what does the bible say?
The teachings of Witness Lee and the Local Church movement, which Lee brought to America from China in 1962, have been a subject of debate within Christian circles. While they affirm core Christian doctrines, some of their teachings and practices have raised concerns, including their view of the Trinity, the concept of believers as "God-men," ecclesiology and church governance, legal actions against other Christians, the authoritative status of Lee's writings, and claims of exclusivity regarding their expression of the church. The Bible emphasizes the importance of sound doctrine (Titus 2:1) and unity among believers (Ephesians 4:3–6). Examining the Local Church's teachings in light of Scripture reveals areas of agreement with orthodox Christianity, as well as some points of controversy. Their emphasis on the believers' union with Christ aligns with biblical teaching, but some of their statements about the nature of God and the church have been questioned. Ultimately, Christians are called to test all teachings against Scripture (1 Thessalonians 5:21) and to maintain the unity of the faith in love (Ephesians 4:13–15).