Manna74-Hold Fast to the Truth 堅守真理
Can we stand firm in the truth
that we have received?
我們可以在所領受的真道上站立穩固嗎？
Based on a sermon by Aun-Quek Chin—Singapore
著：新加坡 陳恩國 傳道 講章
Hold fast the pattern of sound
words which you have heard from
me, in faith and love which are in
Christ Jesus. That good thing which
was committed to you, keep by the
Holy Spirit who dwells in us.
(2 Tim 1:13–14)
13你從我聽的那純正話語的規模，要用在基督耶穌裡的信心和愛心，常常守著。
14從前所交託你的善道，你要靠著那住在我們裡面的聖靈牢牢的守著。
(提後 1：13-14)
When Paul wrote 2 Timothy, he
knew that this would be his final
letter. In his parting words to the
leaders and the believers of the
church, he urged them to hold fast the
pattern of sound words. He himself
was more than qualified to give this
exhortation: for the sake of upholding
the truth, Paul surrendered the status
he once had in the Jewish community
and the privileges it conferred; he lost
his friends among the Pharisees; and
eventually, he even lost his life. Yet
Paul never regretted the course he
took and was able to boldly proclaim
at the end, “I have fought the good
fight, I have finished the race, I have
kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up
for me the crown of righteousness”
(2 Tim 4:7–8).
當保羅寫提摩太後書時，他知道這是最後的書信。
在最後辭別教會長執及信徒的話中，保羅鼓勵他們要常常守著純正話語的規模。
他自已不僅夠資格這樣勸勉別人：為要高舉真理的原故，他放棄從前在猶太社會中的地位及特權；
他失去了法利賽人的朋友；直到最後，甚至犧牲了自已的生命。
保羅從未後悔過選擇這條路，並且能夠勇敢地大肆宣揚真理直到生命最後終了，
"那美好的仗我已經打過了，當跑的路我已經跑盡了，所信的道我已經守住了。從此以後，有公義的冠冕為我存留。"
(提後 4：7-8)
What about us? Can we hold fast
to the truth that we have received?
Can we finish the race, fight the good
fight, and face our Lord, blameless
like Paul?
那我們自已呢？
我們可以常常守著所領受的真理嗎？
我們可以完成當跑的路？打贏美好的仗？
像保羅一樣，純全無暇，親眼見主面？
PATTERN OF SOUND WORDS 純正話語的規模
Today, every Christian claims Jesus
as their only Lord and Savior and
upholds the commandment to love
one another, which are certainly
important aspects of the truth. But
how many hold fast to the Lord’s
commandment to be baptized, have
our feet washed, and partake in the
Holy Communion? Not that many.
今日，每一位基督徒宣稱，耶穌是他們唯一的救主，並且會遵守彼此相愛的命令，毫無疑問地，這是真理的一個非常重要的面向。
但是，有多少人能夠常常守著主的吩咐及命令，在大水洗禮，接受洗腳禮，並且一起領受聖餐？
很多人並沒有這麼作！
In the early church, the apostles—
Peter, Paul, and John—preached the
same truth of salvation, a common
set of beliefs that all the churches
adhered to. However, before long,
others began preaching a different
gospel. This was why Paul wrote
to encourage Timothy, as well as
the other believers, to hold fast the
pattern of sound words that they had
heard.
早期教會中，使徒 - 彼得，保羅和約翰 - 宣傳著相同的得救真理，是一套全部教會都信守遵行的共信之道。
然後，不久之後，就有其他人開始宣傳一套不同的福音。
這就是為什麼，保羅要寫信來鼓勵提摩太和其他的信徒，要常常守著他們之前所聽到純正話語的模規。
To Titus, a true son in our common
faith: Grace, mercy and peace from
God the Father and the Lord Jesus
Christ our Savior. (Tit 1:4)
4現在寫信給提多，就是照著我們共信之道作我真兒子的。願恩惠、平安從父神和我們的救主基督耶穌歸與你！
(多 1：4)
Paul says that Titus was a true son
born of the gospel and emphasizes
that he came to believe because of
their “common faith.” The latter
would have gone beyond just
believing that Jesus was their Savior
and keeping His command to love
others. We know this to be the case
because we see Paul asking the
believers in his days, “Did you receive
the Holy Spirit when you believed?”
(Acts 19:2), and “Into what [baptism]
then were you baptized?” (Acts
19:3). We also see that he instructed
the church in Corinth to partake the
Holy Communion in a worthy manner
(1 Cor 11:27–29). All these matters
were core elements of the common
faith preached and meticulously
perpetuated by the early workers.
保羅說，提多是一個真正福音所生的兒子，強調他能夠信主是因為他們有"共信之道"。
這共信之道，更是超越只是單純相信耶穌是他們的救主，和遵守他的誡命愛人如已。
我們知道事實就是如此，因為有看到保羅在當時詢問了信徒，
"你們信的時候受了聖靈沒有？"(徒 19：2)
和"你們受的是甚麼洗呢？"(徒 19：3)
我們也看到，他教導哥林多的教會，要以無愧的心來一同領受聖餐。 (林前 11：27-29)
這全部的事宜就是共信之道的核心要素，也是早期工人所傳講，及嚴謹保存下來的。
THE UNCHANGING AND COMPLETE TRUTH 永不改變全備的真理
“Go therefore and make disciples
of all the nations, baptizing them in
the name of the Father, and the Son
and the Holy Spirit, teaching them
to observe all things that I have
commanded you; and lo, I am with
you always, even to the end of the
age.” Amen. (Mt 28:19–20)
19所以，你們要去，使萬民作我的門徒，奉父、子、聖靈的名給他們施洗（或作：給他們施洗，歸於父、子、聖靈的名）。
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 28：19-20)
From Jesus’ words, we understand
that Christians of all generations
have to obey Jesus’ teachings. He
further teaches that not all those who
call Him, “Lord! Lord!” will be saved,
but only those who do the will of the
heavenly Father and keep the Lord’s
command (Mt 7:21).
從耶穌的話，我們了解到所有的基督徒都要遵守耶穌的教訓。
而且他更進一步指教我們：
21凡稱呼我主阿，主阿的人不能都進天國；惟獨遵行我天父旨意的人才能進去。
(太 7：21)
The phrase “to the end of the
age” tells us that the truth cannot
be changed. Nothing can be added
or taken away to fit a new era or to
please a new generation. Christians
should continuously adhere to the
teachings that the apostles had
received from Jesus. Hence, Jude
reminds us “to contend earnestly
for the faith which was once for all
delivered to the saints” (Jude 1:3).
"直到世界的末了"這句話告訴我們，真理不能被改變。
即無所增添也無所減少，也不會用來迎合新世紀或取稅新世代。
基督徒應該要遵守使徒從耶穌身上所領受的教訓。
因此，猶大書提醒我們 "要為從前一次交付聖徒的真道竭力的爭辯"(猶 1：3)
Yet today, many Christians do not
completely obey the Lord Jesus and
His commands relating to baptism,
Holy Communion, footwashing, and
receiving the Holy Spirit because they
consider these as “mere” doctrines.
To them, it is the gospel, not the
doctrines, that saves.
但是今日，有許多基督徒並沒有完全遵守主耶穌和他的誡命，
例如有關洗禮，聖餐禮，洗腳禮，和受聖靈，就因為他們認為這些只不過是教條而已。
對他們而言，只有福音才可以拯救人的生命，教條就不會讓人得救。
However, we must understand
that the apostles preached what the
Lord Jesus had commanded. The
Lord commanded them to conduct
baptism (Mt 28:19; Mk 16:15–16),
Holy Communion (Lk 22:14–20),
footwashing (Jn 13:1–17), and to
pray for the promised Holy Spirit
(Acts 1:4–5). He set an example for
them in keeping the Sabbath holy
(cf. Lk 4:16; 6:6,9,5). Hence, the
gospel of the cross includes all the
teachings and doctrines that Jesus
commanded through word and deed.
We cannot separate the gospel from
the doctrines, for they are one. So we
need to ask ourselves: do we believe
in the complete gospel and preach it?
然而，我們必須要知道，使徒只傳講主耶穌所命令他們要遵行的事。
主命令他們要實行洗禮(可 28：19；可 16：15-16)，聖餐禮(路 22：14-20)，洗腳禮(約 13：1-17)，並且要祈求應許的聖靈(徒 1：4-5)。
主耶穌為他們親自示範，要守安息日為聖(cf. 路 4：16；6：6，9，5)。
因此，十字架的福音涵蓋了，耶穌透過言行所命令我們要遵行的所有教導和教條。
我們不可以把福音從眾教條中分離出來，因為他們本來就是一體的。
所以我們應該捫心自問：我們真的有相信這全備的福音，並且向別人宣揚嗎？
Today, the five doctrines preached
by the True Jesus Church are the
commandments of Jesus. These
were the words that the apostles had
been preaching and keeping, and we
should do likewise to the end of the
age.
今日，真耶穌教會所傳講的五大教義是耶穌所傳的命令。
這些命令的話語，是為使徒所宣講及遵行的，我們也應該遵行相同的道理直至世界的終了。
HOLD FAST TO THE TRUTH WITH FAITH 用信心常常守著真理
(a) Follow the Word of God and Not of Men
不聽從人的話，而是遵守神的話
How do we maintain this pattern of
sound words? Paul encourages us to
have faith in Christ Jesus. This means
that we have to establish Jesus Christ
as our foundation and obey His
words. The challenge is, if the words
we hear from people around us differ
from Jesus’ teachings, whom will we
listen to?
我們要如何保守純正話語的規模？
保羅鼓勵我要在基督耶穌裡有信心。
這代表了，我們必須要把耶穌基督建造成我們自已的根基，遵行祂的話。
我們會遇到的挑戰會有，假如我們會從身邊的人聽到，他所說的話和耶穌的教導不一樣的時候，我們將會聽從誰的呢？
The Lord says, “He who believes
and is baptized will be saved” (Mk
16:16).
16信而受洗的，必然得救；不信的，必被定罪。(可 16：16)
But people may say, “Belief is the
most important thing, because it is
your faith which saves; whether you
are baptized or not is irrelevant.”
但是別人可能會說，"相信神才是最重要的事，因為只有信心才能拯救你；
不論你有沒有受洗，都是無關緊要的。"
The Lord says, “If I do not wash
you, you have no part with Me” (Jn
13:8).
耶穌說：我若不洗你，你就與我無分了。(約 13：8)
People may say, “The Lord did not
wash the apostles’ feet so that they
will have a part in Him. Rather, it
was to teach them to wash their feet
so that they will be humble and will
forgive one another.”
別人或許會說，"主耶穌並沒有為使徒洗腳，而且他們還是會與主有份。
而且，這只是教導他們要互相洗腳，讓他們可以謙卑下來，互相饒恕。"
The Lord says, “You have to pray
for the promised Holy Spirit (cf. Acts
1:4–5). When you receive the Holy
Spirit, you will speak in tongues (cf.
Acts 2:1–4). And speaking in tongues
is the evidence that you have received
the Holy Spirit (cf. Acts 2:14–21).
The Holy Spirit is the guarantee of
our inheritance in heaven (cf. Eph
1:13–14).”
主說，"你們必須要祈求所應許的聖靈(cf. 徒 1：4-5)。
當你們領受了聖靈，就會說靈言(cf. 徒 2：1-4)。
而說靈言，就是你已經領受聖靈的証據(cf. 徒 2：14-21)。
聖靈就是我們在天國基業的憑據 (cf. 弗 1：13-14)"。
People may say, “When we
believed and at the point of baptism,
we have already received the Holy
Spirit. Speaking in tongues is just
grace upon grace. If you can speak
in tongues, it is good, but it is not
necessary to enter heaven.”
別人或許會說，"當我們信主，在受洗的時候，就已經領受了聖靈。
說靈言只不過是恩上加恩而已。
假如你可以說靈言，這很好，但是要進天國，這不是必要的條件。
When faced with such counterarguments,
will you have faith in Christ Jesus?
當遇到這些反駁的爭議時，你會對基督耶穌有信心嗎？
O Timothy! Guard what was
committed to your trust, avoiding
the profane and idle babble and
contradictions of what is falsely
called knowledge – by professing it
some have strayed concerning the
faith. Grace be with you. Amen.
(1 Tim 6:20–21)
20提摩太阿，你要保守所託付你的，躲避世俗的虛談和那敵真道、似是而非的學問。
21已經有人自稱有這學問，就偏離了真道。願恩惠常與你們同在！
In the concluding verses of his letter
to Timothy, Paul reminded Timothy
to guard what was committed to
his safekeeping, as some people
were already straying from the truth.
Today, when the church faces such
a situation, can we too be good
custodians of the truth?
在他給提摩太書信的結尾經節中，保羅提醒提摩太要謹守已經交託給他要妥善保管的真理，
因為有些人已經偏離了真理。
今日，教會遇到這種情況的時候，我們是否也能夠好好的成為一個真理的監護人？
(b) Pass on a Pure Faith 傳遞純正的信仰
Upholding the pure truth is so very
important because failure to do so
means that we can no longer pass on
a pure faith to the next generation.
If we cannot even hold fast to the
truth, then what we pass on will no
longer be a pure faith. Such faith can
save neither us nor the generations
after us. This is how devastating a
heretical faith can be.
持守純正的信仰是如此特別的重要，因為如果失敗了，也就代表我們不再可以把純正的信仰傳給下一代。
即使假如我們無法常常守著真理，那麼我們所傳承下來的，將不再是一個純正的信仰。
這樣的信仰，即不能拯救我們，也不能拯救我們的後代子孫。
這樣毀滅性的情況出現，就會導致形成一個異端的信仰。
(c) Commit the Pattern of Sound Words to Faithful Men
交託純正話語的模式給有信心的人
And the things that you have heard
from me among many witnesses,
commit these to faithful men who
will be able to teach others also.
(2 Tim 2:2)
2你在許多見證人面前聽見我所教訓的，也要交託那忠心能教導別人的人。
(提後 2：2)
Just as Paul instructed Timothy to
commit the truth to faithful men who
can teach others, so the church today
needs to do likewise to ensure that
the believers are not led astray by
errant teachings.
就如同保羅指導提摩太要交付真理給有信心的人，讓他也能教導別人，
所以，今日的教會也要這麼作，這樣才能確保信徒不會被錯誤的教導引領偏離真道。
For there are many insubordinate,
both idle talkers and deceivers,
especially those of the circumcision,
whose mouths must be stopped,
who subvert whole households,
teaching things which they ought
not, for the sake of dishonest gain.
(Tit 1:10–11)
10因為有許多人不服約束，說虛空話欺哄人；那奉割禮的更是這樣。
11這些人的口總要堵住。他們因貪不義之財，將不該教導的教導人，敗壞人的全家。
(多 1：10-11)
Paul was not referring to matters
outside the church. There were
people in the church who taught
“things which they ought not,”
subverting whole households. If this
happens within the church today,
ministers have to deal with such
matter.
保羅不是指著教會以外的事情來說的。
在教會裡面有一些人，他們教導一些不應該用來教導別人的事情，敗壞人的全家。
假如這種情況發生在今日的教會裡面，傳道長執就應該要好好處理這些事情。
(d) Stewards Must Defend the Truth
管家一定要悍衛真理
For a bishop must be blameless, as a
steward of God, not self-willed, not
quick-tempered, not given to wine,
not violent, not greedy for money,
but hospitable, a lover of what is
good, sober-minded, just, holy, selfcontrolled,
holding fast the faithful
word as he has been taught, that
he may be able, by sound doctrine,
both to exhort and convict those
who contradict.
(Tit 1:7–9)
7監督既是神的管家，必須無可指責，不任性，不暴躁，不因酒滋事，不打人，不貪無義之財；
8樂意接待遠人，好善，莊重，公平，聖潔自持；
9堅守所教真實的道理，就能將純正的教訓勸化人，又能把爭辯的人駁倒了。
(多 1：7-9)
It is important for a steward of
God to have good conduct. But
more crucially, he must be able
to “hold fast the faithful word
as he has been taught” (Tit 1:9)
and to teach it to others. And
should the truth be challenged,
he must step forward to defend it.
How should ministers of the church
handle such situations?
對神的管家而言，有好行為是很重要的。
但是更重要的是，他必須要能夠"堅守所教真實的道理"(多 1：9)，就能將純正的教訓勸化人。
而且一旦真理遇到挑單，他必須挺身而出來捍衛真道。
那麼教會的長執傳道要如何來處理這此情況呢？
… that he may be able, by sound
doctrine, both to exhort … (Tit 1:9)
就能將純正的教訓勸化人...
(多 1：9)
When someone has been deceived
by deviant teachings, ministers should
use sound doctrine to admonish him
so that he can come to differentiate
truth from falsehood. Ministers must
also “convict those who contradict”
(Tit 1:9b), telling them clearly that
their teachings are wrong.
一旦有人被異端的教訓所欺騙，長執傳道應該使用純正的教條來勸告他，如此他才能區分真理和異端。
長執傳道也一定要"能把爭辯的人駁倒"(多 1：9b)，清楚的告訴他們，他們的教訓是錯誤的。
Ministers ought not shy away from
such duties and keep silent, lest the
congregation think that the deviant
teachings are acceptable. Those
who contradict are not subject to
the truth. They think that the truth
is wrong, hence the need to convict
them. Their errors must be corrected.
長執傳道應該不能羞於迴避這些責任而保持沉默，以免整個會眾會認為，異端的教導是可以被接受的。
這些反駁的人並沒有順服真理。
他們所認為真理是錯誤的，因此有必要去反駁他們。
錯誤也一定要去逐一更正。
In addition, Paul encourages
ministers to execute their authority
as God’s stewards. If believers are no
longer willing to subject themselves
to what is right in the house of
God and spread deviant teachings,
ministers have to use their authority
to stop them.
除此之外，保羅鼓勵教會的長執傳道，要執行身為神管家的權柄。
假如信徒不再願意來順服他們，也不服從在神家中正確的教導，並且已經開始傳播異端的教訓，
長執傳道就必須要用他們的權柄來制止他們。
This may lead to unpleasant
backlashes, but as God’s faithful
stewards, they need to stop wrong
teachings. Therefore, Paul stresses
that the Lord’s servants must
faithfully fulfill their duty. They must
exhort those who are deceived,
convict those who contradict, and
put a stop to the actions of those
who are insubordinate.
這樣作或許會導致一些不愉快的強烈反抗，但是身為神忠心的管家，他們必須要去制止錯誤的教導。
所以，保羅強調，神的僕人一定要忠心地完成他們的責任。
他們必須要勸告那些被欺騙的人，能把爭辯的人駁倒，制止那些不服從之人的行為。
If anyone continues to teach
heresies that destroy the faith of
the church, then ministers ought to
put a stop to his mouth (Tit 1:11)
and not allow him to continue to
preach. In Titus 1:13, Paul even says,
“Therefore rebuke them sharply.”
Such harsh action is necessary given
the far reaching impact, which
adversely affects the salvation of
several generations.
如果有人繼續教導異端，破壞教會的信仰，那麼長執傳道總要堵住他的口(多 1：11)，不要讓他們繼續宣傳下去。
在提多書一章13節提到，保羅甚至會這麼說，"你要嚴嚴的責備他們"。
這樣嚴厲的動作是有其必要的前題，因為接下來所產生影響的深遠，將會直接影響到好幾代的人能不能得救的問題。
Thus, members need to understand
the role and responsibility of God’s
stewards and why they have to
exhort, convict, and silence those
who spread heresies. Their duty is
to shepherd the flock of God and
protect their faith; if they shirk this
responsibility, how would they give
an account to the Lord? When we
understand these facts, we will not
assume that ministers are abusing
their power. Instead, we will work in
one accord with them to overcome
deviant teachings and to stand fast in
the truth.
因此，信徒要體會身為神的管家的角色和責任，為什麼他們要勸戒，判罪，並且堵住那些散佈異端之人的口。
他們的責任是牧養神的羊群，保護他們的信仰；
假如他們逃避這個責任，他們要如何向神交待呢？
當我們了解這些事實之後，我們就不會認為，長執傳道是在濫用他們的權力。
相反地，我們會同心和他們一起工作，來克服異端的教訓，並且堅守真理站立穩固。
HOLD FAST TO THE TRUTH WITH LOVE IN CHRIST
在基督的愛中堅守真理
Jesus answered and said to him,
“If anyone loves Me, he will keep
My word; and My Father will love
him, and We will come to him and
make Our home with him. He who
does not love Me does not keep
My words; and the word which you
hear is not Mine but the Father’s
who sent Me.” (Jn 14:23–24)
23耶穌回答說：人若愛我，就必遵守我的道；我父也必愛他，並且我們要到他那裡去，與他同住。
24不愛我的人就不遵守我的道。你們所聽見的道不是我的，乃是差我來之父的道。
(約 14：23-24)
We may claim that our love for
Christ has never changed, but is our
attitude towards the word of God
the same as before (1 Jn 2:24–26)?
Apostle John said that if we hold
fast to what we have heard at the
beginning, we are in Christ, because
our love towards Christ has not
changed. Conversely, if we listen to
the words of man and are drawn
away by wrong teachings, we are no
longer faithful to the Lord or to His
words that we had received at the
beginning.
我們或許會宣稱，我們對基督的愛從來沒有改變，但是我們對神話語的態度，也仍然像以前一樣嗎？(約一 2：24-26)
使徒約翰說，假如我們可以堅守起初所聽到的真理，我們就在基督裡面有份，因為我們對基督的愛並沒有改變。
相反地，假如我們聽從人的話，被錯誤的教導所吸引了，我們就不再對主，以及對起初從祂所領受的話有任何忠心。
CONCLUSION 結論
Therefore take heed to yourselves
and to all the flock, among which
the Holy Spirit has made you
overseers, to shepherd the church
of God which He purchased with
His own blood. For I know this,
that after my departure savage
wolves will come in among you,
not sparing the flock. Also from
among yourselves men will rise up,
speaking perverse things, to draw
away the disciples after themselves.
Therefore watch, and remember
that for three years I did not cease
to warn everyone night and day
with tears.
(Acts 20:28–31)
28聖靈立你們作全群的監督，你們就當為自己謹慎，也為全群謹慎，牧養神的教會，就是他用自己血所買來的（或作：救贖的）。
29我知道，我去之後必有兇暴的豺狼進入你們中間，不愛惜羊群。
30就是你們中間，也必有人起來說悖謬的話，要引誘門徒跟從他們。
31所以你們應當儆醒，記念我三年之久晝夜不住的流淚、勸戒你們各人。
(徒 20：28-31)
In this farewell address to the
Ephesian elders, Paul warned against
men who would rise up from within
the church to destroy the faith of the
believers. Today, we must constantly
watch and pray, and ask God for
discernment. We must hold fast the
pattern of sound words to safeguard
not only our own salvation but also
the salvation of future generations.
在這篇對以弗所長老們的告別演說中，保羅警告他們，將要面對從教會內興起的人，這些人要來摧毀信徒的信心。
今日，我們必須不斷的警醒和祈禱，求神讓我們能夠小心謹慎。
我們一定要堅守純正話語的規模，並好好保存下來，這不只是關乎到我們自已的得救，也關乎到未來後代子子孫孫的救贖。
小頁 markvmax@hotmail.com
歡迎主內同靈來信加入英翻中的事工
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