The Collected Works of Witness Lee, 1955, volume 1

Book excerpt: From January until March 1955, Brother Witness Lee remained in Taipei, Taiwan, to continue a series of Bible studies that he began the previous year. These studies were on the books of the New Testament from Matthew through Revelation. They are included in volume 1 of this set. After he completed this series, he traveled to the Philippines, where he remained until August. There he conducted another Bible study on the books from Matthew through Acts and gave messages on several chapters of 1 and 2 Peter. He also gave messages on a number of topics, including how to be useful to the Lord, the living and principles of the kingdom people, reward and punishment, the way for a Christian to mature in life, and the central work of God and the proper spiritual experiences. These messages are included in volumes 2 and 3 of this set. In September he traveled to Hong Kong and remained there until the end of December. During this time he conducted another Bible study on the New Testament from Romans through Colossians, perhaps as a continuation of the Bible study that he had conducted in the Philippines. He also gave a series of messages on the mingling of God and man and the principle of resurrection, another series of further talks on the knowledge of life, a training on how to conduct meetings, as well as messages on other topics. During his visit to Hong Kong, saints from Southeast Asia came and joined the meetings. As a result, he had some times of fellowship with these saints. Brother Lee's speaking in Hong Kong is included in volume 4 of this set. At the end of November, T. Austin-Sparks visited the Far East for the first time and held meetings first in Hong Kong and then in Taiwan. Brother Lee remained with Brother Austin-Sparks during his entire visit. The Collected Works of Witness Lee, 1955, volume 1, contains messages given by Brother Witness Lee in 1955. Historical information concerning Brother Lee's travels and the content of his ministry in 1955 can be found in the general preface that appears at the beginning of this volume. The contents of this volume are divided into three sections, as follows: 1. One article that was published in the hardbound edition of The Ministry of the Word in 1955. This article is included in this volume under the title The Ministry of the Word, Miscellaneous Messages, 1955. 2. Four messages that were originally published by the Taiwan Gospel Book Room in August in Twelve Baskets Full, volumes 8, 9, and 12. These messages are included in this volume under the title Miscellaneous Messages from Twelve Baskets Full. 3. Forty-two messages given in Taipei, Taiwan, on January 12 through March 5. These messages are included in this volume under the title A Study of the New Testament in the Light of Christ as Life.