IX. NO PARTICULAR TEACHING IN THE LORD’S RECOVERY

In the following section, Witness Lee emphasizes that this teaching concerning the local church is the common teaching from the Scriptures, not his own particular teaching. Witness Lee also compares the teaching of the local churches the simple act of breathing: breathing is common to all and particular to none, and the teaching and practices of the local church are just the same.

In the Lord’s recovery we do not have any particular teaching. Some may say, “Brother Lee, have you not emphasized the matter of the church over the years? Isn’t your teaching about the church particular?” Certainly not. Although I have repeatedly ministered regarding the church, my teaching concerning it is not particular. My speaking about the church is like telling people that they must breathe—it is common and not particular. We only emphasize things that are common, not things that are particular. I could say over and over again that you must believe in the Lord Jesus and that you must live by Him. Although I may tell you a thousand times that you need to live by Christ, this is not a particular teaching. However, if I insist upon immersion and that only our immersion avails, that would be a particular teaching. Also, if I required you to speak in tongues and taught that unless you did so, you did not have the baptism of the Spirit, that would be a particular teaching. To say that we need the church is not to teach a particular doctrine. It is like saying that we all need a home. You cannot wander in the street—you must have a proper life in your home. To tell people that they all should have a home is not a particular teaching. However, to say that you must cut your hair in a certain way is to give a particular teaching. I hope that we all can make this differentiation. (191)