LITERATURE JOURNEY: Guntur

In this city our meeting began with a group of pastor seeking to know more of the Bible concerning the church as the Body of Christ. We fellowshipped extensively on the Church as revealed in the Bible and opened the meeting for any clarification. The questions asked were worthy of answers and we used the Bible to answer them all. 

1. What is the meaning of "being built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets" in Ephesians 2:20?
2. In 1 Corinthians 12:4-11, there is the manifestation of different gifts. Are these different gifts exercised in different denominations not justifiable for the formation of different denominations?
3. In Galatians 1:6, what is "a different gospel?"

We used the Bible to answer questions on the Bible itself. The footnotes on the Recovery Version helps too, we answered and further expounded the corresponding Bible verses to our heart's content, and they themselves testified their gratitude for the answers.

Meeting with a TV Preacher and an Apologetic, and also a Brother.

Our meeting began with an introduction of who we are and the ministry books, followed by a little testimony on our experiences of Christ as life in our Christian lives, which he appreciated very much. But as to the use of the word "recovery version" for the Bible, he vehemently objected as far as translation or linguistics is concerned, on the ground that it is the same Bible as any other and the truths in the Bible are fully intact as it is in other translation too, with no additional words or phrases or verses that validated the word "recovery".  He suggested to use a different word. Our attempt to answer him was futile as he dubbed it as subjective in experiences rather than objective in the biblical text. Finally, I told him I would communicate in writing after checking with the translators themselves.

He at one time had alerted and warned the believers on TV about "Witness Lee", as generally dubbed for the saints taking and standing on the ground of oneness as a local church, to be aware. His reason for such warning was that we had created a ripple among Christians these days, especially in Andhra Pradesh. To me that was a good news, as the Lord's move has been intensified in India these days.

Then I questioned him on what biblical basis as an Apologetic did he warn the believers in public on TV? I asked further, "Have you read any writings of Witness Lee? Can you point out which title book, chapter, and content that is against the Bible? And can you give any valid and solid Bible verses to proof the accusations?" He had none and said that he needed to study first.

I fellowshipped with him as brother in Christ to be beware of rumours and hearsay without any truth nor authenticity in it. And warned that we will be judged for every word we speak especially accusing our fellow brothers without any truth in it. And further gave testimony to him of the research done by CRI and their conclusion, and also requested him to do a thorough research on our teachings, beliefs and the practices, on which he agreed to personally do it in his time even as I would send him links for his references. 

I also testified of the refutation with a vehement former opposer in Mumbai, and a meeting with an Apologetic in Hyderabad recently, who all ultimately confessed the false accusation and misrepresentation and testified to our orthodoxy to the truths of the Bible. With this meeting his whole attitude toward us changed.

As I requested him to pray, he also requested me to pray. His prayer was so touching as he humbled himself and confessed that he is just a man and God is the supreme Judge and thanked God for this opportunity of open heart and transparent fellowship face to face. He even prayed for us that the Lord may lead us on and on and bless us even as we continue our journey to spread the ministry of word. He also thanked the Lord that we met him and cleared off the air of misunderstanding. I also followed suit in prayer that the Lord may forgive us wherever we might have gone wrong and that He may cause us to grow up to Him unto maturity, and that He may lead all of us in whatever we do, for the building up of the Body of Christ.

He thanked us for the visit and we thanked him too for his time and openess for a face to face talk. With this visit we all felt the Lord's presence and speaking, and were full of peace. 

May the Lord guide us further for the follow up fellowship, and the Lord may, in His multifarious wisdom, use every attack of the enemy for the accomplishment of His eternal economy and for His testimony in India.