10. Manna issue 85 - Where Do We Go From Here 我們從這裡要往那裡去呢？
Continue to walk in the old
paths of the saints and
rely on the Holy Spirit’s
guidance.
繼續走在聖徒的老路上，依靠聖靈的帶領
Adapted from a sermon by Aun Quek Chin—Singapore
節錄自新加坡 陳恩國 傳道講道
The year 2017 was the centenary of the True Jesus Church.
In 1917, through the downpour of the Holy Spirit,
God established the True Jesus Church in China.
Very quickly, the gospel was preached throughout China,
as well as to Taiwan, Malaysia, Singapore and other countries.
Today, though the growth and development of our churches vary from country to country,
we are thankful that the True Jesus Church is now planted in more than sixty-five countries across six continents.
We firmly believe that despite the obstructions and difficulties we face,
God will guide us through the stormy waters and give us victory at the end.
2017年是真耶穌教會成立一百週年。
在1917年，由於聖靈的降臨，
神在中國建立了真耶穌教會。
福音很快傳遍了中國
以及台灣，馬來西亞，新加坡和其他國家。
今天，儘管我們的教會的成長和發展因國家而異，
我們很感謝神，真耶穌教會現在已經遍布六大洲的超過六十五個國家。
我們堅信，儘管我們遇到阻礙和困難，
神會帶領我們穿越風暴洶湧的水域，最終給我們勝利。
THE NEXT STEPS 接下來的步伐
Although we know it is God’s will for the True Jesus Church to be victorious,
it is our duty to self-reflect and consider how we should proceed as a church beyond our centenary.
Which direction should we move towards? Which way is the right way?
How do we break through all these challenges in our path?
How do we renew ourselves and rejuvenate our faith?
Here are five things we should do that will serve us well in our journey as a church,
until we reach our destination.
雖然我們知道，真耶穌教會得勝是神的旨意，
我們有責任進行自我反省，並好好想想，我們在教會走過了百年紀念之後，要再如何走一下步。
我們應該朝哪個方向前進？ 哪條路才是正確的？
我們如何在前進的道路上，克服所有面對的挑戰？
我們如何自我更新，復興自已的信仰？
在我們作為教會，往下一步繼續前進時，這裡有五件該作的事，會對我們有幫助，
而且會一直幫我們直到目的地。
Keep to the Old Ways 保守在走在以前的老路子
Some members may think that the church should change with the times.
They observe that other churches are always teaching new messages
and revising their stances on topical issues in order to stay relevant,
whereas we in the True Jesus Church seem stuck in our old ways.
In this age, it is indeed not a bad thing to be creative and innovative.
In various fields, such as industry and education, society is pushing for new
and better ways of thinking and doing things.
In a church setting, we could adopt this approach by delivering sermons in a more engaging way,
ensuring the message is relevant to members living in this modern age.
But this mindset of innovation should only go so far.
Let us examine what God said through the prophet Jeremiah:
一些信徒可能認為教會應該與時俱進。
他們看到，其他教會一直在傳講新的信息，
在一些熱門話題上，試著轉變他們的立場，以保持和世界有連結，
而我們在真耶穌教會裡，似乎卡住，陷入自已的老方法。
在這個時代，創新和創新確實不是一件壞事。
在工業和教育等各個領域，社會正在推動嶄新
及更好的思維方式和做事方式。
在教會場合裡，我們可以採用這種方法，讓講道更具有吸引力，
確保道理與信徒在當今時代的生活有關。
但是，這種創新思維方式，還是會有限制的。
讓我們研究一下，神通過先知耶利米說的話：
Thus says the LORD:
“Stand in the ways and see,
And ask for the old paths, where the good way is,
And walk in it;
Then you will find rest for your souls.
But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’
Also, I set watchmen over you, saying,
‘Listen to the sound of the trumpet!’
But they said, ‘We will not listen.’
Therefore hear, you nations,
And know, O congregation, what is among them.
Hear, O earth!
Behold, I will certainly bring calamity on this people—
The fruit of their thoughts,
Because they have not heeded My words
Nor My law, but rejected it." (Jer 6:16–19)
16耶和華如此說：你們當站在路上察看，訪問古道，哪是善道，便行在其間；
這樣，你們心裡必得安息。他們卻說：我們不行在其間。
17我設立守望的人照管你們，說：要聽角聲。他們卻說：我們不聽。
18列國啊，因此你們當聽！會眾啊，要知道他們必遭遇的事。
19地啊，當聽！我必使災禍臨到這百姓，就是他們意念所結的果子；
因為他們不聽從我的言語，至於我的訓誨（或譯：律法），他們也厭棄了。
(耶 6：16-19)
Though people nowadays desire novelty and new ideas,
God instructs His people to ask for the old paths, where the good way is.
How do we know that the old path is truly the good way?
Because our predecessors and the saints walked it before us and emerged victorious.
Abraham is a prime example;
he and his descendants believed in God’s word
and walked in the tried and tested paths, according to God’s commands.
In the end, God fulfilled His promise to Abraham,
bringing his descendants out of Egypt and into Canaan as a great nation.
God’s promises have never, and will never, change.
If we follow in the footsteps of the saints,
we will see these promises unfold as they did in times past.
The question is, can we hold fast to the old paths?
儘管當今人們渴望發現各種新穎的東西和聽到各種新的想法，
而神卻指示祂的百姓要尋找舊通道，就是以前善良的好路子。
我們怎麼知道老路，就是好的通路呢？
因為我們的先祖和聖徒們，在我們之前走過它，並取得了勝利。
亞伯拉罕就是一個很好的例子。
他和他的後代相信神的話
並按照神的命令，行走在久經考驗的道路上。
最後，神實現了他對亞伯拉罕的應許，
把他的後裔帶出埃及，並進入迦南，成為偉大的國家。
神的應許，以前不會，未來也永遠不會改變。
如果我們跟隨聖徒的腳步，
我們將看到這些應許，像過去一樣展開在我們面前。
問題是，我們可以緊緊抓住這些應許，走在以前的道路上嗎？
In today’s context, to what do the old paths refer?
They refer to the truth that was once and for all committed to the saints by the Lord Jesus;
the truth comprises His teachings and the ways of the apostles that have been clearly recorded in the Bible.
在今天的背景下，舊有的道路指的是什麼？
他們指的是主耶穌曾經完全交待清楚給聖徒的真理。
真理包括了，使清楚記載徒在聖經裡面，有關耶穌的教導和使徒作過的事。
As the world changes, so will our approach and methods within church work.
For example, the church has made leaps and bounds using the internet ministry for evangelism and pastoral purposes.
However, those who seek novel concepts and new biblical interpretations may have already started upon a new path;
on closer examination of their beliefs, they may have already strayed far away from the one true God.
Even after one hundred years, we must keep to the old paths that our predecessors walked.
隨著世界的變化，我們在教會工作中的態度和方法也會隨之變化。
例如，教會為了傳福音和牧養信徒的目的，而突破性的利用網路來事奉。
但是，那些尋求新穎概念，採用新的聖經解釋的人，可能已經開始了新的道路。
在仔細檢查他們的信仰時，他們可能已經偏離了唯一的真神。
即使在一百年之後，我們也必須遵循我們前輩走過的古老道路。
Learn from the Acts of the Apostles 效法聖徒的行為
How do we know in which direction the church should proceed?
We must use the Acts of the Apostles, also known as the Acts of the Church, as our compass.
The focus of Acts is not on the apostles’ endeavors;
rather, from the first chapter to the last,
the book focuses on the establishment and development of the church.
我們要怎麼知道，教會應該朝哪個方向前進？
我們必須參考使徒的行為，也被稱為教會的行為手則，作為我們的指南針。
使徒行傳的重點不在使徒的努力上。；
而是從第一章到最後一章，
使徒行傳著重於教會的建立和發展。
"The former account I made, O Theophilus,
of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,
until the day in which He was taken up,
after He through the Holy Spirit had given commandments to the apostles whom He had chosen,
to whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs,
being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God." (Acts 1:1–3)
1提阿非羅阿，我已經作了前書，論到耶穌開頭一切所行所教訓的，
2直到他藉著聖靈吩咐所揀選的使徒，以後被接上升的日子為止。
3他受害之後，用許多的憑據將自己活活的顯給使徒看，四十天之久向他們顯現，講說神國的事。
(徒 1：1-3)
Luke begins the Book of Acts by recounting how, for forty days,
the Lord Jesus appeared to His disciples and spoke about the kingdom of God.
He ends his account with Paul
“preaching the kingdom of God
and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence,
no one forbidding him” (Acts 28:31).
路加從《使徒行傳》開始，敘述了四十天來，
主耶穌如何向門徒顯現並談論神的國度。
他結束記載於保羅的記事，
31放膽傳講神國的道，將主耶穌基督的事教導人，並沒有人禁止。
(徒 28：31)
At this point, Paul was under house arrest in Rome, with a soldier for protection.
Yet, miraculously, he was allowed to receive guests in his rented house,
and thus continue the work of preaching.
Roman law permitted such an arrangement, so Paul’s opponents could not hinder him from spreading the gospel.
Through these amazing circumstances, the church in Rome was established.
此時，保羅在羅馬被軟禁，並有一名士兵來保護。
然而，奇蹟的是，他被允許在租來的房子裡接待客人，
從而繼續傳教的工作。
羅馬法律允許這樣的安排，所以保羅的反對者不會阻止他傳播福音。
通過這麼奇妙環境的安排，羅馬的教堂得以建立。
Though the worker of God was bound in chains, the word of God could never be bound;
this is the conclusion that the Acts of the Apostles imprints on our minds.
An entire book concerning the church of God was written
so that we in this current generation can understand how the church was formed,
and how she progressed despite tribulation.
The church was challenged by heresies creeping in, members turning apostate, and persecution from all sides.
But reading this history, one lesson is clear for the church today:
we need not worry; the Holy Spirit Himself will comfort us and help us to flourish.
All we must do is rely wholeheartedly on His guidance.
儘管神的工人受到束縛，但神的話語永遠不會受到束縛。
這就是使徒行傳烙印在我們思想上的結論。
整本書記載關於神的教會，
這樣我們這一代人, 才能了解教會的形成方式，
以及她在遇到困難的時候，教會是如何前進的。
教會受到的挑戰，有異端蔓延進來，信徒背叛，四面受迫害。
但是，閱讀這段歷史，對於今天的教會來說顯然有一個教訓：
我們不用擔心； 聖靈自己會安慰我們，幫助我們興旺起來。
我們要做的就是全心全意地依靠祂的領導。
Hold Fast to Pure Teachings 抓緊那純正的教導
There is an important question we should consider.
Can the church today continue to hold fast to the pure teachings and the truth originally preached?
The stance of the True Jesus Church has always been that we must be completely aligned with the Bible;
we should seek to follow the blueprint of the early apostolic church—the image of the ideal church—
as presented in the Book of Acts.
我們應該考慮一個重要的問題。
今天的教會，能否繼續堅持最初傳講的純正教義和真理？
真耶穌教會的立場一直是，我們必須與聖經完全一致；
我們應該尋求遵循早期使徒教會的藍圖-理想教會的形象-
如使徒行傳中所記載的一樣。
Today, some may argue that times have changed and the apostolic church is an outdated model.
Indeed, methods of church administration will necessarily adapt to changing times,
but the founding principles of the apostolic church remain timeless.
The truth preached by the apostles cannot be altered by changing societal attitudes.
After all, the apostles did not invent this truth, so it is not a product of their era.
The apostles’ message is the faith that was once for all committed to them by the Lord Jesus;
it is the unchanging truth that remains relevant throughout the ages.
The instruction of Jesus in Matthew 28:20,
“[teach] them to observe all things which I have commanded you—
and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of age,”
was not just directed to the disciples of that time,
but also to all future believers.
今天，有些人可能會說，時代已經改變，使徒教會已經過時了。
確實，教會的管理方法必將適應時代的變化，
但是使徒教會的創始原則仍然是永恆的。
使徒宣講的真理，不能因為社會態度的改變而改變。
畢竟，使徒們並沒有發明真理，所以這不是他們時代的產物。
使徒的信息是，主耶穌曾經交託門徒遵行的那完備的信仰。
這永不改變的真理，始終千古存在。
耶穌在馬太福音28章20節中的指教，
20凡我所吩咐你們的，都教訓他們遵守，我就常與你們同在，直到世界的末了。
(太 28：20)
不僅是針對當時的門徒，
而且還包括所有未來的信徒。
If we are indeed believers of Christ and of the true church,
then we should follow the instructions of the Lord Jesus as the apostles did.
We should emulate the apostles, who sacrificed their all for the word of God and contended earnestly for the faith.
When opposed by the rulers and elders of Israel, they boldly declared:
“Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge.
For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:19b–20).
In addition, they were very faithful in teaching the word of God,
devoting themselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word (Acts 6:4).
Finally, they were willing to suffer for His ministry.
Enduring physical violence, imprisonment, and the threat of death,
they did not waver in their faith and held fast to Jesus’ teachings.
如果我們確實是基督和真教會的信徒，
那麼我們應該像使徒們一樣遵循主耶穌的指示。
我們應該效法使徒，他們為神的道犧牲了自己的全部，並為信仰而認真辯道。
當遭到以色列的統治者和長老反對時，他們大膽宣布：
19聽從你們，不聽從神，這在神面前合理不合理，你們自己酌量罷！
20我們所看見所聽見的，不能不說。
(徒 4：19b-20)。
此外，他們非常忠於教導神的道，
不斷獻身忠於禱告和傳道工作(徒 6：4)。
最後，他們願意為事工受苦。
遭受人身暴力，監禁和死亡威脅，
他們沒有動搖自己的信仰，而是堅守耶穌的教導。
Today, in which direction should the church proceed?
All we must do is follow in the direction set by the Acts of the Apostles.
今天，教會應該朝哪個方向前進？
我們所要做的，就是遵循使徒在使徒行傳中，所設立的方向。
Be Led by the Holy Spirit 依靠聖靈的引領
The Acts of the Apostles is also known as the Acts of the Holy Spirit
because it records how the Holy Spirit personally led the church.
In Acts 2, we read how the Holy Spirit pricked the hearts of the Jews listening to Peter’s message,
resulting in the baptism of about three thousand people.
In Acts 3, because the Holy Spirit worked through Peter and John to heal a lame beggar,
more than five thousand came to believe.
This was how the church in Jerusalem was established.
使徒行傳也為人所知，稱為聖靈行傳，
因為它記錄了聖靈親自帶領教會的方式。
在使徒行傳第二章中，我們讀到聖靈如何刺激到猶太人的內心，讓他們聽從彼得的信息，
導致大約三千人受洗。
在使徒行傳第三章，由於聖靈通過彼得和約翰工作，醫治跛腳的乞丐，
那時就有超過五千人信主。
這就是耶路撒冷教會成立的方式。
Some wonder how the apostolic church could have flourished with just twelve apostles and seven deacons.
Even by the standards of the time, they were not a very talented bunch;
yet, because they were faithful to God, the Holy Spirit worked mightily through them.
Though the ability to speak is necessary,
the presence of the Holy Spirit is even more essential
if the workers are to touch the hearts of listeners.
有人想了解，使徒教會是如何僅憑著十二個使徒和七個執事就能蓬勃發展。
即使按造當時的標準，他們也不是很有才華的一群；
然而，因為他們對神有信心，所以聖靈透過他們，在他們身上大大作工。
雖然說話的能力是必要的，
聖靈的存在是更加重要，若工人想要打動聽眾的內心。
Before the events recorded in Acts 10, the Jews had been unable to accept
that Gentiles could become the children of Abraham and receive God’s inheritance.
The apostles understood, theoretically,
that they were Abraham’s children not through circumcision but through belief in Jesus and baptism.
But they did not have the courage to confirm their belief through action
and bring the message to the Gentiles.
在使徒行傳10章記載的此事件之前，猶太人一直無法接受，
他們不想信外邦人可以成為亞伯拉罕的子孫，並得到神的遺產。
使徒從理論上很清楚，
他們成為亞伯拉罕的子系，不是通過割禮，而是通過信靠耶穌和接受洗禮。
但是他們沒有勇氣通過行動來確認自己的信念
並將信息傳達給外邦人。
However, in Acts 10, the Holy Spirit led a breakthrough
by inspiring Peter to go to the house of Cornelius, a God-fearing Gentile.
Peter himself was still doubtful, but as he preached to Cornelius and his family,
he was reassured when God bestowed the Holy Spirit upon the Gentile listeners.
然而，在使徒行傳10章中，聖靈的引領有了突破，
啟發彼得到，那個敬畏神的外邦人，哥尼流的家。
彼得本人仍然存疑，但是當他向哥尼流和他的家人宣講時，
當神將聖靈賜給那些外邦聽眾的時候，他放心了。
Later, when Peter was criticized for having gone to Cornelius' house,
he testified that these Gentiles had received the same gift
that they had at the beginning: they spoke in tongues.
There was no way Peter could prevent them from being baptized.
If it were not for the work of the Holy Spirit,
how could there have been such a breakthrough?
How could Peter have persuaded the stubborn Jews to open the door for the Gentiles?
後來，當彼得因為到哥尼流的家，而受到批評的時候，
他作證說，這些外邦人得到了同樣的恩賜，就像他們當初得到聖靈一樣：
他們會說靈言。
如果不是聖靈的工作帶領，彼得沒有辦法阻止他們受洗。
怎麼會有這樣的突破？
彼得怎能說服固執的猶太人為外邦人打開拉接納之門？
Today, many doors are difficult to open.
One of the toughest doors to open is the hearts of men.
Some open their hearts and then shut them again.
They repent, then return to sin.
They believe and then they leave.
Though these are hard doors to pry open, we can only do our best to preach the gospel,
and the Holy Spirit will lead us in our efforts.
今天，許多門很難打開。
人心是最難打開的門之一。
有些人一開始敞開了心房，然後又再次關上。
他們悔改，然後回到罪惡之中。
他們信主，後來又離開。
儘管這些門很難撬開，但我們只能盡力傳揚福音，
聖靈將在我們努力工作中，帶領我們。
Acts 15 records an incident of another nature—one concerning the truth.
Some Jewish believers still insisted on circumcising Gentile believers,
causing a divide in the apostolic church.
Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, this problem was given a final resolution (Acts 15:28–29).
使徒行傳15章，記錄了另一種性質的事件-與真理有關。
一些猶太信徒仍然堅持外邦信徒要施行割禮，
在使徒教會中造成分歧。
在聖靈的指導下，這個問題得到了最終解決（徒 15：28-29）。
The church today will likewise be required to handle tricky questions and dilemmas when it comes to practicing the truth.
When such situations occur, we must learn from the example of the incident in Acts 15
and wholly rely on the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
今日的教會，在實踐真理的時候，同樣會遇到要處理棘手或是兩難的問題。
當發生這種情況時，我們必須從使徒行傳15章的例子中學習，
完全依靠聖靈的指引。
Treat Prayer as a Service 看待禱告為事奉的工作
Last but not least, in order for us to progress after our centenary,
let us not be ambivalent towards prayer.
Some of us may be ill or elderly and unable to do much church work,
but at the very least, we can pray.
Then there are those who do much church work,
but do not consider prayers to be a form of service.
Paul emphasized the importance of supporting the workers through prayer,
noting to the Corinthians:
最後但並非最不重要的一點是，為了使我們在百年紀念之後能夠繼續前進，
讓我們不要對禱告感覺可有可無。
我們中有些人可能生病或年長，無法做很多教會的工作，
但至少，我們可以祈禱。
還有那些做很多教會工作的人，
但卻不將祈禱看作是一種事奉。
保羅強調了通過禱告來支持工人的重要性，
特地向哥林多教會提醒：
[You also helped] together in prayer for us,
that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf
for the gift granted to us through many. (2 Cor 1:11)
11你們以祈禱幫助我們，好叫許多人為我們謝恩，就是為我們因許多人所得的恩。
(林後 1：11)
How can we help the church and aid the church workers?
Apart from offering our services and strength, we must also offer our prayers.
When we pray with all our heart,
it represents our total reliance on God’s guidance in the development of the church.
Prayer can be accomplished by any believer and is a service we must not neglect.
我們要如何幫助教會，及幫助教會工人呢？
除了提供服事工作和力量之外，還必須獻上我們的祈禱。
當我們全心全意祈禱的時候，
代表了我們對教會發展工作，是完全依靠神的帶領。
任何信徒都可以禱告，這是我們不能忽視的事奉工作。
CONCLUSION 結語
God has led us thus far over the past century,
and will continue to do so in the next if we play our part well.
While having faith that God will cause His church to flourish,
we must continue to walk in the old paths of the saints and rely on the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
More importantly, we should pray that God preserves our own faith,
so that we, as individuals, will not waver in our beliefs
and can lead future generations to hold fast to the truth.
The Holy Spirit will assuredly complete His work of perfecting the true church.
在過去的一個世紀中，神一直引領著我們，
如果我們能好好發揮自己的作用，在接下來的百年中，神會繼續這樣做。
相信神會帶領祂的教會蓬勃發展，
我們必須繼續走在聖徒的老路上，並依靠聖靈的指引。
更重要的是，我們應該祈禱神保守我們自己的信仰，
這樣我們作為個人就不會動搖自已的信念，
並且可以帶領下一代子孫，繼續堅守真理。
聖靈必定會完成祂的工作，讓真教會可以更加的完美。
小頁 markvmax@hotmail.com
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