Prominent Chinese Christian leader Watchman Nee made a lasting impression on the Christian community around the world. His unshakable faith, perceptive teachings, and unrelenting quest for the kingdom of Christ have served as an inspiration to countless believers.
Early Life
Nee, who was born Ni Tuosheng in Fuzhou, China, on November 4, 1903, had a traditional upbringing in his early years. But when he came upon the Gospel at the age of 17, his life changed forever.
He experienced a spiritual awakening after attending a revival meeting organized by Dora Yu, and he gave his life to Christ. A lifelong journey of faith and service began with this experience.
Ministry
Because of his love for Christ, Nee founded the Local Church movement, a novel way to church life. This movement placed a strong emphasis on the value of independent, local churches that are not constrained by regional or denominational boundaries.
Nee thought that a decentralized network of local congregations, each headed by a council of elders, constituted the New Testament form of the church. Christian communities around the world have been influenced by this vision, which questioned the established church structures of his era.
Nee wrote and taught a great deal; many of her books and essays have been translated into other languages. His publications explore a broad range of theological subjects, such as God’s sovereignty, the Christian life, and the character of the church.
The Spiritual Man, The Normal Christian Life, and The Assembly Life are a few of his most important writings.
Published Books
These are some of the books by him:
- The Spiritual Man (1928), translated in 1969
- Concerning Our Missions (1939), translated in 1942
- The Song of Songs (1945), translated in 1970
- The Breaking of the Outer Man and the Release of the Spirit (1950), translated in 1961
- The Normal Christian Life (正常的基督徒生活) (1938–1939), published in 1940 (messages given in English)
- The Normal Christian Church Life (1938), translated in 1965
- Sit, Walk, Stand (坐行站) (1957), translated in 1971
- What Shall this Man Do? (1961), translated in 1975
- Love Not the World (1951), translated in 1968
- Let Us Pray (1942), translated in 1949
- A Living Sacrifice (1932), translated in 1950
- Authority & Submission (1941), translated in 1950
- The Spirit of the Gospel (1949), translated in 1971
- God’s Work (1940), translated in 1967
- Back to the Cross (1931), translated in 1956
- Grace for Grace (1949), translated in 1968
- How to Study the Bible (1956), translated in 1968
- Practical Issues of this life (1938), translated in 1970
Persecution
Nee clashed with the Communist government because of his unshakable faith and his increasing sway over the Chinese church. He was captured in 1952 and spent almost 20 years behind bars.
Nee persisted in his faith and continued to serve his fellow inmates in spite of the severe circumstances and unrelenting hostility he endured. His incarceration turned into a dramatic illustration of how resilient Christianity is.
