HOW TO FIND THE CHURCH JESUS BUILT

如何找到耶稣所建立的教会

 In the United States of America there are more than 2,000 different churches. Most of these churches claim to be the church Jesus established, or at least one of the “branches” of the church. We have already studied that Jesus came to the earth to build His church. He only built one church. He did not build hundreds or thousands of churches. If Jesus only built one church, why are there so many different churches?

 在美国有一千六百多个不同的教会 . 大部分都宣称是耶稣所建立的教会、或教会的『枝体之一』 . 我们已经研究过耶稣来世界是为了建立祂的教会 . 祂建立一个教会而已 . 祂从来没有建立成千上万的宗派教会 . 如果耶稣建立一个教会而已、为什么有那么多不同的教会﹖

From Where Did All These Churches Come?

The New Testament tells us that people would leave the truth (Acts 20:28-31; 1 Timothy 4:1- 4; 2 Timothy 4:1-4). Since the church began, people have slowly gone away from the truth. This has resulted in the hundreds of denominations that are here today. Jesus does not approve of these churches. He did not build them.

当今的教会是从那里来的﹖

新约圣经告诉我们、人会离开真道 ( 徒 20:28-31; 提前 4:1-4; 提后 4:1-4). 从教会开始起、人便慢慢地离开真道 . 这就造成现今有几百个教派的结果 . 耶稣不赞成这些教派 . 他也没有建立它们 .

Many people make the statement, “churches are all alike.” Is this statement true? We agree churches seem to be about the same, but they are not the same!

很多人都说这句话、『教会都一样』 . 这句话是真的吗 ? 我们同意所有的教会好象一样、但是在事实上并不一样 .

Characteristics

How do we find out which church is the one Jesus built? We find the church Jesus built by looking for the characteristics that are recorded in the New Testament. We all use characteristics in our lives. We identify people by using characteristics. People are identified by name, description, social security number or identification number. People can be identified by fingerprints. No fingerprints are the same.

特性

我们如何找到那个耶稣所建立的教会呢﹖ 我们找新约里耶稣所建立的教会的特性 . 我们生活中都用特性 . 我们用特性辨识人 . 我们用名字、描述、社会救济号码或身份证来辨识人 . 我们也用指纹辨识人 . 人的指纹都不一样 .

If your child became lost, how would you find him? You would ask for the help of the police. When the police help you, they will ask you what the child looks like, and for a recent picture. For example: your child is a ten year old boy with blue eyes, blond hair, weighing about 75 pounds. Would you be satisfied if the police brought you an eight year old girl with brown eyes and red hair? Why not? She's a child isn't she? Are not children all about the same? You would not be satisfied until the child with all of your child's characteristics was found. Also, once a child with all of your child's characteristics was found, you would stop looking for your child. You would not keep on looking for your child. The child found would have to have all, not just a few, of the characteristics of your child.

你的孩子迷路的话、你如何找他呢﹖ 你会请警察帮助你 . 警察帮助你时、他们会问孩子的表相、也要看照片 . 比方说 : 你有十岁大的男孩、蓝色的眼睛、金色的头发体重大约三十五公斤 . 如果警察找到一位八岁且有咖啡色眼睛红色头发的女孩、你会满意吗﹖ 为什么呢﹖ 她不是一个小孩吗﹖ 小孩不是都一样吗﹖ 你会等到有你小孩子特性的那一位找到了你才满意 . 并且、你找到你的孩子之后、你才会停止再找你的孩子 . 所找到的孩子也必须有你小孩所有的特性、而不只是一些特性而已 .

Just as children are not all alike, cars are also not all alike. We identify automobiles by characteristics. If you paid $50,000 for an automobile, would you want that automobile to be a small, cheap car? It had better be a Cadillac, Mercedes Benz, or BMW. What is the difference between a Cadillac and a small cheap car? They both have engines, windows, doors, tires, etc. They are about the same, right? No. They are similar, but they are not the same. If we pay that much money, we will not be happy with a small cheap car.

恰如小孩不都一样、气车也不都一样 . 我们用特性辨认气车 . 假如你花五万元美金买气车、你想要的那辆车是小型的便宜货吗﹖ 这车应该是凯迪拉克、奔驰、 或 BMW. 凯迪拉克跟小型便宜的车有什么不同的地方﹖ 它们都有引擎、玻璃车窗、门 、轮胎、 等等 . 这就差不 多了、是不是﹖ 不是 . 它们是类似、但却不一样 . 我们如果花那么多钱、却买到小型且便宜的车、我们不会满意的 .

The same is true with the church. There is only one church that Jesus built. Even though it may seem to be like other churches, unless a church has all the characteristics of the church we read about in the New Testament, it cannot be the church Jesus built. The New Testament tells us the characteristics of the church. Once we know these characteristics, we can compare the churches in the world and see which one has the same characteristics as the church Jesus built. The angel Gabriel said, “And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end” (Luke 1:33). The church Jesus built still exists. By using the characteristics found in the Bible, we can identify that church and become a part of it.

说到教会、这原则也一样 . 耶稣建立一个教会而已 . 虽然祂的教好象会跟别的教会一样、但除非一个教会的特性跟新约圣经里教会的特性完全一样、否则就不可能是耶稣所建立的教会 . 新约圣经告诉我们教会有什么特性 . 我们知道这些特性之后、我们便能够比较世上所有 的教会、然后就可以认出那一个是耶稣所建立的教会了 . 天使加百列说、『他要作雅各家的王，直到永远、他的国也没有穷尽』 ( 路 1:33). 耶稣所建立的教会还存在 . 用圣经里所记载的特性、我们就可辨认出这个教会成为其中的一份子 .

Jesus only promised to build one church, therefore, the rest of the churches that are here today were started by men, not by God. The way we can be sure the church we are in is the church Jesus built is to look at the characteristics.

耶稣只应许建立一个教会而已、所以、现今其它的教会都是人建立的、不是 神建立的. 而为了确定我们是在耶稣所建立的教会里、我们就必须研究教会的特性 .

The Characteristics Of The Church

教会的特性

When It Began

 When was the Lord's church built? We can learn the answer to this question by studying the following scriptures: “And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatsoever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven” (Matthew 16:18,19). Jesus tells us in this passage that at this time, the church had not yet started, because He said, “I will build My church.” At the time Jesus made this statement, the church had not yet started. Also, in this passage He tells us the kingdom and the church are the same. “And He said to them, Assuredly I say to you that there are some standing here who will not taste death till they see the kingdom of God present with power” (Mark 9:1). The kingdom had not yet come when Jesus made this statement. It was still in the future. It was also still in the future when Jesus died on the cross because Joseph, who buried Christ, was still waiting for the kingdom (Mark 15:43). Jesus told his apostles to stay in Jerusalem and wait for the power to come (Luke 24:46-49; Acts 1:5-8). As the first chapter of the book of Acts closes, the church (kingdom) had not yet come.

 何时建立的﹖

主的教会什么时候开始的﹖我们研究下面的经节却可回答这个问题 . 『我还告诉你，你是彼得，我要把我的教会建造在这盘石上；阴间的权柄，不能胜过他 .我要把天国的钥匙给你，凡你在地上所捆绑的，在天上也要捆绑；凡你在地上所释放的，在天上也要释放』 ( 太 16:18,19). 耶稣在这段经节中告诉我们说、教会在那时还没有开始、因为祂说、『我要建立我的教会』 . 耶稣说这句话时、祂的教会还没有开始 . 而且、在这段经节中、祂还告诉我们教会跟国度是一样的 . 『耶稣又对他们说、我实在告诉你们， 站在这里的， 有人在没尝死味以 前，必要看见 神的国大有能力临到』 ( 可 9:1). 耶稣说这句话时、祂的国度还没有开始 . 这意谓的是将来的事情 . 耶稣死在十字架上时、国度还没有开始因为埋葬基督的约瑟那时正在『等候 神的国』 ( 可 15:43). 耶稣吩咐祂的使徒在耶路撒冷等能力来 ( 路 24:46-49; 徒 1:5-8). 使徒行传在第一章结束时、教会 -- 国度还没有开始 .

In Acts 5:11, the Bible records: “So great fear came upon all the church and upon all who heard these things.” We see in this passage the church had already started. Later, Paul wrote: “He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love” (Colossians 1:13). In this passage Paul tells us the kingdom is already here. Even later, the apostle John wrote: “I John, both your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ” (Revelation 1:9). The kingdom had not yet started at the death of Christ, but from Acts chapter five, the church (kingdom) was already here.

在使徒行传五章十一节、圣经记载着、『全教会和听见这事的人，都甚惧怕』 ( 徒 5:11). 在这段经节中我们可以看到教会已经开始了 . 之后、保罗写着、『他救了我们脱离黑暗的权势，把我们迁到他爱子的国里』 ( 西 1:13). 在这段经节中保罗告诉我们国度已经存在 . 甚至在稍后、使徒约翰也写着、『我约翰就是你们的弟兄，和你们在耶稣的患难、国度、忍耐里一同有分，为 神的道，并为给耶稣作的见证，曾在那名叫拔摩的海岛上』 ( 启 1:9). 基督死的时候国度还没有开始、但是从使徒行传第五章之后、教会 -- 国度已经存在 .

The church started sometime between the death of Christ and Acts chapter five. To find the time, we can turn to Acts chapter two. It was the first pentecost after Jesus rose from the dead, in about A.D. 30 that Christ kept his promise to build his church. If a church had its beginning at any other time, it cannot be the church Jesus promised to build (Acts 2:1-4,36-42,47). (Please see chart at the end of this booklet.)

基督死亡跟使徒行传第五章之间于教会开始 . 为了找出时间、我们可以看徒行传第二章 . 在耶稣从死里复活的头一个五旬节时、大约公元 30 年后、基督成就祂的应许建立了祂的教会 . 假如一个教会在另外时间开始、那个教会便不可能是耶稣应许建立的教会 ( 徒 2:1-4,36- 42,47). ( 请参考这本书后面的图表 ).

Where It Began

 Upon learning when the church began, it becomes very easy to see where it began. We just have to see where they were when the church began and we will have the answer.

在那里开始的

在我们学习到教会是什么时候开始的以后、就很容易知道教会在那里开始了 . 只要看教会在开始的时候是在那里、就可以找到我们的答案了 .

In Acts chapter two, they were in the city of Jerusalem. This was according to prophecy (Isaiah 2:2,3; Luke 24:47). The church Jesus built began in Jerusalem. If a church started in a place other than Jerusalem, it cannot be the church Jesus promised to build (Acts 2:5,14).

在使徒行传第二章里、根据预言的说法大家都在耶路撒冷城里 ( 赛 2:2,3; 路 24:47). 耶稣所建立的教会是在耶路撒冷开始的 . 假如有一个教会是在别的地方开始的、那个教会便不可能是耶稣所应许建立的教会 ( 徒 2:5,14).

The Name Given To The Church

 Jesus said, “I will build My church” (Matthew 16:18). He used His own blood to buy the church (Acts 20:28). The apostle Paul called it “the churches of Christ” (Romans 16:16). It has to have the right name to be the church Jesus built. Of course, it could have a Bible name and not have the other characteristics. Remember, a church must have all the characteristics to be the church Jesus built.

教会的名字

耶稣说、『我要建立我的教会』 ( 太 16:18). 祂用祂自己的血买教会 ( 徒 20:28). 使徒保罗称它是『基督的众教会』 ( 罗 16:16). 一个教会必须有正确的名字才是耶稣所建立的教会 . 当然、一个教会可能有圣经里的名字而没有其它的特性 . 但是不要忘记、作为耶稣所立的教会的话、这个教会必须具备有所有的特性 .

Some say the name is not important. We do not believe that in other areas of life. We do not give bad names to our children. But if names were not important, it would not matter. We do not name our children Jezebel or Judas because names are important!

有人说名字不重要 . 但在生活中有些方面我们却不这么想 . 我们不会用坏人的名字给我们的孩子取名字 . 但是、如果名字不重要、那就是无所谓了 . 正因为名字重要、所以我们不给我们的孩子取名叫耶洗别或犹大 .

Founder -- Foundation

Jesus is the founder of his church and the only foundation (Matthew 16:18; 1 Corinthians 3:11 ). If a church has a founder other than Jesus, that church cannot be the church Jesus built.

根基和建立者

 耶稣是教会的建立者和唯一的跟基 ( 太 16:18; 林前 3:11). 如果一个教会的建立者不是耶稣而是另外一个人、那个教会便不可能是耶稣所建立的教会 .

Organization

 Christ is the head of the church (Ephesians 1:22,23). His church does not have any earthly headquarters. Instead, Jesus’ church is organized into independent, self-ruling congregations. Each congregation has a group of men to lead the congregation under Christ. The names or titles given to this group of men is: elders, pastors, and shepherds (Acts 14:23; 20:17,18,28; 1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9). These congregations also have deacons to serve the congregation (1 Timothy 3:8-13; Philippians 1:1). The Bible says nothing about one man ruling over one or more congregations, a conference, or a pope. If a church has a headquarters here on earth, conferences and councils, it cannot be the church Jesus built.

组织

 基督是教会的头 ( 弗 1:22,23). 祂的教会没有世上的总部 . 耶稣的教会是自主、自治、独立的组织 . 每一个地方教会有一群人在基督的权力之下带领那地方教会 . 这群人的称呼是 : 长老、牧师、监督 ( 徒 14:23; 20:17,18,28; 提前 3:1-7; 多 1:5-9). 这些地方教会也有执事服事教会 ( 提前 3:8-13; 腓 1:1). 圣经没有提到由一个人来管一个地方教会或一些地方教会、也没有说到有议会、或教皇 . 如果一个教会有世上的总部跟议会、不可能是耶稣所建立的教会 .

Worship

 Please remember, just because things are similar does not mean they are the same. All churches have some of the same items of worship, but they are not exactly the same as the church Jesus built.

敬拜的方法

不要忘记、纵使东西有类似的地方、但却不意谓是一样的 . 所有的教派都有一 些同样的敬拜 神的方法 . 但却不是跟耶稣所建立教会的敬拜 神的方法完全一样 .

Most churches pray and preach in their worship services. What they pray and preach might, on some occasions, be right. But it is not enough just to be right in some areas only. We have to do things the way the Bible teaches (John 4:24).

大部分的教会在聚会时、祷告跟讲道 . 他们所祷告和所讲的也许是对的 . 但是只在一些地方用正确的方法是不够的 . 我们必须按照圣经的道理去作 ( 约 4:24).

Lord’s Supper

Jesus commanded us to observe the Lord's supper (Matthew 26:26-29). When are we to partake of the Lord's supper? We are commanded to assemble (Hebrews 10:25). The church partook of the Lord's supper when they assembled (1 Corinthians 11:33). They ate the Lord's supper when they assembled on the first day of the week (Acts 20:7). Just as the Jews kept every Sabbath, Christians partake of the Lord's supper every first day of the week. If a church does not partake of the Lord's supper every first day of the week, they cannot be the church Jesus built. We use unleavened bread and fruit of the vine when we partake of the Lord's supper. We do not have the authority to use anything else.

主的晚餐

 耶稣吩咐我们吃主餐 ( 太 26:26-29). 我们应该在什么时候吃主餐﹖ 我们必须参加聚会 ( 来 10:25). 教会在聚会的时候吃主餐 ( 林前 11:33). 他们七日的第一日聚会时吃主餐 ( 徒 20:7). 就像犹太人在每一个礼拜守安息日一样、每一个礼拜天基督徒也应该吃主餐 . 假如一个教会不是每一个礼拜天吃主餐、那个教会不可能是耶稣所建立的教会 . 我们吃主餐时、我们用无酵饼和葡萄汁 . 我们没有权力擅用其它种食物 .

Singing

 The Bible clearly teaches us we are to sing in worship (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16). There is no authority found in the New Testament for using instrumental music in worship. Yet, almost all religious groups use instrumental music in their worship. The church Jesus built does not use instruments of music in worship. If a church adds instrumental music to the worship, it cannot be the church Jesus built.

唱诗

 圣经很清楚的教导我们、敬拜时我们要唱诗歌 ( 弗 5:19; 西 3:16). 新约圣经也没有给我们权力在敬拜时、用乐器伴奏 . 耶稣所建立的教会不用乐器敬拜 神 . 如果一个教会加上乐器来敬拜 神、那个教会便不是耶稣所建立的教会 .

Contribution

Paul taught us to contribute of our means “every first day of the week” (1 Corinthians 16:1,2). These contributions were to be free-will offerings (2 Corinthians 9:5-7). This is the way the church Jesus built gets the money to do its work. If a church uses any other method, it cannot be the church Jesus built.

捐钱

保罗教导我们『每逢七日的第一日』要捐钱 ( 林前 16:1,2). 这是从乐意的心捐出来的 ( 林后 9:5-7). 耶稣所建立的教会用这种方法得到金钱作它的圣工 . 假如一个教会用其它种方法、那就不是耶稣所建立的教会 .

God’s Plan For Saving Man

The Bible teaches us to hear, believe, repent, confess Christ, and be baptized (Romans 10:17; John 8:24; Acts 17:30; Matthew 10:32,33; Acts 22:16). The Bible clearly shows us that baptism is essential to salvation (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 1 Peter 3:21; Romans 6:3,4). Bible baptism is immersion (Acts 8:35-39; Romans 6:3,4; Colossians 2:12). The purpose of baptism is to wash away our sins (Acts 22:16), and cause us to enter Christ (Romans 6:3,4; Galatians 3:27), where all spiritual blessings are found (Ephesians 1:3). If a church does not teach this way for man to be saved, it cannot be the church Jesus built.

神拯救人的计划

 圣经教导我们听道、信道、悔改、承认基督、受浸 ( 罗 10:17; 约 8:24; 徒 17:30; 太 10:32, 33; 徒 22:16). 圣经很清楚的告诉我们受浸是为了得救 ( 可 16:16; 徒 2:38; 彼前 3:21; 罗 6:3,4). 圣经所提到的『受洗』就是『受浸』 ( 徒 8:35-39; 罗 6:3,4; 西 2:12). 受浸的目的是洗去我们的罪 ( 徒 22:16) 、也使我们归入基督 ( 罗 6:3,4; 加 3:27) 、所有属灵的福气都在基督里 ( 弗 1:3). 如果一个教会不是这样教导人以便得救的话、那这个教会便不是耶稣所建立的教会 .

Conclusion

Jesus built only one church. We must be a member of that one church to be saved. We can identify His church. If you are in a church that does not have these characteristics, you are not in the church Jesus built. May God help us all to be a member of His church and not some man-made church.

结论

耶稣建立一个教会而已 . 为了能够得救我们必须在那唯一的教会里面 . 我们能够认出祂的教会. 假如你在一个没有这些特性的教会里、你就不是在耶稣所建立的教会里 . 求 神帮助我们在祂的教会里、而不是在人为的教会里面 .

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