Will Those Who Are Saved Be Few? Clip 1 得救的人少嗎？

Here is the first installment of Brother Kuan's lesson "Are the Saved Few in Number?" It's a video I show all my students, because he is Chinese and I like the way he uses Chinese thought patterns (and numerous personal stories!) to present the authority of the Bible; the idea of not adding to, or taking away from, or changing it; and some of the differences between denominationalism and the Bible.

Click here to jump to a transcript in Chinese, English, or learn English with the Bilingual transcript.

Chinese Transcript

兩千年前，耶穌在世的時候，他也面對他所為的宗派的這些猶太人。猶太人也有宗派。在耶穌那個時候有法利賽人，有撒都該人，還有奮銳黨的。

所以當時耶穌在面對他們的時候，曾經被他們問過一個問題，就是說：“你憑什麼權柄做這事？這誰給你這樣的權利來做這事？”

因為耶穌當時進了耶路撒冷在神殿裡面在和眾人討論神的話。所以法利賽人，文史，祭司長受到威脅了。所以他們來問耶穌，“誰給妳這樣的權柄？”

我們知道主來到這個世界的目的是要來救人, 對麼？他說，“人子來，是要尋找、拯救失喪的人。” 這個是聖經裡面很清楚告訴我們在路加福音19:10 … 他要來救人。

可是我記得有一會，有人問耶穌一個問題，記載在路加福音13:23有人問耶穌這個問題：“得救的人少嗎？” 他們在問耶穌這個問題。“得救的人少嗎？”

我想今天呢，如果你問任何一個信耶穌的教會；哪他是浸信會，長老會，有任何教會你所認識的，他一定會告訴你：“信耶穌能夠得永生。你來我們的教會吧。我們的教會呢，是信耶穌的。”

所以當時這個問題問了耶穌以後呢，耶穌… 如果你了解第十三章的背景，得救的人少嗎…

首先呢，耶穌告訴我們，如果基督徒信了耶穌以後，神賦予我們每一個人責任。就像孩子，我告訴你孩子很幸福的，什麼責任感都沒有了。他只要大人來餵他吃，餵他喝。可是當他長大之後呢，父母親就交待一些任務了… “整理你的床單” ，“整理你的床” ，“髒的衣服要扔進那個洗衣機裡面” 。我們會教他，慢慢給他很多責任對麼？

所以初心的基督徒是沒有責任啊。大家都會怎樣？愛護他。可是當他長大之後呢？他就知道神給他責任啊。

所以在路加福音13:6耶穌講了一個人栽了一個無花果樹，而這個無花果樹是栽在葡萄園裡，可是很可惜的就是這一棵無花果樹，過的三年沒有結果子。所以主人就說，“把它砍了，扔掉，燒了。”

可是管理這個無花果樹的人就求這個園主說，“再給他一年的時間我把它掘開土，栽一些肥料。如果過一年還不結果子的話，就把它怎樣…砍了。”

也就是說，“得救的人少嗎？” “是不是所有的基督徒都能夠得救呢？” 問題是在於如果一個基督徒不結果子的話，哪你說這個園主會怎麼對我們說呢？“扔掉，算了” 對不對？因為神要我們結果子。

在約翰福音15:5，耶穌在講到葡萄樹的比喻裡面, 很清楚的告訴我們：離開他，我們算不得什麼。可是如果我們跟主連結在一起的話，我們就要多結果子。神要我們結果子的。

所以呢，“得救的人少嗎？”…在我們在談，看這個基督的教會的時候，我們在主的教會裡面，主要每一個屬他的孩子，屬神的孩子，都結果子。

過來耶穌來到這個會堂裡面，然後有一個女人，她換了病，在第十節，她病了十八年。呢麼在安息日的時候耶穌治好了她。可是管會堂的人很生氣。管會堂的人，他進來，他就告訴耶穌說呢？“六天可以做工。六天之內可以求醫。可是安息日卻不可。” 這個是第十四節。

我們就發現到很多時候在信神這方面呢，很多人加了許多人為的教條，加了很多人的傳統 …加了很多人的傳統下去。然後慢慢的，逐漸的，人的傳統就取代了神的話了，就取代神的話。這樣是不對了。所以耶穌就怎樣？責備他，說他是一個什麼？假冒為善的人。

所以在這裡我們可以看到第十五節：“假冒為善的人哪，難道你們各人在安息日不解開槽上的牛、驢，牽去飲嗎？ 況且這女人本是 亞伯拉罕 的後裔，被撒但捆綁了這十八年，不當在安息日解開她的綁嗎？” 耶穌說了這話呢，他的敵人都怎樣？慚愧了。

所以在主的教會裡面呢，我們不能夠加上一些人為的傳統，人為的教條。不能夠的。因為什麼？因為首先我們要明白神的話是唯一的權柄，唯一的標準。

我在查這個教會的歷史的時候呢，從羅馬天主教會，進入這個改革運動，然後從改革運動就產生了許多宗派教會。那後在十八世紀的時候，有人認為說我們應當回到聖經來，所以復興運動就開始了。

在這個整個兩千多年教會歷史裡面，從主後三十三年，一直以到今天…復興運動裡面時常強調要回到這個模範，這道理的模範。這非常重要：神給我們一個樣式，就按照這個樣式。

所以在復興運動裡面，他有四個模範我們一定要回去的。

第一個要回去的就是回到道理上的模範，記載在羅馬書的第六章。各位包保羅在談到這個人重生的這個道理方面。羅馬書6:17這裡我們看到包保羅在這個經節很清楚告訴我們，他說：

“感謝神！因為你們從前雖然作罪的奴僕，現今卻從心裏順服了所傳給你們道理的模範。”

這個“道理的模範”一模範在希臘文“tupos” 寫可以翻譯為“道理的樣式”。 神給我們一個樣式，按照這個樣式去做。

在好多年前 […] 當時他們有大學生的團契，有人有扣我過去那邊，我教了三天。大學生大概是150個。我們就三天從早到晚和他們一起吃，一起學學。

然後我去了大概有3-4年，最後一年我去了的時候，他們小組的領導就要請我去開會。說開始我會。

他們首先問我，“你這個神學的觀念是從那一個派系出來的。” 問我這個問題，“你這個教導好像加爾文沒有這樣教導的。韋斯利也沒有這樣教導的。［？］你這個派系是從那兒來的。” 一直問一直問， “肯定有的。”

我說，“回到聖經，這個道理的模範。”

他說，“沒有的。聖經道理的模範還是人想出來的。”

然後，我就想了一想， 我就問他們一個問題，我說，“如果你能夠回答我這個問題，我才告訴你我這個想法是從那兒來的。”

結果他們說，“請問吧。”

哪我就問，“耶穌是那一間神學院畢業了？”

因為他被神的話語瞭如指掌，他能夠分析神的話。他也沒有去過任何神學院。那麼他能夠介紹的那麼清楚。“耶穌是那一個間神學院來的？”

結果他們說，“噢，因為耶穌是神的孩子，神的獨生子，所以他不需要經神學院。”

我說，“這樣你錯了。因為他在路加福音2:52耶穌是從小長大，他在身量，智慧，神喜愛(而眾人喜愛)他的心，都一齊增長。所以耶穌像一般人一樣，也要［？］增長，可是他懂得怎樣分析。”

“可是耶穌也說過一句話，他說，'你們必曉得真理。真理必叫你們得以自由。' (約翰福音8:32) 如果耶穌說我能夠明白真理的話，哪我相信我能夠明白。所以讓我們就回到聖經。”

道理的模範就好像當初在諾亞時代，神給諾亞造方丹的那個樣式…就照著那個樣式去做，就沒錯了！

如果今天你想回到婚姻的樣式…如果今天有一個弟兄告訴我你說基督徒可以娶四個老婆。“他說聖經說的。”

我說，“哈!? 聖經有這樣說嗎？”

“有啊，雅各有幾個老婆？四個，對不對？雅各可以娶四個，幹嘛基督徒不能夠娶四個！”

“你亂講！你亂解聖經, 對不對。”

所以我們要懂得怎樣合他分析，為什麼雅各是屬於那一個時代，我們今天又是屬於那一個時代。哪麼我們要合他解釋甚麼叫“約”。我今天是在新約之下，還是在舊約之下，對不對？我收的基督的律法，還是收的是摩西的律法…還是列祖的律法？這個我要合他分析。

所以我們看到耶穌，他對這個聖經的分析很清楚的。

所以讓我們回到這個道理的模範。所以每當我們遇到一個道理的時候…打個比方：我們常常辯論基督徒可以不可以喝酒？甚至辯論到喝一點酒只要不要醉酒就可以了。

哪我們通常到要回答這樣的問題，我就說，“你說可以喝一點酒。哪我問你，這從天上來的還是從人間來的？” 這樣的答案，“是從天上來的，還是從人間來的？” 我說，“你給我聖經的答案吧。”

如果你說，“找不到答案。”

“你是從願文理面給我…哪…那個字的願文的意恩吧。”

所以我相信神，一個全能全知的神，他能夠給我全備的律法，全備的聖經，讓我能夠怎樣？能夠知道該怎麼過基督徒的生舌。

所以這個是第一點，讓我們回到這個道理的模範。

English Transcript (rough translation done by me)

2000 years ago, when Jesus was on earth, he also had to face the denominations of his time - the Jews also had their denominations - in Jesus' time there were the Pharisees, the Sadducees, and the Zealots.

So at the time Jesus was facing them because they had asked him, “By what authority do you do these things? Who gave you the authority to do these things?”

Because at that time Jesus was in Jerusalem in the temple, discussing God's Word with the people; and the Pharisees, scribes, and priests felt threatened, so they asked Jesus, “Who gave you this kind of authority?”

We know our Lord came to this world to save people, right? “For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost." The Bible tells us very clearly in Luke 19:10 that He came to save us.

But there was one time the people asked Jesus a question that is recorded in Luke 13:23, “Will those who are saved be few?" They were asking Jesus this question. “Will those who are saved be few?"

I think if you ask any church today that says they believe in Jesus, whether Baptist, Presbyterian - any church that you know of - they will definitely tell you,  “Believing in Jesus will bring you eternal life. Come to our church. Our church is a church that believes in Jesus.”

So at the time, after Jesus was asked this question ... If you understand the background of Chapter 13 (Will those are saved be few?) ...

First, Jesus tells us that after a Christian has come to believe in Jesus, God gives each one of us responsibility. Just like children, let me tell you children are so happy, no feeling of the weight of responsibility. The child just needs an adult to come and feed him and give him something to drink. But as he gets older, his parents hand over certain tasks ... “Make your bed.” “Put your dirty clothes in the washer.” We teach a child, gradually giving him a lot of responsibility, right?

So, a brand-new Christian has no responsibilities. Everybody shelters him. But as he matures? He knows that God has given him responsibility.

Thus in Luke 13:6 Jesus tells of a man who planted a fig tree in a vineyard, but in 3 years, alas, this fig tree had borne no fruit. So the owner said, “Chop it down! Throw it away! Burn it!”

But the caretaker of the fig tree begged the owner, “Give me one more year to loosen up the soil and apply fertilizer. If after a year it still hasn't borne fruit... then chop it down.”

So are the saved few in number? Will every Christian be saved? The problem is, if a Christian doesn't bear fruit, what do you think the owner of the vineyard is going to say about us? “Chop it down! Have done with it!” right? Because God wants us to bear fruit.

In John 15:5, Jesus uses the parable of the grapevine to clearly tell us that without him we are nothing ... but if we are united to the Lord we will bear more fruit. God wants us to be fruit-bearers.

So will those who are saved be few? As regards the church of Christ, those of us in the Lord's church, the Lord wants every child belonging to him, belonging to God, to bear fruit.

After this, Jesus goes into this synagogue and there's a woman there in verse 10 who's been sick for eighteen years, and Jesus heals her on the Sabbath. The man in charge of the synagogue is indignant. He comes into the synagogue, and what does he tell Jesus? “Six days you can work. Six days you can seek healing. But on the Sabbath you absolutely can't.” (This is verse 14.)

We see so often that when it comes to believing in God, many people add so many man-made dogmas and so many traditions of men ... and then slowly, gradually, the traditions of men supplant and replace the Word of God. This is wrong. So what did Jesus do? He rebuked him. And what did he call him? A hypocrite.

"You hypocrites, does not each of you on the Sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the stall and lead him away to water him?  And this woman, a daughter of Abraham as she is, whom Satan has bound for eighteen long years, should she not have been released from this bond on the Sabbath day?"  As He said this, all His opponents were being humiliated; (Luke 13:15‭-‬17 NASB)

So in the Lord's church we can not add any traditions of men or man-made dogmas. We can't. Why? Because first we must understand that God's Word is the only authority ... and the only standard.

Looking at church history... from the Roman Catholic Church ... going into the Reformation (which brought about lots of denominations) ... and then in the 18th century there were people who said we should get back to the Bible, and so the Restoration movement began.

Over 2000 years of church history, from 33 AD up to the present day... the Restoration Movement emphasized getting back to the pattern, the standard of the Bible. This is so important. God gave us a pattern, just follow the pattern.

In the Restoration Movement there are 4 patterns we must get back to.

The first pattern we should get back to is the standard of teaching recorded in Romans 6:17 where Paul is talking about the doctrinal aspect of being born again:

But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed ... (ESV)

This “standard of teaching”... in the Greek it's "tupos". God gave us a pattern. Do things according to the pattern.

Many years ago [...] At the time there was a student fellowship which someone called me up to attend and I taught for 3 days, about 150 students, 3 days from morning to night, eating with them and studying with them.

I went about 3 or 4 years. The last year I went, the leader of their cell group wanted to invite me to hold a meeting. I said I could.

They first asked me, “Your theological beliefs, what denomination do they come from?” They asked me this question. “It doesn't seem like Calvin ever taught what you're teaching. Wesley didn't teach like this either. What denomination are you?” They kept asking and asking saying, “You must have one.”

I said, “Getting back to the Bible, its standard of teaching.”

They said, “There isn't one. The Biblical standard of teaching is still something  thought up by men.”

I thought and thought, and finally I asked them a question. I said, “If you can answer this question, I'll tell you where my beliefs come from.”

They said,  “Please ask!”

So I asked them, “Which seminary did Jesus graduate from? Because he memorized God's Word like the palm of his hand, he could rightly divide or analyze God's Word, and he never went to seminary, right? But he could explain the Word of God so clearly. What seminary did Jesus come from?”

They said, “Oh, Jesus is God's son, his only begotten son, so he didn't need to go to seminary.”

I said, “You're wrong there. Because Luke 2:52 says that Jesus growing up, 'increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.' (ESV) So Jesus was like a normal person in that he had to [??] grow up ... but ... he understood how to analyze.”

“But Jesus made this statement, he said, '.. you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.' (John 8:32 ESV) If Jesus said I can know and understand the truth, then I believe that I can know and understand it. So let us just go back to the Bible.”

Getting back to the Bible pattern is just like in the beginning in the days of Noah when God gave him the pattern for the ark. Just do all things according to the pattern, and you'll be alright!

If today you want to get back to the Bible's pattern for marriage... What if today a brother told me you said a Christian can have four wives, and that you say the Bible says so.

I'd say, “What?! Does the Bible really say that?”

You'd say,  “Sure it does. How many wives did Jacob have? Four, right? Jacob could have four wives. Why can't Christians have four wives!?”

I'd say,  “Nonsense! You're misinterpreting the Bible! Right?”

So we have to understand how to rightly divide or analyze with him... Why Jacob belonged to which age, and today which age do we belong to? We have to explain to him what a covenant is. Are we under the New Covenant or under the Old Covenant? Am I under the law of Christ, or under the law of Moses, or the law of the Patriarchs? I have to analyze this for him.

So we see that Jesus, he was very clear on the analysis of the scriptures.

So let's get back to the Biblical pattern. So every time we encounter a doctrine, for example we often debate whether or not a Christian can drink - even debating whether or not as long as he doesn't get drunk can he have a bit to drink?

So usually when we're answering this kind of a question, I say,  “You say one can drink a bit of wine. Let me ask you, does this come from heaven or from men?” This kind of an answer ... “Is it from God or from man?” I say, “Give me an answer from the Bible.”

If you say,  “I can't find an answer.”

I'll say, “Then try giving me an answer from the original language, from the meaning for that word in the original language.”

So I believe that God, an all-powerful, all-knowing God, was able to give me the complete law, the complete Bible, so that I can know how I should live the Christian life.

So this was the first point ~ let's get back to the Biblical pattern.

Bilingual Transcript (in case you want to learn English this way)

兩千年前，耶穌在世的時候，他也面對他所為的宗派的這些猶太人。猶太人也有宗派。在耶穌那個時候有法利賽人，有撒都該人，還有奮銳黨的。

2000 years ago, when Jesus was on earth, he also had to face the denominations of his time - the Jews also had their denominations - in Jesus' time there were the Pharisees, the Sadducees, and the Zealots.

所以當時耶穌在面對他們的時候，曾經被他們問過一個問題，就是說：“你憑什麼權柄做這事？這誰給你這樣的權利來做這事？”

So at the time Jesus was facing them because they had asked him, “By what authority do you do these things? Who gave you the authority to do these things?”

因為耶穌當時進了耶路撒冷在神殿裡面在和眾人討論神的話。所以法利賽人，文史，祭司長受到威脅了。所以他們來問耶穌，“誰給妳這樣的權柄？”

Because at that time Jesus was in Jerusalem in the temple, discussing God's Word with the people; and the Pharisees, scribes, and priests felt threatened, so they asked Jesus, “Who gave you this kind of authority?”

我們知道主來到這個世界的目的是要來救人, 對麼？他說，“人子來，是要尋找、拯救失喪的人。” 這個是聖經裡面很清楚告訴我們在路加福音19:10 … 他要來救人。

We know our Lord came to this world to save people, right? “For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost." The Bible tells us very clearly in Luke 19:10 that He came to save us.

可是我記得有一會，有人問耶穌一個問題，記載在路加福音13:23有人問耶穌這個問題：“得救的人少嗎？” 他們在問耶穌這個問題。“得救的人少嗎？”

But there was one time the people asked Jesus a question that is recorded in Luke 13:23, “Will those who are saved be few?" They were asking Jesus this question. “Will those who are saved be few?"

我想今天呢，如果你問任何一個信耶穌的教會；哪他是浸信會，長老會，有任何教會你所認識的，他一定會告訴你：“信耶穌能夠得永生。你來我們的教會吧。我們的教會呢，是信耶穌的。”

I think if you ask any church today that says they believe in Jesus, whether Baptist, Presbyterian - any church that you know of - they will definitely tell you,  “Believing in Jesus will bring you eternal life. Come to our church. Our church is a church that believes in Jesus.”

所以當時這個問題問了耶穌以後呢，耶穌… 如果你了解第十三章的背景，得救的人少嗎…

So at the time, after Jesus was asked this question ... If you understand the background of Chapter 13 (Will those are saved be few?) ...

首先呢，耶穌告訴我們，如果基督徒信了耶穌以後，神賦予我們每一個人責任。就像孩子，我告訴你孩子很幸福的，什麼責任感都沒有了。他只要大人來餵他吃，餵他喝。可是當他長大之後呢，父母親就交待一些任務了… “整理你的床單” ，“整理你的床” ，“髒的衣服要扔進那個洗衣機裡面” 。我們會教他，慢慢給他很多責任對麼？

First, Jesus tells us that after a Christian has come to believe in Jesus, God gives each one of us responsibility. Just like children, let me tell you children are so happy, no feeling of the weight of responsibility. The child just needs an adult to come and feed him and give him something to drink. But as he gets older, his parents hand over certain tasks ... “Make your bed.” “Put your dirty clothes in the washer.” We teach a child, gradually giving him a lot of responsibility, right?

所以初心的基督徒是沒有責任啊。大家都會怎樣？愛護他。可是當他長大之後呢？他就知道神給他責任啊。

So, a brand-new Christian has no responsibilities. Everybody shelters him. But as he matures? He knows that God has given him responsibility.

所以在路加福音13:6耶穌講了一個人栽了一個無花果樹，而這個無花果樹是栽在葡萄園裡，可是很可惜的就是這一棵無花果樹，過的三年沒有結果子。所以主人就說，“把它砍了，扔掉，燒了。”

可是管理這個無花果樹的人就求這個園主說，“再給他一年的時間我把它掘開土，栽一些肥料。如果過一年還不結果子的話，就把它怎樣…砍了。”

Thus in Luke 13:6 Jesus tells of a man who planted a fig tree in a vineyard, but in 3 years, alas, this fig tree had borne no fruit. So the owner said, “Chop it down! Throw it away! Burn it!”

But the caretaker of the fig tree begged the owner, “Give me one more year to loosen up the soil and apply fertilizer. If after a year it still hasn't borne fruit... then chop it down.”

也就是說，“得救的人少嗎？” “是不是所有的基督徒都能夠得救呢？” 問題是在於如果一個基督徒不結果子的話，哪你說這個園主會怎麼對我們說呢？“扔掉，算了” 對不對？因為神要我們結果子。

So are the saved few in number? Will every Christian be saved? The problem is, if a Christian doesn't bear fruit, what do you think the owner of the vineyard is going to say about us? “Chop it down! Have done with it!” right? Because God wants us to bear fruit.

在約翰福音15:5，耶穌在講到葡萄樹的比喻裡面, 很清楚的告訴我們：離開他，我們算不得什麼。可是如果我們跟主連結在一起的話，我們就要多結果子。神要我們結果子的。

In John 15:5, Jesus uses the parable of the grapevine to clearly tell us that without him we are nothing ... but if we are united to the Lord we will bear more fruit. God wants us to be fruit-bearers.

所以呢，“得救的人少嗎？”…在我們在談，看這個基督的教會的時候，我們在主的教會裡面，主要每一個屬他的孩子，屬神的孩子，都結果子。

So will those who are saved be few? As regards the church of Christ, those of us in the Lord's church, the Lord wants every child belonging to him, belonging to God, to bear fruit.

過來耶穌來到這個會堂裡面，然後有一個女人，她換了病，在第十節，她病了十八年。呢麼在安息日的時候耶穌治好了她。可是管會堂的人很生氣。管會堂的人，他進來，他就告訴耶穌說呢？“六天可以做工。六天之內可以求醫。可是安息日卻不可。” 這個是第十四節。

After this, Jesus goes into this synagogue and there's a woman there in verse 10 who's been sick for eighteen years, and Jesus heals her on the Sabbath. The man in charge of the synagogue is indignant. He comes into the synagogue, and what does he tell Jesus? “Six days you can work. Six days you can seek healing. But on the Sabbath you absolutely can't.” (This is verse 14.)

我們就發現到很多時候在信神這方面呢，很多人加了許多人為的教條，加了很多人的傳統 …加了很多人的傳統下去。然後慢慢的，逐漸的，人的傳統就取代了神的話了，就取代神的話。這樣是不對了。所以耶穌就怎樣？責備他，說他是一個什麼？假冒為善的人。

We see so often that when it comes to believing in God, many people add so many man-made dogmas and so many traditions of men ... and then slowly, gradually, the traditions of men supplant and replace the Word of God. This is wrong. So what did Jesus do? He rebuked him. And what did he call him? A hypocrite.

所以在這裡我們可以看到第十五節：“假冒為善的人哪，難道你們各人在安息日不解開槽上的牛、驢，牽去飲嗎？ 況且這女人本是 亞伯拉罕 的後裔，被撒但捆綁了這十八年，不當在安息日解開她的綁嗎？” 耶穌說了這話呢，他的敵人都怎樣？慚愧了。

"You hypocrites, does not each of you on the Sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the stall and lead him away to water him?  And this woman, a daughter of Abraham as she is, whom Satan has bound for eighteen long years, should she not have been released from this bond on the Sabbath day?"  As He said this, all His opponents were being humiliated; (Luke 13:15‭-‬17 NASB)

所以在主的教會裡面呢，我們不能夠加上一些人為的傳統，人為的教條。不能夠的。因為什麼？因為首先我們要明白神的話是唯一的權柄，唯一的標準。

So in the Lord's church we can not add any traditions of men or man-made dogmas. We can't. Why? Because first we must understand that God's Word is the only authority ... and the only standard.

我在查這個教會的歷史的時候呢，從羅馬天主教會，進入這個改革運動，然後從改革運動就產生了許多宗派教會。那後在十八世紀的時候，有人認為說我們應當回到聖經來，所以復興運動就開始了。

Looking at church history... from the Roman Catholic Church ... going into the Reformation (which brought about lots of denominations) ... and then in the 18th century there were people who said we should get back to the Bible, and so the Restoration movement began.

在這個整個兩千多年教會歷史裡面，從主後三十三年，一直以到今天…復興運動裡面時常強調要回到這個模範，這道理的模範。這非常重要：神給我們一個樣式，就按照這個樣式。

Over 2000 years of church history, from 33 AD up to the present day... the Restoration Movement emphasized getting back to the pattern, the standard of the Bible. This is so important. God gave us a pattern, just follow the pattern.

所以在復興運動裡面，他有四個模範我們一定要回去的。

In the Restoration Movement there are 4 patterns we must get back to.

第一個要回去的就是回到道理上的模範，記載在羅馬書的第六章。各位包保羅在談到這個人重生的這個道理方面。羅馬書6:17這裡我們看到包保羅在這個經節很清楚告訴我們，他說：

“感謝神！因為你們從前雖然作罪的奴僕，現今卻從心裏順服了所傳給你們道理的模範。”

The first pattern we should get back to is the standard of teaching recorded in Romans 6:17 where Paul is talking about the doctrinal aspect of being born again:

But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed ... (ESV)

這個“道理的模範”一模範在希臘文“tupo” 寫可以翻譯為“道理的樣式”。 神給我們一個樣式，按照這個樣式去做。

This “standard of teaching”... in the Greek it's "tupo". God gave us a pattern. Do things according to the pattern.

在好多年前 […] 當時他們有大學生的團契，有人有扣我過去那邊，我教了三天。大學生大概是150個。我們就三天從早到晚和他們一起吃，一起學學。

Many years ago [...] At the time there was a student fellowship which someone called me up to attend and I taught for 3 days, about 150 students, 3 days from morning to night, eating with them and studying with them.

然後我去了大概有3-4年，最後一年我去了的時候，他們小組的領導就要請我去開會。說開始我會。

I went about 3 or 4 years. The last year I went, the leader of their cell group wanted to invite me to hold a meeting. I said I could.

他們首先問我，“你這個神學的觀念是從那一個派系出來的。” 問我這個問題，“你這個教導好像加爾文沒有這樣教導的。韋斯利也沒有這樣教導的。［？］你這個派系是從那兒來的。” 一直問一直問， “肯定有的。”

They first asked me, “Your theological beliefs, what denomination do they come from?” They asked me this question. “It doesn't seem like Calvin ever taught what you're teaching. Wesley didn't teach like this either. What denomination are you?” They kept asking and asking saying, “You must have one.”

我說，“回到聖經，這個道理的模範。”

I said, “Getting back to the Bible, its standard of teaching.”

他說，“沒有的。聖經道理的模範還是人想出來的。”

They said, “There isn't one. The Biblical standard of teaching is still something  thought up by men.”

然後，我就想了一想， 我就問他們一個問題，我說，“如果你能夠回答我這個問題，我才告訴你我這個想法是從那兒來的。”

I thought and thought, and finally I asked them a question. I said, “If you can answer this question, I'll tell you where my beliefs come from.”

結果他們說，“請問吧。”

They said,  “Please ask!”

哪我就問，“耶穌是那一間神學院畢業了？”因為他被神的話語瞭如指掌，他能夠分析神的話。他也沒有去過任何神學院。那麼他能夠介紹的那麼清楚。“耶穌是那一個間神學院來的？”

So I asked them, “Which seminary did Jesus graduate from? Because he memorized God's Word like the palm of his hand, he could rightly divide or analyze God's Word, and he never went to seminary, right? But he could explain the Word of God so clearly. What seminary did Jesus come from?”

結果他們說，“噢，因為耶穌是神的孩子，神的獨生子，所以他不需要經神學院。”

They said, “Oh, Jesus is God's son, his only begotten son, so he didn't need to go to seminary.”

我說，“這樣你錯了。因為他在路加福音2:52耶穌是從小長大，他在身量，智慧，神喜愛(而眾人喜愛)他的心，都一齊增長。所以耶穌像一般人一樣，也要［？］增長，可是他懂得怎樣分析。”

I said, “You're wrong there. Because Luke 2:52 says that Jesus growing up, 'increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.' (ESV) So Jesus was like a normal person in that he had to [??] grow up ... but ... he understood how to analyze.”

“可是耶穌也說過一句話，他說，'你們必曉得真理。真理必叫你們得以自由。' (約翰福音8:32) 如果耶穌說我能夠明白真理的話，哪我相信我能夠明白。所以讓我們就回到聖經。”

“But Jesus made this statement, he said, '.. you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.' (John 8:32 ESV) If Jesus said I can know and understand the truth, then I believe that I can know and understand it. So let us just go back to the Bible.”

道理的模範就好像當初在諾亞時代，神給諾亞造方丹的那個樣式…就照著那個樣式去做，就沒錯了！

Getting back to the Bible pattern is just like in the beginning in the days of Noah when God gave him the pattern for the ark. Just do all things according to the pattern, and you'll be alright!

如果今天你想回到婚姻的樣式…如果今天有一個弟兄告訴我你說基督徒可以娶四個老婆。“他說聖經說的。”

If today you want to get back to the Bible's pattern for marriage... What if today a brother told me you said a Christian can have four wives, and that you say the Bible says so.

我說，“哈!? 聖經有這樣說嗎？”

I'd say, “What?! Does the Bible really say that?”

“有啊，雅各有幾個老婆？四個，對不對？雅各可以娶四個，幹嘛基督徒不能夠娶四個！”

You'd say,  “Sure it does. How many wives did Jacob have? Four, right? Jacob could have four wives. Why can't Christians have four wives!?”

“你亂講！你亂解聖經, 對不對。”

I'd say,  “Nonsense! You're misinterpreting the Bible! Right?”

所以我們要懂得怎樣合他分析，為什麼雅各是屬於那一個時代，我們今天又是屬於那一個時代。哪麼我們要合他解釋甚麼叫“約”。我今天是在新約之下，還是在舊約之下，對不對？我收的基督的律法，還是收的是摩西的律法…還是列祖的律法？這個我要合他分析。

So we have to understand how to rightly divide or analyze with him... Why Jacob belonged to which age, and today which age do we belong to? We have to explain to him what a covenant is. Are we under the New Covenant or under the Old Covenant? Am I under the law of Christ, or under the law of Moses, or the law of the Patriarchs? I have to analyze this for him.

所以我們看到耶穌，他對這個聖經的分析很清楚的。

So we see that Jesus, he was very clear on the analysis of the scriptures.

所以讓我們回到這個道理的模範。所以每當我們遇到一個道理的時候…打個比方：我們常常辯論基督徒可以不可以喝酒？甚至辯論到喝一點酒只要不要醉酒就可以了。

So let's get back to the Biblical pattern. So every time we encounter a doctrine, for example we often debate whether or not a Christian can drink - even debating whether or not as long as he doesn't get drunk can he have a bit to drink?

哪我們通常到要回答這樣的問題，我就說，“你說可以喝一點酒。哪我問你，這從天上來的還是從人間來的？” 這樣的答案，“是從天上來的，還是從人間來的？” 我說，“你給我聖經的答案吧。”

So usually when we're answering this kind of a question, I say,  “You say one can drink a bit of wine. Let me ask you, does this come from heaven or from men?” This kind of an answer ... “Is it from God or from man?” I say, “Give me an answer from the Bible.”

如果你說，“找不到答案。”

If you say,  “I can't find an answer.”

“你是從願文理面給我…哪…那個字的願文的意恩吧。”

I'll say, “Then try giving me an answer from the original language, from the meaning for that word in the original language.”

所以我相信神，一個全能全知的神，他能夠給我全備的律法，全備的聖經，讓我能夠怎樣？能夠知道該怎麼過基督徒的生舌。

So I believe that God, an all-powerful, all-knowing God, was able to give me the complete law, the complete Bible, so that I can know how I should live the Christian life.

所以這個是第一點，讓我們回到這個道理的模範。

So this was the first point ~ let's get back to the Biblical paradigm.