Changed into His Likeness

by Watchman Nee

This book makes a valuable contribution to an understanding of God's way with His own people, through a study of the lives of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

Genres: Christian, Christian Living, Nonfiction, Devotional, Christianity, Theology, Religion

161 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1967

About the author

Watchman Nee (Chinese: 倪柝聲; pinyin: Ní Tuòshēng; Foochow Romanized: Ngà̤ Táuk-sĭng; 1903–1972) was a Chinese Christian author and church leader during the early 20th century. He spent the last 20 years of his life in prison and was severely persecuted by the Communists in China. Together with Wangzai, Zhou-An Lee, Shang-Jie Song, and others, Nee founded The Church Assembly Hall, later which would be also known as the "Local churches" (Chinese: 地方教會). or more commonly as (聚會所) meaning "assembly hall"

Born into a Methodist family, Watchman Nee experienced a religious revival, and joined the Church of Heavenly Peace, Fuzhou in 1920 at age 17 and began writing in the same year. In 1921, he met the British missionary M. E. Barber, who was a great influence on him. Through Miss Barber, Nee was introduced to many of the Christian writings which were to have a profound influence on him and his teachings. Nee attended no theological schools or Bible institutes. His knowledge was acquired through studying the Bible and reading various Christian spiritual books. During his 30 years of ministry, beginning in 1922, Nee traveled throughout China planting churches among the rural communities and holding Christian conferences and trainings in Shanghai. In 1952 he was imprisoned for his faith; he remained in prison until his death in 1972.

Reviews

[Jeff Shelnutt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ever since I read The Normal Christian Life years ago, I've found myself returning again and again to the writings of Nee. Not only was he a profound thinker with a wide grasp of theology, but he was primarily concerned with the practical side of Christian living. This book digs deep and really pulls to the surface spiritual gems of insight from the experiences of the patriarchs. Like his other publications (with the exception of The Spiritual Man) this book is basically a transcript of a sermon series. The Body of Christ has benefited tremendously from Nee's influence and I pray that a new generation of Christians rediscover the riches this man of God has to offer.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

"We all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being changed into his likeness from one degree of glory to another" (2 Cor 3:18). This message comes through loud and clear in the lives of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. While they failed time and again, God was faithful to convict, restore and bless them. And He is able to deal with our slipping and stumbling as well. Watchman Nee uses the lives of the patriarchs to show the process God uses to develop Christlike character in His children. God's sufficiency in the face of our failure is seen only as we surrender to Him and are changed into His likeness.

[Haymanot · Rating 5 out of 5]

A truly brilliant and spirit led exposition of not only the story, but also the relevance and importance of the phases in a christian's life according to the lives of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. This book gave me peace about the lack of peace in my life, and God's way of working with me. A definite must if you're struggling with God and struggling to overcome life's fears.

[Saphraneet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mr. Nee gives many good insights using principles and examples from the lives of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob to help the reader understand how we are changed into the likeness of the Lord. The chapters on Jacob and discipline especially stood out to me.

[Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, especially the way he used Abraham, Isaac and Jacob as examples of the promise, the gift and the receiver.

[Nicholas Abraham · Rating 2 out of 5]

What is good in this book is unfortunately drowned out by an approach to sanctification that makes it nearly entirely passive on the part of the believer.

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another of Nee's books that make me stop and examine my life as far as my relationship with God. Questions I ask: "Do I trust God?" "Where might He be leading me?" Thought-provoking and convicting, as most of Nee's writing are.

[Anna G. · Rating 5 out of 5]

very good book...really enjoyed it...many great points...chapter 10 brought me to tears...

[Jeffrey S. Harley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read!!

This book will lead you into a more intimate fellowship and walk with the Lord! It is a must read for every serious follower of Jesus Christ!!

[Britt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow

This was such a powerful reminder of God's words and grace. I need to reread this already to absorb more. This was such a timely witness.

[Debra · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I was sorting my attic I stumbled onto many smaller books tucked in one container for the day I would have more time to read and reflect. Well, it is that time. I am "retired", in a "stay close to home due to the pandemic" lifestyle. I have read Watchman Nee many years ago and enjoyed his writing style and down to earth presentation of material. I also was looking for something to put into a time gap of 8 weeks while there was a hiatus from our regular Zoom study. I figured a chapter a day, sixteen chapters, this was going to be a great fit. Little did I know how many times I would read the same chapter until I had it firmly in my mind and heart.

The overview of the book is a look at Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and how God worked in their lives, forming them into the men he needed them to be. It is not an entirely easy read, but very worth it. He does layer on the information so that you can see it from different angles to gather the entire thought. As you can see, a chapter a day did not happen. It was more like a chapter a week, going over the material again and again, so rich and uplifting. I can't wait to find another nugget hiding in that attic trove.

[Phillip Kang · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some books seem to have this magical quality of giving the reader a different but more immersive experience after the second or third reading. This difference is keenly felt especially if there is a gap of a few years between the readings. "Changed Into His Likeness" is one such book in my estimation.

In this book, Watchman Nee gives readers a deep insight into who “the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob' is” and how God’s dealings with these three Old Testament patriarchs provide practical solutions to the Christian life and walk.

When I first read the book some years ago, I had felt inspired but that feeling didn’t last long. What I’d learned from it was soon forgotten. Now, after the second reading, I sense that God is revealing Himself afresh to me and I appreciate how he goes about transforming us to be more like His Son, Jesus Christ.

Much profit may be gained from studying the lives of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Once you're done reading this book, it will have you praising and thanking God, as it did me.

[Adam Chandler · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nee explores the life of Abraham with respect to the promises of God. Nee intends for this to be a treatise on how Christians are renewed in faith to live unto God. However, a lot of the focus he draws is on the promise of the inheritance of the physical promised land of Israel. He places emphasis on this rather than the sanctification of the saint, which is a misplaced move in my opinion. It is especially difficult to understand in light of knowing the promises of Abraham actually emphasis his descendants, leading to Christ, and the land is merely a means for his descendants to live forever in the world. The land is meant to be superseded by the future paradise.

[Summer Cromartie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really liked one of his other books, but man, this one was tough to get through. I feel like he either repeated himself a lot or stated the obvious, but I think this book could have been half its length. He seemed to dwell on the same points repeatedly and yet didn't really go into his thoughts on other details even though the Bible has more to say on these guys. I also disagreed with him a bit on his assessment of their character developments, but that feels a bit petty, especially since I tend to be more harsh than my peers on the fairly flawed characters in the Bible. I think Jacob and Isaac have far fewer redeeming qualities than he thinks, but again, it's not an issue to argue over.

[Majuchan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Will take the reader into the accounts of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. How did God Transformed them into His vessel. To be truly dependent and total abandoment to His will.

Some phrases it came to me sort of scandalous or extreme that it (somehow for me) contradicts the Bible. Read with Bible on Hand.

[Dee · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨

- hit different now that i read it the second time
- great insights and the connections between Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob
- may have a tone that encourages passivity from Christians (i get the receiving everything from God, but we are also not called to be just idle)

[Rick Normandin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful insight into the Word..

Such a refreshing study of the story of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The path of every believer. You will not regret reading this amazing treatise to Gods plan for man as illustrated in his patriarchs.

[Dalene Van Achterbergh · Rating 5 out of 5]

O

[Brian Corder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved seeing him tie in that Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are representatives of the Trinity. Mind blown!

[Sylvester Ogochukwu · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read! I love this book by brother watchman nee.

[Robert L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

Loved the different on Abraham, Issac and Jacob (Israel). Powerful reading and great illustrations. Oh God will equip, empower and use us fir His glory!

[Sean Campos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deep. Spiritual. Rather peculiar way of seeing the life of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Still in the end you see the wisdom of man that comes from a deep communion and intimacy with God.

[Frans Kempe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Looking at the Patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac and Jakob from a spiritual perspective that concerns our Walk with God.

[Edward Althoff · Rating 4 out of 5]

good book

[Andrew Klob · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent Watchman Nee book! Nee took an interesting approach to the believers growth in Christ in that he modeled our growth after the lives of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Abraham represents a picture of salvation in that he (God) takes him out of Ur (the old life) and places him in a new land (the land of promise - aka the new life) and molds him after His (God) own likeness. Nee then talks about all of the learning that Abraham went through to understand what it means to be a child of God. Nee then looks at the life of Isaac and shows how his life represents our inheritance in Christ and how we learn how to receive, day by day, all that we have in Christ. Lastly, Watchman Nee looks at the life of Jacob. Nee shows how Jacob represents our wrestling with the Lord and our learning how to surrender to God’s Will. All together, the three of these patriarchs represent a complete picture of our salvation and sanctification in Christ and how we are changed into His likeness. As I said, another great book from Watchman Nee on our growth in Christ. I highly highly recommend this book and plan to read it again and again.

[Deemel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I truly believe in the sovereignty of God in all circumstances of life. Even in the timing of reading a book. This book spoke volumes to me in my faith as a believer in Jesus Christ; the only begotten Son of God. Many topics in this work by Watchman Nee helped me in a personal way such as being delivered from the Law. Man continues to make lists of what I must do to gain eternal salvation. The focus is on me and what I must do to fulfill. I will never be able to complete the "list". Instead I must put the focus on Christ and what He has completed for me so many years ago. Nee provides a simple analogy that easily explains this concept and many others to help the Christ believer to live to the fullest and to be free from the law.

[Kjersti · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a study on Abraham, Isaac and Jacob of the Old Testament, and how God worked in their lives. I read it in Norwegian, but it's actually very well written - and translated. (It's actually one of the few Norwegian books where the translation hasn't bugged me. It's published by Logos if you're Norwegian.) Nee's points are very god, show a tremendous amount of insight and are easy to follow. Great book!

[Ken Peters · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not only the best Watchman Nee book I have ever read, but I don't think I'm exaggerating to say that it's the most impacting Christian devotional book I have ever read. Watchman Nee has found a gold mine of truth in the lives of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and that truth has pierced me and I hope it changes me -- more into the likeness of Christ! I could hardly read more than a few pages at time before I needed to stop and process what I'd read. It is rich and it is life-changing!

[Manny Hernandez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the second time that I have read this book and it took me much more time to finish it. Why? Because the first time it was simply a read and this time it was for a personal study.

This is one of 3 books that has had a life changing impact on me with immediate changes. I will be
re-reading it for a third time in 2026.

Read this book and then re-read it slowly and taking notes.

[Jane Hwang · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really informative on the connection btwn the Old Testament (Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob) and New (Jesus). Never thought about the dual meaning of the triune God, the Father/Son/Holy Spirit and the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. A quick read!