Last time, we fellowshipped about the thirteenth responsibility of leaders and workers: to protect God’s chosen people from being disturbed, misled, controlled, and harmed by antichrists, and enable them to discern antichrists and forsake them from their hearts. Now, let’s review: What specific items concerning the specific content of the thirteenth responsibility of leaders and workers did we fellowship? (We fellowshipped five items: exposing, pruning, dissecting, restricting, and supervising.) These five items are the specific tasks involved in this responsibility of leaders and workers; these are the specific tasks that leaders and workers need to carry out concerning antichrists. So, what manifestations do false leaders have in regard to these tasks? Did we also fellowship some details last time? (Yes.) The manifestations of false leaders are as follows: The first is that they are afraid of offending people and do not dare to clear out or expel antichrists. The second is that they cannot discern antichrists. The third is that they act as a protective umbrella for antichrists. The fourth is that they are irresponsible to God’s chosen people. What does irresponsibility look like? When faced with disturbances and misleading from antichrists, false leaders cannot protect the brothers and sisters, cannot expose the evil deeds of antichrists, cannot expose Satan’s schemes, and cannot fellowship the truth to help the brothers and sisters discern antichrists—they do not perform such work. Additionally, for those small in stature and lacking in discernment who are misled by antichrists, they not only fail to do any remedial work, but also say inhumane things like “serves you right.” This is a specific manifestation of irresponsibility, indicating that false leaders have no sense of burden for the church’s work. These manifestations are specific actions and approaches of false leaders when antichrists mislead and disturb God’s chosen people. Their specific attitude toward this work is irresponsibility and disloyalty. They make various excuses and use various methods to give antichrists the green light, acting as a protective umbrella for antichrists, while failing to protect the work of the church and the rights and interests of God’s chosen people. If false leaders could promptly resolve such problems as antichrists disturbing, misleading, controlling, and harming God’s chosen people, and then restrict, isolate, and clear out or expel the antichrists, then God’s chosen people would receive the greatest protection. However, as leaders, they are incompetent for this work. From a certain perspective, it can be said that they are covertly protecting antichrists and paving the way for them, making it so they can continue to mislead, control, and harm God’s chosen people, and disturb normal church life and the performance of duty of God’s chosen people. These are various manifestations of false leaders.

Having finished fellowshipping about the thirteenth responsibility of leaders and workers, today we will fellowship about the fourteenth. The content of the fourteenth responsibility is similar in some ways to the thirteenth. The specific work that leaders and workers need to do in the fourteenth responsibility not only relates to antichrists but also involves various evil people, making its scope broader than the thirteenth responsibility. Before fellowshipping about the fourteenth responsibility, let’s first read its content. (The fourteenth responsibility of leaders and workers: Promptly discern, and then clear out or expel all manner of evil people and antichrists.) This sentence is not long, but when it comes to the specific work that leaders and workers need to do, it is not as simple as it appears on the surface. What exactly are the responsibilities of leaders and workers mentioned in this sentence? Who are the targets of the work that leaders and workers need to perform? (Various evil people and antichrists.) What is the specific work that needs to be done? (Promptly discern them. Once they are discerned, clear them out or expel them.) Prompt discernment, without procrastination; once signs are identified, accurate judgments and characterizations should be made, followed by dealing with the individuals involved by clearing them out. In fact, the specific work that leaders and workers need to do consists of two tasks: discerning people and solving problems. On the surface, it seems this simple: First discern, then promptly work out solutions and measures, targeting the various evil people and antichrists that God’s house requires to be cleared out or expelled. From this perspective, it appears easy for leaders and workers to do this work well and fulfill this responsibility, without much difficulty, because God’s house has previously done extensive fellowshipping on the details of discerning and clearing out various people, with much being said on the matter. On the surface, the work involved in the fourteenth responsibility seems similar in some ways to the specific content of the twelfth and thirteenth responsibilities fellowshipped previously, but in the fourteenth responsibility, the targets of the work done by leaders and workers are not only antichrists but also various evil people. This broadens the scope to include various types of evil people, requiring systematic and specific fellowship. Because it’s not about the manifestations of one type of evil person, but various types, when fellowshipping about the fourteenth responsibility of leaders and workers, we will focus on specifying the targets of this work. This is one aspect. Additionally, just how to treat these people—whether to restrict, isolate, clear them out, or expel them—is what we will next fellowship about in detail.

Before fellowshipping about this work in detail, let’s first fellowship on a side topic. This side topic may be well known, or it may be a topic you do not have a specific understanding of. What is the topic? It is “What is a church?” How does this topic sound? Some people might say, “You are fellowshipping about the responsibilities of leaders and workers, so just specifically fellowship about that. Why fellowship about what a church is? Is it related to this topic?” On the surface, it may seem unrelated, and some might even say, “This is a completely unrelated topic. Why bring it up for fellowship?” Regardless of how you think, put aside these thoughts and first ponder what a church is. Once the definition of this word, the designation “church,” is clearly fellowshipped, you will know why we are fellowshipping on this topic. Fellowshipping about what a church is means to provide a clear and accurate explanation of the designation “church”; it means to communicate the specific and accurate definition of the term “church.” First, you can discuss how you understand and comprehend the term “church.” What is a church? Let’s start with the theoretical explanation and then move to a more specific and relatively practical definition. (My understanding is that a place where brothers and sisters who sincerely believe in God and pursue the truth gather to worship God is called a church.) This definition refers to what kind of place a church is; it is basically a tangible, physical entity. This is a theoretical definition. Is this definition accurate? Are there any inaccuracies? In terms of theory, this definition is acceptable. Who can add more? (I’ll add a bit. Due to God’s appearance and work, and His expressing the truth, there is a group of people who follow God; the collective they form is called a church.) This definition describes what kind of collective a church is. This is also a formal, theoretical definition. (I’ll add that this group of people has the work of the Holy Spirit, and when they gather to read God’s words, there is the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit, and they are able to practice the truth and grow in life. A church is a gathering of such people.) This addition to the definition of a church describes what kind of gathering it is—the qualifier for this gathering is eating and drinking God’s words, having the work of the Holy Spirit, and growing in life. This is also basically a formal, theoretical definition of a church. Any more additions? (It is a group of people that takes God’s words as the principle of practice, and that is governed by the truth and Christ. This group can experience God’s work, accept the truth, grow in life, and be saved. Such a group is called a church.) This “group” is identical to the “collective” mentioned just now. Any more additions? If you have no further additions, you can restate the four understandings mentioned above; namely, what exactly you have considered the definition of a church to be from the beginning of your belief in God to now. Defining it theoretically should be easy, right? For example, a collective of people who sincerely follow and worship God can be called a church; or a group that follows God’s will, pursues submission to God, and worships God can be called a church; or a group that has the work of the Holy Spirit, the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and God’s presence, and is able to worship God, can be called a church. Aren’t these theoretical definitions of a church? (Yes.) You all understand and know the content of these qualifiers in the definition of a church, right? (Yes.) Then, repeat it. (A church refers to a collective of people who sincerely believe in God and follow Christ. A true church has the work of the Holy Spirit and God’s guidance; it is governed by Christ and the truth, it is where followers of God eat and drink God’s words, experience God’s work, and have life entry. This is a true church. A church is different from religious communities. A church does not engage in religious rituals or outward forms of worshiping God.) This is basically the theoretical definition of a church. For example, defining a church as a place where people called by God gather, or defining a church as a collective of people who sincerely believe in, follow, submit to, and worship God, or defining a church as a gathering of people called by God, and so forth—these designations reflect some basic understandings or definitions of a church by various groups of believers. Let’s not go into how exactly different religions and denominations define a church—for us who follow God, what is the definition of a church? It is nothing more than a group of people who sincerely believe in God, have the work of the Holy Spirit, have God’s guidance, and can eat and drink God’s words, pursue the truth, pursue submission to God, and worship God. Whether it is defined as a place, a collective, a gathering, a group, a community, or anything else—whatever term is used—the qualifiers for the definition are basically these. Judging from people’s basic understanding of a church, from the qualifiers you use to define the designation “church,” it is clear that once people follow God and understand some truths, their understanding of a church is that it is no longer an ordinary community or group. Instead, it is related to sincere belief in God, reading God’s words, having the work of the Holy Spirit, and being able to submit to and worship God, or to aspects involving life entry, dispositional change, bearing testimony for God, and others. Looking at it this way, after God has started to do His work, the designation “church” in most people’s hearts has acquired a deeper, more specific understanding and comprehension, one that is more closely aligned with God’s idea of a church. It is no longer simply a building, a societal community, a department, an institution, or anything else; rather, it is related to things like believing in God, God’s words, the truth, and worshiping God.

As for the specific concept and definition of a church, we will not rush to conclusions right now. After you have a basic concept of the designation “church” or its definition, are you clear about such things as the value of a church’s existence, the work produced by a church’s existence, and the role a church plays among people? Does the content of these aspects also relate to the definition of a church? Simply put, what a church does is the value of its existence. Take a house, for example—what is the purpose of this house? What is its value and significance to the people who live in and use it? At the very least, it provides shelter from the wind and rain, which is one of its values; another value is that when you are exhausted and tired and have nowhere to go, a home is a place where you can rest and stay in peace and contentment. This house is called a home, but what is its function for you? It provides shelter from the wind and rain, rest, relaxation, the ability to enjoy freedom, and so on; these functions are the value of this house for you. Now, once again, what is the role of a church? What is the value and significance of its formation and existence? Simply put, what does a church do, what role does it play? Are you clear about this? What specific work or type of work should a church do, and what must the scope of its work entail, for it to be called a church, for this work to be what a true church should do? This is some of the specific content that should be fellowshipped regarding the definition of a church. First, just what work does a church do? (Mainly, it proclaims God’s words, testifies to God’s work, and spreads the gospel, allowing more people to come before God and accept His salvation.) Is this a specific task? (Yes.) This is the significance of a church’s existence and one of the specific tasks it needs to do, but it is not everything. Spreading God’s words and testifying to God’s work is a specific task. Who is responsible for this task? It is the current gospel team. What other work does a church do? (Organizing brothers and sisters to gather together, eat and drink God’s words, and fellowship God’s words, enabling them to continually understand the truth and do their duties normally.) This specific task is to lead people to eat and drink God’s words, understand the truth, and do their duties normally. Spreading God’s words is a major and important task of a church. Leading people to eat and drink God’s words, understand the truth, and do their duties normally is the essential work of a church; this is internally directed. These two tasks, one external and one internal, are the work produced by a church’s existence. They can also be said to be two important tasks that a church should perform. Are there any others? (Another task is leading people to experience God’s judgment so as to be cleansed and achieve dispositional change.) This is a specific internal task of a church. All of these tasks you’ve mentioned are basically representative ones. Experiencing God’s work, such as experiencing various environments, experiencing judgment, chastisement, pruning, and so on, ultimately achieving dispositional change and attaining salvation, is a specific task. This is the effect and the impact a church’s formation and existence have on people. The work of spreading God’s words and testifying to God is not only carried out by the gospel team; it is also accomplished through various experiential testimony articles, hymns, various videos and movies, and so on, which are also the specific contents and projects included in the work of spreading God’s words. Additionally, there are tasks related to church life: eating and drinking God’s words to understand the truth, being able to submit to God and know God, and experiencing God’s work and the various environments arranged by God during the process of doing duties so as to achieve dispositional change and attain salvation. These are several tasks produced on the basis of a church’s existence after it has been formed. Besides these main tasks, are there any peripheral tasks? What are the peripheral tasks? They refer to non-important or general affairs work, which, however, also has some benefits for God’s chosen people in pursuing the truth and doing their duties; this work can positively affect people’s life growth and the transformation of their views on matters. In special circumstances, does general affairs work related to people’s physical survival which arises from church work count as the necessary work of a church? For example, farming, raising livestock, and other activities that provide some necessary food for those doing their duties—do these count as the essential work of a church? (No.) What about providing computers, equipment, and other things for those doing their duties—do these count as the essential work of a church? (No.) Then what does the essential work of a church refer to? This involves the definition of a church. Your previous definitions of a church were good; I was quite satisfied with them because the qualifiers in your definitions are related to such higher truths as people’s life entry, their true belief in and following God, knowing God, and even dispositional change, submission to God, and worshiping God. In light of this point, the existence of a church is absolutely not for the sake of things related to people’s fleshly life and interests, such as keeping them warm and fed, keeping them healthy, or looking out for their prospects. A church does not exist to support people’s physical survival or to allow people to better enjoy life of the flesh. Some people say, “That’s not right. Our physical life and survival are mentioned in God’s words, which tell us to learn some modern arts and knowledge about staying healthy. Aren’t these related to our survival?” Are these considered the essential work of a church? (No.) Since a church is composed of believers in God and people’s lives naturally involve food, clothing, shelter, transportation, and daily necessities, a church helps people resolve these issues incidentally. With these being resolved, people think, “The church is also responsible for our daily needs. This is the regular work of the church and its essential work.” Is this not a misunderstanding? (Yes.) What causes this misunderstanding? (They are not clear about what the essential work of a church is.) Why are they still unclear about this even now? Is there not a problem with their comprehension? (Yes.) Why is there a problem with their comprehension? This is a matter of caliber. Ultimately, it comes down to poor caliber.

Regarding the essential work of a church, three items were just mentioned: One is bearing testimony to and spreading God’s words. Another is leading people to eat and drink God’s words, enter the reality of God’s words, and helping people understand the truth, practice God’s words, and better do their duties. And another is leading people to experience God’s work, experience God’s sovereignty, and cast off their corrupt disposition to achieve dispositional change based on understanding God’s words. All of these aim for people to attain salvation. These three items are well summarized; they are the work a church needs to do and the value and significance of a church’s existence for humankind, for church members, and for God’s chosen people. But this is not comprehensive enough. Besides these essential tasks, think again about what other essential benefits people gain aside from experiencing this work that churches perform. (People learn to discern various people, events, and things.) Discerning various people, events, and things is somewhat close; it’s related to the essential work of a church. When we talk about essential work, we are talking about the representative tasks. What we fellowshipped about just now are the positive gains people achieve, or some of the work carried out by churches that people engage in or experience. Besides these essential tasks, another value of a church’s existence is helping people understand humankind, the world, and the influence of darkness. Is this an essential task of a church beyond the three tasks you fellowshipped? Is this a specific task? (Yes.) Compared to the first three tasks, this is considered a peripheral task. Why is it considered peripheral? Because it is a result achieved by people through experiencing the first three tasks—it is achieved by experiencing God’s work, eating and drinking God’s words, understanding the truth, understanding one’s own corrupt disposition, and knowing God. The result is that people come to understand this wicked humankind, this dark world, and the influence of darkness. Has this result been partially achieved now? (Yes.) Is this not the value of a church’s existence? Is this not a function and effect that a church’s existence should have for those who follow God? (Yes.) For one thing, it has this objective effect; additionally, churches are also positively and actively carrying out this work. What specific projects are involved in this work? For example, films about God’s chosen people experiencing arrest and torture—for one thing, these are testimonies produced by those who follow God when they suffer Satan’s brutal persecution; for another, they expose how this wicked humankind, this dark world, and dark influences resist and condemn God and the truth, as well as the various ways they brutally persecute those who follow God. While exposing these things, the films help people understand humankind, the world, and the influence of darkness from this perspective. Some people say, “What do You mean by ‘understanding humankind and the world’?” What do you all think it means? (Understanding the darkness and wickedness of humankind and the world, as well as understanding the essence of all humankind being enemies of God.) Correct. It means understanding the wickedness and darkness of humankind, understanding the ugly faces and true colors of all humankind as enemies of God. Videos about torture or personal experiential testimonies are specific examples of this work that churches do. Additionally, exposing traditional culture, human moral views, the thoughts of certain ethnic groups or races, as well as traditional doctrines of Daoism and Confucianism in China, some pseudo-truths, and family rules and upbringing that bind people and confine their thoughts—what is the purpose of exposing these? Which category of work does this fall under? Isn’t the content I previously dissected in the story “Sleeping on Brushwood and Licking Gall” part of understanding the world, humankind, and the influence of darkness? (Yes.) This is an example of the specific content of this work. So, this work is also a specific task that a church should perform. In summary, the work of a church is, in one regard, to positively guide people into the truth reality through the truth, leading them to achieve submission to God. In another regard, it is to expose the satanic, dark world, expose Satan’s various acts of hostility toward the truth and God, and expose the evil trends in human society, the various ideas and notions of corrupt humankind, as well as their heresies, fallacies, and so on, so that people can understand the true nature and essence of this wicked age. Is this not the essential work of a church? (Yes.) In fact, you have already gained a lot from the church’s work and have gained substantial benefits. When it comes to people in the church, whether they are those who are interested in the truth, or those who are not interested in the truth, after following God for three to five years, through gatherings to fellowship about the truth, pray-reading God’s words, and experiencing the persecution and denigration from nonbelievers, the disturbances from evil people and antichrists, and all sorts of other people, events, and things, they will, unknowingly, come to discern and understand this dark world, wicked humankind, the ruling authorities, and the dark influence of the entire world. These are the gains they achieve. And how do these gains come about? Are they brought about by the existence of the churches? Are they brought about by the work that churches do? (Yes.) On one hand, people have gained some understanding of God’s words, work, and disposition; on the other, they have also gained some corresponding awareness and discernment of the world, humankind, and the influence of darkness. The results and positive effects of these two gains on people are what they should achieve to attain salvation.

The work of a church can be summarized as spreading and testifying to God’s words and work, and leading people to eat and drink God’s words so that they can understand the truth, practice God’s words, and better do their duties. Additionally, on the foundation of understanding the truth, they can experience God’s work, cast off their corrupt dispositions and achieve a change in disposition. Besides these three aspects, it involves helping people understand wicked humankind, the dark world, and the influence of darkness. Although the projects of a church’s work are not many, the specific content is vast. The content all relates to God’s words, the truth, casting off one’s corrupt dispositions, and submitting to God; of course, it even more so relates to being saved. This is the function of a church and the value of a church’s existence. Every aspect of a church’s work is intimately related to the life entry of God’s chosen people because it involves how people treat God’s words, their attitude toward God, their salvation, and their views and attitudes toward the world, humankind, and the influence of darkness. In short, the existence of a church is intimately related to everyone, and the work a church engages in, along with the value and significance of its existence, is inseparable from every person who accepts God’s salvation.

After fellowshipping about the specific work a church needs to do, let’s discuss the inappropriate definitions and views people have about the designation “church” and the significance of a church’s existence. First of all, people think of a church as a relatively comforting place, a place filled with warmth and sunshine, a relatively friendly place free from conflict, war, killing, or bloodshed—an ideal place that people’s hearts yearn for, filled with happiness. Here, there is no jealousy or strife, no scheming, no evil trends, or any other phenomena found in the secular world. It is seen as an ideal harbor where people may anchor their hearts. Regardless of how beautiful people’s imaginings of the designation “church” are, all in all a church does provide them with a certain amount of spiritual sustenance. This spiritual sustenance has a more tangible function for people: When they encounter difficulties, they can come to the church to express their troubles, and the church can help them alleviate worries and resolve their difficulties. For example, if they encounter difficulties at work or in life, if their children are disobedient, if their husband or wife has an affair, if there are conflicts between mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law, if there are disputes with colleagues or neighbors, if their children are bullied, if their land is taken over by some local despot, and so on—when these things happen, people hope that someone in the church can stand up for them and help resolve and sort out these issues. In people’s minds, a church is such a place. Without a doubt, in people’s minds a church is a refuge, an ideal paradise, a place to alleviate worries and resolve difficulties, eliminate violence and let kind people live in peace, and uphold justice. If life becomes difficult, the church should provide relief; if there are no vegetables to eat and no rice to cook, the church should distribute them; if there are no clothes, the church should buy them; if someone falls ill, the church should pay for treatment. When someone encounters difficulties at work, the brothers and sisters in the church should lend a helping hand, pull strings, leverage connections, or offer guidance. When one’s children are taking college entrance exams, they turn to the church to find more people to pray for them, striving to ensure their children can successfully get into college. Regardless of what difficulties are encountered, as long as one comes to the church, all these difficulties can be resolved and sorted out. Even if one suffers mistreatment at the hands of evil people, the church, with its many people and great influence, can settle things. Encouraged and supported by many, one will no longer be timid or afraid of being pushed around by thugs. Even when bullied, ostracized, and constantly struggling in society without a way to make a living, one can seek help and good advice from the church, and find suitable work. All these things, and more, are the role people believe a church should play and the work it should perform. Judging from people’s thoughts and notions, or from what they demand from a church, it is clear that they undoubtedly view the church as a welfare institution, a charity organization, a matchmaking or headhunting agency, or a Red Cross Society. Some even think that no matter how capable they are or what their status is within society and among humankind, they always need a powerful entity to rely on. When they encounter difficulties in society or face the powers that be, they need a strong force to back them up, speak for them, run the show for them, and advocate for their rights and interests. In their view, the church can fulfill this role and achieve their hoped-for purpose, so the church becomes their only choice. Clearly, they view the church as a social union or association, such as a teachers’ union, transportation union, farmers’ association, women’s association, elderly association, and so on—these types of social groups and organizations. No matter what people’s definitions of a church actually are, judging from the work a church does and a church’s accurate definition, it is clear that people’s attitudes and demands toward the church are incorrect and invalid, and people should not have them. A church is not a place to “rob the rich to feed the poor,” eliminate violence and let kind people live in peace, or uphold justice, much less is it a place to help the world and save people or alleviate people’s worries and resolve their difficulties. A church is not a charity organization, not a welfare institution, and not a social communion. The establishment and presence of a church are not to act as a social group or organization. Apart from the few essential tasks a church should undertake, which are to testify to and spread God’s words, and lead people to eat and drink God’s words, experience God’s work, and cast off their corrupt dispositions to achieve salvation, a church has no obligations to provide any functions or help to society or any ethnic group. Additionally, a church is not a place to fight for people’s rights and interests and has no obligation to ensure people’s physical lives, social status, job titles, salaries, social welfare, and so on. In people’s notions, they believe a church’s functions are to eliminate violence and let kind people live in peace, uphold justice, alleviate people’s worries and resolve their difficulties, help the world and save people, and fight for people’s rights and interests—basically these functions. Therefore, people believe the church is their immediate help and that any difficulty can be resolved and sorted out by the church. Clearly, people regard the church as a social institution, organization, or group. However, is a church such an institution? (It is not.) If the functions and roles people believe a church exists for are to eliminate violence and let kind people live in peace, uphold justice, alleviate people’s worries and resolve their difficulties, help the world and save people, fight for people’s rights and interests, and so on, then this church cannot be called a church because it has no connection with God’s words, the work of the Holy Spirit, or God’s work of saving people. Such a group or organization should simply be called a group or organization, having no relationship with a church, nor any connection with the work of a church. If an organization, under the banner of believing in God, engages in activities such as attending services, worshiping God, reading the Bible, praying, singing hymns, and praising, or even if it has formal gatherings and worship, as well as so-called Bible study meetings, prayer meetings, co-worker meetings, exchange meetings, and so on, regardless of the type of members and structure it has, these have no connection with a true church. So, what exactly is a true church? How does it come into being? A true church is formed because of God’s appearance, His work, and His expression of the truth to save humankind. It is produced when people hear God’s voice, turn to God, and submit to God’s work. This is a true church. A church is not organized and established by humans but is personally set up by God and personally led and shepherded by God. Therefore, God has commissions for His churches. A church’s mission is to spread God’s words, testify to God’s work, and help people hear God’s voice, return to God’s presence, accept God’s salvation, experience God’s work to gain God’s salvation, and bear witness for God—it’s just that simple. This is the value and significance of a church’s existence.