Centerfold (Page 19)

Centerfold (Page 19)

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Give with Your Hands and Dedicate with Your Heart

Written by Rev. Zheng 5 Nov 2023 Translated by Wu Weijie           We thank the Lord for the blessing of having our Pastor Mentor Reverend Joseph Tong with us last week. Out of his care for us, Rev. Tong has exhorted us to treat offering with more reverence.           Before Covid-19, our offertory gifts were collected by offering stewards. These stewards would dress their best, and during the service, pass around the…
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双手奉  诚心献

郑璧卿牧师字 2023年11月5日         感谢主,让我们从指导牧师唐崇怀牧师领受了又一次上好的福分。唐牧师也坦诚地给我们一个忠告:主日奉献需要更加恭敬。         新冠前我们委派司捐用奉献袋收取奉献。每个人将所要献的恭恭敬敬放入奉献袋里,司捐也穿着整齐、用双手拿奉献袋,恭恭敬敬地把奉献袋「奉」到台前,全会众在领会的带领下,藉着祷告恭恭敬敬地把所奉的献上给神。         新冠疫期间,我们改用网上转账的方式,让弟兄姐妹把奉献金奉到神的家中。那时,我们给大家做了双手「奉」、诚心「献」的教导,提醒大家在转账时要以恭敬的心态进行。(参阅CF 21/6/2020)         感谢主,新冠疫过去后这两年,弟兄姐妹都欢喜快乐地回到教会做礼拜;但我们却忽略了对奉献程序的调整。         执委会研讨后,决定从十一月开始,把奉献箱安置在敬拜台前;礼拜奉献的时候,让各人按次序上前来,欢欢喜喜把预备好的奉献金奉到奉献箱里。虽然这样会延长礼拜时间,但却使敬拜次序井然,而且奉献的恭敬和喜乐也能起着彼此激发和鼓励的作用。但更重要的是,这样做可以恢复奉献在礼拜中当有的重要性,使我们的敬拜更符合圣经:      「你一切的男丁要在除酵节、七七节、住棚节,一年三次,在耶和华你神所选择的地方朝见他,却不可空手朝见,各人要按自己的力量,照耶和华你神所赐的福分,奉献礼物。」(申16:16-17)         人不可空手朝见神。十一奉献是圣徒当纳的粮,当然可以在做礼拜的时候奉上,但十一奉献不能取代朝见神当献上的礼物。         由于金融系统正趋向无现金、无支票运作,弟兄姐妹仍然可以通过网上转账把奉献金奉上。但当奉献数额不大时,我鼓励你在周六预备供物,主日与众圣徒一同走到台前,必能尝到亲手奉上的真善美!
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浅谈灵恩神学(续)

王亚东长老 29 October 2023         耶稣复活后,门徒在五旬节领受了圣灵,他们行了许多神迹奇事 (徒二43;五12;八6;十四3),信主的人很多,这是我们都知道的,又为第三波人士不断强调的。教会真是建立在神迹奇事上吗?         保罗在大马色经历了不寻常的事后,没有立即上耶路撒冷见其他的弟兄,反倒退到旷野,重新思想整个信仰的问题,叫他成为第一世纪最伟大的传道者。他四次的宣教旅程,首务不是去各处行神迹奇事,而是传讲上帝恩惠的福音 (徒二十24)。在他书信的导言,多有介绍自己的身份,没有一次说他是来行神迹奇事,反而不断强调他是特派传上帝之福音的 (罗一l;加一4;多一3)。第一世纪后,教会面临相当长时间的迫害,叫教会经历这一切还能站立得住的,不是神迹奇事,而是神迹奇事尝试指出的福音信息,前三世纪教父竭力从事的释经、神学、护教、劝勉等工作,正是叫教会能抵御从政治、宗教、哲学及经济等迫害的因素。教会历史没有证据指出神迹奇事的信徒可以成就同样的事。         从敬拜形式上看,灵恩派的敬拜往往是很活泼的,例如流行的音乐形式,信徒可以在唱诗过程中挥动手臂甚至跳舞,讲道的信息非常浅显易懂。这与传统教会严肃严谨的敬拜形式而言,信徒会有更强的参与感。         若有什么教派及运动兴起,他们强调的,常常就是教会历久所忽略的。无论他们强调的是多么的不完全,我们都应该谦卑下来,先认识他们的强处,反省自己的不足,然后再指出他们偏颇的地方,目的是在学习别人的长处时能避免错误,教会才能有进步。 (参考文献:杨牧谷,《 狂飙后的微声 》灵恩与侍奉)
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A Brief Talk on Charismatic Theology

Written by elder Wang Yadong translated by Terry Chua edited by Rev Zheng           Throughout history, the question of the Holy Spirit’s identity has been a significant concern for churches.  In contrast, the three charismatic movements are more focused on the what and the means of the Holy Spirit’s work. An excessive emphasis on “who” might lead to excessive theological discussion and potentially losing a personal relationship with the Holy Spirit. Conversely, focusing only on the…
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A Brief Talk on Charismatic Theology (cont’)

Written by elder Wang Yadong translated by Terry Chua           After the resurrection of Jesus, the disciples received the Holy Spirit on Pentecost, and they performed many signs and wonders (Acts 2:43; 5:12; 8:6; 14:3). We know that many people came to believe on the day of Pentecost and this event is particularly emphasized by the third charismatic movement. Is the church really built on miraculous signs and wonders?           Paul did…