初信造就 › 第五十篇　教会的权柄

第五十篇　教会的权柄

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　　今天，我们要提起教会的权柄问题。
　
　　当神创造这一个宇宙的时候，神已经设立权柄作祂管理这一个宇宙的原则。祂自己是最高的权柄，同时也是一切权柄的来源。在祂下面有好些位的天使长，再下去有许多的天使。按耶利米和以赛亚的记载，那一个时候，在地上还有另外一种的活物。这是当初神管理这一个宇宙的安排。不只活的人是如此，就是整个宇宙所有的星宿，连这块地和一切的生物，神都用权柄托住它们。神都用权柄的命令，替它们设立律法，叫每一个天然的生物，每一种天然的物质，都有一定的律可以遵守。所以权柄在宇宙里是非常要紧的东西。如果有一种的物质，有一种的生物，不按着神所定规的律而行，宇宙就乱了。
　
　
　　但是后来呢？我们知道前一个世界堕落了，怎样堕落的呢？乃是因为撒但，就是神所设立的天使长，要高抬自己。
　　他心里说，“我要升到天上；我要高举我的宝座…我要与至上者同等。”（赛十四13~14）撒但的背叛不是背叛别的，乃是背叛权柄。他要与神同等，他要高抬自己作神；他认为在神之下作一切的主还不够。他背叛了神的权柄，他要得着神所有的权柄。结果，你看见说，明亮之星变作撒但，光明的天使变作魔鬼。这一个乃是在人创造之前的事。
　
　
　　当人受造的时候，神把人安置在伊甸园里。神在世界里也有祂的安排，神在世界里也有祂所定规的权柄。神先造男人，后造女人；先造丈夫，后造妻子。神安排夏娃顺服亚当，神安排人顺服祂自己。神安排说，在将来的日子中，儿女要顺服父母，仆人要顺服主人，人民要顺服大臣、君王。神有祂一定的安排，神设立了权柄。
　
　　但是在伊甸园里，撒但进来引诱人。撒但的引诱，不只是引诱人犯罪，并且是引诱人推翻神所定规的权柄。神定规女人要听从男人，但是，伊甸园里变作男人听从女人。神定规要亚当作头，但是伊甸园里是夏娃作头，夏娃教训，夏娃定规，夏娃出主意，因为其余的人还没有生，只有亚当和夏娃。在这里，唯一的安排，乃是女人要顺服男人，妻子要顺服丈夫。但这一个唯一的安排，马上就被撒但破坏了。
　
　　在这一个破坏里面，虽然是两个人的悖逆，但同时也就是全世界的悖逆。不只是人和人中间的权柄被推翻，也就是人和神中间的权柄被推翻。撒但说，你吃的日子，就能够像神。神所以不让你们吃，是不要你们像神。所以是两个悖逆：一个是人悖逆神在人中间所设立的权柄，一个是人悖逆神自己的权柄。换一句话说，神直接的权柄被悖逆，神代表的权柄也被悖逆。人对于神没有顺服，人想我这样作能够变作神。这样，神的权柄就被推翻。人自己要作神，人要推翻神的权柄。
　　同时夏娃应该顺服亚当。在许多的事情上，夏娃应该问亚当。但是，夏娃没有问亚当，夏娃就先思想，夏娃就先定规，结果夏娃就先犯罪。请你们记得，独立的思想，就是犯罪的先锋。人如果不在神所设立的代表权柄面前学习请教，学习问；人如果不在神面前学习看这一件事如何；而是独立的思想，以为说又好看、又好吃、又好摸，吃了之后会有智慧；结果，就不只背叛神，并且也背叛神在地上所设立的权柄。所以伊甸园的犯罪，乃是同时推翻了两种不同的权柄：代表的权柄被推翻，直接的权柄也被推翻。
　
　　所以，伊甸园的故事，就是效法撒但所作的。撒但是要高抬自己与神同等，所以试探人，也要人高抬自己与神同等。在第一个快乐的园里，明亮的基路伯存心在那里悖逆。在第二个快乐的园里，人在那里悖逆。从那一天起，人就是一直走悖逆的路。所以，罗马五章不只说因一次的过犯，众人都被定罪（18）；并且说，因一人的悖逆，众人成为罪人（19）。请你们记得，从神的眼光来看，在伊甸园里不只是一次的犯罪，并且是一次的悖逆。你们千万不要以为伊甸园里是犯罪而已，伊甸园里乃是悖逆。因为一个人的悖逆，罪就进入了世界。从那一天起，人的原则是活在悖逆里。
　
　
　　等到洪水的时候，神设立人作管理的人，政治就起头。从亚当起，到洪水为止，所看见的不过是家庭，并没有政治。到洪水的时候，政治就起头。政治，乃是在创世之后一六五六年才产生的。有了政治之后，你就马上看见说，今天管理的权柄不只是在家庭里，也是在政治里。“凡流人血的，他的血必被人所流。”（创九6）这是政治的起点。
　
　　到了洪水之后，你又看见含如何背叛了他父亲的权柄（创九20~27），然后神就起首设立列国。但是列国的人，合起来造巴别塔。虽然在他们自己中间不是背叛，可是他们是连起来向着神背叛。伊甸园是个人向着神背叛，伊甸园是家庭向着神背叛；但巴别塔乃是国家向着神背叛。人的意思是说，造出塔来，能够上通于天，能够爬得高，往上去站在神的地位上。神在地上给石头，人却预备砖头，仿效神石头的行为。人预备砖头造塔，往上升，要与神一样。所以在洪水之后，列国的人又联合起来背叛神。
　
　
　　因此，神拣选亚伯拉罕，不只作信心的祖宗，也是作顺服的代表。在列国背叛的时候，在巴别塔混乱的时候，神就拣选亚伯拉罕，不只为着相信，也是为着顺服。神要求，神盼望、神羡慕有顺服的人。神羡慕在背叛的日子中，有人站在顺服的地位上。
　　不只亚伯拉罕自己是顺服的人，连他的妻子也是顺服的人。不只亚伯拉罕和撒拉顺服神，并且撒拉也顺服亚伯拉罕。撒拉不只在神面前顺服，不只接受直接权柄，撒拉也接受了代表的权柄──亚伯拉罕。他们夫妻二人，在神面前是顺服的。同时他们两个人在夫妻中，在人和人之中，也是顺服的。他们维持了在地上神权柄的原则，而在这里面产生出神的子民来。神的子民，是根据于神的权柄而拣选的。
　
　　神应许亚伯拉罕说，他的后裔要在埃及作奴隶，但到了第四代，祂要把他们带出来。你们看见，后来就是出埃及的故事，就是摩西带领以色列人出来。你们看见神先得着摩西这一个人，先叫摩西作顺服的人，认识权柄，而后叫他把以色列人带出来。在他们中间，设立了神直接的权柄。在出埃及的时候，有神自己的同在，有云柱、有火柱。祂也给我们看见，祂自己的权柄，就是诫命。而同时神设立摩西和亚伦作祂自己的权柄，摩西和亚伦是神所设立的权柄，就是代表的权柄，摆在以色列人当中。
　
　　神不只不让人得罪祂自己，神也不让人得罪祂的仆人。神不只不让人得罪祂自己，神也不让人得罪祂自己的祭司、祂自己的先知。神在以色列人之中，设立了祂的权柄。多少次的审判，多少次的刑罚，乃是因为以色列人干犯了祂的权柄。在那里，许多人干犯了权柄，结果他们不能进迦南地。
　
　　等到他们进入迦南地之后，他们又不顺服神，并且不顺服得厉害。他们盼望在人中间得着一个人作他们的王。他们觉得说，神管理他们不好，所以要效法世人的路，要有一个君王在他们中间。所以神对撒母耳说，他们不是弃绝你，他们乃是弃绝我。你们在那里看见说，扫罗被拣选。后来大卫被拣选，神设立大卫作权柄。从大卫手里预备建造圣殿的材料，来表显神和祂的子民住在一起，到所罗门的时候，这殿就造成功了。
　　但是，所罗门一去世，以色列人马上拜偶像。从那一天起，以色列国和犹大国就被弃绝了。虽然神还存留他们多少年，也让他们继续有多少王，但这是因为神对大卫有应许，不是因为神乐意维持以色列国。你在这里看见说，没有一个罪得罪神像拜偶像一样。偶像就是站在一个地位上夺去神的敬拜。从此，以色列人继续下去，都是背叛的历史。
　
　
　　一直到拿撒勒人耶稣降生在地上的时候，才有一个神所挑选的人。祂在那里告诉我们说，我怎么听见，就怎么说。我凭着自己不能作什么，唯有看见父所作的事我才作（约五19）。我不求自己的意思，只求那差我来者的意思（30）。你在那里看见，有一个人不敢凭自己说，也不敢凭自己作；有一个人是完全服在神的权柄之下。
　　主耶稣自己是神，与神同等，并不是僭越的，可是祂完全服在神的权柄之下（腓二5~11）。祂死在十字架上之后，神叫祂从死里复活，把祂升为至高，叫祂作主，作基督；又赐给祂那超乎万名之上的名，叫一切在天上的，地上的，和地底下的，因耶稣的名，无不屈膝敬拜祂，无不口称祂为主，赞美祂。
　　主升天之后，就设立祂的教会。祂将祂的教会设立起来，不是像人所想的，设立一个团体，或者一个机关。从死里复活，升上高天的主，乃是作教会的元首。整个的教会是祂的身体。换一句话说，祂在地上如何过顺服的生活，今天祂愿意在祂的教会中再彰显出来。
　
　　在圣经里，福音乃是一个命令。我们听见福音的时候，圣经给我们看见，我们应该相信。但是相信福音的时候，圣经也给我们看见，我们乃是顺服福音的人。圣灵是赐给顺服的人，我们乃是从心里顺服所传给我们的道的人。请你们记得，连接受主耶稣，连相信得救，都是顺服。因为这是神的命令，叫人到处相信。所以相信乃是顺服。人从起头在教会里，就是要学习顺服主，顺服神的权柄。
　
　　这么多年的历史以来，全世界都是背叛的。世界的那一个基本的原则，不是要推翻神直接的权柄，就是要推翻神所设立的权柄。今天到了主耶稣的身体建立在地上的时候，就是我们今天所领会的教会；而教会的基本原则，就是顺服的原则。所以，神本来在世界里所定规的事，今天神在教会里就严格的要求。今天神严格的要求，在教会里，女人要顺服男人。这一个在世界里是何等困难的事！今天你问一个世界的女子，肯不肯顺服男人？她们觉得没有这个意思。今天，神在教会里，要求女人顺服男人，要求妻子顺服丈夫。
　　书信高到像以弗所，像歌罗西，它们里面的命令是什么？是妻子要顺服丈夫，儿女要顺服父母，仆人要顺服主人。这不是在世界里面的话，这是在教会里面的话。
　　以弗所和歌罗西都是最高的书信，最高的书信给我们看见说，我们从前是悖逆之子，我们从前生活的原则根本是与世人一样的，是背叛的，所以称作悖逆之子。今天神给我们一个命令：妻子要顺服丈夫，儿女要顺服父母，仆人要顺服主人。这与整个世界不一样。这给我们看见，顺服乃是今天教会的基本原则。
　
　　等一等，你看见在罗马书里所说的话更清楚。十三1节说，“没有权柄不是出于神的；凡掌权的都是神所命的。”所以，所有的权柄都是神所立的。并且这里特别给我们看见说，不只该顺服掌权的，也该顺服作官的。当得粮的，给他纳粮；当得税的，给他上税；当惧怕的，惧怕他；当恭敬的，恭敬他。没有一本书那样清楚说到救恩，像罗马书一样。但是在罗马十二章，从奉献起，－罗马一直到十四章，告诉我们，不只在教会里要顺服，并且在世界上也要顺服。人要顺服一切在上有权柄的人。
　
　　教会是一个团体，这一个团体有一特点，就是说，我们活在世界上，乃是以顺服作我们的性质。我们活在世界上，乃是以顺服作我们生活的原则。
　
　　今天教会应当作到一个地步，能宣告说，神在亚当的时候所得不着的，今天在教会里能得着。神在世人中所得不着的，今天在教会里能得着。神在以色列国中所得不着的，今天在教会里能得着。神今天在多民、多人、多国、多方中所得不着的，在教会里要得着。换一句话说，最少今天在这一个大地上，总得有一个团体是维持神的权柄的，就是教会。教会应该仰起头来说，“主，你在撒但身上得不着的，在我们身上能得着。你在鬼魔、背叛的天使身上所得不着的，你在教会里能得着。”
　　所以，教会今天乃是向着执政的、掌权的，来彰显神的权柄。所以今天教会在地上变作不只是为着传福音，不只是为着造就自己，也是为着彰显神的权柄。在地上所有的地方，神的权柄被弃绝；就是在教会这一个地方，神的权柄被保守。世界上，没有一个地方有人寻求神的旨意，就是教会在这里寻求神的旨意。换一句话说，教会乃是一个顺服的团体。所以，你没有得救，没有加入教会则已；你既然加入了教会，今天在神面前就有一个基本的需要，就有一个基本的原则，是你要维持的，就是叫神的权柄在教会里能够通行。神的旨意，在世界各地，都不能通行；神的旨意在教会里，总得通行。你要维持神的权柄在教会里。
　
　　为此，所有教会里的弟兄姊妹，都得学习作顺服的人。请你们记得，没有一个罪比不顺服更厉害，因为这根本和教会所以存在的缘故相反。主耶稣在地上的时候，不是说祂生活好不好的问题，乃是说祂顺服不顺服的问题。实在说起来，子如果凭着自己作什么，必定是好的；但是祂说，子不能凭着自己作什么。祂说，我不凭着自己作，我乃是凭着那差我来者的意思作。请你们记得，在宇宙里，有一个权柄要维持，主维持了，今天教会也要维持。
　　神在各个时代里所得不着的，今天在教会里要得着。神在各个地方所得不着的，今天在教会里要得着。所以，在教会里，是你唯一要学习顺服的地方。在教会里不只是说好和坏，不只是说是和非，在教会里乃是说要顺服。在教会里乃是学习顺服的地方。所以，你们要看见，我们今天没有一个见证比顺服的见证更要紧。因为今天整个宇宙都造反了，整个宇宙都堕落了，整个宇宙是站在另外的地位上。今天，在整个宇宙里，神找不到一个地方，有人是接受祂的权柄的。为此，所有神的儿女，在教会里面都应该学习顺服。
　
　　顺服，乃是教会的生命。顺服，乃是教会的性质。顺服，在教会里乃是基本的原则。教会就是为维持顺服而存在的。教会乃是与四围列国背叛的情形完全相反的。今天，在地上的列国是说，“我们要挣开祂们的捆绑，脱去祂们的绳索（诗二3）。我们要自由，我们要脱离神儿子的管辖。”但是，今天教会乃是说，“我甘心乐意把自己摆在捆绑的底下，我甘心乐意把自己摆在神儿子的绳索底下，来学习顺服。”因此，在教会里就有一件特别的事发生，就是，教会变作是特别顺服权柄的机关。教会在地上，不只维持神直接的权柄，并且也维持神间接的权柄，就是代表的权柄。
　
　　在圣经里，有许多关于顺服的话。今天在这里，我们分作四段来看这一种的顺服。
　
　
　　教会乃是基督的身体，身体里有它一定的律。每一个器官有它的功用，每一个肢体有它的律，在那里管理它们。今天虽然人的知识大大增加，但是，我还找不出为什么人的身体是这么一回事，为什么有一个律在那里管理它，无论如何，每一个肢体在身体上必须顺服那一个律。今天，如果有那一个肢体，随着它自己的意思行动，随着它自己的意思单独的作，你马上看见它有病。身体的特点就是合一，身体的合一一被破坏，这一个身体定规生病。
　　所以，没有一个作神儿女的人，能违背基督身体的律，而单独行动的。一切单独的行动，都是背叛的表现。背叛的另一句话，就是单独行动。单独行动，就是不服权柄。单独行动，就是不服元首的权柄，就是不服神在身体里所定规合一的原则，就是不服神在圣经里所定规合一的律。单独行动，不只是不顺服身体，并且是不顺服主。
　
　　主把祂所有的儿女，借着圣灵浸成功一个身体，这里面的联合是非常亲密的。一个肢体如果快乐，全身就快乐；一个肢体如果受苦，全身就受苦。在这里面，这一种的关系有多大，我们不知道。有多少的时候，一个弟兄来问我说，“为什么我今天一起来无缘无故的忧愁？”“为什么我这两天特别的快乐？”我说不出来。但是，许多时候，这一个原因，不能从你个人身上去找，在你个人身上没有理由特别快乐，没有理由特别忧愁。你看见身体有许多作用，是没有法子解释的。将来到主面前的时候，我们要清楚，为什么这几天我有另外的感觉，为什么有几天我特别的有力量，为什么有几天我特别的软弱。请你们记得，别的肢体会影响我们，我们也会影响别的肢体。虽然我们不知道那一个影响是怎么样影响的，但我们知道合一的事实。怎样合一，怎样互相作用，我们今天不清楚。但是，我们是合一的，是像肢体影响到全身一样。
　
　　在我们中间有一个律，我们必须顺服，就是全体在神面前所看见的，我也看见；全体在神面前所拒绝的，我也拒绝；全体在神面前所接受的，我也接受。我是身体上的一个肢体，我不能自己一个单独起来作用。你看见身体有它的律，合一就是权柄。我不能随着我自己的意思；我一随着我自己的意思，这就是悖逆，这就是背叛，这就是不服权柄。今天我们要看见身体是权柄，身体是基督权柄的代表。我这一个人，一离开身体有另外一个行动，我就是一个悖逆的人。
　
　　我曾引过毒瘤的比喻。在所有的病里面，癌（cancer）是最厉害的一种，比肺病还要麻烦。癌发生在人身体的那一部分，那一部分的细胞都是一个变作两个，两个变作四个，四个变作八个的一直在那里生长。原来每一个细胞虽然都有生长的能力，但是在它们里面都有一个管理的律。这个律管理它们什么时候应该长，什么时候不应该长。
　　比方说，我的手现在里面的细胞已经停止不长了。若是今天我不小心把手划破了，在破口旁边的细胞就起首生长，两个生四个，四个生八个，一直的生，一直的长，就把两边联接起来。怎么能这样？因为在这里有一律叫它长。等一等两边接起来，收口了，又不长了。谁通知这些细胞说，不用长了呢？它怎么生长，我们不知道。它怎么不长，我们也不知道。但是，我们看见：它长是对的，因为我有伤口；它停也是对的，因为已经收口了。这里面有一个律，连一个细胞都知道。它知道身体有一个律应该长，它知道身体有一个律应该停，它知道顺服。
　　请你们记得，整个身体的律，就是神的权柄。每一个细胞都顺服这个权柄。我告诉你们，什么时候发生一件事是不得了的呢？我这一只手，被刀划破了，两边的细胞都长起来，一直长到收口就不长了，我感谢神，所有的细胞长到收口就不长了。如果再长下去的话，怎么办？如果再长的话，我告诉你们，这就叫作癌。癌就是说，在身体里没有这一个需要，但是，有一个细胞离开了全身细胞所该遵守的规矩，自己在那里单独的长，一直的长。这样的长，就变作癌。
　　每一个细胞都必须受约束。但是这里有一个细胞，不管什么时候该长，不管什么时候该停，它就是长它的。好像在整个身体上，我不管别的细胞怎么样，我就是长我的，一直长，一直长。你就要说，这一个细胞是恶性的，是可恶的。请你们记得，它这样的长，全身都要受它的影响。整个身体的细胞，都要被它拖来帮助它长。它只是叫自己大，它不能叫身体好。本来身体上所有的细胞，都应该是为着叫身体好的，但现在都受了它的影响了。一个人生癌的时候，全身的细胞碰着它的时候，都要被它拖去，叫它变作更大。它是另外一个东西，它脱离了身体的律。
　　所以，你们要看见，如果有一个人，一不服权柄，一不服身体上的律，一不按着合一的原则去作，而是凭着自己的意思去作的时候，就是一个癌。所有的滋养经过它，都被它拿去，为着长它自己，而不是为着长身体。它只扩充自己，而不扩充身体。所以，一个医生要治癌是难的事。因为在这里有一个另外的原则，是它作它的。
　
　　基督的身体，乃是一个活的东西。我们也许可以这样说，没有一个东西比我们的身体还要活，还要合一，还要充满了生命。如果有一个弟兄或者姊妹，在没有相信主之先，本来是单独作事作惯了的，什么事情都是自己作。今天相信主之后，他就是身体上的细胞，他就是身体上的肢体。每一个细胞，在身体上都有一个律在约束着。在身体里有约束的律，他必须顺着身体的律而行，不能随着自己的意思而行。你一随着自己的意思而行，你立刻看见说，你在身体上乃是一个毒瘤，你在身体上乃是一个癌。这是有害于身体的，并不是帮助身体的。
　　我们怕单独行动的人，我们怕不遵守身体约束的人，我们怕随着自己意思作事的人，我们怕人在身体里不学习顺服元首的权柄。我们信主之后，第一个原则，属灵的原则，要记得，身体乃是神在地上所设立的权柄，身体就是一个权柄。在身体里，有神的律，我不能违反那一个律。我不能随便凭着自己的意思作。我一凭着自己的意思作，我马上像身体上一个不受约束的恶性细胞，自己作自己的事，完全破坏了合一。马上我成功作一个毒瘤，和别人合不起来，完全是单独的，不是帮助身体，乃是为害身体。所以我们要学习接受身体的断案，学习接受身体的约束，学习顺服整个身体生命的运行。
　
　　你们在主面前作基督徒作得越久，你们越要看见说，身体的合一是事实。你们要越过越看见合一是事实。这一个事实是非常厉害的事实。所以，你们要学习不破坏这一个事实。你们破坏这一个，就是不法。你们破坏这一个，就是不服。你们破坏这一个，就是悖逆。你们破坏这一个，神的权柄就不在你们身上。权柄，要在每一个细胞上。身体上的细胞，都是互相作用的，而不是单独作用的。这是希奇的事。你越领会身体的事，你越看见用身体来比喻教会，是何等的合式。
　
　　在圣经里还有一个原则，是我们非顺服不可的，就是两三个人的原则。请读太十八15~20那一段圣经。主耶稣对我们说，你们如果有两三个人在那里同心合意的，像音乐那样，声音是和谐的，奉我的名聚集（或者翻作归于我的名下聚集），我就在你们中间。你们无论求什么，我就给你们作。这是主给我们的一个很大的应许。如果有两三个人能够绝对的同心合意，一点疑惑都没有；主说，我就在你们中间听你们的祷告。
　
　　主还告诉我们说，如果我今天得罪一个弟兄，那位弟兄来对我说，“你作了一件事，得罪了我，你是大错。”我说，“我想我没有错，是你错了。我不觉得我有错，我觉得很对。”但是那位弟兄说我错，我怎么作？我应该学习听弟兄的话。我如果是一个在主面前学习受教的人，当那位弟兄一个人来对我说的时候，我马上就觉得有罪。因为这也是身体的原则：一个就能代表。虽然我是对的，虽然我想我是不错的，但是一个弟兄在主面前经历相当多，受教相当深，他看见这件事是不对的，而来指正我。我如果是一个在神面前柔软的人，我马上就要说，“弟兄，我错了，你原谅我。”
　　我告诉你们，一个人就是权柄，不必要那么多。在你之外的那一个人，就是权柄；那一个人就能代表身体，那一个人就能代表整个教会。我就得看见说，我个人的举动是错的，有那一个人的证明，就够了。我不是说，有证明就接受；我乃是说，你在神面前乃是快的，许多时候用不着两个人、三个人来告诉你，许多时候用不着全教会来告诉你。在属灵的实际上，有一个人来告诉我，我就应该摸着；有一个人来说，我就得看见。那一个人已经是身体，那一个人就是身体的代表。
　
　　有的时候，是需要两三个人的见证。一位弟兄来对我说，我还看不见。那一位弟兄就去请另外一两个弟兄来，那一两个弟兄在主面前是相当清楚地、全心爱主的人。那一两个人，在主面前是有相当有分量的，是学习事奉主相当成熟的人。他们两三个人被请来，告诉我说，“按着我们看，你是错的。”在这一个时候，我必须记得主的话：如果有两三个人奉我的名聚集，我就在你们中间。
　　如果他们同心合意的对付一件事，他们的祷告主就听，主就替他们作。如果他们是和谐的对付某一件事，主就听他们和谐的对付。对于这件事，主能听他们的对付，我能不听他们的对付么？主能接受他们的断案，我能不接受他们的断案么？主说他们同心合意作的事是对的，我能说是不对么？我应该马上听。主能听他们同心合意的指责我的错，我难道能不听么？他们所捆绑的，天上也捆绑；他们所释放的，天上也释放，难道在我身上能不跟着天上而作么？
　　两三个人就是权柄，不过这两三个弟兄，不是糊里糊涂的说话，他们乃是在主面前有权柄、有敬畏、有顺服的。他们如果都同心合意的对你说，“你有错，”那你就是不觉得有错，也要服下来说，“我错。”不必等全教会都来对你说。快一点的人，遇见一个人就知道。慢一点的人，遇见两个人就知道。许多时候，你就是不觉得有错，如果有两三个虔诚的人都是那样看，你在神面前总要抱着顺服的态度，不要骄傲说，我没有错。
　
　　马太十八章还给我们看见，两三个弟兄来对你说过之后，假定你还是觉得没有错，这两三个弟兄就把这件事摆在教会的面前，让全教会在神面前考虑。若是全教会都在神面前有断案，都在神面前有审判，说你错了；我问你，你怎么办？你说，身体虽然说我错，元首说我不错。父母虽然离弃我，耶和华却收留我。弟兄都弃绝我，主不弃绝我，我在这里背十字架。这就是显明说，你是在教会之外的。你还以为你是受逼迫的，你还以为你是殉道，你是受苦，你是受弟兄的苦待。但是，我告诉你，你要学习顺服下来，说，教会如果说了就是。在这里再没有断案了。全体弟兄姊妹们都说我错，我就是对，也是错的。人在地位上要学习顺服这个教会的权柄。
　　教会在地上，里面是有神的权柄的。你千万不要刚硬到一个地步说，全体弟兄都说我错，但我说，我没有错。我告诉你，骄傲的人，在这里没有地位。骄傲的人，在这里不能顺服。骄傲的人，不知道什么叫作教会。当教会全体都在那里说我错的时候，我就应当学习温柔、谦卑，服下来说，我错了。你不能说教会没有权柄。教会是有权柄的。教会在神面前所断定的，神就承认说是对的。教会在神面前所拒绝的，神也拒绝。你不要刚硬到一个地步，连全体弟兄姊妹都看你是错的时候，你还说你是对的。主如果让他们同心合意说你错，恐怕你是错的。
　　每一个神的儿女，在教会里都需要学习顺服，有的时候，一个人可以代表教会。有的时候，两三个人可以代表教会。你必须在神面前作一个柔软的人，不作一个刚硬的人。要学习顺服的功课。神的儿女是站在顺服的原则上。我们在教会里要学习顺服。
　
　　教会里不只有一个人来代表神的权柄，不只有两三个人来代表神的权柄，许多时候，是全体来代表神的权柄。
　
　　可是，神在圣经里，另外还给我们看见说，在主面前负责的弟兄，就是那些作监督的弟兄。所谓作长老的弟兄，在教会里乃是特别代表神的权柄的人。其余的弟兄应该在神面前站在顺服的地位上。在教会里有神所设立的权柄，他们的工作乃是监督。所以，弟兄们要学习接受他们的断案，要顺服他们。
　　神的儿女活在世界上，应该到处寻找命令，到处寻找顺服的机会，而不是光在那里寻找工作。我常常觉得说，有许多年轻的人，没有多大用处。为什么缘故？也许他们有工作，但是他们不能顺服。有许多是不能顺服的人。你问他说，你作工有多少年？他也许说，我作工作了十年，我作了许多事。你再问他说，一生一世，你顺服过谁？也许连一个也没有顺服过。在教会里，基本的生活原则是顺服。
　　所以在我们中间每一个都应该学习顺服。一个人，如果一生一世谁都没有顺服过，这是一件非常可怜的事。所以你们应该学习在神面前顺服，不只顺服神，并且要顺服神在地上所设立的权柄，就是教会。也要顺服神在教会里所设立的权柄，就是负责弟兄。你能够说，我作工作了多少年；但是你不能说，我没有不顺服主。你谁都没有顺服过，这是基本的难处，这是基本的问题。你如果在神面前看，你就能看见说，这是非顺服不可的。
　
　　现在我愿意和你们稍微读几节圣经，特别是关乎长老的。
　　林前十六15~16：“弟兄们，你们晓得司提反一家，是亚该亚初结的果子；并且他们专以服事圣徒为念；我劝你们顺服这样的人，并一切同工同劳的人。”他们没有别的意念。他们在哥林多教会里，只有一个意念，就是要服事圣徒。保罗说，你们要顺服他们。神在教会里所设立的权柄，你要顺服。顺服司提反一家的人，也要顺服与司提反同工同劳的人。在你们前面有许多年长的弟兄，在你们前面有许多初结的果子，比你们早在基督里，同时以你们的事为念，你们要尊敬这样的人。你们千万不要以为这样的人是可以轻看的，你们应当顺服他们。
　
　　彼前五5：“你们年幼的，也要顺服年长的。”上文乃是对我们讲到长老的事。这里有一班人，在主面前有更多的年日，或者就是作长老的人。彼得说，你们年幼的，应该顺服年长的。他们在主面前乃是你们的榜样（3）。所以年轻的人，如果有人按着神的旨意来照管你们，你们在神面前要学习顺服他们。他们乃是在神面前作榜样的，你们要学习顺服他们。在教会里特别是能够代表主的那些年长弟兄，是你们在主面前特别应该顺服的人。
　
　　提前五17：“那善于管理教会的长老，当以为配受加倍的敬奉；那劳苦传道教导人的，更当如此。”你们对那班善于管理教会的长老，应该有加倍的敬奉，绝对不应该轻看评论。你们应该敬重长老。对于那劳苦传道教导人的，更当如此。对于有恩赐为着话语职事的，更应当如此。有的长老会作话语的职事，有的长老不会作话语的职事；不只对于会的人应当尊敬，对于不会的人也应当尊敬。
　　我在这里愿意提醒一句话：许多弟兄对于顺服的事，有一个基本的错误，他们挑选顺服的对象。他们以为说，我所需要的，乃是顺服那些完全的人。请你们记得，主从来没有这样定规。顺服，不是顺服完全的人；顺服，乃是顺服主的权柄在他身上。你如果要挑选你所顺服的人，你在地上会找不到可顺服的人，因为无论是谁，你总能够找出他的毛病来。就是彼得来到你们中间，你们也容易找出他的毛病来。但是，只要有一件事就够了，这一位弟兄是在你的前面，你就得听他的话。
　　你如果要在那里推诿的话，你可以找出千万的理由来。在这里有一个长老，他只会管理教会，而没有话语的职事；你也许以为说，我不必尊敬他，我讲道比他讲得更好。可是神的话乃是说，要尊敬那些善于管理教会的长老，那劳苦传道教导的人，更当如此。在这里不是挑选的问题。有许多人用自己的挑选，来遮掩他们的不法，来遮掩他们的悖逆。这是愚昧的。他如果是年长的，他如果是在你前面的，你就应该顺服，而不应该批评。
　
　　来十三17：“你们要依从那些引导你们的，且要顺服。”你看见，在神的话语里是相当的清楚。－希伯来一切在你们前面引导你们的，你们都应该顺服他。你们不可以挑选自己所喜欢的来顺服。如果你们只听一位弟兄的话，不听别的弟兄的话，我告诉你们，这不是真顺服。请你们记得，听一位弟兄的话，并不希奇。人要学习顺服，是要学习顺服在他前面的人，不只是要学习顺服在他头上的人。是要学习顺服引导你们的人，不只是要学习顺服在你顶上特别有恩赐的人，特别为主所用的人。你们要常常找出来，谁是在你们前面的。
　　将来你们离开这里到别处去，你们三个弟兄，或者五个弟兄聚集在－希伯来一起，那时候你第一个问题应该是说，我应该顺服谁？我应该顺服在我前面的。－希伯来三个弟兄，或者五个弟兄，就是两个钟点、－希伯来三个钟点在－希伯来一起，自然而然，有一个是神叫他作引导的人，你就得顺服他。基督徒的特点是顺服，基督徒的特点不是作工。基督徒的特点，就是认识一切引导的人。我常常觉得，在－希伯来一个地方，有五、－希伯来六个弟兄聚集在－希伯来一起，若是每一个都站在自己的地位上，那是非常美丽的事。无论是十个弟兄、－希伯来二十个弟兄，－希伯来一坐下来，自然而然就知道谁是在我前面；－希伯来一找出来，就要顺服。
　　“你们要依从那些引导你们的，且要顺服。”因为什么？“因他们为你们的灵魂时刻儆醒，好像那将来交账的人；你们要使他们交的时候有快乐，不至忧愁：若忧愁就与你们无益了。”任何在你们前面的人，是为着你们灵魂担心的人，是要为着你们的灵魂交账的人；这样的人，都是你们在神面前应该顺服的人。
　
　　帖前五12~13：“弟兄们，我们劝你们敬重那在你们中间劳苦的人，就是在主里面治理你们，劝戒你们的；又因他们所作的工，用爱心格外尊重他们。”有的人是在主里面治理你们，是在主里面引导你们的，这样的人你们都应当尊敬，都应当尊重。这样的人，都是我们所应该顺服的人。所以，一个基督徒，如果作到世界上没有一个可顺服的人，这一个人是世界上希奇的人。一个基督徒应该到处看见，有许多在我前面的人，有许多在属灵方面有重量的人，有许多带领我的人，这些人都是我所应该顺服的。
　　如果是这样，你就看见，在教会里就维持一个原则，那一个原则是神在撒但里所找不到的，是神在世界里所找不到的，是神在宇宙里所找不到的，那一个原则就是顺服。在教会里有一个基本的功课要学。在世界里所弃绝的，在教会里要得着。在教会里有一个基本的原则，就是要顺服。
　
　　我们已经看见，身体的合一就是权柄。也看见，一个人能代表基督的身体，两三个人也能代表基督的身体，一个地方的教会也能代表基督的身体。末了也看见，在主里面的长老，领导我们的，也是代表基督的身体，这些都是神的权柄，都是神在我们中间所设立的权柄，我们要顺服他们，尊敬他们，请教他们，听他们的话。如果是这样，主的名就在我们中间，主的话也在我们中间，这样才是非拉铁非。
　　今天，我们要提起教会的权柄问题。
　
　　当神创造这一个宇宙的时候，神已经设立权柄作祂管理这一个宇宙的原则。祂自己是最高的权柄，同时也是一切权柄的来源。在祂下面有好些位的天使长，再下去有许多的天使。按耶利米和以赛亚的记载，那一个时候，在地上还有另外一种的活物。这是当初神管理这一个宇宙的安排。不只活的人是如此，就是整个宇宙所有的星宿，连这块地和一切的生物，神都用权柄托住它们。神都用权柄的命令，替它们设立律法，叫每一个天然的生物，每一种天然的物质，都有一定的律可以遵守。所以权柄在宇宙里是非常要紧的东西。如果有一种的物质，有一种的生物，不按着神所定规的律而行，宇宙就乱了。
　
　
　　但是后来呢？我们知道前一个世界堕落了，怎样堕落的呢？乃是因为撒但，就是神所设立的天使长，要高抬自己。
　　他心里说，“我要升到天上；我要高举我的宝座…我要与至上者同等。”（赛十四13~14）撒但的背叛不是背叛别的，乃是背叛权柄。他要与神同等，他要高抬自己作神；他认为在神之下作一切的主还不够。他背叛了神的权柄，他要得着神所有的权柄。结果，你看见说，明亮之星变作撒但，光明的天使变作魔鬼。这一个乃是在人创造之前的事。
　
　
　　当人受造的时候，神把人安置在伊甸园里。神在世界里也有祂的安排，神在世界里也有祂所定规的权柄。神先造男人，后造女人；先造丈夫，后造妻子。神安排夏娃顺服亚当，神安排人顺服祂自己。神安排说，在将来的日子中，儿女要顺服父母，仆人要顺服主人，人民要顺服大臣、君王。神有祂一定的安排，神设立了权柄。
　
　　但是在伊甸园里，撒但进来引诱人。撒但的引诱，不只是引诱人犯罪，并且是引诱人推翻神所定规的权柄。神定规女人要听从男人，但是，伊甸园里变作男人听从女人。神定规要亚当作头，但是伊甸园里是夏娃作头，夏娃教训，夏娃定规，夏娃出主意，因为其余的人还没有生，只有亚当和夏娃。在这里，唯一的安排，乃是女人要顺服男人，妻子要顺服丈夫。但这一个唯一的安排，马上就被撒但破坏了。
　
　　在这一个破坏里面，虽然是两个人的悖逆，但同时也就是全世界的悖逆。不只是人和人中间的权柄被推翻，也就是人和神中间的权柄被推翻。撒但说，你吃的日子，就能够像神。神所以不让你们吃，是不要你们像神。所以是两个悖逆：一个是人悖逆神在人中间所设立的权柄，一个是人悖逆神自己的权柄。换一句话说，神直接的权柄被悖逆，神代表的权柄也被悖逆。人对于神没有顺服，人想我这样作能够变作神。这样，神的权柄就被推翻。人自己要作神，人要推翻神的权柄。
　　同时夏娃应该顺服亚当。在许多的事情上，夏娃应该问亚当。但是，夏娃没有问亚当，夏娃就先思想，夏娃就先定规，结果夏娃就先犯罪。请你们记得，独立的思想，就是犯罪的先锋。人如果不在神所设立的代表权柄面前学习请教，学习问；人如果不在神面前学习看这一件事如何；而是独立的思想，以为说又好看、又好吃、又好摸，吃了之后会有智慧；结果，就不只背叛神，并且也背叛神在地上所设立的权柄。所以伊甸园的犯罪，乃是同时推翻了两种不同的权柄：代表的权柄被推翻，直接的权柄也被推翻。
　
　　所以，伊甸园的故事，就是效法撒但所作的。撒但是要高抬自己与神同等，所以试探人，也要人高抬自己与神同等。在第一个快乐的园里，明亮的基路伯存心在那里悖逆。在第二个快乐的园里，人在那里悖逆。从那一天起，人就是一直走悖逆的路。所以，罗马五章不只说因一次的过犯，众人都被定罪（18）；并且说，因一人的悖逆，众人成为罪人（19）。请你们记得，从神的眼光来看，在伊甸园里不只是一次的犯罪，并且是一次的悖逆。你们千万不要以为伊甸园里是犯罪而已，伊甸园里乃是悖逆。因为一个人的悖逆，罪就进入了世界。从那一天起，人的原则是活在悖逆里。
　
　
　　等到洪水的时候，神设立人作管理的人，政治就起头。从亚当起，到洪水为止，所看见的不过是家庭，并没有政治。到洪水的时候，政治就起头。政治，乃是在创世之后一六五六年才产生的。有了政治之后，你就马上看见说，今天管理的权柄不只是在家庭里，也是在政治里。“凡流人血的，他的血必被人所流。”（创九6）这是政治的起点。
　
　　到了洪水之后，你又看见含如何背叛了他父亲的权柄（创九20~27），然后神就起首设立列国。但是列国的人，合起来造巴别塔。虽然在他们自己中间不是背叛，可是他们是连起来向着神背叛。伊甸园是个人向着神背叛，伊甸园是家庭向着神背叛；但巴别塔乃是国家向着神背叛。人的意思是说，造出塔来，能够上通于天，能够爬得高，往上去站在神的地位上。神在地上给石头，人却预备砖头，仿效神石头的行为。人预备砖头造塔，往上升，要与神一样。所以在洪水之后，列国的人又联合起来背叛神。
　
　
　　因此，神拣选亚伯拉罕，不只作信心的祖宗，也是作顺服的代表。在列国背叛的时候，在巴别塔混乱的时候，神就拣选亚伯拉罕，不只为着相信，也是为着顺服。神要求，神盼望、神羡慕有顺服的人。神羡慕在背叛的日子中，有人站在顺服的地位上。
　　不只亚伯拉罕自己是顺服的人，连他的妻子也是顺服的人。不只亚伯拉罕和撒拉顺服神，并且撒拉也顺服亚伯拉罕。撒拉不只在神面前顺服，不只接受直接权柄，撒拉也接受了代表的权柄──亚伯拉罕。他们夫妻二人，在神面前是顺服的。同时他们两个人在夫妻中，在人和人之中，也是顺服的。他们维持了在地上神权柄的原则，而在这里面产生出神的子民来。神的子民，是根据于神的权柄而拣选的。
　
　　神应许亚伯拉罕说，他的后裔要在埃及作奴隶，但到了第四代，祂要把他们带出来。你们看见，后来就是出埃及的故事，就是摩西带领以色列人出来。你们看见神先得着摩西这一个人，先叫摩西作顺服的人，认识权柄，而后叫他把以色列人带出来。在他们中间，设立了神直接的权柄。在出埃及的时候，有神自己的同在，有云柱、有火柱。祂也给我们看见，祂自己的权柄，就是诫命。而同时神设立摩西和亚伦作祂自己的权柄，摩西和亚伦是神所设立的权柄，就是代表的权柄，摆在以色列人当中。
　
　　神不只不让人得罪祂自己，神也不让人得罪祂的仆人。神不只不让人得罪祂自己，神也不让人得罪祂自己的祭司、祂自己的先知。神在以色列人之中，设立了祂的权柄。多少次的审判，多少次的刑罚，乃是因为以色列人干犯了祂的权柄。在那里，许多人干犯了权柄，结果他们不能进迦南地。
　
　　等到他们进入迦南地之后，他们又不顺服神，并且不顺服得厉害。他们盼望在人中间得着一个人作他们的王。他们觉得说，神管理他们不好，所以要效法世人的路，要有一个君王在他们中间。所以神对撒母耳说，他们不是弃绝你，他们乃是弃绝我。你们在那里看见说，扫罗被拣选。后来大卫被拣选，神设立大卫作权柄。从大卫手里预备建造圣殿的材料，来表显神和祂的子民住在一起，到所罗门的时候，这殿就造成功了。
　　但是，所罗门一去世，以色列人马上拜偶像。从那一天起，以色列国和犹大国就被弃绝了。虽然神还存留他们多少年，也让他们继续有多少王，但这是因为神对大卫有应许，不是因为神乐意维持以色列国。你在这里看见说，没有一个罪得罪神像拜偶像一样。偶像就是站在一个地位上夺去神的敬拜。从此，以色列人继续下去，都是背叛的历史。
　
　
　　一直到拿撒勒人耶稣降生在地上的时候，才有一个神所挑选的人。祂在那里告诉我们说，我怎么听见，就怎么说。我凭着自己不能作什么，唯有看见父所作的事我才作（约五19）。我不求自己的意思，只求那差我来者的意思（30）。你在那里看见，有一个人不敢凭自己说，也不敢凭自己作；有一个人是完全服在神的权柄之下。
　　主耶稣自己是神，与神同等，并不是僭越的，可是祂完全服在神的权柄之下（腓二5~11）。祂死在十字架上之后，神叫祂从死里复活，把祂升为至高，叫祂作主，作基督；又赐给祂那超乎万名之上的名，叫一切在天上的，地上的，和地底下的，因耶稣的名，无不屈膝敬拜祂，无不口称祂为主，赞美祂。
　　主升天之后，就设立祂的教会。祂将祂的教会设立起来，不是像人所想的，设立一个团体，或者一个机关。从死里复活，升上高天的主，乃是作教会的元首。整个的教会是祂的身体。换一句话说，祂在地上如何过顺服的生活，今天祂愿意在祂的教会中再彰显出来。
　
　　在圣经里，福音乃是一个命令。我们听见福音的时候，圣经给我们看见，我们应该相信。但是相信福音的时候，圣经也给我们看见，我们乃是顺服福音的人。圣灵是赐给顺服的人，我们乃是从心里顺服所传给我们的道的人。请你们记得，连接受主耶稣，连相信得救，都是顺服。因为这是神的命令，叫人到处相信。所以相信乃是顺服。人从起头在教会里，就是要学习顺服主，顺服神的权柄。
　
　　这么多年的历史以来，全世界都是背叛的。世界的那一个基本的原则，不是要推翻神直接的权柄，就是要推翻神所设立的权柄。今天到了主耶稣的身体建立在地上的时候，就是我们今天所领会的教会；而教会的基本原则，就是顺服的原则。所以，神本来在世界里所定规的事，今天神在教会里就严格的要求。今天神严格的要求，在教会里，女人要顺服男人。这一个在世界里是何等困难的事！今天你问一个世界的女子，肯不肯顺服男人？她们觉得没有这个意思。今天，神在教会里，要求女人顺服男人，要求妻子顺服丈夫。
　　书信高到像以弗所，像歌罗西，它们里面的命令是什么？是妻子要顺服丈夫，儿女要顺服父母，仆人要顺服主人。这不是在世界里面的话，这是在教会里面的话。
　　以弗所和歌罗西都是最高的书信，最高的书信给我们看见说，我们从前是悖逆之子，我们从前生活的原则根本是与世人一样的，是背叛的，所以称作悖逆之子。今天神给我们一个命令：妻子要顺服丈夫，儿女要顺服父母，仆人要顺服主人。这与整个世界不一样。这给我们看见，顺服乃是今天教会的基本原则。
　
　　等一等，你看见在罗马书里所说的话更清楚。十三1节说，“没有权柄不是出于神的；凡掌权的都是神所命的。”所以，所有的权柄都是神所立的。并且这里特别给我们看见说，不只该顺服掌权的，也该顺服作官的。当得粮的，给他纳粮；当得税的，给他上税；当惧怕的，惧怕他；当恭敬的，恭敬他。没有一本书那样清楚说到救恩，像罗马书一样。但是在罗马十二章，从奉献起，－罗马一直到十四章，告诉我们，不只在教会里要顺服，并且在世界上也要顺服。人要顺服一切在上有权柄的人。
　
　　教会是一个团体，这一个团体有一特点，就是说，我们活在世界上，乃是以顺服作我们的性质。我们活在世界上，乃是以顺服作我们生活的原则。
　
　　今天教会应当作到一个地步，能宣告说，神在亚当的时候所得不着的，今天在教会里能得着。神在世人中所得不着的，今天在教会里能得着。神在以色列国中所得不着的，今天在教会里能得着。神今天在多民、多人、多国、多方中所得不着的，在教会里要得着。换一句话说，最少今天在这一个大地上，总得有一个团体是维持神的权柄的，就是教会。教会应该仰起头来说，“主，你在撒但身上得不着的，在我们身上能得着。你在鬼魔、背叛的天使身上所得不着的，你在教会里能得着。”
　　所以，教会今天乃是向着执政的、掌权的，来彰显神的权柄。所以今天教会在地上变作不只是为着传福音，不只是为着造就自己，也是为着彰显神的权柄。在地上所有的地方，神的权柄被弃绝；就是在教会这一个地方，神的权柄被保守。世界上，没有一个地方有人寻求神的旨意，就是教会在这里寻求神的旨意。换一句话说，教会乃是一个顺服的团体。所以，你没有得救，没有加入教会则已；你既然加入了教会，今天在神面前就有一个基本的需要，就有一个基本的原则，是你要维持的，就是叫神的权柄在教会里能够通行。神的旨意，在世界各地，都不能通行；神的旨意在教会里，总得通行。你要维持神的权柄在教会里。
　
　　为此，所有教会里的弟兄姊妹，都得学习作顺服的人。请你们记得，没有一个罪比不顺服更厉害，因为这根本和教会所以存在的缘故相反。主耶稣在地上的时候，不是说祂生活好不好的问题，乃是说祂顺服不顺服的问题。实在说起来，子如果凭着自己作什么，必定是好的；但是祂说，子不能凭着自己作什么。祂说，我不凭着自己作，我乃是凭着那差我来者的意思作。请你们记得，在宇宙里，有一个权柄要维持，主维持了，今天教会也要维持。
　　神在各个时代里所得不着的，今天在教会里要得着。神在各个地方所得不着的，今天在教会里要得着。所以，在教会里，是你唯一要学习顺服的地方。在教会里不只是说好和坏，不只是说是和非，在教会里乃是说要顺服。在教会里乃是学习顺服的地方。所以，你们要看见，我们今天没有一个见证比顺服的见证更要紧。因为今天整个宇宙都造反了，整个宇宙都堕落了，整个宇宙是站在另外的地位上。今天，在整个宇宙里，神找不到一个地方，有人是接受祂的权柄的。为此，所有神的儿女，在教会里面都应该学习顺服。
　
　　顺服，乃是教会的生命。顺服，乃是教会的性质。顺服，在教会里乃是基本的原则。教会就是为维持顺服而存在的。教会乃是与四围列国背叛的情形完全相反的。今天，在地上的列国是说，“我们要挣开祂们的捆绑，脱去祂们的绳索（诗二3）。我们要自由，我们要脱离神儿子的管辖。”但是，今天教会乃是说，“我甘心乐意把自己摆在捆绑的底下，我甘心乐意把自己摆在神儿子的绳索底下，来学习顺服。”因此，在教会里就有一件特别的事发生，就是，教会变作是特别顺服权柄的机关。教会在地上，不只维持神直接的权柄，并且也维持神间接的权柄，就是代表的权柄。
　
　　在圣经里，有许多关于顺服的话。今天在这里，我们分作四段来看这一种的顺服。
　
　
　　教会乃是基督的身体，身体里有它一定的律。每一个器官有它的功用，每一个肢体有它的律，在那里管理它们。今天虽然人的知识大大增加，但是，我还找不出为什么人的身体是这么一回事，为什么有一个律在那里管理它，无论如何，每一个肢体在身体上必须顺服那一个律。今天，如果有那一个肢体，随着它自己的意思行动，随着它自己的意思单独的作，你马上看见它有病。身体的特点就是合一，身体的合一一被破坏，这一个身体定规生病。
　　所以，没有一个作神儿女的人，能违背基督身体的律，而单独行动的。一切单独的行动，都是背叛的表现。背叛的另一句话，就是单独行动。单独行动，就是不服权柄。单独行动，就是不服元首的权柄，就是不服神在身体里所定规合一的原则，就是不服神在圣经里所定规合一的律。单独行动，不只是不顺服身体，并且是不顺服主。
　
　　主把祂所有的儿女，借着圣灵浸成功一个身体，这里面的联合是非常亲密的。一个肢体如果快乐，全身就快乐；一个肢体如果受苦，全身就受苦。在这里面，这一种的关系有多大，我们不知道。有多少的时候，一个弟兄来问我说，“为什么我今天一起来无缘无故的忧愁？”“为什么我这两天特别的快乐？”我说不出来。但是，许多时候，这一个原因，不能从你个人身上去找，在你个人身上没有理由特别快乐，没有理由特别忧愁。你看见身体有许多作用，是没有法子解释的。将来到主面前的时候，我们要清楚，为什么这几天我有另外的感觉，为什么有几天我特别的有力量，为什么有几天我特别的软弱。请你们记得，别的肢体会影响我们，我们也会影响别的肢体。虽然我们不知道那一个影响是怎么样影响的，但我们知道合一的事实。怎样合一，怎样互相作用，我们今天不清楚。但是，我们是合一的，是像肢体影响到全身一样。
　
　　在我们中间有一个律，我们必须顺服，就是全体在神面前所看见的，我也看见；全体在神面前所拒绝的，我也拒绝；全体在神面前所接受的，我也接受。我是身体上的一个肢体，我不能自己一个单独起来作用。你看见身体有它的律，合一就是权柄。我不能随着我自己的意思；我一随着我自己的意思，这就是悖逆，这就是背叛，这就是不服权柄。今天我们要看见身体是权柄，身体是基督权柄的代表。我这一个人，一离开身体有另外一个行动，我就是一个悖逆的人。
　
　　我曾引过毒瘤的比喻。在所有的病里面，癌（cancer）是最厉害的一种，比肺病还要麻烦。癌发生在人身体的那一部分，那一部分的细胞都是一个变作两个，两个变作四个，四个变作八个的一直在那里生长。原来每一个细胞虽然都有生长的能力，但是在它们里面都有一个管理的律。这个律管理它们什么时候应该长，什么时候不应该长。
　　比方说，我的手现在里面的细胞已经停止不长了。若是今天我不小心把手划破了，在破口旁边的细胞就起首生长，两个生四个，四个生八个，一直的生，一直的长，就把两边联接起来。怎么能这样？因为在这里有一律叫它长。等一等两边接起来，收口了，又不长了。谁通知这些细胞说，不用长了呢？它怎么生长，我们不知道。它怎么不长，我们也不知道。但是，我们看见：它长是对的，因为我有伤口；它停也是对的，因为已经收口了。这里面有一个律，连一个细胞都知道。它知道身体有一个律应该长，它知道身体有一个律应该停，它知道顺服。
　　请你们记得，整个身体的律，就是神的权柄。每一个细胞都顺服这个权柄。我告诉你们，什么时候发生一件事是不得了的呢？我这一只手，被刀划破了，两边的细胞都长起来，一直长到收口就不长了，我感谢神，所有的细胞长到收口就不长了。如果再长下去的话，怎么办？如果再长的话，我告诉你们，这就叫作癌。癌就是说，在身体里没有这一个需要，但是，有一个细胞离开了全身细胞所该遵守的规矩，自己在那里单独的长，一直的长。这样的长，就变作癌。
　　每一个细胞都必须受约束。但是这里有一个细胞，不管什么时候该长，不管什么时候该停，它就是长它的。好像在整个身体上，我不管别的细胞怎么样，我就是长我的，一直长，一直长。你就要说，这一个细胞是恶性的，是可恶的。请你们记得，它这样的长，全身都要受它的影响。整个身体的细胞，都要被它拖来帮助它长。它只是叫自己大，它不能叫身体好。本来身体上所有的细胞，都应该是为着叫身体好的，但现在都受了它的影响了。一个人生癌的时候，全身的细胞碰着它的时候，都要被它拖去，叫它变作更大。它是另外一个东西，它脱离了身体的律。
　　所以，你们要看见，如果有一个人，一不服权柄，一不服身体上的律，一不按着合一的原则去作，而是凭着自己的意思去作的时候，就是一个癌。所有的滋养经过它，都被它拿去，为着长它自己，而不是为着长身体。它只扩充自己，而不扩充身体。所以，一个医生要治癌是难的事。因为在这里有一个另外的原则，是它作它的。
　
　　基督的身体，乃是一个活的东西。我们也许可以这样说，没有一个东西比我们的身体还要活，还要合一，还要充满了生命。如果有一个弟兄或者姊妹，在没有相信主之先，本来是单独作事作惯了的，什么事情都是自己作。今天相信主之后，他就是身体上的细胞，他就是身体上的肢体。每一个细胞，在身体上都有一个律在约束着。在身体里有约束的律，他必须顺着身体的律而行，不能随着自己的意思而行。你一随着自己的意思而行，你立刻看见说，你在身体上乃是一个毒瘤，你在身体上乃是一个癌。这是有害于身体的，并不是帮助身体的。
　　我们怕单独行动的人，我们怕不遵守身体约束的人，我们怕随着自己意思作事的人，我们怕人在身体里不学习顺服元首的权柄。我们信主之后，第一个原则，属灵的原则，要记得，身体乃是神在地上所设立的权柄，身体就是一个权柄。在身体里，有神的律，我不能违反那一个律。我不能随便凭着自己的意思作。我一凭着自己的意思作，我马上像身体上一个不受约束的恶性细胞，自己作自己的事，完全破坏了合一。马上我成功作一个毒瘤，和别人合不起来，完全是单独的，不是帮助身体，乃是为害身体。所以我们要学习接受身体的断案，学习接受身体的约束，学习顺服整个身体生命的运行。
　
　　你们在主面前作基督徒作得越久，你们越要看见说，身体的合一是事实。你们要越过越看见合一是事实。这一个事实是非常厉害的事实。所以，你们要学习不破坏这一个事实。你们破坏这一个，就是不法。你们破坏这一个，就是不服。你们破坏这一个，就是悖逆。你们破坏这一个，神的权柄就不在你们身上。权柄，要在每一个细胞上。身体上的细胞，都是互相作用的，而不是单独作用的。这是希奇的事。你越领会身体的事，你越看见用身体来比喻教会，是何等的合式。
　
　　在圣经里还有一个原则，是我们非顺服不可的，就是两三个人的原则。请读太十八15~20那一段圣经。主耶稣对我们说，你们如果有两三个人在那里同心合意的，像音乐那样，声音是和谐的，奉我的名聚集（或者翻作归于我的名下聚集），我就在你们中间。你们无论求什么，我就给你们作。这是主给我们的一个很大的应许。如果有两三个人能够绝对的同心合意，一点疑惑都没有；主说，我就在你们中间听你们的祷告。
　
　　主还告诉我们说，如果我今天得罪一个弟兄，那位弟兄来对我说，“你作了一件事，得罪了我，你是大错。”我说，“我想我没有错，是你错了。我不觉得我有错，我觉得很对。”但是那位弟兄说我错，我怎么作？我应该学习听弟兄的话。我如果是一个在主面前学习受教的人，当那位弟兄一个人来对我说的时候，我马上就觉得有罪。因为这也是身体的原则：一个就能代表。虽然我是对的，虽然我想我是不错的，但是一个弟兄在主面前经历相当多，受教相当深，他看见这件事是不对的，而来指正我。我如果是一个在神面前柔软的人，我马上就要说，“弟兄，我错了，你原谅我。”
　　我告诉你们，一个人就是权柄，不必要那么多。在你之外的那一个人，就是权柄；那一个人就能代表身体，那一个人就能代表整个教会。我就得看见说，我个人的举动是错的，有那一个人的证明，就够了。我不是说，有证明就接受；我乃是说，你在神面前乃是快的，许多时候用不着两个人、三个人来告诉你，许多时候用不着全教会来告诉你。在属灵的实际上，有一个人来告诉我，我就应该摸着；有一个人来说，我就得看见。那一个人已经是身体，那一个人就是身体的代表。
　
　　有的时候，是需要两三个人的见证。一位弟兄来对我说，我还看不见。那一位弟兄就去请另外一两个弟兄来，那一两个弟兄在主面前是相当清楚地、全心爱主的人。那一两个人，在主面前是有相当有分量的，是学习事奉主相当成熟的人。他们两三个人被请来，告诉我说，“按着我们看，你是错的。”在这一个时候，我必须记得主的话：如果有两三个人奉我的名聚集，我就在你们中间。
　　如果他们同心合意的对付一件事，他们的祷告主就听，主就替他们作。如果他们是和谐的对付某一件事，主就听他们和谐的对付。对于这件事，主能听他们的对付，我能不听他们的对付么？主能接受他们的断案，我能不接受他们的断案么？主说他们同心合意作的事是对的，我能说是不对么？我应该马上听。主能听他们同心合意的指责我的错，我难道能不听么？他们所捆绑的，天上也捆绑；他们所释放的，天上也释放，难道在我身上能不跟着天上而作么？
　　两三个人就是权柄，不过这两三个弟兄，不是糊里糊涂的说话，他们乃是在主面前有权柄、有敬畏、有顺服的。他们如果都同心合意的对你说，“你有错，”那你就是不觉得有错，也要服下来说，“我错。”不必等全教会都来对你说。快一点的人，遇见一个人就知道。慢一点的人，遇见两个人就知道。许多时候，你就是不觉得有错，如果有两三个虔诚的人都是那样看，你在神面前总要抱着顺服的态度，不要骄傲说，我没有错。
　
　　马太十八章还给我们看见，两三个弟兄来对你说过之后，假定你还是觉得没有错，这两三个弟兄就把这件事摆在教会的面前，让全教会在神面前考虑。若是全教会都在神面前有断案，都在神面前有审判，说你错了；我问你，你怎么办？你说，身体虽然说我错，元首说我不错。父母虽然离弃我，耶和华却收留我。弟兄都弃绝我，主不弃绝我，我在这里背十字架。这就是显明说，你是在教会之外的。你还以为你是受逼迫的，你还以为你是殉道，你是受苦，你是受弟兄的苦待。但是，我告诉你，你要学习顺服下来，说，教会如果说了就是。在这里再没有断案了。全体弟兄姊妹们都说我错，我就是对，也是错的。人在地位上要学习顺服这个教会的权柄。
　　教会在地上，里面是有神的权柄的。你千万不要刚硬到一个地步说，全体弟兄都说我错，但我说，我没有错。我告诉你，骄傲的人，在这里没有地位。骄傲的人，在这里不能顺服。骄傲的人，不知道什么叫作教会。当教会全体都在那里说我错的时候，我就应当学习温柔、谦卑，服下来说，我错了。你不能说教会没有权柄。教会是有权柄的。教会在神面前所断定的，神就承认说是对的。教会在神面前所拒绝的，神也拒绝。你不要刚硬到一个地步，连全体弟兄姊妹都看你是错的时候，你还说你是对的。主如果让他们同心合意说你错，恐怕你是错的。
　　每一个神的儿女，在教会里都需要学习顺服，有的时候，一个人可以代表教会。有的时候，两三个人可以代表教会。你必须在神面前作一个柔软的人，不作一个刚硬的人。要学习顺服的功课。神的儿女是站在顺服的原则上。我们在教会里要学习顺服。
　
　　教会里不只有一个人来代表神的权柄，不只有两三个人来代表神的权柄，许多时候，是全体来代表神的权柄。
　
　　可是，神在圣经里，另外还给我们看见说，在主面前负责的弟兄，就是那些作监督的弟兄。所谓作长老的弟兄，在教会里乃是特别代表神的权柄的人。其余的弟兄应该在神面前站在顺服的地位上。在教会里有神所设立的权柄，他们的工作乃是监督。所以，弟兄们要学习接受他们的断案，要顺服他们。
　　神的儿女活在世界上，应该到处寻找命令，到处寻找顺服的机会，而不是光在那里寻找工作。我常常觉得说，有许多年轻的人，没有多大用处。为什么缘故？也许他们有工作，但是他们不能顺服。有许多是不能顺服的人。你问他说，你作工有多少年？他也许说，我作工作了十年，我作了许多事。你再问他说，一生一世，你顺服过谁？也许连一个也没有顺服过。在教会里，基本的生活原则是顺服。
　　所以在我们中间每一个都应该学习顺服。一个人，如果一生一世谁都没有顺服过，这是一件非常可怜的事。所以你们应该学习在神面前顺服，不只顺服神，并且要顺服神在地上所设立的权柄，就是教会。也要顺服神在教会里所设立的权柄，就是负责弟兄。你能够说，我作工作了多少年；但是你不能说，我没有不顺服主。你谁都没有顺服过，这是基本的难处，这是基本的问题。你如果在神面前看，你就能看见说，这是非顺服不可的。
　
　　现在我愿意和你们稍微读几节圣经，特别是关乎长老的。
　　林前十六15~16：“弟兄们，你们晓得司提反一家，是亚该亚初结的果子；并且他们专以服事圣徒为念；我劝你们顺服这样的人，并一切同工同劳的人。”他们没有别的意念。他们在哥林多教会里，只有一个意念，就是要服事圣徒。保罗说，你们要顺服他们。神在教会里所设立的权柄，你要顺服。顺服司提反一家的人，也要顺服与司提反同工同劳的人。在你们前面有许多年长的弟兄，在你们前面有许多初结的果子，比你们早在基督里，同时以你们的事为念，你们要尊敬这样的人。你们千万不要以为这样的人是可以轻看的，你们应当顺服他们。
　
　　彼前五5：“你们年幼的，也要顺服年长的。”上文乃是对我们讲到长老的事。这里有一班人，在主面前有更多的年日，或者就是作长老的人。彼得说，你们年幼的，应该顺服年长的。他们在主面前乃是你们的榜样（3）。所以年轻的人，如果有人按着神的旨意来照管你们，你们在神面前要学习顺服他们。他们乃是在神面前作榜样的，你们要学习顺服他们。在教会里特别是能够代表主的那些年长弟兄，是你们在主面前特别应该顺服的人。
　
　　提前五17：“那善于管理教会的长老，当以为配受加倍的敬奉；那劳苦传道教导人的，更当如此。”你们对那班善于管理教会的长老，应该有加倍的敬奉，绝对不应该轻看评论。你们应该敬重长老。对于那劳苦传道教导人的，更当如此。对于有恩赐为着话语职事的，更应当如此。有的长老会作话语的职事，有的长老不会作话语的职事；不只对于会的人应当尊敬，对于不会的人也应当尊敬。
　　我在这里愿意提醒一句话：许多弟兄对于顺服的事，有一个基本的错误，他们挑选顺服的对象。他们以为说，我所需要的，乃是顺服那些完全的人。请你们记得，主从来没有这样定规。顺服，不是顺服完全的人；顺服，乃是顺服主的权柄在他身上。你如果要挑选你所顺服的人，你在地上会找不到可顺服的人，因为无论是谁，你总能够找出他的毛病来。就是彼得来到你们中间，你们也容易找出他的毛病来。但是，只要有一件事就够了，这一位弟兄是在你的前面，你就得听他的话。
　　你如果要在那里推诿的话，你可以找出千万的理由来。在这里有一个长老，他只会管理教会，而没有话语的职事；你也许以为说，我不必尊敬他，我讲道比他讲得更好。可是神的话乃是说，要尊敬那些善于管理教会的长老，那劳苦传道教导的人，更当如此。在这里不是挑选的问题。有许多人用自己的挑选，来遮掩他们的不法，来遮掩他们的悖逆。这是愚昧的。他如果是年长的，他如果是在你前面的，你就应该顺服，而不应该批评。
　
　　来十三17：“你们要依从那些引导你们的，且要顺服。”你看见，在神的话语里是相当的清楚。－希伯来一切在你们前面引导你们的，你们都应该顺服他。你们不可以挑选自己所喜欢的来顺服。如果你们只听一位弟兄的话，不听别的弟兄的话，我告诉你们，这不是真顺服。请你们记得，听一位弟兄的话，并不希奇。人要学习顺服，是要学习顺服在他前面的人，不只是要学习顺服在他头上的人。是要学习顺服引导你们的人，不只是要学习顺服在你顶上特别有恩赐的人，特别为主所用的人。你们要常常找出来，谁是在你们前面的。
　　将来你们离开这里到别处去，你们三个弟兄，或者五个弟兄聚集在－希伯来一起，那时候你第一个问题应该是说，我应该顺服谁？我应该顺服在我前面的。－希伯来三个弟兄，或者五个弟兄，就是两个钟点、－希伯来三个钟点在－希伯来一起，自然而然，有一个是神叫他作引导的人，你就得顺服他。基督徒的特点是顺服，基督徒的特点不是作工。基督徒的特点，就是认识一切引导的人。我常常觉得，在－希伯来一个地方，有五、－希伯来六个弟兄聚集在－希伯来一起，若是每一个都站在自己的地位上，那是非常美丽的事。无论是十个弟兄、－希伯来二十个弟兄，－希伯来一坐下来，自然而然就知道谁是在我前面；－希伯来一找出来，就要顺服。
　　“你们要依从那些引导你们的，且要顺服。”因为什么？“因他们为你们的灵魂时刻儆醒，好像那将来交账的人；你们要使他们交的时候有快乐，不至忧愁：若忧愁就与你们无益了。”任何在你们前面的人，是为着你们灵魂担心的人，是要为着你们的灵魂交账的人；这样的人，都是你们在神面前应该顺服的人。
　
　　帖前五12~13：“弟兄们，我们劝你们敬重那在你们中间劳苦的人，就是在主里面治理你们，劝戒你们的；又因他们所作的工，用爱心格外尊重他们。”有的人是在主里面治理你们，是在主里面引导你们的，这样的人你们都应当尊敬，都应当尊重。这样的人，都是我们所应该顺服的人。所以，一个基督徒，如果作到世界上没有一个可顺服的人，这一个人是世界上希奇的人。一个基督徒应该到处看见，有许多在我前面的人，有许多在属灵方面有重量的人，有许多带领我的人，这些人都是我所应该顺服的。
　　如果是这样，你就看见，在教会里就维持一个原则，那一个原则是神在撒但里所找不到的，是神在世界里所找不到的，是神在宇宙里所找不到的，那一个原则就是顺服。在教会里有一个基本的功课要学。在世界里所弃绝的，在教会里要得着。在教会里有一个基本的原则，就是要顺服。
　
　　我们已经看见，身体的合一就是权柄。也看见，一个人能代表基督的身体，两三个人也能代表基督的身体，一个地方的教会也能代表基督的身体。末了也看见，在主里面的长老，领导我们的，也是代表基督的身体，这些都是神的权柄，都是神在我们中间所设立的权柄，我们要顺服他们，尊敬他们，请教他们，听他们的话。如果是这样，主的名就在我们中间，主的话也在我们中间，这样才是非拉铁非。
　　今天，我们要提起教会的权柄问题。
　
　　当神创造这一个宇宙的时候，神已经设立权柄作祂管理这一个宇宙的原则。祂自己是最高的权柄，同时也是一切权柄的来源。在祂下面有好些位的天使长，再下去有许多的天使。按耶利米和以赛亚的记载，那一个时候，在地上还有另外一种的活物。这是当初神管理这一个宇宙的安排。不只活的人是如此，就是整个宇宙所有的星宿，连这块地和一切的生物，神都用权柄托住它们。神都用权柄的命令，替它们设立律法，叫每一个天然的生物，每一种天然的物质，都有一定的律可以遵守。所以权柄在宇宙里是非常要紧的东西。如果有一种的物质，有一种的生物，不按着神所定规的律而行，宇宙就乱了。
　
　
　　但是后来呢？我们知道前一个世界堕落了，怎样堕落的呢？乃是因为撒但，就是神所设立的天使长，要高抬自己。　　他心里说，“我要升到天上；我要高举我的宝座…我要与至上者同等。”（赛十四13~14）撒但的背叛不是背叛别的，乃是背叛权柄。他要与神同等，他要高抬自己作神；他认为在神之下作一切的主还不够。他背叛了神的权柄，他要得着神所有的权柄。结果，你看见说，明亮之星变作撒但，光明的天使变作魔鬼。这一个乃是在人创造之前的事。
--------本段经节汇集--------
赛14:13  
你心里曾说，我要升到天上；我要高举我的宝座在神众星以上。我要坐在聚会的山上，在北方的极处。
赛14:14  
我要升到高云之上；我要使自己与至高者一样。
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　　当人受造的时候，神把人安置在伊甸园里。神在世界里也有祂的安排，神在世界里也有祂所定规的权柄。神先造男人，后造女人；先造丈夫，后造妻子。神安排夏娃顺服亚当，神安排人顺服祂自己。神安排说，在将来的日子中，儿女要顺服父母，仆人要顺服主人，人民要顺服大臣、君王。神有祂一定的安排，神设立了权柄。
　
　　但是在伊甸园里，撒但进来引诱人。撒但的引诱，不只是引诱人犯罪，并且是引诱人推翻神所定规的权柄。神定规女人要听从男人，但是，伊甸园里变作男人听从女人。神定规要亚当作头，但是伊甸园里是夏娃作头，夏娃教训，夏娃定规，夏娃出主意，因为其余的人还没有生，只有亚当和夏娃。在这里，唯一的安排，乃是女人要顺服男人，妻子要顺服丈夫。但这一个唯一的安排，马上就被撒但破坏了。
　
　　在这一个破坏里面，虽然是两个人的悖逆，但同时也就是全世界的悖逆。不只是人和人中间的权柄被推翻，也就是人和神中间的权柄被推翻。撒但说，你吃的日子，就能够像神。神所以不让你们吃，是不要你们像神。所以是两个悖逆：一个是人悖逆神在人中间所设立的权柄，一个是人悖逆神自己的权柄。换一句话说，神直接的权柄被悖逆，神代表的权柄也被悖逆。人对于神没有顺服，人想我这样作能够变作神。这样，神的权柄就被推翻。人自己要作神，人要推翻神的权柄。　　同时夏娃应该顺服亚当。在许多的事情上，夏娃应该问亚当。但是，夏娃没有问亚当，夏娃就先思想，夏娃就先定规，结果夏娃就先犯罪。请你们记得，独立的思想，就是犯罪的先锋。人如果不在神所设立的代表权柄面前学习请教，学习问；人如果不在神面前学习看这一件事如何；而是独立的思想，以为说又好看、又好吃、又好摸，吃了之后会有智慧；结果，就不只背叛神，并且也背叛神在地上所设立的权柄。所以伊甸园的犯罪，乃是同时推翻了两种不同的权柄：代表的权柄被推翻，直接的权柄也被推翻。
　
　　所以，伊甸园的故事，就是效法撒但所作的。撒但是要高抬自己与神同等，所以试探人，也要人高抬自己与神同等。在第一个快乐的园里，明亮的基路伯存心在那里悖逆。在第二个快乐的园里，人在那里悖逆。从那一天起，人就是一直走悖逆的路。所以，罗马五章不只说因一次的过犯，众人都被定罪（18）；并且说，因一人的悖逆，众人成为罪人（19）。请你们记得，从神的眼光来看，在伊甸园里不只是一次的犯罪，并且是一次的悖逆。你们千万不要以为伊甸园里是犯罪而已，伊甸园里乃是悖逆。因为一个人的悖逆，罪就进入了世界。从那一天起，人的原则是活在悖逆里。
--------本段经节汇集--------
罗马书五章（略，若需要被汇集，请勾选“不忽略整章”）
罗5:18  
如此说来，借着一次的过犯，众人都被定罪，照样，借着一次的义行，众人也都被称义得生命了。
罗5:19  
借着一人的悖逆，多人构成了罪人，照样，借着一人的顺从，多人也要构成义的了。
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　　等到洪水的时候，神设立人作管理的人，政治就起头。从亚当起，到洪水为止，所看见的不过是家庭，并没有政治。到洪水的时候，政治就起头。政治，乃是在创世之后一六五六年才产生的。有了政治之后，你就马上看见说，今天管理的权柄不只是在家庭里，也是在政治里。“凡流人血的，他的血必被人所流。”（创九6）这是政治的起点。
--------本段经节汇集--------
创9:6  
凡流人血的，他的血也必被人所流，因为神造人是按自己的形像造的。
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　　到了洪水之后，你又看见含如何背叛了他父亲的权柄（创九20~27），然后神就起首设立列国。但是列国的人，合起来造巴别塔。虽然在他们自己中间不是背叛，可是他们是连起来向着神背叛。伊甸园是个人向着神背叛，伊甸园是家庭向着神背叛；但巴别塔乃是国家向着神背叛。人的意思是说，造出塔来，能够上通于天，能够爬得高，往上去站在神的地位上。神在地上给石头，人却预备砖头，仿效神石头的行为。人预备砖头造塔，往上升，要与神一样。所以在洪水之后，列国的人又联合起来背叛神。
--------本段经节汇集--------
创9:20  
挪亚作起农夫来，栽了一个葡萄园。
创9:21  
他喝了园中的酒便醉了，在帐棚里赤着身子。
创9:22  
迦南的父亲含看见他父亲赤身，就到外边告诉他的两个弟兄。
创9:23  
于是闪和雅弗拿件衣服搭在肩上，倒退着进去，遮盖他们父亲的赤身；他们背着脸，就没有看见父亲的赤身。
创9:24  
挪亚醒了酒，知道小儿子向他所作的事，
创9:25  
就说，迦南当受咒诅，必给他弟兄作奴仆的奴仆。
创9:26  
又说，耶和华闪的神，是当受颂赞的；愿迦南作闪的奴仆。
创9:27  
愿神使雅弗扩张，使他住在闪的帐棚里；又愿迦南作他的奴仆。
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　　因此，神拣选亚伯拉罕，不只作信心的祖宗，也是作顺服的代表。在列国背叛的时候，在巴别塔混乱的时候，神就拣选亚伯拉罕，不只为着相信，也是为着顺服。神要求，神盼望、神羡慕有顺服的人。神羡慕在背叛的日子中，有人站在顺服的地位上。　　不只亚伯拉罕自己是顺服的人，连他的妻子也是顺服的人。不只亚伯拉罕和撒拉顺服神，并且撒拉也顺服亚伯拉罕。撒拉不只在神面前顺服，不只接受直接权柄，撒拉也接受了代表的权柄──亚伯拉罕。他们夫妻二人，在神面前是顺服的。同时他们两个人在夫妻中，在人和人之中，也是顺服的。他们维持了在地上神权柄的原则，而在这里面产生出神的子民来。神的子民，是根据于神的权柄而拣选的。
　
　　神应许亚伯拉罕说，他的后裔要在埃及作奴隶，但到了第四代，祂要把他们带出来。你们看见，后来就是出埃及的故事，就是摩西带领以色列人出来。你们看见神先得着摩西这一个人，先叫摩西作顺服的人，认识权柄，而后叫他把以色列人带出来。在他们中间，设立了神直接的权柄。在出埃及的时候，有神自己的同在，有云柱、有火柱。祂也给我们看见，祂自己的权柄，就是诫命。而同时神设立摩西和亚伦作祂自己的权柄，摩西和亚伦是神所设立的权柄，就是代表的权柄，摆在以色列人当中。
　
　　神不只不让人得罪祂自己，神也不让人得罪祂的仆人。神不只不让人得罪祂自己，神也不让人得罪祂自己的祭司、祂自己的先知。神在以色列人之中，设立了祂的权柄。多少次的审判，多少次的刑罚，乃是因为以色列人干犯了祂的权柄。在那里，许多人干犯了权柄，结果他们不能进迦南地。
　
　　等到他们进入迦南地之后，他们又不顺服神，并且不顺服得厉害。他们盼望在人中间得着一个人作他们的王。他们觉得说，神管理他们不好，所以要效法世人的路，要有一个君王在他们中间。所以神对撒母耳说，他们不是弃绝你，他们乃是弃绝我。你们在那里看见说，扫罗被拣选。后来大卫被拣选，神设立大卫作权柄。从大卫手里预备建造圣殿的材料，来表显神和祂的子民住在一起，到所罗门的时候，这殿就造成功了。　　但是，所罗门一去世，以色列人马上拜偶像。从那一天起，以色列国和犹大国就被弃绝了。虽然神还存留他们多少年，也让他们继续有多少王，但这是因为神对大卫有应许，不是因为神乐意维持以色列国。你在这里看见说，没有一个罪得罪神像拜偶像一样。偶像就是站在一个地位上夺去神的敬拜。从此，以色列人继续下去，都是背叛的历史。
--------本段经节汇集--------
腓利门书一章（略，若需要被汇集，请勾选“不忽略整章”）
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　　一直到拿撒勒人耶稣降生在地上的时候，才有一个神所挑选的人。祂在那里告诉我们说，我怎么听见，就怎么说。我凭着自己不能作什么，唯有看见父所作的事我才作（约五19）。我不求自己的意思，只求那差我来者的意思（30）。你在那里看见，有一个人不敢凭自己说，也不敢凭自己作；有一个人是完全服在神的权柄之下。
--------本段经节汇集--------
约5:19  
耶稣对他们说，我实实在在地告诉你们，子从自己不能作什么，惟有看见父所作的，子才能作；父所作的事，子也照样作。
约5:30  
我从自己不能作什么；我怎么听见，就怎么审判；我的审判也是公平的，因为我不寻求自己的意思，只寻求那差我来者的意思。
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　　主耶稣自己是神，与神同等，并不是僭越的，可是祂完全服在神的权柄之下（腓二5~11）。祂死在十字架上之后，神叫祂从死里复活，把祂升为至高，叫祂作主，作基督；又赐给祂那超乎万名之上的名，叫一切在天上的，地上的，和地底下的，因耶稣的名，无不屈膝敬拜祂，无不口称祂为主，赞美祂。
--------本段经节汇集--------
腓2:5  
你们里面要思念基督耶稣里面所思念的：
腓2:6  
祂本有神的形状，不以自己与神同等为强夺之珍，紧持不放，
腓2:7  
反而倒空自己，取了奴仆的形状，成为人的样式；
腓2:8  
既显为人的样子，就降卑自己，顺从至死，且死在十字架上。
腓2:9  
所以神将祂升为至高，又赐给祂那超乎万名之上的名，
腓2:10  
叫天上的、地上的和地底下的，在耶稣的名里，万膝都要跪拜，
腓2:11  
万口都要公开承认耶稣基督为主，使荣耀归与父神。
腓立比书没有十章，请检查。
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　　主升天之后，就设立祂的教会。祂将祂的教会设立起来，不是像人所想的，设立一个团体，或者一个机关。从死里复活，升上高天的主，乃是作教会的元首。整个的教会是祂的身体。换一句话说，祂在地上如何过顺服的生活，今天祂愿意在祂的教会中再彰显出来。
　
　　在圣经里，福音乃是一个命令。我们听见福音的时候，圣经给我们看见，我们应该相信。但是相信福音的时候，圣经也给我们看见，我们乃是顺服福音的人。圣灵是赐给顺服的人，我们乃是从心里顺服所传给我们的道的人。请你们记得，连接受主耶稣，连相信得救，都是顺服。因为这是神的命令，叫人到处相信。所以相信乃是顺服。人从起头在教会里，就是要学习顺服主，顺服神的权柄。
　
　　这么多年的历史以来，全世界都是背叛的。世界的那一个基本的原则，不是要推翻神直接的权柄，就是要推翻神所设立的权柄。今天到了主耶稣的身体建立在地上的时候，就是我们今天所领会的教会；而教会的基本原则，就是顺服的原则。所以，神本来在世界里所定规的事，今天神在教会里就严格的要求。今天神严格的要求，在教会里，女人要顺服男人。这一个在世界里是何等困难的事！今天你问一个世界的女子，肯不肯顺服男人？她们觉得没有这个意思。今天，神在教会里，要求女人顺服男人，要求妻子顺服丈夫。　　书信高到像以弗所，像歌罗西，它们里面的命令是什么？是妻子要顺服丈夫，儿女要顺服父母，仆人要顺服主人。这不是在世界里面的话，这是在教会里面的话。　　以弗所和歌罗西都是最高的书信，最高的书信给我们看见说，我们从前是悖逆之子，我们从前生活的原则根本是与世人一样的，是背叛的，所以称作悖逆之子。今天神给我们一个命令：妻子要顺服丈夫，儿女要顺服父母，仆人要顺服主人。这与整个世界不一样。这给我们看见，顺服乃是今天教会的基本原则。
　
　　等一等，你看见在罗马书里所说的话更清楚。十三章一节说，“没有权柄不是出于神的；凡掌权的都是神所命的。”所以，所有的权柄都是神所立的。并且这里特别给我们看见说，不只该顺服掌权的，也该顺服作官的。当得粮的，给他纳粮；当得税的，给他上税；当惧怕的，惧怕他；当恭敬的，恭敬他。没有一本书那样清楚说到救恩，像罗马书一样。但是在罗马十二章，从奉献起，一直到十四章，告诉我们，不只在教会里要顺服，并且在世界上也要顺服。人要顺服一切在上有权柄的人。
--------本段经节汇集--------
罗13:1  
在上有权柄的，人人都当服从，因为没有权柄不是从神来的，凡掌权的都是神所设立的。
罗马书十二章（略，若需要被汇集，请勾选“不忽略整章”）
------------------------
　
　　教会是一个团体，这一个团体有一特点，就是说，我们活在世界上，乃是以顺服作我们的性质。我们活在世界上，乃是以顺服作我们生活的原则。
　
　　今天教会应当作到一个地步，能宣告说，神在亚当的时候所得不着的，今天在教会里能得着。神在世人中所得不着的，今天在教会里能得着。神在以色列国中所得不着的，今天在教会里能得着。神今天在多民、多人、多国、多方中所得不着的，在教会里要得着。换一句话说，最少今天在这一个大地上，总得有一个团体是维持神的权柄的，就是教会。教会应该仰起头来说，“主，你在撒但身上得不着的，在我们身上能得着。你在鬼魔、背叛的天使身上所得不着的，你在教会里能得着。”　　所以，教会今天乃是向着执政的、掌权的，来彰显神的权柄。所以今天教会在地上变作不只是为着传福音，不只是为着造就自己，也是为着彰显神的权柄。在地上所有的地方，神的权柄被弃绝；就是在教会这一个地方，神的权柄被保守。世界上，没有一个地方有人寻求神的旨意，就是教会在这里寻求神的旨意。换一句话说，教会乃是一个顺服的团体。所以，你没有得救，没有加入教会则已；你既然加入了教会，今天在神面前就有一个基本的需要，就有一个基本的原则，是你要维持的，就是叫神的权柄在教会里能够通行。神的旨意，在世界各地，都不能通行；神的旨意在教会里，总得通行。你要维持神的权柄在教会里。
　
　　为此，所有教会里的弟兄姊妹，都得学习作顺服的人。请你们记得，没有一个罪比不顺服更厉害，因为这根本和教会所以存在的缘故相反。主耶稣在地上的时候，不是说祂生活好不好的问题，乃是说祂顺服不顺服的问题。实在说起来，子如果凭着自己作什么，必定是好的；但是祂说，子不能凭着自己作什么。祂说，我不凭着自己作，我乃是凭着那差我来者的意思作。请你们记得，在宇宙里，有一个权柄要维持，主维持了，今天教会也要维持。　　神在各个时代里所得不着的，今天在教会里要得着。神在各个地方所得不着的，今天在教会里要得着。所以，在教会里，是你唯一要学习顺服的地方。在教会里不只是说好和坏，不只是说是和非，在教会里乃是说要顺服。在教会里乃是学习顺服的地方。所以，你们要看见，我们今天没有一个见证比顺服的见证更要紧。因为今天整个宇宙都造反了，整个宇宙都堕落了，整个宇宙是站在另外的地位上。今天，在整个宇宙里，神找不到一个地方，有人是接受祂的权柄的。为此，所有神的儿女，在教会里面都应该学习顺服。
　
　　顺服，乃是教会的生命。顺服，乃是教会的性质。顺服，在教会里乃是基本的原则。教会就是为维持顺服而存在的。教会乃是与四围列国背叛的情形完全相反的。今天，在地上的列国是说，“我们要挣开祂们的捆绑，脱去祂们的绳索（诗二3）。我们要自由，我们要脱离神儿子的管辖。”但是，今天教会乃是说，“我甘心乐意把自己摆在捆绑的底下，我甘心乐意把自己摆在神儿子的绳索底下，来学习顺服。”因此，在教会里就有一件特别的事发生，就是，教会变作是特别顺服权柄的机关。教会在地上，不只维持神直接的权柄，并且也维持神间接的权柄，就是代表的权柄。
--------本段经节汇集--------
诗2:3  
说，我们要挣开他们的捆绑，摆脱他们的绳索。
------------------------
　
　　在圣经里，有许多关于顺服的话。今天在这里，我们分作四段来看这一种的顺服。
　
　
　　教会乃是基督的身体，身体里有它一定的律。每一个器官有它的功用，每一个肢体有它的律，在那里管理它们。今天虽然人的知识大大增加，但是，我还找不出为什么人的身体是这么一回事，为什么有一个律在那里管理它，无论如何，每一个肢体在身体上必须顺服那一个律。今天，如果有那一个肢体，随着它自己的意思行动，随着它自己的意思单独的作，你马上看见它有病。身体的特点就是合一，身体的合一一被破坏，这一个身体定规生病。　　所以，没有一个作神儿女的人，能违背基督身体的律，而单独行动的。一切单独的行动，都是背叛的表现。背叛的另一句话，就是单独行动。单独行动，就是不服权柄。单独行动，就是不服元首的权柄，就是不服神在身体里所定规合一的原则，就是不服神在圣经里所定规合一的律。单独行动，不只是不顺服身体，并且是不顺服主。
　
　　主把祂所有的儿女，借着圣灵浸成功一个身体，这里面的联合是非常亲密的。一个肢体如果快乐，全身就快乐；一个肢体如果受苦，全身就受苦。在这里面，这一种的关系有多大，我们不知道。有多少的时候，一个弟兄来问我说，“为什么我今天一起来无缘无故的忧愁？”“为什么我这两天特别的快乐？”我说不出来。但是，许多时候，这一个原因，不能从你个人身上去找，在你个人身上没有理由特别快乐，没有理由特别忧愁。你看见身体有许多作用，是没有法子解释的。将来到主面前的时候，我们要清楚，为什么这几天我有另外的感觉，为什么有几天我特别的有力量，为什么有几天我特别的软弱。请你们记得，别的肢体会影响我们，我们也会影响别的肢体。虽然我们不知道那一个影响是怎么样影响的，但我们知道合一的事实。怎样合一，怎样互相作用，我们今天不清楚。但是，我们是合一的，是像肢体影响到全身一样。
　
　　在我们中间有一个律，我们必须顺服，就是全体在神面前所看见的，我也看见；全体在神面前所拒绝的，我也拒绝；全体在神面前所接受的，我也接受。我是身体上的一个肢体，我不能自己一个单独起来作用。你看见身体有它的律，合一就是权柄。我不能随着我自己的意思；我一随着我自己的意思，这就是悖逆，这就是背叛，这就是不服权柄。今天我们要看见身体是权柄，身体是基督权柄的代表。我这一个人，一离开身体有另外一个行动，我就是一个悖逆的人。
　
　　我曾引过毒瘤的比喻。在所有的病里面，癌（cancer）是最厉害的一种，比肺病还要麻烦。癌发生在人身体的那一部分，那一部分的细胞都是一个变作两个，两个变作四个，四个变作八个的一直在那里生长。原来每一个细胞虽然都有生长的能力，但是在它们里面都有一个管理的律。这个律管理它们什么时候应该长，什么时候不应该长。　　比方说，我的手现在里面的细胞已经停止不长了。若是今天我不小心把手划破了，在破口旁边的细胞就起首生长，两个生四个，四个生八个，一直的生，一直的长，就把两边联接起来。怎么能这样？因为在这里有一律叫它长。等一等两边接起来，收口了，又不长了。谁通知这些细胞说，不用长了呢？它怎么生长，我们不知道。它怎么不长，我们也不知道。但是，我们看见：它长是对的，因为我有伤口；它停也是对的，因为已经收口了。这里面有一个律，连一个细胞都知道。它知道身体有一个律应该长，它知道身体有一个律应该停，它知道顺服。　　请你们记得，整个身体的律，就是神的权柄。每一个细胞都顺服这个权柄。我告诉你们，什么时候发生一件事是不得了的呢？我这一只手，被刀划破了，两边的细胞都长起来，一直长到收口就不长了，我感谢神，所有的细胞长到收口就不长了。如果再长下去的话，怎么办？如果再长的话，我告诉你们，这就叫作癌。癌就是说，在身体里没有这一个需要，但是，有一个细胞离开了全身细胞所该遵守的规矩，自己在那里单独的长，一直的长。这样的长，就变作癌。　　每一个细胞都必须受约束。但是这里有一个细胞，不管什么时候该长，不管什么时候该停，它就是长它的。好像在整个身体上，我不管别的细胞怎么样，我就是长我的，一直长，一直长。你就要说，这一个细胞是恶性的，是可恶的。请你们记得，它这样的长，全身都要受它的影响。整个身体的细胞，都要被它拖来帮助它长。它只是叫自己大，它不能叫身体好。本来身体上所有的细胞，都应该是为着叫身体好的，但现在都受了它的影响了。一个人生癌的时候，全身的细胞碰着它的时候，都要被它拖去，叫它变作更大。它是另外一个东西，它脱离了身体的律。　　所以，你们要看见，如果有一个人，一不服权柄，一不服身体上的律，一不按着合一的原则去作，而是凭着自己的意思去作的时候，就是一个癌。所有的滋养经过它，都被它拿去，为着长它自己，而不是为着长身体。它只扩充自己，而不扩充身体。所以，一个医生要治癌是难的事。因为在这里有一个另外的原则，是它作它的。
　
　　基督的身体，乃是一个活的东西。我们也许可以这样说，没有一个东西比我们的身体还要活，还要合一，还要充满了生命。如果有一个弟兄或者姊妹，在没有相信主之先，本来是单独作事作惯了的，什么事情都是自己作。今天相信主之后，他就是身体上的细胞，他就是身体上的肢体。每一个细胞，在身体上都有一个律在约束着。在身体里有约束的律，他必须顺着身体的律而行，不能随着自己的意思而行。你一随着自己的意思而行，你立刻看见说，你在身体上乃是一个毒瘤，你在身体上乃是一个癌。这是有害于身体的，并不是帮助身体的。　　我们怕单独行动的人，我们怕不遵守身体约束的人，我们怕随着自己意思作事的人，我们怕人在身体里不学习顺服元首的权柄。我们信主之后，第一个原则，属灵的原则，要记得，身体乃是神在地上所设立的权柄，身体就是一个权柄。在身体里，有神的律，我不能违反那一个律。我不能随便凭着自己的意思作。我一凭着自己的意思作，我马上像身体上一个不受约束的恶性细胞，自己作自己的事，完全破坏了合一。马上我成功作一个毒瘤，和别人合不起来，完全是单独的，不是帮助身体，乃是为害身体。所以我们要学习接受身体的断案，学习接受身体的约束，学习顺服整个身体生命的运行。
　
　　你们在主面前作基督徒作得越久，你们越要看见说，身体的合一是事实。你们要越过越看见合一是事实。这一个事实是非常厉害的事实。所以，你们要学习不破坏这一个事实。你们破坏这一个，就是不法。你们破坏这一个，就是不服。你们破坏这一个，就是悖逆。你们破坏这一个，神的权柄就不在你们身上。权柄，要在每一个细胞上。身体上的细胞，都是互相作用的，而不是单独作用的。这是希奇的事。你越领会身体的事，你越看见用身体来比喻教会，是何等的合式。
　
　　在圣经里还有一个原则，是我们非顺服不可的，就是两三个人的原则。请读马太十八章十五至二十节那一段圣经。主耶稣对我们说，你们如果有两三个人在那里同心合意的，像音乐那样，声音是和谐的，奉我的名聚集（或者翻作归于我的名下聚集），我就在你们中间。你们无论求什么，我就给你们作。这是主给我们的一个很大的应许。如果有两三个人能够绝对的同心合意，一点疑惑都没有；主说，我就在你们中间听你们的祷告。
--------本段经节汇集--------
太18:15  
再者，若是你的弟兄犯罪得罪你，你要去，只在你和他之间指出他的过错。他若听你，你就得着了你的弟兄。
太18:16  
他若不听，你就另带一两个人同去，要凭两三个见证人的口，句句都可定准。
太18:17  
他若不听他们，就告诉召会；他若连召会也不听，就把他当作外邦人和税吏。
太18:18  
我实在告诉你们，凡你们在地上捆绑的，必是在诸天之上已经捆绑的；凡你们在地上释放的，必是在诸天之上已经释放的。
太18:19  
我又实在告诉你们，你们中间若有两个人在地上，在他们所求的任何事上和谐一致，他们无论求什么，都必从我在诸天之上的父，得着成全。
太18:20  
因为无论在哪里，有两三个人被聚集到我的名里，哪里就有我在他们中间。
马太福音一章（略，若需要被汇集，请勾选“不忽略整章”）
------------------------
　
　　主还告诉我们说，如果我今天得罪一个弟兄，那位弟兄来对我说，“你作了一件事，得罪了我，你是大错。”我说，“我想我没有错，是你错了。我不觉得我有错，我觉得很对。”但是那位弟兄说我错，我怎么作？我应该学习听弟兄的话。我如果是一个在主面前学习受教的人，当那位弟兄一个人来对我说的时候，我马上就觉得有罪。因为这也是身体的原则：一个就能代表。虽然我是对的，虽然我想我是不错的，但是一个弟兄在主面前经历相当多，受教相当深，他看见这件事是不对的，而来指正我。我如果是一个在神面前柔软的人，我马上就要说，“弟兄，我错了，你原谅我。”　　我告诉你们，一个人就是权柄，不必要那么多。在你之外的那一个人，就是权柄；那一个人就能代表身体，那一个人就能代表整个教会。我就得看见说，我个人的举动是错的，有那一个人的证明，就够了。我不是说，有证明就接受；我乃是说，你在神面前乃是快的，许多时候用不着两个人、三个人来告诉你，许多时候用不着全教会来告诉你。在属灵的实际上，有一个人来告诉我，我就应该摸着；有一个人来说，我就得看见。那一个人已经是身体，那一个人就是身体的代表。
　
　　有的时候，是需要两三个人的见证。一位弟兄来对我说，我还看不见。那一位弟兄就去请另外一两个弟兄来，那一两个弟兄在主面前是相当清楚地、全心爱主的人。那一两个人，在主面前是有相当有分量的，是学习事奉主相当成熟的人。他们两三个人被请来，告诉我说，“按着我们看，你是错的。”在这一个时候，我必须记得主的话：如果有两三个人奉我的名聚集，我就在你们中间。　　如果他们同心合意的对付一件事，他们的祷告主就听，主就替他们作。如果他们是和谐的对付某一件事，主就听他们和谐的对付。对于这件事，主能听他们的对付，我能不听他们的对付么？主能接受他们的断案，我能不接受他们的断案么？主说他们同心合意作的事是对的，我能说是不对么？我应该马上听。主能听他们同心合意的指责我的错，我难道能不听么？他们所捆绑的，天上也捆绑；他们所释放的，天上也释放，难道在我身上能不跟着天上而作么？　　两三个人就是权柄，不过这两三个弟兄，不是糊里糊涂的说话，他们乃是在主面前有权柄、有敬畏、有顺服的。他们如果都同心合意的对你说，“你有错，”那你就是不觉得有错，也要服下来说，“我错。”不必等全教会都来对你说。快一点的人，遇见一个人就知道。慢一点的人，遇见两个人就知道。许多时候，你就是不觉得有错，如果有两三个虔诚的人都是那样看，你在神面前总要抱着顺服的态度，不要骄傲说，我没有错。
　
　　马太十八章还给我们看见，两三个弟兄来对你说过之后，假定你还是觉得没有错，这两三个弟兄就把这件事摆在教会的面前，让全教会在神面前考虑。若是全教会都在神面前有断案，都在神面前有审判，说你错了；我问你，你怎么办？你说，身体虽然说我错，元首说我不错。父母虽然离弃我，耶和华却收留我。弟兄都弃绝我，主不弃绝我，我在这里背十字架。这就是显明说，你是在教会之外的。你还以为你是受逼迫的，你还以为你是殉道，你是受苦，你是受弟兄的苦待。但是，我告诉你，你要学习顺服下来，说，教会如果说了就是。在这里再没有断案了。全体弟兄姊妹们都说我错，我就是对，也是错的。人在地位上要学习顺服这个教会的权柄。
--------本段经节汇集--------
马太福音十八章（略，若需要被汇集，请勾选“不忽略整章”）
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　　教会在地上，里面是有神的权柄的。你千万不要刚硬到一个地步说，全体弟兄都说我错，但我说，我没有错。我告诉你，骄傲的人，在这里没有地位。骄傲的人，在这里不能顺服。骄傲的人，不知道什么叫作教会。当教会全体都在那里说我错的时候，我就应当学习温柔、谦卑，服下来说，我错了。你不能说教会没有权柄。教会是有权柄的。教会在神面前所断定的，神就承认说是对的。教会在神面前所拒绝的，神也拒绝。你不要刚硬到一个地步，连全体弟兄姊妹都看你是错的时候，你还说你是对的。主如果让他们同心合意说你错，恐怕你是错的。　　每一个神的儿女，在教会里都需要学习顺服，有的时候，一个人可以代表教会。有的时候，两三个人可以代表教会。你必须在神面前作一个柔软的人，不作一个刚硬的人。要学习顺服的功课。神的儿女是站在顺服的原则上。我们在教会里要学习顺服。
　
　　教会里不只有一个人来代表神的权柄，不只有两三个人来代表神的权柄，许多时候，是全体来代表神的权柄。
　
　　可是，神在圣经里，另外还给我们看见说，在主面前负责的弟兄，就是那些作监督的弟兄。所谓作长老的弟兄，在教会里乃是特别代表神的权柄的人。其余的弟兄应该在神面前站在顺服的地位上。在教会里有神所设立的权柄，他们的工作乃是监督。所以，弟兄们要学习接受他们的断案，要顺服他们。　　神的儿女活在世界上，应该到处寻找命令，到处寻找顺服的机会，而不是光在那里寻找工作。我常常觉得说，有许多年轻的人，没有多大用处。为什么缘故？也许他们有工作，但是他们不能顺服。有许多是不能顺服的人。你问他说，你作工有多少年？他也许说，我作工作了十年，我作了许多事。你再问他说，一生一世，你顺服过谁？也许连一个也没有顺服过。在教会里，基本的生活原则是顺服。　　所以在我们中间每一个都应该学习顺服。一个人，如果一生一世谁都没有顺服过，这是一件非常可怜的事。所以你们应该学习在神面前顺服，不只顺服神，并且要顺服神在地上所设立的权柄，就是教会。也要顺服神在教会里所设立的权柄，就是负责弟兄。你能够说，我作工作了多少年；但是你不能说，我没有不顺服主。你谁都没有顺服过，这是基本的难处，这是基本的问题。你如果在神面前看，你就能看见说，这是非顺服不可的。
　
　　现在我愿意和你们稍微读几节圣经，特别是关乎长老的。　　林前十六章十五至十六节：“弟兄们，你们晓得司提反一家，是亚该亚初结的果子；并且他们专以服事圣徒为念；我劝你们顺服这样的人，并一切同工同劳的人。”他们没有别的意念。他们在哥林多教会里，只有一个意念，就是要服事圣徒。保罗说，你们要顺服他们。神在教会里所设立的权柄，你要顺服。顺服司提反一家的人，也要顺服与司提反同工同劳的人。在你们前面有许多年长的弟兄，在你们前面有许多初结的果子，比你们早在基督里，同时以你们的事为念，你们要尊敬这样的人。你们千万不要以为这样的人是可以轻看的，你们应当顺服他们。
--------本段经节汇集--------
林前16:15  
弟兄们，你们晓得司提反一家，是亚该亚初结的果子，并且他们委身服事圣徒；
林前16:16  
我劝你们也服从这样的人，并一切同工同劳的人。
哥林多前书一章（略，若需要被汇集，请勾选“不忽略整章”）
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　　彼前五章五节：“你们年幼的，也要顺服年长的。”上文乃是对我们讲到长老的事。这里有一班人，在主面前有更多的年日，或者就是作长老的人。彼得说，你们年幼的，应该顺服年长的。他们在主面前乃是你们的榜样（3）。所以年轻的人，如果有人按着神的旨意来照管你们，你们在神面前要学习顺服他们。他们乃是在神面前作榜样的，你们要学习顺服他们。在教会里特别是能够代表主的那些年长弟兄，是你们在主面前特别应该顺服的人。
--------本段经节汇集--------
彼前5:5  
照样，年幼的，要服从年长的；你们众人彼此相待，也都要以谦卑束腰，因为神敌挡狂傲的人，赐恩给谦卑的人。
彼前5:3  
也不是作主辖管所委托你们的产业，乃是作群羊的榜样。
------------------------
　
　　提前五章十七节：“那善于管理教会的长老，当以为配受加倍的敬奉；那劳苦传道教导人的，更当如此。”你们对那班善于管理教会的长老，应该有加倍的敬奉，绝对不应该轻看评论。你们应该敬重长老。对于那劳苦传道教导人的，更当如此。对于有恩赐为着话语职事的，更应当如此。有的长老会作话语的职事，有的长老不会作话语的职事；不只对于会的人应当尊敬，对于不会的人也应当尊敬。
--------本段经节汇集--------
提前5:17  
那善于带领的长老，尤其是那在话语和教导上劳苦的，当被看为配受加倍的敬奉。
------------------------
　　我在这里愿意提醒一句话：许多弟兄对于顺服的事，有一个基本的错误，他们挑选顺服的对象。他们以为说，我所需要的，乃是顺服那些完全的人。请你们记得，主从来没有这样定规。顺服，不是顺服完全的人；顺服，乃是顺服主的权柄在他身上。你如果要挑选你所顺服的人，你在地上会找不到可顺服的人，因为无论是谁，你总能够找出他的毛病来。就是彼得来到你们中间，你们也容易找出他的毛病来。但是，只要有一件事就够了，这一位弟兄是在你的前面，你就得听他的话。　　你如果要在那里推诿的话，你可以找出千万的理由来。在这里有一个长老，他只会管理教会，而没有话语的职事；你也许以为说，我不必尊敬他，我讲道比他讲得更好。可是神的话乃是说，要尊敬那些善于管理教会的长老，那劳苦传道教导的人，更当如此。在这里不是挑选的问题。有许多人用自己的挑选，来遮掩他们的不法，来遮掩他们的悖逆。这是愚昧的。他如果是年长的，他如果是在你前面的，你就应该顺服，而不应该批评。
　
　　希伯来十三章十七节：“你们要依从那些引导你们的，且要顺服。”你看见，在神的话语里是相当的清楚。一切在你们前面引导你们的，你们都应该顺服他。你们不可以挑选自己所喜欢的来顺服。如果你们只听一位弟兄的话，不听别的弟兄的话，我告诉你们，这不是真顺服。请你们记得，听一位弟兄的话，并不希奇。人要学习顺服，是要学习顺服在他前面的人，不只是要学习顺服在他头上的人。是要学习顺服引导你们的人，不只是要学习顺服在你顶上特别有恩赐的人，特别为主所用的人。你们要常常找出来，谁是在你们前面的。
--------本段经节汇集--------
来13:17  
你们要信从那些带领你们的，且要服从；因他们为你们的魂儆醒，好像要交账的人；你们要使他们欢乐地作这事，不至叹息；若叹息，就与你们无益了。
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　　将来你们离开这里到别处去，你们三个弟兄，或者五个弟兄聚集在一起，那时候你第一个问题应该是说，我应该顺服谁？我应该顺服在我前面的。三个弟兄，或者五个弟兄，就是两个钟点、三个钟点在一起，自然而然，有一个是神叫他作引导的人，你就得顺服他。基督徒的特点是顺服，基督徒的特点不是作工。基督徒的特点，就是认识一切引导的人。我常常觉得，在一个地方，有五、六个弟兄聚集在一起，若是每一个都站在自己的地位上，那是非常美丽的事。无论是十个弟兄、二十个弟兄，一坐下来，自然而然就知道谁是在我前面；一找出来，就要顺服。　　“你们要依从那些引导你们的，且要顺服。”因为什么？“因他们为你们的灵魂时刻儆醒，好像那将来交账的人；你们要使他们交的时候有快乐，不至忧愁：若忧愁就与你们无益了。”任何在你们前面的人，是为着你们灵魂担心的人，是要为着你们的灵魂交账的人；这样的人，都是你们在神面前应该顺服的人。
　
　　帖前五章十二至十三节：“弟兄们，我们劝你们敬重那在你们中间劳苦的人，就是在主里面治理你们，劝戒你们的；又因他们所作的工，用爱心格外尊重他们。”有的人是在主里面治理你们，是在主里面引导你们的，这样的人你们都应当尊敬，都应当尊重。这样的人，都是我们所应该顺服的人。所以，一个基督徒，如果作到世界上没有一个可顺服的人，这一个人是世界上希奇的人。一个基督徒应该到处看见，有许多在我前面的人，有许多在属灵方面有重量的人，有许多带领我的人，这些人都是我所应该顺服的。
--------本段经节汇集--------
帖前5:12  
弟兄们，我们还请求你们，要敬重那些在你们中间劳苦，并在主里带领你们，劝戒你们的人，
帖前5:13  
又因他们所作的工，在爱里格外尊重他们；你们也要彼此和睦。
帖撒罗尼迦前书一章（略，若需要被汇集，请勾选“不忽略整章”）
帖撒罗尼迦前书一章（略，若需要被汇集，请勾选“不忽略整章”）
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　　如果是这样，你就看见，在教会里就维持一个原则，那一个原则是神在撒但里所找不到的，是神在世界里所找不到的，是神在宇宙里所找不到的，那一个原则就是顺服。在教会里有一个基本的功课要学。在世界里所弃绝的，在教会里要得着。在教会里有一个基本的原则，就是要顺服。
　
　　我们已经看见，身体的合一就是权柄。也看见，一个人能代表基督的身体，两三个人也能代表基督的身体，一个地方的教会也能代表基督的身体。末了也看见，在主里面的长老，领导我们的，也是代表基督的身体，这些都是神的权柄，都是神在我们中间所设立的权柄，我们要顺服他们，尊敬他们，请教他们，听他们的话。如果是这样，主的名就在我们中间，主的话也在我们中间，这样才是非拉铁非。
　In this chapter we will consider the matter of the authority of the church.
　
Ⅰ
　
GOD APPOINTING AUTHORITY AS THE GOVERNING PRINCIPLE FOR HIS RULE OVER THE UNIVERSE
　When God created the universe, He ordained authority as the governing principle for His rule over it. He alone is the highest authority. He is also the origin of all authorities. Some archangels were under Him, and under these archangels were many other angels. The record in Jeremiah and Isaiah shows us that there were other living creatures on earth during that time. This was God’s original order of administration over the universe. Not only was man upheld by His authority, but even the stars in the universe, including the earth and all the living creatures, were upheld by His authority. God established natural laws through His word of authority over every living creature and every natural element. Authority is crucial to the universe. If any object or creature acts contrary to God’s ordained laws, the whole universe will be thrown into confusion.
　
Ⅱ
　
THE HISTORY OF REBELLION IN THE UNIVERSE
　
A
　
The Rebellion of the Archangel
　What happened after God’s creation? We know that the previous world became fallen when Satan, the archangel appointed by God, tried to exalt himself.
　He said in his heart, “I will ascend to heaven; / ...I will exalt my throne. / ...I will be like the Most High” (Isa. 14:13-14). Satan’s rebellion was not against other things but against authority. He wanted to be equal with God. He wanted to exalt himself to be God. He did not think that being the lord over everything under God was enough. He rebelled against God’s authority and tried to usurp His authority. As a result, the morning star became Satan; the angel of light became the devil. This happened before the creation of man.
　
B
　
The First Rebellion of Man
　
１
　
God’s Ordination for Man
　God placed man in the garden of Eden after his creation. He arranged everything and appointed authorities in the world. He created man first, and then the woman. He created the husband first, and then the wife. God’s intention was for Eve to submit to Adam and for Adam to submit to Him. In this arrangement He laid the foundation for children to obey their parents, slaves to obey their masters, and citizens to obey their rulers and kings. God arranged things in a definite way. He established authority in the universe.
　
２
　
Satan’s Temptation and Corruption
　Then Satan came in and tempted man in the garden of Eden. Through temptation Satan induced man not only to sin but also to overthrow God’s appointed authority. God ordained for the woman to obey the man. But in the garden of Eden the man followed the woman. God appointed Adam to be the head, but in the garden of Eden, Eve took the lead. She taught and made decisions and suggestions. The rest of mankind was not yet born; only Adam and Eve were there. The only rule was that the woman should submit to the man. The wife should submit to the husband. But this unique arrangement was immediately broken because of Satan.
　
３
　
Man’s Fall and Rebellion
　Though only two persons rebelled in this catastrophe, it was in effect a rebellion of the whole world. Not only was the authority of man over man overthrown, but even the authority of God over man was overthrown. Satan said that in the day they ate thereof, they would be as God, and that God had forbidden them to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil so that they would not become as Him. There were two rebellions: One was man’s rebellion against God’s appointed authority among men. The other was man’s rebellion against God’s own authority. In other words, God’s direct authority was overturned, and His deputy authority was overturned as well. Man did not submit to God. He thought he could become God by doing what he did. God’s authority was overthrown in this way. Man wanted to be God himself; he wanted to overthrow God’s authority.
　Eve should have submitted to Adam. She should have consulted with Adam about everything, but she did not check with him. Instead, she considered and made the decision. She took the lead to sin. Please bear in mind that independence in thought is the first step toward sin. If a man refuses to learn from God’s appointed deputy authority and if he never presents things to God but cultivates his own independent thought, considering only what is pleasant to the eyes, what is good for food, and what is desirous to make one wise, he is rebelling not only against God but also against His appointed authority on the earth. The single act of transgression in the garden of Eden overthrew two authorities at the same time: God’s deputy authority and His direct authority.
　
４
　
Man Following Satan to Live in Disobedience
　The story in the garden of Eden was a repetition of Satan’s history. Satan wanted to uplift himself to be equal with God. He also tempted man to uplift himself to be equal with God. In the first paradise, the bright cherub rebelled. In the second paradise, man rebelled. Since that day man has been walking in the way of disobedience. Romans 5 says that through one offense, condemnation came to all men (v. 18), and through the disobedience of one man, the many were constituted sinners (v. 19). Please bear in mind that in God’s eyes, what happened in the garden of Eden was not only an offense but an act of disobedience. Do not think that there was only sin in the garden of Eden; there was disobedience as well. Sin entered the world through the disobedience of one man. Since that day, man has been living under the principle of disobedience.
　
C
　
The Rebellion of Mankind after the Flood
　
１
　
God’s Arrangement for Human Government after the Flood
　At the time of the flood, God appointed men to be rulers. This was the beginning of human government. From the time of Adam to the time of the flood, there were families, not government. Government was instituted 1,656 years after the creation. After the emergence of government, we find authority resting not only with the family but also with government. “Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed” (Gen. 9:6). This was the beginning of government.
　
２
　
The Rebellion of the Nations
　After the flood, Ham rebelled against his father’s authority (Gen. 9:20-27). Then God established the nations. But the people of the nations united together and built the tower of Babel for themselves. Though they did not rebel against each other, they united to rebel against God. In the garden the individual and the family rebelled against God. But at the tower of Babel, the nations rebelled against Him. Man’s intention was to build a tower to go to heaven and to climb to the top to stand in God’s place. God prepared stones on earth. But man prepared bricks as a counterfeit of God’s stones. Mankind prepared bricks and built a tower for itself. Man tried to be like God. After the flood, the nations united to rebel against God.
　
D
　
The Rebellion of the Israelites
　
１
　
God Choosing Abraham to Be a Pattern of Submission
　God chose Abraham not only to be the father of faith but also to be a pattern of submission. In the midst of the rebellion of the nations and the confusion of the tower of Babel, God chose Abraham not only for his faith but also for his submission. God demands, expects, and desires to find a man of submission. He desires to find a man who will stand on the ground of submission in the day of rebellion.
　Not only was Abraham a man of submission, even his wife was in submission. Not only were Abraham and Sarah submissive to God, Sarah was submissive to Abraham as well. Sarah submitted to God and accepted His direct authority. She also accepted Abraham as her deputy authority. Both the husband and the wife were submissive to God, and between the husband and wife, that is, between one human being and another human being, there was also submission. They maintained the principle of God’s authority on earth. As a result, God’s people came out of them. God’s people were chosen based upon His authority.
　
２
　
God Establishing Authority among the Israelites
　God told Abraham that his descendants would become slaves in Egypt, but that He would bring them out by the fourth generation. In the exodus from Egypt, Moses brought the Israelites out. First, God gained one man, Moses, who was submissive. After Moses learned authority, God commissioned him to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. Among the Israelites, God established His direct authority. We see this in Exodus, when God’s presence was manifested by the pillar of cloud and the pillar of fire. The Lord also expressed His authority through the commandments. He also appointed Moses and Aaron to be His authority. Moses and Aaron were God’s appointed authority, His deputy authority, among the Israelites.
　
３
　
God Not Tolerating Those Who Offend His Authority
　God would not tolerate men’s sinning against Himself, and He would not tolerate men’s sinning against His servants. Not only did God forbid men to sin against Himself, but He also forbade men to sin against His priests and prophets. God appointed authority among the children of Israel, and when they offended His authority, judgments and punishments would come upon them. Those who offended His authority were not allowed to enter the land of Canaan.
　
４
　
The Rebellion of the Israelites throughout History
　After they entered the land of Canaan, the Israelites again flagrantly rebelled against God. They wanted to have a king among them. They did not want God to rule over them; they wanted to follow the way of the world to have a king among them. God said to Samuel, “It is not you whom they have rejected, but they have rejected Me” (1 Sam. 8:7). Saul was chosen, and he was followed by David. God appointed David to be the authority, and through his hands gathered the materials for the building of the temple, a place for His dwelling among His people. At the time of Solomon, the temple was built.
　Immediately after Solomon’s death, the Israelites turned to idols. From that day forward, the nation of Israel and the nation of Judah were forsaken. Although God tolerated them for many years and allowed them to keep their kings, it was only His promise to David that kept the nation of Israel, not His desire for keeping it. Nothing offends God more than idolatry. Idolatry usurps the worship of God. From that point forward, the history of Israel became nothing but a history of rebellion.
　
Ⅲ
　
THE LORD JESUS ESTABLISHING THE PATTERN OF SUBMISSION
　
A
　
The Lord Jesus Being the Perfect Submissive One
　When Jesus of Nazareth appeared, He was God’s chosen One on earth. He said that He spoke only what He heard and that He could do nothing from Himself except what He saw the Father doing (John 5:19). He did not seek His own will but the will of the One who sent Him (v. 30). Here was a man who would not speak or act by Himself. He submitted fully to God’s authority.
　The Lord Jesus is God Himself. Yet He did not consider being equal with God a treasure to be grasped, but emptied Himself fully under God’s authority. After His death on the cross, God raised Him from among the dead and highly exalted Him to be the Lord and Christ and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, that in the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should openly confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (Phil. 2:5-11).
　The Lord formed His church after His ascension. He did not establish His church in the way that men establish a society or an organization. The resurrected and ascended Lord is now the Head of the church. The church is His Body. In other words, He wants to manifest the submissive life which He lived on earth through the church today.
　
B
　
The Gospel Being a Commandment for Submission
　The gospel constitutes a commandment in the Bible. The Bible shows us that after one hears the gospel, he should believe. But at the time he believes the gospel, he should also submit to the gospel. The Holy Spirit is given to those who obey God (Acts 5:32). We are people who have obeyed from our hearts the word which was preached to us (Rom. 6:17). Please bear in mind that the receiving of the Lord Jesus and our faith and salvation in Him are related to obedience. This is God’s commandment; He is charging men everywhere to believe in it. Therefore, to believe is to submit. A person should learn to submit to the Lord and to God’s authority from the first day he enters the church.
　
C
　
The Underlying Principle of the Church Being Submission
　History throughout the ages shows that the whole world is in rebellion. The underlying principle of the world is an overthrow of either God’s direct authority or His appointed authority. Today is the age when the Body of the Lord, that is, the church, is built on earth. The underlying principle of the church should be the principle of submission. God puts a high demand on the church; He wants to secure what He originally planned to secure in the world. Today in the church God puts a high stake on the woman; she must submit to the man. How difficult it is for God to secure such a thing in the world! If you ask a woman in the world today whether she is willing to submit to man, she will feel that such a demand makes no sense. Yet in the church today, God demands that the woman be submissive to the man, and the wife to the husband.
　Ephesians and Colossians are lofty books, but what kind of commandments do we find in these Epistles? They tell us that wives should be subject to their husbands, children to their parents, and slaves to their masters. This is not something that can be found in the world; it can be found only in the church.
　Ephesians and Colossians touch the highest things. They show us that we were once sons of disobedience. Just like the world, our former principle of life was rebellion. We were called sons of disobedience. Today God has given us a commandment: Wives should be subject to their husbands, children to their parents, and slaves to their masters. This is something different from the whole world. This shows us that submission is the basic principle of the church today.
　
D
　
Being Subject Also to the Authority of the World
　We see an even clearer word in the book of Romans. Romans 13:1 says, “For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are ordained by God.” All authority is ordained by God. This verse and those that follow show us in particular that we should be subject not only to authorities but also to rulers. Render to them what is due: Tax to whom tax is due, fear to whom fear is due, and honor to whom honor is due (v. 7). No other book speaks about salvation as clearly as the book of Romans. Yet this same book tells us, beginning in Romans 12 on the matter of consecration to Romans 14, that we should be submissive not only in the church but also in the world. A man must submit to all the authorities over him.
　
Ⅳ
　
SUBMISSION BEING A CHARACTERISTIC OF THE CHURCH
　The church is a body of people. This body has one characteristic—submission. While we live on earth today, we take submission as our very nature and as the principle of our very living.
　
A
　
The Church Being the Body That Upholds the Authority of God
　Today the church should be strong enough to declare that it can offer to God what He failed to gain at the time of Adam. It should be able to offer to God what He could not gain from the world, from the nation of Israel, or from many tribes, peoples, nations, and tongues. In other words, there must be at least one place on this earth where God’s authority is upheld. The church should lift up her eyes and say, “Lord, what You could not gain from Satan, You are gaining from us. What You could not gain from the devil and the rebellious angels, You are gaining through the church.”
　Today the church is demonstrating the authority of God to all the rulers and authorities. The church is on earth today not only for the preaching of the gospel or for self-edification, but also for the manifestation of God’s authority. God’s authority has been rejected everywhere on earth. It is being honored only in the church. Nowhere else on earth are people seeking God’s will. The church is the only place where men seek God’s will. In other words, the church is the “institution of submission.” If you are not yet saved and are not yet in the church, nothing more can be said. But if you are in the church, you must uphold one basic need and principle before the Lord—you must insist that God’s authority be carried out in the church today. God’s will cannot be done every place on earth, yet His will must be done in the church. We must uphold God’s authority in the church.
　
B
　
Learning to Be Submissive in the Church
　For this reason, all the brothers and sisters in the church must learn submission. Please bear in mind that no sin is more serious than the sin of rebellion. This is something altogether contrary to the very existence of the church. When the Lord Jesus was on earth, He was not just good; He was submissive. Of course, whatever the Son did in Himself could only be good. Yet He said that He could do nothing by Himself. He lived not by Himself but by the will of the One who sent Him. We should remember that there is one unique authority in this universe, and we should maintain this authority. The Lord maintained it; the church must maintain it as well.
　Today God is gaining in the church what He failed to gain in every age and in every other place. The church is the only place where one can learn submission. In the church, it is a matter not of good or bad, right or wrong, but of submission. The church is the place where one learns submission. No testimony is more important than the testimony of submission. The whole universe has rebelled, fallen, and taken a different stand. In the whole universe, God cannot find any other place where His authority is acknowledged. This is why God’s children must all learn submission in the church.
　
C
　
Submission Being the Life and Nature of the Church
　Submission is the life and nature of the church. It is the basic principle that underlies the church. The church exists for the purpose of upholding submission. The church is diametrically opposed to the rebellious situation of the surrounding nations. Today the nations of the world say, “Let us break apart their bonds / And cast their ropes away from us” (Psa. 2:3). This is like saying, “Let us be free and be delivered from the bondage of the Son of God.” But today the church says, “We gladly put ourselves under the bondage and chains of the Son of God to learn the lesson of submission.” As a result of this declaration, something special is happening in the church. It has become the “institution” where submission is displayed. The church on earth maintains not only God’s direct authority but also His indirect authority, that is, His deputy authority.
　
Ⅴ
　
THE AUTHORITY IN THE CHURCH
　The Bible tells us many things about submission. We will consider submission from four different angles.
　
A
　
Submission to the Law of the Body
　
１
　
There Being a Law in the Body
　The church is the Body of Christ; this Body has its own law. Every organ has its particular function, and every member has its own law that governs it. Today human knowledge has expanded tremendously, but man can still not understand his own body. No one can understand all the biological laws regulating him. Nevertheless, every member in the body must submit to these laws. If a member acts and works individualistically according to its own will, it will immediately become sick. What makes the body so unique is its wholeness. As soon as this wholeness is broken, the body will surely become sick.
　No child of God should violate the law of the Body of Christ and act individualistically. All independent acts are expressions of rebellion. Another word for rebellion is independent action. To act individualistically is to act against authority. It means to not submit to the authority of the Head, to not submit to the principle of oneness which God ordained in the Body, and to not submit to the law of oneness which God ordained in the Bible. Individualism is rebellion not only against the Body but also against the Lord.
　
２
　
The Mutual Functioning and Interaction of the Members
　The Lord has baptized all of His children into one Body through the Holy Spirit. Such an inward union is very intimate. If one member rejoices, the whole Body rejoices. If one member suffers, the whole Body suffers. We may not realize how deep this relationship is. Sometimes a brother will come and ask me, “Why was I sad for no reason at all when I woke up today?” or, “Why am I so happy these last few days?” Many times I cannot give an explanation. But very often the reason for their joy or sadness is not found in themselves. They have no reason to be particularly happy or sad. The Body functions in mysterious ways. When we appear before the Lord one day, we will be clear why we felt the way we did on certain days. We will be clear why we were so energized on certain days and why we were so conspicuously weak on other days. Please bear in mind that other members can affect us, and we can affect them. Although we do not understand how this interaction works, we know that oneness is a reality. Today we are not altogether clear about this oneness and how it functions in mutuality. But the fact remains that we are one and every member affects every other member in the whole Body.
　
３
　
Independent Acts Equaling Disobedience
　There is one law among us which we must all observe: We have to see what the Body sees, reject what the Body rejects, and accept what the Body accepts. We cannot function independently. The Body has its own law, and oneness is the authority. We cannot follow our own will. Following our own will is disobedience and rebellion against authority. Today we must realize that the Body is the authority, and the Body is the representative of the authority of Christ. If we move independently of the Body, we are rebellious.
　
４
　
The Illustration of Cancer
　I have used the illustration of a cancerous tumor. Cancer is one of the most serious illnesses; it is even more menacing than tuberculosis. When cancer breaks out in certain parts of the body, the cells of that part begin to multiply. One cell becomes two, two become four, and four become eight. Ordinarily every cell has the ability to grow, but there is a law that regulates its growth. This law tells it when it should grow and when it should not grow.
　The cells in my hand do not multiply continuously and indefinitely. If I cut my hand accidentally, the cells around my cut will start to grow again. Two cells will multiply and become four, and four will become eight. They will continue to grow until the cut is healed. The cells do this because there is a law which causes the cells to grow. When the wound is closed and the cut healed, the cells will stop growing. What tells the cells to stop growing? We do not know how they grow, and we do not know how they stop growing. We know only that it is right for cells to grow when there is a wound, and it is right for them to stop growing when the wound is healed. There is an inner law which the cells obey. They know through the biological law of the body when to grow and when to stop growing. They know submission.
　Please bear in mind that the law of our body tells us about the authority of God. Every cell submits to the body’s authority. When does an ailment become serious? Suppose my hand is cut by a knife and the cells on both sides of the wound grow around it. When the wound is healed, the cells stop growing. I thank God that all the cells stop growing when the wound is healed. What would happen if they continued to grow? If they did, it would be a cancerous growth. Cancer means that the body has no need of more growth, yet a cell disobeys the regulation which governs this body and continues to grow independently. This growth becomes a cancer.
　Every cell must be restricted in its growth. With cancer, however, cells do not want to be told when to grow and when to stop growing; they just grow on their own. They ignore the other cells in the rest of the body. They grow by themselves continuously. We call this kind of cell malignant and evil. Please bear in mind that the whole body is affected by its growth. The cells of the whole body will be affected by malignant cells and will be forced to help them grow. Cancerous cells only cause growth to themselves; they do not bring health to the whole body. All the cells of the body should bring health to the whole body. But they all become affected by cancerous cells. When a person has cancer, the cells of the other parts of body are corrupted by the cancerous cells as soon as they come into contact with them. All the while, the cancer continues to grow. It becomes a separate entity, something no longer under the law of the body.
　If a person does not submit to authority, if he does not submit to the law of the Body or work according to the principle of oneness but works according to his own will, he is a cancer in the Body. All the nutrients passing through him will be eaten up by him for his own growth, not for the growth of the Body. He will only take care of his own growth, not the growth of the Body. It is difficult for a doctor to treat cancer because another principle is operating in the body, a principle that operates on its own.
　
５
　
Being Restricted by the Law of the Body
　The Body of Christ is a living entity. We may say that nothing is more living, more one, and more vital than our body. Before believing in the Lord, a brother might have been individualistic, acting on his own. After he believes in the Lord, he becomes a cell in the Body, a member of the Body. Every cell is restricted by the law in the Body. There is a binding law in the Body, and a man must act according to the law of the Body. He cannot work by his own will. Once a person acts according to his own will, he becomes a tumor, a cancer in the Body. This is not a help but a damage to the Body.
　We are wary of those who act individualistically, those who are not bound by the Body, who act according to their own will, and who have never learned to come under the authority of the Head. After we believe in the Lord, the first spiritual principle we should bear in mind is that the Body is God’s ordained authority on earth. The Body is the authority. God’s law is in the Body, and we cannot violate it. We cannot act carelessly according to our own will. When we act according to our own will, we will become unchecked malignant cells in the Body, doing our own things and completely damaging the oneness of the Body. We immediately will become a tumor. We will no longer be one with others and will become independent persons. We will not be a help to the Body but a damage to it. We must learn to accept the judgment and restriction of the Body and submit to the operation of the life of the whole Body.
　
６
　
Learning to Not Damage the Reality of Oneness
　The longer we go on in our Christian life before the Lord, the more we will realize the reality of the oneness of the Body. Sooner or later, we will see that oneness is a reality. It is a very sobering reality. We must learn to not damage it. It is lawlessness, rebellion, and disobedience for anyone to damage the oneness of the Body. The authority of God will not be with us if we damage it. Authority must be manifested in every cell of the Body. The cells in the Body function mutually, not individually. This is a marvelous fact. The more we comprehend the things of the Body, the more we will realize how appropriate it is to compare the church to our body.
　
B
　
The Principle of Two or Three
　There is another principle in the Bible which we must obey—the principle of the two or three. Please read Matthew 18:15-20. The Lord Jesus said that where two or three are gathered together in one accord, whose voices are in harmony like that of music and who meet under (or are gathered into) His name, He will be in their midst. Whatever they ask, it will be done for them. This is a very great promise of the Lord. If two or three can be fully in one accord, the Lord said that He would be in their midst and would answer their prayer.
　
１
　
One Person Representing the Body
　The Lord told us something more. Suppose I sin against a brother today and he comes to me and says, “You have done something which offends me. You were very wrong.” Suppose I say, “I do not think I was wrong. You are the one who is wrong. I do not feel that I was wrong. I feel that I was very right.” Since this brother says that I am wrong, what should I do? I should learn to listen to my brother. If I am a person who has learned this lesson before the Lord, I will immediately feel that I have sinned when the brother comes to me. This is another principle in the Body. One person can represent the Body. I may be right; I may think that I am not wrong. But this brother is much more experienced than I am in the Lord, and he has learned much in the Lord. He sees that I am wrong and corrects me. If I am pliable before the Lord, I will immediately say, “Brother, please forgive me, I am wrong.”
　One person is enough to be the authority; there is no need to have many people. The person beside you can be the authority; he can represent the Body, the whole church. You must acknowledge that your independent way is wrong. If one person points this out to you, it is good enough. I am not saying that you have to accept every reproof that comes along. I am saying that you should have a quick response before the Lord. Often there is no need to have two or three or the whole church tell you something. You should touch and see something of the reality of the spiritual world as soon as one person says something to you. That person is the Body; he is enough to be a representative of the Body.
　
２
　
Two or Three Being the Authority
　Sometimes there is the need for the testimony of two or three. When one brother comes to me, I may not see the light. That brother may invite one or two other brothers to come along, brothers who are clear before the Lord and who love the Lord wholeheartedly. They may be more weighty before the Lord and more mature in their service to the Lord. When these two or three are called into the situation, they may say, “In our opinion, you are wrong.” At such times, I should remember the word of the Lord: “For where there are two or three gathered into My name, there am I in their midst” (Matt. 18:20).
　If these two or three are in one accord, the Lord will answer their prayer and do things for them. If they are in harmony in judging certain matters, the Lord will honor their judgment. If the Lord honors their judgment concerning certain matters, should we not honor it as well? If the Lord accepts their discernment, should we not accept it as well? If the Lord considers what they have done in one accord as right, can we say that it is wrong? We should yield to their judgment immediately. If the Lord agrees with their rebuke in one accord, can we afford to ignore it? Whatever they bind shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever they loose shall have been loosed in heaven. Should we not follow what has already been done in heaven?
　Two or three can be the authority. Of course, these two or three cannot speak rashly. They must be men of authority before the Lord. They must fear the Lord and obey Him. If they tell you in one accord that you are wrong, even if you do not feel that you are wrong, you have to yield to their judgment. You have to say, “I am wrong.” You do not have to wait until the whole church comes to you and tells you that you are wrong. The ones who are keen will know what to do as soon as one person comes. The ones who are slower will know what to do when two persons come. Often you may not feel that you are wrong, but if two or three godly men see things the same way, you should humble yourself before the Lord. Do not be proud and do not say that you are always right.
　
C
　
Learning to Submit to the Authority of the Church
　If you still feel that you are right after two or three brothers speak to you, Matthew 18 says that these brothers should take the matter to the church and let the whole church consider the matter before the Lord. If the whole church decides before God that you are wrong, what will you do? You may say, “Although the Body says I am wrong, the Head says that I am right. Though my parents forsake me, Jehovah will receive me. The brothers have rejected me, but the Lord will not reject me. I am bearing the cross.” If you say this, it clearly shows that you are outside the church. You think that you are persecuted, martyred, and suffering under the hands of the brothers. But what you really have to do is learn to humble yourself and say, “If the church says so, that is it. There is no other judgment. All the brothers and sisters say that I am wrong. I am wrong even if I am right.” While we are on earth today, we must learn to subject ourselves to the authority of the church.
　The church on earth bears God’s authority. You must never be hardened and say, “All the brothers say that I am wrong. But I insist that I am right.” A proud person has no place in the church. Proud ones cannot be submissive. They do not know what the church is. When the whole church says that you are wrong, you must learn to be meek, humble, and submissive. You must acknowledge that you are wrong. Do not say that the church has no authority to do what it does. The church has the authority. God acknowledges the church’s decision before Him. He also rejects what the church rejects. Do not be so obtuse as to say that you are right when all the brothers and sisters say that you are wrong. If the Lord allows them to pronounce in one accord that you are wrong, you are probably wrong.
　Every child of God should learn to humble himself in the church. Sometimes one person can represent the church. Sometimes two or three can represent the church. You must learn to be meek and pliable before the Lord. Learn the lesson of submission. God’s children should stand on the principle of submission. In the church we all must learn submission.
　
D
　
Being Subject to the Deputy Authorities in the Church
　God’s authority in the church is represented not only by one or two or three persons. Very often it takes the whole church to represent His authority.
　
１
　
The Responsible Brothers Who Serve as Elders
　God shows us through the Bible that the brothers who are bearing responsibility before the Lord, who are called overseers, and who serve as the elders, are the ones who represent His authority in the church. The rest of the brothers must learn to take a submissive stand before God. God has established authorities in the church; their work is to oversee the church. All the brothers must learn to accept their judgments and submit to them.
　Everywhere God’s children are on earth, they should seek commandments to obey; they should seek the opportunity to submit. They should not just seek work. I often feel that many young people are of little use to the Lord, because even though they can work, they cannot submit. There are many people who cannot be submissive. If you ask how many years they have been working for the Lord, they can tell you that they have worked for ten years and have done many things. But if you ask to whom they have submitted, they may not be able to name one person. The basic principle of the church life is submission.
　Everyone among us should learn submission. It is pitiful for a person to have never submitted to anyone his whole life. We must learn to submit to God, and not to Him only, but also to the authority God has appointed on earth—the church. We must submit to God’s ordained authority in the church, that is, the responsible brothers. We can boast of the many years we have worked for the Lord, but we cannot boast of our obedience to the Lord. We have never been submissive to anyone. This is the basic problem and the basic challenge before us. If we consider this matter carefully before the Lord, we will realize that this kind of submission is mandatory in the church.
　
２
　
The Elder Brothers Who Are before Us
　Let us read a few verses together concerning the elders.
　First Corinthians 16:15-16 says, “Now I exhort you, brothers: You know the household of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and they have set themselves to minister to the saints; you also be subject to such ones, and to everyone co-working and laboring.” The household of Stephanas had no other thought in the church in Corinth except to minister to the saints. Paul told us to be subject to such ones. We must be subject to the deputy authority of God in the church. We must be subject to those who are like the household of Stephanas and also to everyone who co-works and labors with those who are like Stephanas. These are brothers more mature than we; they are firstfruits in Christ and were begotten before we were begotten. They are also concerned about our affairs. We should honor them, not despise them. Rather, we should be subject to them.
　
３
　
The Elderly Ones
　First Peter 5:5 says, “In like manner, younger men, be subject to elders.” The passage before this verse speaks of those who are elders. Here is a group of people who have more days in the Lord; they may be the elders. Peter said that the younger men should be subject to the elderly ones, who are patterns to others before the Lord (v. 3). If a young person finds someone taking care of him according to God’s will, he should learn to subject himself to such a one before God. This one is a pattern to him, and he should learn to subject himself to this pattern. We should pay particular attention to our submission to the elderly brothers; they are clearly qualified to represent the Lord in the church.
　
４
　
Those Who Take the Lead Well and Who Labor in Word and Teaching
　First Timothy 5:17 says, “Let the elders who take the lead well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in word and teaching.” You must render double honor toward those elders who take the lead well in the church and should never despise or criticize them. You should honor the elders, even more those who labor in word and teaching. You should also honor those who have the gift of the ministry of the word. Some elders can fulfill the ministry of the word and some cannot. You should honor not only those who can fulfill such a ministry but also those who cannot. I would like to point out that many brothers hold a wrong concept about submission; they choose the kind of people they will submit to. They think they should submit to only perfect individuals. Please bear in mind that this is not the Lord’s ordained way. We do not submit only to those who are perfect. We submit rather to the authority the Lord has placed over us. If it were up to us to choose a person to submit to, we would never find such a person on earth, because we would always find faults. Even if Peter appeared in our midst, we would still find many faults in him. Only one thing is necessary for our submission; if a brother is before us in the Lord, we should listen to him.
　You can find a million reasons to excuse yourself. An elder may know only how to take care of the church but have no ministry of the word. You may think that you do not need to honor him since you can speak better than he can. But God’s Word says, “Let the elders who take the lead well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in word and teaching.” This is not a matter of choice. Many people cover their lawlessness and disobedience with the excuse of choice. This is foolish. If a person is more mature than you are and is ahead of you, you should submit to him and not criticize him.
　
５
　
Those Leading Us
　Hebrews 13:17 says, “Obey the ones leading you and submit to them.” God’s Word is clear. You should submit to all those who are before you and who are leading you. You cannot choose the ones you like and submit only to them. If you only listen to one brother’s word and refuse another’s word, this is not real submission. It is not difficult to only listen to one brother. For a person to learn submission, he must learn to submit to all the ones who are before him, not only to those who are immediately above him. He must learn to submit to those leading him, not only to the elderly who are particularly gifted and used by the Lord. You must always seek out those who are before you.
　In the coming days, when you go to other localities, three or five of you will be gathered together. The first question you should ask is: To whom should I submit? You should submit to those who are before you. When three or five brothers gather together even for two or three hours, spontaneously one will be manifested to be God’s appointed leader. You must submit to this one. The characteristic of a Christian is submission, not work. The characteristic of a Christian is the acknowledgment of all the leading ones. When five or six brothers are together, it is a sweet thing to see them all standing on the proper ground. As soon as you sit down with ten or twenty brothers, you should immediately identify those who are ahead of you. Once you identify them, you should submit to them.
　“Obey the ones leading you and submit to them.” This is because “they watch over your souls as those who will render an account, that they may do this with joy and not groaning; for this would be unprofitable to you.” Anyone who is ahead of you is concerned about your soul; he has to render an account for your soul. You should submit to this person before God.
　
６
　
Those Who Labor and Take the Lead in the Lord
　First Thessalonians 5:12-13 says, “Furthermore we ask you, brothers, to acknowledge those who labor among you and take the lead among you in the Lord and admonish you, and to regard them most highly in love because of their work.” Some people have a responsibility in the Lord to take care of you and to lead you. You should honor and regard them highly. They are the ones to submit to. A Christian who has no one to submit to in this world is a strange person. Every Christian should find many who are ahead of him, who are weighty spiritually and who can render him spiritual guidance. He should submit to them.
　If we do this, we will maintain the right principle in the church. God cannot find this principle in Satan, the world, or the whole universe. This principle is the principle of submission. We must all learn this basic lesson in the church. The world has rejected this principle. God must now secure it in the church. The underlying basic principle in the church is submission.
　
７
　
Being Subject to All of God’s Ordained Authorities
　We have seen that the oneness of the Body is authority itself. We have also seen that one person, two or three persons, or a local church, can represent the Body of Christ. Finally, we have seen that the elders in the Lord, those who take the lead among us, also represent the Body of Christ. All of these constitute God’s authority. They are the deputy authority of God among us, and we must submit to them and honor them. We must inquire of them and listen to them. If we practice this, the Lord’s name and His word will be magnified in our midst, and we will be Philadelphia indeed.
 
　　今天，我们要提起教会的权柄问题。
 
　In this chapter we will consider the matter of the authority of the church.
　　当神创造这一个宇宙的时候，神已经设立权柄作祂管理这一个宇宙的原则。祂自己是最高的权柄，同时也是一切权柄的来源。在祂下面有好些位的天使长，再下去有许多的天使。按耶利米和以赛亚的记载，那一个时候，在地上还有另外一种的活物。这是当初神管理这一个宇宙的安排。不只活的人是如此，就是整个宇宙所有的星宿，连这块地和一切的生物，神都用权柄托住它们。神都用权柄的命令，替它们设立律法，叫每一个天然的生物，每一种天然的物质，都有一定的律可以遵守。所以权柄在宇宙里是非常要紧的东西。如果有一种的物质，有一种的生物，不按着神所定规的律而行，宇宙就乱了。
 
　When God created the universe, He ordained authority as the governing principle for His rule over it. He alone is the highest authority. He is also the origin of all authorities. Some archangels were under Him, and under these archangels were many other angels. The record in Jeremiah and Isaiah shows us that there were other living creatures on earth during that time. This was God’s original order of administration over the universe. Not only was man upheld by His authority, but even the stars in the universe, including the earth and all the living creatures, were upheld by His authority. God established natural laws through His word of authority over every living creature and every natural element. Authority is crucial to the universe. If any object or creature acts contrary to God’s ordained laws, the whole universe will be thrown into confusion.
　　但是后来呢？我们知道前一个世界堕落了，怎样堕落的呢？乃是因为撒但，就是神所设立的天使长，要高抬自己。

　　他心里说，“我要升到天上；我要高举我的宝座…我要与至上者同等。”（赛十四13~14）撒但的背叛不是背叛别的，乃是背叛权柄。他要与神同等，他要高抬自己作神；他认为在神之下作一切的主还不够。他背叛了神的权柄，他要得着神所有的权柄。结果，你看见说，明亮之星变作撒但，光明的天使变作魔鬼。这一个乃是在人创造之前的事。
 
　What happened after God’s creation? We know that the previous world became fallen when Satan, the archangel appointed by God, tried to exalt himself.

　He said in his heart, “I will ascend to heaven; / ...I will exalt my throne. / ...I will be like the Most High” (Isa. 14:13-14). Satan’s rebellion was not against other things but against authority. He wanted to be equal with God. He wanted to exalt himself to be God. He did not think that being the lord over everything under God was enough. He rebelled against God’s authority and tried to usurp His authority. As a result, the morning star became Satan; the angel of light became the devil. This happened before the creation of man.
　　当人受造的时候，神把人安置在伊甸园里。神在世界里也有祂的安排，神在世界里也有祂所定规的权柄。神先造男人，后造女人；先造丈夫，后造妻子。神安排夏娃顺服亚当，神安排人顺服祂自己。神安排说，在将来的日子中，儿女要顺服父母，仆人要顺服主人，人民要顺服大臣、君王。神有祂一定的安排，神设立了权柄。
 
　God placed man in the garden of Eden after his creation. He arranged everything and appointed authorities in the world. He created man first, and then the woman. He created the husband first, and then the wife. God’s intention was for Eve to submit to Adam and for Adam to submit to Him. In this arrangement He laid the foundation for children to obey their parents, slaves to obey their masters, and citizens to obey their rulers and kings. God arranged things in a definite way. He established authority in the universe.
　　但是在伊甸园里，撒但进来引诱人。撒但的引诱，不只是引诱人犯罪，并且是引诱人推翻神所定规的权柄。神定规女人要听从男人，但是，伊甸园里变作男人听从女人。神定规要亚当作头，但是伊甸园里是夏娃作头，夏娃教训，夏娃定规，夏娃出主意，因为其余的人还没有生，只有亚当和夏娃。在这里，唯一的安排，乃是女人要顺服男人，妻子要顺服丈夫。但这一个唯一的安排，马上就被撒但破坏了。
 
　Then Satan came in and tempted man in the garden of Eden. Through temptation Satan induced man not only to sin but also to overthrow God’s appointed authority. God ordained for the woman to obey the man. But in the garden of Eden the man followed the woman. God appointed Adam to be the head, but in the garden of Eden, Eve took the lead. She taught and made decisions and suggestions. The rest of mankind was not yet born; only Adam and Eve were there. The only rule was that the woman should submit to the man. The wife should submit to the husband. But this unique arrangement was immediately broken because of Satan.
　　在这一个破坏里面，虽然是两个人的悖逆，但同时也就是全世界的悖逆。不只是人和人中间的权柄被推翻，也就是人和神中间的权柄被推翻。撒但说，你吃的日子，就能够像神。神所以不让你们吃，是不要你们像神。所以是两个悖逆：一个是人悖逆神在人中间所设立的权柄，一个是人悖逆神自己的权柄。换一句话说，神直接的权柄被悖逆，神代表的权柄也被悖逆。人对于神没有顺服，人想我这样作能够变作神。这样，神的权柄就被推翻。人自己要作神，人要推翻神的权柄。

　　同时夏娃应该顺服亚当。在许多的事情上，夏娃应该问亚当。但是，夏娃没有问亚当，夏娃就先思想，夏娃就先定规，结果夏娃就先犯罪。请你们记得，独立的思想，就是犯罪的先锋。人如果不在神所设立的代表权柄面前学习请教，学习问；人如果不在神面前学习看这一件事如何；而是独立的思想，以为说又好看、又好吃、又好摸，吃了之后会有智慧；结果，就不只背叛神，并且也背叛神在地上所设立的权柄。所以伊甸园的犯罪，乃是同时推翻了两种不同的权柄：代表的权柄被推翻，直接的权柄也被推翻。
 
　Though only two persons rebelled in this catastrophe, it was in effect a rebellion of the whole world. Not only was the authority of man over man overthrown, but even the authority of God over man was overthrown. Satan said that in the day they ate thereof, they would be as God, and that God had forbidden them to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil so that they would not become as Him. There were two rebellions: One was man’s rebellion against God’s appointed authority among men. The other was man’s rebellion against God’s own authority. In other words, God’s direct authority was overturned, and His deputy authority was overturned as well. Man did not submit to God. He thought he could become God by doing what he did. God’s authority was overthrown in this way. Man wanted to be God himself; he wanted to overthrow God’s authority.

　Eve should have submitted to Adam. She should have consulted with Adam about everything, but she did not check with him. Instead, she considered and made the decision. She took the lead to sin. Please bear in mind that independence in thought is the first step toward sin. If a man refuses to learn from God’s appointed deputy authority and if he never presents things to God but cultivates his own independent thought, considering only what is pleasant to the eyes, what is good for food, and what is desirous to make one wise, he is rebelling not only against God but also against His appointed authority on the earth. The single act of transgression in the garden of Eden overthrew two authorities at the same time: God’s deputy authority and His direct authority.
　　所以，伊甸园的故事，就是效法撒但所作的。撒但是要高抬自己与神同等，所以试探人，也要人高抬自己与神同等。在第一个快乐的园里，明亮的基路伯存心在那里悖逆。在第二个快乐的园里，人在那里悖逆。从那一天起，人就是一直走悖逆的路。所以，罗马五章不只说因一次的过犯，众人都被定罪（18）；并且说，因一人的悖逆，众人成为罪人（19）。请你们记得，从神的眼光来看，在伊甸园里不只是一次的犯罪，并且是一次的悖逆。你们千万不要以为伊甸园里是犯罪而已，伊甸园里乃是悖逆。因为一个人的悖逆，罪就进入了世界。从那一天起，人的原则是活在悖逆里。
 
　The story in the garden of Eden was a repetition of Satan’s history. Satan wanted to uplift himself to be equal with God. He also tempted man to uplift himself to be equal with God. In the first paradise, the bright cherub rebelled. In the second paradise, man rebelled. Since that day man has been walking in the way of disobedience. Romans 5 says that through one offense, condemnation came to all men (v. 18), and through the disobedience of one man, the many were constituted sinners (v. 19). Please bear in mind that in God’s eyes, what happened in the garden of Eden was not only an offense but an act of disobedience. Do not think that there was only sin in the garden of Eden; there was disobedience as well. Sin entered the world through the disobedience of one man. Since that day, man has been living under the principle of disobedience.
　　等到洪水的时候，神设立人作管理的人，政治就起头。从亚当起，到洪水为止，所看见的不过是家庭，并没有政治。到洪水的时候，政治就起头。政治，乃是在创世之后一六五六年才产生的。有了政治之后，你就马上看见说，今天管理的权柄不只是在家庭里，也是在政治里。“凡流人血的，他的血必被人所流。”（创九6）这是政治的起点。
 
　At the time of the flood, God appointed men to be rulers. This was the beginning of human government. From the time of Adam to the time of the flood, there were families, not government. Government was instituted 1,656 years after the creation. After the emergence of government, we find authority resting not only with the family but also with government. “Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed” (Gen. 9:6). This was the beginning of government.
　　到了洪水之后，你又看见含如何背叛了他父亲的权柄（创九20~27），然后神就起首设立列国。但是列国的人，合起来造巴别塔。虽然在他们自己中间不是背叛，可是他们是连起来向着神背叛。伊甸园是个人向着神背叛，伊甸园是家庭向着神背叛；但巴别塔乃是国家向着神背叛。人的意思是说，造出塔来，能够上通于天，能够爬得高，往上去站在神的地位上。神在地上给石头，人却预备砖头，仿效神石头的行为。人预备砖头造塔，往上升，要与神一样。所以在洪水之后，列国的人又联合起来背叛神。
 
　After the flood, Ham rebelled against his father’s authority (Gen. 9:20-27). Then God established the nations. But the people of the nations united together and built the tower of Babel for themselves. Though they did not rebel against each other, they united to rebel against God. In the garden the individual and the family rebelled against God. But at the tower of Babel, the nations rebelled against Him. Man’s intention was to build a tower to go to heaven and to climb to the top to stand in God’s place. God prepared stones on earth. But man prepared bricks as a counterfeit of God’s stones. Mankind prepared bricks and built a tower for itself. Man tried to be like God. After the flood, the nations united to rebel against God.
　　因此，神拣选亚伯拉罕，不只作信心的祖宗，也是作顺服的代表。在列国背叛的时候，在巴别塔混乱的时候，神就拣选亚伯拉罕，不只为着相信，也是为着顺服。神要求，神盼望、神羡慕有顺服的人。神羡慕在背叛的日子中，有人站在顺服的地位上。

　　不只亚伯拉罕自己是顺服的人，连他的妻子也是顺服的人。不只亚伯拉罕和撒拉顺服神，并且撒拉也顺服亚伯拉罕。撒拉不只在神面前顺服，不只接受直接权柄，撒拉也接受了代表的权柄──亚伯拉罕。他们夫妻二人，在神面前是顺服的。同时他们两个人在夫妻中，在人和人之中，也是顺服的。他们维持了在地上神权柄的原则，而在这里面产生出神的子民来。神的子民，是根据于神的权柄而拣选的。
 
　God chose Abraham not only to be the father of faith but also to be a pattern of submission. In the midst of the rebellion of the nations and the confusion of the tower of Babel, God chose Abraham not only for his faith but also for his submission. God demands, expects, and desires to find a man of submission. He desires to find a man who will stand on the ground of submission in the day of rebellion.

　Not only was Abraham a man of submission, even his wife was in submission. Not only were Abraham and Sarah submissive to God, Sarah was submissive to Abraham as well. Sarah submitted to God and accepted His direct authority. She also accepted Abraham as her deputy authority. Both the husband and the wife were submissive to God, and between the husband and wife, that is, between one human being and another human being, there was also submission. They maintained the principle of God’s authority on earth. As a result, God’s people came out of them. God’s people were chosen based upon His authority.
　　神应许亚伯拉罕说，他的后裔要在埃及作奴隶，但到了第四代，祂要把他们带出来。你们看见，后来就是出埃及的故事，就是摩西带领以色列人出来。你们看见神先得着摩西这一个人，先叫摩西作顺服的人，认识权柄，而后叫他把以色列人带出来。在他们中间，设立了神直接的权柄。在出埃及的时候，有神自己的同在，有云柱、有火柱。祂也给我们看见，祂自己的权柄，就是诫命。而同时神设立摩西和亚伦作祂自己的权柄，摩西和亚伦是神所设立的权柄，就是代表的权柄，摆在以色列人当中。
 
　God told Abraham that his descendants would become slaves in Egypt, but that He would bring them out by the fourth generation. In the exodus from Egypt, Moses brought the Israelites out. First, God gained one man, Moses, who was submissive. After Moses learned authority, God commissioned him to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. Among the Israelites, God established His direct authority. We see this in Exodus, when God’s presence was manifested by the pillar of cloud and the pillar of fire. The Lord also expressed His authority through the commandments. He also appointed Moses and Aaron to be His authority. Moses and Aaron were God’s appointed authority, His deputy authority, among the Israelites.
　　神不只不让人得罪祂自己，神也不让人得罪祂的仆人。神不只不让人得罪祂自己，神也不让人得罪祂自己的祭司、祂自己的先知。神在以色列人之中，设立了祂的权柄。多少次的审判，多少次的刑罚，乃是因为以色列人干犯了祂的权柄。在那里，许多人干犯了权柄，结果他们不能进迦南地。
 
　God would not tolerate men’s sinning against Himself, and He would not tolerate men’s sinning against His servants. Not only did God forbid men to sin against Himself, but He also forbade men to sin against His priests and prophets. God appointed authority among the children of Israel, and when they offended His authority, judgments and punishments would come upon them. Those who offended His authority were not allowed to enter the land of Canaan.
　　等到他们进入迦南地之后，他们又不顺服神，并且不顺服得厉害。他们盼望在人中间得着一个人作他们的王。他们觉得说，神管理他们不好，所以要效法世人的路，要有一个君王在他们中间。所以神对撒母耳说，他们不是弃绝你，他们乃是弃绝我。你们在那里看见说，扫罗被拣选。后来大卫被拣选，神设立大卫作权柄。从大卫手里预备建造圣殿的材料，来表显神和祂的子民住在一起，到所罗门的时候，这殿就造成功了。

　　但是，所罗门一去世，以色列人马上拜偶像。从那一天起，以色列国和犹大国就被弃绝了。虽然神还存留他们多少年，也让他们继续有多少王，但这是因为神对大卫有应许，不是因为神乐意维持以色列国。你在这里看见说，没有一个罪得罪神像拜偶像一样。偶像就是站在一个地位上夺去神的敬拜。从此，以色列人继续下去，都是背叛的历史。
 
　After they entered the land of Canaan, the Israelites again flagrantly rebelled against God. They wanted to have a king among them. They did not want God to rule over them; they wanted to follow the way of the world to have a king among them. God said to Samuel, “It is not you whom they have rejected, but they have rejected Me” (1 Sam. 8:7). Saul was chosen, and he was followed by David. God appointed David to be the authority, and through his hands gathered the materials for the building of the temple, a place for His dwelling among His people. At the time of Solomon, the temple was built.

　Immediately after Solomon’s death, the Israelites turned to idols. From that day forward, the nation of Israel and the nation of Judah were forsaken. Although God tolerated them for many years and allowed them to keep their kings, it was only His promise to David that kept the nation of Israel, not His desire for keeping it. Nothing offends God more than idolatry. Idolatry usurps the worship of God. From that point forward, the history of Israel became nothing but a history of rebellion.
　　一直到拿撒勒人耶稣降生在地上的时候，才有一个神所挑选的人。祂在那里告诉我们说，我怎么听见，就怎么说。我凭着自己不能作什么，唯有看见父所作的事我才作（约五19）。我不求自己的意思，只求那差我来者的意思（30）。你在那里看见，有一个人不敢凭自己说，也不敢凭自己作；有一个人是完全服在神的权柄之下。

　　主耶稣自己是神，与神同等，并不是僭越的，可是祂完全服在神的权柄之下（腓二5~11）。祂死在十字架上之后，神叫祂从死里复活，把祂升为至高，叫祂作主，作基督；又赐给祂那超乎万名之上的名，叫一切在天上的，地上的，和地底下的，因耶稣的名，无不屈膝敬拜祂，无不口称祂为主，赞美祂。

　　主升天之后，就设立祂的教会。祂将祂的教会设立起来，不是像人所想的，设立一个团体，或者一个机关。从死里复活，升上高天的主，乃是作教会的元首。整个的教会是祂的身体。换一句话说，祂在地上如何过顺服的生活，今天祂愿意在祂的教会中再彰显出来。
 
　When Jesus of Nazareth appeared, He was God’s chosen One on earth. He said that He spoke only what He heard and that He could do nothing from Himself except what He saw the Father doing (John 5:19). He did not seek His own will but the will of the One who sent Him (v. 30). Here was a man who would not speak or act by Himself. He submitted fully to God’s authority.

　The Lord Jesus is God Himself. Yet He did not consider being equal with God a treasure to be grasped, but emptied Himself fully under God’s authority. After His death on the cross, God raised Him from among the dead and highly exalted Him to be the Lord and Christ and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, that in the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should openly confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (Phil. 2:5-11).

　The Lord formed His church after His ascension. He did not establish His church in the way that men establish a society or an organization. The resurrected and ascended Lord is now the Head of the church. The church is His Body. In other words, He wants to manifest the submissive life which He lived on earth through the church today.
　　在圣经里，福音乃是一个命令。我们听见福音的时候，圣经给我们看见，我们应该相信。但是相信福音的时候，圣经也给我们看见，我们乃是顺服福音的人。圣灵是赐给顺服的人，我们乃是从心里顺服所传给我们的道的人。请你们记得，连接受主耶稣，连相信得救，都是顺服。因为这是神的命令，叫人到处相信。所以相信乃是顺服。人从起头在教会里，就是要学习顺服主，顺服神的权柄。
 
　The gospel constitutes a commandment in the Bible. The Bible shows us that after one hears the gospel, he should believe. But at the time he believes the gospel, he should also submit to the gospel. The Holy Spirit is given to those who obey God (Acts 5:32). We are people who have obeyed from our hearts the word which was preached to us (Rom. 6:17). Please bear in mind that the receiving of the Lord Jesus and our faith and salvation in Him are related to obedience. This is God’s commandment; He is charging men everywhere to believe in it. Therefore, to believe is to submit. A person should learn to submit to the Lord and to God’s authority from the first day he enters the church.
　　这么多年的历史以来，全世界都是背叛的。世界的那一个基本的原则，不是要推翻神直接的权柄，就是要推翻神所设立的权柄。今天到了主耶稣的身体建立在地上的时候，就是我们今天所领会的教会；而教会的基本原则，就是顺服的原则。所以，神本来在世界里所定规的事，今天神在教会里就严格的要求。今天神严格的要求，在教会里，女人要顺服男人。这一个在世界里是何等困难的事！今天你问一个世界的女子，肯不肯顺服男人？她们觉得没有这个意思。今天，神在教会里，要求女人顺服男人，要求妻子顺服丈夫。

　　书信高到像以弗所，像歌罗西，它们里面的命令是什么？是妻子要顺服丈夫，儿女要顺服父母，仆人要顺服主人。这不是在世界里面的话，这是在教会里面的话。

　　以弗所和歌罗西都是最高的书信，最高的书信给我们看见说，我们从前是悖逆之子，我们从前生活的原则根本是与世人一样的，是背叛的，所以称作悖逆之子。今天神给我们一个命令：妻子要顺服丈夫，儿女要顺服父母，仆人要顺服主人。这与整个世界不一样。这给我们看见，顺服乃是今天教会的基本原则。
 
　History throughout the ages shows that the whole world is in rebellion. The underlying principle of the world is an overthrow of either God’s direct authority or His appointed authority. Today is the age when the Body of the Lord, that is, the church, is built on earth. The underlying principle of the church should be the principle of submission. God puts a high demand on the church; He wants to secure what He originally planned to secure in the world. Today in the church God puts a high stake on the woman; she must submit to the man. How difficult it is for God to secure such a thing in the world! If you ask a woman in the world today whether she is willing to submit to man, she will feel that such a demand makes no sense. Yet in the church today, God demands that the woman be submissive to the man, and the wife to the husband.

　Ephesians and Colossians are lofty books, but what kind of commandments do we find in these Epistles? They tell us that wives should be subject to their husbands, children to their parents, and slaves to their masters. This is not something that can be found in the world; it can be found only in the church.

　Ephesians and Colossians touch the highest things. They show us that we were once sons of disobedience. Just like the world, our former principle of life was rebellion. We were called sons of disobedience. Today God has given us a commandment: Wives should be subject to their husbands, children to their parents, and slaves to their masters. This is something different from the whole world. This shows us that submission is the basic principle of the church today.
　　等一等，你看见在罗马书里所说的话更清楚。十三章一节说，“没有权柄不是出于神的；凡掌权的都是神所命的。”所以，所有的权柄都是神所立的。并且这里特别给我们看见说，不只该顺服掌权的，也该顺服作官的。当得粮的，给他纳粮；当得税的，给他上税；当惧怕的，惧怕他；当恭敬的，恭敬他。没有一本书那样清楚说到救恩，像罗马书一样。但是在罗马十二章，从奉献起，一直到十四章，告诉我们，不只在教会里要顺服，并且在世界上也要顺服。人要顺服一切在上有权柄的人。
 
　We see an even clearer word in the book of Romans. Romans 13:1 says, “For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are ordained by God.” All authority is ordained by God. This verse and those that follow show us in particular that we should be subject not only to authorities but also to rulers. Render to them what is due: Tax to whom tax is due, fear to whom fear is due, and honor to whom honor is due (v. 7). No other book speaks about salvation as clearly as the book of Romans. Yet this same book tells us, beginning in Romans 12 on the matter of consecration to Romans 14, that we should be submissive not only in the church but also in the world. A man must submit to all the authorities over him.
　　教会是一个团体，这一个团体有一特点，就是说，我们活在世界上，乃是以顺服作我们的性质。我们活在世界上，乃是以顺服作我们生活的原则。
 
　The church is a body of people. This body has one characteristic—submission. While we live on earth today, we take submission as our very nature and as the principle of our very living.
　　今天教会应当作到一个地步，能宣告说，神在亚当的时候所得不着的，今天在教会里能得着。神在世人中所得不着的，今天在教会里能得着。神在以色列国中所得不着的，今天在教会里能得着。神今天在多民、多人、多国、多方中所得不着的，在教会里要得着。换一句话说，最少今天在这一个大地上，总得有一个团体是维持神的权柄的，就是教会。教会应该仰起头来说，“主，你在撒但身上得不着的，在我们身上能得着。你在鬼魔、背叛的天使身上所得不着的，你在教会里能得着。”

　　所以，教会今天乃是向着执政的、掌权的，来彰显神的权柄。所以今天教会在地上变作不只是为着传福音，不只是为着造就自己，也是为着彰显神的权柄。在地上所有的地方，神的权柄被弃绝；就是在教会这一个地方，神的权柄被保守。世界上，没有一个地方有人寻求神的旨意，就是教会在这里寻求神的旨意。换一句话说，教会乃是一个顺服的团体。所以，你没有得救，没有加入教会则已；你既然加入了教会，今天在神面前就有一个基本的需要，就有一个基本的原则，是你要维持的，就是叫神的权柄在教会里能够通行。神的旨意，在世界各地，都不能通行；神的旨意在教会里，总得通行。你要维持神的权柄在教会里。
 
　Today the church should be strong enough to declare that it can offer to God what He failed to gain at the time of Adam. It should be able to offer to God what He could not gain from the world, from the nation of Israel, or from many tribes, peoples, nations, and tongues. In other words, there must be at least one place on this earth where God’s authority is upheld. The church should lift up her eyes and say, “Lord, what You could not gain from Satan, You are gaining from us. What You could not gain from the devil and the rebellious angels, You are gaining through the church.”

　Today the church is demonstrating the authority of God to all the rulers and authorities. The church is on earth today not only for the preaching of the gospel or for self-edification, but also for the manifestation of God’s authority. God’s authority has been rejected everywhere on earth. It is being honored only in the church. Nowhere else on earth are people seeking God’s will. The church is the only place where men seek God’s will. In other words, the church is the “institution of submission.” If you are not yet saved and are not yet in the church, nothing more can be said. But if you are in the church, you must uphold one basic need and principle before the Lord—you must insist that God’s authority be carried out in the church today. God’s will cannot be done every place on earth, yet His will must be done in the church. We must uphold God’s authority in the church.
　　为此，所有教会里的弟兄姊妹，都得学习作顺服的人。请你们记得，没有一个罪比不顺服更厉害，因为这根本和教会所以存在的缘故相反。主耶稣在地上的时候，不是说祂生活好不好的问题，乃是说祂顺服不顺服的问题。实在说起来，子如果凭着自己作什么，必定是好的；但是祂说，子不能凭着自己作什么。祂说，我不凭着自己作，我乃是凭着那差我来者的意思作。请你们记得，在宇宙里，有一个权柄要维持，主维持了，今天教会也要维持。

　　神在各个时代里所得不着的，今天在教会里要得着。神在各个地方所得不着的，今天在教会里要得着。所以，在教会里，是你唯一要学习顺服的地方。在教会里不只是说好和坏，不只是说是和非，在教会里乃是说要顺服。在教会里乃是学习顺服的地方。所以，你们要看见，我们今天没有一个见证比顺服的见证更要紧。因为今天整个宇宙都造反了，整个宇宙都堕落了，整个宇宙是站在另外的地位上。今天，在整个宇宙里，神找不到一个地方，有人是接受祂的权柄的。为此，所有神的儿女，在教会里面都应该学习顺服。
 
　For this reason, all the brothers and sisters in the church must learn submission. Please bear in mind that no sin is more serious than the sin of rebellion. This is something altogether contrary to the very existence of the church. When the Lord Jesus was on earth, He was not just good; He was submissive. Of course, whatever the Son did in Himself could only be good. Yet He said that He could do nothing by Himself. He lived not by Himself but by the will of the One who sent Him. We should remember that there is one unique authority in this universe, and we should maintain this authority. The Lord maintained it; the church must maintain it as well.

　Today God is gaining in the church what He failed to gain in every age and in every other place. The church is the only place where one can learn submission. In the church, it is a matter not of good or bad, right or wrong, but of submission. The church is the place where one learns submission. No testimony is more important than the testimony of submission. The whole universe has rebelled, fallen, and taken a different stand. In the whole universe, God cannot find any other place where His authority is acknowledged. This is why God’s children must all learn submission in the church.
　　顺服，乃是教会的生命。顺服，乃是教会的性质。顺服，在教会里乃是基本的原则。教会就是为维持顺服而存在的。教会乃是与四围列国背叛的情形完全相反的。今天，在地上的列国是说，“我们要挣开祂们的捆绑，脱去祂们的绳索（诗二3）。我们要自由，我们要脱离神儿子的管辖。”但是，今天教会乃是说，“我甘心乐意把自己摆在捆绑的底下，我甘心乐意把自己摆在神儿子的绳索底下，来学习顺服。”因此，在教会里就有一件特别的事发生，就是，教会变作是特别顺服权柄的机关。教会在地上，不只维持神直接的权柄，并且也维持神间接的权柄，就是代表的权柄。
 
　Submission is the life and nature of the church. It is the basic principle that underlies the church. The church exists for the purpose of upholding submission. The church is diametrically opposed to the rebellious situation of the surrounding nations. Today the nations of the world say, “Let us break apart their bonds / And cast their ropes away from us” (Psa. 2:3). This is like saying, “Let us be free and be delivered from the bondage of the Son of God.” But today the church says, “We gladly put ourselves under the bondage and chains of the Son of God to learn the lesson of submission.” As a result of this declaration, something special is happening in the church. It has become the “institution” where submission is displayed. The church on earth maintains not only God’s direct authority but also His indirect authority, that is, His deputy authority.
　　在圣经里，有许多关于顺服的话。今天在这里，我们分作四段来看这一种的顺服。
 
　The Bible tells us many things about submission. We will consider submission from four different angles.
　　教会乃是基督的身体，身体里有它一定的律。每一个器官有它的功用，每一个肢体有它的律，在那里管理它们。今天虽然人的知识大大增加，但是，我还找不出为什么人的身体是这么一回事，为什么有一个律在那里管理它，无论如何，每一个肢体在身体上必须顺服那一个律。今天，如果有那一个肢体，随着它自己的意思行动，随着它自己的意思单独的作，你马上看见它有病。身体的特点就是合一，身体的合一一被破坏，这一个身体定规生病。

　　所以，没有一个作神儿女的人，能违背基督身体的律，而单独行动的。一切单独的行动，都是背叛的表现。背叛的另一句话，就是单独行动。单独行动，就是不服权柄。单独行动，就是不服元首的权柄，就是不服神在身体里所定规合一的原则，就是不服神在圣经里所定规合一的律。单独行动，不只是不顺服身体，并且是不顺服主。
 
　The church is the Body of Christ; this Body has its own law. Every organ has its particular function, and every member has its own law that governs it. Today human knowledge has expanded tremendously, but man can still not understand his own body. No one can understand all the biological laws regulating him. Nevertheless, every member in the body must submit to these laws. If a member acts and works individualistically according to its own will, it will immediately become sick. What makes the body so unique is its wholeness. As soon as this wholeness is broken, the body will surely become sick.

　No child of God should violate the law of the Body of Christ and act individualistically. All independent acts are expressions of rebellion. Another word for rebellion is independent action. To act individualistically is to act against authority. It means to not submit to the authority of the Head, to not submit to the principle of oneness which God ordained in the Body, and to not submit to the law of oneness which God ordained in the Bible. Individualism is rebellion not only against the Body but also against the Lord.
　　主把祂所有的儿女，借着圣灵浸成功一个身体，这里面的联合是非常亲密的。一个肢体如果快乐，全身就快乐；一个肢体如果受苦，全身就受苦。在这里面，这一种的关系有多大，我们不知道。有多少的时候，一个弟兄来问我说，“为什么我今天一起来无缘无故的忧愁？”“为什么我这两天特别的快乐？”我说不出来。但是，许多时候，这一个原因，不能从你个人身上去找，在你个人身上没有理由特别快乐，没有理由特别忧愁。你看见身体有许多作用，是没有法子解释的。将来到主面前的时候，我们要清楚，为什么这几天我有另外的感觉，为什么有几天我特别的有力量，为什么有几天我特别的软弱。请你们记得，别的肢体会影响我们，我们也会影响别的肢体。虽然我们不知道那一个影响是怎么样影响的，但我们知道合一的事实。怎样合一，怎样互相作用，我们今天不清楚。但是，我们是合一的，是像肢体影响到全身一样。
 
　The Lord has baptized all of His children into one Body through the Holy Spirit. Such an inward union is very intimate. If one member rejoices, the whole Body rejoices. If one member suffers, the whole Body suffers. We may not realize how deep this relationship is. Sometimes a brother will come and ask me, “Why was I sad for no reason at all when I woke up today?” or, “Why am I so happy these last few days?” Many times I cannot give an explanation. But very often the reason for their joy or sadness is not found in themselves. They have no reason to be particularly happy or sad. The Body functions in mysterious ways. When we appear before the Lord one day, we will be clear why we felt the way we did on certain days. We will be clear why we were so energized on certain days and why we were so conspicuously weak on other days. Please bear in mind that other members can affect us, and we can affect them. Although we do not understand how this interaction works, we know that oneness is a reality. Today we are not altogether clear about this oneness and how it functions in mutuality. But the fact remains that we are one and every member affects every other member in the whole Body.
　　在我们中间有一个律，我们必须顺服，就是全体在神面前所看见的，我也看见；全体在神面前所拒绝的，我也拒绝；全体在神面前所接受的，我也接受。我是身体上的一个肢体，我不能自己一个单独起来作用。你看见身体有它的律，合一就是权柄。我不能随着我自己的意思；我一随着我自己的意思，这就是悖逆，这就是背叛，这就是不服权柄。今天我们要看见身体是权柄，身体是基督权柄的代表。我这一个人，一离开身体有另外一个行动，我就是一个悖逆的人。
 
　There is one law among us which we must all observe: We have to see what the Body sees, reject what the Body rejects, and accept what the Body accepts. We cannot function independently. The Body has its own law, and oneness is the authority. We cannot follow our own will. Following our own will is disobedience and rebellion against authority. Today we must realize that the Body is the authority, and the Body is the representative of the authority of Christ. If we move independently of the Body, we are rebellious.
　　我曾引过毒瘤的比喻。在所有的病里面，癌（cancer）是最厉害的一种，比肺病还要麻烦。癌发生在人身体的那一部分，那一部分的细胞都是一个变作两个，两个变作四个，四个变作八个的一直在那里生长。原来每一个细胞虽然都有生长的能力，但是在它们里面都有一个管理的律。这个律管理它们什么时候应该长，什么时候不应该长。

　　比方说，我的手现在里面的细胞已经停止不长了。若是今天我不小心把手划破了，在破口旁边的细胞就起首生长，两个生四个，四个生八个，一直的生，一直的长，就把两边联接起来。怎么能这样？因为在这里有一律叫它长。等一等两边接起来，收口了，又不长了。谁通知这些细胞说，不用长了呢？它怎么生长，我们不知道。它怎么不长，我们也不知道。但是，我们看见：它长是对的，因为我有伤口；它停也是对的，因为已经收口了。这里面有一个律，连一个细胞都知道。它知道身体有一个律应该长，它知道身体有一个律应该停，它知道顺服。

　　请你们记得，整个身体的律，就是神的权柄。每一个细胞都顺服这个权柄。我告诉你们，什么时候发生一件事是不得了的呢？我这一只手，被刀划破了，两边的细胞都长起来，一直长到收口就不长了，我感谢神，所有的细胞长到收口就不长了。如果再长下去的话，怎么办？如果再长的话，我告诉你们，这就叫作癌。癌就是说，在身体里没有这一个需要，但是，有一个细胞离开了全身细胞所该遵守的规矩，自己在那里单独的长，一直的长。这样的长，就变作癌。

　　每一个细胞都必须受约束。但是这里有一个细胞，不管什么时候该长，不管什么时候该停，它就是长它的。好像在整个身体上，我不管别的细胞怎么样，我就是长我的，一直长，一直长。你就要说，这一个细胞是恶性的，是可恶的。请你们记得，它这样的长，全身都要受它的影响。整个身体的细胞，都要被它拖来帮助它长。它只是叫自己大，它不能叫身体好。本来身体上所有的细胞，都应该是为着叫身体好的，但现在都受了它的影响了。一个人生癌的时候，全身的细胞碰着它的时候，都要被它拖去，叫它变作更大。它是另外一个东西，它脱离了身体的律。

　　所以，你们要看见，如果有一个人，一不服权柄，一不服身体上的律，一不按着合一的原则去作，而是凭着自己的意思去作的时候，就是一个癌。所有的滋养经过它，都被它拿去，为着长它自己，而不是为着长身体。它只扩充自己，而不扩充身体。所以，一个医生要治癌是难的事。因为在这里有一个另外的原则，是它作它的。
 
　I have used the illustration of a cancerous tumor. Cancer is one of the most serious illnesses; it is even more menacing than tuberculosis. When cancer breaks out in certain parts of the body, the cells of that part begin to multiply. One cell becomes two, two become four, and four become eight. Ordinarily every cell has the ability to grow, but there is a law that regulates its growth. This law tells it when it should grow and when it should not grow.

　The cells in my hand do not multiply continuously and indefinitely. If I cut my hand accidentally, the cells around my cut will start to grow again. Two cells will multiply and become four, and four will become eight. They will continue to grow until the cut is healed. The cells do this because there is a law which causes the cells to grow. When the wound is closed and the cut healed, the cells will stop growing. What tells the cells to stop growing? We do not know how they grow, and we do not know how they stop growing. We know only that it is right for cells to grow when there is a wound, and it is right for them to stop growing when the wound is healed. There is an inner law which the cells obey. They know through the biological law of the body when to grow and when to stop growing. They know submission.

　Please bear in mind that the law of our body tells us about the authority of God. Every cell submits to the body’s authority. When does an ailment become serious? Suppose my hand is cut by a knife and the cells on both sides of the wound grow around it. When the wound is healed, the cells stop growing. I thank God that all the cells stop growing when the wound is healed. What would happen if they continued to grow? If they did, it would be a cancerous growth. Cancer means that the body has no need of more growth, yet a cell disobeys the regulation which governs this body and continues to grow independently. This growth becomes a cancer.

　Every cell must be restricted in its growth. With cancer, however, cells do not want to be told when to grow and when to stop growing; they just grow on their own. They ignore the other cells in the rest of the body. They grow by themselves continuously. We call this kind of cell malignant and evil. Please bear in mind that the whole body is affected by its growth. The cells of the whole body will be affected by malignant cells and will be forced to help them grow. Cancerous cells only cause growth to themselves; they do not bring health to the whole body. All the cells of the body should bring health to the whole body. But they all become affected by cancerous cells. When a person has cancer, the cells of the other parts of body are corrupted by the cancerous cells as soon as they come into contact with them. All the while, the cancer continues to grow. It becomes a separate entity, something no longer under the law of the body.

　If a person does not submit to authority, if he does not submit to the law of the Body or work according to the principle of oneness but works according to his own will, he is a cancer in the Body. All the nutrients passing through him will be eaten up by him for his own growth, not for the growth of the Body. He will only take care of his own growth, not the growth of the Body. It is difficult for a doctor to treat cancer because another principle is operating in the body, a principle that operates on its own.
　　基督的身体，乃是一个活的东西。我们也许可以这样说，没有一个东西比我们的身体还要活，还要合一，还要充满了生命。如果有一个弟兄或者姊妹，在没有相信主之先，本来是单独作事作惯了的，什么事情都是自己作。今天相信主之后，他就是身体上的细胞，他就是身体上的肢体。每一个细胞，在身体上都有一个律在约束着。在身体里有约束的律，他必须顺着身体的律而行，不能随着自己的意思而行。你一随着自己的意思而行，你立刻看见说，你在身体上乃是一个毒瘤，你在身体上乃是一个癌。这是有害于身体的，并不是帮助身体的。

　　我们怕单独行动的人，我们怕不遵守身体约束的人，我们怕随着自己意思作事的人，我们怕人在身体里不学习顺服元首的权柄。我们信主之后，第一个原则，属灵的原则，要记得，身体乃是神在地上所设立的权柄，身体就是一个权柄。在身体里，有神的律，我不能违反那一个律。我不能随便凭着自己的意思作。我一凭着自己的意思作，我马上像身体上一个不受约束的恶性细胞，自己作自己的事，完全破坏了合一。马上我成功作一个毒瘤，和别人合不起来，完全是单独的，不是帮助身体，乃是为害身体。所以我们要学习接受身体的断案，学习接受身体的约束，学习顺服整个身体生命的运行。
 
　The Body of Christ is a living entity. We may say that nothing is more living, more one, and more vital than our body. Before believing in the Lord, a brother might have been individualistic, acting on his own. After he believes in the Lord, he becomes a cell in the Body, a member of the Body. Every cell is restricted by the law in the Body. There is a binding law in the Body, and a man must act according to the law of the Body. He cannot work by his own will. Once a person acts according to his own will, he becomes a tumor, a cancer in the Body. This is not a help but a damage to the Body.

　We are wary of those who act individualistically, those who are not bound by the Body, who act according to their own will, and who have never learned to come under the authority of the Head. After we believe in the Lord, the first spiritual principle we should bear in mind is that the Body is God’s ordained authority on earth. The Body is the authority. God’s law is in the Body, and we cannot violate it. We cannot act carelessly according to our own will. When we act according to our own will, we will become unchecked malignant cells in the Body, doing our own things and completely damaging the oneness of the Body. We immediately will become a tumor. We will no longer be one with others and will become independent persons. We will not be a help to the Body but a damage to it. We must learn to accept the judgment and restriction of the Body and submit to the operation of the life of the whole Body.
　　你们在主面前作基督徒作得越久，你们越要看见说，身体的合一是事实。你们要越过越看见合一是事实。这一个事实是非常厉害的事实。所以，你们要学习不破坏这一个事实。你们破坏这一个，就是不法。你们破坏这一个，就是不服。你们破坏这一个，就是悖逆。你们破坏这一个，神的权柄就不在你们身上。权柄，要在每一个细胞上。身体上的细胞，都是互相作用的，而不是单独作用的。这是希奇的事。你越领会身体的事，你越看见用身体来比喻教会，是何等的合式。
 
　The longer we go on in our Christian life before the Lord, the more we will realize the reality of the oneness of the Body. Sooner or later, we will see that oneness is a reality. It is a very sobering reality. We must learn to not damage it. It is lawlessness, rebellion, and disobedience for anyone to damage the oneness of the Body. The authority of God will not be with us if we damage it. Authority must be manifested in every cell of the Body. The cells in the Body function mutually, not individually. This is a marvelous fact. The more we comprehend the things of the Body, the more we will realize how appropriate it is to compare the church to our body.
　　在圣经里还有一个原则，是我们非顺服不可的，就是两三个人的原则。请读马太十八章十五至二十节那一段圣经。主耶稣对我们说，你们如果有两三个人在那里同心合意的，像音乐那样，声音是和谐的，奉我的名聚集（或者翻作归于我的名下聚集），我就在你们中间。你们无论求什么，我就给你们作。这是主给我们的一个很大的应许。如果有两三个人能够绝对的同心合意，一点疑惑都没有；主说，我就在你们中间听你们的祷告。
 
　There is another principle in the Bible which we must obey—the principle of the two or three. Please read Matthew 18:15-20. The Lord Jesus said that where two or three are gathered together in one accord, whose voices are in harmony like that of music and who meet under (or are gathered into) His name, He will be in their midst. Whatever they ask, it will be done for them. This is a very great promise of the Lord. If two or three can be fully in one accord, the Lord said that He would be in their midst and would answer their prayer.
　　主还告诉我们说，如果我今天得罪一个弟兄，那位弟兄来对我说，“你作了一件事，得罪了我，你是大错。”我说，“我想我没有错，是你错了。我不觉得我有错，我觉得很对。”但是那位弟兄说我错，我怎么作？我应该学习听弟兄的话。我如果是一个在主面前学习受教的人，当那位弟兄一个人来对我说的时候，我马上就觉得有罪。因为这也是身体的原则：一个就能代表。虽然我是对的，虽然我想我是不错的，但是一个弟兄在主面前经历相当多，受教相当深，他看见这件事是不对的，而来指正我。我如果是一个在神面前柔软的人，我马上就要说，“弟兄，我错了，你原谅我。”

　　我告诉你们，一个人就是权柄，不必要那么多。在你之外的那一个人，就是权柄；那一个人就能代表身体，那一个人就能代表整个教会。我就得看见说，我个人的举动是错的，有那一个人的证明，就够了。我不是说，有证明就接受；我乃是说，你在神面前乃是快的，许多时候用不着两个人、三个人来告诉你，许多时候用不着全教会来告诉你。在属灵的实际上，有一个人来告诉我，我就应该摸着；有一个人来说，我就得看见。那一个人已经是身体，那一个人就是身体的代表。
 
　The Lord told us something more. Suppose I sin against a brother today and he comes to me and says, “You have done something which offends me. You were very wrong.” Suppose I say, “I do not think I was wrong. You are the one who is wrong. I do not feel that I was wrong. I feel that I was very right.” Since this brother says that I am wrong, what should I do? I should learn to listen to my brother. If I am a person who has learned this lesson before the Lord, I will immediately feel that I have sinned when the brother comes to me. This is another principle in the Body. One person can represent the Body. I may be right; I may think that I am not wrong. But this brother is much more experienced than I am in the Lord, and he has learned much in the Lord. He sees that I am wrong and corrects me. If I am pliable before the Lord, I will immediately say, “Brother, please forgive me, I am wrong.”

　One person is enough to be the authority; there is no need to have many people. The person beside you can be the authority; he can represent the Body, the whole church. You must acknowledge that your independent way is wrong. If one person points this out to you, it is good enough. I am not saying that you have to accept every reproof that comes along. I am saying that you should have a quick response before the Lord. Often there is no need to have two or three or the whole church tell you something. You should touch and see something of the reality of the spiritual world as soon as one person says something to you. That person is the Body; he is enough to be a representative of the Body.
　　有的时候，是需要两三个人的见证。一位弟兄来对我说，我还看不见。那一位弟兄就去请另外一两个弟兄来，那一两个弟兄在主面前是相当清楚地、全心爱主的人。那一两个人，在主面前是有相当有分量的，是学习事奉主相当成熟的人。他们两三个人被请来，告诉我说，“按着我们看，你是错的。”在这一个时候，我必须记得主的话：如果有两三个人奉我的名聚集，我就在你们中间。

　　如果他们同心合意的对付一件事，他们的祷告主就听，主就替他们作。如果他们是和谐的对付某一件事，主就听他们和谐的对付。对于这件事，主能听他们的对付，我能不听他们的对付么？主能接受他们的断案，我能不接受他们的断案么？主说他们同心合意作的事是对的，我能说是不对么？我应该马上听。主能听他们同心合意的指责我的错，我难道能不听么？他们所捆绑的，天上也捆绑；他们所释放的，天上也释放，难道在我身上能不跟着天上而作么？

　　两三个人就是权柄，不过这两三个弟兄，不是糊里糊涂的说话，他们乃是在主面前有权柄、有敬畏、有顺服的。他们如果都同心合意的对你说，“你有错，”那你就是不觉得有错，也要服下来说，“我错。”不必等全教会都来对你说。快一点的人，遇见一个人就知道。慢一点的人，遇见两个人就知道。许多时候，你就是不觉得有错，如果有两三个虔诚的人都是那样看，你在神面前总要抱着顺服的态度，不要骄傲说，我没有错。
 
　Sometimes there is the need for the testimony of two or three. When one brother comes to me, I may not see the light. That brother may invite one or two other brothers to come along, brothers who are clear before the Lord and who love the Lord wholeheartedly. They may be more weighty before the Lord and more mature in their service to the Lord. When these two or three are called into the situation, they may say, “In our opinion, you are wrong.” At such times, I should remember the word of the Lord: “For where there are two or three gathered into My name, there am I in their midst” (Matt. 18:20).

　If these two or three are in one accord, the Lord will answer their prayer and do things for them. If they are in harmony in judging certain matters, the Lord will honor their judgment. If the Lord honors their judgment concerning certain matters, should we not honor it as well? If the Lord accepts their discernment, should we not accept it as well? If the Lord considers what they have done in one accord as right, can we say that it is wrong? We should yield to their judgment immediately. If the Lord agrees with their rebuke in one accord, can we afford to ignore it? Whatever they bind shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever they loose shall have been loosed in heaven. Should we not follow what has already been done in heaven?

　Two or three can be the authority. Of course, these two or three cannot speak rashly. They must be men of authority before the Lord. They must fear the Lord and obey Him. If they tell you in one accord that you are wrong, even if you do not feel that you are wrong, you have to yield to their judgment. You have to say, “I am wrong.” You do not have to wait until the whole church comes to you and tells you that you are wrong. The ones who are keen will know what to do as soon as one person comes. The ones who are slower will know what to do when two persons come. Often you may not feel that you are wrong, but if two or three godly men see things the same way, you should humble yourself before the Lord. Do not be proud and do not say that you are always right.
　　马太十八章还给我们看见，两三个弟兄来对你说过之后，假定你还是觉得没有错，这两三个弟兄就把这件事摆在教会的面前，让全教会在神面前考虑。若是全教会都在神面前有断案，都在神面前有审判，说你错了；我问你，你怎么办？你说，身体虽然说我错，元首说我不错。父母虽然离弃我，耶和华却收留我。弟兄都弃绝我，主不弃绝我，我在这里背十字架。这就是显明说，你是在教会之外的。你还以为你是受逼迫的，你还以为你是殉道，你是受苦，你是受弟兄的苦待。但是，我告诉你，你要学习顺服下来，说，教会如果说了就是。在这里再没有断案了。全体弟兄姊妹们都说我错，我就是对，也是错的。人在地位上要学习顺服这个教会的权柄。

　　教会在地上，里面是有神的权柄的。你千万不要刚硬到一个地步说，全体弟兄都说我错，但我说，我没有错。我告诉你，骄傲的人，在这里没有地位。骄傲的人，在这里不能顺服。骄傲的人，不知道什么叫作教会。当教会全体都在那里说我错的时候，我就应当学习温柔、谦卑，服下来说，我错了。你不能说教会没有权柄。教会是有权柄的。教会在神面前所断定的，神就承认说是对的。教会在神面前所拒绝的，神也拒绝。你不要刚硬到一个地步，连全体弟兄姊妹都看你是错的时候，你还说你是对的。主如果让他们同心合意说你错，恐怕你是错的。

　　每一个神的儿女，在教会里都需要学习顺服，有的时候，一个人可以代表教会。有的时候，两三个人可以代表教会。你必须在神面前作一个柔软的人，不作一个刚硬的人。要学习顺服的功课。神的儿女是站在顺服的原则上。我们在教会里要学习顺服。
 
　If you still feel that you are right after two or three brothers speak to you, Matthew 18 says that these brothers should take the matter to the church and let the whole church consider the matter before the Lord. If the whole church decides before God that you are wrong, what will you do? You may say, “Although the Body says I am wrong, the Head says that I am right. Though my parents forsake me, Jehovah will receive me. The brothers have rejected me, but the Lord will not reject me. I am bearing the cross.” If you say this, it clearly shows that you are outside the church. You think that you are persecuted, martyred, and suffering under the hands of the brothers. But what you really have to do is learn to humble yourself and say, “If the church says so, that is it. There is no other judgment. All the brothers and sisters say that I am wrong. I am wrong even if I am right.” While we are on earth today, we must learn to subject ourselves to the authority of the church.

　The church on earth bears God’s authority. You must never be hardened and say, “All the brothers say that I am wrong. But I insist that I am right.” A proud person has no place in the church. Proud ones cannot be submissive. They do not know what the church is. When the whole church says that you are wrong, you must learn to be meek, humble, and submissive. You must acknowledge that you are wrong. Do not say that the church has no authority to do what it does. The church has the authority. God acknowledges the church’s decision before Him. He also rejects what the church rejects. Do not be so obtuse as to say that you are right when all the brothers and sisters say that you are wrong. If the Lord allows them to pronounce in one accord that you are wrong, you are probably wrong.

　Every child of God should learn to humble himself in the church. Sometimes one person can represent the church. Sometimes two or three can represent the church. You must learn to be meek and pliable before the Lord. Learn the lesson of submission. God’s children should stand on the principle of submission. In the church we all must learn submission.
　　教会里不只有一个人来代表神的权柄，不只有两三个人来代表神的权柄，许多时候，是全体来代表神的权柄。
 
　God’s authority in the church is represented not only by one or two or three persons. Very often it takes the whole church to represent His authority.
　　可是，神在圣经里，另外还给我们看见说，在主面前负责的弟兄，就是那些作监督的弟兄。所谓作长老的弟兄，在教会里乃是特别代表神的权柄的人。其余的弟兄应该在神面前站在顺服的地位上。在教会里有神所设立的权柄，他们的工作乃是监督。所以，弟兄们要学习接受他们的断案，要顺服他们。

　　神的儿女活在世界上，应该到处寻找命令，到处寻找顺服的机会，而不是光在那里寻找工作。我常常觉得说，有许多年轻的人，没有多大用处。为什么缘故？也许他们有工作，但是他们不能顺服。有许多是不能顺服的人。你问他说，你作工有多少年？他也许说，我作工作了十年，我作了许多事。你再问他说，一生一世，你顺服过谁？也许连一个也没有顺服过。在教会里，基本的生活原则是顺服。

　　所以在我们中间每一个都应该学习顺服。一个人，如果一生一世谁都没有顺服过，这是一件非常可怜的事。所以你们应该学习在神面前顺服，不只顺服神，并且要顺服神在地上所设立的权柄，就是教会。也要顺服神在教会里所设立的权柄，就是负责弟兄。你能够说，我作工作了多少年；但是你不能说，我没有不顺服主。你谁都没有顺服过，这是基本的难处，这是基本的问题。你如果在神面前看，你就能看见说，这是非顺服不可的。
 
　God shows us through the Bible that the brothers who are bearing responsibility before the Lord, who are called overseers, and who serve as the elders, are the ones who represent His authority in the church. The rest of the brothers must learn to take a submissive stand before God. God has established authorities in the church; their work is to oversee the church. All the brothers must learn to accept their judgments and submit to them.

　Everywhere God’s children are on earth, they should seek commandments to obey; they should seek the opportunity to submit. They should not just seek work. I often feel that many young people are of little use to the Lord, because even though they can work, they cannot submit. There are many people who cannot be submissive. If you ask how many years they have been working for the Lord, they can tell you that they have worked for ten years and have done many things. But if you ask to whom they have submitted, they may not be able to name one person. The basic principle of the church life is submission.

　Everyone among us should learn submission. It is pitiful for a person to have never submitted to anyone his whole life. We must learn to submit to God, and not to Him only, but also to the authority God has appointed on earth—the church. We must submit to God’s ordained authority in the church, that is, the responsible brothers. We can boast of the many years we have worked for the Lord, but we cannot boast of our obedience to the Lord. We have never been submissive to anyone. This is the basic problem and the basic challenge before us. If we consider this matter carefully before the Lord, we will realize that this kind of submission is mandatory in the church.
　　现在我愿意和你们稍微读几节圣经，特别是关乎长老的。

　　林前十六章十五至十六节：“弟兄们，你们晓得司提反一家，是亚该亚初结的果子；并且他们专以服事圣徒为念；我劝你们顺服这样的人，并一切同工同劳的人。”他们没有别的意念。他们在哥林多教会里，只有一个意念，就是要服事圣徒。保罗说，你们要顺服他们。神在教会里所设立的权柄，你要顺服。顺服司提反一家的人，也要顺服与司提反同工同劳的人。在你们前面有许多年长的弟兄，在你们前面有许多初结的果子，比你们早在基督里，同时以你们的事为念，你们要尊敬这样的人。你们千万不要以为这样的人是可以轻看的，你们应当顺服他们。
 
　Let us read a few verses together concerning the elders.

　First Corinthians 16:15-16 says, “Now I exhort you, brothers: You know the household of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and they have set themselves to minister to the saints; you also be subject to such ones, and to everyone co-working and laboring.” The household of Stephanas had no other thought in the church in Corinth except to minister to the saints. Paul told us to be subject to such ones. We must be subject to the deputy authority of God in the church. We must be subject to those who are like the household of Stephanas and also to everyone who co-works and labors with those who are like Stephanas. These are brothers more mature than we; they are firstfruits in Christ and were begotten before we were begotten. They are also concerned about our affairs. We should honor them, not despise them. Rather, we should be subject to them.
　　彼前五章五节：“你们年幼的，也要顺服年长的。”上文乃是对我们讲到长老的事。这里有一班人，在主面前有更多的年日，或者就是作长老的人。彼得说，你们年幼的，应该顺服年长的。他们在主面前乃是你们的榜样（3）。所以年轻的人，如果有人按着神的旨意来照管你们，你们在神面前要学习顺服他们。他们乃是在神面前作榜样的，你们要学习顺服他们。在教会里特别是能够代表主的那些年长弟兄，是你们在主面前特别应该顺服的人。
 
　First Peter 5:5 says, “In like manner, younger men, be subject to elders.” The passage before this verse speaks of those who are elders. Here is a group of people who have more days in the Lord; they may be the elders. Peter said that the younger men should be subject to the elderly ones, who are patterns to others before the Lord (v. 3). If a young person finds someone taking care of him according to God’s will, he should learn to subject himself to such a one before God. This one is a pattern to him, and he should learn to subject himself to this pattern. We should pay particular attention to our submission to the elderly brothers; they are clearly qualified to represent the Lord in the church.
　　提前五章十七节：“那善于管理教会的长老，当以为配受加倍的敬奉；那劳苦传道教导人的，更当如此。”你们对那班善于管理教会的长老，应该有加倍的敬奉，绝对不应该轻看评论。你们应该敬重长老。对于那劳苦传道教导人的，更当如此。对于有恩赐为着话语职事的，更应当如此。有的长老会作话语的职事，有的长老不会作话语的职事；不只对于会的人应当尊敬，对于不会的人也应当尊敬。

　　我在这里愿意提醒一句话：许多弟兄对于顺服的事，有一个基本的错误，他们挑选顺服的对象。他们以为说，我所需要的，乃是顺服那些完全的人。请你们记得，主从来没有这样定规。顺服，不是顺服完全的人；顺服，乃是顺服主的权柄在他身上。你如果要挑选你所顺服的人，你在地上会找不到可顺服的人，因为无论是谁，你总能够找出他的毛病来。就是彼得来到你们中间，你们也容易找出他的毛病来。但是，只要有一件事就够了，这一位弟兄是在你的前面，你就得听他的话。

　　你如果要在那里推诿的话，你可以找出千万的理由来。在这里有一个长老，他只会管理教会，而没有话语的职事；你也许以为说，我不必尊敬他，我讲道比他讲得更好。可是神的话乃是说，要尊敬那些善于管理教会的长老，那劳苦传道教导的人，更当如此。在这里不是挑选的问题。有许多人用自己的挑选，来遮掩他们的不法，来遮掩他们的悖逆。这是愚昧的。他如果是年长的，他如果是在你前面的，你就应该顺服，而不应该批评。
 
　First Timothy 5:17 says, “Let the elders who take the lead well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in word and teaching.” You must render double honor toward those elders who take the lead well in the church and should never despise or criticize them. You should honor the elders, even more those who labor in word and teaching. You should also honor those who have the gift of the ministry of the word. Some elders can fulfill the ministry of the word and some cannot. You should honor not only those who can fulfill such a ministry but also those who cannot. I would like to point out that many brothers hold a wrong concept about submission; they choose the kind of people they will submit to. They think they should submit to only perfect individuals. Please bear in mind that this is not the Lord’s ordained way. We do not submit only to those who are perfect. We submit rather to the authority the Lord has placed over us. If it were up to us to choose a person to submit to, we would never find such a person on earth, because we would always find faults. Even if Peter appeared in our midst, we would still find many faults in him. Only one thing is necessary for our submission; if a brother is before us in the Lord, we should listen to him.

　You can find a million reasons to excuse yourself. An elder may know only how to take care of the church but have no ministry of the word. You may think that you do not need to honor him since you can speak better than he can. But God’s Word says, “Let the elders who take the lead well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in word and teaching.” This is not a matter of choice. Many people cover their lawlessness and disobedience with the excuse of choice. This is foolish. If a person is more mature than you are and is ahead of you, you should submit to him and not criticize him.
　　希伯来十三章十七节：“你们要依从那些引导你们的，且要顺服。”你看见，在神的话语里是相当的清楚。一切在你们前面引导你们的，你们都应该顺服他。你们不可以挑选自己所喜欢的来顺服。如果你们只听一位弟兄的话，不听别的弟兄的话，我告诉你们，这不是真顺服。请你们记得，听一位弟兄的话，并不希奇。人要学习顺服，是要学习顺服在他前面的人，不只是要学习顺服在他头上的人。是要学习顺服引导你们的人，不只是要学习顺服在你顶上特别有恩赐的人，特别为主所用的人。你们要常常找出来，谁是在你们前面的。

　　将来你们离开这里到别处去，你们三个弟兄，或者五个弟兄聚集在一起，那时候你第一个问题应该是说，我应该顺服谁？我应该顺服在我前面的。三个弟兄，或者五个弟兄，就是两个钟点、三个钟点在一起，自然而然，有一个是神叫他作引导的人，你就得顺服他。基督徒的特点是顺服，基督徒的特点不是作工。基督徒的特点，就是认识一切引导的人。我常常觉得，在一个地方，有五、六个弟兄聚集在一起，若是每一个都站在自己的地位上，那是非常美丽的事。无论是十个弟兄、二十个弟兄，一坐下来，自然而然就知道谁是在我前面；一找出来，就要顺服。

　　“你们要依从那些引导你们的，且要顺服。”因为什么？“因他们为你们的灵魂时刻儆醒，好像那将来交账的人；你们要使他们交的时候有快乐，不至忧愁：若忧愁就与你们无益了。”任何在你们前面的人，是为着你们灵魂担心的人，是要为着你们的灵魂交账的人；这样的人，都是你们在神面前应该顺服的人。
 
　Hebrews 13:17 says, “Obey the ones leading you and submit to them.” God’s Word is clear. You should submit to all those who are before you and who are leading you. You cannot choose the ones you like and submit only to them. If you only listen to one brother’s word and refuse another’s word, this is not real submission. It is not difficult to only listen to one brother. For a person to learn submission, he must learn to submit to all the ones who are before him, not only to those who are immediately above him. He must learn to submit to those leading him, not only to the elderly who are particularly gifted and used by the Lord. You must always seek out those who are before you.

　In the coming days, when you go to other localities, three or five of you will be gathered together. The first question you should ask is: To whom should I submit? You should submit to those who are before you. When three or five brothers gather together even for two or three hours, spontaneously one will be manifested to be God’s appointed leader. You must submit to this one. The characteristic of a Christian is submission, not work. The characteristic of a Christian is the acknowledgment of all the leading ones. When five or six brothers are together, it is a sweet thing to see them all standing on the proper ground. As soon as you sit down with ten or twenty brothers, you should immediately identify those who are ahead of you. Once you identify them, you should submit to them.

　“Obey the ones leading you and submit to them.” This is because “they watch over your souls as those who will render an account, that they may do this with joy and not groaning; for this would be unprofitable to you.” Anyone who is ahead of you is concerned about your soul; he has to render an account for your soul. You should submit to this person before God.
　　帖前五章十二至十三节：“弟兄们，我们劝你们敬重那在你们中间劳苦的人，就是在主里面治理你们，劝戒你们的；又因他们所作的工，用爱心格外尊重他们。”有的人是在主里面治理你们，是在主里面引导你们的，这样的人你们都应当尊敬，都应当尊重。这样的人，都是我们所应该顺服的人。所以，一个基督徒，如果作到世界上没有一个可顺服的人，这一个人是世界上希奇的人。一个基督徒应该到处看见，有许多在我前面的人，有许多在属灵方面有重量的人，有许多带领我的人，这些人都是我所应该顺服的。

　　如果是这样，你就看见，在教会里就维持一个原则，那一个原则是神在撒但里所找不到的，是神在世界里所找不到的，是神在宇宙里所找不到的，那一个原则就是顺服。在教会里有一个基本的功课要学。在世界里所弃绝的，在教会里要得着。在教会里有一个基本的原则，就是要顺服。
 
　First Thessalonians 5:12-13 says, “Furthermore we ask you, brothers, to acknowledge those who labor among you and take the lead among you in the Lord and admonish you, and to regard them most highly in love because of their work.” Some people have a responsibility in the Lord to take care of you and to lead you. You should honor and regard them highly. They are the ones to submit to. A Christian who has no one to submit to in this world is a strange person. Every Christian should find many who are ahead of him, who are weighty spiritually and who can render him spiritual guidance. He should submit to them.

　If we do this, we will maintain the right principle in the church. God cannot find this principle in Satan, the world, or the whole universe. This principle is the principle of submission. We must all learn this basic lesson in the church. The world has rejected this principle. God must now secure it in the church. The underlying basic principle in the church is submission.
　　我们已经看见，身体的合一就是权柄。也看见，一个人能代表基督的身体，两三个人也能代表基督的身体，一个地方的教会也能代表基督的身体。末了也看见，在主里面的长老，领导我们的，也是代表基督的身体，这些都是神的权柄，都是神在我们中间所设立的权柄，我们要顺服他们，尊敬他们，请教他们，听他们的话。如果是这样，主的名就在我们中间，主的话也在我们中间，这样才是非拉铁非。
 
　We have seen that the oneness of the Body is authority itself. We have also seen that one person, two or three persons, or a local church, can represent the Body of Christ. Finally, we have seen that the elders in the Lord, those who take the lead among us, also represent the Body of Christ. All of these constitute God’s authority. They are the deputy authority of God among us, and we must submit to them and honor them. We must inquire of them and listen to them. If we practice this, the Lord’s name and His word will be magnified in our midst, and we will be Philadelphia indeed.

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