First, we look at the general arrangement of the Old and New Testaments. Based on this, we now explain why we chose to share the Gospel of Mark, and then we will talk about the Book of Acts. At the end of this section, we shared why the Bible says that our logical deduction is the same as God’s logical deduction, and suggested a way to reach the path mentioned in the Book of Revelation, with an ear that can hear. Second, the Bible clearly states the time when the gospel of Jesus began, and as Isaiah predicted, John the Baptist was His forerunner. Third, we talked about Jesus’ baptism and temptation, citing relevant scriptures for detailed discussion, and also discussed a possible question, that is, in the matter of being tempted, it seems that the Holy Spirit and Satan are cooperating, because it was the Holy Spirit who led Jesus to be tempted by Satan. Finally, we discuss Jesus’s beginning of preaching the gospel and calling the apostles. Christians need to repent and believe and practice what the gospel says, and cite relevant detailed discussions.

1. Choose the Book of Mark based on the arrangement of the Old and New Testaments

     Christians believe that both the Old and New Testaments are inspired by God, because the Triune God is not an ambiguous God, so we know that “what God tells us through the Bible is consistent”, so the Old and New Testaments must be viewed as a whole. It is also because the Bible is inspired by God that we will “not discount the words of the Bible”. Based on this, let’s look at how the Bible is arranged as a whole, and also see why we choose the Book of Mark now, and then look at the Book of Acts. 

     The scripture says, “For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ.”(John 1:17) The Law is in the Pentateuch. If the Old and New Testaments are viewed as a whole, the corresponding part of the Pentateuch should be the four Gospels, because the four Gospels talk about grace and truth. This is what we call the general arrangement. The Old Testament is then arranged next in historical books, and the Book of Acts of the New Testament is the history of the early church. Thus, they are The corresponding part. The Book of Revelation in the New Testament obviously corresponds to the prophetic books in the Old Testament. The remaining letters in the New Testament are basically about the practice of the gospel, and therefore correspond to the remaining five books in the Old Testament, from Job to Song of Songs.

     Although the New and Old Testaments are both inspired by one God and should be viewed as a whole, the era of the New Testament is what we are facing now, and the Old Testament, except for a few prophecies, is basically things that have already happened. Through the things that have happened in the New and Old Testaments, we hope to see how God works in history and some of His principles, at most only partly, because God is infinite and man is finite, and finite cannot be equal to infinite. We can only know what He wants us to know. Please note that the Old Testament of Judaism and the Old Testament of Christianity have the same chapters, but the arrangement of the chapters is very different.

     Because the Bible is inspired by God, reading from the perspective of the Bible is reading from the perspective of God, but not vice versa, because the words of the Bible are finite. From God’s perspective, Paul said, “I say then, they (the Israelites) did not stumble so as to fall, did they? May it never be! But by their transgression salvation has come to the Gentiles, to make them jealous.”(Romans 11:11) If we look the fact that the New Testament comes from the Old Testament and should have the same general classification. The Old Testament is mostly written in Hebrew and a few in Aramaic. No wonder the apocryphal books written by humans in Greeks are not included in the New Testament canon. Thus, there is a silence of about 400 years between the New and Old Testaments, separating the New and Old Testaments.  

     Although Martin Luther was willing to sacrifice his life for the Reformation, we are also happy to know that the New Testament canon is not something he can completely decide as a person. For example, he believed that the Book of Revelation should not be in the New Testament, but the Book of Revelation should be in the New Testament. ““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.”(Isaiah 55:8-9) After what Paul experienced, it is no wonder that he suddenly exclaimed in the Book of Romans, “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who became His counselor? Or who has first given to Him that it might be paid back to him again? For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen.”(Romans 11:33-36)

     Because the Old and New Testaments are equally important, but we must choose the order in which to read them. In the initial order, the New Testament is the main one, and the Old Testament is the supplementary one, because the era of the New Testament is what we are facing now, and most of the Old Testament is things in the past. We have basically finished reading the Books of Revelation, Luke and John. Now we have chosen the Book of Mark to approach finishing the four Gospels. Next will be the historical book, the Book of Acts, because we can also mention many scriptures in the epistles at the same time.   

     The last thing we want to share in this section is that when we base on “what God tells us through the Bible is consistent” and “do not discount the words of the Bible”, we can see this verse clearly, “Then the LORD God said, “Behold, the man has become like one of Us, knowing good and evil; …”(Genesis 3:22) The word “like” mentioned in this verse means that our logical deductions are the same as God’s, but our changeable personal axioms are very different from God’s unchanging axioms. God can open our eyes and change our personal axioms to guide us. We have shared this in detail in “2. The plan of salvation and logical deduction” of “1148 Punishment, Salvation, Logic, and the Truth of the Trinity – Genesis(3)14-24”. Please go to the website “https://a-christian-voice.com/” and click “Understanding of spiritual life” to find this article.

     Please note that opening eyes can be a direct work of God, such as Paul’s seeing great light (see Acts 9:1-9), or it can be through what others say, such as after Paul saw the great light, God sent Ananias to tell him something (see Acts 9:10-18). So Paul has an ear that can hear, which is what is said to all the seven churches in the Book of Revelation, “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”(Revelation 3:6) We must have an ear that can hear to obtain the life that can only come from God.

     The Holy Spirit has absolute sovereignty. He can speak directly or indirectly. We suggest a practical method that can be practiced by having an ear that can hear. If you hear that others have different opinions from you, you should think deeply to see if they are right. If they are right, you should listen. If they are not right, you can definitely find logical errors. But because people have free will, if you can’t find the error now and don’t want to listen, you have to put it aside for now. Maybe one day you will see the truth.

     Let’s give an example that can be listened to. First, don’t lie and acknowledge Satan as your father, because the Bible clearly says, “…the devil (Satan) …speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”(John 8:44) Then, you really need to use this fact to discern. For example, there is such a teaching that no matter whether you feel right or wrong, you must apologize first, especially when you are moved. If after you apologize, the Spirit does not make you realize where you are wrong, then you know that the inspiration is not from the Holy Spirit, because the Holy Spirit will not ask you to lie and acknowledge Satan as your father. No wonder Peter would say, “Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”(1 Peter 5:8)

     When we see this verse, “not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; …”(Hebrews 10:25) Really don’t take it as a Law to keep. Didn’t the Laodicean church in the Book of Revelation stop meeting? No. But they locked Jesus out without knowing it. Don’t fall into the situation of the Laodicean church. Have an ear that can hear. We don’t know when the Holy Spirit will speak to us through the mouths of brothers and sisters, so be happy and attend the weekly meetings as much as possible.

2. The beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ

     “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in Isaiah the prophet: “Behold, I send My messenger ahead of You, Who will prepare Your way;

The voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Make ready the way of the Lord, Make His paths straight.’” John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And all the country of Judea was going out to him, and all the people of Jerusalem; and they were being baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins. John was clothed with camel’s hair and wore a leather belt around his waist, and his diet was locusts and wild honey. And he was preaching, and saying, “After me One is coming who is mightier than I, and I am not fit to stoop down and untie the thong of His sandals. I baptized you with water; but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.””(Mark 1:1-8)

     It was clearly stated at the beginning that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and this status cannot be changed, that is, He is God by nature. In other words, when He became flesh, He was a 100% complete man. Doesn’t the Scripture make this very clear? “and He gave Him authority to execute judgment, because He is the Son of Man.”(John 5:27) But His position has not changed. He is still 100% complete God. It’s just that He has not used His divinity. But we know that “…He gives the Spirit without measure.”(John 3:34)

     The beginning of Jesus’ Gospel had John the Baptist as His forerunner, as prophesied by Isaiah, and we know that John the Baptist also fits the prophecy of Malachi, ““Behold, I am going to send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and terrible day of the LORD.”(Malachi 4:5) As said, “It is he who will go as a forerunner before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers back to the children, and the disobedient to the attitude of the righteous, so as to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”(Luke 1:17) Please note that the father here is plural, and it does not refer to God the Father. Some people misinterpret the Bible here and extend the wrong idea.

     What John the Baptist could do was the baptism of repentance with water. Those who were willing to repent went to the Jordan River to be baptized. From his clothes and food, it can be seen that he was different from ordinary people. But we should not only look at the appearance, but also at the heart. Jesus said it very clearly, “For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon!’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Behold, a gluttonous man and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds.”(Matthew 11:18-19) To be baptized by the Holy Spirit, we must wait until Jesus comes, so he knew very clearly, “He must increase, but I must decrease.”(John 3:30) He humbly told this fact. Speaking of facts, Paul is a very humble person, so he knows this fact, “If anyone supposes that he knows anything, he has not yet known as he ought to know.”(1 Corinthians 8:2) But if a person knows this fact, it does not mean that this person is humble. Don’t draw equal signs when reading the Bible, so as not to create a God that is not mentioned in the Bible, to the extent that you don’t even know it.

     In “1010 The life of John the Baptist”, we briefly described his life. If you are interested, you can go to the website ” https://a-christian-voice.com/ ” and click “Understanding of Spiritual Life” to find this article.

3. Jesus’ Baptism and Temptation

     “In those days Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. Immediately coming up out of the water, He saw the heavens opening, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon Him; and a voice came out of the heavens: “You are My beloved Son, in You I am well-pleased.” Immediately the Spirit impelled Him to go out into the wilderness. And He was in the wilderness forty days being tempted by Satan; and He was with the wild beasts, and the angels were ministering to Him.”(Mark 1:9-13)

     Some people may think of this question when seeing these verses: Isn’t this a collaboration between the Holy Spirit and Satan? No. Hebrews says very clearly, “For we do not have a high priest (Jesus) who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.”(Hebrews 4:15) So Jesus would be tempted in all kinds of ways throughout His life. Temptations always have a beginning. After Jesus was baptized, “Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led around by the Spirit in the wilderness.”(Luke 4:1) Being filled with the Holy Spirit is of course the best time to start, especially since the Holy Spirit knows that after this temptation, “…Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about Him spread through all the surrounding district.”(Luke 4:14)

     The first half of these verses is the exhortation of the Lord. “John (the Baptist)  testified saying, “I have seen the Spirit descending as a dove out of heaven, and He remained upon Him. I did not recognize Him, but He who sent me to baptize in water said to me, ‘He upon whom you see the Spirit descending and remaining upon Him, this is the One who baptizes in the Holy Spirit.’ I myself have seen, and have testified that this is the Son of God.”(John 1:32-34) 

     In the Book of Matthew, it is recorded in more detail, “Then Jesus arrived from Galilee at the Jordan coming to John, to be baptized by him. But John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I have need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?” But Jesus answering said to him, “Permit it at this time; for in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he permitted Him. After being baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and lighting on Him, and behold, a voice out of the heavens said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased.””(Matthew 3:13-17) 

     The Spirit of God is the Holy Spirit, and that voice comes from God the Father, so in the matter of baptism, all three persons of the Trinity are involved. It is also clearly stated here that Jesus should not be baptized for repentance. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit (see Matthew 1:18), and obeyed God all His life (see John 14:31), and was sinless (see Hebrews 4:15). He was baptized only to set an example for us to fulfill all righteousness.

     The record of His forty days of temptation in the wilderness is very detailed in the Books of Matthew and Luke. Here it is only added, “…He was with the wild beasts, and the angels were ministering to Him.”(Mark 1:13). Regarding His temptation, we have explained it quite clearly in “1046 The genealogy and the temptations of Jesus, and controversial issues – The image of Jesus”. In “1. An illustration why God inspired us with obvious contradictions” of “1111 The True Meaning of Biblical Inerrancy”, we discussed why God would inspire obvious contradictions through this temptation. Those who are interested can find these articles according to the previous methods.  

4. Jesus began to preach the Gospel and call apostles

     “Now after John had been taken into custody, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” As He was going along by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew, the brother of Simon, casting a net in the sea; for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” Immediately they left their nets and followed Him. Going on a little farther, He saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who were also in the boat mending the nets. Immediately He called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants, and went away to follow Him.”(Mark 1:14-20)

     It clearly states when He preached the Gospel. To enter the Kingdom of God, the first step is to follow the preaching of John the Baptist which is the same as He preached. “Now in those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.””(Matthew 3:1-2) Then comes the more important second step, believing in the Gospel and practicing it. True faith will definitely lead to practice.

     Then it says that He called Peter, Andrew, James, and John. This is the same as the record in Matthew 4:18-22, which is also Peter’s first calling. In “1049 Fishers of men, healings of the leper and the paralyzed man, and one way of Bible writing style – The image of Jesus (4)”, we discussed these scriptures and Peter’s second call. Please find this article according to the method described above. Thank you.

(Verses refer to those in NASB95 unless otherwise specified.)

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

    首先，我们来看新旧约是如何大致安排的，基于此，我们现在就说明为什么现在选了马可福音来分享，而接著要谈的是使徒行传。在这段的最后时，我们分享了为什么圣经说我们的逻辑推导是和神的逻辑推导是一样的，建议了一个能走到启示录所说的，有一个能听的耳的道路。第二，经文明说了耶稣福音起头的时间，也如以赛亚所预言的，有施洗约翰为做祂的开路先锋。第三，我们说到了耶稣的受洗及受试探，其中引用了详细讨论的相关经文，也讨论了一个可能有的疑问，就是在受试探这件事上好像是圣灵和撒但在合作，因为是圣灵引导耶稣去受撒但的试探的。最后，我们讨论耶稣的开始传福音和召使徒，要悔改，并信而实行福音所讲的，且引用了相关的详细讨论。

1. 基于新旧约的安排现在选马可福音        

    基督徒相信新旧约都是神所默示的，因为三位一体的神不是模棱两可的神，所以知道「神借著圣经告诉我们是一致的」，因此新旧约必须当作一整体的来看。也是因为圣经是神所默示的，就会「不把圣经的话打折扣」。基于此，我们就来看圣经是如何整体安排的，也看看为什么我们现在会选马可福音，接著会看使徒行传。        

    #经文说，「律法本是借著摩西传的，恩典和真理都是由耶稣基督来的。」(约翰福音 1:17) 律法在摩西五经里面，把新旧约当作一整体的来看，摩西五经对应的部份应为四福音书，因四福音书讲的是恩典和真理，这就是我们说的大致的安排。旧约的接著安排为历史书，而新约的使徒行传是早期教会的历史。新约的启示录很显然的对应著旧约的先知书，新约剩下的书信基本上都是在讲福音的实行，因此对应于旧约剩下的其余五本书，就是从约伯记到雅歌。     

    虽然说新旧约都是一位神所默示的，要整体的来看，但新约的时代是我们现在所要面对的，而旧约除了少数预言外，都是基本上是已发生过的事，透过新旧约中已发生过的事，我们希望可以看到神如何在历史中作工及其部份原则，最多只是部份，因为神是无限，人是有限，有限不可能等于无限，我们只能知道祂要我们知道的。请注意，犹太教的旧约和基督教的旧约有相同的章节，但章节的安排是大不一样的。        

    因为圣经是神所默示的，从圣经的角度看就是从神的角度看，反之不然，因为圣经的话语有限。从神的角度看，保罗说，「…他们(以色列人)失脚是要他们跌倒吗？断乎不是！反倒因他们的过失，救恩便临到外邦人，要激动他们发愤。」(罗马书 11:11) 所以反过来说新约是基于旧约的，应该有一样的大致分类，而旧约是多数用希伯来文和极少数是用亚兰文写的，难怪由人来的希腊文写的次经，会不包括在新约正典中，也就有了新旧约中间约四百年的沉默期，隔开了新约和旧约。      

    虽然马丁路德愿意摆上自己的生命改教，但我们也很高兴的知道新约正典不是他作为一个人可以完全决定的，譬如他认为启示录不应该在新约中，而启示录是应该在新约里。「耶和华说：「我的意念非同你们的意念，我的道路非同你们的道路。天怎样高过地，照样，我的道路高过你们的道路，我的意念高过你们的意念。」(以赛亚书 55:8-9) 在保罗经历过他所经验的，难怪他会在罗马书突然感叹说，「深哉，神丰富的智慧和知识！他的判断何其难测！他的踪迹何其难寻！「谁知道主的心？谁作过他的谋士呢？」「谁是先给了他，使他后来偿还呢？」因为万有都是本于他，倚靠他，归于他。愿荣耀归给他，直到永远。阿们！」(罗马书 11:33-36)       

    因为新旧约都是一样的重要，但我们必须选择先后的次序去读，就在最初的次序中，以新约为主，而以旧约为辅，因为新约的时代是我们现在所要面对的，而旧约绝大部份是已过去的事情。我们基本上已大致看完了启示录， 路加福音和约翰福音，现在我们就选了马可福音去接近看完四福音书，接著就会是历史书的使徒行传，因我们也可同时提到许多书信中的经文。      

    这段中我们最后要分享的就是，当我们基于「神借著圣经告诉我们是一致的」，和「不把圣经的话打折扣」，就可以看清楚这经文，「耶和华神说：「那人已经与我们相似，能知道善恶。…」(创世记 3:22) 这经文中说到的相似处是指，我们和神的逻辑推导相同，但我们可变的个人公理和神的不变的公理大不相同。神可开我们的眼睛，改变我们的个人公理去引导我们。我们在「2148 惩罚、救恩、逻辑、和三位一体真谛 – 创(3)14-24」中的「2. 救恩的计划和逻辑推导」，详细的分享了这点，请到『 https://a-christian-voice.com/ 』的网站后，按『对属灵生命的了解』，找到这篇文章。        

    请注意，开眼睛可以是神直接的工作，如保罗的见大光(参使徒行传 9:1-9)，也有可以经过别人所说的，譬如保罗见大光后，神是差亚拿尼亚告诉他一些事情(参使徒行传 9:10-18) 。 所以保罗有一个能听的耳，就是启示录中，对所有的七个教会所说的，「圣灵向众教会所说的话，凡有耳的，就应当听！」(启示录 3:6) 我们要有一个能听的耳，去得到只能从神来的生命。     

    圣灵有绝对的主权，祂说话可以是直接的，也可以是间接的。我们就建议一个可以有一个能听的耳的可实行方法，就是如果听到别人和自己有不同的看法，要深思，看别人是不是对，对的要听从。如果不对，一定可以找到逻辑上的错误。但因人有自由意志，如果现在找不到错误而又不愿意听，就只好先放在一边，也许有一天会看到真象。     

    我们就举一个能听得进去的例子，首先是不要说谎，认撒但为父，因为圣经明说，「…魔鬼(撤但)…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) 然后，真的要借此而分辩。譬如说，有这样的教导，不论你对不对，都要先道歉，尤其是你有感动的时候。如果你道完歉后，圣灵没有要你意识到究竟错在何处，那么你知道那感动不是从圣灵来的，因为圣灵不会要你说谎而认撒但为父。所以彼得会说，「务要谨守、警醒，因为你们的仇敌魔鬼，如同吼叫的狮子，遍地游行，寻找可吞吃的人。」(彼得前书 5:8)     

    当我们看到这经文，「你们不可停止聚会，好像那些停止惯了的人，倒要彼此劝勉。…」(希伯来书 10:25) 真的不要当成律法来守，你看启示录中的老底嘉教会不是没有停止聚会吗？可是他们却把耶稣关在门外而不自知，不要沦为老底嘉教会的光景。要有一个能听的耳，我们不知道圣灵什么时候就借著弟兄姊妹的口对我们说话了，所以要高高兴兴的，尽可能的参加每周的聚会。

2. 耶稣基督福音的起头        

    「神的儿子，耶稣基督福音的起头，正如先知以赛亚书上记著说：「看哪，我要差遣我的使者在你前面，预备道路。」「在旷野有人声喊著说：『预备主的道，修直他的路。』」照这话，约翰来了，在旷野施洗，传悔改的洗礼，使罪得赦。犹太全地和耶路撒冷的人都出去到约翰那里，承认他们的罪，在约旦河里受他的洗。约翰穿骆驼毛的衣服，腰束皮带，吃的是蝗虫野蜜。他传道说：「有一位在我以后来的，能力比我更大，我就是弯腰给他解鞋带也是不配的。我是用水给你们施洗，他却要用圣灵给你们施洗。」」(马可福音 1:1-8)        

    一开始就明说了耶稣基督是神的儿子，这位份是不能改变的，也就是说，祂是神是与生俱来的。换句话说，当祂道成肉身的时候，祂是百分之百完全的人，经文不是说得很清楚吗？「并且因为他是人子，就赐给他行审判的权柄。」(约翰福音 5:27) 但衪的位份没有改变，仍是百分之百完全的神，只是没有用过祂的神性，但知道「…神赐圣灵给他，是没有限量的。」(约翰福音 3:34)        

    耶稣福音的起头，有施洗约翰为做祂的开路先锋，是以赛亚所预言的，且知道施洗约翰也符合玛拉基说的预言，「看哪！耶和华大而可畏之日未到以前，我必差遣先知以利亚到你们那里去！」(玛拉基书 4:5) 他「…有以利亚的心志能力，行在主的前面，叫为父(G3962, 复数)的心(G2588 , 复数)转向儿女，叫悖逆的人转从义人的智慧，又为主预备合用的百姓。」(路加福音 1:17) 注意一下，这里父用的是复数，绝不是指父神，有人在这里曲解了圣经，就会延伸了错误的想法。     

    施洗约翰能行的是用水的悔改洗礼，愿意悔改的人都到约但河去受这洗礼，看他的穿著和吃食，也看得出来他和普通人不一样。但我们不要只看外表，要看内心，耶稣说得很清楚，「约翰来了，也不吃，也不喝，人就说他是被鬼附著的。人子来了，也吃也喝，人又说他是贪食好酒的人，是税吏和罪人的朋友。但智慧之子，总以智慧为是。」(马太福音 11:18-19) 要能受圣灵的洗，要等到耶稣的到来，所以他知道得很清楚，「他必兴旺，我必衰微。」(约翰福音 3:30) 他很谦卑的讲述了这事实。说到事实，保罗是很谦卑的人，所以他知道这事实，「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) 但如果一个人知道这事实，并不代表这人就是谦卑的，读经时不要随便画等号，以免创造了一个不是圣经所说的神，自己还不知道。        

    在「2010 施洗约翰的一生」中，我们简述了他的一生，如果你有兴趣的话，可以到『 https://a-christian-voice.com/ 』的网站后，按『对属灵生命的了解』，找到这篇文章。

3. 耶稣的受洗及受试探       

    「那时，耶稣从加利利的拿撒勒来，在约旦河里受了约翰的洗。他从水里一上来，就看见天裂开了，圣灵仿佛鸽子，降在他身上。又有声音从天上来，说：「你是我的爱子，我喜悦你。」圣灵就把耶稣催到旷野里去。他在旷野四十天，受撒但的试探，并与野兽同在一处；且有天使来伺候他。」(马可福音 1:9-13)     

    有人可能看到这些经文会想到这样的问题，这不是圣灵和撒但合作吗？不是的。希伯来书说得很清楚，「…他(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) 所以耶稣的一生会受各样的试探的，受试探的事总会有一个开始，耶稣受洗后，「耶稣被圣灵充满，从约旦河回来，圣灵将他引到旷野，四十天受魔鬼的试探。」(路加福音 4:1) 被圣灵充满当然是一个最好开始的时机，尤其是圣灵知道，在这次的试探完后，更会使「耶稣满有圣灵的能力，回到加利利，他的名声就传遍了四方。」(路加福音 4:14)    

    这些经文的前半段就是施洗约翰作的见证，「…我曾看见圣灵仿佛鸽子从天降下，住在他的身上。我先前不认识他，只是那差我来用水施洗的，对我说：『你看见圣灵降下来，住在谁的身上，谁就是用圣灵施洗的。』我看见了就证明这是神的儿子。」(约翰福音 1:32-34)       

    在马太福音中记载的更详细一点，「当下，耶稣从加利利来到约旦河，见了约翰，要受他的洗。约翰想要拦住他，说：「我当受你的洗，你反倒上我这里来吗？」耶稣回答说：「你暂且许我，因为我们理当这样尽诸般的义。」于是约翰许了他。耶稣受了洗，随即从水里上来。天忽然为他开了，他就看见神的灵仿佛鸽子降下，落在他身上。从天上有声音说：「这是我的爱子，我所喜悦的。」」(马太福音 3:13-17)     

    神的灵就是圣灵，那声音是从父神来的，所以在受洗的这件事中，三位一体的神，三位都有份。这里也说的很清楚，耶稣不是应该受悔改的洗礼，祂是圣灵感孕而生(参马太福音 1:18)，又一生顺服神(参约翰福音 14:31)，是无罪的(参希伯来书 4:15)，衪受洗只是为我们设立榜样，尽诸般的义。        

    祂在旷野受四十天的试探在马太福音和路加福音记载的很详细，这里只是增加了「…与野兽同在一处；且有天使来伺候他。」(马可福音 1:13) 关于衪受试探的这事，我们在「2046 耶稣的家谱和受试探及争议 – 耶稣的形像 (1)」讲得相当清楚，并在「2111 圣经无误论的真谛」中的「1. 神默示明显的矛盾是要告诉我们什么？」，借著这试探的事，讨论了神为什么会默示明显的矛盾，请有兴趣的人依照以前的方法找到这些文章。

4. 耶稣开始传福音和召使徒       

    「约翰下监以后，耶稣来到加利利，宣传神的福音，说：「日期满了，神的国近了！你们当悔改，信福音！」耶稣顺著加利利的海边走，看见西门(彼得)和西门的兄弟安得烈在海里撒网，他们本是打鱼的。耶稣对他们说：「来跟从我！我要叫你们得人如得鱼一样。」他们就立刻舍了网，跟从了他。耶稣稍往前走，又见西庇太的儿子雅各和雅各的兄弟约翰在船上补网。耶稣随即招呼他们，他们就把父亲西庇太和雇工人留在船上，跟从耶稣去了。」(马可福音 1:14-20)     

    这里明显的说明了衪是什么时候传福音的，要想进神的国，第一步是和施洗约翰所传的相同，「那时，有施洗的约翰出来，在犹太的旷野传道，说：「天国近了，你们应当悔改！」」(马太福音 3:1-2) 然后是更重要的第二步， 信福音并实行，真正的信一定会要实行的。       

    接著就说到了祂呼召了彼得、安得烈、雅各、和约翰，这和马太福音 4:18-22 记载是相同的，这也是彼得的第一次呼召。在「2049 得人如得鱼、医治痲疯和瘫子、及圣经的一个写法 –  耶稣的形像 (4)」中的「1. 在革尼撒勒湖边呼召那得人如得鱼的门徒」，我们讨论了这些经文，也讨论了彼得的第二次的呼召，请按照以前所述的方法找到这文章。谢谢。

(经文除了特别注明外，是基于和合本。)

(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』。)  

    首先，我們來看新舊約是如何大致安排的，基於此，我們現在就說明為什麼現在選了馬可福音來分享，而接著要談的是使徒行傳。在這段的最後時，我們分享了為什麼聖經說我們的邏輯推導是和神的邏輯推導是一樣的，建議了一個能走到啓示錄所說的，有一個能聽的耳的道路。第二，經文明說了耶穌福音起頭的時間，也如以賽亞所預言的，有施洗約翰為做祂的開路先鋒。第三，我們說到了耶穌的受洗及受試探，其中引用了詳細討論的相關經文，也討論了一個可能有的疑問，就是在受試探這件事上好像是聖靈和撒但在合作，因為是聖靈引導耶穌去受撒但的試探的。最後，我們討論耶穌的開始傳福音和召使徒，要悔改，並信而實行福音所講的，且引用了相關的詳細討論。

1. 基於新舊約的安排現在選馬可福音

        基督徒相信新舊約都是神所默示的，因為三位一體的神不是模稜兩可的神，所以知道「神藉著聖經告訴我們是一致的」，因此新舊約必須當作一整體的來看。也是因為聖經是神所默示的，就會「不把聖經的話打折扣」。基於此，我們就來看聖經是如何整體安排的，也看看為什麼我們現在會選馬可福音，接著會看使徒行傳。

        經文說，「律法本是藉着摩西傳的，恩典和真理都是由耶穌基督來的。」(約翰福音 1:17) 律法在摩西五經裏面，把新舊約當作一整體的來看，摩西五經對應的部份應為四福音書，因四福音書講的是恩典和真理，這就是我們說的大致的安排。舊約的接著安排為歷史書，而新約的使徒行傳是早期教會的歷史。新約的啓示錄很顯然的對應著舊約的先知書，新約剩下的書信基本上都是在講福音的實行，因此對應於舊約剩下的其餘五本書，就是從約伯記到雅歌。

     雖然說新舊約都是一位神所默示的，要整體的來看，但新約的時代是我們現在所要面對的，而舊約除了少數預言外，都是基本上是已發生過的事，透過新舊約中已發生過的事，我們希望可以看到神如何在歷史中作工及其部份原則，最多衹是部份，因為神是無限，人是有限，有限不可能等於無限，我們衹能知道祂要我們知道的。請注意，猶太教的舊約和基督教的舊約有相同的章節，但章節的安排是大不一樣的。

        因為聖經是神所默示的，從聖經的角度看就是從神的角度看，反之不然，因為聖經的話語有限。從神的角度看，保羅說，「…他們(以色列人)失腳是要他們跌倒嗎？斷乎不是！反倒因他們的過失，救恩便臨到外邦人，要激動他們發憤。」(羅馬書 11:11) 所以反過來說新約是基於舊約的，應該有一樣的大致分類，而舊約是多數用希伯來文和極少數是用亞蘭文寫的，難怪由人來的希臘文寫的次經，會不包括在新約正典中，也就有了新舊約中間約四百年的沈默期，隔開了新約和舊約。 

      雖然馬丁路德願意擺上自己的生命改教，但我們也很高興的知道新約正典不是他作為一個人可以完全決定的，譬如他認為啓示錄不應該在新約中，而啓示錄是應該在新約裏。「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。」(以賽亞書 55:8-9) 在保羅經歷過他所經驗的，難怪他會在羅馬書突然感歎說，「深哉，神豐富的智慧和知識！他的判斷何其難測！他的蹤跡何其難尋！「誰知道主的心？誰作過他的謀士呢？」「誰是先給了他，使他後來償還呢？」因為萬有都是本於他，倚靠他，歸於他。願榮耀歸給他，直到永遠。阿們！」(羅馬書 11:33-36)

        因為新舊約都是一樣的重要，但我們必須選擇先後的次序去讀，就在最初的次序中，以新約為主，而以舊約為輔，因為新約的時代是我們現在所要面對的，而舊約絕大部份是已過去的事情。我們基本上已大致看完了啓示錄， 路加福音和約翰福音，現在我們就選了馬可福音去接近看完四福音書，接著就會是歷史書的使徒行傳，因我們也可同時提到許多書信中的經文。  

     這段中我們最後要分享的就是，當我們基於「神藉著聖經告訴我們是一致的」，和「不把聖經的話打折扣」，就可以看清楚這經文，「耶和華神說：「那人已經與我們相似，能知道善惡。…」(創世記 3:22) 這經文中說到的相似處是指，我們和神的邏輯推導相同，但我們可變的個人公理和神的不變的公理大不相同。神可開我們的眼睛，改變我們的個人公理去引導我們。我們在「2148 懲罰、救恩、邏輯、和三位一體真諦 – 創(3)14-24」中的「2. 救恩的計劃和邏輯推導」，詳細的分享了這點，請到『 https://a-christian-voice.com/ 』的網站後，按『對屬靈生命的瞭解』，找到這篇文章。

        請注意，開眼睛可以是神直接的工作，如保羅的見大光(參使徒行傳 9:1-9)，也有可以經過別人所說的，譬如保羅見大光後，神是差亞拿尼亞告訴他一些事情(參使徒行傳 9:10-18) 。 所以保羅有一個能聽的耳，就是啓示錄中，對所有的七個教會所說的，「聖靈向眾教會所說的話，凡有耳的，就應當聽！」(啓示錄 3:6) 我們要有一個能聽的耳，去得到衹能從神來的生命。

     聖靈有絕對的主權，祂說話可以是直接的，也可以是間接的。我們就建議一個可以有一個能聽的耳的可實行方法，就是如果聽到別人和自己有不同的看法，要深思，看別人是不是對，對的要聽從。如果不對，一定可以找到邏輯上的錯誤。但因人有自由意志，如果現在找不到錯誤而又不願意聽，就衹好先放在一邊，也許有一天會看到真象。

     我們就舉一個能聽得進去的例子，首先是不要說謊，認撒但為父，因為聖經明說，「…魔鬼(撤但)…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) 然後，真的要藉此而分辨。譬如說，有這樣的教導，不論你對不對，都要先道歉，尤其是你有感動的時候。如果你道完歉後，聖靈沒有要你意識到究竟錯在何處，那麼你知道那感動不是從聖靈來的，因為聖靈不會要你說謊而認撒但為父。所以彼得會說，「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)

     當我們看到這經文，「你們不可停止聚會，好像那些停止慣了的人，倒要彼此勸勉。…」(希伯來書 10:25) 真的不要當成律法來守，你看啓示錄中的老底嘉教會不是沒有停止聚會嗎？可是他們卻把耶穌關在門外而不自知，不要淪為老底嘉教會的光景。要有一個能聽的耳，我們不知道聖靈什麼時候就借著弟兄姊妹的口對我們說話了，所以要高高興興的，儘可能的參加每週的聚會。

2. 耶穌基督福音的起頭

        「神的兒子，耶穌基督福音的起頭，正如先知以賽亞書上記着說：「看哪，我要差遣我的使者在你前面，預備道路。」「在曠野有人聲喊着說：『預備主的道，修直他的路。』」照這話，約翰來了，在曠野施洗，傳悔改的洗禮，使罪得赦。猶太全地和耶路撒冷的人都出去到約翰那裏，承認他們的罪，在約旦河裏受他的洗。約翰穿駱駝毛的衣服，腰束皮帶，吃的是蝗蟲野蜜。他傳道說：「有一位在我以後來的，能力比我更大，我就是彎腰給他解鞋帶也是不配的。我是用水給你們施洗，他卻要用聖靈給你們施洗。」」(馬可福音 1:1-8)

        一開始就明說了耶穌基督是神的兒子，這位份是不能改變的，也就是說，祂是神是與生俱來的。換句話說，當祂道成肉身的時候，祂是百分之百完全的人，經文不是說得很清楚嗎？「並且因為他是人子，就賜給他行審判的權柄。」(約翰福音 5:27) 但衪的位份沒有改變，仍是百分之百完全的神，衹是沒有用過祂的神性，但知道「…神賜聖靈給他，是沒有限量的。」(約翰福音 3:34)

        耶穌福音的起頭，有施洗約翰為做祂的開路先鋒，是以賽亞所預言的，且知道施洗約翰也符合瑪拉基說的預言，「看哪！耶和華大而可畏之日未到以前，我必差遣先知以利亞到你們那裏去！」(瑪拉基書 4:5) 他「…有以利亞的心志能力，行在主的前面，叫為父(G3962, 複數)的心(G2588 , 複數)轉向兒女，叫悖逆的人轉從義人的智慧，又為主預備合用的百姓。」(路加福音 1:17) 注意一下，這裡父用的是複數，絕不是指父神，有人在這裡曲解了聖經，就會延伸了錯誤的想法。

     施洗約翰能行的是用水的悔改洗禮，願意悔改的人都到約但河去受這洗禮，看他的穿著和吃食，也看得出來他和普通人不一樣。但我們不要衹看外表，要看內心，耶穌說得很清楚，「約翰來了，也不吃，也不喝，人就說他是被鬼附着的。人子來了，也吃也喝，人又說他是貪食好酒的人，是稅吏和罪人的朋友。但智慧之子，總以智慧為是。」(馬太福音 11:18-19) 要能受聖靈的洗，要等到耶穌的到來，所以他知道得很清楚，「他必興旺，我必衰微。」(約翰福音 3:30) 他很謙卑的講述了這事實。說到事實，保羅是很謙卑的人，所以他知道這事實，「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) 但如果一個人知道這事實，並不代表這人就是謙卑的，讀經時不要隨便畫等號，以免創造了一個不是聖經所說的神，自己還不知道。

        在「2010 施洗約翰的一生」中，我們簡述了他的一生，如果你有興趣的話，可以到『 https://a-christian-voice.com/ 』的網站後，按『對屬靈生命的瞭解』，找到這篇文章。

 3. 耶穌的受洗及受試探

       「那時，耶穌從加利利的拿撒勒來，在約旦河裏受了約翰的洗。他從水裏一上來，就看見天裂開了，聖靈彷彿鴿子，降在他身上。又有聲音從天上來，說：「你是我的愛子，我喜悅你。」聖靈就把耶穌催到曠野裏去。他在曠野四十天，受撒但的試探，並與野獸同在一處；且有天使來伺候他。」(馬可福音 1:9-13)

     有人可能看到這些經文會想到這樣的問題，這不是聖靈和撒但合作嗎？不是的。希伯來書說得很清楚，「…他(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) 所以耶穌的一生會受各樣的試探的，受試探的事總會有一個開始，耶穌受洗後，「耶穌被聖靈充滿，從約旦河回來，聖靈將他引到曠野，四十天受魔鬼的試探。」(路加福音 4:1) 被聖靈充滿當然是一個最好開始的時機，尤其是聖靈知道，在這次的試探完後，更會使「耶穌滿有聖靈的能力，回到加利利，他的名聲就傳遍了四方。」(路加福音 4:14)

    這些經文的前半段就是施洗約翰作的見証，「…我曾看見聖靈彷彿鴿子從天降下，住在他的身上。我先前不認識他，只是那差我來用水施洗的，對我說：『你看見聖靈降下來，住在誰的身上，誰就是用聖靈施洗的。』我看見了就證明這是神的兒子。」(約翰福音 1:32-34) 

       在馬太福音中記載的更詳細一點，「當下，耶穌從加利利來到約旦河，見了約翰，要受他的洗。約翰想要攔住他，說：「我當受你的洗，你反倒上我這裏來嗎？」耶穌回答說：「你暫且許我，因為我們理當這樣盡諸般的義。」於是約翰許了他。耶穌受了洗，隨即從水裏上來。天忽然為他開了，他就看見神的靈彷彿鴿子降下，落在他身上。從天上有聲音說：「這是我的愛子，我所喜悅的。」」(馬太福音 3:13-17) 

     神的靈就是聖靈，那聲音是從父神來的，所以在受洗的這件事中，三位一體的神，三位都有份。這裏也說的很清楚，耶穌不是應該受悔改的洗禮，祂是聖靈感孕而生(參馬太福音 1:18)，又一生順服神(參約翰福音 14:31)，是無罪的(參希伯來書 4:15)，衪受洗衹是為我們設立榜樣，盡諸般的義。

        祂在曠野受四十天的試探在馬太福音和路加福音記載的很詳細，這裏衹是增加了「…與野獸同在一處；且有天使來伺候他。」(馬可福音 1:13) 關於衪受試探的這事，我們在「2046 耶穌的家譜和受試探及爭議 – 耶穌的形像 (1)」講得相當清楚，並在「2111 聖經無誤論的真諦」中的「1. 神默示明顯的矛盾是要告訴我們什麼？」，藉著這試探的事，討論了神為什麼會默示明顯的矛盾，請有興趣的人依照以前的方法找到這些文章。

 4. 耶穌開始傳福音和召使徒

       「約翰下監以後，耶穌來到加利利，宣傳神的福音，說：「日期滿了，神的國近了！你們當悔改，信福音！」耶穌順着加利利的海邊走，看見西門(彼得)和西門的兄弟安得烈在海裏撒網，他們本是打魚的。耶穌對他們說：「來跟從我！我要叫你們得人如得魚一樣。」他們就立刻捨了網，跟從了他。耶穌稍往前走，又見西庇太的兒子雅各和雅各的兄弟約翰在船上補網。耶穌隨即招呼他們，他們就把父親西庇太和雇工人留在船上，跟從耶穌去了。」(馬可福音 1:14-20)

     這裡明顯的說明了衪是什麼時候傳福音的，要想進神的國，第一步是和施洗約翰所傳的相同，「那時，有施洗的約翰出來，在猶太的曠野傳道，說：「天國近了，你們應當悔改！」」(馬太福音 3:1-2) 然後是更重要的第二步， 信福音並實行，真正的信一定會要實行的。

       接著就說到了祂呼召了彼得、安得烈、雅各、和約翰，這和馬太福音 4:18-22 記載是相同的，這也是彼得的第一次呼召。在「2049 得人如得魚、醫治痲瘋和癱子、及聖經的一個寫法 –  耶穌的形像 (4)」中的「1. 在革尼撒勒湖邊呼召那得人如得魚的門徒」，我們討論了這些經文，也討論了彼得的第二次的呼召，請按照以前所述的方法找到這文章。謝謝。

(經文除了特別註明外，是基於和合本。)

(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』。)

    首先我们讨论了神对蛇、夏娃、和亚当的惩罚，且说到神以预言的方式开始了救恩的计划，继续讨论了顺服的概念。接著我们说到救恩的计划中取代的概念，看到了和神相似是指逻辑推导相同。最后我们谈谈神是三位一体的神的含意，及其圣经的根据，和为什么从神和人两者的角度来看都正好是三。圣经虽然没有明用三位一体这个辞，但绝对有这概念。

1.    神对蛇、夏娃、亚当的惩罚及救恩的计划          

    『耶和华(H3068, 单数)神(H430, 复数)对蛇说：「你既做了这事，就必受咒诅，比一切的牲畜野兽更甚！你必用肚子行走，终身吃土。我又要叫你和女人彼此为仇；你的后裔和女人的后裔也彼此为仇。女人的后裔要伤你的头；你要伤他的脚跟。」又对女人说：「我必多多加增你怀胎的苦楚，你生产儿女必多受苦楚。你必恋慕你丈夫，你丈夫必管辖你。」又对亚当说：「你既听从妻子的话，吃了我所吩咐你不可吃的那树上的果子，地必为你的缘故受咒诅。你必终身劳苦，才能从地里得吃的。地必给你长出荆棘和蒺藜来，你也要吃田间的菜蔬。你必汗流满面才得糊口，直到你归了土，因为你是从土而出的。你本是尘土，仍要归于尘土。」亚当给他妻子起名叫夏娃，因为她是众生之母。』(创世记 3:14-20)     

    首先我们注意到耶和华神又是单数又是复数，这究竟是什么意思，我们会留在最后的部份分享，现在先看其余的经文。这蛇是古蛇，就是经文所说的，『…古蛇，又叫魔鬼，也叫撒但，…』(启示录 20:2) 有人会对蛇的处罚终生吃土感到困惑，因为看到有些蛇卷在树上，但它们捕食是在地上用肚子行走，怎么会不是终生吃土呢？        

    然后就是，『我又要叫你和女人彼此为仇；你的后裔和女人的后裔也彼此为仇。女人的后裔要伤你的头；你要伤他的脚跟。』(创世记 3:15) 经文说得很清楚，『所应许的原是向亚伯拉罕和他子孙说的；神并不是说「众子孙」，指许多人，乃是说「你那一个子孙」，指著一个人， ，就是基督。』(加拉太书 3:16) 对撒但而言，耶稣基督完成了救恩是对牠的一个重击，犹如牠的头部受伤，而撒但只能对女人的后裔「…如同吼叫的狮子，遍地游行，寻找可吞吃的人。」(彼得前书 5:8) 相当于只能伤脚跟。这是因为神是有恩典有怜悯的神，祂那时就以预言的方式，开始了救恩的计划。所以新旧约必须加在一起，我们才有可能得窥救恩计划的全貌，这也就说明了我们能够做的就是其简介，所以我们在『2063   基督徒的信仰简介』，就是在作这件事情，请到『 https://a-christian-voice.com/ 』的网站后，按『对属灵生命的了解』，找到这篇文章。在这篇文章中，文章本身和附注本为一体，但希望非基督徒和基督徒都能暸解这简介，就把其分为两部份，文章本身可视为扩展的大网，而把基督徒该知道的详情放在附注中。           

    女人的惩罚是怀胎生产儿女的痛苦，但经文说这是有例外的，『然而，女人若常存信心、爱心，又圣洁自守，就必在生产上得救。』(提摩太前书 2:15) 至于『你必恋慕你丈夫，你丈夫必管辖你。』这点就是新约说的，『你们作妻子的，当顺服自己的丈夫，如同顺服主。』(以弗所书 5:22)   说到顺服，我们就不得不谈到这经文，『在上有权柄的，人人当顺服他，因为没有权柄不是出于神的，凡掌权的都是神所命的。所以抗拒掌权的，就是抗拒神的命；抗拒的必自取刑罚。』(罗马书 13:1-2) 其实我们不是在任何情况下都得顺服，而必须按照彼得和约翰所说的原则，『…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)        

    我们来看看当时的情景，『从这日起，耶路撒冷的教会大遭逼迫。除了使徒以外，门徒都分散在犹太和撒马利亚各处。』(使徒行传 8:1) 从人的角度看，遭逼迫不是件好事情，但因为他们做了这种逃避的选择，福音就传开了，神的旨意也就成就了，真是如经文所说，『耶和华说：「我的意念非同你们的意念，我的道路非同你们的道路。天怎样高过地，照样，我的道路高过你们的道路，我的意念高过你们的意念。』(以赛亚书 55:8-9)                 

    在这个原则下，接著又说，『因为丈夫是妻子的头，如同基督是教会的头，他又是教会全体的救主。』(以弗所书 5:23) 不论是丈夫或是妻子都是在顺服主，所以妻子选择了顺服丈夫，就是选择了顺服主的话。但绝对不是因有这节经文，做头的丈夫就可为所欲为，认为妻子所有的事都要听丈夫的，其实圣经对丈夫的要求更多，『你们作丈夫的，要爱你们的妻子，正如基督爱教会，为教会舍己。』(以弗所书 5:25) 当保罗说，『这是极大的奥秘，但我是指著基督和教会说的。』(以弗所书 5:32) 这不是说丈夫不要有舍己的爱，而是圣经常用夫妻的关系比喻基督和教会的关系，如『…羔羊婚娶的时候到了，新妇也自己预备好了。』(启示录 19:7)               

    有人说，这是指丈夫要治死老我，如保罗在两处经文所说的，『所以要治死你们在地上的肢体，就如淫乱、污秽、邪情、恶欲和贪婪，贪婪就与拜偶像一样。』(歌罗西书 3:5) 『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。』(罗马书 8:13) 但这是每一个基督徒在成圣的路上本份要做的事，与丈夫或妻子的位份无关。这通常不是指真正的死亡，虽然这做丈夫的要有这个难得的心志，在需要时要真正行出来。        

    亚当被罚的原因是为了他没有顺服神，而『…听从妻子的话，…』(创世记 3:17) 地也因亚当的缘故受咒诅，也就是经文所说的，『因为受造之物服在虚空之下，不是自己愿意，乃是因那叫他如此的。』(罗马书 8:20) 地那时才长出了荆棘和蒺藜来，就是最好的证明。而男人犯罪后一般是要一生劳苦才能温饱，犯罪前只要伸手摘果子就可以了。更说了现在才可以吃田间的菜蔬，不只是吃果子。和亚当相同，人死后都是要归麈土的，因为『尘土仍归于地，灵仍归于赐灵的神。』(传道书 12:7)

2. 救恩的计划和逻辑推导            

    『耶和华神为亚当和他妻子用皮子做衣服，给他们穿。耶和华神说：「那人已经与我们相似，能知道善恶。现在恐怕他伸手又摘生命树的果子吃，就永远活著。」耶和华神便打发他出伊甸园去，耕种他所自出之土。于是把他赶出去了。又在伊甸园的东边安设基路伯，和四面转动发火焰的剑，要把守生命树的道路。』(创世记 3:21-24)          

    救恩的计划的确那时就开始了，『耶和华神为亚当和他妻子用皮子做衣服，给他们穿。』(创世记 3:21) 就是说有动物为他们牺牲了，『按著律法，凡物差不多都是用血洁净的，若不流血，罪就不得赦免了。』(希伯来书 9:22) 所以我们看到那动物因他们犯罪而取代了他们。在亚伯拉罕献以撒时，是那只公羊代替了他的儿子 (参创世记 22:13)。献祭也是如此，祭物为以色列人而死。今日是耶稣上了十字架，取代了我们，因耶稣乃是『…用自己的血，只一次进入圣所，成了永远赎罪的事。』(希伯来书 9:12)   所以保罗说得好，『…现在活著的不再是我，乃是基督在我里面活著；…』(加拉太书 2:20)          

    接著就是他们被赶出了伊甸园，因为『…恐怕他伸手又摘生命树的果子吃，就永远活著。』(创世记 3:22) 有人可能会问，如果人能永远活著不是很好吗？请注意，当经文说，「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) 这里的永生不祗是说永远活著，是说要在耶稣基督内永远活著，因为每个人最终在白色的大宝座的审判后都会永远活著，只是「若有人名字没记在生命册上，他就被扔在火湖里。」(启示录 20:15) 只是那些人永远活著在地狱受苦。     

    问题是出在被罪玷污后的人最多只能知道而不能行道，就如保罗所说的，『…立志为善由得我，只是行出来由不得我。故此，我所愿意的善，我反不做；我所不愿意的恶，我倒去做。若我去做所不愿意做的，就不是我做的，乃是住在我里头的罪做的。』(罗马书 7:18-20) 保罗没有在找借口，的确是在我们里面的罪做的。恶就是这么恶，我们只能说，『我真是苦啊！谁能救我脱离这取死的身体呢？』(罗马书 7:24) 所幸我们不会停在那里，因『如今，那些在基督耶稣里的就不定罪了。因为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) 所以在救恩中是基督耶稣取代了我们。我们再看看实际上发生过的事情，就知道有罪的人不死确实会如此。在洪水前，『耶和华见人在地上罪恶很大，终日所思想的尽都是恶。』(创世记 6:5) 可见犯了罪的人又永远活著，是件很可怕的事。           

    我们再看看『那人已经与我们相似』的经文，经文很清楚的说，相似的地方是因『能知道善恶』。那么我们如何知道善恶呢？是用我们的逻辑。数学上的逻辑分为公理和逻辑推导两部份，我们看见的是有限的例子，必须扩展归纳所得的到无限例子都能成立，这就逻辑推导输入的公理。虽然不同的领域有不同的公理，但在全世界各地，每个人的逻辑推导都是相同的，所以做研究的人才能发表文章。如果是个人的决定，我们可以视为将个人的看见扩展为可以适用于所有的情况，也就是对某件事情有了个人的公理，作为逻辑推导的输入。以善恶来说，每一个人的善恶标准是不同的。譬如说，食人族不会以食人为恶，纵然对我们一般的标准来说，食人绝对是恶的。这相当于逻辑的个人公理不同，一但设定，我们就会用一样的逻辑推导来判定善恶，就会有不同的结果。       

    逻辑的推导是神造而被我们发现的，所以我们和神的逻辑推导是一样的，因『神说：「我们要照著我们的形像，按著我们的样式造(H6213, make)人，…』(创世记 1:26) 这里用的是从已有的东西造作 (H6213, make) 的，但神的公理和我们个人的公理绝对是大不相同的。以行神迹而言，神有绝对的主权行神迹，我们最多是能成为一个行神迹的管道，所以我们最多是只能和神相似，不可能相同。神只要开我们的眼睛，使我们看见以前没有看过的东西，我们个人的公理就会随之而改变！譬如，神开了以利沙仆人的眼睛，使他可以看到满山的火车火马围绕著以利沙，以后他的个人公理就可以包括这事实。(参列王纪下 6:8-17) 虽然他告诉别人，其他的人最可能也是不信，因为没看到，但他个人的公理现在包括了，满山的火车火马围绕著以利沙的事实。    

    最后，我要做一个关于圣灵带领我们查经的小小见证，和逻辑推导有关。我以前就相信我们的逻辑推导和神的逻辑推导是一样的，但我一直没有找到圣经里有直接的证据，在这次准备专题查经中的关于解释相似时，我只能祷告神说，如果没有直接的证据，我实在不能这样的分享，神就使我看见了这分享过的经文，『神说：「我们要照著我们的形像，按著我们的样式造(H6213, make)人，…』(创世记 1:26) 我这才有了直接的证据。     

    圣灵带领我们查经是圣经中的应许，我们要做的是真正的打开心门。在启示录中老底嘉的教会把耶稣关在门外，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) 请注意，这应许没有说时间，神有绝对的主权，祂会选择最好的时间去做的。     

    我做这见证并不是说我有什么特别，只是想给你们一个例子，说明圣经所说的应许是真实的。这就是我们一向说的，专题查经最多只能带来知识，如果一个人想要圣灵带领查经，一定要自己到神面前，因为生命只能从神来，也就是保罗说的，「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) 

3. 神是三位一体的神的含意及圣经根据           

    耶和华(H3068, 单数)神(H430, 复数)这个辞重复的出现，因为神只有一位，所以是单数，而神又是三位，就是父神、耶稣基督、和圣灵，所以又是复数，也就是说父神是神，耶稣基督是神，圣灵也是神，这就是三位一体。             

    父神是神是无可置疑的。关于耶稣基督是神的经文很多，我们就只举两个例子。在新约中，如『我(耶稣)与父原为一。』(约翰福音 10:30) 在旧约中我们举一个较复杂的，同时显示出「神借著圣经告诉我们是一致的」的例子，就是『当乌西雅王崩的那年，我(以赛亚)见主(H136, 单数)坐在高高的宝座上。他的衣裳垂下，遮满圣殿。其上有撒拉弗侍立，各有六个翅膀：用两个翅膀遮脸，两个翅膀遮脚，两个翅膀飞翔。彼此呼喊说：「圣哉！圣哉！圣哉！万军之耶和华(H3068, 单数)，他的荣光充满全地！」』(以赛亚书 6:1-3)             

    关于主(H136)这字的意义，可以由这典型的经文看出，『亚伯兰(亚伯拉罕)说：「主(H136)耶和华(H3069)啊，我既无子，你还赐我甚么呢？并且要承受我家业的是大马士革人以利以谢。」』(创世记 15:2) 而这字耶和华(H3069)只是耶和华(H3068)的变体字，有同样的意义，所以那个主字是神。这个单数的主耶和华是指耶稣，因『摩西对耶和华(H3068)说：…』(出埃及记 33:12) 『…你不能看见我的面，因为人见我的面不能存活。』(出埃及记 33:20) 所以摩西只能『…得见我(耶和华)的背，却不得见我的面。』(出埃及记 33:23) 那耶和华是指父神。而以赛亚在以赛亚书 6:1-3见过这耶和华后，还是好好的活著，所以不会是指父神，只能是指耶稣基督。难怪新约会说，『以赛亚因为看见他(耶稣)的荣耀，就指著他说这话。』(约翰福音 12:41) 我们不是看到了，「神借著圣经告诉我们是一致的」的一个例子吗？             

    关于圣灵是神，这些经文直说了，『有一个人，名叫亚拿尼亚，同他的妻子撒非喇卖了田产，把价银私自留下几分，他的妻子也知道，其余的几分拿来放在使徒脚前。彼得说：「亚拿尼亚，为甚么撒但充满了你的心，叫你欺哄圣灵，把田地的价银私自留下几分呢？田地还没有卖，不是你自己的吗？既卖了，价银不是你作主吗？你怎么心里起这意念呢？你不是欺哄人，是欺哄神了！」』(使徒行传 5:1-4)             

    我们再看有关一体的经文，『以色列啊，你要听！耶和华(H3089, 单数)我们神(H430,复数)是独一(H259)的主(H3089)。』(申命记 6:4) 保罗也一再说，神只有一位(参哥林多前书8:4；加拉太书3:20；提摩太前书2:5)。             

    最后我们要讨论为什么是三位一体，而不是更多位一体？先从神的角度看这事情，我们已在『2144 造及创造和分别原则 – 创(1) 6-25』中的『1. 第二日的造天』，讨论过三位都和创造今日的世界有关，所以就不多说了，你们可以照以前说的方法找到这篇文章。     

    在耶稣受洗的时候，我们知道三位都介入了，『耶稣受了洗，随即从水里上来。天忽然为他开了，他就看见神的灵(圣灵)仿佛鸽子降下，落在他身上。从天上有声音(父神)说：「这是我的爱子，我所喜悦的。」』(马太福音 3:16-17) 在道成肉身时有一个次序，父差遣子，如经文所说，『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。」』(约翰福音 20:21) 而『…我(耶稣)若不去，保惠师就不到你们这里来；我若去，就差他来。』(约翰福音 16:7) 那保惠师『…就是从父出来真理的圣灵，…』(约翰福音 15:26) 这也是三。              

    再从人的角度来看这事情，救恩的计划是在人的时间里面，三位各有职司。父神是一切的源头，就如经文所说，『然而我们只有一位神(G2316, 单数)，就是父，万物都本于他，我们也归于他；并有一位主(G2962, 单数)，就是耶稣基督，万物都是借著他有的，我们也是借著他有的。』(哥林多前书 8:6) 也就是启示录所说的，『我们的主(G2962, 单数)，我们的神(G2316, 单数)，你是配得荣耀、尊贵、权柄的！因为你创造了万物，并且万物是因你的旨意被创造而有的。』(启示录 4:11) 清注意，汇编没有我们的神(G2316)这字，这字放在这里是由于我提到的另一原文版本，是基于「https://interlinearbible.com/」的版本。这里说的是基督而不是父神，照著神借著圣经告诉我们是一致的来看，我们会很清楚的知道，那原文版本在这里是不对的。因原文版本也有不同的版本，所以即使是原文版本，我们还是要分辩。             

    我们再看耶稣在道成肉身的这段时间，完成了救恩，祂为我们钉上十字架而死，三日后复活，『耶稣被交给人，是为我们的过犯；复活，是为叫我们称义。』(罗马书 4:25) 也就是说，耶稣在十字架上说成了，是指救恩死的部份成了(参约翰福音 19:28-30) 在这段时间里，祂和父神是不同的，因圣经明说，『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) 圣灵则是『…来了，他要引导你们明白(进入, G1519, into)一切的真理，因为他不是凭自己说的，乃是把他所听见的都说出来，并要把将来的事告诉你们。』(约翰福音 16:13) 每一个基督徒都有内住的圣灵，『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) 每一个人都有了圣灵，三个恰恰好，怎么还需要第四个呢？             

    有人试著用例子来解释三位一体的神的概念，一个常见的例子是说水可有三种不同的形态，就是冰、水蒸气、和平常的水，而在某些压力及温度下，三者可以同时存在，且每一个都是水，相似于三位一体，但不能说它们是以爱为联接的。而三位一体的神则是如此，如经文所言，『…因为创立世界以前，你已经爱我了。』(约翰福音 17:24) 据我所知，在常温常压下，只有人是由灵魂体三者构成，我们在『2145 神照祂的形像和样式造人及安息日 – 创(1)26-(2)3』中的『1. 第六日的创造人去治理和管理这地』，详细讨论了为什么圣经说，人的肉体生命死时，是灵先走，然后魂走了，身体就死了，也就是三分法是对的这一点。    

    请注意，这对基督徒和非基督徒都适用，最后都是「尘土仍归于地，…」(传道书 12:7) 基督徒和非基督徒的不同是非基督徒只有已死的旧灵，而基督徒会如以西结所预言的，「我也要赐给你们一个新心，将新灵放在你们里面。又从你们的肉体中除掉石心，赐给你们肉心。我必将我的灵放在你们里面，使你们顺从我的律例，谨守遵行我的典章。」(以西结书 36:26-27) 没有说是旧灵的复苏，所以基督徒除有旧灵之外，更有新灵和内住的圣灵，因为所有的皆为神所赐，所以是「…灵仍归于赐灵的神。」(传道书 12:7) 这也使我想到耶稣在十字架上，「….大声喊著说：「父啊！我将我的灵(魂)交在你手里。」说了这话，气就断了。」(路加福音 23:46) 衪只说灵，从神借圣经告诉我们是一致的来看，就可见到父神没有魂。    

    在这个例子中，我们不能说灵魂体其中任何一者就是人，而三位一体的神中的三位都是神。简言之，就是没有任何一个例子，可以完全的解释三位一体的神究竟是何，这对我们是一个奥秘。我们是有限，而神是无限，我们不知道神是究竟怎么做成的，只能凭信心相信圣经如是说。我们知道圣经虽然没有明用三位一体这个辞，但如我们所讨论的，绝对有这概念。

(经文除了特别注明外，是基于和合本。)

(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』。)  

        首先我們討論了神對蛇、夏娃、和亞當的懲罰，且說到神以預言的方式開始了救恩的計劃，繼續討論了順服的概念。接著我們說到救恩的計劃中取代的概念，看到了和神相似是指邏輯推導相同。最後我們談談神是三位一體的神的含意，及其聖經的根據，和為什麼從神和人兩者的角度來看都正好是三。聖經雖然沒有明用三位一體這個辭，但絕對有這概念。

1.    神對蛇、夏娃、亞當的懲罰及救恩的計劃

          『耶和華(H3068, 單數)神(H430, 複數)對蛇說：「你既做了這事，就必受咒詛，比一切的牲畜野獸更甚！你必用肚子行走，終身吃土。我又要叫你和女人彼此為仇；你的後裔和女人的後裔也彼此為仇。女人的後裔要傷你的頭；你要傷他的腳跟。」又對女人說：「我必多多加增你懷胎的苦楚，你生產兒女必多受苦楚。你必戀慕你丈夫，你丈夫必管轄你。」又對亞當說：「你既聽從妻子的話，吃了我所吩咐你不可吃的那樹上的果子，地必為你的緣故受咒詛。你必終身勞苦，才能從地裏得吃的。地必給你長出荊棘和蒺藜來，你也要吃田間的菜蔬。你必汗流滿面才得餬口，直到你歸了土，因為你是從土而出的。你本是塵土，仍要歸於塵土。」亞當給他妻子起名叫夏娃，因為她是眾生之母。』(創世記 3:14-20)

     首先我們注意到耶和華神又是單數又是複數，這究竟是什麼意思，我們會留在最後的部份分享，現在先看其餘的經文。這蛇是古蛇，就是經文所說的，『…古蛇，又叫魔鬼，也叫撒但，…』(啓示錄 20:2) 有人會對蛇的處罰終生吃土感到困惑，因為看到有些蛇卷在樹上，但它們捕食是在地上用肚子行走，怎麼會不是終生吃土呢？

        然後就是，『我又要叫你和女人彼此為仇；你的後裔和女人的後裔也彼此為仇。女人的後裔要傷你的頭；你要傷他的腳跟。』(創世記 3:15) 經文說得很清楚，『所應許的原是向亞伯拉罕和他子孫說的；神並不是說「眾子孫」，指許多人，乃是說「你那一個子孫」，指着一個人， ，就是基督。』(加拉太書 3:16) 對撒但而言，耶穌基督完成了救恩是對牠的一個重擊，猶如牠的頭部受傷，而撒但衹能對女人的後裔「…如同吼叫的獅子，遍地遊行，尋找可吞吃的人。」(彼得前書 5:8) 相當於衹能傷腳跟。這是因為神是有恩典有憐憫的神，祂那時就以預言的方式，開始了救恩的計劃。所以新舊約必須加在一起，我們才有可能得窺救恩計劃的全貌，這也就說明了我們能夠做的就是其簡介，所以我們在『2063   基督徒的信仰簡介』，就是在作這件事情，請到『 https://a-christian-voice.com/ 』的網站後，按『對屬靈生命的瞭解』，找到這篇文章。在這篇文章中，文章本身和附註本為一體，但希望非基督徒和基督徒都能暸解這簡介，就把其分為兩部份，文章本身可視為擴展的大網，而把基督徒該知道的詳情放在附註中。

           女人的懲罰是懷胎生產兒女的痛苦，但經文說這是有例外的，『然而，女人若常存信心、愛心，又聖潔自守，就必在生產上得救。』(提摩太前書 2:15) 至於『你必戀慕你丈夫，你丈夫必管轄你。』這點就是新約說的，『你們作妻子的，當順服自己的丈夫，如同順服主。』(以弗所書 5:22)   說到順服，我們就不得不談到這經文，『在上有權柄的，人人當順服他，因為沒有權柄不是出於神的，凡掌權的都是神所命的。所以抗拒掌權的，就是抗拒神的命；抗拒的必自取刑罰。』(羅馬書 13:1-2) 其實我們不是在任何情況下都得順服，而必須按照彼得和約翰所說的原則，『…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) 

        我們來看看當時的情景，『從這日起，耶路撒冷的教會大遭逼迫。除了使徒以外，門徒都分散在猶太和撒馬利亞各處。』(使徒行傳 8:1) 從人的角度看，遭逼迫不是件好事情，但因為他們做了這種逃避的選擇，福音就傳開了，神的旨意也就成就了，真是如經文所說，『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。』(以賽亞書 55:8-9)

                 在這個原則下，接著又說，『因為丈夫是妻子的頭，如同基督是教會的頭，他又是教會全體的救主。』(以弗所書 5:23) 不論是丈夫或是妻子都是在順服主，所以妻子選擇了順服丈夫，就是選擇了順服主的話。但絕對不是因有這節經文，做頭的丈夫就可為所欲為，認為妻子所有的事都要聽丈夫的，其實聖經對丈夫的要求更多，『你們作丈夫的，要愛你們的妻子，正如基督愛教會，為教會捨己。』(以弗所書 5:25) 當保羅說，『這是極大的奧秘，但我是指着基督和教會說的。』(以弗所書 5:32) 這不是說丈夫不要有捨己的愛，而是聖經常用夫妻的關係比喻基督和教會的關係，如『…羔羊婚娶的時候到了，新婦也自己預備好了。』(啓示錄 19:7) 

               有人說，這是指丈夫要治死老我，如保羅在兩處經文所說的，『所以要治死你們在地上的肢體，就如淫亂、污穢、邪情、惡慾和貪婪，貪婪就與拜偶像一樣。』(歌羅西書 3:5) 『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。』(羅馬書 8:13) 但這是每一個基督徒在成聖的路上本份要做的事，與丈夫或妻子的位份無關。這通常不是指真正的死亡，雖然這做丈夫的要有這個難得的心志，在需要時要真正行出來。

        亞當被罰的原因是為了他沒有順服神，而『…聽從妻子的話，…』(創世記 3:17) 地也因亞當的緣故受咒詛，也就是經文所說的，『因為受造之物服在虛空之下，不是自己願意，乃是因那叫他如此的。』(羅馬書 8:20) 地那時才長出了荊棘和蒺藜來，就是最好的証明。而男人犯罪後一般是要一生勞苦才能溫飽，犯罪前衹要伸手摘果子就可以了。更説了現在才可以吃田間的菜蔬，不衹是吃果子。和亞當相同，人死後都是要歸麈土的，因為『塵土仍歸於地，靈仍歸於賜靈的神。』(傳道書 12:7)

2. 救恩的計劃和邏輯推導

          『耶和華神為亞當和他妻子用皮子做衣服，給他們穿。耶和華神說：「那人已經與我們相似，能知道善惡。現在恐怕他伸手又摘生命樹的果子吃，就永遠活着。」耶和華神便打發他出伊甸園去，耕種他所自出之土。於是把他趕出去了。又在伊甸園的東邊安設基路伯，和四面轉動發火焰的劍，要把守生命樹的道路。』(創世記 3:21-24)

          救恩的計劃的確那時就開始了，『耶和華神為亞當和他妻子用皮子做衣服，給他們穿。』(創世記 3:21) 就是說有動物為他們犧牲了，『按着律法，凡物差不多都是用血潔淨的，若不流血，罪就不得赦免了。』(希伯來書 9:22) 所以我們看到那動物因他們犯罪而取代了他們。在亞伯拉罕獻以撒時，是那隻公羊代替了他的兒子 (參創世記 22:13)。獻祭也是如此，祭物為以色列人而死。今日是耶穌上了十字架，取代了我們，因耶穌乃是『…用自己的血，只一次進入聖所，成了永遠贖罪的事。』(希伯來書 9:12)   所以保羅說得好，『…現在活着的不再是我，乃是基督在我裏面活着；…』(加拉太書 2:20) 

          接著就是他們被趕出了伊甸園，因為『…恐怕他伸手又摘生命樹的果子吃，就永遠活着。』(創世記 3:22) 有人可能會問，如果人能永遠活著不是很好嗎？請注意，當經文說，「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) 這裡的永生不祗是說永遠活著，是說要在耶穌基督內永遠活著，因為每個人最終在白色的大寶座的審判後都會永遠活著，衹是「若有人名字沒記在生命冊上，他就被扔在火湖裏。」(啓示錄 20:15) 衹是那些人永遠活著在地獄受苦。

     問題是出在被罪玷污後的人最多只能知道而不能行道，就如保羅所說的，『…立志為善由得我，只是行出來由不得我。故此，我所願意的善，我反不做；我所不願意的惡，我倒去做。若我去做所不願意做的，就不是我做的，乃是住在我裏頭的罪做的。』(羅馬書 7:18-20) 保羅沒有在找藉口，的確是在我們裡面的罪做的。惡就是這麼惡，我們只能說，『我真是苦啊！誰能救我脫離這取死的身體呢？』(羅馬書 7:24) 所幸我們不會停在那裏，因『如今，那些在基督耶穌裏的就不定罪了。因為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) 所以在救恩中是基督耶穌取代了我們。我們再看看實際上發生過的事情，就知道有罪的人不死確實會如此。在洪水前，『耶和華見人在地上罪惡很大，終日所思想的盡都是惡。』(創世記 6:5) 可見犯了罪的人又永遠活著，是件很可怕的事。

           我們再看看『那人已經與我們相似』的經文，經文很清楚的說，相似的地方是因『能知道善惡』。那麼我們如何知道善惡呢？是用我們的邏輯。數學上的邏輯分為公理和邏輯推導兩部份，我們看見的是有限的例子，必須擴展歸納所得的到無限例子都能成立，這就邏輯推導輸入的公理。雖然不同的領域有不同的公理，但在全世界各地，每個人的邏輯推導都是相同的，所以做研究的人才能發表文章。如果是個人的決定，我們可以視為將個人的看見擴展為可以適用於所有的情況，也就是對某件事情有了個人的公理，作為邏輯推導的輸入。以善惡來說，每一個人的善惡標準是不同的。譬如說，食人族不會以食人為惡，縱然對我們一般的標準來說，食人絕對是惡的。這相當於邏輯的個人公理不同，一但設定，我們就會用一樣的邏輯推導來判定善惡，就會有不同的結果。

        邏輯的推導是神造而被我們發現的，所以我們和神的邏輯推導是一樣的，因『神說：「我們要照着我們的形像，按着我們的樣式造(H6213, make)人，…』(創世記 1:26) 這裏用的是從已有的東西造作 (H6213, make) 的，但神的公理和我們個人的公理絕對是大不相同的。以行神蹟而言，神有絕對的主權行神蹟，我們最多是能成為一個行神蹟的管道，所以我們最多是只能和神相似，不可能相同。神只要開我們的眼睛，使我們看見以前沒有看過的東西，我們個人的公理就會隨之而改變！譬如，神開了以利沙僕人的眼睛，使他可以看到滿山的火車火馬圍繞著以利沙，以後他的個人公理就可以包括這事實。(參列王紀下 6:8-17) 雖然他告訴別人，其他的人最可能也是不信，因為沒看到，但他個人的公理現在包括了，滿山的火車火馬圍繞著以利沙的事實。

    最後，我要做一個關於聖靈帶領我們查經的小小見証，和邏輯推導有關。我以前就相信我們的邏輯推導和神的邏輯推導是一樣的，但我一直沒有找到聖經裏有直接的証據，在這次準備專題查經中的關於解釋相似時，我衹能禱告神說，如果沒有直接的証據，我實在不能這樣的分享，神就使我看見了這分享過的經文，『神說：「我們要照着我們的形像，按着我們的樣式造(H6213, make)人，…』(創世記 1:26) 我這才有了直接的証據。

     聖靈帶領我們查經是聖經中的應許，我們要做的是真正的打開心門。在啓示錄中老底嘉的教會把耶穌關在門外，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) 請注意，這應許沒有說時間，神有絕對的主權，祂會選擇最好的時間去做的。

     我做這見証並不是說我有什麼特別，衹是想給你們一個例子，說明聖經所說的應許是真實的。這就是我們一向說的，專題查經最多衹能帶來知識，如果一個人想要聖靈帶領查經，一定要自己到神面前，因為生命衹能從神來，也就是保羅説的，「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)  

3. 神是三位一體的神的含意及聖經根據

             耶和華(H3068, 單數)神(H430, 複數)這個辭重複的出現，因為神只有一位，所以是單數，而神又是三位，就是父神、耶穌基督、和聖靈，所以又是複數，也就是說父神是神，耶穌基督是神，聖靈也是神，這就是三位一體。

             父神是神是無可置疑的。關於耶穌基督是神的經文很多，我們就只舉兩個例子。在新約中，如『我(耶穌)與父原為一。』(約翰福音 10:30) 在舊約中我們舉一個較複雜的，同時顯示出「神藉著聖經告訴我們是一致的」的例子，就是『當烏西雅王崩的那年，我(以賽亞)見主(H136, 單數)坐在高高的寶座上。他的衣裳垂下，遮滿聖殿。其上有撒拉弗侍立，各有六個翅膀：用兩個翅膀遮臉，兩個翅膀遮腳，兩個翅膀飛翔。彼此呼喊說：「聖哉！聖哉！聖哉！萬軍之耶和華(H3068, 單數)，他的榮光充滿全地！」』(以賽亞書 6:1-3) 

              關於主(H136)這字的意義，可以由這典型的經文看出，『亞伯蘭(亞伯拉罕)說：「主(H136)耶和華(H3069)啊，我既無子，你還賜我甚麼呢？並且要承受我家業的是大馬士革人以利以謝。」』(創世記 15:2) 而這字耶和華(H3069)只是耶和華(H3068)的變體字，有同樣的意義，所以那個主字是神。這個單數的主耶和華是指耶穌，因『摩西對耶和華(H3068)說：…』(出埃及記 33:12) 『…你不能看見我的面，因為人見我的面不能存活。』(出埃及記 33:20) 所以摩西只能『…得見我(耶和華)的背，卻不得見我的面。』(出埃及記 33:23) 那耶和華是指父神。而以賽亞在以賽亞書 6:1-3見過這耶和華後，還是好好的活著，所以不會是指父神，只能是指耶穌基督。難怪新約會說，『以賽亞因為看見他(耶穌)的榮耀，就指着他說這話。』(約翰福音 12:41) 我們不是看到了，「神藉著聖經告訴我們是一致的」的一個例子嗎？

             關於聖靈是神，這些經文直說了，『有一個人，名叫亞拿尼亞，同他的妻子撒非喇賣了田產，把價銀私自留下幾分，他的妻子也知道，其餘的幾分拿來放在使徒腳前。彼得說：「亞拿尼亞，為甚麼撒但充滿了你的心，叫你欺哄聖靈，把田地的價銀私自留下幾分呢？田地還沒有賣，不是你自己的嗎？既賣了，價銀不是你作主嗎？你怎麼心裏起這意念呢？你不是欺哄人，是欺哄神了！」』(使徒行傳 5:1-4) 

             我們再看有關一體的經文，『以色列啊，你要聽！耶和華(H3089, 單數)我們神(H430,複數)是獨一(H259)的主(H3089)。』(申命記 6:4) 保羅也一再說，神只有一位(參哥林多前書8:4；加拉太書3:20；提摩太前書2:5)。

             最後我們要討論為什麼是三位一體，而不是更多位一體？先從神的角度看這事情，我們已在『2144 造及創造和分別原則 – 創(1) 6-25』中的『1. 第二日的造天』，討論過三位都和創造今日的世界有關，所以就不多說了，你們可以照以前說的方法找到這篇文章。

     在耶穌受洗的時候，我們知道三位都介入了，『耶穌受了洗，隨即從水裏上來。天忽然為他開了，他就看見神的靈(聖靈)彷彿鴿子降下，落在他身上。從天上有聲音(父神)說：「這是我的愛子，我所喜悅的。」』(馬太福音 3:16-17) 在道成肉身時有一個次序，父差遣子，如經文所說，『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。」』(約翰福音 20:21) 而『…我(耶穌)若不去，保惠師就不到你們這裏來；我若去，就差他來。』(約翰福音 16:7) 那保惠師『…就是從父出來真理的聖靈，…』(約翰福音 15:26) 這也是三。

              再從人的角度來看這事情，救恩的計劃是在人的時間裏面，三位各有職司。父神是一切的源頭，就如經文所說，『然而我們只有一位神(G2316, 單數)，就是父，萬物都本於他，我們也歸於他；並有一位主(G2962, 單數)，就是耶穌基督，萬物都是藉着他有的，我們也是藉着他有的。』(哥林多前書 8:6) 也就是啓示錄所說的，『我們的主(G2962, 單數)，我們的神(G2316, 單數)，你是配得榮耀、尊貴、權柄的！因為你創造了萬物，並且萬物是因你的旨意被創造而有的。』(啓示錄 4:11) 清注意，彙編沒有我們的神(G2316)這字，這字放在這裏是由於我提到的另一原文版本，是基於「https://interlinearbible.com/」的版本。這裡說的是基督而不是父神，照著神藉著聖經告訴我們是一致的來看，我們會很清楚的知道，那原文版本在這裏是不對的。因原文版本也有不同的版本，所以即使是原文版本，我們還是要分辨。

             我們再看耶穌在道成肉身的這段時間，完成了救恩，祂為我們釘上十字架而死，三日後復活，『耶穌被交給人，是為我們的過犯；復活，是為叫我們稱義。』(羅馬書 4:25) 也就是說，耶穌在十字架上說成了，是指救恩死的部份成了(參約翰福音 19:28-30) 在這段時間裏，祂和父神是不同的，因聖經明說，『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) 聖靈則是『…來了，他要引導你們明白(進入, G1519, into)一切的真理，因為他不是憑自己說的，乃是把他所聽見的都說出來，並要把將來的事告訴你們。』(約翰福音 16:13) 每一個基督徒都有内住的聖靈，『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) 每一個人都有了聖靈，三個恰恰好，怎麼還需要第四個呢？

             有人試著用例子來解釋三位一體的神的概念，一個常見的例子是說水可有三種不同的形態，就是冰、水蒸氣、和平常的水，而在某些壓力及温度下，三者可以同時存在，且每一個都是水，相似於三位一體，但不能說它們是以愛為聯接的。而三位一體的神則是如此，如經文所言，『…因為創立世界以前，你已經愛我了。』(約翰福音 17:24) 據我所知，在常溫常壓下，只有人是由靈魂體三者構成，我們在『2145 神照祂的形像和樣式造人及安息日 – 創(1)26-(2)3』中的『1. 第六日的創造人去治理和管理這地』，詳細討論了為什麼聖經說，人的肉體生命死時，是靈先走，然後魂走了，身體就死了，也就是三分法是對的這一點。

    請注意，這對基督徒和非基督徒都適用，最後都是「塵土仍歸於地，…」(傳道書 12:7) 基督徒和非基督徒的不同是非基督徒衹有已死的舊靈，而基督徒會如以西結所預言的，「我也要賜給你們一個新心，將新靈放在你們裏面。又從你們的肉體中除掉石心，賜給你們肉心。我必將我的靈放在你們裏面，使你們順從我的律例，謹守遵行我的典章。」(以西結書 36:26-27) 沒有說是舊靈的復甦，所以基督徒除有舊靈之外，更有新靈和內住的聖靈，因為所有的皆為神所賜，所以是「…靈仍歸於賜靈的神。」(傳道書 12:7) 這也使我想到耶穌在十字架上，「….大聲喊着說：「父啊！我將我的靈(魂)交在你手裏。」說了這話，氣就斷了。」(路加福音 23:46) 衪衹說靈，從神藉聖經告訴我們是一致的來看，就可見到父神沒有魂。

    在這個例子中，我們不能說靈魂體其中任何一者就是人，而三位一體的神中的三位都是神。簡言之，就是沒有任何一個例子，可以完全的解釋三位一體的神究竟是何，這對我們是一個奥秘。我們是有限，而神是無限，我們不知道神是究竟怎麼做成的，只能憑信心相信聖經如是說。我們知道聖經雖然沒有明用三位一體這個辭，但如我們所討論的，絕對有這概念。

(經文除了特別註明外，是基於和合本。)

(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』。)

     First, we discussed God’s punishment of the serpent, Eve, and Adam, and mentioned that God began the plan of salvation in a prophetic way, and continued to discuss the concept of obedience. Then we talked about the concept of substitution in the plan of salvation, and saw that being similar to God means having the same logical deduction. Finally, we talked about the meaning of God being a trinity, its biblical basis, and why from the perspective of both God and man, there are exactly three. Although the Bible does not explicitly use the word trinity, it definitely has this concept.

1. God’s punishment on the serpent, Eve, and Adam and His plan of salvation

     “The LORD (H3068, singular) God (H430, plural) said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, Cursed are you more than all cattle, And more than every beast of the field; On your belly you will go, And dust you will eat All the days of your life; And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her seed; He shall bruise you on the head, And you shall bruise him on the heel.” To the woman He said, “I will greatly multiply Your pain in childbirth, In pain you will bring forth children; Yet your desire will be for your husband, And he will rule over you.” Then to Adam He said, “Because you have listened to the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree about which I commanded you, saying, ‘You shall not eat from it’; Cursed is the ground because of you; In toil you will eat of it All the days of your life. “Both thorns and thistles it shall grow for you; And you will eat the plants of the field; By the sweat of your face You will eat bread, Till you return to the ground, Because from it you were taken; For you are dust, And to dust you shall return.” Now the man called his wife’s name Eve, because she was the mother of all the living.”(Genesis 3:14-20)

     First of all, we notice that LORD God is in singular and plural separately. What exactly does this mean? We will leave it to the last part to share. Now let’s look at the rest of the scriptures. This serpent is the ancient serpent, which is what the Scripture says, “…the serpent of old, who is the devil and Satan, …”(Revelation 20:2) Some people may be confused about the punishment of the serpent, which is to eat dust for the rest of their lives, because some snakes are seen coiled on trees, but they hunt on the ground by walking on their bellies, so how can they not eat dust for the rest of their lives?

     Then, “And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her seed; He shall bruise you on the head, And you shall bruise him on the heel.”(Genesis 3:15) The Scripture says very clearly, “Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as referring to many, but rather to one, “And to your seed,” that is, Christ.”(Galatians 3:16) Jesus Christ finishes the plan of salvation is a big blow to Satan in his head, then Satan can only bruise her offsprings on the heel by prowling “…around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”(1 Peter 5:8) This is because God is a gracious and merciful God, so He began the plan of salvation in the form of prophecy at that time. Therefore, the Old and New Testaments must be added together before we can possibly get a glimpse of the full picture of the salvation plan, which means that what we can do is to give an introduction to it. Therefore, we are doing this in “1063 Introduction to the Christian Faith.” Please go to the website “https://a-christian-voice.com/” and click “Understanding of Spiritual Life” to find this article. In this article, the article itself and the notes are integrated, but in the hope that both non-Christians and Christians can understand this introduction, it is divided into two parts. The article itself can be regarded as an expanded large summary, and the details that Christians should know are placed in the notes.

     The punishment of women is the pain of pregnancy and childbirth, but the scriptures say that there are exceptions to this, “But women will be preserved through the bearing of children if they continue in faith and love and sanctity with self-restraint.”(1 Timothy 2:15) As for “Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord.”(Ephesians 5:22) Speaking of obedience, we have to talk about this verse, “Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves.”(Romans 13:1-2) In fact, we do not have to obey under all circumstances, but must follow the principles stated by Peter and John, “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) 

     Let’s take a look at the situation at that time said in this verse, “…And on that day a great persecution began against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.”(Acts 8:1) Because they made this choice to escape, the gospel was spread and God’s will was fulfilled. Being persecuted is not a good thing from the viewpoint of human, but it is just as the scripture 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.”(Isaiah 55:8-9)

     Based on this principle, it goes on to say, “For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body.”(Ephesians 5:23) Whether the husband or the wife is obeying the Lord, so the wife chooses to obey her husband means choosing to obey the Lord’s words. But this verse does not mean that the husband as the head can do whatever he wants and that the wife should listen to her in everything. In fact, the Bible has more requirements for husbands, “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her.”(Ephesians 5:25) When Paul said, “This mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church.”(Ephesians 5:32), it does not mean that husbands should not have self-sacrificing love, but the Bible often uses the relationship between husband and wife to illustrate the relationship between Christ and the church, such as “Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready.”(Revelation 19:7) Some say that this means that the husband must put to death the old self, as Paul said in two passages, “Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry.” (Colossians 3:5) And “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.”(Romans 8:13) But this is what every Christian should do on the road to sanctification, and it has nothing to do with the position of husband or wife. This usually does not refer to real death, although the husband must have this rare determination and really do it when necessary.

     The reason for Adam’s punishment was because he did not obey God, but had “…listened to the voice of your wife, …”(Genesis 3:17). The earth was also cursed because of Adam, which is what the scripture says, “For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, …”(Romans 8:20) The earth only then grew thorns and thistles, which is the best proof. After a man sins, he usually has to work hard all his life to get enough food and clothing. Before he sinned, he only needed to reach out and pick fruits. It also said that now he can eat vegetables from the field, not just fruits. Like Adam, people will return to the dust after death, because “then the dust will return to the earth as it was, and the spirit will return to God who gave it.”(Ecclesiastes 12:7)

2. The plan of salvation and logical deduction

     “The LORD God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife, and clothed them. Then the LORD God said, “Behold, the man has become like one of Us, knowing good and evil; and now, he might stretch out his hand, and take also from the tree of life, and eat, and live forever”⁠— therefore the LORD God sent him out from the garden of Eden, to cultivate the ground from which he was taken. So He drove the man out; and at the east of the garden of Eden He stationed the cherubim and the flaming sword which turned every direction to guard the way to the tree of life.”(Genesis 3:21-24)

     The plan of salvation did begin at that time, “The LORD God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife, and clothed them.”(Genesis 3:21) That is, animals were sacrificed for them, “And according to the Law, one may almost say, all things are cleansed with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.”(Hebrews 9:22) So we see that the animal substituted them because of their sin. When Abraham offered Isaac, it was the ram that substituted his son (see Genesis 22:13). The same is true for sacrifices, the sacrifices died for the Israelites. Today, it is Jesus who went to the cross and substitute us, because Jesus is the one who did “…not through the blood of goats and calves, but through His own blood, He entered the holy place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.”(Hebrews 9:12) So Paul said very well, “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.”(Galatians 2:20) 

     Then they were driven out of the Garden of Eden, because “…he might stretch out his hand, and take also from the tree of life, and eat, and live forever.”(Genesis 3:22) Some people may ask, wouldn’t it be great if people could live forever? Please note that when the Scripture says, “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) The eternal life here does not only mean to live forever, but to live forever in Jesus Christ, because everyone will live forever after the judgment of the great white throne, “And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.”(Revelation 20:15) Hence, those people will live forever in hell and suffer.

     The problem is that people who are tainted by sin can only know but not do the truth, just as Paul said, “For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not. For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want. But if I am doing the very thing I do not want, I am no longer the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me.”(Romans 7:18-20) Paul is not making excuses, it is indeed the sin in us that does it. Evil is so evil that we can only say, “Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death?”(Romans 7:24) Fortunately, we will not stop there, because “Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.”

(Romans 8:1-2) So in salvation, it is Christ Jesus who substitutes us. Let’s look at what actually happened and we will know that it is indeed the case that sinners do not die is terrible. Before the flood, “Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.”(Genesis 6:5) It is confirmed that it is a terrible thing for people who have committed sins to live forever.

     Let’s look at the verses that say “…the man has become like one of Us, …”(Genesis 3:22) The verses clearly say that the similarity is because of “…knowing good and evil; …”(Genesis 3:22) So how do we know good and evil? We use our logic. Mathematical logic is divided into two parts: axioms and logical deduction. What we can see are always limited examples, and we must expand and generalize them to be valid for infinite examples. This is the axiom of logical deduction input. Although different fields have different axioms, everyone’s logical deduction is the same all over the world, so people who do research can publish articles. If it is a personal decision, we can regard it as expanding personal views to be applicable to all situations, that is, having personal axioms for a certain thing as the input of logical deduction. In terms of good and evil, everyone’s standards of good and evil are different. For example, cannibals will not regard cannibalism as evil, even though cannibalism is absolutely evil according to our general standards. This is equivalent to different personal axioms of logic. Once set, we will use the same logical deduction to judge good and evil, and there will be different results.

     Logical deductions were created by God and discovered by us, so our logical deductions are the same as God’s, because “Then God said, “Let Us make (H6213) man in Our image, according to Our likeness; …”(Genesis 1:26) Here, the word “make (H6213)” is used, and it means that it is made from existing things. So the logical deduction already existed in God and thus man had it, but God’s axioms and our personal axioms are absolutely different. For example, as far as performing miracles is concerned, God has absolute sovereignty to perform miracles, and we can at most become a channel for performing miracles, so at most we can only be similar to God, and we cannot be the same as God. As long as God opens our eyes and allows us to see things we have never seen before, our personal axioms will be changed accordingly! For example, God opened the eyes of Elisha’s servant, so that he could see the mountains full of chariots of fire and horses surrounding Elisha, and then his personal axioms could include this fact after this event. (See 2 Kings 6:8-17) Although he told others, the others would most likely not believe it, because they didn’t see it, but his personal axiom now includes the fact that Elisha was surrounded by chariots of fire all over the mountain.

     Finally, I want to give a small testimony about the Holy Spirit leading us to study the Bible, which is related to logical deduction discussed before. I used to believe that our logical deduction is the same as God’s logical deduction, but I have never found direct evidence in the Bible. When preparing for the similarity topic in the topicwise Bible study, I could only pray to God and say that if there is no direct evidence, I really can’t share like this. God made me see this just shared verse, “Then God said, “Let Us make (H6213) man in Our image, according to Our likeness; …”(Genesis 1:26) Then, I had the direct evidence about this.

     That the Holy Spirit leads us to study the Bible is the promise in the Bible, and what we need to do is to truly open our hearts. In the Book of Revelation, the church in Laodicea locked Jesus out, but He still promised, “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 3:20) He not only dines, but also works, otherwise there would not have “He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, …”(Revelation 3:21) Please note that this promise does not mention the time about when. God has absolute sovereignty, and He will choose the best time to do it.

     I am not giving this testimony to say that I am special, but just want to give you an example to show that the promises in the Bible are true. This is what we have constantly said, topicwise Bible study can only bring knowledge at most. If a person wants the Holy Spirit to lead the Bible study, he must go before God himself, because life can only come from God, which is what Paul said, “I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth. So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth.”(1 Corinthians 3:6-7)

3. The meaning of God being a Trinity and its biblical basis

     The word ‘LORD (H3068, singular) God (H430, plural)’ appears repeatedly because there is only one God, so it is singular, and God is three, namely, God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit, so it is plural, that is, God the Father is God, Jesus Christ is God, and the Holy Spirit is also God, this is the Trinity.

     It is unquestionable that God the Father is God. There are many scriptures about Jesus Christ being God, we will only give two examples. In the New Testament, such as “I (Jesus) and the Father are one.”(John 10:30) In the Old Testament, we give a more complex example that shows that “What God tells us through the Bible is consistent”, which is in the verse, “In the year of King Uzziah’s death I (Isaiah) saw the Lord (H136, singular) sitting on a throne, lofty and exalted, with the train of His robe filling the temple. Seraphim stood above Him, each having six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one called out to another and said, “Holy, Holy, Holy, is the LORD of hosts, The whole earth is full of His glory.””(Isaiah 6:1-3) 

     The meaning of the word Lord (H136) can be seen from this typical verse, “Abram (Abraham) said, “O Lord (H136) GOD (Jehovah, H3069), what will You give me, since I am childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?””(Genesis 15:2) And this word Jehovah (H3069) is just a variant of Jehovah (H3068), with the same meaning, so the word Lord (H136) is God. This singular Lord Jehovah refers to Jesus, because “…Moses said to the LORD (H3068), …”(Exodus 33:12) “…You cannot see My face, for no man can see Me and live!”(Exodus 33:20) So Moses could only “…see My 

(Jehovah’s) back, but My face shall not be seen.”(Exodus 33:23) That Jehovah refers to God the Father. And Isaiah was still alive and well after seeing this Jehovah in Isaiah 6:1-3, so He cannot refer to God the Father, but can only refer to Jesus Christ. No wonder the New Testament says, “These things Isaiah said because he saw His (Jesus’) glory, and he spoke of Him.”(John 12:41) Haven’t we seen an example of “what God tells to us through the Bible is consistent”?

     Regarding the Holy Spirit being God, these verses directly say, “But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, and kept back some of the price for himself, with his wife’s full knowledge, and bringing a portion of it, he laid it at the apostles’ feet. But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back some of the price of the land? While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not under your control? Why is it that you have conceived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.””(Acts 5:1-4) 

     Let’s look at the verses about one God, “Hear, O Israel! The LORD (H3089, singular) is our God (H430, plural), the LORD (H3089) is one (H259)!”(Deuteronomy 6:4) Paul also repeatedly said that there is only one God (see 1 Corinthians 8:4; Galatians 3:20; 1 Timothy 2:5).

     Finally, we will discuss why it is a Trinity, rather than more persons. Let’s first look at this from God’s perspective. We have already discussed in “1. Creation of the heaven on the second day” of “1144 Made, created and separation principle – Genesis(1)6-25,” that the three persons are all related to the creation of today’s world, so I will not say more. You can find this article in the same way as I mentioned before.

     When Jesus was baptized, we know that the three persons were all involved. “After being baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God (Holy Spirit ) descending as a dove and lighting on Him, and behold, a voice out of the heavens (God the Father ) said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased.””(Matthew 3:16-17) There was an order in the incarnation, the Father sent the Son, as the scripture says, “So Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you; as the Father has sent Me, I also send you.””(John 20:21) And “……if I (Jesus) do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you.”(John 16:7) “…the Helper …is the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, …”(John 15:26) This is also exactly three.

     Looking at this matter from a human perspective then, the plan of salvation is in human time, and the three persons each have their own duties. God the Father is the source of everything, just as the scripture says, “yet for us there is but one God (G2316, singular), the Father, from whom are all things and we exist for Him; and one Lord (G2962, singular), Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we exist through Him.”(1 Corinthians 8:6) That is what the Book of  Revelation says, “Worthy are You, our Lord (G2962, singular) and our God (G2316, singular), to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed, and were created.”(Revelation 4:11) Please note that the Strong’s Concordance does not have the word our God (G2316). This word here is also in the other original version I mentioned, which is based on the version of “https://interlinearbible.com/“. It is Christ rather than God the Father that is mentioned here. According to what God tells us through the Bible being consistent, we will clearly know that the Strong’s Concordance is correct here. Because there are different versions of the original text, we still need to discern even with the original text.

     Let’s look at Jesus’ incarnation. He completed salvation. He was crucified for us and died. He was resurrected three days later. “He who was delivered over because of our transgressions, and was raised because of our justification.”(Romans 4:25) In other words, Jesus said it was accomplished on the cross, which means that the death part of salvation was accomplished (see John 19:28-30). During this period of time, He and God the Father were different, because the Bible clearly says, “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) The Holy Spirit “…comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come.”(John 16:13) Every Christian has the indwelling Holy Spirit as said in this verse, “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?”(1 Corinthians 6:19) Everyone has the indwelling Holy Spirit, three are just right, why do we need a fourth?

     Some people try to explain the concept of the Trinity with examples. A common example is that water can exist in three different forms, namely ice, water vapor, and ordinary water, and under certain pressures and temperatures, all three can co-exist at the same time, and each is water, similar to the Trinity, but it cannot be said that they are connected by love. The Trinity is like this, as the scripture says, “…You loved Me before the foundation of the world.”(John 17:24) As far as I know, under normal temperature and pressure, only humans are composed of three parts: soul, spirit, and body. In ” 1. Creation of man on the sixth day to govern and manage the earth” of “1145 God created man in His image and likeness and Sabbath – Genesis(1)26-(2)3,” we discussed in detail why the Bible says that when a person’s physical life dies, the spirit goes first, then the soul goes, and then the body dies. Therefore, the trichotomy is correct.

     Please note that this applies to both Christians and non-Christians. In the end, “…the dust will return to the earth as it was, …”(Ecclesiastes 12:7) The difference between Christians and non-Christians is that non-Christians only have the old dead spirit, while Christians will be like Ezekiel prophesied, “Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances.”(Ezekiel 36:26-27) It does not say that it is the revival of the old spirit, so Christians have not only the old spirit, but also the new spirit and the indwelling Holy Spirit. Because all are given by God, so “…the spirit will return to God who gave it.”(Ecclesiastes 12:7) This also reminds me of Jesus on the cross, “And Jesus, crying out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit.” Having said this, He breathed His last.”(Luke 23:46) He only said about spirit not soul. From what God tells us through the Bible being consistent, we can see that God the Father does not have a soul.

     In this example, we cannot say that any one of the soul, spirit, and body is a person, but all three of the Trinity are God. In short, there is no example that can fully explain what the Trinity is. This is a mystery to us. We are finite, and God is infinite. We don’t know how God is accomplished this, and we can only believe in what the Bible says by faith. We know that although the Bible does not explicitly use the term Trinity, as we have discussed, there is definitely this concept.

(Verses refer to those in NASB95 unless otherwise specified.)

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

First, we saw that Satan used a mixture of right and wrong to tempt Eve. It is still the same way today. If we are not careful, we will see the right part and thus accept everything which includes the wrong part, and fall into Satan’s trap. We really should not distort our interpretation of the Bible. We should use the words of the Bible as the absolute standard to discern. Second, we discussed how Eve and Adam disobeyed God and fell into sin. We also briefly discuss why the Bible says that the definition of sin is disobedience to God. Today, we should obey the guidance of the Holy Spirit and not quench the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Even if we feel that we do not have the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, we should always stand on the side of God. Finally, we see the reaction of Eve and Adam after they sinned, which was to blame others instead of talking about the real reason, which was disobedience to God. It is still the same today. We often argue about some superficial facts without touching on the real reasons behind them.

1. Satan’s strategy of mixing right and wrong to seduce Eve

“Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field which the LORD (H3068, singular) God (H430, plural) had made (H6213). And he said to the woman, “Indeed, has God said, ‘You shall not eat from any tree of the garden’?” The woman said to the serpent, “From the fruit of the trees of the garden we may eat; but from the fruit of the tree which is in the middle (H8432) of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat from it or touch it, or you will die.’” The serpent said to the woman, “You surely will not die! For God knows that in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.””(Genesis 3:1-5)

First, we notice that the term “Lord God” appears again, both in the singular and in the plural. What does it mean? In Genesis 1:1, it says, “In the beginning God (H430, plural) created (H1254, singular) the heavens and the earth.” The subject is plural, but the verb is singular, which means a multi-personal God, and the same is true here. Next time, we will discuss the meaning of God being a trinity, its biblical basis, and why there are exactly three.

We noticed a small place where the word in the middle (H8432) appears again, and it also appears in this verse, “…the tree of life also in the midst (H8432) of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.”(Genesis 2:9) Because the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil could not be planted in the same place, no matter how far or close they are, the Garden of Eden has two centers. In geometric shapes, only an ellipse has two foci, that is, two centers. In short, the Garden of Eden should be an ellipse.

We have said before that only humans can eat the fruit of trees. The command God gave to Adam was clearly related to the fruit of trees. This command is recorded in the Book of Genesis, “The LORD God commanded the man, saying, “From any tree of the garden you may eat (H398) freely (H398); but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day (H3117) that you eat from it you will surely die.””(Genesis 2:16-17) We have said before why the word “day (H3117)” refers to today’s one day, so I will not say more. However, we should pay attention to one point that “So all the days that Adam lived were nine hundred and thirty years, and he died.”(Genesis 5:5) So his body and soul lived for a long time. To die for sure in that day means that his spirit died and lost the ability to communicate with God, but his spirit did not die immediately and indeed died on the same day. Because after they ate the fruit that they should not have eaten, they could still see God’s face, as the scripture says, “They heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden.”(Genesis 3:8) 

God has absolute sovereignty. After man was driven out of the Garden of Eden, He could still choose to communicate with Cain, as the scripture says, “Then the LORD said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen?”(Genesis 4:6) In the Old Testament, God took the initiative to communicate with the prophets. In fact, it is the same today. God is proactive because life can only come from God, as Paul said, “I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth. So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth.”(1 Corinthians 3:6-7) 

 Another point to note is that the word H398 is used twice to strengthen the tone, which is the usage in Hebrew. We note that the serpent was made (H6213) by God and was created (H1254) in the previous world. No wonder the Book of Revelation says, “…the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan, …”(Revelation 12:9) Satan knew that God did not tell Eve His command, but told Adam directly, so he was very cunning and only tempted the woman.

 From the conversation between Satan and Eve, we know that she did know the command from Adam’s mouth, but not very clearly. At the beginning, the serpent used “Indeed, has God said” to deepen Eve’s confusion. From her answer, we know that she did not understand God’s command, because God did not say that you shouldn’t touch it. We also see that the serpent wanted to deepen her confusion by using the words “You surely will not die!” and tempted her with the right benefit that your eyes would be opened. This is indeed true, because after eating the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, “Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loin coverings.”(Genesis 3:7) But it is not “exactly like” God, who can know good and evil, but only “similar”, because “Then the LORD God said, “Behold, the man has become like one of Us, knowing good and evil; …”(Genesis 3:22) 

 Here we see one of Satan’s strategies, which is to use true things to make people believe, and to put false things in between. When people see the true things, they will easily take the false things as true. Satan also used mixed words of right and wrong to Eliphaz the Temanite in the Book of Job (see Job 4:12-21). We have discussed these scriptures before and will not discuss anymore. It is the same today. If we are not careful, we will accept everything and fall into Satan’s trick. We really should not distort the interpretation of the Bible, but use the words of the Bible as the absolute standard to discern.

2. The fall of Eve and Adam

“When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate. Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loin coverings.”(Genesis 3:6-7)

 We saw that Eve was tempted first, but Adam knowingly committed the sin because he knew God’s command very well. No wonder it is said, “…through one man (Adam) sin entered into the world, …”(Romans 5:12) Today’s temptations also come from three aspects, “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world.”(1 John 2:16) Doesn’t this correspond to the three aspects when Eve was successfully tempted? Is not good food the lust of the flesh? Is not pleasing to the eyes the lust of the eyes? Is not wisdom the pride of this life? After their fall, we can indeed prove that Satan’s words are a mixture of truth and falsehood, because “Then the eyes of both of them were opened, …”(Genesis 3:7) 

 We have said in the previous section that the Garden of Eden is oval, and the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil should be some distance apart. Even if they are quite close, at least for Eve, the attraction of the tree of life is obviously not as great as the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, otherwise she would eat the fruit of the tree of life, because God did not forbid her to eat the fruit of life.

 In the New Testament era, we clearly know that the tree of life represents Jesus Christ, because Jesus clearly said, “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me; and you are unwilling to come to Me so that you may have life.”(John 5:39-40) We also know, “…I (Jesus) came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”(John 10:10) Doesn’t the fruit of the tree of life enable people to live forever? After Adam and Eve disobeyed God and sinned, “Then the LORD God said, “…and now, he might stretch out his hand, and take also from the tree of life, and eat, and live forever””(Genesis 3:22) The attraction of the tree of life was not enough at that time, and isn’t it the same today? God is a merciful and gracious God. “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) Didn’t Isaiah prophesied clearly about the lack of attraction? “For He (Jesus) grew up before Him like a tender shoot, And like a root out of parched ground; He has no stately form or majesty That we should look upon Him, Nor appearance that we should be attracted to Him. He was despised and forsaken of men, A man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; And like one from whom men hide their face He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.”(Isaiah 53:2-3)

 “Surely our griefs He Himself bore, And our sorrows He carried; Yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken, Smitten of God, and afflicted. But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, And by His scourging we are healed.”(Isaiah 53:4-5) In the end, he was nailed to the cross for us, but was resurrected three days later. “He who was delivered over because of our transgressions, and was raised because of our justification.”(Romans 4:25)

 Please note that we have shared that Jesus was scourged, but not every time the worldly life was healed, but not every time the spiritual life was healed. Only the spiritual life was healed for sure as long as we believe, because we have a new spirit and the Holy Spirit lives in us (see Ezekiel 36:26-27; 1 Corinthians 6:19) The forgiveness of the body will wait until Jesus comes again, which is what the scripture says, “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself.”

L(Philippians 3:20-21) In this world we need to be conformed to the image of Jesus and obtain the salvation of the soul. (See Romans 8:29) This is what the scripture says, “But we are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith to the preserving of the soul.”(Hebrews 10:39)

 Here we are going to discuss what is the definition of sin? First of all, the scripture says, “Therefore, just as through one man (Adam) sin entered into the world, …”(Romans 5:12) This implies that Adam’s disobedience to God means sin, and all people are descendants of Adam, the same as him, so disobeying God means sin. In order to define sin, logic requires us to prove that sin means disobeying God, that is, to prove that obedience to God means no sin. The latter does not really need to be proved. How can obedience to God be a sin? But we can also use the scriptures to prove this. “…One (Jesus ) who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.”(Hebrews 4:15) How did He obtain the fact being without sin? “…I do exactly as the Father commanded Me. …”(John 14:31) So obeying God does not sin.

We have proved that in the present world, the definition of sin is disobedience to God, but we have said that Satan was created before the present world. In “1096 Yu Hongjie’s Discipleship of Newself – Unbiblical Places (1) ,” we have proved in detail that in Satan’s previous world, the definition of sin was also disobedience to God. We will not repeat the discussion here. Please go to the website “https://a-christian-voice.com/” and click “Understanding of Spiritual Life” to find this article. 

 Today, we must obey the guidance of the Holy Spirit. “Do not quench the Spirit.”(1 Thessalonians 5:19) Even if we do not feel the Holy Spirit’s inspiration, we must choose to stand on God’s side. It is mentioned before that Adam was created in the image of God, and God’s image is holy. Therefore, Adam had a share in God’s holiness when he was created, but he still sinned. Therefore, man has holiness but also having free will, and thus can still disobey God and sin. This is different from God’s holiness. God’s holiness cannot sin, “…for He cannot deny Himself.”(2 Timothy 2:13) How could God not obey Himself?

 Some people say that according to the English translation of the Strong’s Concordance, Adam was beside like this (and gave also H1571 unto her husband H376 with her; and he did eat. H398). That is the original text of the Concordance only uses the word eat (H398), which used in its typical verses such as “Then Jacob gave Esau bread and lentil stew; and he ate (H398) and drank, and rose and went on his way. …”(Genesis 25:34) So it does not say that Adam was beside. Unless Adam and Eve were always together, there was really no need for the serpent to choose Adam’s presence to tempt Eve, because the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field. Not only that, according to the Scripture, Adam should not have been there, because the Bible clearly says: “And it was not Adam who was deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression.”(1 Timothy 2:14) But this is not the point to argue about. The point here is “…through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, .. “(Romans 5:12)

3. Eve and Adam’s reaction after they sinned

“They heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden. Then the LORD God called to the man, and said to him, “Where are you?” He said, “I heard the sound of You in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid myself.” And He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?” The man said, “The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me from the tree, and I ate.” Then the LORD God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?” And the woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.””(Genesis 3:8-13)

 First we saw, “Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loin coverings.”(Genesis 3:7) Can they make really cover them up or keep out the cold? In the end, it still needs that” The LORD God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife, and clothed them.”(Genesis 3:21) 

 We also saw that the result of sin entering is to blame each other and find excuses to shirk responsibility. Adam blamed Eve, and Eve said it was because of the snake, but they did not touch the real reason, which was disobeying God’s command and eating the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. 

 God is omniscient, how could He not know that their eyes were opened because they ate the forbidden fruit and thus knew that they were naked? But He still asked them, so that they could face their true selves after being stained by sin! We saw that they blamed others, although what they said was also true, but it was only part of the truth. It is the same now. We often argue about some superficial partial facts, but forget the real reason behind them! I don’t know if it’s because we really don’t know, or because ““The heart is more deceitful than all else And is desperately sick; Who can understand it?”(Jeremiah 17:9) We are sometimes deceiving ourself without even knowing it!

(Verses refer to those in NASB95 unless otherwise specified.)

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

    首先，我们看到撒但引诱夏娃是用对错相杂的策略。今日也是如此，一不小心我们就会全盘接收，中了撒但的诡计，真的不要强解圣经，要用圣经的话作为绝对标准的去分辩。第二，我们讨论了夏娃和亚当是如何的不顺服神，而堕落有罪，也很简短的讨论了为什么圣经说，罪的定义就是不顺服神。今日是要顺服圣灵带领，不要消灭圣灵的感动，即使我们觉得没有 圣灵的感动，也要永远的站在神那边。最后，我们看到了夏娃和亚当犯罪后的反应，就是怪罪别人，而不讲真正的原因是因不顺服神。现在也是如此，我们常争一些表面的部份事实，却不触及背后真正的原因！

1. 撒但引诱夏娃的对错相杂的策略       

    『耶和华(H3068, 单数)神(H430, 复数)所造(H6213)的，惟有蛇比田野一切的活物更狡猾。蛇对女人说：「神岂是真说不许你们吃园中所有树上的果子吗？」女人对蛇说：「园中树上的果子，我们可以吃；惟有园当中(H8432)那棵树上的果子，神曾说：『你们不可吃，也不可摸，免得你们死。』」蛇对女人说：「你们不一定死，因为神知道，你们吃的日子眼睛就明亮了，你们便如神能知道善恶。」』(创世记 3:1-5)       

    首先我们注意到「耶和华神」这辞又再次出现，又是单数又是复数，到底是什么意思呢？在创世记 1:1 说到，『起初神(H430, 复数)创造(H1254, 单数)天地。』主词是复数，而动词却是单数，这意谓著多位一体的神，这里也是一样。在下次，我们会讨论到神是三位一体的神的含意，及其圣经的根据，和为什么正好是三。       

    我们注意到一个小地方，当中(H8432)这个字又出现了，也出现过在这经文里，『…园子当中(H8432)又有生命树和分别善恶的树。』(创世记 2:9) 因为生命树和分别善恶树是不可能种在同一个地方的，所以不论它们的距离有多远或多近，伊甸园是有两个中心的，在几何的形状中，只有椭园有两个焦点，也就是有两个中心。简言之，伊甸园应是椭园形的。        

    我们以前说过只有人能吃树上的果子，神给亚当的命令很清楚和树上的果子有关，这命令记载在创世记  2:16-17，『耶和华神吩咐他说：「园中各样树上的果子，你可以随意(H398)吃(H398)，只是分别善恶树上的果子，你不可吃，因为你吃的日子(H3117)必定死。」』  我们以前说过为什这日子(H3117)这字是指今天的一日，就不多说了。不过我们要注意一点，因『亚当共活了九百三十岁就死了。』(创世记 5:5) 所以他的体和魂还活了很久，必定死是指灵死了，失去了和神交通的能力，但灵不是立刻就死，而是当天死了。因为在他们吃了不该吃的果子后，仍可见神的面，如经文所说，『…那人和他妻子听见神的声音，就藏在园里的树木中，躲避耶和华神的面。』(创世记  3:8)    

    神有绝对的主权，在人被赶出伊甸园后，祂仍可选择和该隐交通，就如经文所说，『耶和华对该隐说：「你为甚么发怒呢？你为甚么变了脸色呢？」』(创世记  4:6) 在旧约中，神是主动和先知们交通，其实今日也是如此，神是主动的，因为生命只能从神来，如保罗说，『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)    

    另一点要指出的是这字H398用了两次去加强语气，是希伯来文中的用法。我们注意到蛇是神所造作(H6213)的，是在先前的世界就已创造(H1254)的，难怪启示录会说，『大龙就是那古蛇，名叫魔鬼，又叫撒但，…』(启示录 12:9) 撒但知道神没有告诉夏娃祂的命令，是直接告诉亚当的，所以牠很狡猾只对女人说，去引诱她。       

    从撤但和夏娃的对话中，我们知道她的确是从亚当的口中，不很清楚的知道了这命令。开始时蛇就用「神岂是真说」来加深夏娃的困惑，我们看到她的回答就知道她没搞清楚神的命令，因为神并没有说，「也不可摸」。我们也看到了蛇要更加深了她的困惑而用了「不一定」这些字，并用正确的好处「眼睛明亮」去诱惑她。这的确是对的，因为吃了分别善恶树上的果子后，『他们二人的眼睛就明亮了，才知道自己是赤身露体，便拿无花果树的叶子，为自己编做裙子。』(创世记 3:7) 但不是「如」神能知道善恶，而只是「相似」而已，因『耶和华神说：「那人已经与我们相似，能知道善恶。…』(创世记 3:22)      

    在这里我们看到了撒但的一个策略是，用真的事情去使人相信，把假的事夹在其中，人看见真的事，就很容易把假的事当作是真的，撒但对约伯记中的提幔人以利法，也是如此的使用对错相杂的话语(参约伯记 4:12-21)，我们以前讨论过这些经文。今日也是如此，一不小心，我们就会全盘接收，中了撒但的诡计，真的不要强解圣经，要用圣经的话作为绝对标准的去分辩。

2. 夏娃和亚当的堕落       

    『于是，女人见那棵树的果子好作食物，也悦人的眼目，且是可喜爱的，能使人有智慧，就摘下果子来吃了；又给她丈夫，她丈夫也吃了。他们二人的眼睛就明亮了，才知道自己是赤身露体，便拿无花果树的叶子，为自己编做裙子。』(创世记 3:6-7)                 

    我们看到了夏娃被诱惑在先，但是亚当是明知故犯，因为他很清楚的知道神的命令，难怪罗马书 5:12 会说，『…罪是从一人(亚当)入了世界，…』。今日的诱惑也是如此从三方面来的，『因为凡世界上的事，就像肉体的情欲，眼目的情欲，并今生的骄傲，都不是从父来的，乃是从世界来的。』(约翰一书 2:16) 这不是对应于夏娃被成功的引诱时的三个方面吗？好作食物不是为肉体的情欲所诱惑吗？悦人的眼目不是为眼目的情欲所吸引吗？能使人有智慧不是因为今生的骄傲吗？在他们堕落后，我们的确可证实撒但的话是真假混杂的，因『他们二人的眼睛就明亮了…』(创世记 3:7)      

    我们在上一部份讲过伊甸园是椭圆的，生命树和分别善恶的树应该是有一些距离的，即使它们相当近，至少对夏娃来说，生命树的吸引力显然比不上分别善恶的树，要不然她会吃生命树上的果子的，因为神没有不准她吃生命上的果子。       

    在新约的时代，我们就很清楚知道那生命树是代表耶稣基督，因耶稣明说，『你们查考圣经，因你们以为内中有永生；给我作见证的就是这经。然而你们不肯到我这里来得生命。』(约翰福音 5:39-40) 我们也知道，『…我(耶稣)来了，是要叫羊得生命，并且得的更丰盛。』(约翰福音 10:10)   而生命树的果子不是能使人永远活著吗？因在亚当和夏娃不顺服神犯罪后，『耶和华神说：「…现在恐怕他伸手又摘生命树的果子吃，就永远活著。」』(创世记 3:22)        

    那时生命树的吸引力不够，今日不也是如此吗？神是有怜悯有恩典的神，『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) 对于吸引力不够这件事，以赛亚不是预言的很清楚吗？『他(耶稣)在耶和华面前生长如嫩芽，像根出于干地。他无佳形美容，我们看见他的时候，也无美貌使我们羡慕他。他被藐视，被人厌弃，多受痛苦，常经忧患。他被藐视，好像被人掩面不看的一样；我们也不尊重他。』(以赛亚书 53:2-3)       

    『他诚然担当我们的忧患，背负我们的痛苦；我们却以为他受责罚，被神击打苦待了。哪知他为我们的过犯受害，为我们的罪孽压伤。因他受的刑罚，我们得平安；因他受的鞭伤，我们得医治。』(以赛亚书 53:4-5) 最终祂为我们钉上了十字架，但三日后复活，『耶稣被交给人，是为我们的过犯；复活，是为叫我们称义。』(罗马书 4:25)    

    请注意，我们分享过耶稣已受鞭伤，但不是每次属世的生命都得医治，每次都得医治只有属灵的生命，因为只要一信，我们就有一个新灵，并有圣灵住在我们里面(参以西结书 36:26-27; 哥林多前书 6:19) 身体的得赦要等到耶稣再来，就是经文说的，『我们却是天上的国民，并且等候救主，就是主耶稣基督从天上降临。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，和他自己荣耀的身体相似。』(腓立比书 3:20-21) 在今世我们需要模成耶稣的形像而得到魂的救恩。(参罗马书 8:29) 这就是经文所说，『我们却不是退后入沉沦的那等人，乃是有信心以至(灵)魂(G5590, soul)得救的人。』(希伯来书 10:39)              

    在这里我们要讨论一下罪的定义是什么？首先经文说，『这就如罪是从一人(亚当)入了世界，…』(罗马书 5:12) 这经文明讲了亚当的不顺服神意味著罪，所有的人都是亚当的后裔，和他相同，所以不顺服神就意味著罪。为了要定义罪，逻辑要求我们还要证明罪意味著不顺服神，也就是要能证明顺服神意味著没有罪，后者实在不需要证明，顺服神怎么是犯罪呢？但我们也可用经文证实这一点。『…他(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) 祂是如何做到没有犯罪呢？『…父怎样吩咐我，我就怎样行。…』(约翰福音 14:31) 所以顺服神就不犯罪。     

    我们已证明了在现今的世界中，罪的定义是不顺服神，但我们说过撒但的创造是在现今的世界前，在『2096 于宏洁的新人门训  –  不合乎圣经的地方  (1)』中，我们详细的证明了，在撒但的先前世界中，罪的定义也是不顺服神，我们就不重复其讨论了。请到『 https://a-christian-voice.com/ 』的网站后，按『对属灵生命的了解』，找到这篇文章。        

    今日是要顺服圣灵带领，『不要消灭圣灵的感动。』(帖撒罗尼迦前书 5:19) 即使没有感觉到圣灵的感动，也要选择站在神那边。要提的是，亚当是照著神的形像造的，神的形像是圣洁的，所以亚当创造时和神的圣洁有份，但仍然犯罪，所以人有圣洁但有自由意志，仍可不顺服神而犯罪，这是和神的圣洁不同处。神的圣洁是不能犯罪的，『…因为他不能背乎自己。』(提摩太后书 2:13) 神怎么能够不顺服祂自己呢？       

    有人说，照汇编英文的翻译，亚当就在旁边 (and gave also H1571 unto her husband H376 with her; and he did eat. H398)，但汇编的原文只用了吃(H398)这个字，它的典型经文如『于是雅各将饼和红豆汤给了以扫，以扫吃了(H398)喝了，便起来走了。 …』(创世记 25:34) 所以并没说亚当就在旁边。除非亚当和夏娃总是在一起，蛇实在是没有必要选择亚当在的时候去引诱夏娃，因为蛇比田野一切的活物更狡猾。不只如此，照经文看，亚当应该是不在的，因为圣经明说：『且不是亚当被引诱，乃是女人被引诱，陷在罪里。』(提摩太前书 2:14) 不过这不是重点，没有什么好争论的，重点是『…罪是从一人(亚当)入了世界，死又是从罪来的，…』(罗马书 5:12)

3. 夏娃和亚当犯罪后的反应       

    『天起了凉风，耶和华神在园中行走。那人和他妻子听见神的声音，就藏在园里的树木中，躲避耶和华神的面。耶和华神呼唤那人，对他说：「你在哪里？」他说：「我在园中听见你的声音，我就害怕，因为我赤身露体，我便藏了。」耶和华说：「谁告诉你赤身露体呢？莫非你吃了我吩咐你不可吃的那树上的果子吗？」那人说：「你所赐给我、与我同居的女人，她把那树上的果子给我，我就吃了。」耶和华神对女人说：「你做的是甚么事呢？」 女人说：「那蛇引诱我，我就吃了。」』(创世记 3:8-13)             

    首先我们看到了，『他们二人的眼睛就明亮了，才知道自己是赤身露体，便拿无花果树的叶子，为自己编做裙子。』(创世记 3:7) 这样的裙子真能遮羞或御寒吗？最后还是要『耶和华神为亚当和他妻子用皮子做衣服，给他们穿。』(创世记 3:21)                 

    我们也看到了罪进入的结果是会彼此怪罪，找借口去推卸责任。亚当怪罪夏娃，夏娃则说是由于蛇，但他们都不触及真正的原因，就是不顺服神的命令，吃了分别善恶树上的果子。            

    神是全知的，祂怎么会不知道他们因吃了不可吃的果子而眼睛明亮，知道自己是赤身露体呢？但祂仍然问了他们，让他们面对被罪玷污后真实的自己！我们看到了他们怪罪别人，虽然说的也都是事实，但只是部份事实。现在也是如此，我们常争一些表面的部份事实，却忘了背后真正的原因！不知道是因为我们真不知道，或是因为『人心比万物都诡诈，坏到极处，谁能识透呢？』(耶利米书 17:9) 自己在欺骗自己都不知道！

(经文除了特别注明外，是基于和合本。)

(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』。)  

        首先，我們看到撒但引誘夏娃是用對錯相雜的策略。今日也是如此，一不小心我們就會全盤接收，中了撒但的詭計，真的不要強解聖經，要用聖經的話作為絕對標準的去分辨。第二，我們討論了夏娃和亞當是如何的不順服神，而墮落有罪，也很簡短的討論了為什麼聖經說，罪的定義就是不順服神。今日是要順服聖靈帶領，不要消滅聖靈的感動，即使我們覺得沒有 聖靈的感動，也要永遠的站在神那邊。最後，我們看到了夏娃和亞當犯罪後的反應，就是怪罪別人，而不講真正的原因是因不順服神。現在也是如此，我們常爭一些表面的部份事實，卻不觸及背後真正的原因！

1. 撒但引誘夏娃的對錯相雜的策略

       『耶和華(H3068, 單數)神(H430, 複數)所造(H6213)的，惟有蛇比田野一切的活物更狡猾。蛇對女人說：「神豈是真說不許你們吃園中所有樹上的果子嗎？」女人對蛇說：「園中樹上的果子，我們可以吃；惟有園當中(H8432)那棵樹上的果子，神曾說：『你們不可吃，也不可摸，免得你們死。』」蛇對女人說：「你們不一定死，因為神知道，你們吃的日子眼睛就明亮了，你們便如神能知道善惡。」』(創世記 3:1-5)

        首先我們注意到「耶和華神」這辭又再次出現，又是單數又是複數，到底是什麼意思呢？在創世記 1:1 說到，『起初神(H430, 複數)創造(H1254, 單數)天地。』主詞是複數，而動詞卻是單數，這意謂著多位一體的神，這裏也是一樣。在下次，我們會討論到神是三位一體的神的含意，及其聖經的根據，和為什麼正好是三。

       我們注意到一個小地方，當中(H8432)這個字又出現了，也出現過在這經文裏，『…園子當中(H8432)又有生命樹和分別善惡的樹。』(創世記 2:9) 因為生命樹和分別善惡樹是不可能種在同一個地方的，所以不論它們的距離有多遠或多近，伊甸園是有兩個中心的，在幾何的形狀中，只有橢園有兩個焦點，也就是有兩個中心。簡言之，伊甸園應是橢園形的。

        我們以前說過只有人能吃樹上的果子，神給亞當的命令很清楚和樹上的果子有關，這命令記載在創世記  2:16-17，『耶和華神吩咐他說：「園中各樣樹上的果子，你可以隨意(H398)吃(H398)，只是分別善惡樹上的果子，你不可吃，因為你吃的日子(H3117)必定死。」』  我們以前說過為什這日子(H3117)這字是指今天的一日，就不多說了。不過我們要注意一點，因『亞當共活了九百三十歲就死了。』(創世記 5:5) 所以他的體和魂還活了很久，必定死是指靈死了，失去了和神交通的能力，但靈不是立刻就死，而是當天死了。因為在他們吃了不該吃的果子後，仍可見神的面，如經文所說，『…那人和他妻子聽見神的聲音，就藏在園裏的樹木中，躲避耶和華神的面。』(創世記  3:8) 

    神有絕對的主權，在人被趕出伊甸園後，祂仍可選擇和該隱交通，就如經文所說，『耶和華對該隱說：「你為甚麼發怒呢？你為甚麼變了臉色呢？」』(創世記  4:6) 在舊約中，神是主動和先知們交通，其實今日也是如此，神是主動的，因為生命只能從神來，如保羅說，『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)

    另一點要指出的是這字H398用了兩次去加強語氣，是希伯來文中的用法。我們注意到蛇是神所造作(H6213)的，是在先前的世界就已創造(H1254)的，難怪啓示錄會說，『大龍就是那古蛇，名叫魔鬼，又叫撒但，…』(啓示錄 12:9) 撒但知道神沒有告訴夏娃祂的命令，是直接告訴亞當的，所以牠很狡猾只對女人說，去引誘她。

        從撤但和夏娃的對話中，我們知道她的確是從亞當的口中，不很清楚的知道了這命令。開始時蛇就用「神豈是真說」來加深夏娃的困惑，我們看到她的回答就知道她沒搞清楚神的命令，因為神並沒有說，「也不可摸」。我們也看到了蛇要更加深了她的困惑而用了「不一定」這些字，並用正確的好處「眼睛明亮」去誘惑她。這的確是對的，因為吃了分別善惡樹上的果子後，『他們二人的眼睛就明亮了，才知道自己是赤身露體，便拿無花果樹的葉子，為自己編做裙子。』(創世記 3:7) 但不是「如」神能知道善惡，而只是「相似」而已，因『耶和華神說：「那人已經與我們相似，能知道善惡。…』(創世記 3:22) 

        在這裏我們看到了撒但的一個策略是，用真的事情去使人相信，把假的事夾在其中，人看見真的事，就很容易把假的事當作是真的，撒但對約伯記中的提幔人以利法，也是如此的使用對錯相雜的話語(參約伯記 4:12-21)，我們以前討論過這些經文。今日也是如此，一不小心，我們就會全盤接收，中了撒但的詭計，真的不要強解聖經，要用聖經的話作為絕對標準的去分辨。

2. 夏娃和亞當的墮落

       『於是，女人見那棵樹的果子好作食物，也悅人的眼目，且是可喜愛的，能使人有智慧，就摘下果子來吃了；又給她丈夫，她丈夫也吃了。他們二人的眼睛就明亮了，才知道自己是赤身露體，便拿無花果樹的葉子，為自己編做裙子。』(創世記 3:6-7)

                 我們看到了夏娃被誘惑在先，但是亞當是明知故犯，因為他很清楚的知道神的命令，難怪羅馬書 5:12 會說，『…罪是從一人(亞當)入了世界，…』。今日的誘惑也是如此從三方面來的，『因為凡世界上的事，就像肉體的情慾，眼目的情慾，並今生的驕傲，都不是從父來的，乃是從世界來的。』(約翰一書 2:16) 這不是對應於夏娃被成功的引誘時的三個方面嗎？好作食物不是為肉體的情慾所誘惑嗎？悅人的眼目不是為眼目的情慾所吸引嗎？能使人有智慧不是因為今生的驕傲嗎？在他們墮落後，我們的確可証實撒但的話是真假混雜的，因『他們二人的眼睛就明亮了…』(創世記 3:7) 

       我們在上一部份講過伊甸園是橢圓的，生命樹和分別善惡的樹應該是有一些距離的，即使它們相當近，至少對夏娃來說，生命樹的吸引力顯然比不上分別善惡的樹，要不然她會吃生命樹上的果子的，因為神沒有不准她吃生命上的果子。

       在新約的時代，我們就很清楚知道那生命樹是代表耶穌基督，因耶穌明說，『你們查考聖經，因你們以為內中有永生；給我作見證的就是這經。然而你們不肯到我這裏來得生命。』(約翰福音 5:39-40) 我們也知道，『…我(耶穌)來了，是要叫羊得生命，並且得的更豐盛。』(約翰福音 10:10)   而生命樹的果子不是能使人永遠活著嗎？因在亞當和夏娃不順服神犯罪後，『耶和華神說：「…現在恐怕他伸手又摘生命樹的果子吃，就永遠活着。」』(創世記 3:22) 

        那時生命樹的吸引力不夠，今日不也是如此嗎？神是有憐憫有恩典的神，『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) 對於吸引力不夠這件事，以賽亞不是預言的很清楚嗎？『他(耶穌)在耶和華面前生長如嫩芽，像根出於乾地。他無佳形美容，我們看見他的時候，也無美貌使我們羨慕他。他被藐視，被人厭棄，多受痛苦，常經憂患。他被藐視，好像被人掩面不看的一樣；我們也不尊重他。』(以賽亞書 53:2-3)

       『他誠然擔當我們的憂患，背負我們的痛苦；我們卻以為他受責罰，被神擊打苦待了。哪知他為我們的過犯受害，為我們的罪孽壓傷。因他受的刑罰，我們得平安；因他受的鞭傷，我們得醫治。』(以賽亞書 53:4-5) 最終祂為我們釘上了十字架，但三日後復活，『耶穌被交給人，是為我們的過犯；復活，是為叫我們稱義。』(羅馬書 4:25)

    請注意，我們分享過耶穌已受鞭傷，但不是每次屬世的生命都得醫治，每次都得醫治衹有屬靈的生命，因為衹要一信，我們就有一個新靈，並有聖靈住在我們裏面(參以西結書 36:26-27; 哥林多前書 6:19) 身體的得赦要等到耶穌再來，就是經文説的，『我們卻是天上的國民，並且等候救主，就是主耶穌基督從天上降臨。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，和他自己榮耀的身體相似。』(腓立比書 3:20-21) 在今世我們需要模成耶穌的形像而得到魂的救恩。(參羅馬書 8:29) 這就是經文所說，『我們卻不是退後入沉淪的那等人，乃是有信心以至(靈)魂(G5590, soul)得救的人。』(希伯來書 10:39)

              在這裏我們要討論一下罪的定義是什麼？首先經文説，『這就如罪是從一人(亞當)入了世界，…』(羅馬書 5:12) 這經文明講了亞當的不順服神意味著罪，所有的人都是亞當的後裔，和他相同，所以不順服神就意味著罪。為了要定義罪，邏輯要求我們還要証明罪意味著不順服神，也就是要能証明順服神意味著沒有罪，後者實在不需要証明，順服神怎麼是犯罪呢？但我們也可用經文証實這一點。『…他(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) 祂是如何做到沒有犯罪呢？『…父怎樣吩咐我，我就怎樣行。…』(約翰福音 14:31) 所以順服神就不犯罪。

        我們已証明了在現今的世界中，罪的定義是不順服神，但我們說過撒但的創造是在現今的世界前，在『2096 于宏潔的新人門訓  –  不合乎聖經的地方  (1)』中，我們詳細的証明了，在撒但的先前世界中，罪的定義也是不順服神，我們就不重複其討論了。請到『 https://a-christian-voice.com/ 』的網站後，按『對屬靈生命的瞭解』，找到這篇文章。

        今日是要順服聖靈帶領，『不要消滅聖靈的感動。』(帖撒羅尼迦前書 5:19) 即使沒有感覺到聖靈的感動，也要選擇站在神那邊。要提的是，亞當是照着神的形像造的，神的形像是聖潔的，所以亞當創造時和神的聖潔有份，但仍然犯罪，所以人有聖潔但有自由意志，仍可不順服神而犯罪，這是和神的聖潔不同處。神的聖潔是不能犯罪的，『…因為他不能背乎自己。』(提摩太後書 2:13) 神怎麼能夠不順服祂自己呢？

        有人說，照彙編英文的翻譯，亞當就在旁邊 (and gave also H1571 unto her husband H376 with her; and he did eat. H398)，但彙編的原文只用了吃(H398)這個字，它的典型經文如『於是雅各將餅和紅豆湯給了以掃，以掃吃了(H398)喝了，便起來走了。 …』(創世記 25:34) 所以並沒說亞當就在旁邊。除非亞當和夏娃總是在一起，蛇實在是沒有必要選擇亞當在的時候去引誘夏娃，因為蛇比田野一切的活物更狡猾。不只如此，照經文看，亞當應該是不在的，因為聖經明說：『且不是亞當被引誘，乃是女人被引誘，陷在罪裏。』(提摩太前書 2:14) 不過這不是重點，沒有什麼好爭論的，重點是『…罪是從一人(亞當)入了世界，死又是從罪來的，…』(羅馬書 5:12)

3. 夏娃和亞當犯罪後的反應

       『天起了涼風，耶和華神在園中行走。那人和他妻子聽見神的聲音，就藏在園裏的樹木中，躲避耶和華神的面。耶和華神呼喚那人，對他說：「你在哪裏？」他說：「我在園中聽見你的聲音，我就害怕，因為我赤身露體，我便藏了。」耶和華說：「誰告訴你赤身露體呢？莫非你吃了我吩咐你不可吃的那樹上的果子嗎？」那人說：「你所賜給我、與我同居的女人，她把那樹上的果子給我，我就吃了。」耶和華神對女人說：「你做的是甚麼事呢？」 女人說：「那蛇引誘我，我就吃了。」』(創世記 3:8-13)

              首先我們看到了，『他們二人的眼睛就明亮了，才知道自己是赤身露體，便拿無花果樹的葉子，為自己編做裙子。』(創世記 3:7) 這樣的裙子真能遮羞或禦寒嗎？最後還是要『耶和華神為亞當和他妻子用皮子做衣服，給他們穿。』(創世記 3:21) 

                 我們也看到了罪進入的結果是會彼此怪罪，找藉口去推卸責任。亞當怪罪夏娃，夏娃則說是由於蛇，但他們都不觸及真正的原因，就是不順服神的命令，吃了分別善惡樹上的果子。

       神是全知的，祂怎麼會不知道他們因吃了不可吃的果子而眼睛明亮，知道自己是赤身露體呢？但祂仍然問了他們，讓他們面對被罪玷汚後真實的自己！我們看到了他們怪罪別人，雖然說的也都是事實，但只是部份事實。現在也是如此，我們常爭一些表面的部份事實，卻忘了背後真正的原因！不知道是因為我們真不知道，或是因為『人心比萬物都詭詐，壞到極處，誰能識透呢？』(耶利米書 17:9) 自己在欺騙自己都不知道！

(經文除了特別註明外，是基於和合本。)

(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』。)

First, we shared the creation of Adam. We saw that Adam’s creation used creation out of nothing (H1254) and was formed (H3335) from dust. Since dust already existed at that time, it was also a making (H6213). Adam’s creation was very different from other living creatures. He had the breath of life from God breathed into his nostrils. We also discussed why the breath of life includes spirit and soul. Second, we only discussed the physical location of the Garden of Eden. We left the discussion of the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil in the midst of Garden, as well as God’s command, until Eve was tempted, because it would be clearer then. Finally, we discussed why Eve was not made from a rib, mentioned that Adam was very powerful before Eve was made, and saw how Eve was made. There are many reasons why a couple must become one, and Eve’s making has become the most important reason why a couple must become one. The fact that a couple must become one clearly states that men and women are equally important, but have different roles to play.

1. The creation of Adam and the breath of life including spirit and soul

“This is the account of the heavens (H8064) and the earth when they were created (H1254), in the day that the LORD God made

(H6213) earth and heaven (H8064). Now no shrub of the field was yet in the earth, and no plant of the field had yet sprouted, for the LORD God had not sent rain upon the earth, and there was no man (H120) to cultivate the ground. But a mist used to rise from the earth and water the whole surface of the ground. Then the LORD God formed (H3335) man (H120) of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath (H5397) of life (H2416); and man became a living being(H5315, soul).”(Genesis 2:4-7)

It starts with the creation out of nothing (H1254). Each planet has its own sky, so it is the heavens. We have already shared this point, so I won’t say more. Then it refers to the fact that the present world is made by the made heaven (H8064) and earth (H6213). So no matter how vast the sky is when we look at it from Earth, there is only one sky, so it is used in the singular. At that time, there were already plants and vegetables, because on the third day, ” Then God said, “Let the earth sprout vegetation, plants yielding seed, …”(Genesis 1:11). But before they began to grow, there was only mist, no rain, and no one tilling the ground.

Then it says that man (H120) was formed (H3335) from dust, and then the breath of life was breathed into his nostrils, and he became a living soul. This is different from other creatures, all of which were made or created by ‘God said,’ but only man (H120) had the breath of life from God, and he became a living soul (H5315). Because the Hebrew pronunciation of man (H120) is Adam, so Adam is used as his name.

So man (Adam) was created out of nothing, “God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.”(Genesis 1:27) Here it is also said that Adam was formed (H3335) from dust (H3335). Let’s look at the meaning of made (H6213) again. From this verse, “Then the LORD God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make (H6213) him a helper suitable for him.””(Genesis 2:18) We know that ‘made’ means that Eve came from the existing Adam. Therefore, the word ‘made (H6213)’ refers to making from something that already exists, because Adam was formed from the dust that already existed at that time. Therefore, although the Bible does not explicitly say that Adam was also made, looking at the meaning of the word made, we know that Adam was also made. So in the Book of Isaiah it says, “Everyone who is called by My name, And whom I have created (H1254) for My glory, Whom I have formed (H3335), even whom I have made (H6213).”(Isaiah 43:7) All three words are used here. We know that man has a spirit, because “Then the LORD said, “My Spirit shall not strive with man forever, because he also is flesh; nevertheless his days shall be one hundred and twenty years.””(Genesis 6:3) So when a person dies, “then the dust will return to the earth as it was, and the spirit (H7307) will return to God who gave it.”(Ecclesiastes 12:7)

Of course, without the breath of life from God, Adam would not have life. Some people will ask what the breath of life is? The breath of life is composed of two original words. This composition only appears twice. The other place that talks about breath of life is the verse, “of all that was on the dry land, all in whose nostrils was the breath (H5397) of the spirit of life (H2416), died.”(Genesis 7:22) So there must be a spirit in the breath of life, but it does not say there is a soul here. Let’s look at this point. 

First, we know that last time we talked about “1145 God created man in His image and likeness and Sabbath – Genesis(1)26-(2)3” that there is a Soul in the likeness of the Triune God, and the scripture says, “This is the book of the generations of Adam. In the day when God created man, He made him in the likeness of God.”(Genesis 5:1) Since man was made from the Spirit and Soul of the pre-existing Triune God, the breath of life must also include the soul. It is not like some people think that the soul is produced by the interaction between the spirit and the dust. Of course, some people may say that God has absolute sovereignty and can create souls in this way! However, the Bible uses the word made, which means that the soul already exists and cannot be created by interaction. So where does the soul go after a person dies? At least some will go to the place as said in the Book of Revelation, “When the Lamb broke the fifth seal, I saw underneath the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God, and because of the testimony which they had maintained.”(Revelation 6:9)

2. Geographical location of the Garden of Eden

“The LORD God planted a garden toward the east, in Eden; and there He placed the man (H120) whom He had formed (H3335). Out of the ground the LORD God caused to grow every tree that is pleasing to the sight and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Now a river flowed out of Eden to water the garden; and from there it divided and became four rivers. The name of the first is Pishon; it flows around the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold. The gold of that land is good; the bdellium and the onyx stone are there. The name of the second river is Gihon; it flows around the whole land of Cush. The name of the third river is Hiddekel (H2313); it flows east of Assyria. And the fourth river is the Phrat (H6578). Then the LORD God took the man and put him into the garden of Eden to cultivate (H5647) it and keep (H8104) it. The LORD God commanded the man, saying, “From any tree of the garden you may eat freely; but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day (H3117) that you eat from it you will surely die.””(Genesis 2:8-17)

We see that God has given the Garden of Eden to man to cultivate (H5647) and keep (H8104), so the man only has two things to do, which we will talk about in Chapter 3 where the man (Adam) and his wife Eve were driven out of the Garden of Eden late on the sixth day of their creation, so they could only cultivate outside the garden as the scripture says, “Now the man had relations with his wife Eve, and she conceived and gave birth to Cain, and she said, “I have gotten a manchild with the help of the LORD.” Again, she gave birth to his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of flocks, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.”(Genesis 4:1-2) At that time they were already driven out the Garden of Eden, so Cain was a tiller outside the Garden. The man obviously did not take good care of the Garden, because he allowed the ancient serpent to take advantage of the opportunity to successfully tempt Eve, and finally he himself disobeyed God, causing sin to enter the world through him (see Romans 5:12).

Regarding this verse, “Out of the ground the LORD God caused to grow every tree that is pleasing to the sight and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.”(Genesis 2:9) We will leave this discussion until we discuss Eve’s temptation, because it will be clearer then. Regarding the verse on God’s command, we will leave it for the same reason and share it together at that time.

Now let’s briefly discuss the geographical location of the Garden of Eden mentioned in Genesis 2:10-14. Here, it is the most detailed description. Most English versions translate the Hiddekel River as the Tigris River and the Perath River as the Euphrates River. Only a few exceptions are the same as the original Union Version translation, such as the Young’s Text Translation (YLT), which is translated according to the original text. We probably can’t find a place that completely matches the description when we look at the map, so some people say that the landform changed after the flood, which is absolutely possible. The most suitable place at present is probably near the current Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. In fact, even if we find it, it won’t matter. We must know that “…at the east of the garden of Eden He stationed the cherubim and the flaming sword which turned every direction to guard the way to the tree of life.”(Genesis 3:24)

3. The reason why Eve was not made from the rib and the couple became one

“Then the LORD God said, “It is not (H3808) good (H2896) for the man to be alone; I will make (H6213) him a helper suitable (H5828) for him.” Out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the sky, and brought them to the man to see what he would call them; and whatever the man called a living creature, that was its name. The man gave names to all the cattle, and to the birds of the sky, and to every beast of the field, but for Adam there was not found a helper suitable for him. So the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and he slept; then He took one (H259) of his ribs (H6763) and closed up the flesh at that place. The LORD God fashioned (H1129) into a woman (H802) the rib (H6763) which He had taken from the man, and brought her to the man. The man said, “This is now bone of my bones, And flesh of my flesh; She shall be called Woman (H802), Because she was taken out of Man.” For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one (H259) flesh. And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed.”(Genesis 2:18-25)

First, we see that the translation of the Strong’s Concordance has the word “not”, but omitted H3808. The other original version has this word, which is correct, because if everything is good, why did God make Eve? Therefore, I know that the version I use omitted the word H3808, which is wrong.

From these verses, we can see that Adam was very powerful before Eve was made, because “God created man in His own image, …”(Genesis 1:27). This can be seen from his ability to name various living creatures. Because the Bible can have just mentioned this fact in a simple sentence, but it uses such long verses to describe this fact to the extent that we cannot ignore this point. We will explain later why we emphasize that these things happened before Eve was made.

We noticed that when God made Eve, he first made Adam fall asleep, and then closed the flesh, so some people say that Jehovah performed the first operation. Because of this, Adam did not know how Eve was made, but he was very clear about the result, because “The man said, “This is now bone of my bones, And flesh of my flesh; She shall be called Woman, Because she was taken out of Man.””(Genesis 2:23)

The word “fashioned (H1129)” is used to make Eve. The typical verse of this word is in this verse, “Cain had relations with his wife and she conceived, and gave birth to Enoch; and he built (H1129) a city, and called the name of the city Enoch, after the name of his son.” (Genesis 4:17) So its meaning is very clear. Eve was indeed taken out of Adam and was fashioned or built (H1129) by something called H6763. We cannot be sure what it is, but it is definitely not a rib, which is a wrong translation.

Why do we say this? Because this word H6763 appears 41 times, only these two places translate it as rib, other related scriptures are not translated in this way, basically they all mean side. For example, this typical scripture, “You shall cast four gold rings for it and fasten them on its four feet, and two rings shall be on one side (H6763) of it and two rings on the other side of it.”(Exodus 25:12) So I would agree with what some people say that this is when the Hebrew original text was translated into Latin, and the Latin Septuagint did not reflect the meaning of the Hebrew original text.

We noticed that when God made Eve, he first made Adam fall asleep, so Adam did not know how Eve was made, but he was very clear about the result, because “The man said, “This is now bone of my bones, And flesh of my flesh; She shall be called Woman, Because she was taken out of Man.””(Genesis 2:23) It clearly shows that it is not a rib, so he also said flesh of my flesh. If it was just a rib, there would be no need to say more about flesh of my flesh! Let’s look at the fact that men and women are symmetrical outside. However, since God has absolute sovereignty, He could have created Adam with an extra rib first, and then taken out that rib to make woman. But seeing that the Scripture also mentions flesh of my flesh, we know that He would not do this. People who have the same question as me before can answer the question by this way.

Although we don’t know what is taken out, we can be sure of one thing. The Scripture says, “For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one (H259) flesh.”(Genesis 2:24) and “…then He took one (H259) of his ribs and closed up the flesh at that place.”(Genesis 2:21) The same word H259 is used for one rib and one flesh. That is to say, the husband and wife must hold together to be equivalent to Adam before Eve was made. After Adam and Eve sinned, even if the husband and wife became one flesh after the sin, no one has this ability like Adam had before. No matter what, under normal circumstances, the couple must become one in order to fulfill God’s blessing, “…Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, …”(Genesis 1:28) This is why we emphasized that naming event happened before Eve was made.

Let’s look at the word spouse (H5828), because we can see the role of the spouse from the meaning of this word. This word H5828 appears 21 times. The following is a typical verse that explains its meaning. “Our soul waits for the LORD; He is our help (H5828) and our shield.”(Psalm 33:20) This means that the role of the spouse is a helper, but she must be there for the two to become one. Therefore, the importance of women is the same as that of men, but their roles are different. There is also a certain order in creation. Therefore, when Jesus became flesh, Paul said, “But I want you to understand that Christ is the head of every man, and the man is the head of a woman, and God is the head of Christ.”(1 Corinthians 11:3) It also says, “For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body.”(Ephesians 5:23) And it adds, “Nevertheless, each individual among you also is to love his own wife even as himself, and the wife must see to it that she respects her husband.”(Ephesians 5:33) So Paul would say, “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her.”(Ephesians 5:25)  Although husbands may not encounter the time to give up their physical lives in their lifetime, they must have this determination.

Finally, we saw that their eyes were not opened at that time, and they focused on God. They did not know that they were naked at all, so how could they be ashamed?

(Verses refer to those in NASB95 unless otherwise specified.)

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

    首先我们分享了亚当的创造，看到了亚当的创造用了无中生有的创造(H1254)，也是由尘土中作成(H3335)，因尘土那时已存在，所以又是很已有的造作(H6213)的。亚当的创造和别的活物大不相同，是有由神来的生气吹在他鼻孔里，我们也讨论了生气是包括灵和魂的原因。第二，我们只讨论了伊甸园的物理位置，而我们将园子当中又有生命树和分别善恶的树、及神的命令，留到夏娃被引诱时再讨论，因为那时会比较清楚。最后，我们讨论了夏娃非由肋骨造成的原因，提到了亚当在有夏娃前是大有能力的，看到了夏娃是如何造成的。夫妻要成为一体是有很多原因的，也就是因为夏娃的造成，变成了夫妻非要成为一体的最重要原因。夫妻要成为一体，是明说了男女是一样的重要，但有不同的角色去扮演。

1. 亚当的创造及生气包括灵和魂       

    『创造(H1254, created)天(H8064, 复数)地的来历，在耶和华神造(H6213, made)天(H8064, 单数)地的日子，乃是这样：野地还没有草木，田间的菜蔬还没有长起来，因为耶和华神还没有降雨在地上，也没有人(H120)耕地，但有雾气从地上腾，滋润遍地。耶和华神用地上的尘土造(H3335, formed)人(H120)，将生(H2416)气(H5397)吹在他鼻孔里，他就成了(有灵的)活(H2416)人(H5315, 魂)，(名叫亚当)。』(创世记 2:4-7)        

    最开始是讲无中生有的创造(H1254），各星球有自己的天空，所以是诸天，我们已分享过这一点，就不多说了。接著是指现今的世界是由已创造的天地造(H6213)的，所以不管我们在地球上看天是如何的浩翰，也只是有一个天空，所以用的是单数。那时已有了草木和菜疏，因为在第三日时，『神说：「地要发生青草和结种子的菜蔬，…』(创世记 1:11) 只是还没长起来，那时的情景，只有雾气，没有雨，也没有人耕地。        

    接著就说到人(H120)是由尘土造(H3335, formed)的，然后有生气吹到他的鼻孔里，就成了活魂。这和其他生物不同，其他的都是由神说来的，只有那人(H120)有从神来的生气，就成了活魂(H5315)。请注意，原文中并没有「名叫亚当」这样的字，因为人(H120)的希伯来文的发音为亚当，就用亚当作为他的名字。        

    所以人(亚当)是无中生有创造(H1254)的，『神就照著自己的形像造(H1254)人，乃是照著他的形像造男造女。』(创世记 1:27) 这里又说亚当是由尘土作成(H3335)的。我们再看造作(H6213)的意义，从这经文，『耶和华神说：「那人独居不好，我要为他造(H6213)一个配偶帮助他。」』(创世记 2:18) 我们知道造作是指夏娃从已存在的亚当来的，因此用造作这字是指从已存在的东西做的，因为亚当是由那时已存在的尘土作成的，所以圣经虽然没有明讲亚当也是造作的，但看造作这字的意义，就知道亚当也是造作的。所以在以赛亚书说，『就是凡称为我名下的人，是我为自己的荣耀创造(H1254, created)的，是我所做成(H3335, formed)、所造作的(H6213, made)。』(以赛亚书 43:7) 三个字都用上了。请注意，原文中也没「有灵的」这样的字，但我们可知道人是有灵的，因『耶和华说：「人既属乎血气，我的灵(H7307)就不永远住在他里面，然而他的日子还可到一百二十年。』(创世记 6:3) 所以当人死时，『尘土仍归于地，灵(H7307)仍归于赐灵的神。』(传道书 12:7)        

    当然没有从神来的那生气，亚当是不会有生命的，有人就会问那生气是什么？生气由两个原文字组成，这样的组成只出现两次，另外一个地方说到生气的就是，『凡在旱地上、鼻孔有气息的生(H5397)灵(H7307)都死了。』(创世记 7:22) 所以生气里面一定有灵，但这里并没有说有魂，我们就来看这一点。        

    首先，我们知道上次我们在『2145 神照祂的形像和样式造人及安息日 – 创(1)26-(2)3』中说到，三位一体的神的样式中有魂，而经文是说， 『亚当的后代记在下面。 当神造(H1254, created)人的日子，是照著自己的样式(H1283, likeness)造(H6213, made)的。』(创世记 5:1) 既然，人是由已存在的三位一体的神的灵和魂造(H6213, made)的，生气里面一定也包括了魂，不会是像有些人认为的，魂的产生是因为灵和尘土的相互作用。当然有人可能会说，神有绝对的主权，可以这样造魂啊 !  但是圣经是用造作(H6213)这个字，就说明了魂已经存在，是不会因相互作用造的。那么人死后魂到了那里？.至少有些会如启示录所说的，「揭开第五印的时候，我看见在祭坛底下，有为神的道并为作见证被杀之人的(灵)魂(G5590)。」(启示录 6:9)

2. 伊甸园的地理位置       

    『耶和华神在东方的伊甸立了一个园子，把所造(H3335)的人(H120)安置在那里。耶和华神使各样的树从地里长出来，可以悦人的眼目，其上的果子好作食物。园子当中又有生命树和分别善恶的树。有河从伊甸流出来滋润那园子，从那里分为四道：第一道名叫比逊，就是环绕哈腓拉全地的。在那里有金子，并且那地的金子是好的；在那里又有珍珠和红玛瑙。第二道河名叫基训，就是环绕古实全地的。第三道河名叫希底结(Hiddekel, H2313)，流在亚述的东边，第四道河就是伯拉河(Phrat, H6578)。耶和华神将那人安置在伊甸园，使他修理(耕种, H5647, dress)看守(H8104, keep)。耶和华神吩咐他说：「园中各样树上的果子，你可以随意吃，只是分别善恶树上的果子，你不可吃，因为你吃的日子(H3117)必定死。」』(创世记 2:8-17

    我们看到了神已把伊甸园交给了人去耕种(H5647, dress)看守(H8104, keep)，所以这人要做只有两件事情，我们将要在第三章谈到，那人(亚当)和他的妻子夏娃，在创造时的第六天较晚的时候，被赶出了伊甸园，所以他们只能在园外耕种。就像经文所说，『有一日，那人和他妻子夏娃同房，夏娃就怀孕，生了该隐，便说：「耶和华使我得了一个男子。」又生了该隐的兄弟亚伯。 亚伯是牧羊的，该隐是种地的。』(创世记 4:1-2) 那人显然也没有看守好园子，因为他让古蛇趁隙成功的引诱了夏娃，最后自己也因不顺服神，而致使罪从他入了世界(参罗马书 5:12)。        

    关于这经文，『耶和华神使各样的树从地里长出来，可以悦人的眼目，其上的果子好作食物。园子当中又有生命树和分别善恶的树。』(创世记 2:9) 我们留到讨论夏娃被引诱时再讨论，因为那时会比较清楚。关于神的命令这一段，我们也因同样的原因，留在那时再一同分享。        

    我们现在就简短的讨论一下创世记 2:10-14 所说的伊甸园的地理位置。在这里，已经是最详细的叙述了，大部份的英文版本都把希底结河翻成底格里斯河，而把伯拉河翻成幼发拉底河，只有少数的例外与原先的和合本翻译相同，例如「杨氏文字翻译(YLT)」，是照原文翻译的。我们看地图大概也找不到完全符合叙述的地方，因此有人说洪水过后地貌改变了，这绝对是有可能的，目前最符合的地方大概是现在的底格里斯河和幼发拉底河附近。其实就算找到了也不能怎么样，我们要知道，『…在伊甸园的东边安设基路伯，和四面转动发火焰的剑，要把守生命树的道路。』(创世记 3:24)   

3. 夏娃非由肋骨造成的原因和夫妻成为一体       

    『耶和华神说：「那人独居不(H3808)好(H2896)，我要为他造(H6213, make)一个配偶(H5828)帮助他。」耶和华神用土所造成的野地各样走兽，和空中各样飞鸟都带到那人面前，看他叫甚么。那人怎样叫各样的活物，那就是牠的名字。那人便给一切牲畜和空中飞鸟、野地走兽都起了名。只是那人没有遇见配偶帮助他。耶和华神使他沉睡，他就睡了；于是取下他的一条(H259)肋骨(H6763)，又把肉合起来。耶和华神就用那人身上所取的肋骨(H6763)造成(H1129)一个女人(H802)，领她到那人跟前。那人说：「这是我骨中的骨，肉中的肉，可以称她为『女人(H802)』，因为她是从男人身上取出来的。」因此，人要离开父母与妻子连合，二人成为一(H259)体。当时夫妻二人赤身露体，并不羞耻。』(创世记 2:18-25)        

    首先我们看到汇编的翻译有「不」这个字，但遗露了H3808，另一个原文的版本有这个字，是对的，因为一切都好的话，神怎么会造夏娃，所以知道我用的汇编这版本遗露了H3808这字是不对的。        

    从这些经文中，我们看到亚当在没有造夏娃前是大有能力的，因他是『神就照著自己的形像造人，…』(创世记 1:27) 在他能为各样的活物起名就可以看到这一点，因为圣经可以用简单的一句话已带过这事实的，却用这么长的经文描述这事实，要我们不注意这一点都不行，等下我们会强调为什么要强调这些事是发生在没有造夏娃前。       

    我们注意到神造夏娃时，是先要亚当沈睡的，然后又把肉合起来，所以有人说耶和华动了第一个手术。也因为如此，所以亚当是不知道夏娃究竟是如何造成的，但他对结果是很清楚的，因『那人说：「这是我骨中的骨，肉中的肉，可以称她为『女人』，因为她是从男人身上取出来的。」』(创世记 2:23)        

    关于造夏娃，是用造成(H1129)这个字，其典型经文，如『该隐与妻子同房，他妻子就怀孕，生了以诺。该隐建造(H1129)了一座城，就按著他儿子的名，将那城叫作以诺。』(创世记 4:17) 所以其意义就很清楚了，夏娃的确是从亚当中取出来，叫做H6763的东西造成(H1129)的，我们不能确知是什么东西，但绝不是肋骨，是错误的翻译。     

    为什么这样说呢？因为这个字 H6763出现了41次，只有这两个地方翻成肋骨，其他相关的经文都不是这样翻的，基本上都是说旁边(side)的意思。譬如这典型的经文，『也要铸四个金环，安在柜的四脚上，这边(side, H6763)两环，那边两环。』(出埃及记 25:12) 所以我会同意有人说的，这是从希伯来原文翻成拉丁文时，拉丁文的七十士译本就没有反应出希伯来原文的意思。        

    我们注意到神造夏娃时，是先要亚当沈睡的，所以亚当是不知道夏娃究竟是如何造成的，但他对结果是很清楚的，因『那人说：「这是我骨中的骨，肉中的肉，可以称她为『女人』，因为她是从男人身上取出来的。」』(创世记 2:23) 很清楚的说明不是肋骨，他并不知是什么东西，所以还说了肉中的肉，如果只是肋骨，就不必多说肉中的肉了！我们再看男女都是一样的这事实，除了内脏之外，都是对称的，但以神有绝对主权来说，祂是可以把先把亚当造成多一根肋骨，然后取出那肋骨造女人。但看经文又说了肉中的肉，就知道祂是不会这样做的，所以我们最多只能说是用这事实作为佐证，是为了有像我以前有这样问题的人，可以这样的回答。       

    虽然不知道取出来的是什么东西，但我们可以确定一点，经文说，『因此，人要离开父母与妻子连合，二人成为一(H259)体。』(创世记 2:24) 而『…取下他的一条(H259)肋骨，又把肉合起来。』(创世记 2:21) 一条肋骨和一体的一都是用同一个字H259，也就是说，夫妻要连合后才能相当于夏娃没有被造成之前的亚当，在亚当和夏娃犯罪后，即使犯罪后的夫妻成为一体，也没有人再有这能力。所以在正常的情况下，二人要成为一体才行，也才能履行神的祝福，『…要生养众多，遍满地面，…』(创世记 1:28) 这也是为什么我们以前要强调取名的事，是发生在没有造成夏娃之前。        

    我们来看看配偶(H5828)这字，因为我们从这字的意义可见到配偶的角色，这字H5828出现21次，以下是一个典型的经文说明了它的意义。『我们的心向来等候耶和华，他是我们的帮助(H5828)，我们的盾牌。』(诗篇 33:20) 也就说配偶的角色是一个帮助者，但非要她不行才能二人成为一体，所以女人的重要性是和男人一样的，但角色是不同的，创造时也有一定的次序，所以会在耶稣道成肉身时，保罗会说，『我愿意你们知道，基督是各人的头，男人是女人的头，神是基督的头。』(哥林多前书 11:3) 又说，『因为丈夫是妻子的头，如同基督是教会的头，他又是教会全体的救主。』(以弗所书 5:23) 又加上『然而你们各人都当爱妻子，如同爱自己一样; 妻子也当敬重她的丈夫。』(以弗所书 5:33) 所以保罗会说，「你们作丈夫的，要爱你们的妻子，正如基督爱教会，为教会舍己。」(以弗所书 5:25)  虽然作丈夫的，一生都可能不会碰到要舍弃自己物理的生命的时候，但要有这个心志。    

    最后，我们看到了他们那时眼睛没有开启，注目在神身上，跟本不知道自己是赤身露体，怎么会羞耻呢？

(经文除了特别注明外，是基于和合本。)

(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』。)  

        首先我們分享了亞當的創造，看到了亞當的創造用了無中生有的創造(H1254)，也是由塵土中作成(H3335)，因塵土那時已存在，所以又是很已有的造作(H6213)的。亞當的創造和別的活物大不相同，是有由神來的生氣吹在他鼻孔裏，我們也討論了生氣是包括靈和魂的原因。第二，我們只討論了伊甸園的物理位置，而我們將園子當中又有生命樹和分別善惡的樹、及神的命令，留到夏娃被引誘時再討論，因為那時會比較清楚。最後，我們討論了夏娃非由肋骨造成的原因，提到了亞當在有夏娃前是大有能力的，看到了夏娃是如何造成的。夫妻要成為一體是有很多原因的，也就是因為夏娃的造成，變成了夫妻非要成為一體的最重要原因。夫妻要成為一體，是明說了男女是一樣的重要，但有不同的角色去扮演。

1. 亞當的創造及生氣包括靈和魂

       『創造(H1254, created)天(H8064, 複數)地的來歷，在耶和華神造(H6213, made)天(H8064, 單數)地的日子，乃是這樣：野地還沒有草木，田間的菜蔬還沒有長起來，因為耶和華神還沒有降雨在地上，也沒有人(H120)耕地，但有霧氣從地上騰，滋潤遍地。耶和華神用地上的塵土造(H3335, formed)人(H120)，將生(H2416)氣(H5397)吹在他鼻孔裏，他就成了(有靈的)活(H2416)人(H5315, 魂)，(名叫亞當)。』(創世記 2:4-7)

        最開始是講無中生有的創造(H1254），各星球有自己的天空，所以是諸天，我們已分享過這一點，就不多說了。接著是指現今的世界是由已創造的天地造(H6213)的，所以不管我們在地球上看天是如何的浩翰，也只是有一個天空，所以用的是單數。那時已有了草木和菜疏，因為在第三日時，『神說：「地要發生青草和結種子的菜蔬，…』(創世記 1:11) 只是還沒長起來，那時的情景，只有霧氣，沒有雨，也没有人耕地。

        接著就說到人(H120)是由塵土造(H3335, formed)的，然後有生氣吹到他的鼻孔裏，就成了活魂。這和其他生物不同，其他的都是由神說來的，只有那人(H120)有從神來的生氣，就成了活魂(H5315)。請注意，原文中並沒有「名叫亞當」這樣的字，因為人(H120)的希伯來文的發音為亞當，就用亞當作為他的名字。

        所以人(亞當)是無中生有創造(H1254)的，『神就照着自己的形像造(H1254)人，乃是照着他的形像造男造女。』(創世記 1:27) 這裏又說亞當是由塵土作成(H3335)的。我們再看造作(H6213)的意義，從這經文，『耶和華神說：「那人獨居不好，我要為他造(H6213)一個配偶幫助他。」』(創世記 2:18) 我們知道造作是指夏娃從已存在的亞當來的，因此用造作這字是指從已存在的東西做的，因為亞當是由那時已存在的塵土作成的，所以聖經雖然沒有明講亞當也是造作的，但看造作這字的意義，就知道亞當也是造作的。所以在以賽亞書說，『就是凡稱為我名下的人，是我為自己的榮耀創造(H1254, created)的，是我所做成(H3335, formed)、所造作的(H6213, made)。』(以賽亞書 43:7) 三個字都用上了。請注意，原文中也沒「有靈的」這樣的字，但我們可知道人是有靈的，因『耶和華說：「人既屬乎血氣，我的靈(H7307)就不永遠住在他裏面，然而他的日子還可到一百二十年。』(創世記 6:3) 所以當人死時，『塵土仍歸於地，靈(H7307)仍歸於賜靈的神。』(傳道書 12:7)

        當然沒有從神來的那生氣，亞當是不會有生命的，有人就會問那生氣是什麼？生氣由兩個原文字組成，這樣的組成只出現兩次，另外一個地方說到生氣的就是，『凡在旱地上、鼻孔有氣息的生(H5397)靈(H7307)都死了。』(創世記 7:22) 所以生氣裏面一定有靈，但這裏並沒有說有魂，我們就來看這一點。

        首先，我們知道上次我們在『2145 神照祂的形像和樣式造人及安息日 – 創(1)26-(2)3』中說到，三位一體的神的樣式中有魂，而經文是說， 『亞當的後代記在下面。 當神造(H1254, created)人的日子，是照着自己的樣式(H1283, likeness)造(H6213, made)的。』(創世記 5:1) 既然，人是由已存在的三位一體的神的靈和魂造(H6213, made)的，生氣裏面一定也包括了魂，不會是像有些人認為的，魂的產生是因為靈和塵土的相互作用。當然有人可能會說，神有絕對的主權，可以這樣造魂啊 !  但是聖經是用造作(H6213)這個字，就說明了魂已經存在，是不會因相互作用造的。那麼人死後魂到了那裡？.至少有些會如啓示錄所說的，「揭開第五印的時候，我看見在祭壇底下，有為神的道並為作見證被殺之人的(靈)魂(G5590)。」(啓示錄 6:9)

2. 伊甸園的地理位置

       『耶和華神在東方的伊甸立了一個園子，把所造(H3335)的人(H120)安置在那裏。耶和華神使各樣的樹從地裏長出來，可以悅人的眼目，其上的果子好作食物。園子當中又有生命樹和分別善惡的樹。有河從伊甸流出來滋潤那園子，從那裏分為四道：第一道名叫比遜，就是環繞哈腓拉全地的。在那裏有金子，並且那地的金子是好的；在那裏又有珍珠和紅瑪瑙。第二道河名叫基訓，就是環繞古實全地的。第三道河名叫希底結(Hiddekel, H2313)，流在亞述的東邊，第四道河就是伯拉河(Phrat, H6578)。耶和華神將那人安置在伊甸園，使他修理(耕種, H5647, dress)看守(H8104, keep)。耶和華神吩咐他說：「園中各樣樹上的果子，你可以隨意吃，只是分別善惡樹上的果子，你不可吃，因為你吃的日子(H3117)必定死。」』(創世記 2:8-17)

        我們看到了神已把伊甸園交給了人去耕種(H5647, dress)看守(H8104, keep)，所以這人要做只有兩件事情，我們將要在第三章談到，那人(亞當)和他的妻子夏娃，在創造時的第六天較晚的時候，被趕出了伊甸園，所以他們只能在園外耕種。就像經文所說，『有一日，那人和他妻子夏娃同房，夏娃就懷孕，生了該隱，便說：「耶和華使我得了一個男子。」又生了該隱的兄弟亞伯。 亞伯是牧羊的，該隱是種地的。』(創世記 4:1-2) 那人顯然也沒有看守好園子，因為他讓古蛇趁隙成功的引誘了夏娃，最後自己也因不順服神，而致使罪從他入了世界(參羅馬書 5:12)。

        關於這經文，『耶和華神使各樣的樹從地裏長出來，可以悅人的眼目，其上的果子好作食物。園子當中又有生命樹和分別善惡的樹。』(創世記 2:9) 我們留到討論夏娃被引誘時再討論，因為那時會比較清楚。關於神的命令這一段，我們也因同樣的原因，留在那時再一同分享。

        我們現在就簡短的討論一下創世記 2:10-14 所說的伊甸園的地理位置。在這裏，已經是最詳細的敘述了，大部份的英文版本都把希底結河翻成底格里斯河，而把伯拉河翻成幼發拉底河，只有少數的例外與原先的和合本翻譯相同，例如「楊氏文字翻譯(YLT)」，是照原文翻譯的。我們看地圖大概也找不到完全符合敍述的地方，因此有人說洪水過後地貌改變了，這絕對是有可能的，目前最符合的地方大概是現在的底格里斯河和幼發拉底河附近。其實就算找到了也不能怎麼樣，我們要知道，『…在伊甸園的東邊安設基路伯，和四面轉動發火焰的劍，要把守生命樹的道路。』(創世記 3:24)

3. 夏娃非由肋骨造成的原因和夫妻成為一體

       『耶和華神說：「那人獨居不(H3808)好(H2896)，我要為他造(H6213, make)一個配偶(H5828)幫助他。」耶和華神用土所造成的野地各樣走獸，和空中各樣飛鳥都帶到那人面前，看他叫甚麼。那人怎樣叫各樣的活物，那就是牠的名字。那人便給一切牲畜和空中飛鳥、野地走獸都起了名。只是那人沒有遇見配偶幫助他。耶和華神使他沉睡，他就睡了；於是取下他的一條(H259)肋骨(H6763)，又把肉合起來。耶和華神就用那人身上所取的肋骨(H6763)造成(H1129)一個女人(H802)，領她到那人跟前。那人說：「這是我骨中的骨，肉中的肉，可以稱她為『女人(H802)』，因為她是從男人身上取出來的。」因此，人要離開父母與妻子連合，二人成為一(H259)體。當時夫妻二人赤身露體，並不羞恥。』(創世記 2:18-25)

        首先我們看到彙編的翻譯有「不」這個字，但遺露了H3808，另一個原文的版本有這個字，是對的，因為一切都好的話，神怎麼會造夏娃，所以知道我用的彙編這版本遺露了H3808這字是不對的。

        從這些經文中，我們看到亞當在沒有造夏娃前是大有能力的，因他是『神就照着自己的形像造人，…』(創世記 1:27) 在他能為各樣的活物起名就可以看到這一點，因為聖經可以用簡單的一句話已帶過這事實的，卻用這麼長的經文描述這事實，要我們不注意這一點都不行，等下我們會強調為什麼要強調這些事是發生在沒有造夏娃前。

        我們注意到神造夏娃時，是先要亞當沈睡的，然後又把肉合起來，所以有人說耶和華動了第一個手術。也因為如此，所以亞當是不知道夏娃究竟是如何造成的，但他對結果是很清楚的，因『那人說：「這是我骨中的骨，肉中的肉，可以稱她為『女人』，因為她是從男人身上取出來的。」』(創世記 2:23)

        關於造夏娃，是用造成(H1129)這個字，其典型經文，如『該隱與妻子同房，他妻子就懷孕，生了以諾。該隱建造(H1129)了一座城，就按着他兒子的名，將那城叫作以諾。』(創世記 4:17) 所以其意義就很清楚了，夏娃的確是從亞當中取出來，叫做H6763的東西造成(H1129)的，我們不能確知是什麼東西，但絕不是肋骨，是錯誤的翻譯。

     為什麼這樣說呢？因為這個字 H6763出現了41次，只有這兩個地方翻成肋骨，其他相關的經文都不是這樣翻的，基本上都是說旁邊(side)的意思。譬如這典型的經文，『也要鑄四個金環，安在櫃的四腳上，這邊(side, H6763)兩環，那邊兩環。』(出埃及記 25:12) 所以我會同意有人說的，這是從希伯來原文翻成拉丁文時，拉丁文的七十士譯本就沒有反應出希伯來原文的意思。

        我們注意到神造夏娃時，是先要亞當沈睡的，所以亞當是不知道夏娃究竟是如何造成的，但他對結果是很清楚的，因『那人說：「這是我骨中的骨，肉中的肉，可以稱她為『女人』，因為她是從男人身上取出來的。」』(創世記 2:23) 很清楚的說明不是肋骨，他並不知是什麼東西，所以還說了肉中的肉，如果只是肋骨，就不必多說肉中的肉了！我們再看男女都是一樣的這事實，除了內臟之外，都是對稱的，但以神有絕對主權來說，祂是可以把先把亞當造成多一根肋骨，然後取出那肋骨造女人。但看經文又說了肉中的肉，就知道祂是不會這樣做的，所以我們最多只能說是用這事實作為佐証，是為了有像我以前有這樣問題的人，可以這樣的回答。

       雖然不知道取出來的是什麼東西，但我們可以確定一點，經文說，『因此，人要離開父母與妻子連合，二人成為一(H259)體。』(創世記 2:24) 而『…取下他的一條(H259)肋骨，又把肉合起來。』(創世記 2:21) 一條肋骨和一體的一都是用同一個字H259，也就是說，夫妻要連合後才能相當於夏娃沒有被造成之前的亞當，在亞當和夏娃犯罪後，即使犯罪後的夫妻成為一體，也沒有人再有這能力。所以在正常的情況下，二人要成為一體才行，也才能履行神的祝福，『…要生養眾多，遍滿地面，…』(創世記 1:28) 這也是為什麼我們以前要強調取名的事，是發生在沒有造成夏娃之前。

        我們來看看配偶(H5828)這字，因為我們從這字的意義可見到配偶的角色，這字H5828出現21次，以下是一個典型的經文說明了它的意義。『我們的心向來等候耶和華，他是我們的幫助(H5828)，我們的盾牌。』(詩篇 33:20) 也就説配偶的角色是一個幫助者，但非要她不行才能二人成為一體，所以女人的重要性是和男人一樣的，但角色是不同的，創造時也有一定的次序，所以會在耶穌道成肉身時，保羅會說，『我願意你們知道，基督是各人的頭，男人是女人的頭，神是基督的頭。』(哥林多前書 11:3) 又說，『因為丈夫是妻子的頭，如同基督是教會的頭，他又是教會全體的救主。』(以弗所書 5:23) 又加上『然而你們各人都當愛妻子，如同愛自己一樣; 妻子也當敬重她的丈夫。』(以弗所書 5:33) 所以保羅會說，「你們作丈夫的，要愛你們的妻子，正如基督愛教會，為教會捨己。」(以弗所書 5:25)  雖然作丈夫的，一生都可能不會碰到要捨棄自己物理的生命的時候，但要有這個心志。

    最後，我們看到了他們那時眼睛沒有開啓，注目在神身上，跟本不知道自己是赤身露體，怎麼會羞恥呢？

(經文除了特別註明外，是基於和合本。)

(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』。)

This time we are looking at two topics. In the topic of the creation of man on the sixth day to govern and manage the earth, we see that man was created in the image and likeness of the Triune God. We note that image and likeness are two different words, and confusing them will inevitably lead to logical errors. The Bible mentions that man’s image will be tainted and changed by the entry of sin, but likeness will not be tainted. We have discussed image and likeness in detail. We also discussed God’s original plan and the situation after it was tainted by sin. In the topic of God resting from His work of creation on the seventh day and blessing the Sabbath, we see that God has indeed rested from His work of creation, but the Triune God is still working for salvation today, because He wants all people to be saved and to know the truth. We also mentioned the creation of the Sabbath and its true meaning.

1. Creation of man on the sixth day to govern and manage the earth

“Then God (H430, plural) said, “Let Us make (H6213) man in Our image (H6754), according to Our likeness (H1823); and let them rule (dominion, H7287) over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” God created (H1254) man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. God blessed them; and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” Then God said, “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the surface of all the earth, and every tree which has fruit yielding seed; it shall be food for you; and to every beast of the earth and to every bird of the sky and to every thing that moves on the earth which has life, I have given every green plant for food”; and it was so. God saw all that He had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.”(Genesis 1:26-31)

We should first notice that the word God is used in the plural, referring to the Triune God. The original text of the Strong’s Concordance does not have these words ‘our,’ but it is used in the plural, so it is obviously ‘our.’ Then we notice that image (H6754) and likeness (H1823) are two different words. If we confuse the two, it will definitely lead to logical errors. The word image appears 17 times and its meaning can be seen from the verse, “then you shall drive out all the inhabitants of the land from before you, and destroy all their figured stones, and destroy all their molten images (H6754) and demolish all their high places.”(Numbers 33:52) In addition to the outward appearance of idols – molten images, the main thing about them is the power of Satan behind them. So when God created man in their image, it did not mean that they looked like humans, with a nose, two ears, etc. The image here refers to the spiritual image.

There are many scriptures about the image of the Triune God. For example, God is holy. The Bible says, “For I am the LORD who brought you up from the land of Egypt to be your God; thus you shall be holy, for I am holy.”(Leviticus 11:45) He has absolute sovereignty, ““I am the LORD, and there is no other; Besides Me there is no God. …”(Isaiah 45:5) And it is said, “Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; Lovingkindness and truth go before You.”(Psalm 89:14) The church often talks about God’s love, which everyone likes to hear, but rarely mentions the righteousness of God, which many people do not like.

In the New Testament era, God’s righteousness was indeed fulfilled because Jesus died on the cross on our behalf. Doesn’t the scripture say so? “whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed; for the demonstration, I say, of His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.”(Romans 3:25-26) And again here, “Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.”(Romans 6:4) Also, “And someone said to Him, “Lord, are there just a few who are being saved?” And He said to them, “Strive to enter through the narrow door; …”(Luke 13:23-24) How can one enter through the narrow gate without a newness of  life? “But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called “Today,” so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.”(Hebrews 3:13) Don’t wait until the great white throne judgment mentioned in the Book of Revelation (see Revelation 20:11-15), when the Triune God will reveal His righteousness, it will be too late.

The Holy Spirit also has absolute sovereignty. “But one and the same Spirit works all these things (gifts), distributing to each one individually just as He wills.”(1 Corinthians 12:11) Jesus’ image is the image of the Father, because “Jesus said to him, “Have I been so long with you, and yet you have not come to know Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?”(John 14:9) In the Old Testament era, no one could see the face of Jehovah and live. Jehovah said very clearly to Moses, “…You cannot see My face, for no man can see Me and live!”(Exodus 33:20) The New Testament era is different. People at that time could see Jesus. There are many verses about images of Jesus. Let us give two examples. One is, “…I am gentle and humble in heart, …”(Matthew 11:29) The other is, “Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.””(John 8:12)

As for the word likeness (H1823), it appears 25 times and its meaning can be seen from this verse, “Now King Ahaz went to Damascus to meet Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria, and saw the altar which was at Damascus; and King Ahaz sent to Urijah the priest the pattern (H1823) of the altar and its model, according to all its workmanship.”(2 Kings 16:10) Let us look at the following verses: “Within it there were figures (H1823) resembling four living beings. And this was their appearance: they had human form (H1823).”(Ezekiel 1:5) “As for the form (H1823) of their faces, each had the face of a man; all four had the face of a lion on the right and the face of a bull on the left, and all four had the face of an eagle.”(Ezekiel 1:10) In other words, the meaning of this word is like when we say that a table basically has four legs, although the shape of the tabletop may be different, such as rectangular, oval, etc.

When the Old Testament says, “This is the book of the generations of Adam. In the day when God created man, He made him in the likeness (H1823) of God.”(Genesis 5:1) Therefore, the likeness of man is the likeness of the Triune God. The Bible does not explicitly state what the likeness of God is, but the New Testament clearly states what the likeness of man is. First of all, we notice that the New Testament is written in Greek, so the words used are different, namely G1504 for image and G3667 for likeness, but the meaning is the same as the corresponding words in the Old Testament, so we will not elaborate on them.

Let us ask what is the likeness of man? As the Bible clearly states, man is composed of three parts: spirit, soul and body, which is the so-called tripartite theory. It is said, “…may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”(1 Thessalonians 5:23) The dichotomy says that the soul and the spirit are inseparable, but this contradicts what the Bible says, because “For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”(Hebrews 4:12) If you read the Old and New Testaments together, you can see that when a person dies, the spirit leaves first, followed by the soul. After the soul leaves, the person dies. Therefore, we can be sure that the three-part division is correct.

Regarding human death, let us first look at the Old Testament, “It came about as her (Rachel’s) soul was departing (for she died), …”(Genesis 35:18) So the soul departed and the body died. Let’s look at the New Testament then, “Now they were all weeping and lamenting for her (Jairus’ daughter); but He (Jesus) said, “Stop weeping, for she has not died, but is asleep.””(Luke 8:52) Let us look further, “And her spirit returned, and she got up immediately; …”(Luke 8:55) Please note that the word “spirit” is used here. The old spirit returns to the person and can maintain life, but the soul is still in the body, so Jesus would say that she is asleep. So when a person dies, the spirit leaves first, then the soul. When the soul leaves, the body dies!

We note that the image and likeness of the Triune God already existed, and man was created in the image and likeness of that existing God, so the word made (H6213) is used first. Because the likeness is fixed, “God created man in His own image (H6754), in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.”(Genesis 1:27) So man was created out of nothing, so the word creation (H1254) is used here as well.

So this is the original image of man, created in the image of God. For example, God has absolute sovereignty and of course has free will, so humans also have free will and can choose to disobey God and sin, and eat the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. As recorded in the Old Testament, “When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband (with her), and he ate.”(Genesis 3:6) Doesn’t the New Testament also clearly state, “Therefore, just as through one man (Adam) sin entered into the world, and death through sin, …”(Romans 5:12) So the image can be changed by the stain of sin.

We have just said that the likeness is fixed. Let’s see what the Bible says about the fact that the likeness cannot be tainted by sin. First, Jesus “…emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.”(Philippians 2:7) So Jesus is like us. Let’s look at the word God again. It is used in the plural, referring to the fact that the three persons of the Trinity together form the likeness of God. The Holy Spirit is pure spirit, and it is true that Jehovah is a spirit. But Jehovah said to Moses, “…“Behold, there is a place by Me, and you shall stand there on the rock; and it will come about, while My glory is passing by, that I will put you in the cleft of the rock and cover you with My hand until I have passed by. Then I will take My hand away and you shall see My back, but My face shall not be seen.””(Exodus 33:21-23) Therefore, Jehovah also has a body, both spirit and body. Because man was created in the likeness of the Triune God, Jesus, in addition to having a spirit and a body, must also have a soul, so that He can have a likeness comparable to that of a man, because the likeness of a man is likeness of Jesus when He became flesh, which is also the likeness of the Triune God.

Let us look at the fact that He and we have different images: “Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: when His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit.”(Matthew 1:18) So He started out sinless. However, He took on human likeness, and during the period of His incarnation, He was a complete man who could sin like humans, but He was completely obedient to God, as He said, “…I do exactly as the Father commanded Me. …”(John 14:31) So “…we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.”(Hebrews 4:15) So His image has never been tainted by sin. If likeness can be tainted, Jesus had likeness tainted by sin. If this were the case, then Jesus had flaws and could not have “…through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, …”(Hebrews 9:14) Therefore, the likeness cannot be tainted by sin. Only the image was tainted when Adam sinned.

As for our image, the Bible clearly states, “When Adam had lived one hundred and thirty years, he became the father of a son in his own likeness, according to his image, and named him Seth.”(Genesis 5:3) At that time Adam had already sinned, so Seth was sinful. It is indeed a bit like heredity. We are all descendants of Adam, so we are all sinful like Seth. No one is a Christian from birth. It takes a period of time. Because we already have the same undefiled likeness as Jesus, thus it is consistent with what Paul said, “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 need to be conformed to His image only, because we already have His likeness. From this, we also see another example of “what God tells us through the Bible is consistent.”

We see that God’s original intention was for man to fill (H4390) the earth. This word appears 16 times in the Book of Genesis. A typical passage is, 

“Then God said to Noah, “The end of all flesh has come before Me; for the earth is filled with (H4390) violence because of them; and behold, I am about to destroy them with the earth.”(Genesis 6:13) So the Chinese Union Version isn’t translated correctly, since it is just a repetition of God’s blessing, “…Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, …”(Genesis 1:28) In addition, those who are not defiled by sin are also given authority to rule, that is, ““You have made him for a little while lower than the angels; You have crowned him with glory and honor, And have appointed him over the works of Your hands; You have put all things in subjection under his feet.” …”(Hebrews 2:7-8) “…But now we do not yet see all things subjected to him. But we do see Him who was made for a little while lower than the angels, namely, Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, …”(Hebrews 2:8-9)

After man was defiled by sin, “…the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope.”(Romans 8:20) They still have hope, ” that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body.”(Romans 8:21-23) This is what Paul said, “Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.”(1 Corinthians 15:51-52)

As soon as we believe, we have the Holy Spirit dwelling in us. “…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) So at that time our spirit was already saved with a new spirit, just as the scripture says, “Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances.”(Ezekiel 36:26-27) What we can do in this life is to be conformed to the image of Jesus (see Romans 8:29) and obtain the salvation of our souls, which is what Peter said, “obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls.”(1 Peter 1:9)

Finally, we also see that before people were tainted by sin, they were all vegetarians. Please note that only humans can eat the fruit. This is related to the command God gave to Adam. We will discuss this command later. Notice also that it was not until after the Flood that God said to Noah and his sons, “Every moving thing that is alive shall be food for you; I give all to you, as I gave the green plant.”(Genesis 9:3) At that time, people began to eat meat.

2. On the seventh day God rested from His work of creation and blessed the Sabbath

 “Thus the heavens and the earth were completed, and all their hosts. By the seventh day God completed His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created (H1254)and made (H6213).”(Genesis 2:1-3)

Please note that the Union Version uses the word ‘create’ to cover the two original words in the Strong’s Concordance, because we have shared that some of the world today is created (H1254) and some is made (H6213). So God had indeed completed all of His work of creation at that time, and “Then the LORD God took the man (Adam) and put him into the garden of Eden to cultivate (H5647) it and keep (H8104) it.”(Genesis 2:15) So God gave everything He created to Adam (man), and he continued God’s work to repair and guard it. And “Out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the sky, and brought them to the man to see what he would call them; and whatever the man called a living creature, that was its name. The man gave names to all the cattle, and to the birds of the sky, and to every beast of the field, …”(Genesis 2:19-20) In the beginning, Adam was created in the image of God and was very powerful. Who can do the same now?

Regarding the Sabbath, it is said in the Book of Exodus, “Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath of the LORD your God; in it you shall not do any work, you or your son or your daughter, your male or your female servant or your cattle or your sojourner who stays with you. For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day; therefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day and made it holy.”(Exodus 20:8-11) It is just that it is more important to pay attention to the true meaning of keeping the Sabbath rather than just observing the time prescribed by the law. This is made clear in the Book of Isaiah, ““If because of the sabbath, you turn your foot From doing your own pleasure on My holy day, And call the sabbath a delight, the holy day of the LORD honorable, And honor it, desisting from your own ways, From seeking your own pleasure And speaking your own word, Then you will take delight in the LORD,…”(Isaiah 58:13-14) Jesus did just that in the New Testament, “And He said to them, “What man is there among you who has a sheep, and if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will he not take hold of it and lift it out? How much more valuable then is a man than a sheep! So then, it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.””(Matthew 12:11-12) and “…the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.”(Matthew 12:8)

Paul made it very clear in Romans 8:29 that we should be conformed to the image of Jesus. Here we can clearly see that Jesus gave us an example. What we should observe on the Sabbath is the true meaning, not the literal law. Therefore, “For truly I (Jesus) say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished.”(Matthew 5:18) This refers to the true meaning of the Law. Paul also said, “And do not be conformed (G4964) to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”(Romans 12:2)

Some people say that Jehovah has not rested! Doesn’t the New Testament say, “But He answered them (the Jews), “My Father is working until now, and I Myself am working.””(John 5:17) Yes, it does say that there was rest from the work of creation, but because of Adam’s disobedience to God, sin entered the world through him, and the plan of salvation began in a prophetic way, so Jesus was referring to the Triune God still working for salvation today. That is what Paul said, “…God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”(1 Timothy 2:3-4) We should really be grateful, because this gives us the opportunity to receive complete salvation and to have our lives completely changed.

(Verses refer to those in NASB95 unless otherwise specified.)

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

    我们这次是看两个话题，在第六日的创造人去治理和管理这地的话题中，看到人是照著三位一体的神的形像和样式造的。我们注意到形像和样式是两个不同的字，混为一谈一定会产生逻辑上的错误。圣经提到，人的形像会因罪的进入而玷污被改变，而样式则不会被玷污，我们详细讨论了形像和样式。我们也讨论了神原先的旨意和被罪玷污后的情景。在第七日神从创造的工安息了并赐福安息日的话题里，我们看到神的确从创世的工安息了，但三位一体的神今日仍在为救恩作工，因祂愿万人得救，明白真道。我们也提到了安息日的创立及其真谛。

1. 第六日的创造人去治理和管理这地                

    『神(H430, 复数)说：「我们要照著我们的形像(image, H6754)，按著我们的样式(likeness, H1823)造(make, H6213)人，使他们管理(dominion, H7287)海里的鱼、空中的鸟、地上的牲畜和全地，并地上所爬的一切昆虫。」神就照著自己的形像(H6754)造(created, H1254)人，乃是照著他的形像(H6754)造(H1254)男造(H1254)女。神就赐福给他们，又对他们说：「要生养众多，遍满地面，治理(replenish, fill, H4390)这地；也要管理(H7287)海里的鱼、空中的鸟，和地上各样行动的活物。」神说：「看哪！我将遍地上一切结种子的菜蔬，和一切树上所结有核的果子，全赐给你们作食物。至于地上的走兽和空中的飞鸟，并各样爬在地上有生命的物，我将青草赐给牠们作食物(food)。」事就这样成了。神看著一切所造的都甚好。有晚上，有早晨，是第六日。』(创世记 1:26-31)    

    我们首先要注意到神这个字用的是复数，是指三位一体的神，汇编(Strong’s Concordance)的原文并没有我们的这些字，但用的是复数，显然是我们的。接著我们注意到形像(H6754)和样式(H1823)是两个不同的字，如果把这两者混为一谈，一定会产生逻辑上的错误。形像这字出现了17次，其意义可以从这经文看出，『就要从你们面前赶出那里所有的居民，毁灭他们一切錾成的石像，和他们一切铸成的偶像(H6754)，又拆毁他们一切的邱坛。』(民数记 33:52) 偶像除了表面上的像外，主要讲的是牠背后撒但的势力，所以神照著祂们的形像造人，并不是说祂们长得像人一样，有一个鼻子，两个耳朵等等，所以这里的形像是指属灵上的形像。       

    关于三位一体的神的形像的经文很多，譬如说，神是圣洁的，经文明说，『我是把你们从埃及地领出来的耶和华，要作你们的神，所以你们要圣洁，因为我是圣洁的。』(利未记 11:45) 祂有绝对的主权，『我是耶和华，在我以外并没有别神。除了我以外再没有神。…』(以赛亚书 45:5) 又说，『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) 教会常讲的是大家都爱听的的神的爱，却不常提到许多人都不喜欢的神的公义那一面。     

    在新约时代，神的公义的确因耶稣替代我们上十字架受死而成全了，经文不是这样说吗？『神设立耶稣作挽回祭，是凭著耶稣的血，借著人的信，要显明神的义。因为他用忍耐的心，宽容人先时所犯的罪，好在今时显明他的义，使人知道他自己为义，也称信耶稣的人为义。』(罗马书 3:25-26) 又说，『所以我们借著洗礼归入死，和他一同埋葬，原是叫我们一举一动有新生的样式，像基督借著父的荣耀从死里复活一样。』(罗马书 6:4) 也说，『有一个人问他说：「主啊，得救的人少吗？」耶稣对众人说：「你们要努力进窄门。…』(路加福音 13:23-24) 没有新生的样式怎么进窄门呢？『总要趁著还有今日，天天彼此相劝，免得你们中间有人被罪迷惑，心里就刚硬了。』(希伯来书 3:13) 不要等到启示录讲的白色大宝座的审判时(参启示录 20:11-15)，三位一体的神显出祂的公义时就太迟了。     

    圣灵也是有绝对的主权的，『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) 耶稣的形像就是父的形像，因『耶稣对他说：「腓力，我与你们同在这样长久，你还不认识我吗？人看见了我，就是看见了父，你怎么说『将父显给我们看』呢？』(约翰福音 14:9) 旧约的时代，没有人能见耶和华的面而存活的，耶和华对摩面说得很清楚，『…你不能看见我的面，因为人见我的面不能存活。』(出埃及记 33:20) 新约的时代是不同的，那时的人是可以看到耶稣的。关于耶稣的形像也很多，我们举两个例子。一是，『我心里柔和谦卑，…』(马太福音 11:29) 二为，『耶稣又对众人说：「我是世界的光。跟从我的，就不在黑暗里走，必要得著生命的光。」』(约翰福音 8:12)    

    至于样式(H1823)这个字，出现了25次，其意义可从这经文看出，『亚哈斯王上大马士革去迎接亚述王提革拉毗列色，在大马士革看见一座坛，就照坛的规模样式(H1823)做法画了图样，送到祭司乌利亚那里。 』(列王纪下 16:10) 我们再看看下列的经文: 『又从其中显出四个活物的形像(H1823, 样式)来。他们的形状是这样：有人的形像(H1823)。』(以西结书 1:5) 『至于脸的形像(H1823)：前面各有人的脸，右面各有狮子的脸，左面各有牛的脸，后面各有鹰的脸。』(以西结书 1:10) 也就是说这字的意义，犹如我们说桌子的样式是基本上都有四只脚，虽然桌面会不同，有长方形，椭圆形等等。       

    当旧约说，『亚当的后代记在下面。 当神造人的日子，是照著自己的样式(H1823)造的。』(创世记 5:1) 所以人的样式就是三位一体的神的样式。圣经没有明说神的样式是什么，但新约很清楚的说人的样式是怎么样的。首先我们注意到新约是用希腊文写，所以用字是不同的，就是形像用G1504和样式用G3667，但其意义和旧约中相应的字用法是相同的，我们就不多说了。        

    我们就问人的样式是什么？就是圣经明说的，人由灵魂体三者构成，也就是所谓的三分法，『…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) 二分法是说魂与灵不可分开的，但这和圣经所说的抵触，因『神的道是活泼的，是有功效的，比一切两刃的剑更快，甚至魂与灵、骨节与骨髓，都能刺入、剖开，连心中的思念和主意都能辩明。』(希伯来书 4:12) 如果新旧约同时看，就可以看到人死时是灵先离开，接著是魂，魂离开后人就死了，因此能确定三分法是对的。          

    关于人死的这点，我们先看旧约，『她(拉结)将近于死，(灵)魂(H5315)要走的时候，…』(创世记 35:18) 所以是魂去了，肉体就死了。我们再看新约，『耶稣说：「不要哭！她(睚鲁的女儿)不是死了(G599, 动词)，是睡著了(G2518)。」』(路加福音 8:52)  然后再看看，『她的灵(魂)(G4151, spirit)便回来，她就立刻起来了。…』(路加福音 8:55) 请注意，这里用的是灵回来了，旧灵再回到人身上能保持生命不死，但魂还在身上，所以耶稣会说是睡著了。 所以是人死的时候，是灵先走，然后是魂，魂走了，肉体就死了！        

    我们注意到三位一体的神的形像和样式已存在，人是照著已存在的形像和样式造的，所以首先是用造(H6213)这个字。因样式是固定的，于是『神就照著自己的形像(H6754)造(H1254)人，乃是照著他的形像造男造女。』(创世记 1:27) 所以人是无中生有的被创造出来，所以这里又是用创造(H1254)这个字。               

    所以这是人最初的形像，照著神的形像创造的。譬如，神有绝对的主权，当然有自由意志，所以人也有自由意志，可以选择不顺服神而犯罪，吃分别善恶树上的果子。如旧约所记载的，『于是，女人见那棵树的果子好作食物，也悦人的眼目，且是可喜爱的，能使人有智慧，就摘下果子来吃了；又给她丈夫，她丈夫也吃了。』(创世记 3:6) 新约不也是明说了，『这就如罪是从一人(亚当)入了世界，死又是从罪来的，…』(罗马书 5:12) 所以形像是可以因罪玷污而改变的。                 

    我们刚说过样式是固定的，关于样式是不能被罪玷污的这一点，我们来看看圣经怎么说？首先是耶稣『反倒虚己，取了奴仆的形像，成为人的样式。』(腓立比书 2:7) 所以耶稣和我们是有一样的样式。我们再看看神这个字是用的复数，是指三位一体的神的三位加在一起才有了神的样式。圣灵是纯粹的灵，耶和华是灵没错，但耶和华对摩西『…说：「看哪！在我这里有地方，你要站在磐石上。我的荣耀经过的时候，我必将你放在磐石穴中，用我的手遮掩你，等我过去，然后我要将我的手收回，你就得见我的背，却不得见我的面。」』(出埃及记 33:21-23) 所以耶和华也是有体的，是灵和体。因人是按著三位一体的神的样式造的，耶稣除了有灵和体外，也必须要有魂，这样才能有和人相当的样式，因人的样式就是道成肉身时耶稣的样式，也就是三位一体的神的样式。          

    我们再来看祂和我们有不同的形像这一点，『耶稣基督降生的事记在下面：他母亲马利亚已经许配了约瑟，还没有迎娶，马利亚就从圣灵怀了孕。』(马太福音 1:18) 所以祂是无罪开始。可是祂取了人的样式，在道成肉身的这段期间，祂是完全的人，可以如人般犯罪的，但祂完全顺服神，就如祂所说的，『…父怎样吩咐我，我就怎样行。 …』(约翰福音 14:31) 所以『…我们的大祭司(耶稣)并非不能体恤我们的软弱，他也曾凡事受过试探，与我们一样，只是他没有犯罪。』(希伯来书 4:15) 所以祂的形像是从没有被罪玷污过的。如果样式能被玷污，耶稣就有被罪玷污的样式。如果是这样，耶稣就是有瑕疪的，就不可能『…将自己无瑕无疵献给神，…』(希伯来书 9:14) 所以样式是不能被罪玷污的，亚当犯罪时只有形像被玷污。                 

    至于我们的形像，圣经明说，『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。』(创世记 5:3) 那时亚当已经有罪，所以塞特是带著罪的。这的确有一点像遗传，我们都是亚当的后裔，因此我们也都像塞特一样是带著罪的，没有人从出生就是基督徒，一定要一段时间的。因为我们已有和耶稣一样有著不能玷污的样式，所以保罗会说，『因为他预先所知道的人，就预先定下效法(模成, be conformed, G4832)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) 我们要模成的只是祂的形像而已，因为我们已有了祂的样式。从这，我们也看到又一个例子说到，「神借著圣经告诉我们是一致的」。                          

    我们看到神原先的旨意是要人治理(H4390)这地，这字在创世记就出现16次，一个典型的经文是，『神就对挪亚说：「凡有血气的人，他的尽头已经来到我面前，因为地上满了(H4390, filled with)他们的强暴，我要把他们和地一并毁灭。』(创世记 6:13) 所以不是和合本说的治理，而是重复神的祝福说，『…要生养众多，遍满地面，…』(创世记 1:28) 除此之外，没有被罪玷污的人也是被付于权柄去管理的，也就是『你叫他比天使微小一点，赐他荣耀、尊贵为冠冕，并将你手所造的都派他管理，叫万物都服在他的脚下。」 …』(希伯来书 2:7-8) 『…只是如今我们还不见万物都服他，惟独见那成为比天使小一点的耶稣，因为受死的苦，就得了尊贵、荣耀为冠冕，…』(希伯来书 2:8-9)        

    在人被罪玷污后，『…受造之物服在虚空之下，不是自己愿意，乃是因那叫他如此的。』(罗马书 8:20) 他们仍然有希望，『…受造之物仍然指望脱离败坏的辖制，得享神儿女自由的荣耀。我们知道一切受造之物一同叹息、劳苦，直到如今。不但如此，就是我们这有圣灵初结果子的，也是自己心里叹息，等候得著儿子的名分，乃是我们的身体得赎。』(罗马书 8:21-23) 就是保罗说的，『我如今把一件奥秘的事告诉你们：我们不是都要睡觉，乃是都要改变，就在一霎时，眨眼之间，号筒末次吹响的时候。因号筒要响，死人要复活，成为不朽坏的，我们也要改变。』(哥林多前书 15:51-52)     

    我们一相信，就有内住的圣灵，『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) 所以那时灵已经得救了，就像经文说的，『我也要赐给你们一个新心，将新灵放在你们里面。又从你们的肉体中除掉石心，赐给你们肉心。我必将我的灵放在你们里面，使你们顺从我的律例，谨守遵行我的典章。』(以西结书 36:26-27) 我们这一生能做的就是要模成耶稣的形像(参罗马书 8:29)，得到魂的救恩，也就是彼得说的，『…得著你们信心的果效，就是(灵)魂(G5590)的救恩。』(彼得前书 1:9)                 

    最后我们也看到没有被罪玷污前人都是吃素的，请注意，果子只有人才能吃，这和神给亚当的命令有关，我们以后会讨论这命令。也请注意到，一直要到洪水之后，神才对挪亚和他的儿子说：『凡活著的动物，都可以作你们的食物，这一切我都赐给你们，如同菜蔬一样。』(创世记 9:3) 那时候，人才开始吃荤。

2. 第七日神从创造的工安息了并赐福安息日                

    『天地万物都造齐了。到第七日，神造(H6213)物的工已经完毕，就在第七日歇了他一切的工，安息了。神赐福给第七日，定为圣日，因为在这日神歇了他一切创造(H1254, 和H6213)的工，就安息了。』(创世记 2:1-3)     

    请注意，和合本是用创造去涵盖了汇编中的原文两个字，因为我们已分享过，现今的世界有些是创造的(H1254)，而有些是造的(H6213) 。所以神的确是那时已完成了祂一切创造的工作，并『耶和华神将那人(亚当)安置在伊甸园，使他修理(H5647)看守(H8104)。』(创世记 2:15) 所以神已将祂所造的一切都交给亚当(人)了，他继续了神的工作去修理看守。 且『耶和华神用土所造成的野地各样走兽，和空中各样飞鸟都带到那人面前，看他叫甚么。那人怎样叫各样的活物，那就是牠的名字。那人便给一切牲畜和空中飞鸟、野地走兽都起了名。…』(创世记 2:19-20) 当初亚当是照神的形像做的，是大有能力的，现在那一个人能这么做呢？                 

    关于安息日，在旧约中的出埃及记 20:8-11 说得很清楚，『当记念安息日，守为圣日。六日要劳碌做你一切的工，但第七日是向耶和华你神当守的安息日。这一日你和你的儿女、仆婢、牲畜，并你城里寄居的客旅，无论何工都不可做，因为六日之内，耶和华造天、地、海和其中的万物，第七日便安息，所以耶和华赐福与安息日，定为圣日。』只是更重要的是要留心守安息日的真谛，而不只是守律法上规定的时间。这在以赛亚书 58:13-14 就说得很清楚，『你若在安息日掉转你的脚步，在我圣日不以操作为喜乐，称安息日为可喜乐的，称耶和华的圣日为可尊重的，而且尊敬这日，不办自己的私事，不随自己的私意，不说自己的私话，你就以耶和华为乐。…』耶稣在新约中就是这样做的，因为『耶稣说：「你们中间谁有一只羊，当安息日掉在坑里，不把牠抓住拉上来呢？人比羊何等贵重呢！所以，在安息日做善事是可以的。」』(马太福音 12:11-12) 而且『…人子是安息日的主。』(马太福音 12:8)    

    保罗在罗马书 8:29 说得很清楚，我们要模成(be conformed)耶稣的形像，这里清楚的看到耶稣给了我们一个榜样，在安息日上要守的是真谛，而不是字面上的律法。所以『我(耶稣)实在告诉你们：就是到天地都废去了，律法的一点一画也不能废去，都要成全。』(马太福音 5:18) 这里指的是律法的真谛。保罗也说，『不要效法(not conformed, G4964)这个世界，只要心意更新而变化，叫你们察验何为神的善良、纯全、可喜悦的旨意。』(罗马书 12:2)              

    有人说，耶和华并没有安息啊！新约不是说，『耶稣就对他们(犹太人)说：「我父做事直到如今，我也做事。」』(约翰福音 5:17) 是的，这里是说从创造的工安息了，但因亚当的不顺服神，罪就因他进入了这世界，于是救恩的计划以预言的方式开始了，所以耶稣指的是三位一体的神今日仍在为救恩工作。也就是保罗说的，『他愿意万人得救，明白真道(the knowledge G1922 of the truth. G225)。』(提摩太前书 2:4) 我们实在是要感恩，这使我们有一个完全得到救恩的机会，使生命能彻底的被改变。

(经文除了特别注明外，是基于和合本。)

(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』。)