Living in Christ’s Church session 30

《教会论与教会生活》 第30讲

主讲:林慈信牧师_校对:刘加立、爱的天空&ZJY(CGY)_文字:傅昱川

我们上一讲开始了第十章,The features of the church,教会的特质第一点,教会是有使徒性的。the church is apostolic,我们开始了讲使徒是什么?使徒是耶稣基督所委派的为祂正式地作见证的人。

我们读过使徒行传1:20节和诗篇109:8节,讲到犹大被拒绝了,所以,需要有一个取代他的地位的一个使徒。

That passage also indicates,那段经文也指出,the qualifications that an apostle had to meet, 指出一个使徒必须要符合的资格:he must be one who was in the group that followed Jesus from the time of John’s baptism to the ascension and who was a witness of the resurrection. 这个人必须是与耶稣一起,跟随耶稣的人,从施洗约翰的施洗一直到主耶稣的升天;而这个人必须也是目睹耶稣的复活的。

When Matthias was chosen by lot from two candidates,当马提亚从两个候选人抽签被选出来的时候,he was numbered with the eleven.他就参加了其他十一个使徒的行列。The number of the apostles was fixed at twelve, 使徒的数目定在十二位,they represented the heads of the tribes of the New Israel (Matt. 19:28). 因为使徒们,就代表着新以色列的十二个支派。马太福音19:28节:耶稣说:“我实在告诉你们,你们这跟从我的人,到复兴的时候,人子坐在祂荣耀的宝座上,你们也要坐在十二个宝座上,审判以色列十二个支派。“

Two aspects of the work of witness are evident the calling of the apostles. 使徒们所领受的呼召作为见证人,他们的工作有两个层面。First, they were witnesses as heralds, 首先,他们作为见证人,他们是先锋,heralds,sent forth with the good news of Christ and his salvation,他们带着耶稣基督和祂的救恩的好消息,被差遣出去,the word apostle means “sent”,「使徒」那个字的意思就是被差遣的。and the apostles were Christ’s ambassadors, 使徒们就是耶稣基督的使者,sent to make him known in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and to the ends of the earth. 他们被差遣在耶路撒冷、犹大全地撒玛利亚,直到地极,让人认识基督。As the Father sent Jesus into the world,正如父差遣耶稣进入到世界,so He’s sent his apostles into the world (John 17:18). 同样地,基督差遣使徒们进入到世界。约翰福音17:18节:“你怎样差我到世上,我也照样差他们到世上。“这个是耶稣基督向父祷告的一句话。使徒们是先锋、是出去宣讲的。

Second, they were witnesses as teachers. 第二,他们身为见证人,他们是教师。It was their task to bear witness to what they had heard as well as what they had seen. 他们的任务,不单单是见证他们所看见的,也是见证他们所听到的。They had not only heard the words of Jesus His teaching during His ministry, 他们不单单听到耶稣在地上传道的时候,所讲过的话,they had also enjoyed the special ministry of Jesus after his resurrection. 他们也有特权,在耶稣复活之后,领受耶稣特别的教导。

Further, Jesus promised not only to bring to their memory what they had seen and heard, 不但如此,耶稣向他们应许:使他们必记得他们所看到的、所听到的。不但如此,but also to reveal other things that they could not receive until after His earthly ministry was finished. 耶稣也应许:要向他们启示其他的事情,是一定要等到耶稣地上的工作完成了之后,才能够领受的。

When Paul, therefore, tells us that the church is built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, 因此,当保罗告诉我们:教会是建立在使徒们和先知们的根基上的时候呢,he explains how this is the case. 他就解释使徒们和先知们如何是教会的根基。The mystery of Christ “has been revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit” (Eph. 3:5). 以弗所书3:5节:“这个奥秘(基督的奥秘)在以前的世代,没有叫人知道,像如今藉着圣灵启示他的圣使徒和先知一样(以弗所书3:5节)。

The apostles are organs of revelation. 使徒们是上帝启示的管道。The witness of the apostles, therefore,has both a missionary function and a foundational function. 因此,使徒们所作的见证,有宣教的功能,也有奠定根基的功能。The church is planted in the world through the mission of the apostles,透过使徒们的宣教使命,教会植根于世界。it is founded forever upon the teaching of the apostles. 教会根据使徒们的教导,永远打好了根基。To be sure, the Great Commission is fulfilled through the work of evangelists and of the whole church. 没有错,大使命是透过传福音的人,和整个教会的事奉而完成的。

William Carey’s contemporaries made a bad mistake, 克理.威廉的同代有一个很错误的想法,when they concluded that the missionary task had been in principle completed by the apostles (cf Col. 1:6, Rom. 15:19). 他们错误地以为:使徒们已经完成了(原则上完成了)宣教的任务的。(参考歌罗西书第一章和罗马书15:19节)。歌罗西书1:6节:“这福音传到你们那里,也传到普天之下,并且结果,增长,如同在你们中间,自从你们听见福音,真知道 神恩惠的日子一样。”他们错误地以为:好啦,使徒已经把福音传遍天下了。罗马书15:19节:“甚至我从耶路撒冷,直转到以利哩古,到处传了基督的福音。”作出错误的结论。

In the evangelizing of the world ,the missionary function of the apostles continues. 当教会向世界传福音的时候,使徒们的宣教的功能是持续下去的,不是在他们一代就已经完成的。With respect to their foundational function, however, 可是,当我们看到使徒们奠定教会的根基这个功能的时候,the work of the apostles is final. 使徒们的工作是最后的。

The Apostle Paul goes to great effort to establish the remarkable fact that his calling is genuinely apostolic. 使徒保罗用尽他的力量去证明一件事,就是他所领受的呼召,真正是使徒的呼召。He is as one untimely born, 他好像一个未到产期而生的一样,who does not deserve to be called an apostle (1 Cor. 15:8- 9) 他不配被上帝呼召作使徒。林前15:8~9节:“末了也显给我看;我如同未到产期而生的人一般。我原是使徒中最小的,不配称为使徒,因为我从前逼迫上帝的教会。”but who has nevertheless been called by the risen Lord. 但是,保罗总之被复活的主呼召了。He is a witness of the resurrection with the eleven, 他与其他十一位使徒一起见证基督的复活,and yields to none in his apostolic authority. 当他执行他使徒的权柄的时候,他不会让给别人的。He is indeed the last of the apostles (1 Cor. 15:8), 是的,他是使徒中最后的一位。(哥林多前书15:8节)not in an incidental way, 不是说在事情的先后是最后,but as the one called to carry the gospel to the Gentiles, 乃是说他是上帝所呼召,把福音传到外邦人中间, and to formulate the fullness of the gospel. 同时也是他讲出、写下完备的福音。

The finality of Christ’s work as prophet is sealed to the church through apostolic teaching. 耶稣基督是最后的先知,耶稣基督的先知性的工作是最后的,这个最后的先知的工作,透过使徒们的教导,就在教会上印了印。

God spoke in many different ways through Old Testament prophets, 上帝藉着旧约的先知们,多次多方地晓谕了,but he has now spoken finally through his Son.但现在最后的祂透过祂的儿子晓谕了。The Spirit inspired the apostles,圣灵默示使徒们,and the New Testament prophets to bring that word to us (Heb. 1:1, 2; 2:3, 4). 还有默示了新约的先知们把这个话(就是最后的话)传给我们。

希伯来书1:1~2节:“上帝既在古时藉着众先知多次多方地晓谕列祖,就在这末世藉着他儿子晓谕我们。”还有希伯来书2:3-4节:“我们若忽略这么大的救恩,怎能逃罪呢?这救恩起先是主亲自讲的,后来是听见的人给我们证实了。(第4节)上帝又按自己的旨意,用神迹、奇事和百般的异能,并圣灵的恩赐,同他们作见证。”所以,圣灵默示使徒们和先知们,将这个最后的、末后的话传递给我们,and the miraculous signs of an apostle sealed their ministry (2 Cor. 12:12). 使徒们行神迹奇事的这些记号,就是他们使徒的工作的印证(哥林多后书12:12节),神迹是使徒们的印证。“我在你们中间用百般的忍耐,借着神迹奇事异能显出使徒的凭据来。”

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The foundational office of the apostle has not continued in the church. 使徒们这个奠定教会的根基这个职分,并没有在教会维持下去。The temple of God is founded once for all in the revelation of Christ. 当基督彰显的时候,一次过的,上帝的圣殿就奠定根基了。The foundation of God stands sure.上帝的根基是稳固的。It does not need to be relaid.不必再一次奠定根基。

The foundational doctrine and order of the church have been established by apostolic authority. 教会的基础性的教义和秩序,都是藉着使徒们的权柄建立了。Paul sends his apostolic instructions not only to Corinth but ordains them for all the churches (1 Cor. 7:17). 保罗把他的使徒的吩咐,不单寄给哥林多的教会,也指定给所有的教会要遵行的。哥林多前书7:17节:“只要照主所分给各人的,和上帝所召各人的而行。我吩咐各教会都是这样。”

If anyone does not recognize apostolic authority, he is to be ignored. 若有任何人,特别是教师们,不承认使徒们的权柄,就不要理睬他。What the apostle writes is the commandment of the Lord (1 Cor. 14:37, 38). 使徒们所写的,是主自己的吩咐或者诫命。哥林多前书14:37~38节:“若有人以为自己是先知,或是属灵的,就该知道,我所写给你们的是主的命令。若有不知道的,就由他不知道吧。”

The Roman Catholic church has claimed to be apostolic because of the authority of the Pope as the “Vicar of Christ”and the successor to the apostle Peter. 罗马天主教声称自己有使徒性,因为他们认为:教皇就是基督在地上的代表,有他的权柄,而且教皇就是继承了彼得使徒的职位的,But the office of the twelve apostles cannot be continued (Acts 1:21). 可是使徒的职分是不可以持续下去的。使徒行传1:21节:“所以,主耶稣在我们中间始终出入的时候。”就是说,都是要跟耶稣基督在地上的工作有关,要见证耶稣基督,与祂在一起的。使徒,十二个使徒的职分是没有传下去的。

The true apostolicity of the church is seen as the church abides in apostolic doctrine. 当教会遵守、持守住使徒们的教义、教导的时候,教会就是真正的使徒性的教会。Apostolicity means gospel orthodoxy. 教会的使徒性,就是教会在福音上的信仰是正统的。

好,我们来讲使徒性之后的第二个教会的特点或者属性。

第二段,The Church Is Holy 教会是圣洁的。

The apostolicity of the church binds the church to the truth of Christ. 教会的使徒性,让教会连结于基督的真理,The holiness of the church manifests the fruit of that truth in the life of Christ.,而教会的圣洁性呢,就彰显这个真理所结出的果子,这个果子就是基督的生命,基督的真理、基督的生命。

Apostolicity means orthodoxy,使徒性,就是信仰的正统;holiness means “orthopraxis”, 而圣洁就是指正确的行为或者实践。right doctrine expressed in right living. 正确的教义用正确的生活表达出来。This characteristic of the church also flows directly from the union of the church with Jesus Christ.教会这方面的特点,也是直接因为教会与耶稣基督的合一,而自然地所流出的,We are called to be holy as He is holy (1 Pet. 1:15, 16).神呼召我们圣洁,正如祂是圣洁的一样。彼得前书1:15~16节:“那召你们的既是圣洁,你们在一切所行的事上也要圣洁。因为经上记着说:‘你们要圣洁,因为我是圣洁的。’‘’(彼前1:15-16节)。

God’s holiness expresses both his exalted deity and his moral purity. 上帝的圣洁表达了祂至高的神性,祂的圣洁也表达了祂道德的纯洁。The  whole structure of the ceremonial law with its concept of “clean” and “unclean”symbolized separation to God. 整个旧约里献祭礼仪的律法,里面有什么是洁净的,什么是不洁净的。整个礼仪律的结构就象征着:要向上帝分别为圣,分别出来。Because God was in the midst of the camp,因为上帝在营中,the camp must be “clean” (Deut. 23:14). 营必须是洁净的。申命记23:14节:” 因为耶和华你的 神常在你营中行走,要救护你,将仇敌交给你,所以你的营理当圣洁,免得祂见你那里有污秽,就离开你。“

Paul applies the language of ceremonial separation to the life of the New Testament church. 保罗把旧约这种礼仪里分别为圣的字句, 用在新约教会的生活上。As the holy people of God, 我们身为上帝圣洁的子民,we must cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, 我们必须从肉体和灵里的污秽自洁。perfecting holiness in the fear of God (2 Cor. 6:14-7:1). 敬畏上帝,这样子呢,使我们的圣洁得以完全。

哥林多后书6:14~7:1节:“你们和不信的原不相配,不可同负一轭。义和不义有什么相交呢?光明和黑暗有什么相通呢?基督和彼列有什么相和呢?信主的和不信主的有什么相干呢?上帝的殿和偶像有什么相同呢?因为我们是永生上帝的殿,就如上帝曾说:‘我要在他们中间居住,在他们中间来往;我要作他们的上帝;他们要作我的子民。‘又说:‘你们务要从他们中间出来,与他们分别;不要沾不洁净的物,我就收纳你们。我要作你们的父;你们要作我的儿女。这是全能的主说的。‘亲爱的弟兄啊,我们既有这等应许,就当洁净自己,除去身体、灵魂一切的污秽,敬畏上帝,得以成圣(或者得以完全的成圣)。”

Holiness has a double aspect. 圣洁有两个层面上的意义:negatively it means separation from sin and from an “unequal yoke” with unbelievers; 消极的、负面那一面圣洁的意思就是:从罪分别出来,从不相配的轭,就是与非信徒同负一轭,分别出来;positively ,积极的、正面的it means a growing intimacy of adoring fellowship with God. 圣洁的意思就是:越来越亲近 神、越来越以敬拜、赞美,与上帝交通。Because the life of holiness seeks the Lord Himself, 因为圣洁的生活是追求主祂自己,it will ever be sensitive to his word. 所以,圣洁的生活,必定是对主的话很敏感的。

True sanctity is not an ineffable ecstasy of devotion that makes life in the world irrelevant, 真正的圣洁,不是说一种的、说不出来的、专一爱主的、颠峰状态,这样子就让在世界上生活就毫无相关、毫无意义,不是这样子的! it is love for God that finds delight in his commandments. 真正的圣洁是爱 神,而且喜悦祂的诫命。But holiness, because it does seek God,never makes of God’s commandments an impersonal code for scoring points. 就是因为圣洁是追求上帝,从来就不会让上帝的诫命,成为一个非位格的、抽象的一些规矩,用来自己得分数。Rather, God’s word is a delight, 不是的,上帝的话是一个圣徒的喜乐。because it is the word of our heavenly Father.因为这是我们天上的父亲所讲的话。In obedience we express our love for him who first loved us. 我们顺服,就表达出我们对祂的爱,因为祂先爱我们。

It is the Lord who sanctifies his church by the Holy Spirit (1 Thess. 5:23, 24; 2 Thess. 2:13). 是主亲自用圣灵,来使祂的教会成圣的。帖撒罗尼迦前书5:23~24节:“愿赐平安的上帝亲自使你们全然成圣!又愿你们的灵与魂与身子得蒙保守,在我们主耶稣基督降临的时候,完全无可指摘!那召你们的本是信实的,他必成就这事 。“主藉着圣灵使教会成圣。

帖撒罗尼迦后书2:13节:“主所爱的弟兄们哪,我们本该常为你们感谢 神;因为他从起初拣选了你们,叫你们因信真道,又被圣灵感动,成为圣洁,能以得救。“The imperative to holiness上帝命令我们要圣洁, “Be holy!” 务要圣洁! is always grounded in the indicative of saving grace,都是建立在上帝拯救我们的恩典的事实上。”

You are a holy nation!” (1 Pet. 1:15-19; 2:9).你们是一个圣洁的国度(彼前1:15~19,2:9)。你们应当圣洁! 彼得前书1:15节开始:“那召你们的既是圣洁,你们在一切所行的事上也要圣洁。因为经上记着说:‘你们要圣洁,因为我是圣洁的。’你们既称那不偏待人、按各人行为审判人的主为父,就当存敬畏的心度你们在世寄居的日子,知道你们得赎,脱去你们祖宗所传流虚妄的行为,不是凭着能坏的金银等物,乃是凭着基督的宝血,如同无瑕疵、无玷污的羔羊之血。”

我们要圣洁。彼得前书2:9节:“惟有你们是被拣选的族类,是有君尊的祭司,是圣洁的国度,是属 神的子民,要叫你们宣扬那召你们出黑暗入奇妙光明者的美德。”你们务要圣洁,因为你们本身就是一个圣洁的国度。

我们下一讲继续来讲教会的圣洁,然后呢,就来到第三个属性或者特点,教会是普世的。

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