Monday, August 12, 2024

The Twelfth Standard

如需中文版,請點擊這裡

It's been more than nine years since the events that led to the removal of Preacher YM Yang from the True Jesus Church. 

I hear that a lot of people have read my point-by-point rebuttals to the accusations against him. I'm gratified to know that my writing helped provide important context to many people. I'm sad that as far as I can tell, none of my writing seems to have made any difference to intransigence of our church's "deep state", but I am gratified to see that on the grassroots level individual members are still serving God with love.

It's funny how things work out. After being excommunicated (I still cringe even writing those words), Preacher Yang continued to minister to the church in Paris and continued to travel, preach the word, and bring souls to Christ. If you're interested, you can still read and listen to his messages here. In many ways, his reach and his impact to the kingdom of God became even stronger because of what happened. Praise God.

And yet, I cannot help but feel a profound sense of sorrow at what this incident has done to the church. I look at the church today. Yes, the church still keeps Sabbath services going week to week like clockwork. Yes, the church is filled with brothers and sisters who love God and who work for him with zeal. 

But there's something missing. And it wasn't until recently that I realized what it was.

Counting the Cost

What happened didn't just punish Preacher Yang. It amputated an entire part of our church's body. I've talked personally with many members who no longer attend church, not because they have lost faith in God, but because of what humans within the church did to offend their core values and their understanding of certain teachings of the Bible. 

Among these members were some of the most fervent and gifted church workers I know. Members who worked magic with General Affairs. Members who could deliver powerful sermons. Members who were gifted at teaching kids. Members who had profound gifts of counseling that could be used to help members hurting and in pain, especially our children who need more spiritual mentors. Members who to this day volunteer for the poor and raise money for charities.

Some of those members, including the beloved brother I wrote about in my last post, are gone now. Many of them will not be around much longer. At a time when the church is desperate for workers, these members could have brought so much to the church.

And they're all gone. And for what? Because an elder many years ago got his feelings hurt by a preacher? 

What cost has this "feud" brought to this church? 

What Our Early Church Said About Unity in the Body of Christ

Cover of the True Jesus Church's 
30th Anniversary Book
When I was going through my mom's stuff, I came across an old book that she carried with her from China, to Taiwan, to the United States. It was the publication that our early church workers put together to commemorate the 30th year of our church. The book is complete, but starting to disintegrate from age, so I've had it in my mind to digitize and translate it.

Today, our church has what we call the Ten Basic Beliefs. We can all recite them—One True God, The Bible, Church, Water Baptism, Holy Spirit, Foot Washing, Holy Communion, Sabbath, Salvation, and Second Coming.

I don't know when it changed or who changed it, but there was a time when the church held what they called the Twelve Standards. Within the Twelve Standards were what we now know of today as the Ten Basic Beliefs. But for some reason, the Twelfth Standard was removed.

Our early church workers were very clear at how critical is was to include the Twelfth Standard in our Basic Beliefs, and their wisdom and foresight is stunning given what happened.

But enough from me. Here are their own words: the translated English version, followed by the original Chinese version.

Words from Our Early Church Workers

12. "Firmly believe in the names of the twelve apostles and the names of the twelve tribes as the path and foundation for individual salvation. Avoid mutual disdain, jealousy, and disputes to strengthen the organization of our church."


Including this principle in our common doctrines is crucial. When discussing organization and unity, neglecting this fundamental principle could lead to gradual disintegration.


A true church must have strong unity to possess strong power. Following the path of division could cause significant stumbling blocks for others. What did the Lord say? "Woe to the one through whom the stumbling block comes." This sin is greater than any other! When the Lord Jesus was about to depart from this world, He fervently prayed for the unity of the holy church (John 17).


The scripture says, "Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace." From a human perspective, we must "make every effort." From God's perspective, it is "the unity of the Spirit." This unity should not be violated (Ephesians 4:1).


The main reasons for lack of cooperation are generally:

  1. Focusing on others' faults and lacking self-reflection.
  2. Pride and arrogance, lacking humility.
  3. Being led astray or pressured by circumstances, lacking understanding.

If anyone suffers from these issues, they should reflect on the twelve apostles and the twelve patriarchs. While each had their strengths, they also had their shortcomings. However, the scripture says, "The foundation of the city walls had the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb." "On the gates were written the names of the twelve tribes of Israel." They were not only saved but also became the foundation for others' salvation. Among today's saints, there should be no mutual disdain. Instead, we should be united in peace and bear with one another in love.


It is so important to bear with one another in love. Why does the Bible mention their names? Because their names carry significant meanings.


The Twelve Tribes on the Gates of the Holy City and the Meaning of Their Names:


East Side – Three Gates:

  • Joseph: Means "to add." Represents those who are willing to help others.
  • Manasseh: Means "to forget hardship." Represents those who strive to move forward.
  • Benjamin: Means "son of the right hand." Represents those who act according to God's will.

North Side – Three Gates:

  • Judah: Means "praise." Represents those who love to sing hymns of praise.
  • Levi: Means "joined." Represents those who love fellowship and unity.
  • Reuben: Means "see a son." Represents those who acknowledge God's children.

South Side – Three Gates:

  • Simeon: Means "heard." Represents those who listen to the Word.
  • Issachar: Means "reward." Represents those who seek true knowledge, not vanity.
  • Zebulun: Means "dwelling." Represents those who are with the Lord.

West Side – Three Gates:

  • Gad: Means "fortune." Represents those who do not overlook God's grace.
  • Asher: Means "happy." Represents those who are blessed.
  • Naphtali: Means "wrestling." Represents those who are not afraid of evil forces.

The three gates on the east side are from Rachel, and the three gates on the north and south sides are from Leah. The three gates on the west side are from Bilhah and Zilpah. The arrangement and names of the gates have profound meanings. (See Revelation 21:12-13)


The Twelve Apostles on the Foundations of the Holy City and the Meaning of Their Names:


Peter: Means "rock." Represents steadfastness.

James: Means "supplanter." Represents those who never leave the Lord.

John: Means "grace." Represents those who receive true love.

Andrew: Means "manly." Represents those who are strong in faith.

Philip: Means "lover of horses." Represents those who are eager to spread the gospel.

Bartholomew: Means "son of Talmai." Represents those who are pure in heart.

Thomas: Means "twin." Represents those who are committed.

Matthew: Means "gift of God." Represents those who are given to serving God.

James (son of Alphaeus): Means "supplanter." Represents humility.

Thaddaeus: Means "heart." Represents those who are compassionate.

Simon the Zealot: Means "listener." Represents those who are zealous.

Judas (son of James): Means "praise." Represents those who are faithful.


These names and their meanings are deeply significant, symbolizing the virtues and qualities that are essential for building up the church and fostering unity among believers.


In Christ, if someone possesses a virtue, it not only ensures their salvation but also enables them to lead others to the gate of salvation. If a saint has a gift, it can become the foundation of the church. The prosperity of the church is built upon the collective virtues of the saints. One should not think too highly of oneself but should always consider others better. Seek the well-being of others, make them happy, and bear each other's burdens with perfect love. Saints should always examine themselves to see how they stand in their virtues.


Do not overlook those who possess different gifts from you. We are co-workers with the Lord Jesus. The building of the heavenly city depends on us supplying the materials from the earth. If we do not supply enough, the construction of the holy city is delayed, and it cannot come to receive us. The gates and foundations are made of people, and the walls are also built with people. As it is written: "To them I will give within my temple and its walls a memorial and a name better than that of sons and daughters; I will give them an everlasting name that will endure forever" (Isaiah 56:5). We hope all saints align with the standards of the names of the twelve apostles and twelve tribes, swiftly fulfilling their individual missions, and building up one another in love, so that God the Father may be greatly glorified through us. Amen. (Ephesians 4:16, Psalm 122:3, John 15:8)

Original Chinese Version

(note that there may be individual words that are off due to the quality of the scan, but most of this is accurate)


十二、「眞信十二使徒的名字,與十二支派的名字,爲會友個別得救的門路與根基。不可彼此有輕視,嫉妒,紛爭之觀念,以堅强本會組織 」°o


本會把道一條放在共情之要道中,也是萬分重要的,因爲既評組織,又戀合而爲一,若忽略了這件大道理,必會日渐分崩離析的。


眞教會必有堅强的合一,才有堅强的力量,若走了分裂的路子必能給別人放了很大的維脚石,主是怎麼說呢?秘說辦倒人的人有禍了」,并且還一條罪要比任何罪都大呀!主耶穌世之時,切切專為聖會合一的事溯礤。(約十七章)


經上稅:「要場力保守聖黨所賜的合而爲一的心」。在人的方面說:「要蜗力保守」。在神的方面說:是「聖藥所賜的合而爲一的心」。不可辜負遠背。(弗四1)


不能合作的原因大概是:

  1. 愛看別人的毛病。!!缺少自責。
  2. 愚而自以爲飛。妄自尊大。卜!缺少恩惠
  3. 受了引誘。或是被環境邁迫。I!缺少認識。


如果有人有了這三樣大病,就得看看十二位使徒,和那十二位先祖,一方面他們都有個人的長處,一方面也要知道都有他們的缺欠,但是聖經上說:「根上有羔十二使徒的名字」。「門上又寫着以色列十二個支派的名字」。他們不但得救了,又作了別人得救的根由了。今目的聖徒中間,不可彼此輕視,且要用和平此聯絡,用愛心五相寬容,是何等的更要了。

爲甚 聖經上。說到他們的名字呢?因爲他們的名字都是有很好意義的。

一、十二支派在聖城門上的地位,及其名字的意義:


旧、東有三門

  1. 約瑟!是加添的意思。樂意幫助人的人
  2. 瑪拿西 — 是忘記一切患離的意思。努力前進的人。
  3. 便隴閡!l是右手之子的意思。有按手恩赐的人。乙、北逵 j三門
  4. 掄大1 — 是讚美的意思。愛唱詩讚美的人
  5. 利米l!是聯合的意思。愛聯絡人的人。
  6. 流便!~是见子的意思。承認為神子的人

    丙、南邊有三門
  7. 西緬—-是聽見的意思。會聽道的人。
  8. 以薩加l!是價值的意思。不渗虛浮的人外
  9. 西佈倫——是同伴的意思。與主同在的人

    丁、西邊有三門
  10. 迦得——是萬幸的意思。不辜負神恩的人
  11. !是有的意思。不愛世界的人。
  12. 拿弗他利—!是戰的意思。不怕惡勢力的人

這四方的門名,最希奇的是東邊三門都是抗生出的。南北兩湿六門都是利亞所生出的。西邊三


門是辟拉與然帕兩個人所生出的。並且聖經所記的東北南西的次序與方位,都是俱有很深意的。(


結四十八31-35 不過但開在彩U路捲冷聖城上是該沒有了。應改爲瑪拿西門(參啓七518)

2 十二一使徒在聖城根基的地位及共名字之意義



1 彼得」!是盤右的意思。股固有脹。

2 雅各!!是抓住的意思。永不離主

3.韵份——是恩?的意思。颅受眞愛。

4.保羅--是微小的意思。謙深自卑。

5. 安得烈11是刚强的意思。站立得。

6. 腓力 —是愛馬的意思。愛惜傳道人

7. 馬太」!是禮物的意思。廣傳眞道

8. 達 太」是智慧的意思。以智爲寶。

9. 雅 各—是抓住的意思。守道不澈。

10. 多 馬」【是雙生的意思。多結善果。

11. 西門1!是著名的意思。不作平淡信徒

12. 巴多羅賞!!是多羅買之子的意思。是神的兒子。


在基怪塞,其人有一樣美德,不但自己得了教,他還可以領人進入得救之門,聖徒有一樣恩賜,就可以作教會的根基。教會的興旺是集聖徒的美德而共成的,誰也不可看自已過於所當看的,總耍看別人比自已强,不求自已的益噁,要叫別人歡喜,用聯絡全德的愛彼此體恤,聖徒們總要察驗自己,看看自己在那一件盛過大財的美名上站了一份?

同時也不要忽喺那與你所得不必同一恩陽的人。



我們是與主耶話同工的,融在天上 造聖城,都得靠我們給融從地上運送材料,我們得的人不够,所以融在天上的聖城也一時建造不好。建造設好,就不能來接我們。因爲城門和根既然都是人排的,城牆也必是用人堆成的。正如經上說:「我必使他們在我段中,在我牆內,有紀念,冇名號,比有兒女的更美,我必他們永選的名,不說剪除」


(賽五六5.) 但盼望一切聖民都合乎十二使徒與十二支派名字的準繩,連速完成個人的使命,彼此「聯絡得整齊,建造的堅固」,叫父神因我們大得榮耀阿們。(摩七7詩百廿二3約小五8)

Final Thoughts

You may or may not agree with the theological interpretations of our early church workers. Before you pass it off as a false interpretation, remember that these early workers were filled with the Holy Spirit. Signs and wonders followed them—there wasn't a miracle once every few years, the miracles could be seen on practically a daily basis. 

Their placing this as the Twelfth Standard shows that they saw the danger of a future church who would be torn apart by discord. The list of reasons they stated for discord were freakishly prophetic:
  1. Focusing on others' faults and lacking self-reflection.
  2. Pride and arrogance, lacking humility.
  3. Being led astray or pressured by circumstances, lacking understanding.
It's ironic that it was their children's generation that would not only remove this as a Standard of the church, but then proceed to violate it.

The early church had to deal with a similar situation. Elder Barnabas Chang was a powerful worker for God, who helped bring the gospel to many places, including Taiwan. Honestly, I don't know the full details of his removal from the church, but by all accounts it was for obvious reasons. 

And even so, members still prayed for him to repent and return. My grandpa was one of those who was treated with love by Elder Chang. He recounted his story and his thoughts on Elder Chang in his testimony; I believe many church members felt the same.

Unfortunately, Elder Chang's one wrong thought led him to want to claim the church as his own creation, burying the history of the Lord's grace given to China in the sixth year of the Republic. I hope Elder Chang can change his mind. A gentleman's mistakes are like the sun and moon's eclipses; everyone sees them and then admires their correction.

Nine Years Later, Do I Believe that Y.M. Yang was Guilty of "Heresy"?


Now let's look at Y.M. Yang.

Is he truly guilty of "heresy"? 

Anyone with any intellectual honesty knows this is a complete fabrication. To recap:

* They say that he is a heretic because he published (privately, at the GA's request) his studies about the origin of Satan. The GA says that YM Yang was somehow supporting heresy because he said that Satan existed before creation. But isn't the only other possibility that God created Satan? Is that the IA's and the GA's official position? .

* They say that he is a heretic because he denies the importance of the Holy Spirit. To reiterate—in every class I heard Preacher Yang speak in person, in writing, or on a recording, I NEVER heard him deny the importance of receiving the Promised Holy Spirit as evidenced by speaking in tongues. 

If anyone can find an example of him saying this, let me know, and I will personally call him directly in Paris and challenge him. 

If you cannot find an example of this, it means what you heard was hearsay. 

Is it possible that there are people who heard his message that the Holy Spirit (or if you prefer, "the Spirit of God") is within those who are baptized, and they misinterpreted it to mean that they didn't need to pray for the indwelling of the Promised Holy Spirit? Yes, that's possible. 

But at that point is it a failure of Preacher Yang? 

Or rather, is it a failure of the brothers and sisters who knew those members who themselves were unable to explain to those confused members the true understanding of the Holy Spirit?

Is it a failure of brothers and sisters—perhaps—whose understanding of the doctrine of the Holy Spirit is limited to 24 words in the "Our Basic Beliefs" pamphlet?

Is it a failure of brothers and sisters who, any time a question comes their way, tells whoever is asking the question to "Go See the Pastor" because they've been trained not to have an independent thought on their own.

No, it's not wrong to say "Go See the Pastor". But our church ministers are already overworked as it is. Wouldn't it be better if members themselves could answer some of these questions themselves? 

Ironically, this is all related to what our early church workers called "The Eleventh Standard", another teaching that for some reason was removed from our Basic Beliefs (and, probably not coincidentally, another area where our church has grown weak).

This Standard said this:

"Firmly Believe in the Eleven Spiritual Gifts as the Driving Force for the Revival of the Church, Without Relying on Other Methods to Prosper Our Church." (十一、「黃信十一樣靈恩,為振興教會的動力,不用其他方法興旺本會」。

While I won't get into the details here, this "Standard" stressed Paul's teachings in 1 Corinthians 12-14, which concluded with the following words in 1 Corinthians 14: 

"Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy."

Note how Paul addresses all the words from 1 Corinthians 12-14 to all the brothers and sisters of the church, not just "church leaders". 

The gifts listed in 1 Corinthians 12 are not intended to be limited to full-time ministers and deacons. They are meant to be bestowed on any brother or sister; in fact, Paul especially urges all the brothers and sisters to pursue the gift of prophesy.

Ironically, what I saw over and over again in Preacher Yang's preaching was this message. He implored long-time members to stop drinking milk and to move on to solid food by thinking for themselves. That's why he holds Bible Seminars. His messages were not for sheep to come and gorge themselves at the trough, they were to build up current and future shepherds.

Here's a verse that I heard him quote often:

No longer will they teach their neighbor, or say to one another, ‘Know the LORD,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest,” declares the LORD. “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.”

Jeremiah wasn't talking about the heavenly kingdom here. He was talking about life here on earth after the coming of the Messiah. The church shouldn't be a place where a few people experience God and teach others. It should be a place where everyone knows God, and where everyone—from the least to the greatest—can learn from everyone else.

Sadly, there were some shepherds who rather than working with their fellow shepherd to care for the lost, seek the young, heal the injured, and feed the healthy turned to attack him by twisting his words out of context. In doing this, many sheep were scattered. 

Could Preacher Yang just have "repented" to get his preacher's title and salary back?

If the charges against him were true, yes. But because they were false, recanting his supposed "false teachings"—that weren't false at all—would have meant obeying and honoring men and not obeying God. 

So how did he react? He didn't lash out. He didn't put himself on a throne with a crown. He put his head down and humbly continued to do the Lord's work, spreading the gospel, and edifying members around the world. If all the pretty words I wrote in my blog nine years ago didn't convince you of the utter foolishness of kicking Preacher Yang out of the church, then this fact should. 

I don't know how much time Y.M. Yang has left on this earth. I do hope that the church leaders in Taiwan can read these words from our early church workers, come to their senses, and fully reinstate him before it's too late. I pray that those who opposed each other in this episode can one day literally come together and wash each other's feet. No, I don't believe it'll happen for a second. But I pray for it, because this would finally bring healing to the church and much joy in heaven.

Their actions did not punish an elderly man in Paris, France. It punished the church. And as many wonderful gifts as our older generation gave us, I hope a new generation of church workers reading this will correct this very grievous wrong and heal our church.

Sunday, August 11, 2024

第十二條標準

我使用了 ChatGPT 翻譯我之前的文章,如有不準確之處請見諒

For the English version, please click here.


自從楊傳道被逐出真耶穌教會的事件發生至今,已經超過九年了。


我聽說,許多人都讀過我逐點反駁對他指控的文章。得知我的寫作為許多人提供了重要的背景信息,我感到欣慰。然而,我感到遺憾的是,就我所見,我的寫作似乎對我們教會「深層勢力」的頑固態度沒有產生任何影響,但我很欣慰看到,在基層層面,個別成員仍然以愛心事奉神。


事情的發展真是出乎意料。被逐出教會後(即使寫下這幾個字,我仍感到不適),楊傳道繼續在巴黎的教會中事奉,並繼續旅行、傳道,將靈魂帶到基督的面前。如果你有興趣,你仍然可以在這裡閱讀和聆聽他的講道。在許多方面,正是由於這些事情的發生,他對神國的影響力和作用變得更加強大。感謝神。


然而,我無法不為這件事對教會造成的影響感到深深的悲哀。我看著今天的教會。是的,教會仍然如時鐘般每週舉行安息日崇拜。是的,教會裡充滿了愛神並熱心事奉祂的弟兄姐妹。

但有些東西不見了。直到最近,我才意識到那是什麼。


計算代價

這件事不僅僅懲罰了楊傳道,它切除了我們教會的一部分。我親自與許多不再參加教會的成員交談過,他們不是因為失去了對神的信仰,而是因為教會中的一些人觸犯了他們的核心價值觀和他們對某些聖經教義的理解。

在這些成員中,有些是我所認識的最熱忱和有天賦的教會工作者。他們在總務工作中創造了奇蹟。他們能夠傳遞有力的講道。他們擅長教導孩子。他們有深厚的輔導才能,可以幫助受傷和痛苦的成員,特別是我們需要更多靈性導師的孩子們。他們至今仍志願為窮人服務並為慈善機構籌款。

其中一些成員現在已經不在了。他們中的許多人將不再存在。在教會急需工人的時候,這些成員本可以為教會帶來很多。


但他們都走了。這一切究竟是為了什麼?就因為多年前的一位長老因為一位牧師而感到受傷?

這場「紛爭」給這個教會帶來了什麼代價?


我們早期教會對基督身體合一的看法


當我整理我母親的東[西時,我發現了一本她從中國帶到台灣,再帶到美國的舊書。這是我們早期教會工人為紀念教會成立30週年而編寫的出版物。這本書是完整的,但由於年代久遠開始分解,所以我一直想將其數位化並翻譯。


今天,我們的教會有我們所謂的「十條基本信仰」。我們都能背誦它們——唯一的真神、聖經、教會、水洗、聖靈、洗腳、聖餐、安息日、救恩和基督的再臨。


我不知道它是什麼時候改變的,也不知道是誰改變的,但曾經有一段時間教會持有所謂的「十二條標準」。在「十二條標準」中包含了今天我們所熟知的「十條基本信仰」。但出於某種原因,第十二條標準被移除了。


我們早期的教會工人非常清楚將第十二條標準納入我們的基本信仰的重要性,而目睹十年前發生的事情後,他們的智慧和遠見令人驚嘆。


但我說的已經夠多了。以下是他們自己的話: 


十二、「眞信十二使徒的名字,與十二支派的名字,爲會友個別得救的門路與根基。不可彼此有輕視,嫉妒,紛爭之觀念,以堅强本會組織 」°o


本會把道一條放在共情之要道中,也是萬分重要的,因爲既評組織,又戀合而爲一,若忽略了這件大道理,必會日渐分崩離析的。


眞教會必有堅强的合一,才有堅强的力量,若走了分裂的路子必能給別人放了很大的維脚石,主是怎麼說呢?秘說辦倒人的人有禍了」,并且還一條罪要比任何罪都大呀!主耶穌世之時,切切專為聖會合一的事溯礤。(約十七章)


經上稅:「要場力保守聖黨所賜的合而爲一的心」。在人的方面說:「要蜗力保守」。在神的方面說:是「聖藥所賜的合而爲一的心」。不可辜負遠背。(弗四1)


不能合作的原因大概是:

  1. 愛看別人的毛病。!!缺少自責。
  2. 愚而自以爲飛。妄自尊大。卜!缺少恩惠
  3. 受了引誘。或是被環境邁迫。I!缺少認識。


如果有人有了這三樣大病,就得看看十二位使徒,和那十二位先祖,一方面他們都有個人的長處,一方面也要知道都有他們的缺欠,但是聖經上說:「根上有羔十二使徒的名字」。「門上又寫着以色列十二個支派的名字」。他們不但得救了,又作了別人得救的根由了。今目的聖徒中間,不可彼此輕視,且要用和平此聯絡,用愛心五相寬容,是何等的更要了。


爲甚 聖經上。說到他們的名字呢?因爲他們的名字都是有很好意義的。


一、十二支派在聖城門上的地位,及其名字的意義:


旧、東有三門

  1. 約瑟!是加添的意思。樂意幫助人的人
  2. 瑪拿西 — 是忘記一切患離的意思。努力前進的人。
  3. 便隴閡!l是右手之子的意思。有按手恩赐的人。乙、北逵 j三門
  4. 掄大1 — 是讚美的意思。愛唱詩讚美的人
  5. 利米l!是聯合的意思。愛聯絡人的人。
  6. 流便!~是见子的意思。承認為神子的人
    丙、南邊有三門
  7. 西緬—-是聽見的意思。會聽道的人。
  8. 以薩加l!是價值的意思。不渗虛浮的人外
  9. 西佈倫——是同伴的意思。與主同在的人
    丁、西邊有三門
  10. 迦得——是萬幸的意思。不辜負神恩的人
  11. !是有的意思。不愛世界的人。
  12. 拿弗他利—!是戰的意思。不怕惡勢力的人

這四方的門名,最希奇的是東邊三門都是抗生出的。南北兩湿六門都是利亞所生出的。西邊三


門是辟拉與然帕兩個人所生出的。並且聖經所記的東北南西的次序與方位,都是俱有很深意的。(


結四十八31-35 不過但開在彩U路捲冷聖城上是該沒有了。應改爲瑪拿西門(參啓七518)

2 十二一使徒在聖城根基的地位及共名字之意義



1 彼得」!是盤右的意思。股固有脹。

2 雅各!!是抓住的意思。永不離主

3.韵份——是恩?的意思。颅受眞愛。

4.保羅--是微小的意思。謙深自卑。

5. 安得烈11是刚强的意思。站立得。

6. 腓力 —是愛馬的意思。愛惜傳道人

7. 馬太」!是禮物的意思。廣傳眞道

8. 達 太」是智慧的意思。以智爲寶。

9. 雅 各—是抓住的意思。守道不澈。

10. 多 馬」【是雙生的意思。多結善果。

11. 西門1!是著名的意思。不作平淡信徒

12. 巴多羅賞!!是多羅買之子的意思。是神的兒子。


在基怪塞,其人有一樣美德,不但自己得了教,他還可以領人進入得救之門,聖徒有一樣恩賜,就可以作教會的根基。教會的興旺是集聖徒的美德而共成的,誰也不可看自已過於所當看的,總耍看別人比自已强,不求自已的益噁,要叫別人歡喜,用聯絡全德的愛彼此體恤,聖徒們總要察驗自己,看看自己在那一件盛過大財的美名上站了一份?

同時也不要忽喺那與你所得不必同一恩陽的人。


我們是與主耶話同工的,融在天上 造聖城,都得靠我們給融從地上運送材料,我們得的人不够,所以融在天上的聖城也一時建造不好。建造設好,就不能來接我們。因爲城門和根既然都是人排的,城牆也必是用人堆成的。正如經上說:「我必使他們在我段中,在我牆內,有紀念,冇名號,比有兒女的更美,我必他們永選的名,不說剪除」


(賽五六5.) 但盼望一切聖民都合乎十二使徒與十二支派名字的準繩,連速完成個人的使命,彼此「聯絡得整齊,建造的堅固」,叫父神因我們大得榮耀阿們。(摩七7詩百廿二3約小五8)


最後的思考


你可能會或可能不會同意我們早期教會工人的神學解釋。在你將其視為錯誤解釋之前,請記住這些早期工人是充滿聖靈的。神蹟奇事跟隨著他們——不是幾年才出現一次的神蹟,而是幾乎每天都能見到的神蹟。

他們將這條作為第十二條標準,顯示出他們看到了未來教會可能因不和而被撕裂的危險。他們列出的不和原因清單幾乎是預言性的:

  • 過度關注他人的缺點,缺乏自我反省。
  • 驕傲自大,缺乏謙卑。
  • 被情勢誤導或壓力所迫,缺乏理解。

具有諷刺意味的是,他們的子孫不僅將這條標準從教會中移除,還繼續違背了它。

我們早期教會也面臨過類似的情況。張巴拿巴長老是神的一位有力工人,幫助將福音傳到許多地方,包括台灣。老實說,我不清楚他被逐出教會的詳細情況,但據所有資料顯示,這是有明顯理由的。然而,即便如此,成員們仍然為他悔改並回歸禱告。


九年後,我是否相信楊傳道犯了「異端」?


現在讓我們來看看楊傳道。


他真的犯了「異端」嗎?


任何具有知識誠實的人都知道這完全是捏造。總結一下:

  • 他們說他是異端,因為他(應總會要求私下)發表了關於撒旦起源的研究。總會說楊傳道在某種程度上支持異端,因為他說撒旦在創造之前就存在。但另一種可能性難道不是上帝創造了撒旦嗎?若這是他的結論,他們可能也會用來攻擊他。

  • 他們說他是異端,因為他否認聖靈的重要性。再重申一遍——在我親自聽過、閱讀過或錄音聽過的每一堂楊傳道的課程中,我從未聽到他否認接受應許的聖靈(說方言為證)的重要性。

如果有人能找到他說這話的例子,請告訴我,我會親自打電話到巴黎挑戰他。


如果你找不到這樣的例子,這就意味著你聽到的是道聽途說。


是否有可能有人聽到他的信息說,聖靈(或者如果你願意,「神的靈」)在受洗的人身上,並誤解為他們不需要祈求聖靈內住?是的,這是可能的。


但這時候是楊傳道的失敗嗎?


或者說,是那些兄弟姐妹的失敗嗎?他們知道那些成員的困惑,但自己卻無法向他們解釋聖靈的正確理解?


是那些兄弟姐妹的失敗嗎——也許——他們對聖靈教義的理解僅限於「我們的基本信仰」手冊中的24個字?


是那些兄弟姐妹的失敗嗎,他們在遇到問題時,只會告訴提問者「去找牧師」,因為他們已經被訓練成沒有獨立思考能力?


說「去找牧師」並沒有錯。但我們的教會牧師已經過度勞累。難道不更好的是成員們能自己回答這些問題嗎?


具有諷刺意味的是,這一切都與我們早期教會工人所稱的「第十一條標準」有關,這是另一項教義,由於某些原因從我們的基本信仰中被移除(也許並非巧合,這也是我們教會逐漸變弱的另一個方面)。


這條標準這樣說:


「堅信十一樣靈恩,為振興教會的動力,不用其他方法興旺本會。」

雖然我不會在此深入探討細節,但這條「標準」強調了保羅在哥林多前書12-14章中的教導,這些教導在哥林多前書14章中結束:

「你們要追求愛,也要切慕屬靈的恩賜,其中更要羨慕的是說預言。」


注意保羅如何將哥林多前書12-14章中的所有話語都針對教會中的所有兄弟姐妹,而不僅僅是「教會領袖」。


哥林多前書12章中列出的恩賜並不限於全職牧師和執事。這些恩賜應該賜給每一位兄弟姐妹;事實上,保羅特別敦促所有兄弟姐妹追求預言的恩賜。


具有諷刺意味的是,我在楊傳道的講道中一次又一次看到的就是這個信息。他懇求長期成員停止喝奶,轉向固體食物,開始自己思考。這就是為什麼他舉辦聖經研討會。他的信息不是為了讓羊群來享受盛宴,而是為了培養現在和未來的牧者。


這是一節我常聽他引用的經文:


「他們各人不再教導自己的鄰舍和自己的弟兄說,‘你該認識主’,因為他們從最小的到最大的都必認識我。我要赦免他們的不義,不再記念他們的罪愆。」


耶利米在這裡說的不是天國,而是彌賽亞來臨後在地上的生活。教會不應該是少數人經歷神並教導他人的地方。它應該是一個每個人都認識神的地方,並且——從最小的到最大的——每個人都可以互相學習。


遺憾的是,有些牧者不與他們的同工一起照顧失喪的、尋找年輕的、醫治受傷的、餵養健康的,反而通過扭曲他的話語來攻擊他。在這過程中,羊群四散。


難道楊傳道不能「悔改」以取回他的牧師頭銜和薪水嗎?


如果對他的指控是真的,那麼可以。但因為這些指控是假的,撤回他所謂的「錯誤教義」——那些根本不錯的教義——意味著順從和尊崇人而不是順從神。


那麼他是怎麼反應的呢?他沒有發怒。他沒有把自己放在王座上戴上皇冠。他低下頭,謙卑地繼續做主的工作,傳揚福音,並造就世界各地的成員。如果我在九年前博客中寫的那些漂亮的話語還不足以讓你相信將楊傳道逐出教會的絕對愚蠢,那麼這一事實應該可以。


我不知道楊傳道還有多少時間留在這個世界上。我希望台灣的教會領袖能讀到我們早期教會工人的這些話語,清醒過來,在為時已晚之前完全恢復他的名譽。我祈禱,在這件事中彼此對立的人有一天能真正聚在一起,為對方洗腳。不,我不相信這會發生。但我為此祈禱,因為這將最終給教會帶來醫治,也會帶來天上的喜樂。


他們的行為並沒有懲罰巴黎的這位老者,而是懲罰了教會。儘管我們的老一輩給了我們許多美好的禮物,我希望閱讀這篇文章的新一代教會工人能夠糾正這一非常嚴重的錯誤,並醫治我們的教會。