4. Manna issue 84 - Revive The True Church (Part 1) 復興真教會 (第一部)
Adapted from sermons by Barnabas Chong—Singapore
節錄自新加坡鐘巴拿巴講道
The ascension of Jesus, when He bid farewell to His disciples,
was a pivotal moment in the history of the church.
It was at this point that He charged His followers to spread the gospel to the world;
but He also told them to first wait in Jerusalem to receive power from on high.
Sure enough, when Pentecost arrived, so too did the downpour of the Holy Spirit
to establish Christ’s church on earth.
耶穌升天，當祂向門徒道別的時候，
是教會歷史的重要時刻。
也就在這個時刻，祂吩咐自已的門徒，要把福音傳遍天下；
同時祂也告訴他們，要先在耶路撒冷等候，領受從天上來的能力。
果真如此，五旬節的時候，聖靈也降臨了，在地上建立了基督的教會。
This glorious event marked a period of great faithfulness for the disciples,
who were led and empowered by the Spirit.
But what began as a perfect church would shortly enter into decline.
We can trace this from the subtle rebellion of certain wicked men in the early apostolic church,
to the audacious alterations—even outright reversals—made by the Catholic church.
The Protestant movement, ignited by Martin Luther’s call for restoration of the true faith,
was a noble but misguided endeavor,
which finally led to the chaotic profusion of Christian doctrines and denominations which we find today.
From this history of the church, we can see man’s ingenuity and irresponsibility
towards the doctrines he received from God.
There came a time when a revival was needed—to revive the true church on earth.
這榮耀的事件，讓這一時期很特別，門徒這時候有很大的信心，
因為他們得到聖經的能力和引導。
然而，一開始很完美的教會，卻後來很快進入衰退。
我們可以在早期使徒教會裡，追出這些跡象，因為有某些惡人引起一些小反叛。
還有一些魯莽的篡改 - 甚至全部徹底改變-就是天主教所作的事。
直到新教運動，由馬丁、路德發起訴求，引起了共嗚要讓真正的信仰得以恢復，
是一種崇高的努力，但最後卻也為人所誤導了，
最後讓基督教的教義和教派又混亂又五花八門，就像我們今日所看見的一樣。
從教會的歷史來看，我們發現人們從神領受教義之後，
就用人的靈巧心思及不負責的態度加以改變。
有一段時間，人們需要信仰的復興，就是要在地上重新恢真教會。
The True Jesus Church is the product of this revival.
Far from tailoring our doctrines to pander to the political and social demands of our age,
the gospel we preach is the very same gospel Jesus handed to His disciples—
the very truths found in the pages of the Holy Bible.
As the apostolic church was, so we are.
This is why the True Jesus Church can be seen as “the revived apostolic church”—
church that preserves and protects the imparted, not invented, truth of Christ.
真耶穌教會是這種信仰復興的產物。
不需要為了編造我們自已的教義，
還要好好考慮我們現世目前的政治及社會的需求，
我們所傳的福音，正是和耶穌親手傳給門徒的福音完全的一樣 -
這正是我們在聖經書卷之中所記載的真理。
正甘過去門徒領受了什麼真理，如今我們也一樣。
這就是為何真耶穌教會可以為視為是"復興的使徒教會"-
這間教會所保存保護的真理，是基督交託給門徒的，不是人所發明出來的。
The True Jesus Church is part of a long line of miraculous interventions
by God to call His beloved elect back to Him.
From God’s compassionate warning to Noah of the impending flood,
to His loving covenant with Abraham to give him children and to forever protect them,
God continually shows that no matter how many turn away from Him, He never turns away from us.
真耶穌教會是歷史上一連串由神以神蹟介入的部份產物，
要來呼召祂揀選所愛的人回到祂的身邊。
自從神在諾亞時代的洪水即將來臨時，
神就很有同情心的警告他們，
到後來，祂和亞伯拉罕結下充滿慈愛的舊約，
讓他可以有後代，並且永遠保護他們。
神一直的表現都是，
不論我們拒絕了神多少次，
祂都永遠不會拒絕我們。
Today, True Jesus Church members live in a world quite similar to the one Noah and Abraham lived in.
Most people do not believe in the Christian God,
and of the ones who do, many, wittingly or unwittingly,
do not obey the full truth of the saving gospel.
But if we are to be the Noahs and Abrahams of our age,
if we are to be the revived apostolic church,
then there must be no doubt as to what exactly we are reviving.
今日，真日真耶穌教會的信徒都住在世上，
與諾亞和亞伯拉罕所處的時候十分相似。
大部份的人不信基督教的神，
而在那些相信神的人之中，無論有意或無意之間，
有很多人都沒有遵守全部救人福音的真理。
但是，若我們要成為自已時代的諾亞或亞伯拉罕，
若我們想要成為復興的使徒教會，
那麼，我們對於自已想要恢復同樣的真理，就一定不可以有所疑惑。
But where should we begin? 但是我們要從那裡開始著手呢？
REVIVE OUR PASSION FOR THE WORD OF GOD 恢復我們對神話語的熱心
The apostle Paul writes, in Ephesians 2:20,
that the household of God has
“been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets,
Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone.”
使徒保羅在以弗所書二章20節寫著，
神的家是
"20並且被建造在使徒和先知的根基上，有基督耶穌自己為房角石"。
So far so good. But what exactly is the foundation of the apostles and prophets?
越來越好了。
但是到底什麼是真正使徒和先知的根基呢？
In the following chapter, Paul explains that he gained an understanding of the “mystery of Christ”
through the revelation of the Holy Spirit (Eph 3:2–5).
The mystery that was previously unknown to man—
that the Gentiles would be fellow heirs of Christ’s promise—
and the complete understanding of the salvation gospel was
“revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets” (Eph 3:5).
This is the foundation upon which the church is built—
the revelation and word of God,
as recorded by the apostles in the New Testament writings.
接著下一章第三章，保羅解釋，
祂透過聖靈的啟示，得到了對"基督奧秘"的了解。
(弗 3：2-5)
這個奧秘以前沒有人知道 -
那就是，外邦人也同樣會成為基督應許的繼承者 -
對於救贖福音的完全了解 - 是"因著聖靈賜給聖徒和先知的啟示"。
(弗 3：5)
就是在這個根基之上，神建立了教會 -
而神的啟示和聖經，經由使徒記載在新約中。
The rightful church of God must be founded on the living word of God.
The True Jesus Church has never changed in this respect.
The histories of both the apostolic church and the True Jesus Church are fraught
with painful episodes of doctrinal disputes, hostile quarrels, and even breakaway groups.
Yet, through it all, the gospel has emerged unscathed.
Why? Because we knew the fundamental importance of the word of God—
that everything we do must be based upon it.
Today, do we still hold the God’s word with the same respect?
神公義的教會，一定是來自於帶有生命的聖經。
真耶穌教會在聖經的見解上，從未有所改變。
不論是使徒教會，還是真耶穌教會的歷史上，
都因為各種心痛的事件，有教義爭論，互相敵對的爭吵，甚至分成好幾個小團體，實人另人憂心。
然而，經過了這全部的事件，福音還是沒受到破壞。
為什麼會這樣呢？因為我們知道，聖經最根本的重要之處-
所以我們不論作什麼事，都一定會照著聖經的標準而行。
今日，我們是否仍然用相同敬畏的心，堅守聖經呢？
Broadly speaking, there seems to be three kinds of people.
We have, of course, the earnest Bible reader.
Attending every Bible study, listening attentively to every sermon and taking notes,
this believer understands the immense grace he has received from God,
and treats the gospel with the same reverence that the apostles had.
一般而言，人似乎可以分成三種。
然而，我們都很認真在讀聖經。
每一次都參加查經班，每一次也都很認真地聽著台上的講道，作筆記，
這種信徒很明白自已已經從神領受了浩瀚的恩典，
和過去的使徒一樣，都用著同樣的敬畏之心，看待傳福音這件事。
Then we have the adversary. Plainly put, he is against most,
if not all, of the church’s doctrines, and willfully opposes the truth we preach.
Neither open to dialogue nor serious about actually learning more,
there is little to be done for such a man.
But he is not the main concern here.
然而我們要面對敵人。
顯而易見的是，這個敵人會反對，就算不是全部，
也是大部份的教會的教義，
而且很執著的對抗我們所傳的真理。
即沒有公開的和別人討論，
也沒有嚴肅認真地想要實際學習更多的真理，
對這樣的人，是沒有什麼可以加以應對的。
但這個人並不是這裡最值得注意的人。
The greater tragedy is the fate of the confused but complacent Christian.
Here we have the well-intentioned believer who, from time to time,
harbors a little doubt regarding a particular teaching.
Sincere though he may be in faith,
he is certainly not steadfast.
This believer’s complacency leads him to deflect any questions
he may receive from non-believing friends with glib,
unreflective answers, or to simply direct them to the nearest church minister.
更大的悲劇是，這些受到混亂，但又自滿的基督徒，最後的命運。
這裡所說的，就是那些滿懷善意的信徒，
偶爾會對某個特別的教導有小小的疑惑。
雖然他很虔誠，或許是有信心的，
但很確定的是，他並不堅定。
這個信徒志得意滿的時候，
就會導致他或許會接受來自未信友人因為油腔滑調又華率回應，所提出的任何問題，
或是就引導他們去問附近教會的牧師。
Worse still is not how poorly this believer evangelizes,
if he does at all, but how unanswered doubts and shallow faith leave him vulnerable to being misled.
More than two thousand years after the establishment of Christianity,
the Christian world is saturated with an abundance of different opinions,
interpretations, translations and traditions.
And everyone claims to be right.
In this barrage of information,
the half-hearted believer whose knowledge of the gospel consists only of “my preacher says so”
and the odd Bible verse is in danger of falling for the convincing allure of false teachings.
更加糟糕的，不是這個信徒用很爛的方式在傳福音，若他根本就是這個樣子，
而是那些沒有得到正確解答的問題，以及他那膚淺的信仰，
會讓他變得很脆弱，容易被誤導。
二千多年前，基督教信仰建立之後，
基督教的世界滲透了很多各種不同的意見，解釋說法，翻譯版本，及流傳下來的傳統。
而且每一個人都說，自已才是正確的。
在這個資訊泛濫的時代，
這種三心二意的信心，他對信仰的認知，
是由"我們的傳道這麼說"及那些奇怪的聖經經節所組成的，
他就會受到危害而墮落，因為受到了引誘，相信了那些錯誤教導。
There is a misconception that being familiar with the word of God
is only so we can hold our own against the arguments of other Christians and non-believers.
But the more important reason is that we have to know why we believe in what we believe.
This is because the convictions we are most confident in are the ones that will influence our lives.
As sincere as a Christian may be, if he knows only the how of salvation—the rites,
the sacraments, the habits—but not the why,
then he can never truly experience the fullness of his faith.
He must see the word of God not so much as a set of doctrines,
but as a guide to living a meaningful life that pleases God—
only then will the word of God be alive within him.
現在有一種誤解，就是只有很熟悉聖經，只有這麼作，我們才可以堅守自已的信仰，
來防衛其他基督教派及未信主之人的爭論。
但是更重要的原因是，我們一定要了解，自已為何會相信自已的信仰。
這是因為，我們最有信心的信念，會是影響我們生活的信念。
就好像大部份的基督徒或許都很虔誠，若只是知道如何得救的方法-所實施的儀式，
各種聖禮，及教會的習慣 - 但卻不知為什麼要施行這些行為的用意，
那就永遠不能真正的體驗到這信仰的所有的面向。
千萬不可過於輕視神的話語，認為只是一套教義而已，
而是要把聖經看作是一套過著有意義的生活的指導原則，可讓神喜稅-
只有這麼作，神的話語才能在我們身上真的活出來。
The apostles took the word of God so seriously that they willingly laid down their lives for it;
they lived, and died, for the gospel. What about us?
使徒非常重視神的話語，
他們很樂意為了它，放棄自已的生命；
無論是活是死，都為了福音。
那麼我們該怎麼作呢？
REVIVE OUR ATTITUDE OF FOLLOWING THE HOLY SPIRIT
恢復我們順從聖靈的態度
“Be filled with the Holy Spirit” is an expression commonly heard in the True Jesus Church.
But what does it actually mean, and why should we care?
"要讓聖靈充滿"是我們在真耶穌教會中，常聽到的一句話。
但到底這句話真正的意思是什麼呢？
為什麼我們要重視這件事呢？
One of the things that stands out in the Book of Acts is how frequently the Holy Spirit is mentioned.
The Book of Acts is the definitive account of how the early church grew,
and the men and women who were instrumental in this growth.
Yet, reading the book, one cannot help but get the impression that these men and women—
though crucial in their roles—were not the main characters.
In fact, there was only one true protagonist: the Holy Spirit.
Acts 15:28 reads:
“For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us,
to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things” (emphasis added).
These words are striking, for they convey an intimacy the apostles shared
with the Holy Spirit that is almost unthinkable today.
Rarely do we hear: “The Holy Spirit, together with us, has chosen to make this decision”
or, “I chose to do this or that because of the Holy Spirit’s advice.”
But throughout the Book of Acts, we see how the Holy Spirit guides and transports Philip,
instructs Peter, and protects Paul from danger.
Behind the scenes,
but also very much right in the middle of the action,
we see the Holy Spirit actively helping God’s workers to accomplish their missions.
使徒行傳裡，在眾多事件中，有一件事情很突出，
就是他們常常會提到聖靈。
使徒行傳的確很清楚的說明，早期教會是怎麼成長的，
也記載了這些弟兄姐妹在教會的成長中，像器皿般的付出很多心力。
然而，讀使徒行傳的時候，我們禁不住就會得到一種想法，
這些弟兄姐妹雖然在他們的角色工作上也很重要，但他們不是主角。
事實上，只有一個真正的主角，就是聖靈。
使徒行傳15章28節記載，
28因為聖靈和我們定意不將別的重擔放在你們身上；惟有幾件事是不可少的，(很強調性的補充)。
這句話實在是出人意料之外，因為這句話表達出，
使徒和聖靈之間，有很緊密的關係，在今日來看幾乎是不可能的。
我們很少會聽到："聖靈，和我們一起，已經選擇作出這個決定"，
或是，"我選擇作這件事或那件事，因為有聖經的引導"。
但是在整本使徒行傳裡面，我看見聖靈如何引導，並傳送腓力，
指導彼得，保護保羅免於危險。
在這些事件的後面，有很大一部份也是在整個行動中間，
我們看見聖靈活躍地幫助神的工人來完成他們的任務。
So why does this seem odd today? Primarily,
because of a decline in our attitude towards the Holy Spirit.
Nowadays, we mainly speak of the Holy Spirit as a spiritual milestone.
Receiving the Holy Spirit has become merely a goal in the great game of our faith,
and once we have achieved this, we quickly move on and forget about it.
The Holy Spirit has also become a crutch to rely on when we need to comfort others.
It is easy to repeat cliches about the comfort and guidance of the Holy Spirit in times of distress,
but how many of us actually know how the Holy Spirit comforts and guides, or what it feels like?
為何這種事今日看起來似乎是很奇怪呢？
主要的原因是，因們看待聖靈的態度，逐漸不重視。
今時今日，我們大部份都會說，受聖靈是一種屬靈上的新階段。
得聖靈已經變成好像是一種目標，我們信仰生活中，一個重大事件，
一旦我們達成這個目標，很快就往下個目標移動，忘記這件事。
當我們要安慰別人的時候，聖靈也變成我們可以依靠的支柱。
遭遇困難的時候，很容易就重覆這句陳腔爛調，要依靠聖靈安慰和引導，
但是，我們之到底有多少人，會真的明白聖靈的安慰和引導？
或是聖靈的安慰和引導到底是怎樣的感覺？
The first revival in our attitude towards the Holy Spirit has to be the role
we believe the Holy Spirit plays in God’s salvation plan.
Yes, He is a guarantee of our salvation, a Rock, and a Counsellor.
But He is not simply our backup plan in times of crisis.
Instead, we have to rely on Him as an everyday partner with
whom we can consult on even the littlest things.
第一要重新恢復的事，就是我們對待聖靈的態度，
就是復興我們會相信，聖靈在神救贖計劃之中，扮演重要的角色。
是的，聖靈是我們得救的保証，堅固是磐石，是一位安撫人的角色。
但是他不只是我們困難時刻的備援方案。
相反的，我們要依靠聖靈，就像是日常生活中的好夥伴，
因為是好夥伴，我們可以時常去請教，甚是是最小的事情。
Secondly, we need to rely once more on the Holy Spirit as our guide to the truth.
The spirit of error of which the elder John forewarned (1 Jn 4)
can only be resisted by the guidance of the Spirit of truth. Often,
many of us who have received the Holy Spirit may read the Bible without consciously
relying on the Holy Spirit to help us discern and understand the truth.
Our worship and study become strictly rote, mechanical, uninspired.
This is no way to develop our faith, and may lead to spiritual boredom and stagnation—
ripe grounds for temptation to lure us away from the truth.
It remains crucial that we involve the Holy Spirit in our growth in faith,
remembering that the Holy Spirit not only dwells in the church,
but is an ever-present Companion we must rely on.
第二，我們要再一次依靠聖靈，引導我們學習真理。
而約翰長老預先警告我們的謬誤之靈(約壹 4)
只能夠靠著真理聖靈的引導，才有可能抵擋的住。
我們之中有許多人，都已經得到了聖靈，
常常讀聖經的時候，沒有下意識靠著聖靈來讀聖經，
幫助我們去分辨及明白真理。
我們的崇拜活動和研讀聖經，成為一種刻苦的死記強背，機械式的學習，得不到領悟。
這是不可能會讓信仰有所成長，會導致屬靈上覺得很無聊及成長遲頓 -
就導致時機成熟，發生試探引誘我們離開真理。
很重要的是，我們要依靠聖靈讓信仰有所成長，
記得聖靈不只與教會同住，
而且也是會永遠同在的夥伴，我們一定要依靠祂。
One way to cultivate such an attitude is to be mindful of our spirit when we pray.
The apostolic church greatly esteemed prayers.
Their prayerfulness was a constant reminder for them of the powerful God,
who was behind them every step of the way,
and the strength they could receive as long as they continued to trust Him.
要培養這樣的心態有一種方法，就是我們禱告的時候，要留意自已的心境。
使徒教會很尊重禱告的人。
他們虔誠禱告，一直就是他們對神權有不斷提醒的作用，
神才是他們一路上，走出每一步在後面幫助他們的人，
神也讓他們得到力量，只要他們都一直相信神。
Ephesians 5:18 reads:
“And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation;
but be filled with the Spirit.”
Paul is doing more than cautioning us about the dangers of drunkenness;
he is asking us to think about what other vices and habits we have
that might be distracting us from focusing on the voice of the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit’s voice is strong and clear, but we must be willing to listen to it,
or risk it being drowned out by the cacophony of the world’s distractions.
One thing is certain, if we yield our whole spirits to the counsel of the living Spirit within us,
we no longer need to fear the dangers of this world.
以弗所書五章18節記載：
18不要醉酒，酒能使人放蕩；乃要被聖靈充滿。
保羅不只警告我們，要小心有關酒醉的危害，
他更進一步要求我們好好想想，我們是否有其他的惡習和嗜好，
會讓我們分心，讓我們不能專心聽從聖靈的聲音。
聖靈的聲音是強而有心且清晰的，但我們一定要願聽從聖靈的聲音，
不然就會有危險，受到世上干擾的各種雜音所淹沒而沉淪滅亡。
可以確定的一件事是，
若我們全心全意順從，那常陪伴我們，又是活潑有力的聖靈幫助，
我們就不再會害怕世上的危險。
REVIVE OUR DESIRE TO COMPLETE OUR COMMISSION
恢復我們會想要完成自已託負的願望
“Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” (Mk 16:15)
15他又對他們說：你們往普天下去，傳福音給萬民（萬民：原文是凡受造的）聽。
(可 16：15)
These words are all too familiar to every Christian.
What often escapes our attention, however,
is how the disciples of Jesus responded to His grand commission—
“they went out and preached everywhere” (Mk 16:20).
對每一個基督徒來說，這句話大家都很熟悉。
然而，我們常常忽略了一些事，
就是耶穌的門徒，是作了什麼事來回應神所託負的大使命 -
"20門徒出去，到處宣傳福音。"
(可 16：20)
The disciples were ready to dedicate their lives to the gospel
because they knew that theirs was the only gospel of salvation.
From a humble band of 120,
the early followers of Jesus quickly increased to number in the thousands
because they knew that the fate of so many souls rested on their shoulders.
The apostles understood the immense responsibility given to them.
There was one plan for salvation,
and God had entrusted the task of bringing it to the world into their hands.
If they did not preach this gospel, who else would?
很多門徒都準備好要獻上自已的生命去傳福音，
因為他們知道，他們所得到的真理，是唯一得救的福音。
從一開始只有一小群稀稀疏疏的120個人，
耶穌早期的跟隨者，人數很快就增加到幾千人，
因為他們知道，有很多靈魂最終的命運，都擔負在他們的肩上。
使徒很明白，託負給他們的責任是很重大的。
早就有一份救贖的計劃，神已經把這份計劃交在使徒的手中，
任務就是要他們把福音傳給全世界。
若他們不去傳福音，還有誰會傳呢？
So, what about us?
Perhaps the size of the True Jesus Church has lulled us into the comforting thought
that there will always be someone else to do the work of preaching.
Surely that is what the preachers are employed to do?
Surely there are members more qualified than I?
It is easy to make such excuses. Some of us allow pastoral work,
or the work of organizing and planning,
to justify our lackluster evangelistic efforts.
“I don't have a gift for preaching,” we tell others and,
often, ourselves. This is nonsense.
Jesus did not tell the eloquent, the confident, or the charismatic to preach.
He told the Christian, the believer, the child of God to preach.
Sharing the grace of God requires not charisma, but conviction.
As Mordecai counselled Esther,
there will always be others to do God’s work and fulfill His will,
but to serve God is our privilege, our opportunity,
and we must seize it when given.
那麼，我們自已要怎麼作呢？
或許目前真耶穌教會目前的規模，會讓我們自我安慰自欺欺人，
總會有其他某個人會去作傳福音的工作。
難道這不就是，我們為什麼要雇用傳道工人來執行的工作嗎？
難道不是還有很多信徒，都比我更加合適來傳福音嗎？
我們很容易就產生這樣的藉口。
我們有些人，對於沒有好好執行教牧工作及組織規劃的工作，
因而沒有產生出福音的果效，加以合理化。
我們會向別人說，"我沒有傳福音的恩賜啦"，
而且也常常對自已這麼說。
這麼說根不合理。
因為耶穌並沒有只對那些口才好的人，有自信心的人，有魅力的人說，你們去傳福音。
耶穌是向所以有基督徒，所有的信徒，神的子好，這麼說，要去傳福音。
分享神的恩典並不需要任何魅力，而只要有確信即可。
就像莫底改勸勉以斯帖，
總會有某個人可以來作神的工作，完成神的旨意，
但是，服事神是我們的基本權力，也是我們的機會。
當我們得到傳福音的機會，就一定抓出這個機會。
IN SUMMARY 結論
The True Jesus Church is the revived apostolic church.
Our Spirit is of God, our truth is from Him,
and His grace is evident in our lives and our ministry, day after day.
But we need to live up to our status as the revived apostolic church too.
This is hard work—it requires a revival in our attitudes towards the basic aspects of our faith,
aspects we might have grown too comfortable with.
We need this revival not because the church is dead, far from it.
We need this revival because the more spiritually alive the members are,
the more powerfully the Spirit of God will fill and lead His church to complete her mission.
Let us live more fully for God than we ever have before.
真耶穌教會是復興的使徒教會。
我們的聖靈來自於神，我們的真理也來自於祂，
在我們的日常及事奉神的生活中，祂恩典是很明顯的，天天都是這樣。
但我們也要活出自已的身份，就像是復興的使徒教會一樣。
這是不容易的工作 - 要成為復興的使徒教會，
要先恢態自已的態度，讓自已了解信仰的基本要素，
這幾個要有所成長的幾個方面，常常我們都很輕忽。
我們需要這種復興，並不是因為教會已經死氣沉沉了，一點也不是這樣。
我們要這種復興，是因為有越多的信徒靈性更多活潑，
聖靈就會更加有能力，會讓教會充滿能力，讓聖靈來帶領教會完成教會的使命。
讓我們比以前更加為主而活。
To be continued. 待續
小頁 markvmax@hotmail.com
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