FELLOWSHIP ENCLOSING WHAT IS PRECIOUS TO CHRIST

Nehemiah 6: 1–4, 15, 16; Song of Songs 4: 12–16; 5: 1; Acts 19: 1–10; 20: 7–12, 17–21, 25–38.

JBI I felt exercised, dear brethren, as to the importance of the work wrought by God in this passage in Nehemiah as to the wall. It says, “they perceived that this work was wrought by our God”. I would like to enquire with the brethren as to what that signifies, because we understand that the books of Nehemiah and Ezra were related to the time of the captivity. A time when there had been failure, as there is in our day, when all is outwardly and publicly in ruin, but yet it says, “this work was wrought by our God”. Surely it must be so that God is bringing about a work in our day, in time of revival, and I trust that each of us is in the consciousness that we are in a time of revival. We see in the beginning of this chapter that there was a great resentment by the enemies of the people, enemies of Nehemiah and those with him as to building the wall. And in thinking about it I would like to enquire with the brethren as to why there was such a persistent opposition to building the wall.

Now I read a little of what Mr. Taylor said as to the building of the wall, and I would like to ask the brethren about it. He said that it relates to fellowship, seen in a number of features (Vol. 19, p.264). The first is that God Himself has called us into the fellowship of His Son.

What a dignity belongs to that fellowship! But then, also, there is the fellowship of Christ’s death and all that that implies, as calling for self-judgment and faithfulness. We see the world and all man’s ideas finished there. Then there is also the fellowship of the Spirit, and I believe there is much emphasis in these days as to drawing upon the Holy Spirit and His service. Then John says, “if we walk in the light as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another”, 1 John 1: 7. Mr. Taylor speaks remarkably of how, as a result of that, the love of God is known, the love of the Son of God is known,

the love of the Spirit is known and the love of the brethren is known. So that what impresses me is the wall and its importance. We see here in Nehemiah’s day that it was finished in only fifty-two days. There were no breaches in it. It was strong, a result firstly due to individual exercise. Nehemiah speaks initially of his God, but now there are those with him with the same heart. God had put it first in his heart, then in the hearts of those with him, so that he goes on to speak of our God. But then, not only is the wall defensive, and surely it must be so because of the aggressive and persistent attacks of the enemy against its building, but there is what is conserved in relation to what is inward. I wondered if that comes out really in the Song of Songs, where we see typically what is conserved for the heart of Christ and Him alone. Everything else is shut out, and what is precious, what is fruitful, what is enjoyable, what is for His own pleasure and His own satisfaction is conserved there. And then we see that we come in in chapter 5: 1, that there is much to enjoy as these things are known and realised.

Paul’s epistle to the Ephesians gives us a wonderful record of all God’s counsels and purposes in relation to the formation of the assembly after the heart of Christ and for Him, the wonderful truth of the mystery. Where we read in Acts 19 and 20 we see a remarkable sequence of events under Paul’s leading resulting in what was formed in the assembly at Ephesus. Firstly there is the reception of the Spirit, and then there is the teaching of the kingdom, then there is the separation of the disciples. In chapter 20 they come together to break bread. But before they break bread there is the discourse of Paul—remarkable extensive teaching. And then there is the boy falling out of the window. He is recovered by Paul who enfolds him in his arms. After that they break bread. It has been suggested that flowing out there was a reading. There was what was mutual, what was enjoyed together in enquiry among the saints. Later on in the chapter we see as a result of Paul’s service, not only publicly but in every house, he admonished them with tears.

There was a remarkable result, seen among the saints in affection, and receptiveness of the greatest things that were conveyed, as Paul announced to them all the counsel of God, the preciousness of the assembly. And his work there is completed and there is responsiveness to him in affection. I just wondered if perhaps we could get some help about that.

DTP I am sure that will be profitable for us. We do need to be reminded of God’s work going on and it is very precious. The need is that I am in the intelligence of it too. So what is protective is related to the great principles of the truth that need to be upheld and cherished by us. But really the true enjoyment of fellowship together, and the holy bonds in Christ can be enjoyed in fulness by us. The enemy is always against it but we need to be protective of these things.

JBI Yes, it is good to be reminded that it is God’s working. Nehemiah was faithful.

He was the one in whose heart God put this exercise to bring about recovery, to bring about a tangible answer in Jerusalem as to God’s thoughts. Then he goes before the king, and he gains permission to go to that place where there was such a ruin. He felt it and he felt grieved about it. And he expressed that grief. And not only did he do that but he owned the sin of the breakdown before his God. But then he found others of a similar feeling, and feeling as God felt it, and God was with them in this great work, was He not?

DTP Yes, you see something of what can be done through a person who has true exercise and interest in what is precious to God. He felt the loss of Jerusalem, and the need for us is that we have the true Jerusalem before us in our hearts and in our lives.

JBI Well, what does that mean for us in our day?

DTP First of all it is Christ, then the Spirit, and then you have the joy of what is assembly in character, do you not? And in it you find the fulness of what works out among the saints as we come into the appreciation of what we are in God’s sight, as being a temple of the Holy Spirit.

JBI Yes, that is the inward side, is it not?

T.D.B.

In Nehemiah do you see committal and affection for what was there? It speaks about what God put in his heart.

JBI Yes, remarkable committal in all of his circumstances. So much so that he went before the king, and the king remarked on his appearance, his grief, and the king was affected by it. It related to what was for God. It was a high standard that Nehemiah presents.

T.D.B.

He speaks about the great work in the scripture that was read. “I am doing a great work, and I cannot come down.”

JBI Yes, a great work. It is a great work in our day, do you think?

M.C.

He is marked by the spirit of endurance. He is committed to it. He will not be discouraged from continuing the work. His continual dependence upon God is remarkable, is it not?

JBI Yes, you would have thought that he would be cast down by this belligerent and persistent attack. “They sent to me four times after this sort”, and that was not the end of it because the next verses speak about the attempt to misinterpret their motives and to say that they had false motives. Do you think that faithfulness costs a lot, if we are true?

M.C.

Yes, I think that is right. The strength for it can only be in God. There is that cry in verse 9, “Now therefore strengthen my hands!” So that he is able to pursue fully to the end.

JBI And God did strengthen their hands. It is remarkable how quickly the wall was built. In less than two months! This great structure was completed, no breach in the wall and it was due to the fact that they worked together side by side. The detail of it comes out in the earlier chapter.

GAB Do you see any significance in what it says in verse 1, “I had built the wall, and that there was no breach left in it (though at that time I had not set up the doors in the gates)”.

I was just wondering perhaps, tell me if I am right, in early Acts they continued in the apostles’ doctrine, breaking of

bread and prayers. That is really the wall set up is it not? But do you think the gates being set up really leads us onto Paul’s ministry that you have in mind in Acts 20?

JBI That is helpful. Yes, so the saints go in do they not? I am sure there was what was opened out through Paul which formed what was inside the city.

JAB Is your thought in the first two scriptures that there is what is precious that is enclosed, and it is because of what is precious that the enemy is against it. Is that right?

JBI Exactly. That is the reason that he knows that it is worth attacking. That all God’s thoughts, all God’s purposes, throughout the ages is that Christ is Head of the assembly, and it is to be seen practically and really functioning. The enemy will be persistent in his attack to oppose any expression of that.

JAB So we will be helped in recognising that, and seeking to hold ourselves against it if we too hold these things precious. These three matters that you quoted from Mr Taylor’s ministry are very precious, and the enemy is against each one of them. But there is that which encloses them protectively as a result of a positive appreciation of what is precious for God.

JBI Yes, indeed and it can only be where the wall is complete, that these things in their preciousness can be practically realised amongst the saints.

GCMcK Is it not only a great work but the element of elevation enters into it does it not?

He says, “I cannot come down. Why should the work cease, whilst I leave it and come down to you?” Paul approached Ephesus through the upper districts. So the whole approach to this matter connects with what is elevated, does it?

JBI Yes, I am sure of that. Do you think that relates to the fellowship of God’s Son?

The dignity of it? Help us please.

GCMcK Yes, I wondered that. The matter is such a great and dignified one that it is proof against anything that any way the enemy would attack on a lower line, and the line of man’s ideas and so on.

JBI Yes, so the wall comes out in its beauty in Revelation.

There it is in its glory and shining. The bride the Lamb’s wife having the glory of God.

RT Was the wall a necessity because the house was there, and it is affection for the house that would promote the maintenance of the wall?

JBI Yes, help us about that please.

RT The wall is both exclusive and inclusive is it not? I thought the fellowship of God’s Son is the inclusive side. The death of Christ is the exclusive side. It keeps out everything that is unholy, does it not?

JBI That is very helpful. So that the death of Christ would shut out man and his ideas. What is contrary to the presence of God and His house is shut out, do you think? Help us please.

RT The motive for it all is that there might be a dwelling-place that God’s name may be maintained. The enjoyment of that dwelling-place would give us urgency and watchfulness as to the wall.

JBI So it is urgent here. The short time in which this was completed was quite remarkable. No time was to be lost. They were not going to be diverted by this invitation to go down to the plain of Ono. In their affection they were looking for what was prime according to God’s heart.

RG Do you think what he says earlier in the book, “but I told no man what my God had put in my heart to do for Jerusalem” (Nehemiah 2: 12), is an essential ingredient to be able to build the wall, and to preserve inside what is for God and for Christ?

JBI I am sure it is an essential ingredient. Help us about it because there he was acting alone at that point.

RG Where your treasure is there will your heart be also. It seems to me that in Nehemiah’s heart there was a treasure and this is what it was. The assembly should be treasured by us in our affections. It is not a mental matter. We have a good deal of doctrine but it has to be a heart matter, if we are going to be prepared essentially to preserve what there is for the heart of Christ.

JBI We can often, and I speak for myself, have a lower

view, because of the ruin, but we should have God’s view, which is going through despite the ruin. That should be a treasure to me, it should lay hold of me. Not only that I should enjoy reading about it, but that it should govern me and become my treasure as you say.

GBG So is the wall the truth built into the souls of persons? I was wondering if the wall is the love of the truth built into the souls of persons.

JBI Yes, I am sure it is. Are you thinking of the fact that each one took up their responsibility and they took it up side by side as together in it?

GBG That is right. You think of the fellowship of Christ’s death. I must personally appreciate Christ’s death, the truth related to that, and then I will be protective of what is precious. It must work out in persons must it not?

JBI It must work out in persons and initially individually. But what a thing it is to find others of a similar conviction, through appreciating what is precious as we have been saying.

JDG In chapter 6: 14, Nehemiah discerns whether it is of God or not. Is that one of the features of the assembly protectively that as we are gathered together according to 1

Corinthians 14 there is a critical spirit, righteously, of discernment?

JBI That is important. Do you think that that involves being sensitive to what the Holy Spirit is saying? Sensitive too as to what is contrary to what the Holy Spirit is saying.

Say more please.

JDG It is an area where divine Persons are free to communicate their thoughts, and where there are persons able to receive them.

JBI Yes, very good. Well, perhaps we could look at the Song of Songs. We understand that this passage relates yet to the Lord’s dealing with His people Israel, but I think it is held in affection by His assembly now and appreciated. It is remarkable that there is what is enclosed in order that what is precious, what is flowing, what is fruitful should be conserved for the Bridegroom. It is initially seen here as a

garden enclosed, a spring shut up, a fountain sealed. That is really it is for Him alone.

JSp There is an amazing variety of fruits. Is that one of the precious features of the assembly, the variety that is there?

JBI That is very wonderful. Would that be the result of the recognition of the Spirit do you think? Help us.

JSp Well I just think of how every one has a different impression of Christ and it merges together. It is like the mixing of the precious ointment is it not?

JBI Yes, very good. So there is something spontaneous here. There is what is shooting. “Thy shoots are a paradise of pomegranates”. All these precious fruits are coming out spontaneously under the hand of the Spirit in our day.

CKR The third element you mentioned was the fellowship of the Spirit. Would you say a little on that please? It might be something we do not think about. We certainly think about the other two, but what about the third one? There may be something of the fruits of this in the features in this chapter which may reflect the positive working of the fellowship of the Spirit.

JBI I wondered that. You can say much more than I can.

CKR I think it is a very precious matter because Paul finishes 2 Corinthians with that thought of the fellowship of the Spirit. He says, “the communion of the Holy Spirit, be with you all” (2 Corinthians 13: 14), in view of protecting and conserving what is for Christ in that local company.

JBI The fellowship of the Spirit, we have been taught, is what derives from Him as recognising Him, giving Him full scope in my life individually and then in the company. It brings out what is flowing and sweet in relation to the appreciation of Christ. It is interesting that it is a well of living waters, which stream from Lebanon. That is Christ, is it not?

GAB When they were let go they came to their own company (Acts 4: 23). Do you think it is something like the spring shut up, they found no outlet anywhere else except in the circle where the Lord was known and loved and where He was free?

JBI That was really the wall functioning, that there was

that to which they could resort in affection, and in the knowledge that there alone they could be sustained.

RT Would the two choirs singing on the wall at the end of the book be a type of the fellowship of the Holy Spirit do you think?

JBI That is helpful. Go on please.

RT All this is in those two great choirs, and the joy of Jerusalem being heard afar off. They were all singing together were they not?

JBI Yes, indeed, spontaneous response in the power of the Spirit. Is He the power for joyful response, do you think?

RT You could not have this garden without the enclosure, and the garden would be the fruits of the Spirit springing up as has been said.

JBI Yes, I am sure of that.

GBG Is the fellowship of the Spirit dependent on the appreciation of Christ’s death?

The Spirit is sensitive and we must be in keeping with Christ’s death, otherwise there might be a hindering of the enjoyment of what the Spirit would have us enjoy?

JBI It is important to see that. Those three matters go on together, side by side; the dignity of the fellowship to which God has called us, that is the Father calling us. And then there is the fellowship of Christ’s death. Without seeing the end of the world, and coming to a judgment of it, and shutting out the thoughts of man, we cannot really give place to the Spirit, do you think?

GBG Yes, and the fellowship of the Spirit as you say is a sensitive thing. It is not simply that I go along to the same meeting room as others, but it means that I have that inward link with them by the Spirit. Is that right?

JBI Yes, it is having a sensitiveness of how the Spirit is functioning in the company, giving place to one another and hearing what He is saying. We should not really come away from any meeting without having a sense of what the Spirit is saying at that time.

M.C.

So something of that is seen, do you think, in Philippi? I was thinking of the conditions there that Paul approved of

and obviously found great delight in. In chapter 1 he refers to “that your love may abound yet more and more in full knowledge and all intelligence, that ye may judge of and approve the things that are more excellent”, Philippians 1: 9, 10. I wondered if that linked with this section that we have here?

JBI I am sure it does. There was in Philippi that which he could speak of as his joy and crown. And yet there was something still to be wrought there. He exhorts in chapter 2,

“that ye may think the same thing, having the same love, joined in soul, thinking one thing”

(Philippians 2: 2). He speaks there of the fellowship of the Spirit. There was something yet that he longed for, that his joy should be fulfilled.

JDG Did Paul know something of the north wind as well as the south wind to bring forth the spices that were resident in him by Christ?

JBI He certainly did. He gives an account of all that happened, all that he faced. It certainly was a north wind. And dear brethren, many we know are going through north wind experiences now, and it is in view of releasing the spices, do you think?

JDG Yes, he speaks of my God being able to supply all that you require.

JBI Yes, that is fine and it is worth going through those experiences of the north wind. It is a severe thing but it is measured, and it has a result in view.

NJH The beloved is immediately invited, “Let my beloved come into his garden”. It shows what is produced, there is the north wind but there is the immediate invitation to the beloved to come in.

JBI Well that is fine. Help us about that because we go through discipline, some are going through discipline through health or severe exercises. Is it in view of inviting the Lord into the place that is His, that He should have a greater place in His company?

NJH Look at what God had wrought in Nehemiah, but this is what God has wrought in the persons themselves, the assembly. That is God’s work that is actually being expressed.

JBI It is indeed. So what would the south wind speak of? There is a north wind but there is the south as well.

RG It is the same wind is it but a different direction? It is the love of God made known in Christ. It is the love of God that comes with the north wind. We might not think of it like that at the time but that is what it is. Then the time comes when it can turn around, and then that love releases what has been accomplished through blowing from the north, do you think?

JBI That is fine. He disciplines those that He loves.

RGr Why do you think that the loved one invites the wind? She says, “Awake, north wind, and come, thou south”. Could you help us as to that?

JBI I would like to hear what you say.

RGr Well we have already remarked on the fact that she speaks later to her beloved,

“Let my beloved come into his garden”, but it seems prior to that she speaks, typically, to the Spirit. So that what is in her would be brought out into liberty and fulness for the Lord’s pleasure, do you think?

JBI That is fine. Do you think that should enter into the prayer meeting? We should not just be limited to our needs and dear brethren being made better, but do you think we should be looking to God that there should be a stirring up of affection for Christ through whatever means?

RGr Well I think that is helpful. I think what you say about the Spirit is important at this present juncture of the testimony because the brethren are going through much, both in the way of discipline, and be it said, in the way of blessing and help, but we need the present touch of the Holy Spirit and good relations with the Spirit, so that the fulness of these things might be known.

JBI I am sure it is most important to recognise the Spirit and what He is saying at the moment, what He is saying to the assemblies. And we are each to have an ear for that.

RG So in regard to your reference to the prayer meeting, it has been said has it not, that while it is right that we should be concerned about conditions in health and family and work and so on, the greater part of our prayers in the prayer

meeting should be related to the assembly and what it is for Christ.

JBI I think that is right and it is an exercise. I find the prayer meeting quite a test.

RG We speak carefully, it is relatively easy to pray for the problems, but then we are to pray for what is inward and most precious to the heart of Christ, that it might be secured in me individually, and then in all those with whom I walk, locally and universally, do you think?

JBI Indeed, that it should be the basis for invitation for Him to come into that which is so enjoyable to Him.

GCMcK So she is intelligent as to what is necessary, the north wind and the south. She knows that these things are needed. I was just thinking of the intelligence of the saints even in connection with the prayer meeting. It says, “we do know that all things work together for good”, Romans 8: 28. We are intelligent as to these things and, even when we have in mind the difficulties, we see the divine end that is really in mind in it all, do we?

JBI Yes, indeed. The difficulties are not an end in themselves, but it is that He should come into His garden and eat its precious fruits. The difficulties resolved magnify Christ.

RT You see she is already being greeted as “my sister, my spouse”. Is it in the enjoyment of a known relationship, that we are able to speak about these winds and able to invite Him?

JBI Surely it must be so. The appreciation of who Christ is as our Head, the One who loves us, the One who truly loves His assembly, giving Himself for it, do you think?

RT Are we conscious of what the assembly means to Him? so that we are able to fill out the responsibility and enjoyment of being His sister, His spouse?

JBI Yes, indeed.

NJH With reference to Romans 8 which is in the context of prayer, intercession of the Spirit, it refers to the mind of the Spirit, as if there is a certain direction, inward direction, as to what way the Spirit would be leading, which God searches

out. Would that be right?

JBI I am sure of that and we need to be sensitive to that, His current mind. What He is bringing about in affection and in responsiveness in the saints, do you think?

W.M.P.

Circumstances that you have spoken about, both of sorrow and joy, promote body feelings do they? What is organic working among the saints. Is that what the honeycomb is?

JBI That is helpful. The Lord Jesus is spoken of here as the Lover. He comes into His garden and then it says, “I have eaten my honeycomb with my honey “. His appreciation of what is found in the saints, as working together comes out there. But then our joy results.

“Eat, O friends; drink, yea, drink abundantly, beloved ones!”. Is that really having fellowship with one another as drinking into what is so precious in relation to Him?

W.M.P.

No doubt the saints are being drawn together in a very peculiar way at the present time by the circumstances in the testimony.

JBI Yes indeed. The circumstances the saints go through highlight what is precious in their affections.

DTP Really a tremendous wealth comes into this in what the Lord Himself finds. “I have gathered my myrrh”. There is all that side as to what the Lord finds that is precious to His heart. It is only from the formed vessel that He can find that, and then He is eating something and He is drinking the wine too. Then He is bringing us into the joy of it with Himself which is most precious. We need to see the scope of matters that the Lord sees, and find that that is functioning in His body here.

JBI So it is my myrrh and my spice. He is totally identified with what the assembly appreciates of Himself, of His sufferings, of what is so precious seen in Him, and He Himself gathers it. That is very fine.

M.C.

Do we have a particular sense of that as the Lord is with us in the essential occasion? As He comes in there is a sense of His own approval and His own satisfaction in what He finds, do you think?

JBI That is good. There is what we bring alongside of what He brings Himself—

something new and living each time.

CKR When the Lord said, “Saul, Saul, why dost thou persecute me?” (Acts 9: 4), had He not really come into His garden in Damascus and in the testimony, and Paul picks that up and develops it. He was developing honeycomb conditions in all the various local assemblies for the praise and glory of God, and for the heart of Christ, and for the blessing of the saints.

JBI That is fine because Paul is directed to Damascus, and there he finds love. He finds Ananias who has been adjusted by the Lord Jesus and who receives him with remarkable affection, and what answers to the “me” there, “why dost thou persecute me?” He finds Christ there.

RGr In the enjoyment of these things, first of “friends” and then “beloved ones”, do you think that there is a sense of being drawn closer to the Lord as these experiences are gone through?

JBI Yes indeed. Just distinguish what it is to be a friend and to be a beloved one.

RGr I wondered if the matter of friends would relate to coming up from the wilderness, “Ye are my friends if ye practise whatever I command you”, John 15: 14. But as the Lord comes in and takes over, so to speak, we are drawn closer in affection and we find really the secret of His heart, that we are His beloved ones, do you think?

JBI I think that is our experience as we come together to break bread, that there would be a sense of being His friends that we are remembering Him, we are honouring Him in a place where He is rejected. But as He comes in He greets us as His beloved, His brethren.

It is totally new ground is it not?

T.D.B.

What does the thought of a garden suggest to you?

JBI It comes out in the very beginning. God brought about the garden for His own pleasure. What would you say?

T.D.B.

I was just enquiring. It mentions a few times in the scripture read, a “garden enclosed”. “I am come into my

garden”, “Blow upon my garden”. Would it be like the local meeting?

JBI I am sure it would be. And in bringing it about the ground was moistened, suggesting the presence of the Spirit. There is then what is receptive and what is going to spring forth in fruitfulness to God.

DCB One of the features and especially of the garden is fragrance is it not? There is what is fragrant for His heart. There is an atmosphere, is there not, that is produced that is for His heart.

JBI Yes, that is fine so that smell comes into it. The fragrance is for God, and it is flowing, “that the spices thereof may flow forth”. There is something in movement for the heart of God.

A.M.B.

What is being spoken of as to the garden seems to be marked by a blending together. You might say one plant on its own would have value, but it is much better and greater when there is a combination of plants, even naturally speaking. But the Spirit acts, so that brethren set together might blend together, and there might a peculiar united fragrance for the heart of Christ, do you think?

JBI It is very interesting the wording of this, it speaks of all the chief spices. It is really like Ephesian language “with all the saints”, do you think?

A.M.B.

I think you said in your opening remarks that it begins by being individual, you have stones in the wall and you have plants in the garden, but God has greater things in mind.

The work that God works has what is collective in mind operating organically, is that so?

JBI So is that like the honeycomb that our brother was referring to? Well I just wondered about what was wrought through the apostle Paul. There is a sequence resulting in what was inward—recognition of the Holy Spirit, the teaching of the kingdom, and the separating of the disciples so that there should be an atmosphere whereby he could teach and bring about a receptiveness with the saints. That there should be that which was receptive for bringing in the appreciation of the Lord’s supper, and the great things of

God seen particularly in chapter 20.

RG Do you think that his movements and thoughts were characterised by having come through the upper districts?

JBI Yes, tell us what that means please.

RG Well is it not that Paul came from communion with the Lord where He is, to secure here what would be suitable to where He is. The assembly is the great heavenly body, being prepared and formed here, but it is for Christ in heaven.

JBI So her origin is heavenly, and she is patterned after the heavenly Man. She is formed after His flesh and His bones, she is a heavenly vessel.

CKR Paul refers in Corinthians to being a wise architect. There is wisdom in this is there not? In Acts 19 there is a constructive series of steps going on there to secure and form a company against such a difficult background. Then as that is secured, there is a way made for a glorious inward side to be reached.

JBI So the architect goes through one stage at a time in the building. There is the foundation and there are the walls and there are the furnishings. There is a sequence here that is quite remarkable.

JDG With reference to the upper districts, it came to my mind about the man from Baal-shalishah, he came with the uppermost fruits, and fruits of the land to enlighten and build up the constitution of the brethren. That is like Paul coming in here is it not?

JBI It is. Think of what heaven was looking down on, that there was what was coming in through Paul’s ministry, it was very precious. We need to cling to that in our day, that God’s full thoughts are maintained through the appreciation of Paul’s ministry.

DTP So we find the discernment that there is with Paul as to matters needing to be attended to. Do we need more of this in our localities and generally amongst us, that what is maybe needed amongst us should be met with the Spirit’s help to build up and strengthen the saints?

JBI Yes, is that what the kingdom of God would relate to?

It is number one in Mr Raven’s ministry—it begins there, that we are to be subject and to come into the kingdom of the Son of His love, that things are set right there, do you think?

Righteousness is a fundamental principle.

DTP Yes, I think that is helpful. You know you feel the need of it in your own locality, as to seeking to stimulate what would have results for Christ. We need it in one another but we need it collectively too, and we want all to be in it in the happy enjoyment of it.

JBI Yes, and it involved some quite serious and deep exercises because there was opposition. When some were hardened and disbelieved speaking evil of the way, Paul could not go on with that. You could not be mixed with that, could you? It says, “he left them and separated the disciples, reasoning daily in the school of Tyrannus”. I take it that would have been a very disciplined school.

DTP It says, “And entering into the synagogue, he spoke boldly during three months, reasoning and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God”. That really was to establish the truth in the souls of those present in view of what was going forward in power.

JBI Yes, so it is disciples that are highlighted here, is it not? The disciples were those who were committed to following the way that was according to Paul’s teaching.

RT Do we see Nehemiah’s wall functioning here in separating the disciples that the teaching of the kingdom might go forward?

JBI I wondered that. Go on please.

RT I thought it was very helpful that when disturbance arises it brings out the necessity for the wall in order that the kingdom may be advanced in the hearts of the saints.

JBI Indeed. It comes very early in the sequence of what was brought in through Paul in these two chapters, that was really quite foundational. Does it therefore relate to what you were saying earlier as to the house? We see that in the gospels, how the Lord Jesus taught His disciples in the house.

JCG Going forward positively is therefore very important if

we are to follow the current mind of the Spirit of God. I was thinking of the further reference in Nehemiah, when others that opposed would have had them come down to the plain of Ono and discuss things, but the Spirit of God would have the saints go on positively and make progress do you think?

JBI And make quick progress. Time is short now, and the Lord and the Holy Spirit would set our eyes on the end of the journey.

RT The burning of the books later on in the chapter would show how quickly the work was advancing in their souls would it?

JBI Indeed, yes it does.

RG That is very fine because that is the north wind is it not? The school of Tyrannus and then the resulting burning of the books. That is what the north wind does. It frees you from every force that might militate against what is precious to the heart of Christ, and opening up the whole counsel of God, do you think?

JBI Yes, the appreciation of what the Supper is and what is for the Lord and for the service of God.

NJH The books build up man’s system not God’s.

JBI Yes.

PAG I wondered in that regard if the quick progress was seen in Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 1 that they might be enlightened in the eyes of their heart. Then in chapter three he can pray that they might know the love of the Christ which surpasses knowledge. They have made quick progress have they in that regard?

JBI Very quick progress because they were affectionately in relation to what he was saying to them. Paul brought about a responsiveness in affection for Christ did he not?

RT Their readiness to sacrifice would enter into it too, would it? They were very willing to gather at the school of Tyrannus, and they were very willing to burn the books.

There was a spirit of sacrifice in their lives in enjoyment of these things.

JBI Yes that is fine.

JAB Does this all then underlie the upper room in Troas?

We cannot enjoy the upper room without, as it were, a foundation for it, and what we are speaking about as to the school of Tyrannus is the supporting structure for the upper room really, morally and spiritually, would you say?

JBI I am sure it is. So that there we see that there were conditions whereby Paul’s discourse could be hearkened to. There was a state produced where they could really break bread together, and truly get the benefit of the Lord’s coming in.

JAB And the note to “having long spoken until daybreak”, the footnote says,

‘conversed’. It may have been in the first part of this assembling that Paul discoursed, but after they had broken bread, the hive was operating and the honey was being produced for the Lord’s pleasure, would you say? They were speaking together about these things.

JBI Yes, I think so. And that should be known in the reading on the Lord’s day should it not, that something fresh that has come out and through the Lord’s coming, and His presence being appreciated and the affections of the saints stirred so that we can converse together about very precious things.

JS Is the Lord’s supper therefore very important in maintaining our affections in freshness for Christ?

JBI Absolutely. Please say more about that because it will remain precious if we are true. It is vital for progress, as collected together to appreciate what the Lord brings in in the Supper each week.

JS I was thinking it is really an appeal to our affections. It is something that the Lord has asked us to do. It is an appeal to our affections, and as He comes in it would stir our affections freshly, do you think?

JBI Yes indeed. So what would you say as to Paul’s discourse in relation to it? There is much teaching, is there not, in 1 Corinthians?

JS I was thinking of what you were saying about this discourse. Really we take the Lord’s supper in the light of Paul’s ministry. If there are things to be adjusted they would be adjusted in the light of that ministry.

JBI Indeed, the directions in Corinthians especially.

GAB Does the breaking of bread, therefore, define our position, “we being assembled to break bread”? We sometimes sing that, do we not, ‘Thy death we deem our point of severance from this scene’ (Hymn 192). It is the wall really, is it not? But then there is something that is inside which is precious to Christ.

JBI Is there something very interesting about that word assembled? Something dignified about it. It is not exactly a meeting is it? It is an assembling. An assembling that really welcomes the Lord Jesus into what is precious to Him. Like inviting Him into the garden, do you think?

GAB So the Supper is celebrated in a hostile scene. I think what you have been bringing before us is important, that the wall just defines where we stand. We do not belong to that area where He is rejected, there is something inside which is precious to Him.

JBI So the death of Christ, the fellowship of His death would shut out that which is hostile, that which is opposed. And then the fellowship of the Spirit would bring in what is precious.

GCMcK There is not only the discourse, I suppose authoritative and enlightening and governing the whole matter, but before they break bread there is also Paul descending and enfolding this young man. His life is in him. So is there something further there that provides an atmosphere for the breaking of bread?

JBI That is very fine. You may say, Well should he have condemned the lad? He enfolds him in his arms. He revives him, he recovers him, and it was a demonstration practically of affection, and in the light of that they broke bread.

GCMcK So it was really like a demonstration of descending love. It has been pointed out that that is really in the emblems too. That is the spirit of things that affects us as we proceed to the breaking of bread, do you think?

JBI Yes that is fine.

DTP Now what about Paul going away? Do you have a touch at the end?

JBI So we get love at the end of chapter 20 we have often been reminded. He left them in the demonstration of their first love for Christ. Their first love as recognising what Paul had brought to them as to the assembly. And there was there an affectionate response to all his labours, known individually one by one—his tears being involved and his admonition recognised. What they gained from it was an appreciation of the counsels of God. Now I cannot say much about that. It is a very great subject.

DTP Yes, it just conveys that there is nothing left out, is there? The full scope of what was revealed to Paul he had made known, and his desire was that that should continue, and also touching on the side that there were those who were able to do it. I have set you as overseers, persons were able to do it and shepherd the assembly, an important feature.

JBI That is fine. So there were those who took over, you may say, in their affections and responsibility to shepherd the assembly of God. What a remarkable directive this was and what a standard!

RG Would you say something about “specially pained by the word which he had said, that they would no more see his face”?

JBI I would like to hear what you say about that. It is very touching, is it not?

RG Would it not be a heavenly face? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Would there not be a reflection of the Lord? The assembly is a reflection of the Lord, and that is what he was working towards, do you think? They came to appreciate that, do you think?

JBI That is fine. So what was shining in was shining out.

Reading at Kirkcaldy
7 November 2009

KEY TO INITIALS

T. D. Beveridge

G. B. Grant

G. C. McKay

A. M. Brown

J. C. Gray

W. M. Patterson

D. C. Brown

J. D. Gray

D. T. Pye

G. A. Brown

A. Gray

C. K. Robinson

J. A. Brown

R. Gray

J. Spinks

M. Cowan

N. J. Henry

J. Strachan

R. Gardiner

J. B. Ikin

R. Taylor