使徒的重要性 The Importance of Apostle - part II

四． 使徒是使众人在真道上合一的关键性职事。使徒是建造教会、关切教会（生教会、养教会、监护教会），把教会献给基督的职事。
4. Apostle is a ministry that unite all in true gospel. Apostle builds the church, concern for the church (born, support, guardianship church), dedicate church to Christ.

a. 生教会 (born the church)
【林前4:14-15】 我写这话，不是叫你们羞愧，乃是警戒你们，好像我所亲爱的儿女一样。你们学基督的，师傅虽有一万，为父的却是不多，因我在基督耶稣里用福音生了你们。
I Corinthians 4:14-15 – I am not writing this to shame you, but to warn you, as my dear children. Even though you have ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel.

【加4:19】 我小子阿，我为你们再受生产之苦，直等到基督成形在你们心里。
Galatians 4:19 – My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you.

b. 养教会 (support the church)
【帖前2:6-8，11】 我们作基督的使徒，虽然可以叫人尊重，却没有向你们或向别人求荣耀，只在你们中间存心温柔，如同母亲乳养自己的孩子。我们既是这样爱你们，不但愿意将神的福音给你们，连自己的性命也愿意给你们，因你们是我们所疼爱的。你们也晓得我们怎样劝勉你们，安慰你们，嘱咐你们各人，好像父亲待自己的儿女一样。
I Thessalonians 2:6-8, 11 – We were not looking for praise from men, not from you or anyone else. As apostles of Christ we could have been a burden to you, but we were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her little children. We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us. For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children,

【林后11:28】 除了这外面的事，还有为众教会挂心的事，天天压在我身上。
II Corinthians 11:28 – Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches.

【徒20:20】 你们也知道，凡与你们有益的，我没有一样避讳不说的。或在众人面前，或在各人家里，我都教导你们。
Acts 20:20 – You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house.

【林后12:14-15】 如今我打算第三次到你们那里去，也必不累着你们，因我所求的是你们，不是你们的财物。儿女不该为父母积财，父母该为儿女积财。我也甘心乐意为你们的灵魂费财费力。
II Corinthians 12:14-15 – Now I am ready to visit you for the third time, and I will not be a burden to you, because what I want is not your possessions but you. After all, children should not have to save up for their parents, but parents for their children.

c. 监护教会 – 把教会如同童女许配给一个丈夫（基督） (Guardianship the church - betroth the church like a virgin to a husband (Christ)
【林后11:2】 我为你们起的愤恨，原是神那样的愤恨。因为我曾把你们许配一个丈夫，要把你们如同贞洁的童女，献给基督。我只怕你们的心或偏于邪，失去那向基督所存纯一清洁的心，就像蛇用诡诈诱惑了夏娃一样。
II Corinthians 11:2 – I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. I promised you to one husband, to Christ, so that I might present you as a pure virgin to him. But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent's cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ.

【帖前2:19】 我们的盼望和喜乐，并所夸的冠冕，是什么呢？岂不是我们主耶稣来的时候，你们在他面前站立得住吗？因为你们就是我们的荣耀，我们的喜乐。
I Thessalonians 2:19 – For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? Indeed, you are our glory and joy.

*Some English translation might not be so exact!

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使徒的重要性 The Importance of Apostle - part I

一．使徒是神在教会中设立的第一等属灵职份
1. In the church God has appointed first of all apostles

【林前12:28】 神在教会所设立的，第一是使徒。第二是先知，第三是教师。其次是行异能的。再次是得恩赐医病的。帮助人的。治理事的。说方言的。
I Corinthians 12:28 – And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues.

【弗4:11-12】 他所赐的有使徒，有先知。有传福音的。有牧师和教师。为要成全圣徒，各尽其职，建立基督的身体。
Ephesians 4:11-12 – It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.

二．只有使徒才能立定教会的根基，并且成为神奥秘事的管家
2. Only apostle can build up the foundation of a church

【林前3:10】 我照神所给我的恩，好像一个聪明的工头，立好了根基，有别人在上面建造。只是各人要谨慎怎样在上面建造。
I Corinthians 3:10 – By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds.

【弗2:20】 并且被建造在使徒和先知的根基上，有基督耶稣自己为房角石。
Ephesians 2:20 – Built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.

【弗3:5】 这奥秘在以前的世代，没有叫人知道，像如今借着圣灵启示他的圣使徒和先知一样。
Ephesians 3:5 – Which was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God's holy apostles and prophets.

三．使徒是神福音的执事，也是辩明福音的职事，真理的断案在于使徒
3. Apostle is the deacon of gospel, the one who identify the gospel, and the one who preaches the true gospel

【腓1:16】 这一等是出于爱心，知道我是为辩明福音设立的。
The latter do so in love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel.

【罗2:16】 就在神借耶稣基督审判人隐秘事的日子，照着我的福音所言。
This will take place on the day when God will judge men's secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares.

【加 1:6-9】 我希奇你们这么快离开那借着基督之恩召你们的，去从别的福音。那并不是福音不过有些人搅扰你们，要把基督的福音更改了。但无论是我们，是天上来的使者，若 传福音给你们，与我们所传给你们的不同，他就应当被咒诅。我们已经说了，现在又说，若有人传福音给你们，与你们所领受的不同，他就应当被咒诅。
Galatians 1:6-9 – I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel-- which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned! As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned!

*Some English translation might not be so exact!

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John the Baptist

He Accepted God’s Predestination on Him

The Bible speaks concerning the birth of John the Baptist saying: “He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, ‘to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,’ and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord” (Luke 1:17). John the Baptist was the forerunner of Lord Jesus. He was able to open the way for Lord Jesus because he had the spirit and power of Elijah. Today, we have obtained God’s mercy to succeed the ministry of the latter-day Elijah (John the Baptist), to prepare the way for the Lord’s return. Therefore, it is imperative that we possess the spirit and power of Elijah.

John the Baptist was “the voice of one crying in the wilderness” (Matt. 3:3). He lived his entire life in the desert and assumed the ministry in the vast, barren wilderness, where you have to open up your own way. However, John the Baptist did not rejected or escape from God’s predestination. Instead, he accepted his fate bravely and willingly. In order that the Lord would have a prosperous way, he dared not hope for an easy or prosperous way. He was ready to face all the adverse circumstances. This is the spirit of Elijah.

Why do people often give up on the way of following the Lord? Because they feel that the way of the church is full of battles and hardships. What would you do if you were placed in desolate wilderness, without a single soul in sight and with nothing there to respond you? Would you still assume the ministry? Could you still preach? Not only did John preach, he shouted! Don’t you think it is foolish to assume the ministry this way? Why is he shouting if no one is listening? However, this is the way God wants us to work. This is not a theory. We must personally experience it with our lives.

Some people cannot withstand loneliness. For example, some may serve God well at the big churches and even speak eloquently at conventions. But say you are a university graduate, and you forsook everything to follow the Lord. If you were to be transferred to a small place with few people, would you still have the interest to serve? The sheep there are not only few and tender, but also sick. Would you feel that it is a waste of your time and your life to shepherd such sheep? You’d have to deal with a handful of sick and unresponsive sheep everyday. If you did get response, it would be a cold one. Serving the Lord in this kind of environment is just like being in the wilderness! Can you go on serving in this way? This requires the spirit of Elijah. This is to accept God’s predestination on you.

He Didn’t Build Up His Own Image, but Christ’s

John knew that he was the voice crying in the wilderness – once it passes, it is gone. It is good enough if the voice is heard. It does not matter how people react to it. Voice is without form or external beauty. So John, just like this voice, didn’t build up his own image, but Christ’s. He introduced Jesus Christ, the Messiah, who was baptized with the Holy Spirit and fire, to the people of God. The Bible says, “I did not know Him; but that He should be revealed to Israel, therefore I came baptizing with water” (John 1:31).

The purpose of John’s ministry was to let people know Christ. As for himself, he was only a voice that would pass away. He only wanted people to have an impression of Jesus. This was the spirit of John the Baptist. When we have a spirit of willingly losing ourselves in God’s will and having no image of our own, the glorious image of Christ will be manifested, and God’s children will be able to know the Messiah prepared by God. This resembles the burnt offering of the Old Testament era – whether it was oxen or sheep, they had to be killed, skinned, and cut into pieces. And then they had to be burned on the altar into ashes. The original image was completely gone. This was also the way John the Baptist assumed his ministry – all he did was convey (impart) God’s voice and let people hear the voice of the Son of God, while losing his own identity completely. Such ministration satisfies God most.

He Didn’t Stumble because of the Lord

Since John the Baptist was also human, he encountered considerable trials assuming this ministry. When his disciples told him of the miracles performed by the Lord Jesus and the things He had done, he was very tried. He introduced the Messiah to people and because of this, many found grace: the blind saw; the lame walked; the lepers were cleansed; the deaf heard; the dead were raised, and the poor had the gospel preached to them. While everyone was enjoying God’s grace, the one who introduced the Messiah to them had to suffer in jail!

John was so tried that he sent someone to ask the Lord Jesus, “Are you the Coming One, or do we look for another?” The Lord Jesus did not say anything except, “Blessed is he who does not stumble because of Me.” Brothers and sisters, if we were John, we probably would have said, “If you don’t save me from the prison, I will be stumble because of you!” Nevertheless, what the Lord Jesus meant to say was: I save the blind and the lame; as for you, I predestined you to be killed – beheaded.

What would you do? Would you be offended? Thank God that John the Baptist did not become offended because of the Lord. He did not compare himself with others, but accepted what God had destined for him. What would become of others was none of his concern. This was John’s mentality: if others find grace because if me, I thank God. If I am not prosperous on earth, I also thank God, because all these are predestined by Him. May the Lord increase and I decrease.

The Lord Jesus was also like this. When He was on the cross, people mocked Him, saying that He could save others but not Himself. Actually, the Lord was able to come down but God predestined Him to die on the cross. Otherwise, the salvation could not be accomplished. This is the way where people find grace. Do we want the Lord’s salvation to come upon the world? Do we want the dawn of God’s mercy to shine upon the earth? Then we must be like the Lord – able to save others and not ourselves.

From our own point of view, it may seem strange, but if we look at it from God’s predestination, it is not strange at all. This is the secret to bring salvation to people. Sometimes, when we look at the circumstances, it seems as though we cannot even save ourselves. So how could we possibly save others? However, the profound mystery of the cross is here – we can’t save ourselves. If we do, we can’t save others. Therefore, as we had said, Jesus Christ brought about a revolution by shedding His own blood, not others.

Do you imitate the Lord in sacrificing yourself to save other, or do you want others to die together with you just because you cannot save yourself? What would we do if God willed that we endure suffering and death to bring salvation to others? May we be able to say to the Lord, “I believe You will give me sufficient grace. Let the relationship between You and me be more intimate.”

John the Baptist finally finished assuming his ministry. He prepared the way of the Lord and let people of God know the Messiah. May God do on us as He had done on John the Baptist so that we may finish the course God predestined us to walk on and assume well the ministry of latter-day Elijah.

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John the Baptist - part V

“But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more then a prophet. For this is he of whom it is written: ‘Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, who will prepare Your way before You.’ Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he” (Matt. 11:9-11). This is the witness that the Lord Jesus bore of John the Baptist. He said John the Baptist was more than a prophet, because he was specially sent to prepare the way and the people for the King of kings and the Lord of lords, and to bear witness of Him. This prophet was different from most prophets, for among those born of women there had not risen anyone greater than him. Today, this verse of the Bible will also be fulfilled in us. Therefore, if we have the insight, we will know how glorious and honorable our ministry is! Many people forsook this ministry for a little benefit of the world, such as marriage of fame. What a pity! There for, let us respect and honor our ministry.

Although John the Baptist was a great prophet, he also had his weaknesses. He doubted the Lord. “And when John had heard in prison about the works of Christ, he sent two disciples and said to Him, ‘Are you the Coming One, or do we look for another?’” (Matt. 11:2-3). John the Baptist was bright and courageous, and had knowledge of the Messiah when he bore witness of the Lord Jesus. However, he later doubted Him and said, “Are you the Coming One, or do we look for another?” We need to understand the circumstances John was in at that time. He was greatly afflicted in jail. In weaknesses, he may have thought: Since the Lord Jesus is the Messiah who is omnipotent and can raise the dead, why doesn’t He come and save me or visit me in jail? O lord, how can you be so merciless?...

Men have nothing to boast of. Anyone can become weak and have doubts while in hardships, afflictions and trials. John the Baptist also became weak but he did not stumble. That was God’s special mercy and grace. We are no different. Sometimes when God raises up a new circumstance, we tend to be weak and almost stumble. But today, it is all God’s mercy that we are still able to walk on this path of the cross and to stand on this position of serving God.

People who were greatly used by God, such as Moses, David, and Peter – all had moments of weaknesses. What more to say of us? Apostle Paul said, “Whenever I am weak, I am strong.” Those who really love God and the truth may also have weaknesses, but they will not stumble. John the Baptist was one of them. He sacrificed his life to bear witness of the Lord and accomplished God’s will. He finally completed the work entrusted by God and finished his course. Now, he is waiting for the reward in heaven.

The Lord Jesus said, “Blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.” For the Lord Jesus was destined for the fall and rising of many. Today, the man raised up by God and the mountain chosen by Him in the end time are also destined for the fall and rising of many. Blessed are we if we are not offended by this man and this mountain. We will eventually accomplish God’s will and complete the work entrusted by Him.

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John the Baptist - part IV

“And He came down with them and stood on a level place with a crowd of His disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea and Jerusalem, and from the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon, who came to hear Him and be healed of their diseases, as well as those who were tormented with unclean spirits. And they were healed” (Luke 6:17-18). This passage of the Bible lets us see that a prophet does not only preaches does not only preach the gospel but also rebuke sins and deals with the dominion of darkness. A prophet is not like the cowardly human kingdoms who dare not speak the truth. John the Baptist judge King Herod. He rebuked the king for unlawfully having his brother’s wife. Obviously, the mission of a prophet includes upholding justice and rebuking unrighteousness. When our Lord Jesus was on earth, He also rebuked the kings of their wrongdoings, and for this, He suffered many afflictions and persecutions.

“Immediately the King (Herod) sent an executioner and commanded his head to be brought. And he went and beheaded him in prison, brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl; and the girl gave it to her mother” (Mark 6:27-28). John the Baptist rebuked Herod and the adulterous woman Herodias, who hated him. However, Herod knew that John was a just and holy man, and that he should fear him, protect him, and listen to him. But one day this foolish king threw a birthday party for himself. The daughter of Herodias danced before him, and pleased him. So the king promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked. Prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me the head of John the Baptist!” What a wicked generation! They beheaded a great prophet over such a trivial manner. Therefore, the Lord Jesus said, “Elijah has come, and they did to him whatever they wished.” For the sake of God’s will and for testifying for the Lord Jesus, this great prophet eventually sacrificed his life and finished his course on earth.

This latter Elijah was martyred, but today’s latter-day Elijah will be caught up in glory. Will he be caught up alone? No. This Elijah will make ready all the churches and saints so that we will all be changed and caught up together at the last trumpet. Therefore, let us be faithful like these two latter Elijah. After we have accomplished and fulfill God’s will, we will be caught up together with the latter-day Elijah in victory. Hallelujah!

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John the Baptist - part III

“Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. And John tried to prevent Him, saying, ‘I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?’ But Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.’ Then he allowed Him. When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens where opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, ‘This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased’” (Matt. 3:13-17).

Here it says that a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” God gave His only begotten Son to the world and prepared a salvation for all mankind. His great love is shown and His righteousness is fulfilled. Our Lord came to this world in the likeness of man. He humbled Himself and let John the Baptist baptize Him, saying, “…for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Even our Lord tried to meet God’s demand. The Son of God had no privileges, unlike the children of the kings and rulers of the world. The Lord was baptized in God’s will. His humbleness has become our good example.

When the Lord Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist, what did it reveal? It revealed that the ministry of John the Baptist was transferred over to the Lord Jesus. This was a sign of handing over the mission. When the Lord Jesus came up from the water, it indicated that the ministry, mission, and entrustment of John the Baptist had been completed. Now, it was the Lord’s turn to assume ministry. The era of John the Baptist hand changed to the era of the Lord Jesus. That was a turning point in history and also the climax of revival. Since then, John, who was a good pioneer, completed his mission. Soon after that, he was imprisoned.

John the Baptist, the great prophet, had the spirit and power of Elijah. He was dauntless in confronting tyrants and tyrannies. For the sake of testifying for the Lord and His will (truth and righteousness), John feared not the king’s wrath or his evil power. He eventually walked into the prison of the human kingdom and stepped on to the way of martyrs. He was the first martyr after the Lord Jesus was born.

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John the Baptist - part II

We were originally not God’s children. How, then, did we become His children? We became God’s children through promise just like Isaac and John the Baptist did. How do we prove that? By our faith. Galatians 3:14 says, “…that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.” The blessing of Abraham was tremendous! It included all the blessings in heaven and on earth. This blessing of Abraham will also come upon all those born through promise.

How are we born through promise? It is by receiving the promised Holy Spirit by faith. After we receive the promised Spirit, we are like Isaac who was born through promise. Therefore, by faith, we are the seeds of Abraham – God’s children who will receive all the promises of Abraham. So, we must treasure this promise – the status of an honorable son, the heir of God. Galatians 4:28 says, “Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are children of promise.” Here, it clearly says that we are not born according to the flesh, but through the promised Spirit, just like Isaac was. Therefore, we are blessed because we are children of promise who will inherit all the blessings.

John the Baptist was not only born through promise, his birth was also different from others. God made many prophecies to his father through an angel and they were all fulfilled later. John’s name was given by God. “John” means the gift of God. The birth of John was God’s gift to the Israelites in that generation. John’s very existence showed God’s mercy for that generation. When he came, he turned many children of Israel to the Lord their God. Therefore, the Lord called him Elijah and he was really the later Elijah.

“And His disciples asked Him, saying, ‘Why then do scribes say that Elijah must come first?’ Jesus answered and said to them, ‘Indeed, Elijah is coming first and will restore all things. But I say to you that Elijah has come already, and they did not know him but did to him whatever they wished. Likewise the Son of Man is also about to suffer at their hands.’ Then the disciples understood that He spoke to them of John the Baptist” (Matt. 17:10-13). Here, the Lord Jesus spoke of John the Baptist saying that he was the latter Elijah who has to come. John came to restore all things and brought revival to that generation but they did not know him. They did to him whatever they wished and even killed him.

The preachers of the denominations say, “The latter Elijah was John the Baptist. How could someone come up with another latter Elijah?” They say this because they have no enlightenment or understanding. They only know the Bible literally. They do not know the principle of multiple fulfillments of the Bible, meaning that biblical prophesies could be fulfilled many times.

John the Baptist was the latter Elijah at the end of the Old Testament era, and also the last major prophet in the Old Testament. He came to end the Old Testament and brought in the New Testament. He ended the ministry of Moses and brought in the ministry of the Lord Jesus. He ended the ministration of the written code of the Jews and brought in the ministration of the Spirit of the New Testament. (He ended the law of the Old Testament and brought in the grace of the New Testament.)

“In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, and saying, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!’ For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying: ‘the voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord; make his paths straight’” (Matt. 3:1-3). The Bible says that John the Baptist was the pioneer who prepared the way as spoken by the prophet Isaiah. He prepared the way for the Messiah and introduced Him to that generation. John preached the gospel of heaven saying, “The kingdom of heaven is at hand!” What is meant by the kingdom of heaven is at hand? This means that Jesus Christ is coming. When Jesus Christ comes, the kingdom of heaven comes. On many occasions, John testified of the Lord introduced Him to people, saying, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29). John had become the pioneer who made ready a way and a people prepared for the Lord’s coming.

Preaching the complete salvation is preparing the way and the people for the Lord. Rebuilding the glorious church, destroying tyrants and tyrannies, crushing human kingdoms… are all preparing His way. When the Lord’s servant preaches the truth on crushing human kingdoms; overthrowing the thrones of the kingdoms; destroying the strength of the nations; uprooting false doctrine; demolishing denominations and crushing idols – he is dispelling the clouds to let people see the light of the Lord. When he is preaching all these, he is paving the way for the Lord’s return.

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