2 Cor. 3:6 He who also made us sufficient as ministers of a new covenant, ministers not of the letter but of The Spirit; for the letter kills, but The Spirit gives life.
In the New Testament there are two kinds of ministries: the ministry of the Old Testament—the ministry of death and condemnation—and the ministry of the New Testament—the ministry of The Spirit and of righteousness. The ministryof the New Testament is unique; it is the ministry of the New Testament economy to minister Christ to people for the building up of His Body, for the first time inaccomplishment of God’s New Testament economy. (39,40,77,78) This unique New Testament ministry requires many different services and ministries for its execution. (39,40,77,78)
The purpose of the ministry publications is to spread the divine truth and revelation to all places and supply the hungry and thirsty believers. (65,77,88) These publications contain all the positive Christian teachings throughout the centuries and have sifted out the erroneous things. Through reading the ministry publications, believers can receive a complete spiritual education and be educated in the teaching of the apostles, thus safeguarding and protecting the local churches.
The ministry publications have indeed had a great effect, and a number of local churches have been raised up in Europe and Southeast Asia. These publications have been widely distributed to all parts of the world and have been welcomed and appreciated by many believers. (83,92,94,95)
The writing of ministry publications requires spending much time to study the Bible and ministry publications in order to learn the truth and teach it to others. (79,80,81,82) In writing, the principle of being “thorough, clear, and edifying” should be followed. In publishing, attention should be paid to maintaining regular publication and wide distribution to all places. (47,48,65,66)
The co-workers at the ministry office have received much criticism and attack in their publishing work, but they still need to persevere, because this work is very important for the Lord’s recovery. (92,93,94)
Every saint should diligently read the ministry publications so that the truth may be constituted into them. Elders and co-workers especially should spend time studying the ministry publications to learn the truth and be skillful in teaching the truth to others. (41,78,79) In the meetings, the elders can select suitable content from the ministry publications to share.
Furthermore, every saint should actively participate in the distribution and promotion of ministry publications, so that more people may receive supply. Such labor will cause the Lord to gain increase year after year.
Further Reading:
- Collected Works of Witness Lee, Letters and Miscellany, vol. 3, “The Kingdom Being Christ’s Growth within Us for the Building Up of the Church,” ch. 1
- Collected Works of Witness Lee, 1978, vol. 3, “Basic Principles concerning the Eldership,” ch. 17
- Life-study of 2 Corinthians, Message Twenty-six
- Collected Works of Witness Lee, 1984, vol. 1, “Various Messages Given in Irving,” ch. 2
- Collected Works of Witness Lee, 1984, vol. 5, “Faithfully and Diligently Spreading the Truth—Concerning the Literature Service,” ch. 3
- Collected Works of Witness Lee, 1978, vol. 3, “Basic Principles concerning the Eldership,” ch. 7
- Collected Works of Witness Lee, 1989, vol. 4, “Fellowship with the Saints Serving in the Ministry Office in Irving,” ch. 1
- The Seer of the Divine Revelation in the Present Age—Watchman Nee, ch. 26
- Collected Works of Witness Lee, 1984, vol. 1, “Various Messages Given in Irving,” ch. 4
- Collected Works of Witness Lee, 1988, vol. 4, “Fellowship with the Serving Ones,” ch. 1
