Watchman Nee was a humble, gentle man who never expected to become a household name among Christians across the world over half a century after his death. Countless millions have been converted to Christ in China and millions more have been encouraged across the world by his prolific written works. His legacy proves that although a brutal Communist regime took his life, they could not crush his spirit and they could not take his soul!
Dedicated to God
Nee was born in Foochow, China in 1903. His mother was a devout Christian who had prayed for a son, and when her prayers were answered she dedicated him to God.
In February 1920 Nee was invited to an event held by the famous Chinese evangelist Dora Yu. He was immediately struck by her powerful reminder that Jesus died for him, and he gave his life to Jesus Christ. The intelligent and once proud young man literally changed overnight into a humble servant who put others before himself. He chose to be called ‘Watchman’ Nee because he knew immediately that he had been chosen to be a watchman for the people of God.
Just a year after his conversion he began to preach and teach the Christian faith. He was powerful and engaging to hear and in his first year he led many of his college friends to Christ, including his future co-worker Witness Lee. The following year Nee moved to Shanghai where he began to teach, to write, and to publish material to help fellow Christians. Notably, he became editor of a magazine called ‘The Christian’.
The Spiritual Man
Nee began to hold meetings in homes in Foochow which he called ‘the Little Flock.’ This essentially marked the beginning of the Chinese house church movement. In 1928, he published his first major book, ‘The Spiritual Man’, a three volume classic that taught the biblical concept of spirit, soul and body. This became the foundation of his teaching and remains a classic read around the world today. Whilst most of the evangelists preached only salvation, Watchman Nee also focused on how to live by the power of the Holy Spirit (‘Christ within’). His message was not just that Christ is in our life, but that Christ is our life.
Birth of the House Church Movement
Between 1923 and 1949, he established over 700 new local churches across China. He was not keen on denominations and preferred each local church to be independent, self governing, and self supporting. This principle became the foundation of the indigenous house church movement of China which flourished ‘underground’ in spite of the great persecution from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) from the 1950s.
Watchman Nee lived a simple life which involved suffering and sacrifice. He suffered from tuberculosis and was often sick with stomach problems. He faced considerable persecution, yet he kept working, writing and teaching despite the spiritual and physical barriers constantly before him.
Prolific Writer
He wrote enduring, powerful, life-changing books including The Spiritual Man, The Normal Christian Life, The Release of the Spirit, The Glorious Church, Sit Walk Stand, The Breaking of the Outer Man, and many more. His books have been translated into many languages and have discipled millions of Christians across the globe. His writing emphasised the power of spiritual authority and submission. Nee taught the church about the ‘Body of Christ’ (the Church universal) — that we must be members joined together, not independent even though we met in separate groups.
Imprisonment and death
In 1952, the Communist takeover of China brought great persecution. Over the next two decades many millions would die as a result of Chairman Mao’s appalling rule. Nee was arrested for being a Christian and sentenced to 15 years of hard labour in prison, but he had still not been released after 20 years. He suffered greatly from the exhausting work, the regular beatings, and from being denied crucial medicine. But no matter how many times they tried to beat him into submission, he never denied Christ. Even in prison Nee secretly wrote letters encouraging the saints, imitating the example of St Paul the apostle.
Death and legacy
The lovely, gentle, humble Watchman Nee died on May 30th 1972. Although he was due to be released five years prior in 1967, he died still incarcerated in a labour camp at the hands of proud, brutal Communist captors. He was 69 years old.
After his death, the churches that he established survived and endured to become the foundation of the great house church revival in China which now consists of over 100 million believers.
The Communist regime may have killed Watchman Nee the man, but they could not kill his spirit or his legacy. Hatred and control cannot kill love and freedom. Watchman Nee lives in heaven forever with his Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and his teachings remain a source of strength and encouragement to millions here on earth more than half a century after his death.
