, in the church local and church universal. Watchman Nee never legalized locality. Witness Lee did, and  that is why he altered it. Therefore, how can the Leeist even recognize an authority even in their own locality since they have altered the shape, size and constituency of the locality to be modern-day cities of millions of people that can't even fellowship together. They are at a total loss of competency. Their deliverance (and salvation) comes when they are willing to walk away from false authority that was not set up by God. LSM and Local Church are an authority set up Satan on earth. God actually has allowed it for a reason, to show us how not to be.

 

They need to walk and not even ask LSM for their walking papers. It is as simple as that. Just do it, is the best advice you can give them There will be such joy for them when they do. And they will be free. This message is not individually given to any one Leeist, for according to Heb. 8.11 they must make up their own minds and allow the Holy Spirit to deliver them personally, but this message is to all of them in order to set the stage for the dismantling this evil organization ("little harlot"), even before Christ returns. Let it all go, and move away from Leeism forever is God's desire. What a wonderful blessing of deliverance. The prayers of the brethren have gone out to the Leeists, decade after decade and they will not cease until it is fulfilled.

 

Troy Brooks 

 

Authorities Instituted by God

Men Should Obey Delegated Authority

Spiritual Authority, CFP, 61-64, 67-69, by Watchman Nee

1. IN THE WORLD

 

                Let every soul be subject to the authorities that are above him. For there is no authority except from God. (Rom. 13.1 Darby).

                Be subject to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether to the king, as supreme; or unto governors, as sent by him for vengeance on evil-doers and for praise to them that do well. (1 Peter 2.13-14)

 

God is the source of all authorities in the universe. Now since all governing authorities are instituted by him, then all authorities are delegated by Him and represent His authority. God Himself has established this system of authority in order to manifest Himself. Wherever people encounter authority they meet God. It is possible for men to come to know God through His presence; but even without His presence they can still know Him through His authority.

 

In the garden of Eden men knew God through His presence, or, during His absence, by remembering His command. Today though, men seldom encounter God directly in the world. Today, though, men seldom encounter God directly in the world. (This, of course, does not apply to those in the church who live constantly in the spirit, for they often see God’s face.)

 

The place today where He manifests Himself the most is in His commandments. Only those who are foolish like the foolish tenants in the parable of Mark 12.1-9 have to have personal presence of the Owner of the vineyard in order to obey, for in the story are not the servants and His Son sent ahead of Him as His representatives?

 

Those who are set up by God are to exercise authority for Him. Since all governing authorities are ordained and instituted by God, they are meant to be obeyed. If we would indeed learn how to obey God, we would then have no trouble recognizing on whom God’s authority rests. But if we know only God’s direct authority, we may possibly violate more than half of His authority. Upon how many lives can we identify the authority of God? Is there any room for us to choose between God’s direct authority and His delegated authority? No, we must be subject to delegated authority as well as God’s direct authority, for “there is no authority except from God”.

 

As to earthly authorities, Paul not only exhorts positively towards subjection but also warns negatively against resistance. He who resists authorities resists God’s own command; he who rejects God’s delegated authorities rejects God’s own authority. Authority, according to the Bible, is characterized by a unique nature: there is no authority except from God. He who resists authority resists God, and who resist will incur judgment. There is no possibility of rebellion without judgment. The consequence of resisting authority is death. Man has no choice in the matter of authority.

 

During Adam’s time God gave men dominion over the whole earth. What they were to govern, however, were the living creatures. After the flood God handed the power of governing man’s fellowman to Noah, stating that “Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed” (Gen. 9.6). From then on, the authority of governing man was invested in men. Ever since then there has been human government under which men are placed.

 

After having led His people out of Egypt into the wilderness, God gave them the Ten Commandments and many ordinances. Among these was one which declared: “Though shalt not revile God, nor curse a ruler of they people (Ex. 22.28). This proves that God had put them under rulers. Even in Moses’ time, the Israelites who resisted authority were actually resisting God.

 

Although the rulers of the nations did not believe in God and their countries were under the dominion of Satan, the principle of authority remained unchanged. Just as Israel was God’s kingdom and King David was chosen by God, so the Persian Emperor was likewise said to have been set up by God. When our Lord was on earth He was subject to the governing authorities as well as to the authority of the high priest. He paid taxes and taught men to “render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s” (Matt. 22.21). During questioning, when the high priest adjured Him by the living God to tell whether He was the Christ the Son of God, the Lord immediately obeyed (Matt. 26.63-64), thus acknowledging in all these instances that they were the authorities on earth. Our Lord was never a party to any rebellion.

 

Paul shows us in Romans 13 that all who are in authority are God’s servants. We must be subject to the local authority under which we live, as well as to the authority of our own nation and race. We should not disobey local authority simply because we may be a different nationality. The law is not a terror to good conduct but to bad. However different the laws of nations are, they are all derived from the law of God; the basic principle of all God’s laws is punish the evil and reward the good. All powers have their own laws. Their function is to maintain and execute their laws that the good may be approved and the bad disciplined. They not bear the sword in vain. In spite of the fact that some powers do exalt evil and suppress good, they have to resort to distortion by calling the evil good and the good evil. They dare not come out openly and declare that the evil person is exalted because of his wickedness while the good one is chastened because of his goodness.

 

Up to the present, all powers are still flowing – at least in principle – the rule of rewarding the good and punishing the bad. This principle has not been changed; therefore the law of God remains in force. The day shall come when the lawless one who is the anti-Christ shall be in power; he then will distort the entire system of law and openly label the good as bad and vic versa. Then the good shall be killed and the evil shall be exalted.

 

The symbols for subjection to earthly authorities are fourfold: taxes to whom taxes are due, revenue to whom revenue is due, respect to whom respect is due, and honor to whom honor is due.

 

A Christian obeys the law not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of his conscience. His conscience reproves him if he is disobedient. Hence we must learn to be subject to local authorities. The children of God should not carelessly criticize or denounce the government. Even the police on the streets are instituted by God for they are commissioned to a specific task. When the tax-collectors or revenue inspectors come to us, what is our attitude towards them? Do we hear them as God’s delegated authorities? Are we in subjection to them?

 

How difficult it is to obey if we do not see the authority of God. The more we try to obey the harder it becomes. “But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of defilement, and despise dominion. Daring, selfwilled, they tremble not to rail at dignities” (2 Peter 2.10). How many lose their power and forfeit their lives through reviling. Men should not fall into a state of anarchy. We need not be overly concerned with how God will deal with that which is done unrighteously, though we should pray for God’s discipline on the ground of righteousness. In any event, insubordination to authority is mutiny towards God. If we are insubordinate, we will be a helper to the principle of anti-Christ. Let us ask ourselves, When the mystery of lawlessness is at work are we a restraint or help?

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3. IN THE CHURCH.

 

                But we beseech you, brethren, to know them that labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; and to esteem them exceeding highly in love for their work sake. Be at peace among yourselves. (1 Thess. 5.12-13)

                Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and in teaching. (1 Tim. 5.17)

                Now I beseech you, brethren (ye know the house of Stephenas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have set themselves to minister unto the saints), that ye also be in subjection unto such, and to every one that helpeth in the work and laboreth. (1 Cor. 16.15-16)

 

God sets in the church authorities such as “the elders who rule well” and “those who labor in preaching and teaching.” They are the ones who everyone should obey. The younger ones in age must also learn to be subject to other ones. The apostle exhorted the Corinthian believers to honor especially men like Stephenas whose family was the first converts in Achaia and who was willing to serve the saints with great humility.

 

In the church the women ought to be subject to the men. “I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God” (1 Cor. 11.3). God has arranged to have the men represent Christ as authority and the women represent the church in subjection. Therefore, the women ought to have a veil (Greek: authority) on their heads because of the angels (1 Cor. 11.10), and they should be subject to their own husbands.

 

“As in all the churches of the saints, let the women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but let them be in subjection, as also saith the law. And if they would learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home” (1 Cor. 14.33-35). Some sisters ask, Supposing our husbands cannot answer our questions? Well, God tells you to ask, and so you ask. After awhile your husband will know, since being repeatedly asked he will be forced to seek for understanding. And so you help your husband as well as yourself. “Let a woman learn in quietness with all subjection. But I permit not a woman to teach, nor to have dominion over a man, but to be in quietness. For Adam was first formed, then Eve” (1 Tim. 2.11-13).

“All of you gird yourselves with humility, to serve one another” (1 Peter 5.5). It is most shameful for anyone to consciously display his position and authority.

 

God has also instituted authorities in the spiritual world. “But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of defilement, and despise dominion. Daring, selfwilled, they tremble not to rail against dignities: whereas angels, though greater in might and power, bring not a railing judgment against them before the Lord” (2 Peter 2.10-11). Here we are told of a most significant fact: that there are authorities and glorious ones in the spiritual world under whom angels are assigned.  Although some of them have failed, the angels dare not revile them because once they were superiors. After their fall, though you may recount the fact of the fall, you may not add on your judgment, for the fact plus judgment is reviling.

 

“But Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing judgment, but said, The Lord rebuke thee” (Jude 9). Why? Because at one time God had made Lucifer the chief of the archangels; and Michael, being one of the archangels, had been under his authority. Later Michael, in obedience to God, sought the body of Moses because one day Moses was to be raised from the dead (possibly at the Mount of Transfiguration). When Michael was hindered by Satan, he could, in a rebellious spirit, have dealt with that rebellious one, Satan, by opening his mouth and reviling him. But he dared not to do so. All he said was, “The Lord rebuke thee.” (With men it is a different story, since God has never placed men under the authority of Satan. Though once we fell into his rule, we were never under his authority.)

 

On the same principle, David at one period submitted himself to the delegated authority of Saul. Subsequently, he still dared not overthrow Saul’s fading authority. How dignified is delegated authority in the spiritual realm. It should not be despised; any reviling of it will result in the loss of spiritual power.

 

If you ever once in your life meet authority you will then be able to see God’s authority everywhere. Wherever you go, your first question will be: Whom should I obey, To whom should I hearken? A Christian ought to have two senses: the sense of sin and the sense of authority. Even when two brothers consult together, though each may voice his opinion, only one makes the final decision.

 

In Acts 15 there was a council. The young as well as the old could rise up and speak. Every brother could offer his opinion. Yet after Peter and Paul had finished their words, James got up to give the decision. Peter and Paul only relate facts, but James made the judgment. Even among the elders or the apostles there was an order. “For I am the least of the apostles,” says Paul (1 Cor. 15.9). Some apostles are greater, some are lesser. This order is not arranged by man; nonetheless, each needs to know where he stands. What lovely testimony and beautiful picture this is. It is what Satan is afraid of, for eventually it will cause the downfall of his kingdom. For after we are all on the course of obedience God will come to judge the world.

 

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To Reject God’s Delegated Authority Is an Affront to God

 

                In the past God overlooked our transgressions because we were ignorant, but now we ought to be serious about God’s delegated authorities. What God stresses is not His own direct authority but the indirect authorities which He has established. All who are insubordinate to God’s indirect authorities are not in subjection to God’s direct authority.

 

                For the convenience of explanation, we distinguish between direct authority and delegated authority; to God, though, there is but one authority. Let us not despise the authorities in home and in church; let us not neglect all those delegated authorities. Although Paul was stricken blind, he waited for Ananias with his inner eyes wide open. To see Ananias was like seeing the Lord; to hearken to him was like hearkening to the Lord.

 

                Delegated authority is so serious that if one offends it he is at odds with God. No one can expect to obtain light directly from the Lord if he refuses to have light from delegated authority. Paul did not reason: “Since Cornelius asked for Peter, I will ask for Peter or James; I will not have this little brother Ananias to be my authority.” It is absolutely impossible for us to reject delegated authority and yet be subject directly to the Lord; rejecting the first is the same as rejecting the second. Only a fool takes pleasure in the failure of delegated authority. He who dislikes God’s delegate dislikes God Himself. It is the rebellious nature of man that makes him want to obey God’s direct authority without being subject to the delegated authorities God has established.