ADMINISTRATION (2)
ADMINISTRATION (2)
JT The object in reading these scriptures is to continue the subject of administration that came before us on Wednesday evening last. We were dwelling, at the close of that meeting, on the subject of gift, specific gift, which is represented in the twelve. “Peter standing up with the eleven”, Acts 2:14 it says. It was thought that the twelve represented the gifts which the Lord, as having ascended on high, received and gave. They were given from heaven. It says, “He gave some apostles, and some prophets, and some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers”, Ephesians 4:11. So that Peter, standing up with the eleven, recognises that ministry is dependent on gift, whereas all the saints may speak. It says that, as the Spirit gave them to speak forth, they spoke the wonderful things of God. It does not say that those who heard were convicted by their speaking, but it does say that, when they heard Peter’s address, they were convicted — “they were pricked in their heart”. Acts 2:37. So that the twelve represent, on the one hand, administration on earth, corresponding with Christ’s place on high, and on the other hand, ability, the gifts which are given for preaching. This special ability which God has given to men to call attention to His bounty is a further evidence of His grace, for He would, through the gifts, enhance that which is administered, and make it more acceptable to men. It says in Psalm 68:18, that the gifts are, “For the rebellious also, that the Lord God might dwell among them”. Hence, towards the end of chapter 2, it is said of those that believed that “they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship”. Acts 2:42. They not only came into the divine bounty, but they [p. 294] recognised divine authority; that is to say, the vessels of administration are also the vessels of authority. The bounty of heaven is administered, that is, blessing; but then the same ones represent the authority of heaven, because we cannot enjoy the bounty of heaven except as we are subject. As Peter says later on, He gives the Holy Spirit to those who obey Him. And those who believed Peter’s testimony showed that they were subject, in that they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ teaching or doctrine. It is not so much what the doctrine was in detail, as it was their doctrine — not Moses’ law, but the apostles’ doctrine. Believers are now subject to Christ, in that they continue steadfastly “in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship”. Mark you, the apostles’ doctrine. It goes on, “and in breaking of bread and in prayers”. Acts 2:42. So that the second chapter stands by itself. An order of things is set up in which the bounty of heaven is enjoyed, heaven being submitted to, and then the Lord adds to them. There is that on earth to which the Lord can add, so that we have great principles set out in this chapter. It stands by itself as setting up a system of things which is in accord with heaven, and to which the Lord can add. He will not add to anything that is not in keeping with this chapter.
EEL Would these early chapters give us the powers of the world to come?
JT I think that is right, but there is as well, one may say, a perfect organisation. You see things are set up definitely for the dispensation in this chapter. It is so in accord with heaven that the Lord can add. We have “added” mentioned twice here — first, there were three thousand, meaning that that number was linked up with the one hundred and twenty; but in the end of the chapter the Lord added certain ones; that is, such ones as were being saved, or were to be saved. That is, it is the side of sovereignty. There [p. 295] is now an order of things set up which is in accord with heaven, and to which can be added those that were to be saved — a spared remnant; and that is what He can recognise on earth now — what is indicated in the second chapter.
CA So that the thought of bounty is not so much connected with the world to come as with the present moment.
JT The Spirit of God is emphasising the elements of this wonderful system. It is the assembly. It is that to which the Lord adds.
SEE You spoke of distinctions. You referred to 1 Corinthians 15, the Lord’s appearing to Cephas and to the twelve, and to the apostles. Is your thought that the spiritual import of the twelve abides?
JT I think both abide. You see, He appeared to the twelve after He appeared to Cephas. I apprehend, in appearing to the twelve, He intended to convey to them His own feelings. He had taught them how to administer, when amongst them on earth in the days of His flesh; but, as risen, He appears to them — He would convey to them His own feelings as to administration, because the twelve means, I think, the administrative company, or number. But then it goes on to say that He appeared to five hundred brethren at once, as if the twelve were to be reinforced by the brethren. I do not think the idea of administration is connected with the brethren, although those that administer are brethren; but they are, as it were, supported by the brethren. And that is what is in view in the fourth chapter, because there we have the company to which Peter and John went. But He appeared to the twelve, and then to the five hundred brethren, and then to James, and then to all the apostles. Notice the difference — “all” the apostles. I apprehend that embraces every item of delegated authority, which was to be recognised. His appearing to them, I apprehend, would be to [p. 296] impress them with His own authority, and how it ought to be enforced.
EEL Would the recital of all those different appearings indicate that God was not going to leave the question of His beloved Son to what was merely adequate testimony of two or three, but that He gave a superabundant testimony to the resurrection?
JT I am sure that is so. Paul cites the different appearings to enforce the truth of the resurrection. But then, if you look into them as they stand, I think you will be impressed with a certain constructive feature in them. The first is Cephas. In the gospel of Luke the Lord appeared to Simon. Simon is the responsible man. But Paul says, “He appeared to Cephas”, 1 Corinthians 15:5 which is a spiritual designation, and has reference to what the Lord intended Peter to be in the economy He was setting up. Then the twelve follow on immediately, as bringing in the administrative idea. It is constructive. Then, if you have administration, the thing is to have the brethren with you in it; as Paul said, in writing to the Galatians, “and all the brethren which are with me”, Galatians 1:2. If the Lord is leading on these lines, you may have one brother, like Cephas, with the mind of the Lord. Then you have the twelve, an administrative company, but you need more than that — you need “all the brethren”. The Lord, I think, in His appearings, intended that all should move together as stamped with impressions from Himself, so that there is perfect unity in the movement. Then, I think, James would be a representation of what one man can do. His epistle, if it be the same James, and I doubt not it is, emphasises what individuals may do — what a man like Elijah, for instance, may do by prayer, or a man who converts a sinner from the error of his way. There you have an individual with an impression from Christ. How valuable he is! He is by himself. It says, “He appeared to all the apostles”, 1 Corinthians 15:7.
[p. 297] meaning that in all those that preceded there must be the insistence of divine authority, the women and all: so that, “all the apostles” are there, impressed with the appearing, as apostles. The apostle says, “And last of all, as to an abortion, he appeared to me also”, 1 Corinthians 15:8. It seems to me that Paul, from the reference the Lord makes in speaking to him and of him, would indicate that he was to be a personal representative of Christ here, which, to my mind, is one of the most interesting things to notice — one so entirely with Christ as to represent His feelings and sympathies here in regard to the assembly. So that, it seems to me, the appearings, in their order in 1 Corinthians 15, are constructive; that is to say, they represent a constructive development in the divine economy.
WJH Would you say that these various appearings, in effect, secured the building together of that which would grow unto a holy temple in the Lord; Ephesians 2:22? The building was “fitly framed” by these various appearings.
JT That is good. You recognise the importance of all those features as constructive.
WJH Cephas would fit into the structure more effectively after he had been the subject of this appearing.
JT He would, indeed.
EE What would you say the Lord would convey by each of His appearings to one’s mind?
JT What would it convey to you, supposing the Lord appeared to you personally? Would it not affect you all the rest of your life?
E.E. Indeed, it would!
JT That is the thing. It would stamp you for the whole of your life, in all your ministry.
Ques Are these different appearings to be experienced today?
JT Yes, in a spiritual way. The appearings [p. 298] during the forty days are intended to represent the Lord’s personal service during the whole period of the dispensation, not in a literal way, of course, as in these instances, but in a spiritual way. He is not here now, corporally, as He was then; but He, nevertheless, can manifest Himself according to John 14.
AH It says that the greater part remain until this present — would that be continuous?
JT Yes, think of how these five hundred brethren would talk about it, and the impression they would convey to any of the others who were not there.
WJH Would you say that the appearing of Cephas had an effect on him ever afterwards, in regard to his part in the administration, in its shepherd character? He says, “For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the shepherd and bishop of your souls”, 1 Peter 2:25.
JT That is good. Peter writes to the elders and says, “I am their fellow elder”, 1 Peter 5:1. There is not the slightest germ of popery in his remark. He was a fellow elder amongst the others — he was not above them. And so he goes on to say, “And a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed”. 1 Peter 5:1.
WDR Does that mean he was literally a witness of the sufferings of Christ?
JT Yes. In chapter 2 you have a perfect organisation, or economy, established, which runs on with what follows. The others take up other lines. The next chapter takes up another line, but this one stands. When it says that the Lord added to the assembly that indicated what went on over an indefinite period at Jerusalem. Those elements being there, He could add. Now the Spirit takes us to Peter and John. That is, the Spirit occupies us now with two of the number, meaning that, although there were twelve, there were two distinguished ones,
[p. 299] which is always in keeping with the divine ways. Variety is a great feature in the divine ways, so that, whilst there were twelve, there are two distinguished ones. They are distinguished by heaven, and they represent what one may call the best of what there was, because there are degrees of comparison in divine things. In fact, in the millennium there will be decline, alas! It begins at the top with thirteen bullocks, and comes down to seven. We have to expect that. So that the Spirit of God, it seems to me, in the third chapter, occupies us with the very best that there was in Peter and John.
WJH You see that idea in creation, one star differing from another in glory, and so on; 1 Corinthians 15: 41. It is a divine idea.
JT Yes. It is well we should be notified of this, because it dissipates all socialistic feeling and sentiment amongst the people of God. Whilst there are twelve equally called apostles, yet there are two distinct ones, and that gives character to chapters 3 and 4. The result of their work stands. The man who gets blessing does not go away from them, he stands by them. What is emphasised is the perfection of the work of these great servants.
EEL Would the hour of prayer represent the expression of human need in view of divine power?
JT Yes. It is fitting, in the presentation in this chapter, that they should be going up at that hour. It is the ninth hour — possibly it refers to the hour in which the Lord died. It was an hour that Peter and John would take note of. It is quite in keeping that attention should be called to the best.
GAvS Would the calling of our attention to the best serve to stimulate our hearts, so that we should never be content with anything less than that; that is to say, that there should be the continual exercise that the best should be found amongst the people of [p. 300] God?
JT One looks around and sees how God is working; one sees the young men in our meetings, and the great possibilities before them, and there is encouragement. But how do we compare with these two men? I say that to myself, and one feels the littleness there is, the spiritual poverty, amongst the people of God at the present time. The Spirit of God calls attention to these two men, Peter and John, going up to the temple at the hour of prayer. How do we compare with these two men?
GAvS Would you say that the best must necessarily be productive of results, such as we get here in this man taking his place by their side?
JT Yes, the fruit of their work stands by them. This man goes right through with them, and he stands by them in their sorrows and persecutions.
Ques Would you say we gain by having John in his gospel, and Peter in his epistle?
JT I am sure of it.
HWB Would you gather anything from them going up together?
JT It was a beautiful spectacle, spiritually, when one remembers what these two men were. According to John’s record the Lord looked at Peter, and said, “Thou ... shalt be called Cephas”, John 1:42. The Lord looked at Peter. He saw divinely the potentiality of that man. Matthew records that after Peter’s confession of the Lord, the Lord said to him, “Thou art Peter”. That is to say, he was Peter as material, and he was Peter by appearance. Think of what Peter was here — he was in the full height of his power. He says, “Look on us”, Acts 3:4. Then there is that beautiful disciple who styles himself, “The disciple whom Jesus loved”. Why did Jesus love him specially? Because he was lovable. So that you have a man in John competent to stand by Peter — you have stability, material, the stone, whilst in John you have beauty and lovableness — [p. 301] a family man, a man with family affections. You have both of these men, at that moment, at the very height of their power.
Rem Answering to the costly stones, and the precious stones of the temple.
JT Just so. They appear in the foundations of the city, “the twelve apostles of the Lamb”. Revelation 21:14.
EE Is there any kindred thought in the fact that the Lord chose these two disciples to prepare the passover?
JT Yes. One is administrative, and the other representative of the family. They represent the features which must always accompany the celebration of the Lord’s supper.
WDR You said John was a lovable man. Would that be in any degree natural, or because of his knowledge of God, and God’s ways, and being acceptable to the Lord Jesus Christ?
JT Entirely the latter. It was because of what he was spiritually.
CA Would you say that the position is characterised by bounty, when Peter said, “... such as I have give I thee”?
JT They were in all the good of the bounty of heaven. They were competent to administer it.
CA Those two thoughts are inseparable.
JT Yes. You see how that man stands by Peter and John. There are many today who are serving in the gospel, who are like the ostrich. I was noticing it in Job. The Lord says to Job, “The ostrich ... leaveth her eggs in the earth and warmeth them in dust, and forgetteth that the foot may crush them”, Job 39:13,14. That is to say, there is no paternal instinct there to follow up, or care for the offspring. Now the work of these two men stood by them — the man held Peter and John.
[p. 302] GAvS Do you mean by that, that he was attracted to that which was manifested in those two distinct lines you speak of?
JT Exactly. He was attracted to them — he stood by them right through in their sufferings. So that we have now added to these two wonderful servants the product of their work, and what comes out is that the man corresponds with them. Not only does he hold on, but he walks and leaps, and praises God. That is what they began with, and when the Lord ascended up into heaven according to Luke, the disciples went back to Jerusalem, and went into the temple, and were daily praising and blessing God. That is, I think the principle comes out here that a believer, one who receives light, is intended to correspond with the vessel through whom the light comes. So that, if we work back to Christ, the result of the preaching is correspondence to Christ. This man corresponded to them, and he was in the temple with them praising God — a further witness of the bounty of heaven. What super-abounding grace of God that He should have such a witness as that in the temple!
EEL Did this man, as he sat at the beautiful gate of the temple, constitute a challenge as to the capacity of the divine administration to meet his need?
JT I am sure that is right.
EEL And did what was done indicate not merely capacity to meet the man’s need, but that there was the superabundance we were speaking of earlier, because he does not only get alms, but the reason for his need is met as well? He is not only made able to walk, which he was not able to do before, but he is made able to leap and praise God.
JT Quite. Well, now, to proceed, what one wishes to call attention to is, what is said of these three — Peter and John and this man? It says,
“[p. 303] And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them”. One would call attention to the company as a new feature in the development.
WJH I suppose it would indicate the tabernacle, which we were speaking of yesterday, was complete in that way. The whole of the divine idea was there.
JT Quite. And what comes out in the company is what you might call consolidation. That is a word that has become current in recent years. The position is taken and consolidated. It is a military term. You will always find where there is divine movement the results are intended to be incorporated in what already existed. There is, therefore, an accession of light and grace and power, all going to add to what existed: and then there follows formation or consolidation. In these circumstances, as Peter and John related what had happened, a sense of need is created. You see how perfect the conditions were. There was a sense of need, so they pray. It says, “And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together: and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spake the word of God with boldness”.
CA So that in the same way the company could confirm all that Peter had related to them in connection with Cornelius?
JT Just so. So that, however much attention may be called to any ministering brother, however much excess in ministry there might be, or however much suffering, all is intended to merge in the company. The company conveys the idea of mutuality. I merge in the company. We hear nothing of Peter and John working specially together after all this happens — they merge in the company. It is a very salutary experience that, however prominent one may be in service, he merges in the company.
GAvS I suppose merging in the company [p. 304] would lead on to the position of consolidation, to which you referred. If there were not the merging in the company, however useful a brother might be, there will be brought in some interest other than that which is proper to the company.
JT Merging into the company saves us from officialism or clericalism. The greatest apostles become merged into the company. Their report is given, and that leads to prayer on the part of all, and they are all filled with the Spirit. That is a point of great importance for those who are active in the Lord’s service, that anything that accrues, any profit, belongs, and is added to, the company. It is not for me only. In this way the whole company becomes greatly enriched.
WJH The apostle Paul was heartily in sympathy with it when he said, “For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake”, 2 Corinthians 4:5.
JT Quite, and so he says, “For all things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos, or Cephas”, 1 Corinthians 3:21,22.
GAvS I suppose it comes out in chapter 4:32, they “were of one heart and one soul”; and also, “neither said anyone of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own”.
JT Quite. Well, now, things are moving on according to the original design of heaven. These men were the very best, and they are merged into the company. Then you find that the apostles come out again, because, you see, we cannot afford to lose any one of them. If one brother seems to be obscure, and not used, this merging principle of the activity of the Spirit brings out heaven’s original design; “and with great power”, it says in verse 32, “gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus”. You have them all now — you do not lose one of them. It is not the design of God that one or [p. 305] two should overshadow all the others, because everyone has his place and service. Then it goes on to say, “Neither was there any among them that lacked; for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, and laid them down at the apostles’ feet, and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need”. Now, you see, the administrative spirit lays hold of all. Things are moving according to the original appointment of heaven. Those that had benefited by the administrations of heaven are now themselves administering what they have of material things. I doubt if anyone will be employed in administering spiritual things, unless he first learns to administer his material things. You begin there.
JW Would it be on the line of mutuality? There would be no selfishness displayed if mutual lines are observed?
JT Quite. It says, “The place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit”. I am sure Peter and John would rejoice in that as much as any of the apostles or persons that were present, because they did not wish to arrogate all the Spirit’s power to themselves.
Ques Would you say this is an order and state of things the Lord would stand by?
JT I am sure He would, to bring us to these principles. Well, then, Barnabas appears. It does not say Barnabas was surnamed by Peter and John. It says he was surnamed Barnabas by the apostles. So that we now return to the original thought — the apostles are emphasised, because the Lord will never give up what He institutes. However much variety of power there may be, the Lord never surrenders His primary thought. If He takes up Paul to preach, the preaching must be through Paul, “That by me, the preaching”,
says Paul, “might be fully known”, etc. And so the Lord takes up the twelve, and He will stand by the twelve and see to it that they are recognised. Barnabas is a new link. We have a man now who is going to link on with the others, coming later into an extended field of activities, and this we may, perhaps, consider another time. This man comes in at this juncture as a veritable gift from Christ, and he links on with the new lines of ministry that the Lord is about to introduce.
WJH What is the thought of his being called the son of consolation?
JT I think he must have been a great accession to the company. The company must have greatly valued this Levite, as he came in amongst them. If the apostles called him that, you may be sure he was that.
WJH I was thinking, perhaps, it would suggest another element of the holy ointment. There is a fragrance about it. It says of Noah’s burnt offering, that God smelt a savour of rest.
JT Quite. He gives a fine lead as it were. We shall see the effect of this in Antioch later on. It speaks of those that were “well off”. In some meetings they are well off. Thank God for it! You have the expression, “well off”, in chapter 11. It says, “and they determined according as anyone of the disciples was well off, each of them to send to the brethren dwelling in Judaea, to minister to them, which also they did, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul”. Acts 11:29. So that Barnabas is an excellent leader — he is on the line of giving.