EXTRACTS

I have read these two parts of verses in John’s first epistle, because the apostle refers to the matter of the Lord’s being from the beginning, twice over, as you will observe. First he says, “I write to you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning”, and says no more. Then, in verse 14, he says, “I have written to you fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning”. It is just a change of tense, but to call attention to the same thing.

He wrote to the persons addressed, because they had known, or knew Him that is from the beginning. That would mean the doctrine set out in the Lord’s ministry, and confirmed in the apostle’s ministry. In Acts 2 the apostles are put first, for we are told that they, that is to say, the converts who listened to Peter and were converted through him, persevered in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship. So when we are looking into the Scriptures and ministering from them, whatever it be in the ministry, the testimony, it is clear that we must give the first place to the teaching of the Lord Jesus Christ, whether His own direct teaching or that of the apostles. So, as I said, John here stresses this in speaking to the fathers. So the fathers amongst us at the present time are much needed. It is a cheer to hear a brother who has experience rise amongst us and speak to God, or speak to us, especially if he has ability to speak to us, because we expect him, in what he says, to be authoritative and to recognise the Scriptures; to have the Scriptures behind what he says. So that the truth runs smoothly amongst us and the saints grow, unimpeded by novelties, or unscriptural statements sought to be based on Old Testament scriptures.

J. Taylor (Vol. 60, p.160)

HW Do you think that, in effect, when the saints come together in that way there is the setting up of the tabernacle, and then there is the carrying through the week?

JT That is the thought. It is a public thing and therefore there is the anointing. In the first epistle, the assembly is called the Christ, “So also is the Christ”, 1 Corinthians 12: 12.

That is, it is the anointed position here. It is the testimony here where things are contrary. It is the dignity that comes under man’s eye, so that the anointing is to begin in our houses; I mean the dignity that attaches to us as having the Spirit. As we move out to the assembly, everything is in dignity and holiness, even our deportment, the way we sit, the announcements—everything is in the power of the anointing. They are not common things. If you announce anything that is to be done amongst the saints, it is not common; it is anointed and God respects that. The Lord comes there to lead us over to His own side. Hence you have the idea of the love of Christ, and of calling Him Lord Jesus, by the Spirit; everything is by the Spirit. And then you go on to the other side. The covenant comes in to set us free, and what marks the covenant is glory. It is not only the anointing but glory.

J. Taylor (Vol. 43, p.36)

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