An Account of the Church of Wells

The Fruit of the Church of Wells

written by sister preethi after a short season with these brethren

Dear Beloved Remnant,

     I call upon the LORD, Who in His time shall show, Who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords; Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; Whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to Whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen. (1 Tim 6:15-16) May He give me a faithful spirit to bear witness of those things which I have experienced in my time here thus far at the Church of Wells. I write to you who have been saved and called with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, but is now made manifest by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel (2 Tim 1:9-10).

     Many of you know of the fire that burned within our household in the weeks leading up to my departure to the Church of Wells. My departure was a result of, I believe, the sovereign will and command of the LORD Jesus to my soul, and took place at the expense of submission to carnal authority, and the opposition of multitudes of, not only carnal men/false Christians, but those among the true remnant of our Christ. Virtually all whom I had heretofore feared in the LORD because of the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit within them in the past had fiercely opposed my sensing of the LORD’s call to go to the Church of Wells. Numerous individuals believed that I was under the influence of demons or Satan himself, those seducing spirits of which the Spirit speaketh expressly that in the latter times some shall give heed to these and doctrines of devils and thus depart from the faith (1 Tim 4:1). During the few weeks before I left, I had several great men of God, men to whom I owe much for their nourishing of my soul in the past with sound teachings on true conversion, overcoming sin, evangelism, the nature of atonement, among other things, strongly urge me not to go to the Church of Wells. Common remarks were “There is no way that it can be God’s will for you to leave your parents against their will”, “If all of the remnant has forsaken you, then surely you have erred from the Truth”, and “There is no way the Church of Wells finds favor with God when they are destroying the peace and unity of your household”. I saw that there were several main stumbling blocks among the remnant regarding my departure to the Church of Wells. I will briefly describe them:

1.     Misrepresentation of the Church of Wells: I have elaborated in an earlier writing on the large amount of demonic slander under which this church is buried. Single witnesses around the nation who have connections to family members at the Church of Wells or who have come out from the Church of Wells have turned the remnant nearly altogether against this Church. The Church’s integrity with regard to the fruit of their lives and doctrine has been compromised in the eyes of all such that the Godliest among us fail to see the Spiritual realities which are present among this Church because they have failed to follow due process, specifically, they have never even spoken at length to one or more of the elders or the brethren at the Church of Wells. To summarize, the devil has succeeded in convincing the remnant through various misrepresentative reports that the Church of Wells is not pleasing in the eyes of the LORD.

2.     The Doctrine of Conditional Eternal Security: The second main stumbling block is the doctrine of conditional eternal security which is clearly portrayed in Scripture in the eyes of all who have in sincerity sought the heart of the LORD through His Word on this matter. This doctrine is summarized as the comprehension of the potential for final and damnable apostasy in a regenerated individual. The result of one taking heed to such a warning is the casting of the gaze upon the risen LAMB of God with simultaneous fleeing all that is of the flesh and the world. For as for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth. For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone, and the place thereof shall know it no more. But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear Him, and His righteousness unto children’s children; to such as keep His covenant, and to those that remember His commandments to do them (Ps 103: 15-18). The fruit of this doctrine is that souls are driven to seek and sow after those things of the Spirit, and there is no peace or rest of soul given in the midst of seeking and sowing after the flesh. It is a doctrine which exemplifies that holiness of the LORD which cannot but be maintained. For if we believe not, yet He abideth faithful: He cannot deny Himself (2 Tim 2:13). Scores of apparently God-fearing Calvinist teachers of this day have so misunderstood the Scripture’s teaching of the latter day apostasy among the regenerate to the extent that they would presume this doctrine to compromise both the sovereignty of God and the exclusivity of salvation by grace through faith. For these reasons, those holding to this doctrine, including the Church of Wells, are seen as heretics or at best misinformed.

3.     Secondary Stumbling Blocks: As a result of the former stumbling block, several other stumbling blocks have arisen, which have, at the present time, put a “lock” on the minds and hearts of the remnant that they may not understand certain beliefs and convictions of the Church of Wells. These stumbling blocks are, at the present time, severely dangerous to the eternal state of souls among the remnant and will become increasingly so as iniquity abounds and the love of many waxes cold. For many false prophets have arisen and have deceived many (Matt 24:11-12). We are surely in the latter days, and all who have sought and perceived the heart of the LORD see that He is grieved, not for the dead bones of the unconverted alone, but for the impalement of His bride: her state of Spiritual slumber and carnality. The voice of the Spirit to the people of God today is that which was spoken to the Churches of Ephesus and Sardis: to remember therefore from whence she is fallen, and repent and do the first works, to strengthen the things which remain that are ready to die, for her deeds are not perfect before Him. (Rev 2:5, 3:2-3) If she does not repent, the LORD will SURELY remove her candlestick out of his place, except she repents. The voice of the LORD is one of righteous judgment against the slothfulness of His people at the present time. It is a Sword of love that proceeds from His mouth to quicken that which has died, to circumcise bitter roots and satanic snares, to revive and renew in the Gospel in the power of the Holy Spirit… It is a HARD WORD that the LORD speaks towards His bride, yet if she does not heed this Word unto obedience she will perish! Many Calvinists throughout history perchance have made it to glory, for they have abided with the dear Savior till the end, heeding His warnings in the Spirit, been subject to progressive sanctification until they saw His face, but in this wicked age, when countless certain men have crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only LORD God, and our LORD Jesus Christ (Jude 1:4), such a doctrine as unconditional eternal security can lead to the confusion of many core doctrines of Christ and eventually the damning of apostate souls deceived into receiving the grace of God in vain.

-        The Forsaking of Idolatry of Carnal Family: To summarize, the teachings of Scripture are remarkably clear that when authorities, specifically earthly fathers and mothers, threaten the Lordship of Christ in the life of a disciple, that disciple is to have previously counted the cost of discipleship such that he/she is able to forsake in the heart, even to hate, the carnal remains of such authorities. This is a core doctrine of Christ, and recall that we are to teach His saints to observe all things whatsoever He has commanded us (Matt 28:20). Our Christ has declared that He is come to send fire on the earth; and what will He, if it be already kindled? He had a baptism to be baptized with; and how He was straitened till it be accomplished! Suppose we that He is come to give peace on earth? He tells us Nay; but rather division: for from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three. The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law, and the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. (Luke 12:49-53) Such division in the family, when we comprehend the potential for apostasy and backslidden states among the regenerate, MUST be considered possible, yes, even likely, yes even necessary, among regenerate families, when certain members refuse to heed the Spirit’s voice unto repentance. When saints differ in their soul’s hearkening unto the LORD, they will surely be divided. When a [regenerate] father or mother leads against the Spirit-wrought conviction of the son or daughter, not only is the son or daughter permitted to bypass the rule of the parent(s) but for him/her not to do so would be his/her own forsaking of the LORD in the stead of familial idolatry. Regardless of whether parents are regenerated or not, the offspring must forsake in the heart, perhaps resulting in an outward manifestation, all to follow Christ, including the authority of parents in those cases specifically where the Spirit and Word’s lead is compromised therein.

-        The Rejection of the Church of Wells by the Remnant: A main stumbling block for many saints is the simple fact that the remnant has rejected the Church of Wells. Especially from a Calvinistic mindset, which bears the conviction that all who are truly regenerate are, essentially, following Christ in the power of His irresistible grace, it cannot be fathomed in the odds of such reason that the majority opinion of the remnant herself could have erred in judgment on any matter. However, it is not so that the modern remnant is in good standing before the LORD. She is indeed lukewarm, neither cold nor hot, wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked (Rev 3:16-17).

There is a state of affairs that I desire for you to understand beloved: The bride is asleep as a foolish virgin, and her condemnation awaits her lest she repent. The love of Christ towards her at the present time is the Spirit’s Word of rebuke to her soul and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon her that she may be revived. Calvinists have three severe blind spots:

I.                Calvinists do not believe that the bride can be in a state of carnality. BUT SHE IS!

II.             Calvinists do not believe that regenerated souls can fall away. BUT THEY CAN!

III.           Calvinists do not see revival, wrought by prevailing intercessory prayer, as necessary for the salvation of the bride, but rather a blessed option. BUT REVIVAL OF A SLEEPING VIRGIN IS NECESSARY FOR HER SALVATION!

     Though many Calvinists would affirm that the bride and her constituents may fall into temporary states of carnality, their core heart convictions frequently reflect these three principles and thus defy Scriptural Truths and the Spiritual realities of our times. The result of these blind spots is that countless Calvinists fail to understand the convictions and the behaviors of the Church of Wells. And thus, I earnestly entreat you, dear saints, to examine the Scriptures, and to seek the heart and mind of the LORD with regard to eternal security and the righteous loving judgment of the saints. For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God; and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the Gospel of God? And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? Wherefore, I plead with you dear saints, to suffer according to the will of God and in doing so commit the keeping of your souls to Him in well doing as unto a faithful Creator (1 Pet 4:17-19).

A Brief Testimony of what I Beheld in the Midst of the Church of Wells

     I was initially greeted at the airport by the couple who took me into their home. There was a brotherly love and unity of spirit between us from the start, which has only grown over time as we have tasted of Christ from one another. We arrived at the store where other brethren were present, some of them with tears. As I entered they greeted me with a tender love and joy, yet a quiet sobriety and empathy, many of them having heard reports of the fire I had gone through. Brother Sean and Brother Jake proceeded to pray earnestly: cries of praise to the Lord for His deliverance of my soul and body to this place, and then to cry out with load groans and tears for my family. The cries and groans of all the brethren mingled together in a unified desperate release of the burden with regard to my family. I was astonished and overwhelmed by the magnitude of my burden which they had been carrying. I understood from their spiritual demeanors that they loved my family as much as I did, and carried my burden in no smaller degree than I had. Indeed this had been the main pain in my heart in these past two months until this day. I recalled visions I had in the past of the souls of them that were slain for the Word of God, and for the testimony which they held under the heavenly altar and which cried out “How long, O LORD, holy and true, dost Thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth” (Rev 6:9-10) and beheld the similitude of these cries that went out before me. O how these people love my family!

Now I will proceed to briefly describe fruits which I have observed here:

1.     The Love of the Brethren: I had expected it in faith, and was joyed to see the love between the brethren in this place. Each day souls burdened both Spiritually and/or physically are lovingly tended to by the others. It can be truly said that the unruly are warned, the feebleminded are comforted, the weak are supported, and patience is shown towards all men (1 Thess 5:14). Truly these saints lay down their lives for one another. The strong do bear with the infirmities of the weak, and not to please themselves. Each one pleases his neighbor for his own edification. For even Christ pleased not Himself; but as it is written, “the reproaches of them that reproached Thee fell on Me”. (Rom 15:1-3) Those who faint under affliction of heart, feeblemindedness, and Godly fear are tenderly shepherded by the elders who make effective use of Spiritual discourses and prayers to oversee the souls of the flock under the exalted Shepherding of Christ. The brethren have all things common, parting their possessions to all men, as every man has need. They break bread from house to house, eating their meat with gladness and singleness of heart. (Acts 2:44-46) It has been remarkable to see how the LORD does provide financially for these brethren: for God has shown Himself able in making all grace abound towards us such that we, always having sufficiency is all things, may abound unto every good work (2 Cor 9:8). Many of these brethren have at some point given up large amounts of financial assets on behalf of the church, and thus all are, in the end, eased by an equality, that at the present time the abundance may be a supply for the want of others, that the others’ abundance also may be a supply for their want: that there may be equality (2 Cor 8:14).

2.     An Emphasis on the Atonement: Though reports do suggest that the Church of Wells tolerates a form of work-righteousness Gospel that has drifted from the only Gospel of grace through the atonement, I have found in this place an overpowering emphasis on the atonement and the power for righteous living that is both needful and enabled thereby. The first solemn assembly I attended was the most blessed service I had attended in my life. All three elders preached with Sean Morris giving the main burden: the promise and the call of the Gospel evidenced from the life of Moses, the enthronement of Christ, the need for restoration of the New Covenant promises/revival among the remnant, the need to remember and call upon the known sanctifying work of Christ in our souls…the service was several hours long. I was in awe at the prayer for the remnant that was made during the service by brother Ryan. These people are slandered for lovelessly judging the remnant, yet I observed a deep burden of love for the remnant among these brethren. Their souls yearn and cry out for the remnant with weeping and deep fervency. O how they love you beloved!

3.     True Eldership: There were many more blessed characteristics of these elders to be observed here in the midst of the Church than from afar, though I had rejoiced in my soul from afar to see how they had gloried not after nor placed confidence in their flesh, but rather held fast to sound doctrine and sought to find the true interpretation of Scripture in the power of the Spirit, taking heed unto themselves and the doctrine; continuing in them: for in doing this they do save both themselves and them that hear them (1 Tim 4:16). The unity of these elders, their subjection one to another in the fear of the LORD, the manner in which their Spiritual strengths overlap, coexist, and standalone brings glory to the LORD who Himself by the exercising of His own will brought and kept these three together. Sean Morris is the true doctrinal leader, fearlessly bold as a lion, yet poor and needy, fervently loving each sheep, oft in prayer, before the LORD. The wisdom, revelations, convictions, zeal, and boldness of this elder have waters that run deep from the Person of Christ. He is faithfully guiding the brethren through the Word and “The Condescension of God”, a Spirit-led writing which unfolds the significance of much of the inspired all-sufficient Scriptures. Ryan Ringnald is the true instrument of the exercising of the righteous judgments of the LORD. His Spiritual discourses come spontaneously for the exhortation and uplifting of the saints. His rule over the saints is well, and he has not withheld the righteousness of God from the assembly. His burdens surround the Spirit’s Word to the churches to wake up and be found faithful, the Spiritual implications of certain events in Scripture and church history, the voice of the prophet Rolfe Barnard, the calling out of particular heresies/heretics with all due diligence, among other things. Jake Gardner is the true father figure, the one who spares not from declaring the sins of God’s people, yet maintaining peace with all men as far it is possible. He is a man of understanding who draws out the Counsel of a man’s heart which are as deep waters (Prov 20:5) resulting in encouragement of weary saints and rebuke of the unruly. These attributes are of course overlapping among the three of them, and there exist among them common burdens of the LORD: necessary revival, intercession for the saints, pouring out their lives as drink offerings on behalf of each soul in their congregation, laboring in WORD and doctrine… God only knows the hours daily spent in prayer among these elders. Their call to each saint here is, “You have all of my loving service, impartation of doctrine, and intercession before the LORD. I am but an unprofitable servant”.  I believe there is more I will learn in the time ahead of His grace towards these elders. There is a deep honor and Godly reverence among the brethren here towards these elders.

4.     Devotion to Prayer and the WORD: The brethren here are devoted exclusively to following the WORD of God and prayer. Carnal conversation is rare or altogether absent. The WORD of God dwells richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in their hearts to the LORD (Col 3:16). The brethren meet together for hours in the large assemblies to pray together for revival, the remnant, family members, and the needs within the congregation. Smaller groups meet daily within homes to pray always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints (Eph 6:18). The manner of prayer is fervent and zealous: travailing intercessory prayer. They do follow in the steps of Christ, Who in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto Him that was able to save Him from death, and was heard in that He feared (Heb 5:7). The cries of these saints in corporate prayer does shake the buildings at their foundations.

5.     The Maintenance of Holiness/Purity within the “Camp”: The permeating love for the LORD Jesus, hunger and thirst for righteousness, refinements through afflictions and persecutions, devotion to the core doctrines of Scripture including present-progressive salvation, the accountability and subjection one to another and to the elders, and the sacrificial brotherly watching of the others’ soul has resulted in a God-glorifying purity of this camp. If ever a brethren contains an evil heart of unbelief, they are disciplined that their flesh may be destroyed and their souls saved on the Day of the LORD. Those that repent are fervently restored. These brethren offer loving rebukes and exhortations one to another daily, lest any be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. I have also observed a heightened intensity of the LORD’s intolerance of sin within this Church. The Spirit of God within these saints powerfully chastens and strives against sin through the WORD of God, for these brethren do seek to consecrate their lives for His appearing. The Spirit of the LORD does not tolerate wickedness in this camp!

6.     Evangelism: Contrary to popular opinion, there are souls being saved in our midst! Souls do seek the LORD at the present time as a result of the revelation of Truth from within this place. Though the violence of the masses and the gates of hell are opened against this place, she finds favor from the blind, poor, needy, destitute, sick, and lonely from among the lost. These lost do stream to this place because Christ is among His people here!

7.     Ingathering of the Remnant: Just as all those who were distressed, discontented, and indebted gathered around King David at the Cave of Adullam, the starved, scattered, lonely, and dissatisfied remnant does one-by-one find its way to this place. It is starting to happen!

“² Declare ye among the nations, and publish, and set up a standard; publish, and conceal not: say, Babylon is taken, Bel is confounded, Merodach is broken in pieces; her idols are confounded, her images are broken in pieces.³ For out of the north there cometh up a nation against her, which shall make her land desolate, and none shall dwell therein: they shall remove, they shall depart, both man and beast.⁴ In those days, and in that time, saith the Lord, the children of Israel shall come, they and the children of Judah together, going and weeping: they shall go, and seek the Lord their God.⁵ They shall ask the way to Zion with their faces thitherward, saying, Come, and let us join ourselves to the Lord in a perpetual covenant that shall not be forgotten.⁶ My people hath been lost sheep: their shepherds have caused them to go astray, they have turned them away on the mountains: they have gone from mountain to hill, they have forgotten their restingplace.⁷ All that found them have devoured them: and their adversaries said, We offend not, because they have sinned against the Lord, the habitation of justice, even the Lord, the hope of their fathers.⁸ Remove out of the midst of Babylon, and go forth out of the land of the Chaldeans, and be as the he goats before the flocks…²⁸ The voice of them that flee and escape out of the land of Babylon, to declare in Zion the vengeance of the Lord our God, the vengeance of his temple.” (Jer 50)

8.     Singleness of Heart (Acts 2:46): Never before have I observed such perfect unity of mind and heart among brethren in the apostles’ Doctrine, the Doctrine of Christ. These brethren do stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the Gospel (Phil 1:27). With one accord does their resolve to mourn with God over the fallen state of His people sound from their prayers. Indeed His promise in His New Covenant was to give His people one heart and one way that they would fear Him forever for their good and that of their children after them (Jer 32:39). He is turning to them a pure language that they may call upon the Name of the LORD, to serve Him, with one consent (Zeph 3:9)!

9.     Fervent Familial Love: The mutual love and respect between husbands and wives in this place brings much glory to the LORD! There is an attitude of servitude, of placing the others’ needs, especially Spiritual needs, as a foremost priority. The husbands deeply love their wives, wash them daily in the WORD of God, while praying with and for them with all earnestness and tenderness. The wives harbor a deep soul-seated reverence towards their husbands, looking to them as their God-given priest heads whose authority will be divinely utilized for their continuance in the faith and ultimate salvation. It is not uncommon to see couples alone together tenderly exhorting one another with much love, joy, and peace in Christ. Indeed it has been a great blessing to see. Additionally children are given high priority in the home with regard to Scriptural training and instruction. Childishness and silliness is not condoned or smiled upon, but rather subjected to the fear of the LORD: “Come ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD” (Ps 34:11). Contrary to other children of professing Christians whom I have spent time with, the children here know that they are lost. When I have asked several of them, “Do you believe in Jesus?”, responses I received are, “No, not yet” or “I am still lost”. The essence of true conversion is so thoroughly manifested in this place that the children are exceedingly aware of their depravity! The hand of the LORD is upon several of the children in our midst for they have been enlightened to the judgment of the LORD against their wicked souls and to the salvaging of their souls that is to be found in the Gospel of Christ if they would, yes, if they could, in His Divine providence, believe!

10.  Sober and Biblical Judgment of Church-wide Status: Though the aforementioned attributes of moral splendor could result in an unrighteous pride or church-wide exaltation and glorying, the elders in this church do not think of themselves more highly than they ought, but do think soberly according to the grace and faith granted to them and by the standard of a Church laid forth in Scripture. (Rom 12:3) The elders do remain in great angst and in a straitened state until the Spirit be poured out upon the church from on high. They do comprehend that distance between where we are and where the Scriptures portray that we ought to be for both revival to ensue and the enduing from on high to come upon us and from the empowered state of possessing these. They continually entreat the LORD for the Spiritual gifts, for signs and wonders and miracles, specifically that the Gospel may be sent out in power and authority throughout the world. The single heart’s cry in this place is: LORD come in power! Send forth Your Spirit! Perform signs and wonders that Your Gospel may go forth to the ends of the earth!

“²⁴ And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, Thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is: ²⁵ Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things?²⁶ The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against His Christ.²⁷ For of a truth against Thy holy child Jesus, whom Thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together,²⁸ For to do whatsoever Thy hand and Thy counsel determined before to be done.²⁹ And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto Thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak Thy Word,³⁰ By stretching forth Thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of Thy holy child Jesus.³¹ And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the Word of God with boldness.” (Acts 4)

A Poem: Here in the Midst of the Church of Wells

Here in the midst of the Church of Wells
Of good fruit, brotherly love, the doctrine of Christ I must tell:
Stronger than ever I have clung to His atonement by grace through faith...
Holding fast to Christ, laying hold of eternal life, ready lamps garnished with oil we do make.
Forsaken, buried under heaps of Satanic slander we do pray
for reawakening of the sleeping bride, for revival of the New Covenant among the regenerate, yes, before Him these we lay.
Righteous judgments, mercy and love, these do we seek to render.
Tenderly and violently slay the carnal soul of the pretender
that in the end the flesh may be destroyed and the spirit spared.
The eternal Lordship of the only Potentate who dwells in unapproachable light these saints have declared.
His peace and love within me do daily grow, no mistake have I made in coming here.
There is no where else I would rather be than with His disciples who have counted the cost for Him alone must I fear.
Poor and needy lost souls, and distressed, discontented, and indebted saints do stream to this city
for the great Shepherd of the sheep, starved and scattered on the hills, He does lead with great pity.
Among the princes of His people, His elders over His flock, we see Him exulted and ascended
for these do watch over our souls, laboring to present every man perfect, yes, it is possible, for His Spirit has descended.
We call out for judgment, we bear the burden of the LORD
that this generation of saints may not perish in the way but return by the power of His WORD.

Unity # 35: The Authenticity of Christian Fellowship

Unity # 35: The Authenticity of Christian Fellowship

Dear Father,

    I praise You that You truly do love Your people. Your love is unfathomable and eternal. Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, Your Covenant of Love with Your people will never be annulled. Please help me in this letter, as I pour out my heart, about the truth of how things are and have been. May You be exalted in our bodies whether we live or die. You capture our gaze and when we have caught a glimpse of Your glory, our fear of You overtakes us and we can do, say, and think nothing but Christ. Please free us in our thoughts and attitudes by letting Yourself be found by us. Please crucify the misdeeds of my flesh. Yes, thank You for what You have done thus far.

In Jesus Christ’s Name,

Amen

Dear Beloved,

      There are many things on my heart that I seek the Lord’s help to pour out to you in this letter. To summarize I will be describing the counterfeit nature of what many call “Christian Fellowship/Unity”, and contrasting such counterfeit unity with the true fellowship of the saints.

Counterfeit Fellowship/Unity

     For most of the years of my post-regenerate life, I did not realize to large extent the pervasive presence of false Christianity all around me, nor the reality that the vast majority of professing Christians around me have never been regenerated. I thought that everyone who professed to be a Christian and who could speak about the Word of God with a measure of reason was indwelt with the Spirit. Certainly I experienced much confusion, for these very people seemed to be apathetic to the Word of God, and by their lifestyle and attitude, they seemed to not only have a love for the world, but an ever-increasing depravity, and a drifting away from the elementary teachings of Christ. There was no humble longing to know Christ, no evidence of a developed relationship with Christ, no vibrant striving against sin, no sorrow over the souls of the lost, no heart-felt love for the saints, no purity of heart that accompanied not simply a suppression of inordinate desires, but rather a replacement of these desires with the greater affection for Christ and all that He entails. There seemed to be a complacency towards the things of God, a nonchalance and mediocre perspective towards the heavenly things. But in spite of all these warnings, until this year, I assumed that as long as they professed to believe the Gospel and spoke good words at certain times, they must be saved, though perhaps, they were immature, and simply had not gone through the trials and discipline that I had gone through. God knows, they have actually gone through many more trials than me, but no Fatherly discipline. I know now, based on simple Scriptural evidence, that there are a very small percentage of true believers around me. Before I would have thought that there was a very small percentage of mature believers around me, but now after having studied the Scriptures with great intensity, and having heard the testimonies of many true believers (in several arenas including the Fellowship 2013 Conference), I am certain that many try to enter through the narrow door and are not able to (Luke 13:24). The “many” is not referring to those who openly reject the pursuit of the narrow door. The many refers to those who are actively pursuing the narrow door; and of this subset, many will not be able to enter. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it (Matt 7:14). Dear saints, this is remarkable! Of all the people in the world, both from the past, present, and future, only some strive to enter the narrow door. And of those who strive, only few find it. So we must understand that the Scriptures teach us that few will be saved in the end. Would God damn the vast majority of His creation? When we look at the past history of God’s work, He surely damned everyone alive at the time of Noah except for Noah’s family. In fact, the Scriptures give us evidence that this is how it will be throughout all history: many are called, but few are chosen (Matt 22:14; 1 Peter 3:18-22)

²⁶ And just as it happened in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man: ²⁷ they were eating, they were drinking, they were marrying, they were being given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. ^28 [r]It was the same as happened in the days of Lot: they were eating, they were drinking, they were buying, they were selling, they were planting, they were building; ²⁹ but on the day that Lot went out from Sodom it rained fire and ^[s]brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all. ³⁰ It will be ^[t]just the same on the day that the Son of Man is revealed. Luke 17

     In His righteousness and justice, He could have damned all of us, but out of His abundance He has chosen to save some! Those who love the world, the things in the world, the lust of the flesh and eyes, the boastful pride of life, do not have the love of the Father in them. The world, its lusts, and those who are friends with the world are passing away, for they are at enmity with the reign of our King (James 4:4). But the one who does the will of God lives forever. (1 John 2:15-17). Again, I must repeat what I wrote in a previous letter, “False Christianity is pervasive and damning” and I will venture to say that most of what you see around you that goes on in the name of Christianity [and here I speak with regard to the typical "carnal Christian church"], that even uses Bible verses and Christian-sounding dialect, is counterfeit. I do not say this out of anger or wicked judgmentalism, but with tears and simply because I know that it is true because I have seen and known the real thing. Not just I, but every regenerated saint has seen and known the real regenerating work of the Spirit, the true love of the Father in Christ, what it means to behold the glory of Christ’s life poured out on the cross, and to some extent, the power of His resurrection. And after having seen glimpses of these things, every true believer has the ability to discern what is false. By God’s gracious covenant, their love abounds still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, so that they may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ; having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes though Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God (Phil 1:9-11).

     Authentic Christian unity comes powerfully when true believers are present. They have no need of earthly gimmicks to conjure it. Why? Because Christ Himself is exalted among them and is Himself the source of their Spiritual union (see next section). But in the same manner as false Christianity seems to have great sway in the modern day “church” institutions, false unity and false fellowship have permeated them. This false unity is, at its roots, often subtly, planted in the soil of the temporal world that has judgment looming over it. The hourglass of time until God’s cup of wrath is poured out on such false unions is running out, dear saints. Such counterfeit unity is no different than that of the Gentiles who rage, the peoples who devise futile things, the kings of the earth who took their stand, and the rulers who gather together against the Lord and against His Christ, as the Holy Spirit spoke through the mouth of God’s servant King David. (Acts 4:25-26)

      What happens when false Christians who know nothing of the release from sins, nor the transferring of their souls to the Kingdom of Light, come together? They may be unified, but their unity is false. If certain aspects of their physical environment were to crack, their union would crack. That is, if one or more of the objects/idols of the lust of the eyes and flesh, or the boastful pride of life were removed, they would crumble in an instant, as the tower of Babel crumbled and the people were scattered. Regardless of the earthly prosperity of such a counterfeit union, regardless of the speed at which it progresses materially and socially, in a moment, God will bring it to naught. He has decreed destruction. Yes, He has surely decreed imminent destruction on those counterfeit unions of false believers. With lightning speed, when they are unaware, such faulty collaborations will fall to the depths of the earth, never to rise again.

     What does this mean for us, the true saints, who know that Christ alone has the Words of eternal Life? God tells us to “depart, depart, go out from there, touch nothing unclean; go out of the midst of her, purify yourselves, you who carry the vessels of the Lord. But you will not go out in haste, nor will you go as fugitives; for the Lord will go before you, and the God of Israel will be your rear guard” (Is 52:11-12) Dear saints, we are commanded not to forsake our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but to encourage one another; and ALL THE MORE as you see the day drawing near (Heb 10:25). We are commanded to take care that there not be in any of us an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God. But we are commanded to encourage one another DAY AFTER DAY, as long as it is still called, “Today”, so that none of us will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. For we have become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our assurance firm until the end. (Heb 3:12-14) Do you understand what this means? Seeking the true fellowship of true saints is a command of God, and we cannot forsake it. But we are in great need of His sovereign grace, for we are far outnumbered, somewhat scattered, some are temporarily deceived, many starving… But God’s Word commands us to seek not emotional support groups, morally refined chatter groups, children playing/moms small-talking groups, glamorous buildings, groups which lament over politics and church heresy, family food and fun events…but He commands to us seek the TRUE FELLOWSHIP OF THE TRUE SAINTS. I pray that you are starting to understand the implications of this, what it will mean for you and your family if you truly seek to follow the Savior and Lord Jesus Christ. It may mean leaving behind your years-long built social framework where you and your family are established and very comfortable. Or it may mean remaining there as an act of evangelism (for counterfeit “church” organizations need to hear the true Gospel and about the nature of a true believer) and service to the starving remnant, while additionally seeking the true assembly of saints at a different time/place. Is this my opinion? Well, yes, but that is of little significance to you. This is the will of God: that the true church, the true bride of Christ unites.

     Furthermore, as we understand the truth that we have become partakers of Christ if we hold fast the beginning of our assurance firm until the end, and our role in seeing to it that there not be in any of us an evil and unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God, there is a greater bond, and greater seeking of the Lord and His power, His grace, and His fruit in our lives. As long as people do not rise up against free grace theology by proclaiming the Truth of God’s Word, His eternal Covenant, there will be scarce fellowship. The very Truths of Lordship, true discipleship, the nature of a true believer, the outcome of regeneration, and the perseverance of the saints bind the true saints together strongly!

My Unity Letters

      When I first started writing the unity letters, I understood, experientially, little of true Christian unity and fellowship, and simply wrote what the Spirit taught me through His Words, longing and praying for it, yet knowing I did not have this fellowship but with gatherings of 2 or 3 and within my own family. We have seen flimsy doctrinal foundations of institutions around us crumble before our eyes, and for most the past several months, the exact opposite of the establishing of Christ-centered unity seemed to be happening. I knew God would teach me about unity this year, but I thought it would be a more massive act of God involving most of the professing believers around me, but I have seen in depth that the true unity of the saints, at least in my environment, has been small gatherings of two families or of 2 and 3 people gathered together whose heart’s desire is only for Christ. Yes, I have seen what I thought should have been unity, that is, the potential true fellowship of the masses of professing-believers, fall apart, but I have seen true unity on a small scale more vividly than ever before. I have seen the sweet comfort and love of a few dear saints around me. As I described before, the Fellowship 2013 Conference was a great gift from God to me, for I have never seen so many regenerated people together with an overwhelming love for God and one-another. I have never heard so many testimonies of people who thought they were Christians for years, but were never regenerated until that day when God chose to grant them the gifts of faith and repentance. I have seen real fellowship and prayer there on a much larger scale than I had seen it before and I know that it is built on the foundation of Christ, nothing else. The earth may shake, earthly buildings may crumble, health and materials may fail, but the unity of the saints will not be shaken. Why? Because Christ is their bond and He will not be shaken!

Authentic Fellowship and Unity of the Saints

     I will now refer to some Scriptures to describe the glorious, beautiful, real, true, Christ-dependent, Christ-centered, love-filled unity of the saints. Yes, it exists! I have seen glimpses of it. O dear saints, this exists, and we must actively pursue this fellowship, giving away and leaving behind whatever hinders it, while moving towards it, trusting in the power of God to bring it about. For Christ prayed that we may all be one; even as the Father is in Christ and Christ is in the Father, that we also may be in Them, so that the world may believe that the Father sent Christ. (John 17:20-21)

1.     Christ prayed that His glory is granted to them, and that they are perfected in unity that the world would know that the Father has sent Christ and has loved His people as He has loved His Son. Christ’s desire is that His people are with Him where He is, and that they may see the glory given to Him by His Father, who loved His Son before the foundation of the world. (John 17:22-24)

2.     The manifold wisdom of God is now made known through the church to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places in accordance with the eternal purpose carried out in Christ. (Eph 3:8-11) 

3.     The saints give thanks and pray for one another from the moment they hear of each other’s faith in Christ and their reciprocal love for all the saints. The Word of Truth, the Gospel, has come to them and constantly bears fruit in increasing measure in those who have understood the GRACE OF GOD IN TRUTH. Their love for one another in the Holy Spirit is great. (Col 1:3-8)

4.     The saints do not cease to pray for one another and ask that they may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all Spiritual wisdom and understanding so that they will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously giving thanks to the Father, who qualified them to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light. (Col 1:9-12)

5.     The saints rejoice in suffering for the sake of one another, and in their flesh they do their share on behalf of Christ’s body, the church. God willed to make known the riches of the glory of the mystery: Christ in the saints, the hope of glory. (Col 1:24-27)

6.     The saints proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, so that they may present EVERY MAN COMPLETE IN CHRIST. For this purpose they labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works in them. (Col 1:28-29)

7.     The saints struggle on behalf of the saints that their hearts may be encouraged, having been knit together in love, and attaining to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God’s mystery, CHRIST HIMSELF, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. They are with one another in spirit, rejoicing to see each other’s good discipline and the stability of their faith in Christ. (Col 2:1-5)

8.     The saints continually devote themselves to the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer. Everyone keeps feeling a sense of awe. All those who believed were TOGETHER and had all things in common. They shared with one another as anyone had need. DAY BY DAY they continued with one mind in the temple, breaking bread from house to house, taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved. (Acts 2:42-47). The congregation of saints were of one heart and soul (Acts 4:32)

9.     They are poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of the faith of the saints (Phil 2:17, 2 Tim 4:6)

10.  David and Jonathan:

Now it came about when he had finished speaking to Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as himself. ² Saul took him that day and did not let him return to his father’s house. ³ Then Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. ⁴ Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was on him and gave it to David, with his armor, including his sword and his bow and his belt. ⁵ So David went out wherever Saul sent him, and ^[a]prospered; and Saul set him over the men of war. And it was pleasing in the sight of all the people and also in the sight of Saul’s servants. 1 Sam 18

11.  They hear of each other’s love and faith towards the Lord Jesus toward all the saints and pray that the fellowship of their faith may become effective through the knowledge of every good thing in them for Christ’s sake. They have much joy and comfort in each other’s love, because the hearts of the saints are refreshed. (Phil 1:5-7)

12.  The Kingdom of God is in their midst.

²⁰ Now having been questioned by the Pharisees as to when the kingdom of God was coming, He answered them and said, “The kingdom of God is not coming with ^[n]signs to be observed; ²¹ nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or, ‘There it is!’ For behold, the kingdom of God is ^[o]in your midst.” Luke 17

To the saint, his bond with another saint whom he scarcely knows is much stronger than his tie to his own [unbelieving] family and to those [unbelievers] in his social, cultural, and hobby spheres. This is because Christ is precious to him. The true incorruptible love for Christ results in an instantaneous love for those who partake of His body.

It is a grievous sin to neglect or to fail to seek the true fellowship of the true saints.

Love in Christ,

Preethi