1. Hello, listening friends.
亲爱的朋友，你好！

2. It is a delight and joy for us to bring you this broadcast.
能够为你制作这个节目真是我们的喜乐，

3. And we are glad that it’s been a blessing to you.
我们很高兴你能因这节目蒙福。

4. And we are so glad to hear from so many of you and thank you for writing to us.
同时，我们也很开心有许多朋友和我们联系，谢谢您的来信。

5. It is a delight and joy for us to bring you this broadcast.
真的很高兴能向你广播，

6. And thank you for contacting us also through the Internet.
也要感谢您用电子邮件跟我们通信。

7. We are in the midst of a series of messages from the book of Acts.
目前，我们正在讲使徒行传中一系列的信息，

8. And today we’re going to look at chapter 2 verses 42 to 47.
今天我们要看第二章42-47节。

9. I want to begin by telling you a historical incident.
让我先告诉你一个历史事件，

10. The Roman emperor Dioclesian set up a stone pillar.
罗马皇帝窦克里先曾经竖立一根石柱，

11. And on that pillar, he inscribed the following words,
在石柱上刻着以下这句话：

12. “For having exterminated the name Christian from the earth.”
把基督徒这个名字从整个地球上消灭！

13. If he could see how Christianity grows now,
如果今天他看见基督教的增长，

14. he would be embarrassed.
他一定会感到羞耻。

15. Another Roman leader made a coffin,
另一位罗马的领袖制造了一付棺材，

16. symbolizing his intention to bury the Gallilean by killing his followers.
代表他决心要埋葬加利利人耶稣，于是要杀他的跟随者。

17. Christians have always been persecuted.
一向以来，基督徒不断受逼迫，

18. But their persecutors are like the Roman emperors of old.
但那些迫害者也会像古代的罗马皇帝一样，

19. They too will one day recognize that Jesus’ church,
有一天，他们要承认耶稣的教会，

20. and the church’s living Head cannot be destroyed.
和教会的头永活的主，是不能被消灭的。

21. The church as an institution may fail.
教会若只是个机构，它会失败；

22. The church as an organization may fail.
教会若只是个组织，它会失败；

23. The church as a system may fail.
教会若只是个系统，它会失败；

24. But the church of Jesus Christ made up of all born again believers will never fail.
但耶稣基督的教会都是由重生得救的基督徒组成的，就不会失败。

25. History has shown that when the church is Bible preaching,
历史显示，一个教会若传讲圣经真理、

26. Christ centered,
以基督为中心、

27. others loving,
彼此相爱，

28. it will withstand any pressure.
就能在任何压迫下坚守立场。

29. In Acts 2:42 to 47,
使徒行传2章42-47节那里，

30. Dr. Luke gives us a clear picture of the four hallmarks of the church of Jesus Christ.
路加医生对我们描绘了，耶稣基督教会的四个特征：

31. The spirit filled church must be first of all, submitting to the authority of the Scripture.
有圣灵充满的教会，首先必须顺服圣经的权威。

32. Secondly,
第二，

33. it should be loving and caring for one another.
他们必须彼此相爱，互相关顾。

34. Thirdly,
第三，

35. focusing on worshipping the living God.
专心敬拜永生神。

36. Fourthly,
第四，

37. being a witness to the saving power of Jesus Christ.
为耶稣基督拯救的大能作见证。

38. The Bible said,
圣经说：

39. that the members of the first church devoted themselves to the apostle’s teaching.
初代教会的信徒，都恒心遵守使徒的教训。

40. What does that mean?
这是什么意思？

41. It means that they were a studying church.
表示他们是个肯研讨的教会；

42. It means that they were a learning church.
表示他们是个乐意学习的教会；

43. It means that they were a teaching church.
表示他们是个注重教导的教会。

44. Because the Word of God must be central in the Christian life,
因为神的话语必须成为基督徒生命的中心，

45. the Christian faith becomes weak and anemic when the Bible is not central.
如果不是以圣经为中心，基督徒的信心就会虚弱无力。

46. When Christians lose their moral authority in the world,
当基督徒在世界上失去了道德权威的地位，

47. it is because they have psychologized the Word of God.
那是因为他们以心理学的角度来诠释神的话。

48. When Christians cease to be the conscience of society,
当基督徒不再成为社会的良心，

49. it is when they no longer declare, “Thus says the Lord.”
那是因为他们不再宣告主的话。

50. So the church of Jesus Christ must be a Bible studying, Bible reading, and Bible obeying church.
所以耶稣基督的教会，应该是学习圣经、勤读圣经、服从圣经的教会。

51. Why?
为什么？

52. Because the Bible is our only spiritual food.
因为圣经是我们唯一的属灵粮食。

53. Those of you who read the Bible every once in awhile,
如果你只是偶尔读读圣经的人，

54. I want to ask you a question.
让我问你一个问题：

55. Why don’t you try to eat just one meal a week and see what happens?
你试试看，一个星期只吃一顿饭将会如何？

56. God said in Hosea 4:6,
何西阿书4章6节神说：

57. “My people are destroyed for their lack of knowledge.”
我的民因无知识而灭亡。

58. First, the church must be a Bible centered church.
第一，教会必须以圣经为中心。

59. Secondly,
第二，

60. the church of Jesus Christ must be caring church.
耶稣基督的教会，必须是彼此关顾的教会；

61. Not to be caring and generous is a fall back into idolatry.
若不关怀，不慷慨，就会落入偶像的敬拜。

62. The believers in the first church had everything in common.
初代教会的基督徒，凡物公用，

63. They sold their goods and possessions and gave it to everyone who was in need.
他们变卖自己的家产，分给需要的人。

64. I want you to read verses 44 and 45 of Acts chapter 2.
请读使徒行传二章44-45节，

65. I need to explain something about these two verses.
我要为你解释这两节的经文。

66. Let me explain.
让我来说明：

67. First of all, the tense of both verbs is in the imperfect tense.
首先，这里所用的动词时态是未完成式。

68. Why is that important?
这有什么重要呢？

69. It is important because it says, that they were selling property and goods.
这很重要，因为那里的动词时态所代表的意义就是，他们正在卖田产家业；

70. As the need arose to help their fellow believers, they sold some of their property.
也就是说，当这群基督徒中有人遇到困难了，他们就会卖掉自己的产业，来帮助有需要的人。

71. When the need arose, they did not hesitate to sell some of their possessions to give to the Lord.
一有需要，他们就会毫不犹豫地卖掉部分产业，奉献给主。

72. Also, this giving and sharing was voluntary.
同时，他们都是自愿奉献和分享的，

73. It was not forced upon them.
不是被强迫的。

74. Whenever generosity becomes compulsory, it is no longer generosity.
一旦慷慨成为被动强制性的，就不再是慷慨了。

75. The reason these people were generous,
这群人之所以能如此慷慨，

76. because they were imitating their heavenly Father’s generosity.
因为他们效法天父的慷慨；

77. Your heavenly Father has been so generous to you.
你的天父对你那么慷慨，

78. And if you take His generosity for granted,
但你却当作是理所当然的，

79. and you never become generous yourself,
而你自己毫不慷慨，

80. Then you are not an imitator of your Father in heaven.
那么，你就没有效法你的天父。

81. The church of Jesus Christ is word honoring.
耶稣基督的教会，是尊重神的话的；

82. The church of Jesus Christ is generous and caring.
耶稣基督的教会，是慷慨关怀人的。

83. Thirdly,
第三，

84. The church of Jesus Christ is worship minded.
耶稣基督的教会，是存心敬拜神的。

85. With gladness and sincerity of heart they were praising God, the Bible said.
圣经说，他们存着欢喜诚实的心赞美神。

86. It comes as no surprise to many of you that worshipping, praising Christians are joyful Christians.
这些敬拜赞美的基督徒都是喜乐的基督徒，你一定不会感到惊奇。

87. Praising God in the life of the believer produces joy.
在基督徒的生命中，赞美能产生喜乐。

88. What does it mean to worship and praise God?
敬拜赞美神究竟是什么意思？

89. To praise God is to recite His wonderful deeds.
赞美神，就是述说神奇妙的作为；

90. To praise God is to be reminded of His character.
赞美神，就是纪念祂的美德；

91. To praise God is to recall His magnificent tributes.
赞美神，就是回想祂伟大的特性。

92. When the early church exalted the name of God, they experienced true happiness and joy.
当初代教会的信徒高举神的名时，他们就经历到真实的喜悦和欢乐。

93. Today, people are looking for happiness and contentment in all the wrong places.
今天许多人都在错误的场所寻求快乐和满足，

94. But true joy and happiness can only come to those who know how to give God the glory.
但只有懂得将荣耀归给神的人，才有真实的喜乐；

95. True happiness comes from focusing on God and not self.
以神为中心，而不以自我为中心，才能得到真正的快乐；

96. True happiness comes from seeking God’s glory and not our own.
寻求神的荣耀，而不是追求自己的荣耀，才能得到真正的快乐；

97. And that is why one of the fruit of the Spirit is joy.
所以，圣灵所结的果子之一，就是喜乐。

98. There are some people who erroneously think that the Christian life must be morbid and miserable and joyless.
有些人误认为基督徒的生活都是死气沉沉，凄凉可怜，毫无喜乐的；

99. Some think that the duller and the more morbid worship is, the more spiritual you are.
也有人以为越是枯燥沉闷，毫无生气的敬拜，才越属灵。

100. But that’s not true.
那是不对的！

101. The whole mark of the first church is that it was a joyous church.
初代教会的特征就是：他们是充满喜乐的教会。

102. The mark of the church of Jesus Christ is experiencing the combination of joy and awe all at the same time.
耶稣基督教会的特点就是：能同时经历喜乐与敬畏。

103. Let me summarize what we said so far.
让我们温习一下前面说过的重点：

104. That the church of Jesus Christ must be Bible honoring.
耶稣基督的教会必须尊重圣经。

105. Secondly,
第二，

106. be generous and caring.
慷慨关顾。

107. Thirdly,
第三，

108. worship minded.
存心敬拜。

109. Fourthly and lastly,
最后第四点，

110. witnessing bent.
热心作见证。

111. Verse 47 of Acts 2,
使徒行传2章47节说：

112. “To their number daily the Lord added those who were saved.”
主将得救的人天天加给他们。

113. This is a very important mark of the church.
这是教会重要的特征，

114. Why is it important?
为什么这么重要呢？

115. Because it tells us that the members of the first church,
因为这里告诉我们，初代教会的信徒，

116. did not only get preoccupied with learning the Word of God,
并不是整天单单学习神的话语，

117. that they forsook witnessing to their lost friends.
而不对未信主的亲朋好友作见证；

118. That they not only [were] so preoccupied with generosity and compassion that they neglected witnessing to their lost neighbors.
他们并不是整天去同情关怀人，慷慨帮助人，却忽略向未信主的邻居作见证；

119. That they did not get so preoccupied with worship that they ignored their unsaved family and friends.
他们并不是整天就是敬拜，却不理会那些未信主的家人朋友。

120. Why do I say this?
我为什么要谈到这一点呢？

121. Because the Holy Spirit is a missionary spirit.
因为圣灵是宣教的灵；

122. Because the Holy Spirit creates a missionary church.
因为圣灵要建立宣教的教会；

123. Because the Holy Spirit rejoices when the sinners are found.
因为当失丧的罪人悔改得救时，圣灵就欢喜。

124. If you practice the first three qualities and neglect the fourth one,
如果你只是实践刚才所说的前三个特征，却忽略了第四个，

125. you will end up being inward looking.
你仅仅注重内部。

126. Without witnessing, a church could become lacking in vision.
如果不为主作见证，这间教会就会失去异象。

127. My listening friend, several things I want you to notice.
亲爱的朋友，请注意几件事：

128. The Lord Jesus Christ himself is the one who added to their number.
是主耶稣基督让他们信主的人数增加，

129. But he did it in two ways:
但却是通过两种途径来作的：

130. Through the preaching of the apostles
通过使徒所讲的道，

131. And the witnessing of the church members.
和教会信徒的见证。

132. God always does His work through his obedient children.
神总是通过顺服祂的儿女来工作的；

133. God always brings His lost sheep into His fold through his obedient sheep.
神总是借着顺服祂的羊，带领迷失的羊回到羊圈里来的。

134. The second thing I want you to notice is this,
请注意第二件事，

135. He added those who were saved.
神将得救的人加给他们，

136. They got saved first, then joined the church.
也就是说，他们必须先得救再加入教会。

137. Thirdly, they were added daily.
第三，是天天加给他们的。

138. People were being saved every single day.
每天都有人得救，

139. Not just on some occasions,
并不是偶尔有人得救。

140. in the place where you work,
在你工作的场所，

141. in the places where you socialize,
在你社交的场所，

142. in the area in which you live,
在你居住的社区，

143. in the school where you are studying,
在你就读的学校，

144. there are people watching and waiting for you to witness to them.
总有人在观察等候你去向他们作见证。

145. On a daily basis, God was saving people through the witnessing of the new Christians.
每天神都借着一些新的基督徒向人作见证，来拯救人。

146. Let me give you a very quick example of how the Holy Spirit works through a small number of believers.
让我为你举个例子，关于圣灵如何在一小群基督徒身上所作的工作。

147. In 1937,
1937年，

148. all missionaries left a small country.
所有的宣教士都离开了某一个小国家，

149. And they left behind only eighteen baptized Christians.
当时只留下18位已经受洗的基督徒，

150. And a few portions of the Scripture in their language.
以及翻译成他们自己语言的部分圣经。

151. The new believers were cruelly persecuted and some were martyred.
这些新的基督徒，被残酷地迫害，甚至有人殉道。

152. But five years later,
但五年之后，

153. When the missionaries returned,
当宣教士再回去时，

154. They found that the eighteen Christians had multiplied to ten thousand.
他们发现18个基督徒，已经增加为一万个。

155. God adds when his people are faithfully witnessing.
当神的百姓忠心为祂作见证时，神要加添他们的人数。

156. I hope that this has been a challenge to all the Christians to begin to witness to Jesus Christ.
我盼望这成为所有基督徒的挑战，现在就开始为耶稣基督作见证吧！

157. Until we meet again, I wish you God’s richest blessing.
愿神大大地赐福给你，下次节目再会。