更正:  關於十一奉獻。這衹是聖靈引導我瞭解十一奉獻的真諦過程中的一次，我在「2142 十一奉獻的真諦和不要認撒但為父」，講述了整個五次的過程。 我在油管和相應的文章中，並沒有個別的更新，而是用更正的方式引用了正確的「2142」，保留了這過程，希望別人不會和我犯下同樣的錯誤。其他的部份沒有問題。謝謝。

我們首先用十一奉獻來說明不要强解聖經，然後問保羅為什麼不在迫害基督徒之前見到大光，因而談到了萬物有定時，接著講箴言中的一個遠離虛假和謊言的禱告，最後看聖經如何說神是又真又活的神，是有憐憫有恩典的神。

我們已在專題查經中談了三次的十一奉獻，因為這和許多人的生活息息相關 [1]。只有在第三次，我們才把人的邏輯完全除掉，只看聖經如何教導。在這裏，我們只將分享的最後結論大致提出。

首先我們看見舊約在律法中的要求是、奉獻要超過十分之一。我們現在是在新約的時代，新約沒有如律法般的要求一定要奉獻十分之一。新約的要求是要甘心樂意，我們和神的關係會決定了我們到底奉獻多少。但不能把這當作藉口，我可以見証神會考慮我們是否有足夠的資源能奉獻十分之一。新約中受到耶穌稱讚的是窮寡婦奉獻的兩個小錢，是超過十分之一的奉獻。

如果我們和神關係好，自然會想要神家有糧，尤如我們和一個人關係好，自然希望這人能衣食無憂。也自然會考慮到那在舊約中所說的，且從未拿走的事實：十分之一是屬耶和華的。這不是說奉獻不到十分之一就是和神關係不好，神是看內心的，而不是看外表。

我們可能會問，為什麼我必須在前兩次中犯兩次錯誤？第一次分享是因有對聖經相當熟習的人和我有同樣的看見，第二次意識到原文與和合本的翻譯不同，直到第三次才藉著姊妹的話告訴我拿去一切人的邏輯，只看聖經怎麼說。

問答這一問題，我們試著先問另一問題：神不是隨時可以讓保羅見到大光嗎？不是在他迫害基督徒之前見到大光更好嗎？是的，從人的角度看可能是更好的。保羅說：然而我蒙了憐憫，是因耶穌基督要在我這罪魁身上顯明他一切的忍耐，給後來信他得永生的人作榜樣。 (提摩太前書 1:16) 他說：『…在罪人中我是個罪魁。』(提摩太前書 1:15) 動詞用的是現在式，所以他是說，我不僅過去迫害基督徒是個罪魁，現在仍是。神讓他看見，和神的聖潔及無限相比，他不是罪魁是什麼？願神讓我們都有這樣的看見，這樣的看見是不可少的。

在傳道書 3:1，耶和華說：「我的意念非同你們的意念，我的道路非同你們的道路。天怎樣高過地，照樣，我的道路高過你們的道路，我的意念高過你們的意念。」 的確如此，且『凡事都有定期，天下萬務都有定時。』 (傳道書 3:1) 這就是我們所領受的，凡事都有一個時間的窗口，有開始的時間，有結束的時間。有時候神會允許我們犯錯而無意中開始了這窗口，結束的時間是在神手上。我想這大概就是為什麼我在講十一奉獻時會先犯兩次錯誤，第三次才藉姊妹的話真的知道！沒有疑問的，神的道路高過我的道路。

箴言教我們一個這樣的禱告：「我求你兩件事，在我未死之先，不要不賜給我：求你使虛假和謊言遠離我，使我也不貧窮也不富足，賜給我需用的飲食。恐怕我飽足不認你，說：『耶和華是誰呢？』又恐怕我貧窮就偷竊，以致褻瀆我神的名。」  (箴言 30:7-9) 這雖只是物質上的，而人活著不是單靠食物 [2]，有人見証這樣的禱告是蒙主悅納的，是蒙主應許的。

這就牽涉到善意的謊言問題，因人們常常以為善意的謊言為世界所接納，是所以可以說的。千萬不可！善意的謊言也是謊言，要用智慧的話語。聖經應許基督徒：『你們中間若有缺少智慧的，應當求那厚賜與眾人、也不斥責人的神，主就必賜給他。』 (雅各書 1:5)

我看到在聖經中蒙神赦免的謊言都和犧牲自己的生命有關。例如說，妓女喇和當時如不說謊就形同自殺，神不要我們去自殺。但聖經從沒有誇讚她的說謊，只稱讚她的信心。 但和真理有關的，『…你務要至死忠心，我就賜給你那生命的冠冕。』 (啓示錄 2:10)

聖經在經文中說神是又真又活的神： 『…你們是怎樣離棄偶像，歸向神，要服事那又真又活的神。』 (帖撒羅尼迦前書 1:9) 神有絕對主權，但有憐憫， 有恩典，如經文所說：『耶和華說：「…我要恩待誰，就恩待誰；要憐憫誰，就憐憫誰。」』 (出埃及記 33:19) 『道成了肉身，住在我們中間，充充滿滿地有恩典，有真理。…』 (約翰福音 1:14)

我們已提到了幾個神的應許，要全心相信，所有神的應許從不落空。『只要憑着信心求，一點不疑惑；因為那疑惑的人，就像海中的波浪，被風吹動翻騰。』 (雅各書 1:6) 例如在大使命中有這樣的應許：『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 28:20) 這應許因我們有內住的聖靈而成就了。『他又用印印了我們，並賜聖靈在我們心裏作憑據。』 (哥林多後書 1:22)

我們最後用一節經文來結束分享：『遵守神命令的，就住在神裏面，神也住在他裏面。我們所以知道神住在我們裏面，是因他所賜給我們的聖靈。』 (約翰一書 3:24)

一些相關的經文和知識

[1] 這三次分別是：『200816 從聖經的無誤和一致性看一些經文』https://youtu.be/xea-Yj-jnro ，『 201220 讀經要從整本聖經讀的三個例子』https://youtu.be/O3E84s3SoYI ，和『210918 願神家有糧和十一的奉獻』https://youtu.be/YH7ih5ZFQeQ 。

[2] 耶穌卻回答說：「經上記着說：『人活着，不是單靠食物，乃是靠神口裏所出的一切話。』」 (馬太福音 4:4)

(你可以在『 https://a-christian-voice.com/ 』看到所有的文章，到這網站後要按『對屬靈生命的瞭解』。)

Correction: Regarding tithing. This is just one instance of the Holy Spirit’s guidance in my understanding of the true meaning of tithing. I recounted the entire five-fold process in “1142 True meaning of tithing and don’t acknowledge Satan as father.” I haven’t updated the individual parts of the corresponding articles or on YouTube. Instead, I’ve included the corrected version of “1142” and preserved the process, hoping others won’t make the same mistake I did. The rest of the content is fine. Thank you.

First, we’ll use the example of giving one tenth of your income as an offering to show that we shouldn’t forcefully interpret the Bible as I did, since I finally got rid of the logic in the aspect of human after three iterations [1]. Instead, whatever the Bible says, we follow. In other words, we can finally study the Bible on this topic in the aspect of the Bible. Then, we asked why Paul didn’t see the big light before he prosecuted Christians? This leads to the discussion of the fact there is a time for everything under heaven similar to the first one that I went through three iterations. After that, we discuss a prayer in Proverbs 30 about keeping deception and lies far from me. Finally, we take a brief look at how the Bible says that God is living and true and He is full of mercy and grace.

We have talked three times about the concept of one tenth offering in topic-wise Bible study as the topic influences our daily life. In the first iteration of 8/16/20, the arguments are very logical in the aspect of human. Actually, there is someone agreeing with me on the same arguments which gave me the courage to talk about it. In the first iteration, I conclude wrongly with the following arguments that we have to offer at least one tenth in the era of New Testament with hearts moved.

In Exodus 25:1-2: Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “… from every man whose heart moves him you shall raise My contribution.” So, we must have our heart moved when we give an offering. From Leviticus 27:30, it says: Thus, all the tithe of the land, of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the tree, is the Lord’s …” This sentence is still true even in the era of the New Testament. For churches talking about one tenth offering, they often quoted the verse in Malachi 3:8, it says: “Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing Me! But you say, ‘How have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings.” Someone may argue that more than tithes are required if quoting this verse, since there are additional offerings mentioned. Since the offerings mentioned in this verse are all related to the sacrificial system. We no longer have the temple in the era of the New Testament or the offerings mentioned. Therefore, from this argument, one tenth offering in the era of New Testament is still correct.

In the era of New Testament, 1 Corinthians 16:1-2 in NIV says, “…On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income (G2343), …”  Paul didn’t have to say how much since everyone at that time knew, one tenth. Let us see what Jesus said in Luke 11:42, “But woe to you Pharisees! For you pay tithe of mint and rue and …” He also said in Matthew 23:3, “therefore all that they tell you, do and observe, …” Hence, both Testaments say that we have to offer at least one tenth. Is it very logical? That is why both of us are deceived by words not in the Bible.

In the second iteration of 12/20/20, I realized the word in Greek G2343 is not necessarily related to income. I made changes accordingly.

In the third iteration of 9/4/21, to answer the question about what the teaching of offering in New Testament is, I realized that the only direct teaching was what Jesus said in Luke 21:2-4, “And He saw a poor widow putting in two small copper coins. And He said, “Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all of them; for they all out of their surplus put into the offering; but she out of her poverty put in all that she had to live on.”” 

In the era of New Testament, it is impossible to have any law like one tenth offering as we can see how Jesus hated it. I didn’t say offering less than one tenth indicated the relationship between God and the person was no good. I want to point out there is only one God, who has the absolute authority. We really cannot use logic to say there is no sacrifice anymore, and conclude one tenth offering is still correct. This is to view things in the aspect of human. If in the aspect of the Bible, it was required to offer more than one tenth in the era of Old Testament. Period. Man has free will. Offering how much definitely depends upon the relationship between God and the person.

However, this is not to be used as an excuse. Just like if one person has a good relationship with another person, the first person normally hopes that the other will not lack of food. If one person has good relationship with God, the person will automatically think about having enough food in God’s house like what Malachi 3:10 says, “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this,” says the Lord of hosts, …” The person then really wants return what belongs to the Lord as said in Leviticus 27:30 mentioned earlier. However, I can testify that God doesn’t blame at all those people who don’t have enough resources to offer one tenth, “…for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7).

We might ask then why I had to go through three iterations to get it finally be consistent with the Bible? This is my interpretation. One might ask why Paul saw the big light after he prosecuted Christians. Isn’t it better if it happened before that? Yes, in the aspect of human. But in Isaiah 55:8-9, it says, “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts than your thoughts.” Furthermore, in Ecclesiastes 3:1, “There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven.” So, it is the right time as you can see from what Paul says in 1 Timothy 1:16, “Yet for this reason I found mercy, so that in me as the foremost, Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience as an example for those who would believe in Him for eternal life.” I think that it might be a similar reason why I had to go through two wrong logical iterations before I finally am consistent with what the Bible says. The way of God is definitely higher than mine, not comparable at all. We can also see that there is a window of time for everything. Sometimes God allows us to start the time window unexpectedly or even by allowing us to make mistakes, the end is solely controlled by God as He has the absolute authority.

Just to mention by passing what is related to 1 Timothy 1:15, “…  sinners, among whom I am foremost of all.” notice that the verb is the present tense. So, he didn’t say that he was the foremost because he prosecuted Christians, he is now the one too. God let him see that before His Holy presence and His infinity, what else could he feel other than being the foremost? May God let us feel the same way since such a perception is the must.

Just to mention by passing what is related to 1 Timothy 1:15, notice that the verb is the present tense. So, he didn’t say that he was the foremost because he prosecuted Christians, he is now the one too. God let him see that before His Holy and infinity, what else could he feel other than being the foremost? May God let us feel the same way since such a perception is the must.

Let us now take a look at a prayer in Proverbs 30:7-9 related to the time, “Two things I asked of You, Do not refuse me before I die: Keep deception and lies far from me, Give me neither poverty nor riches; Feed me with the food that is my portion, That I not be full and deny You and say, “Who is the Lord?” Or that I not be in want and steal, And profane the name of my God.” People often thinks that a lie out of a good will is acceptable by the world at large. Hence, it is ok to lie out of good will. Absolutely not! A lie out of good will is still a lie. What we want to do is to use the words of wisdom as in James 1:5-6, “But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind.” If we don’t have the wisdom, we can pray for it. There are no other requirements except requiring that a Christian prays in faith. It doesn’t say anything about time, but we are surely to get it as God promised. 

When God forgave someone in the Bible for lying, it is always related to the life for that person. For example, in Joshua 2:4-6, “But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them, and she said, “Yes, the men came to me, but I did not know where they were from. It came about when it was time to shut the gate at dark, that the men went out; I do not know where the men went. Pursue them quickly, for you will overtake them.” But she had brought them up to the roof and hidden them in the stalks of flax which she had laid in order on the roof.” Surely, the harlot Rahab lied. If at that time Rahab didn’t lie, it would be just like suicide. God doesn’t want us to commit suicide. In the Bible, the faith of Rahab is praised, never about her lying. If related to truth, Revelation 2:10 says clearly, “…Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.” Although Matthew 4:4 says, “But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.'”, we’ll not depend on food ALONE but still need food. Hence, though such a prayer talks about materials, someone testified that it was still made God pleased and was granted so far.

Finally, let us remember the Bible says that although God has the absolute authority, He is living and true. He is full of mercy and grace. Apparently, He is living and true as said in 1 Thessalonians 1:9, “For they themselves report about us what kind of a reception we had with you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God.” He has the absolute authority as in Exodus 33:19, “…and I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show compassion on whom I will show compassion.” It also shows that He has compassion. In the era of the New Testament, John 1:14 says, “And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.” He is full of grace.

We have mentioned some promises. We have to believe that whatever He promised, it will be done. All we have to do is to pray in faith as said in James 1:6, “But he must ask in faith without any doubting, …” For example, the promise in the great mission of Matthew 28:20 “…and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” is done by the indwelling Holy Spirit stated in 2 Corinthians 1:21-22, “Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and anointed us is God, who also sealed us and gave us the Spirit in our hearts as a pledge.”

We end the sharing by a verse in 1 John 3:24, “The one who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. We know by this that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us.”

Reference

(Verses refer to those in NASB unless otherwise specified.)

[1] For people who know Chinese, you can go to YouTube to get those three iterations in detail. They are: 『200816 從聖經的無誤和一致性看一些經文』https://youtu.be/xea-Yj-jnro ，『 201220 讀經要從整本聖經讀的三個例子』https://youtu.be/O3E84s3SoYI ，和『210918 願神家有糧和十一的奉獻』https://youtu.be/YH7ih5ZFQeQ 。

(You can get all articles in “https://a-christian-voice.com/” under “On spiritual understanding about life.”)

我们簡短敍述一些保罗所遭遇的事。首先我们看到保罗的转变是他见到大光的神蹟后[1]，主透过看到異象的亚拿尼亚告诉保罗，事奉主必须受许多的苦难 [2]，但保罗仍旧选择跟随主耶稣基督。他见大光后马上凭借自己力量去传道，最后结果是夜间用筐子把他从城牆上缒下去 [3]。极有可能的去了亚拉伯矿野三年，承受启示成為使徒 [4]。

巴拿巴找他到教会，並很有果效的宣教 [5]。随后因圣灵的带领去了第一次佈道 [6]，总共三次佈道 [7]。虽遭逼害，為主不惜自己的生命 [8]。他实在是有这样在狱中仍唱诗喜乐的生命 [9] 。為了坚持真理而责备彼得 [10]，圣灵也透过他充满別人 [10]，甚至能使死人复活 [12]。

他上诉该撒实在是不得已 [13]，因此坐船到罗马 [14]，而遇上了船难，得到主的使者以预言平安加力量 [15]，来到了罗马 [16]。到了罗马以后，虽在狱中仍然传道 [17]，他在狱中写的书信，使万人蒙福。

一些相关的经文

[1] 掃罗行路，将到大马士革，忽然从天上發光，四面照着他。他就仆倒在地，听见有声音对他說：「掃罗，掃罗！你為甚麼逼迫我？」他說：「主啊，你是谁？」 主說：「我就是你所逼迫的耶稣。起来！进城去，你所当做的事，必有人告诉你。」 (使徒行传 9:3-6)

[2] 当下，在大马士革有一个门徒，名叫亚拿尼亚。主在異象中对他說：「亚拿尼亚。」 他說：「主，我在这里。」主对他說：「起来！往直街去，在犹大的家里，访问一个大数人，名叫掃罗，他正祷告；…主对亚拿尼亚說：「你只管去。他是我所拣选的器皿，要在外邦人和君王並以色列人面前宣扬我的名。我也要指示他，為我的名必须受许多的苦难。」 (使徒行传 9:10-16)

[3] …掃罗就在各会堂里宣传耶稣，說他是神的儿子。…他的门徒就在夜间用筐子把他从城牆上缒下去。 (使徒行传 9:19-25)

[4] 因為我不是从人领受的，也不是人教导我的，乃是从耶稣基督启示来的。…然而那把我从母腹里分別出来、又施恩召我的神，既然乐意将他儿子启示在我心里，叫我把他传在外邦人中，我就沒有与属血气的人商量，也沒有上耶路撒冷去见那些比我先作使徒的，惟獨往阿拉伯去，后又回到大马士革。过了三年，才上耶路撒冷去见矶法，和他同住了十五天。 (加拉太书 1:12-18)

[5] 他(巴拿巴)又往大数去找掃罗，找着了，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。门徒称為基督徒是从安提阿起首。 (使徒行传 11:25-26)

[6] 他们事奉主，禁食的时候，圣灵說：「要為我分派巴拿巴和掃罗，去做我召他们所做的工。」於是禁食祷告，按手在他们头上，就打發他们去了。 (使徒行传 13:2-3)

[7] 过了些日子，保罗对巴拿巴說：「我们可以回到从前宣传主道的各城，看望弟兄们景況如何。」…保罗拣选了西拉也出去，蒙弟兄们把他交於主的恩中。』 (使徒行传 15:36-40)   住了些日子，又离开那里，挨次经过加拉太和弗呂家地方，坚固眾门徒。 (使徒行传 18:23)

[8] 他们是基督的仆人吗？（我說句狂话）我更是！我比他们多受劳苦，多下监牢；受鞭打是过重的，冒死是屡次有的。被犹太人鞭打五次，每次四十，減去一下；被棍打了三次，被石头打了一次；遇着船坏三次，一昼一夜在深海里。又屡次行远路，遭江河的危险、盜贼的危险、同族的危险、外邦人的危险、城里的危险、旷野的危险、海中的危险、假弟兄的危险。受劳碌、受困苦、多次不得睡；又飢又渴，多次不得食；受寒冷，赤身露体。除了这外面的事，还有為眾教会掛心的事，天天压在我身上。 (哥林多后书 11:23-28)

[9] 禁卒领了这样的命，就把他们下在內监里，两腳上了木狗。约在半夜，保罗和西拉祷告唱诗讚美神，眾囚犯也侧耳而听。 (使徒行传 16:24-25)

[10] 但我一看见他们行得不正，与福音的真理不合，就在眾人面前对矶法說：「你既是犹太人，若随外邦人行事，不随犹太人行事，怎麼还勉強外邦人随犹太人呢？ (加拉太书 2:14)

[11] 保罗按手在他们头上，圣灵便降在他们身上，他们就說方言，又說预言。一共约有十二个人。 (使徒行传 19:6-7)

[12] 有一个少年人，名叫犹推古，坐在窗台上困倦沉睡。保罗讲了多时，少年人睡熟了，就从三层楼上掉下去；扶起他来，已经死了。保罗下去，伏在他身上，抱着他說：「你们不要發慌，他的灵魂还在身上。」…有人把那童子活活地领来，得的安慰不小。 (使徒行传 20:9-12)

[13] 但非斯都要讨犹太人的喜欢，就问保罗說：「你愿意上耶路撒冷去，在那里听我审断这事吗？」保罗說：「我站在凯撒的堂前，这就是我应当受审的地方。…他们所告我的事若都不实，就沒有人可以把我交给他们。我要上告於凯撒。」 (使徒行传 25:9-11)

 [14] 非斯都既然定规了，叫我们坐船往意大利去，便将保罗和別的囚犯交给御营里的一个百夫长，名叫犹流。 (使徒行传 27:1)

[15] 因我所属所事奉的神，他的使者昨夜站在我旁边說：『保罗，不要害怕！你必定站在凯撒面前；並且与你同船的人，神都赐给你了。』 (使徒行传 27:23-24)

[16] 在那里(部丟利)遇见弟兄们，请我们与他们同住了七天。这样，我们来到罗马。 (使徒行传 28:14)

[17] 进了罗马城，保罗蒙准和一个看守他的兵另住在一处。 (使徒行传 28:16) 保罗在自己所租的房子里住了足足两年。凡来见他的人，他全都接待，放胆传讲神国的道，将主耶稣基督的事教导人，並沒有人禁止。 (使徒行传 28:30-31)

(你可以在『 https://a-christian-voice.com/ 』看到所有的文章，到这网站后要按『对属灵生命的了解』。)

我們簡短敍述一些保羅所遭遇的事。首先我們看到保羅的轉變是他見到大光的神蹟後[1]，主透過看到異象的亞拿尼亞告訴保羅，事奉主必須受許多的苦難 [2]，但保羅仍舊選擇跟隨主耶穌基督。他見大光後馬上憑藉自己力量去傳道，最後結果是夜間用筐子把他從城牆上縋下去 [3]。極有可能的去了亞拉伯礦野三年，承受啓示成為使徒 [4]。

巴拿巴找他到教會，並很有果效的宣教 [5]。隨後因聖靈的帶領去了第一次佈道 [6]，總共三次佈道 [7]。雖遭逼害，為主不惜自己的生命 [8]。他實在是有這樣在獄中仍唱詩喜樂的生命 [9] 。為了堅持真理而責備彼得 [10]，聖靈也透過他充滿別人 [10]，甚至能使死人復活 [12]。

 他上訴該撒實在是不得已 [13]，因此坐船到羅馬 [14]，而遇上了船難，得到主的使者以預言平安加力量 [15]，來到了羅馬 [16]。到了羅馬以後，雖在獄中仍然傳道 [17]，他在獄中寫的書信，使萬人蒙福。

一些相關的經文

[1] 掃羅行路，將到大馬士革，忽然從天上發光，四面照着他。他就仆倒在地，聽見有聲音對他說：「掃羅，掃羅！你為甚麼逼迫我？」他說：「主啊，你是誰？」 主說：「我就是你所逼迫的耶穌。起來！進城去，你所當做的事，必有人告訴你。」 (使徒行傳 9:3-6)

[2] 當下，在大馬士革有一個門徒，名叫亞拿尼亞。主在異象中對他說：「亞拿尼亞。」 他說：「主，我在這裏。」主對他說：「起來！往直街去，在猶大的家裏，訪問一個大數人，名叫掃羅，他正禱告；…主對亞拿尼亞說：「你只管去。他是我所揀選的器皿，要在外邦人和君王並以色列人面前宣揚我的名。我也要指示他，為我的名必須受許多的苦難。」 (使徒行傳 9:10-16)

[3] …掃羅就在各會堂裏宣傳耶穌，說他是神的兒子。…他的門徒就在夜間用筐子把他從城牆上縋下去。 (使徒行傳 9:19-25)

[4] 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。…然而那把我從母腹裏分別出來、又施恩召我的神，既然樂意將他兒子啓示在我心裏，叫我把他傳在外邦人中，我就沒有與屬血氣的人商量，也沒有上耶路撒冷去見那些比我先作使徒的，惟獨往阿拉伯去，後又回到大馬士革。過了三年，才上耶路撒冷去見磯法，和他同住了十五天。 (加拉太書 1:12-18)

[5] 他(巴拿巴)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)

[6] 他們事奉主，禁食的時候，聖靈說：「要為我分派巴拿巴和掃羅，去做我召他們所做的工。」於是禁食禱告，按手在他們頭上，就打發他們去了。 (使徒行傳 13:2-3)

[7] 過了些日子，保羅對巴拿巴說：「我們可以回到從前宣傳主道的各城，看望弟兄們景況如何。」…保羅揀選了西拉也出去，蒙弟兄們把他交於主的恩中。』 (使徒行傳 15:36-40)    住了些日子，又離開那裏，挨次經過加拉太和弗呂家地方，堅固眾門徒。 (使徒行傳 18:23)

[8] 他們是基督的僕人嗎？（我說句狂話）我更是！我比他們多受勞苦，多下監牢；受鞭打是過重的，冒死是屢次有的。被猶太人鞭打五次，每次四十，減去一下；被棍打了三次，被石頭打了一次；遇着船壞三次，一晝一夜在深海裏。又屢次行遠路，遭江河的危險、盜賊的危險、同族的危險、外邦人的危險、城裏的危險、曠野的危險、海中的危險、假弟兄的危險。受勞碌、受困苦、多次不得睡；又飢又渴，多次不得食；受寒冷，赤身露體。除了這外面的事，還有為眾教會掛心的事，天天壓在我身上。 (哥林多後書 11:23-28)

[9] 禁卒領了這樣的命，就把他們下在內監裏，兩腳上了木狗。約在半夜，保羅和西拉禱告唱詩讚美神，眾囚犯也側耳而聽。 (使徒行傳 16:24-25)

[10] 但我一看見他們行得不正，與福音的真理不合，就在眾人面前對磯法說：「你既是猶太人，若隨外邦人行事，不隨猶太人行事，怎麼還勉強外邦人隨猶太人呢？ (加拉太書 2:14)

[11] 保羅按手在他們頭上，聖靈便降在他們身上，他們就說方言，又說預言。一共約有十二個人。 (使徒行傳 19:6-7)

[12] 有一個少年人，名叫猶推古，坐在窗台上困倦沉睡。保羅講了多時，少年人睡熟了，就從三層樓上掉下去；扶起他來，已經死了。保羅下去，伏在他身上，抱着他說：「你們不要發慌，他的靈魂還在身上。」…有人把那童子活活地領來，得的安慰不小。 (使徒行傳 20:9-12)

[13] 但非斯都要討猶太人的喜歡，就問保羅說：「你願意上耶路撒冷去，在那裏聽我審斷這事嗎？」保羅說：「我站在凱撒的堂前，這就是我應當受審的地方。…他們所告我的事若都不實，就沒有人可以把我交給他們。我要上告於凱撒。」 (使徒行傳 25:9-11)

[14] 非斯都既然定規了，叫我們坐船往意大利去，便將保羅和別的囚犯交給御營裏的一個百夫長，名叫猶流。 (使徒行傳 27:1)

[15] 因我所屬所事奉的神，他的使者昨夜站在我旁邊說：『保羅，不要害怕！你必定站在凱撒面前；並且與你同船的人，神都賜給你了。』 (使徒行傳 27:23-24)

[16] 在那裏(部丟利)遇見弟兄們，請我們與他們同住了七天。這樣，我們來到羅馬。 (使徒行傳 28:14)

[17] 進了羅馬城，保羅蒙准和一個看守他的兵另住在一處。 (使徒行傳 28:16) 保羅在自己所租的房子裏住了足足兩年。凡來見他的人，他全都接待，放膽傳講神國的道，將主耶穌基督的事教導人，並沒有人禁止。 (使徒行傳 28:30-31)

(你可以在『 https://a-christian-voice.com/ 』看到所有的文章，到這網站後要按『對屬靈生命的瞭解』。)

We briefly describe something about what Paul encountered. First, we can see the change of Paul that occurred after the miracle of his seeing a light from heaven flashing around him [1]. Through Ananias, Jesus told him, “for I will show him how much he must suffer for My name’s sake.” [2] Despite that, Paul still chose to follow Jesus until death. After he saw the big light, he immediately chose to preach Gospel by his old self, and a result “his disciples took him by night and let him down through an opening in the wall, lowering him in a large basket.” [3] Likely, he went to Arabia for three years, and became an apostle through revelation [4].

After that, Barnabas found Paul and introduced him to the church of Antioch, and preached the Gospel effectively [5]. Holy Spirit then leads him to the first evangelical trip [6], and there are three trips in total [7]. Even though he suffered because of strong suppression, he didn’t care for his own life in order to preach for the Lord [8]. He has the life to continue praying and singing hymns of praise to God even in jail [9]. In order to stand for the truth, he even scolded Peter [10]. Holy Spirit also through him to fill others [11]. He could even revive a dead [12].

He was forced to appeal to Caesar [13], and it was decided that he would sail for Italy [14]. As a result, he encountered a shipwreck, but an angel of the God appeared to him to ensure him in advance to not be afraid of what will happen [15]. Eventually, he arrived Rome [16]. Even in jail in Rome, he still preached the Gospel [17]. The four books he wrote when jailed benefited so many.

Some related verses

(Verses refer to those in NASB unless otherwise specified.)

[1] Acts 9:3-6, As he was traveling, it happened that he was approaching Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him; and he fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” And He said, “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting, but get up and enter the city, and it will be told you what you must do.”

[2] Acts 9:10-16, Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and the Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” And the Lord said to him, “Get up and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying, and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him, so that he might regain his sight.” But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he did to Your saints at Jerusalem; and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.” But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel; for I will show him how much he must suffer for My name’s sake.”

[3] Acts 9:19-25, …Saul Begins to Preach Christ Now for several days he was with the disciples who were at Damascus, and immediately he began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is the Son of God.” …but his disciples took him by night and let him down through an opening in the wall, lowering him in a large basket.

[4] Galatians 1:12-18, For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ. For you have heard of my former manner of life in Judaism, how I used to persecute the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it; and I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries among my countrymen, being more extremely zealous for my ancestral traditions. But when God, who had set me apart even from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace, was pleased to reveal His Son in me so that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with flesh and blood, nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went away to Arabia, and returned once more to Damascus. Then three years later I went up to Jerusalem to become acquainted with Cephas, and stayed with him fifteen days.

[5] Acts 11:25-26, And he 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.

[6] Acts 13:2-3, While they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then, when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.

[7] Acts 15:36-40, “After some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us return and visit the brethren in every city in which we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are.” …But Paul chose Silas and left, being committed by the brethren to the grace of the Lord.” Acts 18:23, “And having spent some time there, he left and passed successively through the Galatian region and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples.”

[8] 2 Corinthians 11:23-28, Are they servants of Christ?-I speak as if insane-I more so; in far more labors, in far more imprisonments, beaten times without number, often in danger of death. Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent in the deep. I have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers on the sea, dangers among false brethren; I have been in labor and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. Apart from such external things, there is the daily pressure on me of concern for all the churches.

[9] Acts 16:24-25, and he, having received such a command, threw them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks. But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and the prisoners were listening to them;

[10] Galatians 2:14, But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas in the presence of all, “If you, being a Jew, live like the Gentiles and not like the Jews, how is it that you compel the Gentiles to live like Jews?

[11] Acts 19:6-7, And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking with tongues and prophesying. There were in all about twelve men.

[12] Acts 20:9-12, And there was a young man named Eutychus sitting on the window sill, sinking into a deep sleep; and as Paul kept on talking, he was overcome by sleep and fell down from the third floor and was picked up dead. But Paul went down and fell upon him, and after embracing him, he said, “Do not be troubled, for his life is in him.” When he had gone back up and had broken the bread and eaten, he talked with them a long while until daybreak, and then left. They took away the boy alive, and were greatly comforted. Troas to Miletus

[13] Acts 25:9-11, But Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor, answered Paul and said, “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and stand trial before me on these charges? ” But Paul said, “I am standing before Caesar’s tribunal, where I ought to be tried. I have done no wrong to the Jews, as you also very well know. If, then, I am a wrongdoer and have committed anything worthy of death, I do not refuse to die; but if none of those things is true of which these men accuse me, no one can hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar.”

[14] Acts 27:1, When it was decided that we would sail for Italy, they proceeded to deliver Paul and some other prisoners to a centurion of the Augustan cohort named Julius.

[15] Acts 27:23-24, For this very night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood before me, saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar; and behold, God has granted you all those who are sailing with you.’

[16] Acts 28:14, There we found some brethren, and were invited to stay with them for seven days; and thus we came to Rome.

[17] Acts 28:30-31, And he stayed two full years in his own rented quarters and was welcoming all who came to him, preaching the kingdom of God and teaching concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all openness, unhindered.

(You can get all articles in “https://a-christian-voice.com/” under “On spiritual understanding about life.”)

我们簡单的看看彼得在成圣之路所遭遇的一些事情。我们不是用『见树不见林』的方法而详查经文，相反的、我们是簡述大纲，而将一些详情放於参考的经文中。我们要強调一点，虽然因篇幅的关系，我们只能引用部份经文，引用是要以圣经的一致性為基础的，如有沒有看见的和看错的地方，敬请指正。谢谢。

首先，我们看到了彼得虽然跟随了耶稣三年多，在耶稣钉十字架前仍三次不认主，虽然他悔改並成為大使徒，但我们看见了我们实在不能凭借老我 [1]。

我们曾說过，主在复活后三次问彼得說你愛我吗，是用不同的愛问的，只有用原文才能分辨出来 [2]，所以有时非用原文不可。对不懂原文的我，必须用工具书如汇编(Strong’s concordance)才能分辨。在这些经文中，我们看见了耶稣告诉彼得，要用神来的(Agape)愛才能牧養我的羊 [2]，用人世间的愛只能餵養。

在五旬节时，彼得被圣灵充满，带著这新我，他得人如得鱼 [3]，並看到一个圣灵可以如何作工的方法。他也大有其他的能力，如在美门医治瘸腿的，但很清楚的知道能力来自耶稣基督，是主的工作 [4]，而众人也因此归荣耀於神 [5]。他还行了许多的神蹟 [6]，圣灵也借著他的按手降在別人身上 [7]，甚至使死人复活 [8]。

我们也看到了彼得透过異象开始在外邦中传福音，一连三次看见天上有一物降下 [9]，因而去了外邦人哥尼流的家中 [10]。更进一步，在『彼得还說这话的时候，圣灵降在一切听道的人身上。』(使徒行传 10:44) 他也証实了保罗是外邦的使徒，並传同样的福音 [11]。

我们最后看看两件事，看看一些他走在成圣之路的生命。第一件事是他明確的知道神有能力救他不死 [12]，耶稣卻预言了他為荣耀主而死 [13]，即使如此，他仍然跟随主到底。另外一件事，他曾遭保罗责备 [14]，他很清楚知道那时的保罗是对的，在他老年生命成熟的时候了，仍然称讚保罗 [15]。

 一些相关的经文和知识

[1] 彼得說：「主啊，我為甚麼现在不能跟你去？我愿意為你舍命。」耶稣說：「你愿意為我舍命吗？我实实在在地告诉你：雞叫以先，你要三次不认我。」(约翰福音 13:37-38) 从这节经文中我们看到彼得在老我中是愿為主舍命的，但在耶稣钉十字架前，他的肉体软弱了！在我们的经验中，我们不是常常如此吗？凭著老我，我们只会落在罗马书第七章所讲的光景中：『因為我所做的，我自己不明白；我所愿意的，我並不做；我所恨恶的，我倒去做。』(罗马书 7:15) 但彼得当时就悔改了，我们也要有一个悔改的心志。『主转过身来看彼得，彼得便想起主对他所說的话：「今日雞叫以先，你要三次不认我。」他就出去痛哭。』(路加福音 22:61-62)

 [2] 我们看在第二次耶稣问彼得說你愛我吗时，就可以知道有不同的愛！『耶稣第二次又对他說：「约翰的儿子西门，你愛(G25)我吗？」 彼得說：「主啊，是的，你知道我愛(G5368)你。」 耶稣說：「你牧養(G4165)我的羊。」』(约翰福音 21:16) 在汇编中，不同的字有不同的编号，两个不同编号的愛，是两种不同的愛。另外，如果你把约翰福音 21:15-17 中耶稣对彼得說的话放在一起，就可以看到只有用神来的(Agape)愛才能牧養和餵養(G1006)，用人世间的愛(G5368)只能餵養。

[3] 『五旬节到了，门徒都聚集在一处。…他们就都被圣灵充满，按着圣灵所赐的口才說起別国的话来。』(使徒行传 2:1-4) 『眾人听见这话，觉得扎心，…彼得說：「你们各人要悔改，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。…於是，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 2:37-42)  『但听道之人有许多信的，男丁数目约到五千。』(使徒行传 4:4) 圣灵的一个工作是使人感到扎心，即使扎心，人仍有自由意志可決定要不要接受。

[4] 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。…彼得說：「金银我都沒有，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！」…於是拉着他的右手，扶他起来。他的腳和踝子骨立刻健壮了。…彼得看见，就对百姓說：「以色列人哪，為甚麼把这事当作希奇呢？為甚麼定睛看我们，以為我们凭自己的能力和虔诚使这人行走呢？(使徒行传 3:2-12)

[5] …这是因眾人為所行的奇事，都归荣耀与神。(使徒行传 4:21)

[6] 还有许多人带着病人和被污鬼缠磨的，从耶路撒冷四围的城邑来，全都得了医治。(使徒行传 5:16)

[7] 使徒在耶路撒冷听见撒马利亚人领受了神的道，就打發彼得、约翰往他们那里去。…於是使徒按手在他们头上，他们就受了圣灵。(使徒行传 8:14-17)

[8] 在约帕有一个女徒，名叫大比大，翻希腊话就是多加。她广行善事，多施赒济。当时，她患病而死，有人把她洗了，停在楼上。…彼得叫她们都出去，就跪下祷告，转身对着死人說：「大比大，起来！」她就睜开眼睛，见了彼得，便坐起来。(使徒行传 9:36-40)

[9] …彼得…看见天开了，有一物降下，…彼得卻說：「主啊，这是不可的！凡俗物和不洁淨的物，我从来沒有吃过。」…这样一连三次，那物随即收回天上去了。(使徒行传 10:9-16)

[10] 彼得…次日起身和他们同去，还有约帕的几个弟兄同着他去。…哥尼流已经请了他的亲属、密友等候他们。…彼得…就对他们說：「你们知道，犹太人和別国的人亲近来往，本是不合例的，但神已经指示我，无论甚麼人都不可看作俗而不洁淨的。所以我被请的时候，就不推辞而来。…』(使徒行传 10:23-29)

[11] 『至於那些有名望的，不论他是何等人，都与我(保罗)无干。神不以外貌取人。那些有名望的，並沒有加增我甚麼，反倒看见了主託我传福音给那未受割礼的人，正如託彼得传福音给那受割礼的人。（那感动彼得叫他為受割礼之人作使徒的，也感动我，叫我為外邦人作使徒。）』(加拉太书 2:6-8) 『我是奉启示上去的，把我在外邦人中所传的福音对弟兄们陈說，卻是背地里对那有名望之人說的，惟恐我现在或是从前徒然奔跑。』(加拉太书 2:2)

[12] …彼得被两條鐵链锁着，睡在两个兵丁当中。…忽然有主的一个使者…說：「快快起来！」那鐵链就从他手上脫落下来。…彼得就出来跟着他，不知道天使所做是真的，只当见了異象。…彼得醒悟过来，說：「我现在真知道主差遣他的使者，救我脫离希律的手和犹太百姓一切所盼望的。」(使徒行传 12:5-11)

[13] 我实实在在地告诉你：你年少的时候，自己束上带子，随意往来；但年老的时候，你要伸出手来，別人要把你束上，带你到不愿意去的地方。」耶稣說这话，是指着彼得要怎样死，荣耀神。說了这话，就对他說：「你跟从我吧！」(约翰福音 21:18-19)

[14] 从雅各那里来的人未到以先，他和外邦人一同吃饭；及至他们来到，他因怕奉割礼的人，就退去与外邦人隔开了。…但我一看见他们行得不正，与福音的真理不合，就在眾人面前对矶法說：「你既是犹太人，若随外邦人行事，不随犹太人行事，怎麼还勉強外邦人随犹太人呢？(加拉太书 2:12-14)

[15] 並且要以我主长久忍耐為得救的因由，就如我们所亲愛的兄弟保罗，照着所赐给他的智慧写了信给你们。(彼得后书 3:15)

(你可以在『 https://a-christian-voice.com/ 』看到所有的文章，到这网站后要按『对属灵生命的了解』。)

我們簡單的看看彼得在成聖之路所遭遇的一些事情。我們不是用『見樹不見林』的方法而詳查經文，相反的、我們是簡述大綱，而將一些詳情放於參考的經文中。我們要強調一點，雖然因篇幅的關係，我們只能引用部份經文，引用是要以聖經的一致性為基礎的，如有沒有看見的和看錯的地方，敬請指正。謝謝。

首先，我們看到了彼得雖然跟隨了耶穌三年多，在耶穌釘十字架前仍三次不認主，雖然他悔改並成為大使徒，但我們看見了我們實在不能憑藉老我 [1]。

我們曾說過，主在復活後三次問彼得說你愛我嗎，是用不同的愛問的，只有用原文才能分辨出來 [2]，所以有時非用原文不可。對不懂原文的我，必須用工具書如彙編(Strong’s concordance)才能分辨。在這些經文中，我們看見了耶穌告訴彼得，要用神來的(Agape)愛才能牧養我的羊 [2]，用人世間的愛只能餵養。

在五旬節時，彼得被聖靈充滿，帶著這新我，他得人如得魚 [3]，並看到一個聖靈可以如何作工的方法。他也大有其他的能力，如在美門醫治瘸腿的，但很清楚的知道能力來自耶穌基督，是主的工作 [4]，而衆人也因此歸榮耀於神 [5]。他還行了許多的神蹟 [6]，聖靈也藉著他的按手降在別人身上 [7]，甚至使死人復活 [8]。

我們也看到了彼得透過異象開始在外邦中傳福音，一連三次看見天上有一物降下 [9]，因而去了外邦人哥尼流的家中 [10]。更進一步，在『彼得還說這話的時候，聖靈降在一切聽道的人身上。』(使徒行傳 10:44) 他也証實了保羅是外邦的使徒，並傳同樣的福音 [11]。

我們最後看看兩件事，看看一些他走在成聖之路的生命。第一件事是他明確的知道神有能力救他不死 [12]，耶穌卻預言了他為榮耀主而死 [13]，即使如此，他仍然跟隨主到底。另外一件事，他曾遭保羅責備 [14]，他很清楚知道那時的保羅是對的，在他老年生命成熟的時候了，仍然稱讚保羅 [15]。

一些相關的經文和知識

[1] 彼得說：「主啊，我為甚麼現在不能跟你去？我願意為你捨命。」耶穌說：「你願意為我捨命嗎？我實實在在地告訴你：雞叫以先，你要三次不認我。」(約翰福音 13:37-38) 從這節經文中我們看到彼得在老我中是願為主捨命的，但在耶穌釘十字架前，他的肉體軟弱了！在我們的經驗中，我們不是常常如此嗎？憑著老我，我們只會落在羅馬書第七章所講的光景中：『因為我所做的，我自己不明白；我所願意的，我並不做；我所恨惡的，我倒去做。』(羅馬書 7:15) 但彼得當時就悔改了，我們也要有一個悔改的心志。『主轉過身來看彼得，彼得便想起主對他所說的話：「今日雞叫以先，你要三次不認我。」他就出去痛哭。』(路加福音 22:61-62)

[2] 我們看在第二次耶穌問彼得說你愛我嗎時，就可以知道有不同的愛！『耶穌第二次又對他說：「約翰的兒子西門，你愛(G25)我嗎？」 彼得說：「主啊，是的，你知道我愛(G5368)你。」 耶穌說：「你牧養(G4165)我的羊。」』(約翰福音 21:16) 在彙編中，不同的字有不同的編號，兩個不同編號的愛，是兩種不同的愛。另外，如果你把約翰福音 21:15-17 中耶穌對彼得說的話放在一起，就可以看到只有用神來的(Agape)愛才能牧養和餵養(G1006)，用人世間的愛(G5368)只能餵養。

[3] 『五旬節到了，門徒都聚集在一處。…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。』(使徒行傳 2:1-4) 『眾人聽見這話，覺得扎心，…彼得說：「你們各人要悔改，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。…於是，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 2:37-42)  『但聽道之人有許多信的，男丁數目約到五千。』(使徒行傳 4:4) 聖靈的一個工作是使人感到扎心，即使扎心，人仍有自由意志可決定要不要接受。

[4] 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。…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。…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？為甚麼定睛看我們，以為我們憑自己的能力和虔誠使這人行走呢？(使徒行傳 3:2-12)

[5] …這是因眾人為所行的奇事，都歸榮耀與神。(使徒行傳 4:21)

[6] 還有許多人帶着病人和被污鬼纏磨的，從耶路撒冷四圍的城邑來，全都得了醫治。(使徒行傳 5:16)

[7] 使徒在耶路撒冷聽見撒馬利亞人領受了神的道，就打發彼得、約翰往他們那裏去。…於是使徒按手在他們頭上，他們就受了聖靈。(使徒行傳 8:14-17)

[8] 在約帕有一個女徒，名叫大比大，翻希臘話就是多加。她廣行善事，多施賙濟。當時，她患病而死，有人把她洗了，停在樓上。…彼得叫她們都出去，就跪下禱告，轉身對着死人說：「大比大，起來！」她就睜開眼睛，見了彼得，便坐起來。(使徒行傳 9:36-40)

[9] …彼得…看見天開了，有一物降下，…彼得卻說：「主啊，這是不可的！凡俗物和不潔淨的物，我從來沒有吃過。」…這樣一連三次，那物隨即收回天上去了。(使徒行傳 10:9-16)

[10] 彼得…次日起身和他們同去，還有約帕的幾個弟兄同着他去。…哥尼流已經請了他的親屬、密友等候他們。…彼得…就對他們說：「你們知道，猶太人和別國的人親近來往，本是不合例的，但神已經指示我，無論甚麼人都不可看作俗而不潔淨的。所以我被請的時候，就不推辭而來。…』(使徒行傳 10:23-29)

[11] 『至於那些有名望的，不論他是何等人，都與我(保羅)無干。神不以外貌取人。那些有名望的，並沒有加增我甚麼，反倒看見了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 2:6-8) 『我是奉啓示上去的，把我在外邦人中所傳的福音對弟兄們陳說，卻是背地裏對那有名望之人說的，惟恐我現在或是從前徒然奔跑。』(加拉太書 2:2)

[12] …彼得被兩條鐵鏈鎖着，睡在兩個兵丁當中。…忽然有主的一個使者…說：「快快起來！」那鐵鏈就從他手上脫落下來。…彼得就出來跟着他，不知道天使所做是真的，只當見了異象。…彼得醒悟過來，說：「我現在真知道主差遣他的使者，救我脫離希律的手和猶太百姓一切所盼望的。」(使徒行傳 12:5-11)

[13] 我實實在在地告訴你：你年少的時候，自己束上帶子，隨意往來；但年老的時候，你要伸出手來，別人要把你束上，帶你到不願意去的地方。」耶穌說這話，是指着彼得要怎樣死，榮耀神。說了這話，就對他說：「你跟從我吧！」(約翰福音 21:18-19)

[14] 從雅各那裏來的人未到以先，他和外邦人一同吃飯；及至他們來到，他因怕奉割禮的人，就退去與外邦人隔開了。…但我一看見他們行得不正，與福音的真理不合，就在眾人面前對磯法說：「你既是猶太人，若隨外邦人行事，不隨猶太人行事，怎麼還勉強外邦人隨猶太人呢？(加拉太書 2:12-14)

[15] 並且要以我主長久忍耐為得救的因由，就如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。(彼得後書 3:15)

(你可以在『 https://a-christian-voice.com/ 』看到所有的文章，到這網站後要按『對屬靈生命的瞭解』。)

We describe some things encountered in Peter’s sanctifying pathway. We want to avoid “not seeing the forest for the trees.” So instead, we summarize shortly and leave the detail in the referred verses. We want to emphasize that we may quote part of verses due to the lack of spaces, however quotations are based upon the consistency of the Bible as a whole. If we don’t see some related verses or interpret verses wrong, please let us know. Thanks.

First, although Peter followed Jesus more than three years and was willing to lay down his life for Him, he denied Him three times before He was crucified [1]. Peter regretted instantly and became the leading apostle [1]. Nevertheless, we can see from the verses that we really cannot depend upon our old self.

We said before that Jesus asked Peter if he loved Him three times after resurrection. Different words of love in Greek are used [2]. However, there is only one word of love in English, and so there is no way to know that they are different words except by looking at the original Greek. People like me who don’t know the Greek can only use something like Strong’s Concordance to distinguish them. From these verses, we can see that Jesus told Peter that in order to shepherd His sheep, he had to have Agape love, which he surely had after Pentecost.

In Pentecost, Peter was filled by the Holy Spirit. He got a new self, became a fisher of men and saw one example of how the Holy Spirit worked [3]. He also had other powers. For example, he healed a lame person in the gate of Beautiful, but knew clearly that the power came from Jesus Christ and it’s the work of Lord [4]. People were all glorifying God for what had happened [5]. He performed other miracles too [6]. The Hole Spirit also worked through him to fill other people [7]. He even resurrected Tabitha from dead [8].

We also see that Peter started the salvation of the Gentiles through a vision where he saw a great sheet coming down from the sky three times [9]. Because of this, he went to the home of the Gentile Cornelius [10]. Furthermore, in Acts 10:44, “While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who were listening to the message.” He also verified that Paul was the apostle of Gentiles, and preached the same gospel [11].

Lastly, we want to highlight two things in his pathway to sanctification. First, he surely knew that God has the power to save him from death [12]. However, Jesus predicted him to die for glorying the Lord [13]. Even so, he followed the Lord till the end. Another thing is regarding Paul. He was scolded by Paul before [14], but he knew for sure that Paul was right, verified by the fact that he praised Paul when he was older [15].

Some related verses and knowledge

(Verses refer to those in NASB unless otherwise specified.)

[1] John 13:37-38, “Peter said to Him, “Lord, why can I not follow You right now? I will lay down my life for You.” Jesus answered, “Will you lay down your life for Me? Truly, truly, I say to you, a rooster will not crow until you deny Me three times.” From these verses, we can see that Peter is willing to lay down his life for Jesus. But he was weakened in his old self when he faced the pressure before Jesus was crucified. In our experiences, are we doing the same as he did by depending on our old selves? As a matter of fact, if we depend on our old selves, we can only fall into the situations described in Romans 7:15, “For what I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate.”  But we can also see that Peter regretted at that time. In Luke 22:61-62, “The Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had told him, “Before a rooster crows today, you will deny Me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly.” A soul of repentance is what we need. In Matthew 4:17, “From that time Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.””

[2] We can see from the second time that Jesus asked Peter if he loved Him that there are two different kinds of love. In John 21:16, “He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love (G25) Me?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love (G5368) You.” He said to him, “Shepherd (G4165) My sheep.”” In Strong’s Concordance, different words have different numbers. So, it is apparent that there are at least two different kinds of love in Greek. If you put together what Jesus said to Peter in John 21:15-17, you can see only to use agape love (G25), you can both shepherd (G4165) and feed (G1006). If using the worldly like love (G5368), you can only feed (G1006). 

[3] Acts 2:1-4, “When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. …And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance.” Acts 2:37-42, “Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, …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. …So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls. …” Acts 4:4, “But many of those who had heard the message believed; and the number of the men came to be about five thousand.” One of the work of feeling being pierced. Nevertheless, we do have free will to receive it or not.

[4] Acts 3:2-12, “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. …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. …But when Peter saw this, he replied to the people, “Men of Israel, why are you amazed at this, or why do you gaze at us, as if by our own power or piety we had made him walk?”

[5] Acts 4:21, “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.”

[6] Acts 5:16, “Also the people from the cities in the vicinity of Jerusalem were coming together, bringing people who were sick or afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all being healed.”

[7] Acts 8:14-17, “Now when the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent them Peter and John, …Then they began laying their hands on them, and they were receiving the Holy Spirit.”

[8] Acts 9:36-40, “Now in Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which translated in Greek is called Dorcas); this woman was abounding with deeds of kindness and charity which she continually did. And it happened at that time that she fell sick and died; and when they had washed her body, they laid it in an upper room. …But Peter sent them all out and knelt down and prayed, and turning to the body, he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter, she sat up.”

[9] Acts 10:9-16 “…Peter …fell into a trance; and he saw the sky opened up, and an object like a great sheet coming down, lowered by four corners to the ground, …But Peter said, “By no means, Lord, for I have never eaten anything unholy and unclean.” This happened three times, and immediately the object was taken up into the sky.”

[10] Acts 10:23-29, “…Peter at Caesarea And on the next day he got up and went away with them, and some of the brethren from Joppa accompanied him. …And he said to them, “You yourselves know how unlawful it is for a man who is a Jew to associate with a foreigner or to visit him; and yet God has shown me that I should not call any man unholy or unclean. That is why I came without even raising any objection when I was sent for. …”

[11] Galatians 2:6-8, “But from those who were of high reputation (what they were makes no difference to me; God shows no partiality)-well, those who were of reputation contributed nothing to me. 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 2:2, “It was because of a revelation that I went up; and I submitted to them the gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but I did so in private to those who were of reputation, for fear that I might be running, or had run, in vain.”

[12] Acts 12:5-11, “So Peter was kept in the prison, …On the very night when Herod was about to bring him forward, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, …And behold, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared and a light shone in the cell; and he struck Peter’s side and woke him up, saying, “Get up quickly.” And his chains fell off his hands. …And he went out and continued to follow, and he did not know that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. …When Peter came to himself, he said, “Now I know for sure that the Lord has sent forth His angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting.””

[13] John 21:18-19, “Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to gird yourself and walk wherever you wished; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands and someone else will gird you, and bring you where you do not wish to go. ” Now this He said, signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, “Follow Me!””

[14] Galatians 2:12-14, “For prior to the coming of certain men from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he began to withdraw and hold himself aloof, fearing the party of the circumcision. The rest of the Jews joined him in hypocrisy, with the result that even Barnabas was carried away by their hypocrisy. But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas in the presence of all, “If you, being a Jew, live like the Gentiles and not like the Jews, how is it that you compel the Gentiles to live like Jews?”

[15] 2 Peter 3:15, “and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation; just as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given him, wrote to you.”

(You can get all articles in “https://a-christian-voice.com/” under “On spiritual understanding about life.”)

圣经是神所默示的，我们会先看看这问题，為什麼大家都读同一本圣经，卻有不同的解释？接著簡单的探讨一下科学会和圣经冲突的问题。最后用一个簡单的架构，說到同时有预知和预定，並且提到了神有絕对的主权和人有自由意志在这架构中的不冲突。

首先我们用经文来回答為什麼会有不同解释的问题。在彼得后书 3:16，彼得說：『他(保罗)一切的信上也都是讲论这事。信中有些难明白的，那无学问、不坚固的人強解(曲解, 呂振中译本)，如強解別的经书一样，就自取沉沦。』所以会有不同的解释是由於曲解！

那麼我们再看保罗很麼說，『所以，在基督里若有甚麼劝勉，愛心有甚麼安慰，圣灵有甚麼交通，心中有甚麼慈悲怜悯，你们就要意念相同，愛心相同，有一样的心思，有一样的意念，使我的喜乐可以满足。』 (腓立比书 2:1-2) 也就是說，我们要在基督里合一。其实我们是要如经文所說的要模成耶稣的形像，而耶稣只有一位，我们被模成了耶稣的形像的那时，怎麼可能不合一？『因為他预先所知道的人，就预先定下效法(模成)他儿子的模样(形像)，使他儿子在许多弟兄中作长子。』 (罗马书 8:29)

舉一个关於曲解的例子。在启示錄的七个教会中，如果我们看这七个教会的地理位置，正好是从以弗所的教会，以顺时鐘的方向，最后达到了老底嘉的教会，於是就有人论到这七个教会时，說是代表教会在不同时期的光景。要分辨这是不是对的說法，我们只要问一个很簡单的问题，就是圣经有沒有这样說？答案是沒有。圣经是我们的絕对标准，这就相当的清楚这种說法是曲解了！所以我们分辨一个人的话是不是曲解，只要看这话至少是不是直接从圣经来的，或是圣经有的观念。后者如三位一体，虽然圣经沒有用这词，但这观念在许多地方都有。

接著我们来看一下这个问题，就是有人认為圣经和目前所知的科学不合，因此是迷信。目前科学的本质可以用下面的示意图一来表示。

蓝線代表一个黑盒子，里面是由电池构成。假如我们现在要知道黑盒子里面是什麼，而我们只能测量外面的两根線是九伏特，这时我们分不出来里面是一个九伏特的大电池或六个一点五伏特的小电池。也就是說，如果最左图是代表现在科学所能做的，就是从外面看到的九伏特猜黑盒子中可能的东西，是理论。如果我们相信圣经是神所默示的，也就是圣经讲的是实际情況，如同图中所示的有六个小电池。

这时，如果另外一个人还可以量出三伏特的那两條線，我们就知道只有一个九伏特的大电池是不可能的。这就如在过去牛顿力学的时代，我们认為质量不灭，到了愛因斯坦时，我们知道质量可转換成能量，原子弹和核能电厂就此發现。所以科学是暂时的，而圣经是永远的，是实际的情況。

我们就以一个圣经的例子做这段的结束。我们知道有很长的一段时间人们都以為天圆地方的，在那个时代里，你如果告诉別人地球绕著太阳旋转，而地球是悬在虛空，人们是不会相信的。哥白尼也因告诉了地球绕太阳旋转的事实而丧命。科技絕对有用处的，譬如现在有人造卫星能証明的確是这样，而圣经早就这样說了！

『神坐在地球大圈之上，地上的居民好像蝗虫。…』 (以赛亚书 40:22)

『神将北极铺在空中，将大地悬在虛空；』 (约伯记 26:7)

 『天圆地方』是那时从人的角度看。从圣经的角度看就是圣经說的话算数。圣经並不是每件事情都提，科学和圣经看似冲突时，要用圣经引导科学，因圣经是实际，看似冲突的原因是因為那时的科技还达不到水准，如牛顿时代是以為物质不灭的。

 最后我们谈一谈常引起爭论的预知和预定问题，喀尔文认為只有预定，而马丁路德只讲预知。其实圣经是如罗马书 8:29 所說，同时有预知和预定，所以在这点上，他们是和圣经不合的。

我们现在用一个簡单的例子来說明同时有预知和预定，而且在这架构中，我们也看到了神有絕对主权和人有自由意志的不冲突。我们特別要強调一点，就是这样的解释只是帮我们了解圣经，因為圣经沒有明說是这样，我们当然不能確定到底是怎样。如果这样的看法不是实际的情況，我们可看到神都能让我想到这架构去看同时会有预知和预定 ，祂自己一定会有更好的安排。

我们现在就用小学时玩的一个遊戏来描述这架构。在图二的这遊戏中，我们从左边的一个纸卷开始。当纸卷打开一点时，我们看到了一條路，打开更多时我们看到了两个选择。这时纸卷沒有更多的打开，我们在不知道的情況下要选择向左或者向右走，然后如果答案揭晓时如中间偏左那张图所示。如果选择了右边就被火烧死，遊戏也就结束，而选择了左边就很安全的渡过这一关而有下一个选择。假设答案揭晓时是如中间偏右的图所示，这时可看见选左边就会被水淹死而使遊戏结束，选右边就面临了另一选择。假如这时选了右边，我们就会面临了最后的抉择。最后我们会如右图所示的，只有一條路能成功的到达纸的边缘，选对了那一條路就赢了。

这是一个很簡单的遊戏，我们可能会问，这和圣经有什麼关系？我们就用图三来說明一下。遊戏开始时宛如创造，然后亚当和夏娃就面临了抉择，接著我的看到了他们要決定是否要吃分別善恶树上的果子，而且他们知道吃的日子必定死 [1]。他们开始的选择是左边的不吃，然后就受到了蛇的诱惑，最终选择了吃因而灵死了 [2]。

因為在这遊戏中玩遊戏者事先並不知道路線如何安排，他有自由意志去选择那一边，但他完全不能決定整体的路線如何安排，这是由另外一人完全決定而他跟本不能参与，也就是另外一人有絕对的主权。如果神宛如是另外那一个人，不是有絕对的主权吗？神是全能的，当然能预先设计好整个路線。神有是全知的，祂能事先知道我们会选择那一條路，这就宛如预知。神能事先设计好整个路線，又能预知我们的选择，难道不能预定吗？所以同时有预知和预定，神有絕对主权和人有自由意志也不冲突。

我们的一生其实是在观念上可以用这样的一个路線图来表示的，只是每一次面临选择时在理论上通常有很多选择。如果两个人完全无关，只不过是永不相交的两个路線，而两个或几个有限的人有互动，只是部份路線有重合而已。所以在观念上，全人类的每一个人的一生都可用这图来表示，只是复雜到想都想不出来。

我们每天其实都在经历宛如神有絕主权和人有自由意志的不冲突。我们看看用电价格的结构，电价是和不同时间用电及用电量都有关系的，电力公司宣佈了用电价格的结构，用戶基本上是不能有異议的，这就宛如神有絕对主权。但用戶是可以选择在何时用电和用电量的多少，电力公司不能干涉，这不就宛如人有自由意志吗？在马丁路德和喀尔文时代电还沒有發现，他们不会这样去看神有絕对主权和人有自由意志的不冲突，因而更进一步的想到有预知和预定同时存在的架构。

其实我们可以得到一个簡单的结论，要从圣经的角度分辨一个人的话，因為圣经是神所默示的 [3]，这也就是从神的角度看事情。不要从人的角度看事，也就是不要用人的话去分辨，因為神是无限，人是有限，不管你以為一个人多麼属灵，人难免会犯错误！

一些相关的经文和知识

[1] 只是分別善恶树上的果子，你不可吃，因為你吃的日子必定死。 (创世记 2:17)

[2] 在创世记 5:3 說，『亚当活到一百三十岁，生了一个儿子，形像样式和自己相似，就给他起名叫塞特。』难道神是說谎的吗？絕对不是的。新约中很清楚的告诉我们，人由灵、魂、体三部份构成的。因此在时间上是灵立刻就死了，其余的还存活了一段时间。『愿赐平安的神亲自使你们全然成圣。又愿你们的灵与魂与身子得蒙保守，在我主耶稣基督降临的时候，完全无可指摘。』 (帖撒罗尼迦前书 5:23)

[3] 『圣经都是神所默示的，…』 (提摩太后书 3:16) 虽然新约在保罗这样說的时候並沒有完成，如启示錄还沒开始写，但基督徒相信整本圣经都是神所默示的。

(你可以在『 https://a-christian-voice.com/ 』看到所有的文章，到这网站后要按『对属灵生命的了解』。)

聖經是神所默示的，我們會先看看這問題，為什麼大家都讀同一本聖經，卻有不同的解釋？接著簡單的探討一下科學會和聖經衝突的問題。最後用一個簡單的架構，說到同時有預知和預定，並且提到了神有絕對的主權和人有自由意志在這架構中的不衝突。

首先我們用經文來回答為什麼會有不同解釋的問題。在彼得後書 3:16，彼得說：『他(保羅)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(曲解, 呂振中譯本)，如強解別的經書一樣，就自取沉淪。』所以會有不同的解釋是由於曲解！

那麼我們再看保羅怎麼說，『所以，在基督裏若有甚麼勸勉，愛心有甚麼安慰，聖靈有甚麼交通，心中有甚麼慈悲憐憫，你們就要意念相同，愛心相同，有一樣的心思，有一樣的意念，使我的喜樂可以滿足。』 (腓立比書 2:1-2) 也就是說，我們要在基督裏合一。其實我們是要如經文所說的要模成耶穌的形像，而耶穌只有一位，我們被模成了耶穌的形像的那時，怎麼可能不合一？『因為他預先所知道的人，就預先定下效法(模成)他兒子的模樣(形像)，使他兒子在許多弟兄中作長子。』 (羅馬書 8:29)

舉一個關於曲解的例子。在啓示錄的七個教會中，如果我們看這七個教會的地理位置，正好是從以弗所的教會，以順時鐘的方向，最後達到了老底嘉的教會，於是就有人論到這七個教會時，說是代表教會在不同時期的光景。要分辨這是不是對的說法，我們只要問一個很簡單的問題，就是聖經有沒有這樣說？答案是沒有。聖經是我們的絕對標準，這就相當的清楚這種說法是曲解了！所以我們分辨一個人的話是不是曲解，只要看這話至少是不是直接從聖經來的，或是聖經有的觀念。後者如三位一體，雖然聖經沒有用這詞，但這觀念在許多地方都有。

接著我們來看一下這個問題，就是有人認為聖經和目前所知的科學不合，因此是迷信。目前科學的本質可以用下面的示意圖一來表示。

圖一: 科學和聖經比較的示意圖

藍線代表一個黑盒子，裏面是由電池構成。假如我們現在要知道黑盒子裏面是什麼，而我們只能測量外面的兩根線是九伏特，這時我們分不出來裏面是一個九伏特的大電池或六個一點五伏特的小電池。也就是說，如果最左圖是代表現在科學所能做的，就是從外面看到的九伏特猜黑盒子中可能的東西，是理論。如果我們相信聖經是神所默示的，也就是聖經講的是實際情況，如同圖中所示的有六個小電池。

這時，如果另外一個人還可以量出三伏特的那兩條線，我們就知道只有一個九伏特的大電池是不可能的。這就如在過去牛頓力學的時代，我們認為質量不滅，到了愛因斯坦時，我們知道質量可轉換成能量，原子彈和核能電廠就此發現。所以科學是暫時的，而聖經是永遠的，是實際的情況。

我們就以一個聖經的例子做這段的結束。我們知道有很長的一段時間人們都以為天圓地方的，在那個時代裏，你如果告訴別人地球繞著太陽旋轉，而地球是懸在虛空，人們是不會相信的。哥白尼也因告訴了地球繞太陽旋轉的事實而喪命。科技絕對有用處的，譬如現在有人造衛星能証明的確是這樣，而聖經早就這樣說了！

『神坐在地球大圈之上，地上的居民好像蝗蟲。…』 (以賽亞書 40:22)

『神將北極鋪在空中，將大地懸在虛空；』 (約伯記 26:7)

『天圓地方』是那時從人的角度看。從聖經的角度看就是聖經說的話算數。聖經並不是每件事情都提，科學和聖經看似衝突時，要用聖經引導科學，因聖經是實際，看似衝突的原因是因為那時的科技還達不到水準，如牛頓時代是以為物質不滅的。

最後我們談一談常引起爭論的預知和預定問題，喀爾文認為只有預定，而馬丁路德只講預知。其實聖經是如羅馬書 8:29 所說，同時有預知和預定，所以在這點上，他們是和聖經不合的。

我們現在用一個簡單的例子來說明同時有預知和預定，而且在這架構中，我們也看到了神有絕對主權和人有自由意志的不衝突。我們特別要強調一點，就是這樣的解釋只是幫我們了解聖經，因為聖經沒有明說是這樣，我們當然不能確定到底是怎樣。如果這樣的看法不是實際的情況，我們可看到神都能讓我想到這架構去看同時會有預知和預定 ，祂自己一定會有更好的安排。

圖二: 一個簡單的遊戲

我們現在就用小學時玩的一個遊戲來描述這架構。在圖二的這遊戲中，我們從左邊的一個紙卷開始。當紙卷打開一點時，我們看到了一條路，打開更多時我們看到了兩個選擇。這時紙卷沒有更多的打開，我們在不知道的情況下要選擇向左或者向右走，然後如果答案揭曉時如中間偏左那張圖所示。如果選擇了右邊就被火燒死，遊戲也就結束，而選擇了左邊就很安全的渡過這一關而有下一個選擇。假設答案揭曉時是如中間偏右的圖所示，這時可看見選左邊就會被水淹死而使遊戲結束，選右邊就面臨了另一選擇。假如這時選了右邊，我們就會面臨了最後的抉擇。最後我們會如右圖所示的，只有一條路能成功的到達紙的邊緣，選對了那一條路就贏了。

這是一個很簡單的遊戲，我們可能會問，這和聖經有什麼關係？我們就用圖三來說明一下。遊戲開始時宛如創造，然後亞當和夏娃就面臨了抉擇，接著我的看到了他們要決定是否要吃分別善惡樹上的果子，而且他們知道吃的日子必定死 [1]。他們開始的選擇是左邊的不吃，然後就受到了蛇的誘惑，最終選擇了吃因而靈死了 [2]。

圖三: 遊戲和聖經的關係

因為在這遊戲中玩遊戲者事先並不知道路線如何安排，他有自由意志去選擇那一邊，但他完全不能決定整體的路線如何安排，這是由另外一人完全決定而他跟本不能參與，也就是另外一人有絕對的主權。如果神宛如是另外那一個人，不是有絕對的主權嗎？神是全能的，當然能預先設計好整個路線。神有是全知的，祂能事先知道我們會選擇那一條路，這就宛如預知。神能事先設計好整個路線，又能預知我們的選擇，難道不能預定嗎？所以同時有預知和預定，神有絕對主權和人有自由意志也不衝突。

我們的一生其實是在觀念上可以用這樣的一個路線圖來表示的，只是每一次面臨選擇時在理論上通常有很多選擇。如果兩個人完全無關，只不過是永不相交的兩個路線，而兩個或幾個有限的人有互動，只是部份路線有重合而已。所以在觀念上，全人類的每一個人的一生都可用這圖來表示，只是複雜到想都想不出來。

我們每天其實都在經歷宛如神有絕主權和人有自由意志的不衝突。我們看看用電價格的結構，電價是和不同時間用電及用電量都有關係的，電力公司宣佈了用電價格的結構，用戶基本上是不能有異議的，這就宛如神有絕對主權。但用戶是可以選擇在何時用電和用電量的多少，電力公司不能干涉，這不就宛如人有自由意志嗎？在馬丁路德和喀爾文時代電還沒有發現，他們不會這樣去看神有絕對主權和人有自由意志的不衝突，因而更進一步的想到有預知和預定同時存在的架構。

其實我們可以得到一個簡單的結論，要從聖經的角度分辨一個人的話，因為聖經是神所默示的 [3]，這也就是從神的角度看事情。不要從人的角度看事，也就是不要用人的話去分辨，因為神是無限，人是有限，不管你以為一個人多麼屬靈，人難免會犯錯誤！

一些相關的經文和知識

[1] 只是分別善惡樹上的果子，你不可吃，因為你吃的日子必定死。 (創世記 2:17)

[2] 在創世記 5:3 說，『亞當活到一百三十歲，生了一個兒子，形像樣式和自己相似，就給他起名叫塞特。』難道神是說謊的嗎？絕對不是的。新約中很清楚的告訴我們，人由靈、魂、體三部份構成的。因此在時間上是靈立刻就死了，其餘的還存活了一段時間。『願賜平安的神親自使你們全然成聖。又願你們的靈與魂與身子得蒙保守，在我主耶穌基督降臨的時候，完全無可指摘。』 (帖撒羅尼迦前書 5:23)

[3] 『聖經都是神所默示的，…』 (提摩太後書 3:16) 雖然新約在保羅這樣說的時候並沒有完成，如啓示錄還沒開始寫，但基督徒相信整本聖經都是神所默示的。

(你可以在『 https://a-christian-voice.com/ 』看到所有的文章，到這網站後要按『對屬靈生命的瞭解』。)

The Bible is inspired by God. First, we’ll look at the question of why people can come up different interpretations when people are reading the same Bible? Second, let us look at the at the apparent contradiction between science and the Bible. Finally, we’ll use a simple framework to illustrate the coexistence of predestination and preknown. In this framework, we can also see there is no contradiction between God’s absolute authority and man’s free will.

First, let us use a verse to answer the question about why we can come with different interpretations. In 2 Peter 3:16, Peter says, “as also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction.” People come with different interpretations because the Scriptures are distorted. 

Next we will take a look at what Paul says in Philippians 2:1-2 “Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.” In short, we are united in Jesus Christ. Our goal is to be conformed to the image of Jesus. And there is only one Jesus. When we all are conformed to the image of Jesus, how can we not be united? “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)

We’ll use one example to talk about distortions. In the seven churches of the Book of Revelations, their geographic locations are clockwise from the church of Ephesus to the church of Laodicea. Some people then from the geographic arrangement talk about that the seven churches represent different stages of churches. We only need to ask a simple question to see if there are distortions. Does the Bible mention anything like that? The answer is definitely no. The Bible is our absolute standard. It is clear that there are distortions. Thus, we can distinguish if the words from a person have any distortion at least by whether the words are from the Bible directly or from the concept of the Bible. For an example in the latter, the words “Holy Trinity” is never mentioned in the Bible, but the concept is there and mentioned in many places in the Bible.

Next, let us take a look at the question regarding the contradiction between the Bible and the science we know nowadays. People think that the Bible is just a superstition. Let us then use Fig. 1 to illustrate conceptually about the difference between the Bible and today’s sciences. 

The blue line represents a black box, where the inside is filled with batteries. If we want now to know what is inside but we can only measure the voltage of two outside lines, which is 9 volts. Then we cannot distinguish between if there are one big 9V battery and six 1.5V batteries from outside. In other words, when what we discussed represents the current science, then science is just theories. What the Bible says is the reality since the Bible is inspired by God. In Fig. 1, the reality is that there are six small batteries. 

When there is an additional two-line voltage, 3 volts can be measured. We then know for sure that one big 9V battery inside is not a correct description. Just like in the past of the era of Newton, we thought that mass cannot be changed after collisions. However, later in the era of Einstein, we learned that mass can be reduced to generate energy. That is how atomic bombs and nuclear plants were discovered. Thus, the sciences nowadays are only temporary, and what the Bible described is permanent and is reality since the Bible is inspired by God.

Let us use an example in the Bible to conclude this issue. We thought for a long period of time that people think that heaven is round and earth is square. In that era, if you told people that earth moves around sun and earth hangs on nothing, no one would believe you. Copernicus told the world about the fact earth moves around sun and got persecuted. Science is absolutely useful. For example, satellite can be used to verify this fact. And the Bible says so long time ago.     

“It is He who sits above the circle of the earth, and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers, …” (Isaiah 40:22)

“He stretches out the north over empty space and hangs the earth on nothing.” (Job 26:7)

The concept of “heaven is round and earth is square” is to see things in the aspect of human at that time. “Seeing in the aspect of the Bible” means whatever the Bible says counts. The Bible doesn’t mention everything. If there is seemingly a contradiction in sciences and the Bible, we need to use the Bible to lead sciences since what is in the Bible is reality. About the seemly contradiction, it is due to the fact that our current science has not reached the level enough to understand it, just like in the era of Newton which thought that mass had to be conserved in a collision.

Last, let us discuss the issues raised by predestination and preknown. Calvin teaches there is only predestination, and Martin Luther talks about there is only preknown. However, predestination and preknown exist at the same time as clearly stated in Romans 8:29. Therefore, both of them are not consistent with the Bible in this issue. When we use the Bible as our absolute standard, they are both incorrect in this issue.

Let us use a simple example to illustrate having predestination and preknown occurred simultaneously. In this framework, we can see there is no contradiction between the fact that God has the absolute authority and the fact that man has free will. We want to emphasize one point that this explanation is to help to understand the Bible better since the Bible doesn’t say clearly that it is so and of course we don’t know what happens exactly. If such an explanation is not what happens and God can make me think about such a framework, He must have a better one.

Let us now use a game I played in elementary school to present such a framework. In the game shown in Fig. 2, we start from the paper roll in the top left. When the roll opens a little bit, we can see one path. Open a little more, there are two choices. At this time, the roll doesn’t open more and the player has to make a choice – left or right? If now the roll opens more and shows as in the middle left figure, then choosing the right path leads to be burned by fire and game is over. If choosing left, then it comes to next choice. If the roll opens more and shows like the middle right figure, then choosing right leads to the drowning and the game is over. Otherwise, the player faces another choice and so on. Finally, the roll is completely open and shows only one path leading to the other edge of the roll as indicated by the right most figure. If choice is all right, then the player wins.

This is such simple game and we might ask how it is related to the Bible. We illustrate this point in Fig. 3. The game starts in the closed roll as if we are in creation. Then Adam and Eve face a choice and need to choose if they are to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, and they know that in the day that they eat from it they will surely die. Their choice is not to eat, and then face the seduction of the snake. Finally, they choose to eat and their souls die.

Since the player in this game doesn’t know in advance how the paths are arranged, he has free will to make a choice. He has no idea how the pathway is arranged and definitely cannot participate the arrangement. The other person has the sole authority to decide, just like God has the absolute authority. Isn’t it so? God is omnipotent, He knows in advance which path we’ll choose. In other words, He is preknown. God can design the whole path in advance, and can pre-know our choice. How come He cannot be predestined? Therefore, both predestination and preknown exist at the same time, and there is no contradiction between the fact that God has the absolute authority and the fact that man has free will. 

Our whole life can be represented by such a path figure conceptually, but having multiple choices each time. If two people are totally unrelated, their paths don’t intersect. If there is an interaction between them, then that portion of paths may be in common. Conceptually, the life of everyone in mankind is able to be represented by such an intertwined figure, but too complicated to even think about it.

We actually face the fact that there is no contradiction mentioned everyday. To see this, we can use the price structure of using electricity as an example. The price depends when you use electricity and how much. The utility company basically announces the price structure, and users has no control over it just like the fact that God has the absolute authority. But users can choose when to use electricity and how much. The utility company has no control over it. Isn’t this just like the fact that man has free will? In the era of Martin Luther and Calvin, electricity had not discovered yet. They cannot think about such a framework, where there is no contradiction between the fact that God has the absolute authority and the fact that man has free will. Thus, further thinking about the existence of a framework of the coexistence of preknown and predestination.

Therefore, we can see a simple conclusion. If we want to discern the words of a person, we have to view it if it is consistent with the Bible in the aspect of the Bible since the Bible is inspired by God. Don’t look at things in the aspect of human. Don’t use the words of man to discern the correctness of particular words because God is infinite and men are finite. No matter how spiritual a person is, the person will surely make mistakes somewhere.

(Verses refer to those in NASB unless otherwise specified.)

(You can get all articles in “https://a-christian-voice.com/” under “On spiritual understanding about life.”)

启示錄在七个教会中都說要有一个能听的耳，在这篇短文中，我们簡述这七个教会的优点，缺点或鼓励。也就是說，我们不要採取『见树不见林』的观念去解释个別的经文，而指出『林』的方向。

首先我们注意到，启示錄是：『耶稣基督的启示，就是神赐给他，叫他将必要快成的事指示他的眾仆人。他就差遣使者晓谕他的仆人约翰。』 (启示錄 1:1) 圣经說的七个教会是：『你所看见的，当写在书上，达与以弗所、士每拿、別迦摩、推雅推喇、撒狄、非拉鐵非、老底嘉那七个教会。』 (启示錄 1:11) 这七个教会的地理位置是在亚西亚，正好是从以弗所教会开始，按顺时针方向最后到了老底嘉教会。在这七个教会中，都有一句共通的话：『圣灵向眾教会所說的话，凡有耳的，就应当听！』 (参启示錄 2:7,11,17,29; 3:6,13,22) 所以我们实在是要有一个能听的耳。旧约也不是有许多经文是这麼說吗？其中就有下面两节经文。『…主每早晨提醒，提醒我的耳朵，使我能听，像受教者一样。』 (以赛亚书 50:4) 『现在我可以向谁說话作见证，使他们听呢？他们的耳朵未受割礼，不能听见。…』 (耶利米书 6:10)

我们首先看看以弗所的教会，它有两个优点就是：『我知道你的行為、劳碌、忍耐，也知道你不能容忍恶人。你也曾试验那自称為使徒卻不是使徒的，看出他们是假的来。你也能忍耐，曾為我的名劳苦，並不乏倦。』 (启示錄 2:2-3)  『然而，你还有一件可取的事，就是你恨恶尼哥拉一党人的行為，这也是我所恨恶的。』 (启示錄 2:6) 也很明顯的說到了它的缺点，『然而，有一件事我要责备你，就是你把起初的愛心离棄了。所以应当回想你是从哪里坠落的，並要悔改，行起初所行的事。你若不悔改，我就临到你那里，把你的灯台从原处挪去。』 (启示錄 2:4-5) 是的，要悔改，『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，洗淨我们一切的不义；』 (约翰一书 1:9) 在其中仍有得胜者：『…得胜的，我必将神乐园中生命树的果子赐给他吃。』 (启示錄 2:7)

第二个提到的是士每拿的教会，优点是：『我知道你的患难，你的贫穷，（你卻是富足的！）也知道那自称是犹太人所說的毀谤话，其实他们不是犹太人，乃是撒但一会的人。』 (启示錄 2:9) 沒有說到任何的缺点但给了他们鼓励：『你将要受的苦你不用怕。魔鬼要把你们中间几个人下在监里，叫你们被试炼，你们必受患难十日。你务要至死忠心，我就赐给你那生命的冠冕。』 (启示錄 2:10) 而且很清楚說明有得胜者和其冠冕，『…得胜的，必不受第二次死的害。』 (启示錄 2:11)

接著為別迦摩教会的优点，『我知道你的居所，就是有撒但座位之处。当我忠心的见证人安提帕在你们中间、撒但所住的地方被杀之时，你还坚守我的名，沒有棄絕我的道。』 (启示錄 2:13) 从这节经文就可以看到撒但不能无所不在，所以撒但得在地上走来走去，寻找可吞吃的人。『务要谨守、警醒，因為你们的仇敌魔鬼，如同吼叫的狮子，遍地遊行，寻找可吞吃的人。』 (彼得前书 5:8) 缺点為：『然而，有几件事我要责备你，因為在你那里，有人服从了巴兰的教训；这巴兰曾教导巴勒将绊腳石放在以色列人面前，叫他们吃祭偶像之物，行姦淫的事。你那里也有人照样服从了尼哥拉一党人的教训。所以你当悔改！若不悔改，我就快临到你那里，用我口中的剑攻击他们。』 (启示錄 2:14-16) 得胜者的冠冕為，『…得胜的，我必将那隐藏的吗哪赐给他，並赐他一塊白石，石上写着新名，除了那领受的以外，沒有人能认识。』 (启示錄 2:17)

第四个說到的是推雅推喇教会，优点為：『我知道你的行為、愛心、信心、勤劳、忍耐，又知道你末后所行的善事，比起初所行的更多。』 (启示錄 2:19)  『至於你们推雅推喇其余的人，就是一切不从(耶洗別)那教训，不晓得他们素常所說撒但深奧之理的人，我告诉你们：我不将別的担子放在你们身上，但你们已经有的，总要持守，直等到我来。』 (启示錄 2:24-25) 缺点是：『…容让…耶洗別教导我的仆人，…她卻不肯悔改她的淫行。…我又要杀死她的党类，叫眾教会知道，我是那察看人肺腑心肠的，並要照你们的行為报应你们各人。』 (启示錄 2:20-23) 其中得胜者有这样的酬报，『那得胜又遵守我命令到底的，我要赐给他权柄制伏列国。他必用鐵杖辖管他们，将他们如同窰戶的瓦器打得粉碎─像我从我父领受的权柄一样。我又要把晨星赐给他。…』 (启示錄 2:26-29) 

第五个為撒狄教会，缺点相当的大及其有的警告。『…我知道你的行為，按名你是活的，其实是死的。你要警醒！坚固那剩下将要衰微的，…所以要回想你是怎样领受，怎样听见的，又要遵守，並要悔改。若不警醒，我必临到你那里，如同贼一样。我几时临到，你也決不能知道。』 (启示錄 3:1-3) 优点為，『…你还有几名是未曾污秽自己衣服的；他们要穿白衣与我同行，因為他们是配得过的。』 (启示錄 3:4) 得胜者的獎赏為，『凡得胜的，必这样穿白衣，我也必不从生命冊上涂抹他的名，且要在我父面前和我父眾使者面前认他的名。』 (启示錄 3:5)

接著讲到了应该是教会都要成為这样的非拉鐵非教会，因為『…看哪，我在你面前给你一个敞开的门，是无人能关的。』 (启示錄 3:8) 只是因為『我知道你的行為，你略有一点力量，也曾遵守我的道，沒有棄絕我的名。…』 (启示錄 3:8) 我们看到了神实在是有恩典有怜悯的神。在这教会只有鼓励，『…看哪，我在你面前给你一个敞开的门，是无人能关的。…我要使他们(撒但一会的人)来在你腳前下拜，也使他们知道我是已经愛你了。你既遵守我忍耐的道，我必在普天下人受试炼的时候，保守你免去你的试炼。我必快来，你要持守你所有的，免得人夺去你的冠冕。』 (启示錄 3:8-11) 而得胜者得到了报偿：『得胜的，我要叫他在我神殿中作柱子，他也必不再从那里出去。我又要将我神的名和我神城的名（这城就是从天上、从我神那里降下来的新耶路撒冷），並我的新名，都写在他上面。』 (启示錄 3:12)

第七个提到了需要开门的老底嘉教会。只說到了缺点，『我知道你的行為，你也不冷也不热；我巴不得你或冷或热。你既如溫水，也不冷也不热，所以我必从我口中把你吐出去。』 (启示錄 3:15-16) 从人的角度看，『你說：我是富足，已经發了财，一样都不缺。』 (启示錄 3:17) 从神的角度看完全不同，『…卻不知道你是那困苦、可怜、贫穷、瞎眼、赤身的。我劝你向我买火炼的金子，叫你富足；又买白衣穿上，叫你赤身的羞恥不露出来；又买眼药擦你的眼睛，使你能看见。「『凡我所疼愛的，我就责备管教他，所以你要發热心，也要悔改。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。』 (启示錄 3:17-20) 即使如此也提到了得胜者可得到的，『得胜的，我要赐他在我寶座上与我同坐，就如我得了胜，在我父的寶座上与他同坐一般。』 (启示錄 3:21)

从这七个教会中，我们可以看到一些主所看重的什麼，其中之一是好几次提到要悔改。最后我们用路加福音 8:5-8 作我们的结语，『有一个撒种的出去撒种。撒的时候，有落在路旁的，被人践踏，天上的 飞鸟又来吃尽了。有落在磐石上的，一出来就枯干了，因為得不着滋润。有落在荊棘里的，荊棘一同生长，把它挤住了。又有落在好土里的，生长起来，结实百倍。」 耶稣說了这些话，就大声說：「有耳可听的，就应当听！」』 耶稣告诉我们要有一个能听的耳，且撒种絕对不要落在不好的地方，至少要落在好土里。

(你可以在『 https://a-christian-voice.com/ 』看到所有的文章，到这网站后要按『对属灵生命的了解』。)

啓示錄在七個教會中都說要有一個能聽的耳，在這篇短文中，我們簡述這七個教會的優點，缺點或鼓勵。也就是說，我們不要採取『見樹不見林』的觀念去解釋個別的經文，而指出『林』的方向。

首先我們注意到，啓示錄是：『耶穌基督的啓示，就是神賜給他，叫他將必要快成的事指示他的眾僕人。他就差遣使者曉諭他的僕人約翰。』 (啓示錄 1:1) 聖經說的七個教會是：『你所看見的，當寫在書上，達與以弗所、士每拿、別迦摩、推雅推喇、撒狄、非拉鐵非、老底嘉那七個教會。』 (啓示錄 1:11) 這七個教會的地理位置是在亞西亞，正好是從以弗所教會開始，按順時針方向最後到了老底嘉教會。在這七個教會中，都有一句共通的話：『聖靈向眾教會所說的話，凡有耳的，就應當聽！』 (参啓示錄 2:7,11,17,29; 3:6,13,22) 所以我們實在是要有一個能聽的耳。舊約也不是有許多經文是這麼說嗎？其中就有下面兩節經文。『…主每早晨提醒，提醒我的耳朵，使我能聽，像受教者一樣。』 (以賽亞書 50:4) 『現在我可以向誰說話作見證，使他們聽呢？他們的耳朵未受割禮，不能聽見。…』 (耶利米書 6:10)

我們首先看看以弗所的教會，它有兩個優點就是：『我知道你的行為、勞碌、忍耐，也知道你不能容忍惡人。你也曾試驗那自稱為使徒卻不是使徒的，看出他們是假的來。你也能忍耐，曾為我的名勞苦，並不乏倦。』 (啓示錄 2:2-3)   『然而，你還有一件可取的事，就是你恨惡尼哥拉一黨人的行為，這也是我所恨惡的。』 (啓示錄 2:6) 也很明顯的說到了它的缺點，『然而，有一件事我要責備你，就是你把起初的愛心離棄了。所以應當回想你是從哪裏墜落的，並要悔改，行起初所行的事。你若不悔改，我就臨到你那裏，把你的燈台從原處挪去。』 (啓示錄 2:4-5) 是的，要悔改，『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) 在其中仍有得勝者：『…得勝的，我必將神樂園中生命樹的果子賜給他吃。』 (啓示錄 2:7)

第二個提到的是士每拿的教會，優點是：『我知道你的患難，你的貧窮，（你卻是富足的！）也知道那自稱是猶太人所說的毀謗話，其實他們不是猶太人，乃是撒但一會的人。』 (啓示錄 2:9) 沒有說到任何的缺點但給了他們鼓勵：『你將要受的苦你不用怕。魔鬼要把你們中間幾個人下在監裏，叫你們被試煉，你們必受患難十日。你務要至死忠心，我就賜給你那生命的冠冕。』 (啓示錄 2:10) 而且很清楚說明有得勝者和其冠冕，『…得勝的，必不受第二次死的害。』 (啓示錄 2:11)

接著為別迦摩教會的優點，『我知道你的居所，就是有撒但座位之處。當我忠心的見證人安提帕在你們中間、撒但所住的地方被殺之時，你還堅守我的名，沒有棄絕我的道。』 (啓示錄 2:13) 從這節經文就可以看到撒但不能無所不在，所以撒但得在地上走來走去，尋找可吞吃的人。『務要謹守、警醒，因為你們的仇敵魔鬼，如同吼叫的獅子，遍地遊行，尋找可吞吃的人。』 (彼得前書 5:8) 缺點為：『然而，有幾件事我要責備你，因為在你那裏，有人服從了巴蘭的教訓；這巴蘭曾教導巴勒將絆腳石放在以色列人面前，叫他們吃祭偶像之物，行姦淫的事。你那裏也有人照樣服從了尼哥拉一黨人的教訓。所以你當悔改！若不悔改，我就快臨到你那裏，用我口中的劍攻擊他們。』 (啓示錄 2:14-16) 得勝者的冠冕為，『…得勝的，我必將那隱藏的嗎哪賜給他，並賜他一塊白石，石上寫着新名，除了那領受的以外，沒有人能認識。』 (啓示錄 2:17)

第四個說到的是推雅推喇教會，優點為：『我知道你的行為、愛心、信心、勤勞、忍耐，又知道你末後所行的善事，比起初所行的更多。』 (啓示錄 2:19)   『至於你們推雅推喇其餘的人，就是一切不從(耶洗別)那教訓，不曉得他們素常所說撒但深奧之理的人，我告訴你們：我不將別的擔子放在你們身上，但你們已經有的，總要持守，直等到我來。』 (啓示錄 2:24-25) 缺點是：『…容讓…耶洗別教導我的僕人，…她卻不肯悔改她的淫行。…我又要殺死她的黨類，叫眾教會知道，我是那察看人肺腑心腸的，並要照你們的行為報應你們各人。』 (啓示錄 2:20-23) 其中得勝者有這樣的酬報，『那得勝又遵守我命令到底的，我要賜給他權柄制伏列國。他必用鐵杖轄管他們，將他們如同窰戶的瓦器打得粉碎─像我從我父領受的權柄一樣。我又要把晨星賜給他。…』 (啓示錄 2:26-29) 

第五個為撒狄教會，缺點相當的大及其有的警告。『…我知道你的行為，按名你是活的，其實是死的。你要警醒！堅固那剩下將要衰微的，…所以要回想你是怎樣領受，怎樣聽見的，又要遵守，並要悔改。若不警醒，我必臨到你那裏，如同賊一樣。我幾時臨到，你也決不能知道。』 (啓示錄 3:1-3) 優點為，『…你還有幾名是未曾污穢自己衣服的；他們要穿白衣與我同行，因為他們是配得過的。』 (啓示錄 3:4) 得勝者的獎賞為，『凡得勝的，必這樣穿白衣，我也必不從生命冊上塗抹他的名，且要在我父面前和我父眾使者面前認他的名。』 (啓示錄 3:5)

接著講到了應該是教會都要成為這樣的非拉鐵非教會，因為『…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) 只是因為『我知道你的行為，你略有一點力量，也曾遵守我的道，沒有棄絕我的名。…』 (啓示錄 3:8) 我們看到了神實在是有恩典有憐憫的神。在這教會只有鼓勵，『…看哪，我在你面前給你一個敞開的門，是無人能關的。…我要使他們(撒但一會的人)來在你腳前下拜，也使他們知道我是已經愛你了。你既遵守我忍耐的道，我必在普天下人受試煉的時候，保守你免去你的試煉。我必快來，你要持守你所有的，免得人奪去你的冠冕。』 (啓示錄 3:8-11) 而得勝者得到了報償：『得勝的，我要叫他在我神殿中作柱子，他也必不再從那裏出去。我又要將我神的名和我神城的名（這城就是從天上、從我神那裏降下來的新耶路撒冷），並我的新名，都寫在他上面。』 (啓示錄 3:12)

第七個提到了需要開門的老底嘉教會。只說到了缺點，『我知道你的行為，你也不冷也不熱；我巴不得你或冷或熱。你既如溫水，也不冷也不熱，所以我必從我口中把你吐出去。』 (啓示錄 3:15-16) 從人的角度看，『你說：我是富足，已經發了財，一樣都不缺。』 (啓示錄 3:17) 從神的角度看完全不同，『…卻不知道你是那困苦、可憐、貧窮、瞎眼、赤身的。我勸你向我買火煉的金子，叫你富足；又買白衣穿上，叫你赤身的羞恥不露出來；又買眼藥擦你的眼睛，使你能看見。「『凡我所疼愛的，我就責備管教他，所以你要發熱心，也要悔改。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 3:17-20) 即使如此也提到了得勝者可得到的，『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)

從這七個教會中，我們可以看到一些主所看重的什麼，其中之一是好幾次提到要悔改。最後我們用路加福音 8:5-8 作我們的結語，『有一個撒種的出去撒種。撒的時候，有落在路旁的，被人踐踏，天上的飛鳥又來吃盡了。有落在磐石上的，一出來就枯乾了，因為得不着滋潤。有落在荊棘裏的，荊棘一同生長，把它擠住了。又有落在好土裏的，生長起來，結實百倍。」 耶穌說了這些話，就大聲說：「有耳可聽的，就應當聽！」』 耶穌告訴我們要有一個能聽的耳，且撒種絕對不要落在不好的地方，至少要落在好土裏。

(你可以在『 https://a-christian-voice.com/ 』看到所有的文章，到這網站後要按『對屬靈生命的瞭解』。)

In the book of Revelation, all seven churches say that we should have ears which can hear. In this short article, we’ll briefly discuss the pros and cons of the seven churches. In short, we’ll try to see the overall theme of the passage instead of a detailed look at individual verses.

First, let use notice in Revelation 1:1, “The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show to His bond-servants, the things which must soon take place; and He sent and communicated it by His angel to His bond-servant John.” The book of Revelation is the Revelation of Jesus Christ. We can what the seven churches are in Revelation 1:11: saying, “Write in a book what you see, and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamum and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea.” The seven churches geographic locations are in Asia clockwise from Ephesus to Laodicea. In these seven churches, there is one sentence in common, “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” (Refers to Revelation 2:7,11,17,29; 3:6,13,22) Yes, we must have an ear which can hear. In the Old Testament, does it say the same? Among them are these two verses, “…He awakens Me morning by morning, He awakens My ear to listen as a disciple.” (Isaiah 50:4) and “To whom shall I speak and give warning That they may hear? Behold, their ears are closed And they cannot listen…” (Jeremiah 6:10)

First, let us take a look at the church of Ephesus, there are two good points: “I know your deeds and your toil and perseverance, and that you cannot tolerate evil men, and you put to the test those who call themselves apostles, and they are not, and you found them to be false; and you have perseverance and have endured for My name’s sake, and have not grown weary.” (Revelation 2:2-3) “Yet this you do have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.” (Revelation 2:6) It apparently says about the cons, “But I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Therefore, remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first; or else I am coming to you and will remove your lampstand out of its place-unless you repent.” (Revelation 2:4-5) Yes, we have to repent. “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) Among them, there are overcomers as the verse says: “…To him who overcomes, I will grant to eat of the tree of life which is in the Paradise of God.” (Revelation 2:7)

Secondly, it mentioned the church of Smyrna, and its pro is “I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich), and the blasphemy by those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.” (Revelation 2:9) No con is mentioned, but instead there was encouragement. “Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, so that you will be tested, and you will have tribulation for ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.” (Revelation 2:10) And apparently there are overcomers, “…He who overcomes will not be hurt by the second death.” (Revelation 2:11)

Next is the church of Pergamum. Its pro is, “I know where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is; and you hold fast My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days of Antipas, My witness, My faithful one, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.” (Revelation 2:13) From this verse, we can be see that Satan has a dwelling place and is not omnipresent. Thus, he has to roam about on the earth and walk around on it as Job 1:7 says. It also says in 1 Peter 5:8, “Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” Its con is, “But I have a few things against you, because you have there some who hold the teaching of Balaam, who kept teaching Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols and to commit acts of immorality. So you also have some who in the same way hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans. Therefore repent; or else I am coming to you quickly, and I will make war against them with the sword of My mouth.” (Revelation 2:14-16) The crown of overcomers is, “…To him who overcomes, to him I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and a new name written on the stone which no one knows but he who receives it.” (Revelation 2:17)

Fourthly, the pros for the church of Thyatira, “I know your deeds, and your love and faith and service and perseverance, and that your deeds of late are greater than at first.” (Revelation 2:19) ” and “But I say to you, the rest who are in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching, who have not known the deep things of Satan, as they call them-I place no other burden on you. Nevertheless what you have, hold fast until I come.” (Revelation 2:24-25) Its con is that they, “…tolerate the woman Jezebel…teaches and leads My bond-servants astray…and she does not want to repent of her immorality. …And I will kill her children with pestilence, and all the churches will know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts; and I will give to each one of you according to your deeds.” (Revelation 2:20-23) The crown of overcomers is, “He who overcomes, and he who keeps My deeds until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations; and he shall rule them with a rod of iron, as the vessels of the potter are broken to pieces, as I also have received authority from My Father; and I will give him the morning star.”(Revelation 2:26-28)

The fifth church mentioned is in Sardis. The con is pretty big and there were even warnings. “…I know your deeds, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. Wake up, and strengthen the things that remain, which were about to die;  …So remember what you have received and heard; and keep it, and repent. Therefore, if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come to you.” (Revelation 3:1-3) The pro is, “But you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their garments; and they will walk with Me in white, for they are worthy.” (Revelation 3:4) The price won by overcomers is, “He who overcomes will thus be clothed in white garments; and I will not erase his name from the book of life, and I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.” (Revelation 3:5)

Then the church in Philadelphia, which should be the one everyone has hopes for since “I know your deeds. Behold, I have put before you an open door which no one can shut.” (Revelation 3:8a) From “because you have a little power, and have kept My word, and have not denied My name.” (Revelation 3:8b), we can deduct that God is full of grace and mercy. In this church, there is no con but an encouragement instead, “…Behold, I have put before you an open door which no one can shut, …Behold, I will cause those of the synagogue of Satan …come and bow down at your feet, and make them know that I have loved you. Because you have kept the word of My perseverance, I also will keep you from the hour of testing, that hour which is about to come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. I am coming quickly; hold fast what you have, so that no one will take your crown.” (Revelation 3:8-11) And the overcomers get their rewards, “He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he will not go out from it anymore; and I will write on him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God, and My new name.” (Revelation 3:12)

The seventh church is in Laodicea which needs to open its door. There is only cons. “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth.” (Revelation 3:15-16) From the aspect in human: …you say, “I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing,” (Revelation 3:17a) But it is totally different in the aspect of God, “…and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked, I advise you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness will not be revealed; and eye salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see. Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock; 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 3:17-20) Even though this way, it still mentioned what overcomers can get, “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)

From the seven churches, we can see what Lord emphasizes. Among them repentance is mentioned several times. Finally, we use the verses in Luke 8:5-8 as our ending: “The sower went out to sow his seed; and as he sowed, some fell beside the road, and it was trampled under foot and the birds of the air ate it up. Other seed fell on rocky soil, and as soon as it grew up, it withered away, because it had no moisture. Other seed fell among the thorns; and the thorns grew up with it and choked it out. Other seed fell into the good soil, and grew up, and produced a crop a hundred times as great.” As He said these things, He would call out, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”” Jesus tells us that we must have an ear which can listen and the sown seeds definitely must not fall into places which are not good. At least, they should fall into good soil.

(Verses refer to those in NASB unless otherwise specified.)

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