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以弗所书生命读经 · 第70篇

规条和道理

ORDINANCES AND DOCTRINE
1我们已经看过，神的灵与人的灵调和，产生了一个实体。神的灵与人的灵这样的一，就是召会生活。召会既是由神性与人性调和所产生的，我们就可以说，召会是一个二性品。以弗所书也说到一些破坏或拦阻召会生活的消极事物。这些事物包含在这卷书里，原因乃在于以弗所书是以召会为中心。
1We have seen that the divine Spirit has been mingled with the human spirit to produce one entity. This oneness of the divine Spirit with the human spirit is the church life. Because the church is produced by the mingling of divinity with humanity, we may say that the church is a hybrid. The book of Ephesians also deals with certain negative things that damage or hinder the church life. The reason these things are covered in this book is that Ephesians is focused on the church
废掉规条，好创造一个新人
ABOLISHING THE ORDINANCES
TO CREATE ONE NEW MAN
2凡作过多年基督徒的人都知道，基督是神的羔羊，死在十字架上，除去世人的罪。（约一29。）不仅如此，基督在十字架上钉死了旧人，废除了撒但，并对付了世界。这意思是说，基督在十字架上对付了罪，对付了旧人同旧性情，对付了撒但，并对付了世界。然而，很少基督徒晓得，基督在十字架上也对付了规条。基督对付了罪行与罪性，使我们能得救。祂对付了我们的旧性情，使我们得释放脱离旧人。此外，基督也对付了撒但，使我们能得胜并胜过那恶者。最终，基督对付了世界，使我们能圣别、成圣，从世界分别出来。但是为甚么祂要对付规条？祂对付规条是为了要创造一个新人。基督徒没有看见这一点，因为他们只注意个人的得救、成圣或得胜，而不注意召会。甚至许多圣经教师也没有指出，在以弗所书中，基督废除了规条，为要使召会能以产生。这是最近主给召会最重要的启示之一。基督的死不仅是为著我们的得救、释放、成圣和得胜。祂的死也废除了规条，为要把召会创造成一个新人。
2Those who have been Christians for years know that on the cross Christ died as the Lamb of God to take away the sin of the world (John 1:29). Furthermore, on the cross Christ crucified the old man, destroyed Satan, and dealt with the world. This means that on the cross Christ dealt with sin, with the old man including the old nature, with Satan, and with the world. However, not many Christians realize that on the cross Christ also dealt with the ordinances. Christ dealt with sins and with sin so that we might be saved. He dealt with our old nature in order to set us free from the old man. Moreover, Christ dealt with Satan so that we may be victorious and overcome the evil one. Finally, Christ dealt with the world, so that we may be holy, sanctified, separated from the world. But why did He deal with the ordinances? He dealt with them in order to create one new man. Christians do not see this point because they concentrate on personal salvation, sanctification, or victory, and pay no attention to the church. Even many Bible teachers fail to point out that in Ephesians Christ abolished the ordinances in order that the church might be produced. This is one of the most important revelations the Lord has given to the church in recent days. Christ’s death was not only for our salvation, liberation, sanctification, and victory. His death was also to abolish the ordinances in order to create the church as the one new man
3规条、诫命和律法是同一类的。没有律法，我们就没有甚么诫命。这些诫命产生规条。在十字架上，基督废掉了那规条中诫命的律法。规条与宗教、文化、并人类的天性有关。按照我们的天性，我们对规条有强烈的倾向。我们的规条与我们的文化相合。我们越有文化，就越有规条。
3Ordinances, commandments, and the law are in the same category. Apart from the law, we would not have any commandments. These commandments give rise to ordinances. On the cross Christ abolished the law of commandments in ordinances. Ordinances are related both to religion and to culture and also to human nature. According to our nature, we have a strong tendency toward ordinances. Our ordinances match our culture. The more cultured we are, the more ordinances we have.
4基督废掉了规条，为要在祂自己里面创造一个新人。祂废掉规条，不是为了使我们可以圣别、属灵或得胜。就一面意义说，祂废掉规条，甚至不是为了使我们得救。祂废掉规条，乃是为使召会得以产生。
4Christ abolished the ordinances in order to create in Himself one new man. He did not abolish them so that we may be holy, spiritual, or victorious. In a sense, He did not abolish the ordinances even that we may be saved. He abolished them so that the church might come into being
为著正确的召会生活
DROPPING THE ORDINANCES
丢弃规条
FOR THE PROPER CHURCH LIFE
5我们若认识召会，就会拒绝一切的规条。召会乃是经过过程的神与正确的人性调和。在这调和里，没有规条、诫命、规则或条例。我们越在调和的灵里，越在神灵与人灵的调和里，我们就越得释放脱离规条。然而，我们若紧抓住规条，我们就是分裂的。基督徒分裂，主要的是因为规条。有些宗派是因为规条而设立的。你有把握说你没有规条么？我们很少人能这么说。年轻人有他们特别的规条，年长的圣徒也有他们的规条。召会中领头人之间大部分的难处，乃是由规条所引起的。
5If we know the church, we shall reject all ordinances. The church is the mingling of the processed God with the proper humanity. Here in this mingling there are no ordinances, commandments, rules, or regulations. The more we are in the mingled spirit, in the mingling of the divine Spirit with the human spirit, the more we shall be set free from ordinances. However, if we cling to ordinances, we shall be divisive. Christians have been divided mainly because of ordinances. Some denominations have been established because of ordinances. Do you have the confidence to say that you have no ordinances? Few of us can say this. The young people have their particular ordinances, and the older saints have theirs. Most of the problems among the leading ones in the churches are caused by ordinances
6譬如，有些基督徒有一种关于说方言的规条。在某次聚会之后，一位弟兄很高兴的来见我，因为他没有受一位在聚会中说方言的姊妹搅扰。我告诉这位弟兄，连他的快乐也证明他仍然对说方言有感觉。因此，他的反应不完全是积极的。如果他被那些说方言的人围绕著，而没有甚么感觉，那就证明他对这件事没有规条。我们若要有正确的召会生活，就必须丢弃一切的规条，并专注于神灵与人灵的调和。惟有在这调和里，我们才能享受真正的召会生活。规条特别和宗教有关。没有规条，就不可能有宗教，因为宗教是由规条构成的。但是基督不要宗教，祂所要的乃是新人。因此，祂在十字架上废掉了规条。有些人也许喜欢在聚会中喊叫，另有些人喜欢安静。但无论赞成喊叫或赞成安静，都是一种规条。我们不应该为著这个或是那个，我们只该为著灵。然而，按照我们的天性和教养，我们不是倾向一种规条，就是倾向另一种规条。但是只要有规条，我们就没有召会生活的实际。召会生活不是由规条，而是由活的灵组成的。
6Some Christians have an ordinance, for example, regarding speaking in tongues. After one meeting, a brother came to me very happy because he had not been bothered by a sister who had spoken in tongues in that meeting. I told this brother that even his happiness proved that he still had feelings about speaking in tongues. Hence, his reaction was not altogether positive. If he could be surrounded by those who spoke in tongues without having any feeling about it, that would prove that he had no ordinances concerning this matter. If we would have the proper church life, we must drop all ordinances and concentrate on the mingling of the divine Spirit with the human spirit. Only in this mingling can we enjoy the genuine church life. Ordinances are particularly related to religion. Without ordinances, it is impossible to have religion, for religion is composed of ordinances. But Christ does not want a religion. What He wants is the new man. Therefore, He abolished the ordinances on the cross. Some may prefer shouting in the meeting, whereas others prefer silence. But to be either for shouting or for silence is to have an ordinance. We should not be for either one or the other, but for the Spirit. However, according to our nature and upbringing, we are prone to have ordinances of one kind or another. But as long as there are ordinances, we do not have the reality of the church life. The church life does not consist of ordinances, but of the living Spirit.
规条与那灵的对比
THE CONTRAST BETWEEN ORDINANCES AND THE SPIRIT
7在以弗所二章十三至二十二节，我们看见规条和那灵之间的对比。基督在十字架上废掉了规条，为要产生召会。现今规条已经废掉了，那灵进来顶替了规条。如果我们有规条，我们就没有那灵。但如果我们有那灵，我们就没有规条。十字架废掉了规条，为要让那灵有地位；在祂里面，我们得以进到父面前。因此，那灵顶替了一切的规条。在聚会中，我们不该有关于喊叫或安静的规条。只要我们不在那灵里，我们所作的一切就都是规条。召会不是组织，也不是宗教，乃是由神的灵与人的灵调和，所产生之基督的身体。在聚会中，我们不该有规则与条例，我们只该注意在那灵里。不要太去注意椅子的摆法，或者姊妹们是否戴蒙头帽。在那灵里把椅子排成特别的方式，或戴上蒙头帽，这也许很好；但是坚持这些事，就使牠们成了规条。如果我们不在那灵里，凡我们在聚会中所作的，都会变成规条。当基督废掉规条时，祂拆毁了中间隔断的墙。（二14。）现今规条隔开的墙不再存在了。我年轻时，很在意规条的事。但是今天我知道，神只在意神圣的灵在我们人的灵里。保罗在二章十八节说到圣灵，在二十二节说到人的灵。
7In 2:13-22 we see a contrast between ordinances and the Spirit. Christ on the cross abolished the ordinances in order to produce the church. Now that the ordinances have been abolished, the Spirit comes in to replace them. If we have ordinances, we do not have the Spirit. But if we have the Spirit, we shall not have ordinances. The cross abolished the ordinances in order to give place to the Spirit in whom we have access unto the Father. Hence, the Spirit is the replacement of all ordinances. In the meetings we should not have an ordinance regarding shouting or quietness. As long as we are not in the Spirit, anything we do is an ordinance. The church is neither an organization nor a religion, but the Body of Christ produced by the mingling of the divine Spirit with the human spirit. In the meetings we should not have rules and regulations; we should simply care to be in the Spirit. Do not be concerned about the arrangement of the chairs or about whether or not the sisters wear a head covering. To arrange the chairs in a particular way or to wear a head covering may be fine when done in the spirit. But to insist on these things is to make them ordinances. Anything we do in the meetings becomes an ordinance if we are not in the Spirit. When Christ abolished the ordinances, He broke down the middle wall of partition (2:14). Now the separating wall of ordinances no longer exists. When I was young, I was strong in the matter of ordinances. But today I realize that God cares only for the divine Spirit in our human spirit. In 2:18 Paul speaks of the Holy Spirit and in verse 22, of the human spirit
关心基督身体的建造
CARING FOR THE BUILDING UP OF THE BODY
8以弗所二章二十二节说，神的居所是在我们的灵里。神要得著这样一个居所，就必须有基督身体实际的建造。但我们若仍然持守著某些规条，就不能与其他信徒建造起来。规条总是造成分裂的。如果有些姊妹以蒙头作为规条，她们就与那些不蒙头的姊妹分裂了。那些主张蒙头的也许很理直气壮，用林前十一章作为她们的圣经根据。但是她们在规条上若太强烈，她们就会与其他的姊妹分裂。然而，如果所有的姊妹都在那灵里，而不在意蒙头的规条，她们就会被建造在一起。
8Ephesians 2:22 says that God’s dwelling place is in our spirit. For God to have such a dwelling place, there must be the practical building up of the Body. But if we still hold to certain ordinances, we cannot be built up with other believers. Ordinances are always divisive. If some sisters make an ordinance out of head coverings, they will be divided from the sisters who do not wear a head covering. Those who advocate head covering may be very strong, using 1 Corinthians 11 as their scriptural ground. But if they are strong in the way of ordinances, they will be divided from other sisters. However, if all the sisters are in the Spirit, not caring for ordinances about head covering, they will be built up together.
9在今天的基督教里，很少信息说到建造。大多数基督徒所注意的，只是个人的造就，而不是基督身体的建造。造就一个人通常是指教育他，给他属灵的教育。虽然许多人注意这样的教育，但是他们不关心基督身体的建造。在主的恢复里，我们不是为著个人的造就，乃是为著团体的建造。保罗在二章二十二节说，『你们也在祂里面同被建造，成为神在灵里的居所。』如果我们仍旧持守著规条，我们怎能在我们的所在地被建造起来？不可能。正如我们都有不同的脸，照样我们也有不同的规条。我们赞美主，不管我们的背景多么不同，我们有同一个生命和同一位灵！因此，在今天的召会生活中，我们不在意规条，我们只专注于调和的灵。
9In today’s Christianity seldom is a message given on the building. What most Christians care for is individual edification, not the building up of the Body. To edify someone usually means to educate him, to give him a spiritual education. Although many care for such education, they are not concerned about the building up of the Body of Christ. In the Lord’s recovery we are not for personal edification, but for corporate building up. In 2:22 Paul says, “In Whom you also are being built together into a dwelling place of God in spirit.” How can we be built up together in our locality if we still hold on to ordinances? It is impossible. Just as we all have different faces, so we all have different ordinances. We praise the Lord that no matter how different our background may be, we have one life and one Spirit! Therefore, in the church life today we do not care for ordinances, but we focus on the mingled spirit
道理破坏召会生活
DOCTRINE AS A DAMAGE TO THE CHURCH LIFE
10在四章十四节，保罗说到破坏召会生活的第二件消极事物：『使我们不再作小孩子，为波浪漂来漂去，并为一切教训之风所摇荡，这教训是在于人的欺骗手法，在于将人引入错谬系统的诡诈作为。』保罗在这里说到教训或道理。在任何宗教里，不仅有规条，还有道理。请注意，保罗在十四节不是说到异端，乃是说到道理，说到教训。道理虽然看起来是好的，却能把我们从基督与召会引开。无论一种道理看起来多积极，如果使你偏离了基督与召会，你就必须谨慎，不要接受。如果一种道理使你偏离了基督与召会，即使是最好的道理，你也不要接受。产生召会的乃是那灵，不是道理。可惜今天的基督教里是道理加上道理；一篇又一篇的道，都是说道理。然而，光是道理，而没有在那灵里的生命，会破坏召会生活。
10In 4:14 Paul speaks of a second negative thing that causes damage to the church life: “That we may be no longer babes tossed by waves and carried about by every wind of teaching in the sleight of men, in craftiness with a view to a system of error.” Here Paul speaks of teaching or doctrine. In any religion there are not only ordinances, but also doctrines. Notice that in verse 14 Paul does not speak of heresy, but of doctrine, of teaching. Although doctrine seems good, it can cause us to be carried away from Christ and the church. No matter how positive a particular doctrine may seem to be, if it distracts you from Christ and the church, you must be careful about it and not take it in. Do not accept even the best doctrine if it distracts you from Christ and the church. It is the Spirit, not doctrine, that produces the church. Nevertheless, in today’s Christianity there is doctrine upon doctrine. There sermon upon sermon is given on doctrine. However, the mere doctrine without life in the Spirit damages the church life
11在以弗所四章有一个道理和基督的实际之间的对比。基督的实际就是实际的灵。你若坚守道理，自然就失去实际的灵。但你若顾到实际的灵，就会放下道理。
11In chapter four of Ephesians there is a contrast between doctrine and the reality of Christ. The reality of Christ is the Spirit of reality. If you cling to doctrine, you will automatically let go of the Spirit of reality. But if you take care of the Spirit of reality, you will let go of doctrine.
12今天基督徒的分裂，不是因著规条，就是因著道理。宗派是照著规条或道理设立的。若没有规条或道理，就不会有分裂。如果规条和道理挪去了，所有的真基督徒都会是一。我们感谢主，不论我们的背景怎么分歧，我们在主的恢复里真正是一。甚至邪恶的天使也得承认我们的一。我们背景所带来的分裂元素，已经被撇在一旁；我们在主里来在一起成为一了。多年来，我们学习丢弃我们的意见，为要保守一。很多时候我们各有不同的意见，但是靠著主的怜悯，我们愿意为著一的缘故放下意见。基督的身体是出于那灵。道理的分歧必定不能建造基督的身体。当我们坚持自己道理上的意见时，我们就没有基督的实际了；这实际一点不差的就是赐生命的灵。
12Christians today are divided either by ordinances or by doctrines. The denominations are established according to ordinances or doctrines. Without ordinances or doctrines, there would be no divisions. If ordinances and doctrines were removed, all genuine Christians would be one. We thank the Lord that no matter how diverse our backgrounds may be, we in the Lord’s recovery are truly one. Even the evil angels recognize our oneness. The divisive elements of our backgrounds have been set aside, and we have come together to be one in the Lord. Throughout the years we have learned to drop our opinions in order to keep the oneness. A number of times we have held different opinions, but by the Lord’s mercy we have been willing to drop them for the sake of the oneness. The Body comes out of the Spirit. Certainly doctrinal dissension could never build up the Body. When we hold on to our doctrinal opinion, we are through with the reality of Christ, which is nothing less than the life-giving Spirit
接受主的话作滋养
TAKING THE WORD AS NOURISHMENT
13因为我们强调，为著召会的建造，需要把道理摆在一边，你也许想知道我们怎样对待圣经。我们接触圣经，主要的不该是为著得知识。相反的，我们应该用圣经作属灵的滋养。按照以弗所六章十七至十八节，我们应当藉4:4著各样的祷告，接受神的话。在马太四章四节，主耶稣对试诱祂的魔鬼说，『人活著不是单靠食物，乃是靠神口里所出的一切话。』这指明主耶稣接受神在圣经里的话作祂的食物，并且靠神的话活著。从神口里所出的话，主要的不是为著知识，乃是为著滋养。所以当我们接触主的话时，我们不该只运用我们的心思，乃该特别运用我们的灵，把主的话接受进来作滋养。最近我再读以赛亚书。已往我得了许多关于这卷书的知识。但这次我读以赛亚书时，主要的不是为著得知识，乃是为著得滋养。以赛亚一章三节说，『牛认识主人，驴认识主人的槽。』槽与吃有关，这指明以赛亚书有滋养的观念。我再一次说，我们不该把神的话只当作知识接受，我们应当把牠当作食物滋养我们。接受主的话作滋养，最好的路乃是藉著祷读。
13Since we emphasize the need to set aside doctrine for the building up of the church, you may wonder what we do with the Bible. We should not approach the Scriptures mainly for the purpose of gaining knowledge. On the contrary, we should use the Bible for spiritual nourishment. According to 6:17 and 18, we should take the Word of God by means of all prayer. In Matthew the Lord Jesus said to the Devil who was tempting Him, “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out through the mouth of God.” This indicates that the Lord Jesus took the word of God in the Scriptures as His bread and lived on it. The word that proceeds out through the mouth of God is for nourishment, not primarily for knowledge. There fore, when we contact the Word, we should exercise not only our mind but especially our spirit to take in the Word as nourishment. Recently I turned once again to the book of Isaiah. In the past I acquired a good deal of knowledge of this book. But as Ire ad Isaiah this time, I did not do so mainly for knowledge, but for nourishment. Isaiah 1:3 says, “The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master’s crib.” The fact that a crib is related to eating indicates that the book of Isaiah has the concept of nourishment. Once again I say that we should not take the Word of God just as knowledge; we should take it as food to nourish us. The best way to take the Word as nourishment is by pray-reading.
关心基督的实际
CARING FOR THE REALITY OF CHRIST
14我们若注意道理，就会分裂。我们在主的恢复里必须清楚，我们不是为著规条或道理，乃是为著活的灵，就是基督的实际。我们若是忠信的关心基督的实际，不在乎道理或规条，我们就不会分裂。已过我们中间有些制造分裂的人；他们留了一阵子，然后就开始坚持特别的道理。由于我们不让他们的道理有地位，他们就离开了。我们始终并且仍然只为著基督与召会站住，而不为著任何特别的道理。
14If we care for doctrine, we shall be divided. We in the Lord’s recovery need to be clear that we are not for ordinances or for doctrine, but for the living Spirit, who is the reality of Christ. If we are faithful to care for the reality of Christ and not for doctrines or ordinances, we shall not be divided. In the past certain divisive ones have been among us. They stayed for a while, but then began to insist on a particular doctrine. Because we refused to give place to their doctrine, they left. We have been and still are standing only for Christ and the church, not for any particular doctrine
15当我们说我们是为著活的灵，不是为著道理时，这并不表示我们不相信圣经。比起其他的基督徒，我们相信圣经有过之而无不及。但我们不把圣经1当作死的字句来接受。主的话对我们是活的。如果因著林前十一章，有些姊妹被主摸著，而戴上了蒙头帽，为此我们感谢并赞许，但是我们不愿把这事弄成蒙头的道理。同样的原则，如果有些弟兄姊妹觉得他们老旧，巴望被埋葬，我们愿意包容他们。但是我们不把多次受浸弄成道理。关于焚烧属世或不正当的东西，也是这样。若有人受主引导要焚烧某些物品，他们有自由这么作。但是他们不应该把焚烧这件事弄成道理。事实上，甚至基督与召会对我们也不仅仅是道理，而是奇妙的实际。
15When we say that we are for the living Spirit and not for doctrine, this does not mean that we do not believe in the Bible. We believe the Bible at least as much as other Christians do, if not more. But we do not take the Bible as dead letters. To us, the Word is living. If through Corinthians 11 some sisters are touched by the Lord to put on a head covering, we are thankful and appreciative, but we would not make this into a doctrine of head covering. In the same principle, if certain brothers and sisters feel that they are old and desire to be buried, we are willing to accommodate them. But we do not make a doctrine of being baptized more than once. The same holds true regarding the burning of things that are worldly or improper. If some are led of the Lord to burn certain articles, they are free to do so. But they should not make this matter of burning into a doctrine. In fact, not even Christ and the church are mere doctrines to us. Rather, Christ and the church are a marvelous reality.
对青年人的嘱咐
A CHARGE TO THE YOUNG PEOPLE
16我知道主在祂恢复里的往前，越过越是在青年人身上。无疑的，主的恢复在美国以及其他地方的开展，主要的将是在他们身上。因此，我要在主面前嘱咐青年人：我们在恢复里，不是为著规条或道理，乃是为著赐生命的灵作基督的实际；认识这件事是重要的。我们不把圣经当作字句的道理，反而接受主的话作灵和生命。在以弗所二章，有规条与那灵之间的对比；在四章，有道理与基督的实际之间的对比；这实际产生生命的长大，好为著基督身体的建造。规条是一道隔离的墙，而道理是把人从基督身体之建造吹离的风。在二章和四章里，保罗关心召会的建造。当我们为著那灵时，我们就要被建造起来，成为神在我们灵里的居所。照样，我们若是为著基督的实际，我们就有生命的长大，在爱里把基督的身体建造起来。所以，我们在主的恢复里必须宣告，我们不在意规条或道理。我们接受神的话作启示和滋养，但是我们不在意道理。我们知道在已过几世纪中，神的子民因著道理和规条而分裂，甚至分成各宗各派。所以，我们只关心那灵和基督的实际。
16I realize that more and more the going on of the Lord in His recovery will be with the young people. No doubt the spread of the recovery in this country and elsewhere will be mainly with them. Therefore, in the presence of the Lord, I would charge the young people with the importance of realizing that in the recovery we are not for ordinances or for doctrine, but only for the life-giving Spirit as the reality of Christ. We do not take the Bible as a book of doctrine in letters. Rather, we take the Word as spirit and life. In Ephesians 2 there is the contrast between ordinances and the Spirit, and in chapter four there is the contrast between doctrine and the reality of Christ that produces the growth in life for the building up of the Body. Ordinances are a wall that separates, whereas doctrine is a wind that carries people away from the building up of the Body. In both chapter two and chapter four Paul is concerned with the building up of the church. When we are for the Spirit, we shall be built up as God’s habitation in our spirit. In like manner, if we are for the reality of Christ, we shall have the growth in life for the building up of the Body in love. Therefore, we in the Lord’s recovery must proclaim that we do not care for ordinances or for doctrine. We take the Word as revelation and nourishment, but we do not care for doctrine. We know that through the past several centuries God’s people have been divided and even denominated by doctrine and ordinances. Therefore, we care only for the Spirit and for the reality of Christ.