The administration of the church and the ministry of the word, week 10, chapter 14, Thursday

THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE CHURCH
AND THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD

CHAPTER FOURTEEN:

THE RESTORATION OF THE CHURCH GROUND

WEEK 10 - THURSDAY

Bible reading: Rev. 1

Read and pray: “John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is coming, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne.” (Rev. 1:4)

PROBLEMS CAUSED

BY BROTHER AUSTIN-SPARKS

DURING HIS SECOND VISIT TO TAIWAN

Brother Austin-Sparks’ first visit to Taiwan was meant to supply us spiritually. That visit caused us no problems because we did not touch the matter of the ground. It was a very pleasant time. His second visit, however, brought us much sorrow. He should have kept the attitude of ministering to us spiritually and not touched the matter of the ground. If he had done so, there would have been no problem.

But during his second visit, he went beyond the limit of his ministry and not only questioned us about the practice of the ground of the church, but also interfered in this matter. A brother suggested that perhaps I had misunderstood Brother Austin-Sparks. I also hoped it was just a misunderstanding and that Brother Austin-Sparks did not oppose us in this matter. During his visit, however, a group of saints began to waver, thinking it was not necessary to care for the ground, and that being spiritual was enough. That shows that it was not just a misunderstanding.

Brother Austin-Sparks rebuked us openly, not just in private conversations. In one meeting, he publicly said, “You limit Christ to a place, and in this way, you make Him a small Christ and the church a small church.” These words show that he insisted on his opinion. This is the problem we faced.

We need to be clear about the testimony the Lord desires us to bear in His recovery. We thank the Lord for all among us who are strong in the gospel for the salvation of souls. However, if you act or speak in a way that affects the ground and our testimony, we will have problems. As long as what you do does not affect this testimony and ground, you may exercise your portion, and we will receive you and consider you as a co-worker, a dear brother. We are not narrow.

For example, there was a sister in Hong Kong who did not have the vision of the ground, but who had spiritual fellowship with us. She bore the burden to serve the Lord in the East. She wanted to be with a group of God’s children seeking to please God’s will and to be spiritual, so she chose to be among us. Her joining us was for spiritual supply, not for the ground.

Therefore, we accepted her as a co-worker even though she was not clear about the ground. This is because, spiritually, she was truly a co-worker. She did not interfere with our practice of the ground. She endeavored to carry out her portion so the brothers might be perfected. We acknowledged her contribution and did not try to persuade her to be one with us in the matter of the ground.

She had no problem with us. However, she needed to know that she had joined a group of brothers who were on the ground and were one in the ground. Even if the leading ones turned away to love the world, they would still continue on this way, because this is the way the Lord desires.

THERE IS NO RECONCILIATION

OUTSIDE OF THE GROUND

Since we have seen the vision of the ground, we must hold it firmly and immovably. There is no such thing as a middle ground. There is no neutral ground. If the ground of denomination is right, we should not have another. We should all worship God in the denominations. If the ground of denomination is wrong, there can be no reconciliation with it. We must be absolutely clear about this.

Reconciliation, in this case, will not lead to blessing. On the contrary, it will cause suffering to both parties. There have already been many cases of compromise among us. Some involved individuals, others involved a group; some occurred in southern China, others in the north. The results have always been damage and loss; neither side was built up and all our efforts were in vain.

Furthermore, most of those who tried to reconcile with the denominations eventually went their way. As a result, they became people without vision. We must never think that those in the denominations can help us. We must realize that not only can they not help us, but if we try to reconcile with them, we will be influenced by them.

Enjoy more: Hymn 376