《不僅僅是一位幫手》Day 05
亞居拉和百基拉:從家庭到外邦眾教會
24 有一個猶太人,名叫亞波羅,來到以弗所。他生在亞歷山大,是有學問的,最能講解聖經。25 這人已經在主的道上受了教訓,心裏火熱,將耶穌的事詳細講論教訓人;只是他單曉得約翰的洗禮。26 他在會堂裏放膽講道;百基拉、亞居拉聽見,就接他來,將神的道給他講解更加詳細。27 他想要往亞該亞去,弟兄們就勉勵他,並寫信請門徒接待他。他到了那裏,多幫助那蒙恩信主的人,28 在眾人面前極有能力駁倒猶太人,引聖經證明耶穌是基督。 (使徒行傳十八24-28)
3 問百基拉和亞居拉安。他們在基督耶穌裏與我同工,4 也為我的命將自己的頸項置之度外。不但我感謝他們,就是外邦的眾教會也感謝他們。5 又問在他們家中的教會安。(羅馬書十六3-5上)
至於我和我家,我們必定事奉耶和華。 (約書亞記廿四15下)
24 Meanwhile a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was a learned man, with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures. 25 He had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and he spoke with great fervor[a] and taught about Jesus accurately, though he knew only the baptism of John. 26 He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately. 27 When Apollos wanted to go to Achaia, the brothers and sisters encouraged him and wrote to the disciples there to welcome him. When he arrived, he was a great help to those who by grace had believed. 28 For he vigorously refuted his Jewish opponents in public debate, proving from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Messiah. (Acts 18:24-28)
3 Greet Priscilla[c] and Aquila, my co-workers in Christ Jesus. 4 They risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them. 5 Greet also the church that meets at their house. (Romans 16:3-5a)
But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord. (Joshua 24:15b)
3 Greet Priscilla[c] and Aquila, my co-workers in Christ Jesus. 4 They risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them. 5 Greet also the church that meets at their house. (Romans 16:3-5a)
But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord. (Joshua 24:15b)
分享:本星期最後介紹的是一對在聖經中總是一起出現的夫婦:亞居拉和百基拉。
亞居拉是猶太人,原來居於羅馬本都,因為羅馬皇克勞第命猶太人離開羅馬,他只好帶著妻子百基拉到哥林多,以製造帳棚為業。他們的家接待了保羅,後來二人亦隨保羅至以弗所,支持他的宣教工作,讓他無後顧之憂地到會堂宣講神的道。 (參使徒行傳十八1-4、18-19) 在保羅離去後,二人應接續了保羅在以弗所的宣教工作,又帶領了亞波羅認識主,間接造就了亞波羅在哥林多教會的教導和帶領工作。 (參使徒行傳十八24-28)
此外,亞居拉和百基拉在以弗所和後來在羅馬的家裡也曾設立教會 。保羅不單感謝二人為救他性命將生死置之度外,又認為外邦的眾教會也要感謝他們 。(參哥林多前書十六19;羅馬書十六4-5) 這裡雖然未知事情的始末,但可知亞居拉和百基拉的委身事奉也成全了外邦的眾教會。
亞居拉和百基拉的生命除了體現出婚姻的「二人成為一體」 (創世記二24下) ,他們的事奉、成長也可理解為以家庭作始點。二人建立同心追隨和事奉主的家庭,幾經驅逐、遷居、工作、接待、學習、傳道,甚至幾乎捨命,但他們的家庭依然能為主作見證,開放作教會、接待更多的基督徒,最後將神的榮耀從一個家庭擴展到外邦的眾教會。
以色列人經過整整一代四十年在礦野的流浪後,約書亞帶領民眾進入了應許之地後,他深切的理解到敬畏神、全心侍奉神的重要性,他不管其他人如何選擇,自己清楚表明「至於我和我家,我們必定事奉耶和華。」(約書亞記廿四15下) 那我們呢?事奉神肯定不是現今世界的主流追求,我們作為基督徒,能否如約書亞、亞居拉和百基拉般,由自己的家庭開始,同心經營,見證神的榮耀呢?
反思:我和我家,可以如何見證和榮耀神呢?
禱告:親愛的天父,感謝祢為我們在地上設立了家庭,讓我們透過父子、夫婦等家庭人倫關係體會到祢的愛和對我們在地上的使命。求祢祝福我們各人的家庭,讓我們家庭成員之間互相依靠,一同在主裡成長,見證祢的榮耀。奉主名求,阿們。
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