Watchman Nee Quotes

Watchman Nee was born Ni Shu-tsu November 4, 1903. He was later renamed Ni Ching-Fu, and finally, after his commitment to Christian work, Ni To-sheng-that is, Watchman Nee.

Watchman Nee became a Christian in China in 1920 at the age of seventeen. He went to hear an evangelist by the name of Dora Yu, who asked the people to believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour and Watchman Nee accepted. From that day on, he consecrated himself completely to Jesus Christ and to the preaching of the Gospel in China.

Watchman Nee attended no theological schools or Bible institutes. His wealth of knowledge concerning God's purpose, Christ, the things of the Spirit, and the church was acquired through studying the Bible and reading spiritual books.

Nee was zealous from the first day of his Christian life until the last. He drove himself to the point of physical collapse on several occasions and lived in self-imposed poverty.

When Communists came to power in the late 1940's - Nee became a target because of his growing Christian ministry and belief, which contradicted that of the Communist Party. Nee had been warned not to remain in mainland China, but he stayed there to spread the message of Christianity.

Watchman Nee was arrested by the Communists in 1952 for his professed faith in Christ as well as his leadership among the local churches. By the time Watchman Nee was arrested, approximately four hundred local churches had been raised up in China through his life and ministry. For almost four years Nee’s whereabouts remained unknown. The Communists tried to break Nee through brainwashing and promises that if he would lead the faithful to the Communist-controlled church he would be freed. Nee refused. In 1956- Watchman Nee was given a hearing in Shanghai and accused of severe crimes. To each charge he was allowed to answer only Yes or No. Nee stood silent for all but two: sabotage and spying. Those he denied.

More than four years after his arrest and after a long trial, in 1956 - Watchman Nee was sentenced to fifteen years in prison with reform by labor. He was, however, never released. During his confinement, his faith remained unconquerable. He sang hymns in his cell and preached the gospel to everyone he met. He remained in prison until his death more than twenty years later.