【8.31】回到起初Back To Where It Started


“他(耶稣)…四十天之久向他们显现,讲说神国的事。耶稣对他们说:‘父凭着自己的权柄所定的时候、日期,不是你们可以知道的。但圣灵降临在你们身上,你们就必得着能力,并要在耶路撒冷、犹太全地,和撒玛利亚,直到地极,作我的见证。’” – 徒 1:3, 7-8

使徒行传不仅仅是关于教会的诞生,也不仅仅是关于圣灵的内住,赋予信徒巨大的能力。使徒行传揭示了耶稣在地上工作的延伸,在这里祂使用的不是祂个人的身体,而是由祂的追随者组成的另一个身体——教会。这个共同体,今天被称为普世基督教会,目的是活出基督的生命并接续耶稣的工作,因为祂在这地上建立了属祂的国度。

耶稣在教导门徒祷告时指出了这一点:“愿你的国降临,愿你的旨意行在地上,如同行在天上”(太6:10)。当耶稣与祂的信徒见面,向他们显现祂的复活,并向他们传讲神国时,祂是要帮助他们明白,祂不是在创造一种新的宗教,而是在推动一场通过他们扩展到世界各地的运动。

感谢圣灵赐给门徒悟性,今天我们也是祂教会的一部份。基督是我们的头,我们是祂的身体,以主耶稣的心为心、作为祂的手和脚,在这世上侍奉神,祂应许所有相信祂的人都能得着丰盛的生命。

祷告

主啊,感谢你愿意使用我在这世上为你工作。当你吸引他人归向你时,请帮助我来参与服侍。阿们。

使徒行传 1:1-8

1提阿非罗啊,我已经作了前书,论到耶稣开头一切所行所教训的,
2直到他藉着圣灵吩咐所拣选的使徒以后,被接上升的日子为止。
3他受害之后,用许多的凭据将自己活活地显给使徒看,四十天之久向他们显现,讲说神国的事。
4耶稣和他们聚集的时候,嘱咐他们说:“不要离开耶路撒冷,要等候父所应许的,就是你们听见我说过的。
5约翰是用水施洗,但不多几日,你们要受圣灵的洗。”
6他们聚集的时候,问耶稣说:“主啊,你复兴以色列国就在这时候吗?”
7耶稣对他们说:“父凭着自己的权柄所定的时候、日期,不是你们可以知道的。
8但圣灵降临在你们身上,你们就必得着能力,并要在耶路撒冷、犹太全地和撒马利亚,直到地极,作我的见证。”

Back To Where It Started

“[Jesus] appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. . . . He said to them: ‘It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes o

The book of Acts is not simply about the birth of the church or even the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, giving great power. Acts reveals the extension of Jesus’ work on earth, in which he uses not his human body but a different body made up of his followers—the church. That body, known today as the worldwide church of Christ, aims to live out and continue the ongoing work of Jesus as he grows his kingdom here on the earth.

Jesus hinted at this when he taught his disciples to pray, “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10). When Jesus met with his followers, gave proof of his resurrection, and spoke with them about the kingdom of God, he was helping them understand that he was creating not a new religion but a movement that would expand around the world through them.

Thankfully the Holy Spirit gave them understanding, and we are here today as part of his church. Christ is our head, and we are his body, serving God in this world as the heart, hands, and feet of the Lord Jesus, who promises full life for all who believe in him.

Prayer

Jesus, thank you for wanting to use me as part of your work in this world. Help me to serve you as you draw others to yourself. Amen.

诵读: 骆云秀
片头: 张妙阳

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