1172 Arrest of Peter and John, no other salvation, and filled with Spirit – Acts(4)1-37 (by Whirlwind)

We first discussed the arrest of Peter and John, and how Peter’s preaching led to about five thousand men being added to the number of believers. Before that, we examined a sermon I happened to hear today, which revealed a misconception. This pastor, like many others, may not have sufficiently trusted the Scriptures, thereby misleading the congregation. Second, we address the truth that salvation comes only through Jesus Christ, who Himself is the cornerstone. Third, we mention how the Sanhedrin, finding no fault in them and seeing the people’s reaction, released them. Their clear response—that they must obey God rather than men—leads us to revisit a previous discussion, which includes a practical method for accurately interpreting Scripture whenever possible. Fourth, we examining an account of answered prayer. We can see the difference between the indwelling Holy Spirit and being filled with the Holy Spirit, citing New Testament examples of being filled. It emphasizes that the Holy Spirit is one person of the Triune God with absolute sovereignty, and there were people filled with the Holy Spirit before His descent in Pentecost. We also observed how the New Testament uses three distinct Greek terms to describe instances of being filled with the Holy Spirit. Finally, it mentions the Jerusalem church’s practice of sharing all things in common and why Barnabas was called the son of encouragement.

1. The arrest of Peter and John and the number of believers about five thousand in this event

Before delving into this subtopic, let us first discuss a sermon I happened to hear today, which highlighted a misconception. This indicates that the pastor, like many others, may not fully trust the words of Scripture, thereby misleading the congregation. Essentially, the pastor asked the congregation whether the Holy Spirit—one of the three persons of the Godhead—was present at every gathering. This reveals insufficient faith in Scripture, for the Bible clearly states, “For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst.”(Matthew 18:20) We know that “…He, having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, sat down at the right hand of God.”(Hebrews 10:12) And “…in accordance with the working of the strength of His might which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places.”(Ephesians 1:20) Today, Jesus Christ is in heaven and is present with us through the Holy Spirit. Their gatherings are held in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit is certainly present among them.

Another passage makes this truth even clearer: consider the matters concerning the church in Laodicea mentioned in the Book of Revelation (cf. Revelation 3:14-22). We know the Laodicean church shut Jesus out, for Scripture plainly states, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock; …”(Revelation 3:20). Yet God is a God of grace and mercy. If only they would repent and open their hearts, He promises, “…if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.”(Revelation 3:20) He does not merely sit at the table; He also promises to work, which is why He says, “He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.”(Revelation 3:21) It does not specify when this work will occur, for the Holy Spirit holds absolute sovereignty. He chooses the best time to work, but He will certainly work.

Therefore, what we should teach is to believe the words of Scripture, truly knowing that the Holy Spirit is always present with us in the gathering. There is no need to question whether He is present. Thus, it is not merely a matter of verbal belief, but of faith in action. What we should ask and pray for is that He work every time when He is present. We must believe He will work—it is only a matter of time—and we must act in faith, knowing that sometimes we must indeed wait in faith. This is the correct perspective.

We must also mention the final words spoken to the church in Laodicea: “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”(Revelation 3:22). This is a scripture addressed to all seven churches in the Book of Revelation. We know the Holy Spirit speaks sometimes directly, as when Paul was struck by a bright light (see Acts 9:3-7), and sometimes indirectly through others’ words, as when Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke (see Acts 4:8-12). We must have ears to hear.

Now let us return to the beginning of the Book of Acts, chapter 4: “As they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to them, being greatly disturbed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. And they laid hands on them and put them in jail until the next day, for it was already evening. But many of those who had heard the message believed; and the number of the men came to be about five thousand. On the next day, their rulers and elders and scribes were gathered together in Jerusalem; and Annas the high priest was there, and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of high-priestly descent. When they had placed them in the center, they began to inquire, “By what power, or in what name, have you done this?””(Acts 4:1-7)

Peter and John were arrested because they spoke a truth that was indeed as Jesus had said: “but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.”(Acts 1:8) After the Holy Spirit descended at Pentecost, they gained the power to testify for Jesus, leading to about five thousand believers. The Bible does not record how they knew about five thousand had believed, for some who claimed to believe insisted they could avoid baptism when it was offered, refused to obey the Great Commission, and thus would not even listen to Jesus’ words—they were not truly believers. In contrast, Peter’s previous sermon led to “…those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls.”(Acts 2:41) The Bible explicitly states that the addition of about three thousand could be counted by the number baptized.

The apostles plainly stated, “And on the basis of faith in His name, it is the name of Jesus which has strengthened this man whom you see and know; and the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect health in the presence of you all.”(Acts 3:16). Why the high priest and others still questioned them is unclear, but perhaps they needed to hear it directly to truly accept it.

2. Salvation is found in no one else but Jesus Christ

“Then Peter, filled (G4130) with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers and elders of the people, if we are on trial today for a benefit done to a sick man, as to how this man has been made well, let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead⁠—by this name this man stands here before you in good health. He is the stone which was rejected by you, the builders, but which became the chief corner stone. And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.””(Acts 4:8-12)

You see, it was the Holy Spirit speaking through Peter. This is what Jesus said: “When they arrest you and hand you over, do not worry beforehand about what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour; for it is not you who speak, but it is the Holy Spirit.”(Mark 13:11) The Holy Spirit again had Peter speak on their behalf, bearing the same witness that though the Jews rejected Him, He is the cornerstone of salvation: “For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.”(1 Corinthians 3:11) And the Gentiles “…are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone.”(Ephesians 2:19-20) Truly, there is no salvation apart from Him: “He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”(John 3:18)

Peter also agrees, saying, “And coming to Him as to a living stone which has been rejected by men, but is choice and precious in the sight of God, you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”(1 Peter 2:4-5) It is precisely because Christ Jesus Himself is the cornerstone that “in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord.”(Ephesians 2:21)

3. The council found no fault in them and released them because of the people

“Now as they observed the confidence of Peter and John and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed, and began to recognize them as having been with Jesus. And seeing the man who had been healed standing with them, they had nothing to say in reply. But when they had ordered them to leave the Council, they began to confer with one another, saying, “What shall we do with these men? For the fact that a noteworthy miracle has taken place through them is apparent to all who live in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. But so that it will not spread any further among the people, let us warn them to speak no longer to any man in this name.” And when they had summoned them, they commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to give heed to you rather than to God, you be the judge; for we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.” When they had threatened them further, they let them go (finding no basis on which to punish them) on account of the people, because they were all glorifying God for what had happened; for the man was more than forty years old on whom this miracle of healing had been performed.”(Acts 4:13-22)

Peter and John were fishermen by trade, naturally uneducated men. Their wisdom and boldness came from having followed Jesus. Seeing the man in his forties, whom God had miraculously healed, standing with them, the officials had no rebuttal—only threats. Apostles’ response was clear: “…Whether it is right in the sight of God to give heed to you rather than to God, you be the judge; for we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.”(Acts 4:19-20) How could they cease bearing witness? Only by obeying God could they avoid sin. The Bible makes it clear: Jesus “…has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.”(Hebrews 4:15) How did He achieve this? By a lifetime of obedience to God, as He Himself declared: “…I do exactly as the Father commanded Me. …”(John 14:31) When Jesus became flesh, He did not act on mere command. Even when exercising the freedom God granted Him to make decisions, His choices aligned with God’s will. This is precisely what Paul meant. We have to “Do not quench the Spirit.”(1 Thessalonians 5:19) 

Previously, in “4. Examples of the Holy Spirit leading Bible study,” under “1168 Life and miracles: Indispensability of Holy Spirit’s leading in Bible study and examples,” we mentioned: “But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to give heed to you rather than to God, you be the judge; for we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.””(Acts 4:19-20) It was stated there, “Though I know that I have not yet been conformed to the image of the Lord, sometimes I cannot help but speak, hoping that some may see the necessity of allowing the Holy Spirit to lead Bible study, unhindered by the old self, so that we may read Scripture correctly. The example we have chosen begins from this very point.” It also speaks of an absolutely feasible and biblically promised practical method: “Allowing the Holy Spirit lead your Bible study.” It depends on whether you are willing to walk this path, completely surrendering yourself to God and allowing the Holy Spirit to lead you in your Bible study.

Another point worth mentioning is a passage I noticed earlier: “In those days, while Mordecai was sitting at the king’s gate, Bigthan and Teresh, two of the king’s officials from those who guarded the door, became angry and sought to lay hands on King Ahasuerus. But the plot became known to Mordecai and he told Queen Esther, and Esther informed the king in Mordecai’s name. Now when the plot was investigated and found to be so, they were both hanged on a gallows; and it was written in the Book of the Chronicles in the king’s presence.”(Esther 2:21-23) Then we see that later that one night, “During that night the king could not sleep so he gave an order to bring the book of records, the chronicles, and they were read before the king. It was found written what Mordecai had reported concerning Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s eunuchs who were doorkeepers, that they had sought to lay hands on King Ahasuerus. The king said, “What honor or dignity has been bestowed on Mordecai for this?” Then the king’s servants who attended him said, “Nothing has been done for him.””(Esther 6:1-3) Had Mordecai not spoken up, none of what followed would have occurred. Thus, there are indeed matters that simply must be spoken.

Of course, my life has not reached that level. I can only sense the Holy Spirit prompting me to speak of “1168,” though I cannot be one hundred percent certain it is truly a matter that must be spoken. If it is not, I would rather err by speaking than by remaining silent when I should have spoken. For God is a God of mercy and grace. The Bible clearly states, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”(1 John 1:9)

Please note: We recently shared that God is not a God who commands one action after another. Scripture clearly states He grants us freedom to decide certain matters. Thus, “allowing the Holy Spirit to lead Bible study” does not mean repeating everything the Spirit says verbatim—if that were the case, no errors would ever occur. In reality, corrections are sometimes needed when we misinterpret or make wrong decisions within that freedom. When correction is needed, as we mentioned earlier, the Holy Spirit may either speak directly to our minds or use others’ words to bring it to our attention.

4. An account of an answered prayer

“When they had been released, they went to their own companions and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. And when they heard this, they lifted their voices to God with one accord and said, “O Lord, it is You who made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and all that is in them, who by the Holy Spirit, through the mouth of our father David Your servant, said, ‘Why did the Gentiles rage, And the peoples devise futile things? ‘The kings of the earth took their stand, And the rulers were gathered together Against the Lord and against His Christ.’ For truly in this city there were gathered together against Your holy servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose predestined to occur. And now, Lord, take note of their threats, and grant that Your bond-servants may speak Your word with all confidence, while You extend Your hand to heal, and signs and wonders take place through the name of Your holy servant Jesus.” And when they had prayed, the place where they had gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God with boldness.”(Acts 4:23-31)

After Peter and John were released, they and the whole assembly prayed to God with one accord, quoting David’s words in Psalm 2:1-2, thus foretelling this event long ago. The Scripture also says, “to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose predestined to occur.”(Acts 4:28) This further demonstrates that foreknowledge and predestination are two sides of the same coin. Their prayer is clearly recorded in Scripture and was answered—unlike the prayer for Matthias (see Acts 1:23-26), where no record of an answer is given. But this time, “And when they had prayed, the place where they had gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God with boldness.”(Acts 4:31)

We understand that the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and being filled with the Holy Spirit are entirely distinct concepts. Every Christian has the indwelling Holy Spirit, as Scripture declares: “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, …”(1 Corinthians 6:19) But not everyone is filled with the Holy Spirit; otherwise, there would be no need for “…brethren, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full (G4134) of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this (managing food) task.”(Acts 6:3) We see that even for managing food—a task many might consider minor—one must be filled with the Holy Spirit. Yet being filled with the Holy Spirit necessarily entails having a good reputation among the brothers and being full of wisdom. Why emphasize this point? Perhaps it signifies that being filled with the Holy Spirit will naturally manifest these qualities. Stephen was one of these seven: “…a man full (G4134) of faith and of the Holy Spirit, …”(Acts 6:5) He was “…full (G4134) of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people.”(Acts 6:8) Therefore, what we should pursue is a continual state of being filled with the Holy Spirit, not a one-time filling obtained through persistent prayer (cf. Luke 11:5-13).

We know that this time filling with the Holy Spirit was for the purpose of speaking the word of God, and the same was true at the first Pentecost after Jesus’ resurrection when the Holy Spirit descended which uses the word (G4130) (cf. Acts 2:1-11). Some may ask, does every filling with the Holy Spirit necessarily involve speaking the word of God? Beyond what has already been stated, let us examine how the New Testament describes each instance of being filled with the Holy Spirit.

First, we must emphasize that the Holy Spirit is one of the three Persons of the Trinity, possessing absolute sovereignty. Even before His coming, people were filled with the Holy Spirit. Let us examine the following scriptures. The text states, “When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled (G4130) with the Holy Spirit. And she cried out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!”(Luke 1:41-42) She was speaking of the affairs of God’s kingdom, and the arrangement of salvation brought forth Mary’s words magnifying the Lord (cf. Luke 1:43-56). Similarly, “And his father Zacharias was filled (G4130) with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying:”(Luke 1:67) This too was praise to God, speaking of salvation (cf. Luke 1:68-80). Then, “Jesus, full (G4134) of the Holy Spirit, …”(Luke 4:1).

We note that the original text uses two distinct words, G4130 and G4134. The former appears 27 times, while the latter occurs 17 times. Examining all the verses and their contexts confirms that “filled with the Holy Spirit” is the accurate translation in Chinese Union Version. Context is crucial, as some passages do not refer to being filled with the Holy Spirit. For example: “But they themselves were filled (G4130) with rage, and discussed together what they might do to Jesus.”(Luke 6:11)  The verse we just shared uses G4130 though: “Then Peter, filled (G4130) with the Holy Spirit, …”(Acts 4:8)

Now let’s examine some verses not mentioned earlier, starting with those related to the word used for being filled (G4130) with the Holy Spirit in this instance. After Paul saw the great light, “So Ananias departed and entered the house, and after laying his hands on him said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road by which you were coming, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled (G4130) with the Holy Spirit.””(Acts 9:17) We also see, “But Saul, who was also known as Paul, filled (G4130) with the Holy Spirit, fixed his gaze on him (Elima).”(Acts 13:9) This instance relates to evangelism, causing Elima to be temporarily blinded (cf. Acts 13:10-12).

Consider another instance of G4134 in Scripture: “But being full (G4134) of the Holy Spirit, he gazed intently into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.”(Acts 7:55) Here, he beheld the glory of God, demonstrating a distinct reaction to being filled with the Holy Spirit and reaffirming the Spirit’s absolute sovereignty. Regarding Barnabas, Scripture states: “…a good man, and full (G4134) of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And considerable numbers were brought to the Lord.”(Acts 11:24). This relates to the kingdom of God, demonstrating the effectiveness of preaching. Preaching is essential because “…faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.”(Romans 10:17)

Regarding being filled with the Holy Spirit—as some say “full of the Holy Spirit”—Paul makes it clear: “…do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled (G4137, root G4134) with the Spirit.”(Ephesians 5:18) Here we encounter a new word, G4137, which derives from G4134. This word appears 95 times—far too many for me to examine every instance. In the sampled passages, “filled with the Holy Spirit” proves an excellent translation. For example, another instance in this passage: “And the disciples (Paul and Barnabas) were continually filled (G4137) with joy and with the Holy Spirit.”(Acts 13:52) It appears four times in the Book of Ephesians, and its meaning is also evident in this verse: “…the church, which is His body, the fullness (G4138, root G4137) of Him who fills (G4137) all in all.”(Ephesians 1:22-23) We have discussed three distinct original Greek words, and the Chinese Union Version renders them all well.

5. The Jerusalem Church shared all things in common and son of encouragement Barnabas

“And the congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul; and not one of them claimed that anything belonging to him was his own, but all things were common property to them. And with great power the apostles were giving testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant grace was upon them all. For there was not a needy person among them, for all who were owners of land or houses would sell them and bring the proceeds of the sales and lay them at the apostles’ feet, and they would be distributed to each as any had need. Now Joseph, a Levite of Cyprian birth, who was also called Barnabas by the apostles (which translated means Son of Encouragement), and who owned a tract of land, sold it and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.”(Acts 4:32-37)

We previously discussed the practice of sharing all things in “1170 Descent of Holy Spirit, Peter’s leading to 3,000 baptisms, and sharing all – Acts 21-47,” specifically in section “4. The Jerusalem Church shared all things in common and broke bread in their homes,” where Barnabas was cited as an example.

“When he (Saul, Paul) came to Jerusalem, he was trying to associate with the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took hold of him and brought him to the apostles and described to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had talked to him, and how at Damascus he had spoken out boldly in the name of Jesus.”(Acts 9:26-27) “And he (Barnabas) left for Tarsus to look for Saul; and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. And for an entire year they met with the church and taught considerable numbers; and the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.”(Acts 11:25-26) Barnabas was indeed the son of encouragement.

Please note: This article is based on the Sunday (12/14/25) topicwise Bible study. Unless otherwise specified, verses refer to those in NASB95. Past articles referenced can be found on our website, ‘https://a-christian-voice.com/‘, under ‘On spiritual understanding about life.’

3172 彼得及约翰被捕和释放,别无拯救和被圣灵充满  – 徒(4)1-37 (旋风著)

    我们首先讲到,彼得和约翰的被捕,及彼得的宣道而使信的男丁数目约到五千。在这之前,我们先讨论我今天正好听到的一篇讲道,看到了一个误区,代表这牧者可能和相当多的牧者一样,不够相信圣经的话,误导了会众。第二说到除耶稣基督以外别无拯救,且耶稣基督自己为房角石。第三是提到公会因无话可驳和因百姓就释放了他们,及他们要顺服神不能不说的清楚回应,而因此引用了以前的讨论,其中提到了一个尽可能读对圣经的实际可行的方法。第四是在讨论被应允的祷告的一次记录,说到内住的圣灵和被圣灵充满的大不相同,和一些新约中被圣灵充满的的例子,强调圣灵是三位一体的神的一位,祂有绝对的主权,在祂降临前就有人被圣灵充满,我们也看了在新约中,用了三个不同的原文字,去说被圣灵充满的一些例子。最后提到了耶路撒冷教会东西大家公用,和为什么巴拿巴是劝慰子。       

1. 彼得和约翰的被捕及信的男丁数目约到五千     

    在进入这小题之前,我们先讨论一下我今天正好听到的一篇讲道,看到了一个误区,代表这牧者可能和相当多的牧者一样,不够相信圣经的话语,误导了会众。这基本上就是牧者问会众是否每一次聚会都有三位的神中一位圣灵的同在,这代表这位牧者不够相信圣经的话,因为圣经明说,「因为无论在哪里,有两三个人奉我的名聚会,那里就有我在他们中间。」(马太福音 18:20) 我们知道,「…基督献了一次永远的赎罪祭,就在神的右边坐下了。」(希伯来书 10:12) 也「就是照他(父神)在基督身上所运行的大能大力,使他从死里复活,叫他在天上坐在自己的右边。」(以弗所书 1:20) 今日耶稣基督是在天上而以圣灵的方式与我们同在,他们的聚会是因主耶稣基督聚在一起,圣灵一定会在他们中间。     

    我们再看另一处经文就更清楚事实的确是如此,就是来看在启示录提到的老底嘉教会的一些事情 (参启示录 3:14-22)。我们知道老底嘉教会把耶稣关在门外,因为圣经明说,「看哪,我站在门外叩门,…」(启示录 3:20) 但神是有恩典有怜悯的神,只要他们悔改打开心门,祂就「…要进到他那里去,我与他,他与我一同坐席。」(启示录 3:20) 祂不仅仅是坐席而已,也应许一定会工作,所以才会有「得胜的,我要赐他在我宝座上与我同坐,就如我得了胜,在我父的宝座上与他同坐一般。」(启示录 3:21) 这里没有说什么时间才作工,因为圣灵有绝对的主权,祂会选择最好的时间工作的,但祂一定会作工的。     

    所以该教导的是要相信圣经的话,真知道圣灵一定在聚会中与我们同在,根本不必问是否同在的问题,所以不只是要有口头上的相信,且要有信心的行为。要问要求的是请祂每次在同在时都作工,相信祂一定会作工,只是时间的问题,而且要有信心的行为,知道有时的确要在信心中等待,这才是正确的看法。   

    我们还要提到的是在老底嘉教会说的最后一句话,「圣灵向众教会所说的话,凡有耳的,就应当听!』」(启示录 3:22) 这也是对启示录中所有的七个教会都说的经文。我们知道圣灵说话有时是直接的,如保罗的见大光 (参使徒行传 9:3-7),有时是间接的,透过别人的话而来,如彼得被圣灵充满而说话 (参使徒行传 4:8-12),我们要有一个能听的耳。    

    现在我们回到使徒行传第四章的开始,就是「使徒对百姓说话的时候,祭司们和守殿官并撒都该人忽然来了。因他们教训百姓,本著耶稣,传说死人复活,就很烦恼,于是下手拿住他们。因为天已经晚了,就把他们押到第二天。但听道之人有许多信的,男丁数目约到五千。第二天,官府、长老和文士在耶路撒冷聚会,又有大祭司亚那和该亚法、约翰、亚历山大,并大祭司的亲族都在那里;叫使徒站在当中,就问他们说:「你们用甚么能力,奉谁的名做这事呢?」」(使徒行传 4:1-7)        

    彼得和约翰的被捕是因为他们说了一个事实,的确是如耶稣说的,「但圣灵降临在你们身上,你们就必得著能力;并要在耶路撒冷、犹太全地和撒马利亚,直到地极,作我的见证。」(使徒行传 1:8) 在五旬节的圣灵降临后,他们有能力为耶稣作见证,这次是使约五千人信了。这次圣经没有记录他们怎么知道是约五千人信了,因为有些人号称是信了,却坚持在可受洗时可以不受洗,不愿遵守大使命,通耶稣的话都不肯听,不会是真信。而上次彼得的宣道是使「…领受他话的人就受了洗。那一天,门徒约添了三千人。」(使徒行传 2:41) 圣经明说这约添了三千人是可以由受洗的人数算出来。    

    使徒明明是说,「我们因信他(耶稣基督)的名,他的名便叫你们所看见、所认识的这人健壮了。正是他所赐的信心,叫这人在你们众人面前全然好了。」(使徒行传 3:16) 不知大祭司等人为什么还需要问他们,大概是因为要亲自听到才真正算数。

2. 除耶稣基督以外别无拯救       

    「那时,彼得被圣灵充满(G4130, filled),对他们说:「治民的官府和长老啊,倘若今日因为在残疾人身上所行的善事,查问我们他是怎么得了痊愈,你们众人和以色列百姓都当知道,站在你们面前的这人得痊愈,是因你们所钉十字架、神叫他从死里复活的拿撒勒人耶稣基督的名。他是你们『匠人所弃的石头,已成了房角的头块石头。』除他以外,别无拯救,因为在天下人间,没有赐下别的名,我们可以靠著得救。」」(使徒行传 4:8-12)        

    你看,是圣灵在透过彼得说话,这就是耶稣说的,「人把你们拉去交官的时候,不要预先思虑说甚么,到那时候,赐给你们甚么话,你们就说甚么,因为说话的不是你们,乃是圣灵。」(马可福音 13:11) 圣灵又要彼得代表他们说话,作了同样的见证,说明了虽然犹太人弃绝衪,祂却是救恩的头块石头,「因为那已经立好的根基就是耶稣基督,此外没有人能立别的根基。」(哥林多前书 3:11) 而外邦人也「…不再作外人和客旅,是与圣徒同国,是神家里的人了。并且被建造在使徒和先知的根基上,有基督耶稣自己为房角石。」(以弗所书 2:19-20) 真是除祂以外别无拯救,「信他的人,不被定罪;不信的人,罪已经定了,因为他不信神独生子的名。」(约翰福音 3:18

    彼得也一致的说,「因为经上说:「看哪,我把所拣选、所宝贵的房角石安放在锡安,信靠他的人必不至于羞愧。」所以,他在你们信的人就为宝贵,在那不信的人有话说:「匠人所弃的石头,已作了房角的头块石头。」又说:「作了绊脚的石头,跌人的磐石。」 他们既不顺从,就在道理上绊跌。他们这样绊跌,也是预定的。」(彼得前书 2:6-8) 他也很清楚的说,「主乃活石,固然是被人所弃的,却是被神所拣选、所宝贵的。你们来到主面前,也就像活石,被建造成为灵宫,作圣洁的祭司,借著耶稣基督奉献神所悦纳的灵祭。」(彼得前书 2:4-5) 就是因为有基督耶稣自己为房角石,才能「各房靠他联络得合式,渐渐成为主的圣殿。」(以弗所书 2:21)

3. 公会因无话可驳和因百姓就释放了他们      

    「他们见彼得、约翰的胆量,又看出他们原是没有学问的小民,就希奇,认明他们是跟过耶稣的。又看见那治好了的人和他们一同站著,就无话可驳。于是吩咐他们从公会出去,就彼此商议说:「我们当怎样办这两个人呢?因为他们诚然行了一件明显的神迹,凡住耶路撒冷的人都知道,我们也不能说没有。惟恐这事越发传扬在民间,我们必须恐吓他们,叫他们不再奉这名对人讲论。」于是叫了他们来,禁止他们,总不可奉耶稣的名讲论、教训人。彼得、约翰说:「听从你们,不听从神,这在神面前合理不合理,你们自己酌量吧!我们所看见、所听见的,不能不说。」官长为百姓的缘故,想不出法子刑罚他们,又恐吓一番,把他们释放了。这是因众人为所行的奇事,都归荣耀与神。原来借著神迹医好的那人有四十多岁了。」(使徒行传 4:13-22)        

    彼得和约翰本是打鱼的,当然原是没有学问的,他们的智慧和胆量是来自跟过耶稣,又看到神迹医好的四十多岁的人和他们一同站著,当然无话可驳,只能恐吓他们。他们两人的回应很清楚,「…听从你们,不听从神,这在神面前合理不合理,你们自己酌量吧!我们所看见、所听见的,不能不说。」(使徒行传 4:19-20) 他们怎能不再作见证呢?顺服神才会不犯罪。圣经说得很清楚,耶稣「…也曾凡事受过试探,与我们一样,只是他没有犯罪。」(希伯来书 4:15) 衪怎么能做到这一点呢?就是一生顺服神,如祂自己所说,「…父怎样吩咐我,我就怎样行。…」(约翰福音 14:31) 在主道成肉身时,神不是一个命令一个动作,祂在在神给的自由度做决定时,祂的决定也是站在神那边。现在也就是保罗所说的,我们要,「不要消灭圣灵的感动。」(帖撒罗尼迦前书 5:19)     

    以前我们在「3168 生命和神迹: 圣灵带领查经的不可少和例子」中的「4. 圣灵带领查经的一些例子」,提到了「彼得、约翰说:「听从你们,不听从神,这在神面前合理不合理,你们自己酌量吧!我们所看见、所听见的,不能不说。」」(使徒行传 4:19-20) 其中是这样说的,「虽然明知自己没有模成主的形像,但有时是不能不说,希望有些人能看到让圣灵带领查经的不可少,不被老我牵制而能读对圣经。我们选择的例子,就是以这为出发点。」 也说到了一个绝对可行「让圣灵带领查经」,且是圣经应许的实际方法,看你愿不愿意走上这条路,完全把自己交给神,让圣灵带领你查经。    

    另外要提的就是以前注意到的经文,「当那时候,末底改坐在朝门,王的太监中有两个守门的辟探和提列,恼恨亚哈随鲁王,想要下手害他。末底改知道了,就告诉王后以斯帖。以斯帖奉末底改的名,报告于王。究察这事,果然是实,就把二人挂在木头上,将这事在王面前写于历史上。」(以斯帖记 2:21-23) 然后我们看到此后有一夜的「那夜,王睡不著觉,就吩咐人取历史来,念给他听。正遇见书上写著说,王的太监中有两个守门的辟探和提列,想要下手害亚哈随鲁王,末底改将这事告诉王后。王说:「末底改行了这事,赐他甚么尊荣爵位没有?」 伺候王的臣仆回答说:「没有赐他甚么。」」(以斯帖记 6:1-3) 如果末底改没有说这件事,就不会有然后发生的事,所以有些事真是不能不说。     

    当然我的生命不到那里,我只能觉得圣灵要我讲「2168」,但不能百分之百的确定确实是不能不说的事情。如果不是,我宁可犯下这样说的错误,而不是犯下该说却没有说的错误,因为神是有怜悯有恩典的神,圣经明说了,「我们若认自己的罪,神是信实的,是公义的,必要赦免我们的罪,洗净我们一切的不义。」(约翰一书 1:9)

    请注意,我们刚分享过神不是一个命令一个动作的神,圣经说得很清楚,衪会给我们一些自由度去决定某些事情。所以「让圣灵带领查经」,不是说全部都说圣灵所说的话,如是这样,根本就不会有错误,事实上是有时还要更正错误,这是在自由度内看错了或作错了决定。当需要更正错误时,就像我们前先所说的,或是圣灵会在意念中直接告诉我们,或是经由别人的话使我们知道。  

4. 被应允的祷告的一次记录       

    「二人既被释放,就到会友那里去,把祭司长和长老所说的话都告诉他们。他们听见了,就同心合意地高声向神说:「主啊,你是造天、地、海和其中万物的,你曾借著圣灵托你仆人──我们祖宗大卫的口说:『外邦为甚么争闹?万民为甚么谋算虚妄的事?世上的君王一齐起来,臣宰也聚集,要敌挡主,并主的受膏者。』希律和本丢彼拉多、外邦人和以色列民果然在这城里聚集,要攻打你所膏的圣仆耶稣,成就你手和你意旨所预定必有的事。他们恐吓我们,现在求主鉴察。一面叫你仆人大放胆量,讲你的道;一面伸出你的手来医治疾病,并且使神迹奇事因著你圣仆耶稣的名行出来。」祷告完了,聚会的地方震动,他们就都被圣灵充满(G4130, filled),放胆讲论神的道。」(使徒行传 4:23-31)       

    彼得和约翰被释放后,和会友就同心合意地高声向神祷告,引用大卫在诗篇 2:1-2 的话,所以老早就预知了这件事会发生。经文又说,「成就你手和你意旨所预定必有的事。」(使徒行传 4:28) 所以这又证明了预知和预定是一体的两面。他们的祷告清楚的写在经文中,看经文就知道他们的祷告,也看到了这是一个被应允的祷告,不像众人为马提亚的祷告(参使徒行传 1:23-26),没有记载被应允。但这次「祷告完了,聚会的地方震动,他们就都被圣灵充满,放胆讲论神的道。」(使徒行传 4:31)        

    我们知道有内住的圣灵和被圣灵充满是完全不同的概念,每一个基督徒都有内住的圣灵,如经文所说,「岂不知你们的身子就是圣灵的殿吗?这圣灵是从神而来,住在你们里头的;…」(哥林多前书 6:19) 但不是每个人都会被圣灵充满,要不就不会有「…弟兄们,当从你们中间选出七个有好名声、被圣灵充满(G4134, full)、智慧充足的人,我们就派他们管理(饭食)这事。」(使徒行传 6:3) 我们看到即使管理饭食的这等许多人以为的小事,也要被圣灵充满才行。不过被圣灵充满,一定会在弟兄中有好名声,和智慧充足,不知道为什么要强调这点?大概是说被圣灵充满一定会有这些现象。司提反是这七位中的一位,「..乃是大有信心、圣灵充满(G4134)的人;…」(使徒行传 6:5) 他「…满得(G4134)恩惠能力,在民间行了大奇事和神迹。」(使徒行传 6:8) 所以我们要追求的是一直被圣灵充满,不是一次性因直求而得来的圣灵 (参路加福音 11:5-13)。      

    我们知道这次被圣灵充满是讲论神的道,而耶稣复活后的第一次五旬节,圣灵降临也是如此用的这字G4130 (参使徒行传 2:1-11)。有人就会问,是不是每次被圣灵充满,都会讲论神的道?除了已经说到的事情外,看看新约每次提到被圣灵充满时是怎么说的?    

    首先我们要强调的圣灵是三位一体的神的一位,祂有绝对的主权,在祂降临前就有人被圣灵充满,我们就来看下面这些经文。经文说,「伊利沙伯一听马利亚问安,所怀的胎就在腹里跳动。伊利沙伯且被圣灵充满(G4130),高声喊著说:「你在妇女中是有福的!你所怀的胎也是有福的!」(路加福音 1:41-42) 她是在讲神国的事,救恩的安排带出了马利亚尊主为大的话语 (参路加福音 1:43-56) 又如,「他(施洗约翰)父亲撒迦利亚被圣灵充满(G4130)了,就预言说:」(路加福音 1:67) 也是赞美神,说到了救恩(参路加福音 1:68-80) 然后是「耶稣被圣灵充满(G4134),…」(路加福音 4:1)。       

    我们注意到充满的原文是用了两个不同的字 G4130 和 G4134,前者出现了 27 次,而后者 17 次,如果你去看其包含的所有的经文及上下文,就知道被圣灵充满是对的翻译。要看上下文,因为有些经文不是在说圣灵充满的事,譬如 ,「他们就满心(G4130)大怒,彼此商议怎样处治耶稣。」(路加福音 6:11) 我们刚才分享的经文用的就是G4130,「那时,彼得被圣灵充满(G4130),…」(使徒行传 4:8)       

    我们就来看一些没有提到的经文,先说和这次被圣灵充满(G4130)用的字有关的。在保罗见到大光后,「亚拿尼亚就去了,进入那家,把手按在扫罗身上说:「兄弟扫罗,在你来的路上向你显现的主,就是耶稣,打发我来,叫你能看见,又被圣灵充满(G4130)。」(使徒行传 9:17) 又看到「扫罗又名保罗,被圣灵充满(G4130),定睛看他(以吕马)。」(使徒行传 13:9) 这次是和传福音有关,使以吕马暂时失明 (参使徒行传 13:10-12)。       

    再看在这经文中的另外一个字G4134,「但司提反被圣灵充满(G4134),定睛望天,看见神的荣耀,又看见耶稣站在神的右边。」(使徒行传 7:55) 这次是看见了神的荣耀,所以被圣灵充满的反应是很不同的,再次看到了圣灵的绝对主权。这经文说到巴拿巴,「…原是个好人,被圣灵充满(G4134),大有信心。于是,有许多人归服了主。」(使徒行传 11:24) 这和神国有关,看到了宣道的成效,而宣道是必须的,因为「…信道是从听道来的,听道是从基督的话来的。」(罗马书 10:17)       

    关于被圣灵充满是指有人说的满有圣灵,保罗讲得很清楚,「不要醉酒,酒能使人放荡,乃要被圣灵充满(G4137, filled, root G4134)。」(以弗所书 5:18) 这里有一个新字 G4137,但是这字是由G4134而来,这字出现了95 次,太多次了,所以我没有看完所有这字的经文,在取样的经文中,被圣灵充满是很好的翻译。譬如,另一次在这经文里,「门徒(保罗和巴拿巴)满心喜乐,又被圣灵充满(G4137)。」(使徒行传 13:52) 在以弗所书出现了4 次,其意义也可从这经文看到,「教会是他的身体,是那充满万有者所充满(G4137)的。」(以弗所书 1:23) 我们讲了三个不同的原文字,和合本的翻译都很好。

5. 耶路撒冷教会东西大家公用和劝慰子巴拿巴     

    「那许多信的人都是一心一意的,没有一人说他的东西有一样是自己的,都是大家公用。使徒大有能力,见证主耶稣复活,众人也都蒙大恩。内中也没有一个缺乏的,因为人人将田产房屋都卖了,把所卖的价银拿来,放在使徒脚前,照各人所需用的,分给各人。有一个利未人,生在塞浦路斯,名叫约瑟,使徒称他为巴拿巴(巴拿巴翻出来就是劝慰子)。他有田地也卖了,把价银拿来,放在使徒脚前。」(使徒行传 4:32-37)       

    我们以前在「3170 圣灵降临, 彼得讲道有三千人受洗, 和凡物公用 – 徒(2)1-47」中的「4. 耶路撒冷的教会凡物公用并在家中擘饼」,谈过一些关于凡物公用的事,其中也说到巴拿巴是这样的一个例子。       

    当「扫罗到了耶路撒冷,想与门徒结交。他们却都怕他,不信他是门徒。惟有巴拿巴接待他,领去见使徒,把他在路上怎么看见主,主怎么向他说话,他在大马士革怎么奉耶稣的名放胆传道,都述说出来。」(使徒行传 9:26-27) 「他又往大数去找扫罗,找著了,就带他到安提阿去。他们足有一年的工夫和教会一同聚集,教训了许多人。门徒称为基督徒是从安提阿起首。」(使徒行传 11:25-26) 他的确是劝慰子。

    请注意,这文章是基于周日(12/14/25)的专题查经,经文除了特别注明外,是基于和合本,所引用过去的文章,在我们的网站,『 https://a-christian-voice.com/ 』,按『对属灵生命的了解』,就可以找到。

2172 彼得及約翰被捕和釋放,別無拯救和被聖靈充滿  – 徒(4)1-37 (旋風著)

       我們首先講到,彼得和約翰的被捕,及彼得的宣道而使信的男丁數目約到五千。在這之前,我們先討論我今天正好聽到的一篇講道,看到了一個誤區,代表這牧者可能和相當多的牧者一樣,不夠相信聖經的話,誤導了會衆。第二說到除耶穌基督以外別無拯救,且耶穌基督自己為房角石。第三是提到公會因無話可駁和因百姓就釋放了他們,及他們要順服神不能不說的清楚回應,而因此引用了以前的討論,其中提到了一個儘可能讀對聖經的實際可行的方法。第四是在討論被應允的禱告的一次記錄,說到內住的聖靈和被聖靈充滿的大不相同,和一些新約中被聖靈充滿的的例子,强調聖靈是三位一體的神的一位,祂有絕對的主權,在祂降臨前就有人被聖靈充滿,我們也看了在新約中,用了三個不同的原文字,去說被聖靈充滿的一些例子。最後提到了耶路撒冷教會東西大家公用,和為什麼巴拿巴是勸慰子。

1. 彼得和約翰的被捕及信的男丁數目約到五千

     在進入這小題之前,我們先討論一下我今天正好聽到的一篇講道,看到了一個誤區,代表這牧者可能和相當多的牧者一樣,不夠相信聖經的話語,誤導了會衆。這基本上就是牧者問會衆是否每一次聚會都有三位的神中一位聖靈的同在,這代表這位牧者不夠相信聖經的話,因為聖經明說,「因為無論在哪裏,有兩三個人奉我的名聚會,那裏就有我在他們中間。」(馬太福音 18:20) 我們知道,「…基督獻了一次永遠的贖罪祭,就在神的右邊坐下了。」(希伯來書 10:12) 也「就是照他(父神)在基督身上所運行的大能大力,使他從死裏復活,叫他在天上坐在自己的右邊。」(以弗所書 1:20) 今日耶穌基督是在天上而以聖靈的方式與我們同在,他們的聚會是因主耶穌基督聚在一起,聖靈一定會在他們中間。

     我們再看另一處經文就更清楚事實的確是如此,就是來看在啓示錄提到的老底嘉教會的一些事情 (參啓示錄 3:14-22)。我們知道老底嘉教會把耶穌關在門外,因為聖經明說,「看哪,我站在門外叩門,…」(啓示錄 3:20) 但神是有恩典有憐憫的神,衹要他們悔改打開心門,祂就「…要進到他那裏去,我與他,他與我一同坐席。」(啓示錄 3:20) 祂不僅僅是坐席而已,也應許一定會工作,所以才會有「得勝的,我要賜他在我寶座上與我同坐,就如我得了勝,在我父的寶座上與他同坐一般。」(啓示錄 3:21) 這裏沒有說什麼時間才作工,因為聖靈有絕對的主權,祂會選擇最好的時間工作的,但祂一定會作工的。

     所以該教導的是要相信聖經的話,真知道聖靈一定在聚會中與我們同在,根本不必問是否同在的問題,所以不衹是要有口頭上的相信,且要有信心的行為。要問要求的是請祂每次在同在時都作工,相信祂一定會作工,衹是時間的問題,而且要有信心的行為,知道有時的確要在信心中等待,這才是正確的看法。

     我們還要提到的是在老底嘉教會說的最後一句話,「聖靈向眾教會所說的話,凡有耳的,就應當聽!』」(啓示錄 3:22) 這也是對啓示錄中所有的七個教會都說的經文。我們知道聖靈說話有時是直接的,如保羅的見大光 (參使徒行傳 9:3-7),有時是間接的,透過別人的話而來,如彼得被聖靈充滿而說話 (參使徒行傳 4:8-12),我們要有一個能聽的耳。

     現在我們回到使徒行傳第四章的開始,就是「使徒對百姓說話的時候,祭司們和守殿官並撒都該人忽然來了。因他們教訓百姓,本着耶穌,傳說死人復活,就很煩惱,於是下手拿住他們。因為天已經晚了,就把他們押到第二天。但聽道之人有許多信的,男丁數目約到五千。第二天,官府、長老和文士在耶路撒冷聚會,又有大祭司亞那和該亞法、約翰、亞歷山大,並大祭司的親族都在那裏;叫使徒站在當中,就問他們說:「你們用甚麼能力,奉誰的名做這事呢?」」(使徒行傳 4:1-7)

        彼得和約翰的被捕是因為他們說了一個事實,的確是如耶穌說的,「但聖靈降臨在你們身上,你們就必得着能力;並要在耶路撒冷、猶太全地和撒馬利亞,直到地極,作我的見證。」(使徒行傳 1:8) 在五旬節的聖靈降臨後,他們有能力為耶穌作見証,這次是使約五千人信了。這次聖經沒有記錄他們怎麼知道是約五千人信了,因為有些人號稱是信了,卻堅持在可受洗時可以不受洗,不願遵守大使命,通耶穌的話都不肯聽,不會是真信。而上次彼得的宣道是使「…領受他話的人就受了洗。那一天,門徒約添了三千人。」(使徒行傳 2:41) 聖經明說這約添了三千人是可以由受洗的人數算出來。

     使徒明明是說,「我們因信他(耶穌基督)的名,他的名便叫你們所看見、所認識的這人健壯了。正是他所賜的信心,叫這人在你們眾人面前全然好了。」(使徒行傳 3:16) 不知大祭司等人為什麼還需要問他們,大概是因為要親自聽到才真正算數。

2. 除耶穌基督以外別無拯救

       「那時,彼得被聖靈充滿(G4130, filled),對他們說:「治民的官府和長老啊,倘若今日因為在殘疾人身上所行的善事,查問我們他是怎麼得了痊愈,你們眾人和以色列百姓都當知道,站在你們面前的這人得痊愈,是因你們所釘十字架、神叫他從死裏復活的拿撒勒人耶穌基督的名。他是你們『匠人所棄的石頭,已成了房角的頭塊石頭。』除他以外,別無拯救,因為在天下人間,沒有賜下別的名,我們可以靠着得救。」」(使徒行傳 4:8-12)

        你看,是聖靈在透過彼得説話,這就是耶穌說的,「人把你們拉去交官的時候,不要預先思慮說甚麼,到那時候,賜給你們甚麼話,你們就說甚麼,因為說話的不是你們,乃是聖靈。」(馬可福音 13:11) 聖靈又要彼得代表他們說話,作了同樣的見證,說明了雖然猶太人棄絕衪,祂卻是救恩的頭塊石頭,「因為那已經立好的根基就是耶穌基督,此外沒有人能立別的根基。」(哥林多前書 3:11) 而外邦人也「…不再作外人和客旅,是與聖徒同國,是神家裏的人了。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。」(以弗所書 2:19-20) 真是除祂以外別無拯救,「信他的人,不被定罪;不信的人,罪已經定了,因為他不信神獨生子的名。」(約翰福音 3:18)

     彼得也一致的說,「因為經上說:「看哪,我把所揀選、所寶貴的房角石安放在錫安,信靠他的人必不至於羞愧。」所以,他在你們信的人就為寶貴,在那不信的人有話說:「匠人所棄的石頭,已作了房角的頭塊石頭。」又說:「作了絆腳的石頭,跌人的磐石。」 他們既不順從,就在道理上絆跌。他們這樣絆跌,也是預定的。」(彼得前書 2:6-8) 他也很清楚的說,「主乃活石,固然是被人所棄的,卻是被神所揀選、所寶貴的。你們來到主面前,也就像活石,被建造成為靈宮,作聖潔的祭司,藉着耶穌基督奉獻神所悅納的靈祭。」(彼得前書 2:4-5) 就是因為有基督耶穌自己為房角石,才能「各房靠他聯絡得合式,漸漸成為主的聖殿。」(以弗所書 2:21)

3. 公會因無話可駁和因百姓就釋放了他們

       「他們見彼得、約翰的膽量,又看出他們原是沒有學問的小民,就希奇,認明他們是跟過耶穌的。又看見那治好了的人和他們一同站着,就無話可駁。於是吩咐他們從公會出去,就彼此商議說:「我們當怎樣辦這兩個人呢?因為他們誠然行了一件明顯的神蹟,凡住耶路撒冷的人都知道,我們也不能說沒有。惟恐這事越發傳揚在民間,我們必須恐嚇他們,叫他們不再奉這名對人講論。」於是叫了他們來,禁止他們,總不可奉耶穌的名講論、教訓人。彼得、約翰說:「聽從你們,不聽從神,這在神面前合理不合理,你們自己酌量吧!我們所看見、所聽見的,不能不說。」官長為百姓的緣故,想不出法子刑罰他們,又恐嚇一番,把他們釋放了。這是因眾人為所行的奇事,都歸榮耀與神。原來藉着神蹟醫好的那人有四十多歲了。」(使徒行傳 4:13-22)

        彼得和約翰本是打魚的,當然原是沒有學問的,他們的智慧和膽量是來自跟過耶穌,又看到神蹟醫好的四十多歲的人和他們一同站著,當然無話可駁,衹能恐嚇他們。他們兩人的回應很清楚,「…聽從你們,不聽從神,這在神面前合理不合理,你們自己酌量吧!我們所看見、所聽見的,不能不說。」(使徒行傳 4:19-20) 他們怎能不再作見證呢?順服神才會不犯罪。聖經說得很清楚,耶穌「…也曾凡事受過試探,與我們一樣,只是他沒有犯罪。」(希伯來書 4:15) 衪怎麼能做到這一點呢?就是一生順服神,如祂自己所說,「…父怎樣吩咐我,我就怎樣行。…」(約翰福音 14:31) 在主道成肉身時,神不是一個命令一個動作,祂在在神給的自由度做決定時,祂的決定也是站在神那邊。現在也就是保羅所說的,我們要,「不要消滅聖靈的感動。」(帖撒羅尼迦前書 5:19) 

     以前我們在「2168 生命和神蹟: 聖靈帶領查經的不可少和例子」中的「4. 聖靈帶領查經的一些例子」,提到了「彼得、約翰說:「聽從你們,不聽從神,這在神面前合理不合理,你們自己酌量吧!我們所看見、所聽見的,不能不說。」」(使徒行傳 4:19-20) 其中是這樣說的,「雖然明知自己沒有模成主的形像,但有時是不能不說,希望有些人能看到讓聖靈帶領查經的不可少,不被老我牽制而能讀對聖經。我們選擇的例子,就是以這為出發點。」 也說到了一個絕對可行「讓聖靈帶領查經」,且是聖經應許的實際方法,看你願不願意走上這條路,完全把自己交給神,讓聖靈帶領你查經。

    另外要提的就是以前注意到的經文,「當那時候,末底改坐在朝門,王的太監中有兩個守門的辟探和提列,惱恨亞哈隨魯王,想要下手害他。末底改知道了,就告訴王后以斯帖。以斯帖奉末底改的名,報告於王。究察這事,果然是實,就把二人掛在木頭上,將這事在王面前寫於歷史上。」(以斯帖記 2:21-23) 然後我們看到此後有一夜的「那夜,王睡不着覺,就吩咐人取歷史來,念給他聽。正遇見書上寫着說,王的太監中有兩個守門的辟探和提列,想要下手害亞哈隨魯王,末底改將這事告訴王后。王說:「末底改行了這事,賜他甚麼尊榮爵位沒有?」 伺候王的臣僕回答說:「沒有賜他甚麼。」」(以斯帖記 6:1-3) 如果末底改沒有說這件事,就不會有然後發生的事,所以有些事真是不能不說。

     當然我的生命不到那裡,我衹能覺得聖靈要我講「2168」,但不能百分之百的確定確實是不能不說的事情。如果不是,我寧可犯下這樣說的錯誤,而不是犯下該說卻沒有說的錯誤,因為神是有憐憫有恩典的神,聖經明說了,「我們若認自己的罪,神是信實的,是公義的,必要赦免我們的罪,洗淨我們一切的不義。」(約翰一書 1:9)

    請注意,我們剛分享過神不是一個命令一個動作的神,聖經說得很清楚,衪會給我們一些自由度去決定某些事情。所以「讓聖靈帶領查經」,不是說全部都說聖靈所說的話,如是這樣,根本就不會有錯誤,事實上是有時還要更正錯誤,這是在自由度內看錯了或作錯了決定。當需要更正錯誤時,就像我們前先所說的,或是聖靈會在意念中直接告訴我們,或是經由別人的話使我們知道。

4. 被應允的禱告的一次記錄

       「二人既被釋放,就到會友那裏去,把祭司長和長老所說的話都告訴他們。他們聽見了,就同心合意地高聲向神說:「主啊,你是造天、地、海和其中萬物的,你曾藉着聖靈託你僕人──我們祖宗大衞的口說:『外邦為甚麼爭鬧?萬民為甚麼謀算虛妄的事?世上的君王一齊起來,臣宰也聚集,要敵擋主,並主的受膏者。』希律和本丟彼拉多、外邦人和以色列民果然在這城裏聚集,要攻打你所膏的聖僕耶穌,成就你手和你意旨所預定必有的事。他們恐嚇我們,現在求主鑒察。一面叫你僕人大放膽量,講你的道;一面伸出你的手來醫治疾病,並且使神蹟奇事因着你聖僕耶穌的名行出來。」禱告完了,聚會的地方震動,他們就都被聖靈充滿(G4130, filled),放膽講論神的道。」(使徒行傳 4:23-31)

       彼得和約翰被釋放後,和會友就同心合意地高聲向神禱告,引用大衞在詩篇 2:1-2 的話,所以老早就預知了這件事會發生。經文又說,「成就你手和你意旨所預定必有的事。」(使徒行傳 4:28) 所以這又證明了預知和預定是一體的兩面。他們的禱告清楚的寫在經文中,看經文就知道他們的禱告,也看到了這是一個被應允的禱告,不像衆人為馬提亞的禱告(參使徒行傳 1:23-26),沒有記載被應允。但這次「禱告完了,聚會的地方震動,他們就都被聖靈充滿,放膽講論神的道。」(使徒行傳 4:31)

        我們知道有內住的聖靈和被聖靈充滿是完全不同的概念,每一個基督徒都有內住的聖靈,如經文所說,「豈不知你們的身子就是聖靈的殿嗎?這聖靈是從神而來,住在你們裏頭的;…」(哥林多前書 6:19) 但不是每個人都會被聖靈充滿,要不就不會有「…弟兄們,當從你們中間選出七個有好名聲、被聖靈充滿(G4134, full)、智慧充足的人,我們就派他們管理(飯食)這事。」(使徒行傳 6:3) 我們看到即使管理飯食的這等許多人以為的小事,也要被聖靈充滿才行。不過被聖靈充滿,一定會在弟兄中有好名聲,和智慧充足,不知道為什麼要强調這點?大概是說被聖靈充滿一定會有這些現象。司提反是這七位中的一位,「..乃是大有信心、聖靈充滿(G4134)的人;…」(使徒行傳 6:5) 他「…滿得(G4134)恩惠能力,在民間行了大奇事和神蹟。」(使徒行傳 6:8) 所以我們要追求的是一直被聖靈充滿,不是一次性因直求而得來的聖靈 (參路加福音 11:5-13)。

        我們知道這次被聖靈充滿是講論神的道,而耶穌復活後的第一次五旬節,聖靈降臨也是如此用的這字G4130 (參使徒行傳 2:1-11)。有人就會問,是不是每次被聖靈充滿,都會講論神的道?除了已經說到的事情外,看看新約每次提到被聖靈充滿時是怎麼說的?

       首先我們要强調的聖靈是三位一體的神的一位,祂有絕對的主權,在祂降臨前就有人被聖靈充滿,我們就來看下面這些經文。經文說,「伊利沙伯一聽馬利亞問安,所懷的胎就在腹裏跳動。伊利沙伯且被聖靈充滿(G4130),高聲喊着說:「你在婦女中是有福的!你所懷的胎也是有福的!」(路加福音 1:41-42) 她是在講神國的事,救恩的安排帶出了馬利亞尊主為大的話語 (參路加福音 1:43-56) 又如,「他(施洗約翰)父親撒迦利亞被聖靈充滿(G4130)了,就預言說:」(路加福音 1:67) 也是讚美神,說到了救恩(參路加福音 1:68-80) 然後是「耶穌被聖靈充滿(G4134),…」(路加福音 4:1)。

       我們注意到充滿的原文是用了兩個不同的字 G4130 和 G4134,前者出現了 27 次,而後者 17 次,如果你去看其包含的所有的經文及上下文,就知道被聖靈充滿是對的翻譯。要看上下文,因為有些經文不是在説聖靈充滿的事,譬如 ,「他們就滿心(G4130)大怒,彼此商議怎樣處治耶穌。」(路加福音 6:11) 我們剛才分享的經文用的就是G4130,「那時,彼得被聖靈充滿(G4130),…」(使徒行傳 4:8) 

       我們就來看一些沒有提到的經文,先說和這次被聖靈充滿(G4130)用的字有關的。在保羅見到大光後,「亞拿尼亞就去了,進入那家,把手按在掃羅身上說:「兄弟掃羅,在你來的路上向你顯現的主,就是耶穌,打發我來,叫你能看見,又被聖靈充滿(G4130)。」(使徒行傳 9:17) 又看到「掃羅又名保羅,被聖靈充滿(G4130),定睛看他(以呂馬)。」(使徒行傳 13:9) 這次是和傳福音有關,使以呂馬暫時失明 (參使徒行傳 13:10-12)。

        再看在這經文中的另外一個字G4134,「但司提反被聖靈充滿(G4134),定睛望天,看見神的榮耀,又看見耶穌站在神的右邊。」(使徒行傳 7:55) 這次是看見了神的榮耀,所以被聖靈充滿的反應是很不同的,再次看到了聖靈的絕對主權。這經文說到巴拿巴,「…原是個好人,被聖靈充滿(G4134),大有信心。於是,有許多人歸服了主。」(使徒行傳 11:24) 這和神國有關,看到了宣道的成效,而宣道是必須的,因為「…信道是從聽道來的,聽道是從基督的話來的。」(羅馬書 10:17)

        關於被聖靈充滿是指有人說的滿有聖靈,保羅講得很清楚,「不要醉酒,酒能使人放蕩,乃要被聖靈充滿(G4137, filled, root G4134)。」(以弗所書 5:18) 這裡有一個新字 G4137,但是這字是由G4134而來,這字出現了95 次,太多次了,所以我沒有看完所有這字的經文,在取樣的經文中,被聖靈充滿是很好的翻譯。譬如,另一次在這經文裡,「門徒(保羅和巴拿巴)滿心喜樂,又被聖靈充滿(G4137)。」(使徒行傳 13:52) 在以弗所書出現了4 次,其意義也可從這經文看到,「教會是他的身體,是那充滿萬有者所充滿(G4137)的。」(以弗所書 1:23) 我們講了三個不同的原文字,和合本的翻譯都很好。

5. 耶路撒冷教會東西大家公用和勸慰子巴拿巴

       「那許多信的人都是一心一意的,沒有一人說他的東西有一樣是自己的,都是大家公用。使徒大有能力,見證主耶穌復活,眾人也都蒙大恩。內中也沒有一個缺乏的,因為人人將田產房屋都賣了,把所賣的價銀拿來,放在使徒腳前,照各人所需用的,分給各人。有一個利未人,生在塞浦路斯,名叫約瑟,使徒稱他為巴拿巴(巴拿巴翻出來就是勸慰子)。他有田地也賣了,把價銀拿來,放在使徒腳前。」(使徒行傳 4:32-37)

       我們以前在「2170 聖靈降臨, 彼得講道有三千人受洗, 和凡物公用 – 徒(2)1-47」中的「4. 耶路撒冷的教會凡物公用並在家中擘餅」,談過一些關於凡物公用的事,其中也說到巴拿巴是這樣的一個例子。

        當「掃羅到了耶路撒冷,想與門徒結交。他們卻都怕他,不信他是門徒。惟有巴拿巴接待他,領去見使徒,把他在路上怎麼看見主,主怎麼向他說話,他在大馬士革怎麼奉耶穌的名放膽傳道,都述說出來。」(使徒行傳 9:26-27) 「他又往大數去找掃羅,找着了,就帶他到安提阿去。他們足有一年的工夫和教會一同聚集,教訓了許多人。門徒稱為基督徒是從安提阿起首。」(使徒行傳 11:25-26) 他的確是勸慰子。

        請注意,這文章是基於週日(12/14/25)的專題查經,經文除了特別註明外,是基於和合本,所引用過去的文章,在我們的網站,『 https://a-christian-voice.com/ 』,按『對屬靈生命的瞭解』,就可以找到。

3171 彼得医治瘸腿, 见证要信耶稣,及进窄门 – 徒(3)1-26 (旋风著)

    首先前言谈到我们现在进入了另一个阶段,复习专题查经的基础,讲到「让圣灵带领查经」,和不要说谎而认撒但为父。第二,我们看看彼得奉耶稣基督的名医治瘸腿的神迹,经文将过程写得很清楚,过程请看经文,我们就简短的提除过程外的其他注意点,其中包括注意到这里是说赞美神,而不是赞美行神迹的彼得。最后说到彼得见证要信耶稣,并劝众人悔改,其中谈到了要进到窄门里,也引用了以前讨论过的圣灵带领查经的不可少和例子,当中说到一个绝对可行圣经应许的实际方法。      

1. 前言        

    可能你们会注意到,我们现在进入了另一个阶段。我们已看完基于路加福音的「信」,启示录的「望」,约翰福音的「爱」,因为基督徒是要在信望爱的生活中,而除了马太福音在相关的经文中常提到外,我们又看完了马可福音,所以四福音书我们大致看完了,以后只要补上马太福音中没提到的就可以了,其实我们是不可能完全的看完所有的圣经,因为神是无限而人是有限,祂随时随地都可以开我们的眼睛,让我们看到更多的,所以保罗会说,「若有人以为自己知道甚么,按他所当知道的,他仍是不知道。」(哥林多前书 8:2)   

    现在是进入另一个阶段的新约教会的早期历史。而在这一阶段中,通常会在专题查经聚会后的文章中有些扩展,这些扩展可能是你们没有注意到的知识,就如周日(11/30/25)的专题查经后的扩展文章一样,请你们去我们的网站看这扩展的文章,如你们在网站上看文章后,发觉有逻辑上的问题,请告诉我,网站上有我的联络地址。谢谢。        

    关于专题查经,我们是基于基督徒相信的,「新旧约都是神所默示的」。相信三位一体的神不是模棱两可的神,就知道「神借著圣经告诉我们是一致的」,也因此会「不把圣经的话打折扣」。基于这两者,当我们读对圣经后,就会发觉圣经是多么符合逻辑,而要读对圣经,非要「让圣灵带领查经」不可。        

    因为神不是一个命令一个动作的神,在让圣灵带领查经中,祂会给我们一些自由度让我们自己决定一些事情,当我们在自由度中看错了或是决定错了,还是需要更正的。一个很清楚的例子在「3123 更正: 神用客观的、给别人看的客观事实显现祂的存在」,有时祂甚至会在一个话题上,一步一步的带领我们,直到我们看到对的圣经所讲的为止,如同在「3142 十一奉献的真谛和不要认撒但为父」中一样。     

    我们要强调的一点是,神是无限,而人是有限,祂能随时随地开我们的眼睛,所以我只能以我目前有限的经历,证明以上说的是对的。简单的说,就是当我觉得圣经有矛盾或是犯了错误时,圣灵会开我的眼睛,让我看到自己的错误在那里。当然祂有绝对的主权,大概不是每一次都会如此,但于我而言,常常是如此。        

    我们知道圣经中确实有默示明显矛盾的时候,当我们看到明显矛盾时,要问的该是神默示这明显矛盾是要我们注意到什么,而不是说谎骗自己,没有明显的矛盾,这会是认撒但为父,因为圣经明说,「…魔鬼(撒但)…说谎是出于自己,因他本来是说谎的,也是说谎之人的父。」(约翰福音 8:44) 我们有时宁可受委屈而选择不说话,也不要说谎,要知道「亲爱的弟兄,不要自己伸冤,宁可让步,听凭主怒。因为经上记著:「主说:『伸冤在我,我必报应。』」所以,「你的仇敌若饿了,就给他吃;若渴了,就给他喝。因为你这样行,就是把炭火堆在他的头上。」你不可为恶所胜,反要以善胜恶。」(罗马书 12:19-21) 不是为了把炭火堆在他的头上就这样做了,不要讶异这样表面上做了而没有成就,动机完全不对不会成就的,这样做本是要以善胜恶。

2. 彼得奉耶稣基督的名医治瘸腿的神迹         

    「申初祷告的时候,彼得、约翰上圣殿去。有一个人,生来是瘸腿的,天天被人抬来,放在殿的一个门口(那门名叫美门),要求进殿的人赒济。他看见彼得、约翰将要进殿,就求他们赒济。彼得、约翰定睛(G816)看他。彼得说:「你看我们!」那人就留意看他们,指望得著甚么。彼得说:「金银我都没有,只把我所有的给你。我奉拿撒勒人耶稣基督的名,叫你起来行走!」于是拉著他的右手,扶他起来。他的脚和踝子骨立刻健壮了,就跳起来,站著,又行走;同他们进了殿,走著,跳著,赞美神。百姓都看见他行走,赞美神,认得他是那素常坐在殿的美门口求赒济的,就因他所遇著的事,满心希奇惊讶。」(使徒行传 3:1-10)        

    申初是在犹太传统中的第三次献晚祭祷告的固定时刻,为15:00-17:00,这神迹是在这时发生的。经文将发生的事情说得很清楚,就请看经文所叙述的过程,我们就简短的提一下除过程外的其他注意点。        

    这字定睛(G816)出现了15次,当我们看见这字时,就知道大事会要发生了。譬如,当耶稣来到拿撒勒念先知以赛亚的书时,祂「…把书卷起来,交还执事,就坐下。会堂里的人都定睛看他。耶稣对他们说:「今天这经应验在你们耳中了。」」(路加福音 4:20-21) 这是指这经文,「主耶和华的灵在我身上,因为耶和华用膏膏我,叫我传好信息给谦卑的人,差遣我医好伤心的人,报告被掳的得释放,被囚的出监牢;报告耶和华的恩年,…」(以赛亚书 61:1-2) 但没有说,「…和我们神报仇的日子;…」(以赛亚书 61:2) 所以耶稣告诉我们一件大事,祂的到来是指救恩时代恩典的到临,到衪再来时绝对是神报仇的日子,这和诗篇说的是一致的,「公义和公平,是你宝座的根基;慈爱和诚实,行在你前面。」(诗篇 89:14)    

    又如,「路司得城里坐著一个两脚无力的人,生来是瘸腿的,从来没有走过。他听保罗讲道,保罗定睛看他,见他有信心,可得痊愈,就大声说:「你起来,两脚站直!」那人就跳起来,而且行走。」(使徒行传 14:8-10) 神迹不是件小事。不过那次的神迹和这次不同,那次是因瘸腿的有信心,这次跟本没提到瘸腿的信心,是彼得主动的以主耶稣的名行了神迹,也看见主耶稣的名是大有能力的。在这里要提到一点是,「名」在犹太人的观念中代表整个人,所以「信祂名」就是接受主耶稣基督自己。        

    请注意,这里是说赞美神,而不是赞美行神迹的彼得,这情况就和耶稣治愈瞎子一样。经文说,「耶稣说:「你可以看见!你的信救了你了。」瞎子立刻看见了,就跟随耶稣,一路归荣耀与神。众人看见这事,也赞美神。」(路加福音 18:42-43) 因为这是犹太人的暸解就像这例子说的一样,「这人(尼哥底母)夜里来见耶稣,说:「拉比,我们知道你是由神那里来作师傅的,因为你所行的神迹,若没有神同在,无人能行。」」(约翰福音 3:2) 所以他们赞美神。

3. 彼得见证要信耶稣,因而我们需要走窄门          

    「那人正在称为所罗门的廊下,拉著彼得、约翰,众百姓一齐跑到他们那里,很觉希奇。彼得看见,就对百姓说:「以色列人哪,为甚么把这事当作希奇呢?为甚么定睛(G816)看我们,以为我们凭自己的能力和虔诚使这人行走呢?亚伯拉罕、以撒、雅各的神,就是我们列祖的神,已经荣耀了他的仆人耶稣,你们却把他交付彼拉多。彼拉多定意要释放他,你们竟在彼拉多面前弃绝了他。你们弃绝了那圣洁公义者,反求著释放一个凶手给你们。你们杀了那生命的主,神却叫他从死里复活了,我们都是为这事作见证。我们因信他的名,他的名便叫你们所看见、所认识的这人健壮了。正是他所赐的信心,叫这人在你们众人面前全然好了。「弟兄们,我晓得你们做这事是出于不知,你们的官长也是如此。但神曾借众先知的口,预言基督将要受害,就这样应验了。所以你们当悔改归正,使你们的罪得以涂抹;这样,那安舒的日子就必从主面前来到,主也必差遣所预定给你们的基督耶稣降临。天必留他,等到万物复兴的时候,就是神从创世以来,借著圣先知的口所说的。摩西曾说:『主神要从你们弟兄中间给你们兴起一位先知像我,凡他向你们所说的,你们都要听从。凡不听从那先知的,必要从民中全然灭绝。』「从撒母耳以来的众先知,凡说预言的,也都说到这些日子。你们是先知的子孙,也承受神与你们祖宗所立的约,就是对亚伯拉罕说:『地上万族都要因你的后裔得福。』神既兴起他的仆人,就先差他到你们这里来,赐福给你们,叫你们各人回转,离开罪恶。」」(使徒行传 3:11-26)      

    虽然是彼得讲话,显然约翰和彼得是一齐的,百姓定睛看的也是他们,彼得是带头的,就代表他们说了话,他的宣道很清楚的记在经文中,就像以前一样,请看经文所叙述的宣道,我们就只简短的提一下。      

    他为耶稣的死里复活,为我们作了见证,祂是三位一体神中的一位,是因祂的名行的神迹。当他说到应验时,就是耶稣稣复活后自己所说的,「于是从摩西和众先知起,凡经上所指著自己的话都给他们(去以马忤斯的二门徒)讲解明白了。」(路加福音 24:27) 一个人如果只是明白,最多祇是开始而已,所以才有「耶稣对他们(包括去以马忤斯的二门徒)说:「这就是我从前与你们同在之时所告诉你们的话说:摩西的律法、先知的书和诗篇上所记的,凡指著我的话都必须应验。」于是耶稣开他们的心窍 (G3563, 原文是nous, 英文是understanding, mind),使他们能明白圣经。」(路加福音 24:44-45) 他们一定要被耶稣开心窍,才能明白圣经。在这之前,他们虽读,却是没读懂,今日也是会如此。请注意这经文,「惟独长大成人的,才能吃干粮,他们的心窍(G415, sense)习练得通达,就能分辩好歹了。」(希伯来书 5:14)   虽然合和本同样用心窍这辞,但原文是用不同的字,这字只出现过这一次。            

    这字G3563出现24次,它的意义可以从这些经文看出来,就是: 「谁知道主的心(G3563, mind)?谁作过他的谋士呢?」(罗马书 11:34) 和「不要效法这个世界,只要心意(G3563, mind)更新而变化,叫你们察验何为神的善良、纯全、可喜悦的旨意。」(罗马书 12:2) 及「在这里有智慧(G3563, understanding)。凡有聪明的,可以算计兽的数目;因为这是人的数目,他的数目是六百六十六。」(启示录 13:18) 从这里我们可以看到,和合本的翻译有时和原文相差很多,会误导人。          

    我们知道那时有耶稣开他们的心窍(nous),现今耶稣是以圣灵的形式住在我们心里,所以现在能开我们心窍的只有圣灵,非「让圣灵带领查经」不可。以前我们在「2168 生命和神迹: 圣灵带领查经的不可少和例子」中看到了一个,绝对可行圣经应许的实际方法,看你愿不愿意花这样的时间,把自己交在神手里,不只是说说而已,而是采取了信心的实际行动,这也就是为什么在白色大宝座的审判时,会看基督徒是否有信心行为 (参启示录 20:11-13) 。       

    我们注意到这句话,「神既兴起他的仆人,就先差他到你们这里来,…」(使徒行传 3:26) 有一个原文版本的确是这样写的,但和合本这里有一个注解说仆人或作儿子,这就和汇编(Strong’s Concordance)的原文一致,汇编是说「他的儿子耶稣(his G846 Son G3816 Jesus, G2424)」,从「神借著圣经告诉我们是一致的」来看,这仆人就是指耶稣。          

    当他说到摩西曾说时,是引用了这经文,「耶和华你的神要从你们弟兄中间给你兴起一位先知像我,你们要听从他。…谁不听他奉我名所说的话,我必讨谁的罪。」(申命记 18:15-19) 这就是新约所讲的,「信他的人,不被定罪;不信的人,罪已经定了,因为他不信神独生子的名。」(约翰福音 3:18) 所以这人是指耶稣基督。的确是,「从撒母耳以来的众先知,凡说预言的,也都说到这些日子。」(使徒行传 3:24) 难怪「撒母耳长大了,耶和华与他同在,使他所说的话,一句都不落空。从但到别是巴所有的以色列人,都知道耶和华立撒母耳为先知。」(撒母耳记上 3:19-20)       

    当他说,「你们是先知的子孙,也承受神与你们祖宗所立的约,就是对亚伯拉罕说:『地上万族都要因你的后裔得福。』」(使徒行传 3:25) 这不是指肉体的子孙,而是指属灵的子孙,保罗说得很清楚,「因为外面作犹太人的,不是真犹太人;外面肉身的割礼,也不是真割礼。惟有里面作的,才是真犹太人;真割礼也是心里的,在乎灵,不在乎仪文。这人的称赞不是从人来的,乃是从神来的。」(罗马书 2:28-29) 接著是说,「神既兴起他的仆人,就先差他到你们这里来,赐福给你们,叫你们各人回转,离开罪恶。」(使徒行传 3:26) 这不是明说要给犹太人一个回转的机会吗?是的,这是因为「神爱世人,甚至将他的独生子赐给他们,叫一切信他的,不至灭亡,反得永生。」(约翰福音 3:16) 但是即使是现在,也有许多犹太人不肯悔改而认耶稣为基督,这就犹如「在我敌人面前,你为我摆设筵席;…」(诗篇 23:5) 筵席是摆在桌前了,如果只坐在那里而不肯吃,别人又能如何?只能劝说而已。        

    新约也说,「我(耶稣)就是门,凡从我进来的,必然得救,并且出入得草吃。」(约翰福音 10:9) 凡从门进来的,就因信称义,就是经文所说,「我们既因信称义,就借著我们的主耶稣基督得与神相和。」(罗马书 5:1) 我们进对了门就有草吃,只是有草吃,如果不吃草,别人又能如何?经文明说,「你们要进窄门。因为引到灭亡,那门是宽的,路是大的,进去的人也多;引到永生,那门是窄的,路是小的,找著的人也少。」(马太福音 7:13-14) 有多少人进门后真正的进到窄门里,把自己完全的让圣灵带领?这不就是保罗说的,「你们若顺从肉体活著,必要死;若靠著圣灵治死身体的恶行,必要活著。因为凡被神的灵引导的,都是神的儿子。」(罗马书 8:13-14) 真的,要「让圣灵带领查经」。

    请注意,这文章是基于周日(12/7/25)的专题查经,经文除了特别注明外,是基于和合本,所引用过去的文章,在我们的网站,『 https://a-christian-voice.com/ 』,按『对属灵生命的了解』,就可以找到。

2171 彼得醫治瘸腿, 見證要信耶穌,及進窄門 – 徒(3)1-26 (旋風著)

       首先前言談到我們現在進入了另一個階段,複習專題查經的基礎,講到「讓聖靈帶領查經」,和不要說謊而認撒但為父。第二,我們看看彼得奉耶穌基督的名醫治瘸腿的神蹟,經文將過程寫得很清楚,過程請看經文,我們就簡短的提除過程外的其他注意點,其中包括注意到這裏是說讚美神,而不是讚美行神蹟的彼得。最後說到彼得見證要信耶穌,並勸衆人悔改,其中談到了要進到窄門裡,也引用了以前討論過的聖靈帶領查經的不可少和例子,當中說到一個絕對可行聖經應許的實際方法。

1. 前言

        可能你們會注意到,我們現在進入了另一個階段。我們已看完基於路加福音的「信」,啓示錄的「望」,約翰福音的「愛」,因為基督徒是要在信望愛的生活中,而除了馬太福音在相關的經文中常提到外,我們又看完了馬可福音,所以四福音書我們大致看完了,以後衹要補上馬太福音中沒提到的就可以了,其實我們是不可能完全的看完所有的聖經,因為神是無限而人是有限,祂隨時隨地都可以開我們的眼睛,讓我們看到更多的,所以保羅會說,「若有人以為自己知道甚麼,按他所當知道的,他仍是不知道。」(哥林多前書 8:2)

    現在是進入另一個階段的新約教會的早期歷史。而在這一階段中,通常會在專題查經聚會後的文章中有些擴展,這些擴展可能是你們沒有注意到的知識,就如週日(11/30/25)的專題查經後的擴展文章一樣,請你們去我們的網站看這擴展的文章,如你們在網站上看文章後,發覺有邏輯上的問題,請告訴我,網站上有我的聯絡地址。謝謝。

        關於專題查經,我們是基於基督徒相信的,「新舊約都是神所默示的」。相信三位一體的神不是模稜两可的神,就知道「神藉著聖經告訴我們是一致的」,也因此會「不把聖經的話打折扣」。基於這兩者,當我們讀對聖經後,就會發覺聖經是多麼符合邏輯,而要讀對聖經,非要「讓聖靈帶領查經」不可。

        因為神不是一個命令一個動作的神,在讓聖靈帶領查經中,祂會給我們一些自由度讓我們自己決定一些事情,當我們在自由度中看錯了或是決定錯了,還是需要更正的。一個很清楚的例子在「2123 更正: 神用客觀的、給別人看的客觀事實顯現祂的存在」,有時祂甚至會在一個話題上,一步一步的帶領我們,直到我們看到對的聖經所講的為止,如同在「2142 十一奉獻的真諦和不要認撒但為父」中一樣。

     我們要强調的一點是,神是無限,而人是有限,祂能隨時隨地開我們的眼睛,所以我衹能以我目前有限的經歷,證明以上說的是對的。簡單的說,就是當我覺得聖經有矛盾或是犯了錯誤時,聖靈會開我的眼睛,讓我看到自己的錯誤在那裏。當然祂有絕對的主權,大概不是每一次都會如此,但於我而言,常常是如此。

        我們知道聖經中確實有默示明顯矛盾的時候,當我們看到明顯矛盾時,要問的該是神默示這明顯矛盾是要我們注意到什麼,而不是說謊騙自己,沒有明顯的矛盾,這會是認撒但為父,因為聖經明說,「…魔鬼(撒但)…說謊是出於自己,因他本來是說謊的,也是說謊之人的父。」(約翰福音 8:44) 我們有時寧可受委屈而選擇不說話,也不要說謊,要知道「親愛的弟兄,不要自己伸冤,寧可讓步,聽憑主怒。因為經上記着:「主說:『伸冤在我,我必報應。』」所以,「你的仇敵若餓了,就給他吃;若渴了,就給他喝。因為你這樣行,就是把炭火堆在他的頭上。」你不可為惡所勝,反要以善勝惡。」(羅馬書 12:19-21) 不是為了把炭火堆在他的頭上就這樣做了,不要訝異這樣表面上做了而沒有成就,動機完全不對不會成就的,這樣做本是要以善勝惡。

2. 彼得奉耶穌基督的名醫治瘸腿的神蹟

         「申初禱告的時候,彼得、約翰上聖殿去。有一個人,生來是瘸腿的,天天被人抬來,放在殿的一個門口(那門名叫美門),要求進殿的人賙濟。他看見彼得、約翰將要進殿,就求他們賙濟。彼得、約翰定睛(G816)看他。彼得說:「你看我們!」那人就留意看他們,指望得着甚麼。彼得說:「金銀我都沒有,只把我所有的給你。我奉拿撒勒人耶穌基督的名,叫你起來行走!」於是拉着他的右手,扶他起來。他的腳和踝子骨立刻健壯了,就跳起來,站着,又行走;同他們進了殿,走着,跳着,讚美神。百姓都看見他行走,讚美神,認得他是那素常坐在殿的美門口求賙濟的,就因他所遇着的事,滿心希奇驚訝。」(使徒行傳 3:1-10)

        申初是在猶太傳統中的第三次獻晚祭禱告的固定時刻,為15:00-17:00,這神蹟是在這時發生的。經文將發生的事情說得很清楚,就請看經文所敍述的過程,我們就簡短的提一下除過程外的其他注意點。

        這字定睛(G816)出現了15次,當我們看見這字時,就知道大事會要發生了。譬如,當耶穌來到拿撒勒念先知以賽亞的書時,祂「…把書捲起來,交還執事,就坐下。會堂裏的人都定睛看他。耶穌對他們說:「今天這經應驗在你們耳中了。」」(路加福音 4:20-21) 這是指這經文,「主耶和華的靈在我身上,因為耶和華用膏膏我,叫我傳好信息給謙卑的人,差遣我醫好傷心的人,報告被擄的得釋放,被囚的出監牢;報告耶和華的恩年,…」(以賽亞書 61:1-2) 但沒有說,「…和我們神報仇的日子;…」(以賽亞書 61:2) 所以耶穌告訴我們一件大事,祂的到來是指救恩時代恩典的到臨,到衪再來時絕對是神報仇的日子,這和詩篇說的是一致的,「公義和公平,是你寶座的根基;慈愛和誠實,行在你前面。」(詩篇 89:14)

    又如,「路司得城裏坐着一個兩腳無力的人,生來是瘸腿的,從來沒有走過。他聽保羅講道,保羅定睛看他,見他有信心,可得痊愈,就大聲說:「你起來,兩腳站直!」那人就跳起來,而且行走。」(使徒行傳 14:8-10) 神蹟不是件小事。不過那次的神蹟和這次不同,那次是因瘸腿的有信心,這次跟本沒提到瘸腿的信心,是彼得主動的以主耶穌的名行了神蹟,也看見主耶穌的名是大有能力的。在這裏要提到一點是,「名」在猶太人的觀念中代表整個人,所以「信祂名」就是接受主耶穌基督自己。

        請注意,這裏是說讚美神,而不是讚美行神蹟的彼得,這情況就和耶穌治癒瞎子一樣。經文說,「耶穌說:「你可以看見!你的信救了你了。」瞎子立刻看見了,就跟隨耶穌,一路歸榮耀與神。眾人看見這事,也讚美神。」(路加福音 18:42-43) 因為這是猶太人的暸解就像這例子說的一樣,「這人(尼哥底母)夜裏來見耶穌,說:「拉比,我們知道你是由神那裏來作師傅的,因為你所行的神蹟,若沒有神同在,無人能行。」」(約翰福音 3:2) 所以他們讚美神。

3. 彼得見證要信耶穌,因而我們需要走窄門

          「那人正在稱為所羅門的廊下,拉着彼得、約翰,眾百姓一齊跑到他們那裏,很覺希奇。彼得看見,就對百姓說:「以色列人哪,為甚麼把這事當作希奇呢?為甚麼定睛(G816)看我們,以為我們憑自己的能力和虔誠使這人行走呢?亞伯拉罕、以撒、雅各的神,就是我們列祖的神,已經榮耀了他的僕人耶穌,你們卻把他交付彼拉多。彼拉多定意要釋放他,你們竟在彼拉多面前棄絕了他。你們棄絕了那聖潔公義者,反求着釋放一個兇手給你們。你們殺了那生命的主,神卻叫他從死裏復活了,我們都是為這事作見證。我們因信他的名,他的名便叫你們所看見、所認識的這人健壯了。正是他所賜的信心,叫這人在你們眾人面前全然好了。「弟兄們,我曉得你們做這事是出於不知,你們的官長也是如此。但神曾藉眾先知的口,預言基督將要受害,就這樣應驗了。所以你們當悔改歸正,使你們的罪得以塗抹;這樣,那安舒的日子就必從主面前來到,主也必差遣所預定給你們的基督耶穌降臨。天必留他,等到萬物復興的時候,就是神從創世以來,藉着聖先知的口所說的。摩西曾說:『主神要從你們弟兄中間給你們興起一位先知像我,凡他向你們所說的,你們都要聽從。凡不聽從那先知的,必要從民中全然滅絕。』「從撒母耳以來的眾先知,凡說預言的,也都說到這些日子。你們是先知的子孫,也承受神與你們祖宗所立的約,就是對亞伯拉罕說:『地上萬族都要因你的後裔得福。』神既興起他的僕人,就先差他到你們這裏來,賜福給你們,叫你們各人回轉,離開罪惡。」」(使徒行傳 3:11-26)

        雖然是彼得講話,顯然約翰和彼得是一齊的,百姓定睛看的也是他們,彼得是帶頭的,就代表他們說了話,他的宣道很清楚的記在經文中,就像以前一樣,請看經文所敍述的宣道,我們就衹簡短的提一下。

        他為耶穌的死裏復活,為我們作了見證,祂是三位一體神中的一位,是因祂的名行的神蹟。當他說到應驗時,就是耶穌穌復活後自己所說的,「於是從摩西和眾先知起,凡經上所指着自己的話都給他們(去以馬忤斯的二門徒)講解明白了。」(路加福音 24:27) 一個人如果衹是明白,最多祇是開始而已,所以才有「耶穌對他們(包括去以馬忤斯的二門徒)說:「這就是我從前與你們同在之時所告訴你們的話說:摩西的律法、先知的書和詩篇上所記的,凡指着我的話都必須應驗。」於是耶穌開他們的心竅 (G3563, 原文是nous, 英文是understanding, mind),使他們能明白聖經。」(路加福音 24:44-45) 他們一定要被耶穌開心竅,才能明白聖經。在這之前,他們雖讀,卻是沒讀懂,今日也是會如此。請注意這經文,「惟獨長大成人的,才能吃乾糧,他們的心竅(G415, sense)習練得通達,就能分辨好歹了。」(希伯來書 5:14)   雖然合和本同樣用心竅這辭,但原文是用不同的字,這字衹出現過這一次。

          這字G3563出現24次,它的意義可以從這些經文看出來,就是: 「誰知道主的心(G3563, mind)?誰作過他的謀士呢?」(羅馬書 11:34) 和「不要效法這個世界,只要心意(G3563, mind)更新而變化,叫你們察驗何為神的善良、純全、可喜悅的旨意。」(羅馬書 12:2) 及「在這裏有智慧(G3563, understanding)。凡有聰明的,可以算計獸的數目;因為這是人的數目,他的數目是六百六十六。」(啓示錄 13:18) 從這裡我們可以看到,和合本的翻譯有時和原文相差很多,會誤導人。

          我們知道那時有耶穌開他們的心竅(nous),現今耶穌是以聖靈的形式住在我們心裡,所以現在能開我們心竅的衹有聖靈,非「讓聖靈帶領查經」不可。以前我們在「2168 生命和神蹟: 聖靈帶領查經的不可少和例子」中看到了一個,絕對可行聖經應許的實際方法,看你願不願意花這樣的時間,把自己交在神手裡,不衹是說說而已,而是採取了信心的實際行動,這也就是為什麼在白色大寶座的審判時,會看基督徒是否有信心行為 (參啓示錄 20:11-13) 。

       我們注意到這句話,「神既興起他的僕人,就先差他到你們這裏來,…」(使徒行傳 3:26) 有一個原文版本的確是這樣寫的,但和合本這裡有一個註解說僕人或作兒子,這就和彙編(Strong’s Concordance)的原文一致,彙編是說「他的兒子耶穌(his G846 Son G3816 Jesus, G2424)」,從「神藉著聖經告訴我們是一致的」來看,這僕人就是指耶穌。

        當他說到摩西曾說時,是引用了這經文,「耶和華你的神要從你們弟兄中間給你興起一位先知像我,你們要聽從他。…誰不聽他奉我名所說的話,我必討誰的罪。」(申命記 18:15-19) 這就是新約所講的,「信他的人,不被定罪;不信的人,罪已經定了,因為他不信神獨生子的名。」(約翰福音 3:18) 所以這人是指耶穌基督。的確是,「從撒母耳以來的眾先知,凡說預言的,也都說到這些日子。」(使徒行傳 3:24) 難怪「撒母耳長大了,耶和華與他同在,使他所說的話,一句都不落空。從但到別是巴所有的以色列人,都知道耶和華立撒母耳為先知。」(撒母耳記上 3:19-20)

       當他說,「你們是先知的子孫,也承受神與你們祖宗所立的約,就是對亞伯拉罕說:『地上萬族都要因你的後裔得福。』」(使徒行傳 3:25) 這不是指肉體的子孫,而是指屬靈的子孫,保羅説得很清楚,「因為外面作猶太人的,不是真猶太人;外面肉身的割禮,也不是真割禮。惟有裏面作的,才是真猶太人;真割禮也是心裏的,在乎靈,不在乎儀文。這人的稱讚不是從人來的,乃是從神來的。」(羅馬書 2:28-29) 接著是說,「神既興起他的僕人,就先差他到你們這裏來,賜福給你們,叫你們各人回轉,離開罪惡。」(使徒行傳 3:26) 這不是明說要給猶太人一個回轉的機會嗎?是的,這是因為「神愛世人,甚至將他的獨生子賜給他們,叫一切信他的,不至滅亡,反得永生。」(約翰福音 3:16) 但是即使是現在,也有許多猶太人不肯悔改而認耶穌為基督,這就猶如「在我敵人面前,你為我擺設筵席;…」(詩篇 23:5) 筵席是擺在桌前了,如果衹坐在那裏而不肯吃,別人又能如何?衹能勸說而已。

        新約也說,「我(耶穌)就是門,凡從我進來的,必然得救,並且出入得草吃。」(約翰福音 10:9) 凡從門進來的,就因信稱義,就是經文所說,「我們既因信稱義,就藉着我們的主耶穌基督得與神相和。」(羅馬書 5:1) 我們進對了門就有草吃,衹是有草吃,如果不吃草,別人又能如何?經文明說,「你們要進窄門。因為引到滅亡,那門是寬的,路是大的,進去的人也多;引到永生,那門是窄的,路是小的,找着的人也少。」(馬太福音 7:13-14) 有多少人進門後真正的進到窄門裡,把自己完全的讓聖靈帶領?這不就是保羅說的,「你們若順從肉體活着,必要死;若靠着聖靈治死身體的惡行,必要活着。因為凡被神的靈引導的,都是神的兒子。」(羅馬書 8:13-14) 真的,要「讓聖靈帶領查經」。

       請注意,這文章是基於週日(12/7/25)的專題查經,經文除了特別註明外,是基於和合本,所引用過去的文章,在我們的網站,『 https://a-christian-voice.com/ 』,按『對屬靈生命的瞭解』,就可以找到。

1171 Peter heals lame, testifies to faith in Jesus, and thus entering narrow gate – Acts(3)1-26 (by Whirlwind)

First, the preface mentions that we have now entered another phase, reviewing the foundation of topicwise Bible study. It discusses “let the Holy Spirit to lead our Bible study” and not lying which acknowledges Satan as father. Second, we examine Peter’s miracle of healing a lame man in the name of Jesus Christ. The scripture clearly details the process—please refer to the text for that—while we briefly highlight other points beyond the sequence. These include noting that praise is directed toward God, not toward Peter who performed the miracle. Finally, Peter testified that people must believe in Jesus and urged them to repent. Scripture in other place spoke of entering through the narrow gate and referenced the previously discussed necessity of “let Holy Spirit lead our Bible study” and the corresponding examples. Among the previous discussions also presented an absolutely feasible and practical method. 

1. Preface

You may have noticed that we have now entered another phase. We have completed our study of “Faith” based on the Book of Luke, “Hope” from the Book of Revelation, and “Love” from the Book of John, for Christians are called to live in faith, hope, and love. Having also covered the Book of Mark. For the Book of Matthew, its relevant passages frequently cross-reference in the other three Gospels. Thus, we have now largely finished the four Gospels. Moving forward, we need only supplement what remains unaddressed in the Book of Matthew. Truthfully, we cannot possibly exhaust the entire Bible, for God is infinite while humans are finite. He can open our eyes at any moment to reveal more. This is why Paul declared, “If anyone supposes that he knows anything, he has not yet known as he ought to know.”(1 Corinthians 8:2).

We are now entering a new phase: the early history of the New Testament church. In this phase, articles following topicwise Bible study gatherings often include expansions. These expansions may contain knowledge you haven’t noticed, much like the expansion article after Sunday’s (11/30/25) topicwise Bible study. Please visit our website to read these expansion articles. If you encounter logical issues after reading them online, please let me know—my contact information is available on the site. Thank you.

Regarding the topicwise Bible study, we base it on the Christian belief that “both the Old and New Testaments are inspired by God.” Believing in the Triune God—not an ambiguous deity—means recognizing that “what God tells us through Bible is consistent.” Consequently, we “do not discount Bible’s words.” Grounded in these principles, when we interpret Scripture correctly, we discover its profound logical coherence. To interpret Scripture correctly, we must “allow the Holy Spirit to lead us in Bible study.”

For God is not a God who commands one action after another for every our actions. In allowing the Holy Spirit to lead our Bible study, He grants us some freedom to make our own decisions. When we misinterpret or make wrong decisions within this freedom, correction is still necessary. A clear example is found in “1123 Correction: God reveals His existence through objective facts that are visible to others.” Sometimes He leads us step by step on a topic until we see what Scripture truly teaches, as in “1142 True meaning of tithing and don’t acknowledge Satan as father.”

We must emphasize that God is infinite while humans are finite. He can open our eyes anytime, anywhere. Therefore, I can only attest to the truth of the above based on my currently limited experience. Simply put, when I perceive contradictions or errors in Scripture, the Holy Spirit opens my eyes to see where my own mistakes lie. Of course, He holds absolute sovereignty, and this may not occur every single time. Yet for me, it has often been the case.

We acknowledge that the Bible does indeed contain apparent contradictions in its inspired text. When we encounter such apparent contradictions, we should ask what God intends us to notice through this apparent contradiction in His inspiration. We must not deceive ourselves by claiming no apparent contradiction exists—for that would be acknowledging Satan as our father. The Bible clearly states: “…the devil (Satan) …Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”(John 8:44) Sometimes we would rather suffer injustice and remain silent than tell a lie. Remember, “Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. “But if your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”(Romans 12:19-21) Do not do this merely to heap burning coals on his head. Do not be surprised that such outward actions yield no results—motives that are entirely wrong will never bear fruit. The purpose of such actions is to overcome evil with good.

2. Peter’s miracle of healing a lame man in Jesus Christ’s name

“Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the ninth hour, the hour of prayer. And a man who had been lame from his mother’s womb was being carried along, whom they used to set down every day at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, in order to beg alms of those who were entering the temple. When he saw Peter and John about to go into the temple, he began asking to receive alms. But Peter, along with John, fixed his gaze (G816) on him and said, “Look at us!” And he began to give them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. But Peter said, “I do not possess silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you: In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene⁠—walk!” And seizing him by the right hand, he raised him up; and immediately his feet and his ankles were strengthened. With a leap he stood upright and began to walk; and he entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God; and they were taking note of him as being the one who used to sit at the Beautiful Gate of the temple to beg alms, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.”(Acts 3:1-10)

The third hour of the afternoon was the fixed time for the third evening prayer offering in Jewish tradition, occurring between 3:00 PM and 5:00 PM. This miracle took place at that hour. The text describes the events clearly. You can examine the sequence of events as narrated in the passage. We now briefly note other points of interest beyond the sequence itself.

The word “fix his gaze” (G816) appears 15 times. When we see this word, we know something significant is about to happen. For example, when Jesus came to Nazareth and read from the scroll of the prophet Isaiah, “…He closed the book, gave it back to the attendant and sat down; and the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed (G816) on Him. And He began to say to them, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.””(Luke 4:20-21) This refers to the passage:  “The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, Because the LORD has anointed me To bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to captives And freedom to prisoners;

To proclaim the favorable year of the LORD …”(Isaiah 61:1-2) But it does not say, “…And the day of vengeance of our God; …”(Isaiah 61:2) Therefore, Jesus reveals a profound truth: His coming signifies the arrival of the age of grace and salvation. His second coming will undoubtedly be the day of God’s vengeance, consistent with the Psalmist’s declaration: “Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; Lovingkindness and truth go before You.”(Psalm 89:14)

Similarly, “At Lystra a man was sitting who had no strength in his feet, lame from his mother’s womb, who had never walked. This man was listening to Paul as he spoke, who, when he had fixed his gaze on him and had seen that he had faith to be made well, said with a loud voice, “Stand upright on your feet.” And he leaped up and began to walk.”(Acts 14:8-10) Miracles are no small matter. However, that miracle differed from this one. The latter occurred because the lame man had faith, while the former makes no mention of the lame man’s faith at all. Peter proactively performed the miracle in the name of the Lord Jesus, demonstrating that the name of the Lord Jesus is mighty. Here it is important to note that in Jewish thought, the “name” represents the entire person. Therefore, “believing in His name” means accepting the Lord Jesus Christ Himself.

Note that here the praise is directed toward God, not toward Peter who performed the miracle. This parallels Jesus healing the blind man. The Scripture records, “And Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has made you well.” Immediately he regained his sight and began following Him, glorifying God; and when all the people saw it, they gave praise to God.”(Luke 18:42-43) For this was the Jewish understanding, as illustrated in this example: “this man (Nicodemus) came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.””(John 3:2) Therefore they praised God.

3. Peter testifies we must believe in Jesus, and thus we must enter through the narrow gate

“While he was clinging to Peter and John, all the people ran together to them at the so-called portico of Solomon, full of amazement. But when Peter saw this, he replied to the people, “Men of Israel, why are you amazed at this, or why do you gaze (G816) at us, as if by our own power or piety we had made him walk? The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified His servant Jesus, the one whom you delivered and disowned in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release Him. But you disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, but put to death the Prince of life, the one whom God raised from the dead, a fact to which we are witnesses. And on the basis of faith in His name, it is the name of Jesus which has strengthened this man whom you see and know; and the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect health in the presence of you all. “And now, brethren, I know that you acted in ignorance, just as your rulers did also. But the things which God announced beforehand by the mouth of all the prophets, that His Christ would suffer, He has thus fulfilled. Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord; and that He may send Jesus, the Christ appointed for you, whom heaven must receive until the period of restoration of all things about which God spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from ancient time. Moses said, ‘The Lord God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brethren; to Him you shall give heed to everything He says to you. And it will be that every soul that does not heed that prophet shall be utterly destroyed from among the people.’ And likewise, all the prophets who have spoken, from Samuel and his successors onward, also announced these days. It is you who are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant which God made with your fathers, saying to Abraham, ‘And in your seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed.’ For you first, God raised up His Servant and sent Him to bless you by turning every one of you from your wicked ways.””(Acts 3:11-26)

Though Peter was speaking, it was clear that John and Peter were together, and the people were looking intently at them. Peter took the lead and spoke on their behalf. His preaching is clearly recorded in Scripture, just as before. Let us briefly mention what the Scripture describes of his preaching.

He testified to Jesus’ death and resurrection, who is one of the three persons of the Trinity, and that miracles are performed in His name. When he spoke of ‘fulfillment,’ he referred to what Jesus Himself said after His resurrection: “Then beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them (the two disciples on the road to Emmaus) the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures.”(Luke 24:27) Merely understanding is only the beginning, which is why Jesus said to them (including the two disciples on the road to Emmaus), “Now He said to them, “These are My words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things which are written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” Then He opened their minds (G3563, original Greek: nous, English: understanding, mind) to understand the Scriptures.”(Luke 24:44-45) They had to have their minds opened by Jesus to understand the Scriptures. Before that, though they read, they did not comprehend—and so it is today. 

This word G3563 appears 24 times, and its meaning can be seen in these passages: “For who has known the mind (G3563) of the Lord, or who became His counselor?”(Romans 11:34) and “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind (G3563), so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”(Romans 12:2) and “Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding (G3563) calculate the number of the beast, for the number is that of a man; and his number is six hundred and sixty-six.”(Revelation 13:18) 

We know that at that time Jesus opened their minds (nous). Today, Jesus dwells within us through the Holy Spirit. Therefore, only the Holy Spirit can open our minds—it is essential to “let the Holy Spirit lead Bible study.” Previously, in “1168 Life and miracles: Indispensability of Holy Spirit’s leading in Bible study and examples,” we saw an absolutely feasible and practical method. It depends on whether you are willing to invest such time, placing yourself in God’s hands—not merely paying lip service, but taking concrete actions of faith. This is precisely why, at the White Throne Judgment, Christians will be judged by their deeds of faith (cf. Revelation 20:11-13).

We note this statement: “…God raised up His Servant and sent Him to bless you …”(Acts 3:26). One original text version indeed reads this way, but the Chinese Union Version here includes a footnote stating “servant or son,” which aligns with the original text in the Strong’s Concordance. The Concordance reads “his G846 Son G3816 Jesus, G2424).” Considering that “what God tells us through Bible is consistent,” this servant refers to Jesus.

When he said, ‘Moses said’, he quoted this scripture: “The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your countrymen, you shall listen to him. …I will raise up a prophet from among their countrymen like you, and I will put My words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I command him. It shall come about that whoever will not listen to My words which he shall speak in My name, I Myself will require it of him.”(Deuteronomy 18:15-19) This is what the New Testament speaks of: “He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”(John 3:18) Therefore, this person is Jesus Christ. Indeed, “…all the prophets who have spoken, from Samuel and his successors onward, also announced these days.”(Acts 3:24) No wonder, “Thus Samuel grew and the LORD was with him and let none of his words fail. All Israel from Dan even to Beersheba knew that Samuel was confirmed as a prophet of the LORD.”(1 Samuel 3:19-20)

When he said, “It is you who are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant which God made with your fathers, saying to Abraham, ‘And in your seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed.’”(Acts 3:25) This does not refer to physical descendants, but to spiritual descendants. Paul makes it clear: “For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh. But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that which is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not from men, but from God.”(Romans 2:28-29) Then it says, “For you first, God raised up His Servant and sent Him to bless you by turning every one of you from your wicked ways.” (Acts 3:26) Isn’t this explicitly giving the Jews an opportunity to turn back? Yes, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.”(John 3:16) Yet even now, many Jews refuse to repent and acknowledge Jesus as the Christ. This is like “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; …”(Psalm 23:5) The banquet is set before them. If they sit there and refuse to eat, what else can others do? Only try to persuade them.

The New Testament also says, “I (Jesus) am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.”(John 10:9) Whoever enters through the door is justified by faith. This is what Scripture means when it says, “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”(Romans 5:1) When we enter the right door, we have pasture to eat. But if we refuse to eat it, what can others do? The Scripture plainly states, “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.”(Matthew 7:13-14) How many, after entering the gate, truly enter the narrow gate and allow themselves to be completely led by the Holy Spirit? Is this not what Paul meant when he said, “for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.”(Romans 8:13-14)? Truly, we must “let the Holy Spirit lead our Bible study.”

Please note: This article is based on the Sunday (12/7/25) topicwise Bible study. Unless otherwise specified, verses refer to those in NASB95. Past articles referenced can be found on our website, ‘https://a-christian-voice.com/‘, under ‘On spiritual understanding about life.’

1170 Descent of Holy Spirit, Peter’s leading to 3,000 baptisms, and sharing all – Acts 21-47 (by Whirlwind)

First, we discuss the scene of the Holy Spirit’s descent during the first Pentecost after Jesus’ resurrection. We see that the indwelling Holy Spirit was initiated by Himself, and that the disciples already possessed the indwelling Holy Spirit at that time—it was only now being manifested. Second, we examine Peter’s sermon at Pentecost, where he expounded on the prophecies of Joel. This reveals that foreknowledge and predestination are two sides of the same coin. His words had two dimensions: one described David’s spiritual experience, while the other, as a prophet, foresaw Christ’s resurrection. Third, we see that Peter’s sermon, empowered by the Holy Spirit, led to the baptism of three thousand people, for their hearts were pierced. Finally, we observe that the Jerusalem church shared everything in common and their daily activities, witnessing how the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. 

1. The descent of the Holy Spirit at the first Pentecost after Jesus’ resurrection

“When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. And there appeared to them tongues as of fire distributing themselves, and they rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance. 

Now there were Jews living in Jerusalem, devout men from every nation under heaven. And when this sound occurred, the crowd came together, and were bewildered because each one of them was hearing them speak in his own language. They were amazed and astonished, saying, “Why, are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we each hear them in our own language to which we were born? Parthians and Medes and Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the districts of Libya around Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs⁠—we hear them in our own tongues speaking of the mighty deeds of God.” And they all continued in amazement and great perplexity, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” But others were mocking and saying, “They are full of sweet wine.””(Acts 2:1-13)

This describes the first outpouring of the Holy Spirit, where tongues of fire appeared. The scene is depicted very clearly here, but it was not like this every time when someone was filled with the Holy Spirit. This refers only to the first time. Understand that the Holy Spirit has absolute sovereignty, just as with spiritual gifts: “But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills.”(1 Corinthians 12:11) To unbelievers, it evokes only astonishment, suspicion, or mockery. This descent resembled a mighty wind, reminding us of Jesus’ words: “The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit.””(John 3:8)

While we might summarize this passage as people coming from various regions, the detailed account of specific individuals arriving here prevents us from overlooking the author’s intent—to confirm that people truly came from diverse places. The Bible sometimes employs this style to draw our attention to what matters. For instance, in the Old Testament, when the tabernacle was consecrated, “The leaders offered the dedication offering for the altar when it was anointed, so the leaders offered their offering before the altar. Then the LORD said to Moses, “Let them present their offering, one leader each day, for the dedication of the altar.””(Numbers 7:10-11) The offerings were identical; it would have sufficed to list the offerings and then describe the order of the tribes: Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, Reuben, Simeon, Gad, Ephraim, Manasseh, Benjamin, Dan, Asher, and Naphtali. But following the Old Testament’s style, we see that all the tribes are the same, and the order should not be mistaken. When “Now the LORD spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying, “The sons of Israel shall camp, each by his own standard, with the banners of their fathers’ households; they shall camp around the tent of meeting at a distance.””(Numbers 2:1-2), the sequence remains consistent. When “…they moved out for the first time according to the commandment of the LORD through Moses.”(Numbers 10:13), without considering the sacred objects associated with the tabernacle, their marching order followed this pattern too.

We have discussed how the disciples received power through the descent of the Holy Spirit for the purpose of bearing witness to the Lord Jesus. This fulfills His promise: “I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you.”(John 14:16-17) Here it is stated that we would have the indwelling Holy Spirit, and they indeed received the power to testify for Jesus. Yet when Jesus was arrested, the general situation was that “…all the disciples left Him and fled.”(Matthew 26:56) The exception was Peter, who did not flee but departed after denying the Lord three times (cf. Matthew 26:69-75). Only John remained at the cross.

The disciples’ gathering there demonstrated that they had faith, indicating they already possessed the indwelling Holy Spirit, awaiting the first manifestation of the Spirit. On this point, Scripture clearly states that believers have the indwelling Holy Spirit: “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, …”(1 Corinthians 6:19) Yet experience shows us that not every professing believer has a manifest presence of the Holy Spirit. Pursuing the Holy Spirit is not primarily to obtain power, but to bear witness to Him—don’t put cart before horses.

After Jesus’ resurrection, this indwelling Holy Spirit was initiated by Himself. Scripture records: “So Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you; as the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” And when He had said this, He breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”(John 20:21-22) He never made empty gestures. Though they already possessed the indwelling Holy Spirit at that time, it was not until Pentecost that it was manifested for the first time, as recorded.

2. Peter’s sermon at the outpouring of the Holy Spirit

 “But Peter, taking his stand with the eleven, raised his voice and declared to them: “Men of Judea and all you who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you and give heed to my words. For these men are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only the third hour of the day; but this is what was spoken of through the prophet Joel:  ‘And it shall be in the last days,’ God says, ‘That I will pour forth of My Spirit on all mankind; And your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, And your young men shall see visions, And your old men shall dream dreams; Even on My bondslaves, both men and women, I will in those days pour forth of My Spirit And they shall prophesy. ‘And I will grant wonders in the sky above And signs on the earth below,

Blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke. ‘The sun will be turned into darkness And the moon into blood, Before the great and glorious day of the Lord shall come. ‘And it shall be that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’ “Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus the Nazarene, a man attested to you by God with miracles and wonders and signs which God performed through Him in your midst, just as you yourselves know⁠— this Man, delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge (G4268) of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death. But God raised Him up again, putting an end to the agony of death, since it was impossible for Him to be held in its power. For David says of Him, ‘I saw the Lord always in my presence; For He is at my right hand, so that I will not be shaken. ‘Therefore my heart was glad and my tongue exulted; Moreover my flesh also will live in hope; Because You will not abandon my soul (G5590) to Hades, Nor allow Your Holy One to undergo decay. ‘You have made known to me the ways of life; You will make me full of gladness with Your presence.’ “Brethren, I may confidently say to you regarding the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. And so, because he was a prophet and knew that God had sworn to him with an oath to seat one of his descendants on his throne, he looked ahead and spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that He was neither abandoned to Hades, nor did His flesh suffer decay. This Jesus God raised up again, to which we are all witnesses. Therefore having been exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He has poured forth this which you both see and hear. For it was not David who ascended into heaven, but he himself says: ‘The Lord (the Father) said to my Lord (Jesus), “Sit at My right hand, Until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.”’ Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ⁠—this Jesus whom you crucified.””(Acts 2:14-36) Note that the original meaning of “miracle” refers to a sign. Miracles occur to convey specific messages. Do not merely focus on the surface-level miracle; understand the message it conveys.

We see that Peter was the first to speak, taking the lead with a lengthy address. Let us examine it section by section. First, it is clear from his words that it was not yet time for drinking wine—it was only about nine in the morning!  He essentially quoted the prophecy of the prophet Joel in Joel 2:28-32, which clearly addressed the Jews, calling upon the triune God. The scripture states, “And it will come about that whoever calls on the name of the LORD (H3068, Jehovah) Will be delivered; For on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem There will be those who escape, As the LORD (H3068) has said, Even among the survivors whom the LORD (H3068) calls.”(Joel 2:32)

We see that this was not the last days. The descent of the Holy Spirit was merely the beginning of “I will pour forth of My Spirit on all mankind.” Subsequently, it speaks of events that will occur in the last days. The Scriptures clearly indicate that dreadful things will happen then. Please read the Scriptures for yourselves; we will not elaborate further here. But for Christians: “Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. But when these things begin to take place, straighten up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”(Luke 21:27-28)

Then it speaks of the works done by Jesus of Nazareth, revealing God’s foreknowledge (G4268), knowing that “For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down My life so that I may take it again. No one has taken it away from Me, but I lay it down on My own initiative. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This commandment I received from My Father.”(John 10:17-18) 

A predetermined plan is the predestination. Thus, He was predestined to go to the cross as we see this in His answered prayer in Gethsemane (cf. Hebrews 5:7): “…yet not as I will, but as You will.”(Matthew 26:39) Thus, foreknowledge and predestination are two sides of the same coin, as the Book of Romans declares: “For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren.”(Romans 8:29)

Here it speaks only of being conformed to the Son’s image, not to His life. For no one can be conformed to His life—He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born without sin, while our lives begin with sin. At most, we can be conformed to His image. This point must be very clear. Among the seven churches in the Book of Revelation, the best was the church in Philadelphia, for the Scripture says, “…Behold, I have put before you an open door which no one can shut, …”(Revelation 3:8) From God’s perspective, “I know your deeds. …because you have a little power, …”(Revelation 3:8) Therefore, they were able to “…have kept My word, and have not denied My name.”(Revelation 3:8) This describes what humans can do from a human perspective. We must seek to please God from His perspective, just as the church in Philadelphia did.

Then comes “David says of Him,” referring on one hand to earthly matters, since it was talked about the tongue. On the other hand, it points to spiritual matters, for David died and was buried. To keep the soul (G5590) from being abandoned in Hades and not see corruption is possible only in spiritual matters. For in his time, God had shown him the path of life, knowing that seeing His face would bring perfect joy.

Then comes “The Lord said to my Lord,” quoting from the Book of Psalms: “A Psalm of David. The LORD (H3068, Jehovah says to my Lord (H113): ‘Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies Your footstool.”(Psalm 110:1) The New Testament echoes this, as in: For David himself says in the book of Psalms, ‘The Lord (Jehovah) said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand, Until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.””(Luke 20:42-43) Therefore, David’s Lord is the Lord Jesus Christ. That is to say, “but He, having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time onward until His enemies be made a footstool for His feet.”(Hebrews 10:12-13) 

These words have two aspects: one describes David’s spiritual experience, and the other, because he was a prophet, foresaw Christ’s resurrection. “Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ⁠—this Jesus whom you crucified.”(Acts 2:36) Jesus who is one of Holy Trinity was already the Christ; He did not become the Christ because He was crucified.

3. Peter preaches with the power of the Holy Spirit, leading three thousand to be baptized

“Now when they heard this, they were pierced (G2660) to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brethren, what shall we do?” Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself.” And with many other words he solemnly testified and kept on exhorting them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation!” So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls. They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.”(Acts 2:37-42)

As we stated at the outset, the disciples would receive power through the descent of the Holy Spirit, manifested in being pierced (G2660) through the heart, where the word (G2660) only appears once. Not everyone experienced this piercing, but “…that day there were added about three thousand souls. They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.”(Acts 2:41-42) The Holy Spirit Himself established Peter’s position of leadership.

Peter and Jesus were consistent in calling for repentance. Scripture says, “From that time (when John the Baptist was imprisoned) Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.””(Matthew 4:17) Then they were to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, not “…baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.” as stated in Matthew 28:19, from ‘what God tells us is consistent.’

Faith brings the indwelling Holy Spirit, which God grants to both the Jews He has called and the Gentiles from afar whom He has summoned. This does not refer to physical Jews, which is why Paul says, “For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh. But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that which is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not from men, but from God.”(Romans 2:28-29) It also speaks of that generation as crooked, but this is not only true then—it is true now as well.

4. The Jerusalem Church shared all things in common and broke bread in their homes

“Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe (G5401); and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles. And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need. Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.”(Acts 2:43-47)

Let us examine the word awe (G5401), which appears 47 times. It denotes genuine fear, which may originate from people, as in “Yet no one was speaking openly of Him for fear (G5401) of the Jews.”(John 7:13) Or in this context: “And in the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea. When the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear (G5401).” (Matthew 14:25-26) When people witnessed the apostles performing many wonders and miracles, it was natural for them to feel a sense of awe (G5401). Thus, the crowd’s fear was a natural expression of reverence toward God. This is similar to when Ananias and Sapphira deceived the Holy Spirit; as soon as it was known, they immediately died, and “And great fear (G5401) came over the whole church, and over all who heard of these things.”(Acts 5:11)

Finally, we observe the daily practices of the Jerusalem church—both in the physical temple and in private homes. Only the Jerusalem church shared everything in common; no other church is recorded to have done so. This reminds me of the kibbutz, which has a similar arrangement—translated into Chinese as ‘collective farm.’ Due to human nature, each such collective farm never has a large number of people. This is not communist collectivism where there is basically no freedom; under this arrangement, each person still retains some degree of freedom.

Please note: This article is based on the Sunday (11/30/25) topicwise Bible study. Unless otherwise specified, verses refer to those in NASB95. Past articles referenced can be found on our website, ‘https://a-christian-voice.com/‘, under ‘On spiritual understanding about life.’

3170 圣灵降临, 彼得讲道有三千人受洗, 和凡物公用 – 徒(2)1-47 (旋风著)

    首先我们谈到,耶稣复活后的第一个五旬节,圣灵降临时的情景,并看到内住的圣灵是由祂自己开创的,且门徒那时已有内住的圣灵,这时才彰显出来。第二,说到彼得在圣灵降临时的讲道,阐述了其以在约珥书预言的内容,看到了预知和预定是一体的两面,也看到他讲的话有两方面,一方面是在说大卫的属灵的遭遇,另方面因他是先知,就预先看明基督复活的事。第三知道了,带著圣灵能力的彼得讲道使三千人受洗,因为那些人觉得扎心。最后我们注意到耶路撒冷的教会凡物公用,并他们天天做的事情,看到了主将得救的人天天加给他们。

1. 耶稣复活后第一个五旬节的圣灵降临    

    「五旬节到了,门徒都聚集在一处。忽然,从天上有响声下来,好像一阵大风吹过,充满了他们所坐的屋子;又有舌头如火焰显现出来,分开落在他们各人头上。他们就都被圣灵充满,按著圣灵所赐的口才说起别国的话来。那时,有虔诚的犹太人从天下各国来,住在耶路撒冷。这声音一响,众人都来聚集。各人听见门徒用众人的乡谈说话,就甚纳闷,都惊讶希奇说:「看哪,这说话的不都是加利利人吗?我们各人怎么听见他们说我们生来所用的乡谈呢?我们帕提亚人、玛代人、以拦人,和住在美索不达米亚、犹太、加帕多家、本都、亚西亚、弗吕家、旁非利亚、埃及的人,并靠近古利奈的利比亚一带地方的人,从罗马来的客旅中,或是犹太人,或是进犹太教的人,克里特和阿拉伯人,都听见他们用我们的乡谈,讲说神的大作为。」众人就都惊讶猜疑,彼此说:「这是甚么意思呢?」还有人讥诮说:「他们无非是新酒灌满了。」」(使徒行传 2:1-13)        

    这是第一次的圣灵降临,有舌头如火焰显现出来,情景在这里说得非常清楚,并不是每一次被圣灵充满都如此,这里说的只是第一次,要知道,圣灵有绝对的主权,就如恩赐一样,「这一切都是这位圣灵所运行、随己意分给各人的。」(哥林多前书 12:11) 对不信的人,只是惊讶猜疑或是讥诮。这次的降临,好像一阵大风吹过,这使我们想到耶稣的话,「风随著意思吹,你听见风的响声,却不晓得从哪里来,往哪里去;凡从圣灵生的,也是如此。」(约翰福音 3:8)     

    我们看到这里虽然可用概括的叙述,说是从各地来的人,但这里详细记载了来这里的一些人,这样我们就不会跳过作者的原意,要我们知道的确是有各地来的人。圣经有时会用这种写法,要我们注意到该注意的事。譬如在旧约中,当会幕「用膏抹坛的日子,首领都来行奉献坛的礼,众首领就在坛前献供物。耶和华对摩西说:「众首领为行奉献坛的礼,要每天一个首领来献供物。」」(民数记 7:10-11) 献的供物是一样的,大可把供物写出,然后叙述各支派的次序就可以了,就是犹大,以萨迦,西布伦,吕便,西缅,迦得,以法莲,玛拿西,便雅悯,但,亚设,和拿弗他利。但照旧约的写法,我们看到了各支派都是一样的,也应该不会把次序弄错,当「耶和华晓谕摩西、亚伦说:「以色列人要各归自己的纛下,在本族的旗号那里,对著会幕的四围安营。」」(民数记 2:1-2) 就是一样的次序。当「…他们照耶和华借摩西所吩咐的,初次往前行。」(民数记 10:13) 除了和会幕有关的圣物外,他们行军的次序也是这样的。.        

    我们讲过,门徒因圣灵的降临就得著能力,目的是为著为主耶稣作见证,这也就是祂所应许的,「我要求父,父就另外赐给你们一位保惠师,叫他永远与你们同在,就是真理的圣灵,乃世人不能接受的,因为不见他,也不认识他;你们却认识他,因他常与你们同在,也要在你们里面。」(约翰福音 14:16-17) 这里已经说了我们会有内住的圣灵,他们也的确得著为耶稣做见证的能力,当耶稣被捕时的一般情况是,「…当下,门徒都离开他逃走了。」(马太福音 26:56) 特例是彼得没有逃跑,但在三次不认主后离开了 (参马太福音 26:69-75),在十字架前的只有约翰。        

    门徒在那里聚集,已显示他们在信心里面,所以他们那时已有内住的圣灵,等著那第一次的圣灵彰显。关于这点,圣经明讲,对信的人都有内住的圣灵,经文明说,「岂不知你们的身子就是圣灵的殿吗?这圣灵是从神而来,住在你们里头的;…」(哥林多前书 6:19) 但经验上我们知道,不是每一个说信的人都有圣灵的彰显,追求圣灵,不是要得著能力,目的是要能做祂的见证,不要本末倒置。   

    在耶稣复活后,这内住的圣灵是由祂自己开创的,经文是这样说,「耶稣又对他们说:「愿你们平安!父怎样差遣了我,我也照样差遣你们。」说了这话,就向他们吹一口气,说:「你们受圣灵。」(约翰福音 20:21-22) 祂从来都不做假动作,他们那时已有内住的圣灵,要到那个五旬节才会如所记的,第一次彰显出来。

2. 彼得在圣灵降临时的讲道       

    「彼得和十一个使徒站起,高声说:「犹太人和一切住在耶路撒冷的人哪,这件事你们当知道,也当侧耳听我的话。你们想这些人是醉了?其实不是醉了,因为时候刚到巳初。这正是先知约珥所说的:『神说:在末后的日子,我要将我的灵浇灌凡有血气的。你们的儿女要说预言(G4395);你们的少年人要见异象(3706);老年人要做异梦(G1798 G1797)。在那些日子,我要将我的灵浇灌我的仆人和使女,他们就要说预言。在天上我要显出奇事(G5059),在地下我要显出神迹(G4592, signs),有血,有火,有烟雾。日头要变为黑暗,月亮要变为血;这都在主大而明显的日子未到以前。到那时候,凡求告主名的,就必得救。』「以色列人哪,请听我的话:神借著拿撒勒人耶稣在你们中间施行异能(G1411)、奇事(G5059)、神迹(G4592),将他证明出来,这是你们自己知道的。他既按著神的定旨(G3724 G1012)、先见(G4268, foreknowledge)被交与人,你们就借著无法之人的手,把他钉在十字架上杀了。神却将死的痛苦解释了,叫他复活,因为他原不能被死拘禁。大卫指著他说:『我看见主常在我眼前,他在我右边,叫我不至于摇动。所以我心里欢喜,我的灵(G1100, tongue, 舌头)快乐;并且我的肉身要安居在指望中。因你必不将我的(灵)魂(G5590)撇在阴间,也不叫你的圣者见朽坏。你已将生命的道路指示我,必叫我因见你的面,得著满足的快乐。』「弟兄们,先祖大卫的事,我可以明明地对你们说,他死了,也葬埋了,并且他的坟墓直到今日还在我们这里。大卫既是先知,又晓得神曾向他起誓,要从他的后裔中立一位坐在他的宝座上,就预先看明这事,讲论基督复活说:『他的(灵)魂(G5590)不撇在阴间,他的肉身也不见朽坏。』这耶稣,神已经叫他复活了,我们都为这事作见证。他既被神的右手高举,又从父受了所应许的圣灵,就把你们所看见、所听见的浇灌下来。大卫并没有升到天上,但自己说:『主(父神)对我主(耶稣)说:你坐在我的右边,等我使你仇敌作你的脚凳。』「故此,以色列全家当确实地知道,你们钉在十字架上的这位耶稣,神已经立他为主,为基督了。」」(使徒行传 2:14-36) 请注意,神迹的原文是做记号的意思,就是指神迹的发生都是要带出某些讯息的表记,不要只看表面的神迹,要知道那神迹带出来的讯息。        

    我们看到首先讲话的是彼得,他是带头的,讲的话语是相当长,我们就一段一段的看。首先从他的话语中,显然巳初不是喝酒的时间,才约早上九点呢 !  他基本上引用了先知约珥在约珥书 2:28-32 的预言,其中对犹太人很清楚的说,是在求那三位一体的神,经文说,「到那时候,凡求告耶和华名的就必得救;因为照耶和华所说的,在锡安山,耶路撒冷必有逃脱的人,在剩下的人中,必有耶和华所召的。」(约珥书 2:32)       

    我们看到那时并不是末后的日子,圣灵的降临祗是「我要将我的灵浇灌凡有血气的」的开始,其后则说到了末后的日子将会发生的事情,看经文就知道那时是会有些可怕的事将发生,请自己看经文,我们就不多说这些,但基督徒「那时,他们要看见人子有能力,有大荣耀驾云降临。一有这些事,你们就当挺身昂首,因为你们得赎的日子近了。」(路加福音 21:27-28)        

    然后说到了拿撒勒人耶稣所作的事,看到了神的预知(先见, G4268, foreknowledge),知道「我父爱我,因我将命舍去,好再取回来。没有人夺我的命去,是我自己舍的。我有权柄舍了,也有权柄取回来,这是我从我父所受的命令。」(约翰福音 10:17-18) 所以衪是预定要上十字架的,我们可从祂在客西马尼园被应允的祷告(参希伯来书 5:7)中看到这点,「…然而,不要照我的意思,只要照你的意思。」(马太福音 26:39) 所以预知和预定是一体的两面,如罗马书所说,「因为他预先所知道的人,就预先定下效法(模成, be conformed)他儿子的模样(形像, image),使他儿子在许多弟兄中作长子。」(罗马书 8:29)     

    这里只是说模成儿子的形像,而不是说模成儿子的生命,因为没有人会模成祂的生命,祂是圣灵感孕而生,从无罪开始,而我们的生命都是带著罪开始,最多只能模成祂的形像,这一点要非常清楚。在启示录中的七个教会中最好的是非拉铁非教会,因为经文说,「…看哪,我在你面前给你一个敞开的门,是无人能关的。」(启示录 3:8) 从神的角度看,「我知道你的行为,你略有一点力量,…」(启示录 3:8) 所以他们能「…也曾遵守我的道,没有弃绝我的名。…」(启示录 3:8) 这是从人的角度看人能够做的,我们是要从神的角度看讨神的喜悦,就像非拉铁非教会做的一样。      

    然后是「大卫指著祂说」,一方面是属世的事,因用的是舌头,不是灵。另方面这是指属灵的事,因为大卫死了也葬埋了,要能将魂(G5590)不撇在阴间,也不叫见朽坏,只有是在属灵的事上。因在他的时代,祂已将生命的道路指示他,知道必因见祂的面,得著满足的快乐。      

    接著为 「主对我主说」,是引用了诗篇的话,「耶和华(H3068, Jehovah)对我主(H113)说:「你坐在我的右边,等我使你仇敌作你的脚凳。」」(诗篇 110:1) 在新约也是一致的这样说,如「诗篇上大卫自己说:『主(耶和华)对我主说:你坐在我的右边,等我使你仇敌作你的脚凳。』」(路加福音 20:42-43) 所以大卫的主是主耶稣基督,也就是说,「但基督献了一次永远的赎罪祭,就在神的右边坐下了。从此等候他仇敌成了他的脚凳。」(希伯来书 10:12-13)        

    所以这些话有两个方面,一方面是在说大卫属灵的遭遇,另方面因他是先知,就预先看明基督复活的事。「故此,以色列全家当确实地知道,你们钉在十字架上的这位耶稣,神已经立他为主,为基督了。」(使徒行传 2:36) 祂本来就是基督,不是因为钉上十字架而变为基督。

3. 带著圣灵能力的彼得讲道使三千人受洗       

    「众人听见这话,觉得扎心(G2660),就对彼得和其余的使徒说:「弟兄们,我们当怎样行?」彼得说:「你们各人要悔改(G3340),奉耶稣基督的名受洗,叫你们的罪得赦,就必领受所赐的圣灵。因为这应许是给你们和你们的儿女,并一切在远方的人,就是主我们神所召来的。」彼得还用许多话作见证,劝勉他们说:「你们当救自己脱离这弯曲的世代。」于是,领受他话的人就受了洗。那一天,门徒约添了三千人,都恒心遵守使徒的教训,彼此交接,擘饼,祈祷。」(使徒行传 2:37-42)     

    我们一开始就讲过,门徒会因圣灵的降临得著能力,这在祇出现一次的扎心(G2660)中表现出来,并不是每一个人都会扎心,但「…那一天,门徒约添了三千人,都恒心遵守使徒的教训,彼此交接,擘饼,祈祷。」(使徒行传 2:41-42) 圣灵亲自奠定了彼得带领的地位。        

    彼得和耶稣是一致的说要悔改,经文说,「从那时候(施洗约翰下了监时),耶稣就传起道来,说:「天国近了,你们应当悔改!」」(马太福音 4:17) 然后要奉耶稣基督的名受洗,不是「…奉父、子、圣灵的名给他们施洗。」(马太福音 28:19) 信而会有内住的圣灵,这是神赐给召的犹太人和神召来的远方外邦人的,这不是指肉体上的犹太人,所以保罗会说,「因为外面作犹太人的,不是真犹太人;外面肉身的割礼,也不是真割礼。惟有里面作的,才是真犹太人;真割礼也是心里的,在乎灵,不在乎仪文。这人的称赞不是从人来的,乃是从神来的。」(罗马书 2:28-29) 也说到当时是弯曲的世代,但不只是在当时,现在也是如此。

4. 耶路撒冷的教会凡物公用并在家中擘饼       

    「众人都惧怕(G5401)。使徒又行了许多奇事、神迹。信的人都在一处,凡物公用;并且卖了田产、家业,照各人所需用的分给各人。他们天天同心合意恒切地在殿里,且在家中擘饼,存著欢喜、诚实的心用饭,赞美神,得众民的喜爱。主将得救的人天天加给他们。」(使徒行传 2:43-47)       

    我们来看惧怕(G5401)这字,这字出现 47 次,是真实的惧怕,可以由人而来,如「只是没有人明明地讲论他,因为怕(G5401)犹太人。」(约翰福音 7:13) 或是在这种的情况下,「夜里四更天,耶稣在海面上走,往门徒那里去。门徒看见他在海面上走,就惊慌了,说:「是个鬼怪!」便害怕(G5401),喊叫起来。」(马太福音 14:25-26) 人们看到使徒行了许多奇事、神迹,难免有害怕(G5401)的反应,所以众人惧怕是自然的敬畏神的自然反应,这就犹如亚拿尼亚夫妇欺哄圣灵时,一知道就立刻断了气,「全教会和听见这事的人都甚惧怕(G5401)。」(使徒行传 5:11)        

    最后我们看到耶路撒冷教会,天天在有形的殿里和家中做的事。只有耶路撒冷的教会是凡物公用,没有听说过别的教会是这样做的。但这使我想到了基布兹(kibbutz),有类似的安排,这就是中文翻译叫做集体农场的,因为人的本性,每一个这样的集体农场人数不会很多。这不是共产的集权主义,在这种安排下,每个人还是有些自由度的。

请注意,这文章是基于周日(11/30/25)的专题查经,经文除了特别注明外,是基于和合本,所引用过去的文章,在我们的网站,『 https://a-christian-voice.com/ 』,按『对属灵生命的了解』,就可以找到。

2170 聖靈降臨, 彼得講道有三千人受洗, 和凡物公用 – 徒(2)1-47 (旋風著)

       首先我們談到,耶穌復活後的第一個五旬節,聖靈降臨時的情景,並看到內住的聖靈是由祂自己開創的,且門徒那時已有內住的聖靈,這時才彰顯出來。第二,說到彼得在聖靈降臨時的講道,闡述了其以在約珥書預言的內容,看到了預知和預定是一體的兩面,也看到他講的話有兩方面,一方面是在說大衞的屬靈的遭遇,另方面因他是先知,就預先看明基督復活的事。第三知道了,帶著聖靈能力的彼得講道使三千人受洗,因為那些人覺得扎心。最後我們注意到耶路撒冷的教會凡物公用,並他們天天做的事情,看到了主將得救的人天天加給他們。

1. 耶穌復活後第一個五旬節的聖靈降臨

       「五旬節到了,門徒都聚集在一處。忽然,從天上有響聲下來,好像一陣大風吹過,充滿了他們所坐的屋子;又有舌頭如火焰顯現出來,分開落在他們各人頭上。他們就都被聖靈充滿,按着聖靈所賜的口才說起別國的話來。那時,有虔誠的猶太人從天下各國來,住在耶路撒冷。這聲音一響,眾人都來聚集。各人聽見門徒用眾人的鄉談說話,就甚納悶,都驚訝希奇說:「看哪,這說話的不都是加利利人嗎?我們各人怎麼聽見他們說我們生來所用的鄉談呢?我們帕提亞人、瑪代人、以攔人,和住在美索不達米亞、猶太、加帕多家、本都、亞西亞、弗呂家、旁非利亞、埃及的人,並靠近古利奈的利比亞一帶地方的人,從羅馬來的客旅中,或是猶太人,或是進猶太教的人,克里特和阿拉伯人,都聽見他們用我們的鄉談,講說神的大作為。」眾人就都驚訝猜疑,彼此說:「這是甚麼意思呢?」還有人譏誚說:「他們無非是新酒灌滿了。」」(使徒行傳 2:1-13)

        這是第一次的聖靈降臨,有舌頭如火焰顯現出來,情景在這裏說得非常清楚,並不是每一次被聖靈充滿都如此,這裏說的衹是第一次,要知道,聖靈有絕對的主權,就如恩賜一樣,「這一切都是這位聖靈所運行、隨己意分給各人的。」(哥林多前書 12:11) 對不信的人,衹是驚訝猜疑或是譏誚。這次的降臨,好像一陣大風吹過,這使我們想到耶穌的話,「風隨着意思吹,你聽見風的響聲,卻不曉得從哪裏來,往哪裏去;凡從聖靈生的,也是如此。」(約翰福音 3:8) 

     我們看到這裏雖然可用概括的敍述,說是從各地來的人,但這裡詳細記載了來這裡的一些人,這樣我們就不會跳過作者的原意,要我們知道的確是有各地來的人。聖經有時會用這種寫法,要我們注意到該注意的事。譬如在舊約中,當會幕「用膏抹壇的日子,首領都來行奉獻壇的禮,眾首領就在壇前獻供物。耶和華對摩西說:「眾首領為行奉獻壇的禮,要每天一個首領來獻供物。」」(民數記 7:10-11) 獻的供物是一樣的,大可把供物寫出,然後敍述各支派的次序就可以了,就是猶大,以薩迦,西布倫,呂便,西緬,迦得,以法蓮,瑪拿西,便雅憫,但,亞設,和拿弗他利。但照舊約的寫法,我們看到了各支派都是一樣的,也應該不會把次序弄錯,當「耶和華曉諭摩西、亞倫說:「以色列人要各歸自己的纛下,在本族的旗號那裏,對着會幕的四圍安營。」」(民數記 2:1-2) 就是一樣的次序。當「…他們照耶和華藉摩西所吩咐的,初次往前行。」(民數記 10:13) 除了和會幕有關的聖物外,他們行軍的次序也是這樣的。.

        我們講過,門徒因聖靈的降臨就得著能力,目的是為著為主耶穌作見證,這也就是祂所應許的,「我要求父,父就另外賜給你們一位保惠師,叫他永遠與你們同在,就是真理的聖靈,乃世人不能接受的,因為不見他,也不認識他;你們卻認識他,因他常與你們同在,也要在你們裏面。」(約翰福音 14:16-17) 這裡已經說了我們會有內住的聖靈,他們也的確得著為耶穌做見証的能力,當耶穌被捕時的一般情況是,「…當下,門徒都離開他逃走了。」(馬太福音 26:56) 特例是彼得沒有逃跑,但在三次不認主後離開了 (參馬太福音 26:69-75),在十字架前的衹有約翰。

        門徒在那裏聚集,已顯示他們在信心裏面,所以他們那時已有內住的聖靈,等著那第一次的聖靈彰顯。關於這點,聖經明講,對信的人都有內住的聖靈,經文明說,「豈不知你們的身子就是聖靈的殿嗎?這聖靈是從神而來,住在你們裏頭的;…」(哥林多前書 6:19) 但經驗上我們知道,不是每一個說信的人都有聖靈的彰顯,追求聖靈,不是要得著能力,目的是要能做祂的見證,不要本末倒置。

     在耶穌復活後,這內住的聖靈是由祂自己開創的,經文是這樣說,「耶穌又對他們說:「願你們平安!父怎樣差遣了我,我也照樣差遣你們。」說了這話,就向他們吹一口氣,說:「你們受聖靈。」(約翰福音 20:21-22) 祂從來都不做假動作,他們那時已有內住的聖靈,要到那個五旬節才會如所記的,第一次彰顯出來。

2. 彼得在聖靈降臨時的講道

       「彼得和十一個使徒站起,高聲說:「猶太人和一切住在耶路撒冷的人哪,這件事你們當知道,也當側耳聽我的話。你們想這些人是醉了?其實不是醉了,因為時候剛到巳初。這正是先知約珥所說的:『神說:在末後的日子,我要將我的靈澆灌凡有血氣的。你們的兒女要說預言(G4395);你們的少年人要見異象(3706);老年人要做異夢(G1798 G1797)。在那些日子,我要將我的靈澆灌我的僕人和使女,他們就要說預言。在天上我要顯出奇事(G5059),在地下我要顯出神蹟(G4592, signs),有血,有火,有煙霧。日頭要變為黑暗,月亮要變為血;這都在主大而明顯的日子未到以前。到那時候,凡求告主名的,就必得救。』「以色列人哪,請聽我的話:神藉着拿撒勒人耶穌在你們中間施行異能(G1411)、奇事(G5059)、神蹟(G4592),將他證明出來,這是你們自己知道的。他既按着神的定旨(G3724 G1012)、先見(G4268, foreknowledge)被交與人,你們就藉着無法之人的手,把他釘在十字架上殺了。神卻將死的痛苦解釋了,叫他復活,因為他原不能被死拘禁。大衞指着他說:『我看見主常在我眼前,他在我右邊,叫我不至於搖動。所以我心裏歡喜,我的靈(G1100, tongue, 舌頭)快樂;並且我的肉身要安居在指望中。因你必不將我的(靈)魂(G5590)撇在陰間,也不叫你的聖者見朽壞。你已將生命的道路指示我,必叫我因見你的面,得着滿足的快樂。』「弟兄們,先祖大衞的事,我可以明明地對你們說,他死了,也葬埋了,並且他的墳墓直到今日還在我們這裏。大衞既是先知,又曉得神曾向他起誓,要從他的後裔中立一位坐在他的寶座上,就預先看明這事,講論基督復活說:『他的(靈)魂(G5590)不撇在陰間,他的肉身也不見朽壞。』這耶穌,神已經叫他復活了,我們都為這事作見證。他既被神的右手高舉,又從父受了所應許的聖靈,就把你們所看見、所聽見的澆灌下來。大衞並沒有升到天上,但自己說:『主(父神)對我主(耶穌)說:你坐在我的右邊,等我使你仇敵作你的腳凳。』「故此,以色列全家當確實地知道,你們釘在十字架上的這位耶穌,神已經立他為主,為基督了。」」(使徒行傳 2:14-36) 請注意,神蹟的原文是做記號的意思,就是指神蹟的發生都是要帶出某些訊息的表記,不要衹看表面的神蹟,要知道那神蹟帶出來的訊息。

        我們看到首先講話的是彼得,他是帶頭的,講的話語是相當長,我們就一段一段的看。首先從他的話語中,顯然巳初不是喝酒的時間,才約早上九點呢 !  他基本上引用了先知約珥在約珥書 2:28-32 的預言,其中對猶太人很清楚的説,是在求那三位一體的神,經文說,「到那時候,凡求告耶和華名的就必得救;因為照耶和華所說的,在錫安山,耶路撒冷必有逃脫的人,在剩下的人中,必有耶和華所召的。」(約珥書 2:32)

        我們看到那時並不是末後的日子,聖靈的降臨祗是「我要將我的靈澆灌凡有血氣的」的開始,其後則說到了末後的日子將會發生的事情,看經文就知道那時是會有些可怕的事將發生,請自己看經文,我們就不多說這些,但基督徒「那時,他們要看見人子有能力,有大榮耀駕雲降臨。一有這些事,你們就當挺身昂首,因為你們得贖的日子近了。」(路加福音 21:27-28)

        然後說到了拿撒勒人耶穌所作的事,看到了神的預知(先見, G4268, foreknowledge),知道「我父愛我,因我將命捨去,好再取回來。沒有人奪我的命去,是我自己捨的。我有權柄捨了,也有權柄取回來,這是我從我父所受的命令。」(約翰福音 10:17-18) 所以衪是預定要上十字架的,我們可從祂在客西馬尼園被應允的禱告(參希伯來書 5:7)中看到這點,「…然而,不要照我的意思,只要照你的意思。」(馬太福音 26:39) 所以預知和預定是一體的兩面,如羅馬書所說,「因為他預先所知道的人,就預先定下效法(模成, be conformed)他兒子的模樣(形像, image),使他兒子在許多弟兄中作長子。」(羅馬書 8:29)

     這裏衹是說模成兒子的形像,而不是說模成兒子的生命,因為沒有人會模成祂的生命,祂是聖靈感孕而生,從無罪開始,而我們的生命都是帶著罪開始,最多衹能模成祂的形像,這一點要非常清楚。在啓示錄中的七個教會中最好的是非拉鐵非教會,因為經文說,「…看哪,我在你面前給你一個敞開的門,是無人能關的。」(啓示錄 3:8) 從神的角度看,「我知道你的行為,你略有一點力量,…」(啓示錄 3:8) 所以他們能「…也曾遵守我的道,沒有棄絕我的名。…」(啓示錄 3:8) 這是從人的角度看人能夠做的,我們是要從神的角度看討神的喜悅,就像非拉鐵非教會做的一樣。

      然後是「大衞指着祂說」,一方面是屬世的事,因用的是舌頭,不是靈。另方面這是指屬靈的事,因為大衞死了也葬埋了,要能將魂(G5590)不撇在陰間,也不叫見朽壞,衹有是在屬靈的事上。因在他的時代,祂已將生命的道路指示他,知道必因見祂的面,得着滿足的快樂。

      接著為 「主對我主說」,是引用了詩篇的話,「耶和華(H3068, Jehovah)對我主(H113)說:「你坐在我的右邊,等我使你仇敵作你的腳凳。」」(詩篇 110:1) 在新約也是一致的這樣說,如「詩篇上大衞自己說:『主(耶和華)對我主說:你坐在我的右邊,等我使你仇敵作你的腳凳。』」(路加福音 20:42-43) 所以大衞的主是主耶穌基督,也就是說,「但基督獻了一次永遠的贖罪祭,就在神的右邊坐下了。從此等候他仇敵成了他的腳凳。」(希伯來書 10:12-13) 

        所以這些話有兩個方面,一方面是在說大衞屬靈的遭遇,另方面因他是先知,就預先看明基督復活的事。「故此,以色列全家當確實地知道,你們釘在十字架上的這位耶穌,神已經立他為主,為基督了。」(使徒行傳 2:36) 祂本來就是基督,不是因為釘上十字架而變為基督。

3. 帶著聖靈能力的彼得講道使三千人受洗

       「眾人聽見這話,覺得扎心(G2660),就對彼得和其餘的使徒說:「弟兄們,我們當怎樣行?」彼得說:「你們各人要悔改(G3340),奉耶穌基督的名受洗,叫你們的罪得赦,就必領受所賜的聖靈。因為這應許是給你們和你們的兒女,並一切在遠方的人,就是主我們神所召來的。」彼得還用許多話作見證,勸勉他們說:「你們當救自己脫離這彎曲的世代。」於是,領受他話的人就受了洗。那一天,門徒約添了三千人,都恆心遵守使徒的教訓,彼此交接,擘餅,祈禱。」(使徒行傳 2:37-42)

        我們一開始就講過,門徒會因聖靈的降臨得著能力,這在祇出現一次的扎心(G2660)中表現出來,並不是每一個人都會扎心,但「…那一天,門徒約添了三千人,都恆心遵守使徒的教訓,彼此交接,擘餅,祈禱。」(使徒行傳 2:41-42) 聖靈親自奠定了彼得帶領的地位。

        彼得和耶穌是一致的說要悔改,經文說,「從那時候(施洗約翰下了監時),耶穌就傳起道來,說:「天國近了,你們應當悔改!」」(馬太福音 4:17) 然後要奉耶穌基督的名受洗,不是「…奉父、子、聖靈的名給他們施洗。」(馬太福音 28:19) 信而會有內住的聖靈,這是神賜給召的猶太人和神召來的遠方外邦人的,這不是指肉體上的猶太人,所以保羅會說,「因為外面作猶太人的,不是真猶太人;外面肉身的割禮,也不是真割禮。惟有裏面作的,才是真猶太人;真割禮也是心裏的,在乎靈,不在乎儀文。這人的稱讚不是從人來的,乃是從神來的。」(羅馬書 2:28-29) 也說到當時是彎曲的世代,但不衹是在當時,現在也是如此。

4. 耶路撒冷的教會凡物公用並在家中擘餅

       「眾人都懼怕(G5401)。使徒又行了許多奇事、神蹟。信的人都在一處,凡物公用;並且賣了田產、家業,照各人所需用的分給各人。他們天天同心合意恆切地在殿裏,且在家中擘餅,存着歡喜、誠實的心用飯,讚美神,得眾民的喜愛。主將得救的人天天加給他們。」(使徒行傳 2:43-47)

        我們來看懼怕(G5401)這字,這字出現 47 次,是真實的懼怕,可以由人而來,如「只是沒有人明明地講論他,因為怕(G5401)猶太人。」(約翰福音 7:13) 或是在這種的情況下,「夜裏四更天,耶穌在海面上走,往門徒那裏去。門徒看見他在海面上走,就驚慌了,說:「是個鬼怪!」便害怕(G5401),喊叫起來。」(馬太福音 14:25-26) 人們看到使徒行了許多奇事、神蹟,難免有害怕(G5401)的反應,所以衆人懼怕是自然的敬畏神的自然反應,這就猶如亞拿尼亞夫婦欺哄聖靈時,一知道就立刻斷了氣,「全教會和聽見這事的人都甚懼怕(G5401)。」(使徒行傳 5:11)

        最後我們看到耶路撒冷教會,天天在有形的殿裏和家中做的事。衹有耶路撒冷的教會是凡物公用,沒有聽說過別的教會是這樣做的。但這使我想到了基布茲(kibbutz),有類似的安排,這就是中文翻譯叫做集體農場的,因為人的本性,每一個這樣的集體農場人數不會很多。這不是共產的集權主義,在這種安排下,每個人還是有些自由度的。

     請注意,這文章是基於週日(11/30/25)的專題查經,經文除了特別註明外,是基於和合本,所引用過去的文章,在我們的網站,『 https://a-christian-voice.com/ 』,按『對屬靈生命的瞭解』,就可以找到。

3169 耶稣复活及升天, 祷告, 和犹大及其取代者 – 徒(1)1-26 (旋风著)

    首先我们谈到耶稣复活四十天发生的事及其升天,看到了使徒行传是照事情的次序写的,引用了过去的讨论。第二是讲到五旬节前的门徒楼房祷告,从参加的人中,可看到耶稣复活后祂的兄弟都信了。第三是首先看卖主犹大的结局,接著讨论从人的角度看,他的取代者该有的资格。最后讨论了那摇签出来的马提亚被人选为第十二使徒,讨论了主耶稣的旨意究竟是什么。请注意,这文章是基于周日(11/23/25)的专题查经,经文除了特别注明外,是基于和合本,所引用过去的文章,在我们的网站,『 https://a-christian-voice.com/ 』,按『对属灵生命的了解』,就可以找到。

1. 耶稣复活四十天发生的事及其升天     

    「提阿非罗啊,我已经作了前书,论到耶稣开头一切所行所教训的,直到他借著圣灵吩咐所拣选的使徒,以后被接上升的日子为止。他受害之后,用许多的凭据将自己活活地显给使徒看,四十天之久向他们显现,讲说神国的事。耶稣和他们聚集的时候,嘱咐他们说:「不要离开耶路撒冷,要等候父所应许的,就是你们听见我说过的。约翰是用水施洗,但不多几日,你们要受圣灵的洗。」他们聚集的时候,问耶稣说:「主啊,你复兴以色列国就在这时候吗?」耶稣对他们说:「父凭著自己的权柄所定的时候、日期,不是你们可以知道的。但圣灵降临在你们身上,你们就必得著能力;并要在耶路撒冷、犹太全地和撒马利亚,直到地极,作我的见证。」说了这话,他们正看的时候,他就被取上升,有一朵云彩把他接去,便看不见他了。当他往上去,他们定睛望天的时候,忽然有两个人身穿白衣,站在旁边,说:「加利利人哪,你们为甚么站著望天呢?这离开你们被接升天的耶稣,你们见他怎样往天上去,他还要怎样来。」」(使徒行传 1:1-11)         

    我们注意到,提阿非罗是什么人并不重要,这是圣经没有明讲的原因,因为圣经是神所默示的,既然神认为我们并没有必要知道,为什么不能尊重神,而一定要猜呢?我们要知道的譬如是,圣灵的降临在门徒身上。他们就得著能力,目的是为著为主耶稣作见证。    

    我们知道前书是指路加福音,其中说,「这些事我既从起头都详细考察了,就定意要按著次序写给你。」(路加福音 1:3) 这次序是指事情的次序而不是指事件发生的次序。譬如说,耶稣在旷野受试探是发生在祂受洗之后这件事情,对观符音的记载都是相同的,但各别事件记载的次序在马太福音 4:1-11和路加福音 4:1-13 是不相同的,以前在「3046 耶稣的家谱和受试探及争议 – 耶稣的形像 (1)」我们详细的讨论过这问题,请找到这篇文章。因使徒行传是后书,所以也是照事情的次序写的。        

    在这里,耶稣很清楚的告诉他们不要离开耶路撒冷的原因,等候圣灵的降临,这也说明了为什么他会阻挡去以马忤斯的两门徒,让他们回耶路撤冷 (参路加福音 24:13-35) 。 的确是,「这天国的福音要传遍天下,对万民作见证,然后末期(G5056)才来到。」(马太福音 24:14) 我们以后会讲到末期这字和一些相应的经文,因为相当长,这次就不多谈了。        

    关于复兴以色列国的事,圣经的确没有明讲,但我们可以从保罗的话看些端倪。他这样说,「弟兄们,我不愿意你们不知道这奥秘(恐怕你们自以为聪明):就是以色列人有几分是硬心的,等到外邦人的数目添满了,于是以色列全家都要得救。如经上所记:「必有一位救主从锡安出来,要消除雅各家的一切罪恶。」」(罗马书 11:25-26) 外邦人的得赎是在以色列之先,我们不知道何时外邦人的数目会添满,但已是在末期了。        

    当「耶稣在橄榄山上坐著,门徒暗暗地来说:「请告诉我们,甚么时候有这些事?你降临和世界的末了,有甚么预兆呢?」」(马太福音 24:3)时,祂说,「但那日子、那时辰,没有人知道,连天上的使者也不知道,子也不知道,惟独父知道。」(马太福音 24:36) 那是祂道成肉身时。现在我们看到复活后的「耶稣对他们说:「父凭著自己的权柄所定的时候、日期,不是你们可以知道的。」」(使徒行传 1:7) 祂只是说,你们不知道,祂却是知道,因祂现在是三位一体的神中的一位,衪在十字架上死时,已将灵交付神了 (参约翰福音 19:30)。        

    耶稣的复活是在周日,衪显给使徒看有四十天之久,所以祂的升天时间是在周四。祂升天的地点很清楚的是在橄榄山,当路加福音说,「耶稣领他们到伯大尼的对面,就举手给他们祝福。正祝福的时候,他就离开他们,被带到天上去了。」(路加福音 24:50-51) 这是因为「…伯大尼,在橄榄山那里。…」(马可福音 11:1)        

    就像这里所说的,祂升天时是云彩把他接去,祂也会驾著天上的云降临,正如祂在被大祭司审判时所说的一样,「…大祭司对他说:「我指著永生神叫你起誓告诉我们,你是神的儿子基督不是?」耶稣对他说:「你说的是。然而,我告诉你们:后来你们要看见人子坐在那权能者的右边,驾著天上的云降临。」」(马太福音 26:63-64) 这是一个例子可以说明,「神借著圣经告诉我们是一致的」。

2. 五旬节前的门徒楼房祷告       

    「有一座山,名叫橄榄山,离耶路撒冷不远,约有安息日可走的路程。当下,门徒从那里回耶路撒冷去,进了城,就上了所住的一间楼房。在那里有彼得、约翰、雅各、安得烈、腓力、多马、巴多罗买、马太、亚勒腓的儿子雅各、奋锐党的西门和雅各的儿子犹大。这些人同著几个妇人和耶稣的母亲马利亚,并耶稣的弟兄,都同心合意地恒切祷告。」(使徒行传 1:12-14)       

    圣经没有明讲为什么这里特别提到橄榄山,大概是他们在记念主,「…因为耶稣和门徒屡次上那里去聚集。」(约翰福音 18:2) 而且在被卖前,「耶稣每日在殿里教训人,每夜出城在一座山,名叫橄榄山住宿。」(路加福音 21:37) 祂也是在橄榄山的客西马尼园被卖的。 (参约翰福音 18:1-3)       

    我们看到祷告的人包括了十一个使徒和耶稣的母亲,及未署名的几个妇人,有人可能会猜是在十字架前的那几人,既然神认为她们是谁不重要,尊重神,就不必乱猜了。另外祂的兄弟是原先不信祂的,经文说得很清楚,「因为连他的弟兄说这话,是因为不信他。」(约翰福音 7:5) 耶稣复活后,他们都信了。

3.  卖主犹大的结局和从人的角度看他的取代者资格      

    「那时,有许多人聚会,约有一百二十名,彼得就在弟兄中间站起来,说:「弟兄们,圣灵借大卫的口,在圣经上预言领人捉拿耶稣的犹大,这话是必须应验的。他本来列在我们数中,并且在使徒的职任上得了一分。「这人用他作恶的工价买了一块田,以后身子仆倒,肚腹崩裂,肠子都流出来。住在耶路撒冷的众人都知道这事,所以按著他们那里的话给那块田起名叫亚革大马,就是血田的意思。因为诗篇上写著说:『愿他的住处变为荒场,无人在内居住。』 又说:『愿别人得他的职分。』所以主耶稣在我们中间始终出入的时候,就是从约翰施洗起,直到主离开我们被接上升的日子为止,必须从那常与我们作伴的人中,立一位与我们同作耶稣复活的见证。」」(使徒行传 1:15-22)       

    我们先看卖主的犹大是怎么死的?经文明说,「犹大就把那银钱丢在殿里,出去吊死了。」(马太福音 27:5) 这好像和这里的鈙述矛盾,网上就给出了很合理的解释,说这里并没有说犹大是身子仆倒跌死的,所以他是吊死后一段长时间后才被发觉,那时身体已腐败,最后绳子段了,落下来身子仆倒如这里所说的情景。至于这儿是说犹大买了那地,似乎和这经文冲突,「祭司长拾起银钱来说:「这是血价,不可放在库里。」他们商议,就用那银钱买了窰户的一块田,为要埋葬外乡人。」(马太福音 27:6-7) 所以到底是谁买了那块地?解释是说,犹大已知道会有那进账,就预先订下了那地,祭司长是实际买地的那人。顺便一提的是,「让圣灵带领查经」不是不能看网上的资料,只是要分辩,有时需要找的事,正好那网站就出来了。       

    这里也说了从人的角度最好的选择标准,就是「…主耶稣在我们中间始终出入的时候,…立一位与我们同作耶稣复活的见证。」(使徒行传 1:21-22) 即使如此,等会我们  会看到还是有两人符合这条件。只好抽签决定。我们也看到彼得解释了诗篇的话,「…愿别人得他的职分。」(诗篇 109:8) 可是我们等下就会看到这只是他个人的看见,虽然众人同意他,但这并不是圣灵的意思,因为圣灵不会和主耶稣的旨意相抵触。

4. 摇签出来的马提亚被人选为第十二使徒       

    「于是选举两个人,就是那叫做巴撒巴,又称呼犹士都的约瑟和马提亚。众人就祷告说:「主啊,你知道万人的心。求你从这两个人中,指明你所拣选的是谁,叫他得这使徒的位分。这位分犹大已经丢弃,往自己的地方去了。」于是众人为他们摇签,摇出马提亚来,他就和十一个使徒同列。」(使徒行传 1:23-26)        

    我们看到马提亚是摇签出来的,不是羔羊直接选的使徒。是的,他们在摇签前也祷告过,但没有说他们的祷告被应允,而被应允的新约祷告是会被记录的,如「基督在肉体的时候既大声哀哭,流泪祷告,恳求那能救他免死的主,就因他的虔诚蒙了应允。」(希伯来书 5:7)        

    那么主耶稣的旨意究竟是什么呢?祂复活后亲自在大光中选取了保罗并付于他使命 (参使徒行传 22:1-21)。我们也看到使命就是,「…主托我传福音给那未受割礼的人,正如托彼得传福音给那受割礼的人。(那感动彼得叫他为受割礼之人作使徒的,也感动我,叫我为外邦人作使徒。)」(加拉太书 2:7-8) 这也就说明了前述的诗篇解释,只是从人的角度来的众人的看见,因为和主的旨意不和。所以新耶路撒冷的「城墙有十二根基,根基上有羔羊十二使徒的名字。」(启示录 21:14) 是保罗的名字在上面,而不是马提亚。

2169 耶穌復活及升天, 禱告, 和猶大及其取代者 – 徒(1)1-26 (旋風著)

        首先我們談到耶穌復活四十天發生的事及其升天,看到了使徒行傳是照事情的次序寫的,引用了過去的討論。第二是講到五旬節前的門徒樓房禱告,從參加的人中,可看到耶穌復活後祂的兄弟都信了。第三是首先看賣主猶大的結局,接著討論從人的角度看,他的取代者該有的資格。最後討論了那搖籤出來的馬提亞被人選為第十二使徒,討論了主耶穌的旨意究竟是什麼。請注意,這文章是基於週日(11/23/25)的專題查經,經文除了特別註明外,是基於和合本,所引用過去的文章,在我們的網站,『 https://a-christian-voice.com/ 』,按『對屬靈生命的瞭解』,就可以找到。

1. 耶穌復活四十天發生的事及其升天

       「提阿非羅啊,我已經作了前書,論到耶穌開頭一切所行所教訓的,直到他藉着聖靈吩咐所揀選的使徒,以後被接上升的日子為止。他受害之後,用許多的憑據將自己活活地顯給使徒看,四十天之久向他們顯現,講說神國的事。耶穌和他們聚集的時候,囑咐他們說:「不要離開耶路撒冷,要等候父所應許的,就是你們聽見我說過的。約翰是用水施洗,但不多幾日,你們要受聖靈的洗。」他們聚集的時候,問耶穌說:「主啊,你復興以色列國就在這時候嗎?」耶穌對他們說:「父憑着自己的權柄所定的時候、日期,不是你們可以知道的。但聖靈降臨在你們身上,你們就必得着能力;並要在耶路撒冷、猶太全地和撒馬利亞,直到地極,作我的見證。」說了這話,他們正看的時候,他就被取上升,有一朵雲彩把他接去,便看不見他了。當他往上去,他們定睛望天的時候,忽然有兩個人身穿白衣,站在旁邊,說:「加利利人哪,你們為甚麼站着望天呢?這離開你們被接升天的耶穌,你們見他怎樣往天上去,他還要怎樣來。」」(使徒行傳 1:1-11)

     我們注意到,提阿非羅是什麼人並不重要,這是聖經沒有明講的原因,因為聖經是神所默示的,既然神認為我們並沒有必要知道,為什麼不能尊重神,而一定要猜呢?我們要知道的譬如是,聖靈的降臨在門徒身上。他們就得著能力,目的是為著為主耶穌作見證。

    我們知道前書是指路加福音,其中說,「這些事我既從起頭都詳細考察了,就定意要按着次序寫給你。」(路加福音 1:3) 這次序是指事情的次序而不是指事件發生的次序。譬如說,耶穌在曠野受試探是發生在祂受洗之後這件事情,對觀符音的記載都是相同的,但各別事件記載的次序在馬太福音 4:1-11和路加福音 4:1-13 是不相同的,以前在「2046 耶穌的家譜和受試探及爭議 – 耶穌的形像 (1)」我們詳細的討論過這問題,請找到這篇文章。因使徒行傳是後書,所以也是照事情的次序寫的。

        在這裏,耶穌很清楚的告訴他們不要離開耶路撒冷的原因,等候聖靈的降臨,這也說明了為什麼他會阻擋去以馬忤斯的兩門徒,讓他們回耶路撤冷 (參路加福音 24:13-35) 。 的確是,「這天國的福音要傳遍天下,對萬民作見證,然後末期(G5056)才來到。」(馬太福音 24:14) 我們以後會講到末期這字和一些相應的經文,因為相當長,這次就不多談了。

        關於復興以色列國的事,聖經的確沒有明講,但我們可以從保羅的話看些端倪。他這樣說,「弟兄們,我不願意你們不知道這奧秘(恐怕你們自以為聰明):就是以色列人有幾分是硬心的,等到外邦人的數目添滿了,於是以色列全家都要得救。如經上所記:「必有一位救主從錫安出來,要消除雅各家的一切罪惡。」」(羅馬書 11:25-26) 外邦人的得贖是在以色列之先,我們不知道何時外邦人的數目會添滿,但已是在末期了。

        當「耶穌在橄欖山上坐着,門徒暗暗地來說:「請告訴我們,甚麼時候有這些事?你降臨和世界的末了,有甚麼預兆呢?」」(馬太福音 24:3)時,祂說,「但那日子、那時辰,沒有人知道,連天上的使者也不知道,子也不知道,惟獨父知道。」(馬太福音 24:36) 那是祂道成肉身時。現在我們看到復活後的「耶穌對他們說:「父憑着自己的權柄所定的時候、日期,不是你們可以知道的。」」(使徒行傳 1:7) 祂衹是說,你們不知道,祂卻是知道,因祂現在是三位一體的神中的一位,衪在十字架上死時,已將靈交付神了 (參約翰福音 19:30)。

        耶穌的復活是在週日,衪顯給使徒看有四十天之久,所以祂的升天時間是在週四。祂升天的地點很清楚的是在橄欖山,當路加福音說,「耶穌領他們到伯大尼的對面,就舉手給他們祝福。正祝福的時候,他就離開他們,被帶到天上去了。」(路加福音 24:50-51) 這是因為「…伯大尼,在橄欖山那裏。…」(馬可福音 11:1)

        就像這裏所說的,祂升天時是雲彩把他接去,祂也會駕着天上的雲降臨,正如祂在被大祭司審判時所說的一樣,「…大祭司對他說:「我指着永生神叫你起誓告訴我們,你是神的兒子基督不是?」耶穌對他說:「你說的是。然而,我告訴你們:後來你們要看見人子坐在那權能者的右邊,駕着天上的雲降臨。」」(馬太福音 26:63-64)

這是一個例子可以說明,「神藉著聖經告訴我們是一致的」。

2. 五旬節前的門徒樓房禱告

       「有一座山,名叫橄欖山,離耶路撒冷不遠,約有安息日可走的路程。當下,門徒從那裏回耶路撒冷去,進了城,就上了所住的一間樓房。在那裏有彼得、約翰、雅各、安得烈、腓力、多馬、巴多羅買、馬太、亞勒腓的兒子雅各、奮銳黨的西門和雅各的兒子猶大。這些人同着幾個婦人和耶穌的母親馬利亞,並耶穌的弟兄,都同心合意地恆切禱告。」(使徒行傳 1:12-14)

       聖經沒有明講為什麼這裏特別提到橄欖山,大概是他們在記念主,「…因為耶穌和門徒屢次上那裏去聚集。」(約翰福音 18:2) 而且在被賣前,「耶穌每日在殿裏教訓人,每夜出城在一座山,名叫橄欖山住宿。」(路加福音 21:37) 祂也是在橄欖山的客西馬尼園被賣的。 (參約翰福音 18:1-3)

       我們看到禱告的人包括了十一個使徒和耶穌的母親,及未署名的幾個婦人,有人可能會猜是在十字架前的那幾人,旣然神認為她們是誰不重要,尊重神,就不必亂猜了。另外祂的兄弟是原先不信祂的,經文說得很清楚,「因為連他的弟兄說這話,是因為不信他。」(約翰福音 7:5) 耶穌復活後,他們都信了。

3.  賣主猶大的結局和從人的角度看他的取代者資格

       「那時,有許多人聚會,約有一百二十名,彼得就在弟兄中間站起來,說:「弟兄們,聖靈藉大衞的口,在聖經上預言領人捉拿耶穌的猶大,這話是必須應驗的。他本來列在我們數中,並且在使徒的職任上得了一分。「這人用他作惡的工價買了一塊田,以後身子仆倒,肚腹崩裂,腸子都流出來。住在耶路撒冷的眾人都知道這事,所以按着他們那裏的話給那塊田起名叫亞革大馬,就是血田的意思。因為詩篇上寫着說:『願他的住處變為荒場,無人在內居住。』 又說:『願別人得他的職分。』所以主耶穌在我們中間始終出入的時候,就是從約翰施洗起,直到主離開我們被接上升的日子為止,必須從那常與我們作伴的人中,立一位與我們同作耶穌復活的見證。」」(使徒行傳 1:15-22)

       我們先看賣主的猶大是怎麼死的?經文明說,「猶大就把那銀錢丟在殿裏,出去吊死了。」(馬太福音 27:5) 這好像和這裏的鈙述矛盾,網上就給出了很合理的解釋,說這裏並沒有說猶大是身子仆倒跌死的,所以他是吊死後一段長時間後才被發覺,那時身體已腐敗,最後繩子段了,落下來身子仆倒如這裏所說的情景。至於這兒是說猶大買了那地,似乎和這經文衝突,「祭司長拾起銀錢來說:「這是血價,不可放在庫裏。」他們商議,就用那銀錢買了窰戶的一塊田,為要埋葬外鄉人。」(馬太福音 27:6-7) 所以到底是誰買了那塊地?解釋是說,猶大已知道會有那進賬,就預先訂下了那地,祭司長是實際買地的那人。順便一提的是,「讓聖靈帶領查經」不是不能看網上的資料,衹是要分辨,有時需要找的事,正好那網站就出來了。

       這裏也說了從人的角度最好的選擇標準,就是「…主耶穌在我們中間始終出入的時候,…立一位與我們同作耶穌復活的見證。」(使徒行傳 1:21-22) 即使如此,等會我們  會看到還是有兩人符合這條件。衹好抽籤決定。我們也看到彼得解釋了詩篇的話,「…願別人得他的職分。」(詩篇 109:8) 可是我們等下就會看到這衹是他個人的看見,雖然衆人同意他,但這並不是聖靈的意思,因為聖靈不會和主耶穌的旨意相抵觸。

4. 搖籤出來的馬提亞被人選為第十二使徒

       「於是選舉兩個人,就是那叫做巴撒巴,又稱呼猶士都的約瑟和馬提亞。眾人就禱告說:「主啊,你知道萬人的心。求你從這兩個人中,指明你所揀選的是誰,叫他得這使徒的位分。這位分猶大已經丟棄,往自己的地方去了。」於是眾人為他們搖籤,搖出馬提亞來,他就和十一個使徒同列。」(使徒行傳 1:23-26)

        我們看到馬提亞是搖籤出來的,不是羔羊直接選的使徒。是的,他們在搖籤前也禱告過,但沒有說他們的禱告被應允,而被應允的新約禱告是會被記錄的,如「基督在肉體的時候既大聲哀哭,流淚禱告,懇求那能救他免死的主,就因他的虔誠蒙了應允。」(希伯來書 5:7) 

        那麼主耶穌的旨意究竟是什麼呢?祂復活後親自在大光中選取了保羅並付於他使命 (參使徒行傳 22:1-21)。我們也看到使命就是,「…主託我傳福音給那未受割禮的人,正如託彼得傳福音給那受割禮的人。(那感動彼得叫他為受割禮之人作使徒的,也感動我,叫我為外邦人作使徒。)」(加拉太書 2:7-8) 這也就說明了前述的詩篇解釋,衹是從人的角度來的衆人的看見,因為和主的旨意不和。所以新耶路撒冷的「城牆有十二根基,根基上有羔羊十二使徒的名字。」(啓示錄 21:14) 是保羅的名字在上面,而不是馬提亞。

1169 Jesus’ resurrection and ascension, prayer, and Judas with his replacement – Acts (1)1-26 (by Whirlwind)

First, we discuss the events of Jesus’ forty days after His resurrection and His ascension, noting that the Book of Acts is written in chronological order like in the Book of Luke, drawing on previous discussions. Second, it recounts the disciples’ prayer in the upper room before Pentecost. From those present, we see that Jesus’ brothers had come to believe after His resurrection. Third, we first examine the fate of Judas Iscariot, the betrayer, followed by a discussion of the qualifications his replacement should possess from a human perspective. Finally, we explore how Matthias was chosen by lot to become the twelfth apostle, mentioning what the Lord Jesus’ true will was. Please note: This article is based on the Sunday (11/23/25) topicwise Bible study. Unless otherwise specified, verses refer to those in NASB95. Past articles referenced can be found on our website, ‘https://a-christian-voice.com/‘, under ‘On spiritual understanding about life.’

1. The forty days after Jesus’ resurrection and His ascension

“The first account I composed, Theophilus, about all that Jesus began to do and teach, until the day when He was taken up to heaven, after He had by the Holy Spirit given orders to the apostles whom He had chosen. To these He also presented Himself alive after His suffering, by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days and speaking of the things concerning the kingdom of God. Gathering them together, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for what the Father had promised, “Which,” He said, “you heard of from Me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” So when they had come together, they were asking Him, saying, “Lord, is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority; but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.” And after He had said these things, He was lifted up while they were looking on, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And as they were gazing intently into the sky while He was going, behold, two men in white clothing stood beside them. They also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven.””(Acts 1:1-11)

We note that who Theophilus was is not important, which is why the Bible does not explicitly state it. Since the Bible is divinely inspired, and God deemed it unnecessary for us to know, why should we not respect God’s will and insist on speculating? What we need to know is, for example, the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples. They were empowered for the purpose of bearing witness to the Lord Jesus.    

We know the first account refers to the Gospel of Luke, which states, “it seemed fitting for me as well, having investigated everything carefully from the beginning, to write it out for you in consecutive order, most excellent Theophilus.”(Luke 1:3) This “order” refers to the sequence of events, not the chronological order of each individual occurrence. For example, Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness occurred after His baptism—a fact recorded identically in the Synoptic Gospels. Yet the sequence of individual occurrence differs between Matthew 4:1-11 and Luke 4:1-13. We previously discussed this in detail in “1046 The genealogy and the temptations of Jesus, and controversial issues – The image of Jesus (1).” Since the Book of Acts is the second book, it too follows the chronological order of events.

Here, Jesus clearly explains why they must not leave Jerusalem but wait for the Holy Spirit’s descent. This also clarifies why He prevented the two disciples on the road to Emmaus, compelling them to return to Jerusalem (cf. Luke 24:13-35). Indeed, “This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end (G5056) will come.”(Matthew 24:14). We will discuss the term “end” and related scriptures later, as it is quite extensive and beyond the scope of this discussion.

Regarding the restoration of the nation of Israel, the Bible does not explicitly state its time, but we can get some clues from Paul’s words. He said, “For I do not want you, brethren, to be uninformed of this mystery⁠—so that you will not be wise in your own estimation⁠—that a partial hardening has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in; and so all Israel will be saved; just as it is written, “The Deliverer will come from Zion, He will remove ungodliness from Jacob.””(Romans 11:25-26). The redemption of the Gentiles precedes that of Israel. We do not know when the fullness of the Gentiles will be done, but it is already in the ‘end.’

“As He was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?””(Matthew 24:3), He replied, “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.”(Matthew 24:36) That was during His incarnation. Now we see the resurrected Jesus telling them, “…It is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority.”(Acts 1:7) He simply says, “You do not know, but I do,” because He is now one of the three persons of the Trinity. When He died on the cross, He already committed His spirit into God’s hands (cf. John 19:30).

Jesus’ resurrection occurred on Sunday, and He appeared to the apostles for forty days, so His ascension took place on Thursday. The location of His ascension is clearly the Mount of Olives. As the Book of Luke records, “And He led them out as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them. While He was blessing them, He parted from them and was carried up into heaven.”(Luke 24:50-51) This is because “…Bethany, near the Mount of Olives, …”(Mark 11:1)

Just as it says here, when He ascended, a cloud received Him, and He will also come again on the clouds of heaven, as He declared during His trial before the high priest: “…But Jesus kept silent. And the high priest said to Him, “I adjure You by the living God, that You tell us whether You are the Christ, the Son of God.” Jesus said to him, “You have said it yourself; nevertheless I tell you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven.””(Matthew 26:63-64) This is an example demonstrating that “what God tells us through the Bible is consistent.”

2. The disciples’ prayer in the upper room before Pentecost

“Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away. When they had entered the city, they went up to the upper room where they were staying; that is, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon the Zealot, and Judas the son of James. These all with one mind were continually devoting themselves to prayer, along with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.”(Acts 1:12-14)

The Bible does not explicitly state why the Mount of Olivet is specifically mentioned here. It was likely because they were commemorating the Lord, “…for Jesus had often met there with His disciples.”(John 18:2) Moreover, before His betrayal, “Now during the day He was teaching in the temple, but at evening He would go out and spend the night on the mount that is called Olivet.”(Luke 21:37) It was also on the Mount of Olivet, in the Garden of Gethsemane, that He was betrayed. (cf. John 18:1-3)

We see that those praying included the eleven apostles, Jesus’ mother, and several unnamed women. Some might speculate that these were the women at the cross. Since God considers their identities unimportant, out of respect for God, we need not speculate. Furthermore, His brothers initially did not believe in Him. The scripture makes this clear: “For not even His brothers were believing in Him.”(John 7:5) After Jesus’ resurrection, they all came to believe.

3.  Fate of Judas Iscariot, and his replacement with qualifications from a human perspective

“At this time Peter stood up in the midst of the brethren (a gathering of about one hundred and twenty persons was there together), and said, “Brethren, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit foretold by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus. For he was counted among us and received his share in this ministry.” (Now this man acquired a field with the price of his wickedness, and falling headlong, he burst open in the middle and all his intestines gushed out. And it became known to all who were living in Jerusalem; so that in their own language that field was called Hakeldama, that is, Field of Blood.) “For it is written in the book of Psalms, ‘Let his homestead be made desolate, And let no one dwell in it’; and, ‘Let another man take his office.’ Therefore it is necessary that of the men who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us⁠— beginning with the baptism of John until the day that He was taken up from us⁠—one of these must become a witness with us of His resurrection.””(Acts 1:15-22)

First, let us examine how Judas Iscariot, the betrayer, met his end. Scripture explicitly states, “And he threw the pieces of silver into the temple sanctuary and departed; and he went away and hanged himself.”(Matthew 27:5) This seems to contradict the account here. A reasonable explanation found online suggests that this passage does not state Judas fell to the ground and died. Therefore, he was discovered long after hanging himself, by which time his body had already decayed. Eventually, the rope broke, and his body fell to the ground as described here. As for the statement here that Judas acquired a field, it seems to conflict with this scripture: “The chief priests took the pieces of silver and said, “It is not lawful to put them into the temple treasury, since it is the price of blood.” And they conferred together and with the money bought the Potter’s Field as a burial place for strangers.”(Matthew 27:6-7) So who ultimately purchased the field? The explanation is that Judas, anticipating the payment, had prearranged the purchase, while the chief priests were the ones who actually bought the land. Incidentally, “allowing the Holy Spirit to lead Bible study” does not preclude consulting online resources; it requires discernment. Sometimes, when seeking information, the right website happens to appear.

Here we also see the best human criterion for selection: “…the men who have accompanied us all the time…one of these must become a witness with us of His resurrection.”(Acts 1:21-22). Even so, we will soon see that two men met this condition. They had to decide by lot. We also see Peter interpreting the words of the Psalm: “…Let another take his office.”(Psalm 109:8). Yet we will soon observe that this was merely his personal interpretation. Though the assembly agreed with him, it did not represent the Holy Spirit’s will, for the Holy Spirit never contradicts the Lord Jesus’ will.

4. Matthias, chosen by lot, was elected as the twelfth apostle.

“So they put forward two men, Joseph called Barsabbas (who was also called Justus), and Matthias. And they prayed and said, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all men, show which one of these two You have chosen to occupy this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.” And they drew lots for them, and the lot fell to Matthias; and he was added to the eleven apostles.”(Acts 1:23-26)

We see that Matthias was chosen by lot, not directly appointed by the Lamb as an apostle. Yes, they prayed before casting lots, but it does not say their prayer was answered. Answered prayers in the New Testament are recorded, such as: “In the days of His flesh, He offered up both prayers and supplications with loud crying and tears to the One able to save Him from death, and He was heard because of His piety.”(Hebrews 5:7) 

So what exactly was the Lord Jesus’ will? After His resurrection, He personally chose Paul in the bright light and commissioned him (see Acts 22:1-21). We also see that the commission was, “But on the contrary, seeing that I had been entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been to the circumcised (for He who effectually worked for Peter in his apostleship to the circumcised effectually worked for me also to the Gentiles)”(Galatians 2:7-8) This also explains the earlier interpretation of the Psalm, which was merely a human perspective—a common view—because it was not in harmony with the Lord’s will. Therefore, “…the wall of the city (New Jerusalem) had twelve foundation stones, and on them were the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.”(Revelation 21:14) refers to Paul’s name being inscribed there, not Matthias.

3168 生命和神迹: 圣灵带领查经的不可少和例子 (旋风著)

    首先我们谈到让圣灵带领查经的不可少,因为生命只能从三位一体的神而来。第二阐明了生命和神迹的关系,知道有了模成耶稣形像的属灵生命,没有不带著神迹的,但生命中有了神迹,并不代表有生命,其中引用了以前的讨论。第三简介了一个每个人都可行的得生命实际方法,引用了以前详细的讨论。估计你大概需要至少五年这样读经,大致的把圣经话语存在心里,然后是神有绝对的主权,决定何时开始让圣灵带领你查经。最后是说到五个不同情况的圣灵带领查经例子,希望看完后会让你觉得这不只是说说而已,而且能够愿意花时间进入这方法,让圣灵带领你查经。请注意,这文章是基于周日(11/16/25)的专题查经,经文除了特别注明外,是基于和合本,所引用过去的文章,在我们的网站,『 https://a-christian-voice.com/ 』,按『对属灵生命的了解』,就可以找到。

1. 让圣灵带领查经的不可少           

    我们要强调主耶稣今日是以内住的圣灵方式与我们同在,因生命只能从三位一体的神而来,我们必须「让圣灵带领查经」才能得到生命。(注1) 要不然,就会如马太福音所说的,「当那日,必有许多人对我说:『主啊,主啊,我们不是奉你的名传道,奉你的名赶鬼,奉你的名行许多异能吗?』我就明明地告诉他们说:『我从来不认识你们,你们这些作恶的人,离开我去吧!』」(马太福音 7:22-23) 那些人如果以耶稣的名作事没有效果,你想他们会继续这样做吗?也就是说,神允许这样的事情发生,但圣经很清楚的说,「凡称呼我『主啊,主啊』的人,不能都进天国;惟独遵行我天父旨意的人,才能进去。」(马太福音 7:21) 很显然的,神是全知的,他们只是想借著耶稣的名而得著世间的好名声,不是真正遵行我天主旨意的人。           

    这就犹如起初在哥林多的教会,「…你们在恩赐上没有一样不及人的,…」(哥林多前书 1:7) 我们知道那时的他们「…仍是属肉体的,因为在你们中间有嫉妒、纷争,这岂不是属乎肉体、照著世人的样子行吗?有说:「我是属保罗的。」有说:「我是属亚波罗的。」这岂不是你们和世人一样吗?」(哥林多前书 3:3-4) 他们最后是悔改了,圣经是这样说的,「我(保罗)先前写信叫你们忧愁,我后来虽然懊悔,如今却不懊悔,因我知道那信叫你们忧愁,不过是暂时的。如今我欢喜,不是因你们忧愁,是因你们从忧愁中生出懊悔来。你们依著神的意思忧愁,凡事就不至于因我们受亏损了。因为依著神的意思忧愁,就生出没有后悔的懊悔来,以至得救;但世俗的忧愁是叫人死。」(哥林多后书 7:8-10) 这就是,「我们若认自己的罪,神是信实的,是公义的,必要赦免我们的罪,洗净我们一切的不义。」(约翰一书 1:9) 所以在启示录谈到了最后白色大宝座的审判时,基督徒是要有信心的行为。(注2)

2. 生命和神迹的关系         

    基督徒是要被模成耶稣的形像,经文说得很清楚,「因为他预先所知道的人,就预先定下效法(G4832, to be conformed)他儿子的模样(G1504, image, 形像),使他儿子在许多弟兄中作长子。」(罗马书 8:29) (注3) 原文这里并没有说是被动语气,但这字出现两次,英文这样的翻译成被动语气,可以从另一节经文看出,「他要按著那能叫万有归服自己的大能,将我们这卑贱的身体改变形状(G4832),和他自己荣耀的身体相似。 」(腓立比书 3:21) 这是被动的,而不是我们能主动的做这一件事。所以保罗会说,「我靠著那加给我力量的,凡事都能做。」(腓立比书 4:13) 不靠著圣灵,我们会发觉,「我也知道在我里头,就是我肉体之中,没有良善。因为立志为善由得我,只是行出来由不得我。」(罗马书 7:18) 但靠著圣灵,我们就会知道,「…赐生命圣灵的律在基督耶稣里释放了我,使我脱离罪和死的律了。」(罗马书 8:1-2) 我们已说过,主耶稣今日是以内住的圣灵方式与我们同在,所以我们怎么能够不「让圣灵带领查经」,去了解神在圣经中告诉我们的旨意?           

    我们是要被模成主耶稣的形像,得著祂自己,而不是要得著祂的恩赐。恩赐是附带的,就像圣经所说,「我们各人蒙恩,都是照基督所量给各人的恩赐。…为要成全圣徒,各尽其职,建立基督的身体。」(以弗所书 4:7-12) 有了模成耶稣形像的属灵生命,没有不带著神迹的,但生命中有了神迹,并不代表有生命。(注4) 这个观念要非常的清楚,奉耶稣的名赶鬼和行许多异能,难道不是神迹吗?但耶稣会「…明明地告诉他们说:『我从来不认识你们,你们这些作恶的人,离开我去吧!』」(马太福音 7:23)           

    如果一个人真正的相信圣经是神所默示的,当读对圣经的时候,就会发觉圣经是多么的符合逻辑,知道三位一体的神不是模棱两可的神。因神是无限而人是有限,我祇能用自己目前的经验证实的确是如此,就是当我觉得有矛盾或解释不能一致时,圣灵会因此开我的眼睛,就不再会如此,发觉自己读错了。如果没有这信心,而只用逻辑的推导,就会得到不可知论的结论,不知道神是否存在。           

    圣经说得很清楚,要得生命,一定要让圣灵带领查经。因为神不是一个命令一个动作的神,圣经说得很清楚,衪会给我们一些自由度去决定某些事情。所以「让圣灵带领查经」,不是说全部都说圣灵所说的话,如是这样,根本就不会有错误,事实上是有时还要更正错误,这是在自由度内看错了或作错了决定。当需要更正错误时,或是圣灵会在意念中直接告诉我们,或是经由别人的话使我们知道,所以在启示录中提到的所有七个教会,都说要有一个能听的耳。           

    对每一个人都是如此,即使圣经是神所默示的,也是人写的,所以神会用祂自己的方式去更正或加添资料,在上周日(3/9/25)分享的「2167 被戏弄, 钉十字架, 安葬, 复活及显现, 错误经文 – 可(15)16-(16)20」中,就有这样的圣经例子。

3. 一个每个人都可行的得生命实际方法          

    以前我们在「250823 2 让圣灵带领查经而得生命的一个方法」中,详细的讨论了这方法, 我们现在就只简介这方法,加上一些那时尚未意识到的事情。     

    这个方法很简单,但绝对有效,因为是圣经的应许  (注5),而我也这样做过,所以是每一个真实愿意的人,都可以这样做,因为一开始到最终,都是交在神手上。这方法的开始就是从新约的马太福音的第一页开始读,顺序读下去直到新约的启示录的最后一页,然后接著就是旧约的创世记第一页,顺序下去直到旧约的玛拉基书的最后一页,这是一遍。以后就是这样的重复。因为是重复,当然可以从旧约开始,然后到约。           

    这样读经的目的,是要把圣经的话语存在心里,所以看不懂没有关系,看过去就好,这会好于强解(曲解)圣经  (注6)。如果你愿意每天花一小时左右去把圣经看过去,可以每年读圣经约三次。就像我一样,可以从十五分钟开始,慢慢增加到约一个小时。要强调的一点是,当我们甘心情愿的这样读经时,撒但的差役不会放过我们,当我们愈接近神时,我们会经过愈多的试探 (注7)。而且你可能会发觉,只是用听的不行,一般人一定要用看的才可以,因为听和看,在我们身上的机置不同,我经过全用听的过程,知道不行。           

    把圣经的话语存在心中是非常的重要,因为圣灵如果用圣经的话语引导我们,而我们里面根本不知道圣经有这样的话语,听也会听不懂,岂不是枉然。你可能会想这样做是不可能的,但我是工作时同时这样做的,我的估计是你大概需要至少五年这样做。这是和保罗相比,保罗在见过大光后,立刻传道的结果就是,「他的门徒就在夜间用筐子把他从城墙上缒下去。」(使徒行传 9:25) 他自己说,「弟兄们,我告诉你们,我素来所传的福音,不是出于人的意思,因为我不是从人领受的,也不是人教导我的,乃是从耶稣基督启示来的。」(加拉太书 1:11-12) 有人说,他在亚拉伯的旷野待了约三年去得到启示,但找不到圣经有明说的根据。我的经验告诉我三年是真不行,所以我的估计是你大概需要至少五年这样做。           

    然后是神有绝对的主权,决定何时开始让圣灵带领你查经。如果你一旦知道自己已经把圣经的话语大致的存在心里,你可向神求,让圣灵带领你查经。我因情况特殊,约十多年的时间圣灵才开始带领我查经,你应该不需要这么长的时间才对。说到这,当圣灵带领我查经以后,我才回想起来约到十年时,我就已把圣经的话大致的存在心里了,因我那时对我太太说,我实在看不懂圣经,只能知道别人的话在不在圣经里面。现在回想,我应该那时说,如果神允许的话,我可以知道别人的话在不在圣经里面。当然这也祇是大致的,是整体性的,因为有时会弄错章节,而且有些事是不可能记得的。譬如,如果有人随别拿出一个名字问我是不是在家谱里面,我通常是不可能回答的。因时间相当久,难免中间会以慢工出细活来鼓励自己,想到摩西被在旷野制作了四十年才被神呼召,我们绝不会这么久的。

4. 圣灵带领查经的一些例子           

    基督徒都是从不信开始,到有了起初的信心,然后「…是本于信,以至于信。…」(罗马书 1:17) 如果回想起来,就会发觉当我们还不是基督徒的时候,神就已经作工在我们身上,神是有恩典有怜悯的神。           

    耶稣对人需要看见神迹这点很清楚,所以祂会「对他(迦百农大臣)说:「若不看见神迹(G4592, signs)奇事,你们总是不信。」(约翰福音 4:48) 但衪知道神迹的目的是要证明祂的恩道,就如保罗和巴拿巴所做的。经文说,「二人(保罗和巴拿巴)在那里(以哥念)住了多日,倚靠主放胆讲道,主借他们的手施行神迹奇事,证明他的恩道。」(使徒行传 14:3) 我们注意到,「彼得、约翰说:「听从你们,不听从神,这在神面前合理不合理,你们自己酌量吧!我们所看见、所听见的,不能不说。」」(使徒行传 4:19-20) 虽然明知自己没有模成主的形像,但有时是不能不说,希望有些人能看到让圣灵带领查经的不可少,不被老我牵制而能读对圣经。我们选择的例子,就是以这为出发点。           

    如果我记得没错的话,这次是以这经文开始的,「(新耶路撒冷)城墙有十二根基,根基上有羔羊十二使徒的名字。」(启示录 21:14) 意念中告诉我这是指羔羊亲自选的使徒,因此意识到保罗是耶稣复活后亲自在大光中选的(参使徒行传 22:1-16),而马提亚是因人的意思摇签来的(参使徒行传 1:21-26),所以很清楚的是保罗的名字在上面。          

    第二个例子是在这经文,「起初神创造(诸)天(H8064, 复数)地。」(创世记 1:1) 我以前想这是在地球上看的有诸天,意念中告诉我说这是错的,但我实在是想不出来错在那里,突然就意识到要在下一节才说到地球上的事情,就是「地是空虚混沌,渊面黑暗;神的灵运行在水面上。」(创世记 1:2) 原来这里的诸天是指每一个星球有自己的天空。          

    第三个例子是经由别人的话才知道的例子,这是和以下两节经文有关,就是「凡有血肉的活物,每样两个,一公一母,你要带进方舟,好在你那里保全生命。」(创世记 6:19) 和「凡洁净的畜类,你要带七公七母;不洁净的畜类,你要带一公一母。」(创世记 7:2) 那时就有人问了一 个我一直有的问题,到底上方舟的洁净畜类是多少?是一对呢?或是七对?如果我记得没错,就有另一人回答,前者是指种类(参创世记 7:13-16),后者是指数目,因「空中的飞鸟也要带七公七母,可以留种,活在全地上。」(创世记 7:3) 是为了要留种。而最后在意念中被这节经文确认了,「挪亚为耶和华筑了一座坛,拿各类洁净的牲畜、飞鸟献在坛上为燔祭。」(创世记 8:20) 如果洁净的牲畜只有一公一母上方舟,那么就会因此而绝种了,所以是七公七母上了方舟。          

    到目前所有的例子都是和一般的见证一样,是不能显给别人看的,怎么能够把意念(或异梦或异象)显给人看呢?不可能的。唯一能显给人看的是以前在「2123 神用客观的、给别人看的客观事实显现祂的存在」,因在意念中说,只有神是绝对客观的,我最后意识到这是对的,因此最近在最前面加了这一段更正,「更正: 只有三位一体的神是绝对客观的。这里是假设医疗系统没有错,所以这是客观的事实。在一般的情况下,这假设是没错的,但在特殊的情况下,也有会作假的医生。」          

    我本来不知道这事,是意念中告诉我才看到的,基本上是医疗系统纪录了我曾吃两种降血压的药,但我那时不吃任何这样的药了,而血压都一直很稳定的在可接受范围之内。在那时,大约有十二个人看到了这纪录。        

    要知道凡事都有一个开始和一个结束的时间,也就是有一个窗口期。对一个人而言,最长的窗口期是救恩,从出生开始到死亡时结束为止。在这事的窗口期间,我没吃药,但血压都一直很稳定的在可接受的范围之内。现在我仍没有吃药,血压偶而太高,但很快的就恢复到同样的接受范围之内,这代表窗口期已结束了。尊重神,虽然纪录仍在那里,过了窗口期,我已不再显给人看。至于为什么血压偶而会升高,我的观察是和眼睛慢慢的继续变好有关。眼睛以前发生的事情纪录在「2038 在海上走和相应的见证、及医治生来是瞎子的」中的「2. 相应的见证和圣灵的工作」,现在比那时好太多了,仍在继续慢慢的变更好。          

    最后我们来谈谈女人可以讲道的圣经根据,选择这是因为这题目最近才在意念中跳出来,而且当我想不出该说什么时,意念会提醒我该用的经文。现在我们首先来看这节经文,「凡男人祷告或是讲道(G4395),若蒙著头,就羞辱自己的头。凡女人祷告或是讲道,若不蒙著头,就羞辱自己的头,因为这就如同剃了头发一样。」(哥林多前书 11:4-5) 而圣经说得很清楚,「但女人有长头发,乃是她的荣耀,因为这头发是给她作盖头的。」(哥林多前书 11:15) 所以是没有必要另外有盖头的。很显然的,在新约中的救恩中,男女基本上是平等的,说是基本上,这是因为圣经没有提到有女性长老,所以我们也应该如此遵循。           

    保罗不是说?「你们要追求爱,也要切慕属灵的恩赐,其中更要羡慕的,是作先知讲道(G4395, prophesy, 动词)。」(哥林多前书 14:1) 那他为什么对哥林多的教会说,「妇女在会中要闭口不言,像在圣徒的众教会一样,因为不准她们说话。…」(哥林多前书 14:34) 尤其他特别强调,「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!」(哥林多前书 14:37-38) 很显然的,这是从主来的,可见保罗能辩别诸灵。所以当他说,「又叫一人能行异能,又叫一人能作先知(G4394, prophecy, 名词),又叫一人能辩别诸灵,又叫一人能说方言,又叫一人能翻方言。」(哥林多前书 12:10) 他是全部都有,因为如果他不是真经历过,真正的知道,是不会这样说的,要不就会是说谎而认撒但为父(参约翰福音 8:44) 我们以前说过,那时哥林多教会仍是属肉体的,一团糟,难怪保罗会从神的角度,不准妇女讲话,这是对哥林多教会的妇女说的。           

    那保罗为什么又说,「我不许女人讲道(G1321, teach,教导),也不许她辖管男人,只要沉静。」(提摩太前书 2:12) 请注意,这时用的是不一样的原文字,是不一样的讲道,只是和合本用了一样的翻译。这经文用了「我」这个字,因此这祇是保罗的个人意见,不是主的命令。我们不是看到了,「圣灵既然禁止他们(保罗和西拉)在亚西亚讲道,他们就经过弗吕家、加拉太一带地方,到了每西亚的边界,他们想要往庇推尼去,耶稣的灵却不许。」(使徒行传 16:6-7) 所以圣经明说,保罗也不会是如神般一定都是全对的,不要敬拜人,也不要敬拜天使。圣经明说,「他(天使)对我说:「千万不可!我与你和你的弟兄众先知,并那些守这书上言语的人,同是作仆人的。你要敬拜神。」(启示录 22:9) 要知道,「…只有一位是你们的师尊,就是基督。」(马太福音 23:10)           

    保罗不是说?「你们要追求爱,也要切慕属灵的恩赐,其中更要羡慕的,是作先知讲道(G4395, prophesy, 动词)。」(哥林多前书 14:1) 又说,「神在教会所设立的:第一是使徒,第二是先知(G4395),第三是教师(G1320),其次是行异能的,再次是得恩赐医病的,帮助人的,治理事的,说方言的。」(哥林多前书 12:28) 教师是排在先知下面的。我们也看到,「他(腓利)有四个女儿,都是处女,是说预言(G4395)的。」(使徒行传 21:9) 其实在旧约中就有女性教导的例子,「有一位女先知名叫底波拉,是拉比多的妻,当时作以色列的士师。」(士师记 4:4) 而且「那时,底波拉和亚比挪庵的儿子巴拉作歌,…」(士师记 5:1) 这不是教导是什么?从「神借著圣经告诉我们是一致的」,我们也可以知道,女性是可以讲道的。尤其是,「这一切(恩赐)都是这位圣灵所运行、随己意分给各人的。」(哥林多前书 12:11) 是神说了算,而不是保罗说了算。  

注解

1: 关于主耶稣今日是以内住的圣灵方式与我们同在,是因为有这样的应许,「耶稣进前来,对他们说:「天上地下所有的权柄都赐给我了。所以,你们要去,使万民作我的门徒,奉父、子、圣灵的名给他们施洗。凡我所吩咐你们的,都教训他们遵守,我就常与你们同在,直到世界的末了。」」(马太福音 28:18-20) 而我们现在有内住的圣灵,「岂不知你们的身子就是圣灵的殿吗?这圣灵是从神而来,住在你们里头的;…」(哥林多前书 6:19) 三位一体的神是指父神,主耶稣基督,和圣灵,所以主耶稣今日是以内住的圣灵方式与我们同在。至于生命只能从神而来,保罗写得清楚,「我栽种了,亚波罗浇灌了,惟有神叫他生长。可见栽种的算不得甚么,浇灌的也算不得甚么,只在那叫他生长的神。」(哥林多前书 3:6-7)

2:  「我又看见一个白色的大宝座与坐在上面的,从他面前天地都逃避,再无可见之处了。我又看见死了的人,无论大小,都站在宝座前。案卷展开了,并且另有一卷展开,就是生命册。死了的人都凭著这些案卷所记载的,照他们所行的受审判。于是海交出其中的死人,死亡和阴间也交出其中的死人。他们都照各人所行的受审判。」(启示录 20:11-13)

3: 这里说到同时有预知和预定,所以预知和预定是一体的两面,犹如一个硬币有头尾两面,但只有一个硬币。有人说只有预知,有人说只有预定,这都是错的,因为和圣经所讲的不符。如果一个人真正的相信圣经是神所默示的,就会「不把圣经的话打折扣」。

4: 耶稣在地上行了许多神迹,我们被模成祂的形像,满有圣灵的生命,怎么不会有神迹相随呢?司提反是满有圣灵的人,就像经文所说,「…了司提反,乃是大有信心、圣灵充满的人;…」(使徒行传 6:5)  而且我们知道,「司提反满得恩惠能力,在民间行了大奇事和神迹。」(使徒行传 6:8) 而他是生前就被模成耶稣形像的,经文这样说,「他们正用石头打的时候,司提反呼吁主说:「求主耶稣接收我的灵(魂)(G3450, spirit)!」又跪下大声喊著说:「主啊,不要将这罪归于他们!」说了这话,就睡了。…」(使徒行传 7:59-60) 这和耶稣在十字架上说的两句话相比,基本上是相同的。这两句话就是,「耶稣大声喊著说:「父啊!我将我的灵(魂)(G3450, spirit)交在你手里。」说了这话,气就断了。」(路加福音 23:46) 和「当下耶稣说:「父啊,赦免他们!因为他们所做的,他们不晓得。」…」(路加福音 23:34) 难怪他是唯一得著,耶稣站在神的右边欢迎的殊荣 (参使徒行传 7:55-56) 。

5: 在启示录中的老底嘉教会,他们把耶稣关在门外,祂仍应许,「看哪,我站在门外叩门,若有听见我声音就开门的,我要进到他那里去,我与他,他与我一同坐席。」(启示录 3:20) 祂不但是坐席而已,并且会作工,要不就不会有,「得胜的,我要赐他在我宝座上与我同坐,…」(启示录 3:21) 我们要做的是真正的打开心门。请注意,这应许没有说时间是在什么时候,神有绝对的主权,祂会选择最好的时间去做的。

6: 这里是指彼得所说的,「…我们所亲爱的兄弟保罗,照著所赐给他的智慧写了信给你们。他一切的信上也都是讲论这事。信中有些难明白的,那无学问、不坚固的人强解(G4761, distort, wrest),如强解别的经书一样,就自取沉沦。」(彼得后书 3:15-16) 这字G4761只出现一次,吕振中译本翻成曲解。这样读经的目的,是要把圣经的话语存在心中,所以看不懂没有关系,看过去就好,这会好于强解(曲解)圣经,因为即使曲解能被更正的话,也会要非常花时间。

7: 基督徒是主耶稣的仆人,我们就先看看撒但如何对待主,在耶稣受洗后四十天受魔鬼(撒但)的试探时,「魔鬼用完了各样的试探,就暂时离开耶稣。」(路加福音 4:13) 那时祇是暂时离开而已,后来则是,祂「…凡事受过试探,与我们一样,只是他没有犯罪。」(希伯来书 4:15) 圣经明说,「学生不能高过先生,仆人不能高过主人。」(马太福音 10:24) 我们怎么会在愈接近神时,不会经过愈多的试探呢?但试探中神会保守我们,圣经明说,「你们所遇见的试探,无非是人所能受的。神是信实的,必不叫你们受试探过于所能受的。在受试探的时候,总要给你们开一条出路,叫你们能忍受得住。」(哥林多前书 10:13)

2168 生命和神蹟: 聖靈帶領查經的不可少和例子 (旋風著)

              首先我們談到讓聖靈帶領查經的不可少,因為生命衹能從三位一體的神而來。第二闡明了生命和神蹟的關係,知道有了模成耶穌形像的屬靈生命,沒有不帶著神蹟的,但生命中有了神蹟,並不代表有生命,其中引用了以前的討論。第三簡介了一個每個人都可行的得生命實際方法,引用了以前詳細的討論。估計你大概需要至少五年這樣讀經,大致的把聖經話語存在心裏,然後是神有絕對的主權,決定何時開始讓聖靈帶領你查經。最後是說到五個不同情況的聖靈帶領查經例子,希望看完後會讓你覺得這不衹是說說而已,而且能夠願意花時間進入這方法,讓聖靈帶領你查經。請注意,這文章是基於週日(11/16/25)的專題查經,經文除了特別註明外,是基於和合本,所引用過去的文章,在我們的網站,『 https://a-christian-voice.com/ 』,按『對屬靈生命的瞭解』,就可以找到。

1. 讓聖靈帶領查經的不可少

           我們要強調主耶穌今日是以內住的聖靈方式與我們同在,因生命衹能從三位一體的神而來,我們必須「讓聖靈帶領查經」才能得到生命。(註1) 要不然,就會如馬太福音所說的,「當那日,必有許多人對我說:『主啊,主啊,我們不是奉你的名傳道,奉你的名趕鬼,奉你的名行許多異能嗎?』我就明明地告訴他們說:『我從來不認識你們,你們這些作惡的人,離開我去吧!』」(馬太福音 7:22-23) 那些人如果以耶穌的名作事沒有效果,你想他們會繼續這樣做嗎?也就是說,神允許這樣的事情發生,但聖經很清楚的說,「凡稱呼我『主啊,主啊』的人,不能都進天國;惟獨遵行我天父旨意的人,才能進去。」(馬太福音 7:21) 很顯然的,神是全知的,他們衹是想藉著耶穌的名而得著世間的好名聲,不是真正遵行我天主旨意的人。

           這就猶如起初在哥林多的教會,「…你們在恩賜上沒有一樣不及人的,…」(哥林多前書 1:7) 我們知道那時的他們「…仍是屬肉體的,因為在你們中間有嫉妒、紛爭,這豈不是屬乎肉體、照着世人的樣子行嗎?有說:「我是屬保羅的。」有說:「我是屬亞波羅的。」這豈不是你們和世人一樣嗎?」(哥林多前書 3:3-4) 他們最後是悔改了,聖經是這樣說的,「我(保羅)先前寫信叫你們憂愁,我後來雖然懊悔,如今卻不懊悔,因我知道那信叫你們憂愁,不過是暫時的。如今我歡喜,不是因你們憂愁,是因你們從憂愁中生出懊悔來。你們依着神的意思憂愁,凡事就不至於因我們受虧損了。因為依着神的意思憂愁,就生出沒有後悔的懊悔來,以至得救;但世俗的憂愁是叫人死。」(哥林多後書 7:8-10) 這就是,「我們若認自己的罪,神是信實的,是公義的,必要赦免我們的罪,洗淨我們一切的不義。」(約翰一書 1:9) 所以在啓示錄談到了最後白色大寶座的審判時,基督徒是要有信心的行為。(註2)

2. 生命和神蹟的關係

           基督徒是要被模成耶穌的形像,經文說得很清楚,「因為他預先所知道的人,就預先定下效法(G4832, to be conformed)他兒子的模樣(G1504, image, 形像),使他兒子在許多弟兄中作長子。」(羅馬書 8:29) (註3) 原文這裏並沒有說是被動語氣,但這字出現兩次,英文這樣的翻譯成被動語氣,可以從另一節經文看出,「他要按着那能叫萬有歸服自己的大能,將我們這卑賤的身體改變形狀(G4832),和他自己榮耀的身體相似。 」(腓立比書 3:21) 這是被動的,而不是我們能主動的做這一件事。所以保羅會說,「我靠着那加給我力量的,凡事都能做。」(腓立比書 4:13) 不靠著聖靈,我們會發覺,「我也知道在我裏頭,就是我肉體之中,沒有良善。因為立志為善由得我,只是行出來由不得我。」(羅馬書 7:18) 但靠著聖靈,我們就會知道,「…賜生命聖靈的律在基督耶穌裏釋放了我,使我脫離罪和死的律了。」(羅馬書 8:1-2) 我們已說過,主耶穌今日是以內住的聖靈方式與我們同在,所以我們怎麼能夠不「讓聖靈帶領查經」,去瞭解神在聖經中告訴我們的旨意?

           我們是要被模成主耶穌的形像,得著祂自己,而不是要得著祂的恩賜。恩賜是附帶的,就像聖經所說,「我們各人蒙恩,都是照基督所量給各人的恩賜。…為要成全聖徒,各盡其職,建立基督的身體。」(以弗所書 4:7-12) 有了模成耶穌形像的屬靈生命,沒有不帶著神蹟的,但生命中有了神蹟,並不代表有生命。(註4) 這個觀念要非常的清楚,奉耶穌的名趕鬼和行許多異能,難道不是神蹟嗎?但耶穌會「…明明地告訴他們說:『我從來不認識你們,你們這些作惡的人,離開我去吧!』」(馬太福音 7:23)

           如果一個人真正的相信聖經是神所默示的,當讀對聖經的時候,就會發覺聖經是多麼的符合邏輯,知道三位一體的神不是模稜兩可的神。因神是無限而人是有限,我祇能用自己目前的經驗証實的確是如此,就是當我覺得有矛盾或解釋不能一致時,聖靈會因此開我的眼睛,就不再會如此,發覺自己讀錯了。如果沒有這信心,而衹用邏輯的推導,就會得到不可知論的結論,不知道神是否存在。

           聖經說得很清楚,要得生命,一定要讓聖靈帶領查經。因為神不是一個命令一個動作的神,聖經說得很清楚,衪會給我們一些自由度去決定某些事情。所以「讓聖靈帶領查經」,不是說全部都說聖靈所說的話,如是這樣,根本就不會有錯誤,事實上是有時還要更正錯誤,這是在自由度內看錯了或作錯了決定。當需要更正錯誤時,或是聖靈會在意念中直接告訴我們,或是經由別人的話使我們知道,所以在啓示錄中提到的所有七個教會,都說要有一個能聽的耳。

           對每一個人都是如此,即使聖經是神所默示的,也是人寫的,所以神會用祂自己的方式去更正或加添資料,在上週日(3/9/25)分享的「2167 被戲弄, 釘十字架, 安葬, 復活及顯現, 錯誤經文 – 可(15)16-(16)20」中,就有這樣的聖經例子。

3. 一個每個人都可行的得生命實際方法

          以前我們在「250823 2 讓聖靈帶領查經而得生命的一個方法」中,詳細的討論了這方法, 我們現在就衹簡介這方法,加上一些那時尚未意識到的事情。

        這個方法很簡單,但絕對有效,因為是聖經的應許  (註5),而我也這樣做過,所以是每一個真實願意的人,都可以這樣做,因為一開始到最終,都是交在神手上。這方法的開始就是從新約的馬太福音的第一頁開始讀,順序讀下去直到新約的啓示錄的最後一頁,然後接著就是舊約的創世記第一頁,順序下去直到舊約的瑪拉基書的最後一頁,這是一遍。以後就是這樣的重複。因為是重複,當然可以從舊約開始,然後到新約。

           這樣讀經的目的,是要把聖經的話語存在心裏,所以看不懂沒有關係,看過去就好,這會好於強解(曲解)聖經  (註6)。如果你願意每天花一小時左右去把聖經看過去,可以每年讀聖經約三次。就像我一樣,可以從十五分鐘開始,慢慢增加到約一個小時。要強調的一點是,當我們甘心情願的這樣讀經時,撒但的差役不會放過我們,當我們愈接近神時,我們會經過愈多的試探 (註7)。而且你可能會發覺,只是用聽的不行,一般人一定要用看的才可以,因為聽和看,在我們身上的機置不同,我經過全用聽的過程,知道不行。

           把聖經的話語存在心中是非常的重要,因為聖靈如果用聖經的話語引導我們,而我們裏面根本不知道聖經有這樣的話語,聽也會聽不懂,豈不是枉然。你可能會想這樣做是不可能的,但我是工作時同時這樣做的,我的估計是你大概需要至少五年這樣做。這是和保羅相比,保羅在見過大光後,立刻傳道的結果就是,「他的門徒就在夜間用筐子把他從城牆上縋下去。」(使徒行傳 9:25) 他自己說,「弟兄們,我告訴你們,我素來所傳的福音,不是出於人的意思,因為我不是從人領受的,也不是人教導我的,乃是從耶穌基督啓示來的。」(加拉太書 1:11-12) 有人說,他在亞拉伯的曠野待了約三年去得到啓示,但找不到聖經有明說的根據。我的經驗告訴我三年是真不行,所以我的估計是你大概需要至少五年這樣做。

           然後是神有絕對的主權,決定何時開始讓聖靈帶領你查經。如果你一旦知道自己已經把聖經的話語大致的存在心裏,你可向神求,讓聖靈帶領你查經。我因情況特殊,約十多年的時間聖靈才開始帶領我查經,你應該不需要這麼長的時間才對。說到這,當聖靈帶領我查經以後,我才回想起來約到十年時,我就已把聖經的話大致的存在心裏了,因我那時對我太太說,我實在看不懂聖經,衹能知道別人的話在不在聖經裏面。現在回想,我應該那時說,如果神允許的話,我可以知道別人的話在不在聖經裏面。當然這也祇是大致的,是整體性的,因為有時會弄錯章節,而且有些事是不可能記得的。譬如,如果有人隨別拿出一個名字問我是不是在家譜裏面,我通常是不可能回答的。因時間相當久,難免中間會以慢工出細活來鼓勵自己,想到摩西被在曠野製作了四十年才被神呼召,我們絕不會這麼久的。

4. 聖靈帶領查經的一些例子

           基督徒都是從不信開始,到有了起初的信心,然後「…是本於信,以至於信。…」(羅馬書 1:17) 如果回想起來,就會發覺當我們還不是基督徒的時候,神就已經作工在我們身上,神是有恩典有憐憫的神。

           耶穌對人需要看見神蹟這點很清楚,所以祂會「對他(迦百農大臣)說:「若不看見神蹟(G4592, signs)奇事,你們總是不信。」(約翰福音 4:48) 但衪知道神蹟的目的是要證明祂的恩道,就如保羅和巴拿巴所做的。經文說,「二人(保羅和巴拿巴)在那裏(以哥念)住了多日,倚靠主放膽講道,主藉他們的手施行神蹟奇事,證明他的恩道。」(使徒行傳 14:3) 我們注意到,「彼得、約翰說:「聽從你們,不聽從神,這在神面前合理不合理,你們自己酌量吧!我們所看見、所聽見的,不能不說。」」(使徒行傳 4:19-20) 雖然明知自己沒有模成主的形像,但有時是不能不說,希望有些人能看到讓聖靈帶領查經的不可少,不被老我牽制而能讀對聖經。我們選擇的例子,就是以這為出發點。

           如果我記得沒錯的話,這次是以這經文開始的,「(新耶路撒冷)城牆有十二根基,根基上有羔羊十二使徒的名字。」(啓示錄 21:14) 意念中告訴我這是指羔羊親自選的使徒,因此意識到保羅是耶穌復活後親自在大光中選的(參使徒行傳 22:1-16),而馬提亞是因人的意思搖籤來的(參使徒行傳 1:21-26),所以很清楚的是保羅的名字在上面。

          第二個例子是在這經文,「起初神創造(諸)天(H8064, 複數)地。」(創世記 1:1) 我以前想這是在地球上看的有諸天,意念中告訴我說這是錯的,但我實在是想不出來錯在那裏,突然就意識到要在下一節才說到地球上的事情,就是「地是空虛混沌,淵面黑暗;神的靈運行在水面上。」(創世記 1:2) 原來這裏的諸天是指每一個星球有自己的天空。

          第三個例子是經由別人的話才知道的例子,這是和以下兩節經文有關,就是「凡有血肉的活物,每樣兩個,一公一母,你要帶進方舟,好在你那裏保全生命。」(創世記 6:19) 和「凡潔淨的畜類,你要帶七公七母;不潔淨的畜類,你要帶一公一母。」(創世記 7:2) 那時就有人問了一 個我一直有的問題,到底上方舟的潔淨畜類是多少?是一對呢?或是七對?如果我記得沒錯,就有另一人回答,前者是指種類(參創世記 7:13-16),後者是指數目,因「空中的飛鳥也要帶七公七母,可以留種,活在全地上。」(創世記 7:3) 是為了要留種。而最後在意念中被這節經文確認了,「挪亞為耶和華築了一座壇,拿各類潔淨的牲畜、飛鳥獻在壇上為燔祭。」(創世記 8:20) 如果潔淨的牲畜衹有一公一母上方舟,那麼就會因此而絕種了,所以是七公七母上了方舟。

          到目前所有的例子都是和一般的見證一樣,是不能顯給別人看的,怎麼能夠把意念(或異夢或異象)顯給人看呢?不可能的。唯一能顯給人看的是以前在「2123 神用客觀的、給別人看的客觀事實顯現祂的存在」,因在意念中說,衹有神是絕對客觀的,我最後意識到這是對的,因此最近在最前面加了這一段更正,「更正: 衹有三位一體的神是絕對客觀的。這裏是假設醫療系統沒有錯,所以這是客觀的事實。在一般的情況下,這假設是沒錯的,但在特殊的情況下,也有會作假的醫生。」

          我本來不知道這事,是意念中告訴我才看到的,基本上是醫療系統紀錄了我曾吃兩種降血壓的藥,但我那時不吃任何這樣的藥了,而血壓都一直很穩定的在可接受範圍之內。在那時,大約有十二個人看到了這紀錄。

        要知道凡事都有一個開始和一個結束的時間,也就是有一個窗口期。對一個人而言,最長的窗口期是救恩,從出生開始到死亡時結束為止。在這事的窗口期間,我沒吃藥,但血壓都一直很穩定的在可接受的範圍之內。現在我仍沒有吃藥,血壓偶而太高,但很快的就恢復到同樣的接受範圍之內,這代表窗口期已結束了。尊重神,雖然紀錄仍在那裏,過了窗口期,我已不再顯給人看。至於為什麼血壓偶而會升高,我的觀察是和眼睛慢慢的繼續變好有關。眼睛以前發生的事情紀錄在「2038 在海上走和相應的見証、及醫治生來是瞎子的」中的「2. 相應的見証和聖靈的工作」,現在比那時好太多了,仍在繼續慢慢的變更好。

          最後我們來談談女人可以講道的聖經根據,選擇這是因為這題目最近才在意念中跳出來,而且當我想不出該說什麼時,意念會提醒我該用的經文。現在我們首先來看這節經文,「凡男人禱告或是講道(G4395),若蒙着頭,就羞辱自己的頭。凡女人禱告或是講道,若不蒙着頭,就羞辱自己的頭,因為這就如同剃了頭髮一樣。」(哥林多前書 11:4-5) 而聖經說得很清楚,「但女人有長頭髮,乃是她的榮耀,因為這頭髮是給她作蓋頭的。」(哥林多前書 11:15) 所以是沒有必要另外有蓋頭的。很顯然的,在新約中的救恩中,男女基本上是平等的,說是基本上,這是因為聖經沒有提到有女性長老,所以我們也應該如此遵循。

           保羅不是說?「你們要追求愛,也要切慕屬靈的恩賜,其中更要羨慕的,是作先知講道(G4395, prophesy, 動詞)。」(哥林多前書 14:1) 那他為什麼對哥林多的教會說,「婦女在會中要閉口不言,像在聖徒的眾教會一樣,因為不准她們說話。…」(哥林多前書 14:34) 尤其他特別強調,「若有人以為自己是先知,或是屬靈的,就該知道我所寫給你們的是主的命令。若有不知道的,就由他不知道吧!」(哥林多前書 14:37-38) 很顯然的,這是從主來的,可見保羅能辨別諸靈。所以當他說,「又叫一人能行異能,又叫一人能作先知(G4394, prophecy, 名詞),又叫一人能辨別諸靈,又叫一人能說方言,又叫一人能翻方言。」(哥林多前書 12:10) 他是全部都有,因為如果他不是真經歷過,真正的知道,是不會這樣說的,要不就會是說謊而認撒但為父(參約翰福音 8:44) 我們以前說過,那時哥林多教會仍是屬肉體的,一團糟,難怪保羅會從神的角度,不准婦女講話,這是對哥林多教會的婦女說的。

           那保羅為什麼又說,「我不許女人講道(G1321, teach,教導),也不許她轄管男人,只要沉靜。」(提摩太前書 2:12) 請注意,這時用的是不一樣的原文字,是不一樣的講道,衹是和合本用了一樣的翻譯。這經文用了「我」這個字,因此這祇是保羅的個人意見,不是主的命令。我們不是看到了,「聖靈既然禁止他們(保羅和西拉)在亞西亞講道,他們就經過弗呂家、加拉太一帶地方,到了每西亞的邊界,他們想要往庇推尼去,耶穌的靈卻不許。」(使徒行傳 16:6-7) 所以聖經明說,保羅也不會是如神般一定都是全對的,不要敬拜人,也不要敬拜天使。聖經明說,「他(天使)對我說:「千萬不可!我與你和你的弟兄眾先知,並那些守這書上言語的人,同是作僕人的。你要敬拜神。」(啓示錄 22:9) 要知道,「…只有一位是你們的師尊,就是基督。」(馬太福音 23:10)

           保羅不是說?「你們要追求愛,也要切慕屬靈的恩賜,其中更要羨慕的,是作先知講道(G4395, prophesy, 動詞)。」(哥林多前書 14:1) 又說,「神在教會所設立的:第一是使徒,第二是先知(G4395),第三是教師(G1320),其次是行異能的,再次是得恩賜醫病的,幫助人的,治理事的,說方言的。」(哥林多前書 12:28) 教師是排在先知下面的。我們也看到,「他(腓利)有四個女兒,都是處女,是說預言(G4395)的。」(使徒行傳 21:9) 其實在舊約中就有女性教導的例子,「有一位女先知名叫底波拉,是拉比多的妻,當時作以色列的士師。」(士師記 4:4) 而且「那時,底波拉和亞比挪菴的兒子巴拉作歌,…」(士師記 5:1) 這不是教導是什麼?從「神藉著聖經告訴我們是一致的」,我們也可以知道,女性是可以講道的。尤其是,「這一切(恩賜)都是這位聖靈所運行、隨己意分給各人的。」(哥林多前書 12:11) 是神說了算,而不是保羅說了算。

註解

1: 關於主耶穌今日是以內住的聖靈方式與我們同在,是因為有這樣的應許,「耶穌進前來,對他們說:「天上地下所有的權柄都賜給我了。所以,你們要去,使萬民作我的門徒,奉父、子、聖靈的名給他們施洗。凡我所吩咐你們的,都教訓他們遵守,我就常與你們同在,直到世界的末了。」」(馬太福音 28:18-20) 而我們現在有內住的聖靈,「豈不知你們的身子就是聖靈的殿嗎?這聖靈是從神而來,住在你們裏頭的;…」(哥林多前書 6:19) 三位一體的神是指父神,主耶穌基督,和聖靈,所以主耶穌今日是以內住的聖靈方式與我們同在。至於生命衹能從神而來,保羅寫得清楚,「我栽種了,亞波羅澆灌了,惟有神叫他生長。可見栽種的算不得甚麼,澆灌的也算不得甚麼,只在那叫他生長的神。」(哥林多前書 3:6-7)

2:  「我又看見一個白色的大寶座與坐在上面的,從他面前天地都逃避,再無可見之處了。我又看見死了的人,無論大小,都站在寶座前。案卷展開了,並且另有一卷展開,就是生命冊。死了的人都憑着這些案卷所記載的,照他們所行的受審判。於是海交出其中的死人,死亡和陰間也交出其中的死人。他們都照各人所行的受審判。」(啓示錄 20:11-13)

3: 這裏說到同時有預知和預定,所以預知和預定是一體的兩面,猶如一個硬幣有頭尾兩面,但衹有一個硬幣。有人說衹有預知,有人說衹有預定,這都是錯的,因為和聖經所講的不符。如果一個人真正的相信聖經是神所默示的,就會「不把聖經的話打折扣」。

4: 耶穌在地上行了許多神蹟,我們被模成祂的形像,滿有聖靈的生命,怎麼不會有神蹟相隨呢?司提反是滿有聖靈的人,就像經文所說,「…了司提反,乃是大有信心、聖靈充滿的人;…」(使徒行傳 6:5)  而且我們知道,「司提反滿得恩惠能力,在民間行了大奇事和神蹟。」(使徒行傳 6:8) 而他是生前就被模成耶穌形像的,經文這樣說,「他們正用石頭打的時候,司提反呼籲主說:「求主耶穌接收我的靈(魂)(G3450, spirit)!」又跪下大聲喊着說:「主啊,不要將這罪歸於他們!」說了這話,就睡了。…」(使徒行傳 7:59-60) 這和耶穌在十字架上說的兩句話相比,基本上是相同的。這兩句話就是,「耶穌大聲喊着說:「父啊!我將我的靈(魂)(G3450, spirit)交在你手裏。」說了這話,氣就斷了。」(路加福音 23:46) 和「當下耶穌說:「父啊,赦免他們!因為他們所做的,他們不曉得。」…」(路加福音 23:34) 難怪他是唯一得著,耶穌站在神的右邊歡迎的殊榮 (參使徒行傳 7:55-56) 。

5: 在啓示錄中的老底嘉教會,他們把耶穌關在門外,祂仍應許,「看哪,我站在門外叩門,若有聽見我聲音就開門的,我要進到他那裏去,我與他,他與我一同坐席。」(啓示錄 3:20) 祂不但是坐席而已,並且會作工,要不就不會有,「得勝的,我要賜他在我寶座上與我同坐,…」(啓示錄 3:21) 我們要做的是真正的打開心門。請注意,這應許沒有說時間是在什麼時候,神有絕對的主權,祂會選擇最好的時間去做的。

6: 這裏是指彼得所說的,「…我們所親愛的兄弟保羅,照着所賜給他的智慧寫了信給你們。他一切的信上也都是講論這事。信中有些難明白的,那無學問、不堅固的人強解(G4761, distort, wrest),如強解別的經書一樣,就自取沉淪。」(彼得後書 3:15-16) 這字G4761衹出現一次,呂振中譯本翻成曲解。這樣讀經的目的,是要把聖經的話語存在心中,所以看不懂沒有關係,看過去就好,這會好於強解(曲解)聖經,因為即使曲解能被更正的話,也會要非常花時間。

 註7: 基督徒是主耶穌的僕人,我們就先看看撒但如何對待主,在耶穌受洗後四十天受魔鬼(撒但)的試探時,「魔鬼用完了各樣的試探,就暫時離開耶穌。」(路加福音 4:13) 那時祇是暫時離開而已,後來則是,祂「…凡事受過試探,與我們一樣,只是他沒有犯罪。」(希伯來書 4:15) 聖經明說,「學生不能高過先生,僕人不能高過主人。」(馬太福音 10:24) 我們怎麼會在愈接近神時,不會經過愈多的試探呢?但試探中神會保守我們,聖經明說,「你們所遇見的試探,無非是人所能受的。神是信實的,必不叫你們受試探過於所能受的。在受試探的時候,總要給你們開一條出路,叫你們能忍受得住。」(哥林多前書 10:13)