Appendix B:
Dealing with Opposition
Hymns: 893
Scripture Reading: John 15:18, 20-21; 16:1-4; 1 Thes. 3:4; 1 Pet. 4:1; 3:15; Col. 4:6; 2 Tim. 2:15, 22, 25; Jude 3
I. The advance of God’s economy always stirs up Satan’s opposition, but this should motivate us to carry out the Lord’s commission to us—John 15:18, 20-21:
A. Although the Lord Jesus was continually persecuted and opposed (Matt. 12:14; John 15:18, 20), He faithfully finished the work the Father gave Him to do (John 17:4).
B. The Lord told His disciples they would also be persecuted and prayed for them to be kept in the Father’s name (John 15:20; 16:1-4; 17:11-12).
C. Although the start of the church life was met with opposition by the Jewish religionists (Acts 4:1-3, 5-6, 18), the apostles along with the church responded by speaking the Word of God with boldness (Acts 4:8-12, 19-20, 31).
D. Further persecution of the church in Jerusalem resulted in the spread of the gospel (Acts 8:4).
E. Suffering persecution for the sake of the gospel:
1. Causes us to be under God’s blessing (Matt. 5:11-12).
2. Is something that has been graciously granted to us (Phil. 1:29).
3. Is the qualification for the Spirit of glory to rest upon us (1 Pet. 4:14).
II. As those who seek to cooperate with the Lord, we should understand from the Scriptures the source, motive, and channels of persecution—John 5:39-40:
A. The source of persecution is Satan—the liar, the father of lies and the accuser of the brothers (John 8:44; Rev. 12:10).
B. The motive of persecution is jealousy (Gen. 4:4-5, 8; John 11:47-48; Acts 5:17-18; 13:45; 17:5).
C. The channels of persecution are:
1. Primarily religious people (Gen. 4:3-8; John 16:2; Acts 5:40-41; 1 Thes. 2:14-15).
2. Frequently those we know (Matt. 10:36; Luke 21:16).
3. Often other believers (Phil 1:15a, 17; cf. Prov. 6:16, 19).
III. To care for the spread of the gospel in the face of opposition, we should be one with the Lord to—1 Thes. 1:5-7; Matt. 11:29; 2 Cor. 3:14-16:
A. Be a pattern to the believers, particularly in exercising an intimate concern in caring for them and their spiritual need (1 Thes. 1:5-7; 2:1-10).
B. Be meek and not contentious toward men (Matt. 11:29; 12:19; 5:5; 2 Tim. 2:25; Titus 3:2).
C. Pray to bind Satan and to release those in bondage that their hearts may turn to the Lord and be enlightened (Matt. 12:29; 2 Cor. 3:14-16; Acts 26:18; 2 Cor. 4:6; Eph. 1:18).
D. Wisely administer inoculations/antidotes according to others’ need (John 15:18-21; 16:1 4; Acts 20:18-21, 27-31).
IV. In our care for new ones, we should inoculate them before they have been infected—2 Tim. 2:15, 22; 1 Thes. 3:3-4:
A. Inoculation is administered before a person is exposed to any negative speaking; this differs from an antidote, which is administered after a person has been poisoned—2 Tim. 2:2, 15.
B. The principle of inoculation is to expose people to a little bit of a germ so that their immune system builds up antibodies to protect them from getting a full-blown disease—vv. 16-17, 22.
C. We should follow Paul’s pattern with the new believers in Thessalonica to administer inoculations early in our shepherding of people—1 Thes. 3:3-4; 2:14-16.
D. We should educate our new ones regarding the persecution of believers and the slandering of the Lord’s ministry (see I and II above).
E. Inoculation is best administered when there is a positive atmosphere and experience, right after the person you are caring for has responded positively to the ministry or has entered into the enjoyment of the Lord—Col. 3:16; John 15:4-5.
F. Inoculation is an ongoing part of our shepherding care, not just a one-time event (see footnote 1 on 1 Thes. 3:4 in the Recovery Version).
G. We should accompany positive spiritual feeding with small doses of inoculation, touching deeper layers until Witness Lee, Watchman Nee, the local church, the Lord’s recovery, the Recovery Version, and the cult accusation have all been covered—2 Tim. 2:15.
V. If our gospel contacts have been affected by poison, we should administer an appropriate antidote—vv. 25-26; 1 Tim. 2:4:
A. Seek to restore a healthy relationship with them—2 Tim. 2:25; Gal. 6:1:
1. Quickly contact them and try to see them face to face—2 Tim. 2:25-26.
2. If you have not had personal contact before, seek to establish common ground with them by affirming the common faith—vv. 25-26.
3. If you have had prior contact, remind them of what you told them beforehand and what they saw and experienced with you.
B. Determine the severity and amount of the poison—vv. 16-19:
1. Find out the source.
2. What did they hear?
3. With what do they have a problem?
4. If possible, obtain their copy of the printed negative material from them.
C. Administer the antidote—vv. 24-26:
1. Point to the Bible as the unique standard of truth for believers—Acts 18:28; 2 Tim. 3:16.
2. If necessary, read through the poisonous material with them and explain the errors—vv. 14-17.
3. If applicable, use appropriate materials to help you (see VI below).
4. If you cannot answer a question adequately, write it down, tell them that you will get back to them, and consult with your team leaders—4:5.
D. As much as possible, seek to maintain a positive atmosphere of fellowship and leave them with a favorable impression—Gal. 6:1; Titus 3:2.
VI. To equip yourself for the task of inoculation—Jude 3; 1 Tim. 6:12:
A. Review the common faith (Jude 3).
B. Review the verses in this outline and the accompanying ministry excerpts—Col. 3:16.
C. Review the answers provided to common questions.
D. Review the materials available for use as antidotes and the handout on using these materials to answer accusations against the ministry and the churches, including:
1. Voices of Confirmation – a compilation of positive statements from fellow Christians concerning the ministry of Watchman Nee and Witness Lee and the local churches.
2. The Local Churches – statements by Hank Hanegraaff (CRI), Gretchen Passantino (an early critic), and Fuller Theological Seminary.
3. We Were Wrong – Christian Research Journal issue retracting earlier criticism.
VII. If despite your efforts you are still rejected, you should still rejoice and press on to seek out the “sons of peace” (Matt. 5:12; Phil. 4:4; Luke 10:1-6).
