This is in strong contrast to what Christians have practiced throughout history, which has been to call themselves by the name of some denomination or sect, such as “Presbyterian,” “Methodist,” or “Baptist.” In fact, “to denominate” literally means “to give something a name.”Only in the early 1800s, beginning in Dublin, Ireland, did some saints finally begin to realize the evils of denominationalism. They saw in the New Testament that, as the believers in Christ, they should come together simply as Christians, “those who belong to Christ,” calling themselves “brothers” and nothing more. Eventually they became known by others as the Plymouth Brethren.

That was the beginning of the recovery of the New Testament fellowship of the believers, which is signified by the church in Philadelphia, “the church of brotherly love.” In the 20th century the Lord went on, using Watchman Nee and Witness Lee to recover the practical, New Testament way for believers to keep the oneness of the testimony of Christ, namely, by meeting together as the believers in the city where they live.

In this episode, after covering some introductory points,  we continue to consider the Lord’s word to the church in Philadelphia about not denying His name.

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By Watchman Nee

Order Online: The Orthodoxy of the Church

See  Episode #95: “The Seven Churches (10): “Philadelphia: The Church of the Lord’s Desire”