JUNE 10TH, 1911
JUNE 10TH, 1911
Mr. J. Stewart.
My Dear Brother, — I regret I have been so long in answering your letter of May 11th. I like what you say as to F.E.R.’s ministry. A ministry of the Spirit will always have reference [p. 105] to the then state of the saints, and hence, as you say, full justice will be done to the side of the truth that may be considered necessary to press. Thus, while statements contained in such ministry have their own weight, they cannot be considered as final. As to Colossians, that resurrection ground viewed by itself, is not heavenly ground is as certain as anything can be. I remember hearing of F.E.R. whistling in ridicule when told that a brother said at a reading on Colossians that resurrection took us to heaven. We all know how he used to speak of eternal life not going beyond the earth, and how he connected it with the Christian circle. He distinguished the heavenly position from this, but we have to rely on Scripture and Colossians does not treat of a company viewed in heavenly places, nor of a heavenly people on earth; but a risen people, who are exhorted to set their minds on things above where Christ is ... heaven is set before them, not yet accepted as to position. I believe the Lord is helping as to these things, especially on your side. I believe brethren generally are recognising the importance of insisting on the heavenly position, while clinging to resurrection as the victory of God over Satan and death. Too much can scarcely be made of resurrection and I am thankful it is so prominent. As to John 20, I have never taken the Lord’s act of breathing into His disciples as anything more than signifying that they should partake of His life, that this took place actually at Pentecost. But breathing into them is a much more endearing transaction, and more intimate, than sending the Holy Spirit from heaven. John 20 is pattern, as we have often heard, the Lord’s ascension is assumed, otherwise He would not take the ground of giving the Holy Spirit (John 7), but then really He had not ascended, and so the Holy Spirit was not given. All is pattern and was made good historically at Pentecost. But when the Holy Spirit did come the disciples would know that as well as having a personal Comforter, they had the very Spirit and life of Christ. This they would understand from the Lord’s action in John 20.
We had a good time during our special meetings. We looked at Proverbs connecting wisdom with the gospel and the mystery.
Affectionately yours in Christ,
James Taylor.