Home昔日真理報2013年 真理報文章2013 年 10 月【特稿】腓利 -- 虔誠的傳道者

【特稿】腓利 -- 虔誠的傳道者

 

自從耶穌基督被釘死在十字架上升天後,就有了第一間教會,第一次選舉執事。腓利就是從一群藉著聖靈的感動,被聖靈充滿,有充足的智慧,有好名聲信徒中,被推選為教會七位執事之一的。"就揀選了司提反,乃是大有信心、聖靈充滿的人;又揀選腓利、伯羅哥羅、尼迦挪、提門、巴米拿,並進猶太教的安提阿人尼哥拉。"(使徒行傳6:5)

腓利不僅是執事,而且是一位福音的傳道人:"第二天,我們離開那裡,來到該撒利亞,就進了傳福音的腓利家裡,和他同住,他是那七個執事裡的一個。"(21:8)"教會" 這一名稱也是出現在腓利當執事的地方,過去信徒的聚會,是指耶路撒冷和猶大全地信徒團體,路加著 "使徒行傳" 時,統稱為教會。

當然,不是每個信徒都有某些 "職位",或是教會領導層的一份子,但每個基督徒都可以而且應該是佈道者。腓利是一個福音傳道人,佈道者。他的工作是向別人傳播耶穌基督,帶領世人歸向主。這也應該是信徒的工作,因為作佈道者或傳道者不是 "專業" 的事。腓利並不是專業傳道人,他只是一個平信徒,但是,他卻以傳福音為榮。

歷代教會都大大受惠於平信徒的事奉,那些參與日常家庭、商業或專業工作的信徒,都樂意用工餘的時間、精力、以及自己的生命服侍神和祂的教會。我們也在教會中看到:有些人永遠都渴望得到教會的職位、職銜或權力,而這樣的人在任何教會裡都可能會帶來破壞。另一些人則不能不擔任某些職位,因為他們的德行、靈命和恩賜得到信徒的認可,而教會也需要他們事奉。腓利就是屬於第二類人。

初期教會是艱苦的,由耶路撒冷的統治者的逼迫,使徒一再被捕、下監。與腓利一同當執事的司提反,曾是保羅親自給司提反一家施過洗:"你們曉得司提反一家,是亞該亞初結的果子,並且他們專以服事聖徒為念。"(哥林多前書15:16)結果,被捏造罪名指控,用石頭活活打死,司提反是教會中第一個為主的福音殉道的。

司提反殉道後,腓利就到撒瑪利亞城去宣講耶穌基督的福音:"有一個人名叫西門,向來在那城裡行邪術、妄自尊大,使撒瑪利亞的百姓驚奇。無論大小,都聽從他,說這人就是那稱為 神的大能者。及至他們信了腓利所傳 神國的福音和耶穌基督的名,連男帶女就受了洗。西門自己也信了,既受了洗,就常與腓利在一處,看見他所行的神蹟和大異能,就甚驚奇。"(使徒行傳8:9-13)

腓利又聽從神的聲音:"有主的一個使者對腓利說,起來,向南走,往那從耶路撒冷下迦薩的路上去。那路是曠野,腓利就起身去了。不料,有一個埃提阿伯人,是個有大權的太監,在埃提阿伯女王幹大基的手下總管銀庫,他上耶路撒冷禮拜去了。"(使徒行傳8:26-27)。......"腓利就開口從這經上起,對他傳講耶穌。二人正往前走,到了有水的地方,太監說,看哪,這裡有水,我受洗有甚麼妨礙呢?於是吩咐車站住,腓利和太監二人同下水裡去,腓利就給他施洗。"(使徒行傳8:35-38)

腓利的行為是我們基督徒的榜樣。從此,"後來有人在亞鎖都遇見腓利,他走遍那地方,在各城宣傳福音,直到該撒利亞。"(使徒行傳8:40)腓利在該撒利亞 20 年,保羅和路加也在該撒利亞 "就進了傳福音的腓利家裡,和他同住。"(使徒行傳21:8)腓利有一個虔誠的基督徒家庭:"他有四個女兒,都是處女,是說預言的。"(使徒行傳21-9)

腓利代表著信徒傳福音的普遍現象,因為神"所賜的有使徒、有先知、有傳福音的、有牧師和教師。為要成全聖徒、各盡其職、建立基督的身體。"(以弗所書4:11-12)這就表明,信徒在教會中各有各的功能,神的恩賜顯然不是只給教會中一小群人,教會中的事奉應該是全體信徒的事,因為各人都有神所賜的不同才幹,可擔當使徒、先知、傳福音的、牧師和教師這五種職事。信徒應積極事奉,人人盡職,那末教會就會不斷增長。

這個道理在二千年前保羅已經指明,可惜,在二十一世紀的今天,我們的教會不斷倒退,甚至教會的事奉全部由一個人說了算,教會成為他的 "私人產業",他可以獨斷專行,一切事奉由他指派,自高自大,搞小集團。信徒中如有不同意見,對不良現象提出批評時,就會遭到打擊和冷落,如此教會如何能興旺發展呢?

近期,我看到:劉晨曦(福音時報2013年08月14日 "批評傳道人就是論斷人嗎?" 一文,張再亮(博客2013年06月11日)"傳道人的生命與品格" 一文,李慕博(福音時報2013年07月25日)"傳道人為什麼會有缺乏?" 一文,以及有關的文章,深有感觸。傳道人是該按聖經的真理而行,身體力行,成為信徒的好榜樣。

誠如使徒彼得所教訓的:
"你們雖是自由的,卻不可藉著自由遮蓋惡毒,總要作 神的僕人。務要尊敬眾人,親愛教中的弟兄,敬畏 神,尊敬君王。"(彼得前書2:16-17)

 

      聖經金句 (Bible Verses)

喜樂 Joy

喜樂的心乃是良藥;憂傷的靈使骨枯乾。箴言 17:22
A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. Proverbs 17:22

然而,我要因耶和華歡欣,因救我的 神喜樂。哈巴谷書 3:18
yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior. Habakkuk 3:18

要常常喜樂,不住的禱告,凡事謝恩。帖撒羅尼迦前書 5:16-17
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-17

饒恕 Forgiveness

主啊,你本為良善,樂意饒恕人,有豐盛的慈愛賜給凡求告你的人。詩篇 86:5
You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you. Psalm 86:5

你不要說:“我要以惡報惡”;要等候耶和華,他必拯救你。箴言 20:22
Do not say, “I’ll pay you back for this wrong!” Wait for the LORD, and he will avenge you. Proverbs 6:14

你們饒恕人的過犯,你們的天父也必饒恕你們的過犯;馬太福音 6:14
For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. Matthew 6:14

你們不饒恕人的過犯,你們的天父也必不饒恕你們的過犯。馬太福音 6:15
But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. Matthew 6:15

你們各人若不從心裡饒恕你的弟兄,我天父也要這樣待你們了。馬太福音 18:35
This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart. Matthew 18:35

謙卑 Humility

敬畏耶和華是智慧的訓誨;尊榮以前,必有謙卑。箴言 15:33
Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the LORD, and humility comes before honor. Proverbs 15:33

敬畏耶和華心存謙卑,就得富有、尊榮、生命為賞賜。箴言 22:4
Humility is the fear of the LORD; its wages are riches and honor and life. Proverbs 22:4

凡事不可結黨,不可貪圖虛浮的榮耀;只要存心謙卑,各人看別人比自己強。腓立比書 2:3
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves. Philippians 2:3

但他賜更多的恩典,所以經上說:神阻擋驕傲的人,賜恩給謙卑的人。雅各書 4:6
But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:“God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” James 4:6

驕傲 Pride

驕傲來,羞恥也來;謙遜人卻有智慧。箴言 11:2
When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. Proverbs 11:2

驕傲只啟爭競;聽勸言的,卻有智慧。箴言 13:10
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves. Proverbs 13:10

驕傲在敗壞以先;狂心在跌倒之前。箴言 16:18
Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. Proverbs 16:18

但他賜更多的恩典,所以經上說:神阻擋驕傲的人,賜恩給謙卑的人。雅各書 4:6
But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:“God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” James 4:6

忍耐 Patience

愚妄人怒氣全發;智慧人忍氣含怒。箴言 29:11
Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end. Proverbs 29:11

並且你們要為我的名,被眾人恨惡,惟有忍耐到底的,必然得救。馬可福音 13:13
Everyone will hate you because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. Mark 13:13

不但如此,就是在患難中也是歡歡喜喜的。因為知道患難生忍耐。羅馬書 5:3
Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance. Romans 5:3

我們行善,不可喪志;若不灰心,到了時候就要收成加拉太書 6:9
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9

你們也當忍耐,堅固你們的心,因為主來的日子近了。雅各書 5:8
You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. James 5:8

溫柔 Meekness

回答柔和,使怒消退;言語暴戾,觸動怒氣。箴言 15:1
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1

溫柔的人有福了,因為他們必承受地土。馬太福音 5:5
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Matthew 5:5

用溫柔勸戒那抵擋的人;或者 神給他們悔改的心,可以明白真道。提摩太後書 2:25
Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth. 2 Timothy 2:25

只要以裡面存著長久溫柔、安靜的心為妝飾;這在 神面前是極寶貴的。彼得前書 3:4
Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. 1 Peter 3:4

嫉妒 Envy

不要為作惡的心懷不平,也不要向那行不義的生出嫉妒。詩篇 37:1
Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong. Psalm 37:1

心中安靜是肉體的生命;嫉妒是骨中的朽爛。箴言 14:30
A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones. Proverbs 14:30

在何處有嫉妒、紛爭,就在何處有擾亂和各樣的壞事。雅各書 3:16
For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. James 3:16

生氣 Anger

當止住怒氣,離棄忿怒;不要心懷不平,以致作惡。詩篇 37:8
Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil. Psalm 37:8

好生氣的人,不可與他結交;暴怒的人,不可與他來往。箴言 22:24
Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered. Proverbs 22:24

愚妄人怒氣全發;智慧人忍氣含怒。箴言 29:11
Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end. Proverbs 29:11

生氣卻不要犯罪.不可含怒到日落。以弗所書 4:26
In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry. Ephesians 4:26

我親愛的弟兄們,這是你們所知道的,但你們各人要快快的聽,慢慢的說,慢慢的動怒,因為人的怒氣並不成就 神的義。雅各書 1:19,20
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. James 1:19,20

災難 Calamity

謹守口與舌的、就保守自己免受災難。箴言 21:23
Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity. Proverbs 21:23

民要攻打民、國要攻打國、多處必有地震、饑荒.這都是災難的起頭。馬可福音 13:8
Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains. Mark 13:8

憂愁 Worry

你們不要憂愁、因靠耶和華而得的喜樂是你們的力量。尼希米記 8:10
Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength. Nehemiah 8:10

主雖使人憂愁, 還要照他諸般的慈愛發憐憫。耶利米哀歌 3:32
Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love. Lamentations 3:32

凡勞苦擔重擔的人,可以到我這裡來,我就使你們得安息。馬太福音 11:28
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28

我留下平安給你們、我將我的平安賜給你們.我所賜的、不像世人所賜的.你們心裏不要憂愁、也不要膽怯。約翰福音 14:27
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27

應當一無掛慮,只要凡事藉著禱告、祈求和感謝,將你們所要的告訴神。神所賜出人意外的平安,必在基督耶穌裡,保守你們的心懷意念。腓立比書 4:6,7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6,7

因此, 你們是大有喜樂, 但如今, 在百般的試煉中暫時憂愁。彼得前書 1:6
In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 1 Peter 1:6

患難 Trouble, Suffering

義人多有苦難,但耶和華救他脫離這一切。詩篇 34:19
The righteous person may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all. Psalm 34:19

神是我們的避難所,是我們的力量,是我們在患難中隨時的幫助!詩篇 46:1
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1

耶和華本為善,在患難的日子為人的保障,並且認得那些投靠他的人。那鴻書 1:7
The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him. Nahum 1:7

為義受逼迫的人有福了,因為天國是他們的。馬太福音 5:10
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:10

不但如此,就是在患難中,也是歡歡喜喜的。因為知道患難生忍耐。羅馬書 5:3
Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; Romans 5:3

我想現在的苦楚,若比將來要顯於我們的榮耀,就不足介意了。羅馬書 8:18
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. Romans 8:18

因為你們蒙恩,不但得以信服基督,並要為他受苦。腓立比書 1:29
For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him. Philippians 1:29

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