未经讲者审阅,仅供追求参考
弟兄们,这一堂聚会是非常关键的,盼望我们站在一起,与主合作,使祂能够借着我们,并为着我们争战,把我们带到这个话的实际里。事实上,关于这篇纲要的交通,是联于今天晚上我们要有的,非常紧要的交通,联在一起。这篇的篇题是,牧养神的群羊,使之认识基督的身体。当我们来到这件事的时候,我们乃是达到神经纶中的最高峰,这是神的目标,神的愿望。这也是仇敌攻击的目标。我们前面的八篇信息,乃是为着牧养神的群羊,进入基督身体的某一个原则。而我们这一切牧养的目标,乃是使我们所照顾的人,都能够在启示上,在经历上,认识基督的身体,使基督的身体能够对他们成为活的实际。我们若要牧养神的群羊,使之认识基督的身体,我们需要求主怜悯我们,使我们受祂的牧养,认识基督的身体,使我们认识这个身体是一个实际,使我们在启示上,在经历上认识基督的身体。弟兄们,我要再说,这一次是说到牧养神的群羊,在开头的时候,陈泽全弟兄和我们说到,这一次的特会,有两个基本的原则。第一,我们需要全群的观点。第二,我们需要作群羊的榜样。我愿意提醒我们大家。李弟兄在长老训练里说了这样的话。在启七17说到,宝座中的羔羊要牧养他们。
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所以我们的牧人本身是羔羊,所以我们要牧养群羊。我们不是作头的,我们是头羊,我们是头羊,意思就是说,我们要作众圣徒的奴仆,我们要与这位温柔、卑微的羔羊是一。祂降卑自己,洗我们的脚,用祂生命的水,祂的灵,祂的话洗涤我们。这实在是美妙,我们的牧人乃是羔羊牧人。祂不是牧羊犬,祂是羔羊作牧人,我们在圣徒中间,顾惜、喂养他们,也应当是这样。目标是要把他们带到神经纶的目标,神心头的愿望,就是基督身体的实际。
在我们弟兄职事的末了,主把我们带到这一点。我们看见主要把我们带进一个新的复兴,当我们用‘复兴’这个辞,我们不是说到任何的事情,像基督教国那一种的复兴,或者奋兴。我们乃是在实际上,成为基督的身体,是基督建造起来的身体,预备好的新妇,转移这个时代,把我们亲爱的主耶稣带回来,这是我们所说的新的复兴。这一个复兴是在地上前所未有的,这个复兴要转变这个时代,带进千年国,国度时代,我们要在这个千年之久的婚娶之日,和主一同的享受。我要祷告,但愿我们没有一个人在那一千年是在外面的黑暗里,但愿主怜悯我们,我们能够成为祂得胜新妇的构成分子,把祂带回来,这就是我们所说的。这个新的复兴的每一方面,都关于我们牧养神的群羊,使之认识基督的身体。我要说,我们在这里,是说到基督身体的实际。有神圣启示的最高峰,这是新的复兴的第一方面。这个高峰就是神成为人,使人在生命和性情上成为神,为着产生并建造基督的身体。这是神圣启示的最高峰,这里有基督的身体。这就是为什么我们成为神,这也是我们生机救恩的目的,使我们被产生,被建造成为基督的身体,我们以我们基督的美丽而基督化,成为祂的新妇把祂带回来。
这个新的复兴的第二方面,乃是神人的生活。在这个神人的生活里,不是仅仅一件个人的事,这乃是一个团体的神人生活。我们要过团体的生活,团体神人的团体生活,这个团体的生活,这些得成全之神人所过的团体生活,他们是继续不断的拒绝他们自己,凭经过过程、终极完成的三一神,作为赐生命、七倍加强的灵,在他们的灵里,这个团体的神人生活,就是基督身体的实际,这个团体的神人生活,就是主耶稣在四福音里,那个实在的人性生活的复制。在弗四21,那称作,那在耶稣身上是实际者。
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照着以弗所四章21~23,我们一天过一天,照着那在耶稣身上是实际者,而学基督。弟兄们,我们在学基督。不是学道理,乃是在经历上学祂。这就是为什么保罗说,我学得秘诀。他学会怎样享受基督,赢得基督,如何抓住基督,如何活基督,显大基督,在各样情形里。在各种处境中,活基督,显大基督,使他作为基督身上的肢体,能够成为耶稣,在祂由神性所丰富的人性里,在地上再活一次。这个就是那在耶稣身上是实际者,而在我们灵里,实际的灵,正在带我们进入这个神人生活的实际。所以,四福音里是单个的神人的生活,但这个要复制在我们的身上,使基督能够透过我们,在祂被神性所丰富的人性里,在地上再生活一次。这个就是基督活的身体,这也就是团体的神人生活。
上一堂,Bill弟兄也摸到这一点。上一堂是说到,我们该如何有祷告的生活,我们需要有祷告的职事,神命定之路的每一方面,都是借着多而彻底的祷告团体的实行。我们需要有祷告的灵,来打属灵的仗。一九九四年到九七年,那三年,李弟兄和我们交通到,我们有神圣启示的最高峰,这要成为我们活的实际。我们要有团体的神人生活,若要这样,我们就必须与主有个人、情深的、亲密的关系。我们需要带头与主有这样的关系。我们与祂是那样的个人的,与祂有私下的时间,我们对祂的爱是那样的满了情爱,是那样的属灵。我们若让主天天吸引我们,我们若向主说,主啊,吸引我,吸引我,‘我们’就快跑跟随你。前面是我,后面是我们。使我们对主的爱,每天都是新鲜的。这样,主作为生命的灵,就能够透过我们而活过来。
新的复兴的第三方面,当然这三方面是不能分开的。牧养就是神命定之路的内在意义。牧养神的群羊,也是与基督的身体有关,为什么我这样说呢?因为牧养的内在意义是顾惜和喂养。我知道,已经快要三点五十分了。你们也许说,时间过得很快,我们在这里争战,主耶稣,求主在这个聚会里面,顾惜喂养我们每一个人,用祂可爱的同在,使我们不是以天然的方式快乐,而是以祂的同在作我们的喜乐,但愿我们向祂敞开。接受祂作那个喂养的本质,使祂能够在我们里面扩增,长大,使我们能够建造,成为基督的身体。
为什么我说牧养与身体有关?因为以弗所五章提到喂养和顾惜。我念给你们听,以弗所五章28~30,丈夫也当照样爱自己的妻子,如同爱自己的身体。所以,保罗说到,召会是基督的妻子,但他也是说到,召会是基督的身体。他说,丈夫当爱自己的妻子,如同爱自己的身体。这是指基督爱召会。他说,爱自己妻子的,就是爱自己了。所以,当主爱召会的时候,祂事实上是爱祂自己。因为召会不仅是祂的妻子,召会更是祂的身体。所以下一节,29说,从来没有人恨恶自己的身体,总是保养顾惜,这个就是牧养的内在意义。正如基督待召会一样。三十节说,因为我们是祂身体上的肢体。
所以,我们可以看见,新的复兴的三方面,都是为着建造基督的身体。把我们带到神经纶的最高峰,使我们能够实际的成为基督身体的实际。那也就是基督预备好的新妇,把基督带回来,这是神经纶中的最高峰。弟兄们,当我们读纲要的时候,我们会回到这个点。当我们读纲要的时候,你就会得着这个解释。
我们在座有很多人,已经在这里很多年了,我们一直跟随职事。李弟兄总是一直接受新的光,更多的光,更高,更高,更深,更深,更丰富,更丰富。直到他达到了最高峰,神圣启示的最高峰。在他的职事里有些点,到某个时候,就有一个转。他到了另外一个层面,另外一个水平。他回到台湾去,带进神命定之路,之后有什么事发生呢?有大的风波,因为仇敌恨恶这个。我这样说的意思是,如果你去读那本书,我想是‘异象的高峰与基督身体的实际’。那是李弟兄与台北长老们的交通,在一九九四年。其中有一部份他说到,主的启示和异象的转移,已经达到神圣启示的最高峰,一九九四年有一个转,在他的职事上有一个转,他觉得他达到了神圣启示的高峰。我想我们都领悟,那些年间,当他在交通的时候,至少你跟他在一起的时候,我记得有一次,他说,弟兄们,我们在另外一个星球上,这个星球的名字叫什么呢?就是基督。他到了另外一个水平。Bob Danker在这里。李弟兄说到那本书的信息,关于相调的实行。因着我生病,特会之后,我生病。所以,Bob弟兄帮忙修那个特会的一些信息。李弟兄叫Bob和我去伦敦,当我们两个在飞机上的时候,我们把那些信息修改好了。但是我们再看的时候,我们说,李弟兄到底在说什么?我们在飞机上一路就交通祷告。Bob你还记得么?主带我们进入一种内在的领悟,到底李弟兄说什么呢?当他在说相调的时候,他在说什么呢?我在那里问,他在这里,到底是说什么呢?那是为着什么呢?阿利路亚,为着相调。他说,相调是很高,很深,很深奥的,不是物质的,乃是一个奥秘的范围。他进到了最高峰。现在我们是到了末了的日子,我觉得我们是到了最后的阶段,弟兄们,我们要结束人类的历史,我们来到这个大人像最底下的部份,我们不是在顶端,我们乃是在底部。
主要得着我们作那个团体的、砸人的石头,使我们能够与祂一同回来,击败敌基督和他的军队,将他扔在火湖里。我们要有那么,那么多的,对基督的享受,有一千年之久。这就是为什么我们在这里,主的恢复是要建造锡安,预备祂得胜的新妇。所以一九九四年,在李弟兄职事上有一个很大的转。你去看出埃及记,帐幕转角的地方,那里的竖板是成双的,你如果去读那个注解,为什么要成双呢?因为需要为着转换,转弯有加强。弟兄们,这个周末,你有没有享受主呢?主是不是祝福祂的恢复呢?你不管到那里,主都在那里降雨,你到伦敦,你也得着七倍加强赐生命的灵。好像雨那样降下来,你到校园去,到处,你都看见主所作的大事。主这些日子,是要将我们预备作祂的新妇,一面,我们对主的享受是前所未有的,主对祂的恢复的祝福,也是前所未有的。因为祂已经把我们带到祂的心意、祂的目标─基督身体的实际,就是祂终极的目标,就是祂心头的愿望。所以在这个拐角的地方,我们需要成双,我们需要加倍,需要加强。在尼希米的时候,有外面的仇敌在攻击,里面又有对头。参巴拉,我忘记是谁,多比雅,他是个亚扪人,但是他的东西都放到殿里面,他跟祭司有天然的亲戚的关系,所以祭司就在殿里面给他一个房间,尼希米说,这是怎么一回事,他没有给他三十天的通知叫他搬家,就把他的家具从殿里面丢出去。为什么有外面的仇敌、里面的对头呢?因为主把我们带到一的真正立场上。我们在这里,是在实际上建造基督的身体,作神的帐幕,那是基督的身体作神的殿,作神的城,那是基督的身体作神的国。所以我们为着这样的一个拐角,一个转弯,需要主加倍的供应。
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启7:17 因为宝座中的羔羊必牧养他们,领他们到生命水的泉;神也必从他们眼中擦去一切的眼泪。
------------------------所以我们的牧人本身是羔羊,所以我们要牧养群羊。我们不是作头的,我们是头羊,我们是头羊,意思就是说,我们要作众圣徒的奴仆,我们要与这位温柔、卑微的羔羊是一。祂降卑自己,洗我们的脚,用祂生命的水,祂的灵,祂的话洗涤我们。这实在是美妙,我们的牧人乃是羔羊牧人。祂不是牧羊犬,祂是羔羊作牧人,我们在圣徒中间,顾惜、喂养他们,也应当是这样。目标是要把他们带到神经纶的目标,神心头的愿望,就是基督身体的实际。
在我们弟兄职事的末了,主把我们带到这一点。我们看见主要把我们带进一个新的复兴,当我们用‘复兴’这个辞,我们不是说到任何的事情,像基督教国那一种的复兴,或者奋兴。我们乃是在实际上,成为基督的身体,是基督建造起来的身体,预备好的新妇,转移这个时代,把我们亲爱的主耶稣带回来,这是我们所说的新的复兴。这一个复兴是在地上前所未有的,这个复兴要转变这个时代,带进千年国,国度时代,我们要在这个千年之久的婚娶之日,和主一同的享受。我要祷告,但愿我们没有一个人在那一千年是在外面的黑暗里,但愿主怜悯我们,我们能够成为祂得胜新妇的构成分子,把祂带回来,这就是我们所说的。这个新的复兴的每一方面,都关于我们牧养神的群羊,使之认识基督的身体。我要说,我们在这里,是说到基督身体的实际。有神圣启示的最高峰,这是新的复兴的第一方面。这个高峰就是神成为人,使人在生命和性情上成为神,为着产生并建造基督的身体。这是神圣启示的最高峰,这里有基督的身体。这就是为什么我们成为神,这也是我们生机救恩的目的,使我们被产生,被建造成为基督的身体,我们以我们基督的美丽而基督化,成为祂的新妇把祂带回来。
这个新的复兴的第二方面,乃是神人的生活。在这个神人的生活里,不是仅仅一件个人的事,这乃是一个团体的神人生活。我们要过团体的生活,团体神人的团体生活,这个团体的生活,这些得成全之神人所过的团体生活,他们是继续不断的拒绝他们自己,凭经过过程、终极完成的三一神,作为赐生命、七倍加强的灵,在他们的灵里,这个团体的神人生活,就是基督身体的实际,这个团体的神人生活,就是主耶稣在四福音里,那个实在的人性生活的复制。在弗四21,那称作,那在耶稣身上是实际者。
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弗4:21 如果你们真是听过祂,并在祂里面,照着那在耶稣身上是实际者,受过教导,
------------------------照着以弗所四章21~23,我们一天过一天,照着那在耶稣身上是实际者,而学基督。弟兄们,我们在学基督。不是学道理,乃是在经历上学祂。这就是为什么保罗说,我学得秘诀。他学会怎样享受基督,赢得基督,如何抓住基督,如何活基督,显大基督,在各样情形里。在各种处境中,活基督,显大基督,使他作为基督身上的肢体,能够成为耶稣,在祂由神性所丰富的人性里,在地上再活一次。这个就是那在耶稣身上是实际者,而在我们灵里,实际的灵,正在带我们进入这个神人生活的实际。所以,四福音里是单个的神人的生活,但这个要复制在我们的身上,使基督能够透过我们,在祂被神性所丰富的人性里,在地上再生活一次。这个就是基督活的身体,这也就是团体的神人生活。
上一堂,Bill弟兄也摸到这一点。上一堂是说到,我们该如何有祷告的生活,我们需要有祷告的职事,神命定之路的每一方面,都是借着多而彻底的祷告团体的实行。我们需要有祷告的灵,来打属灵的仗。一九九四年到九七年,那三年,李弟兄和我们交通到,我们有神圣启示的最高峰,这要成为我们活的实际。我们要有团体的神人生活,若要这样,我们就必须与主有个人、情深的、亲密的关系。我们需要带头与主有这样的关系。我们与祂是那样的个人的,与祂有私下的时间,我们对祂的爱是那样的满了情爱,是那样的属灵。我们若让主天天吸引我们,我们若向主说,主啊,吸引我,吸引我,‘我们’就快跑跟随你。前面是我,后面是我们。使我们对主的爱,每天都是新鲜的。这样,主作为生命的灵,就能够透过我们而活过来。
新的复兴的第三方面,当然这三方面是不能分开的。牧养就是神命定之路的内在意义。牧养神的群羊,也是与基督的身体有关,为什么我这样说呢?因为牧养的内在意义是顾惜和喂养。我知道,已经快要三点五十分了。你们也许说,时间过得很快,我们在这里争战,主耶稣,求主在这个聚会里面,顾惜喂养我们每一个人,用祂可爱的同在,使我们不是以天然的方式快乐,而是以祂的同在作我们的喜乐,但愿我们向祂敞开。接受祂作那个喂养的本质,使祂能够在我们里面扩增,长大,使我们能够建造,成为基督的身体。
为什么我说牧养与身体有关?因为以弗所五章提到喂养和顾惜。我念给你们听,以弗所五章28~30,丈夫也当照样爱自己的妻子,如同爱自己的身体。所以,保罗说到,召会是基督的妻子,但他也是说到,召会是基督的身体。他说,丈夫当爱自己的妻子,如同爱自己的身体。这是指基督爱召会。他说,爱自己妻子的,就是爱自己了。所以,当主爱召会的时候,祂事实上是爱祂自己。因为召会不仅是祂的妻子,召会更是祂的身体。所以下一节,29说,从来没有人恨恶自己的身体,总是保养顾惜,这个就是牧养的内在意义。正如基督待召会一样。三十节说,因为我们是祂身体上的肢体。
所以,我们可以看见,新的复兴的三方面,都是为着建造基督的身体。把我们带到神经纶的最高峰,使我们能够实际的成为基督身体的实际。那也就是基督预备好的新妇,把基督带回来,这是神经纶中的最高峰。弟兄们,当我们读纲要的时候,我们会回到这个点。当我们读纲要的时候,你就会得着这个解释。
我们在座有很多人,已经在这里很多年了,我们一直跟随职事。李弟兄总是一直接受新的光,更多的光,更高,更高,更深,更深,更丰富,更丰富。直到他达到了最高峰,神圣启示的最高峰。在他的职事里有些点,到某个时候,就有一个转。他到了另外一个层面,另外一个水平。他回到台湾去,带进神命定之路,之后有什么事发生呢?有大的风波,因为仇敌恨恶这个。我这样说的意思是,如果你去读那本书,我想是‘异象的高峰与基督身体的实际’。那是李弟兄与台北长老们的交通,在一九九四年。其中有一部份他说到,主的启示和异象的转移,已经达到神圣启示的最高峰,一九九四年有一个转,在他的职事上有一个转,他觉得他达到了神圣启示的高峰。我想我们都领悟,那些年间,当他在交通的时候,至少你跟他在一起的时候,我记得有一次,他说,弟兄们,我们在另外一个星球上,这个星球的名字叫什么呢?就是基督。他到了另外一个水平。Bob Danker在这里。李弟兄说到那本书的信息,关于相调的实行。因着我生病,特会之后,我生病。所以,Bob弟兄帮忙修那个特会的一些信息。李弟兄叫Bob和我去伦敦,当我们两个在飞机上的时候,我们把那些信息修改好了。但是我们再看的时候,我们说,李弟兄到底在说什么?我们在飞机上一路就交通祷告。Bob你还记得么?主带我们进入一种内在的领悟,到底李弟兄说什么呢?当他在说相调的时候,他在说什么呢?我在那里问,他在这里,到底是说什么呢?那是为着什么呢?阿利路亚,为着相调。他说,相调是很高,很深,很深奥的,不是物质的,乃是一个奥秘的范围。他进到了最高峰。现在我们是到了末了的日子,我觉得我们是到了最后的阶段,弟兄们,我们要结束人类的历史,我们来到这个大人像最底下的部份,我们不是在顶端,我们乃是在底部。
主要得着我们作那个团体的、砸人的石头,使我们能够与祂一同回来,击败敌基督和他的军队,将他扔在火湖里。我们要有那么,那么多的,对基督的享受,有一千年之久。这就是为什么我们在这里,主的恢复是要建造锡安,预备祂得胜的新妇。所以一九九四年,在李弟兄职事上有一个很大的转。你去看出埃及记,帐幕转角的地方,那里的竖板是成双的,你如果去读那个注解,为什么要成双呢?因为需要为着转换,转弯有加强。弟兄们,这个周末,你有没有享受主呢?主是不是祝福祂的恢复呢?你不管到那里,主都在那里降雨,你到伦敦,你也得着七倍加强赐生命的灵。好像雨那样降下来,你到校园去,到处,你都看见主所作的大事。主这些日子,是要将我们预备作祂的新妇,一面,我们对主的享受是前所未有的,主对祂的恢复的祝福,也是前所未有的。因为祂已经把我们带到祂的心意、祂的目标─基督身体的实际,就是祂终极的目标,就是祂心头的愿望。所以在这个拐角的地方,我们需要成双,我们需要加倍,需要加强。在尼希米的时候,有外面的仇敌在攻击,里面又有对头。参巴拉,我忘记是谁,多比雅,他是个亚扪人,但是他的东西都放到殿里面,他跟祭司有天然的亲戚的关系,所以祭司就在殿里面给他一个房间,尼希米说,这是怎么一回事,他没有给他三十天的通知叫他搬家,就把他的家具从殿里面丢出去。为什么有外面的仇敌、里面的对头呢?因为主把我们带到一的真正立场上。我们在这里,是在实际上建造基督的身体,作神的帐幕,那是基督的身体作神的殿,作神的城,那是基督的身体作神的国。所以我们为着这样的一个拐角,一个转弯,需要主加倍的供应。
壹
我们若是为着主的恢复,就需要看见主的恢复是什么;主渴望恢复所失去之基督的身体,并恢复被忽略之基督身体的一—弗四3~4上,约十七21,23:
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弗4:3 以和平的联索,竭力保守那灵的一:
弗4:4 一个身体和一位灵,正如你们蒙召,也是在一个盼望中蒙召的;
约17:21 使他们都成为一;正如你父在我里面,我在你里面,使他们也在我们里面,叫世人可以信你差了我来。
约17:23 我在他们里面,你在我里面,使他们被成全成为一,叫世人知道是你差了我来,并且知道你爱他们如同爱我一样。
------------------------ 这岂不是极其美妙的发表?你能够有这样的发表么?我永远说不出这样的发表,但是我很喜乐,在这个地球上有这样的一句话写下来,给我们看见什么是主的恢复,给我们看见主的渴望是什么。基督的身体失去了,基督身体的一被忽略了。Ron指出这很可怕,你甚至能够用某些的真理在身体里制造分裂,召会的立场是为基督身体的一。如果你只是在心思里取用召会的立场,你就会制造分裂,等一下我们还会来到这一点。我继续,这个就是主的恢复。主要恢复我们,祂要使我们成为祂在约翰十七章祷告的答应。这就是祂所作的,祂正在回应祂的祷告:父啊,使他们成为一,像我们是一一样,你在我里面,我在你里面,使他们也在我们里面,使他们被成全成为一。所以,以弗所四章说,我们要竭力保守那灵的一,我喜欢第四4上,一个身体和一位灵,这个就是主的恢复。祂要恢复一个身体和一位灵,是在实际上恢复这个。我们要竭力保守那灵的一,保守那灵的一,就是实行同心合意。当那灵进到我们的灵里,乃是作为一进到我们的灵里。
我们的灵里有这个一,我们的灵就像一个银行,这个银行有最贵重的丰富在我们的里面。我们的灵的这个银行里有什么呢?乃是那灵自己作为一这一切的丰富,我们要保守这个一,就是我们要写这个一的支票,用这个一来开支票。你跟弟兄有问题,你只要开一的这个支票,难处就解决了。一切都在你的灵里,你要花费应用这个一。
我们的灵里有这个一,我们的灵就像一个银行,这个银行有最贵重的丰富在我们的里面。我们的灵的这个银行里有什么呢?乃是那灵自己作为一这一切的丰富,我们要保守这个一,就是我们要写这个一的支票,用这个一来开支票。你跟弟兄有问题,你只要开一的这个支票,难处就解决了。一切都在你的灵里,你要花费应用这个一。
一
基督的身体乃是圣经拔尖的启示,也是基督徒生活的焦点、中心;神的经纶是为着基督的身体,神的旨意是要得着基督生机的身体—弗一5,9~11,17,弗一22~23,二10,三9~11,四1~6,11~13,15~16。
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弗1:5 按着祂意愿所喜悦的,预定了我们,借着耶稣基督得儿子的名分,归于祂自己,
弗1:9 照着祂的喜悦,使我们知道祂意愿的奥秘;这喜悦是祂在自己里面预先定下的,
弗1:10 为着时期满足时的经纶,要将万有,无论是在诸天之上的,或是在地上的,都在基督里归一于一个元首之下;
弗1:11 我们既在祂里面,照着那位按祂意愿所决议的,行作万事者的定旨,蒙了预定,也就在祂里面成了所选定的基业,
弗1:17 愿我们主耶稣基督的神,荣耀的父,赐给你们智慧和启示的灵,使你们充分地认识祂;
弗1:22 将万有服在祂的脚下,并使祂向着召会作万有的头;
弗1:23 召会是祂的身体,是那在万有中充满万有者的丰满。
弗2:10 我们原是神的杰作,在基督耶稣里,为着神早先预备好,要我们行在其中的善良事工创造的。
弗3:9 并将那历世历代隐藏在创造万有之神里的奥秘有何等的经纶,向众人照明,
弗3:10 为要借着召会,使诸天界里执政的、掌权的,现今得知神万般的智慧,
弗3:11 这是照着祂在我们的主基督耶稣里,所立的永远定旨;
弗4:1 所以我这在主里的囚犯劝你们,行事为人要与你们所蒙的呼召相配,
弗4:2 凡事卑微、温柔、恒忍,在爱里彼此担就,
弗4:3 以和平的联索,竭力保守那灵的一:
弗4:4 一个身体和一位灵,正如你们蒙召,也是在一个盼望中蒙召的;
弗4:5 一主,一信,一浸;
弗4:6 一位众人的神与父,就是那超越众人,贯彻众人,也在众人之内的。
弗4:11 祂所赐的,有些是使徒,有些是申言者,有些是传福音者,有些是牧人和教师,
弗4:12 为要成全圣徒,目的是为着职事的工作,为着建造基督的身体,
弗4:13 直到我们众人都达到了信仰上并对神儿子之完全认识上的一,达到了长成的人,达到了基督丰满之身材的度量,
弗4:15 惟在爱里持守着真实,我们就得以在一切事上长到祂,就是元首基督里面;
弗4:16 本于祂,全身借着每一丰富供应的节,并借着每一部分依其度量而有的功用,得以联络在一起,并结合在一起,便叫身体渐渐长大,以致在爱里把自己建造起来。
------------------------ 第一中点,基督的身体乃是圣经拔尖的启示。弟兄们,这话怎样呢?基督的身体乃是圣经拔尖的启示,弟兄们,盼望这是我们的目标,这也是我们的习惯。我们需要每天祷告弗一17,父啊,赐给我们智慧和启示的灵,使我们充分地认识基督,祂是头,祂也是身体。
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特别是认识基督是身体,我们需要更多的看见,看见圣经这个拔尖的启示。基督的身体也是基督徒生活的焦点、中心。我们的焦点,我们的中心是什么呢?必须是基督的身体。神的经纶是为着基督的身体,神的旨意是要得着基督生机的身体。请看以弗所书的这一切经节,这是非常的清楚。以弗所一章说到神意愿的奥秘、祂意愿的喜悦,神意愿的奥秘、祂的喜悦是什么呢?就是要得着基督的身体。这是神在宇宙中伟大的旨意。
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弗1:17 愿我们主耶稣基督的神,荣耀的父,赐给你们智慧和启示的灵,使你们充分地认识祂;
------------------------特别是认识基督是身体,我们需要更多的看见,看见圣经这个拔尖的启示。基督的身体也是基督徒生活的焦点、中心。我们的焦点,我们的中心是什么呢?必须是基督的身体。神的经纶是为着基督的身体,神的旨意是要得着基督生机的身体。请看以弗所书的这一切经节,这是非常的清楚。以弗所一章说到神意愿的奥秘、祂意愿的喜悦,神意愿的奥秘、祂的喜悦是什么呢?就是要得着基督的身体。这是神在宇宙中伟大的旨意。
二
罗马书的中心点乃是基督的身体—罗十二1~5,十六1~5:
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罗12:1 所以弟兄们,我借着神的怜恤劝你们,将身体献上,当作圣别并讨神喜悦的活祭,这是你们合理的事奉。
罗12:2 不要模仿这世代,反要借着心思的更新而变化,叫你们验证何为神那美好、可喜悦并纯全的旨意。
罗12:3 我借着所赐给我的恩典,对你们各人说,不要看自己过于所当看的,乃要照着神所分给各人信心的度量,看得清明适度。
罗12:4 正如我们一个身体上有好些肢体,但肢体不都有一样的功用;
罗12:5 我们这许多人,在基督里是一个身体,并且各个互相作肢体,也是如此。
罗16:1 我向你们推荐我们的姊妹非比,她是在坚革哩的召会的女执事,
罗16:2 请你们在主里面照着与圣徒相配的接待她。她在何事上需要你们,你们就辅助她,因她素来护助许多人,也护助了我。
罗16:3 问我在基督耶稣里的同工,百基拉和亚居拉安;
罗16:4 他们为我的性命,将自己的颈项置于度外,不但我感谢他们,就是外邦的众召会也感谢他们;
罗16:5 又问在他们家中的召会安。问我所亲爱的以拜尼土安,他是亚西亚归基督初结的果子。
------------------------ 第二中点,对我们有些人来说,这可能是叫我们惊讶,这些信息是八0年代释放的,是成全训练的信息。说到罗马书的焦点,是基督的身体,我们的观念可能以为,罗马书的焦点是地方召会,为着地方召会感谢主。如果没有地方召会,就没有基督身体实际的显出,你也无法被带进基督身体的实际,但是我们需要看见,罗马书的焦点乃是基督的身体,现在我要跟你们分享罗十二5。
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这些日子我实在享受这一节,保罗说,我们虽多,我们这许多人在基督里是一个身体,这是什么意思呢?我们成为基督身体的实际和实现,当我们活在我们的灵里,活在留在与基督生机的联结里,我们就成为一个身体。当我们留在与基督生机的联结里,基督作为赐生命的灵,在我们的灵里,当我们在我们的灵里,我们就是在作为那灵的基督里,在这个生机的联结里,我们就是在基督里的这一个身体的实际和实现。当我们在灵里,活在这个生机的联结里,这就是在基督里。我们在基督里是一个身体,在基督里,指着与基督生机的联结,我们都在这一个灵里,祂的灵与我们的灵调和,二灵成为一灵。我们活在这调和的灵里,这就是说,我们在基督里,我们就在实际和实现上是基督的身体。我们就有基督的生命和特色。你回到罗马十一章,那里说到,我们原是野橄榄树的一部份,我们被折下来,我们接枝到基督这栽种的橄榄树上,那就是生机的联结,像接枝一样。这个接枝的点在哪里呢?就在我们调和的灵里,罗十一17,我很享受这一节,保罗说,我们一同有份于橄榄根的肥汁,我们成了这栽种橄榄树的枝子,保罗说,我们一同有份于橄榄根的肥汁,请听,这个肥汁就是指着那个汁浆,我们是有份于橄榄树的汁浆的那个根源,当你在你的灵里操练的时候,你就是在享受三一神具体化身于基督,实化为那灵汁浆在你的灵里。
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这是太美妙了!你岂不喜爱这个汁浆呢?这个汁浆就是一,当你运用你的心思,离开了你的灵,那里有没有一的汁浆呢?那是很可怕的。我们需要成为操练灵的人。
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罗12:5 我们这许多人,在基督里是一个身体,并且各个互相作肢体,也是如此。
------------------------这些日子我实在享受这一节,保罗说,我们虽多,我们这许多人在基督里是一个身体,这是什么意思呢?我们成为基督身体的实际和实现,当我们活在我们的灵里,活在留在与基督生机的联结里,我们就成为一个身体。当我们留在与基督生机的联结里,基督作为赐生命的灵,在我们的灵里,当我们在我们的灵里,我们就是在作为那灵的基督里,在这个生机的联结里,我们就是在基督里的这一个身体的实际和实现。当我们在灵里,活在这个生机的联结里,这就是在基督里。我们在基督里是一个身体,在基督里,指着与基督生机的联结,我们都在这一个灵里,祂的灵与我们的灵调和,二灵成为一灵。我们活在这调和的灵里,这就是说,我们在基督里,我们就在实际和实现上是基督的身体。我们就有基督的生命和特色。你回到罗马十一章,那里说到,我们原是野橄榄树的一部份,我们被折下来,我们接枝到基督这栽种的橄榄树上,那就是生机的联结,像接枝一样。这个接枝的点在哪里呢?就在我们调和的灵里,罗十一17,我很享受这一节,保罗说,我们一同有份于橄榄根的肥汁,我们成了这栽种橄榄树的枝子,保罗说,我们一同有份于橄榄根的肥汁,请听,这个肥汁就是指着那个汁浆,我们是有份于橄榄树的汁浆的那个根源,当你在你的灵里操练的时候,你就是在享受三一神具体化身于基督,实化为那灵汁浆在你的灵里。
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罗11:17 若有几根枝子被折下来,你这野橄榄得在其中接上去,一同有分于橄榄根的肥汁,
------------------------这是太美妙了!你岂不喜爱这个汁浆呢?这个汁浆就是一,当你运用你的心思,离开了你的灵,那里有没有一的汁浆呢?那是很可怕的。我们需要成为操练灵的人。
1
罗马书启示四个站口—称义的站口(一至四章),圣别的站口(五至八章),基督身体的站口(九至十二章),地方召会的站口,以彰显身体并将我们带进身体的实际(十三至十六章)。
好,我们把这两个小点快快读过。罗马书启示四个站口,称义的站口─一至四章,圣别的站口─五至八章,基督身体的站口─九至十二章,地方召会的站口,阿利路亚!为着地方召会,但是没有停在那里。地方召会的站口以彰显身体,并将我们带进基督身体的实际。好,我要继续。
圣徒们,地方召会是宝贝的,为着召会的立场赞美主!但是地方召会有一个目的,说地方召会是个手续并不是轻看地方召会。乃是把地方召会高举到三层天,若没有地方召会,就没有身体的彰显,若没有地方召会,你就无法被带到基督身体的实际里。但是弟兄们,我们必需领悟,目标乃是身体的实际,那是神心头的愿望,那是罗马书的焦点,那是我们基督徒生活的焦点,也是我们召会生活的焦点。
圣徒们,地方召会是宝贝的,为着召会的立场赞美主!但是地方召会有一个目的,说地方召会是个手续并不是轻看地方召会。乃是把地方召会高举到三层天,若没有地方召会,就没有身体的彰显,若没有地方召会,你就无法被带到基督身体的实际里。但是弟兄们,我们必需领悟,目标乃是身体的实际,那是神心头的愿望,那是罗马书的焦点,那是我们基督徒生活的焦点,也是我们召会生活的焦点。
2
我们必须跟从使徒的脚踪,在神儿子的福音上,在我们灵里事奉神,(罗一1,9,)将众圣徒和众地方召会带进罗马书中神福音的最后一站,就是进入基督身体全体相调的生活中。
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(十六1~23。)
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罗1:1 基督耶稣的奴仆保罗,蒙召的使徒,被分别出来归于神福音的;
罗1:9 我在祂儿子的福音上,在我灵里所事奉的神,可以见证我怎样在祷告中,常常不住地提到你们,
------------------------(十六1~23。)
第二小点,这是我们弟兄职事的末了的发表,我们必须跟从使徒的脚踪,在神儿子的福音上,在我们心思里事奉神?是么?我们在那里事奉神?你现在在哪里?是在灵里!你的身体疲倦,但是我们是在我们的灵里事奉神,我们是在神儿子的福音上,在我们灵里事奉神。神儿子的福音,在第一小点有说明,就是那四个站口,这个就是神儿子的福音。我们要跟从使徒保罗的脚踪,将众圣徒和众地方召会带进罗马书中神福音的最后一栈,那个最后一栈是什么呢?就是进入基督身体全体相调的生活中。那就是保罗在罗马十六章所作的,他问好几个召会的安。你可以数,大概有二十七个名字在那里提到,他是认得一个一个圣徒的名字,他是一个一个的接触他们,他说问某某人安,问某某弟兄,问某某姊妹。因为在座没有姊妹,所以我不能用姊妹的名字。他问某某人家里的召会安。他就把他们带到基督身体全体相调的生活中。弟兄们,我要问你们,我们要跟随使徒保罗的脚踪,将众圣徒和众地方召会带进基督身体全体相调的生活中,是全德州相调的生活中,或是全台湾岛相调的生活中么?不!不是那样说!或者全加州的相调么?我的重点是,不是某一个地区的相调生活,这实在是很可悲,我可以用德州作例子,因为德州是积极的。我是在那里长大,所以我可以用德州作例子。我可以说加州,加州是积极的。在座的这是一个很大的积极。但是圣徒们,可悲的是,你若是把一个区域划分出来,你的相调只是在那个地区的所谓的召会的相调,你是不是喜乐我们有一年七次的节期呢?我要问你们,如果我们不是一年七次聚在一起,我们会在哪里呢?我们就会在士师记,个人行自己眼中看为正的事。我们彼此都会成为陌生的,但是因着这一年七次的聚集,我们仍然在这一份借着时代的执事所带给我们时代的职事之下,李弟兄说,即使我过去了,我的话仍旧说话,他的话仍然在向我们说话,这就是我们所要的。对不起,我有很多的感觉,圣徒们,请你们告诉我,是什么兴起众召会?是李弟兄的职事兴起地上的众召会,对不对呢?他是时代的执事,这是没有疑问的,请你读读那些注解,你读这些注解,你就会有这样的感觉,这个人真是不得了。
我记得有一次和李弟兄一起服事,我念一些信息给他听,我陪着他散步,他是很守时间表的,我忘记大概是十点十五分,早上他在那里散步,我就读一些新耶路撒冷的信息给他听,他说,Ed,我想我们大家对这些事都还是不够清楚。当然,李弟兄很尊重葛理汉,他传福音很忠信,但是你看看他的不能跟李弟兄所写的这些注解相比,如果我在一个地方带头,我说,在美国是某某弟兄兴起这个召会,我看着Bob跟Joe,他要告诉你,是谁兴起在伦敦的召会,乃是一位真正的使徒,他的名字是李常受,他兴起在Dunn Loring的召会,在德州的众召会,在俄国的众召会,感谢主,李弟兄叫Benson去俄国,你们都知道,Benson也把那个故事告诉我们,我和Benson一同在欧文服事,Benson要走了,当然我很爱李弟兄,但是我就想Benson要走了怎么办?Benson说,不要担心,Raur会搬到这里来,你可以和他同工,然后我就接到李弟兄的电话,他说,Ed,我希望你到安那翰来,所以Raur就跟我说,我们两个人开车,在半路就会相遇,我们刚好往相反的方向走,我们是在身体里过相调的生活,我很感谢主。Benson弟兄与李弟兄那么亲密的配搭,李弟兄的职事,的确是时代的职事,那是Benson的感觉,他没有觉得,这是我的领土,我的地盘,我们必须有那样的感觉,如果你没有这一份职事,你能够兴起任何召会么?你还有什么呢?这甚至是不合理的,这是疯狂的,如果你没有这时代的职事,你能够兴起什么呢?这实在是个悲剧,凡是离开这个独一教训的,就会带进各种的不和和混乱,好,我们要快一点。
我记得有一次和李弟兄一起服事,我念一些信息给他听,我陪着他散步,他是很守时间表的,我忘记大概是十点十五分,早上他在那里散步,我就读一些新耶路撒冷的信息给他听,他说,Ed,我想我们大家对这些事都还是不够清楚。当然,李弟兄很尊重葛理汉,他传福音很忠信,但是你看看他的不能跟李弟兄所写的这些注解相比,如果我在一个地方带头,我说,在美国是某某弟兄兴起这个召会,我看着Bob跟Joe,他要告诉你,是谁兴起在伦敦的召会,乃是一位真正的使徒,他的名字是李常受,他兴起在Dunn Loring的召会,在德州的众召会,在俄国的众召会,感谢主,李弟兄叫Benson去俄国,你们都知道,Benson也把那个故事告诉我们,我和Benson一同在欧文服事,Benson要走了,当然我很爱李弟兄,但是我就想Benson要走了怎么办?Benson说,不要担心,Raur会搬到这里来,你可以和他同工,然后我就接到李弟兄的电话,他说,Ed,我希望你到安那翰来,所以Raur就跟我说,我们两个人开车,在半路就会相遇,我们刚好往相反的方向走,我们是在身体里过相调的生活,我很感谢主。Benson弟兄与李弟兄那么亲密的配搭,李弟兄的职事,的确是时代的职事,那是Benson的感觉,他没有觉得,这是我的领土,我的地盘,我们必须有那样的感觉,如果你没有这一份职事,你能够兴起任何召会么?你还有什么呢?这甚至是不合理的,这是疯狂的,如果你没有这时代的职事,你能够兴起什么呢?这实在是个悲剧,凡是离开这个独一教训的,就会带进各种的不和和混乱,好,我们要快一点。
贰
长老们必须彼此牧养,彼此相爱,作身体生活的模型;他们必须牧养神的群羊,使之认识身体的生命、身体的地位、身体的配搭、身体的感觉、和身体里的生活,因为身体乃是召会的内在意义—弗一22~23上:
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弗1:22 将万有服在祂的脚下,并使祂向着召会作万有的头;
弗1:23 召会是祂的身体,是那在万有中充满万有者的丰满。
------------------------ 第二大点,长老们必须彼此牧养,我要再读一遍,长老们必须彼此牧养,彼此相爱,作身体生活的模型。弟兄们,我要提醒我们大家,不要彼此批评,要彼此牧养,彼此相爱,圣徒们有最好的雷达,他们知道长老们有没有彼此相爱,他们知道,长老们有没有彼此牧养,有没有彼此相爱。弟兄们,当我们来在一起事奉的时候,我们心上的头一件事,应当是,如果举例,我跟Dick一起事奉,我心上的第一件事,就是我要关心他,我爱他,我首要的关切就是为着他,当然我们凡事都要祷告,我们要配搭一起作事,但是我爱我的弟兄,这是第一的。你懂我说什么么?当然我总是觉得Dick一直在牧养我,他就会在我的电话里面留言说,感谢主,Ed弟兄。他会在那个留言里面唱诗歌,我听的时候我就会一直感谢主,我为此感谢主,我这个电话留言里面竟然有人唱诗歌,我们若是这样,我们就会成为身体生活的模型,我们也必须牧养神的群羊,使之认识身体的生命。弟兄们,基督是身体的生命,我们也要使群羊认识身体的地位,这里的每一个词都需要我们带着许多的祷告来考量,这是引自‘长老治会’这本书,说到身体的地位、身体的配搭、身体的感觉和身体里的生活,因为身体乃是召会的内在意义。
若没有身体,召会就没有内在意义,以弗所一章二十二、二十三节说,召会是祂的身体,所以在物质一面的众地方召会是架构,身体是召会生活的生机的要素。就像苹果树有一个架构,但是那个架构是为着什么呢?乃是为着产生苹果,这些苹果乃是那一棵树的生机素质,是那一棵树的内在意义。召会在物质的一面,这些地方召会乃是身体的彰显,地方召会乃是物质的架构,但那乃是为着把我们带到内在的意义,召会的内在意义,就是基督身体的实际,这是召会内在的意义。弟兄们,你们知道,当然今天晚上我们要说到一些非常严肃的事,叫我们忧伤,在主面前畏惧的一些事情。我们众人都知道,我们有人,从我们中间兴起来一些人,他们是属于罗十六17的这一类,他们制造分裂,使人绊跌,违反我们所学之教训,那就是神经纶的教训,那是非常严重的。
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保罗说要避开这样的人,我必须告诉你们,我不是那么喜欢网路,当然,弟兄们,你需要在网路上作一些事,但是那些制造分裂的人,他们就在这个网路上散布毒素,就像在日本有这样的一个激烈的、激进的团体,他们就把这些毒在这个地铁那里,在这个隧道里面散发这些毒素,有些弟兄们要读那些东西,那是他们的功用,如果房屋有了麻风就要告诉祭司,祭司就要进去,就好像这里有一些辐射线,你要用祷告遮盖你自己,主啊,你的血遮盖我,这样才能够进去,有些人要尽那样的功用,但是我们没有时间,我们有那么多的信息还没有读,那么多积极的事情给我们享受。很遗憾的,我们向这一个人写了信,希望他能够悔改,这已经是公开的,这是公开的资料,因为这已经在网站上,你们很多人也知道,但是,请听他怎么说,他论到我们弟兄们说,他说,当你们说地方召会是手续,这样,你们的灵乃是贬低、看不起地方召会,这样的说法对不对呢?这是谎言,这是谎言。
当你说,我们说地方召会是手续,是贬低地方召会,你意思上,就是说李弟兄在贬低地方召会,因为那是李弟兄的话。弟兄们,我们没有时间。请听,你们要带着祷告,一再的读‘关于相调的实行’,李弟兄说到,地方召会是手续,为着达到神经纶的目标,那就是基督身体的实际,那是一个重大的真理,那是神圣启示的最高峰,为什么你停在地方召会这里?你这样说的时候,是贬低地方召会么?就像古列说的,凡心中被激动的,就回到耶路撒冷去。我们爱地方召会,我们回到召会的立场上,但是你为什么回到这个立场上,只是为着说,我们站在这个立场上直到耶稣回来?我们有一首诗歌是这样说,‘我们站在这个立场上,直到主回来。’按照神圣启示的最高峰,我们要改那首诗歌,如果你只站在这个立场上等耶稣再来的话,那耶稣来的时候,你可能还是站在那里。我们在那里作什么?为什么你回到耶路撒冷呢?你回到耶路撒冷,他们如果开始去顾到自己天花板的房屋,他们就失望。你回到耶路撒冷,是要在锡安山建造神的殿,这一个是指得胜者,除非你回到耶路撒冷,否则你无法有锡安。耶路撒冷是手续,但目标是什么呢?目标乃是基督身体的实际,那就是基督得着恢复的身体,那就是得胜者,他们乃是锡安山的实际,乃是基督建造起来、预备好的新妇,那是神的家,神的殿,这就是为什么你回到一的立场上,这就是为什么李弟兄和倪弟兄都说,地方召会是手续,为着那个目标,就是基督的身体。好,这里我要请李弟兄自己来说,这是引用他的话。
若没有身体,召会就没有内在意义,以弗所一章二十二、二十三节说,召会是祂的身体,所以在物质一面的众地方召会是架构,身体是召会生活的生机的要素。就像苹果树有一个架构,但是那个架构是为着什么呢?乃是为着产生苹果,这些苹果乃是那一棵树的生机素质,是那一棵树的内在意义。召会在物质的一面,这些地方召会乃是身体的彰显,地方召会乃是物质的架构,但那乃是为着把我们带到内在的意义,召会的内在意义,就是基督身体的实际,这是召会内在的意义。弟兄们,你们知道,当然今天晚上我们要说到一些非常严肃的事,叫我们忧伤,在主面前畏惧的一些事情。我们众人都知道,我们有人,从我们中间兴起来一些人,他们是属于罗十六17的这一类,他们制造分裂,使人绊跌,违反我们所学之教训,那就是神经纶的教训,那是非常严重的。
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罗16:17 弟兄们,那些造成分立和绊跌之事,违反你们所学之教训的人,我恳求你们要留意,并要避开他们。
------------------------保罗说要避开这样的人,我必须告诉你们,我不是那么喜欢网路,当然,弟兄们,你需要在网路上作一些事,但是那些制造分裂的人,他们就在这个网路上散布毒素,就像在日本有这样的一个激烈的、激进的团体,他们就把这些毒在这个地铁那里,在这个隧道里面散发这些毒素,有些弟兄们要读那些东西,那是他们的功用,如果房屋有了麻风就要告诉祭司,祭司就要进去,就好像这里有一些辐射线,你要用祷告遮盖你自己,主啊,你的血遮盖我,这样才能够进去,有些人要尽那样的功用,但是我们没有时间,我们有那么多的信息还没有读,那么多积极的事情给我们享受。很遗憾的,我们向这一个人写了信,希望他能够悔改,这已经是公开的,这是公开的资料,因为这已经在网站上,你们很多人也知道,但是,请听他怎么说,他论到我们弟兄们说,他说,当你们说地方召会是手续,这样,你们的灵乃是贬低、看不起地方召会,这样的说法对不对呢?这是谎言,这是谎言。
当你说,我们说地方召会是手续,是贬低地方召会,你意思上,就是说李弟兄在贬低地方召会,因为那是李弟兄的话。弟兄们,我们没有时间。请听,你们要带着祷告,一再的读‘关于相调的实行’,李弟兄说到,地方召会是手续,为着达到神经纶的目标,那就是基督身体的实际,那是一个重大的真理,那是神圣启示的最高峰,为什么你停在地方召会这里?你这样说的时候,是贬低地方召会么?就像古列说的,凡心中被激动的,就回到耶路撒冷去。我们爱地方召会,我们回到召会的立场上,但是你为什么回到这个立场上,只是为着说,我们站在这个立场上直到耶稣回来?我们有一首诗歌是这样说,‘我们站在这个立场上,直到主回来。’按照神圣启示的最高峰,我们要改那首诗歌,如果你只站在这个立场上等耶稣再来的话,那耶稣来的时候,你可能还是站在那里。我们在那里作什么?为什么你回到耶路撒冷呢?你回到耶路撒冷,他们如果开始去顾到自己天花板的房屋,他们就失望。你回到耶路撒冷,是要在锡安山建造神的殿,这一个是指得胜者,除非你回到耶路撒冷,否则你无法有锡安。耶路撒冷是手续,但目标是什么呢?目标乃是基督身体的实际,那就是基督得着恢复的身体,那就是得胜者,他们乃是锡安山的实际,乃是基督建造起来、预备好的新妇,那是神的家,神的殿,这就是为什么你回到一的立场上,这就是为什么李弟兄和倪弟兄都说,地方召会是手续,为着那个目标,就是基督的身体。好,这里我要请李弟兄自己来说,这是引用他的话。
一
许多圣徒“可能认为主的恢复只是为着地方召会的恢复。我说‘不错’,然而有一个‘但是’。‘不错’,倪弟兄在他的职事里的确说到地方召会,‘但是’,他从地方召会往前到基督的身体”。(关于相调的实行,三三页。)
第一中点,许多圣徒可能认为主的恢复只是为着地方召会的恢复。我说‘不错’,然而有一个‘但是’。‘不错’,‘但是’,你说是的,不错,但是,如果你没有那个‘但是’,也许你要一直站在那里,一直等到耶稣来。我们愿意成为较早的得胜者,我们要成为男孩子,初熟果子的一部份,我们要被提,在末了三年半之前,在大灾难之前被提。我说,‘不错’,然而有一个‘但是’。不错,倪弟兄在他的职事里,的确说到地方召会,‘但是’,他往前,他从地方召会往前,他往前到基督的身体。
‘他往前’,这是很重要的词,在上一次的风波,我不会忘记,有一次李弟兄在柏克莱,与长老们聚会。美国各地的长老们都在那里,他说到在那一次风波里背叛的人。他说,到了某一个点,这些弟兄们停止,不跟随我的职事。他们说,我们接受李弟兄一直到一九八四年,八四年之后就不好,他们不往前,他们停在一九八四年,他们就离开了主的恢复,他们甚至反对这个恢复,这也是今天所发生的,我们要往前,我们弟兄们要往前,弟兄们,难道你不要往前么?我们要内在的往前,从地方召会往前到基督的身体。
‘他往前’,这是很重要的词,在上一次的风波,我不会忘记,有一次李弟兄在柏克莱,与长老们聚会。美国各地的长老们都在那里,他说到在那一次风波里背叛的人。他说,到了某一个点,这些弟兄们停止,不跟随我的职事。他们说,我们接受李弟兄一直到一九八四年,八四年之后就不好,他们不往前,他们停在一九八四年,他们就离开了主的恢复,他们甚至反对这个恢复,这也是今天所发生的,我们要往前,我们弟兄们要往前,弟兄们,难道你不要往前么?我们要内在的往前,从地方召会往前到基督的身体。
二
“倪弟兄关于基督身体的交通…是他一生最具战略性的工作。”(《召会与地方召会的历史》第五章—中文尚未出书。)
第二中点说,倪弟兄关于基督身体的交通,这是李弟兄说到倪弟兄,倪弟兄关于基督身体的交通,是他一生最具战略性的工作,所以我们知道倪弟兄,李弟兄有许多的信息说到地方召会的立场,地方召会的立场是无价之宝,这个真理完全建立起来之后,倪弟兄就往前。我们作为地方召会在这里聚集,作为基督一个身体的彰显,使我们能够团体的进入基督身体的实际,以成全主在约翰十七章的祷告,把祂带回来。所以你们可以去读这一本书,‘召会与地方召会的历史’,李弟兄说,从一九三九年到一九四二年,倪弟兄的职事是那样高、那样深、那样丰富。他说,也许自从使徒之后,再也没有人能够讲这样关于基督身体的信息,那个是他一生中最具战略性的一段,那就成为仇敌攻击的目标,仇敌兴起一个大的风波攻击倪弟兄的职事,一九四二到四八年,他无法尽职,为什么那样事发生呢?因为他要把众召会,那个时候中国大陆的众召会,带到基督身体的实际里,仇敌恨恶这个,所以兴起一个风波,他六年之久不能尽职。但是赞美主,为着李弟兄赞美主,你去读历史,你去读‘倪柝声恢复职事过程中信息纪录’,那也包含在倪柝声文集里,那是把倪弟兄的信息放在文集里,但是另外,我们还有另外两本单行本,在那里,这个单行本里,包括了李弟兄的交通,李弟兄一再的在那里讲话,说到生命树,他把众圣徒带回到生命树,也把倪弟兄的职事恢复,使倪弟兄可以继续尽职,你读那一本书的第二册,倪弟兄在那里一再说的,就是基督的身体。李弟兄告诉我们说,当倪弟兄尽职说到基督的身体时,我们大多数的弟兄们,都像牛一样,他好像对牛弹琴,他说,我们很少人看见倪弟兄所说的,关于基督的身体、关于基督身体的实际。我们只有对于地方召会有很窄小的观点。
事实上,地方召会的观点是很广阔的,但是当时我们的观点很狭窄。在日本,他们有这个神户牛排,这个日本的神户牛排,他们怎么作的呢?他们要让这个牛肉吃起来很嫩,他们就放音乐给牛听,日本来的弟兄们,你们知道?日本的弟兄们,你们在哪里?请你们站起来,赞美主,这些日本来的弟兄们,这太好了。感谢主,我爱日本的弟兄们。哦,我们能够在基督身体全体相调的生活中。你如果去日本,你就看见,整个国家都有这些圣徒,完全在新约的职事里,李弟兄很爱日本,每一次他去台北,他经过,他都经过日本。好,现在我要回到这些日本的牛排,他们又倒啤酒,他们放这个莫札特的音乐给这些牛听,这些牛它们也不懂得欣赏音乐。我觉得,我们听李弟兄讲话的时候,常常也是这样。李弟兄在的时候,他一周五次、六次讲话,在各地开特会,我搬到安纳翰,我只能够一直说,哇!哇!每一次我听到他,我就说,哇!哇!有一次,我在一个聚会,我说,李弟兄不要再讲,停一下、停一下,让我走一走,再祷告祷告、消化消化,但是李弟兄知道他在作什么,他把这一切都摆在这些书报里面,现在我们可以一点一点的进入这些,使我们不是像这些神户的牛,我们乃是成为基督化的神人。好,我们继续。
不要停止不跟随,李弟兄说,我至少能为自己,并为比我年长的倪柝声弟兄作见证,这是很宝贝,我年长的,比我年长的倪柝声弟兄,这个地上有很多的谎言,一个大的谎言。有人说,李弟兄只说,有五次节期,不是七次节期。如果你相信,那你真是疯了。说这样话的人,他根本不在场,他是这些密探么?他怎么会知道这样的事?我要从我的良心里面说,李弟兄要的,是一年七次的节期,你们相信么?弟兄,谢谢。这的确是真的。我不懂他们到底在搞什么?对不起,那实在是疯狂的。弟兄们,你岂不是很喜乐,我们有一年七次,而不是一年五次呢?阿利路亚!
李弟兄有一次说,我很喜乐,我年长同工的职事在这个地上,仍然那么得胜,他仍然认为,他的职事就是倪弟兄的职事,他也这样说,他说,今天我还在主的祝福之下,因为我与倪弟兄是一。那个时候,倪弟兄已经到主那里去那么久了,这也应当是我们的态度。有一个人说,你说你是李弟兄的同工,那是错的,因为李弟兄已经不在了,但李弟兄就是这样的榜样。他说我家里只有一幅照片,那就是倪弟兄的照片,他每一次提到倪弟兄的名字,都会掉眼泪。是的,我们是神的同工,但是我们要努力,与我们亲爱的李弟兄一同作神的同工。你想,提摩太在保罗过去了之后,说,我不是保罗的同工么?那实在是荒谬,完全是黑暗的。对不起,我太被激动了,应该是今天晚上才讲的,下午就忍不住就讲了。没有关系,今天晚上我会安心。
事实上,地方召会的观点是很广阔的,但是当时我们的观点很狭窄。在日本,他们有这个神户牛排,这个日本的神户牛排,他们怎么作的呢?他们要让这个牛肉吃起来很嫩,他们就放音乐给牛听,日本来的弟兄们,你们知道?日本的弟兄们,你们在哪里?请你们站起来,赞美主,这些日本来的弟兄们,这太好了。感谢主,我爱日本的弟兄们。哦,我们能够在基督身体全体相调的生活中。你如果去日本,你就看见,整个国家都有这些圣徒,完全在新约的职事里,李弟兄很爱日本,每一次他去台北,他经过,他都经过日本。好,现在我要回到这些日本的牛排,他们又倒啤酒,他们放这个莫札特的音乐给这些牛听,这些牛它们也不懂得欣赏音乐。我觉得,我们听李弟兄讲话的时候,常常也是这样。李弟兄在的时候,他一周五次、六次讲话,在各地开特会,我搬到安纳翰,我只能够一直说,哇!哇!每一次我听到他,我就说,哇!哇!有一次,我在一个聚会,我说,李弟兄不要再讲,停一下、停一下,让我走一走,再祷告祷告、消化消化,但是李弟兄知道他在作什么,他把这一切都摆在这些书报里面,现在我们可以一点一点的进入这些,使我们不是像这些神户的牛,我们乃是成为基督化的神人。好,我们继续。
不要停止不跟随,李弟兄说,我至少能为自己,并为比我年长的倪柝声弟兄作见证,这是很宝贝,我年长的,比我年长的倪柝声弟兄,这个地上有很多的谎言,一个大的谎言。有人说,李弟兄只说,有五次节期,不是七次节期。如果你相信,那你真是疯了。说这样话的人,他根本不在场,他是这些密探么?他怎么会知道这样的事?我要从我的良心里面说,李弟兄要的,是一年七次的节期,你们相信么?弟兄,谢谢。这的确是真的。我不懂他们到底在搞什么?对不起,那实在是疯狂的。弟兄们,你岂不是很喜乐,我们有一年七次,而不是一年五次呢?阿利路亚!
李弟兄有一次说,我很喜乐,我年长同工的职事在这个地上,仍然那么得胜,他仍然认为,他的职事就是倪弟兄的职事,他也这样说,他说,今天我还在主的祝福之下,因为我与倪弟兄是一。那个时候,倪弟兄已经到主那里去那么久了,这也应当是我们的态度。有一个人说,你说你是李弟兄的同工,那是错的,因为李弟兄已经不在了,但李弟兄就是这样的榜样。他说我家里只有一幅照片,那就是倪弟兄的照片,他每一次提到倪弟兄的名字,都会掉眼泪。是的,我们是神的同工,但是我们要努力,与我们亲爱的李弟兄一同作神的同工。你想,提摩太在保罗过去了之后,说,我不是保罗的同工么?那实在是荒谬,完全是黑暗的。对不起,我太被激动了,应该是今天晚上才讲的,下午就忍不住就讲了。没有关系,今天晚上我会安心。
三
“我至少能为自己并为比我年长的倪柝声弟兄作见证。我们在主恢复里的行事为人和行动,总是一个身体。这就是为什么主的恢复在已过七十多年来能在这地上存在。我们没有用任何组织来保守什么,但主的恢复仍在这里。主的恢复仍然存在,并且一直受到基督身体的原则所保守。当我在供应话语时,我常常想到倪弟兄。我想到他所说的;我不喜欢说任何与他的职事冲突的东西。我所说的若与他冲突,今天的恢复会在哪里?我们必须认识身体。”(经过过程的神圣三一之分赐与超越基督之输供的结果,一〇七至一〇八页。)
我至少能为自己,并为比我年长的倪柝声弟兄作见证,我们在主恢复里的行事为人和行动,总是一个身体。这就是为什么主的恢复在已过七十多年来,能在这地上存在,我们没有用任何组织来保守什么,但主的恢复仍在这里。弟兄们,我们没有任何的组织,我们有组织么?但是主的恢复仍在这里,主的恢复仍然存在,并且一直受到基督身体的原则所保守。当我在供应话语时,我常常想到倪弟兄,这也应当是我们的情形。我们要想倪弟兄,想李弟兄,他说我想到他所说的,我不喜欢说任何与他的职事冲突的东西,我所说的,若与他冲突,今天的恢复会在哪里?你岂不是很喜乐?在地上有位弟兄,他不说任何与倪弟兄职事冲突的东西,因此,我们今天还有这个恢复。他说,我们必须认识身体,我们必须认识身体,这是什么意思呢?我们在上一次训练提出,当我们持定基督作元首,联于祂,我们就不会有不同的解经。看,这是我的头,我的头会有不同的解释么?只有一个头,所以只有一种的解释,如果我们持定基督作元首,我们就会有同样的解经。因为按照罗十五6,身体有一个口,说一样的话,就是头所说的,头说的是什么呢?就是神永远经纶独一的教训,借着祂的职事,建造祂的一个身体。
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李弟兄说,我们若都作身体工作,若都作主恢复的工作,就会一个身体。我们留在这成全的职事之下,这就会保守我们在一个身体里,看以弗所四章,成全众圣徒,是为着职事的工作,为着建造什么呢?为着建造基督的身体,不只是建造我区域里的某个地方,乃是建造身体。我若长到元首基督里,本于元首,全身,如果我所作的引起不合、引起分裂、引起争议,我所作的就不是本于元首。本于元首就是一个身体和身体的一。
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罗15:6 使你们同心合意,用同一的口,荣耀我们主耶稣基督的神与父。
------------------------李弟兄说,我们若都作身体工作,若都作主恢复的工作,就会一个身体。我们留在这成全的职事之下,这就会保守我们在一个身体里,看以弗所四章,成全众圣徒,是为着职事的工作,为着建造什么呢?为着建造基督的身体,不只是建造我区域里的某个地方,乃是建造身体。我若长到元首基督里,本于元首,全身,如果我所作的引起不合、引起分裂、引起争议,我所作的就不是本于元首。本于元首就是一个身体和身体的一。
叁
我们必须看见召会立场三个重要的元素,这三个元素保守召会在地方和宇宙两面有真正的一,(弗四3,)不至有任何分裂:
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弗4:3 以和平的联索,竭力保守那灵的一:
------------------------ 第三大点,好,你们还跟得上么?好,我们要快快往前。我们必须看见召会立场三个重要的元素,这三个元素保守召会,在地方和宇宙两面有真正的一,不致有任何分裂。弟兄们,我要这样作。首先,我要看第二中点,因为按照我们已过的观念,我们基本的思想是那样,是第二个元素,我跳过第一中点。
二
召会立场的第二个元素,是地方召会在其中建立并存在的地方独一立场;所有的地方召会,作基督宇宙身体的彰显,分别位于各个城巿;每个城巿作为召会在其中存在的界限,乃是那个召会的地方立场—徒八1,十三1,罗十六1,林前一2,启一4,11。
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徒8:1 就在那日,在耶路撒冷的召会大遭逼迫,除了使徒以外,门徒都分散在犹太和撒玛利亚各地。
徒13:1 在安提阿当地的召会中,有几位申言者和教师,就是巴拿巴和称呼尼结的西面,古利奈人路求,与分封王希律同养的马念,并扫罗。
罗16:1 我向你们推荐我们的姊妹非比,她是在坚革哩的召会的女执事,
林前1:2 写信给在哥林多神的召会,就是给在基督耶稣里被圣别,蒙召的圣徒,同着所有在各处呼求我们主耶稣基督之名的人;祂是他们的,也是我们的;
启1:4 约翰写信给在亚西亚的七个召会:愿恩典与平安,从那今是昔是以后永是的,从祂宝座前的七灵,
启1:11 你所看见的,当写在书上,寄给那七个召会:给以弗所、给士每拿、给别迦摩、给推雅推喇、给撒狄、给非拉铁非、给老底嘉。
------------------------ 说第二中点,召会立场的第二个元素,是地方召会在其中建立并存在的地方独一立场,所有的地方召会作基督宇宙身体的彰显,分别位于各个城市,每个城市作为召会在其中存在的界线,乃是那个召会的地方立场,那是神建造的场地。你可以写下来,第二中点的目标是成就第一中点,借着第三中点成就第一中点,第二中点的目标,是要借着第三中点成就第一中点。为什么你站住地方的立场?乃是为着成就第一中点:
一
召会立场的第一个元素,是基督宇宙身体独一的一,称为“那灵的一”;(弗四3;)这就是在约翰十七章主所祷告的一,也就是经过过程之三一神与所有在基督里之信徒调和的一。
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弗4:3 以和平的联索,竭力保守那灵的一:
------------------------ 你站住地方的立场,作为神建造的场地,目的乃是为着第一个中点能够得着成就,那个就是神永远的定旨,也就是约翰十七章。那就是神与人的调和,为着基督身体的一。这个就是圣经的中心思想,这怎样完成呢?由召会立场这个元素,我站在地方的立场上,为使我们能够有基督宇宙身体独一的一,全地的众召会乃是彼此交通。我刚刚从日本回来,我去东京的时候,我觉得我是回到家里。在日本,每一个人个子都比我小,我到一些地方去,要进门的时候,因为那个很低,所以我还要蹲下来,但是我觉得我在家里,到了莫斯科,你也是觉得在家里,因为这是一,这就是主所要恢复的。
祂怎样恢复这个呢?这里有第三个元素:
祂怎样恢复这个呢?这里有第三个元素:
三
召会立场的第三个元素,是合一之灵的实际,在地方召会的地方独一立场上彰显基督宇宙身体独一的一:
召会立场的第三个元素,是合一之灵的实际,在地方召会的地方独一立场上,彰显基督宇宙身体独一的一。换句话说,这个一的第三个元素,就是在我们灵里实际的灵,那个实际上就是基督身体的实际,首先我们站在神建造独一的立场、场地上,那就是地方的立场,这把我们带到神原初的目的,就是神与人调和,为着基督身体的一,终极完成新耶路撒冷。这怎样完成呢?乃是借着我们活在实际的灵里,与我们的灵调和成为一灵,并凭这个调和的灵而活。在这个实际的灵里,有三一神所是一切的实际,作为基督身体的实际。
1
召会立场的这个元素就是那灵的实际,那灵是神圣三一活的实际—约壹五6,约十六13。
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约壹5:6 这借着水与血来的,就是耶稣基督;不是单凭着水,乃是凭着水,又凭着血;并且作见证的就是那灵,因为那灵就是实际。
约16:13 只等实际的灵来了,祂要引导你们进入一切的实际;因为祂不是从自己说的,乃是把祂所听见的都说出来,并要把要来的事宣示与你们。
------------------------ 你说,主耶稣,我爱你,祂就引导你进入三一神所是的一切实际。祂带你进到基督身体所是的一切实际里。
2
凭着这灵,基督身体的一成为又真又活的;借着这灵,地方的立场得以应用在生命里,而非在律法上;并且凭着这灵,召会真正的立场得以与三一神联结—弗四3~6。
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弗4:3 以和平的联索,竭力保守那灵的一:
弗4:4 一个身体和一位灵,正如你们蒙召,也是在一个盼望中蒙召的;
弗4:5 一主,一信,一浸;
弗4:6 一位众人的神与父,就是那超越众人,贯彻众人,也在众人之内的。
------------------------ 圣徒们,如果你把这三样摆在一起,你就会看见,召会立场这三个重要的因素,能够成全神心头的愿望。第二中点的目标,乃是要成就第一中点神永远的目的,而那个凭借乃是借着第三中点实际的灵。
肆
在那灵里,并在基督身体独一的一里,就是蒙保守在主的恢复里—罗一9,八4,七6,加五25,腓三3,弗四3~4上:
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罗1:9 我在祂儿子的福音上,在我灵里所事奉的神,可以见证我怎样在祷告中,常常不住地提到你们,
罗8:4 使律法义的要求,成就在我们这不照着肉体,只照着灵而行的人身上。
罗7:6 但我们既然在捆我们的律法上死了,现今就脱离了律法,叫我们在灵的新样里服事,不在字句的旧样里。
加5:25 我们若凭着灵活着,也就当凭着灵而行。
腓3:3 真受割礼的,乃是我们这凭神的灵事奉,在基督耶稣里夸口,不信靠肉体的。
弗4:3 以和平的联索,竭力保守那灵的一:
弗4:4 一个身体和一位灵,正如你们蒙召,也是在一个盼望中蒙召的;
------------------------ 弟兄们,你岂不盼望在那灵里呢?在那灵里实在是美好!你要在你的己里么?要在心思里么?这是很可怕的!我们受这分职事的训练,从开头,训练我们作操练灵的人,在灵里,在基督身体独一的一里,就是蒙保守在主的恢复里,所以这里有这一些的经节,这些经节应当带到我们与主的祷告生活中。主啊,使我成为一个在神儿子的福音上,在灵里所事奉的人,我要成为照着灵而行的人,使我在灵的新样里服事,主啊,把我带到这一种的实际,就是凭着灵活着,凭着灵而行,主啊,我愿意成为真受割礼的一部份,我愿意割除我的肉体,我愿意在基督耶稣里夸口,我愿意凭神的灵事奉,我们需要为着这一切的事祷告。
一
在我们的灵里有包罗万有的灵,这灵就是身体的一,也是身体的实际—罗八16,弗四3~4上,约十六13,约壹五6。
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罗8:16 那灵自己同我们的灵见证我们是神的儿女。
弗4:3 以和平的联索,竭力保守那灵的一:
弗4:4 一个身体和一位灵,正如你们蒙召,也是在一个盼望中蒙召的;
约16:13 只等实际的灵来了,祂要引导你们进入一切的实际;因为祂不是从自己说的,乃是把祂所听见的都说出来,并要把要来的事宣示与你们。
约壹5:6 这借着水与血来的,就是耶稣基督;不是单凭着水,乃是凭着水,又凭着血;并且作见证的就是那灵,因为那灵就是实际。
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二
我们的灵就是今日的耶路撒冷,也是我们能成为一的惟一地方;我们独立的心思连同其异议的观念、和分裂并混乱的意见,乃是今日的巴比伦;听从主的呼召从巴比伦出来,乃是从我们的心思出来,而听从主的呼召回到耶路撒冷,乃是回到我们的灵里—约四20,23~24,启十八4~5,参拉一1~4。
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约4:20 我们的祖宗在这山上敬拜,你们倒说,敬拜的地方必须在耶路撒冷。
约4:23 时候将到,如今就是了,那真正敬拜父的,要在灵和真实里敬拜祂,因为父寻找这样敬拜祂的人。
约4:24 神是灵;敬拜祂的,必须在灵和真实里敬拜。
启18:4 我又听见从天上另有声音说,我的民,你们要从那城出来,免得有分于她的罪,受她所受的灾害。
启18:5 因她的罪恶滔天,神已经想起她的不义来了。
拉1:1 波斯王古列元年,耶和华为要成就祂借耶利米口所说的话,就激动波斯王古列的灵,使他通告全国,下诏书说,
拉1:2 波斯王古列如此说,耶和华天上的神已将地上万国赐给我,又嘱咐我在犹大的耶路撒冷为祂建造殿宇。
拉1:3 你们中间凡作祂子民的,可以上犹大的耶路撒冷,建造在耶路撒冷之耶和华以色列神的殿(祂是神);愿这人的神与他同在。
拉1:4 凡余剩的人,无论寄居何处,那处的人要用金银、财物、牲畜支助他,另外也要为在耶路撒冷神的殿,甘心献上礼物。
------------------------ 第二中点,我们的灵就是今日的耶路撒冷,也是我们能成为一的惟一地方,这岂不是真的呢?我们惟有在我们的灵里,才能够成为一,李弟兄在一次聚会里,他说,一位弟兄向另一个弟兄很生气,生气到一个地步,把圣经丢向另外一个弟兄,祷读主的话就使我们不至于向弟兄丢圣经,我们需要操练我们的灵来吃主的话,我们要呼求主,我们说主耶稣我爱你!弟兄们,不要从这样的事毕业,我们观察李弟兄的榜样,他是一个说主耶稣我爱你的人,我看过一些弟兄,我跟他们在一起,几乎没有看到他们说,主耶稣我爱你,他们多数的时间都是在他们的心思里,有异议、批评,在聚会里看来看去,看看Roger,我很爱Roger,所以我可以用他作例子。他看看Roger,就说为什么一九六七年他向我作那样的事,他得罪我。你需要从你的心思里出来,回到你的灵里,对不起,我刚说的是旧的补充本诗歌的其中一句,我们要成为‘主耶稣,我爱你’的人。你要取用主作赦免人的生命,使你能够赦免弟兄,Roger这岂不是很好?Roger你也爱我对不对?因为你喜欢操练你的灵,Roger,所以,弟兄,我爱你,我很高兴看见你,经过了那么多年,这实在是主的怜悯,我们蒙保守在主的恢复里,当我们看到彼此的时候,我们要说阿利路亚!这个房间里充满了拉撒路,我们坐在这里,看看大家,我们就要说,阿利路亚!哦,这位弟兄还在这里,这实在是主的恩典,他还爱这里,他还爱主的恢复。这实在是主的怜悯,我们还在这里,但我们还需要成为操练灵的人。
第二中点,我们独立的心思连同其异议的观念而分裂并混乱的意见,乃是今日的巴比伦,你若在心思里,你就在巴比伦。听从主的呼召,从巴比伦出来,乃是从我们的心思里出来,而听从主的呼召回到耶路撒冷,乃是回到我们的灵里。回到你的灵里。不久前,我和Benson一同坐飞机,那是很长的旅程,我们都要尽功用作带头的弟兄,要保护羊群,要喂养羊群,我们要向主负责,所以我们有不同的功用,有些同工他们有那样的功用,他们要穿防护罩,弟兄给我们看这一大堆的东西,这些完全是在心思里,这个人到底,如果他运用灵的话,只要讲两句话,哦,主耶稣,我爱你,哦,主,阿们,阿利路亚!把那一切忘记,但愿我们只要爱主,在身体里,他就不需要写这么一大叠的这是什么、那是什么,我只好脱开我的防毒衣,回去读注解。有时候我觉得不值得,不值得读那些东西。保罗说,愚拙无学问的争辩要避开,这些其实不是争论,这些是控告。这又怎么样,那又怎么样。我都不懂那些,我说,主啊,我爱你,主啊,将我隐藏在我的灵里,保守我在我的灵里,当我在我的灵里,一切都是那么简单,一切都是那么纯净,一切都是那么美妙。
第二中点,我们独立的心思连同其异议的观念而分裂并混乱的意见,乃是今日的巴比伦,你若在心思里,你就在巴比伦。听从主的呼召,从巴比伦出来,乃是从我们的心思里出来,而听从主的呼召回到耶路撒冷,乃是回到我们的灵里。回到你的灵里。不久前,我和Benson一同坐飞机,那是很长的旅程,我们都要尽功用作带头的弟兄,要保护羊群,要喂养羊群,我们要向主负责,所以我们有不同的功用,有些同工他们有那样的功用,他们要穿防护罩,弟兄给我们看这一大堆的东西,这些完全是在心思里,这个人到底,如果他运用灵的话,只要讲两句话,哦,主耶稣,我爱你,哦,主,阿们,阿利路亚!把那一切忘记,但愿我们只要爱主,在身体里,他就不需要写这么一大叠的这是什么、那是什么,我只好脱开我的防毒衣,回去读注解。有时候我觉得不值得,不值得读那些东西。保罗说,愚拙无学问的争辩要避开,这些其实不是争论,这些是控告。这又怎么样,那又怎么样。我都不懂那些,我说,主啊,我爱你,主啊,将我隐藏在我的灵里,保守我在我的灵里,当我在我的灵里,一切都是那么简单,一切都是那么纯净,一切都是那么美妙。
三
“我们若不在灵里,却仍在心思里,我们就不在耶路撒冷;这是可怜的。在心思里就是被掳,并且留在被掳之中。所以,我们都需要从我们的心思出来,转向我们的灵;这就是从被掳中归回。
“今天有些亲爱的人借着阅读我们所出版的一些书籍,得着了地方立场的教训。然而,对他们而言,地方立场也许是在头脑里的东西。这样,甚至一的立场也会成为分裂的因素。一的立场是为着一,不是为着分裂;但我们若在心思里接受一的立场,而成了头脑里的事,这个一的立场立刻就成为分裂的因素。我们所需要的,乃是回到灵里。…〔主的〕恢复惟有在我们的灵里才是可能的。”(享受基督的丰富以建造召会作基督的身体,二三三至二三四页。)
请听,弟兄们,今天有些亲爱的人借着阅读我们所出版的一些书籍,得着了地方立场的教训,但是下一句话很重要,然而对他们而言,地方立场,也许是在头脑里的东西。这样,甚至一的立场也会成为分裂的因素。一的立场是为着一,不是为着分裂。我回头,第二中点是为着第一中点,地方立场为着一,不是为着分裂,但我们若在心思里接受一的立场,而成为头脑的事,这个一的立场立刻就成为分裂的因素,我们所需要的,乃是回到灵里,主的恢复惟有在我们的灵里才是可能的。
请听,弟兄们,今天有些亲爱的人借着阅读我们所出版的一些书籍,得着了地方立场的教训,但是下一句话很重要,然而对他们而言,地方立场,也许是在头脑里的东西。这样,甚至一的立场也会成为分裂的因素。一的立场是为着一,不是为着分裂。我回头,第二中点是为着第一中点,地方立场为着一,不是为着分裂,但我们若在心思里接受一的立场,而成为头脑的事,这个一的立场立刻就成为分裂的因素,我们所需要的,乃是回到灵里,主的恢复惟有在我们的灵里才是可能的。
四
每当我们转向我们的灵,并操练我们的灵,我们就进入基督身体的实际,因为基督的身体是在我们的灵里—弗一17,二22,三5,16,四23,五18,六18,弗四4,参罗八16。
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弗1:17 愿我们主耶稣基督的神,荣耀的父,赐给你们智慧和启示的灵,使你们充分地认识祂;
弗2:22 你们也在祂里面同被建造,成为神在灵里的居所。
弗3:5 这奥秘在别的世代中,未曾给人们的子孙知道,像如今在灵里启示祂的圣使徒和申言者一样;
弗3:16 愿祂照着祂荣耀的丰富,借着祂的灵,用大能使你们得以加强到里面的人里,
弗4:23 而在你们心思的灵里得以更新,
弗5:18 不要醉酒,醉酒使人放荡,乃要在灵里被充满,
弗6:18 时时在灵里祷告,并尽力坚持,在这事上儆醒,且为众圣徒祈求,
弗4:4 一个身体和一位灵,正如你们蒙召,也是在一个盼望中蒙召的;
罗8:16 那灵自己同我们的灵见证我们是神的儿女。
------------------------ 在上一次训练我们看见,以弗所的每一章都有调和的灵,要来一期的英文‘肯定与否定’的总题是调和的灵,Ron对我说,Ed,你要不要写一篇文章,说到以弗所书中活在调和的灵?我说这实在是太好了!我实在很享受这一个,我说阿们。以弗所书中调和的灵,那个就是基督身体的实际。弟兄们,我们要就着这些经节祷告。这六处经节,你也可以说七处,因为以弗所有三5,还有六节那里说到里面的人,那也是指着我们的灵。
伍
神圣的交通乃是活在基督身体里的实际:
什么是神圣的交通?神圣的交通乃是神圣生命的流通,这个流就是一,就好像这些灯,这个屋子里的这些灯,它们是一,是什么使这些灯成为一呢?乃是电流。电的流通是一幅图画,是交通的一幅图画,就是那灵的循环,电流就是电的循环,电的流通,当电流消失的时候,电就消失了。你懂我的意思么?你若没有电流就没有电,当交通消失了,神就消失了,你如果失去了流,约翰一书是说到交通,这一卷书说到我们要认罪,你若说自己没有罪,真理就不在你里面了。但我很享受约翰在第三节说,我们将所看见并听见的,也传与你们,使你们也可以与我们有交通;而且我们的交通,又是与父并与祂儿子耶稣基督所有的。所以他们的确看见了三一神,他们从三一神听见了。弟兄们,每一天我们需要垂直的交通,与三一神有垂直的交通,我们要看见祂,新鲜的看见祂,新鲜的听见祂的声音。我们说,主啊,向我说话,我们所看见所听见的,我们就传给圣徒们,这是垂直的,那个是水平的,使他们也可以与我们有交通,而我们的交通,又是与父并与祂儿子耶稣基督所有的。你与父和子有垂直的交通。你将灵作为子的实际,子是父的具体化身,你将这个灵供应到圣徒的里面,那是水平的交通,你就把他们带到这个垂直的交通里,所以这里有水平的,也有垂直的。水平的、垂直的,这个就是互相交织的交通,将三一神作到三部份的人里面。这个就是我们所需要的。你若失去了那一道流,你就失去一切,我们有时候会失去这个流,我们一失去,我们就要赶快回来。
一
基督的身体在宇宙中是独一无二的,基督身体的交通在宇宙中也是独一无二的;这交通就是在所有接受并得着神圣生命之信徒里面那永远生命的流—弗四4~6,约壹一3,参启二二1。
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弗4:4 一个身体和一位灵,正如你们蒙召,也是在一个盼望中蒙召的;
弗4:5 一主,一信,一浸;
弗4:6 一位众人的神与父,就是那超越众人,贯彻众人,也在众人之内的。
约壹1:3 我们将所看见并听见的,也传与你们,使你们也可以与我们有交通;而且我们的交通,又是与父并与祂儿子耶稣基督所有的。
启22:1 天使又指给我看在城内街道当中一道生命水的河,明亮如水晶,从神和羔羊的宝座流出来。
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二
我们物质身体里的血液循环,是基督身体里神圣生命的交通,神圣生命的流,一幅美好的图画—参罗十二4~5:
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罗12:4 正如我们一个身体上有好些肢体,但肢体不都有一样的功用;
罗12:5 我们这许多人,在基督里是一个身体,并且各个互相作肢体,也是如此。
------------------------ 我要这样说,基督的身体不是一个比喻,乃是一个实际,事实上,我们的肉身是基督身体的实际的一幅图画。
1
我们物质身体的健康如何依赖血液循环,照样,基督身体的健康也依赖那灵的交通;基督身体的交通就是那灵的循环,那灵的流通—林后十三14,腓二1~2。
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林后13:14 愿主耶稣基督的恩,神的爱,圣灵的交通,与你们众人同在。
腓2:1 所以在基督里若有什么鼓励,若有什么爱的安慰,若有什么灵的交通,若有什么慈心、怜恤,
腓2:2 你们就要使我的喜乐满足,就是要思念相同的事,有相同的爱,魂里联结,思念同一件事,
------------------------ 所以林后十三14,说到圣灵的交通、腓二1,说到我们灵的交通、哥林多一9,说到神儿子的交通、徒二42,说到使徒的交通,这个就是那灵在基督身体里的流通,是父、子、灵在我们的灵里,在我们里面团体的流通,我们有一个神圣奥秘的宴会,有份于子作为三一神的具体化身,这是借着使徒的教训和交通,作为凭借和工具,这个就是基督身体的交通。
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林后13:14 愿主耶稣基督的恩,神的爱,圣灵的交通,与你们众人同在。
腓2:1 所以在基督里若有什么鼓励,若有什么爱的安慰,若有什么灵的交通,若有什么慈心、怜恤,
多1:9 坚守那按照使徒教训可信靠的话,好能用健康的教训劝勉人,又能使那些反对的人知罪自责。
徒2:42 他们都坚定持续在使徒的教训和交通里,持续擘饼和祷告。
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2
那灵今天乃是基督身体里的“血液”;基督的身体若没有那灵,就变成象死尸一样—弗四4上。
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弗4:4 一个身体和一位灵,正如你们蒙召,也是在一个盼望中蒙召的;
------------------------ 第2小点,那灵今天乃是基督身体里的血液,就像我们身体里的血液一样,基督的身体若没有那灵,就变成像死尸一样,没有那灵就没有身体,我们需要那灵。我们需要那灵!
3
当这包罗万有的灵在基督的身体里面循环时,神性、人性、基督的身位、基督的死、和基督的复活,都在循环—腓一19,林后十三14。
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腓1:19 因为我知道,这事借着你们的祈求,和耶稣基督之灵全备的供应,终必叫我得救。
林后13:14 愿主耶稣基督的恩,神的爱,圣灵的交通,与你们众人同在。
------------------------ 李弟兄向领头的弟兄们说这样的信息,他说,弟兄们,你们需要呼求主的名。哦,主耶稣,哦,主耶稣,哦,主耶稣,我们爱你!圣徒们,呼求主,告诉主我们爱祂,这对我们应当是越过越宝贝,这样一呼求,就使这一个循环在我们里面一直进行。
陆
今天众召会里的难处,乃是由于缺少交通,缺少血液的循环;这样缺少交通,就给仇敌机会进来:
这岂不是真的?想想看你的经历,你们有误会,为什么有误会呢?因为缺少交通,你去找那位弟兄交通,一切就得着清理,交通解决一切的问题,当然那个人要向交通敞开,如果你向交通敞开,向这个流敞开,你愿意有这个流通,一切的难处就能够被带走。缺少交通,就给仇敌机会进来,我们若不操练我们的灵,就没有交通,你若在你的心思里,无法有交通。
一
基督的身体若有任何一部份是分开的,那部份至终就会死去;保持健康最好的路乃是“接受更多的血,也给出更多的血”,就是留在生命的交通,生命的循环里。
第一中点,基督的身体若有任何一部份是分开的,那部份至终就会死去,保持健康最好的路,乃是接受更多的血,也给出更多的血。这意思是你接受那灵、给出那灵,这就是维持健康的路,这就是留在生命的交通、生命的循环里。这不只在地方一面可以应用,这也可以应用到全球各地,不仅是我们所在地的弟兄,或者我们区域的弟兄,乃是所有的弟兄都应当在这样的交通里,这使我们更健康。我问你们,当你们到另外一个国家、另外一个地方,或另外外一州,你岂不得着帮助么?你接受更多的血,就有更多的循环,你就得着帮助。
二
我们身体里的血液循环将养分带给身体的每一部份,并且使身体得着顾惜;照样,基督身体里的交通用基督的丰富喂养我们,并且用基督作为那灵的同在顾惜我们。
第二中点,我们身体里的血液循环将养分带给身体的每一部份,并且使身体得着顾惜,当我们有交通的时候,特别是众召会,真正的地方召会之间的交通,在这样的交通中,我们就得着顾惜和喂养。有些同工们,他们走遍世界各地,有些人他们坐飞机的里程是那么多,他们是什么航空公司的白金卡的会员,那是为着基督身体的交通,你在这样的交通中,就得着顾惜、得着喂养。基督身体里的交通中用基督的丰富喂养我们,并且用基督作为那灵的同在顾惜我们。
三
我们身体里的血液循环好象河流,总是带走我们这人里面的废物,使其能被排除;照样,基督身体里的交通也带走一切消极的事物—林前一9。
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林前1:9 神是信实的,你们乃是为祂所召,进入了祂儿子我们主耶稣基督的交通。
------------------------ 第三中点,我们身体里的血液循环好像河流,总是带走我们这人里面的废物,弟兄们,我要问你,你这个人里面,有没有一些废物这些日子被带走呢?使这些废物能够被排除,照样,基督身体里的交通也带走一切消极的事物。想一想,这个周末的交通,的确顾惜我们,用主流通的同在、用祂的丰富喂养我们,并且排除我们这个人里面许多消极的事,甚至Ron弟兄叫我们有个人与主交通的时间,在那个交通的里面,很多废物被排除。当你向主敞开,你说,主啊,光照我,对付我的乖僻,主啊,鉴察我,我不愿意我里面有什么的拦阻。难道主不会尊重这样的祷告?祂的确会听这样的祷告,感谢主,有这分职事告诉我们,要有这样的祷告。
柒
对于真正地方召会的一个试验,乃是与全地所有真正的召会有交通,以保守基督身体宇宙的交通,以及基督身体的一;任何地方召会,若不保守这交通,就是分裂的,并且成了地方宗派:
第柒大点,弟兄们,阿利路亚!我快讲完了,这是一篇很长的纲要,我很高兴赞美主,我不是为着那个高兴,我高兴是因为在这个聚会中有主循环的同在,这就是为什么我那么高兴。约壹一3,就是我们刚才所说的,我们将所看见所听见的传与你们,使你们也可以与我们有交通;而且我们的交通,又是与父并与祂儿子耶稣基督所有的。
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第四节说,我们写这些事,是叫我们的喜乐得以满足。请听,当你在这个交通里,你就满了三一神作你纯净的、永远的、不朽坏的喜乐,是没有人能够夺去的。
第柒大点是很重要的,对于真正的地方召会的一个试验,乃是与全地所有真正的召会有交通,以保守基督身体宇宙的交通,以及基督身体的一。任何地方召会若不保守这交通,就是分裂的,并且成了地方宗派。这是一个真正地方召会的试验,不是说我是在温哥华的召会,我用温哥华作例子,在这里,有在温哥华的召会,这是非常积极,你要得鼓励,你就花几周跟温哥华的召会一同聚集,你会得鼓励,你会蒙光照,你会得顾惜,你会得喂养,消极的东西能够被排除。每一个站在基督身体的一里的召会,都有一些东西能够帮助我们众人,对不对?我可以指出这个召会在这件事上是一个榜样,温哥华的召会也是一样,温哥华留在身体的交通里。如果一个召会割断自己跟其他地方召会的交通,她就不再是一个真正的地方召会,她甚至离开了召会的立场,这个是对真正地方召会的一个试验,你没有特别的名称、没有特别的交通、没有特别的教训、没有特别的实行,你与全地真正的地方召会有交通,如果不是这样,你就不是真正的地方召会,你就是分裂。李弟兄说,有个弟兄,他还订我的书,他还用在某某地的召会,但是他说,我希望有机会告诉这位弟兄说,弟兄,你是在分裂里,因为你将自己与这个地上所有其他的地方召会的交通切断。我们若不向这个循环敞开,我们不留在我们灵里,那个实际的灵里,我们若是留在心思里,我们就是在地方主义或区域主义里,那都是分裂。我的身体里面没有什么地方主义,当然有召会的立场,为着神建造的场地赞美主,但是那个乃是为着基督宇宙身体的一,为着神人调和,为着基督身体的一,借着我们操练我们的灵,来摸着我们灵里实际的灵而得以实化,使我们成为基督身体的实际,在一的立场上被建造成为活神的殿,成为团体的得胜者,成为基督建造起来的身体,成为基督的新妇,将基督带回来。不要使你的聚会与其他的召会隔绝。
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约壹1:3 我们将所看见并听见的,也传与你们,使你们也可以与我们有交通;而且我们的交通,又是与父并与祂儿子耶稣基督所有的。
------------------------第四节说,我们写这些事,是叫我们的喜乐得以满足。请听,当你在这个交通里,你就满了三一神作你纯净的、永远的、不朽坏的喜乐,是没有人能够夺去的。
第柒大点是很重要的,对于真正的地方召会的一个试验,乃是与全地所有真正的召会有交通,以保守基督身体宇宙的交通,以及基督身体的一。任何地方召会若不保守这交通,就是分裂的,并且成了地方宗派。这是一个真正地方召会的试验,不是说我是在温哥华的召会,我用温哥华作例子,在这里,有在温哥华的召会,这是非常积极,你要得鼓励,你就花几周跟温哥华的召会一同聚集,你会得鼓励,你会蒙光照,你会得顾惜,你会得喂养,消极的东西能够被排除。每一个站在基督身体的一里的召会,都有一些东西能够帮助我们众人,对不对?我可以指出这个召会在这件事上是一个榜样,温哥华的召会也是一样,温哥华留在身体的交通里。如果一个召会割断自己跟其他地方召会的交通,她就不再是一个真正的地方召会,她甚至离开了召会的立场,这个是对真正地方召会的一个试验,你没有特别的名称、没有特别的交通、没有特别的教训、没有特别的实行,你与全地真正的地方召会有交通,如果不是这样,你就不是真正的地方召会,你就是分裂。李弟兄说,有个弟兄,他还订我的书,他还用在某某地的召会,但是他说,我希望有机会告诉这位弟兄说,弟兄,你是在分裂里,因为你将自己与这个地上所有其他的地方召会的交通切断。我们若不向这个循环敞开,我们不留在我们灵里,那个实际的灵里,我们若是留在心思里,我们就是在地方主义或区域主义里,那都是分裂。我的身体里面没有什么地方主义,当然有召会的立场,为着神建造的场地赞美主,但是那个乃是为着基督宇宙身体的一,为着神人调和,为着基督身体的一,借着我们操练我们的灵,来摸着我们灵里实际的灵而得以实化,使我们成为基督身体的实际,在一的立场上被建造成为活神的殿,成为团体的得胜者,成为基督建造起来的身体,成为基督的新妇,将基督带回来。不要使你的聚会与其他的召会隔绝。
一
我们若使我们当地的聚会与主恢复里其余的召会隔绝,我们就是一个分裂,凡我们在当地所作的,都是制造分裂的;这是因为所有的召会乃是一个身体—林前十16~17。
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林前10:16 我们所祝福的福杯,岂不是基督之血的交通么?我们所擘开的饼,岂不是基督身体的交通么?
林前10:17 因着只有一个饼,我们虽多,还是一个身体,因我们都分受这一个饼。
------------------------ 如果你在一个地方,你使自己与其他地方召会隔离,你的召会就会变成乖僻的,有一次我坐在李弟兄旁边,他说,Ed,有某某地方,他听一个弟兄讲话,他就说,这个弟兄是从某某召会来的,因为他们有一种特别的腔调,这是乖僻。我们都是短缺的,我是为我自己说。有一次,李弟兄说,我很高兴,德州的弟兄们,他们好像被变化了,他们不再说‘哟’那么多,那是从前他们德州的口音。我说,赞美主!我在宾州长大,但是我住在德州很多年,我也会说‘哟’,但是李弟兄说,他们的确被变化了。他们不是那么多说‘哟’,然后我们刚好碰到一位弟兄,他就说,等一下看你们大家,他就说这个‘哟’,好,不要因为你说‘哟’你就被定罪,你要回到你的灵里。
二
神圣的交通将我们调在一起;这交通调节我们,调整我们,使我们和谐,并将我们调在一起成为一个身体—林前十二24~25。
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林前12:24 至于我们俊美的肢体,就不需要了。但神将这身体调和在一起,把更丰盈的体面加给那有缺欠的肢体,
林前12:25 免得身体上有了分裂,总要肢体彼此同样相顾。
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三
所有地方召会需要受限制在神圣的交通里,借此蒙保守在基督身体独一的一里—启一10~12,二7下。
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启1:10 当主日我在灵里,听见在我后面有大声音如吹号说,
启1:11 你所看见的,当写在书上,寄给那七个召会:给以弗所、给士每拿、给别迦摩、给推雅推喇、给撒狄、给非拉铁非、给老底嘉。
启1:12 我转过身来,要看是谁发声与我说话;既转过来,就看见七个金灯台;
启2:7 那灵向众召会所说的话,凡有耳的,就应当听。得胜的,我必将神乐园中生命树的果子赐给他吃。
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四
我们接纳所有在基督里的信徒,但因着分裂是将基督的身体肢解,所以我们必须遵从使徒的嘱咐,避开制造分立和分门结党的人,使我们蒙保守,维持在基督身体的一里—罗十六17,多三10。
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罗16:17 弟兄们,那些造成分立和绊跌之事,违反你们所学之教训的人,我恳求你们要留意,并要避开他们。
多3:10 分门结党的人,警戒过一两次,就要拒绝;
------------------------ 保罗说,有些人制造分立和绊跌的事,违反我们所学的教训,要留意这样的人并避开他们,提多三10说,分门结党的人,警戒过一两次就要拒绝。
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这意思是说,这样的一个人,他是成为会传染分裂的人,你不要以为你接触这样的人你不会被传染,你不要以为你是免疫的,在上一次风波,有些人他们是有天然的关系,所以他们是彼此毒化,他们彼此影响,他们彼此毒化。我们要守住我们拿细耳人的愿,禁戒死亡,不要摸死亡,要留在生命这里,要被生命充满,这个生命对抗死亡。
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多3:10 分门结党的人,警戒过一两次,就要拒绝;
------------------------这意思是说,这样的一个人,他是成为会传染分裂的人,你不要以为你接触这样的人你不会被传染,你不要以为你是免疫的,在上一次风波,有些人他们是有天然的关系,所以他们是彼此毒化,他们彼此影响,他们彼此毒化。我们要守住我们拿细耳人的愿,禁戒死亡,不要摸死亡,要留在生命这里,要被生命充满,这个生命对抗死亡。
五
因着我们不认识身体,一个接一个的风波发生;惟一能医治我们,救治我们脱离这种疾病的,乃是我们要看见身体,认识身体,顾到身体,尊重身体,作身体的工作,并且持守身体的每一个原则—林前十二12,24,罗十二5,弗四16。
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林前12:12 就如身体是一个,却有许多肢体,而且身体上一切的肢体虽多,仍是一个身体,基督也是这样。
林前12:24 至于我们俊美的肢体,就不需要了。但神将这身体调和在一起,把更丰盈的体面加给那有缺欠的肢体,
罗12:5 我们这许多人,在基督里是一个身体,并且各个互相作肢体,也是如此。
弗4:16 本于祂,全身借着每一丰富供应的节,并借着每一部分依其度量而有的功用,得以联络在一起,并结合在一起,便叫身体渐渐长大,以致在爱里把自己建造起来。
------------------------ VIII. Excerpts from the Ministry:
THE THREE CRUCIAL ELEMENTS OF THE CHURCH GROUND
According to the divine revelation of the New Testament, the church ground is constituted of three crucial elements, as follows:
THE UNIQUE ONENESS OF THE UNIVERSAL BODY OF CHRIST
The first element of the constitution of the church ground is the unique oneness of the universal Body of Christ, which is called "the oneness of the Spirit" (Eph. 4:3). This is the oneness that the Lord prayed for in John 17. It is a oneness of the mingling of the processed Triune God with all the believers in Christ. This oneness is in the name of the Father (John 17:6, 11), denoting the Father's person, in which is the Father's life. This oneness is even in the Triune God through sanctification by His holy word as the truth (John 17:14-21). This oneness is ultimately in the divine glory for the expression of the Triune God (John 17:22-24). Such a oneness was imparted into the spirit of all the believers in Christ, in their regeneration by the Spirit of life with Christ as the divine life; this oneness has become the basic element of the church ground.
THE UNIQUE GROUND OF LOCALITY OF A LOCAL CHURCH
The second element of the church ground is the unique ground of the locality in which a local church is established and exists. The New Testament presents us a clear picture that all the local churches, as the expression of the universal church—the universal Body of Christ—are located in their respective cities. Hence, we see the church in Jerusalem (Acts 8:1), the church in Antioch (Acts 13:1), the church in Cenchrea (Rom. 16:1), the church in Corinth (1 Cor. 1:2), and the seven churches in Asia in seven respective cities (Rev. 1:4, 11). Every city as the boundary in which a church exists is the local ground of that church. Such a unique ground of locality preserves the church from being divided by many different matters as different grounds in the way that divisive denominations such as the Baptists, the Presbyterians, the Lutherans, the Methodists, and the Episcopalians are divided.
THE REALITY OF THE SPIRIT OF ONENESS
The third element of the church ground is the reality of the Spirit of oneness, expressing the unique oneness of the universal Body of Christ on the unique ground of locality of a local church. Briefly, the third element of the church ground is the reality of the Spirit, who is the living reality of the divine Trinity (1 John 5:6; John 16:13). It is by this Spirit that the oneness of the Body of Christ becomes real and living. It is also through this Spirit that the ground of locality is applied in life and not in legality. And it is by this Spirit that the genuine ground of the church is linked with the Triune God (Eph. 4:3-6). (A Brief Presentation of the Lord's Recovery, pp. 28-29)
TODAY'S JERUSALEM BEING OUR HUMAN SPIRIT
We must come back to Jerusalem, but what is today's Jerusalem? First, in the ancient times Jerusalem was the place where God's dwelling place, His habitation, was. Second, Jerusalem was the unique center of the oneness of God's people. It is by Jerusalem that all the people of God were united.
Today's Jerusalem is our human spirit. Ephesians 2:22 tells us that God's dwelling, God's habitation, is in our spirit. Likewise, the genuine oneness is in our spirit. When we are in our mind, we are divided, but when we forget about our mind and return to our spirit, we are one. If you stay in your mind, you are divided from me, and if I stay in my mind, I am divided from you. Therefore, let us forget about our mind and turn to the spirit; then we all will be one. The more we talk and discuss, the more we are in the mind and the more we are divided. Let us forget about discussing. Let us say, "O Lord Jesus." Let us pray and praise together. By doing this, we are immediately in the spirit, and when we are in the spirit, we are one. This shows us that Jerusalem today is our human spirit.
This can also be proved by John 4. In John 4 the Samaritan woman spoke to the Lord Jesus about the place of worship, whether it was in Jerusalem or Samaria, but the Lord Jesus told her that the age had changed. Now worship is not in Jerusalem but in spirit (John 4:19-24). By this we can see that today's Jerusalem is our human spirit. If you come to me to discuss with your mind, we two will be divided. But if we would forget our mind, turn to our spirit, and say, "Amen," we will be one. The more we exercise our mind to argue, the more we are divided. Sometimes I am afraid to talk to certain brothers and sisters, because in talking frankly we may exercise our mind, and after ten minutes we may argue. In the church life we should not talk in this way. Rather, we must learn to say, "O Lord Jesus. Amen." After the meetings when we all arrive home, we should all say, "Amen," in this way. Then everyone will rejoice. Our Jerusalem today is in our spirit, so we must return to our spirit.
The reason why there are differing denominations is that many people in them are in the mind. Many in the denominations are in the mind, and many in all the different free groups are also in the mind. Therefore, we should not argue with them. Argument gets us nowhere. Simply try to touch the spirit and say, "O Lord," together with them. We should never try to convince people by our concepts. We cannot convince others in this way. Rather, we must give up our concept and pray, saying, "O Lord," with people. Help them to turn to the spirit. This is what we need today.
COMING OUT OF OUR OPINIONS AND TEACHINGS AND BACK TO OUR SPIRIT
Why are we one in the local churches? It is because we give up mere doctrines and all opinions. In the local churches we are simply in the spirit. If we are still in the mind, we will be divided, but now we are in the spirit. We have come back. Many, however, do not want to come back. Most Christians prefer to stay in their mind. As long as we stay in the mind, we are in captivity in the denominations or free groups. If we are not in the spirit but still in the mind, we are not in Jerusalem. This is pitiful. To be in the mind is to be captured, to be in captivity. Therefore, we all need to get out of our mind and turn to our spirit. This is to return from captivity.
By reading some of the books we have published, some dear ones today have picked up the teaching of the ground of locality. To them, however, the ground of locality may be
something in the mentality. In this way, even the ground of oneness becomes a divisive factor. The ground of oneness is for oneness, not for division, but if we take the ground of oneness in our mind and make it a mental matter, right away it becomes a divisive factor. Instead, we need to return to the spirit…Today the Lord needs a recovery, and…the recovery is possible only in our spirit. (Enjoying the Riches of Christ for the Building Up of the Church as the Body of Christ, pp. 187-188)
WILLING TO HAVE FELLOWSHIP WITH ALL THE LOCAL CHURCHES
Perhaps there is a group that has no special name, teaching, or fellowship and that does not insist upon its own administration. We still need to examine whether or not they are willing to open themselves to have fellowship with all the other local churches on earth. Suppose those in this group say, "We have nothing special and we do not have a separate administration, but we don't like to have fellowship with the other churches." If they say this, then they have become a local sect. They are no longer a local church, for a local church is part of the Body, one among many other local churches. Thus, a genuine local church must be open to the other churches. If they isolate themselves from the other churches, they are a local sect.
We need to study any group according to these five items. Today is a day of division and confusion, and we should not accept any group blindly. Rather, we must check whether or not they have a special name, a special teaching, or a special practice. We need to see whether or not they insist upon their own administration, and we must inquire if they are open to all the local churches throughout the world. If they pass all these tests, then they are a genuine local church. But if they cannot pass them, we must hesitate as far as recognizing them as a church is concerned. (The Spirit and the Body, pp. 213-214)
THE FELLOWSHIP FOR THE LORD'S UNIQUE RECOVERY
We always need to remember that we are in the Lord's recovery and that His recovery is unique. There is not another recovery, just as there is not another Body of Christ or another New Testament. The fellowship of the apostles is the fellowship for this unique recovery of the Lord. When we see something going on in the recovery which is not so good, we need to have this kind of fellowship and a proper attitude. When a man marries someone, he is bound to her for as long as he lives. If he is unhappy with her, he cannot divorce her. He should try the best to help his wife by fellowshipping to improve in a nice and living way. He should not charge her to improve but help her to improve. This is the right way. When we see something wrong in the recovery or in any of the local churches, we should try the best to help the situation by fellowshipping so that it can be improved and corrected. If there is anything wrong, we can and should fellowship and pray together and seek the Lord's leading to improve the situation for the benefit of all the saints. This will be a real help to the Lord's recovery.
We should not have the thought that we can do a particular work according to our way in the recovery. We may be very gifted and have a large capacity to work out something. But what we work out may be the same as worldly people carrying out a certain enterprise. We have to realize that in the Lord's recovery there is only one work.
When I came into the recovery, I realized what the recovery was and that it was uniquely one. The one who brought the recovery to China among us was Brother Watchman Nee. If I would not have taken the way of the recovery, I could have had a work in northern China, but I gave that up. I fully realized that the Lord has only one Body, one work, one Bible, one revelation, and one current, one flow, in one fellowship. At that time Brother Nee was being used by the Lord. I never tried to speak anything different from his
teaching. This does not mean that I did not have any other teachings, but my speaking always followed Brother Nee's speaking in order to keep the unique fellowship in the Lord's unique recovery. I felt that it was a glory to participate in the Lord's recovery in such a subjective way with Brother Nee. I thank the Lord that He had mercy upon me in helping me to have the best choice. In Moses' blessing in Deuteronomy 33, there is the term "the choicest things" (vv. 13-16). I realize that the Lord has been giving me the choicest things throughout my years in the recovery. This is due to His mercy in placing me and keeping me all the time in His recovery. As long as we are preserved in the Lord's way, we are preserved in the oneness in the unique fellowship. There is only one Lord, one Body, one Bible, one divine revelation, one speaking, one recovery, one fellowship, and one way to practice the recovery.
THE NEED FOR THE FELLOWSHIP AMONG THE CHURCHES
Our problem today is related to the matter of fellowship. We are in the fellowship of the recovery, but do we fellowship? For example, do the brothers in Sacramento fellowship with the brothers in Chicago, Cleveland, or Wichita? Among the churches in the Lord's recovery, there is not much fellowship. We have seen that the problems between Barnabas and Saul were probably due to a lack of proper and adequate fellowship. If we are not in fellowship, problems can come in among us.
The circulation of blood in our physical body is a good picture of the fellowship, the flow of the divine life, in the Body of Christ. If our blood circulation is not proper, this can cause much sickness to our body. The proper blood circulation swallows up all kinds of germs. I was in Taipei for about five years beginning in late 1984. After about three of those years, trouble came in among the churches. The trouble in the churches today is due to the shortage of the fellowship, the circulation of the blood. This lack of fellowship gave the enemy an opportunity to come in.
We are even very short of fellowship with the churches who are close to us geographically. There is very little circulation. If my shoulder were not participating adequately in the blood circulation of my body, it would be sick. No part of my physical body can be separate from the other parts since all the parts must participate in the one blood circulation. Some may think that they are wise to keep themselves separate. But if any part of the Body of Christ is separate, that part will eventually die. The best way to stay healthy is to "receive more blood and to give more blood," that is, to stay in the fellowship, the circulation of life. Then we will save ourselves and promote the healing of the Body. In some places there has been no peace because of a lack of fellowship. The more fellowship we have, the more peace we have.
The reason why many people are weak physically is because they sit too much. They do not move. It is the same spiritually. We are sick and weak because we remain with ourselves, in ourselves, and for ourselves. We are sick because we are so much in ourselves. We need to get out of ourselves by fellowshipping with the other churches. If we want to get helped, the secret is to go to see some brothers in another locality. The brothers in Texas should not have traffic among themselves only. They need to go to Chicago, Cleveland, and Seattle, and break the boundary of Texas.
THE THREE CRUCIAL ELEMENTS OF THE CHURCH GROUND
According to the divine revelation of the New Testament, the church ground is constituted of three crucial elements, as follows:
THE UNIQUE ONENESS OF THE UNIVERSAL BODY OF CHRIST
The first element of the constitution of the church ground is the unique oneness of the universal Body of Christ, which is called "the oneness of the Spirit" (Eph. 4:3). This is the oneness that the Lord prayed for in John 17. It is a oneness of the mingling of the processed Triune God with all the believers in Christ. This oneness is in the name of the Father (John 17:6, 11), denoting the Father's person, in which is the Father's life. This oneness is even in the Triune God through sanctification by His holy word as the truth (John 17:14-21). This oneness is ultimately in the divine glory for the expression of the Triune God (John 17:22-24). Such a oneness was imparted into the spirit of all the believers in Christ, in their regeneration by the Spirit of life with Christ as the divine life; this oneness has become the basic element of the church ground.
THE UNIQUE GROUND OF LOCALITY OF A LOCAL CHURCH
The second element of the church ground is the unique ground of the locality in which a local church is established and exists. The New Testament presents us a clear picture that all the local churches, as the expression of the universal church—the universal Body of Christ—are located in their respective cities. Hence, we see the church in Jerusalem (Acts 8:1), the church in Antioch (Acts 13:1), the church in Cenchrea (Rom. 16:1), the church in Corinth (1 Cor. 1:2), and the seven churches in Asia in seven respective cities (Rev. 1:4, 11). Every city as the boundary in which a church exists is the local ground of that church. Such a unique ground of locality preserves the church from being divided by many different matters as different grounds in the way that divisive denominations such as the Baptists, the Presbyterians, the Lutherans, the Methodists, and the Episcopalians are divided.
THE REALITY OF THE SPIRIT OF ONENESS
The third element of the church ground is the reality of the Spirit of oneness, expressing the unique oneness of the universal Body of Christ on the unique ground of locality of a local church. Briefly, the third element of the church ground is the reality of the Spirit, who is the living reality of the divine Trinity (1 John 5:6; John 16:13). It is by this Spirit that the oneness of the Body of Christ becomes real and living. It is also through this Spirit that the ground of locality is applied in life and not in legality. And it is by this Spirit that the genuine ground of the church is linked with the Triune God (Eph. 4:3-6). (A Brief Presentation of the Lord's Recovery, pp. 28-29)
TODAY'S JERUSALEM BEING OUR HUMAN SPIRIT
We must come back to Jerusalem, but what is today's Jerusalem? First, in the ancient times Jerusalem was the place where God's dwelling place, His habitation, was. Second, Jerusalem was the unique center of the oneness of God's people. It is by Jerusalem that all the people of God were united.
Today's Jerusalem is our human spirit. Ephesians 2:22 tells us that God's dwelling, God's habitation, is in our spirit. Likewise, the genuine oneness is in our spirit. When we are in our mind, we are divided, but when we forget about our mind and return to our spirit, we are one. If you stay in your mind, you are divided from me, and if I stay in my mind, I am divided from you. Therefore, let us forget about our mind and turn to the spirit; then we all will be one. The more we talk and discuss, the more we are in the mind and the more we are divided. Let us forget about discussing. Let us say, "O Lord Jesus." Let us pray and praise together. By doing this, we are immediately in the spirit, and when we are in the spirit, we are one. This shows us that Jerusalem today is our human spirit.
This can also be proved by John 4. In John 4 the Samaritan woman spoke to the Lord Jesus about the place of worship, whether it was in Jerusalem or Samaria, but the Lord Jesus told her that the age had changed. Now worship is not in Jerusalem but in spirit (John 4:19-24). By this we can see that today's Jerusalem is our human spirit. If you come to me to discuss with your mind, we two will be divided. But if we would forget our mind, turn to our spirit, and say, "Amen," we will be one. The more we exercise our mind to argue, the more we are divided. Sometimes I am afraid to talk to certain brothers and sisters, because in talking frankly we may exercise our mind, and after ten minutes we may argue. In the church life we should not talk in this way. Rather, we must learn to say, "O Lord Jesus. Amen." After the meetings when we all arrive home, we should all say, "Amen," in this way. Then everyone will rejoice. Our Jerusalem today is in our spirit, so we must return to our spirit.
The reason why there are differing denominations is that many people in them are in the mind. Many in the denominations are in the mind, and many in all the different free groups are also in the mind. Therefore, we should not argue with them. Argument gets us nowhere. Simply try to touch the spirit and say, "O Lord," together with them. We should never try to convince people by our concepts. We cannot convince others in this way. Rather, we must give up our concept and pray, saying, "O Lord," with people. Help them to turn to the spirit. This is what we need today.
COMING OUT OF OUR OPINIONS AND TEACHINGS AND BACK TO OUR SPIRIT
Why are we one in the local churches? It is because we give up mere doctrines and all opinions. In the local churches we are simply in the spirit. If we are still in the mind, we will be divided, but now we are in the spirit. We have come back. Many, however, do not want to come back. Most Christians prefer to stay in their mind. As long as we stay in the mind, we are in captivity in the denominations or free groups. If we are not in the spirit but still in the mind, we are not in Jerusalem. This is pitiful. To be in the mind is to be captured, to be in captivity. Therefore, we all need to get out of our mind and turn to our spirit. This is to return from captivity.
By reading some of the books we have published, some dear ones today have picked up the teaching of the ground of locality. To them, however, the ground of locality may be
something in the mentality. In this way, even the ground of oneness becomes a divisive factor. The ground of oneness is for oneness, not for division, but if we take the ground of oneness in our mind and make it a mental matter, right away it becomes a divisive factor. Instead, we need to return to the spirit…Today the Lord needs a recovery, and…the recovery is possible only in our spirit. (Enjoying the Riches of Christ for the Building Up of the Church as the Body of Christ, pp. 187-188)
WILLING TO HAVE FELLOWSHIP WITH ALL THE LOCAL CHURCHES
Perhaps there is a group that has no special name, teaching, or fellowship and that does not insist upon its own administration. We still need to examine whether or not they are willing to open themselves to have fellowship with all the other local churches on earth. Suppose those in this group say, "We have nothing special and we do not have a separate administration, but we don't like to have fellowship with the other churches." If they say this, then they have become a local sect. They are no longer a local church, for a local church is part of the Body, one among many other local churches. Thus, a genuine local church must be open to the other churches. If they isolate themselves from the other churches, they are a local sect.
We need to study any group according to these five items. Today is a day of division and confusion, and we should not accept any group blindly. Rather, we must check whether or not they have a special name, a special teaching, or a special practice. We need to see whether or not they insist upon their own administration, and we must inquire if they are open to all the local churches throughout the world. If they pass all these tests, then they are a genuine local church. But if they cannot pass them, we must hesitate as far as recognizing them as a church is concerned. (The Spirit and the Body, pp. 213-214)
THE FELLOWSHIP FOR THE LORD'S UNIQUE RECOVERY
We always need to remember that we are in the Lord's recovery and that His recovery is unique. There is not another recovery, just as there is not another Body of Christ or another New Testament. The fellowship of the apostles is the fellowship for this unique recovery of the Lord. When we see something going on in the recovery which is not so good, we need to have this kind of fellowship and a proper attitude. When a man marries someone, he is bound to her for as long as he lives. If he is unhappy with her, he cannot divorce her. He should try the best to help his wife by fellowshipping to improve in a nice and living way. He should not charge her to improve but help her to improve. This is the right way. When we see something wrong in the recovery or in any of the local churches, we should try the best to help the situation by fellowshipping so that it can be improved and corrected. If there is anything wrong, we can and should fellowship and pray together and seek the Lord's leading to improve the situation for the benefit of all the saints. This will be a real help to the Lord's recovery.
We should not have the thought that we can do a particular work according to our way in the recovery. We may be very gifted and have a large capacity to work out something. But what we work out may be the same as worldly people carrying out a certain enterprise. We have to realize that in the Lord's recovery there is only one work.
When I came into the recovery, I realized what the recovery was and that it was uniquely one. The one who brought the recovery to China among us was Brother Watchman Nee. If I would not have taken the way of the recovery, I could have had a work in northern China, but I gave that up. I fully realized that the Lord has only one Body, one work, one Bible, one revelation, and one current, one flow, in one fellowship. At that time Brother Nee was being used by the Lord. I never tried to speak anything different from his
teaching. This does not mean that I did not have any other teachings, but my speaking always followed Brother Nee's speaking in order to keep the unique fellowship in the Lord's unique recovery. I felt that it was a glory to participate in the Lord's recovery in such a subjective way with Brother Nee. I thank the Lord that He had mercy upon me in helping me to have the best choice. In Moses' blessing in Deuteronomy 33, there is the term "the choicest things" (vv. 13-16). I realize that the Lord has been giving me the choicest things throughout my years in the recovery. This is due to His mercy in placing me and keeping me all the time in His recovery. As long as we are preserved in the Lord's way, we are preserved in the oneness in the unique fellowship. There is only one Lord, one Body, one Bible, one divine revelation, one speaking, one recovery, one fellowship, and one way to practice the recovery.
THE NEED FOR THE FELLOWSHIP AMONG THE CHURCHES
Our problem today is related to the matter of fellowship. We are in the fellowship of the recovery, but do we fellowship? For example, do the brothers in Sacramento fellowship with the brothers in Chicago, Cleveland, or Wichita? Among the churches in the Lord's recovery, there is not much fellowship. We have seen that the problems between Barnabas and Saul were probably due to a lack of proper and adequate fellowship. If we are not in fellowship, problems can come in among us.
The circulation of blood in our physical body is a good picture of the fellowship, the flow of the divine life, in the Body of Christ. If our blood circulation is not proper, this can cause much sickness to our body. The proper blood circulation swallows up all kinds of germs. I was in Taipei for about five years beginning in late 1984. After about three of those years, trouble came in among the churches. The trouble in the churches today is due to the shortage of the fellowship, the circulation of the blood. This lack of fellowship gave the enemy an opportunity to come in.
We are even very short of fellowship with the churches who are close to us geographically. There is very little circulation. If my shoulder were not participating adequately in the blood circulation of my body, it would be sick. No part of my physical body can be separate from the other parts since all the parts must participate in the one blood circulation. Some may think that they are wise to keep themselves separate. But if any part of the Body of Christ is separate, that part will eventually die. The best way to stay healthy is to "receive more blood and to give more blood," that is, to stay in the fellowship, the circulation of life. Then we will save ourselves and promote the healing of the Body. In some places there has been no peace because of a lack of fellowship. The more fellowship we have, the more peace we have.
The reason why many people are weak physically is because they sit too much. They do not move. It is the same spiritually. We are sick and weak because we remain with ourselves, in ourselves, and for ourselves. We are sick because we are so much in ourselves. We need to get out of ourselves by fellowshipping with the other churches. If we want to get helped, the secret is to go to see some brothers in another locality. The brothers in Texas should not have traffic among themselves only. They need to go to Chicago, Cleveland, and Seattle, and break the boundary of Texas.
I
would like to make a proposal to the leading brothers. Perhaps ten days from today, fifty brothers from fifty cities can go to a certain church to be in their Lord',1,s Day morning meeting at 10 a.m. I can assure you that you will receive the help and that the church will be helped. Today there are many opinions among the churches concerning the churches. Other churches have opinions concerning the church in Cleveland and the church in Anaheim. The church in a certain city may have many opinions about other localities. Each local church may have some opinions about other local churches. All of these opinions
need to be thrown away. How can they be thrown away? They can be thrown away by the circulation, the fellowship. If the waste in our physical body is not discharged regularly, we will die. The circulation of blood within our body is like a river that always carries away the waste in our being so that it can be discharged. In like manner, the fellowship in the Body carries away all the negative things.
Some brothers may be afraid for others to come and visit them. But what we need today among the churches is more divine circulation, more fellowship. There are about fifty churches in California, but there is not much fellowship among them. This is where our shortcoming is, and this is why we are weak. The circulation helps us and helps others. It helps everyone in the Body. We need the fellowship. This fellowship is the fellowship of the apostles, which is today the fellowship of the recovery. The fellowship today among us is the recovered apostles' fellowship.
All the churches around the globe are part of the one recovery of the Lord. There should not be any boundaries of separation among the churches. Some co-workers in the past did have the feeling that a certain area was their territory. But we need to see that it is not healthy or profitable in the Lord's recovery for anyone to have a boundary for his work. The only boundary is the boundary of the recovery. We should not say, "That's my church. That's the work in my territory." We have only one work. That work is the work of the recovery based upon the teaching of the apostles. The remedy to the problem of socalled boundaries and territories among the churches is the fellowship. We should not have the thought that others coming to our place may disturb our work. We do not need to defend our work. Our work is the Lord's work, which is the recovery's work. We need the adequate fellowship among all the churches in all the nations, and we need a clear vision concerning the apostles' teaching and the apostles' fellowship.
TO KEEP THE UNIVERSAL ONENESS OF THE BODY OF CHRIST
This fellowship is to keep the universal oneness of the Body of Christ (John 17:11b, 20- 23; Eph. 4:3-6). Ephesians 4:3 charges us to endeavor to keep the oneness of the Spirit. We can keep this oneness because it is our possession already. We have this oneness; thus, we only need to keep it. Regardless of how weak we may be, we still have this oneness. This is because we still have the circulation of the "blood," the circulation of the Spirit. If we did not have this circulation, we would be spiritually dead. As long as we have life, regardless of how weak we may be, we have this oneness. It is the possession of every believer. What we need, then, is just to keep this oneness. When we keep this oneness, we are in the unique fellowship of the Lord's recovery.
THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE LOCAL CHURCHES
Now we come to another aspect of the fellowship, that is, the fellowship of the local churches. It seems that there is no problem with the universal fellowship of the Body of Christ; however, when we put this fellowship into practice, immediately it becomes a local fellowship, the fellowship of the local churches.
THE LOCAL CHURCHES BEING MANY IN DIFFERENT LOCALITIES
The local churches are many in different localities (Rev. 1:11). The Body of Christ as the church, the unique universal church, is expressed through the local churches. It is impossible for the Body of Christ to be expressed without the local churches. The local churches, which are the expressions of the unique Body of Christ, are scattered on this earth in the localities where the local churches exist to express the Body of Christ.
THE LOCAL CHURCHES BEING LOCALLY KEPT AWAY FROM ONE ANOTHER, BUT NOT BEING DIVIDED UNIVERSALLY
The local churches are locally kept away from one another by their being in different localities. I do not say that they are separated from one another; the word separated may carry the connotation of division. I have used the term kept away because to be kept away is not to be divided. The churches are kept away from one another only by their localities, not by anything else. However, they are not divided universally.
THE LOCAL CHURCHES NEEDING TO FELLOWSHIP WITH ALL THE GENUINE LOCAL CHURCHES ON THE WHOLE EARTH
The local churches should fellowship with all the genuine local churches on the whole earth to keep the universal fellowship of the Body of Christ. Any local church that does not keep this universal fellowship of the Body of Christ is divisive and becomes a local sect. Some so-called local churches are not genuine and have become divisions; we do not need to fellowship with such "churches." But we should have fellowship with all the genuine local churches on the whole earth to keep the universal fellowship of the Body of Christ. If not, we are no longer a church but a sect. A church is one that remains in the Body; a sect is a group of believers who divide themselves from the Body. When my arm remains in the body, it is a part of my living body. If it is cut off and separated from the body, it becomes a dead thing. (A Brief Presentation of the Lord's Recovery, pp. 39-44)
THE LIFE OF THE BODY
We have to help the brothers and sisters to know that the life within the Body, the church, is Christ. This requires some who have a special ministry to do this work. Let me say a word in passing: I hope that among us those full-time brothers who are taking more responsibilities in the work would pick up the burden and stretch forth the hand of faith to ask for this kind of gift and would do more specific works among the churches. It is a special work to help the brothers and sisters to know the life in the Body.
THE POSITION OF THE BODY
The position of the Body is in resurrection and in ascension. The Body of Christ is in resurrection, and it stands on the ground of ascension. Here, death cannot touch it, and all earthly people, matters, and activities are under its feet. Organizationally speaking, the church appears in the different localities. But spiritually speaking, the church is in resurrection and in the realm of ascension. It does not belong to the earth, and it is not on earth.
THE COORDINATION OF THE BODY
The brothers and sisters must be led to know that they themselves are the members and that they are fellow members with other saints in the Body of Christ. This is different from their being in the house of God. In the house of God, you yourself are a single unit, because you are a brother or a sister. But in the Body of Christ, you cannot be isolated; you cannot become a unit, for you are just a member. A child in a family may go away for three months. He may not be able to live properly, but he can survive. But can your eyes go away for three months? Suppose your eyes say that they do not like to be in the body, in the same way that children say that they do not like to stay at home. It is impossible for your eyes to go away for three seconds, much less three months. Once a member goes away from the body, it is finished. We have to show the brothers and sisters that we are members, and that we cannot be isolated. Hence, we have to learn to coordinate with others and to be members one of another.
THE FEELING OF THE BODY
The feeling of the Body is a very fine feeling. It is a feeling that comes from the operation of the Holy Spirit in the Body of Christ. In our physical body there are the nerve fibers. All the feelings in the body are derived from the nerve fibers. Once the nerve fibers are cut off, the feelings will be stopped and gone. The Holy Spirit is the nerve fiber in the Body of Christ. The more we give the Holy Spirit the ground, the more sensitive will the feeling of the Body become.
THE LIVING IN THE BODY
The living in the Body means to bring the brothers and sisters to live in the Body. A person should not be individualistic in his work and his service. But even more, he should not be individualistic in his living. He has to keep the principle of the Body. Not only do we work and serve with the brothers and sisters in coordination, but we live in coordination as well.
If you can do a good job in both aspects, the knowledge of the church and the knowledge of the Body, the church where you are will be a built-up habitation to God. To Christ, it will be a coordinated Body. In other words, you will have made the brothers and sisters the habitation of God and the Body of Christ. Of course, this requires much time for such a management.
Let me repeat. It is not so simple a thing to manage a church. You have to learn everything. For example, if you want to manage a home, not only do you have to learn to wash your clothes and cook your meals; strictly speaking, you even have to learn the way to put flowers in a vase. Sometimes we spend a considerable amount of money to buy some flowers, only to arrange them in a disorderly way. Moreover, we do not know how to keep them alive, and in two days they all wilt. But a person who has learned to arrange flowers will need to spend only a little money for flowers. They may not even need to spend any money, but cut some flowers from their yard and arrange them in a vase, and the flowers will look quite nice and will stay alive for a long time. Never think that anybody can arrange some flowers. It is not so simple. Never think that anybody can manage a church either. No, there is a difference between one kind of managing and another kind of managing. There are too many things to learn here.
If the church where you are has been properly managed, once it preaches the gospel, others will be able to tell that the preaching here is different, that it is the result of training, and that it is not wild. This is like the arrangement of flowers. If you have learned the art of flower arrangement, and I walk into your home, I will be able to tell right away that your flowers are not arranged in an ordinary way, but they are arranged as a result of training.
Some time ago, some brothers in Southeast Asia heard that we baptized a few hundred people at a time in Taipei. They wondered how we could have done it. They said that for them to baptize ten or twenty people alone would throw the meeting hall into disorder and their people into chaos. No doubt, I have seen that in some places confusion begins once their baptism begins, and that the confusion is over when their baptism is over. If a matter as small as a baptism is so disorganized in administration, how can the church be clear in the big matters? This will be like having no management at all. If a church is properly managed, once there is confusion in the baptism, a gathering will be held the next day to study the reason for the confusion and the way to overcome it. This is the way to manage the church.
Church management requires labor with perseverance. No one endeavoring in a factory, a business, or an enterprise can succeed easily. If a person loses money in a business deal, he will surely not be able to sleep well. He will surely study hard and try to change his method the next time. But the church has been running a losing business for a long time. The first time there was a gospel meeting, fifteen or sixteen were baptized. The next time there were twelve or thirteen. One more time and there are only eight or nine. The number becomes smaller and smaller. Where is the problem? In order to manage well, you must change.
The housewives who manage their houses know that no one can substitute for them in the housework. They have to do everything themselves. If the piano has broken down and they do not know how to fix it, they can call in the experts to fix it. However, whether or not to fix it still must be decided by them; no one else can decide for them. The same is true with the management of the church. You have to do everything yourself.
Some are prejudiced to think that as long as they know a little bit of the truth and teach the brothers a little bit of the truth, everything will be all right. But you have to see that this is only one part of the job. The church is a home and a body. Not only does it need vitamin A, but it needs all kinds of vitamins as well. The Body needs all kinds of supply. The eyes have their needs. The ears have their needs. The nose has its need. There are all kinds of needs. Thank God that He has given you a portion of grace and a commission, but you should not be satisfied with what you have. It is very important that some have learned some spiritual lessons, but the needs of the church are varied. You have to give others a place and a chance to minister their portion. No one can meet the needs of the church by himself. There is the need for multifaceted management.
This is like a home. The needs there are varied. Someone has to cook in the kitchen. Some have to do the laundry. The older children have to do some work. The younger ones have to go to school. Only the youngest ones play. There is the need for electrical maintenance, tailoring, and gardening. This is only a small illustration. To manage a church, a person has to be broad in his heart and farsighted in his view. He has to see that this is not his work; this is the house of God. If it is only my work, I can work by myself alone. But this is the house of God, the Body of Christ. As such, there is the need for all kinds of management. In church history, the mystics have no descendants. This is because they paid too much attention to the individual pursuit; they did not see the church. No matter how much we love the Lord, how zealous and spiritual we are, no one can replace the church. What God is after today is the church, not individuals. (The Elders' Management of the Church, pp. 223-227)
Some brothers may be afraid for others to come and visit them. But what we need today among the churches is more divine circulation, more fellowship. There are about fifty churches in California, but there is not much fellowship among them. This is where our shortcoming is, and this is why we are weak. The circulation helps us and helps others. It helps everyone in the Body. We need the fellowship. This fellowship is the fellowship of the apostles, which is today the fellowship of the recovery. The fellowship today among us is the recovered apostles' fellowship.
All the churches around the globe are part of the one recovery of the Lord. There should not be any boundaries of separation among the churches. Some co-workers in the past did have the feeling that a certain area was their territory. But we need to see that it is not healthy or profitable in the Lord's recovery for anyone to have a boundary for his work. The only boundary is the boundary of the recovery. We should not say, "That's my church. That's the work in my territory." We have only one work. That work is the work of the recovery based upon the teaching of the apostles. The remedy to the problem of socalled boundaries and territories among the churches is the fellowship. We should not have the thought that others coming to our place may disturb our work. We do not need to defend our work. Our work is the Lord's work, which is the recovery's work. We need the adequate fellowship among all the churches in all the nations, and we need a clear vision concerning the apostles' teaching and the apostles' fellowship.
TO KEEP THE UNIVERSAL ONENESS OF THE BODY OF CHRIST
This fellowship is to keep the universal oneness of the Body of Christ (John 17:11b, 20- 23; Eph. 4:3-6). Ephesians 4:3 charges us to endeavor to keep the oneness of the Spirit. We can keep this oneness because it is our possession already. We have this oneness; thus, we only need to keep it. Regardless of how weak we may be, we still have this oneness. This is because we still have the circulation of the "blood," the circulation of the Spirit. If we did not have this circulation, we would be spiritually dead. As long as we have life, regardless of how weak we may be, we have this oneness. It is the possession of every believer. What we need, then, is just to keep this oneness. When we keep this oneness, we are in the unique fellowship of the Lord's recovery.
THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE LOCAL CHURCHES
Now we come to another aspect of the fellowship, that is, the fellowship of the local churches. It seems that there is no problem with the universal fellowship of the Body of Christ; however, when we put this fellowship into practice, immediately it becomes a local fellowship, the fellowship of the local churches.
THE LOCAL CHURCHES BEING MANY IN DIFFERENT LOCALITIES
The local churches are many in different localities (Rev. 1:11). The Body of Christ as the church, the unique universal church, is expressed through the local churches. It is impossible for the Body of Christ to be expressed without the local churches. The local churches, which are the expressions of the unique Body of Christ, are scattered on this earth in the localities where the local churches exist to express the Body of Christ.
THE LOCAL CHURCHES BEING LOCALLY KEPT AWAY FROM ONE ANOTHER, BUT NOT BEING DIVIDED UNIVERSALLY
The local churches are locally kept away from one another by their being in different localities. I do not say that they are separated from one another; the word separated may carry the connotation of division. I have used the term kept away because to be kept away is not to be divided. The churches are kept away from one another only by their localities, not by anything else. However, they are not divided universally.
THE LOCAL CHURCHES NEEDING TO FELLOWSHIP WITH ALL THE GENUINE LOCAL CHURCHES ON THE WHOLE EARTH
The local churches should fellowship with all the genuine local churches on the whole earth to keep the universal fellowship of the Body of Christ. Any local church that does not keep this universal fellowship of the Body of Christ is divisive and becomes a local sect. Some so-called local churches are not genuine and have become divisions; we do not need to fellowship with such "churches." But we should have fellowship with all the genuine local churches on the whole earth to keep the universal fellowship of the Body of Christ. If not, we are no longer a church but a sect. A church is one that remains in the Body; a sect is a group of believers who divide themselves from the Body. When my arm remains in the body, it is a part of my living body. If it is cut off and separated from the body, it becomes a dead thing. (A Brief Presentation of the Lord's Recovery, pp. 39-44)
THE LIFE OF THE BODY
We have to help the brothers and sisters to know that the life within the Body, the church, is Christ. This requires some who have a special ministry to do this work. Let me say a word in passing: I hope that among us those full-time brothers who are taking more responsibilities in the work would pick up the burden and stretch forth the hand of faith to ask for this kind of gift and would do more specific works among the churches. It is a special work to help the brothers and sisters to know the life in the Body.
THE POSITION OF THE BODY
The position of the Body is in resurrection and in ascension. The Body of Christ is in resurrection, and it stands on the ground of ascension. Here, death cannot touch it, and all earthly people, matters, and activities are under its feet. Organizationally speaking, the church appears in the different localities. But spiritually speaking, the church is in resurrection and in the realm of ascension. It does not belong to the earth, and it is not on earth.
THE COORDINATION OF THE BODY
The brothers and sisters must be led to know that they themselves are the members and that they are fellow members with other saints in the Body of Christ. This is different from their being in the house of God. In the house of God, you yourself are a single unit, because you are a brother or a sister. But in the Body of Christ, you cannot be isolated; you cannot become a unit, for you are just a member. A child in a family may go away for three months. He may not be able to live properly, but he can survive. But can your eyes go away for three months? Suppose your eyes say that they do not like to be in the body, in the same way that children say that they do not like to stay at home. It is impossible for your eyes to go away for three seconds, much less three months. Once a member goes away from the body, it is finished. We have to show the brothers and sisters that we are members, and that we cannot be isolated. Hence, we have to learn to coordinate with others and to be members one of another.
THE FEELING OF THE BODY
The feeling of the Body is a very fine feeling. It is a feeling that comes from the operation of the Holy Spirit in the Body of Christ. In our physical body there are the nerve fibers. All the feelings in the body are derived from the nerve fibers. Once the nerve fibers are cut off, the feelings will be stopped and gone. The Holy Spirit is the nerve fiber in the Body of Christ. The more we give the Holy Spirit the ground, the more sensitive will the feeling of the Body become.
THE LIVING IN THE BODY
The living in the Body means to bring the brothers and sisters to live in the Body. A person should not be individualistic in his work and his service. But even more, he should not be individualistic in his living. He has to keep the principle of the Body. Not only do we work and serve with the brothers and sisters in coordination, but we live in coordination as well.
If you can do a good job in both aspects, the knowledge of the church and the knowledge of the Body, the church where you are will be a built-up habitation to God. To Christ, it will be a coordinated Body. In other words, you will have made the brothers and sisters the habitation of God and the Body of Christ. Of course, this requires much time for such a management.
Let me repeat. It is not so simple a thing to manage a church. You have to learn everything. For example, if you want to manage a home, not only do you have to learn to wash your clothes and cook your meals; strictly speaking, you even have to learn the way to put flowers in a vase. Sometimes we spend a considerable amount of money to buy some flowers, only to arrange them in a disorderly way. Moreover, we do not know how to keep them alive, and in two days they all wilt. But a person who has learned to arrange flowers will need to spend only a little money for flowers. They may not even need to spend any money, but cut some flowers from their yard and arrange them in a vase, and the flowers will look quite nice and will stay alive for a long time. Never think that anybody can arrange some flowers. It is not so simple. Never think that anybody can manage a church either. No, there is a difference between one kind of managing and another kind of managing. There are too many things to learn here.
If the church where you are has been properly managed, once it preaches the gospel, others will be able to tell that the preaching here is different, that it is the result of training, and that it is not wild. This is like the arrangement of flowers. If you have learned the art of flower arrangement, and I walk into your home, I will be able to tell right away that your flowers are not arranged in an ordinary way, but they are arranged as a result of training.
Some time ago, some brothers in Southeast Asia heard that we baptized a few hundred people at a time in Taipei. They wondered how we could have done it. They said that for them to baptize ten or twenty people alone would throw the meeting hall into disorder and their people into chaos. No doubt, I have seen that in some places confusion begins once their baptism begins, and that the confusion is over when their baptism is over. If a matter as small as a baptism is so disorganized in administration, how can the church be clear in the big matters? This will be like having no management at all. If a church is properly managed, once there is confusion in the baptism, a gathering will be held the next day to study the reason for the confusion and the way to overcome it. This is the way to manage the church.
Church management requires labor with perseverance. No one endeavoring in a factory, a business, or an enterprise can succeed easily. If a person loses money in a business deal, he will surely not be able to sleep well. He will surely study hard and try to change his method the next time. But the church has been running a losing business for a long time. The first time there was a gospel meeting, fifteen or sixteen were baptized. The next time there were twelve or thirteen. One more time and there are only eight or nine. The number becomes smaller and smaller. Where is the problem? In order to manage well, you must change.
The housewives who manage their houses know that no one can substitute for them in the housework. They have to do everything themselves. If the piano has broken down and they do not know how to fix it, they can call in the experts to fix it. However, whether or not to fix it still must be decided by them; no one else can decide for them. The same is true with the management of the church. You have to do everything yourself.
Some are prejudiced to think that as long as they know a little bit of the truth and teach the brothers a little bit of the truth, everything will be all right. But you have to see that this is only one part of the job. The church is a home and a body. Not only does it need vitamin A, but it needs all kinds of vitamins as well. The Body needs all kinds of supply. The eyes have their needs. The ears have their needs. The nose has its need. There are all kinds of needs. Thank God that He has given you a portion of grace and a commission, but you should not be satisfied with what you have. It is very important that some have learned some spiritual lessons, but the needs of the church are varied. You have to give others a place and a chance to minister their portion. No one can meet the needs of the church by himself. There is the need for multifaceted management.
This is like a home. The needs there are varied. Someone has to cook in the kitchen. Some have to do the laundry. The older children have to do some work. The younger ones have to go to school. Only the youngest ones play. There is the need for electrical maintenance, tailoring, and gardening. This is only a small illustration. To manage a church, a person has to be broad in his heart and farsighted in his view. He has to see that this is not his work; this is the house of God. If it is only my work, I can work by myself alone. But this is the house of God, the Body of Christ. As such, there is the need for all kinds of management. In church history, the mystics have no descendants. This is because they paid too much attention to the individual pursuit; they did not see the church. No matter how much we love the Lord, how zealous and spiritual we are, no one can replace the church. What God is after today is the church, not individuals. (The Elders' Management of the Church, pp. 223-227)

