The Pneumatology of Watchman Nee: A New Testament Perspective

Abstract

The article discusses the pneumatology of Watchman Nee and the five questions raised by it. First, does the NT distinguish between being ‘filled with the Holy Spirit’ and being ‘full of the Holy Spirit’ in terms of duration (shorter versus longer period of time) and function (power for ministry versus spiritual maturity and life)? Second, does the NT distinguish between the outpoured Spirit (the Spirit coming ‘upon’ a person) and the indwelling Spirit (the Spirit entering ‘into’ and dwelling ‘in’ a person)? Third, does the NT more or less equate baptism in the Holy Spirit with being ‘filled with the Holy Spirit’? Fourth, are there two comings of the Holy Spirit, one at Easter (John 20:22) and the other at Pentecost (Acts 2:1-42)? Fifth, does the NT distinguish the Spirit as an influence (giving converts new life) and the Spirit as a person (enabling believers to enter into a deeper and more Spirit-filled life)? The article concludes that while there are indeed differences between the various phrases, they are not of the kind specified by Nee. More importantly, there are not two comings of the Spirit in the NT.