Christian Fellowship
and related matters
– Part Two
– G. A. Rainbow

Dear H—,
K— let me read your letter. My heart rejoiced to have news of you again after so long a time, and to read, "I have been through some tough and trying times, but it's all for the better for the Lord has been with me".

I will comment on other points in your letter before the particular matter of tithing which you asked K— to bring before D. and me.

• As you and I have gone over some of these matters before, I ask you to refer to our earlier correspondence for background.

• I trust that you will appreciate that all is said in love and care for you, even if it may sound a little blunt at times.

You say,

• "I had not gone to church for a long time but a sister from the Church in –– has been calling me every now and then to go to their service, seminar and gathering.

• "Her background: Watchman Nee and Witness Lee. I have gone to her church. Their English section is small but the Chinese section is strong and vocal. She and her husband are very encouraging".

It is saddening that you use the worldly church's language in speaking of going to church.

• While the word "church" may be used – as in the common version of the Bible – a better translation is "assembly", which more clearly conveys the original thought of a called-out company – that is,

• called out of the world to be here for God in public testimony as "called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord", 1 Corinthians 1: 9

• and as "the assembly of the living God" to be "the pillar and base of the truth", 1 Timothy 3: 16.

We, here in Toronto, do not go to the assembly – as to a building or to a religious group – to be acted upon as a mere congregation, which is the practice in the so-called 'churches'.

• We "come together in assembly" – for the Lord's Supper – and at other times to act ourselves as of the body of Christ, under the headship of Christ and the direction of the Spirit both in worship and for edification.

It is encouraging that you recognize that

"The evil one's most successful attack has been on the churches and denominations via deception and ignorance. So many Christians were taught wrongly and consequently live wrongly and are paralysed. So many were misguided by priests, pastors and Sunday school teachers into another kind of bondage. The truth that we know, said the Lord, shall set us free from these thoughts and deeds."

Our prayer is that the truth you have learned, in your short time with us and in our correspondence, will not be forgotten.

• In your loneliness, may you be preserved from seeking companionship – individually or collectively – at the expense of the truth and of faithfulness to the Lord.

• To do so would surely bring you into bondage and hinder or destroy your usefulness to the Lord in service to His people.

Walking alone, if necessary, is not easy; it is one of the most difficult things to do, but it is the only way of practical salvation from the bondage and domination of the evil one to which you refer.

While I respect any who have suffered for Christ – I refer to Watchman Nee – I would not be faithful to the Lord and to you if I did not inform you of certain facts.

In the early 1930's WN – who had been helped by ministry of J. N. Darby and C. A. Coates – wrote to England enquiring as to further ministry.

• This led brethren – with whom we broke bread – to visit China, and links of fellowship were formed with brethren there.

In 1933 Mr. Nee visited England and North America, attended the meetings and in some instances ministered the word. Unknown to the brethren at the time,

• in England he compromised Scriptural principles of fellowship by breaking bread with an independent group – marked by the same lack of principles as open meetings – and,

• in the USA, with persons connected with sectarian groups.

It also became known that he held unsound views

• as to the rapture of the saints – i.e., that some would go through the tribulation –

• and regarded the symbolical teaching of the Revelation as literal, including the "corruptible" (1 Peter 1: 18) gold in the heavenly city.

Personal remonstrance with WN, and extensive communications with other leaders in China failed to resolve the situation. They supported both WN's open practices and his errors.

• Reluctantly in 1935, links of fellowship had to be severed to maintain righteousness.

An account of later developments, written by an admirer of Mr. Nee, shows there was a growing disregard for Scriptural principles.

• 'Against the Tide – The Story of Watchman Nee' by Angus I. Kinnear, Victory Press, Eastbourne, 1973.

• More recently 'The Local Church', under Witness Lee's leadership, has continued the same line.

You will understand, then, why I must counsel you to avoid contacts with members of that group – no matter how kind they may seem or actually be – and caution you not to form any links with them. This is for your spiritual well being.

• It is easy to be caught in a snare, but difficult to escape – and more difficult to escape without injury.

See the following:

You may be correct in saying that "Most people's No. 1 concern and priority is money. Christians can be unduly influenced so much so that I have seen one church going back to basics again".

• Money, people with money, and the accumulation of money play a major role in most religious groups, especially in cults. See 1 Timothy 6: 3-10.

"I have had chances to live by faith, and it is worth it. I find that so much of (Christianity) being a Christian is about priority in contrast to Gnosticism … How about you?"

• I wholeheartedly agree as to living by faith, which simply means living my life in every sense in relation to God and His interests (not mine) as Abraham did.

Now to come to your inquiry in your letter to K— :

• "I have to look for a church in order to pay tithe. Before the Mosaic law era, Abraham paid tithe. To me, I am paying back what I owe God. See Genesis 14: 20; Genesis 4: 4; Hebrews 7: 4-8. Maybe you can bring this up to Gordon and D— for further insight. I can't function usefully without the church. Where can I pay my tithe?"

I have no doubt that your inquiry and desire spring from a real longing to acknowledge – "paying back what I owe God" – all that God has done for you by Christ and through the Spirit.

• This is a very wholesome exercise and is not being criticized, but it must be worked out based on divine principles that apply in the present dispensation.

In Hebrews, the payment of a tenth of all to Melchizedek by Abraham is used to prove the superiority of our Lord's priesthood to that of Aaron – it does not teach 'tithing'.

• Abraham was also circumcised "before the Mosaic law era" – does that mean we should all be circumcised? Certainly not!

• Jacob later promised to give to God a tenth of all that God gave to him – not the highest motive!

When God took up Israel as His people He instituted an extensive system of 'tithing' for the support of the priests and Levites engaged in His service and worship.

• All this was in accord with a time and an order of service suited to God's dealings with man in the flesh.

• But even so, God's rights were often overlooked and He had to upbraid His earthly people for not bringing the tenth. Malachi 3: 8-12.

The public church is largely marked by practices carried over from, or inspired by, Judaism.

• This is particularly evident in the almost universal advocacy and practice of 'tithing'.

• Even the word "tithe" itself – which simply means a tenth – adds an air of religiosity and respectability to a practice which, like the other regulations of the law, has no place in the present time. Gal. 4: 1-11.

Does this mean that we have no responsibility to use the financial resources, which God has given us, in support of the service of God? Not at all!

• But it does mean that what we do now is to flow out of an appreciation, wrought in us by the Spirit, of what God has done for us and the recognition that we, and all our possessions, belong to God – this is a greater motivation than following a legal requirement.

A tenth might be too little for some – and too easy for others, as for the rich who "out of their abundance have cast into the gifts of God".

• The "poor widow" who "out of her need has cast in all the living which she had" is an outstanding example of true devotion to God's interests here. Luke 21: 12.

• Yet in these times of economic pressure and unemployment a tenth, especially for those with families, might be a great hardship which God would surely not demand.

• The saints of the apostolic era are a fine example in their free and liberal giving and meeting of need. They did not require 'tithing' to express their gratefulness and love.

There is no need "to look for a church in order to pay tithe".

• The New Testament provides for individual as well as collective giving.

• In both instances, however, giving cannot be indiscriminate. The persons to whom, or the work to which, we give must be such as are in agreement with Scriptural principles.

Giving through a so-called 'church' would involve you in supporting the stand of a particular group, and you have earlier expressed a judgment as to such "churches and denominations".

• The 'church', through its leaders, would decide how your gift would be used, and you might not agree with their decision.

• In effect, you would be giving to that 'church' and not to God, and would be abdicating your responsibility as to the use of what God had put in your hands.

Another very real encouragement for us here is when you say, "It's been nine years since I left the brethren in Toronto. Time passes so quickly. I hope to see them again next year".

If your motive in travelling is right – i.e., not for a mere pleasure trip but to seek spiritual help and the comfort of Christian companionship here – I judge that you would be justified in using any funds you have set aside for the Lord's work to cover your expenses.

We are glad you do not forget us after so long a time, and trust that our God may open the way for you to come and see us.

Of course, you are no longer a young believer without other commitments as you were when here and, as you probably realize, your position as to breaking bread with us would need considerable clarification in order to be re-established.

• Faithfulness to the Lord, on our part as well as yours, would require a firm and clear commitment by you as to your future course, and oneness of mind with us as to separation from the whole iniquitous situation in the public church.

• Please consider what I have said carefully, before the Lord. Your comments and thoughts will be of great interest.

The brethren join in love to you in the Lord,

Affectionately in the Lord Jesus, Gordon.

Dear H—,
Thank you for your welcome letter. We are encouraged to learn that you remain faithful to the Lord and separate from the systems of men.

• This always has its peculiar trials, especially when you have no one with whom to have true Christian fellowship.

• But the recompense from the Lord Jesus for being faithful to him and keeping his commandments makes it all worthwhile. John 14: 21.

You say, "My brother, M–– is a devout Christian now". What a good report!

• Are you able to help M–– as to the truth of the assembly?

• Can you two stand together against the wiles of the enemy and in separation from his enticements to join a religious group?

• Can you work together to lead others to Christ and to assemble in the Scriptural manner?

I am glad that you have been able to counsel and help M––. The difficulties he experiences and the good advice you give may help him, as you say, to "see that a piecemeal solution to a symptom is not going to stop the cancer that has spread all over the body".

Keeping separate from the group M–– is with will give you moral power to render further help. The Lord may use this to set M–– and others free.

• "If therefore one shall have purified himself from these, [in separating himself from them], he shall be a vessel to honour, sanctified, serviceable to the Master, prepared for every good work …

• "and the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; and that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will", 2 Timothy 2: 21, 24-26.

"I have some questions here which I think you can help me on. What are the four different groups of brethren? How to identify them? "Witness Lee said that the open brethren never had any great teacher. Therefore I must be with the close brethren, but which one?"

I consider Witness Lee an unreliable teacher, but the statement is fair. I am certainly unaware of anyone who could truly be considered a "great teacher" among the open people, though some might disagree.

In regard to your main question re "the four different groups of brethren" you should first consider the following extract:

It has been well said that "one of the marks of the Lord being with His people" is, "truth in all its branches, not limited and curtailed, but gradually expanding into their full dimensions", Letters from J. B. Stoney, 2: 54.

Many, having only a limited knowledge of the recovery that began around 1827, are unaware that there has been just such a steady and orderly opening up of the Scriptures by the Spirit – over nearly 130 years – in the ministries of JND, JBS, FER, CAC, JT and others.

One of the major themes of the ministry, particularly since about 1900, is the way that God has made Himself known in the Economy – as Father, Son and Holy Spirit – and, following the Lord's Supper, the suited response to the Lord Jesus and the Spirit and in approach to God in worship. It has been said that "the approach is to be equal to the revelation", Ministry by J. Taylor, 47: 206-227.

This cannot be appreciated apart from recognizing that, as partaking of the Supper, we are identified with the full import of the Lord's death as "our point of severance from this scene". Only then can we enter experientially into the privilege of being with Christ in the heavenly and spiritual sphere where He leads the praises.

See Hymn 192: 2, Miss F. J. Elwood 1830-1927, and Romans 6: 1-11; 1 Corinthians 10: 16-22; 11: 26-32; Ephesians 1: 17 – 2: 7; 3: 20-21; Hebrews 2: 12.

There is no doubt in my mind that the "truth in all its branches" has come out only through and among those identified with the ministries of such honoured servants as: J. N. Darby, J. B.Stoney, F. E. Raven, C. A. Coates, James Taylor Sr. and others.

As a young man, I searched out and made contact with various groups, and read all the histories I could find.

• From this experience I can say, with confidence and conviction, that pursuing any other line than the one mentioned above would only put you on an endless detour.

• The others are all marked by the rejection of the Spirit's distinctive ministry, following that of JND, through those teachers – and they are all hostile towards those teachers, except JND, whom the Lord has used.

Your interest and concern about these various groups and "how to identify them" is well intentioned, but I doubt that it would be profitable to go into all the details.

• You have already had a sad experience with one of those groups and, to my knowledge, it is unlikely that there are any other exclusive or close groups near you.

• There have been so many divisions and subsequent amalgamations that it would take a large book to cover things intelligibly and fairly.

"Is there no difference between spirit and soul: compare, 1 Thessalonians 5: 23".

That verse refers to "your whole spirit, and soul, and body".

• If there were no difference, it would be consistent and reasonable to also assert that there is also no difference between spirit and soul and body, as they are all linked together under the one adjective "whole".

• This would be an absurd idea except to a thorough materialist. Both arguments are false; like all false arguments, they prove too much and therefore prove nothing.

Other Scriptures make a distinction: "the division of soul and spirit, both of joints and marrow, and a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart", Hebrews 4: 12.

• Mr. Darby's note says, "The passage has, I judge, the sense of dividing between each pair of objects" …

• Clearly, just as there is a difference between joints and marrow, and thoughts and intents, so there is a difference between soul and spirit.

On the fifth day of creation, the fish and the fowl became "living souls", as did the land animals on the sixth day – but spirit is not mentioned as to them. Genesis 1: 20-25.

• In the first account of man's creation, on the sixth day, neither soul nor spirit is mentioned.

However, in the second and more detailed account of man's creation both are mentioned:

• "And Jehovah Elohim formed Man, dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and Man became a living soul", Genesis 2: 7.

• Man therefore, as distinct from all other created beings, became a living soul by receiving a spirit through the breath of God.

• Thus, spirit and soul are clearly distinct, the spirit coming directly from God and being the link with God, while being a living soul connects man with the animate creation.

"Is there such a thing as living in ascension through/by a resurrected life? I want to be able to answer people when they ask me".

This matter, which others ask you about, sounds very much like a fleshly super-spirituality, such as 'the higher life' or 'the deeper life'.

• There may be elements of truth in what is held, as in all false doctrines – certainly resurrection and ascension are Scriptural truths – but, at the present time, they only apply literally to the Lord Jesus.

Resurrection and ascension have a practical application to all believers at the present time, but only as we are viewed as associated with Christ.

• They are never brought forward as the particular privilege or possession of individual believers – nor does Scripture envision that only an elite few will be affected by these great matters.

The claim of a super-spirituality only applicable to a special class of believers is an error that has been around almost from the very beginning. Paul warns against this. Read Colossians 2, and note the following verses especially:

• "For I would have you know what combat I have for you …
• And I say this to the end that no one may delude you by persuasive speech ….
• See that there be no one who shall lead you away as a prey through philosophy and vain deceit, according to the teaching of men, according to the elements of the world, and not according to Christ", Col. 2: 1, 4, 8.

This line of things is perpetuated to this very day in Romanism with its host of so-called saints who are supposed to have led more holy lives than others.

• This of course excuses the rest for they are falsely taught that they can claim the so-called merits of the saints.

• Protestants, especially evangelicals – we are not Protestants or evangelicals – and charismatics have their own equivalents in persons they eulogize, and sometimes almost idolize.

The teaching of Romans, Colossians and Ephesians is progressive as to how we are viewed:

In Romans 6: 1-14; 7: 1-4, Christ is viewed as raised but we are not, although we shall be, but we are to walk here "in newness of life".

• "We have been buried therefore with Him by baptism unto death, in order that, even as Christ has been raised up from among the dead by the glory of the Father, so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we are become identified with Him in the likeness of His death, so also we shall be of His resurrection", Romans 6: 4-5.

In Colossians we are viewed as raised with Him, but He is viewed as ascended and we are therefore to "seek the things … above".

• Paul says: "buried with Him in baptism, in which ye have been also raised with Him through faith of the working of God who raised Him from among the dead … If therefore ye have been raised with the Christ, seek the things which are above, where the Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God: have your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are on the earth; for ye have died, and your life is hid with the Christ in God", Colossians 2: 12; 3: 1-3.

In Ephesians we are viewed as sitting "in the heavenlies" but only "in Christ Jesus". The results will be seen in "the coming ages", but we are to walk accordingly now.

• Paul says: "and has raised us up together, and has made us sit down together in the heavenlies in Christ Jesus, that He might display in the coming ages the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness towards us in Christ Jesus … For we are His workmanship, having been created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God has before prepared that we should walk in them", Ephesians 2: 6-7, 10.

All believers are in view in all three Scriptures. There is no special class. A careful reading will make it clear that these privileges that go with being in Christ are to have a practical effect on our walk here – on that of all believers, not just a few.

• "Such as He made of dust, such also those made of dust; and such as the heavenly One, such also the heavenly ones. And as we have borne the image of the one made of dust, we shall bear also the image of the heavenly One", 1 Corinthians 15: 48-49.

• This refers literally to the future but if we are to be heavenly ones then, surely we should be marked by heavenliness in our walk now.

• Paul makes this clear in Philippians: 
  • "(for many walk of whom I have told you often … who mind earthly things:) for our commonwealth" i.e., associations of life "has its existence in the heavens, from which also we await the Lord Jesus Christ as Saviour, who shall transform our body of humiliation into conformity to His body of glory, according to the working of the power which He has even to subdue all things to Himself", Philippians 3: 18-21.

The above is the Scriptural view. The best approach might be to ask what the person inquiring understands by it – and on what basis. Then you can unfold "the way of God more exactly", Acts 18: 26.

How good to read, "The writings of the brethren are treasures from the Lord and they are like fragrance to the believers … I find those that I had immensely helpful. The Lord coordinates the body in an invisible and mysterious way".

With love from all the brethren,

Affectionately in the Lord Jesus, Gordon.