Manna issue 68 - Four Families in the Apostolic Church (Part III): Philip’s Family 使徒教會的四個家庭(第三部)：腓利的家
Derren Liang—Irvine, California, USA
美國加州爾灣 梁得仁傳道
PHILIP’S FAMILY—SERVED GOD 腓利的家 - 服事神
On the next day we who were Paul’s
companions departed and came to
Caesarea, and entered the house of
Philip the evangelist, who was one of
the seven, and stayed with him. Now
this man had four virgin daughters
who prophesied.
(Acts 21:8–9)
8第二天，我們離開那裡，來到該撒利亞，就進了傳福音的腓利家裡，和他同住。他是那七個執事裡的一個。
9他有四個女兒，都是處女，是說預言的。
(徒 21：8-9)
Philip was one of the first seven
workers in the apostolic church who
were appointed to take care of the
daily necessities of the church (Acts
6:1–6), a man of good reputation,
full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom. He
had four daughters who prophesied.
Prophecy is one of the gifts of the
Holy Spirit to edify the church (cf. 1
Cor 12:7–11). In this context we can
infer that Philip’s daughters spoke
sermons. So we can see that Philip
and his family were not believers who
were content with merely fulfilling the
minimum requirements of gathering
for Sabbath once a week. Instead,
they were faithful believers filled with
the Holy Spirit who diligently served
God together as a family.
腓利是使徒教會時期，第一批七個工人的其中之一，
他被按立來照應教會每個的需要，(徒 6：1-6)
是一個有好名聲的人，充滿了聖靈和智慧。
他有四個女兒，可以說預言。
講預言是聖靈恩賜的其中之一，
為的就是要對教會有所造就。
(參考，林前 12：7-11)
在本文中，我們可以推斷的是，腓利的女兒會講道。
所以，我們可以看到，腓利和他的家庭，並不是一般信徒，
只會滿足於，每個禮拜有來參加安息日的聚會，達成這最少的需求。
相對的，他們是有信心的信徒，被聖靈所充滿，
殷勤地以整個家庭來一起服事神。
Today, we have many God-fearing
families in church who never fail to
attend Sabbath services, but not all
of these families have every member
actively serving God. This occasionally
becomes a source of family conflict.
The less active members feel neglected
while the active party, in turn, feels
aggrieved at the lack of support from
those closest to him/her. Or one may
feel lonely that there is no one to share
the occasional frustration that arises in
the process of our divine work.
今日，在教會中，我們有許多敬畏神的家庭，
他們從來沒有不來參加安息日聚會的，
但是並不是所有這些家庭的每個成員，都能很積極地服神。
無獨有偶的，這常常是造成家庭內有衝突的來源。
比較不主動的成員，感覺受到忽略了，
而那些比較主動的人，反而感覺很委屈，
覺得自已沒有得到那些最親密的家人來支持。
又或者，會可能覺得很孤單，
覺得沒有人可以一起分享，
來一起承擔那些在我們作聖工的過程中，
偶爾所面臨到的沮喪。
In contrast, when everyone in the
family serves the Lord together, there
is “a quiet understanding.” There is
mutual support and intercession for
each other and ample opportunities
for sharing of ideas when family
members serve together in different
ministries. Hence, we should not be
content merely being faithful servants
of the Lord on our own. Instead, we
ought to encourage our whole family
to serve Him and guide our children to
serve from young—in a sense, we are
offering “family service” to the Lord!
相反地，當家裡的每個人都可以一起來服事主，
就會有一種"默契"。
可以互相幫忙，為彼此代禱，
當家庭成員一起為不同的事工來服事主的時候，
就有很多的機會彼此互相分享看法。
因此，我們應該不要只滿足於自已的家庭可以服事主就好。
相反的，我們應該要鼓勵自已全家來服事祂，
引導自已的兒女，從小學會服事，-
從某種意義上來說，就是要獻上"家庭事奉"給主。
Inculcating the virtue of serving the
Lord as a family is just the first step. Eli
and his sons are an oft-cited warning
of the tragic consequences of service
without spiritual nurture. On reflection,
the egregious transgressions of Hophni
and Phinehas were almost inevitable
given that the faith and service of their
father had hit rock bottom (1 Sam
3:1–2). However, the prophet Samuel
seemed to have fared no better.
Though he had been exemplary from
young and faithful throughout his life,
and he also “encouraged” his children
to walk in the footsteps of his ministry,
the outcome was disastrous.
教導家人，能夠全家來服事主，大家能學會這個美德，只不過是第一步而已。
以利和他的兒子們，是被經常引用的警告，
也就是沒有好好進行靈修，結果雖然在服事主，但卻招致悲慘的後果。
若好好的思考一下，何弗尼和非尼哈惡名昭彰的罪過是無法避免的，
因為我們可以知道，他父親的信心和服事工作，在那時已經陷入低潮。
(撒上 3：1-2)
然而，撒母耳先知，似乎也沒有進行的比較好。
雖然，他年輕的時候，一直都是典範，並且終身都盡心盡力，
而且他也"鼓勵"自已的子女，繼續步上他服事主的腳蹤，
但結果卻是大災難。
Now it came to pass when Samuel
was old that he made his sons judges
over Israel. The name of his firstborn
was Joel, and the name of his second,
Abijah; they were judges in Beersheba.
But his sons did not walk in his ways;
they turned aside after dishonest gain,
took bribes, and perverted justice.
(1 Sam 8:1–3)
1撒母耳年紀老邁，就立他兒子作以色列的士師。
2長子名叫約珥，次子名叫亞比亞；他們在別是巴作士師。
3他兒子不行他的道，貪圖財利，收受賄賂，屈枉正直。
(撒上 8：1-3)
This is a reminder that in addition to
encouraging our families to serve, we
must encourage them to serve with
the right heart. In this aspect, much
can be learned from Philip who had a
true servant’s heart.
這是一種提醒，除了要鼓勵家人來服事主之外，
我們一定要鼓勵他們要用正確的心態來服事主。
若說到這方面，我們就可以從腓利的身上，學到很多事，
因為他有一個真正僕人的心態。
Diligent Servant: Take the Name of
Jesus with You
勤勞的僕人：身上帶著耶穌的名
When intense persecution by the Jews
scattered the church at Jerusalem,
Philip and his family landed up in
Samaria. To some, the turn of events
provided many reasons to “rest” from
divine work. One possibility is to keep
a low profile just in case the fanatical
Saul had contacts in Samaria. It must
have been difficult for a newly-arrived
Jewish fugitive to evangelize to his
neighbors, given the traditional Jewish-
Samaritan hostilities, and perhaps the
dispersed believers had to wait for the
apostles to give further instructions.
當耶路撒冷的教會遭受到猶太人很大的逼迫，並且信徒四處分散了，
腓利和他家庭在撒瑪利亞居住。
對某些人而言，事情的轉變，就剛好成為了很多的好理由，
讓自已可以離開聖工，好好休息一下。
其中一種可能，就是可以保持低調，
以防在撒瑪利亞遇到那瘋狂的掃羅。
對於那些新來到這裡的猶太難民來說，
要他們來向四週的鄰居來傳福音，本來就一定很困難的，
若考慮到傳統上，猶太人和撒瑪利亞人的敵意和心結，就更加困難了，
或許這些分散的門徒，要等候眾使徒給予他們的新命令。
But Philip did differently. Though
originally appointed by the apostles to
local administrative duties such as food
distribution (Acts 6:1–3), evangelism
was never far from his mind. In Samaria,
he plunged right in and promptly
started preaching Christ to the locals.
God worked with him and through
him. The “multitudes with one accord
heeded the things spoken by Philip”
(Acts 8:6), convinced of the truth of
Philip’s message on hearing and seeing
the miracles he had performed.
但是腓利的作法卻是不一樣的。
他原本就被使徒指派來處理地方行政事務的職責，
例如分配食物，(徒 6：1-3)
然而傳福音的事情，從來沒有遠離他的腦海中。
在撒瑪利亞的時候，他立刻就投入，
馬上開始向當地人來宣傳基督。
神和他一起同工，也透過他作了許多的事工。
This then is the test of the true
servant: unflagging diligence regardless
of locale, circumstance or stage of life
(Rom 12:1,11).
然後，這就是真僕人的測驗：
不屈不撓，勤勉不懈，不論身在怎樣的場合，環境，
以及身處於自已生命的那個階段。
(羅 12：1，11)
"眾人聽見了，就同心合意的聽從他的話"，
(徒 8：6)
又聽見看見腓利所行的神蹟，就相信了腓利訊息中，所傳達的真理。
It is disappointing when we see the
reverse happening: faithful servants
who drop off the radar screen of service
and even church attendance once they
move overseas for studies or work.
Fervent workers may take a temporary
leave of absence when marriage or kids
come along. Sometimes, temporary
leave turns into permanent retirement.
When this happens, it is not just the
person but the entire family that is
affected. In contrast, Philip’s lifelong
and proactive diligence must have
been a sterling example for his young
daughters. Persecution did not stop
their family from their prayer, praise or
preaching.
當我們看到有相反的狀況發生的時候，
總是另人感到很失望：
他們離開了教會事工的安排，
甚至放棄了去教會聚會的機會，
只為了跑到海外去留學，或是去工作。
當熱心的工人，突然要結婚，或是有小孩的時候，
也可能會暫時請假。
有時候，暫時請假卻到最後轉變成永久的退休。
當這種情況發生的時候，
不只是這個當事人會受到影響，而整個家庭也受到影響。
相反地，腓利一生都一直很勤勞，積極主動努力不懈，
一定就他年輕女兒們，最好的典範。
大逼迫並沒有停止了他們家庭，
不繼續禱告，讚美神，或是傳福音。
Therefore, wherever we go with
our families, let us take the name of
Jesus along (2 Tim 4:2). By planting
the seed of the gospel in new fields
with unflagging zeal, not only are we
carrying out the Lord’s commission,
we also maintain our family’s faith as
well as ensure that there will be new
brethren to support us in our own faith.
所以，無論我們和自已的家庭走到那裡去，
讓我們也帶著耶穌的聖名，伴隨著我們。(提後 4：2)
藉著以不屈不撓的熱心，在新的田地上種下福音的種子，
我們不只執行主的使命，
我們也可以維持自已家庭的信仰，
同時之間，就確保了，會有新的弟兄姐妹，
在我們自已的信仰旅程中，來幫助我們。
We should not be content merely being faithful servants of the Lord on our
own. Instead, we ought to encourage our whole family to serve Him and
guide our children to serve from young.
因此，我們應該不要只滿足於自已的家庭可以服事主就好。
相反的，我們應該要鼓勵自已全家來服事祂，
引導自已的兒女，從小學會服事。
Humble Servant: A Quiet Understanding
謙卑的僕人：懂得體貼別人
Now when the apostles who were
at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had
received the word of God, they sent
Peter and John to them, who, when
they had come down, prayed for them
that they might receive the Holy Spirit.
Then they laid hands on them, and
they received the Holy Spirit.
(Acts 8:14–15)
14使徒在耶路撒冷聽見撒瑪利亞人領受了神的道，就打發彼得、約翰往他們那裡去。
15兩個人到了，就為他們禱告，要叫他們受聖靈。
17於是使徒按手在他們頭上，他們就受了聖靈。
(徒 8：14-15，17)
The amazing progress of God’s word
continued. After having received the
word of God, the Samaritan believers
received the Holy Spirit.
神話語奇妙的進展，持續下去。
領受了神的話語之後，撒瑪利亞的信徒得到了聖靈。
But on a more personal basis, how
do we think Philip felt?
但若以更深入的個人觀感來看，
我們會認為，到底腓利是怎麼想的呢？
Philip had a true servant’s heart. He
was not territorial about the evangelistic
inroads that he had made in Samaria
because he had not set out to build an
empire for himself. He was always clear
he was making disciples of all nations
unto the Lord, not to himself. He had
no qualms in working with these coworkers
because he knew that all of
them were striving towards the same
objective—not personal but the Lord’s
glory. Thus, there was no quarrel
over who got the more glamorous or
“spiritual” portfolios because there are
diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit;
differences of ministries, but the same
Lord; diversities of activities, but it is
the same God who works all in all (1
Cor 12:4–6).
4恩賜原有分別，聖靈卻是一位。
5職事也有分別，主卻是一位。
6功用也有分別，神卻是一位，在眾人裡面運行一切的事。
(林前 12：4-6)
Philip thoroughly understood that
though he had planted, and Peter and
John had come to water, it was God
who gave and would give the growth
(1 Cor 3:6–7). And this would have
been a particularly important attitude
for him to teach his daughters if the
four of them were to work together
harmoniously and effectively for the
sake of the church at Caesarea (Acts
21:8–9).
腓利完完全全的了解，
雖然他栽種，彼得和約翰來澆水，
但是神才是賞賜的人，才能叫人成長。
(林前 3：6-7)
對腓利而言，這本來就是他很特別重視的態度，
要教他的女兒，要他們四個人可以一起同心作工，
能夠為了該撒利亞教會的原故，可以和諧且有效率地為主工作。
(徒 21：8-9)
Similarly today, though we speak in
church about “my project” or “your
project” for administrative ease, we
must never forget that all credit and
glory belong only to the Lord Jesus
Christ. We are but unworthy servants
blessed with the opportunity of doing
the tiniest bit for the One who gave
His life for us (Lk 17:10).
今日我們是同樣的情形，
雖然在教會裡，為了管理方便分配來說，
我們會說，這是"我的工作"或是"你的工作"，
我們一定不要忘了，所有的功勞和榮耀，都只屬於主耶穌基督。
我們不過是無用的僕人，
因為受到祝福，才有機會為了那為了我們犧牲自已生命的耶穌，
來盡自已微小的本份而已。
(路 17：10)
Obedient Servant: Have Thine Own
Way, Lord
順服的僕人：任憑主旨意
Philip was doing very well in his
Samaritan divine work. The whole city
was stirred and masses of people were
turning to Christ. He was performing
amazing miracles. Joy was palpable
and pervasive (Acts 8:6–8). Then
out of the blue, in the midst of these
thrilling developments, the Lord sends
him to a desert road!
腓利在他撒瑪利亞的聖工上，作的非常的好。
整個城市都受到了鼓舞，有一大部份的人，都來改信基督。
他實行了奇妙的神蹟。
這樣的快樂讓人就很容易感知到，而且也因而到播散給大家。
(徒 8：6-8)
然後出乎意料之外的是，
正當這些很讓人興奮的福音工作有所進展的時候，
主派他走向沙漠的道路。
In Philip’s shoes, we might have
been bewildered… I’m doing so much
good in Samaria. Why can’t someone
else go? How many people could
possibly be there in the desert for me
to evangelize to?!
若是我們站在腓利的位置上，就可能會覺得非常的奇怪，
我在撒瑪利亞這個地方，作了這麼多的好事。
為什麼不能派其他的人去呢？
在沙漠到裡，那底可能有多少人會在那地方，可以讓我去傳福音呢？
If Philip was discouraged or annoyed
by the disruption, he showed no sign.
We are reminded of Abram who, when
told to leave his homeland, obeyed
promptly without protest or demand
for answers. As a result of Philip’s
obedience, a soul was saved and the
seed of the gospel carried even farther,
all the way to the African continent.
若腓利因為事情受到打斷，而感到灰心和惱怒，
但他卻沒有顯示出這種影響。
我們會想到亞伯蘭，
當他被吩咐要離開本地，
就立刻遵行，沒有任何疑議，或是要求給個明白的答案。
結果腓利的順服，拯救了一個靈魂，
這個福音的種子，甚至被帶到更遠的地方去，一路直達非洲大陸。
Obedience is related to humility.
This is another critical aspect that
Philip would have conveyed to his
daughters—that they should always
submit to each other and that each
should not think more highly of herself
than she ought to think, but to “think
soberly, as God has dealt to each one a
measure of faith” (Rom 12:3). Without
mutual submissiveness, the church at
Caesarea might well have broken into
four branches, each led by a talented
“prophetess.”
順服其實牽涉到謙卑。
這也是另一個腓利傳達給他女兒的重點部份 -
他們應該常常彼此順服，而且個人不該認為自已比別人強，
不要看自己過於所當看的，而要
"要照著神所分給各人信心的大小，看得合乎中道。"
(羅 12：3)
若是不能彼此順服，
凱撒利亞的教會或許早就分裂成四個支派了，
每個支派是分由一個有恩賜的"女先知"所帶領。
Obedience is an indispensable
attribute for God’s workers. Specifically,
it is complete obedience to God’s will.
In order to obey, we must first know
God’s will. There is no replacement
for persistent and constant prayerful
communion with God. This must then
be complemented with a thorough
grounding in God’s word because it
is therein that God’s will is revealed.
Divine work and spiritual cultivation
are inseparable. Therefore, even as
we serve with our families, we must
undertake spiritual nurture with them.
對於神的工人來說，
順服是一個不可或缺的特質。
特別是，工人要完完全全的順服神的旨意。
為了要能夠作到順服，我們一定要先了解神的旨意。
而且與神的溝通，是沒有其他可取代的方式，
只能恆久忍耐，一直持續下去與神溝通。
然而，這又要在神話語的基礎之上結合起來，
因為在其中，神的旨意才會顯明出來。
聖工和靈修是不能分開的。
所以，即使我們全家都一起來服事神，
我們也一定要和他們一起作好靈修。
Beware of Pitfalls 小心陷阱
It is a great joy and source of comfort
when we are able to serve the Lord
alongside our family members.
However, examples from the Bible
provide warnings of some potential
dangers when family members serve
together: rivalry, misplaced ambition
and partiality.
當我們可以和自已的家人來一起服事神的時候，
這是很大的喜樂，也是一種安慰的來源。
然而，聖經裡面卻有一些例子，警告那些一起全家服事神的家庭，
所會遇到一些可能的危險：
敵意，搞錯方向的企圖心，以及偏坦自已人的問題。
(1) Intra-Family Rivalry 家庭內部的對抗
There is no record in the Bible of any
envy or disharmony among Philip’s
daughters. But in the Old Testament,
Miriam and Aaron’s unhappiness with
Moses led them to reckless remarks
against his leadership. This was so
displeasing to God that He suddenly
summoned the three of them into His
presence, furiously rebuked the two
elder siblings and punished Miriam
with leprosy (Num 12:2–10).
在聖經裡面，沒有記載腓利的女兒們，
有任何忌妒和不和的事情。
但是在舊約裡面，
米利暗和亞倫對摩西感到不愉快，
導致他們輕率地就去評論摩西的領導權。
這讓神感到很不高興，祂就突然召喚他們三個到祂面前來，
很生氣的責備其他兩個比較年紀大的手足，
處罰米利暗長了大痲瘋。
(民 12：2-10)
Siblings are inclined to compare.
And as the family grows larger over
time, there is often some unconscious
(or conscious) rivalry between
different branches of the family. At
family gatherings, we often hear
conversations that revolve around
whose house/car is bigger; whose
daughter or son is smarter/more
talented/more influential.
手足之間很容易就會互相比較。
隨著時間的流逝，家會變得越來越大，
在彼此不同的家族分支之間，
常常會有一些無意識，或是有意識的敵對意識存在。
在家族聚會的時候，我們就常會聽到一些對話在四週流過，
說誰誰誰的房子和車子比較大；
誰的兒子或女兒比較聰明，比較有恩賜，比較有影響力。
A measurement mindset is not wrong
for knowing where we currently are,
and it helps us know how much more
we need to improve. But we must
measure the right things. For instance,
it should not be about which family
member has done more for the Lord,
or which sibling has been “promoted”
to deaconship or elderhood! If there is
anything worth measuring, it should be
about how concerned family members
have been about each other’s walk of
faith (cf. 2 Tim 1:5).
有這種比較性的想法，並不是錯的，
而且可以讓自已知道，目前自已進展的情況，
這也幫助我們了解自已，到底我們還需要作那些的努力。
但是我們該比較的事情，要比較對的事。
例如，我們不該來比較一些像是，誰的家庭成員為主作的更多，
或是那一位弟兄姐妹被"升遷"為執事或是長老！
若有任何值得比較的事，
就只能有關，家庭成員對其他人信仰情況的關心。
(參考，提後 1：5)
(2) “Jewish Mother” Syndrome1 "猶太母親" 症狀
Samuel’s appointment of his sons as
his successors did a great disservice to
both his family as well as the people
of Israel (1 Sam 8:1–3). The blatant
attempt made by James and John’s
mother to secure a higher position for
the two brothers in Jesus’ kingdom
was knocked back by the Lord and
ㄝthe other disciples (Mt
20:20–24).
撒母耳按立他的兒子成為繼承人，
對他的家庭和以色列人，都形成了很大的傷害。
(撒上 8：1-3)
雅各和約翰的母親，公然企圖要為這二兄弟，在天國裡得到高位，
這個動作不但被主所反駮，也激怒了了其他的門徒。
(太 20：20-24)
It is important and good that we
enthusiastically encourage our family
members or train our children to
serve. But we must be very clear about
motivation. We (and they) serve solely
to repay the Lord for His grace and to
obey His commandments. Service is
not a platform to give them a “public
profile” or to keep up with the Joneses.
And divine service should certainly not
be seen as a means to “reform” a less-
than-exemplary child!
我們能夠熱心地鼓勵自已的家人，或是訓練自已的小孩來服事神，
這件事是好的，也對我們非常重要。
但是我們對於動機，應該要非常的清楚。
我們(或他們)來服事主，只是為了回報主的恩典，遵行祂的誡命。
服事神，並不是一個得到"公眾形象的平台"，
也不是用來跟鄰居比較的機會。
聖工更不應該被認為是一種方式，可用來"改造還不夠乖的"小孩。
With the right motivation, we will
not be troubled if the church deems
that we or our family members are
not yet ready for a particular ministry.
Instead, we will willingly and joyfully
take up whichever portfolio the church
assigns to us, just like Philip on the
desert road.
有了正確的動機，若是教會認為，
我們和家人對某種特定的服事工作，還沒有準備好的話，
我們也就不會感到為難。
相反地，我們會樂意去接受任何教會指派給我們的工作，
就像腓利順從往沙漠的路上去一樣。
(3) Partiality 偏心
There are many wonderful benefits
of serving together as a family. One
important aspect is having someone
to “tell us the truth in love,” who
provides a good check to ensure we
are doing the right thing or doing
things in the right way, for example,
Jethro’s advice to Moses (Ex 18:14–22)
and Mordecai’s counseling of Esther
(Est 4:10–17).
能夠一家人，一起服事神，會有很多奇妙的好處。
其中一個重要的方面，就是會有人可以"用愛心來向我們表明真理"，
他會好好的提醒我們，來確保我們作正確的事情，
或是用對的方式來把事情完成，例如，
摩西的岳父葉忒羅給摩西的建議，(出 18：14-22)
莫底改勸勉以斯帖。(斯 4：10-17)
In contrast, Hophni and Phinehas
died because Eli did not rebuke quickly
or sternly enough. In the apostolic era,
Ananias and Sapphira died because
both colluded to “lie to the Holy
Spirit,” a strong and clear indication of
the Lord’s displeasure with dishonesty
and hypocrisy (Acts 5:1–2).
相反地，何弗尼和非尼哈會死，
是因為以利並沒有迅速又慎重的責備他們。
在使徒時代，亞拿尼亞和撒非喇會死，
是因為他們兩個同心要"欺哄聖靈"，
會出現這種情況，就代表了主給人一個非常強烈又清楚的指示
主對不誠實及虛偽的事情，感到很不高興。
These examples remind us that
we must be impartial in church
matters which involve our family
members, whether these are elections,
distribution of church work or in
other areas. For the good of our
family members, we should honestly
and openly assess their suitability for
various areas of divine work. If we
receive less-than-positive feedback on
their conduct, let us not be defensive
(cf. Lev 10:3–6). Take this as God given
opportunities for them to grow
to complete maturity in Christ.
這些例子提醒我們，有關家人的教會事工，一定不能偏心，
不論是選舉的事，聖工分配的事，或是其他任何方面的事情。
為了讓我們的家人得到益處，
我們該誠實公開的評估，他們對各種方面的聖工，其所具備的可適性。
若我們得到了對他們行為，不太正面的回應，
我們就不應該坦護他們。
(利 10：3-6)
把這種事當成是神所給予的機會，
讓他們可以在基督裡，完全成長成熟。
Conclusion 結論
We work and live in a world that
encourages the amplification of
individual achievement and the
celebration of personal quirks. Paul had
long predicted the downward spiral
of humanity—men will be lovers of
themselves, lovers of money, boasters,
proud, blasphemers, disobedient to
parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving,
unforgiving, slanderers, without selfcontrol—
and urged Timothy to reject
such behavior and values. Similarly, if
our “family service” is to be acceptable
to the Lord, we must do no less.
我們在一個鼓勵放大個人成就，及慶祝個人癖好的世界中，生活和工作。
保護很早就預言了，人類社會的向下沉淪 -
2因為那時人要專顧自己、貪愛錢財、自誇、狂傲、謗讟、違背父母、忘恩負義、心不聖潔、
3無親情、不解怨、好說讒言、不能自約 -
鼓勵提摩太要拒絕這些行為和價值觀。
同樣地，若我們的"家庭事奉"為主所接納，
我們就一定不可以少作。
Why was Philip able to cultivate his
four daughters into fruitful trees in the
garden for the Lord? Because he was
not just a servant in name; he had the
true heart of a servant.
為何腓利可以培養他的四個女兒，成為主花園中的結果樹呢？
因為他不只是掛名的事工人員而已，
他一個真正僕人想要服事主的心。
Serving the Lord together can
strengthen the bond of families and
help keep our family in the Lord
generation after generation. So let us
set an example as faithful servants
of the Lord. Let us bring our families
to serve Him with the most beautiful
offering—our pure and clean hearts.
一起服事主，可以加強家庭內部的連繫，
讓我們的家庭一代一代可以保守在主裡面。
所以讓我們留下一個好的榜樣，
成為一個主忠心的僕人。
讓我們帶自已的家，以最美好的祭物-
用我們純潔乾淨的一顆心，來服事祂。
I beseech you therefore, brethren,
by the mercies of God, that you
present your bodies a living sacrifice,
holy, acceptable to God, which is
your reasonable service. And do not
be conformed to this world, but be
transformed by the renewing of your
mind, that you may prove what is that
good and acceptable and perfect will
of God.
(Rom 12:1–2)
1所以弟兄們，我以神的慈悲勸你們，將身體獻上，當作活祭，是聖潔的，是神所喜悅的；
你們如此事奉乃是理所當然的。
2不要效法這個世界，只要心意更新而變化，叫你們察驗何為神的善良、純全、可喜悅的旨意。
(羅 12：1-2)
1 In 20th century American culture, Jewish comedians
and authors often stereotyped the Jewish mother or wife
as nagging, overprotective, manipulative, controlling,
smothering, and overbearing. She would persistently interfere
in her children’s lives long after they had become adults.
1. 在20世紀的美國文化中，猶太的喜劇演員和作家，
常常把猶太母親或妻子，典型化為一直愛嘮叨，過度保護小孩，
愛玩小手段，有控制狂的傾向，另人感到窒息，而且蠻橫無理。
即使在孩子已經長大成人了，她還是會一直干涉小孩的生活情況。
小頁 markvmax@hotmail.com
Manna 嗎哪 56 (1)