信仰的基本課程

HOW TO FIND THE CHURCH JESUS BUILT

如何找到耶穌所建立的教會

 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?

在美國有一千六百多個不同的教會 . 大部分都宣稱是耶穌所建立的教會、或教會的『枝體之一』 . 我們已經研究過耶穌來世界是爲了建立祂的教會 . 祂建立一個教會而已 . 祂從來沒有建立成千上萬的宗派教會 . 如果耶穌建立一個教會而已、爲什麽有那麽多不同的教會﹖

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.

當今的教會是從那裏來的﹖

新約聖經告訴我們、人會離開真道 ( 徒 20:28-31; 提前 4:1-4; 提後 4:1-4). 從教會開始起、人便慢慢地離開真道 . 這就造成現今有幾百個教派的結果 . 耶穌不贊成這些教派 . 他也沒有建立它們 .

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!

很多人都說這句話、『教會都一樣』 . 這句話是真的嗎 ? 我們同意所有的教會好象一樣、但是在事實上並不一樣 .

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

我們如何找到那個耶穌所建立的教會呢﹖ 我們找新約裏耶穌所建立的教會的特性 . 我們生活中都用特性 . 我們用特性辨識人 . 我們用名字、描述、社會救濟號碼或身份證來辨識人 . 我們也用指紋辨識人 . 人的指紋都不一樣 .

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.

你的孩子迷路的話、你如何找他呢﹖ 你會請警察幫助你 . 警察幫助你時、他們會問孩子的表相、也要看照片 . 比方說 : 你有十歲大的男孩、藍色的眼睛、金色的頭髮體重大約三十五公斤 . 如果警察找到一位八歲且有咖啡色眼睛紅色頭髮的女孩、你會滿意嗎﹖ 爲什麽呢﹖ 她不是一個小孩嗎﹖ 小孩不是都一樣嗎﹖ 你會等到有你小孩子特性的那一位找到了你才滿意 . 並且、你找到你的孩子之後、你才會停止再找你的孩子 . 所找到的孩子也必須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.

恰如小孩不都一樣、氣車也不都一樣 . 我們用特性辨認氣車 . 假如你花五萬元美金買氣車、你想要的那輛車是小型的便宜貨嗎﹖ 這車應該是凱迪拉克、賓士、 或 BMW. 凱迪拉克跟小型便宜的車有什麽不同的地方﹖ 它們都有引擎、玻璃車窗、門 、輪胎、 等等 . 這就差不 多了、是不是﹖ 不是 . 它們是類似、但卻不一樣 . 我們如果花那麽多錢、卻買到小型且便宜的車、我們不會滿意的 .

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.

說到教會、這原則也一樣 . 耶穌建立一個教會而已 . 雖然祂的教好象會跟別的教會一樣、但除非一個教會的特性跟新約聖經裏教會的特性完全一樣、否則就不可能是耶穌所建立的教會 . 新約聖經告訴我們教會有什麽特性 . 我們知道這些特性之後、我們便能夠比較世上所有 的教會、然後就可以認出那一個是耶穌所建立的教會了 . 天使加百列說、『他要作雅各家的王，直到永遠、他的國也沒有窮盡』 ( 路 1:33). 耶穌所建立的教會還存在 . 用聖經裏所記載的特性、我們就可辨認出這個教會成爲其中的一份子 .

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.

耶穌只應許建立一個教會而已、所以、現今其他的教會都是人建立的、不是 神建立的 . 而爲了確定我們是在耶穌所建立的教會裏、我們就必須研究教會的特性 .

The Characteristics Of The Church

教會的特性

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.

何時建立的﹖

主的教會什麽時候開始的﹖我們研究下面的經節卻可回答這個問題 . 『我還告訴你，你是彼得，我要把我的教會建造在這磐石上；陰間的權柄，不能勝過他 . 我要把天國的鑰匙給你，凡你在地上所捆綁的，在天上也要捆綁；凡你在地上所釋放的，在天上也要釋放』 ( 太 16:18,19). 耶穌在這段經節中告訴我們說、教會在那時還沒有開始、因爲祂說、『我要建立我的教會』 . 耶穌說這句話時、祂的教會還沒有開始 . 而且、在這段經節中、祂還告訴我們教會跟國度是一樣的 . 『耶穌又對他們說、我實在告訴你們， 站在這裏的， 有人在沒嘗死味以 前，必要看見 神的國大有能力臨到』 ( 可 9:1). 耶穌說這句話時、祂的國度還沒有開始 . 這意謂的是將來的事情 . 耶穌死在十字架上時、國度還沒有開始因爲埋葬基督的約瑟那時正在『等候 神的國』 ( 可 15:43). 耶穌吩咐祂的使徒在耶路撒冷等能力來 ( 路 24:46-49; 徒 1:5-8). 使徒行傳在第一章結束時、教會 -- 國度還沒有開始 .

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.

在使徒行傳五章十一節、聖經記載著、『全教會和聽見這事的人，都甚懼怕』 ( 徒 5:11). 在這段經節中我們可以看到教會已經開始了 . 之後、保羅寫著、『他救了我們脫離黑暗的權勢，把我們遷到他愛子的國裏』 ( 西 1:13). 在這段經節中保羅告訴我們國度已經存在 . 甚至在稍後、使徒約翰也寫著、『我約翰就是你們的弟兄，和你們在耶穌的患難、國度、忍耐裏一同有分，爲 神的道，並爲給耶穌作的見證，曾在那名叫拔摩的海島上』 ( 啓 1:9). 基督死的時候國度還沒有開始、但是從使徒行傳第五章之後、教會 -- 國度已經存在 .

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.)

基督死亡跟使徒行傳第五章之間於教會開始 . 爲了找出時間、我們可以看徒行傳第二章 . 在耶穌從死裏復活的頭一個五旬節時、大約西元 30 年後、基督成就祂的應許建立了祂的教會 . 假如一個教會在另外時間開始、那個教會便不可能是耶穌應許建立的教會 ( 徒 2:1-4,36- 42,47). ( 請參考這本書後面的圖表 ).

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.

在那裏開始的

在我們學習到教會是什麽時候開始的以後、就很容易知道教會在那裏開始了. 只要看教會在開始的時候是在那裏、就可以找到我們的答案了 .

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).

在使徒行傳第二章裏、根據預言的說法大家都在耶路撒冷城裏 ( 賽 2:2,3; 路 24:47). 耶穌所建立的教會是在耶路撒冷開始的 . 假如有一個教會是在別的地方開始的、那個教會便不可能是耶穌所應許建立的教會 ( 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.

教會的名字

耶穌說、『我要建立我的教會』 ( 太 16:18). 祂用祂自己的血買教會 ( 徒 20:28). 使徒保羅稱它是『基督的衆教會』 ( 羅 16:16). 一個教會必須有正確的名字才是耶穌所建立的教會 . 當然、一個教會可能有聖經裏的名字而沒有其他的特性 . 但是不要忘記、作爲耶穌所立的教會的話、這個教會必須具備有所有的特性 .

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!

有人說名字不重要 . 但在生活中有些方面我們卻不這麽想 . 我們不會用壞人的名字給我們的孩子取名字 . 但是、如果名字不重要、那就是無所謂了 . 正因爲名字重要、所以我們不給我們的孩子取名叫耶洗別或猶大 .

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

 耶穌是教會的建立者和唯一的跟基 ( 太 16:18; 林前 3:11). 如果一個教會的建立者不是耶穌而是另外一個人、那個教會便不可能是耶穌所建立的教會 .

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.

組織

 基督是教會的頭 ( 弗 1:22,23). 祂的教會沒有世上的總部 . 耶穌的教會是自主、自治、獨立的組織 . 每一個地方教會有一群人在基督的權力之下帶領那地方教會 . 這群人的稱呼是 : 長老、牧師、監督 ( 徒 14:23; 20:17,18,28; 提前 3:1-7; 多 1:5-9). 這些地方教會也有執事服事教會 ( 提前 3:8-13; 腓 1:1). 聖經沒有提到由一個人來管一個地方教會或一些地方教會、也沒有說到有議會、或教皇 . 如果一個教會有世上的總部跟議會、不可能是耶穌所建立的教會 .

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

不要忘記、縱使東西有類似的地方、但卻不意謂是一樣的 . 所有的教派都有一 些同樣的敬拜 神的方法 . 但卻不是跟耶穌所建立教會的敬拜 神的方法完全一樣 .

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).

大部分的教會在聚會時、禱告跟講道 . 他們所禱告和所講的也許是對的 . 但是只在一些地方用正確的方法是不夠的 . 我們必須按照聖經的道理去作 ( 約 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

 耶穌吩咐我們吃主餐 ( 太 26:26-29). 我們應該在什麽時候吃主餐﹖ 我們必須參加聚會 ( 來 10:25). 教會在聚會的時候吃主餐 ( 林前 11:33). 他們七日的第一日聚會時吃主餐 ( 徒 20:7). 就像猶太人在每一個禮拜守安息日一樣、每一個禮拜天基督徒也應該吃主餐 . 假如一個教會不是每一個禮拜天吃主餐、那個教會不可能是耶穌所建立的教會 . 我們吃主餐時、我們用無酵餅和葡萄汁 . 我們沒有權力擅用其他種食物 .

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.

唱詩

 聖經很清楚的教導我們、敬拜時我們要唱詩歌 ( 弗 5:19; 西 3:16). 新約聖經也沒有給我們權力在敬拜時、用樂器伴奏 . 耶穌所建立的教會不用樂器敬拜 神 . 如果一個教會加上樂器來敬拜 神、那個教會便不是耶穌所建立的教會 .

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.

捐錢

保羅教導我們『每逢七日的第一日』要捐錢 ( 林前 16:1,2). 這是從樂意的心捐出來的 ( 林後 9:5-7). 耶穌所建立的教會用這種方法得到金錢作它的聖工 . 假如一個教會用其他種方法、那就不是耶穌所建立的教會 .

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.

神拯救人的計劃

 聖經教導我們聽道、通道、悔改、承認基督、受浸 ( 羅 10:17; 約 8:24; 徒 17:30; 太 10:32, 33; 徒 22:16). 聖經很清楚的告訴我們受浸是爲了得救 ( 可 16:16; 徒 2:38; 彼前 3:21; 羅 6:3,4). 聖經所提到的『受洗』就是『受浸』 ( 徒 8:35-39; 羅 6:3,4; 西 2:12). 受浸的目的是洗去我們的罪 ( 徒 22:16) 、也使我們歸入基督 ( 羅 6:3,4; 加 3:27) 、所有屬靈的福氣都在基督裏 ( 弗 1:3). 如果一個教會不是這樣教導人以便得救的話、那這個教會便不是耶穌所建立的教會 .

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.

結論

耶穌建立一個教會而已 . 爲了能夠得救我們必須在那唯一的教會裏面 . 我們能夠認出祂的教會 . 假如你在一個沒有這些特性的教會裏、你就不是在耶穌所建立的教會裏 . 求 神幫助我們在祂的教會裏、而不是在人爲的教會裏面 .

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